The inevitable increase in smartphone prices has drastically changed the landscape of buying a new phone. Models that were once considered affordable have seen significant price hikes, with some costing nearly twice as much as what we expected from their respective series just a few years ago.
With that in mind, finding a phone that actually gives you good value for your money has become more important than ever.
So, here are our bang-for-the-buck smartphone picks for 2026, with one winner for each category.
Our main rule: the phone must have been released in 2026.
We're also skipping the budget category this year. While there are still a few outliers worth considering, the overall increase in smartphone prices means we think you're better off saving a little more and going for at least a mid-range phone.
Lower mid-range: REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G PhP 18,999 (8+256GB)
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| REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G |
What makes this phone stand out is its durability and overall balance. We pushed this phone to its limits in our testing, and it's one of the most durable phones we've used at this price point.
The REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G costs around PhP 2,000 more than its predecessor, which isn't exactly ideal. But considering how much smartphone prices have increased across the board this year, we think the price is still reasonable, especially when compared to competing brands.
Beyond that, it simply gets most things right. You get a good display, capable cameras, solid performance, and a dependable overall experience.
Just keep your expectations in check. This is still a lower mid-range phone, but if you're looking for something that can handle most everyday tasks without breaking the bank, the REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G is an easy recommendation. - REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G Review
Upper mid-range: Xiaomi 17T PhP 33,999 (12+256GB)
This is easily one of our favorites on this list.
The Xiaomi 17T offers an impressive amount of flagship-like features for its price, particularly when it comes to cameras. Its Leica-tuned camera system now includes a periscope telephoto camera, something that's still relatively uncommon in the mid-range segment.
It's also surprisingly close to its Pro counterpart in terms of the overall experience, with only a handful of key features missing.
At the current promo price of PhP 33,999, we think the Xiaomi 17T is one of those phones where you're getting more features for your money, making it one of our top value picks this year. - Xiaomi 17T Review
Gaming / Performance phone: POCO F9 Pro - PhP 33,999 (12+256GB)
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| POCO F9 Pro |
As always, POCO finds its way onto our bang-for-the-buck list with its F-series.
The POCO F9 Pro gives you flagship-level performance for a little over PhP 30,000, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5V and backed by a proper cooling system.
The result? This thing is fast.
It can push AnTuTu scores beyond 4 million, making it one of the fastest affordable gaming phones you can get right now.
And POCO didn't stop at performance. You also get speakers tuned by Bose, making the F9 Pro a pretty compelling package for gaming and entertainment.
If your main priority is raw performance without spending flagship money, the POCO F9 Pro is an easy pick. - Read about the POCO F9 Pro 5G here
Flagship camera phone: HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max - PhP 79,990 (12+512GB)
This might be the most surprising pick on our list, especially because HUAWEI used to be a difficult recommendation for a lot of users. But things have changed.
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| HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max |
If you've been following smartphone prices this year, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max is surprisingly affordable for a flagship in 2026. And its still checking a lot of the boxes you'd expect from a top-end phone.
Its zoom camera is one of the best, if not the best, we've seen on a consumer smartphone. HUAWEI has also improved its video capabilities, bringing its zoom performance closer to what we've come to expect from its still photography.
Add a fantastic display, flagship-level hardware, and 5G support, and the Pura 90s Pro Max becomes a much easier phone to recommend in 2026 that in the past years.
For anyone who prioritizes smartphone photography, this is one of the best value flagship camera phones we've seen this year. - HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max Video Review
Flagship: iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max- PhP 69,000 / PhP 79,000 (256GB)
Okay, here's our exception to the 2026 release rule.
With the new iPhone expected to launch this September, the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are technically last year's models. But as of right now, they're still our top overall flagship recommendation.
Why? It's the balance.
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| iPhone 17 Pro Max |
You get excellent cameras, arguably the best video experience on a smartphone, top-tier performance, great battery life, and Apple's long-term software support.
The expected lifespan is also a big part of the value proposition. You're buying a phone that should remain relevant for years, which makes the higher upfront price easier to justify.
At its current price, the iPhone 17 Pro series is still very difficult to beat. - iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max Online Store
But if we strictly follow our 2026 release rule, our pick would be the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Foldable phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 - PhP 109,990
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| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 |
The foldable category is a little easier.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 remains our pick for the best-value foldable phone in 2026. And honestly, it’s hard to argue against it if you want a foldable that can genuinely replace both your smartphone and a small tablet.
Yes, it’s still expensive. But once you're shopping in this premium foldable category, the Fold8 makes a much stronger case for its price. It delivers a large inner display, capable cameras, powerful hardware, and a form factor that people still can't stop talking about.
More importantly, Samsung still has the edge when it comes to software. The polished UI, multitasking features, and Samsung DeX make the Fold8 feel like a more complete productivity device than many of its competitors.
It may not be the cheapest foldable around, but that's not really the point. When you're spending this much, value isn't about getting the lowest price. It's about getting the most complete experience for your money.