But who says you can’t have fun with the Fold? 

While Michael Josh rocked the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, I had the pleasure of taking the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 around Seoul. 

Great for Reels 

One thing I really enjoyed using the Galaxy Z Fold5 for is shooting and editing Reels/Shorts/TikToks. I’ll just call it reels from here on out. 

Its long and narrow form-factor when folded lends itself nicely for taking vertical videos. I said the same thing for the Galazy Z Fold4 a year ago. It’s even better now that the hinge closes the Fold fully. 

It also helped that I was in Seoul for the first time ever and enjoyed my time in the city. This first reel was primarily taken while I was with the Philippine media team dining and roaming around. 

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I typically don’t enjoy the experience of editing videos on a smartphone. But that wasn’t the case with the Galaxy Z Fold5 because I had a larger screen to work with. I fired up CapCut and edited a minute-long clip for about 30 minutes while replying to chats and doom scrolling in between. 

I did the same thing when my friend and former work colleague took me to the Spotify x NewJeans pop-up event. 

It was quite a bit of a wait to get in so we decided to grab something to eat first. Fortunately, we were close to Ikseon-Dong which is quite a “hip” spot in Seoul. There were plenty of cafe’s, shops for trinkets, photobooths, and many more. 

We were having our fill of dessert when we realized we had to dash to the pop-up event. Thankfully, we made it in time and went through the pop-up without being super shy. 

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Seoul snaps

The cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold5 are unchanged, hardware-wise, from its predecessor:

• 50MP Wide-angle Camera Dual Pixel AF, OIS, f/1.8
• 10MP Telephoto Camera PDAF, f/2.4
• 12MP Ultra Wide Camera f/2.2

In terms of the photos produced, it’s your typical Samsung color science which tends to have high contrast and sharpness. More than anything, the images that come out are usually social media ready. 

Sharing some of the ones I took in Seoul: 

Food 

This lunch at Moonts somewhere in Seongdong-gu was nothing short of a feast.

This was somewhere in Myeong-dong. We had Chicken and Beer without the Beer.

I ate at Goobne pizza because of LE SSERAFIM.

Streets and sights 

I roamed around Gangnam, Seongdong-gu, Jong-no, and Myeong-dong with media colleagues and friends.

In Seongdong-gu, Samsung prepared a few spots where people can check out the new foldables.

A few more shots of various streets in Seoul.

Bright night scenes

Some parts of Seoul can be really stunning at night.

Hongdae was buzzing.

People 

I didn’t have a lot of chances to take portrait photos. But these candid-ish shots from the lovely people I hung out with have a general feel-good vibe.

Rush lunch at a convenience store, channeling the K-Pop trainee energy lol.

Might be the only selfie, using the actual selfie cam, I took.

K-Pop adjacent things 

As a K-Pop enjoyer, I naturally had to take snaps of the ads around the city featuring some of my faves.

The BT21 x NewJeans store. Actual merch weren’t available yet when I took this photo.

One of my other main girls outside of Momo. Spotted a Kim Chaewon ad and had to take a snap.

IVE was practically everywhere.

Beyond just more screen real estate

Outside of video and photo-taking things, I really enjoyed the large screen on the Galaxy Z Fold5. And it goes beyond giving your more screen real estate. 

Some apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook now adapt their layout to the screen’s orientation. Instead of just being a blown-up version of the smartphone, certain UI elements now take advantage of the extra display space. The navigation buttons on Facebook are flushed to the right. The comments section on TikTok appear on the right hand side with the video still in full view. This is in contrast to other foldables without this kind of software integration which completely obscures the video. 

Do not touch Momo

Speaking of video watching, it’s such a joy on the large screen. Most of the time you really don’t see crease in the middle, especially if you’re holding it straight up. The crease only appears if you view it from certain tilted angles. I brought a tablet with me as in flight entertainment heading into South Korea. But on the flight back, I relied only the Galaxy Z Fold5 for that purpose and the screen space didn’t leave me wanting. 

Work mode

Work doesn’t necessarily spark joy for most people. But completing tasks on the Galaxy Z Fold5 has been quite enjoyable for me. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve been using a tablet as sort of my more-mobile-and-compact laptop alternative. However, since I got my hands on the Galaxy Z Fold5, I’ve found myself not needing the tablet as much. 

I handle plenty of correspondence both internally and externally. This ranges from emails, text messages, and various chat apps. I find handling these on the Galaxy Z Fold5 better than on a generally larger tablet. 

Additionally, I’m also able to copy edit articles on-the-go with the Fold in hand. And in certain occassions, I even do some writing myself. In fact, parts of this review were written using the Galaxy Z Fold5. 

Narrow screen, general thickness 

My personal gripes with the Galaxy Z Fold5 generally align with most criticisms about it. Despite the improved hinge, it still feels pretty thick. And that narrow screen is pretty tough to use for regular phone browsing. 

Samsung really needs to rethink the folded form factor. If it can improve on that, then they can have a firmer hold on the book-style foldable market. Outside of being easy to hold for photo and video taking, there’s no real advantage to the narrow cover screen.

As it stands, I find the OPPO Find N2 and the Huawei Mate X3 to be superior book-style designs. Hopefully, Samsung improves this aspect on the Galaxy Z Fold6. 

Join the Fold side? 

There’s been more excitement around the Flip than the Fold. The Galaxy Z Flip5 truly is the more mainstream foldable and might just be more appealing to a larger group of people. 

General usage is fine, media consumption is great, and the battery life is par for the course. On my truly heavy usage days – which include taking photos and videos — it held out for about 12 hours before it prompted me to juice up.

However, if you enjoy and believe would benefit from a larger screen real estate, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is the clear choice. Samsung might have maxxed out what it can do for this particular form factor. If you’re jumping in just now or are upgrading from the Fold1 or Fold2, then the Galaxy Z Fold5 should be an acquisition worthy of your hard-earned money.

The post Taking the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 around Seoul appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Unboxing the Xiaomi Pad 6 and its accessories

Xiaomi was pretty darn generous sending over not only the tablet but also the multiple accessories you can use with it. In the video below, we unboxed the Xiaomi Pad 6, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Keyboard, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Cover, and the Xiaomi Smart Pen. 

@gadgetmatch

Xiaomi’s best Android tablet has just got an upgrade! #Xiaomi #XiaomiPad6 #Android #Tablet #fypシ

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

‘Laptop’ on the go 

In the past couple of weeks, the Xiaomi Pad 6 fulfilled the laptop-on-the-go role that I desperately needed, and then some. Most notably, I took the tablet with me on an overseas coverage trip. True enough, I found myself in the exact same situations I would have found myself in had there been events domestically. 

With the Pad 6 on hand, I didn’t have to bring a backpack with me. All I needed was the trusty Xiaomi Sling bag that I’ve had for years, my mirrorless camera, a couple of smartphones, and my mobile loadout was ready to go. 

I found it much easier to move around as we traversed from one location to another during the many events spread across the week. In certain stops here or there, I was able to sit down to catch-up on some emails. Having access to a full-sized keyboard is a godsend for the number of emails and other correspondence I had to reply to. 

Not only that, having the Xiaomi Pad 6 around also made it easy to copy edit a few articles here and there. As an editor that can’t exactly be glued to the desk all the time, this was a huge relief. 

The typing experience is satisfactory and the general performance switching from email, to browser, to chat apps, was hiccup-free. If this is what you’re after the tablet for, know that it is more than capable for these types of tasks.

Great entertainment hub

Zom: 100 is hilarious.

The 11-inch display is the sweet spot for me. Small enough to fit in a sling bag, but large enough to serve as in-flight entertainment. Prior to flying, I downloaded episodes of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Mushoku Tensei, as well as a couple of movies like Shin Kamen Rider. 

I never realized how small the in-flight entertainment screen was in the economy flights I took until I had this 11-inch tablet with me. It’s such a better viewing experience and it allowed me to catch up to shows I was already watching versus settling for whatever’s available on the flight. 

Best part? I conserved my smartphone’s battery levels by making the Xiaomi Pad 6 my primary entertainment hub. Not only did I download shows and movies, I also had plenty of storage room to spare for my main playlists on Spotify along with a handful of podcast episodes. 

The pen is good for whoever will find use for it 

Which isn’t yours truly if I’m being honest. My days of scribbling and sketching are way, waaaay behind me. You can probably tell from my sad, sorry, attempt to sketch Mina of TWICE/MISAMO in the photo below. 

What I can tell you though is that the Xiaomi Smart Pen handles great even with the limited usage I squeezed out of it. It certainly still feels like you’re sketching on glass and there’s nothing mind boggling here like the experience feeling like pen-to-paper, but it works nonetheless. 

Mina stans, please don’t hate me.

If you’re into sketching, scribbling, and whatnot, it shouldn’t take too long to get used to the feeling. 

And with the multi-window feature, you should, in theory, have an easier time referencing any material you’d like to draw. 

Speaking of the multi-window feature, as someone who writes, it’s a great way to quickly see information at a glance and quickly add it to whatever you’re writing. It’s a handy feature that I’m sure a lot of people will be able to take advantage of. 

Xiaomi Pad 6 specs

• Display – 11” WQHD+ (2880 x 1800) display at 309 ppi
• Processor – Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform
• Battery – 8840mAh
• RAM and Storage – 6GB+128GB / 8GB+128GB /
• 8GB+256GB
• OS – MIUI Pad 14/Android 13
• Cameras – 13MP rear, 8MP front 
• Connectivity – USB 3.2 Gen 1, BLUETOOTH 5.2, Wi-Fi 6

More quick notes

I installed a couple of games on it but never got to really, really play. It ran Asphalt 9 and Honkai: Star Rail just fine in my very, very limited play time. I personally never saw myself playing on this as much. 

I also never truly exhausted the battery. The lowest it ever got was after I used it thoroughly on a 4-hour flight. And even then, I didn’t even hit 50% despite consuming plenty of media both video and audio. It supports up to 33W fast charging. If you juice it up with anything over that, you can expect the quick charge feature to kick in and top you up pretty quickly. 

MIUI Pad 14 on Android 13 is fine. There’s nothing offensive about the UI and any shortcomings against the most popular tablet in the market has more to do with Android itself than the skin that Xiaomi put on top of it. It’s still good, it’s still very much functional, and pretty easy to figure out how to use if you’re at all familiar with Android.

Is the Xiaomi Pad 6 your GadgetMatch? 

Like I mentioned at the start of the article, I had a very specific use-case in mind as I took the Xiaomi Pad 6 with me on my daily grind. For the editor part of my job, it worked perfectly. It’s compact, capable, and can do more than what I originally set out for it to do. With a starting price of just under PhP 30,000 for the full tablet-keyboard-pen package, it’s also one hell of a deal. Even moreso when you see the discounts during the first few days of sale. 

The Xiaomi Pad 6 has to be the easiest Android tablet to recommend right now. It’s the ultimate bang-for-your-buck tablet, squeezing out plenty of features and functionality for a package price that’s more than reasonable. Xiaomi has a winner on their hands. One that deserves the GadgetMatch seal of approval. 

Price, availability

The Xiaomi Pad 6 comes in Gravity Gray, Gold, and Mist Blue. The 8GB+128GB variant is priced at PhP 20,999 and the 8GB+256GB variant retails for from PhP 21,999.

The first 50 online buyers will get a free Xiaomi Smart Pen on a first come first serve basis starting August 11, 2023, and with an early bird promo:

8+128GB

• SRP: Php 20,999
• Early bird promo (August 12-20):
  • Php 16,999  (Aug 11, 2023; online only)
  • Php 17,999 (Aug 12-20, 2023; online only)

8+256 GB

• SRP: Php 21,999
• Early bird promo (August 18-27): Php 19,999

Xiaomi Pad 6 Keyboard

• SRP: Php 3,499
• Early bird promo (August 12-27): Php 2,499.30

Xiaomi Smart Pen

• SRP: Php 3,999
• Early bird promo: (August 12- 27) Php 2799.30

The post The Xiaomi Pad 6 is great for the editor on-the-go appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Put on your headphones and listen to this line. “Best believe I’m still bejeweled when I walk in a room, I can still make a whole place shimmer.”

That line struck me with how I always move in my circles, and that’s certainly how the HONOR 90 made its debut in the city of love. The young technology company showcased an exquisite beauty bewitching anyone who dare to lay their eyes on it, on a stage where you can marvel at its grandeur. Yes, it’s in Paris — and Taylor Swift has a song with the exact title.

I’m starting to believe that the HONOR 90 is a match made for me.

Bedazzling, bejeweled

After the GadgetMatch team witnessed the parade of the HONOR 90 in the revered city of love, I flew to China to witness the unveiling of the HONOR Magic V2. I brought the HONOR 90 with me, thinking it’d be an ideal companion as I walk through the streets of Shenzhen and Beijing.

Spoiler alert: Some days, it did not. The lack of IP rating didn’t give me the confidence to take it out while I’m running or braving the streets during a heavy downpour.

But it gave me attention, what with the dazzling design inspired by luxury jewelry as seen on my Diamond Silver unit. The sight of a glimmering silver smartphone with the sunlight shining across its diamond-like panel can bedazzle anyone who locks their eyes on the device.

It felt like a must-have accessory for summer and sparkling nights. The only caveat? You can’t get it wet. Let’s bid goodbye to pool parties and trying to meet someone in the pouring rain.

Not your ordinary midrange smartphone

Nevertheless, it gave me an exquisite experience. I’ve used the HONOR 50 and the HONOR 70 more than just review devices, I actually spent time using it as my secondary phone to play games, take extra footage of my workouts, and scroll on my other apps like the one with a yellow bee. So trust me when I say that the HONOR 90 is both different and similar to its predecessors.

Running on MagicOS 7.1 with enhanced CPU and GPU performance, the HONOR 90 offers a buttery-smooth performance. It also maintained an ultra-long battery life.

Compared to other smartphones equipped with 5000mAh Super Battery, HONOR’s N-devices last longer for me even with heavy data usage. I can last a day without a power bank even with mobile data turned on. And if I ran out of juice, the 66W HONOR SuperCharge comes in handy. I don’t need to wait almost an hour to get it recharged.

It might be disappointing to some since the POCO F5 — a much cheaper device — sports a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 1 while the HONOR 90 houses a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset. Even so,  the smartphone does the job! There were no hiccups when browsing, scrolling, multitasking, creating content, and definitely when taking a high-resolution photo. You know, the 200MP ones?

Between the past and the future

The new HONOR 90 takes pride in having the best-in-class camera system for a midrange smartphone. FYI, it sports a 200-megapixel main camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and macro camera, a 2-megapixel depth camera, and a 50-megapixel front camera.

Combined with its hardware and software prowess, the HONOR 90 captures any moment you deem important vividly. It takes excellent content, for the most part. It’s been like that since its predecessors, only just getting grander.

But what’s the point of telling all these perspectives when I can just parade foolproof evidence to back my claims? They say to see is to believe, so let me take you through a tale of two cities captured with the might of the HONOR 90.

Sight

Shenzhen and Beijing exhibit different faces of China. One is like the Silicon Valley of Asia that set its sights on the future, and the other looks back at the rich history of the country. While both cities exude different vibes, they both something have in common: a picturesque cityscape wherever you go.

From towering skyscrapers to wide avenues, and even architecture that encapsulates the country’s identity through intricate design and details. The HONOR 90’s 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera came in handy to see the beauty of both cities.

Taste

The memories of a trip is sometimes stored in photographs of food. It’s a glimpse of a country’s culture that can be cherished everytime you see it on a screen. The HONOR 90’s 2x zoom is perfect for capturing the rich, tasty cuisine of every culture you explore.

Feel

Truth be told: We’re not photographers who’ll need a 200-megapixel main camera to shoot our everyday life. I also take quick snaps to record a memory I want to treasure and share with my friends. If it’s pretty enough, it gets to be in my Stories. The HONOR 90 takes quick snaps without any delays, making it a great companion to capture the feel of your exact moment.

Look

Of course, what’s a trip and everyday life without selfies? The HONOR 90 is equipped with a 50-megapixel front camera with an option for a wider selfie. Like its predecessors, the selfies are still padded with extra beautification despite turning off the beauty mode. I still don’t like it though. Silver lining? You’d look fresh any time of the day.

Best for your eyes

The HONOR 90 takes pride in sporting a quad-curved display with an incredible viewing experience. Its 6.7-inch display goes toe-to-toe with almost every tall and huge smartphone out there, right now.

Just like most midrange smartphones with a “flagship-level” feature, the HONOR 90 has an HDR10+ certification along with Amazon Prime Video HDR and Netflix HDR. The pictures are quite vivid, you’ll enjoy watching any content even with just a smartphone.

It’s a bonus that the smartphone is lightweight enough that you can carry it with just a single hand.

It also has a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and a TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification for eye comfort. Speaking of which, the HONOR 90 is also equipped with the 3,840HZ PWM Dimming technology which I’ve seen in action through the HONOR Magic V2.

Basically, it exhibits a pulse at a rate of up to 3,840Hz that helps maintain a more comfortable, flicker-free viewing experience even at lower brightness levels.

It prioritizes alleviating eye fatigue to increase blood circulation. With the Circadian Night Display, the HONOR 90 also adjusts the display into warmer colors to reduce the amount of blue light.

Now, you don’t need to take lots of melatonin to fall asleep quickly even after using your smartphone. Your smartwatch might want to thank you for having better sleep quality.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The HONOR 90 does a lot for a midrange smartphone. It’s not as specced up as other midrange competitors, but it surely stacks up when it comes to providing a flagship experience at a price that doesn’t break the bank. It’s got an incredible display that’s both pleasant and comfortable to the eyes, a hiccup-free performance coupled with long-lasting battery life, and a super-fast charging speed.

More importantly, it comes with an impressive camera system with the 200MP main sensor taking the spotlight.

The only caveat would be the lack of IP rating and to some, an option for wireless charging. What irks me would be the limited security and software updates. Meaning, if you get this smartphone, you’re bound to buy another one for the next year or two.

If you’re the type of person who frequently changes their smartphone, the compromises wouldn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. It’s a solid deal, depending on your territory. The price really varies when it comes to different countries.

The HONOR 90 retails for GBP 450 for the 8GB/256GB unit and GBP 500 for the 12GB/512GB variant. It comes in three colors: Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Diamond Silver — an exclusive color to the HONOR website, HiHonor.

In the Philippines, it retails for Php 24,990. Get it at select HONOR Outlets or online channels such as Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok Shop!

The post HONOR 90 review: Simply bedazzling appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Being in the intersection between fitness and technology for over three years now, I would attest that smartwatches are expensive. With only a few bucks to spare, you’re lucky to get a functional smart band that can track your basic needs. Up your budget a notch, and you might get a decent smartwatch to accompany you on your fitness journey.

This is where Xiaomi aims to break the barriers of smartwatches. The Redmi Watch 3 Active is an affordable smartwatch that’s definitely a step up from a smart band, especially when it comes to features, design, and of course, price.

Monitor what you only need

Smart bands barely have any screen real estate to preview your fitness data. Smartwatches, on the other hand, are built differently. The same goes with the Redmi Watch 3 Active, which has a 1.83-inch screen that makes it easy to view information.

Truth be told: Smartwatches can get intimidating, especially when it packs plenty of features. I sometimes get overwhelmed when I get my hands on flagship and premium smartwatches. There’s so much going on, tbh.

The Redmi Watch 3 Active, somehow, provides comprehensive data by showing only what you need. With its full-scale fitness tracking, it’s easy to monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen level. You can also see how many calories you’ve burned, how many steps you’ve taken, and if you’ve been moving enough to be closer to your goals.

Tracking your sleep, as well as stress levels, help give an overview of your current lifestyle and what you still need to change. These data may sound overwhelming, but these are pretty basic for a smartwatch. These are the only information you’ll ever need. Nothing fancy, just straightforward figures that might help you in your fitness journey.

The screen is big enough to house plenty of data, and swiping between widgets is easy. Although, not as smooth as most smartwatches. But then again, this smartwatch is considered entry-level, so temper your expectations.

More than just a fitness tracker

The most important indicator of your fitness level, for me, would be your heart rate. It shows how many beats per minute depending on the activity you’re doing. When I was taking photos of the Redmi Watch 3 Active, my heart rate spiked to over 100 bpm since I was under the sun trying out some calisthenics workout with my dip bar.

The accuracy may not be the same as most smartwatches, but seeing my resting heart rate go between 60-65 bpm means it’s close enough to my Apple Watch. FYI, my current resting heart rate as of writing is 58 bpm.

It’s pretty normal for athletes (some actually have lower) to have that low resting heart rate. A good indicator would be having 60 up to 90 bpm, which is counted as normal. If your resting heart rate is around 100 or beyond, it’s time for you to get off the couch and stop being a potato.

If you don’t have a gym membership — and a coach, even — then you don’t have to worry. The Redmi Watch 3 Active is equipped with over 100 workout modes, which include 10 professional workout modes.

It’s highly suitable for beginners since you can find workouts like running, walking, freestyle, hiking, and cycling. There are specific workouts as well, categorized into outdoor activities, training, dancing, combat sports, ball sports, winter sports, and recreational sports.

Suitable companion

After completing my first elite race at Spartan Stadion (a grueling 5KM race with 20 obstacles inside New Clark City’s Athletic Stadium) last mid-July, I took a short hiatus to recover from the race burnout.

Running in a category filled with national and pro athletes was exhausting for my mind, body, and spirit. It was a difficult test of my strength, pride, and willpower. The Redmi Watch 3 Active came a week after, prompting me to get back to taking care of my body with grace.

Somehow, the smartwatch’s advent into my life has impeccable timing. It was raining in Manila, endlessly, for days. I also didn’t have the energy to sign up back to the gym and start my training for Spartan’s Trifecta Weekend in November, dealing with post-race blues and personal affairs that caused me to lose weight.

I knew I had to resume training. Luckily, the Redmi Watch 3 Active’s different workout modes accompanied me in getting my strength back.

Train your mind and body

With jump rope as a workout mode, I get to measure my skips in the morning. There are also workouts that are highly specific depending on your equipment such as Dumbbell, Wall Ball, Barbell, Weightlifting, Deadlift, Burpee, and Sit-Ups.

Something more general includes strength, physical training, and functional fitness training. If you’re focused on certain parts of your body, the workout modes have the option to focus on the upper body, lower body, abs, and back.

As for me, I only pick functional fitness training when I do home workouts since I use bodyweight exercises that help with my athletic performance. When I’m training my muscle strength, I opt to do calisthenics using my dip bars and pull-up bar. There are no guides if you’re clueless about what workouts to do.

The training modes just allow you to see how many kilocalories you’re burning, the duration of your workout, and the intensity of your heart rate while performing the exercises. It’s usually categorized between light, intensive, aerobic, anaerobic, and VO2 Max — which refers to the maximum oxygen consumption. Usually, that’s when you hit your limit.

For everyday life

The Redmi Watch 3 Active pairs easily whether on an Android smartphone or an iPhone. With only the Mi Fitness app, you can see comprehensive data regarding your health and fitness.

Since it pairs seamlessly with any smartphone, the smartwatch makes it easy to read notifications, answer calls, check your calendar, and adjust music playback. You can even remotely capture photos from your phone using just the camera button on the smartwatch!

Even if it’s connected with Bluetooth and WiFi, the smartwatch lasts for at least 7 days — even when using it for different workouts. When on standby, the Redmi Watch 3 Active also indicates how much battery is left and how many days it would last. Fun fact: With several settings off and a full battery, the smartwatch promises up to 12 days of battery life.

In a way, the Redmi Watch 3 Active gives off an everyday smartwatch vibe. It has all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch, in a design that looks elegant when working out and balancing work and life.

The watch faces are customizable, with over 200 options to choose from. It also comes with optional straps to match your everyday style. Lastly, it’s lightweight and waterproof with a 5ATM. Just what you need out of a reliable smartwatch!

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The Redmi Watch 3 Active is quite packed for an affordable smartwatch. It has everything you’ll need to kickstart your fitness journey, and a little bit more. You can stop making excuses about having a smartwatch before starting to work out or sign up for a gym membership. This one’s highly affordable, priced at PhP 1,999, and available at Xiaomi’s exclusive Shopee store.

It’s not as smooth, powerful, and feature-packed as most smartwatches. You’ll need to shell out money for that, especially if you want to elevate your performance. But if you’re just starting out, this smartwatch is a must-have to cop. Xiaomi breaks the notion that smartwatches have to be expensive to be functional. The Redmi Watch 3 Active might just be the best value-for-money smartwatch right now.

The post Redmi Watch 3 Active: Basic but better appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Tablets are designed to have specs similar to that of smartphones, minus the SIM cards but with larger screens. Moreover, they are lighter and more portable than laptops but allow users to accomplish simple, everyday tasks like writing, browsing, streaming, and more.

Huawei recently launched its MatePad 11.5 2023, promising users of PC-like productivity. In many ways, it quite frankly fulfills that slogan.

Specs, package

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 comes with the following specs:

• Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
• Adreno 644
• HarmonyOS 3.1
• 128GB internal storage
• Up to 8GB RAM
• 2.2K Huawei FullView display with 120Hz refresh rate
• 13MP main camera
• 8MP front camera
• 7700mAh battery
• Quad-speaker

The package comes with Huawei’s 2nd generation M Pencil and Smart Magnetic Keyboard.

Basic PC-level productivity achieved

If you’re someone who spends most of their time writing and doing other computing tasks, the MatePad 11.5 can serve as a good alternative while you’re saving up for a laptop that’s more expensive.

That goes for everyone, from commuting students needing a companion without having to carry bulky bags to freelance creatives always needing to be on the move and connected.

When connected to the keyboard, one can easily write emails, articles, essays, and more on the tablet. The tablet comes preloaded with WPS Office, but if you’re used to using Google services, the GBox app is a good workaround to be able to use Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and more.

You can either use the M Pencil to move the screen, or just use your fingers. It takes some getting used to, but it is as good as operating a budget laptop with a wired mouse.

It has a multi-window feature so you can open various apps all at the same time, resize them accordingly, and continue what you’re doing.

For video conferencing, you can also expect a problem-free session with the 8MP selfie camera with a wide view.

If you have Huawei devices with you, connectivity is a breeze as the tablet lets you sync across all products, which come in handy when you have to transfer files or open something from your Huawei phone.

Okay for casual browsing, entertainment

With an immersive 2200 × 1440 resolution screen, the tablet is great for streaming movies, shows, or whatever videos you’re looking for on a display that’s obviously larger than a phone yet you can still carry with you — say, for a long-distance trip.

The device’s processor and GPU are enough to support viewing even in FHD, and I personally have not experienced flickering throughout use.

Again, as it is more portable than a laptop, you can easily take this to your room or anywhere else and just comfortably watch anything on the screen while being able to adjust the brightness level seamless.

The quad speakers, meanwhile, produce a really loud sound to complement the entertainment experience. However, it does not have a 3.5mm jack so if you’re going to use it on public, better connect it via Bluetooth to wireless audio wearables. 

For casual browsing, holding the tablet vertically gives users a wider screen for reading stories, scrolling on social media, opening PDF files, or editing photos on apps like Lightroom, Pixlr, or PicsArt.

An okay start for aspiring creatives

As this is a tablet, it is only imperative for us to test creative apps on it.

There are various apps you can download for free to get started with drawing digitally, like ibis Paint X. All you have to do is connect the M Pencil and adjust settings accordingly to get going. You can even experiment with 2D animation, like FlipaClip.

It does generally well with sketching, being able to produce even the lightest and finest of lines or scribbles. When you need to erase something, the M Pencil also does the trick, covering a wide area if needed.

I, of course, am not an expert and did my best impression of the Filipinas’ commercial logo. But you get the point.

Not much gaming, of course

There is no harm in trying games on the tablet that we’re accustomed to playing on smartphones, but of course, the chances are it won’t adapt to the tablet in terms of playability.

But it’s not like you can play that many games requiring advanced specs on a budget laptop, anyway.

On the positive side, as most modern parents turn to tablets nowadays to save on physical space, paper, and other resources, the MatePad 11.5 gives endless possibilities for child-friendly games and puzzles, as well as entertainment.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 can offer most of what a budget laptop can provide for much less, at just PhP 15,999 for 6GB of RAM and PhP 19,999 for 8GB of RAM. 

And by saying “most of what a laptop can provide,” we really do mean it – just don’t expect it to perform as if it runs like a creator or gaming series laptop that costs PhP 50,000 and above.

That said, the MatePad 11.5 is as honest as it gets when it comes to offering users a reliable device, while they’re investing for something bigger in the future. This is a “for now, this will do” gadget that won’t hurt you.

The Huawei MatePad 11.5 2023 is available at  Lazada, Shopee, & Huawei Store

The post Huawei MatePad 11.5 2023 review: PC-level productivity achieved appeared first on GadgetMatch.

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When I’m burnt out from training for my competitive races and living an athlete’s life, I take solace in playing video games. I let my mind, body, and soul recover from the emotional weight that every training brings.

Having the ROG Strix G16 for two months allowed me to live my inner teenager’s dreams — playing on a monster gaming machine in my free time and escaping to a different world when the going gets tough.

When you like a huge package

When the Strix G16 was handed to me, I was completely astounded by its package. The box was insanely heavy and humongous, but let’s cut ASUS some slack. Despite the monstrous size, the box came with everything you’ll need to live off that gamer’s dream.

There’s the laptop bundled with the ROG Impact Gaming Mouse. Then, ASUS included two (2) types of 100W power brick — a 100W compact USB-C charger, and a bulky 330W power adapter that’s best to keep on your gaming station.

It also came with a supersized ROG backpack, enough to house the Strix G16 and a couple of essentials.

Totally a gamer’s machine

Taking it out of the box, you’ll find a machine designed for heavy gaming. The Strix G16 is intricately crafted with gamers in mind, it’ll make you feel like a competitive gamer. At least, that’s how I felt.

The devil’s in the details when you peruse the Strix G 16. From the dot matrix design across the lid to the cross-hatched vents underneath, distinct elements can be seen in every detail. Even with the way lighting is integrated!

The RGB keyboard is also soft, pleasing to look at, and actually responsive — thanks to the exclusive ROG Overstroke technology. There are also dedicated gaming hotkeys for quick access to volume and mic controls, and even Armoury Crate. They’re customizable and you can program to your liking.

For its touchpad, it comes with a glass coating and is noticeably 10% larger. While it’s already responsive and comfortable to use, the touchpad isn’t as smooth as most flagship Windows laptops. My workaround has been using the gaming mouse for navigating since it syncs well with the display’s 165Hz refresh rate.

