Philippines

Best Premium Smartphones above P30,000 (May 2017 Edition)

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If you’re looking for the very best high-end smartphones available, you’ve come to the right place! Every month, GadgetMatch updates this list with the finest devices money can buy, no matter how much they cost.

As a follow-up to our February compilation, this May list takes every newly launched flagship costing more than PhP 30,000 into consideration, but doesn’t discount the smartphones that continue to make an impact since their launch last year.

Here they are in no particular order:

Galaxy S8+

Samsung Galaxy S8+ (PhP 45,990)

Was there any doubt about Samsung’s most gorgeous phone making this selection? Armed with the finest processor ever built in the Snapdragon 835, possibly the best single camera in a handset today, and the most refined Android skin to date, the Galaxy S8+ looks to stay on our radar for a long time.

REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

iPhone 7 Plus

Apple iPhone 7 Plus (PhP 44,990)

You can’t complete a selection like this without including Apple’s latest handset. And it’s not because an iPhone has to be included; the iPhone 7 Plus is so fast and so smooth, there’s no way we could ignore it. It also gets the nod over the regular iPhone 7 thanks to its far more impressive dual-camera setup.

REVIEW: Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Pixel XL

Google Pixel XL (PhP 41,200)

While the Pixel XL has its shortcomings — the lack of serious water resistance and oddly plain design spring to mind — you can’t find a more optimized Android smartphone right now. Everything about it is snappy, from the incredible camera to its witty Google Assistant. It’s also got the most up-to-date operating system, unlimited storage for all your photos, plus a better screen resolution and battery life than the smaller Pixel.

REVIEW: Google Pixel (3 months later)

LG G6

LG G6 (PhP 37,990)

After what many considered to be a failure in the G5, LG went back to the drawing board and crafted a smartphone that looks and feels great, and — more importantly — simply works. We’ve been so fond of the G6’s generous but not-too-tall display, extra-wide-angle camera, and super-solid build quality since we got our hands on it. Buh-bye, modules!

REVIEW: LG G6

Mate 9

Huawei Mate 9 (PhP 31,990)

With the introduction of the LG G6 and Galaxy S8+, the Mate 9 isn’t as compact for a large-screen smartphone as it used to be. But still, depending on where you live, Huawei’s offering can be significantly cheaper than its newer counterparts. Factor in its equally generous battery life, sleek Android interface, and pair of Leica-branded cameras at the back, and you have a nice bang-for-buck in the premium segment.

REVIEW: Huawei Mate 9 (3 months later)

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Automotive

The Changan Eado Plus officially lands in the Philippines

Its aggressive launch pricing challenges the compact sedan status quo.

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Inchcape Philippines is officially shaking up the compact sedan segment.

The Changan Eado Plus has arrived on local shores, and it’s gunning for the top spot in your driveway.

Available in two trims — Luxe and Lite — the Eado Plus offers the Filipino driver a car that looks like a million bucks without the massive price tag.

Modern aesthetic inside and out

On the outside, the Eado Plus makes a bold statement with its prominent three-dimensional grille and streamlined body lines.

This polished, premium look relies on LED lighting to command a strong presence on the road. Inside, a meticulously curated cabin handles the daily grind with ease.

The Luxe variant carries a massive 10-inch touchscreen equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, the Lite variant keeps you connected with a 7-inch display.

To beat the local climate, Changan included a PM2.5 air filter to keep the cabin air clean, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that puts all your vital driving data front and center.

Performance and safety without compromise

Under the hood, a 1.5L Bluecore gasoline engine powers both variants. This engine works with a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission (WDCT) to deliver a stable, responsive ride.

For those who want more control, the Luxe variant offers selectable Eco and Normal driving modes to match your mood or the traffic conditions.

Safety remains a top priority, as the Eado Plus houses a comprehensive suite of protection. Beyond the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the car packs in practical features like rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX tethers for families.

Pricing, availability

To celebrate the launch, Changan offers the Eado Plus with aggressive introductory pricing through April 30, 2026.

During this period, the 1.5 Luxe DCT costs only PhP 749,999, while the 1.5 Lite DCT goes for just PhP 699,000. These rates offer a significant discount from the standard prices of PhP 799,999 and PhP 750,000, respectively.

Drivers can choose from four colors: White, Black, Andean Gray, and Titanium Silver Gray (via special order).

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Deals

PLDT Home, Samsung team up for exclusive entertainment deals

Enjoy discounts on Samsung TVs, more with your Home Fibr plan

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PLDT Home and Samsung have partnered to bring exclusive entertainment deals, making it easier for Filipinos to enjoy premium viewing experiences at home.

New customers who sign up for PLDT Home Fiber Plan 1299 and above can enjoy up to 15% off on select Samsung TVs. Special deals on sound devices are also available.

In addition, subscribers can receive stackable vouchers worth up to PhP 2,000, redeemable through PLDT MyHome.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Plan 1299: 5% discount on all TVs, sound devices, monitors
  • Plans 1399, 1599, 1699, 1799, 2099: 10% discount on all TVs
  • Plans 2499, 2699, 3199, 7999: 15% discount on all TVs

Meanwhile, existing PLDT Home subscribers who upgrade their plans can also enjoy even more rewards. This includes stackable vouchers worth up to PhP 3,000, on top of Samsung entertainment discounts.

To redeem the Samsung vouchers, simply register or log in via PLDT MyHome. Vouchers can then be used to purchase Samsung Vision AI TVs through the dedicated Samsung online store link.

Whether it’s K-drama, movies, sports, or gaming, customers can upgrade their entertainment setups with Samsung electronics for less.

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Finance

Maya waives withdrawal, InstaPay transfer fees for Middle East remittances

Until April 10, for families relying on remittances from loved ones in the region

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Maya Savings

Maya is extending support to Filipino families receiving remittances from loved ones working in the Middle East. This is through rebates for withdrawal and InstaPay transfer fees until April 10 as developments continue to unfold across parts of the West Asian region.

From March 23 until April 10, Maya users who receive remittances from select Middle Eastern countries can unlock a set of transaction rebates. This is designed to help them access and use the funds more easily.

Select countries include: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The region remains one of the Philippines’ most important remittance corridors. There are an estimated 2.4 million Filipinos residing in the region, based from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) data.

These overseas-based citizens contribute over US$ 6.4 billion in remittances in 2025 alone, based on preliminary Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data.

Eligible Maya users who activate Maya XP will receive the following rebates:

  • ATM withdrawals: PhP 18 credited back per transaction
  • InstaPay transfers: PhP 15 credited back per transaction

In addition, eligible users may also enjoy cashback on mobile load purchases. The discount ranges from 1% to 3%, depending on their Maya XP level.

After receiving a qualifying remittance, eligible users will receive an invitation to activate
Maya XP. The invite will pop up within one to three days.

Eligible users can activate their Maya XP directly within the Maya app by accessing the Maya XP  section in the Wallet Dashboard or Profile page and completing the quick “Get started” process, including providing the required consent.

Once activated, users can immediately begin enjoying rebates on eligible transactions.

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