The top end of the budget smartphone segment is known for offering exceptional value. But lately, manufacturers have also started to pay attention to design and add some camera features that we used to get with more expensive options. This would include devices with high-resolution primary cameras and even features like optical image stabilization (OIS). Also a must at this sub-Rs. The price of 20,000 is 5G connectivity. We have one entry on our list that doesn’t have it, but it does offer enough value to make up for it.
New to our sub-Rs. Guide to 20,000 smartphones is Vivo’s T2 5G. It succeeds the popular Vivo T1 5G, which also offers an optically stabilized main camera for better low-light images. There’s also the new iQoo Z7 5G which offers a good balance of power, camera performance and battery life. Also on our list is the brand new Nord CE 3 Lite from OnePlus, which replaces the CE 2 Lite and brings a high-resolution camera to the budget smartphone segment.
Here are Gadgets 360’s picks of top phones under Rs. 20,000 in India, in no particular order.
| Phones under Rs. 20,000 | Gadgets 360 rating (out of 10) | Price in India (as recommended) |
|---|---|---|
| Vivo T2 5G | 8 | LOL. 18,999 |
| iQoo Z7 5G | 8 | LOL. 18,999 |
| OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite | 8 | LOL. 19,999 |
| Moto G72 | 8 | LOL. 17,999 |
| Moto G82 | 8 | LOL. 19,999 |
| Realme 9 5G SE | 8 | LOL. 18,999 |
Vivo T2 5G
Vivo T2 5G sure looks stunning with glossy two-tone gradient colored back panel. Its design feels like an upgrade to the simpler Vivo T1 5G, which it succeeds at. But flip it over to the front and there’s a rather dated waterdrop notch that takes away from its modern look. Still, this phone manages to balance form and function.
It has a 90Hz high refresh rate AMOLED display and is IP52 rated for dust and water resistance. That 90Hz screen refresh rate is also supported by a 360Hz touch sampling rate, which comes in handy when gaming. A 3.5mm headphone port is also available. There’s 44W fast charging and a 64-megapixel main camera with OIS for better low-light imaging.
iQoo Z7 5G
The iQoo Z7 5G is an equally competitive offering from the Vivo sub-brand. The phone has a MediaTek Dimensity 920 SoC and a more subtle design language compared to the Vivo T2 5G on this list. However, despite using polycarbonate, it still manages to look quite premium. Its design manages to stay light at 173g and you also get an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. There’s a 3.5mm headphone port for those who need it.
In terms of power and performance, the iQoo Z7 5G did very well in our review. The game’s performance was satisfying as it didn’t show any signs of lag or stutter when playing demanding 3D games. Battery life is pretty good too, and you can fully charge the device in just over an hour. Camera performance isn’t far behind, but we’ve seen better performing smartphones in this price range.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Another solid contender for the sub-Rs. 20,000 from OnePlus, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a fitting upgrade to the old Nord CE 2 Lite. It probably has one of the best-looking designs in this segment with an attractive lime green option, but there’s no alert slider like most OnePlus devices.
Stereo speakers are accompanied by a 120Hz high refresh rate LCD screen with the perforation treatment. Under the hood is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC and a large 5,000mAh battery that can be fully charged in just 50 minutes at 67W, although this phone comes with an 80W charger. In addition to its distinctive design, there is also a 108-megapixel camera that offers good still image quality in daylight. The phone runs OxygenOS, which is well-optimized for the hardware, making it the most affordable device with the OnePlus software experience.
Moto G72
The Moto G72 looks weird, mainly because it was released after the Moto G82 5G and doesn’t have 5G. It’s quite capable, with impressive hardware specs like a 108-megapixel main camera and a 120Hz high refresh rate pOLED display. It is quite lightweight with a thin body and is IP52 rated for splash resistance. In our tests, we found its 108-megapixel camera to produce decent results. Dual speakers and good battery life make for a good entertainment package, but its MediaTek Helio G99 SoC isn’t the most powerful processor available at this price point.
Moto G82 5G
Motorola’s Moto G82 5G adds a lot of value, which makes it a solid offering. It recently got a price cut, and you get a lot for a budget smartphone, along with 5G connectivity. There’s a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, a 120Hz refresh rate display, a large 5,000mAh battery, and an IP52 rating, meaning it should be able to withstand splashes of water. Camera performance is also a strength of the G82 5G, as its main camera includes OIS, which is good for sharper shots in low light. Of course, the cherry on top is the near-stock Android software, which only has a third-party app pre-installed.
Realme 9 5G SE
Realme 9 5G Speed Edition is a more appealing model than Realme 9 5G. With prices starting from just under Rs. 20,000, this phone comes with a powerful SoC, a 144Hz refresh rate screen and a large 5,000mAh battery. It also supports 30W fast charging which is convenient. The base variant, which is unique in our opinion, doesn’t have many direct competitors and offers maximum bang for your buck if you’re looking to perform well in this segment. One thing to keep in mind is that this phone doesn’t have an ultra-wide camera and the video stabilization isn’t the best.