Philippines

HONOR Magic V3 Philippine price, Globe GPlan offer

Flagship foldable makes Philippines debut

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The flagship foldable smartphone HONOR Magic V3 is now in the Philippines. HONOR’s latest book-style foldable, and currently the world’s thinnest so far, boasts of innovations in durability, battery, display, and AI tech.

Launched in partnership with network provider Globe, the HONOR Magic V3 is now available in the country under Globe GPlan 2499.

Customers interested in getting the HONOR Magic V3 (12GB+512GB) can purchase via Globe for a one-time cashout of PhP 31,600.

As part of the Philippine launch, HONOR is also offering a free HONOR Pad X9 for every subscription, until December 31, 2024.

The plan comes with 25GB of mobile data and unlimited all-net calls and texts.

It’s also available on GPlan Plus 1799 for an initial cashout of PhP 38,400.

Pricing

If you wish to purchase the foldable flat-out, the official Philippine price is PhP 89,999. It comes with a free HONOR Pad X9 until December 1, 2024.

HONOR Magic V3

Announced globally at IFA 2024 two months ago, the Magic V3 has a folded thickness of 9.2 millimeters and weighs only 226 grams. It has a 6.43-inch external display and a 7.92-inch internal foldable screen. Both LTPO OLED panels are fortified by anti-scratch shields as well.

The foldable also incorporates a Special Fiber into its body material to enhance its impact resistance. Moreover, it has HONOR’s SGS Durability-certified Super Steel Hinge to withstand 500,000 folding cycles.

Beyond its form factor and flagship durability, the Magic V3 boasts of displays with Dolby Vision, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, DCI-P3 wide color gamut, 1.07 billion colors, and 4320Hz PWM Dimming.

Best AI foldable phone?

The Magic V3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Adreno 750 graphics. Inside, the foldable also has a 5,150mAh Silicon-Carbon battery with support for 66W wired and 50W wireless SuperCharge.

It runs on HONOR’s MagicOS platform, so users can be assured of some of HONOR’s familiar on-device AI tech.

There’s AI Motion Sensing, AI Eraser, Face-to-Face Translation, and Translation tools under HONOR Notes. There’s also the brand’s signature Magic Portal and Parallel Space.

For more on the HONOR Magic V3, check the full review here: HONOR Magic V3: Light and thin for the win

Built with Google Cloud AI

Furthermore, the Magic V3 harnesses the power of Google Cloud AI. Announced last month, the foldable now comes with Circle to Search, powered by Google.

If you’re familiar with Google Lens, Circle to Search basically does the same, but with more precision. Users can try the feature with either a stylus or just their fingers. Simply encircle a part of an image and search results will instantly be pulled up based on the object.

Circle to Search has several practical applications, from research all the way to shopping. The same goes if you just want to recall more information about a photo you took. The AI-powered feature is definitely a big help.

It’s one of those AI capabilities on your phone that you’d rather have and not need, instead of need but not have.

And Circle to Search isn’t the only AI feature on the HONOR Magic V3. The world’s thinnest book-style foldable is equipped with AI Eraser, Face to Face Translation, and HONOR Notes, among other pro-grade productivity features.

HONOR also introduced AI Defocus Eye Protection and AI Deepfake Detection technologies to address health and safety concerns associated with smartphone usage.

News

Shokz OpenFit Pro launches at Power Mac Center, brings open-ear noise reduction

Open-ear, now quieter

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Shokz OpenFit Pro

There’s a certain kind of listener this is built for. The kind who wants music on, but not the world off.

That’s exactly where the new Shokz OpenFit Pro steps in. Now officially available at Power Mac Center, the latest from Shokz pushes open-ear audio further with a feature that feels almost contradictory at first: noise reduction—without shutting you out.

It’s a balancing act. And from what we’ve seen at the launch, it’s one Shokz is leaning into hard.

Open-ear, but with focus when you need it

Shokz OpenFit Pro

The headline feature here is Open-Ear Noise Reduction—a first for Shokz.

Instead of sealing your ears like traditional ANC earbuds, the OpenFit Pro keeps its signature open design. You still hear your surroundings, but now you can dial in a “focus mode” when things get too noisy.

It works through a triple-mic system paired with an ear-adaptive algorithm, which predicts in-ear noise and counters it with reverse sound waves. The result isn’t total silence, but a cleaner listening experience in places like offices, gyms, or busy streets.

It’s not about isolation. It’s about control.

Bigger sound, richer detail

Shokz is also going after better sound this time.

The OpenFit Pro uses a new Shokz SuperBoost™ dual-diaphragm driver, designed to deliver deeper bass and more detailed highs while keeping distortion low. The 11 × 20 mm driver performs like a larger speaker, giving it more room to breathe compared to typical open-ear buds.

There’s also Dolby Atmos support with head tracking, adding a more immersive layer—especially for supported content.

Built to stay on, all day

Comfort is still a big part of the pitch.

The earbuds use Ultra-Soft Silicone 2.0 and a flexible nickel-titanium ear hook that adapts to different ear shapes. They’re designed to stay secure whether you’re working out, walking, or just going through your day.

The build leans premium too, with an ultra-slim aluminum unibody design that keeps things lightweight and clean.

Calls, battery, and everyday extras

On the practical side, the OpenFit Pro checks a lot of boxes:

  • AI-powered triple-mic system for clearer calls (with wind resistance up to 25 km/h)
  • Up to 50 hours total battery with the case
  • Up to 12 hours listening time (6 hours with noise reduction on)
  • 10-minute quick charge = up to 4 hours playback
  • Qi wireless charging support
  • Multipoint pairing, smart wear detection, and Bluetooth 6.1

It’s also IP55-rated, making it suitable for workouts and light rain.

A different take on listening

Open-ear audio has always been about awareness and comfort.

With the OpenFit Pro, Shokz is trying to add a third layer: focus on demand.

It doesn’t replace traditional noise-cancelling earbuds. It doesn’t try to. Instead, it gives you the option to stay present—while still tuning the noise down when it matters. And for a lot of people, that might be the better everyday choice.

Price and availability

The Shokz OpenFit Pro retails for Php 14,990 or PhP 2498.33/mo for six months with select credit cards. It’s available in Power Mac Center locations nationwide.

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Gaming

God of War: Sons of Sparta takes a more contained approach to Kratos

Filipino devs were part of it.

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God of War Sons of Sparta

There’s a version of God of War that lives in most people’s heads. It’s loud. Cinematic. Heavy with consequence. The kind of game that feels bigger than you.

God of War: Sons of Sparta isn’t that. At least, not in the way you expect.

It’s more contained. 2D. Pixel art. But spend a little time with it, and you start to see what it’s trying to do. Not replace the modern games. Not outdo them.

Just… revisit something familiar from a different angle.

A different take on Kratos

Instead of gods and world-ending stakes, Sons of Sparta focuses on Kratos earlier in his life, training as a Spartan alongside Deimos. It’s more contained. More personal.

You’re still fighting through brutal encounters. But the framing feels different. Less about destiny, more about who Kratos was before everything spiraled. And somehow, even in pixel form, it still feels like God of War.

Where Filipino developers come in

One of the more interesting parts of this project is how it came together.

Mega Cat Studios worked closely with Santa Monica Studio to build the game. That includes a strong presence from their Philippine team.

But it’s not framed as a separate unit.

“There is no separation between Mega Cat Pittsburgh and Mega Cat Philippines,” says Art Director Janley Clavio.
“We operate as one phalanx, and were part of the game from the beginning.”

That last part shifts the narrative from “support work” to actual collaboration.

The kind of work you feel more than you see

The team contributed to environment art, asset production, and overall polish across different areas of the game. Not the flashy headline stuff. But the kind that shapes how the game feels moment to moment.

“Our work supports the player experience without pulling attention away from the story,” Clavio explains.

Think temple interiors and ruined battlefields. Small details that hint at what happened in a place before you got there. It’s subtle. But it adds up.

Staying true to God of War—even in 2D

Working on God of War comes with a certain weight. Fans know how this world is supposed to look and feel. So, even if Sons of Sparta shifts genres, the expectation doesn’t really change.

“We had to make sure it wasn’t just any retro pixel art game—it had to be a God of War pixel art game,” Clavio says.

That meant studying the details. How materials look. How lighting behaves. How environments guide you. And then translating all of that into something simpler—but still recognizable.

A team that knows when to hold back

One thing that stands out from the conversation is restraint. There’s an understanding that when you’re working on something like God of War, you don’t need to reinvent everything. You just need to get it right.

“When you’re working on something fans already love, your job is to enhance it—not reinvent it.”

That mindset shows up across the game. It respects what came before, but still finds space to do its own thing.

Small details, personal touches

There are also a few quiet nods tucked into the game. Nothing too obvious. Nothing that breaks immersion. But enough for the team to leave their mark.

“For our Filipino artists, it’s a point of pride knowing that a little piece of our culture helped shape a world millions of players will explore.”

It’s not something the game calls attention to. But it’s there.

Not just another spin-off

Sons of Sparta is easy to label as a side project. And sure, it kind of is.

But it’s also a good example of what happens when different teams come together with a clear understanding of what they’re building.

A more contained God of War game that still feels like it belongs. A different perspective on a familiar story. And a project where Filipino developers weren’t just involved. They were part of the process from the start.

It doesn’t try to be the biggest entry in the series. And honestly, it doesn’t need to be.

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Accessories

Jackery SolarSaga series: Free power for small devices

Portable solar panels can charge small gadgets directly

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As fuel prices continue to surge as of late, one of the ways to make up for the additional expenses is to turn to alternative power sources. That’s including solar power.

And Jackery is here to help Philippine consumers, with the availability of their portable SolarSaga panels.

These solar panels are an alternative to traditional and permanently installed rooftop solar panels. They are engineered for modern and mobile life with portable, lightweight, and sleek designs. They are built primarily to be set up and put away easily, and charge small devices directly.

Simply put the Jackery SolarSaga panels where sunlight is available, and it will convert up to 25% of sunlight into usable energy.

To charge small gadgets like phones and portable fans, or even smartwatches, the SolarSaga panels come with a USB-C and USB-A port.

Another way is connecting the SolarSaga to Jackery’s Explorer power stations like the Explorer 300 Plus or 1000 Plus.

From there, users can power up devices, essentially for free. On its own, the Jackery SolarSaga panels are available in 100W and 200W variants.

The panels are also IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. This makes them usable outdoors when brought to adventures like camping, picnics, or beach trips.

The panels are already available through Jackery’s Lazada and Shopee platforms, as well as Techroom’s Lazada and Shopee accounts.

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