Some phones impress you with specs. Some win you over with design. But every now and then, a phone earns its place in your pocket simply because it shows up for you. The vivo X300 did that for me. 

I already expected strong color science after seeing early samples from friends in the industry, but what surprised me was how quickly I started leaving my mirrorless camera behind.

The real-world moments that shaped this review

My time with the X300 wasn’t built around test charts or controlled setups. It came from moments — messy, uneven, unplanned moments — where the phone had to keep up.

The first big one was a tech launch event. It was indoors, well-lit, and packed with food shots and ambient photos.

It’s the kind of place where cameras often oversaturate colors or brighten things too much, but the vivo X300 kept the mood intact.

Everything looked as warm as it felt in the moment.

Then came the bowling alley — the opposite environment. The lanes were lit, but the surrounding areas sank into shadows.

Lights hit subjects from odd angles. Movement was unpredictable.

It’s the kind of scene that usually reveals a phone’s limits, and yet the X300 held exposure in place while keeping skin tones believable. Shadows stayed dark but detailed. Highlights didn’t blow out.

The toughest test was a film school graduation inside a cinema. The entire room was dim. People moved constantly. Most of my shots relied on 5x to 10x zoom to reach the stage from several rows away. 

Phones usually struggle here — soft subjects, shaky results, muddy contrast. But the X300 pulled off shots that were not only usable but surprisingly clean. Faces stayed sharp. Colors stayed accurate. Even at longer zoom levels, the phone rendered detail well enough that I didn’t feel the need to switch to a bigger camera.

And between these events were smaller, quieter scenes: dinners with friends, Christmas lights around the neighborhood, and holiday decorations inside the mall.

Scenes where I didn’t expect much, but the X300 kept delivering photos with the kind of clarity and warmth that made me smile when I reviewed them later.

These weren’t just sample shots. They were memories. And the X300 handled them with more confidence than I expected.

The camera that earned my trust

vivo’s 200MP main camera has the sharpness you expect from a flagship, but it’s the color accuracy and tonal balance that make it special. Food looks natural. Skin looks real. Highlights feel controlled. Indoors or out, the camera never felt like it was fighting the scene.

The 50MP ultrawide kept lines straight and held detail better than most ultrawides I’ve used this year. It works best in brighter environments — like the tech launch venue or mall decorations — but it never felt like a weak link.

The periscope telephoto is where I saw the biggest improvement. At 2x to 5x, it’s crisp and steady.

At 10x, it still anchors subjects better than I expected, especially in the cinema during the graduation ceremony. Shots that should have fallen apart held enough detail for me to keep them.

And all of this happened without hesitation. The shutter felt confident. Autofocus locked quickly. Even in the bowling alley, where lighting was inconsistent and subjects were constantly moving, the X300 met the moment more often than not.

I didn’t get to test the upgraded Stage Mode yet — now capable of 4K 60fps after being limited to 1080p in the previous generation — but I’m planning to take it to a concert soon and see how it handles fast choreography and harsh spotlights. That will get its own post.

The reminders that this is still the base model

The 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display gets very bright and stays smooth at 120Hz, but you feel its compactness when watching longer content. I watched an episode of Tempest on Disney+, and while the picture looked crisp, the audio felt thin. The stereo speakers don’t reach the presence of my usuals: Galaxy Z Fold7, HONOR Magic V5, or even the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Not bad — just not as full.

The same goes for gaming. Honkai Star Rail, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Zenless Zone Zero all felt cramped in my stubby hands.

Casual vertical games like Subway Surfers will feel better, but it’s clear the X300 favors portability.

OriginOS 6 makes a strong first impression

This is my first extended run with OriginOS, and it’s a massive step forward from FunTouch OS. It’s clean, smooth, and responsive. There’s still room to grow. 

I miss enlarged home screen folders and a notification badge bug appears occasionally. But overall the system feels modern and consistent.

