To find your GadgetMatch you first need to think about your needs.

As a frequent traveler, Michael Josh’s GadgetMatch is a phone that he can take with me on ALL his trips.

Insert the latest and greatest OPPO Find X9 Pro.

On a recent trip to Mexico, he took thousands of photos and tested it out.

The HONOR Magic8 Pro, HONOR’s latest flagship smartphone, has been officially launched Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Customers can place preorders starting December 11 across UAE via the HONOR Online Store, Sharaf DG, Emax, Ecity, Jumbo, Virgin Megastore, Amazon, Carrefour, e&, Eros, Noon, and Lulu.

The pricing are as follows:

• 12GB+512GB (Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Black): AED 3,999
• 16GB+1TB (Sunrise Gold, Black): AED 4,699

Those who preorder will get the following as part of a preorder gift package worth AED 2,299:

• HONOR VIP Care+ with 12-month damage protection
• 3-month Google AI Pro trial
• HONOR Watch5 Ultra

HONOR Magic8 Pro: AI imaging, mobile intelligence, creator-focused tech

The introduction of the HONOR Magic8 Pro reinforces the company’s leadership in AI Imaging, mobile intelligence, and creator-focused technology.

The phone boasts of groundbreaking on-device AI innovations, including Low-bit Quantization Technology for AI Models and Next-Generation Hybrid Retrieval Technology.

Powering the Pro model is the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform. It is the first phone in UAE to have the processor.

HONOR’s agentic AI capabilities and Qualcomm’s mobile platforms make it possible for the device to be more efficient and packed with computing power.

The phone also comes with a 7100mAh Silicon-carbon battery. More advanced features include the AI Button, AI Search, and AI Documents, all designed to enhance productivity and support AI-driven workflows.

For its camera package, the HONOR Magic8 Pro has a 200MP AI Ultra Night Telephoto camera and an upgraded AI Ultra Night Portrait mode.

The device also introduces AI Magic Color and a new AI Editor, enabling refined color optimization and on-device creative adjustments.

For more of the innovations on the HONOR Magic8 Pro, read: HONOR reveals 1st images of Magic8 Pro, introduces new AI technologies

When the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip line entered my life years ago, it felt like a playful detour that sparked joy in my late twenties.

Seven generations later, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 arrived at a time when I had shed my old skin and rebuilt my strength.

Holding this new version felt like meeting a familiar companion who had also transformed and grown into something far more refined. I saw a glow up I recognized because it mirrored my own.

literally, glowing up

I have seen the Flip evolve through every generation. Calling the Galaxy Z Flip7’s design a small update does not honor the work Samsung put in.

This model feels like a body sharpened by intention, the same way an athlete reaches a new physique through discipline and consistency.

At 13.7 mm folded and 6.5 mm unfolded, it is the slimmest Flip yet. It feels like it dropped unnecessary weight and revealed its strongest form.

It easily fits inside my tiny Rags2Riches purse along with my cards, lip balm from Bench Beauty, and my Poy Sian inhaler. When holding it, it feels natural, almost like a custom grip carved for my daily routine.

Its Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 body feel sturdy without feeling heavy. The matte finish keeps it smudge free and secure.

Despite my clumsy moments and active life, I have never dropped it. I trust this phone in the way I trust my body after years of rebuilding strength.

People once assumed I would never survive ultramarathons because I looked thin and fragile, but that version of me existed seven years ago. Seven years change people, and seven years also change phones.

the color of confidence

The Blue Shadow variant is the signature color of this year’s lineup, and it is stunning.

Still, I felt pulled toward the Coral Red. My spiritual advisor once said that the colors we gravitate to reflect our internal shifts.

Purple and Blue Shadow belonged to my healing era. Coral Red came to me when I was finally ready to live louder.

The moment I held the Galaxy Z Flip7, something in my life began to shift. It became an accessory that matched my renewed courage.

It was the first thing people noticed when I joined events or casual dinners. People asked about it, and each time felt like an invitation to share stories about life and technology.

The Galaxy Z Flip7 amplified my world instead of blending in. Like that line from “Golden” by H/UNTRIX, it felt like stepping into a chapter where hiding is no longer an option because shining has become natural.

strength training for a hinge

My life is fast, demanding, and most of the time, messy. I open and close the Galaxy Z Flip7 more times than I can count.

It reminds me of how I worry about my knees during steep downhill sprints. Yet I trust the Galaxy Z Flip7’s hinge the way I trust my legs after proper rehab.

The new Armor FlexHinge feels smoother and more controlled. The crease is less visible, the same way my knee scars softened after I recovered from that cliffside fall in the Cordilleras.

The hinge performs like it completed a strength program built for elite athletes. It stays stable in various Flex Mode angles and never feels weak.

After more than three months, I have not encountered a single moment that made me concerned about durability. It feels ready to journey with me into another year of reinvention.

now playing: Kimetsu no Yaiba

The main display now stretches to 6.9 inches from last year’s 6.7 inches, while the cover screen expands to 4.1 inches from 3.4 inches with slimmer bezels that give more room to breathe.

It’s bright enough at 2600 nits to use under sunlight and smooth enough at 120Hz to glide through my day.

The bigger cover screen changed my routine. I reach for the phone less and still get what I need. It feels like learning efficient movement in training where every exercise has purpose.

When I had the Galaxy Z Flip7, I was deep into a Demon Slayer marathon. I wanted to catch up before the first part of the Infinity Castle movie arrived, and the timing felt impeccable.

I was casually seeing a doctor who loved the anime, and through his influence, I finished all five seasons in just two weeks.

