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 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 9.0.
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.
You can also check the best smartphones under Rs 10,000 and the top smartphones under Rs 13,000.
So here goes our list for this month.
These are the best phones under Rs 11,000 in India (2020):
- Realme 3 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+5MP
- Redmi Note 8: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+8M+2MP+2MP
- Redmi 7S: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- Xiaomi Mi A2: 6.0 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16+20MP
- Realme U1: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16+2MP
- Realme 5 : 6.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+8MP+2MP+2MP
- Motorola One Macro : 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Nokia 6.1 Plus: 5.8 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+5MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 11,000*
1. Realme 3 Pro
Buy from Amazon
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 9,990What’s good:
Realme didn’t give much time to Xiaomi to sit on its laurels after the success of Note 7 Pro. The Realme 3 Pro is better than the Note 7 Pro on most of the fronts. It’s got a better processor (among the best in this budget), a dedicated expansion slot, a mammoth battery, Android 9.0 out of the box. Everything you could ask for from a phone.
Realme didn’t give much time to Xiaomi to sit on its laurels after the success of Note 7 Pro. The Realme 3 Pro is better than the Note 7 Pro on most of the fronts. It’s got a better processor (among the best in this budget), a dedicated expansion slot, a mammoth battery, Android 9.0 out of the box. Everything you could ask for from a phone.
What could have been better:
Nothing.
Nothing.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
172g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 710 octa-core 2×2.2GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4GB - Camera
16 MP, f/1.7
5MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
25 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,045mAh, 20W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
2. Redmi Note 8
6GB RAM, 128GB storage
4GB RAM, 64GB storage
What’s good:
The Note 8 and Note 8 Pro are two very different phones. Luckily, they’re both good for their respective price brackets. We like this one thanks to 6GB RAM, 128 gigs of storage, 4 cameras on the back, and a capable processor.
The Note 8 and Note 8 Pro are two very different phones. Luckily, they’re both good for their respective price brackets. We like this one thanks to 6GB RAM, 128 gigs of storage, 4 cameras on the back, and a capable processor.
What could have been better:
No complaints.
No complaints.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
190g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 665 Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz & 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 610 - RAM
4GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4 (dedicated macro camera)
2 MP, f/2.4 depth sensor - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Hybrid SIM slot
3. Redmi 7S
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
What’s good:
If Redmi 6 series didn’t impress you much the new generation of Redmi phones should change that. Meet the Redmi 7S which delivers an extremely competitive processor and a large battery at a compelling price point. You also get a 48 megapixel camera on the back that should hopefully deliver some stunning smaller sized pictures. Making things better is Android 9.0 Pie onboard. Oh, by the way, it’s the same as the Redmi Note 7 except for the rear camera.
If Redmi 6 series didn’t impress you much the new generation of Redmi phones should change that. Meet the Redmi 7S which delivers an extremely competitive processor and a large battery at a compelling price point. You also get a 48 megapixel camera on the back that should hopefully deliver some stunning smaller sized pictures. Making things better is Android 9.0 Pie onboard. Oh, by the way, it’s the same as the Redmi Note 7 except for the rear camera.
What could have been better:
Only the hybrid SIM slot.
Only the hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
186g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8
5MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 18W charging QC 4.0 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
May, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
- Fast charging
- Hybrid SIM slot
Xiaomi Mi A2
4GB RAM, 64GB
What’s good:
The Mi A1 didn’t stay long enough in the market to make a lasting impression, but its successor is here to change that. Mi A2 comes with promising cameras and a decent processor. And hey, it got updated to Android 9.0 recently. There’s also a 6GB RAM variant with more internal storage.
The Mi A1 didn’t stay long enough in the market to make a lasting impression, but its successor is here to change that. Mi A2 comes with promising cameras and a decent processor. And hey, it got updated to Android 9.0 recently. There’s also a 6GB RAM variant with more internal storage.
What could have been better:
There’s no expandable memory or 3.5mm headphone jack here.
There’s no expandable memory or 3.5mm headphone jack here.
