The best phones under Rs 40,000 in 2026

Premiumisation dominates India’s smartphone market, with smartphones above Rs 30,000 seeing the fastest growth last year. The under Rs 40,000 price segment has become a sweet spot for Indian smartphone buyers, and if you are wondering which is the best phone under 40000 in 2026, you have come to the right place.

Best phone under 40000

In the Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 price segment, smartphone makers are fighting hard to deliver not only great specs and value but also a premium user experience. There are five that deserve to be called the “best phone under 40000,” while a newly launched device is knocking on their doors.

1. Google Pixel 9a 5G
2. OnePlus Nord 5 5G
3. Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G
4. Vivo V40 5G
5. Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

ALSO READ: Redmi Note 15 Pro+ review

1. Google Pixel 9a 5G

Android phones have always been about hardware, but the Google Pixel lineup came about to defy that proposition. Since its inception, the Pixel range has evolved from being all about the camera to now being all about Google’s AI acumen. The Pixel 9a, the affordable offering in the Pixel 9 series, works wonders without any emphasis on specs. Powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip, this smartphone delivers AI features like real-time translation, Call Assist, Gemini Live, and computational photography in the sub-Rs 40,000 price segment. It sports a 6.3-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, 48MP + 13MP dual rear cameras, 13MP front camera, 5,100mAh battery, and 7 years of software updates.

2. OnePlus Nord 5 5G

With Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 under the hood, the OnePlus Nord 5 5G takes the crown for performance champion in this list. This is the most capable smartphone under 40000 for gaming and multitasking. It delivers that raw power through a 6.83-inch Super AMOLED display with up to 144Hz refresh rate and 1,800 nits of peak brightness. 

There is 8GB or 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The 50MP Sony LYT-700 main camera is paired with an 8MP ultrawide, while the front camera is another 50MP shooter. The 6,800mAh battery is the largest in this segment, and 80W fast charging means you don’t need to keep it plugged in for long. With 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of security updates, the OnePlus Nord 5 5G not only excels in raw performance and gaming but also excels as a complete package.

3. Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G

If numbers are everything, then the Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G has a clear advantage. There is a 200MP main camera with OIS on a 1/1.4-inch sensor, which is the largest sensor and highest resolution among smartphones in this segment. This main camera system delivers pictures with excellent detail and is paired with an 8MP ultrawide camera. At the front, you are looking at a 6.83-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with a 32MP front camera. It uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip with 8GB or 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage. The 6,500mAh battery with 100W HyperCharge and Quad IP certifications makes this unmatched in terms of endurance and durability.

4. Vivo V40 5G

The Vivo V40 5G has one of the strongest photography credentials among smartphones in this price segment. Thanks to the Zeiss partnership, the 50MP main camera with OIS and 50MP ultrawide camera deliver stunning pictures, and the Zeiss portrait styles put this device in a league of its own. The 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, 8GB/12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB storage, 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging, under-display fingerprint sensor, IP68 certification, make this phone the best option for those who take photography and design seriously.

5. Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The Galaxy A36 5G from Samsung is the safe and sensible option for those seeking long-term software reliability. It comes with Samsung’s promise of six generations of OS updates and six years of security updates. It runs One UI 7 based on Android 15 and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 with 8GB/12GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage. There is a 6.69-inch Super AMOLED display, 50MP + 8MP + 5MP triple rear cameras, a 12MP front camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

Best smartphone under 40000

For pure AI capabilities and computational photography, the Google Pixel 9a is the clear leader in this segment. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 takes the lead with its raw performance and gaming, while the Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G offers the best value for the specs in this segment. The Vivo V40 5G holds its own ground with its Zeiss optics, while the Galaxy A36 5G offers the most reliable long-term ownership.

While these devices can easily claim to be the best smartphone under 40000, there is a new kid on the block. Nothing Phone 4a launched earlier this month, and it offers killer features. There is a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It sports a 50MP + 50MP + 8MP triple rear camera system and a 32MP selfie camera. There is also a redesigned Glyph interface, which makes the phone stand apart.