₹8000 to ₹10,000 is a highly competitive price segment in the Indian Smartphone market. So there are plenty of devices available in this price segment and new smartphones getting launched every week. In such a case, a lot of consumers are going to be confused about which one to pick.
So we are making our recommended smartphone list in this price segment in a specific order to make your purchase decision much easier, and we will continue to update this list as new devices get launched. So you can always come back here and get the updated recommendation list.
If you would like to pick a phone by yourself, our highly in-depth smartphone buying guide will help in that process.
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Some General Information
As there are plenty of devices available in this price segment, this list includes only phones that we recommend. We will provide key specifications and a brief explanation about why pick this as our no.1/ no.2, etc with each phone in this list.
Many of these devices will be platform exclusive to Flipkart or amazon. In such cases, there are a lot of unofficial listings of these devices in other eCommerce sites with higher price tags, and you may buy this product from unofficial sellers. So we will provide a link to official sellers after every product in this list.
Processors list
There is a significant difference in terms of the processing capabilities of phones in this price segment. As you may know, better processors mean better performance, especially in gaming and day-to-day usage. So here is a list of processors used in this segment and their average AnTuTu v8 Benchmark score and devices that come with these processors.
(AnTuTu: It is a smartphone benchmarking application that computes the final score based on many factors like CPU, GPU, User experience, AI, etc. So you get a good idea about the device final performance, but you can neglect the small difference in the score)
| Processor | Avg AnTuTu Score | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Helio G80 | 200K | Redmi 9 Prime |
| Helio G70 | 180K | Realme C3 |
| Snapdragon 665 | 175K | Realme Narzo 20A, Vivo U10 |
| Snapdragon 662 | 170K | Moto G9 |
| Snapdragon 460 | 145K | Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition, Moto E7 Plus |
| Helio G35 | 110K | Realme C15, Realme C12, Redmi 9 |
| Helio P35 | 103K | Oppo A5s |
| Helio G25 | 90K | Redmi 9i |
Helio G35 is a rebranded version of Helio P35, and their specs are the same. Also, Helio G25 is the rebranded version of Helio P22.
Best Smartphone under 10000 Rupees
Note: Except for Moto G9 and Moto E7 Plus in this list, all other devices have dedicated MicroSD card slots. These two devices come with a shared/Hybrid sim slot(dual sim or single sim + micro SD)
1. Redmi 9 Prime
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| Image Credit: Xiaomi |
Redmi 9 Prime comes with four rear cameras and one selfie shooter. Its primary 13MP sensor sourced from different vendors produces good photos with reasonably accurate colours for the price. It supports auto HDR and enhances the dynamic range in both daylight and low light conditions. The performance of this sensor is reasonably average in low light. The lack of Night Mode also shows it is the one area Xiaomi has to compromise on this phone to maintain its low price. But still, the overall picture quality is above average for this price range.
The 8MP Ultra-wide angle sensor takes one of the best Wide-angle shots in this price category, and it can rival some of the more expensive mid-range phones. The 5MP macro will be the best Macro camera you can find in this price category. If you would like to know more about Redmi 9 prime, you can check out our specific article on it.
Key Specifications
Helio G80, 6.53inch FHD+ IPS LCD, 18W Fast Charging(10W Charger In-box), 5020 mAh, 13MP(f/2.2)+ 8MP(Ultra wide-118.2˚ FOV)+5MP Macro+2MP depth, 8 MP Selfie, 5Ghz WIFI, Type-C,198g, Fingerprint, MIUI 12
Storage Variants: 4GB+64GB at ₹9,999 and 4GB+128GB at ₹10,999
2. Moto G9
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| Image Credit: Flipkart |
Moto G9 is a phone which got terrible reception initially due to its very high price tag at ₹11,499. But right now, it is selling at ₹9,999, and at that price, It is even worth being at No.1, but we value Full HD resolution more than good cameras. So it is the best camera smartphone under 10,000 rupees. It has a larger sensor( 1/2.0″), wider aperture(f/1.7), and can shoot very good photos like other 12,000 rupees smartphones.
The rest of the rear cameras are just for marketing, so you have a very good primary camera, good performance, fast charging, 5Ghz WIFI, and a clean stock Android experience.
Key Specifications
Snapdragon 662, 6.5 inches HD+ IPS LCD, 20W Fast Charging, 5000 mAh, 48 MP(f/1.7)+2 MP macro+2MP depth, 8 MP selfie, 5Ghz WIFI, Type-C, 200 g, Fingerprint, Stock Android
Storage Variants: 4GB+64GB at ₹9,999
3. Realme Narzo 20A
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| Image Credit: realme |
Realme Narzo 20A is the best offering from realme at this price category. Narzo 20A has a highly capable SD665 SoC, which even at 8,499 is a great thing. Especially for folks looking for gaming phones in the 8K-9K segment. The rest of the hardware like display, battery, fast charging, wifi speeds are exactly from this price range. But the primary rear sensor is a highly capable one, and the selfie camera is good too.
But to be honest, if you are ok with spending 9.5K, try to add 500 bucks more and buy the above two options. They offer much better value.
Key Specifications
Snapdragon 665, 6.5 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 10W charging, 5000 mAh,12 MP(f/1.8)+2MP depth(B/w)+ 2MP Retro, 8 MP selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 195 g, Realme UI
Storage Variants: 3GB+32GB at ₹8,499 and 4GB+64GB at ₹9,499
4. Realme C3
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| Image Credit: realme |
Realme C3 is very close to realme narzo 20A. Compared to narzo 20A, we have a similarly capable MediaTek Helio G70, a lower megapixel front shooter. We lose the 2 MP retro sensor, which no one has any idea why it existed in it.
Considering it’s specs, it should be priced lower than narzo 20A, and it has been like that, but right now, it is priced higher than narzo 20A, and it doesn’t make any sense at all. But if you get this device at 8K rupees like before, it would be a great deal.
Key Specifications
Helio G70, 6.5 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 10W charging, 5000 mAh,12 MP(f/1.8)+2MP depth, 5 MP selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 195 g, Realme UI
Storage Variants: 3GB+32GB at ₹8,999 and 4GB+64GB at ₹9,999
5. Moto E7 Plus
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| Image Credit: Flipkart |
Moto E7 Plus is the lite version of Moto G9. Compared to Moto G9, the processor gets downgraded, comes with normal charging speed, loses the useless macro and 5ghz wifi support. Also, the Type-C port is replaced by micro USB.
Key Specifications
Snapdragon 460, 6.5 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 10W charging, 5000 mAh,48 MP(f/1.7)+2MP depth, 8 MP selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 200 g, Fingerprint, Stock Android
Storage Variants: 4GB+64GB at ₹9,499
6. Redmi 9
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| Image Credit: Xiaomi |
Redmi 9 Lose a lot of things from Redmi 9 Prime and make a huge difference in ranking. Compared to 9 Prime, we lose FHD display, fast charging, ultra-wide-angle camera, type-c, 5Ghz WIFI here, and the price has only decreased around 1,000 rupees. But if the amount of storage is very priority to you, Redmi 9 got you covered with its 64GB or 128GB options.
Key Specifications
Helio G35, 6.53 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 10W Charging, 5020 mAh, 13MP(f/2.2)+2MP depth, 5MP Selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 194g, Fingerprint, MIUI 12
Storage Variants: 4GB+64GB at ₹8,999 and 4GB+128GB at ₹9,999
7. Redmi 9i
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| Image Credit: Xiaomi |
If you read our best smartphone under 8000 rupees, you will already be familiar with Redmi 9A. Redmi 9i is the same device with higher storage and RAM options. But when we reviewed the phone (Redmi 9A), we felt the processor Helio G25 is its main drawback and not its storage or RAM. So we do not recommend this device above 7.5k. But for anyone who needs an ultra low budget smartphone with a huge amount of storage, it is the only option out there.
Key Specifications
Helio G25, 6.53 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 10W Charging, 5000 mAh, 13MP(f/2.2) rear, 5MP Selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 194g, MIUI 12
Storage Variants: 4GB+64GB at ₹8,299 and 4GB+128GB at ₹9,299
Offline Market
In offline markets, you don’t get much value as online markets. Only a few of the above list devices are present in the offline segment( Redmi and Realme(some)). Offline, you can see many brands like Oppo, Vivo, Tecno, Samsung, etc.
1. Vivo U10
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| Image Credit: Vivo |
Vivo U10 is a phone which is worth at No.3 in the above list if it’s pricing is reasonable. But buying a 32GB smartphone in 2020 doesn’t make any sense. But in the offline market, we think it still offers good value, and also, we can expand the storage with SD cards.
Key Specifications
Snapdragon 665, 6.35 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 18W Fast Charging, 5000 mAh, 13 MP, f/2.2+8 MP(ultra-wide)+2MP depth, 8 MP selfie, 5Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 190.5 g, Fingerprint, Fontouch OS
Storage Variants: 3GB+32GB at ₹9,990
2. Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition
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| Image Credit: realme |
Compared to Redmi 9 Prime, here you get an HD display, reasonably good processor. You still get the fast charging, more battery, has a similar rear camera, except you lose the macro. Also, this device only supports 2.4Ghz WIFI and comes with a Micro USB.
But realme hiked its price recently, and it doesn’t offer any good value right now. If you get this with a discount of 1,500 bucks, then it would be a great deal.
Key Specifications
Snapdragon 460, 6.5 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 18W charging, 6000 mAh,13MP(f/2.2)+ 8MP(ultra wide-119˚ FOV)+2MP retro+2MP depth(B/W), 8 MP selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 209 g, Fingerprint, Realme UI
Storage Variants: 3GB+32GB at ₹9,999 and 4GB+64GB at ₹10,999
3. Realme C15
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| Image Credit: realme |
Realme C15 is the MediaTek version of the Realme C15 Qualcomm edition we mentioned earlier. All other specs are the same. But the Helio G35 makes it lower in our ranking even though these devices come with fast charging, ultra-wide-angle cameras, etc.
Key Specifications
Helio G35, 6.5 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 18W charging, 6000 mAh,13MP(f/2.2)+ 8MP(ultra wide-119˚ FOV)+2MP retro+2MP depth(B/W), 8 MP selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 209 g, Fingerprint, Realme UI
Storage Variants: 3GB+32GB at ₹9,999 and 4GB+64GB ₹10,999
4. Realme C12
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| Image Credit: realme |
Realme C12 is the lite version of Realme C15; for 1,000 rupees less, you lose fast charging, ultra-wide-angle, and selfie camera downgraded.
Key Specifications
Helio G35, 6.5 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 10W charging, 6000 mAh,13MP(f/2.2)+2MP Macro+2MP depth(B/W), 5 MP selfie, 2.4Ghz WIFI, micro USB, 209 g, Fingerprint, Realme UI
Storage Variants: 3GB+32GB at ₹8,999
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