Top Smartphones under Php5K (Mid-2016)

Looking for a new phone to upgrade your lifestyle? Worry no more as we are compiling some of the top smartphones that will fit your pocket (and budget) throughout the week! Kicking off the mid-year lists are budget devices that are priced just under Php5,000USD 85INR 7,223EUR 81CNY 621 pesos.

We’ve seen a ton of improvements on smartphones offered with the sub-Php5K range. Since we’ve started listing them down back a few years ago, more capable handets filled the gaps of the otherwise dreaded you-get-what-you-pay-for segment: here are those that sport up to 2GB RAM, some come with fingerprint sensors, while others sport better cameras, bigger battery capacities, and a whole lot of other nifty features not seen last year.

All our mid-2016 lists will be composed of smartphones available in the Philippines, and are announced and released this year. Let’s start the show, shall we?

For the Super Budget-Conscious

MyPhone my28S

MyPhone and Smart literally kicked off the new year with a bang as it announced their partnership to bring the Php1,999USD 34INR 2,888EUR 32CNY 248 My28 down to a mere Php888USD 15INR 1,283EUR 14CNY 110 — an unprecedented move that made its direct competitor Cherry Mobile launch its own offering as well. Who doesn’t want a Lollipop smartphone with 512MB RAM under a grand? This one’s still available at the Smart store and select offline channels for Php988USD 17INR 1,427EUR 16CNY 123 with a Php100USD 2INR 144EUR 2CNY 12 Smart Call and Text card. Check our review here.

MyPhone my28S specs:
4-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, 233ppi
1.2GHz Spreadtrum SC7731 quad-core processor
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage
expandable up to 32GB via microSD
5MP rear camera w/ LED flash
2MP front camera w/ LED flash
Dual-SIM (Micro + Mini)
3G, 2G
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
GPS
1,450mAh removable battery
Android 5.1 Lollipop

Starmobile Play Click (Smart Android Smartphone Kit)

Local player Starmobile also jumped on the affordable smartphone bandwagon with the Play Click Smartphone kit. Bundled with Smart and TNT Sim Cards, monthly internet data allocations, and load rebates, the Php2,699USD 46INR 3,899EUR 44CNY 335 smartphone can now be in your hands for Php1,288USD 22INR 1,861EUR 21CNY 160. You can check out our First Impressions here.

Starmobile Click Play specs:
4.5-inch FWVGA display @ 854 x 480 resolution
1.2GHz Spreadtrum 7713C quad-core processor
Mali-400 MP2
512MB RAM
4GB internal storage
Expandable up to 32GB via microSD
5MP rear camera
2MP front camera
3G
Dual-SIM
1650mAh battery
Android 5.1 Lollipop

Cloudfone Spotify Lite

If you’re looking for the cheapest 1GB RAM smartphone in town, this is your best deal. Cloudfone announced the music-centric Spotify Lite early this year with neon green accent colors all over, and comes bundled with Spotify ear gear. All of that is just for Php1,999USD 34INR 2,888EUR 32CNY 248.

Cloudfone Spotify Lite specs:
4-inch WVGA Display @ 800 x 480 px, 233ppi
1.3GHz Quad-core Spreadtrum SC7731
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
expandable via microSD up to 32GB
5MP rear camera w/ LED Flash
2MP front camera
Dual SIM, Dual Standby
3G HSPA
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS
Android 5.1 Lollipop
1450mAh battery

O+ Online Supreme Kit

This may very well be under the radar but O+ also tied up with Smart to develop the O+ Online Supreme kit featuring the company’s own O+ Selfie. This device sports equal amounts of camera megapixels, each sporting a dedicated LED Flash, and a 4.5-inch display. It’s available in stores for Php2,650USD 45INR 3,828EUR 43CNY 329.

O+ Selfie specs:
4.5-inch IPS display
1.3GHz quad-core CPU
8GB internal storage
MicroSD up to 32GB
5MP AF rear camera w/ LED flash
5MP front camera w/ LED flash
Dual-SIM
3G
WiFi
Bluetooth
Android 4.4 KitKat

For those who want to stand out

MyPhone My85 DTV

MyPhone went into the new year with a new premise of bringing more affordable smartphones, and their affordable DTV-equipped smartphone series is a testament to that. Notwithstanding the praises and the issues we encountered with its sibling, we still think that the My85 DTV is the better buy because it sports more updated specs for just Php2,999USD 51INR 4,332EUR 49CNY 372: a Mediatek chip, 2,500mAh battery, and Android Marshmallow out of the box.

MyPhone my85 DTV specs:
5-inch HD IPS display, 1280 x 720 px, 294 ppi
1.3GHz Mediatek MT6753
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
expandable up to 32GB via microSD
13MP AF rear camera with LED Flash
5MP front camera
3G HSPA+
Dual SIM (micro), Dual Standby
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS, A-GPS
ISDB-T DTV Tuner
Android 6 Marshmallow
2500mAh Li-ion battery

Firefly Mobile Intense Razor

Up a notch is Firefly Mobile’s latest budget smartphone called the Intense Razor, and it definitely has some niche to boot – it’s one of the most affordable smartphones built with a Sony IMX camera sensor which takes good photo shots. Other great features include a nice IPS display, a 2,780mAh battery, and the Php3,199USD 55INR 4,621EUR 52CNY 397 price tag.

Firefly Mobile Intense Razor specs:
5-inch IPS LCD @ 1280 x 720 pixels
1.3GHz quad-core processor
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
13-megapixel autofocus Sony IMX219PQ rear camera w/ LED flash
5-megapixel front-facing camera
Dual-SIM
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
GPS
Android 5.1 Lollipop
2,780mAh battery

Cherry Mobile Touch XL 2

Cherry Mobile’s six-incher called the Touch XL 2 does not have a free bundled VR headset for nothing, as it’s one of the few local smartphones on this price group that sports a gyroscopic sensor. It’s a primary necessity when viewing VR content, and the Touch XL 2 delivers on this for Php3,499USD 60INR 5,055EUR 57CNY 434. Check out our quick review here.

Cherry Mobile Touch XL 2 specs:
6.0-inch IPS LCD @ 1280 x 720 pixels, 244ppi
1.3GHz MediaTek 6580 Quad-core processor
Mali-400MP GPU
4GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 64GB
1GB RAM
8-megapixel autofocus rear camera
2-megapixel front-facing camera
Dual-SIM (Micro)
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/ A-GPS
3000mAh removable battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
160 x 84 x 8.5 mm
183 g

Cherry Mobile Alpha Prime 5

Cherry Mobile is also supportive of the Windows mobile platform, as evidently presented with the release of the Alpha Prime 5 this summer. It’s a five-inch device that sports Windows 10 Mobile out of the box, and is one of the most affordable ones you can buy today at Php3,999USD 68INR 5,777EUR 65CNY 496. Full review is here.

Cherry Mobile Alpha Prime 5 specs:
5-inch HD IPS display, 294ppi
1.1GHz Snapdragon 210 MSM8909 quad-core processor
Adreno 304 GPU
1GB RAM
8GB internal storage
up to 32GB via microSD
8-megapixel rear camera w/ LED flash
2-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM (micro)
FDD-LTE
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
GPS
Windows 10
2100mAh battery

O+ M

If you just want a Marshmallow device with great aesthetics, a decent performance, and a budget price, the O+ M may be the one for you. It’s a bit expensive against other contemporaries with same specs at Php4,390USD 75INR 6,342EUR 71CNY 545, but it definitely hit the right spots — it has the latest Android smartphone version available in the market today, and its features do not disappoint. Here’s our review.

O+ M specifications:
5-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 720 pixels), 320dpi
1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6580
Mali-400MP
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 32GB
8-megapixel rear autofocus camera w/ LED flash
2-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM (Micro)
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/ A-GPS
2,500mAh non-removable battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
143.5 x 71.2 x 8.5 mm
Pure White, Macchiatto Gold

For the Power Users

Firefly Mobile Intense Power

Firefly Mobile’s Intense Power is an all-around powerhouse at its Php3,999USD 68INR 5,777EUR 65CNY 496 price tag as it sports 13MP rear camera, an HD IPS display with OGS and Dragontail Glass, 2GB RAM, and a whooping 5,000mAh battery.

Firefly Mobile Intense Power specs:
5.5-inch HD IPS OGS display, 267ppi
Dragontrail Glass
1.3GHz quad-core CPU
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
microSD card support
13MP Sony IMX164 rear camera w/ LED flash
8MP front BSI camera
3G HSPA+
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS, A-GPS
Power Amp audio
5,000mAh battery w/ Fast Charge
Android 5.1 Lollipop

Cloudfone Excite Prime

Cloudfone also announced earlier this year the highly-lauded Excite Prime, which brought down beastly internals down to a sub-Php4k price point. I mean, who wouldn’t want a 2GB RAM smartphone and a 13MP camera just for Php3,999USD 68INR 5,777EUR 65CNY 496? Check out our review here.

Cloudfone Excite Prime specs:
5.5-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 720 pixels), 267ppi
1.4GHz MediaTek MT6592M octa-core processor
Mali-450 MP GPU
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD up to 32GB
13-megapixel autofocus camera w/ LED flash
5-megapixel front camera
Dual SIM / Dual Standby
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
FM Radio
Android 5.1 Lollipop
2,820mAh battery

Cubix Cube 3

Cubix also doesn’t want to be left behind, as it has its Cube 3 smartphone exclusively available at Lazada for Php4,299USD 73INR 6,210EUR 70CNY 534. It sports a 5.5-inch IPS display, an octa-core processor, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Cherry Mobile Cubix 3 specifications:
5.5-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 720 pixels), 267ppi
1.3GHz MediaTek 6753 octa-core processor
Mali T720 GPU
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
up t0 32GB via microSD
16-megapixel Samsung BSI rear camera w/ LED flash
8-megapixel front camera
Dual SIM (micro)
4G LTE, 3G
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
2,700mAh removable battery
Android 5.1 Lollipop
150 x 77 x 8.8mm
170g

Cherry Mobile Zoom

Last on our list is yet another device from the country’s top mobile brand. The Zoom is an all-around beast with a 4000mAh battery and 3GB RAM. It has a price tag of Php4,999USD 85INR 7,222EUR 81CNY 620. You can check out our review here.

Cherry Mobile Zoom specs:
5-inch IPS LCD @ 1280 x 720 pixels
1.0GHz MediaTek MT6735P quad-core processor
Mali-T720 GPU
3GB RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD
13MP rear camera w/ LED flash
8MP front camera
Dual-SIM
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/ A-GPS
4000mAh non-removable battery
Android 5.1 Lollipop

And that’s it for some of the top smartphones you can buy under Php5k. We know there are more, so drop those recommendations down the comments section.