Features

Huawei Mate 10 vs Mate 10 Pro: Which one do you choose?

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Huawei launched a total of three Mate 10 series phones yesterday, and while the Porsche Design edition is unique on its own, the other two are a little more difficult to differentiate from one another. Let’s fix that.

Normally when you go for the Pro model of a certain smartphone, you’re bound to get the better deal. That isn’t the case however with the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro. The non-Pro has version has its own distinct advantages, which we’ll get into now.

Design

They’re both good-looking handsets, but choosing one design over the other is highly subjective.

For one, the Mate 10 Pro has that tall 18:9 ratio screen that’s gradually becoming the industry standard thanks to support from several other brands. However, this pushes the fingerprint scanner to the back. Some may prefer the wider 16:9 ratio of the regular Mate 10 which also provides space for the front-mounted fingerprint sensor.

As shown above, color options are slightly different, as well. Pink gold and mocha brown are the common offerings; black and champagne gold are exclusive to the Mate 10, while titanium gray and midnight blue are found on the Mate 10 Pro. Take your pick.

Lastly, there’s the difference in water and dust resistance. The Mate 10 Pro comes with an IP67 rating, giving it decent protection against the elements. The plain Mate 10 and its IP rating-less body are less fortunate, but it should be able to handle light spills like most modern devices.

Specifications

Despite having the same processor (Kirin 970), software (EMUI 8.0 on top of Android 8.0 Oreo), and battery capacity (4000mAh with fast charging), there are some notable specs you have to consider.

Interestingly, the Mate 10 has a more pixel-packed display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 on its 5.9-inch LCD compared to the 2160 x 1080 pixels of the Mate 10 Pro’s 6-inch OLED panel. But the density won’t be that noticeable if you compare them side by side, especially since both screens also natively support HDR (high dynamic range) content.

Another way for Huawei to separate the two models is by offering a better memory and storage configuration for the Mate 10 Pro; it comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of integrated storage. The Mate 10 delivers slightly less with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage, but the latter is expandable using a microSD card.

And then we have the possible deal-breaker: The Mate 10 Pro doesn’t come with a 3.5mm audio port for some reason. It’s a head-scratching move on Huawei’s part and makes choosing between the two even more difficult.

Their Leica-infused cameras are identical, by the way, just the way it should be. You get the same 12-megapixel color camera at the back coupled with a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor. The former is optically stabilized for steadier shots and both have super-bright f/1.6 aperture openings. A more basic 8-megapixel shooter is found on the front of the two smartphones.

Value

Retailing for EUR 100 less than the Mate 10 Pro, the Mate 10 manages to have its own advantages.

The 3.5mm headphone jack is invaluable to some; the wider and more pixel-dense screen may be more manageable; and the inclusion of a front-mounted fingerprint reader and microSD card slot can potentially improve the phone’s usability. The Mate 10 also has the same capable cameras as its more expensive sibling.

So, what does the Mate 10 Pro offer to justify its EUR 799 price? It looks more like a 2017 flagship with its near-borderless display and water resistance; the additional memory and storage are more future-proof; and there’s arguably a better selection of colors.

To get a definite answer as to which of these two Mate 10 variants is your GadgetMatch, you’ll have to wait for our full reviews.

SEE ALSO: Huawei unveils Porsche Design Mate 10

[irp posts=”22372″ name=”Huawei unveils Porsche Design Mate 10″]

Tutorials

How to set up Apple Pay on your iPhone

It’s as easy as a single tap.

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Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!

Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.

Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:

Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”

Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.

Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.

Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.

Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.

Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.

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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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Features

GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey

A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.

It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.

Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.

While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.


All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

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