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 iPhone 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.
Update, April 2011
I’m starting to see a lot more Motorola cell phones and a few Samsung cell phones now.
Update, December 2011
The last update was referring to here in Olongapo City. I don’t observe what people are using in places like Manila unless I happen to be stuck waiting at one of the Manila airport terminals or at the US Embassy. I actually do observe people using smartphones at those places, but I’ve never been close enough to see what make or model of smartphone they’re using.
As we quickly approach 2012, I want to point out a few things. A lot of people, non-Filipinos of course and only outside of the Philippines, seem to subconsciously think that metro Manila is the Philippines. Nothing could be further from the truth, but the vast majority of areas outside of Manila don’t get much attention in the mass media unless something devastating happens.
While it’s true that a lot of the population is concentrated in the Manila area (like concentrations in New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc.) and that Manila is technologically up-to-date, it’s not true for many of the areas outside of Manila. Even in areas where it appears to be the case, the services are oversubscribed and the people affected end up paying for poor quality service. Since I’ve seen firsthand what happens to Globe and Smart subscribers, I know this to be the case in Olongapo City (not the Subic Bay Freeport Zone). In fact, the only people outside of the freeport zone that seem to get decent service is those that live in the “downtown” area and that’s simply due to the proximity to the former naval base and how long it’s been there.
In the end, I think what’s really going on is that a lot of people believe they’re getting something they’re not and then they get offended when I tell them they’re not getting what they think they’re getting. In other words… just because you’re being told you’re getting a particular service doesn’t mean you’re getting the best of that service (it usually means the opposite). This doesn’t apply only to cell phone service in the Philippines, by the way, because I have relatives in suburban areas in the US getting screwed in much the same way.
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.
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…
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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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 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.
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.
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.
hey just stop talkin’ ’bout those cheap phones..original’s the best.. aside from they have a copyrighted names it’s much safer and accessible to use… and will take a long time to change…expensive price worth its quality.. :o
is it unlocked cell phone in Philippines? or need to contract with the wireless providers?
I don’t know the answer to this.
I know the answer to your Q, yes they unlocked phones. I read a similar story on CNN about this. And yes a contract would be required before getting one.
i guess why Pinoy use Nokia mostly it is affordable and friendly user, meaning easy to text or call also the security but many cloned phones now and the quality especially on battery is not that good compared to the original. I prefer LG coz the battery last longer and the sound is good. apple phone is so expensive and you must avail network ( smart or globe). Filipinos is depending on the usage. As to texting students prefers textin…and for business purposes is callin, it is just depending on the user’s personality.
Flip phones get worn out earlier compared to other phones but then also looking good so mostly people prefer it. anyways nice post.
It looks like the GSM frequencies used in the Phillipines are – GSM 900/1800. Most Blackberry phones will work on these frequencies here.
Great post, I had no idea cellular communications in countries outside of the US were just as complicated. I had always assumed for some reason things were easier.
Thank you so much for this very informative article. I live in the united states and its very interesting to know about what all is available in the Philippines. Thanks Again:)
I agree with you nokia is the number 1 brand of phones in the Philippines. Apple is still expensive so can’t afford to buy one and all they use are prepaid cards coz they are cheaper than you apply for postpaid.
I am not familiar with the Philippines, but I have heard that you can save on cell phone cost by using the prepaid as opposed to monthly. I have never used prepaid due to my cell phone usage varies based on how many business transactions I do on the phone versus on my computer.
As for me, I use a Droid by Verizon. I need a smartphone; don’t think I could live without one. I started out using a Blackberry, but once I started using the touch screen, I never wanted to go back. I hear many companies are moving from the Blackberry to iPhones; Bank of America being one of these companies. Blackberry had better make some changes or else they will be hard pressed in trying to drum up customer using their current technology.
I actually lost my phone in Manila while on business. It was quite a problems as I had all my contacts on the phone. I was late for several meetings and had to make all these calls from the hotel to work everything out. amazingly, when i returned to Australia my phone had been returned. I had a Lost Property label on my phone that arranges Australia post to return lost valuables. the service is only for Australia, but luckily someone in Manila was kind enough to return it to Australia for me.
Do people in the Phillipines use iPhones? That’s the only thing we’re using here in Sweden.
On the other hand, I don’t like being mainstream. So I bought a Nokia 5530.
Is there 4g in the philipiness ?
I don’t know. Not locally, but I don’t know about Manila.
I am wondering when the iPhone 5 will be released? I am just about to launch my online auction website http://www.expressbids.co and I am looking at sourcing products for my online auction site and was wondering how long I would have to wait for the iPhone 5 to be available to buy so that my customers can bid on it.
It’s good to know that other countries are experiencing the same type of technical difficulties I do. Go and figure. lol http://www.howtocreateanappforiphone.com
Is there ever a need to want to spy on the activities of a cell phone in the Philippines? Is that sort of thing even legal?
Judging by the content of 99% of the text messages, I don’t even think it would be worth it.
10-4
Send your old apple iPhones to selliphone to recycling companies and get paid to recycle.
So, you don’t have iPhones? Even newest ones, iPhone 5. I heard that iphone app design is very popular in your country, how can it be?
