Accessories

2023 GadgetMatch Approved Devices

Gadgets that truly deserve the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval

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We wouldn’t call ourselves “GadgetMatch” without being able to recommend you “gadgets” that “match” your needs, right?

Aside from smartphones, our members also gave other devices the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval — whether that’s a tablet, smartwatch, smart TV, desktop, laptop, wireless earbuds. Heck, there’s even more than just one handheld gaming console!

Just like the smartphone version of GadgetMatch’s Approved list, this is in descending order from most recently published.

GameSir G8 Galileo

“Most smartphone controllers prioritize portability. Thus, they’re more compact. The GameSir G8 Galileo changes all of that because of its size. It’s also not just larger. Its ergonomics are great too. Your hands will sit nicely on the nice, curved handles for a more comfortable, more enjoyable handheld gaming session.

The feel of the controller is fantastic and is easily the most enjoyable out of every other smartphone controller that I’ve tried before.” Rodneil

READ MORE: The GameSir G8 Galileo is great for PS Remote Play

Samsung HW-Q600C Q Soundbar

“The Samsung HW-Q600C Q Soundbar makes you feel your entertainment in both tangible and intangible ways. It adds something extra to your favorite movies, shows, music, and everything in between.” Rodneil

READ MORE: The Samsung HW-Q600C Q Soundbar lets you feel your ‘entertainment’

ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)

ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)

“I have already said this at the start of the article, but it bears repeating. The ROG Zephyrus G14 is an all-eggs-in-one-basket machine that can keep up with you in play, work, and everything else in between.

If I, a long-time Mac user, absolutely HAD TO switch to Windows, this is the laptop that I will go for. “ Rodneil

READ MORE: The ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023) is my top choice

Lenovo Legion Go

“Is this your GadgetMatch? If you’re new to the handheld console market, absolutely. For its price point, you’re getting more than your money’s worth. While Sony is currently struggling with its return to handheld gaming, the Lenovo Legion Go offers an all-around, powerful solution for mobile entertainment.” Luigi

READ MORE: Lenovo Legion Go review: There’s a new king in town

Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)

“As I transition into becoming a recreational athlete who aims to stand on the podium one day, the Garmin epix Pro is the smartwatch I’ve always dreamt of. It’s not my ideal type, but it’s everything I need. I think that’s what matters — both in smartwatch preferences and in our love life.” MJ

READ MORE: I ditched my Apple Watch for the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)

Apple M3 iMac

“If you’re looking for an all-in-one computer for your home, there’s no better choice than the 2023 iMac.

If you’re a PC user looking to switch to a Mac, this might just be your best bet. If you own an Intel model, now is a great time too.” — Michael Josh

Apple M3 Max MacBook Pro

“If you feel like you need more power, more performance, more battery life, go out and buy an M3-powered MacBook Pro. I can go on and on, but simply put, there’s nothing like it in the market today.” — Michael Josh

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

“When it comes to Android tablets, nothing quite comes close to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra from Samsung. It’s definitely best in its class.” — Michael Josh

Xiaomi Pad 6

Xiaomi Pad 6

“The Xiaomi Pad 6 has to be the easiest Android tablet to recommend right now. It’s the ultimate bang-for-your-buck tablet, squeezing out plenty of features and functionality for a package price that’s more than reasonable. Xiaomi has a winner on their hands. One that deserves the GadgetMatch seal of approval.” Rodneil

READ MORE: The Xiaomi Pad 6 is great for the editor on-the-go

ROG Ally

“The ROG Ally is an exciting handheld gaming console. On its own, the ROG Ally is a truly compelling gaming gadget. A relatively affordable handheld with the power to play AAA titles whenever and wherever. It’s pretty easy to justify its place in your gaming lifestyle. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty polished for a first generation device.” Rodneil

READ MORE: ROG Ally review: New handheld gaming king?

Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C

“If you’re in the market for a new TV, I highly recommend the Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C. I think it offers excellent picture quality, plenty of connectivity options, and some extras, all at a reasonable price tag. — Michael Josh

Apple Mac Studio

“If you would consider yourself semi-pro or pro and require more power, then a Mac Studio is definitely worth checking out. Get the Mac Studio if more of your high-end work is done at a desk — whether that be at home or office. I love my Mac Studio, and I know you will too.” — Michael Josh

Apple M2 Max MacBook Pro 16”

“If you need more power and performance, then I also highly-recommend the MacBook Pro. These new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are so powerful and while it may be more power than what you need right now, if you plan on holding onto your machine for say 5 years — maybe even more, then as apps get more and more demanding, you’ll find that your machine will still be able to handle anything you throw at it for many, many years to come.” — Michael Josh

Apple M2 MacBook Air 15″

“It’s so easy to recommend the MacBook Air. It’s a well-built, thin and light laptop, with an affordable price tag. It has enough power for most users. And, it’s complemented by a rich Apple ecosystem.” — Michael Josh

ROG Zephyrus M16

ROG Zephyrus M16

“Overall, the ROG Zephyrus M16 was always designed to be one of the best gaming laptops out there, and this iteration is just no different. There are more affordable options for this model, with one of them at PhP 169,995 for the RTX 4070 model. Even so, that’s still an impressive piece of work that will elevate the gaming experience further.” GadgetMatch

READ MORE: ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 review: Styling on the competition

Uperfect X14 Pro

“I can wholly recommend this product for people who, like myself, like to live off of their phones as their main computing gadget. It gets the job done, usage is just like using any laptop you’ve ever used before.” — Kevin

READ MORE: Uperfect X14 Pro Wireless Lapdock Review

ROG Flow X16

“The ASUS ROG Flow X16 is a great 2-in-1 device that holds its own with nothing extra needed. With powerful hardware embedded inside a relatively slim form factor, it has everything you need for work and play. Whether you’re a competitive gamer or a content creator at heart, you won’t go wrong with this as an option.” GadgetMatch

READ MORE: ASUS ROG Flow X16 review: Great on its own

Apple M2 Mac mini

“If you’re just looking to get the most affordable Mac that you can get today, then, don’t even think about it. I highly recommend the new 2023 M2-powered Mac mini.

Despite its price, don’t be fooled, this is one powerful machine that can do everything you need for work or play.” — Michael Josh

Accessories

Peak Design’s new City Line combines minimalism and color

Less padding, more personality

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Known for its camera-friendly bags with generous padding to protect photography gear, Peak Design is taking a different approach with the City Line.

The new collection prioritizes lightweight construction and everyday functionality, stripping away unnecessary bulk while still delivering the thoughtful organization the brand is known for.

The new collection includes the City Backpack in 15L and 22L sizes, the 15L City Tote, the City Crescent in 6L and 12L options, and the compact 2L City Sling. While each bag serves a different purpose, they all share the same minimalist aesthetics and intuitive organization.

To achieve that lighter design is Peak Design’s new weather-resistant MonoShell material, along with a seam-reduced construction that cuts down on unnecessary bulk.

It also comes with Peak Design’s built-in BagLev hook, allowing you to hang your bag from a table instead of placing it on the floor.

Beyond the neutral and muted finishes we’ve seen in the past, Peak Design is also introducing brighter options that add more personality to the collection.

The vibrant Lapis blue, in particular, stands out as a fun alternative for anyone looking to move beyond the usual black everyday bag.

The City Line is now available through peakdesign.com and authorized retailers worldwide.

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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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Sony WH-1000XM6 gets a new Olive Gray colorway option

The new color launches today.

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Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.

A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.

Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.

Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.

Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.

As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.

In Singapore, the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available starting today through Sony Stores, the Sony Store Online, and authorized dealers for S$649, matching the pricing of the existing color options.

SEE ALSO: Sony WH-1000XM6: Master of sound quality and noise cancellation

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