Features

IFA 2016: What to expect from Europe’s biggest tech show

Published

August 30, 2016

Monch Lopez

The IFA consumer electronics exhibition will officially take place in Berlin over the next several days, and we’ll be there to bring you the biggest stories as they happen.

So what can we expect from the top brands around the industry? We’ve been doing some research, as well as rounding up the most plausible devices that will break cover at IFA 2016. Read on for a breakdown of what we expect to see and hear about in the upcoming week.

Acer

Acer has already teased an ultraportable laptop that may be under 1-inch thick, but what else do the Taiwanese have in store for attendees of Europe’s largest consumer electronics trade show?

A high-end phone? We doubt it. More Windows 10 machines? Possibly. A gaming smartwatch? Yeah, that’s a very likely scenario. Acer is said to be ready to introduce a smartwatch — niche-market product at the moment — that might appeal to gamers — a niche community. It’s an unlikely pairing, to be sure, but if any company can pull it off, we believe it’s Acer.

ASUS

The ZenFone 3 series has only started to trickle through to people, so expecting another bunch of ASUS handsets from IFA would be misguided. Without plans for a major smartphone announcement, we may very well see the ZenWatch 3 breaking cover. ASUS already hinted at a smartwatch refresh on Twitter, which could have a round face and three physical buttons, in addition to built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and support for fast charging.

Huawei

Earlier reports claimed that Huawei will take the wraps off the Mate 9 at IFA 2016, but the rumors have been reportedly shot down by a company executive. The latest news, courtesy of industry insider Evan Blass (@evleaks), suggests that Huawei will instead unveil a successor to the MediaPad range and two new midrange phones: the Nova and Nova Plus.

Both phones may look identical to the Nexus 6P and will likely include the latest Kirin processor with up to 4GB of RAM, 16- and 8-megapixel rear and front cameras, and a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. Meanwhile, the upcoming MediaPad slate could come with a metal body to house its midrange components.

Samsung

The Korean tech company has previously debuted the Galaxy Note 7 and a Type-C compatible Gear VR headset. But that doesn’t mean it has run out of exciting things to show off in Berlin.

Perhaps the most interesting of which is the Galaxy Gear 3 wearable, which is believed to come with multiple health/fitness sensors and a GPS chip for accurate location tracking. Its predecessor, the Galaxy Gear 2, has been hailed as Samsung’s best wearable yet, so we’re expecting to hear some great things about the sequel.

Also rumored to hit the stage are two models under the new Galaxy Tab 3 line. Sporting 8- and 9.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED screens and Qualcomm’s faster Snapdragon chips, the tablets seem to be aimed at power users who want to be extra productive with their tablets.

Sony

Besides unveiling more TVs that make “Netflix and chill” even better, the Japanese manufacturer is largely expected to show up with two new products to accompany its existing X series of smartphones. If reports turn out to be accurate, the Xperia X Compact and Xperia XZ will assume the flagship mantle for Sony, with the latter poised to compete with the best the industry has to offer.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 system-on-a-chip matched with 4GB of RAM is expected to power the two phones, making the Xperia X Compact an ideal option for those who want a more pocketable handset that can do everything a flagship can. Think of it as the more capable Android equivalent of Apple’s iPhone SE.

What else?

ifa-2016-preview-gadgetmatch-07

Word is Lenovo-owned Motorola will present new Moto 360 smartwatches. ZTE will announce a bezel-less Nubia smartphone and a smaller version of the Axon 7. LG might come to IFA bearing a curvy phone to succeed the G Flex line, but we’d be surprised if it does make an appearance; LG execs told us before that the G Flex 2 is probably the last in the series.

[irp posts=”736″ name=”Car Tech at CES 2016″]

Related Topics:Gear S3 IFA 2016 Xperia X Compact Xperia XZ ZenWatch 3

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.