The Dimensity 9500 handles everything without stutters, and camera switching stays fast, which matters more to me than benchmark scores.

Battery and charging

The 6040mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day even with heavy camera use. When I needed a boost, 90W wired charging and 40W wireless charging kept things quick and convenient.

Is the vivo X300 your GadgetMatch?

The vivo X300 isn’t trying to be the best multimedia phone or the best gaming phone. It doesn’t have the biggest screen or the loudest speakers. But none of that overshadows what it does so well.

It captures life with accuracy, confidence, and a sense of honesty that I value more than numbers on a spec sheet. The smartphone’s cameras handled a tech event, a bowling alley, a dim cinema, and the small moments in between with equal reliability. It became the phone I trusted to document my day — even on shoots where I normally rely on a mirrorless camera.

What I’m Swiping Up to is a compact flagship that simply shows up and captures the moments that matter. The vivo X300 is the point-and-shoot I’ll always carry. That’s why it’s getting the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval. 

 

There is something special about flying a drone that you rarely get from any other gadget.

It’s a mix of control and creativity; a balance between trust and instinct. For many beginners, that feeling often sits behind a wall of fear because most drones look complicated or intimidating.

The DJI Neo 2 tries to remove that barrier by being extremely lightweight, very easy to use, and designed for people who want to start capturing aerial shots without a long learning curve.

Fast and stress-free setup experience

Setting up the DJI Neo 2 is straightforward from the moment you lift it out of the box. The essentials are already attached.

There is no complicated assembly and no moment where you feel unsure about whether you placed something correctly. Even if you have never flown a drone before, the app gives clear instructions that guide you through each step.

The best part is how quickly you can get it airborne. Many drones require calibration, adjustment, or balancing, which can take time when you are shooting alone.

The Neo 2 keeps the process light and fast. Beginners will appreciate how it eliminates the feeling of doing something wrong. Meanwhile, experienced users will enjoy how little downtime it creates on set.

There is one thing to keep in mind, though. The app-only setup and control still feel limited.

 

@gadgetmatch Unboxing the DJI Neo 2 🫶 #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

When we relied entirely on the smartphone instead of the RC controller, the drone occasionally drifted or performed slight movements without being prompted.

It’s not unsafe, but it’s unpredictable enough to make you switch back to the controller immediately. It’s clear that the Neo 2 is at its best when paired with the RC controller rather than being used independently.

Tiny drone built for big adventures

The Neo 2 keeps things light. It is small enough to slip into a travel bag without effort and light enough to carry around all day without thinking about it.

The design leans toward convenience, which is perfect for beginners and travelers. The built-in propeller guards make it less stressful to use in tighter areas or in locations with people nearby.

Compared to something like the DJI Mini 3 that we use, the Neo 2 feels more compact and easier to bring. It doesn’t demand a bulky case and can fit into the pockets and pouches already in your bag.

Despite being small, the drone doesn’t feel fragile. The materials are solid, and the protected propellers provide a sense of safety.

It still produces noticeable noise when flying, although not enough to interrupt a scene or disturb people the way larger drones might.

The lightness creates both convenience and compromise. It helps with portability, but it also means the drone is more sensitive to strong wind.

Though, the Neo 2 remains stable in mild conditions, but extremely windy environments are not ideal for a drone of this size.

Smooth, steady flying

If you stick to the RC controller, the flight performance feels confident and reliable. The controls respond instantly.

Takeoffs are smooth, landings feel steady, and the drone handles mid-air adjustments with ease. For a lightweight model, the stability is impressive.

The Neo 2 is not designed for aggressive flying or extreme distances. It thrives in controlled environments such as parks, beaches, small event venues, or tourist spots.

It’s agile and quick when needed, yet it avoids feeling overly sensitive. This is where the drone succeeds: It keeps the learning curve gentle while still giving creators the freedom to move.

There is a different experience when switching to app-only control or gesture mode. The drone sometimes shifts slightly even when the subject is not moving.

