HT Tech hosted the inaugural HT Tech Power List Awards 2026 to recognise the products and innovations that made the biggest impact on consumers and the technology industry over the past year. Held at Le Méridien, Gurugram, the event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and technology experts for an evening celebrating the best of consumer technology. It also marked the unveiling of HT Tech’s new brand identity, signalling the beginning of a new chapter for the platform.
The evening wasn’t just about handing out awards. It also sparked conversations around the future of technology, from the rising cost of components to the growing influence of AI, imaging, immersive experiences, and trusted digital identity. Those discussions naturally led to one of the night’s biggest highlights: the smartphone awards.
How we picked the best smartphones in India across categories
Picking the winners was never going to be as simple as comparing specifications. Every new smartphone promises better cameras, smarter AI, faster performance, and longer battery life. The real question is whether those improvements make a meaningful difference once the phone is in your hands.
To find the answer, the HT Tech team spent months testing dozens of smartphones across price segments in real-world Indian conditions. We looked beyond benchmark scores, evaluating camera performance, battery life, display quality, software, design, sustained performance, and long-term usability. The phones accompanied us through workdays, gaming sessions, weekend trips, content creation, navigation, digital payments, and long hours outdoors in India’s summer heat. In other words, we tested them the way most people actually use their smartphones.
Our testing formed the foundation of the awards, but it wasn’t the only deciding factor. The final results combined expert evaluation with reader opinion, ensuring the winners reflected both technical excellence and what mattered most to everyday users.
Final Score = (Jury Score × 70%) + (Readers’ Poll Score × 30%)
Because the best smartphone isn’t just the one that impresses in a lab. It’s the one that performs consistently when people rely on it every single day. Considering all these, let’s look at the smartphones that made a huge impact in their respective categories:
Best Affordable Phone
It recognises the smartphone that offered the best balance of performance, cameras, battery life, features, and overall value for money.
Winner: Nothing Phone (3a)
Beyond the Nothing Phone (3a), several other smartphones also made a strong case for the Best Affordable Phone award with their impressive all-round value:
- Infinix Note 50s
- Realme P4 Power
- iQOO Z10
- Samsung Galaxy M56 5G
Best Smartphone for Indian Conditions
It honours the smartphone that delivered the most reliable experience across real-world Indian conditions, from outdoor visibility and network performance to battery life and durability.
Winner: Vivo V60
The Vivo V60 claimed the top honour, but several other smartphones also impressed us with their ability to handle real-world Indian conditions:
- OPPO K13
- Realme P4 Power
- Lava Play Ultra
- CMF Phone 2 Pro
Best Foldable Phone
It celebrates the foldable smartphone that best combines innovation, durability, software optimisation, and everyday usability.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
Foldables have matured rapidly in recent years. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 ultimately claimed the title, 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 Fold
Best Camera Smartphone
It recognises the smartphone that delivered the most consistent and versatile photography and videography experience.
Winner: Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Capturing great photos takes more than impressive hardware. While the Xiaomi 15 Ultra secured the top honour, several other smartphones also delivered outstanding imaging performance:
- Vivo X300 Pro
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro
- Oppo Find X9 Pro
- Realme GT 8 Pro
Smartphone of the Year
It honours the smartphone that delivered the best overall experience across performance, cameras, battery life, software, design, innovation, and everyday usability.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Earning the title of Smartphone of the Year requires excellence across every aspect of the experience. Although the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra emerged as the winner, several other flagship smartphones made the decision incredibly close:
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- OnePlus 15
- OPPO Find X9 Pro
- Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
