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MANILA, Philippines – Nowadays you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a nice daily driver for a phone. We’ve compiled some of the top choices here under P20,000 all released in the first half of 2025.
We’ll be sure to add more here as newer units get released for the rest of May, and in June 2025. For now, here are some of the midrange phones you can consider with a sensible sub-P20,000 price tag.
Infinix Note 50 Pro+
Launched in April 2025
The phone charges fast with its 100W wired charging, and 50W wireless charging. It’s also notable for its premium metal build and thin bezels that are often compromised at this price range. It launched with a partnership with Call of Duty Mobile, promising solid gaming performance, anchored by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset and a fast, big 144Hz 6.7-inch display.
It surprisingly has notable cameras too, particularly a 50MP 3x optical periscope camera with optical image stabilization and 100x maximum digital zoom as part of its 3-cam array. A solid package overall.
Price: P17,999 (12GB RAM + 256GB storage)
Full specs here.
Vivo V50 Lite
Launched in April 2025
The Vivo V50 Lite prioritizes one thing, and one thing only: battery life. It packs a whopping 6,500 mAh battery, and fast-charging rated at 90W. Vivo also promises that its battery has a longer lifetime, saying it has a 5-year battery health and will retain 80% of its battery capacity after 1,700 charging cycles. It has a minimalist design, slim form factor with a shape reminiscent of the iPhone.
Price: P16,999 (8GB RAM + 256GB storage) and P19,999 (12GB RAM + 512GB storage
Full specs here.
Nothing Phone 3a
Launched in March 2025
The Nothing Phone 3a has one of the most distinctive designs not just in its price range, but across the market as well. Nothing else looks like it, and as we’ve said before, it’s the coolest-looking one in its class.
It is known also for its bloatware-free rendition of Android, and its unique button layout that includes the Essential Key for quick screenshots and audio recording and transcription. It won’t blow away competitors in terms of performance (Snapdragon 7s Gen3) but it does have a nice 3-camera array, and a bright AMOLED display.
We might as well mention the CMF Phone 2 Pro here at P16,490 (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) or P18,490 (8GB RAM + 256GB storage), which is also from Nothing, launched in May. It has a unique, albeit more minimalist design than the Phone 3a, and has some modular features including kickstand and lens attachments.
Price: P19,999 (8GB RAM + 128GB storage)
Full specs here (3a) and here (Phone 2 Pro)
OPPO A5 Pro 5G
Launched in March 2025
Like the Vivo V50 Lite maxing out one of its stats (battery life), the OPPO A5 Pro 5G does something similar — only this time for its dust and waterproof rating. It has an IP69 rating, usually found only on flagship phones, and even then, most only have an IP68 one.
IP69 is said to be able to withstand higher water pressure, and is more tightly shut for dust protection. OPPO also claims it has “military-grade” shock protection. So if durability is the most important for you, the A5 is something to consider. It has a pretty good battery too at 5,800 mAh.
Price: P15,999 (8GB RAM + 256GB storage)
Full specs here.
Samsung Galaxy A26 5G and A36 5G
Launched in March 2025
The A26 has a 3-camera array, and 5nm Samsung Exynos chip, and a 5,000 mAh battery, all par for the course in this price range, and solid IP67 protection. But the main thing with this year’s A phone from Samsung is that they’re getting some of the AI features from their big brother S phones such as Circle to Search, Object Eraser, and Edit Suggestions, and most importantly, 6 years of OS and security upgrades — a rarity in this price range.
The A36, which is more expensive but is still under P20,000, will have all those AI features too but has a better processor (4nm, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3), and faster charging (45W vs the A26’s 25W).
Price:
A26 5G – P15,990 (6GB RAM + 128GB storage) and P17,990 (8GB RAM + 256GB storage)
A36 5G – 19,990 (8GB RAM + 128GB storage)
Full specs here.
Realme 14 5G
Launched in April 2025
If you’re a gamer, here’s an alternative to the Infinix Note 50 Pro+. It has a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, IP69 resistance, 6,000 mAH battery with 45W wired charging, a 120Hz AMOLED display, 12GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. Its mecha silver colorway is eye-catching and made to appeal to a younger, gaming crowd.
Price: P17,999
Full specs here.
– Rappler.com
