Best Phones Under Rs 20,000: When buying a smartphone as a daily driver, you might not look for super-premium features and definitely not a top-end price tag. What you are primarily looking for is a set of trusted specifications that make your daily ordeal a breeze, and given the high affordability of smartphone prices in India, a lot of phones under Rs 20,000 offer a great photography and streaming experience as well. So, from Realme Narzo 70 Pro to OnePlus Nord CE 3, here are the five best smartphones you can get under Rs 20,000.
Realme Narzo 70 Pro
Price: Rs 19,999
Realme Narzo 70 Pro is a strong competitor in the mid-range smartphone category, offering a blend of robust performance, commendable battery life, and a vivid display. Despite some minor drawbacks, it is positioned as an attractive option for consumers.
Realme Narzo 70 Pro boasts a 50-megapixel flagship Sony IMX890 night vision camera, enhanced with optical image stabilisation (OIS). This sensor, the largest in its segment, is designed to capture 56 per cent more light, ensuring superior low-light photography. Complementing this primary lens are an 8-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel lens, along with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies.
The device features a Horizon Glass Design, a first in its segment, providing improved handling and a premium feel. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, offering a Full HD+ resolution of 2,412×1,080 pixels for a sharp and smooth viewing experience.
Under the hood, the Narzo 70 Pro delivers competitive performance suitable for various tasks and applications. It is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging, capable of reaching 50 per cent charge in just 11 minutes. This ensures that the device can handle prolonged usage without frequent recharges.
One of the standout features of the Narzo 70 Pro is its Air Gesture capability. This feature allows users to navigate through certain smartphone functions without physical contact, adding a layer of convenience. However, initial feedback suggests that this feature still requires some fine-tuning to reach its full potential.
Poco X6
Price: Rs 18,999
POCO X6 5G delivers robust performance thanks to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Mobile Platform, built on a 4nm process with a maximum clock speed of 2.4GHz. This is paired with up to 16GB RAM (including 8GB virtual RAM) and LPDDR4X+UFS 2.2 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient app management.
A standout feature of the POCO X6 5G is its 1.5K 120Hz AMOLED display. With Dolby Vision, the screen supports over 68 billion colours and achieves a peak brightness of 1800 nits. The 94 per cent screen-to-body ratio enhances the visual experience, while Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides robust protection. The display also features a 1920Hz PWM dimming and a 2160Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate, making it highly responsive.
The POCO X6 5G is equipped with a 64-megapixel OIS triple rear camera setup that includes a 2x in-sensor zoom and supports 4K video recording. Despite its high specifications, users have reported inconsistent camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions. However, the camera’s capability to capture detailed shots and provide lossless zoom remains a significant advantage.
Battery life is another strong suit for the POCO X6 5G, featuring a 5,100mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging. The charger is included in the box, allowing users to quickly recharge their device and minimise downtime.
The POCO X6 5G comes with several additional features that enhance its appeal. These include IP54 protection against dust and splashes, a 3.5mm headphone jack, dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and an X-axis linear vibration motor for improved haptic feedback. The device also runs on Android 13, providing the latest software enhancements and security features.
Redmi Note 13
Price: Rs 16,999
Redmi Note 13 5G features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ pOLED display with ultra-narrow bezels and a 120Hz refresh rate. This screen offers vivid colours and a peak brightness of 1000 nits, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The crisp and vibrant display stands out as one of the best in its segment, enhancing the viewing experience for users.
Under the hood, Redmi Note 13 is powered by the new MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor, a 6nm octa-core chipset that clocks up to 2.4GHz. This processor, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM (including 6GB of virtual RAM), ensures smooth and reliable performance, including gaming. While the hardware capabilities are robust, there is still room for Xiaomi to improve the overall Android experience to make it more seamless.
