Accessories

LuMee Case review

Published

on

Any self-respecting millennial knows that a good selfie can get you places. It’s the best social media tool for your well-curated life on Instagram and Snapchat — just ask Kim Kardashian West, queen of social media, who took it upon herself to raise awareness on the art of illuminated selfies. Enter: the LuMee case.

The brainchild of a professional lighting director, the LuMee case boasts the ability to “brighten your life,” one glorious selfie at a time. The infamous accessory has graced the phones of countless celebrities, and claims to be behind millions of flawless photographs.

So, does this case really work? Will this thing give me optimum party snaps? And more importantly, will it really give me fleek selfies that my online persona needs? I set out to find the answers to these questions.

The awkward first date

The lightweight LuMee Original attaches to your phone and uses LED lights that’ll brighten up any selfie. Just press the button at the back, and it turns on using power from its own external battery. (Thanking the LuMee gods for not touching my phone’s already fragile battery life!) The case’s battery lasted me days, and gave me at least a week’s worth of selfies on one charge.

LuMee

I may be cute in this selfie, but my hands were struggling to keep hold of my phone with the LuMee on; it was just too big for my small girl grasp.

But, the LuMee’s size leaves a lot to be desired. The case almost doubles the size of the phone! Holding on to the iPhone 6s is hard enough with my small, delicate hands — what more with the bulky LuMee? Imagine trying to hold on to this thing in a bar setting, while alcohol-infused and attempting a cutesy snap. Definitely a con, as I’m sure any drunken party girl with small hands can attest to.

My iPhone 6s with the LuMee compared to a plain iPhone 6s. The LuMee’s charging port is also visible in this photo.

 

The case took all my party clutch space and left no room for other stuff like my power bank and makeup, which are party essentials!

Finding the light

(L-R) Without the LuMee; with the LuMee at its brightest and showcasing all my facial flaws; with the LuMee, after adjusting the brightness.

The LuMee is definitely good at what it’s supposed to do, but maybe even too good.

A simple press and hold of the button adjusts the light’s intensity — either go brighter (if your makeup is totally on fleek) or dimmer (for softer light and a flawless selfie finish).

Personally, I’m not a fan of the brightest light setting for selfies, as I feel my fresh face realness gets overexposed. But, it works wonders for snaps and videos, because it gives you the perfect amount of lighting for the movement shown in the GIFs below:

Doggie snap in a low-light scenario, because doggie snaps are life. The LuMee lighting makes a world of difference.

I even tried the LuMee in a tricycle ride, because you never know when you’ll need a good snap. Results were conclusive: I was still cute, and the LuMee worked wonders.

Even on a dark street, the LuMee lighting does not disappoint!

The case works well not just in low-light situations, but also in crazy light scenarios (shadows, strobe lights — you name it). The LuMee assures perfect photo situations every single time. The separate power button at the back of the case is amazingly convenient, too. No need to struggle with your phone’s interface to turn it on while navigating to your Snapchat app.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

I have to admit (as with all first dates) I was skeptical about the case when I first tried it out because, really, who actually needs a phone accessory dedicated solely to selfies? I was convinced that good lighting can be achieved by other means. But, again and again, the LuMee proved useful and convenient during the time I spent trying it out.

The LuMee Original has one job, and it does that one job well. However, for its size and discounted retail price of $40, I would’ve wanted more in terms of functionality. The LuMee Duo, a newer model priced at almost $70, now has LED light bulbs installed at the back of the case for lighting your rear-facing camera, too. But, even then, I feel like the bulky size and extravagant price tag does not compensate for just those additional functions.

Me working the LuMee and the joy it now brings to my life.

So, how many flawless selfies does one actually need? The answer is a lot, apparently — and every single one has to be flawless! Since the LuMee gives you the opportunity to take better photos, it’s hard to go back to the dark, blurred selfies of the past. But, for the steep price, I might just have to resort to daytime selfies and content myself with evenings undocumented on social media. For $40, I’m buying myself good MAC foundation, and I’ll just look good in person instead.

[irp posts=”3906″ name=”The OPPO F1s is an affordable ‘selfie expert'”]

Related Topics:

Accessories

IQOS x Isabel Santos turns heated tech into a cool, design statement

A limited-edition collaboration where product innovation meets contemporary Filipino art.

Published

on

February 24, 2026

By

IQOS unveiled its latest collaboration with contemporary Filipino visual artist Isabel Santos.

