Smartphones have become essential tools in our lives. Whether for work or school, a reliable phone can help us carry out our duties and responsibilities with just a tap of a finger. Depending on your priorities, you can surely find the perfect smartphone with features that match your needs and preferences.
However, as phones become more advanced, they can also come at heftier prices. If you're on a budget, fret not, as we have created a buying guide, fact-checked by IT Specialist JC Rogelio. We also have a list of the best phones below Php 10,000 to help you choose the right unit for you.
Quick List - Top Phones Under Php 10,000
JC Rogelio is first and foremost a fan of upgrading and modifying computers. Due to his passion, he earned a degree in Information Technology from a university specializing in the field. He is tech-savvy and likes to research computer trends. He was a former employee of a Fortune 500 company in the Philippines and now has over 3 years of experience in the IT/Engineering field in Dubai.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
Screen sizes nowadays range from 6.5 to 6.9 inches, while the average display resolution is 2400 x 1080. To pick the right screen size and display resolution for you, you must consider the activities you'll be doing on your phone.
For calling, texting, and light internet browsing, a smaller screen with a lower display resolution would be enough. On the other hand, a larger screen with a higher display resolution would be ideal for binge-watching movies and series or playing mobile games that use high graphics.
The phone's processor is crucial to its performance since it acts as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the device. To choose a good chipset, you should be mindful of its brand. Trusted brands like MediaTek and Qualcomm Snapdragon produce powerful processors for budget phones.
Another factor that should be considered is the number of cores present in the chipset. You should always go for a processor that has at least 8 cores with a minimum speed of 2 GHz. This ensures fast and smooth performance with no lags and glitches.
If you have many apps and files, it's ideal to get a phone with a large storage capacity so you can download and save all of them. Fortunately, budget phones today come with internal storage that ranges from 64GB to 256GB, with some units even having expandable storage of up to 1TB.
A phone's Random-Access Memory (RAM) is also worth considering if you'll be using your phone for multitasking. Nowadays, affordable phones come with 4GB to 8GB of RAM, which is enough for daily use. But if you have the extra budget, choosing a unit with higher RAM gives you a lag-free experience despite multiple apps being open.
These days, most people use their smartphones to take pictures and videos. That's why, when buying a phone, it's important to pay attention to its camera specs, such as the number of cameras and their megapixel count. Most budget-friendly phones have multiple cameras, which range from dual and triple to quadruple.
The main or back cameras usually have a megapixel count of 48MP to 64MP, while the selfie or front camera often has a megapixel count of 8MP to 16MP. If you want to take high-resolution photos and videos, you should get a phone with more main cameras and a higher megapixel count. You can also check if it has night mode to produce clearer output.
It's also important to assess the phone's battery life to know how long it can last. If you're a heavy phone user but don't like the hassle of charging often, it would be wise to go for a unit with longer battery life. Most budget phones have a battery capacity of 5000mAh, which means they can last for up to 1.5 days—or shorter if you’re a gamer or an avid movie watcher.
There are some affordable phones that even have 6000mAh batteries, which can last for 2 days or more. Aside from its battery life, remember to check if the phone has battery-saving options and offers features like fast charging and wireless charging. That way, you can use it longer, and charging it would be quick and convenient.
If you're finding it confusing to choose among budget-friendly phones with almost identical specs, try looking for additional features that are offered in certain models but are not included in others. These features may be those that provide advanced security for your phone, such as fingerprint sensors and facial recognition systems.
Some units have dual SIM capacity, which gives you the option to have 2 different service providers or expandable memory, which provides extra storage. While affordable phones may pale in comparison to high-end ones in terms of specs, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on some cool features!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | ![]() | The Full-Feature Smartphone for Everyone | |
2 | Infinix Note 12 | ![]() | Has a Big Storage Capacity to Store Multiple Apps, Photos, and Videos | |
3 | Xiaomi POCO M4 Pro 5G | ![]() | An Affordable 5G Phone With Great Camera | |
4 | Realme narzo 50 4G | ![]() | The Ultimate Gaming Phone for Those on a Budget | |
5 | Samsung Galaxy A13 | ![]() | High Quality Camera for Budding Content Creators | |
6 | TECNO Pova 4 | ![]() | Impressive Battery Capacity for Uninterrupted Usage | |
7 | vivo T1x | ![]() | Powerful Chipset Ideal for Mobile Gamers | |
8 | Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro 5G | ![]() | Offers Wireless Charging for Added Convenience | |
9 | Huawei nova Y70 | ![]() | Produces High Quality Audio for Music Lovers | |
10 | OPPO A57 | ![]() | Has a Fast Charging Ability for Those Who Are Always on the Go |
The Redmi Note 11 is one of the best budget phones available in the market today. It's packed with many features, like a wide AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 for a clear viewing experience. It's also equipped with a 50MP main quad camera for capturing HD photos and videos and a 13MP front camera for Instagram-worthy selfies.
This phone has a storage space of 128GB, and with its 6GB RAM, rest assured that all your apps will run smoothly on this device. Moreover, it has a long-lasting 5000mAh battery with fast charging capabilities and a facial recognition feature that adds an extra layer of security to your phone.
The Infinix Note 12's internal storage of 256GB is the biggest on our list. This makes it ideal for those who like downloading apps on their phone or those who like taking lots of pictures and videos. Also, running multiple apps is a breeze on this device, thanks to its 8GB of RAM, which can also be increased by up to 5GB more.
This smartphone features an AMOLED display and is powered by an impressive Helio G96 processor—thus, it can support light gaming and watching. The camera quality is worth mentioning as well. It has a 50MP main camera with a night mode feature, so you can take snapshots in dimly lit places. It also has a 16MP front camera for good-quality selfies!
Looking for an affordable smartphone that offers 5G connectivity and top-notch performance? Xiaomi’s POCO M4 Pro 5G might be it! It has a 6.6-inch full HD+ display with a refresh rate of 90Hz, which is great for watching and playing fast-paced movies and games. It also sports a 5000mAh battery life that lets you use your phone all day.
In addition to its impressive display, it also has dual speakers for clearer audio. This phone likewise offers a double-camera setup on the back that captures vivid images, consisting of a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, plus a 16MP front camera. With its combination of good features and affordability, this one is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable 5G smartphone.
The Realme Narzo 50 is the ultimate budget gaming phone. It runs on a Helio G96 Gaming Processor, has a 120Hz refresh rate, and has 6GB RAM that can be expanded up to 11GB, ensuring a seamless and exceptionally smooth gaming experience. It also has a multi-functional game mode for better gameplay.
Another great thing about this phone is its FHD+ Fullscreen which gives a larger and clearer view of your gaming scenes, making them lifelike for a fully immersive experience. All these features at its very affordable price make the Realme narzo 50 such a steal!
It's not common to find phones under 10000 from Samsung, a trusted high-end electronics brand. Surprisingly, the Galaxy A13 is affordably priced yet jam-packed with features. For instance, the Samsung Knox feature protects your sensitive information from malware. It's also equipped with Dolby Atmos speakers, which makes listening to music and watching movies beyond the ordinary.
Users of the Galaxy A13 love its 50MP quad-camera which takes photos and videos at an ultra-wide angle and captures small details with clarity and depth. Its 8MP front cam also takes stunning selfies fit for all your social media postings. This phone is perfect for those who are just beginning their journey to becoming social media influencers.
Another great gaming phone is the TECNO Pova 4, which is powered by a Helio G99 processor and has 8GB RAM that's expandable up to 13GB. It also has dual speakers, making gaming more fun. However, the feature that sets this phone apart is its massive 6000mAh battery and 18W fast charge capability.
A charge time of 20 minutes gives you enough power to talk on the phone for 12 hours, play games for 3 hours, or watch YouTube for 4 hours! Users have been raving about the Pova 4's long-lasting battery life, which for them, is reason enough to get this phone.
The vivo T1x is one of the best phones for gaming under 10000. It has a Full HD resolution display, and its processor is Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680, a powerful chipset built for mobile gaming. It also runs on 4GB of RAM, which can be extended by 1GB, and its 64 GB internal storage can also be expanded.
It features an ultra game mode which gives you a full sensory gaming experience, and its battery life can last up to 21 hours, so you can enjoy hours of non-stop playing. Reviewers of this phone were able to run heavy games like Mobile Legends, Ni No Kuni, and Genshin Impact on it without encountering any problems.
The Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro 5G features a 2.2GHz MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor, which is one of the first budget chipsets to come with 5G connectivity. It's also one of the phones under 10000 with a good camera. Its 48MP main quad camera and 16MP selfie camera take great photos and videos for posting on Facebook and Tiktok.
This phone from Cherry Mobile runs on 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 512GB via microSD card. What's exceptional about this phone is that for its very affordable price, you get a phone that is wireless charging capable, meaning you no longer have to deal with charging cables and cords again.
The nova Y70 is one of the best among Huawei phones under 10K in the Philippines today. If you love listening to music, this is the phone you should get. It supports 9.1-channel surround sound, and its Huawei SuperSound technology makes listening to songs an immersive experience. It's as if the artists you're listening to are performing right in front of you!
This is also one of the phones with 128GB of storage under 10000. This can still be expanded up to 512GB via a dedicated microSD card slot, so you can do more besides save all your favorite songs and Spotify downloads. It also has a 6000 mAh battery, which means you can listen to music non-stop!
The first thing you'll notice with the A57 is its premium OPPO Glow Design. It flaunts a subtle glittery finish which is uncommon for phones in this price category. It also comes with an AI Eye Comfort feature and is equipped with blue light reduction technology to give you a more comfortable viewing experience, especially in low light.
The best thing about this phone is its fast-charging 5000mAh battery. It comes with a USB-C pocket charger that can take full advantage of the battery's 33W SuperVOOC fast charging capability, which can charge from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes! This feature is important for those who are always on their feet and need a phone to catch up to their demands, like employees and students.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Ideally, your phone's battery must be between 30% to 80% at all times. This means that you should not drain it completely nor allow it to charge fully. Keeping the battery within the 30-80 range will prevent it from wearing out. To remind yourself of this rule, you can set the battery's critical level to 30% and make sure that you unplug the charger once it reaches 80%.
Yes. There are affordable smartphones that give you a smooth and lag-free gaming experience because they are powered by reliable processors, have high refresh rates, and have high RAM.
They also have a high-resolution large screen that makes gaming more immersive. While powerful gaming phones are expensive, you can definitely find budget-friendly alternatives like the Realme narzo 50 and vivo T1x.
Want to explore more options? Check out our other recommendation articles for phones from different brands. Whether you're a gamer or an influencer, a techie or a casual user, you'll surely find the best phone for you out there!
Author: Katrina Balingit
Re-editor: Carmina Milan
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Xiaomi|Redmi Note 11
No. 2: Infinix|Note 12
No. 3: Xiaomi|POCO M4 Pro 5G
No. 4: Realme|narzo 50 4G
No. 5: Samsung|Galaxy A13
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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