Her GadgetMatch
5 best dual-camera selfie smartphones below $500
These days, smartphones can do almost anything. From booking rides, to finding drinks and finding love — these high-tech gadgets are super capable. Having a phone camera has also become a standard, but not all cameras are created equal.
For the photo lovers, I’ve compiled a list of smartphones that have been tailored specifically to us selfie enthusiasts. The best part? A great selfie doesn’t have to cost you substantial money! All phones are below US$ 500.
The 6-inch selfie expert
OPPO is called the “selfie expert” for good reason. Their slew of smartphone releases have very capable cameras. The F3 Plus has two front-facing cameras: 16- and 8-megapixel shooters, the latter being a wide-angled camera. This means wider selfies with more scenery! The phone also has a software-generated bokeh mode and its 6-inch screen allows for a bigger screen to check your photos on.
The F3 Plus has a built-in beauty mode which allows you to toggle between fair and rosy complexions and a beauty filter with seven possible levels of intensity.
READ MORE: OPPO F3 Plus review and selfie comparisons
The perfect selfie smartphone
To this day, Vivo’s beauty mode remain to be my favorite. This stands true to their promise of creating “perfect selfie” smartphones. The Vivo V5 Plus, although an older release, is still my photo go-to from the Vivo line. The front-facing dual-camera setup features 20- and 8-megapixel shooters and it’s equipped with a bokeh mode feature.
Vivo’s beauty mode features a bar you can toggle from end to end for three different things: buffing, skin tone, and whitening.
READ MORE: Vivo V5 Plus camera hands-on: Another perfect selfie?
A smaller version of the F3 Plus
The OPPO F3 is everything the F3 Plus is, at a fraction of the size. With a screen at 5.5 inches, my teeny hands are capable of taking one-handed selfies, well, almost. This smaller OPPO phone literally carries the same specs, the same beauty modes as the F3 Plus but at a more affordable price tag.
READ MORE: OPPO F3 review and selfie comparisons
The literal pro at selfies
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro blows me away with the amount of attention put on its beauty mode. Everything from skin tone to skin softening, brightening, eye widening, and cheek thinning may be achieved from levels one to ten — talk about choices!
As if that wasn’t enough, ZenFone 4 selfie phones come with ASUS Selfie Master which is a camera app with a different beauty mode interface. The same app allows you to shoot video and go live on social media with a full-time beauty filter.
A dual-camera setup up front is capable of 24-megapixel DuoPixel photos, wide-angle shots, and bokeh mode.
READ MORE: ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro review: The ultimate selfie phone
The Selfie Pro’s budget counterpart
The ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie is the budget counterpart of the ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro. Fitted with 20- and 8-megapixel cameras for ultimate selfies, this smartphone camera has all the beauty mode features the Selfie Pro has at a cheaper price.
READ MORE: ASUS ZenFone 4 Selfie hands-on and camera review
Bonus:
The cutie screen phone
The Meizu Pro 7 is not specifically marketed as a selfie smartphone, but I feel compelled to include this on the list because of the many wonders its secondary AMOLED screen — or as I call it, the cutie screen — holds.
The teeny panel on the back of the phone serves a great selfie purpose, as it allows you to shoot with the phone’s rear dual-cams on three modes: beauty, camera blur, and original. The Pro 7’s single front shooter is also equipped with a basic beauty mode function.
READ MORE: Meizu Pro 7 Review: Twice the fun
SEE ALSO: Cute and fun tech for girls!
[irp posts=”12138″ name=”How to take the perfect selfie”]
Accessories
Razer fully unwraps these limited BLACKPINK Edition gaming gear
They are finally coming in your area!
Initially teased a month ago, the much-awaited BLACKPINK x Razer collab has finally been revealed for all the BLINKs to see (and purchase).
Hitting the ‘DEADLINE’
ICYMI, BLACKPINK (or K-Pop’s biggest female quartet composed of Jennie, Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo) started their highly-anticipated ‘DEADLINE’ World Tour just last year.
With Razer’s signature dark black styling paired with BLACKPINK’s bold and iconic pink scheme, this collaboration felt like the perfect match.
Now, if you’re the type of BLINK who still has a severe sepanx (like yours truly), all these limited BLACKPINK-themed gaming gear by Razer might just be the cure.
That said, here are all the BLACKPINK Edition gaming accessories you should expect from the Singaporean-American gaming giant.
Ornata V3 Tenkeyless – BLACKPINK Edition
A low-profile RGB keyboard with clicky Mecha-Membrane switches.
DeathAdder Essential – BLACKPINK Edition
Gaming mouse with ergonic comfort and precision alongside mechanical switches and programmable buttons.
Gigantus V2 – Medium – BLACKPINK Edition
Razer’s smooth and durable mouse mat with that BLACKPINK flair
Enki X – BLACKPINK Edition
Badly-needed gaming chair for all-day comfort combined with BLACKPINK’s aesthetics — made for your marathon gaming sessions.
Pricing and Availability
Here are the SRP of the special Razer x BLACKPINK Edition gaming essentials:
- Ornata V3 Tenkeyless – BLACKPINK Edition = US$ 119.99
- DeathAdder Essential – BLACKPINK Edition = US$ 49.99
- Gigantus V2 – Medium – BLACKPINK Edition = US$ 29.99
- Enki X – BLACKPINK Edition = US$ 499.99
These will all be released worldwide (excluding Canada and Japan) by the 2nd quarter of 2026.
Currently, Razer has set-up a pop-up store in Hong Kong. BLINKs in the area can experience all the special gaming gear with dedicated photo zones in the scene.
