During the trip to Escolta, we visited the 168 Mall where goods can be bought at wholesale prices. One of the electronic products on sale is a mobile phone with TV and dual SIM capabilities.
This phone that costs 10,000 pesos bears the brand "PDA Phone" and is probably made in China (based on the Chinese characters in the opening screen). It features a touch screen and other basic features of a mobile phone.
Marketed as a PDA phone, it does not live up to my needs. It does not have a word or spreadsheet capability and does not even have a notes feature. It does have an alarm clock and to-do list.
It's TV capability offers analog TV and supposedly CATV capabilities. Its stylus acts as the antenna. Though the reception when we tested it is not that good (due to weak signals according to the sales person) it is free compared to the soon-to-be-pay-per-view myTV feature of a local service provider.
The phone's dual SIM capability allows a user to switch from one network to another by simply turning off the unit. This is good for us since we have a prepaid electronic loading business that requires two phones to use for both major networks (and we are running out of phones).
Sadly, the 10,000 peso unit is the only one with dual SIM. there are cheaper units with TV features but without the convenience of dual SIM.
For those interested, you can visit that stall at the 3rd floor of 168 Mall near the food court. 168 Mall is in the Divisoria District of the City of Manila, just a ride away from the Escolta station of the Pasig Ferry.
By the way, this is not a paid review. :)
