It might be an exaggeration but, never have I ever dreamt of stepping onto the Land of the Rising Sun anytime soon.

Financial instability is for one. Tedious visa application process for another. Don’t even get me started with all the daunting stories of denied applicants.

But, as luck would have it, I was still granted a single-entry visa. A year’s worth of preparation didn’t go into waste.

It’s not because I’m an anime fan (because I ain’t one). As much as everyone else, Japan (日本) is a legitimate dream destination for all the sights and wonders it offers.

After all, being able to experience the rich nation from the Far East has been dumped in my travel bucket for more than two decades — way before this trip became a reality.

While coincidental, the OPPO Reno15 Pro 5G was lent to me just a day before our departure. This made the perfect opportunity to showcase both Osaka (大阪) and the phone’s prowess with its cameras.

The Kitchen of Japan

Let’s start with what the city is best known for.

Osaka isn’t called “the kitchen of Japan” or the nation’s “food capital” without any meaningful reason.

Other than its culinary delights alongside that rich cuisine presence and history, the city is also popular for the kuidaore (食い倒れ) expression, or eating ’til it fills your heart and stomach’s desires and empties your pockets all at once.

Although I haven’t tried each and every Osaka delicacy available, I still enjoyed all the great delectables during the course of the trip.

From the Okonomiyaki and sushi from a konbini, all the way to that Karaage and Naporitan combo near Tsutenkaku area. They all taste shockingly delicious for such value.

Of course, not everything is specific to Osaka, such as the much-raved ramen by Ichiran or the tender meat cuts in Yakiniku Like.

On slow days where I felt not spending a lot, all I ever craved for were these fast food delights — such as this Japanized combo meal from KFC or the simple ol’ Chinese lunch at Universal Studios Japan.

Lastly, it would be a huge miss not to try out the Osaka-blend Iced Americano by the home-grown brand MUJI as well as those big yet affordable pastries found inside R Baker — with a popular branch located beside the Osaka Castle Park.

Leaving marks in these landmarks

Now that we’re at it, I must say it is mandatory to see Osaka Castle (大阪城) by the time you visit the city. It’s a key landmark for Japan’s unification during the 16th century.

 

Although it has been destroyed several times since 1583, the excellence and perseverance of the Japanese actually made a perfect reproduction of the majestic castle.

Admittedly, we didn’t go inside and up. Still, it’s a beautiful sight to see so you have a glance of Osaka’s history.

Another popular must-visit spot in Osaka? None other than the Glico Man billboard along the Dotonbori (道頓堀) area.

For everyone else, it’s just like any other regular digital billboard. However, something that’s only shown here makes it uniquely Osaka.

And now that we’re here, it’s a real heaven for any shopaholic — my friends included in that narrative.

That’s a long, loooong strip of hundreds of shops ever imaginable with items being sold at slashed prices. Be it gadgets, watches, clothes, sneakers, bags, luggages, chocolates. Gashapons even!

If you want to see the Osaka Bay Area up and above, going on top of the Umeda Sky Building should be in your itinerary.

The best thing here is that, you can still buy souvenirs and see parts of the Osaka Bay coastline through its windows even if you don’t pay for the entrance going to the rooftop — just like how we did.

As mentioned, here’s the Osaka Bay from the ground — captured in a place found at the latter part.

Maybe we got lost in translation

This write-up seems too smooth to be true. But, I have to be realistic and break it in the middle. Traveling, especially in a foreign country, isn’t always an easy-breezy ride.

Unlike most of my international trips where I go and enjoy being solo, I went here with my long-time high school buddies.

Back in our Taipei and Hong Kong trips, I was the tour guide of the gang. This time, Osaka was a first for all of us.

The moment we landed at KIX / Kansai International Airport (or the world’s first airport built above a man-made island), there were already struggles — even if we did our research months prior this trip.

ICYMI, Osaka has two separate train systems managed by two different companies.

Underground relies on Osaka Metro. Ground and above is where JR-West prevails.

The former is more welcoming for tourists as the machines accept foreign credit/debit card payments. The latter only works with Japan’s smart cards: namely ICOCA and Suica.

To make things more complicated, buying an ICOCA card for the first time (and reloading it) only accepts cash and coins. That’s a huge bummer for a tech-driven nation.

While the smart card dispenser wasn’t hard to find once you go out of the airport, looking for a tourist-friendly ATM machine (with minimal to no foreign fees) was.

It took us some back and forth moment just to realize it was inside the airport all along. Third floor to be very specific, not the ground floor.

Problems don’t end once you figure out how to enter the train station. Japan has a lot of trains. Emphasis on A LOT.

Now, if you’re like my three friends who usually grasp for the right directions when roaming around with Google Maps, confusing station exits plus various train sets can still make one lost.

It’s just a good thing that two of us are map-proficient.

During those times when I wanted to explore parts of the city all by myself, another one could lead the circle without me sorting out how to meet them afterwards.

Exciting and exhilarating

Now back to regular programming.

For a die-hard theme park fan like yours truly, it’s mandatory to see what Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has to offer.

Ain’t even a Potterhead but, trying out that signature Butterbeer from Harry Potter shouldn’t be left out.

The cold 9ºC temperature never stopped me from ordering the iced version — and I prefer it over the hot ones that my friends ordered.

For all the Potterheads out there, it’s truly a remarkable sight to see the Hogwarts Castle. It was also a great example to justify the ultra-wide power of the OPPO Reno15 Pro.

Whether you’re a millennial, Gen Z, or a sandwiched MZ like me, these characters don’t need any introduction.

And, even though I’m born between the two aforementioned generations, I’m still glad I grew up watching Despicable Me.

I’ve gushed over these cute Minions during my adolescence — even if it’s more relevant to Gen Alphas now.

Gen MZ yappin’ thru

As I already told a glimpse of my childhood (and puberty), I also wanted to come clean against the stereotypical millennials who made ’90s their whole personality.

Despite being part of the Gen Z, I grew up knowing diskettes, Walkmans, VHS tapes, and not-so-surprisingly, Nintendo’s Game Boy.

It so happened that my cousin had the first-gen console with Super Mario in it. It’s been an integral part of my childhood alongside the classic Sony PlayStation x Crash Bandicoot.

It might not show on my face but, witnessing the Super Nintendo World IRL was a huge achievement.

As fortunate as it was, I was able to visit without applying for a special pass. It even looked like I was in the actual video game when I entered the area even after the sun has already set.

Love at First Night

Osaka during the winter day was already a breath of fresh air. How much more during the night?

Nostalgia aside, the theme park doesn’t only revolve in the mentioned characters above as there’s so much more to see.

I want to end my USJ photo dump with Jurassic Park’s The Flying Dinosaur — a.k.a the best rollercoaster ride I’ve ridden so far.

That’s in comparison to Universal Studio Singapore’s Battlestar Galactica: Cylon, Everland Korea’s T Express, and Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run — which I all fully enjoyed riding for more than thrice.

A segment of the ride can actually be seen the moment you enter (and exit) the theme park.

Now, to cap off this portion, there are two more highlights that truly show off Osaka’s night life.

Other than the Dotonbori area, Shinsekai (新世界) is gleaming. It was inspired by Paris and Coney Island to make Osaka a “New World” in 1912.

From the neon signs and vibrant night light displays, such retro vibe will make your visit truly warm and cozy. Even if it was freezing cold.

At the heart of the district is where the Tsutenkaku (通天閣) stands high. That now translates to a “tower reaching heaven.” Albeit, it’s nowhere near that achievement in today’s standards.

And even when it can’t even go against Eiffel nor Tokyo Tower, it’s still a center piece of its own.

Now, if we’re talking about Osaka’s tallest, the Abeno Harukas 300 holds that title.

From the building name itself, it’s exactly 300 meters tall. It also holds the record for being Japan’s second tallest structure after Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower in, you guessed it, Tokyo.

While you can go inside for free as there’s a mall below it, you can see Osaka’s breathtaking night sky only if you pay for the entrance fee. Honestly, the price is worth the sight.

Much awe in Osaka

Although Tokyo comes first when you think about Japan, Osaka has its own distinct charm.

The same thing can be said with the OPPO Reno15 Pro in a sea of very-capable midrangers. While it’s just another camera-centric smartphone for most, its cameras have that irresistible, special sauce in it.

Personally, I enjoyed my time more in Osaka. People are warmer and more welcoming. More so, that pretty chill vibes and laid-back nature kept me attached against the stricter plus fast-paced life in Tokyo.

With all that said, I’m not trying to pit two cities against one another as both are truly worth visiting. However, I regret having a shorter trip duration here. I’m just wishfully thinking (and manifesting) that I can re-visit the city sooner than later.

If you haven’t seen the other side of my Japan journey — from Tokyo, Kyoto, all the way to Mt. Fuji — the rest can be found in my in-depth camera analysis of the OPPO Reno15 Pro.

READ MORE: OPPO Reno15 Pro: Camera Review

In a modern world dominated by flagships and midrangers, budget smartphones are often undervalued just because of the mere value they bring to the table.

But, let’s be real. Not everyone chases specs. There are users who simply need a phone they can afford without all the best-in-class bells and whistles often glorified but spec-obsessed nerds.

Well, the TECNO SPARK 50 5G might just be that handy-dandy everyday companion you need.

First Look

Right off the bat, the TECNO SPARK 50 5G will instantly remind you of Google’s recent Pixel phones. That camera bar is very reminiscent of the Pixel 9 and 10’s camera “visor.”

This isn’t a complaint. SPARK 50 5G’s camera island looks cleaner than that overly-used, left-justified square camera cutout popularized by Apple during the reign of their iPhone Pro series.

More so, it avoids joining the bandwagon of phones imitating the all-new “camera plateau” of the iPhone 17 Pro series.

Coincidental or not, it even reminds me of Apple’s pill-shaped Dynamic Island — or that interactive area around the punch-hole cutout that’s found among newer iPhones.

And now that we’re at it, let’s flip the SPARK 50 5G to its front.

The moment you power on the device, you’d be welcomed by its large 6.78-inch punch-hole display. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better.

Not-so-thin bezels and that awfully-thicc bottom chin aside, I’m more concerned about its display quality.

I’m not trying to be very nit-picky but, my clear eyes can easily distinguish that its 720p screen resolution is quite a stretch for a screen this big.

Ain’t even expecting a class-leading OLED display (this is an IPS LCD type, BTW). However, a 1080p Full HD would have been more plausible.

Don’t even get me started with that subpar max brightness, backlight bleeding, alongside poor viewing angles and legibility.

And, even if it features a 120Hz refresh rate that smoothens day-to-day scrolling and switching, it doesn’t totally override the fact that the display is not up to par.

Still, the choice of punch-hole is heaps better than other phone makers continuously making phones with teardrop notches — which is turning almost a decade next year.

I’m just glad TECNO halted (if not completely stopped) putting it among their recent budget offerings.

First Date

While I have strong feelings against its display, the overall feel of the SPARK 50 5G is of the opposite. Holding the phone for the first time barely looked and felt cheap at all.

Setting the bar high, TECNO’s SPARK 50 5G is made from aviation-grade aluminum — which some other plasticky budget phones can only dream of.

With that durability talk, it’s also worth noting it’s also IP64-rated as well as MIL-STD-810H certified.

Personally, I love the classy and luxe Champagne Gold colorway that I’ve dated.

There are bolder colors too such as Mint Green and Fantasy Purple. More so, the subdued Titanium Grey and Ink Black options.

After setting everything up, the phone greets you with TECNO’s latest HiOS 16 based on Android 16.

Despite its price point, TECNO didn’t leave out all the usable AI feats originally announced in the recent CAMON 50 series.

Not only it includes the usual AI Tools and Ella (or its smart AI Assistant), the newer AI FlashMemo as well as AI MindHub are ever-present as well. These intelligently discern content you consume or whatever you’re curious about.

I’m not a total h-AI-ter as I believe that AI, when used responsibly, gives much leverage to users. It balances an individual’s time so s/he can work and focus more on things that need to be prioritized.

Still, I blame AI for the sharp price rise of components among all consumer devices imaginable.

Now that I’ve mentioned it, TECNO’s SPARK 50 5G comes in either 128 or 256GB of storage and memory choices between 4/8/12/16GB (region-dependent).

At its core lies MediaTek’s Dimensity 6400 SoC. For the market it tries to lure, this is a chipset capable of handling most tasks.

It’s a better option if you’re someone like me who relies on 5G connectivity most of the time. Its Helio G200 counterpart, while speedy and reliant, has 4G as its biggest drawback.

Gaming? Well, it’s obviously not built for that.

Still, it’s playable for the not-so-demanding-games: 60fps in PUBG while 90fps with the widely popular Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

Even with just a chassis of 8.18mm, TECNO has managed to put in a 6500mAh single-cell battery (or a lesser 6150mAh dual-cell variant that I have with me).

Still, the TECNO SPARK 50 5G has outlasted me more — way past midnight after that full-day first date.

If you’re already in a pinch, the phone can be charged through its 45W fast-charging adapter bundled in its box. ICYMI, last year’s SPARK 40 5G relied on a painfully-slow 18W charging.

And, before I forget, I just missed the novelty of side-mounted fingerprint scanner. I still consider it better than the optical ones.

Lastly, despite that elongated camera bar at its rear, the SPARK 50 5G is only equipped with a lone 50MP camera.

Although AI FlashSnap exists, the camera app being somewhat sluggish evades the purpose of that camera feature per se.

