Showing posts with label Selfie-Centric Smartphones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Selfie-Centric Smartphones. Show all posts

Monday, 28 August 2017

New Samsung Galaxy J7+ With Dual Camera Brings Live Focus and Bixby To Mid-Level Category

It appears like it's only a matter of weeks now before the all-new Samsung Galaxy J+ gets officially launched in various countries in Southeast Asia, most likely including the Philippines.

An actual, working unit of the upcoming Android handset recently surfaced in a Cambodian tech video review channel on Youtube named "Cambo Report" and off hand, it seems like the smartphone will be introducing a number of fresh features to the company's midrange J-Series.

   
See more of it images.................

Sunday, 27 August 2017

Success of OPPO and Vivo Smartphones in the Philippines, Explained

Within just a span of two years, Chinese handset brands OPPO and Vivo Mobile have been able to achieve tremendous success in the Philippines, the leading mobile devices market in the entire Asia Pacific region where competition among players in the smartphone industry is probably at its tightest.

In fact, based on the findings of a research conducted by  International Data Corporation (IDC), OPPO and Vivo were actually the 3rd and 5th most prolific handset vendors in the country in Q2 2017 -- joining Cherry Mobile (1), Samsung (2), and CloudFone (4) in the Top 5.


For consumers and tech enthusiasts who have yet to get their hands on a phone made by these two players from China and are now wondering how these brand achieved great success in our market, IDC offers an explanation.

According to Mr. Jerome Dominguez - Market Analyst for Client Devices of IDC Asia/Pacific, "OPPO and Vivo disrupted the smartphone retail space through cash-rich marketing, aggressive sales promoter incentives and previously unseen levels of retailer support. This challenged the traditional vendor-dealer relationship smartphone vendors have been accustomed to, and while leading vendors have been able to adapt, smaller players with less marketing and merchandising budget on their disposal were unable to do so, thus suffering drops in market shares."

"As the battle for mindshare intensifies, top global and local mobile phone vendors were left with no recourse but to double down on marketing spending to maintain the brand presence. Aside from the tried-and-tested formula of appointing A-list celebrity endorsers and conducting roadshows, new marketing strategies such as co-branding and strategic product placements are being explored by local and global vendors as means to remain competitive against Chinese vendors," he added.


As a technology blogger who is part of both OPPO and Vivo's digital marketing campaigns, I would say that their active partnership with bloggers and online influencers also contributed to their dominance in this space. As a millennial mobile consumer, I think their Selfie-Centric brand positioning also helped in capturing the interest of millions of Pinoy consumers who love to take selfies alone or with their friends and loved ones. I've heard many Filipinos praise the selfie-taking prowess of smartphone made by these companies.

On top of all that, I would say that OPPO and Vivo's partnership with Home Credit, a financial company that helps consumers purchase gadgets at 0% installment, along with wise choice of celebrity endorsers (Sarah Geronimo for OPPO and Steph Curry for Vivo), and carefully planned mall shows in the metro and in the provinces also became instrumental to their success.

Qouting IDC, The rise of OPPO and Vivo further affirmed the importance of combining an expansive sales and distribution approach with strong marketing and advertising strategies to capture consumer mindshare. To preserve brand equity among consumers, leading global and local vendors who have previously cut down on marketing spend back in 2016 were seen to divert their resources to funding actively on integrated marketing campaigns this year. (source)

Tuesday, 22 August 2017

Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie Philippines Price, Initial Review, Specs, Dual Front Camera Features

Back in August 2015, Taiwanese electronics company Asus launched their Asus ZenFone Selfie ZD551KL, which - as its name suggests - was targeted towards consumers who enjoy taking self-portraits using the front-facing camera of their handsets.

That earlier model had a 13 MegaPixel autofocus camera with Dual Tone LED flash right above the display, allowing the user to snap clear and crisp regardless of the lighting condition.

Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie, Mark Milan Macanas

Oddly enough, it took the company almost two years to come up with follow-up to that selfie-centric handset. But what's good is that, the 2017 iteration already incorporates neat enhancements as well as new features that go along the latest trends in snapping selfies.

Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie ZD553KL

In terms of design and build, the Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie represents a clear upgrade coming from its predecessor.


Not only is this newer model far thinner and lighter but it also flaunts a real metal frame that makes it look and feel more elegant and sophisticated. I mean, just look at these photos.


The rear camera resolution had also been bumped up to 16 MegaPixels coming from 13 MegaPixels on the predecessor. And what's nice is that it now has Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) which locks in the subject far faster.


