Top 2018 Android Smartphones Below PHP 15,000 or $300 USD as of Q4 2018 Holiday Season
Christmas is just around the corner and I bet many of you are now thinking about upgrading your current entry-level smartphone to a more than capable midrange handset as a gift for your hard-working self this season as well as a way to jump-start 2019, which is already fast approaching.
I made this TechPinas post for my readers and followers who are thinking of leveling up their mobile experience through a new device this Q4 2018 but can only spend a maximum of PHP 15,000, which I think is already a respectable or decent amount for a new smartphone this year. After all, the midrange handset category has grown wonderfully within the past two or three years, giving us models that deliver incredible value for the amount of money we pay for them.
Without further ado, here are my recommended top 2018 Android smartphones priced under PHP 15,000 or less than $300 USD. All of these handsets are currently available at the official Concept Stores and authorized retail outlets of these brands both online and in malls nationwide.
Vivo Y95
Price: PHP 13,999
Key Specs:
6.22-inch HD+ 720 x 1520 pixels, 270 ppi, 19:9 ratio, IPS
Halo Notch
Dual Rear Camera:
13 MegaPixels, f/2.2 Aperture, Phase Detection AutoFocus (PDAF) +
2 MegaPixels, f/2.4, Depth Sensor
Front Facing Camera: 20 MegaPixels with AI Beauty
Video Recorder (Front and Back): FullHD 1080p 30fps
12nm Octa-Core (2 x 1.95 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 + 2 x 1.45 GHz ARM Cortex A53)
Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439
Adreno 505 GPU
4GB of RAM
64GB of ROM
microSD card slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat5
FM Radio
Gyroscope
microUSB 2.0
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable Li-Po 4,030 mAh battery
Glossy Polycarbonate Back Plate
Starry Black, Aurora Red
TechPinas Commentary: There are three things I like about this model: The all-screen face, the beautiful gradient finish of the back plate, and the ultra-large battery pack for long uptime. Its overall look is quite updated and is very reminiscent of the more expensive Vivo V11. Oh, and lest I forget, the set of internal hardware - headlined by the 12nm Octa-Core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of expandable storage - allows it to run the most specs intensive games that you can download from Google Play Store. One point for improvement, though, would be the display resolution.
Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus
Price: PHP 11,990
Key Specs:
155 x 75.5 x 7.85 mm
200 grams
6.18 inches, FullHD+ 1080 x 2246 pixels, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, TrueView LTPS LCD
Notch
Scratch-Resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dual Rear Camera: 16 MegaPixels + 5MP Depth Sensor
Front Camera: 16 MegaPixels + Infrared
Cherry Experience
Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System with Google Play Protect
Octa-Core (4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A73 + 4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A53), MediaTek Helio P60 Processor
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Hybrid microSD Slot
USB Type C Port with 10W Quick Charge
Non-Removable 3,050 mAh Li-Po
5W Wireless Charging Support
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat7
VoLTE
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner
Face ID Facial Recognition
Real Glass Front and Back Panels
Pearl Black
TechPinas Commentary: Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus is my most favorite smartphone from the leading Pinoy handset maker thus far. It has everything that's good in more expensive midrange models like a FullHD+ display, powerhouse processor, and generous amount of RAM plus internal storage. On top of all that, it even features real glass and metal exterior materials as well as Wireless Charging Support. If you ask me, however, the best thing about this model would have to be its imaging capabilities. For me, Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus is the best cameraphone you can get in this price bracket this year.
