In our last article, we gave you our top picks for under ₱5,000 and ₱10,000, this time we’ll take things up a notch. If by any chance you skipped and went straight to this article, go here and pay that a visit, maybe you’ll find something you like for a cheaper price.
Maybe you’ve earned a bit more this year and are planning for a better, more powerful device, one that’ll last you a bit longer than those in the lower price range. Before we give our top picks, let’s discuss first why you should opt for a more expensive smartphone.
There are a few reasons why someone would opt for a pricier smartphone:
- Investment: As we approach the peak of the digital age, a smartphone is no longer just a want, it’s a necessity. With that said, a good, while more expensive, smartphone, can give you a bit more mileage than the entry-level ones. Consumers are now looking at things like build quality, durability, and long-term software support when choosing their next smartphone.
- Better experience: Of course, as you go up the price ladder, you’d expect that it would be more refined and packed with better features than the ones you’d find on the budget smartphones.
- Clout: While it’s something that we don’t agree with, it’s still an aspect that many consumers consider. It’s already been established that people, not just Filipinos, have brand loyalty, probably from their past experiences or things they’ve read, saw, or heard from people or from the internet.
Enough chit chat already! Let’s dive right into it.
Phones under ₱15,000
TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G
If you liked what you saw on the base CAMON 40, we think you’d also like the CAMON 40 Pro 5G. A bump in price doesn’t just get you a better networking capability, it also gives you better protection with an IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, as well as Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. You’ll also get a bump in performance, coming from a Helio G100 Ultimate to a MediaTek Dimensity 7300. Right now, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G retails for ₱12,899.
POCO X7 Pro
Hailed as the “flagship killer,” the X7 Pro brings about a substantial upgrade from the base X7. Packing a Dimensity 8400 Ultra and a 6,000 mAh Silicon Carbon battery, this smartphone scored 1.5 million on AnTuTu Benchmark, beating out more expensive smartphones. Currently, the 8/256GB version retails for ₱14,299, quite a steal if you ask us.
HONOR X9c Smart 5G
If you’re a high school or a college student taking a long and tedious commute every day, you’ll need a smartphone that keeps up. Not only does the X9c Smart 5G do all that, it looks hella good while doing it. I guess the only qualm I have with the X9c Smart is the display, I think HONOR could’ve put a better display than a TFT LCD, especially for ₱12,899.
nubia Neo 3 GT 5G
What the Neo 3 GT lacks in raw power, more than makes up for in gaming-centric features like a large 6,000 mAh battery with 80W Super Charging, a 4083mm² VC Cooling System, Dual Shoulder Triggers, and an AI-powered NeoTurbo Performance Engine. For ₱12,999, it makes a pretty compelling case for itself.
Infinix GT 30 Pro
Fresh from Infinix’s factory, this gaming-focused device aims to undercut the POCO X7 Pro by offering almost matching performance at a lower price than the latter. Possessing a Dimensity 8350 Ultimate, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, GT Triggers, and a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, all for just a mindblowing price of ₱11,999. It will surely turn the mid-range segment upside down.
Phones under ₱20,000
We think that this would be a great price point to stop as we don’t see the usual student buying a 30K and above smartphone for their day-to-day communication.
Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G
The NOTE 50 series’ top-of-the-line model, the Pro+ moniker brings a lot to the table. Dimensity 8350 Ultimate, 6.78-inch 1080p AMOLED 144Hz display, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, stuffed inside an Aerospace-grade aluminum with RGB notification light on the back and an AI-powered Heart Rate and Blood Oxygen sensor. All for just ₱18,560.
CMF Phone 2 Pro
Changing gears a little, the Phone 2 Pro is a bit of an outlier when it comes to the list. Some might consider it a bit expensive especially when compared to the more established competitors, but it does offer a different take on the mid-range device. Priced at ₱16,490, the Phone 2 Pro offers a more mature ecosystem which supports up to 3 major Android upgrades.
vivo V50 Lite
A first on our list. While some may argue that it’s not worth it due to the chipset, we think that the V50 Lite still deserves a chance, mainly due to its camera performance. Riding on the popularity of the V50, the Lite version offers a more cut down and more affordable experience at ₱16,999.
HONOR X9c 5G
Touted as the “toughest phone of 2025,” this phone can get you through the day with its 6,600 mAh Silicon Carbon battery without any dents and scratches, thanks to its IP65M dust and water resistance. Inside, it has a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. All that for ₱16,299.
realme 14 5G
For ₱16,979, you’ll have a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, AI-driven gaming features like GT Boost, AI Motion Control, and AI Ultra Touch Control, a massive 6,000 mAh battery with Bypass Charging, and a 6050mm² cooling system that keeps your phone cool.
What do you think of our list? Did you manage to find which phone fits perfect for you? If not, there’s a lot more that you can choose from.
Let us know which phone you would have liked to see included in our list.