Hands-On

Huawei Y7 Prime Hands-on Review (Honor Holly 4 Plus)

Published

November 18, 2017

Daniel Morial

What can we get out of a US$ 200 smartphone nowadays? The Huawei Y7 Prime aims to answer that question.

You know the drill for this: Let’s first take a look at the physique of the handset.

The front has a 5.5-inch IPS display

Budget devices are yet to have near-borderless displays

On the left is the hybrid card slot

Need to choose between a microSD or a second SIM card

While on the right are the power and volume buttons

They’re pretty tactile

We still have the 3.5mm port on top

The small pinhole is for the noise-canceling microphone

This budget phone has a micro-USB port

Symmetrical speaker grilles but not stereo

The back looks clean and neat!

But the metal backplate is quite difficult to wipe clean

Even the Huawei logo is very subtle

A large 4000mAh battery is beneath that plate, too

EMUI 5.1 runs the show

Based on Android Nougat!

Simple yet effective design

The Y7 Prime sits on top our favorite budget Huawei device, the GR3 2017, based on pricing. But on paper and in design, it kinda feels like a step down. But, perhaps the GR3 2017 was just an amazing deal in its range. No worries, the Y7 Prime has a bigger 5.5-inch display (resolution is just 720p, though) and a more premium metal body.

Its design, as already mentioned, is clean and modest. There’s nothing really special about it, but while I was using the phone, it’s understated looks grew on me. It also feels really solid in my hand, and that’s a big check mark

A Huawei with a Snapdragon

Like Samsung, Huawei makes their own processors called Kirin. Their home-baked processors power the company’s latest flagship and even midrange phones. The Y7 Prime, however, has a Snapdragon 435 processor which has Adreno 505 graphics on board. For those who want an efficient and reliable processor on their mobile phones, the Y7 Prime will be one of your options.

With EMUI 5.1 and Android Nougat at the helm of user experience, I encountered no hiccups during my time with the phone. Despite being a heavy skin on top of Android, EMUI brings a number of improvements and enhancements; and since we have a Snapdragon processor, gaming is not an issue here, either. Our favorite title Asphalt Extreme was set to high settings by default and ran smoothly. More intensive games have to be set in medium or even low settings though for smoother gameplay.

Camera is fairly decent

For photography, the phone has a 12-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. In this range, there’s not much to expect from these basic shooters but they are able to take okay everyday photos. Check them out:

I had trouble focusing on my subjects using the tap-to-focus feature most of the time, so it’s best to let the camera automatically focus on its chosen subject. It’s a minor bug that could (and should!) be addressed by an over-the-air update. Beauty mode is available if you want to look fresher in your selfies but, personally, I am not that pleased with the output of my “beauty shot.”

Is this your GadgetMatch?

I gotta admit, when compared to the GR3 2017, the Y7 Prime falls short. The former has a sharper display, slightly faster processor, and a more attractive design, while the latter gets a bigger display, metal body, and longer-lasting battery. If you value the looks of your phone and its overall package, the GR3 2017 is still a good option, but if you consider yourself a power user, the Y7 Prime can keep up.

There’s not much to expect from devices in this price bracket, but hopefully next year, the near-borderless trend will be available to more market segments. For now, we have bezels for budget phones. If you have more cash to spend, you should check Huawei’s better offering, the Nova 2i.

The Huawei Y7 Prime retails for PhP 9,990 in the Philippines and it’s also known as the Honor Holly 4 Plus in India with a slightly pricier tag of INR 13,999.

[irp posts=”22432″ name=”Huawei Nova 2i Review (Honor 9i)”]

Related Topics:Huawei Huawei Y7 Prime Y7 Prime

Hands-On

Apple iPhone Duo Unboxing and Hands-on

Supported apps, crease, cameras, and MagSafe all tested

Published

October 22, 2026

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

Apple’s iPhone Duo is finally here!

Aside from unboxing the all-new iPhone-dable in Night Sky, we take a closer look at the display crease, check out the under-display camera quality, see which MagSafe accessories work with it.

Most of all, which apps support it (or not).

But how well does the dual-screen experience on an iPhone actually work? Watch our Apple iPhone Duo unboxing and hands-on to know more!

Convenient Smart Home

30 days with the LG AeroMini

The upgrade my new space ~badly~ needed

Published

October 5, 2026

Noela

Moving into a new space comes with a long list of things to figure out, and lately, I’ve been paying more attention to something that’s easy to overlook: air quality.

After using the LG AeroMini for about a month, it has become a subtle but welcome addition to my space. It helps make the room feel fresher, while its compact and stylish design fits naturally into my setup. Here are the things that stood out to me most after living with it for a month.

360° purification for a fresher space

One of the things I appreciate about the AeroMini is its 360° air purification, designed to bring purified air in every direction.

For me, this is particularly useful in a new space where I’m spending a lot of time working, relaxing, and just settling in.

Combined with its True HEPA filter, which is designed to remove 99.999% of 0.01μm fine dust and allergens, it gives me added peace of mind about the air I’m breathing every day.

After a month, I can genuinely say that the space feels fresher with it running.

Surprisingly quiet

This is probably my favorite feature.

The LG AeroMini operates at just 26dB, and after using it for a month, what stands out is how easy it is to forget that it’s even running.

I can have it running while I’m working or sleeping without the noise becoming a distraction. For an appliance that’s designed to continuously improve the air around you, I think that’s a big deal.

Sometimes, the best feature is the one you barely notice.

Design that fits my space

Since I recently moved, I’ve been pretty conscious about what I bring into the space. I want things to be functional, but I also don’t want appliances that feel like they’re taking over the room.

The AeroMini’s slim and compact design makes it easy to incorporate into my setup. It doesn’t feel bulky or industrial, and I like that I can leave it out without feeling like I need to hide it away.

For me, that balance between functionality and aesthetics makes it feel more like part of the space rather than just another appliance.

Air quality at a glance

Another feature I’ve found convenient is its Smart Control. Through the app, I can monitor and control the AeroMini while getting real-time updates on the indoor air quality.

It’s a small convenience, but being able to check the air quality without having to interact with the purifier directly makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening in the room.

Easy to maintain

I also appreciate that the AeroMini is designed with an all-in-one dust and deodorization filter that makes replacement and maintenance easier.

That matters to me because the best home gadgets are the ones that don’t create another complicated chore. I want something I can set up, use regularly, and maintain without too much fuss.

After a month, would I keep it?

Yes, and mainly because it quietly fits into my everyday routine.

The LG AeroMini has helped make my new space feel fresher and more comfortable, while its compact design means it doesn’t compromise the look of the room. But if I had to pick just one thing I appreciate most, it’s still how incredibly quiet it is.

It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t demand your attention. It simply works in the background.

If you’re also looking to make your home a fresher and more comfortable space for yourself and your family, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ to learn more about the LG AeroMini and how it can fit into your everyday life.

Hands-On

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Series Hands-on

And everything announced during Apple’s September 2026 Event

Published

September 13, 2026

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

The latest Apple event isn’t just about the shiny new Apple Duo. There’s a lot to talk about!

In this video, we break down everything Apple has announced during their September 2026 keynote.

First, there’s the updated iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. That’s alongside their design and color changes, battery and performance improvements. Even that massive camera upgrade.

There’s even the ANC-infused AirPods 5 alongside the newer Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Plus, the latest software updates coming to both these wearables.

So, are these worth the upgrade?