Deals

Globe vs Smart: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 postpaid plans

Where to get the most expensive Galaxy Note?

Published

August 14, 2018

Daniel Morial

Samsung’s latest phone is out of the oven. The Galaxy Note 9 is currently the company’s top dog and their most expensive phone in the market. In the Philippines, the Galaxy Note 9 starts at PhP 55,990 for the unlocked 128GB variant, but the phone is also available through major telcos’ postpaid plans.

Both Globe and Smart are already accepting pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 9 (128GB), but where should you get it? Let us help you with this comparison using Plan 1499 on both telcos.

	Globe	Smart
Plan	ThePLAN 1499	GigaX Plan 1499
Calls	Unlimited to Globe/TM	60 minutes to all networks
Texts	Unlimited to all networks	Unlimited to all networks
Data	8GB	5GB + 10GB for video streaming
Freebies	DisneyLife for 6 months Spotify Premium for 3 months w/ 1GB monthly allocation	Free YouTube w/ 1GB or 1-hour daily allocation
Device Fee	PhP 1,300/month (via credit card or charge to bill)	PhP 1,300/month (with advance payments)
Total Monthly Fee	PhP 2,799	PhP 2,799
Contract Period	24 months	24 months
Total Cost	PhP 67,176	PhP 67,176

With Globe’s ThePLAN 1499, you’ll get unlimited calls to Globe/TM, unlimited texts to all networks, and 8GB mobile data allowance. Like with other Globe plans, it comes with a free DisneyLife subscription for six months and Spotify Premium for three months with an additional 1GB allowance just for music streaming.

The device cashout is PhP 31,200 which can be broken down into 24 equal monthly payments for PhP 1,300 via credit card or have it charged to the bill if you’re a recontracting subscriber. You’ll be initially paying PhP 2,799 which includes the first monthly payment for the plan and the phone. Since the plan comes with a standard two-year contract, it’ll cost you PhP 67,176 in all.

As for Smart’s GigaX Plan 1499, it comes with 60 minutes of calls and unlimited texts to all networks. The plan comes with 15GB of total monthly data allowance that includes 5GB of open data, which you can use with any website or app, and 10GB for video streaming on YouTube, iFlix, Fox+, or iWantTV. As for freebies, Smart has an ongoing free daily YouTube access.

The device cashout with Smart is also PhP 31,200 outright or PhP 1,300 per month. There’s no need for a credit card, but if you wish to pay in installments, you’ll have to pay advanced fees that are equivalent to two months of the device fee and the postpaid plan. The monthly fee is PhP 2,799 with an initial cashout of PhP 8,397 which includes the first monthly fee plus the advanced fees.

You can check out Globe’s ThePLAN and Smart’s GigaX Plan websites to apply. Pre-orders are open until August 19 with freebies including a free Gear Fit 2 Pro and NanoFixIt Liquid Screen Protector. You can also avail of the 512GB variant (at a higher price, of course) and you’ll get a Gear IconX for free on top of the existing freebies.

Deals

Apple Watch, AirPods get exclusive offers via Beyond the Box

Best prices, up to 24 months 0% installment, more

Published

August 8, 2026

GadgetMatch

Beyond the Box is encouraging customers in the Philippines to take advantage of their offers on the latest Apple Watch and AirPods.

Customers can enjoy special prices on the following wearables:

Apple Watch SE3: from PhP 15,490
Apple Watch Series 11: from PhP 21,390
AirPods (4th Generation): from PhP 6,990
AirPods (4th Generation with Active Noise Cancellation): from PhP 10,490
AirPods Pro (3rd Generation): from PhP 13,990

To make every upgrade even more rewarding, customers will also receive an additional PhP 1,000 cash credit to spend on eligible Apple Watch bands, AirPods cases, and other accessories.

Purchases are also available with up to 24 months real 0% installment using participating UnionBank credit cards.

With Apple Pay now available in the Philippines, Apple Watch users can now pay with a simple tap. This makes everyday purchases faster and more convenient.

That’s aside from tracking workouts, monitoring health, staying connected, and more.

Paired with the AirPods, users can enjoy immersive music while on such workouts or on calls. They can also access Siri hands-free while their entire Apple ecosystem devices work seamlessly together.

The Beyond the Box Apple Watch and AirPods promo is available at any store nationwide.

Deals

Maya: Convert purchases to 0% interest Mini Payment plans

On select electronics and home appliance purchases for a limited-time only

Published

August 7, 2026

GadgetMatch

Maya is offering consumers the opportunity to convert eligible electronics and home appliance purchases to 3-month Mini Payment plans with 0% interest.

That’s through the Maya Black Credit Card or the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card. The promo period runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, giving consumers more financial flexibility.

In addition, processing fees will be waived for Mini Payment plans availed until September 30.

Purchases will continue to earn instant Maya Miles or Landers Cashback Points with use of the corresponding card.

To avail of the mini-payment offer, simply make a single straight purchase worth at least PhP 10,000 using either card.

Once the transaction is posted on the Maya app, select the transaction and tap “Convert to Mini Payments”. Then, choose the 3-month Mini Payment plan to enjoy the promo.

Deals

nubia expands gaming lineup with Neo 5 Max, Neo 5 GT Special Edition

Get them with freebies until August 8

Published

August 6, 2026

GadgetMatch

Mobile gamers are in for a treat as the newly-released nubia Neo 5 Max PadPhone, as well as the Neo 5 GT Special Edition, have special deals throughout the weekend.

This is as part of the “#NEOVerseMaxOut: Max Out Your World” campaign, with nubia offering the two new models under their popular Neo series.

Purchases until August 8 come with a free 3-month Viu Premium subscription, as well as up to PhP 7,999 worth of freebies.

Freebies include power banks, Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, portable fans, and more.

Both smartphones offer users more ways to enjoy immersive entertainment, gaming, and everyday productivity.

The recently-launched Neo 5 Max comes with a 7.5-inch display for more room for content consumption and gaming.

It also houses a 7,100mAh dual-cell battery for more power, specially in extended sessions, streaming marathons, or busy days.

The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7100 chipset, along with more features like Dolby Atmos, Neo Triggers 5.0, RGB Eagle Eye Lighting, and IP64 dust and water resistance.

It is priced at PhP 19,999.