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Xiaomi 17T Series launches in the Philippines

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Xiaomi has officially refreshed its flagship-killer lineup with the global and local unveiling of the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro. This year, the company is changing its strategy by introducing dual sizes to the T-series for the first time. The new smartphones place a heavy emphasis on mobile photography, offering unified Leica-engineered telephoto hardware alongside massive battery upgrades designed specifically for heavy users.

Leica 5x Telephoto Camera System Debuts Across the Lineup

Historically, ultra-premium zoom lenses were reserved exclusively for top-tier ultra flagships. However, Xiaomi is shifting that dynamic by bringing a Leica 5x telephoto camera to both the standard 17T and the 17T Pro.

Consequently, both devices feature a 50MP telephoto sensor complete with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This hardware is capable of pushing up to 120x AI Ultra Zoom alongside a close-up macro mode.

In addition to the upgraded zoom lens, the main imaging systems are heavily equipped. The Xiaomi 17T Pro features a large 1/1.31-inch Light Fusion 950 sensor with a custom 1G + 6P hybrid Leica Summilux lens (f/1.67 aperture), while the standard Xiaomi 17T houses a 1/1.55-inch Light Fusion 800 sensor with an f/1.7 aperture.

Furthermore, the Pro model gains exclusive video capabilities, introducing the brand’s first 4K video recording at 60fps cinematic mode with natural background bokeh, alongside maximum resolutions up to 8K at 30fps.

Meanwhile, the entire ecosystem benefits from a new software feature called Leica Live Moment. Moving beyond standard still frames, this addition captures the motion and environmental context leading up to a shot across all rear camera focal lengths. This is complemented by Leica Live Portrait, which maps natural subject separation while preserving the fluid motion of a scene.

Flagship Displays Upgraded with TUV Rheinland Vision Care

Turning the devices over, the series debuts Xiaomi Vision Care, an advanced display engineering initiative backed by medical research to reduce eye strain, motion blur, and screen flicker. As a result of these hardware implementations, the 17T series is the first to achieve TÜV Rheinland’s Quadruple Eye Care and Intelligent Eye Care certifications.

Both variants rely on high-fidelity 1.5K AMOLED panels that top out at an impressive 3,500 nits of peak brightness for outdoor visibility. However, their configurations differ slightly to accommodate different user preferences.

The standard Xiaomi 17T opts for a compact, lightweight design built for seamless one-handed ergonomics, running a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. In contrast, the premium Pro model ups the ante with a faster 144Hz refresh rate and drops down to a hardware-level 1-nit minimum brightness for ultra-low-light night-time viewing.

While the base model emphasizes portability, the Pro variant utilizes advanced LIPO packaging technology to shrink the bezels down to an equal, ultra-slim 1.29mm on all four sides of the display.

Massive Silicon-Carbon Batteries and Next-Gen Performance

To power these display and camera systems, Xiaomi has integrated next-generation silicon-carbon battery technology to maximize energy density without increasing physical bulk.

As a result, the Xiaomi 17T Pro packs a 7,000mAh battery—the largest ever on a mainline international Xiaomi smartphone. According to the company, this yields up to 1.88 days of standard use. When it comes to charging, the Pro supports 100W wired HyperCharge and 50W wireless HyperCharge.

On the other hand, the more compact standard 17T manages to house a large 6,500mAh battery paired with 67W wired HyperCharge. Notably, both devices feature PPS support for extensive third-party charger compatibility.

Under the hood, the series relies on high-end MediaTek silicon. The Xiaomi 17T Pro is driven by the flagship 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500 architecture, while the standard 17T is balanced by the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 8500-Ultra chipset.

To prevent thermal throttling during heavy multitasking or intensive gaming sessions, both phones utilize the upgraded Xiaomi 3D IceLoop System, a vapor-liquid separation cooling loop that rapidly pulls heat away from the core processor to maintain comfortable handling.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

The Xiaomi 17T Series is available for pre-order in the Philippines starting May 29 through June 18, 2026. Early buyers can take advantage of a introductory Php 2,000 discount alongside bundled ecosystem products through official online and offline channels.

