It was probably OnePlus that first made ‘flagship killer’ a popular phrase in the smartphone space. That term has come to define almost every smartphone in the Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 price band, which delivers on the key features you expect from a premium, flagship device at a more affordable price point. Over the past few years, these smartphone experiences have only gotten better with each brand finding a niche that might appeal to a specific target group. If OnePlus has focussed on your ‘need for speed’, Google’s ‘a’ series devices deliver on a pureplay Android experience while brands like Vivo and OPPO have upped their camera game. If you’re looking for a smartphone in the sub Rs 45,000 you will be overwhelmed for choice.
Xiaomi 14 CIVI
The Xiaomi 14 CIVI isn’t just one of the best mobile shooters at this price point, it also scores with its elegant design language. The device is just 7.4mm thin and weighs under 180gm, this despite a large 6.55-inch display and a large 4700mAh battery under the hood. The CIVI is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and hits the right notes with its binge-proof 6.55-inch, 1.5K Quad core display. But it’s the rear camera (co-engineered with Leica) that is the CIVI’s calling card. The rear cam combines a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP telephone lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, all powered by Leica Optics.
What we like: Leica optics and immersive display
Price: Rs 42,999 onwards
Google Pixel 8a
The spotlight might be on Google’s Pixel 9 flagship series that debuted in August 2024 but it’s the Pixel 8a that delivers bang for your buck. The 8a comes with a 6.1-inch display that’s very convenient for one-handed navigation. Aside from the uncluttered Google UI experience, it’s the rear camera that is the device’s headline feature. The dual rear cam (50MP primary lens + 13MP ultra-wide cam) benefits from Google’s cool AI tools like Audio Magic Eraser and Best Shot that first debuted on the Pixel 8.
What we like: The stellar rear camera and the Google UI with 7 years of updates
Price: Rs 44,950
OnePlus 12R Sunset Dune
The newest colour variant to join the OnePlus 12R line-up features a stunning blend of soft gold and pink tones. It creates a unique colour palette that captures the appeal of flowing dunes bathed in the evening sun. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage; its seriously fast. It’s not just the device performance, the 100W Super VOOC charger is super-fast; it powers the 5500mAh battery in under 30 minutes. The other highlight is the 6.78-inch AMOLED ProXDR display (2780 x 1264 pixels) with an impressive 94.2% screen: body ratio.
What we like: Performance and battery life
Price: Rs 42,998
OPPO Reno 12 Pro
AI is the flavour of the season and the Reno 12 Pro is among the first OPPO devices that is a showcase for the brand’s AI skills that extend beyond photography. The Reno series has long been associated with a slinky form factor, this one is just 7.4mm thin and feels really good in your hand (it weighs 180gm). The Reno 12 Pro is also one of the best looking devices in this segment; we’re partial to the Space Brown colour way that features a gorgeous two tone finish with both matte and glossy sections that are split by a stylish ribbon. The triple rear camera shoots sharp studio-style portraits and includes a 50MP Telephoto Portrait camera and a 50MP primary lens.
What we like: Design and Portrait cam.
Price: Rs 36,999 onwards
Vivo V40
The V40 is part of a duo of smartphones (that also includes the Vivo V40 Pro) that build on Vivo V Series’s camera capabilities. Vivo is playing up its flagship-level camera experience that is made possible with pro grade Zeiss imaging. The V40 combines two 50MP Zeiss lenses and aces portraits. Vivo has also added a whole bag of AI Portrait tools like AI Eraser and AI Photo Enhancer for the perfect image. Battery life is another win; Vivo claims that the V40 is the slimmest smartphone in India with a 5500mAh battery under the hood.
What we like: Form factor and Zeiss optics.
Price: Rs 34,999 onwards
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
Samsung’s A Series does battle with other flagship killers, the A55 makes our list for its gorgeous 6.6-inch Super AMOLED (1080 x 2340 pixels) display with a 120Hz refresh rate; it’s powered by Samsung’s Vision Booster that adds to its immersive appeal. The other differentiator is Nightography, that it shares with Samsung’s flagship devices. This device has an edge in the low-light photography department thanks to Samsung’s advanced AI Image Signal Processing (ISP). The rear shooter is driven by a 50MP primary lens with OIS.
What we like: The Super AMOLED display and Samsung’s Knox Vault Security solution Price: Rs 36,999 onwards
