News

The Mate 60 Pro+ and Mate 60 RS are HUAWEI’s best flagships yet

HUAWEI’s direct take on the iPhone 15 Pro Max?

Published

September 25, 2023

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

It seems like HUAWEI is unstoppable with their very confusing way of silently rolling out devices within just two weeks.

The first two phones on the Mate 60 series (Base and Pro variants) were announced in the last week of August. This early September, it seems like the rumors were true after all as the company unveiled their full-on flagship, the HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+. This product unveil was announced alongside the slightly-revamped HUAWEI Mate X5.

UPDATE: The HUAWEI Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design was finally unveiled at the very end of September and completes the 2023 Mate lineup.

Pro+ Reborn

HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro (2020)

It was in 2020 when HUAWEI had a Pro+ model with the Mate 40 series — or the so-we-thought the last of its kind.

HUAWEI Mate 50 Series (2022)

After two years, HUAWEI resurrected the Mate lineup with four different versions — but the Pro+ wasn’t in that list. Instead, the best Mate 50 variant you could get last year was the Porsche Design RS model with great hardware and a stealthier design in mind.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Finally, after three years of hiatus, HUAWEI has finally decided to bring back the Pro+ line to life.

For the flagship-savvy

I’m already gonna spoil you: there are just quite a few (but major) changes that the HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+ has over its “lesser Pro” sibling.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

First, its got better storage and memory configurations for flagship-savvy users. There’s a bigger 16GB RAM. You can also choose between just the 512GB or a whopping 1TB storage option.

If that’s still not enough for your storage needs, HUAWEI’s NM (Nano Memory) card saves the day with its up to 256GB expandability.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Second, unlike its lesser Pro siblings, the Mate 60 Pro+ are only being offered in two classic yet streamlined-looking colorways: Xuanbai (which is white), and Inkstone Black.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Last but definitely not the least, both Pro phones have two major differences in their respective camera department:

	Mate 60 Pro+	Mate 60 Pro
Wide	48MP f/1.4-4.0 Super Spotlight Camera OIS	50MP f/1.4-4.0 Super Optical Camera OIS
Ultra-Wide	40MP f/2.2	12MP f/2.2
Telephoto	48MP f/3.0 3.5x optical zoom 100x digital zoom OIS	48MP f/3.0 3.5x optical zoom 100x digital zoom OIS
Rear	13MP f/2.4 UWA selfie 3D Depth	13MP f/2.4 UWA selfie 3D Depth

Of course, this is with the inclusion of HUAWEI’s excellent XMAGE imaging system.

Best in Class

As the old saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Mate 60 Pro+ still keeps the best in class features that its Pro sibling already have.

On the outside, they’re just like twins: 8.1mm thin and a lightweight smartphone at just 225 grams.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Display specifics are never different: 6.82-inch LTPO OLED Full HD+ display with a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 300Hz touch sampling rate, 1440Hz PWM Dimming, plus DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut and 1.07 Billion Colors support.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Of course, it would be questionable if they didn’t equip it with the new triple punch-hole cutout — which can later be changed to a pill-shaped one via its software settings.

Battery? Still that 5000mAh battery with 88W wired SuperCharge support, 50W through wireless, and 20W when reverse wireless charging is being used.

Last but definitely not the least is found inside its core. The HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+ is also powered by the newest Kirin 9000s chipset in a 7nm process.

Though its official spec sheet say nothing about the CPU it uses, it’s very evident that HUAWEI has invested much of their time and money on R&D just to manufacture their own chips without having to deal with partnership issues alongside other manufacturers. This enables not just 5G connectivity but also the company’s satellite communication technology altogether.

Satellite Service Support

Speaking of, unlike the Mate 60 Pro, the Pro+ version supports both two different Chinese satellite-based services: Beidou and Tiantong.

Beidou satellite tech first made its debut on the HUAWEI Mate X3 and P60 series. This technology doesn’t require any SIM card in order for it to work but has limitations when it comes to sending messages. Making calls are simply impossible.

Whereas Tiantong-based satellite tech prompts the user to insert a SIM card prior using the service. This also means it can do more than messaging such as calls, sending media, and even surfing the web.

Beidou is currently free of charge when sending short messages under public beta testing while Tiantong offers several plans for users to avail — whether it’s for local or international use.

Utmost robustness

The “Xuanwu architecture” (or Xuanwu design) wasn’t forgotten. With an ultra-strong basalt body and ultra-durable brocade fiber material alongside HUAWEI’s very-own second-generation Kunlun Glass, it gives the phone a three-layer protection and strengthens the phone’s overall reliability.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Other flagship features worth keeping are the IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

Ultimate Design

As previously rumored, the long-term collaboration between the fashion brand Porsche Design and the Chinese company has come to an end as the Chinese company didn’t want to renew their partnership that started last 2016 with the Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9. Thus, the Mate 60 RS “Ultimate Design” was born (and actually trademarked by HUAWEI).

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Specs-wise, it’s the same Mate 60 Pro+ but in a classier, more premium aesthetics plus a more intricate craftsmanship. But unlike the Mate 50 RS Porsche Design, there are no differences in this year’s cameras nor device configurations.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

To make it easier to differentiate, the Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design uses a ceramic and metal combo. On the other hand, the Mate 60 Pro+ features leather and metal while the Mate 60 sticks with glass and metal.

You can choose between two bold colors: Ruihong (Red) and Xuanhei (Black on Black).

Pricing and availability

As previously mentioned, the HUAWEI Mate 60 Pro+ and Mate 60 RS Ultimate Design are limited with just two configurations:

Mate 60 Pro+

16GB + 512GB = CNY 8999 (US$ 1231 / EUR 1158 / GBP 1007 / SG$ 1682 / PhP 69,865 / INR 102,319)
16GB + 1TB = CNY 9999 (US$ 1368 / EUR 1286 / GBP 1119 / SG$ 1868 / PhP 77,628 / INR 113,689)

Mate 60 Pro RS Ultimate Design

16GB + 512GB = CNY 11,999 (US$ 1641 / EUR 1543 / GBP 1342 / SG$ 2242 / PhP 93,156 / INR 136,429)
16GB + 1TB = CNY 12,999 (US$ 1778 / EUR 1672 / GBP 1454 / SG$ 2429 / PhP 100,919 / INR 147,799)

Previously, HUAWEI has promised that the pre-ordered Mate 60 Pro+ units are expected to arrive before October 9, 2023 (Monday). It’s later moved to October 21, 2023 (Saturday).

There’s no word on the global availability of these new releases from HUAWEI. Still, don’t keep your expectations too high.

The thought of this phone being equipped with the new 5G Kirin chipset most likely hints that they will have the same fate as the other two Mate 60 models where a company representative confirmed them being solely China-exclusive. Still, we’re crossing our fingers for a global variant of at least the Mate 60 Pro+.

News

TECNO’s SPARK 50 Pro is the latest budget smartphone battery beast

Just two months after the SPARK 50 5G

Published

June 16, 2026

Vincenz

One after another, TECNO launches the SPARK 50 Pro with a beastly battery within. That’s just days after the grand launch of the POVA 8 5G in India.

Built to last

The icing of the cake has got to be the battery of the SPARK 50 Pro. However, the battery capacity will differ depending on where you live.

There’s a 5600mAh dual-cell version and a slightly larger single-cell model hitting the 6000mAh mark.

Still, despite that battery capacity, it measures just 7.8mm thin.

If you’re worried about battery longevity, the SPARK 50 Pro can still last more than 80% of their original battery capacity — even after 1900+ charging cycles in six years.

Charging support is faster at 60W, better than what TECNO’s 45W speeds in their most recent smartphones.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Beneath that battery lies MediaTek’s Helio G100 Ultimate SoC. When it comes to memory, it allows up to 24GB extended thanks to Memory Fusion 4.0.

Up front, there’s a 6.78-inch 120Hz display paired with DTS-supported dual stereo speakers.

Finally, the SPARK 50 Pro also boasts SGS Five-Star durability certification alongside IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance — making it one of the budget-friendly devices to have such durability rating.

More than meets the eye

Unlike the base SPARK 50 5G, the SPARK 50 Pro is powered by a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) main camera. The said sensor promises improved low-light performance compared to typical cameras in its category.

The company is also bringing its TECNO’s very-own FlashSnap capabilities found in higher CAMON series. This feature offers shutter speeds of up to 1/10,000 of a second to better capture fast-moving subjects like pets, sports, or action shots.

Speaking of, TECNO’s Universal Tone technology also returns, aiming to produce more natural-looking skin tones across different environments.

