Smartphones

95 percent of iPhone users have serious FOMO

Only 44 percent for Android users

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How long can you go without your phone? Most of us are already so attached to our phones that we can’t imagine a few hours — let alone an entire day — without them. However, even if nomophobia or FOMO is already a fact of life, we’re still curious how much of an addict we all are. A new study has hinted at just how much we can’t be separated from our beloved smartphones.

According to a study from MoneySuperMarket, we’re all already a victim of nomophobia (a simplification of “no-mobile-phone-phobia”), or the anxiety associated with being separated from our phones. A separate study reports that 53 percent of people have the anxiety in some form or other.

Going more in depth into the phenomenon, the study separates iOS users from Android users. And Apple users took the cake. After an hour, a whopping 95 percent of iOS users — with 27 percent experiencing “serious anxiety” — already have nomophobia. Meanwhile, only 44 percent of Android users — and 7 percent of users getting serious attacks — suffered from it.

The study took 1,600 volunteers and ran them through three tests. Firstly, the Time Test separates users from their phones and sees how long they can last. iOS users lasted only 42 minutes on average, while Samsung, the closest Android brand, lasted 126 minutes.

The second test, a selfie counter, measured how much users took selfies in a year. Apple users took 1,467 selfies, while Samsung, once again the second-place brand, took only 763 selfies.

Finally, the Movie Test. The report measured how many times users checked their phone during a movie, a pet peeve for some audience members. iPhone users checked their phones 19 times during a movie, while Android users checked their phones only 9.6 times.

It’s hard to know why there’s a distinct separation of FOMO between the two. However, the report speculates that those who paid more for their phones have a stronger sense of attachment for them. Regardless, you might want to keep an eye out for iPhone users while on an Netflix and chill date.

SEE ALSO: Android 12 comes with added privacy features, almost like Apple

News

Smart opens pre-orders for Samsung Galaxy S26 series

Get the devices for as low as PhP 2,433 a month

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Smart has officially opened pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 series.

The newly-launched lineup includes the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra.

These new flagship devices are being offered across Smart Postpaid, Smart Infinity, and Smart Prepaid bundles with various storage and installment options.

As part of Smart’s pre-order offer, customers can get double the storage when they avail of an S26 series device with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 999 as soon as possible.

This plan includes 12 months of unlimited 5G, 20GB of data per month, and unlimited all-net calls and texts, aside from Smart Postpaid perks.

In addition, the first 26 customers to pre-order via the Smart Online Store will get a free Samsung Galaxy Tab A9.

Moreover, those who pay via straight payment or 0% credit card installment will get double data for postpaid plans.

Here are the pricing details for each model:

  • Galaxy S26 (512GB): PhP 52,500 or PhP 2,433/mo (24 months)
  • Galaxy S26+ (512GB): PhP 64,900 or PhP 3,008/mo
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra (512GB): PhP 73,200 or PhP 3,388/mo
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra (1TB): PhP 94,800 or PhP 4,392/mo

For premium users, the Smart Infinity Plans (3500, 5000, 8000, and 9500) provide unlimited data and exclusive perks such as:

  • a dedicated Relationship Manager
  • 24/7 hotline support
  • worldwide concierge services

Particularly, the new SIM-Only Plan 9500 also allows for one primary and two supplementary line under a single account.

For more on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, read here: Samsung Galaxy S26 series: Chasing usability, not specs

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MWC 2026

TECNO resurrects modular phones with this new concept

Lets you snap on extra cameras, longer power, and more

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Just like the brand’s ethos, TECNO really stops at nothing. From the last tri-foldable concept of 2025, they are also resurrecting the modular phone design — a once imagined “future of mobile phones.”

Dubbed as the Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology, it could re-shape the way we think about smartphones from 2026 and beyond.

