Make no mistake about it: The Mate 20 Pro and Galaxy Note 9 are two of the biggest phones you could buy today — both figuratively and literally. But they’re not all about size; Huawei and Samsung made sure to stuff these two flagships with the best features around.
While they’re both excellent in their own right, a comparison to see how each smartphone does in certain categories is in order. After all, there’s a GadgetMatch for every specific need.
Let’s break this down to a few segments.
Display
This has to be a strength for both phones. They have curved displays and are practically the same size: 6.39 inches for the Mate 20 Pro and an exact 6.4 inches for the Galaxy Note 9.
Fortunately, they’re both bright and nicely saturated. It also helps that the panels are tightly packed with pixels. The Mate 20 Pro has a resolution of 1440 x 3120, while the Galaxy Note 9 goes for 1440 x 2960. Because of this, Huawei’s entry has a slightly taller offering — great for browsing the web vertically and watching videos horizontally.
Security
You can find advanced security features on the front of these two devices. Huawei implemented a system consisting of a 3D depth-sensing array to ensure that the right face unlocks the phone. On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 9 makes use of an iris scanner to complement the face scanning for quick logins.
If reading your face isn’t your cup of tea, fingerprint scanning is another option. The Galaxy Note 9 offers a rear-mounted sensor below its cameras. More impressive, however, is the under-display reader on the Mate 20 Pro. It may not be as quick, but it’s definitely more intuitive and easier to reach.
Battery
The Mate 20 Pro has a slight advantage here with a 4200mAh battery compared to the 4000mAh capacity of the Galaxy Note 9. This allows the Huawei phone to last at least an hour longer during YouTube or Netflix viewing sessions.
In addition, thanks in part to the efficient Kirin 980 processor, the Mate 20 Pro can easily last two days of moderate usage with over six hours of screen-on time, whereas the Note 9 could last two days as well if limited to about 5.5 hours of screen usage.
But where the Mate 20 Pro really shines is in fast charging. Its 40W SuperCharge adapter can fill up the battery from zero to a hundred percent in only 70 minutes. For comparison, the Note 9 takes a little over 110 minutes to go from zero to full using its bundled charger.
Cameras
This part will always come down to personal preference, but it’s good to know what each product offers. The Mate 20 Pro has three rear cameras: a high-resolution 40MP main camera, 20MP ultra-wide-angle shooter, and 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy Note 9 has two — both 12MP but one has 2x optical zoom.
Their front cameras are a little more simple: A single 24MP sensor for the Mate 20 Pro and an 8MP selfie cam for the Note 9.
However, what matters more is how they perform in real life. Here are samples taken on default settings with Auto mode and no post-editing:
- Galaxy Note 9
- Mate 20 Pro
- Galaxy Note 9
- Mate 20 Pro
- Galaxy Note 9
- Mate 20 Pro
- Galaxy Note 9
- Mate 20 Pro
- Galaxy Note 9
- Mate 20 Pro
Signature Features
Across the board, both phones are high-end in all regards, mainly because they offer the best processors from Huawei and Samsung themselves. Huawei’s Kirin 980 chipset, in particular, is the first 7nm SoC introduced to the world, meaning it’s super-efficient.
Another advantage the Mate 20 Pro has is wireless reverse charging. This allows the phone to charge any Qi-enabled device that’s placed on its back. It’s fun to show off and handy when needed to charge an accessory or a friend’s phone.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 9 has the upper-hand in ports. It owns a 3.5mm audio port which is rarely seen nowadays on higher-end handsets. It’s a definite plus for those who can’t let go of wires just yet.
You also get an S Pen along with the Note 9, which is now Bluetooth-enabled and can act as a remote shutter for the camera app, so it offers more ways to interact with the interface.
Unfortunately, as of writing, the Note 9 is stuck on Android Oreo while the Mate 20 Pro has been enjoying Android Pie and all its delicious features since launch.
Pricing
Although it’s difficult to compare their international prices — the Mate 20 Pro launched in Europe and the Galaxy Note 9 in the US — the Philippine pricing is more comparable.
You can purchase the Mate 20 Pro for PhP 49,990, and the Galaxy Note 9 starting at PhP 55,990, placing them right against one another in the premium market. If you’re out for a large Android phone and have the cash to spend, then it doesn’t get much better than these two.
Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!
Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.
Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:
Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”
Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.
Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.
Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.
Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.
Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.
DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.
The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.
Freedom behind the lens
The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.
On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.
FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.
ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.
It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.
None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.
And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.
The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.
The trade-offs in touch
The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.
DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.
You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.
Finding your ideal workflow
The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.
If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.
Price, availability
DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.
- Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
- Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
- Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.
Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.
If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.
Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.
Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.
And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.
Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.
This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.
Features
GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey
A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.
It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.
Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.
While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.
All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
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