Android Smartphones With Big 5,000 mAh Battery and Price Tag Below Php 10,000 or $200 USD

This year, it seems like a handful of phone manufacturers have agreed amongst themselves that 5,000 mAh is the perfect battery capacity to give a handset if they want to show to consumers that the device is capable of delivering tremendous uptime. This is especially true for models that have 5 to 5.5 inch displays.

For the benefit of my readers who are messaging me, asking for a list of budget-friendly Android smartphones with notably large 5,000 mAh battery pack, here are four sub-Php 10,000 handsets that has the said hardware feature. All of these 2017 models are now available here in the Philippines.

CloudFone Thrill Power
Price: Php 3,499

5-inch HD IPS
8 MegaPixel Autofocus Camera at the Back with LED flash
5 MegaPixel Fixed Focus Front Cam
Quad Core 1.3 GHz MediaTek MT6580 processor
1GB of RAM
8GB of expandable storage
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Dual SIM (micro + micro)
3G HSPA+ Mobile Connectivity

The most affordable of the bunch is an entry-level model by proudly-Pinoy handset maker, CloudFone. One of the best-selling models by the company for the first half of 2017, the Thrill Power not only has a big battery battery but also features a real-meal shell, which makes it more expensive than it actually is.

Alcatel Pixi 4 Plus Power
Price: Php 5,599

5.5-inch HD IPS
8 MegaPixel Autofocus Camera at the Back with LED flash
5 MegaPixel Fixed Focus Front Cam
Quad Core 1.3 GHz MediaTek MT6580 processor
1GB of RAM
8GB of expandable storage
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Dual SIM (micro + micro)
3G HSPA+ Mobile Connectivity

Now a subsidiary of TCL, Alcatel Mobile launched a number of new Android smartphones in the Philippines earlier this year. One of their more affordable offerings is the Pixi 4 Plus, which has both a big 5.5-inch HD display along with a large battery pack.

Motorola Moto E4 Plus
Price: Php 8,999

Splash-Proof
5.5-inch HD IPS
Gorilla Glass 3
13 MegaPixel Autofocus Camera at the Back with f/2.0 aperture, 1.12 µm pixel size, HDR, and LED flash
5 MegaPixel Fixed Focus Front Cam with f/2.2 aperture, 1.4 µm pixel size, Soft LED flash
Quad Core 1.3 GHz MediaTek MT6737 processor
3GB of RAM
32GB of expandable storage
Android 7.0 Nougat
Dual SIM (nano + nano)
4G LTE Mobile Connectivity
Fingerprint Scanner

The attractive and somewhat-water-resistant Moto E4 Plus, which has the iconic circular camera module of the more expensive Moto Z models, is made for discerning mobile consumers who love to take selfies and who are always on the go. It also has a removable aluminum back cover, which makes the phone look sleek and elegant.

Asus ZenFone 4 Max
Price: Php 9,995

5.5-inch HD IPS
Dual Camera ~ 13 MegaPixel Autofocus Camera at the Back with f/2.0 aperture and 80-degrees field of view + 5 MegaPixels Wide Angle 120-degrees field of view, LED flash
8 MegaPixel Fixed Focus Front Cam with f/2.2 aperture, Soft LED flash
1.4 GHz Octa Core Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430
3GB of RAM
32GB of expandable storage
Android 7.0 Nougat
Dual SIM (nano + nano)
4G LTE Mobile Connectivity
Fingerprint Scanner

The metal-clad Asus ZenFone 4 Max has a number of things going for it. Not only does it look and feel durable and sophisticated but it also has a Dual Camera module at the back for standard and wide-angle shots as well as an 8 MegaPixel front cam with Soft LED flash and SelfieMaster beautification software.

Do you wish more smartphone makers would release mobile devices with unusually large battery pack? Let me know your thoughts via our comments section below.