OPPO F7
Price: PHP 14,990
Key Specs:
156 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm
158 grams
6.23 inches, FullHD+ 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, LTPS LCD, 405 ppi
82.5% Screen to Body Ratio
Notch
Scratch-Resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Rear Camera: 16 MegaPixels, f/1.8, PDAF, LED Flash, AI
Front Camera: 25 MegaPixels, f/2.0, AI Beauty
Color OS 5.0 Interface
Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System
Octa-Core (4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A73 + 4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A53), MediaTek Helio P60 Processor
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Slot
microUSB 2.0, USB OTG
Non-Removable 3,400 mAh Li-Po
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat7
FM Radio
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
3.5mm Audio Jack
Acrylic, Metallic Accents
Solar Red, Moonlight Silver, Diamond Black
TechPinas Commentary: Previously priced at PHP 17,990, the hero Android smartphone of OPPO for the first half of 2018 now goes for just PHP 14,990. You can't go wrong choosing this model as it has a beautiful design, a powerful set of innards, AI powered cameras, and top-notch rear video recorder stabilization.
Vivo V9
Current Price: PHP 14,999
Key Specs:
154.8 x 75.1 x 7.9 mm
150 grams
6.3 inches, 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS LCD, 400 ppi
85.2% Screen to Body Ratio
Scratch-Resistant Glass
Notch
Dual Camera Module:
16 MegaPixels, f/2.0 Aperture, PDAF +
5 MegaPixels, Dual LED flash
Front Camera: 24 MegaPixels, f/2.0
FullHD 1080p 30fps Front and Back Cameras
FunTouch OS 4.0
Android 8.1 Oreo
Octa-Core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Qualcomm MSM8953-Pro Snapdragon 626
Adreno 506
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Slot, Up to 256GB
microUSB 2.0 Port
Non-Removable 3,260 mAh Li-Po
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat7
FM Radio
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
3.5mm Audio Jack
Acrylic Polycarbonate Shell, Metallic Accents
Black, Gold, Red
TechPinas Commentary: Of all models in this list, Vivo V9 is right up there with the best of them when it comes to display quality and selfie imaging performance. The 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS display with ultra-thin bezels truly deliver an enjoyable visual experience while playing 3D games or even when watching movies on Netflix. Also, if you enjoy snapping selfies and groufies, you can certainly rely on this model's 24 MegaPixel f/2.0 front-cam to give you beautified shots that are instantly ready for sharing on social media. On top of all that, Vivo V9 also has good internal hardware and attractive exterior design.
CloudFone Next Infinity Quattro
Price: PHP 12,999
Key Specs:
6-inch HD+ 720 x 1440 pixels, IPS Display
No Notch
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dual Rear Camera Module:
13 MegaPixels + 5 MegaPixels, LED flash, PDAF, 2X Lossless Zoom, Portrait Mode
Dual Front Camera Module:
20 MegaPixels + 8 MegaPixels with Soft LED Flash,, Sony Sensor, Portait Mode
Android 7.0 Nougat
2.6 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P25 CPU
Mali T880 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
microSD Card Slot
WiFi a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.1
4G LTE
Fingerprint Scanner
Dual SIM
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable 4,010 mAh Li-Ion Battery
Aluminum
Black
TechPinas Commentary: CloudFone Next Infinity Quattro hit the market in January 2018 but it remains to be a great smartphone option until today. Flaunting an all-metal shell and four cameras supporting Portrait Mode with Bokeh Effect, this model also has a powerful let of internal hardware and large battery pack, which make it a good overall handset for budding mobile photographers and avid mobile gamers.
Honor 8X
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm
175 grams
6.5 inches, FullHD+, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 396 ppi, 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS Display
84.4% Screen-To-Body Ratio
Notch
Dual Rear Camera Module:
20 MegaPixels, f/1.8 Aperture, PDAF + 2 MegaPixels Depth Sensor, LED Flash
Front Facing Camera for Selfies: 16 MegaPixels, f/2.0
Full HD 1080p 30fps Front and Back Video Recorder
Back Video Recorder HD 480 fps Slo-Mo
EMUI 8.2
Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System
Octa Core Kirin 710 Processor
Mali-G51 MP4
4GB RAM
128GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Card Slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat13
USB On-The-Go
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner at the Back
Facial Recognition
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
10W Charging Support
Non-Removable 3,750 mAh Li-Po Battery Pack
Metal Mid-Frame, Glass Front and Back
Blue, Red, Black, Pink
TechPinas Commentary: The Honor brand has become very popular among Pinoy mobile consumers by offering handsets with top-notch features but with low price tag. The PHP 12,990 Honor 8X, which is powered by Kirin 710 processor that's complemented by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, is yet another proof of this company's strong appeal.
