Features
GadgetSnaps: HONOR Magic4 Pro in Boracay
Quintessential cameras, consistent overall output
Even though it was announced way back in February 2022, the HONOR Magic4 Pro is still the company’s top-tier flagship, offering a quintessential triple set of rear cameras plus dual front-facing cameras for that ultra-flagship camera madness.

For specifics, here are the camera sensors behind HONOR’s latest magical smartphone:
- 50MP f/1.8 wide (main)
- 50MP f/2.2 122º ultra-wide
- 64MP f/3.5 periscope telephoto zoom lens (3.5x optical zoom / 10x hybrid zoom / 100x digital zoom)

Huawei P50 Pro
If that sounds familiar to you, the HONOR Magic4 Pro shares the same wide and periscope telephoto camera hardware with the Huawei P50 Pro minus the ultra-wide, B/W (Black and White) sensor, as well as the the last of its kind LEICA Optics.

And to celebrate HONOR’s long-awaited comeback in the Philippines, I’m writing this in a different PoV (Point of View). While I am the storyteller, my friend and her lovey-dovey will take us in a virtual Boracay trip through the magical cameras of the HONOR Magic4 Pro.
First Flight Experience
Just like anyone else (including me), my friend actually just had her first flight experience full of questions and some intrusive thoughts — even if it’s just a domestic flight.

Obviously not sponsored
But first, coffee! Here’s an Iced Caramel Macchiato to start the thrilling and exciting trip.

These people aren’t totally the type to take a lot of selfies but I still asked them to do so. This is to showcase the wide and ultra-wide front-facing cameras of the Magic4 Pro.

After some time, they were brought to their respective aircraft via a bus. That’s also because the planes are not tall enough to reach the boarding gates unlike most international flights.
Forget Business Class! Window Seats are da bomb

My friend told me that the only reason why they took a trip to Boracay isn’t because of the beach itself. Rather, she just wanted to experience riding an airplane without spending too much of her hard-earned savings. One check in her bucketlist done ☑️

Surprisingly, the HONOR Magic4 Pro was able to take crisp and clear wide/ultra-wide shots of the view despite the thick glass material of the plane’s window.

Some probably won’t feel what I felt in the shot above but I was utterly amazed by how my/our neighborhood looks like from above. This is specifically the Nuvali area (where the popular Republic Wakepark / oval-shaped man-made lake can be seen), alongside Carmelray Industrial Park 1 (a.k.a where the Jollibee factory is located), and Kapayapaan Village in Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna.
Admittedly, my friend’s boyfie said it was very familiar to the area we live in so he captured it. This also shows that its periscope telephoto camera does the job very well (and how letting him use this phone is a very wise decision as he took a lot of great photos that you will all see until the end).

Here’s an IG-worthy window plane winning shot showing the aircraft’s wing and engine as well as a complete balance of clouds, land, and sea below.
Touchdown, Caticlan!
It was the pair’s first time flying to one of the Philippines’ highly-acclaimed tourist destination. While I’ve already been to Boracay last 2017 (not to confuse with my former colleague’s 24-hour feature of the same year), this photo set will actually show us how Boracay looks like after the 2018 closure and rehabilitation (plus another rehabilitation this pandemic).

After more than an hour of non-stop flight from Manila, they finally reached the shores of Aklan (the province where Boracay Island is located). Unlike other flights that bring you to Kalibo International Airport, this flight lands on Godofredo P. Ramos Airport instead (or commonly known as Caticlan/Boracay Airport).
That’s a lot closer to the Boracay Island. Coming from the provincial capital of Kalibo will make the trip longer with a bus/van ride that goes for another 1.5 to 2 hours via national highway (compared to Caticlan’s 10-20 minute journey).

And from Caticlan Jetty Port, you need to ride a boat that will be able to bring you to the island as fast as 5 to 10 minutes.


Some resorts do offer a special direct ride to their respective resorts along all the beach stations. But if that’s not the case, there are always the regular boats waiting for you.
SEE ALSO: 5 accredited Airbnbs you can book in Boracay
Heaven on Earth
If you don’t know Boracay, it is very well-known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear seawater.


Evident enough on the shots here, the wide, ultra-wide, and zoom lenses on the HONOR Magic4 Pro delivered exquisite results.

There’s even a panorama that will surely captivate anyone who will see the beauty of the island.

And this is one among the new highlights of the island for tourists — a long raft wherein you can walk towards the sea without getting yourself wet and sanded. It’s also a clever way to take some portraits or group photos.

The Magic4 Pro has an excellent periscope telephoto lens that can go beyond what a person’s naked eyes can see. Zooming in further from 3.5x all the way to 10x still gives you that crystal clear image of the sand, sea waves, and the sail boat.
The hidden side of the card

Another location worth checking out is found in the southernmost part of the island.

Dubbed as the “Secret Beach”, it’s a rare sight in the island’s clear shore. It has this mini cave-like formation that could actually be mistaken as something from Palawan or any other rocky and mountainous beach area in the Philippines.

Unfortunately, they were told to go off after taking some photos in the area. Going back to Station 3 gives you this very pleasing sight of the island’s northern side minus the usually crowded area.
Portraits (and selfies) for memory preservation

If you already had enough of landscape daylight photos, here are some portrait samples. These are pleasing to the eyes because of their natural color processing without the pesky oversaturation that other smartphones tend to do.

If you want to add some flair, you can switch easily towards the phone’s Portrait Mode feature that adds that creamy bokeh to your photos. IMO, it’s not the best in its class but still acceptable enough that it doesn’t show a bad hair cutout once you post it on socials.

Not for the bitter-minded singles (like yours truly) but the ultra-wide lenses were helpful in taking “couple selfies”.

And surprisingly, my friend’s baby boi took these jump shot photos only by himself through the Magic4 Pro’s front camera plus its timer feature. My friend told me she wasn’t aware of this as she was busy working in their hotel room when this happened 😭.
Mandatory #FoodPorn
It wouldn’t be a complete Boracay experience without trying out some of the food being served out and around.

The specific hotel they stayed at has complementary breakfast. If it’s about being particular, the meal has an egg fried rice, skinless Filipino sausage, sunny side-up eggs shaped in a weird triangular mold, beef tapa, blue lemonade / water, and two pieces of pineapple slices for each.

Taken at a different place and time, there’s this Chorizo Baked Mac & Cheese which costs as much as PhP 350. But hey, at least it includes four types of specialty cheeses like Gruyere, Jack Cheddar, Mozarella, and Parmesan.

On the other hand, there’s this Bacon and Egg Bun made with bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, chives, and Japanese mayo in a bun.
Architastic
Don’t mind me. That’s just some of my weird name mashup (architecture + fantastic).

Tthe last two food items stated were actually from this cute and appealing café called “Sunny Side Café”.

The interior leans more into the industrial, modern-looking style that reminds us of a lot of pandemic co-working spaces and cafès around the Metro.

I suppose this was only a test shot. Weirdly enough, the portrait mode effect added some depth segmentation that made it looked like it was shot on a DSLR. But this is also a hard subject for the phone to process. Thus, the inaccuracy in subject cutouts and bokeh.

The particular hotel they stayed at is the Golden Phoenix Hotel. It’s a walking distance from the café.


Whether it’s day time, pre-sunset, or night time, the HONOR Magic4 Pro was able to tale these amazing photos. Then again, that’s a consistent output between its wide and ultra-wide cameras.
Night Magic
Sunset photos should be mandatory in every Boracay trip. After all, Boracay sunsets was part of my bucket list. Glad I was able to tick that off.

While this isn’t the best sunset that ever showed up in Boracay, these sunset photos still made me miss the island.

And as mentioned a while ago, this is the long raft that’s a new attraction in the island which wasn’t here when I went here five years ago. And as you can see, the night mode magic of the Magic4 Pro works on both the wide and ultra-wide lenses.

