The top five lists are based mainly on consideration of getting the most bang for the buck. Some buyers have other valid considerations and may consider the phones on this list, more appropriate for their needs.
1 & 2. Quality at a low cost - Huawei Ascend Y300D and G510 (Php5,490 and Php5,990, respectively)
I get a lot of comments from readers questioning the build quality of the locally branded phones which are starting to overwhelmingly populate the entry level smartphone buyer's guide. If you prioritize build quality over specifications, you should look at Huawei.
Huawei is the world's largest supplier of telecommunications equipment, and the third largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, behind Samsung and Apple.
Go to a store, ask to see a Huawei Ascend Y300D or G510. If they don't make you a believer, well go buy something else. But if you care about top grade build quality, do check them out.
3. Style Matters - Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra (Php13,990)
Paying Php13,990 for a dual core phone with a dual core MediaTek MT6577 processor is not a great deal. But helped by 1 GB of RAM, the Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra performs well enough if you are not into watching HD video and 3D games.
If style matters to you, this phone is a looker with its super slim 6.5 mm case. That is a fair bit thinner than the 7.6 mm Apple iPhone 5 or the 7.9 mm Samsung Galaxy S4. The 4.65-inch HD (720 x 1280) AMOLED gives it a premium look,
4. For the Android Hardcore - Google Nexus 4 (Php21,250)
Priced at a lofty Php21,250, the Nexus 4 is expensive, with only 16 GB of storage (non-expandable) and no LTE. For a select group, the Nexus phone is the only choice because software updates directly from Google. That means you get the latest version of Android before everyone else. Also, the nothing-but-the-pure-vanilla Google experience that this phone offers will satisfy this select group of users.
It is not a phone I would recommend for everybody, but for the right user, it really is the best choice.
5. It's all gone to the dogs - BlackBerry Q10 (Php30,490)
If you think smartphones are being built the wrong way, and have been holding on to your BlackBerry Bold or Torch all these years, the BlackBerry Q10 is the one for you. It has a QWERTY keyboard, and BB10 is pretty good. 'Nuff said.
Is there any other phone you think should make it on this list?
Check out my other top five lists:
I love your blog!! Especially the "bests in mid-range" and "entry level" at the start of every month. They are very informative and incredibly helpful. I live all the way in Bangladesh and I am thinking of buying a new budget phone. I want to ask you which is better huawei y300 or g510?? Thanks :-) .
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hate to bug you again but I heard that the y300 can only install apps on its limited 1GB internal storage. Is there any way I can change it so that apps are installed on the micro SD card instead?
ReplyDelete