If you have a Rs 20,000 budget and are in the hunt for the best phone under 20000, let us help you a little by handpicking the 10 best ones 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 whatnot. 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 phones under Rs 20,000 in India (2019):
- Xiaomi POCO F1: 6.2 inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Redmi Note 8 Pro: 6.5 inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 64MP+8M+2MP+2MP
- Realme XT: 6.4 inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 64MP+8MP+2MP+2MP
- Vivo Z1x: 6.4 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+8MP+5MP
- Oppo K3: 6.5 inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+2MP
- Realme 5 Pro: 6.3 inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+8MP+2MP+2MP
- Vivo Z1 Pro: 6.53 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+8MP+2MP
- Lenovo K10 Note: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 16MP+8M+2MP
- Samsung Galaxy M40: 6.3 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 32MP+5MP+8MP
- Samsung Galaxy A50s: 6.4 inch, 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 9.0, 48MP+5MP+8MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 20,000*
1. Xiaomi POCO F1
6GB RAM, 64GB
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 14,9906GB RAM, 128GB
8GB RAM, 256GB
Here is a solid OnePlus challenger that costs way less than it. Snapdragon 845 under Rs 25,000 is good enough to obliterate the competition. Think of a flagship feature and this phone has it. From dual cameras, to 8GB RAM, to mammoth storage, to a decent battery. Also, Android 9.0.
The name’s a bit silly, no? Also, not necessarily a deal breaker, but there’s no NFC, wireless charging, or IP certification for water and dust resistance. Oh, and plastic body, unless you pick the kevlar version.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
180g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
1080 x 2246 pixels - Storage space
64-256GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Octa-core (4×2.7GHz Kryo 385 & 4×1.7GHz Kryo 385) Snapdragon 845 - GPU
Adreno 630 - RAM
6/8GB - 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 QC3 - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2018
- Processor
- Storage
- RAM
- Hybrid slot (either SIM2 or microSD)
2. Redmi Note 8 Pro
6GB RAM, 128GB storage
Buy from Amazon8GB RAM, 128GB storage
After a couple of incremental iterations, the new Note 8 Pro is a significant improvement over its predecessor. The new MediaTek processor blows the Snapdragon 712 out of water in gaming and synthetic benchmarks. And if you thought that the 48MP camera on the Note 7 Pro wasn’t good, Xiaomi has upped the game with a 64MP sensor this time around. We also like the large battery, enough RAM, and ample storage.
Hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
200g - Display
6.53 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Mediatek Helio G90T Octa-core (2×2.05 GHz A76 & 6×2.0 GHz A55) - GPU
Mali-G76 MC4 - RAM
4/6/8GB - Camera
64 MP, f/1.9, 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
20 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,500mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Oct, 2019
- Processor
- Battery
- RAM
- Hybrid SIM slot
3. Realme XT
4GB RAM, 128GB
6GB RAM, 64GB
8GB RAM, 128GB
The Realme XT carries the burden of being the first commercial launch with a 64MP sensor on the back. That, along with the other 3 cameras on the back and we’re hoping that the phone will excel in the camera department. Other specs are decent too, including Snapdragon 712, up to 8GB RAM and 128 gigs of storage, in-screen fingerprint sensor, fast charging and a decently large battery.
No complaints.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
183g - Display
6.4 inch, AMOLED
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 712 octa-core 2×2.3GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4/6/8GB - Camera
64 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4,(dedicated macro camera)
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, 20W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2019
- In-screen fingerprint scanner
- Camera
- Battery
- Fast charging
- RAM
Vivo Z1x
6GB RAM, 128GB
6GB RAM, 64GB
Okay, this place is getting a little crowded but here is another phone from Vivo. This one offers a good processor, enough storage and RAM, a large enough battery and fast charging to fill it up, and lastly, plenty of cameras.
No complaints.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
190g - Display
6.4 inch, AMOLED
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 712 octa-core 2×2.3GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
48 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
32 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,500mAh, 22.5W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2019
- In-screen fingerprint scanner
- Battery
- Fast charging
Oppo K3
No notch: check, in-screen fingerprint scanner-check. If that hasn’t gotten you interested, maybe 128 gigs of storage, 8GB RAM, and 20W fast charging would. How about Android 9.0 then?
No memory-expansion slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
191g - Display
6.5 inch, AMOLED
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
No - Processor
Octa-core (2×2.0GHz & 6×1.7GHz) Snapdragon 710 - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
6/8GB - Camera
16 MP, f/1.7
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide) - Video
2160p@30fps 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,765mAh, 20W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
May, 2019
- In-screen fingerprint scanner
- No notch
- RAM
- Non-expandable memory
Realme 5 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
8GB RAM/ 128GB storage
The Realme 5 Pro is a minor update over the Realme 3 Pro (what happened to Realme 4 Pro?), which was already a good phone by all accounts. It comes with a great processor, an ample number of cameras on the back, a dedicated expansion slot, a mammoth battery, Android 9.0 out of the box, and up to 8GB RAM. Everything you could ask for from a phone.
Nothing.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
184g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 712 octa-core 2×2.3GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
48 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
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,035mAh, 20W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2019
- Battery
- RAM
Vivo Z1 Pro
This one offers a faster processor than the SD710 (although nothing too different or fast), has triple cameras on the back, and allows microSD slots. That’s what makes it better than the Realme X. That, and a very large battery.
No complaints.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
201g - Display
6.53 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Octa-core (2×2.3GHz & 6×1.7GHz) Snapdragon 712 - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
6GB - Camera
16 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
32 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
5,000mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2019
- Processor
- Battery
Lenovo K10 Note
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 128GB storage
Lenovo has been largely missing from the action in India in recent times but seems to be finally trying to make a comeback. The K10 Note comes with a great processor, a mammoth battery, Android 9.0 out of the box, and up to 8GB RAM. Everything you could ask for from a phone.
Hybrid SIM slot.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
164g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64/128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 710 octa-core 2×2.2GHz & 6×1.7GHz - GPU
Adreno 616 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
16 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto)
2 MP, f/2.2, (depth sensor) - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@120fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,050mAh, 18W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2019
- Battery
- Hybrid SIM slot
Samsung Galaxy A50s
The Samsung A50s comes with a brand new Exynos 9611 which is comparable to Snadragon 712. It also features triple camera, acceptable storage, in-built fingerprint scanner, and a 32MP front camera.
It’s a good phone, but then, overpriced compared to the competition. Also, just 4GB RAM.
- OS
Android 9.0 (Pie) - Weight
169g - Display
6.4 inch, sAMOLED
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Exynos 9611 Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz & 4×1.7 GHz) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
4GB - Camera
48 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
5 MP, f/2.2, depth sensor - Secondary camera
32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide) - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, 15W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Aug, 2019
- RAM
Samsung Galaxy M40
The M40 offers a punch-hole camera which is a refreshing change from the usual teardrop. It also comes equipped with a decent processor, 6GB RAM, triple cameras, and Android 9.0 on board. Honestly, there’s not much to complain. It looks 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
=
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above. We’ve listed the specs as (megapixels),(aperture), (sensor size). Generally speaking, the bigger the aperture and sensor size, the 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 best phone under 20k:
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 980> Snapdragon 730> Snapdragon 712> Snapdragon 660> 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.
- Best battery • Vivo Z1 Pro (5,000mAh)
- Best processor • Poco F1
- Best value for money • Poco F1
