OnePlus 9R to Vivo X60 h : Best camera smartphones under Rs 40,000

We are living in times when nothing matters more on a smartphone than the cameras. Average processor? You won't game. Poor battery life? You will buy a power bank. Poor cameras? That's a crisis. The smartphone manufacturers have identified this and stepped up their game. The mid-premium segment now has a number of smartphones that can give a tough competition to flagship devices when it comes to cameras. They have large sensors, more megapixels and even newer technologies. The segment has further heated up with the launch of OnePlus 9R and Vivo X60 towards the end of last month. Both the smartphones boast of good camera setups under a tight budget. If you are in the market for a good camera smartphone under Rs 40,000, here are the five options you should definitely check.

• Vivo X60

Vivo has truly impressed with its X60 series. The youngest of the three siblings, X60 comes with the same triple camera setup as the X60 Pro but, with a minute change. It has a 48-megapixel f/1.8 primary camera, a 13-megapixel fX/2.5 portrait camera, and a 13-megapixel f/2.2 120 ultra-wide camera. There is no gimbal stabilisation but Vivo has equipped the X60 with an OIS system. The selfie camera remains the same at 32-megapixel f/2.5 with a 1/2.8-inch sensor. Other specifications include 6.56-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor and a 4300mAh battery with 33W FlashCharge.

Our verdict- At Rs 37,990, the Vivo X60 feels like a very balanced device and offers enough prowess for day-to-day usage. The design also stands out and feels unique in its own way.

• OnePlus 9R

Unlike the Vivo X60, we are yet to get hands on the OnePlus 9R but it looks like a very promising smartphone. The OnePlus 9R features a 48-megapixel f/1.7 wide, a 16-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide, a 5-megapixel f/2.4 macro, and a 2-megapixel f/2.4 depth-sensor at the back. On the front, it has a 16-megapixel /2.4 system with a 1/3.06-inch sensor. The smartphone borrows few other features from more expensive OnePlus 9 phones including a 4,500 mAh battery with 65W fast charger. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 SoC, features a FHD+ AMOLED display operating at 120 Hz and up to 12GB of RAM.

• Oppo Reno 5 Pro

Oppo has bet big on the main camera of the Reno 5 Pro. The smartphone features a 64-megapixel f/1.7 main lens with a large 1/1.73-inch sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a pair of 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro and depth sensing cameras. It has a good OLED display but is capped at 90Hz. The phone is powered by Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ chipset, packs a 4,350 mAh battery and supports SuperVOOC 2.0.

 
Our verdict - Oppo Reno 5 Pro 5G brings the next generation 5G connectivity even though it may not make sense at this point. The Dimensity 1000+ chipset is naturally powerful, but it sometimes bogs it down. The cameras work well, the display is gorgeous, and the battery life is excellent.

• Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro

 

Our verdict - Mi 10T Pro is one of the most aggressively priced upper mid-range flagships available in the market right now, and at Rs 39,999 -- which can be further brought down by including additional discounts and offers -- the phone looks like an absolute steal.

• Apple iPhone SE (2020)

One for the iOS loyalists. There is no number game here. Apple has kept things fairly simple with the iPhone SE and has yet, managed to deliver an excellent camera smartphone under a tight budget. The phone was launched at Rs 42,500 but has been selling under Rs 40,000 for most time since then. It's compact size makes it ideal for those seeking small-sized devices. The slightly underwhelming battery life is the only thing to consider.

Our verdict - The iPhone SE 2020 is your phone if you intend to use your phone for at least 3 years. Not only it will remain fast, unlike many Android phones, but you will also get timely software and feature updates without any drama or delay that is often seen in the Android world.