Buyer's Guide

BUYER’S GUIDE: All-new PlayStation Plus

Which Tier is your match?

Published

August 5, 2022

It’s been close to two months, for most markets, since the all-new PlayStation Plus subscriptions launched. Being in a launch market, I have personally had it for over two months now. Even then, I still see plenty of people confused and frequently asking about which Tier they should subscribe to. My goal is to help you figure it out for yourself.

The three tiers

There are three tiers, with the highest tier’s name changing depending on what region you’re in. They are as follows: Essential, Extra, and then Premium or Deluxe.

Essential is what the entire PlayStation Plus subscription used to be. The benefits are online multiplayer, cloud save files, and monthly free games.

Extra is a step above Essential. With it, you gain access to a catalog of PlayStation 4 (PS4) games. These include exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered, God of War, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, and many more. In this tier, you’ll also find older titles but remastered for the PS4 like The Last of Us (PS3), Final Fantasy X-X2 (PS2), Final Fantasy VII (PS1), and more.

Now this is where it gets sort of tricky. Emphasis on sort of. You only really need to know what Region your account is registered under. Personally, I have one for R3 (Singapore) and another for R1 (USA). If you find the Regions confusing, this guide from GameOne is pretty helpful.

An easy way to check is to just fire up your console and go to the PlayStation Plus section. Depending on your region, you’ll see either Premium or Deluxe there. So, what’s the difference?

Deluxe has all the benefits of Essential and Extra but adds a Classics Catalog. At launch, these included PS1 titles like Tekken 2 and Ape Escape. But most recently, it’s now included remasters of Batman Arkham City and Arkham Asylum. The remasters are for PS4 but the original games were initially released on the PlayStation 3 (PS3).

Premium, meanwhile, has all the benefits of the aforementioned along with the ability to cloud stream games. This is crucial especially for some PS3 titles that never had any PS4 remasters.

In this tier, you also curiously get Game Trials. It lets you play a portion of what is usually a AAA title. If it piques your interest, you can buy the game digitally and your progress will carry over.

Nobody asked but I think this should have been added, instead, to the Essential tier. If the idea is to sell more games, wouldn’t it be better to put the trials at a tier that most people will likely subscribe to? PlayStation, I hope you reconsider.

How much are they?

Here’s the pricing for key markets:

Essential

United States — US$ 14.99 monthly / US$ 39.99 quarterly / US$ 99.99 yearly
Singapore — SG$ 13.90 monthly / SG$ 35.90 quarterly / SG$ 89.90 yearly
Hong Kong — HK$ 75 monthly / HK$ 215 quarterly / HK$ 515 yearly
Malaysia — MYR 44 monthly / MYR 114 quarterly / MYR 269 yearly

Extra

United States — US$ 14.99 monthly / US$ 39.99 quarterly / US$ 99.99 yearly
Singapore — SG$ 13.90 monthly / SG$ 35.90 quarterly / SG$ 89.90 yearly
Hong Kong — HK$ 75 monthly / HK$ 215 quarterly / HK$ 515 yearly
Malaysia — MYR 44 monthly / MYR 114 quarterly / MYR 269 yearly

Deluxe

Singapore — SG$ 15.90 monthly / SG$ 40.90 quarterly / SG$ 103.90 yearly
Hong Kong — HK$ 85 monthly / HK$ 239 quarterly / HK$ 599 yearly
Malaysia — MYR 50 monthly / MYR 130 quarterly / MYR 309 yearly

Premium

United States — US$ 17.99 monthly / US$ 49.99 quarterly / US$ 119.99 yearly
United Kingdom — £13.49 monthly / £39.99 quarterly / £99.99 yearly
Japan — ¥1,550 – monthly / ¥4,300 – quarterly / ¥10,250 yearly

If you’re starting from scratch – meaning no prior subscription, those are the pricings you’re looking at.

However, if you have an existing PlayStation Plus subscription the amount will be prorated. But what does that mean?

