Her GadgetMatch

Photography with the Huawei Nova 2i: Behind the scenes

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How does the Huawei Nova 2i fare when it comes to documenting real-life everyday scenarios? I shot with the smartphone for four straight days to find out.

This handset is Huawei’s near-borderless budget offering. The big selling point? The Nova 2i has two shooters on each side of the device, four cameras altogether.

Huawei Nova 2i photo sample

My photography needs include IG photos, Snaps, Facebook posts, and all the selfies. For four days, I used this handset and shot four photos each day under different circumstances. This is how the quad shooters performed — also, a peek into my everyday life:

Day 1

Now, as the lifestyle-tech editor of GadgetMatch, I have a lot of demands for whatever smartphone I’m using. When I say demands, I mostly mean flatlays.

Below is a view of my work station at GadgetMatch HQ after I’ve cleaned up a little bit. No, my desk isn’t that tidy.

Huawei Nova 2i photo sample

Indoor; rear cameras

Part of my work demands also include taking lots of selfies because let’s be honest: A capable beauty mode can make you look and feel good. While shooting video for GadgetMatch, I usually get to play with the phone’s selfie shooters. This is one among many (like, many) selfies I took that afternoon. All in a day’s work!

Indoor; selfie cameras with beauty and bokeh mode

Of course, there are more photos to be shot and toy props to be tested out at our studio. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek into how our indoor shoots go. Don’t mind the tiny oranges; we just thought they looked as good as they tasted so we added them in.

Huawei Nova 2i photo sample

Indoor; rear cameras with wide aperture

Sometimes, our shoots extend until evenings. The photo below was taken five hours after Michael Josh flew in from Singapore and an hour into another shoot.

Indoor; selfie cameras with beauty and bokeh mode

We may be tired but beauty filters always keep us looking fresh! Yes, that’s the secret.

Day 2

The next day, I was flying to China for work-related stuff. But first, let me take a selfie!

Indoor, er, in plane; selfie cameras with beauty mode

Touchdown Hong Kong airport! Here’s a shot of some architecture I randomly took while in transit because I was being an artsy tourist. It turned out pretty well. *Pats myself on the back*

Huawei Nova 2i photo sample

Indoor shot of the outdoors; rear cameras

Finally in China — mandatory post with location tag! Here’s an outtake from the Instagram story I posted when I got there.

Huawei Nova 2i photo sample

Outdoor; rear cameras

Checked in, tucked in bed, and my hotel room ceiling view. It was a long day of travel and squeezing in some writing in between, but tomorrow’s another day!

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor shot; rear cameras

Day 3

Mornings start with coffee for me. Well, coffee and flatlays.

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor; rear cameras

Met with Ayano, who is a Japanese tech journalist, over more coffee. Our table was the perfect subject for a flatlay, but I already did one for today so I decided to spare you. See? I care. ?

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor; rear cameras

The cliché food shot never gets old to me. Trust me, dessert is almost always photogenic.

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor; rear cameras

I finally headed out, so here’s a quick snap of an outdoor Christmas tree in China because… Christmas tree!

Huawei Nova 2i

Outdoor; rear cameras

Day 4

The last day started early with an indoor shoot in bathroom slippers. Admittedly, I could’ve composed this shot better, but I was busy working. This is as real as it gets.

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor; rear cameras

Thankfully, lunch was a reward in itself. Yes, I am having an egg tart and dessert first thing because I’m an adult and I do what I want. I deserve this. ?

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor; rear cameras

After all the hubbub, I’m still thankful that the work I do allows me to visit different places and try many things. It’s the quiet moments like this when all the work is done that I get to appreciate what I do. #Blessed

Huawei Nova 2i

Indoor; rear cameras

Of course, I end this piece with a selfie because — well, why not. Even I am surprised that there aren’t more selfies on here.

Indoor; selfie cameras with beauty and bokeh mode

There you go, four days with the Huawei Nova 2i. What do you think? Which photos are your favorite?

SEE ALSO: Huawei Nova 2i Review (Honor 9i)

[irp posts=”18973″ name=”Huawei P10 Plus portraits: Pia Wurtzbach vs Me”]


This feature was produced in collaboration between GadgetMatch and Huawei.

Convenient Smart Home

30 days with the LG AeroMini

The upgrade my new space ~badly~ needed

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Moving into a new space comes with a long list of things to figure out, and lately, I’ve been paying more attention to something that’s easy to overlook: air quality.

After using the LG AeroMini for about a month, it has become a subtle but welcome addition to my space. It helps make the room feel fresher, while its compact and stylish design fits naturally into my setup. Here are the things that stood out to me most after living with it for a month.

360° purification for a fresher space

One of the things I appreciate about the AeroMini is its 360° air purification, designed to bring purified air in every direction.

For me, this is particularly useful in a new space where I’m spending a lot of time working, relaxing, and just settling in.

Combined with its True HEPA filter, which is designed to remove 99.999% of 0.01μm fine dust and allergens, it gives me added peace of mind about the air I’m breathing every day.

After a month, I can genuinely say that the space feels fresher with it running.

Surprisingly quiet

This is probably my favorite feature.

The LG AeroMini operates at just 26dB, and after using it for a month, what stands out is how easy it is to forget that it’s even running.

