More than a month ago, the MagicPad 3 debuts as HONOR’s largest tablet yet. Unlike other pads by HONOR, this one comes with a premium — both inside and out.

Some three weeks after, I’m here to relay my thoughts on one of the industry’s rarest premium pads to date.

Work Flow, Hustle Game 💪🏼

Honestly, I’ve never been the tablet kind of guy. I wasn’t born in the generation of “iPad kids” or of tablet-dependent Gen Alphas (I’m under Generation MZ, BTW).

Moreover, tablets don’t really handle the kind of work I do.

While others make clickbait titles like how “tablets can totally replace your laptop”, there are simply stuff that a tablet is incapable of doing so — no matter how powerful its internals are.

Still, I’ve focused on what the HONOR MagicPad 3 can do for some work and how it has managed to do so.

🎨 Color-grading stills

It’s hard to resist editing photos on a massive screen like this. To be specific, the HONOR MagicPad 3 boasts a 13.3-inch screen.

For the most part, it’s color-accurate with DCI-P3 wide color gamut and support for 1.07 billion colors. It even has IMAX Enhanced certification.

Its 3.2K display resolution isn’t limiting with ample sharpness.

For what it’s worth though, an LCD display can either be a hit or miss.

The unit I have displays some backlight bleeding along some bezel corners and edges.

It might just be me nitpicking. As both a creative and a tech nerd, I know how OLED displays are superior above everything else.

I do commend how HONOR managed to bring these thin bezels, though.

Fortunately, with plethora of photo-editing apps such as VSCO, Snapseed, and even Adobe Lightroom for Android, color-grading on the MagicPad 3 has been a breeze.

Pair that with the all-new HONOR Magic-Pencil 3, it enables pixel-perfect precision even on the smallest of detail.

✂️ Splicing clips

With apps such as CapCut or Canva, video editing has always been achievable on Android.

And with the MagicPad 3, everything felt expansive especially that it has a screen closer to that of an actual laptop (or MacBook).

It can fit in more segments and directories with a longer viewable timeline, more visible stacks of layers, as well as selection of texts, effects, even transitions.

Although it’s not anywhere near Adobe’s Premiere Pro or the Apple-exclusive Final Cut Pro (that I mainly use for editing GadgetMatch’s YouTube videos), these still get most of the job done — especially if it just requires splicing without many more artistic fuss.

With a single USB-C port, it can also read my external SSD where most of my large Full HD 1080p / 120p work footages are stored.

Then again, don’t expect desktop-grade editing on this pro-grade machinery as the software hinders the experience and can only do so much.

📝 Up for some write-ups

While most Android tablets aren’t very different in offering a separate keyboard accessory, the version for the MagicPad 3 steps it up a notch with its built-in trackpad.

Not only it saves you extra money for not having to buy a separate wireless mouse, it also frees up your bag space — especially if you’re not into bringing heavy bags.

Much like the MacBook I use heavily for work, using the trackpad on this so-called “Smart Touch Keyboard” felt familiar. It recognized all the recognizable touchscreen gestures from scrolling all the way to pinching.

It was also fluid and responsive regardless of how I use it when scrolling through my itinerary plan, scrubbing through albums, even swiping across various websites.

The keyboard itself isn’t mediocre as well.

Keys were responsive enough when I type. They’re also neither clicky nor too mushy. Typing on it feels and performs just right especially considering the slim profile it has.

I even tried writing one of my review articles using this premium pad.

Having the ability to type and/or write on one side while referencing on the other is often a luxury for small screens.

Now, this is where I can confidently say split-screen multitasking with that pop-out window feature makes full sense on big-sized panels like what we have here on the MagicPad 3.

✍🏼 Visualize to realize

Unlike my imaginative 8-year-old self who’s very addicted to drawing and sketching of what he sees (or tries to visualize), it’s the opposite 20 years apart.

But, to relive my faded skills, I still tried using the Magic-Pencil 3 to its utmost potential.

Although HONOR pioneers the brightest smartphone displays, this tablet only maxes out at 700 nits (and 1000 nits under HBM or High Brightness Mode).

That might be a dealbreaker if you want to tag along the MagicPad 3 and draw out in the park under broad daylight.

