Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is making its 5G Home WiFi offering more accessible with a limited-time 40% discount.

The Smart 5G Max Home WiFi now costs P2,995, down from P4,990. The promo runs until November 20, 2026.

Powered by Smart’s nationwide 5G network, the device delivers speeds of up to 600Mbps and supports up to 40 devices. It also comes with 15 days of free unlimited data.

Built for flexible connectivity

Smart positions the 5G Max Home WiFi as a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution for households that need broadband connectivity in areas where fiber is not yet available.

The router is plug-and-play, so users do not need professional installation. They can simply set up the router, insert the included Smart SIM, and connect their devices.

The package includes the Smart 5G Max Home WiFi Router, Smart SIM, and 15 days of free unlimited data. After the free data period, users can reload with UNLI 1299, which offers unlimited data for all sites and apps for 30 days.

Smart expands its 5G network

Smart says 5G Fixed Wireless Access is gaining traction globally as telcos look for ways to extend broadband connectivity to more households, particularly in areas with limited fixed-line infrastructure.

As of the end of June 2026, Smart had 12.5 million 5G-capable individual devices on its network. This represents a 30% increase and 21% of individual devices on the network.

Smart also continues to invest in its nationwide network. The company says these efforts helped it earn Ookla’s recognition for Best Mobile Video Experience in the Philippines for the first half of 2026, with a Video Score of 72.82.

The Smart 5G Max Home WiFi is available for P2,995 at Smart Stores and through the Smart Online Store.

POCO has officially launched the F9 Series in the Philippines, bringing the POCO F9 Ultra and POCO F9 Pro to the local market. The new lineup focuses on flagship performance, 185Hz displays, upgraded cameras, and longer battery life.

Both phones are now available through Shopee, with an Early Bird promo running from September 1 to 16, 2026. Buyers can also get a free REDMI Buds 8 Active, 1+1 Years Warranty, and up to six months of screen replacement at any Xiaomi Service Center. Shopee also offers a rebate on top of the Early Bird promo.

POCO F9 Series pricing and availability

The POCO F9 Ultra comes in Dark Cherry and Black, with three storage configurations:

• 12GB + 256GB: PhP 55,999 SRP | PhP 45,999 Early Bird | PhP 41,920 with Shopee Rebate
• 16GB + 512GB: PhP 59,999 SRP | PhP 48,999 Early Bird | PhP 44,600 with Shopee Rebate
• 16GB + 1TB: PhP 89,999 SRP | PhP 79,999 Early Bird | PhP 73,600 with Shopee Rebate

Meanwhile, the POCO F9 Pro comes in White, Aurora Green, and Black:

• 12GB + 256GB: PhP 49,999 SRP | PhP 33,999 Early Bird | PhP 30,600 with Shopee Rebate | PhP 29,300 with Lazada Rebate
• 12GB + 512GB: PhP 54,999 SRP | PhP 35,999 Early Bird | PhP 32,400 with Shopee Rebate | PhP 31,500 with Lazada Rebate

POCO F9 Ultra

The POCO F9 Ultra is the higher-end model of the two. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform and pairs it with the VisionBoost D8 chipset. This enables Smart frame rate of up to 185FPS, with Smart frame rate and AI Super Resolution able to run simultaneously. POCO says the F9 Ultra also achieved an AnTuTu score of 4,165,108, the highest recorded on a POCO smartphone.

For gaming, the F9 Ultra supports 185FPS across more than 20 titles natively, while five additional games can reach 185FPS through Smart frame rate. It also features a 4,800Hz instant touch sampling rate, 480Hz 10-point touch sampling rate, 200Hz gyro sampling rate, and POCO 3D IceLoop cooling.

It also gets a 6.9-inch 185Hz HyperRGB AMOLED display. The panel uses POCO HyperRGB technology and the new M11 luminescent material, reaching up to 4,500 nits of peak brightness and 10,000 nits for HDR content. The phone also supports Xiaomi Vision Care and TÜV Rheinland Quadruple Eye Care certification.