Here’s an example:

Before the all-new PlayStation Plus Subscription kicked in, I had a PS Plus subscription that goes all the way to December 2022. That means I essentially have an existing subscription with the value of seven (7) months of PS Plus Essential which amounts to SG$ 97.3.

Had I started from scratch, I would have had to pay seven (7) months of PS Plus Deluxe which costs SG$ 111.3.

But thanks to my existing PS Plus Essential credits, I only paid SG$ 14 to go Deluxe for the rest of my subscription.

Still confusing? Essentially, I didn’t have to pay the full amount of the yearly Deluxe subscription. I only had to pay for the upgrade to Deluxe that covers the duration of my subscription.

And there’s really no other way to do it. PlayStation will automatically prorate your existing subscription to whichever tier you’re upgrading to.

How to buy?

You can simply upload your debit or credit card information directly to your account. It should be seamless in most countries. If you’re in the Philippines, here’s a helpful guide from Ungeek.

Alternatively, you can opt to buy PlayStation Network (PSN) credits from authorized stores and sellers.

Which one should you actually buy?

This depends entirely on your needs, the type of games you play, and naturally, your budget.

For instance, I initially was only going to upgrade to Extra because I wasn’t really interested in the Classic titles available at launch. But a pretty little angel offered to cover for the Deluxe subscription. And I’m grateful, because now, I’m able to play Batman Return to Arkham: Arkham City, Syphon Filter, as well as the original Resident Evil game. Totally lied about that last one as I’ve been avoiding horror games since Silent Hill gave me nightmares wayback when. I digress.

If you’re the multiplayer type, you’re definitely gonna want to get at least the Essential tier as it’s required for online multiplayer. These are games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and even sports ones like NBA 2K and FIFA.

Essential is also great if you’re the type who can wait. The monthly games are definitely a mixed bag, but every now and then they’ll throw in games you meant to buy but never did for whatever reason. That happened to me with titles like Persona 5 Striker, Judgment, Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, and many others.

Premium, if you have access to it, offers classic titles as well as access to cloud stream PS3 titles. That last one isn’t available in any other tier.

What’s the best value?

Again, this really depends on the type of gamer you are and the number of hours you can spend gaming. But generally speaking, I personally think the Extra tier offers the best bang for your buck.

Not only do you get free monthly games, you also have access to some pretty rad PS4 titles. And just recently, it also gave us access to a much anticipated and now thoroughly beloved indie title – Stray.

Premium and Deluxe are great. But given the available titles as of writing, these two tiers are more of a luxury at this point.

Other things to keep in mind

Games come and go. After all, nothing lasts forever. Unlike the free monthly games available on the Essential tier, you won’t have access to certain titles once they’re pulled out.

It’s still early in the subscription’s lifespan so no major titles have left yet. But eventually, there will be games that won’t be available anymore for one reason or another.

So, if you’re subscribed to whatever Tier and a game you really like becomes available. Hop on it as soon as you can because you never know when it’ll go away.

Happy gaming!

Related Topics:PlayStation PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 PlayStation Plus PS Plus PS4 PS5 Sony PlayStation

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: TECNO SPARK 50 Pro vs SPARK 50 5G

Which afforda-phone SPARKs more joy?

Published

June 18, 2026

Vincenz

Within two months, TECNO separately launched the SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G.

Clearly, the uprising brand aims to target consumers who want to buy a shiny new smartphone within their means. This also meant budget buyers might get confused which to get between the two.

Interested yet still confused? Read more to know which SPARK is your GadgetMatch.

Design

While design is (and will always be) subjective, the design of the TECNO SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G are on two different sides of the coin.

The newer SPARK 50 Pro is offered in stronger color choices — from Midnight Blue to the Dynamic Orange I own. Albeit, there are the less flashy Ink Black, Titanium Grey, and Cloud White shades.

On the other hand, the SPARK 50 5G has classier colorways: Champagne Gold, Mint Green and Fantasy Purple. That’s alongside the subdued Ink Black and Titanium Grey options.

Personally, the SPARK 50 5G’s clean-looking horizontal camera bar design was the clear giveaway. While the SPARK 50 Pro is a bit slimmer at 7.8mm, the SPARK 50 5G is still comfortable to hold despite being thicker at 8.18mm.