Still, I applaud the responsiveness of HONOR’s specialized stylus. There’s little to no latency at all — like I’m writing on  paper.

However, the panel is reflective. So, if you want Apple’s Nano Textured Glass or HUAWEI’s PaperMatte, just buy a third-party matte screen protector (which I did).

And before it slips off my head, both the keyboard and pencil attach magnetically (through pogo pins + frame’s magnets, respectively), making everything wire-free and hassle-free.

This means not having to charge one separately via USB-C or go through the conventional Bluetooth pairing that causes stir-ups most of the time.

No one asked but…

The HONOR MagicPad 3 possesses a 13MP f/2.0 rear camera with an extra macro camera on the side.

While using the tablet’s cameras have little use in a creatives’ PoV, this could be useful for taking not just quick snaps as mementos, it could be more beneficial for document-scanning and AR-related tasks.

As for the 9MP front camera, its existence is valuable for video calls, work meetings, or even social media live streaming that are either for personal or business purposes.

And while we’re at it, I thought the MagicPad 3 was equipped with a fingerprint sensor beneath its power button the first time I used it.

However, this “premium” tablet relies only on the less-secure facial recognition system based on that front camera alone.

If that makes you anxious enough, the only other ways are setting a PIN, pattern, or alphanumeric password — like it’s a 2011 Android.

What A Chill Kill 🎶🎵

Much like the tablet itself, I can only do so much as a human being.

Stepping aside all the work-related madness, the MagicPad 3 is more enjoyable as it could be for viewing various content.

I’ve enjoyed and cherished the last episode of Bon Appétit: Your Majesty in MagicPad 3’s superior screen.

Chef Yeon and King Yi Heon’s final moments during the Joseon period were extra tearful as opposed to watching it on my “large” 6.78-inch smartphone.

This massive tablet also means it’s equipped with more than four speakers. To be precise, the HONOR MagicPad 3 boasts an eight-speaker surround sound setup.

Amping out its volume between 80 percent ’til the limit, you instantly get a loud portable speaker.

When you play songs in Lossless Audio, the output is richer and fuller than what one would expect.

There’s a fine line between its treble and mids. Bass is quite deep for a device like this.

And as an Apple-ogist of Apple Music *pun intended*, I love how tablet-friendly the layout is.

Songs being played with better-looking lyrics show on the right side. All while giving you the ability to scroll through your thousands of songs (or hundreds of playlists) without uninterrupted music playback.

Slay Some Play 💅🏼🎮

What makes the HONOR MagicPad 3 stand out from usual tablets is mainly the hardware it rocks.

Baked inside is the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. If you’re not tech-savvy, that’s simply a pro-grade chipset found in most top-performing smartphones of late 2023 until mid 2024.

Paired with a config combo of 16GB memory and 512GB storage, you get plenty of power and performance for a tablet this size.

The MagicPad 3 running the latest MagicOS 9.0 with HONOR AI will make prospective users take full advantage of those rich AI tools in mind — very helpful as a productivity powerhouse.

Google’s Gemini is even built-in just in case you need AI more than ever.

It would be a huge miss though, not to test it out for gaming.

As much as I prefer playing my fave game titles on bigger screens (like choosing a foldable over a regular smartphone slab), that also means I have to deal with its heavy battery hog and lack of system cooling.

Admittedly, using a tablet for games is a pretty enjoyable experience — which I think is a massive understatement.

First and foremost, driving my best sports cars on Racing Master never felt this immersive.

While it’s very possible to play the game on a larger screen with screen casting via my 55-inch TV, it doesn’t do justice at all.

Not only there’s some display delay, on-screen controls can only imitate the look, never the feel of an actual controller.

Unapologetically, I was able to play around two hours without feeling sore. Its 5.79mm slimness plus the right amount of heft at 595 grams are factors why the experience was more enjoyable.

However, I’ve struggled quite a while when I played Ranked Matches in Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM).

The only “fix” I did was to re-adjust controls and pull it towards the farther ends of the display so I don’t need to stretch out my thumbs just to forcibly reach them.

For less demanding games, the MagicPad 3 is a real pleasure to play with.

I’ve used it for making confusing pizza orders of indecisive customers on Good Pizza, Great Pizza. The stylus functionality adds precision whenever placing toppings before you slide it through the oven.

