Following its previous launch in May where 11 new devices were introduced, Starmobile adds 12 more gadgets to its portfolio—three phones, five phablets, and four tablets—arriving at a grand total of 23 devices released in 2013 alone.
PHONES
All new phones run on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and dual-SIM/dual-standby/dual 3G support. Pre-installed into the three smartphones is Starmobile’s own Starmobile Sync app.
Starmobile Muse
The 5-inch Muse is considered as the successor of the Knight, sporting a Full HD multi-touch display and an 8MP front-facing camera in addition to its 18MP main camera. Both cameras come with backside illumination (BSI) technology meant to improve their low-light performance. What’s interesting about the front-facing camera is that it has its own LED flash, just like the rear camera, and it uses a wide-angle lens.
Although all models in Starmobile’s latest portfolio of smartphones have dual-SIM capabilities, the Muse is one of the few models that carry one regular SIM tray and one micro-SIM tray. It uses a 1.5GHz quad-core processor backed up by 1GB RAM, and comes with 16GB internal storage. The Muse costs PHP 12,990.
Starmobile Navi
Made specifically to help users with navigation, the Navi integrates GLONASS, a navigation system that utilizes Russian satellites in order to provide position information. Running on a 1.2GHz quad-core chip accompanied by 1GB of RAM, the device wields a 4-inch screen along with front (VGA) and rear (5MP BSI with autofocus) cameras. The Navi costs PHP 4,690, making it Starmobile’s most affordable quad-core offering. It comes with 4GB ROM.
Starmobile Like
Similar to the Navi, the Like also measures 4 inches, however, instead of a quad-core processor, the Like uses a dual-core chip clocked at 1.3GHz. It is also priced slightly lower than the Navi, retailing at an SRP of PHP 3,390. It comes with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory, plus front (VGA) and rear (8MP) cameras. A LED flash is located next to the camera on the rear.
Starmobile Neptune B503
The Neptune B503 is the only feature phone in the line-up of new additions, and it retails for PHP 999. In addition to its dual-SIM capabilities, it has a mobile TV feature, an FM radio, Bluetooth, a 2.4 QVGA screen, a rear camera, a web browser, and a microSD slot for expanding storage.
(Plus, it has a nifty flashlight! Yay!)
DIAMOND SERIES
Five new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean phablets with dual-SIM/dual-standby/dual 3G support have been added to Starmobile’s Diamond line-up. They are also equipped with Starmobile Sync.
Diamond D1
What is perhaps most interesting about the 5-inch Diamond D1 is its 3000mAh battery, but despite being able to incorporate a high-capacity battery, the device retains its size and relative slimness—a feat that is not easily achieved by devices with the same battery capacity. The D1 is roughly 10mm thin and is equipped with a five-inch qHD display overlaid with Dragontrail Glass—the local counterpart of Corning Gorilla Glass.
Both the 12MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing camera operate with BSI sensors and are equipped with autofocus. The D1 uses a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz accompanied by 1GB of RAM. 4GB of internal storage is included.
The device is now available in the market, retailing for PHP 7,990.
Diamond D2
Although it is not yet available until next month, the D2 is offered at the same price as the D1 (PHP 7,990). Despite the shared price tag, there are several differences between the two devices, and you’ll notice the biggest difference right away when you come face-to-face with them.
Shockingly huge, this aluminum-clad phablet measures 6.8 inches in size. It’s the largest non-tablet we’ve encountered so far, and it’s interesting that it comes from a local manufacturer. What’s also peculiar about the D2 is that its two SIM trays are both made to accommodate micro-SIM cards instead of regular SIM cards. Of course, with a bigger form factor, you’d need a bigger screen, and, consequently, a higher battery capacity than that of the 5-inch D1, which is why the D2 is equipped with a 3200mAh power pack.
Another key difference between the D1 and the D2 is that the former operates on a quad-core processor while the latter uses a dual-core chip. The D2 has 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage.
Screen resolution is also qHD, but the main camera gets a lower megapixel count than that of the D1, registering at 5MP. The front-facing camera produces VGA resolution.
Diamond S1
Sporting an exquisite curved display, the Diamond S1 is definitely one of Starmobile’s most elegant-looking devices. This five-incher is protected by Asahi Scratch-Resistant Glass and, like the Muse, features one regular SIM tray and one microSIM tray. It runs on a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 4GB internal storage. The rear (12MP) and (3MP) front cameras of the Diamond S1 both have AF and BSI technology. The device has a price tag of PHP 8,990 and will be available next month.
Diamond S3
The quad-core Diamond S3 measures 5.5 inches and sports a qHD multitouch display with a pixel density of 200ppi and OGS technology. Its main camera makes use of an 8MP BSI sensor with AF, while a 3MP shooter is located upfront. Similar to the Navi, the Diamond S3 incorporates GLONASS. It also comes with 1GB of RAM and 4GB internal storage. It has the same price as the Diamond S1 (PHP 8,990).
Diamond S2
Starmobile equips this 6-incher with a qHD display, a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB ROM, a 12MP BSI rear camera with AF, a 3MP BSI front camera, and scratch-resistant glass. Like the Muse and the Diamond S1, the Diamond S2 has one tray for regular SIM cards and one for micro-SIM cards. It comes with a magnetic flip cover. The device will be available next month at a retail price of PHP 9,990.
TABLETS
All the new models in Starmobile’s tablet range feature a minimum of 1GB of RAM, an Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS, and a provision for storage expansion up to 32GB.
Engage 7 TV
The old Engage 7 TV has been upgraded with version 4.2 (Jelly Bean) of Android, a dual-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz. It has a 7-inch multitouch display, 4GB internal storage, a 3MP rear camera, a VGA front camera, a 4000mAh battery, plus a special TV streaming function. It also supports 3.5G USB modems. The Engage 7 TV costs PHP 4,990.
Engage 7+
Equipped with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, the PHP 3,690 Engage 7+ boasts of an aluminum body, which is meant to make it extra durable. It has two cameras: a 2MP main camera on the rear and a VGA camera upfront. Like the Engage 7 TV, it also has support for any 3.5G USB modem. It also has a 3700mAh battery.
Engage 8 Quad
Starmobile promises superb mobile gaming with the Engage 8 Quad, which sports not only a quad-core processor, but also a dual-core video card. The Engage 8 Quad uses a 7.85-inch IPS display, but an HDMI output lets users connect their device to a bigger screen. It has a 5MP rear camera and a VGA front-facing camera, plus 8GB internal storage, 3.5G USB modem support, and a 3800mAh battery. The Engage 8 Quad costs PHP 6,990.
Engage 8 3G
The only tablet in the new line-up to have SMS and voice capabilities in addition to 3G support, the Engage 8 3G has a retail price of PHP 9,990 and will be available next month. It is also the only one in the roster of tablet additions to have Bluetooth connectivity. The device features a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, a 7.85-inch IPS XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) display, an 8MP rear camera, a 2MP front camera, a 3800mAh battery, and 8GB of internal storage.
Each new Starmobile gadget, upon its scheduled date of availability, can be purchased through any of Starmobile’s 45 stores/kiosks and over 900 partner resellers.