After some time waiting for the sun to set, the couple went to another nearby place called the Boracay V-Hub Food Market at Station 3. It wasn’t there yet during my 2017 visit.

Unlike other smartphones with their night mode algorithm, the HONOR Magic4 Pro managed to preserve the bright neon lights while keeping the overall photo fairly exposed. That’s without bumping up exposure, highlights, shadows, and contrast too much. This is also me saying that the “brightest” low-light photo doesn’t mean it’s the best.

Also, the experience wouldn’t be complete without trying the famous Jonah’s fruit shake. The pair tried the Banana / Vanilla (which was delightful) and Banana Milk (which was so-so).

Portraits can be exposed quite right even without that much natural / artificial light around thanks to the magic of the Magic4 Pro.
P.S: Although the people at the back are Koreans, the guy isn’t the globally-renowned gamer T1’s Faker.

There was even a fire dance performance at the center of the food market. Le friend’s boyfie took this split-second shots that I transformed into a GIF.
Going Back To Reality
While this article wasn’t too long, their trip actually took almost four days before they went back home.
Even if it was a shot of the island’s sunrise, night mode was still beneficial in making the subject and the overall photos color-accurate and well-exposed.

Going back to the island still requires you to ride a boat. But the thing I wasn’t able to mention earlier is that, the boats don’t run until the sun shows up.

We’e skipping the lengthy process of boat to bus to airport to airplane transfers. This here is one last shot of the sky from the view of the airplane’s window. The overall shot being gloomy just shows that there’s a sad feeling that you’ll go back to your usual life reality and routines.

And to end this, I just wanted to highlight this back end photo of an airplane. It honestly never looked cute up ’til I saw a face of a bear. This thing is definitely worth posting in a weirdly-fascinating and hilarious Facebook community I recently joined called “Things with Faces” 🥺
Quintessential cameras, consistent overall output
Flagship smartphones should at least have a great-performing wide camera paired with a diligent ultra-wide camera. Telephoto lenses should at least be clear when zoomed in 3x.

The HONOR Magic4 Pro delivered great photos. The results were very consistent all throughout. Not just through its 50MP main / wide sensor, but also with its ultra-wide and periscope telephoto lenses. It can zoom in like it has an optical zoom range as far as 10-15x.
Even its dual front-facing cameras are no slouches. They delivered great output minus the over-processing of software AI algorithm for faces.

