iPhone 4S Globe and Smart
Competition is expected to be the critical driver of performance and innovation in business. The benefir accrues to everyone by allowing them to choose from an array of excellent products at affordable prices. Competition also encourages the adoption of innovation as companies evolve and new ideas flourish in the marketplace.

It appears that competition is the reason right now why both Smart Communications Inc. (SMART) and GLOBE Telecoms are offering their clients the "best iPhone ever" – iPhone 4S. Among its new features are its dual core A5 processor, a 10-megapixel still camera with 1080p video capture, and its ability to connect to 4G HSPA networks.

For three years running, GLOBE has the monopoly of the lucrative iPhone market. That ended on 16 December 2011 after SMART launched their own iPhone 4S offerings. This is significant for the latter because it will be the first time that iPhones will be offered to its 47 million network users.

So what's the difference between the two network's iPhone 4S plan? The price won’t be much of a factor since the level will stabilize later or if not, the difference will be very negligible. There must be something that the consumers would like to see if ever they want to part ways with their hard-earned money.

"We invite everyone to put our phones side by side with those of the competition and see for themselves just why Smart is the best choice," said Smart chief wireless adviser Orlando Vea.

The challenge of side-by-side testing was accepted by a local blog, www.unblog.ph. A barrage of speed tests were made in different parts of Metro Manila using two units of iPhone 4S with unlimited data activated from the two networks.

The test parameters are the following:
  • Speedtest iOS app is the main measurement tool.

  • DL speed has more priority than UL speed. However if DL speeds are too close to call the blog looked at the UL speeds as well and Ping.

  • Server was set to Hong Kong to make sure of telco neutrality in the results.

  • www.unblog.ph also did some Youtube HD downloads
The result: SMART iPhone 4S performed better in all eight (8) areas in terms of DL speed. GLOBE fared better in only two (2) areas out of eight (8) in terms of UL speed.

The blog reminded its readers that the test is 100 percent conclusive since there are tons of factors that can affect mobile data speed like congestion and weather. However, if the consumers will be tied up for two years with one network, it is better to use something close to a scientific and evidence-based than nothing at all. Many consumers are well-aware that listening and watching movie stars promote products from GLOBE and SMART are not enough. Most would like to get the value for their money.