News

Apple apologizes for slowing down iPhones, offers discounted battery replacements

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After getting sued and taking a backlash among iPhone users, Apple is now apologizing for not being more transparent about their new power management feature which causes old iPhones to slow down.

In a published statement on their website, the Cupertino company clarified that they “have never — and would never — do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.” That’s perhaps the main point of this message for the battery and performance fiasco of the year.

To address the issue and help iPhone owners with old batteries, Apple is offering discounted battery replacements. For US$ 29 (down from the usual US$ 79 fee), users can get a new battery for their iPhone regardless of whether it’s covered by AppleCare or not. It’s only a temporary offer that’ll last through the end of 2018.

Apple further explained how batteries age and classified them as “consumable components.” As we all know, batteries degrade over time which is why we have to keep its health in check.

Early next year, Apple will release a software update that’ll give users more info on the health of their iPhone’s battery. This will be really useful in determining if one should replace their phone’s built-in battery already, but this feature should have come sooner.

You may read the full statement of Apple here and learn more about the how the new updates manage performance and avoid unexpected shutdowns as batteries age, which started in iOS 10.2.1 for the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, and SE and iOS 11.2 for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

SEE ALSO: Apple deliberately slows down older iPhones because of battery issues

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News

nubia Neo 5 series launches in the PH, starts below PhP 12K

Built-in cooling fan highlights latest nubia gaming series

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nubia has officially launched the nubia Neo 5 series gaming smartphones in the Philippines through a fan activation event at SM Megamall.

The series consists of the nubia Neo 5, nubia Neo 5 Pro, and nubia Neo 5 GT.

Here are the pricing details and storage configurations for each variant:

  • nubia Neo 5 (8GB+128GB): PhP 11,999
  • nubia Neo 5 Pro (12GB+256GB): PhP 14,999
  • nubia Neo 5 GT (8GB+256GB): PhP 17,999
  • nubia Neo 5 GT (12GB+512GB): PhP 19,999

In particular, the top-of-the-line nubia Neo 5 GT is available in Phantom Black, Stellar Silver, and Electro Gold.

The entire series builds on the nubia Neo history of gaming-centric features, from the phones’ aesthetic, RGB lighting, OS design, and features.

New to the series is a built-in active cooling fan, and a large VC vapor chamber cooling panel.

This system eliminates the need for an external cooling fan which was among the freebies for the previous series, so users can simply focus on gaming sessions.

The phone has small exhaust vents on both sides. The series retains the shoulder triggers, although the presence of the vents pushes the volume buttons and power button lower on the right-hand side of the phone.

Powering the nubia Neo 5 GT variant is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor for up to 2.6GHz clock speed.

The handset comes with up to 12GB of base RAM (plus 12GB expansion), and up to 512GB of internal storage. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable connectivity.

Inside is a 6,210mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging, as well as charge separation to directly charge the phone while bypassing the battery for extended sessions.

In front is a 6.8-inch 1.5K OLED display with up to 144Hz refresh rate and 4,500 nits peak brightness. This screen also has a 439ppi pixel density for sharp visuals. It is also complemented by DTS:X Ultra surround sound technology.

For its camera, the Neo 5 GT has a 50MP main camera, plus a 16MP front camera.

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Drones

DJI officially launches the Avata 360 with 8K immersive imaging

The new flagship drone introduces 1-inch sensors and 360-degree capture to the FPV world.

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DJI just redefined the “single take.”

The new DJI Avata 360 combines the raw thrill of FPV flight with a flagship 8K 360° camera system. It effectively gives creators a flying virtual camera that sees everything at once.

This means you no longer have to worry about pointing a gimbal while flying at high speeds. You can simply record the entire environment and choose your favorite angles later in post-production.

Brilliant imaging, post-flight freedom

The headline feature is the imaging, which utilizes dual 1-inch-equivalent sensors capable of 8K/60fps HDR video and 120MP stills.

These massive 2.4 μm pixels handle low light and high dynamic range like a pro, ensuring light and shadow are captured with exquisite clarity.

If you prefer a more traditional look, you can switch to Single Lens mode to capture classic Avata-style cinematic lines in 4K/60fps.

Because the drone records in a full sphere, the Virtual Gimbal feature allows for infinite rotation and tilt during editing.

You can fly in one direction while digitally rotating the horizon or shifting the perspective to look directly behind the drone without ever changing your actual flight path.

Flagship transmission, smarter safety

DJI didn’t just slap a new camera on the old frame. They beefed up the internals to ensure the flight experience is as stable as the footage.

The drone leverages the flagship O4+ video transmission system to deliver crystal-clear 1080p/60fps feeds with a massive 20 km range and strong anti-interference capabilities.

Safety has also seen a major upgrade with Nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing. This makes sunset and low-light flights significantly less stressful.

Plus, the front lens element now features a user-replaceable design. If you push a gap a little too hard and scratch the glass, you can swap it out yourself instead of shipping the whole unit back for repairs.

Intelligent tracking, high-speed workflow

The magic continues once the drone is back on the ground through the DJI Fly and Studio apps.

Features like ActiveTrack 360° and Spotlight Free allow the drone to lock onto subjects and replicate sophisticated camera movements that usually require a professional dual-operator setup.

With 42GB of internal storage and high-speed Wi-Fi 6 transfer, you can capture 30 minutes of 8K footage without an SD card and beam it to your phone at up to 100 MB/s.

Price, availability

The DJI Avata 360 is compatible with DJI Goggles, the RC Motion 3, and standard RC 2 controllers, with pre-orders live today and shipping starting in April 2026.

  • DJI Avata 360 (DJI RC 2): PhP 38,290
  • DJI Avata 360 Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2): PhP 47,890
  • DJI Avata 360 Motion Fly More Combo (Goggles N3): PhP 47,890
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Automotive

The Changan Eado Plus officially lands in the Philippines

Its aggressive launch pricing challenges the compact sedan status quo.

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Inchcape Philippines is officially shaking up the compact sedan segment.

The Changan Eado Plus has arrived on local shores, and it’s gunning for the top spot in your driveway.

Available in two trims — Luxe and Lite — the Eado Plus offers the Filipino driver a car that looks like a million bucks without the massive price tag.

Modern aesthetic inside and out

On the outside, the Eado Plus makes a bold statement with its prominent three-dimensional grille and streamlined body lines.

This polished, premium look relies on LED lighting to command a strong presence on the road. Inside, a meticulously curated cabin handles the daily grind with ease.

The Luxe variant carries a massive 10-inch touchscreen equipped with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Meanwhile, the Lite variant keeps you connected with a 7-inch display.

To beat the local climate, Changan included a PM2.5 air filter to keep the cabin air clean, alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that puts all your vital driving data front and center.

Performance and safety without compromise

Under the hood, a 1.5L Bluecore gasoline engine powers both variants. This engine works with a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission (WDCT) to deliver a stable, responsive ride.

For those who want more control, the Luxe variant offers selectable Eco and Normal driving modes to match your mood or the traffic conditions.

Safety remains a top priority, as the Eado Plus houses a comprehensive suite of protection. Beyond the standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the car packs in practical features like rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, and ISOFIX tethers for families.

Pricing, availability

To celebrate the launch, Changan offers the Eado Plus with aggressive introductory pricing through April 30, 2026.

During this period, the 1.5 Luxe DCT costs only PhP 749,999, while the 1.5 Lite DCT goes for just PhP 699,000. These rates offer a significant discount from the standard prices of PhP 799,999 and PhP 750,000, respectively.

Drivers can choose from four colors: White, Black, Andean Gray, and Titanium Silver Gray (via special order).

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