Best Phones Under Rs 30,000: Exceptional Choices for Aspirational Folks

Among all price points in the smartphone landscape, the under-Rs 30,000 segment has been experiencing some crazy developments lately. Within the year, several brands have launched handsets that evenly match their elder siblings, aka flagship smartphones, in various categories. They come with a giant battery, a powerful chipset, or something unique. However, these phones are abundant, which makes finding the one that meets your needs an uphill battle. That’s where we have you covered. We have narrowed down three smartphones that justify this notion perfectly and suffice your specific requirements. So, here’s everything you need to know:

Motorola Edge 50

The Motorola Edge 50 is the cheapest of the three devices, yet it stacks the most in the design and camera departments. It weighs only 180 grams, making it the lightest phone on this list. That’s not it; the handset measures just 7.79mm in thickness and has a vegan leather back, so its in-hand feel is spectacular. Its chassis is moulded from aluminium and claims to be the MIL-STD-810H military grade certified smartphone. Therefore, the Motorola Edge 50 is robust and can endure rough usage. The 50-megapixel Sony IMX 896 primary camera heads the camera department, accompanied by a 13-megapixel ultra-wide snapper. The camera island also includes a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor, offering versatility to photography enthusiasts. Regarding performance, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 steers the Motorola Edge 50. 

• Display: 6.7-inch pOLED screen, 1.5K (2712 x 1220) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 100% DCI-P3 colour space, and 1600 nits peak brightness.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition.
• RAM and Storage: 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
• Software: HelloUI based on Android 14, with 2 years of software and 3 years of security patch updates.
• Primary Camera: 50MP Sony IMX 896, 1/1.55″, f/1.8, 24mm, and OIS.
• Ultra-wide Camera: 13MP, f/2.2, and 120° FOV.
• Telephoto Camera: 10MP, 3x Optical Zoom, f/2.0, and OIS.
• Front Camera: 32MP with an f/2.4 aperture.
• Battery and Charging: 5,000mAh, 68W fast charging, 15W wireless charging.
• Other Features: IP68 rating, an in-display fingerprint scanner, MIL 810H Grade, and stereo speakers.
• Dimensions and weight: 160.8mm x 72.4mm x 7.79mm, 180 grams.
• Colours: Jungle Green, Peach Fuzz, and Koala Grey.

POCO X7 Pro

Since its launch, the POCO X7 Pro has been making huge waves in the tech community due to its tremendous price-to-performance ratio. The handset is the first to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra SoC. It has been reported to perform on equal terms with phones such as the OnePlus 12, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, and others. Hence, it can perfectly serve power-hungry users. Like the Motorola Edge 50, the POCO X7 Pro is durable. It has IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings against dust and water, so you won’t have to worry about the phone’s condition in torrential rain. Its display is rated to reach 3200nits of peak brightness, so using the phone in direct sunlight becomes a cakewalk. In addition to performance and brightness, the POCO X7 Pro is loaded in the battery aspect. It packs a 6,550mAh battery, making your BGMI playthroughs last very long.

• Display: 6.73-inch AMOLED screen, 1.5K (2712 x 1220) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, DCI-P3 colour space, and 3200 nits peak brightness.
• Processor: Mediatek Dimensity 8400-Ultra.
• RAM and Storage: Up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.
• Software: HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, with 3 years of software and 4 years of security patch updates.
• Primary Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-600, f/1.5, 1/1.95”, and OIS.
• Ultra-wide Camera: 8MP and f/2.2.
• Front Camera: 20MP with an f/2.2 aperture.
• Battery and Charging: 6,550mAh, 90W fast charging.
• Other Features: IP66+IP68+IP69 rating, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and stereo speakers.
• Dimensions and weight: 160.75mm x 75.24mm x 8.43mm, 198 grams.
• Colours: POCO Yellow, Nebula Green, and Obsidian Black.

OnePlus Nord 4

The OnePlus Nord 4 is the best of both worlds. Currently, it is the only phone in the market with a metal unibody. Hence, design-wise, it is quite a looker. Moreover, its metal structure strengthens it against accidental drops. Considering its built material, it weighs around 200 grams, so carrying your phone for hours won’t strain your wrist much. The handset is armed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, so no stutters or lags will hinder your fast-paced lifestyle. While the OnePlus Nord 4 may not be as bright as the POCO X7 Pro on paper, you still won’t face any issues watching content on its display in harsh lighting. In terms of battery, the handset rocks a 5,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging. So, crippling battery anxiety will be a thing of the past.

• Display: 6.74-inch AMOLED screen, 1.5K (2772 x 1240) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, DCI-P3 colour space, and 2150 nits peak brightness.
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3.
• RAM and Storage: Up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
• Software: OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14, with 4 years of Android OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches.
• Primary Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-600, f/1.8, 1/1.95”, and OIS.
• Ultra-wide Camera: 8MP, 112° FOV, and f/2.2.
• Front Camera: 16MP with an f/2.4 aperture.
• Battery and Charging: 5,000mAh, 100W fast charging.
• Other Features: IP65 rating, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and stereo speakers.
• Dimensions and weight: 162.6mm x 75mm x 8mm, 199.5 grams.
• Colours: Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green, and Obsidian Midnight.