India’s smartphone replacement cycles are now almost at 36 months, suggesting that improved quality and fewer radical annual upgrades are seeing more Indian consumers holding on to their smartphones for longer. While AI has been a dominant theme in the sales pitch of most smartphone brands in 2024, most handset manufacturers have stuck with ‘incremental upgrades’ when it comes to the hardware specs. This also means that you can find deals on smartphones from a year or two ago that are still quite future proof. Whether you’re looking for raw power, or a capable mobile shooter or a monster battery, we’ve got you covered.

iQOO 13

The iQOO 13 more than satiates our need for speed. The all-new iQOO 13 is one of the first smartphones to be propelled by the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Look for the Legend Edition that showcases iQOO’s brand association with BMW and features BMW Motorsport’s signature tri-colour stripe. iQOO has packed this flagship device with a massive 6,000 mAh battery and still manages to keep the heft at around 200gm. You get a dependable triple rear cam with three 50MP lenses powered by Vivo optics and a vibrant 6.82-inch AMOLED display (3168 x 1440 pixels / 510 PPI) that peaks at 4500 nits.

Price: Rs 49,999 with additional exchange bonus

Google Pixel 8

The Pixel 8 remains one of our favourite Android smartphones, even after the debut of the all-new Google Pixel 9 series. Google’s frequent updates ensure that the Pixel 8 has quite a few AI tricks up its sleeve, including handy tools like Video Boost and Summarize in Recorder. The Pixel 8 scores with a stellar camera that shines in lowlight and also aces portraits. You get up to seven major Android upgrades. But most of all, it’s the compact form that sets it apart.

Price: Rs 49,999

Vivo V40 Pro

One of the most impressive smartphones to land in the sub-Rs 50K price segment in 2024, the Pro version of Vivo’s V40 series has a lot going for it. Vivo has pitched this as the slimmest phone in India with a 5,500 mAh battery. The V40 Pro device feels good in your hand; it boasts of a 3D curved display and elegant design. The big story is the triple rear cam that leverages Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss - the device shoots sharp cinematic portraits and also delivers in lowlight.

Price: Rs 49,999

OnePlus 12R

One of our favourite smartphones of 2024, the 12R is a throwback to OnePlus flagship killers of the late 2010s, which delivers on the OnePlus credo of speed and also offers great bang for your buck. The OnePlus 12R shares the same design DNA as the pricier OnePlus 12, including the bold camera module. One of our favourite features is the 6.78-inch AMOLED ProXDR display (2780 x 1264 pixels) with an impressive 94.2% screen: body ratio that features a 120Hz refresh rate. This binge-proof display is backed by a robust 5,500 mAh battery and an in-box 100W SuperVOOC charger) that powers this device in under 30 minutes.

Price: Rs 38,999 onwards

Apple iPhone 14

If you’re looking at taking your first bite of Apple and don’t want to pay top dollar, then the iPhone 14 might be a smart option. Agreed, it’s been around for two years now. And yet it still delivers on most of the key aspects of the iPhone experience, especially if you are willing to compromise on the Apple Intelligence features that are bundled with the iPhone 16. You get a dependable camera with Action mode, years of assured updates and that buttery smooth iOS experience.

Price: Rs 48,449 including cashback

Samsung Galaxy S23

Launched in 2023, the entry-level device in Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S23 series is a great advert for a compact smartphone. The S23 weighs under 170gm despite a gorgeous 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (1080 x 2340 pixels / 425 PPI) that peaks at a screen brightness of 1750 nits. You get a robust 3,900 mAh battery that won’t let you down. At its heart is a zippy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset backed by 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

Price: Rs 48,159

OPPO Find N2 Flip

Looking for a new smartphone experience without breaking the bank? You might want to check out a flip-style foldable like the Moto Razr 40 or OPPO’s Find N2 Flip has seen a price drop that makes it a great buy in 2024. The Find N2 Flip is incredibly compact (it weighs just 191gm) in its folded form while the 3.26-inch cover display is the largest out there and allows you to get stuff done without having to flip open the device.

Price: Rs 50,999 including cashback