Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM3 Hands-on: As good as advertised

The hype is real

Published

January 28, 2019

As far as updates go, the Sony WH-1000XM3 came pretty quickly following the hype surrounding its predecessor. The Sony WH-1000XM2 were already fantastic noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, and the little improvements here and there on the M3 definitely made it better.

Before we jump in any further, I’d like to clarify again that I am by no means an audio expert. Just sharing with you my time with the WH-1000XM3 just as I did with the WH-1000XM2.

The noise-cancelling hype is real

If you want headphones that will truly help shut out your surroundings, you can’t go wrong with the WH-1000XM3. We played it as a gag in this short video, but it truly works.

Putting these on really gives you a feeling of being isolated from your surroundings. That’s perfect for when you really want to zone in on whatever you’re working on or if you simply don’t want to be bothered.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 is the perfect companion for when you don’t want to be bothered

I have had several instances when my workmates had to tap my shoulder or wave like crazy in front me just to get my attention. That’s pretty intense noise-cancelling.

A nifty feature is that I don’t have to take off the headphones just to hear what they’re saying. Putting my hand over the right earcup turns off the noise-cancelling and lets me hear my surroundings. This can also be done using the ambient button located on the left earcup.

Pretending I’m laughing at someone’s jokes but I’m really just laughing at myself

Sound quality is clean AF

The WH-1000XM3 is perfect for all kinds of audio activities that involve precision. When video editing, it’s easier to detect any stray audio or tell if your music is too soft or loud.

It’s great for video editing, among other things

Playing games with these on offer an immersive experience. I couldn’t help but tear up again during the emotional parts of Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS4 especially when you hear everything that’s happening in the game so close to your ear.

I used it extensively for listening to music. I got hooked to K-Pop (okay, mostly just Twice) recently and while I’ve always admired the production value of the music videos, I found that their music is just as well-produced.

Just walking around looking fly while listening to Twice

There are several layers to each track and you definitely hear them better when listening with the WH-1000XM3. Sharing with you this playlist in case you want to give it a go.

It’s important to note that if you’re the type who likes to hear and feel a lot of bass from your headphones, you probably shouldn’t get this. The WH-1000XM3 offers a more balanced sound experience — that, sure, you can tweak a little — but it ultimately sounds smooth, clean, and is never too soft or too loud.

Touch controls and other features

Pausing, skipping tracks, and volume control are all pretty easy. Moving your finger clockwise or counterclockwise while going around the right earcup adjusts the volume.

To pause, you simply have to tap the middle of the right earcup. To skip tracks, just swipe from the center of the right earcup heading towards either edge.

Touch controls make things easy

The WH-1000XM3 also has a Google Assistant integration. This means you can send commands through the headphones among other things. There’s also an option to have Google Assistant read your most recent messages so you can listen instead of pulling your phone out to read them.

If I had any issue with the headphones, it’s probably the Bluetooth pairing. I had an easier time moving from phone to laptop and vice versa on the WH-1000XM2 over the WH-1000XM3. I’m not particularly sure if that’s my laptop acting up, but I have had to unpair and re-pair quite a few times which was a bit of a pain.

Comfort and durability

The longest I’ve had the headphones on is probably close to eight hours. That’s honestly too long. My recommendation has always been to keep it on for around four hours max and to take it off for a while after that.

It’s generally comfortable and can be worn for hours

The material used is much more flexible than the one on its predecessor. You can literally stretch and bend it and it would not break — perfect for someone like myself who has the tendency to break things.

It’s super flexible!

Final thoughts

I’m honestly dying to try other noise-cancelling headphones to know how the experience stacks up against the WH-1000XM3. As far as sound quality and noise-cancelling go, these Sony headphones are absolutely top-notch. All the hype this has generated is justified.

One last pose, just because

I also didn’t find myself charging the device too much. In a week with moderate to heavy use, I needed to juice up only during weekends. And it now comes with a USB-C port, so that’s a plus for future-proofing.

