The Nintendo Switch (OLED) is real and it is coming. But for many, it wasn’t the Switch upgrade they were hoping for. We sat down with two of our gaming writers Gab and Leez to get their quick thoughts on the new Switch in town.
Were you surprised by the sudden announcement? Why or why not?
Gab: I was genuinely surprised by the announcement, considering there weren’t any particular rumors in the past few weeks surrounding it. While Nintendo mentioned earlier this year that they’re working on new Switch models, the OLED display part was something they said they were working on. Also, I was expecting the announcement to come some time in August or early September instead of July, but I guess even they couldn’t wait.
I’m guessing they didn’t bother mentioning this during E3 2021 for two reasons. On one hand, I think they wanted to focus more on game releases during the showcase, instead of going for the hardware. On the other, I think they needed some time to refine one key change in the new model in comparison to the current models.
Leez: Nintendo is pretty good with their Direct announcements but this one was a little out of left field. I guess it’s my fruit fly attention span that made Switch updates just come unnoticed.
It would’ve been nice to go with their E3 announcements since they saved the sad snoozefest that it was. But, in retrospect, hardware isn’t really part of the homework for the event.
Do you think the upgrades are worth buying for long-time Switch users?
Gab: I’ve had my v2 Switch for more than a year, and my experience with it is pretty great. When I saw the upgraded features on the OLED model, it didn’t really entice me enough to consider getting the upgrade. Essentially it’s a bigger, brighter, and more vibrant screen but still operates the same way as the v2 Switch.
I like the fact that it comes with a wider stand at the back, plus the Ethernet port in the dock if you’re using it in TV Mode. I felt that these features would have been better for the v2 Switch, but I honestly feel these were minor changes. If the biggest change Nintendo thought of was a bigger OLED panel, it’s not necessarily a change worth spending extra money on.
Leez: Gab summarizes it well. For me, it can be a big win for people who’ve been considering getting a Switch but, it’s ultimately a screen and storage upgrade. Nintendo does this all the time. Remember the DS? Then, 3DS? They essentially apply and sell small incremental changes and upgrades to their handhelds until they find a new perfected form of blending portability, functionality, and fun. Our wallets are all just praying for their next breakthrough.
What upgrades would you have wanted to see instead?
Gab: Support for 4K when in TV mode (which also means support for HDMI 2.1), possibly a battery that lasts an hour or two longer than the v2 Switch
Leez: Honestly? Even if you slap 4K on top of the OLED upgrade, I wouldn’t buy it. Maybe that’s all the moths living in my wallet talking, but I just weirdly wish Nintendo took time to add all the upgrades into one Switch.
If someone who doesn’t own a Switch considers getting one, should the person get the OLED version or just get the potentially marked down price of the older version?
Gab: If this is your first time getting a Switch, the OLED model is a great option to have. Apart from the features I just mentioned, it also roughly lasts as long as the v2 Switch, and the higher price is justified because of the 7-inch OLED panel. If money is a bit tight, the potentially marked down older version isn’t too shabby.
Personally, I would still wait for a “Pro” version of the Switch that acts as a substantial upgrade but let’s see if Nintendo will actually do it.
Leez: I think if you have the budget for it, go for it. I think Nintendo is really good at giving their console owners breathing space to really enjoy their games. Other brands often limit their new game releases to the newest console releases which ultimately necessitates buying what’s new. For Nintendo, they let you play the old and new in whichever handheld you’ve got. They did it for Gameboy games for the Gameboy Advance and Gameboy Advance games for the DS.
It all ultimately depends on your budget and if you think the little upgrades are worth the dollar. Personally? If I didn’t have a Switch, I’d take an older version for a cheaper price. I’m not making it rain and games don’t come cheap.
What bundles or special editions are you hoping will come with the OLED version?
Gab: On the top of my head, a Pokemon bundle would be nice to commemorate the arrival of the DP remakes. I mean, not just for the Switch Lite but hopefully for this model, as well. Of course, I think they’ll do a special edition Switch model with either Dialga or Palkia on it, but it’s just a thought.
Also, Nintendo, while we’re on the subject: a TWICE collab would be nice. I mean, the Joy-Cons for the OLED model are in the Dahyun white variant, so you might as well do it for all the other members’ colors. Also, can we get limited edition ones that the members can sign?
Leez: Easily, Breath of the Wild 2. Could you imagine? If they release a Sheikah Slate design on a Nintendo Switch OLED, I’m genuinely eating my words about it not being worth it. And, if they made an off-hand official Kirby themed one, I’m having a stern talk with my empty wallet and would willingly starve for it.
Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!
Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.
Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:
Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”
Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.
Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.
Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.
Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.
Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.
DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.
The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.
Freedom behind the lens
The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.
On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.
FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.
ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.
It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.
None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.
And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.
The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.
The trade-offs in touch
The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.
DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.
You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.
Finding your ideal workflow
The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.
If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.
Price, availability
DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.
- Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
- Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
- Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.
Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.
If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.
Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.
Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.
And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.
Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.
This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.
Features
GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey
A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.
It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.
Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.
While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.
All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
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