Remember the Meizu M2 Note? In my review, I pointed out that, despite the system-wide overhaul Meizu gave to Android, the 5.5-inch phone “delivers on many levels without breaking the bank.” In other words, it’s a pretty good purchase even by those who are on the market for a quality handset today.
Nexus 6P now available for preorder in PH
Good news, Android fans: The Huawei-made Nexus 6P, Google’s most premium phone yet (the “P” actually stands for “premium”), is now available for preorder on Lazada’s Philippine website and mobile app. It comes in dark gray and is listed at P29,990, which is about what you’d expect to pay for a smartphone worthy of flagship status. Preorders will ship beginning December 11.
BlackBerry’s first Android effort gets a PH launch date
The last time I heard about the BlackBerry Priv, it was being handed to the Kardashians before anyone else, serving as a sort of reminder that not everyone in Hollywood has an iPhone in their pocket or clutch bag.
Dual-screen LG V10 unveiled in PH, will retail for P37,990
As earlier reported, LG has made the LG V10 official in the Philippines. For the uninitiated, the V10 is the Korean electronics maker most premium phone yet, with a P37,990 price tag to show for it. It succeeds the G4 as LG’s flagship smartphone and has all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a top-tier offering, plus a couple of attractions that make it stand out from the competition.
LG’s dual-screen, dual-selfie phone to launch on Nov. 25 in PH
While most phone makers have already announced their full lineup of handsets at this stage of the year, LG Philippines has apparently saved its best for last. The company is getting ready to reveal the LG V10, a top-shelf Android phone that succeeds the G4 as LG’s current flagship, at a press event scheduled for November 25.
Up close with Starmobile’s new dual-camera Android smartphone
When Starmobile began brainstorming about its new brand identity and the product that will carry it forward, one of the questions raised was how can the company make the digital lives of consumers come to life. The answer apparently lies in mobile photography.
Cubix Cube 2 hands-on: big in value and size, small in price
Cherry Mobile has always been at the fore of introducing mobile devices for all pockets, and the slew of recent additions to the popular Flare line of smartphones is more proof of this. What the company has in store for online shoppers, however, may be one of its most beloved yet. The Cubix Cube 2, which is the second device to come out of Cherry Mobile’s Cubix sub-brand, will be available online at Lazada Philippines starting today at noon for a low, low price of P4,999.
How to update your Cherry Mobile One G1 to Android 6.0 Marshmallow
(UPDATE, November 5: Added ADB method, which requires more work.) Local tech company Cherry Mobile recently confirmed to me that the Android 6.0 Marshmallow OTA update for its second-gen Android One release, the Cherry Mobile One G1, will roll out starting this week.
OPPO Neo 7 with 5-inch screen, Android Lollipop now on sale in PH
Following the launch and subsequent release of the OPPO Mirror 5 and R7 Series, OPPO has officially made the Neo 7, the successor to its Neo line of budget handsets available in the Philippines. The global smartphone maker is obviously aware that sub-P10,000 devices are making a killing on the local market these days, hence the announcement of another value-for-money contender.
Smart unveils iPhone 6s, 6s Plus pricing details
Globe Telecom has earlier announced its P1,799 data plan for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6s and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus, leaving existing and would-be Smart subscribers to wonder what this year’s iPhone upgrade holds. Well, they can wonder no more: Smart has now made official its postpaid pricing for the latest iPhones, which will be available beginning November 6.
Globe announces P1,799 data plan for iPhone 6s, 6s Plus
I previously wrote about the Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus finally getting a release date in the Philippines, courtesy of local operators Globe Telecom and Smart Communications. To reiterate, the date to remember is November 6, 2015, which is exactly a week away.
Acer PH draws flak for controversial ad campaign
(UPDATE, November 1, 2015: Acer Philippines’ PR agency on Sunday issued an apology, and the company has updated the #LikeABoss campaign to address the issues raised in this article. You can read the full apology below. I’m told Acer Philippines will also send out a statement “ASAP.”)
