Best Smartphones of 2018 (PHP 10K-15K)

It’s time for another compilation of our top picks for the best smartphones in 2018 and this time we’re looking at the PHP 10K to 15K segment. There are lots of offerings out there but we hope this guide can help you pick the right one based on your budget.

Note: The smartphones listed are those announced in 2018 and are officially available in the Philippines. Highlighted are the best devices from each brand but we’re also including their alternatives.

Nokia 6.1 Plus

Nokia’s best smartphone in this price range is the Nokia 6.1 Plus at PHP 15,990USD 272INR 23,099EUR 260CNY 1,984. It has a premium build, a 5.8-inch screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 636, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual rear cameras, and Android One on Oreo so you’re getting regular updates.

Alternative:

If you can’t stretch your budget, we recommend its smaller sibling, the Nokia 5.1 Plus at PHP 12,990USD 221INR 18,765EUR 211CNY 1,612. It has a 5.86-inch screen, MediaTek Helio P60, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, dual rear cameras, and Android One on Oreo as well.

Vivo V9

For Vivo, we have the V9 at PHP 14,999USD 256INR 21,668EUR 243CNY 1,861. It has a 6.3-inch Notched screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 626, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual rear cameras, a 24MP front camera, and 3,260mAh battery. So if you’re looking for something great at selfies in this price range, this is what we recommend.

Alternatives:

We suggest two alternatives and they’re coming from the Y family. The first one is the Vivo Y95 for PHP 13,999USD 239INR 20,223EUR 227CNY 1,737, sporting a 6.22-inch screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual rear cameras, and 20MP front camera. The other one is the Vivo Y85 for PHP 10,999USD 187INR 15,889EUR 179CNY 1,365. It has a 6.22-inch screen, MediaTek Helio P22, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, dual rear cameras, and 8MP front camera.

OPPO F7

The OPPO F7 is still one of the best smartphones from the company at this price range. For PHP 14,990USD 255INR 21,655EUR 243CNY 1,860, you’re getting a device with a 6.23-inch screen, MediaTek Helio P60, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage. 16MP rear camera, and 25MP front camera.

Alternatives:

The OPPO A7 is priced very close to the F7 at PHP 13,990USD 238INR 20,210EUR 227CNY 1,736. It’s a bit toned-down in some aspects but still recommendable. It has 6.2-inch screen, Snapdragon 450, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual rear cameras, 16MP front, and 4,230mAh battery. Another option is the OPPO F7 Youth at PHP 11,990USD 204INR 17,321EUR 195CNY 1,488. It has a 6-inch screen, MediaTek Helio P60, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, 13MP rear camera, and 8MP front camera.

Xiaomi Mi Max 3

For Xiaomi, our top pick is the Mi Max 3 at PHP 14,990USD 255INR 21,655EUR 243CNY 1,860. It’s got almost everything upsized, like the 6.9-inch screen, Snapdragon 636, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual-rear cameras, and a large 5,500mAh battery.

Alternatives:

Xiaomi has a lot of offerings in this price range so you still have lots to choose from depending on the budget. We have the Redmi Note 6 Pro (4GB + 64GB) with Snapdragon 636 and 4,000mAh battery for PHP 12,490USD 213INR 18,043EUR 203CNY 1,550, the Xiaomi Mi A2 (4GB + 64GB) with Snapdragon 660 and Android One for PHP 12,989USD 221INR 18,764EUR 211CNY 1,612, and the Redmi Note 5 (4GB + 64GB) with Snapdragon 636 and 4,000mAh battery for PHP 10,190USD 174INR 14,720EUR 165CNY 1,265.

Honor Play

The Honor Play is one of the best smartphones in the market with its Kirin 970 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3,750mAh battery for only PHP 14,990USD 255INR 21,655EUR 243CNY 1,860.

Alternative:

The Honor 8X is one of the most commended smartphones in this price range and offers a 6.5-inch screen, HiSilicon Kirin 710, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and 3,750mAh battery for PHP 12,990USD 221INR 18,765EUR 211CNY 1,612.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro (M2)

ASUS capped off 2018 with the launch of the ZenFone Max Pro (M2). It has a 6.3-inch display, Snapdragon 660, and 5,000mAh battery. It comes in two configurations: 6GB + 64GB for PHP 14,995USD 256INR 21,662EUR 243CNY 1,861, and 4GB + 64GB for PHP 12,995USD 221INR 18,773EUR 211CNY 1,613.

Alternatives:

ASUS is still offering the ZenFone 5Q at PHP 12,995USD 221INR 18,773EUR 211CNY 1,613, sporting a 6-inch screen, Snapdragon 630, and quad-cameras. The predecessor, the Max Pro (M1) with Snapdragon 636, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and 5,000mAh battery is still a viable option for PHP 10,995USD 187INR 15,883EUR 178CNY 1,364.

Huawei Y9 (2019)

Huawei’s offering for this segment is the good-looking Y9 (2019) for PHP 12,990USD 221INR 18,765EUR 211CNY 1,612. It has a 6.5-inch screen, HiSilicon Kirin 710, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, quad cameras, and a large 4,000mAh battery.

Cherry Mobile Flare S7 Plus

Cherry Mobile made an impressive move when they released the Flare S7 Plus at PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489. It sports a 6.18-inch notched screen, MediaTek Helio P60, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual rear cameras, 16MP front camera with IR camera for face unlock, and 3,050mAh battery.

And that sums up our list. If you have recommendations, let us know in the comments below.