Furthermore, the Champagne Gold unit I rock looks more premium and doesn’t try to be in with the unnecessary “orange” trend.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Durability

Usually, design and durability coincide with one another. But, that’s not always the case.

Despite the SPARK 50 5G having an aviation-grade body, it only has an IP64 rating. It can withstand dust particles but, only water splashes and light sprays. Good to note though that it is MIL-STD-810H compliant.

Meanwhile, the less premium-looking SPARK 50 Pro actually boasts the sturdier IP68 and IP69 water and resistance ratings. This means it can withstand dust, water immersion, and even stronger, high-pressure sprays.

This makes the SPARK 50 Pro one of the few phones to have an IP rating previously limited to flagships and higher-end midrangers.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 Pro

Audiovisual

Both the SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G share a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display. Both are also 720p in resolution and refresh rate maxes out at 120Hz.

Obviously, these phones don’t have the best in class displays. But, for such segment and price, having such display tech alongside a punch-hole cutout (instead of a raindrop notch) means a lot.

Stereo speakers are also powered by DTS sound. Undoubtedly, these two phones are like identical twins in this segment.

The only thing that the SPARK 50 5G has the upper-hand is none other than its inclusion of 3.5mm audio jack that the SPARK 50 Pro lacks. Still beneficial for people who fully rely on wired audio.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Performance

While the front part is harder to distinguish from one another, each inner core is what separates these phones apart.

The TECNO SPARK 50 5G is powered by the MediaTek’s Dimensity 6400 SoC.

Of course, it’s not the most powerful out there. But, for its league, it’s a capable chipset that can multitask and run most game titles. Even 5G support never forgotten.

Meanwhile, the SPARK 50 Pro, despite having that “Pro” superlative, only runs the Dimensity G100 Ultimate. CPU speeds are obviously lower. Worse? It’s only limited to 4G speeds.

On the positive note, it gives better camera support.

Memory sizes are available in 4,6, and 8GB with storage options in either 128 or 256GB. Fortunately, these phones still have a dedicated microSD slot.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Camera

With the camera talk already mentioned, most would think that the 50MP main rear camera of the SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G are just the same. Well, they’re not.

Photography duties of the SPARK 50 Pro are mainly handled by Sony’s LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) image sensor. For reference, that’s the same image sensor found on most modern midrangers.

The SPARK 50 5G uses an older Sony Exmor sensor. Aperture slightly differ at f/1.9 and f/1.8 respectively.

For further context, here’s how the two smartphones produce photos.

To compensate for that, the SPARK 50 5G tends to over-sharpen and color boost its photo output over SPARK 50 Pro’s natural image rendering.

The SPARK 50 Pro also has a better-looking bokeh falloff than its 5G counterpart.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 Pro

Power

Finally, the highlight of both phones: battery capacity.

ICYMI, the TECNO SPARK 50 Pro has two versions: a single-cell 5600mAh model and a bigger 6000mAh dual-cell version.

The SPARK 50 5G takes it up a notch with an even bigger 6500mAh capacity.

Although that is only a 500mAh (or 900mAh) discrepancy, that battery boost still means a lot for an every day user.

Charging-wise, the SPARK 50 Pro has a faster 60W speed over the regular 45W charging in the 5G version.

IMHO, I would still choose a bigger battery over faster charging speeds. Still, it’s great to have both in a single package.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Which afforda-phone SPARKs more joy?

If we are going to tally the scores, the clear afforda-phone choice is none other than the TECNO SPARK 50 5G.

It ticks 4 out of 6 boxes — from that classier design to its beastly battery despite that thin chassis. Even better, a 5G-capable chipset and 3.5mm audio jack inclusion that the “Pro” variant simply lacks.

However, that doesn’t mean the SPARK 50 Pro is lackluster.

If you value the cameras and durability more than anything else, the TECNO SPARK 50 Pro is clearly the one you should get.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to how much of your hard-earned savings you are willing to let go.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.