Hello friends! Today we’re going to talk about some of the best phones under ₹20,000 that work great as all-rounders and are solid for gaming too. Whether you’re a gaming lover, a camera enthusiast, or just want a phone that lasts long and gives you a smooth software experience, this post is for you. I’ll suggest phones based on different needs, and also point out which ones you should skip.
One important thing: I won’t include phones that cost ₹22,000 and only drop to ₹20,000 during sales. That makes no sense here. If you’re waiting for sale discounts, we’ll make a separate guide for that. But if you want to buy a phone right now, this post has your back. So let’s get started!
Phones You Should Skip for Now
First, let’s look at a few phones I don’t recommend at this moment. Either they’re overpriced or you’ll find better options for the same money.
- Poco X7 – Not recommended at current pricing. Wait for a price drop during sales.
- Motorola Edge 50 Fusion – Outdated now, fewer updates coming. Skip it.
- Samsung M35 – Decent for Samsung fans, but not a top priority.
- Infinix Note 50s – Not bad, but a bit overpriced. Worth it only if the price drops.
- Realme Narzo 80 Pro – Comes with Dimensity 7040. Promises 90 FPS, but actual performance drops below 60 FPS. Not a top choice for all-round use either.
Motorola G96 vs G86 Power: Similar but Slightly Different
Both are very similar phones, but here’s where they differ:
- Motorola G96 – Has a curved display and a slightly better camera (Lita 700 sensor). Smooth UI, though you might notice a small stutter sometimes.
- Motorola G86 Power – Has a flat display and a massive 6720mAh battery. Camera (Lita 600 sensor) is a bit weaker than the G96.
What’s good in both?
- Clean UI with minimal bloatware.
- Great for casual use.
- Gaming limited to 60 FPS, so not for heavy gamers.
- Price: Around ₹18,000.
Which one to choose?
If you want a bigger battery, go for G86 Power. If you prefer a curved display and a slightly better camera, pick G96. For gaming though, I wouldn’t highly recommend either.
CMF Phone 2 Pro: Modern Look, Smooth Experience
This one looks and feels the most premium in this range.
- Design – Best looking phone at this price. Feels futuristic and stylish.
- UI – Thanks to Nothing OS, the experience is smooth and clean with no bloatware.
- Camera – Decent main camera plus a telephoto lens.
- Battery – 5000mAh, optimized well for good backup.
- Gaming – Dimensity 7300 Pro is fine for casual gaming up to 60 FPS. You can push 90 FPS in TDM, but don’t expect stable 120 FPS.
- Price – Around ₹20,000.
Recommendation: If you’re not a heavy gamer but want casual gaming, a good camera, smooth UI, and a modern design, this is one of the best picks.
iQOO Z10R and Vivo T4R: Same Performance, Different Stores
Both are almost identical phones, just sold on different platforms.
- Processor – Dimensity 7400, similar Antutu score.
- Battery – 5500mAh, solid life.
- Display & Sound – Same performance.
- UI – Funtouch OS 15, smooth and reliable.
- Camera – 50MP main sensor. No ultrawide or telephoto, but the main lens is good enough for portraits and colors.
- Gaming – Good for casual gaming at 60 FPS, not for hardcore gaming.
- Price – Around ₹18,000.
Recommendation: Great choice if you want balanced performance, good camera, and smooth software. iQOO is sold on Amazon, Vivo on Flipkart; pick based on offers.
Oppo K13: Big Battery, Decent Performance
This one stands out for its massive battery.
- Battery – 7000mAh, biggest in this price segment.
- Processor – Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, decent Antutu scores.
- Gaming – Smooth casual gaming at 60 FPS.
- UI – ColorOS is decent and polished.
- Camera – 50MP main camera, average results.
- Design – Basic, nothing flashy.
- Price – Around ₹18,000.
Recommendation: If long battery life is your main priority, this phone is worth it. Good offline offers may also be available. But for heavy gaming, skip it.
iQOO Z10X and Vivo T4X: Best in Budget
Priced between ₹15,000–₹16,000, these two are excellent choices.
- Processor – Dimensity 7300 with UFS 3.1 storage.
- Battery – 6500mAh, great backup.
- Design – Stylish, looks premium for the price.
- Gaming – Good for 60 FPS casual gaming.
- Camera – Impressive colors and portraits in this range.
- UI – Funtouch OS, fast and smooth.
- Price – ₹15,000–₹16,000.
Recommendation: If your budget starts from ₹15K, these are the best options. iQOO is on Amazon, Vivo on Flipkart. No major difference otherwise.
Top 3 Phones: The Real Game-Changers
Finally, here are the top 3 picks that shine the most:
1. Infinix GT30 – For Gaming Vibes
- Dimensity 7400, supports up to 90 FPS (TDM).
- Decent camera, good UI.
- 60 FPS stable, 90 FPS in TDM but not super consistent.
- Magnetic cooler helps with thermals.
- Price: Around ₹19,000.
- Best for: Gamers who want the gaming vibe and design but not ultra-heavy performance.
2. Realme P3 – The All-Rounder King
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 with balanced performance.
- 90 FPS possible, but in main fights drops to 60–65 FPS.
- Good display, decent camera, smooth Realme UI.
- Price: Around ₹16,000.
- Best for: A value-for-money option with a balance of gaming, looks, and overall performance.
3. Realme P4 – The Newcomer Beast
- Dimensity 7400 Ultra with stable 90 FPS in TDM.
- Stylish looks, smooth UI, and strong performance.
- Price: Around ₹18,000 (8GB RAM version ~₹19,500).
- Best for: Those who want the latest phone with great balance of gaming, design, and power.
If You Have Card Offers, Check These Too
- Vivo T4 and iQOO Z10 – Normally ₹22K–₹23K, but with bank offers can drop under ₹20K. Comes with big 7300mAh battery.
- Realme P3 Pro – Priced ₹22K–₹23K, but can come under ₹20K with offers. Stylish design and solid performance.
Conclusion
There are plenty of solid phones under ₹20,000, each catering to different needs:
- For gaming vibes, go for Infinix GT30.
- For the best all-rounder, Realme P3 is unbeatable.
- For the latest tech and balance, Realme P4 is the one.
- On a tighter budget (₹15K–₹16K), iQOO Z10X or Vivo T4X are great picks.
If you found this post helpful, share it with your friends. Take care, enjoy, and see you soon!
Note: All recommendations here are based on current prices without offers. If you have card discounts, you might grab these phones even cheaper.
