OPPO A98 5G OPPO A98 5G

Reviews

OPPO A98 5G review: A+ for all-around experience

A strong contender in its category

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The OPPO A98 5G has a very promising spec sheet. With that, you may be wondering if those figures actually translate into real-life use. After rocking the device for nearly two weeks, here’s an in-depth review of the OPPO’s newest midranger.

Before anything else, watch this unboxing

A Beauty that glows differently

The visual upgrade of OPPO A98 5G from its predecessor is very clear, so much so that the difference glows. The new design of the handset feels very refreshing to look at. Personally, I think the vertical pill-shaped camera module combined with the fingerprint and smudge-proof back panel look and feel more premium. Despite being made of plastic, the phone doesn’t look and feel cheap at all.

The handset I got is in Dreamy Blue. The blue shade changes when light casts on it, projecting a subtle glow that comes in the shades of purple, pink, and sometimes, orange. However, if you don’t feel like this color suits you, you can opt for the Cool Black variant of OPPO A98 5G, which leans more on simplicity and elegance.

The front of the phone also looks great with a single camera punch hole in the center. The bezels are also thin, pushing the screen ratio to 91.4%.

It may be light but hold it tight!

Despite having huge hands, I am certainly not a huge fan of big phones. Using the OPPO A98 5G was not a difficult experience for me. Although, I have a minor issue with the phone’s edges.

Don’t get me wrong, I love its trendy flat edges and one can argue that I am just nitpicking. But personally, I think this phone is not the easiest to hold because of its sharp edges. And because it’s also light at 192 grams, there’s a feeling that it might slip off my hands if I’m not gripping it tight enough. Don’t worry though, because its free jelly case solved the issue for me.

On the contrary, the OPPO A98 5G’s weight did not cause me any wrist strain even when I used it for an extended period of time. When it comes to the size, there are (a very few) times when I thought I would reach a part of the screen or a button easier if it’s not this big or tall but hey, the extra screen real estate definitely makes up for those not-so-important thoughts.

A screen that displays joy

OPPO A98 5G | Jungkook

Speaking of screen, the OPPO A98 5G sports a 6.72 inches FHD+ LTPS LCD display. While this isn’t technically that much of an upgrade from last year’s OPPO A96, the Chinese phone manufacturer still found a way to make it better by packing it with a 120Hz screen refresh rate, providing a smoother overall experience.

This is also power efficient as the screen refresh rate adapts and adjusts to whatever activity you are doing. For instance, you’ll get 30Hz while reading, 60Hz for watching videos, 90Hz while gaming, and 120Hz for scrolling on social media. These numbers translate to real-life use as I really enjoyed the smooth scrolling and I didn’t feel like it was draining my battery that much.

Glows for a day or two?

It’s not a secret that even on its midrange tiers, OPPO takes battery and charging seriously. OPPO A98 5G is not an exception with its 5,000mAh battery that juices up with the 67W SUPERVOOC charging technology. OPPO says it will only take 18 minutes to charge the phone to 50% and 44 minutes to fully charge it.

While I didn’t get that exact same time, I still managed to go from 20% to 100% in only 46 minutes. That’s pretty impressive for a midrange phone.

Depending on how heavy your phone use is, the OPPO A98 5G can really hold up to your lifestyle. I’m not really a heavy user so the phone lasted me for two days at most, still having a few percent left before I fuel it up again. Note that I am not into games but more of a social media scroller Gen Z.

It’s also worth noting that OPPO’s exclusive Battery Health Engine technology is present in the OPPO A98 5G. According to OPPO, this technology doubles the battery’s lifespan to four years or more by carefully monitoring your phone’s charging cycle to keep the battery in top shape.

Just powerful enough

Flipping the sheet around, the OPPO A98 5G is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage out of the box. The RAM can also be artificially expanded up to 16GB with OPPO’s RAM expansion feature. The storage can also be maximized to 1TB with the use of an external SD card.

