The Poco X6 Neo, like the Poco X6 and Poco X6 Pro, looks like a winner on paper. If it’s as good, then probably it could end up being one of the best smartphones to buy under Rs 20,000 even if at the expense of its own sibling Redmi’s Note 13. The Poco X6 Neo is basically a Redmi Note 13 for less money.
Having said that, what if it’s not your cup of tea? Either the design is too flashy, or Poco’s software choices leaving you asking for more, there could be different reasons. Don’t fret because there are options a plenty. Some of them have launched only recently, like the iQOO Z9 and Realme 12. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is probably the most sought-after at this price.
If you’re in the market with a budget of less than Rs 20,000, and the Poco X6 Neo isn’t what you want to get, here are five alternatives phones to consider right now.
- iQOO Z9 — The iQOO Z9 is billed as the fastest phone under Rs 20,000 at the time of writing (though very soon, Vivo is set to launch the T3 with the same MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor, possible at an even lower price). The choice of chip isn’t its only highlight. The iQOO Z9 also has a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 primary sensor with OIS also with 4K video recording capability (@30fps). The phone runs Android 14 rightly out of the gate and starts at Rs 19,999 for 8GB/128GB. Given that it also packs quality-of-life updates including a fast AMOLED display, dual speakers, Wi-Fi 6 and IP54 rating, the slightly higher asking price is worth looking at, at least.
- OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite — Easily the best smartphones to get under Rs 20,000, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite brings the signature OnePlus fast and smooth experience to a wider mass market. Don’t let its IPS LCD display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor bog you down. The Nord CE 3 Lite excels as an all-rounder in every sense of the word, without breaking your bank. It currently starts at Rs 17,999 for 8GB/128GB.
- Realme 12 — There’s lots to like about the Realme 12. It has a fast 120Hz screen, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus processor, Android 14, and a 108-megapixel main camera. The Realme 12 also packs Realme capsule, iPhone’s dynamic island like notification system, and a dynamic button feature that lets you assign up to seven long press functions to the power button (which also doubles as a fingerprint reader). It starts at Rs 16,999 for 6GB/128GB.
- Lava Blaze Curve — The Lava Blaze Curve is stacked with a curved 120Hz AMOLED screen, MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, and 5,000mAh battery. Though it runs the older Android 13, Lava’s big sales pitch is that it’s offering a near stock experience without any ads or unwanted apps/bloatware. The Blaze Curve 5G starts at Rs 17,999 for 8GB/128GB.
- Samsung Galaxy A15 — The Galaxy A15 comes with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus chip, triple rear camera setup with 50-megapixel primary sensor, and 5,000mAh battery. Running the show is Samsung’s One UI 6.0 based on Android 14 with a promise of 4 years of major OS and 5 years of security updates, something that no other brand offers at this price. The A15 starts at Rs 17,999 for
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