And then there's Z1...

A day after I finally had my eyes fixed (and pockets, too) on the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Sony Xperia Z1 was launched.  Curious on what this new phone has to offer that would make Samsung's sales tremble, I browsed through its features and was totally blown away by its 20.7 megapixel camera.  Whoaa!

It can be recalled in one of my previous posts that I got interested in having a new mobile phone only because I simply wanted to buy a high-resolution camera.  And I thought the 13 megapixel camera of Samsung Galaxy S4 was good enough.. until Sony Xperia Z1 came along..

Gotta have this phone!  Sad to say, I have to wait for it not earlier than next month.  I just read from asia.cnet.com that the Sony Xperia Z1 will be available in Singapore starting October 4 this year.  If only I were in Singapore.. :( 

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Globe, No Longer An Option

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Just when I already decided to get myself a Globe Plan P1,799, I found out that my residential address is not among those covered by Globe's long-term evolution (LTE) service.  I will be transferring to a new residence soon and my inquiry disclosed that even my future location is not covered too.  Too bad, Globe's plan package would have had suited my budget and lifestyle as compared with that of Smart.

It is disappointing to know that Globe is not yet that competitive especially when it comes to internet service.  It does not even offer LTE connection yet for those on prepaid plans and/or light internet users like me who, at times, depend on free wifi signal every time there is a chance to be connected free of charge.

No wonder Smart still dominates the telecommunication industry.  That only means one thing, I have no other choice but to get a Smart plan.  Whether it is a postpaid or a prepaid, that is the question.. :(

Why Not An Iphone?

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A year ago, when a colleague bought herself an Iphone 4s, my other colleague remarked that iphone is dubbed as the best mobile phone in the world.  I was not a bit interested.  For me, I agree with what others thought of buying a costly phone as, ridiculous!

But then, things have changed.  I have become a gadget-techie myself.  I blamed it to my HK travel.  And maybe also because of the fact that the phone I'm using right now is screaming for a replacement.  Its keyboards are now hard-headed, as if knowing that it will be passed on to its new owner soon.

Since I was on the mood for buying a new mobile phone, I was thinking, why not the latest phone, for a change?  I guess it is high time for me to splurge.  The brand-conscious freak in me thought of getting an Iphone 5.  But then, googling it helped me decide that I am better off with a Samsung Galaxy S4.

To know why, i suggest you make your own research.. :)  

Prepaid? Or Postpaid?

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I am now in dilemma., whether to buy the Samsung Galaxy S4, or bundle it with a postpaid plan.  Right now, I am maintaining two separate plans, one for my internet needs and the other for my mobile use.  Good thing, the lock-in periods of both plans have already expired.  Hence, I could terminate my subscriptions anytime I want to.

Now I am thinking, why not get two-in-one package for internet and mobile postpaid plans?  By doing so, I might get the phone I'm aiming for as a freebie.  But then, browsing through the plan builder of Globe and that of Smart, I realized I could not consume the free calls and texts that goes with the plan.  In fact, I have not maximized the unlimited texts that I am getting from current mobile plan.

With that, having a prepaid plan might be a better idea.  In that way, I only get to pay on  what I consume for.  But then, spending P30,000+ for a phone may not be practical for budget-conscious freaks like me.  Now, I'm more confused...

Next question, Globe or Smart? :)

Opting for an S4

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Now that I have set my mind into buying a new mobile phone which also coincided with the termination of my subscription contract with Smart Communications, Inc., my next step would be to find a new mobile phone.  When I was in HK, I almost bought a Samsung Galaxy which model and features I didn't bother to care about.  I was just too focused on getting a new phone, as a souvenir from HK.

One thing that held me back from buying that phone, aside from the price, of course, was knowing that someday I will regret shelling out a pretty penny without doing any research at all.  As much as I can, I do not want to buy anything on an impulse.  On the other hand however, I tried to justify that I did not have anymore the luxury of time doing my homework while we were in HK.  Good thing, I still listened to my senses.

I found out that the Samsung Galaxy model (I almost had) has features which specifications are lower than that of the S4, not to mention the poor resolution of its camera.  And that model was bigger than the S4!  I could not imagine myself trying to hold a humongous phone in one hand while taking a call. :(

I'm just thankful that I waited this long. :)

Craving for Mr. Chips!

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Now that office is suspended again, I am beginning to get bored as it's been four days that I just stayed home.  I was supposed to make a quick trip to Market! Market! last Saturday for my grocery needs.  And thereafter I planned to go to SM Mall of Asia and Arellano University School of Law for some errands.  However, when it started to rain, I scrapped the idea and decided instead to defer it to another day, and the next day.. and today.. :(

I should have pushed through with my marketing duties.  My vacation grande at home is not complete without munching on my favorite junk food, especially when I'm in the mood for a movie marathon, just like now.  :(

I don't know when my preference for Mr. Chips had started.  I remember few years ago, when my officemate and I went to Batangas for an official business, I brought with me Mr. Chips and shared it with her.  Few weeks thereafter, she admitted to me that Mr. Chips has become her favorite since then.  :)

Right now, I just want to eat Mr. Chips.  Rain, when are you going to stop? :(

Eyeing for a New Mobile Phone

I guess it all started when I yearned for a high-megapixel camera for myself.  I could not even equally reciprocate my colleague's generosity from taking pictures of me while we were having a grand time in Hong Kong.  Our HK memories were beautifully-documented in high-resolution images thanks to her 16-mp Olympus magnificent camera.

No, I was not lost.  I was just talking to a friend over the phone when my colleague took this shot in front of a map at the MTR central station in HK.

Although I had tried to do my share, but my lousy 8-mp camera would barely cooperate at all.  How embarrassing!  I vowed however to properly equip myself for my next travel.  And I mean it!

And not only that, when we took a taxi from the hotel to a friend's house, I let the driver use my phone to talk to my friend and ask for the directions to our destination. He looked at my phone as if it was a Nokia 5110.  I was so amused! Hahaha!

Also, while we were riding a bus going to Admiralty, everyone else was furiously tapping and sliding their fingers on their phones.  Suddenly, my colleague nudged me to take out my phone and compete with them.  And we both giggled in laughter! :)

You see, I am currently using a phone from a non-touchscreen era.  I could even call and text in the middle of a busy street and nobody would dare snatch the phone from me.  Or perhaps, the hold uppers at Cubao would even take pity on me, if not, get the phone and throw it back to me. Whew!

Since I had been planning to buy a new camera and a new mobile phone, I realized I could get the two units in one gadget.  That is, buy a new phone embedded with a high-mp camera.

I was almost at the brink of buying a Samsung Galaxy phone in HK had it not for the very, very limited time that we had.  And I was so haunted by the thought of it even when we were already at the airport to catch for our flight back to Manila, that when I saw the Fortress shop, I literally ran towards it and looked around. Unfortunately, the kuripot in me prevailed, as usual.. Tsk! Tsk!

And it's almost five months since then.  I thought my hunger for a new phone was already a history.  But I was wrong.. Huhuhu