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.
The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.
Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.
Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.
With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month
Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.
In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.
These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges.
Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.
Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.
New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available
Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.
Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.
First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.
With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.
OPPO has confirmed that the Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines.
The upcoming smartphone series will introduce the company’s new Pocket Studio imaging experience alongside OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View. The launch also continues OPPO’s partnership with K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER, the brand’s global ambassadors.
Pocket Studio puts the focus on photography
OPPO positions the Reno16 Series 5G as a camera-first smartphone. The series features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera, and Dual View Video for capturing photos and videos from multiple perspectives.
The company says these upgrades are designed to make mobile photography and content creation more versatile. Users can capture wide group selfies, detailed portraits, and creative videos without carrying dedicated camera gear.
OPPO Bubble brings remote camera controls
A standout feature is OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View.
The new feature lets users pair the Reno16 Series 5G with compatible OPPO devices. From there, they can preview the camera feed remotely and trigger the shutter wirelessly.
This also allows users to frame selfies and group photos using the phone’s rear cameras while viewing the composition from another device. OPPO says the feature makes it easier to capture everyone in the frame without relying on timers.
Coming soon
The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G will arrive in the Philippines soon.
OPPO has yet to announce the official launch date, pricing, and local availability. More details are expected in the coming weeks.
News
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9: Price, availability in the Philippines
Prices start at PHP 24,990
Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 in the Philippines alongside the new Galaxy Z8 Series.
The new wearables expand Samsung’s smartwatch lineup with upgraded health tracking, AI-powered wellness features, and faster performance. The Galaxy Watch9 is designed for everyday health and fitness, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 caters to users looking for a more rugged smartwatch for outdoor adventures.
Here’s how much they cost in the Philippines.
Pricing
Galaxy Watch Ultra2
- PHP 44,990
Galaxy Watch9
- 40mm — PHP 22,990
- 46mm — PHP 24,990
Availability
Pre-orders begin on July 23 through Samsung Philippines and authorized retailers. Both smartwatches will be offered in multiple color options depending on the model.
Pre-order offers
Customers who pre-order either smartwatch can enjoy several launch offers, including:
- Up to 15% off
- Up to 36 months of 0% installment plans with participating banks
- Up to 50% off through eligible trade-ins
- Up to 36% off Samsung Care+ device protection
Galaxy Watch9
The Galaxy Watch9 is Samsung’s latest everyday smartwatch. It features the company’s newest health and wellness platform with AI-powered insights, comprehensive health tracking, and everyday activity monitoring.
Powering the experience is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, which promises faster performance while supporting Samsung’s latest wellness features. The watch is available in 40mm and 46mm sizes.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2
The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds on Samsung’s premium outdoor smartwatch with a durable titanium construction, improved comfort, and new sport tracking modes such as Trail Run and Diving.
Like the Galaxy Watch9, it runs on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and supports Samsung’s latest AI-powered health and wellness tools.
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