Philippines

Best Budget Smartphones (Philippine Edition)

Published

November 1, 2017

Marvin Velasco

Welcome to GadgetMatch’s list of the best smartphones priced below PhP 15,000! Each month, we update our selection with the budget-friendly phones we believe are most deserving of your hard-earned savings.

Even though the spotlight has been on high-end smartphones this entire year, there have been a few surprisingly good entry-level handsets coming out lately, as well. So good, in fact, that we had to reassess our entire list.

Here they are in no particular order:

Huawei Nova 2i / Honor 9i / Mate 10 Lite (PhP 14,999)

Huawei once again confuses us with their elaborate naming scheme, but one thing is for certain: The Nova 2i is easily one of the best smartphones you can find in this price range. A total of four cameras (two in front and two at the back) and a near-borderless display are standout features at this level.

REVIEW: Huawei Nova 2i

LG Q6 (PhP 12,990)

How often do we see a near-borderless display on a budget-friendly smartphone? As of now, it’s still uncommon. Thanks to LG, we’re seeing FullVision on the Q6, and it’s stunning at this price point. Along with it comes a power-efficient processor, high-grade aluminum frame, and triple-card slots.

REVIEW: LG Q6

ASUS ZenFone 4 Max (PhP 9,995)

It doesn’t get much more complete than this below PhP 15,000. The ZenFone 4 Max has everything you’d hope for in a PhP 9,995 phone, including a dual-camera setup and large 5000mAh battery in a body that’s surprisingly compact. Once its cleaner version of ZenUI arrives, this will be one tough entry to kick out.

REVIEW: ASUS ZenFone 4 Max

Xiaomi Mi A1 (PhP 12,000)

Putting stock Android on a Xiaomi handset is a match made in heaven. Being the first of its kind, the Mi A1 offers consistent software updates, a surprisingly good dual-camera setup, and the great battery life you’d expect from this brand. This is the phone for Xiaomi fans and Android purists alike!

REVIEW: Xiaomi Mi A1

OPPO A71 (PhP 8,990)

If you’re on a tight budget and simply want a smartphone that’s fast enough to get everyday tasks done, it doesn’t get much better than the OPPO A71. It gives up OPPO’s signature selfie branding in exchange for a sleek, no-frills design and space for two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time.

REVIEW: OPPO A71

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Updates as of November:

Replaced Huawei GR3 2017 with Nova 2i
Replaced Xiaomi Mi Max 2 with Mi A1

Updates as of October:

Replaced Vivo Y53 with OPPO A71

Updates as of September:

Replaced Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X with Mi Max 2
Replaced OPPO A57 with the LG Q6
Replaced ASUS ZenFone 3 Max 5.5 with ZenFone 4 Max

[irp posts=”19162″ name=”Best Budget Smartphones below $300″]

Related Topics:ASUS Honor Huawei LG OPPO Xiaomi

Automotive

Ford Mustang, Explorer now available via Ford Online Reservation Portal

Which one’s your pick?

Published

June 4, 2023

GadgetMatch

Following the launch of the Next-Gen Ford Ranger and Everest, Ford brought out an online reservation portal to offer its customers a new level of ease, convenience, and security.

Not only it houses the newest Ford vehicles, but the Ford Explorer and the Ford Mustang are also now joining the roster of available vehicles on the portal. Customers can explore options for their choice of variant and color, as well as payment modes and the Ford dealership they wish to transact with.

Your favorite pony

An iconic nameplate worldwide, the 4-seater sportscar Ford Mustang has a powerful and reliable engine complemented by an iconic design and crisp and responsive handling. Two models are available for online reservation: the Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost Premium 10-Speed SelectShift AT Fastback and Mustang 5.0L V8 GT Premium 10-Speed SelectShift AT Fastback. The Ford Mustang starts at PhP 3,048,000 and customers can visit ford.to/MustangReserveNow to place a reservation.

READ: My favorite pony made more fun

For family adventures

The Ford Explorer is a premium SUV that empowers families to drive out for new adventures. Its exterior boasts bold lines and sweeping contours that inspire confidence. Powering the Explorer is a 2.3L EcoBoost Engine mated to a 10-Speed Automatic Transmission making journeys smoother than ever. The Ford Explorer starts at P3,298,000 and interested customers can log on to ford.to/ExplorerReserveNow to reserve.

Better ownership experience

“Enhancing the overall ownership experience remains a priority for us at Ford. With the Ford Explorer and Mustang now available on the online reservation portal, we continue to make it
easier and more convenient for our customers to start their Ford vehicle ownership journey at their fingertips,” says Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines.

Lifestyle

Finland’s SuperPark to expand in Philippines

First two sites in Eastwood City, McKinley Hill

Published

June 3, 2023

GadgetMatch

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is set to bring Finland’s modern recreational activity park, SuperPark in the Philippines.

This is after an agreement has been reached between Megaworld and SuperPark to open the first two licensed SuperParks Eastwood City and McKinley Hill.

The multi-activity and digitally-interactive indoor venues will offer customers three themed areas with over 20 unique activities in total.

Included is the Game Arena, which focuses on sports activities like basketball, football, cycling, dodgeball, and digital parkour, enhanced by technology for a mixed reality feel.

There will also be an Adventure Area for toddlers to explore obstacles and climbing structures, and the Freestyle Hall for trampolines with mixed reality games.

The two new Philippine locations are part of SuperPark’s aggressive global expansion, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and North America.

Hailed as the “friendliest all-in-one indoor activity park in the world,” SuperPark has locations in Finland, China, Malaysia, Kuwait and Singapore.

Deals

OPPO 6.6 Mega Sale: Get discounts, freebies

Brighten up the rainy season

Published

June 2, 2023

GadgetMatch

OPPO is set to brighten up the rainy season with its 6.6 Mega Sale on both Lazada and Shopee.

Customers stand to get discounts, vouchers, special freebies, and bundle deals from June 6 to 8 when they purchase participating OPPO smartphones.

Included are the following devices:

A16 4GB
A17k
A17
A55
A76
A95
Reno6 Z
Reno 6 5G
Reno8 T

On Lazada, customers can get up to a 10% cashback, capped at PhP 1,000. A 100% cashback raffle will also reward six lucky winners on both e-commerce apps.

6.6 freebie shower

On 6.6 itself, OPPO will offer buyers various freebies for its smartphones:

A16k: Free Bluetooth speaker
A16 4GB: Free memory card
A55: Free memory card
A76: Free remote-controlled selfie stick
Reno8 T series: Free Neon Island desk pad
Reno 6 series: Free Bluetooth speaker, selfie stick

Meanwhile, the first 12 buyers of OPPO’s latest foldable, the Find Flip N2, will get a free OPPO Enco Air3 and OPPO Watch Free.

Rainy bundles

The budget OPPO A series will also be part of bundle deals from June 6 to 8.

With OPPO Band:

A16k: PhP 6,099
A16 4GB: PhP 7,599
A55: PhP 8,599

With Enco Buds2:

A16k: PhP 6,299
A16 4GB: PhP 7,799
A55: PhP 8,799

In-app discounts, vouchers

Lastly, shoppers should be on the lookout for further discounts and vouchers during the sale period.

Lazada and Shopee both offer free shipping for a PhP 500 minimum spend, as well as PhP 1,000 livestream vouchers for a PhP 4,999 minimum spend.

Lazada will also have a Lazada Bonus for an extra 10% off, capped at PhP 1,000. On the other hand, Shopee will give out 15% off Shopee Mall vouchers capped at PhP 1,000.

Both apps also allow installment at 0% interest rates for OPPO’s smartphones.