Accessories
Redmi Buds 6 Pro review: Fancy that ANC
Pocket-friendly ANC earbuds, literally and figuratively
I fondly remember saving up my first paycheck as a full-fledged GadgetMatch team member in 2019 just to buy the first-gen AirPods.
It wasn’t about the hype — I just wanted earphones that wouldn’t tangle in my bag during my grueling commutes. Also, with smartphone brands steadily ditching the 3.5mm audio jack, it felt like the right time to go wireless.
Fast forward nearly six years, and the industry has evolved. What’s more surprising? Brands like Redmi (or Xiaomi) now offer ANC-equipped TWS earbuds for less than half the price of an AirPods Pro.
Enter the new Redmi Buds 6 Pro — and I’m here to put them to the test.
Non-existent heft
Upon unboxing the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, its heft (or lack thereof) totally surprised me.
It’s so light that I barely felt it right after holding the whole wearable (yes, even when the buds are already inside the case).

Putting it in all sorts of pockets gave me nothing but featherweight lightness.
To be specific, the whole combo only weighs at just 46.5 grams.

I am neither sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Obviously, the huge downside is when someone loses either the buds or the case (or both).
This also means one should stay vigilant at all times when using them out and about.
Double the purple
The Redmi Buds 6 Pro I have comes in this flashy Lavender Purple colorway.

Although purple isn’t in my list of color faves, it’s still a compelling change as most of the earbuds I receive are either in the AirPods-like white or a striking yet more scratch-attracting black coating.
And by that, the other colors of the Redmi Buds 6 Pro come in the usual bland offerings aforementioned: Glacier White and Space Black.

Aside for that shiny silver trimming on the buds’ sides, there are no other contrasting elements when you decide to get this device.
From the case all the way to the buds’ rubber tips, they are all in the same hue.
If there’s one thing I love about its overall aesthetics, it’s none other than the light strip on its case — and it isn’t there just for show.

It was a smart move of Redmi to include this as it serves as the primary battery level indicator of the case. And it’s not just a single light bar. It actually decreases based on the case’s battery percentage.
This is a very handy-dandy feature for someone like me. Now, I don’t always have to check the app just to see if the case has enough charge to juice up my depleted buds.
Fair with ‘Fast Pair’
Right upon powering on the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, most of my Android devices were able to detect it.

Funny enough, my colleague Luigi, complained how the device continuously pops-up on his Pixel phone when I tried pairing the buds to one of my devices. This just means how effective its Google Fast Pair feature is.

Upon detection, it has prompted me to install the Xiaomi Earbuds app — dedicated to all TWS earbuds under the Xiaomi and Redmi brand.
And just like the Xiaomi Buds 5 I’ve held and reviewed a while back, pairing the new Redmi Buds 6 Pro was a breeze.
Feelin’ the familiarity
As this wasn’t the first earbuds I got under Xiaomi’s ecosystem, breezing everything in the app wasn’t an issue.

I still get to see all the EQ presets, with the freedom to manually adjust each and every level and bandwidth.
More so, the ability to toggle between three different ANC modes — which I’ll talk about in a separate section shortly.

Gestures are also customizable for each bud without affecting one another.

Although unlike other “Pro” buds that rely on stem squeezes through its Force Touch sensors, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro has the generic touch-inclined stem taps.
Fortunately, the up and down gestures I found valuable on the Xiaomi Buds 5 (meant for volume adjustments) remain here.

Sufficing Sound
On paper, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro has a promising set of custom coaxial triple drivers: dual 6.7mm Piezoelectric ceramic drivers, single 11mm Dynamic driver with Titanium diaphragm.

It also promises Hi-Res Wireless Audio with LDAC. And upon inspecting the Redmi Buds 6 Pro via System Settings (not Xiaomi’s app), it was true to its words.
Even more, I double-checked my Xiaomi Buds 5 and the latter offers Qualcomm’s aptX out of the box.

Xiaomi Buds 5 | aptX Codec
As much as possible, we need to stay away from the very basic SBC. Redmi offering LDAC in such price range is already a blessing.
But, I’m not here to make your world even more confusing. These audio terms are just too much to digest for an ordinary user.

Xiaomi Buds 5 | 2024
Despite the hardware the Redmi Buds 6 Pro offers, my ears could still pinpoint the audio weaknesses it has compared to its closest Xiaomi rival.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 still delivers the better audio experience with enriched highs and mids, alongside a fuller, deeper bass.

I tried each and every preset for the fairest comparison possible. Let alone, playing lossless audio tracks in Apple Music.
My custom EQ preset is even synced across the board so there’s no setting to miss.

Safe to say, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro produces adequate audio quality for its price — but not totally surpassing what the Xiaomi Buds 5 offers from the get-go.
Seeking for ANC
As an introvert who wants to block as much noise as he could from the world around him, having ANC in such device and price is a true gift from the gods.
And what makes the Redmi Buds 6 Pro different from the base Redmi Buds 6 (and also the Xiaomi Buds 5 I’ve repeatedly mentioned) are the inclusion of rubber tips.

Upon first fit, the attached rubber tips were not holding up quite well in both of my ear canal. Thankfully, there are two more supplied tips in the box ranging between small and large.
@gadgetmatch
But then, I can’t help myself but to further compare the ANC feature of the two earbuds.
As surprising as it sounds, there’s barely any stark difference — even with the right type of rubber tips already in my ears.

There’s also nothing grand when switching between “Light” and “Deep” levels of ANC.
We were given the notion that ANC should perform “better” when you wear it with silicone ear tips. However, that’s not the case here.

Redmi’s inclusion of rubber ear tips in the Buds 6 Pro doesn’t make it the better ANC performer.
Even with an open-ear design, Xiaomi’s Buds 5 was able to shut off as much as background noise as it could.

I could go beyond the recommended volume level just to shush all those noise but I’d rather not have a hearing impairment.
Also, wearing buds with rubber tips get discomforting over longer periods of time. Thus, my personal preference of picking open-ear buds any time of the day.
Long-Lasting
If there’s one thing I can truly brag about the Redmi Buds 6 Pro, it’s none other than its overall endurance.

During my long 2 hours of travel going to the Metro, the Redmi Buds 6 Pro was still able to save around 60% of charge.
Even when doing this write-up, I was able to play 5-hours worth of my K-Pop album playlist nonstop. Mind you, with ANC turned on.

I started using it from around 1:30PM with a full-charge and ended around 6PM. Result? There’s still 20% battery charge left.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 I have only lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours max.

This is also one reason why it’s so hard to kill its case just to show the gradience of its light strip battery bar — mentioned a while back.
Is the Redmi Buds 6 Pro your GadgetMatch?
With an SRP of just EUR 74.99 / PhP 3599 / SG$ 95 (around US$ 78), the Redmi Buds 6 Pro is shockingly cheap for what it offers.

I would Swipe Right if the Redmi Buds 6 Pro offered the better ANC experience. Unfortunately, the ANC it delivers is as much as you can only get on the Xiaomi Buds 5.
Having to experience the better sound offered wholly by its Xiaomi counterpart, I would still pick that as the better value. Not to mention, their price differences aren’t that huge to begin with.