It’s also beneficial when organizing goods, scanning purchases, and doing cash changes (or inputting card charges) in My Supermarket Simulator 3D.

Lastly, fixing my good ol’ city in SimCity: Build It (that I honestly haven’t opened since 2019, until just recently).

Massive for a reason 😱🤩

A bigger display comes with a greater battery capacity.

What lies beneath this gargantuan tablet is its 12,450mAh Silicon-Carbon battery. And it’s not large just by the numbers.

For some light to moderate usage, it (unsurprisingly) lasts around 2 to 4 days. Even longer when running just in idle.

Kick in some draining and daunting tasks such as streaming, video editing, or even gaming, the narrative completely changes.

Though for the most part, it would still last me at the end of the day with some room left to spare.

One bummer though is that, it doesn’t have a bundled fast charger. Or maybe it’s just the European model I have.

I tried using my 100W UGREEN Uno GaN Charger, thinking it supports USB-C PD with PPS, but it can only do so much to fill it to the very brim.

From 0%	START TIME: 10:45PM
3 minutes	3%
5 minutes	4%
10 minutes	6%
15 minutes	10%
20 minutes	14%
30 minutes	23%
45 minutes	30%
1 hour	43%
1 hour 15 minutes	47%
1 hour 30 minutes	57%
1 hour 45 minutes	64%
2 hours	75%
2 hours 15 minutes	84%
2 hours 30 minutes	93%
2 hours 45 minutes	99%
100%	2 hours, 46 minutes END TIME: 1:31AM

The only way to maximize that 66W fast charging is to buy an authentic 66W HONOR SuperCharge adapter.

Is the HONOR MagicPad 3 your GadgetMatch?

Without a doubt, the HONOR MagicPad 3 is an ideal pad partner you can rely on — for loads of creative and editorial work, some Netflix and chill, even heavy playing in between.

It’s a Swipe Right for all things considered — a ginormous display that’s truly poppin’, Pro-grade chipset without the “Pro” name, reasonably massive battery capacity.

Coupled with a smart keyboard and magical pencil combo, what more can you ask for?

So, where did that “almost perfect” sentiment came from?

Well, aside from that frowned upon LCD display (over OLED), having an SRP of PhP 49,999 / SG$ 1099 / GBP 599.99 is a legit tough ask.

Furthermore, the Malaysian MagicPad 3 is being offered at RM 2999. Considering conversion, that’s roughly around PhP 40,000 / SG$ 900 / GBP 530 — which is still big in savings.

Not only the inconsistency in pricing felt unfair, it also plays a factor whether or not it will sell well.

In this economy, especially in a third-world country like the Philippines, that price is too much to pay for. But hey! At least you get the keyboard and pencil for free when you purchase one.

Pad–emonium

Its cousin, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro, is being sold for the same price with a slightly smaller 12.2-inch screen but greater than ever tandem OLED display tech plus PaperMatte coating.

All that with the limiting ecosystem of HarmonyOS (globally, at least) alongside sideloading Google Play that most won’t even bother doing with its sheer complexity.

Another would be Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ that rocks that same 13-inch display size and LCD tech but has a pocket-friendlier pricing at just PhP 27,992. While it has a 5G version plus a microSD card slot, its built-in configuration is limited to 8+128GB. Chipset is quite on the mid side as well.

Lastly, its closest Apple rival, the 13-inch iPad Air, is heaps pricier with its PhP 54,990 / EUR 969 / SG$ 1199 / RM 3699 price tag.

But, in return, you get a more powerful and more efficient Silicon chip, better host of third-party accessories.

Most of all, iPadOS’ rich diversity of professional / creativity software that Android tablets still lack (such as Procreate, Davinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro for iPad, among others).

I’ve never been the kind of person who stays still for long.

My calendar looks more like a puzzle than a plan. Airports, races, trails, test drives, repeat.

Somewhere between boarding gates and finish lines, I try to squeeze in meetings, shoots, and the occasional night out.

For years, I’ve carried cameras that promised to keep up. They all said the same thing: lightweight, smart.

Yet they always ended up feeling like one more thing to hold. They’re more of a reminder that I was documenting life instead of living it.

