Philippines

The HONOR X8d is serviceable

Steady but slow?

Published

March 19, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Some smartphones aim to stand out. Others just aim to work. The HONOR X8d falls squarely into the second category.

In day-to-day use, it presents itself as a device that focuses on the essentials. It’s functional, predictable, and easy to understand—but also a reminder of how noticeable the gap can be once performance and responsiveness start to lag behind.

A design-first approach

The HONOR X8d makes a decent first impression. It’s slim, relatively lightweight, and easy to hold despite packing a large battery. The flat sides and smooth back give it a clean, modern look, while the camera module adds a bit of visual identity.

It’s available in Light Blue, Velvet Black, and Velvet Grey—options that lean into its youthful positioning. The device also feels sturdy in hand, backed by SGS certification for drop and crush resistance, along with IP65-level protection against dust and splashes.

For a device in this category, the HONOR X8d delivers a build that feels dependable enough for daily use.

Display and media: Bright and usable

Miss All Sunday makes everything look good

Up front, the HONOR X8d features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3000 nits peak brightness. Colors are vibrant, and the panel supports 100% DCI-P3, which helps content look lively.

For casual viewing, the experience is serviceable. Watching shows or videos feels comfortable, and the high brightness ensures visibility even under harsh lighting. Features like 3840Hz PWM dimming and E-Book mode also help reduce eye strain during extended use.

Now Playing: One Piece Season 2

I skimmed through a few episodes of the One Piece Season 2 live action on Netflix and again it was… alright. Nothing here will blow you away but it serves its purpose.

I also listened to “Attitude” by aespa on YouTube music and it just echoes the general feeling of the phone – serviceable.

That said, the overall experience remains straightforward. It delivers what you need for day-to-day media consumption without going much further.

Performance is where compromises show

The HONOR X8d runs on the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 paired with 8GB of RAM. On paper, it’s positioned for everyday tasks, but in practice, performance leans on the modest side.

Basic interactions like switching between apps or scrolling through feeds can feel slower than expected. There’s a noticeable delay at times, even during simple tasks, which affects the overall flow of the experience.

This extends to camera usage as well, where responsiveness can occasionally feel a step behind. The device remains usable, but the pacing may feel dragging depending on what you’re used to.

Cameras are reliable in good light

The HONOR X8d is equipped with a 108MP main camera alongside a 5MP wide camera, with a 16MP shooter up front.

In good lighting conditions, the phone produces decent images. Shots are clear enough, with acceptable detail and color for social media sharing. The camera system also benefits from a suite of AI tools such as AI Eraser, AI Cutout, and AI Upscale, which add flexibility when editing photos.

Zoom options at 1x, 2x, and 3x remain usable, though results are best when lighting is favorable. Overall, the camera system is dependable for casual snaps.

Software and AI: familiar, feature-filled

Running on MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, the HONOR X8d comes with a feature-rich software experience. It includes tools like AI Translate, AI Writing, AI Notes, and AI Recorder, alongside features such as Magic Portal and Circle to Search.

Like many Android skins today, MagicOS follows a design approach that will feel immediately familiar. The layout, navigation, and overall structure borrow heavily from the iOS-inspired blueprint that most brands have adopted. It’s easy to get into, even for less experienced users.

Typical of entry-level smartphones, the device also includes app recommendations out of the box. Thankfully, these aren’t overly intrusive, and many of the suggested apps are ones users would likely install anyway.

The software helps add depth to the overall package, even if the hardware limits how smooth everything feels in actual use.

Battery and everyday use is a clear strength

One of the standout features of the HONOR X8d is its 7000mAh battery. It’s designed to last through extended use, whether for streaming, browsing, or everyday communication.

Paired with 45W HONOR SuperCharge, topping up the device remains relatively quick. For users who prioritize longevity over speed, this is easily one of the more reliable aspects of the phone.

Is the HONOR X8d your GadgetMatch?

When HONOR Philippines was first teasing the phone it was positioned as something for students. But if I were a parent, I’m pretty sure I’d like my kid to have some kind of advantage and not have to deal with a device that might not be able to keep up with them.

After learning that it’s priced at PhP 15,999 my verdict just became much clearer. This is a Swipe Left.

Add a few more to that price and you can get an excellent smartphone at its early bird price.

The HONOR X8d focuses on delivering the basics—design that works, a large battery, and a feature-filled software experience.

However, the overall experience depends heavily on what you prioritize. For users who simply need a phone that can get through daily tasks, the X8d does enough to hold its ground. For those who value speed and responsiveness, it may feel a step behind.

Whether it fits your needs ultimately comes down to how much you’re willing to trade performance for battery life and features.

Entertainment

PH to celebrate 1st ever National Cinema Day; movies start at less than $2

Watch a movie on September 12 for a fraction of the cost

Published

September 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

The Philippines will be celebrating its first ever National Cinema Day on September 12. On this day, movie tickets will go for as low as PhP 100 (US$ 1.60) at regular 2D cinemas.

The campaign aims to make moviegoing more accessible to audiences. This includes families, friends, students, and cinephiles in general.

Such initiative has been a staple in other countries, like the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and more. The same concept applies, with movie tickets going on sale for a lot less.

What’s great about the celebration is that all movies scheduled for exhibition on September 12, whether local or international, shall get the special admission price.

Advanced tickets sales have already begun. Customers can purchase through participating box offices, official websites, mobile apps, and authorized platforms.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and remain subject to theater capacity. Prices vary for other viewing formats like Director’s Club or IMAX, for instance.

The campaign is organized by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP), along with industry and government partners.

The initiative is supported by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), and the Metro Manila Film Festival through the MMDA.

Participating cinemas include Ayala Malls Cinemas, SM Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, CityMall Cinema, Megaworld Cinemas, and more.

News

iPhone Duo: Price, availability in the Philippines

As listed on the Apple website

Published

September 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone. It uses a passport-style design that opens into a larger display while retaining a more conventional smartphone experience when folded.

Price and availability

The iPhone Duo starts at PhP 159,990 in the Philippines for the 256GB model as listed on the Apple website.

Here’s the full local pricing:

256GB — PhP 159,990
512GB — PhP 175,990
1TB — PhP 207,990
2TB — PhP 254,990

The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky.

Actual availability in the Philippines has yet to be officially announced.

A foldable design with two displays

The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and expands to a 7.6-inch main display when opened. Both orientations use the same aspect ratio, allowing iOS to transition between them seamlessly.

The rear chassis uses Ceramic Shield, while the front display gets Ceramic Shield 2. The device is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.

Its hinge uses carbon fiber supports and magnets that produce an audible click when the phone is folded.

A20 Pro brings flagship performance

The iPhone Duo is powered by the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro series. Apple says the chip delivers 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.

It also comes with the new C2 cellular modem, which provides up to 50 percent faster uploads. Like other foldables, the Duo can be used in different configurations, including tent mode and a partially folded book-like position.

48-megapixel camera system

The iPhone Duo gets a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto camera.

For selfies and video calls, it has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera. The inner display also uses an under-screen camera for a cleaner look.

Battery life goes beyond a day

The iPhone Duo offers up to 31 hours of video playback using the inner display and up to 44 hours using the outer display.

Charging is also quick. Apple says a 20-minute charge can replenish half the battery, while a five-minute charge can provide up to five hours of video playback.

For the complete specifications and first-look details, check out our main iPhone Duo launch coverage.

News

iPhone 18 Pro series: Price, availability in the Philippines

As listed on the Apple website

Published

September 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

Apple’s latest Pro iPhones are now listed on the Philippine Apple website, with local pricing starting at PhP 94,990. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max bring a new A20 Pro chip, a variable-aperture main camera, longer battery life, and a redesigned Dynamic Island. (Apple)

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max price in the Philippines

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at PhP 94,990 for 256GB. The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at PhP 99,990.

Storage	iPhone 18 Pro	iPhone 18 Pro Max
256GB	PhP 94,990	PhP 99,990
512GB	PhP 110,990	PhP 115,990
1TB	PhP 142,990	PhP 147,990
2TB	PhP 189,990	PhP 194,990

Both models come in black, silver, glacier, and burgundy. Apple offers both Pro models with up to 2TB of storage.

A variable-aperture 48-megapixel camera

The iPhone 18 Pro series gets a new 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera with variable aperture. It can open as wide as ƒ/1.48 for low-light photography, while narrowing to ƒ/4 can keep more of a group in focus.

Apple also adds Pro controls that let users manually adjust aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and exposure through a histogram.

A20 Pro brings more performance

Both models run on Apple’s A20 Pro, built on a 2nm process. It has a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU, and a Dual 16-core Neural Engine.

Apple says the GPU is up to 40 percent faster than A19 Pro, while memory bandwidth increases by 50 percent. A redesigned vapor chamber also has three times the surface area of the previous generation, enabling up to 40 percent higher sustained performance.

A smaller Dynamic Island

Apple redesigned the Dynamic Island to make more room for information. It can now display up to three Live Activities at once while retaining Face ID for authentication and unlocking.

Battery life gets a major boost

The iPhone 18 Pro delivers up to 36 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches up to 45 hours on eSIM-only models.

The Pro can reach 50 percent charge in around 15 minutes, while the Pro Max can get around seven hours of video playback from five minutes of wired charging.

Philippine availability

Apple has confirmed September 18 availability for more than 65 countries and regions, including Singapore. It also says the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will reach another 20 countries and regions starting September 25. However, Apple has not yet specified the Philippines in its published launch-day country list, so a Philippine release date has not been officially confirmed.

The Philippine Apple website does list the iPhone 18 Pro as a new model with local pricing, however.