SITEX 2012 - Telco, Tablets, GPS & Mobile Accessories Buying Guide
Sitex 2012 isn't complete if the telcos are not there and the good news is, they are! And right after buying your chosen mobile device, why not head on down to get some accessories? Here's a quick list to help you out!
Mobile Deals
The last tech show of 2012, SITEX, is now on at the Singapore Expo. Till the 25th of November, the expo will span three halls (4B, 5, and 6), and the doors will be opened from 11am to 9pm daily. In this segment, we highlight noteworthy items related to all things mobile, including the best deals from the telcos and internet service providers. And if you are looking to complement that latest smartphone or tablet purchase, there's also a wide range of mobile accessory deals at the SITEX 2012 show.
Buying Guide Index
Sitex 2012 Shopping Resources
Remember to check out the HardwareZone Tech Show Portal for the latest consolidated shopping resources and updates.
Broadband Plans
At every IT fair, the three telcos in Singapore, namely SingTel, StarHub and M1 come up with all forms of special bundles, all in the hopes of enticing you to sign up for a two-year mobile or broadband plan. There's a wide variety of discounted plans and freebies to choose from, so here are some of the deals that you might not want to miss out at Comex 2012.
M1 (Hall 5, Booth 5F01, 5G10)
M1 100Mbps / 200Mbps Fibre Broadband Offer
M1 currently offers the most affordable fibre home broadband plan at $39 per month (100Mbps) with a two-year contract. You can sign up for the 200Mbps bundle at an additional $10 per month ($49/month). For both offers, you get a free mobile broadband mData 1GB (7.2Mbps), home fixed voice service, and free installation of Optical Network Terminal.
- Sitex Price: $39/month for 100Mbps, $49/month for 200Mbps
- Promotion: Free Mobile Broadband mData 1GB (7.2Mbps), Home Fixed Voice Service and Waiver of Optical Network Terminal Installation.
Free Acer Aspire V5 Touch with Fibre Broadband 100Mbps Sign-up
M1 is bundling free Windows 8 laptop devices with fibre broadband and mobile plan sign-ups. At SITEX 2012, you can get a free Acer Aspire V5 Touch (Intel Core i5-3317U processor, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, 14-inch, 10-point multi-touch screen), when you sign for either of the fibre broadband plans:
- 100Mbps + Home Fixed Voice Service + Mobile Broadband mData 1GB (7.2Mbps) at $75 / month
- 100Mbps + Home Fixed Voice Service + ValueSurf+ Plan at $79 / month
- Promotion: Free Acer Aspire V5 Touch worth $1,398. Upgrade to Acer Aspire V7 Ultrabook at $550 (worth $1,998).
MyRepublic (Level 6, Booth 6006, 6380)
24-month Contract Sign-Ups
When you sign up for 24 months of MyRepublic 100Mbps fibre broadband, you will enjoy a wavier of the standard one-time installation and activation charge (worth $128.40) plus 6 months of subscription fee (worth $354 or more).
- Pure Plan: $59 per month; GAMER Plan: $69
- Promotion: Enjoy free 6 months for the 10th, 11th, 12th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th months of your plan.
Free Service Installation + Free Acer Aspire S7 Windows 8 Ultrabook
Sign up for MyRepublic PURE 100Mbps Fibre Broadband at $109.90/month with a two-year contract can get the Acer Aspire S7 Windows 8 Ultrabook (worth $1898) free. The Acer Aspire S7 Windows 8 Ultrabook is equipped with a 11.6-inch display, an Intel Core i5-3317U processor, 128GB flash storage and 4GB RAM.
- Pure Plan: $109.90/month; Gamer Plan: $119.90/month
- Promotion: Immediate stocks limited. For sign-ups at SITEX booths, collection is on the spot after verification of credit card is done. Otherwise, redemption letter will be issued for later collection. Stocks will arrive in early December.
