10 Budget Gaming Phones Worth Checking Out This Year

Whether you’re a pro gamer or a casual hobbyist, you know that getting the right gaming phone will augment your performance and amplify your excitement. However, smartphones designed for gaming can be utterly expensive. For instance, the likes of ASUS ROG and Xiaomi Black Shark usually have a starting price of ₱30,000.

But who says your gaming smartphone should bore a hole in your pocket? If you look around, you’ll realize there are many affordable options designed with avid gamers in mind.

Whether you enjoy performance-demanding games or light, casual titles, here are the top 10 budget gaming phones you should check out this 2022, plus features to consider when shopping for one.

Features to Look for in a Budget Gaming Phone

When you’re looking for a gaming smartphone, always consider the following factors:

Large screen with high-quality graphics - Phones that use advanced display device technologies, such as AMOLED, can give vibrant and crisp display colors. In turn, you'll enjoy an immersive gaming experience.
A decent or advanced chipset - Chipset brands, such as MediaTek and Qualcomm, are often cited as the best for gaming.
Powerful battery - A battery capacity of 4000mAH and above is considered powerful and long-lasting. While you’re at it, consider getting a phone with a fast charging function. That way, you won’t have to wait too long to resume your game.
Storage – For RAM, 8GB is the ideal figure, as it will keep lags at bay. However, 6GB isn’t bad.
Cooling – Gaming is a heavy activity, which causes your device to heat up. The phone you’re eyeing must have an efficient cooling system to keep it from overheating.

Read more:

Best Budget Gaming Phones in 2022

If you want to spend as little as possible but don’t want to compromise on quality, here are the top budget gaming phones worth checking out.

📱 Cherry Aqua S10 Pro 5G

Price: ₱7,999

Cherry Aqua S10 Pro 5G Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 700
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
OS: Android 11
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.78-inch FHD+ TrueView

The Aqua S10 Pro 5G from Cherry Mobile is easily one of the best affordable gaming phones in the Philippines. This device boasts a 6.78-inch screen that ensures vivid graphics. For performance, it runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.

You don’t have to worry about running out of juice, as this cheap gaming phone comes with a 5,000mAh battery. Fast charging and even wireless charging apply to this unit.

Atypical of its price point is the 5G system. With this capability, expect the Aqua S10 Pro 5G to deliver smooth, stable, and reliable internet connectivity.

📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Prices:

₱8,999 (4GB + 64GB)
₱9,999 (6GB + 128GB)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Specs:

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 610
OS: MIUI 13 based on Android 11
RAM: 4GB / 6GB
Storage: 64GB / 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED

Xiaomi has a reputation for developing superb smartphones that don’t break the bank, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 effortlessly proves that. Its sleek industrial aesthetic is perfectly complemented by technical features fit for gaming.

Under the hood, the Redmi Note 11 is outfitted with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chip. This processor isn’t only powerful but also runs on an energy-efficient process, thus giving you both high performance and longer battery life. You also get to enjoy faster app installations and initiations with the chip’s Writer Booster.^[1]

But what makes a Redmi Note 11 a viable option is its massive battery that contains 5,000mAh of power. It comes with a fast charging system that charges your device to 100% in around an hour. Now, that’s perfect for uninterrupted gaming!

📱 Infinix Note 12 G96

Prices:

₱8,999 (8GB + 128GB)
₱9,999 (8GB + 256GB)

Infinix Note 12 Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Helio G96
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
OS: Android 12
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ True Color AMOLED

The Infinix Note 12 easily gives you bang for your buck with its rich specs and features. For only around ₱9,000, you get one of the best cheap gaming phones in the Philippines with 8GB RAM, which makes switching between apps smoother and faster. This is complemented by hefty storage space, allowing you to store large game titles, photographs, and documents.

Performance-wise, the Note 12 is designed with gamers in mind, as evidenced by its Helio G96 processor. The said chipset provides the device with speed and power, which in turn ensures a stable gaming experience.

📱 OPPO A57

Prices:

₱8,999 (4GB + 64GB)
₱10,999 (6GB + 128GB)

OPPO A57 Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 810
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
OS: ColorOS 12.1 based on Android 12
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB / 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.56-inch HD+

One of the best budget gaming phones in the Philippines, the Oppo A57 is ideal not only for gamers but also those who keep a lot of files. The phone comes with up to 4GB extended RAM, which boosts its performance. Storage, on the other hand, can be extended up to 1TB.

The A57 can accommodate performance-demanding titles, such as Mobile Legends and Genshin Impact. With a refresh rate of 90Hz, you’ll enjoy smooth animation whether you’re playing games or watching your favorite TV series.

📱 Infinix HOT 20 5G

Price: ₱9,499

Infinix HOT 20 5G Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
OS: Android 12
RAM: 4GB (up to 7GB)
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.6-inch FHD+

Infinix positions itself as a brand that offers budget gaming phones with advanced specs. Among its newest offerings is the HOT 20 5G. Gaming just got more enjoyable and immersive with its HyperVision Gaming Pro Display with a 120Hz refresh rate!

The HOT 20 5G is outfitted with a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset that offers speed and performance. It comes with a 5G system that prevents latency and stutters. If you’re playing online games, you won’t have to worry about lags.

Can the HOT 20 5G’s performance get any smoother and more stable? It can, thanks to its generous RAM that can be expanded up to 7GB. With this feature, you can easily access your favorite apps.

