Archos 53 Platinum - 5.3-inch quad core phablet

Archos is well known in the Philippines as one of the early sellers of low cost tablets. The French company is now wading into the Android smartphone arena. I saw two of their products at a small shop in ATC, and the units are well built. The more interesting of the two is the Archos 53 Platinum.

The Archos 53 Platinum is a 5.3-inch phablet which comes in a reasonably thin 9.2 mm case. Inside is a 2800 mAh battery, which is bigger than the 2000 mAh unit normally found on low cost 5.3-inch phablets. Well this is the good news. The rest of the package is less than impressive.

The Archos 53 Platinum has a suggested retail price of Php11,995. It is being offered for sale at a Php500 discount, bringing the price down to Php11,495. For that money, Archos gives you a 5.3-inch qHD (540 x 960) display. There are a fair number of HD (720 x 1280) handsets at this price range. Inside you will find a Qualcomm M8225Q chipset with a 1.2 GHz quad core ARM Cortex A-5 processor and Adreno 203 graphics. While the Adreno 203 graphics can run a qHD display, Qualcomm itself recommends that the Adreno 203 be used in handsets with a FWVGA (480 x 854) display. These days you see the Qualcomm M8225Q on handsets selling at below 5K. The Qualcomm M8225Q also means that you get HSPA connectivity and not HSPA+ speeds you will see from MediaTek powered competitors. Like other Qualcomm M8225Q, it runs on Android 4.1, JellyBean. 

The Archos 53 Platinum also offers 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB or internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card, a 8 MP autofocus primary camera with a BSI sensor and a 2 MP front camera. All-in-all, it is a decent enough package to give a good Android experience. Still, it does seem overpriced for what it offers.

New format for Smartphone Buyer's Guides

There have been some discussions with readers of this blog, on how best to revise the buyer's guides on this blog. Right now, I divide it into three categories:

• Entry Level
• Mid-Range
• High End

I have also limited it to not more than 5 phones per category, occasionally throwing in a Wildcard (a niche market phone). The current classification really looks to be insufficient, especially considering the heaviest competition these days is in the lower price ranges.

I was thinking of a new scale which would look something like this:

Entry level (up to Php5K)

- MyPhone Rain, Php2988
- Cherry Mobile Life, Php2,999
- Cherry Mobile 2X, Php4,499
- Cherry Mobile Burst, Php4,699
- Arc Mobile Nitro, Php4,999

Low cost (up to 10K, it is a bit strange calling 720p quad core phones, as entry level)

- Arc Mobile Memo, Php6,150
- Cherry Mobile Apollo, Php6,700
- Nokia Lumia 520, Php7,450
- MyPhone A919i, PHP7,990
- Cherry Mobile Omega, Php8,990
- Cherry Mobile Blaze, Php9,490

Lower Mid-Range (up to 15K)

- Nokia Lumia 620, Php10,800
- Cherry Mobile Cosmos S, Php10,999
- ZTE Grand X, Php11,500
- Cherry Mobile Cosmos X2, Php11,699
- MyPhone Agua Iceberg, Php11,988
- MyPhone Agua Vortex, Php12,388
- Nokia Lumia 625, Php12,200 (LTE on Globe only)
- Lenovo S820
- Nokia Lumia 720, Php12,700
- Lenovo P780, Php13,500
- HTC 8X, Php13,500

Upper Mid-Range (up to 20K)

- Sony Xperia SP, Php15,990
- HTC Desire 600, Php16,390
- Huawei Ascend Mate, Php16,700
- HTC One X 32 GB, Php16,990
- Huawei Ascend P6, Php17,990

High End (up to 25K)

- LG Optimus G, Php20,990
- Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3, Php20,900
- Nokia Lumia 925, Php21,500
- Sony Xperia ZR, Php22,990
- Sony Xperia ZL, Php24,500

Flagship

- LG Optimus G Pro, Php25,550 (LTE on Globe only)
- Sony Xperia Z, Php25,990
- LG G2, Php26,650
- Samsung Galaxy S4, Php28,700
- HTC One, Php30,990
- Nokia Lumia 1020, Php31,990
- Samsung Galaxy Note, Php34,450

This is not the list, just a sampling of contenders. This list has six categories. Maybe five categories (6/12/18/24/24), with three recommendations each for a total of 15 phones might be better? Adding a wildcard per category where appropriate for a maximum of 20 phones. What do you think?

CloudFone Thrill 530qx versus Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0

It is actually a bit strange comparing these two devices, since the two will appeal to two different types of users. On the other hand, being in the market for a phablet, I started to gravitate between these two. 

