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Thinking of buying the latest flagship? Think again. So-called premium phones may not be worth their steep prices. Here are 5 overpriced smartphones in India and smarter, cheaper alternatives that beat them.
Alternatives that offer comparable or superior features at lower cost.
New Delhi: India’s smartphone market continues to push premium prices for flagship models. But just because a phone carries a hefty price tag doesn’t mean it’s the best value. Here’s a look at expensive phones that might be over-priced for many users and alternatives that offer comparable or superior features at lower cost.
Apple’s iPhone 17 launched in India with a base price of ₹82,900 for the 256 GB model. Variants such as the Pro and Pro Max cross well over ₹1.3 lakh or more. While its A19 chip, ProMotion display, and premium build are appealing, everyday users may not need all that to meet their daily tasks.
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Alternative: If you want a high-end iOS experience without overspending, consider older Pro-series models that are still being discounted as newer phones arrive. Android alternatives with comparable specs (e.g. display, processor power, build) can offer better value per rupee.
The OnePlus 13s sits in the premium band (approx. ₹54,999 at launch The Times of India), offering flagship-grade performance in a compact body with Snapdragon 8 Elite. But for many users who want a powerful Android device, there are more affordable options offering similar chipsets, display quality, or battery life.
Alternative: Consider phones like the OnePlus 13R 5G or other high-spec mid-flagship devices such as the iQOO or Realme flagships that cut price on design premium but match performance.
Some phones prioritize design flair transparent backs, aesthetic finishes, ultra-thin frames yet their pricing doesn’t always justify the compromise in battery, durability, or charging speed. For instance, a model priced around ₹30-35k with flashy design might disappoint in areas where rivals outperform it.
Alternative: The Nothing Phone Pro 5G offers premium design touches (e.g. unique styling) with solid internals, and often at lower price than niche design-oriented flagships. Likewise, phones like Vivo V60 5G bring excellent screens, battery and features without overshooting the budget.
Devices that fall into the high-mid or near-flagship tier sometimes fail to deliver proportionate value for what you pay. You may pay for camera bump features or brand prestige more than for real-world advantage. In that bracket, better alternatives exist among premium-midrange launches.
Alternative: For example, OnePlus Nord 5 5G provides strong 5G support, generous RAM-storage configurations, modern software, and features such as good display refresh rates all while costing significantly less than ultra-premium phones.
When you pay top-tier prices, you expect not just hardware specs but also software updates, build quality, durability (water resistance, better materials), and long-term resale value. But some expensive devices charge heavily for incremental upgrades (camera zoom, materials) that many everyday users might never use.
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Alternative: Picks like the OnePlus Nord 4 5G or the Realme 15 5G strike a solid balance between performance features (processor quality, display refresh rate, battery life) and affordability. You may be giving up ultra-premium features but you gain much better price-to-performance.
In 2025, Indian smartphone buyers are increasingly savvy. Flagship models like the iPhone 17, OnePlus 13s, or ultra-premium design-heavy phones still carry prestige but not always the best value. If you’re willing to look beyond branding, you’ll find phones that deliver high performance, great displays, fast charging, and modern software without paying the top-tier price.
Before you spend big, compare specifications, read user reviews, check update policy, and ask whether the extras are worth the premium.
