Smartphones

iPhone 12’s 5G feature is useless for most users, analysts say

At least for the next few years

Published

October 13, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

It’s been a long time coming. Finally, Apple is unveiling the much-awaited, much-delayed iPhone 12 series tomorrow. Besides a flurry of new specs, the upcoming flagships will tout the first 5G compatibility for the long-running series. However, according to analysts, the iPhone 12’s 5G feature is useless for most users.

Reported by Reuters, a few analysts have already weighed in on the unannounced smartphones, particularly about the aforementioned 5G connectivity. Ever since the first rumors popped up, the iPhone 12 series has consistently drummed up hype for Apple’s 5G hardware. Today, a lot of smartphones have already included “5G readiness” as a selling point. Naturally, Apple wants to join the fight.

However, according to Strategy Analytics’s Boris Metodiev, owning the 5G-ready iPhone 12 is “like having a Ferrari… but using it in your local village and you can’t drive to up to 200 miles per hour, simply because the roads cannot maintain those speeds.”

Though the analyst is focusing on American telcos, the same holds true for most countries today wherein true 5G connectivity remains a dream. Except outliers like South Korea, most people cannot enjoy the new 5G feature yet. (In fact, a few countries don’t even get consistent 4G connectivity.) According to other analysts, it will likely take years before the promise of blazing-fast 5G becomes a reality.

Additionally, countries with adequate 5G — like South Korea and China — are already saturated with competing brands — like Samsung and Huawei, respectively.

The message is clear. 5G just isn’t that important of a smartphone feature yet. It’s too early to become enamored with a smartphone maker’s promise of 5G connectivity.

Of course, owning the latest 5G-ready smartphone has one specific draw: futureproofing. If you’re keeping the iPhone 12 (or any other 5G-ready smartphone) for several years, the 5G feature might be worth it. However, if you’re the type to change smartphones every one or two years, 5G connectivity isn’t vital yet.

Malaysia

POCO M3 launches with Snapdragon 662, triple rear cameras

Is it a worthy successor?

Published

November 24, 2020

Shivam Vahia

POCO has been teasing the global launch of the POCO M3 for quite some time now and the brand has finally unveiled the new phone. Expanding its lineup in the affordable segment, the POCO M3 is supposed to be an all-rounder that’ll succeed the POCO M2.

Going with a fresh design, the phone has a significantly large POCO branding on the rear. It gets a side-mounted physical fingerprint scanner along with a large camera module on the rear. POCO says the rear is designed to be anti-fingerprint, so you don’t have to worry about smudges.

The POCO M3 sports a 6.5-inch Full HD+ display with a water-drop notch, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. Powering the phone is an octa-core Snapdragon 662 processor with 4GB RAM. Storage options include 64GB and 128GB, along with a microSD card option for expansion.

On the rear is a triple camera setup consisting of a 48-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front is an 8-megapixel camera for selfies. Software options include portrait mode, night mode, and 120fps slo-mo.

Backing these internals is a massive 6000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. The phone comes bundled with a 22.5W fast charging brick and the phone will be available in Cool Blue, POCO Yellow, and Power Black color options. It runs MIUI 12 out-of-the-box and is based on Android 10.

Pricing and availability

USA

4GB+64GB — US$ 149
4GB+128GB — US$ 169

Special Black Friday pricing are as follows: US$ 129 for 4GB+64GB and US$ 149 for 4GB+128GB

Philippines

4GB+64GB — PhP 6,990
4GB+128GB — PhP 7,990

As part of the first sale in The Philippines, a 48-hour deal for both variants will be available on November 27 and 28 at early bird prices of PhP 5,990 (4GB+64GB) and PhP 6,990 (4GB+128GB).

In addition, those who purchase POCO M3 on November 27 from 12AM-2AM will receive a free gift — the Mi In-Ear Headphones Basic Piston Earphone, while stocks last.

Malaysia

4GB+64GB — MYR 599
4GB+128GB — MYR 699

Reviews

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review: Pro Enough?

How does it set itself apart from the rest of the line?

Published

November 24, 2020

GadgetMatch

While the similarities between Apple’s iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are less distinct than ever, the iPhone 12 Pro sets itself apart enough. Other than that, consumers got more confused with the iPhone 12 mini and 12 Pro Max on the line.

Are you curious to know if the iPhone 12 Pro is your GadgetMatch this 2020?

You can find out more in our iPhone 12 Pro review by clicking this link.

Deals

Samsung Galaxy smartphones are heavily discounted this Christmas

Get up to PhP 30,000 discounts on Galaxy flagships

Published

November 24, 2020

Kenrick Buduan

There has never been a better time to buy a Galaxy than this holiday season. Last August, Samsung committed to updating its smartphones for longer. Now, the brand is making a splash by heavily discounting its flagships for the holidays.

Discounts for Note10, S20, and Fold

Samsung Galaxy Note10 series receives the biggest discount among the bunch. The Galaxy Note10 is now PhP 28,990, down from its retail price of PhP 53,990. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Note10+ (256GB) can be had at PhP 30,990, a big markdown from its PhP 60,990 price. Customers can also snag the Galaxy Note10 Lite at PhP 26,990 — which normally retails at PhP 29,990 —for a limited time.

A big discount of PhP 20,000 is also up for grabs with the Galaxy S20 series. Customers can avail of the Galaxy S20+ at PhP 36,990, which is already a steal considering its price tag of PhP 55,990. The S20 Ultra also receives a big discount, going from PhP 69,990 to PhP 55,990.

Groundbreaking Samsung Galaxy devices are also having massive discounts in time for the holidays. The original Galaxy Fold will retail at PhP 65,990 for a limited time — a massive price drop from its regular PhP 109,990 price. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip is available now at PhP 55,990 from its PhP 79,990 price.

PhP 2,000 discount on the Galaxy A-series

Customers will be glad to know that there will also be PhP 2,000 discount on select A-series smartphones. Here are the holiday prices for these select smartphones:

A71 — PhP 20,990
A51 — PhP 15,990
A31 — PhP 12,990
A21s — PhP 9,990
A20s — PhP 7,990
A11 — PhP 6,490
A01 Core — PhP 4,990

Meanwhile, users of the Samsung Members app can receive a PhP 1,000 discount on Galaxy Buds Live by simply tapping “Redeem” on the promo page from the app. The discount, however, is valid until November 30.

Of course, it pays to have insurance for any newly brought Galaxy device. Customers who purchase any of the discounted devices will get 20% off on Samsung’s mobile care plan for 12 or 24 months.

To sweeten the deal, Samsung is offering a flexible payment option for select Galaxy smartphones from November 5 to December 31. Devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold2, Note20 series, S20 series, and more are eligible for the Buy Now, Pay Next Year promo.

Exclusive freebies are up for grabs too

Each purchase of the Galaxy Watch3 Titanium comes with a free Wireless Charger Duo Pad worth PhP 5,099. This offer is valid from November 11 to 31 on Lazada, Shopee, MX Online, Abenson Online, and Samsung’s online store.

Samsung is also throwing an exclusive freebie with every purchase of Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra. From November 1 to 31, customers may snag a free Galaxy Buds Live worth PhP 8,900 when they purchase these latest flagships.

Surely, there’s a lot of exciting discounts on Samsung Galaxy smartphones this Christmas. Visit Samsung’s website for more updates and information on the latest promos and discounts.