We’re back yet again for a first quarter recap of the best smartphone releases in the Philippines for Q1 2024. This time, we’re covering devices priced under Php 25,000 (Php25k).
This article will provide readers with a quick rundown of the phone specs, and what they generally offer. We’ll also be plugging our in-depth written reviews for the devices should you guys be interested to know more.
Again, the devices below fell within our set budget at the time of writing. The prices are subject to things like suggested retail prices (SRP), promos, or prolonged sales prices.
These may also vary if netizens would shop at either online or physical stores. With that out of the way, let’s cover the best smartphones released in the Philippines below Php25k.
Table of Contents
Nothing Phone (2a)
Starting off the list, we have the Nothing Phone (2a) from our previous article with a higher configuration. This version comes with 12GB RAM (+8GB RAM Extension) and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
The phone features a 6.7-inch flexible FHD+ AMOLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz. The display panel is also covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.
It’s powered by the Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset and packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W of fast charging support.
This device has a dual-rear camera setup, featuring two 50MP sensors that can shoot videos up to 4K at 30fps. At the front, users get a 32MP camera that can shoot videos in 1080p at 60fps.
The Nothing Phone (2a) also features True Lens Engine, Ultra XDR, Glyph Interface, an advanced liquid cooling system, and Nothing OS 2.5.3 out-of-the-box.
The Nothing Phone has a ton of neat features end users can definitely geek out to. If you want to see what the device can do, we also have a recently published written review 57 on it here.
We also have a video review for you below:
The Nothing Phone (2a) is available in the Philippines via Digital Walker. Currently, the store has yet to restock for the device. Readers should definitely keep an eye out because this phone is a hot item in the smartphone market!
Price: PHP 20,999
Samsung Galaxy A35
Next up, we have the Samsung Galaxy A35. This device has a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. On top of that, it runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset.
For configs, the A35 has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. While there’s also a 128GB storage option, it’s only available exclusively to device plans from Globe Telecom or Smart Communications.
But if readers should find 256GB of storage lacking, the phone supports microSD cards via a hybrid SIM tray.
The phone also has triple-rear cameras led by a 50MP main shooter with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and 5MP macro lens. For selfies, you get a 13MP front-facing camera. The device is capable of recording 4K @ 30fps videos, both the front and rear cameras.
Powering the Galaxy A35 is a sizable 5,000 mAh Li-Ion battery with 25W of wired charging. The phone also runs on Android 14 skinned with One UI 6.1 out-of-the-box.
A35 users will be treated to an amazing build quality and media consumption experience courtesy of the phone’s display and speakers.
For those interested, we published a written review 31 on the device. We’ll even leave a YouTube video with links to the Samsung Galaxy A35 in Shopee and Lazada below!
Price: PHP 20,990
Lazada
Shopee
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G
Moving on, we have the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. The phone sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz.
The device is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM (+8GB RAM Extension) and 256GB or 512GB UFS 3.1 storage.
Next, the Note 13 Pro+ has a triple camera setup headlined by a 200MP main shooter with OIS. The following sensors feature an 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lens. Users also get a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies.
Additionally, the Note 13 series variant packs a 5,000mAh battery with 120W of Turbo Charging.
This phone is a great find, providing users with a crisp display, smooth gameplay performance, and long battery life. We suggest you check it out in the links below!
You can read our written review 68 or watch how we spent our time with the phone below.
Price: PHP 20,999 – 23,999
Lazada 20
Shopee 32
vivo V30 5G (12GB+256GB)
The vivo V30 5G is touted as the slimmest phone in the smartphone market that packs a 5,000mAh battery. It even has support for 80W of FlashCharge technology.
This modern, minimal beauty boasts a 6.78-inch curved 120Hz AMOLED display protected by Schott Alpha glass. Out-of-the-box, it comes with a FHD+ resolution, but readers can actually bump this up to 2800×1260 or 2K resolution.
This device sports a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, with 12GB RAM (+12GB RAM Extension) and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage under this price range.
The vivo V30 runs a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 50MP main shooter and a 50MP ultrawide sensor. The rear cameras offer vivo’s Hybrid Image Stabilization, which combines OIS and EIS for better photo clarity with handheld shooting.
As for video capabilities, the main camera can shoot up to 4K@30fps with gyro-EIS enabled. The V30 also has a 50MP selfie shooter, which can also shoot videos in the same resolution.
Readers should just keep in mind that the front camera does not provide gyro-EIS support for stable recordings.
The key feature of this device is the Aura Light ring. It gives readers access to a quick, diffused fill light for taking photos on-the-go.
The V30 is an exceptional device that shines in performance, photography, and battery complemented by a user-friendly interface.
You can check out our written review of the vivo V30 5G 53 or watch the video review for those who want to know more.
Price: PHP 23,999
Lazada
Shopee
OPPO Reno11 5G
The OPPO Reno11 5G is a sleek smartphone known for its stunning cameras, being aptly dubbed ‘The Portrait Expert’.
To elaborate, the device has triple-rear cameras led by a 50MP Sony LYT600 sensor with PDAF and OIS, complemented by a 32MP telephoto camera and an 8MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide lens.
At the front, it’s equipped with a 32MP OmniVision OV32C camera. The Reno11 can record videos up to 4K at 30fps from both front and rear cameras.
The phone also sports a 6.7-inch OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Powering the device is a Mediatek Dimensity 7050, paired with 12GB RAM (+12GB RAM Expansion) and 256GB storage, expandable to 1TB via microSD card.
This smartphone runs on a sizable 5,000mAh battery with 67W SuperVOOC charging.
The Reno11 excels in performance, while providing end users with a vivid display and great cameras for a modest price. Read more about OPPO’s Portrait Expert in our written review 52 on the device.
And as always, leaving the links for the device from OPPO’s official stores with our video review below!
Price: PHP 24,999
Lazada
Shopee 16
Samsung Galaxy A55
Last for this list, we have the latest iteration from Samsung’s best-selling Galaxy A-Series, the Galaxy A55.
This device has a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. While identical to the Galaxy A35, the panel is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+.
The phone also boasts Samsung’s newest Exynos 1480 chipset, clocking up to 2.7GHz. The A55 comes with a configuration of 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. (There a 128GB variant available exclusive to Globe and Smart.)
As with some devices above, users can add up to 8GB of virtual memory in the phone’s settings. This phone also provides microSD card support via a hybrid slot.
This device has a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. On top of that, it runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset.
The Galaxy A55 has a triple camera system consisting of a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro lenses. It also comes equipped with a 32MP selfie shooter situated in a punch-hole notch on the display.
For video recording, the phone can capture up to 4K at 30fps with optical image stabilization support.
As for battery, the Galaxy A55 packs a 5,000mAh cell paired with up to 25W of wired charging.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G offers an all-around package. Users are treated to a smooth display, long battery life, a refined design, and a consistent One UI 6.1 software experience
Time will only tell if this Galaxy A-Series iteration will become a bestseller for 2024. But in the meantime, feel free to see our written review 69 on the Galaxy A55.
Check out the video and links below:
