10 Best Affordable Smartphones in the Philippines 2023 | Buying Guide Reviewed by IT Specialist

If display size and quality, graphics, storage capacity, RAM, and camera quality matter to you, then this phone will not let you down! Huawei Nova 8i has a 6.67-inch screen which offers a wide view ideal for streaming, gaming, or simply browsing social media. With its crystal clear resolution of 2376 by 1080p, enjoy bright and vibrant visuals in full HD. 

In terms of its strengths, the product's design is also definitely worth mentioning. The device has an impressive screen-to-body ratio of almost 90%, which creates a sleek edgeless display. It comes in three colors: starry black, moonlight silver, and starry blue.

Another advantage of this device is its 66W supercharge feature, which can juice up your device up to 60% in under 17 minutes and fully charge it in 38 minutes! With its above-average features, Huawei's Nova 8i is one of the best budget phones out there!

Realme's Narzo 50A comes with a lot of features that make it an ideal device for mobile gamers. To start, it's equipped with Helio G96, a powerful gaming processor that is able to deliver smoother gameplay and ensure sustained performance even with heavy and intensive games such as Call of Duty, PUBG, and Fortnite.

Speaking of smooth gameplay, this device has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which means that each second contains 120 frames for a visually pleasing and overall satisfying gaming experience. Additionally, aside from the built-in 128GB storage capacity, this device also has three card slots to give you the option of expanding your storage to up to 1TB!

A common concern among gamers is battery life. Luckily, the Narzo 50A is capable of 33W dart charging, so you can get back into the action ASAP. With all that being said, this device is designed for the hardcore gamer looking for a mobile phone that can also double as a powerful gaming device.

The strongest feature of Oppo devices, particularly the Oppo Reno 6 Z model, is the quality of their front cameras. For instance, this model is equipped with a 32MP front camera, almost three times better than that of the latest iPhone! If you're looking for the best phone for taking selfies, then this is something that you should definitely consider.

The Oppo Reno Z 6 features an AMOLED display, which can provide a full HD 2400 by 1080p resolution on a 6.43" screen. It is also capable of 30W fast charging for speedy and efficient charging. There are two color designs to choose from: aurora and stellar black.

Though the price may be a little steep, it's certainly worth spending a little extra cash on, especially if a superior camera quality and screen display are what you're looking for.

The Nokia G21 is one of the best budget phones when it comes to battery and camera quality. With a 50MP main camera, you can now capture breathtaking shots on your mobile device. The battery on this thing can run for 3 days, thanks to its 5050mAh battery capacity. Given both of these features, this device is perfect for those who like to document and share their memories online.

In terms of its operating system, the Nokia G21 uses the latest Android 11, which has a more intuitive layout that allows you to easily control and navigate your phone. If you're worried about getting left behind once the next version comes out, fret not, as this device guarantees two years of Android OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates as well! 

Waiting a couple of hours just to fully charge your phone can be excruciating especially if you're in a hurry. Though many smartphones now have an 18W quick charge function, the Redmi Note 11 takes it to the next level by allowing a 33W dart charge function for faster charge time. With this, you can expect 100% battery in only 78 minutes!

Aside from speedy charging, the advantages of this device include its bright and vibrant AMOLED display, 2400 by 1080p resolution, 6GB RAM, 13MP front camera, 90Hz refresh rate, and expandable storage. Overall, this is a great option if you want an all-around phone that does not take too long to juice up.

Frequently strain your eyes from staring at your phone for too long? We've all been guilty of this but thankfully, this Samsung phone is the upgrade that best addresses that concern. The Galaxy A32 boasts a full HD AMOLED display that can light up your phone by up to 800 nits. This means that you're guaranteed a sharp, smooth, and vibrant viewing experience even in broad daylight.

Moreover, this device also features Eye Comfort Shield which lowers the blue light on your phone. Plus, it has a zippy 90Hz refresh rate for smoother viewing whether you're gaming or scrolling through social media. These features alone make it one of the most eye-friendly phones sold at a reasonable price.

If you're a student or an employee working from home, it's important that your phone can handle multiple tasks at once especially if you have to meet important deadlines. This next product can do that exceptionally well thanks to its Snapdragon processor and Multi-Turbo5.0 feature which can keep your device cool and efficient even while it's running multiple apps simultaneously.

Vivo's Y21T comes with a very generous 128GB storage space so you can download a hefty amount of apps and games on your device from the Play Store. The unit comes in two different colors namely midnight blue and pearl white and you'll receive a free SIM card and a Bluetooth wireless headband as freebies for every purchase of this unit on Shopee or Lazada.

Looking to upgrade your laggy, unresponsive smartphone? If yes, then the Realme 9 Pro is something to consider. It comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor that enables seamless productivity and entertainment. It is also capable of 5G internet and has a 120Hz refresh rate, so expect to experience smoother graphics and a more stable internet connection.

Aside from the smooth display, the Realme Pro 9 also has a nightscape camera, so you can take amazing shots even in poor lighting. Aside from the 64MP primary camera, the device also comes with an 8MP ultra wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro lens. Plus, it has a 16MP front camera perfect for taking selfies and video calling friends and family.

The Oppo A55 is an all-around mobile device with all the important features you expect from a smartphone. It is capable of 46 LTE internet, Bluetooth 5.0 compatible, 60Hz refresh rate, 5000mAh battery, and an 18W fast charging feature. All these specs are packed in a slim and sleek design that prioritizes portability as well as aesthetic quality.

However, the spec that gives you the most bang for your buck is definitely its camera. You'll have a 50MP primary camera that supports 5 times digital zoom for more precise camera angles. You can also use its bokeh filter, which adds a soft, out-of-focus effect to your portraits. With these advanced features, you can now take studio-quality shots using only your mobile device!

With most budget phones starting at Php 10,000, it's becoming extremely difficult to find a phone priced lower than that but still with decent specs. Xiaomi's Redmi 9A is an exception as it offers a solid 6.53-inch screen and Helio G25 processor for lower than Php 5,000. Though the camera quality and RAM capacity are limited, it's still reasonable given its fair price.

While the battery is the standard 5000mAh—common with most budget phones— Redmi 9A has a charge cycle count as high as 1000, which means that it can be used daily for more than 2.5 years without any significant degradation to the battery. Overall, though this phone may not promise above-average specs, it does guarantee durability in terms of battery longevity.