Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000: Updated November List 2023-24

The premium sector may receive all the attention, but the sub-Rs 20,000 pricing segment in the Indian phone is where the volumes are. This is the segment where consumers progress from essential smartphones to real smartphone' territory. Designs become leaner, CPUs improve, AMOLED panels with high refresh rates enter the picture (pun intended), RAM quantities increase, batteries charge much faster, and cameras begin to dare to stare across the gap that divides them from affordable flagships.

Given the sales figures, it is not unexpected that the segment is brimming with products from virtually every manufacturer. As a result, if you're looking for a phone around Rs 20,000, you'll have lots of possibilities. There are so many that you may become overwhelmed.

Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000

Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000: Poco X5 Pro

Price Rs 18,499

If you want a lot of power, it's hard to go wrong with the Poco X5 Pro in this pricing range. The Poco X5 Pro smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 778G, a chip often found in devices costing more than Rs 25,000. The Poco X5 Pro is a complete gaming and multimedia monster in this category, with RAM and storage configurations of 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB, a gorgeous 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and dual speakers. 

Poco X5 Pro also has a perfect 108-megapixel primary camera and possibly the most incredible selfie camera on this list, a 16-megapixel snapper. A 5000 mAh battery keeps it operating for at least a day, and a 67W charger (included) charges it from zero to 100 in just 45 minutes.

There are, nevertheless, some concessions. There is no expandable memory, and the design is simple. Still, at the time of writing, we believe this is a Top Smartphone Priced Below Rs 20,000.

Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000: Redmi Note 12 5G

Price: Rs 15,999 and above

Regarding mid-range phones, Xiaomi's Redmi Note series is near-legendary. While the Note's higher-specced smartphones have now moved into what many refer to as the 'premium mid-segment' (Rs 25,000 - Rs 35,000) zone, the company still has a rival in the sub-Rs 20,000 zone.

The 'basic' Redmi Note 12 5G lacks the bells and whistles of other phones on this list, but it delivers a lot for the price. The Note 12 is the most affordable gadget on this list, with a starting price of Rs 15,999, but it still has a beautiful 6.67-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 CPU that powers it is capable of performing everyday chores as well as casual gaming, and the 48-megapixel primary camera on the rear captures good photos, with the 8-megapixel ultrawide camera providing solid assistance. The Redmi Note 12 5G phone runs Xiaomi's feature-rich MIUI, has a 5,000mAh battery that lasts comfortably more than a day, and supports 33W charging (and comes with a 33W charger).

The Redmi Note 12 5G phone features RAM and storage configurations of 4GB+128GB, 6GB+128GB, and 8GB+256GB, as well as expandable memory support and an audio jack. Stereo speakers and a more eye-catching look would have been excellent, but this is a typical Redmi Note - plenty of solid features for not too much money.

Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000: Samsung Galaxy M34 5G

Price: Rs 16,499 and above

The Samsung M34 5G is the most unassuming gadget on this list, with a basic appearance and a display with a "so-2020" water drop notch, yet it is one of the most influential and feature-packed devices in the sub-Rs 20,000 market.

Samsung M34 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 CPU, a step up from the Snapdragon 695 chips prevalent in the market. It has RAM and storage configurations of 6GB+128GB, 8GB+128GB, and 8GB+256GB, with memory expansion capability.

This makes it one of the best gaming alternatives in the market, thanks to a bright and colourful 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display (hey, this is Samsung) with a 120Hz refresh rate, decent stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio input.

The Samsung M34 5G phone also excels in photography, thanks to a brilliant 50-megapixel primary sensor with OIS and a 6000 mAh battery that keeps it going for two days on a single charge. Samsung M34 5G is the best on this list. The charging speed is limited to 25W, and no charger is included.

Add in Samsung's feature-rich OneUI and a solid update track record, and the Galaxy M34 5G more than makes up for its unassuming appearance.

Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000: OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G

Price: Rs 19,999 and above

If you're looking for a phone that checks all the criteria, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G might be your phone. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G has a sleek, beautiful design typical of OnePlus (the lime green colour is especially eye-catching) and a very bright 6.72-inch FHD+ display with a refresh rate of 120Hz.

A stunning 108-megapixel primary sensor on the back is one of the show's stars, and a 5,000mAh battery not only keeps the  OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G phone going for more than a day but also comes with 67W fast charging capabilities (and an 80W charger in the package).

The  OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G phone has 8 GB of RAM and storage options of 128 GB and 256GB, as well as compatibility with microSD cards. It also has dual speakers and a 3.5mm audio input.

Given the popularity of AMOLED screens, some may dislike the LCD, while others may believe that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip powering it is new and fast. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is not a gaming beast, but it is a delightfully consistent performance, with OnePlus' elegant OxygenOS UI providing the finishing touch.

Conclusion

All these mentioned smartphones make it one of the best options in the segment for those on a tight budget. They come under the category of Top Smartphones Priced Below Rs 20,000.

Go through the curated list and find the best option for yourself or your loved ones.