Philippines

Budget phone suggestions for this viral Philippines mayor

What phone should Mayor Vico Sotto buy?

Published

December 2, 2024

GadgetMatch

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

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.

Philippines

Smart boosts 5G network in Siargao for World Surf League event

Smart expands 5G coverage across Siargao.

Published

November 4, 2026

GadgetMatch

Smart Communications is strengthening its 5G network in Siargao ahead of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, which is being held at Cloud 9 in General Luna until November 10.

The network enhancements aim to provide faster mobile connectivity for residents, tourists, athletes, media practitioners, and spectators attending the competition.

As the event’s official telecommunications partner, Smart has expanded its existing 5G coverage and capacity in key areas of the island. These include Cloud 9, Siargao Airport, Siargao Seaport, and other strategic locations.

The competition marks the first time the Philippines is hosting a stop on the prestigious WSL Championship Tour, bringing international surfing talent and visitors to the island.

“Siargao is an important tourism destination, and we are committed to supporting its continued growth through reliable connectivity,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, Smart’s First Vice President and officer-in-charge.

He added that the partnership with WSL provides an opportunity to deliver better digital experiences to athletes, visitors, and local communities.

Beyond the competition, Smart says improved mobile connectivity can help residents and tourists with digital payments, accommodation and transportation bookings, real-time communication, and sharing their travel experiences online. It can also help local businesses facilitate transactions and engage customers.

Smart 5G offers for WSL visitors

Visitors attending the WSL Championship Tour can access select Smart Unli 5G offers, which include unlimited 5G data and non-stop 4G data starting at PHP 90 for three days.

Smart Postpaid subscribers can also take advantage of plans with Smart Device Link, allowing them to share their primary mobile number and plan with a smartwatch for calls, texts, and mobile data even when their iPhone is not nearby.

Smart subscribers who avail of select offers at designated booths and partner stores in Siargao may also receive freebies.

The network improvements are part of Smart’s continued investment in mobile connectivity across the Philippines. The company also highlighted its recognition from Ookla for Best Mobile Latency and Best Mobile Video Experience.

Philippines

LG showcases its latest AI TVs in the Philippines

OLED, Micro RGB, and QNED take the spotlight.

Published

November 2, 2026

GadgetMatch

LG Electronics Philippines showcased its latest AI-powered OLED, Micro RGB, and QNED televisions at the LG OLED TV Media Launch on October 30, 2026, at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.

Held under the theme “A Canvas of Possibilities,” the event demonstrated how LG’s latest television technologies can enhance home entertainment, gaming, and digital art experiences.

The showcase featured three television lines: the LG OLED evo AI, LG Micro RGB evo AI, and LG QNED evo AI. Each demonstrated different approaches to picture quality, color reproduction, and everyday viewing.

LG highlights its latest TV technologies

The True Cinema showcase highlighted the picture quality of LG’s latest television lineup. The LG OLED evo AI delivered an immersive viewing experience, while the LG Micro RGB evo AI demonstrated its Triple Crown 100% Color Coverage for vibrant, lifelike visuals.

The LG QNED evo AI also showcased its contrast, color reproduction, and motion capabilities, offering another option for viewers seeking an enhanced entertainment experience.

These televisions build on LG’s broader 2026 AI TV lineup, which the company introduced at IFA 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

Among the technologies highlighted was the α11 AI Processor Gen3, which debuted in the LG OLED evo series and extends to ultra-large Micro RGB evo TVs. The processor enables features such as AI Dual 4K Upscaling for sharper images and AI Sound Pro for more immersive audio.

LG also highlighted personalization features, including Voice ID for tailored content recommendations and AI Concierge for content discovery. LG Shield provides an integrated security system designed to protect user information and privacy.

Gaming and digital art take center stage

Beyond traditional television viewing, LG demonstrated how its displays can serve as entertainment hubs for gaming and digital art.

The Ultimate Gaming zone gave guests a closer look at the smooth gameplay experience offered by LG OLED evo AI technology. The gaming-inspired lounge highlighted how display innovations can make interactive entertainment more immersive.

Meanwhile, the Digital Art showcase featured LG OLED evo AI, LG QNED evo AI, and LG Micro RGB evo AI televisions displaying digital artworks through LG Gallery+.

The exhibit demonstrated how televisions can double as digital canvases, allowing users to bring artwork into their living spaces when they are not watching movies or playing games.

Through the launch, LG presented its latest televisions as more than displays for traditional entertainment, highlighting their potential to complement different interests, lifestyles, and creative pursuits.

“Through this launch, we wanted guests to see these innovations for themselves and imagine how they could bring the same experiences into their own homes,” said Yongwoo Park, Media Solutions Product Director at LG Electronics Philippines.

Philippines

realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition: Price, availability in the Philippines

Hogwarts magic meets smartphone design

Published

October 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition is now available in the Philippines for PHP 39,999. This limited-edition smartphone features a color-changing Hogwarts crest, an exclusive Harry Potter-themed interface, and a collection of Wizarding World memorabilia.

Limited to fewer than 200 units nationwide, the special edition is designed for fans and collectors of the beloved franchise.

Hogwarts magic in every detail

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition comes in Magic Brown, featuring an Enchanted Texture Leather back with a three-dimensional diamond pattern inspired by wizard chessboards.

Its centerpiece is the Hogwarts Four-House Crest, which reveals the signature colors of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff when exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. This effect uses realme’s Quadra Light-Sensing Color-changing Tech.

The phone also features a gold Hedwig-inspired camera design, matching gold accents along its edges, and a laser-engraved “Welcome to Hogwarts” inscription on the side.

A Hogwarts-inspired interface

The Harry Potter theme extends to the phone’s software. Exclusive wallpapers depict Hogwarts Castle at different times of the day, with Golden Dawn for daytime and Mystic Dusk for nighttime.

Other customizations include boot-up and fingerprint animations inspired by Hogwarts acceptance letters, more than 30 redesigned app icons, and camera watermarks inspired by the four Hogwarts houses.

A trunk full of collectibles

The limited-edition packaging takes the form of a Harry Potter-inspired trunk featuring the Hogwarts crest and the realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition branding.

Inside, fans will find a Hogwarts acceptance letter addressed to Mr. Potter, character postcards featuring Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and bookmarks representing all four Hogwarts houses.

The package also includes Hogwarts Crest pins and a Hogwarts Express-inspired ticket bearing the route from London to Hogwarts via Platform 9¾.