Plenty of I/O ports can be seen on both sides of the Strix G16. On its right, you can find two (2) USB-A ports which I use for the gaming mouse and an additional port for whatever I’ll need like when I need to transfer files via an Android smartphone or my ancient external hard drive.

Meanwhile, the left side houses more ports that every kind of gamer can fully utilize. You can find the power input, a LAN RJ-45 jack, an HDMI 2.1 port that supports up to 4K 120Hz and 8K 60Hz content, and an audio jack.

Moreover, there are two (2) USB-C ports. One supports DisplayPort and Power Delivery, while the other supports Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.

Tough inside and out

The Strix G16 has the capabilities to keep up with you as you dive into another story different from your own.

It’s powered by a 13th-Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, a PCIe Gen4x4 1TB SSD storage, and an 8GB DDR5 RAM that can be expanded up to 32GB.

It’s insanely powerful; you can play AAA titles, stream like a pro, and even create content like a madman. The horsepower it contains is like an unlimited magic potential waiting to burst. Intense multitasking sessions are just a breeze, and it doesn’t heat up easily.

While most gaming laptops have a dual-fan cooling system, the G16 pushed a third fan to keep the GPU and VRAM cool. With seven heat pipes and a Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal inside, the G16 — coupled with the ROG Intelligent cooling and redesigned vents — promises an exceptional experience that’ll keep you playing. And it certainly delivers.

Furthermore, it has enough battery to let you play even when outside, as I found myself doing so on most days I want to take a break from sitting around in front of my desk. Sometimes, I’d sit in my favorite Starbucks branch and continue One Piece Odyssey.

When it runs out of juice, I have the USB-C charger to quickly plug into the socket so I can keep on playing.

Just play in the dark

There’s not much you can say when it comes to the Strix G 16’s performance. A premium gaming machine like this can handle any beastly titles of your liking.

Sometimes, I even multitask with plenty of background apps opened while having the device connected to my Huawei MateView. It’s smooth, powerful, and everything you’d expect it to be just like any other monster gaming laptop.

But while the performance of the Strix G 16 gives off a solid experience for all kinds of gamers, there’s one thing that I wish ROG could’ve put more into.

The display is lackluster, especially for a gaming machine that costs a premium. I find myself playing in a dark room or in a dim corner at a cafe to actually see what’s on the screen without squinting my eyes.

The panels cause some glare (yes, even with an anti-glare feature) and even with increasing the brightness to a maximum, it’ll still feel like a challenge to take a look at what’s happening in your gameplay.

I even squinted my eyes and looked closely at the screen, putting myself in an awkward position in terms of posture. Besides, it’s not a good thing to be too up close to a screen. which happens when you badly want to take a look at what’s happening when navigating parts of a game that has a dark scene.

Bring it anywhere

Nevertheless, the ROG Strix G 16 can be easily brought wherever you go. It easily fits inside a supersized ROG-designed backpack, especially in the dedicated sleeve.

There’s enough room to carry the charger, mouse, a few accessories, and personal essentials. It even has a slot for my umbrella and HydroFlask. I can stay protected from the elements and be hydrated wherever I go.

Carrying it can be quite a pain on your back if you’re not accustomed to lifting weights. It’s heavy, I promise. It’ll put a strain on your back if you treat it like a schoolboy’s laptop.

The backpack sure can handle its heft, weighing 2.5kg. However, you might need to train your body if you want to lug this around wherever you go. Otherwise, it’s best to keep it at a gaming station so you can play any titles you want.

But for me, both the Strix G16 and the ROG backpack are quite a treat for an athlete wanting to break away from an emotionally taxing life.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The ROG Strix G16 looks straight out of a dream; it’s what every gamers dream of when it comes to a machine that’ll let them play to their heart’s content.

Think of it as a fantasy turning out to be a reality. The only thing you’ll find annoying in this machine is how lackluster the display is. Otherwise, it’s a solid laptop that will make you want to play all day long.

It’s certainly a GadgetMatch for those who want to be competitive in the eSports arena. As long as you can handle the compromises. If you don’t think this one’s for you, there’s the ROG Zephyrus M16 that you might want to check out.

The ROG Strix G16 starts at PhP 109,995.

The post ROG Strix G16: Straight out of a dream appeared first on GadgetMatch.

ASUS might have the right device to recapture that same kind of magic with the ROG Ally. It’s a handheld gaming console — ROG’s first. 

There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the ROG Ally and all of them have to do with what ROG has built throughout the years. 

That’s a proven track record in the gaming space when it comes to hardware, software, and close collaborations with processor partners. 

While we’re at it, here are the specs of the ROG Ally.

• AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor
• 7-inch FHD 120Hz screen, 500 nits peak brightness
• Up to 16GB LPDDR5 of RAM
• Up to 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD internal storage
• MicroSD Card slot for storage expansion
• AMD Radeon Navi3 graphics
• 40Wh with 65W PD Adapter, support for passthrough charging

The AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor is also a first for AMD Ryzen. It’s a chip that’s made specifically for handheld gaming PCs. That’s an exciting prospect that could mean more handheld PCs are on the horizon. But that’s a topic for another day. 

The series consists of two chips — the base Ryzen Z1 and then Ryzen Z1 Extreme. Both will make their way to the ROG Ally. 

We’ll dive into overall performance later on. For now, let’s take a look at this handheld console’s design. 

Undeniably ROG

One look and the Ally is undeniably an ROG device. The lines all over the device scream ROG and are very reminiscent of the recent ROG Phones. 

Viewed from the back, you’ll find the ROG logo carved in a vent-like pattern. 

On both side edges is a ridged and sloped pattern. ROG says this was made for better grip. 

The overall layout is reminiscent of an Xbox controller with the sticks and buttons being asymmetrical. 

The left side has the left stick and the circular directional pad. And near the screen are the View Button and Command Center button.

While on the right are the face buttons and the right stick. Here, near the screen are the Menu Button and Armoury Crate button.

The trigger and shoulder buttons sit alongside each other where you would normally find them in most controllers. 

ROG also added additional buttons at the back of the device — a staple for pro and semi-pro controllers. 

The device weighs 608 grams, slightly lighter than what it will be compared to the most — the Steam Deck, which tips the scale at 669 grams).

Light and just right

Personally, I thought it felt pretty light. ROG did a good job with the weight distribution. The Ally feels sturdy and fits my hand pretty well. Naturally, this experience is gonna vary from person-to-person. For me, it feels like a proper, well-built handheld. 

Once again, the company is very proud with what they’ve done on the cooling front. The fans and vents are laid out in a way that they would avoid your hand. 

They’re also made so that the ROG Ally doesn’t produce a loud fan sound even when you’re pushing it to the limit. 

After testing we can say that the ROG Ally is relatively quiet. Perhaps it helps that the speakers are also pretty darn good and the games I played were pretty entertaining. I never felt bothered by noise coming from the fans, which to me meant it was not producing any excessive noise.

ROG says this handheld has been in development for five years now. They even showed us the multiple design iterations it has gone through. 

What you see now is what they landed with ultimately and feel like is the most optimized for what they want to offer. 

Windows woes

The ROG Ally will run Windows 11 out of the box. That means it runs more than just your Steam Library right out the gate. Games downloaded from the Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and EA Play will immediately be available. 

Microsoft is rumored to already be developing a version of Windows that’s specifically designed for handheld gaming PCs. That’s great because navigating the Windows desktop interface with a controller isn’t the best experience. 

Expect your first day or so with the ROG Ally to be spent installing updates, signing up to the game stores and services, downloading your games, and just the whole set-up shebang. 

My advice is to connect a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and sign-in to all your accounts in one go. This way, you can just hop in and play the next few times you fire it up. 

Armoury Crate SE to the rescue?

You can bring your games together through ROG’s Armoury Crate SE. Armoury Crate is ROG’s proprietary software that comes with every ROG device. On it, you can tweak multiple things like how much processing power should be used by certain games. 

There are plenty of other things you can do with it. For our smartphone-first audience, think of it as a really souped up version of Game Mode interfaces on smartphones. 

Settings and customizations on Armoury Crate SE.

The ROG Phone has this too. And like on the ROG Phone, the Armoury Crate SE pulls in all the games you have installed and lays them out in a cohesive, easy-to-access fashion — one that works with a controller layout. 

Not just your Steam library.

That’s a near console-like function that should come in handy if you plan on stacking your Ally with plenty of games from various stores. 

If you’re worried about smoothly navigating your games on the ROG Ally, the Armoury Crate SE makes the experience a little more tolerable. 

It’s far from perfect and will likely get incremental updates and optimizations over the years – something ROG promised it will do for the Ally for the foreseeable future. 

Game time!

Alright, now that all of that’s out of the way, it’s time to play! I played plenty of AAA titles and a couple that don’t demand as much power. Here’s how the games fared at a glance: 

Lego Star Wars (Xbox Game Pass)

• FPS goes from 24 to 60.
• Pretty smooth gameplay all throughout.

Hi-Fi Rush (Xbox Game Pass)

• FPS hovered in the 30-40 range.
• Some stuttering. Not ideal for a rhythm game, but still fairly playable.

Dragon Ball FighterZ (Steam) 

• FPS a steady 35-50.
• Ran extremely smoothly. No lag input. Critical for fighting games. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered (Steam)

• FPS max is 31, dips to as low as 15.
• Noticeable stuttering but nothing game breaking.

Returnal (Steam) 

• Varied intensely from 16FPS all the way up to 115 FPS.
• Ran much smoother than Spider-Man despite the wide FPS variance.

NBA 2K22 (Steam) 

• Steadily at 59 FPS during play time.
• Crucial for a game like this with so much happening on screen.

Dead Cells (Xbox Game Pass) 

• Steady 24 to 30 FPS.
• 2D side scroller game, not demanding graphically.
• Ran smoothly.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (Steam) 

• Steady 20-30 FPS.
• 2D/2.5D Side scroller, also not very demanding graphically.
• Ran very smoothly.

Game time notes

Games from PlayStation Studios that are AAA titles – Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Returnal seemed to require the most out of the ROG Ally.

Both games push the device graphically. This resulted in stuttering during gameplay. But nothing game breaking. Still pretty much playable. 

These games drained the battery the fastest. Got about an average of one (1) hour and 25 minutes of playtime before I hit the 5-10% battery range. 

They also put the rumble feature to use the most, perhaps in an attempt to mimic the effect of the DualSense controller. It doesn’t quite get there, but it’s still a solid implementation – close to how the Dual Shock felt like. 

More on PlayStation games on the ROG Ally here.

Playing other AAA titles like Lego Star Wars the Skywalker Saga, NBA 2K22, and Doom Eternal, battery life hovered around two (2) hours before hitting the red mark. 

Less demanding games like Dead Cells and Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising lasted longer – around three (3) hours and 35 minutes. 

More game time notes

Battery goes red at 15% but there’s no alert. On one playthrough, the ROG Ally just died on me. 

It’s like getting ghosted. In the grand scheme of things, it’s fine. But a heads up would have been nice. I started watching more closely after that, constantly switching to Armoury Crate SE to check battery levels. 

The device feels well-built. It did not overheat to a point that you can’t hold it anymore. And that’s playing under 34-37 degree celsius conditions. It also stayed quiet the entire time. The cooling on this thing is phenomenal. 

Front-firing speakers are pretty good. They’re not the best sounding but if you’re looking for a really good audio experience, just use bluetooth headphones or use the 3.5mm jack. The latter is a really great handheld experience. 

Me time, We time, Pro time

Speaking of speakers. This being a Windows device means you have access to YouTube, Netflix and the like. Other than gaming, it’s one of the things you can do on “Me time” with the Ally.

I watched my fair share of LE SSERAFIM Chaewon and aespa Winter’s fancams. The experience was pretty pleasant.  

One of the cooler things you can do with the ROG Ally is pair it with ROG’s own eGPU — the XG Mobile. With it, you add more power and unlock a few more modes of play. 

I didn’t get to try this personally as my XG Mobile was under repair during the review period and as of writing. But I did get to see these during a media event.

With “We time” you can connect the ROG Ally to a couple of Bluetooth controllers and treat it as if it’s a regular console. You can do this with or without the XG Mobile. 

“Pro time” is when you have it hooked up with the XG Mobile in a more or less desktop setup. Best for first-person shooting games, among many other things.

Better than the Steam Deck?

Steam goes into Big Picture mode on the ROG Ally

Jury’s out on whether or not the ROG Ally is an overall better handheld gaming console than the Steam Deck. 

It does have a few things going for it. It’s certainly a more powerful device owing to the partnership between ROG and AMD. The display is also more of an eye candy than what the Deck has to offer. Plus having access to more than just your Steam library is a massive boon.

But the Deck has the Ally beat on software support, at least for now. Over the course of the Steam Deck’s year or so existence, Valve has had continuous, active support for the handheld.

It also has built a significant community and range of third-party accessories support. Only time will tell if the ROG Ally will have the same level of support rallying around it. 

Some games, like Marvel’s Midnight Suns, even show up as Steam Deck “Verified” on the Ally.

For what it’s worth, I asked this to other reviewers who have used both handhelds: “Gun to your head. You have to pick one. Steam Deck or ROG Ally?” Majority of them picked the ROG Ally. 

Price and availability

The ROG Ally is available in a couple of variants. One with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (widely  available now) and another with the base AMD Ryzen Z1 chip (coming later).

The highest variant retails for US$ 699.99; a few dollars shy of the Steam Deck’s most expensive variant which costs US$ 649. A 50-dollar difference for better performance, a better screen, and a promising future support. 

It has also subsequently launched in plenty of other countries including India and Malaysia. In the Philippines, it will arrive on July 20. The Z1 Extreme variant will retail for PhP 43,995. The Z1 variant will come in August 2023 for PhP 39,995.

You can pre-order from ASUS ROG’s official dealer partners. 

Is the ROG Ally your GadgetMatch?

Pricing-wise, I’d say the ROG Ally is pretty competitive for what it offers. It’s more expensive than current gen consoles, but less expensive than flagship smartphones. It sits right in the middle and offers a unique use-case — play AAA games on the go. I still think that’s incredible.

Glaring weakness is how Windows 11 just isn’t made for handhelds. It’s functional but not the most intuitive for this kind of device. At least not yet. Battery life is arguably a weakness too, but I personally feel the play times are par for the course. 

The ROG Ally is an exciting handheld gaming console. What it represents is a legitimate challenge to the Steam Deck which jump started the more widespread interest in handheld gaming today. Competition is good and we’re getting a heated one with the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally, a few other handhelds, and anyone else who will likely jump in.

On its own, the ROG Ally is a truly compelling gaming gadget. A relatively affordable handheld with the power to play AAA titles whenever and wherever. It’s pretty easy to justify its place in your gaming lifestyle. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty polished for a first generation device. 

More on the ASUS ROG Ally here.

The post ROG Ally review: New handheld gaming king? appeared first on GadgetMatch.

An eSports headset

Razer made these headphones specifically for the type of gamer that I am not – a gun-slinging, slick-swervin’, first-person shooter. I felt it was important to declare that from the get-go as I had neither bandwidth nor interest to try the specific games it was made for.

That said, I still did use it playing the games I like. Those being RPGs, some action games, and NBA 2K. 

So, this isn’t a review of the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) for eSports players. This is a review by someone who is everything but. 

2020 vs 2023 

The particular unit I have isn’t the first version of the BlackShark V2 Pro. The first one actually came out in 2020. Here’s a table to show what’s different. 

On paper, the upgrades seem minimal. But looking at it now and basing on my couple of weeks with the device, the improvements are focused on quality of life things that make a huge difference in the long run. 

Audio Profiles

By default, the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) has four audio profiles. Each profile is tuned slightly differently to cater to a specific listening activity. The profiles are: Game, Movie, Music, and Custom. These profiles are pretty straightforward. 

The custom one has a flat equalizer or EQ which you can tune when you connect the device via Razer’s Synapse desktop app. More on this later. 

Holding the Audio Profiles button will shift the selection from the general profiles to the eSports one. These are: Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and CS Go. Again, these are pretty straightforward. Just pick the profile for the game you’re playing and it should be optimized for that particular game. 

I didn’t get to play these particular games during testing for a couple of reasons. One, I don’t really play them because I am terrible at these games. Two, my windows laptop was under repair for the majority of the review period. 

But I did play. 

Game 

I am primarily a PlayStation gamer. And most of my game time using the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) was split between two games: Final Fantasy XVI and NBA 2K23. I did try a couple of other games for good measure. These include Returnal, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. The first two are games I often go back when testing accessories. Returnal is especially good for audio. The other two, coincidentally from Insomniac Games, are titles I feel are easy to hop back into. 

Anyway, on Game profile with the included USB-A dongle connected to the PS5, the BlackShark V2 Pro delivered clear, crisp, and full sounds. I dare say 3D Audio was in effect too. In Final Fantasy XVI, there is plenty of side chatter from NPCs. Depending on where you position main character Clive relative to NPCs having a lively banter, that’s where you’ll hear the sound from. 

Let’s be real. Yes, I was just pretending to play here.

This was even more true with Returnal. I regard this game as the best for testing audio accessories with the PS5. Its sound design is top notch and actually helps you with identifying the general location of enemies. I imagine this is how it goes with the eSports audio profiles. 

For the rest of the games, I got the same clear, crisp, and full sound.

Music, Movie, and Custom 

Other than gaming, I used the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) mostly to listen to music. On days that I worked out of a café I just cycled through a few R&B and mellow tracks like Jesse Barrera’s “Strawberry Soju,” “Flower” by Johnny Stimson, and even “Thirsty” by aespa. I like to feel smooth while I work. 

The Music audio profile doesn’t sound too different from Game quality-wise. For some reason, it does sound a little louder and you tend to hear higher sounds better. The audio still sounds clean and tracks with great mixing tickle your ears like any good headphones do. 

I tried the Movie profile but during a game. It only mildly boosted the dialogue parts. It’s my least favorite audio profile. Even when just watching YouTube videos, I shifted to the default which is Game. 

Custom, like I mentioned earlier, is just a flat EQ. And this is something I found out only after I was able to finally connect the headphones to Synapse. 

Synapse and PC-isms

The Razer Synapse apps is software that’s used to configure Razer’s hardware lineup. Connect your Razer device to the computer where Synapse is open and it’ll detect it. Eventually. 

I primarily use a MacBook Pro daily. That’s where I do most of my work. And as I mentioned earlier, my Windows laptop was under repair for the majority of my review time with the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023). Unfortunately, the version of Synapse that works on Macs isn’t compatible with the headphones. 

Fast forward to when I finally got my windows laptop back. I was excited to fire it up, pair the headphones and see what settings can be tweaked. But I ran into what I will call PC-isms. 

PC-isms is my personal catch-all term for all the inconvenience I have to deal with in setting up a PC. It took me until the wee hours of the morning just to get everything ready. And by that time I was too tired and sleepy to tinker with the headphones. 

I don’t have a picture that matches the narrative so here’s this instead.

The following day, I finished some work and got to tinkering. Except, the BlackShark V2 Pro just wouldn’t show up on Synapse right away. It took around three to four restarts before I got the thing to work. Perhaps PC users will have more patience in this regard, but for someone like myself who juggles a lot in his schedule, this was a non-starter. 

That said, I still managed to make it work. But I skipped the Audio profiles altogether and went ahead to test the mic. 

Talk to me

I hopped on three different calls to test the mic. Which, by the way, is one of two accessories that are easy to misplace. The other one being the USB-A dongle.

I’ll do my best to not lose these accessories.

Anyway, the first two calls all happened before I got my Windows laptop. So, the mic was just set to default. I got two different feedback. 

The first call was with the headphones connected to my MacBook Pro. I was told my voice was audible but sounded muffled. 

The second call, the headphones were connected to my phone. This time around, I was told I sounded clear. 

Lastly, the third call was connected to the Windows laptop with me switching among the different voice equalizers. And the general feedback are:

• Default — Is loud but does sound a little muffled
• Mic Boost — Likely the best at every call scenario. Boosts the voice and overall clarity.
• Broadcast — Sounds almost like Mic Boost but less loud and more clear. 
• Conference — Sounds literally like being on one of those conference phones in corporate offices. Skip this one. 

Since then, I’ve had the mic on Mic Boost. Personally, I feel it works best in most settings. 

Let’s get physical 

I am absolutely in love with all the physical buttons on the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023). My personal favorite is the volume knob. It’s easy to grab and turn for instant volume control. It rotates fully and just beeps if you’re at the lowest or highest volume option. 

It’s such a welcome change coming from headphones and TWS earphones that are purely touch controls that can be hit or miss. In some cases, the TWS ones don’t even have volume control at all. 

It isn’t the best looking since it sticks out like a sore thumb. But functionally, I am absolutely in love with it. I need better volume controls in other headphones now. 

The power button sits on the left cup and is hard enough to press that you won’t mistake it for the mute button sitting right above it. That one’s a lot more tactile, making it easy to toggle between mute and unmute. 

Still on the left cup, you’ll find the slot for the mic. It looks like a 3.5mm jack, but I had trouble using it with my desktop mic. If you’re hoping on quick calls, just use the included mic to make sure. And as you can see, alongside it is the USB-C port.

On the right cup, you’ll find the Audio profiles switcher. By default, you have the general selection. Hold it down and when you hear a beep, you’ll switch over to the eSports profiles. 

Stay on longer

In my one week with the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023). I only ever charged it once. And that’s from zero all the way to 100% too. I couldn’t take note of the charging time but I’m pretty sure I had plugged in for at least about an hour. 

But going back to charging it only once, that’s with using it for about 4-5 hours daily. This thing lasts long and can more than keep up with you in extended play or listening sessions. 

Should non-eSports players get the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023)?

The BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) retails for US$ 199.99 in the US and PhP 13,990 in the Philippines.

If you plan to use these Razer headphones for plenty of gaming – whether on PC, PS5, or even mobile – I think you’re gonna get your money’s worth. It’s lightweight, sounds great, and is made for extended play sessions. That’s true whether you play any of the especially tuned eSports titles or not. The eSports features, to me, function as sort of an icing on top of what is already a delectable cake. 

For general lifestyle, music, and movie use. Perhaps you’re better off getting something else. But if it’s gaming along with all the activities I mentioned, this is a fine set of cans to own.

The post Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) non-eSports player review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

While design upgrades look iterative, the new Glyph interface promises better functionality.

Nothing has also shaken up things in the hardware department with a flagship-grade chipset, larger and more power-efficient display, plus a new Sony IMX890 camera sensor.

Lastly, there’s a bigger and better battery with less than an hour of top-ups.

But what sets Nothing apart from the already crowded population of smartphones?

Head over to our review of the new Nothing Phone (2) to know if it’s your GadgetMatch.

The post Nothing Phone (2) Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

But does it really live up to these claims?

And should you buy it even if it’s on the pricier side?

Head over now to our Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C review to find out if it’s your GadgetMatch!

SHOP Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C:

Samsung: https://howl.me/cj6B3EWUmMf

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44xccwI

Best Buy: https://howl.me/cj8jGbTJw0J

The post Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Literally, you’ll get double the amount of power and ports in this machine.

But is this the right Mac for you? And if so, will you be able to secure a pick between the M2 Max or the M2 Ultra Silicon chip?

Have more questions? Look no further as we dive into the in-depth review of the newest M2 Max-powered Mac Studio.

The post Apple Mac Studio M2 Max Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

This means Google is casting its bets on this form factor, and finally optimizing Android for foldables — or are they?

Do you think it’s time for you to switch to Google’s first-gen foldable?

Or should you wait further for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5?

Watch our in-depth review of the Google Pixel Fold and hear Michael Josh’s thoughts about it.

The post Google Pixel Fold Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

But unlike any flip phone out there — especially the external displays of past motorola razr models — its cover screen now covers half of the smartphone.

It’s the only flip phone in the market where you can open all apps without opening the phone per se.

This easily makes it 2023’s best flip phone.

But is the cover screen all that matters?

And for a price tag of US$ 999.99, should you buy this or wait for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 in July?

For now, here’s our motorola razr+ in-depth review!

The post motorola razr+ Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Thankfully, those days are long gone. And with the new realme C53, people can bank on having a daily companion that wouldn’t hurt one’s wallet.

Here’s what you’re getting when you avail of the realme C53:

• Unisoc Tiger T612 processor
• Android 13
• 6GB base memory + 6GB RAM expansion
• 128GB internal storage
• 50MP main camera, 8MP selfie camera
• 6.7-inch HD+ display, 90Hz refresh rate
• 5,000mAh battery, 33W fast charging

That’s all for just PhP 7,999, along with discounts and freebies if you availed within the first 48 hours.

These specs look really enticing for its price point, but is the realme C53 really a budget smartphone champion? Let’s dissect further.

Exterior

The realme C53 is the brand’s thinnest phone to date, measuring at just 7.49mm thick. It feels light when held and carried around for casual browsing and taking photos.

It goes without saying that it looks like an iPhone at first glance, mainly due to the positioning of its two rear cameras and flash. Heck, it even has its own dynamic island that’s meant to show pop-up notifications.

In going with this design, realme probably felt it would make the users think they have a phone that looks way better than how much it actually costs. It shouldn’t be a big issue, anyway, since appearance is just secondary to performance.

Display

The realme C53 has “just” a 6.7-inch HD+ display with up to a 90Hz refresh rate, which is again decent for its price point.

For me, that’s more than enough when you binge-watch your favorite movies and series while set to standard HD quality or tune in to streaming apps. The screen has a peak brightness that will also allow you to view photos and videos properly.

Where it becomes tricky is when it comes to gaming; I’ll be the one to tell you that you won’t be able to fully enjoy the visual experience itself. In fact, I set the graphics quality to just “medium” to make sure there would be no problems.

Then again, this is a phone that’s just meant to be your daily companion, for usual light to medium tasks.

As for its audio, the phone has a 150% UltraBoom speaker. The maximum volume is fine indoors. If you’re unsatisfied, there’s a 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth anyway.

Usability

In order to fully optimize the phone’s daily usage, you must log in to your Google account. Everything is integrated from there.

You can view your photos and videos using the Google Photos app. Google Chrome will be the default browser, while Messages will be the de facto SMS app.

The user interface looks neat overall, though it can be improved. Elsewhere, there’s not much customization possible, aside from basic things like toggling dark mode on and off, changing your wallpaper, or adding a security code.

Performance

The phone works generally smooth and I didn’t have problems switching from app list to homepage. It will work just fine for the usual browsing and chatting.

Do temper your expectations as I anticipate it to slow down when there are more apps open or if there are a handful running in the background.

It’s best to close apps or mute insignificant notifications especially if you’re going to use its camera or play mobile games.

Speaking of which, it does hold up pretty well while playing games that require steady graphics and a good response time to enjoy.

I did not experience substantial lagging, not unless it was poor internet connection-induced. I did not feel the phone’s temperature rising significantly either after a few hours of gaming.

But again, since the phone does not have special game modes or do not disturb functions, it’s best to take care of things before actually playing, like turning off your chat heads first or muting your messaging apps and other notifications to ensure a seamless experience.

Camera

This is where you’ll love the realme C53: the 50MP main camera and its processor work together to produce photos with great detail and vivid colors.

I was satisfied with the pictures I took under daytime indoor lighting. The lens opening allows the camera to absorb a good amount of light. The Pro Mode comes in handy, as I adjusted the focus and exposure settings manually for the snaps to come out the way I intended them too. It also has a Macro Mode under the Pro Mode which maintains good focus while taking close-ups.

However, if you’re not much knowledgeable about all these little things, you may have to resort to the default mode when you open the app, which isn’t as seamless as simply pointing and clicking.

Nevertheless, the Night Mode is another revelation. Under this feature, the camera’s shutter speed will be slowed down to a second, giving you a brighter, more vivid, and slightly more saturated result. I was able to take advantage of this when I visited Evia and took a few snaps of its imagery.

Taking videos is likewise alright. It’s not too shaky, and it the quality is decent for usual social media posting or sending via messaging apps.

Perhaps just another caveat is that its 8MP front camera will not give you stunning selfies, even with the help of good lighting. It is simply what it is, since you’re dealing with a sub-PhP 10K device.

Is the realme C53 your GadgetMatch?

As far as the economy and inflation are concerned, spending less than PhP 8,000 in 2023 for a smartphone that will serve you well for perhaps two to three years sure does sound like a good investment, whether you have just been working for a few years or are thinking of a graduation day gift for your family.

In the realme C53, you’re getting the same 50MP camera you’re getting from competitors like the Samsung A04, OPPO A17, or the vivo Y17, along with more memory and storage and more features that will be helpful every day.

You’re getting a good budget phone that’s enough to fulfill tasks such as taking photos and videos, browsing on social media and streaming apps, and everything in between.

Sure, there are a few misses, but this phone hits a lot on the checklist that it might not be even close.

If you want to invest, now’s the time, as the realme C53 can BE that companion.

The post realme C53 review: Good hits, some misses appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The mainline Final Fantasy games have had a tumultuous past 10 or so years. Some might even argue that the last mainline game to be widely celebrated and critically acclaimed is Final Fantasy X. And that came out in 2001 — well over 20 years ago. Now comes Final Fantasy XVI, exploding into the scene with a new combat system, more mature themes, and the promise of an epic tale. 

Fair or not, one can say that Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) carries the burden of reinstating faith in the franchise. Its predecessor, Final Fantasy XV, rose from development hell unpolished and in disjointed parts (a feature film, an animé, a game, and late DLCs). 

Helming the latest installment of the franchise is Naoki Yoshida, more commonly known as Yoshi-P. He leads the Creative Business Unit III (CBU3) of Square Enix — the same unit responsible for breathing new life to Final Fantasy IV. His task this time is to do the same, not for a single game, but for the entire mainline series.

A legendary prologue

Joshua Rosfield, the young Phoenix, Dominant of Fire.

Leading up to its launch, there was plenty of skepticism with everything that has been revealed about FF16. While some of it remains, it has largely been extinguished thanks to the game’s demo and from the ashes rose a burning anticipation. 

The FF16 demo featured two key segments: the game’s prologue, revealing key details and setting the stage of the epic story, and one that’s combat-focused to warm naysayers into the new battle system. 

The Phoenix rises.

The demo created plenty of buzz online, with many saying they’re buying a PlayStation 5 – the console this game is exclusive for – to see what happens next. That’s how gripping the prologue is. It lit a fire that would only burn brighter as you progress to the game. 

