Best Android smartphones in India (September 2018)

September 19, 2018

Best Android smartphones in India (September 2018)

If you’re in the market for the best smartphone in India and not going the iPhone way (pretty much why you’re here), there are tons of great Android options. All these devices are powerhouses brimming with features, with a few marquee elements to make them stand out.

However, form and function are subjective, and often the specifications sheet or the marketing pitch doesn’t tell you the complete picture. In this roundup, we’re looking at the absolute best Android phones in India right now.

Editor’s note: We will update this list regularly as new Android phones in India launch.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 was one of the most anticipated releases of the year and it delivered. The latest Galaxy Note is the epitome of powerhouse. It shares much of its predecessor’s design language, with flatter sides and refinements like better fingerprint scanner placement and a smaller camera visor. The Galaxy Note 9 is the latest example showing Samsung knows how to make a premium smartphone.

The phone doesn’t compromise on its hardware at any point. You get the Snapdragon 845 processor onboard, with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, up to 512GB of built-in storage, and a 4,000mAh battery. It’s a power user’s dream.

The Galaxy Note 9 features the best smartphone display around, with numbers to prove it. It’s got the exact same setup as the Galaxy S9 Plus, with a few new software tricks to further enhance an already excellent experience.

Some may consider the Galaxy Note 9 a slightly bigger Galaxy S9 Plus. That’s not far off, but it ignores the Note 9’s defining feature — the S-Pen. Samsung has brought more value and convenience with the stylus every year, and the Galaxy Note 9’s S-Pen comes with a lot of new features and capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is as premium as it gets, so it’s no surprise this is reflected in its price tag. The 6GB of RAM and 128GB of built-in storage version is priced at 67,900 rupees (~$934), while the 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage iteration will set you back 84,900 rupees(~$1,168).

Specs

6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with 2960 x 1440 resolution
2.7GHz octa-core Exynos 9810 processor
Mali-G72 MP 18
6/8GB RAM
128/256/512GB of built-in storage, expandable via microSD card up to 512GB (uses SIM 2 slot)
12MP and 12MP rear cameras, 8MP front-facing camera
dual-SIM (dual standby) – hybrid slot
4,000mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm, 201grams

Buy on Amazon

LG G7 Plus ThinQ

It certainly took a while to get here, but LG has finally launched its 2018 flagship in India.

The LG G7 Plus ThinQ is almost identical to the G7 ThinQ, but comes with 6GB of RAM and 128 of built-in storage. Everything else remains the same, from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and big 6.1-inch LCD display, to the concealable notch.

The phone only has one speaker, but its Boombox feature turns the inner space of the phone into an acoustic chamber, making the native audio sound very loud.

It also has two noise-canceling microphones and a technology called “Voice Resilient Voice Recognition,” which allows the phone to pick up voice commands in noisier environments from up to 16 feet away. That’s helpful if you want to use the Google Assistant digital helper, though it also has its own dedicated hardware button on the side.

The phone includes two rear 16MP cameras, one standard and one wide angle, and one 8MP front camera. Both front and rear cameras support portrait mode.

As with LG’s previous flagships, the LG G7 Plus ThinQ deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. LG also priced the device quite aggressively in India, at just 39,990 rupees (~$550). It’s not the most affordable flagship on this list, but it certainly has a huge leg up over the latest and greatest from Samsung, Huawei, and Google.

Specs

6.1-inch IPS LCD display with 3120 x 1440 resolution
2.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
6GB of RAM
128GB built-in storage, expandable via microSD up to 512GB (uses SIM2 slot)
Dual 16MP rear cameras, 8 MP front camera
Dual SIM (dual standbY0
3,000mAh battery
Android 8.0 Oreo
153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm, 162grams

Buy on Flipkart

Xiaomi POCO F1

Xiaomi Poco F1

Xiaomi introduced a new sub-brand called POCO in India, with its first device being the F1. The phone’s name promises speed, and Xiaomi certainly delivers in that department. The POCO F1 is the only smartphone in its price range with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor.

Backing the fast processor is 6GB or 8GB of RAM, with up to 256GB of built-in storage available. With specs like a far more expensive flagship, the POCO F1 starts at just 20,999 rupees (~$289).

Unfortunately the phone’s underwhelming design betrays its flagship specs. The polycarbonate backing is simple, and the large notch and relatively thick bezels don’t look great. For those wanting a more premium look, the highest-end variant’s kevlar back looks and feels much better.