During lunch, I squeezed in episodes by watching through my iPad Pro and continued the journey through the Galaxy Z Flip7 every night before falling asleep.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is visually rich, and the Galaxy Z Flip7’s vibrant display carried the colors and emotions beautifully.

It felt like watching a moving painting, bright enough to keep me invested even when my eyes were tired after long training days.

The phone was light enough to hold with one hand, which made late-night streaming comfortable. I often drifted into sleep with the anime’s warm glow still playing in my palm, the same way I used to fall asleep after exhausting long runs.

The sound quality was not the Galaxy Z Flip7’s strongest suit. It became loud and cranky when pushed too far, so I kept the volume lower, which worked well for quiet nights and even quieter TikTok spirals.

Still, the Galaxy Z Flip7 handled content consumption smoothly. Whether I was watching Netflix or scrolling through TikTok for story inspiration, the phone kept up in a way that felt seamless.

personal device for a personal life

I assigned the Galaxy Z Flip7 to my personal world. My iPhone 16 Pro handles work, deadlines, productions, and campaigns.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip7 holds my personal content, and the people who deserve my presence after hours.

The Now Brief feature surprised me. I handle many things at once and often miss small but important details. Now Brief feels like having a reliable secretary who keeps track of messages, appointments, and updates.

It makes everything feel lighter. Even when the phone is folded, it supports me in ways I did not expect. The Galaxy Z Flip7 teaches me that sometimes the smaller screen can carry the bigger load.

the stamina to keep up

Unfolded, the Flip7 gives a complete smartphone experience. It’s lean and compact, yet powerful.

It supports all the facets of who I am. Creative director. Lifestyle journalist. Endurance athlete. Entrepreneur. Strategist. Co-founder of a sports team and a sports marketing agency. I have many roles that demand structure, time, and energy. A flagship phone must keep up at all times.

The new chipset delivers smoother performance and improved Wi-Fi stability. The Galaxy Z Flip7 can handle content creation, writing, and bursts of social uploads. Although, it struggles with overheating during long data sessions or when I edit many media files.

The 4300mAh battery is better than before, yet still not enough for my lifestyle. Even so, the Flip7 remains reliable. It’s compact without compromising capability.

It has enough stamina for my personal life, and that is all I need from this phone.

an experience just for you

What I have always loved about Android is the creative freedom that allows a phone to feel like an extension of who you are.

Apple is slowly catching up, yet One UI 8 already gives a level of personalization that feels intentional. Living with the Galaxy Z Flip7 made me appreciate how these refinements upgrade daily life in ways that may seem small yet feel meaningful when added up.

The dynamic wallpapers were a delight. The color tones shifted with the time of day, brightening during mornings and softening at night.

It felt like a gentle reminder that the smallest routines are often the ones that build consistency. Fitness taught me that progress happens through tiny habits that compound in silence, and somehow the Galaxy Z Flip7’s design language echoed that mindset.

Even something as simple as the Weather app felt more polished. It became a small visual check-in that added a bit of calm to busy days.

Depending on how you use your phone, One UI’s enhancements may feel subtle. I noticed them in those moments when life slows down enough for you to appreciate the way technology quietly supports your life.

It truly is in the smallest things where the most meaningful changes begin.

for picture-perfect memories

The Galaxy Z Flip7 has been my daily driver for more than three months, and its cameras consistently produced vibrant, sharp photos.

I relied heavily on the main camera and the cover screen because that feels like the core reason to own a Flip. Flex Mode gave me angles that matched every part of my life.

It supported my workout videos, my best selfies, my solo travel portraits, and spontaneous moments with friends or dates whenever I wanted to capture a memory without involving anyone else.

The hardware stayed the same with its 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and 10-megapixel front shooter.

But the real improvement came from the ProVisual engine. Its software enhancements handled dynamic range and low light more confidently.

It felt oddly similar to how an athlete trains. Your body may look the same from the outside, yet your form and strength grow from refining what already exists.

I’ve shared my sample photographs at my story about my trip to Zhengzhou in China. (READ: Zhengzhou through the lens of Galaxy Z Flip7)

If you haven’t checked that out, here are some of the moments I captured with the Galaxy Z Flip7 throughout the year:

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 your GadgetMatch?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is the strongest version of the Flip so far. It feels like a phone that has gone through its own version of strength training, carrying subtle upgrades that form a noticeable transformation when you live with it every day.

It’s an easy recommendation if you are coming from older Flip models or switching from other Android devices. It even feels refreshing if you want to try something different from a slate phone like an iPhone.

People often assume that my lifestyle is better suited for the Galaxy Z Fold7 because of the volume of work that I handle. I thought the same.

Yet the Galaxy Z Flip7 surprised me by fitting my routines and the life I am building as I continue to grow into this new chapter.

It has the power of a flagship smartphone, cameras that let me document milestones, and a personality that blends effortlessly with mine.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 starts at PhP 70,990 for the 12GB+256GB variant and PhP 78,990 for the 12GB+512GB. It feels worth every bit of the investment if you want a phone that can keep up with your lifestyle while adding a sense of intention and identity.

And because of that, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is a Super Swipe and earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval. It’s a device shaped by years of refinement, much like any athlete who continues to evolve with discipline. Of course, it’s easily my GadgetMatch.

But if you’re wondering if this could be yours, it’s time to Swipe Right if you want a flip smartphone that offers a full and personal experience.

Swipe Left if you still prefer larger devices like the Galaxy Z Fold7 or traditional slate smartphones.

The Galaxy Z Flip7 is an acquired taste, and choosing it feels similar to choosing a sport or a fitness journey. It becomes meaningful only when you are ready for the change it brings.