Basic tasks like social media browsing wouldn’t shake the OPPO A98 5G, so to speak. It handles a lot of apps with definitive ease. In addition, it can also multitask just fine. Well, almost all of the time. I said “almost” because while switching apps back and forth is not a problem, I seldom find certain apps launching back from the start after re-opening them from the recent apps drawer. 

Mobile gaming

Delving into the gaming realm, I will be honest. I am not really into gaming but for this review, I did play Asphalt 9 and Roblox consistently. I also asked my cousin to play his favorite mobile games — Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact.

Surprisingly, the OPPO A98 5G handles gaming really well. I played Asphalt 9 and Roblox in the highest graphics quality setting and I am genuinely amazed that I did not experience any lag or frame drop at all. As for Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact, I also observed similar performance as long as the graphics quality is set to medium or low settings. Dialing the graphics quality to its maximum setting resulted in a few frame drops and faster increase in the smartphone’s temperature.

As for the device’s temperature, the OPPO A98 5G gets warm when used heavily for a longer period of time but it’s not warm enough to cause discomfort in your hands. A few minutes rest for the phone is all it takes for it to cool down. 

It’s loud. But it can get louder!

My love for music and the music industry (Taylor Swift) were satisfied with how the OPPO A98 5G’s dual stereo speakers perform. Sure, the bass is not flagship level but the sound it produces is loud enough to fill a whole room with music. And if your surroundings are not as peaceful as you’d like, OPPO’s ultra volume mode will let the speaker surpass the usual 100% sound level and go as far as 200% for louder sound. 

Classic OPPO camera

Cameras affect a lot of people’s purchasing decisions when it comes to smartphones. The OPPO A98 5G boasts its 64MP main camera, accompanied by its 2MP depth camera and a 2MP micro lens that could go up to 40X of microscope zoom. On the front lies a 32MP selfie camera.

The good news about OPPO A98 5G’s cameras is that they deliver classic OPPO photography. The cameras are indeed better than its predecessor.

It produces sharper and vivid images.

The extra HD setting that processes the photo to be 108MP is glorious.

The microscope photography is mind-blowing.

Night mode works just fine.

And the selfies are clear and crisp.

The video recording, however, is not that impressive. Sure, it’s usable but it’s nothing jaw-dropping. Limited to 1080p at 30FPS and EIS only available at 720p, it’s kind of underwhelming to see this kind of video quality at its price range. 

A love-hate relationship

The latest member of the OPPO’s A series runs on Android 13 topped with ColorOS 13.1. The good thing about OPPO’s software is it’s really packed with features that will give its users more convenience. Take the background stream for example. This feature allows you to play YouTube videos as audio in the background without having to pay for a premium subscription. 

The downside though is the UI still looks messy for me. Booting up the phone for the first time will give you a welcome to lots of bloatware apps. Fortunately, they can be uninstalled with a few taps. 

Is this your GadgetMatch?

In conclusion, the OPPO A98 5G has certainly made a mark in the midrange smartphone segment. With its eye-catching design, impressive display, and powerful battery life, it offers a well-rounded experience for a lot of users.

The device’s ability to deliver smooth performance and handle gaming well are really worth considering. The camera system, although not perfect, still captures quality photos and offers intriguing microscope zoom capabilities.

With its competitive pricing, I can say that the OPPO A98 5G is a strong contender in its category, earning an A+ for its overall offering and total upgrade from its predecessor.


The OPPO A98 5G is priced PhP 18,999 and is available for pre-order until September 21st. The handset can also be purchased on Shopee and Lazada.

Automotive

Inside the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4

A closer look at the cabin that makes this truck feel smarter and more comfortable than expected.

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They call it a truck, but the moment you step inside, you understand why that word no longer feels enough.

The Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 carries a tough, ready-for-anything energy you’d expect from a pickup. It looks like it was built for mud or long highways that stretch beyond the city.

But inside, it tells a different story. One about comfort and knowing exactly how people live with their cars now.

