Why the TNT Panalo Phone 5G is the best smartphone under PHP 4K
Late last month, Smart's value mobile brand, TNT launched its very first branded smartphone with 5G connectivity on a budget, the "Panalo Phone 5G".
 |
| Meet the TNT Panlo Phone 5G |
To recap, the TNT Panalo Phone 5G is an affordable entry-level smartphone priced at just PHP 3,990. The main highlight of the device is it supports 5G connectivity making it the most affordable with such tech for the price. Moreover, it is not just your ordinary 5G connection, it supports the new TNT 5G Max, a boosted network experience capable of delivering faster speeds and more reliable connectivity for subscribers.
AND, based on its specs and experience so far, we think that it is arguably the best value-for-money smartphone under 4,000 pesos.
Why the TNT Panalo Phone 5G is the best smartphone under PHP 4K
 |
| 5G-ready for just PHP 3,990 |
1. 5G Max-ready connectivity - The TNT Panalo Phone 5G is one of the very few and probably the only brand new smartphone with 5G connectivity that you can buy at this price point.
5G connectivity will enable the handset to enjoy fast and more reliable internet speeds for downloading apps, browsing, gaming, video calls, and many more. Since it supports the TNT 5G Max connectivity (initially available in BGC and nearby areas), the phone can enjoy even better speeds.
In our experience, we get over 100 Mbps for download consistently. In TNT 5G Max locations, it reaches speeds of over 300 Mbps.
 |
| AnTuTu score of the TNT Panalo Phone 5G |
2. Strong specs for the price - The device is powered by the 2.35GHz 6nm UNISOC T765 octa-core processor with Mali-G57 MP2 GPU (graphics). It is paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
In our experience, it is good enough for an entry-level device. It runs most of the essential apps like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, TikTok, Viber, and many more with ease. The lag will be minimal.
The AnTuTu benchmark score we recorded is over 340K and this is a step up compared with most similarly priced handsets. Basically, it can run popular games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang easily. Plus thanks to its 5G-ready connectivity, you can enjoy some of those online games with less or even no connection lag.
 |
| It charges via USB-C |
Moreover, while its battery capacity is only 4,000mAh, it can last for about a day on a single charge. Even if you abuse it, it can last for over 10 hours on a single charge. You can recharge it using a USB-C 10W charger after.
 |
| The bottom bezel is thick, but that's understandable for the price |
3. The screen is large enough - The device is packed with a 6.517-inch LCD (IPS) In-Cell display with an HD+ 1600 x 720 resolution.
For an entry-level device, we get fairly good brightness levels. While it won't be as sharp as 1080p panels from more expensive phones, the colors it produces are decent-looking in general.
This is usable and quite enjoyable for viewing the photos you took and checking images and videos on social media and even YouTube or Netflix.
 |
| Not bad for a budget phone |
4. The design is neat - For a budget phone, the handset doesn't look cheap. It has a minimalist-looking dark grey paint finish with a black stripe in the upper part of its back. There is also a modern-looking circular camera hump. On the bottom part, it has a TNT logo in grey. The handset has a flat overall look as well.
Speaking of cameras, the experience is decent for the price. It has a 13MP primary shooter paired with a 2MP lens and a 0.08MP auxiliary lens. In front, there's a 5MP selfie snapper.
We suggest using its cameras in well-lit conditions to get decent-looking images.
Bonus - The handset even comes with a FREE TNT SIM with freebies. Moreover, it is available for purchase at the Smart Online Store with FREE delivery nationwide.
TNT Panalo Phone 5G Specs
Display: 6.517-inch LCD (IPS) screen w/ HD+ 1600 x 720 resolution at 269 ppi
CPU: 2.35GHz 6nm UNISOC T765 octa-core processor
GPU: Mali-G57 MP2
RAM: 4GB
ROM: 64GB
Back Camera: 13MP main + 2MP + 0.08 auxiliary lens + LED flash
Selfie Camera: 5MP f/2.0
Battery: 4,000mAh w/ 10W charging
OS: Android 14
Connectivity: WiFi (2.4GHz/5GHz), 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, OTG, GPS, dual SIM
Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic
Others: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock, dual-mic, USB-C, Colors: Black
Dimensions: 165 x 75.6 x 9mm
Price: PHP 3,990
Quick thoughts
We see this handset as a good starter smartphone for anyone for those on a tight budget.
While there are better phones if you can spend more, there are very few phones that can match what it offers for just PHP 3,990. In particular, it comes with best-in-class 5G connectivity, decent overall performance, a large display, and a neat design for the price.
This could be a very good phone to gift to students, anyone in need of a backup device, and even Grab or other businesses that need a phone with strong connectivity performance for less.
Post a Comment