Showing posts with label Samsung Galaxy Y. Show all posts

Android Gadget Crush: Samsung Galaxy Fit


Even though Samsung became a market leader in mobile telephony thanks to the Android, I'm still not a big fan.

Save for four models:

I first saw the Samsung Galaxy Fit in Robinson's Pioneer in Metro Manila, and I'd have to say that the moment I laid eyes on it, I fell in-crush.

I found its "pregnant" profile very cute, and I felt like its hefty, fat looks suited me well.

I'm a fat person. And I'm proud of it.

This article is sounding so crazy-girly. But I digress.

However, what made me cross it off my wishlist are the specs:
  • 160 MB user-available Internal Storage
  • 280 MB RAM
  • 600MHz CPU speed

The Samsung Galaxy Y actually has better computing power at:
  • 180 MB user-available Internal Storage
  • 290 MB RAM
  • 830 MHz

However, the Galaxy Fit has these aces over the Samsung Galaxy Y:
  • 5MP Camera
  • DNSe sound enhancement
[Click HERE for the Comparison Table c/o GSM Arena]

Though all in all, the Samsung Galaxy Y is the better buy, if they'd slash the Php 9000 price tag to Php 5000, it'd become a more sensible buy.

Have a great Wednesday afternoon, Android Alliance Ph friends!

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Photo Credits: BroadbandGenie
Android Gadget Overview
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Scoop/Just Announced: Samsung Galaxy Y Duos


The Philippines is a multi-SIM phone-crazy country. Thanks to the three networks' Unlimited Call and Text services, Filipinos prefer to keep at least two SIM Cards so that their contacts will be able to text them when these are on unlimited promos. Thus, the multi-SIM phone industry is booming in the country. In fact, it is because of these conditions that the Philippines' local mobile phone brands were able to build their businesses around.

So speaking of multi-SIM phones, how about we add one thing more to your 2012 wishlist?

How about the dual-SIM version of the Samsung Galaxy Y?

Announced just yesterday, the Samsung Galaxy Y will have its Dual-SIM twin brother, the Samsung Galaxy Y Duos. This entry-level Samsung will boast of better specs:

  • 384MB RAM
  • 3.15MP Camera

The ROM is at 512MB, though it does not state how much of that is user-available Internal Storage.

What is exciting about this new Sammy is that there is a possibility that this may be able to host the data connection of the two separate SIM cards. As to the veracity of that, we will have to confirm.

Are you excited? I am.

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Photo Credits: GSM Arena
Thank You: IntoMobile
Android Industry News
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The 12 Days Of Christmas Android Alliance Ph Special: Day 1 -- Top Three Cheapest 3G-Capable Android Phones


Today officially marks the 12th Day before Christmas. From now to December 25, we'll be featuring one Android phone model, up until the very day when Christ's birth is celebrated. While most (if not all) of your Christmas presents would have been opened and enjoyed by the 25th, any day is always a good day to think about an Android machine. Plus, post-Christmas and post-New Year sales and price drops will abound, not to mention that most employees will be getting their 13th Month Pay. From now until the end of January may well be a great time to think about upgrading your Android, or even getting your first Android.

So, to open our 12 Days of Christmas series with a bang, we're giving you the Top 3 Cheapest Android Phones.

If you wonder why these picks aren't actually the market's cheapest models, here is the one single standard for the brands and models that made it to this list:

The Android phone has to have 3G. Androids make no sense if they're WiFi-only. They just don't. Why? For one, being able to use your Android as a Portable WiFi Hotspot is a major feature. Also, downloads from the Android Market, and even basic online navigation is much faster on a 3G connection. So if you were to enjoy your Android to the maximum, you're going to have to choose one with 3G/HSDPA.

However, for those who don't mind using a WiFi-only Android, as long as it's the market's cheapest, we're going to feature the Top 3 Cheapest WiFi-Only Androids in a future post in this series.

Ready? Here you go:

#3 Php 5,499 SRP -- It's a Tie!

Cherry Mobile Cosmo

  • ROM: 512MB (User-available Internal Storage is around 150 to 170MB)
  • RAM: 256MB
  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM7227, 600 MHz
  • 3.2” HVGA Capacitive Touchscreen
  • Android Froyo 2.2
  • 2MP Camera

Alcatel OneTouch Blaze 906

  • User-available Internal Storage: 200MB
  • RAM: N/A
  • Processor: N/A
  • 2.8" TFT Resistive Touchscreen
  • Android Froyo 2.2
  • 2MP Camera

#2 Php 4,990 -- Samsung Galaxy Y

  • User-available Internal Storage:180 MB
  • RAM: 290 MB
  • Processor: ARMv6, 830 MHz
  • 3.0" TFT Capacitative Touchscreen
  • Android Gingerbread 2.3
  • 2MP Camera

#1 Php 4,799 -- Alcatel OneTouch Blaze Duo 890D

  • User-available Internal Storage:150 MB
  • RAM: N/A
  • Processor: MTK6516, 420 MHz
  • 2.8" TFT Resistive Touchscreen
  • Android Froyo 2.2
  • 2MP Camera
  • Dual SIM

The Samsung Galaxy Y is offered at that rate when you buy it via Smart Rewards, as we mentioned before. Cherry Mobile Cosmo and the Alcatel OneTouch phones are on special sale rates. Cherry Mobile Cosmo's price may stay that way, because Cherry Mobile has the tendency to keep their sale prices as the new price of their phone models after the sale seasons.

Alcatel, on the other hand, keeps their phones at sale prices for months, though they do revert to regular price after.

So if you're on the market for good, 3G-Capable Androids, these are the most affordable options the market has to offer!

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Photo Credits: Best Christmas Gift For
12 Days of Christmas
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More On The Samsung Galaxy Y: Free On Globe's SuperPlan 499

As we mentioned yesterday, the Samsung Galaxy Y is the "It" entry-level Android as of the moment. For one, all three networks have created dirt-cheap postpaid plans around this phone, and it's all good for the consumer. Just in case you didn't catch our brief on some of the best deals in Androids this season, here's the link: Sale Watch: What's Happening This Christmas.

We didn't catch wind of Globe's Postpaid offering on the Samsung Galaxy Y until just this weekend. Yugatech spotted the promo flyer back in October 2011 and blogged about it here.:

As it says there, as well as on this post the Samsung Galaxy Y is available for free on Globe's Plan 499. If you're familiar with Globe's Plans, these are fully customizable with add-on promos. The Plan is the basic MSF you will be paying, and depending on which Plan you choose, you will be able to take advantage of freebies from Globe.

For Plan 499, you can choose 2 Freebies to go with your Plan. Below is a photo showing the Freebies you may choose from, using your plan.


The downside to Globe's Postpaid Plans (especially those on the SuperPlan system) is that, if you want to avail of unlimited promos and offers, they will be added ON TOP of your plan. Unlike Sun Cellular's Plans, where the unlimited promos can already be factored in with your MSF, in Globe's SuperPlan system, you will have to configure your personal SuperPlan. Then the total bill will depend on the basic MSF, plus whatever promo you take advantage of.

Take for example, this demo SuperPlan we configured is based on Plan 499, with a MySuperText (Unlimited Text to Globe/TM) add-on, and we chose 6 hours worth of mobile surfing as freebies.


This plan is basically consumable, meaning whatever value you accrue when you text, call or surf, will be taken out of the MSF allotment, at regular rates.

So whereas you can get unlimited calls and texts on a Sun Cellular Plan 350, or unlimited texts, unlimited access to social networking, and even unlimited chatting via YM and FB Chat (via SmartNet) on a Smart Postpaid Plan 349 (a Samsung Galaxy Y Netphone exclusive plan), you will get a regular SuperPlan 499 on Globe Telecom. Just to emphasize, SuperPlan 499 is just good old Php 499 you can consume, plus a couple of other services you can choose as freebies.

Does this scheme make sense? Maybe the table below will help you decide:


That's it for the Samsung Galaxy Y for now. Hope you enjoyed this two-part series, and watch out for more gadget overviews here on AndroidAlliance.Ph!
Android Buying Guide
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Android Gadget Review: A Closer Look At The Samsung Galaxy Y

Samsung Galaxy Y is probably the market's best-priced, best-spec'd entry-level Android as of the moment.

Boasting of 830MHz of processing speed, 290MB of RAM and 180MB of user-available memory, this Android baby actually has better chops than upper mid-range models released a few months ago. Those models are still at the Php 8,000 to Php 12,000 price point, and their computing power is nowhere near this Php 5,990 Android.

Samsung Galaxy Y retails for a range of Php 4000 online and up to Php 5,990 for Smart-locked prepaid units. As we mentioned, you may avail of the Samsung Galaxy Y for only Php 4,990 using 1000 of your Smart Rewards points.

Some of those who have availed of their retention plans in their respective carriers sell the Samsung Galaxy Y for cheaper than market rates. Others are online sellers who opt to sell their units at rates that are closest to factory price. There are even users who sell their used units online. Some may even throw in awesome freebies like unlimited Open VPN access. All you need to do is to make a quick search through Sulit.com.ph, and even TipidCP.com and you'll be able to find a range of prices for this phone.

If you're not keen on buying online, there are mall shops that sell the Samsung Galaxy Y at lower rates. Previously, we spotted the Samsung Galaxy Y at Multicom in Robinsons Pioneer retailing for Php 5,880. Since that was back in the last weeks of October 2011, prices may have changed by now.

On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Y's retail for only Php 5,500 at 5th Avenue in Trinoma. One of the better deals the metro has to offer so far.

The Samsung Galaxy Y Experience

Look and Feel

The Samsung Galaxy Y hardly feels like an Android that costs only Php 5,000 to Php 6,000. In fact, you may be able to say that it's like a miniature of a Samsung Galaxy SII. It doesn't feel cheap at all. The screen is crisp, clear, and has vivid colors.

It helps that it comes with a textured metal back cover. While other Androids may come in plastic back covers, the metal makes the Samsung Galaxy Y feel pretty luxurious.

The small size also comes as an attraction. Mid-range Android models are usually at 110cm up. The Samsung Galaxy Y comes at 104cm. On paper, this doesn't seem like a big difference. But when you hold a 110cm Android side by side with a Samsung Galaxy Y, you will note the difference. And if you're a girl, you may squeal in delight at this phone's cute form.

Navigation

The Samsung Galaxy Y is a multi-touch Android phone, so it works just like any other Android. One thing it has over the other models in the market is that it is powered by Android 2.3, Gingerbread. The Gingerbread UI is definitely an upgrade to the Froyo: with colors for the menus (Froyo is monochromatic black/gray, for the menus and settings only), better widgets, better Notifications area (there is a built-in power bar on the Notifications area in the Samsung Galaxy Y), the experience is degrees better than when you're on a Froyo-powered Android.

Navigation is just like any other touch-screen Android, so if you've been on an Android , whether Donut, Eclair, Froyo, or Gingerbread, most likely wouldn't have much of an adjustment.

Swiping through the apps is different from the Froyo, as the layout of the apps collection is oriented in a horizontal manner. But just like in Froyo, you will be able to drag and drop apps from the app collection and onto a dashboard.

As for physical buttons, there are two located on the phone: the Power button, which is a slim but long key on the top-left side of the phone, and the Navigation button, which is located on the bottom-center of the phone. Flanking the Navigation button are two soft keys: the Home softkey on the left and the Cancel softkey on the right.

The Navigation button allows the user to access his recent activities when he long-presses on the said button. The Navigation button also brings him back to the dashboard. Another function of this button is to activate the phone if it has gone to sleep, unlike in other phones that may make use of the Power button. The Cancel and Home button serve similar purposes as in other Androids: the Home button brings up the Settings menu and other administrative options, while the Cancel button either cancels actions or brings the user back to a previous menu or out of an app.

The keyboard is a distinct implementation by Samsung. Even big-fingered people may find it a pleasure to type on because of the excellent spacing and design of the keys.

The Verdict

An Android is an Android, whatever brand or model it is. There may be a few differences in the UI, the implementation, and the hardware, but the experience is similar across brands and models.

The Samsung Galaxy Y is no different. Given its specs and its make, it makes for a great Android experience, even in a small package. Because the Samsung Galaxy Y is powered by Gingerbread, those who are on Froyo may experience a bit of OS envy. The colors are attractive; the speed and data management are awesome.

On the other hand, we said that there is no perfect gadget. And I do have a couple of complaints. Truth be told, I wasn't particularly impressed with the Gingerbread's horizontal layout of the apps. I prefer that it be arranged vertically, as in Froyo (or the iOS). Was this an attempt at differentiating the Android from the iOS? We could only speculate.

According to friends who have more experience on the Gingerbread, the only way to change the orientation of how to navigate through the apps would be to install another launcher or even change the ROM (the OS, not ROM size) of your unit. A maneuver that most regular phone users wouldn't even think about doing. So if you're really antsy about the orientation of the apps, read up on how to install launchers or changing your Samsung Galaxy Y's ROM.

As for other dissatisfactions, I also noticed that the graphics of the icons in the application collection area tend to look and feel gaudy. Lastly, I don't like the fact that the Navigation key isn't a trackpad or even just a trackball. A static Navigation button just doesn't feel right on an Android.

These flaws are not dealbreakers for me, however. Take into consideration the fact that this Android can be had for anywhere from Php 4,000 to Php 5,990, at 800MHz/290MB RAM/180MB ROM, on Gingerbread, this is already a great deal, even a steal. And if you get your hands on this baby (for  free!) either through Sun Cellular's Plan 350 or Smart Communications' Plan 349, guess how much sweeter that deal would be?

In short, there is no wonder why this phone keeps getting sold out in Smart Communications and Sun Cellular outlets nationwide: it delivers a phenomenal bang for your buck, all in a cute, compact, even mini package.

Tomorrow, we'll be discussing the Samsung Galaxy Y on Plan 499 on Globe. Watch out for that one!



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Related:Y for Young – A Review of the Galaxy Y Netphone

Photo Credits: Animetric's World
Android Gadget Review
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Sale Watch: What's Happening This Christmas



It’s already December next week, and we’re sure that we’re all excited about the sales that are coming our way. While we’re still populating our comprehensive table of Cherry Mobile Android Phones, we thought it’d be great to alert you on what’s bound to happen this Christmas month.
  • Cherry Mobile has already published its “12 Cherrys of Christmas” price list. If you recall from Cherry Mobile’s promotions last year, they put on promo one Cherry Mobile phone a day, ramping up the sales until they finally released premium phones for a steal. This year, we’re waiting with bated breath, as they may put Cherry Mobile Androids on sale.
  • Even if Cherry Mobile Androids are NOT on sale, they’ve already bumped down the prices to affordable price points. So if you’re no longer in the mood to wait for the Droids to plummet to possibly obscene prices, check out Cherry Mobile’s Droid catalog.
  • The Samsung Galaxy Y has been put on Smart Communications and Sun Cellular’s best plans. On Plan 349 for Smart and Plan 350 for Sun, getting yourself a Droid has now gotten more sensible.


These are the Droid sales we've caught so far; we’ll keep gathering what we can find as the days hurtle into Christmas.

Watch out for more sales and bargain updates!

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Affordable Androids
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