HUAWEI is expected to launch their three new products in the Philippines soon — the HUAWEI WATCH 4, MatePad 11.5” PaperMatte edition, and the nova Y72. All of these devices cater to different needs and consumers.
HUAWEI WATCH 4
The HUAWEI WATCH 4 takes wearable technology to the next level with its advanced health features. This new watch from HUAWEI boasts an eSIM connectivity, allowing seamless integration with GCash that is coming soon and Spotify for hands-free calls and music on the go. Sleep and activity tracking, respiratory checks, and ECG analysis provide in-depth insights into your overall health. There are also fitness apps like Strava, and prioritize well-being with smart health reminders. The WATCH 4’s impressive battery life just like their other HUAWEI Watch devices lets you stay connected with 4 days in Smart mode and 14 days in Ultra-long Battery Life mode.
Reading and writing with the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition is giving you a paper-like experience. Its PaperMatte Display minimizes eye strain and glare, creating a comfortable viewing experience ideal for extended study sessions. The nano-scale etching process ensures a smooth writing experience with the included stylus, replicating the tactile feel of paper. Additionally, powerful software like WPS Office and Huawei Notes, coupled with multi-device interconnection and multi-screen collaboration. It also supports magnetic smart keyboard and also a touchpad.
HUAWEI nova Y72: Style Meets Efficiency
The HUAWEI nova Y72 features a 6000mAh battery and 22.5W HUAWEI SuperCharge, keeps you powered throughout the day. It also offers quick access to your most-used apps, saving you time and effort. It also comes with 6.75-inch display and also a50MP camera featuring Super Night Mode and AI Snapshot. The nova Y72’s sleek Starry Circle Design and EMUI 12 operating system make it a perfect blend of style and intelligence.
Experience the Future with Huawei
These new devices from HUAWEI offers different features that can cater the needs of the consumers. The HUAWEI WATCH 4 empowers you to prioritize your health, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition helps in media consumption and also learning, and the HUAWEI nova Y72 seamlessly integrates efficiency and style into your daily life.
Starting February 13, 2024, Metrobank will officially retire its old mobile app and transition users to a brand-new experience designed for a smarter, simpler, and more secure banking experience.
Current Metrobank Online and old mobile app users can seamlessly log in to the NEW Metrobank App using their existing credentials. Simply download the app from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Huawei App Gallery and access your funds instantly. Forgot your password? No problem! The app facilitates quick password resets to ensure uninterrupted access.
The NEW Metrobank App goes beyond basic transactions, offering:
Smart Features: Cardless ATM withdrawals, waived InstaPay fees (below P1,000) until June 30, 2024, credit card-powered money transfers via PayNow, and cash conversion through Cash2Go service.
Simple Customization: Create a personalized dashboard for quick access to frequently used features and activate dark mode for battery efficiency.
Enhanced Security (coming soon): Appkey feature adds another layer of protection for your hard-earned money.
You can download the NEW Metrobank App at the Google Play, Apple App Store and the HUAWEI App Gallery.
HONOR Philippines has recently launched the HONOR X9b, their follow up to their widely successful smartphone, the HONOR X9a. Just like before, the new smartphone packs a tough glass on its display but this time, it’s tougher and it has a better design and hardware as well.
HONOR X9b Review: Design and Hardware
The HONOR X9b might have similar elements from last year’s smartphone but this time, we’re getting a vegan leather back for the sunrise orange variant and then there’s ring camera module design that looks a lot better and has more details which is inspired by a luxury watch.
As for the ergonomics, the HONOR X9b was excellent on this one as the weight is just great and the holding it along with its grip was just perfect. And since I got the Sunrise Orange variant, it really did feel premium to the hand because of the vegan leather back.
As for the frame, the smartphone comes with a solid frame but unlike its solid glass, we’ve noticed that you can get dents from this one and scratches unlike its glass. The power button and also its volume rocker are definitely reachable and ergonomically placed on the side. While below, there’s the USB-C port that supports 35w wired charging and beside it is the SIM card tray and also the volume rocker.
Despite having a large 5800mAh battery inside and a tough body, the HONOR X9b still managed to be light and also ergonomic to the hands.
HONOR X9b Review: Display
The Display of the smartphone is a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and also a 120hz refresh rate. As expected, the display was fine and it does produce a very good colors and the brightness was fine even when I was using the smartphone outside and under direct sunlight.
