Beyond the Box Now Selling Unlocked iPhone 5 Devices

Some people feel that mobile providers are just too restrictive when it comes to consumer devices, namely the iPhone 5. There’re monthly fees, extra billing charges, and the like. There’s also the fact that when you already want to experience genius, you can’t, because of contracts. Beyond the Box has something interesting to say regarding this touchy subject: “We’ll sell you unlocked iPhone 5 units instead.”

Now that the craze has died down, Beyond the Box is now selling varieties of iPhone 5 devices at very competitive prices. See poster below for more details.

In case you didn’t notice, Beyond the Box are also selling older iPhone models*:

• Apple iPhone 4 – P19,415


• Apple iPhone 4S – P28,425

*We’re assuming that these are 16GB models

The iPhone 5—with its premium pricing and all—may seem less attractive now that there are more powerful devices that within the same price range or cheaper, but it’s still definitely a great smartphone. May God bless Steve Jobs’ soul, but we can sure use a cheaper iPhone model.

Beyond the Box Now Selling Unlocked iPhone 5 Devices

Alcatel Launches One Touch Jelly Bean Devices, Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Alcatel, one of the longest running global mobile brands, is celebrating their 20th anniversary in the market this year. And what better way to celebrate their anniversary than to flaunt their latest devices in the Philippines!

Previously announced in CES 2013, the Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD, One Touch Idol, and One Touch Idol Ultra, are all now officially available in the Philippines. These devices all sport fantasic displays, multi-core processors, and fantastic cameras. More information after the jump.

Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra

The Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra is one of the world’s thinnest mobile devices. It’s apparently also a hot item today since it appeared in the movie Iron Man 3.

Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra Specifications

OS: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Processor: 1.2GHz dual-core Mediatek CPU
Memory: 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 32GB
Display: 4.7” HD 720p (720 x 1280 pixels), AMOLED display, Corning Glass, Oleophobic coating
Camera: 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus & LED flash, 1.3-megapixel front camera
Connectivity: GSM Quadband (850/900/1800/1900), EAP, UMTS 900/2100 and 850/1900, 850/2100, 3G data up to 7.2Mbps DL and 5.76Mbps UL, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS with AGPS, Bluetooth 4.0 A2DP
Battery: 1800mAh
Dimensions: 134.4 x 68.5 x 6.45mm
Features: Micro SIM
Price: P14,990
Alcatel One Touch Idol

The Alcatel One Touch Idol is one of the two devices to have a dual-SIM configuration in their latest lineup. It also has a sleek metallic finish and a clean qHD display.

Alcatel One Touch Idol Specifications

OS: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Processor: 1GHz dual-core MTK 6577+ processor
Memory: 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 32GB (single-SIM version only)
Display: 4.7-inch qHD display (540 x 960 resolution), black crystal lens, Dragontrail Glass technology, oleophobic coating feature
Camera: 8-megapixel camera with autofocus & LED flash, 2-megapixel front camera
Connectivity: GSM Quadband (850/900/1800/1900), EAP, UMTS 900/2100 and 850/1900/2100, 3G data up to 7.2Mbps DL and 5.76Mbps UL
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS with AGPS, Bluetooth 4.0 A2DP
Battery: 1800mAh
Dimensions: 133 x 67.5 x 7.9 mm
Features: MicroSIM and dual-SIM versions available
Price: P11,990

Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD

The Scribe HD is Alcatel’s answer to the current market’s phablets. Personally for me it’s their answer to the Samsung Galaxy Note II (it has S Note-ish features, sans the built-in S Pen), and cheaper too. It’s also the company’s only quad-core device that appeared in this launch.

Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD Specifications

OS: Android Jelly Bean 4.1
Processor: 1.2GHz quad-core Mediatek processor
Memory: 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 32GB
Display: 5-inch IPS HD display (720×1280 resolution), black crystal lens, Dragontrail Glass technology, oleophobic coating feature
Camera: 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus & LED flash, 1.3-megapixel camera, FHD video 1080p recording
Connectivity:GSM Quadband (850/900/1800/1900), EAP, UMTS 900/2100 and 850/1900/2100
3G data up to 42Mbps DL and 11Mbps UL, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi display, GPS with AGPS, Bluetooth 4.0 A2DP
Battery: 2500mAh
Dimensions: 144 x 75 x 8.5mm
Features: MicroSIM and dual-SIM versions available
Price: P13,490

Other devices launched in the event include the One Touch Scribe Easy, the Glory 2, the Inspire 2, the Sapphire 2, and the One Touch Tab 7 HD.

With everything that we saw in this event considered, Alcatel is definitely doing things right: They’re producing quality devices at very competitive prices (their most  expensive device is hovering at the P15k mark; other local brands with the same specs but with lower build quality more or less sport the same price) and has promised to consistently keep their products’ quality.