The appeal of the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 is pretty easy to understand. This phone has a large 5.7-inch HD (720 x 1280) display and is the cheapest phone with a suggested retail price of Php9,490. The CloudFone Thrill has a smaller lower resolution 5.3-inch qHD display (540 x 960), but the draw behind this phone is the 4500 mAh battery. The CloudFone Thrill 530qx is priced at Php9,999.

The 4500 mAh battery of the CloudFone Thrill 530qx will provide you twice as much battery life as the 2500 mAh battery of the  Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0. In addition to having a bigger battery, the smaller display of the Thrill will mean it will use less juice when the screen is on. The qHD display is also a lot less power hungry than the HD display. Initial reviews on the battery life of the CloudFone Thrill 530qx are very promising. Check out this review by Mark Marcelo.

The CloudFone Thrill 530qx has a MediaTek MT6589M chipset as compared to the MediaTek MT6589 on the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0. The difference between the two is the clock speed of the PowerVR graphics card:

• MediaTek MT6589M - PowerVR SGX544 @ 158 MHz
• MediaTek MT6589 - PowerVR SGX544 @ 286 MHz

The CloudFone Thrill 530qx has 55% of the graphics processing of the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0, not accounting for diminishing returns at higher clock speeds.

But the slower graphics card has no effect on the performance of the CloudFone Thrill 530qx.

• CloudFone Thrill 530qx - qHD display has 518,400 pixels
• Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 - HD display has 921,600 pixels

The CloudFone Thrill 530qx has 56% of the pixels of the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0. The result is, the performance of both phones should be about equal. 

The main drawback to the MediaTek MT6589M processor is not the performance, but the camera. It only supports 720p video capture and cameras up to 8 MP in size.  This means that the 12 MP camera on the CloudFone Thrill 530qx is at most an 8 MP camera. When you take a picture, the phone captures an 8 MP still, and then processes to 12 MP by stretching out the pixels. I am not fond of this software trickery which actually produces poorer quality shots than if they just kept the stills at 8 MP.

So ultimately, you have a choice of the larger sharper display or longer battery life. If you want Full HD video capture, the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 is the way to go.

Me, I am undecided. It will be a second device and my main handset has a good camera and 1080p video, so it is really matter of size and display sharpness versus battery life for me.

High End Smartphone Buyer's Guide for October 2013

For those with deep pockets, these are five offerings I think are worth having a look at. All these phones are fast and have LTE, like many others in the market. As increases in smartphone speed become less relevant to the users, I think focus should be more on features which specific users might find valuable. Better to spend a large wad of cash on something you find useful, rather than just being able to upload screenshots of higher benchmarks. Each of these phones offer something special. 

All prices posted are for units covered by a manufacturer's warranty.

1. Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 (Php20,990) - Productivity

No matter what anyone says about some Androids getting too big, the reality is that many smartphone users find their smartphones too small for extended and productive use. That is why we have tablets. While a 6.3-inch phone may be a bit bulky to carry around, it is a lot more portable than carrying a small phone and a tablet.

The large screen also has other benefits. Miss your old physical QWERTY keyboard? For many users, a touch keyboard still results in slower typing. Thumb typing on a 6.3-inch is an entirely different experience. Give it a look. 

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 6.3-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 16 GB internal storage, expandable via a Micro SD card
• 1.5 GB RAM
• 1.7 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 305 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.9 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 3200 mAh battery (user replaceable)

2.  Nokia Lumia 925 (Php21,500) - Video capture 

Nokia has long been known to make good camera phones, and the Nokia Lumia 925 is a continuation of this legacy. The 8 MP primary camera has Carl Zeiss Optics and takes good stills. Taking good pictures is no big deal with a high end smartphone these days. The problem is video.

Those 1080p videos we shoot on our phones look great on a small 5-inch screen. Play them on a LCD TV, and you notice just how much your hands were shaking. The previous video is shaking all over the place. The Nokia Lumia 925 corrects this problem by providing optical image stabilization (OIS). The Nokia Lumia 920 is the cheapest phone on the market equipped with optical image stabilization.

OIS uses a gyroscope to detect the motion of the phone and the whole optical assembly moves in the opposite direction to cancel out the movement. That happens 500 times a second. This really does wonders for HD video capture and helps in low light photography.

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4.5-inch HD (768 x 1280) AMOLED display
• 16 GB internal storage, not expandable
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 225 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with OIS and a dual-LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2000 mAh battery (not user replaceable)

3. Sony Xperia ZR C5503 LTE (Php22,990) - Adventure

The Sony Xperia ZR is a scaled down version of the top of the line Sony Z seriesL products. Instead of a 5-inch Full HD display, you have a 4.55-inch HD display. Internal storage has also been reduced and the front camera is only a VGA unit. Other than that, the other specifications are unchanged. Most important of this is the IP58 certification for water and dust resistance. This makes an excellent choice for the active user.

