If you have a Rs 20,000 budget and are in the hunt for a new phone, let us help you a little by handpicking the 10 best phones under Rs 20,000 for this month available in India. We’ve considered the specs, as well as the brand value and after-sales service to give you the best phones 20k can get you.
This budget can get you features like 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, Snapdragon 710 processor, and more. No, they won’t lag, hang or freeze up on you with those specs and will let you play the latest games at max settings without trouble, click great selfies and what not. Most of these phones are on Android 9.0. Also, read more about the camera specifications for these phones at the bottom of the post.
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 (if you need a dual SIM phone with expandable storage).
Also, check the 10 best smartphones under Rs 18,000 and the 10 best smartphones under Rs 25,000.
You can jump to the summary right away if you don’t want to go through a myriad of specs. Click on any phone in the list below to see its detailed specs along with pros and cons below.
These are the 10 best smartphones under Rs 20,000 in India (2019):
- Xiaomi POCO F1: 6.2 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Samsung Galaxy M40: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 32MP+5MP+8MP
- Honor Nova 3: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+24MP
- Vivo V15: 6.5 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+8MP+5MP
- Realme 3 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4/6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+5MP
- Redmi Note 7 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4/6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP
- Xiaomi Mi A2: 6.0 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16+20MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Samsung Galaxy A50: 6.4 inch, 4/6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 25MP+5MP+8MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 20,000*
1. Xiaomi POCO F1
6GB RAM, 64GB
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 19,9906GB RAM, 128GB
Here is a solid OnePlus challenger that costs way less than it. Snapdragon 845 under Rs 20,000 is good enough to obliterate the competition. Think of a flagship feature and this phone has it. From dual cameras to 6GB RAM and a decent battery.
The name’s a bit silly, no? Also, no NFC or wireless charging.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
180g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
1080 x 2246 pixels - Storage space
64-128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Octa-core (4×2.7GHz Kryo 385 & 4×1.7GHz Kryo 385) Snapdragon 845 - GPU
Adreno 630 - RAM
6GB - Camera
Dual 12 MP, f/1.9 + 5 MP, f/2.0 - Secondary camera
20 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p 30FPS, 1080p@240fps rear
1080p 30FPS front - Battery
4,000mAh, 18W charging QC4 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2018
- Processor
- Storage
- Hybrid slot (either SIM2 or microSD)
Samsung Galaxy M40
Buy from AmazonThe M40 offers a punchhole camera which is a refreshing change from the usual teardrop. It also comes equiped with a decent processor, 6GB RAM, triple cameras, and Android 9.0 on board. Honestly, there’s not much to complain. Loks like a better phone than the A50 to us.
The hybrid SIM slot. No 3.5mm jack either.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
168g - Display
6.3 inch, TFT
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Octa-core (2×2.0GHz & 6×1.7GHz) Qualcomm SDM675 - GPU
Adreno 612 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
32 MP, f/1.7
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.2, depth sensor - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,500mAh, 15W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
No - First announced
Jun, 2019
- Missing 3.5mm jack
- Hybrid SIM slot
2. Huawei Nova 3
Honor Nova 3 is one of the many Huawei phones in this budget. Again, this one is similar to the Honor View 10. You get a top of the line processor from last year and decent internal storage. The battery size looks adequate enough as well. Lastly, there’s Android 9.0 here.
Have you heard about the recent tussle between Huawei and Google? These are uncertain times for the fate of Android on Huawei.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
166g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
No - Processor
Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Kirin 970 - GPU
Mali-G72 MP12 - RAM
6GB - Camera
Dual: 16 MP (f/1.8) + 24 MP, f/1.8 (B/W) - Video
2160p 30FPS, 1080p 60fps rear
1080p 30FPS front - Secondary camera
24 MP (f/2.0) + 2MP (depth) - Battery
3,750mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
3. Vivo V15
Sibling to the F11 Pro the new V15 comes with a motorized pop-up selfie cam which does away with the need for a notch. You also get a P70 which is as fast as the 660 (perhaps better). 6GB RAM and a 4,000mAh battery add to the value proposition along with 20W fast charging. It also features triple cameras on the back. Overall, we honestly like this more than the F11 Pro.
