Gizmo Wishlist: Popular Gadgets and Latest Phones in the Philippines

Tech moves pretty past. Every year, new releases excite both committed geeks and casual enthusiasts. The number of new products, however, can be overwhelming. It’s also difficult to choose. 

Thankfully, you have this list. Below, we’ve rounded up the most in-demand gadgets and the latest phones in the Philippines. You may also find a few units launched in the past years that remain relevant and popular to this day. 

2023 New Gadgets and Latest Phones in the Philippines

From speakers to smartwatches and everything in between, check out this list and cop the latest gadgets in the Philippines this 2023:

👉 AirPods 3 

• Price: ₱10,990 (with Lightning charging case) / ₱11,990 (with MagSafe charging case)
• Available at: Official Apple website and authorized resellers 
• Specs: 
  • Bluetooth 5.0 
  • Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
  • Adaptive EQ
  • H1 headphone chip
  • Advanced microphone (dual beamforming and inward-facing)
  • Sweat and water-resistant (both AirPods and charging case)

The AirPods 3 is one of the must-have Apple gadgets in 2023, especially if you’re looking to complete your Apple ecosystem. It seamlessly works with Apple devices, which include Apple TV, Apple Watch, iPad, iPod, iPhone, and MacBook.

If you’re looking for an immersive sound experience, the AirPods 3 gives you that through its Personal Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. This feature places sounds all around you, creating a three-dimensional listening experience whether you’re listening to music or watching movies and TV shows.^[1]

Read more: Which AirPods Should I Get? AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro 2 Comparison

👉 JBL Live 460NC

• Price: ₱6,999 (regular price) / ₱5,949 (discounted price) 
• Available at: Official online JBL Concept Store, Lazada, Shopee, and Abenson
• Specs: 
  • Hands-free, perfect stereo calls
  • Up to 50 hours of battery life
  • Multi-device connection
  • Auto play and pause
  • Adaptive noise canceling 

The JBL Live 460NC is the best headphones for those who want to be in the zone— whether they’re listening to music or binging on a TV series. It delivers that JBL Signature Sound that comes with enhanced bass. 

With the Live 460NC, you can go about your day easily. Manage your calls using the buttons on the ear cup. 

Moreover, its microphone technology makes for perfect stereo calls. If you’re using multiple devices at once, you can effortlessly switch from one device to another with the Live 460NC’s multi-point connection. 

This JBL device comes with an Auto Play and Pause feature. With this, your music automatically pauses when you remove your headphones and resumes playing when you put them back on. 

👉 Marshall Emberton II

• Price: ₱9,990
• Available at: Digital Walker and Lazada 
• Specs: 
  • Bluetooth 5.1 
  • 360-degree sound 
  • 30+ hours of playtime
  • Dust- and water-resistant

If you want to bring your music wherever you go and share it with others, the Emberton II is the one for the job. It boasts the True Stereophonic system that produces a multi-directional sound. As such, you get a 360-degree audio experience. 

While small and portable, the Emberton II is big on power. On a single charge, it can give you more than 30 hours of playtime. It can also adapt to various environments since it’s water- and dust-resistant. 

Having a party? Achieve a booming sound through Stack mode. Simply stack your Emberton II onto your friend’s Emberton II and everything’s good to go! 

👉 Marshall Acton II

• Price: ₱17,490 (regular price) / ₱13,490 (discounted price)
• Available at: Digital Walker and Lazada 
• Specs: 
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 3.5 mm input
  • Multi-host function
  • Can be connected to Marshall Bluetooth App 

If you’re an audiophile looking for new gadgets this 2023, include the Acton II on your list. Donning a classic design, this portable speaker truly embodies the Marshall philosophy of producing sounds that are powerful yet balanced. 

The Acton II uses Bluetooth 5.0, which allows a larger-than-life sound even if the source device is 30 feet away. You can also customize your sounds through its volume, bass, and treble knobs. You and your friends can take turns playing your kind of music through the Acton II’s multi-host functionality. 

👉 Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar 

• Price: ₱2,499
• Available at: Official online Xiaomi website and Lazada 
• Specs: 
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0
  • 80 Hz ~ 20 kHz frequency range
  • 45 x 80 mm runway full-frequency loudspeaker

While the Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar was released a few years ago, it still remains relevant not only because of its price but also its utility. Considering its affordable price tag, the unit produces high-quality sound. 

Those who favor bass in their sounds will love the Xiaomi Redmi TV Soundbar. It doesn’t have a remote control, but you can tinker with the soundbar’s volume by connecting your phone to the device via Bluetooth.  

👉 Fitbit Charge 5

• Price: ₱10,490
• Available at: Official Fitbit website and Digital Walker
• Specs: 
  • Heart rate tracking
  • Built-in GPS
  • Cardio fitness score
  • Automatic exercise tracking
  • Breathing rate
  • Wellness report
  • Blood oxygen tracking
  • Seven-day battery life
  • Text, call, and app notifications

The Charge 5 was released in 2021, but it’s still one of the best-selling fitness trackers. It even lands in the top spots of many tech publications’ lists of best fitness watches. Despite bearing a relatively affordable price tag, this Google-owned fitness tracker has a number of specs and features usually seen in its high-end counterparts. 

For its sensors and components, the Charge 5 has an optical heart rate monitor, built-in GPS and GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), device temperature sensor, vibration motor, and ambient light sensor. It also has red and infrared sensors for monitoring oxygen saturation. 

For fitness, it can track different exercises, such as runs, weights, bike rides, and more. It displays your steps, distance, and calories burned. 

If you’re trying to improve your sleep, the Charge 5 can help you with that through proper monitoring. It tracks the length of your sleep each night, creates scores based on the quality of your previous sleep, and provides a personalized sleep analysis every month. 

The Charge 5 has a battery life of up to seven days. You can wear it everywhere you go since it’s made of aluminum, glass, and resin. It’s also water-resistant for up to 50 meters. 

👉 iPhone 15 Pro Max

• Price: Starts at ₱84,990 to ₱108,990
• Available at: Official Apple website and authorized resellers
• Specs: 
  • A17 Pro chip
  • iOS 17
  • Super Retina XDR display
  • Pro camera system
  • 4K video
  • Cinematic mode 
  • Face ID
  • Emergency SOS
  • Crash Detection
  • Dust- and water-resistant

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the hottest and latest phones in the Philippines. 

This device effortlessly combines beauty, power, and utility. Looking at its screen is a hypnotic experience, thanks to its larger size, Super Retina XDR display, and OLED technology. Running on the A17 Pro chip, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with a six-core GPU, which produces smooth and fluid graphics. 

This latest version of the iPhone is outfitted with a Pro-level main camera. Its 5x telephoto camera has the longest optical zoom of any iPhone thus far.

This latest iPhone in 2023 is also one of the new gadgets in 2023 with a unique safety feature. This is demonstrated through the phone’s Crash Detection. This mechanism lets the iPhone call for help in case you’re in a severe car crash.  

Read more: 

• Upcoming Apple Products: What to Expect at the Next Release
• From iPon to iLoan: How to Afford an iPhone Now

👉 Samsung Galaxy S23

• Price: ₱53,990 to ₱76,990
• Available at: Official Samsung website and authorized resellers 
• Specs: 
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Android 13
  • Triple rear camera: 50MP + 10MP + 12MP
  • 12MP front camera
  • Optical zoom at 3x and digital zoom up to 30x
  • Face recognition
  • Multi-control set-up 
  • Dust-resistant and water-resistant 

If you‘re checking out the latest phones in the Philippines, you’ll find that the Galaxy S23 is a standout. Its looks alone command attention, but its advanced specs make it worth owning. 

Running on the world's fastest Snapdragon chip, the S23 delivers better and smoother gaming and video streaming.^[2] For photography, the S23 comes with a professional-grade imaging system; the rear side comes with three powerful cameras while the front side is equipped with a 12MP camera. For more detailed photos, you can opt to shoot in RAW via the phone’s Expert RAW feature.

One of the most interesting things about the S23 is its multi-control feature that allows you to connect your phone to your Galaxy Book. With this setup, you can drag and drop files from one device to another. 

👉 Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

• Price: ₱17,990
• Available at: Official Samsung website and authorized resellers 
• Specs: 
  • Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695
  • Android 12 (upgradable to Android 13)
  • Quad rear camera: 50MP + 5MP + 2MP  + 2MP
  • 8MP front camera
  • Fingerprint sensor

Despite being launched in 2022, the A23 5G is still one of the best mid-range units from Samsung in 2023. It runs on Snapdragon 695 and has up to 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth and lag-free usage. It boasts a display that uses FHD+ Technology and also comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz. All these features make it an ideal gaming phone. 

With a multi-lens camera, the A23 is also a photographer’s handset. Its Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) camera ensures that images are crisp and clear. The same feature also lets you shoot stable videos. 

The A23 is one of the latest phones in the Philippines that have a better sound system. With Dolby Atmos, you’ll hear nothing but full and loud acoustics. 

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

👉 vivo V25e

• Price: ₱17,999 (regular price); ₱16,999 (discounted price)
• Available at: Official Vivo website, Lazada, and authorized resellers 
• Specs: 
  • MediaTek Helio G99
  • Android 12
  • AMOLED Display 
  • Triple rear camera: 64MP + 2MP + 2MP + 12MP
  • 32MP front camera 
  • 44W fast charging 
  • Storage expandable to 1TB

Looking for a new vivo model this 2023? Take a look at the v25e. For its price, this phone is already packed with advanced features and can compete with other mid-rangers from bigger brands. 