Nokia 5.1 Plus
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
149.5 x 72 x 8.1 mm
160 grams
5.86 inches HD+ , 432 ppi, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS Display
79.6% Screen-To-Body Ratio
Notch
Stock Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System, Android One Project
Dual Rear Camera Module:
13 MegaPixels f/2.0 Aperture, 1.0µm Pixel Size, PDAF, Gyro-EIS +
5 MegaPixels f/2.2 Aperture, 1.2µm Pixel Size, Depth Sensor
Front Facing Camera: 8 MegaPixel f/2.2 Front-Facing Camera
FullHD 1080p 30fps Back Video Recorder
12nm Octa-Core 1.8 GHz Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 Processor
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
3GB RAM
32GB ROM
microSD Card Slot via Hybrid Secondary nanoSIM Slot
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE-A Cat4
Fingerprint Scanner
Gyroscope
Dual nanoSIM
USB Type C Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,060 mAh Battery
2.5D Glass Front and Back, Metal Mid-Frame
Night Black, Glacier White, Baltic Sea Blue
TechPinas Commentary: The Nokia Brand by HMD Global continues to grow in sales and relevance in various parts of the world. In the Philippines, the new Nokia is capturing the fancy of many Pinoys through great midrange offerings like the Nokia 5.1 Plus that has a USB Type C port for faster data transfer and charging, MediaTek Helio P60 processor that's both powerful and energy efficient, and luxurious glass-sandwich look. I kind of wish that its screen had FullHD+ resolution and that it had more RAM and ROM -- but hey, there's always the slightly more expensive Nokia 6.1 Plus, which has those.
Samsung Galaxy J8 2018
Price: PHP 13,990
Key Specs:
159.2 x 75.7 x 8.2 mm
191 grams
6 inches HD+ 720 x 1520 pixels, 18.5:9 Aspect Ratio, SuperAMOLED Display
66.3% Screen to Body Ratio
No Notch
Dual Rear Camera: 16 MegaPixels f/1.7 + 5 MegaPixels f/1.9 with LED Flash
16 MegaPixels f/1.9 Front Selfie Camera with Soft LED Flash
Samsung Experience
Android 8.0 Oreo Operating System
1.8 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Processor
Adreno 506 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Card Slot
Full HD 30fps Front and Back Video Recorder
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE
Facial Recognition
Gyroscope
Dual nanoSIM
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,500 mAh Battery
3.5mm Audio Jack
Polycarbonate Shell, 2.5D Glass Face
Black, Gold, Blue, Purple
TechPinas Commentary: From having an SRP of PHP 15,990 when it was launched in the Philippines earlier this year, the Galaxy J8 2018 now sells for only PHP 13,990. If you're a loyal Samsung fan who's still using an entry-level J-Series model, you might want to take a look at this one if you're thinking about upgrading your handset.
