OnePlus 5 Price in the Philippines Starts at Php 26,490 via Digital Walker Stores, Out Now!

2017 flagship killer OnePlus 5 is now officially available in the Philippines!

If you're fancying this powerhouse Android smartphone, you can finally go get yourself a unit at any Digital Walker store across the country, namely, the ones in Trinoma, SM Aura in BGC, Glorietta in Makati City, Abreeza Mall in Davao City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Magnolia, Gateway Cubao in Cubao, Quezon City, UP Town Center, Ayala Center in Cebu City.

The 6GB RAM model with 64GB of non-expandable internal storage sells for Php 26,490 while the more powerful 8GB RAM, 128GB ROM version goes for Php 30,000.

Crafted to compete directly with far more expensive flagship-level smartphones in the market, the OnePlus 5 comes with a stunning set of top calibre features both inside and out!

Design-wise, OnePlus5 looks fairly close to the Apple iPhone 7 Plus but has a thinner frame and lighter construction -- making it easier to hold and keep in the pocket.

Like the iPhone, it even has a "Silent" switch on the left panel, which turns off all notifications, as well as inconspicuous antenna bands right on the top and rear edges.

This handset flaunts a unibody anodized aluminum shell - again, like Apple's handset - that gives it a look and feel of durability and corporate elegance.

I particularly like the understated elegance of the Slate Gray version, which I have here. From a far, it looks fairly simple but when you look at it closely, you will appreciate the amount of work that was put into crafting the gorgeous details.

One of the highlights of this much-talked-about model is its Dual Camera Module at the back that's made up of a 16 MegaPixel PDAF shooter with f/1.7 aperture and Sony IMX 398 sensor plus another 20 MegaPixel wide-angle optic with f/2.6 aperture and Sony IMX 350 sensor.

This imaging set-up's large aperture and ultra-fast autofocus makes it a top-notch mobile photography companion both day and night, indoor and outdoors.

These two optics work together to give the handset 1.6X optical zoom capability and allows this great cameraphone to deliver shots with interesting bokeh or depth of field effects in which the sharp subject's background is beautifully blurred; A digital version of what DSLR cameras are capable of.

The 16 MegaPixel rear optic is likewise capable of shooting 4K videos at 30 frames per second as well as ultra-slow-motion HD 720p clips at 120 frames per second!

The powerful Dual Rear Camera Module is complemented by a likewise reliable 16 MegaPixel front camera with Sony IMX 371 sensor and f/2.0 aperture, which I find to be one of the best selfie shooters in the market currently -- thanks to its top-notch beautification mode and the screen flash, which comes in handy in low to zero lighting conditions.

Stay tuned for photos taken using both OnePlus 5's Dual Camera Module at the back and the Selfie Camera in front.

On top of its stellar imaging capabilities and stunning looks, OnePlus 5's beastly set of internal hardware - for me - is what truly makes this model a flagship-killer.

As I've shared in a previous TechPinas feature on this smartphone, OnePlus5 runs its Oxygen-OS-flavored Android 7.1 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor that incorporates a top-notch Adreno 540 GPU, has 6GB and 8GB RAM options, and comes with either 64GB or 128GB non-expandable internal storage. This set of innards is quite simply the most powerful that you can get on any mobile device out in the market today!

When I ran Antutu Benchmark Test on my 6GB RAM, 64GB ROM OnePlus5 unit, I got a score of 175,004, which trumps the scores other flagship-level smartphones in the list! In fact, this score lands at the #2 spot just behind that of OnePlus 5 8GB RAM, 128GB version.