Aside from the design, the POCO F1 delivers in other departments. The phone absolutely flies and the large battery ensures impressive battery life. If performance and battery life are important to you, the POCO F1 is one of the best in this price range. The cameras are good, though inconsistent. The software experience is great, with Xiaomi aiming for a more stock-like feel with the new Poco Launcher (based on MIUI 9.6 based on Android 8.1 Oreo).

As mentioned, the POCO F1 starts at just 20,999 rupees for the 6GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage version and doubling the storage will set you back an additional 3,000 rupees. It’s truly impressive that the iteration with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage — flagship specs by any standard — is also just 28,999 rupees (~$399). The kevlar edition of the device is the most expensive of the lot, with a price point of 29,999 rupees (~$412).

Specs

6.18-inch IPS LCD display with 2246 x 1080 resolution
2.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
Adreno 630 GPU
6/8GB RAM
64/128/256GB of built-in storage, expandable via microSD up to 256GB (uses SIM 2 slot)
12MP and 5MP rear cameras, 20MP front-facing camera
dual-SIM (dual standby) – hybrid slot
4,000mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
155.5 x 75.3 x 8.8mm, 180grams

Get the Xiaomi POCO F1

Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus

The Galaxy S9 Plus.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus may appear quite similar to their predecessors, but they actually feature quite a few upgrades and improvements across the board. The overall design language remains largely the same, now with reduced bezels above and below the gorgeous infinity displays for a more manageable handling experience. The fingerprint scanner has also been moved to a much better position and no longer feels like an awkward stretch to reach.

Samsung also finally decided to focus on an area with which its struggled in the past — audio. The Galaxy S9 devices are the first Samsung smartphones to feature stereo speakers tuned by AKG. Samsung also partnered with Dolby to add the Atmos codec to the Galaxy S9 to provide an enhanced, immersive experience.

The Galaxy S9 camera is a 12MP super speed dual pixel sensor, while its larger sibling tacks on a secondary 12MP telephoto lens. There a bunch of new software features like multi-frame image processing, and 960 fps slo-mo video capture, and the camera even has a dual-aperture lens. If you’re looking for a smartphone with a great camera, these Samsung flagships definitely delivery. Apart from the larger display and the dual rear camera setup, the Galaxy S9 Plus also comes with 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB with the Galaxy S9.

The 64GB versions of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus are priced at 57,900 rupees (~$796) and 64,900 rupees (~$892) respectively, and the 256GB versions cost 64,900 rupees and 71,900 rupees (~$989). Falling in the middle of that price range is the 128GB variant. A lot more competition has popped up as the year has progressed, but these phones are still among the best Android phones in India right now.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy S9

5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with 2960 x 1440 resolution
2.8GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 8910 processor
Mali-G72 MP18 GPU
4GB RAM
64/128/256GB built-in storage, further expandable via microSD up to 400GB
12MP rear camera, 8MP front-facing camera
3,000mAh battery
Android 8.0 Oreo
147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm, 163gram

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

6.2-inch Super AMOLED display with 2960 x 1440 resolution
2.8GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 8910 processor
Mali-G72 MP18 GPU
6GB RAM
64/128/256GB built-in storage, further expandable via microSD up to 400GB
12MP and 12MP dual rear cameras, 8MP front-facing camera
3,500mAh battery
Android 8.0 Oreo
158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm, 189grams

Buy on Flipkart (Galaxy S9)

Buy on Flipkart (Galaxy S9 Plus)

Huawei P20 Pro

Dual rear camera setups have almost become standard in the smartphone space. So of course, Huawei had to push the boundary and tack on a third camera with its latest flagship, the P20 Pro. However, this is more than just a gimmick. The P20 Pro has one of the best smartphone cameras around, offering a DSLR-like experience and quality.

Each camera serves a different purpose. The main 40MP sensor captures rich color, the 20MP secondary monochrome sensor captures additional details, and the third 8MP telephoto lens is used for zoom and additional focal length. A bunch of features like 3X optical zoom, 5X hybrid zoom, 4D predictive focus, 960fps slo-mo recording, and more are available. The camera also has Huawei’s new AI-assisted stabilization (AIS), which lets the P20 Pro take long-exposure shots without a tripod. You also get a great 24MP shooter up front.

However, it’s not all about the camera (though that’s more than enough reason to buy this phone for some). You also get excellent performance, courtesy of its flagship hardware, and an impressive battery life, and a Full HD+ display. The P20 Pro is also a beautifully designed smartphone, though only one color variant is currently available in India.

