Saturday, 30 August 2014

SKK Phoenix G1 vs Cherry Mobile Flare 3, Specs Comparison

SKK has announced on their facebook page their latest smartphone offering, Phoenix G1, beating with a quad-core processor and waving its affordable price tag at only P3,799. Let's see how the cheapest quad-core yet matches with CM Flare 3, specs-wise.


SKK Philippines, quadcore cheap philippines

CM Flare 3 availability

Processor:
SKK Phoenix G1 - 1.3GHz Quad-Core MediaTek 6582 processor
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 1.3GHz Quad-Core MediaTek 6582 processor

RAM:
SKK Phoenix G1 - 1GB RAM
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 1GB RAM

It's obvious that both phones share very similar specs. They are powered by the same processor, MT 6582 clocked at 1.3GHz so expect identical performance and smoothness. Days of lagging affordable androids are almost gone with its 1GB RAM for multitasking, provided that you close apps frequently that aren't on use. 

Display:
SKK Phoenix G1 - 5-inch, qHD (540x960 pixels) IPS Display
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 5-inch qHD (540x960 pixels) IPS OGS Scratch-resistant Display

Flare 3 has detailed that their screen is scratch-resistant and made with One Glass Solution. SKK on the other hand did not give further info, but having an IPS on both is good news. However, almost all users put screen protectors on their phone, so still, close call.

Camera:
SKK Phoenix G1 - 8MP Main and 5MP Front Camera
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 8MP Main and 3MP Front Camera

In this field, the SKK Phoenix has an upper hand with its higher resolution front camera. It will capture higher details but we may want to see the real life capabilities in terms of Image Quality.

SKK Phoenix G1 - 8GB internal phone storage expandable up to 64GB via microSD card
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 8GB internal phone storage expandable up to 64GB via microSD card

OS:
SKK Phoenix G1 - Android 4.4 Kitkat
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - Android 4.4 Kitkat

Battery:
SKK Phoenix G1 - 2000mAh
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 1980mAh

Connectivity:
SKK Phoenix G1 - 3G, HSPA+, Dual-sim, Dual-standby
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - 3G, HSPA+, Dual-sim, Dual-standby

Price:
SKK Phoenix G1 - P3,799
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - P3,999 

Other Features:
SKK Phoenix G1 - WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS, GPS, FM Radio, Gestures, USB On-The-Go
Cherry Mobile Flare 3 - WiFi Hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS, GPS

Tough competition between these two, isn't it? The SKK Phoneix G1 might have an advantage in terms of specifications on paper. It is also priced P200 cheaper than Cherry Mobile Flare 3. At this though rivalry, the things that may matter now is their availability and customer support. The Flare 3 is out now but it's very hard to get because of tight supply. Phoenix G1 is yet to debut on its kiosks and stalls nationwide.


{sources: SKK, CM}





Friday, 29 August 2014

Xiaomi Redmi 1S vs Asus Zenfone 5, Specs Comparison

Xiaomi will be bringing its second smartphone here in the Philippines on September 4. This time, it will be their most affordable phone, Redmi 1s, without having compromise of performance and build quality. With its affordable price, the battle in its price range will be exciting.

redmi 1 s comparison philippines
Redmi 1s

If you're looking for an international brand at an affordable price range, Xiaomi's Redmi 1s and Asus Zenfone will be a great choice. So how does this two warriors compare with each other? Let's take a look of their key points.

price specs philippines redmi vs asus zenfone
Asus Zenfone 5
Display: 
Zenfone 5 - 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels, 294ppi) with Gorilla Glass 3
Redmi 1s - 4.7-inch HD (720x1280 pixels, 312ppi) with Gorilla Glass 2

The screen size may be deciding factor for some, and an extra 0.3 inches might be a big deal for others. For me, it's not a big difference and the screen quality is of more concern. But since they are both IPS and High Definition, they are on par. The Gorilla Glass difference is negligible on average use, both will perform similarly vs scratches.

Processor:
Zenfone 5 - 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 (ver. here in PH) / PowerVR SGX544MP2
Redmi 1s - 1.6 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 / Adreno 305

The Zenfone 5 has an Antutu score of ~19660 and the Redmi 1s has a score of ~21600 so there's a little difference in terms of performance. Their SOCs are both good and you can play graphic intensive games on these two. Take note that the dual-core processor is hyper-threaded so it also acts just like the other non-Intel quad-core cpus.

Camera:
Zenfone 5 - 8MP Main Camera and 2MP Front Cam
Redmi 1s - 8MP Main Camera and 1.6MP Front Cam

Both phones have 8MP Main camera and promises to deliver great photos even in low light. They both have 1.4ųm sensor, LED Flash and AF. The aperture of Zenfone is at F2.0 and the Redmi has F2.2.

Memory:
Zenfone 5 - 8GB internal phone storage up to 64GB microSD, 2GB RAM (now with 16GB ver.)
Redmi 1s - 8GB internal phone storage up to 32GB microSD, 1GB RAM

The internal storage are 8GB for both but zenfone 5 supports higher microSD card slot. The 16GB for Zenfone 5 is on the way to its shelves. Plus it also has a higher RAM for multi-tasking. So the Zenfone has a slight advantage at this area for heavy users hoarding apps and stuffs on their phones.

OS/ROM:
Zenfone 5 - Android 4.3 upgradable to Kitkat, ASUS ZenUI
Redmi 1s - MIUIv5 (based on Android 4.3), upgradable to MIUI v6 soon

Basically, they have the same Android versions but has custom skins, ZenUI for ASUS and the highly modified MIUI for Redmi. Both UI have great impressions and not that cluttered compared to others.

