Features

GadgetSnaps: Galaxy Z Flip4 in Binondo-Intramuros

Small in size, but not in camera performance

Published

October 28, 2022

Vincenz

The Galaxy Z Flip4 may not be Samsung’s “best” smartphone when it comes to mobile photography, but it surprisingly offers two flexible cameras despite its compact form factor.

For those obsessed with a phone’s camera hardware, the Galaxy Z Flip4 has a set of 12MP rear cameras and an inner front camera:

12MP f/1.8 wide (main) with Dual Pixel AF + OIS
12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide with 123-degree FoV (Field of View)
10MP f/2.4 selfie with 80-degree FoV

Without any other segue, let’s hop along to our Binondo slash Intramuros (Manila) photowalk through the lenses of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4!

Wider is (sometimes) better

It’s best to start this feature with a view from the condo unit we stayed at.

Instead of using the regular wide lens, I opted to use the ultra-wide lens to show how massive the infrastructure is.

Unlike other phones, I was less afraid to take this type of shot with my hands extended outside the condo unit’s window all because I have this (third-party) case with a ring that felt secure in my fingers. It also helps that the Galaxy Z Flip4 is already pretty light.

After leaving our stuff behind, I told my friends that we should take an LRT ride towards our destination. In another instance, the ultra-wide lens was helpful in capturing a wider train perspective than usual.

But in the shots of the Rizal Park (or formerly Bagumbayan) and the National Museum of the Philippines above, I chose the wide lens since it can capture more light data inside the train. Plus, the views are less distorted.

Upon arriving at LRT-Central Station, me and my friends walked further until we reached the infamous Manila underpass. I tried taking a shot of this view that looked good in my eyes because of the harmony of natural light and shadows.

Unfortunately, Galaxy Z Flip4’s lack of telephoto lens kind of ruined the quality of this particular zoomed shot because of the unflattering amount of sharpness.

World’s oldest Chinatown

Instead of riding and waiting for that classic Philippine jeepney, we rode a tricycle. It was actually not part of the plan but because the bridge was too steep, the tricycle driver tried to slow down while steering his three-wheeled vehicle up. Thus, it gave me wonderful shots of the Chinatown gate with little to no motion blur.

24 years of existence, and it was actually my first time going beyond Binondo’s signature gate. 2017 was my first visit but it was just a brief moment of the car making a U-turn.

As we’re already talking about numbers, the Manila Chinatown is actually the oldest Chinatown in the world that was established as far as 1594. I’m not here give you any boring lectures on Philippine History — the images speak for themselves.

The gateway-like arch called “paifang” or “pailou” is a testament to Binondo’s overall architecture influenced by the Chinese.

Th infrastructure around Binondo look quite old compared to modern Manila and other cities in Southeast Asia.

Like the Binondo Church above (or its very mouthful name of Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, whichever you prefer). The sacred structure was built by the Dominicans in 1596. As a bonus, I tried post-processing that church shot — the warm tones make it livelier. But for this rest of the article, I’m just sticking to the unedited outputs made by the Galaxy Z Flip4.

In the particular shots above, I tried using ultra-wide and 2x zoom respectively. Samsung’s AI and HDR magic didn’t do much justice on the zoomed photo though.

And even if the Lunar New Year is already over, there are still plenty of Chinese paper lanterns around establishments, making for a lively Chinese spirit.

#CravingsSatisfied

I’ve been wanting to taste the specialty of Binondo cuisine as early as 2020 — but then the pandemic hit. Fast forward to 2022, we’re finally here!

From the Binondo Church, we first went to Chuan Kee — known for its xiao long baos and another record-holder in this article as the oldest fastfood place in the said town.

But because of the long queue (and our hungry souls), my friend then suggested that we should go further to Wai Ying Fastfood instead.

Ultra-Wide | Wide

But before that, I took them some wide and ultra-wide photos as well as ultra-wide selfies with me in it.

Another time hop! After thirty minutes of lining up for the queue and another half waiting for our food, we finally dug in to these mouthwatering Filipino-Chinese cuisine that are delicious but not too expensive.

While they don’t serve a xiao long bao that I’ve been dying to have for so long, my favorites, luckily were available at order: Lemon Chicken, Lemon Coke, Hakaw, Japanese Siomai, and the Lava Pao that’s all worth dying for. And oh, I shouldn’t forget the Macau-famous Lord Stow’s Egg Tart too.

Hopia like it

It wouldn’t be a complete visit without passing by along a famous Chinese deli chain in Binondo: Eng Bee Tin— particularly the main branch in the heart of Binondo.

Just a fun fact: the head office was founded in the heart of Ongpin St. as far as 1912. That’s more than one century and one decade ago!

Famous for its hopia (or bean-filled mooncake), Eng Bee Tin has a wide range of flavors to choose from. While it’s not in the photos above, Custard Hopia was already my best pick even if it’s my first time eating it. There are the classics too like Mongo (Red Bean) and Ube, as well as Pork Floss, Ube Queso, Custard Buko, Ube Buko, Brownie, and so much more.

And as I already mentioned a chocolate-filled mooncake — the Triple Chocolate Lava Mooncake — that I badly wanted to try was out of the shelves.

This popular Binondo household brand offers more than just hopia / mooncake. There are even siopaos, cakes, condiments, sardines, and even cured meat.

Post Food Coma

After all that food talk, it’s now time to get back to the city center for some walk.

While the Galaxy Z Flip4 doesn’t have the best-in-class mobile camera, it was able to capture the cat above with less motion blur. Too bad it ruined the second shot of a cute chomky cat all because I zoomed in digitally.

And as you already notice, Binondo’s lamp posts are special because of its design. I suppose you won’t find such red and gold dragon-styled street ornaments anywhere else in the Philippines other than Binondo itself.

Ultra-Wide | Wide

Binondo (temporarily) filled the void in me — missing Taiwan and Hong Kong ever since the pandemic hit. These tourists made the experience felt like I was in another East Asian country instead of my home turf.

Flip Nightography?

I mean why not? Samsung has been harping about its “Nightography” feature that made its debut in the Galaxy S22 lineup.

Disregarding all those ugly power lines, the Binondo Church looked better at night — more so with the help of Samsung’s “Nightography” magic through the wide camera sensor of the Galaxy Z Flip4.

And just for fun, I took portrait shots of my friends. I just love how clean Samsung processes the subject and background segmentation as well as the depth effect (or the imitation of a professional camera lens’ bokeh / Depth of Field).

And for the second time around, I was at the tricycle’s back seat. I’m fortunate enough that there were no pickpockets around when I captured these stills while the vehicle was in motion. The OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and AI algorithm of the Galaxy Z Flip4 surely helped in shooting these fast-paced shots even at night.

The bridge of solidarity

One (among the many) weird interest(s) I have is my utmost fascination of big bridges. Even though architecture and infrastructure are two different disciplines, I still love them both because at the end of the day, it’s all about being able to build out-of-the-ordinary structures that go beyond any normal person’s wildest imaginations.

Using Night Mode, I was able to achieve the shot of the newly-built bridge together with its light reflection across the Pasig River — or that crucial body of water that connects Laguna de Bay (a.k.a the biggest lake in the Philippines) as well as the disreputable Manila Bay.

Honestly, this part of Pasig River isn’t the most pleasing to the eyes — but I still captured them just for the sake of showing the power of the Galaxy Z Flip4 as well as the reality of the city.

One of the rarest moments where I captured a horizontal landscape shot in this article was the one above just to emphasize how it looks like in a panoramic-like view.

Wide | Ultra-wide

A little bit of bridge incline and several steps later, we’ve reached the part that shows the opening of the tied-arch bridge.

Just to emphasize how massive the structure is, I then used the ultra-wide lens of the Galaxy Z Flip4. Even if the wider lens isn’t as bright as how the regular 1x lens captures night shots (I mean f/2.2 aperture really isn’t sufficient), the abundant presence of lights in the bridge helped display the vital information behind the bridge’s development: the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is a project aided by China.

This is also where I’m withholding my commentary about sociopolitical disputes between the two countries ^_^

The walled city within a city

After roaming around a Chinese-influenced city and walking across a Chinese-funded bridge, I then felt like I’ve gone further back in time as Intramuros showcases what the classic-day Manila looks like.

Back to the topic! Instead of the Chinese-style structures, you’ll see more Spanish-influenced architecture all over the place. Even the old Mercedes-Benz sedan and the kalesa made it all feel like I really went back in time.

Once again, Samsung’s Night Mode hits differently. I am more than satisfied with the night shots of the 1571-built Manila Cathedral Basilica as well as the fusion of greenery and light bulbs at Plaza Roma.

Two hits in a row: portraits of my friends at night all looked great and the cutouts looked satisfying enough for my liking — just like how it did in the group photo earlier.

A walled museum within the walled city

Several more walks towards the inner part of Intramuros, you’ll then reach the façade of Casa Manila.

Unlike Binondo, I’ve been to this place several times in my lifetime — most of which are for my old college projects.

The last one? Well that was already three years ago: a memorable street photography photowalk using a professional mirrorless camera under the scorching heat. But in 2022’s Intramuros photowalk, it felt nicer to actually walk around here when it’s night time.

Very dissimilar to modern Filipino streets, the colonial lifestyle was very evident when you walk around this area. And instead of smooth walls built through hollow blocks and cement, the building were instead made of stone and wood.

Different from the usual concrete (or asphalt) roads, roads here were made from pavement stones. But hey, at least the old and new street roads in the Philippines have one thing in common: they’re both rough when cars go through them 🤩

I’m just glad that despite coming into the third year of pandemic, establishments have already slowly opened their doors to the general public.

The Casa Manila is being shared by several establishments in the vicinity. From cold coffee drinks and teas to bars, you’d totally enjoy the center view of the museum.

Together with Samsung’s Nightography capabilities, I was relieved that the shots I took were not just post-worthy for socials, they’re also clear enough for me to make me remember how vivid the feeling was when I captured the images.

Small in size, but not in camera performance

As obvious as it sounds, I’m very impressed by how the cameras of the Galaxy Z Flip4 performed. Whether there’s an abundant source of light during the day or barely any presence of natural light at night, this wonderful compact foldable delivered good results.

Most users would think these aren’t enough for everyone’s mobile photography needs. But with the ultra-wide and regular wide lenses of the Galaxy Z Flip4, they are adequate for everyday photo-taking. And it’s not just for regular shots but also for low-light images too.

If you’re a big telephoto lens fanatic like I am, you might have to skip this phone. Regardless, even if there’s a lack of the “crucial” telephoto lens, the quality these cameras produce are sufficient for day-to-day use.

While I’m not expecting the addition of a telephoto zoom lens on the next-generation of the Galaxy Z Flip (all because it will compromise the battery capacity and phone’s overall dimensions), I still want to see what Samsung has to offer in the upcoming compact foldable in the years ahead.

Samsung’s Flip Phone Innovation Over The Years

Features

Why choose the MSI Claw?

Is it the gaming handheld for you?

Published

April 18, 2024

GadgetMatch

The MSI Claw is the latest gaming handheld from a major PC and laptop brand. The competition in this emerging gadget segment is tighter than ever. So, what is it about the MSI Claw that can scratch your gaming itch? Here’s a quick list.

Best grip in the game

One quick glance and it’s hard not to compare the claw with another popular gaming handheld. But a closer look and actually holding the thing will reveal that its grip easily feels better.

It has a slightly deeper groove that makes it easier to hold. So, MSI’s “Grip and Game” tagline isn’t all talk. Its design truly does provide one of the better feeling handles among its competition.

The overall design makes sure it’s made for extended gameplay sessions. The buttons are where you expect them to be. That includes the four mini buttons on the upper edges of the screen. These are the View, MSI Center M, Menu, and Quick Settings buttons.

In addition, the face buttons and d-pad all feel great. The face buttons, in particular, feel comparable to those of regular console controllers.

The rest of the buttons and triggers have a very satisfying tactile feel. It also uses Hall Effect technology to get rid of any stick drift issues.

Up top, you’ll find the power button, MicroSD Card slot, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, audio jack, and the volume buttons. These are intuitively placed and just makes sense given the overall design approach.

As cliché as it sounds, you’ll really think you got your money’s worth once you hold, touch, press, and grip the MSI Claw.

Dragon Vision

Now, MSI isn’t really calling it that but I thought it sounds pretty cool. A big part of the whole gaming experience is the display. Balancing resolution and frame rates is always tricky but the MSI Claw does it convincingly.

With this gaming handheld, you get a 7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Looks great on paper and it’s even better in real life. It’s the sweet spot in terms of both size and performance. There’s enough here to immerse you all while delivering a satisfying level of crisp and smoothness.

It’s comfortable to view whether you’re on the couch, on a desk table, or lying down getting a quick game in before you get some shut-eye.

Battery Life

At 53Whr, the MSI Claw has a 36% larger battery capacity than its contemporaries and promises 50% more play time.

MSI claims “elevated performance with extended endurance” using the Claw with faster charging capabilities.

These percentages are hard to measure in real life usage. What we can say for certain is that you get the expected performance and playtime typical of a handheld. That’s a little under two hours for graphically demanding titles, and close to four hours on less demanding ones.

The charging claim is legitimate. The MSI Claw juices up faster than most other handhelds, going from 20% to 100% in about a little over a K-Drama episode (roughly a little over an hour).

MSI Center M

Any self-respecting gaming handheld has its own software to make navigating the thing more manageable. While its direct competitors have an armoury crate and a space, MSI went with Center M.

The best part about MSI Center M is it puts your installed games front and center. Right when it launches, you get immediate access to the titles you have available on your machine.

MSI Afterburner is already the most commonly used app for taking a look at how your machine is performing while you play. That functionality is built-in to the MSI Claw. You can access it view the Quick Settings buttons.

Layout and functionality-wise, the MSI Center M is certainly one of the better Gaming Handheld softwares available right now.

Competitive Performance

A defining trait of the MSI Claw is that It’s the first gaming handheld to be powered by Intel Core Ultra. With it comes Intel XeSS tech. What it does is leverage AI upscaling to boost the fps of select titles.

As of launch, 50 notable games are supported. That number will certainly grow throughout the device’s lifespan. Some of the titles include Hi-Fi Rush, Dying Light 2, Forza Horizon 5, Call of Duty Warzone 2.0, Returnal, and many, many more.

Naturally, results will vary depending on the game mode you’re using. But in general, AAA games get anywhere between 10% to 45% better frame rate performance with Intel XeSS.

For our part we played TEKKEN 8 and the recently launched Horizon Forbidden West. Both graphically demanding games played relatively well on the MSI Claw. Frame rate performance on TEKKEN 8 is crucial and we got a relatively consistent fps, never dropping below 40.

Horizon Forbidden West is a much more graphically demanding game. We were able to run it in Medium Settings and while it doesn’t look as incredible, it still played relatively well with a frame rate surprising for a gaming handheld.

Extras

MSI made sure that if you wanted to, you could get some extra stuff with the MSI Claw. Its separately sold accessory set includes the Claw Travel Case, Nest Docking Station, Claw Lanyard, and Claw Keychain.

On paper, the MSI Claw lists its ergonomic design, AI Engine, and App Player as distinct advantages over its competition.

Whether it’s the Gaming Handheld that matches your needs is still ultimately up to you. If you have the opportunity to test drive the device, we suggest you do so. That might just solidify your purchase decision.

Price and availability in the Philippines

The MSI Claw will be available in three configurations in the Philippines. There are priced as follows:

MSI Claw A1M-075PH (PhP 45, 995).

Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processor 135H
512GB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4
LPDDR5 16GB, dual channel
Intel® Arc™ Graphics

Claw A1M-076PH (PhP 50, 995).

Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 155H
512GB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4
LPDDR5 16GB, dual channel
Intel® Arc™ Graphics

Claw A1M-077PH (PhP 53, 995).

Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 155H
1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4
LPDDR5 16GB, dual channel
Intel® Arc™ Graphics

Ongoing Promotion

You can still get your own MSI Claw with exclusive bundled freebies 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃 until 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒!

This feature article is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and MSI Philippines.

Accessories

Marshall Major V: Reasons Why I Love It

After a month of using

Published

April 17, 2024

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

I’ve got a new favorite pair of headphones.

They look good, sound good, last long, are compact and portable.

Most of all? They are from a brand that I truly love.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s are V Major reasons why I love the new Marshall Major V!

Features

Fortify your home office or business setup with these devices

For the work-from-home go-getters

Published

April 15, 2024

GadgetMatch

Image generated using Copilot designer.

If the 21st century taught us something, it’s that fad trends don’t last but legitimate ones stick.

The concept of working from home is an idea deemed impossible before. Thanks to technology, though, it has become a practical alternative for professionals nowadays.

The pandemic magnified its potential even further over the past few years. Working or managing small businesses from your own place has proven to be convenient. It saves you time and money from having to commute or travel to a traditional workplace. It’s also easier to communicate nowadays with various devices and apps. Even ordering food or sending something somewhere has also become a breeze with transport apps.

It’s a trend that won’t go anywhere. For those planning on sticking to staying at home, these devices will give them enough leverage for a “future-proof” setup at the comfort of their own spaces.

Laptops

You cannot go wrong with the Lenovo Yoga laptops. They’re versatile and powerful, and should serve more than enough for light to medium tasks and overall productivity.

They’re powered by Intel Core processors and have ample memory and storage for multitaskers. Yoga laptops also have OLED screens for a crystal-clear view.

For the more budget-conscious professionals, the ASUS Vivobook line is very reliable for most office work software and basic multimedia needs. They come with powerful processors as well, and a multitude of features for your needs.

Of course, the MacBook Air with Apple Silicon is a go-to choice for those inclined on getting Apple devices.

Smartphones

If you’re the ultimate workhorse, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, OnePlus Open, and OPPO Find N3 are among the best recommendations.

Although they come with higher price tags, these devices ensure that you will have a smooth and seamless experience on your fingertips, whether it’s taking and editing photos, going on quick video calls, or organizing documents and other files.

There are also all-rounders like the HONOR 90 5G, OnePlus 11, and OPPO Reno10 Pro and solid mid-rangers like the POCO M-Series, Redmi Note series, and realme’s numbered series.

These more affordable phones can still deliver what is expected of them, especially for those who simply need a phone to aid them but do not necessarily have to literally rely on it for everything.

Epson CO-FH02 projector

It doesn’t hurt to have an extra screen at home. For those looking to consume digital content on a bigger scale, the Epson CO-FH02 projector provides an expansive view. This versatile lifestyle device can also be a realistic backdrop for presentations or livestreams, instead of just merely sharing the screen.

What’s great about the award-winning projector is it beams full HD resolution images, up to 3,000 lumens of brightness, and up to a 391-inch size. It suits many different scenarios and complements your space.

There’s also a handful of connectivity options for different devices. What’s great about the CO-FH02 is it has an Android TV 2 Dongle and Chromecast built-in. The dongle enables wireless connectivity, while Chromecast built-in technology lets you stream content right from the projector, making the viewing experience a breeze, minus all the annoying cables and wires. It’s surely a reliable tool to have, and doesn’t break your wallet.

Epson L11050 Printer

Meanwhile, the Epson L11050 Printer is an excellent choice for both small business owners or those simply needing important files to print. Unlike ordinary printers, the Epson L11050 can print documents up to the A3+ size, giving the printer a distinct advantage over other models.

The printer has a page yield of up to 4,500 pages for black and 7,000 pages for colored. It delivers fast and high-quality printing of up to 30 pages per minute in black and white and 20 for colored. Moreover, it has a large, 100-paper capacity so users won’t have to open it often to refill sheets. Users may also connect wirelessly using the Epson Smart Panel app for a more efficient printing process from your device.

Aside from the convenience it offers in delivering its purpose, the ink tank printer also contributes to a more sustainable world. It is powered by Epson’s Heat-Free Technology for lower energy consumption and lower carbon emission. And with Epson’s EcoTank technology, business owners will also simply have to refill the containers instead of disposing of cartridges. The spill-free process not only saves them operating costs, but makes the printer a sustainable choice as a result.

Epson DS-C330 Scanner

To complete your Epson setup, the Epson DS-C330 Scanner is a portable sheet-fed document scanner that is an absolute space-saver.

One simply has to insert the document they need scanned and the tool will do its work in just a few seconds. The scanner can work on hardcopy files up to legal paper size, even envelopes, IDs, and passports. It has a fast and efficient scanning rate of up to 30ppm and 60ipm, respectively.

It also comes with Vertical Path and Straight Path scan modes too. This means users can seamlessly select between the path modes so the scans come up desirably. With wireless connectivity, files can be saved instantly too. That saves time for uploading documentary requirements or helping customers save their own copies.

As the DS-C330 is also made from up to 34% recycled plastic, you are assured that you are minimizing environmental impact. It is the sustainable choice as far as scanners are concerned.

acerpure Cozy F1

Of course, where there is work, there should also be comfort. The acerpure Cozy F1 is a space-saving modern air circulator that uses an energy-efficient DC Motor and 3D AirFlow technology.

It has 12 touch-activated speed settings, and can project air for up to 15 meters away so it can reach every corner of a large room.

It’s also low-noise so users do not have to worry about getting distracted or bothered when keeping it cool and focusing on their everyday tasks.

Dyson V12s Detect Slim Submarine

After a day’s worth of hard work, it’s ideal to keep your workplace clean. Not only does it reflect yourself, but having a space that’s conducive for productivity always gives you the extra edge.

With the Dyson V12 Detect Slim Submarine, users get a compact and powerful stick cleaner that washes floors and surfaces from start to finish, using clean water.

The tool’s advanced vacuum system allows it to intelligently pick up dust and other debris. The multi-stage filtration system, meanwhile, ensures that even the smallest particles get picked up, leaving your spaces clean and healthy.