- OS
Android 9.0 Android One - Weight
166 - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
No - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
4GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.8 + 20MP f/1.8 - Secondary camera
20 MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p 30FPS rear
1080p 30FPS front - Battery
3,010mAh, 18W charging QC 4.0 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
No - First announced
Aug, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Fast charging
- Non-expandable memory
Realme U1
What’s good:
The USP for this phone is its front camera, but we also happen to like the processor inside.
The USP for this phone is its front camera, but we also happen to like the processor inside.
What could have been better:
Nothing really.
Nothing really.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
168g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MT P70 Octa-core (4×2.1GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
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, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Front camera
Oppo RealMe 2 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
Notches are ugly, but smaller ones do help. Luckily the newest RealMe comes with a teardrop notch to give you enough screen area on the top. Oppo has also packed this phone with as much specs as it possibly could and the result is a phone that is miles ahead of anything in this budget. Great processor, ample storage, 8GB RAM, do we even need flagships anymore?
Notches are ugly, but smaller ones do help. Luckily the newest RealMe comes with a teardrop notch to give you enough screen area on the top. Oppo has also packed this phone with as much specs as it possibly could and the result is a phone that is miles ahead of anything in this budget. Great processor, ample storage, 8GB RAM, do we even need flagships anymore?
What could have been better:
Find us one and we’ll call you out.
Find us one and we’ll call you out.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
174g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
4GB - Camera
16MP, f/1.7 + 2MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,500mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
Realme 5
3GB RAM, 32GB
4GB RAM, 64GB
4GB RAM, 128GB
What’s good:
A considerable improvement over the Realme 3i. There’s a very capable processor, four rear cameras (maybe the only phone in the segment), enough RAM and up to a staggering 128GB storage, and a large enough battery. To top it, the phone comes with Android 9.0 on board.
A considerable improvement over the Realme 3i. There’s a very capable processor, four rear cameras (maybe the only phone in the segment), enough RAM and up to a staggering 128GB storage, and a large enough battery. To top it, the phone comes with Android 9.0 on board.
What could have been better:
If only the phone had a full HD display.
If only the phone had a full HD display.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
175g - Display
6.5 inch, IPS
720 x 1600 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 665 Octa-core (4×2.0GHz & 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 610 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (dedicated macro camera)
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Quad cameras
- Battery
- Processor
- Storage
Motorola One Macro
What’s good:
Don’t let the marketing gimmick fool you, the phone comes with cameras as good as the others here. Although, we do like the processor on this one.
Don’t let the marketing gimmick fool you, the phone comes with cameras as good as the others here. Although, we do like the processor on this one.
What could have been better:
If only the phone had a full HD display and a dedicated memory expansion slot.
If only the phone had a full HD display and a dedicated memory expansion slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
186g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Helio P70 Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz A73 & 4×2.0 GHz A53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0
2 MP, f/2.2 (dedicated macro camera)
2 MP, f/2.2 depth sensor - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@120fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Oct, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Hybrid SIM
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
The Max Pro M1 is value-for-money despite the launch of its successor. It offers a decent processor, 6GB RAM, Android 9.0, and a large battery.
The Max Pro M1 is value-for-money despite the launch of its successor. It offers a decent processor, 6GB RAM, Android 9.0, and a large battery.
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 9.0 - Weight
180g - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (Kyro 260) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
3GB/4GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
Nokia 6.1 Plus
What’s good:
We like it because for 12k it offers 6GB RAM, Android 9.0, and a passable processor.
We like it because for 12k it offers 6GB RAM, Android 9.0, and a passable processor.
What could have been better:
The battery isn’t that big. Also, hybrid SIM slot.
The battery isn’t that big. Also, hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
151g - Display
5.8 inch, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (Kyro 260) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
6GB - Camera
16 MP, f/2.0
5 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,060mAh, 18W QC 3.0 charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- RAM
- Battery
- Hybrid SIM slot
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above, we’ve listed the specs as (megapixels), and (aperture), Generally speaking, the bigger the aperture, the better is the camera. Which means the smaller the 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 bokeh.
