Best Android Smartphones Below 10,000 Pesos, 2018 to Late 2017 Handset Models

One of the questions I've been asked the most since the rise of Android smartphones in our local market is this:

"Sir Mark, what are some of your recommended Android handsets that are priced below PHP 10,000?"

I've been answering this question regularly for several years now -- and I thought I should do it again this 2018. After all, I know I have many budget-conscious millennial readers who are either still in school or on their first job.

So if you're one of those who've sent me the same inquiry just now or earlier this year, I made this blog post especially for you.

Alright! Let's jump straight to the list.

OPPO A83
Price: PHP 9,990
Key Specs:
150.5 x 73.1 x 7.7 mm
143 grams
5.7-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
13 MegaPixel Rear Camera with f/2.2 Aperture, PDAF, and LED Flash
8 MegaPixel f/2.2 Front Camera
2.2 GHz Octa Core Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23
3GB RAM
32GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Facial Recognition
Non-Removable 3,180 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

Aside from having a wide-angle front-cam that's great for groufies and capturing more of the background when snapping selfies, the best thing about the OPPO A83 is its MediaTek Helio P23 that delivers smooth gaming experience and overall touch experience.

Huawei Nova 2 Lite
Price: PHP 9,990
Key Specs:
158.3 x 76.7 x 7.8mm
155 grams
5.99-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
13 MegaPixel f/2.2 + 2 MegaPixel f/2.0 Dual Rear Camera with PDAF and LED Flash
8 MegaPixel f/2.0 Front Camera with Soft LED Flash
1.4 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430
3GB RAM
32GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

The best-selling Huawei Nova 2 Lite has multiple strong points, including its large display, Dual Rear Camera module for Bokeh Effect, and long battery life. But for me, the most attractive feature of this model is its eye-catching design, which is especially true for the Aurora Blue variant.

Vivo Y71 3GB RAM
Price: PHP 8,990
Key Specs:
155.9 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm
150 grams
6-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
8 MegaPixel Rear Camera with PDAF and LED Flash
5 MegaPixel f/2.2 Front Camera
1.4 GHz Quad Core Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425
3GB RAM
16GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
Non-Removable 3,300 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

Vivo Y71 is a great option for budget-conscious consumers - including students and young professionals - who are looking for a new handset with large display, stand-out selfie imaging performance, sleek design, and long battery life.

NOTE: There's also a Vivo Y71 2GB RAM version that only costs PHP 7,990. It looks exactly the same as the 3GB and even has the same technical specifications -- except for its amount of RAM, of course.

Cherry Mobile Flare S6 Plus
Price: PHP 9,999
Key Specs:
5.7-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
16 MegaPixel + 5 MegaPixel, Dual Rear Camera with PDAF and LED Flash
16 MegaPixel + 5 MegaPixel, Dual Front Camera with LED Flash
1.5 GHz Octa Core Mediatek MT6750T
4GB RAM
64GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

Cherry Mobile Flare S6 Plus remains to be the flagship-level smartphone of the Filipino handset brand. This aluminum-clad powerhouse has four cameras - two at the back and two in front for shallow depth of field effect - as well as a powerful set of internal hardware ensuring an enjoyable mobile experience anytime, anywhere.

Nokia 5 2017
Price: PHP 8,990
Key Specs:
149.7 x 72.5 x 8 mm
120 grams
5.2-inch 720 x 1280 pixels HD IPS 16:9
13 MegaPixel Rear Camera with f/2.0 Aperture, PDAF, and LED Flash
8 MegaPixel f/2.0 Front Camera
1.4 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430
2GB RAM
16GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

Nokia 5 is currently one of the best-selling handsets of HMD Global -- and for good reason. It has a gorgeous all-metal build and decent low-light imaging performance for both front and back cameras. Not to mention, its 3,000 mAh battery pack is quite big for a phone of this size.

Asus ZenFone Max M1
Price: PHP 9,995
Key Specs:
147.3 x 70.9 x 8.7 mm
150 grams
5.5-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
13 MegaPixel + 8 MP Wide Angle, Dual Rear Camera with PDAF and LED Flash
8 MegaPixel Front Camera
1.4 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430
3GB RAM
32GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Non-Removable 4,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

I got the chance to play with model during ZenFone 5's launch here in the Philippines held at The Esplanade. I'd say the best features of the ZFMaxM1 are its large screen, Dual Rear Camera - incorporate a secondary wide-angle shooter that's great for group photos and landscape imaging, and of course - the large 4,000 mAh battery pack.

OPPO A71 2018
Price: PHP 7,990
Key Specs:
148.1 x 73.8 x 7.6 mm
137 grams
5.2-inch 720 x 1280 pixels HD IPS 16:9
13 MegaPixel Rear Camera with f/2.2 Aperture, PDAF, and LED Flash
5 MegaPixel f/2.4 Front Camera
1.8 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450
2GB RAM
16GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

OPPO A71 2018 is small enough to easily slip into your jeans' front pocket or your tiny purse. But with an Octa-Core Snapdragon 450 processor, it's definitely big on performance too.

CloudFone Next Infinity Pro
Price: PHP 9,999
Key Specs:
5.7-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
16 MegaPixel Rear Camera with PDAF and LED Flash
20 MegaPixel + 8MP Front Camera
1.4 GHz Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430
3GB RAM
32GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

Part of CloudFone's renowned Next flagship handset series, the Infinity Pro is crafted to deliver Awesome Selfies with its beastly 20 MegaPixel plus 8 MegaPixel Dual Rear Camera combo that enables Portrait Mode and Wide-Angle Groufies.

Xiaomi Redmi 5
Price: PHP 8,180
Key Specs:
151.8 x 72.8 x 7.7mm
157 grams
5.8-inch 720 x 1440 pixels HD+ IPS 18:9
12 MegaPixel Rear Camera with f/2.2 Aperture, PDAF, and LED Flash
5 MegaPixel Front Camera
1.8 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450
3GB RAM
32GB ROM + microSD Card Slot
Dual SIM Capability
4G LTE Support
Fingerprint Scanner
Non-Removable 3,300 mAh Li-Ion Battery Pack

Though its 5 MegaPixel front camera pales in comparison to that of most competing models in this price bracket, Xiaomi Redmi 5 nonetheless has a great set of internal hardware and a visually pleasing real-metal enclosure, making it a very attractive budget-friendly offering.

There you have it! These are my recommended Android handsets all priced under PHP 10,000. Let me know your thoughts about these stellar smartphones through the comments section below. If you think I missed a good model in this price bracket, feel free to remind me by writing it below or messaging me on social media. Cheers!