Daily Tribune
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With the holiday season in full swing and 13th month pay finally in hand, many Filipinos are asking the question: What phone is actually worth buying right now?
After a year of reviewing, using, and living with vivo smartphones across different price points, it is clear vivo released options in 2025. Whether you are shopping for yourself, upgrading a loved one’s device, or looking for a gift that will actually be appreciated, there is a vivo phone that fits the brief.
Here is a practical, no-nonsense roundup of vivo smartphones tested and loved this year, and why each one makes sense as a holiday or 13th month pay purchase.
If your 13th month pay is substantial (sana all!) and you want a phone that genuinely feels like a step into the future, the vivo X Fold5 is the statement phone.
This is not a foldable that exists for novelty. It is a productivity tool, a media device, and a flagship camera phone rolled into one. The large inner display makes reading, editing documents, multitasking, and watching content feel natural, while the outer screen remains practical for one-handed daily use.
Camera performance stays true to vivo’s ZEISS partnership, delivering sharp, controlled images whether folded or unfolded. Battery life holds up better than expected for a foldable, and the overall build feels solid enough for daily, real-world use.
In the Philippines, the vivo X Fold5 is priced at P109,999.
If there is one phone that defines the holidays, it is the vivo X300 Series.
After bringing the X300 to multiple Christmas gatherings, poolside parties, and family dinners, it proved itself as a true moment-catcher. The 200 MP ZEISS main camera, paired with a ZEISS APO telephoto, captures sharp, natural photos even in difficult lighting. Faces look like faces. Details stay intact. Highlights do not blow out.
Video performance is just as strong. From filming buffet spreads to recording candid family moments, the footage is clean, stable, and genuinely enjoyable to rewatch. The compact size and excellent ZEISS Master Color Display make reviewing photos a pleasure, even when relatives crowd around asking to see the shots.
OriginOS adds to the experience by keeping everything smooth and responsive, while features like One-Tap Transfer make sharing photos with iPhone users painless.
The X300 Pro raises the bar even further for power users and imaging enthusiasts, but even the standard X300 already feels overqualified for everyday and holiday photography. If your priority is preserving memories beautifully, this is the safest recommendation on the list.
The vivo X300 Series is priced at P67,999 for the X300 and P77,999 for the X300 Pro.
Not everyone wants a big phone, and the vivo X200 FE proves that compact does not mean compromise.
This pocket-friendly flagship delivers ZEISS telephoto photography in a form factor that fits comfortably in one hand. It shines at events, concerts, and travel, where its long-reach camera captures crisp images without needing bulky gear.
Performance is fast and reliable thanks to the Dimensity 9300+ chipset, while the massive 6500mAh BlueVolt battery delivers multi-day endurance that puts many larger phones to shame. Add top-rated water and dust resistance, solid durability, and a refined display, and you get a phone that feels premium without being unwieldy.
The vivo X200 FE is listed at P44,999.
The vivo V60 quietly became one of the most enjoyable phones to use this year.
Its 50 MP ZEISS Super Telephoto camera is the star, producing flattering, detailed portraits with minimal effort. The ZEISS Multifocal Portrait system gives creators flexibility, while AI Four-Season Portrait and editing tools make content creation faster and more intuitive.
Battery life is excellent, charging is fast, and performance remains smooth for daily work, social media, and light gaming. With strong water and dust resistance ratings, it also handles rain, dust, and everyday mishaps without stress.
For buyers who care about photography, battery life, and all-around reliability without jumping to flagship pricing, the V60 hits a sweet spot that makes it a smart 13th month pay purchase.
In the Philippines, the vivo V60 is priced at P28,999 (12GB+256GB) and P30,999 (12GB+512GB).
If you want the most phone for your money, the vivo V60 Lite is hard to ignore.
This is a device built for long days and longer trips. The AMOLED display is smooth and vibrant, stereo speakers are loud enough to fill a room, and the 6,500 mAh BlueVolt battery simply refuses to quit. In real-world use, it easily lasts a full day of gaming, filming, navigation, and social media.
Camera performance is consistent and reliable, especially in good lighting, making it a dependable travel companion. For students, young professionals, or frequent travelers watching their budget, the V60 Lite delivers far more than its price suggests.
The vivo V60 Lite is priced at P14,999 (4G 8GB+256GB), P17,999 (5G 8GB+256GB), and P20,999 (5G 12GB+512GB).
The vivo Y29 proves that entry-level phones no longer have to feel disposable.
Battery life is its strongest asset, lasting well beyond a full day even with heavy use. The stereo speakers are surprisingly loud, performance is stable, and durability features make it ideal for users who are hard on their devices.
This is the phone you give to a student, a first-time smartphone user, or anyone who simply wants something dependable. At its price point, the Y29 offers peace of mind more than flashy specs, and that alone makes it worth recommending.
The vivo Y29 is priced at P8,999 (8GB+128GB) and P10,999 (8GB+256GB).
For budget-conscious buyers, the vivo Y21d and Y04 Series cover the essentials.
These phones focus on battery life, basic performance, and straightforward usability. They are ideal as secondary phones, gifts for parents or grandparents, or reliable backups. They may not chase trends, but they do what they promise, which is often exactly what holiday buyers need.
The vivo Y21d is listed at P6,999. The vivo Y04 is priced at P4,699 (4GB+64GB) and P5,299 (4GB+128GB).
A holiday bonus worth noting
To make the season even sweeter, vivo is running a holiday promo that adds real excitement to every purchase. Customers who spend at least P8,000 worth of vivo smartphones until 31 January 2026 get a chance to win a Jaecoo J7 SHS SUV worth P1,549,000.
It is the kind of bonus that turns a practical purchase into something memorable.
What stood out this year is how wide vivo’s lineup has become without losing focus. From foldables and flagship camera phones to budget workhorses, each device feels designed with a specific user in mind.
If your 13th month pay is meant to reward a year of hard work, upgrading to a vivo phone this holiday season is a decision that makes both emotional and practical sense. Whether you are capturing memories, creating content, traveling, or simply staying connected, there is a vivo phone that fits the moment.
And this season, that might be the best gift of all.
