Phones launched in India in July: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Ultra, Motorola Edge 70 Max, Nothing Phone 4b and more
July was one of the busiest months for smartphone launches in India, with brands launching across every price segment. Samsung continued to strengthen its foldable portfolio, OPPO refreshed its Reno lineup with new AI features, Nothing introduced a more affordable way into its ecosystem, while OnePlus, Motorola, Realme, Vivo and iQOO focused on practical upgrades such as bigger batteries, performance and durability.
From budget phones under Rs 20,000 to premium foldables costing over Rs 2 lakh, buyers had plenty of options depending on their priorities. Here’s a look at the key smartphones launched in India this month and what they bring.
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Starting with the most expensive of the lot, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra became the first mainstream phone in India to touch (well, almost) the Rs 2-lakh mark after its debut at Unpacked on July 22nd. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (first impressions) brings upgrades to cameras, durability and AI features. It also debuts Samsung’s new Flex Titanium display structure, helping make the phone slimmer, stronger and significantly reducing the visibility of the crease.
Price in India
- 12GB + 256GB: Rs 1,99,999
- 12GB + 512GB: Rs 2,19,999
- 16GB + 1TB: Rs 2,59,999
The Fold8 Ultra packs an 8-inch adaptive AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, 5,000mAh battery, up to 16GB RAM and a camera setup headlined by a 200MP primary sensor. While rivals such as Vivo’s X Fold series continue to offer larger batteries, Samsung relies on Galaxy AI, software optimisation and long-term software support to differentiate. If you want Samsung’s most feature-rich foldable and don’t mind paying a premium, the Fold8 Ultra remains the company’s most complete foldable yet.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Z Fold8 as a new addition to its foldable lineup, sitting below the Ultra with a wider form factor for entertainment and productivity. Instead of replacing the Ultra, it gives buyers another option within Samsung’s premium foldable range. Like our first impressions noted, it is “a great middle ground between the sleek Flip8 and the serious Fold8 Ultra.” Even though the middle sibling, it’s not cheap by any means.
Price in India
- 12GB + 256GB: Rs 1,79,999
- 12GB + 512GB: Rs 1,99,999
- 16GB + 1TB: Rs 2,39,999
The phone comes with a 7.6-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, up to 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, a 4,800mAh battery with 45W charging, dual 50MP rear cameras and One UI 9 based on Android 17. Those primarily interested in reading, streaming and multitasking may find it a more balanced option than stepping up to the Ultra.
OPPO Reno 16 and Reno 16c
OPPO refreshed its Reno lineup earlier this month with the Reno 16 (review) and Reno 16c (review), introducing updated designs, larger batteries, new AI features and improved camera systems. The Reno 16 targets buyers looking for a compact premium smartphone, while the Reno 16c brings many of the same features at a lower price.
Reno 16 price in India
- 8GB + 256GB: Rs 61,999
- 12GB + 256GB: Rs 67,999
Reno 16c
- 8GB + 128GB: Rs 46,999
- 8GB + 256GB: Rs 49,999
- 12GB + 256GB: Rs 55,999
The Reno 16 features a compact 6.32-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, 6,700mAh battery with 80W charging and a triple 50MP rear camera setup with a telephoto lens. The Reno 16c comes with a larger 6.57-inch AMOLED display, Dimensity 7300 chipset, 7,000mAh battery and also gains a 50MP telephoto camera, a notable upgrade over its predecessor. Both phones ship with ColorOS 16.1 based on Android 16 and introduce new AI features such as AI Snap Key, Mind Space and Mind Pilot.
The Reno 16 is likely to appeal to users who prefer compact phones without compromising on cameras, while the Reno 16c offers many of the same strengths with a bigger battery at a lower price. Buyers upgrading from older Reno devices may find the improvements worthwhile, although those using the Reno 15 series should note the price difference and evaluate the jump.
Motorola Edge 70 Max
Motorola entered a new segment with the Motorola Edge 70 Max (review), a performance-focused smartphone that takes on rivals like the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15R. Alongside flagship-level hardware, it brings a rare combination of a QHD+ display, large battery and magnetic wireless charging.