Asus ZenFone 4 Max Philippines Price, Specs, Initial Review, Dual Camera Feature Explained

Donning an official suggested retail price of Php 9,995 in the Philippines, the all-new Asus ZenFone 4 Max is the most affordable of the give new Android smartphones that Taiwanese electronics company Asus officially unveiled via their media and consumer event held last Saturday - August 19, 2017 - at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Although the metal shell and overall footprint of Asus ZenFone 4 Max ZC554KL are largely the same as that of its predecessor - the Asus ZenFone 3 Max - which was released earlier this year, this new model does offer a number of enhancements in specs as well as fresh features that we're seeing for the first time in the Max series.

The face of the handset gives you two new obvious enhancements coming from the older model. To specific, there's now a physical home button below the display, which features a Fingerprint Scanner for quickly unlocking the device all while making it more secure.

Also, above the 5.5-inch HD IPS display, underneath the 2.5D Curved Glass touchscreen, you'll find the Soft LED Flash for the 8 MegaPixel f/2.2 front-facing camera, which comes in handy when snapping selfies in low to zero lighting conditions.

Sidenote: Asus ZenFone 4 Max's aluminum unibody enclosure looks and feels almost exactly like the shell of the Asus ZenFone 3 Max, which is not a bad thing given that the earlier release was one of the better-looking handsets in its price category. On a separate note, the concentric Zen design element of this new smartphone is found on the real metal volume and power buttons.

Another notable improvement implemented on the ZF4Max is its even bigger battery pack! Whereas the 5.5-inch ZF3Max was powered by an already big 4,100 mAh Li-Ion battery, the follow-up has an even higher capacity 5,000 mAh non-removable pack, which ensures longer uptime with regular use and gives more juice when the phone is used as a powerbank via reverse charging.

Apart from the larger battery, my favorite new feature of the Asus ZenFone 4 Max ZC554KL is its Dual Rear Camera module, which is made up of two 13 MegaPixel optics with varying field of view.

Regular or Standard View

Wide-Angle View using the secondary camera

Notice the subtle protrusion of the Dual Camera Module at the back.

The first lens has a standard 80-degree field of view while the other is wide-angle at 120-degrees. Hence, with this Dual Cam set-up, you can capture a wider view of the subject in front of you with just a click of a button -- no need to take a few steps back. This comes in handy when taking photos of buildings or even groups of people.

As I've mentioned above, Asus ZenFone 4 Max supports reverse charging, which gives it powerbank functionality. Simply use the USB-On-The-Go cable provided in the package to use this phone as a power source for your other mobile devices, including other Android smartphones.

Connecting your other smartphone to the Asus ZenFone 4 Max via charging cable and USB-OTG instantly activates Reverse Charging or Powerbank feature.

On the software side, the biggest enhancement that Asus fans will experience on this model is its new ZenUI 4.0 interface for Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system. This version of the UI is simpler and has fewer bloatware, giving users a near-vanilla Android experience and eliminating unnecessary apps and processes running in the background.

Overall, I think all these improvements make the Asus ZenFone 4 Max a great option for consumers who are looking for a fairly affordable mid-level 2017 Android smartphone -- even if some say that the internal hardware - which include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 chipset, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of expandable storage - could have been better.

If anything, however, I wish the company retained the Full HD resolution of the Asus ZenFone 3 on this refresh. But I understand that to keep the price of the device low all while incorporating new parts, they had to make such compromises. Not so sure, though, how fans of the brand will take this.

For those who are interested, Dual SIM 4G-enabled Asus ZenFone 4 Max ZC554KL is now available at all Asus Concept Stores and partner dealers across the Philippines. It's out in three classy colors, namely, Sand Gold, Rose Pink, and - the one I have here - Titanium Gray.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Asus ZenFone 4 Max ZC554KL
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 154 x 76.9 x 8.9 mm
Weight : 181 grams
Available Colors : Rose Pink, Sand Gold, Titanium Gray
Operating System : Android 7.1.1 Nougat with ASUS ZenUI 4.0
Display : 5.5 inches (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio), 1280 x 720 pixels, S-IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 2.5D Curved Corning Gorilla Glass
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, Adreno 505 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 chipset
RAM : 3GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: Dual 13 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, LED flash, standard 80-degrees and wide-angle 120-degrees field of view
Front: 8 MegaPixels, f/2.2, LED flash, 85-degrees field of view
Video Capture : Front and Back: Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : microUSB 2.0, USB On-The-Go, 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+; LTE Cat4
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS
FM Radio : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner in front
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 40(2300)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 5,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime : 3 Days of Regular Use (TBC)
Value-Added Features : Big Battery, Dual Camera Module with Wide Angle Shot, Front Flash, Aluminum Alloy Shell, Reverse Charging
Announcement : Philippines - August 19, 2017
Availability : Philippines - August 2017
Price : Official Suggested Retail Price in the Philippines - Php 9,995

