Features

How I trained for Spartan Race’s Trifecta Weekend

Using the Garmin epix Pro

Published

December 27, 2023

MJ Jucutan

Joining a Spartan race was one of the pivotal moments in my life. It changed my lifestyle, shaped my character, and brought me lessons and experiences that redirected the course of my life.

Back then, the goal was to complete the Trifecta by collecting all three wedges from Spartan’s races: Sprint/Stadion (5KM with 20 obstacles), Super (10KM with 25 obstacles), and Beast (21KM with 30 obstacles).

This year, I obtained a double Trifecta and even pushed myself to conquer Spartan’s challenge of Trifecta Weekend where you’ll complete all three races in one weekend.

To prepare for my most ambitious goal (so far), Garmin Philippines equipped me with a smartwatch that became the perfect companion in my training.

Armed with the second-generation Garmin epix Pro, I also enlisted the help of Coach Genaro Sabile of G Performance and Fitness to ensure I have the mind and body suitable to compete for Trifecta Weekend.

Gear On: Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) – 42mm Sapphire

Most sports smartwatches come with bulky sizes that would make me look like I’m Ben Tennyson from the animated series Ben 10. It’s hideous, right?

The Garmin epix Pro wasn’t anything like it. The first time I laid my eyes on it at an event at The Manila Padel Club, I knew I wanted it.

I liked how it used Sapphire Crystal on its lens, accented by a Titanium bezel supported by a fiber-reinforced polymer case. Even for a Carbon Gray colorway, the design exudes a tough aura geared towards athletes.

It’s heavier compared to the Apple Watch, but still lighter than the Huawei Watch GT 4. I’d still count it as lightweight, at least for me.

Moreover, it comes in a 42mm variant which wraps around my wrist perfectly. My only gripe is itching from the silicone material used on the strap that came with the device.

Nevertheless, the epix Pro came with an AMOLED touchscreen that makes it feel like an actual smartwatch. You can smoothly glide to take a preview of your data, but there are also corresponding buttons with respective functions that aid in navigating the device.

Garmin’s DNA is all over the epix Pro. It’s their premium smartwatch, after all.

Are you ready for a workout?

After an extreme awakening in July when I ditched my Apple Watch, I prepared myself for a grueling four-month hardcore training regimen.

My coach and I had to follow a six-day workout plan consisting of strength training, power endurance, and a structured running program. Hybrid athlete in the making, yes?

I’d say that it was tough trying to balance my program, personal affairs, work, and a few other things. It’s even tougher when you don’t get to complete the weekly workouts because life got in the way.

Still, I tried my best to show up on days that I felt like I couldn’t. My Garmin epix Pro came with morning reports indicating my training readiness and my training status.

Rest is crucial in helping your muscles grow and recover. Most of the time, when my smartwatch says I shouldn’t be working out and I should listen to my body, I heed the warning.

Sometimes, you don’t have the energy to perform your best, especially when doing squats, presses, and deadlifts.

Along with my body’s readiness, Garmin’s smartwatches also come with Body Battery energy monitoring. I get to see if my energy levels can handle my upcoming training for the day or I should just opt to recharge by getting sleep.

9 out of 10, I usually sleep. This usually happens when my stress score for the day is unbelievably high, I just need to make a restful recovery.

And speaking of sleep, I usually wear my smartwatch while recovering to allow the device to capture necessary data.

By morning, I get a detailed report on my body’s recovery through sleep score, the breakdown of my sleep stages, my sleep quality, and my heart-rate variability (HRV) status.

Check your heart rate

Aside from my strength and muscle endurance training, I spend a lot of my days outside going for a run.

The majority of my runs are divided into building my already high aerobic base, doing speed work, and improving my lactate threshold to last well in a race.

When running, I usually follow my heart rate zone and try my best to stay in Zone 2 for aerobic building. When I do threshold runs, I make sure it’s between Zone 3 and 4, while speed work pushes me to the edge of Zone 4 and up to Zone 5.

Sprinting takes a lot of power, which is why you need to push yourself to reach the fastest you can.

But of course, heart rate isn’t everything. During my slow and long runs, I was usually tuned in to my smartwatch. I check my pace, speed, cadence, power, and stamina — monitoring them while ensuring I maintain my form and rhythm.

