Honor Magic Vs Honor Magic Vs

Hands-On

HONOR Magic Vs Hands-on: Disruptor in the making

Looks like Samsung is about to have a decent rival

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Foldable smartphones aren’t going away. In fact, more and more smartphone brands are coming up with unique form factors that they can brag about.

While I’m never the target market of a foldable smartphone, it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good design when I see one.

Such is the case for the Honor Magic Vs, which was launched last November 2022.

Cracked the code

At a glance, the Honor Magic Vs looks inconspicuously familiar. The rear design looks like your tall, boxy slate. You wouldn’t realize it’s a foldable smartphone unless you’ve taken a peek on the side or if you’ve seen someone unfold it.

When folded, it doesn’t look thick since it’s eerily familiar to most bulky smartphones. The fingerprint scanner sits below the volume rockers, although both features are placed on different edges when opened.

Unfolded, the fingerprint scanner will remain on the right while the volume rockers are accessible on the left side. On its top, you can find its speaker grilles and mic. Meanwhile, the bottom side houses the SIM tray and a USB-C port. Here you’ll also find another set of speaker grilles.

Unfolding the device feels smooth. I didn’t feel any resistance on its hinge yet it still felt durable enough. It also didn’t feel heavy on the hand when unfolded. The Honor Magic Vs weighs 261g, almost the same as the Galaxy Z Fold4 at 263g, yet it feels significantly lighter whether folded or unfolded.

And despite all the thin and lightweight feel, the Magic Vs felt it had a robust build, thanks to its magnesium alloy frame. It still looks delicate, though. All foldable phones do.

What’s different?

Honor Magic Vs

What sets the Magic Vs apart is how it really looks like a regular smartphone when folded. The cover display comes with a 6.45-inch OLED screen capable of 120Hz refresh rate, support for HDR10+, and reaches a maximum brightness of up to 1200 nits.

Since Honor’s independence from Huawei, the Magic Vs runs Magic UI 7 based on Android 12 and comes with Google Mobile Services. It really does look like your average slate, except it can still unfold and look bigger.

It extends its screen to 7.9 inches when unfolded, although the performance is a bit toned-down with only 90Hz refresh rate capability and a maximum brightness of up to 800 nits.

In a way, the Honor Magic Vs cracked the code when it comes to foldable design. It found a sweet spot that works with average users, not just tech-savvy individuals who want cutting-edge technology at their disposal.

A noteworthy rival?

Back in 2019, Samsung and Huawei went toe-to-toe in producing the best foldable smartphone. Samsung took the crown when Huawei lost Google Mobile Services due to former President Trump’s meltdown against the Chinese company.

Huawei continued to showcase its excellence in robust engineering and innovative design through its foldable lineup. However, it still struggled in marketing its devices due to the inaccessibility of Google Mobile Services.

Meanwhile, Honor’s foldable lineup seems to be unbothered — taking notes from the refinement of Huawei’s devices while following in the steps of Samsung’s legacy.

The Honor Magic Vs runs on Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 with a 4nm chip and an Adreno 730 GPU. On paper alone, the foldable lineup promises a flagship performance that might even rival the Galaxy Z Fold4.

However, let’s save that conversation for next time. For now, let’s see how the Honor Magic Vs fares against the current leading foldable smartphone.

Up front, the Galaxy Z Fold4 has a narrower cover display which we’ve mentioned a couple of times already in our previous stories and videos. The Honor Magic Vs looks similar to your average smartphone, which provides plenty of screen real estate apt for scrolling, watching videos, and playing games.

On the rear, the Galaxy Z Fold4 has a smooth, subtle design with graceful curves. Meanwhile, the Honor Magic Vs comes with a frosted and textured finish. Aside from their sizes, the differences in camera islands are easily distinguishable.

The Honor Magic Vs obviously comes with an insanely large camera bump. It houses a 54-megapixel main shooter, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera.

Design-wise, surely, the Honor Magic Vs is winning. It’s thinner, easier to hold, and looks like your familiar slab phone even though it’s foldable. However, there are more things to consider especially in how Samsung still holds the crown in terms of software and display.

Nevertheless, the Honor Magic Vs’ entrance should make Samsung feel its presence. They can’t afford to be complacent when a dark horse is just around the corner, ready to run the course.

Camera modes

Just like the Galaxy Z Fold4 and even the Huawei Mate Xs 2, the Honor Magic Vs comes with different camera modes that suits any user’s preference and shooting style.

The Honor Magic Vs carries a punch-hole camera for its selfie shooter, as seen on its cover display and even when unfolded.

The front camera uses a 16-megapixel wide lens that’s appropriate for selfies.

Honor Magic Vs

On its rear, as mentioned before, carries a triple camera system inside a humongous camera bump.

Honor Magic Vs

It’s apt for shooting in different modes — suitable for mobile photographers since they’ll have a versatile set of cameras at their disposal.

The cover screen is also accessible so that your subject can have a preview of themselves when you’re taking their photos.

Honor Magic Vs

However, I’ve been using it differently. Using gestures, you can flip the foldable when unfolded, and have the rear cameras take your photos instead for a crisper and more vibrant shot.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

It’s too early to tell whether the Honor Magic Vs can be your GadgetMatch. With an RMB 7,499  price tag in China and its availability still coming to more regions before 2022 ends and in the 1st quarter of 2023, the asking price is still steep when converted.

However, it’s much cheaper when compared to other flagship foldable smartphones that retail at USD 2,000. If you’re still part of the crowd who love having cutting-edge technology and first-generation products, the Honor Magic Vs might be worth checking out.

Honor Magic Vs

For what it’s worth, the Honor Magic Vs offers a presence that Samsung should never take lightly. It has the potential to shake the foldable category if it continues to improve.

