The smartphone industry is sprinting forward at breakneck speed, and with half of 2023 already gone, it shows no sign of slowing down.
Phone makers are certainly churning out new models left and right, which leaves you with a ton of choices when it comes to selecting your next daily driver.
To narrow it down, we have covered all the mid-range smartphones officially released in the Philippines in the first half of 2023, priced between PHP 12,000 and PHP 15,000.
Table of Contents
ZTE Blade V41 Vita 5G
Let’s start with ZTE’s comeback, its Blade series. Within this price range, we have the ZTE Blade V41 Vita 5G, which features a premium-looking build and stylish design, along with an enjoyable and smooth OS experience.
Some of its key specs are a 90Hz 6.67-inch Full HD+ IPS screen, a Dimensity 810 chip, and triple rear cameras headlined by a 50-megapixel lens.
The suggested retail price of the ZTE Blade V41 Vita 5G is PHP 11,999 but it’s availability online is via Lazada memoxpress 40, priced at PHP 12,239 for the 6GB+128GB combo.
ZTE Blade V41 Vita 5G specs
6.67″ IPS FHD+ (1080 x 2408 pixels), 20:9 ratio, 90Hz display
MediaTek Dimensity 810 8-core 5G
Mali-G57 MC2
6GB RAM
128GB UFS 2.2 internal storage
50MP main camera
2MP macro
2MP depth sensor
8MP front-facing camera
5G, dual nano SIM | 4G/LTE
WiFi-6
Bluetooth 5.0
GPS with aGPS
NFC
USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted)
MyOS 12 based on Android 12
4500 mAh battery (22.5W fast charging)
Starry Black
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Next, we have the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. It features a 90Hz 6.6-inch PLS LCD display, a 5G-ready octa-core chipset—the Dimensity 700, triple rear cameras (with a 50MP main camera), an expandable storage, and a 5,000mAh battery.
You can expect longer software support for this device, as Samsung provides up to two major operating system updates.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is currently down to PHP 12,480 for 6GB of RAM + 128GB combo (SRP is PHP 12,990) via Lazada 36.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (SM-A146PDRHPHL) specs
6.6-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2408) PLS LCD display
90Hz refresh rate
Octa-core processor 2.2GHz MediaTek Dimensity 700
6GB RAM (+8GB extended)
128GB storage
Supports microSD up to 1TB
Triple rear cameras:
• 50MP f/1.8 main
• 2MP f/2.4 depth
• 2MP f/2.4 macro
13MP f/2.0 front
Dual SIM
5G, 4G LTE
Bluetooth 5.2
3.5mm headphone jack
GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
USB Type-C
NFC
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
One UI (Android 13)
5000mAh battery, 15W charging
167.7 x 78.0 x 9.1 mm
205 g
Burgundy, Black
Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G
The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G is the middle kid of the Camon 20 series. Its main selling point lies on its rear camera system with a 64-megapixel RGBW sensor that supports optical image stabilization (OIS).
Its design also strikes an unorthodox one—using geometric aesthetics which they call the ‘deconstructionist design’.
At just PHP 12,999 (via Shopee 76), the Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G packs a punch with a 120Hz 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, a Dimensity 8050 chip equipped with a heat dissipation system, and a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.
Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G specs
6.67-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) AMOLED display
120Hz refresh rate
MediaTek Dimensity 8050 (6nm)
8-cores, up to 3.0 GHz frequency
8GB RAM (+8GB extended memory)
256GB storage
Triple-rear cameras:
• 64MP f/1.65 RGBW main, OIS
• 2MP f/2.4 macro
• 2MP f/2.4 depth
32MP f/2.45 front camera, with dual flash
5G, 4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth
GPS
USB Type-C
NFC
In-screen fingerprint sensor
Android 13
5000mAh battery
33W charging rate
Dark Welkin, Serenity Blue
Redmi Note 12S
One of the hottest lineups out there, the Redmi Note with two new additions to the family: the Redmi Note 12S and the Redmi Note 12 Pro 4G—which is also included in this list.
