Features

Being connected isn’t what makes a smart home a dream home

Smart appliances have lasting impacts not just on the wallet but also on the planet

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“If money were no object…” is probably one of the most difficult sentences for me to finish. As I grow older my desire to own more things has slowly diminished, especially since I get to play with an enormous amount of new technology every day. If anything, my inclinations have shifted to buying things that will last at least 10 years or my entire lifetime — even if they cost more — especially if it means having less possessions, spending less money, generating less waste, and doing less harm to the environment in the long run.

I try to apply these principles in everything — from fashion, to coffee, to things for the home — whenever possible. Living an efficient and fully sustainable life is a long-term goal of mine so until I can fully realize that (read: afford), for now here’s a list of home appliances that can help me live that life today, if money were no object.

Refrigerator

A refrigerator is central to any household — it helps store and preserve food that would otherwise go bad after just a few hours. A good refrigerator though is one that not only lasts a long time, but also consumes less energy, and LG’s line of Slim French-Door refrigerators are some of them. It has what LG calls an Inverter Linear Compressor, which manages energy consumption so groceries can last longer and monthly electricity bill can be cheaper.

There are various models that have my favorite feature called InstaView Door-in-Door, which lets you peek into the contents of the refrigerator just by knocking twice, reducing the need to swing open its doors.

Air conditioner

Today’s air conditioners are some of the most environmentally-harmful appliances in the world. Until scientists and manufacturers are able to produce greener refrigerants at scale, energy-efficient alternatives will have to do on days that are unbearably hot. LG’s Dual Cool air conditioner is one such alternative as it cools 40 percent faster, and consumes 70 percent less energy than the usual air conditioner.

Washer and dryer

The accessibility of laundromats is probably one of the best and worst things to happen in our lifetime. Sure they are affordable and saves us so much time, but they’re also the number one culprits to our clothes’ shortening lifespans. If we’re not careful, our clothes either shrink, get completely destroyed, or get lost while we get on doing other things.

Practicing slow fashion is as much about buying clothes that were consciously made and don’t go out of style as investing in tools that help you preserve even existing ones. Thankfully it’s 2019 and there are washing machines that determine the characteristics and volume of each load to minimize fabric damage, like LG’s front-load washer with artificial intelligence direct drive (AI DD). With a feature called TurboWash 360, clothes get cleaner in less time, helping you save on energy, too.

For those who need it, there’s an LG MiniWash that you can put underneath the front-loader so you can wash two loads at the same time. This is great for separating delicates like lace, silk, or linens that require gentler cycles.

Dry cleaner

With great power dressing comes great responsibility. The pantsuits, gowns, and coats that you normally have to take to the dry cleaner 5 blocks away can stay and be cleaned right in your bedroom with the LG Styler, a personal steam closet system. Need wrinkle-free trousers for a town hall presentation while doing your skincare routine? The LG Styler can take care of that. Never burn your slacks or your favorite white button down again and make them last longer.

Home appliances sure make our lives more convenient and efficient, but these things come at a price. We may never fully understand how all the technology in our lives works, but what we have to understand is the impact they have not just on the wallet but also on the planet.

Being connected isn’t what makes a smart home the dream home. When the right time comes, invest in appliances that consume less energy, help generate less food and fashion waste and harmful chemical emissions, and take much longer to replace. That way, not only does our dream home last a lifetime, we can also help make this planet we call home last beyond our lifetime.

Features

OPPO A6s 5G: Practical longevity, reliable essential

Sound return on investment for smart spenders

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OPPO A6s 5G

Finding a smartphone that balances performance, longevity, and price is crucial for smart spenders. Practicality matters, especially in an era where prices all seem to have risen.

Designed for long-term value, the OPPO A6s 5G enters the scene as that reliable handset that you can expect to work for years to come — a daily driver that balances giving your needs with sensible spending.

Reliability that lasts: 60-Month Fluency

OPPO A6s

A smartphone shouldn’t just feel new the day you unbox it. The OPPO A6s 5G is headlined by 60-Month Fluency Protection.

OPPO optimizes software and hardware to ensure lag associated with aging phones won’t keep up with the A6s 5G.

This is an assurance that the device will have maintained steady performance for up to five years – for everyday scrolling, gaming, and multitasking.

Complementing this is a capable MediaTek 6300 processor, plus ample memory and storage.

Users also benefit from OPPO’s features like AI LinkBoost 3.0 for network optimization and GameBoost 2.0 for smooth gaming.

All these truly make the OPPO A6s 5G a smart return on investment for practical users.

Unrivaled endurance: 7000mAh Large Battery

OPPO A6s

When it comes to staying connected, the A6s 5G sets a high bar with a massive 7000mAh battery.

