Features

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro’s cameras are actually smart

Perfect for lazy point-and-shooters

Published

November 25, 2020

Part of writing tech reviews means I also take product photos for a living. It may seem easy at first, but I can guarantee that it takes some practice to get good shots. The same is true for when we take sample photos.

However, I’m human (occasionally trash) and I get tired and lazy too. I had a different article in mind for this feature at first but I wasn’t too happy with some of the shots I took with the Huawei Mate 40 Pro.

But then it hit me. Isn’t this the whole point of having a smartphone camera? It’s supposed to do a lot of the processing and beautification on its own. So what I’m going to show you right now are some of the shots I was “moderately okay” with to showcase just how smart the Mate 40 Pro is as a point-and-shoot-camera.

Insane HDR

The level of detail in this photo is already impressive on its own. The pot with the dead plant/s (I’m not much of a plant person, sorry) is placed against the light source which is the window.

Despite that, not only was the Mate 40 Pro able to produce a shot showing the pot’s details, it also captured the view outside the window.

Not impressed? Here’s what it looked like right before I took the photo.

A little mind-blowing, right?

10X Zoom is the zoom sweet spot

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro can go all the way up to 50X Zoom. But we all know maxxed out zoom levels don’t really produce images you’d be inclined to post on social media.

Thankfully, (and as you can see in the plant screenshot) the camera app actually guides you to different shooting perspectives for optimal use.

When you fire it up, you have the normal distance or 1X zoom. Click the button on the right and you go straight to wide. Click to the left of 1X and you have 5X zoom, and click to left most node and you have 10X Zoom.

So how good is it?

This was taken in 1X at night while I was taking a brisk-ish walk around our compound.

What did I tell you? Lazy shot, right? But it looks fair. The scene was aptly lit and the night mode wasn’t very aggressive. But put your attention on the figure in the middle. Here’s what it looks like after shooting in 10X Zoom.

The level of detail at 10X Zoom, and at night at that, is simply astonishing. It’s such a clean shot given the conditions it was in.

Night Mode is unreal

While we’re at it, let’s talk about the Huawei Mate 40 Pro’s Night Mode. Huawei, in recent years, has done a pretty good job with their night mode. As I mentioned, it’s no longer overly aggressive when it doesn’t need to be.

But when there’s little to no light source, Night Mode really kicks into high gear. Here’s a screenshot of the basketball court before I took the photo.

If I’m not mistaken, this was around seven or eight in the evening. There’s a faint light around the court, but since there’s a pandemic, we can’t really use it to play hoops. That’s why it’s lights off for now.

But here’s the final shot.

Personally, I think the post-processing was extremely aggressive here. The AI was working extra hard filling-in what it thought the colors were of the sky and the trees. It missed a little bit on the ring though as it isn’t green at all in real life.

That said, this is a fantastic showcase of what the Mate 40 Pro’s Night Mode can do even in near pitch-black scenes.

Here’s a bonus night mode shot just to showcase how good it is on an adequately lit scene.

Trying (and failing) at toy photography

The following morning, I decided to try my hand at ‘toy photography.’ So over the pandemic, one of the things I did to cope was buy a few anime figures. But it’s not something I’ve actually done before so this was mostly just for the heck of it and to see how the Mate 40 Pro can do under ample light conditions.

I shot poorly (I think), but the Mate 40 Pro did a lot of heavy lifting. It only occurred to me that perhaps having this colorful a backdrop wasn’t the best idea for highlighting a toy figure.

But here’s the portrait mode shot.

Any Shoto Todoroki stans reading this?

It’s a little darker than in real life, but the background blur is fantastic. Look at the lights on the building in the background. The subject could have been clearer if my hands had been steadier but overall, this isn’t bad at all.

I didn’t really read up on how to do this before trying it but based on some stuff I’ve seen online, toy photography is also about highlighting the details. The zoom function shines here again.

On the left is the 1X shot and on the right is the 5X Zoom. The quality suffers a little but it still manages to showcase the underfoot details of the figure.

I tried taking a closer shot with a bright background. The Mate 40 Pro still captured a fair amount of detail with ample lighting on the subject despite the overpowering source of light on the background.

Again, I wasn’t really too happy with the background so I figured I’d wrap things up. I took one last shot — a face close-up using 5X Zoom.

I haven’t spent that long of a time with the Mate 40 Pro so I was having trouble with focusing. Despite my shortcomings, the image still came out a little okay.

When I actually tried (a little)

A little later on we had to shoot a video for Huawei. It was a rush project so I figured I’d meet up with MJ to wrap things up quickly. With his influence, I actually tried taking proper photos and here’s how they came out.

