The festive sales in India are often the best time to grab high-end smartphones at prices that feel much lighter on the wallet. This year is no different. With a budget of ₹75,000, buyers now have access to some of the latest flagships along with a few powerful holdovers from earlier launches. From Apple’s newest iPhone to Samsung’s big-screen powerhouse, here are five standout options worth considering.
Apple iPhone 16
If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 16 is an easy recommendation. The 256GB variant now fits within this budget, offering a compact 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display that peaks at 2000 nits and supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It comes with the A18 chip under the hood and iOS 18 out of the box, backed by Apple’s promise of years of software updates. The phone also features the new Action button, a USB-C port, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. On the camera front, you get a 48MP main shooter with OIS and a 12MP ultra-wide that doubles as a macro lens thanks to autofocus.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Launched earlier in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to be a top-tier choice and is now more affordable during festive deals. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The phone’s 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display runs at 120Hz and is paired with the versatile S Pen. Its camera system is one of the best in the business: a massive 200MP primary sensor, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP periscope lens with 5x optical zoom. Add to that Samsung’s promise of seven years of OS and security updates, and this one is built to last.
Vivo X200 5G
For photography enthusiasts, the Vivo X200 5G is a serious contender. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset and supports up to 16GB RAM with 512GB storage. The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel is bright—peaking at 4500 nits—and runs at 120Hz. The camera setup, co-engineered with Zeiss, features three 50MP sensors for wide, ultra-wide, and 3x telephoto shots, all with OIS. The phone also boasts a 5800mAh battery with 90W fast charging and carries an IP69 rating, making it more durable than most rivals.
OnePlus 13
If you want sheer performance and battery life, the OnePlus 13 is hard to ignore. It’s driven by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and comes with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. Its 6.82-inch QHD+ LTPO4 AMOLED display is stunning and supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The highlight here is the 6000mAh battery, paired with 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. The camera setup continues OnePlus’s collaboration with Hasselblad, offering three 50MP sensors—main, ultra-wide, and a 3x periscope telephoto. With IP68/IP69 certification, it’s also built tough.
Xiaomi 15
The Xiaomi 15 caters to those who prefer a compact flagship without compromising on power. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED display supports 120Hz refresh and can hit a peak brightness of 3200 nits. The camera system, tuned with Leica, features three 50MP sensors covering wide, ultra-wide, and a floating telephoto with 2.6x zoom. Backed by a 5240mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, plus IP68 protection, this device packs flagship features into a smaller frame.
Bottom Line
This year’s festive discounts make the sub-₹75,000 range one of the most exciting in recent memory. Whether you’re drawn to Apple’s iPhone 16, Samsung’s versatile Galaxy S24 Ultra, Vivo’s Zeiss-tuned cameras, OnePlus’s monster battery, or Xiaomi’s compact powerhouse, there’s no shortage of premium choices. The only hard part may be picking just one.
