Hands-On

Realme X Hands-On: It has something for everyone

Taking over the batton from Xiaomi

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Realme is barely over a year old, but in this short span, it has managed to grab a huge chunk of the market. While Xiaomi has established itself as the king, Realme wants to take over this title and its coming with all its might. This young brand is targeting the youth, but does it have everything that everyone wants?

Going by the name, you’d expect it to be a flagship but it’s an affordable phone that aims to get everything right. An all-new design, powerful processor, and fancy pop-up camera, what more does it have to offer?

An all-new design that looks exceedingly premium

Our Polar White unit gives a very refreshing vibe. Metal builds and gradient backs have become mainstream and Realme has something new in store. A ceramic texture along with mild colors at different angles, coupled with a glass build is unmatchable in this segment. It isn’t very slippery to hold and the weight distribution is on-point. Lastly, subtle edges make it very comfortable to hold for long durations.

AMOLED doesn’t mean a hefty price

Majority of the phones in this segment come with an LCD display along with a notch. Realme has eliminated the notch to offer a high screen-to-body ratio of 86 percent. The front looks immersive and many might mistake it for a flagship phone. The 6.53-inch panel is sufficiently bright and colors are well saturated. Adding to this, an in-display fingerprint scanner has been incorporated and it’s super fast.

The notch is often intrusive and the brand has opted for a pop-up selfie camera. This feature has been limited to mid-range and flagship phones so far.

Old on paper, but still packs a punch

Many have been disappointed with Realme’s choice of Snapdragon 710 chipset since its more than a year old. But just like Xiaomi’s romance with the Snapdragon 625, it’s a capable processor that fares well. With eight cores clocked at 2.2Ghz, it can breeze through demanding apps and games.

You can also choose to lock apps onto the RAM and multitasking is usually handled smoothly. Overall, it performs on par with our expectations from an affordable phone and the average Joe will never have any complaints.

A standardized camera setup

 

On the rear, it has a 48-megapixel camera that’s pretty much become a norm in the segment. It’s coupled with a 5-megapixel depth sensor for portrait photos. For selfies, the sliding module houses a 16-megapixel lens. The camera app has a plethora of built-in features like beauty mode, auto scene recognition, stickers, as well as a night mode.

The same ‘ol colorful skin

It runs on ColorOS 6.0 based on Android 9 Pie out of the box. We expect the company to roll-out updates quickly because it has used the same processor on the Realme 3 Pro. Hence, the skin can be universally customized and pushed out to users.

A battery that charges at lightning speed

Backing these internals is a 3765mAh battery that may be smaller than the competition, but comes with a secret weapon. Thanks to VOOC 3.0 fast charging technology, it can charge up to 65 percent in just half an hour. We recorded a screen-on-time of approximately five hours. This is also the first phone from Realme to embrace a USB-C port.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

If you’re looking for a phone that gets everything right, this should be your first choice. It’s built keeping everyone in mind, and this includes the gamers, photographers, casual users, as well as entertainment addicts. Realme has cleverly cut costs since there are no gaping shortcomings. The standard 4GB+128GB configuration costs INR 16,999 and the 8GB+128GB option is priced at INR 19,999.

For now, the only phone that comes close to it is Vivo’s Z1 Pro. However, it lacks a pop-up module which is a flaunting factor for many. At the end of the day, Realme has again created a product that has rattled Xiaomi’s sky-high ceiling.

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Hands-On

Apple iPhone Duo Unboxing and Hands-on

Supported apps, crease, cameras, and MagSafe all tested

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October 22, 2026

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Apple’s iPhone Duo is finally here!

Aside from unboxing the all-new iPhone-dable in Night Sky, we take a closer look at the display crease, check out the under-display camera quality, see which MagSafe accessories work with it.

Most of all, which apps support it (or not).

But how well does the dual-screen experience on an iPhone actually work? Watch our Apple iPhone Duo unboxing and hands-on to know more!

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Convenient Smart Home

30 days with the LG AeroMini

The upgrade my new space ~badly~ needed

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October 5, 2026

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Moving into a new space comes with a long list of things to figure out, and lately, I’ve been paying more attention to something that’s easy to overlook: air quality.

After using the LG AeroMini for about a month, it has become a subtle but welcome addition to my space. It helps make the room feel fresher, while its compact and stylish design fits naturally into my setup. Here are the things that stood out to me most after living with it for a month.

360° purification for a fresher space

One of the things I appreciate about the AeroMini is its 360° air purification, designed to bring purified air in every direction.

For me, this is particularly useful in a new space where I’m spending a lot of time working, relaxing, and just settling in.

Combined with its True HEPA filter, which is designed to remove 99.999% of 0.01μm fine dust and allergens, it gives me added peace of mind about the air I’m breathing every day.

After a month, I can genuinely say that the space feels fresher with it running.

Surprisingly quiet

This is probably my favorite feature.

The LG AeroMini operates at just 26dB, and after using it for a month, what stands out is how easy it is to forget that it’s even running.

I can have it running while I’m working or sleeping without the noise becoming a distraction. For an appliance that’s designed to continuously improve the air around you, I think that’s a big deal.

Sometimes, the best feature is the one you barely notice.

Design that fits my space

Since I recently moved, I’ve been pretty conscious about what I bring into the space. I want things to be functional, but I also don’t want appliances that feel like they’re taking over the room.

The AeroMini’s slim and compact design makes it easy to incorporate into my setup. It doesn’t feel bulky or industrial, and I like that I can leave it out without feeling like I need to hide it away.

For me, that balance between functionality and aesthetics makes it feel more like part of the space rather than just another appliance.

Air quality at a glance

Another feature I’ve found convenient is its Smart Control. Through the app, I can monitor and control the AeroMini while getting real-time updates on the indoor air quality.

It’s a small convenience, but being able to check the air quality without having to interact with the purifier directly makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening in the room.

Easy to maintain

I also appreciate that the AeroMini is designed with an all-in-one dust and deodorization filter that makes replacement and maintenance easier.

That matters to me because the best home gadgets are the ones that don’t create another complicated chore. I want something I can set up, use regularly, and maintain without too much fuss.

After a month, would I keep it?

Yes, and mainly because it quietly fits into my everyday routine.

The LG AeroMini has helped make my new space feel fresher and more comfortable, while its compact design means it doesn’t compromise the look of the room. But if I had to pick just one thing I appreciate most, it’s still how incredibly quiet it is.

It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t demand your attention. It simply works in the background.

If you’re also looking to make your home a fresher and more comfortable space for yourself and your family, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ to learn more about the LG AeroMini and how it can fit into your everyday life.

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Hands-On

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Series Hands-on

And everything announced during Apple’s September 2026 Event

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September 13, 2026

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The latest Apple event isn’t just about the shiny new Apple Duo. There’s a lot to talk about!

In this video, we break down everything Apple has announced during their September 2026 keynote.

First, there’s the updated iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. That’s alongside their design and color changes, battery and performance improvements. Even that massive camera upgrade.

There’s even the ANC-infused AirPods 5 alongside the newer Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Plus, the latest software updates coming to both these wearables.

So, are these worth the upgrade?

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