I can have it running while I’m working or sleeping without the noise becoming a distraction. For an appliance that’s designed to continuously improve the air around you, I think that’s a big deal.

Sometimes, the best feature is the one you barely notice.

Design that fits my space

Since I recently moved, I’ve been pretty conscious about what I bring into the space. I want things to be functional, but I also don’t want appliances that feel like they’re taking over the room.

The AeroMini’s slim and compact design makes it easy to incorporate into my setup. It doesn’t feel bulky or industrial, and I like that I can leave it out without feeling like I need to hide it away.

For me, that balance between functionality and aesthetics makes it feel more like part of the space rather than just another appliance.

Air quality at a glance

Another feature I’ve found convenient is its Smart Control. Through the app, I can monitor and control the AeroMini while getting real-time updates on the indoor air quality.

It’s a small convenience, but being able to check the air quality without having to interact with the purifier directly makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening in the room.

Easy to maintain

I also appreciate that the AeroMini is designed with an all-in-one dust and deodorization filter that makes replacement and maintenance easier.

That matters to me because the best home gadgets are the ones that don’t create another complicated chore. I want something I can set up, use regularly, and maintain without too much fuss.

After a month, would I keep it?

Yes, and mainly because it quietly fits into my everyday routine.

The LG AeroMini has helped make my new space feel fresher and more comfortable, while its compact design means it doesn’t compromise the look of the room. But if I had to pick just one thing I appreciate most, it’s still how incredibly quiet it is.

It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t demand your attention. It simply works in the background.

If you’re also looking to make your home a fresher and more comfortable space for yourself and your family, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ to learn more about the LG AeroMini and how it can fit into your everyday life.

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Her GadgetMatch

TECNO and Angélica Dass visit the Philippines next for its grand portrait project

100 Faces, 100 Stories

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A portrait can show what someone looks like, but what about the story behind the face?

TECNO and visual artist Angélica Dass are exploring that question through “100 Portraits of Becoming,” a two-year global portrait project featuring 100 people across Kenya, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.

The project begins with 20 portraits from Kenya, each paired with a personal story about identity, choices, change, and growth. Rather than having participants represent an entire culture or generation, the project focuses on their individual experiences.

Beyond inclusive imaging

The project builds on TECNO’s work with Universal Tone, its imaging technology designed to represent diverse skin tones more naturally and accurately.

But “100 Portraits of Becoming” takes that idea further. With AI increasingly involved in capturing, recognizing, and generating images of people, TECNO and Dass want to explore how technology can better represent the individual behind the image.

For Dass, meaningful portraiture starts with human connection.

“Meaningful portraits are never created by technology alone.”

She says her experience in Kenya reinforced the importance of trust, listening, and the willingness of people to share their stories.

The Philippines is next

Following Kenya, the project heads to the Philippines for a chapter called “Beyond Many Labels.”

It will feature 20 individuals, including working solo mothers and people whose lives are closely connected to solo parenthood.

Their stories will look beyond labels such as “single mother,” “breadwinner,” and “strong woman,” while exploring their ambitions, relationships, and personal growth.

The chapter will also explore “diskarte” — the ways Filipinos adapt, make choices, and find practical ways forward in everyday life.

After the Philippines, “100 Portraits of Becoming” will continue to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.

By the end of the project, TECNO and Dass hope the 100 portraits will offer exactly what the title suggests: 100 different ways of seeing humanity.

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Her GadgetMatch

What your smartphone color choice reveals about you

Eight colors, eight personalities. Here’s how to pick.

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Your phone color says more than you think. With the Pixel 11 series, Google’s giving you eight ways to make that statement, and there’s genuinely one for every kind of person.

Hibiscus

You’re never the quiet one in the room. Hibiscus doesn’t ask for attention; it just takes it, and if that sounds like you, you’re probably not planning to start hiding now. This is the pick for anyone who’d rather stand out than blend in.

Pistachio

You’re the one who remembers everyone’s coffee order. Pistachio is soft and easy; the one whom people gravitate toward without quite knowing why. It doesn’t try hard to be liked. It just is.

Frost

You like things a little too organized. Frost means clean lines and a clear head, the color equivalent of a camera roll with zero mess in it. If your notes app has color-coded folders, this one’s calling your name.

Obsidian

You let the work speak for itself. No flash needed, because when you show up, the room adjusts anyway. Obsidian is the classic choice, the one that’s never trying too hard because it doesn’t have to.

Canyon

You’re the one who suggests the sunset drive. Canyon is warm and a little restless, always chasing golden hour whether or not anyone else is up for it. Available on the Pro and Pro XL, it’s built for people who treat every evening like it might be a good one.

Olive

You’re outdoorsy, but you’ll still show up looking put together. Olive is low-key and grounded, the one who doesn’t try too hard because it’s already comfortable in its own skin. Another Pro and Pro XL exclusive.

Fog

You’re hard to read, and you like it that way. Fog is understated on purpose, a Pro and Pro XL colorway for anyone who’d rather keep people guessing.

So, which one’s you?

Eight colors, three phones, one very personal decision. Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL goes on sale starting August 20 — with Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost, and Obsidian on the base model; and Canyon, Fog, Olive, and Obsidian on the Pro line.

Which one’s calling your name?

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