Despite being a self-professed audiophile, I have always had a problem with wearing headphones the whole day. Sooner or later, the weight just becomes too much. So, when I saw the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro with its thick cushioning, it was love at first sight.

But will that love last?

Lookin’ like a succulent pork belly

Obviously, I’m exaggerating, but the head strap really does look like a pork belly because of how thick it is. And that’s not a complaint, either.

The BlackShark V3 Pro has one of the most comfortable cushioning I’ve ever experienced from a pair of headphones. Plus, both the head strap and the earcups use memory foam, so it feels like new every single time.

Over time, I can barely feel the headphones bearing down on the top of my head because of the thick cushioning. I lasted more than five hours before I felt anything. Even after taking it off for a spell, I was ready to get back into the game. For me, that’s an absurdly good record.

The earcups, on the other hand, fit perfectly. For reference, I have an average ear size. A lot of headphones I’ve tried often leave my ears in pain from all the flexing, but the BlackShark’s fit is just right.

A minimalist but elegant design

Besides the nice cushioning, the rest of the headphones exude that elegant look you might expect from more premium headphones. Except for incredibly subtle Razer branding and a thin ring of lime green around the mic button, there’s nothing to indicate that this is a pro gaming headset.

The earcups are connected to the strap via thin metal arms and a braided cable. The same arms offer 15-degree maneuverability to ensure the most comfortable fit.

Unfortunately, they don’t fold, so it’s harder to take these headphones outside. It’s a slight wrinkle in an otherwise stellar design.

Going back to analog

A lot of headphones today prefer using gesture controls over actual buttons and knobs. Getting rid of buttons does help make designs look sleeker. However, it comes with the added frustration of fiddling around with often-finicky gestures.

Thankfully, the BlackShark V3 Pro has a wealth of buttons and knobs for, in my opinion, easier control. This also lends to its credence as a gaming peripheral. When I’m in the zone, I don’t want to mess around with gestures that might not even work.

The left cup has a dedicated power button, a microphone button, a USB-C slot, and a 3.5mm port (for both input and output). It also has a nifty knob for volume control.

Meanwhile, the right cup has an equalizer button, a noise cancelling button, and a dial to adjust the ANC levels. There’s also audio feedback that lets you know exactly what you’ve pressed.

I love this layout. Though you can argue that all these buttons seem like overkill, there’s just something about manually pressing buttons and turning knobs, especially when you’re focused on gaming. It’s like a palpable feeling of turning it to 11 that you just don’t get with gesture controls.

Premium for gaming, a step less for everything else

The BlackShark V3 Pro is a bass-leaning headset. That’s pretty much what you’d expect from a gaming-focused device. A premium on bass helps you feel the immersive thump of gunshots, explosions, and even simple footsteps.

Personally, I don’t prefer bass-heavy devices. However, this pair refreshingly does not tear with high bass level. It offers a pretty rich output for the deeper end of the audio spectrum. An extensive listening session of metal created thrumming breakdowns and heavy drum solos.

However, there’s a clear step down when it comes to treble. It’s only one step down, though, because I can hear that these cans are capable of impressive treble. However, the focus on bass can drown out the other end. I’ve tried adjusting the equalizer, but it made too little difference to elevate the experience for audiophiles.

Additionally, the soundstage feels more centered than immersive. This pair isn’t what I’d pick for long listening sessions. Then again, this wasn’t made for that. This shines more brightly for gamers.

With THX Spatial Audio, these headphones feel more alive during FPS gaming sessions. Another audio enhancement can amplify footsteps, too. The audio adjustment feels weird at first, but it does give a competitive edge for shooters. It’s also compatible with a few other games, including Civilization VII, which gave a pleasant auditory experience.

A much better mic than I expected

The BlackShark V3 Pro comes with a detachable microphone you can snap on to the 3.55mm port. As a pro gaming peripheral, the attachment is expected but not even necessary for a headset of this caliber already.

It’s a fairly decent, well-thought-of accessory. The audio input was, according to people I played with, clear for in-game comms.

Even better, the Razer Synapse app comes with its own equalizer just for the mic. If you need more control over how you want your voice to be broadcast, these headphones give a surprising level of customization. Being easily accessible through the app is a huge plus, too.

In terms of quality, I might still default to a dedicated external mic. However, if you don’t have one, Razer’s premium pair is a great alternative.

Battery good enough for almost two weeks

Razer promises that the BlackShark V3 Pro can last around 70 hours on a single charge. This is a fairly accurate prediction which aligned with how I used the headphones.

As I mentioned, I can withstand around five hours straight of using the headphones. By the end of the first week, I still had a lot of juice. And if I didn’t push it to my absolute limit, I could make this last even longer than two weeks.

Ultimately, the battery’s life depends on how you use the headphones, which differ greatly from person to person. And, at the end of the day, I had no problems with keeping the headphones connected to the long and braided wire.

Is the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever tried. It’s also a premium gaming peripheral that reflects its price point well at US$ 249.99.

Sure, you won’t get a pair of headphones worthy for an audiophile, which makes this a Swipe Left if you are. But as a gamer, these are more than what you need, which makes it a hardy Swipe Right.