Battery:
Zenfone 5 -2110mAH
Redmi 1s -2000mAh

Their battery capacity are almost the same, also not removable. Real-life usage will surely be different, but based on their capacity, once a day charging might be foreseen on average use.

Connectivity:
Zenfone 5 - 3G, HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.0, USB On-the-Go, Dual-sim/standby
Redmi 1s - 3G, HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.0, USB On-the-Go, Dual-sim/standby

They both feature the most basic needs in terms of connectivity, the versions featured here are dual-sim, but we know that both of these phones have LTE versions yet to appear here in the Philippines.

Price:
Zenfone 5 - P6,495 official price for 8GB (P6,995 for 16GB version)
Redmi 1s - P5,599

These phones are highly anticipated, thus, supplies are limited at least for now. Zenfone 5 are available on few outlets but the good news for new buyers is 16GB will be coming at a price of just P500 more vs the 8GB version. Xiaomi Redmi 1s is almost a thousand peso cheaper which makes it a great choice for more budget-concerned customers looking for great smartphone performance.

Other Features: Both phones are well-equipped indeed. A-GPS, GLONASS, FM Radio, Compass, etc.
They can be your daily companion providing your multimedia needs without needing to break your wallets. For people with international brand preference, these phones are great choices and by looking at their specs and support, you cannot go wrong if you choose either of the two. The challenge here is their availability. The demands are high and the supplies are limited, so better plan ahead if you're gonna buy soon. 



{sources: 1, 2, 3}







Thursday, 28 August 2014

Smart Wearables Samsung Gear S and LG G Watch R Announced

Today, two leading electronic brands have separately announced their latest smartwatches. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Gear S while LG showcased the G Watch R.

Samsung Galaxy Gear White, Samsung smartwatch
Samsung Galaxy Gear S White
The Samsung Galaxy Gear S features an innovative wearable experience equipping it with 3G connectivity together with Bluetooth and WiFi. That means you can see your social media notifications, compose and send messages, and even receive and make calls.
"The Samsung Gear S redefines the idea of the smart wearable and the culture of mobile communication. It will let consumers live a truly connected life anywhere, anytime," said JK Shin, CEO and head of IT & mobile communication at Samsung Electronics.
The smartwatch has a 2-inch Super AMOLED display with curved profile so it suits your wrist well. It also has useful applications and widgets such as turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation, news feed and instant notifications with Facebook.

Being a smart wearable, it is also equipped with sensors in use for S Health and Nike+ Running applications for fitness enthusiasts. The Gear S has a dual-core 1GHz processor and 512RAM ticking inside, and a 300mAh Li-ion battery keeps it serving you for approximately 2 days. It also has 4GB internal storage, GPS, GLONASS, usb 2.0, compass, barometer and heart rate sensor. That beats even some smartphones out there. The Samsung Galaxy Gear S will be available globally starting October.

LG smartwatch, LG wrist watch
LG G Watch R
LG, on the other hand, has announced a circular wearable device to be unveiled at IFA 2014 next week. Many will be hunting for this with its round face, utilizing a new Plastic OLED which is said to boast stunning visuals even under direct sunlight and wide viewing angles. 

LG G Watch R is powered by a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB RAM and 410mAh battery. 
It also has an on-board 4GB storage and able to run compatible apps from Google Play. It also has smart notifications for missed calls, messages, events and weather forecasts.

Like the Samsung Gear S, the G Watch R has an IP67 Ingress Protection Rating that can be immersed up to 1 meter deep in 30 minutes of fresh water. It also has fitness and health apps together with a heart monitor, making them a worthy companion during workout sessions.

Both smart wearables look very promising. Each of them has a unique identity that suits the various style and experience preference of customers. We hope that these gadgets will come to our land soon at an affordable price so we can see it on mainstream not too long.


{source: LG, Samsung}



Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Wow, A Phone For P199: SKK C1

There are so much we can get on having the latest smartphones but still, there are reasons for us to have a feature phone that can at least call and text, which were its primary functions anyway. With this, one of the cheapest phone in the market today comes from a local distributor, SKK, and is named C1.

C1 cheapest phone philippines
via SKK fb

SKK C1 is priced at a very cheap P199. That's just like eating a combo meal for two in a fast food. I suddenly reminisce when I lost my smartphone years back and I rushed to the nearest mall to buy the cheapest phone that time. It was a dual-sim phone with tv and costed P1,700! But luckily, it's still working now aside from the earpiece, so every peso was indeed well spent. 

C1 has a small 1.77-inch LCD Display, just right for you to text and dial your favorite contacts. It has an expandable memory so you can use it as an mp3 player also if your favorite fm radio station isn't playing your favorite song. And one big advantage of it is you can text around even in the most crowded area without worrying of theft or having your phone snatched.

However, SKK C1 has a limited availability and it's currently sold to chosen branches in the Philippines. Hopefully, supply catches up so many can avail feature phone.


{source: SKK fb}

Sunday, 24 August 2014

KATA M2 Special Offer Ongoing, P6999 Only

After all the teasers and countdowns these past few days, Kata M2 is now out on promo with additional 25GB cloud storage and can be obtained through a special offer on their official facebook page.

kata m2, kata philippines, kata how to buy offer


The M2 is Kata's newest smartphone touting a large 5.5" Super HD (1280x720 pixels) Display, MTK 6582 Quad Core processor clocked at 1.3GHz, 16GB internal phone storage and 1GB RAM. It has a 13MP main camera and 5MP front camera.

