News

Samsung debuts the Galaxy Watch Active 2

Taking on the Apple Watch?

Published

August 7, 2019

MJ Jucutan

After only six months, Samsung introduces the successor to its Galaxy Watch Active. Introducing the Galaxy Watch Active 2, the updated smartwatch is joining the company’s smartwatch portfolio with new and refined features.

Samsung’s latest smartwatch aims to improve a consumer’s personal lifestyle by enhancing their health and keeping them connected without sacrificing style.

Stay healthy

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is designed to help consumers achieve their wellness goals. Sporting an improved health sensor, it can take readings faster and provide insights to aid you in your fitness journey. It also has an updated Running Coach for you to enjoy, along with seven more running programs. The watch can manually track more than 39 workouts, too, apart from the usual running, walking, cycling, and swimming.

Even better is its ability to track real-time stress levels through the Samsung Health app. It’s now integrated with popular wellness app called Calm, which provides access to guided meditation available in English, German, and Spanish.

Stay connected

The successor for the Galaxy Watch Active enables seamless connection within the Galaxy Ecosystem. When paired with a Galaxy Smartphone, the Watch Camera Controller on the smartwatch allows you to take photos and videos, or switch between front and rear lenses with just a tap of finger. It also has fast charging even with wireless power share.

For those who need to communicate, the smartwatch can make and receive calls freely, as well as respond on social media. You can like a tweet, or even watch a short video. In addition, the watch supports real-time voice and text translations that’s perfectly helpful for frequent travelers.

Stay functional

Furthermore, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 has an upgraded One UI for simpler and clearer user experience. It also has Samsung Pay, Samsung Health, and of course, Bixby. The latest smartwatch has a partnership with Spotify to let you enjoy your music, too!

Lastly, the watch sports the iconic rotating bezel and now extends itself to the curved super AMOLED display. The rotating touch bezel can toggle screens through a clock-wise or counter-clockwise rotation to help you choose between your favorite apps.

Stay Stylish

Samsung doesn’t compromise when it comes to your style. The South Korean company knows a watch is an accessory, which is why it highlights personalizing and customizing the smartwatch through a range of stylish straps and watch-face options.

Speaking of watch-face, it can change to match your outfit of the day! Through the Galaxy Wearable app, taking a photo of your outfit lets you choose from five different color patterns to match your style.

Currently, the watch comes in two different sizes — 44mm and 40mm in diameter — and two styles: a lightweight aluminum available in Cloud Silver, Aqua Black, and Pink Gold, and a stainless steel version in Cloud Silver which comes with a leather strap.

Pricing and Availability

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be available starting September. It’s priced at US$ 280 and US$ 300 for the 40mm and 40mm aluminum Bluetooth variant, respectively. The watch is compatible with Android 5.0 or higher, or iOS 9.0 or above.

Details will be updated when Samsung releases more information regarding the device.

News

HUAWEI launches Mate X7, MatePad 11.5 S 2026, FreeClip 2

Price, availability, preorder freebies in the Philippines

Published

February 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

HUAWEI has officially launched its latest flagship foldable offering, the HUAWEI Mate X7, in the Philippines.

The powerful device was introduced alongside the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 tablet and HUAWEI FreeClip 2 earbuds.

The Mate X7 is dubbed as the “King of Foldables”, with top-tier photography features. It has a 50MP Ultra Lighting HDR main camera with 17.5 EV dynamic range.

This is complemented by a 50MP camera that serves as both a telephoto and macro shooter.

Unfolded, the Mate X7 has a large 8-inch display, with features like Live Multitask. Users can also explore Google apps on the X7.

The foldable also comes with 360-degree protection, as well as IP58 dust and water resistance.

MatePad 11.5 S 2026: PC-like efficiency

Meanwhile, the MatePad 11.5 S 2026 offers 4-in-1 productivity for modern users. It has WPS Office 3.0, which supports advanced math functions and inserting documents or links.

The bundle includes the HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro, Smart Magnetic Keyboard, and HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse, all powered by NearLink Tehnology.

The slate’s panel features 2.8K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and comfortable viewing. HUAWEI’s Notes and GoPaint apps have also been upgraded.

Inside is an 8,800mAh battery for extended usage. This battery has support or 40W SuperCharge.

FreeClip 2: Immersive listening

Completing the flagship triumvirate is the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, which comes with a unique Airy C-Bridge design.

The lightweight, open-ear wearable serves as both a reliable audio device and fashionable piece. It is powered by an NPU AI Processor and Dual-Diaphragm Driver for better bass performance and a fuller, more dynamic audio.