It continues Huawei’s legacy in terms of hardware, with Honor’s proprietary software features that take after Huawei and EMUI serving a smooth and seamless experience, combined with an elegant blend of engineering, technology, and design.

It’s like a dark horse waiting for its moment to take the crown. Eventually, we’ll be witness to it.

Hands-On

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Series Hands-on

And everything announced during Apple’s September 2026 Event

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The latest Apple event isn’t just about the shiny new Apple Duo. There’s a lot to talk about!

In this video, we break down everything Apple has announced during their September 2026 keynote.

First, there’s the updated iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. That’s alongside their design and color changes, battery and performance improvements. Even that massive camera upgrade.

There’s even the ANC-infused AirPods 5 alongside the newer Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Plus, the latest software updates coming to both these wearables.

So, are these worth the upgrade?

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Accessories

OBSBOT Meet Flip Hands-on

It’s tinier and folds this time

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Phones flip and fold. Now webcams do too.

Foldable screens have found their way into phones, tablets, and laptops in recent years. Now, OBSBOT is taking that idea in a considerably smaller direction: the webcam.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

The OBSBOT Meet Flip is the company’s first foldable 4K webcam packing:

  • 1/2-inch stacked CMOS sensor
  • intelligent audio
  • a collection of AI-powered meeting tools

All of these inside a body weighing just 37.7 grams.

A fold that does something, not just a gimmick

The OBSBOT Meet Flip isn’t foldable just to make it easier to throw into a bag.

Closing the webcam physically blocks the lens and puts the device into sleep mode. Open it when you want to be seen, flip it shut when you don’t.

A physical privacy cover isn’t novel in itself. What’s clever here is how it’s part of the folding design.

As someone with a love-hate relationship with data privacy, I almost always keep some physical barrier over my laptop webcam. And if I can avoid having a webcam there entirely, even better.

Serious camera hardware in a pocket-sized webcam

Despite its size, OBSBOT hasn’t treated the Meet Flip like a basic laptop-camera replacement.

Inside is a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology, capable of recording 4K UHD at 30 fps or 1080p at 60 fps. It also packs an f/1.8 aperture, HDR, PDAF autofocus, ISO 100–6400, and up to 4x digital zoom.

At its core is a 1/2-inch Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor with Quad Bayer technology.

It can record:

  • 4K UHD at 30fps
  • 1080p at 60fps

You also get:

  • f/1.8 aperture
  • HDR
  • PDAF autofocus
  • ISO 100–6400
  • up to 4x digital zoom

On paper, that gives the Meet Flip a better shot at handling the situations built-in laptop webcams often struggle with: dim rooms, harsh backlighting, changing lighting conditions, or simply moving around in front of the camera.

HDR helps keep faces visible against bright backgrounds, while PDAF autofocus continuously adjusts focus as you move closer to or farther from the lens.

The wider f/1.8 aperture should also help in less-than-ideal lighting.

The point is that once the Meet Flip is set up, you shouldn’t have to spend much time thinking about the camera itself.

It listens differently depending on the room setup

The Meet Flip also uses an intelligent dual-microphone system combining omnidirectional and directional microphones.

Instead of relying on one pickup pattern for every situation, it offers four audio modes for different setups:

Directional Mode focuses on sound coming from the front, making it the obvious choice for solo calls.

Dual-Directional Mode listens to both the front and rear of the webcam, which could be useful for interviews or conversations between two people sitting across from each other.

Conference Meeting

Smart Omni Mode is designed for group meetings, picking up voices from around the room.

And Pure Audio Mode provides unprocessed left and right stereo channels for users who would rather handle the audio themselves in post-production.

Auto Gain and AI Noise Reduction also work across the first three modes, helping clean up audio without requiring much manual adjustment.

It gives the Meet Flip more flexibility than a typical webcam microphone, especially if you regularly switch between solo calls, interviews, and group meetings.

AI that doesn’t intrude

AI has become an almost obligatory addition to new hardware in 2026, but several of the Meet Flip’s features put it to work on real-world meeting annoyances.

AI Auto Framing keeps you in frame, with options for:

  • Group
  • Single Close-up
  • Upper Body
  • Full Body

Gesture controls can also toggle Auto Framing or adjust the zoom without reaching for a keyboard or mouse.

OBSBOT Meet Flip

More interesting is AI Magic Notes.

Through OBSBOT Center, it provides real-time transcription and can automatically generate meeting summaries with key points, decisions, and action items. It works across Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.

Although AI Magic Notes is offered as a subscription service, every Meet Flip includes 120 complimentary minutes to get started.

MORE with OBSBOT Center & OBSBOT Live

There are plenty of other software features as well. OBSBOT Center includes:

  • Background Blur and Background Replacement
  • Real-Time Beauty Mode
  • Picture-in-Picture overlays
  • Smart Eye Tracking
  • Teleprompter support
  • Detailed image adjustments

The Meet Flip isn’t limited to laptops or desktops either. Through OBSBOT Live, it can connect directly to smartphones and tablets over USB-C for mobile streaming and content creation.

Flip it open. Fold it away.

None of those features reinvent the webcam on their own.

Taken together, though, they make the Meet Flip a more thoughtful take on a piece of hardware whose basic design and features have barely changed.

The flip may grab your attention first, but it’s how OBSBOT uses that design alongside its camera, audio, and software features that makes the Meet Flip interesting.

The OBSBOT Meet Flip is now available at US$ 119 and is currently available through OBSBOT’s official store, Amazon US, and select retailers.

&

@gadgetmatchPhones flip. Now webcams do too. 👀 Meet the OBSBOT Meet Flip, a tiny foldable 4K webcam with a lot packed inside. ✨

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

If you buy one, here’s what you’ll get out of the box!

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Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

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DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

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