Philippines

Budget phone suggestions for this viral Philippines mayor

What phone should Mayor Vico Sotto buy?

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A mayor in the Philippines went viral on TikTok for having a selfie video that looked shaky and grainy, as if it was taken by a cheap camera.

Pasig City, Metro Manila Mayor Victor Ma. Regis Sotto, more popularly known as simply Vico Sotto, filmed himself to talk to his constituents about the City Office’s Christmas packs for its citizens.

@vicosottoreal

totoo bang mas konti ang tro lls dito sa tiktok? 🤔

♬ original sound – Vico Sotto – Vico Sotto

Eagle-eyed TikTok users, however, were quick to poke fun at the quality of Sotto’s selfie video, which was stitched along with the slideshow of the city’s Christmas gift-giving program.

Sotto is currently serving his second term as mayor of the city that is part of the collective Metro Manila region called National Capital Region.

He has carved out quite a reputation for his good governance and transparency. Citizens do not associate him with corruption, while his style of leadership has also been praised.

And judging from the selfie video, it also seems he’s that frugal and practical about his lifestyle. To be fair, the lens seems to have smudges on it and the mayor was also indoors.

Still, one particular TikToker even used the video and stitched it, telling Sotto to turn heel and just use public funds to purchase a new smartphone.

Naturally, GadgetMatch has some budget phone suggestions for Mayor Vico so he can come up with better-looking selfie videos moving forward. These devices don’t even cost PhP 10,000 (US$ 200), so they should fit his persona well.

Xiaomi Redmi 14C

Price: Starts at PhP 4,999

Xiaomi’s most recent budget phone offering, the Redmi 14C boasts of a stylish look and an aluminum-looking plastic frame. It immediately stands out, appearance wise.

It has a 13MP selfie camera that can film up to 1080p at 30fps. That’s more than decent, considering its price tag. With sufficient lighting, we’re sure Mayor Vico can take his brief explainers on TikTok to another level.

Elsewhere, the phone has up to 256GB of internal storage, a 50MP main camera, and a 6.88-inch IPS LCD panel with up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

This brand has even commented on the video telling the Mayor that they’re on sale right now.

READ THE REVIEW: Redmi 14C: Look further or look elsewhere

HONOR X7c

HONOR X7c

Price: PhP 8,999

One of the best-promoted budget phones of 2024, the HONOR X7c features IP64 rating. That means the device is water resistant up to a certain degree. And for a sub-PhP 10,000 phone, that’s quite high of an IP rating.

The X7c also comes with a 6,000mAh battery, so it’s guaranteed to last an entire day. You know, should Mayor Vico need a phone with him throughout an entire day’s worth of meetings, visits, and more in between.

For its selfie camera, the X7c has a decent 8MP shooter capable of taking FHD videos as well. It also takes good selfies. Complementing it is a 108MP rear camera.

READ THE REVIEW: HONOR X7c: The good, the bad, and the splashy

OPPO A3

Price: PhP 8,999

Likewise, the OPPO A3 flaunts military-grade standard durability and splash resistance. One of the more recent releases from OPPO does have only a 5MP front camera, but with good lighting, you’ll still get decent results.

The phone itself is steady for casual browsing and occasional gaming. Its display is also ample for binge-watching sessions. It also has a simplistic look that makes it look like a luxurious phone.

Of course, Mayor Vico can definitely benefit from this phone as it’s tested for the “daily rigors of life.”

READ THE REVIEW: OPPO A3: Is durability enough?

realme C67

Price: PhP 8,999

Lastly, the realme C67 is perhaps one of the best budget phones in the market right now. It has an 8MP camera capable of filming FHD videos. At the back is a 108MP sensor that can capture at up to 3X lossless zoom.

Everything else you’re looking for from a budget phone, the realme C67 can provide. It has a decent processor, a clear display, a long-lasting battery, and plenty of features.

As it was released earlier in the year, the only downers are it’s only 4G-capable and its internal storage is pegged at 128GB.

READ THE REVIEW: realme C67: A budget smartphone revelation

To Mayor Vico, if you’re reading this, GadgetMatch is here to help you find the devices that suit your needs. That’s what we’re here for, anyway.

