The Indian smartphone market is filled with an array of smartphone offerings in different price ranges. The influx of Chinese and Taiwanese smartphone makers in the recent times has left us spoilt for choice. There’s also a big problem of flagship smartphones getting more expensive every year, and that’s where the mid-range and the premium mid-range come into play, phones that cost anywhere between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000. Phones in this segment aim to offer solid specifications at a decent price, without burning big holes in our pockets.
A host of smartphones have been launched in India under the Rs. 30,000 price segment that offer impressive specifications, battery, and cameras. Select phones from Samsung, Asus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have particularly impressed us, and we’ve listed our top picks under the Rs. 30,000 price segment. These haves have a minimum overall rating of 8 out of 10, and were released roughly in the last 12 months.
If you are on a tighter budget, do go through this list of best phones under Rs. 25,000 as well.
Here’s a look at our top picks for best mobiles under Rs. 30,000.
Contents
Best mobile phones under 30000
| Phone under Rs. 30,000 | Gadgets 360 rating (out of 10) | Price in India (as recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A70 | 8 | Rs. 28,999 |
| Vivo V15 Pro | 8 | Rs. 26,990 |
| Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) | 8 | Rs. 25,990 |
| Poco F1 Armoured Edition | 8 | Rs. 29,990 |
| Oppo R17 Pro | 8 | Rs. 29,200 |
| Asus ZenFone 5Z | 9 | Rs. 29,999 |
| Nokia 8.1 | 8 | Rs. 26,074 |
Samsung Galaxy A70
Samsung revamped its Galaxy A-series this year to introduce a slew of phones catering to different target audiences. The Samsung Galaxy A70 is one such offering that comes with a triple rear camera setup, a 32-megapixel selfie sensor, and a Snapdragon 675 SoC. It also has a really large 6.7-inch display, and a mammoth 4,500mAh battery inside.
In our review, we found the Samsung Galaxy A70 great for multimedia consumption and can handle day-to-day tasks without a stutter, even holding its own when it comes to demanding games. The device easily sails through a day of heavy usage, and 25W fast charging is certainly an added bonus. On the downside, the lack of a dedicated night mode and stabilisation might prove to be major red flags for photography enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy A70 price in India has been set at Rs. 28,990 for the lone 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model. The phone comes in Black, Blue, and White colour options. It is available in all retail stores, Samsung online shop, Samsung Opera House, and Flipkart.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Beautiful Super-AMOLED display
- Impressive slow-mo video recording
- Good battery life and fast charging
- Bad
- Bulky and heavy
- No camera night mode
- No OIS or EIS
- Samsung Galaxy A70 (Blue, 6GB RAM, 128GB) –₹27,940
- Samsung Galaxy A70 (Blue, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹28,600
- Samsung Galaxy A70 (Black, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹28,890
Vivo V15 Pro
The Vivo offering has a lot of big key selling points as well. It comes with a pop-up selfie camera module that integrates a massive 32-megapixel image sensor. At the back, the Vivo V15 Pro houses a triple camera setup, a fifth-generation in-display fingerprint sensor and a Snapdragon 675 AIE SoC.
In our review, we found that the Vivo V15 Pro offers capable cameras, good battery life, and an immersive screen. The only trade-offs are its Android skin, the old-fashioned Micro-USB port, and the lack of Widewine L1 certification.
The Vivo V15 Pro comes in two RAM + storage options – the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage option is priced at Rs. 26,990 after a recent price cut, and the newly launched 8GB RAM + 128GB storage option is priced at Rs. 29,990.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Eye-catching design
- Beautiful display
- Good photo quality
- Bad
- Stuck with a Micro-USB port
- Can’t stream HD videos on Netflix or Amazon
- FunTouch OS needs refinement
- Vivo V15 Pro (Ruby Red, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹25,400
- Vivo V15 Pro (Topaz Blue, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹25,490
- Vivo V15 Pro (Topaz Blue, 6GB RAM, 128GB) –₹26,990
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018)
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) comes with four rear cameras with a setup featuring telephoto, ultra-wide, and depth sensors. There is also a 24-megapixel sensor at the front that supports a handful of beauty features as well as a software-backed Face Unlock functionality. Apart from the optics, the Galaxy A9 (2018) features a full-HD+ Infinity Display panel with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio and is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC. The smartphone also has up to 8GB of RAM and sports a 3D Glass curved back.
We discovered that this is a competent phone that delivers strong performance and looks good doing it. In our review, we found that the Galaxy A9 (2018) helps in making a big, bold style statement, and has decent camera skills, although we wouldn’t call this an absolute must-have for photographers.
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is currently priced at Rs. 25,990 for the 6GB + 128GB variant, down from its earlier price of Rs. 28,990. The 8GB + 128GB version of the phone is now available at Rs. 28,990, down from its old price of Rs. 31,990.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Looks good
- Bright, vibrant screen
- Good battery life
- Bad
- Underpowered for its price
- Zoom and wide-angle cameras not useful in low light
- Spammy notifications
- Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) (Lemonade Blue, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹26,500
- Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) (Caviar Black, 6GB RAM, 128GB) –₹26,560
- Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) (Bubblegum Pink, 6GB RAM, 128GB) –₹27,280
Poco F1 Armoured Edition
Xiaomi introduced its new sub-brand Poco last year, and the first phone of the lot, the Poco F1 was an instant hit. The phone packs premium specifications, and is priced rather competitively in the market. The Poco F1 Armoured Edition was launched in India in December, and if your budget is around Rs. 30,000, the 8GB RAM variant should be on your consideration list. The phone packs a Snapdragon 845 SoC, a dual rear camera setup, and a large 4,000mAh battery.
We were quite impressed by the phone’s processor, battery life, and price point. We like the Kevlar back panel on the Armoured Edition, although we found in our review that the Poco F1 camera could do better in low-light.
Poco F1 Armoured Edition with 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage is priced at Rs. 29,990 in India. The phone comes in one Kevlar black panel finish only. It is available on Amazon and Flipkart both.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Excellent value for money
- Sturdy body
- Good battery life
- Bad
- Average low-light camera performance
- No video stabilisation at 4K
- Xiaomi Poco F1 (Graphite Black, 6GB RAM, 64GB)₹18,799
- Xiaomi Poco F1 (Rosso Red, 6GB RAM, 64GB)₹19,199
- Xiaomi Poco F1 (Steel Blue, 6GB RAM, 64GB)₹19,499
Oppo R17 Pro
The Oppo R17 Pro was launched in India in December, and while the phone was originally launched for a hefty price tag of Rs. 45,990, it is now listed on Flipkart and Amazon for as low as Rs. 29,200. Amazon is not offering any exchange discount on this phone, but Flipkart is. Both the sites also have listed no-cost EMI options as well at the time of writing.
In our review, we discovered that the phone had a decent camera setup. Photos taken with the Oppo R17 Pro had good amounts of detail, even for objects that were at a distance. Macros and low-light photos had good detail, and the second sensor did help in creating a good depth effect as well. The R17 Pro also offers solid build quality, a flashy paint job, and an insanely fast charger.
On Flipkart, the Oppo R17 Pro is priced at Rs. 29,900 and is available in Emerald Green and Radiant Mist colour options. On Amazon, it is priced at Rs. 29,200 as mentioned above.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Solid build quality
- Good battery life
- Insane charging speeds
- Good cameras
- Bad
- Slow fingerprint scanner
- 3D camera feature doesn’t work yet
- Oppo R17 Pro (Emerald Green, 8GB RAM, 128GB)₹29,000
- Oppo R17 Pro (Radiant Mist, 8GB RAM, 128GB)₹29,200
- Oppo R17 Pro (Emerald Green, 8GB RAM, 128GB) –₹29,990
Asus ZenFone 5Z
The Asus ZenFone 5Z is packed with premium features such as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, up to 8GB of RAM, an 19:9 display, and dual rear cameras. It brings good competition to the market with impressive specifications, and aggressive pricing.
In our review, we found that the smartphone is a powerhouse, performs well, and has a few AI enhancements that are useful and make the overall experience better. The cameras also perform well in different lighting conditions.
The Asus ZenFone 5Z price in India starts at Rs. 29,999 and it is available on Flipkart.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Useful software features
- Premium build
- Good cameras
- Hi-Res earphones bundled
- Bad
- Slow face unlock
- No splash or water resistance
- Asus ZenFone 5Z (ZS620KL) (Meteor Silver, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹24,999
- Asus ZenFone 5Z (ZS620KL) (Midnight Blue, 6GB RAM, 128GB)₹24,999
- Asus ZenFone 5Z (ZS620KL) (Midnight Blue, 8GB, 256GB)₹28,999
Nokia 8.1
While the Nokia 8.1 4GB RAM variant was launched in India in December, the 6GB RAM variant was only launched in February this year. Key features include Snapdragon 710 processor, a 6.18-inch display, a dual rear camera setup, a 20-megapixel selfie camera, and a 3,500mAh battery.
In our review, we found the Nokia 8.1 last for a day of average use, performs well, and looks decent with respect to design.
The Nokia 8.1 6GB RAM/ 128GB storage variant was launched at Rs. 29,999 in India, but it is now available at Rs. 26,074 from Amazon.in in Blue and Iron colours. Nokia online shop and retail outlets across the country are also selling the model.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Excellent construction quality
- Bright, vibrant HDR display
- Android One
- Bad
- Specifications aren’t very competitive
- Poor low-light camera performance
- Nokia 8.1 (Blue, 4GB RAM, 64GB) –₹21,429
- Nokia 8.1 (Iron, 4GB RAM, 64GB) –₹21,639
- Nokia 8.1 (Iron, 4GB RAM, 64GB) –₹22,960
Bonus pick: OnePlus 6T
Now that the OnePlus 7 Pro has been launched in India, the OnePlus 6T is listed on Amazon India at reduced prices. Even though the price goes a little above the mentioned Rs. 30,000 price range, it is worth the consideration if you can shell out a few extra bucks. The phone comes with top-of the-line specifications like the Snapdragon 845 processor, dual rear camera setup, a 3,700mAh battery, and more.
In our review, we were quite impressed with the design, the big vibrant screen, and the all-day battery life. Although, it’s worth mentioning that the phone lacks wireless charging, an IP rating, or for that matter – a 3.5mm audio jack.
The OnePlus 6T is priced on Amazon India currently at Rs. 32,999 for its 8GB RAM + 128GB storage option, and Rs. 36,999 for its 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Looks good
- Big, vibrant screen
- All-day battery life
- Excellent, up-to-date software
- Bad
- Disappointing low-light camera quality
- Awkward and slow fingerprint sensor
- No IP rating, wireless charging, or 3.5mm jack
- OnePlus 6T (Mirror Black, 8GB RAM, 128GB) –Hot Deal₹32,999
- OnePlus 6T (Midnight Black, 8GB RAM, 128GB) –Bestseller₹32,999
- OnePlus 6T (Midnight Black, 8GB RAM, 256GB) –₹36,999
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