OPPO announces Neo 7 with modest specs, mirror finish
Global smartphone brand OPPO has announced a refresh model under the Neo line, following the naming scheme of other creations in the company’s stable. Say hello to the OPPO Neo 7 (OPPO, unsurprisingly, chose to skip the Neo 6 entirely), an Android Lollipop-based phone with modest specs and a design that features a metallic trim and a glossy, mirror-like finish on the back.
Here’s when you can buy the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus in PH
If you’ve been wondering when the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus would be officially available in the Philippines, wonder no more: Both Globe and Smart have made an announcement as to when we could expect to see Apple’s new smartphones in stores, with the former confirming what the latter had earlier said in a press release dated October 24.
Samsung Galaxy S7 may launch sooner than we think
If reports are accurate, we might see a new Samsung flagship immediately after the holidays. In January at the earliest. A recent post by South Korea’s Electronic Times claims: “Samsung Electronics have confirmed that it will announce its next strategic smartphone ‘Galaxy S7’ in January of next year.” The article, citing “people in [smartphone] parts industries” as its source, adds that Samsung finalized the Galaxy S7’s design in September of this year, and that the Korean company is currently sourcing components for the device. It’s obvious why Samsung would choose to launch the Galaxy S7 so early: The company wants …
Altec Lansing reintroduces itself to PH, rugged speakers in tow
Earlier today, Altec Lansing announced its comeback to the Philippine market with a fresh batch of compact, rugged Bluetooth speakers, which the company describes as “everything-proof.” This includes the Life Jacket, Mini Life Jacket, Jacket H20, and Mini H20, which combine long battery life (up to 16 hours of playback for the Life Jacket) with rich sound quality that would make bass-heavy tracks come to life. There’s also speakerphone functionality for taking calls, as well as an auxiliary input for those who don’t have a Bluetooth device. Altec Lansing announced its comeback to the local market with a slew of ‘everything-proof’ speakers …
10 tricks you may not know about Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Previously, I wrote a guide on how to manually update your first-gen Android One phone to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Then I followed it up with a how-to on moving apps to your SD card, which is perhaps the best reason to upgrade to the newest Android version, assuming your device allows it. Today, I’ve put together a cheat sheet containing 10 tricks you probably didn’t know about. Here they are: 1. Optimize battery use for each app: Go to Settings, then select Battery. Click on the 3 dots on the upper right-hand corner. Tap Battery optimization and then tap the downward-pointing arrow. …
LG G4 owners to get Android 6.0 Marshmallow next week
LG G4 owners are in for a marshmallowy treat soon, as the Korean manufacturer announced today that it will start pushing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow to its flagship smartphone next week, with users in Poland getting first dibs on the latest Android software. It seems LG likes the Poland market, for reasons beyond my understanding. LG has also published a list of upcoming features customers can expect from the OTA update, such as a Do Not Disturb mode, a battery-saving feature in Doze, as well as access to app permissions to allay privacy concerns. LG announced today that it will start …
Android 6.0 Marshmallow: How to move apps to your SD card
One of the best reasons — and believe me, there are many — for upgrading your first-gen Android One phone to Android 6.0 Marshmallow today is simply to gain the ability to migrate your apps and files, such as your photos and videos, to a microSD card.
About time: upscale Cherry Mobile Flare phones announced
Amid a busy quarter of phone launches, Cherry Mobile took the wraps off 3 new additions to its Flare series, baring what I had earlier suspected: an upscale take on the company’s most popular line of Android devices. And about time, too! The Flare 4, S4, and S4 Plus are now official, and they look nothing like their predecessors — and I mean that in the most flattering way. They’re quite a looker, I guess, is what I’m trying to say. Which is great, because Cherry Mobile’s Flare handsets have never been known for their looks and design quirks. Until …
