Let's face it: nowadays, selecting a smartphone is just like dating. You want the looks, the brains, and something that won't ghost your wallet after a couple of months. But in 2024, the dating pool (ahem, budget phone market) is bursting with more eligible candidates than a reality TV show!
That means a phone with camera skills, gaming prowess, and battery life that doesn't abandon you like that one flaky friend. But how do you choose? Fear not, fellow tech enthusiast, we've swiped right for you! Here is a list of phones that will make your heart, and pocket, happy without asking you to break the bank. Plus, these budget beauties come with a dash of 2024 flair— minus that 'emotional damage' of overspending.
Time to say goodbye to expensive heartbreaks and hello to budget bliss!
Smartphones Under ₹20,000
01 iQOO Z9s 5G
At AndroBranch, we had covered the iQOO Z9s 5G in-depth in previous posts also, discussing its great balanced performance, premium feel, and how it is the best value for money. It comes with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 SoC, which promises and delivers good, seamless multitasking and game performance along with other apps. It has a 120Hz display that brings about an ultra-smooth sense of scrolling and the deep immersion that comes with watching. With fast charge at 80W, users have the facility to charge as much as 50% of the energy in just 15 minutes. Hence, it is one of the best choices for always-on-the-move people.
The triple camera setup shoots at 50MP, resultantly cutting the clobber and shooting extremely bright and sharp photographs. And along with two more that are ultrawide and macro, there's room for more photography aspects. On top of this, 5G connectivity ensures future-proof network support, and this is ideal for gamers, multitaskers, and content creators looking for a power-packed experience under ₹20,000.
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 |
Display | 6.58-inch FHD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate |
RAM & Storage | Available in 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage options |
Camera | Triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, 8MP ultrawide lens, and 2MP macro sensor |
Front Camera | 16MP front-facing camera |
Battery | 5,500mAh with 80W fast charging (50% charge in 15 minutes) |
OS | Funtouch OS 14 (based on Android 14) |
Other Features | 5G connectivity, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual speakers, and 4D Game Vibration |
Colors | Available in Graphite Black, Arctic Blue, and Frost White |
Price | ₹19,999 |
02 POCO X6 5G
Flagship-level performance at a budget price will be delivered by the POCO X6 5G, which is one of the most powerful devices below ₹20,000. Coming packed with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, the POCO X6 5G is ready for heavy-duty multitasking, gaming, and fast launch of apps. The 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display refreshes at 120Hz for smooth visuals and immersive viewing of both games and content streams.
Its 64MP triple camera setup takes great shots with rich color accuracy. There is also an 8MP ultrawide to offer more versatility to your photography. A 67W fast charging allows you to top up the battery quickly, getting to 50 percent charge in just 15 minutes of time by a large 5,100mAh battery. The device is also labeled 5G to ensure full network connectivity for years and all this with dual stereo speakers for better audio.
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 |
Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
RAM & Storage | 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage |
Camera | 64MP primary sensor, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro |
Front Camera | 16MP front-facing camera |
Battery | 5,100mAh with 67W fast charging (up to 50% charge in 15 minutes) |
OS | MIUI 15 for POCO (based on Android 14) |
Other Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 5G connectivity, dual stereo speakers |
Colors | Available in Cosmic Black, Aurora Green, and Neon Blue |
Price | ₹15,999 |
03 Redmi Note 13 5G
The Redmi Note 13 5G, therefore, is an excellent performer. It is an excellent choice for budget buyers in the year 2024. In this device, under the hood, is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 920, so getting ready to tackle serious gaming and multitasking or go about life daily with not too many glitches in performance with magnificent power management. Its AMOLED screen is 6.6 inches FHD + with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The 50MP triple camera setup is set to allow users to capture the details with excellent detail and color accuracy in images. The ultra-wide angle lens of 8MP is versatile for all the desired landscape shots, and the 2MP macro lens is perfect for close-up shots. With a 5,000mAh battery and 67W fast charging, the phone lasts through your day and charges up quickly for users who require all-day battery life with minimal downtime.
Other useful features in-built with the phone include 5G connectivity, stereo speakers, and an IR Blaster-something new and useful to control all household gadgets.
