Holiday Gift Guide 2018: Smartphones to get in the Philippines this Christmas!

Looking to gift yourself or loved ones with a brand new smartphone this Christmas season? 

The best for every budget

Check out this list of the best smartphones we prepared that you can buy in the Philippines today.

The best smartphones in the Philippines per price range

Ultra budget smartphone (Under PHP 2,999)

Cherry Mobile Flare A2

1. Cherry Mobile Flare A2 - For PHP 2,999, the Cherry Mobile Flare A2 is one of the very few with 700MHz 4G LTE connectivity in town. It also has a 5-inch FWVGA screen, Snapdragon 210 quad-core chip, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 2,000mAh battery, 8MP main camera, 2MP selfie camera, and a special type of Android (Go edition) OS.

Its Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) OS has the CherryOS 3.0 skin on the top.

Starmobile Play Click LTE

2. Starmobile Play Click LTE - For its PHP 2,988 introductory price, the Starmobile Play Click LTE also has the 700MHz 4G LTE connectivity. It also has decent specs for the price which include the 5-inch FWVGA screen, 1.4GHz 64-bit Spreadtrum SC9832E quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB expandable storage, 8MP main camera, 5MP selfie camera, and Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) OS.

Budget smartphone (PHP 3,000 to PHP 5,999)

Huawei Y6 2018

1. Huawei Y6 2018 - The Huawei Y6 2018 is one of the most popular budget phones in the country priced at PHP 5,990. It has a big 5.7-inch HD+ 18:9 screen, Snapdragon 425 SoC, 2BG RAM, 16GB storage, and 3,000mAh battery.

It also has respectable 13MP f/2.2 primary camera, 5MP f/2.2 selfie snapper, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Redmi 5

2. Xiaomi Redmi 5 - The Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the best value for money phones at PHP 5,990. It features a metal body construction and a 5.7-inch screen. Inside, it is powered by the Snapdragon 450 processor paired with 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, and 3,300mAh battery capacity.

It also has a 12MP f/2.2 main camera, 5MP f/2.0 selfie camera, 4G LTE connectivity, fingerprint scanner, and an IR blaster.

Cherry Mobile Flare S7

3. Cherry Mobile Flare S7 - The Flare S7 is the only quad cam phone in its class. For the starting price of PHP 4,599, you will get a handset with a pair of 13MP OV12830 and 2MP GC2385 sensors at the back and in front.

It also has decent overall specs which include 5-inch HD+ 18:9 screen, MT6739WA quad-core processor, PowerVR GE8100 GPU, up to 3GB RAM, 16GB expandable storage, 2,400mAh battery, and 700MHz 4G LTE connectivity.

It is also one of the few with USB Type-C reversible port for the price.

Realme C1

4. Realme C1 - The Realme C1 is dubbed as the entry-level king for a reason. For the price of PHP 5,990, it goes with a stylish design, big screen, and powerful specs for the price. It goes with a Gorilla Glass 3 protected 6.2-inch HD+ 19:9 notch screen, Snapdragon 450 SoC, 2GB RAM, 16GB expandable storage, and massive 4,230mAh battery.

It also has a 13MP and 2MP dual-camera setup at the back, 5MP AI selfie camera, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Entry-level smartphone (PHP 6,000 to PHP 9,999)

Redmi Note 5

1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (3GB/32GB) - The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most exciting entry-level phones of the year. For the starting price of PHP 9,495, you can get a device with a metal clad build, 5.99-inch FHD+ 18:9 screen, Snapdragon 636 SoC, and 4,000mAh battery.

It also has the most powerful dual-camera setup for the price. It has the 12MP f/1.9 + 5MP f/2.0 setup with Dual Pixel PDAF focus. For selfies, it goes with a 13MP AI selfie shooter.

This device also has a fingerprint scanner and 4G LTE connectivity.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1

2. ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (3GB/32GB) - For the starting price of PHP 9,995, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 can go toe-to-toe with the Redmi Note 5. It goes with a 5.99-inch FHD+ screen, Snapdragon 636 SoC, and 5,000mAh battery. It also has  a 13MP and 5MP dual-camera setup, 8MP selfie shooter, fingerprint scanner, and 4G LTE.

OPPO A3s

3. OPPO A3s (3GB/32GB) - The OPPO A3s is one the few with a notch and capable specs for PHP 9,990. It goes with a 6.2-inch notched screen with HD+ resolution, Snapdragon 450 SoC, and 4,230mAh battery. It also has a 13MP + 2MP dual-camera, 8MP AI selfie camera, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Alcatel 5V

4. Alcatel 5V - The Alcatel 5V also has good specs for its asking price of PHP 9,990. It goes with a stylish 3D glass-like back cover, Dragontrail glass protected 6.2-inch HD+ 19:9 screen, 12nm 64-bit Helio P22 octa-core processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, 4,000mAh battery, 12MP + 2MP dual-camera, 8MP selfie camera, face unlock, fingerprint scanner, and 700MHz 4G LTE connectivity.

