When the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip line entered my life years ago, it felt like a playful detour that sparked joy in my late twenties.

Seven generations later, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 arrived at a time when I had shed my old skin and rebuilt my strength.

Holding this new version felt like meeting a familiar companion who had also transformed and grown into something far more refined. I saw a glow up I recognized because it mirrored my own.

literally, glowing up

I have seen the Flip evolve through every generation. Calling the Galaxy Z Flip7’s design a small update does not honor the work Samsung put in.

This model feels like a body sharpened by intention, the same way an athlete reaches a new physique through discipline and consistency.

At 13.7 mm folded and 6.5 mm unfolded, it is the slimmest Flip yet. It feels like it dropped unnecessary weight and revealed its strongest form.

It easily fits inside my tiny Rags2Riches purse along with my cards, lip balm from Bench Beauty, and my Poy Sian inhaler. When holding it, it feels natural, almost like a custom grip carved for my daily routine.

Its Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 body feel sturdy without feeling heavy. The matte finish keeps it smudge free and secure.

Despite my clumsy moments and active life, I have never dropped it. I trust this phone in the way I trust my body after years of rebuilding strength.

People once assumed I would never survive ultramarathons because I looked thin and fragile, but that version of me existed seven years ago. Seven years change people, and seven years also change phones.

the color of confidence

The Blue Shadow variant is the signature color of this year’s lineup, and it is stunning.

Still, I felt pulled toward the Coral Red. My spiritual advisor once said that the colors we gravitate to reflect our internal shifts.

Purple and Blue Shadow belonged to my healing era. Coral Red came to me when I was finally ready to live louder.

The moment I held the Galaxy Z Flip7, something in my life began to shift. It became an accessory that matched my renewed courage.

It was the first thing people noticed when I joined events or casual dinners. People asked about it, and each time felt like an invitation to share stories about life and technology.

The Galaxy Z Flip7 amplified my world instead of blending in. Like that line from “Golden” by H/UNTRIX, it felt like stepping into a chapter where hiding is no longer an option because shining has become natural.

strength training for a hinge

My life is fast, demanding, and most of the time, messy. I open and close the Galaxy Z Flip7 more times than I can count.

It reminds me of how I worry about my knees during steep downhill sprints. Yet I trust the Galaxy Z Flip7’s hinge the way I trust my legs after proper rehab.

The new Armor FlexHinge feels smoother and more controlled. The crease is less visible, the same way my knee scars softened after I recovered from that cliffside fall in the Cordilleras.

The hinge performs like it completed a strength program built for elite athletes. It stays stable in various Flex Mode angles and never feels weak.

After more than three months, I have not encountered a single moment that made me concerned about durability. It feels ready to journey with me into another year of reinvention.

now playing: Kimetsu no Yaiba

The main display now stretches to 6.9 inches from last year’s 6.7 inches, while the cover screen expands to 4.1 inches from 3.4 inches with slimmer bezels that give more room to breathe.

It’s bright enough at 2600 nits to use under sunlight and smooth enough at 120Hz to glide through my day.

The bigger cover screen changed my routine. I reach for the phone less and still get what I need. It feels like learning efficient movement in training where every exercise has purpose.

When I had the Galaxy Z Flip7, I was deep into a Demon Slayer marathon. I wanted to catch up before the first part of the Infinity Castle movie arrived, and the timing felt impeccable.

I was casually seeing a doctor who loved the anime, and through his influence, I finished all five seasons in just two weeks.

During lunch, I squeezed in episodes by watching through my iPad Pro and continued the journey through the Galaxy Z Flip7 every night before falling asleep.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is visually rich, and the Galaxy Z Flip7’s vibrant display carried the colors and emotions beautifully.

It felt like watching a moving painting, bright enough to keep me invested even when my eyes were tired after long training days.

The phone was light enough to hold with one hand, which made late-night streaming comfortable. I often drifted into sleep with the anime’s warm glow still playing in my palm, the same way I used to fall asleep after exhausting long runs.

The sound quality was not the Galaxy Z Flip7’s strongest suit. It became loud and cranky when pushed too far, so I kept the volume lower, which worked well for quiet nights and even quieter TikTok spirals.

Still, the Galaxy Z Flip7 handled content consumption smoothly. Whether I was watching Netflix or scrolling through TikTok for story inspiration, the phone kept up in a way that felt seamless.

personal device for a personal life

I assigned the Galaxy Z Flip7 to my personal world. My iPhone 16 Pro handles work, deadlines, productions, and campaigns.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip7 holds my personal content, and the people who deserve my presence after hours.

The Now Brief feature surprised me. I handle many things at once and often miss small but important details. Now Brief feels like having a reliable secretary who keeps track of messages, appointments, and updates.

It makes everything feel lighter. Even when the phone is folded, it supports me in ways I did not expect. The Galaxy Z Flip7 teaches me that sometimes the smaller screen can carry the bigger load.

the stamina to keep up

Unfolded, the Flip7 gives a complete smartphone experience. It’s lean and compact, yet powerful.

It supports all the facets of who I am. Creative director. Lifestyle journalist. Endurance athlete. Entrepreneur. Strategist. Co-founder of a sports team and a sports marketing agency. I have many roles that demand structure, time, and energy. A flagship phone must keep up at all times.

The new chipset delivers smoother performance and improved Wi-Fi stability. The Galaxy Z Flip7 can handle content creation, writing, and bursts of social uploads. Although, it struggles with overheating during long data sessions or when I edit many media files.

The 4300mAh battery is better than before, yet still not enough for my lifestyle. Even so, the Flip7 remains reliable. It’s compact without compromising capability.

It has enough stamina for my personal life, and that is all I need from this phone.

an experience just for you

What I have always loved about Android is the creative freedom that allows a phone to feel like an extension of who you are.

Apple is slowly catching up, yet One UI 8 already gives a level of personalization that feels intentional. Living with the Galaxy Z Flip7 made me appreciate how these refinements upgrade daily life in ways that may seem small yet feel meaningful when added up.

The dynamic wallpapers were a delight. The color tones shifted with the time of day, brightening during mornings and softening at night.

It felt like a gentle reminder that the smallest routines are often the ones that build consistency. Fitness taught me that progress happens through tiny habits that compound in silence, and somehow the Galaxy Z Flip7’s design language echoed that mindset.

Even something as simple as the Weather app felt more polished. It became a small visual check-in that added a bit of calm to busy days.

Depending on how you use your phone, One UI’s enhancements may feel subtle. I noticed them in those moments when life slows down enough for you to appreciate the way technology quietly supports your life.

It truly is in the smallest things where the most meaningful changes begin.

for picture-perfect memories

The Galaxy Z Flip7 has been my daily driver for more than three months, and its cameras consistently produced vibrant, sharp photos.

I relied heavily on the main camera and the cover screen because that feels like the core reason to own a Flip. Flex Mode gave me angles that matched every part of my life.

It supported my workout videos, my best selfies, my solo travel portraits, and spontaneous moments with friends or dates whenever I wanted to capture a memory without involving anyone else.

The hardware stayed the same with its 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and 10-megapixel front shooter.

But the real improvement came from the ProVisual engine. Its software enhancements handled dynamic range and low light more confidently.

It felt oddly similar to how an athlete trains. Your body may look the same from the outside, yet your form and strength grow from refining what already exists.

I’ve shared my sample photographs at my story about my trip to Zhengzhou in China. (READ: Zhengzhou through the lens of Galaxy Z Flip7)

If you haven’t checked that out, here are some of the moments I captured with the Galaxy Z Flip7 throughout the year:

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 your GadgetMatch?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is the strongest version of the Flip so far. It feels like a phone that has gone through its own version of strength training, carrying subtle upgrades that form a noticeable transformation when you live with it every day.

It’s an easy recommendation if you are coming from older Flip models or switching from other Android devices. It even feels refreshing if you want to try something different from a slate phone like an iPhone.

People often assume that my lifestyle is better suited for the Galaxy Z Fold7 because of the volume of work that I handle. I thought the same.

Yet the Galaxy Z Flip7 surprised me by fitting my routines and the life I am building as I continue to grow into this new chapter.

It has the power of a flagship smartphone, cameras that let me document milestones, and a personality that blends effortlessly with mine.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 starts at PhP 70,990 for the 12GB+256GB variant and PhP 78,990 for the 12GB+512GB. It feels worth every bit of the investment if you want a phone that can keep up with your lifestyle while adding a sense of intention and identity.

And because of that, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is a Super Swipe and earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval. It’s a device shaped by years of refinement, much like any athlete who continues to evolve with discipline. Of course, it’s easily my GadgetMatch.

But if you’re wondering if this could be yours, it’s time to Swipe Right if you want a flip smartphone that offers a full and personal experience.