As someone who’s both, I’d still give this a Swipe Right. My audiophile side already has a more balanced alternatives, after all. But the BlackShark V3 Pro is excellent as a tough-as-nails daily driver.

I used to turn my nose up at ultra-light wireless mice. I preferred the heft of a traditional mouse. The tactile sensation of pushing a heavier mouse makes me feel that my efforts are mechanically moving the cursor on the screen. In contrast, a lighter mouse eradicates that connection, making itself invisible. You no longer feel connected to your PC via a mouse; your hand itself becomes the cursor. I needed that connection.

It wasn’t until the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro that I realized how silly it is to keep that extra weight.

As if nothing was there

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is built for pro gamers. It’s extremely lightweight and impressively fast through its wireless connection.

To be more accurate, the mouse itself, minus the wire and the dongle, weighs only 56 grams. Coming from a chunkier mouse, my hand just flies through my desk mat. It’s like taking off ankle weights and suddenly feeling the weightlessness of a run.

Despite the reduced resistance, I never felt disconnected from the cursor on the screen. The mouse has a maximum polling rate of 8,000Hz. Personally, I didn’t go beyond the default 1,000Hz much. It’s more than enough for casual to slightly more competitive gaming. And in any case, the higher settings are just there for those rare times I want to dabble in more intense games.

Immediately, the DeathAdder V4 Pro’s weight and polling rate were enough to melt my worries over ultra-light and wireless mice.

A simple, no-frills layout

As a competitive mouse, the DeathAdder V4 Pro sheds off any extemporaneous buttons that some gaming mice have.

For input, the mouse has the two traditional left-and-right mouse buttons, a scroll wheel and middle mouse button, and two extra buttons near the thumb. For non-gaming purposes, the two extra buttons can act as the back and next buttons.

Right near the bottom’s optical sensor, you can find a button that doubles for turning the mouse off and changing the sensitivity. I adore this layout. My previous mouse had its DPI button near my grip, leading to a lot of accidental presses. Now, I understand that the layout might favor some types of games, but it just wasn’t it for me. The DeathAdder V4 Pro keeps it out of sight and out of mind.

 

A remarkably useful app

Initially, I bristled at needing another seemingly unnecessary for a new peripheral. However, the Razer Synapse app is surprisingly useful.

It’s remarkably good with fine-tuning. In the traditional DPI settings, you can adjust all the way down to the last digit. It’s all about making the experience as tailored to your tastes as is possible.

Besides the sensitivity, the app also has settings for mouse mat surface calibration for when you lift the mouse off the mat. It also has dynamic sensitivity and rotation calibration to tailor mouse movement based on what angle you hold the mouse with.

Even the dongle is useful

Traditionally, a mouse dongle is just to ensure that the mouse is well connected to the PC. The DeathAdder V4 Pro’s dongle is more useful. For one, it uses the same USB-A to USB-C wire to charge the mouse, so you don’t need to take off the wire every single time.

Secondly, it has three LED lights for three customizable displays. By default, it shows connection quality, battery level, and polling rate. You can rearrange these three, take out one to add DPI stage, or turn them off altogether. To me, these displays are very useful. They even use multiple colors and shades, so it’s not just red, orange, and green to show the battery, for example.

Most importantly, it’s small enough to keep out of the way. Since the wire is long, you can just hide the entire thing.

Optional grip tape

This is such a small thing to add, but I love it so much. The box includes grip tape for the left-and-right mouse buttons and both sides.

Besides adding grip, the tape also keeps the main body clean from the dirt on your hands over time.

The best part is that it’s replaceable. Some mice have the rubber built in. So, in those other mice, when your finger inevitably rub them smooth, you’re stuck with a slippery rubber piece until you replace the entire mouse. The replaceable grip tape is such a godsend against this problem.

Battery for weeks

The DeathAdder V4 Pro lasts an absurdly long time. It took me two weeks before the dongle showed a color that hovered perilously closer to red. Even then, it still had juice to keep going on. For reference, I usually keep my PC on the entire day for five to six days a week. I also don’t turn the mouse off with the PC because it has a low-power state that preserves battery life.

If you keep the mouse at the default 1,000Hz, Razer promises that a full charge can last 150 hours. If you’re more diligent in turning the mouse off after every use, you can probably squeeze out a bit more, too. Alternatively, the lifespan at the maximum 8,000Hz is reportedly 22 hours, which isn’t too bad if you need the mode for long competitive sessions.

Regardless, it’s not too much of a big deal to charge the mouse. It can still work perfectly when connected to the included cable.

Is the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro made me eat humble pie. After years of snobbery towards ultra-light wireless mice, Razer’s latest peripheral mended my ways and convinced me to drop the weightier mouse.

But that’s just me. If you’re already a fan of wireless mice, the DeathAdder V4 Pro is a no-frills gaming mouse that brilliantly prioritizes function over form. It’s simple, fast, and reliable as a plug-and-play peripheral. But when it needs to be better, it can tailor your entire experience to give you a competitive edge.

The only aspect that might make you think twice is its price. At US$ 169.99, the DeathAdder V4 Pro asks you to pay for a bit more than other alternatives. It’s still within the range of its contemporaries, but the price tag is a heavy ask.

It’s still a Super Swipe for me, though. Price aside, it’s a perfect mouse for all occasions.

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.