Oh and here’s portrait mode on an actual person.

Perfect for point-and-shooters

I’m willing to bet most people really don’t want to bother with too many settings or tweaking things here and there. The Huawei Mate 40 Pro really shines in this aspect as the combination of its hardware plus AI shooting does a lot of heavy lifting for most users.

But my general advice is still try a little (haha). It won’t take a lot of effort to capture something amazing when you have the Mate 40 Pro with you.

Watch our Huawei Mate 40 Pro Unboxing and Review.

Features

Why this AI-powered eye health exam is the only reading you need this season

Forget astrology and scary clinics; the future of preventive health is waiting for you in a Vision Express branch!

Published

March 27, 2026

MJ Jucutan

They say the eyes are the windows to your soul. They never lie.

You can always tell when someone is truly thriving because their eyes radiate a certain spark. A glimmer that suggests they are actually winning at life.

But a doctor I once dated (briefly, for research purposes, mostly) told me that eyes are also a sneak peek into your physical survival. A quick check-up can reveal underlying illnesses before they even knock on your door.

The problem is that hospitals and clinics feel intimidating. Most of us avoid check-ups because we’re terrified of what we might find. Ignorance feels like bliss until reality finally catches up.

When I heard Vision Express (VEX) was reimagining eye care through AI, my inner “orange cat” curiosity took over. I dressed up, booked a ride, and headed to Greenbelt 5 in Makati City to see if technology could make health feel less like a chore and more like… well, a treat.

Sanctuary for my senses

The VEX branch in Greenbelt 5 feels less like an eyewear store and more like a prestige lounge. Even with brands like Dior, Gucci, and Cartier shouting from the shelves, the atmosphere remained inviting.

It lacked that “peasant-profiling” energy you sometimes get in luxury boutiques. I just walked in and gasped at the aesthetic. I’d say I immediately felt at home.

While I waited for the Vision7 program, I detoured to the AI Styling Studio. If we’re being honest, shopping for frames is a high-pressure exercise in self-doubt.

You’re constantly asking, “Does this make my face look too round?” or “Is this too much?”

This AI tool acts like a personal shopper with an objective eye. It’s like ordering McDonald’s at a kiosk, but instead of a chicken sandwich, you get a face shape analysis.

The machine measured my jawline, temple, and the gaps between my eyes with the precision of a fitting for a modeling gig. It concluded I have a round face — or oval, if I tuck my bangs away.

The AI suggested square or rectangular frames. Since I’ve spent years badgering friends to tell me if my sunglasses look okay, having a non-judgmental computer give me the green light was a massive relief.

Seeing the bigger picture

Currently, you can access the full Vision7 program for free. I started by filling out my history on a tablet, feeling very much like an official patient (but a fashionable one).

Dr. Daniel, the optometrist, guided me through the process. As a self-proclaimed “professional yapper,” I quickly learned he was VEX’s top doctor for 2025. His expertise (and, let’s be real, his charm) made the technical bits go down smoothly.

We moved through Objective and Subjective Refraction using their state-of-the-art autorefractometer to check for current eye-grade errors. Thankfully, my vision is still perfect after I stopped wearing correction glasses in 2024.

The three-minute miracle

The real magic happened during the Binocular Vision assessment with VisionPlus. In just three minutes, the system used retinal imaging and machine learning to generate a clinical health report.

I’ll admit, I was nervous. Despite my “perfect” vision, family history is a ghost that haunts your medical charts.

I watched as the AI screened for systemic conditions: hypertension, diabetes, and even early signs of cognitive decline or cardiovascular risks.

Surprisingly, the results came and showed I am “Low Risk” across the board. The system even tagged me as “Very Low Risk” for things as serious as cardiac arrest, provided I maintain my current lifestyle.

The report, which landed instantly in my inbox, gave me tailored advice on diet and sports. It turned out my athletic lifestyle and love for good food weren’t just fun: they were working.

Redefining the retail visit

Unlike traditional checks that only care about your lens prescription, this experience felt like a preventive-health intervention hidden inside a shopping trip.

It proved that an eye exam can be a powerful window into your total health, made easy through clinical-grade AI.

In a world where AI can feel cold or intimidating, this is its most human use case: giving us the clarity to live our lives without fear.

I walked out with a clean bill of health, a clear mind, and yes, I might have lingered just a second longer at the Gucci frames on my way out. After all, I needed to celebrate my health in style.

Try out VisionPlus at Vision Express’s branches at SM Cebu, SM City Cebu, Ayala Cebu, Ayala Glorietta 2, Ayala Greenbelt 5, Ayala One Bonifacio High Street, Ayala Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA – The Block, The Podium, and Ortigas Greenhills Mall.

