Best Smartphone Deals October 2026: Phones Worth Buying During Festive Sales

October is one of the hottest months for smartphone shopping in India, and the festive season has started. Amazon, Flipkart and other retailers are showcasing smartphones of various price ranges.

Great Indian Festival 2026 is starting on October 8, but already there are early offers on various smartphones, and major festive shopping events are also bringing a discount and offers on smartphones.

It would help to look through the list of smartphones rather than looking through every available smartphone that Amazon and Flipkart have in stock.

Here I have selected 5 popular smartphone brands and from each, 3 phones one of which would be inexpensive, one medium budget and one expensive/premium option.

Note: These are the smartphones that I would keep a watch on during the October festive sales. The actual sale price, the bank offers, exchange benefits and availability might differ.

Also check our recommendations on best smartphones under Rs. 15000 for affordable and efficient options.

Samsung: Three Phones to Watch

Samsung offers one of the most extensive smartphone ranges in India, providing value on a budget, mid-range, and flagship front

Inexpensive: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and other A series phone

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is a great choice for buyers interested in a Samsung phone but not ready to spend on a flagship.

This phone is perfect for everyday use and comes with 5G, a large screen, reliable camera, and Samsung's customized software.

Keep an eye out: festive discounts, special bank offers, and exchange options.

Medium: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Galaxy S25 FE is a more affordable alternative to Samsung's flagship S25 series phones. In other words, it is a budget-friendly smartphone with flagship-grade specs. This model is ideal for buyers who want to enjoy all the perks of a Samsung Galaxy S phone without shelling out money for the Ultra grade.

Samsung's previous Galaxy S series phones are also said to witness festive discounts, making them a worthy consideration for the price-sensitive shopper.

Expensive: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is another flagship to keep an eye on during the festive sales. With its expansive screen, powerful camera array, and S Pen, this phone is geared towards serious Android users who want it all.

The phone is recommended for discerning buyers who want the best in terms of photography, productivity, and a premium smartphone experience.

2. Apple: Three Phones to Watch

Apple's iPhone product family is especially interesting during India's festive shopping season due to potential discounts from retailers, offers from banks and exchange benefits which may considerably impact the final price of the device.

As Apple does not have phones which would fit the inexpensive segment, its watchlist is focused on medium and expensive segments.

Inexpensive: Older iPhone generations

We all know that Apple currently does not have a smartphone which would fit the genuinely inexpensive segment in India, however a person considering an iPhone already knows that budget is something that they should be ready for. If a customer really wants a budget-friendly iPhone, they can consider old generations of iPhone and research on them.

Medium Budget: iPhone 17e

iPhone 17e is Apple's more accessible current-generation option. It is worth tracking during festive sales for those who would want to get an iPhone but not the higher-priced Pro models.

Best for: Those who want a current-generation iPhone but at a comparatively lower price within Apple's portfolio.

Expensive: iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro is designed for those who seek the premium experience from Apple in a smartphone form factor.

Its Pro camera system and high-end hardware make it especially relevant for photography enthusiasts, content creators and those who want to keep their device for several years. 

Best for: Premium iOS users, photography and content creation.

Also check our recommendations on best smartphones under Rs. 15000 for affordable and efficient options.

3. OnePlus: Three Phones Worth Watching

OnePlus is a big name in the value and performance space. One of the companies to keep an eye on during this year's October festive sales.

Inexpensive: OnePlus N6x

One of the cheapest phones on this list.

Amazon's Great Indian Festival early deals list the phone at a price of Rs.18,499 plus the bank offers (if any). Amazon touts its 7,000mAh battery and its long battery-life positioning.

Best For: Budget conscious buyers and those prioritizing battery life.

Medium Budget: OnePlus Nord 6

A OnePlus Nord 6 phone for those who seek performance without having to buy into the company's flagship segment.

This phone's performance-centric hardware means it may be a good option for those who play mobile games a lot.

Best For: Performance-focused users.

Expensive: OnePlus 15

OnePlus 15 is a phone to consider if you're thinking about going high-end in the Android world.

A OnePlus 15 is right for the shopper who wants a flagship performance, a premium display, fast charging and a premium Android experience.

Best For: Power users and performance-focused buyers.

4. Google: Three Phones to Watch 

(Google's Pixel series is best suited for photography- and software focused shoppers)

Inexpensive: Older Google generations

We all know that Google has the same price range of Apple, and currently does not have a smartphone which would fit the genuinely inexpensive segment in India, however one can always check out other older versions of Google smartphones like Google Pixel 8a. The camera is popularly compared with Apple by customers.

