Smartphones

Oops! I was wrong about foldable phones

They’re here to stay in the years to come
Illustration by Migs Buera

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When the first foldable phone came out, the words I blurted out of my mouth were “Who the F needs that?” At the time, no one really needed it. It was a showcase of what the future might hold; a glimpse of where we’re headed.

For someone whose work requires him to be appreciative of technology, I wasn’t particularly receptive to change. Inherently, I believe that necessity is the mother of the invention which is why I was hesitant about the whole foldable concept — and even called it a fad. Smartphones are doing fine, why change what’s not broken, right?

Yes, my thoughts are the same about the flip phones that resemble the phones of the distant past. An ex-lover and I were jokingly discussing how impractical these phones are, despite working in the electronics and technology industry.

But the same thing cannot be said to the most recent foldable phones anymore, especially in 2021. There’s a certain allure with the Galaxy Z Fold2 that you can only experience when you use it. And the same goes with the Huawei Mate X2 when Michael Josh decided to play around with it. And I couldn’t agree more.

Using the Galaxy Z Fold2 for quite a while now made me realize how it fills the gap in the smartphone industry, and how they can help keep the technology industry from pressing forward.

Not the usual smartphone, not yet a tablet

By now, you probably know this foldable’s form factor. So I don’t need to go into the technical details and let me speak from experience.

The first time I got my hands on the Galaxy Z Fold2, I was afraid. It felt like a delicate flower that evokes grandeur and beauty. When folded, it’s nearly the size of average smartphones that you’re familiar with. It’s just thicker to hold and quite slippery that you might want to strengthen your grip to be on the safe side.

Opening it requires a gentler approach, but this is where the magic begins. The Galaxy Z Fold2 offered a bigger screen that I can hold for a longer time, which a tablet can’t even provide. It gave me the ability to work elsewhere without carrying my laptop all the damn time.

Though you can’t do heavy work in it, I was able to keep my social platforms running and I was able to hop on a meeting, check my designers’ works, and coordinate with my team — even if I was outdoors eating at an al fresco restaurant.

It’s also a head-turning accessory, seeing how foldables are unique to the average consumer’s eyes. And honestly, I liked the attention I got from it.

Okay, enough with its allure. Let’s talk about what my issues were and how it’s relevant to the future of smartphones.

Pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone should be

One of the issues most tech reviewers had with the foldable phones is the creases that, frankly, make or break an experience. I can live with it, but not a lot of people can (probably). But my issue was how most apps aren’t optimized for a foldable phone, yet.

This is why depending on how it pans out, foldable phones can turn the wheels again and make the whole industry move forward. Smartphones are getting boring and obsolete.

When every smartphone manufacturer releases a smartphone every damn three months, we get bored seeing how all of them look similar or offer a minor reiteration of the common slab devices. Remove their brand and coating, and they all look the same.

Companies have nearly perfected the design and experience of flagship smartphones. Midrange and budget phones, on the other hand, need a little bit more refining.

Other companies like LG — whose mobile division already shut down — started working on different form factors like the LG Wing. And we love it. Even ASUS made the whole Zenfone 8 an engineering solution, packing heavy features in a compact smartphone by shrinking some of its components.

Although frankly, we can all agree and settle with foldable phones as the next form factor. It’s starting to make sense, at least when you get your hands on it. With Samsung and Huawei leading the race on foldables, it’s certainly a phone war we’d love to watch from beginning to end.

The next standard of premium phones… or the future of smartphones?

If more people adopt foldable phones, smartphone manufacturers will be forced to step up their game and go where the demand is. Except, foldable phones still aren’t made for general use.

It still is a phone for those who have the money to burn, who want to be on the cutting-edge of technology, and those who need a device that fills the gap between a smartphone and a tablet to augment their lifestyle.

But whatever the future has in store for us, I’m certain that foldable phones — if done right — can be the next standard of what makes a phone premium. That, or it could be the next generation of our smartphones. Nonetheless, my mind has changed thanks to the Galaxy Z Fold2. And now, I’m excited to step into the future.