The premium tier is led by the Xiaomi 17T Pro (12GB+512GB), which carries an SRP of Php 47,999. Pre-orders for this configuration include a Php 2,000 discount, a free Redmi Watch 6 (valued at Php 5,499), and an After Sales VIP package valued at Php 16,200. Shoppers looking for a slightly smaller storage footprint can find a Shopee-exclusive Xiaomi 17T Pro (12GB+256GB) for Php 45,999, which mirrors the pre-order gifts and stacks an additional Php 2,000 platform rebate.

The standard lineup starts with the Xiaomi 17T (12GB+512GB) priced at Php 37,999 SRP, followed by the baseline Xiaomi 17T (12GB+256GB) at Php 33,999 SRP. Both standard models qualify for the same Php 2,000 pre-order discount, free Redmi Watch 6, and VIP service packages.

Following the initial pre-order window, Xiaomi will host its Flash Delivery Sale (FDS) from June 19 to June 28. Offline buyers purchasing during specific FDS blocks (June 19–21 and June 28) will receive the free Redmi Watch 6, the VIP service card, and a complimentary Xiaomi Backpack valued at Php 2,000.

In terms of aesthetics, the standard 17T comes in Opal White, Violet, Blue, and Black finishes, while the 17T Pro will be sold in Deep Blue, Deep Violet, and Black. Official retail channels include physical Xiaomi stores nationwide, alongside online storefronts via Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

TP-Link Archer 8 Wi-Fi 8 Router Platform Announced

TP-Link has officially announced the Archer 8, its first Wi-Fi 8 router platform designed to focus on real-world reliability rather than just peak theoretical speeds. The new router platform is scheduled to launch in October 2026.  

According to TP-Link, Archer 8 is built around the IEEE 802.11bn specification, which focuses on ultra-high reliability. The company says the platform is designed for homes with more connected devices, heavier wireless congestion, and increasing demand for stable low-latency connections.

TP-Link Archer 8 focuses on real-world Wi-Fi reliability

Unlike previous Wi-Fi generations that heavily focused on speed improvements, TP-Link says Wi-Fi 8 is being designed to improve actual network performance inside real homes.

The Archer 8 aims to address common connectivity issues such as inconsistent speeds across rooms, unstable mesh roaming, congestion from multiple devices, and latency spikes during gaming, streaming, and video calls.

TP-Link also shared early internal lab results comparing early Wi-Fi 8 implementations against Wi-Fi 7 under simulated real-world home conditions. Based on the company’s tests, Wi-Fi 8 showed improvements in throughput, signal performance, spatial reuse, and receive sensitivity.

These include up to 33% higher throughput through enhanced modulation and coding improvements, up to 24% higher throughput using unequal modulation technologies, and up to 15% throughput improvement between multiple access points under interference-heavy conditions.

TP-Link also claims up to 30% signal-performance improvement in multi-floor environments for single-device connections, along with a 10–20% improvement in multi-device scenarios through its antenna architecture and AI-assisted optimization.

Premium design and Wi-Fi 8 portfolio

Aside from the wireless improvements, the TP-Link Archer 8 also features a premium router design with a minimalist architectural form, micro ridge texturing, precision contours, and a soft front-facing emissive light.

The Archer 8 will also be part of TP-Link’s wider Wi-Fi 8 portfolio. The planned lineup includes the Archer 8 Wi-Fi 8 Router in October 2026, Deco 8 Wi-Fi 8 Mesh System in Q1 2027, Roam 8 Wi-Fi 8 Travel Router in Q2 2027, and Wi-Fi 8 range extenders and adapters in Q2 2027.

TechLife Pad Plus 2 now official in the Philippines

TechLife has officially launched the TechLife Pad Plus 2 in the Philippines and it brings a larger display, LTE, and a big battery. The TechLife Pad Plus 2 comes with a large 12-inch 2K display and inside, the tablet is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 processor and it also comes with a large 9000mAh battery for longer use throughout the day. The tablet supports 18W fast charging.

For users who need connectivity outside Wi-Fi areas, the TechLife Pad Plus 2 also supports LTE connectivity, allowing them to attend online classes, send messages, and work while on the go. Design-wise, the tablet features a metal design and will be available in Storm Grey, Moonlight Silver, and Starlight Pink.

TechLife Pad Plus 2 price in the Philippines

The TechLife Pad Plus 2 is priced at PHP 14,999 in the Philippines.

