News

iPhone 17: Better display tech, power efficiency, more

More capable Neural Engine, longer battery life, Center Stage front camera among upgrades

Published

on

The latest iPhones are here. Apple has launched the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside the standalone iPhone Air model on Tuesday morning.

The base model, the iPhone 17, has been made more capable than ever, with upgrades in display technology, power efficiency, Neural Engine, and more.

So, what’s new?

Better, brighter, larger display

The iPhone 17 comes with a slightly larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display with thinner borders for more display real estate.

This display now features the same ProMotion technology found on Pro series models, with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.

In a nutshell, that means smoother scrolling and better video playback, but for gaming, it means the audiovisual experience is elevated as well.

Users can also benefit from the now 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness — the highest ever on an iPhone — and reduced glare.

Moreover, the display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2. This upgraded coating is said to be three times more scratch resistant than Ceramic Shield, adding to the iPhone 17’s overall durability and toughness.

More power efficient, more capable of AI tasks

The iPhone 17 features an A19 chip built on a 3nm technology. It makes the handset faster and more efficient for handling even intensive tasks.

Featuring a 16-core Neural Engine, the chip also enables more power-efficient AI inference.

Users will benefit from the more powerful 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU chip especially in gaming and graphics intensive tasks.

The chip is likewise tailor-made for running on-device AI better while still being power efficient.

Of course, the iPhone 17 runs on iOS 26 and features Apple Intelligence, as well as relatively newer features like Visual Intelligence and Live Translation.

Faster wired charging also enables the iPhone 17 to be charged to 50% in just 20 minutes.

iPhone 17 cameras

As for its cameras, the iPhone 17 features a 48MP Dual Fusion Camera System. This 48MP main camera allows users to shoot at up to 2X zoom without detail loss.

In addition, the iPhone 17 has a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera camera which can also double as a 12MP 1x macro shooter for higher-quality close-up shots.

Center Stage front camera

Also new across the series is the 18MP Center Stage front camera. This features the widest field of view yet on an iPhone selfie camera.

That’s thanks to its large sensor that is almost twice the size of the previous one. Furthermore, what makes the sensor different is it has a square shape.

This means users will have better time taking selfies as they do not have to rotate the phone itself anymore.

The device will also intelligently respond when there are more subjects in the frame, widening the field of view to its maximum or even rotate it to landscape orientation.

Stabilization has also been made better for filming using the front camera. This optimization can also be felt on video calls.

iPhone 17 price, availability

The iPhone 17 starts at US$ 799 for the 256GB configuration. There are five available colors: Lavender, Mist Blue, Black, White, and Sage.

Pre-orders start on Friday with general availability starting September 19th.

News

TECNO MEGAPAD 2 now available in the Philippines

Published

on

By

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 finally reaches the Philippine shores — five months after its official unveiling at MWC 2026 last March.

It’s the brand’s latest Android tablet aimed at users looking for a larger screen for work, study, and entertainment.

Your Productivity Companion

TECNO’s MEGAPAD 2 boasts an 11-inch 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate and TÜV Low Blue Light certification. It also comes with a quad-speaker setup with DTS audio.

Powering the MEGAPAD 2 is a MediaTek Helio G99 SoC paired with either a 6+128GB or 8+256GB memory and storage configurations. There’s even a microSD expansion of up to 2TB.

Keeping the tablet running is an 8,200mAh battery with 18W wired charging. At just 6.6mm thin and 490g, it’s one of the slimmest and lightest tablets for its price point.

AI takes center stage

Like TECNO’s latest devices, the MEGAPAD 2 runs the latest HiOS 16 based on Android 16. This means they have integrated several AI-powered tools aimed at boosting productivity and learning.

These include AI Problem Solving for educational / homework assistance, AI Translation with support for up to 140 languages across images, calls, meetings, and videos. Moreover, writing tools that can summarize, rewrite, and proofread text.