Thinnest modular concept

Just like motorola’s defunct Moto Z line with moto mods from almost ten years ago, TECNO’s modular system uses magnetic attachment plus pogo-pin connectors for power delivery. Data transfers wirelessly (via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even 5G mmWave), so everything pairs almost instantly when you snap a module into place.

The brand says this is its answer to growing AI and performance demands — that without making phones thicker and bulkier.

Surprisingly, it’s oh-so thin as well! The base phone is just 4.9mm. Meanwhile, the modular Power Bank is 4.5mm. When combined, it’s still comparable to thickness of conventional smartphones.

TECNO will showcase around ten (10) modules in this concept ecosystem. Some of those include a power bank, action camera, even a telephoto lens module wasn’t missed out.

That particular module can work as a standalone imaging system. All while using the phone’s display as a viewfinder with low-latency preview.

Moreover, TECNO is presenting two flavors for this concept:

  • ATOM edition — Clean silver aluminum with subtle red accents

  • MODA edition — A bolder, geek-inspired look

Both keep the glass back and modular alignment zones, which subtly guide where accessories snap into place.

MWC-ready

As mentioned, this is just a concept, not a retail-ready device (just yet). But, the bigger picture is clear: TECNO went back to the drawing board by re-thinking the former modular ecosystem of the yesteryears.

This new modular concept could eventually support AI tools, storage expansion, and lifestyle accessories in the long run. If you’re heading to Barcelona, Spain for MWC 2026 (March 2-5, 2026), you can visit TECNO’s booth at Hall 7, Stand 7A40.

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Shorts

Privacy Display | Galaxy S26 Ultra

You can toggle it manually

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The Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces something we haven’t really seen on a mainstream smartphone before: a built-in Privacy Display.

If you’ve ever used a privacy screen protector, you know the concept. Tilt the phone slightly and the screen becomes difficult to read from the side. Samsung is now doing that at the pixel level — no accessory required.

More importantly, this isn’t a blunt on-or-off feature. You can toggle it manually, or activate it only for specific apps. That means you can leave it off while watching YouTube, but turn it on automatically for banking apps, messages, or anything more sensitive.

It’s the kind of feature that doesn’t look impressive in a spec sheet, but makes a lot of sense in real life. Public transport. Coffee shops. Airports. Open offices. These are places where people casually glance at your screen without meaning to — or sometimes with intention.

Samsung says the feature works without significantly affecting sharpness or color, though we’ll need extended testing to determine how it impacts brightness and overall clarity in different lighting conditions.

In a year filled with AI headlines, Privacy Display stands out because it solves a very human problem. It’s subtle. It’s practical. And it feels designed with everyday use in mind.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs 

Feature Galaxy S26 Ultra Galaxy S26+ Galaxy S26
Display 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 500 ppi, 1-120Hz
  • S Pen support
6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • QHD+ (3120 x 1440)
  • 516 ppi, 1-120Hz
6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X

  • FHD+ (2340 x 1080)
  • 411 ppi, 1-120Hz
Rear Camera: Ultra Wide 50MP, F1.9, 0.7 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm
Rear Camera: Wide 200MP, F1.4, 0.6 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm 50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm
Optical Quality 2x
Rear Camera: Telephoto 1 10MP, F2.4, 1.12 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm 10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm
3x optical zoom
Rear Camera: Telephoto 2 50MP, F2.9, 0.7 µm

  • 5x optical zoom
  • Optical Quality 10x
Front Camera 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm 12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm
Processor Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3 nm) Exynos 2600 (2 nm)* Exynos 2600 (2 nm)*
Memory (RAM) 12GB / 16GB 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 256GB / 512GB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
(Micro SD: N/A)
Battery 5,000 mAh 4,900 mAh 4,300 mAh
  • Super Fast Charging 3.0
  • Super Fast Wireless Charging
  • Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm

214 g (Sub6/mmWave)

75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3 mm

190 g (Sub6/mmWave)

71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm

167 g (Sub6)

Colors Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White

Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

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