200,000-Peso Phones That Perform Like 500,000-Peso Ones: The Definitive List

If you thought you had to mortgage your salary to get a phone that flies, hold on tight because we’re about to break the mold. In today’s Argentina, with salaries that don’t stretch and installment plans that drag on, the smart move is to buy wisely. And here we bring you the list of phones around 200,000 pesos that perform as if they cost 500,000. Don’t miss out!

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G: This beast has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, ideal for gaming or watching series without straining your eyes. The battery is 5000 mAh, lasting all day and more. The 50 MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) takes photos that look out of this world. And it runs on an Exynos 1380 that doesn’t lag even if you open 20 apps. On MercadoLibre, you can find it from $199,999 in fixed installments with bank cards.

Motorola Edge 30 Neo: If you like slim and elegant, this is your phone. It has a 6.28-inch pOLED display, also at 120 Hz. The battery is 4020 mAh, but it charges super fast with 68W turbo power. The main camera is 64 MP with OIS, and the Snapdragon 695 5G processor handles everything. Plus, it comes with near-stock Android 13, no bloatware. Its price is around $209,999 in interest-free installments with some fintechs.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro: This spicy Chinese phone has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display at 120 Hz, a 5000 mAh battery with 67W fast charging, and a 50 MP camera with Sony IMX766 sensor. The processor is a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 that runs heavy games without breaking a sweat. You can get it from $189,999 in fixed installments at various online stores.

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen): Yes, you read that right. The cheapest iPhone has the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13. That means it flies and will last you years of updates. The display is a 4.7-inch LCD, yes small, but for those who miss Touch ID, it’s a home run. Battery isn’t its strong suit (2018 mAh), but it supports wireless charging. It’s around $219,999 in installments with credit cards.

Where to buy and how to pay? Today in Argentina, interest-free installments are the holy grail. Banks like Galicia, Santander, or Nación offer plans of 12, 18, and even 24 fixed installments. Fintechs like Ualá or Mercado Pago also have credit options with low rates. Don’t get stuck on the list price: compare at stores like Frávega, Musimundo, Carrefour, or directly on official pages. And watch out for the dollar: if you can pay with dollar card or MEP, sometimes it’s more convenient.

In short, you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a phone that performs. Samsung, Motorola, Xiaomi, and even Apple have options that will leave you speechless without emptying your wallet. Which one do you choose? Tell us in the comments!

Updated Price Comparison

If you’re thinking of buying a new phone, these are the most sought-after models. All with 12 interest-free installments:

• Samsung Galaxy A55 – From $450,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-E4CH)
• Motorola Edge 50 Fusion – From $520,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-HVNV)
• Xiaomi Redmi Note – From $350,000 in 12 interest-free installments (VAFTS9-WF9A)

Approximate prices. 12 interest-free installments subject to each seller. Search for the codes on Mercado Libre.