Its main selling point is its 108-megapixel main shooter along with an 8-megapixel ultrawide and 2-megapixel macro lenses, which are both great to have rather than a depth sensor.
The AMOLED display spans at 6.43-inch that can reach up to 1000 nits peak brightness. And of course, a high refresh rate at 90Hz.
It is powered by a Helio G96 chipset which is enough to enable 108MP shooting, configured with 8GB RAM and 256GB expandable storage.
While the battery uses a 5000mAh cell paired with 33W fast charging.
The Redmi Note 12S is now available via Shopee for just PHP 12,999.
Redmi Note 12S specs
6.43-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) AMOLED display
90Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits (peak) brightness
MediaTek Helio G96
8-cores, up to 2.05 GHz frequency
8GB RAM (+5GB extended memory)
256GB storage
Up to 1TB expansion via microSD
Triple rear cameras:
• 108MP f/1.9 main
• 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 118° FoV
• 5MP f/2.2 macro
16MP f/2.4 front camera
Dual SIM
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth
GPS L1 | Glonass G1 | BDS B1 | Galileo E1
USB Type-C
3.5mm audio jack
NFC
IR blaster
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
MIUI 14 (Android 13)
5000mAh battery
33W charging rate
159.87 x 73.87 x 8.09mm
176 grams
Ice Blue, Pearl Green, Onyx Black
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G (quite a mouthful), comes with very attractive hardware, build and design.
It is available in Pastel Lime which will definitely match your mint green OOTD. For starters, it sports a 120Hz 6.72-inch LCD display, great triple cameras with a 108-megapixel primary lens.
The chipset is a bit disappointing, as it uses a Snapdragon 695, which is quite dated. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has other main selling features that, combined with its proven efficiency and performance, make it a good choice for a daily driver.
It is priced at PHP 14,990 (via Lazada 70) with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G specs
6.72-inch LCD display @ 2400×1080 pixels
120Hz refresh rate
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset
Adreno 619 GPU
8GB LPDDR4X RAM
128GB, 256GB UFS2.2
108MP EIS f/1.7
2MP depth-assist f/2.4
2MP macro f/2.4
1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps
16MP front-facing camera f/2.4
5G, dual SIM/microSD
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4G/5G
Bluetooth 5.1
NFC
GPS (BDS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS)
OxygenOS based on Android 13
5000mAh Li-Ion battery, 67W SUPERVOOC
165.5 x 76.0 x 8.3mm (dimensions)
195 grams (weight)
Chromatic Gray, Pastel Lime
Samsung Galaxy A24 LTE
Samsung has another entry from its A-series, the Galaxy A24 LTE. It’s definitely a step up from its sibling. It boasts a ‘super’ bright 90Hz 6.5-inch AMOLED screen with 1000 nits peak brightness.
While it lacks 5G connectivity using a Helio G99 chipset, it overtakes the Dimensity 700 in terms of performance.
Its camera a better too, using a 50-megapixel main lens with support for OIS.
The Samsung Galaxy A24 LTE is priced at PHP 14,990 for 8GB+128GB combo (via Lazada 21).
Samsung Galaxy A24 LTE specs
6.5-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2340) Super AMOLED
90Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits brightness
MediaTek Helio G99
8GB RAM
128GB storage
Up to 1TB expansion via microSD
Triple rear cameras:
• 50MP f/1.8 main, OIS
• 5MP f/2.2 ultrawide
• 2MP f/2.4 macro
13MP f/2.2 front camera (dew drop notch)
Dual nano-SIM
4G LTE
WiFi 802.11 a /b /g /n /ac 2.4G+ 5GHz, VHT80
Bluetooth 5.3
GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
USB Type-C
3.5 mm audio jack
NFC
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
One UI 5.1
5000mAh battery
25W charging rate
162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (dimensions)
195 grams (weight)
Light Green, Black (colorways)
OPPO A78 5G
Another one from an A-series, but this time, it’s OPPO.
The OPPO A78 5G comes with a 6.56-inch HD+ LCD display, boasting a 90 Hz refresh rate, powered by a Dimensity 700 chipset, and fueled by a 5000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.
