Before we go to the list of our recommended smartphones, lets review what is not on the list.
No BlackBerry Phones. RIM is migrating to the BlackBerry 10 OS sometime early in 2013. To compound matters, the future of RIM and the BlackBerry phone is now uncertain. With a new operating system which will make all current phone obsolete and uncertain future, we are not comfortable recommending a BlackBerry phone right now.
No Windows Phones. Windows Phone 8 is coming in four months, and it is a complete we-write of Windows Phone 7. Current devices, will not be updated to Windows Phone 8. While the two operating systems look they same, the underlying code is different. Windows Phone 7 apps will run on Windows Phone 8. But Windows Phone 8 apps will not run on Windows Phone 7.x devices. If you want a Windows Phone device, we really suggest you wait four months.
No iPhones. Apple's iPhone's are expensive. Unlike other phones which get cheaper as they get older, iPhone price stay about the same for a year. Because of this, it makes sense to get a new iPhone when the new model is released. With a new model 3-4 month always, this is not the best time of the year to buy an iPhone.
No Symbian Phones/Meego Phones. They still make these?
So, unto our list. Right now it is made up of Android phones. On the Android front only phones which are running Android 4.x or have commitments updates to Android 4.x are included. While most apps are compatible with Android 2.2 or later, we are looking for phones which will serve you well for two years, and over time more and more apps will require Android 4.x.
If you are looking for the most advanced handsets in the market, they are three good options right now. The Samsung Galaxy S III, the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy Note.
Pros. The Samsung Galaxy S III is the best smartphone in the world right now, bar none. With a large 4.8-inch HD display (720 x 1280), quad-core processor, 16 GB of storage of user expandable storage and a excellent 8 MP camera it has the new and advance written all over.
Cons. Well, it is expensive. Street prices range from Php31,000 to Php32,900, with an official warranty.
Postpaid options. This phone is available postpaid from both Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.
2. HTC One X (Php26,500 to Php29,900).
Pros. The specifications of HTC One X closely match the Galaxy S III and has more internal storage out of the box (32 GB), while being significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S III. The biggest draw of the HTC One X is the 12-core Nvidia graphics processor can display amazing console like effects on Nvidia optimized games.
Cons. Specifications are a close match the Samsung Galaxy S III but it falls a bit behind in almost every category. The 32 GB of storage is not user expandable.
Postpaid options. This phone is available from Smart Communications.
3. Samsung Galaxy Note - (Php27,800 to Php29,900)
Pros. This device has a massive 5.3-inch HD (800 x 1280) displays and is the main reason for selecting a Note. The large display bundled stylus make it the top Android productivity device (note taking, document editing and photo editing device) which we can still call a phone. The Samsung Galaxy Note is now eight months old, but lower prices keep it a viable option. When the new one comes out, we expect it the new offering to go back the suggested price Php35,990.
Cons. It is big but that is the main reason people but it.
Postpaid options. This phone is available postpaid from both Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.
There are a lot 2011 flagship phones available at the 19K-24K price range, but given the Android 18-month support policy newer models have a better chances of long term support and our recommendations take this into account.
4. Samsung Galaxy Nexus - The only phone on our list which we recommend going to the grey market for (Php17,500 to Php30,000).
4. Samsung Galaxy Nexus - The only phone on our list which we recommend going to the grey market for (Php17,500 to Php30,000).
Pros. This is the Google phone, and is the first to get the latest software. It runs pure Google Android, not weighed down by additional OEM installed software. The device has a 4.65-inch HD (729 x 1280) display with on screen keys. This phone is a Smart Communications exclusive, and it still cost a heft Php30,000 from Smart, but in the grey market you can get it for Php17,500. Buying from the grey market means you get a service warranty, which means you get free repair services during the warranty period but you pay for any parts used. This normally saves you about 10% of the price of a phone with an official warranty. For a 10% price difference we recommend a unit with a official parts and service warranty. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus you save a 40% of the price, and the price gap makes it worth getting this phone on the grey market.
Cons. Expensive with an official warranty.
Postpaid options. This phone is available from Smart Communications.
