Hands-On

OPPO R11s hands-on and photo comparisons

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Following the release of the OPPO R11 last June, it was announced earlier this month that a near bezel-less smartphone update was on the way. The OPPO R11s went on sale in China just three days ago, and I got to spend the last few days with it in Shenzhen.

OPPO R11s in red

Look and feel

If you’re a fan of the R11’s form factor, you’ll definitely be a fan of the R11s.

Girl holding OPPO R11s

It has almost the same size and finish as the previous release with a similar sleek metal body and premium feel. Except this time, there are a few key differences: The fingerprint scanner has been moved to the back and the screen is definitely bigger.

OPPO R11s starry night feature

This means less bezels, more display, and the disappearance of the capacitive buttons up front.

OPPO R11s all three available colors

Remaining buttons and ports are all in the same place: volume rocker on the top-right with the SIM tray and power button on the left. Speaker grilles, audio jack, and (alas!) micro-USB port are all at the bottom.

OPPO R11s with case

In true OPPO fashion, each unit comes with protection! The red R11s I got to try out had a special case in a matching color. The black and champagne versions only come with transparent cases.

A bigger screen!

The display is one of the bigger (literally) highlights of this device. With a new 6.01-inch screen and 18:9 viewing ratio, OPPO attempts to contend against other “borderless” phones.

OPPO R11s near borderless display

This means more text and photos without having to scroll…

OPPO R11s bigger screen

… and a wider view for your media consumption.

watching YouTube video on the OPPO R11s
The R11s is their second near-borderless release, following the OPPO F5 released in other Asian countries.

The selfie expert

Similar to the R11, the R11s is equipped with a 20-megapixel selfie shooter. On top of the filters and the bokeh mode, OPPO now has artificial intelligence built into the beauty mode.

Taking a selfie with ai beauty mode on the OPPO R11s

The AI beauty mode records 254 facial points and uses machine learning to take the best-possible selfie. Simply put, faces aren’t just blurred out to achieve that smooth look as most beauty filters are prone to doing. See here:

[sciba leftsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/aibeauty-GadgetMatch-OPPO-R11s-sample-photo-20171012-12.jpg” leftlabel=”AI beauty mode” rightsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GadgetMatch-OPPO-R11s-sample-photo-20171012-13.jpg” rightlabel=”Normal beauty mode” mode=”horizontal” width=””]

This means that selfies come out with you looking fresh and more natural.

OPPO tells us that this AI beauty mode will come to older OPPO smartphones in the form of an OS update. In the meantime, it’s only available on the F5 and the R11s.

Picture perfect with the rear cameras

The R11s packs two primary cameras on its back: 20- and 16-megapixel cameras, both with an aperture of f/1.7.

OPPO R11s red

Together, they’re capable of 2x zoom.

[sciba leftsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GadgetMatch-OPPO-R11s-sample-photo-20171012-9.jpg” leftlabel=”Normal” rightsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GadgetMatch-OPPO-R11s-sample-photo-20171012-8.jpg” rightlabel=”2x zoom” mode=”horizontal” width=””]

They also have a portrait and beauty mode with two zoom settings. Photos below were taken using both of those settings:

[sciba leftsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GadgetMatch-OPPO-R11s-sample-photo-20171012-5.jpg” leftlabel=”Portrait mode” rightsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GadgetMatch-OPPO-R11s-sample-photo-20171012-6.jpg” rightlabel=”Portrait mode zoom” mode=”horizontal” width=””]

Here are a few more sample shots:

When shooting video on this thing, beauty mode is also available for both rear and front-facing cameras — a feature that I absolutely love.

Under the hood

A Snapdragon 660 processor, which is the latest upper-midrange Qualcomm chip, powers the R11s. It runs on Android Nougat and ColorOS 3.2 with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage (expandable up to 256GB), and a battery capacity of 3205mAh.

OPPO R11s rear cameras

On top of the fingerprint scanner, it’s worth noting that this device is equipped with facial unlock technology.

R11 vs R11s

When put side by side, the R11 and the R11s are almost the same size. Only the rear scanner makes the newer release distinct.

OPPO R11s side by side with the OPPO R11

Of course, up front, the bezels make all the difference.

OPPO R11s vs the OPPO R11

That bigger screen is crammed into a 5.5-inch body. Although technically, there are still bezels, the R11s is looking pretty good with this taller screen.

On top of the new near bezel-less display, the red version of the R11s features what is called the “Starry Sky” screen — that color gradient on the phone’s front as the black screen fades into the red body.

OPPO R11s vs OPPO R11

The insides of both phones are pretty much the same; nothing’s changed with the processor, memory, and storage capacities. The R11s, however, is equipped with an updated version of ColorOS which integrates the AI beauty mode. Another thing: Both rear cameras of the R11s have apertures of f/1.7, which wasn’t the case with the R11.

Initial thoughts

The R11s is definitely an improvement from the already capable R11. The AI beauty mode and the bigger display are features that one would surely want when shopping around for a new smartphone.

Girls taking selfies with the OPPO R11s

The handset we got to take for a spin was the Chinese version, though we were told that international versions are coming soon. As of now, the R11s retails in China at CNY 3,199 (around US$ 480) for the red variant, and CNY 2,999 (around US$ 450) for the black and champagne versions. They are expected to launch in the same markets where the R11 is available.

We’ll have to wait to get the international unit for a full review. But, if the original R11’s performance is any indication, the R11s could be a great phone — especially since it’s priced the same as the older R11 device as of release.

