News

ASUS ZenFone 6 goes all out with Snapdragon 855 and new Flip Camera

A different approach to avoid the notch

Published

on

ASUS ZenFone 6 | GadgetMatch

ASUS‘ entry to the 2019 smartphone game may be a little late this year, but the Taiwanese company made sure that it’ll be worth it. True to their new “Defy ordinary” tagline, ASUS’ new smartphone is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

First and foremost, the ZenFone 6 is now ASUS’ main flagship phone. The ZenFone lineup started as a modest budget lineup from 2014 and it took five generations for it to become ASUS’ primary high-end phone — no need for “Z” or “Deluxe” monikers.

Since the ZenFone 6 is now a full-blooded premium smartphone, it has all the bell and whistles you’d expect from a 2019 flagship phone with a few extra surprises. For starters, it has an All-Screen NanoEdge display that’s free of any notch or hole-punch for the front-facing camera. The phone features a 6.4-inch IPS panel with a Full HD+ resolution, topped with Gorilla Glass 6.

ASUS ZenFone 6 | GadgetMatch

Inside, the phone is rocking a Snapdragon 855 chip paired with up to 8GB of memory and up to 256GB of storage using UFS 2.1. In order to keep up with the phone’s speed, ASUS has once again redesigned ZenUI (now called ZenUI 6) and it’s almost like pure Android. Additionally, ASUS has promised to bring Android Q when it launches later this year and even Android R in the future.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the ZenFone 6 is its cameras. In order to get rid of any display cutouts, ASUS resorted to a new and rather unique motorized Flip Camera. With this approach, the ZenFone 6’s main camera is also its selfie shooter.

ASUS ZenFone 6 | GadgetMatch

ASUS’ Flip Camera houses a 48-megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor with an f/1.79 aperture and 6p lens. It’s accompanied by a secondary 13-megapixel ultra wide-angle shooter with real-time distortion correction, dual-LED flash, and laser AF system.

With the main camera acting as the front camera at the same, the ZenFone 6 is practically the ultimate selfie phone.

The device stays true to the traits of a ZenFone including the large 5000mAh battery — one of the biggest we’ve seen in a flagship-specced phone. ASUS has no special fast charging tech, but the ZenFone 6 supports the universally available Quick Charge 4.0 standard through USB-C.

The rest of the phone’s features include stereo speakers with dual NXP amplifiers, 3.5mm headphone jack with Hi-Res Audio output, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and Face Unlock.

The ZenFone 6 will be shipping in Europe on May 25 starting at EUR 499 or roughly US$ 560 for the base variant with 6GB of memory and 64GB of storage. The 6GB+128GB configuration will go for EUR 559 (US$ 625), while the top 8GB+256GB model is priced at EUR 599 (US$ 670). It will only be available in four Asian markets: Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and India.

SEE ALSO: ASUS ZenFone Max (M2) Hands-on: Still a great budget contender

News

Sony revives classic Walkman headphones with USB-C MDR-3R

Iconic 1980s headphones

Published

on

Sony MDR-3R

Sony is bringing back one of its iconic Walkman-era headphones with the MDR-3R. The new wired headphones modernize the original MDR-3 with USB-C connectivity and updated features.

Introduced in 1979, the original Walkman and MDR-3 headphones helped popularize portable music listening. The MDR-3R carries that legacy forward with a familiar design and modern conveniences.

The headphones retain the original’s lightweight, open-ear construction. They also feature interchangeable blue and orange ear pads. Sony even gives the packaging and instruction manual a design inspired by the original model.

The MDR-3R connects to compatible smartphones and other devices through USB-C. Users can listen to music without charging, pairing, or installing updates. A built-in microphone and in-line remote also make calls and playback controls more convenient.

Sony equipped the headphones with the same 23mm driver units as the original MDR-3. The company also tuned them to closely reproduce the original’s sound signature. They deliver balanced audio, natural vocals, and the emotional richness associated with Sony headphones.

Sony MDR-3R gets a Stranger Things edition

Sony is also launching a special MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. The collaboration celebrates the 1980s inspiration shared by the Walkman era and Netflix’s popular series.

Inspired by Max’s signature headphone style and the mysterious Upside Down, the special edition features exclusive design details. These include an engraved Stranger Things logo and custom packaging.

Sony also considered environmental impact when developing the headphones. Approximately 25 percent of the plastic used in the product comes from recycled materials. The packaging is also plastic-free.

Price and availability

Sony has opened preorders for the MDR-3R and MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. Availability and pricing vary by market.

In the United States, the standard MDR-3R costs US$59.99, while the Stranger Things Edition costs US$79.99. The standard model is available through Sony and authorized retailers.

In Singapore, both models will launch in December 2026. The standard MDR-3R costs SG$89, while the Stranger Things Edition costs SG$129. Both are exclusive to Sony Stores and Sony Store Online.

In the Philippines, Sony has yet to announce local pricing and availability. Based on US pricing, the headphones would cost approximately PHP 3,500 for the standard edition and PHP 4,700 for the Stranger Things Edition, before local taxes and retail adjustments.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert finally arrives in Manila

The run goes from March 4 to 6 at Solaire.

Published

on

As far as films in concert go, The Lord of the Rings is the classic experience for fans. Since 2008, the concert experience has been touring the globe, enamoring fans of the series with live renditions of Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack. Now, the experience is finally arriving in Manila. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run in the Philippines from March 4 through 6 next year.

There’s a reason why the iconic trilogy is the classic experience for films in concert. Besides being a legendary film franchise, the series features Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score. Fans will likely still recognize the dulcet strings of the Shire or the grandiose crescendo of the Fellowship.

From March 4 to 6, The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run at The Theatre in Solaire. Under the baton of Reuben Blundell, the concert will star the 96-member Filharmonika Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 100-member adult choir and 50-member boys’ choir, and soloist Malena Rampi.

Film Community Philippines members can get exclusive pre-sale access from November 9 to 11. Meanwhile, public ticket sales will start on November 20 via TicketWorld.com.ph.

SEE ALSO: Kingdom Come devs are working on a Lord of the Rings RPG

Continue Reading

Gaming

The next Elder Scrolls game is called Sentinel

And it will be set in Hammerfell.

Published

on

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.

SEE ALSO: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is out now

Continue Reading

Trending