News

Vivo Nex 3 5G: A phone from the future?

Vivo’s latest tech in a single package

Published

September 16, 2019

Rodneil Quiteles

Photos by David Cogen | The Unlockr

Vivo has been showcasing bits and pieces of its latest in mobile technology over the past few months. All of these come together in its latest flagship — the Vivo NEX 3 5G.

Truly by innovation only

Vivo should have straight up stepped on Apple’s toes. The latter had the gall to put “By Innovation Only” on the invite of their iPhone event but had nothing mind-blowingly new to offer when the iPhone 11 family was revealed. This is not the case for the Vivo NEX 3.

Headlining the new flagship is its 5G capability. This is made possible by Vivo’s new 5G-6 antenna design as well as Qualcomm’s 5G-enabled chip — the Snapdragon 855 Plus. That combo ensures you get top computing performance and download speeds of up to one gigabyte per second. Let that sink in for a while.

The high level of energy consumption by 5G requires immense support. As an answer, Vivo put a 4500mAh battery on the Vivo NEX 3 but it doesn’t end there. The phone is also equipped with Vivo’s Super FlashCharge 44W. It’s not quite the Super FlashCharge 120W that juiced up a 4,000mAh battery phone in just 13 minutes, but it should still be pretty darn fast.

The phone is also equipped with the Vapor Chamber Cooling System to ensure the phone doesn’t get too hot while you’re using 5G.

The WaterFall FullView Display is a sight to behold

We’ve seen it on leaks and the promotional video that surfaced on the internet a few weeks ago. But even when it’s finally confirmed, it’s still almost hard to believe.

The WaterFall FullView Display flows seamlessly from edge-to-edge of the smartphone. Dropping down over to the side, indeed, like a waterfall. With no notch in sight, you get a phone that has an insane 99.6 percent screen-to-body ratio.

What’s even more insane is how the phone doesn’t have any physical buttons. So there are no bulging power or volume keys to ruin the phone’s aesthetic. This was made truly with the best design in mind. What it instead has is the X-axis Haptic Vibration motor. It’s Touch Sense that responds with haptic feedback the same way that physical buttons would.

There’s also an In-Display fingerprint scanner to complete the unibody look. The Vivo NEX 3 is too sexy that we fail to describe just how good it looks with the words in our arsenal.

Adding a little bit of flair to the already gorgeous display is the Side Ambient Light. Which sounds a lot like the feature that was introduced but ultimately axed on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge called Edge Lighting.

Triple cameras headlined by a 64MP shooter

It was Realme and Xiaomi that were racing to release a phone with a 64MP lens. Quietly working through all this was Vivo. The company even partnered the 64MP camera with 13MP wide angle lens, and another 13MP telephoto lens for a camera setup that will serve you in nearly any scenario.

The three cameras are enclosed in a circle that recreates what Vivo calls the Lunar Ring System. It’s a design inspired by a traditional wristwatch as seen in a sketch Li Xiang shared on Weibo.

We were impressed with the HDR and capabilities of Vivo smartphones from the past and the Vivo NEX 3 should be no different. It has a feature called Portrait Master’s Hyper HDR of up to 7.65eV which is designed for portraits, it increases dynamic range accuracy between a user’s face and the background’s lightest spot.

Completing the cameras equipped on the phone is the 16MP pop-camera — a signature feature of the NEX line.

Vivo staples still present

Vivo’s AI Jovi is very much baked into the entire system. This means artificial intelligence is all over the Vivo NEX 3 which should help boost the phone’s performance the more you use it.

You still get Android 9 Pie with Funtouch OS 9.1 on top. In terms of RAM, there’s one with 8GB and another with 12GB. As far as onboard storage goes, the Vivo NEX 3 will have a whopping 256GB.

In the initial information, there’s no mention if the Vivo NEX 3 kept the 3.5mm headphone jack, but it’s worth noting that the phone is equipped with an independent audio chip which promises a better overall audio experience.

Alongside the phone, Vivo also launched the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphone — the company’s first Bluetooth earphones which might suggest that jack didn’t make it to this phone.

Pricing and availability

There’s no word on pricing yet but the Vivo NEX 3 series will be available in the coming months in Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia and other markets.

News

Mastercard brings Apple Pay to customers in the Philippines

Easy and secure way to pay across Apple ecosystem

Published

August 4, 2026

GadgetMatch

Mastercard has officially brought Apple Pay to its cardholders in the Philippines. This gives iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac users an easy, secure, and private way to pay in-store, in-app, and online.

To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment.

Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app and tap the ‘+’ and follow the steps to add a Mastercard credit or debit card.

Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away.

Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code.

Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments.

Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on the web without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact information, card details, or shipping and billing information.

Of course, customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by Mastercard.

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers.

Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

News

Visa brings Apple Pay to its customers in the Philippines

An easier and more secure way to pay with iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac

Published

August 4, 2026

GadgetMatch

Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, announced today that Visa debit and credit cardholders in the Philippines can now add their eligible cards to Apple Pay on their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. Apple Pay is an easy, secure and private way to pay in-store, in-app and online.

This announcement accelerates the digitalization of payments all while expanding payment options for Filipinos traveling abroad and visitors traveling to the Philippines. Across the Asia Pacific region, 97% of travelers¹ say that they will bring credit, debit, or prepaid cards on their trips, while only 17% intend to bring foreign currency. Among travelers, 38% said they prefer cards because of robust security and fraud protection features, while 20% cite wide acceptance. Apple Pay seamlessly delivers on these exact needs by making everyday transactions easy, secure, and private.

Visa Confidential

To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode, as well as a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments.

“Apple Pay represents the next evolution of payments in the Philippines, combining ease of use, simplicity, and security in every transaction, helping amplify the payment experience for Visa cardholders in the Philippines. With Apple Pay, Filipinos and tourists alike now have seamless and secure ways to pay across shops, restaurants, travel destinations, and public transport, supporting the nation’s vision to become a cash-lite economy,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap the ‘+’, and follow the steps to add a Visa card. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits offered by their Visa cards.

For more information on Apple Pay, visit: https://www.apple.com/ph/apple-pay/

Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM6 gets a new Olive Gray colorway option

The new color launches today.

Published

August 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.

A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.

Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.

Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.

Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.

As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.

In Singapore, the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available starting today through Sony Stores, the Sony Store Online, and authorized dealers for S$649, matching the pricing of the existing color options.