The tablet is also part of TECNO’s OneLeap ecosystem. Compatible TECNO phones and laptops can share files, extend displays, and transfer content more seamlessly.

For video calls and casual photo-taking, the MEGAPAD 2 features 8MP front and rear cameras. Connectivity options include LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C, allowing users to stay connected even when Wi-Fi isn’t available.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO MEGAPAD 2 comes in Space Grey, Light Green, and Cosmic Orange colorways.

In the Philippines, early bird pricing starts at PhP 13,266 for the 6GB + 128GB model. Meanwhile, the 8GB + 256GB variant is priced at PHP 15,766. Both configurations include a Bluetooth keyboard as part of the launch bundle.

After the offer, it rolls back to its PhP 16,999 and PhP 19,999 SRPs respectively — minus the free Bluetooth keyboard.

Continue Reading

News

TECNO unveils the world’s first 0mm bezel-less phone

Is this the future of smartphones?

Published

on

By

It seems like the race towards an all-screen smartphone isn’t over just yet.

While most in the tech industry are currently obsessed over Samsung’s latest wide foldable, TECNO announces a more refreshing sight — at least for the regular “slab-type” phone form factor.

Black borders begone

Modern flagship smartphones already have incredibly slim bezels, but there’s still a thin black border separating the active display from the frame. That’s due to the internal circuitry and safety clearances required by current display technology

TECNO proves it’s possible to dissolve that with their Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone. And this is actually the industry’s first smartphone with a true 0mm display bezel.

With this fresh concept, the uprising brand says it has solved that “final millimeter” by redesigning the phone’s internal structure and display packaging. The result is a display with a visible border measuring 0 microns (0mm). This makes the screen appear to stretch all the way to the edges.

Removing the bezel completely isn’t just about aesthetics. The company says such uninterrupted display makes a more immersive experience — whether you’re watching videos, playing games, browsing photos, or simply reading.

Without these visible borders, content appears to flow naturally from edge-to-edge, making the display look as if it’s floating in your hand.

A glimpse at TECNO’s future

As with most concept devices, there’s no word yet on whether this exact design will make it into a commercial smartphone. Still, TECNO says the engineering behind the concept goes beyond the display itself.

The technologies developed for the project (such as improvements related to cameras, touch responsiveness, audio, and AI-driven user interactions) could eventually find their way into the brand’s future flagship devices.

Whether or not a true bezel-free phone becomes reality anytime soon, the concept offers a glimpse at where smartphone design could be heading next. After all, TECNO’s super slim concept last 2025 actually became an actual retail product with the existence of TECNO Slim.

The concept is set to make its public debut on the upcoming ShowStoppers at IFA 2026 this September 3.

Continue Reading

Laptops

Apple introduces Apple Upgrade leasing program

Flexible leasing arrives

Published

on

Apple has introduced Apple Upgrade, a new leasing program that makes it easier to get an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch through monthly payments. The program also gives customers more flexibility to upgrade to newer devices over time.

Apple Upgrade replaces new enrollments for the iPhone Upgrade Program with a single offering that covers four product categories. Apple partnered with Klarna to power the service.

Customers can lease an iPhone or Apple Watch for one or two years. Mac and iPad leases are available for two or three years.

At the end of the lease, customers have three options. They can upgrade to a newer device, purchase the leased device by paying the remaining balance, or return it with no further obligation.

Monthly payments start at US$17.99 for iPhone and US$24.99 for Mac, depending on the selected model and configuration. Customers must also qualify through Klarna before enrolling.

More than iPhones

Apple Upgrade expands beyond the company’s previous iPhone-only financing program. It brings iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch under one leasing service, making upgrades more consistent across Apple’s hardware lineup.

Customers can manage their lease through Apple, while Klarna handles financing and lease administration. They can also pay off their device early, although additional terms and fees may apply depending on the agreement.

Apple Upgrade is currently available only in the United States. Apple has not announced plans to expand the program to other regions.

Continue Reading

Trending