Smart introduces "refreshed" Postpaid plans

Image courtesy of Smart Communications Inc

Disclaimer: The article below are my views on the new plans based on the infomation I know (experienced) and information I see in their website.

Smart followed Globe's footsteps a few months after it changed their Postpaid offerings, lowered its phone subsidy, and implemented a data cap across all data plans.  ,

Smart All-In Plans is almost the same as the old "All-In Plans", but note that its flexibundles does not offer unlimited data anymore. You may want to check-out the list of flexibundles here http://smart.com.ph/Postpaid/plans/flexibundles/flexibundle-list

Smart Data Plans 999, 1500, 2000, and 3000 are nowhere to be found now, and are replaced by Surf Plus Plans which puts a data cap (or allowance) to any of the plans, but allows users to subscribe even with smaller data allowance. I noticed that SurfPlus Plan 999 now gives 30 minutes of calls to all networks, 100 texts to all networks, and an Value Added service interchangeable every month, while the old (err. grandfathered) Data Plan 999 only gives 9 minutes of calls to all networks and 99 texts to all networks. See more details here: http://smart.com.ph/Postpaid/plans/surf-plus-plan 

Plan 399	Plan 599	Plan 799	Plan 999	Plan 1499	Plan 1999
Data Allowance	100 MB	200 MB	1.5 GB	5 GB	7 GB	9 GB
Calls	-	Unli calls to Smart and TNT	Unli calls to Smart and TNT	30 minutes of calls to all networks	60 minutes of calls to all networks	150 minutes of calls to all networks
Texts	Unli texts to Smart, TNT and Sun	Unli texts to Smart, TNT and Sun	Unli texts to Smart, TNT and Sun	100 texts to all networks	120 texts to all networks	200 texts to all networks
Gadget Shield	1 month	1 month	1 month	1 month	1 month	1 month
VAS Content	1 Free, interchangeable monthly	1 Free, interchangeable monthly	1 Free, interchangeable monthly	1 Free, interchangeable monthly	1 Free, interchangeable monthly	1 Free, interchangeable monthly

Choosing the best postpaid plan and network is entirely up to you. It is influenced mainly by your contact list, and the quality of service you get where you live and work. So choose wisely, because choosing the wrong one will end-up in 2 years of "misery".

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge Live Photos

I went to Eastwood yesterday morning after my usual workout routine, and to my surprise, a live demo unit is already available at Smart Center Eastwood Citywalk. I was the first "customer" at the store, so I got a chance to play with it and view it from every angle for quite some time.

I have to say that both phones look gorgeous and premium. The camera is really good, I think one of the best in Android phones. The speakers are way louder than the iPhone 6 Plus. 

I read on early reviews online that the Samsung Galaxy S6 looks like an iPhone. It looks like an iPhone 6 only if you look at its aluminum side, other than that, it doesn't. I also noticed that the S6 demo unit is a dual SIM variant, while the S6 edge demo unit is a single SIM variant.

Later in the afternoon, I went to SM Megamall, and saw more demo units at the Globe Store, and Samsung Store in Cyberzone Bldg. B

If you are planning to get one, and not from a postpaid plan, prices are as follows:

• Galaxy S6 (32GB) SRP P35,990
• Galaxy S6 (64GB) SRP P41,990
• Galaxy S6 edge (64GB) SRP P47,990
• Galaxy S6 edge (32GB) SRP P41,990

The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge really took my heart. I love it's "edgy" look and feel. I think Samsung finally got the design right this time, to win both Android and non-Android users.

Here are a couple of photos I took from Smart Eastwood Citywalk, and I hope you enjoy it.

Samsung Galaxy S6

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge

All photos posted are my property.Copyright is applicable.

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge Postpaid Plan Price Comparison

Globe and Smart finally released the postpaid plan cash-out prices for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. Both devices will be available on April 10. If you pre-order now, both networks offers free wireless charging port on your new phone. Are you having a hard time thinking which plan offers less cash-out? See the table below.