Clive Rosfield, the second Dominant of Fire

Final Fantasy XVI is told primarily through the lens of Clive Rosfield. The story is told in three key phases of his life: his teens, late 20s, and early 30s. All of which feature monumental events that not only affect him but the entire realm of Valisthea which is where the story is set.

FF16 is hyper focused in telling the story through the trials and tribulations of Clive. Unlike Final Fantasy games that came before it, you control only Clive throughout the game. While you do meet key characters that join your party, exploration and combat is strictly all the second Dominant of Fire. 

Throughout the journey, you’ll see his growth from a steadfast knight, to a battle-worn soldier, and finally a leader with purpose. He isn’t the broody protagonist that most associate with Final Fantasy games. Instead, he is an earnest character, dealing with the cards life has dealt him with a strong will. 

Shield of Rosaria, Wyvern, and an Outlaw

Clive Rosfield in action.

The biggest change and one of the most talked about aspects of FF16 is its combat. The game switches from turned-based battles to one that’s heavily action-focused. Combat Director Ryota Suzuki lists the likes of Devil May Cry 5 and Dragon’s Dogma among others. He recently called FF16 his “masterpiece.” 

Final Fantasy XVI combat starts off simple enough, but deepens as you add more Eikon abilities. You gain these abilities as you progress through the story. 

Basically, you have the melee attack (square), magic attack (triangle), Eikon ability (circle), jump (cross/X), and dodge (R1). Holding R2 changes square and triangle to other Eikon abilities. These range from single enemy attacks to those that deal damage to multiple ones, perfect for crowd control. 

The game eases you into the battle system.

Different melee, magic, and jump button presses also result in ground and aerial combos. Yours truly isn’t too adept in FF16 swordsmanship. However, more creative action-game veterans shouldn’t be left wanting as there is plenty of room for experimentation. That’s even more true when you add the Eikon abilities to the mix. 

Counters and parrying are especially satisfying. Dodging an attack provides you a generous window to counter either with a melee or a magic attack. Parrying results in the enemy being out of balance and leaving them open to taking heavy damage. 

It looks like there’s a lot going on, but combat feels more manageable while you play.

Enemies also have a stagger meter. Landing multiple attacks and magic abilities that the enemy is weak too hastens the stagger meter build-up. Once staggered, the enemy is down and you are free to unleash everything in Clive’s arsenal without fear of retaliation.

“Come to me, Ifrit!”

Perhaps one of the biggest draws of Final Fantasy XVI are its Eikon battles. Eikons or Summons are a staple in Final Fantasy games. Usually, these are larger-than-life figures that aid you in battle. In FF16, they feel grander than ever. 

The Eikons are very much tied to the story. They are abilities inherited by a select few in Valisthea. Their wielders are called Dominants and they are primarily treated as weapons of war. Whichever kingdom has one gains leverage over the others. 

Shiva clashes against Titan.

The Dominants and their Eikons are as follows: 

• Joshua Rosfield – Phoenix (Fire)
• Clive Rosfield – Ifrit (Fire) 
• Jill Warrick – Shiva (Ice)
• Cidolfus Telamon – Ramuh (Lighting)
• Benedikta Harman – Garuda (Wind)
• Hugo Kupka – Titan (Earth)
• Dion Lesage – Bahamut (Light)
• Barnabas Tharmr – Odin (Air)

In the world of Valisthea, there’s supposed to be only one Dominant attuned to an element. Clive being a second Eikon of Fire is an anomaly, and so is his ability to absorb the essence of the other Eikons. 

Titan Lost towering over everything.

The Eikon battles are as grand and epic as they are made out to be. Without spoiling anything, all I shall say is that these colossal clashes are what legends are made of. These are the spectacle and set pieces that will set Final Fantasy XVI apart from both the rest of the franchise and potentially other action-focused games. 

Journey across Valisthea

Clive’s story will have him traveling across Valisthea. And in these travels he shall meet a varied and colorful cast of characters. In classic Final Fantasy fashion, you will be treated to a fair share of adventures and misadventures. 

All of these happen in the beautiful but dying landscapes of Valisthea. As the plot goes, the realm is haunted by what they call the Blight. Any area ravaged by it becomes a desolate wasteland where no magic, let alone life, can survive. This drives the many kingdoms to inevitable conflict, battling for whatever land is left. 

Valisthea is breathtaking.

As a narrative-driven game, there isn’t much by way of exploration and traversal in FF16. There are no platforming no puzzles to solve. What it does have is a world teeming with stories. Side quests in Valisthea are mere fetch quests and battles, but ingrained in them are world-building narratives both personal and grand. These tales will have you smirking, squirming, and possibly even shedding tears. 

Familiar Final Fantasy figures are present like Nektar the Moogle

Speeding through large areas is much easier through Chocobo riding. This, however, can only be unlocked through a side quest about close to halfway through the game. There’s no complicated platforming. What you’re treated to instead are guided paths with breathtaking views and masterful camera work. 

Let the Fire burn

Final Fantasy XVI is a tale both grand and grounded. It succeeds in what its immediate predecessor fell short on in combat. It then raises the stakes by weaving into the story what Summons have been treated as all this time — an ace up a sleeve to turn the tides of battle. 

At the center of it all is Clive Rosfield — Shield of Rosaria and the second Dominant of Fire. His story is personal but the consequences have repercussions in the entire realm of Valisthea. It’s a delicate balance that was handled with excruciating care and executed with surgical precision. 

Final Fantasy XVI is under a lot of heat. But we wager, it’ll burn through it all with inextinguishable flames.

Final Fantasy XVI is out June 22.
Review copy provided by Sony PlayStation.

The post Final Fantasy XVI review: Reigniting the embers of a waning flame appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Quite the looker

For a budget-friendly smartphone, the Tecno Camon 20 Pro comes in an interesting package. The phone’s rear has a leathery texture with a pleasantly tactile feel and an aesthetically pleasing styling. Meanwhile, the frame mimics the sheen of a sheen of an iPhone.

Outside of pure design, the phone has two sizable, bug-eyed peepers for its cameras. (Three, if you count the LED flash.) On the flipside, the screen has a singular punch-hole camera and faintly hidden sensors right on the thin bezel.

Regardless of what you might think of the phone’s hardware, it does have enough pizzazz to turn some heads in a crowd.

Putting those peepers to work

With its sizable cameras, it’s easy to see that the Camon 20 Pro focuses heavily on its cameras. The smartphone has a 64-megapixel main shooter and a 2-megapixel depth camera. On the other hand, it also has a 32-megapixel selfie shooter in front.

From a color-based standpoint, the rear cameras take stellar photos. A quick trip to Boracay shows how much the phone can capture with a simple camera combination. The colors of foliage and bright shirts absolutely pop. Admittedly, the color saturation might be a bit too much for a more seasoned photographer. But, if you’re looking for Instagram-worthy photos right off the bat, the phone’s AI camera is for you.

On the other hand, the selfie camera doesn’t deliver as much saturation. Regardless, it’s still a capable performer under the right circumstances.

Day-to-day performer

Under the hood, the Camon 20 Pro sports a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset. It’s not the best performer. However, for its price point, you’re getting enough power to get through your day without much of a fuss.

In Boracay, the phone performed well as a substitute phone. It handled standard communication and navigation apps perfectly. It was also good enough for browsing for the occasional downtime. And, as you saw above, it was a great camera.

Now, that said, users are also capable of wringing out gaming capabilities from the phone. Though stuttering in the beginning, Honkai: Star Rail played well on the Camon 20 Pro. The game itself was smooth under the right settings. You can play enough to get you through a commute. Plus, the vegan leather back dissipates much of the heat even without a case. Battery life might be an issue, though. More surprisingly, the battery only took a 5 percent hit after 20 minutes with the game on.

Powered for the whole day

The Camon 20 Pro comes with a huge 5000mAh battery under the hood. Even under the heaviest strain (that is, heavy app usage and the occasional gaming), the phone lasted the entire day on a single charge. Users can likely squeeze out more life under lighter usage.

That said, even when the battery is drained, the 33W fast charger is enough to charge the phone in around 90 minutes from completely empty.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The Tecno Camon 20 Pro retails for PhP 9,999. A 5G version sells for PhP 12,999. Based on those prices, the series is a great example of getting a bit more than what you pay for. It’s not the best smartphone in the market in its price range. However, if you’re shopping for a decent daily driver with a limited budget, the Camon 20 Pro deserves some attention.

The post Tecno Camon 20 Pro review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

But when he worked on the 16-inch M2 Max MacBook Pro review just recently, it made him ask if he would rather own a MacBook with a large screen.

Would the case be the same with the new 15-inch MacBook Air? Especially with its larger display and battery in such a thinner chassis.

The answer can be seen and heard from our in-depth review of the 15-inch MacBook Air.

The post Apple MacBook Air 15-inch Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

In a media briefing, I asked ROG if the goal of the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is to attract new users or get older ones to upgrade. To which they answered, “a little bit of both.” The company said they see a core user base that upgrades every two or three years. That behavior appears to be in line with most other smartphone users. 

But the ROG Phone isn’t just any other smartphone. It’s a smartphone designed specifically for someone who wants to play mobile games. So, I asked current and former ROG Phone owners what made them buy one. Unsurprisingly, the two most prominent reasons are Gaming Capability and Battery Life. 

What mobile gamers want

ASUS has had five years to perfect the ROG Phone formula. And you can say that they have to some extent. The improvements over the last two iterations of the phone have been marginal. They have maintained and refined everything that made users want to buy the phone in the first place. 

Gaming performance 

While the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate does use a processor that other Android flagships use — the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The company does a few things to draw out more of its power.

It showed no signs of struggle in playing any of the games I played. Then again, this is par for the course for any recent ROG Phone. And I tried everything from the power-heavy Honkai Star Rail, the criminally free on Netflix TMNT Shredder’s Revenge, the racing game staple Asphalt 9, and a timeless classic, Subway Surfers.

TMNT Shredder’s Revenge is a free game if you’re subscribed to Netflix

Interestingly enough, it’s this same reason that keeps the ROG Phone from supporting models beyond 2-3 years. Its features are so specific that it makes more sense to just release a new one over maintaining active support for older models. 

Air Triggers

No other manufacturer does air triggers as well as the ROG. The ROG Phone, being especially skewed to gaming, means they’re really the only ones taking the time to master this pretty handy feature. 

The air triggers function much like shoulder/trigger buttons on more traditional controllers. They are mappable and can help any player have a more comfortable, if not advantageous, gaming experience while gaming competitively. 

It has been especially useful to gamers who play Call of Duty: Mobile and other shooter-type games.

Front-firing speakers 

Watched plenty of aespa Karina, “Spicy” fancam on this thing

A boon for both gamers and video enjoyers. This is one of the other aspects of the ROG Phone that make just as much of a daily smartphone like other flagship. 

It’s great for catching up on anime like “Mashle”

Like a broken record, year-after-year, it’s one of the best. It’s loud without distorting the audio. And the sound is generally balanced, as full a sound you can get from a smartphone’s form-factor. 

Battery endurance maxed out

It’s pretty great as just a regular smartphone.

Again, this is one of the things that the ROG Phone is fantastic at. If you use it for a couple of days only as a regular smartphone, you won’t feel the need to rush to the nearest power outlet. 

When I knew I was pretty much done testing its gaming capabilities, I didn’t use it much to play — only to browse socials, watch a few videos, and answer a few chats. With this usage, it took about two and a half days before I felt the need to juice it up again.

Cool to be cool  

AeroActive Cooler 7

A huge talking point during the briefing with the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is what they did with cooling. In fact, for a few devices now, that’s been one of their main talking points. 

Naturally so. You play a demanding game for an extended period and the phone will heat up. To keep the performance at a manageable level, the manufacturer has to be creative with how the cooling works. 

And for extra cooling, they also apply the same solution they’ve had for users – an extra cooling unit called the AeroActive Cooler, now also with a “7” to its name. 

Is the ROG Phone boring now? 

Armoury Crate on ROG Phone

Hear me out. I’m not saying it’s a bad smartphone. But the ROG Phone has reached a level of notoriety that it’s just not as exciting to report on anymore. And that’s true even for the Samsung Galaxies and the iPhones of the world — but that’s another topic altogether. 

With the ROG Phone, you know what you’re getting: A gaming smartphone with gaming-specific features. There’s the distinctly gamer look with a bunch of lines that evoke a mech-vibe. In both the top-line models of the ROG Phone 6 and ROG Phone 7, you even get the ROG Vision. It’s a tiny display on the back of the phone whose only real purpose is for showing off. 

ROG Vision just for kicks

Of course, you also have the staples — the Air Triggers, front facing speakers, and a display that’s built to keep you immersed. Battery life hovers around the same ballpark too. But writing all of that felt like a slog. Absolutely nothing new

Point is, the ROG Phone is a known quantity. That’s a great thing for fans of the product line. But it doesn’t leave much room to be talked about in the pretty crowded smartphone space. 

Is the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate your GadgetMatch? 

As a product to report on or write about, I would argue that, yes, it kind of is boring now. Writing about the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate felt like taking a test I already knew the answers to. But that’s only because it knows exactly what it is and who it is for. 

Literally no one else is doing it quite like the ROG Phone. From form to function, it’s THE undisputed gaming smartphone of choice. And the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate continues that tradition. It’s the best that the ROG Phone has ever been and that’s something we’ve come to expect year in and year out. 

If your smartphone priorities align with that of the ROG Phone, then it is an excellent product. It’s certainly a mobile gamer’s GadgetMatch.

Is it newsworthy? In the general sense, not really. Not anymore. But is it a goddamn good product? Hell yeah it is. One that deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

More on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate here.

The post Is the ROG Phone kind of boring now? appeared first on GadgetMatch.

A new vision of Hell

It’s hard to tell when a Diablo review should end. Anyone who’s ever played the series knows that the game doesn’t truly end after finishing the main campaign. By then, the game turns into a sprawling hunt for the best loot and more challenges.

That said, Diablo IV feels much more sprawling than its predecessors. It will take a while before you can even reach your second playthrough. Every corner of the map is littered with side quests, dungeons, and strongholds. Though all optional content are usually steeped in the same “kill everyone” format, there’s enough flavor to differentiate one objective from the other. It’s easy to find yourself in a deep hole of clearing out the whole map.

Instead of the procedurally generated maps of Diablo III, the fourth title thrives in an open-world format. Explored areas will remain visible even after you go offline. Balancing it all out, the game still generates new maps of dungeons after every instance. It’s fun enough to log on for an hour every day and do a few dungeons. It hooks players but not to a tedious level.

But something familiar

Despite how new the experience feels, Diablo IV feels familiar to veterans of the franchise. Instead of the more fantastical elements of the third game, the fourth game is grimdark, reminiscent of the stylings of the first and second games. An early cutscene shows a peaceful village suddenly overcome by a demonic violence. In an instant, the once-peaceful villagers brutally slaughter their village priest. Much of the game recreates similar feelings of horror and despair through its stories and locales. If you’re a fan of darker media, there’s much to enjoy in Diablo IV.

Additionally, the game is deliciously difficult, bringing back the challenge of previous games. From the get-go, players can access two World Tiers or difficulties: Adventurer and Veteran. Though Veteran is already a challenge in itself, the game locks the higher Nightmare and Torment difficulties until after you finish a playthrough. Regardless of difficulty, Diablo IV blends a satisfying challenge with a palpable feeling of growing stronger.

There’s also a variety of possibilities available to the player. Packaged as it is, Diablo IV offers five different classes with their own special playstyles: Barbarian, Sorcerer, Rogue, Necromancer, and Druid. Personally, I prefer the Necromancer, but each class is enjoyable to play. Plus, it’s not difficult to rearrange your skills and abilities. Even at higher levels, I can change my entire build and try something new for only a portion of my gold.

More delights on the horizon

On their own, the game’s classes are enough to create a variety of builds. That said, it’s been hinted that there are more classes coming with expansions, including a rumored Paladin class. I’m hoping for the return of the Monk.

New classes aren’t the only things on the horizon for Diablo IV. Blizzard already confirmed two expansions coming to the game. Prior to those releases, the game will also see the introduction of a battle pass system with new cosmetics.

While microtransactions are always controversial, Diablo IV (currently) keeps it minimal by locking only cosmetic items behind the format. Plus, the current store isn’t marketed aggressively. If you don’t care for cosmetics, it’s easy to ignore the microtransactional aspect of the game.

Of course, this can change in a heartbeat if a more aggressive store is introduced. For now, the game does a decent job breaking away from the controversies of a microtransactional hell.

Welcome to Hell

Diablo IV resurrects the joy of playing Diablo for the first time. It’s a drastic change from the third game, but it should feel familiar to those who enjoyed the first two titles.

With more content on the horizon, Diablo IV is shaping up to be a title with a fair amount of longevity through the years. That is, if it can keep its minimalized microtransactions.

SEE ALSO: Diablo IV will get two expansions

The post Diablo IV review: Hell isn’t so bad appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Admittedly, being a crime boss is a sweet gig. Especially as you command your own crew and enable yourself to be the only head honcho in town. As The Boss in Rockay City, your main goal is a hostile takeover of the entire city. And there’s nothing the law nor your contemporaries can do about it. Packaged with a series of test runs and simulations to boot, Crime Boss: Rockay City is all that it’s hyped up to be.

Let the chaos ensue, ladies and gentlemen, and may the best boss win!

Get your feet wet, or dive right in

At the start, the game treats you to multiple game modes at your disposal. It helps you get a grip of what’s to come. Of course, you have the Main Campaign that takes you straight into the action. We’ll talk more about it in detail later. For now, the focus here is on the other modes, especially for online multiplayer.

I spent a lot of my time going through the Crime Time mode. It’s basically your free play to understand the core mechanics. This game mode basically throws you into the action. It’s complete with a crew and weapons of your choice to accomplish certain objectives. Now, each objective is different and requires a decent amount of planning, but you get cash rewards to buy better weapons.

Urban Legends has a similar approach to Crime Time, except this is the dedicated Co-Op mode for the game. I like that they added this in for people who want to do the missions with their friends because some of them are honestly difficult on your own. Also, Urban Legends gives you the same rewards and helps you unlock more weapons down the line, so it’s still a good time.

A bit of a learning curve with the mechanics

I mentioned earlier that these game modes still require a bit of planning to get used to. If you’re not confident with how the mechanics work, there’s also a dedicated Tutorial mode that’s basically just a heist mission on repeat. However, it does its job of getting you accustomed to the fundamentals of the game when you’re going solo.

For starters, movement in this game allows you to do your missions in a variety of ways. Whether you wanna take it easy and be stealthy or go out guns blazing, your character moves fine. Apart from this, you can approach any non-cooperative civilians by simply restraining them without so much as wasting a bullet and also break security cameras. Honestly, these took a while to get used to.

With a crew by your side, you can also switch to their point of view to help you set up your strategy. This is a great mechanic and integrates a co-op style gameplay even when you’re playing all by your lonesome – basically, you can be anybody. Although, it’s only one at a time so don’t push yourself too much. Overall, the tutorial does help you get through the basics. It comes in handy when you take on the full campaign mode. Speaking of which:

Be your own boss over and over again

Most of my time playing this game was spent within the Main Campaign mode, as expected. It starts off with you, The Boss, battling for your life on a rooftop surrounded by all your enemies and Chuck Norris as the Sheriff. Whether you win it out or not doesn’t really matter since that’s just a taste of what being a crime boss will be like.

After that entire sequence, it’s Day 0 and you begin your quest to overtake the entirety of Rockay City and establish it as your domain. Along the way, you’ll end up recruiting some old friends and handle the takeover like a business. Throughout the entire campaign, the goals are simple: takeover and stay alive – literally.

Start from scratch when you get too dirty

The thing that bothered me about this set-up was the fact that it’s a hard reset when you, The Boss, die in any mission you go on. Obviously you can just send your henchmen to do the dirty work, but sometimes you have to do some dirty work too. This means that you run the risk of doing a hard reset every time, and that’s too big in my opinion.

Also, just to circle back on the mechanics a little bit, this game does not come with any ammunition crosshair as your reference when shooting. It’s something that threw me off a bunch of times, especially when in gun fights for turf wars. I ended up doing multiple resets, with each more tedious than the previous.

If anything, what made every reset sort of worth it was the fact that you still keep your XP and even improve your boss level and some skills. Think of it like New Game+ in other games. You keep skills, items, and levels you gain with every redo after finishing the game. It’s still a good mechanic to inject in the Main Campaign, but it’s still tedious to trudge through.

A city of crime awaits

Crime Boss: Rockay City is a piece of work that requires a ton of time and energy to fully enjoy yourself. Overall mechanics are easy to follow but a bit difficult to maneuver. That’s becaus some features are not present (like a crosshair). Also, you have a Main Campaign mode that is basically “try and try until you un-alive.” It can take you hours to crack and code and succeed.

Even with a slog of a Main Campaign, everything else is exciting enough to get through, especially with friends. Having both a solo and co-op game mode to mess around with salvages this game for me. Honestly, I can just do most of the Crime Time tasks over and over with much enjoyment. And I get rewarded for it every step of the way.

It’s an interesting take on how most crime/mafia-related games go in terms of having to survive through hell for a massive takeover. It rewards you for giving it your best. And lets you have a go at it over and over again until you get it right. Again, if you had the time and energy to go through it, be my guest!

Crime Boss: Rockay City is available on PC now. It will be available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X digitally on June 15th. Physical copies will come on September 5th.

The post Crime Boss: Rockay City was as rocky as the city title appeared first on GadgetMatch.

While the design isn’t any different from its predecessors, it promises significant boosts in performance.

However, this isn’t meant for those who already owned the M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pros launched in 2021.

Spoiler alert: This is a huge upgrade from the 16-inch Intel Core i9 MacBook Pro from 2019.

But would you compromise the portability of the 14-inch version over a bigger screen and battery?

Watch our review of the new M2 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro, four months later.

The post Apple M2 Max MacBook Pro 16-inch Review: Four months later appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Things are promising on paper. The ROG Ally is built to be able to run AAA titles. Here’s a quick look at the specs of the unit we had for recap:

Model	RC71L
CPU	AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor  4nm  Zen 4/ 8 core & 16 threads   24M cache  CPU Clock: up to 5.10 Ghz  TDP: 9 – 30 watts
GPU	With AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Config:  AMD Radeon Graphics  RDNA3 & 4G RAM capacity / 8.6 TFlops  12 CU  GPU Clock: 2.7GHz
Panel	Full HD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz / 7 ms eDP1.4b, 500 nits, IPS-panel, 100%  sRGB, FreeSync Premium, Gorilla® Glass Victus and Gorilla® Glass DXC,  10-point Touchscreen  Gyro support
Memory	16GB (LPDDR5 6400Mhz) dual channel LPDDR5 8GBx2 on board  memory
Audio	2 x 1W speakers with smart amp technology, Dolby Atmos®, Hi-Res Audio,  AI Noise Cancellation
Wi-Fi / Bluetooth	WiFi 6E (802.11ax) / Bluetooth® v5.2
Storage	512GB (for Z1 Extreme config)  +SD card slot UHS-2
I/O PORT	ROG XG Mobile interface (8PCI express lanes) and USB Type-C  combo port (with USB 3.2 Gen2, DP 1.4 support) — (1x) 3.5mm Audio jack — (1x) Micro SD slot (UHS-II, Micro SD 4.0) — (1x)
Battery	40Wh
Adapter	65W PD adapter, supports pass through charging
Dimensions	280.44 * 111.18 * 21.22 mm 608g

PlayStation Studios on PC 

PlayStation, in the past couple of years, has decided to spread the love and let PC players experience some of the best they have to offer. Currently, there are 12 PlayStation exclusive titles playable on PC. And they’re available on either Steam or the Epic Games Store. 

In case you’re curious the available games are as follows: 

• Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• God of War (2018)
• Uncharted: The Legacy of Thieves Collection
• Destiny 2: Lightfall 
• Horizon: Zero Dawn
• Returnal
• Days Gone
• HELLDIVERS
• Predator Hunting Grounds
• Sackboy: A big Adventure
• The Last of Us Part 1

PlayStation Asia was kind enough to give us codes for three of the 12 titles now available on PC. Here’s how they ran on the ROG Ally. 

Quick note: I played on Performance mode with brightness hovering at around 50-55% indoors in an air conditioned room. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

Marvel’s Spider-Man, along with NBA 2K, is my comfort game. Whenever I feel frustrated or just having a bad day, I fire up either game. On Spider-Man, I just swing aimlessly around the digital Manhattan that Insomniac built. 

It was such a delight to learn that I can do this on the go now too with Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered playing pretty darn well on the ROG Ally. 

I had the framerate limiter turned on, maxing out at 60. Despite that, I only reached a max of 31 fps with dips to as low as 15. It looks bad on paper, but is much more tolerable during actual gameplay. The dips usually happened during cutscenes. Majority of the gameplay hovered around 25-30 fps. 

I knew it was never gonna reach the level of detail and smoothness that I get on the PS5 and LG C2 combo that I usually play on. There was plenty of noticeable stuttering especially during the busier sections of the game. But I didn’t think any of it was game breaking. 

Audio wasn’t as loud as I hoped it would be despite me playing in a pretty quiet room. I opted to pair it with Bluetooth earbuds (OnePlus Buds Pro 2) to get the most of the audio. There were no audio delays whatsoever which was a very welcome development. 

My average play time was about one hour and 20 minutes. That’s with the battery going from 100% to 20% each time. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Coming from the same Studio and pretty much being essentially the same game, Spider-Man: Miles Morales didn’t run too differently from Spider-Man Remastered.

I played in the exact same conditions: Indoor room, AC on, started at 100%, performance mode, and medium brightness settings. Curiously, the frame dips happened more during open-world swinging and not as much during cutscenes. This could be because of the busier version of New York due to the events of the game being set during the Christmas season. 

But the numbers weren’t too different. I still maxed at 31 fps, with most of the gameplay hovering around 25-30 fps, and the lowest dip coming in at 16fps. 

Again, nothing game breaking and it is much more tolerable during gameplay. Naturally, you have to have your expectations set properly. The ROG Ally is, after all, a handheld gaming PC. 

Average play time is around one hour and 25 minutes with about 75% to 80% of the battery life being consumed. 

Returnal

Returnal is one of the titles I was most excited to try. I was curious about how the audio and controller rumble would translate to the ROG Ally. On the PS5, Audio and DualSense implementation are two of the game’s many strengths. 

Due to audio cues on enemies’ locations, this game is best played with earbuds/headphones on. The experience on the ROG Ally isn’t quite 3D Audio on PS5 levels, but it’s as close as it gets. 

The same can be said for the controller rumble. It’s not as precise nor finely implemented as the DualSense – that’s a unique feature after all. However, I was still thoroughly impressed with how the ROG Ally implemented rumble in certain sections of the game. The rumble effect is also a testament to how well-built the Ally is. Despite the internals shaking, the Ally never felt brittle nor that it would suddenly come apart. 

Knowing this is a shooter game, I turned the framerate limiter off and reached highs of 115 fps. The framerate did dip to as low as 15 fps which is about the widest variance I got from any game I played using the Ally. This did affect gameplay especially during sections where I had to deal with multiple enemies. 

I did experience plenty of crashes which isn’t ideal for a game like Returnal whose progress relies on you surviving as long as you can on a single run through. But this only happened during the first few minutes. After a while, it seemed like the ROG Ally had adjusted to the performance-demands of the game. 

It took about an hour and 10 minutes before I had to plug-in the Ally to not lose a playthrough. 

Remote Play?

Since the ROG Ally is essentially a handheld gaming PC, you can certainly install the Remote Play app on it. However, you can’t just immediately use the gamepad. To play Horizon: Forbidden West, and generally just run the app, I had to pair the Ally with my DualSense controller.

You can map the gamepad so that it works but mapping isn’t an activity I enjoy nor did I have the time (I had to return the review unit) to do it. Other reviewers pointed to using a third-party app called Chiaki. But again, I didn’t have time to test it. I did see gameplay of it though so it seems to be working just fine. 

Knowing that you can do all these on the Ally actually makes you question the upcoming PlayStation Q handheld. Sure, the integration will likely be seamless. But its core function can already be replicated on other handhelds and handheld-like devices. I digress.

It’s worth noting that the relatively smooth experience I had with the ROG Ally was also aided by an internet connection that constantly hovers in the 250+ mbps range along with a Wi-Fi 6 router. 

The ROG Ally is PlayStation friendly 

If you want to know what it’s like playing PlayStation 5 games on a handheld device, the ROG Ally is easily one of the best devices to play with. The gameplay isn’t quite as smooth but you shouldn’t expect it to be. And yes, you’ll find yourself reaching for the power adapter after a little over an hour of playthrough. But being able to play AAA titles on a handheld device still feels crazy to me.

Having started gaming on a family computer and covering tech for a living, it’s still mind-blowing to me how far technology has come. The stuff I only dreamed of as a little fat gamer is coming true thanks to the ROG Ally and its contemporaries. 

The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme retails for US$ 699. The ROG Ally Z1 variant retails for US$ 599. Pre-orders begin on May 11. It will be available for sale worldwide on June 13, 2023.

The post How well do PlayStation games run on the ROG Ally? appeared first on GadgetMatch.

And by that, even making direct accessory contenders such as the OnePlus Stylo, a Folio Case, and even a Magnetic Keyboard.

But is the experience even close?

Well, if you’re looking for an Android tablet less than what the latest entry-level iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab offers,

it’s a tablet you might want to try out — and our OnePlus Pad review might just entice you to buy one.

The post OnePlus Pad Review: If iPad Ran on Android appeared first on GadgetMatch.

However, while that may be the case, it is the Pro that I spent the most time with. And it’s also the gadget that reinvigorated my fancy for photography.

Before I expound on its camera performance, let me give you a background of myself being a lowkey (and frustrated) “photographer”.

Unintentional introduction

When I was five, the memory of our old Ricoh film camera, Kodak + Fujifilm canisters, and even a Samsung digital camera in my mom’s dusty drawers still remain as one of my core memories.

Back in grade school, I used our Casio EXILIM EX-Z60 digital camera for school events and trips. High school went by and our Yashica camcorder plus my classmate’s Canon EOS 1100D added to that list — which all contributed to my photography mesmerization.

Mesmerization and ambition

Back in 2014, my aunt gave me a Canon EOS 60D as a gift. That’s also my life’s crucial moment where I started learning photography and wanted to solely focus on it after I graduate.

