Every smartphone comes with an expiration date. While users can technically keep a device running well past this date, these devices will no longer enjoy the same support they once did upon launch. Five years is the current standard for software updates. However, Google is pushing the period by two years, reportedly offering seven years of support for the Pixel 8 series.

A little over a week before the launch of Pixel 8 series, Google has already let a lot of details slip about the flagships. There’s not a lot that we don’t already know about the device. However, the expanded support period is still relatively new information especially for those thinking about upgrading their phones for the Pixel 8.

According to Kamila Wojciechowska on X, the  series will receive seven years of support. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the series is getting all the major Android updates for seven years. It might just include smaller updates and security patches.

Regardless, seven years is still a big jump from the industry standard. Samsung, for example, only offers five years of support for the Galaxy S23 series. Whenever you buy a new smartphone, you expect to keep it for several years. Expanding the cushion of support by two years ensures that users can keep using their new smartphone with nary a hitch over the years.

The Pixel 8 series is launching officially on October 4.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals the Pixel 8 series in official teaser

It seems like HUAWEI is unstoppable with their very confusing way of silently rolling out devices within just two weeks.

The first two phones on the Mate 60 series (Base and Pro variants) were announced in the last week of August. This early September, it seems like the rumors were true after all as the company unveiled their full-on flagship, the HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+. This product unveil was announced alongside the slightly-revamped HUAWEI Mate X5.

UPDATE: The HUAWEI Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design was finally unveiled at the very end of September and completes the 2023 Mate lineup.

Pro+ Reborn

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro (2020)

It was in 2020 when HUAWEI had a Pro+ model with the Mate 40 series — or the so-we-thought the last of its kind.

HUAWEI Mate 50 Series (2022)

After two years, HUAWEI resurrected the Mate lineup with four different versions — but the Pro+ wasn’t in that list. Instead, the best Mate 50 variant you could get last year was the Porsche Design RS model with great hardware and a stealthier design in mind.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Finally, after three years of hiatus, HUAWEI has finally decided to bring back the Pro+ line to life.

For the flagship-savvy

I’m already gonna spoil you: there are just quite a few (but major) changes that the HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+ has over its “lesser Pro” sibling.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

First, its got better storage and memory configurations for flagship-savvy users. There’s a bigger 16GB RAM. You can also choose between just the 512GB or a whopping 1TB storage option.

If that’s still not enough for your storage needs, HUAWEI’s NM (Nano Memory) card saves the day with its up to 256GB expandability.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Second, unlike its lesser Pro siblings, the Mate 60 Pro+ are only being offered in two classic yet streamlined-looking colorways: Xuanbai (which is white), and Inkstone Black.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Last but definitely not the least, both Pro phones have two major differences in their respective camera department:

Of course, this is with the inclusion of HUAWEI’s excellent XMAGE imaging system.

Best in Class

As the old saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Mate 60 Pro+ still keeps the best in class features that its Pro sibling already have.

On the outside, they’re just like twins: 8.1mm thin and a lightweight smartphone at just 225 grams.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Display specifics are never different: 6.82-inch LTPO OLED Full HD+ display with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 300Hz touch sampling rate, 1440Hz PWM Dimming, plus DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut and 1.07 Billion Colors support.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Of course, it would be questionable if they didn’t equip it with the new triple punch-hole cutout — which can later be changed to a pill-shaped one via its software settings.

Battery? Still that 5000mAh battery with 88W wired SuperCharge support, 50W through wireless, and 20W when reverse wireless charging is being used.

Last but definitely not the least is found inside its core. The HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+ is also powered by the newest Kirin 9000s chipset in a 7nm process.

Though its official spec sheet say nothing about the CPU it uses, it’s very evident that HUAWEI has invested much of their time and money on R&D just to manufacture their own chips without having to deal with partnership issues alongside other manufacturers. This enables not just 5G connectivity but also the company’s satellite communication technology altogether.

Satellite Service Support

Speaking of, unlike the Mate 60 Pro, the Pro+ version supports both two different Chinese satellite-based services: Beidou and Tiantong.

Beidou satellite tech first made its debut on the HUAWEI Mate X3 and P60 series. This technology doesn’t require any SIM card in order for it to work but has limitations when it comes to sending messages. Making calls are simply impossible.

Whereas Tiantong-based satellite tech prompts the user to insert a SIM card prior using the service. This also means it can do more than messaging such as calls, sending media, and even surfing the web.

Beidou is currently free of charge when sending short messages under public beta testing while Tiantong offers several plans for users to avail — whether it’s for local or international use.

Utmost robustness

The “Xuanwu architecture” (or Xuanwu design) wasn’t forgotten. With an ultra-strong basalt body and ultra-durable brocade fiber material alongside HUAWEI’s very-own second-generation Kunlun Glass, it gives the phone a three-layer protection and strengthens the phone’s overall reliability.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Other flagship features worth keeping are the IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

Ultimate Design

As previously rumored, the long-term collaboration between the fashion brand Porsche Design and the Chinese company has come to an end as the Chinese company didn’t want to renew their partnership that started last 2016 with the Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9. Thus, the Mate 60 RS “Ultimate Design” was born (and actually trademarked by HUAWEI).

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Specs-wise, it’s the same Mate 60 Pro+ but in a classier, more premium aesthetics plus a more intricate craftsmanship. But unlike the Mate 50 RS Porsche Design, there are no differences in this year’s cameras nor device configurations.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

To make it easier to differentiate, the Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design uses a ceramic and metal combo. On the other hand, the Mate 60 Pro+ features leather and metal while the Mate 60 sticks with glass and metal.

You can choose between two bold colors: Ruihong (Red) and Xuanhei (Black on Black).

Pricing and availability

As previously mentioned, the HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+ and Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design are limited with just two configurations:

Mate 60 Pro+

• 16GB + 512GB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1231 / EUR 1158 / GBP 1007 / SG$ 1682 / PhP 69,865 / INR 102,319)
• 16GB + 1TB = CNY 9999 (US$ 1368 / EUR 1286 / GBP 1119 / SG$ 1868 / PhP 77,628 / INR 113,689)

Mate 60 Pro RS Ultimate Design

• 16GB + 512GB = CNY 11,999 (US$ 1641 / EUR 1543 / GBP 1342 / SG$ 2242 / PhP 93,156 / INR 136,429)
• 16GB + 1TB = CNY 12,999 (US$ 1778 / EUR 1672 / GBP 1454 / SG$ 2429 / PhP 100,919 / INR 147,799)

Previously, HUAWEI has promised that the pre-ordered Mate 60 Pro+ units are expected to arrive before October 9, 2023 (Monday). It’s later moved to October 21, 2023 (Saturday).

There’s no word on the global availability of these new releases from HUAWEI. Still, don’t keep your expectations too high.

The thought of this phone being equipped with the new 5G Kirin chipset most likely hints that they will have the same fate as the other two Mate 60 models where a company representative confirmed them being solely China-exclusive. Still, we’re crossing our fingers for a global variant of at least the Mate 60 Pro+.

vivo just officially launched their newest mid-ranger, the vivo V29 5G, and we’re lucky to get dibs before the release date.

I was initially excited to review this because of the stunning design, and I’d love to see the improvements of their Aura Light technology — a clever and trendy feature that set vivo apart from its competitors. 

For two weeks, I brought this phone along with me to my different activities. Below are some of my favorite things about it.

Celestial-inspired colors

One of the things I love about phones today is how brands are stepping up when it comes to design. Of course, we’re all for the specs and performance, but having a phone that fits your aesthetic is a big plus nowadays especially in the time of reels and Tiktok.

vivo clearly understood that assignment.

Starting from their color-changing back design from vivo V23, vivo’s phone releases have become much more interesting with their well-thought-of designs.

When I got my hands on the vivo V29 5G, I immediately loved the Magic Maroon color. I brought it along with me to Niki’s concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, and it matched my maroon pink floral outfit. 

The other variant, Starry Purple, looks okay for me in photos. It looks pretty and elegant in person, though. I would’ve wanted it to be fully purple, but it makes sense — this colorway is more gender neutral.

The Innovative Starry Craft design overall looks very premium, making vivo V29 5G a great gadget match to any stylish outfit.

Wearing a chrome nail polish would be a total plus!

Improved Aura Light technology

vivo V29 5G Aura Light 2.0

vivo’s exclusive Aura Light system was first introduced in vivo V27, which I had the pleasure to review as well. The new vivo V29 upgrades this feature with the Aura Light 2.0. It finally has the Smart Color Temperature Adjustment, which lets you adjust the color of the light depending on the surroundings or personal preferences. It’s giving warm glow.

This feature is content creator friendly. No need to ask your friend to turn on their phone light for additional lighting.

Here are some sample photos using the Aura Light technology:

Crisp camera quality

When it comes to the camera quality, the vivo V29 5G takes crisp and clear photos even up to 10x zoom. 

Group selfies are great as well. With the 50-MP AF group selfie, it can accommodate a large group without compromising the quality and with more room for the background.

The portrait camera enhances the features of the subject, and with the aura light, the photo is ready to upload without the need for enhancement. 

Selfie mode is pretty clear too.

One of the things I also noticed, though, is that it takes long for photos to process, especially when taking photos in low light.

Stunning night shots

The vivo V29 5G delivers sharp photos even during nighttime. 

During Niki’s concert, I took some low-light indoor photos and I was impressed with the night camera.

Look at these audience snaps from when Niki sang my favorite heartbreak song, “Oceans and Engines.”

The ocean of lights were breathtaking, and the vivo V29 5G gave justice to it. Thanks to the camera’s super night mode, vivo V29 5G solidly captured the phone lights, and they didn’t appear blurry.

The phone also features an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology which reduces blurriness, ensuring quality low-light photos. Here’s another sample photo from a night music festival I went to:

It also takes decent concert videos, but the 10x video zoom is just okay.

80W fast charging

The best thing about Android phones for me is the consistent innovation when it comes to fast charging. The vivo V29 5G provides 80W fast charging, perfect for those who are on-the-go, or those who are just impatient (like me). I immediately got an additional 15% battery charge in as fast as 5 minutes.

Other new features

Another notable thing about vivo v29 is the additional eye protection features for both hardware and software. The phone has reduced blue light and screen flickering to ensure safe usage.

This is great news if you’re thinking of availing this phone for your loved ones, especially the older ones.

Apart from these features, vivo V29 5G sports a 120 Hz 1.5K AMOLED 3D Curved Screen, giving users a comfortable grip and great screen quality for binge-watching. It has 8 to 12GB RAM for fast video editing, as well as occasional gaming, and can handle up to 27-36 active apps in the background.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Overall, the vivo V29 5G is a great gadget for those who love content creation, and those with the habit of using multiple apps in a single time. It’s a great choice as well for people who loves using their phone as accessory to match their OOTD.

The vivo V29 5G is now available in the Philippines in two storage options: 12GB+256GB, priced at PhP 24,999 and 12GB+512GB for PhP 26,999. It’s available in vivo’s official stores, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.