I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve told people, “30,000 muni ko ta phone liney nai haina.” No offence to the most popular smartphone category in Nepal (there are genuinely some great options around Rs. 20,000, which you can check out in our list of best phones under Rs. 20,000), but personally, I’d rather stretch my budget by another Rs. 10,000.
That’s because phones really start to get gooood once you enter the Rs. 30,000 segment! You begin to get a taste of the finer things in life (or tech): like better displays, cameras, and overall polish. More on that in the following segment:
What to Expect?
While the frames and back panels are still plastic, companies can sometimes experiment with their designs. OLED panels with better details and richer colours are to be expected, but LCDs may still pop here and there.
Performance starts getting good. You can expect to run popular titles like PUBG and Mobile Legends smoothly. And a few years of snappy experience isn’t too much of an ask either.
You could also get a multi-camera system. It’s not a guarantee, but it isn’t unheard of either. As for the battery, numbers can range. However, charging speeds have become fast enough that you need not worry about having to charge your phone in advance before leaving the house.
Software experience can be clean, too. But again, it’s not a guarantee.
From this point on, phones mostly start building on what this price range already offers. Think of it as a foundational category: you get the essentials right, and higher-priced phones simply add refinements on top.
As I mentioned earlier, this is where you start getting a taste of the finer things in tech.
*While this list is for the best phones under 30000 in Nepal, it may contain phones that exceed the price tag by up to Rs. 1,000. This is so that you don’t miss out on a solid choice due to a technicality.
Best Mobile Phones Under 30000 in Nepal Price List
| Rank | Smartphone | Price/Variants |
|---|---|---|
| 5. | HMD Crest Max | Rs. 22,999 (8/256GB) |
| 4. | Redmi Note 14 5G | Rs. 29,999 (8/256GB) | Rs. 34,999* (12/256GB) |
| 3. | Samsung Galaxy A17/M17 | Rs. 24,499 (M17, 4/128GB) to Rs. 34,999 (A17, 8/256GB) |
| 2. | Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ | Rs. 26,999 (8/128GB) |
| 1. | CMF Phone 1 | Rs. 31,699* (8/128GB) | Rs. 36,299* (8/256GB) |
Best Phones Under 30000 in Nepal 2026
5. HMD Crest Max
Kicking off the list is the humble HMD Crest Max. It’s a well-rounded phone and is the most affordable option here. That low price, however, also means that it is the weakest package in the list.
Rs. 22,999 (8/256GB)
Pros
- Affordability
Cons
- Availability
- No software updates promised
Thoughts on HMD Crest Max
The HMD Crest Max is essentially the same as the HMD Crest, which was already a solid device sitting near the top of our best smartphones under Rs. 20,000 list. That unfortunately also means the Crest Max is built like a 20,000-rupee device.
To be fair, it’s priced close to that mark as well, and it’s arguably the best phone you can get under Rs. 25,000. That being said, it manages to outdo some phones that cost more and cracks into the top five of the best phones under Rs. 30,000 in Nepal.
For what it’s worth, it actually punches above its weight. It also earns a few extra points for affordability. But that’s not enough for me to put it ahead of phones that are simply… better.
Design-wise, it’s a bit boring, but it’s alright. The display is fine, and the processor is an entry-level 5G chip, which is appropriate for the price. You also get a multi-camera setup, a standard battery, and decent charging speeds. Overall, it’s a well-rounded phone from a hardware perspective.
The software is clean and ad-free too, albeit a little barebones. But the issue here is that HMD has not promised any Android updates for this phone. It boots on Android 14, which is two versions old at this point. So you’re stuck with that.
The biggest issue, however, is availability. HMD only recently entered the Nepali market, with limited stock. You can find it on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, but tracking one down isn’t easy — which is ultimately why it ends up at the bottom of the list.
Learn more about the phone in our dedicated article on the HMD Crest Max.
4. Redmi Note 14 5G
Redmi Note 14 5G may not be the most powerful device in its price range, but it has remained a solid pick despite being one of the oldest launches in this list. The phone has good overall specs and is widely available in the market, but it is bound to be succeeded soon.