SingTel (Hall 5, 5E01)
SingTel Fibre Broadband Plan + Home Line Packages
Looking for a fibre broadband and home line package? Look no further as SingTel currently offers three different packages to suit your needs. The basic package, consisting of 150Mbps fibre broadband + Home Line, costs $49.90 per month with a two-year contract. All three packages come with a free 7.2Mbps mobile broadband (1GB).
- SITEX Price: 150Mbps ($49.90 / month), 200Mbps ($59.90 / month), 300Mbps ($79.90 / month)
- Promotion: Free Wireless Modem worth $188, 10GB SingTel Store & Share account
SingTel Fibre Broadband Bundle
SingTel offers one of the most comprehensive fibre home broadband packages at SITEX 2012. It has two fibre broadband bundles: 100Mbps and 300Mbps. Each bundle come with a Home Line (15% discount on v019 calls) and mioTV Family+ ( over 38 different channels from Entertainment, News, Education, Lifestyle, Asian, Kids and Sports,10% discount on additional mioTV content)
- SITEX Price: 100Mbps ($69.90 / month), 300Mbps ($99.90 / month)
- Promotion: Free Wireless modem worth $188 and 10GB SingTel Store & Share account.
StarHub (Hall 5, Booth 5C01)
MaxInfinity Elite 150Mbps Fibre Home Broadband Plan at $49.90 / month
Haven't jumped on the fibre broadband bandwagon? Try StarHub MaxInfinity Elite 150Mbps fibre home broadband plan at $49.90 / month with a two-year contract.
- SITEX Price: $49.90 / month (Usual: $82.18)
- Promotion: Free7.2Mbps mobile broadband (1GB), Wireless Home Gateway and SafeSurf Online.
Free Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch with Fibre Broadband Plan Signup
If you find the speeds provided by cable broadband to be insufficient for your needs, why not consider StarHub's MaxInfinity Platinum package (200Mbps) at $128 per month on a two-year contract where you get a free Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch (worth $1688)?
Its specs include a 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB L3 cache, 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory, 500GB HDD, and a 13.3-inch LED-backlit display (1280 x 800 pixels).
- SITEX Price: $128 / month
- Promotion: Free 7.2Mbps mobile broadband (1GB) and SafeSurf Online.
Mobile Phones with Two-Year Contract Plans
Rather purchase a phone with a two-year contract to offset the high RRP of the device? Fret not, we select the best phone deals from M1 and StarHub at SITEX 2012. For those who want to find our more about 4G/LTE phones and technology matters, do check out our guide!
M1 (Hall 5, Booth 5F01, 5G10)
LG Optimus 4X HD
Looking for a capable 3G phone? The LG Optimus 4X HD is arguably a good option to look at as it comes powered by NVIDIA's quad-core Tegra 3 processor, a 4.7-inch true HD IPS display and a 2050mAh battery. Plus, it is one of the more affordable quad-core Android smartphone devices in the market right now, so if you are on a tight budget but still want performance, this is a device to keep your eyes on.
- SITEX Price: $68 with mobile plan at $59/month (2-year contract)
- More Information: HWZ Review
Huawei Ascend P1
If you are in the market for an affordable mid-tier Android device, the Huawei Ascend P1 is certainly a good bargain at $48 for a $39/month plan. Running on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Ascend P1 is equipped with a capable dual-core 1.5GHz Cortext-A9 processor and a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass, sufficient for day-to-day productivity.
- SITEX Price: $48 with mobile plan at $39/month (2-year contract)
- More Information: HWZ Review
StarHub (Hall 5, Booth 5C01)
HTC One X+
If you are looking for a non-LTE Android smartphone, the HTC One X+ may be the one for you. Boasting a solid polycarbonate unibody, the One X+ is well-designed and offers great handling. It is equipped with a 4.7-inch Super LCD 2 display, which is one of the best in the market at the moment.
In terms of processing power, the One X+ is no slouch when compared to the competition as it has a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core 1.7GHz chipset and 1GB RAM. Top it off with the buttery smooth Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the user-intuitive Sense 4+ and 64GB internal storage, the One X+ ranks among the top quad-core smartphones in the market today.
