Smartphones

Coronavirus can live on a phone’s screen for 28 days, study finds

There is a caveat, though

Published

October 13, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Smartphones are one of the grubbiest things we handle every day. From our fingers to our ears to our mouths, a human body comes into contact with a smartphone several times each day. Naturally, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, phone sterilizers have turned into the norm. If you haven’t bought into the “clean phone” hype yet, a new study might convince you otherwise. Apparently, the coronavirus can live on a phone’s screen for 28 days.

According to a study conducted in Australia, the specific strain of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for today’s pandemic can survive up to 28 days on common surfaces including “glass, stainless steel, and both paper and polymer banknotes.” Further, the study also tested common substrates like vinyl, a material found in screen protectors.

Non-porous surfaces — like glass and vinyl — still had the virus after 28 days. Meanwhile, porous substances — like cotton — had the virus for only up to 14 days. Of course, there is a rather large caveat: The study happened under 20 degrees Celsius, a far cry from normal room temperature.

Countering this caveat, the study also conducted the same tests under 30 degrees Celsius. The virus survived for up to 7 days on steel and glass. It survived up to 3 days on vinyl and cotton. Also, at 40 degrees Celsius, the virus survived for only up to 48 hours on all surfaces.

Now, before you throw away your smartphones for good, remember that the tests were conducted under controlled lab conditions. The results do not indicate what might happen in the real world.

Besides the controlled temperature, the study applied the virus without mucus. It’s another important caveat since transmission usually occurs through contact with droplets. Even outside of a body, mucus contains white blood cells, which can reduce the virus’s survivability outside of a host.

Adding to this caveat, the study starts with an even more important warning: “the role of fomite transmission [that is, surface-to-body] is not yet fully understood.” If anything, the test merely proves that the virus is much more durable than expected.

News

Qualcomm is raising its prices this year

Will the price of smartphones follow suit?

Published

July 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The price of technology isn’t fun these days. Because of the ongoing RAM shortage wrought by AI, companies across the industry are raising the prices of their products. Some, however, are still willing to shoulder the burden for their customers. Unfortunately, Qualcomm is soon leaving that list.

As reported by Bloomberg, Qualcomm will raise the prices of its products starting in September. Though the exact figure is unknown, the company did confirm that it’s in the double digits, percentage-wise. According to them, they can no longer shoulder the costs for its customers.

If you’re just a regular user, Qualcomm’s prices might not mean much for you. After all, the chipmaker doesn’t make phones of its own.

That said, Qualcomm is still one of the biggest suppliers for smartphone chipsets, including those that Samsung uses. Pushing the burden from chipsets to phone manufacturers reduces one more buffer against costs being ultimately pushed to consumers.

All things considered, Samsung managed to keep its prices hikes relatively low with the latest batch of foldables. However, with chips getting more price increases, it’s still within the realm of possibility that Samsung will also increase the price of its smartphones. The same can be said for any Qualcomm-powered smartphone available today.

News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges.

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.

Philippines

OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines

Pocket Studio arrives

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

OPPO has confirmed that the Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines.

The upcoming smartphone series will introduce the company’s new Pocket Studio imaging experience alongside OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View. The launch also continues OPPO’s partnership with K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER, the brand’s global ambassadors.

Pocket Studio puts the focus on photography

OPPO positions the Reno16 Series 5G as a camera-first smartphone. The series features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera, and Dual View Video for capturing photos and videos from multiple perspectives.

The company says these upgrades are designed to make mobile photography and content creation more versatile. Users can capture wide group selfies, detailed portraits, and creative videos without carrying dedicated camera gear.

OPPO Bubble brings remote camera controls

A standout feature is OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View.

The new feature lets users pair the Reno16 Series 5G with compatible OPPO devices. From there, they can preview the camera feed remotely and trigger the shutter wirelessly.

This also allows users to frame selfies and group photos using the phone’s rear cameras while viewing the composition from another device. OPPO says the feature makes it easier to capture everyone in the frame without relying on timers.