Dual SIM, 4G-LTE-A-enabled OnePlus5 is powered by non-removable 3,300 mAh Li-Po battery with Dash Charge Support that gives a day's worth of juice in just half an hour of charging and minimizes heat generated during the charging process. This handset delivers more than 50 days of standby time, 8 and a half hours of browsing over WiFi, and more than 14 hours of video playback -- all with just 1 hour of Dash Charging to get 100% battery.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : OnePlus 5 Philippines
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Upper Midrange (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.25 mm
Weight : 153 grams
Available Colors : Midnight Black, Slate Grey
Operating System : Android 7.1.1 Nougat with Oxygen OS UI
Display : 5.5 inches (~73.0% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density), Optic AMOLED, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core (4 x 2.45 GHz Kryo) + (4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo), Adreno 540 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
RAM : 6GB / 8GB RAM options
Internal Storage : 64GB / 128GB ROM, non-expandable
Camera :
Back: Dual Camera Module ~
20 MegaPixels, Sony IMX 350 sensor, 1.0 µm pixel size, PDAF, f/2.6 aperture, Dual LED flash, RAW Image capture
16 MegaPixels Rear Camera Wide-angle, Sony IMX 398 sensor, f/1.7 aperture, 1.12 µm pixel size, EIS, DCAF,

Front: 16 MegaPixels, Sony IMX 371 sensor, f/2.0 aperture, EIS (via gyroscope), 1.0 µm pixel size, 1080p, Auto HDR
Video Capture : Back - 4K 30fps, 720p 120fps
Front - 1080p 30fps
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : USB Type C 2.0 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 aptX and aptX HD support, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE-A Cat13
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner (front)
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 3,300 mAh Li-Po battery with Dash Charge Support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Dual Camera Module, Premium Design, 8GB of RAM, DRAC Power Sound, 3 Microphones with Noise Cancellation During Video Recording, Flagship Level Features at a Upper Midrange Price Point
Announcement : Global - June 20, 2017
Availability : Philippines - July 20, 2017 via Digital Walker
Price :
Official SRP in the Philippines:
6GB RAM + 64GB ROM Version = Php 26,490
8GB RAM + 128GB ROM Version = Php 30,990

List of Affordable Android Phones with Dual Camera At The Back

Dual camera phones have been making big waves in the market since the release of the Apple iPhone 7 Plus and Huawei P9 in 2016. Thanks to their unique imaging module, these handsets can capture great images with interesting bokeh and contrast effects or in some cases, lossless zoom in or zoom out capability.

Here in TechPinas, we believe that having a great dual camera smartphone should not break the bank. Here are our top 5 suggestions for the best affordable dual camera phones that are now available in here in the Philippines:

Cherry Mobile Flare P1 (Php 3,990) - The most affordable dual camera smartphone in the market as of today, the Cherry Mobile Flare P1 sports a 5-inch HD IPS display and 13MP+2MP rear camera combo. Inside, it runs Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 1.3 GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6580 chipset, has 1GB of RAM, and comes with 16GB ROM. This Dual SIM, 3G HSPA+ enabled handset is perfect for budget-conscious mobile consumers who want to experience the benefits of a Dual Camera phone.

Dual Camera Function: Adjustable Depth of Field or Bokeh Effect

Cherry Mobile Flare P1 Plus (Php 5,999) - Cherry Mobile is currently trying to position itself as the best local brand in releasing Dual Camera smartphones that doesn't hurt the budget. The Cherry Mobile Flare P1 Plus, which has more powerful features and better build than the Cherry Mobile Flare P1, sports a sleek metal shell, a 5.5-inch FHD IPS display, 13MP+5MP rear camera combo, 700 MHz LTE support, fingerprint scanner for added security, 1.5 GHz Quad Core MediaTek MT6737T processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and Android 7.0 Nougat operating system.

Dual Camera Function: Adjustable Depth of Field or Bokeh Effect

Starmobile Knight Spectra (Php 9,680) - Pinoy Pride, this model is the Philippines' first dual camera smartphone, released in 2015, even before the iPhone 7 Plus. Recently getting a major price drop, this flagship level handset features a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED Display, 64-Bit Octa Core Snapdragon 615 chipset, has 3GB of RAM for efficient multitasking, and comes with 32GB ROM that you can expand using the secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that doubles as a microSD card memory expansion slot, Dual 4G LTE support, DTV functionality, 8 MegaPixel front-facing selfie cam, and a 13MP + 2MP AF with Flash camera module at the back.

