Accessories

Nokia E3101: The wireless earbuds for everyone

A new TWS earbuds without breaking the bank

Published

October 27, 2021

Vincenz

When we hear the word ‘Nokia‘, it reminds us of the Finnish giant’s dominance in the feature phone and Windows Phone space. That goes hand-in-hand with durability and robustness.

Up until the Nokia brand was sold, things have changed. From offering budget to midrange Android smartphones, they also have tablets, smart TVs, and wireless earbuds in the lineup.

To be very specific, Nokia’s audio product line come from RichGo Technology while smartphones are under HMD Global. Their TVs (only sold in India) belong to Flipkart.

And take it as a good thing. Without Nokia branching out from a highly-competitive phone market, they would barely last long. But I’m pretty sure that these wireless earbuds I have for quite a while last longer than expected.

Minimal packaging

For a wireless earbuds this cheap, don’t expect anything grand. But if you want to legit check your (future) purchase, the pair comes with an outside sleeve showing the lifestyle photo of the product. Removing it reveals a less fancy white box.

Opening the box furthermore shows the product as well as the paperwork.

First, there’s the pair of wireless earbuds as well as its case in a flimsy plastic packaging.

And if you’ll flip it, there’s a USB-C cable wrapped in plastic that’s also taped beneath. Not the most fancy packaging ever but still does the job.

Easy to pair

Thanks to Bluetooth 5.1, pairing it to any smartphone is actually faster than sending Bluetooth files between two Android smartphones. All you have to do is to press the button behind the case, lights will show, and the device will instantly appear on your phone’s Bluetooth devices list.

I tried pairing it to my iPhone too and it was a breeze. It’s safe to say that these wireless buds will work regardless of how new or old your device is as long as your device has Bluetooth.

Pocketable and featherweight

First thing I noticed when I held this is that, it’s small and light. As you can see in my big hands, the Nokia E3101 looked small compared to other TWS buds offerings in the market.

If we talk about material, its entirely made out of plastic — from the case to its buds. But the differentiating factor has got to be the matte texture of the case versus the glossy plastic wireless earbuds inside.

Despite the material used, I gotta commend Nokia for that idea of combining two different finishes for that elegant touch of design.

When you remove and put the earbuds inside your ear, it feels like its almost non-existent. But mind you, I still felt it dropped when I fell asleep inside the bus. You just have to make sure that each bud fit inside your ears well.

Decent buds for its price

I’m not a 101 perecemt audiophile but for someone who loves listening to various musical genres, I have my list on what to check in any pair of wireless earbuds — especially the bass and clarity. I own an Apple AirPods, as well as the Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live. But for the Nokia E3101’s affordable price tag, I have to lower down my expectations.

Upon first usage, I wasn’t expecting anything grand but I’m surprised that it offers good sound quality. Bass could’ve been better but I have to remind myself this is a sub-PhP 2K pair of TWS earbuds. Clarity-wise, it’s enough for everyone with vocals that are audible. I’m pretty sure dialogues in films, series, or even calls all sound clear for anyone’s liking.

If you play more with your phone’s EQ or have some third-party apps like Boom 3D, you’ll totally be amazed with what these TWS earbuds have to offer. Not that it’s a big deal but the lack of wear detection means music will still play if you remove it from your ears. It even plays music even when I placed them inside the case.

There’s also a touch sensor for playing, pausing, or skipping tracks. As I’ve mentioned earlier that the buds work for both Android and Apple devices, Google Assistant and Alexa can be summoned with just that single press.

If you’re into long walks, running, or gym workouts, the Nokia E3101 is IP44-rated. That means it can withstand water splashes or sweat so you don’t have to worry that much in such situations. My regular pair of AirPods don’t even have this feature.

People who are eyeing to buy this would care less about the codec it supports. But if you’re that curious enough, it has SBC which is the default codec for all Bluetooth earphones.

Besides, would you expect Qualcomm’s aptX or Sony’s LDAC audio codecs at this price point? A thing I can guarantee is that, this isn’t marketed towards hardcore audiophiles so you shouldn’t expect anything monumental.

Long-lasting battery

Another thing I love about this pair is its battery life. On a single charge, both buds lasts for up to 4-5 hours depending on usage. That’s enough battery to get you in a video call meeting via Zoom or GMeet.

I also used it when I went out for work. Its battery capacity lasted more than enough taking into account how I got stuck in traffic for three hours. So whether it’s for playing music, making calls, streaming videos, or even playing games, the Nokia E3101 will surely last long for almost a full-day of use.

While not totally similar with the 150-hour-touting Nokia Power Earbuds, the case of the Nokia E3101 will give you a total of around 20 hours before you actually hook the USB-C port in its case once it gets drained. Fully charging both the earbuds and the case take around two hours — not ideal for people who are always in the hurry.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

If you’re that type of budget-conscious user who can’t wait to switch from your old wired earphones to a new pair of wireless earbuds, the Nokia E3101 might just be your GadgetMatch. With an SRP of just PhP 1,999, you can easily transition to a wireless ecosystem without breaking the bank.

The buds are available in Shopee, Lazada, and Nokia’s Facebook store. Other than the black colorway that I have, it’s also available in blue and white variations.

You can also check out other offerings from Nokia such as the cheaper Nokia E3100 and a more pricey Nokia E3500.

Accessories

2025 Black Friday Sale Gift Guide

Our Top Gift Picks With HUGE Savings!

Published

November 24, 2025

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

In the annual BLACK FRIDAY SALE, we’ve compiled and rounded-up our best picks with the best value you can get right now!

🧹 Get 50% off Dreame X50 Ultra on Amazon or click here on their website | Use code SAKITECH15 (5% off ’til Dec 1)

💧 Stay hydrated and get up to 30% off on the LARQ PureVis 2 here.

💡 Level up with Govee TV Backlight T2 or Govee Sync Box AI Kit 2.

> Samsung The Frame 65”

> Samsung The Frame Pro 75”

> Samsung The Frame Pro 85”

> Hisense C2

> Hisense C2 Pro

> Hisense C2 Ultra

> M4 MacBook Air

> M4 Mac mini

> Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

> Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

> Nomad Universal Cable for Apple Watch

> Nomad Tracking Card

> Nomad Base One Max

> Statik TireHero

> Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD

> Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

> Coffee Check Matte Black

Accessories

Unboxing EVERY Color of the very exclusive iPhone Pocket

And why it got sold out instantly!

Published

November 24, 2025

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

In this video, we’re unboxing the iPhone Pocket in ALL ITS COLORS!

Also, it gives us a glimpse of Apple’s shared history with ISSEY MIYAKE.

Lastly, THE Michael Josh will show you what fits and how to style it.

Here’s our first look at this very exclusive accessory, the iPhone Pocket.

Accessories

BOYA mini 2: A step-up for content creators, more

Sub-US$ 60 package where audio quality, convenience, and portability align

Published

November 24, 2025

Manila Connoisseur

In today’s vertical-first, voice-over-heavy social media world, audio isn’t just important; it’s the dealbreaker. Better audio sets the tone instantly.

Content creators know this, especially that production for social media consumption has changed dramatically over the past half decade.

It’s only vital for creators to resonate with audiences clearly, as the latter are all ears aside from eyes on videos.

That’s where the BOYA mini 2 can come in and upgrade that aspect of content creation — mine included.

Portable, lightweight, easy to use

These thumb-sized, 5-gram transmitters are portable, long-lasting, and can give you a quick and easy workflow to finish whatever you’re working on.

Scour quickly on BOYA’s retail website and you’ll find plenty of sets to choose from. You can start with just a charging case and one transmitter and receiver, but you can also opt for two transmitters and both a Lightning or USB-C receiver.

