The world of smartphones has reached a point where we pay exorbitant prices for excellent features, many of which we rarely use.However, if you know your needs and where to search, you can find great phones on a tight budget.Even with a budget of around Rs. 20,000, you can discover a variety of high-quality smartphones with unique features.For instance, the once exclusive in-display fingerprint sensor, which was only found in top-tier phones until last year, can now be found in many phones under Rs. 20,000.Moreover, there are several other new features available in phones within this price range.Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 phones (often referred to as smartphones) that fall under the 20 thousand (20K) budget.
1. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
The Redmi Note series is renowned for providing excellent features under Rs. 20,000. The starting price of the new Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is slightly higher. During offer periods, it can be purchased for 20000 Rs. During Diwali sales, the smartphone’s price drops to nearly 19000 Rs. on both Flipkart and Amazon. Key features include a 120Hz Super AMOLED panel, Snapdragon 695 SoC, 67W rapid charging, a 108-megapixel primary back camera, and 5G capability.
It comes in mirage blue and stealth black colors, with the mirage blue having a unique rear pattern resembling water waves. The display is vibrant and sharp but lacks HDR. Redmi phones operate on the MIUI operating system, offering various customizations. For gamers, it’s a top choice under 20000 Rs. Photography performance is decent in daylight but lacks in low-light conditions. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support 4K video capture.
2. Motorola Moto G-72
Motorola’s latest smartphone, the Moto G72, is now available in India at a price of approximately Rs. 20,000. It aims to deliver a top-notch user experience but lacks support for India’s 5G networks.
The Moto G72 has gained significant attention for its attractive design and features. The phone’s back and frame are crafted from polycarbonate, but the Polar Blue color PMMA-acrylic coating lends it a premium look. With a weight of 166g and a thickness of 7.9mm, the phone feels comfortable to hold. It handles casual gaming quite well and effortlessly manages everyday tasks. Moreover, its 5000mAh battery and 33W rapid charging capabilities make it a powerhouse device.
For photography enthusiasts, the Moto G72 boasts a primary back camera with 108 megapixels and a hole-punch section on the front housing a 16MP camera. The phone operates on the Android 12-based MyUx skin and is poised to receive the Android 13 update along with three years of security patch coverage.
The phone’s 6.6-inch P-OLED display with full-HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate makes it highly appealing. The 10-bit display is also HDR10+ certified, enhancing the viewing experience. Powering this mid-range smartphone is a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, the same processor found in devices like the Redmi 11 Prime 4G and the Redmi Pad. Currently, the 6/128 GB variant is available for purchase on Flipkart, priced at around 17k.
3. Motorola Moto G-71
The Moto G71 5G features a 6.4-inch hole-punched AMOLED display, which offers good viewing angles and is bright enough for outdoor use.Unlike many of its rivals that have side-mounted fingerprint scanners, the Moto G71 5G has its fingerprint scanner on the back.
Powering the Moto G71 5G is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Interestingly, you can allocate around 1.5GB of storage to function as additional RAM.The phone performs well, making it suitable for both light and frequent users.With its 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G71 5G can easily last for more than a day of use, providing excellent battery performance.
The camera specifications on this mobile phone are decent, allowing you to capture beautiful pictures during the daytime. However, the photo clarity at night is slightly lower.The triple camera configuration includes a 50-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 5-megapixel macro camera.
The primary and ultra-wide-angle cameras deliver quality images during the day, including superb portraits, selfies, and close-ups.On the other hand, the low-light camera performance is ordinary, especially when using the aggressive Night mode.
4. IQOO Z6 Lite 5G
IQOO is a recently introduced brand in the market, and it quickly gained popularity.One of their budget phones, the IQOO Z6 Lite 5G, stands out as an excellent choice in the 20000 price segment due to its impressive features.In India, IQOO has launched the Z6 Lite 5G as its most affordable 5G smartphone, aiming to offer reliable performance and 5G network support at a starting price of Rs. 13,999.
The Z6 Lite 5G in Stellar Green has an appearance that may deceive, looking more expensive than its actual price. It sports a plastic body with a flat frame, weighing 194g and measuring 8.3mm thick.Its LCD boasts a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is the highest in its price range, contributing to a great display experience.
The IQOO Z6 Lite 5G’s main selling points are its impressive display and performance, thanks to the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen processor.For power, it comes with a 5000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. However, the fast charger is not included in the box and needs to be purchased separately.
The smartphone features a 50-megapixel primary camera, accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and an 8MP front camera for selfies.Operating on the Funtouch OS 12 skin, based on Android 12, the IQOO Z6 Lite 5G does come with some pre-installed junk applications and browser app alerts, which can be manually removed.
On the bright side, the custom skin allows users to personalize their software experience to their liking.The price of the phone varies depending on the chosen variant. The 4/64 GB variant typically costs around 13999 Rs., while the 6/64 GB variant costs around 15999 Rs.Prospective buyers can choose from two colors: magical night and stellar green.
