We’re back with another updated list of smartphones under PHP 12K released in the second quarter of 2024.
For this price range, we’re focusing on devices that can provide ample memory and storage, good battery, and reliable performance. While features like good cameras and the like should be on the pricey side, we’ll try to give readers options.
Shopping links and plugs to our articles on the devices (if we have them) will be provided below. As a disclaimer though, the phones listed below fell within our set budget at the time of writing.
Costs could be affected by variables like suggested retail prices (SRP), platform discounts, and promos. Anyway, let’s get down to brass tacks and dive into the best smartphones under PHP 12,000 in the Philippines.
Table of Contents
vivo Y28
The vivo Y28 offers a pretty comprehensive package under the entry level segment. It features a great chipset favoring performance and battery, along with a premium-feeling design.
The Y28 sports a 6.68-inch HD+ LCD with a refresh rate of 90Hz. Powering this newly-released smartphone is a Helio G85 courtesy of MediaTek.
The phone offers 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB for internal storage. However, it also has a hybrid SIM slot that supports microSD cards for extra space.
The device is equipped with dual-rear cameras, consisting of a 50-megapixel main shooter and a 2-megapixel bokeh camera. At the front, users will get an 8-megapixel shooter for selfies.
The biggest strength of the vivo Y28 is its large 6,000mAh battery with 44W of wired FlashCharge technology. This phone is rated for up to 22 hours of activity based on our battery test via PC Mark.
If the Y28 caught your eye, we have a feature article ready for your reading pleasure. We also have a video showcasing our battery marathon with the device that we’ll plug below.
Kudos to vivo for consistently developing affordable, all-around smartphones. As always, prices and online shopping links for the vivo Y28 are below.
SRP: PHP 7,999 / 9,999
Lazada
Shopee
HMD Pulse Pro
The HMD Pulse Pro is a solid budget-friendly smartphone that offers users something unique—device repairability.
If readers look it up, the phone comes with relatively affordable parts. It’s rare for users to have an option to maintain devices themselves. Plus, the brand is supporting software updates for the device until Android 16.
Back to the device specs, the Pulse Pro has a 6.65-inch HD+ display with a refresh rate of 90Hz. It also has a Unisoc T606 chipset, offering up to 8GB for RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
For photography, the phone sports AI-powered 50-megapixel dual-rear cameras. This is the same at the front, as it’s equipped with a 50-megapixel shooter for selfies.
The HMD Pulse Pro has a 5,000mAh battery with 20W of wired fast charging support via USB Type-C. SRP and online shopping links for the phone below.
SRP: PHP 8,399
Lazada
Shopee 10
realme C65
The realme C65 offers decent performance, better features, and an insane battery topped off by a great price.
The phone has a 6.72-inch FHD+ IPS screen with a refresh rate of 90Hz. Similar to the Y28, it also has a MediaTek Helio G85 under its hood peaking at 2.0GHz clock speeds.
The C65 offers a configuration with 8GB of RAM paired with up to 256GB for internal storage. If users find this lacking, it supports microSD cards up to 2TB for more space.
For cameras, the device has dual-rear shooters. This consists of a 108-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel shooter. It also has an 8-megapixel sensor at the front.
The photo quality from shots taken with the device is decent. As per our written review on the device, colors were vibrant with small quirks dependent on available natural light.
Here are our sample shots taken with the device.
The C65 packs a sizable 5,000mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging technology. Generally speaking, the phone should be good for 19 hours with mixed usage variables.
In our video loop test, however, the realme C65 was able to provide more than 24 hours of media playback. It’s not too shabby for gaming either, as it lasted 11 hours and 30 minutes in our gaming test.
We’ll leave our video review on the realme C65 below for those interested. SRP and shopping links below!
OPPO A60
The OPPO A60 is a perfect choice for those who value toughness and durability for smartphones. This phone offers military-grade shock resistance and KK6 glass protection.
For display, the A60 has a 6.67-inch HD+ LCD with an adaptive refresh rate up to 90Hz. This runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage.
It has a dual-rear camera setup consisting of a 50-megapixel main and a 2-megapixel secondary shooter. For selfies, it’s equipped with an 8-megapixel sensor.
The A60 also packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W of wired fast charging support. As per our written review, its battery can last for a whopping 26 hours and 27 minutes with mixed usage variables.
If you want to see the OPPO A60 in action, check out our video review and share your thoughts!
SRP: PHP 9,999 / 11,999
Lazada
Shopee
Infinix NOTE 40 4G
Next, we have the Infinix NOTE 40 4G. It sports a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel and a Dimensity 7020 chipset.
The NOTE 40 has 12GB of RAM (+12GB RAM Extension) and 512GB of internal storage.
For optics, the NOTE 40 is equipped with triple-rear cameras. These consist of a 108-megapixel main, a 2-megapixel shooter, and an AI sensor. It also comes with a 32-megapixel front camera.
The NOTE 40 takes surprisingly good shots considering its price range, and can shoot up to 2K resolution at 30fps. In addition, the phone has an Ultra-Steady stabilization mode locked at 1080p video recording.
The phone has a 5,000mAh battery, 33W of wired charging, and 15W of wireless charging with Infinix MagCharge. From experience, it offers 13 hours for general use and multitasking and 16 hours with multimedia consumption.
I should mention that the Infinix MagKit comes with the device. This includes the MagPad and a nice case that supports its wireless charging feature.
The Infinix NOTE 40 4G is a great pickup for users who want a thrifty all-around device. Our favorite features consist of its camera system, battery, and performance.
You can read more about our findings on the device in our recently published feature article. We also have a video review on its 5G variant with the shopping links below!
SRP: PHP 10,499
Lazada 13
Shopee
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro 4G
As the middle child of the NOTE 40 line, the Pro variant offers better specs compared to the base variant.
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro 4G has a curved FHD+ AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which is nice to find under this price range.
Carrying a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, the phone also comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
The NOTE 40 Pro sports triple-rear cameras. These include a 108-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It also has a 32-megapixel shooter at the front for selfies situated in a hole punch.
The phone sets itself apart from other devices in the battery department. It packs a 4,600mAh battery with 70W of wired fast charging via USB Type-C and 20W of wireless charging.
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro 4G was made to be very power efficient. It features Infinix’s Cheetah X1 power management chip, which helps it charge and use power at an optimal level.
Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, and 4G/LTE. It has an IP53 rating for dust and water spray.
TECNO CAMON 30 5G
Last but not least, we have the TECNO CAMON 30 5G with its base configuration. The phone has a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz.
It also runs on a powerful Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset. The device’s base configuration has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
The CAMON 30 features dual-rear cameras. It has a 50-megapixel main shooter with OIS and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. In addition, users also get another 50-megapixel camera at the front in a hole punch.
This device packs a 5,000mAh battery with 70W of wired fast charging technology. Other features include 9-layer VC liquid cooling, dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, and an IR blaster.
The CAMON 30 series provides consistent performance, a premium design, and great photo quality for its users. While this is the vanilla variant of the smartphone line, it’s not far from its premium models.
The TECNO CAMON 30 5G comes in Iceland Basaltic Dark, Uyuni Salt White, and Emerald Lake Green colorways. Shopee also has extra options in Alps Snowy Silver and the LOEWE Limited Edition. Shopping links and its SRP are below so we recommend readers to check this one out, as its on sale at the time of writing for ~PHP 9,200.
