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 (2018):
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.1, 12+5MP
- Huawei P20 lite: 5.8 inch, 4GB RAM,64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 16+2MP
- Honor 9i: 5.9 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.0, 16MP+2MP
- Vivo V9 Youth: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16MP+2MP
- Nokia 6.1 : 5.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16MP
- Moto Z2 Play: 5.5 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0z, 12MP
- Moto G6: 5.7 inch, 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+5MP
- Honor 7X: 5.9 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 7.0, 16MP+2MP
- 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
*Top 3 picks around Rs 20,000*
1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
4GB RAM
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 14,9906GB 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. Huawei P20 Lite
Buy from Amazon- OS Android 8.0
- Weight 145g
- Display resolution 1080 x 2280 pixels
- Display 5.8 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Octa-core (4×2.36 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) Kirin 659
- GPU Mali-T830 MP2
- RAM 4GB
- Camera Dual 16 MP (f/2.2) + 2 MP
- Secondary camera 24 MP, f/2.0
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Front camera
- + Android 8.0
Huawei’s latest addition under 20k boasts a 24MP front camera, which seems massive by any standards. It also comes with Android 8.0 out of the box and sufficient storage space. The dual rear camera should also allow great brokehs. We’re not sure how many of you are a fan of the notch though.
Hybrid SIM slot. So you’re stuck if you need more than 64GB space and a second SIM. A lot of phones from Huawei under 20k come with almost similar specs. If you leave out the front camera, this one is clearly overpriced.
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.
Nokia 6.1
- OS Android 8.1
- Weight 172
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Display 5.5 inch, IPS
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, hybrid
- Processor Octa-core 2.2GHz Snapdragon 630
- GPU Adreno 508
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 16 MP (f/2.0)
- Secondary camera 8MP, f/2.0
- Battery 3,000mAh, non-removable
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Android 8.1
- – Hybrid SIM slot
If you’re a fan of the good old 16:9 displays but need a phone that isn’t outdated, this might be the phone for you. Nokia has updated the original Nokia 6 with features like a better processor, Android 8.1 out of the box and sufficient RAM and internal memory. Oh and it’s on the Android One program so expect timely updates.
Nothing really except the hybrid SIM slot.
Moto Z2 Play
- OS Android 7.0
- Weight 145g
- Display resolution 1080 x 1920
- Display 5.5 inches, S AMOLED
- Storage space 64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Snapdragon 626 Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 12MP, f/1.7
- Secondary camera 5MP, f/2.0
- Battery 3,000 mAh
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Android 8.00
The phone is an all-rounder with solid build and brand value.
Starting to age a bit.
Moto G6
3GB/32GB
4GB/64GB
- OS Android 8.0
- Weight 167g
- Display resolution 1080 x 2160 pixels
- Display 5.7 inches
- Storage space 32/64GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Snapdragon 450 Octa core (4×1.8 GHz Cortex A53)
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 3GB/4GB
- Camera 12 MP (f/1.8) + 5 MP (f/2.2)
- Secondary camera 8MP, f/2.2
- Video 1080p 60FPS rear, 1080p front
- Battery 3,000 mAh
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G LTE
- + Android 8.0
- + Dual camera
Well, keeping up with the competition, the G6 offers dual camera on the back, enough RAM and storage, Android 8.0 out of the box and the solid reliability of a Motorola.
Compared to the Snapdragon 625 on the G5 Plus, we’re not sure what Motorola was thinking putting an inferior Snapdragon 450 on this one. No it’s not bad, but it doesn’t hold a candle against the better phones in this budget. Yes, it’s a successor to Moto G5 and not G5 Plus, but then what exactly is it doing in that price territory?
Vivo V9 Youth
- OS Android 8.1
- Weight 150g
- Display resolution 1080 x 2280
- Display 6.3 inches, IPS
- Storage space 32GB
- Expansion slot Yes, dedicated
- Processor Snapdragon 450 Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU Adreno 506
- RAM 4GB
- Camera 16MP + 2MP, f/2.0
- Secondary camera 16MP, f/2.0
- Battery 3,260 mAh
- Connectivity Dual SIM, 4G
- + Android 8.1
- + Dual camera
- – Processor
- – Internal memory
Call it a shameless clone, but it’s the only phone in the Android stables with the iPhone X styled notch under 20k. Android 8.1, and a 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. Also, the internal memory is kinda bad.
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 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.
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 • Redmi Note 5 Pro
• Zenfone Max Pro M1
- Best front camera (based on specs) • Honor 9i
• Vivo V9 Youth
• 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