Lenovo K8 Note Price, Specs, Press Photos : Splash Resistant, Has Dual Camera and Deca Core Processor

On Thursday - August 10, 2017, Chinese handset maker Lenovo officially launched a new Android smartphone in India, marking one of its first moves to regain lost ground in the midrange price bracket.

The fairly affordable Lenovo K8 Note has a number of attractive features that make it a good alternative to other mid-level handsets by other brands from China that have taken over the market.

The biggest selling point of this model would have to be its Dual Real Camera module made up of a 13 MegaPixel PDAF optic with f/1.7 aperture and Dual Tone LED flash plus another 5 MegaPixel lens that work together to deliver shots with interesting bokeh or depth of field effects. This is largely similar to what Huawei's GR line currently offers.

Users who love to take selfies will also surely appreciate the 13 MegaPixel f/2.0 front camera with Soft LED flash that allows the user to snap clear and crisp self-portraits even in low to zero lighting conditions. Of course, this shooter also benefits from Lenovo's very own beautification software.

Another notable feature is the phone's Mediatek Helio X23 chipset, which has a whopping ten physical cores! The four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.4GHz, four ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.85GHz, and two ARM Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 2.3GHz combine to make Lenovo K8 Note one of the most powerful handsets in its price echelon. This chip likewise incorporates a Mali-T880 MP4 GPU for decent 3D gaming experience and is complemented by either 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage that's expandable via a dedicated microSD card slot.

For those who hate always charging their handsets via powerbank or electrical outlet just so it won't run out of juice on the way home in the evening, you'll be glad to know that Lenovo K8 Note is powered by a non-removable 4,000 mAh battery pack, which - I think - is just right for a handset with a large 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display. Expect a whole day of uptime - and a bit more - from this phablet with regular use.

Unlike other K-series models from Lenovo in the past, Lenovo K8 Note will no longer have the Vibe user interface as serving as skin for the operating system. This one will run the stock version of Android 7.1.1 Nougat right out of the box.

And finally, here's a feature that puts this model ahead of its competition: Lenovo K8 Note has a splash-resistant build and finish!

Apart from being crafted from aluminum making it look and feel both durable and elegant, the shell is also closely sealed to protect against accidental splashes of water. It's not particularly water-proof so you can't dive with it -- but such level of protection, made possible in part by water-repellent nano-coating - is definitely welcome in a midrange handset.

So how much will it be? As I've noted, Lenovo K8 Note will be available in two variants when it hits store shelves in India come August 18. The 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM variant is priced at INR 12,999 ($203 USD or Php 10,300) and the 4GB RAM with 64GB ROM version goes for INR 13,999 ($219 USD or Php 11,100). This handset will be out in two colors, Venom Black and Fine Gold.

The Philippines usually also gets Lenovo Android smartphones that are launched in India -- albeit a bit later. Here's to hoping that this one would get released here real soon. I mean, Lenovo K8 Note sure looks promising.

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

Huawei Y5 2017 Philippines Price is Php 5,890, Complete Specs, Key Features

Great news for all budget-conscious fans of Huawei here in the Philippines!

The Chinese electronics giant has just released a new entry-level Android smartphone in the country and despite having a wallet-friendly price tag, it has a handful of cool features that young consumers will appreciate.

Donning an SRP of only Php 5,890, the all-new Huawei Y5 2017 sports a 5-inch 1280 x 720 pixels HD IPS display panel that makes viewing social networking apps, games, and websites more enjoyable than on a lower resolution screen found on some handsets by international brands in this price bracket.

