It’s either you’re a Globe user or a Smart loyalist—that’s the reality for many of us. After all, these two telecommunications juggernauts are the only ones dominating the game.
Globe Telecom, which is owned by the Ayala Corporation, is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most profitable companies in the country. As of 2021, it has more than 86 million subscribers.[1] PLDT-owned Smart, on the other hand, trails behind, racking up over 71 million users last year.[2]
But things are certainly about to change with the entry of DITO Telecommunity, the third major telco player. It has already launched its mobile data, 5G home WiFi, and basic text and call services.[3]
For now, let’s just focus on the duopoly of Globe and Smart. This edition of the Battle of the Brands will compare the two networks’ prepaid and postpaid mobile services. Moreover, this comprehensive Globe vs Smart guide will help you decide whether it’s much wiser to stick to your current network or make the switch.
We’ve also looked into the travel SIM packages offered by these companies to help OFWs/balikbayans and foreign tourists decide which service is much better for them.
Globe vs Smart Prepaid Services
As a regular consumer, you’re surely wondering which network offers the better prepaid service. Of course, you’re going to determine it through the rates and corresponding bundles of Globe Telecom vs. Smart Communications.
Prepaid Rates
With regard to prepaid offerings, both networks have almost identical services. But they differ in terms of the rates of calls to the same network and text roaming. [3] But if you focus on everyday use, you’ll notice that Smart fares better, particularly in the area of same-network calls.
Winner: Smart
Call and Text Promos
In this area, Globe Telecom clearly has a competitive edge over Smart. This is because all GoUNLI promos have unlimited texts and calls to other networks (yes, to all networks).
On top of that, their promos come with data. Some GoUNLI promos are even valid for 15 and 30 days. These promos are ideal for those who are looking to maximize their peso.
Smart All Out Surf promos, on the other hand, are valid for only seven days tops. While Smart promos have unlimited texts to all networks, you only get a specific number of minutes for calls within the same network.
Winner: Globe
Surf-Only Promos
Globe’s promos for data start from ₱15 to ₱2,499 with validity reaching up to 30 days, depending on the promo. Subscribers won’t only enjoy the network’s main data service. They also receive additional data allocations for their choice of apps, such as YouTube, Netflix, and some mobile games. On top of these, subscribers can enjoy 1GB of GoWiFi, which they can access at malls, transport terminals, and airports.
Smart GIGA promos, on the other hand, start from ₱50 to ₱699 with validity reaching up to 30 days, depending on the package. The data-only promos are a big advantage for people who always watch videos online. This is because a Smart GIGA Promo comes with a daily 1GB data allowance for video streaming, depending on the package you’ll avail.
Winner: Globe
Read more: 9 Apps That Can Help You Save Mobile Data
Combo Promos
Both Globe and Smart offer promos that combine call, text, and data.
Globe’s GoSAKTO lets prepaid subscribers choose a promo that suits their needs and budget. GoSAKTO promos start from ₱70 to ₱140 and are all valid for seven days. These are inclusive of data, unlimited texts to all networks, and unlimited calls to Globe and TM (for GoSAKTO120 and GoSAKTO140 only). To avail of the promo, subscribers just have to access the *143# menu or text the chosen promo code to 8080.
Meanwhile, Smartload promos range from ₱50 to ₱649. These suit different types of mobile data users. For video streaming enthusiasts, Giga Video promos include 1GB daily for YouTube, iflix, iWant TV, NBA League Pass, or Cignal Play.
Unlimited calls and texts can also be bundled with data that's allocated for the following apps: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Kumu, Grab, Lazada, Shopee, Viber, Microsoft Teams, and G Suite, among others.
Winner: Tie
As far as Globe vs. Smart combo promos are concerned, both networks offer packages that suit different types of prepaid subscribers. Globe’s GoSAKTO promos cater more to budget-conscious consumers, while Smart’s Giga promos appeal more to heavy users of video streaming, gaming, or social media apps.
Read more: How to Find the Best Prepaid or Postpaid Plan for Your Smartphone
Globe vs Smart Postpaid Plans
If you’re going to compare Globe vs Smart postpaid plans, you'll easily notice that they're neck and neck in this race. Both offer postpaid services that are SIM-only or can be bundled with a mobile device.
Here’s a Globe vs Smart comparison review to help you choose the better postpaid service provider for you.
SIM-Only Postpaid Plans
Evidently, Globe offers more SIM-only packages, starting from ₱599 to ₱2,499. Smart, meanwhile, has fewer offerings, starting from ₱599 to ₱2,999.
Both networks now offer unli landline calls. But what will definitely appeal to many consumers is Globe’s free GCash credits, which can be used for subscribing to premium content or accessing Globe product boosters. Smart seemingly counters this with its free Netflix and Apple Music subscription, which suits users who have a big appetite for content, such as TV, movies, and music.
Nevertheless, Globe takes the cake in this round with its value-added service that comes in the form of free 3GB of GoWiFi. You can access this in different Globe Telecom hotspots nationwide.