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 920 |
Display | 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
RAM & Storage | 6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage |
Camera | 50MP primary camera, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro |
Front Camera | 13MP front-facing camera |
Battery | 5,000mAh with 67W fast charging |
OS | MIUI 14 (based on Android 14) |
Other Features | 5G connectivity, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, IR Blaster |
Colors | Available in Frosted Green, Midnight Black, and Ocean Blue |
Price | ₹18,999 |
04 OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G
As it is, it boasts an all-encompassing feature list for a smartphone selling under ₹20,000, looking the part and performing as you'd expect at that price. With the Snapdragon 695, all the daily tasks are easy to manage on this device. Moderate gaming and multitasking also pass through without a hitch because there's ample 8GB RAM. Smooth experience with high responsiveness is most enjoyed on the 120Hz refresh rate, 6.72-inch FHD+ display, especially concerning scrolling content and gaming.
The camera system consists of a 108MP primary camera that takes really detailed shots, truly excellent for this price point. The 2MP depth sensor and macro lens are also there to add to the richness of the camera system. The 16-megapixel front camera is great for selfies and video calls.
It comes with the 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging, so a huge 5,000mAh battery can be topped up to 80 percent in under half an hour, which is great for those demanding quick top-ups without waiting too long. It does, however come with 5G connectivity, dual stereo speakers, and the clean OxygenOS experience for a premium feel but staying affordable.
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 |
Display | 6.72-inch FHD+ LCD, 120Hz refresh rate |
RAM & Storage | 8GB RAM, 128GB storage |
Camera | 108MP primary camera, 2MP depth sensor, 2MP macro lens |
Front Camera | 16MP front-facing camera |
Battery | 5,000mAh with 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging |
OS | OxygenOS 13.1 (based on Android 13) |
Other Features | 5G connectivity, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual stereo speakers |
Colors | Available in Pastel Lime and Chromatic Gray |
Price | ₹19,999 |
05 Realme Narzo 70 Pro
Realme's Narzo 70 Pro puts powerhouse features and performance right in an affordable price. It is pumped with a MediaTek Dimensity 8100, which ensures that the device runs super smooth for games and even the heavier multitasking and high-performance tasks. The 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display has really fantastic visuals at a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes this good for movies, gameplay, and smooth navigation.
The device features a triple-camera setup consisting of 64MP with an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro sensor, so it can truly be versatile in capturing excellence in pictures taken in different settings. The 16MP front camera captures clear selfies and video calls and also provides convenience for the social media lover.
A large 5,200mAh battery paired with 80W SuperDart fast charging ensures that this phone powers through an entire day with ease and charges quickly when needed, going from 0% to 50% in under 20 minutes. With its 5G connectivity, in-display fingerprint sensor, dual stereo speakers, and IP54 water resistance, the Realme Narzo 70 Pro adds great value.
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8100 |
Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
RAM & Storage | 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage |
Camera | 64MP primary camera, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro |
Front Camera | 16MP front-facing camera |
Battery | 5,200mAh with 80W SuperDart fast charging |
OS | Realme UI 5.0 (based on Android 14) |
Other Features | 5G connectivity, in-display fingerprint sensor, dual stereo speakers, IP54 water resistance |
Colors | Available in Stellar Blue and Cosmic Black |
Price | ₹19,999 |
As we move into 2024, the budget smartphone space brings innovation to very low price points. Here's a rundown of options that blend powerful performance, advanced camera systems, and high-end features all within ₹20,000: the iQOO Z9s 5G, POCO X6 5G, Redmi Note 13 5G, OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, and the Realme Narzo 70 Pro.
From lightning-fast charging speeds to high-refresh-rate displays and 5G connectivity, these handsets prove to you that you do not need to fork out a lot of money for getting a device that could handle everything ranging from gaming and multitasking to photography and content consumption. Each of the four handsets has succeeded in providing an all-rounded package of performance, design, and innovation - making them stand tall among handsets for power users on a budget.
With a glance over top performances, excellent battery life, and mind-boggling displays, these budget smartphones stand equal to their expensive counterparts in every possible way. 2024 will certainly be one of the most exciting years for budget tech - and with options like these, you can get flagship features without burning a hole into your pocket.
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