Running on roads and trails

In four months, I only racked up five to ten kilometers of weekly mileage on road runs, which is unbelievably low for someone who competes in an endurance race.

But what can I do? My schedule doesn’t allow me to go out for longer runs. My best option was taking on the trails during the weekend. I switch up now and then running at Mt. Ayaas and Mt. Parawagan, accumulating a total of 10-15 kilometers, depending on the route we take.

At some point, we got lost traversing the secret river which racked us a total of 17 kilometers. 14 kilometers of assaults, slopes, uneven terrains, and 3 kilometers of crossing a knee-deep river with strong currents.

I feared for my life, yes. But the Garmin epix Pro’s GPS mode came into play, providing hope that we are taking the right trail going back to the town.

Race simulations

What I liked the most about my Garmin smartwatch was having it help me plan my upcoming races. When I joined the Xiaomi Pop Run, I used both the Smart Band 8 (which I did for a review) and the Garmin epix Pro on my other wrist as part of my training plan.

Since I always ran on the slopes of my village located on the hilly side far east of the Metro, the epix Pro managed to get valuable data that would help with my race simulations.

My VO2Max amounted to 57, which is then used alongside my training history, to measure my Hill Score and Endurance Score.

Both features measure my capability for my ability to run and sustain my prolonged efforts, whether on an uphill training or any other athletic pursuits.

It’s also used to get an estimate of my pace through the race predictor feature. Whether it’s a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and a marathon.

There’s also an option to plan a race-day strategy with the PacePro Pacing Strategies. However, during the Xiaomi Pop Run, I opted to create a training plan to follow. Instead of aiming for a SUB1 finish, I put in a heart rate zone to follow for every kilometer.

This ended in a 1 hour and 4 minutes finish. I was disappointed that I was four minutes late, but I reminded myself that the training was more important. After all, the bigger event was the Spartan Trifecta Weekend.

Eventually, it paid off. Doing simulations at Obstacle Central allowed me to perform a clean execution of all obstacles in a short amount of time. Knowing full well that even with inconsistent training, I progressed a lot. I’m well-equipped to take on the Trifecta Weekend.

Ready for the Spartan Trifecta Weekend

I arrived the day before the Trifecta Weekend to do my duty as a race photographer for the 3K Elite race. It’s a different format requiring athletes to compete with speed and explosive power.

Being in the field gave me a huge advantage, seeing how the terrain would look like if the weather remained the same. Hot and humid, but still bearable for someone who’s acclimated to a never-ending summer weather.

The event took place in Montclair Destination Estate, an upcoming property development near Clark City. Having participated in races near the area, I know fully well what was waiting for me as a racer.

Sand, smog, a barren wasteland, uneven terrain of grass and rocks, a lahar-filled trail, and short slopes. Most of all, there are no shaded areas along the race course.

Spartan Beast

The first day of the Trifecta Weekend hosted the Spartan Beast race. A grueling 21-kilometer trail packed with 30 obstacles. I signed up for the Age Group category since it was the last leg of the Philippine National Series, and I intended to give my best in the last competitive heat that would require my mind, heart, and soul.

I finished my last Beast race back in May at around 4 hours and 36 minutes. This happened because I cramped at every obstacle on the last stretch of the race. I almost cried and it broke my spirit, knowing I could’ve finished in less than four hours.

This time around, I was determined to beat my time while performing a clean execution of the race. Funny enough, the only time I was penalized was when I dropped the Atlas Carry and Hercules Hoist.

Both obstacles require intense strength since they’re both around 50kg, and completing it would give me intense muscle cramps.

I already had two intense leg cramps. One was when I jumped at the eight-foot wall placed on a slope, making it ten feet high. One was when I ran after crossing an obstacle that required jumping over a three-foot wall and crossing bars as a stair going down.

Nevertheless, I finished at 3 hours and 47 minutes with 28 obstacles cleared. Far from my original goal, but better than my previous race even if I had various leg cramps along the way.

Moreover, my official ranking from my Age Group’s leaderboard jumped from 28th to 13th. A big jump, considering that my age bracket (25-29 yo) is among the most physically strong and in peak condition.

It was a tough battle and I’m proud of myself.

