News

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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News

HUAWEI Pura X Max overtakes the iPhone Fold as the first wide foldable

Also goes ahead of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Wide Fold

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Months ahead of the much-awaited foldable from Apple, HUAWEI has decided to get in the way of the Cupertino-based company by announcing the world’s first wide foldable.

The HUAWEI Pura X Max is the earliest and biggest clapback to Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold and Samsung’s rumored “Galaxy Z Wide Fold.”

World’s first wide foldable

HUAWEI’s Pura X Max isn’t a direct successor to last year’s Pura X.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Last year’s offering only had a measly 3.5-inch cover screen. This time, it has a full 5.4-inch wide display outside. Unfolding it reveals a 7.7-inch foldable display instead of Pura X’s smartphone-like 6.3 incher.

Both are LTPO 2.0 OLED displays with an adaptive 1~120Hz refresh rate. They are not compromised with support for 1.07 Billion Colors as well as DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut.

This new form factor solves the biggest issue seen among standard foldables — especially when consuming content or playing games.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Stylus support is also expected with HUAWEI’s M-Pen 3 Mini stylus — best for jotting down, scribbling, doodling, drawing, or even just for navigation.

Supporting this foldable screen is HUAWEI’s so-called “basalt water droplet hinge” with core components made of steel.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

As for the cover glass, it uses second gen Kunlun glass. And while we’re already at it, the Pura X Max supports IP58 and IP59 ratings for durability.

Maxed out fold

What runs this wide foldable is HUAWEI’s very own Kirin 9030 Pro chipset. The super brand promises up to 30% performance improvements.

Gaming should not be compromised thanks to its extra large VC Graphene Heat Dissipation System. Battery capacity is rated at 5300mAh with 66W wired and 50W wireless SuperCharge speeds.

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

HUAWEI’s latest HarmonyOS 6.1 not only brings in that translucent trend, they have also adapted to the user’s needs through Immersion Layout.

When used, the app’s controls automatically adjusts if you are left- or right-handed — no matter how you hold them.

Much like most smartphones, HarmonyOS also relies on its AI tools to make things easier.

Last but definitely not the least, it’s camera system.

The HUAWEI Pura X Max boasts a 50MP main (wide) camera with a variable aperture of f/1.4 ~ f.4.0 — quite similar to last year’s Pura 80 Ultra.

It also has another 50MP f/2.2 3.5x periscope telephoto camera that can also take optical-quality 7x shots and as far as 100x digital zoom.

Lastly, the ultra-wide camera is capped at 12.5MP with an aperture of f/2.2. All these cameras are based from HUAWEI’s RYYB image sensor.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Additionally, there’s a spectral sensor called “Red Maple camera” in its second iteration.

Selfie cameras inside and out are 8MP f/2.4.

Pricing and Availability

HUAWEI’s Pura X Max will be available in five colorways: Olive Gold, Phantom Night Black, Starblue, Vibrant Orange, and Zero Degree White.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Pricing does not come cheap. The HUAWEI Pura X Max are divided into two editions with four configurations in total:

Regular Edition

  • 12+256GB = CNY 10,999 (US$ 1615 / EUR 1370 / GBP 1190 / SG$ 2050 / MYR 6370 / PhP 96,850 / INR 149,650)
  • 12+512GB = CNY 11,999 (US$ 1760 / EUR 1490 / GBP 1300 / SG$ 2240 / MYR 6950 / PhP 105,650 / INR 163,260)

Collector’s Edition

  • 16+512GB = CNY 12,999 (US$ 1905 / EUR 1615 / GBP 1410 / SG$ 2425 / MYR 7530 / PhP 114,460 / INR 176,860)
  • 16+1TB = CNY 13,999 (US$ 2050 / EUR 1740 / GBP 1520 / SG$ 2610 / MYR 8110 / PhP 123,260 / INR 190,465)

* These are only rough price conversion estimates

Collector’s Edition supports China’s Beidou Satellite Services that the Regular Edition models don’t have.

It’s currently open for pre-orders in their home turf while global availability remains bleak. ICYMI, Last year’s Pura X was not released outside China.

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Entertainment

YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

Advertisers urged to continue investing in TV programs

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As YouTube remains the top streaming platform in the Philippines, advertisers are urged to continue investing in TV programs and content available on the platform, as these generate effective returns.

According to a 2025 Kantar Study, YouTube is the No. 1 video streaming platform in the Philippines in terms of reach.

The same study mentions that 97% of Filipinos in rural Visayas and Mindanao, two major island groups in the country, have watched online TV programs on YouTube in the past month.

Another significant finding is that the streaming platform is providing a 60% incremental reach beyond traditional linear TV.

This proves that YouTube is an essential bridge to Filipino TV viewers, specially in this era. The platform has transformed from just being a video hosting site to an all-in-one entertainment hub that spans traditional TV programs and both longform vlogs and shortform trending clips.

Given this massive gravitational pull, YouTube has partnered with media giants ABS-CBN, GMA, and TV5. This is to ensure the best content, from news to live sports, is available to every YouTube subscriber.

Furthermore, during the “Unstoppable: YouTube in the Next Era of Growth” event, the networks also urged advertisers to keep supporting such TV programs and related content.

They mentioned conversion numbers that say ads through such content remain effective. This is a dynamic that sponsors can continue to explore for marketing, given that YouTube has also integrated Unskippable Ads onto their platform.

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Accessories

Jabra launches PanaCast Room Kit for simpler hybrid meetings

The function room setup that doesn’t need an IT guy

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Jabra PanaCast Room Kit

Jabra is expanding its hybrid work ecosystem with the new PanaCast Room Kit.

It’s a video conferencing solution built for meeting rooms. But it skips the usual complexity. No tangled cables, no custom programming, and no need for IT on standby.

The kit is designed for teams of three to 15 people. Setup takes minutes: Connect the cameras, place the speakers and microphones, and link everything with a single cable.

That’s it. A standard room becomes a smart collaboration space without the usual friction.

Built for inclusive meetings

At the center of the experience is the PanaCast 55 VBS.

It uses a 180-degree multi-camera system powered by onboard AI. Jabra’s Virtual Director technology tracks speakers and reframes the view in real time.

Everyone stays visible. Even those seated at the far end of the table.

The goal is simple. Make remote participants feel like they’re in the room.

Audio keeps up with that promise. The PanaCast SpeakerMic extends coverage up to 11 meters. Every voice comes through clearly and at a consistent volume. No need to raise your voice just to be heard.

No-fuss by design

The system adds a Huddly L1 camera for a secondary angle. This gives meetings a more complete and inclusive view.

There’s also the Jabra Control IP touch controller. It handles meetings with simple, one-touch controls.

Everything works together with minimal input. No manual pan-tilt-zoom adjustments. No audio balancing. The AI handles it.

Enterprise-ready, plug-and-play simple

The PanaCast Room Kit is fully UC-certified. It works with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet.

It also runs on the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), bringing enterprise-grade security and reliability.

The idea is straightforward. High-end meeting tech shouldn’t be hard to use.

From small huddle spaces to larger boardrooms, the kit scales without added complexity. It removes the usual barriers to hybrid collaboration.

Whether it’s a quick team sync or a full boardroom discussion, the PanaCast Room Kit aims to give everyone a front-row seat.

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