For its connectivity, M2 has a dual sim slot and HSPA+. Its battery is a lithium-polymer battery with 2300mAh capacity, non-removable. A microSD card slot is provided and can accommodate up to 32GB. Its Android version is an updated Kitkat 4.4. One of its key point is its slim profile of just 7.98mm thickness.

In order to avail the Kata M2 with a 5+25GB Kata Cloud Storage Promo, follow this steps:
1. Like their Facebook page - Kata Digital
2. Click Get Offer on their offer feed, the first post on their page as of this writing
3. Check your facebook log-in email
4. Print the email/voucher received
5. Present the printed email/voucher on August 31, Sunday, starting 11AM at any branches of Kata nationwide

For further info, visit:
http://www.katadigital.com.ph/how.html

Kata M2 Specs:

  • 5.5" Super HD (1280x720 pixels) Display
  • MTK 6582 Quad Core processor clocked at 1.3GHz
  • 16GB internal phone storage expandable up to 32GB
  • 1GB RAM
  • 13MP main camera and 5MP front camera
  • 2300mAh Li-Po battery
  • Kitkat 4.4
  • 3g, HSPA+
  • Dual-sim, dual standby
  • Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, WiFi Hotspot
  • 157x77x7.98 mm
  • 215g
  • Free 5GB Cloud storage (+25GB promo)
  • P6,999




Friday, 22 August 2014

Xiaomi Power Banks Coming In Cheap! Plus Accessories For Mi3

Xiaomi is now up again for their next batch of flash sales next week. This time, it's not a smartphone but a companion, to bring your gadgets running throughout the day -- a power bank with 10,400 and 5,200mAh capacity!

Mi power bank, Mi power bank price specs review philippines
 The Mi Power Bank has been released quite some time now and many have enjoyed this gadget with its massive capacity, premium build quality and very affordable price. But the great news is, we can now get them soon because Mi Philippines will be bringing them here on August 29, Friday, 12noon. They didn't reveal the quantity of mi banks to be sold but we do hope there's enough for everybody.

Many have been hunting for power banks and the demand spiked when typhoon Glenda striked. I have seen tech shops where power banks were completely sold out, some never mind the quality they will be getting just to have some energy for their smartphones. But now, Mi power bank is here, the same premium quality with other brands, high capacity but at a very budget friendly price. Yes, many offer high capacity power banks at the same or lower price, but is short in quality (e.g. 0.1A charging, plastic, very bulky, etc). There are few quality power banks now with respectable specs: Romoss Sailing, Bavin, Yoobao are some. The Mi Power Bank will be a great addition to these brands for providing enough juice to our beloved gadgets, plus added protection and security features.

The Mi 3 back flip case and screen protector (matte and clear) will also be available at P495 and P175 respectively. So ready your Lazada accounts now, guys.

mi 3 official flip case philippines


For further info: Mi


Thursday, 21 August 2014

Swing Copters Now Available, Harder Than Flappy Bird?

After the great success of Flappy Bird, its creator has launched Swing Copters, another frustrating but entertaining game. It's now available for Appstore and Google Play.

swing-copters-google-play philippines swing copters, flappy bird sequel
Many of us might have experienced the frustration and at the same time, fun, brought about by the popular game, Flappy Bird. After Dong Nguyen, it's creator, took the game out and became silent for a while, here comes his new masterpiece: Swing Copters. 

Basically a guy with a propeller on its head aims to cross the swinging hammers and ascend endlessly. From the horizontal-moving flapping bird, this new game now  adapts vertical orientation in the same simple, pixelated graphics.

I admit it, I can't still pass the zero score after playing for several minutes. It's harder than Flappy Bird, in my opinion. After pressing the screen as a sign you're ready, it will fly and change direction when you tap. That's the only control you have, so no need to sway your phone left to right, okay?

I tried searching it on Google Play, but it won't come out on search results for now. And there's plenty of copy cats already getting download shares. So be careful on what you download. Here are the download links so you can just click and install.

Google Play: Download Link
App Store: Download Link

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

Xperia M2 Aqua: Highest Waterproof Rating In A Smartphone

Sony Mobile Communications has announced yesterday a new breed of waterproof smartphone in a mid-range price -- Sony Xperia M2 Aqua.

Xperia-M2-Agua-Specs-Availability-Philippines

The Xperia M2 was no doubt a hit for many smartphone users with its all-around specs at a pocket-friendly price. In lieu with this, Sony has improved its product portfolio in this price range equipping its popular M2 with additional waterproofing features.

“The popularity of Xperia M2 showed us that there was a huge demand for premium Sony features at an affordable price-point. Following consumer feedback, we’ve now taken this a step further by bringing our waterproof expertise to a mid-range smartphone for the first time with Xperia M2 Aqua..." said Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile."
With an IP65 and IP68 rating, you can now enjoy taking pictures in the rain and even under the pool. It can be immersed in a fresh water for 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1.5 meters. That's very cool for a mid-range smartphone.

The M2 Aqua shares the same capable processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 clocked at 1.2GHz, with its predecesor. It also packs LTE/4G capabilities and is one of the few international brands present in the Philippines that falls at a budget-friendly tag.