Medium Budget: Pixel 10a is the Google Pick

The Pixel 10a is the phone to look for if one wants a Google Pixel experience without shelling out flagship-level prices. This model is ideal for photography-focussed buyers who want Google's image processing and software smarts. The Google Pixel 10a has just introduced a beautiful hot pink color edition in their series and is competing with Apple in the spicy color range of products.

Best For: Photography and software features

Expensive: Pixel 10 Pro

The Pixel 10 Pro is Google's expensive phone for those who want more aggressive cameras, AI smarts as well as top-tier Android software. It is a worthy rival to Samsung's Galaxy S Ultra range as well as Apple's Pro models during the festive season.

Best For: For photography enthusiasts and premium Android users.

Also check our recommendations on best smartphones under Rs. 15000 for affordable and efficient options.

5. Xiaomi & Redmi: Three Phones to Watch

Xiaomi and Redmi offer a broad choice across an extended price spectrum.

This makes them especially appealing to festive shopping shortlists targeting a specific budget.

Inexpensive: Redmi 17 5G

The Redmi 17 5G sits among the most relevant inexpensive smartphones to watch.

Amazon's current early festive deals list it at Rs.23,999, with a 6.9-inch 120Hz display, Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 processor, 7,900mAh battery and 45W charging.

Best for: Battery life, large-screen use and everyday 5G performance.

Medium Budget: Redmi Note 17 5G

The Redmi Note series has traditionally targeted shoppers eyeing more features without committing to flagship pricing. The Redmi Note 17 5G is worth keeping an eye on to see its combination of display, cameras, battery and everyday performance.

Best for: Value-conscious buyers eyeing an all-round Android phone.

Expensive: Xiaomi 17 Ultra

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra represents the premium end of Xiaomi's smartphone range. It is aimed at buyers eyeing flagship performance and advanced photography rather than the cheapest possible price.

Best for: Premium Android users and photography-focused shoppers.

Which Smartphone Should You Watch?

October's festive sales can be a useful opportunity to compare smartphones across different budgets, but the right approach is to create your shortlist before the sale and track the prices.

For inexpensive shoppers, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, OnePlus N6x and Redmi 17 5G are worth watching.

For medium-budget buyers, look at the Galaxy S25 FE, iPhone 17e, OnePlus Nord 6, Pixel 10a and Redmi Note 17 5G.

For premium shoppers, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, OnePlus 15, Pixel 10 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Ultra make up the high-end watchlist.

The important thing is to compare the actual effective price rather than the headline discount. Check historical prices, compare marketplaces, review bank offers and make sure you're comparing the same storage variant.

With major festive sales beginning in October, building your smartphone shortlist early can make it easier to recognise a genuinely competitive offer when it appears.

Also check our recommendations on best smartphones under Rs. 15000 for affordable and efficient options.

FAQs

Which inexpensive smartphones should I watch during October 2026?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, OnePlus N6x and Redmi 17 5G are worth tracking in the inexpensive segment.

Which medium-budget smartphones are worth watching?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, iPhone 17e, OnePlus Nord 6, Google Pixel 10a and Redmi Note 17 5G are useful models to compare.

Which premium smartphones should I watch during festive sales?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, OnePlus 15, Google Pixel 10 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Ultra are the premium models on this watchlist.

Does Apple have an inexpensive smartphone?

Apple does not currently have a phone that naturally fits a genuinely inexpensive category in this comparison. Its iPhone 17e is better treated as a medium-budget option within the brand's lineup.

Does Google have a phone under the inexpensive category?

Google's current Pixel range does not naturally fit the inexpensive category used in this guide. The Pixel 10a is better positioned as the brand's medium-budget watchlist option.

How can I check whether a smartphone festive deal is genuine?

Compare the current selling price with historical pricing, check the same storage variant across marketplaces and calculate the final price after bank discounts, coupons, cashback and exchange benefits.

How can SearchMyDeals help with smartphone shopping?

SearchMyDeals can be used to discover deals and compare shopping opportunities, while historical-price information can help you understand whether the current festive price is competitive.

Should I buy a smartphone immediately when a festive sale begins?

Not necessarily. If you're not in a hurry, compare the initial offer with historical pricing and other marketplace offers before deciding.