If you’re coming from the WH-1000XM2, it might be too much to jump to the WH-1000XM3. However, if you’re looking to splurge to upgrade your audio-consumption experience, go right ahead and grab these. It’s light, durable, and you get the kind of audio that Sony promises.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones are available for US$ 350. It currently retails in Singapore for SG$ 549 and PhP 20,000 in the Philippines.

Accessories

Jackery SolarSaga series: Free power for small devices

Portable solar panels can charge small gadgets directly

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

As fuel prices continue to surge as of late, one of the ways to make up for the additional expenses is to turn to alternative power sources. That’s including solar power.

And Jackery is here to help Philippine consumers, with the availability of their portable SolarSaga panels.

These solar panels are an alternative to traditional and permanently installed rooftop solar panels. They are engineered for modern and mobile life with portable, lightweight, and sleek designs. They are built primarily to be set up and put away easily, and charge small devices directly.

Simply put the Jackery SolarSaga panels where sunlight is available, and it will convert up to 25% of sunlight into usable energy.

To charge small gadgets like phones and portable fans, or even smartwatches, the SolarSaga panels come with a USB-C and USB-A port.

Another way is connecting the SolarSaga to Jackery’s Explorer power stations like the Explorer 300 Plus or 1000 Plus.

From there, users can power up devices, essentially for free. On its own, the Jackery SolarSaga panels are available in 100W and 200W variants.

The panels are also IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. This makes them usable outdoors when brought to adventures like camping, picnics, or beach trips.

The panels are already available through Jackery’s Lazada and Shopee platforms, as well as Techroom’s Lazada and Shopee accounts.

Accessories

UGREEN adds new Nexode Pro power bank, charger to lineup

Intelligent displays, fast-charging, user-focused design

Published

March 22, 2026

GadgetMatch

UGREEN has expanded its Nexode Pro charging lineup with two new devices designed for the modern user. They are the Nexode Pro 10000mAh 55W Power Bank and Nexode Pro 100W 5-Port Charger.

These new offerings combine intelligent digital displays, fast-charging capabilities, and user-focused designs for reliable power — whether at the desk or on the move.

The Nexode Pro 10000mAh Power Bank is the ultimate travel companion, delivering strong charging performance in a compact and travel-friendly form.

It supports up to 45W single-port fast charge, meeting the industry standard for high-speed portable charging. It can reach up to 55W as well when charging compatible Xiaomi devices.

The accessory is equipped with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a built-in retractable USB-C cable. As such, it can power up to three small devices simultaneously without requiring extra cables.

With a rated capacity of 36Wh, the power bank also meets airline carry-on requirements.

Meanwhile, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 10W 5-Port Charger supports workstations. It has four USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and up to a 100W output.

It also has a built-in smart TFT display for easy power distribution monitoring.

Accessories

Hermès launches a $5,000 MagSafe charger

The charging brick is sold separately.

Published

March 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Paddock Yoyo + Grand Paddock case

How extra are you as an Apple fan? No matter what you say, you’ll probably never be as extra as someone who buys a US$ 5,000 MagSafe charging case for their iPhone and Apple Watch. Hermès has just launched a series of leather chargers and cases specifically made for Apple fans.

Available now, Hermès has three types of MagSafe chargers for iPhone users. The cheapest one, the Paddock Solo, is a simple leather-bound puck that can charge a single device. The charger also has a braided 3.3ft USB cable. It costs an eye-watering US$ 1,250.

Paddock Solo charger

On the other hand, the Paddock Yoyo charger offers two charging zones for two devices simultaneously. Shaped like a yoyo (hence, the name), it allows users to roll the cable into a convenient stack. It costs US$ 1,750.

Finally, the Paddock Duo is a charging pad that allows for two devices simultaneously. It just doesn’t have a pocket for the cable. It likewise costs US$ 1,750.

Paddock Duo charger

Now, if you want to upgrade your pricey charging kit even further, Hermès has two cases for them: the Petit Paddock case and the Grand Paddock case.

The Petit Paddock case, as the name suggest, is a snug leather case that fits only the charger (and a brick, if bundled with the Yoyo). The charger and case combo will set you back by US$ 3,725 for the Solo, and US$ 4,225 for either the Duo or the Yoyo.