Life Hack: How to Score Budget-Priced Smartphones

In this digital era, smartphones have become an important part of our lives. It’s no longer a luxury but a necessity that requires replacement every few years or so. This is the reason why many gadget-lovers get ecstatic about sales and discounts, maximizing every opportunity to get their hands on the best price available.

Searching for smartphones that fit your budget can be a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. The fanciest models aren’t exactly known for being easy on the wallet. But, the best mobile phone for you doesn’t need to cost you a fortune.

Nowadays, budget phones come with the latest operating systems and standout features while being on par with high-end brands. So before you hit that ‘Add to Cart' button, make sure to know your priorities and carefully assess your smartphone needs.

If you are looking for smartphones within a particular price range and the features you need, SM Deals is here to help you score affordable yet functional mobile phones with our online deals and promos on the latest tech and gadgets. Here’s our checklist for how to get yourself a smartphone without breaking the bank.

Go holiday shopping

Shopping for a smartphone during the holidays can mean big wins for you and your wallet. Here in the Philippines, December is the best month to buy a smartphone. As we all know, we Filipinos have the longest holiday celebration, and the month of December is always filled with clearance and holiday sales. 

Make sure to start saving early and get yourself a Christmas gift when smartphones go on sale during the most wonderful time of the year. Swing by the nearest SM Supermalls branch and take a look at your go-to tech stores like Electroworld and Technomart. Don’t forget to check out SM Appliance Center and The SM Store.

Consider carrier offers and phone plans

Getting a smartphone from a carrier can have its perks. Some carriers offer promotions and phone plans, especially for new subscribers who can avail themselves of 0% interest plans, bundled promos, and other discounted phone packages. If you are currently a subscriber, give your phone provider a call and inquire about current phone plans and offers that they have available.

Even better if you visit Globe and Smart stores at SM Supermalls nationwide to get details on the available phone plans and offers that you can sign up for.

Opt for last year's flagship phone

Getting the latest high-end smartphones would be a dream, but you can always save on a brand-new mid-range phone or score one of last year's flagship models. In certain cases, those phones have the same or even better specifications and performance compared to the current mid-range price phones, and they are often cheaper as well.

Shop online for budget-friendly smartphones

Purchasing smartphones online can give you some exclusive advantages over buying them in-store. Here are some of the perks that you might want to consider when shopping for smartphones online:

Cheap Price: Online shopping websites and e-commerce sites are a gift to the shopaholic. You can grab exclusive promotional discounts and discount offers that are reasonable and fit your style and need.

Quick Availability: If you need a cheap smartphone badly, shopping online is the way to go. When it comes to online shopping websites, the availability of smartphone models is much more up-to-date. You can even take your time looking for the right phone to get.

With online shopping being the norm these days, make sure to take advantage of the biggest monthly sales on your favorite e-commerce platform. Of course, don’t forget to put the SM Deals website at the top of your list. Keep an eye for the latest online deals and promos on your favorite tech brands like Apple, Huawei, realme, Samsung, Vivo, and more, only from your reliable source of tech and gadgets—SM Cyberzone.

Smartphone performance vs. budget

While searching for a smartphone, always consider its performance against its cost. The very latest and greatest technology normally comes with a price to match. However, not everyone needs such high-end tech, while some are simply unwilling to spend too much on pricey mobile devices.

Fortunately, there are mid-range phones that compete with premium ones and provide almost the same smartphone experience, sometimes even better!

Common factors to take note of when purchasing a budget-priced smartphone

As we always say, ‘every cent counts’. If you take a careful look, you can see that there are tons of low-budget smartphones available on the market. You might be surprised that affordable mobile devices can sometimes outperform their pricey, big-name counterparts in some aspects. 

Here are the things you should look for in budget-friendly smartphones:

Processor and RAM

The first thing that you should look for when purchasing a budget smartphone is the processor and RAM of the device. Having a good processor and RAM in your phone offers the flexibility of running multiple applications at the same time, playing high-end graphics games, and offering mobile device speed.

Camera quality

Nowadays, powerful selfie cameras are making the sale. However, not all smartphones with front cameras perform well in low light. So, make sure to test it out and see for yourself if the front-facing camera is great under low light for crisp and high-quality selfies. 

Pricing

Let’s face it, pricing is the most important segment that you have to consider when purchasing a new smartphone. The available features and specifications of the phone come along with its price. Of course, going for high-end specifications will result in a higher price for the phone.

After-sale service

Phone brands normally hold an after-sale service. Be on the lookout for after-sale service to have an assurance that you are investing in something that will serve you for a long period.

Get budget-friendly smartphones online with SM Deals

Still in a pickle searching for a cheap smartphone? Check out SM Malls Online for a wide selection of tech and gadgets from SM Cyberzone and get discounts and vouchers with SM Deals.