Titled Curiosity Without Limits, the partnership places product design and personalization at the forefront, using art as the medium that reshapes the experience.

When hardware becomes a canvas

On a Friday night in Makati, RCBC Plaza felt less like a business address and more like a portal. The third floor glowed in deep blues and music echoed through concrete walls.

Inside, a crowd gathered not for a board meeting, but for something far more immersive. At the center stood a curated installation of IQOS devices and limited-edition accessories wrapped in Santos’ signature visual language.

Her works, known for their fluid motion, layered forms, and bold interplay of blue, teal, and bursts of warmth, extended beyond framed canvases and into physical objects people could carry.

Hand-painted IQOS devices, tote bags, pouches, luggage tags, and magnetic snap wallets were displayed like collectible pieces rather than merchandise.

Personalization as part of the ecosystem

Beyond display, the event emphasized interaction. Legal-age IQOS club members were given access to on-site customization stations, where devices could be personalized with exclusive Isabel Santos designs.

The process turned a familiar tech ritual into something participatory, aligning with the broader theme of curiosity driving experimentation.

A digital sensory wall responded to movement, animating Santos’ artwork through ripples and waves.

Nearby, a sketch station allowed guests to draw digitally. Guests were able to see their creations projected in real time onto a large screen. The experience reinforced IQOS’ positioning at the intersection of product innovation and experiential design.

Design meets contemporary culture

Isabel Santos, known for her motion-driven compositions and layered abstractions, unveiled and signed a central artwork created exclusively for the collaboration.

Her ability to translate emotional rhythm into visual form brought dimension to IQOS’ structured aesthetic.

The partnership was announced by PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, framing the initiative as a design-led project for legal-age nicotine users who would otherwise continue to smoke.

While IQOS devices are engineered around heated tobacco technology, the collaboration highlighted how design can influence perception and experience. The devices remained technologically consistent. What evolved was the narrative around them.

Beyond the launch

IQOS is positioning its hardware not only as a technological alternative, but as a lifestyle object shaped by collaboration and  customization.

The IQOS x Isabel Santos collection extends to participating IQOS boutiques nationwide. Select locations in Bonifacio Global City, SM Mall of Asia, and Glorietta offer personalization services for a limited time, with a dedicated in-store installation unveiled at the Glorietta boutique.

Continue Reading

Accessories

Jackery portable power solutions makes appearance at Doraemon Run

New portable power solutions provider set to make official launch soon

Published

on

February 23, 2026

By

Jackery recently made its first public presence in the Philippines quietly after being among the sponsors of the Doraemon Run 2026 Manila.

The portable power solutions provider founded in 2012 in California showcased three of their innovative charging products at their booth: the Explorer 100 Plus, Explorer 300 Plus, and Explorer 1000 V2.

Naturally, participants at the fun run were able to recharge their small devices for free with Jackery’s products at the booth.

The biggest variant, the Explorer 1000 V2, has a total power storage of 1070Wh. Along with a 1500W maximum output power, it can easily recharge gadgets like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, cameras, and even drones.

It also has multiple USB-C, AC, and DC ports for simultaneous charging of such devices.

Interestingly, the smallest variant, the Explorer 100 Plus, does champion portability. It costs just about PhP 6,999 and comes with a 99.2Wh capacity. That’s about more than 26,000mAh and is enough to recharge five smartphones.

It comes with a USB-A and two USB-C ports, and is much like a slightly larger power bank. Although, make no mistake, it is also approved for flights.

All three of Jackery’s Explorer models also have an informative digital display. The brand also had the Solar Saga 100W foldable solar panel on display. This standalone backup power solution has an IP68 water resistance.

Currently, Jackery’s products are available online via Lazada and Shopee. An official launch event is expected later this year.

The brand name is an amalgamation of the words “jacket” and “battery”. This is a nod to what Jackery produced a decade ago: jacket batteries for consumer tech companies.

Continue Reading

Accessories

Apple AirTag 2 Review

Range, Sound, and REAL-WORLD Tests!

Published

on

February 15, 2026

By

and

THE Michael Josh puts AirTags in his bags, suitcases, keys, heck, even his TV remote.

They’ve saved him many times and keep anxiety at bay when it comes to delayed or missing baggage.

And just about last month, Apple announced a new model — the same size, shape, and price. But, it comes with a whole bunch of improvements that make it more findable.

So, should you rush out to get the new ones? In this review video, we test the range and sound of the all-new AirTag 2 in the real world.

Continue Reading

Trending