On the back, the F9 Ultra introduces dynamic lighting that can react to calls, notifications, gaming, and music.

For audio, the F9 Ultra uses dual symmetrical 1115D stereo speakers and a 1620 independent subwoofer to deliver a 2.1-channel audio setup. Sound by Bose tuning also brings Dynamic and Balanced sound profiles.

The phone packs an 8,050mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless HyperCharge. It also supports 27W wired and 22.5W wireless reverse charging.

For photography, the F9 Ultra has POCO’s first 200MP ultra-clear camera system with OIS. It is paired with a 5x periscope telephoto camera, 10x lossless zoom, and up to 20x AI Ultra Zoom. A 32MP front camera handles selfies.

POCO F9 Pro

POCO F8 Pro and POCO F9 Pro

The POCO F9 Pro takes the F Series experience into a slightly more compact package.

It also uses a flagship Qualcomm mobile platform alongside the VisionBoost D8 chipset, enabling the same 185FPS Smart frame rate capabilities. It gets the same HyperRGB AMOLED display technology, but on a smaller 6.59-inch 185Hz panel.

The F9 Pro has a 6,330mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless HyperCharge. It also supports reverse charging at up to 27W wired and 22.5W wireless.

For photography, the phone gets POCO’s first 200MP main camera system with OIS. It is paired with a 50MP 2.5x floating telephoto camera that can focus as close as 10cm, making it suitable for both close-up and long-distance shots.

The F9 Pro also gets Sound by Bose technology, using dual symmetrical 1115F super-linear stereo speakers and a Sealed Cavity Design.

Both phones also support POCO’s new Game Audio mode, which boosts the volume of footsteps while retaining other in-game audio cues to help players identify sounds and their direction more easily.

The POCO F9 Series is now available in the Philippines through Shopee, with Early Bird offers running until September 16, 2026.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Salmon have announced a multi-year marketing partnership that makes the financial technology company an Official Partner of the NBA in the Philippines.

The announcement was made on August 29 at NBA House Philippines 2026 presented by Gatorade in Makati City. NBA Head of Southeast Asia and Asia Marketing Sheila Rasu, NBA Asia Head of Growth and Innovation Ed Winkle, and Salmon Co-Founders George Chesakov, Pavel Fedorov, and Raffy Montemayor attended the announcement.

Bringing NBA experiences closer to fans

Through the partnership, Salmon will engage basketball fans through NBA-themed consumer promotions, fan events, and NBA-branded premiums.

Salmon will also have a presence at major NBA events in the Philippines. This includes serving as a Supporting Partner of NBA House Philippines 2026, a free basketball experience and fan event at SPACE in One Ayala on August 29 and 30.

Starting with the 2026-27 season, Salmon will also become the Presenting Partner of the NBA 3X Philippines Open. The tournament features men’s and women’s 3-on-3 teams alongside NBA entertainment.

“Basketball is a part of our daily lives as Filipinos, from the courts in our barangays to the TV screens in our homes,” said Salmon Co-Founder Raffy Montemayor.

Montemayor said the company wants Salmon to become a reliable partner for Filipinos’ everyday money moments. He added that working with the NBA gives the brand a way to connect with Filipinos through something they already love.

Rasu said Salmon shares the NBA’s commitment to using basketball to bring Filipinos together. She added that the partnership will create new touchpoints for fans through events such as NBA House and the NBA 3X Open.

NBA continues its PH presence

Filipino fans can watch NBA games through One Sports, RPTV, NBA TV Philippines, Disney+, Pilipinas Live, Prime Video, and NBA League Pass through the NBA App. The league also maintains localized social media accounts on Facebook, TikTok, and X.

The partnership comes as the NBA continues to deepen its presence in the Philippines, one of the league’s major basketball markets.

Salmon is a financial technology brand in the Philippines owned by Salmon Group. Its local operations include Salmon Bank (Rural Bank) Inc., a BSP-regulated entity, and Salmon Finance Inc., an SEC-licensed financing company.