Let’s be honest- 40,000 is the new sweet spot for smartphone buyers in India. It’s where mid-range pricing meets near-flagship ambition. We’re talking about phones that game like beasts, shoot sharp pictures in tricky light, and charge faster than your morning coffee brews. But not all ₹40K phones are made equal. Some cut corners on build quality, others slap on gimmicky cameras, and a few just feel… off. That’s where this list comes in.
After weeks of real-world testing, benchmark crunching, and daylight-to-nightlight photography comparisons, we’ve handpicked the 10 best phones under 40000 that actually deliver on their promises.
| Product Name | Price | Why to Choose It? |
|---|---|---|
| iQOO Neo 10 | 35,488 | Best-in-segment gaming performance with strong thermals and fast charging. |
| OnePlus 11 | 38,999 | Flagship-level performance and cameras at a heavily reduced price point. |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | 31,999 | Flagship-grade display, dependable cameras, and Samsung’s long software support. |
| vivo T4 Ultra | 35,999 | Powerful performance and long battery life suited for heavy users. |
| realme GT 7 | 36,999 | Excellent performance with flagship-grade chipset at a competitive price. |
| vivo V50 | 32,999 | Strong selfie + rear camera performance with a stylish thin-and-light design. |
| Nothing Phone 3a Pro | 28,999 | Unique design + clean software + smooth display makes it a premium all-rounder. |
| Google Pixel 8A | 34,999 | Best-in-class camera + unmatched software experience in this segment. |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G-12 GB 512 GB | 31,999 | Massive storage + premium camera setup at a surprisingly low price. |
| OnePlus Nord 5 | 32,470 | Balanced performer with clean OxygenOS and strong battery life. |
The iQOO Neo 10 isn’t just another mid-range phone trying to flex flagship specs; it actually delivers where it counts. With a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 under the hood and up to 16GB RAM, this is a phone built for power users who game hard, multitask heavily, and expect fluidity in every tap. During testing, it breezed through everything from 120FPS gaming sessions to long stretches of multitasking without major thermal throttling. Its 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 3340 nits makes content consumption and gaming feel truly immersive, easily one of the best panels in its class. Real-world usage confirms what the Calman results already suggest: top-tier colour accuracy with a Delta E of 1.4, great visibility even in bright sunlight, and ultra-smooth animations across the UI. Despite packing a massive 7000mAh battery, the Neo 10 remains surprisingly ergonomic and well-balanced in the hand. It also edges ahead of rivals with its 120W fast charging, fully juicing up in around 40 minutes. Yes, its camera system isn’t class-leading, detail retention and edge detection could be better, but the results are consistent and vibrant enough for social-ready snaps. And though it shares a lot with the cheaper Neo 10R, this version justifies the premium with a brighter display, faster charging, better thermal control, and a more refined user experience. With strong scores across the board, from performance and display to battery and value, the iQOO Neo 10 earns its spot on this list as a reliable, performance-first all-rounder under ₹32,000.
Flagship-level power
Smooth BGMI gameplay
Excellent battery backup
Decent Cameras
Performance dips
Low-Light weakness
The OnePlus 11 stands out its camera 50 MP, battery rating 5000 mh, resolution 1440×3216 px (QHD+). Designed for users who demand the best from their devices, OnePlus 11 delivers top-tier performance, stunning visuals, and long-lasting battery life. Whether you're a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone looking for a fast, reliable phone, the OnePlus 11 ticks all the boxes. Here's why the OnePlus 11.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE stands out its camera 50 MP, battery rating 4700 mh, resolution 1080×2340 px (FHD+). Designed for users who demand the best from their devices, Samsung Galaxy S24 FE delivers top-tier performance, stunning visuals, and long-lasting battery life. Whether you're a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone looking for a fast, reliable phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE ticks all the boxes. Here's why the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
Rated 3.3, the Vivo T4 Ultra pairs Dimensity 9300+ performance with a 1.5K LTPO AMOLED and strong 5500mAh battery life. The cameras excel in zoom and low light for their class, and bold design and quick charging impress, though the lower IP rating and polarising finish may not suit everyone.
The Realme GT 7 confidently earns its place on this list by offering one of the best balances between performance, features, and value in its price segment. With the new MediaTek Dimensity 9400e chipset at its core, it delivers a smooth, high-FPS gaming experience, complemented by a snappy UI and top-tier thermal performance. Our benchmarks show Realme GT 7 is one of the fastest phones under 40,000, and real-world gaming backs that up; it handled intensive sessions of BGMI without breaking a sweat. What also impressed us was the display. The 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel is not just big and fluid (thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate), but colour-accurate too, with a Delta E score of just 0.7 in lab tests. Whether you’re streaming, scrolling, or gaming, the visuals are crisp and vibrant. The display could’ve been brighter, yes, but it’s still one of the better ones at this price point. Design-wise, the GT 7 feels modern and distinct with subtle red accents, though the plastic frame doesn’t scream premium. That’s likely why its Build and Design score landed at a respectable 7.7. Cameras are solid in daylight, and while low-light shots aren’t groundbreaking, most users will find the results satisfying enough. Where the GT 7 truly pulls ahead is with its 7000mAh battery and 120W fast charging, an unbeatable combo that makes this device ideal for gamers, power users, and streamers alike. With a strong 7.9 in Value for Money, this is a phone that delivers where it counts.
