News
Third-party case hints bigger and thicker iPhone 14 Pro Max cameras
The upgraded 48MP camera might actually be the real deal
Last 2019, we were at a tech convention in Hong Kong. To our surprise, there was an AirPods Pro case being displayed even if the AirPods Pro was non-existent back then. Just weeks after the event, the AirPods Pro got officially revealed.

Early AirPods Pro case during Global Sources 2019 at AsiaWorld Expo in Hong Kong
Fast forward this 2022, as I was randomly scrolling through an online shopping app, I’ve noticed one thing: the China-based store is already selling phone cases for the iPhone 14 series. While I’m using an iPhone 13 Pro Max just recently, nothing stops my curiosity from buying a less than a dollar silicone case for the next-gen iPhone.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
We are just one month away from Apple revealing the next iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro series. Although CAD renders have already been leaked last March, I’m still curious enough to know what will be the changes — at least externally or through the case I bought.
14 Pro and 14 Pro Max pic.twitter.com/39TMqVTFVc
— Max Weinbach (@mweinbach) March 22, 2022

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
After five days, I finally received the case for the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max. The labels and the QR code even direct to an iPhone 14 Pro Max model.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
And just like what the leaks have suggested, the iPhone 14 Pro Max might really feature an even bigger camera cutout.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
The best demonstration would be fitting my iPhone 13 Pro Max inside the newly-bought silicone case. It fitted just right but not as snug as it should. Maybe this suggests that there will really be some reduction in bezels. But I digress.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Not only that, the camera bump is obviously thicker. I tried comparing it to a similar silicone case for the 13 Pro Max and the protrusion on the case’s camera bump is not as evident as the one on the “iPhone 14 Pro Max” case.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
For the sides, there are barely any changes except for the placement of the power button which is a little bit lower than last year’s positioning.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
Volume buttons and the mute switch for the iPhone 14 Pro Max still look exactly like they are all in the same position as the older iPhone.

Image by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch
While we should take this with a grain of salt, you should expect that you wouldn’t be able to use your iPhone 13 Pro Max cases if you’re planning to upgrade to an iPhone 14 Pro Max next month.
The “iPhone 14 Pro Max” case I saw and bought online just arrived after 5 days.
Leaked CAD renders weren’t lying that the iPhone 14 Pros have bigger camera bump and cutout.
Tried it on my iPhone 13 Pro Max and that’s the biggest external change so far (+ lowered power button). pic.twitter.com/mBoJw9rncA
— . (@vincenzvangogh) August 12, 2022
News
This rumored iPhone 18 color will make you switch phones
The rumored Dark Cherry color looks so premium.
(Cosmic) orange is the new black. With the iPhone 17 series, Apple introduced the color as the next fashion statement for the ubiquitous phone. If you see an orange phone today, chances are that it’s an all-new iPhone 17 Pro Max. This year, the series might get another new statement color: Dark Cherry.
Though the usual suspects of colors will always be there, Apple often leaves a bit of room for more experimental options for those who want to stand out with their new phone. As you can probably tell from the ongoing deluge of orange, the strategy is working well for Apple.
According to Macworld, Apple is working on a Dark Cherry option for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
Red isn’t a color foreign to the iPhone. In the past, several generations included a limited red colorway option. If the reports are true, red might be a standard option, rather than a limited edition.
But, of course, Dark Cherry is different from the red that we’re used to. Instead of the bright red, the new option will be more similar to the color of wine.
Besides Dark Cherry, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will also have Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver as options. Though Light Blue also looks great, the wine-like color looks like a personal highlight for me. I didn’t know I wanted a wine-colored iPhone until I saw the renders for this.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 18 may have lower specs and a delayed launch, rumor says
It’s time to kindly shove off, flat design. After over a decade of Google’s Material Design, Android is finally showing signs of ditching flat, monotonous colors. In a series of logo redesigns, Google is reportedly trying out gradients as its latest reinvention.
As spotted by 9to5Google, Google is moving forward with incorporating gradients into its designs. Previously, the company started changing the icons of a few first-party apps including Photos and Maps. Now, it seems that the new design philosophy will reach the rest of Google’s suite.
In the obtained designs, the rest of Google’s plethora of apps will no longer look static. The splash of gradient adds the feeling of layering without losing the company’s roots in flat design. Docs and Sheets, for example, look like a light shining on pieces of paper.
It’s unknown when Google plans to incorporate the new philosophy. However, with Google I/O coming fast, it’s fair to bet that an update might come out around that time, especially since that event’s logo already has gradients.
Google’s evolution is not without its precedent. Besides the company’s small trial previously, Apple’s iOS has also made inroads into more three-dimensional designs with the new Liquid Glass. However, unlike Apple, Google’s newest design is a far cry from the former’s return to Windows Vista aesthetics.
Personally, I don’t mind the transition to 3D, as long as it’s done well. Though still visually pleasing, flat design has started overstaying its welcome. It’s time to try something new.
OPPO has also introduced the OPPO Find X9s in the Philippines, offering a more accessible premium experience for everyday users.
The device is priced at PHP 69,999.
Pre-order and availability
Pre-orders begin April 24 at select OPPO Brand Stores. Early buyers will receive a Portable Power Gift Box.
The Find X9s officially goes on sale on May 15, available through:
- OPPO Online Store
- Select OPPO Brand Stores
Online store purchases include the Portable Power Gift Box and Enco X3s earbuds, while Shopee offers the gift box bundle.
Key highlights
The OPPO Find X9s features a 50MP Hasselblad co-developed triple camera system with 4K recording across all lenses. It also packs a 7025mAh battery, slim 7.99mm design, and durability ratings up to IP69, making it a balanced daily driver.
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