Steam Deck OLED Gets Massive Price Increase in Canada

Valve has quietly increased the price of the Steam Deck OLED in Canada, making the popular handheld gaming PC a lot more expensive for Canadian gamers. The Steam Deck OLED 512GB model now costs CAD 1,129, up from its original Canadian launch price of CAD 689. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck OLED 1TB model now costs CAD 1,349, up from CAD 819. That means the 512GB model has gone up by CAD 440, while the 1TB model is now CAD 530 more expensive.

Steam Deck OLED Canada 2026 Pricing

Here’s the updated Steam Deck OLED pricing in Canada:

Model Previous Price New Price Increase
Steam Deck OLED 512GB CAD 689 CAD 1,129 CAD 440
Steam Deck OLED 1TB CAD 819 CAD 1,349 CAD 530

 

The new pricing puts the Steam Deck OLED in a much higher price bracket, especially as more Windows-based handheld gaming PCs continue to arrive in the market. Valve is reportedly citing higher memory and storage costs as one of the reasons behind the price increase. Similar component pricing issues have also affected other gaming hardware products in recent months.

Despite the increase, the Steam Deck OLED remains one of the most popular handheld gaming PCs thanks to its SteamOS software, OLED display, improved battery life, and strong game compatibility. The device features a 7.4-inch HDR OLED display, up to 90Hz refresh rate, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 50Whr battery rated for around 3 to 12 hours of gameplay depending on the game.

However, with the new Canadian pricing, buyers may now have to compare it more closely against alternatives like the ASUS ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go S.

TECNO Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 Arrives in the Philippines with Lonely Planet Partnership

TECNO has officially launched the Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 in the Philippines in partnership with Lonely Planet. Now on its third edition, the global photography competition has the theme “Seeing is Believing”.
The contest will run from May 15 to October 11, 2026, with global prizes, travel rewards, and a special award dedicated to Filipino participants.

TECNO Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 focuses on mobile photography

TECNO and Lonely Planet will also work together through expert judging, co-branded content, and photography workshops designed to elevate participants’ skills and storytelling. For the Philippine leg of the competition, TECNO Philippines has appointed Kelvinmarkulit as the official CAMON Photography Ambassador.

Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 categories

The TECNO Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 will feature five creative categories:

  • Faces·Unfiltered – focuses on authentic portraits, highlighting real people, diverse skin tones, and natural expressions.
  • Night·Unveiled – for photos captured after dark, including city lights, night scenes, reflections, and moody low-light compositions.
  • Culture·Unscripted – celebrates festivals, food, crafts, and everyday interactions that show the natural rhythm of a place or community.
  • Snapshot·Unspotted – a telephoto special category that focuses on distant details, overlooked moments, and surprising perspectives.
  • AI·Unimagined – allows participants to take a real photo using a TECNO phone and transform it using TECNO’s AI Gallery tools.

Prizes and Filipino Special Award

The global grand winner will receive the TECNO Photography Master prize worth USD 8,000. There will also be five Gold Prize winners who will receive USD 3,000 each, five Silver Prize winners receiving USD 2,000 each, and five Bronze Prize winners receiving USD 1,000 each.

Ten participants will also be selected as TECNO Friends and will receive a CAMON 50 Series smartphone. The TECNO Photography Master and five Gold Prize winners will also be invited to a bespoke trip organized in partnership with Lonely Planet.

For Filipino participants, TECNO Philippines is introducing the Filipino Special Award. Local users can submit either photos or videos through Instagram/Facebook Reels and TikTok. Video submissions will not be eligible for global awards but will be considered for the Filipino Special Award.

Six additional winners will be chosen as CAMON Photography Endorsers in the Philippines, with each receiving a Lonely Planet Bespoke Trip and a CAMON 50 Series smartphone.

How to join the TECNO Shot On CAMON Contest 2026

To join, participants must post photos with a visible TECNO device watermark on Instagram using the hashtags #ShotOnCAMON2026, #TECNOCAMON50Series, and #TECNOPhilippines. High-resolution versions must also be submitted through email at shotoncamon@tecno-mobile.com or through the ShotOnCAMON Gallery on TECNO Philippines’ official website.

All entries must be original, and duplicate submissions will be disqualified. Winning works will be featured in global media exhibitions, the TECNO annual photo book, and TECNO’s official platforms.

HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series Now Available in the Philippines, Starts at Php 8,999

HUAWEI has officially launched the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series in the Philippines. It ‘s the newest smartwatch lineup includes the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 and the more premium HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro, with a starting price of Php 8,999.

HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series Features a Stylish and Lightweight Design

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro comes in Black, White, and Orange colors. The Orange version features the breathable HUAWEI AirDry Woven Strap, while the White version uses Aerospace-Grade Nanoceramic Metal for a more premium and scratch-resistant finish.

Meanwhile, the standard HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 is available in Black, White, Purple, Green, and Silver. The Green colorway is exclusive online, while the Silver version supports NFC.

For health and wellness, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series comes with Next-Gen Smart Sensing, Emotional Wellbeing 2.0, Cycle Intelligence, and TruSleep 5.0. The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro also gets more advanced features such as a non-invasive Diabetes Risk Study, CE-certified ECG, and Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis.

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series supports over 100 sports modes, making it suitable for users who want a smartwatch for workouts, fitness tracking, and outdoor activities. The Pro model adds support for more advanced sports, including professional trail running, 40-meter freediving, and upgraded golf features with access to more than 17,000 global golf courses.

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series offers up to 10 days of battery life and works with both Android and iOS devices.

HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series Price in the Philippines

The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro is priced at Php 13,999, while the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 starts at Php 8,999.

From May 22 to June 21, every purchase comes with a bundle of freebies, including a 3-month HUAWEI Health+ Membership, 1-month Watch Face VIP Subscription, 2-year warranty, 3-month FiiT App Membership, 3-month Life Period Tracker App Membership, and 2-month Komoot Workout App Membership.

Smart launches Rokid AI Glasses in the Philippines

Smart is bringing the Rokid AI Glasses bundled with Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity plans. The Smart-Rokid offer will be available beginning May 29, 2026, making Smart the first telco in the Philippines to offer AI-powered smart glasses with a postpaid plan.

Rokid AI Glasses features

The Rokid AI Glasses supports different AI platforms including Gemini, ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Alibaba’s Qwen. The device weighs only 49g, making it portable enough.

For creators, the glasses feature a 12MP built-in camera that allows hands-free point-of-view recording, making it useful for vlogs, and social media content. It also offers real-time translation, smart navigation, and AI-powered assistance

Smart-Rokid Glasses price and plans

New and existing Smart Postpaid subscribers can get the Rokid AI Glasses under Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1499, with the device available starting at Php28,800 via straight payment.

Smart Infinity members can get the Rokid AI Glasses for free under Plan 5000. The device is also complimentary on infinity plan 8000, which include unlimited data, consumable allocations for premium subscriptions and in-app purchases, data roaming, and access to Infinity services.

Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1499 comes with 40GB open-access data, Unli 5G data for 12 months, Unli AllNet Calls and Texts, Unli Landline Calls, and access to Smart Postpaid Perks. The Rokid AI Glasses will be available at select Smart Stores. Customers may get the device bundled with a Smart Postpaid plan or purchase it as a standalone product.

Anker launches soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds with a touch screen and an on-device AI chip

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Anker’s new soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds feature a touch screen and an on-device AI chiAnker’s audio sub-brand, soundcore, is trying to turn wireless earbuds into standalone AI gadgets. At its Anker Day event in the Philippines, the company officially launched the Liberty 5 Pro Series—headlined by the flagship Liberty 5 Pro Max and the standard Liberty 5 Pro—bringing on-device AI transcription, touch-screen smart cases, and a brand-new custom neural-net chip to the true wireless market.

Silicon Built for the Ears: The Thus AI Chip

The real story behind the Liberty 5 Pro series is the silicon. Both models are powered by Thus, Anker’s first proprietary neural-net AI chip platform.

Instead of routing data back and forth between memory and a traditional processor—a process that drains battery life in tiny form factors—the Thus platform uses neural-net processing. By running AI computation directly inside the NOR Flash memory, the earbuds can process voice commands and environmental audio layout changes locally with massive hardware efficiency.

The Liberty 5 Pro Max: An AI Note-Taker in Your Pocket

The more expensive of the two models, the Liberty 5 Pro Max, moves far past traditional audio and positions itself as a productivity tool.

The Smart Case: It features a 1.78-inch AMOLED touchscreen display running a custom “VibeOS DT” system. The screen allows you to manage playback, swap widgets, and toggle ANC without touching your phone.

On-Device AI Note-Taker: The case includes built-in encrypted storage that supports up to 12 hours of local voice recording. Working alongside the soundcore app, it offers real-time transcription, automated speaker identification, intelligent summaries, and task organization.