And while on the topic, I made this college project (watch at your own risk).

While the endeavour was a group work, I had the core idea of equipping all kinds of spec absurdities in this imaginary smartphone — including a DSLR’s interchangeable lens system coupled with an APS-C sensor.

Can’t believe this absurd idea actually became a reality years later

I just thought it’s a great solution to the lackluster imaging quality of smartphones (and hefty bodies of DSLR cameras) of yesteryears.

The frustration

The usual Sony a6500 we use for pro shooting

I became a GadgetMatch intern back in 2018. I then remember having to hold a Sony a7S during my first day. The rest was history as I was able to hold several more pro-grade cameras such as the Fujifilm X-T30 and the Canon EOS RP.

SEE ALSO: Learning street photography with the Canon EOS RP

But all of us in the team know how to shoot great photographs. My main role is to edit videos for our YouTube channel. That’s also when I felt like my photography skills became rusty and my frustration as a “photographer” grew further.

Compounding the frustration, I’m the type of “photographer” who doesn’t have a “forte” as I love shooting any and every interesting subject I see — be that a pet, product, portrait, food, architecture, landscapes, or even the challenging ones like wildlife/nature and even photojournalism.

Utmost fascination

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept (2022)

Surprisingly, eight years after that college project, a phone with a detachable lens system became a real thing with the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept.

From previous 1-inch sensor headliners like Sharp’s Aquos R6, the Leica Leitz Phone 1, and eventually the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, I felt nothing but excessive excitement when I was assigned to play with this crazy 1-inch-sensor-touting Xiaomi 13 Pro — even crazier that it’s co-engineered with Leica.

Leica’s special sauce

If you’re like me who focuses the most on a smartphone’s camera performance, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is more than enough to capture picture-perfect photographs taken through its revolutionary camera system.

However, it’s not just about its advanced camera sensors. Leica’s partnership with Xiaomi is more than just bringing in photo filters and Summicron optics. They also wanted you to use their two special camera concoction.

If you were able to read my Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Camera Shootout article, this shouldn’t be new information to you. But for the rest, Xiaomi lets you choose between ‘Leica Vibrant’ (more saturated) and ‘Leica Authentic’ (less saturated) looks.

Don’t confuse them as color filters. Rather, built-in color calibration techniques based from Leica’s color science. Together with Xiaomi’s AI algorithm, they work together to bring out the best look for each photo taken.

Picking between these two Leica looks is mandatory and obviously, your choice will affect the overall mood of the photographs you take. However, you cannot totally turn this off. The Pro mode isn’t even exempted as you still need to choose between the two while you take “RAW” photos.

Pro-tography within your fingertips

The main highlight of the Xiaomi 13 Pro is none other than its 1-inch camera based on the Sony IMX989 sensor — which isn’t different from last year’s Xiaomi 12S Ultra as well as the newer Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The 13 Ultra just has the upper hand of having a variable aperture instead of relying on a fixed f/1.9 aperture.

That’s also the reason why I said earlier that getting the Pro variant over the Ultra doesn’t make it “less capable”. The wide 1x samples below (23mm lens equivalent) will prove my very bold statement

Even with a dark subject like my indoor cat Kaori with her visible strands of black fur and whiskers, or a random black cat walking outside, its fast shutter release will just blow your mind — all thanks to that large 1-inch sensor.

On the other hand, its 50-megapixel ultra-wide shooter relies on a totally different Samsung JN1 sensor with a 1/2.76-inch size. But even if it’s smaller than its wide lens counterpart, these photos still show superb quality.

Its 115-degree FoV (Field of View) is wider than the competition. I usually use this lens mode when shooting architecture to emphasize the vastness of a structure — especially when indoors such as churches, cathedrals, pathways, and even alleyways.

50mm + 75mm lens excellence

Another great thing about Leica x Xiaomi’s partnership is being able to bring in special 35mm B/W, 50mm, and 75mm portrait modes which not only mimics how prime lenses of pro-grade cameras perform, but also being able to apply Leica’s post-processing techniques after clicking the shutter button.

However, it’s worthy to point out that while the 50mm still relies on the phone’s ginormous 1-inch sensor, its 75mm portrait mode uses the dedicated 3.2x telephoto lens instead.

Good mood for food

Whenever good food is served, I automatically take out the Xiaomi 13 Pro (regardless if I have other flagship phones with me) and shoot ’em using the handy-dandy 50mm “swirly bokeh lens” feature.

I just love how Xiaomi processes food shots without actually over-saturating and over-sharpening the shot just to make it “scrumptious” to viewers. Leica’s color science preserved the real colors of the food — which was also how I perceived them IRL.

If you look closely, shots taken using any of the special portrait modes always has a vignette (or that subtle radial black border around the image). I’m all for it as it emphasizes the subjects I capture regardless of who or what it is.

I’m not fond of using the regular wide (1x) lens as it requires you to get closer to the food subject. But relying on that 1-inch sensor through 2x cropping reduces the amount of that nasty radial blur but still preserving details. The 2x option is also helpful in avoiding pesky shadows when shooting food indoors.

Nonetheless, food still looks great when shot on 1x (23mm) as long as you’re on the right shooting distance with ample amount of light.

While its 75mm relies on a completely different 3.2x telephoto camera, it was still able to quickly capture my brother’s hand while he was rolling that melted cheese on his fried chicken.

Another testament: this cup of lychee lemonade I drank taken in a not-so-well-lit environment. The only source of light was the measly bright LED TV while I was binge-watching one of the best K-dramas around (*coughs* Taxi Driver Season 2).

Portrait expert

While using the dedicated 50mm swirly bokeh lens requires you to be farther from your shooting subject, it also lets the camera get closer to the subject.

Other than that, the tighter Field of View (FoV) makes me frame my shot better and looking symmetrical than ever.

And just like a real 50mm prime lens for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, it’s also the best lens when shooting portraits as it requires just the right amount of distance between the lens and the subject — whilst delivering a creamy background blur.

Even when the subject is moving such as my bestie walking on the side of the pool, its 75mm was fast enough to catch the candidness of his actions — all while being able to separate the foreground from the background precisely.

Fast AF

Whether you read that as “Auto Focus” or “As F***”, both of those terms are acceptable.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro truly takes photos quickly and swiftly — just like how I captured this river scenery while walking on a ginormous bridge between Intramuros and Binondo.

I took this 50mm while I was in a hurry, yet it still looked clear and crisp with the appearance of gradual blurring between the foreground and the subject in focus. It really felt like this was shot on a pro-grade DSLR/mirrorless camera.

This 75mm shot of a very handsome Toyota GR Supra was shot while I was in the back seat of a speeding Honda Civic. Despite using the 3.2x telephoto lens, it was still able to shoot fast with enough details and less blurriness altogether.

The same thing can be said when I took these zoomed-in shots of two structures while I was walking on the sidewalk without actually trying to slow down.

The zoom shooter was also able to capture these kids in fast playing motion — and even felt like the time froze.

Surprisingly, that 75mm shooter performed fast too even in conditions where the presence of natural light is fading.

In my wildest dreams

Back then, my ambitious self dreamt of being a wildlife photographer for National Geographic. I admit how foolish that sounded. Still, I was delighted and astounded that the Xiaomi 13 Pro can capture the beauty of nature like I have a real DSLR and that long-ass telephoto “bazooka” lens with me.

Photojournalism on a phone? Why not?

Another aspiration I’ve had in college is being a photojournalist. Unlike most photographers, photojournalists should have the utmost courage to capture the world without the added sugarcoating.

Having to use the Xiaomi 13 Pro and its speedy shutter release during our special one-day photowalk definitely proves how it can be one of (if not) the best gears for photojournalism.

The photography technique I always bring with me is none other than being able to put juxtaposition into context.

In the easiest of terms, it’s putting two different subjects in one frame with a contrasting effect — like this lady and her vibrant stuff against a dull and busy background (two opposing hues)…

…or this bird kite flying on the vast sky (man-made versus nature).

My shot above is one of my favorites. Technically speaking, the presence of that artificial light added drama to the shot. But actually, there’s more than that.

Despite having different kinds of social classes, all of us have our right and freedom to go and enjoy our time along with our family and friends outdoors.

Low-light goodness

The Xiaomi 13 Pro may not have the brightest low-light photos ever taken in a smartphone, but as I always say in my reviews, being the brightest of the bunch doesn’t mean it’s the best performer.

With that large 1-inch sensor, it takes night mode photos pretty quick and doesn’t exceed a second in shutter duration — unless it’s a really dark environment.

Remember those special 50mm and 75mm special lenses I showcased earlier? Well, they both work well in low-light scenarios too!

Most phones usually struggle when you take portrait shots under low-light shooting conditions, but the Xiaomi 13 Pro is built different.

Even in harsher low-light conditions, the Xiaomi 13 Pro was very capable. It showed the beauty of my NewJeans Binky Bong as well as its box content with the littlest amount of noise.

This sign of a famous taco joint isn’t any different. The Xiaomi 13 Pro was able to preserve the authenticity of the shot without bumping too much exposure, highlights, and most of all, shadows.

For comparison’s sake, the difference is quite stark between the 50mm and 75mm portrait shots of my two lovey-dovey friends.

While 50mm relies on the 1-inch sensor and the wide f/1.9 aperture of the main lens (artificially widened to f/0.95), the 75mm was able to give a shallower Depth of Field (DoF) and a clearer foreground-background segmentation thanks to the farther focal length — mimicking what telephoto zoom lenses do.

And despite how high the ISO sensitivity of the two photos are, the photos are still sharp with barely visible noise. I also have to thank Xiaomi’s AI algorithm for cutting out subjects more accurately than the rest of the competition.

Regardless of what type of shooting subject you shoot in low-light, the 75mm does the job well and consistent.

Leica B/W

It wouldn’t be a full Leica experience without trying Leica’s classic B/W (black and white) looks.

But unlike what Leica previously did with other smartphone manufacturers (specifically Huawei), the B/W calibration actually looks closer to what Leica offers in its cameras.

Don’t take my word for it though. Those came from the words of the Leica photographers I’ve been with in that special one-day photowalk I mentioned earlier.

Leica’s special B/W and B/W NAT color filters add flare to your existing shots.

And just like how I mentioned “juxtaposition” earlier, taking B/W into consideration gives more depth and drama to your already “controversial” and “heart-wrenching” photographs.

Surprisingly, the presets look good even in candid shots — even if the subjects convey happiness and enjoyment.

BONUS: AI Removal

In instances where you have no control over the unwanted humans or objects in your shots, Xiaomi’s AI removal feature in its in-app gallery editor comes in very handy.

We gotta give credit where credit is due. Even though it’s not a fresh feature (as this was introduced by Google as “Magic Eraser” during the Pixel 6 launch), I’m still stoked that Xiaomi offers the same AI-based feature out of the box.

From the term itself, it lets you remove distractions from your shots. Other than the typical manual erasures, Xiaomi’s AI algorithm also detects people, objects, lines, and even shadows.

Although to be very frank, the most usable of the bunch is none other than the removal people selection. It worked 95% of the time and only had trouble identifying people in a couple of shots. Other times, the AI removal isn’t clean, like in the last sample above.

Featured by Xiaomi

Back in March 2023, Xiaomi Philippines held a one-day photoshoot with select media friends and Leica photographers towards the sights of San Fernando and Clark in the province of Pampanga.

That’s the time when I finally started using the smartphone after given to me by our team head, Rodneil, when he came back from Barcelona, Spain for MWC 2023.

SEE ALSO: GadgetSnaps: Xiaomi 13 Pro in Barcelona

Xiaomi’s Founder and CEO Lei Jun even tweeted about it (unfortunate though how I wasn’t in this first group photo session because the irritable morning heat led me to stay inside the van).

TMI aside, here are some of my shots that Xiaomi PH chose to feature on their Instagram page.

 

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And just a day after, I went to Intramuros by myself, thinking how I needed to take more photographs using the amazing camera system of the Xiaomi 13 Pro.

 

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Fondness for flagship

Other than the excellent camera system the Xiaomi 13 Pro possesses (and the thicc camera bump proves that), what makes it a true flagship experience is none other than its hardware.

Being equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with the speedy LPDDR5X RAM and a UFS 4.0 storage standard guarantee the longevity of the phone both in performance and power.

I have to be honest though that I’m not a fan of the phone’s overall material selection — mainly because the black colorway I have is a huge dust + fingerprint smudge magnet. My opinion would differ though if it was offered in that clean-looking Ceramic White slate.

Still, I love how slim and light the phone feels even if it has a gigantic 6.73-inch curved display. For my XL hands, it’s a perfect fit.

LE SSERAFIM is UNFORGIVEN – but forgive me for I have sinned

Speaking of that display, I enjoyed watching multimedia whenever, wherever. Its 120Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, while its 2K AMOLED display and Dolby Atmos speakers bring the best out of the content I watch — especially those in 4K.

Lastly, one of the best features of this phone is none other than the support of 120W HyperCharge with a bundled charger and cable. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra doesn’t even have this as it only relies on a “slower” 90W fast charging.

It honestly saved me from times where I have to leave the house unplanned. That 30-minute charge from 0 to 100 percent is a huge lifesaver. Let alone, its battery life efficiency is topnotch as it lasts me until the end of day at the very least — and more than that when used lightly.

Is the Xiaomi 13 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is already available in major Asian and European markets. Retail pricing starts at PhP 59,999 (SG$ 1699 / INR 89,999 / EUR 1299 / GBP 1099).

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is a great smartphone meant for photographers, casual shooters, and aspirers alike. If the plethora of photo samples I took aren’t enough to prove that, you’d be amazed to see more photographs taken with the Xiaomi 13 Pro by other talented individuals around.

Although at the end of the day, any photographer will be able to nail the device they are using as long as they know the basics as well as having a unique shooting style. Lastly, trusting their own creative process.

That said, the Xiaomi 13 Pro still offers the flexibilities of a smartphone while having the excellence of today’s advanced imaging system — plus a well thought-out partnership with a world-renowned camera brand. It’s a smartphone that isn’t gimmicky and actually offers the real deal compared to other smartphone photography contenders.

Where have you been all my life?!

I’ve been dreaming of owning a smartphone that can at least keep up with the quality of a DSLR or a mirrorless camera.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro (or any existing 1-inch-equipped smartphones around) can’t and won’t “replace” any professional cameras anytime soon. However, I can confidently say that the Xiaomi 13 Pro lives up to its professional photography promises.

It may not have the most affordable price tag for flagships out now. But the Xiaomi 13 Pro still a worthy recipient of the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval. That’s especially if you’re one among those prospect buyers who are looking for the best cameras in a smartphone today.

The post Xiaomi 13 Pro: Frustrated photographer’s review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Such is the case for the 2023 version of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16, a gaming machine with all the right tools for a competitive gaming experience. It’s a laptop that hinges well on its power when delivering excellent performance, mostly due to the hardware inside it. For this year, nothing much has changed on the outside and every little thing inside got some form of an upgrade.

Do these upgrades make the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 a better gaming laptop overall?

The outside they didn’t change

Upon unboxing the device, the first thing you will notice is, well, there’s really nothing different from last year’s model. It comes in a rather subtle Off-Black colorway, in a chassis that is a bit heavy to bring around. As usual, all of the ports can be found on either side, with a full array of USB–As, USB-Cs, an HDMI 2.1 port, and even a microSD card reader. 

Plastered on top of the lid is an innovation of the ROG in the AniMe Matrix. Unlike previous iterations, this one is a bit brighter than before, and also comes with more features to show off your individuality to others. Also, this version of the Matrix now has its own Virtual Pet mode, which does look great on the LED light-powered lid.

Overall, the exterior looks pretty much the same as before. Even with some minor tweaks and adjustments to hardware placement plus the AniMe Matrix, there’s really nothing else they did differently. The inside, however, is a totally different story.

Boosted internal upgrades

A chunk of the upgrades were given to the internals in order to fully bring out the device’s new found power. For starters, the ROG Zephyrus M16 comes with an 11th-gen Intel Core i9 processor and 64GB of RAM — a near perfect fit for any kind of task. Also, it comes with a powerful NVIDIA RTX 4090 and 2TB worth of SSD storage, which is great for playing and storing a library of competitive and casual games.

Even the device’s display received a considerable upgrade in the form of the 16-inch WQHD Nebula Display that comes with a 240Hz refresh rate. Ideally, every application, video, and game that loads up comes with near-perfect colors at the right brightness. Another thing is that the display supports G-SYNC so less stuttery frames when playing your favorite games.

When putting everything together, this device packs more than a punch for every task you throw at it. Whether you’re catching up on your favorite shows, playing and streaming your gaming content, or you’re editing multiple high-resolution videos, the ROG Zephyrus M16 does these all without a hitch. 

Ray tracing and gaming done right

Another aspect the ROG Zephyrus M16 improves on is its gaming capabilities with the RTX 4090 inside. The expectation here is that the gaming experience would be significantly better, especially on the ray tracing front. However, previous versions of an RTX GPU for laptops have produced rather subpar results when ray tracing is used in-game.

This time, that’s not the case as games that support ray tracing looked stunning and hit respectable frame rates. From our tests, frame rate went up to around 50 to 58 FPS for supported games like Fortnite, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Cyberpunk 2077. At these rates, there were no observable drops in graphic quality, which made the experience more immersive and less jittery than before.

Even without this setting turned on, frame rates on most titles were excellent. Competitive shooters and battle royale games peaked at 240 FPS on their highest settings, which is what you’re expecting out of an RTX 4090. Also, the 240Hz G-SYNC-compatible display supported each game you play with little to no pixels out of place during crucial moments.

Even the best can overheat

Alas, even with all the power packed into one device, it can only do so much to keep everything cooled down. For laptops like the ROG Zephyrus M16, you should expect extreme heat during and after playing intense games as it performs better every hour. In this case, however, there were a few things that made the experience not as pleasant as one would think.

For the most part, the ROG Zephyrus M16 boasts a CoolZone Keyboard Design feature that ideally distributes warmth evenly when using the keyboard. Unfortunately, most of the heat was still packed around the four most commonly used keys for gamers, the WASD keys. Other parts of the keyboard were also warm, but not as much compared to those four keys in particular.

The only few good points about this device on the cooling front are that it doesn’t immediately heat up after opening it, and it cools down easily. It’s a relief that you adjust the settings through Armoury Crate, especially to set up certain applications to follow specific power settings.

Can only go so far

In terms of overall battery life, the ROG Zephyrus M16 fares decently in that regard considering the hardware it carries. From our tests, the device lasts a good seven hours running on a full battery for most use cases. Of course, gaming on it full time cuts that time significantly to just an hour and a half on average. For the price this device comes in, it’s definitely decent but there are longer lasting options out there.

Charge times for this device aren’t too shabby either, with the 280W adapter requiring at least two hours to fully charge the device. It also comes with a 100W USB Type-C charger, which is great for charging other USB-C supported devices. However, charge time with this one took seven hours to fully charge the ROG Zephyrus M16.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

At PhP 339,995, the 2023 version of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 provides a great gaming experience through and through. All the upgraded internals had pushed this device to be an all-around powerhouse for whatever you throw at it. Even without any difference from the last iteration, minor improvements to the AniMe Matrix allow you to show off your personality a little bit more.

As expected, heat and battery length stand out as key considerations when you’re using this for a lengthy amount of time. After our tests, these were not total dealbreakers given the internal hardware that the device carries. Although, there is potential for it to greatly affect the experience, especially on the go.

Overall, the ROG Zephyrus M16 was always designed to be one of the best gaming laptops out there, and this iteration is just no different. There are more affordable options for this model, with one of them at PhP 169,995 for the RTX 4070 model. Even so, that’s still an impressive piece of work that will elevate the gaming experience further.

More information on the ROG Zepyhrus M16 here. | Buy here. 

The post ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Styling on the competition appeared first on GadgetMatch.

This was taken at Huawei’s Oxhorn Campus in China, just a couple of days after first getting my hands on the P60 Pro. I think it encapsulates what the smartphone can do. It makes even someone like me who has no formal photography training look like a seasoned professional. 

I would like to think that it’s always been the aim of these smartphones. To deliver stunning images no matter your level of photography expertise. To make sure that you’re able to capture moments in your life in the clearest way possible. Memories are fleeting and photos help immortalize it for us. 

The hardware 

Part of what makes this possible is Huawei’s superb hardware. Time and time again, the company has produced gadgets that tout some of the best industrial design in the mobile device segment. The P60 Pro is no exception. 

Its Dual Variable aperture system lets users switch between f/1.4-4.0. Different focal lengths for different shooting scenarios.

Here’s everything on the main camera array by the numbers: 

• 48MP main (wide) camera with a Dual Variable aperture system
• 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
• 48MP f/2.1 telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom

They look pedestrian on paper. Especially with the one-inch sensor being touted by its closest competitors in the flagship space. But Huawei is hanging its hat on the combination of its hardware and AI-infused software processing to produce stunning images. 

AI-infused processing 

Speaking of the Ai on the Huawei P60 Pro, I’d like to show a couple of curious cases during our time with the device. 

Afternoon moon 

I honestly don’t know how people are going to take this. But it appears that when the AI kicks-in, it forces the final image into this look of what it thinks it’s supposed to be. The shot of the moon below was taken in the late afternoon, with the sky still blue as the sun is pretty much still up.

But as you can see, as the phone identifies that you’re trying to take a moon shot, the surrounding color turns into night time instead of blue. 

Lighter or more contrast? 

This sort of happens too on other occasions. The flower photos below were taken seconds apart. The first one was taken quickly, without the AI picking up on the subject yet. The second one, which applies more contrast, was taken after the AI picked out that it’s a flower. 

You can toggle the AI settings on or off. Most of the time the primary difference is just how much contrast and sharpening is applied. How you want your photos to come out is still ultimately up to you. 

A lens for every scene 

The Huawei P60 Pro does a great job of capturing multiple types of scenes. The main camera is great for capturing general scenes and quick snaps. 

My personal favorite is the telephoto lens (more on this in a bit). Something about it just adds character to the shots you take. It’s great for closing in on your subject, whether that’s architecture or food. 

And the ultrawide angle lens, naturally, is great for capturing landscape scenery.

Let’s take a look at more sample photos. 

Food

Night time

People

Omniverse Museum 

Fun fact: This is the exact Millennium Falcon used in the movies.

I also took the Huawei P60 Pro on an impromptu, totally unplanned, trip to the Omniverse Museum. It’s a museum made for nerd herders like myself. If you’re into Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and more, the place is a must visit.

I had to post for some shots, of course. The main sensor is great for this.

But what I had really fun using was the 3.5x zoom on the telephoto lens that really brought out the details of some of the characters on display. 

The force is string, the details are crisp

One of Khaleesi’s dragons

This Iron Spider (MCU version) looks like almost like the first time it was shown at the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming film.

And this Iron Man display just looks badass.

Look at all the details in this Black Panther bust

I’ll have a full walkthrough of the museum, with more photos taken by the P60 Pro, in a separate article. 

Picture Perfect 

The Huawei P60 Pro’s photography prowess is as good as ever. It’s great that Huawei has been able to keep its imaging consistent throughout their P-series phones throughout the years. It was never in question, but the way it keeps getting better should also be commended. 

Rococo eye candy 

I touched on this briefly in the vibe check article, but for emphasis, I just want to say that the Rococo Pearl color variant is an absolute beauty. As mentioned previously, Huawei says there are no two Rococo Pearl variants that will look exactly alike because of how it’s made. If you want something that’s truly unique, then this is the variant for you.

It’s also incredibly easy to hold and use. Ever since the P40 Pro, I have been a fan of how Huawei has more or less stuck to the same size and dimension making the phone extremely wieldy. 

Don’t discount the Black variant though. If you want something that’s more low-key, this is the one to get. It’s also less slippery and, in my opinion, feels better to touch with its slightly rougher surface. But that’s me. You’re probably gonna want to use this with a case anyway.  

EMUI, AppGallery, and GBox 

Herein lies the rub. Huawei has certainly taken whatever steps it can to make sure it’s usable to as many people as possible. But the truth of the matter is that they still do not have access to GMS or Google Mobile Service through no fault of their own.

So, what have they done so far? They have beefed up their AppGallery as much as they can. Most recently adding some of the most played games today.

To mitigate the lack of GMS, they tapped into GBox. What it does is kind of mask the phone when you log in to Google to give you some sort of access to a few Google Apps. It ain’t smooth or pretty, but it works.

Lastly, EMUI is EMUI. Like any Android skin, you can customize it to your liking. But Huawei really needs to do away with these folders with recommended apps. 

Having to go into the folder’s settings and toggling the recommendation is a few steps that users should not have to take on a phone that’s already asking a lot to just be able to set up and use certain apps. 

4G+ only 

Another thing that might turn people off on paper is the lack of 5G connectivity. The Huawei P60 Pro maxes out at 4G+ and that can indeed be an issue for some. In practice though, it barely makes a difference.

I put a 5G-capable SIM card on the phone and it is consistently on 4G+. Multiple speed tests suggest I’m also getting high speeds with less fluctuations compared to other 5G-capable Android smartphones I’ve tried. 

If you’re looking for a dealbreaker, this isn’t it. 

Curious power adapter

The box comes with an 88W power adapter. Unlike most, it has both a USB-A and USB-C port sitting right next to each other. Huawei says this was done so you can use whichever cable you have lying around. However, the ports cannot be used simultaneously. Only one hole at a time, folks.

Is the Huawei P60 Pro your GadgetMatch? 

The Huawei P60 Pro is the smartphone I used so far in 2023 that I enjoyed the most taking photos with. I felt like a pro seeing my snaps look like absolute stunners when I review them.

But a smartphone’s camera is only part of the equation. The only way I can recommend this to anyone is if you’re willing to deal with all the hullabaloo that comes with EMUI, AppGallery, and GBox. It’s not unusable, but it also isn’t the most user-friendly thing out there. 

That’s a tough ask for a premium smartphone that also commands a premium price. 

If you’re willing to deal with everything that it comes with, the Huawei P60 Pro is likely the best camera you can keep in your pocket. It doesn’t hurt that it handles well and also looks good. 

Price and availability in the Philippines

You can now purchase the Huawei P60 Pro through offline and online HUAWEI Stores, authorized retail outlets, and leading e-commerce sites Shopee and Lazada, price starts at PhP 58,999 — and get the Huawei Watch GT3 for free worth 12,999 if you pre order from May 12 to May 25, 2023.

You can get the 8+256GB version for only PhP 58,999, while the 12+512GB for PhP 69,999.

Installment payments in Offline Huawei Stores are also available via Home Credit for up to 18 months and participating credit cards for 24 months with 0% interest.

If you pre-order now, you’ll get 1-year Extended Warranty valued at 3,999.

Trade-in is also available for both Huawei and non-Huawei smartphones. Apart from enjoying a discount from the trade-in, you can also get Php8,000 add-on voucher when you trade-in Huawei smartphone, while for non-Huawei smartphone, you can get up to Php7,000 add-on voucher. Available in selected stores nationwide.

The post Huawei P60 Pro review: Picture perfect appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Now, you might think that this is just a convoluted way of saying that the new flagship is just average. To be clear, it’s anything but. There’s a lot to love from the F5 Pro.

White as snow, clean-cut

From the get-go, the F5 Pro exudes a premium feel as a flagship does. The white version is simplistic — a curved snow-white panel covered in glass. The camera island softens sharp edges with calculated slopes, making for a pleasantly tactile feel. The sides are wrapped in tough-as-nails metal. What it lacks in the frills department is made up for through minimalistic beauty.

In front, the device has an impressive screen. A 6.67-inch screen goes up to 3200 x 1440 WQHD+ resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate. With 1400 nits of peak brightness, the screen was a mobile theater in all sorts of lighting conditions. It was a delight to watch movies through Netflix, YouTube, or my own files. What’s more: you can easily switch the resolution to a lower-but-still-comfortable 1080p to prolong the battery.

Gaming in moderation

Under the hood, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. The series is available in 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB, or 12GB + 512GB variants. I had the 12GB + 256GB version. It performed admirably well with a barrage of functions including a lengthy film, resource-heavy apps, and some gaming, even if it lacks the more advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Honkai: Star Rail was a standout for the F5 Pro. Besides performing perfectly with default settings (which were already high), it was easy to push the game to a smoother 60fps and a higher resolution without any stuttering. The phone did get uncomfortably hot after an hour, though. For a turn-based game like Honkai, the heat wasn’t much of a problem since you don’t need to grip the device as intensely. However, a more fast-paced game requiring more grip (like Genshin Impact or Asphalt 9) might cause some issues.

Let the light touch you

The F5 Pro touts a 64-megapixel main camera + 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera + 2-megapixel macro camera combination. All three does what you might expect a flagship camera to do. Scenes under bright sunlight are naturally impressive. However, photos without a clearly discernible subject (like landscapes) might have a harder time popping out from the screen. On the other hand, the software clearly defines subjects. I was more than happy with the results.

Likewise, the cameras continue to shine even under poorly lit conditions. Every light in a nightscape popped. A photo in a dark bar looks good enough for a wallpaper.

The selfie shooter can also hold its own. The 16-megapixel can capably shoot selfies in both high- and low-light conditions. Although, the low-light selfies can definitely do with some work.

Cut some of the bloat, though

The POCO F5 Pro comes with Android 13 stitched with Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 skin. The theme itself is fine, but there was quite a bit too much bloatware packed inside the mobile operating system. It took some finagling, uninstalling, and removing to bring the software to a manageable state.

The smartphone has a remarkable 5160mAh battery capable of up to 67W wired charging. Using it as my daily driver, the F5 Pro lasted the entire day with plenty of juice to spare, especially under medium use — that is, occasionally turning your phone on and checking social media for short bursts at a time. Battery is a lot tighter with heavy usage, of course: keeping an intensive app like Waze or Reddit on for hours at a time.

Unfortunately, though normal usage is fine, the device does buckle under the immense weight of gaming. Playing Honkai: Star Rail sapped around 30 percent of the battery in only an hour. If you’re planning a lengthy gaming session, a less intensive game might be better.

A complete package

Speaking of battery, the POCO F5 Pro comes with a 67W fast charger and a USB-C cable in the box. It also contains a jelly case, an eject pin, and a palette of manuals. Unlike a good number of flagships today, you’ll still get a complete set of accessories with a purchase.

The whole package will start at PhP 26,999 and will go up to PhP 30,999 for the top trim. Not bad for flagship-level hardware.