No doubt, the HONOR Magic4 Pro is one among 2022’s best all-rounder smartphones around. It offers the quintessential triple set of rear cameras that other “flagships” fail to deliver.
SEE ALSO: Bringing back HONOR with Magic
Many, many thanks to my friends Dyan Carelle and Paeng Felix for taking wonderful shots using the HONOR Magic4 Pro (and making me miss Boracay even more).
Phones flip and fold. Now webcams do too.
Foldable screens have found their way into phones, tablets, and laptops in recent years. Now, OBSBOT is taking that idea in a considerably smaller direction: the webcam.
The OBSBOT Meet Flip is the company’s first foldable 4K webcam packing:
- 1/2-inch stacked CMOS sensor
- intelligent audio
- a collection of AI-powered meeting tools
All of these inside a body weighing just 37.7 grams.
A fold that does something, not just a gimmick
The OBSBOT Meet Flip isn’t foldable just to make it easier to throw into a bag.
Closing the webcam physically blocks the lens and puts the device into sleep mode. Open it when you want to be seen, flip it shut when you don’t.
A physical privacy cover isn’t novel in itself. What’s clever here is how it’s part of the folding design.
As someone with a love-hate relationship with data privacy, I almost always keep some physical barrier over my laptop webcam. And if I can avoid having a webcam there entirely, even better.
Serious camera hardware in a pocket-sized webcam
Despite its size, OBSBOT hasn’t treated the Meet Flip like a basic laptop-camera replacement.
Inside is a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology, capable of recording 4K UHD at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps. It also packs an f/1.8 aperture, HDR, PDAF autofocus, ISO 100–6400, and up to 4x digital zoom.
At its core is a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology.
It can record:
- 4K UHD at 30fps
- 1080p at 60fps
You also get:
- f/1.8 aperture
- HDR
- PDAF autofocus
- ISO 100–6400
- up to 4x digital zoom
On paper, that gives the Meet Flip a better shot at handling the situations built-in laptop webcams often struggle with: dim rooms, harsh backlighting, changing lighting conditions, or simply moving around in front of the camera.
HDR helps keep faces visible against bright backgrounds, while PDAF autofocus continuously adjusts focus as you move closer to or farther from the lens.
The wider f/1.8 aperture should also help in less-than-ideal lighting.
The point is that once the Meet Flip is set up, you shouldn’t have to spend much time thinking about the camera itself.
It listens differently depending on the room setup
The Meet Flip also uses an intelligent dual-microphone system combining omnidirectional and directional microphones.
Instead of relying on one pickup pattern for every situation, it offers four audio modes for different setups:
Directional Mode focuses on sound coming from the front, making it the obvious choice for solo calls.
Dual-Directional Mode listens to both the front and rear of the webcam, which could be useful for interviews or conversations between two people sitting across from each other.
Smart Omni Mode is designed for group meetings, picking up voices from around the room.
And Pure Audio Mode provides unprocessed left and right stereo channels for users who would rather handle the audio themselves in post-production.
Auto Gain and AI Noise Reduction also work across the first three modes, helping clean up audio without requiring much manual adjustment.
It gives the Meet Flip more flexibility than a typical webcam microphone, especially if you regularly switch between solo calls, interviews, and group meetings.
AI that doesn’t intrude
AI has become an almost obligatory addition to new hardware in 2026, but several of the Meet Flip’s features put it to work on real-world meeting annoyances.
AI Auto Framing keeps you in frame, with options for:
- Group
- Single Close-up
- Upper Body
- Full Body
Gesture controls can also toggle Auto Framing or adjust the zoom without reaching for a keyboard or mouse.
More interesting is AI Magic Notes.
Through OBSBOT Center, it provides real-time transcription and can automatically generate meeting summaries with key points, decisions, and action items. It works across Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
Although AI Magic Notes is offered as a subscription service, every Meet Flip includes 120 complimentary minutes to get started.
MORE with OBSBOT Center & OBSBOT Live
There are plenty of other software features as well. OBSBOT Center includes:
- Background Blur and Background Replacement
- Real-Time Beauty Mode
- Picture-in-Picture overlays
- Smart Eye Tracking
- Teleprompter support
- Detailed image adjustments
The Meet Flip isn’t limited to laptops or desktops either. Through OBSBOT Live, it can connect directly to smartphones and tablets over USB-C for mobile streaming and content creation.
Flip it open. Fold it away.
None of those features reinvent the webcam on their own.
Taken together, though, they make the Meet Flip a more thoughtful take on a piece of hardware whose basic design and features have barely changed.
The flip may grab your attention first, but it’s how OBSBOT uses that design alongside its camera, audio, and software features that makes the Meet Flip interesting.
The OBSBOT Meet Flip is now available at US$ 119 and is currently available through OBSBOT’s official store, Amazon US, and select retailers.
Features
Getting the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 at 0% Interest with Maya Mini Payments
What convinced me to upgrade and how Maya Mini Payments made paying for it easier~
I don’t upgrade simply because there’s a newer model on the shelf.
Last year, I upgraded to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 after spending three years with the iPhone 13 as my daily driver.
Even then, the decision wasn’t about chasing the latest release. It was about finding a device that better matched how I work.
