How does Canon plan to tackle the ease of access and usability that smartphones offer?

In today’s technologically advanced world, consumers demand both convenience and quality. While handheld devices have made photography and videography accessible, they often do not share the same level of quality and control as dedicated imaging equipment. As a brand, our primary emphasis lies in elevating and enhancing the outcome of photography and videography. 

Our commitment to innovation, excellence, and precision is reflected in every product we create such as EOS R100, EOS R50 etc.

Vishesh Magoo, Canon India

By combining superior ergonomics, advanced video quality, and cutting-edge technology, we empower every smartphone user to upgrade and explore their full creative potential and create captivating content that stands out.

What has been your biggest learning from the Indian camera market and how are you using those learnings for your future plans in India?

India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with a rapidly improving infrastructure presents a lot of opportunities for Canon. Understanding that India is a priority market for us, we have remained agile and innovative in our approach to the Indian market. We believe that the Wedding and Cinema industries have been instrumental in driving this growth. Thus, along with the evolving landscape and consumers’ requirements, we have focused on delivering products that meet the diverse needs of professionals and budding photographers, alike.

Canon is committed to invest in research and development of emerging technology to ensure we continue empowering consumers across industries through our innovative technology and equipment. Moreover, we recognize the significant potential of growth in Tier 2 and 3 markets. Through our extensive distribution network, we are working to expand our reach and build stronger relationships with customers in these regions through our touch & try workshops mentored by Industry experts empanelled with us under our Ambassador Program.

With AI being the talk of the town, what are the possible implementations and use cases where AI can be leveraged in DSLR or mirrorless cameras? What are Canon’s plans for implementing AI and bringing AI to its products and services? 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across, and digital imaging is no exception. The technology has the potential to enhance how we capture, process, and even interact with images. From enhancing autofocus precision and improving image processing to automating post-production tasks, AI has the ability to make the entire photography and videography experience more efficient. 

At Canon, we are committed to harnessing the power of AI to enhance our products. We are actively exploring AI-driven features that can benefit photographers and videographers at all levels. In our recently launched flagship cameras, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II, we’ve incorporated emerging technologies that significantly improve performance and image quality. The cameras are equipped with the DIGIC Accelerator and DIGIC X video engine, enabling high-speed data processing and deep learning-based analysis. Such improvements make it easier for photographers to capture fast-moving subjects with precision, whether in sports, wildlife, or event photography. Our approach is to thoughtfully integrate these emerging technologies where it can enhance creativity, simplify workflows, and deliver the exceptional quality that Canon is known for.

Are you excited about the possibilities that AI is bringing, or do you think that AI will be detrimental to the camera industry since creating aesthetic images is only a few text prompts away?

The most recent Canon cameras use deep-learning artificial intelligence, trained using thousands of images of objects in the real world, to enable them to recognise specific subjects wherever they are in the frame.

Powered by what Canon calls deep learning and is colloquially called AI, the upscaling feature lets you increase the size of an image by 400%, while noise reduction can effectively reduce noise by two stops. The potential of this tech is huge.

I have read that the latest Canon products – the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II come equipped with a “next-generation image processor system and deep learning capabilities.” Can you elaborate a little on the deep learning capabilities?  

Reinforcing the legacy of EOS R series, the latest entrants, EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II redefine the boundaries of photography and videography for consumers. The introduction of these two legacy products is strategically aligned with the growth of key sectors in India. The cinema, wedding, wildlife, sports and content creation are all expanding rapidly, and the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II are poised to meet the evolving demands of these industries.

The EOS R1 is the camera for professional photographers who need to capture the decisive moment even under the toughest shooting conditions. On the other hand, EOS R5 Mark II’s acclaimed 45-megapixel resolution, its enhanced video functionality with 8K 60p and custom picture, high-speed continuous shooting performance, and enhanced AF functionality make it a true all-rounder camera that can handle any subject for both video and still images.