The HD IPS panel is particularly a joy to have when viewing and videos taken using Huawei Y5 2017's cameras.

Speaking of cameras, this smartphone sports an 8 MegaPixel autofocus shooter at the rear, which has Dual LED flash and a fairly wide f/2.0 aperture for enhanced low light performance.

Given that this is but an entry-level release, users would be wise to manage expectations when it comes to the image quality of photos taken using the phone. Huawei's best cameraphones are in the P-Series flagship category.

In front, the phone has a 5 MegaPixel fixed focus snapper with Soft LED Flash that comes in handy when taking selfies in low to zero lighting conditions. This camera also benefits from Huawei's Beautification software that evens out the user's skin tone in every shot, delivering self-portraits that can instantly be shared on Facebook or Instagram.

Underneath it's shell, Huawei Y5 2017 runs its Emotion UI skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Mali-T720MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6737T chipset, has 2GB of RAM, and comes with 16 GB of internal storage that can be expanded using the dedicated microSD slot.

Frankly, at this price point, you can get more powerful Android smartphone releases with better internal hardware from local brands, including the metal-clad Cherry Mobile Flare S5 and Flare 5, which are both powered by an Octa Core processor and have 3GB of RAM.

You'll find it hard, however, to find a competing handset by other multinational players with considerably better technical specifications in this price category.

According to Huawei, one of the main selling points of this model is its sizable albeit non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery pack, which is capable of delivering up to 1.5 days of uptime with regular use. Also, this retains 80% of its capacity even after 800 charges so the user won’t have to worry about replacing it over the device’s lifetime.

The cool and hip Dual SIM 4G-enabled Huawei Y5 2017 will be available at Huawei Experience across the country starting Monday, July 24, 2017. You may opt to get your unit at 6-months-installment with 0% interest through Home Credit.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Huawei Y5 2017
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Entry Level
Dimensions : 143.8 x 72 x 8.4 mm
Weight : 150 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Pink, Blue, White, Gray
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow Emotion UI 4.1
Display : 5.0 inches (~66.6% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1280 pixels (~294 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD Display, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor : Quad-Core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, Mali-T720MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6737T chipset
RAM : 2GB RAM
Internal Storage : 16GB ROM, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 128GB
Camera : Back: 8 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, Dual LED flash
Front: 5 MegaPixels, Soft LED flash
Video Capture : Front and Back: 720p HD
Audio and Video Playback : MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC, MP4, H.264
Ports : microUSB 2.0, 3.5mm combo jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, LE, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE
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 / 1900 / 2100
4G LTE band (TBC)
SIM Card Type : Dual SIM = microSIM + nanoSIM
Battery : Non-Removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : Large Battery, Front Flash for Selfies
Announcement : July 24, 2017
Availability : Philippines - July 24, 2017
Price : Official SRP - Php 5,890

Android Smartphone with Largest Battery Capacity Gets an Upgrade

In Q4 2015, Shenzhen-based handset maker Oukitel released the first Android handset in the world to have a whopping 10,000 mAh battery pack, which - they claimed - was capable of delivering an unbelievable 10 to 15 days of uptime with regular use.

Oukitel K10000 made headlines during its run not just because of its record-breaking powerbank-worthy battery capacity but because of its obviously inconvenient heft.

Sure, the handset gave users peace of mind in terms of not worrying that it would run out of juice in the middle of the day. However, K10000's 13.8 millimeter thickness and 315 grams weight (almost double that of some smartphones during that year) made it hard to carry around or to keep in the pocket.

Yesterday - May 8, 2017, Oukitel announced the K10000 Pro, which effectively addresses the weaknesses of its predecessor while offering a boost in overall performance and the same staggering battery size.

The K10000 Pro only weighs 292.5 grams, which means that it's lighter than the 2015 model by 22.5 grams if my math serves me right.

Powered by a 10,000 mAh pack with Fast Charging support, Oukitel K10000 Pro is equipped with a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display that's protected by scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass touchscreen. Under the hood, it runs on a 64-Bit Octa Core MediaTek MT6780T processor, has 3GB of RAM, and comes with 32GB of internal storage; A set of internal hardware indicating that it will be a fairly affordable midrange model.