This handset doesn’t just last a full day to cover essential usage; it can power through an entire weekend without ever reaching for a cable.

From commutes to documenting a busy day, to staying online 24/7, the OPPO A6s 5G endures.

When you finally run low on power, 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge ensures you spend more time on the move and less near a power source. It’s an impressive fast-charging speed for its class.

Rugged durability: IP69 resistance

As with previous OPPO A series releases, the physical build of the OPPO A6s 5G is designed to survive the unpredictable nature of daily life.

It has IP69 water and dust resistance to withstand sudden downpours, accidental spills, high-pressure water jets and even high-temperature environments.

Beyond software longevity, this signature ruggedness OPPO’s budget devices are known for offers the ultimate peace of mind for users.

Smart imaging for every moment

Imaging remains a core strength of the OPPO A6s 5G, which has an AI-powered camera system.

It has a 50MP main camera, designed for the “everyday photographer” – and everyday keepsakes.

The smart features work behind the scenes to optimize skin tones, balance exposure, and enhance details in various lighting conditions.

Every shot is social media-ready, with ample clarity and detail, without having to fiddle with complex settings.

OPPO A6s 5G offers

The OPPO A6s 5G is currently available nationwide in Ice White and Cappuccino Brown variants through OPPO Stores and the OPPO Online Store, starting at PHP 21,999.

As part of the launch offers, customers can get these exclusive perks when they order online from May 1 to May 21:

  • OPPO Enco Buds3 (worth PHP 1,799)
  • OPPO 1 Year Standard Warranty (worth PHP 1,999)
  • OPPO 1 Year Extended Warranty (worth PHP 2,499)
  • Up to PHP 2,000 discount

The OPPO A6 is also part of the lineup, available in Sakura Pink, Sapphire Blue, and Aurora Gold, starting at PHP 16,999.


This feature is a collaboration between OPPO Philippines and GadgetMatch.
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Buyer's Guide

2026 MacBook Neo vs Air vs Pro: Buyer’s Guide

Which MacBook Should You Buy in 2026?

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Apple’s MacBook lineup has never offered more choice.

From the $599 MacBook Neo to the ultra-powerful MacBook Pro, there’s now a MacBook for almost every kind of user.

But, are you overwhelmed and torn buying between the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and the all-new MacBook Neo?

Watch our 2026 MacBook Buyer’s Guide to find your GadgetMatch!

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Accessories

11 must-have accessories for your next tropical escape this summer

What to pack for your next vacation!

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Summer isn’t merely a date on a calendar; it’s a visceral, shimmering feeling.

It’s the specific scent of high-end SPF mingling with saltwater, the warmth of the sun on your shoulders as you step off a private jetty in Palawan, and that delicious, light-headed euphoria that comes from knowing you have absolutely nowhere to be, except precisely where you are.

But darlings, a mood this perfect requires maintenance. To navigate this season, one must view accessories not as mere purchases, but as strategic assets.

After all, if an item is bought specifically to prevent a holiday disaster or to match a turquoise horizon, it isn’t “spending” but a self-funded insurance policy. (And we all know insurance is the most adult, responsible thing one can have.)

Here is your definitive guide to the “investments” that will define your summer.

For the high-octane adventurer

If you are the type of person who can trip over a flat surface, the last thing you need on an island-hopping trip is a “phone-overboard” disaster.

The RHINOSHIELD Solid X in Blue is your first line of defense this season. Imagine the scene: you’re trying to capture a 360-degree sunset transition for your followers on a speedboat, the boat hits a wake, and your phone takes a terrifying tumble toward the deck.

While a lesser case would result in a mid-holiday meltdown, the Solid X absorbs the impact well. Its premium matte finish feels like silk against the palm, even in 90% humidity, ensuring your grip never wavers while you’re reaching for that third mango daiquiri.

It’s the “sensible” purchase that allows you to be reckless with your adventures. Technically, it’s peace of mind wrapped in a shade of blue so vibrant it makes the horizon look dull.

Since it saves you from the cost of an emergency replacement, it’s practically paying for itself with every drop.

For the unstoppable power player

For the high-functioning professional who simply cannot leave the “office” behind, having a foldable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 means having a portable command center for those mandatory luxury resort check-ins.

But… it deserves better than a bulky, uninspired shell. You need the Pitaka Blue Aramid Fiber case. It’s so thin it feels like the phone is practically naked, yet it’s crafted from material used in fighter jets.

When you unfold that screen to check the exchange rate at a boutique in Bangkok or Gaysorn Village, the sleek, woven texture tells the world you value precision over bulk. It’s “Quiet Luxury” for the tech-obsessed — understated and impossibly chic.

For the hands-free curator

Forget fumbling with a camera while trying to balance a coconut in one hand and a designer clutch in the other.

These Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses in Shiny Jeans Transparent are the secret weapon for the Balinese spiritual retreat.

They allow you to record your walk through the bustling morning markets or the lush Monkey Forest in Ubud completely hands-free.

The transparent frames capture the light of the tropical sun perfectly, giving you that “Creative Director on a sabbatical” look.

This is a camera that lets you capture your POV documentary without missing a single moment of the scenery.

For the seamless traveler

Even if you’re only flying from Singapore to Phuket, your bag should look like you’re embarking on a grand tour of the continent.

The new TUMI Mediterranean collection in Peach and Sky Blue is the only way to travel. The colors are reminiscent of sunrise, and the organization inside is so meticulous. It’s the kind of bag that ensures you are never “that person” frantically digging for a passport at the check-in counter.

You’re the person who glides through the terminal with a peach-hued aura of total control, knowing that even if your flight is delayed, your aesthetic is right on time.

For the sophisticated urbanite

As the sun dips below the skyline and you transition from the infinity pool to a rooftop bar in Ho Chi Minh City or a five-star dinner in Makati, your tech needs a change of attire.

Enter the RHINOSHIELD Air X in Black. If the Solid X is your rugged adventurer, the Air X is your “Little Black Dress” of tech protection. This case is for the moments when you want your phone to disappear into your aesthetic rather than scream for attention. It’s impossibly slim, sliding into a tailored trouser pocket or a tiny evening bag without creating an unsightly bulge.

But don’t let the “Air” moniker fool you; the protection is still world-class. The MagSafe ring on the back is a masterclass in geometric minimalism, allowing you to snap on a battery pack during those long nights of “networking” (read: dancing) without missing a beat.

Since it works with every outfit you own, the “cost-per-wear” is essentially zero, which makes it a fiscal masterstroke.

For the beach club connoisseur

No summer is complete without a basket bag, and the CELINE Classic Panier is the gold standard for any respectable beach club, especially in Bali. It’s the “everything” bag that’s large enough to hold your sunscreen, your secrets, and a spare pair of sandals for when the humidity makes your heels unbearable.

The leather logo is a subtle nod to those who know, making it the perfect companion for a casual lunch at La Brisa that inevitably turns into a three-course affair.

For the private villa host

One cannot rely on the tinny speakers of a hotel room. You need the Marshall Willen.

It looks like a vintage piece of equipment but packs enough punch to fill a private villa with the sounds of Bossa Nova.

The cream finish is “Quiet Luxury” personified, blending into your sand-and-linen aesthetic perfectly. It’s dust-proof and water-resistant, meaning it can handle a little sea spray while you lounge on a catamaran or by the pool.

For the street-style visionary

For those days spent exploring the “hidden” cafes of Seoul-inspired districts in Jakarta or Manila, your iPhone needs the CASETiFY Matin Kim case.

Denim is having a massive moment in street style, and this case allows your phone to join the movement. It’s tactile, it’s trendy, and it adds a touch of “effortless cool” to your mirror selfies. It’s like a tiny pair of designer jeans for your most precious possession, and we all know you can never have too much denim.

For the globetrotter

If your iPhone could talk, it would probably ask for a vacation.

This CASETiFY AirTags case is a whimsical tribute to the lifestyle, covered in a vibrant print of AirTag-style passport stamps.

It serves as a constant reminder of where you’ve been and where you’re going next. It’s the perfect conversation starter when you’re waiting for your next flight to Denpasar or Koh Samui. It essentially acts as a visual manifestation of your future travels. (And manifesting is free!)

For the high-society ironist

When you finally make it to the powdery white sands of Boracay, you need a statement piece that speaks to your high-society sensibilities.

Laying out the Hermès Traffic Jam towel on Station Zero is a stroke of genius. There you are, surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters and zero honking horns, reclining on a literal “traffic jam.”

It is a flex; a cheeky nod to the city disarray you’ve successfully escaped. The plush cotton is exactly what your skin deserves after a dip in the ocean.

For the stressed-but-stylish Optimist

Finally, for those moments when the heat gets to you and the “Out of Office” reply isn’t working fast enough, you need the CASETiFY Care Bears Shake-Shake Case.

There is something deeply meditative about watching tiny glittery bears tumble around through a transparent shell. It’s a bit of childhood whimsy for those who refuses to take life — or their accessories — too seriously. Don’t think of it as yet another smartphone case. It’s a portable stress-relief tool for the modern jet-setter who needs a little magic in their day.


A message from the editor: Perhaps, this is an extensive list. But it’s also a collection of absolute necessities for a definitive summer. Each item is a strategic “investment” so go forth, look fabulous, and don’t let the humidity ruin your glow.

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