Sony Xperia XZ Premium, Design Review - One of The Most Beautiful Smartphones Ever Released

As a technology blogger and gadget reviewer for almost ten years now, I've been fortunate to have held and owned many gorgeous and luxurious smartphones made by top handset makers across the world.

I remember being instantly smitten by the then-unique glass-metal-glass build of my Apple iPhone 4S as soon as I unboxed my unit in 2011.

It's the same overwhelming emotion that I felt when I first lifted both my Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge off their off their retail packaging in 2015 and 2016, respectively. And of course, earlier this year, I was blown away by the Curved Infinity Display of the ultra-sleek Samsung Galaxy S8 when a unit was handed to me during the Unpacked! event held at the City of Dreams Manila.

Other downright handsome smartphones in my collection include the first generation Asus ZenFone Zoom with its Genuine Italian Leather backplate lining, the ultra-slim and innovative Moto Z, my sports car red Nokia Lumia 920, the metal-clad and flex-free OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 5, and the iconic Nokia Lumia 1020 with its distinguishing circular camera module.

If there's one brand, however, that contributed the most number of visually-stunning handsets in the TechPinas Gadget Vault, it would have to be legendary Japanese tech giant, Sony.

To be specific, I still have the Sony Xperia Z1, Z1 Ultra, Z2, and Sony Zperia Z3 in my collection. All of which feature a well-balanced, water-resistant shell crafted from aluminum and glass.

The 2017 ultra-high-end Sony Xperia XZ Premium Android smartphone brings all the stellar physical qualities of its flagship-level predecessors to a whole new level, one that's undoubtedly opulent and worthy of this model's name.

As you can in these actual unit photos, the IP68-Certified Water-Resistant Sony Xperia XZ Premium looks far more polished than all of its predecessors -- thanks to the mirror-like finish of its Gorilla Glass 5 front and back panels, thick CNC-crafted stainless steel top and bottom plates, and flat-tubular build.

The whole package becomes even more of a visual treat when you turn on its 5.46-inch 4K - that's right, 3840 x 2160 pixels resolution - Triluminos IPS display panel that's looks downright clear and brilliant. Packed with a whopping 807 pixels per inch, Sony Xperia XZ Premium's screen is one of the most pixel-dense mobile displays out there, resulting in utmost clarity even when viewing the finest details.

From a design perspective, if there's one thing I like about this model that you might not immediately see in these images, it's how well-balanced it is. If you notice, the display is right smack in the middle of the face and there's clear symmetry between the left and right panels as well as the top and bottom parts.

Looking at the materials used on the phone's shell and feeling its reassuring 195 grams heft in your hand, you will really feel the amount of care that Sony put into crafting this device.

I once read that Japanese Design Philosophy is defined by several qualities including simplicity, stillness, and subtlety. Holding the Sony Xperia XZ Premium in your hand, you realize that the product bears all those characteristics; A testament to Sony's legendary device craftsmanship and drive for excellence.

At this point, I think I've pretty much proven why I believe Sony Xperia XZ Premium is one of the most beautiful smartphones ever made and released.

But I also know that it's never enough for a flagship handset to just be gorgeous in this day and age. It also has to be powerful and feature-packed.

Thankfully, Sony Xperia XZ Premium also covers those bases perfectly. For while it is a definite beauty on the outside, this smartphone is a true beast in the inside.

As expected from a top-of-the-line smartphone by arguably the world's most legendary entertainment device maker, Sony Xperia XZ Premium has incredible imaging capabilities.

Featuring Sony's mobile camera innovations including the multi-stacked Exmor RS sensor, the award-winning G-Lens, and Bionz intelligent image-processor, the Xperia XZ Premium's powerful 19 MegaPixel f/2.0 aperture Motion Eye camera starts buffering images one second before you click on the camera button, making Predictive Capture possible. Using this, you can easily choose the best shot out of four photos taken of a fast-moving subject.

The rear camera can likewise hoot 4K 30fps videos - perfect for viewing on the phone's 4K display - as well as HD videos at a whopping 960 frames per second, delivering unbelievable Super Slow Motion clips.

