Features

Five reasons why you shouldn’t buy the Nintendo Switch 2

And one reason why you should

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We’ve now had 12 hours to fully process the monumental Nintendo Switch 2 launch. After a full hour of unadulterated news and announcements, it’s impossible not to react with a “WOW”. Now, if you’re still cautiously riding the Nintendo hype train, you might be looking for reasons to temper your expectations or convince yourself not to buy on launch. Well, here are five.

The prices are just too high.

Nintendo conveniently left out the prices of the console and its games during the hour-long Nintendo Direct. That’s because Nintendo knew that these prices would deflate (or just outright burst) all the hype it fostered for the full hour. The Switch 2 is not a cheap console.

To be fair, the console itself is comparatively cheaper than other consoles. It will cost US$ 449.99, which sounds fairly believable. However, the prices of games on the platform are much less palatable.

For example, it’s now confirmed that Mario Kart World, one of the first launch titles for the Switch 2, will cost you US$ 79.99 for the digital edition. The physical edition will cost US$ 89.99.

This is the first time that the base version of a game will cost that much. Even if the console itself has a manageable price, buying games for it will set you back by miles. If it’s any consolation, these exorbitant prices will likely apply only to first-party Nintendo games and exclusives… for now. Still, it doesn’t bode well that Nintendo has started the trend of $80 games.

There isn’t much innovation.

For a brand-new console, you should assume the best possible hardware. The Switch 2 does seem promising, especially since it can apparently support modern games like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077. That said, there are still a few doubtful specs inside.

For one, the new console does not come with an OLED screen. Instead, we’re back to LCD. It might not be that big of an issue, though. The display can still support 1080p resolution and 120fps. Plus, the dock supports 4K resolution and HDR.

But that’s not the only thing. The Switch 2 comes with only 256GB of internal storage. Since we don’t know how big the games will be, we can’t tell if this is a good thing yet. It’s still unfortunate that other consoles already come with 1TB internally, but the Switch 2 is still stuck with only 256GB.

We also don’t know just how powerful the new hardware is. Sure, it can play Elden Ring, but is the game on decent graphics settings or on very low? Modern handheld consoles today still struggle with big games like Cyberpunk 2077. If a chunky console like the Legion Go has difficulty playing these games, how can a thinner Switch 2 compete?

Based solely on the hardware presented to us during the Direct, it’s difficult to claim that the Switch 2 is a day-one buy.

Region locking might be a thing now.

Today, the best way to get a new Switch is to get a cheap one during a trip to Japan. New units are naturally cheaper in the country. For example, I got my OLED Switch Mario Red Edition for a little less than US$ 300.

If you were thinking of doing the same thing for the Switch 2, Nintendo has introduced a few caveats. On the Japanese landing page of the new console, the company confirms that there will be a Japanese model to contrast the multilingual/international one. The Japanese version will work only with a Nintendo account set to Japan. If you don’t have an account, you won’t be able to use GameChat, Virtual Game Cards, Nintendo Switch Online, or the eShop. Nintendo also does not guarantee that these domestic models will work in other countries.

It’s possible that we don’t have the full picture yet. We wouldn’t even count out a mistranslation somewhere. Either way, Nintendo has not confirmed whether Japan is still selling international versions, amid the domestic ones. It also has not announced potential price differences if the country does sell both versions.

Regardless, this is now something you have to take note of, especially if Japan will sell only domestic units.

There’s still so much to play on the original Switch.

Like any gamer today, I’m terrible at maintaining my backlog of games. I still have a mountain of titles I haven’t finished or started. This also goes for my Switch. I’ve barely started on Tears of the Kingdom. I haven’t opened the latest Pokémon games. And I haven’t finished Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door.

Even if I dedicate the next two months before the Switch 2’s launch to finishing my backlog of old Switch games, I still think I have enough content to fill me for the year.

The Switch 2 has only a few exclusive titles announced at the moment. Plus, a good chunk of upcoming games will still come to the original Switch. The old version is still a capable console. With so many years of titles, the original Switch can keep chugging along well after the launch of the Switch 2.

It’s also unlikely that most Switch users are upgrading immediately to the new one. If you’re into the Switch for the social aspect, you won’t be missing out on much by skipping the Switch 2’s launch day.

rog ally x

TEKKEN 8 running on the ROG Ally X

Other handheld consoles are still good.

Right after the Nintendo Direct yesterday, we said that PC-based handheld consoles are now facing a crisis. In retrospect, handheld consoles will probably be fine. This is because today’s handheld gamers have something over Switch 2 gamers: They already own a handheld console.

The Switch 2 is a worthy console for prospective handheld gamers… if they don’t already own another console. If they already have a handheld console of their own, it’s hard to justify ditching that for a Switch 2.

Despite the number of titles announced for the Switch 2, PC-based competitors still have access to Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. The games on these platforms are only just trickling to the Switch 2. As such, they still have the wider library. Because some run on Windows, they also feature more customizability to fit your needs.

But there is one reason to get a Switch 2.

Since the Direct, I’ve slowly convinced myself to only cautiously bite into the launch day hype. All it took was five reasons. I am, however, still a bit optimistic because of one reason.

It’s a Nintendo console. While you can certainly argue that Nintendo doesn’t have a perfect track record, even the less successful consoles, like the Wii U, had their bright spots. The original Switch is still one of the bestselling consoles of all time. A Nintendo console is also the only (legal) way to play the company’s games.

Even if I don’t fall for the launch day hype, I can still see myself buying a Switch 2 somewhere down the line.

SEE ALSO: All the announced Switch 2 games will make you buy the console

Tutorials

How to set up Apple Pay on your iPhone

It’s as easy as a single tap.

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Apple Pay is officially in the Philippines!

Pushing the country forward into a cashless and cardless future, Apple has now brought its contactless payment system to the Philippines. As with other countries, Apply Pay will work seamlessly and easily even for those who have problems with technology.

Now, despite how easy it is, sometimes we need to be pointed in the right direction. Here’s how you can set up Apple Pay on your iPhone:

Everything starts with the Wallet app. First, open your Wallet app. Tap the “+” button on the top and select “Debit or Credit Card.”

Normally, this is where you can input your card details (which you can still do, by the way), but the default method now is to just tap your card on the back of your iPhone. Your phone does the rest. You might need to confirm with your bank, but it’s as easy as a single tap.

Pick which cards to use. Once you have your cards online, you might need to change which one is the default card. Again, it’s easy. Just drag your preferred card to the front.

Afterwards, you can tap to pay in supported stores by priming the Wallet app for use. Tapping to pay is also available for Apple Watch. Meanwhile, online transactions can also work on MacBook.

Secure, all the time. If you’re worried about your security especially with online transactions, Apple keeps your information only between you and the seller. They don’t store your data.

Also, it’s not easy to make a transaction without your consent. You need Face ID, Touch ID, or your password. If you lose your phone, you can easily shut your phone down with the Find My app to prevent malicious parties from making transactions.

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Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

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DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

  • Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
  • Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
  • Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

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Features

GadgetSnaps: Westminster Abbey

A thousand years of history, unfolded with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Westminster Abbey isn’t just another stop on the London tourist trail.

It’s the stage for coronations, royal weddings, and burials that span nearly a thousand years, all still playing out under the same vaulted ceilings that have been standing since before most countries had names.

Once you get past the crowds and the audio guides, a quieter version of the abbey starts to show itself: worn stone steps, poets resting a few feet from kings, light that shifts across the nave like it’s in on the performance too.

While losing track of time in Poets’ Corner (yes, me, playing amateur historian for an afternoon), I unfolded the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and decided the abbey deserved more than a quick tourist snap.


All photos captured using the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

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