SEE ALSO: I’ve grown attached to the Galaxy Z Fold2

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Smartphones

vivo partners with UEFA to showcase latest X100 series phones

vivo becomes official smartphone of the UEFA EURO 2024

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December 9, 2023

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vivo UEFA

vivo has partnered with UEFA last December 2, making the company’s latest X100 series among the official smartphones of the UEFA EURO 2024 Final next year.

The soon-to-be-released cutting-edge phones, which come in the X100 and X100 Pro variants, were featured during the tournament’s draw event in Germany.

The highly-anticipated international football competition kicks off on June 14 and culminates on July 14.

The month-long duration of the event provides vivo an exceptional opportunity to showcase its next-generation technology on the world stage.

At the backbone of the upcoming X series are in-house innovations and joint research and development in partnership with ZEISS. Fans can expect professional-level imaging capabilities that can capture the best football moments.

Aside from upgrades in imaging, customers can expect improvements on the X series’ design, performance, and battery.

vivo in sports

vivo has long established its presence in the sports world.

During the announcement of the brand’s partnership with the NBA, the vivo V29 5G series was showcased.

The company also recently conducted a 3-on-3 basketball series in the Philippines, which toured several schools in Metro Manila.

vivo’s venture into the football market is a bold and strategic move for the Guandong-based tech company. It is to further promote its products to the global sports audience.

The 2020 edition of the UEFA EURO totalled 5.2 billion viewers while the recent 2023 UEFA Champions League final match alone drew 450 million viewers.

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Best Smartphones

Best Smartphones of 2023

Which one is your GadgetMatch?

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December 8, 2023

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Year after year, it gets tougher and tougher to make Best Smartphones lists. The smartphones keep getting better with only a few differences here and there. And the deciding factor being one’s own preference – making it your ‘match’. 

But we still tried. Here’s our Best Smartphones 2023 picks, with quotes lifted from the content we produced on the smartphones we had the privilege of using throughout the year. 

Best Overall — iPhone 15 Pro

Michael Josh on the iPhone 15 Pro/ Pro Max

If you own an iPhone 13, iPhone 14, no matter what you want to hear, I’m here to tell you, you do not need one. Is the iPhone 15 Pro worth it? Sure, yes it is. 

But at the same time, I know a lot of you have already made up your mind and are coming here to get validation. Sure. Go ahead. If you have the money, upgrade. If you’re an iPhone forever plan, why not. Upgrade. 

But seriously, there is a lot to love about the new iPhone 15 Pro Series. That new titanium build is sexy, it’s light and it’s definitely what I’ve been waiting for. 

That action button, I believe, is going to be a game changer. Soon they’re going to open it up to third-party app developers also. That USB-C port is gonna open it up to a bunch of new possibilities as well as compatibility. And that new camera has set the bar for everybody else to try to beat.

Plus, if you’re a Pro user, if you’re a content creator, a professional video creator, then you’re definitely going to want to leverage all of its new features as well. 

There’s no beating around the bush, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the best smartphone you can get today. I highly recommend that you go out and get it. 

Honorable mention: Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3

Best Foldable — OnePlus Open/OPPO Find N3

Rodneil on the OPPO Find N3

The connection I had with the Find N3 went beyond my sense of touch. The way its software worked almost as seamlessly as the Galaxy Z Fold5 did, tickled my other senses. 

I can go from folded to unfolded without missing a beat. Opening two apps in a split screen is a two-finger swipe down gesture. 

It is, by all intents and purposes, the exact kind of device I once dreamt of using when I was much, much younger, imagining myself attending to online work while staying present in my immediate vicinity.

My wish of having the Galaxy Z Fold5’s software running in a better smartphone-to-mini-tablet form factor appears to have been granted. The OPPO Find N3’s software and hardware combo is a lot closer to the sweet spot I personally prefer

Every second I spent with the Find N3 was pure bliss.

Honorable mentions: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, HONOR Magic Vs/V2

Best Flip — OPPO Find N3 Flip

MJ on the Find N3 Flip

The OPPO Find N3 Flip is an excellent flagship smartphone. Everything good about its predecessor was retained, and the rest were made better. It’s not just an accessory to make a statement anymore; it’s a functional device that can keep up with whatever lifestyle you have.

If you’re open to trying a new form factor and you’re ready to jump, I’d say take the leap of faith and see where the affair will take you. A flip smartphone like the Find N3 Flip has a certain allure that you can only imagine. It’s time to flip your life around and open yourself to an array of experiences.

Did I find my GadgetMatch for the year? Highly likely, it’s a yes. After all, the OPPO Find N3 Flip earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval. There’s something special about it, and I can’t help but gush over a smartphone worthy of being in my pocket.

Honorable mentions: motorola razr+, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 

Best Design — OPPO Find N3 Flip

MJ on the Find N3 Flip

The Find N3 Flip felt like the partner I’ve been looking for. It fits my palm, it’s compact enough to be tucked inside my pocket, and more importantly, it can keep up with my active and busy lifestyle.

I was able to take the Find N3 Flip to the great outdoors. It was robust enough, despite having a glass body. As someone fond of extreme activities, I’d admit that a flip smartphone looks delicate as a daily driver.

But somehow, it felt sturdy enough to accompany me. Perhaps, thanks to its aircraft-grade stainless steel core.

The IPX4 rating, although a bit low, allowed me to continually use the Find N3 Flip even when it’s drizzling.

Honorable mentions: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

Best for Overall Photography — OPPO Find X6 Pro

Michael Josh on the Find X6 Pro

You know how if a smartphone has like 3 cameras. You can expect the main camera to be super good. And the rest to be…not as good?  Well OPPO hopes to change that with the Find X6 Pro.

They’re saying, this phone has 3 main cameras. Instead of just one. And while that doesn’t mean they all have the same sensor and specs.Compared to its competitors. This phone is way closer to that.

All 3 main cameras whether that be wide, ultra wide or telephoto are all 50MP shooters. All have large sensors. And all have wide apertures. 

Earlier this month I took a photo trip in Malaga and Granada in the south of Spain to test out this camera phone. But before I show you my favorite photos from that trip let’s take a look at comparisons to see why the idea behind 3 main cameras makes a difference.

Honorable Mentions: Huawei P60 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro

Best for Overall Videography — iPhone 15 Pro Max

From our iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max Review

When it comes to the iPhone 15 Pro Series’ Cameras there’s a lot more to cover. Like being able to record videos in LOG and being able to apply your own Lutz, external recording to an SSD, or being able to use the a USB-3.2 cable to shoot and immediately transfer 48MP ProRes RAW files to a Mac using Capture One — just like they do in pro photography studios. 

Cinematic Mode also gets an update and while filming you can now zoom in. So here’s a quick video montage that we shot all with Cinematic Mode. 

Honorable Mentions: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Best for Selfie Photos — OPPO Find N3 Flip

MJ on the OPPO Find N3 Flip 

What I loved the most about the Find N3 Flip is how it fits everything together. The best-in-class cameras work hand-in-hand with various form factors that you can do while shooting and recording.

You can put it up like a tent, let it stand like a tripod, take photos like the usual slate phones, or fold it and use the cover screen.

Let the rear cameras do their magic. After all, it uses a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 sensor for its main shooter; a 48-megapixel Sony IMX581 ultra-wide camera; and a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 telephoto lens.

Inside, you can find a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 selfie shooter. While I will never be fond of its selfies due to padded beautification even if you turn it off, the Find N3 Flip takes gorgeous selfies if you’d like to look fresh even when you just woke up.

Honorable Mentions: HONOR 90

Best for Selfie Videos — Infinix Zero 30 5G

MJ on the Infinix Zero 30 5G

Not a lot of smartphones prioritize their front cameras. All eyes are on its rear cameras capable of up to 100x zoom or something like that. While they’re nice to have when you’re traveling and out and about, I appreciate the efforts Infinix put into the ZERO 30 5G.

It’s equipped with a 50-megapixel front camera that’s capable of recording 4K videos at 30 or 60fps, and 1080p at 30fps.

Having that camera system allowed me to film my fitness journey, especially at a time when I was hitting almost rock bottom and I was only living life between home and the gym.

Here’s a reel stitched from 4K videos, all taken using the Infinix ZERO 30 5G.