The only variant of the Huawei P20 Pro in India with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is priced at an expensive 64,999 rupees (~$881). It is worth every penny for the camera alone and it’s easily one of the best Android phones in India right now.

Specs

6.1-inch AMOLED display with 2240 x 1080 resolution
2.4GHz octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor
Mali-G72 MP12 GPU
6GB RAM
128GB built-in storage, not expandable
40MP, 20MP, and 8MP triple rear cameras, 24MP front-facing camera
4,000mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
155 x 73.9 x 7.8mm, 180grams

Buy on Amazon

OnePlus 6

OnePlus 6 review

OnePlus continues to push the boundaries of price vs. specifications with the OnePlus 6. You get a new all-glass build and a notched display design this time around.

Unsurprisingly, this phone also has the latest and greatest specs available — a Snapdragon 845 SoC, 6 or 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. The cameras have improved this time around too, with a dual 16 and 20MP rear camera setup. There are also slow-motion video modes for 720p footage at 480fps and 1080p at 240fps. You can also shoot 4K video at 60fps.

While everything about the OnePlus 6 screams “premium,” the company’s aggressive pricing strategy remains in place. The price of OnePlus’ flagships have admittedly increased over the years, but the OnePlus 6 is still cheaper than phones like the Galaxy S9 or the Huawei P20 Pro, or even older flagships like the Google Pixel 2 XL.

The OnePlus 6 will also probably be one of the first devices to receive Android P when it launches. If you don’t want to splurge on the Pixel 2 or wait for the Pixel 3 series, the OnePlus 6 is an excellent alternative for those looking for timely software updates.

The OnePlus 6 starts at just 34,999 rupees (~$479) for the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage iteration. The 8GB RAM variants are priced at 39,999 rupees (~$547) and 43,999 rupees (~$600), coming with 128GB and 256GB of built-in storage respectively. With its impressive specifications and more affordable price, the OnePlus 6 is one of the best Android phones in India right now.

Specs

6.28-inch AMOLED display with 2280 x 1080 resolution
2.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
Adreno 630 GPU
6/8GB RAM
64/128/256GB built-in storage, not expandable
16MP and 20MP dual rear cameras, 16MP front-facing camera
3,300mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8mm, 177grams

Buy on Amazon

Asus Zenfone 5Z

OnePlus may have started the trend of the affordable flagship, but now many competitors are looking to make their own mark in this segment. Asus is back with a bang this summer in India with a couple of fantastic offerings. One undercuts Xiaomi in the mid-range market, and the other —the Zenfone 5Z — takes on the OnePlus 6 and other high-end phones in the flagship arena.

The specs sheet of the Zenfone 5Z looks very similar to that of the OnePlus 6. You get the Snapdragon 845, 6 or 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of built-in storage, and a 3,300mAh battery. The OnePlus 6 has a leg up, at least on paper, in the camera department, with the Zenfone 5Z coming with a 12MP and 8MP dual rear camera setup and an 8MP front-facing shooter.

Asus has liberally tacked the term “AI” on to various features of the phone, which oversells the actual capabilities of the device. However some features are impressive. AI Charging stops the phone from charging to 100 percent overnight. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a fully charged phone, it just means the phone will charge to 100 percent right before you wake up, once it gets to know your sleeping habits.

The ZenFone 5Z also comes with two five-magnet stereo speakers driven by dual amplifiers to ensure maximum volume. It also supports Hi-Res Audio files encoded at up to 24-bit/192KHz sample rates and supports DTS Headphone:X for 7.2-channel virtual surround-sound when using headphones.

The Zenfone 5Z is slightly more affordable than the OnePlus 6, which makes it a more enticing option for some. The 6GB RAM and 64GB storage version is priced at just 29,999 rupees (~$410). The 8GB RAM iterations with 128GB and 256GB of storage are priced at 32,999 rupees (~450) and 36,999 rupees (~$505) respectively.

Specs

6.2-inch AMOLED display with 2246 x 1080 resolution
2.7GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
Adreno 630 GPU
6/8GB RAM
64/128/256GB built-in storage, expandable via microSD up to 512GB
12MP and 8MP dual rear cameras, 8MP front-facing camera
3,300mAh battery
Android 8.0 Oreo
153 x 75.7 x 7.9mm, 155grams

Buy on Flipkart

Honor 10

Honor 10 front no notch

Honor made a name for itself in the entry-level and mid-range Indian market. Now the company is hoping to continue that success in the affordable flagship category with the Honor 10.