Other specs include 8MP Main camera and VGA Front cam, 2330mAh non-removable battery, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory with microSD card slot of up to 32GB, GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, and Android 4.4 Kitkat. No words still on when this device may come at our shores but with the popularity of M2 here, we may expect it just on time. For the pricing, we may see it of course at mid-range, slightly higher than M2 price currently.

Sony-Xperia-M2, M2-Aqua-Specs-Availability-Philippines

Xperia M2 Agua Specs:

  • 4.8" IPS qHD (540x960) display
  • IP65 and IP68 rating
  • LTE connectiviy
  • 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
  • Adreno 305 GPU
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB internal memory with microSD card slot of up to 32GB
  • 2330mAh non-removable battery
  • 8MP Main camera and VGA Front cam
  • Android 4.4 Kitkat
  • GLONASS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, aGPS
  • Colors: Black and White


{source: Sony}


Monday, 18 August 2014

MIUI v6: Minimalist, Elegant Design w/ Comparison to v5

Xiaomi, in part of their 4th anniversary celebration, has launched their revamped User Interface with a simple, yet elegant design -- MIUI v6.

miui-home

Xiaomi has partnered with MIUI for their smartphone's custom ROM since 2011. It was embraced by plenty of users making it the default user interface for all Xiaomi's smartphones. As some know, MIUI can also be flashed to other devices supported, but the optimization with Xiaomi smartphone is great, providing smooth and solid experience.

MIUI version 6 was heavily redesigned, now being "visually stunning, stunningly simple." The previous minimalistic design was further enhanced and made simpler with its flat icons and cleaner look. The pastel colors used are pleasing to the eye, not very contrasy and complements each other very well.

The UI was decluttered for ease of use and for the emphasis of the task you're doing. If you're currently using other UI's such as Samsung's Touchwiz and HTC Sense, you can explicitly see the approach MIUI has implemented and how a simpler skin might help.

miui v6 tools vs v5
MIUI v6
miui v5 compared
MIUI v5
The icons was completely made flat as seen in the two images above, on the left is the v6 and v5 beside it. The v5 has a minimalist 3D effect with light shadows around it while on the new iteration, the icons lay leveled and the design now are consistent when looking at the thickness of the lines and shapes used. Although now replaced, the MIUI v5 doesn't seem to look old at all.

miui calculator new
MIUI v6
miui v6 vs v5
MIUI v5
Here's the calculator comparison of MIUI v6 and v5. The buttons are also made flat, lots of shadows were gone. You can also notice that the notification bar blends with the application being used unlike on the v5 where it goes black.

v6 calendar miui
MIUI v6
xiaomi calendar v5
MIUI v5
Above is a comparison of their calendar widgets. From being transparent, the calendar background has now a solid white color. As visual experience is subjective, not all might like the complete transformation of this android skin. But aside from those, there are also other optimizations like added power saving modes, various Linux kernel and RAM optimization techniques making apps run smoother without consuming too much RAM.

miui clock xiaomi new
v6 Clock
xiaomi parallax effect compass v6
v6 Compass

New set of animations can bee seen, maybe made possible because of the simplified content. Plus, some apps uses parallax effect first seen on iPhone wallpapers. Basically, it works with the use of sensors such as Gyroscope and Accelerometer giving a relative animation based on your phone's movement.

We can see some iOS visuals on this custom UI just like what others say. But it's great to see their efforts put into this to provide a new refreshing user interface that many people will appreciate. MIUI is continuously updating and interacts with their community closely. The MIUI v6 are currently on Beta Testing and the final version for consumer used will be released within the month of October. There are no news yet on v6 support to other devices.



{source: MIUI}



Sunday, 17 August 2014

SmartBro Gadget Expo Tour Lands In Lipa

Gadget Expo these days are a hit to many people, techy geeks or not, due of the increasing trends in mobile technology. Its like a child walking at a theme park for gadget lovers out there, with all the smartphones, promos, celebrities and awesome deals around.

SmartBro Expo Lipa- SmartBro Expo Schedule

SmartBro has reached Batangas with its Gadget Expo that started last friday Aug. 15, happening until this day for the 2nd leg of their biggest gadget convention in the country. The Event was launched last July 26 at SM Megamall where large electronics companies joined including Samsung, LG, Acer, Asus, Huawei, Kata, Sony, Alcatel, Cherry Mobile, O+, Lenovo, Coby, Power Mac Center, Microsoft Windows Phone and more.

There are plenty of treats catered for Smart subscribers where they can avail gadgets such as smartphones and pocket wifi of up to 50% off. There are also auctions where you can bid and win devices at a very cheap price. You can also jam and have fun with celebrities just like Basilyo, which was at Robinson's Lipa yesterday (see photo below).

SmartBro Lipa, Smartbro Tour Schedules

There are also booths where you can apply Smart Postpaid Plans for a discounted price. And what many like more are the live units or product demos which are real and not dummies which you typically see at malls that's just made up of casing and a carton with a picture on the screen area. Here's an example below, a Kata T mini.

Kata T mini Philippines

The auctions feature great items which you can of course get large amounts of savings from its original price tags. Many participated and enjoyed their new gadgets at great discounts. I was waiting for an LTE pocket wifi device to be auctioned, but sadly, we have to go somewhere in a jiffy.

SmartBro discount auction


If you missed the first two legs of SmartBro Gadget Expo because of the event location which may be too far away from home, don't worry because Smart will be on tour to specific areas until November this year.

Here's a list of the upcoming SmartBro Gadget Expo:

SM Pampanga: August 23-31, 2014
SM Cebu: Septemeber 19-21, 2014
Davao (Gaisano Mall): October 3-5, 2014
Limketkai CDO: October 10-12, 2014
Mall Of Asia Music Hall: November 14-16/28-30, 2014

Follow their social media accounts to stay updated.
Smart FB, Smart Tweeter






Friday, 15 August 2014

THL 5000: Octa-core With 5000mAh Battery Coming In September

Many octa-core phones are now widely seen on the top shelves boasting its processing power. But some units come short and fail to last 'til evening due to the lack of available battery juices. To resolve that, here comes a phone with a massive battery, THL 5000.

THL-5000-specs-price-philippines

Novo7 Tech will be bringing in a new phone, THL 5000, in the first week of September. So what's special about this phone that other octa-core android smartphones does not have, making lots of people long for it? Well, the THL 5000 has a massive 5000mAh silicon anode li-polymer battery that promises up to 1000 hours standby time, 47 hours talk time, 11 hours web browsing on wifi, 125 hours of listening to music using a headset and11.6 hours video playing.

THL-philippines-price-specs-review

Aside from the battery, its overall capabilities are respectable as well making it a handy company on your daily routines. The display is 5-inch IPS Full-HD (1920x1080 pixels) at 441ppi, One-Glass-Solution (OGS) and is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass III keeping your screen scratch-free. Under it is a 2.0 GHz MTK6592 Cortex A7 octa-core processor paired with Mali-450 MP4 GPU and 2GB RAM. It also has 32GB internal phone storage that's also expandable via a microSD card up to 32GB.

The main camera is a Sony-made, IMX135, 13MP camera with F2.0 aperture and 5MP front camera for your selfies. The device runs on Android 4.4 Kitkat. It supports dual-sim and dual-standby. For better music experience, the device comes with NXP-Box audio solutions. Because of its high battery capacity, THL 5000 has given a skill to charge other mobile devices. Cool. 

The device has a standard dimensions of 144.2 x 70.4 x 8.9mm. It's pretty thin considering a humongous battery inside it, and it's light also at 146g. Other basic functions you can find on a smartphones are also present: GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi tethering, NFC, USB On-the-Go and FM.

Novo7 Tech is now accepting pre-orders and reservations through Private Message on their Facebook Page . The price tag will be at P11,599 when you pre-order now. It will be available on their branches in SM North EDSA, SM Southmall, Lucky Chinatown, Gateway Cubao on 1st week of September.

THL 5000 Specs

  • 5-inch IPS Full-HD (1920x1080 pixels) OGS, Gorilla Glass 3
  • 2.0 GHz MTK6592 Cortex A7 octa-core processor
  • Mali-450 MP4 GPU
  • 2GB RAM
  • 32GB internal phone storage expandable via microSD card up to 32GB.
  • 13MP Sony-made camera and 5MP front camera
  • Android 4.4 Kitkat
  • 5000mAh silicon anode li-polymer battery
  • HSPA+, 3G
  • Dual-sim, Dual standby
  • 144.2 x 70.4 x 8.9mm, 146g
  • GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi tethering, NFC, USB On-the-Go and FM
  • Reverse charging
  • Gesture features
  • NXP-Box audio solutions
  • P11,599 (pre-order)
  • Availability: SM North EDSA, SM Southmall, Lucky Chinatown, Gateway Cubao on 1st week of September.


{other source}



Thursday, 14 August 2014

Smart Now 5G Network Capable

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has bumped up again their internet speed that can now possibly reach 1 gigabit per second. The technology mentioned is called the Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) or 5G.

smart-lte-a-location-philippines
Picture From Smart Showing 200+ mbps Download Speed
LTE or 4G was brought to the Philippines by Smart two years ago and many subscribers are now enjoying the fast data transfers in their mobile devices. Although the not yet 100%, the cell site upgrade is still on going so that many Filipinos can be reached. But here's another reason to be excited about. The LTE-A has reached our shores.

LTE-A, according to smart, can deliver data between 100mbps up to 1000mbps that's faster than 3G ten folds and twice as quick than LTE. Some call it 5G, other experts refer it as true 4G, but what matters more is that we're lucky to be one of the pioneering countries to have this advancement in mobile communication technology.
“The PLDT Group’s strategy has always been to create solutions that address the varying needs of all segments of our customers, to bring fixed, wireless and mobile broadband services where they really matter. They may be delivered at different speeds and volumes, using a variety of technologies, and meant to respond to a wide range of needs of the market – but all of it is aimed at bringing the benefits of the internet to every Filipino,” said Ramon Isberto, Public Affairs head for Smart and its parent company the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT)." 

The LTE-Advance makes it possible to download a 10MB file less than a second, no buffering when watching Youtube videos and lag-free videocalls, as stated by Smart. But aside from the big bump in speed, subscribers can also benefit with its added capabilities of additional network capacity thus providing more reliable and consistent connections. I'm sure many of us will be testing where these signals might be found, but take note that you need a device that has LTE-A (ex. S4 LTE-A) capabilities as well.


{source: SMART}



Wednesday, 13 August 2014

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Now Official

Samsung has just unveiled their new metal-clad smartphone named as Galaxy Alpha. It features a fresh elegant design with the same premium taste as the current Galaxy flagships around.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Specs, Galaxy Alpha Features

The Samsung Galaxy Alpha boasts a shiny metal frame and a slim body. If you're taking a look at a distance, it looks like the S5, but zooming in on the sides will show you an intricate design with its eye-catching combination of soft matte and shiny metal parts. At 6.7mm thickness, it brags the slimmest Galaxy device title at this time. 