You will still want to put your Xperia ZR in a tough case, before your next white water rafting or mountain climbing adventure. This will enhance its water resistance and protect it from physical damage. This is where is smaller size provides another advantage. An Xperia ZR in a touch case is still handy enough.

Adding to the all weather credentials is a dedicated camera button which will also allow you to snap pics in wet conditions. Touchscreens do no work in the wet.

If I was in the market right now, this is the one I would buy.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 4.55-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 8 GB internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card
• 2 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 320 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2300 mAh battery (user replaceable)

4. LG G2 (Php26,650) - Redefining the flagship Android

The first three phones on our list are at the relatively lower price points for higher end devices with older HD/720p displays and older processors. Where is the super phone?  Replacing the Samsung Galaxy S4 on the list is LG G2. The LG G2 comes with Qualcomm's latest S800 chipset with its screaming 2.3 GHz Krait processor. The graphics chip has been improved too, with the newer Adreno 330. The combination gives you the fastest mobile processor and second fastest mobile graphics processor in the world.

But I am not replacing the Samsung Galaxy S4 just because the LG G2 is a bit faster. Really, we are talking milliseconds at this point. The LG G2 takes the crown because it incorporates more next generation technology. The LG G2's 13 MP camera is a fine shooter which integrates OIS for steady video capture and improved low light capability. The Qualcomm S800 chipset supports touchless control. While there are few, if any apps which take advantage of this today, it is nice to future proof. The LG G2 also comes with a 5.2-inch display, putting it into what used to be phablet territory but in a case which is smartphone sized. This was done by making the bezel on this phone really thin.

The Android 4.2.2 operating install is modified by LG. But it is nice and light, and not like Samsung TouchWiz which is really starting to feel like a collection of every single gimmicky feature someone can dream up.

It is not the prettiest looking phone I have seen, and the back buttons will take some getting use to, but the LG G2 is without a doubt the best smartphone in the market and it is surprisingly very reasonably priced.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 5.2-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) IPS display
• 32 GB internal storage, not expandable
• 2 GB RAM
• 2.3 GHz quad core Qualcomm S800 processor
• Adreno 330 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with OIS and a LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 3000 mAh battery (not user replaceable)

5. Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Php34,990 but just Php1,999 a month x 24 months from Smart) - Productivity redefined

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has pretty much the same specifications as LG G2. It does come with more RAM, but the main attraction will really be the larger 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display and the pressure sensitive stylus. You also get an expandable memory and a user replaceable battery. You do lose optical image stabilization as compared to the LG G2.

I am not sure it is worth 8K more than the LG G2. But being offered by local carriers on postpaid plans, it makes it an easy enough choice. On a postpaid plan, like that being offered by Smart Communications, a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 won't cost you more than a Galaxy S4, Lumia 925 or BlackBerry Z10.  

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)
• 5.7-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) Super AMOLED display
• 32 GB internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 3 GB RAM
• 2.3 GHz quad core Qualcomm S800 processor
• Adreno 320 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with OIS and a LED Flash
• 2 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 3200 mAh battery (user replaceable)

Mid-Range Smartphone Buyer's Guide for October 2013

The mid-range category is comprised of phones priced at Php10,000 or more, but under Php20,000. My entry level smartphone buyer's guide is at this link. If you have not read that yet, I recommend you do so first, since it will put things into context.

This list includes what I think are the five best options, with an additional phone which might appeal to a certain niche market.

The prices posted are those covered by an official manufacturer's warranty.

1. MyPhone Iceberg (Php11,988) - Aiming for higher ground 

MyPhone has started launching more upscale offerings in its new Agua line. Cherry Mobile has done the same with its Cosmos series. The consensus the community I hang with is that, the higher end locally branded phones are just too expensive.

The My Phone Agua Iceberg phablet is a good example of the issue.  The specifications are rather similar to the cheaper Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 (Php8,990). So the question has to be asked, is it worth the 3K premium?

The point with buying a more premium locally branded devices is that it should have a more premium look and feel. The MyPhone Iceberg does this with an aluminum case. It also comes with 16 GB of internal storage, higher than the 4 GB you find on lower cost models. However, this is a plus and minus proposition. You get more built-in storage, but it does not have a MicroSD slot, so you cannot expand the internal storage. It does support USB on-the-go so you can plug it to USB flash drives, which might make up somewhat for the absence of a MicroSD card slot for some.

Still is it woth 3K more?

Luckily, the MyPhone Iceberg being available at 12-months zero interest (and 24-months with a RCBC or Allied Bank credit card) at establishments, like Automatic Centre. This makes the higher price easier to swallow.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 5.7-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• Dual SIM
• 16 GB internal storage, not expandable
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core MediaTek MT6589 processor
• PowerVR SGX544 graphics
• 12 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 5 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2600 mAh battery (not user replaceable)

2. Lenovo P780 (Php13,500) - A lot of steel and lithium ion

October 9 update: I may have to reconsider this recommendation. The hardware specifications sound right, but after getting some hands-on time, the UI exhibits a fair bit of lag. 

