Smartphones and phone accessories, from carrier price plans to screen protectors and the newest launches.
Leagoo is a little-known Chinese smartphone brand under Shenzhen OTEDA Technology. It has launched its first Singapore phone, the Leagoo Shark 1, retailing for S$399 at various mobile retailers, though not yet at telcos. This is the unboxing.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone SE. Pre-orders opened on 24th March 2016, with the phone launching on the 31st. Singapore gets the A1723 model, supporting the local LTE, UMTS, and GSM bands across Singtel's plans.
Singtel's price plans for the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge 4G+, available in Singapore from 12th March 2016. Both come in a single 32GB, now with expandable microSD up to 200GB, in Black Onyx, Gold Platinum, and Silver Titanium.
The BlackBerry PRIV, BlackBerry's first Android phone, arrives in Singapore from 12th December 2015 at S$1,098, sold via Singtel, M1, StarHub, and authorised partners. I'm impressed by it: the build is solid and it's remarkably thin.
To recap, the Nexus 6P is brought to Singapore by Huawei through Convergent Systems, in 64GB and 128GB models, each in Graphite and Aluminium. With the pre-order window closed, you now pay the official retail price.
The ZTE Axon Elite launched in Singapore on 3rd October 2015, exclusively for M1 customers, then off-contract from mid-October at Challenger, Gain City, and others for S$699. It's ZTE's first high-end smartphone launched outside China.
Huawei opens Nexus 6P pre-orders in Singapore from 2nd to 11th November 2015 on Lazada, with first deliveries expected around the 16th or 17th. Only the 64GB and 128GB models will be sold here, each in Graphite and Aluminium.
Buying phones without a contract is an increasing trend, with Apple and Xiaomi selling directly. Singapore phones are always unlocked by law, and as people change phones more often, the telcos' two-year contracts hold less appeal.
Singtel's price plans for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, launching 25th September 2015 at Marina Bay Sands. Singapore gets the A1638 and A1687 models, supporting the local LTE, UMTS, and GSM bands across Singtel's plans.
Singtel's price plans for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+ and Galaxy S6 edge+ 4G+. The Note 5 launched in Black Sapphire and Gold Platinum, with the 32GB at S$1,088 and 64GB at S$1,188, the S6 edge+ arriving alongside it.
The much-anticipated OnePlus 2, announced on 28th July 2015, reaches Singapore in Q4 2015 at S$538 for the 64GB model. I handled it at the local media event on 31st July and loved the solid, premium feel of its build.
The LG G4 arrives in Singapore from 30th May 2015, with a recommended price of S$998 for the leather back cover and S$928 for the metallic finish. Registration of interest ran from 15th to 24th May at M1 and StarHub.
The HTC One M9 arrives in Singapore from Saturday, 2nd May 2015, at a recommended price of S$1,008. It comes only in 32GB, in dual-tone silver/rose gold or single-tone gunmetal grey, running Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense 7.
Letv flew me to Beijing for the launch of its phones, alongside media from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India. It's Letv's first venture into smartphones. Founded in 2004 by Jia Yueting, Letv is one of China's biggest, fastest-growing firms.
Many know the YotaPhone 2 as the phone with two screens, the world's third after the YotaPhone 1 and NEC Medias W, neither of which reached Singapore. The YotaPhone 2 retails here for S$1,048 and can be bought online.
Singtel's price plans for the Samsung Galaxy S6 4G+ and S6 edge 4G+, both officially available in Singapore from 11th April 2015. The S6 comes in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Gold Platinum.
Xiaomi's Redmi 2 goes on sale in Singapore for the first time on 17th March 2015 at noon for S$169, the same launch price as the Redmi 1 last February. Only the white model is offered for now.
I bought my Nexus 6 from MobyShop for S$870, trading in my 16GB Nexus 5 for S$200, so I paid S$670 net. Holding it, the aluminium frame lends a premium feel; for once a Nexus phone doesn't look cheap.
Four months after its launch, the Nexus 6 is now officially available in Singapore at a recommended S$998. Only the 32GB variant is sold, in both Midnight Blue and Cloud White, exclusively through open retail channels rather than telcos.
The Andino selfieNANO is a Bluetooth 3.0 remote shutter for selfie lovers, working with both iOS and Android. Li Xiang and I bought it for fun at EpiLife in 313@Somerset for S$12.90, and I'm impressed by its packaging and build.
The Moshi iVisor Glass Screen Protector retails for S$56.90 for the iPhone 6 Plus and S$49.90 for the iPhone 6. Not fully transparent, it comes in black for Space Grey iPhones and white for Silver and Gold, measuring 0.3mm thin.
Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note in Singapore on 8th July 2014, and today at noon it launches the Redmi Note 4G. 5,000 sets will be available. The Redmi Note 4G retails for S$229, while the Redmi Note stays at S$199.