Asus ZenFone 5Q
Price: PHP 12,995
Key Specs:
160.6 x 76.2 x 7.8 mm
168 grams
6.0 inches, FullHD+ 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS LCD, 402 ppi
75.9% Screen-To-Body Ratio
2.5D Scratch Resistant Glass
No Notch
Dual Rear Camera Module:
20 MegaPixels, f/2.0 Aperture, 23 mm Focal Length, 1/2.8" Sensor Size, 1.0 μm Pixel Size +
8 MegaPixels, 13 mm Focal Length
Gyro EIS, LED flash
Dual Front Camera Module:
16 MegaPixels, f/2.2 Aperture, 26 mm Focal Length, PDAF
8 MegaPixels, 13 mm Focal Length, Fixed Focus
Gyro EIS, Soft LED flash
Asus Zen UI 5.0
Android 8.0 Oreo
Octa-Core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
Adreno 508 GPU
4GB of RAM
64GB of ROM
Dedicated microSD Card Slot
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
4G LTE Cat6
Fingerprint Scanner at the Back
Dual nanoSIM Slots
Gyroscope
FM Radio
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable 3,300 mAh Li-Po Battery Pack
Aluminum, Glass
Black
TechPinas Commentary: I've personally reviewed this model and I really think that ZenFone 5Q is one of the best mid-level smartphones this year -- thanks to its handsome design, opulent build, capable innards, versatile four-camera set-up with wide-angle mode, and budget-friendly price tag.
Xiaomi Mi A2 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
Current Price: PHP 17,490
Key Specs:
158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm
166 grams
5.99 inches, 1080 x 2160 pixels, FullHD+, 403 ppi, 18:9 Aspect Ratio, LTPS Display
77.4 Screen to Body Ratio
No Notch
AI Dual Rear Camera =
12 MegaPixel, f/1.8 Aperture, 1/2.9" Sensor Size, 1.25µm +
20 MegaPixel, f/1.8 Aperture, 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF, Dual Tone LED Flash
Front Camera 20 MegaPixel, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.0µm, Soft LED Flash, Auto-HDR
4K 30fps Rear Video Recorder
FullHD 30fps Front Video Recorder
Vanilla Android 8.1 Oreo (Android One Project)
Octa-Core (4 x 2.2 GHz Kryo 260 + 4 x 1.8 GHz Kryo 260) Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660
Adreno 512 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
No microSD Card Slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.0
4G LTE Cat12
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
FM Radio
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
USB Type C
Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,000 mAh Battery
No 3.5mm Audio Jack
Aluminum, 2.5 Curved Glass Face
Black, Gold, Blue, Red, Rose Gold
TechPinas Commentary: Like Honor, Xiaomi has become the talk of the town among mobile enthusiasts in our country because of its 'great value for money' proposition. Looking at the price tag, press photos, and the specs list of the Xiaomi Mi A2, it's no wonder that it became a big hit among Pinoy smartphone buyers who want to get the most bang for their buck.
Huawei P20 Lite
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
148.6 x 71.2 x 7.4 mm
145 grams
5.84 inches,1080 x 2280 pixels, 18:9 Aspect Ratio, LTPS IPS LCD, 432 ppi
80.5% Screen-To-Body Ratio
2.5D Scratch-Resistant Glass
Notch
Dual Camera Module: 16 MegaPixels (f/2.2, PDAF) + 2 MegaPixels, LED flash
Front Facing Camera: 16 MegaPixels, f/2.0
Video Recorder: FullHD 30fps
EMUI 8.0
Android 8.0 Oreo
Octa-Core (4 x 2.36 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 + 4 x 1.7 GHz ARM Cortex-A53) HiSilicon Kirin 659
Mali-T830 MP2
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
microSD Card Slot via Hybrid Secondary nanoSIM Slot
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat6
FM Radio
Gyroscope
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
USB Type C Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po
Aluminum, Glass
Midnight Black
TechPinas Commentary: Huawei P20 Lite may be small but it surely packs a punch. Though it's not as a great a cameraphone nor as powerful a gaming device as the Huawei P20 or P20 Pro, this model is every bit as elegant-looking and classy. But the best thing about it is its new PHP 12,990 price tag, which makes it very affordable for a lite flagship smartphone.
So there you have it! Let me know your thoughts about any of the mid-level Android smartphones that I presented above. Which one are you eyeing? Did I miss any model that should have been included in this list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below or by messaging me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Let's talk. Cheers!
I made this TechPinas post for my readers and followers who are thinking of leveling up their mobile experience through a new device this Q4 2018 but can only spend a maximum of PHP 15,000, which I think is already a respectable or decent amount for a new smartphone this year. After all, the midrange handset category has grown wonderfully within the past two or three years, giving us models that deliver incredible value for the amount of money we pay for them.
Without further ado, here are my recommended top 2018 Android smartphones priced under PHP 15,000 or less than $300 USD. All of these handsets are currently available at the official Concept Stores and authorized retail outlets of these brands both online and in malls nationwide.
Vivo Y95
Price: PHP 13,999
Key Specs:
6.22-inch HD+ 720 x 1520 pixels, 270 ppi, 19:9 ratio, IPS
Halo Notch
Dual Rear Camera:
13 MegaPixels, f/2.2 Aperture, Phase Detection AutoFocus (PDAF) +
2 MegaPixels, f/2.4, Depth Sensor
Front Facing Camera: 20 MegaPixels with AI Beauty
Video Recorder (Front and Back): FullHD 1080p 30fps
12nm Octa-Core (2 x 1.95 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 + 2 x 1.45 GHz ARM Cortex A53)
Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439
Adreno 505 GPU
4GB of RAM
64GB of ROM
microSD card slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat5
FM Radio
Gyroscope
microUSB 2.0
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable Li-Po 4,030 mAh battery
Glossy Polycarbonate Back Plate
Starry Black, Aurora Red
TechPinas Commentary: There are three things I like about this model: The all-screen face, the beautiful gradient finish of the back plate, and the ultra-large battery pack for long uptime. Its overall look is quite updated and is very reminiscent of the more expensive Vivo V11. Oh, and lest I forget, the set of internal hardware - headlined by the 12nm Octa-Core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of expandable storage - allows it to run the most specs intensive games that you can download from Google Play Store. One point for improvement, though, would be the display resolution.
Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus
Price: PHP 11,990
Key Specs:
155 x 75.5 x 7.85 mm
200 grams
6.18 inches, FullHD+ 1080 x 2246 pixels, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, TrueView LTPS LCD
Notch
Scratch-Resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dual Rear Camera: 16 MegaPixels + 5MP Depth Sensor
Front Camera: 16 MegaPixels + Infrared
Cherry Experience
Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System with Google Play Protect
Octa-Core (4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A73 + 4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A53), MediaTek Helio P60 Processor
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Hybrid microSD Slot
USB Type C Port with 10W Quick Charge
Non-Removable 3,050 mAh Li-Po
5W Wireless Charging Support
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat7
VoLTE
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner
Face ID Facial Recognition
Real Glass Front and Back Panels
Pearl Black
TechPinas Commentary: Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus is my most favorite smartphone from the leading Pinoy handset maker thus far. It has everything that's good in more expensive midrange models like a FullHD+ display, powerhouse processor, and generous amount of RAM plus internal storage. On top of all that, it even features real glass and metal exterior materials as well as Wireless Charging Support. If you ask me, however, the best thing about this model would have to be its imaging capabilities. For me, Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus is the best cameraphone you can get in this price bracket this year.
OPPO F7
Price: PHP 14,990
Key Specs:
156 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm
158 grams
6.23 inches, FullHD+ 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, LTPS LCD, 405 ppi
82.5% Screen to Body Ratio
Notch
Scratch-Resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Rear Camera: 16 MegaPixels, f/1.8, PDAF, LED Flash, AI
Front Camera: 25 MegaPixels, f/2.0, AI Beauty
Color OS 5.0 Interface
Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System
Octa-Core (4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A73 + 4 x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A53), MediaTek Helio P60 Processor
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Slot
microUSB 2.0, USB OTG
Non-Removable 3,400 mAh Li-Po
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat7
FM Radio
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
3.5mm Audio Jack
Acrylic, Metallic Accents
Solar Red, Moonlight Silver, Diamond Black
TechPinas Commentary: Previously priced at PHP 17,990, the hero Android smartphone of OPPO for the first half of 2018 now goes for just PHP 14,990. You can't go wrong choosing this model as it has a beautiful design, a powerful set of innards, AI powered cameras, and top-notch rear video recorder stabilization.
