HT Tech hosts the inaugural 2026 HT Tech Power List Awards to recognize the products and innovations that have had the greatest impact on consumers and the technology industry over the past year. The event, held at Le Méridien Gurgaon, brought together industry leaders, innovators and technology experts to celebrate the best in consumer technology. This also marks the unveiling of HT Tech’s new brand identity and the beginning of a new chapter for the platform.
The evening was about more than just handing out awards. It also sparks discussions around the future of technology, from rising component costs to the growing influence of artificial intelligence, imaging, immersive experiences and trusted digital identities. These discussions naturally led to one of the biggest highlights of the night: the smartphone award.
How we picked the best smartphones in India across categories
Choosing a winner is never as simple as comparing specs. Every new smartphone promises better cameras, smarter AI, faster performance and longer battery life. The real question is whether these improvements will make a meaningful difference once the phone is in your hands.
To find out, the HT Tech team spent several months testing dozens of smartphones across price ranges in real-world conditions in India. We not only look at benchmark scores, but also evaluate camera performance, battery life, display quality, software, design, sustained performance and long-term usability. These phones have seen us through workdays, gaming, weekend trips, content creation, navigation, digital payments, and long outdoor activities in the Indian summer heat. In other words, we tested it the way most people actually use their smartphones.
Our testing forms the basis of the awards, but it’s not the only deciding factor. The final results combine expert evaluation and reader input to ensure winners reflect both technical excellence and what matters most to everyday users.
Final score = (Jury score × 70%) + (Reader voting score × 30%)
Because the best smartphones aren’t just the ones that impress in the lab. When people rely on it every day, it works consistently. With all this in mind, let’s take a look at the smartphones that have made a huge impact in their respective categories:
The most affordable phone
It recognizes smartphones that offer the best balance between performance, camera, battery life, features and overall value for money.
Winner: Nothing Phone (3a)
In addition to the Nothing Phone (3a), several other smartphones also make strong case for the Best Budget Phone award with their impressive all-round value:
- Infinix Note 50s
- Realme P4 power supply
- iQOO Z10
- Samsung Galaxy M56 5G
Best smartphone for Indian conditions
It recognizes the smartphones that offer the most reliable experience in real-world conditions in India, from outdoor visibility and network performance to battery life and durability.
Winner: Vivo V60
The Vivo V60 takes top honors, but several other smartphones also impressed us with their ability to handle real-world conditions in India:
- OPPO K13
- Realme P4 power supply
- lava play super
- CMF Phone 2 Pro
Best foldable phone
It celebrates the perfect combination of innovation, durability, software optimization and everyday usability in foldable smartphones.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
Foldable devices have matured rapidly in recent years. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 ultimately took the crown, but it faced stiff competition from other impressive devices:
- Motorola Razr 60 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
- Vivo X Fold 5
- Google Pixel 10 Pro foldable phone
Best smartphone for taking pictures
It recognizes smartphones that offer the most consistent and versatile photography and videography experience.
Winner: Xiaomi Mi 15 Ultra
Taking great photos requires more than impressive hardware. While the Xiaomi Mi 15 Extreme Commemorative Edition won the highest honor, several other smartphones also showed excellent imaging performance:
- Vivo X300 Pro
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro
- OPPO Find X9 Pro
- Realme GT 8 Pro
smartphone of the year
It recognizes smartphones that offer the best overall experience in terms of performance, camera, battery life, software, design, innovation and day-to-day usability.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Winning the title of Smartphone of the Year requires excelling in every aspect of the experience. Although the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra emerged as the winner, several other flagship smartphones were also extremely close:
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- one plus 15
- OPPO Find X9 Pro
- Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay updated with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue when you make a purchase. We are not responsible for any claims relating to the products under applicable law (including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act 2019). The products listed in this article are in no particular order of preference.