Price in India
- 8GB + 256GB: Rs 54,999
- 12GB + 256GB: Rs 59,999
The Edge 70 Max features a 6.8-inch 144Hz QHD+ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, 7,100mAh battery with 90W wired and 25W Qi2.2 magnetic wireless charging, plus a 50MP dual-camera setup. It also comes with IP68 protection, MIL-STD-810H durability and Motorola’s ArcticMesh cooling system for sustained gaming performance.
Motorola has packed in plenty of hardware for the asking price, although its promise of three Android updates trails several rivals offering longer software support. For buyers prioritising performance, battery life and display quality, however, the Edge 70 Max stands out as one of the month’s stronger launches.
Nothing Phone (4b)
Nothing expanded its portfolio with the Nothing Phone (4b), the first device in its new “(b)” series. Positioned below the Phone (4a) lineup and the entry point in 2026, it fills the gap created after recent industry-wide price hikes pushed Nothing’s other phones further up the price ladder.
Price in India
- 8GB + 128GB: Rs 34,999
- 8GB + 256GB: Rs 38,999
The Phone (4b) offers a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, a 6,000mAh battery for India, 50MP OIS main camera, Glyph Bar with expanded functionality, Nothing OS 4.1 based on Android 16, and three years of Android updates alongside six years of security patches.
Rather than being a stripped-down alternative, the Phone (4b) borrows several features from the Phone (4a) Pro while bringing Nothing’s signature design to a more accessible price point. Like our first impressions noted, “What makes it better is the extra stuff that actually feels useful. There is Essential Search for quickly finding things, Essential Apps and Playground for customisation, and Essential AI tools like Voice and Space that help with notes, screenshots, and everyday tasks.” Buyers looking for a distinctive software experience and balanced hardware around the Rs 30,000 mark may find it an appealing option.
iQOO Z11 Lite
iQOO expanded its affordable Z-series with the battery-focused iQOO Z11 Lite, targeting users who prioritise endurance over performance. It enters the sub-Rs 20,000 segment where battery capacity remains a major selling point.
Price in India
- 4GB + 128GB: Rs 19,499
- 6GB + 128GB: Rs 21,499
- 6GB + 256GB: Rs 24,499
The Z11 Lite sports a 6.74-inch 120Hz HD+ LCD display, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 6,500mAh battery with 44W fast charging, a 50MP Sony camera, Android 16-based OriginOS and an IP65 rating. The RAM starts at 4GB and the display is LCD, which is what we’re seeing plenty of brands going back to in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment, which has now become “budget” as sub Rs-15,000 phones are virtually non-existent.
The iQOO Z11 Lite’s biggest strength is battery life, as our review notes, although the HD+ display and entry-level chipset mean it is not designed for intensive gaming or advanced photography. Buyers looking for a dependable everyday smartphone with long battery backup may find the Z11 Lite worth considering.
OnePlus N6x
While we’re on the affordable side, it’s worth discussing the OnePlus N6x also, which just launched today. The highlight of the phone is the large 7,000mAh battery but the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature missing from OnePlus phones since the Nord CE 3 Lite, also stands out in a market where wired audio ports have become rare.
Price in India
- 4GB + 64GB: Rs 18,999
- 4GB + 128GB: Rs 20,999
The OnePlus N6x features a 6.8-inch 120Hz HD+ LCD display, MediaTek Dimensity 6360 Apex chipset, a massive 7,000mAh battery with 15W charging, OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16, and IP64 as well as MIL-STD-810H durability. It also includes a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it one of the few phones in its segment to retain both. Rather than chasing premium specifications, OnePlus has focused on practicality. Buyers looking for dependable battery life, durability and everyday usability are likely to appreciate the N6x, while those prioritising cameras or display quality may find stronger alternatives.
However, the list doesn’t stop at these. July also saw phones like the budget Vivo T5e 4G, Realme C100x, Vivo T5 Lite, and Realme Narzo 100x launch in India. Samsung also launched the Galaxy A27, while Motorola decided to compete in the lower mid-range with the battery-focused Moto G77 Power. The Tecno Camon 50 Ultra also launched in India this month after debuting globally earlier.
