If you have Php 10,000 to spare this Christmas, here’s our buyer’s guide to help you find the perfect budget phone that suits your needs in 2023. There are a lot of options for budget phones in the Philippines, so you really have to think long and hard about what you want and need before going out and shopping. Worry not though – with so many options available, we have curated a list of recommendations based on your requirements.

 

What to Expect from a Budget Phone in 2023

Before we proceed with our buyer’s guide recommendations, let’s set some expectations regarding budget phones in 2023. In general, most budget phones would have a 4G-only processor because the costs for 5G-ready processors are still expensive.

For displays, most budget phones would have at least a Full HD+ resolution, with others offering a 90hz refresh rate. Expect to see phones with a notch at this price point, but most brands are already shifting to a punch-hole cutout.

As for the cameras, the general trend for 2023 is that budget phones would flex a high-resolution main camera, and then pair it with mostly useless, filler shooters. Video recording is limited to 1080p, which should be fine for most users.

 

Best Budget Phone for Display: itel S23+ (Php 6,999)

While it only has a 60hz refresh rate, you can’t go wrong with the S23+‘s curved AMOLED display that has a Full HD+ resolution and an in-display fingerprint scanner for just under Php 7k. People might wonder if itel cut corners with the display, but we found it to be good and at par with similar curved displays from older flagship phones.

Runner up: Redmi Note 12 (Php 9,999)

 

Best Budget Phone for Cameras: Redmi Note 12 (Php 9,999)

Xiaomi is one of the few brands that value having a decent ultra-wide camera on their budget phones, and the Redmi Note 12 continues that tradition. Aside from that, its 50-megapixel main camera takes better shots than the competition–and is more evident with low-light shooting.

Runner up: Redmi 12 (Php 7,999)

 

Best Budget Phone for Gaming: TECNO POVA 5 (Php 8,499)

The POVA 5 positions itself as a budget gaming phone, and it deserves it with its use of a Helio G99 processor. The processor of choice is outstanding, as the POVA 5 is your only under Php 10k phone option to use MediaTek’s best 4G chip that can handle serious gaming.

Runner up: Infinix NOTE 30 5G (Php 9,499)

 

Best Budget Phone for Battery Life: TECNO POVA 5 (Php 8,499)

Aside from being an excellent budget gaming phone, the POVA 5 stands out with its large 6000mAh battery. That large battery lasted us over 17 hours in PCMark, and that is one of the best battery life scores we’ve got on a budget phone this 2023. To top it all up, you get a fast 45w charging solution to top up that battery.

Runner up: Redmi Note 12 (Php 9,999)

 

Best Budget Phone for 5G Connectivity: Infinix NOTE 30 5G (Php 9,499)

Budget 5G phones are hard to find in 2023, and your best pick for under Php 10k is the NOTE 30 5G. Aside from being a rare under-Php 10k 5G phone, the NOTE 30 5G uses a decent Dimensity 6080 processor, which is good enough to run some of the most demanding games at high graphics.

Runner up: None, but it’s possible to get the POVA 5 Pro 5G for under Php 10k during special promos.

That rounds up our Budget Phone Buyer’s Guide for 2023. We hope this guide will help you make an informed choice in buying your next phone.