Hey folks,
28M here — looking to buy a phone for my wife. Priority is camera above everything else (photos > video, but both matter).
Budget is around ₹30–35k, but I can stretch a bit if it actually makes a noticeable difference.
From what I’ve seen so far, options in this range include things like Pixel 8a / S24 FE / Vivo V60 / Nord 5 etc., but I’m confused because:
Some people say Pixel is best for photos but lacks in other areas
Samsung FE seems balanced but not “camera-first”
Vivo/Realme have good hardware but inconsistent processing
Also saw a lot of mixed opinions like:
“Most 30–40k phones have similar cameras, differences are subtle”
So my questions:
Is ₹35k range actually good enough for a proper camera phone in 2026?
Should I wait for newer launches / price drops?
Does stretching to ~₹40–45k give a big camera upgrade or just marginal gains?
What would you pick today if camera is the ONLY priority?
Usage: mostly photos (portraits, trips, low light), occasional video.
Would really appreciate real-world experiences 🙏