Midyear Smartphone Buyers Guide - Postpaid options

Two years ago,  service providers only had a few phone choices for postpaid subscribers. Now, the number of options to choose from is dizzying. We are writing this guide to help assist you in making a choice, but there are some things you should consider.

We do not think a smartphone is of much use without a substantial data plan, so in this guide we focus on plans with at least 1 GB of data. We have several phones on unlimited data plans, and they do not go over 1 GB in a month, typically using 600 MB to 750 MB of data despite heavy use. Please note, we do not use any of them as modems for laptops or hotspots for other devices. If you do, unlimited is the way to go. 

The devices are also phones, so we do not look at the "data only" plan options.

1. Samsung Galaxy S III - The best smartphone ever built

Free from Smart at Data Plan 2000 (30 month lock-in) or Globe at UnliSurf Plan 2499 (24 month lock-in).

Quick specifications:

Android 4.x
4.8-inch, 720 x 1280 Super AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 2
16 GB storage expandable via Micro SD card
1 GB of RAM
Quad core 1.4 GHz processor ARM Cortex-A9
Mali-400MP graphics
Exynos chipset
8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
1.9 MP front camera
1080p video recording
HSDPA 21.1 Mbps
2100 mAh battery
Php32,990 suggested retail price

Pros. The Samsung Galaxy S III is the best smartphone ever built. It comes with a 4.8-inch 720p display which would impress most everybody. It has a excellent 8 MP camera that allows you to take multiple shots lag free. Those who own a HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy Nexus or Samsung Galaxy Note, will not be impressed enough to want to upgrade to this phone, but pretty much everyone else will. 

Basically, Samsung got the smartphone of the year Galaxy S II, put a better display, doubled the speeds and increased the battery life by 20%. There is nothing better than this phone in the market today, and it is unlikely that there will a Galaxy S III killer till this time next year. Basically, this is as good as it gets.

Cons. The Samsung Galaxy S III is a big phone. It is a tad bit over 70 mm wide. While it is a very thing 8.6 mm, some may find it too big for their liking. 

Recommended plans. While Globe Telecom offers the Samsung Galaxy S III free at Plan 2499 it make more sense to get this phone at Plan 1799, add Php4,800 cash for the phone, and if you are a heavy user add one of Globe's unlimited call or text services. This comes out to Php2,598 a month, but it is a much better value for money proposition than  than Plan 2499.  

For Smart, the Galaxy S III is available at Data Plan 2000 but with a 30-month lock-in. If you find 30 months too long, you can pay Php2,500 for the phone and get it at the same plan with a 24 month lock-in.

2. Samsung Galaxy Nexus - Pure Android

Free from Smart at Data Plan 2000 (24 month lock-in).

Quick specifications:

Android 4.x
4.65-inch, 720 x 1280 Super AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass
16 GB storage, non-expandable via Micro SD card
1 GB of RAM
Quad core 1.2 GHz processor ARM Cortex-A9
PowerVR SGX540 graphics
TI OMAP chipset
5 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
1.3 MP front camera
1080p video recording
HSDPA 21.1 Mbps
1750 mAh battery
Php30,000 suggested retail price

Pros. Runs pure unmodified Android.  

Cons. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is outclassed by the Samsung Galaxy S III in every category. 

Recommended plans.  Smart Data Plan 2000.

3. Apple iPhone 4S - A good alternative for those wanting a more compact package

Free at Globe UnliSurf Plan 2499 or Smart at iPhone Plan 2499 Data Plan 2000 (both with 24 month lock-in).

Quick specifications:

IOS 5.x
3.5-inch, 640 x 960 LCD IPS display protected by scratch resistant glass
16/32/64 GB storage, not expandable
512 MB of RAM
Dual core 1 GHz processor ARM Cortex-A9 processor
PowerVR SGX543MP2
Apple A5 chipset
8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
VGA front camera
1080p video recording
HSDPA 14.4 Mbps
1432 mAh battery
Php33,200 for 16 GB model suggested retail price (from Smart)

Pros. The Apple iPhone 4S comes in a nice handy package which is just 58.6 mm wide and 9.3 mm thin. It has a excellent camera and while it does not match up all that well against the latest and greatest Android phones it won't disappoint either, it weakest feature being talk time. If you want a compact package, there really is nothing in this size range that beats the iPhone 4S.

Cons. The iPhone 4S is a incremental update of a 2010 design, the iPhone 4. In four of five months, we expect to see a completely new and much better iPhone. If you want an iPhone, I would just wait, since after that I will be stuck with it for two years. 

Recommended plans. While Globe Telecom offers the Apple iPhone 4S free at Plan 2499 it make more sense to get this phone at Plan 1799, add Php4,800 cash for the phone, and if you are a heavy user add one of Globe's unlimited call or text services. This comes out to Php2,598 a month, but it is a much better value for money proposition than Plan 2499.  

