Smartphones
Shock-resistant OPPO A3 now in the Philippines: Price, availability
Available in Sparkle Black and Starry Purple
The OPPO A3, OPPO’s latest durable smartphone entry to the budget segment, is now official in the Philippines.
Building off the release of the likewise sturdy OPPO A60 a few months ago, the OPPO A3 offers U.S. military-grade standard shock resistance and multiple liquid resistance.
In addition, the budget phone is rated 5-star by SGS for overall drop resistance. It can survive accidental falls from up to 1.6 meters, making it an ideal device that can withstand the rigors of everyday blue collar life.
Complementing its durability in the shock resistance department are its IP54 dust and water resistance rating and Splash Touch technology for optimized usage in spite of wetness on the screen. With the promise of all-round waterproofing, accidental downpours or liquid spills won’t have to worry OPPO A3 users as well.
OPPO A3 price, availability
The OPPO A3 is now available in Sparkle Black and Starry Purple for PhP 8,999 (6GB+128GB) on OPPO’s official Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok channels.
Customers may also get the phone via Home Credit or credit card at 0% interest for six months. That’s just PhP 1,079 per monthly installment.
Durable and steady
OPPO’s latest offering is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 chipset. It has up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
The phone also houses a 5,100mAh battery that supports 45W SUPERVOOC charge. Moreover, the battery supports Smart and Low Temp charging modes for users’ various needs.
In front, the handset sports a 6.67-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000 nits of brightness. This panel has the same Splash Touch Technology first introduced on OPPO’s higher Reno series smartphones. The phone can shoot up content volume to up to 300% for practical scenarios like calls when outdoors.
For its rear camera, the OPPO A3 utilizes a 50MP AI main shooter which supports AI Portrait. In front is a 5MP selfie camera.
News
More iPhone switchers this year than Android switchers, report says
Only the Google Pixel might be exempt from a global Android dip.
With the prices of chips skyrocketing this year, the commonly held rule of thumb is to hold on to your devices for as long as possible. Of course, the dip in demand will also translate to a dip in supply. According to new reports, users this year might favor switching to an iPhone over an Android phone.
As early as late last year, smartphone makers have already warned consumers that the prices of new devices might go up to anticipate the rising prices of RAM. For now, the prices are still manageable, but forecasts don’t look too kindly on the future.
According to a Morgan Stanley report via Investing.com, the shipments of Android phones might drop by as much as 15 percent this year, compared to the last. This encompasses all brands using the platform.
However, there is one notable holdout: the Google Pixel. According to the same report, the lineup will still enjoy some modicum of growth heading into their release schedule this year.
More notably, though, Apple might be the biggest winner this year. Though iPhone shipments might still drop by 2 percent, it’s nothing compared to the former’s 15 percent drop. When comparing the two, that should translate to a growth in Apple’s share of the pie this year. In other words, more people might switch to Apple, compared to people switching to any phone running on Android.
Now, to be fair, these are all just predictions. Anything can still happen, but it looks like Apple might be heading to a stellar performance later this year.
SEE ALSO: Hands-on: NEW iPhone 17e, iPad Air, MacBooks, Studio Displays
Samsung is making it easier for Galaxy users to share files across devices with the introduction of AirDrop support to Quick Share on the Galaxy S26 series.
The update allows Galaxy S26 users to send and receive files more seamlessly, expanding Quick Share’s functionality beyond Samsung’s own ecosystem. It’s a notable step toward improving interoperability, especially for users who frequently interact with devices outside the Galaxy lineup.
The feature begins rolling out on March 23, starting in Korea. Samsung says availability will expand to additional markets including Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. As with most rollouts, timing may vary depending on the region.
For now, AirDrop support is exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung notes that support for other devices will be announced at a later date.
Expanding what Quick Share can do
Quick Share has long been Samsung’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop — offering fast, wireless file transfers between Galaxy devices. Over time, Samsung has expanded compatibility to include Windows PCs and select Android devices.
With this update, the experience becomes more flexible. Users can expect fewer limitations when sharing photos, videos, and documents, particularly in mixed-device environments.
While Samsung has not detailed the exact technical implementation, the move signals a broader push toward making Galaxy devices easier to use alongside other platforms.
A software-driven upgrade for the S26
The addition of AirDrop support reinforces one of the key themes behind the Galaxy S26 series: improving everyday usability through software.
Launched in February, the Galaxy S26 lineup — consisting of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra — focuses on refinement rather than dramatic hardware changes. Samsung has leaned heavily into what it calls “effortless intelligence,” with features powered by Galaxy AI designed to simplify daily tasks.
These include tools like Now Brief and Now Nudge, which surface contextual suggestions, as well as AI-powered editing features such as Photo Assist and Audio Eraser. Privacy also plays a bigger role this year, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra introducing a built-in Privacy Display that limits viewing angles in public spaces.
On the hardware side, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, paired with a redesigned vapor chamber for improved thermal performance. It also introduces faster 60W charging, a bump from the previous generation.
Making sharing more seamless
With AirDrop support coming to Quick Share, Samsung is addressing a common friction point for users: moving files between different ecosystems.
It may not be the most headline-grabbing feature, but it’s one that could have a meaningful impact on day-to-day use — especially for users who regularly share content across devices.
As the feature rolls out globally, it further positions the Galaxy S26 series as a device focused on practical improvements that make the overall experience smoother and more connected.
News
nubia to launch new Neo 5 series gaming phones on March 28
Head to SM Megamall for activities, guest appearances, surprises
nubia Philippines will officially launch the nubia Neo 5 series gaming smartphone on March 28 at their “Enter The NEOVerse: Born To Win” event. It will be held at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Metro Manila.
The nubia Neo 5 series’ design and details will be unveiled during the event. It is inspired by the REDMAGIC Gaming Lab, which is behind the REDMAGIC’s high-performance gaming ecosystem.
The nubia Neo 5 series will introduce a bold gaming-centric aesthetic, paired with performance-driven specs.
Customers can expect a sleek, futuristic styling, as well as powerful hardware engineered to elevate everyday mobile gameplay.
Across the lineup, users can expect high refresh rate displays, powerful processors, advanced cooling systems, and the familiar gaming triggers from the previous series.
It does look like nubia is adding AI-powered gaming optimization to give players an extra edge for every competitive match.
All these, of course, minus the flagship price tag.
Enter the NEOverse
At nubia’s launch event, the activity area will be transformed into a gaming-inspired universe.
Guests can explore interactive zones, participate in challenges, and experience the nubia Neo 5 series firsthand. They can also unlock exclusive rewards and prizes.
Moreover, the event will feature appearances from nubia ambassadors Sanya Lopez and ONIC Philippines.
From there, there will be 1v1 gaming sessions with ONIC PH players, as well as a special “Play” segment featuring a yet-to-be-revealed cosplayer.
nubia will also offer event-exclusive deals for early shoppers during the launch. Customers can enjoy up to seven premium freebies per nubia Neo 5 model. This is available for the first 100 customers.
Furthermore, nubia will officially announce its TikTok Super Brand Week, as well as partnerships with Yanlala and Geely.
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