Whether you want to get a smartphone just for work-related matters or your current device is no longer running like it used to, a budget smartphone is an easy solution for either problem. The barriers to entry aren’t high given their relatively low cost, and the quality of devices within the segment has risen exponentially in the past few years. The budget phones of 2022 could easily wipe the floor with midrange devices or even flagships from many years past. We’ll list down our favorites among the units we’ve reviewed to make your purchase decision that much easier.

5 Top Picks for Budget Phones in 2022 Q1

• Infinix Note 11S
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
• OPPO A55
• Samsung Galaxy A03s
• realme narzo 50A

 

Infinix HOT 11S

Specs

• MediaTek Helio G88 processor
• 4GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 64GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
• 6.78-inch Full HD+ LCD LTPS display, 90hz refresh rate, 180hz touch response rate
• 50-megapixel f/1.6 main camera, 2-megapixel depth sensor, AI Lens, LED flash
• 8-megapixel selfie camera
• LTE, 4G
• WiFi, Bluetooth, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers, DTS Audio
• 5000mAh battery
• 18w charging
• Android 11, XOS 7.6

We start this list off with the gigantic Infinix HOT 11S. While it’s not as large as its nearly 7-inch Note 11S sibling, this phone still cuts it pretty close at 6.78-inches. Size isn’t all this display has to offer though, as it comes packing with a 90Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution, and accurate color reproduction. The camera gets a bump as well, it’s an absolute titan when you look at it at the rear of the device. It was also built with media consumption in mind due to onboard DTS Audio stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack for those who prefer the consistency of a wired connection. In our review, the Helio G88 chipset ran the infamous Genshin Impact at medium settings with playable frame rates and a solid experience overall. At a price of just Php 7,999, that’s quite a bargain.

Get it now on Shopee or Lazada.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

 

• Snapdragon 680 processor
• 4GB/6GB RAM
• 64GB/128GBGB storage
• 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, 90hz refresh rate
• 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera with PDAF, 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 depth sensor
• 13-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera
• 4G
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• Stereo speakers, IP53 rating
• 5000mAh battery
• 33w wired charging
• Android 11, MIUI 13

The Redmi Note 11 is the newest entry in this list, priced at just Php 8,999 for the 4GB/64GB variant and Php 9,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant. This budget smartphone has a sub Php 10K price tag despite having a big, generous 6.43-inch full HD+ AMOLED panel that has a buttery-smooth 90Hz refresh rate, as well as a high-resolution 50-megapixel rear camera. The Snapdragon 680 processor keeps everything nice and smooth, and the 5000mAh battery is able to keep the lights on even with heavy, all-day use. You really can’t ask for more at this price point considering what the phone delivers. You can see how it performed in our review here.

Get it now on Lazada and Shopee 

Samsung A03s

• Helio P35 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB storage, expandable via MicroSD
• 6.5-inch HD+ IPS Display
• 13-megapixel f/1.8 main camera with PDAF, 2-megapixel f/2.4 macro camera, 2-megapixel f/2.4 depth sensor
• 5-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera
• 4G, LTE
• WiFi, Bluetooth
• Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• 5000mAh battery
• 15w charging
• Android 11, OneUI 3.0

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the water or teardrop notch in a smartphone. This design may seem outdated to us now, but it still runs rampant within the extremely low-budget segment, such as the one this Samsung A03s resides in with a starting price of Php 7,490. This device not only covers a lot of the basics but keeps features like a headphone jack and microSD card expansion. It is by no means a power device with its dated Helio P35 processor, but it makes its way onto this list because it still manages to do everything you need it to. As one of our top options for budget work phones in 2022, this is perfect for that job. If you need something with a bit more oomph but still from Samsung, then maybe take a look at the Galaxy M22.

Get it now on Shopee or Lazada.

OPPO A55

• MediaTek MT6765G Helio G35
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB
• 6.51-inch HD+ (1600 x 720) IPS display, 269 PPI, 60hz refresh rate
• Triple Rear Camera: 50 MP f/1.8 26mm (main); 2 MP f/2.4 (macro); 2 MP f/2.4 (bokeh)
• Selfie Camera: 16 MP f/2.0 26mm
• LTE, 4G
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• 5,000mAh battery
• 18w fast charging
• Android 11, ColorOS 11.1

Another selection due to its impressive camera performance, the OPPO A55 is for those who prioritize taking snapshots and videos the most. We found images and videos taken from the A55 to be among the best-in-segment at the time of testing and this still holds true to this day. It’s saddening to report though that sacrifices were made to squeeze a camera module of this caliber into a device just costing Php 9,999. That includes a 60Hz-only display that maxes resolution out at HD+, which may no longer be acceptable by the standards of 2022 (for this price point) – especially for a screen that is 6.5-inches in size. Some are willing to give up screen resolution for camera quality though, so it just depends on personal preference.

Get it now on Shopee or Lazada.

realme 8i

• MediaTek Helio G96 processor
• 4GB/6GB RAM
• 64GB/128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD
• 6.6-inch IPS Full HD+ display, 120hz refresh rate
• 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera, 2-megapixel mono camera, 2-megapixel depth-sensing camera, LED flash
• 16-megapixel camera
• LTE
• WiFi, Bluetooth, side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• 18W fast charging
• 5000mAh battery
• Android 11, realme UI 2.0

This may be the most expensive phone on this list with the highest 6/128GB (expandable via microSD) variant hitting Php 11,990 (4/64GB Php 9,990) but sometimes, it’s worth stretching the budget when you get a lot of bang for your buck. Coincidentally, this holds true for the realme 8i as we found out in our review. This would definitely pass as a daily driver we could use even if we weren’t restricted by budget. The 120Hz refresh rate on the IPS FHD+ display is adaptive, saving battery when not in use. At the upper left is a cleanly done punch-hole for the selfie shooter. The Helio G96 processor on the other hand is plenty powerful and blazed through most apps/games without any issues. The only major complaint we had was the lack of an ultrawide snapper, but that’s nothing to complain about if you take the overall package into consideration. We went as far as crowning it our Budget King at the time of review, and we hope you see its appeal as well.

Get it now on Shopee or Lazada.