Subcribe to this post and wait for our Alcatel One Touch reviews.

Alcatel Launches One Touch Jelly Bean Devices, Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Arc Mobile Introduces New Line of Android Devices, Promises Affordability

A relatively new player in the local mobile industry, Arc Mobile recently introduced their brand’s Android line—a set consisting of entry to mid-range smartphones and tablets that are attractively priced. Consisting their lineup are the Prime 350, the Nitro 400D, the Nitro 500D, the Nitro 450QD, the Tab 700M, the Tab 720M 3G, and the Tab 701D.

Of their Nitro series, the Nitro 500D and the Nitro 450QD stand out. Measuring 5-inches  (800×480 resolution) diagonally, the Arc Mobile Nitro 500D is the company’s resident phablet. It operates on a 1GHz dual-core A9 processor, a PowerVR SGX531 GPU, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, a 2000mAh Li-ion battery, and runs 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. It also has a 5-megapixel BSI rear camera.

The Arc Mobile Nitro 450QD meanwhile is something that resembles most local quad-core devices today, sans the 1GB RAM. Actual photos and specifications below:

Arc Mobile 450QD Specifications:

OS: Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean
Processor: 1.2GHz quad-core A7 (Mediatek?) processor, PowerVR SGX544MP GPU
Memory: 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, microSD expandable up to 32GB
Display: 4.5-inch qHD capacitive touch display, 960×540 resolution
Camera: 5-megapixel rear camera with flash and digital zoom, 0.3 VGA front camera
Battery: 1800 mAh Li-ion battery
Features: Dual-SIM dual-standby, 3G connectivity

The Arc Mobile Nitro 450QD has no official pricing yet, but is apparently scheduled to come out this June.

Among the company’s tablets, the Arc Mobile Tab 701D would be the most suited for gaming and general use. It sports a 1.6GHz dual-core processor, a Mali 400 GPU, 1GB RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and a 3200 mAh Li-ion battery.

Like the Nitro 450QD, the Tab 701D also has no official pricing released but will also be available soon.

Hopefully we’ll hear more from Arc Mobile and probably give us a hands-on on their units if and when they come through.

Arc Mobile Introduces New Line of Android Devices, Promises Affordability

Acer turns 10, intros new notebooks and mobile devices

Acer Philippines celebrated its 10^th year anniversary last May 21, with its theme “InTENse” to represent the company’s success over the past 10 years.

Acer Philippines’ General Manager Manuel Wong expressed his gratitude to the employees, who he believes are the most important reason for Acer’s success. He also thanked the company’s stakeholders, friends from the media, and other partners for supporting the brand throughout the years.

Acer aims to recalibrate their products to fit the needs of the always-on-the-go people, who want to get things simplified yet enhanced. One of the highlights of the grand event was the unveiling of Acer’s newest inTENse products that perfectly matches different needs of different people.

Acer went out of the box with the Aspire R7 notebook by placing the touch pad on top of the keyboard for better movement optimization, and the Ezel hinge system that brings the screen closer to the keyboard for easier touch screen access.

The Aspire P3 Ultrabook offers 10-point touch technology that allows users to use it as a tablet or with keyboard. Packed with color-rich HD display and Dolby surround speakers, users can have a great multimedia experience in a compact device.

Acer’s Iconia A1-810 tablet features a larger display, one-hand handling, quad-core processor, and a bunch of other great features makes it easier for young professionals to keep up with corporate challenges like on-call client meetings with a go-to gadget like the Iconia.

Acer also unveiled the 4.5-inch Liquid E2 smartphone that features a MediaTek 1.2GHz quad-core processor with dual SIM slots.

Also launched was the ultrathin Aspire V5-122P notebook (sitting between netbooks and Ultrabooks) that is definitely a well-balanced touch screen device which may appeal to users especially students.

For more information about Acer and the new line of products, visit: www.acer.com.ph.

Acer turns 10, intros new notebooks and mobile devices

DTC Mobile Hints at New Mobile Devices, Possibly Company"s First Dual-Cores

DTC Mobile, the company that brought the first truly affordable smartphone to the Philippines (everything before the GT3 Astroid were above P5k), recently hinted at what could possibly the company’s first batch of dual-core, 4-plus inch Android devices.

This local brand had been lowkey for a while, with its recent releases only the GB3, the GQ6, and the GT5 Astroid Plus, but their latest teaser points at 5 new smartphones of varying sizes. These are all presumably Android, will be named after heavenly bodies, and of course be ultimately affordable.

Hopefully we’ll hear more from DTC Mobile and shed light on some details. For now, let’s just patiently for the bombs they’ll unveil in the near future.

DTC Mobile Hints at New Mobile Devices, Possibly Company"s First Dual-Cores