Both the cameras come equipped with a Digic X + Digic A processor that leverages deep learning technology to enhance performance and capabilities. Further, deep learning technology improves the accuracy of AF tracking and enhances image quality through upscaling and noise reduction. Upscaling involves increasing the resolution of an image without compromising detail, while noise reduction helps to minimize graininess. The deep learning algorithms in the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II can effectively apply these techniques to produce cleaner, more visually appealing images.

Since I review a lot of smartphones, I am seeing many mobile phone brands collaborating with legacy camera makers. For example, the partnership between Xiaomi and Leica or the partnership between Vivo and Zeiss. What are your thoughts about such collaborations and is there a possibility of Canon ever collaborating with a smartphone brand to help with their camera development?

At Canon, we are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology through professional-grade cameras and exploring innovative collaborations. As part of our endeavour to enhance the customer experience, we are developing RF-S7.8mm f/4 STM Dual lens as a latest addition to our EOS VR system lineup. This will help users record spatial audio for Apple Vision Pro- the first-ever mixed-reality headset. By expanding our offerings into diverse categories, we aim to redefine storytelling and provide users with immersive experiences.

What is the roadmap for the remaining half of the year? Could we expect more camera launches from Canon?

Through 25 glorious years in India, Canon has gained deep insights into unique customer patterns while adapting to the evolving industry landscape, especially as it transitions into the digital age. This aligns with our philosophy of ‘GEMBA,’ which means staying close to our customers and keeping them at the heart of everything we do. 

Our key focus moving forward is to accelerate growth across diverse domains. On the product and services front, we will continue to expand our mirrorless camera portfolio to reach a broader audience, while strengthening our position in emerging industries like OTT, Broadcast, and Cinema.

Owing to the evolving videography culture in the country across industries such as entertainment, education, content creation, and for different formats such as short-form videos, vlogs, and OTT, this segment remains a significant focus area for us. We aim to deliver advanced video solutions to content creators, filmmakers, and professionals across diverse fields. 

Whether through customer feedback, new product launches, firmware updates, or engaging campaigns like #CaptureWithCare, Creator Mode on etc Canon remains committed to staying ahead of industry trends and introducing innovative products based on the pillars of speed, comfort, and superior image quality.

Also read: Best Smartphones Under ₹10,000: September 2024

The Chinese major’s sub-₹20,000 offerings are only available in the Redmi line of products, which includes some of the most popular devices in the market currently.

Redmi Note 13 5G

Arguably one of the most popular sub-₹20,000 smartphone in the market, the Redmi Note 13 5G was launched early in 2024. Despite being one of the first offerings from the brand, the Redmi Note 13 5G is still a pretty good device. We are getting a nice Super AMOLED display with slim and even bezels on all four sides, and a brilliant 108MP triple rear camera setup.

Also read: Optics in your pocket: Best camera phones in September 2024

Redmi Note 13 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. With the smartphone, we are getting a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.

Redmi 13 5G

The Redmi 13 5G aims to make 5G accessible to a broader audience, but it falls short in several key areas. Its bulky design, subpar display, disappointing camera performance, and mediocre chipset make it hard to recommend. While the battery life is impressive, it isn’t enough to compensate for the phone’s shortcomings.

Also read: Budget photography: Best camera phones under 30000 September 2024

The Redmi 13 5G is one of the most popular 5G devices in the sub-₹15,000 segment, promising to make 5G more accessible for a larger audience. It enters the segment with some appealing features such as a premium glass back panel, a 108 MP primary camera, a 120 Hz FHD+ display, and more.

Redmi 12 5G

Also read: Suave Samsung: Best Samsung phones under ₹25,000 in September 2024

The Redmi 12 5G was launched last year to make 5G more accessible to all smartphone users in the country and that, it does with great style and poise. This, after quite some time, feels like Xiaomi doing what the brand does best, making new technology more accessible to facilitate mass adaptation. If you are in the market for an entry-level 5G smartphone, the Redmi 12 5G is probably the best option under a ₹12,000 budget.

With this smartphone, we get a 90Hz IPS LCD display with an FHD resolution. The smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. The Redmi 12 5G also comes with a 50MP dual rear camera setup, and we get a 5,000mAh battery along with 18W fast charging with the Redmi 12 5G.

Redmi 13C 5G

The Redmi 13C is another budget phone from the Xiaomi brand. It comes with a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Redmi 13C is powered by a MediaTek 6100+ chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM. In terms of the battery, we get a 5000mAh unit with support for 18W fast charging.

The Redmi 13C 5G is impressive for its improvements this year. The biggest of them is the first ‘C’ series phone with 5G at a budget-friendly price of around ₹10,000. The starry design gives it a cool look for fans of space themes. The glass back and the screen’s responsive 90Hz refresh rate make it attractive. The MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ also works fine with the smartphone, even for games. Yet, the MIUI 14 software has too many extra apps and ads.

Also read: Performance beasts: Best flagship smartphones September 2024

Also read: Optics in your pocket: Best camera phones in September 2024

With most flagship launches now out of the way, September seems to be a good time to write an article dedicated to all the best flagships that are available to buy right now.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is a super refined foldable smartphone with a sleek design and premium build quality. It features a 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED cover display and a 7.6-inch foldable main display, both offering exceptional brightness and colour accuracy. The main display’s vibrant and accurate colours make it perfect for watching content, providing an immersive viewing experience. Despite its narrow cover display, the Galaxy Z Fold6 excels in durability with IP48 water resistance and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It’s lightweight and supports a stylus, enhancing its versatility for various tasks.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

In Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, we are getting the largest displays on any iPhone so far. The iPhone 16 Pro gets a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a 6.9-inch display. Both smartphones are also equipped with Apple’s ProMotion display that enables 120Hz refresh rate making for a super smooth and responsive swiping experience.

Also read: Budget Bangers: Best smartphones under ₹20,000 in September 2024

Apart from this, Apple’s latest A18 Pro chipset is powering the device which is one of the most powerful chipset on any smartphone so far. This enables Apple Intelligence on the new iPhones and we are also getting a camera upgrade, which brings 5x optical zoom to the iPhone 16 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premium smartphone built with a newer and more durable titanium frame. It has a stunning flat 6.8-inch QHD display that reaches up to 2600 nits for exceptional visibility along with an anti-reflective coating. The camera system is a standout, featuring a massive 200MP main sensor for breathtaking photos. Powered by a cutting-edge processor with advanced cooling, it delivers seamless performance. Additionally, the phone leverages AI to enhance photography, optimize battery life, and provide intelligent assistance, making everyday tasks effortless.

Vivo X Fold 3 Pro

The Vivo X Fold3 Pro is one of the slimmest foldable smartphones out there. We are getting two flagship displays – a 6.53-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. The main or the foldable display is an 8-inch LTPO AMOLED display along with up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The Vivo X Fold3 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM, making it as powerful as a full-fledged PC. We are also getting the best camera on a foldable with a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP + 64MP + 50MP triple rear camera setup which has been co-engineered by Zeiss. There is also a 5,700mAh battery along with 100W fast charging, making this one of the most feature-packed device out there.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra boasts a quad-camera system meticulously crafted to capture breathtaking visuals. The centerpiece is a colossal 1-inch, 50MP primary sensor, delivering unparalleled detail and low-light performance. Paired with a versatile 50MP ultra-wide sensor for expansive landscapes, a 50MP telephoto lens offering 3.2x optical zoom for capturing distant subjects, and a 50MP periscope lens with 5x optical zoom, this system caters to every photographic scenario. Further enhanced by Leica co-engineering and AI features for intelligent scene optimization and editing, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra empowers you to push the boundaries of mobile photography.

Also read: Budget photography: Best camera phones under 30000 September 2024

iQOO 12

The iQOO 12 is a brilliant flagship from the Vivo sub-brand. For the first time ever, an iQOO flagship has felt like a proper flagship, going beyond just performance and focusing on things that users look for when making an over Rs 50,000 purchase. Now, while it does miss out on a lot of flagship features like wireless charging or an official IP rating. But what we do get, is probably the best camera setup that we have ever seen on any iQOO smartphone.

OnePlus 12

So the OnePlus 12 is a proper OnePlus device. The smartphone’s looks, to its 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display, to the performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, to even the battery and charging – everything reeks of OnePlus. On top, this year we get some added goodies like the periscope telephoto lens with the 50MP + 64MP + 48MP triple rear camera and wireless charging. The OnePlus 12 makes for a superb all-rounder device for its price.

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra

Combining style with functionality, the Moto Razr 50 Ultra is probably one of the best smartphones for those who like their style to stand out. We get a slim and compact flip smartphone which not only has a super-functional 4-inch 165Hz pOLED display, but with a leather back design and a form factor that makes it super easy to carry around. The Moto Razr 50 Ultra also comes with IPX8 water resistance, so it is also protected from the accidental splashes of water. Furthermore, we are getting beautiful Pantone-validated colour options with the smartphone, making it an extremely stylish choice for the fashionistas.

Also read: Suave Samsung: Best Samsung phones under ₹25,000 in September 2024

Also read: Budget photography: Best camera phones under 30000 September 2024

Devices from the M series and F series and even the A series are also pretty capable in their own way, offering a good mix of software experience, cameras, and brilliant displays. Let’s take a look at some of the best Samsung smartphones under ₹25,000:

Samsung Galaxy F55 5G

The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G is one of the most popular Samsung smartphones this year. It comes with a brilliant vegan leather back panel design, a crisp and even display, and a camera setup that brings several flagship features to the camera. The Samsung Galaxy F55 comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an FHD+ resolution.

Also read: Optics in your pocket: Best camera phones in September 2024

The Samsung Galaxy F55 5G is powered by a Qualcoom Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The smartphone also has a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, which is usually seen on Samsung flagship smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy M55 5G

With very similar specifications to the abovementioned Samsung Galaxy F55, our opinion on the Samsung Galaxy M55 5G is mixed. We are getting Samsung’s OneUI, but with bloatware and ads. We are getting a smaller battery, but the backup remains very good. We are getting a slightly less detailed display (on paper), but the quality is still great. We are thankfully not getting an Exynos chip, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon is also 2 years old.

Despite not having one of the best hardware with the 50MP + 8MP + 2MP triple camera setup and despite not being a camera-centric device, the Samsung Galaxy M55 5G still gets it right in many situations. The battery backup is also very good, and the charging is the fastest we have seen on any Samsung device.

Samsung Galaxy M35 5G

The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G is equipped with a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution. Further, this display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and has up to 1000 nits of peak brightness. This smartphone also comes with Dolby Atmos support.

Coming to its performance, the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G is powered by the Exynos 1380 processor, which is paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Exynos 1380 has four performance cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four efficiency cores clocked at 2.0GHz. Moreover, this smartphone runs on Android 14-based OneUI 6.1 OS.

Also read: Best Smartphones Under ₹10,000: September 2024

For photography, it has a triple-camera setup holding a 50-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel macro sensor. For selfies and video calls, you get a 13-megapixel selfie shooter with the Galaxy M35 5G. Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G is packed with a 6000mAh battery with 25-watt fast charging support.

Samsung Galaxy A35

Similar to the Samsung M35, the Samsung Galaxy A35 also comes with a Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM. The smartphone also comes with a very good triple rear camera setup that includes a primary 50-megapixel shooter, an 8-megapixel ultrawide angle shooter, and a 5-megapixel macro shooter. The smartphone is also equipped with a 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging.

In terms of the display, we get a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an FHD+ resolution. The Samsung Galaxy A35 is a reliable choice at a sub-₹25,000 price tag. The phone offers a stellar camera performance, smooth UI, and immersive display. There are a lot of premium features on offer as well such as Gorilla Glass Victus+ display protection, 4 years of OS updates, 4K video recording on the rear and selfie cameras, and a solid build. For those who don’t covet performance over everything else, the Galaxy A35 is one of the best all-rounders you can get your hands on at a relatively pocket-friendly price.

Also read: Budget Bangers: Best smartphones under ₹20,000 in September 2024

Also read: Best battery backup phones in September 2024

Moto Edge 50 Pro

Motorola generated a lot of buzz about the Motorola Edge 50 Pro having the world’s first Pantone-validated camera. The phone also bagged the Pantone SkinTone Validation and has added an array of AI-assisted camera features. The rear camera array is headlined by a 50 MP primary camera with a wide f/1.4 aperture, OIS support, and laser autofocus. It also features a 10 MP 3x telephoto shooter with OIS and a 13 MP ultrawide camera with autofocus, which allows it to double as a macro shooter. Once again, a fully loaded camera configuration

Samsung Galaxy M55

The camera on the Samsung Galaxy M55 is a triple rear camera setup which includes a 50-megapixel primary shooter, an 8-megapixel ultrawide angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. The images from the primary shooter are pretty good. Before clicking the photo, you will notice a bit of a watercolour effect in the viewfinder. But once you click the image and the phone does its processing, the results are good. We have sufficient dynamic range and the details are also ample. At times, the highlights get blown up in extremely bright conditions, but apart from that, the images are pretty solid.

Realme 13 Pro

Also read: Best Smartphones Under ₹10,000: September 2024

The Realme 13 Pro comes with a 50 MP Sony LYT-600 primary camera with OIS support and an 8 MP ultrawide camera, which also doubles as a macro shooter. The primary camera clicks some stunning photos with close to natural colours and solid dynamic range. The Realme 13 Pro’s primary camera clicks great photos for its price. One thing to note is that the shutter speed is on the slower side, and you won’t always capture an in-motion shot with ease.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ was launched earlier this year with an all-new triple camera setup consisting of a 200 MP Samsung ISOCELL HP3 camera with both OIS and EIS, an 8 MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2 MP macro camera. This sensor is capable of pulling in quite a bit of detail in ideal lighting conditions. The main camera captures crisp and detailed shots with good colours. In most instances, you get a solid, social-media-worthy shot. Natural bokeh is strong because of the size of the lens and the camera also focuses on subjects pretty easily in good lighting conditions.

Poco F6

The POCO F6’s camera setup marks a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The primary camera now features a Sony IMX882 sensor with both OIS and EIS support, a notable improvement from the 64 MP Omnivision sensor on the POCO F5. Additionally, there’s an 8 MP ultrawide lens, while the previously included 2 MP macro lens has been dropped—a move that won’t disappoint many, given the limited utility of such low-resolution cameras.

Also read: Budget Bangers: Best smartphones under ₹20,000 in September 2024

Also read: Best OnePlus phones under ₹50000 in September 2024

With that thought, let us quickly go through some of the best camera phones that are available from brands like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and more:

Vivo X100 Pro

The Vivo X100 Pro is one of the best cameras that we have tested at Digit in the recent past, easily. With that, we get quite a lot of power with the mighty MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, and a brilliant display. The only thing that had to be sacrificed for stuffing all that tech within the 8.9mm frame is the ergonomics. The Vivo X100 Pro comes with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. The smartphone comes with a 50-megapixel triple rear camera setup which is co-developed with Zeiss. We get a big 5,400mAh battery along with super fast 120W fast charging. With the Vivo X100 Pro, we also get wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

iPhone 16 Pro

The smartphone making all the news, the iPhone 16 Pro has come across as a game-changer in terms of the camera. The company has not only upgraded the hardware, but also added some features that looked focused to every creator in the world. For example, it is the first smartphone in the world that is capable of shooting 4K videos at a 120FPS frame rate. The Camera Control or the capture button, as many are calling it brings back the old shutter buttons from smartphones, but with a touch of Apple.

Also read: Budget Bangers: Best smartphones under ₹20,000 in September 2024

It not only is a physical tactile button, but also comes with a 3D touch implementation using Apple’s tactile engine, and it is also touch sensitive so you can swipe your finger on it to change modes or zoom in/ out while recording. Furthermore, there are other upgrades like a larger 6.3-inch display (6.9-inch on the iPhone 16 Pro Max). There is also Apple’s most powerful A18 Pro chipset, and the smooth ProMotion display.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is headlined by a groundbreaking 200MP sensor, which pushes the boundaries of mobile photography. The quad camera system also comes with two telephoto shooters, and a 12-megapixel wide angle shooter to enable one of the most coveted zoom capabilities out there. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra also comes with many AI features like Magic Editor to further allow you to enhance your images and videos. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Launched alongside the Xiaomi 14 back in March this year, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a beast when it comes to cameras. It comes with one of the most hefty camera hardware on any smartphone currently. We get a 50-megapixel quad rear camera with four 50MP shooters that include two telephoto shooters, one primary shooter, and a wide-angle camera. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM. The device comes with some of the most advanced camera technology like a variable aperture lens that physically opens and closes as you change the aperture. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s display is also a maxed out QHD LTPO AMOLED display with all the bells and whistles.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The latest Google Pixel flagship, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has been launched with a superb 50MP triple rear camera setup with a little bit of AI trickery. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with Google’s latest Tensor G4 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a triple rear camera setup that includes a primary 50MP shooter, a 48MP ultrawide angle shooter, and a 48MP telephoto shooter. The Pixel 9 Pro XL also has a big 5,060mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging and 15W wireless charging.

Also read: Best Smartphones Under ₹10,000: September 2024

DESIGN

Moto G45 5G

With a nice silicone polymer back panel that mimics a vegan leather feel. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB internal storage. We also get a dual rear camera setup with the Moto G45 5G that includes a 50MP primary and a 2MP macro shooter. The Moto G45 5G is equipped with a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Backing all of this up is a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging.

Also read: Budget Bangers: Best smartphones under ₹20,000 in September 2024

DISPLAY

Realme C65 5G

The Realme C65 5G is the latest entry-level smartphone from Realme. It comes with a Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset which is good enough for the basic usage and a little bit of light gaming. The smartphone has a brilliant IPS LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate up to 625 nits of peak brightness. It also comes with a 50MP dual rear camera and we get a 5,000mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging.

PERFORMANCE

POCO M6 Pro 5G

The POCO M6 Pro 5G delivers on what it promises – an affordable 5G phone experience with reliable performance with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset and solid battery life, thanks to a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging. Despite being a sub-₹10,000 device, it doesn’t cut too many corners. You’ve got a massive battery, a large 90 Hz display, and an eye-catching design. The misses in the camera and charging departments can be forgiven for the overall package the POCO M6 Pro 5G provides.

BATTERY

Redmi 12 5G

The Redmi 12 5G aims to make 5G more accessible to all smartphone users in the country and that it does with great style and poise. This, after quite some time, feels like Xiaomi doing what the brand does best, making new technology more accessible to facilitate mass adaptation. So yes, if you are in the market for an entry-level 5G smartphone, the Redmi 12 5G is probably one of the best options.

Also read: iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and more: Upcoming smartphones in September 2024

Also read: Best smartphones under ₹30,000 according to every need and preference

DESIGN

Moto G85 (Price – ₹19,999)

The Motorola G85 is a solid budget smartphone that stands out with its premium design, vibrant display, and decent camera setup. If you frequently consume content on your smartphone, the Motorola G85 is one of my top recommendations under ₹20,000 thanks to its superb display and stereo speakers. However, it does lag behind in raw performance compared to some competitors.

Nothing CMF Phone 1 (Price – ₹15,999)

Undoubtedly the best designed phone under ₹20,000 currently. The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is the first smartphone from Nothing’s sub-brand and it comes with one of the coolest design elements. We get a customisable and replaceable back panel, along with several attachments that can also be attached or detached to the back panel. Now, buying accessories and a charger for the CMF Phone 1 will bring the price up. But even at a sub-₹20,000 price tag, the CMF Phone 1 still offers pretty decent value. So if you want clean software with decent performance and a differentiating element in your smartphone, the CMF Phone 1 is very easy to recommend.

DISPLAY

Samsung Galaxy M35 (Price – ₹19,999)

When we talk displays, we can’t not mention Samsung, especially in the display department. The Samsung Galaxy M35 comes with a beautiful 6.6-inch super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a rated peak brightness of 1000 nits. The smartphone is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM. We also get a humongous 6,000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging, along with a 50MP + 8MP + 5MP triple rear camera setup.

