Smartphones

No need to buy the iPhone 12 Pro, analysts say

Instead of the regular iPhone 12

Published

October 17, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Earlier this week, Apple finally launched this year’s iPhone 12 series. This time around, the well-established flagship series comes in four different flavors ranging from the mini to the Pro. Though the iPhone 12 mini presents some welcome variety, the two iPhone 12 Pro models haven’t really sparked as much fanfare. Apparently, some analysts do agree. According to current analyses, there is no need to buy the iPhone 12 Pro.

Reported by CNBC, analysts from Deutsche Bank cannot find any compelling reason to buy into the two Pro models, instead of the two regular versions. According to the report, past iPhone generations carried Pro versions with much more appeal than today’s two Pro models, starting with 2017’s iPhone X.

Further, UBS predicts that only 25 percent of the upcoming generation’s revenue will come from both Pro models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 12 mini will bag a superior 38 percent of revenue.

On paper, the two iPhone Pro models differ in only two major specifications: internal storage and camera. Both models also come in a more premium-looking chassis. Then again, the two regular models still offer sizable options for users.

That said, the tech community isn’t poring over specifications right now. Most pundits are currently talking about the sudden exclusion of the package’s formerly free peripherals. Though the series will have its strengths, the new package will certainly take center stage for months to come.

Related Topics:Apple iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max

Deals

Smart postpaid plans for Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Starts at PhP 900 with one-time fee of PhP 18,600 for Plan S

Published

October 28, 2020

Kenrick Buduan

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is available in the Philippines right now, but those waiting for the device to come on carrier plans are out of luck until now. Smart is now offering the budget flagship device on its Signature Plans, starting at PhP 999 per month.

Like other devices on Signature Plans, the device is available on four plan tiers — S, M, L, and XL. Across all plan tiers, there are two payment options for the device. These payment options differ by the amount of one-time cashout and the monthly fee.

Signature Plan S

	Payment Option 1	Payment Option 2
Amount of Data	5GB
Texts	Unlimited to all networks
Calls	Unlimited to Smart and Sun, 100 mins to other networks
One-time cashout	PhP 18,600	N/A
Monthly fee	PhP 999	N/A

Signature Plan M

	Payment Option 1	Payment Option 2
Amount of Data	10GB
Texts	Unlimited to all networks
Calls	Unlimited to Smart and Sun, 100 mins to other networks
One-time cashout	PhP 15,000	PhP 5,820
Monthly fee	PhP 1,499	PhP 1,899

Signature Plan L

	Payment Option 1	Payment Option 2
Amount of Data	15GB
Texts	Unlimited to all networks
Calls	Unlimited to Smart and Sun, 150 mins to other networks
One-time cashout	PhP 15,000	PhP 4,510
Monthly fee	PhP 1,999	PhP 2,299

Signature Plan XL

	Payment Option 1	Payment Option 2
Amount of Data	30GB
Texts	Unlimited to all networks
Calls	Unlimited to Smart and Sun, 300 mins to other networks
One-time cashout	PhP 4,100	PhP 1,810
Monthly fee	PhP 2,999	PhP 3,099

Plan renewals and new applications can be done via Smart’s online store. Select Smart physical stores are also open to serve customers and subscribers alike. Smart postpaid subscribers will get special discount rates on the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE upon renewal of their plan.

Watch our Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review

News

Nokia is likely working on an actual flagship

Is this the Nokia 10?

Published

October 28, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Since its resurrection from the dustbins of history, Nokia championed the banners for the midrange and budget segments. The company’s recent lineup includes both nostalgia jerkers and actual competitors. Of course, Nokia still lacks significant presence in the flagship segment. According to an internal document, Nokia is likely working on an actual flagship.

Reported by Nokia-centric outlet Nokiamob.net, the internal document confirms Nokia’s continued drive to become one of the world’s top smartphone companies in three to five years. To do so, the company is possibly planning for a Nokia 10 launch in the future.

However, if you’re hoping for more details about the upcoming device, the document does not explicitly reveal the new phone. Instead, it directly prohibits any rumors from surfacing about the Nokia 10. According to the leaker, the prohibitive clause itself confirms the existence of the smartphone without alluding to it directly.

Going by the company’s usual naming standards, the Nokia 10 will likely follow the Nokia 9, potentially hinting at an upcoming upgrade for the lineup. The company’s five-year goal further adds credence to the possibility.

Besides the Nokia 10, the document also emphasizes Nokia’s drive to strengthen support for Google and its services. With more Google-centric phones, Nokia hopes to “attract new users and increase [their] product value for existing users.”

Finally, the document affirms Nokia’s focus on several key markets going forward: India, China, Russia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, Mexico, and the United States. Though the company will certainly retain presence over other markets, expect more news to trickle from those territories first.

Smartphones

Samsung acquires license to supply phone screens to Huawei

One off Huawei’s list

Published

October 28, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Earlier this month, Huawei unveiled its last hurrah to the current Kirin generation, the Mate 40 series. Unfortunately, with the current state of geopolitics, the Chinese company can no longer access any America-dependent components it needs for devices. With the ban firmly in place, Huawei’s devices are in jeopardy of fading into oblivion. That said, foreign companies are also struggling to obtain licenses to keep Huawei as a valued client. Recently, Samsung has reportedly acquired such a license to supply phone screens for Huawei.

According to Reuters, Samsung Display’s bid for a license came through successfully, allowing the South Korean company to ship components to the Chinese company. The license potentially fills Huawei’s gaps in the supply chain.

In general, Huawei is with good company. Samsung Display currently ships screens to Samsung’s devices and Apple’s iPhones. Unfortunately, the report did not confirm which types of screens will fall under the list of permissible components for Huawei. Besides standard screens, the company also makes benchmark-topping OLED screens for smartphones.

Though Samsung already has the go-ahead, other companies have also applied for similar licenses from the US government. However, only a handful of companies have successfully received their licenses. With only a few trickling through, Huawei is still in a rough spot, lacking essential components for future smartphones and other devices.