If we were to compare, the Xiaomi Buds 5 in Italy has a discounted price of EUR 79.99 — which is just 5 Euros more than Redmi Buds 6 Pro’s EUR 74.99 price tag. In Singapore, there’s a SG$ 17 gap with its SG$ 112 SRP.
Meanwhile in the Philippines, it’s sold for PhP 4599. That PhP 1000 gap might look little or too much depending on who’s going to buy it but personally, that extra price is justifiable with THE better audio quality and all in all aesthetics. Also, the bonus built-in recorder.
SEE ALSO: Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Way greater than the AirPods 4?
Accessories
CASETiFY Match: Finding the right case for your Galaxy Z8 Series phone
Cases that match your personality
A phone case can be more than protection. It can also be a way to show off your interests, personality, and the little things that make you, well, you.
For our CASETiFY Match for the Galaxy Z8 Series, we asked the team one question: Why was this CASETiFY design your Match?
From Spider-Man fandom and capybara obsession to feline-inspired art and snake motifs, here are the designs that found their way into our team’s everyday carry, plus a couple of bonus picks worth checking out.
Rodneil: A little New York energy for a certified web-head
If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’m a certified web-head. I love anything and everything Spider-Man, especially the iconic red-and-blue motif. Though, if we’re being honest, I’m more partial to the red.
I had my eyes on the Spider-Man suit design for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Spider-Man Mask Snappy Grip Stand. Unfortunately, those designs aren’t available for the Galaxy Z Fold8.
So, I went with a design that gives off a bit of New York energy instead. It still pairs nicely with the Spidey Snappy Grip Stand, letting me bring a little of that Spider-Man vibe to my everyday setup.
V: Keeping it cool with capybaras
I’ve been a capybara stan since 2020, long before the world finally caught up with just how cute and chill these animals are. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve has been a source of much excitement.
Finding cool and cute capybara cases and accessories for the phones I use every day, however, hasn’t always been easy.
That’s where Deville Dewil’s capybara collection comes in. It fills that gap while making my Galaxy Z Fold8 feel like an even more personal accessory.
At this point, I’d like to identify as a capy/bara.
Luigi: A cat design that’s playful without being too loud
There’s no shortage of cat-themed cases out there. If you’re a cat lover like me, chances are you’ve considered one at some point.
The tricky part is finding a design that isn’t too whimsical or loud. I love the little furballs, but I still want something sleek and clean.
CASETiFY’s cat collection speaks to that balance. In particular, this design by Catwheezie blends artistry with a touch of whimsy. It lets me show off my personality without being too flashy.
MJ: A little reputation energy
I’ve always had a soft spot for snake motifs, and CASETiFY’s Transparent Kingsnake case gives me Taylor Swift’s reputation era energy.
I love how snakes symbolize transformation. As someone who’s always evolving and never afraid to reinvent himself, that meaning feels personal.
The black-and-white design also brings a sleek, rebellious edge. Paired with my Galaxy Z Flip8, it’s giving statement accessory with a little bite.
Bonus Match: Sunglasses at Night
Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go. The Sunglasses at Night design is tasteful and understated, letting me show off the actual color of my phone without competing with it.
Bonus Match: Pink Weekly Planner
For the girls (and gaes) who plan their days–and life–ahead. And of course, for when they need to keep their Wednesdays pink.
Find your Match
There’s no single way to find a phone case that feels right. It might be a favorite character, an animal you’ve loved for years, a piece of art, or a symbol that means something to you.
For our team, the right CASETiFY design is the one that brings a little more personality to a device we carry every day.
So, which design would be your Match?
As one of the wisest sages of the 2000s once said, “He was a punk, she did ballet. What more can I say?” Sometimes, opposites attract. Now, two of those opposites in the audio space are coming together: the punk Skullcandy and the ballet-loving Bose.
Today, Bose has announced its acquisition of Skullcandy. The latter will continue to operate as a separate brand but now officially under the Bose umbrella. Although, it’s not a new collaboration as the two brands have previously worked together on devices before. Skullcandy will just have more access to Bose’s technologies moving forward.
Alternatively, Bose will now have access to Skullcandy’s more varied audience. Compared to Bose’s focus on premium products, Skullcandy caters to more alternative lifestyles. Though the brand has since mellowed from its more radical roots, it is still known as one of the alternative brands.
Bose, on the other hand, is still a household name for home audio and noise-cancelling headphones. The new relationship between two polar opposites might be seen as a weird one, but it’s ultimately beneficial to both parties. Besides, both brands were very strong in the 2010s. Keeping both brands going is a boon to audiophiles of the past decade.
Accessories
Fujifilm’s new instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 make room for more creative memories
A new pocket camera and a collage-making printer join the instax family.
Seeing a memory take shape beyond your screen changes how it feels. A favorite photo becomes a print you can tuck into a journal or pin beside your desk, and the everyday moments you capture get a little more room to live.
That was the spirit of Fujifilm’s instax Playhou2e launch in Makati, where visual artist Jill Arteche brought her signature illustrations into the event space.
Her artwork surrounded the latest additions to the instax family, the instax Pal 2 and instax Link WIDE 2. Both devices treat photography as a form of personal expression, from the snapshots you take throughout the day to the printed memories you want to keep close.
A pocket-sized camera that goes wherever you do
The original instax Pal made the case for carrying a camera without a full-sized setup. Its successor, the instax Pal 2, builds on that with a refreshed design and improved image quality.
The palm-sized camera is built for everyday adventures and can capture angles that are awkward to get with a smartphone. Its compact body also makes it easy to bring along if you like documenting your day as it happens.
Fujifilm gave the Pal 2 a semi-matte finish. A new monitor on top lets you review shots right after you take them, and the added viewfinder, control dial, and lever give it a more tactile feel to shoot with.
The specs have moved up, too. The Pal 2 captures 10-megapixel images, double the original’s five megapixels, and its internal storage holds up to 100 images compared with 50 before. A separately sold microSD card adds more room.
The creative options are where the Pal 2 gets playful. It offers 30 effects, so you can give images different moods without editing each one from scratch. Its instax Animation mode strings up to 10 consecutive shots into a flipbook-style animated video.
Transferring your photos is straightforward. The Pal 2 supports wireless Bluetooth transfers, and a USB Type-C connection offers faster transfers to compatible smartphones. From there, you can edit the images and post them to social media or keep them in your camera roll.
Because the Pal 2 is part of the instax ecosystem, its digital photos can also be printed on instant film through compatible instax printers. That means you can shoot first and decide later which moments deserve a physical copy.
Turning your camera roll into something worth keeping
Taking photos is only half the fun. The other half is deciding what to do with the hundreds of images that pile up on our phones.
The instax Link WIDE 2 is Fujifilm’s answer for anyone who collects travel photos or documents celebrations. As the brand’s WIDE-format smartphone printer, it prints at twice the image area of the instax mini format, which leaves more space for group photos and landscapes.
Its biggest new feature is Photo Mixer, which builds scrapbook-style collages from multiple images you pick in the dedicated app. Instead of printing a single photo, you can combine highlights from a trip or a gathering into one larger keepsake.
The app suggests layouts based on your chosen photos and adjusts image sizes, angles, text placement, and fonts to keep the design cohesive. You can then add your own text and stamps. A cutout function identifies people and objects in your photos so you can layer them into the collage.
With Photo Mixer, printing becomes part of the creative process, and your camera roll turns into material for building a visual record of an experience in a single print.
The Link WIDE 2 also gets a design refresh, with two-tone finishes in Duo Beige and Duo Blue. The light and dark surfaces give it a polished look on a shelf or desk, and an illuminated instax logo glows while it prints.
Connectivity has expanded, too. Beyond smartphones and tablets, the printer works with PCs, Fujifilm X Series cameras, and the instax Pal 2, so digital artwork and other compatible images can become physical prints.
A more personal way to keep your memories
The instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 share the idea that photography is a way to express yourself. The Pal 2 makes it easy to capture moments as they happen, and the Link WIDE 2 gives those images a place in the physical world.
Jill Arteche’s artwork at the launch backed that idea up. Her illustrations filled the space with personality and showed how photos and art can make an environment feel more personal. The event also made a case for revisiting and reinterpreting the images we collect.
Taking a photo takes seconds, and printing one can make the memory feel more special. The instax Pal 2 and Link WIDE 2 bring that into everyday life and give your snapshots room for creativity, from the moment you press the shutter to the moment you find a place for the print.
In the Philippines, the Fujifilm instax Pal 2 retails for PhP 10,599, while the Fujifilm instax Link WIDE 2 is priced at PhP 10,999. Both devices are now available on Fujifilm’s authorized stores and retailers nationwide.
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