Finance

Imported devices could get more expensive thanks to customs duty hike

iPhones to get even costlier!

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The Indian government has decided to hike customs duty on imported mobile phones from 15 to 20 percent in a move designed to protect local manufacturing. The higher tariffs take effect from April 1.

The move, which will make imported devices more expensive, follows less than two months after the country raised the import duty from 10 percent to 15 percent. The new hike comes amid the nations annual Budget Session when the coming year’s finances are declared. This move will affect Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Pixel lineups the most. Luckily, we shouldn’t be seeing any price hike on the iPhone SE because it is assembled in India.

Apple has been trying to assemble its devices in India but has always found itself in some bureaucratic hurdle. Apple has been negotiating with the Indian government for lower tariffs on certain components, but the increased duties are still not in its favor.

The increase on import duties is designed to promote local manufacturing. The moves taken by the government to ensure local sourcing have started paying off though; multiple companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, and BlackBerry have started making and assembling phones in India to avoid the high import duty and also further gain the benefits the government has to offer under the “Make in India” scheme. The fact that the phones are sourced in India is often a point of emphasis for these companies and another marketing point to the consumer.

A senior industry executive told the Economic Times that smartphone makers may decide to absorb a part of the duty increase because Apple had increased iPhone prices by an average 3.5 percent in December after the government had raised import duties by five percent.

Last year, Apple supplier Wistron started producing iPhone SE models in India.

Around 75 percent of all cellphones sold in India were assembled in the country in 2017, said Tarun Pathak, an analyst at Counterpoint Research to CNN.

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Finance

Atome now allows in-app bill payments with Bayad partnership

Pay for utilities, internet, government contributions directly within the app

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April 22, 2026

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Atome Philippines has partnered with Bayad to allow users to pay for utilities, internet, and government contributions directly within the Atome app.

The integration with the country’s largest bill payment aggregator is designed to help Filipinos manage household budgets more easily without the need for extra steps.

Atome users no longer need to switch from one app to another, nor visit websites to handle monthly bills. Bayad’s extensive network of billers and service providers can be accessed through the platform.

As such, electricity and water bills, as well as government fees, can be paid for directly via the app.

Beyond convenience, users will likewise earn Atome rewards points on every utility bill payment they make.

The partnership between Atome and Bayad is an important step in financial inclusion in the Philippines.

It gives unbanked and underbanked individuals a simpler and more rewarding way to manage essential household expenses.

Atome is known popularly for its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) offering. It has tie-ups with retailers like fashion, beauty, travel, and more.

The digital financial service platform also offers a Mastercard-powered BNPL card, as well as petty cash loans.

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Finance

Maya waives withdrawal, InstaPay transfer fees for Middle East remittances

Until April 10, for families relying on remittances from loved ones in the region

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March 26, 2026

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Maya Savings

Maya is extending support to Filipino families receiving remittances from loved ones working in the Middle East. This is through rebates for withdrawal and InstaPay transfer fees until April 10 as developments continue to unfold across parts of the West Asian region.

From March 23 until April 10, Maya users who receive remittances from select Middle Eastern countries can unlock a set of transaction rebates. This is designed to help them access and use the funds more easily.

Select countries include: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.

The region remains one of the Philippines’ most important remittance corridors. There are an estimated 2.4 million Filipinos residing in the region, based from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) data.

These overseas-based citizens contribute over US$ 6.4 billion in remittances in 2025 alone, based on preliminary Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data.

Eligible Maya users who activate Maya XP will receive the following rebates:

  • ATM withdrawals: PhP 18 credited back per transaction
  • InstaPay transfers: PhP 15 credited back per transaction

In addition, eligible users may also enjoy cashback on mobile load purchases. The discount ranges from 1% to 3%, depending on their Maya XP level.

After receiving a qualifying remittance, eligible users will receive an invitation to activate
Maya XP. The invite will pop up within one to three days.

Eligible users can activate their Maya XP directly within the Maya app by accessing the Maya XP  section in the Wallet Dashboard or Profile page and completing the quick “Get started” process, including providing the required consent.

Once activated, users can immediately begin enjoying rebates on eligible transactions.

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Deals

GoTyme Bank, Visa partner for FIFA World Cup 2026 raffle giveaway

Win an all-expense-paid trip to the World Cup with your GoTyme Visa Debit Card

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March 19, 2026

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GoTyme Bank and Visa have officially teamed up for a FIFA World Cup 2026 raffle giveaway.

This gives Filipino football fans the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to attend either the World Cup Group Stage or Final in the United States.

The partnership marks GoTyme Bank’s growing presence not only in the market but also in the global stage. Recently, the digital bank has grown to over 9 million customers in the Philippines, and 20 million worldwide.

Under the partnership, GoTyme Bank and Visa have released new limited-edition FIFA World Cup 2026-themed Visa Debit Cards.

These are available in two designs: Pitch Black and Trophy Gold. Both are designed by Filipino artist Ross Du, who incorporated the iconic tournament’s iconic trophy.

The latter, in particular, has some rarity as there will only be 20,000 copies printed in GoTyme Bank kiosks nationwide. Customers can have them printed starting March 23.

Print, Spend, Score

To join the raffle, cardholders simply have to spend at least PhP 1,000 for a raffle entry. That’s using the Classic or Pitch Black card.

Overseas spending also comes with a 3x multiplier, meaning three entries for every PhP 1,000 spent abroad.

Two winners — one Classic and one Pitch Black cardholder — will each win an all-expense-paid trip for two to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage in Los Angeles.

But even better, those who get the exceptionally rare Trophy Gold card will automatically get a raffle entry for the grand prize raffle draw — with no minimum spend required.

One Trophy Gold cardholder will win an all-expense-paid trip for two to attend the World Cup Final in New York City. This includes roundtrip business class seats as well.

In addition to the major prizes, 10 customers will receive exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa Premium merchandise.

The fly-off promo runs until May 7 for the Classic and Pitch Black cardholders and until June 10 for the Trophy Gold cardholders.

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