5 Telltale Signs That You Need To Change Your Phone

As my iPhone slipped from my hands, it quickly tumbled to the ground with its screen falling first. Before I grabbed it, I was so complacent that only the tempered glass was shattered. The people who witnessed the scene were so shocked and even screamed on my behalf. I kept my cool. I told them that everything is under control as it had a protective layer. Oh, I was wrong! The entire glass screen cracked from the inside out.

Three days passed and I have decided to upgrade my phone. I saw it as an opportunity to finally purchasing a new one after three years. I may get accustomed to the smashed display of the spiderweb-like pattern across the screen, but using this is hazardous. I might be cut by the broken glass or cause the cracks to worsen.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Having a smashed screen is one reason to change your phone. Keep in mind that upgrading can set you back for more than S$1000. So, contemplate on whether it is necessary to buy a new phone or not.

THINGS ARE GETTING SLOW

In this day and age, phones that can multitask reign supreme. If your phone cannot keep up with your taps and swipes, perhaps you should get a new one. It is hard to function when your phone responds to some commands while ignores the rest. Consider looking for a phone that listens to your every touch.

BATTERIES ARE EASY TO DRAIN

How would you feel if your fully charged phone does not last you until lunchtime? You have enough on your plate and rescheduling a recharge can just stretch your tasks.

If you are noticing that your phone is draining at a faster rate after fully charging it, it may be time to replace its battery. Remember that smartphone batteries lose capacity every time you charge it from zero to one-hundred percent. Charging it incorrectly can quicken the process of deterioration.

SHUTTING DOWN IS COMMON

As I was sitting in the lobby, my friend asked me for a favor. She wanted me to call her phone that randomly turned off. To my surprise, it rang while the entire screen transformed to pitch-black. Random shutdowns is worse that running out of battery. If your phone refuses to turn back on until it dictates so, it is time to purchase a new phone.

YOUR STORAGE IS FULL

Despite adding a memory card, your current phone still runs out of storage space. You noticed that small, low-resolution photos can accumulate and hold a chunk of your phone’s memory. What’s more? Your photos look like they were shot in the yesteryear. Stop collecting grainy and low-resolution moments! Start saving your space for crisp and high-resolution memories by getting a new phone.

NEW OPERATING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE

Take a moment to think about whether you can download the latest apps and operating systems. One of the primary reasons why you must convert to a new phone is to equip yourself with current software updates.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Always update your phone to the latest operating system available for security purposes. Latest updates often fix flaws in older systems that leave your data vulnerable to cyberattacks and hackers.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Singtel, StarHub and M1 Price Plans for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max

Telco price plans for the latest iPhone 11

Want to get your hands on the latest iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max?

Sign up for a postpaid plans with the local telcos and get the phones at a discount.

Check out the price plans for the 3 telcos in Singapore.

iPhone 11

1. Singtel

2. StarHub

3. M1

iPhone 11 Pro

1. Singtel

2. StarHub

3. M1

iPhone 11 Pro Max

1. Singtel

2. StarHub

3. M1

Read More...

The Best Prepaid SIM Card Options For Tourists

Let us be honest! In this day and age, it is hard to live without mobile data. Most of our daily lives center around the convenience of the Internet. Moreover, we find pleasure in sharing our adventures and experiences thru social media. This is why most jet-setters secure their pocket Wi-Fi before or after landing to their destination.

Having your own prepaid sim card with data allows you to navigate the area and to interact with the locals no matter where you are. If your foreign friends want to visit you in Singapore, here are some of the prepaid sim card options that you can suggest.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Firstly, it is important to note that there are only three main telecommunication companies in Singapore. These three include Singtel, Starhub, and M1. Lastly, these telecos offer tourist sim cards that can last you for a week or so.

The good news is that tourists can enjoy about 100 GB worth of local data and 100 local texts from all the three telecos. You read that right!

M1’s Tourist SIM, valid for 7 days, is priced at S$12. You can indulge on 500 minutes of local calls and 20 minutes of international calls. However, this sim does not include the roaming data.

Next up is Starhub! Starhub Travel Prepaid SIM will also take you back by S$12. It is the cheapest option with the most value. Why is this so? For one, it includes 500 minutes of local calls and 30 minutes of international calls. Additionally, it includes 1 GB worth of roaming data.

Lastly, you must highly consider the Singtel hi!Tourist EZ-Link SIM Card. This merges the need for transportation and communication. You see, this prepaid card has a stored EZ-link value of S$3. Buying a separate EZ-link card would cost you an additional of about S$15. What’s more? You can get multiple benefits tied to this prepaid card such as 25% off the Sentosa attractions.

The price of this prepaid card is S$18 including 500 minutes worth of local calls and 30 minutes of international calls. Moreover, it has 1 GB worth of roaming data. Imagine how much savings you can acquire by fusing all these services!

The bottom line is that different people can have different mobile usage when they travel. Examine your priorities and preferences when choosing the best prepaid sim card for your foreign friend.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

Read More...