Also, the camera interface is now more intuitive and easier to use. There's even a Pro mode that lets you tweak settings - like White Balance and ISO - to get the exact look that you want to achieve in your photos. And I'm sure you'll appreciate the one-click Background Defocus button that gives you virtual Bokeh effect in your shots where the background of your subject is beautifully blurred.


Of course, the main selling of the Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie ZD553KL is its all-new Dual Front-Facing camera module, which incorporates cool tech trends in snapping selfies and groufies.


The first one is the front-facing Softlight LED flash, which is more less similar to that of the older model. This feature allows the user to snap clear and crisp selfies even in low to zero lighting conditions such as in bars or clubs. The bulb supports both flash and torch light illumination for self-portraits and videos up to Full HD resolution.


The Dual Front Camera Set-up is made up of a 24 MegaPixel Selfie shooter with standard field of view and another 8 MegaPixel lens with wide-angle 120-degrees field of view.


With just a click of an on-screen button in the camera app, you can quickly toggle between the regular selfie shooter and the groufie or - as Asus calls it - WeFie wide-angle camera to shoot photos with your friends or with better view of your background. Both optics benefit from Asus' all new SelfieMaster photo and video beautification mode that instantly evens out the user's skintone in every shot or clip.

To be fair, you'll find other Android smartphones in the market with Soft LED front flash or Dual Front-Facing Camera Module -- but if my memory serves me right, only Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie offers both of these at the same.


Under the hood, Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie runs its near-bloatware-free, Zen-UI-4.0-skinned Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Adreno 505 GPU based Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 chipset that's complemented by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage that can easily be expanded using the dedicated microSD card slot. The handset is powered by a non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery that should be good enough to deliver around a whole day of uptime.


So is the handset worth recommending? Well, having played with the device during the event, I'd say if you and your friends love to take selfies and wefies, you should certainly include this model in your bucket list. The Dual Front Cam, the SoftLight Front Flash, and the top-notch SelfieMaster beautification software combine to make Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie one of the best 2017 handsets in delivering those kinds of shots. However, if you're a heavy mobile gamer or a power user, you might want to look at other mid-level smartphones by Asus or other brands with better CPU and GPU.

Personally, I wish that this device's 5.5-inch IPS display had a Full HD resolution instead of just HD -- but I guess it's a compromise that Asus made to keep the price of the phone fairly affordable all while adding new features and improving the design and build of the product.


For those who are interested, Dual-SIM 4G-enabled Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie is now available at all Asus Concept Stores and partner retailers across the country. Currently out in just one color - Black, this smartphone dons an official suggested retail price of Php 13,995.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name : Asus ZenFone 4 Selfie ZD553KL
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 155.7 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight : 144 grams
Available Colors : Black
Operating System : Android 7.1.1 Nougat with ASUS ZenUI 4.0
Display : 5.5 inches (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio), 1280 x 720 pixels, 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 : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 2TB
Camera : Back: 16 MegaPixels, Phase Detection AutoFocus (PDAF), LED flash
Front: Dual Camera Module - 24 MegaPixels (for Selfie) + 8 MegaPixels with wide-angle 120-degrees field of view (for WeFie), SoftLight 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 : 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 3,000 mAh Li-Po battery
Uptime : Whole Day of Regular Use (TBC)
Value-Added Features : Dual Front Camera Module with Wide Angle Shot, Front Flash, Aluminum Alloy Shell
Announcement : Philippines - August 19, 2017
Availability : Philippines - August 2017
Price : Official Suggested Retail Price in the Philippines - Php 13,995

Sunday, 13 August 2017

Vivo V5 Price in the Philippines is Now Just Php 10,990 : Here Are The Complete Specs

From having an official suggested retail price of Php 12,990 when it was launched in the Philippines in November 2016, the midrange selfie-centric Android smartphone Vivo V5 now goes for only Php 10,990 at all Vivo Concept Stores, kiosks, and authorized dealers across the country.

Vivo V5

I believe the world's Top 5 smartphone seller offers this generous Php 2,000 to allow more Filipinos to experience what the brand has to offer especially in terms of snapping selfies and delivering a decent mobile multi-tasking experience.

The Vivo V5 sports an incredible 20 MegaPixel front-facing camera that features a 1/2.78” Sony IMX376 camera sensor coupled with a 5P lens system as well as an aperture of f/2.0 and Soft LED flash for enhanced low-light performance.

Vivo Philippines Store
Filipinos checking out the 2017 Android smartphone offerings of Vivo Mobile, a popular handset brand from China.

