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MediaTek awards the best devices for 2023

In the first Expect Incredible Awards

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The end of the year is always the perfect time to recognize the best of the best this past year. If you’re looking at the world of technology, there are so many devices to choose from and debate over. MediaTek, a capable company on its own, has sifted through this year’s devices and awarded the best MediaTek-based ones in its new Expect Incredible Awards.

If you look under your favorite devices, there’s a fairly decent chance that a MediaTek chip is keeping everything together. Every year, there are new devices touting the company’s components. There are a lot of good ones to choose from every year. Given the sheer number of choices available, let’s run through the devices that MediaTek chose for this year:

Best in mobile: OPPO Find Flip N2

Let’s start things off with a bang. This year, the OPPO Find N2 Flip showcased a worthy addition to the burgeoning clamshell market. The Galaxy Z Flip series now has some serious competition. Touting a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, the foldable smartphone is more than just a looker; it’s a performer.

Runner-up: vivo X90 Pro

Best in smart home: Amazon Echo Show 5

The smart home market is an odd one. While the technology is already prevalent especially for those who are actively seeking for it, the usual suspect is still leading the charge. With its MediaTek MT8169 B chipset, the Amazon Echo Show 5 melds a smart display with a handy hub for your smart home.

Runner-up: Bosche Smart Kitchen Dock

Best in entertainment: Sony PlayStation VR2

Arguably, the market for virtual reality is still relatively niche. This year, the Sony PlayStation VR2 does a great job of making the segment much more accessible for casual users. Armed with a custom MediaTek chip, the wearable improves image quality, wearability, and control in virtual reality.

Runner-up: XGIMI Horizon Ultra Projector

Best in computing: OnePlus Pad

The OnePlus Pad is the brand’s first foray into the world of tablets. More than just a larger screen for your content, the new tablet offers enough to compete in a market saturated by the iPad, especially while rocking its Dimensity 9000 under the hood.

Runner-up: Acer Chromebook Spin 513

Best in connectivity: Motorola Defy Satellite Link

Cool and sleek devices aren’t the only thing in MediaTek’s wheelhouse. The Motorola Defy Satellite Link showcases an emerging technology currently being popularized by Apple’s Emergency SOS. Armed with a MediaTek MT6825, the device allows users to connect to a network of satellites on any smartphone.

Runner-up: TPLink Archer BE805

Best in enterprise: Logitech Sight

While Zoom rightfully popularized teleconferencing technology a few years ago, Logitech is pushing the segment to new heights. With a custom MediaTek chipset, the device captures the entirety of a room — sights and sounds — and broadcasts it for hybrid attendees.

Runner-up: Logitech Rally Bar Huddle

Overall winner

Among all these devices, MediaTek has chosen the Motorola Defy Satellite Link as the overall winner for 2023. At least for its mainstream counterparts, the technology is still in its infancy. However, Motorola’s efforts to make the service available for both Android and iOS users have ensured that the technology will last, especially for outdoorspeople who need an emergency lifeline on their adventures.

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TECNO MEGAPAD 2 now available in the Philippines

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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.

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

Is this the future of smartphones?

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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.

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Apple introduces Apple Upgrade leasing program

Flexible leasing arrives

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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.

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