Vivo Y91

5. Vivo Y91 - If you need a budget smartphone with the highest screen-to-body ratio, check the Vivo Y91 priced at PHP 9,999. It is one of the very few with a 6.22-inch halo notch HD+ screen. Not only that, it also goes with a 12nm Snapdragon 439 processor, 3GB RAM, 64GB storage, and 4,030mAh battery capacity. You will also find a 13MP + 2MP dual-camera setup, 8MP AI selfie camera, face unlock, fingerprint scanner, and 700MHz 4G LTE.

Cloudfone Next Infinity Pro

6. Cloudfone Next Infinity Pro - If you are on a tight budget, the Cloudfone Next Infinity Pro is a must check for PHP 6,999. Why? It has a 5.7-inch HD+ screen, 16MP PDAF main camera and a 20MP + 8MP dual-selfie camera with portrait mode!

Its chip Snapdragon 430 chip maybe old, but it also has 3GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, fingerprint scanner, and 700MHz 4G LTE connectivity.

Affordable mid-range smartphone (PHP 10,000 to PHP 13,999)

Honor 8X

1. Honor 8X - The Honor 8X is one of the hottest smartphone in its price range for a reason. For just PHP 12,990, the Honor 8X goes with a premium real metal and glass design, massive 6.5-inch FHD+ screen with 91 percent screen-to-body ratio, powerful Kirin 710 chip, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, and 3,750mAh battery.

It also has a good 20MP f/1.8 and 2MP dual-camera at the back with Master AI and AIS Super Night Mode feature. It is also complete with a fingerprint scanner at the back and 700MHz 4G LTE.

Huawei Y9 2019

2. Huawei Y9 2019 - Like the Honor 8X the Huawei Y9 2019 is also a feature-rich smartphone for PHP 12,990. It features a big 6.5-inch FHD+ screen, Kirin 710 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB expandable storage. It even has a quad-camera setup, fingerprint scanner at the back, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite

3. Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite (4GB/64GB) - For the starting price of PHP 13,990, the Mi 8 Lite is a very attractive smartphone as well. It features a metal and glass design, 6.26-inch FHD+ screen, Snapdragon 660 AIE chip, 3,350mAh battery with USB Type-C port, 12MP + 5MP dual-camera, 24MP selfie camera, and dual 4G LTE connectivity.

Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus

4. Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus - Our wildcard is the Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus. It is one of the most feature-rich and attractive in the affordable mid-range segment. For PHP 11,999, it features a stunning metal and glass design, Helio P60 SoC, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and 3,050mAh battery capacity. It even has USB Type-C charging and wireless charging. It also features one of the best cameras we ever saw for the price.

Mid-range smartphone (PHP 14,000 to PHP 22,999)

POCOPHONE F1

1. POCOPHONE F1 - The POCOPHONE F1 is a flagship smartphone with a mid-range price tag! For the starting price of PHP 17,990, you will get a handset with 6.18-inch FHD+ screen, Snapdragon 845 AIE flagship processor, up to 8GB RAM, up 128GB expandable storage, 4,000mAh battery, 12MP + 5MP dual-camera setup, 20MP AI selfie camera, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Huawei Nova 3i

2. Huawei Nova 3i - Earlier this year, Huawei surprised everyone with the Nova 3i. It is a well balanced smartphone packed with premium design, capable specs, and quad cameras for PHP (PHP 14,990 sale price). It has a big 6.3-inch FHD+ screen, Kirin 710 chip, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, 16MP + 2MP dual-cam at the back with AIS Super Night Mi, 24MP + 2MP selfie dual-cam, and 700MHz 4G LTE.

Vivo V11

3. Vivo V11 - The Vivo V11 is for those in need of a very good selfie camera and tiny bezels for PHP 19,999. It features a massive 6.41-inch AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 660 AIE processor, 6GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3,400mAh battery, 12MP f/1.8 + 5MP Dual Pixel PDAF cameras, and the 25MP f/2.0 selfie camera. It is also the most affordable with an In-Display fingerprint scanner in town. Lastly, it has 700MHz 4G LTE.

Honor Play

4. Honor Play - The Honor Play is arguably the best for PHP 15,990. It features a metal and glass design with the Kirin 970 flagship processor inside. It also has the GPU Turbo technology for gaming, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3,750mAh battery, 16MP f/2.2 + 2MP dual-camera with AIS Super Night Mode, 16MP selfie camera, fingerprint scanner, and 4G LTE Cat 18 connection.

OPPO F9

5. OPPO F9 - The F9 features good specs for PHP 17,990. It has a 6.3-inch waterdrop FHD+ screen and Helio P60 SoC inside. It also has 6GB RAM, 64GB expandable storage, and 3,500mAh with VOOC flash charge solution. It also has a good 25MP f/2.0 selfie camea and 700MHz 4G LTE.

Affordable premium smartphone (PHP 23,000 to PHP 39,999)

OnePlus 6T

1. OnePlus 6T - For the starting price of PHP 31,990, the OnePlus 6T is arguably the best affordable premium smartphone in the country. It is a monster with 6.4-inch FHD+ Optic AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 845 SoC with Smart Boost technology, up to 8GB RAM, up to 256GB storage, and 3,700mAh battery with OnePlus Fast Charge.

