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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Error on Globe Postpaid Plan 999 Galaxy Note 3 + Gear cashout?

I am a satisfied user of the Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 (the original phablet) for almost 2 years now, it nullified the needs for my tablet, ipod touch, and blackberry phone when I bought it (sold all three). Although the phablet still suffice my mobile needs, I can't help but drool at the new Galaxy Note 3 with its newest hardware which makes it the speediest beast  available in the market today. Not only is it on the top of the benchmark with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (LTE version) CPU and 3GB RAM and 32GB Flash Memory (expandable with upto 64GB MicroSD Card) , it deliver a full HD screen with 388 ppi, much crispier than the Original Note, which display I absolutely liked. I am also a fan of the S Pen technology, especially with its recent development, another reason to upgrade AND the upgraded camera, 13MP with digital stabilization.

So, having decided to buy a the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3, I waited for Globe Telecom, my personal choice of carrier here in the Philippines (since I have been a loyal user ever since I was handed a Nokia 3315 cellphone merely 10 years ago), to release the phone on their Postpaid Plan.

In their offer, see page: http://beta.globe.com.ph/galaxy-note3, for an ordinary worker like me, the Note 3 is best selected with the Plan 999 unlisurf with 800 monthly cashout totalling to a P1,799 monthly payment.

BUT because there is an option to get the new Samsung Galaxy Gear, the Smart Watch to accompany your Note 3 so you won't need to pull it out of your pocket every time there is a notification or a call, you'll start to think if you can afford one and here is where the error/controversy happens. The cashout does not add up accordingly.

So it seems, that if you want the Samsung Galaxy Gear, it is best to buy it not from GLOBE with your postpaid plans. If you find the difference for Plan 999, 24 Months lockin (38,600 - 19,200) you'll be buying the Galaxy Gear for 19,400, which is a lot considering that the Smart Watch retails only for 13,000+, which do not make sense and it would be very dumb to select the Note 3 + Gear on the Postpaid plans. If you continue comparing the prices the Smart Watch is worth 14,900 on the average except for Plan 999 - 24 months and Plan 999 -30 months  with 19,400 and 18,700 accordingly.

With what I discovered, I believe that the Plan 999 Note 3 Only Postpaid Plans is a Promo, that is why if you add up the gear, you'll get its original price. So I would suggest to not get the gear with the Plan 999.

Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS vs GLX

There are 4 variants of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 here in the Philippines. These are the:
4 Variants Full Comparison
1. Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLX Manual
2. Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLX CVT (Automatic)
3. Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS Manual
4. Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS CVT (Automatic)

The only difference between the Manual and  the CVT is its transmission, both having the same MIVEC gasoline engine, with CVT having an automatic change-gear system and adding a total weight of 1,335 kg for CVT in comparison to Manual's 1,305 kg.
GLX 14-inch Steel Wheel
GLS 15-inch Alloy Wheel








It is in the GLX and the GLS variants, however, where we can see a big difference. GLX is the basic model and the GLS is the upgraded model having a Keyless Operation System, which is very cool, you don't need to take out your key in your pocket to open the driver side door, the back trunk or start the engine, you'll only need to push the button. You'll also have an upgraded alloy wheels (see photos), an advanced media player with GPS, bluetooth and a media control at the steering wheel.

GLS Back
GLX Back

Sunday, October 6, 2013

The New Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Mirage G4 GLS Version (Mica Blue)
Mitsubishi is currently doing car shows at select malls here in the Philippines to showcase the release of the New Mitsubishi Mirage G4 (a.k.a Attrage, short for Attractive Mirage, in Thailand)

I am currently deciding on buying the Mirage (hatchback) this year but with the new G4 release, I have to rethink on my options. So visiting their showcase at SM Cagayan de Oro to see the sedan model of the Mitsubishi Mirage is a must.

The Difference between Mirage and Mirage G4
Mirage G4 GLS Version
Upon deciding on which version to get, one would ask about the difference in price and the difference in dimension. Between the prices for both versions alone, G4 is a little more expensive than the Mirage by Php71,000. The Mirage G4 GLS  (Keyless and enhanced version) retails for Php687,000 here in Cagayan de Oro and Ozamis (freight included) while the Mirage GLS retails at Php616,000 (also with freight). However, the Mirage G4 is on reservation exclusive right now (Until October 16, 2013) and once you registered with your reservation fee of Php10,000, you will get a downright discount of Php40,000 upon purchase, that would make the Mirage G4 GLS with Php31,000 difference, BUT the Mirage (hatchback) gets free LTO registration worth Php12,000 while the G4 does not. Also, with the price difference, it should also be noted that the insurance and chattel fee requirement now differs, the G4 required a Php25k and a 17k for insurance and chattel while the Mirage is Php18k and 15k, thus, still summing up an initial price difference of Php52,000 after the Php40k discount. The price include free tint, matting, seat cover and car care kit.

Both version is equipped with the 1.2-L 3 In-Line DOHC MIVEC Gasoline  Engine and promises a 21km/l (kpl) performance, which is one of the main reasons for buying the car. It is super fuel-efficient.


MIVEC Engine
For the dimension difference however, the Mirage G4 is a half meter longer than the Mirage (hatchback).
Dimension Difference of Mirage (hatchback) and Mirage G4
Based on the price (with my budget) and dimension, I have decided to stick with the hatchback.