News

#ShotoniPhone: iPhone Photography Tips

Plus, exclusive sessions at Apple to hone your photography and videography skills

Published

February 11, 2021

GadgetMatch

Taking photos and videos on an iPhone? Scott Woodward, a Singaporean-based photographer, shares some of his tips for taking the perfect shot on an iPhone. Take advantage of these tips which you might find indispensable when shooting on the go.

1. Use the Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is perhaps the most well-known “rule” of photographic composition. Imagine your image is divided into 9 equal rectangles by 2 vertical lines and 2 horizontal lines. The Rule of Thirds dictates that you should position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they intersect, for more well balanced and interesting photos. This asymmetry makes photos more appealing to a viewer because it causes visual tension.

Turn on your grid in your iPhone settings to assist with guiding your composition.

2. Add life to landscapes

Beautiful landscape shots can be breathtaking, but if you’ve ever been subjected to a friend of a family member’s holiday snaps, you know how dull they can become after you’ve looked at dozens of them in a row. Try adding people to your landscape photographs – living elements tend to evoke stronger emotions in viewers.

Even if they occupy just a little bit of space within your frame, human touch helps make a more powerful photograph: it gives scale to an image, offers perspective, and adds drama.

3. Take advantage of the Golden Hour

The most critical ingredient in all great photographs is lighting. The best images always make interesting, powerful use of light. The sun’s angle significantly affects the warmth, contrast.

Practice understanding how light works, reflects, and warms. As often as possible, shoot in the warm “golden hours” of early morning and late afternoon (one hour after sunrise or one to two hours before sunset; this is when the sun is low and the light is soft and yellow/orange).

4. Take photos and videos during the Blue Hour (Night Mode)

Blue Hour is that magical time when the sun has already set, but there’s still some light left in the sky. This twilight period — typically about 20 minutes after sunset — is special because, for a few fleeting moments, the sky takes on a predominantly blue shade.

Night Mode on iPhone 12 makes it even more dramatic. Night Mode automatically turns on when the camera detects a low-light environment and, using a combination of hardware and software, helps bring out the detail in the dark areas of your image while preserving the night time feeling.

5. Take some risks

An iPhone is much easier to handle than a DSLR — it is lighter and more compact, which means that you can use it to effortlessly make more interesting photographs. You can use this to your advantage: be on the lookout for dynamic and creative angles, and experiment and push yourself outside your comfort zone.

Shoot without looking at the screen. Track a moving subject with your camera. Get on the ground and shoot up or get on a balcony and shoot down. Keenly observe your surroundings for natural frames, symmetry, reflection, patterns, and textures.

The more creative you get, the more you’ll learn about what works and what doesn’t. Your photographs will be better or maybe you’ll just get lucky and make a beautiful accident.

#ShotoniPhone, Today at Apple sessions, Apple Music hits

On a related note, Apple is also showcasing its #ShotoniPhone movie — Nian — which is directed by Lulu Wang. The movie is a reimagining of a Chinese New Year legend as a contemporary coming-of-age story. The team shot the whole movie using an iPhone 12 Max. You can view the film here.

For those wanting to level up their photography and videography game, there is also Today at Apple sessions starting this February until March 14. During the sessions, you can connect with various photographers and videographers and learn the tools of their trade.

Virtual Studio: Picture This with Scott A. Woodward (14 February, 3:00 pm)

As part of the Joyful Perspectives series, join award-winning photographer Scott A. Woodward online as he inspires you to reframe your every day using your iPhone. He’ll share his pro tips on everything from cool composition to capturing the magic of the golden hour. You’ll explore night mode, portrait mode, and more to take striking photos in all situations. You will also get editing tips to make your pictures pop.

Virtual Studio: Celebrations in Slow-mo with Chai Yee Wei (20 February, 3:00 pm)

Capture celebratory moments in slow motion using your iPhone in this virtual session with filmmaker Chai Yee Wei. He’ll share how memories are best-appreciated frame by frame and how he stretches time to amplify them in his work. You’ll explore Slo-mo, Timelapse, and more to record fun videos at home with the Camera app. Join more sessions to push your creativity in the Joyful Perspectives series.

Virtual Studio: Crafting Stories in Film with Ang Geck Geck (27 February, 3:00 pm)

Discover how to shoot and edit emotive stories using your iPhone with filmmaker Ang Geck Geck. As part of the Joyful Perspectives series, she’ll introduce you to her visual language and share tips on framing your shots using the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. You’ll explore the creative power of editing in iMovie to craft your own compelling narrative. Sign up for the session here.