Features

Why the OPPO Reno15 5G series is a creator’s essential

4K Ultra-Steady, 50MP groufies, and AI edits in one device.

Published

March 19, 2026

MJ Jucutan

There are two kinds of travel essentials: the ones you pack because you have to, and the ones you pack because they make the story better.

Often, we feel forced to choose between traveling light and bringing the bulky gear necessary to document the trip properly.

On your next trip, the OPPO Reno15 5G Series eliminates that compromise. With a thoughtful mix of hardware and software, it becomes your pocket-sized production crew, ready to capture life as it unfolds.

The crew in your pocket

The first rule of travel is to keep things light, but for a creator, “light” cannot mean lower quality.

Whether you are navigating crowded night markets or chasing the golden hour on a steep, adventurous rooftop, the 4K Ultra Steady feature ensures your footage looks composed even when the environment is chaotic.

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This stabilization changes the energy of a travel vlog, turning handheld montages into polished, cinematic clips that are ready for a Reel the moment you hit save.

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Capturing everything and everyone

Travel stories are built on shared memories, but too often, the person behind the lens is left out.

Group shots often become a messy scramble to squeeze everyone into a tight frame. The 50MP Selfie Camera changes that outcome with its 0.6x ultra-wide-angle mode

It captures the entire group with sharp detail across the frame, ensuring no one is relegated to the blurry edges.

Even if you need to crop the image later for a specific social media layout, faces remain clear and the background stays defined.

The result is a “groufie” that feels complete and professional

Scroll-stopping memories

We often summarize our trips through collages: layered photos that tell a single story.

The AI Motion Photo Popout tool brings a new dimension to these memories. With a few taps in the Gallery, the subject separates from the background to create a sophisticated, layered effect.

These edits serve as the perfect foundation for Instagram Story covers, Reel thumbnails, or high-quality personal wallpapers.

It’s a subtle digital adjustment that makes a visible difference in how your audience experiences your journey.

Reliability for the modern creator.

A smartphone is no longer just a gadget; it is a creative partner. The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G features a sleek design that looks at home beside a passport or a boarding pass.

It’s light enough for long days of exploration but polished enough for high-end city trips. The reliable battery life supports early flights, full-day itineraries, and even late-night uploads.

You’ll spend less time searching for an outlet and more time capturing the moments that matter.

Which OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is your GadgetMatch?

The series offers variants designed to fit your specific creative style.

Pick the OPPO Reno15 5G if you want a balanced everyday companion, and if you want flexibility and reliability without overcomplicating the process.

There’s the OPPO Reno15 Pro; the choice for creators where photography and videography are the main event, offering enhanced tools in a compact form.

But if you’re a value-conscious traveler who wants a practical entry point that provides core camera and AI features, then the OPPO Reno15 F 5G is your GadgetMatch.

Whichever you choose, the series proves that a travel accessory can do more than complement an outfit. It preserves your stories because it doubles as a content creator’s must-have tool.

The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is now available in OPPO stores nationwide and the OPPO Online Store.

SEE MORE: The art of being in and behind the frame | OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review

Features

Galaxy AI on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

So you can focus more on what matters

Published

March 13, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles and JP

@gadgetmatch A phone that does more… so you can focus more on the moments that matter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra lets Galaxy AI handle the small stuff so you can stay present for the moments that matter. Also great for the occasional KPop concert video. Pre-order until March 17 and get double storage worth up to PhP 14,000. https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/buy/ #GalaxyS26Ultra #EverydaywithGalaxyAI @samsungph ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

Here’s the dream: a phone that helps you stay on top of things, so you can focus more on what matters.

That’s basically the idea behind Galaxy AI on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Instead of adding more things to do, the phone helps take care of the small stuff for you. Things like reminding you what’s next, or surfacing the information you need right when you need it.

So you spend less time digging through apps and more time actually doing the things you planned to do.

Editing photos is easier too. With Photo Assist, you can just describe the change you want… and Galaxy AI fills in the rest.

And if you’re cleaning up a video, Audio Eraser can reduce background noise — even from clips on third-party apps like Instagram or YouTube.

The point isn’t to make your phone the center of attention. It’s to make it helpful enough that you can forget about it for a while. Until something worth capturing happens.

And when things get a little chaotic — like concerts, street performances, or just life moving fast — Super Steady Video helps keep your shots level.

That’s definitely coming with me to the next K-pop concert.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra. Smarter phone. Slightly less stressed me.
Pre-orders are open now — with double storage for early buyers, plus additional discounts and installment offers from participating banks.

Which is great… because apparently I shoot way too many videos.