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 9.0, 12MP+5MP
- Realme 3i: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Asus Zenfone Max M2: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Lenovo A6 Note : 6.1 inch, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Honor 9 Lite: 1080p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Samsung Galaxy M10: 720p, 2/3GB RAM, 16/32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
- RealMe C2: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+2MP
- Nokia 3.1 Plus: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 9.0, 13MP+5MP
- Xiaomi Redmi 6: 720p, 3GB RAM, 64GB ROM, Android 8.1, 12MP+5MP
- Lenovo K9: 720p, 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM, Android 8.1, 13MP+5MP
*Top 2 picks around Rs 8,000*
1. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
3GB RAM/ 32GB storage
Buy on Flipkart @ Rs 7,490What’s good:
We like plenty about this phone. Things like the processor, full HD display, and Android 9.0 top our list. Oh, and there’s a large battery too.
We like plenty about this phone. Things like the processor, full HD display, and Android 9.0 top our list. Oh, and there’s a large battery too.
What could have been better:
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone.
Nothing at all. Seems like a great phone.
- OS
Android 9.0 - 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
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- Display
2. Realme 3i
3GB RAM, 32GB
What’s good:
Somewhere in between the C2 and Realme 3 Pro, the 3i offers decent specs for the asking price. There’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 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:
No complaints
No complaints
- 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
- Processor
- Battery
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 9.0 - 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
- Android 9.0
- Processor
- Battery
Huawei Honor 9 Lite
Buy from AmazonWhat’s good:
Old, but still can be called gold. The Honor 9 Lite comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back and the front. The processor is also decent and more importantly, the phone comes with a full HD display. There’s Android 9.0 on-board as well. The version listed on Amazon might or might not even offer 4GB memory and 4GB RAM for 8k.
Old, but still can be called gold. The Honor 9 Lite comes with loaded with dual cameras on the back and the front. The processor is also decent and more importantly, the phone comes with a full HD display. There’s Android 9.0 on-board as well. The version listed on Amazon might or might not even offer 4GB memory and 4GB RAM for 8k.
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 9.0 - Weight
149g - Display
5.65 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
13MP + 2MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear and front - Battery
3,000mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Dec, 2017
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Display
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
Lenovo A6 Note
What’s good:
Things to like on this one include a large battery and Android 9.0. Things like the processor, camera, and storage seem adequate for the budget too.
Things to like on this one include a large battery and Android 9.0. Things like the processor, camera, and storage seem adequate for the budget too.
What could have been better:
Decent phone for the asking price.
Decent phone for the asking price.
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
172g - Display
6.1 inch, IPS
720 x 1560 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
MT6762 Helio P22 Octa-core 2.0 GHz - GPU
PowerVR GE8320 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
5MP - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
4,000mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Sep, 2019
Pros and Cons
- Battery
- Android 9.0
Nokia 3.1 Plus
What’s good:
Android 9.0 on board, a decent processor, and dual cameras. Enough to like here honestly.
Android 9.0 on board, a decent processor, and dual cameras. Enough to like here honestly.
What could have been better:
No complaints
No complaints
- OS
Android 9.0 - Weight
180g - Display
6.0 inch, IPS
1440 x 720 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Helios P22 Octa-core 2.0GHz Cortex-A53 - GPU
PowerVR GE8320 - RAM
3GB - Camera
13 MP, f/2.0
5 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor - Secondary camera
8 MP, f/2.2 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
720p front - Battery
3,500mAh, 10W charging - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Android 9.0
- Battery
- Processor
Realme C2
3GB RAM/32GB
2GB RAM/16GB
What’s good:
A number of 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 of 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 9.0 - 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
Samsung Galaxy M10
3GB, 32GB
2GB, 16GB
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. Those bezels are slim, no? The processor sits somewhere between a Snapdragon 625 and a MediaTek P22 (closer to the P22 than the 625)
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. Those bezels are slim, no? The processor sits somewhere between a Snapdragon 625 and a MediaTek P22 (closer to the P22 than the 625)
What could have been better:
No fingerprint scanner for 8K? C’mon!!
No fingerprint scanner for 8K? C’mon!!
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
163g - Display
6.2 inch, TFT
720 x 1520 pixels - Storage space
16/32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, dedicated - Processor
Exynos 7870 Octa-core 1.6 GHz - GPU
Mali-T830 MP1 - RAM
2/3GB - Camera
13 MP, f/1.9, + 5 MP, f/2.2 - Secondary camera
5MP, f/2.0 - Video
1080p@30fps rear
1080p front - Battery
3,400mAh, non-removable - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Jan, 2019
Pros and Cons
- No fingerprint scanner
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)
Lenovo K9
What’s good:
After what seems like forever, Lenovo has finally brought a new phone to the market. What makes the K9 special is that it has identical cameras on the back and the front. Yep, totally the same. Also, that P22 might be more efficient and powerful than the SD450.
After what seems like forever, Lenovo has finally brought a new phone to the market. What makes the K9 special is that it has identical cameras on the back and the front. Yep, totally the same. Also, that P22 might be more efficient and powerful than the SD450.
What could have been better:
We’d have preferred a dedicated memory card slot.
We’d have preferred a dedicated memory card slot.
- OS
Android 8.1 - Weight
155g - Display
5.7 inches, IPS
720 x 1440 pixels - Storage space
32GB - Expansion slot
Yes, hybrid - Processor
MT6762 Helio P22 Octa-core 2.0 GHz A53 - GPU
PowerVR GE8320 - RAM
3GB - Camera
Dual 13 MP, f/2.2 + 5MP, f/2.4 - Secondary camera
Dual 13 MP, f/2.2 + 5MP, f/2.4 - Video
1080p 60FPS rear and front - Battery
3,000 mAh - Connectivity
Dual SIM, 4G - 3.5mm headphone jack
Yes - First announced
Oct, 2018
Pros and Cons
- Hybrid slot (SIM2 or microSD card)
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
