Home Tech Editorials Top 10 Mid-range Android smartphones worth for your money

Top 10 Mid-range Android smartphones worth for your money

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top 10 mid range android smartphones 2016 (2 of 2)

With several phone launches in every corner mean more options for consumers. However, this also mean more challenging tasks for people on which phone to buy. Don’t worry, after testing and reviewing most of the phones in the market, we can help you narrow down your list thru our Top 10 Mid-range Android phones recommendations this 2016.

Important: Just always take note that you can always ask for our recommendations. Of course, don’t be fooled by brands pulling out TV commercials, always know the specs and read or watch reviews.

top 10 mid range android smartphones 2016 (1 of 2)

Top 10 Mid-range Android Smartphones this 2016

1. Asus Zenfone 3 ZE520KL (click for full specs and review)– this smaller version of the latest Zenfone 3 series is definitely on out top list because of its improved camera, better design, solid battery life, and really powerful processor and ample storage. This comes in two versions: ZE520KL and ZE552KL with a larger display.

  • Release: August 2016
  • Price: P13k to P16.9k ($300 to $360) in the Philippine market for 3GB to 4GB RAM + 64GB models

2. Huawei P9 Lite – This compact mid-ranger impressed us even on our first hands-on back the last couple of months. It’s one of the sleekest Android smartphones we’ve encountered and surely its handy size makes it the best phone for ladies or people who prioritize one-handed use.

  • Release: June 2016
  • Price: P11,990 ($260 USD) pesos in the Philippines

3. Sony Xperia XA Ultra – The biggest in the group yet packs the most reliable main and selfie camera, thanks to its 21MP + 16MP sensors backed by EIS and OIS, respectively. The XA Ultra is definitely a big jump from the previous Sony Xperia C5 and the rest of C series.

  • Release: August 2016
  • Price: P19k to P21k ($430 USD) in the Philippines

4. Asus Zenfone 3 Laser – If on a budget, the Zenfone 3 Laser is the best option from the Zenfone 3 series due to its capable hardware and latest Android software. The 13MP camera is paired with a laser focus for faster snapping of photos. Its CPU is a Snapdragon 430 octa-core with a powerful graphics.

  • Release: August 2016
  • Price: P11,990 ($260 USD) pesos in the Philippines

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5. Lenovo Vibe K5 Note – The Vibe series this year did not only bring affordable offerings but a great set of multimedia features too such as the VR support, Dolby Atmos speakers, and High-res audio.

  • Release: July 2016
  • Price: P11,990 ($260 USD) pesos in the Philippines

6. Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML with 4GB RAM – Despite a dated design, the Zenfone 2 from last year is one of the best deals at the moment. For about P8k to 9k, you can already enjoy a powerful performance and a pleasing main and selfie cameras.

  • Release: April – May 2015
  • Price: P8,000 – P9,000 ($180 to $200 USD) for ZE551ML with 4GB RAM in the Philippines

7. Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 – The Galaxy A series refreshes the plastic and boring design of Samsung mid-range series. The Galaxy A5 not only packs a sleek design but also a solid battery life and really snappy camera performance.

  • Release: March 2016
  • Price: P14k to P19k in the Philippines

8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro – The budget Chinese company always beats its competitor in terms of pricing. With the Redmi Note 3 Pro, you can have both metal build and capable hardware.

  • Release: March 2016
  • Price: P10k ($230 USD) in the Philippines

9. Samsung Galaxy C7 – Clad in metal, the Samsung C series steps in as another option between the plastic J series and glass A series. The Samsung Galaxy C7 is sleek yet powerful mid-range from the Korean giant.

  • Release: August 2016
  • Price: P20k ($460 USD) in the Philippines

10. Lenovo Vibe K5 / Plus – Perhaps one of the most affordable phones with a metal design is the Vibe K5 or K5 Plus (faster processor, more RAM). The series also features Dolby Atmos speakers and Virtual Reality thru TheatreMax.

  • Release: July 2016
  • Price: P6,999 ($150USD) and P8,999 ($190) with VR headset for K5 Plus

Bonus devices

While not on the top 10, both the Infinix Note 2 and Alcatel Flash Plus 2 make a great option for people on a budget.