It also has a 16MP f/1.7 Sony IMX519 sensor + 20MP f/1.7 Sony IMX376 sensor w/ PDAF, 2x zoom, OIS, EIS, LED flash, and Nightscape mode, 16MP f/1.7 Sony IMX371 selfie camera, In-Display fingerprint scanner, and 4G LTE Cat 16.

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

2. Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro - Like the OnePlus 6T, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is a beast as well. For PHP 32,990, you will find a 6.21-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 845 SoC, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and 3,400mAh battery. It also has the same good 12MP f/1.8 Sony IMX363 sensor + 12MP f/2.4 Samsung S5K3M3 sensor with Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS found on the regular Mi 8. It now has an In-Display fingerprint scanner as well.

OPPO R17 Pro

3. OPPO R17 Pro - If you need a really good camera low light camera phone, the OPPO R17 Pro could be an option for PHP 38,990. It has a 12MP (f/1.5/f/2.4) + 20MP f/2.6 + 3D TOF depth camera w/ PDAF, OIS and dual-tone LED flash with AI Ultra-clear Engine to capture low light images better.

It also has a 6.4-inch FHD+ Gorilla Glass 6 AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 710 SoC, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 3,700mAh battery with SuperVOOC flash charge, and a very stylish radiant mist color option.

Huawei Nova 3

4. Huawei Nova 3 - The Nova 3 is like the Nova 3i, but faster and better. For just PHP 25,990, you get a 3D glass back cover with 6.3-inch FHD+ screen and Kirin 970 processor inside. It also has large 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, and 3,750mAh with 18W fast charger.

On the camera part, you will get a 16MP f/1.8 RGB sensor + 24MP f/1.8 monochrome sensor w/ PDAF, contrast focus, Master AI, and LED flash. For selfies, it goes with the 24MP f/2.0+ 2MP w/ AF, Master AI, HDR Pro, and screen flash. To keep it simple, the Nova 3 is a premium looking flagship with upper mid-range price tag.

Flagship smartphone (PHP 40,000 and above)

OPPO Find X

1. OPPO Find X - The OPPO Find X is the futuristic looking flagship of the year. It has a 6.4-inch screen with an impressive 93.8 percent of screen-to-body ratio. It also has the Snapdragon 845 SoC, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and 3,730mAh battery with VOOC flash charge solution.

ROG Phone

2. ASUS ROG Phone - If you like to have a high-end smartphone with console-like accessories and decent flagship specs, the ASUS ROG Phone is an option for a price that starts at PHP 49,995.

It has a 6-inch FHD+ screen, Snapdragon 845 SoC, 8GB RAM, 128GB/512GB storage, and 4,000mAh battery. It also goes with 4G LTE and stereo speakers.

Samsung Galaxy Note9

3. Samsung Galaxy Note9 - The Galaxy Note9 is one of the best phablets of 2018 with a starting price of PHP 55,900. It has a premium metal and glass design with IP68 water and dust resistance, 2.8GHz 64-bit Exynos 9810 octa-core processor, up to 8GB RAM, up to 512GB storage, and 4,000mAh battery. It also has 12MP (f/1.5/f/2.4) + 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens w/ Dual Pixel and Dual OIS, 4G LTE Cat 18, stereo speakers, and the new S Pen with Bluetooth.

iPhone XS Max

4. Apple iPhone XS Max - The new flagship iPhone also made it in our list. For a starting price of PHP 74,990, you get a handset with latest A12 Bionic 7 nm processor that promises improved overall performance. 

It also features a large 6.5-inch OLED screen, up to 512GB storage, and an improved 12MP + 12MP dual cameras. It also have an improved IP68 water, stereo speakers, and dust resistance and wireless charging solution.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

5. Huawei Mate 20 Pro - The Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the flagship game-changer of the year. It is arguably the best smartphone that your money can buy right now. For PHP 49,990, you'll get an AI smartphone with stunning metal and glass design, IP68 water and dust resistance, 2.6GHz 64-bit Kirin 980 octa-core processor with Dual-NPU, 6GB LPDDR4x RAM, 128GB expandable storage via NM card, and 4,200mAh with 40W SuperCharge, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

It also goes with the most versatile triple-camera setup today. It is equipped with a Leica powered  40MP f/1.8 RGB sensor + 20MP f/2.2 ultra wide-angle + 8MP f/2.4 OIS telephoto sensor w/ 4D predictive focus, AIS, 5x zoom, 4K video recording, 960 fps slow motion, and dual-tone LED flash. It also has the AIS Super Night Mode for handheld long exposure shots.

It also has the highest 4G LTE Cat 21, dual-band GPS, In-Display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, and Android 9.0 Pie OS with EMUI 9.0 skin out of the box.

There you have it! For us, these are the very best smartphones that your money can buy in the country this Christmas.

Most of the smartphones listed here are also available online at Shopee Mall, Argomall, and Laz Mall.

#GIZPhoneAwards2018

You may also vote for your favorite smartphone at the #GIZPhoneAwards2018. To vote, click here.

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