Flaunting an anodized aluminum unibody shell, Vivo V5 is equipped with a 5.5-inch HD IPS display panel protected by 2.5D Curved Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen, a 13 MegaPixel f/2.2 PDAF camera at the back, Full HD video recorder, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 4G LTE mobile connectivity support, and a non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion battery pack with Fast Charging support.

Under the hood, this handset runs its FunTouch OS skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Mali-T860MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6750 chipset that should help deliver a fairly decent gaming experience - not the best but still OK, has 4GB of RAM for smooth multitasking even when running many apps at once, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that can easily be augmented using the secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that supports microSD card memory expansion.

Vivo V5 Philippines

One of the unique features of Vivo V5 (or Vivo Android smartphones, in general) compared to handsets by other brands is its AK4376 Hi-Fi chipset that improves audio experience when listening to music both via earphones or loud speaker.

Is this the phone for you? If you're now looking a sub-Php 12,000 Android handset with a very high-resolution selfie camera that's reliable in low to zero lighting conditions, good enough specs for a lag-free mobile experience, and a Hi-Fi chipset for clear and crisp music playback, you might want to check this model out. One of the weak points of this release, though, is that its 5.5-inch display only has 720 x 1280 pixels or HD resolution and not Full HD.

You can now get the discounted Vivo V5 at all official retail channels of Vivo Mobile Philippines both online and in shopping malls. This midrange model is out in three classy colors, namely, Gold, Rose Gold, and Space Grey.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name : Vivo V5 (August 2017 Price Update)
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 153.8 x 75.5 x 7.6 mm
Weight : 154 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Rose Gold, Space Grey
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with FunTouch OS 2.6
Display : 5.5 inches (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1280 pixels (~267 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Mali-T860MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6750 chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable via secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that doubles as 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: 20 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 1/2.8" sensor size
Video Capture : Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second - Front and Back
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 v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Digital Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 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 = microSIM + nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion battery with Fast Charging Support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : FunTouch OS Features, Front Moonlight Camera, Good Set of Internal Hardware, Premium Build
Announcement : Philippines - November 2016
Availability : Philippines - November 26, 2016
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 12,990 (Upon Launch)
Updated Price in the Philippines - Php 10,990

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

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

Saturday, 15 July 2017

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro Smart Postpaid Plan Bundles, Now Available

For those who now thinking about getting the fairly powerful Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro to be new mobile companion: You might want to consider grabbing the device via Smart Postpaid Plans so you can maximize the smartphone's features through the MVP-company's leading services and innovations.

Coinciding the nationwide launch of the Korean Giant's new midrange handset here in the Philippines, Smart Communications today unveiled its official Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro Smart Postpaid Bundles, which don't just let you pay the handset via installment but also lets you enjoy Smart's fast and reliable mobile data connection on the go.


To get Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro through Smart Postpaid, simply add Php 600 per month to your preferred Postpaid Plan. This is comes with a 30-month contract and is only applicable to Line-only Postpaid Plans 399 to 2999.

With this deal, the total value for the handset will be Php 18,000, which is Php 2,000 more than its suggested retail price upon launch. But then, you have to consider that the payment will be done in small portions within the contract period and applications that will be approved on or before July 31, 2017 will come with free Samsung Level Active Headset worth Php 3,099, which more than covers the additional amount.

For budget-conscious students and yuppies, I recommend Smart Postpaid Plan 399 which comes with 3GB Data Allocation per month, 20 minutes of all-net calls, Unlimited all-net texts, and Free Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and Viber. If you can pay a bit more, go for Smart Postpaid Plan 599 that offers 5GB Data per month, 30 minutes of all-net calls, Unlimited all-net texts, plus Free Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and Viber.


Metal-clad Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro is the Korean Giant's answer to popular selfie-centric Android smartphones by leading Chinese handset brands that have taken over the Philippine market. SGJ7Pro features a 5.5-inch Full HD SuperAMOLED display, a 13 MegaPixel PDAF f/1.7 rear camera that's crafted to perform well in low light settings, a 13 MegaPixel f/1.9 front cam with Soft LED flash that delivers clear and crisp selfies in low to zero lighting conditions, Dual SIM Capability, 4G LTE support, and a rather large 3,600 mAh non-removable battery pack.

Inside, this sleek handset runs its TouchWiz-skinned Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Mali-T830 MP2 GPU based Exynos 7870 Octa chipset, has 3GB of RAM for multi-tasking, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that can easily be augmented using the microSD memory expansion slot.

More: Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro Philippines

Saturday, 8 July 2017

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro vs OPPO F3 Specs Comparison Review, Price Fight in the Philippines

The Korean Giant's 2017 mid-level powerhouse release Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro is now up for pre-order in the Philippines and will officially become available in stores across the country come July 15, 2017. Once that model lands, it will go head to head with the very popular OPPO F3 Selfie Expert, which is the best-selling upper midrange smartphone in the Philippines for the first half of 2017.