Several AI-powered editing tools are included as well. That includes AI Eraser 2.0 and AI Extender for photos, AI Noise Cancellation for clearer calls, as well as AI Health Assistant. Even Ella as your AI Assistant was not left behind.

For off the grid communication, FreeLink 2.0 exists when needed.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO SPARK 50 Pro comes in five color choices: Ink Black, Titanium Grey, Midnight Blue, Dynamic Orange, and Cloud White.

TECNO has yet to announce official pricing and regional availability.

News

Nothing is coming to over 500 Best Buy stores in the United States

Also available online

Published

June 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As the newest kid on the block, Nothing hasn’t made it terribly easy to grab one of their phones. But that’s all part of the allure. After all, fashion shouldn’t be easy.

Thankfully, all that difficulty isn’t forever. Nothing, together with all its phones and accessories, are coming to over 500 Best Buys across the United States.

It’s been a long time coming. Last year, Nothing expanded first in Canada as part of its push to spread across the North American continent. Now, after all the wait, the brand is finally available in one of the other North American country’s biggest retailers for tech.

From coast to coast, fans of the fashionable brand can grab the Phone (4a) Pro, the Headphone (a), the Phone (3), and the Ear (3) at their nearest Best Buy branch. Alternatively, they can also order any of these devices online through BestBuy.com.

It’s been a quiet year for Nothing. Though the brand successfully launched the Phone (4a) Pro series earlier this year, it has no plans to launch a follow-up to last year’s Phone (3) yet, leaving the flagship market hanging by another year. That said, there’s still much to love about the brand this year, from its heavily notable designs to its capable specs.

India

TECNO’s POVA 8 5G is both futuristic and future-ready

8000mAh battery, Sony LYTIA 600 camera, Alive Matrix display, and more

Published

June 11, 2026

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Four months after the POVA Curve 2 5G, TECNO adds the POVA 8 5G to their performance-focused arsenal.

Futuristic vibe

TECNO’s POVA 8 5G continues the series’ signature sci-fi-inspired design language. The latest smartphone features sharp geometric elements and a semi-transparent rear panel.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

One of its standout features is none other than the new Alive Matrix Display. It’s a customizable light panel on the back that can display 49 pre-loaded lighting effects for incoming calls, notifications, charging status, gaming sessions, and more. Prospective users can also personalize scenarios to match their style and could actually store many more customized effects aside from the pre-loaded ones.

Beside that LED display lies the 50MP main rear camera based on Sony’s LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) sensor. The said sensor offers improved light capture for brighter and more detailed photos. It also supports 2x lossless zoom. Up front, you’ll get a 13MP front-facing shooter.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Powering the device is MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 SoC. That’s paired together with TECNO’s in-house G1 Signal Enhancement Chip and SE1 Wi-Fi Enhancement Chip — making it a triple chipset smartphone.

TECNO says these chips help improve connectivity in challenging environments such as elevators and basements while boosting Wi-Fi reception.

The phone also features a 144Hz display with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification and military-grade durability.

Last but definitely not the least, its 8000mAh battery that can last as much as two days. For some measure, TECNO says the phone can last up to 85+ hours of music playback, 29+ hours of YouTube streaming, 26+ hours of WhatsApp, or 14+ hours of playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

Future-ready

Aside from the beastly battery packed inside, TECNO is also bringing several practical AI tools to the POVA 8 5G.

Among them is AI YouTube Summary. This turns lengthy videos into concise notes with key points and timestamps. The device also features AI-powered noise cancellation that helps isolate the speaker’s voice during calls, recordings, and meetings.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

For photography, AI LightMaster 2.0 can remove unwanted reflections, lens flare, and shadows. The phone also supports uploading Live Photos directly to Instagram as Boomerang.

In select markets, users can even access AI Health features that estimate metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiration through facial scanning technology.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Further solidifying its future readiness, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates.

The company is also bundling three years of FREE 256GB cloud storage for POVA 8 5G users. Eligible markets can also receive a 3-month Google AI Plus trial which includes 2TB of cloud storage.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO POVA 8 5G debuts first in India and is available in 16-Bit White, Terminal Green, and Plasma Orange colorways.

Specific pricing and availability in global markets are yet to follow along these four color choices: Arc White, Graphite Black, Echo Green, and Helios Orange.