Then the DJI Osmo Nano arrived, right before a flight to Hong Kong. I slipped it into my backpack without much thought.

Somewhere between the terminals of Hong Kong, the beaches of Shenzhen, the streets of Zhengzhou, and the mountain roads of Baguio, this tiny camera became part of my everyday life.

Hanging from a lanyard or docked on a dashboard, it was always ready. It’s strange how something so small can change the way you move through the world.

I stopped worrying about framing the perfect shot and started focusing on feeling the moment.

Made for people on the move

At 52 grams, the Osmo Nano is incredibly light yet feels substantial. It’s the kind of confidence that comes from precision engineering.

The matte finish resists fingerprints and the occasional drop of sweat. Simply put, it’s designed for motion.

Then there’s the protective case. If there were an award for most underrated accessory, this would win it.

I accidentally dropped the Nano from a floor up and braced for heartbreak, but when I picked it up, both the body and the lens were flawless.

With or without a case, it also looks elegant. It doesn’t scream “camera.” You can clip it on your shirt or cap, and no one gives you a second look.

You can film without disrupting the mood, which gives the footage a sense of authenticity that’s hard to replicate.

A full system in your pocket

The Osmo Nano alone is impressive, but pair it with the Multifunctional Vision Dock and it becomes a complete ecosystem.

I brought it everywhere. In Shenzhen, it sat on the sand while I ran barefoot by the water. In Zhengzhou, it helped me capture temples and tourist sites that looked almost cinematic.

The dock acts like your all-in-one creative base: a power bank, tripod, remote control, and transfer hub built into one piece of aluminum.

It charges the camera to 80% in just 20 minutes, records for up to 200 minutes, and transfers data up to 600MB/s through its microSD slot.

It even doubles as a display for previewing or reviewing clips, which is a rare convenience in a setup this small.

Together, the Nano and the dock feel like the definition of portable professionalism: a setup that fits in your pocket yet never feels like a compromise. It’s everything you need, minus the baggage.

The creative hub

What ties it all together is the DJI Mimo app. It’s the command center that turns the Osmo Nano into an extension of your creative workflow.

Footage syncs automatically, though I wish it keeps the connection longer, as the device kept disconnecting from the app time and time again.

Through the app, you can trim, color-grade, and export straight from your phone. Whether at an airport lounge, a café, or even the backseat of a car, editing feels effortless as long as you don’t use the One-Tap Edit feature.

I don’t know how to put it, but using AI to pick the ‘best’ frames doesn’t sit well with me after trying it and seeing its output.

While the frames it picked were ideal, composition-wise, it doesn’t have the emotions needed when producing a video.

Nevertheless, I particularly love how it adapts to my workflow. Syncing large files and previewing high-res clips happens with minimal lag.

For creators who thrive on momentum, that speed is priceless.

Race tracks and road trips

I’ve always believed that motion tells better stories than stillness, that the way a car turns a corner says as much as the driver’s expression.

When I tested cars at the BYD Zhengzhou All-Terrain Circuit, the Osmo Nano was mounted on the Dual-Direction Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount.

Through rough corners and high-speed bursts, the videos stayed unshaken thanks to RockSteady 3.0 and HorizonBalancing.

The footage looked like something out of a commercial. The 143° ultra-wide lens captured more story.

The only drawback was how the Nano tended to overheat during off-road and race track sessions, even after a firmware update.

Even when we were indoors at the BYD Di-Space Museum — a controlled, air-conditioned environment — I had to limit recordings to 2.7K or 1080p instead of 4K to keep recording.

Later, I brought it to Baguio City, driving through pine-covered streets with the Ford Territory Hybrid.

The colors shifted with the light, from deep morning blues to warm golds by afternoon, and the Nano handled it all gracefully. It balanced light and shadow without flattening the details.

In moments where I could lose a shot quickly, I preferred setting color to Auto rather than using D-Log. Though I’m a creative director by profession, I don’t believe in using D-Log unless you can color grade perfectly.

Most creators who insist on it miss the point. It takes away the beauty of capturing things as they are. The Nano’s color quality is good enough to make every frame look polished and accessible.

Never missing a step

Of course, no camera review feels complete until I’ve taken it to the trail.