The Lenovo P780 is a bulky 5-inch Android phone measuring, 143 x 73 x 9.95 mm. Put it beside other 5-inch smartphones and the Lenovo P780 looks massive by comparison. At 176 grams, it is heavy. Not something I would want to lug around every day. But I suspect for many the additional bulk and weight will be worth it. With a beautiful aluminum case and massive 4000 mAh battery, it will win over many a buyer.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 5-inch HD (720 x 1280) display protected by Gorilla Glass
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core MediaTek MT6589W processor
• PowerVR SGX544 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 12 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• USB On-the-go 
• 4000 mAh battery

3. HTC 8X (Php13,500) - Fire sale!

Not everyone wants an Android, and a large price drop on HTC's 8X gives you a good reason to get something else. This mid-range Windows powered phone is a good non-Android choice. The HTC 8X has a sharp 4.3-inch (720 x 1280) display, a gigabyte of RAM and a powerful dual core Krait processor.

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4.3-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 16 GB internal storage, non-expandable
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait Snapdragon processor
• Adreno 225 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with a  Carl Zeiss lens and a LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1800 mAh battery

4. Sony Xperia SP LTE (Php15,990) - A really good choice at the mid-range

The Sony Xperia SP is an excellent mid-level Android. It has an HD display, powerful processor, LTE connectivity and long battery life. The biggest weakness in the package though is the camera which produces pictures which are a bit lower in quality than the 5 MP shooter on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus or its lower cost sibling, the Sony Xperia L.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
• 4.6-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.7 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 320 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2370 mAh battery

If you don't need LTE, be on the lookout for a Samsung Galaxy S III on sale, which has more internal storage and a much better camera.

5. Huawei Ascend Mate - 6+ inches: The next generation of phablets (Php16,700)

Huawei's entry for the phablets wars, the Ascend Mate, is now available, and it is one impressive monster of a phone. The price is surprisingly low at Php16,990.

Quick specs:

• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• 6.1-inch PIS+ HD display (720 x 1280)
• 8 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM 
• 1.5 GHz quad core Huawei K3V2 processor
• 8 MP primary camera, autofocus with flash
• 2 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 4050 mAh battery

The in-house designed Huawei K3V2 processor is as fast as the Exynos quad on the Samsung Galaxy S III. The 4050 mAh battery also promises good battery life.

Wildcard: The Lumia 625 - Plenty to love and hate

The Nokia Lumia 625 is a Windows Phone 8 device. It has a lot going for, and going against it. Aside from a few aging ZTE phones, this is the cheapest LTE smartphone in the country... if you are on Globe. This is because the Nokia Lumia 625 supports the 800, 1800 and 2600 MHz frequencies. Globe runs on 1800 MHz, while Smart runs on 2100 MHz.

The phone comes with a nice decently large 4.7-inch display. But the display is WVGA (480 x 800). Many will find 199 ppi too pixelated by today's standards.

Still for the right person, it could be an excellent choice. Nokia is still Nokia, and LTE at 12.5K is a great deal.

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 305 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED flash
• VGA front camera
• LTE (Globe)/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1430 mAh battery

Entry Level Smartphone Buyer's Guide for October 2013

There were several new offerings released last month, which make this month's entry level buyer's guide fairly interesting. I define entry level phones as those which cost less than Php10,000. To qualify for the list, the phones have to a current operating system. At this price point, the only options for a smatphone with a current operating system would be Android 4.1 or later (Jelly Bean) and Windows Phone 8. The requirement for a current operating system is to ensure good app compatibility.

This list includes what I think are the five best options, with an additional phone which might appeal to a certain niche market.

The prices posted are those covered by an official manufacturer's warranty.

1. Cherry Mobile Flare 2X (Php4,499) - Updated just enough to keep it relevant

The humble Android powered Cherry Mobile Flare was probably the most important phone on Cherry Mobile's lineup. It was the first truly budget phone, retailing for just Php3,999, that I could really say was good enough for the average user. There was very little this budget offering could not do. When the successor to the Flare was announced last month I am sure many were disappointed that it still only came with 512 MB of RAM. Luckily, Cherry Mobile released two versions of the Flare.

The Cherry Mobile Flare 2X is probably where smartphone buyers on a budget should be looking at. With a quad core Qualcomm S200 processor and more importantly 1 GB of RAM. It is a significant update over the original Flare in terms of overall performance. More importantly, 1 GB of RAM is what you really need to be able to run Android Jelly Bean well.