Well, iPhones exist here, but their usage is limited outside of metro Manila and Cebu City.
Amazing, it is great to see smartphones reaching all corners of the globe. Hopefully their use will soon spread beyond the main cities like it is seeming from some comments.
It’s good to know that other countries are experiencing the same type of technical difficulties that I do…..LOL
Is spy phone technology catching on in the Philippines?
I do not know.
It sounds like they’re not quite up to smartphones yet in the Philippines, but it’s slowly getting there I guess.
They really are, in certain places. It’s just that everywhere except those certain places is like rural America.
I lived in southeast Asia for a year and getting a cell phone that worked consistently was definitely a chore. There weren’t nearly the options then as there are now though. It’s odd how much technology you take for granted.
Hi Ben,
Wait for some more time and you will find, your cell phone as powerful your PC. Phones with 1 GHz processor are already available in market. Technology will keep on getting better and better, and in more speed than before.
I noticed that there were quite a number of unknowns in this post. Although the keywords were probably popular on search engines. This calls for an update once more.
I’m more likely to remove it than I am to update it. I’m just not that interested in cell phones these days and I don’t even have a working one for myself.
how can you remove a post that has been bringing you hefty traffic and giving you good number of adsense clicks per day and makes you earn a living? of course you know that if you update this post, people will no longer have to click your ads in search for what they really need.
I don’t rely on one post for traffic.
Re your Update April 2011: I’m starting to see a lot more Motorola cell phones and a few Samsung cell phones now.
I am from Metro Manila and I since the beginning of the year 2011, I can hardly find people using Motorola phones here. Most people I see are holding iPhones, Blackberry’s, Samsung touchscreen phones on a class a & B crowd. For lower class crowds are mostly small Nokia phones, Samsung and Cherry Mobile phones. I am aware that you live in Olongapo which is only 2 hours away from Manila travelling by land. I don’t think you are knowledgeable enough to have the right to talk about the Philippines since you only want to limit yourself to staying in Olongapo.
This article sounded like Philippines is left behind when it comes to cellphones which is not true. You sounded like you have been living in the caves of Palawan for quite sometime.
I wrote the article in 2008. Where were you then? Manila wasn’t 2 hours away at the time. I’ve actually been to Manila dozens of times, whether I wanted to go or not. Of course things change. Did I completely rewrite the article? No. So what’s your problem?
The problem is that you’re providing some wrong information about the Philippines. You even optimized it with the right search terms but with wrong info content. Even my foreigner husband is wondering where in the Philippines you see more Motorola users in April 2011 and how come you don’t see people using iPhones, Android phones and Blackberry’s around your city. This is why almost all the shopping malls, restaurants/cafes and McDonald’s are equipped with Wi-Fi’s because they want to target that big market.
Although even my 50+ year old father have been using an iPhone since 2007, your article would have sounded factual if you did not put that April 2011 update.
Okay, again, I’m talking about Olongapo where the only Wi-Fi is at the freeport zone. The reason you don’t see the smartphones here much is because they can only be used as cell phones – none of the additional features are supported by the oversubscribed cell providers. Wait, you do see them a lot – in the pawn shops and in some electronics stores. I won’t begin to talk about Manila because the only people I saw using smartphones was at the airport.
Of course, it’s natural to see iPhones and other touch phones being used in Metro Manila. After all, that’s where about 75 percent of the population is. But to come out and say that they’re prevalent everywhere else is just naive.
In Philippines today, you can now find people using that Iphone, Ipod, Android and touchscreens phones. Even in single house in a province there’s already a Wi-fi. Try to think of it, Philippines is always updated when it comes to technology whether its cellphones, computer or any gadgets.
I suppose it depends on the exact place you live, and what you do, wherever you are.
It’s similar in Britain, in the big media-oriented cities like London and Bristol you see a lot of Android, Iphones, Blackberries, but out in the smaller cities, towns and villages you still see people with Nokias, Motorolas and Samsungs. Many of the older phones don’t have voice biometrics technology, but then if you’re living at a slower pace then you’re unlikely to need it.
I had a Nokia (Smart) for years. It worked fine here in Subic and Siargao and Baguio and certainly Manila. For the longest time the guy who cuts the lawn had a nicer phone than me. I would be careful getting it worked on in OC but no problem getting work done in Green Hills in Manila. I have always done pre-paid but I also use my phone as needed not as a social device.
Now days there are lots of smart phone and I finally became a droid for the camera, calculator, maps and alarm features. I notice the iPhone is for those who want to be seen as the “in” crowd so it is gaining in popularity. Still I could walk and text without problem with my Nokia, it is not the case with my HTC.
I appreciate the updates. It’s good to hear how things are coming along in the Philippines — helps one to realise just how small the world is becoming. Trying to use an old-fashioned phone directory to keep track of the number of people with phones is going to be all-but-impossible soon.
Looking forwards to seeing more updates on this post, whenever you have more information to offer.
IPhone FTW! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Great informative post.
Thanks,
-Matt
Just to update this post. I heard you can now use Iphone everywhere in the Phils. My preference however are Samsung phones.