Rs. 29,999 (8/256GB) | Rs. 34,999 (12/512GB)
Pros
- Also available in 512GB
- OIS camera
Cons
- Ads-heavy software
- Will soon be succeeded
Thoughts on Redmi Note 14 5G
The Redmi Note series is a staple in the budget/midrange segment, so the Note 14 5G making it into the list isn’t at all surprising. The phone was definitely built for it. With an IP64 rating and Gorilla Glass 5 protection, its build quality is quite good.
The display, cameras, battery, and charging speeds are all good. The performance, however, is somewhat on the weaker side. But that isn’t to say it is severely outclassed. It puts up fairly well even against newer phones. Furthermore, it is one of only two phones offering a 512GB storage option in this price range.
One issue with this phone, or any Xiaomi phone, really, is the ad and bloatware situation. Xiaomi phones are notorious for being drenched with ads, and this one is no exception. So far, there hasn’t been any dealbreaker issue with this phone, but there is one blaring issue. Time.
The yearly update of the Redmi Note series is imminent. So, if you get this phone right now, be prepared to see a newer model drop just shortly after. These phones usually only get iterative upgrades, and you will most likely be fine with the Note 14. But that doesn’t change the fact that it hurts to see Note 15 drop when you JUST got the 14.
Find out more about the Redmi Note 14 5G in our review video below:
3. Samsung Galaxy A17/M17
Samsung, in the Nepali market, is synonymous with reliability. If you don’t ask too much from your phone, just want it to feel smooth and work without many issues in the future, then picking either A17 or M17 is probably the best way to go.
M17: Rs. 24,499 (4/128GB) | Rs. 27,999 (6/128GB)
A17: Rs. 28,999 (6/128GB) | Rs. 30,999 (8/128GB) | Rs. 34,999 (8/256GB)
Pros
- Great software
- Longevity
- OIS camera
Cons
- Old-school display
- Confusing models/variants
Thoughts on Samsung Galaxy A17/M17
Another entry, another staple. Samsung Galaxy A-series and M-series are another regular in the Nepali budget/midrange segment. While the Galaxy A07 topped our best phones under Rs. 15,000 list and even made an appearance in the list of best phones under Rs. 20,000, the Galaxy A17/M17 sadly doesn’t carry over the momentum to the same extent.
This phone is a very standard product, and its hardware doesn’t really stand out. And that seems to be its strategy. It may not stand out positively, but nor does it stand out negatively: apart from those criminally thick bezels and ancient-looking waterdrop notch.
Samsung phones may not grab your eye with their hardware, but that’s exactly the opposite for software. They come with OneUI overlay, which is one of the best Android skins and feels very premium to interact with. Additionally, Samsung promises SIX years of future updates, which is just insane in price like this.
One major issue with this these phones is the models/variants. As you may have noticed, I’ve been lumping the Galaxy A17 and Galaxy M17 together, even though they belong to two different series. The reason is simple: the differences between them are so minimal that they’re not even worth treating as separate phones.
As such, this will for sure confuse the average buyer, who’s now left wondering, “Should I get the A17 or the M17?” And to find that out, check out our review video of the Samsung Galaxy M17, where we also go through the limited differences it has with the Galaxy A17:
2. Infinix Hot 60 Pro+
The Infinix Hot 60 Pro+, with its curved display and incredible thinness, is arguably the most attractive smartphone on this list. You may assume it prioritises form over function, but one quick look at the specs, and it’s a mind-bending phone.
Rs. 26,999 (8/128GB)
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Great overall specs
Cons
- Limited trim
- Lacks a multi-camera system
Thoughts on Infinix Hot 60 Pro+
Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ is a beautiful phone. It leaned heavily towards the “thin” aesthetic even before the iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge were a thing. It’s such an eye candy of a phone that it was a contender for the category in the 2025 Edition of TechLekh Awards for best smartphones (editor’s note: publishing soon).
What’s absolutely great about this phone is that it isn’t just a looker. The specs are solid across the board, especially the display, which boasts a 1.5K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a sleek curved design.
