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, 64GB storage, Snapdragon 636 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 7.0 and will hopefully get updated to Android 8.0 Oreo. Also, read more about the camera specifications for these phones at the bottom of the post.
We’ve also noticed that there aren’t too many great options between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000. Many of these phones are actually below Rs 15,000.
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).h
To help you understand which processors are faster than others, we have created a post that benchmarks the SoCs found in these phones. 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 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 (April 2018):
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.1, 12+5MP
- Honor 8: 5.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 12MP+12MP, Android 7.0
- Honor 9i: 5.9 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.0, 16MP+2MP
- Moto G5s Plus: 5.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.1, 13+13MP
- Honor 7X: 5.9 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.0, 16MP+2MP
- Mi A1: 5.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP+12MP
- Apple iPhone SE: 4 inch, 2GB RAM, 32GB ROM, iOS 11, 12MP
- Xiaomi Mi Max 2: 6.4 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, 12MP, Android 7.1
- Samsung J7 Max: 5.7 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 13MP, Android 7.0
- Samsung Galaxy On Max: 5.7 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, 13MP, Android 7.0
*Top 3 picks around Rs 20,000*
1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
4GB RAM
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 13,9906GB RAM
- OS Android 7.1 Nougat
- Weight 181g
- Display resolution 1080 x 2160
- Display 5.99 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (A53)
- GPU Adreno 509
- RAM 4GB/6GB
- Camera 12MP, f/2.2 + 5MP f/2.0
- Secondary camera 20MP (f/2.0, 1/2.8″)
- Battery 4,000mAh, non removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, (4G)
- + Processor
- + RAM
- + Battery
- + Dual cameras
- + Front camera
- – Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Consider it as Note 5 on steroids. Along with 64GB internal memory, the phone also offers dual read cameras, a massive 20MP sensor on the front, a new bezel-less design, and a great processor to go along.
The hybrid slot if that bothers you.
2. Honor 8
Buy on Amazon- OS Android 7.0
- Weight 155g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.2 inch, LTPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes
- Processor Octa-core 4×2.3GHz Cortex-A72 + 4×1.8GHz Cortex A53 Kirin 950
- GPU Mali-T880 MP4
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 12MP dual cameras, f/2.2
- Secondary camera 8MP, f/2.4
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Dual cameras
- + Processor
Honor 8 might be a bit old, but it was flagship material at one point. Naturally, after a price cut it sits well in this budget. The processor stands out and the dual cameras should help in better photography. Other specs are up to the mark.
3. Huawei Honor 9i
- OS Android 7
- Weight 165g
- Display resolution 2160 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.9 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Kirin 659 Cortex-A53 Octa Core 2.4GHz
- GPU Mali T830MP2
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 16MP+2MP
- Secondary camera 13MP+2MP
- Battery 3,340mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Dual cameras
- + Internal memory
Honor 9i is one of the new gen phones that sport an 18:9 display. Trust us, it does look good and allow for a large screen to fit in a smaller overall size. The dual camera setup on the front and back looks really promising. The internal memory is great too.
Nothing except the hybrid SIM slot, which you might not need considering that it comes with 64 gigs of internal memory.
Moto G5s Plus
- OS Android 7.1 – Nougat
- Weight 168g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.5 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Snapdragon 625 Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 13MP+13MP, f/2.0
- Secondary camera 8MP, f/2.0
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Dual camera
- + Internal memory
- – Hybrid slot (either SIM2 or microSD)
Moto G5s Plus is Moto G5 Plus on steroids. We like the fact that it comes with Android 7.1 out of the box and will be getting updated to Android 8 for sure. The dual camera setup promises some great photography. 64 gigs of internal memory means you won’t be needing that microSD card anytime soon.
Nothing except the hybrid SIM slot, which you might not need considering that it comes with 64 gigs of internal memory.
