Asus Zenfone 2: First Look and first impressions

The Zenfone 2 is the much anticipated phone in the Philippine market.  It has high ram (4GB), large screen, gorilla glass, LTE, Dual SIM, memory expansion slot up to 32 GB and 2 tone flash at a lower price than other highend phones.  Right after the release date for the Philippines, I checked in the cellular phone stores and I came across people who are also asking for the Zenfone 2 if it is already available for purchase.

Last I checked, in most stores, the only available variant of the phone is the 16GB memory capacity with 2 GB RAM.  Some stores carry the 32GB memory capacity with 4 GB but ask for straight cash payment.  Some stores carry a few stocks but only have red color variant.

Most people are looking for the 64GB memory variant, which is understandable, since the only difference it has with the 32GB variant is Php1,000,  also Dual SIM.

On to the first look and impression.  After using it for a couple of days.  I have to honestly say I am a bit disappointed with the phone.  I have been using Samsung phones for a long time and this phone with it's great specs on paper have somewhat disappointed me,

I was looking forward to a dual sim LTE, or even a 3G for the 2nd SIM card.  No, that is not the case with this phone, you only get 2G on the 2nd SIM slot, might as well not use it, if you cannot switch data connection between SIMS.  In the Philippines there are areas, where a certain carrier has stronger signal, changing data service network would have been a nice feature, which is possible in a samsung phone to my surprise.

I'm a bit disappointed on how it heats up at times and gets battery drain for some reason the google playstore drains it up.  It looks fragile, that if I drop it, the screen will crack.

Now on with the pros.  It is snappy, easy to start, has a good screen size and looks good.

I will write a more in depth review after a few weeks.  But my first impression is it's not that great, but compared to other high specs phone this is one of the cheaper versions.  I would recommend you also check Meizu M1 or M2 as a comparison to Asus Zenfone 2, if you are in the market to buying a new phone.

Until next time.

Determine Philippine Mobile Cellphone Carrier Provider

I got this from another website, which I forgot to copy the link.  And added some numbers that I came across with that I know is from this certain cell provider.

• Extelcom: 973, 974
• Globe Telecom: 905, 906, 915, 916, 917, 926, 927, 935, 936, 937, 996, 997
• Next Mobile (Nextel): 979
• Smart Communications: 910, 912, 918, 919, 920, 921, 928, 929
• Sun Cellular: 922, 923, 932, 933, 942, 943, 925

Why this list?

Most people in the Philippines avail of unli call or text promo, that is limited to 3 networks or just a single cellphone network provider.  That is why we often find ourselves in a predicament, on whether to call or text a person, that we are unsure on whether we will be charged or have our prepaid load deducted. 

Hope this list will help.  Leave a comment, on errors and additions.   Please share the first 3 digits of the Cellphone provider in the Philippines that isn't on this list, that you came accross.

Disclaimer

I'm not liable, if you used the number without testing first if the call or text was charged or deducted.  Use with caution and double check first.

Samsung Galaxy S Duos First Look and Review

The new released Samsung Galaxy S Duos is one among other new affordable phones released by Samsung in the Philippines.  New in the sense, that there isn't much screen protector and casings available for this particular model.

Together with Galaxy S Duos are the following in the same line of android phones:

• Galaxy Win
• Galaxy Core
• Galaxy Fame
• Galaxy Star
• Galaxy Pocket Neo
• Galaxy Young

I know other models are already old, wish Samsung named them different for their new releases.  The Galaxy Young will have people confuse refering to the old with the last release.

micro SD slot accessible on the right with power button on top

After using the Galaxy S Duos for a couple of weeks, I have to say, it's a very good smart phone.  The Galaxy S model name will not be tarnished by this particular model.  The reasons why are as follows:

1. Long battery life. (Compared to the S3 with same always on 3G internet.  S Duos last longer.)
2. All the android features of a high end Galaxy S (Software App wise) is available.
3. Screen size is good.
4. Build is good, especially the feel of the plastic on the back, it feels solid.
5. Fast charge, compared to my galaxy S3. (You know what, I think S3 was over hyped)
6. Does not heat up at the back when I browse the internet and use 3G (Mobile Internet). Unlike S3, which heats up after a few minutes of web browsing or heavy gameplay.

volume rocker on the left side

What is the specs for this Smart Phone?

• HSDPA 7.2 (900/2100MHz)
• Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
• 1GHz CPU
• 4 inches WVGA TFT LCD
• TouchWiz (Interface of Android)
• Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• GPS/Geo-tagging
• 5MegaPixels on the back with flash and VGA on the front.
• micro SD expandable the slot is accessible on the right side (No need to remove battery to access it)
• Power button on the upper right and volume rocker on the left

What is the weight and feel of the phone?

This smart phone is light-weight and solid built.  You can feel it once you lift it.  iPhone users will feel it's plastic built.  But it's a good phone as far as I can tell using it for couple of weeks.

earphone jack (Stereo)

Sound

Sound is the same as most phone, there isn't much to talk about, it's the same as the rest of the phones.  My only complaint is the Samsung Phones have their speakers at the back, which muffles the sound when you place it on a desk or on a seat.

It comes with an earphone jack, and an ear buds with microphone.