Vivo V9
Current Price: PHP 14,999
Key Specs:
154.8 x 75.1 x 7.9 mm
150 grams
6.3 inches, 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS LCD, 400 ppi
85.2% Screen to Body Ratio
Scratch-Resistant Glass
Notch
Dual Camera Module:
16 MegaPixels, f/2.0 Aperture, PDAF +
5 MegaPixels, Dual LED flash
Front Camera: 24 MegaPixels, f/2.0
FullHD 1080p 30fps Front and Back Cameras
FunTouch OS 4.0
Android 8.1 Oreo
Octa-Core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Qualcomm MSM8953-Pro Snapdragon 626
Adreno 506
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Slot, Up to 256GB
microUSB 2.0 Port
Non-Removable 3,260 mAh Li-Po
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat7
FM Radio
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
3.5mm Audio Jack
Acrylic Polycarbonate Shell, Metallic Accents
Black, Gold, Red
TechPinas Commentary: Of all models in this list, Vivo V9 is right up there with the best of them when it comes to display quality and selfie imaging performance. The 6.3-inch FullHD+ IPS display with ultra-thin bezels truly deliver an enjoyable visual experience while playing 3D games or even when watching movies on Netflix. Also, if you enjoy snapping selfies and groufies, you can certainly rely on this model's 24 MegaPixel f/2.0 front-cam to give you beautified shots that are instantly ready for sharing on social media. On top of all that, Vivo V9 also has good internal hardware and attractive exterior design.
CloudFone Next Infinity Quattro
Price: PHP 12,999
Key Specs:
6-inch HD+ 720 x 1440 pixels, IPS Display
No Notch
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dual Rear Camera Module:
13 MegaPixels + 5 MegaPixels, LED flash, PDAF, 2X Lossless Zoom, Portrait Mode
Dual Front Camera Module:
20 MegaPixels + 8 MegaPixels with Soft LED Flash,, Sony Sensor, Portait Mode
Android 7.0 Nougat
2.6 GHz Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P25 CPU
Mali T880 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
microSD Card Slot
WiFi a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.1
4G LTE
Fingerprint Scanner
Dual SIM
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable 4,010 mAh Li-Ion Battery
Aluminum
Black
TechPinas Commentary: CloudFone Next Infinity Quattro hit the market in January 2018 but it remains to be a great smartphone option until today. Flaunting an all-metal shell and four cameras supporting Portrait Mode with Bokeh Effect, this model also has a powerful let of internal hardware and large battery pack, which make it a good overall handset for budding mobile photographers and avid mobile gamers.
Honor 8X
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
160.4 x 76.6 x 7.8 mm
175 grams
6.5 inches, FullHD+, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 396 ppi, 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS Display
84.4% Screen-To-Body Ratio
Notch
Dual Rear Camera Module:
20 MegaPixels, f/1.8 Aperture, PDAF + 2 MegaPixels Depth Sensor, LED Flash
Front Facing Camera for Selfies: 16 MegaPixels, f/2.0
Full HD 1080p 30fps Front and Back Video Recorder
Back Video Recorder HD 480 fps Slo-Mo
EMUI 8.2
Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System
Octa Core Kirin 710 Processor
Mali-G51 MP4
4GB RAM
128GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Card Slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat13
USB On-The-Go
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
Fingerprint Scanner at the Back
Facial Recognition
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
10W Charging Support
Non-Removable 3,750 mAh Li-Po Battery Pack
Metal Mid-Frame, Glass Front and Back
Blue, Red, Black, Pink
TechPinas Commentary: The Honor brand has become very popular among Pinoy mobile consumers by offering handsets with top-notch features but with low price tag. The PHP 12,990 Honor 8X, which is powered by Kirin 710 processor that's complemented by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, is yet another proof of this company's strong appeal.