Advanced 10-Sensor Fusion & Adaptive ANC 4.0

To make those recordings and everyday phone calls actually usable in loud environments, Anker is introducing a heavy-duty 10-sensor fusion system. The earbuds combine eight MEMS microphones with two bone-conduction sensors. By cross-referencing airborne audio with the physical vibrations of your jaw and skull, the earbuds isolate vocals from background noise. soundcore even claims the tech has secured a Guinness World Record for the highest objective speech quality score on a set of TWS earbuds.

The series also debuts Adaptive ANC 4.0, which samples external and in-ear noise at a staggering 384,000 times per second. soundcore says the algorithm dynamically adjusts to shifting frequencies to cancel noise without creating the uncomfortable “cabin pressure” feeling typical of aggressive noise cancellation.

The Standard Liberty 5 Pro

For users who don’t need a standalone transcription device, the standard Liberty 5 Pro drops the large AMOLED screen for an integrated smart touch display built right into the case chassis (called “Control at a Glance”). It retains local, lag-free voice controls for hands-free adjustments, the 10-sensor microphone layout, and HearID 5.0, which maps your specific hearing sensitivity to build a custom EQ profile.

Baseline Specs for Both Models
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.1, Google Fast Pair, and 3-device multipoint pairing
  • Tracking: Apple Find My compatibility built-in
  • Durability: IP55 dust and water resistance
  • Battery Life: Up to 28 hours total with the charging case
Price and Availability

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Series is launching first in the Philippines before rolling out globally.

  • Liberty 5 Pro Max: Retails for Php12,995 in Midnight Black and Titanium Gold.
  • Liberty 5 Pro: Retails for Php9,995 in Pearl Blue, Midnight Black, Pearl White, and Rose Gold.

Anker is offering a 24-month extended warranty for units bought between May 23 and June 23, 2026, via its official retail stores and online platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Lenovo revives Legion gaming smartphone lineup with the new Legion Y70 (2026)

Lenovo has officially brought back its Legion gaming smartphone series with the launch of the Legion Y70 (2026).  The Legion Y70 (2026) features a redesigned look with a flat sides and a squircle camera module.

Lenovo Legion Y70 (2026) features

The Lenovo Legion Y70 (2026) comes with a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate, up to 7000 nits peak brightness while powering the smartphone is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage

The device is equipped with a 8000mAh battery with support for 90W fast charging. Lenovo says the battery is rated for up to 1200 charging cycles and can last more than two days with moderate use. The phone also supports bypass charging which is perfect for gaming Lenovo says the antenna system was designed to maintain stable connectivity regardless of how the phone is held during gaming. The device also features a gyroscope with a 500Hz sampling rate for more precise aiming in shooting games.

The smartphone can also connect to Legion PCs through Legion Zone, allowing users to play AAA PC games remotely using the PC’s hardware.Background gaming support when switching apps

For cameras, the Legion Y70 (2026) features a 50MP Sony LYT-710 main camera with OIS, 8MP ultrawide camera, and 32MP front camera. The phone also comes with IP66 + IP68 + IP69 ratings, Stereo speakers and VC cooling system

Lenovo Legion Y70 (2026) price

The Lenovo Legion Y70 (2026) is currently available in China with the following prices:

  • 12GB + 256GB — CNY 3,099
  • 12GB + 512GB — CNY 3,699
  • 16GB + 512GB — CNY 4,099
  • 16GB + 1TB — CNY 4,899

Samsung and Google Unveil Intelligent Eyewear with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker

Samsung and Google have officially introduced their new smart glasses at Google I/O 2026, they have showcase their two premium smart glasses and their designs created in partnership with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The new AI-powered glasses are designed to work alongside smartphones.

Samsung and Google intelligent eyewear features

The new intelligent eyewear combines Samsung’s hardware expertise with Google’s AI and Android XR technologies. Designed as a companion device for smartphones, the glasses allow users to interact using voice commands.

Users can ask Gemini for navigation assistance, nearby recommendations, calendar management, notification summaries, and pickup order assistance. The glasses also support real-time translations with audio matching the speaker’s voice, along with live translation for text on signs and menus.

Gentle Monster and Warby Parker designs

Samsung partnered with two major eyewear brands for the launch: Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

Samsung and Google confirmed that the first intelligent eyewear collections will launch this fall in select markets.