When it comes to Christmas gifts, gadgets are one of the most popular. And in that category, smartphones get the most attention. However, it’s not easy to pick a smartphone nowadays as there are lots to consider, including specs and budget. That’s where this guide comes in. Here are some recommendations if you’re thinking of buying a smartphone as a gift this Holiday season.
Author’s note: There are tons of smartphones released this year, so we’re picking our top recommendations for each segment. The devices listed are those that were launched in the Philippines in 2020. Telco-exclusive devices without announced SRPs are excluded.
Table of Contents
Under PHP 10K
This year, the POCO M3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones for having competent specs at a low price. It features a 6.53-inch FHD+ screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, 4GB of RAM, up to 128GB storage, triple-rear cameras, and a monster 6,000mAh battery. It’s priced at PHP 6,990 for the 4GB + 64GB model, and PHP 7,990 for the 4GB + 128GB.
The realme 7i is a strong contender for sporting a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, which is a good recommendation if you’re looking for a smooth screen at a low price. It’s equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, and a 5,000mAh battery. The realme 7i 4GB + 128GB is priced at PHP 9,990, but if you have extra, you can go for the 8GB + 128GB for PHP 11,990.
You can’t talk about value smartphones and not mention Xiaomi. In this case, we have the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with a 6.53-inch FHD+ display, MediaTek Helio G85, up to 4GB of RAM, up to 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, and a large 5,020mAh battery. This solid daily driver can be had for PHP 7,990 for the 3GB + 64GB model, and PHP 9,990 for the 4GB + 128GB.
Cherry’s smartphone lineup was almost quiet for the whole year but surprised the PH market by introducing a solid daily driver with an affordable price tag — the Cherry Mobile Aqua S9 Max. It sports a 6.53-inch FHD+ display, MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, and a 5,130mAh battery. You can get this device for PHP 9,999.
Under PHP 20K
Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G (6GB + 128GB)
As it turns out, you can get a flagship-level smartphone at this price range, and one of them is the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G. It sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with 144Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, up to 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, triple-rear cameras, 5G connectivity, and a 5,000mAh battery. You can get a 6GB + 128GB model for PHP 19,990.
The POCO X3 NFC is a premium mid-range smartphone. However, it packs powerful specs for a price that’s a little bit over PHP 10K. We’re talking about a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, 6GB of RAM, up to 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, and a 5,160mAh battery. You can get the 6GB + 64GB model for PHP 10,990, or the 6GB + 128GB for PHP 12,990.
Looking for an affordable 5G-capable smartphone? Take a look at the Moto G 5G Plus. It has a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 5G, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, dual-front cameras, 5G connectivity, and a 5,000mAh battery. This is one feature-packed phone for PHP 16,990.
realme’s contender for this segment is the realme 7 Pro with its 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, and a 4,500mAh battery with 65W fast charging. You can get one for PHP 17,990.
Under PHP 30K
Moving up the price range and we got the more powerful sibling of the Mi 10T 5G, the Mi 10T Pro 5G. You’re getting a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with 144Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, triple-rear cameras with a 108MP main, 5G connectivity, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. You can get one for PHP 24,990.
The OnePlus 8T offers plenty of flagship features for under PHP 30K. You’re getting a 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, 5G connectivity, and 4,500mAh battery with 65W Warp Charge. You can get all of that for PHP 29,990.
While you can expect smartphones to pack flagship chipsets under this price range, the vivo X50 is still a compelling offering, even if a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 chipset powers it. It packs a 6.56-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, excellent quad-rear cameras, and 32MP front cameras, and a 4,200mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The vivo X50 is priced at PHP 25,999.
Another smartphone that packs a lot for the price is the realme X3 SuperZoom. It features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chipset, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, quad-rear cameras with periscopic zoom, dual-front cameras, and a 4,200mAh battery. All of that for the price of PHP 22,990.
We can find the most affordable iPhone in Apple’s 2020 lineup at this price range, the iPhone SE 2020. It packs a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, 12MP rear camera, 7MP front camera, IP67 water, and dust resistance, Touch ID Home Button, but powered by the powerful Apple A13 Bionic chip. The 64GB model will cost you PHP 26,490.
POCO also has an offering in this price range in the form of the F2 Pro. This one sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, Snapdragon 865 chipset, up o 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, a 20MP pop-up front camera, 5G connectivity, and a 4,700mAh battery with 30W fast charging. The POCO F2 Pro 6GB + 128GB model is priced at PHP 26,990, while the 8GB + 256GB is priced at PHP 29,990.