As for the glass, HONOR is calling it as the HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Display and not only it does come with a deep seal protection and also a reinforcement, it also comes with a wraparound cushioning which can absorb the impact of the drop.
In our test, we dropped the smartphone up to 50 feet to a wood surface, dropped it at shoulder level on an asphalt, or just threw it away on cement. Well, the smartphone does have a really tough display.
But that doesn’t mean that the smartphone is unbreakable. Somehow at some point, and if you get unlucky and Physics isn’t on your side, you can still break the display of the HONOR X9b. As for me, I can definitely say that the glass of the HONOR X9b is incredibly tough and even compared to other smartphones out there, the HONOR X9b does really shine in the glass toughness department.
HONOR X9b Review: Battery life
Screenshot
The HONOR X9b comes with a large 5800mAh battery inside. It’s larger than the predecessor and it’s a welcome upgrade for the X9b. The HONOR X9b does have a long battery life in our test and with the PCMark Work 3.0 battery test, we’ve got a score of 14 hours and 18 minutes on the smartphone. A pretty long one but it isn’t the longest one that we’ve seen.
HONOR X9b Review: Software and performance
For the software, the HONOR X9b comes with MagicOS 7.2 based on Android 13. It’s fast and very responsive. It does have some similarities to HUAWEI’s UI but the HONOR X9b is definitely fresh to the eyes. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s free from bloatwares but nonetheless, it does come with a pretty hefty 12GB of RAM inside along with 256GB of internal storage. I’m thankful that the 12GB of RAM is definitely real and not a total of an addition of dynamic RAM from its storage.
As for its performance, it comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Processor which is quite new but in our benchmarks and testing, we saw that the new processor is quite able and it was able to outlast the predecessor’s processor in terms of CPU performance and it’s quite near to the CPU performance of the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset which is a decent midrange processor. We were also able to see an upgrade in terms of GPU however, it does fell short in terms of that compared to the Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset.
Geekbench 6
3DMark Sling Shot
3DMark Slingshot Extreme
3DMark Wild Life
3DMark Wild Life Stress Test
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test
GPUScore: Sacred Path
GPUScore: The Expedition
Nonetheless, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor is still a decent performer in terms of most basic apps and games. Even some of the latest games would work on this smartphone however, do set it at the mid settings. We’ve tried Honkai: Star Rail on the smartphone and it was able to run it well on mid settings. It might not be the most powerful chipset in its range but the HONOR X9b will be definitely swift and smooth for most of the basic tasks and apps that you need.
HONOR X9b Review: Camera
For the camera of the smartphone, we got here a 108MP main camera along with 5MP utlra wide-angle camera and also a 2MP macro camera. While for the selfie camera, the HONOR X9b comes with 16MP front-facing camera. It can do 4K video recording but up to 30fps only.
Main Camera:
Ultra Wide-Angle Camera:
We’ve tried the HONOR X9b for shooting different variations and objects and I’ve noticed that there are times that the colors are a little bit off for its ultra wide-angle lens but the main camera of the smartphone was decently sharp for a midrange smartphone.
The selfie camera of the smartphone does the job but it’s definitely not the best in its price range.
Overall, HONOR could improve the camera of the smartphone with updates but for now, the HONOR X9b did a pretty much average job on this one.
HONOR X9b Review: Verdict
The HONOR X9b is truly a tough smartphone. It might not look like one, but the glass of the smartphone is really tough and even stronger compared to other smartphones in the market, even the flagship ones. As for the design, we definitely liked it especially the vegan leather on the Sunrise Orange variant.
For the hardware inside it, it’s pretty much average as the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a leap from the previous smartphone, the X9a, but it is still not on the same level as the Snapdragon 7 chips out there. Nonetheless, basic apps and multi-tasking on the smartphone won’t be a problem as the HONOR X9b can handle that just fine.
Fresh renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy A35 and A55, courtesy of leakster Evan Blass, showcase exciting new hues alongside previously leaked design details, hinting at an imminent launch.
Under the hood, rumors suggest the Galaxy A35 will pack the Exynos 1380 chipset, while the A55 gets a bump up to the Exynos 1480. The leaked renders also hint at the inclusion of Samsung’s Knox security suite and an IP rating for dust and water resistance.