5. Sony Xperia P - (Php19,650 to Php22,990)
Pros. This phone sports a nice 4-inch qHD (540 x 960) display, 16 GB of internal storage and a good 8 MP camera. Its dual core NovaThor based chipset cannot match the higher price phones on this list in terms of speed, but it is fast enough so most users wont notice. The 4-inch display is looking small these days, but is decent enough for the asking price. If you are okay with the 4-inch display, it is a good value for money option. Sony has done the best job in supporting their 2011 units with upgrades to Android 4.0, so we do expect they will do the same for 2012 handset next year.
Cons. It has a small 1305 mAh battery, which is smaller than the 1500 mAh batteries found in mid-level phones. The other top 4 phones on this list have 1650 mAh to 2500 mAh batteries. The phone still runs on Android 2.3, but a update to Android 4.x is on the way.
6. Sony Xperia Sola - (Php14,600 to Php16,990)
Pros. This phone sports a smaller 3.7-inch WVGA (480 x 854) display than the Xperia P. It also has less RAM than the Xperia P and video capture is limited to 720p (the first five phones on this list can do 720p video capture) and has no front camera. But it has the same dual core processor and graphics as the Xperia P. Its 8 GB of internal storage is expandable to 40 GB via a Micro SD card which can give the Xperia Sola more storage than the Xperia P. Overall this makes it a great value for money option.
Cons. It has a small 1320 mAh battery. Still runs on Android 2.3, but a update to Android 4.x is on the way.
7. LG Optimus L7 - (Php14,800 to Php15,990)
Pros. This phone has a large 4.3-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display in a slim 8.7 mm frame with a good sized 1700 mAh battery and a fast HSDPA 21.1 Mbps radio.
Cons. It has a single core Qualcomm S1 processor inside, so you are basically talking about updated 2009 technology. Not a good choice for those who plan to use their phone for a lot of gaming or web browsing with multiple tabs open.
8. Sony Xperia U - (Php11,600 to Php13,990)
Pros. Gives dual core power at a low price. The Sony Xperia U has similar specification to the Xperia Sola with a smaller 3.5-inch display.
Cons. It has the Same small battery as the Xperia U. For many the major deal breaker is the 8 GB of internal storage (6 GB user available), which is not expandable. Still, 6 GB is not bad. Two gigabytes is available for apps and 4 GB for your music, pictures, documents and other files. It is not user expandable. One gigabyte is good for 200 or more MP3's. Some games can eat up a whole gigabyte. Gamers have to select between having more games installed and having less processing and graphics power at this price range.
For those who need a phone at this price range wanting more storage and longer battery life the Sony Xperia Neo V or HTC One V would be better options.
For those who need a phone at this price range wanting more storage and longer battery life the Sony Xperia Neo V or HTC One V would be better options.
9. Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman (Php9,100 to Php10,000).
Pros. With a 1 GHz Qualcomm S3 processor, this phone provides a lot of power for the money. Updated to Android 4.0, it is the best option at under 10K.
Cons. The 3.2-inch (320 x 480) display is smaller than we would like, but not bad for the price.
Pros. With a 1 GHz Qualcomm S3 processor, this phone provides a lot of power for the money. Updated to Android 4.0, it is the cheapest Android 4.0 device.
Cons. The 3-inch (320 x 480) display is smaller than we would like, but not bad for the price.
Need a good dual SIM phone? There are two in the market that are current.
11. HTC Desire V - The classiest dual SIM phone in the market (Php16,000 to Php16,990)
Pros. The phone comes with a large 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display and dual SIM capability. It also packs a nice big 1650 mAh battery and 4 GB of internal storage expandable via MicroSD card. The phone comes is a slim 9.3 mm frame making it look like a high end handset.
Cons. The single core 1GHz and ARM Cortex A-5 processor and 512MB of RAM just enough to run Android 4.0. It is makes has enough power for the average user, but a gamer or power user should look elsewhere. The HTC Desire V also does not come with a front camera.
12. Lenovo P700 - The best dual SIM phone in the market (Php10,999)
Pros. Like the HTC Desire V, this phone comes with a large 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display, dual SIM capability and 4 GB of internal storage expandable via MicroSD card. It comes with a even larger 2500 mAh battery, one of the biggest you will find in any smartphone today. Unlike the HTC Desire V, this phone does have a front camera.
Cons. The single core 1GHz and ARM Cortex A-5 processor 512MB of just enough to run Android 4.0. It is makes has enough power for the average user, but a gamer or power user should look elsewhere. The primary camera has no flash.
This article was updated on July 10, 2012
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