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GadgetSnaps: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 in New York

Snaps from the Unpacked trip

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The Unpacked event for Samsung’s newest foldables was a little unusual but it was still a blast. After the event, we immediately got our hands on both the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4. So, what did I do? I took the Galaxy Z Fold4 and snapped away around New York City. 

The camera department is one area that the Galaxy Z Fold4 got an upgrade in. Here’s what it looks like on paper: 

Cover: 

  • 10MP, f/2.2

Under display: 

  • 4MP, f/1.8

Rear: 

  • 12MP Ultra Wide, f/2.2
  • 50MP Wide-angle, f/1.8
  • 10MP Telephoto, f/2.4

Now that all of that is out of the way, let’s get to the photos!

Food 

Let’s start with something that everyone loves taking photos of. Food! In true Samsung fashion, these tasty treats are made to look even tastier with Samsung’s tendency to make colors really pop.

Galaxy Z Flip4

Galaxy Z Flip4

Galaxy Z Flip4

Here’s one taken with 3x zoom. 

And here’s a couple flexing Samsung’s Nightography capabilities. 

Galaxy Z Flip4

Galaxy Z Flip4

Zoom in, zoom out

Like the Samsung Galaxy S22+, I had fun taking photos with the main wide angle lens, the ultra-wide angle lens, and the multiple zoom capabilities. 

Here’s a quick demo of what that looks like on this cool United States of America flag display in our hotel lobby. 

Ultra-wide 

1x (Main wide angle)

3x Zoom. (As we zoom in, you’ll see exactly how they made this and it’s pretty cool). 

10x Zoom. In case you couldn’t tell from the 3x Zoom pic, these are beer cans, arranged in a way that they would look like the American flag when viewed from across the room. 

Here’s a 20x Zoom shot for good measure. 

I went up close for this next shot, using the main wide angle lens, for a different perspective. 

Galaxy Z Flip4

And here’s a shot of the same area with someone passing by. I sort of wanted to see how the Galaxy Z Fold4 processes a person in motion and this was pretty good. At least, I think so. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

I later on learned that this person on the shot is Yejin Choi. One of the Generation17 Young Leaders that Samsung featured on this trip. You can read and watch about her amazing contribution to education here. 

Fun at Times Square

Hours after the Unpacked event, we made our way to Times Square to capture the BTS Times Square takeover ℅ Samsung. 

On the way, I took a quick snap of Madison Square Garden — the Mecca of basketball. Too bad it’s the offseason so I couldn’t catch an NBA game. This was taken inside a moving vehicle.

Galaxy Z Fold4

And then we got to Times Square where the ultra wide angle lens really came in handy. Just take a look at this shot. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

I tweeted a quick video capturing the moment, taken using the Galaxy Z Flip4. 

I also put the Galaxy Z Fold4’s zoom capabilities to the test. And it was pretty impressive. Caught this nice shot of BTS member Jungkook.

Galaxy Z Fold4

And here’s a group shot so ARMYs don’t come after me. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

I took a few selfies while I was here for good measure. This was using the 10MP camera on the cover. As you will see on the clouds behind me, the dynamic range varies in every shot. And this was just the camera auto adjusting the colors. 

Spidey sighting!

Of course, what’s a New York trip without encountering Spider-Man? We saw this dude dressed up as Spider-Man Miles Morales and I just had to take shots.

For some dramatic effect, I used the portrait mode here and I think they came out well, creating a nice little separation between Spidey and the rather busy background. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

Galaxy Z Fold4

Walking around the Big Apple

Here are a few more shots of just me basking in the City that Never Sleeps. 

There are plenty of pizza places around New York. This one had a nice neon sign that I thought would look good on camera.

Galaxy Z Fold4

You can rent bikes too. These are found everywhere. Although, this photo was taken fresh off some rain that’s why a lot of them are just parked here.

