Features

Where GadgetMatch has been in 2017

Published

December 23, 2017

Daniel Morial

GadgetMatch has been around the globe in 2017 to give you the freshest gadget news. Here are the highlights.

CES 2017

The Consumer Electronics Show was held in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States during the first weeks of the new year. As one of the biggest trade shows of consumer-oriented devices in the world, CES always has a diverse range of gadgets on the show floor.

One of the popular devices to come out during the show was the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom and the ZenFone AR, plus ASUS took the floor to showcase the ZenBook 3 Deluxe. We also saw interesting products including this high-tech boxer brief and Toyota’s futuristic-looking concept vehicle.

And who can forget the crazy incident about the stolen Razer prototypes?

Check out our full coverage of CES 2017 here.

MWC 2017

After CES, we flew to Barcelona, Spain for the Mobile World Congress where a lot of new smartphones and related products were launched.

We started with the latest attempt of BlackBerry to re-introduce smartphones with physical QWERTY keyboards in the form of the BlackBerry KEYone. LG then announced the LG G6 as its first borderless smartphone and the first to ever have a tall 18:9 aspect ratio on phones.

Huawei took the spotlight with the launch of the Huawei P10 and P10 Plus which made the Leica-branded dual camera system even more popular among consumers and mobile photography enthusiasts. Samsung showcased their new tablets running either Android or a full version of Windows 10 on the MWC floor, too.

The launches didn’t stop there. Nokia came back to the global phone market with three Android phones and the rebirth of the 3310. Sony announced their new flagship Xperia XZ Premium with a 4K HDR display — a first on mobile.

OPPO was present in Barcelona, but they didn’t announce a new phone. The Chinese company took the opportunity to showcase a technology they’ve been working on: 5x dual camera zoom. Unfortunately, the year is already closing and we haven’t seen the technology applied to any OPPO device.

More about our MWC 2017 coverage in Barcelona here.

Samsung Galaxy S8 launch in New York

Samsung’s first Unpacked event in New York this year was all about the Galaxy S8 and its immersive Infinity Display. It came with a number of accessories like a new fast-wireless pad and the introduction of Samsung DeX, which turns the phone into a desktop computer.

We asked our fellow YouTubers present during the event in NYC about their thoughts on the new Galaxy smartphone. We covered what you can do with the Galaxy S8’s camera.

LG InnoFest 2017

We then went to Korea, specifically in Jeju Island, for LG InnoFest. This event was dedicated to LG’s household products such as the premium LG Signature lineup.

There were all sorts of connected appliances in InnoFest, including OLED TVs, InstaView refrigerators, levitating speakers, TwinWash washing machines, robot vacuums, and cutesy control bots to manage everything in your smart home.

Computex 2017

The whole GadgetMatch team flew to Taipei, Taiwan for Computex as an official media partner. Computex is Asia’s premier technology show with a handful of known Taipei-based manufacturers like ASUS, Acer, MSI, and Gigabyte.

ASUS announced another premium notebook called the ZenBook Flip S. This convertible is the thinnest around and is pretty light. They also unveiled the ROG Zephyrus which is a fairly thin (by gaming laptop standards) notebook with a GTX 1080 chip at its graphics core and a 120Hz G-Sync display.

Acer introduced the Nitro 5 gaming laptop but theirs is more budget-friendly. Speaking of budget, we also saw the Spin 1 convertible which has a lot to offer despite its affordable price tag.

Intel announced its newest Core i9 processors for next-generation desktop computers with up to 18 cores and 36 threads of processing power. And lastly, there were these cute devices which ruled the showroom floor.

Read more everything what happened during Computex 2017 here.

Google I/O 2017

During the middle of the year, the annual Google I/O was held in Mountain View, California to showcase what the company is up to and how well they’re doing, especially with Android.

Everything about Android 8.0 Oreo, Android Go, Google Photos, Google Assistant, and Google Home were tackled on stage. Check out our quick event recap video above to get you up to speed.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launch

We were back in New York for another Unpacked event of Samsung. This time, the company redeemed itself from the battery fiasco last year with a refined and all-around better Galaxy Note 8.

As always, we covered everything about the new Galaxy Note 8 on our hands-on may it be written or in a pleasing video. Since it’s a Note, the S Pen is the highlight of the product. Check out our review and watch other YouTubers’ reaction about the phone while you’re at it.

IFA 2017

Another major annual event called Internationale Funkausstellung, or more commonly referred as IFA, happened in Berlin. It’s one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany and the biggest in Europe.

The LG V30 was unveiled ahead of everything else in the event with its big borderless display and complete multimedia capabilities. But, it wasn’t the only phone that came out in IFA. Sony announced their new Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact flagship phones along with the Xperia XA1 Plus midranger. The Moto X4 showed up with its beautiful glass body.

Lenovo was present with their Star Wars-themed Yoga notebook and the Jedi Challenges augmented reality game bundle, while Acer showed the impressive Switch 7 Black Edition, massive Predator Orion 9000 gaming PC, and super-slim AiO Aspire S24.

Cameras and drone were on the IFA floor. DJI unveiled a couple of new and improved drones for consumers and professionals, while Sony launched its new ultra-compact camera with 960fps video capture. After the Note 8, Samsung announced their new wearables in IFA to complement it and appeal to the sporty crowd.

Read more of our IFA 2017 coverage here.

Apple iPhone 8 launch in Singapore

One of the first markets to have the new iPhone 8 was Singapore. We flew to the city-state and unboxed both the regular and Plus variant along with their new accessories!

Sadly, the iPhone X didn’t hit the shelves on the same date. All of our iPhone 8 content is available here.

Made by Google 2017

It was now Google’s turn to wow everyone with their new Pixel and Home devices. We were only expecting two new Google Pixel phones, but there was a lot to cover and all of them were proudly labeled as Made by Google.

Apart from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google expanded their hardware portfolio with the Pixel Buds which have real-time language translations ala Star Trek. We also got a cuter Google Home Mini and a bigger Home Max. Then there’s the controversial Google Clip pocket camera with machine learning capabilities. Let’s not forget about the premium Pixelbook running Chrome OS and better Daydream View for virtual reality.

We’ve got everything covered in this written recap, and you can read more here.

Huawei Mate 10 launch

We love going to Europe, so GadgetMatch flew back for the Huawei Mate 10 launch in Munich, Germany.

We saw two flagship phones during the launch namely the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro. It’s quite interesting how Huawei made the external differences between the two quite distinguishable unlike with the P10 series.

We already have a review of the Mate 10 up for your pleasure.

Apple iPhone X release in Singapore

Apple was able to deliver iPhone X stocks on schedule and it was time to head to Singapore again.

The iPhone X is the most expensive iPhone and non-special edition phone on the market. Whether you’re okay with the notch or not, you’ll appreciate the true borderless design of the iPhone X.

We’ve been to many places across the globe this year and the list would’ve been even longer if we included everything.

[irp posts=”24581″ name=”GadgetMatch Awards: Best products of 2017″]

Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Published

June 11, 2026

MJ Jucutan

HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.

So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.

The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.

The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.

Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.

What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.

This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.

Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.