Best Smartphones Under ₹20,000

Best Smartphones Under ₹20,000 in India (2025)

Best Smartphones Under ₹20,000 In 2025, the mid-range smartphone segment in India has become more competitive than ever. Brands like Realme and CMF (by Nothing) are offering flagship-like features in budget phones under ₹20,000. If you’re searching for the perfect smartphone that delivers solid performance, long battery life, quality cameras, and a premium design — all without breaking the bank — this guide is for you.

Let’s take a deep dive into the top 3 best phones under ₹20,000 in India right now: Realme P3, Realme P3 Pro, and CMF Phone 2 Pro.

1. Realme P3 – Perfectly Balanced Budget Performer

Price: ₹14,999 – ₹15,999 (Expected)

The Realme P3 is a well-rounded smartphone designed for users who want a mix of good performance and reliable battery life without overspending. It doesn’t chase gimmicks but focuses on essentials that matter in daily life.

Key Specs:

• Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED
• Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 4
• Camera: 50MP main + 2MP depth | 8MP front
• Battery: 6000mAh with 45W SuperVOOC fast charging
• OS: Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14
• Build: Plastic back, Gorilla Glass front

Review Summary:

Best Smartphones Under ₹20,000 The Realme P3 features a vibrant AMOLED screen that brings your videos and games to life. For a sub-₹16K smartphone, this is a major plus. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset offers enough power to run everyday tasks like social media, video calls, and casual gaming without lag.

The 50MP primary camera performs well in daylight conditions, delivering sharp and detailed images. The 8MP selfie camera is decent for video calls and social media use. Don’t expect ultra-premium photos, but it does well for the price.

The battery easily lasts more than a day, and the 45W fast charging is a bonus for busy users.

Pros:

• AMOLED display at budget pricing
• Solid everyday performance
• Clean, responsive Realme UI
• Long-lasting battery

Cons:

• No ultra-wide camera
• Average low-light photography
• Plastic build (but sturdy)

Final Take : For first-time smartphone buyers or students, the Realme P3 delivers exceptional value. It covers the basics very well and gives a smooth Android experience.

2. Realme P3 Pro – Feature-Rich, Power-Packed All-Rounder

Price: ₹18,999 – ₹19,999 (Expected)

If you’re ready to stretch your budget slightly, the Realme P3 Pro brings major upgrades over the base model, especially in performance, display quality, and camera.

Key Specs:

• Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
• Camera: 64MP main (OIS) + 2MP depth | 16MP front
• Battery: 6000mAh with 80W fast charging
• Build: Glass back, metal frame
• OS: Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14

Review Summary:

Best Smartphones Under ₹20,000 The Realme P3 Pro is a beast under ₹20K. It features a super-smooth 120Hz AMOLED display, which is ideal for gamers, binge-watchers, and heavy social media users. The colors are vivid, and the brightness is adequate even outdoors.

ItsSnapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip can handle heavy games like BGMI or Asphalt 9 with ease. Multitasking is fluid, and the RAM management is excellent.

One of the standout features is the 64MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which is a rarity in this price range. It helps capture sharper images, especially in low light or while recording videos.

The 80W fast charging gets the battery to 100% in under 50 minutes — a huge plus for power users.

Pros:

• 120Hz AMOLED display
• Flagship-like charging speed
• Great performance for gaming
• OIS in the camera
• Premium build and design

Cons:

• No ultra-wide camera (again!)
• Pre-installed apps (can be removed)

Final Take : The Realme P3 Pro is perfect for users who want performance, display quality, and camera all in one package — a near-flagship experience under ₹20K.

3. CMF Phone 2 Pro – Clean Software and Stylish Design

Price: ₹18,500 (Expected)

CMF is a sub-brand of Nothing, and the Phone 2 Pro aims to offer minimalist aesthetics, clean software, and a bloatware-free experience — something rare in this budget.

Key Specs:

• Display: 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED with HDR10
• Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
• Camera: 48MP + 2MP | 16MP front
• Battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging
• OS: Nothing OS Lite (Near-stock Android)
• Build: Plastic back, aluminum frame

Review Summary:

CMF Phone 2 Pro is not about flashy specs but about experience. It runs on a clean, near-stock Android skin with no bloatware, ads, or heavy UI layers. This makes the phone feel snappy and responsive even with a mid-range Snapdragon chip.

The AMOLED display is crisp, and HDR10 support enhances streaming quality on apps like Netflix and YouTube. The 48MP rear camera is tuned for natural colors and decent low-light results. Selfie lovers will enjoy the 16MP front shooter.

Battery backup is solid, and the 33W fast charger is reliable, if not the fastest.

Design-wise, the CMF 2 Pro has a unique style with a semi-transparent back (inspired by Nothing) and a slim profile — making it the best-looking phone in this segment.

Pros:

• Bloatware-free clean UI
• Stylish and slim design
• Snapdragon chip ensures stability
• Long-term update support

Cons:

• Not the best for heavy gaming
• No high refresh rate (60Hz only)

Final Take : For users who value user experience, software updates, and elegant design, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a smart pick.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a smartphone under ₹20,000 in 2025 has never been more exciting. With options like the Realme P3 series and CMF Phone 2 Pro, users now get exceptional features like AMOLED screens, fast charging, reliable processors, and stylish design — all in a budget package.

• Go for Realme P3 if you want a solid daily-use phone without spending too much.
• Pick Realme P3 Pro for top-tier performance and display under ₹20K.
• Choose CMF Phone 2 Pro if you love clean software and elegant design.

Each of these phones offers a unique value — your choice depends on what you prioritize most.