If you love taking selfies, Sony Xperia XZ Premium has a high-resolution 13 MegaPixel front cam with 1/3.06” low light sensor and a 22mm wide angle lens, giving you clear and crisp self-portraits and groufies that are instantly ready for sharing on social media sites.

Under the hood, Sony Xperia XZ Premium runs its Xperia-UI-flavored Android 7.1 Nougat operating system with a 10nm 64-Bit Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor that incorporates a powerhouse Adreno 540 graphics chip for smooth 3D gaming, has 4GB of RAM for multitasking, and comes with 64GB of expandable storage; Note that this set of innards is more or less the same as that of Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. In fact, Sony Xperia XZ Premium's benchmark scores put it shoulder to shoulder with some of the most powerful and capable handsets released within the first half of 2017.

Alright! That's it for now. TechPinas will be doing more features about the Sony Xperia XZ Premium in the coming days, exploring its many unique features and key selling points. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, for those who are interested, you may already purchase the Sony Xperia XZ Premium at Sony Concept Stores and authorized retail outlets across the Philippines. It sells for Php 45,490 - putting it in ultra-high-end category alongside the Apple iPhone 7 Plus - and it's available in three classy colors, namely Luminous Chrome - which I have here, Deepsea Black, and Bronze Pink.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 156 x 77 x 7.9 mm
Weight : 195 grams
Available Colors : Luminous Chrome, Bronze Pink, Deepsea Black
Operating System : Android 7.1 Nougat with Xperia UI
Display : 5.46 inches (~68.4% screen-to-body ratio), 4K 3840 x 2160 pixels (~807 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5, HDR10 Compliant, Triluminos Display
Processor : 64-Bit Quad Core (2.45 GHz Kryo X 2 + 1.9 GHz Kryo X 2), Adreno 540 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via hybrid secondary nanoSIM slot doubling as microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 19 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 25mm focal length, EIS (gyro), predictive phase detection and laser autofocus, 1/2.3" sensor size, LED flash
Front: 13 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 22mm, 1/3" sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
Video Capture : Back - 4K 30 frames per second, HD 960 frames per second
Front - 1080p
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : USB Type C, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.2 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE-A Cat16
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner, Color Spectrum
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 13(700), 17(700), 19(800), 20(800), 26(850), 28(700), 29(700), 32(1500), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500) - G8141, G8142
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,230 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : All-Day Uptime with Regular Use
Value-Added Features : Premium Build, Dual Front Facing Speakers, IP68 Certified Water and Dust Resistant, Motion Eye, Gorilla Glass 5 Front and Back Panels, Powerful Internal Hardware, Super Slow Motion Video Capture, High-Resolution Audio output, Digital Noise Cancelling, S-Force Front Surround Dual Loud Speakers, Clear Audio+, Clear Bass, and Automatic Headphone Optimization
Announcement : Philippines - May 23, 2017
Availability : Philippines - May 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 45,490

OPPO F3 Philippines Price, Specs, Official Release Date in the Philippines

I've just arrived home from the official launch of OPPO F3 in the Philippine held at the Grand Ballroom of Conrad Hotel Manila earlier this evening, May 4, 2017.

Apart from unveiling the much awaited selfie-centric midrange handset at the event, the Chinese handset maker also took the opportunity to introduce their latest celebrity endorsers and influencers.

Pinoy celebs who are now promoting OPPO handsets include Sarah Geronimo, Alden Richards, Robi Domingo, Gretchen Ho, Ronnie Alonte, Ruru Madrid, Rocco Nacino, Ella Cruz, Kris Bernal, and Joshua Garcia, Jeron Teng, among others.

To put it simply, OPPO F3 is the smaller and more affordable version of the best-selling OPPO F3 Plus released in April 2017. For whereas F3 Plus sports a larger 6-inch display and sells for Php 23,990, this new release sports a smaller 5.5-inch Full HD IPS screen and dons an official SRP of just Php 16,990.

The OPPO F3 shares many similarities with its larger sibling -- two of which are its svelte form factor and metal-clad enclosure, which work together to give this model an air of understated elegance and corporate sophistication.