Spartan Super

The next day, I was hesitant to participate in the second day of the Trifecta Weekend. The muscles all over my body were stiff and aching from taking on the Spartan Beast race.

Still, I managed to get up since I remembered the costs of everything I paid for the race. Training, gear, nutrition, and countless days spent in the gym and on the trails.

I took on the Elite category for Spartan Super, a 10-kilometer trail with 25 obstacles. The obstacles are pretty much the same as the Spartan Beast, which gave me an inkling of what to do next.

I was excited since it was my second time participating in the elite category. I had to race toe-to-toe with national athletes, personnel of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), and strong, competitive racers who decided to level up.

My last elite race flunked and I was thrashed because I was unprepared. This time around, I redeemed myself. Though far from going head-to-head with the national athletes, I was happy that on the first few kilometers, I was butting heads with the athletes from PMA.

I ended the Spartan Super in 1 hour and 36 minutes with 24 obstacles cleared out of 25. Again, I dropped the Hercules Hoist since my legs showed signs of cramping and I still had to take on a race afterward. Playing smart is the key.

Spartan Sprint

Having completed a double trifecta for the year with the Spartan Super medal, taking on the Spartan Sprint meant getting an extra medal. But finishing it meant also completing the Trifecta Weekend challenge.

Knowing that it was an Open category and a short, 5-kilometer trail with 20 obstacles, I decided to play around. I have friends who are taking on their first race, and I joined them while wearing bunny ears. Just for fun, you know.

Racing with friends is a lot more fun than going competitive, creating new memories that I will forever cherish. I didn’t mind the time, and instead, helped my friends conquer the obstacles and the race.

Aside from being the cheerleader, I lightened the mood on the race course since most people were surprised to see me dressed in an all-white outfit, dirty, and wearing bunny ears.

Moreover, I didn’t require any help. Even with a tired body, I knew that preparing for the Trifecta Weekend gave me a strong, enduring mind and body that could take three races in one weekend. And it was all thanks to the dedication I put in for four months.

A Spartan’s GadgetMatch

Switching to the Garmin epix Pro was the best decision I made this year. Not only did it help me improve my athletic performance, but it also helped push me to make healthier habits.

Having a premium multi-sports smartwatch on your wrist will make you think about what you are doing with your life if you’re just sitting on a couch, doom-scrolling on TikTok. It will make you get up, and put in the work because it’s expensive AF.

The Garmin epix Pro Sapphire 42MM and 47MM retail for PhP 62,780. Meanwhile, the epix Pro Sapphire 51mm is priced at PhP 69,050.

The price alone would mean it’s an investment to make, but a worthy one because it’s for your health, fitness, and overall improvement of your life.

As a Spartan, it pushed me to face obstacles not just on the race course but in my life — head-on. Knowing I have a smartwatch to keep track of my progress, I know I’ll do better one obstacle and 10,000 steps at a time.

Cameras

Inside an OCR training day with Bring Your Game

Captured on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III

Published

June 19, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The first leg of Spartan Race’s Philippine National Series doesn’t wait for anyone.

We joined an OCR team, BGY BYG aka Bring Your Game, at Bridgetowne Obstacle Park as they put themselves through an obstacle course race simulation. I brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to document every athlete giving their best.

Shooting under direct midday sun is its own challenge. The 32.5MP sensor handled the harshness of open daylight without blowing out detail. The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already in the frame before the moment fully happened.

Athletes were moving fast and in every direction, but the 8.5-stop IBIS kept every shot steady as we moved alongside them.

The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked mid-sprint, mid-climb, and everywhere in between.

This is what race prep looks like up close.

Abegail Manzano, UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year in women’s athletics at UP Diliman, leading the warm-up session.

Jeri Vega Oro from All-female Pop-Rock Band, ROUGE.

In photo: Georgii Brisuela

In photo: JBL PartyBox Encore Essential 2

BGY BYG/Bring Your Game’s Team Captain, Aldrin Collantes

Words and photos by MJ Jucutan.

Computex 2026

Why is AI loved in COMPUTEX but hated in the rest of the world?

Two sides of the same coin.

Published

June 19, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

To cover COMPUTEX 2026, I found myself staying in the Grand Hilai Taipei, a 5-star hotel right beside the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (TaiNEX), the historical home of the annual conference. I can’t help but think of The Grand Budapest Hotel, a Wes Anderson flick about a similarly decadent hotel. But it’s not the plush hotel rooms, the hospitable staff, or the Romanesque public sauna that has me thinking of the iconic 2014 film. Rather, it’s the man of the hour himself, NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang, the king of today’s AI.

In The Grand Budapest Hotel, Ralph Fiennes plays Monsieur Gustave, the eponymous hotel’s flamboyant concierge. Always the life of the party, Gustave blends seamlessly into the hotel’s luxurious pink decor as he cavorts willy-nilly with the elder clientele. While the film flings Gustave around a thrilling chase for a deceased friend’s inheritance, the film’s subtext is one of politics, mistrust, and war. Around the hotel, the world haplessly descends into the geopolitical turmoil that brought about the Second World War. And yet, Gustave remains indifferent, content as he is to be atop his lofty pulpit while luxuriating in L’Air de Panache.

The amicable Gustave as he lures you in.

Jensen Huang, clad in his trademark leather jacket, is our story’s Monsieur Gustave. Much like Gustave, Huang revels in the fanfare around him. In COMPUTEX, he’s a hero adored by the masses. Wherever he goes, fans bend over backwards to take a selfie. His merchandise (and yes, it exists), touting AI-generated versions of him, is constantly sold out. It’s a stark contrast to the world and all its doom-and-gloom for a future bloated with AI.

The silence behind the applause

Before the official start of COMPUTEX, Huang conducted his own keynote speech for NVIDIA. If you’ve been to one of his keynotes in the past, you’ll hardly recognize what it’s become. There’s no more talks of realistic graphics or faster gaming performance. It’s all about AI.

Most of his time was dedicated to Vera Rubin, a multi-rack AI supercomputer destined to power the future’s data centers. Amid the drone of technical jargon (almost bordering on technobabble), I was quietly asking myself what I was doing here. Meanwhile, beside me, an enthusiastic woman clapped with as much fervor as if Huang was the second coming of Christ himself. Even if Huang could hear her individual applause (and he most certainly didn’t), he couldn’t have seen her Googling frantically what a multi-rack AI supercomputer was.

NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin

After what felt like forever on the Vera Rubin, Huang finally talked about a consumer-ready product: the new RTX Spark laptops. Admittedly, my interest was piqued. After all, it’s supposed to be the next evolution of PCs. Cue: more applause.

Although, the subtext here is as loud as the clamor. Though it’s certainly impressive that a single RTX Spark notebook can deliver 1 petaflop of AI performance and 192GB of unified memory, this next big thing is not for you and me. No one wanted to talk about the price of these things; not a single OEM, not even Huang himself.

All the hype is on productivity and profitability. It will make more work and more money… but not for you. If anything, you’ll probably end up worse.

The price of progress

Building a PC these days can bankrupt you just as easily as visiting an American hospital. A decent stick of RAM is no longer as accessible as it was a few years ago. And it’s all thanks to AI.

Touting them as humanity’s next evolution, the world’s biggest tech companies want you, a regular consumer, to believe that the technology is coming to your home. But first, they need acres of real estate for data centers. Several states in America have already relegated land to put up these centers, much to the chagrin of their residents. Despite assurances that newer ones can more effectively balance the load on the grid, these same data centers need a lot of space, power, and water. All three of which are coming from the communities surrounding them. At the time of this writing, some state governments are pushing back against the incoming infrastructure, perhaps realizing the mistake of unimpeded data center developments. The outside world is slowly turning on AI, but it’s not a global crackdown.

These stickers are getting more expensive.

And that’s before the effect of these data centers on regular consumer technology. Besides all that land, they need a horde of silicon. That’s why NVIDIA has stopped positioning itself as a GPU company, and that’s why all the chips just disappeared. All those data centers are buying up the world’s stock of chips. It’s all a matter of supply and demand at that point; scarcity drives prices up, and we’re left to pick up the pieces. The GPU that was supposed to go to your new PC is now inside a data center somewhere in the States.