The Alpha feats a 4.7-inch HD (1280x720 pixels) Super AMOLED Display. At that size, it may battle the upcoming Xperia Z3 Compact and the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 on the leaks. Its performance is still premium with an Exynos 5 Octa-core processor and 2GB RAM. The storage is not expandable but at an acceptable capacity of 32GB.

The main camera is at 12MP and 2.1MP for the front one. It's battery might be small at 1,860mAh. Its feature set is just like what the Galaxy flagships mostly offer including Ultra-Power saving mode, finger print scanner, S Health, heart-rate sensor, download booster, etc. The Galaxy Alpha will be available in September at 150 countries; we don't know yet whether Philippines will be included in that list. It will come in Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver, and Scuba Blue. The price may be steep at $690 or around P30,300 direct conversion.

Galaxy alpha specs availability

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Specs:

  • 4.7-inch HD (1280x720 pixels) Super AMOLED Display
  • Exynos 5 Octa-core processor (four 1.8GHz + four 1.3GHz)
  • LTE Cat.6
  • 2GB RAM
  • 32GB internal phone storage
  • 12MP main and 2.1MP front camera
  • 1,860mAh battery
  • Android 4.4.4 Kitkat
  • Slim profile at 132.4 x 65.5 x 6.7 mm, 115g
  • Download booster, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
  • Finger print sensor, heart-rate monitor
  • Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver, and Scuba Blue colors
  • $690 or around P30,300 direct conversion.

{source: 1 & 2}

Tuesday, 12 August 2014

NVIDIA Unveils Android's First 64-bit ARM Processor

It was just a few months after the first device powered by NVIDIA's Tegra K1, Xiaomi MiPad, was released to the market. We have witnessed its marvelous processing power and performance that leads the other SoCs present today. And yet, a newcomer was introduced -- the 64-bit  version.


The 32-bit Tegra K1 uses four A15 CPUs clocked at up to 2.3GHz paired with the kepler-based GPU which have showcased its computing and graphics processing powers, leaving competitors behind its back. While we are still waiting to feel the power of the 32-bit Tegra K1 here in the Philippines, NVIDIA is now showing off the developments and information of its bigger brother with the codename "Denver."

The new 64-bit Tegra K1 is paired with their desktop-grade 192-core Kepler architecture-based GPU with NVIDIA's custom-designed dual-core Denver CPU and also ARMv8 compatible. Compared to the 32-bit version, Denver has a clock-speed of up to 2.5GHz but is 64-bit and it is claimed to offer the highest single-core performance compared to all processors currently available making the dual-core Denver a leader compared to other dual-core, quad-core and octa-core SoCs.

With NVIDIA's advanced engineering and technology, Tegra K1 was said to possess a PC-class performance, reduced power consumption extending a device's battery life and the best browsing experience. Exciting isn't it? Furthermore, the company said that they are having their support with the upcoming Android version, "L."

The devices that will use the Denver-based chipset are still unknown but NVIDIA hints the arrival of some devices later this year packing the 64-bit processor.


For more info, visit NVIDIA's blog
{via: AndroidAuthority}

Sunday, 10 August 2014

Smart Launches All-In-One Menu: Dial *121# to Access Latest Promos

Smart Communications, Inc. just unveiled a new feature for prepaid subscribers. No need to memorize all the promo codes and where to send them, all you need is dial *121#.

register-promo-smart, new promo smart, register smart promo

Finally, here's a great help to all prepaid subscribers out there. I also experience those hardships on getting keywords to type and where to send them to register for a specific promo. But we can now move on and just dial a USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) code, *121#.

Upon dialling the code, you will see the hottest offer and numbers you have to type with the corresponding services. The unli offers, all text plus, mega 250, and internet offers are catered in the all-in-one menu. Easy, right?

This is not the first USSD Code that Smart has unveiled. Last year, *214# let subscribers check their load balances, remaining data, and expiration date of registered promos for free. And many were asking then on when will Smart provide other codes for registering to their promos, just like what Globe did with their nifty *143# service. So, here it is -better late than never.

Here's their latest commercial to let people know this helpful update. Just remember that you cannot touch the screen when using the USSD menu unlike what's seen in this video.

       

For more info: Visit Smart

Saturday, 9 August 2014

Cherry Mobile Pulse: Octa-core At P6,499

One of leading local smartphone brand, Cherry Mobile, ring bells as they brings us the cheapest octa-core yet at an economical price of P6,499 -- Cherry Mobile Pulse.

cherry mobile philippines, cheap phone,


We've obviously seen in recent releases that more and more smartphones come with decent specs without putting holes on customer's pockets. That's what consumers are exactly looking for, right? Few weeks ago, Flare 3 was announced and many accepted it with open arms, but some getting impatient on the limited supply for now. With the advent of Pulse, people's choices will be expanded once again.

Moving on its well-rounded specs, the display is a 5-inch IPS HD (1280x720 pixels) screen that is protected by Dragontrail Scratch Resistant Glass. Ticking inside is a 1.7Ghz MTK 6592 Octa-core Processor with ARM Mali-450 GPU. The SoC is known being a true octa-core that can run all eight cores simultaneously depending on the task as well as great performance, low power consumption and temperature regulation. The internal phone storage is at 8GB partnered with a microSD card slot that can accommodate up to 64GB memory cards.

