Most smartphone makers have shifted their focus from the sub-Rs 10,000 category to sub-Rs 20,000 price segment. There are multiple reasons behind this shift – global chip shortage, components getting costlier and also, the growing ambitions of smartphone users. November was another month that saw action in this category with both Xiaomi and Lava launching their new smartphones. In fact, Lava Agni 5G has become the first 5G smartphone from an Indian smartphone brand. It brings a really impressive set of features and can compete with most smartphones in this price range, at least on paper.

The Redmi Note 11T 5G, as the name suggests, is the latest addition to Redmi’s affordable Note series. The smartphone was introduced in China as the Redmi Note 11 but came to India with a ‘T’ moniker. It is powered by the same chipset as the Lava Agni 5G, brings a new 50-megapixel main camera and a 33W Pro fast charging which Xiaomi says is faster than its existing charging tech.

Then, you also have the slightly older options, like Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, Realme 8 Pro and iQOO Z3 which we believe are still among the best smartphones you can buy under Rs 20,000 in India in December 2021. Here are the top picks.

Redmi Note 11T 5G

The most recently launched and our latest recommendation for this month is the Redmi Note 11T 5G. The smartphone is priced at Rs 16,999 for the base 6GB RAM and 64GB storage variant. It sits right above the Redmi Note 10 Pro in the Indian market. The phone has similar features as the Redmi Note 10T 5G but, comes with a better Dimensity 810 SoC. The Redmi Note 11T 5G features a 6.6-inch Full-HD+ display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection and up to 240 Hz touch sampling rate. Redmi has also equipped it with up to 3GB of expandable RAM for better performance. There is a 50-megpaixel primary camera with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. At the front, you get a 16-megapixel camera for selfie and video calling.

Our verdict – We are still testing the Redmi Note 11T 5G and you should stay tuned for India Today Tech’s full review. However, simply going by the on paper specs and pricing, the Note 11T 5G is ideally for those who prefer 5G over other specs.

Lava Agni 5G

Lava Agni 5G is the first 5G smartphone from an Indian brand and at least now we have something to recommend to those who specifically want to buy phones from Indian companies. As mentioned before, it has the same Dimensity 810 SoC as the Redmi Note 11T 5G. It has a 6.78-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate, a 5000mAh battery with 30W fast charging support, a 64-megapixel quad-camera system on the back, and Android 11 software. The phone still comes with a polycarbonate back and lacks a Widevine L1 certification for streaming. Lava has made a decent effort but faces a lot of competition from other brands which works against it.

Our verdict – Depending on what you will mostly do on your phone – watching movies mostly, checking emails and making calls, or just clicking photos – Lava Agni 5G can be a decent option. If cameras are not your priority, you can consider the Agni 5G. If binge-watching is what you will buy your next phone for, Lava Agni 5G is not for you.

Redmi Note 10 Pro Max

Redmi Note 10 Pro Max has been part of our buying guide for every single month since its launch. This speaks volumes for this phone, especially when you have 10 new ones launching every month. The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max is a complete all-rounder with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor, a 6.67-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and a 108-megapixel quad camera setup. It supports 33W fast charging and has a premium glass finish to complete a great package.

Our verdict: The Redmi Note 10 Pro Max is an excellent overall package at this price. It offers decent performance, display and battery prowess. So, if you’re looking for the perfect smartphone under Rs 20,000, then your search should end with the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.

iQOO Z3

A great option for those who seek performance at an aggressive price. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G processor, 55W Flash charge support, and a 64-megapixel primary rear camera. The handset also comes with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth animation. It features a 6.58-inch Full-HD+ display and packs a 4400mAh battery. iQOO Z3 is also one of those phones that has received multiple price cuts and is available at great discounts during sales.

Our verdict –The iQOO Z3 fared well in our tests, and we liked it for its attractive design. The handset offers optimum performance and excellent battery life. However, a few things don’t go in its favour, and those are average camera performance and a display that’s not among the best in the price segment. The UI is also filled with bloatware.

Realme 8 Pro

Our last pick on the list is the Realme 8 Pro. The smartphone was launched in March and there is hardly any device that has been able to better it in this segment. Realme 8 Pro’s closest competition after all this while remains to be the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. The Realme phone features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, is powered by the same Snapdragon 720G processor and packs a 4500mAh battery with 50W SuperDart charger support. Realme also equipped the device with a 108-megapixel main camera to compete with the Xiaomi phone.

Our verdict- The Realme 8 Pro is an excellent package only if you are considering it for the camera it offers. Otherwise, there are other phones that offer similar performance or even better. The biggest thing that goes in favour of the Realme 8 Pro is it comes at a lower starting price of Rs 17,999 when compared to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.