These are the cheapest smartphones in 2021 (Android Phones Under ₱2,000)
Because the obsession is all about the latest and greatest phone offering from Apple or Samsung, these cheap smartphones will mostly fly under the radar. But you can’t really count these humble little phones out because they can still deliver basic communication needs at a very low cost.
Who is it for
Unsurprisingly, this ultra-affordable won’t perform nearly as well as mid-tier, much less a higher-end phone. These cater to less demanding users, or for those on a tight budget, for someone who’s looking for a secondary device, and for those who want an expendable smartphone in case it is lost or stolen– then any on these list of under Php2,000 phone should be worth considering.
Modest and no-frills but still covers the most basic
If your smartphone usage involves calling, texting, light internet/ social media browsing while staring at a small display and the low-res screen is not an issue, a cheap phone will do. Meanwhile, whipping out the serviceable camera when you need it, or as a secondary phone when your main gadget’s battery conks out — provided you don’t care much about image quality nor multitask between applications at once— should make these more than acceptable wallet-friendly phones.
Common Denominator of ultra-low-cost phones
That 512 of RAM and 4GB of storage will give techies out there a nervous tic and there is no way to sugar coat it, it will definitely bog down user experience at some point. Consequently, installing storage hog apps and switching between them is a no-go. Not all is lost though because ‘lite’ versions of some popular apps are there to save the day for low-performing devices. Lastly, the devices in this low-price category have another drawback— they are running a legacy Android version due to hardware limitations. (update: lightweight Android Go-powered devices are here to save the day for entry-level phones)
MyPhone myA1 Lite
Price: Php 1,799 (as of March 2021)
Specs
- 4-inch FWVGA (854 x 480 pixels) display
- 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
- Rear camera: 2 MP Main Camera, 2MP Selfie Camera
- Storage: 8GB internal, expandable up to 64GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Dual SIM
- 3G HSPA+
- WIFI, Bluetooth
- USB OTG
- 2300 mAh battery capacity
- Android 10 Go Edition
MyPhone myA1 Lite is an Android 10 Go Edition budget phone with a 4-inch FWVGA display. Color selections include black, lavender, turquoise, and yellow. This is also compatible with MyPhone DTV Dongle and comes preinstalled with Pinoy App.
MyPhone myWX1 Lite
Price: Php 2,099 (as of November 2020)
- 5.45-inch FWVGA+ (480 x 960 Pixels), teardrop notch, IPS
- 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
- Rear camera: 2 MP Main Camera, 2MP Selfie Camera
- Storage: 8GB internal, expandable up to 64GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Dual SIM
- 3G HSPA+
- WIFI, Bluetooth
- USB OTG
- 2300 mAh battery capacity
- Android 10 Go Edition
Perhaps, this is the cheapest phone on this list that rocks a modern design. What we are referring to is the waterdrop notch at the top that significantly reduced the top bezel. Other than that, the specs are quite the usual fare in this price range. Android 10 Go Edition will be the OS of choice and comes in black, red, and blue colors.
MyPhone myA17
Price: Php 2,199 (as of September 2019)
Specs
- 5.2-inch display, HD (720 x 1280 Pixels), IPS
- 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
- Rear camera: 5 MP Main Camera, 0.3 MP Depth Sensor
- Selfie camera: 2 MP
- Storage: 16GB, expandable up to 32 GB via MicroSD
- RAM: 1GB
- Dual Sim
- 3G HSPA+
- WIFI, Bluetooth
- USB OTG
- 2300 mAh battery capacity
- Android 9 Pie Go Edition
Compared to last year, what you can buy now with your ₱2K is going to be much better in terms of value. The budget-friendly myA17 is going to run the leaner ‘Go’ version of Android 9 Pie, therefore it only needs a bare minimum to meet the acceptable performance for an entry-level phone. This time around, instead of seeing a measly 512 MB of RAM, it is now doubled with 1GB, which is not much but very much welcome in the segment. Storage has also been upgraded for this GO edition device with 16GB this time around. There is also a dual rear camera that comes with a depth sensor for blur background effect.
