The sub-₹10,000 smartphone segment is filled with great value for money options. With brands like Xiaomi, Samsung and Realme in the running, the best budget phones are the ones which do not compromise on essential functionalities over novelty.
So, if you're on the lookout for a good and dependable phone under ₹10,000, here are the best options for you to choose from.
Samsung Galaxy M10
Weight: 163g | Dimensions: 155.6 x 75.6 x 7.7mm | OS: Android 8.1 Oreo | Screen size: 6.22-inch | Resolution: 1520 x 720 (19:9 aspect ratio) | CPU: Exynos 7870 | RAM: 2GB/3GB | Storage: 16GB/32GB | Battery: 3400mAh | Rear camera: 13+5MP | Front camera: 5MP
Starting at Rs 7,990 for the base variant with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, the Galaxy M10 has a lot to offer. It has a modern design that curves around the edges giving a good in-hand feel plus the display features a waterdrop style notch which allows for more screen estate.
The dual camera setup on the back is pretty decent in daylight but one would not want to use it at night or in dim-lit situations. It's also not the fastest phone on the block but considering the price, it should attract a lot of first-time smartphone users or people looking for a secondary phone.
Redmi Note 7
Weight: 185g | Dimensions: 159.21 x 75.21 x 8.1mm | OS: Android 9.0 Pie | Screen size: 6.3-inch | Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels (19.5:9 aspect ratio) | CPU: Snapdragon 660 | RAM: 3GB/4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 4000mAh | Rear camera: 12+2MP | Front camera: 13MP
The younger sibling Redmi Note 7 features a Full HD+ display topped with Gorilla Glass 5, runs on Snapdragon 660 chipset with upto 4GB of RAM and latest Android 9.0 Pie based MIUI 10 to boot. It's got a dual camera setup on the back and is powered by a 4,000mAh battery. All of this starting at Rs 9,999.
The first sale of the Redmi Note 7 was held on March 6 across Flipkart and Mi India Store and the company claims to have sold close to 200,000 units in a matter of minutes.
Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 149.3 x 71.7 x 8.8mm | OS: Android 8.0 Oreo | Screen size: 5.84-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2280 (19:9 aspect ratio) | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 4GB/3GB | Storage: 64GB/32GB | Battery: 4000mAh | Rear camera: 12+5MP | Front camera: 5MP
Xiaomi has added the new Redmi 6 Pro smartphone to its sub 10K lineup this time. It's the first Pro smartphone in the segment, and it justifies to the name with some promising specs on paper and reliable real life performance.
It gets the notch design, being the first from the company to have the feature, a 4000mAh battery and last years most reliable mid-range chipset Snapdragon 625 with 3/4GB of RAM and a full HD display. For its price, it's a steal.
Realme 3
Weight: 175g | Dimensions: 156.1 x 75.6 x 8.3mm | OS: Android 9.0 Pie | Screen size: 6.2-inch | Resolution: 1520 x 720 pixels (19:9 aspect ratio) | CPU: MediaTek Helio P70 | RAM: 3GB/4GB | Storage: 32GB/64GB | Battery: 4230mAh | Rear camera: 13+2MP | Front camera: 13MP
The Realme 3 has got the looks that mimic premium phones but with its affordable price tag, one can't really complain. It's got a 6.22-inch HD+ display and is powered by MediaTek Helip P70 chipset.
The phone comes with 3GB/4GB of RAM and 32GB/64GB internal storage. It's got a dual camera setup on the back and a single 13MP selfie camera on the front. It is powered by a 4,230mAh battery which does not support fast charging.
Read our full review of the Realme 3
Honor 9N
Still the prettiest
Weight: 152g | Dimensions: 149.2 x 71.8 x 7.7 mm | OS: Android 8.0 Oreo | Screen size: 5.84-inch | Resolution: 2280 x 1080 | CPU: Kirin 659 | RAM: 3GB / 4GB | Storage: 32GB / 64GB / 128GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP + 2MP | Front camera: 16MP
Interested in buying a smartphone with a notch but don't want to spend too much? Huawei's Honor brand has a smartphone for you in the form of Honor 9N. The Honor 9N features a 5.84-inch display with Full HD+ resolution and is powered by an octa-core Kirin 659 chipset, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage.
Another highlight of the Honor 9N is its dual camera setup on the back - there is a 13MP primary camera along with a 2MP secondary camera. On the front, the phone has a 16MP camera for handling your selfie needs.