As of today, the company has yet to release more information about this model, including its camera specifications, pricing details, and exact release date in China as well as in other territories globally.

Oukitel has never officially released a handset in the Philippines. However, since our local handset brands get their smartphones mostly from Chinese OEMs, there's a chance that one Pinoy company would bring this particular model here albeit with different name -- if many consumers show interest in it and if they can get it for a good bulk price, I guess.

Lenovo K6 Note Price in the Philippines is Php 11,999

Donning an official suggested retail price of Php 11,999, the new Lenovo K6 Note finds itself in a heavily contested price segment led by popular handset models like the OPPO F1s and Asus ZenFone 3 Max 5.5.

Competition is stiff -- but the good thing is that Lenovo gave this model enough stellar features to give it more than a fighting chance at winning.

In fact, given its design, build, and set of technical specifications, Lenovo K6 Note could well prove to be one of the best purchases you can get within the price bracket where it is in.

Looks-wise, the device flaunts a sleek real metal unibody back plate that perfectly complements the large 5.5-inch Full HD IPS display in front. Along with the glossy chrome accents, these elements give Lenovo K6 Note an air of corporate sophistication.

As for imaging capabilities, the phablet has a 16 MegaPixel PDAF camera at the back with Dual Tone LED flash. On its face, above the display, K6 Note sports an 8 MegaPixel shooter, delivering clear selfies that are ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram.

Underneath the beautiful shell, this model runs its Vibe-UI-flavored Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 and Adreno 505 GPU based Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 processor, has 4GB of RAM - which is a treat at this price, and comes with 32GB of expandable storage.

The handset is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery pack, which should give it longer uptime - if a bit - when compared to some of its main competitors.

Lenovo K6 Note has just been launched here in the Philippines. It's available in three elegant colors - namely, Gold, Silver, and Dark Grey - at all Lenovo Concept Stores and authorized retail channels nationwide.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Lenovo K6 Note
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 151 x 76 x 8.4 mm
Weight : 169 grams
Available Colors : Silver, Gold, Dark Grey
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with Lenovo Vibe UI
Display : 5.5 inches (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Adreno 505 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable via hybrid secondary nanoSIM slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 16 MegaPixels, phase detection autofocus, LED flash
Front: 8 MegaPixels
Video Capture : Back - 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, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.2 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; LTE Cat4
GPS : A-GPS
FM Radio : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 38(2600), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 4,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime : 600 Hours of Standby, Up to 46 Hours of Talk Time
Value-Added Features : Premium Design, 4GB of RAM, Real Metal Build, Big Battery
Announcement : Philippines - March 2017
Availability : Philippines - March 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 11,999

Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom Philippines Initial Review, Sample 2.3X Zoomed Camera Shots

Last March 10, 2017, just before my trip to Davao City, our friends from Asus Philippines sent me a brand new Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom retail pack to unbox and play with while having my adventure in the southern part of our country.

As its very name suggests, Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom is the sterling follow-up to the very gorgeous Asus ZenFone Zoom from 2015, which became popular because of its stunning design and its rather rare optical zoom capability. A true upgrade, this 2017 refresh has a thinner and lighter build compared to its predecessor, more advanced imaging capabilities and technical specifications, and a far larger battery pack resulting in longer uptime.

In this post, I'll share with you the three things that I thoroughly liked about this new flagship cameraphone as well as a couple of details that Asus can look into in making the follow-up far better.

The first thing that I find quite pleasing about this model is its flex-free, solid construction.

The sleek real metal back plate - with rounded edges and corners - meets seamlessly with the 2.D curved Gorilla Glass 5 face to give the phone a reassuring, flex-free feel in the hand.

You can tell it's a well-crafted device with one grasp. I'm sure ZenFone 3 Zoom can easily survive the knocks and bumps of daily use.

I can't say I'm in love with the design, though, only because this model doesn't look all that unique. I mean, let's face it: Its aesthetics are clearly borrowed from the Asus ZenFone 3 Max and the Apple iPhone 7 Plus. This is one of the things that Asus can definitely improve on when crafting the next iteration.