Dual Camera Function: Adjustable Depth of Field or Bokeh Effect, Color Isolation Effect

LG X Cam (Php 10,990) - Korean Giant LG's take on the midrange Android smartphone with Dual Cameras at the reat is the LG X Cam. This one touts a 13MP+5MP wide angle camera setup. The handset is also equipped with a 5.2-inch Full HD display, 8 MegaPixel selfie cam in front, 64-Bit Octa Core Mediatek MT6753 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of ROM, NFC support, Non-removable Li-Ion 2520 mAh battery, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.

Dual Camera Function: One Tap Wide-Angle View

Huawei GR5 2017 (Php 13,990) - Also known as Honor 6X in other territories, this metal-clad midrange model sports a dual 12MP and 2MP camera setup. Unlike the Chinese handset maker's flagship devices, the HuaweiP10 and the P10 Plus, GR5 2017's dual camera module is not co-engineered by Leica but it performs rather well considering the handset's price tag. This smartphone also features a 5.5-inch FHD IPS display, Octa Core Kirin 655 chipset, Figerprint Scanner, and EMUI 4.1 interface on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS, Dual SIM Capability, 4G LTE Cat4 support, and a non-removable 3,340 mAh battery pack.

Dual Camera Function: Adjustable Bokeh Effects, Enhanced Color Contrast

Which of these cool Dual Camera Android smartphones are you eyeing, TP Friends? Did we miss other similar handsets that are worth including in the list? Let us know in the comment section below!

~ This TechPinas article was written by TechPinas Junior Correspondent, Christian Mark Godoy, and edited by TP Founder, Mark Milan Macanas.

TechPinas Writer Profile

Christian Mark Godoy is an IT professional who's passionate about the latest trends in mobile technology. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the University of Santo Tomas in 2014 and is now starting his blogging stint by being a junior contributor in TechPinas.

OPPO 5X Teaser for MWC 2017 Reflects Brand's Focus on Imaging

I've just received an email from our friends at OPPO Philippines regarding at least one of the products that the Chinese handset maker will be unveiling at Mobile World Congress happening later this month at Barcelona, Spain.

The message includes the teaser image above, which shows what appears to be the alphanumeric character '5X'.

According to the company, this is about their new technology called the ‘5x’ project that will allow OPPO’s smartphone cameras to capture images with unprecedented clarity.

"OPPO’s relentless pursuit of perfection without compromise has given birth to a remarkable technological breakthrough that will change how the world perceives smartphone photography. We chose MWC to unveil the ‘5x’ technology in the belief that we can inspire the industry to aim higher, and continue to create pioneering products that give amazing experiences for consumers," shared OPPO Vice President and Managing Director of International Mobile Business, Sky Li.

OPPO made no further mention about the specifics of the 5X project so your guess is as good as mine as to what it's actually all about. Personally, I think it's 5X optical zoom capability, which is really exciting.

At this point, however, what I know for sure is that this entire stance from OPPO reflects the brand's focus on great mobile imaging. The truth is, tn recent years, OPPO has been constantly working on delivering amazing smartphone photography through its innovative and user-oriented technology and products. To quote the company:

• * OPPO’s Ulike 2 model was the first smartphone to offer pre-installed beautication feature, which has become a standard configuration in almost every Android phone today. The beautification feature has since evolved to Beautify 4.0, which instantly evens out the skintone and highlights the good facial features of the user in selfies.
• * In 2016, OPPO introduced the camera-focused F-series. The second phone in the ‘Selfie Expert’ series, the F1 Plus, was the first OPPO device to sport a 16 megapixel front-facing camera.
• * In that same year, OPPO Mobile partnered with Sony to co-develop the 1/2.8-inch IMX398 sensor for the OPPO R9s to allow outstanding focusing speed, noise reduction, and low-light performance.

All of these stellar research and development efforts from the company - matched with great marketing strategies - have indeed born fruit for OPPO Mobile, especially here in the Philippines. Based on GFK's 2016 research, OPPO has managed to become the second most prolific seller of smartphones in this market less than 6 months since starting formal operations.