Top 10 Phones Under 30000 INR (December 2018)

The smartphone market divides into three segments: top-end, mid-range, and entry-level. In recent years, a new category, ‘affordable flagships,’ has emerged, popularized by OnePlus. These phones deliver top-tier performance without the hefty price tag, typically priced around Rs. 30,000.

If you plan to buy a smartphone around Rs. 30,000, we’ve compiled a list to help choose the best one. These smartphones are selected based on processing power, camera performance, build quality, design, and user interface. Here’s the list:

10 Best Phones Under 30000 INR (October 2018)

1. Poco F1

Finding a smartphone with a top-of-the-line processor for less than INR 30000 may have been a dream in the past, but Xiaomi made it a reality in 2018. If you seek a smartphone below Rs. 30000, this is one of your best options. The Poco F1 is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor and Adreno 630 GPU, the same as Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy Note 9, but at less than one-third of the price.

What more could you want from a smartphone? Regarding the display, the front features a 6.18-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels. On the camera side, the phone boasts an impressive dual 12MP + 5MP setup at the back and a 20MP front camera for all your selfie needs. Additionally, it includes a substantial 4000mAh battery, easily lasting the whole day. Overall, it offers exceptional value for its price, making it a definite buy if available. However, one drawback is its availability through Xiaomi’s flash-sale program, which might result in a delay in acquiring the product.

2. Asus ZenFone 5Z

Claiming the top spot is Asus’s new Zenfone 5Z, poised to dethrone the OnePlus 6 as the flagship killer. It boasts Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor at 2.8GHz, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of onboard storage. Like many Android flagships, it features a notch atop its 6.2-inch FHD+ Super IPS+ display, with a prominent chin at the base.

Zenfone 5Z includes a 3,300mAh battery and supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 for fast charging. Its camera setup consists of a 12MP+8MP dual camera with OIS and EIS at the back, and an 8MP selfie camera at the front. Asus has integrated numerous AI features, particularly in the camera, enhancing its performance even in low light. The device also offers a hybrid SIM tray, enabling storage expansion up to 2TB.

3. Honor View 10

Huawei’s Honor sub-brand flagship, the Honor View 10, impressively matches the Mate 10 flagships in processor, RAM, and internal storage, despite being half the price. Equipped with an integrated NPU for AI-based features, it excelled in our review, earning acclaim for its sleek metallic design and stellar build quality. Additionally, a recent update introduced Face Unlock support for added security.

The Honor View 10 features a 5.99-inch 1080 x 2160 IPS display in an 18:9 aspect ratio, powered by a 3750mAh battery. Its hardware includes the Kirin 970 SoC with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 256GB. For photography, it boasts a dual rear camera setup (20MP + 16MP) and a 13MP selfie camera, capable of capturing detailed and vivid shots.

Buy from Amazon: (Rs. 29,999)

4. Vivo V11 Pro

Vivo, like Oppo, prioritizes selfie camera performance. Therefore, the new Vivo V11 Pro is an ideal smartphone for selfie enthusiasts. It boasts a 25 MP front camera for capturing detailed selfies. Additionally, its primary camera, featuring a dual 12 MP + 5 MP setup, delivers decent photos.

Enough about the camera, let’s discuss its other features, shall we? The smartphone is powered by a Snapdragon 660 processor paired with Adreno 512 GPU. It boasts 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, which is handy. On the front, a 6.41-inch display with a tear-drop notch enhances the aesthetics. The display resolution is 1080 x 2340 pixels, providing a pixel density of 402 PPI. Lastly, a 3400 mAh battery ensures all-day usage.

5. Mi MIX 2

Xiaomi’s Mi MIX 2, while initially less successful in India, has undergone price reductions and now sits below Rs. 30000, making it an attractive option. Its standout feature is the bezel-less display, with no bezels on the top or sides, and a slim chin housing the front camera, necessitating upside-down rotation for selfies or video calls.

The Mi MIX 2 features the Snapdragon 835 processor, aging by today’s standards but still a solid performer. With 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage, it effortlessly handles heavy tasks, including PUBG Mobile.

Regarding cameras, the MIX 2 disappoints slightly. It features a single 12MP rear camera. In favorable lighting, it captures crisp shots with vivid color and detail. However, in low light, performance suffers. If you seek a phone for night photography, the MIX 2 may not meet your needs. Nevertheless, excluding low light conditions, the MIX 2’s camera performs well.

Front-facing, the MIX 2 sports a 5MP camera situated on the bottom phone bezel. It’s not particularly thrilling. The pictures suffice, but they pale compared to phones like the Poco F1. So, if you prioritize excellent cameras, skip the MIX 2. However, for striking design and solid performance, the MIX 2 merits consideration.

Purchase the MIX 2 from Flipkart (Rs. 29,990)

6. Galaxy A7

Samsung’s mid-range smartphones often disappoint, but the Galaxy A7 breaks that trend. It boasts a 6-inch FullHD+ SuperAMOLED display with vibrant colors, excellent sunlight visibility, and deep blacks. Equipped with an Exynos 7885 processor, it surpasses Samsung’s previous mid-rangers sporting Snapdragon 450 processors. With up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, the Galaxy A7 delivers decent performance. While you can play PUBG Mobile on it, graphics settings are limited to low.

Regarding optics, the Galaxy A7 boasts a triple rear camera setup comprising a 24MP primary camera, an 8MP wide-angle camera, and a 5MP depth camera. It captures crisp, detailed, well-lit shots in favorable lighting conditions. In low light, it effectively captures ample light. Although low-light images are slightly soft, they remain satisfactory. Noteworthy camera features include Portrait Dolly, yielding appealing images. The 8MP wide-angle lens enables capturing stunning wide-angle shots. Overall, the Galaxy A7’s cameras excel. Additionally, the phone’s 24MP front-facing camera delivers impressive results, with selfies exhibiting ample detail and accurate colors under proper lighting.

The A7 boasts a 3,300 mAh battery, though lacking fast charging. Yet, it impresses with its day-long battery life.

Get the Galaxy A7 from Flipkart (starting at Rs. 23,990)

7. Nokia 7 Plus

The Nokia 7 Plus, priced under 30,000 INR, offers a 6-inch IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and bezel-less design. Its camera features a dual 12MP setup with one lens at f/1.75 and the other at f/2.6, enabling portrait mode.

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 SoC with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (expandable up to 256GB), the device boasts a 3800 mAh battery. Running on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, the Nokia 7 Plus is also part of the Android One Programme, ensuring seamless future updates.

Available on Amazon: (Rs. 25,999)

8. Huawei Nova 3i

If smartphone photography excites you, brace yourself for the Huawei Nova 3i, delivering top-tier camera performance at a price under 30000 INR. Beyond its exceptional camera capabilities, let’s delve into what else this smartphone offers. Powered by Huawei’s latest Hisilicon Kirin 710 processor, positioned between the higher-end Kirin 970 and mid-range Kirin 659, the Nova 3i ensures swift performance for daily tasks and gaming. Teamed with Mali-G51 MP4 GPU, it boasts 4GB/GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of internal storage.

The display on this device is a 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, offering a pixel density of ~409 PPI. As with all Huawei smartphones, the display is color accurate and beautiful. However, the main attraction of the Huawei Nova 3i lies in its cameras. The smartphone features a 16 MP (f/2.2) + 2 MP rear camera, accompanied by a 24 MP + 2 MP dual-camera setup on the front. Both primary and secondary cameras boast dual-camera sensors, delivering exceptional photo quality. For enthusiasts of smartphone photography, this device ranks among the best available.

Available on Amazon: (Rs. 20,990)

9. Oppo F9 Pro

Many Android smartphones draw design inspiration from iPhones, with the notch being a prevailing trend. It’s refreshing when a company innovates on the design rather than merely replicating it. The Oppo F9 Pro incorporates a notch, uniquely resembling a teardrop, which adds to its aesthetic appeal. Designed to blend seamlessly, the notch is often imperceptible, offering a bezel-less experience without the distraction of a cumbersome notch.

The smartphone features a MediaTek Helio P60 octa-core processor with a Mali-G72 MP3 GPU. While not the fastest, they offer sufficient speed. Paired with 4/6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, it handles tasks well. The 6.3-inch IPS LCD panel boasts 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution. Its standout feature is the front camera, with a 16MP + 2MP dual-camera sensor at the rear and a 25MP sensor at the front for stunning selfies. If you’re into selfies, this smartphone is worth considering.

Buy From Flipkart: ₹23,990

10. Nokia 8

The Nokia 8, a true flagship, launched originally at Rs. 36,999 (64 GB), now available at just Rs. 27,749, offers top-end hardware within a sleek metallic build featuring a 5.3-inch QHD display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Recently upgraded to Android Oreo, ensuring timely software updates.

The Nokia 8 features a dual rear camera setup (13MP + 13MP) with Zeiss optics, OIS, and laser autofocus, along with a 13MP front camera. Despite its low DXOMark score, the Nokia 8 delivers exceptional camera performance. The impending launch of the Nokia Pro Camera app will further enhance its imaging capabilities. It runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 SoC with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable internal storage, powered by a 3090 mAh battery.

The Nokia 8 stands out as one of the best devices priced under Rs. 30,000, boasting unparalleled specs and performance.

Buy from Amazon: (Rs. 27,749)

The Best Phones Under 30000 INR

That concludes our list of the best phones under 30000 INR. While there are numerous options, only a few deliver the optimal experience.

Share your thoughts on our list. Did we overlook any standout smartphones in the sub-30K range? Feel free to comment below and suggest any additional recommendations.