May 2013 Mid-Level Smartphone Buyers Guide

Under mid-level phones I grouped those priced at Php10,000 or higher, but below Php20,000. To get a better perspective of what we are looking for in a mid-level handset this month, I suggest you take a look at the entry level guide first. 

At the entry level you have the 4-inch Windows powered, Huawei Ascend W1 you have a low cost handset which is in touch with current trends. Internally, it is a modern handset, not powered by yesterdays ARM Cortex A5 and A9 processors, but by the current generation of ARM Cortex A15 and Qualcomm Krait grade processors. In the case of the W1, it is a dual core Krait. It also comes with a HSPA+ 3G radio. Poor battery life is also no longer acceptable, and the W1 will not disappoint in this regard. All-in-all a well rounded package. 

It is not for everyone. The smaller number of Windows Phone apps will likely affect gamers the most. For them, Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 is a better choice. Large screens and HD is the big thing in mobile these days, and if that is you priority, the Cherry Mobile Omega HD will be happy to oblige. The Omega HD also packs a very decent camera to boot.

Basically, it is a tough act to follow, and for the most part the available mid-level phones are not up to the task.

The prices posted are those covered by an official manufacturers warranty.

1. Nokia Lumia 720 (Php13,990) - Picking up where the Huawei Ascend W1 left off

The newly launched Nokia 720 is another Windows Phone 8 device. For Php5K more than a Ascend W1 it gives you a larger 4.3-inch display, four times the internal storage and a better front and rear camera.  

That is a big gap in the price. I will leave it for you to decide if it is worth it. 

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4.3-inch ClearBlack WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait Snapdragon processor
• Adreno 203 grpahics
• 6.7 MP autofocus primary camera with a  Carl Zeiss lens and a LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2000 mAh battery

You can read more about the Lumia 720 at this link.

2. Nokia Lumia 820 (Php16,000) - Windows Phone with LTE onboard.

This Nokia Lumia 820 is similar to the lower cost Lumia 720. It has a better AMOLED display, double the RAM and a faster dual core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Krait processors and comes with SoC LTE chip.  It is not all up. The Lumia 820 is an older design from 2012, comes with a smaller 1600 mAh battery.

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4.3-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 225 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 0.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1650 mAh battery

The LTE chip is the main reason to select this over the NokiA Lumia 720.

You can read more about the Nokia Lumia 820 at this link.

3. LG 4X HD P880 (Php16,920) - Blast from the past

On release this phone was overshadowed by the Samsung Galaxy S III and the HTC One X. But several price drops and a Jelly Bean update make it look really good at the twilight of its life.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.0, upgradeable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
• 4.7-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 16 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz quad core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor
• ULP GeForce graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2150 mAh battery

You can read more about the LG 4X HD P800 at this link.

4. Sony Xperia V (Php18,250) - A price drop makes the Xperia V shine again

With newly released models from Sony, the price of the LTE equipped Xperia V has dropped, moving it from the high end category where it was starting to become uncompetitive, to the mid-level where is shines brightly. This gives a nice 720p + LTE option at the mid-level. The dual core Qualcomm krait processors on the Xperia V can give quad core phones a run for their money.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.0, upgradeable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
• 4.3-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 225 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1750 mAh battery

Other than sharp screen, LTE and fast processor, the IP57 certified dust and water resistance certification is another very good reason to take a look at this phone.


That is all for this month. A solid and nicely priced with the Nokia Lumia 720, flanked by two LTE options, and a Tegra 3 HD phone for gamers and those wanting a larger display.