Is this your Gadgetmatch?

The POCO F5 Pro does a lot of things right. Though the smartphone doesn’t offer one thing for users to exclusively focus on, it shines with a cohesive flagship experience worthy of its price.

The post POCO F5 Pro review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

To put things into perspective, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 currently retails for PhP 9,990 / US$ 179. That’s a fraction of the price of more mainstream options like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. The aforementioned devices both hover around US$ 200. 

At a lower price you’re getting Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Dual Drivers, a promise of up to 39 hours of playback, Hi-Res audio, fast charging, and something rarely found at this price point – Spatial Audio. 

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, let’s take a quick look at the packaging and design first.

“Dim the Headlights” (Unboxing and Design)

It starts with a stare. We’re both well aware. You’re pulling closer. Pulling me in. 

 

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Quick notes from the unboxing: 

The box still has OnePlus’ signature red. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 opens like a clamshell. Most other earbuds have a vertical orientation that opens from the top with the stems magnetically sliding into a couple of slots. Only real advantage is that it’s easier to put down on a table or on your palm without it feeling wobbly. That’s great for not losing your earbuds or its case. 

Controlling the device is also pretty straightforward. You only need to pinch the stem. Once to play/pause, twice to play the next track, thrice to go back to the start of the current track or go back to the last track.

If you pinch and hold, you cycle through the ANC settings. That’s ANC to shut everyone out, Ambient, to hear what’s going on in your surroundings, and Zen to play relaxing audio that’s stored on the earbuds itself. 

Nope, there are no volume controls. Perhaps that’s the biggest bummer on this pair of earbuds. 

“A Method to Chaos” (Audio Features)

Voices aren’t loud enough. You’re tuning your ears, while waiting for something to hear.”

Perhaps the primary reason anyone splurges at all for earbuds is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature. ANC is implemented a little differently by each manufacturer and has varying degrees of success depending on the price point. 

The best ones use both hardware and software to achieve a credible ANC. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 does something similar. It promises to shut out up to 48dB of noise, provided you do the whole ear scan thing they have going on.

The ear scanning thing isn’t new at all. If you’ve owned any pair of smart earbuds, many manufacturers do this to help tune the device optimally for your pair of ears. If the more premium earbuds are a 9-10/10 on ANC, I’d say the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 are a solid 7-8/10. Not the best, but not a pushover either. It does enough to drown out sounds, especially when music is blasting. It just doesn’t achieve the same level of quiet when no music is playing. But that’s to be expected for something that’s relatively cheaper. 

Spatial Audio is a nice little addition. But the feature on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 specifically only works on Android 13 phones on YouTube and Disney+. Might seem limited but it’s there and offers a different audio experience. Spatial Audio still feels a little gimmick but it tickles your ears just enough to make it interesting. 

My favorite feature, however, is the support for Hi-Res audio. Specifically, the LHDC 4.05 codec which is the best you can get when streaming via Bluetooth. OnePlus also promised an update to support  LHDC 5.0. 

But I have a rather peculiar experience with Hi-Res audio.

“Evidence” (Pairing on OnePlus vs iPhone)

Caught you in the arms of another. I’ve been dying everyday since then.

I used the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 on both the OnePlus 11 and the iPhone 14 Pro Max. For some reason, the audio comes out better when paired on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. And this is across many apps: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Netflix, and more. 

I personally can’t give an explanation why. But this happened even after I did the whole audio personalization thing by OnePlus. 

But I’m skipping ahead again. Pairing is naturally faster between OnePlus devices. You get the fast pair option that shows up without diving into the settings. And when the OnePlus devices are paired, you don’t need a separate app to access the more granular settings. That includes EQ, Game Mode, Dual Connection, and more. 

When pairing with an iPhone 14 Pro Max, you have to go into the device’s settings first. And to access EQ, Game Mode, and other settings, you need to download the HeyMelody app.

Seems odd but that’s how it is. Also, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you don’t have access to the Spatial Audio settings. 

But like mentioned earlier, Spatial is a nifty trick but one that I don’t think is made for more daily listening. For that purpose, I value the support for Hi-Res audio more. Which, in this case works so well on Apple Music played with an iPhone paired with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. 

It’s an unlikely combo but it works and one that I’ve been rocking with for the most part of my time with OnePlus’ earbuds. 

Is this your GadgetMatch? 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 has cemented its place as my primary in-ear earbuds, relegating my Freebuds Pro 2 as backup (Sorry, Huawei). Personally, it’s the Hi-Res audio that really does it for me. Listening to my favorite tracks, whether that’s rocking out to UrbanDub, dancing to TWICE, or just chilling to my favorite K-RnB titles, it felt like experiencing the music again. 

As for the other features, they’re what you can expect from earbuds at this price point. The ANC isn’t perfect but it’s more than good enough. The battery life hovers around the 39-hours advertised. Naturally, it’ll vary depending on your usage. Personally, I only charge once a week on moderate usage. 

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is a good pick-up if you can’t splurge for the mainstream choices but want a feel of their premium audio features. The no volume control is a bummer if you plan on using this while working. But that’s a minor gripe on an otherwise excellent value device. 

The post OnePlus Buds Pro 2 review: Alert the Armory appeared first on GadgetMatch.

A cheaper smartphone will always come with its drawbacks. Even though multiple smartphone manufacturers will try to convince you that their entry-level device is “powerful”, purchasing a phone with a smaller price tag means you’re willing to let certain misses go because the pros can outweigh the cons. That assessment often depends on how much purchasing power you have.

When it comes to entry-level devices, it’s important to set expectations that they’re exactly just that. A device that’s meant to introduce you to how a smartphone can be without breaking the bank. It’s meant to test the waters. It’s there to be your First Dance.

Enter the Redmi Note 12, the brand’s newest offering for the entry-level/mid-range segment. It’s somewhere in between those two categories, but safe to say, it’s an option consumers would consider if they’re looking for a smartphone to get started with. It’s for the high school student who wants a present from their parents; or the fresh graduate who wants to get themselves an affordable smartphone without blowing off their entire month’s salary. 

In a market littered with multiple options within this price range, can this be your First Dance? 

Live in Colour with peace of mind 

Right out of the box, I was greeted with a smartphone that was undoubtedly bright and colorful. I got the Note 12’s vibrant light blue option, assuring that I’d be living in color during my review period with this device. 

It’s a good thing living in color didn’t mean losing my peace of mind; there’s a tendency for phones that prioritize flash to lack much-needed substance or stability. The Redmi Note 12, while being beautiful on the hand, is a sturdy device that can survive one’s daily grind. 

It comes with a matte plastic back, making sure that fingerprints are limited. While plastic has a reputation for feeling cheap, the Note 12’s feel in the hand definitely outperforms the expectations you’d have from a phone within this price range. I’d still recommend using a case, especially if you’re a heavy commuter. There’s no doubt, however, you’ll feel confident bringing this around your daily adventures.  

A performer that goes All Out despite its limitations

Let me repeat: an entry-level device isn’t powerful; that’s a promise that can only be truly fulfilled by its more expensive siblings. Do note, that’s not meant to be a bad thing, it’s just reality. Around the entry-level/mid-range segment, the best you can hope for is a smartphone that is consistently capable. It can perform well-enough as your day-to-day, without it feeling like a drag when you’re using is more than usual. 

The Redmi Note 12 does just that and it goes all out to show you its power as a smartphone. Right out of the box, it comes with a lot of bloatware, which is a negative for many, but it’s also Redmi’s way of telling you, “Go ahead, play with our phone! Let’s see what you’ll find.” 

What we found is a smartphone that has its limitations, but it tries its best to power through them. It’s not entirely smooth, it comes with its hiccups, but the Note 12 makes up for it with consistency when it matters the most. Gaming never felt difficult and the daily social media use wasn’t hampered by heavy use either. It works. It’s capable. That’s a big win, especially within this price point.

An Iron Man that lasts ’till you Go to Sleep

Going all in with performance might mean sacrificing battery life. 

As a passionate casual gamer, the wife used the Redmi Note 12 to play different games while also browsing social media heavily. That can be a lot to handle for phones within this range, especially when it comes to battery life. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case with the Redmi Note 12. This phone can survive heavy days of work. 

Its 5,000mAh battery can be felt with how it performs. Even on heavy use, you’d be confident that you’d still have juice before you go to sleep. It’s a big help as well the Note 12 comes with 33W wired fast charging, a welcome feature with any type of smartphone. In this day and age, fast charging beyond 30W should be a requirement, right? 

This is an Iron Man in every sense of a word. Even if you try to take this down with a wide-variety of hits, it’ll still find a way to stand up and perform as if to tell you that it’s the best in this segment.

A camera that’s either the best or a botch 

In today’s social media-heavy age, camera performance is often what drives consumers’ purchasing decisions. It’s subjective and is heavily dependent on tastes. Given the wide flavor palette that Redmi faces, how does its camera fare? 

At best, its good, even when compared to its more expensive siblings. One thing I appreciated from the Note 12’s processing is how it didn’t oversaturate every single shot. Over saturation tends to overblow details and thankfully that wasn’t the case for this device. During our out-of-town trip, it did well with shots of the sceneries we enjoyed outside the Metro.

Indoor shots taken with ample lighting did well, but there were instances where you would have appreciated a bit more saturation. That’s ultimately up to your tastes as a consumer, but that’s something to take note of nonetheless.

If there were shooting conditions the Note 12 struggled with, it’s night shots and situations with poor lighting conditions. This is rather common across all types of smartphones, but it was especially accentuated with this phone’s camera performance. It loses a lot of detail and color in tougher shooting conditions. It isn’t a deal breaker, but it’s still a weakness. 

Is this your GadgetMatch? 

For its price* is something you’ll almost always find with smartphones priced along this segment. Read the piece above this section; I never mentioned it once because I never felt like I had to limit its performance solely to its price point. The Redmi Note 12 is all of those things I described no matter what price you’d put it in.

It’s a cheap phone that’s good but it also comes with its drawbacks. Any lower-price smartphone will come with its own set of pros and cons. Yet, despite the sometimes inconsistent camera performance and inevitable bloatware, the Redmi Note 12 still impressed enough. 

It’s a good smartphone, whether you’re trying to save up on a couple of bucks, or you’re just about to purchase your first device. It’s a good First Dance to have; a smartphone you’d be proud to call your GadgetMatch.  

*The Redmi Note 12 comes in three variants with the following pricing:

• 4+128GB, P8,999 (online only)
• 6+128GB, P9,999
• 8+128GB, P10,999

Online purchases are available via Xiaomi’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop (@XiaomiPhilippines).

SEE ALSO: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G Review: Midrange Madness

The post Redmi Note 12 review: Note-worthy as your First Dance? appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Families looking for a comfortable ride won’t be disappointed by the spacious interior and advanced features. Car geeks, on the other hand, know this to be one of the best-selling vehicles, and a sensible choice if you’re particular about aesthetics and power.

As a nameplate that consistently ranks among the top midsize sedans in the country, you already know that it is anything but boring!

Such a dreamboat

We had the opportunity to take the Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle out for a spin in the metro. Aside from turning heads wherever we headed, we experienced firsthand how our ride offered the best of both worlds in terms of efficiency, and luxury.

I only had one thing to say as soon as the Camry was brought into the garage. “Wow.”

The executive sedan practically demanded attention with its exterior that gives the right mix of sportiness and elegance. It doesn’t fall short in terms of aesthetics, but how about the driving experience?

Sitting in the driver’s seat, I clicked the push start button long enough to see the ready indicators come on, only to be met by pin-drop silence. I had to open the door to get some kind of confirmation, even the tiniest bit of noise, that it was already running.

Later on, I would find that the quiet drive promise still stayed true, no matter if I was cruising the wide open road, or idling in and ranting my way out of the city’s standstill traffic.

Fit for the strong, independent you

There are different Drive Mode functions that you can use. As for me, I opted for Normal, the standard condition, which is just fine for casual driving.

My itinerary for that day consisted of brunch and catching up with some friends. Before full-on jamming to Taylor Swift with the car’s 9-speaker JBL sound system, I dolled up for a bit, the sassy female in me grateful for the illuminated vanity mirror on my side of the car.

I headed to the restaurant I was scheduled to for brunch feeling carefree and relaxed, never mind the plate ending in 3 even while I was out on a Tuesday. Hybrid vehicles enjoy full exemption from coding anyway!

There was this one traffic enforcer who was about to apprehend me but waved me off as soon as I briefly explained that I was driving a hybrid vehicle. Gotta love the perk, no?

That’s what you’ll enjoy on a daily basis if you invest in a car that’s better for the environment.

For Toyota, hybrid models wear the blue-tinted logo for easy distinction.

There’s comfort in navigating the hellish metro

After brunch, I continued with my drive around the city. As far as comfort is concerned, there are no issues. I also appreciate how the sedan excels in fuel efficiency, owing to its hybrid nature that intelligently switches on gas and electric power.

It self-charges for maximum fuel mileage every time you hit the brakes (regenerative braking), so you don’t have to worry about scouring the town for charging stations or even gassing up too often! Just think about all the savings you’ll get.

I picked up my friend MJ after realizing I shouldn’t keep this spaciousness and comfort all to myself. The Camry already treated me to a smooth and quiet drive on the road before, so it doesn’t hurt to chill and just enjoy iced cold strawberry acai refreshers inside the car.

We opted to use the sunroof so we could turn the natural warm sunlight into our selfie light, occasionally giving in to our vanities, while watching athletes run around the obstacle park, and admiring an iconic bridge.

Ending the day with a coffee run, and two Pasig-Antipolo back-and-forth trips later, I now get why the Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle positioned itself as the new standard that transcends style and purpose.

Is this your CarMatch?

I was on the road for most of the day, but I wasn’t fatigued while driving the Camry. As someone who’s used to cruising the roads with SUVs, I appreciate how I felt so well-connected to the road with this sedan. It’s quite more stable, and I can just imagine happily using this at highway speed!

Not to mention, the enhanced Toyota Safety Sense System helped me with blind spots and rear cross-traffic and gave me a panoramic view monitor. While I took pride in my driving skills, the advanced technology was still very much welcome to keep me on track!

If you’re all about supporting the cause for a greener environment without sacrificing efficiency and luxury from your car, then you might just enjoy driving the Toyota Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle. I know I did.

Visit any Toyota dealership near you to learn more about the Toyota Hybrid Electric Vehicle lineup. For more information, visit https://toyota.com.ph/hybrid.

Follow TMP’s official pages; Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, ToyotaMotorPH on Twitter and join the Viber community at Toyota PH to get regular updates.

The post The Toyota Camry Hybrid makes driving so comfortable appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Some quick notes before we proceed. All the screenshots on this article were taken during the first hour or so of the game. And while it’s available on other platforms, our play time was only on Android. Specifically, the HONOR Magic5 Pro. 

Getting Started

Honkai: Star Rail’s first hour or so is pretty much a story-based tutorial of the game. You get a hold of two characters to start and you’re slowly shown how to do things. Unlike Genshin Impact, this game isn’t open world. Instead, you do a fair bit of exploration in certain stages in a linear fashion. 

During exploration, you encounter enemies that you either hit or hit you first. This is key in determining the order of turns in combat. Once this is triggered, the game immediately shifts to turn-based combat with stunning, flashy animations. 

If, like this writer, you grew up playing a good chunk of JRPGs, this gameplay loop will feel very familiar. 

Midway through the tutorial, the characters you control will encounter the protagonist. In Genshin Impact, they’re called ‘Traveler’. Here the main character (MC) is referred to as the ‘Trailblazer’. 

Like in Genshin Impact, you pick whether the Trailblazer is male or female. In our gameplay, this didn’t seem to affect the general storyline. 

HoYo-skinned JRPG 

The look and general feel of Honkai: Star Rail is very reminiscent of HoYoverse’s 2020 breakout game, Genshin Impact. The obvious traces are in the character’s art style. This seems intentional to clearly tie everything to the grand HoYo-scheme of things.

The menu layout and character screens look pretty much the same.

The skill trees are also accessed by tapping on a particular character. The ‘gacha’ mechanics are also identical. Although I didn’t get to try it all that much during my playthrough. 

The presentation is great too. The dialogue parts feel dynamic thanks to the various camera shots used. It’s not just the same two shots of characters going back and forth. Instead, we get various tight, medium, and wide shots to make what otherwise would have been a boring yet overwhelming banter feel more tolerable.

Oh and there’s even a photo mode where you can change the ’emotion’ of your character. Perfect if you just want to admire the art style.

Turn-based Genshin Impact?

Calling Honkai: Star Rail a turn-based combat version of Genshin Impact is an oversimplification. But it’s the best way to describe the game at the moment. 

As mentioned earlier, many of the layouts, skill trees, and character mechanics are almost identical. But the gameplay varies drastically when it comes to combat. 

As someone who hopped on the Genshin Impact train late and only really boarded during smartphone and occasional PC review sessions, I wanted to make sure to get in early for this game. 

What really piqued my interest is the turn-based combat. I have been longing for a high-quality, turn-based combat game to play on mobile for the smartphone reviews I do and it’s finally here. 

Diving into combat

Combat essentially starts while you’re in exploration. If you hit an enemy first, you gain first strike advantages and vice versa. This is key in turn-based combat. The earlier you can deal damage, the faster the dispose of the enemies. 

The turns are displayed on the upper left side of the screen. This helps you determine your strategy based on your opponent. Like most JRPGs, enemies will have some elemental weaknesses.

These are immediately displayed for lower-level enemies to start. For others, you’ll have to dig in a little bit before it shows up.

Every character has a basic attack and a special. Some basic attacks can only hit one target, while others can hit multiple. Most special attacks deal damage to multiple targets. Specials have a cool down period that replenish when you attack and when you get hit. 

It’s a fantastic turn-based combat system that challenges a player’s strategic side in real-time.

There’s so much to consider from elemental weaknesses, choosing whether to attack a target or defend an ally, and picking the right moment to unleash a special attack. 

Hardware performance

As mentioned earlier, we played the game on a flagship Android smartphone. By default, the settings are turned to high. But midway in the playthrough, I turned it up to very high with Game mode turned on.

The overall smoothness of your gameplay will depend on the hardware you’re playing with. I’d say to go with the default settings for an efficient experience. After all, it’s not open world and the art style lends itself nicely to lower resolution and frame rates. 

As of writing, the Android version of the game isn’t compatible with any game controllers. We’ll ask HoYoverse if this is in the pipeline and update this space as needed. 

We’ll also try the game on a gaming PC soon and share performance details also on this space. 

Should you play Honkai: Star Rail?

If you’re reading this, you likely are just curious about the game and aren’t part of the thousands who have already started playing. My general advice is to give the game at least three hours of playthrough to see if it’s for you or not. 

For fans of turn-based combat, there’s a lot here that you’ll appreciate. It’s pretty simple to start but the variety of characters, enemies, elemental weaknesses, and more offer enough to make the combat feel deep. 

And if you’re into the whole game-anime waifu-collecting that HoYoverse is dishing out, then I’d say this is for you. 

Honkai: Star Rail takes the aesthetic of Genshin Impact and puts it on gameplay reminiscent of classic JRPGs. It seems like a backwards approach considering how more people seem to prefer action-type games. But there seems to be enough enthusiasm for this type of gameplay based on the buzz it has generated so far. 

Personally, it looks like this is going to be my go-to mobile game for the foreseeable future. But I’m also excited to play it on the PlayStation 5.

The post Honkai: Star Rail: Turn-based Genshin Impact? appeared first on GadgetMatch.

We absolutely loved its predecessor, the HONOR Magic4 Pro and even consider it one of the best concert companion smartphones you can buy today. With the Magic5 Pro topping DXoMark’s smartphone camera for a solid few weeks, we had high expectations for its camera. 

But before all of that, let’s first break down how it looks and feels. 

Look and feel

HONOR Magic4 Pro and HONOR Magic5 Pro

The Magic5 Pro didn’t stray too far from the Magic4 Pro. Both have curved edges and a circular, Huawei Mate-ish camera module. 

What’s different is that in the Magic5 Pro, both the front and back slightly curve to the side. This helps immensely in making the phone easier to hold. Despite a massive 6.81-inch display, the phone should be relatively easy to hold no matter your hand size. 

It comes in Black and Cyan in most markets. There are other colors but most of them are only available in China. The black colorway has a glossy finish and is much more slippery than the frosted matte finish on the cyan colorway. 

Black and Meadow Green

Choosing a colorway is almost a moot point as we suggest slapping a protective case on the phone for a couple of reasons. First, despite using tough glass materials, the slippery coating on the phone makes it prone to sliding on whatever surface you place it on. Second, something about it just feels fragile at first touch, so a little protection goes a long way. If you can, we suggest going out of your way to shop for cases online versus using the included jelly cases which totally compromises the premium feel of the phone. 

Like I mentioned in the Hands-On article, the camera module protrudes. How the back panel goes up, curves, and blends with the camera module is reminiscent of the OPPO Find X3 Pro. The camera placement is dead center instead of flushed to the left.

The camera module also follows and blends with the colorway of your choice. Interesting design decision that makes the phone feel more whole. 

Power and performance

On paper, the HONOR Magic5 Pro is a 2023 flagship through and through. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with Adreno 7 GPU. Flanking these are the up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB internal storage. 

That’s all well and good, but how does it actually perform in real life? In a word: fantastic. 

It’s very rare for this flagship set of specs to fail at the regular, daily things we do on our smartphones. That’s true for any flagship produced in the past two years or so. What Android and Snapdragon has been better at over the last few years is keeping your most used apps running in the background. 

Before the pandemic hit, there were still “flagship-level” Android smartphones that would inexplicably close your most used apps even if you were literally just using them. This didn’t bode well if you consistently app-hopped for whatever reason. That’s just not the case anymore for any upper-midrange or flagship phone in 2023. 

Gaming

I’m not huge on mobile gaming but did try a few of titles on the Magic5 Pro. The prominently featured Genshin Impact runs on medium by default. I suppose this is the most optimized configuration and runs the smoothest on this phone.

You can push it to the highest settings and switch over to Game Mode. However, expect some heating and faster battery life drain. In my experience, I was able to play in this maxed-out configuration for nearly two hours before the phone felt too hot and the battery started begging to be juiced up. 

While we’re on topic, the Magic5 Pro has a 5,100mAh battery and support for 65W Wired and 50W Wireless SuperCharge. Battery life varies day-to-day depending on usage. Like in previous reviews, I typically like to juice up when the battery approaches the 45%-55% range. 

Using a 65W wired charging, I’d typically get to 100% after watching a 12-minute YouTube video. Wirelessly, a single animé which runs for a little over 20 minutes gets me to 100%. 

It lasts reasonably long and charges rather fast. This seems to be the new norm for most Android flagships now.

Media consumption

The display and speakers performed admirably during gaming sessions as well as video viewing ones. 

After all, that’s a 6.81-inch LTPO quad-curved floating screen with a 2848 x 1312 resolution and refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It also gets up to 1800 nits of peak brightness. Other display features are 100% DCI-P3, HDR10+, and TÜV Rheinland certified Low Blue Light. 

Meanwhile, the speakers are a Stereo system with dual speakers, DTS:X Ultra.

Any game will ask you to put headphones/earphones on, and that’s generally good advice. But for someone who lives alone, I didn’t have to worry about bothering anyone. The speakers sounded as full as possible coming from a standard smartphone slate.

Dancing King and Queen. EXO’s Kai and TWICE’s Momo.

It’s also great for the stuff I enjoyed watching during the duration of the review period. That includes the Momo and Kai collaboration of “Set Me Free” and “Rover”. I had these two minute-long clips playing for hours because of how good they are. 

I also did a rewatch of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and watched some episodes on the Magic5 Pro. No complaints whatsoever on the whole viewing experience. It’s a great media machine through and through. 

Android Magic

Software-wise, the Magic5 Pro runs MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13. There are no ifs and buts about it, the MagicOS looks and feels exactly like EMUI. 

Not to sound like a broken record, but it does the same annoying thing where you have to pinch on the home screen to add widgets and make any sort of customization. This is in stark contrast to most Android smartphones that lets you just tap and hold. The former demands two-handed use while the latter is more efficient for single-handed use. It’s not something that’s tough to get used to but still annoying nevertheless. 

Other than that, it has the usual Android software and Android skin trappings. Plenty of customization options, slightly confusing settings menu, and generally good handling of notifications. 

No major complaints here, just slight annoyances that anyone should easily grow accustomed to. 

One of the best smartphone cameras right now? 

Now, let’s dive into why you’re really here. How good are its cameras, really? Quick recap, here’s what the HONOR Magic5 Pro is packing hardware wise: 

• 50MP wide camera (f/1.6, 1/1.12-inch sensor)
• 50MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.0, 122 degrees field of view)
• 50MP Sony IMX858 telephoto camera (f/3.0, 3.5x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom)

Like with most smartphones, the camera performance is defined by both the hardware and software. And it’s the software processing that really differs from smartphone to smartphone. 

My colleague Vincenz took most of the shots you’ll see here. Below are his thoughts on the camera performance. I’ll share mine after. 

For the most part, its wide / main camera takes stunning photos, especially during the day.

While it’s not a 1-inch sensor like the Xiaomi 13 Pro / Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the OPPO Find X6 Pro, its 1/1.12-inch sensor is still bigger than the rest of the competition — even bigger than last year’s 1/1.56-inch shooter. This helps the Magic5 Pro take effortlessly quick shots with a creamy background bokeh when the subject is at a closer distance.

Shots taken using Night Mode also look bright and crisp.

Other than the faster shooting duration thanks to its bigger sensor size, its wider than usual f/1.6 aperture plus OIS also helped.

The same thing can be said with its ultra-wide lens. With a lens diaphragm of f/2.0, it gathers more light data quickly compared to other smartphones of the same category.

But during night scenes, taking a photo with Night Mode turned on causes a blurring effect when there are fast-moving subjects — which might either be ugly to most (or “artsy” to some).

The lack of OIS seems to be the culprit.

Even with enough lighting, you cannot take blurry-free UWA photos unless you pace yourself slower or just completely stop walking — unless the moving subject is beyond your control. That’s when you have to give up.

So even if you turn on Action Mode, it will be more suitable when you select the regular 1x wide mode instead of the ultra-wide angle.

When you switch to its 3.5x telephoto lens, you’ll also get detailed zoomed shots that are commendable and post-worthy. 

Although after some trials, I found out that HONOR’s AI algorithm between its 1x and 3.5x lenses perform differently.

Case in point: The photo below was taken with 3.4x — which automatically means it crops in using the 1x sensor. HONOR has detected the subject as a “sunset” scenery. Therefore, boosting the sky’s colors into a very vibrant golden hour, dreamlike imagery.

However, after actually using the dedicated 3.5x telephoto zoom lens, its AI technique suddenly became different. The photo still detected the subject as “sunset” but without the sky’s “phenomenal” color boosting.

Without a dedicated 10x periscope lens, the HONOR is stuck to digitally zooming in past the 10x mark (and hybrid / lossless zoom between that and its 3.5x telephoto range).

While we are still working on our upcoming camera shootout against Samsung’s current behemoth (and show how the Magic5 Pro’s zoom capabilities may not be as up to par), these 50x and 100x moon shots are testaments that its AI zoom algorithm is not as intense as how its mentioned rival performs (which is still a hot debate whether they faked it or not).

Don’t let that dual punch-hole camera cutout fool you! Just like its predecessor, the HONOR Magic5 Pro features an unchanged 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide shooter with a 100-degree FoV (Field of View). The other one is just a ToF 3D sensor for depth-sensing.

Despite the lower than usual megapixel count, the Magic5 Pro was able to deliver natural-looking selfies.

And with that even wider view, it lets you capture more of what’s around you compared to selfie cameras of other flagship smartphones with a tight camera framing.

Piggy backing on taking photos of people, I thought the HONOR Magic5 Pro actually did a good job of capturing people. These shots of Vincenz below was taken with the main sensor and not in portrait mode.

In this next shot, the phone was able to capture the warm lighting and feel of the place. It was also pretty bright outside, but the phone managed to balance the dynamic range enough to keep the view outside visible while still keeping the focus on the subject.

The shot below was again taken with the main sensor with no portrait mode. Excuse the poor framing, but turn your attention to the lights in the far end of the image. There depth of field looks good and natural.

Portrait mode works best when the subject dominates the image.

If you’re snapping photos of your friends, the HONOR Magic5 Pro does a pretty good job of capturing people. Elsewhere though, it struggles with consistency. The food photos below, taken with the main sensor and the 3.5x Zoom, didn’t come out as appetizing as we hoped.

But with some luck and a few shots, you should be able to take mouth-watering ones.

That said, it’s a hit or miss, and that’s not something you want from a flagship smartphone touting its cameras as its best feature. Despite this, we’re optimistic. After all, these are something that can be corrected via a software update. We’ll make sure to let HONOR know our findings so they can take it into consideration.

Is the HONOR Magic5 Pro your GadgetMatch? 

The HONOR Magic5 Pro is easily one of the Top 5 standard slate flagship smartphones of 2023 as of writing. The specs, design, and overall feel of the phone is undeniably flagship. The primary consideration for a lot of people now is how the camera performs and how long the battery lasts. And really, those last two details vary depending on preference and overall usage.

On the battery life front, no matter how much of a power user you are, it’s comforting to know that the phone juices up rather quickly. Easily one of the fastest in the flagship crop today. 

Now, on the topic of cameras, on its own it’s alright. If we had to describe it with one word, it would be ‘inconsistent’. It’s not bad, but the images it produces isn’t always as good as we expect it to be. This will make even more sense soon we come out with the camera shootouts we shot so stay tuned for those.

The HONOR Magic5 series will be available starting from Q2 2023. The standard Magic5 (8GB+256GB) will be priced at EUR 899 while the Magic5 Pro variant will retail starting at EUR 1199.

The Magic5 will be available in Black and Meadow Green while the Magic5 Pro will have the Black and Blue color options.

It’s also coming to more markets soon.

The post HONOR Magic5 Pro Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Fortunately, I got a copy of the full game to dive deeper into what it has to offer beyond a 15-minute introductory playthrough. With greater worlds to explore and combat to test out, let’s see if this game still holds up to its promising start a few months back.

Guidance through the island of Waford

Our story begins with the Straw Hat Pirates finding themselves stranded somewhere in the middle of the ocean. The opening cutscene also gives you a glimpse as to how they ended up there, so I honestly found it helpful. Eventually, you assemble the crew and come face to face with some interesting habitants, Adio and Lim.