I had the set that had everything, and this entire package costs just US$ 54.99 (PhP 3,290). There’s Matte Black and Lunar Silver color options as well.

The charging case is likewise small and portable, and having it is as if you’re just carrying earbuds along. It fits pockets, pouches, sling bags, handbags, and more. No extra baggage needed.

Plug and use

What you’ll love with the BOYA mini 2 is that it works right out of the box. The package I have had both the lightning and USB-C receivers.

Just plug which one is compatible with your phone and you’re ready to go. The default audio quality is already leagues ahead of muffled clip-ons and built-in phone mics.

Each mic lets you record up to 48Khz-24 bit quality audio, giving voices clarity with minimal distortion.

But of course, if you’re big on tailor-fitting the audio for what you’re about to produce, you can just download the BOYA Central app to make changes in several settings.

There is a 6-level gain, so you can have the transmitter absorb louder audio. You can also switch between mono and stereo recording if you have two transmitters turned on.

In addition, there are preset EQ modes, but you’re free to customize your own mix as well. My go-to is the Vocal Boost mode which amplifies whatever I say on record.

Speaker mode, meanwhile, allows you to review recorded audio or video immediately afterwards. This is helpful especially if you’re just recording with a phone.

Do note that the app needs internet connection to work, but other than that, you’re all set.

Noise Cancellation: A big help

Moreover, the 3rd-generation AI-powered Noise Cancellation feature works wonders. It blocks off unwanted noise (-21dB to -40dB) to a certain degree.

BOYA trained this with over 700,000 real-world noise samples. In practice, it shows.

There are times I recorded in crowded areas or had a cooling fan behind me for a food review, but I couldn’t hear them whenever I played such videos on my phone.

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Conversely, if your area is already quiet enough, the audio stands out even better.

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Obviously, if you have more high-end headphones, you’ll be able to hear more layers of sound, but considering the target audiences of creators who’ll likely play content from their phones, it’s all good.

And such feature is helpful for interviews, stand-uppers (i.e., talking-head shots), and more scenarios.

I can imagine traditional media leveraging this and the wireless nature of the mini 2 for packed media scrums where you can’t be in front of the guest/s.

A step-up for vloggers, content creators, more

In my case, I started making vlogs again back in 2023. Before that, I had a YouTube channel that lasted from 2018 to 2021 that focused mainly on Korean BBQ restaurant reviews back when the samgyup hype was at an all-time high.

My videos had the regular 16:9 aspect ratio and lasted about 5 to 10 minutes long. But those days are well behind us.

Nowadays, it’s all about vertical short-form videos with voice-overs. I was well aware of this and had to figure out how to keep up with this generation’s way of making vlogs.

While I’ve always trusted my skills and my midrange smartphones to deliver the visual part, the voice recording side was the one that’s tricky. I used to just record my voice inside my wardrobe closet to block off noise and absorb echo.

At some point, our ever generous managing editor did give me a condenser mic before, but using it also involved a lot of steps in the workflow. I had to use a laptop to start recording and then transfer the audio file to my phone.

Simpler process

This is where the BOYA mini 2 changed the game for me. The product’s versatility allows for a more simplified and seamless production flow.

My partner, on the other hand, was also able to use the system for her makeup product reviews with front camera shots.

She even leveraged the transmitters for livestreaming sessions so that she could use both arms for swatching different lipstick shades and focusing on Shopee or TikTok’s livestream controls.

A little patience goes a long way

As you’re not paying a fortune per se with the BOYA mini 2, don’t expect perfection either.

The one hurdle we had to deal with was whenever we switched from the Lightning to USB-C receiver, you will have to reconnect the transmitters again.

It takes a while to figure it out. Without reading the manual, I just double-pressed the button on the transmitter until it turned green after blinking steadily. You will also have to do the same with the mics, which restart several times before finally syncing again.

Other than that, there weren’t much problems encountered.