For Smart, the Apple iPhone 4S is available at iPhone Plan 2499 which comes with 1 GB of data. If you want unlimited data, you can pay Php2,500 for the phone and get it at the Data Plan 2000.

4. Samsung Galaxy Note - For those looking for more of a PDA, than a phone

Free at Smart Data Plan 2000 or Globe UnliSurf Plan 2499

Quick specifications:

Android 4.x
5.3-inch, 800 x 1280 Super AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass
16 GB storage expandable via Micro SD card
1 GB of RAM
Dual core 1.4 GHz processor ARM Cortex-A9
Mali-400MP graphics
Exynos chipset
8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
2 MP front camera
1080p video recording
HSDPA 21.1 Mbps
2500 mAh battery
Php29,990 suggested retail price

Pros. People have called this a "Phablet." A cross between a phone and a tablet. It's 5.3-inch display does make it much more functional than your typical phone, and the 5.3-inches is really a lot bigger than it sounds. This makes it an excellent e-Book reader, a great gaming platform and with the sylus a the bundled stylus, and stylus optimized software, really nice photo editing and note taking tool. If you see it, try it and like it, nothing else will satisfy you.

Cons. I think this device is ridiculously big, and awkward to use as a phone. But after 7 million units sold, a lot of buyers obviously disagree. 

Recommended plans.  Smart offers the Samsung Galaxy Note free at Data Plan 2000. Globe offers it free at a much higher plan, UnliSurf Data Plan 2499, which makes the Smart offer look better. You can get it for Php4,800 at UnliSurf Data Plan 1799 from Globe, which pretty much matches the Smart offer.


June 20, 2012 update. Existing Windows Phone devices will not be getting an update to Windows Phone 8.  Current Windows Phone handsets will be getting some Windows Phone 8 features with a Windows Phone 7.8 update. Windows Phone 8 has a new kernel. Basically, the underlying architecture is different. While Windows Phone 7.5 apps will run on Windows Phone 8, new apps might not run on Windows Phone 7.5. Because of this, it might not be advisable to get a Windows Phone device at the present time.  

5. Nokia Lumia 800 - Good choice is navigation is important to you, if not the Samsung Galaxy S III and Apple iPhone 4S is just Php4,800 away

Free from Globe at UnliSurf Plan 1799.

Quick specifications:

Windows Phone 7.5
3.7-inch, 480 x 800 AMOLED display with Nokia's Clear Black technology, protected by Gorilla Glass
16 GB storage, not expandable
512 MB of RAM
Single core 1.4 GHz processor ARM Cortex-A9
Adreno 205 grphics
Qualcomm chipset
8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
No front camera
720p video recording
HSDPA 14.4 Mbps
1450 mAh battery
Php23,990 suggested retail price

Pros. The Nokia Lumia 800 has Nokia Drive, Nokia's voice guided turn-by-turn Navigation, which is the best bundled navigation software in the Philippines for a smartphone. Given how much navigation software costs, it is something to consider. 

Cons. While the 8 MP camera with the Carl Zeiss lens sounds impressive, it really does match up to the camera's on the Samsung Galaxy S III and Note, or the Apple iPhone 4S all that well. The hardware is date being more comparable to a later 2010 phone, than  2012 device, hence you have limitations like 720p video recording and a slower to focus camera. 

Recommend plan. UnliSurf Plan 1799

6. Nokia Lumia 710 - Not bad for the plan. 

Free from Smart at Data Plan 1500.

Quick specifications:

Windows Phone 7.5

3.7-inch, 480 x 800 LCD display with Nokia's Clear Black technology, protected by Gorilla Glass 

8 GB storage, not expandable 

512 MB of RAM

Single core 1.4 GHz processor ARM Cortex-A9

Adreno 205 grphics

Qualcomm chipset

5 MP autofocus camera with LED flash

No front camera

720p video recording

HSDPA 14.4 Mbps

1300 mAh battery

No suggested retail price. Smart exclusive.

Pros. A cheaper version of the Nokia Lumia 800 but still have Nokia Drive. 

Cons. A cheaper version of the Nokia Lumia 800 with less than half the storage, a less impressive display and a poorer quality camera.

Recommend plan. Data Plan 1500.

7. BlackBerry Curve 9320 - Okay lets talks about the service, not the phone

Quick specifications:

BlackBerry 7.0
2.4-inch, 320 x 480 LCD display (not touch capable)
512 MB ROM, storage expandable via Micro SD card
512 GB of RAM
3.15 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
2 MP front camera
VGA video recording
HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
1450 mAh battery
No suggested retail price. Still on pre-order from Globe.

Pros. Php999 a month gives you unlimited Internet access, BlackBerry email and BlackBerry messaging, and that still leaves you Php400 consumable for calls and SMS.