Nokia 5.1 Plus
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
149.5 x 72 x 8.1 mm
160 grams
5.86 inches HD+ , 432 ppi, 19:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS Display
79.6% Screen-To-Body Ratio
Notch
Stock Android 8.1 Oreo Operating System, Android One Project
Dual Rear Camera Module:
13 MegaPixels f/2.0 Aperture, 1.0µm Pixel Size, PDAF, Gyro-EIS +
5 MegaPixels f/2.2 Aperture, 1.2µm Pixel Size, Depth Sensor
Front Facing Camera: 8 MegaPixel f/2.2 Front-Facing Camera
FullHD 1080p 30fps Back Video Recorder
12nm Octa-Core 1.8 GHz Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 Processor
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
3GB RAM
32GB ROM
microSD Card Slot via Hybrid Secondary nanoSIM Slot
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE-A Cat4
Fingerprint Scanner
Gyroscope
Dual nanoSIM
USB Type C Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,060 mAh Battery
2.5D Glass Front and Back, Metal Mid-Frame
Night Black, Glacier White, Baltic Sea Blue
TechPinas Commentary: The Nokia Brand by HMD Global continues to grow in sales and relevance in various parts of the world. In the Philippines, the new Nokia is capturing the fancy of many Pinoys through great midrange offerings like the Nokia 5.1 Plus that has a USB Type C port for faster data transfer and charging, MediaTek Helio P60 processor that's both powerful and energy efficient, and luxurious glass-sandwich look. I kind of wish that its screen had FullHD+ resolution and that it had more RAM and ROM -- but hey, there's always the slightly more expensive Nokia 6.1 Plus, which has those.
Samsung Galaxy J8 2018
Price: PHP 13,990
Key Specs:
159.2 x 75.7 x 8.2 mm
191 grams
6 inches HD+ 720 x 1520 pixels, 18.5:9 Aspect Ratio, SuperAMOLED Display
66.3% Screen to Body Ratio
No Notch
Dual Rear Camera: 16 MegaPixels f/1.7 + 5 MegaPixels f/1.9 with LED Flash
16 MegaPixels f/1.9 Front Selfie Camera with Soft LED Flash
Samsung Experience
Android 8.0 Oreo Operating System
1.8 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Processor
Adreno 506 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
Dedicated microSD Card Slot
Full HD 30fps Front and Back Video Recorder
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE
Facial Recognition
Gyroscope
Dual nanoSIM
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,500 mAh Battery
3.5mm Audio Jack
Polycarbonate Shell, 2.5D Glass Face
Black, Gold, Blue, Purple
TechPinas Commentary: From having an SRP of PHP 15,990 when it was launched in the Philippines earlier this year, the Galaxy J8 2018 now sells for only PHP 13,990. If you're a loyal Samsung fan who's still using an entry-level J-Series model, you might want to take a look at this one if you're thinking about upgrading your handset.
Asus ZenFone 5Q
Price: PHP 12,995
Key Specs:
160.6 x 76.2 x 7.8 mm
168 grams
6.0 inches, FullHD+ 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 Aspect Ratio, IPS LCD, 402 ppi
75.9% Screen-To-Body Ratio
2.5D Scratch Resistant Glass
No Notch
Dual Rear Camera Module:
20 MegaPixels, f/2.0 Aperture, 23 mm Focal Length, 1/2.8" Sensor Size, 1.0 μm Pixel Size +
8 MegaPixels, 13 mm Focal Length
Gyro EIS, LED flash
Dual Front Camera Module:
16 MegaPixels, f/2.2 Aperture, 26 mm Focal Length, PDAF
8 MegaPixels, 13 mm Focal Length, Fixed Focus
Gyro EIS, Soft LED flash
Asus Zen UI 5.0
Android 8.0 Oreo
Octa-Core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53, Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
Adreno 508 GPU
4GB of RAM
64GB of ROM
Dedicated microSD Card Slot
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
4G LTE Cat6
Fingerprint Scanner at the Back
Dual nanoSIM Slots
Gyroscope
FM Radio
microUSB 2.0 Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable 3,300 mAh Li-Po Battery Pack
Aluminum, Glass
Black
TechPinas Commentary: I've personally reviewed this model and I really think that ZenFone 5Q is one of the best mid-level smartphones this year -- thanks to its handsome design, opulent build, capable innards, versatile four-camera set-up with wide-angle mode, and budget-friendly price tag.