During BGY BYG’s OCR Simulation at Bridgetowne Obstacle Park, I used the Magnetic Headband and Lanyard, swapping between them as I watched participants go through obstacles.

I wanted to see how the Nano handled rain and movement, and it didn’t just survive. It performed well.

Thanks to the 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, it captured athletes at dusk with the SuperNight mode assisting in low light. The image quality was good, though not exceptional.

 

 

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Due to its fixed ultra-wide field of view, versatility remains limited. It doesn’t have a zoom lens, so I had to move closer to the athletes to frame their movements.

Then came the 32km trail run to Sitio Malasya in Rodriguez, Rizal. The terrain was brutal (as usual) and yet the Nano stayed locked in. I held it by hand without the dock, and the footage I captured became one of my favorites.

It’s rare for an action camera to feel emotional, but the Nano somehow made the footage feel alive.

During the run, the audio also impressed me. The built-in microphones captured ambient sound and reduced wind effectively. For those with DJI Mics, pairing is seamless and doesn’t require receivers.

Maybe next time, I can record a Trail Talks podcast so we don’t get bored running longer distances?

 

 

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At the end of Sitio Malasya is a raging river, where we stopped to eat and rest. When it drizzled mid-run, I kept recording without worry.

The Nano handled rain and splashes without fogging or glitching. I didn’t feel anxious bringing it into the unpredictable courses of my life.

Running back to the jump-off point, I realized the DJI Osmo Nano isn’t just a piece of technology. It’s an adventure companion that understands the tempo of your life.

Unlocking its full potential

Like any performer, the Osmo Nano shines brighter with the right supporting cast.

The ND Filter Set is a must for bright outdoor scenes, adding that polished, cinematic tone. The Magnetic Headband is perfect for hands-free capture during workouts or races.

For flexible angles, the Dual-Direction Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount is my second favorite.

My personal favorite is the Glass Lens Cover. It’s the reason my lens still looks brand new after that dramatic drop.

Out of the box, though, the DJI Osmo Nano already comes prepared with the camera, Magnetic Lanyard, Multifunctional Vision Dock, Dual-Direction Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount, Protective Case, Magnetic Hat Clip, and a USB-C 3.1 cable.

It’s a complete kit that gets you shooting right away. And once you see how capable it is, you’ll want to expand your setup anyway.

Is the DJI Osmo Nano your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Nano represents freedom. It’s made for people who live on the go, who don’t have time for complex setups but still want cinematic results.

I’ve always believed that the best camera is the one that never slows you down, and the Osmo Nano fits that perfectly. For an athlete and storyteller like me, it’s a Super Swipe.

Even if you’re not living life on the move, it’s still a Swipe Right, especially considering how complete the package is for its price: PhP 15,990 for the 64GB model and PhP 18,390 for the 128GB model.

Think of the stories you’ll tell once you bring it on your next trip. This is why it earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

Of course, it’s not flawless. If you expect the same performance, image quality, or versatility of the Osmo Action 5 Pro, Osmo Pocket 3, or even its competitor, the Insta360 Go, you might need to temper your expectations.

But as a new device, the Osmo Nano is promising. So promising that five automotive journalists I was with in Zhengzhou bought one on the spot after seeing mine in action.

If that’s not convincing enough, I don’t know what is. Because right now, as most people see it, the DJI Osmo Nano deserves a spot in your camera arsenal, and perhaps, a place in the story of your life on the move.

It seems like phone brands are unstoppable at this point.

Everybody’s eyes are focused on the latest iPhone Air — and it’s just one among the many super slim smartphones we should expect in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

Although Samsung first teased and introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge as 2025’s first super slim smartphone ready for the masses, TECNO isn’t far off from the spotlight.

Just like the Korean electronics giant, the Chinese uprising brand also showed off their sexy slim slab (dubbed as the “SPARK Slim”) during this year’s MWC. Unlike Samsung’s take though, TECNO was just a concept — or so we thought.

Six months in, a consumer-ready product goes straight to my hands.

Here’s what it feels like using the TECNO Slim for more than a month after unboxing it over 13,000 ft.

EASY unboxing

ICYMI, here’s my bare minimum unboxing above the clouds.