The camera setup includes a 108-megapixel main sensor with 3X in-sensor zoom, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. On the front, there is a 16-megapixel selfie camera. While the camera performance in daylight conditions is decent, lowlight photography remains an area that needs improvement. The absence of stereo speakers also detracts slightly from the multimedia experience.
Battery life is another strong point, with the device housing a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging via a Type-C port. This ensures that users can go through their day without frequent recharges. The phone also supports dual SIM (nano+nano) 5G, providing versatile connectivity options.
Overall, the Redmi Note 13 5G delivers significant upgrades over its predecessor, making it a compelling choice for many users. Its standout display, solid performance, and large battery are key highlights. However, Xiaomi needs to address some areas such as lowlight photography and the lack of stereo speakers to enhance the overall user experience further.
With a starting configuration of 6GB RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the Redmi Note 13 5G continues Xiaomi’s tradition of offering feature-rich smartphones at competitive prices.
OnePlus Nord CE 3
Price: 18,999
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G offers a balanced mix of hardware and software, ensuring a smooth user experience, but lacks a distinct feature to set it apart from the competition. The Nord CE3 5G boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant visuals and a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels. The screen supports HDR10+ and sRGB with a 10-bit colour depth, delivering rich and immersive colours. However, the plastic build and absence of an alert slider might disappoint some users.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G mobile platform, the device ensures acceptable performance across various applications. It runs on OxygenOS 13, based on Android 13.1, providing a bloat-free and user-friendly interface. The X-axis linear motor enhances the touch response, offering a more immersive experience, especially in gaming with its 4D haptic vibration.
The Nord CE3 5G’s battery performance is commendable, offering a full day of usage on a single charge. This makes it a reliable option for users who need their phone to last throughout the day without frequent recharging.
Equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera featuring the Sony IMX890 sensor and optical image stabilisation (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 112-degree field of view, and a 2-megapixel macro lens, the Nord CE3 5G covers a range of photography needs. The 16-megapixel front camera is suitable for selfies. The camera features include Ultra Steady Mode, Dual-view Video, HDR, Nightscape, and various portrait modes. Despite these features, the phone’s low-light photography could use some improvement.
iQoo Z9
Price: Rs 19,999
iQoo Z9 5G has emerged as a standout performer in its price segment, boasting impressive specifications and features that cater to both power users and casual consumers alike.
At the heart of the iQoo Z9 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, fabricated on a cutting-edge 4nm process. This chipset ensures snappy performance with a clock speed of 2.8GHz, making it a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking.
The device sports a 16.9cm (6.67-inch) 120Hz Full HD+ AMOLED display, delivering vibrant visuals with HDR playback support and certified eye care features by SGS. It’s not just about looks; the iQoo Z9 5G aims to offer a premium viewing experience with 1,800 nits of local peak brightness and DT Star2-Plus Glass protection.
Equipped with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 OIS camera, the iQoo Z9 5G promises impressive photography capabilities. Features such as Super Night Mode and 2x Portrait Zoom enhance the versatility of its camera setup, although it lacks an ultra-wide option, limiting its flexibility compared to some competitors in the same category. The device supports 4K video recording with OIS, ensuring stable footage even in challenging conditions.
Users will find the 5,000mAh battery reassuring, complemented by 44W FlashCharge technology for swift recharges. This combination ensures that the device remains operational throughout the day without frequent charging breaks. The slim 7.83mm design, dual stereo speakers, and IP54 rating for dust and water resistance further enhance its appeal, making it a well-rounded choice for durability and multimedia consumption.
Running on FunTouch OS 14 based on Android 14, the iQoo Z9 5G provides a smooth and customizable user experience out of the box. However, prospective buyers should note that it promises only two major Android updates, which might be a consideration for long-term usability.
The iQoo Z9 5G stands out as a formidable contender under the Rs 20,000 price bracket, excelling in performance, display quality, and battery life. While its camera setup could benefit from wider versatility, the overall package offers excellent value for those seeking a reliable and powerful smartphone experience.
