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

—

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

News

Xiaomi is making it easier for customers in the PH to shop

Xiaomi launches Mi.com online store

Published

May 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

Xiaomi has officially launched its Mi.com online store in the Philippines. This standalone website offers a more direct and centralized shopping experience, as Xiaomi has shifted away from third-party marketplaces.

The dedicated platform serves as a one-stop destination for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem. This includes the brand’s smartphones, smart home devices, and even the POCO lineup.

For instance, there’s the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G, Xiaomi Smart Band 10, and Xiaomi Sound Party, among others.

The move marks a significant transition for Xiaomi’s consumers in the market. The brand mentioned wanting to deliver a smarter, more rewarding digital shopping experience tailored for Filipino consumers.

Moreover, customers do not have to worry about the presence of discount vouchers or a reward system, as the Mi.com website has these integrated. That way, customers will still find a great value for direct purchases.

Here’s a quick rundown of Xiaomi’s exclusive offers to celebrate the announcement of a standalone site:

Launch-Exclusive Vouchers: 10% off coupons on selected inventory, tiered discounts based on total purchase value
Daily Flash Sales: Two high-traffic windows are scheduled daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NN and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Enhanced Loyalty Rewards: new Xiaomi Account sign-ups receive 50 Mi Points (1 Mi Point = PhP 1); during launch window, all purchases earn double points, which can be redeemed for future cashbacks

Deals

Win a trip to Boracay at the Power Mac Center x Shokz Pop-up booth in Rockwell

Access up to 20% off through member-exclusive savings!

Published

May 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

From May 1 to 10, Power Mac Center (PMC) has transformed a corner of the Power Plant Mall into a sanctuary for the modern audiophile.

You can find this curated pop-up — in collaboration with Shokz — conveniently situated just steps from Din Tai Fung and Lancôme.

For those unacquainted with the Shokz ethos, the brand has carved a niche as the global vanguard of open-ear technology.

Eschewing the isolation of traditional earbuds, Shokz utilizes sophisticated Bone Conduction and DirectPitch technologies. These innovations deliver high-fidelity audio while keeping you connected to your environment.

Shokz for you

The showcase at the PMC booth is a masterclass in acoustic variety.

The OpenRun Pro 2 and the waterproof OpenSwim Pro cater to the active elite. Meanwhile, the OpenFit 2+ offers a more cinematic experience with Dolby Audio and the convenience of wireless charging.

For those seeking the pinnacle of wireless elegance, the OpenDots One and OpenFit Pro stand as testament to the brand’s commitment to flagship performance.

A deal you shouldn’t miss

Beyond the technical allure, PMC has ensured the experience is punctuated by exclusivity. Visitors can take advantage of bespoke event-only pricing, including a 20% discount for The Rockwellist App members and 10% for non-members.

Perhaps most enticing of all is the promise of an escape; a purchase of any Shokz product during this limited engagement grants guests the opportunity to win a curated getaway for two to the pristine shores of Boracay.

News

OPPO Find N6 now available through Smart Infinity

Avail of OPPO’s latest premium foldable through Smart’s luxury postpaid tier

Published

May 2, 2026

GadgetMatch

OPPO’s latest flagship foldable, the OPPO Find N6, is now available through Smart Infinity.

The book-style foldable brings together a smart design, strong performance, and everyday reliability into one device.

It features an 8.12-inch foldable inner display, designed for tablet-like productivity. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform and packs a 6,000mAh battery for all-day use.

In the middle is a new Titanium Flexion Hinge and upgraded flex glass that help reduce the screen crease, making it barely visible and smooth to the touch.

That hinge also makes the foldable built to last, with support for over 600,000 folds. Complementing this are IP56 and IP59 dust and water resistance ratings.

Furthermore, the device is equipped with a 200MP Hasselblad camera system with support for 4K 120fps Dolby Vision.

As previously announced, the device is available through Smart Infinity Plan 5000. The telco’s luxury postpaid tier allows subscribers to enjoy a more premium experience, with priority customer service, dedicated relationship manager, and access to exclusive lifestyle perks and events.

To entice customers even more, here are the initial offers they can get when they avail of the OPPO Find N6 through Smart Infinity: