Best Camera Smartphones Under 20000: Realme XT, Vivo Z1X, Realme 5 Pro, Galaxy M30s, Mi A3, Poco F1, Y9 Prime, Note 7 Pro, Galaxy M40

With the Amazon and Flipkart sales set to start, it’s the right time to pick a good smartphone. Today we are covering the best camera smartphone under 20000. There are some awesome mid-range camera smartphones available in the segment, and we will be picking out the best. 

The devices on the list ensure top camera performance without compromising on premium performance.  

Realme XT wins big here, grabbing the top spot on the list, followed by new stalwarts as Vivo Z1X, Samsung Galaxy M30s, Poco F1, Realme 5 Pro and more. Here’s the complete list of the best camera smartphones under Rs 20,000.

Realme XT

Realme XT launched the first 64MP smartphone in India with the much-hyped Samsung 64MP GW1 sensor inside a quad camera setup. While Redmi Note 8 Pro became the first in the world, soon they will compete with each other in India. It also comes the same sensor, and Note 8 Pro will launch in India in November. Unveiled a few weeks back, Realme XT is currently the best smartphone under 20000. Realme XT is a part of Realme X series, available and starting at Rs 15,999.

Rear Camera: The setup features a 64-megapixel Samsung GW1 sensor, an 8-megapixel 119-degree ultra wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel macro lens and 2-megapixel depth 4cm sensor.

Front Camera: Up front, Realme XT has the same 16-megapixel selfie camera as Realme X with HDR and AI beautification.

Camera Performance: The 64MP Samsung GW1 1/1.72? sensor on XT can create shots 1.6 micron individual pixel size using image sensing technology via Tetracell to produce 16-megapixel images in low-light. It uses 4-in-1 pixel merging technology to merge four 0.8 micron pixels into a single 1.6-micron pixel to offer detailed images in low light conditions. It can shoot raw 64MP photos with the main sensor.

XT takes good detailed and sharp pictures in bright light with accurate colours. In poorly lit conditions, the Realme smartphone manages to click decent photos with almost accurate details and colours. We are yet to test the camera in-depth, but the initial results are very impressive.

The dynamic range is good and it captures quite accurate details and produce good colours. The HDR works fine, and the ultra-wide lens work fine. The macro lens and portrait sensor does their job decently.

Realme XT is first 64MP camera smartphone in India. The smartphone comes with an AMOLED display, in-display fingerprint sensor, Snapdragon 712 processor, fast charging, quad camera system with the 64MP processor.

Vivo Z1X

The Vivo Z1 Pro successor comes with a water-drop styled notched AMOLED display with narrow bezels on the sides and slightly thin chin. Vivo Z1X will be powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 SoC as Z1 Pro. The smartphone will come with a 6.38-inch Full-HD Super AMOLED display, to come in two storage options upto 128GB storage with upto 6GB of RAM featuring a triple camera system powered by a 48-megapixel primary sensor. 

Rear Camera: Vivo Z1X features a 48MP Sony IMX582 primary lens with ultra-wide angle 8-megapixel secondary sensor and finally a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

Front Camera: Upfront, the Vivo phone packs in a 32-megapixel selfie shooter.

Camera Performance: Vivo Z1X offers some great camera performance doing a good job for its price in terms of overall photography. Maybe not be better than Redmi K20 (which features the same Sony sensor), but not bad either. The contrast is great, details are fine, colors are great and the sensors do their job well. HDR improves dynamic range and the wide-angle camera does use the lens correctly to come in handy at times.

Vivo Z1X houses a 4,500mAh battery supporting 22W Vivo FlashCharge technology and an in-display fingerprint sensor. Vivo Z1X starts at Rs 16,990 in India, available via Flipkart for the base model with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. The other variant comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, available at Rs 18,990.

Realme X

Realme finally been launched the much anticipated Realme X smartphone country India last month. It has been trending in the country since then, and the pricing of Redmi K20 has worked as a favour for the new Realme smartphone. Backed by some sleek features, the new Realme X device turns out to be a top contender at under Rs 20,000 with a full-screen AMOLED display, pop-up sensor, in-display fingerprint sensor, 48MP camera and more.

Rear Camera: The device comes with a 48-megapixel primary camera along with a 5-megapixel secondary sensor on the back.

Front Camera: Up front, Realme X has a 16-megapixel selfie camera.

Camera Performance: Realme X can take good detailed and sharp pictures in bright light with accurate colours. In poorly lit conditions, the device manages to click decent photos with almost accurate details and colours. Some images come out oversaturated.

It’s the first Realme notch-less smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 710 chip featuring a full-screen AMOLED display with an in-display fingerprint sensor embedded beneath the display.

Realme X is available via Flipkart starting at Rs 16,999 for the base model with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. At the back, Realme X comes with dual cameras featuring the 48MP Sony IMX 586 sensor as the primary shooter. The company also launched a couple of special Realme X variants: Spiderman and Onion Garlic.

