Fast, reliable mobile Internet lifts smartphone use in 2013

MANILA, Philippines - As far as mobile phones in the Philippines go, 2013 is the year in which smartphones drew a larger following, as more Filipinos have grown accustomed to various mobile applications that aid and define their lifestyle.

The appreciation for these multitasking handsets brought the smartphone penetration rate in the country at 39 percent, based on a survey by market research firm IpsosMediaCT, cited by Google Philippines in September.

The same report also found that seven in 10 Filipino smartphone users never leave home without their device, and that most of them use their gadget to stay active in their social networking accounts, look for entertainment on-the-go as well as search for vital local information.

But the growing popularity of smartphones — and their functionality — hinges heavily on the availability of fast and reliable mobile Internet connection, said Kathy Carag, Smart Postpaid head.

“With fast and reliable mobile Internet, not only have people become aware of how well their devices could perform, they have also realized the many things they could achieve with these powerful devices,” Carag said.

Smart Communications Inc. now has about 10,000 4G-capable base stations, including 1,200 sites that offer Long Term Evolution (LTE), the fastest commercially available mobile Internet service in the world.   

“Banking on this extensive 4G network infrastructure, Smart has continually offered a wide range of devices that go with affordable unlimited surfing plans so more people can get attuned to the smartphone lifestyle and benefit from it,” said Carag.

LG Nexus 5, Sony Xperia Z1 at UnliSurf Plan 1500

Included in Smart’s line-up of compelling devices in 2013 are the LG Nexus 5 and Sony Xperia Z1, free under UnliSurf Plan 1500 with a 30-month contract. This plan comes with Unlimited LTE mobile Internet as well as 60 minutes of calls and 120 text messages to all networks.

The latest flagship phone of Google, the LG Nexus 5 is the first mobile device to run on Android 4.4 KitKat for faster multitasking and sleeker performance. It packs powerful specs such as a five-inch HD display, and an 8MP camera with optical image stabilization that allows you to take sharp and clear images even with shaky hands.

LG Nexus 5 is also LTE- capable with cutting-edge power from the quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor so you can browse webpages seamlessly and switch from one app to the next without lag.

Perfect for those who want to share to the world their life’s defining moments as they happen, Xperia Z1 allows users to broadcast significant events on Facebook in real time through its Social Live camera app. The app also allows for live interaction with friends, making precious moments even more memorable.

The sleek Xperia Z1 is crafted in metal and glass, and is also waterproof, giving users limitless possibilities for taking superb photos and videos with its 20.7MP camera, the world’s highest resolution camera in an Android smartphone.

The handset also has a five-inch full HD display, a 16 GB internal memory and 2GB RAM. With a built-in LTE modem, Xperia Z1 is able to download and upload multimedia content at blazing speeds, making it suitable for Smart’s UnliSurf postpaid plan.

Samsung Galaxy Win, Alcatel Scribe HD at UnliSurf Plan 999

Smart also offers Samsung Galaxy Win and Alcatel Scribe HD, which are free under UnliSurf Plan 999. The UnliSurf Plan 999 comes with unlimited mobile Internet surfing plus nine minutes of calls and 99 text messages to all networks.

Samsung Galaxy Win boasts of 1.2 GHz quad core that runs Android Jellybean 4.1 efficiently. It is able to handle simultaneous applications and tasks, which is a must in the fast-paced lifestyle of smartphone users.

Samsung Galaxy also has a 4.7-inch WVG camera display that is great for browsing websites, viewing photos and watching movies. Photo enthusiasts will also find the device’s 5MP camera sufficient for taking perfect shots that are ready to be shared on Instagram, Facebook and other social networking sites.

For those who want to experiment more, Samsung Galaxy Win comes with a host of features such as continuous shot, best photo, color effect and scene mode. It also has an 8GB internal memory and a 1GB RAM to store top-rated apps and games from the Google Playstore. 

Another powerhouse handset, Alcatel Scribe HD comes with a nifty stylus that allows for easier navigation in its five-inch HD IPS display. Business people and creative minds will find the stylus perfect for taking down notes drawing as well as editing photos and videos taken on its 8MP camera.

Alcatel Scribe HD has an efficient quad-core 1.2GHz that runs Android Jellybean 4.1, making it easy for users to switch from one app to another with ease. It also has a 4GB internal memory and 1GB RAM to store data and applications.

“Along with other feature-packed devices in Smart’s roster of offerings this year, the Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Galaxy Win and Alcatel Scribe HD suit many lifestyles and are a great platform for Smart’s fast and reliable mobile internet,” Carag said.

For more information on Smart’s postpaid plans and offerings, visit http://www1.smart.com.ph/postpaid. To subscribe to Smart’s Unlisurf Plans, apply now at the nearest Smart Store or visit store.smart.com.ph.