For years, Redmi has made a name for itself by delivering phones that offer strong value at affordable prices. The new Redmi 15C continues that tradition, packing a large display, long battery life, and reliable performance at a price that won’t break the bank.

A look for the books

The Redmi 15C looks nothing short of stunning. The unit I have is in Moonlight Blue, and its shimmer catches the light beautifully. It’s also available in Midnight Black, Mint Green, and Twilight Orange if you prefer other styles.

Despite being plastic, it feels solid and surprisingly premium. At 205 grams, it has a reassuring weight that makes it seem more expensive than it is.

The phone resists fingerprints well. The side rails barely pick up smudges. Even the back panel hides them unless you look closely. This keeps the phone looking clean and polished without constant wiping.

You’ll also find some thoughtful touches here. A 3.5mm headphone jack in 2025 is still a very welcome feature. The fingerprint sensor built into the power button is fast and reliable. Charging is via USB-C, which is now standard but still nice to see at this price point.

Smooth and immersive

The 6.9-inch display is large and immersive. It’s great for watching videos or browsing social media. While it’s not the sharpest or brightest display on the market, it delivers good color reproduction and wide viewing angles.

The screen peaks at 660 nits of brightness, enough to remain visible outdoors in most conditions. The highlight is the 120Hz refresh rate. It makes scrolling and animations feel smooth and responsive—a rare feature at this price.

The display uses what Redmi calls a Dot Drop design. It feels a bit dated. I had a phone back in 2018 with the same display style. It’s not a dealbreaker, especially at this price.

Adding to its appeal, the phone comes with an IP64 dust and water resistance rating, a rare bit of protection in this budget category.

Cameras: Capable and consistent

The Redmi 15C has a 50MP main camera and an 8MP front camera. It’s not for professional photography, but it delivers sharp, usable photos in good lighting.

Colors aren’t always perfectly accurate, but they’re close enough that most users will be satisfied.

Low-light performance improves with Night Mode, which adds detail and sharpness. Other features like HDR mode, Film Camera, Portrait Mode, and Time-lapse add versatility.

Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps. It’s not groundbreaking, but it gets the job done for casual content.

The front camera produces decent selfies with a bit of software-enhanced beauty mode. Portrait effects are acceptable, and in good lighting, images are clear.

One note: the rear camera sometimes shows slight edge distortion, with straight lines bending near the frame. It’s minor and won’t affect most shots.

Performance: Handles the basics with ease

Powered by a MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra processor, the Redmi 15C handles everyday tasks smoothly. Social media, messaging, and web browsing run without issues. Light games like Mobile Legends and Roblox are playable. Frame drops are rare.

The unit I tested has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It supports RAM expansion from storage, letting you add up to 8GB of virtual RAM. This helps multitasking and keeps performance steady.

For an entry-level phone, it offers reliable performance. It’s not designed for heavy gaming or intensive workloads, but it performs better than expected at this price point.

Battery life and charging: Long-lasting and dependable

Battery life is where the Redmi 15C truly stands out. The 6,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use, with charge left over. Redmi claims up to 22 hours of video playback, 82 hours of music, or 20 hours of reading. Real-world use lines up closely with these numbers.

Charging is quick with 33W fast charging. Redmi says it reaches 50% in 31 minutes. I didn’t measure, but in daily use it feels impressively fast. It also supports reverse charging via USB-C, letting you top up other devices in a pinch.

Pricing and availability

The Redmi 15C is priced as follows:

• ₱5,299 — 4GB RAM + 128GB storage
• ₱5,799 — 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
• ₱6,599 — 8GB RAM + 256GB storage

It will be available online starting September 12 and in stores on September 19.

Is the Redmi 15C your BudgetMatch?

The Redmi 15C offers a lot for its price. You get a premium-looking design, smooth display, reliable performance, decent cameras, and excellent battery life, all at an entry-level price.

It’s not for power users or mobile photographers. But for students, first-time smartphone users, or anyone who needs a dependable daily driver on a tight budget, the Redmi 15C is an easy recommendation.

