I’m suffering from foldable withdrawal. For the better part of the past month or so, I’ve had both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Huawei Mate X3. As of writing, it’s been a little over a week since I let go of both book-style foldable smartphones. I badly miss using a foldable.
It took five generations of the Galaxy Z Fold and the rest of the pack to come up with a slimmer foldable design for me to realize that I might be the target market of this device after all.
It wasn’t until I really had to start going out and attending physical events that I felt the need for this specific type of gadget. Why? Well, over the years, I’ve gotten used to bringing a laptop wherever I go. But the events I’ve gone to of late, I realized I didn’t really need to bring one.
In order to lighten the load I carry when I step out for an event or two in a day, I figured I’d switch over to an 11-inch tablet instead. It’s lighter while still giving me access to a full-sized keyboard making tasks like copy editing and long email replies easier. I did that for a while. But then, the review units for the foldables arrived.
Living the foldable life
With the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 in hand, I realized I could make my events loadout even lighter. In a pocket I could carry a device that can handle all the tasks I did as an editor. I can preview videos on it and still spot changes because of the larger screen. I can comfortably sit down somewhere to copy edit an article. I can step aside for a little bit to quickly respond to emails or chats. All that and more. It truly is the productivity gadget it’s marketed to be.
The Galaxy Z Fold5’s outer screen is too narrow when folded.
But I had one gripe about the Galaxy Z Fold5. The only time I could enjoyably use it folded is when I’m trying to take clips for a Reel or just generally taking videos and photos. I’m not saying the outer screen isn’t usable. It is. However, it just doesn’t feel right. And for all the strides it has made in software, the Galaxy Z Fold5’s hardware design feels dated.
Enter the Huawei Mate X3. As cliche as it sounds, this thing felt like an engineering marvel the first time I held it. The design fulfilled the promise of having the best of both worlds: a regular smartphone and a mini tablet. It would have been perfect, but it’s only truly available in China. And Google Mobile Services or GMS still isn’t present on Huawei smartphones.
Some snaps comparisons
While we’re at it. Here’s what photos look like on both devices. To make things easy, everything on the left was taken with the Galaxy Z Fold5 and everything on the right was taken with the Mate X3.
The difference in the color science is very evident. In night time and lowlight scenarios, the Galaxy Z Fold5 works overtime in processing the images. With people present, the results look nice. But with general scenes, it tends to create a halo effect on some lights and appears to bright.
Meanwhile, the Mate X3 was outstanding in most scenes but struggled somewhat when people were present in the shots. And the selfie had some pretty obvious smoothing and beautification applied.
Overall, these are still pretty darn good shots for foldables. All were taken using the main camera of each smartphone. Foldables still also need time to develop for other lenses like utlra wide and telephoto/zoom.
Frustration sets in
The Huawei Mate X3 is the lightest, thinnest book-style foldable I’ve personally held so far. It would have been my dream foldable had it been running a software that worked like on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5.
Yes, I am aware of the existence of the HONOR Magic V2 and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3. But the former’s actual global unit hasn’t been released yet and the latter, like Huawei, is only made for China. For now, at least.
The Mate X3 is visibly thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold5.
Hardware-wise, all three are definitely ahead of Samsung. When folded, the foldable does feel like a regular slab of a smartphone. But unfold it and you get the benefits of a mini tablet. But the software on these devices just hasn’t caught up to Samsung just yet.
Left: Mate X3, Right: Galaxy Z Fold5. We pressed the Instagram app at the same time and there was noticeable delay on the Mate X3.
On the Galaxy Z Fold5, when folded, my other devices detect it as a smartphone. Unfolded, it registers as a tablet. And many of the apps I use like GMail, Spotify, YouTube, and more automatically and seamlessly switch from smartphone to tablet user interfaces when I fold and unfold the device.
At certain angles, the crease on the Galaxy Z Fold5 is more visible.
Viewed directly, the crease is barely seen on either device.
This is what’s really been grinding my gears. As of writing, I have yet to use a book-style foldable that’s an absolute slam dunk. The form-factor, after all, is just around five years old so there’s still plenty of room for growth.
Staying patient and holding out hope
The smartphones we use today weren’t always as good as they are now. It also took years before the updates, especially on flagship smartphones, to merely become iterative additions. They have evolved so much that they’re now borderline boring especially if you’re just a casual follower of tech trends. That’s what makes the foldable segment so exciting.
Just seeing the hardware and software gap means there’s plenty of tweaking left for these manufacturers to do. And Samsung, while still firmly leading the market should feel the pressure from the likes of HONOR, Huawei, and Xiaomi when it comes to hardware design. Software-wise, it appears no one else comes close. Not even Pixel Fold. Not yet, at least. Then there’s also OPPO’s Find N series that has a stouter look which also has its fans, including yours truly.
