Top 20 Value For Money Smartphones To Buy In 2020

The year 2020 saw the launch of a lot of smartphones with a lot of value for money offerings from Realme, Xiaomi, Samsung, and many more brands. With the usual brands, there were quite a few surprise elements that launched a bunch of value for money devices..

Let’s have a look at the Best Value for Money smartphones launched in 2020.

Also read: Smartphone reviews

Best Value-for-Money Budget Smartphones Under Rs. 10,000

1. Realme Narzo 20A

The youngest member of Realme’s Narzo portfolio, the Narzo 20A delivers an excellent package at an asking price of Rs. 8499. 

Pros

The device sports a large 6.5-inch HD+ display and a fingerprint sensor on the back. It is one of the most practical options for gamers as well as multi-taskers, thanks to its massive 5000mAh battery and an efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset. 

Cons

The camera setup on this device is not the best in the segment. Its primary sensor is a 13MP sensor, along with 2 additional lenses for portrait shots. You can consider other options that offer better camera systems if you are looking for a budget smartphone just for cameras. 

2. Micromax IN 1b

Priced at Rs. 6999, this smartphone marks the comeback of Micromax in the Indian market. Overall, it offers decent specifications along with a clean UI. 

Pros

The Micromax IN 1b is powered by Mediatek’s Helio G35 chipset. Considering its hyper-engine gaming technology, this is the best budget gaming smartphone to go for. It packs a huge 5000mAh battery. Moreover, it is one of the few phones to offer a USB type-C port in this segment. For security, the phone offers a fingerprint scanner as well as a face recognition feature. 

Cons

The phone has just 2 cameras on the back and lacks a polished software experience. Its lower variant (2+32GB) runs on Android Go, implying you won’t get the best Android experience here. You must prefer the higher variant (4GB + 64Gb), which provides you with the vanilla stock Android 10 experience. 

Also Read: SmartPhone Buying Guide 2020

3. Moto E7 Plus

If you are looking for a phone with a decent primary camera, then the Moto E7 Plus is the one to go for. It costs Rs. 9499 for the 4+64 GB variant.

Pros

It has a large 6.5 inches HD display, built with a water repellent design. The phone runs on Pure Stock Android 10. The phone’s highlight is its 48MP f/1.7 Primary Sensor. It is fueled by a 5000mAh battery with a 10W charger in the box

Cons

The phone comes with a micro-USB port, which is pretty outdated in 2020. Under the hood, it has the Snapdragon 460 chipset, which is significantly inferior to other options available here in the same price segment. 

Also Read: Best Smartphones With Snapdragon 865 Processor!

4. Redmi 9 Prime

Redmi 9 Prime is one of our favorite picks at Rs. 9999. It offers an overall package that any user would deem satisfactory. 

Pros

While most of the smartphones in the budget range offer a 720p display, the Redmi 9 Prime features a 6.53-inch FHD+ display. Other than that, it also packs a large 5000mAh battery with a USB-C port. It also supports 18W fast charging, although the adapter in the box is a 10W, and you can buy the 18W charger separately. Being powered by the Mediatek Helio G80 chipset, it shines in the performance department too. You can also consider its elder sibling, the POCO M2, which is available at a thousand bucks more. 

Cons

Though the phone has a versatile quad-camera system, the primary sensor is a 13MP one. Photography enthusiasts should consider other options available. Other than that, all specs of the Redmi 9 Prime are stunning and offer a great value for its price. 

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime Review

5. Micromax IN Note 1

If you are willing to break your budget barrier by a margin of a thousand rupees, then the Micromax IN Note 1 is absolutely a steal deal. 

Pros

It runs on Mediatek’s Helio G85 SoC coupled with 4 GB of RAM. On the front, it has a large 6.67 inch IPS LCD. This is the only budget smartphone to offer a Punch-hole front camera cutout. The cameras on the device are also decent, and won’t disappoint you for sure. Its 5000mAh battery is capable to last at least for a day. An 18W USB-C charger is also included in the box. 

