Tablets
The 8th-generation iPad brings a lot of upgrades
Already available for orders
Whereas the new iPad Air touts the more powerful A14 Bionic chip, Apple is also bolstering its entry iPad through a much-needed upgrade. Though its slimmer sibling took the spotlight, there’s a lot to love about the 8th-generation iPad.
A12 under the hood
With the powerful A12 Bionic chip, the new iPad boasts up to 40 percent faster CPU performance and with twice as much graphics capabilities. In this iteration, Apple is bringing its machine-learning Neural Engine system to the iPad for the first time.
Strengthened by iPadOS 14
Starting September 16, Apple is rolling out the upcoming iPadOS 14 to compatible devices including the new iPad. Among other things, the update will ease functionalities between the iPad and the Apple Pencil. Bolstered by the new Neural Engine, users can now accurately transcribe their handwriting into typed text in no time at all.
Further, the new iPad will have updated, cleaner designs for several functions including FaceTime, Siri, Search, Photos, and Files. The update also redesigns widgets for a more seamless home screen.
A greener iPad
In 2030, Apple hopes to become carbon neutral, marking a vital green goal for the tech maker. In line with that, the new iPad uses 100 percent recycle aluminum and 100 percent recycled tin. It also remains free from harmful chemicals and uses wood fiber for its packaging.
Pricing and availability
The 8th-generation iPad is already up for preorders starting today. Apple will ship the units beginning Friday, September 18. The iPad will retail for as low as US$ 329.
News
TECNO MEGAPAD 2 now available in the Philippines
The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 finally reaches the Philippine shores — five months after its official unveiling at MWC 2026 last March.
It’s the brand’s latest Android tablet aimed at users looking for a larger screen for work, study, and entertainment.
Your Productivity Companion
TECNO’s MEGAPAD 2 boasts an 11-inch 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate and TÜV Low Blue Light certification. It also comes with a quad-speaker setup with DTS audio.
Powering the MEGAPAD 2 is a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC paired with either a 6+128GB or 8+256GB memory and storage configurations. There’s even a microSD expansion of up to 2TB.
Keeping the tablet running is an 8,200mAh battery with 18W wired charging. At just 6.6mm thin and 490g, it’s one of the slimmest and lightest tablets for its price point.
AI takes center stage
Like TECNO’s latest devices, the MEGAPAD 2 runs the latest HiOS 16 based on Android 16. This means they have integrated several AI-powered tools aimed at boosting productivity and learning.
These include AI Problem Solving for educational / homework assistance, AI Translation with support for up to 140 languages across images, calls, meetings, and videos. Moreover, writing tools that can summarize, rewrite, and proofread text.
The tablet is also part of TECNO’s OneLeap ecosystem. Compatible TECNO phones and laptops can share files, extend displays, and transfer content more seamlessly.
For video calls and casual photo-taking, the MEGAPAD 2 features 8MP front and rear cameras. Connectivity options include LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C, allowing users to stay connected even when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
Pricing and Availability
The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 comes in Space Grey, Light Green, and Cosmic Orange colorways.
In the Philippines, early bird pricing starts at PhP 13,266 for the 6GB + 128GB model. Meanwhile, the 8GB + 256GB variant is priced at PHP 15,766. Both configurations include a Bluetooth keyboard as part of the launch bundle.
After the offer, it rolls back to its PhP 16,999 and PhP 19,999 SRPs respectively — minus the free Bluetooth keyboard.
Hands-On
Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, Flip8, Ultra
Samsung’s freshest foldables come out of the oven
Three foldables. Three very different people.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra — the productivity maximizer. Heritage form factor, everything cranked to the max.
The Galaxy Z Flip8, pure style. The smallest, loudest, most you one of the bunch.
And finally, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 — the new beginning.
Built for the way most of us actually use our phones: watching, reading, scrolling. The one I keep reaching for and have a feeling THE Michael Josh will be using a lot.
Same family. Three ways to experience it.
Head over to our hands-on video on the latest and greatest Galaxy Z8 family for you to know your best bet.
News
The vivo X Fold6 is the first foldable to support teleconverter lens
Also boasts the biggest battery and the bestest cameras in any foldable to date
While the rest of the smartphone space wants to divert your attention towards the upcoming wide-style foldables, vivo focuses more on bringing a better and smarter foldable experience with the all-new X Fold6.
The better multitasker
vivo’s software team has invested much of their hard, sweat, and tears by bringing improved multitasking features exclusive for the X Fold6 with the OriginOS 6 Fold.
Last year’s X Fold5 brought multitasking improvements with the Atomic Workbench feature. Serial Mode was the default layout with a main page and four tasks on the side all displayed in one screen
In this year’s X Fold6, they are introducing a newer “Parallel Mode” layout with in-your-face multitasking experience spliced in several customizable windows à la Mondrian grid.
And it’s not just your typical split-screen divisions with floating windows panes and an adaptive dock, OriginOS 6 Fold promises a more intelligent yet more efficient workspaces never done by other manufacturers in their foldables over the past few years.
There are four basic scenarios provided for the X Fold6:
- AI Workbench
- Office Workbench
- Tourist Workbench
- Shopping Workbench
vivo even promises “thousands” of Atomic Workbench app combos for “thousands” of people:
- Stock Workbench
- Creative Workbench
- Watch the Game Workbench
- Ticket-grabbing Workbench
If you feel limited by that foldable workspace, connecting the X Fold6 through several display devices such as your monitor or TV enables you a maximized PC mode as well as side-by-side interconnection and collaboration.