Swipe Left if you still prefer larger devices like the Galaxy Z Fold7 or traditional slate smartphones.

The Galaxy Z Flip7 is an acquired taste, and choosing it feels similar to choosing a sport or a fitness journey. It becomes meaningful only when you are ready for the change it brings.

When a drone removes the pressure of framing your shot, something shifts. Instead of thinking like a cameraman in mid-air, you start feeling like a passenger—gliding, peeking, drifting wherever curiosity points. That’s the Antigravity A1’s biggest trick. It frees you from the usual anxiety of lining up subjects and horizons, and instead hands you a 360° canvas where everything is the shot.

You’re not just flying a drone here. You’re capturing possibilities.

A learning curve that feels worth it

Our first encounter with the A1 wasn’t graceful. The whole kit—the drone, the motion controller, the goggles—looked like more gear than we’d ever want to carry. And honestly, it’s not light. The carrying case helps, but if you’re a creator who travels with limited space, you’ll feel the bulk.

But something changes after you watch Antigravity’s tutorial videos. The setup starts making sense. The workflow becomes clearer. And suddenly this intimidating kit clicks into a system that feels thoughtfully built.

Yes, the A1 demands more commitment than a typical foldable drone. But once everything is running, it also rewards you in ways those drones simply can’t.

Because the moment you let go of traditional framing, the experience opens up.

Flying feels different — and surprisingly freeing

The first few minutes gave us honest-to-goodness vertigo. The goggles trick your brain for a moment, and we had to remind ourselves that we weren’t the ones flying… only the drone was. But after that initial adjustment, the A1 became one of the easiest drones we’ve flown.

This is coming from a team used to a standard RC controller.

The motion controller does have a tiny millisecond delay, but nothing deal-breaking. Once you start moving with it, the A1 responds fast enough to match your intent. The result: a strange but enjoyable combination of freedom and precision.

Range is a bit trickier. The spec sheet promises up to 5km, but real-world conditions paint a very different picture. In our subdivision, we managed only about 500–800 meters before warnings popped up.

In a more open field, we pushed farther—around 1.5km—before the connection dropped again. We’re guessing interference, but it’s a reminder that real-world flight always has variables.

Still, when it’s in the air, the A1 feels smooth, confident, and ready for creativity.

A camera that encourages imagination

This is where the A1 shines the most.

The 8K 360° camera is excellent in well-lit environments. Stitching between lenses is clean, and the lack of blind spots means you can essentially treat the entire sky as a playground. Missed your subject? Reframe later. Didn’t tilt fast enough? Fix it in post.

The camera encourages experimentation because it removes punishment. It lets you fly for fun—and edit with intention later.

Obstacle avoidance also works well, at least in proper lighting. The goggles flash colors and beep based on distance: yellow at around 2.5–5 meters, red when you’re close—around 1–1.5 meters. Just remember: this system does not work in the dark. If visibility is low, the sensors won’t save you.

Return-to-Home, on the other hand, is rock solid. We unplugged the goggles by accident and the drone immediately started flying back. Same thing happened when the signal dropped. It’s reassuring, especially for a drone that encourages bold flights.

The workflow is both smooth… and frustrating

Antigravity’s card reader is great. Plug it into your phone and the app picks it up right away. It reads, writes, and lets you edit without transferring files into internal storage. It’s efficient, and it saves so much time and space.

Wireless transfer, however, needs work. Our phone refused to connect to the drone directly. No wireless transfers, no visibility, just repeated errors. For a product aimed at fast social-ready workflows, this is a weak spot.

Antigravity Studio—the brand’s own editing app—feels familiar if you’ve used CapCut or similar tools. Layout is intuitive, and even if it has its own style, newcomers won’t get lost. You can start editing almost immediately.

Is the Antigravity A1 your GadgetMatch?

The Antigravity A1 isn’t trying to compete with traditional drones. It’s trying to change the way we capture the world from above. And in many ways, it succeeds.

It’s not the smallest setup. It’s not the easiest to pack. And its wireless transfer issues are frustrating.

But once you’re in the air, flying through its goggles, seeing a spherical 8K world you can reframe later—it becomes an entirely different creative experience. The kind that makes the weight worth carrying. The kind that makes you want to go out and try something new.

If you’re a creator who’s tired of shooting the same angles and the same predictable drone footage, the Antigravity A1 opens up a new lane.

One that feels a little wild, a little experimental, and a lot of fun.