Winner: Globe
Postpaid Plans with Device
When it comes to Globe vs Smart postpaid plans with a free mobile device, the two offer almost the same services except for a few key ones. Both networks offer landline calls. But Smart only has limited minutes while Globe offers unli landline calls even with its cheapest bundle. On top of that, all GPlans come with free 3GB of GoWiFi.
If you’re leaning towards practicality, Globe is the clear-cut winner.
Winner: Globe
Read more: Documents to Secure When Applying for a Postpaid Plan
Globe vs Smart: 5G Availability
More than the prepaid promos and postpaid plans, a good measure of a mobile network’s performance is its 5G signal availability.
According to the April 2022 Mobile Network Experience Report by Opensignal,[4] Smart appears to have a more reliable 5G connection compared to Globe. The study found that Smart subscribers with a 5G device could connect to 5G signal 95.5% of the time, which is higher than Globe’s 92.0%.
When it comes to 5G reach, Smart still fares better with 4.4 points on a 0-10. Globe, on the other hand, only has 3.5 points.
Winner: Smart
Globe vs Smart: Mobile Data Connection Speed
Internet connection speed is an all-important factor for smartphone users today. When you compare Globe vs Smart, this is where Smart outperforms Globe. Overall, Smart mobile subscribers enjoy faster connection speeds than Globe.
The latest Opensignal report shows the difference between Globe vs Smart in five matrices: mobile video experience, download speed, upload speed, games experience, and voice app experience.
Mobile Video Experience
On a 100-point scale, Smart performs better with 39.5 points while Globe lands in second place with 30.8 points. This means that Filipinos have a better experience streaming videos with Smart. Smart’s 5G users experience the same quality of viewing experience.
Download Speed
Talking about download speeds, Smart is definitely winning the race. It boasts 19.7Mbps of download speed while Globe only has 11.9Mbps. Between them is DITO with a download speed of 14.8Mbps.
Upload Speed
DITO leads the category with a slight advantage over Smart. But between Smart and Globe, Smart offers a better upload speed of 4.5Mbps compared to Globe’s 3.0Mbps.
Games Experience
Smart is the clear winner when it comes to games experience with 54 points on a 100-point scale. Globe lags behind with 37.7 points. Note that games experience is analyzed by Opensignal using the following parameters: latency, packet loss, and jitter. The games tested are among the most popular real-time multiplayer titles, such as Fortnite, Pro Evolution Soccer, and Arena of Valor.
Voice App Experience
In an age where voice messaging apps are a norm, it’s only apt to consider the consumer’s experience with regard to their mobile voice app’s connectivity to the web. Smart leads this race with a 73.7 points out of a 100-point scale. Globe, meanwhile, places last with 67.5 points. Note that Opensignal used apps, such as Facebook Messenger, Skype, and WhatsApp, as the basis for its findings.
So, is Globe Faster than Smart?
If you’re basing the answer on the data we’ve provided, then yes. Opensignal’s most recent report even showed that Smart has won all the categories, from video experience to voice app experience, both on regular and 5G network. It’s also interesting to see that DITO is trying to come between the two established players. It has even dominated one area, which is the upload speed, where it only has a slight advantage over Smart.
Winner: Smart
Read more: 5G Internet in the Philippines?
Globe vs Smart Travel SIM
When it comes to Globe vs Smart traveler sim, it appears that the latter has more diverse offerings. And it’s noticeable that they’re packed with value-added services.
The price of Smart Tourism SIM starts from ₱349 to ₱1,999. Each SIM is inclusive of open access data (4GB to 36GB), additional 1GB data for social and chat apps, and unlimited texts and calls to all networks. Tourists can even have unlimited calls to landline numbers as long as they’re PLDT. The services are valid up to 30 days, depending on the plan that you avail of.
On the other hand, Globe Telecom has only three Traveler SIM packages. They all include data and unlimited calls and texts. But what may appeal to travelers is the free insurance through GInsure.
Winner: Smart
If you’re a balikbayan or a foreigner who's just planning to stay in the country for a week or more, Smart makes a better choice since it’s packed with data and practical features, such as unlimited texts and unlimited calls to all networks. Such services are necessary for reconnecting with your families and friends.
Globe vs Smart: Final Thoughts
In this Globe vs Smart comparison review, you might have noticed that each network has its own strengths. With its wide range of offerings and data packages, Globe has clearly dominated the prepaid promos and postpaid plans. On the other hand, when it comes to data speed and reliability, Smart is at the top of its game.
However, after tallying the scores, Smart emerged as the victor of this edition of Battle of the Brands. Nevertheless, the dynamics between the two networks will change eventually since DITO has already entered the game.
So, are you going to stay with your network or make the switch? Remember that everything will depend on your budget, needs, and mobile usage (i.e., the number of apps you use and how often you use data). You must also consider the network provider of the people you frequently communicate with.
But if you want to test things yourself, why not use both networks? After all, most phones can carry two SIM cards.
Sources:
- [1] Globe Nets ₱21.2 Billion in 2021, Commits ₱89-Billion Capex for 2022 (Rappler, 2022)
- [2] Smart Leads First Responders, Load Assistance Amid Odette’s Wrath (Yahoo Finance, 2021)
- [3] Dito 5G Home WiFi
- [4] Opensignal Mobile Network Experience Report 2022
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