In 2020, the smartphone market grew rapidly because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The use of smartphones nearly doubled in Nepal due to work from home and online classes. People wanted to buy powerful smartphones with more ram – which led to competition for smartphone companies.
According to the Department of Customs, till December, Nepal imported phones worth 17 billion Nepali Rupees. Nepal imported more than 2.7 million mobile phone sets. The import plunged 55 percent in the current fiscal year. Statistics show how Covid-19 impacted the growth of the smartphone market in Nepal.
The majority of Nepalis bought a budget phone under thirty thousand. However, people also liked the flagship phones in 2020. Keeping that on the list, here are 2020’s top 10 smartphones in Nepal:
10. Redmi 9C
Smartphone giant Xiamoi’s brand Redmi is popular in Nepal. This year, it came up with a budget smartphone, Redmi9C. Budget oriented people liked the price and specifications of this phone. The company targeted this phone to sell for middle-class people and students.
Key Specifications:
- 6.53″ HD+ IPS LCD Display with 20:9 aspect ratio
- MediaTek Helio G35 Octa-core processor with 4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53
- 2GB/3GB LPDDR4X RAM
- Available storage, 32GB/64GB
- 5000mAh battery with 10W micro-USB-2.0 charging
- Cameras (Rear): 13MP PDAF, f/2.2, 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), and 2MP, f/2.4 (depth)
- Camera (Front): 5MP, f/2.2
- Android 10 Operating System based on MIUI 12
- Available Sensors; Fingerprint (rear-mounted), Accelerometer, and Proximity
- Other Features; 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm headphone jack
The phone is available for Rs. 12,999 for the 2/32 GB variant. And the 3/64 GB variant costs Rs. 13,999.
9. Samsung M11
Samsung was once a company that produced Flagship smartphones. But after 2018, the company aggressively launched budget-oriented phones targeting South Asia. As a result, Samsung is becoming successful in grabbing both – budget and flagship market. M11 was launched on June 26, 2020.
Key Specifications:
- 6.4″ TFT Display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Octa-core processor with 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and Adreno 506 GPU
- 3/4 GB RAM
- Available storage, 32GB /64GB
- 5000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging capacity
- Cameras (Rear): 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 5 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), and 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
- Camera (Front) : 8MP, f/2.0
- Android 10 Operating System based on One UI 2.0
- Available Sensors: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), Accelerometer, and Proximity
- Other Features: Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm headphone jack
Samsung M11 costs Rs. 12,999 for 2/32 GB. And Rs. 14,999 for 3/64GB.
8. Redmi Note 9 Pro Smartphone Series
Redmi released Note 9 Pro and Note 9 Pro Max on June 26. These phones give flagship specifications at a low price. The two versions of smartphones rocketed Redmi’s sales in the market. The arrival of other brands resulted in Redmi keeping these phones’ prices low in Nepal.
Key Specifications:
- 60Hz 6.67″ IPS LCD display with 20:9 aspect ratio
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Octa-core processor with 618 GPU
- 4/6GB RAM in Pro and 6/8GB in Pro Max
- 64/128 GB ROM (UFS 2.1 in Pro Max)
- 5020mAh battery with 18W (33W in Pro Max) fast charging
- Cameras (Rear): 48 MP primary (64MP in Pro Max), 8MP (wide-angle) with 5MP (macro) Lens, and 2MP (depth)
- Camera (Front): 16 MP (32MP in Pro Max), f/2.5
- Android 10 Operating System based on MIUI 12 (Updates Available)
- Other Features: Fingerprint (side-mounted), Face Unlock, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 in the backside
Redmi Note 9 Pro costs Rs. 25,999 for the 4/64GB variant, and Rs. 28,999 for the 6/128GB variant. Whereas, Pro Max costs Rs. 29,999 for 6/64 GB. The 8/128GB version is currently not available in Nepal.
7. Realme 7i
Realme brings cheaper smartphones to the Nepali market. Currently, the company’s main competitor is Redmi and Samsung in mid-range and low-range section. However, Realme 7i was launched as a pure competitor for Redmi Note 9 pro.
Key Specifications:
- 6.5″ IPS LCD display with 90Hz refresh rate
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 Octa-core processor 610 with GPU
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB ROM, UFS 2.1
- 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging
- Cameras (Rear): 64MP f/1.8 with PDAF (wide), 8MP f/2.3 (ultrawide), 2 MP f/2.4 (macro), and 2 MP f/2.4 (depth)
- Camera (Front): 16MP, f/2.1
- Android 10 operating system with Realme UI
- Other Features: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), Face Unlock, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Realme 7i costs Rs. 29,990. It is currently available in only one variant; 8/128GB.
6. Samsung M31
Samsung’s promise for cheaper and reliable smartphones was taken to the next level in the M31 smartphone. The company gives a Super AMOLED screen on this phone with a decent processor.
Key Specifications:
- 6.4″ Super AMOLED display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio
- Exynos 9611 Octa-core processor with Mail-G72 MP3 GPU
- 6GB RAM
- 64/128GB ROM
- A massive 6000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging
- Cameras (Rear): 64MP f/1.8, 26mm(wide), 8MP f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 5MP f/2.4(macro), and 5MP f/2.2 (depth)
- Camera (Front): 32MP f/2.0
- Android 10 Operating System with One UI 2.0
- Other Features: Fingerprint (rear-mounted), Face Unlock, Bluetooth 5.0
Samsung M31 costs Rs. 34,999 for the 8/128GB variant in Nepal.
5. OnePlus Nord N10 5G
OnePlus Nord 5G is the cheapest 5G phone currently available in Nepal. Nepali telecom operators do not have access to 5G networks, but this phone has established its own market value. In Nepal, OnePlus is chiefly known for its best cameras.
Key Specifications:
- 6.49 IPS LCD 90 Hz display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G octa-core processor
- 6GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 128GB ROM, UFS 2.1
- 4300 mAh battery with 30W fast charging capacity
- Cameras (Rear): 64 MP, f/1.79, EIS, 8 MP, f/2.25 (ultrawide), 5 MP, f/2.4 (monochrome), and 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
- Camera (Front): 16MP, f/2.05, EIS
- Android 10 Operating System with Oxygen OS
- Other Features: Fingerprint Sensor (rear-mounted), NFC, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
The phone costs Rs. 39,490 for 6/128GB variant.
4. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Samsung brought its flagship phone S20 in Fan Edition (FE) with nearly half of the price of S20. This phone is currently the cheapest flagship phone available in the Nepali market. The phone is available on the 5G variant. However, there is no 5G in Nepal, that’s why Samsung decided to sell only 4G variants.
Key Specifications:
- 6.5″ Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Exynos 990 octa-core processor, MP11 GPU
- 6GB/8GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 128GB/256GB ROM, UFS 3.0
- 4500mAh, 25W Fast Charging, and 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging
- Cameras (Rear):12MP, f/1.8 (wide), 8MP, f/2.0 (telephoto), 12MP, f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
- Camera (Front): 32MP, f/2.0
- Android 10 Operating System with One UI 2.5
- Other Features: 3.5mm Headphone Jack, NFC, AKG Tuned Speakers
Currently, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE costs Rs. 69,999 for 128GB/8GB, and Rs 74,999 for 256GB/8GB variant.
3. Xiaomi Mi 10
Xiaomi Mi 10 is not for everyone. This smartphone is full of features and costs more money than any other Xiaomi phones. If anyone has enough money to spend – and loves Xiaomi, then Mi 10 is the best to buy.
Key Specifications:
- 6.67″ Super AMOLED curved display with a 90 Hz refresh rate
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 octa-core processor, Adreno 650 GPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB ROM, UFS 3.0
- 4780 mAh battery, 30W Fast Charging, 5W Reverse Charging
- Cameras (Rear): 108 MP, f/1.7 (wide) with PDAF and OIS, 13 MP, f/2.4 (ultrawide), 2MP, f/2.4 (depth), and 2MP, f/2.4 (macro)
- Camera (Front): 20 MP, f/2.0 (wide)
- Android 10 Operating System with MIUI 12
- Other Features: Bluetooth 5.1, USB On-The-Go Stereo Speakers, Fingerprint Scanner (In-Display)
Xiaomi Mi 10 is an expensive phone. It costs around Rs. 89,999 for 8/256GB variant.
2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Samsung’s latest flagship phone, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, is one of the best Andriod smartphones worldwide. However, in Nepal, we can’t experience the latest Snapdragon chipset – it is only available in Exynos chipset, making us feel the phone a bit slower than the snapdragon variant. But this is a flagship, so no complaints.
Key Specifications:
- 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and a 120Hz refresh rate
- Exynos 990 octa-core processor with Mali-G77 MP11 GPU
- 8GB RAM, LPDDR5
- 256GB ROM, UFS 3.0
- 4500mAh battery with 25W fast-charging capacity, 15W Wireless Charging, and 9W Reverse Charging
- Cameras (Rear): 108MP, f/1.8 26mm(wide), PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, 12MP, f/3.0 (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical/50x hybrid zoom, 12MP, f/2.2 13mm(ultrawide) with 120-degree FOV
- Camera (Front): 10MP, f/2.2 26mm, Dual Pixel PDAF, EIS
- Android 10 Operating System with One UI 2.1
- Other Features: In-Display Fingerprint, Samsung Wireless DEX, ANT+, UWB, Bixby
S-Pen (Stylus) with 9ms latency, AKG Speakers
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra costs Rs. 1,39,999 for 8/256GB variant.
1. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Yearly, numerous android phones are launched. More than a thousand models of smartphones flow in the android market. But the iPhone is the one that makes people wait for it. Apple only launches a few models – which gets sold out in a few weeks.
Key Specifications:
- 6.7″ OLED Super Retina XDR display with Ceramic Shield protection
- A14 Bionic 64-bit Hexa-core processor
- 6GB RAM
- 128/256/512 GB ROM
- 3687mAh 20W fast charging BATTERY, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging
- Cameras (Rear): 12MP, f/1.6 (wide), 26mm focal length, 1.7μm pixels, Sensor-shift OIS, 12MP 6-elements lens, OIS, f/2.2 (telephoto), 65mm focal length, and 12MP f/2.4 (ultra-wide), 120degree FOV, 13mm focal length, LiDAR scanner for AR, and night portrait
- Camera (Front): 12MP TrueDepth camera, f/2.2
- iOS 14 Operating System
- Other Features: Face Unlock, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Stereo Speakers
Apple iPhone Pro Max is a very costly phone. It costs around Rs. 1,86,000 for the 128GB variant, Rs. 2,03,000 for the 256GB variant, and Rs. 2,36,000 for the 512GB variant.
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