Gaming

ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro: Ultimate gaming experience

Published

March 22, 2022

Andre Ibarle

I’ve always wondered what the big deal is with high end gaming smartphones. I mean, you basically just need a capable phone to play the games you want, right? Which means a top-tier smartphone would practically give the same gaming experience you’d get from a gaming phone.

Or so I thought.

My whole perception of gaming phones turned upside down right after trying the new ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro. If you’re seriously into gaming, better fasten your seat belts. ROG ramps up our mobile gaming experience onto a whole new level with this one.

Interactive Sneak Peek

Upon initial setup of the ROG Phone 5s Pro, you already know it’s a different experience. ROG takes us on a ride where we are introduced with the capabilities of the phone through a brief interactive show.

You’ll see the Akira box it came with come to life through the lens of the phone camera. Asking us to shake, press triggers, point the camera and other maneuvers to acquaint us with the phone.

Gamer aesthetic

The design of the whole device is pure gamer vibe all the way. With red accents, edgy patterns and the ROG Vision screen in the middle. The frame is made of metal material and it genuinely feels like you’re holding something expensive.

While I do prefer my phones to be a little smaller, the ROG Phone 5s Pro’s size feels perfect for gaming. Measuring 6.8 inches on its length, there’s enough room for your fingers and everything lands on the right spots making controls easily accessible while playing.

Also available on the Phone 5s Pro are two USB-C ports. A USB-C 3.1 on the side and 2.0 at the bottom. This gives us freedom for charging or accessory attachments and to choose whichever orientation we feel comfortable with. ROG also included a 3.5mm port at the bottom for those who prefer truly lag free audio with their gaming experience.

A phone case is also included in the package which kind of looks like an armor for the phone while attached. It has all necessary cut outs keeping everything easily accessible while still managing to do its job of protecting the phone from accidental bumps.

ROG Vision

The ROG Vision display at the back looks very cool and futuristic. It displays the ROG animation when using the phone, charging animation when plugged in, game mode animation when gaming and incoming call animation for calls. I would have preferred if it had more useful things to display though, since it also feels like it doesn’t have much legit functionality.

Display and responsiveness at its finest

As we would also expect from a gaming focused device, this also has a very high refresh rate display. A 6.78-inch, AMOLED display running with an abundance of hertz at 144Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate. And while it sounds a lot, I honestly could barely tell the difference from 120Hz to 144Hz. But at least it’s an available option for people who would really want the highest settings. It also has 800 nits of brightness, making outdoor visibility a non-issue.

You’ll also notice the relatively thick top and bottom bezel. This might be because that is where the speakers are located which we’ll also tackle further into this review.

Maxed out Performance

The Snapdragon 888+ was among the fastest chipsets that was released in 2021, and that’s what’s running this device. Along with 18GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of internal storage. So it’s no surprise that every game we run on this wouldn’t be a problem.

According to the GameGenie console, Call of Duty: Mobile ran at a mostly stable 60FPS at very high settings. That’s really good performance considering I wasn’t on X-Mode or its performance mode yet.

Bumping to X-Mode, Genshin Impact on the ROG Phone 5s Pro ran great at very high settings and 60 FPS. This is the first time I’ve maxed everything on Genshin Impact on a mobile device that ran this smoothly.

So despite being a generation older chipset to the newly released Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, there’s no shortage of power from the 888+ on this device.

Thermals with the AeroActive Cooler 5

While the temperatures shown on the device didn’t indicate that it was running hot, the phone itself felt hot to my hands. The power button in particular felt shockingly hot while playing Genshin Impact. This is where the AeroActive Cooler comes in. It is the included fan attachment which snaps on at the back of the phone for added cooling.

Right after I attached the fan, you could immediately see it reducing system temperature. So definitely, keeping it attached is the best way to play on this device to avoid running into thermal issues.

It also isn’t very audible unless of course you place it right next to your ear, which isn’t the way we would be playing anyway.

At first I thought having it attached would make my hands feel restricted but I didn’t actually perceive it that way. It felt more like an extension with added buttons and a kickstand.

Ultrasonic Sensors and Haptic Feedback goodness

What I enjoyed the most on this device is the use of the Ultrasonic sensors. These are the assignable touch or swipe enabled sensors designed for additional controls. When mapped properly, it considerably changes the dynamics of how you play games.

In Call of Duty: Mobile for example, I mapped the fire key on the right shoulder and reload on the left while the rear touch sensors mapped with a grenade. It almost felt like I was playing like how I would on a console like a Nintendo Switch.

With freedom to use my thumbs for running and aiming it almost feels like you’re cheating. Combine this with haptic feedback, the subtle vibrations bring even more immersion to the tension that’s happening inside the battlefield.

Get in sync with the ROG Community

For those familiar with ASUS ROG or TUF series laptops, the Armoury Crate is the console where we can monitor and configure the performance and other aspects of the device. This is also present on the ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro. You can access the fan speed and AirTrigger settings, monitor CPU and GPU temperatures or adjust performance for more efficient operations.

And like the PC version, we also gain access to the ROG community through the Connect feature. This is like an ROG enthusiasts social media platform where interaction with other ROG owners take place.

Immersive gaming audio

To further enhance the gaming experience, dual front firing speakers are what’s booming this phone. The first time I heard how games sound on this device was another impressive experience for me. The crashes, the gun sounds and everything else sounded so alive. Music playback has a considerable amount of thickness that I even compared it with the sound coming from the Xiaomi Pad 5.

Surprisingly, the ROG Phone 5s Pro sounded a tad better in some aspects. That’s saying a lot since the Pad 5 is a tablet loaded with four speakers which I also praised in another review.

Great cameras for a gaming phone

Equipped with a 64MP main camera, 13MP ultrawide, 5MP macro and a 24MP selfie camera, this also takes pretty decent photos. I’d say flagship level or right in between one and an upper midrange. After all, this does have the Sony IMX686 sensor seen in other flagships.

We don’t get a lot of creative photo modes but there is a pro-video mode and a night mode that takes really clean and vibrant photos.

Get juiced up in under an hour

The ROG Phone 5s Pro gets its charge via its 65W charger. For a device with a 6,000mAh battery, I managed to get 25 percent of charge by just leaving it for ten minutes. That I think is also pretty commendable. Ten percent to full only took around 50 minutes.

Though 6,000mAh may sound like a lot for a phone, I found that it does run out pretty quickly. It gets me through a whole day of use running mostly on mobile data connection but comparing it to budget phones with the same capacity, this isn’t as robust.

Is the ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro your GadgetMatch?

From the moment you open the box, the all out gamer vibe, the buttery smooth gaming experience, amazing audio and visuals and the added control with the Ultrasonic sensors, the ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro is all about the experience.

No, gaming phones still aren’t for everyone, and thermals and battery life could still do better. But for gamers, I can’t see how you can resist not having this.

Plus you’ll get people looking at you as they see the back of your phone displaying some animations which makes you feel super cool.

If you’re into that, then by all means, the ROG Phone 5s Pro surely ticks most of the right boxes and more.

The ASUS ROG Phone 5s Pro with 18GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB storage is currently available for PhP 59,995 / SG$ 1,799.

Gaming

IKEA, Xbox launch nine-piece YXSTABY gaming collection

Gaming inspired furniture

Published

November 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Gaming setups don’t have to look like dedicated gaming rooms. IKEA and Xbox are making that easier with their new YXSTABY collection.

The nine-piece collection combines IKEA’s furniture design expertise with Xbox’s understanding of gaming. It brings together functional furniture and playful accessories inspired by Xbox controllers.

IKEA launched the collection in the Philippines on November 4 at its Pasay showroom. The event featured interactive room setups that demonstrated how the furniture fits into everyday homes.