Galaxy Z Fold4

This was taken at the cafe in the hotel where we typically had breakfast. It was taken right around the time it was raining. I just liked the contrast of the warm light inside the cafe and the cold, dull sight of the rain outside. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

Growing up, I watched a lot of American TV series. Walking around town, I was amused at how familiar the neighborhood seemed only because I’ve seen them a lot on TV. 

Here’s a shot when it’s bright and sunny. Taken right outside Kobrick Coffee.

Galaxy Z Fold4

A quick selfie with Michael Josh and Chay who were hard at work producing Reels and YouTube videos while I was just hanging around. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

Here’s a shot of Michael Josh posing with the Galaxy Z Flip4 in hand. 

Galaxy Z Fold4

The Galaxy Z Fold4 photo-taking experience

I’ve used both the Galaxy Z Fold2 and Z Fold3 and I can say that it was a tad more fun snapping with the Galaxy Z Fold4. 

The image results using the main camera, I found, were very satisfactory. Samsung is still doing its usual Samsung things in that the photos tend to look more saturated. But that’s a plus for most people, especially if you just want to snap a quick one and quickly share on social media. 

There are instances, though, where the overprocessing is a little too obvious. Take the photo below. Right on the top-left side, you’ll see some weird color lines that you otherwise probably wouldn’t see without any heavy-lifting from the photography AI.

Galaxy Z Fold4

The color reproduction among the rear camera lenses still isn’t 100% consistent unlike what I experienced with the Galaxy S22+. But they’re not half bad and aren’t immediately noticeable if you don’t compare them side-by-side. 

And if you take shots carefully, the color consistency can be surprisingly good. Take a look at the shots below.

The reduced weight, especially compared to the Galaxy Z Fold2 which I spent time with the longest, also made it easier to take photos when the Galaxy Z Fold4 is folded.

Not the best visual aid since I just took this while inside the hotel room, but here’s what that kind of looks like.

Overall, I had a grand time taking pictures with the Galaxy Z Fold4. The results aren’t too wild. In fact, they look vivid, sharp and ready for the gram. And the whole experience using the Fold to snap photos also feels natural. Sometimes even more so than the regular smartphones most of us have in our pockets right now. 

I’ll leave you with this shot of our hotel’s dark front desk area with a rather inspirational neon sign.

That’s it for now, make sure to tune in to GadgetMatch wherever you like to find your content to see more of Samsung’s foldables and accessories. 

Watch our Galaxy Z Fold4 Hands-on.

Features

GadgetSnaps: Huawei Pura 70 Pro in Shenzhen

Fall in love with smartphone photography again

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In case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced /pyu-ra/. And it’s more than just a name change. All four models of the Pura 70 series come with a set of cameras that will make your jaw drop. Though it’s not the most impressive Ultra, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is still capable of shooting breathtaking photos all by itself.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Arranged like a hidden Mickey, the Pura 70 Pro’s camera island features a triple threat of cameras, highlighted by a vastly improved telephoto lens when compared to the regular model.

  • 50-megapixel f/1.4-4.0 25mm main
  • 48-megapixel f/2.1 93mm 3.5x optical telephoto
  • 5-megapixel f/2.2 13mm ultrawide

A Huawei-filled stay in China

While there are different brands operating in the region, Shenzhen is a much bigger playground for Huawei. The brand maintains multiple flagship stores and a sprawling campus there.

Our first stop was the first global flagship store for Huawei. The building features a huge central area, a lineup of cars, and, of course, spots to try the brand’s latest innovations.

As you’ve probably read from our first impressions, one of the most iconic demonstrations during the entire trip was of a spinning picture disc of a surfer frozen in time by the Pura 70 Pro’s Snapshot mode.

Mixing it up at MixC

While the previous store was impressive, it didn’t show just how popular Huawei was in China. Luckily, our next stop was in the center of a sprawling shopping center called MixC. This location had lots of cafes and shops nearby.

The branch itself features a 24-hour vending machine, a stage for lessons on how to use Huawei’s products, a smart home demonstration, and a third floor for aftermarket solutions (or even just to chill). Take a peep at how many people are in the store to try out Huawei.

Being in the middle of the city, it was also the perfect spot to try out the smartphone’s impressive zooming capabilities. Zooming into the city’s buildings, the camera captured far-away balconies to virtual perfection.

A little bit of nightlife

Speaking of the city, what would a trip be without some local nightlife? Early in the night is filled with commuters going home, night vendors peddling their wares, and lots of motorcycles.

Though the city sleeps earlier than more bustling metropolises, Shenzhen’s late night still makes for some subdued scenes and gentle nightscapes.

Oh, and how about some astrophotography?

Huawei’s campus or a European wonderland?

The next day, we went to Huawei’s massive headquarters in Shenzhen. Now, to call it “massive” is still an understatement. Supported by its own transit system, the campus features multiple “regions” inspired by architecture from different European countries.

Oh, and in case you missed it, yes, it has its own train. Excuse us; it’s time to head to Hogwarts.

There’s a big lake that boats can pass through. And, if you’re lucky enough, you might be able to spot a few black swans swimming around.

Goodbye, China

Unfortunately, all good trips must come to an end. We’re not saying goodbye until we use the Pura 70 Pro up, up in the air, though.

How impressive can a camera get?

A few years ago, I used the Huawei P20 Pro as my daily driver. Since then, I’ve moved on to the Google Pixel 6, a capable shooter in its own right. However, the Pura 70 Pro just made me fall in love with smartphone photography — nay, photography, in general — all over again.

The camera is just a beast in most shooting conditions. Plus, the AI-based enhancement is the cherry on top. Because the enhancements take a second, you can quickly see a before-and-after comparison. Some adjustments are minute, but they’re all substantial enough to make all the difference. Plus, you can barely notice the manipulation.

Okay, granted: it’s not perfect. There are some shots where the AI enhancement is more blatant. It also favors warmer hues in some conditions. But overall, it’s an amazing camera that I’m having a blast experimenting with.

SEE ALSO: Huawei Pura 70 Pro Unboxing and First Impressions

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DUO more with the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024

Make things easy

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ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024

We are fans of what ASUS did with their latest dual screen offering — the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024. The Zenbook Duo isn’t exactly new. ASUS has been adding extra screens to their laptops whenever they can — but never quite like this. 

You see, ASUS managed to put a literal second display but still make it compact enough to fit most bags with provision for 14-inch laptops. As cliché as it sounds, the Zenbook DUO 2024 is an engineering marvel.

However, it’s more than just a gimmick. In our review, we noted how the form factor lent to a slight boost in productivity despite us not maximizing the product just yet. With that, let us share with you our favorite things about the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024. 

A unique mode for every scenario

A built-in, sturdy kick-stand unlocks the many possibilities available to the Zenbook DUO 2024. Some of the modes are: Laptop, Dual Screen, Desktop, and Sharing.

Each one lends itself nicely to different work and media consumption scenarios. Don’t feel like showing off? Keep things discreet and save some battery life with laptop mode. 

Need two screens? Switch to either Dual Screen or Desktop mode to take advantage of more screen real estate. 

Presenting something to someone across the table? Sharing mode lays the laptop flat allowing for easier viewing. 

 

The ability to morph to different modes depending on your needs is astounding. The best thing is that it is both functional and can serve as an ice breaker.

TWICE Momo and LE SSERAFIM Chaewon <3

Oh and we’ll never tire of sharing how the Desktop mode is perfect for watching two K-Pop fancams at the same time. 

Screen Xpert for the dual displays

This form factor won’t work without the right software support backing it. To that end, ASUS made Screen Xpert. What it does is essentially let you adjust the layout of the apps according to your needs. 

You can have up to four (4) apps live viewed at the same time. For our part, we usually only divided the screen to two, using one to reference a review guide or press release while writing news articles and/or reviews. 

But if you’re monitoring certain things, this will be pretty helpful having multiple windows laid out right away to get a quick overview of things is a godsend. 

Zenbook DUO 2024

The best thing is that a lot of these functions work intuitively. There’s a single button you can press to easily switch what’s displayed on the two screens. 

If you want more granular control, you can have the Screen Xpert floating bar ready at your disposal. Here you can control the brightness level of each screen individually. You also have the ability to change the orientation of each screen to your liking. 

There are also App Switcher and App Navigator functions to give you a better, more seamless way to layout the apps you use so that it’s most efficient for your needs. 

AI, Copilot, and more 

 

Something we didn’t mention much in the review is how the laptop is built with the AI age in mind. Powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 155-H, this thing is equipped with an NPU chip to aid in on-device AI tasks.

There’s stuff that happens in the background like making sure the AI-related tasks are processed with the NPU while the main CPU handles the rest. In the simplest terms, the Intel Core Ultra 7 is smart enough to delegate a task to the chip that will best execute it. That results in a more optimized overall performance.


Copilot is one of the biggest AI additions to any Windows machine. The possibilities are close to limitless. For our part, we’ve only really played around with Copilot Designer. But there’s so much more that you can do with it. Just remember to always check the results. Every AI output still needs a human touch. 

AI is also present in other functions like noise cancellation and the camera. AI Noise Cancellation makes sure you can hear and be heard no matter what scenario you’re in. It’s perfect for remote workers who do not exactly have control over their immediate surroundings.

Meanwhile, AiSense Camera works not only as a Full HD IR camera. It also automatically detects the lighting levels in your environment and adjusts brightness levels accordingly. You also get functions like auto-framing and background blur. Lastly, there’s the slightly creepy Eye Contact feature that locks your gaze to the camera. It can be a bit disorienting so maybe pick the occasions when you’ll use it. 

GlideX 

Working beyond this dual screen laptop? ASUS also made sure to equip the Zenbook DUO 2024 with software that makes adding even more screens a no-sweat task. 

With GlideX you can easily connect your Zenbook DUO 2024 with smartphones, tablets, or even another PC. Even better, it’ll give you the option to control everything from a single device. 

DUO more 

For a first-of-its-kind device, the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 is pretty darn polished. That’s thanks largely to the company experimenting with dual screens long before releasing this dual screen machine. 

The Zenbook DUO 2024 literally lets you do more, providing options for flexibility that will help you optimize your workflow so you can finish your tasks more efficiently. This is more than just a gimmick device, it’s actually helpful and that’s because ASUS took the time to fit it with the proper software support. 

More on the ASUS Zenbook DUO 2024 here. 


This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and ASUS Philippines.

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GadgetSnaps: Malaysia shot on the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Beyond charging tech

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Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G prides itself in its charging technologies. But what about its camera capabilities? Well, here’s a quick round-up of the many photos we took around the time the Note 40 series was launched in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

The NOTE 40 Series features a 108MP main shooter with 3x Lossless Superzoom. It also has OIS for steadier shots when taking videos.

The edits applied to the photos here only some resizing and cropping to make the page easier to load. Take a look at all these sample shots

Infinix Note 40 Pro series launch day

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Kwai Chai Hong/ ‘Little Ghost Lane’

Little Ghost Lane | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Petaling Street (Chinatown)

REXKL | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Tanghulu | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Petaling Street | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

In and around Central Market

Central Market | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery

Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Istana Negara entrance

Istana Negra | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Merdeka Square

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Merdeka Square | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Malaysian Bak Kut Teh and more

Bak Kut Teh | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Petronas Twin Towers at night

Petronas Twin Towers | Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G

Steady shooter

The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G isn’t a stellar shooter. But at its price point, it’s pretty darn decent for capturing different scenarios. Take these photos into some editing software and you can certainly elevate their look.

The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is priced at PhP 13,999. It may be purchased through Infinix’s Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop platforms, where customers can get up to PhP 2,000 off. Additionally, the first 100 buyers can get an S1 smartwatch or XE23 earphones. Alternatively, customers may opt for the Shopee-exclusive NOTE 40 Pro (4G variant) for PhP 10,999.

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