I’m a firm believer that every upgrade has to earn its place in my pocket, especially when there are already perfectly capable phones sitting on my desk.
So when I decided to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8, the decision wasn’t simply about getting the newest device.
It came down to two questions: It came down to two questions: Is this a smart upgrade? And if it is, what’s the smartest way to own it?
The first question was answered by the device itself. The second is where Maya Mini Payments entered the conversation.
For me, the Flip8 addresses the reasons to upgrade. Maya Mini Payments addresses one of the biggest reasons people hesitate: big purchases that could be paid in 3, 6, 9 or 12 monthly payments.
Changing how I shoot and use my phone
I spend most of my day switching between shooting, editing, and posting, sometimes all within the same hour.
One of the biggest reasons the Galaxy Z Flip8 caught my attention is the cover screen. It’s finally useful enough that I can shoot, preview, and interact with content without constantly opening the device.
That may sound like a small change, but it makes a difference when you’re trying to capture candid moments before people notice a camera pointed at them.
It also makes everyday tasks easier. I can check a script, review a shotlist, reply to messages, or glance at notifications without unfolding the phone every few minutes.
For years, foldables often felt like they required some compromise. You gained a unique form factor and flexibility, but sometimes gave up a little on the camera experience. The Flip8 feels like it’s closing that gap.
Samsung’s improvements in low-light performance and stabilization are especially noticeable for the kind of run-and-gun content I create.
I haven’t spent enough time with it to call this a full review yet, but my first impressions have been positive. The experience feels more refined and more dependable than previous generations.
Features alone don’t convince me to upgrade. They have to solve a real problem. The more useful cover screen, the improved camera experience, and the overall refinement were the first signs that the Flip8 was offering something I’d actually use every day rather than another feature to add to a spec sheet.
The battery and multitasking finally match my day
The less exciting reason I’m upgrading is also the one that affects me the most.
Between filming, reviewing footage, answering emails, coordinating campaigns, and managing social media, my phone is constantly working.
My old device usually drops into battery-saving territory before dinner. It gets the job done, but I spend too much time thinking about charging instead of working.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 feels better equipped for that reality. The battery efficiency is improved, and multitasking feels more natural when juggling multiple apps throughout the day.
Those aren’t flashy features, but they’re the kinds of upgrades that quietly improve everyday productivity. They’re also the features that convinced me this wasn’t simply a want. It was an upgrade I could actually justify.
Once I was convinced the Flip8 was worth upgrading to, I realized the decision wasn’t really over. A smart upgrade also deserves a smart way to pay for it.
Making a big upgrade more manageable
Of course, deciding a device is worth upgrading to is only half the equation. The other half is figuring out how to pay for it.
The Galaxy Z Flip8 is a premium device, and for most people, the upfront cost is what gives them pause. That’s often where upgrade decisions get delayed, even when the device itself makes sense.
That’s why Maya Mini Payments stood out to me. Any Samsung purchase paid with a Maya Credit Card can be converted into Mini Payments directly through the Maya app, making it easier to spread the cost into monthly installments instead of paying for everything upfront in one go.
You can choose installment plans of up to 12 months at a fixed monthly add-on interest rate of 1%.
For Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8 purchases, cardholders can enjoy a 3-month Mini Payment plan at 0% interest, making the upgrade more manageable without additional interest costs on the installment plan.
What I like about the concept is that it mirrors the reason I like the Flip8 itself.
The Flip8 makes it easy for me to shoot, edit, communicate, and multitask throughout the day. Maya Mini Payments makes it easy to purchase by turning one large expense into a payment plan that fits more naturally into a monthly budget.
Both are practical solutions to real-world problems. Also, the entire process can be managed directly within the Maya app, making it easy to track and manage installment conversions without additional paperwork.
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Still on the fence?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 feels like one of the strongest cases yet for upgrading to a foldable.
For me, the cover screen is more useful, the camera experience feels more capable, and the battery and multitasking improvements better match how I actually work every day.
If you prefer a larger screen for productivity, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 follows the same philosophy while giving users even more room to multitask and create.
If you’ve already decided Samsung’s latest foldables are your next devices, there’s also a smarter way to make that upgrade happen.
All your Samsung purchases made using a Maya Credit Card can be converted into a 3-month Mini Payment plan at 0% interest, with zero processing fees until September 30, making it easier to enjoy Samsung’s latest innovations without one big upfront payment.
Pre-orders run until August 13, with devices available in-store beginning August 14.
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.
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