Zenbook 17 Fold Zenbook 17 Fold

First Look

Vibe Check: ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED

This one’s different

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We haven’t seen anything quite like this before. The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED (which we’ll just call the Zenbook 17 Fold for brevity) is the first of its kind at its size.

Foldables aren’t new, especially to those who constantly follow tech news. Samsung has lorded over the foldable smartphone segment with its two device types – the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. They are finally getting some competition in 2023 with the likes of OPPO, Xiaomi, and HONOR all gearing up to globally launch their own foldables. 

But that’s smartphones. In the laptop category, the closest thing we’ve seen to this is the ThinkPad X1 Fold. And while that’s promising, it still needs a few more iterations to be a really attractive option. 

The same is pretty much true with the Zenbook 17 Fold. At least, that’s the impression we got after spending a good hour with it. And that hour wasn’t even the full experience. The unit we had was an early engineering unit, so we can only really tell you so much from that brief experience.

Four modes

ASUS went out of their way to showcase how the Zenbook 17 Fold. While you can probably get more creative with it, here are four modes that are actually software supported. 

PC

Zenbook 17 Fold

In this mode, you prop up the Zenbook 17 Fold on a desk, table, or what-have-you, and use it with the accompanying bluetooth keyboard detached. It’s kind of like the tablet top mode of the Nintendo Switch but for an oversized foldable PC. 

Book

Zenbook 17 Fold

This one’s pretty straightforward. You can hold it horizontally and fold it mimicking the folding feeling of an actual book. I gotta say, at 1.50 kg (3.31 lbs) it’s got a bit of a heft to it so maybe holding it for a prolonged period of time isn’t advisable.

Laptop

Zenbook 17 Fold

In laptop mode, you only get to use half of the screen. What happens is you fold it halfway as if you’re using a laptop. And then you slap on the included keyboard on the bottom half. This gives you a generally smaller device – kind of like the netbooks from a decade ago. It’s a little cramped but is nice for working in tighter spaces.

Tablet

Zenbook 17 Fold

This one should be self explanatory as well. You simply open it up wide and use it as a true-blue oversized tablet. This is particularly great for media consumption. Can say we definitely enjoyed watching LOONA’s “Flip That” on this thing. 

Zenbook 17 Fold

And just look at LOONA Heejin occupying that much space on the FOLED (Foldable OLED) screen. Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. 

Zenbook 17 Fold

It’s also worth noting that in landscape mode, the device will offer multiple split screen options for your multitasking needs.

What’s it packing?

 

We didn’t get to test it much, since, as mentioned earlier, it is an engineering unit. But here’s what the Zenbook 17 Fold is packing on paper to give you an idea. 

Operating System: 

  • Windows 11 Pro – ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business
  • Windows 11 Home – ASUS recommends Windows 11 Pro for business

Processor: 

  • Intel® Core™ i7-1250U Processor 1.1 GHz (12M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 2P+8E cores)

Graphics:

  • Intel® Iris Xe Graphics

Display: 

  • 17.3-inch, 2560 x 1920 FOLED 4:3 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, 500nits HDR peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1,000,000:1, VESA CERTIFIED Display HDR True Black 500, 1.07 billion colors, PANTONE Validated, Glossy display, 70% less harmful blue light, Touch screen, Screen-to-body ratio: 87%
  • 17.3-inch, 2560 x 1920 FOLED 4:3 aspect ratio, 0.2ms response time, 60Hz refresh rate, 500nits HDR peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, 1,000,000:1, VESA CERTIFIED Display HDR True Black 500, 1.07 billion colors, PANTONE Validated, Glossy display, 70% less harmful blue light, Touch screen, Screen-to-body ratio: 87%

Memory: 

  • 16GB LPDDR5 on board, Total system memory upgradeable to:16GB

Storage:

  • 1TB M.2 NVMe™ PCIe® 4.0 Performance SSD

I/O Ports:

  • 2x Thunderbolt™ 4 supports display / power delivery
  • 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

Keyboard and Touchpad:

  • Soft Keyboard, 1.4mm Key-travel, Touchpad

Camera:

  • 5.0M camera with IR function

Audio:

  • Smart Amp Technology
  • Built-in speaker
  • Built-in array microphone
  • harman/kardon (Premium)
  • with Cortana and Alexa voice-recognition support

Network:

  • Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax) (Dual band) 2*2 + Bluetooth 5

Battery and Power Supply:

  • 75WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion
  • TYPE-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100-240V AC 50/60GHz universal

Microsoft Office: 

  • 1-month trial for new Microsoft 365 customers. Credit card required.
  • Office Home and Student 2021 included
  • Microsoft 365 Personal 1-year included.*
  • *Activation required with 6-months of Windows activation date.
  • Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021

Pricing and availability details to follow.

First Look

First Look: Apple iPhone Duo

The foldable we’ve been waiting for!

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Apple’s first ever foldable is finally here! Say hello to the iPhone Duo.

In this video, THE Michael Josh shares his first impressions.

Those include the design, display, cameras, performance, and what it’s actually like to use Apple’s latest iPhone.

Is the iPhone Duo the future of the iPhone or just an interesting experiment?

We take a closer look and share everything that stood out during our hands-on experience.

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First Look

Match Pulse: Boya Notra Neo

AI note-taking made more accessible

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I sometimes admittedly fall into the trap of having some good ideas in my head but never actually writing them down.

And specially in this era where you can easily be distracted by the pace of life, the external stimuli, and pretty much just stressful moments, it pays to have a companion to help you become organized.

Otherwise, those thoughts I mentioned about would just fly above my head.

That’s where the Boya Notra Neo comes in. It’s a pretty straightforward portable AI recorder. As its slogan suggests, it’s for meetings, calls, and ideas.

It’s Boya’s more accessible, more affordable answer to the earlier Boya Notra.

Everyday AI note-taking made accessible

The Neo is incredibly lightweight and something you can sneak into your pocket easily.

I’ve been only able to use it a couple of times in casual settings, when ideas start to flow naturally in the middle of conversations.

Honestly, it’s great to have a companion device for such scenarios.

Although by default, your initial thought when such ideas arise is “Write that down”, sometimes, we are either pre-occupied or distracted by what’s in front of us.

The Boya Notra Neo makes sure we don’t miss note-taking. One tap and it will automatically record audio.

This convenience translates to school group meetings and projects to even more professional settings.

Then, there are journalists like me who occasionally have to interview resource persons and attend press conferences, so this recorder comes in handy.

There are three recording modes to suit real-time needs: Ambient, Phone Call, and Bluetooth.

 

Post-handling of audio recordings are likewise a breeze. Through the Boya OS app, you can connect the device via Bluetooth to sync previous recordings.

If you’re not initially connected to the internet, the device will still be able to record a considerable length with its built-in 8GB memory.

Then, you can just sync the recordings to your device. You can then transcribe the recording on the app with its easy-to-understand interface.

You can even choose from over 140 languages, the style of the transcription from 60 professional templates, and the AI model to help you with generating the text.

Beyond that, you can generate a summary or a mind map to quickly review what has been discussed, be it a meeting, a quick call, or a brainstorming session. You can likewise do an AI search across the recording to find more important notes or quotes and their timestamps.

Boya Notra Neo now available for pre-orders

The Boya Notra Neo is now available for pre-orders, ahead of its September 4 launch at IFA 2026.

Pre-ordering now entitles customers to a discount, so they can get the recorder for just US$ 69.99 (SRP: US$ 79.99).

Customers can purchase here.

What’s good about the Notra Neo is its ample free recording minutes per month, as it is meant for everyday casual recording to begin with.

This allowance resets every month, so you can start using the device for free.

Subscriptions, on the other hand, are available for those needing more minutes and access to other features.

And oh, there are four colors to choose from to match your smartphone and fashion sense.

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First Look

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 vs Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: What’s different?

A quick side-by-side.

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Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold8i

Samsung surprised everyone by introducing not one, but two book-style foldables this year. Alongside the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the company also unveiled the all-new Galaxy Z Fold8, offering users two distinct takes on the foldable experience.

We’ve only spent a short time with both devices, so this isn’t a full comparison. Think of this as a quick side-by-side look at what immediately stood out during our first hands-on.

In the hand

The biggest difference becomes apparent before you even unfold either device.

Folded shut, the Galaxy Z Fold8 immediately feels more natural in the hand. It’s easier to grip, feels better balanced, and slips into a pocket more comfortably. If you’ve been waiting for a foldable that behaves more like a conventional smartphone when closed, the Fold8 leaves a strong first impression.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, on the other hand, feels more familiar. It carries forward the traditional book-style Fold experience with a larger footprint that longtime Fold users will instantly recognize.

When it’s time to work

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold8 | Galaxy Notes app

Once unfolded, the gap narrows considerably.

Both devices offer enough room to comfortably write, edit documents, answer emails, or multitask without feeling cramped. During our hands-on, neither device felt noticeably better for productivity.

The same goes for typing. Both provide enough keyboard space to comfortably write articles, answer emails, or even draft letters you’ll never send.

At least from our limited time with both devices, there’s no clear winner here.

Watching videos

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra vs Galaxy Z Fold8 | LE SSERAFIM Boompala

Media consumption is where the Galaxy Z Fold8 stands out.

Its wider display makes videos feel more at home, with fewer black bars when watching content like YouTube. It’s a subtle difference, but one that’s immediately noticeable once both devices are unfolded side by side.

The Ultra still offers a larger display overall, but its proportions remain closer to what we’ve come to expect from traditional book-style foldables.

The hinge

Samsung’s two foldables also differ slightly in how they open and close.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra’s hinge feels firmer and more deliberate. It comfortably holds its position across multiple angles, making Flex Mode feel a little more reassuring.

The Galaxy Z Fold8, meanwhile, feels smoother throughout the motion. Once it reaches a certain point while opening or closing, it naturally continues the movement on its own instead of holding intermediate angles as firmly as the Ultra.

Neither approach is inherently better. They simply offer a different feel in everyday use.

First impressions

After a brief hands-on, it’s clear that Samsung isn’t positioning these devices as direct replacements for one another.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra continues to refine the company’s established Fold formula. The Galaxy Z Fold8, meanwhile, explores a different direction—one that prioritizes a more familiar in-hand feel while keeping the productivity benefits that make foldables unique.

It’s still too early to draw conclusions about cameras, battery life, or long-term performance. Those answers will have to wait until we’ve spent more time with both devices.

For now, these are the differences that stood out most after our first look.

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