Priced at Php4,499, the Cherry Mobile 2X is an entry level smartphone which does not compromise too much. The screen is large and the phone sufficiently powered to do smartphone stuff. There is a fly in the ointment though. The Flare 2X still uses the same Adreno 203 graphics processor of the previous model. Sure, it can still play a fair number of games, but the Flare 2X is probably best left to those without a serious 3D gaming habit. The Flare 2X also does not support HSPA+ connectivity, being limited to the older HSPA standard.

So, all in all, the Flare is a decent smartphone for the average user. For gamers, and those wanting something more special, I would recommend you budget a fair bit more. The next offering is really much better.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• Dual SIM support
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB of RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S200 processor
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1500 mAh battery (user replaceable)

2. Cherry Mobile Apollo (Php6,999) - A modern smartphone at a budget price

The Cherry Mobile Apollo is the real game changer in last month's phone releases. At Php6,999, this Android powered smartphone really changes one's perception of what a low cost smartphone should have. The Apollo has a 4.5-inch HD display. Yup, that is a 720p (720 x 1280 pixel resolution) display. That results in 326 pixels per inch. That is as sharp as an Apple iPhone 5S.

For the additional Php2,500 over the price of the Flare 2X, it also gives you a lot of additional capability. The MediaTek quad core processor and PowerVR gravid chip inside give you about 30% better performance than the Flare 2X. The bulk of that increase comes in terms of graphics performance. The MediaTek chipset also comes with an HSPA+ radio, which can give you 3X faster data transfer speeds as compared to the Flare. The more powerful processor on the Apollo will also allow you to do Full HD, or 1080p, video capture.

All in all, the Apollo gives you much more than one expects for a smartphone priced at 7K, with no apparent weakness in terms of the specifications. It is a new product though, and we do not have much user feedback yet, but so far, it looks really good.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 4.5-inch HD (720 x 1280) IPS display
• Dual sim support
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core MediaTek MT6589 processor
• PowerVR SGX544 graphics processor
• 12 MP autofocus primary camera with LED flash
• 5 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1800 mAh battery* (user replaceable)

*While specifications posted say the battery is a 1800 mAh unit, early buyers report that the battery supplied was a 2000 mAh unit.

3. MyPhone A919i Duo (Php7,990) - A steep price drop, and deferred payment, makes it a good option

Priced 1K above the Apollo you will find the MyPhone A919i Duo. This phone was previously priced at Php9,490. You can now get it for just Php7,990. At retailers like Automatic Centre, you can even get it at 12-months zero interest (or even 24 months with RCBC or Allied Bank). The A919i Duo has the same general specifications as the Apollo. The additional 1K does get you a larger 5-inch display.

This phone is a bit on the thick side at 10.7 mm. If you don't plan to avail of the deferred payment scheme and are willing to spend a few hundred more, the Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 (Php8,500) has a display protected by Dragontrail glass and has a nicer overall look to it being just 8.8 mm thick.

Quick specifications:

• Dual SIM
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
• 5-inch IPS HD display (720 x 1280)
• 4 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core Mediatek processor
• PowerVR SGX544MP graphics
• 8 MP primary camera, autofocus with flash
• 2 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2000 mAh battery (user replaceable)

4. Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 (Php8,990) - Entry level phablet

If the MyPhone A919i is not big enough for you, then you will be happy to find that even in the budget class, you have the option of buying a phablet with an HD display. The crowning glory of the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 is its 5.7-inch, 720p display. Retailing for as low as Php8,990, this phone offers you everything that you get from the MyPhone A919i, in a larger size.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 5.7-inch IPS HD display (720 x 1280)
• Dual SIM 
• 4 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core processor
• PowerVR SGX544MP graphics
• 12 MP BSI primary camera, autofocus with flash
• 3 MP BSI  front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2500 mAh battery (user replaceable)

5. Nokia Lumia 520 (Php7,450) - Best branded entry level smartphone

If you don't want a locally branded phone, Nokia has something nice for you. The Windows Phone 8 powered Nokia Lumia 520 is the best branded phone you can get in the entry level class. The Nokia brand is still relatively prestigious. In an odd way too, this phone has gotten better.

The Nokia Lumia 520 used to be my "Wildcard Entry". A wildcard entry is something that would ordinarily not make it to the list, but has something interesting or unique to make it wortwhile of consideration. The Lumia 520 was something I would recommend to those who don't like Android. This month, I think it deserves to be part of the top five list. While the Windows Phone ecosystem has less apps than Android or the iPhone, it got stronger this month. With Microsoft buying Nokia's device division, the future of Nokia hardware and Windows Phone is now backed directly by Microsoft and its US$60 billion in cash reserves.

