Xiaomi Mi A2 to Nokia 6.1 Plus: Top smartphones in India under ₹18,000

Looking for a value-for-money phone under ₹18,000. Here are our top recommendations.

Honor 9N comes with Kirin 659 octa-core processor. (HT Photo)

The Indian smartphone market is awash with budget and mid-range smartphones. While most of the smartphones come with more or less similar set of specifications, some stand out for their affordable pricing and good performance. Brands like Honor and Realme focus on design while ensuring the phones don't compromise on the features and performance.

Xiaomi dominates the affordable mid-range and budget smartphone categories with phones like Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Y2. HMD Global-backed Nokia brings a variety to the table with premium design and stock Android experience. If you're confused about choosing your next smartphone, here are the top value-for-money smartphones in the market under ₹18,000.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
The best Redmi phone from Xiaomi promises you have the best performance and don't have to compromise on features and cameras. The top-end model of Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with 6GB of RAM and capable Snapdragon 636 processor. This variant is available in India for ₹16,999. It also offers a more modern 18:9 display with full HD+ resolution. Other key features of the phone include 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel rear cameras, and a large 4,000mAh battery.

Xiaomi Mi A2
Who will not want the fluid Android experience in a hardware built by Xiaomi. Mi A2 carries the legacy of last year's Mi A1 with stock Android software and top-end specifications from Xiaomi. Based on Google's Android One programme, Xiaomi Mi A2 will be receiving future updates and security patches from Google. Key specifications of Xiaomi Mi A2 include a 5.99-inch FHD+ 18:9 Full screen display, Snapdragon 660 processor, 4GB of RAM, 12MP + 20MP dual camera, 20MP front camera and 3010mAh battery. Xiaomi Mi A2 is available in India for ₹16,999.

Nokia 6.1 Plus
While Mi A2 improves upon Mi A1 with better design, it comes without the 3.5mm headphone jack and doesn't have expandable storage. Those who are looking for a capable Xiaomi Mi A2 can consider the new Nokia 6.1 Plus, which has more premium design and doesn't miss out any of the necessary features. Key features of Nokia 6.1 Plus include 5.8-inch Full HD+ display, Snapdragon 636 processor, and 3060mAh battery. The phone also has 16MP + 5MP rear cameras and 16MP front camera. Nokia 6.1 Plus is available for ₹15,999.

Honor 9N
Honor 9N doesn't really surpass Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro in terms of performance, but does come with its own USPs including a beautiful design and camera. Honor 9N is also a big improvement over the Honor 9 Lite which was launched earlier this year. Featuring a notch display with a 5.8-inch full HD+ display, Honor 9N is powered by a capable Kirin 659 octa-core processor. Other key features of the phone include 13-megapixel and 2-megapixel dual-camera, Android Oreo-based EMUI 8.0, 3,000mAh battery. The top-end model of Honor 9N is available for ₹17,999.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1
If all you want a phone that has long-lasting battery, you may consider Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1. Featuring a whopping 5,000mAh battery, Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 comes with 5.99-inch full HD+ display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 octa-core processor. The near-stock Android experience is another highlight of the phone. For photography, the phone has 13MP and 5MP dual rear cameras and an 8MP front camera. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 doesn't really do well in front of Redmi Note 5 Pro but has turned out to be a formidable option under ₹18,000. Asus's big battery phone with 64GB storage and 4GB of RAM is available for ₹13,000 via Flipkart.

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