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AI tools like Magic Editor, Live Translation, and Smart Summary now feature in sub-Rs 40K phones.
Vivo, Google, and Realme lead with meaningful, user-first AI implementations.
Long-term software support and contextual intelligence are now differentiators in the midrange race.
Artificial intelligence in smartphones has evolved beyond mere camera tricks and voice commands. It has become a key factor not just in Rs. 1 lakh flagship devices, but more significantly in the competitive segment under Rs. 40,000.
From Google’s Gemini integration to Realme’s Smart Loop, manufacturers are competing to utilize more intuitive, context-based AI features and make your everyday life smarter. Let’s take a look at the best AI phones, each offering a distinct blend of performance, innovation, and intelligent functionality.
With AI now a necessity and not an add-on, budget smartphone shoppers below Rs. 40,000 expect more than megapixels and speed charging.
Price: Rs. 36,999
AI USP: Real-time translation, live transcription, and Gemini integration
Vivo has arguably made the mid-range market’s best AI smartphone. Vivo V50 is its flagship AI offering within Rs. 40000 . As part of Google Gemini integration, users enjoy Live Call Translation and Transcript Assist, features that particularly address a socially active demographic.
Coupled with a Zeiss-optimized 50MP camera (front and back), this phone not only clicks wonderful photos, it even understands your language, literally.
Verdict: A powerful tool for educators, journalists, and everyday users toggling between languages.
Also Read: Best Redmi Mobile Phone Under Rs 25,000
Price: Rs. 33,999
AI USP: Nightography, Circle to Search, and One UI’s intelligent tweaks
Samsung’s A-series becomes intelligent in 2025. Galaxy A36 employs AI to make daily usage better, through subtle elements such as AI-powered low-light photography (Nightography), an AI ISP, and the intuitive "Circle to Search" feature developed by Gemini.
Verdict: For committed Samsung users or someone seeking longevity with intelligent photography capabilities.
Price: Rs. 37,999
AI USP: Magic Editor, AI Call Assist, and pure Google experience
Pixel 8a, powered by the Tensor G3 chip, presents Google AI magic at non-flagship prices. Magic Editor allows you to remove elements from photos and reframe them in an instant, and AI Call Assist filters out spam calls and translates them in real-time on-device.
It’s also one of the few phones under Rs. 40,000 with the complete Gemini suite.
Verdict: Perfect for those who use their phone as a mini creative lab.
Price: Rs. 34,199
AI USP: AI Smart Loop, AI Eraser v2.0, Smart Summary
Realme GT 6 punches above its weight with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 power and a suite of AI features previously reserved for flagships. The AI Smart Loop anticipates user actions, while AI Eraser v2.0 removes unwanted elements from photos. Smart Summary, meanwhile, turns voice notes or long articles into bite-sized insights, great for students and researchers.
Verdict: For users who want flagship brains without the flagship bill.
Price: Rs. 33,999
AI USP: Sketch-to-Image, Note Assist, AI ISP
Galaxy A55 provides not only a sleek design but a range of productivity-oriented AI features. Its Sketch-to-Image functionality allows you to transform doodles into images, while Note Assist summarises written notes automatically.
It doesn’t have the performance credentials of the GT 6, but its mature ecosystem, lengthy update window, and security enhancements make it a business-savvy choice.
Verdict: A solid choice for pros and students who want an AI-powered organisation.
Price: Rs. 37,999
AI USP: AI Live Photo, AI Clarity Enhancer, Writing Assistant
OPPO Reno13 features a storytelling AI brain in its hardware. It brings photos to life through AI photo editing. The Writing Assistant helps refine content on the go.
Verdict: Ideal for creators, Instagrammers, and budget-friendly vloggers.
Price: Rs. 31,999
AI USP: Motion Estimation/Motion Compensation (MEMC), AI cooling optimization
Not everything is cameras and writing when it comes to AI. iQOO Neo9 Pro leverages its AI expertise in performance, particularly in gaming. MEMC features smooth out frame rates during gaming, whereas AI-cooled optimization maintains long hours of gaming without throttling. Voice gaming commands and smart touch calibration are also included.
Verdict: For players who need AI to sense their game and react.
Also Read: Best Mobile Phones for Video Recording in 2025: Capture Like a Pro
Google Gemini and manufacturer-specific AI stacks trickling down into sub-Rs. 40,000 devices mean that the true differentiator in 2025 is how meaningfully AI is integrated.
Some phones provide skin-deep tweaks, and then there are others like Pixel 8a, Vivo V50, and Realme GT 6, that build complete workflows around AI.
This year, the smart money doesn’t follow specs just for the sake of it. It follows cleverer, context-sensitive devices that accomplish more with less.
1. What makes a smartphone an ‘AI phone’ in 2025?
AI phones use features like real-time translation, smart photo editing, contextual suggestions, and productivity tools powered by machine learning chips and integrated assistants like Google Gemini.
2. Is Google Gemini available on phones under Rs. 40,000?
Yes, phones like the Pixel 8a, Vivo V50, and select Samsung models include Gemini-based tools like Magic Editor, Call Assist, and Circle to Search for smarter user experiences.
3. Which AI feature is most useful for everyday users?
Real-time translation, smart summarisation, and spam call filtering are the most practical for everyday use, helping users communicate, understand content, and manage calls more intelligently.
4. Can AI help improve gaming on midrange phones?
Yes, AI optimisations like MEMC and thermal management in phones like iQOO Neo9 Pro enhance gameplay by improving frame rates and preventing overheating during intense gaming sessions.
5. How long do these midrange AI phones receive updates?
Models like the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 8a offer up to 6 years of updates, ensuring long-term support for new AI tools, security patches, and OS upgrades.