Upon encountering Lim, she literally takes all your powers and you will need to scour the entirety of Waford and all neighboring islands/areas. It’s not that much of a daunting task, especially for a crew as great as the Straw Hat Pirates. Along the way, however, you encounter a slew of entities and factions that hope to seize your power.

Personally, the story was straightforward enough to follow along. There weren’t any twists and turns that would throw me off, and the characters themselves were dynamic in every way. Also, it didn’t get in the way of enjoying the game’s mechanics, which is already a plus in my book.

Simple and well-integrated mechanics to master

One Piece Odyssey’s core mechanics are easy to grasp and master, especially given the amount of opportunities to do that in the beginning. As this is an open-world game, movement within the areas is quite loose except for the instances of not being able to swim in deep waters. Also, you’re in a team-based structure with multiple characters to utilize when traversing through the land.

This, in my opinion, made the gameplay experience so much better than when I first tried the game. The fact that you can easily swap between characters to move through certain areas for more items made completing stages easier. Also, this bodes well with the amount of exploration you’ll be doing within the overworlds.

Turn-based and active combat

As I discovered, like every other JRPG out there, One Piece Odyssey also incorporates a turn-based style combat mechanic. With a party of six members per battle, everyone gets a turn to attack either a single enemy or a horde of them depending on the characters themselves. Also, each character comes with Technical Points which allow you to use those abilities you’re trying to recover everywhere.

Honestly, this is pretty standard stuff and easy to follow along once you know how each character’s abilities work. Also, there’s this mechanic that works like a strength and weakness indicator, providing greater opportunities to set up specific characters against certain enemies. It feels well done and comprehensible enough for all players.

Enemy encounters are also voluntary and skippable if you’re rushing through stages. Although, I warn you not to skip too many enemies because every battle gives you XP that helps level up your team. As you progress through more treacherous worlds, the difficulty curve ith enemy encounters scales up slowly but surely. So, best to just take them all out every chance you get!

Teeming with life and backdrops to awe

As an open-world enthusiast, I can definitely say that One Piece Odyssey offered an expansive experience of Waford and its surrounding areas. Every nook and cranny within each overworld required your attention and exploration itch to come alive with all the items youll obtain. Plus, thesre are even specific points in the map that integrate character dialogue, which is a bonus for me.

What I also love about the game and its environment is how well-integrated the characters are through their innate abilities and characteristics. It was a blast using Luffy to get to more elevated platforms, or with Chopper’s miniature size exploring tiny entrance ways to unexplored territory.

This is the type of balance you like to see in most open-world games, so I’m glad One Piece Odyssey handled this aspect well. Everything feels interesting to explore, especially if youre trying to get back all your lost abilities too.

Where this game misses

Admittedly, I didn’t find that many things that went wrong with this game every time I got to play it. At this point, these will be some pain points that I feel most people will also experience when they play this game for the first time. First off is actually coming from the overall design of the levels in this game, especially the ones in caves or tombs. One of the initial worlds in this game takes you to a rather dark cave with minimal lighting inside as you go around. 

From my end, I really couldn’t see much in the overworld as I was going around it, and turning up the brightness on my PC didn’t help. Either this was completely intended for you to rely on character outlines, or it’s a bit too dark and just needs a bit more lighting in there.

Secondly, I felt that this game had little save points, and the ones that are available require so much backtracking through stages. Honestly, this is more for the later stages and they’re quite useful since you can restore your team’s health with each encounter of one. Also, based from my playthrough, enemies don’t reset so there’s honestly no point in it being a hassle to come back to.

One Piece remastered

Overall, One Piece Odyssey came out as a great JRPG, all things considered. For the majority of my playthrough, there was something new to discover and new challenges to overcome while setting foot on new levels. Of course, with a deep cast of characters to work with, combat felt so fun to commence.

This game felt a blast to play through for a considerable amount of main story progression. Also, the turn-based yet dynamic combat system was easy to master and adapt to every set of enemies you encounter along the way.With open worlds to explore, you’ll be spending hours on this game and not get bored of it.

It’s a treat to both new and casual JRPG players, and to One Piece fans out there who were asking for a new game all this time. This is definitely a title worth considering for your leisure, with a bit of challenging elements here and there. However, it’s a challenge that anyone can easily get over.

The post A super JRPG casual’s review of One Piece Odyssey appeared first on GadgetMatch.

But I’ve seen it from both generations — Millennials, Generation Z, and even Zillennials (Yes, we exist) — and how a lot of people are struggling with taking control of other people’s perceptions.

TikTok, and the past decade or so, changed the way people behave in social media. While there are still clout-chasers, a lot of people found their voices and their most authentic self. Living unapologetically seems to be the trend nowadays, and a trend that I’m willing to be part of.

In an age of flexing your status symbol, presenting a curated version of yourself, and keeping up with everyone — Samsung disrupts this era with its Awesome campaign rooting back in early 2020. (Right before the world shut down).

Now in its fourth year, Samsung brings out the Galaxy A54 5G, continuing its message that awesome is for everyone. And being awesome, of course, is living on your own terms, unapologetically.

To a new you

It takes a lot of detoxing, unlearning old and learning new beliefs, and creating healthier habits to live my truth.

Samsung’s newest phone is a reminder of what it means to be who you are. When the Galaxy A54 looked similar to its flagship Galaxy S series, I couldn’t fathom the thought of being unable to distinguish which is which, especially for the untrained eye.

But the South Korean company’s explanation, in a press briefing I attended a month ago, appeased my confusion. Like a performer making its way through the fog from a smoke machine.

The goal was to make sure that Samsung users — even if they’re using phones from midrange to flagship lines — have the same design language. Kinda like iPhones.

No matter the price, an iPhone is an iPhone. It evens the playing field and there is no shaming on whether you’re using an iPhone 7, XS, or the latest ones.

So many people are hung up on how their phones would fair against other people, that they forgot that it’s just a tool so you can live the life you want.

BRB, becoming myself

What I love about the Galaxy A54 is how it lets me live my life on my own terms. It’s not a flagship smartphone, of course, but flagship smartphones always made me feel like I’m not using them to their fullest potential.

Midrange smartphones, surprisingly, are enough. They come with powerful chipsets and internals that you can do anything you want.

I mean, come on, dude. I’ve been playing Ragnarok Origin on the A54 from morning until the battery drops dead. Okay, just kidding at the drop-dead part. I don’t do that with my smartphones.

I play at 8 in the morning while AFK leveling during work hours and come back to my phone with a 12 percent battery at 3 in the afternoon. It heats up, but not to the point where it’s blazingly hot that you can’t touch it.

Apart from that, I get to simultaneously use it for chatting with my friends from my sports team and measuring my statistics during training via Samsung Health and my Galaxy Watch4 Classic.

I also play my favorite tunes while connected to my Galaxy Buds2 Pro, use it as a hotspot whenever I’m working remotely at some coffee shop, and even multitask for work-related stuff.

You see, that’s what I like about the A54. I may not binge-scroll on TikTok or watch on Netflix until the wee hours but for whatever lifestyle you have, it’s equipped with enough power to get through your day and night.

Its features are so well-rounded, it doesn’t focus on just an aspect of your life. That’s what makes it awesome.

Record the way you like it

Some people just want to take selfies. Some want to capture their favorite moments during their night outs, travels, and everyday life.

And some would love to record videos and take amazing photographs. Whatever you want to do, the A54 is equipped with the right set of cameras so you can live your most unapologetic self.

Here are some of the snaps I took using the Galaxy A54 for a month.

Live unapologetically

The Galaxy A54, in some way and form, helps you stop caring about what other people think. It lets you embrace your authentic self and encourages you to change what doesn’t work for you.

It’s the quintessential mid-range smartphone; an important device to add to your arsenal as you take on life’s daily battles.

It’s powerful, long-lasting, and takes awesome photos — enough to keep up with you and your preferred lifestyle. Hands down, it’s the best midrange device for any kind of lifestyle. Samsung is true to its promise that Awesome is for everyone.

The Galaxy A54 isn’t just a smartphone anymore, it’s a life companion for a few years or so. (It will have four major OS upgrades and five years of security patches.)

The Galaxy A54 5G starts at PhP 24,990 for the 128GB variant and PhP 26,990 for the 256GB variant. It comes in three colors: Awesome Lime, Awesome Black, and an online-exclusive Awesome Violet.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy A34 review: Awesome, trustworthy all-rounder

The post Living unapologetically with the Samsung Galaxy A54 appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Apple’s “What’s a Computer?” campaign has shown that the iPad was way closer to a Macbook than ever before. Samsung, on the other hand, already has its DeX desktop interface software. It has been baked-in with its flagship phones since the Galaxy S8. Other major smartphone manufacturers have followed suit with similar software since then.

Hell, even Google has been developing a native “Desktop Mode” since Android 10. It’s yet to receive an official release as of Android 13. However, it still speaks a lot about the capacity and the potential of mobile devices to make the jump toward the big-screen leagues. With all of that happening, here comes Uperfect with a lapdock that promises to take advantage of all that untapped power.

Long time coming

Before everything else, let me say that I’ve been asking for something like this from smartphone brands and third-party accessory developers for a long time now. More lapdocks, please. As an incredibly busy person who relies on my phone for my daily tasks– there are days when I live off of my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra entirely. I work within Samsung DeX via a USB-C to HDMI cable hooked up to a monitor.

I’ve used both the Samsung DeX Station and DeX Pad extensively in the past. I’ve even extended my home setup to accommodate space for an extra monitor hooked up to the DeX pad. This way, I can access my phone working interface at home. So for this review, I will primarily be using the Samsung DeX environment for my usage experience with the Uperfect X14 Pro.

Why the lack of lapdocks?

Back to the topic at hand: 2023 smartphones are strong enough to be laptop substitutes, but they don’t see widespread use for a few reasons. First, there is a lack in the market at large for viable laptop or desktop form factor substitutes. And more importantly, we as consumers just haven’t collectively decided on an acceptable and ergonomic solution to run our overpowered smartphones as mid-level laptops and desktops. There is still much innovation required in this space to be fully mainstream.

This is where Uperfect comes in, with a form factor that not only looks viable, but also straightforward enough to be understood even by the most tech-averse luddite. Their X14 Pro Wireless Lapdock looks, feels, and works like a laptop. But with two big twists: it’s a fraction of the cost of a proper laptop, and it needs your phone to power it.

Old parts, new tricks

If you think about it, there is technically nothing revolutionary about the hardware of the Uperfect X14 Pro. Its the combination of two technologies that has existed for a long time now– portable touchscreen monitors, and a wireless keyboard and trackpad.

But the way they’re implemented is much more unique. It extracts a desktop experience from your phone and presents it in a familiar, intuitive, and expanded laptop interface.

A laptop on a diet

Starting with the outside, the Uperfect X14 Pro is solidly built. Its 2.76lb weight feels sturdy in the hand, and you can instinctively feel there are no empty chambers inside. The hinges are strong enough to combat display wobble, and there’s barely any deck flex.

It’s got the workings of a premium laptop; an all-aluminum build, all edges are finely chamfered, no pointed corners, and a pristine grippy finish. Its svelte housing is improved by the fact that there are no branding nor legal and industry compliance logos printed on its body. The most you get are port labels, and that’s it.

Yeah, it’s a sleek and stealthy device, measuring at 323mm across, 218mm deep, and 15mm thick. Since it doesn’t have much in the way of computing boards in its internals, it can be made almost impossibly thin. It also lacks vents, because there is no processor, GPU, or RAM inside to produce any heat.

The Uperfect X14 Pro’s slim frame houses a 10,800mAh battery. It charges at a max of 20W through USB-C. Uperfect claims it can get a maximum of six hours of usage after three hours of charging. This aligns with our findings.

While a six-hour screen-on time is impressive for a small laptop, a three-hour charging time can be considered slow by modern standards. That’s especially true when laptops of this size are starting to standardize a 65-100W charging through USB-C. This maxes out batteries within 30 minutes. If you’re using the X14 Pro as a daily driver, there’s no going around it– you’re plugging this in at the end of every day. At least, it’ll look good on your nightstand.

It’s got the right ports, but not the ones you expect

Speaking of plugging stuff in, all of the ports are well-machined and placed ergonomically. But while technically lacking in the context of a laptop, it’s abundant in the context of a lapdock.

It’s got a USB-C port that supports display throughput, as well as a mini HDMI. There is a separate USB-C charging port that supports 15W charging, right beside a 3.5mm audio out, and a microSD card slot.

This port selection is fine for me for the most part. If there’s anything I would like to see added or improved in future versions of the product is the addition of data passthrough to the charging USB-C port. Or hell, even just add another USB-C port for data, so users can connect an expansion dock to plug in external hard drives or wireless peripherals.

Audio apprehension

Also, upon first look at its I/O, I was immediately worried that placing the 3.5mm port right beside a power input port would result in powerline noise when using wired audio. And that worry rings true, as the powerline and the 3.5mm are not shielded properly from each other, and as such have audible(albeit low-level) high-frequency noise.

It’ll be fine for most, but for people looking to sit back and relax with some music in a quiet cafe somewhere, this ain’t the device to do it with, chief.

And while we’re on the topic of audio, don’t expect the Uperfect X14 Pro to impress you with its pair of 1W speakers. They sound thin and weak, which is to be expected of laptops of the same size, but it’s worsened by the fact that there are no vents on the laptop.

Remember, sound is vibration propagated through air, and the more air a speaker has access to, the better and louder it generally sounds. Unfortunately, the air access afforded by the perforated holes at the front of the keyboard is not enough for the Uperfect X14 Pro speakers to perform properly.

A delight to work on

Moving down from the speakers, the Uperfect X14 Pro comes with a solid white-backlit keyboard with full-scale keys that offer comfortable key travel and response. I typed out this whole article on it, and the ergonomics are on par with some of the best slim and light keyboards out there. The trackpad feels great too. While it’s a bit too sensitive for my taste and lacks functional palm rejection, it is of a good size, has a satisfying tactile click, and is comfortably responsive.

Not quite the looker, but it’s a good one nonetheless

And lastly for outside features, the screen. The Uperfect X14 Pro has a 14-inch 1080p IPS 10-point touchscreen that runs at a 60Hz refresh rate. It does have some thick bezels and a chin on it, but it’s not enough to be distracting.

It covers 100% of the sRGB color spectrum and even has a dedicated sRGB mode for those who need to work with a color-neutral screen. This seems to be right on par with the needs of users that I expect this product to be for. It’s a modest screen with great color reproduction and response times.

Brightness might be a bit lacking for some, especially the crowd that would prefer to use this lapdock in a bright cafe or under direct sunlight. But for every other situation, the screen can function pretty well.

One other feature of the panel is it has a 360-degree hinge, meaning it can also be used in tent mode, display mode, or in tablet mode. All these uses have their times when they can be maximized, but this feature could’ve been served better if it also had stylus support. If it had that, it would’ve been the perfect companion piece to my S22 Ultra and its S-pen.

Last thing to note about the screen: unlike regular laptops, it does not have a webcam in its top bezel. But then again, you are going to be connecting this to your phone, so just use the camera on that.

Is it time to cut the cord?

So far in this article I’ve only written about my (mostly) great experience on the Uperfect X14 Pro. While they are all valid, those praises only apply when I have my phone plugged in via USB-C.

Availing of the wireless mode, sadly, just downgrades every bullet point of the experience to ‘meh’ status. When wireless, the screen I’ve praised now has blocky compression artifacts. There’s also a huge input delay for both typing and touchpad control– not to mention the fact that in wired mode, the touchscreen functions as expected; but when using the touchscreen in wireless mode, the screen struggles with locating the exact point of the touch and just ‘approximates’ all your touches and gestures, leading to a whole lot of misclicks and accidental drags. So you’re going to be stuck using the trackpad anyways.

Even audio is affected when forgoing the wire; wired and speaker audio gets compressed to all hell in wireless mode. So yeah, objectively the best usage experience for the Uperfect X14 Pro Wireless is when you don’t use it in Wireless mode.

So you might be thinking, ‘alright, so I’ll just use it in wired mode all of the time then’. Well, that’s the thing– when we’re using laptops outside of the comforts of our desks, we usually don’t connect anything to it, not even the charger. It’s hard to prop it up on your lap in bed to watch media off of it. It’s hard to use it while in the back of a moving vehicle, because you’ve got this fragile, semi-hard USB-C cable coming off the side of it, connected to a heavy phone with a fragile USB-C port as well.

Wired vs wireless

Wired vs wireless — It’s always an active choice. Do you stand the cable coming off the side in the name of better performance? Or do you use it in wireless mode, keep the phone in your pocket, and settle for not getting the best performance or responsiveness? For me, I’d always take the wired option.

Apart from that, there are some more major changes to the Uperfect X14 Pro experience compared to using a laptop. The glaring one would probably be the heat. Since there are no actual processing components inside the body, it doesn’t heat up like a normal laptop. You can keep it propped up on your lap the entire day and it’s not going to cook your nether regions.

However, since all the computing power is served by the phone, you might want to take your phone out of your pocket. It’s prudent to set it on the table while using it with the lapdock because it’s going to get toasty.

You also have to watch the battery of both your phone and the Uperfect X14 Pro. It does come with passthrough charging so you can charge both the lapdock and your phone just by hooking up one charger. But at 20W, you’re going to be slow charging most of the time, and just keeping their batteries at current levels during heavy use. 

Is the Uperfect X14 Pro Lapdock your GadgetMatch?

If you ignore the phon hanging around the side of the Uperfect X14 Pro all the time, you would think that this was a pretty expensive and high-performance laptop. Of course, the reality of that assumption highly hinges on you having to connect a flagship phone to get a flagship experience.

But let’s say you want to plug in an older-model Samsung S phone that can’t really promise snappy 2023 flagship phone performance. Take that software goodness away, and you’re still left with the premium-feeling hardware of the Uperfect X14 Pro. It’ll make your user experience still somewhat palatable.

I can wholly recommend this product for people who, like myself, like to live off of their phones as their main computing gadget. It gets the job done, usage is just like using any laptop you’ve ever used before.

At US$ 390 right now on the Uperfect website, it’s not much of a spend for great hardware. It gives you a new dimension to your smartphone experience. But before buying, please check if your smartphone has a desktop interface option. Oh, and please use it in wired mode. Wireless lapdocks still have some ways to go before they can be considered the ‘true’ experience for these products.

Interested in buying any of Uperfect’s monitors? Use our code upon checkout: GadgetMatch50.

The post Uperfect X14 Pro Wireless Lapdock Review appeared first on GadgetMatch.

It’s apropos that reinvention is at the heart of WWE 2K23. For those that disliked the pre-2020 era of the WWE 2K series, this year’s entry is a culmination of the reinvention started by last year’s WWE 2K22. Make no mistake, though; it’s the same wrestling simulator, but a fresh coat of paint keeps the series fresh for another year.

And his name is…

John Cena! Anyone who lived through WWE’s Ruthless Aggression era knows his name. In WWE 2K23, Cena’s career in the squared circle takes center stage. Much like Rey Mysterio’s spotlight in the previous game, Cena’s showcase takes players on the defining moment of the champ’s illustrious career including his debut against Kurt Angle and his stand against ECW’s Rob Van Dam.

If you’ve followed Cena’s career, you might’ve noticed something from these two examples: They’re both losses for Cena. This is one thing that breathes new life to the series. It’s not afraid to showcase the losses of WWE’s biggest star. You play as Cena’s opponents and unlock them as playable characters, instead of just a seemingly limitless number of Cena skins.

Also, Cena’s commentary seems more willing to skirt the limits of kayfabe. (In wrestling parlance, “kayfabe” refers to the illusion of wrestling. For example, in kayfabe, Mark Calaway is The Undertaker, an actual dead man.) Throughout his commentary, Cena references the various fan dialogue around his career including the Five Moves of Doom (or the belief that Cena knows and does only five wrestling moves). It’s an openness that refreshingly pervades the entire game.

It’s a lock

Another area where kayfabe seesaws in and out is the new MyRise story. Instead of the comically overused rise-to-the-top story, 2K23’s The Lock storyline starts players off as an already established star from the indies in Japan. They debut in WWE and instantly grab the Intercontinental Title from a pre-Bloodline Sami Zayn. However, instead of carrying over success from the indies, you are burdened with a toothless gimmick by management called The Lock. It’s a truly terrible gimmick, but it echoes the real-life tension that WWE repackages strong indie wrestlers into generic, brand-safe gimmicks. It’s even hilariously ironic that Shawn Michaels, a major proponent for indie wrestlers in modern-day WWE, is the one forcing The Lock on your character.

Now, if you prefer the more standard story, The Legacy, a storyline exclusive for female characters, offers the standard story you’ll find in these game modes. Though a retread of the rags-to-riches story, the storyline is a good one, nonetheless. Players debut as the niece of a prominent (but fictitious) Hall of Famer. The struggle is breaking out from the shadow of their more popular relative.

Both are fun to play through. Even better, 2K listened to feedback from last year and de-emphasized social media squabbles. While the characters still use Twitter, there’s more effort to actually play the game than just tweet through missions.

The manager returns

Both the Universe and the MyGM mode return for WWE 2K23. If you want to take a more managerial approach to a wrestling sim, these modes are for you. As always, Universe mode lets you book your own show or, alternatively, play as a Superstar from week to week. Players also have the option to deal interactions before, during, or after a match including beatdown and interference.

On the other hand, MyGM is a more strategic version of the same mechanics. Players are tasked with going up against a rival manager in an effort to be the better show raking in the most money and viewers from the other. There are a lot more options this time around, including the addition of Austin Creed (or more popularly known as Xavier Woods) and Tyler Breeze as characters, recreating their rivalry from UpUpDownDown, an actual wrestler-run gaming channel led by Creed.

As a managerial sim, the MyGM mode is a more streamlined approach that doesn’t require rote memorization of arcane mechanics. It’s simple enough to play through between MyRise and MyFaction sessions.

A microtransactional nightmare

Speaking of MyFaction, this year’s mode has an unfortunate change: a seeming dependence on buying more cards. Now, don’t get me wrong; plus NBA 2K’s MyTEAM, 2K is notorious for riddling their games with microtransactions. This year is no different.

However, in last year’s MyFaction mode, I scraped by with the mode’s in-game rewards. This year is different. WWE 2K23 is seemingly less willing to award players with meaningful cards for just playing through the mode. In the Proving Grounds section, for example, you’ll have to win every match on Legendary difficulty to get a single booster pack. All other sections sprinkle booster pack rewards sparingly.

Overall, in both looks and gameplay, MyFaction remains a lower tier reskin of the NBA franchise’s MyTEAM mode. It’s hardly rewarding enough to play through to the end, especially when it demands more money from you.

WAR GAMES!

Besides Cena, the spotlight is also on the new WarGames match type. As in the real match, two rings are set up beside each other while covered by a single cage. Two factions with three to four wrestlers each go against each other, and one from each faction start the match. At set intervals, another wrestler from one faction enters, giving that faction an edge until the next interval. It’s brutally chaotic but somehow more systematic than other multi-person match types in the game.

Besides the new match type, WWE 2K23 easily offers one of the most expansive options for a wrestling simulator including a plethora of Superstars, rings, match types, and championships. Despite the WWE banner, the title shines when it lets players be themselves and customize everything about the in-ring experience.

Is this your Match?

If you loved WWE 2K22, there’s a lot more to love in WWE 2K23. 2K finally listened to its fans with sweeping changes, while keeping most of the features that made last year’s title so memorable. WWE 2K23 is the wrestling simulator to beat this year.

The post WWE 2K23 review: A return to muscular form appeared first on GadgetMatch.

It becomes even more difficult to navigate through all the options with the sheer variety of what’s being offered in the market. Everything looks so good, but sometimes you can’t help but ask yourself if you’re being catfished.

Get the right phone and you have a partner that feels like family.

Get the wrong phone and you’ll feel like you purchased a phone of betrayal.

No one wants to be betrayed. All we want is a phone that we can trust at the right price point. Can Samsung’s newest mid-ranger, the Galaxy A34, capture your heart in the long run?

Awesome, premium-feeling design

Class shouldn’t require glass; the A34 is proof of that. Reviewers will often cite the use of plastic as a sacrifice manufacturers have to make to reduce costs.

While it may be true, it doesn’t have to make your device look bad. Samsung found a way to keep its newest mid-ranger pretty without breaking the bank.

The design is undeniably Samsung. It mimics design cues from the more expensive Galaxy S line of phones while using a matte plastic finish to maintain a premium look.

No matter which color of the A34 you choose, you’ll undoubtedly come home with a device that looks and feels good on the hand.

Awesome performer for your day-to-day

No one wants to be a wannabe flagship who can’t perform. It’s a good thing Samsung took that to heart with their newest A-series phone.

Give the A34 time to warm up once you boot it right out of the box. Once it finds its bearings, you’ll get a mid-ranger with software and hardware that can compete with the best.

Gaming is reasonably good as long as settings aren’t amped up to max levels. Office tasks are where Samsung’s software truly shines. One UI has evolved over the years from a messy, bloat-filled experience to a bright yet clean interface that can be appreciated by all types of users.

Samsung’s beautiful screen only adds to everything. The company’s displays are the best in the industry, and the A34 helps strengthen its claim. Colors are bright and details are crisp; just exactly what you need for a premier media consumption experience.

Its speed won’t beat flagships, that’s a tall task. But it can at least match up to them thanks to its efficiency and effectiveness. At this price point, that’s more than enough.

Awesome that lasts

The definition of smartphone durability has changed, especially as consumer habits have evolved. Our devices are no longer just exposed to offices or motor vehicles; now we can work remotely beside beaches and commutes can be done using bikes.

Being exposed to that much can be taxing for our phones. An Awesome look with Awesome performance is useless with poor endurance.

The A34 happens to check all the boxes you need out of a modern smartphone that lasts. It utilizes a plastic back, an immediate recipe for durability. It comes with IP67 certification, which means it has what it takes to survive outdoor environments.

Where it surprises is battery life, a noted weakness of Samsung phones, especially when compared to competing devices. Its 5000 mAh battery meets expectations, and even on a heavy day with plenty of hotspot usage and navigation, it can last you an entire day.

Awesome camera for your social media image

The present generation needs a camera for their beach trips while fulfilling their food blogger dreams. The A34 can be that camera.

The best way to describe Samsung’s camera performance without using the word ‘awesome’ is consistent. Normally, multi-camera setups can be tricky and incoherent, especially among mid-rangers. The A34 doesn’t fall under that category.

No matter the lighting condition, Samsung’s newest mid-ranger came out with a solid shot. It isn’t extraordinary or mindblowing but it isn’t sub-par either. Open the camera, point-and-shoot; it simply works.

I felt this the most during the most recent long weekend. The shooting experience was effortless and I had confidence the photo would be Social Media-worthy. Users need more of that nowadays. No-frills. No worries. Just vibes.

Even with difficult lighting conditions, the A34 still came out with respectable output. Night shots are clear and even indoor shots had great results.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Smartphone purchases can sometimes boil down to taste or budget. There are some with a wider palette while a select few can be picky with their choices.

If you’re someone who doesn’t have any special needs with their smartphone usage and you simply want an all-around smartphone that you can trust, then the Galaxy A34 is for you.

The versatility and flexibility its flagships are praised for can also be found with Samsung’s newest mid-ranger. It’s difficult to promise that it will check all your boxes. Depending on your needs, it can have a few misses here and there.

In cases when it misses, the pain you’ll feel won’t be all that extreme. You’d be willing to sweep it under the rug because the pros easily outweigh the cons.

This phone won’t be a purchase of betrayal for you. This is something that can feel like family; a mid-range smartphone you can trust.

The Galaxy A34 5G starts at PhP 19,990 for the 128GB variant and PhP 21,990 for the 256GB variant. It comes in two colors: Awesome Violet and Awesome Black.

The post Samsung Galaxy A34 review: Awesome, trustworthy all-rounder appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Some of you may have already known the lineup ever since they were launched in China way back in October 2022. This time, it finally made its global debut — Philippine shores included.

Redmi Note 12? Pro? Pro+?

I know you’re not the only one confused here. This nitty-gritty spec sheet will make it worse:

Summing ’em up, all models share the same battery capacity, ultra-wide and macro camera sensors, quite similar 8+256GB configurations, plus that buttery-smooth 6.67″ AMOLED displays — just with variations in display tech.

Meanwhile, the Pro/+ variants are equipped with Gorilla Glass 5 and the latest midrange MediaTek chipset. Meanwhile, the non-Pro has a Snapdragon chipset, a microSDXC card slot, but no glass protection.

Lastly, the Pro+ has the largest main camera sensor at 200MP and also has the fastest charging speeds.

P.S: The Redmi Note 12 Turbo isn’t in the spec sheet table as it’s a China-exclusive model. It’s a Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, up to 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage, minus the 200MP camera and 120W HyperCharge support — in exchange for a 64MP main sensor with an undisclosed aperture count and 67W Turbo Charging.

Barely “Redmi”

Redmi Note 10S (2021)

One thing I disliked about Redmi phones in the past is its back design that looked like the cheaper, plasticky imitations of the more premium Xiaomi flagships. (To be fair, that’s the point of Redmi’s existence anyway).

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra (2020)

Case in point: The bump of the Redmi Note 10S was heavily “inspired” from the gargantuan camera layout of the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra.

But unlike previous Redmi phones, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G looked dissimilar and felt more premium than ever. Looking back at Redmi’s history, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G stood out more and looked like a brand new breed of phone, instead of just a toned-down Xiaomi flagship.

The newest Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (and the rest of the Redmi Note 12 series) lean towards the curvier, “sexier” side — albeit still incorporating flat trims on its sides but not totally edge-to-edge.

Instead, they added back curves to make it easier to hold despite its massive display and form factor.

Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (2022)

Redmi may have listened to users who complained about big smartphones with flat edges as they now steered away from last year’s “flat-edge” design trend — even if I said that I liked the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G’s flat-ish form factor from my review last year.

The phone I have comes in a Polar White colorway, and I love how clean and elegant it looks.

Xiaomi 13 Pro

Moreover, this color helps me avoid those unwanted fingerprint smudges I usually get from any glossy black glass phone. Even the Xiaomi 13 Pro I have isn’t an exception to that long list of smudgy AF smartphones.

A midrange in sight

Aside from the usual volume rockers on the right edge…

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that also serves as its power-slash-Google Assistant button. It’s fast, accurate, and better than most in-display optical fingerprint readers around.

