We’ve compiled the budget phones with a 10K price tag and where they fall in our smartphone tier list.
The first quarter of 2024 is over and so our tier for that quarter. Find out which phones are Super Sulit, Maganda Na, Sakto Lang, Needs Improvement, and Overpriced in the 10K and under category.
Super Sulit
CHERRY Aqua S11 Pro
Cherry’s comeback this year is massive, thanks to the brand’s impressive smartphone offerings. One of these is the CHERRY Aqua S11 Pro powered by MediaTek Helio G99, priced at ₱7,999.
Why Super Sulit:
- Fully packed display: 6.7 inches, 1080p, AMOLED, 120Hz
- Good performance for this price point: Helio G99 with AnTuTu of around 416K
- Decent memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB ROM
- Large battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging
- Triple rear camera with a 64MP main lens and 16 MP selfie camera
- Legacy 3.5mm headphone jack is included
realme Note 50
realme’s budget entry, realme Note 50, shouldn’t be expected to be powerful. However, for its price point of ₱3,599, the device offers a few extras not easy to find in other budget phones.
Why Super Sulit:
- Decent budget processor: Unisoc T612 with AnTuTu of around 245K
- Big display: 6.74 inches with 90Hz refresh rate
- Decent starting memory: 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM, instead of a 3+32GB setup
- Slim profile: 7.99mm thickness
- Durable: IP54 dust and water resistance
itel P55 5G
Compared to other Transsion brands, itel is focused on budget-friendly smartphones. But we didn’t expect that the brand would deliver 5G performance for only ₱6,999. Plus, the memory and storage weren’t compromised.
Why Super Sulit:
- Mobile network: 5G offers the fastest speed on mobile data connectivity
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6080 scores around 429K on AnTuTu
- Good memory: 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM with microSD card support
- Big battery: 5000mAh + 18W fast charging
- Design: Vibrant visuals with 91% screen-to-body ratio
Maganda Na
Redmi Note 13
The Redmi Note 13 is the sole entry in this section. Priced at ₱7,499, it only feels okay despite its specs and features. The main feature of this smartphone is its triple-rear camera setup led by the 108MP main sensor.
Why Maganda Na:
- Processor could be better: Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 with an AnTuTu score of around 345K
- Memory could be better: Base model starts at 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
- Great display: 6.67 inches, 1080p, AMOLED, 120Hz
- Big battery: 5000mAh + 33W fast charging
- Durable: IP54 dust and water resistance
Sakto Lang
realme C67 4G
Looking at the SRP alone of ₱9,999, the realme C67 offers a big screen of 6.72 inches with 1080p resolution, a large battery of 5000mAh with 33W fast charging, and IP54 dust and water resistance.
These specs are already offered by other devices mentioned above. Plus, getting the bigger variant will cost you more. You have to watch out for sales regularly to buy this device at a discounted price.
Why Sakto Lang:
- Display panel could be better: IPS LCD, 1080p, 90Hz
- Lackluster CPU for this price point: Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 with an AnTuTu score of around 345K
- Higher variant cost: Plus 1K price tag for the 8+256GB configuration
- Thick display bezels
itel P55 4G
Unlike the 5G variant, the itel P55 4G is a letdown. It has a price tag of ₱5,999 in exchange for 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, IPS LCD screen, and 5000mAh battery.
While still appropriate in the budget segment, you only need 1K extra to unlock its better version with 5G connectivity and more.
Why Sakto Lang:
- Weak processor: Unisoc T606 with an AnTuTu score of around 244K
- Display could be better: 6.6 inches, 720p, IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Average cameras: 50MP + 0.08MP rear, 8 MP front
- Decent memory: 8+128GB base, 8+256 higher variant
- 8+256GB variant costs the same as the 5G model
Infinix HOT 40
The Infinix HOT 40 is somewhat odd with an SRP of ₱6,499. It’s powered by MediaTek Helio G88, 8GB RAM, 256GB ROM, and 5000mAh, which supports 33W of fast charging.
It has a triple-rear camera setup with a lead sensor of 50MP and a selfie camera of 32MP. It also features a 1080p display with 90Hz refresh rate.
Why Sakto Lang:
- Dull CPU at this price: Helio G88 scores around 270K on AnTuTu
- Display could better with AMOLED
- Two cameras could better than three cameras, with two only serving as auxiliaries
- Large chin
- Add 500 and you can get a 5G smartphone
HONOR X7b
HONOR X7b has a bright, colorful design and a punch hole cutout for the selfie camera, attractive in the budget segment. However, the design is a bit compromised with the price tag, processor, and other aspects.
For ₱8,999, the HONOR X7b offers a 6.8-inch 1080p display and 108MP main camera plus two secondary lenses at the back. Unlike many other budget phones, this one has a 6000mAh battery with 35W fast charging and dual stereo speakers.
Why Sakto Lang:
- Lackluster CPU for this price point: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 scores around 310K on AnTuTu
- No 5G for this price point
- Display could be better with AMOLED
- Bezels are quite thick
Needs Improvement
ZTE Blade V50 Vita
Budget phones aren’t expected to compete and win against mid-range or high-powered smartphones. But it doesn’t also mean they have to be that weak.
For ₱6,999, the ZTE Blade V50 Vita needs major overhaul. That price offers 4GB RAM, 256GB ROM, 6000mAh battery, 22.5W charging, and 720p display. If you have that money, you can get a better alternative.
The biggest upgrade this phone needs is its raw processing power. With just 4GB of RAM and Unisoc T606, users may not get the best performance on that massive 256GB internal storage.
Overpriced
HUAWEI nova Y72
The HUAWEI nova Y72 gets the ceiling in the 10K and under category of budget phones. While there’s nothing wrong with an SRP of ₱9,999, you may want to consider a few things before getting this phone.
About what you’ll get, the device is powered by Kirin 710A and comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM. It also features a 6.75-inch display with 720p resolution, two rear cameras, and a tanky 6000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging.
We don’t want to offend anyone but Kirin 710A isn’t exactly speedy, scoring around 230K on AnTuTu. Another improvement that should have been done is giving this phone an AMOLED panel, reasonable for that price tag.
Disclaimer: This list only features devices that have been officially launched in the Philippines. The SRP mentioned here are only as of writing.
So, which device in this tier list did you buy or want to buy?