View this post on Instagram
This popped right in time as BLACKPINK will hold the Hong Kong stop of their ‘DEADLINE’ tour for three straight days — from January 24 (Saturday) until January 26, 2026 (Monday).
Moreover, these might just be the perfect complement to the quatro’s upcoming ‘DEADLINE’ EP by February 27, 2026.
Might as well, an advanced 10th year anniversary gift this August 2026.
Deals
Trade in your old device and switch to Dyson at SM Podium
A simple trade-in lets you enjoy Dyson’s latest technology with better value!
Sometimes, the right upgrade arrives at the perfect moment.
Dyson is giving everyone that chance with its Trade to Upgrade event happening from November 25 to 28 at the 2F Atrium of SM Podium.
It’s a limited run designed for anyone who has been waiting to switch to smarter cleaning, cooler airflow, or sleeker styling.
The idea is simple: Bring your old purifier, vacuum, or hair tool from any brand, working or not, and switch to a Dyson machine within the same category.
You can enjoy up to 30 percent off when you trade in a purifier for a Dyson purifier, a vacuum for a Dyson vacuum, or a hair dryer or styler for a Dyson hair tool.
It’s a straightforward way to upgrade your daily routines with technology that performs better and looks better at home.
The event also welcomes shoppers who are not trading in. Dyson is offering flexible payment options with zero percent installment for up to twenty-four months on all machines, including the Airwrap Coanda 2X and the Amber Silk finish.
This gives more room to choose the device that fits your lifestyle without rushing the decision.
Whether you are setting up a smarter home or refreshing your everyday essentials, this event is a chance to experience Dyson’s design and engineering in a more accessible way.
Her GadgetMatch
How the HUAWEI Active Rings run inspired my next streak
One active morning turned into a streak I wanted to keep!
There are days when running feels like a routine and there are mornings when it feels like a gift.
The HUAWEI Active Rings Fun Run landed perfectly on one of those good mornings. I woke up before the sun, optimistically laced my shoes, and took my place at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, where a thousand runners gathered with the same intention.
Everyone wanted to move with purpose and enjoy a moment that centered on fitness and a little glow from our smartwatches.
Finding my rhythm with my Active Rings
HUAWEI partnered with RUNRIO and a full roster of lifestyle staples like GCash, Shopee, Nature’s Spring, and URC. It created a space that felt alive even before anyone started running.
There were giant inflatables, interactive photo walls, and booths with snacks and hydration that framed the Race Village.
When the run began, the energy pushed me forward. The seaside breeze reminded me why I loved running outside. HUAWEI designed this event for their community of users and I felt that intention with every step.
It felt easy to check my stats and stay on pace because the watch tracked everything that mattered without distracting me.
I was inspired when seasoned runners passed me by, whereas some of them would later claim the top spots. The runners around me boosted me with energy that I wanted to match. They were competitive in a way that felt inspiring.
The little moments that made the morning sweeter
After crossing the finish line, I wandered around the Race Village again. I watched runners take photos with their medals and chat with friends they made during the route.
The GCash Watch Pay booth became unexpectedly helpful for a lot of participants. It let everyone bind their GCash account to their HUAWEI smartwatch.
It made sense for runners who preferred to go cashless and travel light. Shopee was also present and reminded everyone how modern life blends with fitness.
Every corner of the event touched a part of our daily routines. It showed how technology can help simplify healthy habits.
Keeping the streak alive with Light Up Your Active Rings
The fun run wrapped up the physical celebration but HUAWEI kept the momentum alive through the Light Up Your Active Rings Online Challenge. It runs from November 8 to 30 inside the HUAWEI Health App.
Participants only need to burn 1500 kcal within the challenge period to unlock the exclusive Manila Medal, a new badge inside the app that feels like a digital pat on the back.
Sharing the medal on TikTok with the hashtags #LightUpYourActiveRingsPH and #EnjoyYourMoment also enters participants into a chance to win a HUAWEI Watch GT 6.
HUAWEI will announce the winner on December 15. It feels like an invitation to stay active long after the race banners are packed away.
The challenge is simple and the message is clear: movement matters even when it feels small. Running, walking, cycling, or making your day a little more intentional can change the way you show up for yourself.
A community that runs with you
That morning reminded me that fitness does not need to feel lonely. The run united beginners, athletes, and curious participants who wanted to experience something new.
It gave us a morning filled with movement and reminded us that wearable technology can help us stay accountable in a way that feels supportive.
HUAWEI continues to build a fitness community that encourages healthier habits and celebrates every active streak. The Active Rings Fun Run made that mission feel real on the ground. Meanwhile, the Light Up Your Active Rings challenge brings it online for anyone who wants to keep going.
I left the MOA Complex with tired legs and a full heart. My Active Rings glowed with pride and I promised myself that this would not be the last time I ran for the kind of joy that morning gave me.
-
News2 weeks agoInfinix NOTE Edge debuts: High-end features for accessible pricing
-
Features2 weeks agoCan the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G Survive?
-
Reviews1 week agoHONOR X9d 5G review: Tougher, more long-lasting and optimized
-
Automotive1 week agoBYD expands PH presence with entry of DENZA luxury EVs
-
News2 weeks agoHONOR slaps the iPhone Air with the all-new Magic8 Pro Air
-
News1 week agoBeyond the Box, Digital Walker turn over Tesla Model Y to iPhone 17 raffle winner
-
Gaming1 week agoNow playing: Final Fantasy VII Remake INTERGRADE on Switch 2
-
Accessories1 week agoRazer fully unwraps these limited BLACKPINK Edition gaming gear