Poco F1

After the recent price cut, Poco F1 is now available starting at Rs 17,999 in India. Poco F1 is currently one of the best smartphones you can buy at under 20,000 rupees. Poco F1 comes with a 6.18-inch Full HD+ display offering a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels in an 18.7:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, Poco F1 runs on the previous Qualcomm flagship Snapdragon 845 SoC coupled with Adreno 630 GPU.

Rear Camera: In terms of optics, Poco F1 comes with a dual rear camera setup offering a combination of 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel secondary camera

Front Camera: Upfront, Poco F1 features a 20-megapixel selfie camera.

Camera Performance: The dynamic range is good and it captures quite accurate details and produce good colours.

It’s backed by a non-removable Li-Po 4,000 mah battery running on Android 8.1 Oreo with a special Poco customised MIUI 9.6 skin on top. The Xiaomi flagship is backed by 6GB or 8GB RAM and 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage respectively. The memory can be further expanded up to 256GB via an additional microSD card.

Realme 5 Pro

Realme 5 Pro comes with a high quality polycarbonate body on the out sporting a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ for protection. The device offers a screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels with a water drop notch on top. Realme 5 Pro is powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 712 SoC, the same chip which powers Vivo Z1 Pro with 4GB, 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage.

Rear Camera: Realme 5 Pro is the only quad rear camera smartphone under Rs 15,000 with a primary 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 primary sensor. The f/1.8 sensor couples with an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle with an f/2.25 aperture and a 119-degree wide-angle lens.

Front Camera: Upfront the device comes with a 16-megapixel Sony IMX471 selfie camera.

Camera Performance: Pictures taken in normal model on the new Realme 5 Pro come out sharp and crisp.. They are well detailed with great contrast, but the colors are not exactly accurate, but it can be fixed via some updates. You will notice that the smartphone uses AI to boost up the colours, which can be controlled to an extent. Orelse, it works fine.

The HDR mode works well adding details in shadows and highlights. 

Chrome Boost helps to improve the dynamic range and dial up the colours to a huge extent. The last two lenses are a 2-megapixel macro lens and a 2-megapixel portrait lens with f/2.4 aperture. You can take some good macro shots, while the portraits lack details.

Both the cameras upfront and back offer electronic image stabilisation (EIS). Realme 5 Pro runs on a sizable 4,035mAh battery supporting VOOC 3.0 fast charging along with the compatible 20W fast charger in the box. Overall, it’s a great camera smartphone on a budget offering great results in all the departments.

Xiaomi Mi A3

The third generation Mi A3 has been unveiled recently, and the smartphone will sell starting at Rs 12,999 in the country. With a very good 3D curved glass design on the out, Mi A3 feels very premium and compact. It features a 6.08-inch HD+ AMOLED display with a circular drop styled notch and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The handset comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor, full-glass body with gradient finish and a triple camera system.

Rear Camera: At the back Mi A3 comes with a triple camera system featuring the 48-megapixel primary Sony IMX 586 sensor, an 8-megapixel secondary sensor with a 118-degree and a wide-angle 2-megapixel tertiary sensor. 

Front Camera: Upfront, Mi A3 features a 32-megapixel selfie camera. It can take some great wide-shots, even in low-light.

Camera Performance: The new Mi A3 offers some great camera performance on a budget. With the three camera setup at the back, the price justifies for the performance it offers. It matches the likes of Note 7 Pro and Realme 5 Pro, and at times better. The contrast is great, details are good, colors are accurate and natural. The wide-angle lens come in handy at times.

Xiaomi Mi A3 is powered by Snapdragon 665 SoC coupled with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage. Both the variants of the Mi A smartphone supports UFS 2.1 storage capabilities. The device is backed by a 4,000+mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging (ships with standard 10W charger in the box).

Samsung Galaxy M30s

Samsung has finally unveiled the latest variant of the it’s hit Galaxy M30 smartphone in the country, Galaxy M30S. An upgrade over the predecessor, Galaxy M30S comes with a humongous 6,000mAh battery, 48MP powered triple camera system, new Exynos 9611 chip and more. Galaxy M30S has been launched at a similar price as the old M30 smartphone, starting at Rs 13,999 in a single variant.

Rear Camera: The triple camera system on Galaxy M30 features a 48-megapixel primary shooter coupled with an 8MP ultra wide-angle sensor and a 5MP depth sensor with support for Live Focus.

Front Camera: Upfront, Samsung Galaxy M30s comes with a 16-megapixel wide sensor.

Camera Performance: The Galaxy M30s offers some great camera performance on a budget. The 48MP camera sensor do a good job with the details. It matches the likes of Note 7 Pro and Xiaomi Mi A3, and at times better. The contrast is great, details are good, colors are accurate and natural. The wide-angle lens come in handy at times.

The smartphone runs on Samsung’s own in-house Exynos 9611 SoC octa-core chip coupled with 4GB of RAM. Galaxy M30s runs on Android Android 9 Pie with One UI on top backed by a massive 6,000mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging (ships with the fast charging supported adapter in the box). The base model of Galaxy M30s starts at Rs 13,999.

Huawei Y9 Prime

Huawei launched its first pop-up sensor smartphone in the country, the Y9 Prime. The new Huawei Y9 Prime is also the most affordable pop-up sensor smartphone available in the country right now. The device comes with a 6.59-inch FullView display with a 91 percent screen-to-body ratio. The new Huawei smartphone runs on an octa-core Kirin 710F chipset, a slightly improved version of the existing Kirin 710 chip clocked at 2.2 GHz.

Rear Camera: The triple camera setup on Huawei Y9 Prime comprises of a 16MP primary sensor, 8MP secondary sensor and a 2MP tertiary depth sensor.

Front Camera: Up front, Y9 Prime packs in a 16MP pop-up selfie camera.

Camera Performance: All photos come out sharp and well detailed with top contrast and almost accurate colors. The HDR mode works well adding details in shadows and highlights. 

Huawei Y9 Prime is going to be available in a single variant in the country with 4GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. Huawei Y9 Prime houses a large 4,000 mAh battery with support for fast charging running on EMUI 9.0 based on Android 9 Pie. Huawei Y9 Prime is priced at Rs 15,990, to be available exclusively via Amazon.

Motorola One Vision

The recently-launched Motorola One Vision is takes the second spot to join the top smartphones under 20,000 list in the country. The new Moto device runs on Google’s Android One program offering Pixel-like seamless user interface. Moto One Vision flaunts a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with 21:9 aspect taller display ratio and 3D Corning Gorilla Glass on the back. 

Rear Camera: The device comes with a 48-megapixel primary camera along with a 5-megapixel secondary sensor on the back.

Front Camera: Up front, Motorola One Vision has a 25-megapixel selfie camera.

Camera Performance: With the 48MP Sony IMX 586 sensor, the device takes some great shots. All photos come out sharp and well detailed with top contrast and almost accurate colors. The HDR mode works well adding details in shadows and highlights. 

Motorola One Vision is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 9609 processor with 4GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage. The storage can be further expanded with an external microSD card. The device runs on Android 9.0 Pie with guaranteed upgrade till the next two versions, Android Q and Android R. It houses a 3,500mAh battery supporting 15W fast charging technology.

Redmi Note 7 Pro

Starting with the most-popular smartphone in the list, Redmi Note 7 Pro continues to top the list of current best smartphones under 20,000 rupees. The top mid-range smartphone from Redmi comes with a premium glass design body on the out sandwiched between Corning Gorilla Glass 5 body. Redmi Note 7 Pro on top has a 6.3-inch Full HD+ dot notched display.

Rear Camera: At the back, Redmi Note 7 Pro packs in a dual camera system comprising of the 48MP Sony IMX 586 sensor as its primary lens coupled with a 5MP secondary depth sensor.

Front Camera: Upfront, Redmi Note 7 Pro packs in a 13-megapixel wide shooter.

Camera Performance: It comes with the original 48MP Sony IMX 586 sensor. All photos come out sharp and well detailed with top contrast and almost accurate colors. At times, the camera struggles to capture details, if you zoom in. The HDR mode works well adding details in shadows and highlights. Colours are very natural compared to rivals.

Note 7 Pro runs on the 11nm Snapdragon 675 processor with on MIUI 10 top based on Android 9 Pie backed by a 4,000mAh battery supporting 18W fast charge. The smartphone is available starting at just Rs 13,999 via Flipkart and Mi.com.

Samsung Galaxy M40

The latest Galaxy M Samsung smartphone comes with a punch-hole display, an Infinity-O Display panel. It was the first smartphone to be launched with a hole-punch camera design in the midrange segment. The smartphone packs in a fingerprint sensor at the back with a triple rear camera setup. On top, Samsung Galaxy M40 comes with a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a screen resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels with the Infinity-O cut.

Rear Camera: In terms of optics, Galaxy M40 packs in a triple camera system featuring a 32-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.7 aperture. Additionally there’s a 5-megapixel secondary depth sensor with an f/2.2 aperture.

Finally there’s an 8-megapixel tertiary sensory with an ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture and 123 degree wide angle view with AI supported features.

Front Camera: Upfront, the smartphone has a 16-megapixel selfie camera.

Camera Performance: The Galaxy M40 offers some great camera performance on a budget. One of the only smartphones to come with a three camera setup, the price justifies for the performance it offers. The wide-angle lens come in handy at times. The contrast is great, details are good, colors are accurate and natural. 

Galaxy M40 runs on Snapdragon 675 SoC coupled with 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage on Android 9 Pie with company’s own One UI on top, backed by a 3,500mAh battery supporting 15W wired fast charging technology. The device is available exclusively via Amazon India in a single variant at Rs 19,990.