We’ve put together the list of the top phones under Rs 8,000 for this month in India. These include the best Android phones available in India from reputable manufacturers. All of these phones also support 4G networks running in India and should offer you decent performance for the asking price. With features such as 2GB/3GB RAM and capable processors, no, they won’t lag.
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.
Also, check the best smartphones under Rs 9,000. You can jump to the summary right away if you don’t want to go through a myriad of specs.
These are the best phones under Rs 8,000 in India (2019):
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1: 1080p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 9N: 1080p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Panasonic Eluga Z1: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- RealMe C2: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max M2: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- RealMe C1: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+2MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 6: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Honor 7C: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.0, 13MP+2MP
- Asus ZenFone Max M1: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+8MP
*Top 2 picks around Rs 8,000*
1. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 7,990What’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?
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?
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 - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 636 octa-core 1.8GHz (Kyro 260) - GPU
Adreno 509 - RAM
3GB - 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) - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Apr, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Processor
- Display
2. Huawei Honor 9N
Buy from AmazonWhat’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 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.
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
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
Kirin 659 Octa core (4×2.36GHz A53 + 4×1.7GHz A53) - GPU
Mali T830MP2 - RAM
3/4GB - 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
- Display
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
3. Asus Zenfone Max M2
3GB RAM/ 32GB 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
Realme C2
3GB RAM/32GB
2GB RAM/16GB
What’s good:
A number fo things have changed since the Realme C1 including Android 9.0 on board, a better processor, and improved cameras. The P22 is certainly ahead of the 450 too.
A number fo things have changed since the Realme C1 including Android 9.0 on board, a better processor, and improved cameras. The P22 is certainly ahead of the 450 too.
What could have been better:
No fingerprint scanner.
No fingerprint scanner.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
166g - Display
6.1 inch, IPS
1520 x 720 pixels - Storage space
16/32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Helios P22 Octa-core 2.0GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
PowerVR GE8320 - RAM
2/3GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.2
2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) - Secondary camera
5 MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Apr, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Battery
- Processor
- Fingerprint scanner
Panasonic Eluga Z1
What’s good:
A new phone from Panasonic relatively and this one is on tops thanks to a powerful processor, 3GB RAM, 32 gigs of storage, massive battery, and dual cameras.
A new phone from Panasonic relatively and this one is on tops thanks to a powerful processor, 3GB RAM, 32 gigs of storage, massive battery, and dual cameras.
What could have been better:
We aren’t complaining.
We aren’t complaining.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
169g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
720 x 1500 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Helio P22 Octa-core 1.8GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
PowerVR GE8320 - RAM
3GB - Camera
Dual 13 MP, f/2.0 + 2 MP, f/2.8 - Secondary camera
8 MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Nov, 2018 - Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Battery
RealMe C1
What’s good:
Seems like Oppo has decided to give Xiaomi a run for its money. After RealMe 2 Pro here’s another great challenger for Rs 7,000. The C1 offers a great processor seen in phones around 12k, dual cameras, and a large battery. Android 8.1 complete the package and there’s a notch too if you prefer having one.
Seems like Oppo has decided to give Xiaomi a run for its money. After RealMe 2 Pro here’s another great challenger for Rs 7,000. The C1 offers a great processor seen in phones around 12k, dual cameras, and a large battery. Android 8.1 complete the package and there’s a notch too if you prefer having one.
What could have been better:
We don’t think there’s one.
We don’t think there’s one.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
168g - Display
6.2 inch, IPS
1520 x 720 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 450 Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3GB - Camera
Dual 13 MP, f/2.2, + 2 MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
5 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear - Battery
4,230mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Sep, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Xiaomi Redmi 6
32GB storage
64GB storage
What’s good:
If you were getting a feeling that the Redmi 5 is rather old, you connected a nerve with Xiaomi since the all-new Redmi 6 is here. What’s changed is a dual camera on the back, Android 8.1, and a slightly smaller display. We also like the 64GB storage option.
If you were getting a feeling that the Redmi 5 is rather old, you connected a nerve with Xiaomi since the all-new Redmi 6 is here. What’s changed is a dual camera on the back, Android 8.1, and a slightly smaller display. We also like the 64GB storage option.
What could have been better:
There’s a hybrid SIM slot. Lastly, is it just us or have the bezels grown thicker?
There’s a hybrid SIM slot. Lastly, is it just us or have the bezels grown thicker?
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
146g - Display
5.45 inch, IPS
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
64GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
MediaTek MT6762 Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex (A53) - GPU
PowerVR GE8320 - RAM
3GB - Camera
12MP, f/2.2 + 5MP f/2.2 - Secondary camera
5MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear - Battery
3,000mAh, non removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, (4G) - First announced
Jun, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Processor
- Storage
- Hybrid SIM slot (SIM2 or microSD)
Honor 7C
What’s good:
Honor 7C comes with a decent processor comparable to phones under Rs 15,000 along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras.
Honor 7C comes with a decent processor comparable to phones under Rs 15,000 along with Android 8.0 and dual cameras.
What could have been better:
The display resolution seems behind the curve for phones in this budget.
The display resolution seems behind the curve for phones in this budget.
- OS
Android 8.0 - Weight
164g - Display
6 inches
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 450 Octa core (1.8GHz Cortex A53) - GPU
Adreno 506 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13MP + 2MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
8MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p 30FPS rear - Battery
3,000 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G LTE - First announced
May, 2018
Pros and Cons
Asus ZenFone Max M1
What’s good:
Well, this one is a good 8-month-old phone now only being introduced in India now. That said, it’s not a bad phone even today and offers great features like Android 8.1, dual cameras, 32 gigs of storage and 3GB RAM. We also like the large battery.
Well, this one is a good 8-month-old phone now only being introduced in India now. That said, it’s not a bad phone even today and offers great features like Android 8.1, dual cameras, 32 gigs of storage and 3GB RAM. We also like the large battery.
What could have been better:
Decent chap all round.
Decent chap all round.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
150g - Display
5.5 inch, IPS
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Snapdragon 430 Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
Adreno 505 - RAM
3GB - Camera
Dual 13 MP, f/2.0, + 8 MP - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear - Battery
4,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Feb, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Battery
Standout features in the top smartphones under Rs 8,000:
The best phones under Rs 8,000 come with features like 3GB RAM, Android 8.0, and 64 gigs of internal memory. On the other hand, 2GB RAM, HD display and Android 7.0 have become the norm rather than the exception. We’re not very fond of MediaTek 673x series of processor, especially if the phone comes with single core GPU (720MP1). Also, you will need 3GB RAM and at least 32 gigs of memory. These will make sure your phone isn’t outdated after just a year.
- Best battery • Zenfone Max Pro M1 (5,000mAh)
- Best processor • Zenfone Max Pro M1
- Best value for money • Zenfone Max Pro M1