Despite the lack of 3D face sensors, it still offers Face Unlock — just like any latest Android smartphone out there.

The bottom part of the phone gives us what we all expected: a removable dual SIM card tray (but now without that extra microSD card slot that its predecessor used to have), an external microphone, a USB-C port, and a bottom-firing speaker.

Surprisingly, we still get the rarest smartphone features this year when we show the top portion of the phone: a 3.5mm audio jack, top-firing speaker, and an IR blaster. The microphone is, well, not so unique.

Looking at the left side of the phone, we have… nothing.

When you lay the phone on a flat table, expect that unevenness — thanks to that protruding camera bump.

Pro-level audiovisual

As previously mentioned, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G packs a punchy 6.67-inch Full HD+ Flow AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Other display advancements include a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, DCI-P3 wide color gamut, and Dolby Vision support.

Love Me Like This — and maybe Love Me Right Back, Sullyoon-ssi

If you’re a huge fan of big displays (like I always do), you’ll appreciate how it looks.

I’VE IVE might just be their best comeback era just yet

The display bezels are thin enough for my liking that it makes me appreciate the visuals even more. Moreover, the display chin is almost as thin as the other sides, making it look symmetrical and more immersive than others of the same kind.

Billlie said “Flip Flop” in EUNOIA — but the song is far from that

Firing up those dual-firing speakers gave me louder than usual output compared to phones of the same price range. Bass isn’t that deep, but highs and mids are enough for that banger bathroom concert sessions.

And thanks to Dolby Atmos support (at least through Apple Music), I was able to hear better quality that other midrange offerings fail to deliver.

Plentiful performance

Just a refresher, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G runs on MediaTek’s 6nm-based Dimensity 1080 chipset with 5G support paired with Mali-G68 mobile GPU for graphics. On the software side, it runs the latest MIUI 14 — oddly based on Android 12 instead of Android 13.

For the most part, such as opening and scrolling through several apps, it’s fast and responsive.

Most games are playable, too. Although, don’t expect top-notch graphics quality.

Still, that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. My all-time racing fave, Asphalt 9: Legends, was still fun even at medium quality (set by default).

You can switch to a higher gaming quality but at the expense of your game’s cooling and battery consumption — more so, if you tick “gaming mode” via its native Game Turbo sidebar.

FPS games such as Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM) also run well on this phone. I was able to play smoothly for around fifteen to twenty minutes. The phone isn’t at fault for that shorter gameplay. It’s just my age and my shorter patience when playing games

Then again, default graphic quality is at medium but can be configured to high. Frame rate can also be selected to the “Max” option.

More games that include cats, please

Lastly, the less-strenuous but more chill-type of game such as the Cat Snack Bar is expected to run in this phone without any cat stuttering during the gameplay.

Satisfying power

Just like the rest of the Redmi Note 12 lineup, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G ships with a mighty 5000mAh battery.

If you’re more into gaming, expect heavier drain. For instance, I downloaded HD game resources for CoDM (Call of Duty: Mobile) for almost two hours without the display turning off just to keep the download progress running. The battery trickled down heavily from 36 percent down to just 15 percent.

But if you’re like me who’s a moderate user (and barely a mobile gamer), it’s able to last more than a day — two days even.

My use case includes several hours of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter while 5G mobile data and hotspot are turned on, moderate camera shooting, plus a little gaming on the side for just around 15 to 30 minutes.

120W charging on a Redmi?

And if that’s enough to keep you enticed, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G supports Xiaomi’s proprietary 120W HyperCharge with a charger (literally) out of the box! That’s the same bundled charging adapter supplied to the more expensive Xiaomi 13 Pro, 12T Pro, 12 Pro — even with 2021’s Xiaomi 11T Pro that I was also able to review.

They claim that it can be fully-charged to 100 percent in just 19 minutes. In my charge test, I’ve tested the bundled 120W HyperCharge adapter on three phones that support it. While it was far from what was claimed, the results are consistent — and thirty minutes was still fast nonetheless.

If you’re worried about prolonged charging, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G has Xiaomi’s built-in Surge P1 chipset for faster and safer charging in the long run.

200MP camera on a serious budget?

The headlining feature (and probably the main selling point) of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G has to be its 200-megapixel main camera.

It’s the only phone in its respective category to have that mighty sensor. As of this writing, only flagships such as the moto X30 Pro, Xiaomi 12T Pro Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra are equipped with 200MP shooters.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023)

Fun fact: All of these 200MP cameras are made by Samsung. Redmi has ISOCELL HPX, moto and Xiaomi uses ISOCELL HP1, while Samsung features ISOCELL HP2.

From my Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra Camera Shootout, I made a bold statement that having a 1-inch sensor on a smartphone is far superior than having a 200MP camera — and that large megapixel count sounds more gimmicky now that it’s in a midrange phone, specifically the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G.

For now, I won’t make any comparisons about the 200MP cameras on both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G as it’s a separate feature that’s already parked in my heavily-jammed writing lot.

SEE ALSO: Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Camera Shootout

Going along its “Live Vivid” tagline, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G captured brilliantly “vivid” photos taken with its main 200MP sensor.

Most of the shots looked great — far better than the horrendous camera processing algorithm of last year’s Redmi Note 11 Pro, if I must say.

Whether it’s the mesmerizing golden hour or just your plain ol’ indoor shooting, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G can keep up with its 200MP camera.

Ultra-wide angle photos also look great enough as long as there is ample daylight.

And while there’s no dedicated 2x zoom lens, digitally cropping in with its 200MP is not as bad as it seems.

1x wide vs 2x zoom

Food shoots look undoubtedly appetizing and scrumptious without over-saturating (and radially blurring) everything.

Even though the 200MP is at an advantage when digitally zooming in to 2x, shooting photos farther than that is more of a miss than a hit — especially with that pesky over-sharpening.

On top of that, there are some inconsistencies when HDR and AI are both turned on.

The problem persists either if you use the ultra-wide angle lens…

…the main 1x wide lens…

…and even when zooming in farther 2x.

But with the right subject to focus on, Redmi can “fix” its problem by not overexposing details and just try to tune up the shadows more.

For example in the photo above, instead of tapping the building before pressing the shutter button, I then tapped the sky to balance out Redmi’s weird HDR and AI algorithm.

Low-light samples are decent as long as you always use night mode.

But sometimes, night mode just worsens the photo. Just like some bright daylight subjects, you should also keep your low-light subjects in mind.

1x Night vs UWA Night

Night mode is mostly favorable if you solely use the phone’s 200MP as it has a wide-enough f/1.65 aperture for better light data gathering.

2x Night OFF vs ON

And with the less wider aperture of its ultra-wide angle camera, expect longer shutter duration when activating night mode — and a darker photo without it.

UWA Night OFF vs ON

Remember, you have to be very still even when the phone “completed” its Night Mode shutter release. Or else, you’ll end up having the images below — that’s despite having OIS on its main camera. Although, it may be usable if you want hippy/artsy Instagram photos.

Macro (S)camera

HDR + AI ON vs HDR + AI OFF

I only have two things in mind when the word “scam” kicks in: either a shortened form of “S-ensor Cam-era” (which I just made up), or “scam” as in a dishonest scheme. Either way, it only means one thing: macro sensors are “senseless” and a complete fraud.

I’ve stated it numerous times in my written reviews — and I know I’m not the only tech reviewer out there who keeps whining and babbling about how macro sensors are one of the most pointless features in smartphones. The shot above was even taken using the 200MP camera and not through its “macro sensor”.

And now that the mobile camera technology keeps improving, I usually prefer taking macro shots more using the ultra-wide lens via “Super Macro Mode” or just through a 2-3x telephoto lens for that added depth of field while shooting the subject at a farther distance. But then again, these companies make them as “flagship-exclusive” features.

Now, this makes me miss seeing 2x zoom lenses more on midrange phones. Even other brands did the same routine on newer midrange smartphones just to say the phone has “three cameras” as evident as it is on the back side.

Precious Portraits

If you’re a huge portrait fanatic, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G can shoot bokeh-licious portraits. Hair cutouts aren’t messy and actually look precise than other phones of the same price range.

Even if your human subject holds any paraphernalia such as a glass of iced tea or a cup of iced coffee, someone’s pair of slippers or the bracelets they wear, the camera can intelligently detect objects at the foreground level without totally blurring them out.

It even worked well when I randomly shot the lid of my MacBook.

Favorable Selfies

Again, I’m not a huge selfie user. But for the sake of this review, I’m dedicating a section just to show its front-facing camera capabilities.

Selfies are always preferential. But personally, I’m contented with how this Redmi took “natural-looking” selfies without those annoying smears and smoothening.

Even though its 16MP selfie shooter doesn’t have an “ultra-wide angle” mode, it still is wide enough to accommodate more than four people in the frame.

Good ol’ goodies

Curious to know the phone’s box content? Well, here it goes.

Just like previous Redmi phones, it ships in a white box. Lifting the box lid reveals an extra packet while the phone sits beneath it.

Opening that packet gives us the mandatory SIM Tray Ejector Tool…

…the usual paperwork…

…a clear jelly case out of the box…

…and lastly, a bundled 120W HyperCharge adapter with a USB-C to USB-A cable.

Is the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G your GadgetMatch?

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G in the Philippines retails for PhP 21,999 in a lone 8+256GB configuration. Pre-ordering the phone from April 15 to 21 (either via Lazada, Shopee, TikTok shop or offline Xiaomi retail stores) assures you a free Redmi Buds 3 Lite.

Aside from the Polar White colorway that I reviewed, it also comes in the usual Midnight Black and a more playful Sky Blue option.

I’ll be direct. You don’t need the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G if you’re not into that massive 200MP camera and 120W speedy charging. Get the Redmi Note 12 Pro instead and save some of your hard-earned money — especially if its 50MP camera and 67W Turbo Charging are sufficient for your needs. That’s already PhP 4,000 in savings.

Still, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is an upper midrange smartphone that can keep up and live up to its promises. It is a very recommendable midrange smartphone considering it has a less heavy price tag despite being heavy with features. Moreover, those two outweigh the phone’s flaws I’ve experienced and stated.

You’ll get that rich audiovisual experience, a not-so-typical Redmi design and premium-like build quality, satisfying performance, more than sufficient battery life, rapid charging speeds, and cameras that are enough for your needs day and night.

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is a worthy recipient of the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

The post Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G Review: Midrange Madness appeared first on GadgetMatch.

That may be true if it was 2018 when smartphones seem to have peaked in their slate form factor. Think: boxy, bezel-less (sometimes curved) smartphones equipped with monster lenses that can probably see the depths of your pores. That, or you’ve got skin as smooth as a mannequin.

Everything changed when the fire nation attacked, err when smartphone manufacturers experimented with unique form factors. The advent of foldables, especially flip phones, paved the way for a new travel companion.

New challenger alert

OPPO Find N2 Flip in Astral Black and the Galaxy Z Flip4 in Bora Purple.

If you haven’t seen it by now, you’re probably scrolling on the wrong side of TikTok and Instagram.

OPPO has a new foldable named the Find N2 Flip that rivals the king of flip smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip4. Now, this is what we all know too well. I mean, Samsung hasn’t kept its mouth shut about reviving flip smartphones for the past three years or so.

But when I saw the Find N2 Flip for the first time (and definitely not through renders), I was bewildered.

It’s in equal size and shape the same as the Galaxy Z Flip4 yet with still distinct dissimilarities from the get-go. The two most evident features are the bigger lenses and monumental screen that the Find N2 Flip has over its competitor.

Now, I have certain biases since I’ve perpetually used the Galaxy Z Flip ever since it was first announced. I even wrote some sort of love letter a few moons ago. I’d say that the Galaxy Z Flip4 felt more sturdy and durable, and it even made me feel posh and luxurious.

However, the OPPO Find N2 Flip is a first-gen device that’s only getting started. In a way, the Find N2 Flip delivers a much more accessible experience.

And more than a month of bringing the compact smartphone to my adventures, it gave me enough reasons to love it and even call it the ~quintessential~ travel smartphone.

For the DIY gals and pals

Imagine a picturesque skyline that would make the perfect scenery for your next ‘gram. You can visualize how you’d pose with a stunning backdrop, only to woefully remind yourself that you’re alone, shy, and have ~absolutely~ no one to take your photos. (No, ma’am. I wouldn’t strike up a conversation with a stranger unless I’m in an emergency.)

As a frequent solo traveler from a few lifetimes ago, I still got the tricks up my sleeve and still produce best-in-class photos that I can brag on the ‘gram. But not everyone is blessed with my radiance, wit, charm, and ability to endure the sufferings of taking your photos on your own.

This adversity has been solved when I used the Find N2 Flip’s monumental 3.26-inch cover screen. I was able to maintain my pride and dignity as a strong, independent acid snake in a skinsuit of a strong, independent human, like Vicky from the Emmy-nominated primetime show, The Good Place.

Taking selfies, recording myself and my surroundings, and even propping up the flip phone to take Instagrammable photos came easily when using the Find N2 Flip’s cameras in tandem with the cover screen.

You can set a timer, use gestures, and quickly record using the volume rockers — all on your own.

Take a look at my fabulous photos taken by using the Find N2 Flip part-folded.

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And here are some spectacular selfies and groupies I’ve captured.

Inside the punch hole, you can find the 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 lens with f/2.4 aperture. I find it unappealing, but it will make do for some people.

Hasselblad cameras

A greater part of my phenomenal captures is attributed to the Find N2 Flip’s MariSilicon X Imaging NPU, boosting an incredible dynamic range on both 4K Ultra HDR and 4K Ultra Night video.

While it’s not my cup of tea, as most frequent flyers alike, knowing that the Find N2 Flip has an excellent imaging experience makes it attractive to photographers, videographers, and content creators.

What I like the most are the two, huge lenses housing the 50-megapixel 1.156-inch Sony IMX890 main sensor and the 8-megapixel Sony IMX355 ultra-wide camera. All the travel photos I took are crisp, textured, dynamic, and highly detailed.

To see is to believe, so here are a few more shots I took in Barcelona.

Putting small but terrible in another twist

The Find N2 Flip is as compact as it gets. It fits in my pockets — whether in my jeans, denim jacket, trench coat, and even in my Ralph Lauren blazer.

It’s pocketable, making it a handy daily driver to use during your travels. Especially in Europe where most tourist spots such as Barcelona, Paris, and Rome, are flocked with sneaky thieves.

Apart from feeling secure, there’s a sense of relief — and assurance, perhaps — knowing that the Find N2 Flip can get you through your day.

When I was in Barcelona, I start my day writing and working at 5 in the morning. I know, that was too early by European standards. I should’ve listened to Sylvie from Emily in Paris.

My phone, the Find N2 Flip, of course, was fully charged by the time I woke up. By 7 in the morning, the gym opens for early birds (who don’t like catching any worms) like me.

I use the phone to record my training so I can send it to my coach while also playing my workout playlists on Spotify.

An hour later, I prepare, take a bath, and eventually eat my breakfast either at a hotel’s lounge or the nearest brunch café.

Afterward, depending on my schedule, I go on a walk across Rambla de Catalunya or sit at a restaurant while I eat and do my work.

Having a flagship experience on its belt, the Find N2 Flip allowed me to multitask to my heart’s content.

With you, through and through

With mobile data turned on most of the time, I was expecting the Find N2 Flip to drain quickly. However, I kept forgetting that it has a 4300mAh battery capacity.

Even with constant usage of social media apps, updating my beau about my whereabouts, connecting with my colleagues to get work done, and using the device as a mobile hotspot, I made it last for ten hours before the battery dropped to 10 percent.

Charging it would be quick if I was using the 44W SuperVOOC. It easily reaches 50 percent in less than half an hour. However, I trust my power banks to supply me with the energy that I need to stay connected, especially since I go back home around 9 or 10 in the evening. (Past midnight, if I have to go out for a drink)

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Travel smartphones have already redefined, especially in 2023 and beyond. The OPPO Find N2 Flip is proof that having exceptional cameras aren’t the only requirement to call a smartphone a travel companion.

It needs functionality — the way the Find N2 Flip allows multi-angle shooting in its FlexForm mode or even using it à la camcorder, reminiscent of the shooting mode in the 90s.

The OPPO Find N2 Flip is certainly my GadgetMatch, and it could be yours, too. It has flagship experience, exceptional imaging capabilities, flexibility in use cases, and versatility as a travel camera.

There’s something remarkable about this smartphone that will make you want to have it. Maybe it was the bigger battery, faster charging, better hinge, insane set of cameras, or the vibe of having a first-gen device that you’d like to brag about.

But for me, it has an appeal that only you would experience if you have your hands on it. That certain allure can keep you hooked, just like how I can’t keep it off my hands.

The OPPO Find N2 Flip comes in two colors: Moonlit Purple and Astral Black. It retails for PhP 49,999 in the Philippines, SGD 1,299 in Singapore, GBP 849 in the United Kingdom, and EUR 1,199 across countries in Europe.

The post Find N2 Flip: Quintessential travel companion appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Yes, these are lines lifted from the Aladdin song A Whole New World. To a certain extent, that’s what diving into VR or virtual reality feels like. And the PSVR 2 feels a lot like that – entering a whole new world and feeling almost completely transported.

Before we dive into the whole experience of it all. Let’s first take a quick look at the hardware. 

This is the PSVR 2 Headset. 

Using this space to thank Sony PlayStation Asia for providing the PSVR 2 unit and game codes for this review. 

Right under the headset, you’ll find these three buttons. 

The one in the middle is the power button, while the other two are the function buttons. You’ll use the button on the left in this image more to reset the orientation of what you see in the headset when necessary. 

When worn, that function button is on the right side. 

Clicking this also gives you access to passthrough mode. It lets you see your surroundings in black and white through the headsets lenses. 

On the top right of the headset is the button to loosen/tighten the headset. 

You can adjust it any time before and during playing. Naturally, you should first pause whatever game you’re playing.

At the back of the headset is this button, also for loosening/tightening.

Both the button and the dial around it share the same function. 

The dial offers a more precise tightening once you have the headset comfortably placed on your head.

On the top left is another dial. This one’s for aligning the lenses to your eyes. 

Here’s what the lenses inside look like. 

Surrounding the lens is an accordion-like flap that helps keep the lights out.

On the side, there’s a slot where you can park the included earbuds.

Controllers

The controllers have this cord to keep them secure. 

This is the left hand controller. 

It has the triangle and square buttons along with a PS button and the Share button. 

This is the right hand controller. 

It has the circle and ‘X’ or ‘cross’ buttons along with the function/start button and also a PS button. 

The shoulder buttons (R2 and L2) are up top, in white.

While the R1 and L1 buttons are closer to the grip, in black. 

The USB-C port to charge the controllers are on the lower back part. 

Set-up 

Setting up is quite easy. You only need to follow the instructions on-screen. The general calibration only happens once. However, you can re-adjust your play space every time through the settings. 

PlayStation recommends the following space requirements when playing: 

• Roomscale – minimum play space of 2m × 2m (6 ft 7 in × 6 ft 7 in)
• Sitting – minimum play space of 1m × 1m (3 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in)
• Standing – minimum play space of 1m × 1m (3 ft 4 in × 3 ft 4 in)

It doesn’t have to be a perfect square, but you just have to make sure there are no obstructions that can cause any undue accidents while you’re playing. 

You’ll get plenty of prompts guiding you through the whole process. 

It’s pretty painless and the PSVR 2 “holds your hand” the entire time. ‘VRgins’ should have little to no trouble setting it up. 

‘With new Horizons to pursue’

Horizon Call of the Mountain

The flagship game that came along with the PSVR 2 is Horizon Call of the Mountain. It’s based on the Horizon franchise with Aloy as its main character. However, in Call of the Mountain, you play not as Aloy but as Ryas. 

Ryas is a disgraced former soldier. In the game, you’ll journey the towering peaks of the Carja Sundom and unravel a new mystery surrounding the machines to redeem yourself and save your people. 

Horizon Call of the Mountain does for the PSVR 2 what Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart did for the PS5. The game is a great showcase of what the PSVR 2 can do. You’ll get thrown into the breathtaking world of Horizon, seeing landscapes that you can stare at for hours and encountering mechanical beasts that give you a sense of wonder.

The eye tracking feature is phenomenal. Going through the menu just by looking took some getting used to but it was great to experience. The game itself also encourages movement. This isn’t always the case with the few other VR games I tried. 

To get a more expansive view of both the PSVR 2 and Horizon Call of the Mountain, I asked a couple of VRgins to also play. 

‘It allowed me to use my motor skills’ – MJ

My foray into playing games through VR headsets stems back from my previous coverage at international tech shows. I didn’t have the chance to maximize the devices I’ve tried which is why the PSVR2 — when we got our hands on it — got me thrilled.

Playing Horizon Call of the Mountain on the PSVR2 felt magical. The gameplay was immersive, it seemed like I was in an entirely different world. The graphics and visual effects, which are already phenomenal, looked surreal.

What I loved the most about the action role-playing game is how it allowed me to use my motor skills. As an athlete, I’m used to throwing spears in my Spartan races so aiming and doing Archery inside the game came naturally to me.

It felt easier, thanks to my athletic abilities. However, if I played Horizon Forbidden West using a gaming console, I might struggle a bit in aiming and shooting since my fingers aren’t trained into playing games unlike a few years ago. (Total gaming nerd here from a few lifetimes ago!)

Somehow, the PSVR2 helped in connecting my athletic skills together with my gaming knowledge to provide an alluring and stellar experience. I’d probably do it again, perhaps, when playing Just Dance.

‘I love how I can explore the world of this game’ – Vincenz

When I played the VR2-exclusive Horizon Call of the Mountain, I felt foolish at first. 

I had to do all sorts of motions and gestures when climbing rocks, mountains, stairs, unlocking dusty and rusty doors, and most of all, using arrows to kill those robotic dinosaurs. Using the PSVR 2 controller is a steeper learning curve than using the regular Dual Sense controllers.

Being a real sucker for “open-world” games, I love how I can explore Horizon Call of the Mountain’s world, stop whenever I needed to, and just look at the majestic views of the luscious tropical rainforests along with falls, rivers, and even those high mountain alps.

Overall, as a first-timer, my mind was blown. 

‘Over, sideways, and under’ — Gran Turismo 7 on VR

We also played Gran Turismo 7 on VR. Unfortunately, we didn’t have an actual steering wheel-like controller. So, while the visuals were impressive, the experience still felt antiquated having used only the DualSense Controller. 

Why the DualSense? This was actually a hiccup that we haven’t figured out as of writing. The PSVR 2 controllers just stopped working once we fired up GT7. Hence why we were forced to use the DualSense. 

Personally, I’m terrible at driving (both in real life and virtually), but I still found enjoyment in the VR version of GT7. If I ever move into a larger living space, I might consider getting one of those steering wheels. 

Vincenz also played GT7 and said it felt like it’s more of an open-world game even if most tracks are restricted with barriers. The digital steering wheel is in front of you while tilting your head left or right feels like you’re in a real driving simulator.

He also added that the experience would have been a lot better if we used a racing wheel set like Logitech’s G920/G29 instead of the typical DualSense controller.

A few more PSVR 2 play time observations

It’ll vary for most users, but personally, I couldn’t play for more than an hour on the PSVR 2. During each playthrough, the headset started to weigh on me at around the 45 to 50-minute mark. 

It also doesn’t help that my head sweats profusely. Ideally, you should play this in a room with air conditioning.

In case you’re wondering, you can play non-VR titles while wearing the headset. But due to the things mentioned above, I personally don’t recommend it. 

The included earphones aren’t bad, but I hope there’s a way to integrate an even more immersive audio experience some time down the line. Adjusting the volume is also a bit cumbersome as you have to step out of the game and dive into settings to do so. Hopefully, PlayStation addresses this in a future software update. 

In terms of games, I hope we get more games that involve using motor skills. Also, as noted by my colleagues MJ and Vincenz after playing, we hope to also get more relaxed ones where you can just take your time in exploring a vast, immersive, open-world environment. 

Isekai’d

The PSVR 2 is about the closest thing you can get to getting Isekai’d from the comfort of your own home. 

For the unfamiliar, Isekai is an anime sub genre where the main character is transported into another world. The arguably most popular example is Sword Art Online which is actually set in a Virtual Reality world accessed through a VR Headset. Not into anime? The closest mainstream examples are probably Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz.

If done right, the blend of the PSVR 2 hardware and the right kind of game can outright feel magical. 

Is the PSVR 2 your GadgetMatch?

As of writing, Horizon Call of the Mountain is easily one of the best games you can play on the PSVR 2. GT7, if paired with a racing wheel set, and Resident Evil Village are close seconds. 

That’s not a lot, but that’s a good start. The aforementioned games do enough to showcase what the PSVR 2 can do. But as a recent report from Bloomberg noted, the PSVR 2 isn’t exactly flying off the shelves.

PlayStation is gonna have to do more to get the PSVR 2 in more homes. At US$ 549.99/ PhP 34,790/ SG$ 869, the price is actually competitive relative to other VR options. But it’s still a generally high price, especially for more traditional gamers. 

Make no mistake about it, the PSVR 2 is a fantastic VR experience. Set-up is quick and easy, the overall gaming experience is incredible, and there’s a decent selection of games a little over a month into release. However, PlayStation does need either a few more games or a bonafide system seller to get people hooked.

It’s a tough sell, but if you have the interest and the means, this is a hardware worth adding to your gaming collection. 

The post PSVR 2 Review: A whole new world appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Marketing for this specific model focused on its 100MP main camera, offering customers a DSLR-like experience. But does the phone really merit top-of-the-head consideration for people? We went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for an exhaustive break-in.

Temper your expectations

The HONOR X8a’s camera package consists of the following:

• 100MP f/1.9 main camera
• 5MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
• 2MP f/2.4 macro camera

To say the least, it’s intriguing what the phone offers when it comes to mobile photography. I have mixed views about it as it was able to hit some benchmarks yet also missed a few.

The ultra-wide lens does its job.

It is imperative nowadays to get quality, especially captures of cityscapes and nightscapes, this is a handy device to bring and make memories with.

I was able to take good shots of Ho Chi Minh City’s “skyline” and city center, as well as many of their countless parks which make the trip reinvigorating.

The auto-focus works steadily.

As seen on this ice cream on the foreground against a park and some close-up shots of food. Should you want the camera to focus on a specific subject within the frame, it also does the trick.

I had modest expectations when it came to how the HONOR X8a’s cameras would perform at night, but I must say it delivered quite nicely, even when shooting only using default mode.

As Vietnam’s busy city streets transform in the night into an LED-filled spectacle, I was only fitting to sneak some snaps of billboards, storefronts, and more in.

When you use Night Mode, the phone will trigger a four-second countdown.

It allows it to absorb more light and produce slightly more vivid images, like these ones at Bui Vien Walking Street and Le Thi Rieng, one of the city’s busier rotondas.

Of course, don’t expect moving subjects to come out perfect; there will naturally be blurry objects when you leave the shutter open for four seconds, like these motorcycles.

At daytime, the shutter speed works decently to capture moving objects or snap photos while walking. But of course, it is still best to take your time first.

Elsewhere, the selfie camera also covers a lot of space if you want to include yourself in pictures of historical sites and landmarks throughout the area.

Needs improvement

On the downside, however, the HONOR X8a also underwhelmed on a number of aspects.

To top it off, pictures did not come out as impressive as I expected in terms of its color, vividness, and being close to the subject’s real appearance, which is quite a bummer for a mid-ranger.

I’ve tried earlier versions of Samsung A series phones and realme’s lower midrange models, which produced better results. One can argue that using Hi-Res mode (higher file sizes) would suffice, yet I didn’t need that on other phones to begin with.

When using default mode at 1x zoom, the camera doesn’t really fit much into the frame, which kind of forces the user to opt for the ultra-wide lens by default.

I tried using the ultra-macro mode a couple of times on souvenirs to test if it captures tiny details well enough.

It is a bit challenging to achieve the proper focus even if you’ve already bookishly followed the ideal distance of about an inch or two. Sharpness is also lacking.

In terms of usability, the shutter button’s position is quite lower than expected, and the button itself is relatively smaller. I would sometimes have to tap twice to make sure I am able to get a photo of something.

Imagine if you missed out on taking a picture with a famous celebrity or athlete because of these little things.

Performance: Just your usual

The HONOR X8a is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 processor. We did say we put this to the test in Vietnam, and once under scorching heat of Saigon, the camera app was forced to close because the phone’s temperature apparently got too hot.

It took a few minutes before I was able to open the app again, so perhaps bring an umbrella outdoors when you plan to take pictures during the noon or afternoon.

Nevertheless, here are some snaps outside which were taken usually after lunch time:

Speaking of which, it is also challenging to use this phone when it is bright outside, since you won’t be able to see the photos you have just taken in real-time that clearly.

The phone has a 6.7-inch FullView display which has a lower peak brightness than mid-range phones I’ve had or have been using. Admittedly, it was quite a hassle to have to cover the phone screen with my hand first just to review some pictures, nor do they appear as crystal-clear as you would want them to.

Usability needs work

Unlike other phones, the HONOR X8a does not have a floating home button at the bottom, along with the hamburger icon for apps currently open.

To switch in between apps, one has to swipe in a particular manner from bottom to the middle of the screen and hold for a while in order for the apps list to show. It’s quite confusing at first, to say the least, and I am definitely not a fan of having to take too much time just to exit some apps.

On the positive end, the screen wasn’t laggy when switching apps, browsing, typing, or doing simple everyday tasks on your phone.

The phone supports up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It can withstand playing games and heavy tasks, but it’s also best to be cautious and make sure usage is optimized.

Looooong battery life

If there is anything that stands out with this phone is that its 4,500mAh battery’s life can endure the lengths. Throughout my stay in Vietnam, I had this routine of using the phone for hours to shoot while walking along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

But after that, I would barely use it. When in Power Saving Mode, the phone loses just about 2 or 3% overnight.

As it supports the usual fast charging expected of a phone for its price point (22.5W), the phone also replenishes its battery percentage quickly.

Is the HONOR X8a your GadgetMatch?

The HONOR X8a is now available for pre-orders, retailing for PhP 10,990 in the Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver, and Midnight Black colorways. It is incredibly lightweight, which could be a good thing for specific users.

But as it is being promoted as a reliable mid-ranger for mobile photography, there are just so many items on the criteria the phone does not surpass.

If I had anywhere between PhP 12,000 to PhP 18,000 and were thinking about upgrading my current budget or midrange device, the X8a wouldn’t be the first model I’d be thinking of, and that’s just the truth.

