Welcome to GadgetMatch’s list of the best smartphones priced below PhP 10,000! 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:
Samsung Galaxy A21s (PhP 9,990)
You might consider this cheating as it is originally priced at PhP 11,990. However, it is currently discounted and we’re willing to bet this is gonna be its price even as 2021 truly rolls around. That makes the Galaxy A21s somewhat of a steal at this price range. Samsung has really made good strides in the non-flagship category ever since ditching the J-series. In its place is the expanded A-series — and this phone specifically checks most boxes you need out of a basic smartphone.
realme Narzo 20 (PhP 7,990)
Easily the best gaming-skewed smartphone in the this price range. Budget phones these day tend to be focused on a few things and then have comprises in some areas. That seems to be the case here as you shouldn’t expect much from this phone’s cameras. But what it lacks in shooting, it makes up for in letting you play the most popular mobile gaming titles with relative ease.
POCO M3 (PhP 7,990)
Judging this solely on paper alone, the POCO M3 is in collision course with the realme Narzo 20 in terms of pricing and overall target market. POCO was relentless in releasing good value for money smartphones in 2020 and the POCO M3 is no different. It has fun camera features that you can play with. Granted, the image quality won’t leave jaws dropping, the output is still… fine. It’s also slated to perform relatively well. A fine option at this price range.
Infinix Note 7 (PhP 7,990)
Here’s another phone in the same price range as the realme Narzo 20 and the POCO m3. Like the latter, this appears to be aiming at a more balanced approach — a smartphone for a smartphone’s sake. It has all the essentials, performs just about as advertised, and takes fairly decent photos.
realme C15 (PhP 6,990)
The realme C15 is essentially just the realme C11 but on steroids. Specs-wise, they have many similarities with a few improvements here and there. This is still a reliable purchase for people (or even oldies) who just want a basic phone without spending too much.
Redmi 9C (PhP 5,990)
Many people are struggling to get by and shelling out cash for a phone is potentially not within the priorities of survival. If anything, it could be what someone needs, but cannot afford. So, as much as phones like the Redmi 9C have a catch to their low cost, it’s well worth it.
Redmi 9 (PhP 6,490)
Probably the best compromise if you want a capable budget phone but don’t necessarily want to be near the top-end of the budget spectrum. You’ll have to settle for using Lite apps to not feel any slow down, but other than that, this thing works and is built well.
Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. It uses a passport-style design that opens into a larger display while retaining a more conventional smartphone experience when folded.
Price and availability
The iPhone Duo starts at PhP 159,990 in the Philippines for the 256GB model as listed on the Apple website.
Here’s the full local pricing:
- 256GB — PhP 159,990
- 512GB — PhP 175,990
- 1TB — PhP 207,990
- 2TB — PhP 254,990
The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky.
Actual availability in the Philippines has yet to be officially announced.
A foldable design with two displays
The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and expands to a 7.6-inch main display when opened. Both orientations use the same aspect ratio, allowing iOS to transition between them seamlessly.
The rear chassis uses Ceramic Shield, while the front display gets Ceramic Shield 2. The device is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.
Its hinge uses carbon fiber supports and magnets that produce an audible click when the phone is folded.
A20 Pro brings flagship performance
The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro series. Apple says the chip delivers 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.
It also comes with the new C2 cellular modem, which provides up to 50 percent faster uploads. Like other foldables, the Duo can be used in different configurations, including tent mode and a partially folded book-like position.
48-megapixel camera system
The iPhone Duo gets a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto camera.
For selfies and video calls, it has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera. The inner display also uses an under-screen camera for a cleaner look.
Battery life goes beyond a day
The iPhone Duo offers up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer display.
Charging is also quick. Apple says a 20-minute charge can replenish half the battery, while a five-minute charge can provide up to five hours of video playback.
For the complete specifications and first-look details, check out our main iPhone Duo launch coverage.
Apple’s latest Pro iPhones are now listed on the Philippine Apple website, with local pricing starting at PhP 94,990. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max bring a new A20 Pro chip, a variable-aperture main camera, longer battery life, and a redesigned Dynamic Island. (Apple)
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max price in the Philippines
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at PhP 94,990 for 256GB. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at PhP 99,990.
| Storage | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 256GB | PhP 94,990 | PhP 99,990 |
| 512GB | PhP 110,990 | PhP 115,990 |
| 1TB | PhP 142,990 | PhP 147,990 |
| 2TB | PhP 189,990 | PhP 194,990 |
Both models come in black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. Apple offers both Pro models with up to 2TB of storage.
A variable-aperture 48-megapixel camera
The iPhone 18 Pro series gets a new 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. It can open as wide as ƒ/1.48 for low-light photography, while narrowing to ƒ/4 can keep more of a group in focus.
Apple also adds Pro controls that let users manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and exposure through a histogram.
A20 Pro brings more performance
Both models run on Apple’s A20 Pro, built on a 2nm process. It has a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.
Apple says the GPU is up to 40 percent faster than A19 Pro, while memory bandwidth increases by 50 percent. A redesigned vapor chamber also has three times the surface area of the previous generation, enabling up to 40 percent higher sustained performance.
A smaller Dynamic Island
Apple redesigned the Dynamic Island to make more room for information. It can now display up to three Live Activities at once while retaining Face ID for authentication and unlocking.
Battery life gets a major boost
The iPhone 18 Pro delivers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours on eSIM-only models.
The Pro can reach 50 percent charge in around 15 minutes, while the Pro Max can get around seven hours of video playback from five minutes of wired charging.
Philippine availability
Apple has confirmed September 18 availability for more than 65 countries and regions, including Singapore. It also says the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will reach another 20 countries and regions starting September 25. However, Apple has not yet specified the Philippines in its published launch-day country list, so a Philippine release date has not been officially confirmed.
The Philippine Apple website does list the iPhone 18 Pro as a new model with local pricing, however.
Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is making its 5G Home WiFi offering more accessible with a limited-time 40% discount.
The Smart 5G Max Home WiFi now costs P2,995, down from P4,990. The promo runs until November 20, 2026.
Powered by Smart’s nationwide 5G network, the device delivers speeds of up to 600Mbps and supports up to 40 devices. It also comes with 15 days of free unlimited data.
Built for flexible connectivity
Smart positions the 5G Max Home WiFi as a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution for households that need broadband connectivity in areas where fiber is not yet available.
The router is plug-and-play, so users do not need professional installation. They can simply set up the router, insert the included Smart SIM, and connect their devices.
The package includes the Smart 5G Max Home WiFi Router, Smart SIM, and 15 days of free unlimited data. After the free data period, users can reload with UNLI 1299, which offers unlimited data for all sites and apps for 30 days.
Smart expands its 5G network
Smart says 5G Fixed Wireless Access is gaining traction globally as telcos look for ways to extend broadband connectivity to more households, particularly in areas with limited fixed-line infrastructure.
As of the end of June 2026, Smart had 12.5 million 5G-capable individual devices on its network. This represents a 30% increase and 21% of individual devices on the network.
Smart also continues to invest in its nationwide network. The company says these efforts helped it earn Ookla’s recognition for Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the first half of 2026, with a Video Score of 72.82.
The Smart 5G Max Home WiFi is available for P2,995 at Smart Stores and through the Smart Online Store.
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