Cell Phones in the Philippines
You can find many kinds of cell phones in the Philippines, but I can't tell you what's used where, other than what I've seen here in Olongapo City. I can't tell you exactly what's used in Manila, although I've heard they support the Apple iPhones there along with every other major brand. Here in Olongapo City, I've only seen three brands of cell phones and no Apple anything (iPods don't count).
Motorola and Smart Communications
My wife sent me a Motorola cell phone last year and I can't tell you the model without taking it apart and I really don't feel like doing that. It's an older flip phone with a lousy camera.
I didn't find out until AFTER I changed the SIM card to be compatible with Globe Telecom that Motorola cell phones work better with Smart Communications. I don't know why that is, but it's true.
Since I don't use the cell phone, it sits fully-charged without any service. In a few days, my wife will be bringing me a Motorola RAZR V3 – the cell phone she's been using for a year. She recently bought another, later version of the Motorola RAZR V3 for a second year with her cell phone service provider. The cell phone she's bringing me takes excellent pictures and I plan to use it for local picture taking instead of lugging around my video camera.
Nokia and Globe Telecom
From what I've seen, all of the Nokia models of cell phones work better with Globe Telecom. Again, I don't know why that is.
Most of my in-laws have Nokia cell phones. They don't have regular jobs, but they have cell phones! Text messaging is dirt cheap "in network" and costs one peso per message unless they get unlimited text messaging for X number of days, in which event it's even cheaper. One peso is a little over 2 cents (in US dollars) right now.
Sony Erickson and What?
I have an in-law of an in-law (but not my in-law) that uses a Sony Erickson model of some kind. I don't know what service she uses, but I suspect it's Smart Communications.
It's the only one I've ever seen here, so I can't say any more about it.
Monthly Service Versus Prepaid "Loads"
Most people in the Philippines, not counting the businesses, use prepaid "loads" instead of having monthly service. Monthly service requires a monthly income. While I could get a monthly service, the area I live in doesn't support text messaging well enough to justify the cost.
Loads can be purchased in increments of 20, 50, 100 or more pesos. I don't recommend the large purchases because loads get "zapped" sometimes for no apparent reason. I hate to see people waste money, no matter how little they spend.
Voice loads can be purchased as well as text loads, but I can't tell you tell you the cost. I've never attempted voice service with any cell phones here. I use a residential telephone line and DSL (using Skype and Yahoo Instant Messenger) for my voice needs.
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Hi RT
I noticed that just about everybody in the Manila area has a cell phone even my 7 year old niece has one. It seems that phones are pretty cheap in the malls also. They do use them for text more than voice.
Thats interesting how more people use the card loads. Why do you think that is?
Pay as you go. No money, no load.
I don't have any trips planned to the Philippines but this was interesting to me anyway just to know what's happening in other parts of the world. We are planning a trip to Lima, Peru next year so it got me thinking about what service I will find there.
Thanks RT.
That is pretty interesting – here in the UK phones are so popular – young children have them.
People use the pay as go systems quite successfully here.
I must say regarding phone models – I have never got along with Motorola. Nokia was always my prefferred choice but now Sony Ericcson really has come along way and I prefer theor phones – give them a go if you get a chance!
a nice account of situation there… we have something similar in India also…
Hi RT,
Maybe it's an Asia thing. I remember during my year in Korea, cell phones were very cheap (although often used phones that were a model or two behind current), it was also quite reasonable to purchase pay as you go minutes.
I hope you enjoy you new RAZR when you get it. That's my wife's old phone … which I'll be bringing with me if I ever find myself back in Korea again.
Looking forward to seeing your pictures from around the PI.
Talk to you again soon,
Todd
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A good camera is essential. My Dopod is a great phone/PDA but the camera is horrible. I much prefer prepaid loads. Less bills to deal with.
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Thanks for sharing all these insights, resources. I will surely take note of all of these. I have in fact bookmarked your site
true, true. mobile phones are ubiquitous in manila and the rest of the philippines.
just the other day, i was in quiapo, and i saw this guy with a wooden push cart full of some fruit or vegetable, sitting behind his cart on the sidewalk, talking on his mobile phone. and that voice call just went on and on. was somewhat amazed. 
well… at least you're never more than a text message or voice call away from help.
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It is truly amazing how cell phones are spreading around the world more and more every day. Soon it will be a whole global network and no one will have phones in their home. I'm only half kidding.
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You hit it right on the nose. Not even a single person in my family still has a home phone. The only reason I could see for having one is if you leave younger kids at home, just for emergencies.
Only, if having of cellphone at home will be cheaper then usual phone.. But as they said "each joke have a part of joke"…
What about Samsung & LG brands? Do you have any information?
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I can't imagine life without phones, phone are the most convenient way to communicate not only with our loveones, also in business deals and transactions..
