Features

Huawei P30 Pro: Rewriting the rules, again

It’s not just about adding more cameras

Published

May 31, 2019

GadgetMatch

Huawei‘s latest flagship is already out in the market. Shortly after its launch in Paris, France, the P30 Pro went global in Europe and Asia. Coming from the P20 Pro and the Mate 20 Pro, Huawei further improved the phone’s design.

So, what’s new with the Huawei P30 Pro?

New colorways

Last year, Huawei started the gradient color trend with the P20 series. As a new addition, the P30 Pro introduces a new innovative concept: nature-inspired gradient colors. The back of Huawei’s latest flagship is inspired from the never-ending salt flats, by the Northern Lights, and the Big Dipper. Indeed, nature has influenced many elements of P30 Pro’s design.

Huawei P30 Pro in Breathing Crystal

The P30 Pro features new gradient colors namely the Amber Sunrise, Breathing Crystal, Black, and Aurora. Each reflects the different times of the day — from sunrise to night time.

Huawei P30 Pro in Amber Sunrise

Perhaps the most special among the four is the lustrous Breathing Crystal. It took hundreds of coating trials before Huawei’s designers were able to get the right one. Amber Sunrise is also a new option in Huawei phones with its bright orange hue. The original Aurora color is now more vibrant than previous versions, while Black is available for those who prefer understated looks.

Ergonomic design

Smartphone design isn’t just about the colors. In the P30 Pro, the double-curved glass creates a slim look while providing a more comfortable grip. Even though the phone has a pretty large display, the curved sides make it seem smaller on hand.

Additionally, the phone’s unibody is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. A beautiful-looking phone with a functional body — that’s the P30 Pro for you.

Immersive FullView display

Even in the front, the P30 Pro is well-thought-out. It features a FullView display with the new Dewdrop notch which doesn’t take up much screen real estate. It’s small and unobtrusive, especially when compared to other phone notches.

Using a flexible OLED panel, the P30 Pro adopts a curved display. This makes viewing more immersive in full screen since the display is virtually edge-to-edge. Also, the display has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels which is really sharp, plus the color reproduction and contrast makes everything look pleasing.

Use multiple cameras at the same time

New on the P30 Pro is the Dual-View Video. This new feature pioneered by Huawei allows users to create split-screen videos by using both the phone’s primary camera lens and zoom lens, showing both angles at once on the screen.

With this, users will be able to produce exceptional videos by capturing a wider view by highlighting the background and zooming in on desired subjects at the same time. Essentially, it lets users shoot both panoramic and close-up angles simultaneously.

World’s first “real” sound-emitting screen

Did you know that the P30 Pro doesn’t have an earpiece? To be specific, it doesn’t have a conventional earpiece speaker. Instead, it has what Huawei calls Acoustic Display Technology that uses the P30 Pro’s screen to be the speaker. Using magnetically levitated speakers, the screen transforms into an earpiece speaker with a sound-emitting area.

This means you can keep your voice notes and phone calls private even if you’re in a crowded place. Moreover, with a 300 percent wider sound-emitting area and loud performance, this new technology also assures that you’ll be able to hear your calls loud and clear.

The best Huawei phone today

A true flagship phone has to have the latest innovations in the mobile industry, and the P30 Pro is a testimony to Huawei’s continues effort in R&D. With all the new technologies and features the P30 Pro has, it’s definitely the best P-series phone available. From its impressive cameras and top-of-the-line performance to its beautiful yet functional glass body, the P30 Pro is currently Huawei’s crowning glory.

This feature was produced in collaboration between GadgetMatch and Huawei Philippines.

Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Published

June 11, 2026

MJ Jucutan

HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.

So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.

The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.

The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.

Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.

What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.

This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.

Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.