We’ve already created our top 10 lists for smartphones below Php10k and Php15k, which leaves us only with smartphones priced above Php15k, and luckily, all the flagship phones from all major companies are already out and available in the PH. So, to complete our trilogy of top 10 lists, here are the smartphones you should get above Php15k, or if you’re not thinking about any budget at all.
Notes:
- Prices are based on online prices and SRPs, rounded to the nearest hundreds ; listed in no particular order.
1. Nokia Lumia 930 (Php23,800 – Php29,990)
Nokia, the company now under Microsoft, has managed to fit one smartphone in this list and it’s the only one running Windows Phone.
The Nokia Lumia 930 is the fusion of all the company’s hardware & software, from the design to the specs, and it’s currently the best thing that they offer so far. If you’re down for Nokia & Microsoft’s craftsmanship, there is no other choice.
Noteworthy elements:
- Windows Phone 8.1
- 20 megapixel PureView camera
2. HTC One M8 (Php23,200 – Php31,100)
The HTC One M8 is undoubtedly one beautiful and capable device. It may not have a QHD display and a high-resolution main camera, but it does almost everything well, not to mention it is wrapped in wonderful aluminum and it packs mind-blowing front-facing BoomSound speakers.
If you’re willing to trade off the metal build for a higher megapixel camera + waterproofing, the HTC Butterfly 2 is also available for a higher price, but we think a lot of people will do just fine with the One M8.
Noteworthy elements:
- Front-facing BoomSound speakers
- Premium metal build
3. Samsung Galaxy S5 (Php22,800 – Php34,000)
Water-resistance, a beautiful 1080p Super AMOLED display, a 16-megapixel camera, a heart rate monitor, and a fingerprint scanner – those are just a few things that the Galaxy S5 features, and we’re sure there are a lot more that a lot may like.
However, not everyone is going to enjoy everything about the Galaxy S5 as well; the design being significantly one of them.
Noteworthy elements:
- Water-resistance
- Fingerprint scanner, heart rate monitor
4. LG G3 (Php20,600 – Php33,990)
LG polishes its successful G2 in the form of the G3, and we’re not disappointed.
The LG G3 is a beast from the QHD display to its other fast internals. It also has laser autofocus for the camera and this plastic design that aims for a metallic look & feel. The QHD display, however, seems to be holding back the performance of the phone at times, but other than that, this smartphone is still one to beat.
Noteworthy elements:
- 5.5-inch 2560 x 1440 display
- Laser autofocus
5. iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus (Php38,500 – Php84,500)
Instead of just one iOS device in this list, there are two this year, and they’re both taking only a single spot in our top 10 list mainly because these are exactly the same phones except for the size & the small addition of OIS in the camera – meet the larger iPhones 6 & 6 Plus.
Apple finally gave in to the idea of large screens, and with polishing of parts here and there, we can say that the results are wonderful. We do advise however to just stick with the 4.7-inch iPhone instead of the 5.5-inch one just because it’s better to hold and it won’t cost you a limb. And besides, if #bendgate still worries you despite the reports of it being exaggerated, the iPhone 6 is a better choice.
Noteworthy elements:
- Touch ID
- iOS
- Improved 8 megapixel iSight cameras
6. Sony Xperia Z3 (Php27,700 – Php27,800)
Again, just like a lot of smartphones in this list, the Sony Xperia Z3 is an incremental upgrade from its predecessor – it has the same camera sensor, the same screen resolution, a similar design and a lot more, but there are small updates here and there that make big changes.
For PS4 users, you will get to enjoy PS4 Remote Play, and for the rest of the experience, you’ll be enjoying a better display outdoors, good battery life, waterproofing, a wider angle lens, higher ISOs for shooting in the dark and more.
Noteworthy elements:
- Waterproofing
- Improved 20.7 megapixel Exmor RS camera
7. Google Nexus 5 (Php15,600 – Php18,500)
The Nexus 5 is still a capable phone, and I think we can still recommend the Nexus 5 to a lot of people mainly because it’s a Nexus and its specs still do not disappoint with a great 1080p display, a Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2GB RAM and a lot more.
Apart from what I mentioned above, it’s also worth noting that the Nexus 5 is the most affordable flagship phone you can get, and to top it all off, the Nexus 5 is expected to get the next version of Android when it releases.
