Cheaper and yet solid 5G-enabled smartphones are slowly penetrating the market and it’s surely a good thing for us consumers.
Aside from getting faster speeds on your mobile data connection, another absolute advantage of having a 5G phone is you get to maximize your load promos. Be it on prepaid or postpaid, telco providers usually offer additional data allocation on 5G. Obviously, you can’t enjoy such a perk with just a 4G smartphone.
In this article, we will go through 10 5G smartphones money can buy today between PHP 10,000USD 170INR 14,446EUR 162CNY 1,241 to PHP 15,000USD 256INR 21,669EUR 243CNY 1,862. Take note that the models covered in this list are those officially released in the Philippines during the first half of 2024.
Prices mentioned here indicate their suggested retail prices, and if available, the phones’ AnTuTu benchmark scores will also be mentioned.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Kicking off this list is the realme 23 12 5G. Priced at PHP 14,999USD 256INR 21,668EUR 243CNY 1,861, it sports a 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD screen with 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 950 nits.
The phone is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, combined with 8GB of RAM and 256GB expandable storage. Yep, it has a microSD card slot supporting up to 2TB expansion.
For optics, it gets a 108-megapixel main shooter with 3x in-sensor zoom accompanied by a 2-megapixel monochromatic lens.
In our testing, the phone garnered 430,910 points in AnTuTu. Other highlights of the phone include a 5000mAh battery paired with 45W fast charging; and an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
realme 12 5G written review 59 | video review 41
Price (SRP): PHP 14,999USD 256INR 21,668EUR 243CNY 1,861 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada 25, Shopee 21
Another phone that uses the Dimensity 6100+ is the Samsung 10 Galaxy A15 5G. It packs a 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display running at 90Hz refresh rate. It has a decent peak brightness at 800 nits in High Brightness Mode (HBM).
For configuration, it has at least 4GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage. At the rear protrudes a triple camera setup that follows the iconic Galaxy design language. This setup comprises a 50-megapixel main shooter, a 5-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel macro sensor.
Battery-wise, it packs the usual 5,000mAh unit with 25W charging rate.
Perhaps, my only gripe with this phone is that dated dew drop notch housing the front camera. It’s the only model in this list with that kind of notch design, and it’s definitely not giving 2024 vibes. With a starting price of PHP 10,990USD 187INR 15,876EUR 178CNY 1,364, it packs decent hardware but compromises a bit on aesthetics.
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G full specs 222
Price (SRP): PHP 10,990USD 187INR 15,876EUR 178CNY 1,364 | 4GB+128GB
Lazada 29, Shopee 57
Speaking of aesthetics, this next one exudes a premium vibe not just in design, but also in features. Priced at PHP 13,999USD 239INR 20,223EUR 227CNY 1,737, the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G packs a nifty feature that you typically see in flagship models. That’s the addition of wireless charging rated at 20W, and there is a charging dock that’s already included in the box. Wired charging is even faster at 100W.
The NOTE 40 Pro+ boasts a 6.78-inch Full HD+ curved AMOLED display; runs at 120Hz refresh rate; and reaches an impressive 1300 nits of peak brightness.
Under the hood, the phone is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 combined with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Sadly, it’s not expandable. In AnTuTu, the phone was able to score 451,385 points.
At the rear protrudes triple rear cameras headlined by a 108-megapixel main shooter with optical image stabilization (OIS) support. It is accompanied with macro and depth sensors both having 2-megapixel count.
Its battery capacity is a bit lower than usual though, rated at 4600mAh. Other key features are IP53 rating and an IR blaster.
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G written review 54 | video review 31
Price (SRP): PHP 13,999USD 239INR 20,223EUR 227CNY 1,737 | 12GB+256GB
Lazada 17, Shopee 31
For a relatively lower cost, the Infinix NOTE 40 5G also offers wireless charging at just PHP 12,999USD 222INR 18,778EUR 211CNY 1,613. It is essentially the same with the Pro+ with similar features like the same Dimensity 7020 chip; the same display size at 6.78-inch with Full HD+ resolution; and the same 108-megapixel main shooter.
As for the differences, this model opts for a flat display rather than the curved one on the Pro+. It supports a microSD card slot and packs a higher battery capacity rated at 5,000mAh but slower wired and wireless charging rates at 33W and 15W, respectively.
Infinix NOTE 40 5G written review 34 | video review 22
Price (SRP): PHP 12,999USD 222INR 18,778EUR 211CNY 1,613 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada 13, Shopee 19
Up next, we have three Tecno 20 models coming from different lineups: the Camon 30 5G, the POVA 6 Pro 5G, and the Spark 20 Pro 5G.
Starting with the Camon 30 5G, it boasts a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED flat display as well running at 120Hz refresh rate. Powering this device is also a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chipset configured with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.
Flip to the back, it features a 50-megapixel main shooter alongside a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The front camera is a treat rocking a 50-megapixel sensor that supports autofocus. It even gets a dedicated LED flash.
Battery is rated at the usual 5000mAh capacity, and it supports 70W fast charging. The TECNO Camon 30 5G starts at PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 for the 8GB+256GB trim and it goes up to PHP 13,999USD 239INR 20,223EUR 227CNY 1,737 for the 512GB option.
