Nowadays, losing access to a mobile phone for an hour feels like being deprived from it for a lifetime.
Mobile phones have become an essential part of our everyday lives. Some, or maybe most people, can’t live a day without their phones. They use these gadgets for communication, capturing photos, updating friends or followers their whereabouts, banking and payment transactions, storage of important files, and a whole lot more of endless reasons.
In the Philippines, a number of mobile phones have dominated the market. Take a look at these local mobile phone brands. You might bump into them the next time you take a stroll in the mall.
MyPhone
The introduction of MyPhone in 2007 marked the beginning of a “Filipino phone for Filipino user” era. Solid Group Inc. President David Lim envisioned the creation of the first proudly Pinoy mobile phone brand in the midst of the international tech giants domination.
“What makes it a unique Pinoy phone is that we have developed a widget which contains Pinoy features,” Lim told the Philippine Star.
Apart from its goal of making communication easier, MyPhone’s design catered the interest and lifestyle of a common Filipino or the “masa”. The mobile phone came with a 2GB-micro SD card that is loaded with about 800 audio and texts on e-book. These include prayers, recipes, jokes, first aid guide, fast food delivery hotlines, and even an image of the Philippine flag used as a screensaver.
It was also the first mobile phone brand with a dual SIM feature. With an affordable price, promoting a sense of pride and nationalism materialised through technology.
As of writing, MyPhone has already released a number of android phones and tablets, phones with digital TV, and other feature phones.
Torque
On it’s 9th year of bringing quality mobile phones at an affordable price, Topstrasse Global Inc.’s Torque has already went a long way.
CEO and President Christopher Uyco has always wanted a mobile phone cheaper than P2,000, when the usual price range in the Philippines is from P4,000 to P5,000. With the primary goal of empowering Filipinos through communication, Pinoy brand Torque was founded.
When asked in a CNN interview on why Torque is the smartphone for Filipinos, Uyco answered, “Where can you find a product this nice, this slim, this durable, and this powerful at less than P3,500?”
Torque is known for its feature phones designed for entertainment. In just a single gadget, a user may enjoy features such as FM Radio, television, camera with video recorder, and multimedia player.
Aside from smartphones, other products of Torque are tablets with dual SIM tablets, 8GB storage, and touch screens measuring between seven inches and 7.85 inches.
Cherry Mobile
In 2009, Cosmic Technologies CEO Maynard Ngu decided to enter the world of entrepreneurship as he launched his own mobile phone brand.
Even when sales of international brands Nokia and Blackberry are at their peak in the Philippines, Ngu turned his dream of introducing a mobile phone that has “Everything for Everyone,” into a reality.
Ngu envisioned Cherry Mobile to cater to the interests of Filipinos from different ages and lifestyles at an affordable cost and high quality products.
In 8 years, Cherry Mobile has released a number of products, including the first android tablet in the Philippines, first dual-SIM smartphone, shock-proof phones, lifestyle phones, first local brand LTE smartphone, power bank phone, and a lot more.
In partnership with Globe Telecoms, through Mobile Virtual Network Operator, Ngu launched Cherry Prepaid Sim in 2015. He even partnered with Intel, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Qualcomm, and MediaTek for his phones’ quality improvement.
Cherry Mobile has also brought its products to Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and other Southeast Asian countries. Products are also being distributed in Papua New Guinea, Tunisia, and Africa.
Cloudfone
For Cellprime CEO and President Eric Yu, “Creating quality products is great but creating quality products the Filipinos can afford is even greater.”
From exclusively selling Globe products and SIM cards in 2003, Yu ventured into the mobile phone business through Cloudfone in 2011. With the goal of expanding technology at an economical value, Yu launched his first devices Cloudfone Ice and QWERTY Touch at a retail price of only P7,000.
Cloudfone has expanded its horizons by bringing the latest technology suited to the lifestyle of Filipinos. It launched so many firsts in the country: (1) android device with mobile television, (2) smartphone with 4000mAh battery, (3) local brand with dual boot technology, (4) transparent LED display, and (5) other features in partnership with Globe.
Collaborations with world’s tech giants MediaTek, Microsoft, and Intel made the incorporation of technology in one device possible. Meanhhile, partnerships with Spotify, NBA, Marvel, Disney, and Star Wars pave the way for the creation of exclusive entertainment experiences for Cloudfone users.
Starmobile
In 2012, Star Telecom Alliance Resources, Inc. launched its first mobile device with a built-in Bluetooth headset. In just a span of 5 years, Starmobile has already made a name in the industry of local mobile brands.
President Michael Chen told the Inquirer that Starmobile is the fruit of a 15-year aspiration to create a local mobile phone even if international brands are world’s top sellers.
Starmobile has also been a brand that marked many firsts in the Philippines: (1) tablet capable of receiving digital TV, analog TV, and streaming TV signals, (2) front-facing flash with wide-angled camera lens, (3) wireless-charging handset, (4) phone with dual lens rear camera, and (5) smartphone with 5,000mAh battery.
A budget of under P1,000 can already buy you a Starmobile feature phone that has a built-in speakers, dual SIM-feature with camera, and 5-LED flashlight.
Aside from mobile phones, Star Mobile also offers tablets (P3,000-P4,000) and laptops (P9,000-P12,000).
Filipino Mobile Phones for Filipino Users
In a world full of iPhone, Samsung, Sony, and other international brands, these local brands proved that Filipinos can thrive in a competitive market.
The common goal of creating a mobile phone that will cater to the specific interests and lifestyles of Filipinos united MyPhone, Torque, Cherry Mobile, Cloudfone, and Starmobile.
With nationalism, the advancement of technology has transpired. Nothing can stop the Filipino pride from soaring high.
Featured Image Credit: Unbox Philippines