The launch also included a cosplay runway inspired by IKEA’s iconic blue and yellow FRAKTA bag. Guests explored immersive gaming stations and experienced the collection firsthand.

Gaming furniture designed for everyday homes

YXSTABY addresses the challenges of fitting gaming setups into shared living spaces. Its furniture supports different gaming positions while keeping accessories organized.

The gaming lounge chair accommodates both forward-leaning gameplay and relaxed reclining positions. A rolling side table keeps gaming accessories within reach.

The collection also includes flexible storage for cables and accessories. Its felt inserts protect stored items, while its foldable design doubles as a laptop stand.

Families can also move their gaming setups between rooms. A TV stand with castors makes it easier to relocate equipment without dedicating an entire room to gaming.

Xbox controller-inspired accessories

Xbox’s influence extends beyond the collection’s gaming furniture. Several accessories take inspiration from familiar controller elements.

The Gaming D-pad cushion recreates the controller’s distinctive directional button. A stainless steel platter also borrows its design from the D-pad.

Another standout is the tilting thumbstick stool, which takes inspiration from an Xbox controller’s analog stick. A mirrored display box gives collectors a dedicated space for controllers and other gaming memorabilia.

Bringing gaming into Filipino homes

IKEA Philippines Sales Leader May Castillo highlighted the collection’s relevance to local households.

She pointed to the Philippines’ strong gaming culture and the country’s high engagement with video games across different devices.

IKEA Philippines Selling Manager Sarah Cox said the collection draws inspiration from Xbox controllers and how gamers actually play. It also incorporates IKEA’s playful approach to furniture design.

The collaboration brings together two brands with different strengths. IKEA understands how people use their living spaces, while Xbox understands what players need from their gaming setups.

The result is furniture that makes gaming more convenient without making the rest of the home feel like a gaming room.

Gaming

The next Elder Scrolls game is called Sentinel

And it will be set in Hammerfell.

Published

November 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.

Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.

The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.

Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.

Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.

Gaming

Wild Rift Patch 7.3, celebrates K/DA comeback

K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER

Published

November 2, 2026

GadgetMatch

Riot Games is celebrating the return of virtual K-pop group K/DA with new music, exclusive skins, and major gameplay updates in League of Legends: Wild Rift Patch 7.3.

After a six-year hiatus, K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER, the group’s newest track and the title track of an EP featuring three additional songs. The release marks a new chapter for the virtual group, which brings its latest musical era to the mobile MOBA through the new HEATBRINGER skinline.

To celebrate the comeback, Riot Games hosted FIRE IT UP: The K/DA Comeback Party in the Philippines. The event brought fans together for a listening party featuring music from across Riot Games’ virtual acts, live Wild Rift gameplay, community activities, and exclusive photo opportunities.

Attendees also experienced live AAA ARAM matches featuring gameplay disruptions and augments inspired by Riot Games’ musical universe, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.

K/DA returns with new HEATBRINGER skins

The K/DA comeback introduces the HEATBRINGER skinline, featuring new looks for the group’s four original members: Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa.

The skins give the champions a new visual identity inspired by K/DA’s latest musical era, with fiery red and white elements that bring their stage presence to the Rift.

The collection also includes Prestige K/DA HEATBRINGER Evelynn.

The new skins are exclusive to Wild Rift and are scheduled to launch on November 4, 2026.

The comeback extends beyond the cosmetics. With FIRESTARTER and its accompanying EP now available on major music streaming platforms, K/DA’s return brings together Riot Games’ music and gaming communities.

Wild Rift Patch 7.3 overhauls marksmen and item builds

Beyond the K/DA celebration, Patch 7.3 introduces significant gameplay changes that reshape champion builds, jungle strategies, and objective control.

One of the biggest changes targets marksmen, giving critical-strike builds more room to scale. Base critical-strike damage increases from 175% to 200%, while the attack-speed cap rises from 2.5 to 3 attacks per second.

