News

Despite ban, the Huawei P40 still has American parts

Includes Qualcomm in component list

Published

April 2, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Last year, the Huawei P30 marked the company’s last hurrah with American parts in the foreseeable future. Since then, Huawei’s next flagship series — the Mate 30 series — launched without Google, shifting the brand away from the widely popular suite of apps for the first time since its renaissance. Recently, the company launched the Huawei P40 series, the second flagship series under this era. Of course, it was business as usual for the now America-less smartphone company.

However, after a Financial Times breakdown, the new flagship series still has a few distinctly American parts hiding underneath its surface. Most notably, the phone’s radio-frequency front-end modules (or what the phone uses to call people) come from Qualcomm, Skyworks, and Qorvo. All three companies hail from the US.

Given the current ban, this comes as a surprise. However, if anything, Qualcomm can explain its way out of the mystery. According to an insider source, the American company already has an operating exception against the current ban. Of course, this is still disputable since the US has kept its silence over which companies have successfully received an exception. Currently, only Microsoft has explicitly confirmed its accepted exemption.

Permits aside, Qualcomm also exports its products to third-party subsidiaries outside of the US, which can, in turn, sell the same products to Huawei. At this time, this strategy is still an allowable way for Huawei to use American components.

Unfortunately, neither Skyworks nor Qorvo have spoken about their involvement in the latest Huawei phone. For its part, Huawei has assured consumers that it is still complying with the current regulations set by the government.

Besides the three modules, the Huawei P40 has another blatantly American feature: Android. Despite all the news, the smartphone is still using the world’s most popular operating system. Compared to hardware, Android’s presence is more explainable. The smartphone uses an open-source version of the system. It just doesn’t have Google’s stamp of approval or its suite of apps.

Regardless of the mysteries, Huawei is still doing its best to make up for the loss of its American parts. The Huawei P40 is just its latest attempt to recreate the magic.

Gaming

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will launch in 2027

The region is based on Southeast Asia.

Published

February 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The tenth generation of Pokémon is here! Kicking off the franchise’s celebration for thirty successful years, The Pokémon Company announced the next mainline games: Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.

The announcement trailer started with a nostalgic reminiscing of a Pikachu across all the different generations over the years. A sudden knock on the door breaks the protagonist’s reminiscing. At the door are two Pikachu dressed in vacation clothes, standing outside a beach house on stilts.

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves isn’t just another trip to another roaring urban-to-rural region. Rather, the generation’s yet-unnamed region wants you to take a vacation in a place inspired by Southeast Asia.

Because of its tropical locale, a lot of the Pokémon featured are more nature- and animal-based. You won’t see a lot of the newer creatures inspired by objects here.

The region will also have a variety of biomes including a forest, a beach, and even an underground volcanic section. And, making a comeback for the first time in years, there will seemingly be an underwater biome filled with aquatic Pokémon.

Highlighting the new generation are three new starter Pokémon: Browt, the Grass-type bird Pokémon; Pombon, the Fire-type dog Pokémon; and Gecqua, the Water-type gecko Pokémon.

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027.

Entertainment

ITZY’s YUNA is Infinix’s first ever global brand ambassador

Infinix is in with YUNA in the scene

Published

February 27, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Infinix is entering a new era — and the brand is bringing one of K-Pop’s most sought-after stars along the ride.

A first for Infinix

In line with the launch of the latest NOTE 60 series, Infinix has also named YUNA of ITZY as its very first Global Brand Ambassador. The company calls this a bold step forward for both innovation and style.

For the record, this is the first time Infinix has tapped a global ambassador — and the choice makes sense. YUNA is known for her confidence, vibrant energy, and unapologetic self-expression. These qualities align closely with Infinix’s “Joy Tech, Beyond Limits” philosophy.

In a statement, YUNA shared her excitement about the partnership. She said she’s looking forward to connecting with fans in a new way and creating meaningful stories together with the brand.

For Infinix, this collaboration is more than just a celebrity endorsement. It signals a shift in how the company wants to position itself globally — not just as a smartphone maker, but as a lifestyle tech brand for expressive, tech-savvy youth.

The more, the merrier

The partnership goes along the debut of the NOTE 60 Series, further fueling Infinix’s move toward a more premium smartphone experience.

Like YUNA, the NOTE 60 line also brings notable names in the table:

Powered by Snapdragon from Qualcomm
Design collaboration with Pininfarina
Audio tuned with JBL

It’s a clear attempt that Infinix wanted to elevate both performance and design by blending in flagship-level specs, more refined aesthetics, and immersive sound altogether.

Infinix says this launch also marks its expansion into more premium international markets.

With YUNA as the face of the brand, the company hopes to strengthen its appeal among younger users who want both powerful hardware and a device that matches their personality.

Rather than focusing purely on specs, Infinix is leaning into storytelling — highlighting how technology can spark creativity, joy, and individuality.

With the NOTE 60 Series and YUNA front and center, Infinix appears ready to redefine its brand identity on a global scale.

Automotive

BYD’s high-end brand Denza launches in the Philippines

The debut starts with the Denza D9, a full-size MPV.

Published

February 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The BYD family in the Philippines just got bigger. After testing the waters and succeeding gracefully with the main brand, the Chinese automotive company is bringing in a new brand to the country: Denza.

Denza started off as a brand co-owned by both BYD and Mercedes-Benz (then known as Daimler). BYD’s meteoric success eventually led to Denza’s concurrent rise as well. Eventually, Mercedes-Benz relinquished all but 10 percent of the brand’s total shares to BYD in 2021. Then, in 2024, the German company withdrew entirely, leading to Denza being completely owned by BYD today.

The brand is known for delivering high-end PHEVs to several markets, which now includes the Philippines. The stint will start off with its ever-popular full-size MPV, the Denza D9.

Introducing the Denza D9

Prior to today’s launch, I already saw the Denza D9 plowing through the streets. The sizable MPV already made quite an impression, to say the least.

Up close, the Denza D9 has a bold front fascia, exuding modern elegance and sleek body lines.

Inside, the car prioritizes comfort for all passengers with luxurious captain seats. Those seats feature a ten-way electric adjustment six-way adjustable headrests, and leg rests. They also come with seat ventilation to get through an intensely sunny day. Finally, each seat comes its own LED panel for maximum control.

The DiSus system keeps the car balanced throughout any situation. The drive will remain comfortable even during high-speed cornering, full-throttle acceleration, and sudden braking. It will also come with nine airbags to keep all passengers protected.