MyPhone myA11i
Price: Php 1,999 (as of December 2018)
Specs
- 4.0-inch display, FWVGA (480 x 854 Pixels)
- 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
- Rear camera: 5 MP
- Selfie camera: 2 MP
- Storage: 4GB, expandable up to 32 GB via MicroSD
- RAM: 512MB
- Dual Sim
- 3G HSPA+
- WIFI, Bluetooth
- USB OTG
- 1400 mAh battery capacity
- Android Oreo Go Edition
This is a follow-up to myA11, the company’s first foray into Android Go phones. The specs are pretty much identical to its predecessor with a 4-inch display and 1.3 GHz Quad-Core processor. The RAM is still 512MB paired with 4GB of internal storage. This is USB OTG-ready phone and compatible with a digital TV dongle from MyPhone.
MyPhone myA11
Price: Php 1,899 (as of July 2018)
Specs:
- Display Size: 4.0-inch, IPS screen
- 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
- MediaTek MT6580M Chipset
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixel
- Storage: 4GB, expandable up to 32 GB via MicroSD
- RAM: 512MB
- Wireless data: 3G HSPA+
- WIFI, Bluetooth
- Battery Capacity: 1400 mAh
- Android Oreo Go Edition
This phone comes with a lightweight Android Go Edition and a fresher Android Oreo operating system. The screen is 4 inches, which is on the low end of the spectrum with an entry-level MediaTek Chipset. You may not want to run multiple apps on this device with only 512 GB of RAM. At least the 4GB storage is still expendable for that extra space.
Cherry Mobile Flare S6 Mini
Price: Php 2,299 (as of May 2018)
Specs:
- Display Size: 4.5-inch, IPS screen
- Screen Resolution: 480 x 854 (FWVGA)
- Processor: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
- Spreadtrum Chipset
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixel
- Storage: 4GB, expandable up to 32 GB via MicroSD
- RAM: 512MB
- Wireless data: 3G HSPA+
- WIFI, Bluetooth
- Battery Capacity: 1500 mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Marshmallow
Not exactly the cheapest nor even has the most impressive features of the bunch, the flare S6 is still a wallet-friendly phone for its price. It comes with a 4.5-inch panel with FWVGA resolution. Under the hood is a Spreadtrum SOC with a 1.2Ghz processor, while RAM is a measly 512MB with 4GB built-in storage. Available now at CM kiosks, which have a strong presence in malls nationwide and from there, you can inquire and ask for this unit.
Cloudfone Go SP- with Spotify branded earphones
Cloudfone Go SP Specs
- Display Size: 5.0 inches, LCD
- Screen Resolution: 480 x 854 (FWVGA with 196 PPI)
- Processor: 1.3GHz Quad-Core
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6580
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels
- Selfie camera: 0.3 megapixel
- Storage: 8GB
- RAM: 512MB
- Wireless data: 3G HSPA+
- Battery Capacity: 2,000mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Marshmallow
- Release Date: December 2016
- Price: ₱1,999 (Discounted, originally at Php2,299)
Price drop. This is Cloudfone’s budget phone that comes with a Spotify branded earphone and the corresponding preinstalled app. Do take note that this was released at the backend of 2016 and is consequently being offered at a discounted price this 2018. Specs-wise, it is in line with expectations at this price point which also doesn’t say much. But on the bright side, the inbuilt 8GB storage is a rarity in this price segment— though 0.3MP is going to be frowned upon by selfie enthusiasts on a budget.
MyPhone MyA2 – Pocket friendly and affordable
Price: ₱1,899 / Released December 2017
MyPhone MyA2 Specs
- Display Size: 4.0 inches, LCD
- Screen Resolution: 480 x 854 (FWVGA with 244 PPI)
- Processor: 1.3GHz Quad-Core
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6580M
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixels
- Storage: 4GB
- RAM: 512MB
- USB OTG
- DTV capable via MyPhone Dongle
- Wireless data: 3G
- Battery Capacity: 1,500mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Mashmallow
- Release Date: December 2017
- Price: ₱1,899
We can’t emphasize enough that this list is about the cheapest, most affordable Android device locally available. As much as the rage right now is bigger and better, we can’t dismiss the fact that its 4-inch screen will at least fit in your pocket, still an advantage right?!. The combination of 4GB RAM and 512MB is going to be a sore point but at least it is USB on-the-go ready. To be clear, there is no built-in digital TV tuner here, you have to buy a separate dongle to watch programs. Oh well, did we mention it is cheap?