Cons

Because Micromax has made a comeback after a long time, the software on its new smartphones is still undercooked. Also, many customers received defective units owing to a Quality Control issue that occurred a few weeks back.

Also Read: The Best Smartphones A Student Should Buy

Best Value-for-Money Smartphones Under Rs. 20,000

1. Poco M2 Pro 

A rebranded version of early 2020 launched Redmi Note 9 Pro, the Poco M2 Pro recently received a price cut, bringing its cost down to just Rs. 12999. At this price, the smartphone deserves a spot on our list. 

Pros

The Poco M2 Pro features a stour 6.67-inch FHD IPS display. One of its best features is its Z-Axis Haptic motor, along with a beautiful glass sandwich design. The cameras on the device are good too. The 48MP Primary Sensor on the back does the job for most of us. It also packs a gigantic 5000mAh battery with a crazy good 33W adapter (in-box) to juice it up. 

Cons

High Refresh rate enabled smartphones are available nowadays under this price bracket, but the M2 Pro has a standard 60Hz panel. There’s no other major downside of the device, and you can surely consider it. 

Also Read: POCO M2 Review

2. Realme 7

Pushing the barriers of what one could imagine in a budget mid-ranger, the Realme 7 delivers pure value, costing you just Rs. 14999.

Pros

The Realme 7 is powered by the mighty Helio G95 chipset coupled with 6GB of RAM. On the front, it has got a large 6.55-inch FHD+ display with a 90hz refresh rate. The device shines in terms of battery too, packing a 5000mAh cell with 30W dart charging. Moreover, it has probably the best cameras in its segment, thanks to its rear IMX 682 primary sensor and the Sony IMX 471 as its front shooter. 

Cons

Realme’s track record regarding OTA updates has not been in favor of the users. Though it is not a major issue for most of us. Nitpicking, the device has a plastic back panel rather than a glass design. 

Also Read: Top 10 Non-Chinese Smartphones Of All Time!

3. Infinix Zero 8i

Infinix Zeri 8i marks Infinix’s entry into the tier – 1 segment in India. Currently listed at Rs. 15999 for the 8+128 GB variant, the device packs some unique features which might attract many customers. 

Pros

Although the phone is primarily made up of plastic, it features an inimitable gem cut texture design with a diamond-shaped camera module. For gamers, the device has got a 1080p 90hz refresh rate, along with 240Hz TSR. Infinix has partnered with Vidhance to deliver an exceptional video stabilization feature. The G90T chipset powering the Zero 8i is capable enough to handle daily tasks and graphic-intensive games. 

Cons

The only part where the device lags is its UI. It runs on XOS 7.0 based on Android 10. It has advertisements and recommendations baked into the UI which degrades the overall experience. Also, the camera system on the Zero 8i is not so great. 

Read also: Top 10 Mobile Phones

4. Poco X3

The successor of the early 2020 king Poco X2, the Poco X3 offers a great package at an asking price of Rs. 16999.

Pros

The device boasts of a large 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has got the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G SoC coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The cameras on this one are good too, with the primary sensor being Sony IMX 682 64MP along with a 13MP ultrawide, and 2 auxiliary lenses.

Moreover, it is fueled by a massive 6000mAh battery along with 33W fast charging. This is an impressive choice for gamers since it supports Liquid Cooling Technology and dual stereo speakers. 

Cons

Though the refresh rate is clocked much higher than other competitors, the device has an IPS LCD panel which is quite inferior to OLED panels. This might not be the best option for people who consume a lot of media content on OTT platforms. The Poco X3 weighs almost 223 grams, due to which many people with below-average sized hands might not like it. 

Also Read: POCO X3 Review

5. Realme 7 Pro 

Helmed as the 2020 value king, the Realme 7 Pro is absolutely the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for a sub 20k smartphone. 

Pros

It is the only device in our list of budget smartphones to feature an AMOLED panel. The Realme 7 Pro’s USP is its insane 65W Dart Charging which is capable to fuel up the 4,500mAh cell within 35 minutes! The device excels in performance too, with its Snapdragon 720G chipset and up to 8GB of RAM. Moreover, it has one of the best camera setups in its segment, with the primary sensor being a 64 MP SONY IMX 682 sensor and a 16MP punch-hole front camera. The phone possesses a dual stereo speakers setup too. 

