News

vivo V30 now in Singapore: Pricing, availability

The latest midranger from vivo

Published

March 22, 2024

GadgetMatch

The highly-anticipated vivo V30 is now available in Singapore.

Price, availability

The vivo V30 is available in Petals White and Green Sea for SG$ 699 (256GB). For Singapore consumers, the phone will be available for general sale starting March 23, with preorders now open.

They may purchase through vivo Lazada and Shopee stores, telcos including M1, Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, Gain City, Harvey Norman, other authorized sellers, and vivo concept stores at Bugis Junction, Causeway Point, and NEX.

Preorders come with a free vivo TWS 3e earphones (worth SG$ 69).

New era in portrait photography

The vivo V30 is accompanied by the following cameras:

50MP VCS True Color main camera OIS
50MP AF ultra-wide angle camera
50MP AF group selfie camera

The flagship-level main camera has a 1/1.55-inch sensor size, offering topnotch sensitivity and OIS to allow users to capture night scenes with ease.

There is also a 50MP AF ultra-wide angle camera. That is a leap from the typical 2MP, 5MP, and 8MP ultra-wide cameras from previous generations. With a significantly higher pixel count and 119-degree field of view, this shooter definitely gives users more detail for expansive landscapes and other scenarios.

The series’ camera system is not only ideal for stills; with hybrid OIS+EIS, the phones support smoother and more stable filming. What’s even better is users may leverage the Vlog Movie Creator to help with shortform video creation.

Aura Light 3.0

Accompanying the vivo V30’s cameras is the redesigned Aura Light.

First introduced in the past two V series lines, the Aura Light has expanded with a squared look.. This light it emits covers an area 19 times larger, yet softer than a standard flash. Yet, this improvement preserves the smooth texture of skin most specially in captures.

Moreover, vivo also expanded the Smart Color Temperature Adjustment feature’s color range. With this, users can aptly complement the subject and its surroundings with the proper light color.

An ultra-sensing algorithm system works in conjunction with these hardware. On the other hand, the Portrait Beautification algorithm also processes images right from the moment they are taken. This means the photos are already enhanced when viewed.

Lastly, food connoisseurs will also love the new 3D fill light that aids in shots of food even in dim lighting conditions.

Capable hardware, software

The vivo V30 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. The device carries a 5,000mAh battery that support 80W FlashCharge. Design-wise, the phone is just 7.45mm thick, making it the thinnest 5,000mAh phone in the market.

For its display, the vivo V30 sports a 6.78-inch Ultra Clear Sunlight Display. This 3D curved screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,800nits of maximum brightness. The phone runs the Android 14-based Funtouch OS. It supports 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

News

Lionel Messi’s face just unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra early

Technically, it’s a custom Caviar phone with Messi’s face on it.

Published

July 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: Caviar

And just like that, the World Cup season is over. Spain prevailed over Argentina in a 1-0 caper. Despite the loss, however, Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi is (indirectly) leaving us a little surprise by spoiling the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra a few days early.

Technically, it’s not Messi himself doing the spoiling. Caviar, the infamous luxury smartphone company, has revealed an extravagant Lionel Messi-themed edition of the unannounced Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

As with the brand’s other creations, the special smartphone is covered in 24-karat gold plating. The design is styled to look like Messi and the colors of the Argentinian football team.

Image source: Caviar

Now, before you say that this design is worthless now after the loss to Spain, the edition is meant to celebrate the 2022 win, exemplified by the badge on Messi’s shirt saying “2022”. And even then, Messi is still one of the most globally recognized sports personalities in the world, making this quite the collector’s item.

However, if you’re looking for any hardware leaks, you’re out of luck. The listing has no mention of specs, except for the storage, which includes options for 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Other than that, you’ll have to wait like the rest of us.

Additionally, if you’re interested in the Messi-themed edition, it will cost you a fortune. Caviar’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will start at a whopping US$ 13,130.

Besides its nature as a special edition, this phone is the most official thing we’ve seen of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Samsung is still scheduled to launch the new foldable, along with other models, in a few days. The brand is also rumored to launch a wide version of this model.

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum

A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof

Published

July 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140^th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140^th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.

Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.

Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.

Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.

News

Samsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs

Spot also teases upcoming Galaxy foldable devices

Published

July 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has just premiered a new spot that showcases clips directly from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, just a few weeks before the movie hits cinemas later this month.

The clip showcases Spider-Man as he fights crime and puts his phone through the wear and tear of superhero life.

In the spot, the Fabricator creates a number of devices for Spider-Man built to stand up to the pace and unpredictability of life behind the mask. This includes what clearly looks like a Galaxy Z Flip phone.

This provides a behind the scenes look into how Peter Parker ultimately landed on a Samsung phone — as fans speculated from the first trailer.

Meanwhile, Ned can also be seen using the Spidey Tracker to try and catch Spider-Man throughout the city on his Samsung phone.

The campaign pretty much formalizes Jacob Batalon — who plays Ned Leeds — as Samsung’s Team Galaxy’s newest ambassador.

The clip ends with the text “A brand new shape for a Brand New Day”, which is also a callback to what the brand has been teasing regarding the future of its Galaxy foldable devices.

Samsung to release latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked

Next week, Samsung is set to launch its latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Ahead of the launch, customers who wish to reserve as early as now can get a US$ 30 credit during pre-order, for a total of up to US$ 1,230 in savings.

Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 US$ 500 Samsung.com gift cards towards their purchase.