Camera

Camera is the same as the rest.  Standard quality. Nothing to get wow about.  It's an affordable phone, so the quality is a bit better than the lower ends.

Overall

The phone won't disappoint you much.  If you only need to browse the internet, tethering the internet to a tablet, use as a spare phone.  Then this is the phone for you if you have the budget.  Price of the Phone is around Php8,000+.

Galaxy Y besides Galaxy S Duos

Sun Cellular Better coverage in Metro Manila

I noticed, that the coverage area of Sun Cellular is much better than Smart and Globe.  At least in Caniogan & Brgy. San Miguel in Pasig, Rockwell Center, and Araneta Center.

Also, the data speed of Sun Cellular is faster and stronger than Smart.  I certainly regret getting a data plan from Smart now.  Sun Cellular must have used their money from Smart (Smart bought Sun Cellular) and improved their infrastructure and coverage.

The only problem I have with Sun Cellular is their customer service, that is where they failed.  You call their customer service, good luck getting thru.  You will be on hold for more than 5 minutes and in fact, I have not talked to any service representative since availing of their service.

Another problem with Sun Cellular is their stores, there are few agents and the line to the cashier is so long, that you better have that bill auto debited to your credit card to avoid this inconvenience.

This is just my personal opinion.  And I am planning to change my data provider from Smart to Sun Cellular, once my lock-in period expires.  I'm currently paying for a data plan that I am not happy with, there are many instances there is no mobile data connection from Smart, but the Sun Cellular data is flowing in lightning speed.  So I don't believe in Smart saying they offer LTE, when 4G coverage is none existent in areas that they should have, like the malls and public spaces.

Globe has the worst coverage of the 3 top brands.  Globe was the first in the Philippines, but their infrastructure is now the worst.  In fact my first mobile service provider was Globe, since most people use Globe at that time, then I switched to Smart.  Smart coverage is said to be good, but mobile data is bad.  Hope their data improves before my lock-in period expires, so I may consider staying with them.

CD-R King Mobile Power Bank PWB-049-ZG 2800mAh - Product Review

Mobile Power Bank - lipstick style

I never thought I would be need to buy a power bank for my phone.  Why would anyone need that? Then it happened, I was so busy with work and I forgot to charge my phone.  I happened to me twice that I was thinking of charging my phone while on the move.

There are a lot of power bank products out there, I just happened to want a cheap one, that is why I went with the CD-R king brand.  Now, I don't know if this product will last since I only had it for a week and I only used it twice to test if it does what it says it does.

unboxed - click to enlarge

Build
My take on this product, is it is what it is.  It is a cheap plastic build on the connectors but sturdy looking body.  I just don't know if it will survive a drop, since the body is made of plastic.  What do you expect for a Php280 (around $7) product?  There is no way I would spend more for this kind of product, especially on batteries.  It will be depleted after a number of cycles, so it's better to buy cheap and replace it after a 1,000 cycles (around 28 cents per charge).  Battery is indicated as Li-ion kind, I just hope it is as indicated on the box.

click to enlarge

Ease of use
The product has 2 color LEDs to indicate it charging or fully charged.  On my first try I timed it for 5 hours, and 5 hours have passed but the indicator is still red.  I gave it another 30 minutes for the LED to change color, still nothing I just unplugged it so it doesn't over charge and damage the battery.  After draining it for charging my phones, I charged it overnight.  Morning came, the LED changed into a blue color, which could mean fully charged.

You only need to connect the connector to your USB on a PC or if you have a charger brick directly to an AC power outlet.

Connectors Included
I was disappointed when I was about to buy the unit, since it does not include a mini USB connector.  4 kinds of connector, but none for my device.  I had to use my own from Samsung.  The Output connector is USB, so no problem there if the charger you have is USB connected from the power brick charger.

Does not include a power charge brick.  They expect you to connect it to a PC or laptop.  Or your existing charger that has USB port.


Actual usage feedback
I was excited to test it, I tried using it to charge my Samsung Galaxy S3.  The Power Bank only charged it around 63% full, from completely drained S3.  And it took a long time to charge, I think it also took 5 hours to charge to that point of completely draining the Power Bank.  But on my Samsung Galaxy Y, it charged super fast.  So I guess, it depends on your cellphone's battery capacity.  Smaller batteries charge faster, while larger power hungry phones take longer to charge.

Note:  I had to disable my mobile internet and GPS for my S3 to charge, otherwise the phone will not charge at all, it will actually take longer to charge and actually drains the phone somehow.  This is my observation for this particular Power Bank model on S3 charging.

size compared to a 5 peso coin

Overall
The power bank, does what is says it does, and will be more appreciated by phones with smaller battery for fast charges.  But for huge phones, it is a pain to use and takes longer time to charge.  You just have to be patient in using this mobile power bank, if you have a huge phone that need charging while on the go.

I bought my mobile power bank in Araneta Center Cubao, same floor as the LRT station.  Last I was there, they still have ample stocks only color Orange and purples.

CD-R King product page: http://www.cdrking.com/index.php?mod=products&type=view&sid=15704&main=157

Update:
As of May 3, 2013 - This model of power bank was out of stock in LRT station branch of CD-R King.  I guess power banks that are cheap are in high demand this days.