Have you ever experienced the un-imaginable? Your 5-year old laptop with a bloated battery; or your 2-year-old smartphone accidentally took a nosedive at the swimming pool? So, now you’re forced to look for a replacement but have not had enough time to come up with an ample budget for it?
Well, in the case of a smartphone replacement, let me give you some recommendations for a new one that’s not going to break the bank:
POCO X6 Pro. Released back in January of this year, the POCO X6 Pro is still a very capable smartphone. Packing a Mediatek Dimensity 8300-Ultra, it also comes with a generous 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for only Php19,999 but you can also pick up the 8GB+256GB variant for just Php16,999.
However if you are looking for more capacity, also consider the POCO X6 5G which is only Php17,999 but comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage although you will have to settle with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset instead..
Nothing Phone 2a. Around March, Nothing released the Nothing Phone 2a in the Philippines with a starting price of Php18,999. It packs a powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset with a base variant of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
The Nothing Phone 2a features a very unique and beautiful design and a very good camera that uses a Samsung optical sensor.
Reame 12+ 5G. Around the same time, realme also came out with the latest number series – the realme 12+ 5G. This phone features a nice faux-leather design and packs a Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset with options for 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB internal storage.
The SRP starts at Php17,999 for the 8GB+128GB and Php 19,999 for the 12GB+256GB storage combo.
vivo V30e 5G. In May, the vivo V30e 5G was released in the Philippines. It followed the same slim and stylish design as its bigger V30 siblings. The V30e runs on a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage that has a suggested retail price of only Php17,999.
Infinix GT 20 Pro. Lastly, this one’s for you if you are a serious mobile gamer. The Infinix GT 20 Pro is powered by a Mediatek DImensity 8200-Ultimate with a generous 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
Besides the unique gaming phone look and funky LED back panel, the GT 20 Pro is also the most affordable in our list at only Php15,999.
Of course, despite the affordable price of these recommendations, it’s really an unplanned purchase so we understand it might not be too easy on the wallet.
However, there is an easy and hassle-free way to be able to afford these smartphones without going thru the hoops and hurdles.
f you are a regular GCash user, you might be familiar with GLoan and GCredit and might have even used them once in a while. Well, there’s another feature there – or a hidden gem if you asked us – and it’s called GGives.
GGives is an installment product of GCash. This allows an eligible GCash user to be able to buy a gadget or appliance and simply pay for them in installments of up to 24 months, without the need for downpayment.
The next time you plan on getting a new laptop or smartphone and don’t want to use your entire GCash balance all at once, simply tap on the GGives icon and click the Activate button.
The next time you purchase your gadget, you can use GGives as a payment option and choose between 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months in the installment plan.
Likewise, depending on your credit score, your maximum loanable amount can go up to Php 125,000. Your monthly installment plan will be shown to you upon confirmation of your loan and you’re all set. Now, that’s pretty convenient!
You can make up to 5 separate loans at the same time as long as the total amount does not exceed your maximum credit.
Question now is – how much will it cost you to use GGives?
Well, it has zero processing fee and rates will vary between 0% for select merchants to 5.49% per month, depending on the category of the item you purchased. If you missed the monthly payment, there’s a late payment fee of just 1%.
GGives will always show you the monthly amount you need to pay for the installment, so you know if it’s light on your wallet (or e-wallet). Otherwise, simply pick the plan that best fits your budget.
So, the next time you have that big-ticket item to purchase, check out GGives by GCash.