- SITEX Price: $168 with SmartSurf Value at $58/month
- Promotion: Free Ukulele + Canon printer total worth $208. Top-up $68 and get a Beats Solo headset worth $399
- More Information: HWZ Review
LG Optimus Vu
Want a phone that stands out from the rest? Get the LG Optimus Vu as it has a unique 4:3 screen ratio that will offer better readability by minimizing the chances of having to zoom in. Hence, the Optimus Vu is perfect for consumers who read a lot on their devices.
It has one of the largest displays at 5.0-inch, and is powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core 1.5GHz processor and 1GB RAM. Other specs include an 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera, 32GB internal memory and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
- SITEX Price: $99 with SmartSurf Value at $58/month
- Promotion: Free 5200mAh mobile charger + Leather casing total worth $186 + can get the LG Pocket Photo Printer at $99 (U.P $249) only
- More Information: HWZ Review
Smartphones
For those who do not like to be tied down by telco contracts and is in need of a phone urgently while still in contract, there are a few good options that you should check out at SITEX 2012.
ASUS (Hall 5, Booth 5A18, 5B10, 5B40, 5G20; Hall 6, Booth 6C01, 6C10, 6D30, 6E30)
ASUS Padfone 2
The ASUS PadFone 2 is one of the most versatile mobile device we've seen to-date, given its ability to "transform" into a fully functional 10.1-inch tablet when docked into the PadFone Station. Sporting the latest mobile processor, a 4.7-inch display with one of the best panel technologies, superb imaging performance and a solid design, the ASUS PadFone 2 is ready to fight with the big guys in the market.
- SITEX Price: $1099 (32GB phone + station), $1239 (64GB phone + station)
- Promotion: Free PadFone 2 Station Sleeve (worth S$68).
- More Information: HWZ Review
Nokia (Hall 5, Booth 5E41)
Nokia Asha 311
Looking for an affordable smartphone that's not Android or iOS or Windows Phone 8? Well, there you have it from Nokia. The Asha 311 powers on a 1GHz processor and features a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen display, a 3.2-megapixel camera, and utilizes the Nokia Browser 2.0.
- SITEX Price: $158
- Usual Price: $198
- Promotion: Free Bluetooth headset (worth $48) and free EA games downloads (up to 40 games)
Nokia Lumia 610
The Nokia Lumia 610 might be slightly last-gen but its affordability will bowl you over, especially if you are looking for a functional device within a tight budget. Operating on the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango platform, the smartphone allows for easy access to games via Xbox Live, and instant access to social networks. It also features a 3.7-inch display with pinch zoom and a 5-megapixel camera.
- SITEX Price: $258
- Usual Price: $398
- Promotion: Free portable charger (worth $59) + free 2013 calendar
- More Information: HWZ Review
Samsung (Hall 6, Booth 6D20)
Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
Sporting a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A9 processor, the 4.8-inch Galaxy S III LTE runs on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean platform and is loaded with features including the S Beam, AllShare Cast, and NFC connectivity.
- SITEX Price: $898
- Usual Price: $998
- Promotion: Free Cable and USB Flash Drive
- More Information: HWZ Review
Samsung Galaxy Note II LTE
Driven by a 1.6GHz quad-core processor, the 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note II (16GB) runs on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean platform and comes preloaded with a suite of features including Quick Command, where users can quickly activate frequently used apps with the new longer and thicker S Pen, Multiple Windows, Popup Play and Smart Stay. On the other hand, a large 3100mAh battery capacity ensures that it attends to your every need throughout a busy day. In terms of software innovations.
- SITEX Price: (16GB) - $998 (Without Contract)
- More Information: HWZ Review
Tablets
Android tablets are on the rampage again at SITEX 2012 with Android 4.0 and smaller 7-inch form factors making its presence felt in more devices. Here are some Android tablets that may suit your budget.
