For the first time, all the handsets in our list of smartphones under Rs 20,000 flaunt 256GB internal storage. In addition, 60 per cent of the options here boast of features like optical image stabilisation (OIS) on the main camera, which was extremely rare in this budget not too long ago. Decent processing power, high refresh rate displays and 5G compliance is a given these days. So let’s not waste any more time and meet the best smartphones under Rs 20,000 this month.
Best phones to buy under Rs 20,000 in India
Poco X6 5G
The fairly recent Poco X6 5G offers a great mix of features and power. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, which is generally found in more expensive phones and is accompanied by 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. This device has a vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a higher than Full HD resolution and support for 12-bit colour, 120Hz refresh rate and 1800 nits peak brightness. The display is compliant with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision too and protected against scratches by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Yes, we are still talking about a sub-20K phone! Photography is handled by a 64MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. You get a 16MP front camera for selfies and video calls. Its 5100 mAh battery can last over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 67W turbo-charger promises to recharge it fully in less than 45 minutes. The Poco X6 5G runs Android 13 with MIUI 14 and is expected to get an Android 14 update soon with Xiaomi’s new HyperOS.
Poco X6 5G price in India: Rs 19,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G
Realme’s new Narzo 70 Pro 5G is another solid option in this budget. It flaunts a 50MP primary camera with OIS that does a great job for the segment, and is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. You do get a competent 16MP selfie camera too. This phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, and you can get its top variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage in this budget at the moment on Amazon India.
The Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ compliance and 2000 nits peak brightness. The phone has a 5000 mAh battery that lasts over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 67W SuperVOOC charger claims to charge 50 per cent of it in just 19 minutes and fully in a little over 45 minutes. The Narzo 70 Pro 5G runs the latest Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0.
Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 18,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
Motorola G84 5G
The Motorola G84 5G is another feature-packed phone in this budget. You get a 6.5-inch Full HD+ pOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 10-bit colour depth. This is the third phone in this list to flaunt a (50MP) primary camera with OIS. Hence, we can stop terming the feature as a rarity in this segment. You also get an 8MP ultrawide camera with auto-focus, which can double up as a macro camera. Its 16MP front camera should please the selfie enthusiasts.
This phone has an IP54-rated dust and splash resistance. The Motorola G84 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip that is decent enough for this segment. You get 12GB RAM and 256GB internal (expandable) storage to go with it. Its 5000 mAh battery keeps the phone running for close to a day and a half of moderate use, and a 33W fast charger is bundled along to juice it up briskly. It runs Android 13, and like most Motorola phones, the G84 has a clean and near-stock Android user interface.
Motorola G84 5G price in India: Rs 17,999 for 12GB RAM/256GB storage
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G
The price of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G seems to have dropped and you can now get its top variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage in this budget. This phone too is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip. A striking feature of this phone is its 108MP primary camera which captures some very good shots and does most of the heavy lifting. It has a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor for company. You get a 16MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
This entry-level OnePlus phone has a 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is noticeably bright even outdoors. The battery backup is pretty standard with a 5000 mAh battery keeping it powered for over a day and a half of moderate use. The company bundles a 67W fast charger that can charge over 75 per cent of the battery in less than half an hour. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G runs Android 13 with OxygenOS 13 with more OS and security updates expected over the next couple of years.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G price in India: Rs 19,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
Lava Blaze Curve 5G
From the popular Indian brand, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G ticks more than the requisite boxes in this budget and is arguably the best-looking phone in this list. The striking feature of this phone is its 6.67-inch Full HD+ curved AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compliance. Just like the Realme phone above, the Blaze Curve is also powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chip, which is a good choice for this segment, and is accompanied by faster 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 internal storage.
Rear camera department consists of a 50MP primary camera, supported by an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. Its 32MP front camera is bound to have the selfie crowd interested. The Lava Blaze Curve 5G has a 5000 mAh battery that lasts for a day and a half of standard use, and the bundled 33W fast charger claims to charge 50 per cent of it in half an hour. The phone runs Android 13 with a near-stock user interface, with an Android 14 update expected in the near future. The company promises to keep things clean and free of ads or bloatware, which is commendable.
Lava Blaze Curve 5G price in India: Rs 18,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage
