Samsung Galaxy Note8 Price in the Philippines is Php 49,990, Pre-Order Starts on September 8, 2017

Through an exclusive 'Unpacked!' media event held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on August 23, 2017, Samsung Mobile Philippines formally unveiled the 2017 iteration to their popular Galaxy Note flagship smartphone series.

The follow-up to the infamous Samsung Galaxy Note7 of 2016 - which was recalled due to battery explosion hazard, the powerhouse Samsung Galaxy Note8 introduces a handful of "firsts" to this popular handset line by the Korean Giant.

Lets talk about these "firsts".

The SGNote8 is the first model in the Note series to don a Hardware-Home-Button-less Infinity Display, which is similar to what consumers will find on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+. To be specific, the SuperAMOLED screen of this new phablet measures 6.3-inch and has a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels.

Also, this release is the first ever Galaxy Android smartphone to have a Dual Rear Camera module. Made up of Dual 12 MegaPixel optics with differing f/1.7 and f/2.4 apertures and field of views, this set-up gives Galaxy Note8 2X Lossless Zoom capability and LiveFocus, which is Samsung's version of Depth of Field or Bokeh Effect.

This background defocus effect is more or less similar to what you'll experience on the Apple iPhone 7 Plus. This mimics - to some extent - the bokeh effect that can achieved when using a DSLR with at least f/1.8 lens.

You can watch a demo of the Dual Camera features and learn more about the other key selling points of this new flagship phablet via our Quick Review video of the Samsung Galaxy Note8:


For those who enjoy taking videos, the phone's rear camera set-up also shoots 4K clips at 30 frames per second and benefits from Optical Image Stabilization as well as Auto-HDR for video recording.

Samsung Galaxy Note8's front-facing selfie camera has 8 MegaPixel resolution, f/1.7 aperture, and auto-HDR.

One of the key features and main selling points of the Note line is its S-Pen capacitive stylus support. And like its predecessors, this release will likewise have this -- with even more natural and more accurate handwriting support.

In terms of design and construction, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 looks and feels almost exactly like the Galaxy S8 and S8+ as it has the exact same glass-metal-glass sandwich build. The main difference is that this phablet has a more squarish or masculine footprint.

In terms of internal hardware, the new Note is more or less just as powerful as the older Galaxy S8 and S8+. In Asia, Galaxy Note8 units will run its Grace-UI-skinned Android 7.1 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 processor that's complemented by 6GB of RAM for multitasking, and expandable storage starting at 64GB.

Personally, I love the fact that flagship Galaxy models still have a 3.5mm audio jack. I often use a lapel microphone when recording videos using my handset for better quality and as such, I totally appreciate this feature. I would imagine that you'd also like this if you love listening to music on the go -- even if there are already many wireless earphones in the market.

Samsung Galaxy Note8 will be up for pre-order in the Philippines starting on September 8, 2017 until the 17th with prices starting at Php 49,990. The stylus-toting phablet will be out in a number of downright elegant colors, namely, Midnight Black, Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue, and Maple Gold.

Smart Communications, the Philippines largest network, will likewise offer the Samsung Galaxy Note8 bundled with their leading postpaid plans.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Samsung Galaxy Note8
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen), Phablet with Stylus
Price Category : High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 162.5 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm
Weight : (TBD)
Available Colors : Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Black, Maple Gold
Operating System : Android 7.1 Nougat with Grace UI
Display : 6.3 inches (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio), 1440 x 2960 pixels (~522 ppi pixel density), SuperAMOLED Infinity Display, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 Octa
RAM : 6GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64/128/256 GB ROM options, expandable via hybrid nano SIM2 slot
Camera : Back: Dual 12 MegaPixels, f/1.7 and f/2.4 apertures, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), 2X Optical Zoom, Dual Tone LED Flash
Front: 8 MegaPixels, f/1.7 aperture
Video Capture : Back - 4K 60fps, 1080p 120fps, 720p 240fps, Dual Video Recording, Video HDR
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 3,300 mAh Li-Po battery with Qi Wireless Charging and Fast Charge support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Dual Camera Module, S-Pen Stylus Support, Infinity Display, New Design, Iris Scanner, Bixby Assistant, Improved Selfie Cam, Samsung Desktop Experience
Announcement : Philippines - August 23, 2017 via Unpacked! Event
Availability : Philippines - September 23, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 49,990

Huawei Mate 10 To Have EntireView Display, Quadruple Camera, 10nm Kirin 970 Processor?