You may also want to consider which plan will give you the best value out of your monthly service fee before signing-up. Some plans offers a data plan, a lot of free calls, but less SMS. Some plans offer a data plan and unlimited same network calls and text.

In my opinion, Smart wins this round. I personally do not like Globe's myLifestyle Plan. You can also read the same sentiment in online forums when they changed their myBest Ever Superplan to myLifestyle Plan. Globe subscribers will have to wait for a year or two before they change it again. 

Please note that this post is not a paid advertisement from neither networks.

Bookmark this page to be updated when Smart releases their cash-out for Data Plan 1500.

Smart released cash-out prices for Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Go to http://www1.smart.com.ph/postpaid/samsungnote4 for more details

Smart started offering the LG G3 at a lower plan!

Photo courtesy of Smart's LG G3 Page

Yes, you heard it right! The ultra-sleek LG G3 is now offered to Smart Postpaid Subscribers at a lower plan compared to Globe's. Take note that this is the LG G3 16GB ROM and 2GB RAM variant.

Smart extends FREE Unli-LTE service

Yesterday (March 31, 2014) is the last day of Smart's free Unli-LTE offer. Once the promo is over, the 1.5GB data cap will be applied to all data plan subscribers. 1.5GB can be consumed in less than a day, if you ask me. 

Rumor Mill: LG Nexus 5 to be released in the Philippines

LG Nexus 5 (Left) with it's fraternal twin, LG G2 (right)

Photo courtesy of PhoneArena

Rumor has it that LG Nexus 5 will be released in the Philippines next week! The phone will be sold through a major carrier, and other "legit" gadget shops.

If this is indeed true, I will assume that the major carrier is Smart since they released the LG Nexus 4 last year. It is also safe to say that it will be free under LTE data plan 1500 as the Nexus 4 is free at Data Plan 1500.

For the unlocked LG Nexus 5, I guess the price range will be from P18,000 to P23,000 which is clearly far from the original retail price of the phone in the US.

I just hope the 32GB version of LG Nexus 5 will be free on LTE Data Plan 1500, or will be largely be at stores as this phone does not have an microSD expansion slot.

Smart Freedom Sale on June 12, 2013

In celebration of the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2013, Smart will be holding it first ever Smart Freedom Sale.

Image from Smart's Facebook Page

Get the 64GB iPhone 4S for P10,490 P10,900, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (P3100) Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus (P6200) for only P4490 P5600, and 8GB iPhone 3GS for only P4900. Other phones are also on sale! Go get these great deals only from Smart Gateway (Gateway Activity Center) and Smart Robinsons Galleria (Robinsons Movie World area) on June 12, 2013 only from 10AM to 7PM.

The catch: You have to subscribe to SMART freedom plan, which is a zer0-plan. If you dont use it, you don't get billed. It also does not have a holding period. So bring an additional P600 for 1 month advance and valid IDs. Want to know more about Smart's Freedom Plan? Click here! http://www1.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/plans/freedom-plans 

For complete list of phones, go to: http://www1.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/promos/freedom-to-follow/

Disclaimer: Smart is NOT an advertiser of this blog and this is not a paid post.

Follow and send me a tweet on Twitter: @JBTizon

Nokia Lumia 920 now available on Smart Data Plan 1500

Windows Phone 8 and Lumia lovers rejoice! Smart recently announced that they are now carrying the best camera smartphone yet... Nokia Lumia 920. Well, a friend of mine already availed of this phone together with a plan from Smart a week and half ago before this was announced on Smart's website.

