News

Samsung W2018 launches in China with insane price

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Remember that incredibly expensive Samsung flip phone from last year? It has an official successor now, and it’s still pricey as heck.

We already knew of the W2018’s existence when a smartphone with the same code name, SM-G9298, appeared last August. Although the two flip phones look identical on the outside, there have been internal changes made in the four months since.

Instead of using last year’s flagship Snapdragon 821 processor, the newer W2018 has this year’s best chipset in the Snapdragon 835. Together with the 4GB of memory and 64GB of expandable storage, it’s as powerful as Samsung’s line of premium Galaxy handsets.

The other notable upgrade is the 12-megapixel rear camera, which has optical image stabilization and an f/1.5 aperture opening, making this the brightest camera on any smartphone to date! The front has a simpler 5-megapixel snapper, but its f/1.9 aperture lens is great, as well.

Like before, there are two 4.2-inch 1080p AMOLED displays on the front and back of the clamshell body. This would allow you to see the onscreen interface even while it’s closed. How this would burn through the smallish 2300mAh battery is anyone’s guess.

As for software, it offers Android Nougat with no Oreo planned yet. What it does have is Samsung’s virtual assistant Bixby, which now supports the Chinese language.

The W2018 is slightly cheaper than last year’s model at CNY 15,999, but that’s still a bone-chilling US$ 2,420 when converted.

With that price and hefty 235g weight (most smartphones weight less than 200g), the W2018 is as impractical as it is expensive. While there’s a place for it on an executive’s desk, commoners should spend their money on the more affordable (?!) Galaxy Note 8.

SEE ALSO: Samsung patents an under-screen fingerprint sensor

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News

HUAWEI FreeClip 2 launching on February 19

Premium audio wearable, tech fashion statement

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HUAWEI will officially launch the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 in the Philippines on February 19.

HUAWEI says the only Airy C-Bridge open-ear TWS earbuds is the next evolution of open-ear listening.

It is designed for users who want premium sound, all-day comfort, and a truly secure fit — not just as a cutting-edge audio wearable but also as a tech jewelry.

There are several trendy colorways: Denim Blue, Black, Rose Gold, and White. Users can also style the FreeClip 2 with interchangeable accessories, like the Star, Butterfly, Flake, and Tassel designs.

Building on the first-generation FreeClip, the FreeClip 2 introduces a lighter, softer, and new design.

The Acoustic Ball, which houses the audio driver, is contoured and weighted to sit naturally near the ear canal. This change allows directing sound precisely while maintaining an open-ear design.

The counterbalance is the Comfort Bean, a broad and soft contact surface for a stable and ergonomic fit. This rests gently behind the ear and distributes pressure across a wider area.

Meanwhile, the Airy C-Bridge design is crafted from skin-friendly liquid silicone and high-performance shape-memory alloy. It is 25% lighter and is tested to withstand 25,000 bends.

 

Crystal-clear calls, powerful audio

Performance wise, the FreeClip 2 boasts of clearer sound and more reliable calls in real-world environments.

It is equipped with an advanced three-microphone system, including a Voice Pick Up bone-conduction mic.

The powerful dual-diaphragm driver in a TWS design is also engineered to deliver impressive sound. Users can expect a better bass performance for fuller and more dynamic audio for music, podcasts, and even video calls.

An integrated NPU AI Processor also elevates the listening experience with precise audio processing.

With Adaptive Volume, the wearable detects ambient noise and automatically adjusts playback. Adaptive Voice Enhancement also intelligently amplifies voice based on the content being played or surrounding noise.

Other features include up to 38 hours of usage, iOS and Android compatibility, and IP57 rating.

For its Philippines release, HUAWEI is offering Early Bird Vouchers worth PhP 1,000. On Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok, customers can also get PhP 500 vouchers and two sets of accessories, as well as a one-year, one-time loss compensation service.

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Events

Apple’s March 4 Event signals something BIG is coming

When Apple breaks tradition, it usually means something big

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Apple is gearing up for a big announcement, and the date is set — March 4, 2026.

Invites have gone out for an in-person “Apple Experience” happening simultaneously in New York, London, and Shanghai.

Typically, Apple hosts just two major in-person events each year: WWDC in June and the iPhone launch in September, both held at its Cupertino campus.

The last time the company staged a third in-person event was in spring 2024 for what became its largest-ever iPad refresh.

In-person events are usually reserved for major product launches, fueling speculation that Apple is preparing to introduce something significant.

While the company hasn’t officially confirmed the lineup, rumors point to a new entry-level Mac laptop featuring an aluminum chassis and bright color finishes.

Noted Apple leaker Mark Gurman says the invite’s yellow, green, and blue accents match colors Apple has reportedly tested for these upcoming devices.

Additional reports suggest Apple could unveil an iPhone 17e, updated iPad and iPad Air models, upgraded MacBook Pro configurations powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a refreshed Studio Display, and an enhanced version of Siri with Google Gemini integration.

Whether all of these products make an appearance remains to be seen — but if the rumors hold true, 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for Apple.

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Apps

EU wages war against doomscrolling

Brussels is asking TikTok to change its addictive design.

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TikTok K-Pop TWICE Chaeyoung

Doomscrolling is the greatest enemy to everyone’s productivity today. The temptation to keep on scrolling for hours is an ever-present temptation. Taking a very strong stance against the phenomenon, the European Commission is now investigating TikTok for having an addictive interface.

Via Politico, Brussels is now prodding TikTok to change its interface. Very technically, the European Commission is not out to get doomscrolling, specifically. However, the major changes that they want to introduce “disabling infinite scrolling, setting strict screen time breaks, and changing its recommender systems.”

App addiction is a persistent problem today. Besides concerned parents, governments around the world have been trying to regulate addiction, especially when it comes to children. The European Commission, as is apparent from this new initiative, is at the forefront of preventing addiction.

Though the target is explicitly TikTok right now, changing addictive interfaces will also affect other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Most platforms nowadays thrive on encouraging users to keep scrolling through more content.

Right now, TikTok isn’t set to change just yet. However, the report states that the European Commission is willing to work with platforms for a better, non-addictive interface. It’s less abrasive than the region’s recent privacy initiatives, which requires users to verify their age before accessing mature content.

SEE ALSO: TikTok finally gets a buyer in the United States

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