That said, there are a few nitpicks.
For starters, the Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ with the MediaTek Helio G200 is the only 4G-only phone on this list, which means it comes in last in terms of raw performance. However, it is still within arm’s length of the likes of UNISOC T760 that powers the HMD Crest Max, if we are to compare numbers.
My biggest gripe with this phone, however, is the storage. It only comes with 128GB, which, considering the competition and the price, doesn’t seem unreasonable. But once you realise the Hot 50 Pro+ had nearly identical specs, offered DOUBLE the storage, and was Rs. 1,000 cheaper on top of that, the 128GB on the Hot 60 Pro+ starts to feel a bit brutal.
Still, it’s an amazing phone nonetheless. Check out our review of the Infinix Hot 60 Pro series here:
1. CMF Phone 1
At the top of our list is the CMF Phone 1 — the winner of TechLekh Awards 2024: Best Value Award. This phone feels almost perfect, and despite being the oldest launch in this list, has stood the test of time.
Rs. 31,699 (8/128GB) | Rs. 36,299 (8/256GB)
Pros
- Great performance
- Good software
- Modular design
Cons
- Variable pricing
- Lacks a multi-camera system
Thoughts on CMF Phone 1
Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room — the price. Yes, I was supposed to include phones that only exceeded the Rs. 30,000 threshold by 1,000 rupees. But I have seen the CMF Phone 1 available at around Rs. 30,500 during offers, and it’s too good a phone, so I’ll be including it in this list.
The performance with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 is next level. This silicon powers phones like the Redmi Note 14 Pro, and the CMF Phone 2 Pro (successor to this phone); both of which are among the best phones under Rs. 40,000. So, I am not exaggerating when I say the performance is next level!
The rest of the specs are solid as well. What feels a bit out of place with this phone is the lack of a secondary camera — a functional one, at least. Maybe that’s why the company overcompensated for it in the follow-up phone.
Being in the Nothing ecosystem, the software is top-notch. It boots on Android 14, but is slated to receive the Android 16 update. Which I know isn’t as attractive as Samsung’s six years of updates, but we are also dealing with phones that promise no updates at all. So, two OS and three years of security patches isn’t bad at all.
Furthermore, this phone actually made headlines with its modularity. So, the design also sets it apart from the crowd. While all the phones on the list so far have one major issue, this one feels the most “complete”, which is why it snags the gold medal for the best phone under Rs. 30,000 in Nepal.
Find out more about the CMF Phone 1 in our review below:
Honourable Mentions
Now that we have listed out our picks for the top 5 smartphones under 30000 in Nepal. Now we will round off this list with a few honourable mentions, consisting of phones that just missed the list or at least deserve a shout-out!
OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite sits on a similar footing to the HMD Crest Max in terms of performance. It does offer a slightly larger 5,110mAh battery and much faster 80W charging, but the HMD pulls ahead on affordability.
Had the Nord CE4 Lite been priced a bit more aggressively, it would have made the list.
Rs. 30,999 (8/256GB)
Motorola Moto G64
The Motorola Moto G64 suffers from a similar issue to the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite. It packs an even larger 6,000mAh battery, a more capable MediaTek Dimensity 7025 chip, and an ultrawide camera to strengthen its case.
However, all of these additions come at the cost of an LCD panel, which at prices approaching Rs. 30,000, feels like a significant compromise.
Rs. Rs. 27,499 (8/128GB) | Rs. 30,999 (12/256GB)
Honor X7d
The Honor X7d, despite being one of the newest launches, doesn’t hold up particularly well against the other phones on this list. Sure. It has the largest battery in this category at 6,500mAh, and it’s the most affordable phone to offer 512GB storage.
But that’s about it. Beyond those two points, there isn’t much about the phone that really makes us want to recommend it.
Rs. 26,999 (8/256GB) | Rs. 30,999 (8/512GB)
In the meantime, feel free to check out our other lists for the best phones across different price ranges.
Do you agree with our list of the best phones under 30000 in Nepal? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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