The post Taking the HONOR X8a to Vietnam: Is it DSLR-like? appeared first on GadgetMatch.

Watch our Review.

Triple 50 cameras

Like its contemporaries (the Xiaomi 13 Pro and vivo X90 Pro), it sports a 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor. It’s accompanied by a 65mm periscope lens and a 15mm ultrawide angle lens. All three have 50MP.

OPPO and Hasselblad continue their partnership on this flagship as the Find X6 Pro also has the Hasselblad Color Calibration.

For selfie enthusiasts, this one sports a 32MP f/2.4 front-facing camera.

Flagship through and through

Like most Android flagships, this one sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with RAM that goes up to 16GB and UFS 4.0 storage that goes up to 512GB.

Supporting these major features is a 5,000mAh battery with support for 100W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Yes, it’s OPPO’s SuperVOOC tech we’ve come to know and love.

Price and availability

As mentioned earlier, the OPPO Find X6 Pro is only available in China with no immediate plans of being available elsewhere.

It retails at CNY 5,999 for the 12/256GB variant, CNY 6,499 for the 16/256GB unit, and CNY 6,999 for the larger 16/512GB model.

Meanwhile, the OPPO Find X6 (12/256GB) retails for CNY 4,499.

The post OPPO Find X6 Pro Review: You’ll want this phone with 3 insane cameras appeared first on GadgetMatch.

More widely recognized in the mainstream now as “Star-Lord’s ancient iPod”, it revolutionized the music industry back then by putting a cassette player in everyone’s pocket, allowing anyone (well, anyone who had the equivalent of US$ 600 at the time) to listen to music anywhere, anytime they wanted.

Fast forward to 2023, we see Sony has updated the Walkman line to fit in with modern standards. The Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 no longer uses an analog Cassette. It’s now a high-fidelity digital music player.

Gone are its plastic and metal body held together by screws, it’s now a glass and metal sandwich like modern smartphones. It has physically changed to the point of being unrecognizable, but the important thing has stayed the same– It’s probably still the most fun music player you can get with your money.

It’s not a phone, it just looks like one

Like its great granddaddy the Walkman TPS-L2, the Walkman NW-ZX707 is built to last. It continues the time-honored traditions of the Walkman line– namely its metal build, external music control buttons on one side, and the audio jack at the top.

But everything else about the build feels like a mix of old smartphone design cues, just updated to 2023. Upon first look, the NW-ZX707 looks like a weirdly small, thick, and heavy smartphone with sharp edges and two headphone jacks in an age where even midrange phones are ditching it.

It’s got a 5-inch 9:16 LCD display with huge bezels straight out of 2017. It’s even got a soft-touch vegan leather back that we haven’t seen in smartphones for years. With that said, ergonomic considerations kind of start and stop with the external music control buttons.

The overall design is boxy, the edges are sharp, the corners are angular, and the screen is flat as they come. Coming in at 157g, it lets you know that it’s in your pocket.

Could’ve used 5G?

In more ways than one, it only looks like a smartphone, but under its metal exterior, the differences are much more obvious. So while it is running near-stock Android 12, you can’t actually use it as a phone, because it doesn’t have a SIM tray (Which I find kind of weird? Like, I think that with high-fidelity music streaming apps available, that would work well with a 5G SIM for on-the-go hi-fi).

While it boasts some of the best audio chips available on any music player today, it doesn’t have a speaker. And while you can expand its 64GB storage with a microSD card, it’s almost exclusively for your music files, because the screen is too small for media viewing and too slow for even light gaming. And there are no cameras on the device.

But it sometimes tries to function like one

The software on the Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 is where things start to get dicey for me. While I appreciate that it’s built on top of Android 12, a very secure, stable, and customizable platform, I feel like Sony could’ve customized the software a bit more to streamline the experience.

Take for example the experience immediately after setup. Since the ZX707 is linked as an android device to your Gmail account, and there is no special designation in the Android system that it’s a dedicated music player, it’s inevitably going to receive email and other non-music related notifications.

It can be fine for power users, but I don’t think receiving the same notifications as your phone in the middle of music listening is conducive to the hi-fi Walkman experience. Take it from me, spend that extra 15 minutes of deep-diving into your settings to either log out of your Gmail account or turn off notifications for any non-music-related apps and services.

The tide hasn’t come in yet

Speaking of apps and services, a big miss for the ZX707 here in the Philippines is the lack of support for hi-fi streaming apps like Tidal and Qobuz. They’re just straight-up not available in the country. So, if you’re planning on getting the new Walkman, your best bet in filling it up is either manually ripping your CDs or Purchasing hi-fi master tracks in either FLAC, PCM, or DSD.

The digital does its best to be analog

Pre-installed software is limited mostly to the Sony Walkman music player app and its customization software, which is generally fine since it leaves so much space for all your high-resolution music on the internal 64GB storage. And for the entirety of the Walkman NW-ZX707 experience, this is where you’re going to get the most value out.

The music player is pretty standard fare, save for the fact that it has support for extremely high-resolution audio formats like FLAC, PCM, and DSD– it even has a separate section dedicated to all your high-res files. There is no visualization option, but you do get a little Cassette animation when the device is idling– a nice touch. And if you’re looking to have better synergy between your Sony headphones / IEMs, there’s the Sony Headphones Connect app where you can choose your headphone model from a list, and the app will automatically change its sound signature via profiles to give you the best listening experience.

But in the great chance that you’re not using Sony headphones to plug into the ZX707, you’ve got a great range of sound customization via the Sound Adjustment app. And let me tell you, this customization app is the bee’s knees. It’s got properly staged equalizer settings, giving you control from sub-bass 31Hz frequencies, all the way up to cymbal-rattling 16KHz highs in 0.5db increments. It’s a great EQ fine-tuning utility, and super responsive.

Music streaming

There is also a whole slew of sound improvement utilities built-in with the sound adjustment app. There’s the DSEE Ultimate toggle– It’s a new feature from Sony that apparently increases the dynamic range of sub-hi-fi tracks like MP3 and CD formats using AI technology.

I found it somewhat effective, but not to the MP3 files on the device– it worked better when it was post-up-sampling non-hi-fi streaming apps like Youtube Music and Deezer.

There is also a DSD Remastering feature, which converts all PCM signals to DSD. In theory this should increase the signal resolution of sub-hi-fi recordings like MP3, low-quality FLAC rips, and of course, low-bitrate PCM files, but it should be of little value for audiophiles looking to load up the ZX707 with higher-quality 24-bit 117.6KHz PCM files. Do note that PCM and DSD are both quantized signals, so while they’re some of the most high-resolution signal formats a music player can put out, they are still (losslessly) compressed to some degree.

Sound emulation

Lastly, the ZX707 also features sound emulation/simulation features if you ever want to introduce some analog qualities to your hyper-clean modern digital recordings. There is a DC Phase Linearizer which somewhat emulates the natural warmth of an analog amplifier, and a vinyl processor, which simulates the sound signature of hearing your songs through a vinyl record player.

I feel that this is something you might want to turn on based on the kind of files that you’re listening to. There are certain genres that benefit greatly from the warmth and texture of Vinyl simulation like classic rock and electronica. Also, remember to turn this off if your music conversions are from Vinyl like my library. It doubles the Vinyl noise and kind of overdoes the warmth of the track.

Good thing that with all of these settings, there is a toggle for direct output so you can A-B your sound settings really fast anytime.

With a little help from my (Hi-Fi) friends

But enough about all of the intricacies that happen outside of the play button. I called the Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 earlier in this article “probably still the most fun music player you can get with your money.”, so that begs the question– how does it sound?

Well, let me get this out of the way for all you audiophiles first: it’s not a ‘flat’ music player. It’s not a reference device, nor does it advertise itself to be one. It’s high-resolution, sure– but it’s not neutral. And that, to me, just sounds like a good time on paper.

In my two weeks with the NW-ZX707 I was able to try it out with three of my most used audio gear:

• For the budget on-the-go side, the KZ x CRN ZEX Pros
• For hi-fi home listening, a modded pair of Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros
• On the weird-but-fun side, the Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass.

And with that lineup, one might assume that the ZX707 would be picky with showing its audio brilliance– not really. It sounded great on everything.

KZ x CRN ZEX Pros

Pairing the ZX707 with the somewhat-neutral KZ x CRN ZEX Pros brought out a good tandem. The ZX707’s sound signature at stock is somewhat warm with a moderate emphasis on midbass and lower mids. The ZEX Pros are somewhat known to have a fair bit of sibilance, but I’m glad to report that because of the Sony Walkman ZX707’s laid-back presentation, there wasn’t much harshness in the highs. Detail suffered a bit, especially on busier tracks, but that was more of the limitation of the ZEX Pro’s limited drivers than through any other factor. The stand-out track for this setup was Silversun Pickups’ “Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)”.

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros

The duo of the ZX707 and Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros was probably my most used setup during my review period. They just complement each other very nicely. And since I’ve modded the DT770 Pros to have a 4.4mm Balanced input, I was able to leverage the higher power output capabilities of the Walkman– I paid for the whole 250 Ohms, I’m going to use the whole 250 Ohms.

The DT770 Pros are known for their surgically neutral and flat response with a slight prominence in the low-bass. It’s that kind of sound signature that I found pairs the best with the ZX707, as it will ‘convert’ the headphones from ‘mixing ready’ to ‘party ready’. It’s like having a smoothening filter applied to all frequencies, but it doesn’t reduce any of the texture and detail. For that pairing, I turned on the DSEE, the DC Phase Linearizer, and the Vinyl Processor.

It was able to inject a lot of warmth and texture to my songs– coupled with the very forward vocal presentation of both the ZX707 and the DT770 Pros, vocal-centric music like ballads, soft rock, and even ‘00s rap sounded amazing. There are a few times when the bass would sometimes start getting bloated, but it wasn’t something a few adjustments to the EQ couldn’t handle. The stand-out track for this setup was Barenaked Ladies’ “New Disaster”.

Sony MDR-XB700 Extra Bass

Lastly, we’ve got the crazy pair of Sony MDR-XB700s. The midrange of Sony’s classic Extra Bass line, it’s a deceptive pair of headphones– regular music players can make it sound okay, but only the best music players and amplifiers that have exceptional bass and sub-bass processing can make it sound the way it should. And for the ZX707, it was no problem at all.

Having a big hump of sub-bass all the way up to midbass in the EQ was the only way I can listen to the XB700s. Even at almost maximum volume, there was almost no distortion and no significant dynamics compression. It just powers through the songs cleanly and never lets any of the frequencies stray too far from their comfortable thresholds.

Presentation is always smooth and warm, with a big emphasis on vocal presence, and highs are much more relaxed but with a lot of texture. The highs don’t go too far up so listeners of borderline-sibilant textured tracks might have to EQ their highs in, or you might want to look at other ways to improve the high-frequency response on the ZX707. The stand-out track for this setup was Dutch Uncles’ “Flexxin”.

Battery life

To round off my playback performance findings on the Sony Walkman NW-ZX707, it was able to sustain two (2) days of almost constant playback before needing a charge. I attribute this to fine volume and power control. The granularity in the volume adjustment is incredibly accurate and is always a requirement for any hi-fi music player.

Is the Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 your GadgetMatch?

There’s an air of being carefree with the ZX707– it knows it’s not a reference device, nor does it try to be. It plays on its strengths of being a solid, high-power, high-resolution music player that you can take anywhere and plug anything into, and it’ll just slowly fade into the background. Present enough that you’re going to enjoy your music, but never stepping in to interrupt you from dancing to ‘Come Get Your Love’ on a distant alien planet.

Coming in at around PhP 45,000 or US$ 600, the Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 not only invokes memories of the original but also the (frankly) prohibitive price as well. Let me make this clear– this is not an entry-level audiophile PMP, it’s somewhat reserved for intermediates and experts who can leverage its non-neutral presentation to improve their on-the-go listening setups.

But as far as audiophile PMPs go, this is certainly one of the most fun ones I’ve tried so far. Check your gear first– it synergizes well with forward-sounding headphones/earphones with great highs presentation. If you’ve got one, I suggest going for the ZX707. If not, you might have to look somewhere else for your on-the-go hi-fi fix.

The post Sony Walkman NW-ZX707 review: Return of the classic appeared first on GadgetMatch.

In case you missed it, we did an Unboxing and First Impressions of the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro. But to summarize quickly… 

You get the watch itself. 

The wireless charging dock.

And some documentation (user manual and warranty). 

The variant we got is the Black Stainless Steel with the Black Fluororubber strap made for workouts. 

There are some new key information we asked Xiaomi between the unboxing and this review: 

As you know, the watch is also available in a silver stainless steel case with brown leather strap. If you want that strap, you can purchase it separately.

But you have an even wider range of choices as the straps of the S1 and S1 Active will also work with the S1 Pro. 

If that’s still not enough, any 22mm strap size will work with the watch S1 Pro. So, you’re free to style it however you see fit. 

It has a 1.47” display which is larger than the 1.43” on the other S1 series watches. 

It also prominently features a crown for easier navigation. 

That’s it. So, what’s it like using the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro for a week? Let’s talk about it in the different scenarios that Xiaomi imagines you’ll use it for. 

Daily

While working on this review, I’ve had to think about what it meant for me to own a smartwatch.

Due to the nature of my work, I’ve had the privilege of using a handful of them for a few weeks to a month. Over the last two years, I’ve mainly used one which also has a “pro” label on it. 

To me, it’s now become a necessity. I get a ton of notifications daily. Work emails and messages dominate my day. Seeing the notifications come in through the watch helps me mentally prepare for the next task as I work on finishing the one that’s currently on my plate. 

It helps that the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro also displays exactly which app the notification came from. I’ve used some smartwatches in the past that could not make this distinction. Instead, they only show a brief part of the message with a default message icon. Glancing quickly when notifications come in helps me organize my thoughts better, and knowing which app the notification came from also helps me plan my next move better. 

The UI’s design

The app selection interface looks a lot like the Apple Watch. The difference being the general look and feel of the app’s themselves. I’m lukewarm on how they look. They’re not bad, but something about them feels a little off to me. 

When you swipe left or right from the watch face, you can see the widgets available. There’s one for health monitoring, one for fitness, and another for Alexa. You can arrange them however you like. I personally put fitness as the first swipe from the left and the health monitoring as the first swipe from the right.

Here’s another area where I thought the widgets just didn’t look quite right. While all the elements fit inside the circular display, something tells me this layout fits a more rectangular shape better. Yes, the exact shape of the Apple Watch. Not a deal breaker, but it’s worth pointing out.

Xiaomi uses their own MIUI Watch OS so I asked Xiaomi if there will be an update to apply themes to change this. Unfortunately, there isn’t. Again, this isn’t objectively bad, I just personally wish there was a way to customize it. 

Smart Casual

When the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro was launched in Barcelona, Spain during MWC 2023. We had a chance to sit down with TJ Walton who takes the lead in talking up Xiaomi’s accessories and overall ecosystem. Referencing the silver stainless steel case with brown leather strap, he was asked if there was a conscious effort to make the watch look more luxurious. To which, he answered affirmatively. 

While you can certainly say that for the silver case, leather strap variant, the black case, fluororubber one, in my opinion, does have its “luxury limits.” You wouldn’t wear this as is with formal attire. Thankfully, it does work in more smart casual or business casual fits. 

It also helps that, as mentioned earlier, you can purchase separate straps to fit the occasion better. I already looked up 22mm watch straps on popular shopping platforms and you should have a field day from the selection. Everything from stainless steel, to leather straps are available for purchase.

While you can get away with the black fluororubber strap in most scenarios, you should do yourself a favor and buy an alternative strap or two so you can mix things up and accessorize appropriately. 

Sports 

I have said this a few times already in previous smartwatch reviews, but in case this is your first time reading mine, I hate workouts. Or at least the idea of working out. I’m just lazy like that. I do like walking and playing basketball.

I always just walk whenever I can. Especially when I’m traveling, there’s nothing like soaking in a place better than taking the time to stroll down its streets. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro’s step counter works just about as well as any step counter. There will be variance with other smartwatches which is natural, but it is fairly accurate. So, if you’re targeting a certain number of steps, you can rest easy knowing you walked enough to reach your goals. 

Speaking of goals, that’s what I love about the workouts available on the Watch S1 Pro. With it, you can select whether you want to track the duration or by calories burned. The smartwatch I’ve been sporting simply tracks both at the same time but without the granular control of targeting each one.

This is especially helpful for someone like myself whose “workouts” are limited to solo basketball drills and occasional pick-up games with neighbors. I’m currently trying to lose the massive weight I gained during the pandemic, and I’m doing so by watching my daily calorie intake. If I can track my hoop sessions based on calories burned, it’s easier for me to maintain a calorie deficit in tandem with my current meal plan. 

It also helps that the watch, overall, isn’t too bulky and doesn’t feel heavy on the wrist at all. It’s a stark contrast to what I currently use. Granted it’s one that’s close to being three years old.

100+ workouts

As advertised, there are 100 types of workouts that the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro can track. Personally, I feel like this can be intimidating to a lot of people as it creates this idea that you need to try all of them to maximize the smartwatch. This isn’t true at all.

Just pick the workouts that work for you, the ones that you’re happy to do and can incorporate to your lifestyle. If you can do that, you’re already making the best of the smartwatch’s fitness features. 

Battery life and other things of note 

Xiaomi advertises up to 14-days of battery life in standard mode. If I extrapolate the results from my one-week use, you could see yourself charging the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro every 4-5 days with moderate to heavy workout usage. 

Under very bright sunlight, it can be challenging to see the watch face. But that’s a really isolated case. Most of the time, you won’t have trouble seeing the watch face right away. 

As of writing, I thought the available watch faces are pretty limited. There’s also no option to add a custom image (at least now when you use it with an iPhone). I couldn’t try it with the Xiaomi 13 Pro, which has an instant pairing mode that’s convenient, because it’s currently with another team member for a camera shootout. Xiaomi said more watch faces should come soon. 

Xiaomi Pay isn’t available in the Philippines. It’s currently available in WEU, CEE & Nordic, and Russia. Availability in more regions and countries are in the pipeline. However, Xiaomi says this is dependent mainly on the business development of the issuer VISA and Mastercard’s plan. Contactless payment has gained more traction (yes, I see the irony in those words) of late and I wish the support for the feature expands soonest.

Is the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro has all the bells and whistles of a 2023 smartwatch. You have the usual health monitoring features (heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen, etc), as well as tracking for a huge number of activities.

And while the watch faces are limited at this point, the available ones offer enough versatility that you can switch it up depending on the occasion like you can with the straps.

The UI, I personally think, can be better, but it is objectively good. The battery life is also decent. It’s a happy middle ground between the charge-daily Apple Watch and the long-lasting offerings of Huawei. 

Against its contemporaries, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is most appealing for its price (PhP 16,999/ EUR 299). You get pro features you expect from a smartwatch, as well as the versatility of matching it with your style. It also helps that it works with both Android and iOS. 

If you’re looking to take your personal health and fitness monitoring to a “pro” level, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro likely offers the best overall value right now.

The post Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro: One week with a ‘classic’ appeared first on GadgetMatch.

The newest addition to the Flow series is the ASUS ROG Flow X16, a 2-in-1 machine rocking powerful hardware and a myriad of possibilities. Essentially, what you have here is an all-rounder of a device fit for the creative professionals and the competitive gamers. It even comes with some nifty accessories, although not the one you usually expect with this series.

So, is the ROG Flow X16 for 2022 something worth bringing into the new year?

Well-built and well-processed

From the inside and out, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is just built different as a gaming machine. Inside, the device comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and an RTX 3060 — a decent combination of hardware that produces great performance across the board. Whether it’s for a ton of data analytics or gaming VOD recording and reviews, this machine can handle it all.

What also helps its case is that 16:10 WQHD anti-glare display that helps you house multiple windows on a single screen. In essence, multitasking would be a total breeze, especially when you have reports to finish or gaming streams to watch while you work. Plus, it has a refresh rate of 165Hz which is great for a lot of things, but let’s get into that later on.

Overall, the ROG Flow X16 boasts fantastic hardware fit for both the casual and competitive gamer. Also, if you’re more of a work in the day type of person, this device definitely gives you more than everything you need to get through, on paper.

For the uber competitive ones

It wouldn’t be an ASUS ROG machine if this laptop was not tailor-fit for gaming at a high level. For starters, the RTX 3060 inside the ROG Flow X16 provides great frame rates for most competitive titles out there, especially when under the proper settings. If you want to turn up the detail just a little bit, the GPU can also handle that with ease — no eGPU needed,

As per usual, RTX-powered mobile machines still can’t produce a balance of stellar graphics at stellar frame rates for games that support ray-tracing. Such is the case for the ROG Flow X16, although at least games like Fortnite and Cyberpunk 2077 managed to hit a stable 40 FPS reading. Details were great, and performance was a bit more stable than other GPUs, but again, it’s more for an overall aesthetic look.

Also, going back to the 165Hz refresh rate display, the ROG Flow X16 makes a case for the more ideal on-the-go competitive gaming machine. The 16:10 display gives more screen space to look around in-game, and the 1ms response rate allows you to quickly react to elements in a blink of an eye. 

To make beautiful art with

One detail we haven’t mentioned too much yet about the ROG Flow X16 is that, well, it’s also a 2-in-1 device with a touch display. As a staple with all other Flow models, this machine works a ton of wonders for those who like handwritten notes during meetings or doodle as their productive time. Along with a touch display, the ROG Flow X16 comes with a dedicated ASUS Pen for you to do all of these.

The display doesn’t show any signs of being hypersensitive to unnecessary touches from the wrist, which is good when used with the pen. This way, all your sketches and notes will look relatively organized without any unnecessary strokes in the way. Also, this is even helpful when you’re dabbling with photo and video editing.

With the 165Hz refresh rate for this display, you’ll be able to observe and act on any frames you may have missed out in your editing process. Whether it’s the mouse or ASUS Pen, your choice of input will allow you to be as pixel-perfect as possible when creating your masterpiece.

Just a few hygiene checks in there

Like most gaming laptops, the ROG Flow X16 comes with a decent battery in terms of lifespan and charge time. On average, the device lasts for about 8-9 hours on a single charge with regular use, which is pretty standard. Charging time back to 100 percent with the 280W charging brick takes about two hours at least.

Port selection on this device is great, with the inclusion of the dedicated port for the eGPU but they’re mostly placed on the left hand side. Although it seems like a good substitute over having the ports at the rear, it might not be for everyone. Also, some of the USB Type-A ports are on the right, so you’ll need to adjust your wired peripherals if you play a certain way.

This device also comes with an HD camera nestled at the top of the screen and under the display. In terms of photo and video quality, it’s decent for most video conferences and a bit of a grainy selfie for a wallpaper. If for streaming though, you’re better off getting the ROG Eye with this laptop.

Is the ROG Flow X16 your GadgetMatch?

At PhP 149,995, the ASUS ROG Flow X16 is a great 2-in-1 device that holds its own with nothing extra needed. With powerful hardware embedded inside a relatively slim form factor, it has everything you need for work and play. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a content creator at heart, you won’t go wrong with this as an option.

Granted, you can upgrade the ROG Flow X16 into a gaming powerhouse with all the extra peripherals ASUS has to offer. From the ROG Eye to their own dedicated eGPU, to achieve the best, you will simply want a lot more added to the table. However, even when these aren’t in your budget, the device performs well enough to not need them anyway.

Even with a hefty price tag, this 2-in-1 laptop only provides the best performance possible with minimal sacrifices. It’s portable and powerful enough for you to work hard and play even harder wherever you go!

The post ASUS ROG Flow X16 review: Great on its own appeared first on GadgetMatch.

We see 2023 as the year that many other brands finally launch a full-on assault to challenge Samsung’s unchallenged dominance in the foldable space. HONOR might just have one of the best contenders on their hands with the Magic Vs. 

Enhanced Galactic design

One look at the HONOR Magic Vs, especially the black colorway we used on this review, and you’d think it’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. That’s not a knock on HONOR though. They likely won’t be the only smartphone makers following this book-style foldable. But, unless you’re holding and/or looking at it up close, you won’t be able to spot the differences right away. 

The difference starts to become apparent the moment you start using it. Especially the Cover Screen. It’s a 6.45-inch OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, support for HDR10+, and maximum brightness of up to 1200 nits. 

It’s wider and easily much more enticing to use than the cover screen on the Galaxy Z Fold4. I’ll go into more usage details later on but for now, HONOR easily one ups Samsung in this department. 

Unfolded, you get a 7.9-inch screen with slightly lower specs. Here you get a 90Hz refresh rate and up to 800 nits of brightness.

Folded vs Unfolded

The true beauty and genius in the decisions that HONOR made in the dimensions of the HONOR Magic Vs is how it truly achieves the smartphone-to-tablet user experience. 

This whole mechanism is built on the super-light, gearless hinge. It folds and unfolds smoothly, has a gap-free look, and should be able to withstand up to 400,000 folds according to HONOR. 

In actual daily use, it is flexible without feeling flimsy. The 400,000 number was floating at the back of my head during my first few days with it, but after a while, I just stopped minding it. 

Smartphone-ish when folded

I can go an entire day without unfolding the Magic Vs and I would never feel like I didn’t maximize it. That’s how good the cover screen is. Like the OPPO Find N2, it created this clear delineation in my brain on when to use it folded vs unfolded. 

Folded, it’s like your regular slate of a smartphone. Doom scrolling on socials, watching vertical K-Pop fancams, chatting, and winding down on TikTok are all quite convenient. 

Of course, it’s taller and thicker than your usual smartphone, but the height and heft were surprisingly easy to get used to. 

Tablet-like unfolded

This is where the experience feels mostly new. Unfolded is more for reading, watching longer videos, and taking advantage of the multi window feature. 

I have mostly been using it unfolded when re-reading the Inter-High arc of the Slam Dunk manga. Had the urge to do so after watching the The First Slam Dunk movie recently. The same is true when reading Webtoons. The form-factor lends itself nicely to this format of media. 

It’s also great for reading on websites that are able to adapt to any screen format. Like GadgetMatch! (wink wink). 

Watching videos in 16:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio will take some getting used to, though. Since the format means you’ll see black bars while watching. But again, it’s one of those things that you get used to after some time with the device. 

Inevitable crease

The crease is also only noticeable at certain angles. Most of the time, when you’re staring directly at the screen while watching, you won’t even notice it. 

The only time I really did was when I was rewatching episodes of Kuroko’s Basketball during my flight to Barcelona. It noticed it for two reasons: first, the animé is pretty bright so any slight changes in your angle of viewing will reveal the crease. Second, it gets tiring holding the foldable a certain way in a cramped space so I resorted to unusual but more relaxed angles. 

If you’re just sitting through a single episode of a show, even if it’s a little over an hour long, you should be just fine. But if you’re looking to catch-up on the latest MCU flick or any other movie that runs for two hours or more, it’s best to find a really comfortable position. 

A full sound

The fine print says HONOR put IMAX Enhanced-certified Dual Speakers on the Magic Vs. I normally dismiss these branded tie-ins, but it appears they really came through here. 

I am thoroughly impressed with the speakers on the HONOR Magic Vs. The stereo speakers are placed symmetrically on both sides when unfolded. This makes it so no matter which way you hold it, sound comes through nice and clear when you’re not watching with headphones on. 

It gets loud without the sound being distorted. At every volume level, you get audio that’s clear, round, and full. As full and round as it can get on smartphone speakers. 

In fact, they’re so good I hardly connect them to my bluetooth speakers at home when I feel like awkwardly dancing to TWICE’s “Moonlight Sunrise” or NewJeans’ “OMG”. 

It’s even more perfect at night when I want to sleep with soft music in the background. I just place it on my bedside table and fire up my Slow Jams playlist. There’s nothing quite as relaxing as tenderly falling asleep with Usher singing he wants to take things “Nice & Slow.” 

Foldable software things

Like any self-respecting foldable, you get the usual feature of running apps simultaneously on the unfolded screen. On the HONOR Magic Vs, it’s called Multi-window. 

Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold4 or even the OPPO Find N2, the HONOR Magic Vs doesn’t automatically snap the opened apps to pre-selected sections of the screen. Instead, you get floating windows that you can resize to your liking. 

To trigger the feature, simply swipe from the right-hand side of the screen to the left and pause. This will bring up the dock where the first two will show the most recent apps you used and the rest favorites that you can add yourself. When you add favorites, it’ll only show apps that support the feature. 

While I think that productive multitasking in this manner is still a myth, the feature is cool to have and does take advantage of the screen real estate. 

Multi-window also showcases the capability of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 equipped on this thing. You’re allowed to run up to four (4) apps without the Magic Vs working up a sweat. 

Gaming and battery life 

Speaking of working up a sweat, the HONOR Magic Vs also plays the relatively demanding mobile game Genshin Impact pretty well. When you fire up the game, it automatically scales to the format of the Magic Vs. That means you get a full-screen experience.

HONOR’S Game Manager automatically comes up too. Initially, you’ll be in Balanced Mode. But for the best gaming experience, you naturally have to go switch to Game Mode. The Game Manager also gives you access to tools like Do Not Disturb (blocks all notifications), Screenshot, Screen Recording and more. 

Running the game itself, I didn’t really do much. I just ran around and slayed some enemies and completed one quick quest to up my adventurer rank. It’s not very high, but I’m looking to play more soon. 

I played for about 25 to 30 minutes and didn’t notice any major struggles by Hardware. The game simply ran smoothly. The battery percentage did dip a lot going from 65% to around 42% during that time. Still pretty impressive all things considered. 

I’m the type to plug right away when the battery dips to below 50%. Charging the 5,000 mAh battery on a 65W charger, I typically get to 90% to 95% in about 20 minutes or so. Yes, the package comes with a 66W HONOR SuperCharge power brick. But I mostly resort to using my 65W GaN charger on devices I use daily.

On regular days, the battery lasts for a day and then some. It’s prudent to plug it in at the end or at the start of your day to keep things humming along.

MagicOS needs a little less Harmony

MagicOS is pretty inoffensive but there’s something about it overall that feels a little off. The animations don’t feel snappy and the icons on the default apps look washed. Functionally, it’s okay, but it can be better.

If you’re gonna spend the better part of a year or two with this device, it’s easy to do away with some of these things by changing themes, icons, or even running a different launcher. Niagara seems to be a favorite among foldable users. But there’s one feature that really irks me.