Cons 

Though it boasts of a bright 600 nits display on the front, the phone’s refresh rate is capped to 60Hz only. 

Also Read: Realme 7 Pro Review

Best Value-for-Money Smartphones Under Rs. 30,000

1.  Moto G 5G 

Motorola has been launching a spree of VFM smartphones in 2020. It’s latest offering, the Moto G 5G is priced at Rs. 20999.

Pros

It is the cheapest 5G enabled smartphone that you can buy in India right now. Being powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, the Moto G 5G is surely a beast in terms of performance. On the optics front, the phone has a 48MP triple camera setup including an 8MP ultrawide lens. It runs on Motorola’s customized stock Android UX and packs a 5000mAh battery with 20W fast charging. 

Cons

The display on the Moto G 5G is a 60 Hz LCD panel, implying that it neither provides a smooth experience nor the saturation levels of an OLED display. 

2. Samsung Galaxy M51 

In an attempt to recapture the online market, Samsung released its new M-series smartphone, the Galaxy M51. It starts as Rs. 22999 for the 6+128GB variant. 

Pros

The Galaxy M51 has a large 6.7 inch Super AMOLED + display. It packs a colossal 7000mAh battery with 25W fast charging. Under the hood, the M51 is powered by the Snapdragon 730G SoC paired with up to 8GB of RAM. This smartphone has one of the best cameras (64+12+5+5)  in its segment and a 32 MP sensor on the front. 

Cons

Its plastic body is readily prone to scratches and cracks. Also, its large form factor might not suit many of us. 

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy M51 Review

3. Oneplus Nord 

It is the most hyped phone of the year. Starting at Rs. 24999 for its 6+64GB variant, the Nord is a top contestant among the upper mid-range segment. 

Pros

The OnePlus Nord features a 6.44 inches AMOLED display with a 90hz refresh rate. It runs on Oxygen OS 11 which is one of the USPs of the device. The phone also supports 5G, thanks to the Snapdragon 765G on board, which makes it a future proof device to purchase this year. Decent battery size of 4115 mAh with 30W Warp charging would suffice most of the user’s needs. 

Cons

Although the camera specifications are high on numbers, the overall image processing and output are not up to the mark. In case you want to be sure of getting a phone with great cameras, try not to have a look at this one. 

Also Read: OnePlus Nord Review

4. Realme X3

Realme X3 is a great choice for multitasking as well as gaming enthusiasts. The Realme X3, arguably the world’s fastest 4G smartphone, is available at Rs. 24999 on Flipkart for its 6+128 GB variant. 

Pros

The phone comes on board with the Snapdragon 855+ chipset along with 8GB of RAM. Its UFS 3.0 storage and LPDDR4X RAM type will suffice you in gaming. The phone’s camera setup is decent too, and also offers a telephoto lens. The phone comes with a liquid cooling system and packs a 4200mAh battery with 30W Dart Charging. 

Cons

The Realme X3 has a not-so-bright 6.57 inch LCD panel which might be a huge disappointment for movie buffs. 

Also Read: Realme X3 Review

5. Google Pixel 4a

The Google Pixel 4a is different from the lot. Instead of marketing based on gimmicky numbers of a product, Google has decided to provide a simple yet subtle experience with the Pixel 4a. 

Pros

This smartphone, as told earlier, gets the basics right. It has got a great haptic engine, a decently powerful Snapdragon 730G chipset, and a 3000mAh battery. The single 12MP sensor on the back is so well optimized, that it can compete with any other modern-day flagship. Its form factor is satisfactorily small that it suits anyone’s handy usage. A bright 5.8 inches FHD+ OLED panel on the front is the icing on the cake. 

Cons

The Pixel 4a has a plastic back, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. These aspects might give out some 2018 vibes to some of us, and could be compromisable for others. Due to the lack of a multi-camera system, you cannot click ultrawide or macro shots from the phone. 

Also Read: Google Pixel 4a Review

Best VFM Flagship Smartphones to Buy in 2020

1. iPhone SE 2020

The iPhone SE 2020 was launched initially at a price tag of Rs. 42,499 and received heavy backlash for being significantly overpriced than its US counterparts. The phone is now available at Rs. 34999, and you can consider it. 

Pros

This iPhone has the smallest screen on any smartphone of 2020. A 4.7 inch LCD HD display might appeal to people who need a compact or secondary smartphone for handy operation. The phone is powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip which is still considered one of the mightiest SoC in this price bracket. Although it boasts of a single camera on both front and back, the overall image processing and output is top-notch. 

Cons

The device looks like a three-year-old design, thanks to the huge bezels on the top and bottom of the screen. The battery performance of the iPhone SE 2020 is disappointing and will fail to last for an entire day on a single charge. 

Also Read: iPhone SE 2020 Review

2. Oneplus 8T 5G

The brand’s latest offering, the Oneplus 8T 5G, starts at Rs. 42999 and offers excellent specifications for the asking price. 

Pros

On the front, the phone comes with a 6.55 inch 120Hz fluid AMOLED display. It packs a fairly large 4,500mAh battery paired with the crazy good 65W Warp Charging. In terms of performance, the phone is nowhere behind the competition, since it is powered by the Snapdragon 865 5G SoC coupled with 8 or 12 GB of RAM. 

Cons

The OnePlus 8T’s camera system uses hardware that’s two years old, i.e. Sony IMX 586 48MP primary sensor along with a 16MP ultrawide lens and 2 other sensors for macro and portrait shots. An average consumer expects a top-notch camera performance at this price but same as every year, the OnePlus is not outstanding in the camera department. 

Also Read: OnePlus 8T Review

3. Asus ROG 3

Asus’s ROG series is predominantly hailed as the king of Gaming devices, and the Asus ROG 3 carries the legacy forward. The gaming-oriented device starts at Rs. 49999 for its 8+128 GB variant. 

Pros

The Asus ROG Phone 3 has a 6.6 inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate.  The gaming beast, as you would expect, is powered by the latest and greatest Snapdragon 865+ chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM. It also packs a 6000mAh battery with 30W fast charging. 

Cons

The camera setup on this one does not give a pure flagship experience but performs well in most conditions. Professionals who are looking for a subtle and clean looking smartphone can avoid the ROG 3. 

Also Read: Asus ROG 3 Review

4. Samsung Galaxy S20+

Samsung Galaxy S20+ is the smartphone on our list with a great camera setup. Its price has dropped permanently to Rs. 49999, thanks to the upcoming S21 smartphone series. 

Pros

The Galaxy S20+ has the best cameras and display in its segment. Its 120Hz Infinity-O display provides you with the best video viewing experience. The versatile 64MP quad-camera setup can fulfill every photographer’s expectations. Moreover, it is fueled by a 4,500mAh battery with 25W fast charging. Some other truly flagship features of the S21+ include IP68 rating and 15W wireless charging. 

Cons

The Galaxy S20+ is powered by the Exynos 990 SoC. It is capable to handle graphics and multi-tasking but struggles when it comes to prolonged gaming sessions. You may encounter throttling while playing heavy games. 

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus Review

5. Mi 10T Pro 

Mi 10T Pro is probably the best all-rounder smartphone that you can purchase under Rs. 40,000 in 2020. 

Pros

The Mi 10T Pro has a crazy 108 MP primary camera with 2 other auxiliary lenses. Under the hood, it has the Snapdragon 865 5G processor with 8 GB of RAM. There’s a 144Hz adaptive sync display on the front to deliver a smooth experience. 

Cons 

The high-refresh rate display comes with a compromise. The Mi 10T Pro has an LCD panel which might turn out to be a deal-breaker for some of us. It runs on MIUI 12, which is known for vulgar advertisements and a bunch of bloatware apps that degrade user experience. 

Also Read: Mi 10T Pro Review

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