Frankly, just like the extremely popular OPPO F1s and F3 Plus, OPPO F3 looks like the iPhone 6s when viewed from some angles, which is certainly not a bad thing when we talk about aesthetics.

Nothing at the top panel but a pinhole for one of the microphones. I like it; Neat.

The microUSB 2.0 port, 3.5mm combo jack, the other microphone, and loud speaker are all located at the rear of the handset.

On the right panel, you'll find the power button and the tray for the Dual nanoSIM slots and the dedicated microSD memory expansion slot.

At the back, OPPO F3 sports a 13 MegaPixel autofocus camera with f/2.2 aperture, LED flash, and 1.12 µm pixel size. I got to play with this shooter at the exhibit area and I'd say that it focuses on subjects fast - thanks to PDAF - and performs relatively well indoors.

Just like the OPPO F3 Plus, the main selling point of the OPPO F3 is its Dual Front-Facing Selfie Camera module, which is made up of a 16MP f/2.0 optic for standard selfie shots plus a secondary 8MP f/2.4 wide-angle lens for groufies.

If you enjoy taking groufies with your family and friends, you're sure to love this feature!

The two optics also work together to add interesting bokeh and double exposure effects on selfies to make them look even more visually pleasing.

Under the hood, OPPO F3 runs its Color OS 3.0 flavored Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Mali-T860MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6750T chipset, has 4GB of RAM for multitasking, and comes with 64GB of expandable storage; A decent set of internal handset for a 2017 Android smartphone in this price echelon.

According to Mr. Stephen Cheng, OPPO Philippines' Brand Marketing Manager, "We at OPPO always strive to reinvent the mobile experience, and the release of the F3 reflects our relentless passion for even better smartphone photography. Through our continued innovation, we hope to cement our brand’s position as the leading camera phone in the industry." He added, "Our latest Group Selfie Expert is a total package that comes at an affordable price. With its combined features from the front and back cameras to the aesthetics and battery life (from a rather large 3,200 mAh pack), the F3 holds great potential in taking the groufie trend to new heights."

OPPO F3 will be available at all OPPO Concept Stores and official dealers across the Philippines starting on May 13, 2017. Budget-conscious consumers may opt to purchase the phone via installment through Home Credit.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : OPPO F3
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Upper Midrange
Dimensions : 153.3 x 75.2 x 7.3 mm
Weight : 153 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Rose Gold
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Color OS 3.0
Display : 5.5 inches (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 2.5D Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Mali-T860MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6750T chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 13 MegaPixels, f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), LED flash, 1/3" sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
Front: Dual Camera Module = 16 MegaPixels (1/3.1" sensor size, f/2.0) + 8 MegaPixels, f/2.4
Video Capture : Rear: Full HD 30 frames per second, Front: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : microUSB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE Cat4
GPS : A-GPS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,200 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Dual Selfie and Groufie Camera Set-up, Color OS features, Premium Build
Announcement : Philippines - May 4, 2017
Availability : Philippines - May 13, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 16,990

Samsung Galaxy S8 Philippines Official Price, Specs, Release Date, Actual Unit Photos

Here's the truth: Much of what was officially disclosed tonight by Samsung about its 2017 flagship Android smartphone were already known to us prior to this Unpacked Event at the City of Dreams Manila. After all, Samsung Galaxy S8 had been the most rumored and talked about upcoming top-of-the-line handset within the past several months.

And yet, despite already having an idea about how the device will look and work, none of the leaks could have prepared me for how gorgeous and sleek it actually is in the flesh.

As one of the few tech bloggers in the Philippines to have actually played with the Korean Giant's 2017 flagship offering in the flesh, I will tell you this: Samsung Galaxy S8 is the most beautiful smartphone that the company has released so far.

In terms of aesthetics, Samsung Galaxy S8 is already a winner by a clear mile. And I'm sure that millions of consumers will purchase the handset on this merit alone.

Just like its immediate predecessor, Samsung Galaxy S8 is also IP68 Certified, which means that it is protected against water and dust ingress. You'd be glad that your phone has this feature if you accidentally splash water on it or drop it in the sink.