Xiaomi Mi A2 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
Current Price: PHP 17,490
Key Specs:
158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm
166 grams
5.99 inches, 1080 x 2160 pixels, FullHD+, 403 ppi, 18:9 Aspect Ratio, LTPS Display
77.4 Screen to Body Ratio
No Notch
AI Dual Rear Camera =
12 MegaPixel, f/1.8 Aperture, 1/2.9" Sensor Size, 1.25µm +
20 MegaPixel, f/1.8 Aperture, 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF, Dual Tone LED Flash
Front Camera 20 MegaPixel, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.0µm, Soft LED Flash, Auto-HDR
4K 30fps Rear Video Recorder
FullHD 30fps Front Video Recorder
Vanilla Android 8.1 Oreo (Android One Project)
Octa-Core (4 x 2.2 GHz Kryo 260 + 4 x 1.8 GHz Kryo 260) Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660
Adreno 512 GPU
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
No microSD Card Slot
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.0
4G LTE Cat12
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
FM Radio
Dual nanoSIM, Dual Standby
USB Type C
Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,000 mAh Battery
No 3.5mm Audio Jack
Aluminum, 2.5 Curved Glass Face
Black, Gold, Blue, Red, Rose Gold
TechPinas Commentary: Like Honor, Xiaomi has become the talk of the town among mobile enthusiasts in our country because of its 'great value for money' proposition. Looking at the price tag, press photos, and the specs list of the Xiaomi Mi A2, it's no wonder that it became a big hit among Pinoy smartphone buyers who want to get the most bang for their buck.
Huawei P20 Lite
Price: PHP 12,990
Key Specs:
148.6 x 71.2 x 7.4 mm
145 grams
5.84 inches,1080 x 2280 pixels, 18:9 Aspect Ratio, LTPS IPS LCD, 432 ppi
80.5% Screen-To-Body Ratio
2.5D Scratch-Resistant Glass
Notch
Dual Camera Module: 16 MegaPixels (f/2.2, PDAF) + 2 MegaPixels, LED flash
Front Facing Camera: 16 MegaPixels, f/2.0
Video Recorder: FullHD 30fps
EMUI 8.0
Android 8.0 Oreo
Octa-Core (4 x 2.36 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 + 4 x 1.7 GHz ARM Cortex-A53) HiSilicon Kirin 659
Mali-T830 MP2
4GB RAM
64GB ROM
microSD Card Slot via Hybrid Secondary nanoSIM Slot
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE Cat6
FM Radio
Gyroscope
Fingerprint Scanner
Facial Recognition
USB Type C Charging Port
USB On-The-Go
Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po
Aluminum, Glass
Midnight Black
TechPinas Commentary: Huawei P20 Lite may be small but it surely packs a punch. Though it's not as a great a cameraphone nor as powerful a gaming device as the Huawei P20 or P20 Pro, this model is every bit as elegant-looking and classy. But the best thing about it is its new PHP 12,990 price tag, which makes it very affordable for a lite flagship smartphone.
So there you have it! Let me know your thoughts about any of the mid-level Android smartphones that I presented above. Which one are you eyeing? Did I miss any model that should have been included in this list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below or by messaging me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Let's talk. Cheers!
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