Inside the Ranger is the kind of cabin that doesn’t ask you to brace yourself. Rather, it invites you to settle in.

Comfort with consideration

The first thing you notice is how easy it is to find your place behind the wheel.

The driver’s seat adjusts in eight ways, which means posture never feels like a compromise. The front passenger seat gets four-way adjustment, which still feels thoughtful rather than basic.

A combination of leather and synthetic leather seats add a softness that immediately changes your mood, the moment you sit down. It’s as if they were designed for long drives that accompany you in heartfelt conversations and unplanned detours.

Temperature never becomes a discussion inside the Wildtrak. With Dual-zone electronic automatic climate control, both sides of the cabin stay exactly how the people inside will want it.

Rear passengers get their own air vents, too, which reinforces the idea that this truck is meant to be shared. Everyone rides comfortably, no matter where they sit.

Even the small conveniences matter here. For instance, I love how the smart keyless entry and push-button start make it easy to start the car. The auto-dimming rearview mirror also takes care of harsh headlights, especially at night.

This cabin understands technology

Taking center stage is the 12-inch portrait touchscreen running SYNC 4A. The Wildtrak’s display feels intuitive and easy to trust, especially with how quickly it responds to inputs.

Voice commands work naturally, allowing your eyes to stay on the road where they belong. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect almost instantly, and once you experience that kind of seamless pairing, cables start to feel unnecessary.

In real-world use, I did notice that my Android devices occasionally disconnected, which eventually pushed me to plug them in for longer drives. Google Maps is non-negotiable for me, especially when I am navigating unfamiliar routes.

On the other hand, my iPhones connected more consistently and only tended to lose signal in congestion-heavy areas, like certain stretches of the South Luzon Expressway.

Still, the Wildtrak makes it easy to stay powered and connected. There is a wireless charging pad ready for your phone, along with multiple USB ports placed exactly where you expect them to be.

The six-speaker sound system is controlled directly from the steering wheel, which means music is always within reach. It also means I can comfortably get through Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” whenever traffic slows everything down.

Everything feels accessible without ever feeling crowded. That includes the 8-inch digital instrument cluster, which presents all the information you need in a clean and reassuring way, without overwhelming the driver.

Driving with confidence

Out on the road, the Wildtrak feels like it is constantly looking out for you. Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go takes the edge off heavy traffic, especially during bumper-to-bumper moments when the drive feels longer than it should.

Once you hit the freeway, the Wildtrak feels composed and confident, like a Beast let loose. Features like Lane Centering and Evasive Steer Assist help keep everything steady and controlled, particularly on long southbound drives where fatigue can creep in.

In the city, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection becomes one of those features you hope you never need, yet deeply appreciate once you understand how quickly it reacts. It responds faster than instinct, which matters when every second counts.

Add Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, and the Electronic Locking Rear Differential, and the Wildtrak feels prepared for situations you cannot always predict. Even the rear parking sensors earn their keep, especially when backing into tight spaces where visibility is limited.

Despite its imposing size, parking never feels intimidating. The 360-degree camera quickly becomes a trusted companion, making tight spots manageable and reducing the stress that often comes with driving a large vehicle.

It’s especially reassuring for drivers who love big trucks but are still getting used to their presence on city streets.

More than a truck

The Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 feels like it understands modern life.

It balances being tough with power and comfort. It feels ready for anything, whether it’s a weekday traffic or a weekend escape.

If you’re looking for a truck that feels like it already knows what you need, this one makes a strong case without ever raising its voice.

This is what it feels like inside the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4.

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Reviews

iQOO 15 review: Made for players who take performance seriously

For people with endless games in between

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There are phones that try to look powerful and there are phones that simply are, like the iQOO 15.

It feels like a device built for people who live long nights with endless games in between, blurring the line between a hobby and a lifestyle.

Build

The first moment I held the iQOO 15, it felt like a phone created intentionally for a specific market.

