The Galaxy Note 8 is currently the hottest (and most expensive) phone from Samsung right now. With that in mind, one of the best ways to get a new flagship phone at a cheaper price is through a postpaid telco plan.

In the Philippines, the phone has a suggested retail price of PhP 49,990 (US$ 1,000), which is really steep. Good thing local telcos, Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, have already released their postpaid plans for the new top-of-the-line smartphone from Samsung.

Both telcos offer the Galaxy Note 8 in all of their monthly plans, from the cheapest Plan 599 to the most expensive Plan 2999. Each plan has its corresponding inclusions and freebies. Let’s compare the suggested postpaid plan of Globe and Smart for the Galaxy Note 8.

Let’s compare the suggested postpaid plans of Globe and Smart for the Galaxy Note 8:

Globe advertises ThePLAN 1499, which includes unlimited calls to Globe/TM, unlimited texts to all networks, and a meager 8GB mobile data allowance. As with other Globe postpaid plans, it comes with a free Netflix subscription for six months and Spotify Premium for three months with an additional 1GB allowance just for music streaming. Under this plan, the phone has a total cash-out fee of PhP 28,800, but it can be done through monthly payments of just PhP 1,200 through credit card or charged to your bill if you’re re-contracting with the telco. As advertised, the total monthly payment is PhP 2,699 and has a standard 24-month lockout period.

On the other hand, Smart recommends Postpaid Plan 999, which includes 50 minutes of calls and unlimited texts to all networks, and a larger 10GB monthly data allocation. You also get discounted call rates within their network for just PhP 4/min and an additional 500MB for messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Viber. As for the cost of the device, Smart requires an initial payment of PhP 1,000 and a monthly installment of PhP 1,500. All in all, the monthly fee is just PhP 2,499; however, Smart’s plan has a longer contract period of 30 months. Adding up the numbers shows that the device will cost you PhP 46,000 (not far from the phone’s SRP).

Both plans have different inclusions: Globe is great for contacting within their networks thanks to unlimited call and text services, while Smart is more inclined to connect outside their network, since you can use your inclusions to contact any subscriber in the country. Smart also has a larger mobile data allowance, although Globe’s freebies are fitting for entertainment consumption.

If we’re going to do the math, the total cost of Globe’s postpaid plan for two years (including the device) will amount to PhP 64,776, while Smart’s whole cost for 30 months (2.5 years) will reach PhP 75,970. You may be paying less every month under Smart, yet the lengthy contract makes it more expensive in the long run.

Globe has the cheaper total cost and the shorter contract. If you’re getting the Globe plan this year, the lock-out will end just in time for the Galaxy Note 10.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 video review

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