MyPhone MyA3- SuperAMOLED for cheap
Price: ₱1,999 / Released November 2017
MyPhone MyA3 Specs
- Display Size: 4.0 inches, AMOLED
- Screen Resolution: 360 x 640 Pixels (nHD with 184 PPI)
- Processor: 1.2GHz Quad-Core
- Chipset: Spreadtrum SC7731C
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixels
- Storage: 4GB
- RAM: 512MB
- USB OTG
- DTV capable via MyPhone Dongle
- Wireless data: 3G
- Dual Sim
- Battery Capacity: 1,400mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Mashmallow
- Release Date: November 2017
- Price: ₱1,999
Clearly, MyA3 aims for the distinction of carrying the most affordable AMOLED in the market. We all know that the said display technology is mostly found in opulent flagship devices. But in order to deliver to low-cost market, they sacrificed the pixel count, which is even degraded resolution in this case. AMOLED has an advantage over LCD such as deeper blacks and lower power consumption but also consider MyA3 will be more pixellated due to cost-cutting.
Starmobile Play Dash- with features that rises above the bunch
Price: ₱ 1,799 / Released May 2017
Starmobile Play Dash 4.5 Specs
- Display Size: 4.5 inches, LCD
- Screen Resolution: 480 x 854 Pixels (FWVGA 220 PPI)
- Processor: 1.2GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex A7
- Chipset: Spreadtrum SC7731C
- Rear camera: 8 megapixels, Fixed Focus with BSI and Flash
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixels
- Storage: 8GB, expandable of up to 32GB via MicroSD Slot
- RAM: 1GB
- Wireless data: Dual 3G Standby
- Dual Micro Sim
- Battery Capacity: 1,700mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Marshmallow
- Release Date: May 2017
- Price: ₱1,799
Many smartphone users know too well that 1GB of RAM paired with 8GB of storage won’t cut it these days in terms of performance and user experience. Starmobile Dash has the same specs, however, it manages to stand out among the rest because it is actually better in that respect against rivals in the price segment. Its 4.5 screen and 8MP camera is still rare feature in this category which makes it a great value-for-money choice. It is available now at Lazada PH store and comes with local warranty.
Cherry Mobile Desire R6 Mini- stylish design
Price: ₱ 1,899 / Released July 2017
CM Desire R6 Mini Specs
- Display Size: 4 inches
- Screen Resolution: 480 x 800 pixels, WVGA, IPS
- Processor: 1.3GHz Quad-Core
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6580
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels, Fixed Focus
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixels
- Storage: 4GB
- RAM: 512MB
- Wireless data: Dual 3G Standby
- Dual Sim
- Battery Capacity: 1,400mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Marshmallow
- Release Date: July 2017
- Price: ₱1,899
Just because OEMs squeeze features out of these low-cost devices doesn’t mean you can’t have good things. Well, you can say that the Desire R6 Mini doesn’t look bad at all with its selection of color combinations. As for the features, the screen is a 4-inch LCD and an IPS variety which means a decent viewing angle. Under the hood is a MediaTek chipset with a 1.3GHz CPU but the 512MB RAM coupled with 4GB rears its ugly head once again.
MyPhone MyA1- as affordable as they come
Price: ₱ 1,799 / Released December 2017
MyA1 Specs
- Display Size: 4 inches
- Processor: 1.3GHz Quad-Core
- Chipset: MediaTek MT6580M
- Rear camera: 5 megapixels
- Selfie camera: 2 megapixels
- Storage: 4GB
- RAM: 512MB
- Wireless data: 3G
- Dual Sim
- Battery Capacity: 1,500mAh
- Android Version 6.0 Marshmallow
- Release Date: July 2017
- Price: ₱1,799
This is the most affordable smartphone from MyPhone and is the cheapest at the moment. It is undeniably entry-level with the most basic of specs such as 4-inch screen, 4GB of in-built storage, and half a gigabyte of RAM. You can take stills with its 5-megapixel main shooter and a 2MP for the front which is not saying much but at least it is there.
To wrap things up
By now we have already established the obvious— that specs don’t matter in this market category, but rather it is all about the lowest price possible and affordability. That said, It doesn’t matter whether you have the most expensive or cheapest as long as they get the job done. As they say, the best device is the one you have with you when you need it- and that can very well be a 2,000 peso phone (or below) right in your pocket.
- Samsung S23 FE Updated with AI Smarts in ONE UI 6.1, but a Feature Is Missing - April 20, 2024
- Best Samsung Galaxy S8 Active Cases in 2024 - April 17, 2024
- Best Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Cases in 2024 - April 17, 2024
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!