News

Fitbit unveils Versa Lite smartwatch and new fitness-focused wearables

Even the kids get new smart bands

Published

March 7, 2019

Daniel Morial

Image credit: Fitbit

Coming from a good holiday quarter, Fitbit is determined to bring wearables to more consumers. That’s why the US-based company has unveiled a new smartwatch and three smart bands.

Versa Lite

Following the success of the Fitbit Versa is the Versa Lite. This new Fitbit smartwatch packs many of the features of the first one such as the automatic activity tracker, PurePulse (heart rate) and Sleep Stages tracking, 15+ goal-based exercise modes, connected GPS, and smartphone notifications.

It looks like the first one with its squarish body, but it only has a single button as opposed to three of the original Versa. It’s still swim-proof and has an SpO2 (blood oxygen) sensor that can detect sleep apnea.

Fitbit Versa Lite | Image credit: Fitbit

As its name suggests, the Versa Lite has to let go of some features. It lacks automatic lap counting, it can’t count stairs either due to the absence of a barometer, and it has no built-in storage for music.

Although, this makes the Versa Lite Fitbit’s most affordable smartwatch for US$ 160. It’ll come in four color choices: Mulberry, Blue Marina, Lilac, and White.

Inspire and Inspire HR

Aside from the Versa Lite, Fitbit also introduced the Inspire and Inspire HR smart bands. These two new wearables are not full-blown smartwatches, but are instead activity trackers just like the previous Fitbit Alta series.

With a promised battery life of up to five days, the Inspire smart bands can track user’s active periods with more than 15 exercise modes, plus rest periods including sleep.

Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR | Image credit: Fitbit

They are water-resistant for up to 50 meters and you can take them for a swim. Aside from activity tracking, the Inspire and Inspire HR have timer and stopwatch features. They connect to a smartphone to show notifications through its grayscale OLED display.

The Inspire HR gets an additional heart rate monitor, hence its name. The regular Inspire is priced at US$ 70, while the HR model goes for US$ 100.

Ace 2

Fitbit also wants to capture the kids market with the Ace 2. Other big wearable brands like Apple and Samsung don’t have products for kids yet, which makes this segment pretty exclusive to Fitbit.

If the old Ace is based on the Alta, the new Ace 2 is a kid-friendly version of the Inspire. It has a durable bumper design and it’s water-resistant. Like the Inspire, it can last for up to five days on a single charge.

Fitbit Ace 2 | Image credit: Fitbit

The Ace 2 hopes to help kids build healthy habits. That’s why aside from the usual activity tracking, it also features friendly competition with other Ace 2 users and they can win virtual badges when certain goals are met.

The smart band for kids shows cutely animated watch faces that match the bright Watermelon/Teal and Night Sky/Neon color options. Printed bands are available as well. It’ll be sold for US$ 70.

All the new Fitbit wearables will be available starting this month, aside from the Ace 2 which will come during the summer.

Related Topics:Ace 2 Fitbit Inspire Inspire HR Versa Lite

News

nubia to launch new Neo 5 series gaming phones on March 28

Head to SM Megamall for activities, guest appearances, surprises

Published

March 21, 2026

GadgetMatch

nubia Philippines will officially launch the nubia Neo 5 series gaming smartphone on March 28 at their “Enter The NEOVerse: Born To Win” event. It will be held at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Metro Manila.

The nubia Neo 5 series’ design and details will be unveiled during the event. It is inspired by the REDMAGIC Gaming Lab, which is behind the REDMAGIC’s high-performance gaming ecosystem.

The nubia Neo 5 series will introduce a bold gaming-centric aesthetic, paired with performance-driven specs.

Customers can expect a sleek, futuristic styling, as well as powerful hardware engineered to elevate everyday mobile gameplay.

Across the lineup, users can expect high refresh rate displays, powerful processors, advanced cooling systems, and the familiar gaming triggers from the previous series.

It does look like nubia is adding AI-powered gaming optimization to give players an extra edge for every competitive match.

All these, of course, minus the flagship price tag.

Enter the NEOverse

At nubia’s launch event, the activity area will be transformed into a gaming-inspired universe.

Guests can explore interactive zones, participate in challenges, and experience the nubia Neo 5 series firsthand. They can also unlock exclusive rewards and prizes.

Moreover, the event will feature appearances from nubia ambassadors Sanya Lopez and ONIC Philippines.

From there, there will be 1v1 gaming sessions with ONIC PH players, as well as a special “Play” segment featuring a yet-to-be-revealed cosplayer.

nubia will also offer event-exclusive deals for early shoppers during the launch. Customers can enjoy up to seven premium freebies per nubia Neo 5 model. This is available for the first 100 customers.

Furthermore, nubia will officially announce its TikTok Super Brand Week, as well as partnerships with Yanlala and Geely.

News

REDMI Note 15 Series named Presenting Partner for Spartan Race Philippines 2026 season

Titan Toughness takes center stage!

Published

March 20, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Being a Spartan athlete for five years has taught me that endurance isn’t just about physical strength; it’s about the mental grit to keep moving when your body begs you to stop.

In this world, “toughness” becomes more than just a marketing buzzword. Now, it’s a requirement for survival. That’s why the partnership between Spartan Race Philippines and the REDMI Note 15 Series feels like a shared philosophy.

Partner for a tough course

Starting March 21, 2026, at Parklinks, Pasig City, the REDMI Note 15 Series officially joins the Spartan circuit.

For someone who has navigated these obstacles for years, I know that technology usually doesn’t belong in the mud. But the “Titan Tough” promise of the REDMI Note 15 is built for this exact routine.

It’s designed to be there for the moments that matter. For capturing the raw, unpolished triumph of the finish line; for surviving the grit of the course so you can focus on the next hurdle; and for finding the device at the heart of the festival area and the winner’s circle, mirroring the resilience of the athletes themselves.

Join the journey

Whether you are a seasoned elite racer or stepping into your first Open heat, this season is about testing your limits.

To help you get to that starting line, you can use the discount code REDMINOTE15 to get 10% OFF on all Spartan Race OCR, Spartan Kids Race, and Hurricane Heat events.

See you at the starting line. AROO!

News

Stylish, student-friendly HONOR X8d launches

Price, pre-order offers

Published

March 19, 2026

Manila Connoisseur

HONOR Philippines has launched its latest mass-market smartphone entry that caters to students and the youthful market in general: the HONOR X8d.

The budget smartphone is priced at PhP 15,999 and is available in Blue, Velvet Black, and Velvet Grey colors.

As part of launch offers, those who pre-order until March 27 can get a free accessory and can also avail of 0% installment plans via credit cards and Home Credit.

Customers can get the device through Lazada, Shopee, and HONOR stores.

REVIEW: The HONOR X8d is serviceable

The HONOR X8d is powered by a Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM (plus 8GB expansion) and 256GB of storage.

It has a large 7,000mAh battery which supports 45W charging, making it a very long-lasting daily value companion.

The device features a 6.77-inch 120Hz display which has up to 3,000 nits of brightness, making it useful for practical situations.

The handset comes with usual display certifications and protections, including 3840Hz PWM dimming, E-Book mode, SGS drop resistance, and an IP65 rating.

For its cameras, the X8d has a 108MP main camera, plus a 16MP front camera. The main shooter can capture decent quality at 1x, 2x, and 3x zoom ranges.

There are also handy AI editing tools like AI Eraser, AI Cutout, and AI Upscale.

Out of the box, the HONOR X8d runs on MagicOS 10 based on Android 16. It also has staple productivity tools like AI Translate, AI Writing, AI Notes, and AI Recorder, alongside features such as Magic Portal and Circle to Search.