It's free in Data Plan 1500 (30 month commitment) with unlimited LTE connectivity*, 120 texts to all networks and 60 minutes of local/domestic calls or All-In Plan 1800.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• Quad-band 3G with 42 Mbps HSDPA and 5.7 Mbps HSUPA support
• 4.5" 16M-color PureMotionHD+ IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels
• 8 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording
• Optical Image stabilization with floating lens technology
• 1.3MP front-facing camera
• Windows Phone 8 OS
• 1.5GHz dual-core Krait CPU, Adreno 225 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8960 chipset, 1GB of RAM
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band
• GPS receiver with A-GPS and GLONASS support
• Free lifetime voice-guided navigation
• 32GB of inbuilt storage
• Active noise cancellation with a dedicated mic
• Wireless charging with optional accessories
• Built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and proximity sensor
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• microUSB port
• Bluetooth v3.0 with A2DP and EDR, file transfers
• SNS integration
• Xbox Live integration and Xbox management
• NFC support
• Digital compass
• Nokia Music

Main disadvantages

• App catalog falls short of Android and iOS
• No microSD card
• No FM radio
• No system-wide file manager
• No lockscreen shortcuts
• Size and weight something to definitely consider before you buy
• Audio output not worthy of a flagship
• Non user-replaceable battery

Reference: http://www1.smart.com.ph/About/newsroom/all-press-releases/2013/06/07/get-the-best-lte-smartphone-experience-only-from-smart

Follow and send me a tweet on Twitter: @JBTizon, 

Local iPhone 5 gets on-board LTE chip enabled

True to Tim Cook's announcement last week, Philippines received iOS update 6.1 to enable the on-board LTE chip of the iPhone 5s (fives) sold and distributed by Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.

Other than enabling the on-board LTE, iOS 6 users will also get: the ability to purchase movie tickets through Siri (US-only), and the opportunity for iTunes Match fans to download individual songs from iCloud.

Smart announced earlier that they'll offer FREE LTE access to current subscribers until April 30, 2013 (See more details here). You may check out Smart's LTE coverage thru this link (I hope your area is covered). 

Globe on the other hand, announced on their Twitter account that existing subscribers may request to replace their regular nano-SIM to an LTE nano-SIM. The coverage is still limited though. The LTE locations are: Makati, Eastwood, Katipunan, Diliman, Meralco Avenue, Wack-Wack, Ortigas Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Binondo, Cebu, and Boracay.

Let us know how LTE works for you by posting a comment below. We'll be waiting for your feedback!

FREE Facebook access via Facebook Java App for SMART subsribers

It’s FREE to download and use for SMART subscribers until October 14, 2011.

Facebook App (for Java) is a mobile phone application which allows easy Facebook access. It enables you to access Facebook's main features such as inbox, status updates, news feeds, photo albums and more.

Read more on Smart's FAQ page. 

Smart Unli Postpaid

Here's Smart's TVC for the product.

Smart goes head-to-head with Globe's SuperUnli. However, Smart's Unlitext to its network is cheaper compared to Globe's My SuperTxt 349.I'm sure that a lot of Smart postpaid subscribers will switch to this plan.


One thing I noticed though is that this plan is only offered until October 2011.




Rates:

	Plan 299	Plan 599
SMS
On-net	Unlimited	Unlimited
Off-net	P1.00	P1.00
Voice Calls
On-net	P6.50	Unlimited
Off-net	P7.50	P7.50
International
iOSMS	P10.00	P10.00
IDD	$0.40	$0.40
Data	P10.00 every 30 mins	P10.00 every 30 mins

• Unli Postpaid Plan 599: Unlimited Call and Text, Smart-to-Smart
• Unli Postpaid Plan 299: Unlimited Text, Smart-to-Smart

 

Mechanics:

1. Unlimited service applies to SMART, Red, Talk N’ Text and Addict Mobile subscribers.
2. No registration required to avail the UNLI, upon activation of the account, the unlimited service can already be enjoyed.
3. Usages outside the UNLI service will be billed on top of the monthly service fee.
4. Unli applies to local calls/sms only.
5. Usages outside the unli service will be billed on top of the monthly service fee

Source: http://www1.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/plans/unli-postpaid