Needless to say, the highlight of this release are its imaging capabilities -- and that's the second thing that I like about the Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom.

This handset is equipped with a dual camera set-up at the back that incorporates two 12 MegaPixel optics: One - the SuperPixel camera - has a wide-angle 1/2.5" lens with f/1.7 aperture and Sony's IMX362 sensor while the other has - what appears to be - a telephoto lens that give the camera 2.3 times optical zoom capability.

Aware of the phone's imaging capabilities, I took ZenFone 3 Zoom out for a spin in Davao and shot various subjects. Here are some photos in my gallery that highlight the shooter's 2.3X lossless optical zoom feature (Click for larger view. Best viewed on desktop):

1X

2.3X Optical Zoom

I find the clarity of this zoomed shot particularly impressive. What do you think?

The phone's 13 MegaPixel f/2.0 front cam - just like that of the regular ZenFone 3 - benefits from Asus's Beauty Mode for selfies. The software automatically evens out skin tone and highlights good facial features resulting in self-portraits that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram. I have to note, though, that Asus should try to minimize the bottle-nose effect that users get when the camera is used this close to the face.

I mean, my nose is already big to begin with. But you get the point.

If there's one thing that puts Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom head and shoulders above other imaging-centric Android smartphones that are out in the market, it would have to be its unusually large battery, which is the third thing about this release that I really appreciate.

I don't understand great cameraphones with very limited uptime. What good is a smartphone that takes good photos if it can't stay on for too long?

With depth of just 7.99 mm and weighing only 170 grams, Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom is the thinnest and lightest dual camera phone with a 5 000 mAH battery pack. Inside, it is powered by the powerful yet energy-efficient 64-Bit Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor that works with the ginormous battery to deliver a whopping 42 days of standby or 6.4 hours of 4K video recording – the longest from any smartphone in the world currently.

Personally, I simply find joy in not worrying that this cameraphone would run out of juice in the middle of the day or just when I finally need it to snap photos. In this sense, I can call Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom utterly reliable. You'd probably find a more capable cameraphone with better sensor -- but in terms of sheer uptime, this model is king.

For the geeks: The phone's Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage give it an Antutu Benchmark Score in the range of 60,000 to 63,000. Earlier, I got 61,879 when I ran the test on my unit. This mark reflects the device's above average 3D gaming performance, smooth screen transitions, and great responsiveness to touch gestures. Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom is not the most powerful Android smartphone out there but it should be good enough for even the most demanding mobile gamer.

Alright! I'll have more things to say about this smartphone in the coming days so stay tuned. For now, let me wrap this up by disclosing that Asus Philippines will be launching the ZenFone 3 Zoom on April 6, 2017. As for the price, they haven't given official word on it but I reckon it won't be cheap. Right now, I'm just hoping that it won't exceed Php 20,000 -- but that's highly unlikely; Still, it doesn't hurt to be optimistic.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)Name : Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : High-End
Dimensions : 154.3 x 77 x 7.99 mm
Weight : 170 grams
Available Colors : Navy Black, Glacier Silver, Rose Gold
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Zen UI 3.0
Display : 5.5 inches (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density), AMOLED, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 2.5D Curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor : 64-Bit 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 supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: Dual 12 MegaPixels = (25mm, f/1.7, OIS 4-axis) + (59mm, f/2.8), Tri-Tech autofocus, 2.3x optical zoom factor, dual-LED (dual tone) flash
Front: 13 MegaPixels, f/2.0
Video Capture : 4K 30 frames per second, 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/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; LTE Cat6
GPS : A-GPS
FM Radio : Yes
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner at the back
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 8(900), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 5,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime : 42 days of standby or 6.4 hours of 4K video recording
Value-Added Features : Aluminum Alloy Shell, Big Battery, AMOLED display, Dual Camera, 2.3X optical zoom, Fingerprint Scanner, Zen UI, Thin and Light Build
Announcement : April 6, 2017
Availability : Philippines - April 2017
Price : TBA