What's incredible, however, is that this model's physical appearance is hardly the only thing that's of note about it. In fact, I can safely that in all departments or areas that need to be covered in crafting a smartphone, this specific device is the current industry leader.

Let's start with the display: The smartphone sports a 5.8-inch SuperAMOLED display that gently curves down either sides and is protected by scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 5 touchscreen panel.

What I find truly amazing is that despite having a screen this big, the handset only measures 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm, making it even smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S7 which only has a 5.5-inch display!

Samsung was able to do this not only by almost eliminating the bezels framing the screen but also by giving it a taller 1440 x 2960 pixels resolution that covers more of the top and bottom portions of the bezels without making the device wider. The company markets this look as 'Infinity Display'.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is the first high-end Android smartphone from the company to ditch the the physical home button below the display, replacing it with a pressure-sensitive portion at the bottom of the screen that gives a tactile feedback when you press on the virtual buttons.

Now, as for imaging capabilities, this model - just like its predecessor - definitely stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of them.

At the back, the device sports a 12 MegaPixel Dual Pixel camera with f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus, 1/2.5" sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size, LED flash, Optical Image Stabilization, and 4K 60fps video recording capability. I'd say its performance is largely similar to that of the S7 Edge, which is certainly not a bad thing.

The bigger and more noticeable improvement can be seen on the front camera, which now has a higher resolution at 8 MegaPixels, which allows it to deliver far clearer and more brilliant selfies.

SGS8 is powered by a non-removable 3,000 mAh battery pack, which was carefully crafted and placed by Samsung inside the handset, bearing in mind the lessons learned from the Note7 debacle.

Under the hood, the version of Samsung Galaxy S8 that's coming to the Philippines runs its TouchWiz-skinned Android 7.0 Nougat OS with the powerhouse 64-bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 processor incorporating a Mali-G71 GPU that's scalable from one to a whopping thirty two cores, making the handset a real beast when it comes to gaming and recording 4K videos. Complementing this powerhouse processor are 4GB of RAM for multitasking and 64GB of internal storage that can easily be augmented using the hybrid secondary nanoSIM card slot.

Crafted to give users peace of mind and a high level of mobile security, SGS8 supports a number of unlocking options including the standard pattern and password as well as more advanced ones utilizing the Fingerprint Scanner and Iris Scanner. On top of this, the handset allows the user to encrypted folders for private documents and content, adding a whole other layer of protection.

Samsung Galaxy S8 now has a USB Type C port; A level up from the microUSB 2.0 port of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge!

SGS8 also features the all-new Bixby virtual assistant - the Korean company's answer to Apple's Siri - which can be launched via a dedicated hardware button below the ones for volume up and down. Made to interact with Samsung apps and other supported third party applications, Bixby allows the use of voice commands to perform tasks, generates cards on the home screen ala FlipBoard based on the user's interests, and performs searches through object recognition using the camera. More about this service on TechPinas soon.

6.2-inch Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and 5.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S8, respectively.

Upon launch, Samsung Galaxy S8 will don an official SRP of Php 39,990 in the Philippines and will be out in a number of elegant colors, namely, Maple Gold, Orchid Gray, Midnight Black, and Arctic Silver. The company has yet to disclose the phone's exact release date in our market but I guess it will just coincide with the global release of the device happening on April 21, 2017.

Smart Communications, the largest mobile network in the Philippines, now offering the Samsung Galaxy S8 as a bundled handset with all of its postpaid plans, starting at Plan 399.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Samsung Galaxy S8
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm
Weight : 155 grams
Available Colors : Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue
Operating System : Android 7.0 Nougat with TouchWiz UI
Display : 5.8 inches (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio), 1440 x 2960 pixels (~570 ppi pixel density), SuperAMOLED, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 Octa
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via hybrid nano SIM2 slot
Camera : Back: 12 MegaPixels, Dual Pixel, f/1.7, 26mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash, 1/2.5" sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size
Front: 8 MegaPixels, f/1.7
Video Capture : Back - 4K 60fps, 1080p 120fps, Dual Video Recording
Front - 4K 30fps
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : USB Type C 1.0 reversible, USB OTG, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; LTE-A
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner, Iris Scanner, Heart Rate, Barometer
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 40(2300)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Infinity Display, New Design, Iris Scanner, Bixby Assistant, Improved Selfie Cam, IP68 Certified Water and Dust Resistant
Announcement : Philippines - March 30, 2017
Availability : Global - April 21, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 39,990

OPPO F3 Plus Philippines Price, Release Date, Specs, Features

This post aims to collate all relevant information about the OPPO F3 Plus in the Philippines. We intend to update this entry every time we hear official statement coming from OPPO Philippines about this specific device.

Formally launched in our market on Thursday night - March 23, 2017 - via an exclusive media event at the Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams Manila in Paranaque City, the OPPO F3 Plus officially supersedes the powerhouse flagship-level OPPO F1 Plus, which was released early in 2016.

Side Note: A few days prior to the phone's launch, authorized outlets in many malls around Metro Manila started displaying promotional materials for the handset -- so the public already had an idea on what they can expect from the device.

Photo Credit: TP Correspondent Charles Quiachon

Having played with an actual unit, I'd say there are three things that make this new model a solid upgrade coming from its predecessor:

First, its display is now bigger at 6-inch Full HD AMOLED, giving users more real estate for browsing photos, watching videos, browsing the net, enjoying social networking sites, and playing games. AMOLED is also more energy-efficient compared to regular IPS so this component should also help boost the phone's battery life.

Second, F3 Plus has a more powerful set of internal hardware, comprised of its Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 MSM8976 Pro chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage -- all working together to deliver lag-free and ultra-smooth overall mobile performance. This handset is certainly powerful enough to run the most specs-intensive games that can be download from the Google Play Store.

And finally, this release bears the all-new Dual Selfie Cam module in front - incorporating a 16MP optic plus another 8MP shooter - that allows the user to snap clear and brilliant wide-angle selfies with but a touch of a finger.

This was taken using the regular or standard mode for selfies...

And I took this using the wide-angle mode, which is great for snapping groufies or if you simply want to capture more of your background,

The Dual Selfie Cam set-up is complemented by a 16 MegaPixel rear camera at the back, which now performs better in various settings - even in low light conditions - thanks to its phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and large aperture.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that OPPO F3 Plus is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery which should greatly boost its uptime so the user can have peace of mind even when he or she is away from a power source. Additionally, this pack supports VOOC (Voltage Open Loop Multi-step Constant-Current Charging) Flash Charging system - a mobile innovation from OPPO that allows the battery to be quickly charged from 0 to 75% in just 30 minutes!

And what's amazing is that, despite having a large battery pack, the handset remains incredibly slim!

As you can see in these actual unit photos, the OPPO F3 Plus' design and build are largely similar to that of the F1 Plus, which means that the new model is just as gorgeous and eye-catching. I particularly like the real metal shell as it makes the unit both durable and elegant.

Interested? OPPO F3 Plus will be up for purchase across the country starting today  with official suggested retail price of Php 23,990. It will be out in two elegant colors, namely, Gold and (Matte) Black.

Which color do you prefer? Let me know your thoughts about this cool Android smartphone via our comments section below.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : OPPO F3 Plus
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : High-End
Dimensions : 163.6 x 80.8 x 7.4 mm
Weight : 185 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Black
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with ColorOS 3.0 OS Interface
Display : 6.0 inches (~75.1% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit Octa-Core (4 * 1.95 GHz ARM Cortex-A72 + 4 * 1.44 GHz ARM Cortex-A53), Adreno 510 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8976 Pro Snapdragon 653
RAM :4GB RAM
Internal Storage :64GB ROM, expandable via hybrid secondary nanoSIM slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 16 MegaPixels, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus, OIS, Dual Tone LED flash
Front: Dual Module = 16 MP + 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/3" sensor size
Video Capture : Back - 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : microUSB 2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE-A
GPS : A-GPS
FM Radio : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint Scanner
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2
3G bands 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 4,000 mAh Li-Po battery with VOOC Flash Charge Support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Premium Build, Dual Selfie Cam, Big Battery, Great Specs, VOOC Fast Charging Technology
Announcement : Philippines - March 23, 2017
Availability : Philippines - April 1, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 23,990

Nokia 3310 2017 Philippines Price and Release Date Guesstimate, Specs, Snake Game Demo, Actual Unit Photos

Isn't it amazing how HMD Global was able to become one of the most talked about companies at MWC 2017 simply by announcing a basic phone that doesn't even have WiFi connectivity support? It's quite something, really.