Also, in the past the 512 MB of RAM on this phone meant that it might have limited app compatibility. But it turns out Windows Phone runs fine on just 512 MB. Games like HALO: Spartan Assault which were previously limited to Windows Phone devices with 1GB of RAM was updated to run devices with just 512 MB. The Nokia Lumia 520 is the most popular Windows Phone in the world right now, so you can expect app developers to make sure their apps run fine on this humble offering.

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 305 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera
• No front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1430 mAh battery (user replaceable)

Wildcard: CloudFone Thrill 520qx

In a sea full of low cost Android devices with HD displays, the Php9,999 CloudFone Thrill 530qx with its 5.3-inch with the qHD (540 X 960) will not impress. Also, its MediaTek MT6589M chipset means it can only capture 720p video. The Thrill 530qx does have one characteristic which makes it worthy of consideration as an alternative to the top five phones on the list. It comes with a 4500 mAh battery, which gives it about twice the battery life of any other phone entry level phone on the market. Its only rival is the older CloudFone Thrill 430x.  

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 5.3-inch IPS qHD display (540 x 960)
• Dual SIM 
• 4 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core MediaTek MT6589M processor
• PowerVR SGX544MP graphics
• 12 MP primary camera, autofocus with flash
• 5 MP front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• USB on-the-go
• 4500 mAh battery (not user replaceable) 

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is available from Smart Communications for just Php1,999 a month

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is available from Smart Communications for just Php1,999 a month. This is with All-In Plan 1800 plus a monthly installment of Php199 a month. The lock-in period with this plan is 24 months. 

While you can also get the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 free at Data Plan 2000, you will get much more for your money with the All-In package. The Data Plan also comes with a longer 30 month lock-in.

With All-In Plan 1800, you can configure your Note 3 to have 

• Unlimited LTE 
• 500 minutes of calls to Smart, Sun and PLDT
• 80 minutes of calls to Globe
• 2000 SMS to all networks

You can get this by simply subscribing to:

LTE Bundle 995 + Tri Net Plus 400 + Talk All

This will still leave you a balance of Php155 on your plan for other things. Compare the plan I recommend with other offerings at Php2,000 a month and you will find that it is by far the most flexible use plan option available. 

CloudFone Thrill 530qx pictures

I took a few snaps of the CloudFone Thrill 530qx. Hopefully, they are good enough to give you an idea of the build quality of the device.

Click on the images to see a larger picture.

The CloudFone Thrill 530qx is the company's replacement for its popular Thrill 430x. The new larger 5.3-inch size is based on the current market trend for larger devices. Like the original Thrill 430x, this phone promises long battery life with a 4500 mAh battery.

I have a demo video of the CloudFone 530qx at this link.

For more information on the CloudFone 530qx follow this link. 

The CloudFone Thrill 530qx will be available starting the first week of October for Php9,999.

Samsung Galaxy Note III lands at Php36,990

One of Yugatech's readers has been able to confirm the availability of the Samsung Galaxy Note III from Samsung retail stores. The price is a staggering Php36,990. This 5.7-inch phablet boasts of a 1080p display and Qualcomm's latest S800 chipset. The S800 comes with a quad core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 processor, Adreno 330 graphics and System-on-Chip LTE. Samsung's new phablet also boasts of 3GB of RAM. Storage is a healthy 32 GB, and it is expandable via a MicroSD card. With USB 3.0 and 2160p video recording, the Galaxy Note III brings more than just brute power to the picture.

What is really nice about the Galaxy Note III is that Samsung has been able to fit a 5.7-inch display in a package smaller and lighter than previous Note's with smaller screens.

• Note 3 - 5.7-inches, 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm, 168 grams
• Note II - 5.5-inches, 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm, 183 grams
• Note - 5.3-inches, 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm, 178 grams

At the same time, the 3200 mAh battery on the Galaxy Note III, is the biggest ever in this series.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)
• 5.7-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) Super AMOLED display
• 32 GB internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card. 64 GB SCards supported.
• 3 GB RAM
• 2.3 GHz quad core Qualcomm S800 processor
• Adreno 330 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• USB 3.0
• A-GPS
• 3200 mAh battery

Now that is a lot of kit. You will have to decide if it is worth your Php36,990.

MyPhone Agua Iceberg & Vortex now available at 24 months zero interest

The demand for locally branded Android smartphones is high. These phones sold by Cherry Mobile, Cloudfone, MyPhone, Starmobile and a dozen other local players offer specifications comparable to phones from established brands at a fraction of the cost. 

Still, there appears to be some price point where people feel they are too expensive. The MyPhone A919i and Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 originally priced at Php9,490 and Php8,990 both seem to have done fairly well. I base this on the size of their user base at local forums like Tipidcp.com. The response to the newer breed of higher end 10K plus Cherry Mobile Cosmos and MyPhone Agua series seems to be that they are too expensive. The announcement of the new Starmobile Diamond V7 at Php12,990 generated little interest. 