ASUS (Hall 5, Booth 5A18, 5B10, 5B40, 5G20; Hall 6, Booth 6C01, 6C10, 6D30, 6E30)
Google Nexus 7
As the first tablet to garner our Editor's Choice Award, the Google Nexus 7 is currently the best Android tablet at the moment. Offering solid build quality, great handling and a lightweight form factor, the Nexus 7 is perfect for multimedia consumption on-the-go.
Coupled with NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the user experience is top-notch. Being a Nexus device, you are almost guaranteed to receive timely software updates straight from Google ahead of the other Android vendors.
- SITEX Price: $349 (16GB Wi-Fi), $399 (32GB Wi-Fi)
- Usual Price: $399 (16GB Wi-Fi)
- More Information: HWZ Review
Samsung (Hall 6, Booth 6D20, 6F30; Hall 5, Booth 5A28)
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (3G + WiFi)
Fancy a tablet with a stylus? Well, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has one of the best implementation of a stylus concept in a tablet. Branded as the S Pen, it allows you to actually create content on the Galaxy Note 10.1 using the suite of S Pen-optimized apps such as S Note to take down notes and sketch drawings.
You will also find innovative software features such as Smart Stay and true multitasking capabilities via Multi-Screen and Pop-up Play on the Galaxy Note 10.1. A recommended buy for students and consumers who are keen on its content creativity.
- SITEX Price: $698
- Usual Price: $998
- Promotion: Free 16GB MicroSD card (worth $18)
- More Information: HWZ Review
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 (3G + WiFi)
Looking for an iPad Mini alternative? The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 is one you can consider. Driven by a 1.4GHz dual-core application processor, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 runs on the Android Honeycomb (upgradeable to ICS 4.0) and features HSPA+, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, all on its Super AMOLED Plus display.
- SITEX Price: $598
- Usual Price: $898
- Promotion: Free 16GB MicroSD card + mystery gift + Samsung Bluetooth headset
- More Information: HWZ Review
Toshiba (Hall 6, Booth 6A00, 6A01, 6E30; Hall 5, Booth 5E20)
Toshiba REGZA AT270-10003 (3G)
In the market for a small tablet? The Toshiba Regza Tablet AT270 runs on a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core 1.2GHz processor and 1GB RAM. And best yet, it comes with an ebook-friendly 7.7-inch AMOLED display and 32GB onboard memory.
- SITEX Price: $787
- Usual Price: $899
- Promotion: Free 1 year Norton Tablet Security and Toshiba 16GB SD/MicroSD card
- More Information: HWZ Review
GPS Devices
Compared to smartphones with GPS capabilities, dedicated GPS devices are still considered better navigation tools as they generally provide turn-by-turn navigation on a bigger display. Here are some of the deals we found at Sitex 2012:
Garmin (Hall 5, 5H38)
Garmin Forerunner 10
Branded as Garmin's simplest GPS running watch, the Forerunner 10 should appeal to mainstream consumers with its simple training features such as Virtual Pacer, run/walk feature and Garmin Connect. The watch keeps track of how far and how fast you run, as well as your calories.
- SITEX Price: $199
Nuvi 50LM
One of its key features is its 5-inch display, which allows you to view the maps and routes comfortably on the move. As it comes with free lifetime maps support, you will save money in the long term. It also has a speed limit indicator to alert you if you are travelling beyond the speed limit.
- SITEX Price: $189
- Promotion: Free lifetime maps
Marbella (Hall 5, Booth 5G42; Hall 4B, Booth 4F40)
Marbella Geomate 500
The Marbella Geomate 500 comes equipped with a built-in FM transmitter which allows playing music from the GPS via the car stereo and a huge 5-inch TFT LCD panel. That aside, other specs include a SiRF Atlas V 666Hz processor, 128MB SDDR RAM and 4GB internal memory. Comes preloaded with five country maps - Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia.
