News

Sony confirms Philippine launch for Xperia X, Xperia XA, and Xperia XA Ultra

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We may not have heard much from Sony’s latest Xperia lineup from this archipelago, but that doesn’t mean the company has decided to give the Philippine audience the same cold shoulder it has given to fans in the United States. After announcing the Xperia X, Xperia XA, and Xperia XA Ultra earlier this year, Sony has revealed to GadgetMatch that it plans to launch the said phones in the Philippines on June 14, three weeks from today. No word yet on the possibility of the Snapdragon 820-based Xperia X Performance seeing a local release. Sorry, Android power users.

For the uninitiated, the Xperia X series is Sony’s midrange play, aimed at consumers who’d rather not spend $600 or $700 on the latest technology but are willing to spend more money for more features. If anything, the Xperia X signals a shift in focus away from the more affluent user base Sony has been catering to for the longest time. And that’s important to note, because the midrange is shaping up to be the most important battleground for smartphone makers, and it’s where many of them are expected to get their volume from.

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Sony Xperia X

Among the trio, the Xperia X is the most beefed-out device, carrying a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor with 3GB of RAM and up to 64GB of storage, with room for more via a microSD expansion slot. It’s also the only model with a fingerprint reader, which is unfortunate, considering phones retailing for as low as $200 have the security feature built into their hardware. Other specs include a 5-inch, full-resolution display, a 23-megapixel rear camera, a 2,620mAh fixed battery, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

The Xperia XA and XA Ultra share a similar system-on-a-chip in the MediaTek Helio P10, but vary in just about every other spec. The Xperia XA Ultra, as you may have gathered, offers more RAM (3GB compared to the XA’s 2GB) and more in the way of screen real estate and resolution (6 inches and 1080p as opposed to 5 inches and 720p on the XA).

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Sony Xperia XA

In any case, you’ll be missing out on waterproofing — a signature feature of some Xperia models — regardless of which model you settle for; of the Xperia X bunch, only the X Performance (which, again, likely won’t go on sale in the Philippines) is not afraid to get wet.

The Xperia X and Xperia XA cost £500 (roughly P34,000) and £240 (P16,500) in Europe, respectively. The Xperia XA Ultra hasn’t been priced yet, but expect it to fetch a much higher price than the latter.

[irp posts=”11148″ name=”Sony Xperia XZ Premium Hands-On”]

News

realme 16 series 5G launches in the Philippines

Pro Plus variant, telephoto lens return; price, availability, offers

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realme has officially launched the realme 16 series 5G in the Philippines, composed of three variants: the 16 5G, 16 Pro 5G, and the 16 Pro+ 5G.

The latest numbered series entries promise improved photography, longer battery life, and smarter AI features.

The series is now available nationwide for the following SRPs:

  • realme 16 5G (8GB+256GB): PhP 25,999
  • realme 16 Pro 5G (8GB+256GB): PhP 31,999
  • realme 16 Pro 5G (12GB+512GB): PhP 37,999
  • realme 16 Pro+ 5G (12GB+512GB): PhP 43,999

To make the most out of purchasing any of realme’s new releases, customers can pre-order until April 30 for freebies such as the realme Buds Air7 or realme Watch S2.

Also up for grabs are a 5,000mAh power bank, Privilege Card, and discounts of up to PhP 2,000. These put the total perks’ value at about PhP 8,900.

In addition, Shopee customers can enjoy up to PhP 9,000 off until May 5 and get a free AKASO EK7000 series action camera. This means the device can be checked out for as low as PhP 22,499.

Master Portrait for moments that matter

The biggest highlight of the realme 16 series is the 200MP Multi-focal LumaColor Camera System on the Pro models.

This is designed for detailed shots across different focal lengths. Moreover, the Pro+ 5G brings back a 50MP 3.5x telephoto lens for more versatile portraits and zoom photography.

It can be recalled that the previous 15 series didn’t have a Pro+ model and also ditched the telephoto lens.

