Features

How to start streaming with the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2

Time to show the world your mobile gaming skills

Illustration by Migs Buera

Published

June 28, 2021

Gab Orlina

During this entire pandemic, some people spent their newfound time and energy towards more indoor-friendly activities. Instead of playing basketball with a group of friends, you’re either playing by yourself indoors or playing NBA 2K21 with your group. Also, some are resorting to e-numans (virtual drinking sessions) or having your version of a rave on TikTok. Whatever floats your boat, right?

For a handful of people, they invested their time, energy, and savings into streaming content. Even if some of you aren’t hardcore gamers, it’s still a great way to mix passion and profit into one. Of course, you need the proper hardware to start streaming on YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook — apart from faster internet. Maybe there’s a way around that.

I present to you the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2, the newest gaming smartphone in the market. You’re probably wondering how a gaming smartphone will help you start streaming content. Allow me to demonstrate:

Matching power with performance

A key component in any streaming setup is, well, the devices you’re using to play the games. For most streamers, a dedicated PC with powerful hardware and decent peripherals is all it takes. However, as I pointed out, the entire bundle is pretty costly if you want the best.

The thing is, gaming smartphones like the Legion Phone Duel 2 are pretty powerful in their own right. Inside the Legion Phone Duel 2, you have a Snapdragon 888 5G CPU with up to 16GB of RAM — a total mobile gamer package. With these hardware, you can play virtually any mobile game to your heart’s desire while multitasking with other apps.

Apart from these, the Legion Phone Duel 2 comes with a 6.92-inch AMOLED display for those crispy in-game visuals. What makes it even more powerful is that it also comes with a 144Hz refresh rate — a great feature to have. Because of this, you will experience smooth gameplay and react a bit faster to any challenge.

The streamer-centric features

All the things I just mentioned catered to a bulk of content you will stream to people online. Obviously, you want to keep it as personal and unique to you so a face-cam is in order. Now, you might be wondering: where will you get a webcam to connect to this gaming smartphone for that face-cam? Well, the answer is hiding inside the phone.

See, the Legion Phone Duel 2 comes with a retracting 44MP front camera hiding inside the power button spot. When you open the Camera app, you can simply switch to the front camera and it will instantly pop up. For content creators and streamers, the 44MP front camera supports 4K recording at 60 FPS for buttery-smooth videos.

Also, the Legion Phone Duel 2 comes with an AI-enabled noise cancelling microphone, which is a big deal for most streamers. In essence, you can achieve clear voice audio without having to turn away your fan or close your windows. I mean, you would want to keep a literally cool head when you’re playing and streaming, right?

Properly setting everything up

So, how does the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 bring all of these together to achieve a great streaming experience? Allow me to share some ways you can take advantage of these features to maximize your gameplay and streaming capabilities.

Download the streaming service app you want

Before you start broadcasting your gameplay to the world, you will need the streaming service app first. Fortunately, the YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Gaming apps allow you to stream directly from your phone. Unfortunately, YouTube requires you to meet specific eligibility requirements first before doing that.

Also, if you decide to stream from those apps natively, it’s just you and the game. Essentially, you don’t have access to any creative overlays or camera adjustments you envisioned for your first stream. If you want those fancy overlays, I suggest downloading and using Streamlabs instead.

Placing the elements you want and need

If you decide to download and use Streamlabs, it’s important to know which elements you want and need for your stream. By default, the app captures your screen when you open it up so you have to add everything else. After opening the app, click the three lines you see on the upper right-hand corner and toggle “Go to advanced settings.”

Under these settings, go to the “Editor” section then press “Layers” on the upper right-hand corner. From there, simply press “Add layer” and you can add pretty much all the elements you need. Of course, you have a wide selection of layers to choose from, like your front camera, your overlays, and even your alert boxes.

Fix your streaming settings first

After placing these elements, exit Editor and go to “Streaming Settings” to adjust some more things before you stream. For the most part, you will only need to change the video settings for the stream and the platform settings (whichever platform you want).

For the video settings, I highly suggest researching on the most optimized video bitrate for the resolution you want. See, Streamlabs allows you to stream up to 1080p at 60 FPS, so it’s better to match the bitrate towards your desired resolution.

Time to go live

Once everything is in order, it’s time for you to go live on your preferred streaming platform! If you opted for the native apps, it’s as easy as just clicking the “Go Live” button on those platforms. If you opted to use Streamlabs, it’s basically the same idea but with more creativity on your part.

Also, the Legion Phone Duel 2 has a pretty nifty feature that will make the streaming experience less of a hassle for you. See, this gaming smartphone comes with Octa-Triggers, which you normally configure on your games. It allows you to have a controller-like experience that’s suitable for most fast-paced games you play.

Now, you can also take advantage of this feature as your own little stream deck, like how Elgato does it. Simply add Streamlabs to your list of games under the Legion Realm app, and map the triggers accordingly. Although, you don’t really have to do this, so it’s entirely up to you.

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is still accepting pre-orders until June 30, 2021, at the following price points:

PhP 39,995 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option
PhP 49,995 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage option

Cameras

What HYROX Hong Kong looks like up close

Photographed on the Canon EOS R6 Mark III.

Published

June 11, 2026

MJ Jucutan

HYROX drew people from all over the world for a single purpose: finish the course. In Hong Kong, athletes showed up at AsiaWorld-Expo ready to run, row, and push through 8 stations of pure functional fitness.

So, we brought the Canon EOS R6 Mark III to capture one of the most demanding fitness races on the planet.

The Expo floor is a lighting nightmare, a mix of harsh overheads and deep shadows, but the 32.5MP sensor handled the contrast without breaking a sweat.

The 40fps electronic shutter and Pre-continuous shooting meant we were already capturing the moment half a second before we consciously decided to press the shutter.

Covering a race means staying mobile, and the 8.5-stop IBIS let us move freely alongside athletes without losing the shot. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF II stayed locked on athletes even when they were squinting through the final stretch.

What came out were stories of triumph and determination. Even when their bodies were screaming, they pushed through anyway.

This is what HYROX Hong Kong looked like from the inside.

Words by MJ Jucutan. Photos by Sky Rodillas.

Buyer's Guide

Buyer’s Guide: Xiaomi Pad 8 Series

Do you need the base or the Pro?

Published

June 8, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Choosing between the Xiaomi Pad 8 and the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro feels like picking between a “sweet treat” and a “full-course meal.”

It’s deciding between a reliable travel companion and a specialized workstation. Both tablets rock a slim 5.8mm profile and a manageable 485-gram weight, and a 9200mAh battery.

However, under the hood, they are playing in different leagues. Especially since the “Pro” moniker adds serious muscle to the internals, and a solution for that glossy screen distraction.

Specs at a glance

Product	Xiaomi Pad 8	Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Display	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)	11.2″ 3.2K IPS LCD (144Hz)
Surface	Ultra-Glossy Glass	Optional Matte Nano-Texture
Storage/RAM	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB	Up to 16GB LPDDR5T / 512GB
Rear Camera	13MP	50MP
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Charging	45W Turbo Charge	67W HyperCharge
Pricing	Starts at PhP 20,999	Starts at PhP 38,999

Why you should pick the Xiaomi Pad 8

The standard Pad 8 is that “Goldilocks” device, hitting that sweet spot between price and premium hardware.

It’s ideal if your tablet usage is centered on media consumption and light productivity. Since it shares the same 11.2-inch screen size as the Pro, it fits perfectly on an airplane tray table, making it a dream for frequent flyers.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is no slouch; it still runs titles like Racing Master at 60fps on Ultra-High settings. If you’re a fan of XG or KiiiKiii, you’ll appreciate the quad-speaker setup and Hi-Res Audio support without needing to pay the “Pro” tax.

It’s the smart choice for those who want a capable second screen to complement their main laptop.

Why you should level up to the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro

The “Pro” is for those who found the standard model’s limitations — like the glossy screen reflections or the 128GB storage ceiling — to be a dealbreaker.

The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerhouse chip that turns the tablet into a legitimate workstation for video editing in CapCut or heavy multitasking in HyperOS 3.0.

Beyond power, the Pro version offers a Matte Glass Edition, which completely solves the “reflection” issue that can ruin your movie sessions or drawing time under bright lights.

You also get significantly better cameras, such as a 32-megapixel front sensor for professional-looking video calls. There’s also a 50-megapixel rear camera for high-res document scanning.

Finally, the 67W HyperCharge means you spend less time tethered to a wall and more time being productive.

Which Xiaomi Pad is your GadgetMatch?

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 if you want the best value for your money.

It’s thin, light, and powerful enough for 90% of users. It handles gaming, writing, and music playback with ease, making it a worthy recipient of a seal of approval for anyone on a budget.

Just be sure to skip the 128GB entry model and go for the 256GB version to ensure you get those faster storage speeds.

Swipe Right on the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro if you are a “power user” who hates screen glare. If you plan to use the Focus Pen Pro for serious creative work or need 512GB of space for a massive game library, the Pro is worth the extra investment.

It’s a high-speed machine that charges faster, captures better photos, and runs every app with flagship-level fluidness.

The Xiaomi Pad 8 starts at PhP 20,999 with Normal Keyboard while the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro starts at PhP 38,999 with Touch Keyboard. Both tablets come with free Focus Pen Pro.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.