Smartphone prices in India have been rising due to the high memory cost. What used to cost ₹20,000 now sits comfortably above ₹25,000. Yesterday’s ₹30,000 phone is today’s ₹40,000 one. There are hardly any good options for camera-focused buyers and creators who shoot on mobile in the mid-range. However, if we look beyond the recent launches, there are two pretty useful options from Samsung: the Galaxy A36 and the Galaxy A56.
According to 91mobiles’ Launch Tracker, which covers smartphones launched in India from January 2025 onwards, both phones hold a distinction that no competitor in their respective price bands can claim.
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G: Best Camera Phone Under ₹40,000
If you’re hunting for the best camera phone under ₹40,000, the Galaxy A56 5G makes a case that’s hard to argue with. It’s the only smartphone in this segment to combine a triple camera system, a 123-degree FOV 12MP ultra-wide lens with OIS, 4K video recording, Nightography for low-light shots, an HDR selfie camera, and AI-powered editing tools. While phones in this band are getting pricier, the Galaxy A56 offers a camera package that’s really hard to match.
For creators, that HDR selfie camera and 4K video capability mean you’re not just getting a great rear shooter; the Galaxy A56 5G is equally serious about being the best front camera phone under ₹40,000 too. Whether you’re filming content, shooting reels, or capturing portraits after dark, the full package is there.
Samsung Galaxy A36: Best Camera Phone Under ₹30,000
Step down a price band, and the story is just as compelling. The Galaxy A36 5G is the only phone between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000 to offer a triple camera setup, OIS, 4K video recording, Nightography, an HDR selfie camera, and AI-powered editing tools in combination.
For creators who shoot on mobile and don’t want to cross the ₹30,000 mark, the Galaxy A36 5G checks every box: stabilised shots, low-light Nightography performance, and a front camera capable of HDR selfies that actually hold up. In a segment where brands routinely trim features to protect margins, that’s a meaningful distinction. In a segment where brands are trimming features to protect margins, the Galaxy A36 5G doesn’t cut corners.
More Money Shouldn’t Mean More Compromises
Rising prices are a reality. But this doesn’t mean you need to settle for a camera system that does some things well and skips the rest. The 91mobiles Launch Tracker evaluation shows that in their respective segments, the A36 and A56 are standout smartphones to deliver a complete camera workflow, in the form of optical image stabilisation, low-light capability, high-res video, and AI-assisted editing. In a nutshell, you don’t have to “pick” one feature and ignore the rest; these camera capabilities are bundled for everyday shooting, from reels, vlogs to night scenes.
That’s not a small feat when every rupee is being stretched further than before.
Disclaimer: Based on 91mobiles’ Launch Tracker, an independent review conducted by 91mobiles on smartphones launched in India from Jan ’25 onwards, priced ₹25,000–₹30,000 (Galaxy A36) and ₹30,000–₹40,000 (Galaxy A56).
