10 Best Phones Under Rs. 30K

10 Best Phones Under Rs. 30,000 You Can

Buy In 2019

The goalpost defining affordable, mid-range and premium smartphone segments keeps shifting. In 2019, the premium segment begins beyond 30K which means if that’s the budget you have for your next phone, you can score yourself an upper mid-range phone, yester-year flagship or perhaps a current flagship killer. 

Though the premium phone market grew by 20 percent last year, the upper mid-range segment saw a hand full of device launches. So, if you want to know what are the best phones available under 30,000 INR, here are the options that you may consider.

1. Asus Zenfone 5Z

Asus Zenfone 5Z  offers excellent value for money. The base variant, that costs less than Rs 30k, comes with Snapdragon 845 octa-core chipset, 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 64GB of UFS2.1 storage.

Zenfone 5Z is also one of the best camera phones in its class. Other highlights include a sharp Full HD+ display (19:9), intuitive ZenfUI 5.0 software, a 3300mAh battery with fast charging.

Display: 6.2-inch (19:9) Full HD+ IPS | Processor: Snapdragon 845 SoC | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Software: Android 8.1 | Rear camera: 12MP + 8MP | Front camera: 8MP | Weight: 155g | Dimensions: 153×75.65×7.85mm 

What We like (Pros)

• Great audio output
• Excellent performance
• Good quality display
• Great cameras for the price
• Good battery backup

What we don’t like (Cons)

• No water resistance
• No Gorilla Glass 5

2. Nokia 8.1

Nokia 8.1 is an Android One phone that’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 octa-core mobile platform. The successor of Nokia 7.1 Plus runs the latest Android 9 Pie, has an improved 20MP selfie camera and features a wide notch at the top.

Nokia has made notable improvements to the camera performance, but the phone still feels a tad overpriced.

Display: 6.18-inch (19:9) Full HD+ IPS, HDR 10 | Processor: Snapdragon 710 SoC | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Software: Android 9.0 Pie | Rear camera: 12MP + 13MP | Front camera: 20MP | Weight: 180g | Battery: 3500 | Dimensions: 154.8 x 75.8 x 8 mm 

• Nokia 8.1 lowest price

What we like (Pros) 

• Solid build
• Excellent performance
• Good cameras for the price
• Pure Android software

What we don’t like (Cons) 

• Hybrid SIM slot
• A tad overpriced

3. Vivo V15 Pro

Vivo V15 Pro is an interesting all-rounder that brandishes latest trends including a pop-up camera, a continuous notch-free display, dual-engine fast charging, an in-display fingerprint sensor, triple rear cameras, and a 48MP camera sensor.

But besides style, there is a lot of substance too. The camera performance is quite impressive for the price, the 5th generation in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and consistent, and the interruption-free display makes it unique and exciting. The Funtouch OS slightly bogs down the experience, though.

Display: 6.39-inch (19:9) Full HD+ AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 675 SoC | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Software: Android 9.0 Pie | Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP +5MP | Front camera: 32MP | Weight: 185g | Battery: 3700 | Dimensions: 157.3 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm 

• Vivo V15 Pro lowest price and specs 

Pros 

• Excellent (notch-free) display
• Cool design
• Excellent performance
• Battery backup
• Great camera performance

Cons 

• No USB Type-C port
• No HD streaming support
• UI needs some polishing

4. Vivo V11 Pro

Vivo V11 Pro (review) is the first smartphone under Rs 30,000 to boast of under display fingerprint sensor. That’s not all, it also features a water drop style notch screen and offers Infrared based face unlock feature.

Vivo is also launched a trimmed down version sometime Vivo V9 Pro which lacks in-display fingerprint sensor though.

Vivo V11 Pro specs 

Display: 6.41-inch (19.5:9) Full HD+ AMOLED| Processor: Snapdragon 660 SoC | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Software: Android 8.1 Oreo | Rear camera: 12MP+5MP | Front camera: 25MP | Battery: 3400mAh

• Vivo V11 Pro lowest price

What we like (Pros)

• Excellent design
• Great display
• Exciting selfie camera
• Dedicated microSD card slot

What we don’t like (cons)

• No USB Type C port
• User interface

5. Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)

In 2018 Samsung has put in a lot of emphasis on the cameras especially in the affordable and budget segment. It all started with the Galaxy A7 2018 (review) which came with a triple rear camera setup. Samsung for the first time squeezed in three cameras in a single setup. The primary camera is a 24MP sensor then there is a 5MP depth sensor and the third one is an 8MP wide-angle sensor.

Samsung is also punched in a 24MP sensor on the front for selfies. Other than a triple camera setup, the phone also supports Samsung Pay Mini and Dual SIM Dual VoLTE support out of the box.

Display: 6.-inch (18.5:9) Full HD+ AMOLED | Processor: Exynos 7885 | RAM: up to 6GB | Storage: 64GB/128GB | Software: Android 8.1 Oreo | Rear camera: 24MP+5MP+8MP | Front camera: 24MP | Weight: 168 g | Dimensions: 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5mm | Battery: 3300mAh

• Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 lowest price 

What we like (Pros)

• AMOLED Display
• Ample RAM and Storage
• Dual SIM Dual VoLTE support
• Indoor camera performance
• An accessible side-mounted Fingerprint sensor

What we don’t like (Cons)

• Only mini version of Samsung Pay
• No fast charging
• Case cover not bundled in the box

6. Poco F1

Even several months after its launch, the Poco F1 continues to be the most affordable Snapdragon 845 phone around. The design is a bit flimsy, but if you can look past that, the other hardware is quite enticing.