TECNO Camon 30 5G
Price (SRP): PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada 21, Shopee 23
Next, we have the TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G rocking a gamer-centric aesthetic. The back shell features the so-called ‘3D Mecha Design’ complemented by some dynamic LED lighting effects.
Its hardware is pretty good, sporting a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, 120Hz, and with a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The chipset is a bit of a downgrade though, equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6080. For configuration, it gets 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.
Beside that fancy lighting at the back is a triple camera system led by a 108-megapixel main shooter. The other two lenses? Well, Tecno didn’t bother to specify them, with one said to be a 2-megapixel camera and the other an “AI lens”.
Its battery capacity is bigger than usual, rated at 6,000mAh paired with 70W fast charging. The phone also gets an IP53 rating for protection against dust and some splashes.
The TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G sets you back PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 for the single 12GB+256GB config.
TECNO POVA 6 Pro 5G written review 60 | video review 52
Price (SRP): PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 | 12GB+256GB
Lazada 29, Shopee 37
Then there’s the TECNO Spark 20 Pro 5G which is pretty much like the POVA 6 Pro but with some toned-down specs. These include a 6.78-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD panel, a 5,000mAh battery and 33W charging rate.
It is still powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 retaining the 256GB expandable storage, but with less RAM at 8GB. The cameras are the same though, sporting a 108-megapixel main shooter, a 2-megapixel macro and an auxiliary lens.
The TECNO Spark 20 Pro 5G retails for the same price at PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489.
TECNO Spark 20 Pro 5G full specs 53
Price (SRP): PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada, Shopee 16
Coming back to its roots, Cherry (previously Cherry Mobile) has new AQUA models to offer: the Cherry AQUA GR in particular.
This one boasts a more powerful MediaTek chipset, the Dimensity 7050. In fact, it’s the best one as compared to any of the MediaTek-powered phones we discussed earlier. In ANTUTU, the phone was able to get 531,243 points — a score that is relatively higher than previous entries.
For configuration, it gets 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.
Flip to the front and you’ll be greeted by a 6.8-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display running at 120Hz refresh rate. At the rear sees a quite unconventional design, highlighted by its center-aligned, rectangular camera island. It houses three cameras that comprise of a 50-megapixel primary shooter, an 8-megapixel ultrawide, and the crowd-favorite, a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
It packs a lower than usual 4,700mAh battery capacity with support for 66W fast charging.
The Cherry AQUA GR retails for PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489.
Cherry AQUA GR written review 24 | video review
Price (SRP): PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada 18, Shopee 11
Many of you have mentioned this next model quite a lot in our previous listicles, saying that it deserves a spot in similar content like this. And you are not wrong, as a matter of fact, we’re thankful that this gets pointed out.
Enter the nubia Neo 2 5G from ZTE 12. Just like the POVA 6 Pro, the nubia Neo 2 5G also features some gamer aesthetics as well as the same 6000mAh battery.
While UNISOC is usually known for its cost-effective, entry-level chipsets, the UNISOC T820 inside this phone is quite good. It is also built on a 6-nanometer process node and has a maximum clock speed of up to 2.7GHz. That’s even a tad bit higher than the Dimensity 7050 with up to 2.6GHz clock speed.
The phone gets an 8GB of RAM, interestingly though, it supports up to 12GB extended memory. As for storage, it gets 256GB, however, no microSD card slot here for storage expansion.
Cameras are decent with a 50-megapixel main shooter alongside a 2-megapixel depth sensor. And the charging rate is at 33W.
The ZTE nubia Neo 2 5G is priced at PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489.
ZTE nubia Neo 2 5G written review 51 | video hands-on 17
Price (SRP): PHP 11,999USD 204INR 17,334EUR 195CNY 1,489 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada 22, Shopee 18
Saving the best for last, we have the POCO 33 X6 5G. Coming in at PHP 14,999USD 256INR 21,668EUR 243CNY 1,861, it boasts some of the best features we have seen in this price range.
For starters, it packs a more crisp 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, of course, with 120Hz refresh rate. It has the highest peak brightness out of the bunch at 1800 nits.
Its performance is even greater, boasting the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, a 4-nanometer class chipset from Qualcomm with up to 2.4GHz clock speed. In ANTUTU, it garnered 590,822 points — mind you, that’s the highest score on this list. Configurations include up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage.
The phone’s rear protrudes a triple camera setup consisting of a 64-megapixel main, an 8-megapixel, ultrawide, and a 2-megapixel macro. (Hey, no depth sensor here!) Battery-wise, it packs a 5,100mAh unit paired with 67W fast charging.
For durability, the phone also gets an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
POCO X6 5G written review 203 | video review 52
Price (SRP): PHP 14,999USD 256INR 21,668EUR 243CNY 1,861 | 8GB+256GB
Lazada 73, Shopee 80
And that wraps up this list with a bang! Which phone do you think stands out in this price range?
If we missed any other smartphones deserving a spot on this list, don’t hesitate to mention them in the comments below.
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Gamerish says:
You forget to mention Nubia Neo 2’s main selling point, its dedicated shoulder triggers and Game space ala RedMagic.