While cameras have never been the strong point of the SPARK series, it should be enough for users who just want a functioning rear camera not just for document-scanning, but for life moments as well.

Its 8MP shooter can still capture selfies — or just be used for those unavoidable school and/or work video calls.

First Impressions

With a starting price (4+128GB base config) of INR 16,999 (approx. US$ 180 / EUR 160 / GBP 135 / SG$ 235 / MYR 735 / PhP 10,995), the TECNO SPARK 50 5G isn’t the most well-rounded budget smartphone around.

Still, this phone will satisfy the general, non-tech-savvy population. That sophisticated design, solid build quality, ginormous battery with reliable fast charging, smart AI-powered OS. Even 5G-capable chipset in this price range?

Did I even mention that it still rocks the almost obsolete microSD card slot and 3.5mm audio jack?

Obviously, I’m not the target user of this phone. Especially as a creative guy who values display and cameras a lot.

However, technophobes might get the hang of this phone when they take it out on a lovely, more intimate date more than twice. The phone is as straightforward as it can get. Sans, exploring the more complex AI tools within.

Still, this is a phone suitable for a wider range of user base consisting of kids, young students, the elderly, or even everyday workers who just need a reliable phone that they can bring around without sacrificing too much of their hard-earned savings — especially in an economy we live in right now.

Why are some of today’s smartphones enamored with rear-mounted lighting systems? ASUS, Nothing, and Infinix all have recently released devices that show off with LEDs at the back. To me, a good number of these phones are either tacky or too gimmicky to be of any practical use. One, however, stands out as a true premium offering for the segment: the Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra.

Smartphone meets supercar

Designed with Pininfarina, the NOTE 60 Ultra subtly mixes the contours of a premium car with the curves of a flagship phone. The result of this pairing is an artistic piece that shines in its simplicity but also stands out in an industry inundated with over-large camera islands.

The rear offers a subdued carbon fiber pattern. The included case accentuates this even further in a tactile sense. Reminiscent of other premium phones, the metallic sides have the usual array of buttons and design quirks, except for a sparkling Pininfarina logo and an optical fingerprint sensor.

Meanwhile, the camera island embraces the current era by extending itself from end to end. A full fourth of the rear is enclosed in glass just for this area. It’s surrounded by pleasantly tactile grooves. The area itself contains the camera system, the Active Matrix Display (which we’ll get into later), and a floating taillight.

Overall, the NOTE 60 Ultra’s design is amazing in its uniqueness. I’m tired of the same-old. Infinix’s latest offering doesn’t break away from the ongoing tradition of over-large cameras but instead pushes the trend to its capacity without ruining its premium feel.

Active Matrix Display: Feature or gimmick?

The last Infinix phone I reviewed was the NOTE Edge. That particular midranger had the Active Halo Lighting, a simple ring that breathes in and out to signify notifications. Though the oddity was largely unobtrusive, I still thought that it was too much of a gimmick to be of any use to most users.

On the other hand, the NOTE 60 Ultra’s Active Matrix Display is something entirely new. Instead of just a notification ring, it’s an actual display. It also has a plethora of uses, including icons for notifications, a graphic for music playback, a quirky “screensaver,” and a few minigames.

Just by sheer numbers, the Active Matrix Display feels more useful than most rear LED systems including my own Nothing Phone 3. Though there were still moments when I ignored the feature, there were more times when I engaged with the interface. The games weren’t difficult but were great ways to pass a few minutes of boredom. The light effect widget, which includes a few personas, looked visually interesting enough to be kept on all the time.

This doesn’t even include the aforementioned floating taillight yet. Much like the NOTE Edge’s Active Halo Lighting, this one breathes in and out. However, the NOTE 60 Ultra’s version is shaped like a car’s taillight and more effectively melds into the contours of the island. This makes it even less obtrusive than the Halo and adds to the phone’s premium feel.

I’m still on the fence about these lighting systems, but the NOTE 60 Ultra actually complements its design and offers something unique. For me, it’s the best version of this ongoing trend.

A set of peepers

The huge camera island isn’t just a gimmick; we’ve established that much with the Active Matrix Display. But besides the LED display, the island also houses a ginormous 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor, paired with a 50-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112-degree ultra-wide camera.

Just on paper, this feels like overkill already. Do you really need a camera that can zoom in on your blackheads? Well, even if you don’t use the 100x zoom, the camera combination helps eke out so much more detail from moderately distanced subjects. Just take a gander at this bird I took.

The camera is also great at close subjects. It added so much juicy bokeh to focus on this flower. And it doesn’t look too artificial.

Wide-angle photos aren’t too bad, either. Personally, I’m not a fan of the format, but if you are, it’s a great shot.

Can we measure this in horsepower?

Under this supercar-slash-smartphone’s hood, you’ll get a Dimensity 8400 chipset from MediaTek. For all of its looks as a premium phone, the NOTE 60 Ultra misses out on a true flagship chipset. It’s still only a step behind, though.

It’s also adequate enough to play my HoYoverse vice of choice, Zenless Zone Zero. Though the phone put my settings under low to medium graphics settings by default, it had no complaints when I pushed everything to high at 60 frames per second.

My only problem was the immense coverage area of the camera island. Because of how huge it is, no case can ever cover the island completely. So, when you hold the phone horizontally, your hands are making bare contact with the phone.

This is naturally terrible for smudges, but it also doesn’t protect your hands from the phone heating up. And it does heat up after around 40 minutes. Though this ultimately depends on how you use the phone, playing ZZZ for an extended period of time was scalding.

The NOTE 60 Ultra has all the capabilities of a true powerhouse, despite lacking a true flagship chipset. It just gets too hot for comfort. Maybe for the next iteration, this supercar can get some air conditioning.

Now Playing: Steel Ball Run

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure wouldn’t have lasted seven seasons (or nine, if you count the manga) if it weren’t a good series. Having read the manga, Steel Ball Run, the seventh part, is my favorite one, and it’s finally getting an anime adaptation.

It’s apropos that I’m watching a racing anime on a motorsport-themed phone. With the NOTE 60 Ultra’s 6.78-inch 1.5K Ultra HDR display, Gyro Zeppeli bounces to life in full color. Every character — Johnny Joestar, Diego Brando, Sandman, and Pocoloco — looks amazing in the anime’s signature style. It’s less shadowy, more vibrant and smoother.

Hearing Gyro’s signature “Nyo-ho!” was likewise great. The phone’s JBL-tuned speakers made it seem like I was holding my own mini cinema.

It was a bonus treat that the first episode was double the length of a traditional one and included everything in the first leg of the race. Unfortunately, the second episode still doesn’t have a schedule. Plus, who knows if the second “batch” will include more than just one episode? Netflix has been atypically cagey with this release.

Finally, some good mileage

The NOTE 60 Ultra has an impressive 7000mAh battery. A single hour of ZZZ used up only 18 percent of the battery, despite being on the highest possible settings. Following this trend, it took four hours with the game up before the battery dropped to concerning “I need to find a charger” levels, which was around 25 percent to me.

There was no reason to worry at all, though. The battery has spare juice left in the tank even if it’s low. It took an absurdly long time to completely drain the battery from 1 percent. I even turned ZZZ on again to speed things up, but it still lasted around 30 minutes on a single percent.

Because of how big the battery is, it also supports 100W wired charging. To be transparent, I don’t have a 100W charging brick, but I do have a 90W one. It took me 1 hour and 6 minutes to fill the tank from empty. If you’re not particular with filling the battery to full, a short 7.5-minute charge was enough for 10 percent.

Midrange software inside a premium package

When I buy a premium phone, I expect a premium-looking phone when I power it up for the first time.

To be fair, the interface’s custom theme does exude an expensive-seeming feel. However, it prioritizes being thematic over being functional. This isn’t something I expect from a flagship. To me, a flagship should have the easiest interface to use with no bloat or unnecessary frills.

Infinix’s XOS is blatantly unused to the flagship segment. The interface has rolls of suggested apps and games that clutter the home screen. It also has a bunch of pre-installed apps (like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Shopee) and proprietary software.

This was the same problem I had with the NOTE Edge. Since it’s a midrange phone, it was a lot more forgivable, though. After all, that much bloatware usually lets the brand price their lower-end products more competitively. That shouldn’t be the case for flagships.

There is some leeway because it’s Infinix’s renewed shot at the premium flagship market, but hopefully it’ll be fixed in the second go-around.

Is the Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra your GadgetMatch?

For a flagship product, the Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra is a worthy try. It looks and feels premium out of the box. However, the brand clearly has some work left to do on the inside. It’s a tiny step behind on performance, and its interface doesn’t reflect the advertised flagship status.

Still, it’s a Swipe Right if you’re looking for the best version of over-large camera islands today. The NOTE 60 Ultra’s design philosophy should be an inspiration to today’s trends. Indeed, it’s a supercar packed into a smartphone.

However, Swipe Left on this phone if software is just as important to you as a phone’s looks. Though it’s strong enough to perform like a flagship, the phone’s operating system makes it harder to use than most of its contemporaries.