As seen above, you get the usual charger and cable combo plus phone case out of the box.

However, the TECNO Slim has a bundled screen protector that the CAMON 40 phones lack.

CRAZY slim

At just 5.93mm, the TECNO Slim (specifically the SPARK Slim) is currently the world’s slimmest curved smartphone. There’s also the India-exclusive POVA Slim 5G which is a bit thicker at 5.95mm.

If we make the title less specific, the slimmest smartphone crown still goes to Apple’s iPhone Air (5.64mm) followed by the Galaxy S25 Edge (5.8mm).

But, compared to more conventional smartphones, that crazy thinness is as clear as day and night. More so when you pit it against the brand’s PHANTOM V Fold2 and CAMON 40 Premier handsets.

Putting it in my pockets is no different. It felt so light, sometimes I wonder if it’s really there — or if it already got lost somewhere down the road.

And now that we’re on the topic of pockets, I have to admit, I dropped this phone numerous times.

Full disclosure: I ain’t JerryRigEverything as I never intend to drop review devices I handle. However, the TECNO Slim is just so damn slender, it won’t stop slipping away.

Its back isn’t made from anything grand. I do commend how premium-looking the build quality is, despite the choice of materials.

That said, it’s not TECNO just boasting about its military-grade tests. Out in the real world, the review unit I have barely had some scuffs and scratches despite those unwanted drops.

Even if it’s not the most premium-made smartphone out there, the TECNO Slim is durable enough that it can withstand impacts against hard tiles and even concrete floors.

It’s also a relief that it still has an IP64 rating — which helps in keeping out dust and some water splashes in case you’re stuck in such scenarios.

And even without applying its bundled tempered glass out of the box, the front part of the TECNO Slim is surprisingly still scratch-free despite only having a mid Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.

But hey, that’s better than having no protection at all 👀

HOT audiovisuals

Having an impossibly thin and light form factor also means I get to hold the phone for sustained periods.

Ever since I got this phone, I can’t let go of it especially when consuming content.

There are numerous time I got tired of holding the main smartphone I’m using (*coughs* the vivo X200 Pro). That’s when I swiftly switch to the TECNO Slim.

From that moment, I can already tell how immaculate it was to have a super lightweight phone — especially one-handed.

TECNO didn’t spare its display though. That 6.78-inch display features an 3D AMOLED panel with a buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate.

Display resolution wasn’t left behind as well at 1.5K (precisely 2720 x 1224).

An optical under-display fingerprint scanner was equipped as well.

The iPhone Air must be kicking the air right now as a budget smartphone like this features a stereo speaker.

Although in most occasions, you have to amp up the volume between 80 to 100 percent just so you can have a fully-immersive experience.

Overall, the sound isn’t too shabby. Just enough for your multimedia needs.

I’m glad it supports both Dolby Atmos and LDAC just so I can take great advantage of Apple’s Music high-fidelity formats.

SMART for the most part

This is where things get glaringly different.

Unlike its iPhone and Galaxy counterparts, an entry-level SoC is baked into TECNO Slim’s system to (obviously) cut costs.

To be specific, it runs MediaTek’s Helio G200 chipset. It’s relatively new as the previous CAMON 40 4G as well as the SPARK 40 Pro and Pro+ all run Helio G100.

And let me tell you, I immediately felt the performance improvements on basic tasks and multitasking.

The Helio G99 and G100 phones I’ve reviewed are testaments to how laggy they are once you fire up the devices.

But, if you’re considering this for gaming, you might want to save up some more money for a midrange Dimensity chipset found on the POVA and 5G CAMON line.

I’m not saying it cannot run the games you want to play.

You just have to consider its graphic settings limitations — especially on the more demanding ones.

My prime example would be Racing Master. Higher-end chipsets can fully display all the intricate details of the car.

Helio G200, on the other hand, is limited to just the lowest graphic setting just so it can run the game.

That means blotchy cars and race tracks that somewhat felt like you’re playing it in a SEGA arcade machine.

BTW, the TECNO Slim runs HiOS 15 based on Android 15.

That means you get the goodness of both TECNO AI as well as Google’s Gemini and Circle To Search.

Great for endurance streak

Having a Helio chipset isn’t a total downgrade. In my experience, it helps preserve the battery of the TECNO Slim.