The more accessible realme 16 5G, on the other hand, has a dual 50MP portrait camera system powered by a Sony IMX852 sensor.

AI tools are available across all variants, including AI Edit Genie 2.0, AI Instant Clip, and AI Portrait Glow. There’s also more room to play with Vibe Master Mode and AI Photo Popout.

Built to last longer

All three variants are equipped with 7,000mAh batteries for extended daily use, with the Pro variants supporting 80W SUPERVOOC charging as well.

The Pro+ 5G runs on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor, while the Pro houses a Dimensity 7300 Max.

Both Pro models likewise have an Airflow Vapor Chamber Cooling System and have 144Hz AMOLED displays.

The base model, meanwhile, is powered by a Dimensity 6400 Turbo chipset and comes with a 120Hz AMOLED display in a more compact form.

Another key highlight is durability, as the entire lineup features IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K dust and water resistance.

The realme 16 series features these distinct colorways:

  • Pro+ 5G: Master Gold
  • Pro 5G: Pebble Grey, Orchid Purple
  • 16 5G: Air White, Air Black (with built-in Selfie Mirror at the back)
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Entertainment

DC’s Clayface teaser shows off a horror-filled superhero movie

Our first taste of James Gunn’s Gotham City will be frightening.

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Last year, James Gunn’s Superman sparked an impressive wave of excitement for the new DC Universe. Though this year’s spotlight is on Supergirl, Clayface is also getting an eponymous film, giving us our first taste of Gotham City in this bustling universe.

There’s been a lot of mystery surrounding this film. For one, Gotham City’s DCU debut is based on, arguably, a secondary villain, rather than any member of the Bat-Family. Secondly, Gunn has confirmed that the movie will heavily lean towards the horror genre, a feat others have tried but often failed.

Today, DC Studios has released the first teaser trailer for Clayface. And no, Gunn wasn’t kidding when he said this is going to be a horror film.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, a rising movie star suddenly scarred by a violent attack. Desperate to resurrect his career, he resorts to a scientific experiment that turns his skin into moldable clay.

As the teaser hints, the film will not shy away from body horror, including shots of Hagen’s disfigured face either from the attack or from the clay. It’s a big departure from the more traditional style of Superman or Supergirl. But it’s a gamble that might pay off for a universe as young as the DCU.

It’s also apropos that the DCU’s first horror film is getting a horror-themed premiere. Clayface will premiere in cinemas on October 23, 2026.

SEE ALSO: Superman sequel, titled Man of Tomorrow, comes out in 2027

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Automotive

VinFast to expand in the Philippines with e-scooters: report

VinFast to compete head-on with major motorbike players

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

VinFast is bringing its electric scooters to the Philippines.

According to a report by TopGear, the Vietnamese EV manufacturer has signed agreements with 14 local distributors.

The report mentioned that specifically, the Evo, Feliz II, and Viper models shall be made available. The rollout will naturally begin in metro areas, as expected.

These models provide longer range on a single full charge and higher top speeds compared to budget e-bikes. It means they are suitable to be driven on major highways, provided that drivers have a license and the scooter is registered.

Moreover, in what is somewhat similar to Gogoro’s model from a few years back, VinFast is set to have 30,000 battery-swapping stations nationwide.

This way, drivers wouldn’t have to worry about running out of battery power while on the road. They can simply swap batteries instead of looking for charging stations.

This development means VinFast is competing head-on against other fuel-powered motorcycle brands in a market where such vehicles are popular for everyday use.

Not only that, VinFast will likewise compete with the likes of Yadea, RUX Electric Mobility, and even Hatasu to a certain extent.

It doesn’t come as a surprise as back home, VinFast is aggressively pushing for electrification, selling e-scooters to consumers.

This is aligned with the government’s goal to eventually ban petrol motorbikes in major cities, including the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Given the massive rate the production is going, it is only sensible for VinFast to also target nearby markets where it already has a presence, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.

In the Philippines, the Vingroup’s EV arm already competes in the electric cars and SUVs segment. Its offerings include the VF3 and VF5.

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