We aren’t saying the processor is bad, but it’s the same processor that features on the Redmi 7. Also, 64GB storage looks underwhelming. Overall, we see this phone being overpriced.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
190g - Display
6.53 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
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
6GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.8
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
32 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 20W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Mar, 2019
- Battery
- Charging speed
- No notch
- Storage
Realme 3 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 128GB storage
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.
Nothing.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
172g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 710 octa-core 2×2.2GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4/6GB - 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
- Processor
- Battery
Redmi Note 7 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 128GB storage
Xiaomi was under the heat from competitors who had released much more compelling products than the Redmi Note series in recent past. However, all that goes for a toss with the new Note 7 Pro. The only difference between this and the Note 7 is the faster processor on the Pro. Other than that, we love the camera, Android 9.0, large battery, and what looks like an impressive camera on paper at least.
Only the hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
186g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 675 octa-core 2.0GHzx2 + 1.7GHzx6 - GPU
Adreno 612 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8 + 5MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 18W charging QC4 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
- Processor
- Battery
- Storage
- Hybrid SIM slot
Xiaomi Mi A2
4GB RAM, 64GB
6GB RAM, 128GB
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.
There’s no expandable memory or 3.5mm jack here.
- OS
Android 9.0 Android One - Weight
166 - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
64GB/128GB - Expansion slot
No - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
4/6GB - 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 QC4 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
No - First announced
Aug, 2018
- Storage
- Processor
- Non-expandable memory
Oppo RealMe 2 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
8GB RAM/ 128GB storage
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. Great processor, decent storage, and 6GB RAM. Do we even need flagships anymore?
The charging rate isn’t the fastest. Also, where’s Android 9.0?
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
174g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
8GB - 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 - First announced
Sep, 2018
- Storage
- RAM
- Processor
- Android 8.0
Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
Here’s what’s changed since the Max Pro M1: The processor is decent, the cameras have gotten better, and for better or for worse, there’s a notch. The 5,000mAh battery, 6GB RAM have always been to our liking and the phone got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
10W charging isn’t really blazing fast.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
175g - Display
6.26 inch, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 660 Octa-core (4×2.2GHz & 4×1.8GHz) - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
3/4/6GB - Camera
12 MP, f/1.8 + 5MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
13MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Dec, 2018
- Processor
- Battery
Samsung Galaxy A50
4GB RAM
6GB RAM
So Samsung isn’t just sitting idle anymore and is offering products that can stand up against the competition. The A50 is one such phone that offers a processor which is comparable to the Snapdragon 660 (but has a faster GPU), up to 6GB RAM, and a sizeable battery. The main selling point for the phone is the three cameras on the back. The depth sensor can get you the blurry backgrounds, while the ultra-wide should offer a wider field of view. We also like the Super AMOLED display.
It’s a good phone, but then, overpriced compared to the competition. You pay around 2k premium over other brands for the Samsung tag. Also, 4GB RAM. While that won’t impact the performance significantly, the competition is offering 6GB RAM in the same budget.
- OS
Android 9.0 (Pie) - Weight
166g - Display
6.4 inch, sAMOLED
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Exynos 9610 Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz & 4×1.6 GHz) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
25 MP, f/1.7
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.2 (depth) - Secondary camera
25MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, 15W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Feb, 2019
- Battery
- RAM
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above. We’ve listed the specs as (megapixels),(aperture), (sensor size). Generally speaking, bigger the aperture and sensor size, better is the camera. Which means smaller the number in the denominator, the bigger the aperture or sensor size is. For example, f/1.9 is a bigger aperture and than f/2.0. Also 1/2.2″ is a bigger sensor than, say, 1/2.6″. A bigger aperture camera performs much better in low light situations and produces sharper images.
Standout features in the top smartphones under Rs 20,000:
Top of the line phones in this budget come with features like dual camera, 6GB RAM, and 128 gigs of internal memory. On the other hand, 4GB RAM, 3,000mAh+ battery, full HD display and Android 8.0 have become the norm rather than the exception.
As for the CPU performance, it’s something in the order of Snapdragon 845> Kirin 970> Snapdragon 660> Kirin 710> MediaTek P60=Snapdragon 636 > Exynos 7885. While the Kirin 710 beats the CPU performance of the SD 660, the GPU on the Snapdragon is better.
Also, features like Android 7.0, 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 62x and 32GB internal memory are a no go.
- Best battery • Asus M2 Pro (5,000mAh)
- Best processor • Poco F1
- Best value for money • RealMe 3 Pro
• Poco F1
