CD-R King Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201) - Review

This is my review of CD-R King's Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201).  I had it more than a couple of months now, and had charged it more than a couple of times and used it on multiple of devices.

Here is my impressions and review of the product, after using it more extensively on a number of days:

• It retains the charge and does not drain as fast without using it for a while
• High capacity device such as a tablet (iPad mini) drains it super fast and will only charge the tablet a fraction and completely drain the power bank within an hour.
• Heats up on charging with tablets, and large capacity 2400mAh battery phones
• Its indicator is helpful in determining the charge capacity of the power bank and pretty useful in cases where you need to drain and recharge it

Pros and Cons for the Mobile Power Bank 5600mAh PWB-065-R(PB-201)

Pros

• you get a led flashlight, a quick mobile charger with power level indicator, for the cheap price of Php580.00 (around $13 USD).
• it's small and easy to put on your pocket or bag.
• it can charge phones several times without recharging for a while

Cons

• there are times it heats up a bit when charging with a phone, really heats up when charging a tablet.
• not all devices are compatible with this charger (notably the Galaxy S Duos)
• it takes about 5-6 hours to fully charge.

The verdict on this device:

It's a nice portable device that does not take much space on your bag.  It can retain it's charge for more than a month without recharging.  You may have to check the charge level at times and need to recharge it in a couple of months to maintain good battery life, when you don't usually use it.

This is a good choice for a power bank, since it has a LED flashlight that can be used in cinemas or when you need a quick light in the dark.  And the LED charge level indicator is very helpful to determine if you need to recharge it already.

My verdict: This is a good buy, just don't expect it to last long.  I'm sure after a couple of years you need to change it with a new model, depending on how much you use it over time.

Last time I was in CD-R King - SM Megamall branch, this model is still available and for sale.

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

Samsung Galaxy Y vs Samsung Galaxy Pocket Android Phones

Samsung Galaxy Pocket on the left, Galaxy Y on the right

Recently, a new Samsung android phone is being pushed by most telcos in the Philippines.  That android phone is the Samsung Galaxy Pocket.  Months before the release of this phone, more people are buying the Samsung Galaxy Y(Young) as the budget friendly choice.

Samsung Galaxy Pocket on the left, Samsung Galaxy Y on the right

At a glance, you seem to find them as the same size, but truth is the Galaxy Y has larger screen compared to the Pocket.  Samsung Galaxy Pocket has a smaller screen of 2.8 inches, while the Samsung Galaxy Y has screen size of 3 inches.

The thickness of the unit is obvious that the Pocket was the thicker one and the Y is the slicker and thinner one.  But don't let the thickness fool you, the Galaxy Y is a bit heavier than the Pocket.  Galaxy Pocket weights around 97g, while the Galaxy Y weights around 97.5g.


Also the finishing at the back seems nicer on the Y than the Pocket, but the price is also cheaper on the Pocket than the Y.  The price difference is about a thousand pesos (about USD $24) cheaper without a contract.


In the speed of use having the Gingerbread Android OS on both units, they both are very fast and responsive.  I think, they are interchangeable, it really depends on your preference.  Althought, I notice, the Pocket is a bit faster due to it's newer processor.

They both have wi-fi, bluetooth, and 3G(HSPDA) connectivity.  The only thing that makes Pocket better is the larger internal memory.  Galaxy Y is sold with an external memory bundled due to the small internal memory it has, you basically cannot use the camera, without an external memory.

Samsung Galaxy Pocket on the top, Galaxy Y on the bottom

They both have the same megapixel, their camera is the same, there is no zoom or auto focus on these units.  They both have no flash at the back.  

The FM radio on the Galaxy Y is good, even when I used it on the elevator, the strength is still good, I can still listen to my radio without any problems.

Screen is really bigger in Galaxy Y on the right

So, what do I think is better of the two? For me, they are both the same.  But, if you are on a budget, I would go for the Galaxy Pocket.  But if you want a thinner looking phone and larger screen, I would go for the Galaxy Y.

Samsung ST77 warranty in the Philippines

Serious Dent on the lens protector

Guess what?  Samsung has the best customer service ever.  I mean as in better than Nokia or any brand I have tried having a product fix.  Involving under warranty products, anyway.  How come?  You may ask.

They fixed my broken Samsung ST77 camera without charge.  It was under warranty, but the damage was due to my neglect.  They still fixed it and replaced the board and everything else that was ruined.  They're really the best.  I also had a problem before with my Galaxy S, and they were able to fix it, they did a great job (aside from the technician's attitude problem of telling me it was my fault updating the android OS), they also replaced my headphone, when I complained about it, just like that.  What great service Samsung, thanks.

Samsung ST77 restored

The Samsung service center is at the following address: Ground Floor Bonaventure Plaza, Ortigas Ave., Geenhills San Juan. Phone number: 580-5777

Here is the story of how the Samsung ST77 was broken:

I was on vacation last month, and my girlfriend and I bought our cameras.  I have the Olympus 1030 SW camera, which I always put at my back pocket without any hard case of any sort.  Then my girlfriend has the Samsung ST77 in a camera case, the camera which I gave to her as a gift.

We took pictures with my camera first, since I had it out of my bag most of the time.  We only used her camera when, my camera was almost out of battery charge, due to its age; it is already a depleted battery.  That's what happened on the first day of our vacation.

Lens Extended, but still closed cover

During our Universal Studios visit, we used her camera most of the time and my camera as a spare, since ST77 was our latest camera and takes good pictures.  Olympus also takes good pictures but has a problem on dark areas.  So, she gave me the camera and I was not aware that the camera is fragile and not designed for rough usage.  I placed it also on my back pocket with my coin purse to prevent it from getting wet, since we are in the "water world" portion of Universal Studios.  I then have 2 cameras on both my back pockets at that time and I sat down.



We later went around the amusement park, not knowing the camera was already dented at the lens area of the camera.  As I was about to use it again, the camera lens protector won't open due to the dent.  All I can see on the LCD was a slit of light.

I had broken my girlfriend's camera, due to neglect and assumption that it is as tough as my Olympus camera.  What happened was I sat on the camera, and the coin purse filled with hard coins pressed on the lens protector of the camera, hence the dent.

I knew, this may never be covered by the camera warranty, since it was a neglect on my part.  Even though it is still under the one year warranty.  So a week after we got back in the Philippines, I took it to the service center hoping to have it repaired.

I picked it up, and as you can see
no more dent on the camera

I showed the damage to the customer representative and told her it was my fault the camera was in such a shape, and I am willing to pay for the repair if it was not covered by the warranty anymore.  She told me, let's have the technician check it, and give their assessment if I need to pay or the warranty covers the damage.  So I left the camera with them and waited for their call.


I called them 3 days later, the customer representative told, me they ordered the replacement parts and will not charge me for the parts and the repair.  I was really happy that time, upon hearing the news.  Three (3) days later they sent a SMS, telling me my camera was ready for pick-up.  When I picked it up, they didn't charge me for anything, and the camera was restored to its former self.






All I can say is, Thank You, Samsung.  Your after sales service, is really great and I will buy more of your products if this kind of service is always available to your loyal consumers.