The MediaTek Helio G99, which powers the v25e, is already a highly capable chip. Couple it with an extended RAM, and you’ll get a device with faster performance.

When it comes to the viewing experience, the v25e delivers vivid and sharp visuals with the 90Hz AMOLED display. Complementing your streaming and gaming experience is the phone’s all-around, high-resolution audio. 

Taking stunning photos with the v25e should be a breeze with its triple-camera system. Its 64MP OIS camera, for instance, can capture brighter and clearer images under low-lighting conditions. 

If you’re living an outdoorsy lifestyle, trust that the v25e can handle drops, scratches, and sweat. Rest easy since it has undergone 32,000 drop tests and 6,000 pluggings and unpluggings.

👉 Xiaomi 13 

• Price: ₱44,999
• Available at: Lazada and authorized resellers
• Specs: 
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Android 13
  • Leica rear camera: 50MP + 10MP +  12MP
  • 32MP front camera
  • 8K video 
  • AI face unlock
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Dust- and water-resistant 

Xiaomi 13 is one of the latest phones in the Philippines for those looking for understated beauty and power. Outfitted with advanced features and creature comforts, this high-end unit can stand toe to toe with other upscale devices from the leading brands on the market. 

The Xiaomi 13 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which makes for a boosted performance at reduced energy consumption. This is substantiated by a 37% improvement in CPU performance and a 42% improvement in GPU performance. 

If you’re into photography, the Xiaomi 13 is one of the best Xiaomi 2023 phones to own. Possessing the Leica professional system, the Xiaomi 13 lets you capture high-resolution images. It produces a three-dimensional tone and color, resulting in pictures that give you the feeling of being there.^[3] 

Still on the camera, the Xiaomi 13 comes with various lenses, ranging from 35mm to 90mm. When it comes to recording and displaying videos, the device uses Dolby Vision, which makes for vivid colors, great contrasts, and realistic details. 

Check out the best credit cards for electronics below:

📌 HSBC Red Mastercard

• Annual fee: ₱2,500 (free in the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱16,666.67
• Rewards program: 1 rewards point per ₱20 purchase and 4 bonus points per ₱20 on overseas, online, dining, or shopping transactions
• Card Installment Plan: 0% interest on up to 36 monthly installments

📌 Metrobank World Mastercard®

• Annual fee: ₱6,000 (free in the first year)
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱333,333.33
• Rewards program: 1 rewards point per ₱20 purchase, double rewards points for international purchases
• 0% Installment program: Up to 24 monthly installments at zero interest

📌 BPI Amore Platinum Cashback Card

• Annual fee: ₱5,000 (free for the first year)
• Monthly interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱83,333
• Features: Cashback for every ₱1,000 spend anywhere: 4% on restaurants, 1% on supermarkets and other shopping stores, 0.3% on everything else; up to 36 months installment terms

📌 UnionBank Classic Visa Card

• Annual fee: ₱1,500 
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱15,000 
• Rewards program: 1 rewards point for every ₱35 purchase

📌 UnionBank Gold Visa Card

• Annual fee: ₱2,500
• Interest rate: 3%
• Minimum monthly income requirement: ₱30,000
• Rewards program: 1 rewards point per ₱35 spend
• Installment: 0% interest on up to 36 monthly installments

Final Thoughts 

These are just some of the best gadgets and latest phones in the Philippines that you may want to check out. But before you decide to get a new device, you should take a good look at your lifestyle and finances. 

Ask yourself if you really need it or if it can improve major aspects of your life. After all, a new purchase can only make you feel good for a short while. 

And if you've decided you really need to purchase one, use the right credit card for electronics to maximize rewards, cashback, or any perks that come along with the card. Here are our top recommendations for the best cards for gadget purchases.

Credit Card	Perks on Electronics Purchases
UnionBank Rewards Credit Card	3x rewards points when you shop locally or abroad 1 rewards point for other ₱30 spend 0% interest installment deals for up to 36 months
Metrobank Titanium Mastercard®	2x rewards points on department store and online purchases 1 rewards point for other ₱20 spend  0% interest installment promos
Metrobank Platinum Mastercard®	1 rewards point for every ₱20 purchase E-commerce purchase protection  0% interest installment promos
HSBC Red Mastercard	4x bonus points on online, shopping and overseas spend 0% interest installment deals for up to 36 months

Sources: 

• ^[1] AirPods 3 Features 
• ^[2] Samsung S23 Features
• ^[3] Xiaomi 13 Features