March has started and we are back with our list of top smartphones. In the past month, different brands launched different phones. Some belong to the affordable segment, while there are some mid-range phones that people buy more than flagships, according to survey data. These phones usually cost between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000, and today, we have handpicked a few smartphones for under Rs 30,000.

This list of best smartphones under Rs 30,000 for March includes brands such as OnePlus, Realme, Oppo, and Xiaomi. All phones on the list support 5G, come with multiple cameras, have fast charging support on their batteries, and come with premium designs that most customers will instantly appreciate. Let us take a look at these phones.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

The latest entry to the sub-Rs 30,000 smartphone market is the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. It is essentially a toned-down version of the OnePlus Nord 2.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G comes with a 6.43-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, which is decent in terms of multitasking and playing games at graphics one notch below the best. The phone’s 64-megapixel cameras are good, but they sometimes give mixed results in tricky lighting. Its 4500mAh battery supports 65W fast charging, and that is good for people who want their phone’s battery to charge fast.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G starts at Rs 23,999.

Our verdict: The OnePlus Nord CE 2 is a good smartphone that you can consider buying if your budget is around Rs 24,000. It offers an attractive design, a powerful enough chipset, a big battery with support for faster (65W) charging speed. It can also take appealing photos in daylight. Though, the ultra-wide camera is not that good.

Realme 9 Pro Plus

The Realme 9 Pro Plus is the only phone in the sub-Rs 30,000 segment to come with optical image stabilisation. Creators and moviemakers will appreciate this feature. But photographers will absolutely love the phone. Its flagship 50-megapixel Sony cameras click amazing photos with good details. The 6.4-inch AMOLED display is colourful and supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The MediaTek Dimensity 920 is fast but not recommended for high-end gaming. The 4500mAh battery lasts a day easily and supports 60 W fast charging.

The Realme 9 Pro Plus starts at Rs 24,999.

Our verdict: I think the Realme 9 Pro Plus is an out-and-out phone meant for photography enthusiasts. Although I do not mean to say this phone will not suit other needs, such as gaming, this phone has everything the shutterbug in you needs from a high-end phone without paying that price. The 50-megapixel camera can click amazing photos, while extra frills such as street mode give you features to experiment with. The optical image stabilisation is what creators will love, while the fast processor will make sure editing is a smooth sail.

Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge

If you want the fastest charging phone under Rs 30,000, Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge is your best bet. It comes with 120W charging support, which fills the phone’s 4500mAh battery in only 15 minutes. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display of the 11i HyperCharge supports 120Hz and has Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Powering the phone is a MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor, which is fast for everyday tasks, but high-end gaming will not be enjoyable.

The Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge comes at a starting price of Rs 26,999.

Our verdict: The Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge is a capable smartphone at this price. There is a high refresh rate AMOLED panel, camera performance is solid, and the phone should particularly excite those who are always anxious about their phone’s battery level.

Oppo Reno 7

If you are fond of flaunting your phone among your friends, you should consider the Oppo Reno 7. The matte finish on the phone’s back changes colours, while the glitter gives it a shiny look. Performance-wise, the Reno 7 can handle everyday tasks and give you an enjoyable gaming experience, but make sure you set the graphics a notch below the best. The 6.43-inch AMOLED display supports a 90Hz refresh rate, while the 64-megapixel cameras click well-detailed photos. The 32-megapixel selfie camera clicks good photos, as well. The phone has a 4500mAh battery and it supports the 65W fast charging technology.