Save With Certainty On Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan

The Open Electricity Market (OEM) has allowed households to switch from SP Group to other retailers to trim their electricity bills. While this has been a fantastic ride so far, it would be even better if households can make the switch with certainty on the following:

  • Knowing the unit rate to be paid across the entire duration of the contract
  • Enjoying the highest saving rate across the type of plans available

With so many fixed rate plans being offered in the market, consumers actually need to look no further than Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan to get the most bang for their buck. It offers one of the highest cost savings for a fixed price 24-month contract.

Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan

Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan is a 24-month fixed price contract where consumers pay only 17.78₵/kWh (price includes GST) instead of SP Group’s current regulated tariff of 24.39₵/kWh. This extremely low unit price is fixed for the entire duration of the contract. Furthermore, additional savings are thrown in as well:

  • $60 bill rebate;
  • Up to $50 one-time cash rebate for recurring payments made at Senoko Energy’s partner banks;
  • Up to 5% monthly bill rebate for recurring payments made with OCBC, Standard Chartered or UOB. Find out more about their bank partners here.

With such a low unit rate fixed across the duration of the entire contract, coupled with the excellent freebies thrown in, this makes Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan one of the lowest cost 24 months fixed rate plan in the market.

Highest savings amongst OEM Retailers for HDB 3/4/5 rooms, Condos and Landed properties

To illustrate why Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan is the lowest in town, let’s make a comparison across OEM retailers offering 24-month fixed rate plans based on SP’s average household electrical consumption.

Click on image to enlarge

Rates above are accurate as of 22nd May 2019.

Comparison are based on 24-month fixed rate plans with bill rebates factored, applied on national consumption patterns by dwelling types. Bank rebates are not yet included.

As seen in the above table, a comparable household staying in a 4-room HDB will enjoy 30.3% savings in electrical bills by switching from SP Group to Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan. The most important conclusion is that whether you are staying in a HDB 3-room or a condo apartment or even a landed house, Senoko Energy LifePower24 offers the highest savings rate amongst the OEM retailers compared. More importantly, Senoko Energy does not collect a security deposit when you make the switch.

Sign Up Now for up to $110 Bill Rebate

To milk the most out of this opportunity, consumers should quickly sign up for this limited-time promotion to enjoy up to $110 rebate. Hurry to lock in both the unit rate of your electricity bill and the greatest possible costs savings available in the market. Give your household the peace of mind and sign up with Senoko Energy LifePower24 Fixed Rate Plan now!

Legal Disclaimer: It is still important to exercise due diligence when choosing your retailer, so be sure to read the fact sheets and fine print.

Read More...

Why Are Apple iPhones So Expensive?

Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone, it has been a tradition for Singaporean consumers to queue up in the nearest Apple retailer. Apple fans participate in a childish display of smartphone rivalry between iPhone and its Android smartphone counterparts. Whichever side you are on, one thing remains the same. iPhones are so expensive!

Its hefty price is probably due to a combination of the following factors.

#1: GAINING FULL CONTROL

Whether you like it or not, an Apple iPhone comes with its own “ecosystem”. Apple designs and engineers not only the hardware of the phone, but also its software. The company gains a full control of your user experience.

Buying an iPhone entails purchasing its built-in apps and services such as Wallet, Pages, iMessage, FaceTime, and iCloud. Competitors may argue that they have similar features, but most of them rely on Android operating systems made by different companies including Google. It is natural for Apple to raise the prices of its phones as making both the hardware and software of a phone is resource intensive!

#2: MARKETING IT WELL

One cannot deny that Apple has brilliant marketing strategies. It positions itself as a higher-end product above its competitors. It became a status symbol for Singaporeans of the modern generation. This branding has worked thus far. However, I cannot be certain about its future.

You may be under the impression that iPhone sales are growing. That is not always the case! For the last few years, iPhone’s sales growth has been 5 % or less.

#3: HAVING SOFTWARE ASSURANCE

When purchasing an iPhone, you are also paying for the longevity of its software. I am referring to the consistent iOS updates and upgrades. These updates and upgrades can be downloaded by the owners of previous generation iPhones and iPads too. For instance, I still receive the latest software updates and upgrades from my iPhone 6.

Although Google releases Android upgrades periodically, these may not be readily available for many Android smartphones. This is due to the fact that there is a wide variation in hardware features, software types, and manufacturer preferences between Android smartphones. This resulted in a shorter software assurance, especially for older or less popular smartphone models.

#4: PRODUCING IS COSTLY

Apple iPhones are made of costly components such as the Gorilla Glass. This is why the overall product costs of iPhones are higher than many of its competitors. Although an Android smartphone has similar or better specifications than an iPhone, the latter is still costlier to built.

As a case study, let us put a spotlight on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. iPhone 6 costs about US$200 to US$247 to manufacture. While, an iPhone 6 Plus ranges between US$216 to US$263 to produce. The production costs alone can increase the selling price!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As of 2019, owning a new iPhone has never been more expensive. It is probably due to the aforementioned elements and more.

Sources: 1,2,& 3

Read More...