The main camera is also respectable at 13MP and front camera at 5MP. For connectivity, HSPA+ is available for your fast mobile internet needs with dual-sim slots and dual-standby. For the software side, this smartphone comes with Android 4.4 Kitkat out-of-the-box. It would help in the issues of some people frequently asking for updates on their phones. It is also equipped with a feature called Double Tap To Wake, wherein you can save your button and fingers from exerting much effort in waking up the screen -- just tap it twice and the display goes live again.

The Cherry Mobile Pulse will be a good catch with its great specs at low price of P6,499. Many are now eagerly waiting on the availability of this octa-core phone.

Cherry Mobile Pulse Initial Specs:

  • 5-inch IPS HD (1280x720 pixels) screen
  • Dragontrail Scratch Resistant Glass
  • 1.7Ghz MTK 6592 Octa-core Processor
  • ARM Mali-450 GPU
  • 8GB  internal phone storage expandable up to 64GB via microSD
  • 13MP main cam and 5MP front camera
  • HSPA+, 3G
  • Android Kitkat 4.4
  • Dual-sim, Dual standby 
  • Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS
  • Double Tap to Wake
  • P6,499








Friday, 8 August 2014

Smart Offers Xiaomi Mi3 Free at Data Plan 999, Pre-order Now

Philippine Telco giant Smart Telecommunications, Inc. just unveiled their new postpaid plans for what they call legendary smartphone, Xiaomi Mi3.

smart-mi3-plan, postpaid mi3

Mi3 from Xiaomi has become a huge hit since it landed on the Philippine shore two months ago. It has premium specs that can battle local and international flagship phones and all that at a very affordable price. But if you're looking for an amortized way for paying this smartphone and longing for a mobile internet service to stay updated with your loved ones, then Smart has a postpaid plan offer for you.

Shown in the picture above is one of the postpaid offerings bundled with Mi3 available now for pre-order -- Unlisurf Plan 999. It also comes with 99 All-net Texts and 9 minutes all-net calls. The contract or holding period will be for 24 months. Other plans available are the All-in Plans: 500, 800, 1200, 1800 and the Data Plans: 1500 and 2000.

For more info, visit: Smart

See also: Xiaomi Mi3 Review

Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Redmi Note 4G/LTE Official: Snapdragon, Lighter, Same Affordable Price

Xiaomi has unveiled another spotlight-worthy smartphone that comes with a Snapdragon processor, LTE connectivity, and other very capable hardware with the same price tag of just above ~P7,000.

Redmi Note LTE/4G, Xiaomi Redmi Note Philippines, Specs availability xiaomi note

So what are the main difference between the newer version versus the previous one? The 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6592 processor is swapped with a 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Maybe not really faster but some prefer the Snapdragon SoC. Furthermore, the LTE version is 10 grams lighter and the microSD card can now handle 64GB ones. Also, the extra sim slot is removed making it a single-sim only. The MIUI v5 ROM is upgraded at Android Kitkat 4.4.

The display is retained at a phablet size of 5.5 inches IPS HD (1280x720 pixels), 2GB of RAM and 8GB internal phone storage. The battery is also the same at a notable capacity of 3100mAh. With some appealing changes made on the Redmi Note 4G/LTE variant, the price is kept affordable at 999yuan or around P7,000 when directly converted to our currency. The 3G Redmi Note has not reached Philippines yet but we do hope that Xiaomi release these phones on our country soon.  

Redmi Note 4G/LTE specs:

  • 5.5 inches IPS HD (1280x720 pixels)
  • 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8928 processor
  • Adreno 305 GPU
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 8GB internal phone storage
  • MicroSD card slot up to 64GB
  • MIUI v5 based on Android Kitkat 4.4
  • 3100mAh battery
  • 189g
  • 13MP main and 5MP front camera
  • Single Sim
  • LTE/4G, 3G
  • USB OTG, Bluetooth 4.0
  • Priced at 999yuan (around P7,000 direct conversion)

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Lenovo VIBE Z2 Pro Officially Announced

Lenovo has announced today its newest flagship in the form of a 6-inch phablet -- Vibe Z2 Pro. Let's take a quick glance on its high-end capabilities below.

Lenovo vibe z2 pro specs philippines

From the previous smartphone models announced in the past with the Pro tag on its name, we can expect that Vibe Z2 Pro, which packs a huge 6-inch screen, is in the same bandwagon as the other phablets. The Quad HD screen (2560 x 1440 ppixels) with a high pixel density of 490ppi bears a quality of a high-end phone.

Concealed in its internal is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz. Multitasking would be easy with its 3GB of RAM. For your gaming needs, Adreno 330 is at your service. The smartphone does not come with a slot for your microSD card, but with 32GB of internal phone memory, that's quite enough for the many. 

For its imaging department, the 16MP camera on the back has a BSI sensor with Optical Image Stabilization, dual LED flash and can record videos of up to 4k resolution. This phone also has dual-sim slots with dual-standby, and LTE connectivity for your future-proof downloading needs.

A battery of 4000mAh is provided for us to enjoy all those high-end specs. Its metallic internals is a plus and suits well with its profile of 156 x 81.3 x 7.7mm, weighing 179 grams. The color options would be  white, black and gold and the availability would be on September, but no words on when and how much this will land on the Philippines.



DTC Announces New Phone: DTC Blade

DTC has teased their fans on a coming smartphone with decent daily-driver specs named as DTC Blade.