Seeming to confirm this observation is MyPhone's latest promo. Both its new Agua phones are being offered at 24-months zero interest at Automatic Centre and SOGO. The MyPhone Agua Iceberg was originally offered at 24-months zero interest on the launch, then after that on 12-months zero interest. The MyPhone Agua Vortex was available on 6-months zero interest at launch.

These 24-month zero interest offerings are good deals in my opinion, and if MyPhone keeps this promo up, I think this may be a marketing trend the rest may be forced to follow.

Smartphone or phablet? Which is best for you.

Smartphones, even larger ones, are still better choice for those who make a lot of voice calls. 

Today, you have Android smartphones ranging from 3.2 to 5-inches, and phablets with sizes from 5.3 to 6.4-inches. Which is a better choice?

Large 5.7-inch phablets are more comfortable to use for modern smartphone use,
which is basically the function of a mobile internet device

You carry your smartphone more than you use it (smaller is better). We carry our smartphones 12-18 hours and use them for 1 to 4 hours per day. This means they spend more time in our pocket or handbag than in our hands. So this is the first thing you should consider in selecting a smartphone. How do you plan to carry it around. 

For the gents, this usually means something that can fit in their pockets is better, and how big the pockets are depends on whether you are the type to wear cargo pants and loose jeans or fitted slacks. I think you will find that one reason why the Apple iPhone is popular with the business set, is sticking a Samsung Galaxy Note II in you finely fitted suit is not all that comfortable and breaks the contour of the suit.

For the gals, well most phablets should nicely fit in a handbag.

One handed use is not as important as it used to be (bigger is better). I still prefer a phone I can use with one hand, but that is really old habits of an old dog. Okay, I will admit it. I am a smoker, so often time during breaks, I will have a cigarette in one hand and a smartphone in the other.

But even I SMS and type with two hands having come from a series of QWERTY messengers before migrating to the touchscreen. No one multi-taps these days anymore and typing with a QWERTY keyboard with one hand is slow. When typing with two hands, a large phablet is usually more comfortable than a narrower smartphone. With smaller smartphones, typing is usually easier in landscape mode.

Phablets can be awkward when making calls (smaller is usually better). If you spend a lot of time making voice calls, you probably would prefer a smartphone. Holding a phablet to your ear can look and feel awkward. If you are used to using a Bluetooth headset, than size does not matter.

As far as displays go, bigger is better (yup, bigger is better). If you spend more time sending SMS, instant messages, social networking, browsing the web or playing games. The experience is more pleasant with a large display. It is also better for your eyes.

The smaller the smartphone you buy, the more likely that you will buy a tablet later.

My advice. Ask yourself if you will feel comfortable using it to make calls and if it will be easy for you to carry given the clothes that you wear. If the answer is yes and yes, a phablet it the way to go.

  

Samsung Galaxy Note III review @Pinoytechblog

I have not written much about the Samsung Galaxy Note III, since I have picked up the habit of just what it available locally. But when a local blog gets an early sample of a a world class handset for their review, that is news. Pinoytech Blog has a review of the Samsung Galaxy Note III at this link.

As you can expect this Qualcomm S800 with 3 GB of RAM ups the performance ante in a big way. We are talking 35031 AnTuTu benchmark points. But what really impresses me about the Galaxy Note series is how they have become handier over the years, despite moving up in terms of screen size with each release.

• Galaxy Note - 5.3-inches, 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm
• Galaxy Note II - 5.5-inches, 151.1 x 80.5 x 9.4 mm
• Galaxy Note III - 5.7-inches, 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm

I also welcome the return to the more angular Galaxy S 2 look. 

Enough time wasted on this blog. Go read the review.

Starmobile Diamond V7 to launch on September 13, 2013

After a long wait, the Starmobile Diamond V7 is finally landing, on all of days, Friday the 13th! Yup, September 12, 2013.

The Starmobile Diamond V7 is a 5.7-inch  JellyBean Android smartphone with a  HD display, a 1.2 GHz quad core MediaTek 6589 processor, 1 GB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage and a 2600 mAh battery for Php12,990. Starmobile is bundling the device with a 8 GB MicroSD card, screen protector, flip case and stylus.

I do not have the exact measurements but the Starmobile Diamond V7 is supposedly thinner than Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0 and the MyPhone Aqua Iceberg. The Starmobile Diamond V7 fairly expensive though, priced at 1K more than the MyPhone Aqua Iceberg, and 3.5K more than the Cherry Mobile Blaze 2.0.

Why the Sony Xperia Ultra Z is not on my list of top smartphone yet

The Sony Xperia Z, is the companies first phablet, and it is an impressive one. With a 6.4-inch 1080p display and powered by a Qualcomm S800 processor it is the most powerful mobile device in the country today. At just 6.5 mm thick it really is one impressive looking piece of hardware. So why is it not on my top five smartphones for September list? It is because the current offering has no LTE. 

