cell phone 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.