With these latest leaks painting a clearer picture, the launch of the Galaxy A35 and A55 appears to be just around the corner. While the leaks doesn’t give us the full features of the smartphone, both smartphones does have something new to offer despite the same design.
OPPO has recently launched the OPPO Reno11 Series 5G smartphones. Their latest addition to the Reno series, known as the “Portrait Expert,” raises the bar again with their telephoto lens as it offers outstanding portrait photos.
Elevating Telephoto Photography:
The OPPO Reno11 Series 5G is boasting a Telephoto Portrait Camera with up to 2x Optical Zoom, featuring a 47mm optical focal length for classic, lifelike perspectives. Powered by the advanced Sony IMX709 sensor and an RGBW pixel structure. This lens brings 60% higher photosensitivity and 35% less noise compared to conventional sensors. Additionally, in-sensor zoom technology guarantees zoom performance up to 5x.
Flagship-Level Main Camera:
The OPPO Reno11 5G’s main camera boasts a combination of 50MP resolution, Sony LYT600 sensor, f/1.8 aperture lens, OIS, and a 26mm focal length. The OPPO Reno11 Pro 5G takes it up a notch with its f/1.8 aperture lens, wide 24mm equivalent focal length, OIS, and large 1/1.56″ 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor.
Become Your Own Pro with Portrait Expert:
The OPPO Reno11 Series 5G empowers you to capture professional-grade portraits with just a click. Leveraging the improved Portrait Expert Engine, you’ll achieve natural skin tones, realistic soft-focus backgrounds, and undistorted faces. This engine, enhanced by renowned portrait photographers, offers features like Facial Recognition, Subject/Scene Separation, Skin Tone Protection, Clarity and Facial Enhancement, and Portrait and Environment Merging.
Precise Customization with Portrait Mode:
You can express your creativity with the precise and customizable Portrait Mode. Set your desired aperture between f/1.4 and f/16 for customized bokeh, flare patterns, and stacking, giving you creative control like pro-grade DSLR lenses. The 2x portrait look mimics the human eye’s natural viewing angle for lifelike results.
Two Stunning Color Options:
The OPPO Reno11 Series 5G comes in two nature-inspired colors: Wave Green for the OPPO Reno11 5G, reminiscent of sparkling sea green tones, and Pearl White for the OPPO Reno11 Pro 5G, with a mesmerizing pearl design. Both variants also have a Rock Grey option.
Premium Design and Innovative Features:
Both devices have 3D curved glass with a satin finish for a smudge-free back. The Sunshine Ring camera system elegantly rises from the sleek glass back, framing the advanced portrait camera within.
Get Your Own OPPO Reno11 Series 5G Today!
Pre-order your OPPO Reno11 Series 5G and receive a free S39 Ambient Light Bluetooth Speaker. Enjoy exclusive benefits for My OPPO app users, exciting collaborations with DJI, MAC Cosmetics, and Mabuhay Miles, and a chance to win amazing travel prizes in the “Portraits of Love” photo contest.
Cherry Philippines has just surprised us with the availability of their first mid-ranger smartphones to launch in more than a year, the CHERRY Aqua GR and the Aqua S11 Pro with both smartphones packing some competitive features inside.
Cherry Aqua S11 Pro
The Cherry Aqua S11 Pro is the affordable smartphone among the two. The smartphone packs a MediaTek Helio G99 processor which is a little bit dated and then there’s the 256GB UFS 2.2 internal storage as well. It does come however with an 8GB of RAM that can be expanded by an additional of 8GB RAM from its internal storage and then there’s the 5000mAh battery as well as the 33W of charging.
For the display, the smartphone will come a 6.7-inch AMOLED Full HD+ Display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While for the camera, it comes with a 64MP AI Triple Camera along with 16MP front-facing camera.
Cherry Aqua GR
The Cherry Aqua GR is the company’s best smartphone as it comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset along with a curved 6.8-inch AMOLED Full HD+ Display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone also comes with 256GB of UFS 2.2 Internal Storage and a 8GB+8GB of RAM.
For the battery, there’s the 4700mAh battery inside along with a 66W Charging speeds. There’s the 5G support as well while for the camera, it comes with a 108MP main camera along with a 16MP front-facing camera.
The Cherry Aqua GR and the Aqua S11 Pro are now available at CHERRY Stores nationwide and also at CHERRY Online Stores.