If you want a Sony Xperia Z, you have good reason to wait. The LTE version will be coming in October, and should just set you back another Php1,000 to Php1,500 as against the current HSPA+ model. The delay in the release of the LTE version is a bad move by Sony Philippine though. By October, I also expect to see the Samsung Galaxy Note III. 

Top Five Smartphones for September 2013

If you have deep pockets, what smartphones should you be looking at? These are what I think to be the best options at Php20,000 or higher.

All prices posted are for units covered by a manufacturer's warranty.

1. LG Optimus G (Php20,990) - Nexus 4 with LTE

The LG Optimus G is the phone on which the Google Nexus 4 was based. Basically, it is a Nexus 4 with double the storage and LTE, priced ironically a few thousand less.  

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 4.7-inch HD (768 x 1280) display
• 32 GB internal storage, not expandable
• 2 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 320 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2100 mAh battery

The LG Optimus G put together the best of 2012 technology. It won't stand up to the best of the 2013 offerings, but if you can get it at a bit over 20K, it is a very good value for money offering.

2.  Nokia Lumia 925 (Php21,500 SRP) - Video capture phone for the active user

The Nokia Lumia 920 was the best Windows Phone 8 device in the market. The Nokia Lumia 925 takes all the good features of the Lumia 920, and corrects it shortcomings. makes it even better. The Lumia 925 is a Lumia 920 which is 20% thinner and 30% lighter than the Lumia 920. But there is a catch. Nokia reduced the storage from 32 GB to 16 GB.

The 8 MP primary camera with Carl Zeiss Optics is what this phone is all about. The 8 MP shooter has optical image stabilization (OIS). OIS is only found on Nokia's high end 9 and 10 series phones and the HTC One. OIS uses a gyroscope to detect the motion of the phone and the whole optical assembly moves in the opposite direction to cancel out the movement. That happens 500 times a second. This really does wonders for HD video capture and helps in low light photography. Looks like Nokia also tweaked the software, resulting in the Lumia 925 producing better stills than the Lumia 920. 

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4.5-inch HD (768 x 1280) AMOLED display
• 16 GB internal storage, not expandable
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 225 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2000 mAh battery

3. Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 (Php22,800) - The smartphone and tablet are so last year. 

I have never like phablets. I found them too big and too bulky. Funny how making the bigger changed my mind. The massive 6.3-inch display on the Samsung Galaxy Mega is a pleasure to use. Thumb typing has never been so easy. The hardware is modest, but good enough for most people and reasonable for the asking price. A word of advice, get a Bluetooth headset. You are going to look ridiculous holding this thing to your ear.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 6.3inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 16 GB internal storage, expandable via a Micro SD card
• 1.5 GB RAM
• 1.7 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 305 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.9 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 3200 mAh battery

4. Sony Xperia ZR C5503 LTE (Php23,400) - The smartphone for the thrill seeker

The Sony Xperia ZR is a scaled down version of the top of the line Sony Z and ZL products. Instead of a 5-inch Full HD display, you have a 4.55-inch HD display. Internal storage has also been reduced and the front camera is only a VGA unit. Other than that, the other specifications are unchanged, and its IP58 certified water and dust resistance makes it the best choice for the active user. Put it in a tough case, and it is still a reasonable size. A dedicated camera button will also allow you to snap pic's in wet conditions.

Packing a 2300 mAh battery, it does have excellent battery life (will be posting details on that soon). Best part is the battery is user replaceable.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 4.55-inch HD (720 x 1280) display
• 8 GB internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card
• 2 GB RAM
• 1.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 320 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2300 mAh battery

If I were in the market right now. This is the one I would buy.

5. Samsung Galaxy S4 i9505 (Php28,200) - Still the best mainstream choice 

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a great phone it has a fast processor, gobs of RAM, LTE connectivity, and an excellent camera. You can expand the internal storage and the battery is user replaceable.

There are very few bad things you can really say about this phone. Some hate the plastic build. The TouchWiz Enhanced has gotten to the point that it feels gimmicky. It is still the best choice for most users.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
• 5-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) Super AMOLED display
• 16 GB internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card
• 2 GB RAM
• 1.9 GHz quad core Qualcomm S600 processor
• Adreno 320 graphics
• 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 1.3 MP front camera
• LTE/HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2600 mAh battery

Wildcard: Last month the Apple iPhone 5 held this spot, but with a new one to be announced in a week, it would be best to wait for the new iPhone 5S, or for iPhone 5 prices to go down.

Check out my other buyers guides:

Top Five Mid-Ranage Smartphones for September 2013

Top Five Entry Level Smartphones for September 2013