Philippines

Best Premium Smartphones above P30,000 (June 2017 Edition)

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If you’re looking for the very best high-end smartphones available, you’ve come to the right place! Every month, GadgetMatch updates this list with the finest devices money can buy, no matter how much they cost.

As a follow-up to our May compilation, this June list takes every newly launched flagship costing more than PhP 30,000 into consideration, but doesn’t discount the smartphones that continue to make an impact since their launch last year.

Here they are in no particular order:

Samsung Galaxy S8+ (PhP 45,990)

Was there any doubt about Samsung’s most gorgeous phone making this selection? Armed with the finest processor ever built in the Snapdragon 835, possibly the best single camera in a handset today, and the most refined Android skin to date, the Galaxy S8+ looks to stay on our radar for a long time.

REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+

Apple iPhone 7 Plus (PhP 44,990)

You can’t complete a selection like this without including Apple’s latest handset. And it’s not because an iPhone has to be included; the iPhone 7 Plus is so fast and so smooth, there’s no way we could ignore it. It also gets the nod over the regular iPhone 7 thanks to its far more impressive dual-camera setup.

REVIEW: Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Google Pixel XL (PhP 41,200)

While the Pixel XL has its shortcomings — the lack of serious water resistance and oddly plain design spring to mind — you can’t find a more optimized Android smartphone right now. Everything about it is snappy, from the incredible camera to its witty Google Assistant. It’s also got the most up-to-date operating system, unlimited storage for all your photos, plus a better screen resolution and battery life than the smaller Pixel.

REVIEW: Google Pixel (3 months later)

LG G6 (PhP 37,990)

After what many considered to be a failure in the G5, LG went back to the drawing board and crafted a smartphone that looks and feels great, and — more importantly — simply works. We’ve been so fond of the G6’s generous but not-too-tall display, extra-wide-angle camera, and super-solid build quality since we got our hands on it. Buh-bye, modules!

REVIEW: LG G6

Xiaomi Mi Mix (Exclusive Edition – PhP 34,300)

As of writing, there’s still no widely available smartphone much like Xiaomi’s Mi Mix. Its near-bezel-free front is incredible to this day, and the Exclusive Edition ups the premium with gold rims on the back and a ceramic finish. And it’s so generous on the inside, as well: 6GB of memory and 256GB of internal storage are more than enough even for hardcore users.

REVIEW: Xiaomi Mi Mix (Exclusive Edition) review

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Gaming

Street Fighter 6’s first Filipina fighter arrives August 3

Yasmine arrives in August.

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Yasmine | Street Fighter 6

Capcom is celebrating the arrival of Yasmine, the first-ever Filipina character in the Street Fighter series, with an official community event in the Philippines this August.

The Official Street Fighter 6 ‘Yasmine’ Community Event takes place on August 9, 2026 at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. Doors open at 2:00 PM, with tournament matches, community activities, giveaways, and free play sessions scheduled throughout the day.

Meet Yasmine, Street Fighter 6’s first Filipina fighter

Yasmine | Street Fighter 6

Yasmine joins Street Fighter 6 as the first playable character in the game’s Year 4 roster.

According to Capcom, she learned to fight alongside her older brother under the guidance of her grandfather. After her brother’s disappearance, she returns to combat using high-speed Eskrima techniques while wielding a Karambit knife.

She is joined in the Year 4 lineup by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also coincides with balance updates for the entire Street Fighter 6 roster.

Yasmine becomes available on August 3, 2026 for players who own the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass.

Community tournament and exclusive merchandise

Yasmine | Street Fighter 6

The Makati event will feature a double-elimination tournament, beginning with Best-of-3 matches before switching to Best-of-5 during the Top 8 Finals.

The schedule includes:

  • 2:00 PM: Doors Open, Player Check-in, Controller Button Checks, and Free Play Warmups
  • 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Welcome Speech & Official Street Fighter 6 Yasmine Gameplay Showcase
  • 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM: Tournament Pools
  • 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Top 8 Finals (Main Stage Broadcast) & Prize Presentation Ceremony for Champion, 2nd and 3rd Placements.
  • 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Premium Community Giveaways, Group Photo Ops, and Closing Remarks
  • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Free Play and Community Networking

Attendees can also receive exclusive event merchandise while supplies last, including a Yasmine-themed T-shirt, lanyard, keychains, and themed food and refreshments.

Capcom says admission is subject to venue capacity and will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Watch the event online

Yasmine | Street Fighter 6

Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the tournament live through the Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channeland the Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel.

Capcom also teased additional announcements, including appearances from cosplay personalities, fighting game veterans, and content creators, which will be revealed closer to the event.

Street Fighter 6 Yasmine community event details

  • Date: August 9, 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Venue: Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant, Palanan, Makati City
  • Tournament: Double-elimination (FT2, Top 8 FT3)
  • Livestream: Capcom Asia Official YouTube Channel and Enduins Games Official YouTube Channel
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Finance

GoTyme Bank grows to 10 million users in the Philippines

Over US$ 859.4 million in customer deposits

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GoTyme Bank has reached the 10 million-user milestone in the Philippines, one of its key markets.

A joint venture between the parent Tyme Group and the the local Gokongwei Group, the digital bank has officially grown to 10 million strong, its latest accomplishment after debuting in the country three years ago.

The milestone is backed by over PhP 53 billion (~859.4 million) in customer deposits and sustained engagement across the GoTyme Bank ecosystem.

A core driver of the bank’s rapid growth is its integration into users’ daily financial habits. GoTyme was the Most Used Visa Debit Card in the Philippines, based on Visa debit active usage data in 2025.

The bank has also offered free InstaPay transfers from the start (capped at 20 transactions a month) for greater flexibility. There are also more than 160 billers on the app.

Complementing the digital-first infrastructure is an extensive physical network. There are now more than 600 kiosks in major malls nationwide.

Customers can also conveniently deposit and withdraw cash through more than 2,500 Robinsons Retail store lanes. Cash deposit is also allowed through more than 4,500 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

Among GoTyme’s recent offerings is MoreTyme, a flexible, transparent, and easy-to-understand credit solution.

Through Visa, GoTyme also took part in FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns, with raffle winners being flown to watch the matches live.

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News

Pokémon at 30: Massive slate of events, pop-up store, more to highlight anniversary

Celebrating 30 years of Pokémon through fun runs, activations, more

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A massive slate of activities, events, and gatherings are lined up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon.

In the Philippines, which has been one of the world renowned anime franchise’s consistently strong markets, a partnership has been forged between Pokémon and SM Supermalls for a pop-up experience that will serve as the flagship destination for local enthusiasts.

Dubbed the “Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” campaign, the multi-month celebration will kick off at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila starting October 2026.

The cornerstone of this retail rollout is the Pokémon Center Pop-Up Store, a six-month installation packed with exclusive merchandise directly from the brand.

Pokémon RUN 30

Beyond retail, the milestone will bring an active, real-world dimension to the capital with Pokémon RUN 30: The Philippines Edition.

This interactive running event is likewise slated in early October at the Mall of Asia complex.

Participants will become active trainers as they run a themed 5K course with filled with special interactive challenges.

Runners can test their spirit at designated Pokémon Gym obstacle points, rehydrate at designated Pokémon Centers, and collect unique stamps to complete real-world Pokédex search sheets.

Moreover, the venue will also host a free-entry public Festival Zone. This area will be complete with live Pikachu parades, meet-and-greets, and specialized gaming experience areas.

PokéXciting campaign

The extensive rollout is part of a broader, coordinated “PokéXciting!” campaign stretching across major target markets in the Asian region to bridge the gap between legacy and newer generational platforms. To supplement the global anniversary rollout,

The Pokémon Company has additionally aligned its sports entertainment footprints with major international institutions.

Back in Japan, Pokémon has established a sweeping partnership with Japan’s professional football league, the J.League.

All 60 professional football clubs across the league’s three tiers have officially been assigned a specific partner Pokémon. These are tailored to reflect each team’s regional mascots or club identities.

Fans attending home matches throughout the campaign will receive exclusive merchandise on match days.

This includes one million limited-edition reusable eco bags that showcase Pikachu alongside their home club’s specific partner pocket monster.

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