Following the tradition of the SMART Amazing Phone in the 2000’s and the SMART Netphone in 2011, SMART has unveiled its new SMART-branded phone that will make 5G access easier and cheaper for the everyday Filipino.
It’s been 13 years since SMART launched the Netphone, a device that was meant to push mass adoption of data and apps through WAC (Wholesale Application Communities) which was sort of like an open source version of Play Store / app store. It ran on a 600mhz ARM 11 processor.
Yesterday SMART revealed the ZTE Blade A75, which is the Netphone’s spiritual successor. It keeps the tradition of bringing data to all, but in this case 5G adoption for the masses. SMART has a good run with products such as the non-expiring Magic Data and wide 5G coverage. This move now allows SMART to enable small wage earners the capacity to own a 5G device that won’t break the bank. After all, what good is the infrastructure of “5G roads” if nobody can afford the cars.
The biggest cash out for the original Netphone was P4,800 pesos on postpaid plan 500. This new device is pegged at P5,450, making it the most affordable 5G device in the Philippines. You’re essentially getting an upper crust entry level phone at the price of an el-cheapo.
The A75’s biggest selling point is that it comes at a more affordable price per spec. It seems that SMART has subsidized the device cost: this unit is also being sold in two other markets but SMART has promised ZTE that this iteration will not make it to other shores. For a phone in the five thousand peso range, you get a powerful 50MP camera, a 6nm processor, Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 3.1, 5000mAh battery, 6.6inch screen at 120Hz. There’s really no other phone with these specs at the current price.
The ZTE Blade A75 comes with a 6.6″ HD+ 120Hz display, 50MP camera, a Bokeh Depth camera, and dual AI camera feature. It comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM. It will retail for P5,450 and will be available for financing as well.
Users can also get the Smart ZTE Blade A75 5G with Smart Postpaid’s Plans+ 999, which comes with Unli 5G, Unlimited AllNet Calls and Texts, Unlimited AllNet Landline Calls, 20 GB open access data and entertainment perks, among other inclusions.