These micro-movements are not dangerous but they make the drone feel less predictable. New users might find this unsettling.

Also, gesture and app control feel like playful features rather than tools for serious shooting. But overall, the Neo 2 flies well within its intended conditions.

If you want stable and responsive performance for simple to moderate shots, it surely delivers.

 

@gadgetmatch Flight test with the DJI Neo 2 #djineo2 #djineo #dji ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

Better-than-expected footage

The camera on the Neo 2 delivers much better output than expected for its size. Our footage looked sharp without feeling harsh; colors appeared vivid and lively.

The contrast leans slightly stronger than neutral, although it remains pleasing for most lifestyle, travel, or social content.

It will not outperform larger drones with bigger sensors, but it produces footage that is perfectly usable for everyday shooting.

The dynamic range feels average, though. It handles highlights well enough and keeps shadows from breaking down too quickly.

In daylight, the Neo 2 captures scenes that look polished and clean. The drone also handles fast-moving subjects without smearing or losing clarity.

Low light is where it reaches its limit. As soon as the environment gets darker, the image loses sharpness and detail. Though, this is expected from a drone its size.

If your shooting habits revolve around golden hour, indoor events, or nighttime flights, you will notice the compromise.

But if most of your aerial shots are done in daylight, the Neo 2 performs exactly as needed.

Useful tools with a few playful extras

DJI packed several features into the Neo 2 to make flying easier.

From Subject tracking, to obstacle avoidance, and automated flight modes — they all work well.

We found subject tracking particularly useful because it reduces the pressure of managing framing manually. The drone stays aware of movement and adjusts its position to maintain a steady shot.

Meanwhile, Obstacle avoidance also helps maintain confidence when flying near structures or in tighter areas.

In our experience, Gesture and voice control are the fun features that most people experiment with once or twice. They function as intended, although they are not as reliable as traditional controls. Frankly, we believe they are best used for casual moments rather than professional content.

If your goal is to shoot quickly and accurately, you will always return to the RC controller.

The intelligent features add value to the Neo 2, especially for beginners who want support while learning. They give the drone personality while keeping the experience practical.

Best in quick bursts?

Battery life remains the Neo 2’s biggest limitation. Each battery lasts around thirteen to fifteen minutes during active use.

This is enough for quick shots or small sequences, but not enough for long-distance flying or complex cinematic passes.

If you are producing a full day of content, you will need multiple batteries.

Charging takes about ninety minutes for a full cycle. The charging hub makes life easier because it allows several batteries to power up at the same time.

The convenience helps offset the short flight time, although you will still need to manage your workflow around the limited battery capacity. Simply put, the Neo 2 is a drone you fly in short bursts.

Is it safe to fly?

The drone behaves well when paired with the RC controller. The controls stay consistent and the connection remains stable. The size also makes it safer to fly in busy or narrow areas. We flew it near groups of people without causing disruption.

Signal strength becomes less dependable when flying with the app alone. Wi-Fi range limitations appear earlier, and the drone may drift slightly when relying on mobile controls.

It also tends to shift up or down during gesture mode even without obstacles. These moments are small but noticeable.

There was one connectivity issue after an app update where the RC controller stopped pairing with the drone. Switching to another phone solved the problem.

It became a reminder that software updates can sometimes produce unexpected behavior.

Despite these observations, the Neo 2 performs safely when used within its intended range and paired with its controller.

Smooth editing workflow

Transferring footage from the Neo 2 is smooth and efficient. A 15GB file transfer takes about six to seven minutes, which is quick for on-the-go shooting.

The connection between the drone and phone remains stable throughout the process, and the files stay intact with no corruption.

Editing workflow remains seamless. The footage imports cleanly into common editing software without compatibility issues. Apart from the controller detection problem after an app update, the Neo 2 keeps the post-production process stress-free.

For content creators who prioritize speed, this matters. A drone that slows down the workflow loses purpose.