5. Realme 9 5G
The Realme 9 5G features a 6.5-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate and full-HD+ resolution.
For selfies, there’s a 16-megapixel front camera accessible through a hole in the top-left corner.Powering the Realme 9 5G is a MediaTek 810 SoC processor, which handles light to medium usage effortlessly.The phone comes with a 5,000mAh battery that can last about a day and a half on a single charge.
Supporting 18W rapid charging, the Realme 9 5G includes a suitable charger.Running on top of Android 11, the Realme 9 5G has Realme UI 2.0, but it also has some bloatware pre-installed.The price of the phone varies depending on the variant you choose.
The 6/128 variant is priced at around 14999 Rs., while the 6/128 GB variant costs around 15499 Rs.You can choose from two colors for the Realme 9 5G: supersonic black and pure white.
6. Realme 8 Pro
The Realme 8 Pro is another great addition to the Realme family. It is priced at Rs 17,999, making it an attractive choice. You can choose from three different colors: Infinite Blue, Infinite Black, and Illuminating Yellow. The smartphone offers various appealing features and styles that enhance your overall usage experience.
To ensure a secure grip, the phone is designed to be slip-free, taking into account its weight of approximately 176 gm and dimensions of 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (height, breadth, thickness).
On the camera front, the Realme 8 Pro boasts a quad-camera setup on the back, allowing you to capture stunning photos and record high-definition videos. The 108-megapixel camera ensures clear and beautiful pictures, especially during the daytime. Additionally, you can shoot stable slow-motion videos with ease.
7. Redmi Note 9 Pro-Max
The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max, a well-known smartphone from Xiaomi, is highly regarded for its exceptional performance.
It is available in various color variants, such as Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black, and Champagne Gold.The starting price for this phone is Rs. 14,999, with the cost varying depending on the chosen color and memory variant.
Packed with cutting-edge features and good specifications, it offers a lot to its users.
Its dimensions are 165.50 x 76.68 x 8.80 mm (height x width x thickness), and it weighs approximately 209 gm.The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max boasts a quad-camera configuration that allows you to capture stunning photographs.
Its primary camera has a remarkable 64-megapixel capability, enabling you to click impressive images.On the front side, there’s a 32-megapixel camera that excels in providing brilliant photos even in low light conditions
8. Vivo Y16
Vivo is a renowned brand in the electronics market. Their phones are well-known for their exceptional camera and sound performance.
Vivo Y16 is one of their popular phones, priced under 20000. It comes in two RAM options: 4/6 GB and storage options: 64/128 GB, allowing users to choose based on their needs and budget.The smartphone features a 16.55cm (6.51″) HD+ display, a 13MP+2MP dual rear camera setup, and a 5MP front camera for selfies.
Under the hood, it is powered by an MTK P35 processor and comes with a 5000mAh (C-Type) battery with 10W fast charging support.The price of the Vivo Y16 starts from 13k and can go up to 17k, depending on the chosen variant.
9. Oppo K10
Oppo, a well-known brand in the mobile market, is praised for its camera and aesthetic appeal. The Oppo K10 shares many similarities with the recently released Oppo A96, especially in terms of style and specifications. However, the K10 stands out with its added features like dual speakers, a macro camera, and an IP54 rating.
The phone boasts decent battery life, fast charging, an excellent display, and rapid performance. One drawback is the absence of 5G support, but the competitive pricing compensates for this as there are other options available with 5G capabilities, like the Poco M4 Pro 5, which also has an IP53 rating. Additionally, the Redmi Note 10S, though slightly older, remains a great alternative at a similar price point. However, if 5G is a priority, the Oppo K10 5G is a suitable choice within the 20,000 Rs. price range.
Despite its advantages, the Oppo K10 falls short in video recording capabilities and lacks an ultra-wide lens. For the average user, these may not be significant issues and the standard model of the phone still offers good value for money.
The price of the Oppo K10 varies based on the color variant, with two options available: blue flame priced at around 13,500 Rs. and black carbon priced at approximately 14,999 Rs. Both variants can be purchased from Flipkart
10. Lava Blaze 5G
Lava, one of the oldest brands in the mobile market, offers affordable phones with excellent features.
The Lava Blaze 5G stands out as the most budget-friendly 5G smartphone in India, developed by Lava.
For just around Rs. 10,999, you can get the Lava Blaze 5G with its single 4GB + 128GB storage option.
In India, this low-cost 5G smartphone supports eight 5G bands, ensuring decent connectivity.
Featuring a plastic frame and an attractive back design, the Lava Blaze 5G exudes style.
Its 6.5-inch IPS LCD with HD+ quality (720×1600 pixels resolution) delivers a smooth visual experience with a 90Hz refresh rate.
Under the hood, the Lava Blaze 5G houses the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, a cost-effective 5G CPU.
The price varies depending on the memory variants, and it is available in two colors: dazzling black and pure gold.
Flipkart offers the Lava Blaze 5G at an attractive price point, making it accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