If you want value without sacrificing the essentials, this might just be your BudgetMatch.

I’ve already talked about how GadgetMatch covered gamescom for the first time. This time, let me tell you about the other “first” that shaped the trip: walking the massive halls of Koelnmesse with the Canon EOS R50 V in hand.

You already know this was my first gamescom. What you don’t know is that I didn’t have my usual setup. Instead of my trusty Sony a6500 with a 35mm lens, I had the Canon EOS R50 V paired with the RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM.

Unfamiliar gear in unfamiliar territory. Spicy combo, right?

Zero prep, full send

Here’s the thing: I picked up the R50 V just hours before my flight. Zero time to get cozy with it. I went straight from unboxing to event mode, no warm-up lap in between.

And while the R50 V is compact, that RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is anything but. Fitting it into my bag felt like stuffing sneakers into a clutch.

But the size had perks. With its wide-to-zoom range, it felt like carrying multiple prime lenses without the weight. I could capture a sprawling booth one second and zoom in for a portrait the next.

Cosplayers noticed it too—many struck a pose as soon as I pointed the lens their way. The camera practically invited interaction, which made shooting the Sights and Sounds reel a lot more fun.

@gadgetmatch Sights & Sounds at #gamescom2025 ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

The vlogger button that got benched

One of the R50 V’s cool tricks is the front-facing record button. Perfect for vloggers. But paired with that massive lens? Not so much. Holding the setup out for a selfie felt less “on-the-go creator” and more “arm day workout.”

Still, I gave it a shot. If you watch my ROG Xbox Ally X first look video, you’ll spot a few clips where I used it. But for the most part, I stuck to capturing everything else happening around me.

Missing my dials, finding my groove

What I missed most were the physical dials. My Sony setup lets me adjust settings with a quick flick. With the R50 V, a lot of those changes live on the touchscreen. It’s workable, but I’m not the biggest fan of poking a screen mid-shoot.

That said, Canon nailed the ergonomics. Stubby fingers, chunky hands, smaller body—still comfortable. The grip never felt flimsy or cramped. For its size, it’s solid.

After a few days, I found my rhythm. The Samsung PlayGalaxy reel is probably the best showcase of what I was able to do once I got past the learning curve.

@gadgetmatchAll fun and games at the Samsung Play Galaxy at Gamescom 2025!♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

A surprise player for stills

The R50 V is clearly made with video creators in mind, but the stills surprised me too. Even in the chaos of gamescom, I managed to snap a handful of shots worth sharing.

Sharp, clean, detailed. That L-series glass obviously helps, but the camera itself is no slouch.

Coverage tested, coverage ready

So how did the Canon EOS R50 V hold up at my first gamescom? Honestly, pretty well. I had maybe ten minutes to fiddle with it before diving into one of the busiest events of the year, and I still came home with reels, clips, and photos I’m proud of.

That, to me, says a lot.

Would I trade my usual setup for it? Not completely. I still crave the physical dials and the vlogger button works best with a smaller lens. But the R50 V proved it can keep up with the demands of real event coverage.

Is the Canon EOS R50 V your GadgetMatch?

The Canon EOS R50 V is a Swipe Right—but not without caveats.

First, ask yourself: do you really need something with an interchangeable lens? If yes, then this is an investment worth making in your content creation journey.

But think carefully about the kind and size of lens you’ll need. Wide lenses are great for vlogging. Prime lenses shine for portraits and product shots. Zoom lenses come alive at big events like gamescom. Figure out what you’ll use it for the most, and match your setup accordingly.

If you’re not ready to make that leap, Canon has another option: the Powershot V1. Think of it as a half-step up if you’re moving from smartphone shooting. Less intimidating, easier to carry, but still a noticeable jump in quality.

As for me, I survived my first gamescom with Canon. And while I may not be a full convert just yet, I can say this much: the R50 V earned its spot in my bag, sneakers and all.

