News
Android 12 Beta: Everything you need to know
Android’s redesign over the years, while helpful, hasn’t been too striking. Ever since the implementation of Material Design, Google’s mobile OS has largely looked the same. That changes with Android 12 Beta.
With Android 12, Google has revamped everything from the overall experience, colors, shapes, lights, and motion.
Material You
Google’s approach to Android 12 is to make sure it’s designed for you, for us, the users. In that vein, they’re calling this new design language Material You. This means a deeper integration of hardware and software.
In a separate media session, a Google representative pointed out that when Material Design first came out, Google wasn’t making their own hardware yet. That has since changed, and Material You is their answer to a more harmonious hardware and software.
Custom Color Palette
A Pixel-only feature, Custom Color Palette lets users completely personalize Android 12 with their color of choice along with redesigned widgets.
Based on your wallpaper, it will use color extraction to identify which colors are dominant, which are complimentary and will then apply these colors throughout the entire OS. That’s everything from the widgets, notification shade, lock screen, and more.
Redesigned System Spaces
This is perhaps one of the most different-looking aspects of Android 12 Beta. Instead of tiny icons, the Quick Settings area now provides more information on each setting. This makes it easier for the user to control pretty much the primary settings of the entire OS by just swiping and tapping.
The Google Pay and Home controls have also been added to Quick Settings for faster access and easier customization.
These also sit nicely with your notifications that also look extra clean and is very much in line with the look of the Quick Settings.
Private and Secure
While we’re in Quick Settings, a new addition gives you access to the Privacy Dashboard. Here you can toggle permissions like mic and camera usage per app. Google says this is almost akin to physically covering the cameras on your phone.
The Privacy Dashboard also gives you granular control as to what data is being accessed and tracked. If you don’t want an app track a certain thing, you can easily revoke the permission from this dashboard.
Location tracking is also even deeper now as you get to choose whether you share your precise location or just your general one. Or perhaps not at all. The idea is that you have full control.
Google is also introducing Android Private Compute Core to Android 12. They say it helps them show features that are private by design while keeping the users’ personal information safe, private, and local to the phone.
Fluid Motions and Animations
Naturally, with any OS update, comes the promises of better and smoother overall animation. Google says Android 12 will feel alive with every tap, swipe, and scroll. Performance improvements include reducing the CPU time needed for core system services by up to 22% and reducing the use of big cores by the system server by up to 15%.
Compatible Devices
As of writing these are the devices that we know will be compatible with Android 12 Beta:
- All Google Pixel phones
- ASUS Zenfone 8
- OPPO Find X3 Pro
- OnePlus 9
- OnePlus 9 Pro
- realme (devices not yet specified)
- Sharp (devices not yet specified)
- Nokia X20
- Xiaomi Mi 11
- Xiaomi Mi Ultra
- Mi 11i/ Mi 11XPro
- iQOO 7 Legend
- TCL 20 Pro 5G
- Tecno Camon 17
- ZTE Axon 30 Ultra 5G (China only)
Interested testers can download the firmware here.
News
nubia to launch new Neo 5 series gaming phones on March 28
Head to SM Megamall for activities, guest appearances, surprises
nubia Philippines will officially launch the nubia Neo 5 series gaming smartphone on March 28 at their “Enter The NEOVerse: Born To Win” event. It will be held at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Metro Manila.
The nubia Neo 5 series’ design and details will be unveiled during the event. It is inspired by the REDMAGIC Gaming Lab, which is behind the REDMAGIC’s high-performance gaming ecosystem.
The nubia Neo 5 series will introduce a bold gaming-centric aesthetic, paired with performance-driven specs.
Customers can expect a sleek, futuristic styling, as well as powerful hardware engineered to elevate everyday mobile gameplay.
Across the lineup, users can expect high refresh rate displays, powerful processors, advanced cooling systems, and the familiar gaming triggers from the previous series.
It does look like nubia is adding AI-powered gaming optimization to give players an extra edge for every competitive match.
All these, of course, minus the flagship price tag.
Enter the NEOverse
At nubia’s launch event, the activity area will be transformed into a gaming-inspired universe.
Guests can explore interactive zones, participate in challenges, and experience the nubia Neo 5 series firsthand. They can also unlock exclusive rewards and prizes.
Moreover, the event will feature appearances from nubia ambassadors Sanya Lopez and ONIC Philippines.
From there, there will be 1v1 gaming sessions with ONIC PH players, as well as a special “Play” segment featuring a yet-to-be-revealed cosplayer.
nubia will also offer event-exclusive deals for early shoppers during the launch. Customers can enjoy up to seven premium freebies per nubia Neo 5 model. This is available for the first 100 customers.
Furthermore, nubia will officially announce its TikTok Super Brand Week, as well as partnerships with Yanlala and Geely.
News
REDMI Note 15 Series named Presenting Partner for Spartan Race Philippines 2026 season
Titan Toughness takes center stage!
Being a Spartan athlete for five years has taught me that endurance isn’t just about physical strength; it’s about the mental grit to keep moving when your body begs you to stop.
In this world, “toughness” becomes more than just a marketing buzzword. Now, it’s a requirement for survival. That’s why the partnership between Spartan Race Philippines and the REDMI Note 15 Series feels like a shared philosophy.
Partner for a tough course
Starting March 21, 2026, at Parklinks, Pasig City, the REDMI Note 15 Series officially joins the Spartan circuit.
For someone who has navigated these obstacles for years, I know that technology usually doesn’t belong in the mud. But the “Titan Tough” promise of the REDMI Note 15 is built for this exact routine.
It’s designed to be there for the moments that matter. For capturing the raw, unpolished triumph of the finish line; for surviving the grit of the course so you can focus on the next hurdle; and for finding the device at the heart of the festival area and the winner’s circle, mirroring the resilience of the athletes themselves.
Join the journey
Whether you are a seasoned elite racer or stepping into your first Open heat, this season is about testing your limits.
To help you get to that starting line, you can use the discount code REDMINOTE15 to get 10% OFF on all Spartan Race OCR, Spartan Kids Race, and Hurricane Heat events.
See you at the starting line. AROO!
HONOR Philippines has launched its latest mass-market smartphone entry that caters to students and the youthful market in general: the HONOR X8d.
The budget smartphone is priced at PhP 15,999 and is available in Blue, Velvet Black, and Velvet Grey colors.
As part of launch offers, those who pre-order until March 27 can get a free accessory and can also avail of 0% installment plans via credit cards and Home Credit.
Customers can get the device through Lazada, Shopee, and HONOR stores.
REVIEW: The HONOR X8d is serviceable
The HONOR X8d is powered by a Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM (plus 8GB expansion) and 256GB of storage.
It has a large 7,000mAh battery which supports 45W charging, making it a very long-lasting daily value companion.
The device features a 6.77-inch 120Hz display which has up to 3,000 nits of brightness, making it useful for practical situations.
The handset comes with usual display certifications and protections, including 3840Hz PWM dimming, E-Book mode, SGS drop resistance, and an IP65 rating.
For its cameras, the X8d has a 108MP main camera, plus a 16MP front camera. The main shooter can capture decent quality at 1x, 2x, and 3x zoom ranges.
There are also handy AI editing tools like AI Eraser, AI Cutout, and AI Upscale.
Out of the box, the HONOR X8d runs on MagicOS 10 based on Android 16. It also has staple productivity tools like AI Translate, AI Writing, AI Notes, and AI Recorder, alongside features such as Magic Portal and Circle to Search.
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