Details about Huawei's Q4 2017 to Q1 2018 flagship Android phablet are now starting to surface online.

Set to officially supersede the fairly successful Huawei Mate9 from earlier in 2017, the upcoming Huawei Mate10 will purportedly introduce a number of 'firsts' in the Chinese tech giant's mobile devices category.

"Leaked" and unconfirmed press photo of the Huawei Mate 10

According to various sources, the Mate10 will be the first device in its line to feature the all-new EntireView Display, which is the company's answer to Samsung's Infinity Display - found on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ - and LG's Full Vision Display - just like what's on the LG G6. Huawei's new top-of-the-line phablet is expected to have a 6-inch bezel-less screen - to be made by Japan Display Inc. (JDI) - with 18:9 aspect ratio and 2160 x 1080 pixels resolution.

Aside from that, the Huawei Mate 10 will allegedly featured a Quadruple Camera set-up, made up of two Rear Cameras - just like that's on the P10 and P10 Plus - with the addition of two front-facing cameras for selfies. It is said that both the Dual Rear Camera and Dual Front Camera modules will be crafted in partnership with Leica and will make better contrast and cleaner bokeh effect possible using the cameraphone.

And finally, it is believed that the Mate10 will be the first smartphone from Huawei to be powered by the much-talked-about Kirin 970 processor, which is the first 10nm mobile chipset by HiSilicon. To put it simply, 10nm chips are far more powerful and vastly more energy efficient compared to their predecessors. Historically, Mate models are the first to adopt new high-end processors made by HiSilicon -- to be specific, Mate8 introduced the Kirin 950 SoC in 2015 while Mate9 debuted the Kirin 960 chip in 2016.

Huawei is expected to formally introduce Mate 10 within October 2017 and to make the device available in key markets around the globe - including the Philippines - come the latter part of Q4 2017, just in time for the Yuletide gadget-shopping season. Stay tuned for updates; I'm sure they'll be coming in rapid succession soon!

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 Philippines Price, Specs, Features : Big Battery, Big Screen, Decent Internal Hardware

Knowing that I attend multiple handset launches every month, my friends would at times ask me if I think there are already too many smartphone brands and models here in the Philippines.

I'd always tell them, "No."

For me, it's good to have as many options as possible before making a purchase -- especially if the purchase isn't particularly cheap.

Besides, by having numerous devices to choose from, Pinoy consumers can grow more mature in comparing products and making decisions based on research.

So for me, it's all good.

Earlier this month (on July 12, 2017, to be exact), the all-new Xiaomi Mi Max 2 joined the already super crowded Php 10,000 to Php 16,000 smartphone category here in the Philippines.

Despite having lots of terrifying competitors in its price bracket, the Mix Max 2 has a few things going for it that could actually make it an enticing offer for a particular consumer group.

According to Xiaomi, the Mi Max 2 has six main selling points or qualities that should make it a great handset for those who love having a fun multimedia experience on the go, which including watching movies, snapping and browsing photos, playing 3D games, and listening to music.

1. It has an extra-large 5,300 mAh Li-Ion battery pack ensuring long uptime while on the road, away from a power outlet or long hours of playing specs-intensive mobile games.
2. Its massive 6.44-inch Full HD IPS display (that's protected by 2.5D Curved Gorilla Glass 4 touchscreen) makes watching movies and TV series more enjoyable.
3. The phablet's 12 MegaPixel camera features large 1.25μm pixels, Phase Detection Autofocus as well as Sony IMX386 sensor, which give it decent low light performance to deliver clear and brilliant shots that can be shared with friends on the big screen.
4. Users who travel a lot and get into extreme adventures will surely appreciate the durable build of this model -- thanks to it's full metal frame. Mi Max 2 is crafted to survive the knocks and bumps of daily use.
5. This handset is one of the few mobile devices out there that have Dual Speaker output for a more immersive audio experience when listening to music or watching videos.

6. And finally, Xiaomi Mi Max 2 has a good set of internal hardware that makes decent gaming experience as well as smooth multitasking performance possible. The smartphone runs its MIUI skinned Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system with a Octa-Core 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Adreno 506 based Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 chipset, has 4GB of RAM, and comes with 64GB of internal storage that can beefed up using the secondary nanoSIM slot that supports microSD card memory expansion.

Unlike some of its competitors in the said price echelon, Xiaomi Mi Max 2 doesn't have a very high resolution front-facing camera that would make it a top-choice for avid Selfie takers. So I guess if you're one of them, you might want to look at other models like the OPPO F3, Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro, or the Vivo V5s. This release lacks a Dual Camera module, which is something you'll find on the midrange Huawei GR5 2017 and LG X Cam.

This brings me back to my point in the opening lines: It's good to have many choices. In this case, Xiaomi Mi Max 2 has a different set of strong points compared to those other models. And in the end, it's up to the consumer to choose which handset best meets his or her requirements.

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is now available in the Philippines via various channels both online and in malls. In LazadaPH, it currently goes for a discounted price of Php 13,599. The phablet is out in two classy colors, namely Matte Black and Gold.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Xiaomi Mi Max 2
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen), Phablet
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 174.1 x 88.7 x 7.6 mm
Weight : 211 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Matte Black
Operating System : Android 7.1.1 Nougat with MIUI
Display : 6.44 inches (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~342 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD Display, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Processor : Octa-Core 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, Adreno 506 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625 chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via hybrid secondary nanoSIM slot with microSD card support, 256GB
Camera : Back: 12 MegaPixels, f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash, 1/2.9" sensor size, 1.25 µm pixel size, HDR
Front: 5 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture
Video Capture : Back: 4K 30fps, 720p 120fps
Front: Full HD
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : USB Type-C 1.0 reversible connector, 3.5mm combo jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP, LE, LE, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
FM Radio : TBC
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 / 1900 / 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 SIM = microSIM + Hybrid nanoSIM
Battery : Non-Removable 5,300 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Large Battery, Large Display, Metal Shell
Announcement : Global - May 2017
Availability : Philippines - July 2017
Price : Online Price Tag - Php 13,599

Samsung Galaxy Note8 Philippines Price and Release Date Guesstimate, What We Know So Far

This TechPinas blog post aims to collate all relevant information about the Samsung Galaxy Note8 flagship phablet here in the Philippines. Trust that we'll update this entry every time we get fresh updates about this upcoming product.

Korean Giant Samsung has just started sending invitations to tech media around the world for the official unveiling of its 2017 top-of-the-line phablet model, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which will happen in New York City, USA on August 23, 2017.

Update: The Korean Giant's 2017 powerhouse stylus-toting phablet has been officially announced! Samsung Galaxy Note8's official price in the Philippines is Php 49,990 and it hit store shelves starting on September 23, 2017.

You can watch our quick review of the new flagship device here:

The stylus-toting Note8 is the next iteration to the Samsung Galaxy Note7 of 2016, which - as you all know - had an unfortunate fate as it was recalled due to battery explosion hazard.

Given that it's been a while since the market had a high-end smartphone-tablet-hybrid with capacitive pen input support, I'm sure that many consumers are looking forward to getting their hands on this upcoming release -- regardless of how much it will cost.

Looking at leaked photos of the Samsung Galaxy Note8 - most of which I believe are already quite accurate, this product's design language and build will be largely similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ but it will have a larger, more squarish footprint plus it will have a Dual Camera module at the back (a first from Samsung) and of course, that hole at the rear for the stylus.

Alleged photo of Samsung Galaxy Note8 with case.

