To help you find the perfect phone for you, we’ve compiled the list of best smartphones under Rs 13,000 for this month in India. Most of them should be able to run your apps without any hiccups and should be able to offer good camera performance along with handling daily abuse well. Needless to say, the list covers only 4G phones.
Also, to make things clear, 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 can be considered a disadvantage.
You can also check the best smartphones under Rs 15,000 and the top 10 smartphones under Rs 14,000. Lastly, we’ve highlighted our top 3 picks in this budget at the beginning of the list. So here are the best phones under 13k:
These are the best phones under Rs 13,000 in India (2019):
- Oppo RealMe 1: 6 inch, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12+5MP
- Oppo RealMe 2 Pro: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 16+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 6 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Moto X4: 5.2 inch, 4/6GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP+8MP
- Honor 9N: 5.84 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Samsung Galaxy M20: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
- Asus Zenfone Max M2: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Honor 8C: 6.3 inch, 4GB RAM, 32/64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Redmi Y2: 5.99 inch, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.0, 12MP+5MP
*Top 3 picks around Rs 13,000*
1. Oppo RealMe 1
6GB RAM, 128GB
Buy from Amazon4GB RAM, 64GB
What’s good:
Oppo phones are usually underpowered and overpriced. Not this sub-brand though. The RealMe 1 is a winner under 15k that comes with a processor that beats the Snapdragon 636, class-leading RAM and internal memory, and Android 8.1 out of the box. This phone ticks all the checkboxes.
Oppo phones are usually underpowered and overpriced. Not this sub-brand though. The RealMe 1 is a winner under 15k that comes with a processor that beats the Snapdragon 636, class-leading RAM and internal memory, and Android 8.1 out of the box. This phone ticks all the checkboxes.
What could have been better:
We have yet to find one.
We have yet to find one.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
155g - Display
6 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
128GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MediaTek 6771 octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) - GPU
Mali-G72 MP3 - RAM
6GB - Camera
13MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p@30fps front - Battery
3,410mAh, nonremovable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
2. Oppo RealMe 2 Pro
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 12,990What’s good:
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?
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?
What could have been better:
Find us one and we’ll call you out.
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
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 660 octa-core 2.2GHzx4 + 1.8GHzx4 - GPU
Adreno 512 - RAM
6GB - 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
Pros and Cons
- Processor
3. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
4GB RAM/ 64GB storage
6GB RAM/ 64GB storage
What’s good:
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.
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.
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 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, f/2.2 + 5MP - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.2 - Video
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
Huawei Honor 9N
3GB RAM
4GB RAM
What’s good:
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. 64 gigs of memo.
The Honor 9N comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back. The front camera seems nice too. 64 gigs of memo.
What could have been better:
Another rehash of the same phone. Honor needs to realize it can’t keep on making cosmetic changes to its phone and keep on releasing the same tech every two months. Kirin 659 is an old horse that should be rested. This phone is practically the same as Honor 9i, Honor 9 Lite, Honor 7X, give or take a few minor differences.
Another rehash of the same phone. Honor needs to realize it can’t keep on making cosmetic changes to its phone and keep on releasing the same tech every two months. Kirin 659 is an old horse that should be rested. This phone is practically the same as Honor 9i, Honor 9 Lite, Honor 7X, give or take a few minor differences.
- OS
Android 8.0 Oreo - Weight
149g - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
2280 x 1080 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 659 Octa core (4×2.36GHz A53 + 4×1.7GHz A53) - GPU
Mali T830MP2 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13MP + 2MP - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
3,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
What’s good:
Uh, the battery and the RAM and the storage.
Uh, the battery and the RAM and the storage.
What could have been better:
We’re not sure why this phone exists. Maybe to please Amazon since the Redmi Note 5 is available with Flipkart. It’s not a bad phone, just that it doesn’t sit anywhere in the lineup. Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
We’re not sure why this phone exists. Maybe to please Amazon since the Redmi Note 5 is available with Flipkart. It’s not a bad phone, just that it doesn’t sit anywhere in the lineup. Consider this a very minor update to the Note 5 (dual camera primarily) and that’s pretty much it.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
178 - Display
5.84 inch, IPS
1080 x 2160 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 octa-core 2.0GHz - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3/4GB - Camera
12 MP + 5MP - Secondary camera
5 MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Jul, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Moto X4
4GB RAM
6GB RAM
What’s good:
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 a decent processor. 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.
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 a decent processor. 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.
What could have been better:
It’s got a hybrid slot, so choose between SIM2 or a microSD card.
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
Pros and Cons
- RAM
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Samsung Galaxy M20
3GB, 32GB
4GB, 64GB
What’s good:
Well, here’s a first Samsung with a notch. Yes, the last giant has fallen to the notch mania. It’s also Samsung’s answer to the Huaweis and Xiaomis of the world. And hey, it’s got a fairly large battery. Also, those bezels are slim, no?
Well, here’s a first Samsung with a notch. Yes, the last giant has fallen to the notch mania. It’s also Samsung’s answer to the Huaweis and Xiaomis of the world. And hey, it’s got a fairly large battery. Also, those bezels are slim, no?
What could have been better:
Don’t let the nomenclature on that processor fool you. It’s worse off than the Exynos 7885. The performance of this processor would be closer to the Snapdragon 636. That’s not necessarily bad, but closer to what you’d expect in a 13k phone. Just letting you know.
Don’t let the nomenclature on that processor fool you. It’s worse off than the Exynos 7885. The performance of this processor would be closer to the Snapdragon 636. That’s not necessarily bad, but closer to what you’d expect in a 13k phone. Just letting you know.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
186g - Display
6.3 inch, TFT
1080 x 2340 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Exynos 7904 Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz & 6×1.8 GHz) - GPU
Mali-G71 MP2 - RAM
4GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.9, + 5 MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
5,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Battery
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) - First announced
Dec, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
- Display
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.
We would have preferred a full HD+ display. C’mon Huawei.
- OS
Android 8.1 Oreo - Weight
167g - Display
6.3 inch, IPS
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
32/64GB - 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 - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Display
Redmi Y2
What’s good:
Redmi Y2 comes with a decent processor along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras. Oh, the main selling point for the phone is its front camera though. Then there’s 4GB RAM and 64 gigs of memory.
Redmi Y2 comes with a decent processor along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras. Oh, the main selling point for the phone is its front camera though. Then there’s 4GB RAM and 64 gigs of memory.
What could have been better:
Eh, the display.
Eh, the display.
- OS
Android 8.0 - Weight
170g - Display
6 inches
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 625 Octa-core (2GHz Cortex A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
4GB - Camera
12MP + 5MP, f/2.2, EIS - Secondary camera
16MP - Video
1080p 30FPS rear - Battery
3,080 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G LTE - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Storage
- RAM
- Front camera
- Display resolution
Not to confuse you with the camera specs listed above. We’ve listed the specs as (megapixels), (aperture), (OIS-if present), (sensor size). Generally speaking, bigger the aperture and sensor size, 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. It also produces a better brokeh. Also, OIS refers to optical image stabilization, which helps in reducing blur.
