The under Php 10k price segment is very competitive these days, especially when it comes to price-to-performance. We listed in our best phones for gaming at under Php 10k the likes of the Redmi Note 11 which uses the capable Snapdragon 680 processor.
While Infinix already has a banger for under Php 10k with the Note 12 4G, they have an even better deal with the HOT 20S, which is priced at under Php 9k and undercuts what the likes of Redmi have to offer. We got to use the HOT 20S ahead of its official sale on November 27, and we list down on why this might be the BEST phone to get for under Php 10k:
120hz display AND stereo speakers
While the HOT series has been leading the way with offering 90hz Full HD+ displays at under Php 8k, the HOT 20S elevates things further by offering a 120hz IPS panel that offers a smoother refresh rate and more vibrant colors.
Of course, enjoying that display is not complete without those stereo speakers, which have been a mainstay feature of the HOT series.
Good processor of choice
While the Helio G88 used on the HOT 11S was pretty much capable, the HOT 20S elevates things further by using a Helio G96 processor, which is arguably the best processor you can get for under Php 10k.
We have tried the Helio G96 on several devices, and it is a very capable processor that can run graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact at medium settings comfortably–not bad at all for under Php 9k!
Aside from a very capable processor, the HOT 20S also comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, which should suit most budget gamers out there. At under Php 9k, you’d be hard-pressed to find any phone that has that RAM and storage configuration AND a capable processor at the same time.
Long battery life
Aside from offering great gaming performance at an under Php 9k price point, the Helio G96 is a great choice as it does not guzzle up battery life. With our tests, the HOT 20S lasted us for around 15 hours with PCMark’s battery test while setting the refresh rate at 120hz.
That’s a good figure if you consider how the Helio G96 manages to make the most out of the HOT 20S’ 5000mAh battery. Topping out the battery should not be a problem either, as the HOT 20s supports 18w USB-C charging to get that battery full as fast as possible.
High-resolution main camera
Like its predecessor, you still have a 50-megapixel main rear camera on the HOT 20S, making it also a good phone for taking both photos and videos. Check out some of the photo samples we took:
When it comes to video recording, the HOT 20S can shoot up to 1440p video at 30FPS, giving you added flexibility in case you want to record footage at a higher resolution.
Cool collab with Free Fire
Aside from the value-for-money features the HOT 20S has to offer, Infinix also has a Free Fire edition as well that comes with a special box and a specially-themed UI that features the game elements of Free Fire and its popular characters. Even some of the icons are customized to go with the look, making it one of the better-executed custom themes we’ve seen so far.
The HOT 20S is priced at Php 8,499 and is available at Lazada, Shopee, and Tiktok Shop. It will be available for Php 7,849 on November 28 in Lazada and will have a limited Flash Sale price of Php 7,999 on Lazada, Shopee, and Tiktok Shop starting December 1.