For me, though, what's truly impressive is that it didn't happen by accident; The 'New Home of Nokia Phones' couldn't have chosen a better feature-phone model to announce at the important tech event.

Bearing the name of one of the most popular and best-selling phones of all time, this cute 2017 refresh certainly has a lot to live up to.

I mean, during the early 2000's, the Finnish Giant was able to sell more than 126 million units of Nokia 3310 - thanks to its pocket-friendly antenna-less design and legendary durability - and until today, this model still appears in social media memes whenever conversations about tough objects arise. That's heavy.

Supplementary Reading: The Top 10 Best-Selling Nokia Phones in History

What's good is that many tech websites and respected tech bloggers seem to be fond of this 2017 update, praising its design among other intangibles. I actually find this phenomenon pleasantly surprising in this era of powerhouse smartphones, a time when handsets with less than modest specs are usually frowned upon and even maligned.

I guess it must be the respect that long-time tech writers and gadget enthusiasts still has for the legend that is Nokia. Or maybe, it's the overwhelming nostalgia that the phone's name, alpha-numeric keyboard, and U-shaped white accent in front bring.

Whatever it is, HMD Global would do well to spend the entirety of 2017 and beyond making the most of it.

I got to play with an actual working unit of the Nokia 3310 2017 at the company's booth in Mobile World Congress 2017. And if you were to ask me to describe the phone in three words, I'd say it's cute, practical, and solid.

It's cute because it's small and it comes in several fun colors, including Warm Red, Yellow, and - the classic - Dark Blue. Also, with dimensions of 115.60 x 51.00 x 12.80 millimeters and weighing just 80 grams, it's certainly more pocket-friendly and lighter than its predecessor from 2000, which measures 113.00 x 48.00 x 22.00 and weighs 133 grams.

Donning an SRP of 49 Euros or around Php 2,600 with current conversion and before taxes, Nokia 3310 2017 is certainly a practical choice for budget-conscious consumers who are on the look out for a primary or secondary feature-phone from a trusted brand that would allow them to make calls, send text messages, snap photos, play 2D games, and listen to music or radio on the go.

Nokia 3310 2017 is equipped with a 2.4-inch 240 x 320 pixels colored display panel, 2 MegaPixel fixed focus camera at the back with LED flash, Dual SIM (Dual microSIM) Dual Standby capability, Series 30 operating system, microUSB charging and data sync port, and a microSD card expansion slot for music tracks and other content.

Finally, I think this model is solid in terms of build and battery life -- just like the original 3310. While I didn't really do a drop test at the booth, holding the phone, I could feel that it has reassuring heft and that it's polycarbonate shell could take the ravages of everyday use. As for uptime, according to HMD, this new release can stay on for 30 days on standby and deliver up to 22 hours of talk time.

Probably the most fun feature of the new Nokia 3310 is the updated version of the popular Snake game from the late '90s to the early 2000's! The refresh is made by Gameloft and now has a fatter snake and - of course - a colorful interface. Watch me play the game here:

Thanks to Mr. Patrick Henchie of HMD Global for giving us a fine description and features round-up of the Nokia 3310 2017.
Until today, Nokia still has millions of fans and followers in the Philippines. If you're one of them, I'm sure you're wondering just when you can finally purchase this model local and how much it will be. Well, as of writing, we haven't heard official word from HMD Global, its PH HQ, nor its agencies on the exact release date and pricing details of Nokia 3310 2017. However, I'm guessing it should hit store shelves in Pinas within Q2 2017 with SRP of around Php 3,000.

Update as of June 8, 2017: The official suggested retail price of the new Nokia 3310 in the Philippines is Php 2,490 and it will be available nationwide by the end of June 2017.