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.
Updated monthly, this 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:
Huawei Mate 40 Pro (PhP 55,999)
The Huawei Mate 40 Pro is everything you’ve come to expect from Huawei’s flagship Mate line — fantastic hardware and smart AI. Of course, there is the lingering issue of zero access to Google Mobile Services, but Huawei has done all it can to mitigate this. A change in leadership in the US provides hope but it’s not something we would hang our hats on.
WATCH: Huawei Mate 40 Pro Unboxing and Review
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (PhP 35,990)
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is meant to be a sub-flagship smartphone but its pricing still lands it on our premium category — something we probably need to revisit sooner than later. That said, this is a GadgetMatch favorite. It has all the “necessities” of a flagship smartphone in a plastic, easy-t0-grip build and is just an easy recommendation for people who can’t spend north of PhP 40,000 on a smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 (PhP 109,990)
This is about as premium and as cutting edge as it gets. Samsung followed up its Galaxy Z Fold with a much more refined and polished Galaxy Z Fold2. It smoothens the rough edges of the first generation device and the result is what probably is the best foldable on the market right now.
iPhone 12 series (starts at PhP 43,990)
Design-wise not much has changed for the iPhones, but that’s not where you should be looking. Not only does the A14 chip deliver the usual performance bump, the cameras are also reportedly better and all these iPhones can now access 5G. It also helps that there’s four of them to choose from so there’s likely an iPhone just for you.
WATCH:
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Buyer’s Guide
Unboxing iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max
ASUS ROG Phone 3 (PhP 54,995)
ASUS doubled down on everything that made the previous generations of the ROG Phone great and gave us yet another spec-monster. Maxed-out specs, maxed-out mobile gaming. It has more competition in the mobile gaming smartphone space this year, but it’s still firmly ahead of everyone else in the pack.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (PhP 67,990)
The Snapdragon 865 Plus vs Exynos 990 hullabaloo notwithstanding, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra continues to represent the best that the Galaxy Note line has to offer. The S Pen’s latency has improved and the cameras are a refined version of the S20 Ultra. Galaxy Note loyalists will find that everything they love are still here — improved and refined.
WATCH: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review
Huawei P40 Pro+ (PhP 69,990)
The term “feels premium” gets thrown around too much needlessly. This phone has a legitimate claim to that. One touch and you’ll feel right away that you’re holding something luxurious. You can’t say that about every phone. Oh and, definitely go for the white one.
OnePlus 8 Pro (PhP 45,990)
OnePlus is now firmly in the premium flagship category. OnePlus phones have traditionally been pretty darn great with a lot of the focus being on just how fast it feels. On the OnePlus 8 series, it addresses a few things that were missing — the addition of wireless charging and an improvement to its long-time “weakpoint”, its cameras.
Huawei P40 Pro (PhP 50,990)
Huawei still has US government and Google problems, but they have come a long way since the ban last year. The company has found ways to bring or at least give you a way to download frequently used apps over to the AppGallery. That, along with their usual top-tier hardware, earns it a spot on this list. You’ll just have to make do with browser versions of certain Google apps for the time being.
vivo X50 Pro (PhP 39,999)
A gimbal system on a smartphone camera? Now that sounds new! Not only did vivo make a flagship-grade smartphone with an innovative camera system, they also made sure all the rear cameras are actually useable. Elsewhere on the phone, it performs day-to-day tasks with ease and also supports 5G connectivity.
Automotive
Ford Mustang, Explorer now available via Ford Online Reservation Portal
Which one’s your pick?
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
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.
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.
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