If you’re looking for a phone under or around Rs 9,000, check our list of the 10 best smartphones under Rs 9,000 in India for this month below. These include only the best 4G phones running on Android that offer great value for money.
We’ve only covered phones from reputable manufacturers. Also, before we get started, 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.
Also, check the best smartphones under Rs 7,000 and the top 10 smartphones under Rs 10,000.
These are the 10 best phones under Rs 9,000 in India (2019):
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 1080p, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Panasonic Eluga X1: 1080p, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+5MP
- Realme U1: 1080p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Honor 9N: 1080p, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro: 1080p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 8C: 720p, 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 7: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 12MP+2MP
- Realme 3: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+5MP
- Asus Zenfone Max M2: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Realme 3i: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 9,000*
1. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 7,9904GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
The Max Pro M1 is value-for-money despite the launch of its successor. It offers a great processor, 4GB RAM, and a large battery. The phone also got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
The Max Pro M1 is value-for-money despite the launch of its successor. It offers a great processor, 4GB RAM, and a large battery. The phone also got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
What could have been better:
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone spec-wise.
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone spec-wise.
- OS
Android 9.0 - 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, f/2.2 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Battery
- Processor
- Storage
- RAM
2. Panasonic Eluga X1
Buy from AmazonWhat’s good:
It’s not a bad phone and comes with decent specs like a decent processor, 64GB memory and 4GB RAM. The processor is starting to age for this budget, but still powerful for this budget.
It’s not a bad phone and comes with decent specs like a decent processor, 64GB memory and 4GB RAM. The processor is starting to age for this budget, but still powerful for this budget.
What could have been better:
Given it’s Panasonic, we’re not sure if Android 9.0 will ever hit this phone. No headphone jack either.
Given it’s Panasonic, we’re not sure if Android 9.0 will ever hit this phone. No headphone jack either.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
195g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
1080 x 2246 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - 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/2.0) + 5 MP - Secondary camera
16MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear and front - Battery
3,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
No - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- 3.5mm headphone jack
3. Realme U1
What’s good:
Realme has been on a roll. The U1 was touted as the best front camera ever! Uh, okay maybe not but we’re assuming it’d still be great. And hey, that processor seems pretty good for this budget.
Realme has been on a roll. The U1 was touted as the best front camera ever! Uh, okay maybe not but we’re assuming it’d still be great. And hey, that processor seems pretty good for this budget.
What could have been better:
No complaints.
No complaints.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
168g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MT P70 Octa-core (4×2.1GHz A73 & 4×2.0GHzA53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
25MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,500mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Nov, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Front camera
Huawei Honor 9N
What’s good:
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. The processor is also decent and more importantly, the phone comes with a full HD display. The 4GB RAM variant is currently on sale for 9k.
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. The processor is also decent and more importantly, the phone comes with a full HD display. The 4GB RAM variant is currently on sale for 9k.
What could have been better:
Hybrid SIM slot if you’re planning on adding more storage.
Hybrid SIM slot if you’re planning on adding more storage.
- OS
Android 8.0 Oreo - Weight
149g - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
2280 x 1080 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 659 Octa core (4×2.36GHz A53 + 4×1.7GHz A53) - GPU
Mali T830MP2 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13MP + 2MP - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
3,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- RAM
- Storage
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
What’s good:
Uh, the battery. Decent specs overall, even if starting to age a bit. It also got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
Uh, the battery. Decent specs overall, even if starting to age a bit. It also got updated to Android 9.0 recently.
What could have been better:
Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
178 - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2.0GHz - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3GB - Camera
12 MP + 5MP - Secondary camera
5 MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
4,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Battery
Honor 8C
What’s good:
The 8C packs a Snapdragon 632, which sits somewhere in between the older 630 and the current 636. Good for this budget. It also comes equipped with a fairly large battery.
The 8C packs a Snapdragon 632, which sits somewhere in between the older 630 and the current 636. Good for this budget. It also comes equipped with a fairly large battery.
What could have been better:
We would have preferred a full HD+ display. C’mon Huawei. Also, just 32GB storage.
We would have preferred a full HD+ display. C’mon Huawei. Also, just 32GB storage.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
167g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 632 Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.8 + 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
- Display
Xiaomi Redmi 7
What’s good:
The cheapest Redmi has been overhauled with the Redmi 7 which is a massive upgrade over the Redmi 6. It comes with one of the best processors in the budget, dual cameras, Android 9.0 onboard.
The cheapest Redmi has been overhauled with the Redmi 7 which is a massive upgrade over the Redmi 6. It comes with one of the best processors in the budget, dual cameras, Android 9.0 onboard.
What could have been better:
Nothing really.
Nothing really.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
180g - Display resolution
720 x 1520 - Display
6.26 inch, IPS - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 632 Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3GB - Camera
12MP, f/2.2
2MP (depth) - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 60FPS rear - Battery
4,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Mar, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Android 9.0
Realme 3
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
What’s good:
Here’s a mild upgrade to Realme 2 that comes with a much faster processor that can give Snapdragon 660 a serious fight. It also comes with a large battery, dedicated memory slot, and Android 9.0 out of the box.
Here’s a mild upgrade to Realme 2 that comes with a much faster processor that can give Snapdragon 660 a serious fight. It also comes with a large battery, dedicated memory slot, and Android 9.0 out of the box.
What could have been better:
We only wish there was a full HD display instead.
We only wish there was a full HD display instead.
- OS
Android 9.0 Pie - Weight
175g - Display
6.22 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - 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
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0
2MP (depth) - Secondary camera
13 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
4,230mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Mar, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- Battery
- Display
Asus Zenfone Max M2
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
A more budget offering to Max Pro M2, this one comes with a more nimble (not shabby) processor. There’s a huge battery though and it’s capable of recording 2160p videos.
A more budget offering to Max Pro M2, this one comes with a more nimble (not shabby) processor. There’s a huge battery though and it’s capable of recording 2160p videos.
What could have been better:
We wish for a full HD screen resolution, but then, maybe that’s too much of an ask.
We wish for a full HD screen resolution, but then, maybe that’s too much of an ask.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
160g - Display
6.26 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32GB/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 632 Octa-core (4×1.8 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.8, + 2MP (depth) - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.0 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Dec, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
- Display
Realme 3i
3GB RAM, 32GB
4GB RAM, 64GB
What’s good:
Somewhere in between the C2 and Realme 3 Pro, the 3i offers decent specs for the asking price. There’a a very capable processor, dual rear cameras, enough RAM and storage, and a large enough battery. To top it, the phone comes with Android 9.0 onboard.
Somewhere in between the C2 and Realme 3 Pro, the 3i offers decent specs for the asking price. There’a a very capable processor, dual rear cameras, enough RAM and storage, and a large enough battery. To top it, the phone comes with Android 9.0 onboard.
What could have been better:
If only the phone had a full HD display.
If only the phone had a full HD display.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
175g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Helios P60 Octa Core 2.0 GHz A53 - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2
2 MP (depth) - Secondary camera
8 MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,230mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jul, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Battery
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above. We’ve listed the specs as (megapixels), (aperture). Generally speaking, the bigger the aperture, the better is the camera, especially in low light situations. Which means the 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. A bigger aperture camera performs much better in low light situations and produces sharper images. It also produces a better brokeh.