The Cherry Aqua S11 Pro and the Aqua GR are price at Php 7,999 and Php 11,999 respectively
There are only a few budget tablets around in the market and if you want a good one that you might want to use for multimedia then you might want to take a look at the realme Pad 2. This tablet might have entry-level specifications, but it does pack a large display and features that are made for multimedia usage.
A premium and solid build
realme has opted for a metal build on the realme Pad 2 instead of the typical plastic build. This move made the tablet look and feel more premium and it also has a subtle Splice Design that adds a little bit of beauty to the tablet.
realme sheds the plasticky exterior of its first-generation Pad in favor of a premium aluminum unibody for the Pad 2. The subtle “Splice Design” catches the light with a textured finish, adding a touch of visual intrigue to both the Imagination Gray and Inspiration Green colorways.
The camera placement of the realme Pad 2 is better to be used in landscape mode while the buttons are accessible and has a clicky feedback. But my favorite on this one is its speaker as it has a Dolby Quad Speakers which gives off a powerful performance which is perfect for watching movies on Netflix and also on YouTube.
As for the camera, the realme Pad 2 comes with an 8MP rear camera and also a 5MP front camera. While this isn’t the best one or work at the same level as their smartphones, this one would work just fine for basic needs such as messaging apps and video calls. But of course, you have to set your expectations if you’re gonna use it for taking photos and videos.
For the battery, the realme Pad 2 comes with an 8360 mAh battery inside and it can last for days in my normal usage for a tablet. As for charging, it comes with 33W of charging which will take some time to fully charge the tablet but for a tablet, this is just pretty average for me.
Large display, great for multimedia
The realme Pad 2 features a large 11.5” display with 2K resolution and also a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a weird 5:3 aspect ratio which makes the tablet too wide to use but this also means that the tablet also has a narrower body that can fit most bags and also a wider display for watching video.
The tablet might have a high refresh rate and a high resolution but this one isn’t an AMOLED panel. So colors aren’t the best but the tablet is definitely usable outside so it’s definitely fun to use for whatever reasons. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate which makes navigating smoother on the smartphone on the menu and some apps.
Entry-level performance
First of all, the realme Pad 2 rocks a MediaTek Helio G99 processor which isn’t new but if you’ve read my reviews of other products with the same processor, we all know that the Helio G99 is capable of the basic apps and even some of the light and casual games. If you’re just into watching videos, listening to music, browsing your feed on social media, the Helio G99 is already enough for you. It also has a bigger RAM now at 8GB with an option to add 8GB more via Dynamic RAM.
However, heavier games would be a problem on this one as you need to set the graphics settings at the lowest settings to make it playable on the tablet. Since this has a lower-tier, the tablet can’t really take advantage of the 120Hz on most apps and games. Nonetheless, it’s still a feast for the eyes when the high refresh rate is noticeable when browsing on apps. But hey, at least we were able to run Genshin Impact and also Honkai: Star Rail on this tablet.
For the benchmarks, it’s definitely what we can expect from a device with that chipset.
When it comes to the UI, the realme Pad 2 comes with realme UI for Pad, which is a customized version of their UI and it’s more optimized for the larger screen like the realme pad 2. There’s the option to do multi-window but it’s a little bit of a hassle as you need to swipe up from the bottom and tap on the multi-window button then choose the other app that you want to run it with. It’s definitely not as easy as other UI. You can also do pop-up window on this which can maximize your productivity on the tablet.
Verdict
The realme Pad 2 is a big leap from the predecessor and it’s a good option for those people who are looking for a tablet that they can use for multimedia purposes thanks to its large and bright display and its quad speaker setup. It also has a decent battery life and the UI is definitely optimized for its large display. It might not have a headphone jack and only a Helio G99 processor. I still appreciate its large display for entertainment purposes. However, if you’re planning on using it for gaming, do set your expectations as this one comes with a Helio G99 processor only.
The realme Pad 2 is now available for Php 11,999. A big leap from the previous generation as well but the price is worth it for the hardware that you’re getting.
PLDT is set to raise the bar for Philippine internet once again with the launch of its new Gigabit Fiber plans. These plans will offer speeds of up to 10Gbps internet speeds at home which makes it the fastest internet plans available in the country.