Even if you don’t live near a data center, you’re still not safe. Companies, especially in the Western world, believe that AI can replace human workers, leading to mass layoffs. To be clear, while AI can help with productivity when used as a tool, a full replacement isn’t the most feasible option yet. In fact, according to Fortune, AI is just a convenient scapegoat when companies simply want to cut labor expenses by any means necessary.

And yet, the party goes on. Huang is adamant that you are on the ground floor of a revolution that will change the world. But, sorry, bucko; that elevator is going up without you.

The mask falls

As tempting as it is to pick on a single target, the NVIDIA CEO wasn’t the only Monsieur Gustave gallivanting around COMPUTEX. Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon had his own keynote speech to herald the annual conference. But, opposed to decadence of Huang’s optimism, Amon lets his mask fall just a tiny bit.

To his credit, Amon didn’t extol Qualcomm’s developments exclusively. Rather, he spoke of the overall effects of AI on our world. It’s, of course, the usual optimistic accoutrements of harder, better, faster, stronger for society. Eventually, his excitement gets the best of him and lets slip some shadier effects.

“6G will turn us all into walking cameras,” he said, talking about how AI will affect connectivity.

Now, to be fair, radio frequency sensing isn’t new technology. It’s already been possible to detect objects using only radio signals. 6G, bolstered by AI, will expand this to cover a much wider area for more possible uses.

Amon himself admits that it was a controversial statement. But perhaps, he doesn’t know (or care) about any potential invasions of privacy. He remains ever-so-confident that the use of 6G for surveillance will ultimately help with public safety and infrastructure.

All I can think of is The Dark Knight‘s Lucius Fox doing the moral thing and shutting off Batman’s mass surveillance system after finding the Joker.

It’s a tiny slip, but it speak volumes. Your privacy is a sacrifice that they’re willing to take.

As if that’s not enough, Amon signs off on his diatribe with a succinct “resistance is futile,” talking to those who still oppose AI.

An odd way to start off a celebration of AI, isn’t it? Traditionally, that phrase is one oft used by villainous characters, but that’s just par for the course in today’s AI-infested world. Peter Thiel, one of the moguls of AI, infamously named his company Palantir, the same malevolent surveillance tool used by Sauron in The Lord of the Rings. For some, masks don’t really exist.

The other concierge

Speaking as someone who keeps his finger on the pulse of AI more on the Western side of the world, it’s strange to see a different side of the coin. Huang and Amon are icons. You can’t last two seconds without seeing a single mention of AI somewhere on the show floor. There’s a palpable electricity when talking about the potential of AI.

And to be fair, when I talked to a few developers and engineers, I can feel the optimism. One talked about a voice assistant that would suggest better gift ideas for her spouse based on their history. Another one passionately talked about how much gaming has been better with DLSS 4.5. They truly believe that AI can work to their (and our) benefit, and I believe them. Underneath the smarminess of tech billionaires are ordinary people who found ways to better society. That’s where the conversation about AI should start.

But that’s not what the people want. The people want the parties, the glitz and the glamor. And all these billionaires desperately want to be the next Steve Jobs, the next Great Gatsby. And everyone else wants someone to hate.

In Taiwan, it’s not easy to hate a Monsieur Gustave that wants to make you feel welcome. It’s much easier to come for a monster taking your land, your jobs, and your money.

In Taiwan, Monsieur Gustave can have his parties, his adoring friends, and his fancy leather jacket. But in the rest of the world, he finds in himself the caretaker of an entirely different hotel, The Shining’s Overlook Hotel. Beneath Monsieur Gustave is Jack Torrance, and he’s always been the caretaker.

“Here’s Jensen!”

The other concierge.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: TECNO SPARK 50 Pro vs SPARK 50 5G

Which afforda-phone SPARKs more joy?

Published

June 18, 2026

Vincenz

Within two months, TECNO separately launched the SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G.

Clearly, the uprising brand aims to target consumers who want to buy a shiny new smartphone within their means. This also meant budget buyers might get confused which to get between the two.

Interested yet still confused? Read more to know which SPARK is your GadgetMatch.

Design

While design is (and will always be) subjective, the design of the TECNO SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G are on two different sides of the coin.

The newer SPARK 50 Pro is offered in stronger color choices — from Midnight Blue to the Dynamic Orange I own. Albeit, there are the less flashy Ink Black, Titanium Grey, and Cloud White shades.

