Smart Netphone 701 Specs, Price and Release Date in Philippines

Smart NetPhone 701 mini review: Specs, price and release date in Philippines

Smart has recently introduced and rolled-out their Smart Netphone 701. The unit is actually a smart branded Android phone showcasing the SmartNet Ecosystem. Lets dissect it topic further, the unit itself Netphone 701 and SmartNet.

To give you a little trivia or FYI, Smart’s Netphone 701 is actually not a brand new model. It’s actually the ZTE Blade from China, re-branded by Smart to NetPhone 701. Specifications and design are more or less the same.

The Phone: Smart NetPhone 701

Here is the complete specifications of Smart Netphone 701 a.k.a ZTE Blade:

• Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo
• CPU: 600MHz ARMM 11 processor
• GPU: Adreno 200
• Chipset: Qualcomm MSM7227
• Memory: 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM
• External Memory: microSD up to 32GB
• Display: 3.5 inch LCD capacitive touchscreen (4800×800 pixels)
• Camera: 3 megapixel autofocus (2048 x 1536)
• DATA: HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps
• WLAN: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth: Version 2.1
• Features: Stereo FM, AGPS, SMS, WAP, HTML, MP3 and more.
• Dimension: 116 x 56.5 x 11.8mm
• Weight: 110g
• Battery: Li-Ion 1250 mAh

The Smart Netphone 701 specs is not that impressive. It’s obviously not a high-end phone, for me this phone sits somewhere between an entry level smartphone and a mid level phone.

It has a black and silver color and a matte finish that prevents the phone from slipping out from your hands. The quality of display seems to be fare and comparable to other smart phones, and also its aesthetics.

Although it’s weight vs size ratio is somewhat bothering me. It’s kinda light for its size. Just like comparing a branded PSU (power supply) and a generic PSU. Branded ones like Corsair or Silverstone are usually heavier compared to a generic PSU.

This unit is a little bit impressive considering its price and believe me, if you want performance and more functionality, your better off buying an open line smartphone with better specifications and features. Well that’s just my humble opinion though.

SmartNet Ecosystem

In my opinion, Smart is not trying to sell or impress you with the Netphone 701. I think, that is not their main “product” here. It’s actually SmartNet.

SmartNet is their own system, a mobile social network and a service targeting people who are always (or most of the time) connected or use the social networking to communicate and stay connected with their friends, colleagues, family and etc.

You see, social networking sites like Facebook is actually killing text messaging and cellphone calls. People now use Facebook to communicate and chat, they use twitter, email or do video calls. And the best part of it, it’s totally FREE in social networking sites.

That’s why smart has to innovate and come up with a “plan” to keep up with what consumers are looking for. Thus born SmartNet.

SmartNet features the following:

• Smart Center – SMART Customer Service Assistant
• Netphone Messenger – Send message from your phone for free
• FX Messaging – Let’s you send short video messages
• Social Stream – For Twitter and Facebook
• Global Directory – A directory for SmartNet users

See also Smart’s promotional video of SMART Netphone – Stay Online All the Time for Free:

Smart Netphone 701 pricing

Smart Netphone price is Php9,900 for prepaid kits. And for postpaid accounts, the Netphone 701 is priced at Php 4,800 at Plan 500 and Php 2,900 at Plan 800. The unit is free starting at Plan 1200 up to Plan 3500.

Just a reminder, according to Smart’s advertisement you can stay online all the time for FREE, but with a little condition. The “FREE” period is valid until December 31, 2011 only. After that, you will be paying every time you access the net!

My Verdict

The unit it self is decent enough considering it’s price, for only Php 9,990 you get a decent smartphone. For some, they might consider the Netphone 701 a so-so phone. Downside, you are stuck with Android 2.2 Froyo. No updates are supported.

I would consider this Smart Netphone 701 and the whole SmartNet ecosystem to be a good investment, BUT from this day until December 31, 2011 only. That’s actually the period when web browsing or connecting to the internet is FREE. Also if you don’t have a smartphone yet, and you are considering to buy one but you have a tight budget, this would be a nice option. But if you already have a smartphone like iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S II and the likes, better stay with it or use this phone as your backup unit.

But generally, I still think you are better off with an open line unit. I consider upgrade-ability, updates and functionality. Think, HTC, Samsung or iPhone. I heard that iPhone will be releasing a cheaper version of iPhone 4 or iPhone 5.

Still this is just my opinion. Hope you like this article. ^_^