Best Gaming Mobile Phones Under 40,000 (Jul 2024)

Verdict: The OnePlus 12R is a terrific value flagship phone, offering solid upgrades in almost every aspect compared to the OnePlus 11R. You get a brighter display, better battery life, and faster performance. However, the cameras remain untouched, for better or worse.

Verdict: The iQOO Neo 9 Pro keeps up the Neo 7 Pro`s legacy as a reliable performance-oriented smartphone with a not-so-high sticker price. The 50MP primary camera works well in daylight and low-light conditions, though the ultra-wide camera can use some improvements. If a good battery and fast charging matter to you, again, the Neo 9 Pro won`t disappoint. But for an immersive Android ecosystem, the OnePlus 12, which also rocks Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, will be a better bet.

Verdict: The Realme GT 6 is poised to challenge the OnePlus 12R and iQOO Neo 9 Pro under Rs 40,000. The handset offers exceptional performance for its price, along with a handful of AI features and a pleasant viewing experience even under harsh sunlight. The smartphone also boasts impressive battery life with rapid charging capabilities. While its design may be uninspired, the handset outperforms its closest rivals in daylight photography.

Verdict: The Xiaomi 14 Civi stands out with its lightweight and premium glass and leather design language, making it easily one of the best-looking phones in the sub-Rs 50,000 segment. On top of that, you get a stunning display and Leica cameras for those looking for professional-level photography without spending a lot of money. However, the battery life and performance throttling leave you wanting more.

Verdict: The Realme GT 6T delivers well on its promises. The handset provides swift performance, with an exceptional viewing experience even under direct sunlight, reliable battery life, and quick charging speeds. If an appealing design and versatile camera setup are what you are after, it is worth exploring alternatives.

Verdict: The OPPO Reno 11Pro delivers what it promises - a flamboyant design and a reliable rear camera system. You also get the goodness of Android 14, which many smartphones in the segment are yet to offer. However, ColorOS 14 still includes loads of pre-installed apps, which makes the software experience cluttered. While the rear cameras perform quite well in most lighting conditions, the front camera needs improvement, especially in portrait mode.

Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE comes across as an interesting proposition. At a discounted rate of Rs 49,999, the handset appears to be a good choice for both fans and smartphone enthusiasts. However, at its regular price of Rs 59,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant and Rs 64,999 for the 12GB/256GB model, it does feel priced a bit on the higher side.

Verdict: The OPPO Reno 12 5G is a unique mid-ranger with a key focus on generative AI features, boosting both camera capabilities and productivity. The AI integration is quite ingenious and creates a delightful user experience for productivity enthusiasts. The main drawbacks of the phone include a processor which isn`t as powerful as the competition, and a UI cluttered with pre-loaded apps.

Verdict: Simply considering the hardware, the OPPO Reno 12 Pro may surprise many users. But its native AI features give the smartphone an edge over rivals, and its performance is surprisingly smooth despite modest specifications. The camera and battery performance are decent, if not the best. However, given the aggressive competition, OPPO needs to revamp the next Reno smartphone with high-end hardware to stand out. But if you value cameras, sleek design, and a vivid display, the Reno12 Pro won`t disappoint.

Verdict: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro demands attention, despite a few shortcomings. The phone`s front camera is not the best in class, and the battery life is relatively underwhelming. However, the smartphone makes up for these with its eye-catching design, fluent display, impressive camera setup, and premium features such as wireless charging support, lightning-fast wired charging speeds, and solid build quality.

Verdict: The Vivo V29 Pro is an incremental upgrade over the Vivo V27 Pro, though some tweaks here and there definitely give the former an edge. Despite using the same MediaTek chipset, the new Vivo phone performs relatively better than its predecessor. It also offers good battery backup, impressive charging speed, and nice camera performance. However, I still find the software experience cluttered, and the phone comes loaded with tons of unnecessary pre-installed apps.

Verdict: The Vivo V29 offers a mix of appealing features. It boasts an intriguing design, a stunning AMOLED 3D curved screen, extended battery life, and quick charging options, all complemented by promising cameras. However, it falls short in terms of performance and lacks stereo output, which might disappoint gaming enthusiasts and multimedia users.

Verdict: The Nothing Phone (2) comes with improvements in almost all aspects — performance, display, battery, charging speeds, software, etc. The Glyph LEDs have been upgraded too, both in terms of hardware and software, and are now more customisable and functional. The Phone (2) seems priced on the higher side if pure specs are taken into consideration, but if the Glyph UI and the design appeals to you, it could prove to be a worthy buy.

Verdict: If you are searching for a performance-focused and premium-looking handset with a reliable battery backup in the sub-Rs 40,000 segment, the OnePlus 11R can be the way to go. While its ultra-wide and macro sensors don`t provide the best utility, the primary sensor`s point-and-shoot experience should be more than enough for your needs. The handset delivers in most other aspects as well.