It has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel black and white camera, and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter on the front.
The OPPO A78 5G is priced at PHP 14,999 (via Lazada) and comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.
OPPO A78 5G specs
6.56-inch, 1612 x 720 LCD display
90Hz refresh rate
MediaTek Dimensity 700
Mali-G57 MC2 @950Mhz
8GB + 12GB RAM LPDDR4X
128GB UFS 2.2
Dual-rear cameras:
• 50MP main
• 2MP depth
8MP front camera
Dual-SIM
5G, 4G LTE
WiFi 5
Bluetooth 5.3
GPS, A-GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, GALILEO and QZSS
NFC
USB-C
3.5mm audio jack
Stereo speakers
Fingerprint scanner (in-display, optical)
ColorOS 13 (Android 13)
5,000mAh battery w/ 33W fast wired charging
163.8 x 75.1 x 7.99 mm (dimensions)
188 grams (weight)
Glowing Black, Glowing Purple
Redmi Note 12 Pro
Now, let’s talk about the latest Redmi Note 12 Pro. It might be confusing, but this is actually the 4G version, which is why it doesn’t have the ‘5G’ label in its name.
Regardless, the 4G version is entirely different from its 5G counterpart when you compare them, and it’s much more affordable too.
For starters, it runs the Snapdragon 732G, with 8GB RAM and 256GB expandable storage.
It has a 108-megapixel main snapper as well, but now encased in a quad camera setup… just like the Note 12S, however, they just added a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
The 6.67-inch display also uses an AMOLED panel, but it can reach a higher brightness of 1100 nits. What’s great about this device is that it supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, providing a better media consumption experience.
One downside of this model is perhaps its software. Because it runs Android 11 out of the box.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro can be purchased for PHP 14,999 on Shopee.
Redmi Note 12 Pro specs
6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display
120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits (peak) brightness
Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G
8-cores, up to 2.2 GHz frequency
8GB RAM
256GB storage
Supports microSD slot (hybrid)
Quad rear cameras:
• 108MP f/1.9 main
• 8MP ultrawide, 120° FoV
• 2MP f/2.4 macro
• 5MP f/2.4 depth
16MP f/2.4 front camera
Dual SIM
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth 5.0
GPS L1 | Glonass G1 | BDS B1 | Galileo E1
USB Type-C
3.5mm audio jack
NFC
IR blaster
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
MIUI 13 (Android 11)
5000mAh battery
67W charging rate
164.20 x 76.1 x 8.12mm
201.8 grams
Star Blue, Graphite Gray, Polar White, Glacier Blue
POCO X5 5G
Last but not least is the POCO X5 5G boasting the brightest display among the bunch.
Its 6.67-inch AMOLED display can reach up to 1200 nits peak brightness and of course, 120Hz refresh rate.
It also has every phone maker’s favorite, the Snapdragon 695 chipset, combined with 6GB RAM and 256GB expandable storage.
For the cameras, it uses a triple camera setup headlined by a 48-megapixel lens. The battery is rated at 5000mAh and supports 33W fast charging.
The POCO X5 5G sets you back at PHP 14,999 (via Lazada 58).
POCO X5 5G specs
6.67-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1800) AMOLED display
120Hz refresh rate, 395 ppi, 1200 nits peak brightness
Snapdragon 695 5G Chipset
Adreno 619 GPU
6GB, 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
128GB, 256GB UFS 2.2 storage
microSD card slot (up to 1TB)
Triple Rear Camera:
• 48MP F1.8 Main Lens
• 8MP F2.2 Ultra-wide
• 2MP F2.4 Macro
13MP F2.5 Front Camera
SIM 1 + Hybrid (SIM or MicroSD)
5G, 4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.1
USB-C
3.5mm Audio Jack
Fingerprint Scanner (side)
AI Face Unlock
MIUI 13
5000mAh Battery w/ 33W Fast Charging
165.9 x 76.2 x 7.98 mm
189g
Black, Green, Blue
Author’s Note: This list comprises the official smartphone releases in the Philippines during the first half of 2023 (from January to June 2023). Prices may change without prior notice.