The Neo 2 supports fast delivery, making it practical for travel vlogs, family videos, lifestyle content, and simple events.

Is the DJI Neo 2 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Neo 2 stands out because it understands its role. It’s not trying to be a high-end filmmaking machine.

What it delivers is ease, portability, and confidence for people who want to start flying without fear.

It’s easily your GadgetMatch if you want a personal drone that is lightweight and reliable with a controller. It suits new creators who want to add aerial shots to their projects, and it helps travelers who pack light and want quick access to drone footage.

Also, it supports casual events and small professional projects where convenience matters more than long-distance performance.

Swipe right if you want a friendly and dependable starter drone that produces good daylight footage, supports tracking and obstacle avoidance, and fits easily into your travel bag.

Swipe left if you need long battery life, advanced cinematics, or heavy-duty performance for commercial shoots. The Neo 2 is not built for extreme conditions or demanding workflows.

The DJI Neo 2 is a drone for everyday creativity. It delivers confidence, simplicity, and enough power to bring aerial storytelling into your routine. For many new pilots, this is exactly what a personal drone should be.

The DJI Neo 2 retails for PhP 12,390. To make it extra, the Fly More Combo retails for PhP 20,590 which also provides extra batteries and charging hub, along with more controls.

My life as an athlete with a love for adventure often throws me into days that move faster than I can track.

One moment I am at the gym before sunrise, convincing myself that today I will stretch properly. Next, I am sprinting through airports or packing for a weekend race that I definitely did not plan for (but signed up for anyway because that is who I am).

When the DJI Osmo Action 6 entered my life, it felt like finding a piece of gear that immediately understood the mess I willingly put myself through.

I have always wanted a camera that could move with me (and survive me), preferably without making me feel guilty every time I jump off something or run through something.

I wanted a camera that did not need pampering. Something that would not make me pause my life so I could “protect the gear.”

Then suddenly, there it was. I had an entire month with the Osmo Action 6, and it almost felt like the universe handed me something that finally matched my pace. It followed me through unexpected moments that felt too good not to capture.

Made for those who ~really~ move

The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to hold the Osmo Action 6. It felt secure even when my hands were wet or drenched in sweat from training, as if it wasn’t bothered at all that I was already exhausted at 7 a.m.

Most of its controls are placed so intuitively that it felt like the camera was gently guiding me, saying, “Don’t overthink it. Just press this. Go live your life.”

The user interface was so straightforward that even people who have never touched an action camera would know what to do.

The screen reacts quickly and the settings are easy to reach. Its layout feels like it was made for people who move first and think later.

It removes every excuse to miss a moment because you were too busy trying to understand how the device works.

 

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Out of the box, the Osmo Action 6 gives you everything you need: a 1.5m extension rod, three Extreme Battery Plus units inside a multifunctional battery case, two locking screws, a curved adhesive base, a USB-C 3.1 cable, and two Dual-Direction Quick Release Adapter Mounts.

Depending on your lifestyle, accessories like the floating handle, the dual direction mini extension rod (which doubles as a tripod), the 360-degree wrist strap, and the hanging neck mount all serve one purpose: keep you hands-free so you can focus on living your story.

Inside a race course

During the Spartan Race’s Asia-Pacific Championship in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga, I joined the open category simply because I wanted to film my moments inside the course.

I could never join the Age Group Championship wearing a red band only to slow down for content. My competitive self would revolt.

I have always raced in the front pack with elite athletes and seasoned racers. Content creation is a blessing until you’re in a race and your pride says absolutely not.

 

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So my friend (also an elite athlete) and I became last-minute racers thanks to Mang Inasal Philippines. We joined the Sprint Category, which covers 5 kilometers with 20 obstacles (plus three extra because championship vibes).

Armed with only the Osmo Action 6 on a dual direction mini extension rod, I climbed walls and nets, carried sandbags, passed through hanging obstacles, and ran under an open trail where the sun genuinely felt personal.