As for technical specifications, the SGNote8 is expected to sport a 6.3-inch Quad HD 1440 x 2960 pixels Infinity Display, a Dual 13 MegaPixel camera at the back with PDAF and Optical Image Stabilization, and an 8 MegaPixel front cam for selfies with f/1.7 aperture. Under the hood, it is said that this model will run its Grace-UI skinned Android 7.1 Nougat OS with either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895 processor that's complemented by 6GB of RAM plus a choice of either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage that can be augmented via the secondary nanoSIM slot that supports microSD card memory expansion.

Now, as for the Note8's official release date, fans believe that the high-end phablet should hit store shelves in key markets around the globe a month after its formal announcement; So that should be by the end of September or early October 2017.

So how much will it be? Insiders believe that the Samsung Galaxy Note8 should fetch for around $1,000 USD or around Php 50,700 with current conversion. Considering the SRP of Samsung Galaxy S8+ upon launch, I believe this is more or less on point.

Are you excited about the Samsung Galaxy Note8? What do you like most about the Galaxy Note Series? Share your thoughts via our Facebook comments section below.

Update as of August 23, 2017: The Samsung Galaxy Note8 has just been officially announced in the Philippines via a media event held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The official SRP of the handset is Php 49,990 and pre-order will start on September 8, 2017. Smart Communications will also bundle this handset with their leading postpaid plans. Here are the phablet's official technical specifications:

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Samsung Galaxy Note8
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen), Phablet with Stylus
Price Category : High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 162.5 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm
Weight : (TBD)
Available Colors : Orchid Grey, Deep Sea Blue, Midnight Black, Maple Gold
Operating System : Android 7.1 Nougat with Grace UI
Display : 6.3 inches (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio), 1440 x 2960 pixels (~522 ppi pixel density), SuperAMOLED Infinity Display, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 10nm Exynos 8895 Octa
RAM : 6GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64/128/256 GB ROM options, expandable via hybrid nano SIM2 slot
Camera : Back: Dual 12 MegaPixels, f/1.7 and f/2.4 apertures, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), 2X Optical Zoom, Dual Tone LED Flash
Front: 8 MegaPixels, f/1.7 aperture
Video Capture : Back - 4K 60fps, 1080p 120fps, 720p 240fps, Dual Video Recording, Video HDR
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 3,300 mAh Li-Po battery with Qi Wireless Charging and Fast Charge support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Dual Camera Module, S-Pen Stylus Support, Infinity Display, New Design, Iris Scanner, Bixby Assistant, Improved Selfie Cam, Samsung Desktop Experience
Announcement : Philippines - August 23, 2017 via Unpacked! Event
Availability : Philippines - September 23, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 49,990

Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra Philippines Price and Release Date Guesstimate, Specs, Actual Photos

The Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra, which will be officially launched here in the Philippines within June 2017, is more than just the larger version of the sleek and beautiful Sony Xperia XA1.

This model also has premium multimedia and selfie-centric features that will surely delight fun-loving millennials and hip baby-boomers alike.

In terms of design, just like its smaller sibling, this phablet flaunts a near-bezel-less face which greatly highlights its massive 6-inch Full HD IPS display panel and makes the device easier to hold and keep in the pocket -- if a bit.

The back plate is made of polycarbonate and has a metallic sheen making the device look more elegant, classy, and sophisticated.

Measuring just 8.1 millimeters at its thickest point, Sony Xperia XA1 has a "loop" or flat tubular design language that's reminiscent of what you'll find on more expensive models by the Japanese company.

Apart from the notably large screen that makes viewing movies, playing 3D games, and browsing photos more enjoyable, another outstanding featuring of this model is its 16 MegaPixel front-facing camera with Soft LED flash and Optical Image Stabilization.

This front-facing shooter doesn't only allow you to snap crystal clear selfies even in low to zero lighting conditions but also lets you record smooth videos or vlogs even when you're walking while recording them.

The rear camera is also no push over. This 23 MegaPixel snapper has phase detection autofocus, f/2.0 aperture, and Exmor RS sensor -- making it largely similar to the main shooter of some previous flagship-level Xperia releases by Sony.

Transferring content that you captured using either of the cameras from the phablet to your PC should be easier using Xperia XA1 Ultra's USB Type C port, which sits at the read alongside the loud speaker.

At its heart, Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra runs its Xperia-UI-skinned Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 2.3 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Mali-T880MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset which is the same as what's inside the smaller Xperia XA1. Nonetheless, this larger handset has more ram at 4GB and bigger internal storage at 64GB, which is likewise expandable via the phone's secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that also supports microSD card memory expansion.

Powered by a 2,700 mAh battery pack, which I think should have been bigger - given the display size and internal specs, Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra will be available in four elegant colors, namely, Black, Gold, Pink, and White. As of writing, Sony has yet to disclose the official SRP of this model but our guesstimate for its price tag in the range of Php 23,000 to 26,000.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Upper Midrange
Dimensions : 165 x 79 x 8.1 mm
Weight : 188 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Pink, White, Black
Operating System : Android 7.0 Nougat with Xperia UI
Display : 6.0 inches (~76.1% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~367 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Scratch Resistant Glass
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core (2.3 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 x 4, 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 x4), Mali-T880MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6757 Helio P20 chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via hybrid secondary nanoSIM slot that also works as a microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 23 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 24mm, phase detection and laser autofocus, LED flash
Front: 16 MegaPixels, Optical Image Stabilization, f/2.0 aperture, 23mm, 1/2.6" sensor size, Soft LED flash
Video Capture : Front and Back: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second
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, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE-A Cat6
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity
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), 28(700), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 2,700 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : 706 Hours of Standby, 13 Hours of Talk Time, All-Day Battery Life
Value-Added Features : Selfie-Centric Features, Front Cam with Optical Image Stabilization for Vlogging, Great Imaging Capabilities, Good Internal Specs, Great Design, Bezel-less Display, Xperia UI
Announcement : Philippines - May 23, 2017
Availability : Philippines - June 2017
Price : TechPinas Price Guesstimate for the Philippines - Php 23,000 to Php 26,000

Samsung Galaxy Note7R Price and Specs : Refurbished Note7, A Great Purchase?

Contrary to what some people believe, Samsung didn't destroy all of the hazardous Galaxy Note7 units that it recalled from October to December 2016.

Instead, the Korean Giant merely fixed them along with other units that were never sold to address their main issue -- the one that led to the most expensive debacle in the smartphone industry of the past half decade.

In fact, today - May 12, 2017, the company finally started selling the Samsung Galaxy Note7R (R for Refurbished) in China via online gadget shops with price tag starting at $520 USD or around Php 25,880 with current conversion and before taxes -- that's more than Php 10,000 off the Note7's supposed price upon launch back in Q4 2016.

According to insiders, soon, Samsung will bring this new model to other key markets around the world -- hopefully, including the Philippines.

If Samsung can guarantee that these Galaxy Note7R units will not explode, then I certainly believe that consumers should check it out.

I mean, given the phablet's many attractive flagship-level selling points - including its powerhouse internal hardware, industry-leading stylus support, large curved SuperAMOLED display, top-notch imaging capabilities, and good security features - including the Iris Scanner, I think Note7R is a real steal at this greatly lowered price point.

Obviously, the release of the Galaxy Note7R is great news for all mobile consumers as it further expands our choices when picking a new daily driver. I wonder, though, how Samsung will address the fact that this re-issue would most likely cannibalize on the sales of its similarly priced A-Series models; One problem solved, another surfaces.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Samsung Galaxy Note7R
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen), Phablet with Stylus
Price Category : High-End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions : 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight : 169 grams
Available Colors : Gold Platinum, Black Onyx
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with TouchWiz Skin
Display : 5.7 inches (~78.0% screen-to-body ratio), 1440 x 2560 pixels (~518 ppi pixel density), Super AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 5 capacitive toucscreen, Always On Display, 16M colors, Curved, Gorilla Glass 5
Processor, GPU, Chipset : 64-Bit Octa Core Exynos 8890 Octa
RAM : 4 GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64 GB expandable via hybrid nanoSIM slot that doubles as microSD card slot supporting up to 200GB
Camera : Main: 12 MegaPixels, f/1.7 aperture, Phase Detection Autofocus, Optical Image Stabilization, LED flash, 1/2.6' sensor size, 1 µm pixel size, Touch Focus, Geo-tagging, Face detection, Auto HDR, Panorama Front: 5 MegaPixels, f/1.7, Dual Video call, Auto HDR
Video Capture : Main: 2160p @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps, Optical Image Stabilization, Auto HDR Front: 1080p @ 30 fps, Auto HDR, Dual Video Recording, Live Panorama
Audio and Video Playback : Video: H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, VC-1, WMV7, WMV8, Sorenson Spark, MP43, VP8, HEVC, Full HD (1080p), UHD (depends on variant) Audio: MP3, AAC/AAC+/eAAC+, WMA, AMR-NB/WB, Vorbis, FLAC(*), WAV(*) (*) Ultra High Quality Audio (~192KHz, 24 bit) support
Ports : USB Type C, 3.5 mm combo jack
Connectivity, Sharing : 4G LTE-A Cat9, 3G HSPA+, WiFi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), HT80 MIMO(2x2) 620Mbps, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Mobile Hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, A2DP, LE, apt-X, ANT+, NFC, S Beam, Samsung AllShare Play and Control, Samsung AllShare Cast (WiFi Display), Mirroring and Extension, Samsung AllShare Framework
Sensors : Accelerometer, RGB Light, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer, Temperature, Humidity, Gesture, Heart Rate Monitor, Touch-Type Finger Scanner, UV, Iris Scanner
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
Network : 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G Network LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 (TBC)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM = nanoSIM 1 (LTE) + nanoSIM 2 (2G, Hybrid)
Battery : Non-Removable Li-Ion 3,200 mAh battery, Wireless Charging compatible, Fast battery charging
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Flagship Release, S-Pen, Large Display, IP68 Certified, Dual Pixel Camera, Iris Scanner
Announcement : May 2017
Availability : Q2 2017
Price : Starts at $520 USD
Price Guesstimate in the Philippines - Php 28,000 - Php 30,000

Samsung Galaxy S8+ vs S7 Edge vs S8 Size Comparison Photos

"Sir Mark, is the new Samsung Galaxy S8 notably bigger than my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge?"

"Given that Samsung Galaxy S8+ has a 6.2-inch screen and that the S7 Edge only has a 5.5-inch display, I'm sure that the new phablet has a far larger footprint than the old one. Can you confirm that, Mark?"

"My SGS7Edge fits in my pocket perfectly. I understand that the Samsung Galaxy S8 has a bigger screen than my current phone -- so I'm afraid it might not fit my pocket just as well. Is that right?"

These are just some of the many 'size related' questions that I got from friends and readers as soon as I arrived home from the Samsung Unpacked event at The City of Dreams Manila last March 29, 2017 where the company officially announced its two new flagship Android smartphones.

Well, thankfully, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is one of my currently daily drivers and I had it with me during Samsung Unpacked, allowing me to snap these shots.

I know a picture paints a thousand words so I'll let these size comparison photos speak for themselves.

(L-R) 6.2-inch Samsung Galaxy S8+, 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, and 5.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S8.

Here are the dimensions and weight of each model:

Samsung Galaxy S8+
159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm (Length x Width x Thickness)
173 grams

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm (Length x Width x Thickness)
157 grams

Samsung Galaxy S8
148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (Length x Width x Thickness)
155 grams

SGS8+ is taller, wider, thicker, and heavier than the SGS7Edge. But that's to be expected. What we should note is that despite the sheer screen size difference, the phablets' footprints are still somehow comparable or not that far from each other.

Amazingly, although it has a larger 5.8-inch display versus just 5.5-inch screen on the SGS7Edge, the new Samsung Galaxy S8 is actually smaller, slimmer, and lighter than its predecessor. Sure, the 2017 release is thicker but it's barely noticeable.

So how was Samsung able to make the new flagship models relatively small despite having massive screens? Well, they used a new display resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels, which is taller than 1440 x 2560 pixels resolution of the SGS7Edge, and removed the physical home button in front. This allowed the new screens to 'eat into' the previously unused space in the top and bottom bezels of the phone. Together, these elements are the foundation of Samsung's new Infinity Display feature.