News

LG V40 ThinQ launches with most versatile quintuple-camera setup

The first of its kind

Published

October 4, 2018

Marvin Velasco

The time has come for 5 cameras on a smartphone! / Photo by Michael Josh

LG let the cat out of the bag early, but that hasn’t stopped them from pushing through with their biggest smartphone release to date.

The V40 ThinQ looks a lot like its predecessors (and there have been many of them), but there’s one thing — or five — that makes it special.

If it isn’t obvious by now, this is the first truly quintuple-camera design on a smartphone, and each shooter isn’t just for show.

Let’s begin with the back: one 16-megapixel camera is for ultra-wide-angle shots, another 12-megapixel camera is for 2x zoomed-in photos, and the third 12-megapixel camera is simply for regular-angle shots at an f/1.5 aperture to let in more light. When put together, you have the most versatile cameras on any smartphone to date.

3 Rear cameras on the LG V40 ThinQ / Photo by Michael Josh

This is followed up by the front cameras, which consist of one wide-angle lens and another regular unit — 5 and 8 megapixels, respectively. No telephoto shooter here, because who wants close-ups of their nostrils?

Another highlight is the large 6.4-inch 1440p P-OLED display which has become a signature for LG’s V-series. Along with HDR compatibility, as well as the same Hi-Fi Quad DAC through its 3.5mm audio port and Boombox loudspeaker found on the G7, this is the multimedia smartphone to get today.

In addition, you get typical flagship specs: a fast Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB of memory, 64GB of expandable storage, and fairly sized 3300mAh battery. Oddly, it ships with the outdated Android 8.1 Oreo, but wireless charging and IP68-rated water and dust resistance are available.

It will be available for preorder on Verizon starting October 11 in Aurora Black and the Verizon-exclusive Moroccan Blue, starting at US$ 40.83 a month for 24 months. It will also be available for pickup from local Verizon stores, online, or through the My Verizon app starting on October 18.

Is the V40 ThinQ enough to save LG’s sinking sales? As it stands, it’s possibly the most complete handset currently available, but with both the higher-end models kicking it up a notch and value brands pushing cheaper products, LG needs to win back the market gradually.

LG also has to try harder at differentiating its V-series from the G-series, which are becoming increasingly alike. Still, it’s great to have a yearly refresh from both lineups, delivering consistently new features as they arrive.

Related Topics:featured LG V40 ThinQ V40 ThinQ

Gaming

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch

Both games will be available starting February 27.

Published

February 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Millennials, prepare to have your nostalgia get hit right in the feels. Nintendo has officially announced that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch.

This year, the Pokémon franchise is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Naturally, with Pokémon Day coming up, it’s only right to celebrate the event with something huge. Finally, two of the most prolific titles in the series are coming to a modern console.

Originally released in 2004, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen were remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. At the time, the two titles reimagined the older games for the Game Boy Advance. Additionally, they introduced new post-game content set in the Sevii Islands, where Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Deoxys reside in the Kanto region.

Based on the short teaser trailer, the upcoming Switch versions will feature all of both games’ content. It will likely be remastered for the Switch’s larger screen.

To showcase more of the Switch version, Nintendo is hosting a Pokémon Presents on February 27. The brand has not mentioned anything about a potential physical version yet. However, they do promise that both games will be available on the Nintendo eShop as soon as next week’s Pokémon Presents concludes. Each game will cost US$ 19.99.

News

HUAWEI launches Mate X7, MatePad 11.5 S 2026, FreeClip 2

Price, availability, preorder freebies in the Philippines

Published

February 20, 2026

GadgetMatch

HUAWEI has officially launched its latest flagship foldable offering, the HUAWEI Mate X7, in the Philippines.

The powerful device was introduced alongside the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026 tablet and HUAWEI FreeClip 2 earbuds.

The Mate X7 is dubbed as the “King of Foldables”, with top-tier photography features. It has a 50MP Ultra Lighting HDR main camera with 17.5 EV dynamic range.

This is complemented by a 50MP camera that serves as both a telephoto and macro shooter.

Unfolded, the Mate X7 has a large 8-inch display, with features like Live Multitask. Users can also explore Google apps on the X7.

The foldable also comes with 360-degree protection, as well as IP58 dust and water resistance.

MatePad 11.5 S 2026: PC-like efficiency

Meanwhile, the MatePad 11.5 S 2026 offers 4-in-1 productivity for modern users. It has WPS Office 3.0, which supports advanced math functions and inserting documents or links.

The bundle includes the HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro, Smart Magnetic Keyboard, and HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse, all powered by NearLink Tehnology.

The slate’s panel features 2.8K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and comfortable viewing. HUAWEI’s Notes and GoPaint apps have also been upgraded.

Inside is an 8,800mAh battery for extended usage. This battery has support or 40W SuperCharge.

FreeClip 2: Immersive listening

Completing the flagship triumvirate is the HUAWEI FreeClip 2, which comes with a unique Airy C-Bridge design.

The lightweight, open-ear wearable serves as both a reliable audio device and fashionable piece. It is powered by an NPU AI Processor and Dual-Diaphragm Driver for better bass performance and a fuller, more dynamic audio.

Meanwhile, its 3-mic noise cancellation system keeps calls crystal-clear on both ends. The FreeClip 2 also comes with IP57 protection and can last up to 38 hours with its charging case.

Price, availability

The three devices are now available for preorder online via HUAWEI, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok, as well as HUAWEI Experience Stores.

HUAWEI Mate X7: PhP 119,999

Comes with preorder freebies worth up to Ph 45,998:

HUAWEI WATCH GT 5
Trade-in tokens worth PhP 12,000
1-Time Accidental Damage Screen Protection
Up to PhP 10,000 off with select banks until February 26

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 S 2026: PhP 29,999 (from PhP 31,999 until March 22)

Up to PhP 2,000 Early Bird vouchers
Free HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard
WPS Office
HUAWEI M-Pencil
Bluetooth Mouse

HUAWEI FreeClip 2: PhP 9,999

Up to PhP 1,000 Early Bird vouchers

News

iPhone 17 Pro Max is somehow the most traded-in phone today

All of the recent Pro Max models are sitting at the top, too.

Published

February 19, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For a lot of people, reselling or trading-in is the natural end of their time with an iPhone. After all, an iPhone is too expensive to leave lying stagnant in a drawer. Now, this usually happens years after a phone fully lives out its usefulness. However, the new iPhone 17 Pro Max has somehow claimed the top spot as the most traded-in phone today.

According to reports organized by SellCell, a surprising number of people are reselling their iPhone 17 Pro Max. Today, 11.5 percent of trade-ins are of the current generation’s most premium model. The next models, the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, all sit between 7.2 percent and 7.3 percent apiece. This is a staggering growth, as the iPhone 17 Pro Max was sitting at only 5.1 percent of trade-ins in late November.

There’s no confirmed reason as to why people are trading their premium models so early into the model’s lifecycle. However, if it’s any indication, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the lowest depreciation for a premium iPhone model, when compared to its predecessors in the same time frame.

Given that the resale value of a new iPhone 17 Pro Max is still pretty high today, it’s possible that users aren’t completely satisfied with the model and opted to trade in their new phones for something more manageable. After all, the new phone is as premium as they come. It’s also as large as they come.

That said, it’s certainly an odd tidbit that the most premium iPhone is the one that people are dumping the most.