Alviera is hot. We call it Hellviera for a reason. Yet the camera kept going despite direct sunlight and constant movements.

I dialed the resolution down to 2.7K because long 4K recording will always test thermal limits. Even then, it stayed reliable.

Like a scene straight out of an adventure documentary

The stabilization was genuinely magical. The frame stayed clean and level even when my hands were doing a million different things, like swinging my arms, gripping nets, adjusting grip, and bracing for impact.

Whether you choose RockSteady or HorizonSteady, your running sequences will look cinematic and documentary-level.

When we climbed or jumped, the shots had that adventure-film energy. There were no jitter or weird warping. No “Sorry, can you do that again?” moments.

We did not need retakes, and we did not need to check footage mid-race. The Osmo Action 6 kept up with the pace of an endurance athlete.

The built-in microphones even picked up our voices clearly. Pair it with DJI’s wireless mic and you get clean commentary that feels like the behind-the-scenes of your own sports film.

 

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Calm moment underwater

One of the most meaningful moments came when I lent the Osmo Action 6 to GadgetMatch’s Account Manager and Resident Host, Noela Amparo-Oro, for her birthday.

She wanted to celebrate by freediving, which honestly feels like the most poetic thing you can do for yourself. So I handed her the camera and said, “Go live your birthday moment. Capture it.”

Action cameras deserve to see actual action, not city sidewalks pretending to be adventures.

Noela had fun descending into the clear blue water. The footage she brought back made my heart stop for a moment. It was surreal. Like she had slipped into another world and returned with proof that it existed.

 

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A post shared by Noela 🎧❣️🎶 (@noeyylovesyou)

I have seen plenty of underwater clips from action cameras that turned murky or desaturated, requiring heavy color adjustments. The Osmo Action 6 did not do that. Underwater, it preserved colors beautifully.

The details of her movements; the subtle shimmer of light across her skin; and the calm flow of bubbles. Everything was captured with clarity that felt emotional.

The Osmo Action 6 handled depth and shifting light with ease. Watching the clips felt like I had been there beside her, suspended underwater.

Even Noela could not believe the footage. And the fact that the camera does not need an underwater case up to 20 meters makes the experience feel even more freeing.

A picture quality to love

The Osmo Action 6 uses a large 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensor that lets in more light, allowing underwater clips to remain balanced and detailed even in low-light environments.

With 10-bit color support, gradients in the water and sky looked vivid. The variable aperture paired with the sensor gives you the flexibility to shoot under harsh sunlight or underwater without losing depth or mood.

Exposure transitions also felt natural, and the highlights stayed controlled while the shadows held detail. The Osmo Action 6 preserved the emotional tone of each scene without flattening the story.

As James Rusameekae from Physical: Asia said, it is simply “Wow!”

Is the DJI Osmo Action 6 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 excelled in every environment I threw it into. Water, low light, heat, fast movement, and unpredictable conditions? It handled everything with ease.

I collected footage filled with emotion and energy, and everything remained steady and sharp.

The clips felt complete even before editing, like they were already telling a story. (I uploaded some of them straight to my Instagram Story!)

If you live an active life and thrive outdoors, the Osmo Action 6 will meet your needs. You will appreciate how quick it is to use, and you will love the size, durability, and picture quality.

It feels like the kind of gadget you bond with, which makes it a Swipe Right!

Anyone who wants a companion for adventures will find comfort in the Osmo Action 6. For me, it is a Super Swipe.

With the experience I had, and the ease it brings to my life whenever I am out and about, PhP 24,390 for the Standard Combo feels like an investment in moments that matter.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

If you do not live an active lifestyle, the Osmo Pocket Series or Osmo Nano might suit you better since it is built for city travelers. But if you want to look adventurous — and you have the budget — who am I to stop you?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 retails for PhP 29,990 for the Adventure Combo, giving you all the accessories you may or may not need.