News

OPPO Reno15 Series 5G Philippines price, availability, preorder perks

Tailor-fit for capturing moments

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The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is now official in the Philippines. OPPO has once again made three variants available in the market: the OPPO Reno15 5G, OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G, and OPPO Reno15 F 5G.

These latest mid-rangers are designed around how users capture and share moments. The are fitted with camera systems capable of recording up to 4K HDR Ultra-Steady Video across both front and rear cameras.

Moreover, the smartphones feature Dual-View Video for simultaneous recording with both front and rear shooters. Users can also switch seamlessly between cameras while recording.

Meanwhile, the expansive 100° wider field of view on the 50MP front camera lets users take ultra-wide selfies without having to flip the phone.

On the standard and Pro variants are a 3.5x Telephoto Vibe Portrait camera for natural-looking zoom and perspective. This is perfect for several scenarios with clean subject separation and realistic depth.

Other content creation-related features include:

  • AI Motion Photo
  • AI Motion Photo Slow-Mo
  • AI Motion Photo Eraser
  • AI Portrait Glow
  • AI Flash Photography 2.0

Price, availability

Customers can now preorder the devices online via Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and the OPPO Online Store. Exclusive perks are available for preorders until February 26.

Here are the official pricing:

OPPO Reno15 F 5G (in Twilight Blue, Aurora Blue)

  • 8GB+128GB: PhP 23,999 (online exclusive)
  • 8GB+256GB: PhP 25,999
  • 12GB+256GB: PhP 28,999

Reno15 5G (Twilight Blue, Aurora White)

  • 12GB+256GB: PhP 36,999
  • 12GB+512GB: PhP 39,999

Reno15 Pro 5G (Aurora Blue)

  • 12GB+512GB: PhP 49,999

Freebies include an OPPO Enco Buds Pro, Watch Free, PhP 2,000 product voucher, OPPO Pad 5 + Watch S Lucky Draw, and more.

Meanwhile, preorders placed at OPPO’s concept stores are also eligible for perks like a PhP 2,000 discount, 1-year OPPO Care Service, and more.

In addition, the OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is available via Globe and Smart postpaid plans starting the GPlan 1799 and Plans+ 1499 for the Reno15 F variant.

Postpaid plans likewise come with an Enco Buds3 Pro will stocks last.

Furthermore, budget-conscious consumers can take advantage of Home Credit installment plans up to 18 months at 0% interest and Credit Card plans at up to 12 months at 0% interest.

OPPO Watch S, OPPO Pad 5

The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is best paired with the OPPO Watch S and OPPO Pad 5.

The Watch S retails starting at PhP 10,999 while the Pad 5 completes the ecosystem, priced starting at PhP 26,999 for the Wi-Fi variant.

Bundling these devices with any Reno15 series variant unlocks extra freebies.

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Computers

ASUS, ROG announce 2026 desktops, AiO availabilities in PH

For gaming, heavy workloads, modern setups

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ASUS and ROG have announced the availabilities of their latest 2026 desktops and all-in-one (AiO) PCs in the Philippines.

Headlining the lineup is the ASUS V600 All-in-One PC, the latest addition to the AiO series. It has a sleek aesthetic and is powered by up to an AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 processor, capable of handling demanding workloads with ease.

This processor is paired with AMD Radeon 820M graphics, up to 16GB DDR5 memory, and up to 512GB SSD storage.

The V600 has a 23.8-inch FHD IPS 178-degree view display with a wide 93% screen-to-body ratio, anti-glare coating, and is certified for eye comfort.

The 50 TOPs NPU PC is also part of the Copilot+ family, making it efficient for AI computing tasks. Other features include ASUS AI Noise-Cancelling and Adaptive Lock.

Price: PhP 56,995

ASUS V500 Mini Tower

Meanwhile, the ASUS V500 Mini Tower is crafted to blend modern workspaces while delivering dependable performance.

It touts up to an Intel Core 7 240H processor and comes in a Dark Wood color. It operates at as low as 24dB in whisper mode.