📱 TECNO POVA 4 Pro

Prices:

₱9,699 (8GB + 128GB)
₱10,490 (8GB + 256GB)

TECNO POVA 4 Pro Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Helio G99
GPU: Mali-G52 MC2
OS: Android 12
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
Battery: 6,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.6-inch AMOLED

TECNO POVA 4 Pro, a gaming phone under 10K (entry-level), boasts stellar features that amplify your entertainment experience. Speed, stability, and smoothness are guaranteed, thanks to its Helio G99 chipset. Lags are also kept at bay with its 8GB RAM.

If you’re a hardcore PUBG player or a mobile racing enthusiast, consider this gaming phone since it’s equipped with a Hard Gyroscope and Z-axis Linear Motor. The Hard Gyroscope is a sensor that helps you assist in aiming targets. On the other hand, the Z-axis Linear Motor makes the gaming experience realistic and interactive through 4D vibrations and stereo effects.^[2]

When it comes to battery, the POVA 4 Pro boasts a 6,000mAh capacity. This lets you enjoy up to ten hours of games.

📱 Realme Narzo 50

Price: ₱9,999

Realme Narzo 50 Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Helio G96
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
OS: Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.6-inch FHD+ IPS

Realme Narzo 50 is proof that you don’t have to shell out a lot of money for a smartphone. This cheap gaming phone is packed with features that can also take on other lifestyle tasks, such as photography. Its 50-megapixel AI triple camera comes with a macro lens that ups the quality of your still-life shots.

Equipped with 6GB RAM and a Helio G96 processor, the Realme Narzo 50 offers smooth and lag-free gaming. And if your game demands more RAM, you can easily accommodate that since the device’s equipped with a Dynamic RAM Expansion (DRE) feature. This means that your existing 6GB RAM can be expanded by up to 5GB, thus giving you 11GB RAM in total.

📱 TECNO Camon 18P

Price: ₱10,990

TECNO Camon 18P Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Helio G96
GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
OS: Android 11
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with fast charging
Display: 6.8-inch FHD+

The TECNO Camon 18P is the best budget gaming phone for those who also dabble in photography, with features that allow 2K time-lapse photography. If you love recording vlogs, you can rely on the Camon 18P’s 48-megapixel clear and steady video camera. Edit your clips using the device’s native filters, music, special effects, and transitions.

Its tech specs make for a smooth gaming experience. These include a Helio G96 processor, a Mali-G57 CPU, and a RAM of 8GB. You can also keep massive game titles with the Camon 18P’s 128GB storage space.

📱 Vivo Y21T

Price: ₱10,999

Vivo Y21T Specs:

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
GPU: Adreno 610
OS: Funtouch OS 12 based on Android 11
RAM: 4GB / 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Display: 6.51-inch HD+

The Vivo Y21T is a low budget gaming phone that has a lot to offer. If performance is a priority, you can never go wrong with its Snapdragon 680 processor, which boasts a large core and a CPU speed as high as 2.4Ghz. With an Adreno 610 GPU, you can enjoy high-quality graphics, whether you’re gaming or streaming.^[3]

The Y21T has an Ultra Game Mode. This enables 4D vibration, making your gaming experience truly engaging. The said mode has a picture-in-picture function, which allows you to check your other tasks without losing track of the game.

Power through your day without worrying about battery life. The Y21T is built with a 5,000mAh battery with fast charging feature.

📱 POCO M4 Pro 5G

Prices:

₱11,990 (4GB + 64GB)
₱12,990 (6GB + 128GB)

POCO M4 Pro 5G Specs:

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 810
GPU: Mali G57 MC2
OS: MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11
RAM: 4GB / 6GB
Storage: 64GB / 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh fast charging
Display: 6.6-inch FHD+

The M4 Pro 5G, a low budget gaming phone from POCO, suits users who prefer stylish units packed with reliable features. The device comes in eye-catching colors, such as Cool Blue, POCO Yellow, and Power Black.

Its gaming configuration includes a MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor and a powerful GPU in the form of Mali-G57. With a large 5,000mAh battery, you can play your favorite games for up to 12 hours.

For the screen, the POCO M4 Pro 5G features a 6.6-inch FHD+ with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. Colors are more vivid, as the phone uses DCI-P3 Film Industry colors. In case you didn’t know, the DCI-P3 system is a set of colors used to standardize the colors used in the film industry.^[4]

Final Thoughts

When it comes to mobile gaming, fans and hardcore players dream of having the likes of ASUS ROG Phones and Xiaomi Black Sharks. The only problem? The hefty price tag.

However, you can always settle for the budget gaming phones in the Philippines listed above. They’re perfect for those who enjoy performance-demanding games like PUBG and even light, zen titles, such as Candy Crush. They also make great gifts for family members or friends just dabbling in casual smartphone gaming.

Before you buy anything, we recommend reading reviews on online shops. You can also watch unboxing videos of budget gaming phones to learn more about the device you’re planning to get.

Sources:

^[1]Redmi Note 11 Features
^[2]Tecno POVA 4 Pro Features
^[3]Vivo Y21T Features
^[4]What is DCI-P3 Color? A Basic Definition (Tom’s Hardware, 2021)

10 Budget Gaming Phones to Gift Your Loved Ones (or Yourself!)

Jay Pagkatotohan

Features to Look for in a Budget Gaming Phone