Budget smartphones are important because they provide a more affordable option for people who cannot afford high-end or flagship smartphones. In many cases, budget smartphones offer similar features and functionality to higher-end devices, making them a great option for those who are looking for a phone that can perform basic tasks like making calls, sending messages, browsing the internet, and taking photos.
For many people, budget smartphones may be the only option they can afford, and having access to a phone is essential in today’s world. A budget smartphone can allow individuals to stay connected with family and friends, access important information, and even find employment opportunities. It can also serve as a tool for education and entertainment, with many budget smartphones having access to educational resources and entertainment apps.
Additionally, it is more practical for those who have a limited budget, as they can provide a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs compared to high-end devices. This is because they may have lower specs and features, which can result in less strain on the battery and hardware, leading to a longer lifespan.
As of 2023, there are several budget smartphones available in the Philippines that offer great features and performance at an affordable price point of under 5000 pesos. In this article, we will be discussing the top 5 best smartphones in this price range.
Table of Contents
Samsung Galaxy A03
Samsung Galaxy A03 is a budget smartphone released by Samsung in 2021. It is an entry-level device with a price point that is targeted toward consumers who are looking for a budget smartphone with basic features and performance.
It features a 6.5-inch TFT display with HD+ resolution, which is a decent size for watching videos and browsing the web. It is powered by a UNISOC T606, an entry-level octa-core SoC with two big ARM Cortex A75 cores at up to 1.6 GHz and six power-efficient ARM Cortex A55 cores at up to 1.6 GHz. It is suitable for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking emails, and running social media apps. However, it may struggle with more demanding tasks like heavy gaming or running multiple apps at the same time. It has a 48MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Considering its price, we were surprised that Samsung managed to fit in a 48MP main shooter. Aside from that, it also comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is quite impressive for a budget smartphone, and it is rated to provide up to 19 hours of internet usage time.
Samsung Galaxy A03 Specs
- Chipset: UNISOC T606
- GPU: Mali-G57 MP1
- Memory: 3GB/4GB RAM, 32GB/64GB/128GM ROM
- Front camera: 5MP, F2.2
- Rear camera (Dual): 48 MP (f/1.8), 2 MP (f/2.4)
- Display: 6.5 inches PLS LCD
- Weight: 196g
- Dimensions: 164.2×75.9×9.1mm
- Battery capacity: 5000mAh
- Price: ₱5,490.00
Realme C30
Realme C30 was released by Realme in 2022. It is a mid-range device with decent specifications and features, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.
It features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio, which is suitable for watching videos and browsing the web. It is powered by a UNISOC T612 chipset which is a good mid-range processor that provides a good balance of performance and power efficiency. It is suitable for everyday use and light gaming, and it also supports advanced camera features. As for its camera, unlike the Samsung A02, Realme C30 only boasts a single 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera.
Realme C30 Specs
- Chipset: UNISOC T612
- GPU: Mali-G57
- Memory: 2GB/4GB RAM, 2GB/64GB ROM
- Front camera: 5MP, F2.2
- Main camera: 8 MP (f/2.0)
- Display: 6.50 inch IPS
- Weight: 182 g
- Dimensions: 164.1×75.6×8.5mm
- Battery capacity: 5000mAh
- Price: ₱4,999.00
Vivo Y02s
Vivo Y02s was also released back in 2022. It is a basic device with decent specifications and features, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.
It features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by the MediaTek Helio P35 processor, which is a mid-range processor that provides sufficient performance for basic tasks like browsing the internet, checking emails, and running social media apps. It also comes with a dual-camera setup, which includes a 13MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The camera setup is capable of taking decent photos in well-lit conditions and offers several camera features like HDR and Panorama. As for its battery, it packs a large 5000mAh battery that can easily last for a day or more on a single charge. It also supports fast charging up to 18W, which means you can quickly top up the battery when needed.
Vivo Y02s Specs
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio P35
- GPU: GE8320
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 64GB ROM
- Display: 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 IPS LCD
- Selfie camera: 5 MP (f/2.2)
- Main camera: 8 MP (f/2.0)
- Weight: 182 g
- Dimensions: 163.95×75.55×8.19mm
- Battery capacity: 5000mAh
- Price: ₱5,999.00
Xiaomi Redmi A1
The Xiaomi Redmi A1 is exceptional for a low-cost smartphone thanks to its long battery life, upgraded main camera, and textured back panel design. Although it lacks a multitasking interface and has extremely minimal internal parts, the fact that it runs Android 12 Go Edition is a savior. This implies that compared to its competitors, the Redmi A1 offers quicker app launching, simpler app sharing, and greater privacy options.
Redmi A1 boasts an IPS LCD display with an HD+ resolution with a peak of 400 nits of brightness. It is powered by a 12nm Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22. It can also handle basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease. However, it may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking due to its lower processing power and RAM capacity.
Xiaomi Redmi A1 Specs
- Chipset: Helio A22
- GPU: MediaTek Helio A22
- Memory: 2GB RAM, 32GB ROM
- Front camera: 5 MP (f/2.2)
- Main camera: 8 MP (f/2.0) 0.08 MP (depth)
- Display: 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 IPS LCD
- Weight: 192 g
- Dimensions: 164.9×76.8×9.1 mm
- Battery capacity: 5000mAh
- Price: ₱4,499.00
Oppo A17K
The Oppo A17K was also released back in 2022 just like the other mentioned devices on this list. It features a 6.22-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels, which provides decent visuals but is not as sharp as higher-end displays. The A17k is powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 processor, which is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. While the Helio P35 is not the most powerful processor, it can handle basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease.
One of the standout features of the A17k is its camera system, which consists of a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor on the back of the device. Still, Samsung Galaxy A03 is the only device on the list that boasts a higher main camera shooter.
- Chipset: Mediatek Helio G35
- GPU: IMG GE8320
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 64GB ROM
- Front camera: 5 MP (f/2.2)
- Rear camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
- Display: 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 IPS LCD
- Weight: 189 g
- Dimensions: 164.2×75.6×8.3mm
- Battery capacity: 5000mAh
- Price: ₱5,999.00
With our current economy, buying a budget smartphone is the best thing to do. A budget smartphone can pretty much do exactly what a flagship can do, but they will differ in performance. But if you are in dire need of a smartphone, opting for a budget device is not really a bad thing, but more of a practical choice. Since you are here, I’m pretty sure that you are looking for choices on what device are you going to buy. All in all, these 5 smartphones can be useful as a daily driver since they all offer reasonable specs, with decent built quality.
says ‘under P5k’ in the title, lists phones over P5k ಠ_ಠ