Best Smartphones of 2018 (PHP 30K-above)

We’re finally in 2019 and surely there will be new smartphones to be announced. But before we welcome those new devices, let’s take a look at the best smartphones of 2018. For this article, we’re starting with the phones priced at PHP 30,000USD 511INR 43,338EUR 487CNY 3,723 and above.

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.

Apple iPhone XS Max

If you want the best that Apple has to offer, then look at the iPhone XS Max. It has the largest screen in the bunch at 6.5-inches and the largest battery capacity at 3,178mAh. It is also the most expensive at PHP 74,990USD 1,278INR 108,331EUR 1,217CNY 9,306 for the 64GB, PHP 84,490USD 1,440INR 122,054EUR 1,371CNY 10,485 for the 256GB, and PHP 97,490USD 1,661INR 140,834EUR 1,582CNY 12,099 at 512GB.

Alternatives:

For alternatives, you can go with the iPhone XS start at PHP 67,990USD 1,159INR 98,218EUR 1,103CNY 8,438 for the 64GB, or the iPhone XR starting at PHP 50,990USD 869INR 73,660EUR 828CNY 6,328 for the 64GB.

ASUS ROG Phone

The ROG Phone is still one of the best devices you purchase from ASUS at this price range, especially if you’re a hardcore mobile gamer. Price is at PHP 49,995USD 852INR 72,223EUR 811CNY 6,204 for the 8GB + 128GB model, and and PHP 61,995USD 1,056INR 89,558EUR 1,006CNY 7,694 for the 8GB +512GB. But if you want to go all out and want the complete accessories, you can buy the whole package at PHP 108,465USD 1,848INR 156,689EUR 1,760CNY 13,461 (8GB + 128GB) and PHP 120,465USD 2,053INR 174,024EUR 1,955CNY 14,950 (8GB +512GB).

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Huawei‘s best is in the form of the Mate 20 Pro. It is a huge upgrade compared to its predecessor and definitely a strong contender among high-end flagship phones in 2018. It packs everything one would wish for from a flagship smartphone and some more. We could not find anything we did not like about it. Well, except for that very high price tag of PHP 49,990USD 852INR 72,216EUR 811CNY 6,204.

Alternatives:

For alternatives, you can go with the Mate 20 for PHP 40,990USD 698INR 59,214EUR 665CNY 5,087. It may not have the bells and whistles of the Mate 20 Pro but it is still as powerful. You may also want to take a look at the photography-centric P20 Pro at PHP 40,990USD 698INR 59,214EUR 665CNY 5,087 or the P20 for PHP 30,990USD 528INR 44,768EUR 503CNY 3,846.

OPPO Find X

The OPPO Find X is one of the most exciting smartphones of 2018 and also one of the best from the brand thanks to its 6.4-inch Panoramic Arc Screen, attractive design, and slide-out cameras. If you ask me, I think it’s also the most beautiful smartphone of 2018. It comes with a hefty price tag though at PHP 49,990USD 852INR 72,216EUR 811CNY 6,204.

Alternative:

If you don’t have the budget for the Find X but want something really good at photography, then you might want to take a look at the R17 Pro. It has three cameras, an attractive premium build, and good battery life. The R17 Pro is priced at PHP 38,990USD 664INR 56,325EUR 633CNY 4,839.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Looking for a feature-packed smartphone? Then the Galaxy Note 9 is your answer. It has a large 6.34-inch WQHD+ display, Exynos 9810 chipset, dual rear cameras, an iris scanner, heart rate scanner, large battery, IP68-certified body, and a stylus. It is priced at Php55,990USD 954INR 80,883EUR 909CNY 6,948 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage model, and Php75,990USD 1,295INR 109,775EUR 1,233CNY 9,430 for the 8GB RAM + 512GB storage.

Alternatives:

The Note 9 is not the only flagship device Samsung released this year as they also have the Galaxy S9+ at PHP 52,990USD 903INR 76,549EUR 860CNY 6,576, Galaxy S9 at PHP 45,990USD 784INR 66,437EUR 746CNY 5,707, and the quad camera Galaxy A9 (2018) for PHP 32,990USD 562INR 47,657EUR 535CNY 4,094.

OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition

Probably one of the best bang-for-the-buck smartphone you can get at this price range is the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition. At PHP 39,990USD 681INR 57,770EUR 649CNY 4,963 you’ll already get a smartphone with 10GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and Warp Charge Technology.

Alternatives:

If that is a bit too much, you can opt for the standard OnePlus 6T. It is priced at PHP 31,990USD 545INR 46,213EUR 519CNY 3,970 for the 6GB + 128GB, and PHP 33,990USD 579INR 49,102EUR 552CNY 4,218 for the 8GB + 128GB. If you have a lower budget, the OnePlus 6 is still recommendable at PHP 30,990USD 528INR 44,768EUR 503CNY 3,846.

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

Xiaomi’s best smartphone in this price range is the Mi 8 Pro. It’s got the looks and performance, packing a 6.21-inch screen, Snapdragon 845, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, dual rear cameras, and IR face unlock. It is priced at PHP 32,990USD 562INR 47,657EUR 535CNY 4,094, making it the brand’s most expensive offering to date.

And that sums up our list. If you have any recommendations, let your fellow readers know in the comments below.