On the other hand, the SPARK 50 5G has classier colorways: Champagne Gold, Mint Green and Fantasy Purple. That’s alongside the subdued Ink Black and Titanium Grey options.

Personally, the SPARK 50 5G’s clean-looking horizontal camera bar design was the clear giveaway. While the SPARK 50 Pro is a bit slimmer at 7.8mm, the SPARK 50 5G is still comfortable to hold despite being thicker at 8.18mm.

Furthermore, the Champagne Gold unit I rock looks more premium and doesn’t try to be in with the unnecessary “orange” trend.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Durability

Usually, design and durability coincide with one another. But, that’s not always the case.

Despite the SPARK 50 5G having an aviation-grade body, it only has an IP64 rating. It can withstand dust particles but, only water splashes and light sprays. Good to note though that it is MIL-STD-810H compliant.

Meanwhile, the less premium-looking SPARK 50 Pro actually boasts the sturdier IP68 and IP69 water and resistance ratings. This means it can withstand dust, water immersion, and even stronger, high-pressure sprays.

This makes the SPARK 50 Pro one of the few phones to have an IP rating previously limited to flagships and higher-end midrangers.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 Pro

Audiovisual

Both the SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G share a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display. Both are also 720p in resolution and refresh rate maxes out at 120Hz.

Obviously, these phones don’t have the best in class displays. But, for such segment and price, having such display tech alongside a punch-hole cutout (instead of a raindrop notch) means a lot.

Stereo speakers are also powered by DTS sound. Undoubtedly, these two phones are like identical twins in this segment.

The only thing that the SPARK 50 5G has the upper-hand is none other than its inclusion of 3.5mm audio jack that the SPARK 50 Pro lacks. Still beneficial for people who fully rely on wired audio.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Performance

While the front part is harder to distinguish from one another, each inner core is what separates these phones apart.

The TECNO SPARK 50 5G is powered by the MediaTek’s Dimensity 6400 SoC.

Of course, it’s not the most powerful out there. But, for its league, it’s a capable chipset that can multitask and run most game titles. Even 5G support never forgotten.

Meanwhile, the SPARK 50 Pro, despite having that “Pro” superlative, only runs the Dimensity G100 Ultimate. CPU speeds are obviously lower. Worse? It’s only limited to 4G speeds.

On the positive note, it gives better camera support.

Memory sizes are available in 4,6, and 8GB with storage options in either 128 or 256GB. Fortunately, these phones still have a dedicated microSD slot.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Camera

With the camera talk already mentioned, most would think that the 50MP main rear camera of the SPARK 50 Pro and SPARK 50 5G are just the same. Well, they’re not.

Photography duties of the SPARK 50 Pro are mainly handled by Sony’s LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) image sensor. For reference, that’s the same image sensor found on most modern midrangers.

The SPARK 50 5G uses an older Sony Exmor sensor. Aperture slightly differ at f/1.9 and f/1.8 respectively.

For further context, here’s how the two smartphones produce photos.

To compensate for that, the SPARK 50 5G tends to over-sharpen and color boost its photo output over SPARK 50 Pro’s natural image rendering.

The SPARK 50 Pro also has a better-looking bokeh falloff than its 5G counterpart.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 Pro

Power

Finally, the highlight of both phones: battery capacity.

ICYMI, the TECNO SPARK 50 Pro has two versions: a single-cell 5600mAh model and a bigger 6000mAh dual-cell version.

The SPARK 50 5G takes it up a notch with an even bigger 6500mAh capacity.

Although that is only a 500mAh (or 900mAh) discrepancy, that battery boost still means a lot for an every day user.

Charging-wise, the SPARK 50 Pro has a faster 60W speed over the regular 45W charging in the 5G version.

IMHO, I would still choose a bigger battery over faster charging speeds. Still, it’s great to have both in a single package.

Editor’s Choice: SPARK 50 5G

Which afforda-phone SPARKs more joy?

If we are going to tally the scores, the clear afforda-phone winner is none other than the TECNO SPARK 50 5G.

It ticks 4 out of 6 boxes — from that classier design to its beastly battery despite that thin chassis. Even better, a 5G-capable chipset and 3.5mm audio jack inclusion that the “Pro” variant simply lacks.