The metal frame feels cool in the hand, while the matte finish adds a premium texture that stays clean and comfortable. It feels solid with no flex and no hollow points.

Even the camera module keeps everything clean and simple with a flagship presence that makes sense on this design.

It leans slightly heavier than usual, although the weight is balanced well. It settles into your hand in a way that feels reassuring during long gaming sessions or long hours of multitasking.

Everything about this build tells you the device was made for people who actually use their phones vigorously.

Display

Turn on the screen and everything changes. The 6.85-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED display pulls you in with bright, vivid colors and a smoothness that immediately stands out.

Fast-paced content feels clean at 144Hz with no ghosting or motion issues even during heavy gameplay.

Meanwhile, outdoor brightness is impressive. The screen stays readable under direct sunlight, and the colors look lively without looking artificial.

Whether you are watching videos or playing games, the overall viewing experience feels premium and immersive.

Performance

Performance is the part where the iQOO 15 proves its point. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 handles everything with confidence.

Heavy workloads, editing, multitasking, and switching between apps feel natural. The device stays fast even after long hours of continuous use.

Gaming is clearly its comfort zone. Titles like Genshin Impact, Diablo Immortal, and Solo Leveling run smoothly with stable frame rates and reliable touch response.

The cooling system manages heat well, and the phone warms up during long sessions but stays within a level that feels safe and comfortable. Thermal dips are minimal, so you can keep your momentum without interruptions.

Camera

The camera on the iQOO 15 is reliable and consistent. It opens quickly and locks focus well.

Daylight photos are sharp with natural colors and pleasing contrast. The main sensor shines when given proper lighting.

What surprised me was the Super Macro mode. It captures small details with a clarity that feels more flagship than expected.

The textures, patterns, and tiny subjects come out sharp and visually interesting. Also, taking photos using the Portrait Mode  show good separation and smooth background blur.

Night shots hold up well, too. The phone brightens scenes while keeping colors accurate. Although phones with larger sensors still lead in extreme low light, the iQOO 15 performs better than you would expect from a performance-first device.

And if you take a lot of videos, the clips stay stable thanks to effective stabilization.

Battery

Battery life lasts a full day with mixed use.

Even on gaming days, it survives better than expected for a device with a 2K display and flagship power.

Charging is fast. Depending on your charger and settings, it takes about 35 to 65 minutes to fill the battery. The phone warms up slightly while charging but never becomes uncomfortable.

It’s the kind of phone you can top up quickly before leaving the house without feeling stressed.

Software

The software feels clean and manageable. Animations are smooth and transitions feel natural. Multitasking is effortless. There are a few pre-installed apps but nothing overly intrusive.

Features like gaming tools, quick gestures, and UI customization options feel helpful rather than overwhelming. The interface complements the hardware well and creates a smooth, polished user experience.

Is the iQOO 15 your GadgetMatch?

The iQOO 15 excels in the areas that matter. The display is outstanding, the performance is consistent, and the gaming experience feels confident and stable.

Its weight, slightly busy software, and the limits of low-light photography are worth noting, although they do not overshadow the strengths of the device.

For its expected price, it is worth considering if you want a flagship that delivers power with personality. The iQOO 15 fits gamers, power users, and anyone who spends long hours on their phone and needs a partner that can keep up.

If that sounds like you and you want a performance-first flagship built for long gaming sessions, this is easily a Swipe Right.

However, Swipe Left if you prefer lighter phones that disappear in your pocket, and you want the absolute best when it comes to low-light camera performance.

But if you’re looking for those features, you’re probably looking at the wrong device. After all, iQOO is made for those who value power and performance.

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Reviews

OPPO Find X9 review: Super Swipe material!

This is the flagship smartphone that’s ready for anything, just like you~

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Life has a habit of throwing you into challenges you never trained for.

Smartphones should do the same. They should keep up and evolve with you, and sometimes surprise you with strength you did not expect.

I have used devices that moved backward when the world kept sprinting ahead, so I felt nervous when I first saw the OPPO Find X9.

I judged it instantly. The same distrust you give a contestant who looks too smug before a grueling Physical: Asia round. I thought I knew how the story would end, but I was wrong.

For more than a month, I carried the Find X9 like a teammate who reluctantly joined my squad. It traveled with me to Shenzhen, powered through my errands and deadlines, and survived my messy blend of workouts, airport transitions, and late‑night scrolls.

Halfway through, I realized that the OPPO Find X9 was not the timid underdog I imagined. It felt like watching a contestant who starts slow, then suddenly reveals a strength that makes you want to cheer.

Settling into its role like a seasoned contender

The Find X9 is OPPO’s premium flagship and it carries itself like someone who trains in silence and performs only when it matters.

It keeps the familiar slate form of its predecessors, although the camera bump shifts back to a square layout that aligns with the rest of OPPO’s lineup. It feels like the brand wants its roster to share a common uniform, the way Physical: Asia teams arrive coordinated and ready for the cameras.

The boxy silhouette I loved from the Find X8 returns. It feels more refined and softened enough to sit comfortably in the hand.

It reminds me of my boxy iPhone 16 Pro, although the Find X9 is thinner and lighter. That difference becomes a blessing once you carry it through an entire day.

I even found myself playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Magic Chess: Go Go longer than I planned. I tapped the screen with the intensity of an elimination round and only noticed the fatigue half an hour later.

Now Playing: Netflix’s Physical: Asia

This is where the Find X9 became my sanctuary. The year‑end grind pushed me from plane to cab to hotel and kept me drifting between destinations like I was competing in my own endurance course.

I barely stayed home, so I clung to the glowing screen whenever I needed a break. The 6.59‑inch AMOLED display feels familiar, although the ultra‑thin bezels create a stage that looks wider and more immersive.

It made watching Netflix’s Physical: Asia feel larger than life. I watched Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan rally Team Mongolia with a conviction that made me forget where I was.

The crisp visuals pulled me into every challenge and moment of grit. Soon enough, my TikTok algorithm surrendered and fed me everything related to Team Mongolia, especially Orkhonbayar, who looks like a polar bear who can protect you while still being soft enough to lean on.

The only moment the illusion cracked was when the audio tried to catch up. The Dual Dolby Atmos speakers were loud, although they lacked the fullness I wanted. It felt like watching a high‑stakes challenge with a crowd that forgot to cheer.

Thankfully, I always had earbuds with me, so the storyline continued uninterrupted.

Knows when to push or hold back

Flagships do not get second chances. They need to perform on command the way Physical: Asia contestants must explode into action the moment a round begins.

The Find X9 understood this assignment. It runs on MediaTek’s 3nm Dimensity 9500 chipset, which feels like a regular Reno 14 that trained for months with the best coaches and came back transformed.

It handled multitasking, gaming, creative work, and frantic app switching with the focus of an athlete who knows exactly when to conserve energy and when to unleash power.

The 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB storage, combined with another 12GB of RAM expansion, give the phone an almost excessive strength that reminds me of challenges where every team sends its strongest member.

It mirrored my facet as an athlete. It’s capable, balanced, and ready for anything–just like yours truly.

Stamina that goes the distance

The smoothness from the Find X8 carried over beautifully. Nothing shocked me in terms of performance, which is exactly the point.

Flagships should feel consistent and quietly powerful, like contestants who never brag yet always outlast everyone.

The battery felt like the unexpected plot twist. During my trip to Shenzhen, the 7025mAh battery lasted two full days.

I used mobile data, scrolled endlessly, took photos, and filmed videos. I am so used to charging my phones every night while I shower that I instinctively reached for a charger and realized I did not need one.

The Find X9 kept going like I was watching a contestant breeze through a challenge you expected them to struggle with.

It didn’t ask for a break. It simply kept up and stayed with me through everything I wanted to do.

Support team that moves with you

After living with the OPPO Find X9, everything moved with a sense of intention, as if the system knows when to sprint and when to conserve energy.

Animations feel fluid and continuous, and scrolling feels lighter. App launches feel quicker without drawing attention to themselves.

This smoothness comes from OPPO’s new Luminous Rendering Engine, which renders visual elements in parallel so nothing stutters or breaks the flow. It feels like watching a well‑trained team move in sync.

Alongside it, the Trinity Engine manages resources intelligently, keeping the phone responsive even under pressure while controlling heat and power use.

The interface itself feels refreshed and calmer, and customization finally feels playful again. I could set Motion Photos or videos as wallpapers, explore more font options, and even let AI suggest text styles that matched my overall theme.

The Flux Home Screen became a small joy. App folders could be resized into different shapes and the surrounding icons adjusted dynamically, making the layout feel alive rather than rigid.

The Always‑On Display also stepped up with full‑screen support, more widgets, and style options that felt personal instead of ornamental.

Also, OPPO’s growing AI ecosystem, including AI Mind Space, AI Mind Assistant, and Smart Collections, helped organize content quietly in the background.

Screenshots and notes felt easier to find, and suggestions appeared when they actually made sense. Integration with Google’s Gemini through Gemini Live added another layer of intelligence, allowing real‑time interactions that felt natural instead of forced.

What sealed the experience for a flagship device was its cross‑device connectivity. Features like Phone Connect and PC Connect let me share files and mirror my screen across phones, iPhones, Macs, and Windows PCs.

A steady hand when the stakes are high

The Find X9’s camera feels like the teammate who understands the game. It knows when to push and when to let the moment breathe.

I noticed it first when taking portraits, especially in low light. The AI Portrait Glow steps in gently, balancing lighting and skin tones without flattening texture. Faces looked natural and skin tones stayed true, which felt flattering without feeling edited.

Beyond portraits, the suite of AI photo tools is best used when traveling. AI Eraser helped clean up distractions that would have ruined an otherwise great frame.

In busy streets or low‑light environments, AI Unblur helped rescue shots taken in motion. AI Reflection Remover did exactly what it promised, saving photos taken through glass without leaving obvious traces behind.

But what I appreciated most was how easy it was to trust the camera. I didn’t need to overthink angles or second‑guess results.

I lifted the phone, framed the shot, and let the Find X9 do the rest. It’s the best point‑and‑shoot smartphone camera for casual users or anyone learning the ropes of photography. It’s smart enough to call itself a smartphone.

Here are sample photos I’ve taken:

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Battery life that lasts through two full days of heavy use
  • Flagship‑level performance that handles multitasking with ease
  • Immersive, vibrant display perfect for streaming or gaming
  • Intelligent, user‑friendly AI camera features
  • Smooth, refined ColorOS 16 experience
  • Customization tools that feel personal, not gimmicky
  • Seamless cross‑device connectivity

Cons

  • Speakers are loud but lack premium depth
  • Performance might feel overkill for light users

Is the OPPO Find X9 your GadgetMatch?

The OPPO Find X9 is like that teammate who shows up consistently and performs under pressure.

Its performance is nothing short of flagship‑level, and it’s ready to handle anything you throw at it. It’s not perfect. No other smartphone is. But the minor flaws do not outweigh its endurance, consistency, design, and flagship performance.

Some may hesitate and consider it a Swipe Left. But for anyone who wants a smartphone that keeps pace with your life, performs without complaint, and quietly gets the job done, this is a Swipe Right.

And for us, it’s definitely a Super Swipe. The Find X9 earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval because it does more than look good and deliver excellent captures.

It’s one of the best flagship smartphones around that you won’t second‑guess buying at its price.

The OPPO Find X9 retails for PhP 69,999 for the 16GB + 512GB variant. It’s available nationwide through OPPO’s official stores, its official Shopee store, and partner channels.

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