News

Huawei P9 and P9 Plus gear up for Southeast Asia release

Published

May 6, 2016

Monch Lopez

Let’s face it: Smartphones won the war on casual photography.

And if you find yourself taking more photos and videos with your smartphone than with your compact camera, then Huawei might have something that’ll convince you to retire your point-and-shoot gear or dump them in the “to sell” bin altogether.

The number three mobile vendor globally, which shipped more than 100 million units in 2015 and raised its revenue to over $60 billion year-over-year, has unveiled the pricing and launch date for the premium Huawei P9 and P9 Plus smartphones for some parts of Asia.

Both promise to deliver a camera experience that’s second to none, thanks in no small part to a pair of cameras resting flush on their backs. The cameras have been co-engineered with prominent German camera maker Leica, which has lent its name — and to a limited extent, its camera cred — to the Chinese OEM.

Huawei says one of the cameras on the back of the P9 phones makes use of a traditional 12-megapixel color sensor; the other has a monochrome or black-and-white sensor that crams in as many megapixels.

The two work in tandem to produce the clearest and most detailed image possible. More impressively, this particular setup helps the phones capture better-quality photos in situations that even a modern camera phone would struggle with.

Huawei’s P9 and P9 Plus don’t skimp on processing power and memory options either, as both devices feature top-shelf silicon in the HiSilicon Kirin 955 chip that has up to 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of expandable storage. Fast charging is also promised with either model.

What they lack, though, is a bleeding-edge display, with neither the P9 nor P9 Plus offering anything higher than 1080p resolution on their AMOLED screens.

The lackluster pixel density is more of a concern with the 5.5-inch P9 Plus than with the 5.2-inch regular model — but then again, unless you’re a stickler for on-screen details, you probably won’t mind too much, if at all.

The latest Huawei luxury phones are slated to launch in the Philippines next month. The exact pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the P9 is expected to start at P25,000 ($530). The P9 Plus, meanwhile, could retail for around P30,000 ($635).

In Malaysia, the P9 series could debut by end-May, carrying a price tag between RM2,000 and RM2,600. Launch details haven’t been listed for other Southeast Asian markets, but the phones could see a wider rollout later this month or in early June. Price points will likely be comparable to those mentioned above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPwpFojqFww

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Related Topics:Huawei P9 and P9 Plus smartphones

News

HONOR Magic8 Pro gets Android 17 Beta 3 support early

Android 17 arrives early

Published

May 12, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

The HONOR Magic8 Pro is among the first smartphones to support Android 17 Beta 3, giving developers early access to Google’s upcoming mobile platform ahead of its wider release.

According to HONOR, the early beta access allows developers to test app compatibility, optimize performance, and integrate new Android 17 features using the company’s flagship smartphone.

Android 17 Beta 3

Android 17 Beta 3 introduces several new multitasking, customization, camera, and privacy tools. One of its biggest additions is the expansion of Bubbles into a system-wide feature. Apps can now run in floating windows that users can minimize and reopen from anywhere on-screen.

The update also adds support for the RAW14 image format. HONOR says this allows developers to better take advantage of the Magic8 Pro’s AiMAGE camera system for improved image processing, dynamic range, and color accuracy in third-party camera and editing apps.

Android 17 Beta 3 also expands UI customization. Users can now hide app labels for a cleaner home screen layout, while developers can adjust Photo Picker layouts with different aspect ratios including portrait-style 9:16 views.

Other updates include separate Quick Settings toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data, alongside a redesigned screen recording interface that lets users choose between recording the full display or a specific app.

Privacy and security improvements are also part of the update. Android 17 Beta 3 adds session-only precise location access, blocks local network access by default, and introduces protections against code injection attacks. Google is also preparing Android for future cybersecurity threats through support for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).

The HONOR Magic8 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, HONOR’s AiMAGE imaging system, and a 6,270mAh Silicon-carbon Battery. HONOR says its participation in the Android 17 Beta program highlights its continued collaboration with Google ahead of Android 17’s official release.

News

Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for $15 million

Samsung allegedly used her image without her consent.

Published

May 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Samsung has an unlikely rival. Dua Lipa is suing the South Korean company for using her image without her permission.

In the marketing world, brand endorsers are part and parcel of how products are pushed to the market. Famous celebrities are often asked to advertise a product for their potential star power. That said, a company needs the endorser’s consent first.

According to a new suit (via Variety), pop star Dua Lipa is suing Samsung for using her image to endorse TVs without her consent. The South Korean brand is reportedly using Lipa’s photo on the packaging of its TVs. Lipa alleges that the photo’s usage implies that she endorses the TV, which she does not.

The complaint also alleges that Lipa asked Samsung to take down the image last year. However, Samsung’s reply was, to her, “dismissive and callous.” The brand has then continued to use the image in its packaging.

To prove her point, the suit includes anecdotes of Samsung customers who bought the TV specifically because the packaging has Lipa’s image on it. To pay for damages, Lipa is asking for US$ 15 million from the global brand for copyright infringement.

Gaming

The Switch 2 is getting more expensive this year

The price increases will start this month.

Published

May 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Gone are the days when consoles get cheaper as time goes by. These days, especially because of the RAM crisis, gaming consoles are getting more expensive. Joining this worrying trend, the Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a price hike.

Even upon launch, the Switch 2 was already pricier than its original counterpart. Currently, without the incoming price hikes, the console retails for US$ 449.99. It’s a lot but not completely out of reach.

Last week, Nintendo announced a price hike that might push the console to less than attainable levels. Starting May 25, the Switch 2 will cost JPY 59,980 (up from JPY 49,980) in Japan. The original generation is also getting a hike: JPY 47,980 for the Switch OLED, JPY 43,980 for the base Switch, and JPY 29,980 for the Switch Lite.

Abroad, you can expect price hikes on September 1. The Switch 2 will jump to US$ 499.99, CAN 679.99, or EUR 499.99, depending on where you live. These are the only official hikes announced right now, but Nintendo has confirmed that price revisions will be implemented in other regions, too.

As you might expect, the price increases are due to the ongoing RAM crisis. Though the console is an undeniable hit, the Switch 2 can’t hide behind its popularity against the price shortage dealt by unnecessary data centers. At the very least, users worldwide have time to grab the console in its original pricing before the hikes.