ASUS Gaming V16 (V3607VU) Review
For this article, we’re back with another addition to our quarterly round-up for smartphone releases in the Philippines.
This list includes devices under the set budget or price point of below PHP 15,000 released in the first quarter of the year. In other words, smartphones launched from January to March of 2025.
Pricing details mentioned will reflect under suggested retail prices or prolonged sales prices. As usual, we’ll be giving readers a quick summary of what phones listed offer from certifications, specs, and benchmarks if available.
For this segment in particular, users should expect devices capable of providing reliable performance and a good display. While things like a good imaging system are nice, it should be considered a bonus.
Table of Contents
First on the list, we have the HONOR X9c Smart 5G. This device is essentially a more affordable version of the HONOR X9c 5G that takes after the HONOR X9b’s design language.
As part of HONOR’s line of tough smartphones, it has a 5-star drop protection certification complemented by full-body rinse protection. However, its IP rating hasn’t been specified.
While it does say that it’s splash resistant as per their website, submersion isn’t advised. In other words, be mindful. This isn’t covered by the phone’s warranty.
For specs, the phone has a 6.8-inch LCD screen with FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Powering it is a Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
Optics include a 108-megapixel main paired with a 5-megapixel ultrawide and a 16-megapixel selfie shooter. The device also packs a sizable 5,800mAh battery with support for 35W of wired fast charging.
However, despite its capacity, I have to inform viewers that it only had an uptime of 12 hours and 41 minutes via PCMark’s Work 3.0 Battery Test as per our review on the device.
Generally, the phone offers decent battery life, performance, and a durable build. We’d say it’s up to par in terms of reliability for an affordable smartphone.
If this device caught your eye, we have a YouTube video about it that I’ll be plugging below for your viewing pleasure. We also have a published review if you prefer to keep on reading.
The HONOR X9c Smart 5G retails for PHP 10,799 and ships with MagicOS 8.0 based on Android 14. At the time of writing, I should also note that this device is currently a Shopee exclusive offering.
Price: PHP 10,799
Shopee
Next, we have the realme C75 with a higher storage configuration. As mentioned in our previous article for smartphones under PHP 10,000, this phone has highlights in display and certifications.
It’s a budget-friendly pickup that sports an IP69 rating, allowing it to handle high pressure water jets and temperature. It even has a frame fitted with shock resistance making it safe from accidental drops.
In addition, this phone has a nice 6.72-inch display supporting FHD+ resolution. Under the hood, it’s powered by a Helio G92 Max with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage available.
For cameras, users will get the same sensors from its predecessor which is a single 50-megapixel rear shooter and an 8-megapixel selfie snapper.
Rounding up the specs, it also packs a big 6,000mAh battery with support for 45W of SUPERVOOC fast charging. There’s also a 3.5mm audio port, mono loudspeaker, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for other features.
The realme C75 is priced at PHP 10,999 and will ship with realme UI 5 based on Android 14.
Price: PHP 10,999
Shopee
For those looking for a new gaming device, the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G should be a good find. At first glance, I’m sure that its mech-like design and RGB lighting stands out.
At the front, the phone boasts a 6.8-inch AMOLED display supporting FHD+ resolution with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Powering it is a UNISOC T9100 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
It also has a dual-rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main paired with a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It’s even capable of shooting at 4K resolution. Plus, it also comes equipped with a 16-megapixel selfie shooter but caps recording at 1080p.
It also packs a large 6,000mAh battery with 80W of fast charging support to help users have more uptime. Other features include stereo speakers, face unlock, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and its IP54 rating.
The nubia Neo 3 GT 5G retails for PHP 12,999 and runs on MyOS 15 based on Android 15, available in Electro Yellow and Interstellar Gray. Oddly enough, this is only one of two device in the list that runs on the latest Android version.
Users can check this phone out through nubia’s official platforms on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop. As always, links can be found below!
Price: PHP 12,999
Lazada
Shopee
The Redmi Note 14 Series was one of the first prominent launches that kicked off the year of 2025. The line offered accessible options in the midrange segment such as the Redmi Note 14 5G.
This device has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and supports FHD+ resolution. The screen also boasts Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Powering it is a Dimensity 7025 Ultra with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. It also packs a modest 5,110mAh battery with support for 45W of fast charging.
Its triple-rear camera setup consists of a 108-megapixel main, 8-megapixel ultrawide, and 2-megapixel macro. For selfies, it has a 20-megapixel front camera in tow.
Other notable features include its inclusion of a 3.5mm audio port, face unlock, in-display fingerprint sensor, IP64 rating, IR blaster, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
The Redmi Note 14 5G is available for PHP 13,999 and will run on Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 14. Color options include Midnight Black, Coral Green, and Lavender Purple.
Price: PHP 13,999
Lazada
Shopee
In March, the HONOR X8c was launched offering a good mix of affordability, specs, and durability. Users will notice from the photo below that its design has a layer of texture to it, similar to its predecessor, the HONOR X7c.
It has a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with support for FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. For performance, it packs a Snapdragon 685 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.
This offering also has a 5,000mAh battery with support for 35W of fast charging. For shooting, it has a 108-megapixel shooter with OIS supporting up to 8x digital zoom paired with a 5-megapixel ultrawide. It also sports a 50-megapixel snapper at the front.
Other features include its IP64 rating, drop resistance up to 1.8 meters, in-display fingerprint sensor, and Magic Capsule, which is essentially HONOR’s take on the dynamic island.
The HONOR X8c retails for PHP 13,999 and ships with MagicOS 9 based on Android 15. Color options include Marrs Green, Midnight Black, and Moonlight White.
While this isn’t the most powerful device on the list, we were surprised that it actually ships with the latest Android version. Either way, interested users can find this device listed on Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and HONOR Experience stores nationwide.
Price: PHP 13,999
Lazada
Shopee
Last, but certainly not least, we have the POCO X7. As expected yearly, POCO is well-known for making high-performing yet affordable offerings. Certainly enough, the X7 line proved to be no different.
POCO X7
The X7 has a smooth 6.67-inch 3D-curved AMOLED screen with 1.5K resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The display layer also comes protected with the help of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
For its chipset, it packs a Dimensity 7300 Ultra with up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. Cameras include a 50-megapixel main with OIS, 8-megapixel ultrawide, and 2-megapixel macro at the rear. It even has a 20-megapixel selfie shooter.
Similar to the Redmi Note 14 5G, it packs a 5,110mAh battery with support for 45W of fast charging. It’s no slouch in terms of features either, as it has an IR blaster, IP68 rating, stereo speakers, facial recognition, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Needless to say, this smartphone makes premium features available at an accessible price as POCO stays true to what they’ve been established for over the years.
The POCO X7 is available for PHP 14,999 and ships with Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 14. Users may opt for different colors in Silver, Green, and Black.
I also have to note that its higher storage configuration with 512GB retails for PHP 16,999. It’s just a bit out of range, but surely worth it considering the reliability that this device offers.
Price: PHP 14,999
Lazada 10
Shopee
That about wraps it up for our updated list for this quarter’s round-up of smartphone releases in the Philippines. In our opinion, the Xiaomi sub-brand devices should be more than fine pickups for interested readers.
They offer a lot in terms of performance and features. They’re also staying true to what mid-rangers are, accessible yet well-rounded pickups in a rapidly-changing market where devices keep moving out of touch.
But hey, which phone are you considering to get for yourself so far? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. Also, let us know if we may have forgotten to add a specific device you might have wanted to see on the list.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
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