5 best flagship phones under ₹80,000 in India: iPhone 16, Vivo X200, Pixel 9 and more

tech.hindustantimes.com:

As 2024 draws to a close and we step into 2025, it's the perfect time to reflect on how the flagship smartphone market has evolved over the past year. This year has seen the launch of several flagship phones, offering excellent value in the ₹80,000 price range. If you're planning to invest in a new smartphone, we've compiled a list of the top five options under ₹80,000 that deliver a stellar experience. The list is presented in no particular order, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences and needs.

Also Read: Google warns against these holiday scams: Know what is it and how to stay vigilant

The Pixel 9 retails for ₹79,999 in India. While it's not the fastest on this list—in fact, it is the least powerful smartphone on this list—it packs several AI features which make it an AI-first experience. Features like the 'Reimagine' feature in the Photos app and native Gemini integration system-wide make the experience feel premium. 

The cameras are also quite premium with pleasing imagery from the dual camera system. Google has also worked on improving video this year, and this year the video is fantastic, while still not as good as the iPhone, it's getting there. The software is also second to none in the Android space, with its build of Android. The device has already received Android 15 and will continue to be supported for years to come, as it is promised to get seven years of Android OS upgrades. 

Also, the phone has some of the best haptics in the Android space. The screen is also plenty bright, with 2700 nits of peak brightness. The Indian variant gets 256 GB as the base model, unlike the 128 GB model you get in the US. 

Also Read: Top 5 video games to watch out for in 2025: From GTA 6, Assassin's Creed Shadows to Ghost of Yōtei and more

If you want to try the latest iPhone 16 series, under ₹80,000, the iPhone 16 is the only option. It comes with a 6.1 inch OLED panel, which unfortunately still runs at 60Hz, but the majority of people buying this