For a long time, I didn’t have a home entertainment setup.

As a young adult navigating the nuances of solo living, my iPad Pro was my constant companion. It was my theater and my window to the world, especially on those nights when the silence of a one-bedroom apartment hit a little too hard.

I’ve spent countless hours with that 11-inch screen as my only guest, filling the void with comfort shows while I worked, even though my space was perfectly capable of housing a real Smart TV.

But buying a TV felt like… commitment. A TV is a centerpiece you decorate around; an invitation for people to gather.

If you walked into my apartment, you’d see it doesn’t scream “hosting duties.” It screams sleep, train, grind, recover, and repeat.

There is no plush couch, no mahogany entertainment center. While it might look unusually sparse to others, it is mine.

And one of the best parts of living alone is making the final call on what actually fills your space. On one of my loneliest nights, the XGODY N6 Pro arrived, and suddenly, it shifted my state of mind from merely surviving to actually thriving in the life I built.

$200 of freedom

At US$ 200, the XGODY N6 Pro isn’t a casual purchase. When you’re living independently, every dollar is a tactical decision. There’s no safety net, no “calling home” if the budget breaks.

But even when you’re grinding, you deserve to have small luxuries; something that makes your life feel bigger than the room you are in.

For instance, watching your favorite shows projected across your own walls is the ultimate treat after a day spent exhausted.

What surprised me most was how the projector adjusted to me, not the other way around. The 180-degree gimbal design sounds technical, but in reality, it simply means freedom.

I don’t have a proper tech setup, so I used my bar stool as a stand. It didn’t matter. Whether I’m sitting on my fabric gaming chair or tucked into bed, I just pivot the lens to whatever surface works best.

For once, I’m not craning my neck over a screen and I’m not adjusting myself to fit the device. It fits into my life exactly as it is.

Seamlessly self-sufficient

Independence changes the way you see technology. When your brain is fried from a long day, you just need life to be a tad easier.  I don’t want complicated or demanding; I just want things that do their job so I can breathe.

The remote-controlled electric focus and Auto Keystone Correction, in a way, are life-savers. I didn’t have to do anything, because the N6 Pro automatically squares the image as I pivot from wall to ceiling.

Its screen can stretch up to 200 inches, which still feels surreal to say out loud, though it’s smart enough to shrink if it detects an obstruction like a light switch.

Sometimes, it takes a moment to fully lock into clarity, though I have learned to appreciate that pause. It reminds me that not everything has to be instant to be worth it. (Especially since this is a budget device, I don’t want to ask too much.)

What truly impressed me was the WiFi 6 support. Streaming is smooth, and screen mirroring feels effortless. It reduces lag significantly, meaning my comfort shows never buffer.

With WhaleOS and 8,000+ apps built-in, I have everything I need right there.

Now Playing: People We Meet On Vacation

While I was getting used to the XGODY N6 Pro, Netflix dropped People We Meet On Vacation. And somehow, it felt personal.

Poppy, the main character, spends her life chasing the next experience. Her avoidance of settling mirrors my own desire for freedom. Always “catching flights, not feelings.”

Right now, every home is just a layover before my next destination. But having a projector like the N6 Pro makes me feel like I can take my sanctuary anywhere.

Poppy eventually found her happy ending, but I’m still in the chapters where I enjoy meeting new people and seeing new places.

For now, this projector is a companion; it’s there for the mundane moments when I return home from a long trip and need to decompress after the vacation ends.

Turning into a ritual

Even with 15,000 lumens, let’s be real: this is a creature of the night. It’s vibrant and clear in a dark room, but like most budget LEDs, it struggles when the sun peaks in.

I’ve turned my movie time into a ritual: closing the curtains and letting the night soak in, so I can watch the colors come alive.

The 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 4K decoding provide enough depth to make the scenes feel sincere. Though, I’m happy with the 1080p native resolution already.

While the built-in 5W Hi-Fi speaker isn’t going to shake the walls, it’s enough for the eerie silence of a solo apartment. With Bluetooth 5.2, I usually pair my JBL Charge 6 for a fuller sound, but honestly, there are nights where the built-in audio is just enough.

Is the XGODY N6 Pro your GadgetMatch?

Living alone is made up of small wins.

Cooking your own meals. Keeping your space clean. Learning how to sit with yourself. And sometimes, turning a blank wall into your own home theater.

At US$200, the XGODY N6 Pro projects the pride of a life built on my own terms. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a massive living room to live a massive life.

Swipe Right if you’re a young adult trying to make it in the city, living in a space where every square inch is precious real estate.

It’s for the independent soul who wants the “Smart TV” experience through Android TV 11 and WiFi 6 without the bulky furniture that usually comes with it. It offers an excellent price-to-performance ratio for anyone who treats their home like a sanctuary, or a temporary layover.

Swipe Left if you are the kind of person who needs absolute technical perfection to feel satisfied. Similarly, if you’re an audiophile who expects a 5W built-in speaker to mimic a Dolby Atmos theater, you’ll find the sound a bit thin.

This isn’t the device for those who want a permanent, high-end home theater installation; it’s too scrappy and mobile for that kind of rigidity.

As I look up at the ceiling, I appreciate how far I’ve come from that 11-inch screen. And I realize I am no longer passing through. I am home.

The XGODY N6 Pro is available through its official website and online retailers like Amazon.

PLDT Home and Samsung have partnered to bring exclusive entertainment deals, making it easier for Filipinos to enjoy premium viewing experiences at home.

New customers who sign up for PLDT Home Fiber Plan 1299 and above can enjoy up to 15% off on select Samsung TVs. Special deals on sound devices are also available.

In addition, subscribers can receive stackable vouchers worth up to PhP 2,000, redeemable through PLDT MyHome.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Plan 1299: 5% discount on all TVs, sound devices, monitors
• Plans 1399, 1599, 1699, 1799, 2099: 10% discount on all TVs
• Plans 2499, 2699, 3199, 7999: 15% discount on all TVs

Meanwhile, existing PLDT Home subscribers who upgrade their plans can also enjoy even more rewards. This includes stackable vouchers worth up to PhP 3,000, on top of Samsung entertainment discounts.

To redeem the Samsung vouchers, simply register or log in via PLDT MyHome. Vouchers can then be used to purchase Samsung Vision AI TVs through the dedicated Samsung online store link.

Whether it’s K-drama, movies, sports, or gaming, customers can upgrade their entertainment setups with Samsung electronics for less.

Sony is expanding its home entertainment push with a new range of BRAVIA Theatre audio products and the BRAVIA 3 II TV. The lineup aims to make a full cinema-style experience more accessible. That’s true whether you’re starting with a soundbar or building a complete surround setup.

Soundbars designed to fill the room

Leading the audio lineup is the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7, a compact yet powerful soundbar built with nine speaker units. It includes up-firing and side speakers. These work alongside Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to create a wider, more immersive sound field from a single unit. Room calibration further optimizes audio based on your space. There are also optional subwoofers and rear speakers unlock deeper bass and fuller surround.

For a more accessible option, the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 5 offers a 3.1-channel setup with a wireless subwoofer. It focuses on delivering clear dialogue and strong bass, using S-Force PRO Front Surround and Vertical Surround Engine to simulate a three-dimensional listening experience.

Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, integrate with compatible BRAVIA TVs for unified control, and can be managed via the BRAVIA Connect app.

Expanding the surround experience

Sony is also introducing a set of optional speakers designed to complete the home cinema setup. The BRAVIA Theatre Sub 9 and Sub 8 deliver deep, room-filling bass, with the Sub 9 featuring dual opposing drivers to reduce distortion. Notably, the lineup now supports dual subwoofer configurations for the first time.

Meanwhile, the BRAVIA Theatre Rear 9 adds height and depth to rear channels through its up-firing speaker. This helps create a more convincing surround environment when paired with compatible soundbars.

A bigger screen to match

Alongside the audio products, Sony is rolling out the BRAVIA 3 II, a mid-tier TV available in sizes up to 100 inches. Powered by the XR Processor and XR Triluminos Pro, it aims to deliver natural colors, strong contrast, and refined detail.

The TV supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, and is also positioned as a capable gaming display. It comes with 4K at 120Hz and four HDMI 2.1 ports. Sony is also introducing a new Inclusive Remote with improved button layout and a Remote Finder feature for easier accessibility.

Price and availability

In Singapore, the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 7 will be available starting May 2026. Suggested retail price is SGD 1,299. Meanwhile, the BRAVIA Theatre Bar 5 follows in June 2026 at SGD 599.

The BRAVIA Theatre Sub 9, Sub 8, and Rear 9 will arrive in July 2026, priced at SGD 1,099, SGD 799, and SGD 899, respectively.

The BRAVIA 3 II TV will be available from June 2026 in sizes ranging from 43 inches to 100 inches, with pricing starting at SGD 1,499.