Redmi Note 13 (Price – ₹17,999)

The Redmi Note 13 5G also has a very good display. With this we get an immersive 6.67-inch AMOLED display with super slim and even bezels on all four sides. With this, we are getting an FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Apart from having a superb display, the Redmi Note 13 5G also comes with a nice triple rear camera setup with a 108MP primary shooter. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM. For battery, the Redmi Note 13 5G has a 5,000mAh unit with support for 33W fast charging.

PERFORMANCE

iQOO Z9 (Price – ₹19,999)

iQOO has turned up the throttle this year. A company once only focused on performance has now come out with one of the best all-rounders in the sub-₹20,000 smartphone segment. The iQOO Z9 is a jack of all trades – it has the BEST performance under ₹20K, a fantastic primary camera that does extremely well in most conditions, and a gorgeous AMOLED display. The battery life is also pretty decent; it should easily last most users a full day. The only two areas where iQOO could step up more are design and UI.

iQOO Z9s (Price – ₹19,999)

The iQOO Z9s is also a proper iQOO smartphone. With a design that is identical to the Vivo V40 or the Vivo T3 Ultra, the iQOO Z9s is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM. The smartphone also has a dual rear camera setup that includes a primary 50-megapixel shooter and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The iQOO Z9s also has a nice curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. For battery, we are getting a 5,500mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

BATTERY

OnePlus Nord CE4 5G – (Price – ₹19,999)

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite has
a brilliant display, decent battery and performance, a not-so-great design, and an adequate camera. This phone is perfect for people who watch a lot of content, thanks to its bright and detailed display and long-lasting battery. Gaming isn’t bad either but could be better. The photography is okay in daylight, but it’s not a camera phone.

Realme P1 Pro – (Price – ₹19,999)

The Realme P1 Pro is the elder brother to the Realme P1, which stood out as one of the best performing smartphones in the ₹15,000 range. The Realme P1 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. With this, we also get a nice curved AMOLED display which offers a 120Hz refresh rate and an FHD+ resolution. The cameras on the Realme P1 Pro are also pretty good with the 50MP + 8MP dual rear camera setup.

Also read: iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and more: Upcoming smartphones in September 2024

While the volume this September might not be as big as that of previous years, the significance of these releases is undeniable. Each brand is set to introduce innovations that could shape the market for the coming months. Whether you’re an Apple fanboy, an Android enthusiast, or just someone who loves to stay on top of the latest tech trends, September is going to be an exciting month. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated launches this year.

iPhone 16 series

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated launches this year, the Apple iPhone 16 series will come with several changes over last year. This year, we are anticipating a huge focus on AI or “Apple Intelligence,” along with other changes. The vanilla iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will go back to the vertical rear camera placement, mainly to give them the ability to record Spatial Videos.

Also read: Why the iPhone 16 matters: Apple’s first Gen AI iPhone

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be bigger this year. The iPhone 16 Pro is rumoured to come with a 6.3-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max may come with a 6.9-inch display. Sizes of the vanilla iPhones will remain the same. Furthermore, Apple is also rumoured to bring another physical button to the Pro models.

Apart from this, we are getting the basic changes. Apple’s new A18 Pro chipset is said to be unveiled and the vanilla iPhones may also get an Action Button this time around. Apart from this, things are said to remain similar. Apple is also said to make some new announcements around Apple Intelligence during the September 9 launch event.

Vivo T3 Ultra

Vivo is also bringing a new smartphone in its T-series. The Vivo T3 Ultra bring an “Ultra” variant in Vivo’s T-series of smartphones. The Vivo T3 Ultra is expected to come with a 1.5K curved AMOLED display with a high refresh rate. The smartphone is said to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset. According to reports, the smartphone may achieve an AnTuTu score of 160K, which is impressive. Apart from that, we can also expect an IP68 rating and an enhanced camera setup with a Sony IMX921 primary sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS).