The new plans will be rolled out in phases, starting this year. They will initially be available to select customers in key areas, before being expanded to wider coverage. PLDT expects the demand for Gigabit fiber internet to increase as more Filipinos adopt online lifestyles and businesses along with a higher demand for faster internet speeds
The new Gigabit Fiber plans will be available in four different plans: 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, and a maximum of 10 Gbps.
With more and more Filipinos working from home, streaming online content, and gaming online, there is a need for faster and more reliable internet connections.
PLDT is confident that its new Gigabit Fiber plans will meet the needs of its customers and help them stay ahead of the curve. The company is investing heavily in its fiber network infrastructure to ensure that it can deliver the best possible internet experience to its customers.
Every Gigabit Fiber plan comes with a powerful Gigabit modem and a whole home WiFi 6 mesh system to ensure seamless connectivity throughout your house. You’ll also enjoy subscriptions to IPTV and global streaming apps, so you can always find something to watch. And to keep your devices safe, PLDT Home includes security services for your peace of mind.
The technology is not new as we’ve previously seen 10Gbps speeds before and its use case at home.
SteelSeries, renowned for its Arctis gaming audio line, introduces the Dragon Arctis Nova 7 series headset, a special edition that pays homage to Chinese and Taiwanese heritage and celebrates the Lunar New Year. Crafted by a collective of designers, the headset features a dragon icon with a modern aesthetic, wrapping around the Chinese character for ‘dragon’ and resting on lucky clouds. The deep red color symbolizes prosperity, complemented by bold gold accents representing wealth. The design extends to hidden elements like the Chinese character for good fortune beneath the dragon on the speaker plates and the dragon scale-shaped headband.
SteelSeries aimed to redefine gaming headphones for the multi-faceted ‘gaming lifestyle.’ The Arctis Nova 7, the result of four years of engineering, promises an elite audio experience. The Nova Acoustic System combines custom-designed high-fidelity speaker drivers for unparalleled sound purity, immersive 360° Spatial Audio, and the Sonar Audio Software Suite with pro-grade parametric EQ for precise sound customization. The wireless headset offers simultaneous audio through 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, supporting various devices like PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iPhone, and Android with USB-C.
SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova 7 series is designed for the evolving landscape of the ‘gaming lifestyle. Whether gaming on the go, streaming or engaging in virtual meetings, this headset offers versatility and adaptability. The sleek and stylish design ensures that users can seamlessly transition from gaming setups to more public spaces without compromising on aesthetics. With its blend of cultural symbolism and cutting-edge technology, the Dragon Arctis Nova 7 series not only delivers exceptional audio but also represents a bridge between tradition and innovation in the gaming world.
Communication is prioritized with the ClearCast Gen 2’s AI-powered noise cancellation for crystal-clear comms. The bidirectional mic, inspired by Formula 1 technology, suppresses background noise, ensuring a professional soundscape. It is designed to seamlessly retract into the earcup for a sleek on-the-go look. The Dragon Arctis Nova 7 series embodies SteelSeries’ commitment to merging gaming and culture while providing an immersive audio experience for the diverse scenarios of a ‘gaming lifestyle.’
Steelseries Dragon Arctis Nova 7 Price
The special-edition Dragon Arctis Nova 7 will be available for pre-order in the Philippines from February 1st to February 15th for Php 11,995.
CHERRY is set to amplify the music scene with its new Karaoke Lineup and the thrilling Kara-ok Singing Battle. The competition is taking place at select CHERRY concept stores situated at SM Fairview, SM Bacoor, SM Southmall, and Robinsons Manila.
Key Dates and Rounds
First Round (January 29 to February 11, 2024): Participants have the chance to shine and win the CHERRY Karaoke Duet Medley.
Final Round (February 14 to February 21, 2024): Fourteen winners from the first round will compete for the top spots.
Exciting Prizes for Winners
Grand Winner: The prestigious CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Dynamic and Php5,000.
First Runner-up: CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Dynamic and Php3,000.
Second Runner-up: CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Rhythm and Php2,000.
How to Join CHERRY’s Kara-ok Singing Battle
Consumers are encouraged to join the competition. Using the CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Rhythm, participants must perform one Filipino or foreign song without profanity. Each performance will be evaluated based on voice quality, mastery, confidence, and overall stage presence.
For more exciting announcements and updates, follow @cherryphofficial on Instagram and CHERRY Philippines on Facebook.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this thrilling singing battle and win amazing prizes from CHERRY.
