Best budget phone in 2018

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

The new budget king

Weight: 181g | Dimensions: 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.1mm | OS: Android 7.0 | Screen size: 5.99-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 pixels | CPU: Snapdragon 636 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 4000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 5MP | Front camera: 20MP 

Price:15,999 (on amazon)

Immersive displayA better camera

Same design and build as Note 4

No fast charging

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is close to being the most dominant contender in sub 15k price segment. It was the first phone to ship with Snapdragon 636, now accompanied by the Zenfone Max Pro M1. The phone offers solid performance for price and combines all the necessary features like a good battery, big display, software features and more.

We even compared its new dual camera module with the OnePlus 5T, and the results were surprisingly good.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1

The comeback phone for Asus?

Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 159 x 76 x 8.5 mm | OS: Android 8.1 Oreo | Screen size: 5.99-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160p | CPU: Snapdragon 636 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 5000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP + 5MP | Front camera: 8MPHumongous battery

Price: $219(on amazon)

Powerful chipset

Mediocre camera quality

One of the most sensible phones that Asus has made in years. Yes, that's the kind of response the phone is getting after release. And the company has released the latest update that brings security patches and fixes performance.

It has everything that the Redmi Note 5 Pro has and it offers slightly better battery life, plus, a stock Android experience.  The camera is where the device looses some points, it doesn't impress in comparison to the Note 5 Pro, which is the only issue. 

Xiaomi Mi A1

Weight: 165g | Dimensions: 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm | OS: Android 7.1.2 | Screen size: 5.5-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery: 3080mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 5MPBest dual camera system on a budget

Price:$197(on amazon)

Google software with timely updates

Smaller battery

Derivative design

The result of Xiaomi's partnership with Google, the Mi A1 is supported by the Search giant's Android One program. It is aimed at users who want a premium smartphone experience at a low price. 

The Mi A1 reboots Google's Android One program, which was at first created for budget phone makers. Google has now tweaked the finer points just a bit and will now house all phones that run on stock Android and not made by the company.

The Mi A1 features a full HD 5.5-inch IPS display and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, backed by 4GB of RAM and an onboard storage of 64GB which can further be expanded with the help of a microSD card. 

The Mi A1 has a dual camera setup and houses twin 12-megapixel camera modules, one wide-angle, f/2.2 aperture and a telephoto f/2.6 camera. On the front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie camera as well. 

As the smartphone is associated with Android One, it runs on stock Android 7.1.2 with promised update to Android 8.0 Oreo and even Android P. The Mi A1 draws power from a 3,080 mAh battery which supports fast charging.

Honor 9 Lite (32 GB)

Weight: 149g | Dimensions: 151 x 71.9 x 7.6mm | OS: Android 8 Oreo | Screen size: 5.6-inch | Resolution: 2160 x 1080 | CPU: Kirin 659 | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP + 2MP | Front camera: 13MP + 2MP

Price:≈11,799

Premium lookingVibrant 18:9 display

Android 8.0 Oreo

EMUI is a mess

Fast charge not supported

The Honor 9 lite has everything going for itself in the design department with the shiny 2.5D glass on back. It looks dapper in the Sapphire Blue colour variant.

The 18:9 aspect ratio display is vibrant and is reason enough to buy this phone. It also has a quad-camera setup. The front-facing cameras capture some good pictures while the rear one leaves much to be desired. There's no fast charge support which might be a deal breaker for some. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (3GB RAM)

The 18:9 display make it to the Redmi

Weight: 180g | Dimensions: 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 5.99-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 pixels | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 3/4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 4000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

Price:13,999(on amazon)

Good battery lifeValue for money

Still runs Android Nougat

Dated design

For just Rs 9,999, the Redmi Note 5 replaces the Note 4 for the top spot. The new phone is an update over its predecessor. It has a new 18:9 display with a slightly better camera and software optimisations. The smartphone has everything that one expects from a phone of this range. 

The Snapdragon 625 with 3GB RAM is good enough to sail you through intensive usage with a phenomenal full-day battery life.

Moto G5 Plus

The best Moto G out there

Weight: 155g | Dimensions: 150.2 x 74 x 7.7mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 5.2-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 3/4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

Price:12,999(on amazon)

Convincing performanceImpressive camera

Non-removable battery

No NFC

The Moto G5 Plus is one of the best smartphones under Rs 15,000. Dominating the sub 20K category, the Moto G5 Plus was launched in two storage variants - 3GB RAM/16GB internal storage and 4GB RAM/32GB internal storage. However, only the 3GB/16GB variant falls under the Rs 15K price segment.

It is the first G series phone to come with a metal build and looks very fresh and premium. Another highlight of the phone is its camera, which has sustained the standards set by its sibling, the Moto G4 Plus, and has improved upon them. The Snapdragon 625 chipset does a great job and 3GB RAM makes it good enough for multitasking.

Honor 7X

Honor updates one of its best to Android Nougat

Weight: 165g | Dimensions: 156.5 x 75.3 x 7.6 mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 5.93-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 2160 | CPU: Kirin 659 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32/64GB | Battery: 3340mAh | Rear camera: 16+2MP | Front camera: 8MP

Price:12,999(on amazon)

Vibrant 18:9 displayPremium build

Impressive camera

No USB Type-C

Charges slowly

The Honor 7X brings an 18:9 aspect ratio to the mid-range segment, along with dual-camera setup. Other than that, the camera onboard the 7X is a pretty good snapper while the slick metal unibody makes it feel like a premium smartphone.

It runs on the Kirin 659 chipset, which is claimed to be a tough competitor to the Snapdragon 625 backed by 4GB of RAM. It comes in two storage variants - 32GB and 64GB. Only the 32GB variant falls under the 15K category. 

It is still a good choice for those who like playing with smartphone cameras but can't afford more expensive phones.

Read the full review: Honor 7X

Xiaomi Mi Max 2

The best gets even better

Weight: 211g | Dimensions: 174.1 x 88.7 x 7.6 mm | OS: Android 7.1.1 | Screen size: 6.44-inch | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 625 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32/64/128GB | Battery: 5300mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP

Price:15,999(on amazon)

Humongous display to consume contentSturdy built

Amazing battery life

Average front-facing camera

Xiaomi's big-screen smartphone series, the Mi Max got a second iteration this year, which makes it one of the best big-display phones around. The 6.44-inch display is great to watch videos and consume other content. 

That being said, it is nowhere near as bulky as you would expect from such a size. At just 7.6mm, it fits in the hand quite well and the aluminium casing gives it a robust and premium feel.

The Snapdragon 625 is one of the best available mid-range processors around and it's coupled with 4GB of RAM here. There are two storage variants: 32GB/64GB.