Latest Galaxy phone now in Philippines

A handout photo released by Samsung Electronics on May 4, 2012, shows the company's latest smartphone, the Galaxy S3, which was made available to the Philippine market on June 1. AFP/HO/SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS

MANILA, Philippines—The new Galaxy S3 smartphone made by South Korea electronics giant Samsung, touted by many as the “iPhone killer,” landed on Philippine shores last week, heating up competition between devices in one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets.

The country’s top telecommunications companies likewise unveiled their new postpaid packages designed specifically for the Samsung flagship device, which runs on Google’s Android operating system. The Galaxy S3 was made available on June 1.

“Dubbed as the most human phone yet, the Samsung Galaxy S III boasts of highly intelligent features that are easy to use but exceptionally powerful,” Ayala-led Globe Telecom said in a statement.

“Get the best and most competitive offers for the Samsung Galaxy S III from Globe. You are even empowered to choose what data plan best fits your needs…. We are happy to offer these superior plans to our growing postpaid subscriber base so that they can continue to enjoy Globe Postpaid their way,” said Peter Bithos, Globe’s senior advisor for the consumer business.

“For a worry-free experience, we have also set in place our Globe Guarantee of no bill shock and 24/7 exclusive access to our expanded customer service channels, backed up by a stronger and more reliable Globe network nationwide.”

With Globe, users can opt to get the new Galaxy on postpaid Plan 999, which offers unlimited data, or the Plan 1799, also with unlimited data, but includes a monthly consumable amount for calls and texts.

Mobile market leader Smart Communications, on the other hand, said the new phone would come free at the company’s “Data Plan 2000,” which gives one gigabyte worth of Internet usage, plus consumable voice minutes and text messages.

“We are very excited to have the Samsung Galaxy S III on board, demonstrating once more that Smart continues to offer Filipinos the best selection of Android-powered smartphones in the country,” Smart broadband Internet and data services head Lloyd Manaloto said.

The new Galaxy sports an 8-megapixel camera, a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display, 4G mobile connectivity, and the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

Features unique to the Galaxy include “human” functions that make it easier to use.

For instance, users can simply tell the phone to go on “snooze” mode whenever its alarm goes off.

The new “Smart Stay” function ensures that the display never dims while a user is looking at it.

Just a month after its launch, the new Samsung S3 has dislodged the Apple iPhone 4S as the best-selling smartphone in many markets around the world.

Earlier this year, Samsung replaced Finnish phone maker Nokia as the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer.