The OnePlus Nord CE4 that launched in April 2024 stood out with its unique design language thanks to a gorgeous marble finish. It reflects a greater trend sweeping the sub Rs 30K price range for smartphones, where consumers have always looked for devices that deliver bang for their buck. We saw Nothing bring some of its unique design elements to its most affordable smartphone yet – the Nothing Phone (2a), including its cool Glyph Interface powered by LED lights on the back panel of the device. The Rs 20,000 – Rs 30,000 segment is seeing more elegant looking smartphones and cameras that perform better in lowlight — features that are trickling down from the premium segment. If you’re in the market for a smartphone under Rs 30,000, now is a good time to buy. Here are a few models you can check out…
OnePlus Nord CE4
CE stands for Core Edition, OnePlus’ line of Nord smartphones that deliver on the ‘core’ features that matter for most consumers. This is a gorgeous looking marble slab (in the Celadon marble colour way) and feels great in your hand. OnePlus stretches the screen to body ratio to 93.4%, the 6.7-inch FHD+ (2412 x 1080 pixels / 394 PPI) display features a 120Hz refresh rate and peaks at 1100 nits. The triple rear cam is one of the best in this segment, especially in lowlight where the OIS gives the primary Sony LYT-600 sensor (50MP) a boost. There’s a massive 5500 mAh battery under the hood with a 100W charger that powers this device in quick time.
Price: Rs 24,999 onwards
Nothing Phone (2a)
One of the best-looking smartphones in this segment. We dig the semi-transparent design that sets it apart. One of the highlights is the simplified, skinned down version of the Glyph Interface with three lights that adds to the aesthetic appeal of the device. The device flaunts a 6.7-inch Flexible AMOLED display (1084 x 2412 pixels / 394 PPI) with a 120Hz refresh rate that hits a peak brightness of 1300 nits. At its heart is a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset. The device comes in three storage options — 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB and the top-end 12GB/256GB variant.
Price: Rs 23,999 onwards
Moto Edge 50 Pro
This model was unveiled in India as part of a global launch in April 2024. It comes in three colours and two unique finishes. The Black Beauty and Luxe Lavender colours have a vegan leather-finish rear panel option, while the our favourite MoonLight Pearl — a gorgeous shade of cream handcrafted in Italy with a distinctive pearl finish — has an acetate finish. One of the key talking points of the Edge 50 Pro is Motorola’s partnership with Pantone. Both the camera and display get the Pantone nod of approval. Colours are gorgeous on the 6.7-inch, 1.5K curved pOLED with a 144Hz refresh rate that peaks at 2,000 nits.
Price: From Rs 29,999 after instant discount
POCO X6 Pro
The trademark POCO yellow is back in a vegan leather finish. This device feels good in your hand thanks to a curved back. The 6.67-inch CrystalRes 1.5K Flow AMOLED DotDisplay (2712 x 1220 pixels / 446 PPI) with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a peak brightness of 1800 nits is one of our favourite features of this device. It is powered by a MediaTek 8300 Ultra chipset; gamers will appreciate the WildBoost 2.0 gaming optimisation that is designed to elevate and smoothen your overall gameplay on this device.
Price: Rs 26,99 onwards
OPPO Reno 11
This is one of the best smartphones at this price for portrait images. The rear camera of the OPPO Reno 11 features a 32MP telephoto portrait camera that teams up with a 50MP primary lens and a 112-degree ultra-wide camera. There’s also a 32MP selfie shooter in the mix. We like the design language of this smartphone. It plays out particularly well in the Wave Green colour option with its aquamarine appeal. OPPO has packed this device with a 5000 mAh battery backed by a 67W charger in the box.
Price: Rs 27,999 onwards
Honor X9b
This model is the follow up device to Honor 90 that debuted in India in 2023. One of the talking points of this device is Honor’s Ultra-Bounce, Anti-Drop display that the company claims is an industry first. The X9b’s three-level protection system ensures comprehensive drop resistance for the screen, frame, and internal components. You get a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display (1200 x 2652 pixel resolution) with a 120Hz refresh rate that peaks at 1200 nits peak brightness. It’s backed by a massive 5800 mAh battery. The device is propelled by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform that is complemented with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage.
Price: Rs 25,999