For years, HUAWEI’s FreeBuds SE line has been the go-to choice for anyone wanting affordable, reliable earbuds that nail the basics. But there was always one glaring omission — active noise cancellation. That changes with the HUAWEI FreeBuds SE 4. ANC finally makes its way into Huawei’s budget-friendly lineup, and it could be the upgrade that makes these earbuds worth a second look.

Design & build quality: familiar but sturdy

Huawei played it a little too safe with the FreeBuds SE4. Instead of building on the unique design of the SE3, they leaned hard into a look that feels very familiar. At first glance, the charging case could pass for an AirPods Pro 2 case. It’s not an outright dupe, but it sits in that uncanny valley of “I’ve seen this before.”

That’s the letdown — the SE3 had personality. The SE4 feels like it’s hiding in the crowd instead of standing out.

The good news? Build quality is solid. Huawei says these buds passed 26 durability tests, and it shows. The hinge feels sturdy, the lid doesn’t wobble, and nothing about it screams cheap.

Comfort is where the SE4 redeems itself. Each bud weighs only 4.3 grams, and Huawei’s “Airy Light Fit” actually delivers. I can wear them for hours without constantly readjusting. They’re light, snug, and stay put.

As for colors, you get white (crisp and versatile) or black (sleek and minimal). Either way, you won’t lose style points.

Audio & ANC: better than expected

For under P2k, audio quality is impressive. The bass is punchy, the mids are clean, and the highs come through clear. It’s not audiophile-grade, but it’s much better than you’d expect at this price.

The real story here is ANC. No, it’s not class-leading, but it does a solid job. The outside world doesn’t vanish completely, but it quiets down enough to let me enjoy music at lower volume levels — a big plus for someone like me who used to blast music at max volume just to survive commutes.

Huawei added three ANC “tiers” — Cozy, General, and Ultra — plus a dynamic mode that switches automatically. On paper, that sounds great. In practice, the differences are subtle. Useful? Not really. Nice to have? Sure. At this price, ANC at all is already a win.

Mic quality is decent, too. Calls come through clear, and background noise is suppressed enough that your voice cuts through fine. Don’t expect studio quality — even premium earbuds struggle there — but for calls and meetings, it’s good enough.

User experience: smooth and simple

The touch controls are responsive once you get used to them. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but after a couple of tries, they feel natural. No annoying lag or mis-taps.

The Huawei Audio app is the bonus here. You can tweak touch gestures, adjust ANC, and customize EQ. Most of the time, the buds work fine on their own, but if you want fine-tuning, the app is handy.

Battery life & charging: marathon runner

Battery life is where the FreeBuds SE4 shines. Huawei claims up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge, with the case pushing that to 50 hours. In practice, I went three to four days of regular use without charging the case, even with ANC on most of the time. That’s not marketing fluff — it checks out.

Charging is fast, too. A 10-minute top-up gives around 4 hours of playback (ANC off), while a full case charge takes about an hour.

The only drawback: no charger in the box, not even a USB-C cable. You’ll have to use your own. It feels like a corner cut, but with this much endurance, it’s hard to complain too much.

Other things to know

• IP54 dust and water resistance — safe for sweat and light rain.
• Bluetooth 5.4 — stable, seamless connection.
• USB-C charging — but remember, no cable included.

Is the Huawei Freebuds SE 4 your GadgetMatch?

The Huawei FreeBuds SE4 doesn’t pretend to be the fanciest earbuds out there — and it doesn’t need to. For the price, you get solid sound, decent ANC, all-day comfort, and marathon-level battery life.

Would I recommend it? It’s definitely a Swipe Right. Especially for students on daily commutes or professionals who just want reliable earbuds without overspending. If you need something affordable and practical that still sounds good, this is a strong pick.

If you’re an audiophile chasing the best ANC or mic performance, you’ll want to spend more. But if what you want is value without compromise on the essentials, the FreeBuds SE4 delivers.

Pricing and availability

The Huawei FreeBuds SE 4 retails for PHP1,999. You can get it now on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and Huawei Online Store.