DTC Blade Philippines, DTC Blade specs

DTC Blade sports a 5-inch qHD (960x540 pixels) IPS LCD Screen, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM and 2000 mAh battery. It might have gotten its name with its slim profile at only 8.5mm thin. The price is not yet listed but my guess would be below P7k since local smartphone competition gets more and more interesting recently with their quality specs at an affordable price tag.

DTC Blade Partial Specs:
  • 5-inch qHD (960x540 pixels) IPS LCD Screen
  • 1.2GHz quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 2000 mAh battery
  • Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
  • 4GB internal phone storage
  • 8MP Main and 2MP Front camera
  • 8.5mm thin
  • Price yet to be announced



Saturday, 2 August 2014

Meizu MX3 to be brought by Novo7 Tech in the Philippines

Novo7 Tech has been posting images of an unnamed phone yesterday that resembles the physical attributes of Meizu MX3, a flagship phone that hosts outstanding hardware for an affordable price tag.

Meizu MX 3 Novo7 Tech, Meizu flagship android, Meizu Price Philippines

Announced September 2013, Meizu MX3 is a third-generation flagship phone from the Beijing-based company, Meizu. The smartphone is powered by a Smart 8-core CPU which is basically Samsung's Exynos 5 Octa CPU (four 1.6GHz Cortex-A15 cores & four 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 cores), 2GB RAM and 2400mAh Li-Poly battery.

The front is dominated by a 5.1-inch LCD (1800 × 1080 resolution) Display. It has an 8MP AF Main and 2MP front camera. The internal memory has 16/32/64/128 GB versions, but we don't know yet which of those will come.

The pricing and availability in the Philippines are yet to be announced but it better be competitive enough to battle local flagships and international ones as well.

Meizu MX 3 Specs:

  • 5.1-inch LCD (1800 × 1080 resolution) Display
  • Smart 8-core CPU (four 1.6GHz Cortex-A15 cores & four 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 cores)
  • 2GB RAM
  • PowerVR SGX 544MP3 GPU
  • 2400mAh Li-Poly battery
  • 16/32/64/128 GB internal phone storage (tba)
  • HSPA+, 3G
  • 8MP AF Main and 2MP front camera
  • Flyme OS 3.0 based on Android 4.2
  • WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
  • GPS, AGPS, GLONASS


{source 1 & 2}

Friday, 1 August 2014

Deezer: A Great Way To Enjoy Music

I've been listening to music using my smartphone since they existed even with the dawn of dedicated music players like iPod. Likewise, I've been struggling on keeping myself updated with the hottest and newest songs available. And Mp3 take up too much space on my internal phone storage. Because of the aforementioned reasons, I decided to venture on using a music streaming app called Deezer.

Deezer Smart, deezer philippines

Deezer has been launched almost a month ago. I decided to give it a try and see if music streaming can now be fruitfully enjoyed because of further network improvements in the country. There is a 15-day free trial of their Premium+ features which you better try too. 

A Brief Info About Deezer


  • Deezer is one of the leading global music streaming service that came from France with extensive coverage of more than 180 countries. 
  • It has the largest music catalogue that grows constantly and is currently more than 30 million music tracks of wide variety
  • It has a wide range of devices supported - smartphones, tablets, cars, smart TVs, speakers
  • It has music discovery features like Flow and Explore which are chosen carefully by computer algorithms and professional music editors as well
  • See what others are currently listening to, create own playlist, mark favorites
  • It caters local artists and songs
  • Unlimited Radio streaming with filtering options even in free version

Deezer Premium Features

  • Enjoy music even without data connection or WiFi (Offline Mode)
  • No Advertisements
  • Access Deezer Picks -- a music discovery feature by Deezer Editors
  • Enhanced Audio Quality up to 320kbps
  • Subscription available even outside the country
  • Listen across your all devices at once: desktop, phone, tablet
  • Unlimited Skips, Search and Play, 
  • Exclusive content: concert tickets, gigs and more
  • Chromecast support
Here are some screenshots on their Android App:

Android Deezer
Main Menu

Charts Menu Deezer
Charts
 Charts are only available on Premium subscribers.

Explore Menu Deezer
Explore

Hear This Menu Deezer
Hear This
 Hear this feature is a great way to discover new music, trending songs and tracks you might have missed from the past.

In our country, Deezer has partnered with Smart Communications to deliver a new music streaming service to Filipino mobile subscribers. Currently, only Postpaid subscribers can enjoy this service but Smart will soon announce subscription plans also to Prepaid subscribers as well.

“We are excited to announce this pioneering partnership with Deezer, which will deliver even more exciting music experiences to our subscribers and enhance their mobile lifestyles on the go,” Mellissa Limcaoco said, Smart Innovation and Product Development Group Head.

Initial plan offerings with Deezer Premium+ bundle has P175 rebate for the first 6 months. Including are the Unlisurf LTE Plans starting from Plan 1175 (Unlisurf LTE, 174 All-net texts, 9 min all-net calls, 20 mins tri-net calls). Higher plans would add all-net calls and texts.

For existing postpaid subscribers, you can avail these flexibundles:

  • Deezer 25 Daily - Premium+, 25 all-net sms, 10mb
  • Deezer 125 Weekly - Premium+, 125 all-net sms, 50mb
  • Deezer 250 Montlhy - Premium+, 250 all-net sms, 100mb
The LTE Plan option is great but my area is still deprived of the LTE signal. Until that time comes, I hope that Smart will announce the prepaid bundled promo soon. Try it yourself now, music streaming would be indeed in the near future. Plus, it's completely legal and you support the music industry.


For more info: Smart, Deezer