Moto Razr 50

Said to launch on the same day as the iPhone 16 series, the Moto Razr 50 is the vanilla version of this year’s Moto Razr series from the Lenovo-owned brand. The Moto Razr 50 is said to be similar to the Moto Razr 40 Ultra from last year. The smartphone may come with a 3.6-inch cover display which will be equally as useful as the Moto Razr 40 Ultra’s cover display. The smartphone is rumoured to be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X chipset. We are also expecting an upgraded camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary shooter with OIS with the Moto Razr 50. The smartphone is also expected to have a bigger 4,200mAh battery and this time around, we are also getting IPX8 water resistance, according to rumours online.

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

Another big launch this month will be the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, a toned-down version of the flagship S24 smartphones that were launched earlier this year. The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has been part of the rumour mill for a while now and most of the smartphone’s specifications have already been leaked.

The Galaxy S24 FE is said to come with a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone, like previous FE series devices, will come powered with an Exynos chipset and will come with Android 14 out of the box. We can expect a triple rear camera setup this time around with a 50MP primary shooter and an 8MP telephoto lens for 3x optical zoom. The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is also said to come with a 4,565mAh battery paired with 25W fast charging and this will also come with wireless charging.

Also read: iPhone 16 vs iPhone 15: Here are 16 changes you can expect 

Since the sub ₹30,000 segment is a hugely popular one in India, we thought a story that highlights some of the best options in the market currently is a good fit. So here we are, in this article, I will list out some of the best smartphones under ₹30,000 according to what people usually want in their next smartphone. Let’s begin.

DESIGN – Nothing Phone 2a (Price – ₹23,999)

One of the most subjective yet important parameters when looking for new phones. It is natural that users will pick what attracts them first. Two smartphones that have definitely made headway in the design space are the Moto Edge 50 and the Nothing Phone 2a.

The Nothing Phone 2a, which is the first budget smartphone from the Carl Pei-owned brand brings a different new-age design to the table. With the Glyph lights and the whole transparent design language, the Nothing Phone 2a is definitely a device that will grab many eyeballs from the public. Add to that a nice software experience to go with, the design is undoubtedly a strongpoint here. Adding to that, we are also getting Corning Gorilla Glass protections along with an IP52 rating.

Priced at ₹23,999 onwards, the Nothing Phone 2a comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. In terms of the camera, we are getting a dual rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary and a 50-megapixel ultrawide angle shooter. The Nothing Phone 2a also gets a 5,000mAh battery with support for 30W fast charging.

Also read: Best Mobile Phones Under 20,000

CAMERA – Vivo V30e (Price – ₹27,999)

Ever since Vivo has upped its camera game, any smartphone in any price bracket is expected to have a good camera. The Vivo V30e is one such device. While there isn’t much going around in terms of the numbers game, the camera performance on this device is really good. The phone houses a dual rear camera setup which includes a 50 MP Sony IMX882 primary camera and an 8 MP ultrawide shooter. It also comes with Vivo’s Aura Light flash that has support for dual colour temperature allowing you to click warm or cool portraits in low-light conditions. The Vivo V30e also comes with a 50MP selfie camera with Eye Auto Focus and an 82-degree FOV.

Also read: Best Camera Phones

Battery – OnePlus Nord 4

The latest mid-range from OnePlus not only offers a metal build, it has taken the battery on OnePlus smartphones to a whole new level. The OnePlus Nord 4 comes with a 5,500mAh battery, which is the largest unit on any OnePlus Nord device that we have seen so far. The OnePlus Nord 4 is also powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. We also get 100W fast charging with the 5,500mAh battery and a 50-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual rear camera setup.

Also read: Best Battery Backup Smartphones

Software – Moto Edge 50

For those who want a clean and user friendly software experience, the Moto Edge 50 is probably the best option under ₹30,000. We are getting a close to stock Android experience and there is pretty much no bloatware in the Moto Edge 50. The setup process is simple and quick, and you are never bombarded with unnecessary permissions and notifications that just hamper the whole experience. Furthermore, Motorola’s features like ThinkShield protocol that makes things safer or the Moto Smart Connect Feature that makes connectivity between different devices easier.