Looking for a gaming-centric smartphone under this budget? Take a look at the Black Shark 3. It sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, triple-rear cameras, 5G connectivity, liquid cooling, and 4.720mAh battery with 65W fast charging. The Black Shark 3 8GB + 128GB model is priced at PHP 29,995, while the 12GB + 256GB goes over the budget at PHP 34,995.
Under PHP 50K
If you like the vivo X50 but want better hardware, including 5G connectivity, get the vivo X50 Pro 5G. This one sports a 6.56-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, 32MP front camera, and a 4,315mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The vivo X50 Pro 8GB + 256GB is priced at PHP 39,999.
If you have this budget, you are now open to more options for a gaming-centric smartphone, especially the Snapdragon 865+-powered ROG Phone 3 series. There’s a ROG Phone 3 Strix 8GB + 256GB for PHP 39,995, or you can go for the ROG Phone 3 Classic 12GB + 512GB for PHP 49,995. You’re also getting a 6.59-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate, triple-rear cameras, 5G connectivity, two USB-C ports, AirTrigger 3 system, RGB Lighting, AeroActive Cooler 3, and a huge 6,000mAh battery with 30W HyperCharge.
Want a more beefed-up version of the Black Shark 3? Then go for the Black Shark 3 Pro. This one will get you a 7.1-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, triple rear cameras, 5G connectivity, liquid cooling, and a 5,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging. You can get this one for PHP 44,990.
Do you want the most powerful OnePlus smartphone available? Then take a look at the OnePlus 8 Pro. This packs a 6.78-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, quad-rear cameras, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a 4,510mAh battery with 30W wired fast charge, 30W wireless fast charge, and reverse wireless charging. The OnePlus 8 Pro 8GB + 128GB is priced at PHP 45,990, while the 12GB + 256GB is at PHP 48,990.
Under this budget, you can get Huawei’s photography-centric flagship, the Huawei P40. It features a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display, Kirin 990 5G, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, triple-rear cameras with a 50MP main, 32MP front with an IR depth-sensing camera, 5G connectivity, and a 3,800mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging. The Huawei P40 8GB + 128GB is priced at PHP 36,990.
The iPhone 12 will get you an all-new design, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, Ceramic Shield, Apple A14 Bionic, up to 256GB of storage, dual 12MP rear cameras, 5G connectivity, MagSafe, IP68 water and dust-resistance, and wireless charging. The iPhone 12 64GB is priced at PHP 49,990. Alternatively, you can go for the iPhone 12 mini 64GB for PHP 43,990 or the 128GB for PHP 46,990.
50K and above
Got a bigger budget and still looking at Apple? Then you can get the iPhone 12 Pro. This one has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, Ceramic Shield, Apple A14 Bionic, up to 512GB of storage, triple 12MP rear cameras, 5G connectivity, MagSafe, IP68 water and dust resistance, and wireless charging. The iPhone 12 Pro starts at PHP 62,990 for the 128GB. Alternatively, you can go for the iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB for PHP 68,990.
Want the best of what Huawei has to offer when it comes to smartphone technology? Then the clear choice is the Huawei Mate40 Pro. It has a 6.76-inch FHD+ OLED display with 90Hz refresh rate, Kirin 9000 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, powerful triple-rear cameras, 13MP front camera with a 3D Depth-Sensing front camera, 5G connectivity, 3D Face Recognition, IP68 water and dust resistance, and 4,400mAh battery with 66W wired fast charge and 50W wireless fast charge. The Huawei Mate40 Pro 8GB + 256GB is priced at PHP 55,999.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
Want a smartphone with powerful productivity features? The answer is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G. You’ll get a 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Exynos 990 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, triple-rear cameras, 5G connectivity, Samsung DeX, IP68, and a 4,300mAh battery with 25W fast charge, fast wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare. You can get the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G through telcos for PHP 72,990.
Since you already have a big budget, why not go with a foldable smartphone? And the best we can recommend right now is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. This device packs a 7.6-inch QXGA+ AMOLED Infinity Flex display, a 6.2-inch HD+ AMOLED secondary display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, triple-rear cameras, dual front cameras, 5G connectivity, and 4,500mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging. You can get the Galaxy Z Fold2 for PHP 109,990.
And there you have it. Do note that this is just a guide. If you want to see all the options available, we recommend checking our Smartphone Price List 2020. Good luck with your Christmas shopping!