An addition, it features up to 80 PLUS Platinum-certified PSU, reducing heat generation and eliminating power-consumption concerns. The PC has support for up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage.

Price: Starts at PhP 41,995

ASUS TUF Gaming TM500

Moreover, the ASUS TUF Gaming TM500 is a compact gaming desktop that delivers power and efficiency in a streamlined form factor.

It is fueled by an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor, reaching a maximum boost speed of 5.1GHz. Along with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 GPU, users can experience seamless gameplay.

The PC comes with 16GB DDR5 memory, and two more SO-DIMM slots to support up to 64GB of memory. This allows the machine to breeze through memory-heavy workloads, outside of the most demanding AAA titles.

Complementing these hardware is a custom heatsink with 1,218cm2 of total dissipation area, copper heat piping, and 90 mm cooling fan.

Price: Starts at PhP 76,995

ROG GM700

Lastly, the ROG GM700 features the undisputed power and beastly performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU.

With up to 32GB of memory, the PC can process jaw-dropping visuals at ultra-fast speeds. With up to 2TB of storage, it guarantees swift load times, high frame rates, and freedom from stutters in high-stakes gaming.

The ROG GM700 is also amenable for customization, maintenance, and future-proofing. Users can enjoy an upgrade potential of up to four DDR5 U-DIMM slots and multiple M.2 slots.

Price: starts at PhP 139,995

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News

Google pushes AI tools to help Filipinos stay safe online

Google highlights new AI tools for safer internet use.

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Safer Internet

Google Philippines is marking Safer Internet Day 2026 by highlighting how artificial intelligence can help Filipinos stay safe online.

Under the theme “sA Internet, Ingat!”, Google showcased new and updated tools designed to make digital safety easier, faster, and more intuitive for Pinoy users of all ages.

During the event, Google PH Head of Communications and Public Affairs Mervin Wenke discussed how AI-powered features across Search, Android, and Gemini can help users spot scams, verify content, and protect their devices in real time.

Using AI to spot misinformation

As AI-generated content becomes more common, Google says critical thinking is now a core digital skill.

To help users evaluate what they see online, Google recommends the SIFT method: Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims back to the original context.

Supporting this are tools built directly into Google Search:

  • About this image, which shows where an image came from and how it has been used online
  • SynthID, a technology that embeds digital watermarks into AI-generated content to help identify manipulated media and deepfakes

Together, these tools aim to give users more context before they trust or share what they see.

Fighting scams with Circle to Search and Lens

Scams remain one of the biggest online threats in the Philippines, often arriving through SMS or social media messages.

Google is now using AI in Google Lens and Circle to Search to help users detect scams instantly. Users can take a screenshot of a suspicious message and scan it with Google Lens, or long-press the home button on Android and circle the text on screen.

Google AI then analyzes the content in real time and alerts users if the message is likely a scam.

Stronger protection for lost or stolen phones

Google is also strengthening Android security in case devices fall into the wrong hands. New and upgraded features include:

  • Theft Detection Lock, which uses on-device AI to detect sudden motion patterns linked to snatch-and-run thefts and automatically locks the screen
  • Biometric Identity Check, adding extra protection for sensitive settings
  • Failed Authentication Lock, which secures the device after repeated incorrect login attempts

These features are designed to protect personal data even when a phone is physically stolen.

Tools for kids and families

For younger users, Google emphasized the importance of building healthy digital habits early. Parents can use:

  • Family Link to manage screen time, approve app downloads, and apply content filters
  • Be Internet Awesome, an educational program that teaches kids to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online
  • YouTube Shorts Timer, which lets parents set time limits for short-form videos, including the option to block Shorts during homework time

Google says the Shorts timer is an industry-first parental control focused on short-form content.

Encouraging deeper learning with Gemini

As AI becomes more common in education, Google says it wants students to learn how to think, not just how to get answers.

Through Guided Learning in Gemini, students are encouraged to work through problems step by step. The feature is designed to support logic and critical thinking, positioning AI as a learning companion rather than a shortcut.

Google says these updates reflect its broader goal for Safer Internet Day: helping Filipinos navigate the AI era with confidence and peace of mind.

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