For those who are currently trying to decide which of these two to get with their Php 15,990, which is the exact official suggested retail price of either models, I made this blog entry for you.

OPPO F3 vs Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

To make it easier for all of us to spot the key differences between these two midrange selfie-centric handsets, let's check out the TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specifications Comparison Table below:

OPPO F3 vs Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

Dimensions

OPPO F3 measures 153.3 x 75.2 x 7.3 mm while Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro has dimensions of 152.4 x 74.7 x 7.9 mm. OPPO's phone is slimmer while the Samsung's offering has a smaller footprint -- both by a bit. I'd say they're pretty even in this department.

Design and Construction

Both handsets flaunt a real metal shell and an overall aesthetic that's frankly reminiscent of the Apple iPhone. Which one looks better? It depends on the user's preference. Though, I want to note that the J7 Pro does have a unique looking U-shape antenna band design at the back, which - for me - makes it appear more interesting.

Display Quality

OPPO F3 and Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro both have similar 5.5-inch screen with Full HD resolution. In terms of size and pixel density (clarity), they're practically the same. Make makes them different is the display type. The Galaxy release feature's Samsung's very own SuperAMOLED display while the OPPO handset has IPS. Both look good in various viewing angles but SuperAMOLED has more vibrant colors with greater saturation while IPS shows more realistic hues, which some consumers might prefer.

Rear Camera

On paper, this is an area where the Galaxy J7 Pro can have clear superiority over its rival largely because of its 13 MegaPixel PDAF camera's very wide f/1.7 aperture, which allows it to perform very well in low light conditions. I'd love to try the camera first, though, to confirm this since software is also essential in boosting a cameraphone's low light capabilities.

Front-Facing Selfie Camera

The key-selling point of the OPPO F3 is its Dual Front-Facing Camera module which is comprised of a 16 MegaPixel autofocus f/2.0 lens plus an 8 MegaPixel fixed focus wide-angle f/2.4 optic; A Set-up that comes in handy for taking both standard selfies and groufies. Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro, on the other hand, has a 13 MegaPixel f/1.9 front cam with Soft LED flash that boosts its performance in low to zero lighting conditions. While I think both phones have stellar Beautification Modes for selfies, I personally believe OPPO F3 would be a finer choice for users who particularly enjoy taking photos of themselves alone or with their friends and loved ones; This is largely because of the Dual Camera module makes the Chinese handset maker's phone more flexible for this purpose. Also, it has bright screen flash which can somehow compensate for a lack of a Soft LED front-flash.

Internal Hardware and Gaming Performance

Apart from the selfie-camera set-up, this is an area where OPPO F3 is obviously superior to the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro. The Chinese model's innards include the 64-Bit Octa Core ARM Cortex A53 based MediaTek MT6750T processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of expandable storage. In comparison, the Korean release has a 64-Bit Octa Core ARM Cortex A53 based Exynos 7870 Octa chipset and just 3GB of RAM plus 32GB of expandable storage. I don't have to tell you which one would give you smoother multitasking experience and more storage space for your files. Also, OPPO F3 - on paper - should be able to deliver better 3D gaming performance with its more powerful Mali-T860 MP2 GPU versus just Mali-T830 MP2 inside the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro.

Battery Size

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro is the winner in this department - albeit not by much - as it has a 3,600 mAh Li-Ion battery versus just 3,200 mAh powering the OPPO F3. What's interesting to find out, though, is if J7 Pro can indeed last longer with regular use. We have to remember that uptime is also a function of the processor's energy efficiency apart from the battery capacity.

Notable Similar Features

Both handsets are equipped with a Fingerprint Scanner for quickly unlocking the interface with but a touch of a finger, a dedicated microSD card slot so the user won't have to sacrifice Dual SIM capability to get more storage space, Full HD 30fps video recorder, and 4G LTE support.

So based on their specs alone, which handset is a better purchase at Php 15,990?

It's a mixed bag, really. Studying their specs sheets, it would be hard to say which model is clearly superior across the board compared to the other. Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro sports a rear camera with wider aperture that's supposed to perform better in low light plus it has a larger battery pack. On top of that, some users might prefer its brilliant SuperAMOLED display over IPS. But we also have to consider that OPPO F3 has a Dual Front Facing camera, which should be more powerful and flexible in snapping selfies and groufies plus it has a far better set of internal hardware that ensures a butter smooth mobile experience. As a wrap-up, I'd say that it's good that the two phones have their own unique strengths and main selling points so the consumer just needs to weigh which specs and features are more important to him or her when making the big decision.

I hope you found this TechPinas Specs Comparison Review helpful. If you did, kindly share this entry with your friends on social media so they can benefit from it too. Thanks!

Friday, 7 July 2017

OPPO is PH's Best-Selling Php 15,000 to Php 20,000 Smartphone Brand - GFK

Despite stiff competition coming from other international smartphone brands, Chinese handset company OPPO Mobile retains its position as the leading upper midrange handset vendor by a large margin -- enough for the brand to still be second most profilic phone seller in the Philippines currently.


Based on a study done by GFK Philippines during the earlier part of this year (the results of which were published on the research agency's May 2017 report), the popular OPPO F3 has emerged as the Philippines' No.1 smartphone in the Php 15,000 to Php 20,000 price bracket with an overwhelming 48.5% market share.

The upper midrange model OPPO F3 became an instant success when 22,000 unit of which were sold within the first three days of its availability last May 2017.

More: OPPO F3 Philippines

Hot on the heels of OPPO F1s' overwhelming market performance in 2016 and earlier this year, OPPO F3 was able to likewise capture the fancy of Pinoy consumers with its selfie-centric features, great design, more than decent set of internal hardware, and fairly affordable price tag.

According to Mr. Stephen Cheng - OPPO Philippines Brand Marketing Manager, "The OPPO F3 is a well-received smartphone since the beginning, our competitive package, sleek design and trending dual selfie camera setup are the reasons why it is successful."

With the success of OPPO F3 and the stellar sales of the company's other handset models, OPPO was able to remain as the Philippines #2 best-selling smartphone brand for the first half of 2017.

Last June 16, 2017, the Chinese handset maker released the OPPO F3 Black edition, which catered to the taste of consumers who are looking for other 'elegant yet subdued' color options.

More: OPPO F3 Black Edition

The OPPO F3 is available at all OPPO Concept Stores and Partner Retail Outlets across the Philippines for a special discounted price of Php 15,990 via the brand's generous Back-to-School Promo, which will run until July 31, 2017. Retail units come with a pre-installed screen protector as well as a soft-transparent jelly case.

Sunday, 2 July 2017

Vivo V5s Matte Black Price in the Philippines is Php 14,990, Out Now!

Vivo Mobile Philippines has just released a new color option for their popular and best-selling Vivo V5s Selfie-Centric midrange Android Smartphone.

According to Ms. Annie Lim - Brand Director of Vivo Philippines, the Matte Black version the Vivo V5s will widen consumers’ options to suit their fashion and style preference. Furthermore, this limited edition color will likewise herald the arrival of much more sleek and trendy line of Vivo smartphones in our country soon.

Vivo V5s Matte Black

Symbolizing power and mystery in many cultures, Black - on a separate note - also goes well with any outfit or any color of clothing, making it a great choice not just for corporate professionals or businessmen but also for fashionistas.

Just like its Crown Gold and Rose Gold siblings, Vivo V5s Matte Black's body is also crafted from anodized aluminum, which makes it both durable and elegant.

Vivo V5s Matte Black

In terms of technical specifications, Vivo V5s Matte Black sports a a 5.5-inch HD IPS display, a 13 MegaPixel camera at the back with f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and LED flash, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, and a non-removable 3,000 mAh battery pack.

Underneath its shell, this mid-level handset runs its FunTouch OS 3.0 skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS with a 64-Bit 1.5 GHz Octa Core MediaTek MT6750 processor that incorporates a Mali-T720 graphics chip, has a sizable 4GB of RAM for smooth multitasking, and comes with 64GB of expandable storage.

This model is also is equipped with 5G mobile connectivity support for faster and more stable internet connection on the go. Vivo V5s also has an OTG feature, Bluetooth 4.0, a microUSB 2.0 port, and GPS making it the good choice for techy millennials and young professionals. For avid music listeners, this handset also offers offers great audio experience with Vivo’s signature Hi-Fi heritage and the AK4376 Hi-Fi chip.

Vivo V5s Matte Black

On top of all that, the main feature of this release would have to be its front-facing selfie camera with its 20 MegaPixels resolution that further benefits from the 'Moonlight' Soft LED flash, the f/2.0 aperture, and Beauty Mode 6.0 software feature that automatically detects the user's gender and applies beautification effers accordingly. To be specific, females get softer skin tone plus a more delicate face contour as well as bigger eyes while males get a refined masculine look.

Vivo V5 Matte Black is now available at all Vivo Mobile Concept Stores, kiosks, booths, and authorized retail channels across the Philippines. It does an official retail price of Php 14,990 -- and for that amount, you already get the complete kit plus a free soft jelly case and the pre-installed heat-bonded screen protector.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name : Vivo V5s Matte Black Version
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 153.8 x 75.5 x 7.6 mm
Weight : 154 grams
Available Colors : Matte Black
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with FunTouch OS 3.0
Display : 5.5 inches (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1280 pixels (~267 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 3D Touch
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Mali-T860MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6750 chipset
RAM : 4GB RAM
Internal Storage : 64GB ROM, expandable via secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that doubles as 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: 20 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 1/2.8" sensor size, Soft LED flash
Video Capture : Full HD 1080p 30 frames per second - Front and Back
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 v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Digital Gyroscope, Fingerprint Scanner
Network : 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 and SIM 2,
3G HSDPA 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 = microSIM + nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,000 mAh Li-Ion battery with Fast Charging Support
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : FunTouch OS Features, Front Moonlight Camera, Good Set of Internal Hardware, Premium Build
Announcement : Philippines - July 1, 2017
Availability : Philippines - July 1, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 14,990

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro Philippines Price, Release Date, Specs, Press Photos

Here's another upcoming Android smartphone that my cousin and I saw at SM Manila CyberZone last Friday - June 23, 2017.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro, which is now available for pre-order at Samsung Concept Stores and select partner retailers across the Philippines - is a midrange handset with a svelte real-metal shell and good selfie-centric features.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro Philippines

According to the sales representative that I talked to regarding this model, the SGJ7Pro will sell for Php 15,990, which puts it in direct competition with a handful of mid-level Android releases by Chinese brands, to be specific OPPO and Vivo.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

For that amount, consumers can already get a well-designed daily driver with a decent set of technical specifications and fairly reliable imaging capabilities.

Looks-wise, the handset flaunts a design language that's similar to other J-Series models this year. The phone's unibody shell is crafted from anodized aluminum and the face is 2.5D Curved Scratch-Resistant glass. At the back, you'll find U-shaped antenna bands along with the small oblong camera module, which serve as identifying physical characteristics of this line.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

As for specs, Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro is equipped with a 5.5-inch Full HD SuperAMOLED display panel, a 13 MegaPixel PDAF f/1.7 rear camera with LED flash, 13 MegaPixel f/1.9 front cam with Soft LED flash and Beautification Mode, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 4G LTE support, and a non-removable 3,600 mAh Li-Ion battery pack.

Inside, this device runs its TouchWiz-flavored Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Mali-T830 MP2 GPU based Exynos 7870 Octa chipset, has 3GB of RAM for multi-tasking, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that can easily be augmented using the microSD memory expansion slot.


Just from looking at its technical specifications - to be specific, the SuperAMOLED display, the wide aperture front and back cameras, and the large storage space, Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro - I believe - is a pretty compelling offer at its price point. Of course, you also have to consider how good it looks.

For those who are interested, SGJ7Pro should be up for purchase at online stores and malls across the archipelago starting next month, July 2017. I was told that the smartphone will be out in two colors, namely, Black and Gold.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name : Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 152.4 x 74.7 x 7.9 mm
Weight : 169 grams (TBC)
Available Colors : Gold, Black
Operating System : Android 7.0 Nougat with TouchWiz Interface
Display : 5.5 inches (~73.3% screen-to-body ratio), 1080 x 1920 pixels (~401 ppi pixel density), SuperAMOLED Display, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.6 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, Mali-T830 MP2 GPU, Exynos 7870 Octa chipset
RAM : 3GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable ~ dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 13 MegaPixels, f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), LED flash
Front: 13 MegaPixels, f/1.9 aperture, Soft LED flash
Video Capture : 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 4.1 with A2DP, LE, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE Cat6
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio : TBD
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Digital 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 TBD
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 3,600 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : 13MP Selfie Camera with Soft LED Flash, TouchWiz UI features, Good Design, Wide Aperture Rear Camera with PDAF
Announcement : June 2017
Availability : Philippines - July 2017
Price : Official SRP - Php 15,990

Monday, 19 June 2017

Gionee A1 Lite Price, Specs, Features : Has a 20 MegaPixel Selfie Camera with Flash

Gionee has officially joined its fellow Chinese handset makers OPPO and Vivo in releasing sleek midrange Android smartphones with Selfie-Centric features in developing markets.

Officially announced in Nepal on Saturday - June 17, 2017, the new Gionee A1 Lite features a staggering 20 MegaPixel front-facing camera with Soft LED flash that's made to deliver ultra-clear and crisp selfies in all lighting conditions.

Gionee A1 Lite

Whether you're using it indoors or at night when there's little ambient light, Gionee A1 Lite should give you great-looking selfies that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram.

That's the key selling point of this model -- but that's hardly the only thing that's special about it.

This smartphone also has a svelte real metal shell plus a 2.5D Curved glass face that work together to give the unit an air of both durability and corporate sophistication. You won't be shy to put this handset on the table while you're on a business meeting and even a date.

Aside from that, this device is also powered by a massive 4,000 mAh battery that - although not removable - is notably large for a device with 5.3-inch HD IPS display. I believe this huge pack should be good enough to deliver more than a whole day of uptime with regular use.

Gionee A1 Lite

Underneath its shell, Gionee A1 Lite - which is currently only available in Gold - runs its Amigo-UI-skinned Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Mali-T720MP2 GPU based Mediatek MT6753 chipset, has 3GB of RAM for multitasking, and comes with 32GB of expandable storage.

In Nepal, Dual SIM and 4G-enabled Gionee A1 Lite dons an official suggested retail price of 26,999 Nepalese Rupees or roughly Php 13,110 with current conversion; That amount is also - more or less - our price guesstimate for this handset should CellPrime - the new official distribution partner of Gionee in the Philippines - decide to bring this model here. And with that, kindly stay tuned for updates regarding Gionee A1 Lite's availability in the Philippines.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name : Gionee A1 Lite
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : TBD
Weight : TBD
Available Colors : Gold
Operating System : Android 7.0 Nougat with Amigo OS 4.0 Interface
Display : 5.3 inches, 720 x 1280 pixels (~277 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53, Mali-T720MP2 GPU, Mediatek MT6753 chipset
RAM : 3GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable via secondary hybrid nanoSIM slot that doubles as microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 13 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), LED flash, 1/3" sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
Front: 20 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, Soft LED flash
Video Capture : 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 v4.0 with A2DP, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio : No
Sensors : Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Digital 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) (TBC)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM (TBC)
Battery : Non-removable 4,000 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : TBD
Value-Added Features : 20MP Selfie Camera with Soft LED Flash, Amigo OS features,
Announcement : June 2017
Availability : Global - June 2017, Philippines - TBA
Price : Official SRP - $260 USD

Tuesday, 13 June 2017

OPPO A57 Philippines Price is Php 11,990, Features a 16 MegaPixel Selfie Camera

On Tuesday - June 14, 2017, via an exclusive media event held in Makati City, Chinese handset-maker OPPO officially launched their fairly affordable OPPO A57 Android smartphone in the Philippine market.

I personally call this model the 'smaller sibling of the best-selling OPPO F1s'.

OPPO A57

Donning an official suggested retail price of Php 11,990, the OPPO A57 sports a smaller 5.2-inch HD IPS display compared to the larger 5.5-inch screen of the OPPO F1s. Nonetheless, the two models are almost identical in looks and capabilities.


In terms of design, OPPO A57 simply looks like a shrunk version of the OPPO F1s. Although, I should note that while F1s' shell is made of anodized aluminum, A57's exterior is crafted from polycarbonate.


Nonetheless, this model looks just as elegant thanks to its slim form factor and metallic paint finish.

OPPO A57

If you ask me, the strongest selling point of this smartphone would have to be its 16 MegaPixel f/2.0 front facing camera with Beautification Mode that delivers what the company calls "Unstoppable Selfies" that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook or Instagram.

Currently, OPPO A57 is the most affordable Android smartphone with the highest resolution front camera. So if you're a bit on budget but you want the best Selfie Cameraphone that your money can get, you might want to check out this release.


The phone's 13 MegaPixel autofocus rear camera with f/2.2 aperture and LED flash also performs decently in various lighting conditions but it's most reliable in settings with enough ambient light.

OPPO A57

Under the hood, OPPO A57 runs its Color-OS-skinned Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with a 64-Bit Octa Core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 and Adreno 505 GPU based Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 chipset, has 3GB of RAM, and comes with 32GB of internal storage that can easily be augmented using the dedicated microSD card memory expansion slot. That's right. With this smartphone, you don't have to compromise or sacrifice Dual SIM capability to increase storage space.


OPPO A57 will be available at all OPPO Concept Stores and authorized retail outlets nationwide come mid-June 2017.