Noteworthy elements:
- Upgradable to the next version of Android
- Affordable price
8. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (Php20,800 – Php21,000)
It might just have downgraded specs when you compare it to its bigger brother (ex. from a 1080p display to a 720p panel), but that doesn’t mean the experience is worse. In fact, if you’re going to get any “mini” phone, it’s this one.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Compact packs a very capable 720p display, the same waterproof design, the same 20 megapixel camera used in the Xperia Z3, and it’s all in a smaller and much more manageable form factor.
Noteworthy elements:
- Waterproofing
- Improved 20.7 megapixel Exmor RS camera
- Compact construction
9. Blackberry Passport (Php32,000)
The new Blackberry Passport is already here, but only barely, and it makes it into this list for one reason alone…
There are still a lot of people who would prefer a QWERTY keyboard and/or a Blackberry phone as a whole for a smartphone over other alternatives. In this instance, there’s only the Passport which packs the latest internals from the company. If you wish to save almost half the price for Blackberry’s previous flagship, you can get the Z30.
Noteworthy elements:
- QWERTY keyboard
- BlackBerry OS
10. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (Php33,900 – Php34,500)
If you’re going to get a phablet, then pick the pioneer that made phablets mainstream.
The Galaxy Note 4 is Samsung’s polishing of the Note line. It hasn’t changed much design-wise, but it does pack a metal casing now which adds a lot into the new premium feel. It also packs the latest hardware from the company which includes the heart rate monitor, the fingerprint scanner, the 16 megapixel camera, a QHD Super AMOLED display, and of course, the much improved stylus called the S-Pen.
Noteworthy elements:
- 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440 Super AMOLED display
- Improved pair of cameras
- S-Pen functionality
- Heart rate monitor, fingerprint scanner
- Better Samsung build
That’s about it for our lists of top 10 phones this year. For the others, you can refer to these links:
Stay tuned for more content and for our other seasonal guides coming soon!
I’m waiting for the lumia 940. :DDDD
Also. You guys need to check out the LG G4. Best phone on the market based on my comparison with the iPhone6, iPhone6+, Samsung Galaxy S6, HTC ONE M9, and the Lumia 930 which is previously on top of the line-up.
Phone Camera I mean.
Why so expensive? I only bought my Lumia 930 for 20, 000… o_O (WITH OTTER BOX CASE AND ASUS POWERBANK)
Phones here in the Philippines are so OVERPRICED. Disappointing.
But… You gotta say that Lumia 930 is a flagship that you need to get if you’re a ‘WINDOWS PHONE’ fanboy. You’re gonna love it. But don’t download too much games. It takes too much memory. Don’t have that cardslot to give you extra. That’s a tip. Obviously.
The items that are note worthy for me would be the Note 4 and Z3. I wonder how the BlackBerry Passport will fly… Im guessing its going to flop.
I think BlackBerry might be on to something. The Passport phones were sold out twice from BB Stores online, and Amazon. 200,000 units sold initially, BB restocked last weekend and within hours sold again. Right now, it’s out of stock in all of BlackBerry Stores.
Interesting read on people’s comments about the Passport.
http://www.geek.com/mobile/blackberrys-oddball-passport-smartphone-is-actually-selling-out-1605473/?linkId=9799296
EBay + Johnny Air = bnew Nexus 5 at P13k (all-in). Saan ka pa?
nexus 5 is sold online (lazada, kimstore, etc). This is not officially released here, except for the imaginary units sold by Smart. Get it now!
Ano ka ba ahente? Magkano commission mo? Lololololololololol
Where can I get Nexus 5 nowadays?
Sa mall. Ulol! Lolololololololol
Please take note that BlackBerry Passport and Z30’s speakers are much much better than that of the M8.
The BlackBerry Passport’s little brother, the ‘Z30’ is the choice for me. Although not in this list, the Z30 won gold in ‘Best Biz Award’ in international competition.
http://itnerd.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/blackberry-z30-wins-gold-in-best-in-biz-awards-2014-international/
Nexus 5 still rocks and i think it will still be flagship-ish for at least the next year.
Is nexus 5 by lg? Available ba sa mga stores other than online?
@miongb meron sa mga mall stores.
OnePlus One? Lol.