Unfolded, these are essentially mini tablets.
At the end of 2022, we predicted 2023 to be the year of foldables. It hasn’t quite blown up the way we thought it would. But there’s race brewing in this segment and everyone’s gearing up to overtake Samsung.
My ideal foldable doesn’t exist yet. It may not exist even in 2024. But I’m staying patient and holding out hope that it’s coming sooner rather than later.
Features
Why the OPPO Reno15 5G series is a creator’s essential
4K Ultra-Steady, 50MP groufies, and AI edits in one device.
There are two kinds of travel essentials: the ones you pack because you have to, and the ones you pack because they make the story better.
Often, we feel forced to choose between traveling light and bringing the bulky gear necessary to document the trip properly.
On your next trip, the OPPO Reno15 5G Series eliminates that compromise. With a thoughtful mix of hardware and software, it becomes your pocket-sized production crew, ready to capture life as it unfolds.
The crew in your pocket
The first rule of travel is to keep things light, but for a creator, “light” cannot mean lower quality.
Whether you are navigating crowded night markets or chasing the golden hour on a steep, adventurous rooftop, the 4K Ultra Steady feature ensures your footage looks composed even when the environment is chaotic.
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This stabilization changes the energy of a travel vlog, turning handheld montages into polished, cinematic clips that are ready for a Reel the moment you hit save.
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Capturing everything and everyone
Travel stories are built on shared memories, but too often, the person behind the lens is left out.
Group shots often become a messy scramble to squeeze everyone into a tight frame. The 50MP Selfie Camera changes that outcome with its 0.6x ultra-wide-angle mode
It captures the entire group with sharp detail across the frame, ensuring no one is relegated to the blurry edges.
Even if you need to crop the image later for a specific social media layout, faces remain clear and the background stays defined.
The result is a “groufie” that feels complete and professional
Scroll-stopping memories
We often summarize our trips through collages: layered photos that tell a single story.
The AI Motion Photo Popout tool brings a new dimension to these memories. With a few taps in the Gallery, the subject separates from the background to create a sophisticated, layered effect.
These edits serve as the perfect foundation for Instagram Story covers, Reel thumbnails, or high-quality personal wallpapers.
It’s a subtle digital adjustment that makes a visible difference in how your audience experiences your journey.
Reliability for the modern creator.
A smartphone is no longer just a gadget; it is a creative partner. The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G features a sleek design that looks at home beside a passport or a boarding pass.
It’s light enough for long days of exploration but polished enough for high-end city trips. The reliable battery life supports early flights, full-day itineraries, and even late-night uploads.
You’ll spend less time searching for an outlet and more time capturing the moments that matter.
Which OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is your GadgetMatch?
The series offers variants designed to fit your specific creative style.
Pick the OPPO Reno15 5G if you want a balanced everyday companion, and if you want flexibility and reliability without overcomplicating the process.
There’s the OPPO Reno15 Pro; the choice for creators where photography and videography are the main event, offering enhanced tools in a compact form.
But if you’re a value-conscious traveler who wants a practical entry point that provides core camera and AI features, then the OPPO Reno15 F 5G is your GadgetMatch.
Whichever you choose, the series proves that a travel accessory can do more than complement an outfit. It preserves your stories because it doubles as a content creator’s must-have tool.
The OPPO Reno15 Series 5G is now available in OPPO stores nationwide and the OPPO Online Store.
SEE MORE: The art of being in and behind the frame | OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review
@gadgetmatch A phone that does more… so you can focus more on the moments that matter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra lets Galaxy AI handle the small stuff so you can stay present for the moments that matter. Also great for the occasional KPop concert video. Pre-order until March 17 and get double storage worth up to PhP 14,000. https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s26-ultra/buy/ #GalaxyS26Ultra #EverydaywithGalaxyAI @samsungph ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch
Here’s the dream: a phone that helps you stay on top of things, so you can focus more on what matters.
That’s basically the idea behind Galaxy AI on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Instead of adding more things to do, the phone helps take care of the small stuff for you. Things like reminding you what’s next, or surfacing the information you need right when you need it.
So you spend less time digging through apps and more time actually doing the things you planned to do.
Editing photos is easier too. With Photo Assist, you can just describe the change you want… and Galaxy AI fills in the rest.
And if you’re cleaning up a video, Audio Eraser can reduce background noise — even from clips on third-party apps like Instagram or YouTube.
The point isn’t to make your phone the center of attention. It’s to make it helpful enough that you can forget about it for a while. Until something worth capturing happens.
And when things get a little chaotic — like concerts, street performances, or just life moving fast — Super Steady Video helps keep your shots level.
That’s definitely coming with me to the next K-pop concert.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra. Smarter phone. Slightly less stressed me.
Pre-orders are open now — with double storage for early buyers, plus additional discounts and installment offers from participating banks.
Which is great… because apparently I shoot way too many videos.
For more than a decade, the smartphone industry has been defined by a familiar race. More megapixels. Faster processors. Bigger batteries. Thinner designs. Being first. Being the most. And being the fastest.
The industry rewarded brands that appeared to be chasing specs. Bigger numbers meant progress. At least on paper.
But if you ask Samsung, the days of chasing specs may no longer define the future of Galaxy smartphones.
During a regional roundtable following the launch of the latest Galaxy devices, I asked TM Roh how the company decides when it’s time for a major hardware upgrade if it isn’t simply chasing specs.
His answer revealed how Samsung now approaches the future of its flagship smartphones.
According to Roh, hardware upgrades are increasingly tied to how well they support Galaxy AI.
“To make Galaxy AI run smoothly, it must be backed by strong hardware,” Roh said during the session, speaking through a translator. He added that Samsung develops its hardware, software, and AI capabilities together — and that major upgrades tend to arrive only when the company reaches what he described as the “desired level of excellence.”
(Quotes are approximate translations.)
“To make Galaxy AI run smoothly, it must be backed by strong hardware.”
(Approximate translation from TM Roh during the roundtable)
In short, Samsung says it’s no longer chasing specs for the sake of winning spec-sheet battles. Not anymore.
Samsung CEO TM Roh answering questions at a media roundtable in San Francisco
When hardware stops chasing numbers
Hardware innovation still matters. But Samsung increasingly frames those improvements as tools that enable smarter software experiences.
During the roundtable, Roh pointed to Samsung’s custom application processors, which now include stronger neural processing capabilities designed to handle AI workloads more efficiently. Dedicated hardware is also being introduced to strengthen privacy and security — including technologies embedded directly into the display. (See: Privacy Display)
Even cameras, historically one of the biggest battlegrounds for smartphone innovation, are evolving in the same direction.
Roh noted that while sensors and lenses remain important, modern smartphone photography now relies heavily on AI-powered image processing working alongside the hardware. This could also explain why, as of writing, Samsung has resisted the extra telephoto lens accessories that is prevalent with other brands.
The shift is subtle but important. Instead of emphasizing bigger numbers on spec sheets, Samsung positions hardware upgrades as part of a broader system designed to support intelligent software.
Why Samsung gets dunked on online
That philosophy, however, exists in tension with how smartphones are often discussed online.
In a landscape driven by benchmark charts and viral comparisons, incremental refinement rarely generates the same excitement as dramatic hardware leaps. Over the past few years, the Galaxy S series has occasionally become an easy target for criticism — especially as rival Android manufacturers compete to deliver the biggest numbers, the fastest charging speeds, or the thinnest designs.
The temptation in tech media, particularly on platforms like YouTube, is often to dunk on Samsung rather than examine the nuance behind its approach. Spectacular upgrades and dramatic spec sheets make better thumbnails.
Yet listening to Samsung executives across multiple briefings reveals something interesting: the messaging is remarkably consistent. Whether discussing cameras, processors, or ecosystem features, the company repeatedly returns to the same principle. Hardware innovation matters most when it unlocks a better overall experience.
A company that knows its role
That consistency suggests Samsung knows exactly who it is in the smartphone industry.
As the largest Android smartphone manufacturer globally, Samsung occupies a position where competitors often measure themselves against it. Many brands differentiate by pushing aggressive specifications or experimenting with bold hardware changes.
In many ways, everyone else is punching up.
Scale changes priorities. When you’re building devices for hundreds of millions of users, the focus shifts toward reliability, ecosystem integration, and increasingly, AI-powered experiences that work consistently across products.
Why Southeast Asia matters in Samsung’s AI strategy
During the roundtable, Roh also emphasized the importance of Southeast Asia and Oceania to Samsung’s AI strategy.
According to the company’s internal research, the region ranks among the most receptive markets for AI-powered mobile features. Younger demographics and heavy social media usage are driving adoption.
In markets where smartphones are central to communication, content creation, and digital services, AI-powered tools — from translation features to image editing — have found strong traction.
That context helps explain why Samsung continues to position AI as the defining layer of its next-generation devices.
Is the smartphone spec race ending?
For years, smartphone makers built their identities around chasing specs.
Bigger numbers meant better phones. Faster chips meant progress.
Samsung, it seems, is chasing something else.
Whether that bet ultimately reshapes the smartphone experience remains to be seen. But if Roh’s comments are any indication, the next major leap in Galaxy hardware won’t happen simply because the numbers can go higher.
It will happen when Samsung believes the experience — not the spec sheet — is ready to move forward.
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