The Best Camera Phones Under ₹20,000 in 2025

Finding a great camera phone under ₹20,000 used to be a long shot. Now, the real challenge is choosing from a flood of good options. Budget phones have finally closed the gap, offering features like sharp 50MP sensors, optical stabilization, and even 4K video that were once reserved for flagships.

But not all budget cameras are created equal. We’ve tested the top contenders to cut through the noise. Here are the best camera phones you can buy in India for under ₹20,000 right now.

How We Picked the Best

To find our winners, we didn’t just read spec sheets. We took these phones out and shot with them in various conditions bright daylight, tricky indoor lighting, and at night. We compared portrait modes, video stability, and selfie quality to see which phones delivered the most reliable results for your money.

1. vivo T4R

The vivo T4R one of the few phones in this segment that can shoot 4K video from both its 50MP rear camera and its 32MP front camera. The main sensor also includes OIS, which helps smooth out shaky footage when you’re walking and talking.

Photos are detailed and colorful thanks to the Sony IMX882 sensor. While the 2MP depth sensor doesn’t add much, the main camera is a solid performer. It shares many specs with its cousin, the iQOO Z10R, but vivo’s slightly better image tuning gives it the edge.

It packs a 6.77-inch 120Hz 1080p AMOLED display, Dimensity 7400 chip, and a 5,700 mAh battery with 44W charging. The device runs on Funtouch OS 15 and will receive 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security updates. Note that the device comes with UFS 2.2 storage.

2. Infinix GT 30

The Infinix GT 30 is a gaming phone first, but its camera is no slouch. The 64MP main sensor captures plenty of detail in good light, and the 144Hz 1.5K AMOLED display makes your photos look stunning.

While its low-light performance isn’t the best in this group, it’s more than capable for social media posts and casual photography. If you spend most of your time gaming but still want a reliable camera for daily snaps, the GT 30 strikes a great balance.

It runs on the Dimensity 7400 chip and features a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, plus a 5,500 mAh battery with 45W charging. It comes with a bunch of gaming features and runs on XOS 15 based on Android 15. Infinix has promised 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security updates. The GT 30 also comes with UFS 2.2 storage.

ALSO READ: Infinix GT 30 5G Review: A Gaming Powerhouse That Punches Above Its Weight

3. realme P4

The realme P4 is our pick because its camera handles image processing really well. It’s 50 MP main and 8 MP ultra-wide cameras capture good images and videos too. The sensors are not the largest, but if you are looking for a reliable camera for day-to-day use, then the realme P4 is a good choice. The front camera is 16MP.

But its real advantage is UFS 3.1 storage. In simple terms, this means apps open faster and the phone feels snappier than its competitors, which mostly use the older UFS 2.2 standard. Combine that with a colossal 7,000 mAh battery and super-fast 80W charging, and you have a workhorse that won’t let you down. Plus, Realme promises a class-leading 3 years of OS updates. It includes a 6.7-inch 144Hz 1080p AMOLED display and 80W charging.

4. CMF Phone 2 Pro

The CMF Phone 2 Pro stands out with its telephoto lens, something rare under ₹20,000. It includes a 50 MP main camera (1/1.57-inch, PDAF), 50 MP telephoto (2X optical), and 8 MP ultra-wide lens. The 2X zoom adds creative options, and the large main sensor is also nice. 

The 16 MP front camera is fine. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is for someone who likes to take their shots and then edit them in post. There are also options for LUTs built into the camera app. However, there’s no OIS on any lens, and the app sometimes lags.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro runs on the Dimensity 7300 Pro chip and sports a 6.77-inch 120Hz 1080p AMOLED display. It has a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging. The device runs on Nothing OS 3, and comes with 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates. Unfortunately, the device comes with UFS 2.2 storage.

The CMF Phone 2 Pro does something unheard of in this price range: it includes a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. This isn’t a blurry digital crop; it’s a real lens that lets you get closer to your subject without losing quality, making it perfect for portraits and creative shots.

The main camera’s large sensor also performs well, and the built-in LUTs (think of them as professional filters) are great for creators who love to edit their photos. The only catch is the lack of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), so you’ll need a steady hand for night shots. Still, for pure camera versatility, nothing else at this price comes close.

ALSO READ: CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: Budget ‘Pro’ Phone Done Right?

5. iQOO Z10R

The iQOO Z10R gives a similar camera experience to the vivo T4R. Its 50 MP main sensor (1/1.95-inch, PDAF, OIS) and 2 MP depth lens produce decent shots, with 4K video on both sides. Stabilization can wobble, though.

The iQOO Z10R packs a 6.77-inch 120Hz 1080p AMOLED display, Dimensity 7400 chip, and a 5,700 mAh battery with 44W charging. It runs on Funtouch OS 15 and will receive 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security updates. Again, the Z10R also comes with UFS 2.2 storage.

ALSO READ: iQOO Z10R Quick Review: What I Liked & What Could’ve Been Better

Comparing the Best Camera Phones Under ₹20,000

These are the best camera phones under ₹20,000 in 2025. The vivo T4R and iQOO Z10R are great choices if you want 4K video recording on both front and rear cameras, while the realme P4 stands out as the most balanced option for daily use with reliable image quality and smooth performance. 

Bottomline

The CMF Phone 2 Pro is ideal for those who take photography seriously, offering a telephoto lens and strong post-editing potential. For the vast majority of people, the realme P4 is the smartest buy. It offers a reliable camera, fantastic battery life, fast performance, and the best software support for just ₹16,999. The Infinix GT 30 is a solid pick for gamers who also care about photography. Choose the one that fits your needs best, and share which one you’d pick in the comments below. Which one would you pick? Let us know in the comments!

Which Phone is Right for You?

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