If you’re looking for the best phone around 10k, but don’t mind going a bit over the budget, we’ve compiled the list of the 10 best phones under Rs 11,000 in India for this month. Goes without saying these phones offer the best specs and top performance this budget can get you including features such as 4GB RAM, 4,000+ mAh battery, octa-core processor and Android 8.0.
Also, just to clarify, phones with hybrid SIM slot allow you to either place a second SIM or a microSD card, but not both at the same time, so it’s a disadvantage.
All these handsets support 4G networks and come with a decent camera. Also, the top phones in this budget don’t necessarily hang or slow down when you need them not to.
Also, check the best smartphones under Rs 10,000 and the top 10 smartphones under Rs 13,000.
So here goes our list for this month.
These are the 10 best phones under Rs 11,000 in India (2018):
- Oppo RealMe 1: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro: 5.85 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 9N: 5.84 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Oppo RealMe 2: 6.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Realme U1: 6.3 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Samsung Galaxy M20: 6.3 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 5: 5.7 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP
- Nokia 5.1 Plus: 5.86 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
- Redmi Y2: 5.99 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP+5MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 11,000*
1. Oppo RealMe 1
Buy from AmazonWhat’s good:
Oppo phones are usually underpowered and overpriced. Not this sub-brand though. The RealMe 1 is a winner under 15k that comes with a processor that beats the Snapdragon 636, class-leading RAM and internal memory, and Android 8.1 out of the box. This phone ticks all the checkboxes. Don’t be confused by the launch of the Realme 2. This phone is still a solid (and in our opinion a better) offering.
Oppo phones are usually underpowered and overpriced. Not this sub-brand though. The RealMe 1 is a winner under 15k that comes with a processor that beats the Snapdragon 636, class-leading RAM and internal memory, and Android 8.1 out of the box. This phone ticks all the checkboxes. Don’t be confused by the launch of the Realme 2. This phone is still a solid (and in our opinion a better) offering.
What could have been better:
We have yet to find one.
We have yet to find one.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
155g - Display
6 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MediaTek 6771 octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,410mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Processor
2. Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
What’s good:
For 11k, it’s a pretty sweet deal given that the Redmi 6 pro offers 4GB RAM, 64GB memory and a large battery.
For 11k, it’s a pretty sweet deal given that the Redmi 6 pro offers 4GB RAM, 64GB memory and a large battery.
What could have been better:
No complains.
No complains.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
178 - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2.0GHz - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3GB - Camera
12 MP + 5MP - Secondary camera
5 MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- RAM
- Storage
3. Huawei Honor 9N
3GB RAM
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 9,9904GB RAM
What’s good:
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. 64 gigs of memo.
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. 64 gigs of memo.
What could have been better:
Nothing to complain at the asking price honestly.
Nothing to complain at the asking price honestly.
- OS
Android 8.0 Oreo - Weight
149g - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
2280 x 1080 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 659 Octa core (4×2.36GHz A53 + 4×1.7GHz A53) - GPU
Mali T830MP2 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13MP + 2MP - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
3,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Oppo RealMe 2
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Here’s what’s improved in RealMe 2 over its predecessor: it comes with dual cameras and a bigger battery. We always liked the RAM and storage options for the budget.
Here’s what’s improved in RealMe 2 over its predecessor: it comes with dual cameras and a bigger battery. We always liked the RAM and storage options for the budget.
What could have been better:
When you reduce the resolution of the display or replace the processor with a slower one, RealMe 2 can’t really be called an upgrade over the RealMe 1. Don’t believe us? Check these benchmarking results. No wonder there’s no 6GB RAM variant.
When you reduce the resolution of the display or replace the processor with a slower one, RealMe 2 can’t really be called an upgrade over the RealMe 1. Don’t believe us? Check these benchmarking results. No wonder there’s no 6GB RAM variant.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
168g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 450 Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
6GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
4,230mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Aug, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- RAM
- Storage
- Display
Realme U1
What’s good:
Realme has been on a roll. Their latest offering is touted as the best front camera ever! Uh, okay maybe not but we’re assuming it’d still be great. And hey, that processor seems pretty good for this budget.
Realme has been on a roll. Their latest offering is touted as the best front camera ever! Uh, okay maybe not but we’re assuming it’d still be great. And hey, that processor seems pretty good for this budget.
What could have been better:
The storage and RAM options are not really the most competitive for the asking price.
The storage and RAM options are not really the most competitive for the asking price.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
168g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MT P70 Octa-core (4×2.1GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
25MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,500mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Front camera
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
What’s good:
Here is a competitor to the Note 5 Pro which beats it in most of the departments. Besides the great processor, RAM, and internal storage that it shares with the Note 5 Pro, the Max Pro beats the Note 5 on things like a bigger battery, dedicated microSD slot, and Android 8.1 out of the box with the same weight and dimensions. Isn’t that great?
Here is a competitor to the Note 5 Pro which beats it in most of the departments. Besides the great processor, RAM, and internal storage that it shares with the Note 5 Pro, the Max Pro beats the Note 5 on things like a bigger battery, dedicated microSD slot, and Android 8.1 out of the box with the same weight and dimensions. Isn’t that great?
What could have been better:
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone spec-wise.
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone spec-wise.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
180g - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (Kyro 260) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
Samsung Galaxy M20
3GB, 32GB
4GB, 64GB
What’s good:
Well, here’s a first Samsung with a notch. Yes, the last giant has fallen to the notch mania. It’s also Samsung’s answer to the Huaweis and Xiaomis of the world. And hey, it’s got a fairly large battery. Also, those bezels are slim, no?
Well, here’s a first Samsung with a notch. Yes, the last giant has fallen to the notch mania. It’s also Samsung’s answer to the Huaweis and Xiaomis of the world. And hey, it’s got a fairly large battery. Also, those bezels are slim, no?
What could have been better:
Don’t let the nomenclature on that processor fool you. It’s worse off than the Exynos 7885. The performance of this processor would be closer to the Snapdragon 636. That’s not necessarily bad, but closer to what you’d expect in a 13k phone. Just letting you know.
Don’t let the nomenclature on that processor fool you. It’s worse off than the Exynos 7885. The performance of this processor would be closer to the Snapdragon 636. That’s not necessarily bad, but closer to what you’d expect in a 13k phone. Just letting you know.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
186g - Display
6.3 inch, TFT
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Exynos 7904 Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz & 6×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Mali-G71 MP2 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.9, + 5 MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Xiaomi Redmi 5
What’s good:
The Redmi line up is confusing but the Redmi 5 in this budget stands out for offering 64GB memory, 4GB RAM, Android 8.0 and a decent processor.
The Redmi line up is confusing but the Redmi 5 in this budget stands out for offering 64GB memory, 4GB RAM, Android 8.0 and a decent processor.
What could have been better:
The display is 720p. Also, the hybrid slot if that bothers you.
The display is 720p. Also, the hybrid slot if that bothers you.
- OS
Android 7.1 Nougat - Weight
157g - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 450 Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex (A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
12MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
5MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear and front - Battery
3,300mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Dec, 2017
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- RAM
- Storage
- Display
- Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Redmi Y2
What’s good:
Redmi Y2 comes with a decent processor along with Android 8.0, 4GB RAM, 64 gigs of memory, and dual cameras. Oh, the main selling point for the phone is its front camera though.
Redmi Y2 comes with a decent processor along with Android 8.0, 4GB RAM, 64 gigs of memory, and dual cameras. Oh, the main selling point for the phone is its front camera though.
What could have been better:
Eh, the display.
Eh, the display.
- OS
Android 8.0 - Weight
170g - Display
6 inches
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 Octa-core (2GHz Cortex A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
12MP + 5MP, f/2.2, EIS - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p 30FPS rear - Battery
3,080 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G LTE - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Front camera
- Display resolution
Nokia 5.1 Plus
What’s good:
The Nokia 5.1 Plus is among the more affordable Nokia phones with a notch. We like the fact that it comes equipped with a fairly powerful processor and has decent overall specs for the asking price even if they are not the leading ones in this budget.
The Nokia 5.1 Plus is among the more affordable Nokia phones with a notch. We like the fact that it comes equipped with a fairly powerful processor and has decent overall specs for the asking price even if they are not the leading ones in this budget.
What could have been better:
We’d have preferred a full HD display for the asking price and a dedicated memory card slot.
We’d have preferred a full HD display for the asking price and a dedicated memory card slot.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
160g - Display
5.8 inches, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
MediaTek P60 Octa-core (4×2.0GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHz A53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear and front - Battery
3,060 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Display
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above, we’ve listed the specs as (megapixels), and (aperture), Generally speaking, bigger the aperture, better is the camera. Which means the smaller number in the denominator, the bigger the aperture is. For example, f/1.9 is a bigger aperture and than f/2.0. A bigger aperture camera performs much better in low light situations and produces sharper images. It also produces a better brokeh.
