Philippines

Smartphones cheaper on normal days over sale days, says study

Study by iPrice group

Published

March 8, 2022

GadgetMatch

Online shopping has been a hit among Filipino consumers. Monthly online sales days like 11.11 and 12.12 drive people to e-commerce sites in hopes of the best deals.

The practice includes trying to score on different smartphones at the most affordable rates. These also include the usual discounts and freebies.

However, a study conducted by iPrice group, an e-commerce aggregator with a database of over 7 million products and 8 million sellers across Southeast Asia, reveals a different story.

Smartphones cheaper on normal days

The study collected price data of smartphones from July 16 to December 31, 2021.

It revealed that from August to December, the cheapest median smartphone price falls on a normal day instead of a sales day, as seen in the table below.

Month	Smartphone median price on Sales Day	Smartphone median price on a Non-Sales Day
August	PhP 18, 694.22 on 8.8	PhP 18, 311.75 (August 3)
September	PhP 20, 212.80 on 9.9	PhP 18, 298.42 (September 25)
October	PhP 20, 450.18 on 10.10	PhP 19, 085.91 (October 26)
November	PhP 18, 345.59 on 11.11	PhP 17, 207.41 (December 17)
December	PhP 17, 640.64 on 12.12	PhP 17, 478.11 (December 16)

Prices marked up before sale days

Another interesting tidbit the study revealed is that prices were marked up in the days leading to the actual sale day.

For instance, prices started increasing by September 30, 2021 until it reached a median price of PhP 22,100 on October 2, 2021.

It drops by 8 percent — down to PhP 20,500 during the 10.10 sale, but the median price was 15 percent lower on September 25, 2021 at PhP 18,300.

Similar patterns were observed during the buildups to the 11.11 and 12.12 sales across e-commerce platforms.

December still best month to buy smartphones

According to the average of all median prices, December is still the best month to buy a smartphone.

If shoppers are interested to buy a smartphone during a sales day, then 12.12 would be the most ideal date as the median price is lower.

Aside from that, most Filipino workers have already received their 13th month pay by that period.

As has been the case, the month of December has always been filled with clearance and holiday sales as it is definitely one of the most exciting months in Philippine culture and tradition.

Smartphone prices in PH among highest

Lastly, as iPrice also observed the median prices of smartphones in other Southeast Asian countries, it was discovered that the Philippines had the second highest median price at PhP 19,100, just below Singapore’s PhP 23,400 equivalent.

Indonesia had the cheapest median price for smartphones at PhP 13,000, followed by Thailand (PhP 15,400) and Malaysia (PhP 15,500).

This is quite a bummer given that the Philippines also has one of the lowest wages among the Southeast Asian countries, so scoring the best deals on online purchases and buying smart are definitely musts.

Related Topics:iPrice Lazada Sales Shopee

News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges.

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.

Philippines

OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines

Pocket Studio arrives

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

OPPO has confirmed that the Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines.

The upcoming smartphone series will introduce the company’s new Pocket Studio imaging experience alongside OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View. The launch also continues OPPO’s partnership with K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER, the brand’s global ambassadors.

Pocket Studio puts the focus on photography

OPPO positions the Reno16 Series 5G as a camera-first smartphone. The series features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera, and Dual View Video for capturing photos and videos from multiple perspectives.

The company says these upgrades are designed to make mobile photography and content creation more versatile. Users can capture wide group selfies, detailed portraits, and creative videos without carrying dedicated camera gear.

OPPO Bubble brings remote camera controls

A standout feature is OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View.

The new feature lets users pair the Reno16 Series 5G with compatible OPPO devices. From there, they can preview the camera feed remotely and trigger the shutter wirelessly.

This also allows users to frame selfies and group photos using the phone’s rear cameras while viewing the composition from another device. OPPO says the feature makes it easier to capture everyone in the frame without relying on timers.

Coming soon

The OPPO Reno16 Series 5G will arrive in the Philippines soon.

OPPO has yet to announce the official launch date, pricing, and local availability. More details are expected in the coming weeks.

News

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9: Price, availability in the Philippines

Prices start at PHP 24,990

Published

July 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 in the Philippines alongside the new Galaxy Z8 Series.

The new wearables expand Samsung’s smartwatch lineup with upgraded health tracking, AI-powered wellness features, and faster performance. The Galaxy Watch9 is designed for everyday health and fitness, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 caters to users looking for a more rugged smartwatch for outdoor adventures.

Here’s how much they cost in the Philippines.

Pricing

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

PHP 44,990

Galaxy Watch9

40mm — PHP 22,990
46mm — PHP 24,990

Availability

Pre-orders begin on July 23 through Samsung Philippines and authorized retailers. Both smartwatches will be offered in multiple color options depending on the model.

Pre-order offers

Customers who pre-order either smartwatch can enjoy several launch offers, including:

Up to 15% off
Up to 36 months of 0% installment plans with participating banks
Up to 50% off through eligible trade-ins
Up to 36% off Samsung Care+ device protection

Galaxy Watch9

The Galaxy Watch9 is Samsung’s latest everyday smartwatch. It features the company’s newest health and wellness platform with AI-powered insights, comprehensive health tracking, and everyday activity monitoring.

Powering the experience is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, which promises faster performance while supporting Samsung’s latest wellness features. The watch is available in 40mm and 46mm sizes.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds on Samsung’s premium outdoor smartwatch with a durable titanium construction, improved comfort, and new sport tracking modes such as Trail Run and Diving.

Like the Galaxy Watch9, it runs on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and supports Samsung’s latest AI-powered health and wellness tools.