Meanwhile, Apple Music has also collaborated with 10 top C-Pop artists such as E.SO, Miriam Yeung, Shi Shi, and Nathan Hartono to curate a playlist based on the theme “Recharge, Review, Remember”.

You can access these playlists with the following links:

App Store and Apple TV deals

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, special deals on design and editing apps will be available at the Apple App Store. There will also be limited-time in-app purchases from select games such as Genshin Impact, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and Clash of Clans.

Meanwhile, Apple TV subscribers can get family-friendly hits such as Frozen II, Onwards, and Sonic the Hedgehog at unmissable prices from February 11 onwards. Classic Chinese movies such as God of Gamblers, A Better Tomorrow, and Once Upon a Time in China will also be available in 4K.

Related Topics:Apple iPhone iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Pro

Lifestyle

NBA, Salmon team up for multi-year partnership

In the Philippines

Published

August 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

NBA x Salmon Philippines | NBA House Philippines

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Salmon have announced a multi-year marketing partnership that makes the financial technology company an Official Partner of the NBA in the Philippines.

The announcement was made on August 29 at NBA House Philippines 2026 presented by Gatorade in Makati City. NBA Head of Southeast Asia and Asia Marketing Sheila Rasu, NBA Asia Head of Growth and Innovation Ed Winkle, and Salmon Co-Founders George Chesakov, Pavel Fedorov, and Raffy Montemayor attended the announcement.

Bringing NBA experiences closer to fans

Through the partnership, Salmon will engage basketball fans through NBA-themed consumer promotions, fan events, and NBA-branded premiums.

Salmon will also have a presence at major NBA events in the Philippines. This includes serving as a Supporting Partner of NBA House Philippines 2026, a free basketball experience and fan event at SPACE in One Ayala on August 29 and 30.

Starting with the 2026-27 season, Salmon will also become the Presenting Partner of the NBA 3X Philippines Open. The tournament features men’s and women’s 3-on-3 teams alongside NBA entertainment.

“Basketball is a part of our daily lives as Filipinos, from the courts in our barangays to the TV screens in our homes,” said Salmon Co-Founder Raffy Montemayor.

Montemayor said the company wants Salmon to become a reliable partner for Filipinos’ everyday money moments. He added that working with the NBA gives the brand a way to connect with Filipinos through something they already love.

Rasu said Salmon shares the NBA’s commitment to using basketball to bring Filipinos together. She added that the partnership will create new touchpoints for fans through events such as NBA House and the NBA 3X Open.

NBA continues its PH presence

Filipino fans can watch NBA games through One Sports, RPTV, NBA TV Philippines, Disney+, Pilipinas Live, Prime Video, and NBA League Pass through the NBA App. The league also maintains localized social media accounts on Facebook, TikTok, and X.

The partnership comes as the NBA continues to deepen its presence in the Philippines, one of the league’s major basketball markets.

Salmon is a financial technology brand in the Philippines owned by Salmon Group. Its local operations include Salmon Bank (Rural Bank) Inc., a BSP-regulated entity, and Salmon Finance Inc., an SEC-licensed financing company.

News

realme 16T 5G with 8000mAh battery, IP69 Pro rating launches in PH

Pre-order perks include discount, extended warranty, more

Published

August 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The realme 16T 5G has officially launched in the Philippines. This midrange device is headlined by an 8,000mAh battery, 50MP main camera, and IP69 ruggedness.

Available in Aurora Green and Starlight Black, the realme 16T 5G is priced at:

PhP 22,999 (8GB+128GB)
PhP 24,999 (8GB+256GB)

But starting August 28, customers can get the lower-priced variant for as low as PhP 15,731.

At all official realme stores nationwide, customers who pre-order the realme 16T 5G from August 28 to September 3 and claim their reserved unit from September 4 to 15 can enjoy offers worth PhP 7,298.

Pre-order perks include:

Free Laifen SE Lite Hair Dryer
Free Privilege Card with 6-Month Extended Warranty and 6-Month Damage Protection
Instant PhP 2,000 off

Meanwhile, customers who purchase the smartphone during the First Selling Period from September 4 to 15 can enjoy offers worth PhP 3,499, including an instant discount.

Furthermore, the device is available for flexible payment options via Home Credit (0% at up to 18 months).

More power, more moments

As previously teased, the realme 16T 5G comes with power and endurance designed to last for years. The 8,000mAh Titan Battery’s large battery capacity enables users to wield the device for up to two days on a single charge.

