As we near the official launch of the highly anticipated Samsung S3, the two telco giants vies for the hearts of prospective upgraders and switchers through their plans. Now before you get too excited and sign up for any of these telcos, let’s take a closer look at their offerings and see which one fits your lifestyle and usage pattern.
As we mentioned in our previous post, Globe was the first to reveal their range of plan for the SGS3. This quad-core handset will come in free with their UnliSurf Plan 2499 and will have a standard lock-in period of 24 months. Apart from the unlimited mobile internet, the plan will also have consumables worth Php1,500USD 26INR 2,167EUR 24CNY 186 a month.
Following the said announcement, Smart recently unveiled their available plans for the same phone. The SGS3 will come in free with their UnliData Plan 2000 which is Php499USD 9INR 721EUR 8CNY 62 cheaper than Globe’s offering.
The catch here, however, is that you’d have be with the carrier for a longer period of time. The lock-in period for this plan is 30 months (instead of the 24-months on Globe).
Here’s a short computation of how these two plans look like:
Globe Galaxy S3
Php2,499USD 43INR 3,610EUR 41CNY 310 (UnliSurf Plan)
x 24 months (lock-in period)
Php59,976USD 1,022INR 86,641EUR 973CNY 7,443 TCO
Smart Galaxy S3
Php2,000USD 34INR 2,889EUR 32CNY 248 (UnliData Plan)
x 30 months (lock-in period)
Php60,000USD 1,022INR 86,676EUR 974CNY 7,446 TCO
* TCO: Total Cost of Ownership
Looking at this, it’s clear that neither plan gains a significant edge over the other in terms of the total amount a user has to pay (TCO). But what clearly sets them apart is the lock-in period. The Php500USD 9INR 722EUR 8CNY 62 per month difference between the two plans will come into play in this situation.
If you can afford to shell out an extra Php500USD 9INR 722EUR 8CNY 62 every month so you can get out of the plan a bit faster, then the Globe UnliSurf Plan is for you. But, if you’re not in a rush to switch phones or plan and does not have a spare Php500USD 9INR 722EUR 8CNY 62 a month, better go with Smart’s UnliData Plan. At the end of the day, it boils down to how much you’re willing to shell out for this quad-core handset.
In terms of bundles here’s what the two plans has to offer:
Globe UnliSurf 2499
Php1500USD 26INR 2,167EUR 24CNY 186 Consumable
Free Texts: 200 (Globe-to-Globe) + 25 (Other Networks)
Free Call: 10mins (Globe-to-Globe) + 5mins (Other Networks)
Free Texts (International): 10
Free Call (International): 20mins IDD
Free UnliCall and Text: 1 Globe or TM number
Smart UnliData 2000
N/A
Free Texts (All Networks): 200
Free Call (All Networks): 150 mins
By having a little bit of everything the UnliSurf 2499 plan bested Smart’s UnliData 2000 plan in terms of bundled services. In addition to this, the former has Php1500USD 26INR 2,167EUR 24CNY 186 consumable per month. That sums up to an additional 245 minutes worth of voice calls to same network subscriber or 226 minutes to other networks per month compared to Smart’s fixed 150 minutes to all network.
Based on the comparison above, we think that Globe’s UnliSurf 2499 is the better of the two in terms of bundled services and flexibility. Then again, there are also other important factors that you, as a consumer, need to look into such as network coverage and dependability that we really can’t comment on because that depends on your current location.
What we are sure though is that the introduction of these plans for the Galaxy S3 will definitely hurt the sell-ability of the other handsets in their line-up.
With Smart — the HTC Sensation XE, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Nexus which also comes free with UnliData Plan 2000 will definitely be overshadowed by the Galaxy S3. With Globe — the Nokia Lumia 800 and the Galaxy Note might also suffer the same fate. For both networks, it might also hurt the sales of the iPhone 4S which is offered at the same or higher plan.
Just to sum this one up, we are more inclined to recommend Globe’s UnliSurf 2499 for flexibility and maximizing plan usage. But, if you just want a really low monthly fee, Smart’s UnliData Plan 2000 is the obvious pick.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
How to transfer, withdraw money from PayPal to GCash
Prices of Starlink satellite in the Philippines
Install Google GBox to Huawei smartphones
Pag-IBIG MP2 online application
How to check PhilHealth contributions online
How to find your SIM card serial number
Globe, PLDT, Converge, Sky: Unli fiber internet plans compared
10 biggest games in the Google Play Store
LTO periodic medical exam for 10-year licenses
Netflix codes to unlock hidden TV shows, movies
Apple, Asus, Cherry Mobile, Huawei, LG, Nokia, Oppo, Samsung, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Infinix Mobile, Pocophone, Honor, iPhone, OnePlus, Tecno, Realme, HTC, Gionee, Kata, IQ00, Redmi, Razer, CloudFone, Motorola, Panasonic, TCL, Wiko
Best Android smartphones between PHP 20,000 - 25,000
Smartphones under PHP 10,000 in the Philippines
Smartphones under PHP 12K Philippines
Best smartphones for kids under PHP 7,000
Smartphones under PHP 15,000 in the Philippines
Best Android smartphones between PHP 15,000 - 20,000
Smartphones under PHP 20,000 in the Philippines
Most affordable 5G phones in the Philippines under PHP 20K
5G smartphones in the Philippines under PHP 16K
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2024
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2023
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2022
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2021
Smartphone pricelist Philippines 2020
stark says:
globe definitely wins this round
trueno says:
just want to ask if the headset is the 16 gig version?
Bryan says:
So expensive for a phone that is made out of plastic.
Bryan says:
the question is which is the best mobile internet provider?
reignfire says:
Too late. Too expensive. Too ugly.
Too late that many have (wisely) invested with HTC One X already.
Too expensive. iPhone’s price, IMO, should be the limit (and they have the bragging right to demand that steep price, banking on its superb brand equity)
Too ugly. Despite monster specs, Samsung failed to see the basics, people tend to choose phones based on aesthetics and overall design. SGS3’s cheap looking plastic built, uninspired design, and horrendous UI (TouchWiz) is a deal-breaking combo.
Only hardcore Sammy fans and geeks will fall for this one
sikwate says:
Better get Smart between the 2 plans. What’s the use of getting UnliSurf if your connection is crawling (Globe).
x says:
upgrading this to next version will be dependent with samsung. by track record it takes time because of the fugly touchwiz.
go for galaxy nexus (cheaper even if its older, you’re sure of updates from google).
htc one x for the build quality. note if you want size and battery.
you dont need that quad cores yet.
xtream says:
upgrading this to next version will be dependent with samsung. by track record it takes time because of the fugly touchwiz.
go for galaxy nexus (cheaper even if its older, you’re sure of updates from google).
htc one x for the build quality. note if you want size and battery.
you dont need that quad cores yet.
tonybac says:
Mahal naman ng mga data plan sa atin. Hintayin ko na lang na may lumabas na mga second hand pero almost good as brand new dito sa Saudi, makamura siguro ako ng at least 500 riyals (almost PHP6000). Grabe ang mahal, wala n bang ibang offering?
povillo says:
i will still wait for smart to offer their Lumia 610. im just after the excel spreadsheet.
Ace Ople says:
Great review. What’s sweet with a 30-month-lockup
+ an unlidata plan with non-consumable, 150 minutes and 200 SMS? that’s not living more. :)
Lianna says:
What about the network? I might be able to “save” with Globe but with their sucky network and data I will be spending “more” sa kabagalan. Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture. Just saying.
Enya says:
Ang 4G internet sa bansang ito is a hit or miss affair! Im currently located in a Smart/Globe hotspot pero I always experience that “now you have it, now you dont ” internet speed! Its crazy erratic. Hindi sulit ang mga unlisurf /unlidata na yan.
Edsar Bondoc says:
Neither of the Two TELCOs got my attention from their respective plans. I felt sammy brand is so overrated? I’ll just wait for iPhone 5(whatever they wanna call it). The inspired by human design is fugly.
Yahya says:
For those of you who has any plans on getting or renewing their contract with smart, their “Unlidata” plan has a 1.5 GB cap per month. Go with globe.
http://www1.smart.com.ph/help/postpaid/article/2012/03/08/postpaid-mobile-internet-fair-use-policy
Eager says:
Hmm.. serious question, if smart has a cap of 1.5gb of mobile internet, does globe have that too?
do these phones get upgraded together with those unlocked ones? once an update will come? for coverage, id go with smart, but in cities, maybe globe will better. and it also will depend on your family and friends’ networks.
psikick says:
di na mention that globe also offers it at plan 1799 at 200 per month..so monthly mo is 1999/mo for 24 months is around 48k.. much lower TCO..
gen gerona says:
.TCO dapat pag basehan at ang duration ng contract…i think a sure fire will be globe…pareho lang ang globe at smart sa internet..minsan malakas minsan mabagal..im currently using galaxy note..ive used smrt and glub with it and globe, for me, is much better at times…but if ur planning to buy a quad core mobile…better buy a larger device..(e.g. tablet )…IMO, its not necessary to spend money on a device with a big specs for a small utility usage…waiting for the Glxy note 10.1 2 (QUAD CORE version)
Mark says:
If you drill down the values that you will get with Smart’s Plan 2000 vs. Globe’s 1799, you’ll realize you’ll be getting more out of your monthly subscription fee.
If you consider the 4800 cashout at Plan 1799 of Globe, you’ll be paying 1999 MSF to get the phone for free. :)
corsair says:
I think it needs to be said as well that in terms of mobile Internet, Globe beats Smart. Smart’s UnliData 2000 gives you unlimited data at good speeds until 1.5Gigabytes (for the entire month). After that, you get throttled for the rest of the month, and speed is comparable to dial-up.
Globe has a bandwidth limit of around 800Megabytes per day. That’s equal to around 24Gigabytes in a month!
So choose your plan:
1. Smart = 1.5Gigabytes/month
2. Globe = 24Gigaybtes/month
Bryan KT says:
Globe offered S3 on 1799 plan.
Anonymous says:
Im waiting for a flexible phone like e-paper with a 3.6GHz Octocore, with sizes adjustable to a pocket up to a newspaper, and a RAm of 64Gig, could be transformed into a student notebook, laptop, netbook and a mobile phone, syncable evrywhere, with latest thunderbolt connection, and unlimited cloud and 20mbps connection in the net.
With features like Whitepage in directory, free google satellite maps which is customizable for me only, unlimited call via wifi, less drain in gps, no battery but nuclear powered. no need of cell sites, AND WHATEVER….
Hehehe:unending wants and needs, since we are living in mobile world , why not the government take advantage of that.
The richer gains more money while the poor or the middle class hopes to get rich, with an opportunity having a large amount of it, they will buy a phone instead of what they really need.
WHAT AN IRONY….
YOu dont have to have the latest phone to socialized.
Unlimited internet is applicable only to urban areas, which is useless when going to rurals. So you should not leave your city to do that.
The main issue in these gadgets are BATTERIES………
It should be nuclear powered…. Hehehe.
WhatTheWhat says:
About Globe’s preorder, bakit walang pag pipilian ng internal storage size? 16/32/64 gb pano malalaman?
Bryan says:
Wow 4800 lang pag plan 1799? hmmm.. ang prob lang. like the one indicated above me. walang options for 16/32/64 gb.
noname says:
I’m thinking of availing this plan:
My Super Plan 299
– Php 299 consumable
– 1 freebie (10 mins call & 200 sms to globe/tm)
– 26,810 cashout (or 1,127 for 24 months)
Total TCO for phone + services: 33,986 (or 1,426 for 24 months)
Ok lang kaya to (at tama ba yung computation ko)? Yung phone lang talaga ang habol ko kasi naka nokia n81 pa rin ako hanggang ngayon :)
Gelo says:
Get it na lang in Unlisurf Combo Plan 1799 for Php 4800.00 cash out. And you have Php 800 consumables.
Glenn Ong says:
I’m still wondering why the Php2499 was used as comparison here, while there’s the 1799 + 4800 cashout (Php1999/month) option from Globe.
jackie says:
I agree with the comments above. Globe actually offers more flexibility (Plan 1699, Plan 1799 + 4800 cashout, Plan 2499) than Smart only having Plan 2000.
ptg says:
But so disappointing to Globe, til now, my approved order is still pending! :(
Chris says:
Smart offers it for UnliData Plan 2000 + 2,500 cash out to avail of the 24 month lock-in period instead of the 30 months initially.
Mike says:
I think what the SMART plan fails to emphasize is that the unlimited data plan is not really unlimited at all. if you read the internet fair use policy it say that “Smart allocates 1.5Gb per month to the unlimited data plans to enjoy our superior 3G-HSPA network. Violation of the fair use policy, or in excess of the allowed 1.5Gb, network speed will be reduced to 24kbps until the end of the month.”
So you have unlimited data but the speed is compromised. I wonder if globe has that policy also
Nil says:
Did you know that PH Telcos are the most expensive in Asia, and unreliable. Why?
Expensive:
P10-P15 for 1 hour with speed of– well test it. (para mapamura ka)
In Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China
for around SGD 1.0 you will get 1gig cap, minimum of 7.2 kbps (HK, China 15+Mbps) guaranteed good for 7 Days.
WOW!
Dito sa atin, letche ang services. kala nyo mura na dito no….
Wala lang, gusto ko lang sabihin. for PHP2k+ just for unlimited plan, talo ka dude, kung maraming pera at uto-uto ka go for it!
tmcr7 says:
@Nil,
You’re comparing our internet services to developed countries. They of course have the massive advantage in telcom infrastructures. But what we have here is not bad. It can already be used for business purposes such as Skype.
Back to topic: I wouldn’t recommend Globe. I subscribed to their iPad unlisurf, sobrang bagal! Daig pa dial-up. Lugi ako sa Plan 999. Binigay ko na lang sa nanay ko para mapagtyagaan. Speed tests done by unbox.ph confirmed that Smart is indeed faster. I’m in QC (Katipunan-Cubao-Trinoma)