News

Android One was never really dead

Published

September 5, 2017

Marvin Velasco

Earlier today, Xiaomi launched the Mi A1, which is the international version of the Mi 5X. Doesn’t sound so exciting at first, but the real story here is the reintroduction of Android One to the world.

As it turns out, Android One was never really dead. We questioned its existence a year ago after noticing a lack of smartphones with the pure operating system installed, and having witnessed only a few signs of life since then.

In a blog entry posted right after Xiaomi’s announcement, Google makes it seem like Android One was active all along, although they could barely name more than one manufacturer that has supported the platform in the past year. The search giant then mentioned its plans to work with “more partners” — notice the plural form there.

From our own database, the two most prominent backers of Android One have been General Mobile and Sharp, which aren’t exactly household names in the smartphone business, but were vital in keeping the ship afloat.

Android One is an excellent platform to build on, and shouldn’t have lost the momentum started by its initial launch in 2014. The first generations of smartphones under the program had the purest form of the operating system, as well as access to the latest Android updates and security patches.

Buying an Android One phone was like going for a Nexus (still remember those?) minus the added premium. The platform made a name for itself with affordable handsets without any bloatware from manufacturers or telcos, which is the true essence of open-sourced Android in the first place.

If Google’s partnership with Xiaomi is a sign of things to come, we’re in for a smooth ride. Xiaomi’s presence is well established in the two most populated consumer markets in the world: China and India. The two nations also have a strong preference toward products that are easy on the pockets — something that Google and Xiaomi can capitalize on with offerings like the Mi A1.

The questions that remain are: Is Xiaomi’s worldwide recognition enough to bring Android One back to prominence? And will this partnership lead to more opportunities for Android purists to get the latest updates without spending for a Pixel?

Google is well known for leaving projects in the dust — look no further than Project Ara and Google Glass as examples — but Android One is neither just a project or another operating system; it’s still the company’s gateway to the next five billion.

[irp posts=”19694″ name=”Xiaomi unveils Mi A1 with Android One and dual cameras”]

News

vivo introduces refurbished versions of X300 FE, X300 Ultra for less

vivo offers consumers more affordable way of owning smartphones

Published

September 9, 2026

GadgetMatch

vivo is offering its market an affordable way to own its smartphones without necessarily purchasing a brand-new unit: vivo refurbished phones.

Unlike ordinary second-hand phones, the refurbished vivo units are brand-managed devices that undergo inspection, cleaning, and necessary repairs by vivo customer service professionals.

After undergoing such a process, the phones are then made available for resale. This gives consumers a more accessible way to own a vivo smartphone — with added assurance of professional quality checks and warranty support.

@vivo_philippines

vivo Refurbished Phones are NOW AVAILABLE! Get high-end flagship smartphones at a lower price and watch to learn what makes it different from second-hand devices. Meet the star of our refurbished lineup, the vivo X300 Ultra! https://bit.ly/vivoX300Ultra_refurbished More units COMING SOON! #vivo #vivoX300Ultra #fyp #foryoupage #viral

♬ original sound – vivo_philippines – vivo_philippines

vivo says the refurbished units include those previously used by KOLs or ambassadors, as well as store display and demo units. They will be divided into two main types: Pre-owned (LDU) and Near New.

Once these devices are returned, they are handled by vivo customer service professionals and undergo the necessary inspection, cleaning, and repair processes before being relisted for sale.

This gives consumers another option when looking for a vivo smartphone that fits their budget. Refurbished units can make selected vivo devices more accessible.

Furthermore, the units will still come with a standard one-year warranty, with the warranty start date determined according to the unit’s classification and available proof of purchase.

To purchase a refurbished vivo phone, consumers can visit the vivo official website. Currently available are the vivo X300 FE and vivo X300 Ultra.

News

A casemaker just revealed the foldable iPhone Ultra ahead of time

The surprise is gone.

Published

September 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As of now, we’re still around 12 hours ahead of the most anticipated event of the month, the launch of the iPhone 18 series. Besides the ubiquitous flagship lineup, the event is also heavily rumored to reveal the upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra. Well, while Apple has been secretive about the device itself, Dbrand has just spoiled the surprise for fans.

The often-sarcastic casemaker has just released a series of phone cases for the iPhone Ultra. The series doesn’t stray at all from Dbrand’s usual slew of designs. You’ll still get the traditional Teardown skins (which offers a peek into the iPhone’s internals) and the Leather skins (with real leather).

The main point here, of course, is that it’s already available ahead of the scheduled launch. As for looks, the cases confirm that the foldable will have the passport-style format popularized by the Galaxy Z Fold8. The device will also have a slightly elevated camera bump and two buttons on top of the bump.

Other than that, there’s still a lot to be revealed in the upcoming event. There are high hopes that the iPhone Ultra will fix the persistent pain points of the foldable segment. Unfortunately, it will likely come with a pretty exorbitant price tag, making it a much harder buy for regular iPhone users.

Accessories

Sony resurrects the WH-1000XM4 with a refreshed model

The return of the king.

Published

September 8, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For a lot of people (me included), the Sony WH-1000XM4 was the first taste of what Bluetooth headphones could be. It was the first time I desperately wanted a new pair of headphones. It took me until the current XM6 to get a pair, but I can’t forget what came before. And, apparently, neither can Sony.

Today, Sony is resurrecting the WH-1000XM4 with the refreshed WH-1000XM4C. Straying from the lineup’s usual releases, the WH-1000XM4C is the second generation of the universally acclaimed headphones, while the XM6 is still the current flagship model.

It’s not just a simple rerelease, too. Though it still rocks the QN1-based active noise cancellation, the new pair tweaks the sound profile to more closely match the modern standard. It also comes with 10-band and gaming-specific equalizer presets. It will have a slightly smaller battery but with better fast charging to juice up quickly.

The new WH-1000XM4C will be available in Lavender, Black, and Platinum Silver. It will also cost US$ 299.99 — 50 bucks cheaper than the first generation.

Besides the refreshed flagship, Sony is also launching the WH-CH730N, a midrange pair built for commuters, and the WH-CH530, an entry-level pair with more colorful colorway options.

The WH-CH730N will come in White, Pink, Blue, Black, and Oat. It sells for US$ 179.99.

Meanwhile, the WH-CH530 come in Black, Cobalt, Coral, Mint, White, and Pink. It sells for US$ 69.99.