This battery also comes with a 7-Year Battery Health Guarantee, retaining at least 80% capacity even after being with the owner for years. When it is time to recharge, the battery supports 45W SUPERVOOC charging.

On its back is a 50MP Sony IMX852 main sensor, running on TÜV Rheinland-certified LumaColor IMAGE Algorithm. This is built for accurate skin tones and balanced exposure between subject and background.

The camera package’s standout feature is Vibe Master Mode, which gives shots a classic film camera look straight out of the app. Users can also switch to Pro mode and shoot in RAW DNG for extra editing room.

They can also tweak settings directly before pressing the shutter so captures would be ready for posting.

The realme 16T 5G also comes with NEXT AI imaging suite for quick AI-powered editing features. This suite includes AI Edit Genie 2.0, AI Perfect Shot, AI Eraser, AI Portrait Glow, and AI Instant Clip.

In front, the phone comes with a 6.8-inch 144Hz display with up to 1,200 nits of peka brightness. The phone also carries an IP69 Pro rating for water and dust protection, as well as Armor Shell and military-grade shock resistance.

News

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE brings Galaxy AI upgrades

enhanced cameras, Galaxy AI, and One UI 9

Published

August 27, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has announced the Galaxy S26 FE, the newest addition to its Galaxy S26 lineup. It is also the first phone in the series to launch with One UI 9.

Samsung says the phone focuses on the features users value most. It combines enhanced cameras, more context-aware Galaxy AI, and a thin and light design.

Sharper capture and easier editing

The Galaxy S26 FE features an enhanced triple rear camera system. Samsung says its improved image processing helps users capture both still scenes and fast-moving subjects.

The phone also gets My FanCam, which first appeared on Samsung’s latest foldables. The feature automatically tracks a selected person and keeps them centered in the frame. It can then reframe the video as the scene changes.

For video, Super Steady with Horizontal Lock helps keep footage smoother and more level. Samsung positions it for everything from fast-moving activities to travel and everyday scenes.

The Galaxy S26 FE also supports 3x optical zoom. Its upgraded 12-megapixel front camera captures a wider 80-degree field of view.

Samsung’s Nightography returns for low-light photography. It aims to produce brighter and clearer shots while retaining detail in challenging conditions.

Photo Assist also makes its way to the phone. Users can edit photos with natural language prompts. They can change the time of day, add elements, or restore missing parts. Samsung also lets users review edits step by step and undo them.

The phone also supports Gemini Omni for creating and editing video clips from photos and videos stored in the Gallery. Samsung says this can turn existing media into polished, ready-to-share videos.

One UI 9 brings smarter AI

The Galaxy S26 FE launches with One UI 9 and a range of context-aware Galaxy AI features.

Samsung has updated Now Brief with customizable briefing cards. These can include information such as weather and wellness insights. Users can also create their own cards with a simple prompt.

Now Nudge now extends to select third-party apps and notifications. It surfaces timely suggestions throughout the day to help users act on relevant information.

Samsung has also expanded Circle to Search with Google. Users can now search for multiple items in an image at the same time.

Built for all-day use

The Galaxy S26 FE packs a 4,900mAh battery. Samsung says it can reach up to 69 percent charge in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter.

It also has a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Samsung says the screen is designed for streaming, gaming, browsing, and creative work.

Samsung has also improved the setup experience. Smart Switch can wirelessly transfer data from Android and iOS devices by scanning a QR code. This includes passwords, passkeys, call history, accessibility settings, and eSIM data.

The company promises up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. Samsung Care+ also provides additional coverage and device support.

The phone also comes with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro. The offer includes expanded AI capabilities and 5TB of cloud storage.

Price and availability

In the Philippines, the Galaxy S26 FE starts at PhP 46,990 for 128GB. The 256GB model costs PhP 53,990, while the 512GB model costs PhP 67,990.

The phone comes in Blueberry, Graphite, and Pistachio. It is now available at Samsung Experience Stores nationwide. Samsung.com availability begins September 11.

Samsung is also offering introductory discounts until November 30. The 512GB model gets PhP 7,000 off, while the 256GB model gets PhP 5,000 off. The release also lists a PhP 4,000 discount for 256GB, which appears to be a duplicate in the supplied press release.

Customers can also get up to 15 percent off for up to 36 months through select bank partners. Trade-ins come with up to PhP 6,000 in guaranteed savings.