SEE ALSO: OPPO R11 hands-on and photo comparisons

[irp posts=”23498″ name=”OPPO’s massive R11s Plus launches alongside smaller R11s”]

 

Accessories

OBSBOT Meet Flip Hands-on

It’s tinier and folds this time

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Phones flip and fold. Now webcams do too.

Foldable screens have found their way into phones, tablets, and laptops in recent years. Now, OBSBOT is taking that idea in a considerably smaller direction: the webcam.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

The OBSBOT Meet Flip is the company’s first foldable 4K webcam packing:

  • 1/2-inch stacked CMOS sensor
  • intelligent audio
  • a collection of AI-powered meeting tools

All of these inside a body weighing just 37.7 grams.

A fold that does something, not just a gimmick

The OBSBOT Meet Flip isn’t foldable just to make it easier to throw into a bag.

Closing the webcam physically blocks the lens and puts the device into sleep mode. Open it when you want to be seen, flip it shut when you don’t.

A physical privacy cover isn’t novel in itself. What’s clever here is how it’s part of the folding design.

As someone with a love-hate relationship with data privacy, I almost always keep some physical barrier over my laptop webcam. And if I can avoid having a webcam there entirely, even better.

Serious camera hardware in a pocket-sized webcam

Despite its size, OBSBOT hasn’t treated the Meet Flip like a basic laptop-camera replacement.

Inside is a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology, capable of recording 4K UHD at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps. It also packs an f/1.8 aperture, HDR, PDAF autofocus, ISO 100–6400, and up to 4x digital zoom.

At its core is a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology.

It can record:

  • 4K UHD at 30fps
  • 1080p at 60fps

You also get:

  • f/1.8 aperture
  • HDR
  • PDAF autofocus
  • ISO 100–6400
  • up to 4x digital zoom

On paper, that gives the Meet Flip a better shot at handling the situations built-in laptop webcams often struggle with: dim rooms, harsh backlighting, changing lighting conditions, or simply moving around in front of the camera.

HDR helps keep faces visible against bright backgrounds, while PDAF autofocus continuously adjusts focus as you move closer to or farther from the lens.

The wider f/1.8 aperture should also help in less-than-ideal lighting.

The point is that once the Meet Flip is set up, you shouldn’t have to spend much time thinking about the camera itself.

It listens differently depending on the room setup

The Meet Flip also uses an intelligent dual-microphone system combining omnidirectional and directional microphones.

Instead of relying on one pickup pattern for every situation, it offers four audio modes for different setups:

Directional Mode focuses on sound coming from the front, making it the obvious choice for solo calls.

Dual-Directional Mode listens to both the front and rear of the webcam, which could be useful for interviews or conversations between two people sitting across from each other.

Conference Meeting

Smart Omni Mode is designed for group meetings, picking up voices from around the room.

And Pure Audio Mode provides unprocessed left and right stereo channels for users who would rather handle the audio themselves in post-production.

Auto Gain and AI Noise Reduction also work across the first three modes, helping clean up audio without requiring much manual adjustment.

It gives the Meet Flip more flexibility than a typical webcam microphone, especially if you regularly switch between solo calls, interviews, and group meetings.

AI that doesn’t intrude

AI has become an almost obligatory addition to new hardware in 2026, but several of the Meet Flip’s features put it to work on real-world meeting annoyances.

AI Auto Framing keeps you in frame, with options for:

  • Group
  • Single Close-up
  • Upper Body
  • Full Body

Gesture controls can also toggle Auto Framing or adjust the zoom without reaching for a keyboard or mouse.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

More interesting is AI Magic Notes.

Through OBSBOT Center, it provides real-time transcription and can automatically generate meeting summaries with key points, decisions, and action items. It works across Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

Although AI Magic Notes is offered as a subscription service, every Meet Flip includes 120 complimentary minutes to get started.

MORE with OBSBOT Center & OBSBOT Live

There are plenty of other software features as well. OBSBOT Center includes:

  • Background Blur and Background Replacement
  • Real-Time Beauty Mode
  • Picture-in-Picture overlays
  • Smart Eye Tracking
  • Teleprompter support
  • Detailed image adjustments

The Meet Flip isn’t limited to laptops or desktops either. Through OBSBOT Live, it can connect directly to smartphones and tablets over USB-C for mobile streaming and content creation.

Flip it open. Fold it away.

None of those features reinvent the webcam on their own.

Taken together, though, they make the Meet Flip a more thoughtful take on a piece of hardware whose basic design and features have barely changed.

The flip may grab your attention first, but it’s how OBSBOT uses that design alongside its camera, audio, and software features that makes the Meet Flip interesting.

The OBSBOT Meet Flip is now available at US$ 119 and is currently available through OBSBOT’s official store, Amazon US, and select retailers.

&

@gadgetmatchPhones flip. Now webcams do too. 👀 Meet the OBSBOT Meet Flip, a tiny foldable 4K webcam with a lot packed inside. ✨

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

If you buy one, here’s what you’ll get out of the box!

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Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

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DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

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Hands-On

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Flip8, Ultra

Samsung’s freshest foldables come out of the oven

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Three foldables. Three very different people.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra — the productivity maximizer. Heritage form factor, everything cranked to the max.

The Galaxy Z Flip8, pure style. The smallest, loudest, most you one of the bunch.

And finally, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 — the new beginning.

Built for the way most of us actually use our phones: watching, reading, scrolling. The one I keep reaching for and have a feeling THE Michael Josh will be using a lot.

Same family. Three ways to experience it.

Head over to our hands-on video on the latest and greatest Galaxy Z8 family for you to know your best bet.

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