When I first unboxed the Razer Raiju V3 Pro, my brain immediately went: okay, this is exciting. It had that wow factor — that feeling of holding a piece of tech that’s meant to do something special. It’s the kind of controller that makes you want to jump straight into a game just to see what all the fuss is about.

Build and feel — familiar, but also very not

Coming from the DualSense, the first surprise is the weight. The Raiju V3 Pro is definitely lighter, but not in a cheap way. Holding it felt different, wider even, and my hands were a little more relaxed because of that added space.

The grip texture is great — no fear of slipping, and it feels particularly good on the bottom of your palm.

The face buttons? Smaller surface area, longer travel. Premium-feeling overall, though I’ll be honest: I’m not entirely convinced the Raiju V3 Pro’s feel matches its price tag. That’s mostly because I’ve tried some GameSir controllers that felt surprisingly similar for a fraction of the price. But still — this feels like a product built with intent.

Gameplay experience — where it actually comes alive

 

Most of my testing happened on NBA 2K26 because… well… that’s the game I always end up playing. And this was the moment the TMR thumbsticks flexed. I found myself doing more dribble combos and experimenting with shot styles using the right stick simply because I had zero fear of drift.

I also jumped into a few fighting games — TEKKEN 8 and My Hero One’s Justice 2 — then humbled myself in several Death Match sessions on Call of Duty Black Ops 7. I even swung through Spider-Man Remastered for a bit. Across all of these, the controller felt responsive, fast, and ready for whatever chaos I threw at it.

HyperTriggers and extra inputs — surprisingly useful

The triggers were most noticeable during my Call of Duty matches. I still sucked at it — let’s be real — but I can totally see how better players would squeeze more value out of the locked fast-trigger mode. The surprise twist was how useful the triggers were for fighting games. Having minimal travel made reaction-based inputs feel snappier and more controlled.

As for the back paddles and claw bumpers: I thought about taking some of them out, but ended up keeping everything on. Eventually, they became little fidget points that didn’t interfere with gameplay.

In practice, I rarely used them because I’m such a muscle-memory player… except in NBA 2K26. I mapped self alley-oops and flashy passing to the extra triggers, which helped because 2K moved those combos around this year.

Thumbsticks — the star of the show

The TMR sticks? Excellent. Smooth, accurate, fluid — all of it. I had fun abusing them without worrying about drift, and NBA 2K26 really let me push them to their limit. COD: Black Ops 7 was harder, but I think that’s more on me than the controller. Maybe a sensitivity tweak or two will fix that over time.

Customization — only what I needed

I’m not the type who loves deep tweaking, so I mostly skipped Synapse. I only used the mobile Razer Controller app to remap the extra triggers. And honestly? That was enough. The controller already felt good out of the box.

Wireless performance — HyperSpeed does its job

No lag. No hiccups. No difference between wired and wireless — seriously. HyperSpeed Wireless worked wonders and felt as reliable as any cable-connected controller I’ve used.

Pain points — minor, but noticeable

There are a couple of things worth noting.

The big one: no haptic feedback. The DualSense’s signature feature simply doesn’t exist here. Razer says this controller was designed with real pro players, and removing rumble seems to be one of those “it’s not needed in esports” decisions.

Honestly? After a while — especially during fast-paced games — I didn’t miss it. Haptics matter more in story-driven titles, and this controller isn’t really meant for those anyway.

One more thing: I couldn’t turn on the PlayStation with the Raiju V3 Pro. I still needed a DualSense for that.

Who is this for?

This controller is for people who play fast-paced, competitive games. Plain and simple.

But it’s also for players who want a controller built to take a beating — the kind that survives long sessions, intense button-mashing, and weekend-long gaming marathons. Its battery life is impressive, too, making it a great backup for when your DualSense suddenly taps out mid-game.

If you want a premium esports controller designed specifically for PS5, this is one of the best — if not the best — option right now.

If you want rumble, adaptive triggers, or a cinematic gaming experience? This isn’t it.

Is the Razer Raiju V3 Pro your GamingMatch?

If I had to describe the whole experience in one line: I’m swiping right because the Razer Raiju V3 Pro is an excellent piece of tech.

But it’s not for everyone, especially not for its asking price (EUR 209.99 / PHP 12,990). You can argue there are cheaper options — absolutely — but most of those lean heavily toward PC.

In the PS5 space, especially for competitive players, this is probably the strongest contender you can buy today.