The Honor 10 has the same processing package, RAM, and built-in storage as the Huawei P20 Pro, so expect great performance. There are obvious differences between the two of course, but if performance is what you’re looking for, the Honor 10 deliver a flagship level at half the price. The Honor 10 features a beautiful notched display, with the now expected dual rear camera setup of 16MP and 24MP shooters. Up front is an impressive 24MP unit as well.

The Honor 10 is not only in direct competition with the OnePlus 6 and the Asus Zenfone 5Z, but with one of its own devices — the Honor View 10. The View 10 has the same processing package, but the cameras aren’t as good. However, the View 10 has a more standard design (no notch) some may prefer, is slightly cheaper, and is one of the best Android phones in India under 30,000 rupees.

Speaking of price, the Honor 10 is not that much more expensive. Only one version of the device is currently available in India with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and is priced at just 32,999 rupees (~$450).

Specs

5.84-inch IPS LCD display with 2280 x 1080 resolution
2.4GHz octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor
Mali-G72 MP12 GPU
6GB RAM
128GB built-in storage, not expandable
16MP and 24MP rear cameras, 24MP front-facing camera
3,400mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
149.6 x 71.2 x 7.7mm, 155grams

Honor 10 review

Buy on Flipkart

Special mentions – Oppo Find X and Vivo Nex

Vivo Nex

Ever since the launch of infinite displays and the 18:9 (and beyond) display aspect ratio, OEMs have seemingly been working towards the goal of a bezel-less smartphone. We’ve seen devices with notched displays, and devices like the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S put the camera below the display.

None have managed to do as much as Oppo and Vivo. The Oppo Find X and the Vivo Nex feature impressive screen-to-body-ratios of 92.5 percent and 91.2 percent respectively, offering unique solutions to the front-facing camera issue that an all-screen design creates.

The Vivo Nex’s front-facing camera is housed inside the chassis of the phone and pops up when required. You get a huge display but a handling experience that is manageable enough courtesy of the reduced bezels. The Vivo phone brings a cutting-edge in-display fingerprint scanner.

Oppo takes things one step further with the Find X by keeping both the front and back completely plain. All the cameras are housed in a rising window, which pops up whenever the camera is needed. There is no fingerprint scanner though, with Oppo utilizing 3D mapping and face recognition software to let you unlock the device. This means every time you want to unlock the phone the window pops up, which I have to admit looks really cool.

OPPO Find X

Both phones feature the latest and greatest hardware, so you aren’t compromising on performance just get a unique looking phone. However, these devices come under special mentions because it’s still not known how these devices will survive the test of time.

The Vivo Nex has its fair share of issues. The in-display fingerprint scanner isn’t nearly as fast as a regular one and often requires multiple attempts to unlock the phone. The software also seems to slow the device down despite its high-end specs it features. The Oppo Find X is definitely the more refined and the better option of the two, but it’s also more expensive. Having the top pop up every time you need to unlock it may be problematic in the future. Durability is a concern, since there aren’t any cases currently available to protect the all-glass smartphone.

Both the Oppo Find X and the Vivo Nex are solid first attempts at what will hopefully be the future of the smartphone, just don’t be suprised if some teething problems pop up. The Find X comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and is priced at 59,990 rupees (~$820). The Vivo Nex offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and will set you back 44,990 rupees (~$615).

Specs

Oppo Find X

6.42-inch AMOLED display with 2340 x 1080 resolution
2.8GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
Adreno 630 GPU
8GB RAM
256GB built-in storage, not expandable
16MP and 20MP rear cameras, 25MP front-facing camera
3,730mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
156.7 x 74.2 x 9.4mm, 186gram

Vivo Nex

6.59-inch Super AMOLED display with 2316 x 1080 resolution
2.7GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
Adreno 630 GPU
8GB RAM
128GB built-in storage, not expandable
12MP and 5MP rear cameras, 8MP front-facing camera
4,000mAh battery
Android 8.1 Oreo
162 x 77 x 8mm, 199gram

Buy on Flipkart (Oppo Find X)

Buy on Amazon (Vivo Nex)

There you have it — these are some of the best Android phones in India! While this list focuses on new releases, 2017 flagships — like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the LG V30 Plus, and the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL — are all still great choices.

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