With the market flooded with options and Diwali sales just around the corner, finding the right smartphone in the ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 range can be challenging. So, to help you make an informed decision, we’ve rounded up the top smartphones in this segment with the best deals and offers available. We’ll pick the best overall smartphone based on performance, camera quality, design, and value for money. Let’s dive in and explore these options.
1. vivo V40e
At the top is V40e in the 25-30K segment, if you are looking for a device that not only gets you gazes but also is loaded to the brim in every sphere this should be your choice. The V40e comes with an Ultra Slim 3D Curved Display that curves elegantly around the edges, giving the phone a premium feel in hand. Vivo’s design mastery doesn’t end there. While maintaining a 7.49 mm seek side profile, they manage to pack ina 5500mAh Battery making it the slimmest phone with such a large battery.
Available in two uniquely differentiated colors Royal Bronze and Mint Green, vivo has crafted these luxury-inspired finishes that are sure to grasp attention. The Royal Bronze color is our personal favorite —perfect for those looking to flaunt a unique, elegant device this festive season.
Coming to the Camera, V40e boasts a powerful 50MP Camera which is packed with Sony IMX 882 Sensor for you to capture Professional grade portraits irrespective of any lighting condition with great details.
For group shots or landscapes, the 8 MP ultra-wide lens captures everything in frame and the 50MP Group selfie camera is the best in this price range when compared to its peers.
vivo V40e’s Festive Style Portrait mode ensures capturing the joy of every celebration becomes effortless. Whether it’s a family gathering or a festive party, this feature ensures you’ll be the star of every photo session this season.
With AI-powered features like Ultra Clarity AI Enhancer for clarity and AI Eraser, you can remove photo bombs to make your festive photos Instagram-ready in seconds.
Vivo bundles an 80W fast charger in the box that allows a quick top-up when you are low on battery. Despite the large 5500mAh battery, the phone weighs only 183 grams.
The V40e runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, built on a 4 nm process for efficient performance. The chipset is paired with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, giving you reliable speed for multitasking, gaming, and regular app usage. The extended RAM feature allows you to expand the virtual memory to 8 GB, enhancing performance further.
The vivo V40e starts at ₹28,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant and ₹30,999 for the 8 GB + 256 GB model. Bank offers provide an additional ₹2,500 discount with HDFC, ICICI, and SBI credit or debit cards, bringing down the prices to ₹26,499 and ₹28,499, respectively. Clearly, the vivo V40e’s uniquely crafted Design and Portrait Experience set it apart from the competition this festive season.
2. OnePlus Nord 4
Next up is the OnePlus Nord 4, which packs a 6.74” 120 Hz display with a peak brightness of 2,150 Nits. Powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4 nm process, it promises good performance. However, at 199.5 grams, it does feel a bit heavy, especially with the all-metal build.
The Nord 4’s 5,500 mAh battery that also supports fast charging. However, it comes with an IP54 rating, which isn’t as protective against splashes and dust as the V40e’s IP64. The camera setup includes a 50 MP LYT600 main camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide, and a 16 MP selfie camera that lacks autofocus.
Video capabilities are also limited to 4K recording from the rear camera only, unlike the Vivo V40e, which can shoot 4K from both the front and rear. Running on OxygenOS 14, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers four years of OS updates and six years of security patches.
But it’s worth noting that the phone is currently facing some thermal and other performance issues, which could be a deal-breaker. OnePlus service has questionable according to some social media reports. Starting at ₹29,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant, the Nord 4 may not be the best option in this price range but it’s a decent choice if you are willing to compromise.
3. OPPO F27 Pro+
Next on our list is the OPPO F27 Pro+, featuring a 6.78” 2.5D 120 Hz AMOLED display. While the screen looks good, it’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, which isn’t as powerful as the Dimensity 7300 on the Vivo V40e.
The camera setup includes a 64 MP primary lens and a 2 MP sensor, but with no OIS and no ultra-wide lens, the image quality may not impress. The 8 MP front camera also falls short compared to others in this segment. You can take decent photos but not as good as the other options.
On the battery side, the 5,000 mAh cell supports 67W fast charging, which is a good thing. The phone does offer an IP69 rating, providing superior durability compared to others in this range.
It’s slim at 7.9 mm and starts at ₹27,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant. If you prioritize durability, the F27 Pro+ might be worth considering, but it does come with some trade-offs.
4. Samsung Galaxy A25
Moving on, the Samsung Galaxy A25 offers a more compact 6.5” 120 Hz AMOLED display. However, it uses a water drop notch, which feels a bit dated compared to the punch-hole designs on other models. Its camera system includes a 50 MP main camera with OIS, an 8 MP ultra-wide, and a 2 MP additional lens, plus a 13 MP selfie shooter.
Under the hood, the A25 is powered by the Exynos 1280, which doesn’t offer the same performance as the other options. The 5,000 mAh battery with 25W charging is reliable for daily use, though it lacks a charger in the box and doesn’t come with an IP rating.
The phone’s thickness is 8.3 mm, and pricing starts at ₹26,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant. It does stand out for its four years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates, making it a good choice if you value long-term software support. But if you’re after the best value, the Vivo V40e still has the edge over the Galaxy A25.
5. OPPO Reno12
Finally, we have the OPPO Reno12. This device features a 6.7” 120 Hz AMOLED display with a punch-hole design, giving it a modern look. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, the same as the Vivo V40e, which means similar performance but a slightly higher price.
The camera setup is also comparable, with a 50 MP Sony IMX882 primary camera with OIS, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2 MP macro shooter. For selfies, the 32 MP front camera delivers impressive shots. The vivo V40e still has the better selfie camera at 50 MP with AF.
The Reno12 includes a 5,000 mAh battery with 67W fast charging, and the charger is conveniently included in the box. The device is also slim at 7.57 mm, and its IP65 rating means splash and dust resistance. It comes with a ton of AI features too.
However, it only comes in one variant with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, priced at ₹32,999. With bank discounts of ₹3,300, you can get it for around ₹30,000, but it still costs more than the Vivo V40e.
Compared to the Reno12, the V40e gets you a slimmer design, better front camera, brighter display, faster charging, a larger battery, and similar performance, all at a lower price point.
Which One Should You Buy?
After diving into the details of these five smartphones, it’s clear that the vivo V40e stands out as the best option for most users. This phone doesn’t just catch attention with its sleek, ultra-slim design—it’s India’s slimmest phone with a 5,500 mAh battery. But it’s more than just looks. Packed with cutting-edge tech like the Sony IMX882 sensor, the V40e is designed to deliver stunning portraits, ensuring that your festive memories are captured in the best possible light. If you want a phone that excels in every aspect while turning heads, this is the one.
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