Cons. The hardware is pretty outdated, and BlackBerry will be releasing a whole new set of devices in a few months which will be built on a completely new operating system. 

Recommended plan.  Globe BlackBerry Plan 999.

What about the other Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy S Advance and Galaxy Nexus? There are several other Android phones available at Globe Data Plan 1799, like the Samsung Galaxy S Advance. But if you want an Android at Plan 1799, I really would think you may as well add Php4,800 and get the Galaxy S III. On a postpaid plan the price difference is only Php4,800. If you were to buy the phone unlocked, the Galaxy S III costs all of 13K more.

Smart has the Samsung Galaxy Nexus free at Data Plan 2000, and for some Android purist, this is the only choice. But with the Galaxy S III available for Pyhp2,500 more, the Galaxy S III looks like the better option. The Galaxy S III is much faster and has a much longer battery life the the Galaxy Nexus.

Check out our others smartphone buyers guides:

Postpaid options
Over Php22,000

Below Php12,000

Sony Vaio T13 Ultrabook

Sony has been a bit late coming into the Ultrabook game. In part, I think it is because its Sony Vaio S series is pretty much almost an Ultrabook with a less than 1 inch thickness and 3.8 pounds in weight. Building lower cost Ultrabooks will directly compete with its Vaio S. But Sony showed off an Ultrabook a month ago, the T13, and now it is priced.

The Sony Vaio T13 features a 13.3 inch display with a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, a 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5-3317u processor, and a 320GB hard drive with a 32 GB SSD, all for a very reasonable asking price of US$799. This gives us hope that it will comes in at Php40,000 to Php45,000, once it hits the local shelves.

The Sony Vaio T13 has a brushed aluminum lid with a plastic and magenssium allow for the rest of the case. The case follows the design similar to its S and Z series siblings. The Sony Vaio T13 is 0.71 inches thick and weighs in a 3.4 pounds. An 11.6-inch version will also be released.

I hope this thing is offered in black.

Android, iOS and Windows Phone duke it out at Globe's Plan 1799

Globe has some interesting offerings at Plan 1799. It is offering the Android powered Samsung Galaxy S Advance, the iOS powered Apple iPhone 3GS and the Windows Phone powered Nokia Lumia 800 all at Plan 1799 (two year lock-in). If you are looking for a smartphone on a postpaid plan from Globe at Plan 1799, which of the three is the best option?

All three phones are mid-level offerings, and this comparison will be focused on the needs of the typical user and not the hardcore smartphone enthusiast.

Operating system. I am not going to try to identify the best operating system. The one reason I found Globe Plan 1799 interesting is that you have a choice of all three. Globe has demo phones on all its larger Hub's, I suggest you go try them out.

Android operating system has the most features, but is has the highest learning curve. Apple iOS, has good apps, but the interface itself is pretty much like a PC. You really just have an app launcher. Windows Phone occupies the middle ground in between. It like tiles give at a glance information like Android. You cannot customize it as much, but that also makes it a fair bit easier to learn.

This is more of a warning. Apple will be releasing a new version of iOS for its iPhones, iOS 6, in four or five months. There is no confirmation on whether the Apple iPhone 3GS will be getting iOS 6. Similarly, Microsoft will be releasing a new version of its phone OS, Windows Phone 8, five months. There is no confirmation whether the Nokia Lumia 800 will get an update to Windows Phone 8. Finally, the Samsung Galaxy S Advance, does not come with the latest Android operating system, Android 4.0. There is no commitment from Samsung that the Galaxy S Advance will be getting Android 4.0, much less the next version of Android which we expect to be coming out in a few years.

But from the point of view of the typical user, new versions of on operating system just offer additional functionality. Since these phones are smartphones, third party apps can be used instead if you want some new features. Other features are hardware based, like Android 4.0 ability to instantaneously take one phone after another with near zero lag. In those case, a updated operating system does not mean that feature will work with older phones.

So while having the latest operating system is nice, for most people, it really does not improve the functionality of their device all that much. All three operating systems found on these three phones are pretty mature, and if they did not get updated in the next two years, I really would not loose much sleep over it.

 

Display. The first thing you will notice with a modern touchscreen smartphone is the display, and this is where the iPhone 3Gs will show its age. In fairness, the Apple iPhone 3Gs is now three years old, making it one of the oldest smartphones still in the market. The iPhone 3GS has a 3.5-inch LCD display with a 320 x 480 pixel resolution. While functional, the display does not look as vibrant on the displays on newer devices, and the 320 x 480 display is really something now relegated to budget devices. The Nokia Lumia 800 has a larger 3.7-inch display, which boast a higher 480 x 800 pixel resolution. The Lumia 800 uses AMOLED and  Nokia Super Clear Black technology, making it the best display among the three phones. Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Advance has a 4-inch 480 x 800 display, which is the same display which graced the Samsung Galaxy S two years ago. While not as pretty as the display on the Lumia 800, the larger 4-inch size will make it a better choice for many.

