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 660 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 8.0. 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).
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 (2018):
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Honor Play: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 8.0, 16MP+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16MP+5MP
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12+5MP
- Vivo V11: 6.4 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+2MP
- Xiaomi Mi A2: 6.0 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+20MP
- Nokia 6.1 Plus: 5.8 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+5MP
- Oppo F9: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16MP+2MP
- Moto X4: 5.2 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP+8MP
- Vivo V9: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16MP+5MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 20,000*
1. Oppo RealMe 2 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 10,9906GB 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. 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?
Find us one and we’ll call you out.
- 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, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Sep, 2018
- Storage
- RAM
- Processor
2. Huawei Honor Play
Buy from AmazonThe Honor Play sports a flagship processor which is seen in Huawei’s top of the line phones and comes with other great goodies like up to 6GB RAM and a large battery.
Maybe the hybrid slot?
- OS
Android 8.0 Oreo - Weight
176g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 970 Octa-core (4×2.4GHz A73 & 4×1.8GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP12 - RAM
4/6GB - Camera
16MP + 2MP - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
2160p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,750mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jul, 2018
- Battery
- Processor
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
3. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
Here is a competitor to the Note 5 Pro which beats it in most of the departments. Besides the great processor, RAM, and internal storage that it shares with the Note 5 Pro, the Max Pro beats the Note 5 on things like a bigger battery, dedicated microSD slot, and Android 8.1 out of the box with the same weight and dimensions. Isn’t that great? Also, the 6GB variant comes with 16MP snappers on both front and back.
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/16MP, f/2.2 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8/16MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Apr, 2018
- Battery
- RAM
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
4GB RAM
6GB RAM
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.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
181g - Display
5.99 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - 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″) - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Feb, 2018
- RAM
- Battery
- Front camera
- Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Vivo V11
Hate notches but also need no bezels? Maybe the Vivo V11 would ease your pain as it comes with a minimal teardrop notch that’s noticeably smaller than those seen in competitor phones. We also like the RAM and a decent processor for the budget.
That’s hard to find for the moment.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
164g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MediTek P60 octa-core 2.0GHz - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
6GB - Camera
16 MP, f/2.0 + 5MP f/2.4 - Secondary camera
25 MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear
1080p 30FPS front - Battery
3,315mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Sep, 2018
- RAM
Xiaomi Mi A2
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.
There’s no expandable memory here.
- OS
Android 8.1 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, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Aug, 2018
- Processor
- Non-expandable memory
Nokia 6.1 Plus
Nokia’s answer to the notch mania and for a change comes equipped surprisingly well for the asking price. Everything about this phone seems to be on the spot (not too great, nothing too bad).
The hybrid slot if that bothers you.
- OS
Android 8.1 Android One - 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 (A53) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
4GB - Camera
16 MP, f/2.0+5MP f/2.4 - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Battery
3,060mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Aug, 2018
- Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Oppo F9
If you’re not a fan of large notches but are willing to make some compromise for the full screen, the F9 seems like a good bargain. It also comes with 4GB RAM and a promising 25MP front camera.
Looks like a decent phone so nothing really.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
169g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHz A53) MT6771 P60 - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
4GB - Camera
Dual 16 MP (f/1.8) + 2 MP (f/2.4) - Secondary camera
25MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear and front - Battery
3,500mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jul, 2018
- Battery
Moto X4
32GB/3GB RAM
64GB/4GB RAM
64GB/6GB RAM
Moto phones are known for their build quality, but that’s not the only thing good about this phone. It has also been updated to Android 8.0 and comes with the newer Snapdragon 630 which is better than the 625 seen on other phones. Then, Moto is known for the quality of its dual cameras and this one comes with a pair. 64GB memory should be enough for your storage needs too.
It’s got a hybrid slot, so choose between SIM2 or a microSD card.
- OS
Android 8.0 Oreo - Weight
163g - Display
5.2 inch, IPS
1920 x 1080 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Snapdragon 630 Cortex-A53 Octa Core 2.2GHz - GPU
Adreno 508 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
Dual 12 MP f/2.0 + 8 MP f/2.2 - Secondary camera
16 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Aug, 2017
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Vivo V9
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
150g - Display
6.3 inches, IPS
1080 x 2280 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 626 Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
16 MP + 5 MP, f/2.0 - Secondary camera
24MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear and front - Battery
3,260 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Mar, 2018
- Processor
Android 8.1, 64 gigs of internal memory, and an impressive (on paper at least) front camera make it an attractive proposition.
We’ve seen that processor on phones as cheap as Rs 10,000.
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, 6GB RAM, and 64 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.
For those wondering, the P60 is at par with the Snapdragon 636.
Also, features like Android 7.0, 3GB RAM, Snapdragon 4xx and 16GB internal memory are a no go.
- Best battery • Asus M1 (5,000mAh)
- Best processor • Huawei Honor Play
- Best value for money • RealMe 2 Pro
• Honor Play
