With flagship phones becoming more expensive than ever–as expensive as the latest iPhones in some cases–brands have been beefing up their under Php 30k segment with flagship killer (or upper mid-range) offerings. This price segment is great for those who are after good camera performance that’s certified by DxOMark, or those looking for a great all-rounder that has flagship-like features. Here’s a roundup of our top mid-range phones in the under Php 30k segment in the Philippines for 2023. Do note that since there are not many new releases this year, we included a couple of models from late 2022.
Top Mid-Range Phones (Php 30K) in the Philippines 2023 (Q1)
- HONOR 70
- Nothing Phone (1)
- Xiaomi 12T
- Samsung Galaxy A54
- vivo V27
HONOR 70 – Php 26,990
As one of the best mid-range phones you can get for under Php 30k, the HONOR 70 is very impressive with its premium 120hz curved display and solid rear camera setup that consists of a 54-megapixel IMX800 main and 50-megapixel ISOCELL JN1 ultra-wide. Both cameras are capable of shooting 4K video, allowing you to be more flexible with content creation.
It’s the best you can get for a mid-range phone not just for the cameras, but for performance too: it has a Snapdragon 778G+ processor that’s paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage, which should suffice most of your needs. You also get a decently-sized 4800mAh battery with 66w charging–all inside that slim body.
Nothing Phone (1) – Php 27,990
If you want a mid-range phone that truly screams premium (and looks like an iPhone), the Nothing Phone (1) is a great option with its aluminum frame with flat sides and a unique lighting interface on the back that has a variety of uses. It’s a rare mid-range phone with just two cameras at the back, but both cameras have 50-megapixel sensors (IMX766 for the main camera, JN1 for the ultra-wide) and are capable of 4K video recording.
It’s similar to the HONOR 70 with its use of a Snapdragon 778G+ processor, though you can get the Nothing Phone (1) with 12GB RAM if you’re willing to go over the Php 30k mark. The battery may be a bit smaller and wired charging is slower, but you do get wireless charging and stereo speakers as a compromise.
Xiaomi 12T – Php 26,999
If you really love the insane performance the Dimensity 8100 offers BUT wants something that’s more premium than the POCO X4 GT, the Xiaomi 12T is your best option. It’s flat 120hz AMOLED display has a class-leading 1.5k display resolution–the highest in its segment, and you have a glass back to keep the phone looking premium.
Its ultra-wide camera may be rather ordinary, but the Xiaomi 12T’s 108-megapixel ISOCELL HM6 main camera ranks highly in DxOMark. You do get a 5000mAh battery inside the 12T, along with Xiaomi’s class-leading 120w wired charging that allows you to top it up to full in around 20 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy A54 – Php 24,990
As the leader of the A-series this 2023, the Galaxy A54 feels like an S23 FE with its premium build that includes a glass back. It also gets a new 50-megapixel camera that takes great photos and videos, along with the same ultra-wide and selfie cameras that are now capable of shooting 4K video. The Galaxy A54 is the only phone with an IP67 rating, giving you peace of mind in case it gets drenched in water.
Despite all the skepticism about Samsung’s decision to outfit the Galaxy A54 with the Exynos 1380, our tests prove that this processor is a significant upgrade over last year’s Exynos 1280 that powered its predecessor–and that it can go head-to-head with the popular Snapdragon 778G and its variants.
vivo V27 – Php 24,999
As the newest phone in this list, the V27 5G is among the most affordable mid-range models to have a 12GB/256GB configuration. Aside from that, it’s also feature-packed with a curved 120hz AMOLED display, a flagship-grade IMX766V main camera with OIS and EIS, a 50-megapixel selfie shooter with eye AF, and a 4600mAh battery with fast 66w wired charging.
The V27 5G headlines MediaTek’s new Dimensity 7200 processor, and it proved to be a very capable chip in the mid-range segment–and a good alternative to the well-regarded Dimensity 8100 especially if you want better power efficiency while maintaining good performance for daily use and with games.
That wraps up our top mid-range phones in the Philippines for 2023 in the under Php 30k segment. Which one will you most likely purchase as your next phone?