Heck, even cross-compatibility between apps and other devices (regardless if iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac) are all seamless with one another.
The possibilities are just endless with vivo’s latest X-foldable.
And while we’re at it, the vivo X Fold6 sports a 8.02-inch display when unfolded (alongside Samsung’s M14 inner screen luminous material) while 6.51-inch cover display when closed.
Both are LTPO 8T AMOLED adpative 120Hz displays that can reach up to 5000 nits of peak brightness — and as low as 1Hz and 1-nit when deemed useful.
Both screens also have a pixel density of 424ppi with support for 1.07 Billion Colors as well as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content.
Full-fledged flagship foldable
vivo went all out with the X Fold6 not just in terms of software experience, but also the core hardware found within.
For one, it’s powered by the Dimensity 9500 Super Edition 3nm 8-core SoC paired with an ultra-capable ARM G1 Ultra GPU. Very different from the notorious 2023-made chipset in last year’s X Fold5.
This joint effort by MediaTek and vivo is made to be super energy-efficient not just to support extreme multitasking, but also for these plethora of AI features to be faster and more stabler:
- AI Cross-Window Drag and Drop
- AI Conference Assistant
- AI File Manager
Users also have to pick between 12 or 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra memory. Meanwhile, its UFS 4.1 storage range between 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB options.
While vivo didn’t dare to beat the likes of the HONOR Magic V6 and OPPO Find N6 when it comes to utmost thinness at 9.4/9.9mm (versus 8.8/9.0mm and 8.9mm respectively), the brand equipped the biggest battery in any foldable so far: a whopping 7000mAh battery capacity.
That’s a 1000mAh increase over last year’s X Fold5.
They even let go of the “lightest foldable” record last year in favor of packing all these flagship-grade components.
Charging speeds remain the same this year: 80W wired FlashCharge plus 40W wireless FlashCharge.
That port also supports the faster USB-C 3.2 Gen2 standard.
Other flagship features include powerful stereo speakers with Dolby Panorama, IP5X dust-resistance plus IPX8 / IPX9 water-resistance ratings. It can also withstand sub-zero temperatures as low as 20ºC or 68ºF.
There’s even vivo’s self-developed 1+4 communication chipset configuration that enhances connectivity even in enclosed or far-flung areas. Satellite Communication Services (in China) never forgotten.
Thrice the ZEISS
The vivo X Fold6 isn’t just a true multitasKING. It probably also boasts the best camera system you can get in any foldable right now.
On paper, vivo’s X Fold6 headlines the Samsung-made 200MP f/1.68 main camera based on their 1/1.14-inch HPB sensor. ICYMI, this is the telephoto module found on the X300 Pro.
The 16mm ultra-wide sensor wasn’t left behind as it’s a 50MP f/2.05 unit with a sensor size of 1/2.76-inch.
Last but definitely not the least, that 50MP ZEISS APO Super Telephoto camera is powered by Sony’s 1/1.95-inch LYTIA 602 (LYT-602). It features 3x optical zoom (75mm equivalent) and supports as far as 100x digital zoom.
This also doubles as a telephoto macro camera — up to 20x zoom.
The main and zoom lenses have a CIPA 4.5 Professional Grade which means better OIS in shaky scenarios.
All lenses feature the best in class ZEISS T* coating to block all that unwanted glare and flare.
The once exclusive Blueprint Color Palette feature to the X300 Ultra also makes it debut to the vivo X Fold6.
Teleconverter on a foldable?!
vivo didn’t stop just by bringing that massive camera bump.
As shocking as it seems, the vivo X Fold6 also supports the all-new G2 Teleconverter Lens announced alongside the X300 Ultra and X300 FE.
Just a reminder that both the old and new 200mm teleconverter lenses will work on the X Fold6.
However, the longer 400mm G2 Ultra teleconverter lens is still exclusive to the X300 Ultra.
Pricing and Availability
The vivo X Fold6 is currently available for pre-orders in China along these colorways: Polar Night, Salt Lake, and Blue Hole.
There’s also a special Black Gold Edition limited to 16+1TB models.
Pricing and configuration are as follows:
- 12+256GB = CNY 7999 (US$ 1180 / EUR 1030 / GBP 890 / SG$ 1525 / MYR 4899 / PhP 72,070 / INR 111,800)
- 12+512GB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1330 / EUR 1160 / GBP 1005 / SG$ 1720 / MYR 5515 / PhP 81,075 / INR 125,775)
- 16+512GB = CNY 9999 (US$ 1476 / EUR 1290 / GBP 1115 / SG$ 1910 / MYR 6125 / PhP 90,085 / INR 139,750)
- 16+1TB = CNY 10,999 (US$ 1639 / EUR 1420 / GBP 1225 / SG$ 2090 / MYR 6735 / PhP 99,095 / INR 153,725)
- 16+1TB with Professional Camera Kit Bundle = CNY 11,999 (US$ 1770 / EUR 1550 / GBP 1340 / SG$ 2290 / MYR 7350 / PhP 108,105 / INR 167,700)
As per usual, vivo didn’t state any availability outside Mainland China. Only time will tell how long global markets have to wait for the X Fold6’s global release.
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