Meanwhile, its 3-mic noise cancellation system keeps calls crystal-clear on both ends. The FreeClip 2 also comes with IP57 protection and can last up to 38 hours with its charging case.

Price, availability

The three devices are now available for preorder online via HUAWEI, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok, as well as HUAWEI Experience Stores.

HUAWEI Mate X7: PhP 119,999

Comes with preorder freebies worth up to Ph 45,998:

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5
Trade-in tokens worth PhP 12,000
1-Time Accidental Damage Screen Protection
Up to PhP 10,000 off with select banks until February 26

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: PhP 29,999 (from PhP 31,999 until March 22)

Up to PhP 2,000 Early Bird vouchers
Free HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard
WPS Office
HUAWEI M-Pencil
Bluetooth Mouse

HUAWEI FreeClip 2: PhP 9,999

Up to PhP 1,000 Early Bird vouchers

News

iPhone 17 Pro Max is somehow the most traded-in phone today

All of the recent Pro Max models are sitting at the top, too.

Published

February 19, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For a lot of people, reselling or trading-in is the natural end of their time with an iPhone. After all, an iPhone is too expensive to leave lying stagnant in a drawer. Now, this usually happens years after a phone fully lives out its usefulness. However, the new iPhone 17 Pro Max has somehow claimed the top spot as the most traded-in phone today.

According to reports organized by SellCell, a surprising number of people are reselling their iPhone 17 Pro Max. Today, 11.5 percent of trade-ins are of the current generation’s most premium model. The next models, the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, all sit between 7.2 percent and 7.3 percent apiece. This is a staggering growth, as the iPhone 17 Pro Max was sitting at only 5.1 percent of trade-ins in late November.

There’s no confirmed reason as to why people are trading their premium models so early into the model’s lifecycle. However, if it’s any indication, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the lowest depreciation for a premium iPhone model, when compared to its predecessors in the same time frame.

Given that the resale value of a new iPhone 17 Pro Max is still pretty high today, it’s possible that users aren’t completely satisfied with the model and opted to trade in their new phones for something more manageable. After all, the new phone is as premium as they come. It’s also as large as they come.

That said, it’s certainly an odd tidbit that the most premium iPhone is the one that people are dumping the most.

News

vivo V70 launched globally, introduces 4K 60fps, OriginOS 6, more

Comes with powerful ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera

Published

February 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The vivo V70 has officially been launched globally, and will soon roll out gradually across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and other markets.

The company’s latest V series mid-ranger features helpful tools for travel, concerts, and other occasions, with its familiar 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, AI Stage Mode, 4K 60fps video, and AI-powered editing tools.

A refined design also features aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame, rounded corners, and a flat 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display in front. The back, meanwhile, has AG glass for scratch resistance.

Available colors are Golden Hour, Alpine Gray, Sandalwood Brown, Canary Yellow, and Authentic Black.

In addition, the vivo V70 debuts the new OriginOS 6 out of the box for enhanced performance and security.

Pro-grade telephoto camera

The vivo V70’s 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera has a pro-grade, 1/1.95-inch sensor and OIS for sharper shots in low-light and challenging conditions.

Its advanced periscope design also allows for higher zoom levels without adding bulk.

This shooter is coupled with a 1/1.56-inch 50MP ZEISS main camera. There is also an 8MP ZEISS ultra-wide angle camera and a 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera.

The new device comes with a new AI Stage Mode, tuned for stage photography.

Shots are enhanced by AI Image Portrait Enhancement Algorithm and AI Style Portrait Technology.

This way, users can achieve 10x zoom for crisp stage photos.

As with previous iterations of the V series, the latest handset is also equipped with ZEISS Multifocal Portrait, along with options like 85mm ZEISS Sonnar Style Bokeh or 100mm Close-Up Portrait in ZEISS Planar Style.

And for the first time in the V series, the phone introduces 4K 60fps video for cinematic and smooth captures.

AI Audio Noise Eraser, meanwhile, offers an additional layer of creative control fo post-editing.

Other AI-powered editing tools include AI Magic Weather, AI Magic Landscape, AI Retouch, AI Erase, AI Magic Move, AI Image Expander, and AI Color Adjustment.

The cameras are arranged in a flagship metallic camera module for a smooth, clean, and understated look.

Smarter, more intuitive

Along with a fully rebuilt infrastructure and Origin Smooth Engine, the system looks, feels, and stays smooth while allowing multi-scenario connectivity.

The OS also introduces Origin Island, a dynamic capsule at the top of the screen.

The phone also supports cross-device transfer, including with supported iPhone models.

Inside is a 6,500mAh BlueVolt battery with 90W FlashCharge. Other features include Dual-Bridge Signal Concurrency for optimized network even in congested environments.