This midrange Android smartphone will be out in three elegant colors, namely, Gold and Rose Gold with metallic finish as well as Black with matte texture.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name : OPPO A57
Type : Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category : Midrange
Dimensions : 149.1 x 72.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight : 147 grams
Available Colors : Gold, Rose Gold, Black
Operating System : Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Color OS 3.0 Interface
Display : 5.2 inches (~68.6% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1280 pixels (~282 ppi pixel density), IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Processor : 64-Bit Octa Core 1.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A53, Adreno 505 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8940 Snapdragon 435 chipset
RAM : 3GB RAM
Internal Storage : 32GB ROM, expandable via dedicated microSD card slot supporting up to 256GB
Camera : Back: 13 MegaPixels, f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, LED flash
Front: 16 MegaPixels, f/2.0 aperture, 1.12 µm pixel size,
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, 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, EDR, 3G HSPA+; 4G LTE Cat7
GPS : A-GPS, GLONASS
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 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 8(900), 38(2600), 39(1900), 40(2300), 41(2500)
SIM Card Type : Dual nanoSIM
Battery : Non-removable 2,900 mAh Li-Ion battery
Uptime : 11 Hours of Uptime with Regular Use
Value-Added Features : Slim and Light Build, Selfie-Centric Features
Announcement : Philippines - June 2017
Availability : Philippines - June 16, 2017
Price : Official SRP in the Philippines - Php 11,990

Friday, 2 June 2017

The Best Selling Smartphone in the Philippines in Q4 2016 was The OPPO F1s

Chinese handset maker OPPO continues to dominate the local smartphone scene in the Philippines -- proving that they have figured out how to capture the interest and fancy of Pinoy mobile consumers.

In fact, based on data gathered by respected research company GfK in Q4 2016, the OPPO F1s accounted for 7.1 and 6.4 percent of total smartphone units sold in November and December 2016, respectively, across all price segments.

Other OPPO releases also made it to the top ten list including the OPPO Neo 7 at the fourth spot and the OPPO A37 at the tenth spot.

OPPO F1s
The OPPO F1s was so successful that the company even launched an improved version of this model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

More: Upgraded OPPO F1s

OPPO F1s

According to Mr. Stephen Cheng - Brand Marketing Manager of OPPO Philippines, "We have always pushed the brand further to create [products] that consumers can trust. With the success of the OPPO F1s, we are confident that we have come up with a cameraphone that addresses the need for better-looking selfies as well as overall smartphone performance."

OPPO F1s

In July 2016, OPPO became the 2nd best-selling smartphone brand in the Philippines largely due to the massive market success of the OPPO F1s. This model practically catapulted the brand to being a top choice among phone buyers in various age brackets.

OPPO F1s

Positioned right in between the more affordable OPPO F1 and the high-end OPPO F1 Plus, OPPO F1s is a visually-pleasing midrange Android handset with stellar selfie-centric features along with more than decent internal hardware and technical specifications.

OPPO F1s

Flaunting a real metal back plate and 2.5D Curved Glass face, OPPO F1s sports a 5.5-inch HD display, which looks good regardless of viewing angle and gets fairly bright, making it readable even outdoors.

OPPO F1s

True to the brand's 'Selfie Expert' moniker, the OPPO F1s sports a high-resolution 16 MegaPixel f/2.2 front cam with 7-level Beautification mode that evens out the user's skintone automatically, delivering selfies that are instantly ready for sharing on Facebook and Instagram. Given that the Philippines is considered as the Selfie Capital of the World, I believe that this feature is one of the biggest things that attracted many Pinoys consumers to this model.

OPPO F1s Philippines

The handset is also equipped with a 13 MegaPixel f/2.2 rear camera also delivers clear and crisp photos -- especially when used in settings where there's enough ambient light.

OPPO F1s Philippines

Powered by a 3,075 mAh non-removable battery pack, Dua SIM 4G-enabled OPPO F1s runs its ColorOS-flavored Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system with a 64-Bit Octa-Core MediaTek MT6750 processor that incorporates eight ARM Cortex A53 cores clocked at 1.5GHz and a Mali T860MP2 GPU, has 3GB or 4GB RAM options, and comes with either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage that the user can easily beef up using the dedicated microSD card expansion slot.

OPPO F1s

Known as the world's first ever smartphone to have a 16 MegaPixel front-facing camera, the OPPO F1s is just one of many products by this trusted Chinese company that features fresh innovations and industry firsts. Some of the mobile industry breakthroughs developed by OPPO include the Ultra HD imaging feature, the first motorized rotating smartphone camera, and the world's first 5 times optical zoom on a smartphone, which is made possible by the landmark periscopic camera lens that the company showcased at the 2017 Mobile World Congress last February 28, 2017.

More: OPPO 5X Dual Camera Zoom Technology