Huawei Honor 7X
- OS Android 7.0
- Weight 165g
- Display resolution 2160 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.93 inch, IPS
- Storage space 32/64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Kirin 659 Cortex-A53 Octa Core 2.4GHz
- GPU Mali T830MP2
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 16 MP (1/2.9″) + 2 MP
- Secondary camera 8MP
- Battery 3,340mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Dual cameras
- + Internal memory
Honor 7X is the cheaper version of 9i and comes with almost similar features including an 18:9 display. The dual camera setup on the back looks really promising. The internal memory is great too.
Nothing except the hybrid SIM slot, which you might not need considering that it comes with 64 gigs of internal memory.
Apple iPhone SE
- OS iOS 11
- Weight 113g
- Display resolution 640 x 1136 pixels
- Display 4.0 inch, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot No
- Processor 1.84GHz dual core Apple A9
- GPU PowerVR GT7600
- RAM 2GB
- Camera 12MP, f/2.2, 1/3″ sensor
- Secondary camera 1.2MP, f/2.4
- Battery 1,624mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Single SIM, 4G
- + Brand
- – Display resolution
This phone is for those people who really miss the iPhone 5/5s. It’s compact and that’s what some of us want. Also, you get the internals of the 6s for a much lower price.
It’s old. Doesn’t have the best specs compared to Androids and might be a bit overpriced.
Mi A1
- OS Android 8.0 Oreo
- Weight 165g
- Display resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Display 5.5 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Snapdragon 625 Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 12MP (26mm, f/2.2)+12MP (50mm, f/2.6)
- Secondary camera 5MP
- Battery 3,080mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Android 8.0
- + Dual cameras
- + Internal memory
Mi A1 comes with Android 8.0 and it’s the only phone under Rs 15,000 that has it for now. It will likely get more future updates thanks to Android One. It sports dual rear cameras which obviously allow it to capture better photographs than some of its competitors. 4gigs of RAM and 64GB memory are again an advantage.
Mi Max 2
- OS Android 7.1.1 Nougat
- Weight 211g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Display 6.44 inches, IPS LCD
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Snapdragon 625 Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9″ sensor
- Secondary camera 5MP, f/2.0
- Battery 5,300 mAh
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Battery
- + Storage
- – Hybrid slot (either SIM2 or microSD)
Mi Max 2 is for those looking for a phablet. It’s huge. It also comes with a large battery, large internal storage and Android 7.1 that helps.
Nothing really except the hybrid SIM slot.
Samsung J7 Max
- OS Android 7.0 Nougat
- Weight 179g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Display 5.7 inches
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 Octacore 2.4GHz A53
- GPU Mali-T880MP2
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 13MP, f/1.7
- Secondary camera 13MP, f/1.9
- Battery 3,300 mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G LTE
- + Rear camera aperture
- – Same as the cheaper On Max
This is a large size phone for those who still need a premium brand. The rear camera has a large aperture which should allow better low light photography.
On Max is identical and Rs 1,000 cheaper.
Samsung Galaxy On Max
- OS Android 7.0
- Weight 178g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Display 5.7 inches, TFT
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Mediatek MT P25 Lite octa core 1.6GHz
- GPU ?
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 13MP, f/1.7
- Secondary camera 13MP, f/1.9
- Battery 3,300 mAh, non removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Camera aperture
This is a large size phone for those who still need a premium brand. The rear camera has a large aperture which should allow better low light photography.
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 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, Android 8.0, and 64 gigs of internal memory. On the other hand, 4GB RAM, 3,000mAh+ battery, full HD display and Android 7.0 have become the norm rather than the exception. Features like Android 6.0, 3GB RAM, Snapdragon 4xx and 16GB internal memory are a no go.
- Best battery • Mi Max 2 (5,300mAh)
- Best processor • Honor 8
- Best front camera (based on specs) • Honor 9i
• Redmi Note 5 Pro - Best value for money • Mi Redmi Note 5 Pro
Also, we did not include the following phones due to the below mentioned reasons:
- Vivo V7/V7+ 720p display
- Oppo F5 Processor