Winner: A tie between the Nokia Lumia 800 and the Samsung Galaxy S Advance. 

Storage. The version of the Apple iPhone 3GS being offered by Globe comes with 8GB of storage, which should be sufficient for the typical user. The Nokia Lumia 800 comes with 16 GB of internal storage, which should be enough even if you load a fair amount of multi-media on the phone. The Samsung Galaxy S Advance being offered by Globe comes with 8 GB of internal storage,  but is expandable via a MicroSD card, which will allow you to expand internal storage up to 40GB. The Lumia 800 has more storage out of the box. The Galaxy S Advance has the most storage if you are willing to invest a few hundred on a MicroSD card.

Winner: A tie between the Nokia Lumia 800 and the Samsung Galaxy S Advance.

Camera. The Apple iPhone 3GS has a 3.15 MP auto focus camera. It does not have a flash. The camera on the iPhone 3GS will make you quickly realize why Instagram became so popular. The iPhone 3GS produces poor quality photos, so masking them with a filter will make them look more interesting. The camera can also capture video, but it is limited to VGA video.

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance has a very decent 5 MP auto focus camera with a flash. The camera is good enough to replace you low end point and shoot. You also shoot 720p video with the Galaxy S Advance, but there is no autofocus while shooting video.

The Nokia Lumia 800 has a 8MP 28mm wide-angle F2.2 Carl Zeiss lens with a dual led flash. It does 720p video recording and can refocus on the subject while capturing video. Unfortunately, it sound better than it is is. The 8MP camera does not match up to the best 8 MP camera on the top Android and the iPhone 4S. The continuous autofocus while capturing video can be problematic. Still, in the end it offers the best camera of the three phones in this comparison.

Winner: The Nokia Lumia 800.

Video calling.  Only the Samsung Galaxy S Advance has a front camera among the three so in terms of video calling, it is really no contest.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S Advance. 

Distinct features. It is really hard to recommend the Apple iPhone 3GS. It is not a bad phone, but three years is more than a lifetime in terms of mobile phones. Unless you already own an Apple iPad or MacBook where some of the proprietary Apple features will be useful, it does not make much sense to get the Apple iPhone 3GS.

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance is basically an update on a two year old design, the Samsung Galaxy S. With a dual core processor, more RAM and a better camera this phone is pretty current hardware wise. The Android app store, Google Play, has more free apps than Apple's and Microsoft's app stores. In that sense, Android is the value for money option in terms of app choices.

The Nokia Lumia 800 has a feature that many will appreciate. It is the only one among the three that will provide voice guided turn-by-turn navigation. The iPhone 3GS and Samsung Galaxy S Advance will give you turn-by-turn navigation, but without the voice guidance. In terms of apps, the Windows Market is the most expensive of the three and has the fewest choices in terms of apps. But when we say most expensive, we are talking price differences of less than the price of a coffee at Starbucks. While the Microsoft app store has the fewest choices, with 90,000 apps, it really is not all that big a deal these days.

Winner: Voice guided turn-by-turn navigation give the Nokia Lumia 800 the edge.

Conclusion. If I was two pick one of these three phones, taking an operating system agnostic, point of view, both the Nokia Lumia 800 and the Samsung Galaxy S Advance are solid choices. Selecting the Apple iPhone 3GS is something a buyer would quickly regret. If you want an iPhone, bite the bullet, add a bit of cash and get the iPhone 4S instead.

The Samsung Galaxy S Advance will keep a user happy for the two year lock-in. The Samsung Galaxy S III being available for a Php4,800 initial cash payment is worth the additional money though. If you like the Galaxy S Advance, give the Galaxy S III a long look first. Remember you are locked in for two years.

If you like the Nokia Lumia's 800 interface or voice turn-by-turn navigation, than it is the best choice for a Windows phone in the market. While the Nokia Lumia 900 is available in the market, it is not offered postpaid, and the Lumia 900 is terrible expensive for what it offers. 

If you are not dead set on the Windows Phone interface, and voice guided turn-by-turn navigation is not that big a deal to you, for Php4,800 you can get a Samsung Galaxy S III instead, which is a better smartphone in every other respect. 

Winner: At Plan 1799 the Nokia Lumia 800 is the smartphone offered by Globe Telecom. If you are willing to add Php4,800 cash out, the Samsung Galaxy S III is a better choices hardware wise. But even than it not all an upside, you loose Nokia's turn-by-turn navigation software and the many users might appreciate the less complicated Windows Phone interface.

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A day in the life of the Samsung Galaxy S III