Powerful Performance
Colour-accurate Display
Great Battery Life
Plastic Build
Average Low-Light Camera Performance
Display could have been brighter
The vivo V50 stands out its camera 50 MP, battery rating 6000 mh, resolution 1080×2392 px (FHD+). Designed for users who demand the best from their devices, vivo V50 delivers top-tier performance, stunning visuals, and long-lasting battery life. Whether you're a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone looking for a fast, reliable phone, the vivo V50 ticks all the boxes. Here's why the vivo V50.
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro stakes its claim in the mid-range with a distinctive design and a bright, vibrant display that truly stands out. Its signature Glyph interface and transparent aesthetic make it one of the most visually unique phones you can get in this segment, instantly setting it apart from the crowd. The 6.77-inch AMOLED screen dazzles with HDR10+ support and impressive peak brightness, delivering an immersive experience for streaming and gaming. Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset powering the 3a Pro offers only a modest boost over the standard 3a, which raises eyebrows considering the “Pro” label. Real-world usage confirms this minimal gap, with benchmark and gaming performance largely overlapping with its sibling. However, the clean, bloat-free Nothing OS 3.1 built on Android 15 provides a smooth, fluid experience complemented by unique AI features like Essential Space and its dedicated hardware key, a thoughtful touch for productivity enthusiasts. The triple camera setup impresses with its versatile range, particularly the 50MP periscope telephoto lens that delivers detailed portraits and excellent low-light shots. Colours remain true to life without the oversaturation often seen in mid-rangers, though some occasional quirks like artificial bokeh are noticeable. While its battery life is solid and fast charging convenient, the 3a Pro’s biggest compromise is raw performance, especially against competitors boasting flagship-grade Snapdragon 8s chips at similar prices. If you prioritize distinctive design, a clean user experience, and a reliable camera system over outright power, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro deserves a spot on your shortlist. It scored a respectable 7.8 on Digit’s scale, with standout marks in design and features, though performance remains its soft spot.
The Google Pixel 8a earns its spot in the Top 10 for delivering a genuinely compact and clean Android experience with a healthy dose of AI smarts. Digit’s overall rating of 7.1 reflects a phone that excels where it counts, especially in design, camera quality, and software longevity, while making a few compromises along the way. At 6.1 inches, the Pixel 8a is one of the rare mid-range phones that still respects smaller form factors, which makes it a solid choice for users who prefer one-handed comfort without sacrificing modern features. The build feels thoughtfully crafted, with a smooth, fingerprint-resistant back and metal sides, though it’s a bit on the thicker side. The display is vibrant and sharp, with the welcome addition of a 120Hz refresh rate, but the thick, uneven bezels keep it from feeling fully premium, something that clearly influenced its modest 7.1 score in build and design. Powered by the Tensor G3 chip, the phone handles daily tasks smoothly and benefits from Google’s clean Android 14 with seven years of guaranteed updates, a strong point that elevates the user experience beyond specs alone. Its AI-powered camera tools, like Magic Eraser and Best Take, continue Google’s tradition of computational photography excellence, delivering consistently impressive shots, particularly in good light. Performance and thermal management, however, are weaker links. The phone tends to overheat under heavy loads and throttles quickly, making it less suited for gamers or power users compared to competition like the iQOO 12 or OnePlus 12R. Charging speeds are also disappointingly slow, which somewhat dents its value-for-money appeal. All told, the Pixel 8a is a thoughtful, software-focused device for those who value compact design, reliable cameras, and long-term support over raw power or cutting-edge hardware. Its Digit score of 7.1 for features, performance, and value reflects this balanced reality, strong where it matters most, but with compromises that are important to keep in mind.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G-12 GB 512 GB stands out its camera 50 MP, battery rating 6200 mh, resolution 1220×2712 px (FHD+). Designed for users who demand the best from their devices, Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G-12 GB 512 GB delivers top-tier performance, stunning visuals, and long-lasting battery life. Whether you're a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone looking for a fast, reliable phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G-12 GB 512 GB ticks all the boxes. Here's why the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G-12 GB 512 GB.
The OnePlus Nord 5 scores 7.6 out of 10 in our testing for being one of the best performance-focused Nord models yet. Read the full review to see how it balances speed, style, and value. Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, it packs a 144Hz OLED display and delivers flagship-like stability with excellent battery life. While the ultrawide camera and slower charging hold it back, the main sensor, display, and design make it a top mid-range pick.
Sharp & accurate 144Hz OLED display
Flagship-grade performance
Great battery life
Reliable main camera
Solid thermals
Clean software with long updates
No alert slider
Weak ultrawide in low light
Heavier than Nord 4