Notable highlights include QuickCharge 3.0, 12MP rear camera, regularly updated MIUI for Poco, and a long-lasting battery.

Display: 6.18-inch notched display, 1080x2246p resolution, 500nits brightness |Processor: 2.8GHz octa-core Snapdragon 845 SoC | RAM: 6GB/8GB | Storage:64GB/128GB/256GB | Software: Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Rear Camera: 12MP+5MP | Front Camera: 20MP | Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 155.5×75.3×8.8mm | Battery: 4000mAh.

• Poco F1 Specs and lowest price

Pros

• Dependable Performance
• Feels solid
• Excellent Battery life
• Reasonable cameras for the price

Cons

• Average Display
• Not so appealing design

7. Oppo F9 Pro

The Oppo F9 Pro holds the title of being the first phone to feature a waterdrop notch screen. It is also the first F-series phone to come with Oppo’s proprietary VOOC charging technology which claims to offer 2 Hours of Talk Time on 5 Minutes of Charging.

The handset has a powerful octa-core Helio P60 chipset, 6GB RAM, 64GB storage, 25MP selfie camera, and a 34000mAh battery.

Display: 6.3-inch (19.5:9) Full HD+ IPS | Processor: Helio P60 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Software: Android 8.1 Oreo | Rear camera: 16MP+2MP | Front camera: 25MP | Weight: 169 g | Dimensions: 156.7 x 74 x 8 mm | Battery: 3500mAh

• Oppo F9 Pro lowest price 

What we like (Pros)

• Looks elegant
• Battery backup
• Good selfie camera
• Dual SIM Dual VoLTE

What we don’t like (Cons)

• Rear camera quality

8. Honor Play

From Huawei’s portfolio, Honor Play manages to make the cut. The phone rocks company’s own Kirin 970 chipset with GPU Turbo.

It has dual 16MP+2MP rear cameras and a 16MP selfie camera, and the camera performance is perfectly reasonable for the price. Other benefits include a beautiful 19.5:9 display, compact form factor, good battery backup (3300mAh) and awesome audio output.

• Honor Play lowest price

 Display: 6.3-inch (19.5:9) Full HD+ IPS | Processor: Hisilicon Kirin 970 SoC | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 64GB | Software: Android 8.1 Oreo | Rear camera: 16MP + 2MP | Front camera: 16MP | Weight: 176g | Dimensions: 157.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm |Battery: 3750mAh

What we like (Pros)

• Compact, elegant design
• Great display quality
• Excellent audio output
• Water and drop resistant

What we don’t like (cons)

• Slightly dated chipset

9. Galaxy A50

Samsung has already showcased its new mid-range A-series phones at MWC 2019. The Galaxy A50 is the better one of the lot and its USP is perhaps its 6.4 FHD+ AMOLED Infinity-U display. The phone also includes 3 rear cameras and a 25MP selfie camera.

As for performance, Samsung is using its Exynos 9610 chipset paired with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.

Display: 6.4-inch (16:9) Full HD IPS | Processor: Exynos 9610 | RAM: up to 6GB | Storage: up to 128GB | Software: Android 9.0 Pie | Rear camera: 25MP + 5MP + 8MP | Front camera: 25MP | Battery: 4000mAh

• Galaxy A50 lowest price

What we like (Pros)

• Good quality display
• Powerful chipset
• Decent camera

What we don’t like (Cons)

• EMUI software
• camera bump

10. LG G7 ThinQ

After a slew of price cuts, the Snapdragon 845 powered LG G7 ThinQ is now available for under Rs. 30,000. The G7 ThinQ is a premium phone which is also a great option for audiophiles.

The only downside is its mediocre battery mileage.

LG G7 ThinQ: Display: 6.1-inch (19:9) QHD+ IPS | Processor: Snapdragon 845 octa-core SoC | RAM: up to 6GB LPDDR4x | Storage: up to 128GB | Software: Android 8.0 | Rear Camera: 16MP+16MP | Front Camera: 8MP | Weight: 162g | Battery: 3000mAh.

• LG G7 ThinQ lowest price

What we like (Pros)

• Solid build, Water resistant
• Elegant design
• Good camera performance
• Excellent Audio

What we don’t like (Cons)

• Average battery performance

If you are willing to spend a little more:

If you are willing to spend just a little more, there are a couple of options you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

OnePlus 6T

If you are willing to extend your budget beyond 30K, you can also consider OnePlus 6T, which is currently one of the most popular all-rounders.

The base variant of OnePlus 6T with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage retails for 37,990 INR, but you can buy it at a slightly lower price from recurring online sales.

Display: 6.41-inch (19:9) Full HD+ AMOLED | Processor: 2.8GHz Snapdragon 845 | RAM: 6GB/8GB | Storage: 128GB/ 256GB | Software: Android 9 Pie | Rear camera: 16MP+20MP | Front camera: 16MP | Weight: 162g | Dimensions: 156.1 x 75 x 7.3 mm |Battery: 3700mAh

What we like (Pros)

• Excellent performance
• Intuitive software experience
• Elegant design
• Great display

What we don’t like (Cons)

• No MicroSD card slot
• No notification LED
• No headphone jack