Without considering heavy gaming, its 5160mAh battery can last for prolonged use.

When used moderately, it holds up before the day ends with around 10 percent to spare.

But, for the lightweight tasks and background idle, it’s able to hold on for days before actually dying.

And, with TECNO Slim’s bundled 45W charger out of the box, you get these results:

From 0%	START TIME: 9:24PM
3 minutes	5%
5 minutes	9%
10 minutes	18%
15 minutes	25%
20 minutes	33%
30 minutes	45%
45 minutes	71%
50 minutes	80%
1 hour	94%
1 hour 5 minutes	99%
100%	1 hour, 6 minutes END TIME: 10:30PM

UNFORGIVEN drawbacks

A first-generation product is never flawless, and the TECNO Slim isn’t any different.

With chipset talk already mentioned a while ago, you’d know by now how the SPARK Slim model I have does not have 5G support.

Sure, there’s the 5G-capable POVA Slim variant but, I’m betting it will be hog more battery with its more data-demanding chipset.

However, for most users (at least where I live), 4G data speeds are still quite acceptable — especially in areas where there’s no 5G coverage yet.

For me though, the lack of ultra-wide lens is its biggest drawback.

Don’t be fooled by its dual circular cutout as it only possesses a single 50MP main shooter.

I wouldn’t dive deeper onto it as I already made a separate camera walkthrough during my Shanghai trip way back in August.

SEE ALSO: GadgetSnaps: TECNO Slim in Shanghai

There were times when I wanted to get a bigger picture of the scenery I wanted to take. But, the lack of ultra-wide lens power hindered me from doing so.

Backing out and just taking a far-away 1x shot neither works as I’m stopped by the obstacles behind me.

Safe to say, the TECNO Slim can take decent shots for everyday use. That’s either 1x or even through 2x in-sensor zoom.

And, you have to be very still for those blurry-free mementos. Not unless it’s the type of ~𝓪𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓬~ you wanted to share.

Baymax-coded

While most phone brands have been struggling to bring out catchier designs on the drawing table, TECNO Slim begs to differ.

Most will just say this is a gimmick. Personally, I find this “gimmick” a part of its overall unique aesthetic that makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd.

With its “Mood Light” feature, those Baymax-like rear camera cutout serves as a light alert.

Be that for your upcoming notifications, playing music, or a continuous show-off just so people can see you got a quirky phone with you.

The only thing I wish it could do is to be a ring light for softer light fills when trying to take rear-cam selfies.

But, then again, how can you take Gen-Z selfies without an ultra-wide camera at its back?

Is the TECNO Slim Your BudgetMatch?

You’d be hard pressed to know that the TECNO (SPARK) Slim is only priced at PhP 9,499. If you do the math, that price tag is just below the US$ 200 / EUR 150 / GBP 130 / SG$ 230 mark.

It’s crystal clear that TECNO wanted budget-conscious consumers to have a taste of what smartphones in the future will look like.

It’s an easy Swipe Right if you wanted to taste it without slashing holes in your pockets — literally and figuratively.

The Helio G200 is surprisingly snappy compared to past generations. Moreover, it has a superb display and audio paired with crazily impossible thinness, unparalleled durability, and more than sufficient endurance.

It’s just the matter if you can bear with its compromises: the absence of 5G alongside the lack of ultra-wide shooter at its back.

For some, we can live by it. At the end of the day, that irresistible price mostly goes to admiring TECNO’s engineering masterpiece over rocking the “superior” hardware for an entry-level class device.

While flagships pack all the punch, it’s still an understatement how being able to hold slim and lightweight phones are as heavenly as it looks.

With my flagship daily drivers that are obviously heavier, being able to experience the TECNO Slim is a breath of fresh air.

If you’re a FEARNOT like I am, you may have noticed how 95 percent of my headings revolve around LE SSERAFIM’s songs.

Going on a full circle moment, the group’s very first intro track “The World Is My Oyster” is very comparable to TECNO themselves. They were able to produce this type of smartphone because they believe they have the utmost ability to act upon on that wish.

Together with the brand’s “Stop At Nothing” ethos, it proves that one cannot stop innovating as long as they keep pushing beyond the limits.