Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
With less than a week left before the Deepavali (aka Diwali) festival kicks off, it is customary among people to not just clean the home, but also buy new things such as clothes, home appliances or gadgets.
Smartphones are good, thoughtful gift options as they serve a lot of practical purposes. With a smartphone, users can communicate and socialise with loved ones staying in faraway places. With OTT apps, one can binge-watch their favourite movies or TV series.
Also, most phones come with cutting-edge photography hardware. They can capture fantastic photos and help store wonderful memories.
Here are some of the most feature-rich phones worth buying this festive season:
Apple iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
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The new iPhone 17 and 17 Pro come with new A19 and A19 Pro chipsets, promising significant improvement in performance not just over the predecessors, but better than most premium Android phones.
They feature sturdy build quality, IP68 rating and highly durable display guard for protection against scratches.
Apple iPhone 17.
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They come with come feature-rich camera hardware, capable of getting really good pictures in all light conditions. Also, they deliver a full day battery life under normal usage.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
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It is undeniably the most complete premium phone we have in the market. It has several unique features such as the anti-glare display, S Pen support and more, which no other rival brands can boast of.
Also, it has a fantastic camera and is complemented by several generative Artificial Intelligence tools to enhance the photography experience. And, it has delivered a full day of battery life.
Google Pixel 10 & 10 Pro series
Google Pixel 10 Pro.
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Google Pixel 10 and 10 Pro models are the best camera phones on the market. The user just has to point the camera and be assured of the best possible photo in any lighting condition.
It is not made for extreme gaming, but supports the most advanced generative AI features on a mobile phone in the industry. Also, they have several exclusive features such as Camera Coach, Add Me, Pixel Screen Shots, Magic Cue, Journal app and more.
The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL are available in 256GB of storage for Rs 79,999, Rs 109,999, and Rs 124,999, respectively
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 series
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7.
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If you're looking for the best foldable phones in the market, look no further than the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7. They come with sturdy build quality. The Z Fold7, in particular, has the most stunning design language for a foldable design. It is super light to hold and operate single-handedly on the cover display.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite, and the Z Flip7 is powered by Samsung Exynos 2500 processor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7.
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They come with good camera hardware and can deliver a full day of battery life.
OnePlus 13 and 13s series
OnePlus 13 5G.
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OnePlus 13 and 13s are two of the most cost-effective premium phones in the market.
They come with sturdy build quality, powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon, excellent camera hardware and deliver long battery life.
OnePlus 13s.
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OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13s price starts at Rs 63,999 and Rs 50,999, respectively.
Xiaomi 15
Xiaomi 15.
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Xiaomi 15 is an excellent premium Android phone. It has top-class build quality, robust design, great display and a very powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which can run any apps and games without breaking a sweat. And, delivers great with long battery life.
And, the icing on the cake is the impressive Leica camera system. It takes stunning photos in all light conditions. Given how fantastic the standard Xiaomi 15 variant is, the 15 Ultra will be even better in the photography department.
The latest Xiaomi 15 (12GB RAM + 512GB storage) costs Rs 64,999, and the 15 Ultra (16GB RAM + 512GB storage) is priced at Rs 1,09,999.
Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone Air.
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Apple's brand new iPhone Air comes with a super slim design, but is powered by A19 Pro to deliver smooth performance while handling gen AI applications, graphics-rich games or any heavy-duty tasks. Also, it can deliver a full day of battery life under normal usage. Though it has just a single sensor, it doesn't disappoint much.
The iPhone Air is available in space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue, starting with 256GB storage, 512GB and 1TB options— for Rs 1,19,900, Rs 1,39,900 and Rs 1,59,900, respectively.
Oppo Reno14
Oppo Reno14 5G.
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Oppo Reno14 is not just good in aesthetic design elements, but also a top-class workhorse.
Even though the device has the same chipset as the predecessor, it excels with smooth, lag-free performance, even while running gen AI apps.
It also has an amazing camera and offers a full day of battery life. Fast charging is another plus point for the device.
The device comes in three configurations-- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 512GB storage-- Rs 37,999, Rs 39,999 and Rs 42,999, respectively.
iQOO Neo 10
iQOO Neo 10 5G.
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iQOO Neo 10 is a complete package. It not only looks like a premium iQOO 13, but also performs like one. It delivers super smooth performance without the slightest hint of sluggishness.
It excels in gaming, photography and most importantly, it delivers long battery life as well.
iQOO Neo 10 is available in two colours-- Inferno Red and Titanium Chrome. It comes in four configurations-- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, 12GB RAM + 256GB and 16GB RAM + 512GB storage-- for Rs 31,999, Rs 33,999, Rs 35, 999 and Rs 40,999, respectively.
OnePlus 13R
OnePlus 13R.
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It has a solid build quality, a really good display, and an amazing camera backed by generative AI features, which, by the way, work like a charm. It delivers a very long battery life and charges super quickly. And, most importantly, it costs less than half the price of ultra-premium phones in the market. It is a very compelling phone for price-conscious consumers.
