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
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- 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
- Redmi Note 7: 6.3, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- Realme 3: 6.2 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+5MP
- Realme U1: 6.3 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Samsung Galaxy M20: 6.3 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
- Asus Zenfone Max M2: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Honor 8C: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
*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) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Processor
2. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 8,4904GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB 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, 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, 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 8.1 Oreo - 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, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
- Storage
- RAM
3. 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) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- RAM
- Storage
Huawei Honor 9N
3GB RAM
4GB 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 memory sounds great as well.
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. 64 gigs of memory sounds great as well.
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 - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Redmi Note 7
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 Note 7 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.
If Redmi 6 series didn’t impress you much the new generation of Redmi phones should change that. Meet the Redmi Note 7 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.
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, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- Battery
- Camera
- Hybrid SIM slot
Realme 3
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
What’s good:
Here’s a mild upgrade to Realme 2 that comes with a much faster processor that can give Snapdragon 660 a serious fight. It also comes with a large battery, dedicated memory slot, and Android 9.0 out of the box.
Here’s a mild upgrade to Realme 2 that comes with a much faster processor that can give Snapdragon 660 a serious fight. It also comes with a large battery, dedicated memory slot, and Android 9.0 out of the box.
What could have been better:
We only wish there was a full HD display instead.
We only wish there was a full HD display instead.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
175g - Display
6.22 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Mediatek Helio P70 Octa-core (4×2.1 GHz (A73) + 4×2.0 GHz (A53)) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0
2MP (depth) - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,230mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Mar, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- 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 - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Front camera
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 - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Asus Zenfone Max M2
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
A more budget offering to Max Pro M2, this one comes with a more nimble (not shabby) processor. There’s a huge battery though and it’s capable of recording 2160p videos.
A more budget offering to Max Pro M2, this one comes with a more nimble (not shabby) processor. There’s a huge battery though and it’s capable of recording 2160p videos.
What could have been better:
We wish for a full HD screen resolution, but then, maybe that’s too much of an ask.
We wish for a full HD screen resolution, but then, maybe that’s too much of an ask.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
160g - Display
6.26 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 632 Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.8, + 2MP (depth) - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Dec, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
- Storage
- RAM
- Display
Honor 8C
What’s good:
The 8C packs a Snapdragon 632, which sits somewhere in between the older 630 and the current 636. Good for this budget. It also comes equipped with a fairly large battery.
The 8C packs a Snapdragon 632, which sits somewhere in between the older 630 and the current 636. Good for this budget. It also comes equipped with a fairly large battery.
What could have been better:
We would have preferred a full HD+ display. C’mon Huawei.
We would have preferred a full HD+ display. C’mon Huawei.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
167g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 632 Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.8 + 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- RAM
- Display
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.