Several marksmen also receive individual adjustments, including Ezreal, Kai’Sa, Twitch, Lucian, Caitlyn, Draven, Miss Fortune, Samira, Zeri, Jinx, Vayne, and Ashe.

The item system gets an overhaul to support these changes. Players can explore new or redesigned options, including Hexoptics, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Fiendhuler Bolts, Stormrazor, Rapid Firecannon, and Immortal Shieldbow.

Lifesteal also receives changes intended to support basic attacks, on-hit damage, and abilities treated as basic attacks.

Support items are part of the update, too. Echoes of Helia is positioned toward offensive supports who want to convert damage into healing, while Ardent Censer, Staff of Flowing Water, and Harmonic Echo also receive changes.

Jungle changes reward efficient farming

Patch 7.3 also changes how junglers approach the early and mid-game.

The updated jungle system rewards consistent camp clearing with bonus gold and introduces a catch-up mechanic for junglers who fall behind. This reduces the pressure to constantly gank and encourages players to balance farming with opportunities to assist their teammates.

Clearing camps also progresses Ecosystem Protection stacks, allowing Smite to scale from 600 to 1,000 and eventually 1,400 true damage.

These changes make efficient farming more important when preparing to secure major objectives such as Baron Nashor, Rift Herald, and Dragons.

Epic monsters also adjust to the pace of each match, scaling according to the average player level rather than simply growing stronger as time passes.

Turrets receive substantial changes as well. Plating now extends to outer, inner, and inhibitor turrets and remains permanently. The new Crystalline Overgrowth mechanic lets turrets accumulate crystals that champions can detonate with their first basic attack.

Together, these changes place greater emphasis on lane pressure, defensive positioning, and coordinated pushes. Winning team fights remains important, but teams must also turn their advantages into meaningful objective damage.

Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai join the roster

Patch 7.3 expands the champion roster with three additions: Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai.

Hwei, the Visionary, brings a flexible set of abilities to the mid lane. His Subject: Disaster, Subject: Serenity, and Subject: Torment ability groups give him tools for dealing damage, supporting allies, and controlling opponents.

Sylas offers explosive damage and crowd control. His kit includes an ability that pulls enemies into a stun-to-knock-up combination, while Kingslayer restores health based on his missing health. His ultimate lets him steal an enemy champion’s ultimate ability.

Rek’Sai brings another approach to initiating team fights. Her Unburrow ability knocks up nearby champions, while her ultimate helps her track nearby enemies before striking.

These additions give players more options for adapting their team compositions and strategies.

Ranked play and game modes get updates

Competitive players also get changes to Ranked and Legendary Ranked.

The S/A and MVP scoring systems now evaluate performance according to a player’s lane and champion role instead of relying on a single universal metric. Strong performances can also yield more Ranked energy.

Legendary Ranked receives adjustments to its seasonal entry requirements for former Grand Masters, alongside a new trial format designed to help top performers advance from Legendary Commander Rank.

Players looking for something different can also try Rift Rumble, a new 3v3 mode played on a symmetrical map. Teams battle for kills and compete to capture ultimate stones that can change how their champions secure eliminations.

Meanwhile, AAA Realm continues to evolve with a music-themed season and new augment cards. These include Sonic Waves, which draws inspiration from Riot Games’ musical acts, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.

A new era for K/DA and Wild Rift

With FIRESTARTER, the HEATBRINGER skins, and a sweeping gameplay update, Patch 7.3 connects Riot Games’ music and gaming communities through a shared celebration.

K/DA’s return gives fans a new soundtrack and fresh looks for their favorite champions, while the gameplay changes introduce new ways to approach champion builds, jungle farming, and map control.

Players can follow Wild Rift Philippines’ official social media channels for updates on the latest patch, champion releases, and in-game content.

K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER.