10 best smartphones under P10,000 for 2017

With technology improving each year, more and more smartphones are launching at low price points. This year saw a good number of them boasting similar experiences to what midrange and flagship units could offer some years ago. What does this mean? Even at a low cost, these sub-P10,000 phones are able to offer reliable performance and a modern experience. 

Gone are the days where a great smartphone cost an arm and leg, which is why anyone currently in the market for one is in luck. Here are 10 of the best of them: 

1) Meizu M5S (Php 8,999)

With a premium metal build, fun extra features, and decent specs, the Meizu M5S is a solid pick for those who can look past its outdated Android 6.0 Marshmallow software. Internally, it has a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6753 octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a fingerprint sensor. It’s far from being the strongest or fastest smartphone in this price range but the M5S is more than capable of covering all the bare necessities.

2) Samsung Galaxy J5 Prime (Php 8,990)

Samsung’s latest addition to the J-series, the Galaxy J5 Prime is a good looking phone that mostly works. It comes with a 1.4GHz Exynos 7570 Quad-Core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage, and a 2400mAh battery. Despite competition offering more within the same price range, this is still a great smartphone that is sure to please Samsung’s fans.

 3) Cherry Mobile Desire R8 (Php 9,999)

More often associated with lower priced budget smartphones, Cherry Mobile this past year introduced the Desire R8 that gives them a fighting chance at striking success in this highly competitive price segment. The local company equipped the Desire R8 with some noteworthy specs which include a 1.5GHz MediaTek MT6750T octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a fingerprint scanner, full HD display and a 3000mAh battery.

4) Huawei GR3 2017 (Php 8,990)

The Huawei GR3 2017 covers all the basics of a good smartphone experience – great value and performance. Its Kirin 655 octa-core processor is commendable for handling all the phone’s tasks efficiently. The phone also comes with 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a decent battery life that can last up to a full day under heavy use. Despite the use of some plastic material for the phone’s design, it’s hard to pass on value like this.

5) Nokia 5 (Php 9,990) 

Sporting a stunning design with a premium metal finish, Nokia is not merely banking on years of history and nostalgia to sell the Nokia 5. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a fingerprint scanner – far from being the fastest or strongest phone out there but decent specs for its price. The sleek, ergonomic, and elegant design of the Nokia 5 can surely make most overlook its satisfactory performance.   

6) Moto E4 Plus (Php 8,999)

Falling somewhere in the middle in terms of price and specs between the Moto E4 and the Moto G5, the E4 Plus is a phone with a premium look and tremendous battery life. Packing a 5000mAh battery, the Moto E4 is a workhorse that could go two days without charging. It also houses a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6737 quad-core CPU, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a fingerprint sensor – passable specs that is outshined by the massive battery. 

7) Vivo V5 Lite (Php 9,990)

Touted as a budget selfie smartphone, the Vivo V5 Lite not only comes with great cameras, it also has some solid specs for its price. This variant of the V5 packs a 16-megapixel front shooting camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Internally, the phone has 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and it retains the 1.5GHz MediaTek MT6750 octa-core processor of its more expensive counterpart

8) OPPO A71 (Php 8,990)

A midranger with an entry-level price, the OPPO A71 can handle most of a user’s daily smartphone use which include calls, texts, social media, and games with great efficiency. It houses a 1.5GHz MT6750 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery, which lasts remarkably long. Additionally, its cameras work well enough for social media posts. There’s just no denying the value in this budget-friendly all-arounder.

9) ASUS ZenFone 4 Max (Php 9,995)

Dubbed as the phone with “legendary” battery life by Unbox.ph, the ASUS ZenFone 4 Max’s 5000mAh battery is unrivaled in outlasting its competition. The phone has been said to last one to two days under heavy use. Further upping the phone’s value, it comes equipped with a 8-megapixel front shooter and dual rear cameras – a 13-megapixel main and a 5-megapixel wide angle.

It houses a 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. Considering all the features and the price, this is easily one of the better bang for your buck phones to release this year.

10) Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X (Php 8,800)

A slight upgrade over the Redmi Note 3, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X proves that the Chinese company can create and sell impressive midrangers for a bargain. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 1080p HD display, a finger scanner, and a whopping 4100mAh battery. Spec wise, it is arguably the best deal on this list. – Rappler.com