OnePlus 13R comes in two variants-- 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and 16 GB RAM + 512GB storage for Rs 38,999 and Rs 43,999, respectively.
Vivo V50
Vivo V50 series.
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Vivo V50 is a moderate upgrade over the predecessor. However, with good camera hardware and the reliable Qualcomm chipset that powers gen AI features, the device maintains an edge over rival brands in its price range.
The Vivo V50 is available in three configurations-- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 512GB storage-- for Rs 34,999, Rs 36,999 and Rs 40,999.
Motorola Edge 60 Pro
Motorola Edge 60 Pro.
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Motorola's Edge 60 Pro is not just a gorgeous phone but also a reliable performer. Whatever the tasks are, be it switching between multiple apps or playing games, it works smoothly.
Also, it takes pretty amazing photos in the sunlight. It delivers good performance in terms of long battery life under normal usage.
The device comes in Pantone Dazzling Blue, Pantone Shadow and Pantone Sparkling Grape colours. It will be available in two configurations-- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage-- for Rs 29,999 and Rs 33,999, respectively.
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.
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Nothing's latest mid-range phone is jam-packed with the right features and aptly priced for the Indian market.
It has excellent build quality. It does good with day-to-day performance, and most importantly, excels with battery life. The camera is decent for its price.
It has really good refreshing NothingOS and Glyph UI, which makes the Phone (3a) Pro unique among its peers in the Rs 30,000 price range.
OnePlus Nord 5
OnePlus Nord 5.
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OnePlus Nord 5 is a solid, well-rounded phone. It comes with praiseworthy build quality, delivers stable lag-free performance and long battery life. It has decent photography hardware.
The Nord 5 is available in dry ice, marble sands, and phantom grey --colour options. It comes in three configurations-- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 512GB storage-- for Rs 31,999, Rs 34,999 and Rs 37,999, respectively.
Poco X7 Pro
Poco X7 Pro.
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Design-wise, though there is no 'wow' factor, the Poco X7 Pro is a really good performer in terms of functioning smoothly and delivering long battery life. It also does a fine job with photography.
It is available in two configurations -- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage- for Rs 27,999 and Rs 29,999, respectively.
iQOO Z10
iQOO Z10 5G series.
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The Z10 is a feature-rich mid-range phone with a massive battery and a reliable Qualcomm chipset, and it doesn't cost much compared to the rival brands.
Even the camera is really good. It takes stunning images in the daylight and supports several gen AI-based tools, such as AI Eraser to enhance the photography experience.
Considering the overall aspects, iQOO Z10 is a really good value-for-money phone for college students and also senior citizens who want to spend time watching videos on social media platforms and movies/ TV series on OTT apps.
It comes in --glacier silver and stellar black -- colours. It is available in three configurations-- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage--for Rs 21,999, Rs 23,999 and Rs 25,999, respectively.
Redmi 15
Xiaomi Redmi 15.
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With a big, beautiful display, a reliable Qualcomm chipset and a massive battery, Redmi 15 is a perfect option for people who spend more time consuming multimedia content and playing games.
Even the camera is good enough to get nice pictures in most of the light conditions.
It comes in three variants-- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage-- for Rs 14,999, Rs 15,999 and Rs 16,999, respectively
Motorola Moto G96
Motorola Moto G96 5G.
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Motorola Moto G96 may appear slim in design, but it comes with a reliable processor to deliver smooth performance. Also, under normal usage, it can easily last a full day. And, the camera is good in a natural sun-lit environment.
The device is available in four PANTONE-certified colours-- Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Ashleigh Blue and Dresden Blue.
It comes in two configurations-- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage-- for Rs 17,999 and Rs 19,999, respectively.
CMF Phone 2 Pro
CMF Phone 2 Pro.
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CMF Phone 2 Pro offers more than we look for in a mid-range phone under the Rs 20,000 price range. It has the most unique design language inside out, and the build quality, too, is praiseworthy.
It does not come with any third-party pre-loaded apps, except for Nothing and Google Core apps. The camera does a fine job in almost all light conditions.
It delivers good on smooth performance and long battery life. Have to appreciate Nothing Inc for offering a free silicone case and screen-guard, and a charger along with a data cable. It will greatly help first-time buyers who want to upgrade from a feature phone to a touchscreen-based smartphone.
The CMF 2 Pro comes in four colours— white, black, orange and light green. It is available in two configurations— 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage— for Rs 18,999, and Rs 20,999, respectively.
Samsung Galaxy M36
Samsung Galaxy M36.
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Samsung's Galaxy M36 is a well-rounded mid-range phone. It has a premium build quality, supports six years of Android OS updates and offers one-day battery life under normal usage.
The device comes in three configurations-- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage-- for Rs 17,499, Rs 18,999 and Rs 20,999, respectively.
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