SELFIE-CENTRIC smartphones have carved a niche for themselves in 2016, and the trend is likely to continue this year. Vivo’s opening salvo is the V5 Plus, which is slated to debut in India on January 23. The Chinese OEM has sent invites to the Indian media, telling them to save the date for “the biggest selfie camera revolution.”
NBA app now lets you save games for offline viewing
THE NBA app for Android and iOS has improved dramatically over the previous months. In fact, it’s one of our favorite streaming apps across both ecosystems because it’s reliable and the interface is uncomplicated and easy to navigate. And because ever since we cut the cord on cable and went all-in on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the like, it’s been our go-to app for watching NBA broadcasts.
India next country to make iPhones after China, Brazil — report
THE Apple iPhone may be designed in the U.S., but most of the units that you see on the market are manufactured in China. Only a small percentage of them are assembled in Brazil. However, a recent report by Times of India, if true, could bring the number of countries making the device to three.
Apple dominates device sales among holiday shoppers
IN the battle for smartphone and tablet sales this holiday season, one company ruled them all. Just like last year, Apple was the best-selling brand worldwide from December 19 to 25, getting 44 percent of all device activations during the period. Meaning if you bought a gadget for yourself or your loved ones at the time, chances were it was probably made by Apple.
The Gionee M2017 smartphone has two 3,500mAh batteries in it
JUST when you thought smartphone manufacturers were done announcing new products this year, here comes China’s Gionee seemingly telling us that we thought wrong by unveiling what we believe is its last hurrah for 2016 — the Gionee M2017 (click for complete specs).
18-carat, limited-edition phone from China draws ire of internet
WE’VE seen a few ostentatious smartphones firsthand — iPhones encased in gaudy gold casings and Vertu handsets made of titanium immediately come to mind. None of them, however, have been scorned by the internet quite like this Forbidden City-themed item from China, which appropriately costs a king’s ransom. To a fault, obviously.
2016’s easiest and hardest smartphones to repair, according to iFixit
NOT all smartphones are created equal; there are devices that are easy to fix, and there are those that will make you tear your hair out. Fortunately for us, one company has released its findings of smartphone repairability.
Cherry Mobile Iris review: A peek into the future
IF you’ve seen the latest Cherry Mobile phones, we’re talking the more recent ones that made headlines after the 2016 Flare launch event, you’ll probably agree that the Philippines’ top smartphone brand is once again operating outside the box. The company seems to be willing to roll the dice to razzle and dazzle amid an industry-wide slowdown in technological development.
The 7 best smartphones in the Philippines in 2016
STOP looking for the perfect smartphone; you’ll never find it. But there are devices that are more superior than others, and today, as the year draws to a close, we’re paying homage to the best of the best handsets that have officially landed on Philippine shores in 2016.
Samsung Galaxy S8 to launch later than expected — report
SAMSUNG fans who, despite the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, still have faith on the brand and are willing to give the Samsung Galaxy S8 more than a passing consideration, may have to wait a bit longer for a Galaxy S7 successor. Later than expected, we mean.
Nintendo NES Classic Edition clones sell for as low as P999
THE Nintendo NES Classic Edition, a mini version of the popular video-game console from the ’80s, is one of the perfect gifts you can give someone or yourself this Christmas. However, it has become the holy grail of sorts; it’s just hard to find in the Philippines.
Amazon Prime Video now available worldwide, including PH [UPDATED]
WE have been Amazon Prime Video users for a while now, using a VPN [virtual private network] connection to be able to watch our favorite shows. But we’ve been monitoring the local Play Store and App Store almost every day since it was announced that Amazon is preparing for a global launch of its streaming-video service. Today, December 14, look at what popped up in our other account!
SKK Chronos Era is an unapologetic iPhone 7 Plus knockoff
YOU know what the reality is: Smartphone companies get inspired by copy off each other’s design and ideas at times. But Philippine-based SKK Mobile takes the art of imitation to another level with what is said to be the SKK Chronos Era.
Apple iPhone 7 still faster than Android’s fastest
AH, the OnePlus 3T (click for complete specs). A Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip hums under its metal unibody; also inside: 6 gigs of RAM that can handle even the most difficult situations without breaking a bead of sweat. Such a beast of a phone — on paper and otherwise — don’t you think?
7 reasons we do not like the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe
WHEN it was announced in August that the ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe ZS570KL variant (click for complete specs) will retail at P34,995 (roughly $700) in the Philippines, we were dismayed by the pricing. After all, when the device was unveiled at Computex 2016 in May, the company said it would go on sale for $499 (about P25,000). Four months later, now that it’s finally here and we’ve used the smartphone for almost two weeks, we still feel the same way. Here’s why we think it’s not good value for money.
8 of the best Great Christmas Sale deals on Lazada
CALL us Santa’s little helpers. With Lazada Philippines holding its Grand Christmas Sale promo till December 12, 2016, as part of its Online Revolution activity, we scoured the site to look for the best gadget deals, so you won’t have to.
Starmobile’s MacBook clone sells for only P7,990 on Lazada
FUNNY, but the latest Starmobile product that has caught our attention is not a smartphone. It’s a silver Windows 10 laptop the company calls the Starmobile Engage Aura. And it looks a lot like the Apple MacBook but sells for only P7,990 on Lazada Philippines starting today, December 7, until the 12th to coincide with the online store’s Grand Christmas Sale.
Cherry Mobile Flare X2 review: Style and substance for less
THE Flare X2, one of the more interesting Cherry Mobile offerings of late, is now available nationwide. Retailing at P7,999, it’s aimed at consumers who don’t want to splurge on a smartphone, but also don’t want to compromise on design or performance.
Nokia’s first Android smartphones set to debut in 2017
THE dream of a proper Android phone from Nokia lives on. The storied phone maker will return to the smartphone market in early 2017 under a company called HMD Global, which acquired the exclusive rights to use the Nokia brand on phones and tablets for the next 10 years.