- SITEX Price: $199
- Usual Price: $299
- Promotion: Free Marbella MR2 Roadcorder worth $189, Buy 1 Get 1 Free (limited to 50 units per day only)
Marbella N50
The Marbella N50 features a Samsung 400mHz processor, a 5.0-inch TFT LCD panel, 128MB SDDR RAM and 2GB internal memory. Comes preloaded with five country maps - Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia.
- SITEX Price: $159
- Usual Price: $189
- Promotion: Free Marbella assorted accessories worth $152
Mobile Accessories
Battery packs. Casings. Bluetooth headsets. These are just some of the necessary accessories to complete your smartphone or tablet experience - if you're looking to improve your smartphone's battery life, or wish to stream your music wirelessly via a Bluetooth headset, here's are some of the highlights from SITEX 2012:
Energizer (Hall 5, Booth 5G40)
Energizer XP2000
With most smartphones struggling to last through a day, the Energizer XP2000 is a recommended buy. With a power capacity of 2000mAh, the XP2000 can provide up to 1 full charge. It is compatible with different phones via its range of cell phone tips (Nokia, miniUSB, microUSB) and an iPhone charging cable.
- SITEX Price: $49.00
- Usual Price: $69.90
Energizer XP4003
For people who carry two devices with them (tablet + smartphone, 2 smartphones, smartphone + audio player), the Energizer XP4003 is a must-have as it has dual outputs for charging two devices simultaneously. Its power capacity is rated at 4,000mAh and weighs 150g.
- SITEX Price: $79.00
- Usual Price: $99.90
Plantronics (Hall 5, Booth 5B10; Hall 6, Booth 6E01, 6E20)
Plantronics BackBeat 903+ Premium-NP
The Plantronics BackBeat 903+ is the perfect companion for workouts, commuting and home usage. It should work with most Bluetooth devices including the iPhone, other smartphones and audio players. Keep track of the battery status via the voice alerts.
- SITEX Price: $129
- Usual Price: $249
- Promotion: Free Plantronics Bluetooth Transmitter worth $100. While stocks l
Plantronics Marque M155
The Plantronics M155 is one the lightest Bluetooth headsets you can find in the market. Weighing at just 7g, the M155 packs a lot of advanced features in its highly compact size. It allows voice-guided pairing with Android or iOS smartphones. Voice recognition is also supported on the headset, which allows you to answer or ignore calls completely hands-free.
- SITEX Price: $98
- Usual Price: $119
- Promotion: Free Plantronics microUSB car charger worth $39
Nubox (Hall 6, Booth 6E20)
TuneWear Soft Shell Case for iPhone 5
Worried about scuffing your vulnerable iPhone 5? The TuneWear Softshell case is made from a soft, flexible TPU material that will not scratch your case by protecting your iPhone 5 from bumps. The best yet, the translucent material allows the Apple logo on the iPhone 5 to show through. To further decorate your smartphone, the case comes with strap holes near the camera that would accommodate a phone strap.
- SITEX Price: $14.90
- Usual Price: $29.90
Synaps Portable Battery (2600mAh)
Looking for a portable juice box? The small and cute Synaps 2600mAh battery bar allows to charge several smartphone devices, ranging from the regular iOS devices and Android smartphones. Available in several candy colors and is small enough to carry around.
- SITEX Price: $59.00
- Usual Price: $26.50
Tech@Vogue (Hall 6, Booth 6B10)
Woodlot Diary for Samsung Galaxy S III
Looking for something unique and eco-looking case to dress your new Galaxy S III in? The Woodlot Diary case is a great option to start.
- SITEX Price: $35.90
- Usual Price: $59.80
Powerocks Stone 3 Portable Mobile Dual USB Powerbank
The Powerocks Stone 3 Dual USB Powerbank comes with a whopping 7800mAh capacity that will allow you to charge all mobile phones, smart phones, laptops and notebooks on-the-go. If you have the whole portfolio of iOS devices, including the Apple iPhone 4S and the Apple iPad, you might want to consider a purchase.
- SITEX Price: $63.00
- Usual Price: $105.00
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