Best Zoom Photo — Huawei P60 Pro

Rodneil on the Huawei P60 Pro

The Huawei P60 Pro does a great job of capturing multiple types of scenes. The main camera is great for capturing general scenes and quick snaps. 

My personal favorite is the telephoto lens. Something about it just adds character to the shots you take. It’s great for closing in on your subject, whether that’s architecture or food. 

Our member Vincenz even took it to a K-Pop super group TWICE’s concert and came out with stunning photos.

Honorable Mentions: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 

Best Zoom Video — Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Rodneil on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra might not be king when it comes to overall video. But it’s undisputed in Zoom Videos.

Here are a few samples, not just of zoom, but also of its overall video shooting prowess. 

@gadgetmatch

29Rooms is an experiential funhouse and it was an absolute blast to experience. Here’s a quick look #ShotOnGalaxy S23 Ultra. More info on 29rooms.sg #artinstallation #art #galaxys23ultra #samsunggalaxy #galaxys23ultra #galaxys23

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

 

 

 

Best Portrait Shooter — iPhone 15 Pro Max

Michael Josh on the iPhone 15 Pro Max

The other big change that I think is going to be a game changer is called Next Gen Portraits.

I love portrait mode. That blurry background can really bring a subject into focus. But previously the quality hasn’t been as good as just using the main camera. That’s addressed this year. 

For the first time on an iPhone — Portrait Mode is now powered by the Photonic Engine.

So you get all the benefits of Deep Fusion and Smart HDR. Even better, you don’t even have to turn Portrait Mode on.

Honorable Mentions: Huawei P60 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Pro, HONOR Magic5 Pro

Best Travel Companion — Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5

MJ on the Galaxy Z Flip5 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is more than just a flip smartphone requiring delicate care. It’s already worthy of being a daily driver that can match any of your lifestyle — even if the one you chose is an extreme one. I’ve seen people carrying either a flip or a fold on a trail run, and it always amazes me how daring they are until I’ve experienced using one.

Best Gaming — ROG Phone 7

Rodneil on the ROG Phone 7

With the ROG Phone, you know what you’re getting: A gaming smartphone with gaming-specific features. There’s the distinctly gamer look with a bunch of lines that evoke a mech-vibe.

Literally no one else is doing it quite like the ROG Phone. From form to function, it’s THE undisputed gaming smartphone of choice. And the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate continues that tradition. It’s the best that the ROG Phone has ever been and that’s something we’ve come to expect year in and year out. 

Honorable Mention: iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max

Best Value-for-money — POCO F5 Pro 

Luigi on the POCO F5 Pro

The POCO F5 Pro does a lot of things right. Though the smartphone doesn’t offer one thing for users to exclusively focus on, it shines with a cohesive flagship experience worthy of its price.

Is your match not on the list? It’s likely we just didn’t get a chance to use it. Tell us what your GadgetMatch is!

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News

Thieves returned a stolen phone because it was an Android

“We don’t want this.”

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December 6, 2023

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A smartphone is an easy target for thieves. After all, especially after a factory reset, a stolen phone will still sell for a substantial amount of money. However, while beggars can’t be choosers, thieves surprisingly can. In the United States, a pair of robbers returned their victim’s stolen phone after realizing it was an Android phone.

First reported by ABC7, a couple in Washington, D.C. suffered a robbery attempt. “Two masked gentlemen” accosted a man after he parked his car and was walking to his wife. The robbers took everything he had at the moment including the keys to his vehicle. However, before the duo could drive off in his car, they returned his phone.

“Oh, that’s an Android? We don’t want this. I thought it was an iPhone,” the robbers supposedly said, according to the man’s wife.

While the couple’s misfortunes are still a cautionary tale, it’s also a reflection of the stark reality in the smartphone market. Even in the gray and black markets, a stolen iPhone still ranks above a stolen Android phone. While Android phones are certainly cheaper than an iPhone, the latter is still seen as a status symbol in some parts of the world. Owning one — stolen or not — can give one a strong social boost.

SEE ALSO: Apple might make a ring you can wear on other parts of your body

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