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phones are very usefull gadget if used properly…
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I've heard somewhere that Philippines has been tagged as "text capital of the world" because most Filipinos are always texting. Mobile phones in the Philippines are very affordable. I even noticed that even street vendors have cellphones! I agree with you that prepaid loads get zapped sometimes. I have a friend who loaded 50 pesos but after she sent about 10 text messages, her load was already gone.
There are other services but the popular ones are Smart Communications and Globe Telecom.
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I've been loyal to Smart and my Sony Ericsson C902. Smart has been very reliable and fast.
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i have no idea of buying phones.
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The philippines are raising in terms of technology in my opinion. Its only a matter of time before they go trough the same hype as anywhere else in the world about cellphones.
cellphones are very important specially to those who have kids and working mom. i use cellphone to check on my kids and remind them of what they need to do.
Greenhills is the best place to find cellphones in the Philippines.
Mobile phones are a must have for every one now days, texting great
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mobiles are common place now the cost have come down and that great everyone benefits
Makes you appreciate how good we have things in the US. Too bad we still get ripped off by cell phone carriers.
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Mobile technocnology is here to stay and beyond.
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I would suggest to go for Globe Telecom if they offer 5800 Xpress Music and N97
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I notice that you know a lot about cell phones in Manila, I was wondering if you know if the AT&T/LG Neon TE365 was available for purchase in the Philippines…
Unless it just came out within a month, I'm sure it is. You could probably find it at the SM Mall in Quezon City.
Need feedback on new long distance & money remittance co. that I joined. They have competitive calling rates from U.S. to Phils. & say that same rate applies if u call from Phils. to U.S. (or most any country). Tried calling from US but can't try vice versa, that's why I need ur help. Anyone can try by signing up as free members, & u even get US$1 worth of minutes free. Calls I've made come in very clear at other end, & haven't lost any minutes I've loaded into my account, which from previous posts is common with phone cards.
U can become a free member (and get ur free US$1 of minutes) by following instructions at telfund.com and use 26242018 when asked for ur Referror's ID#. Please post ur comments here. Ur help would be greatly appreciated.
This is very similar to India. Even here everyone goes for prepaid cards instead of monthly service. It gives us more control on our expenses.
Hello RT!
Its nice to be here in your blog.
I was really laughing as i have read the details of your blog.
"Most of my in-laws have Nokia cell phones. They don't have regular jobs, but they have cell phones! "
My attention was caught in this part of the blog..
hahaha.. that is really true.
I have not seen any Apple cellphones here, im sure it would be very expensive. NOKIA is the most populr brand we have here.
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There are many brands of cellphones in the Philippines, but the question is that are this brands are original, because many of them are china phone or fake phones that are less durable than the original but relatively cheaper. But there are still many who patronize the original for they are sure of the quality of the phone.
@Blowfex Ultimate 2
What you say is very true. This part of the world is plagued by cheaper clones of phones that are circulating as freely as their originals.
I still go for the original phones, for Im sure for the quality of these phones and given the warranty that the company offer. If I were you all guys please buy the original phones. But I cannot blame you guys for buying such, because this time life is getting tougher, and we need to save money. But thatis not enough reason, because of such act, you might lose a lot of money than you expected. Then you think to yourself that it is more worthy to buy the original. I tell you fake phones spoil easily. I Bet.
Cellphones are very important now a days, I can't imagine how we can survive without a cellphone.
I bought a cheaper, not original telephone once. 6 months after i bought it, he died on me. I had lots of troubles with that phone, battery always weak. Have a original now, for twice the money, it's all fine. Don't know if i am going for not original again. Maybe if i have less money then now. Nice post.
Lower rates influence Filipino people to subscribe on one or two different networks so as to avail of both services. It is the provider's strategy to keep their subscribers continuously avail of their services. Networks also have a variety of load denomination that is very affordable to Filipinos. As Filipinos prefer to buy on retail basis, even prepaid cards or loads are being retailed. One can buy prepaid loads for as low as P5.00 or $0.125.
RT,
Probably not politically correct to state that you have a "flip" phone. I just call it a filipino phone when the electronic device is used to send text to the Philippines.
: )
That's what the phones are called. I can't help it if someone takes it personally.
Rt,
Regarding "flip phones" I'm just joking brother. We have a home under construction in Zambales so we will be neighbors. : )
Bill
I actually prefer Motorola and Sony Ericsson over Nokia simply because Nokia is too overrated. And hey, Moto and SE are just as good as Nokia once you get used to it.
As for cellphone loads, there is certain number of days alloted for you to use the load. Normally, 20 lasts only for 2 days and 50 for 5 days. If you weren't able to use the load within that time, sorry to say but "they" will take away the remaining load. Unfair, right? But that's what telecommunication companies do.