Another great option also is the Huawei GR5 or the Honor 5X in abroad and the USA. This mid-range has metal design and reliable camera and just priced at P10k here in the Philippines.

What’s not included in the list?

We felt Oppo F1s is a gorgeous phone but its price is way expensive for an Android 5.1 Lollipop OS, lacking and dated the main camera, and low-resolution display.

For Samsung Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 2016, these devices are expensive despite the budget label. They also lack the premium design as we’ve found on both Galaxy A and C series.

Let’s know which phones we missed and worth mentioning.

24 COMMENTS

  1. Hello man, good list! I think Vivo’s V3 also deserve a look here. Then with the F1s, I agree that its screen resolution is just HD (though a decent one) and its just using Android Lollipop, but in my opinion it can easily crack your top 5 list depending on your preference.

    It’s main camera even at just 13 MP was able to go toe to toe and even beat P9 Lite in our comparison (and most of the sub 10K phones we have). Not to mention that its selfie cam is really cool. I think that it deserves your second look. 🙂

    Kudos!

    • Yes, Vivo V3 is interesting. Surely will take a look at this soon.
      For F1s, there’s no way it can take a place in top 5. It’s 2016 and its specs will be outdated next year esp the display. Not a good future proofing. Considering the 16MP selfie camera, still the platform it will be shared is just limited to social networks (Instagram, FB) with post processing effect. Nonetheless, we will be doing an in-depth follow up soon.

      • Great to know man, I respect your opinion and agree in most of your points. Hopefully, you can check this one out soon. Sana din iupdate siya ni Oppo as I’m liking it so far. See you soon sa events! 🙂

  2. > We felt Oppo F1s is a gorgeous phone but its price is way expensive

    Apparently the rest of the market thinks it’s priced just right since they sold out of stock in three days.

    • oppo F1s is only great deal for selfie lovers… 5.5-inch HD IPS display at 267ppi, android 5.1… camera lang talaga maganda sa oppo f1s.. the other specs can be found at 5k phones..

  3. Bakit po hindi top 1 ang Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro di po siya ang pinakasulit sa price at spec niya? build quality?camera? battery?

      • Zenfone 3 camera is definitely much better, thanks to its optical image stabilization feature and 8 megapixel on its secondary. However, MIUI 8 outperforms ZenUI 3 in almost every aspect. And for the price of P16,900 against P10,000 for a mid-range (not to mention the chipset which favors the Snapdragon 650) is like “what the heck?!”.

  4. How about the Xiaomi Mi Max? There is a 4Gb RAM 128Gb ROM variant and priced less than 17k powered by SD652 along with Adreno 510… compared with the Top 1… Oops, no offense guys. 😉

    PS
    I admit that ZF3 5.2′ have great camera, however it’s not the only idea here, right?

      • Mi Max is now available at Kimstore and Widget City (afaik). Software/UI? I believe Note 3 Pro have the same, am I right? “For me,” screen size/unit size matters… considering the price. 🙂

      • Yeah, that “service warranty” tho. 🙁 Even I have Redmi 1s still kicking, the question keeps running on my mind… could Mi Max also have that kind of toughness? As I have now a trauma with service warrantied unit (came from grey market) </3

  5. Hello there Jade, I’m still wiating for the C7.. But I want to know if the Galaxy J7 Prime will become available in the philippine stores someday. This seems a better option because of it’s preferable phone size (for me) and gorilla glass while having a chip with the same 14nm nodes as the Snapdragon 625…I hope you can make an article about it if the availability is announce for the Philippines.

    Thanks, man.

  6. Hi Jade, samsung dropped its prices for J5 2016 (php 10,990) and J7 2016 (php 12,990). Seriously considering J7 2016 over P9 lite due to the lack of OTG capability in P9 lite. Any thoughts? Thanks!

    • If that’s really a problem then the J7 is the best option for you. For lack of OTG, it can be remedied by getting a USB flash drive with microSD slot (personal) tho other flash drives would still not get connected to the P9 Lite.

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