Accessories

OPPO Enco W31: Works as advertised

Nothing fancy. Just right

Published

July 28, 2020

Everyone’s getting in on the TWS earphones game and OPPO is no different. One of their latest releases is the OPPO Enco W31 and it seems to be geared towards the more budget conscious.

I’ve been very privileged in that most of the TWS earphones I have tried thus far have been more on the premium end. We even had a three-way battle between TWS earphones from top smartphone manufacturers.

That was actually a pretty close tussle. But the thing is, all of those were priced north of PhP 5,000 (around US$ 100). If you’re not willing to shell out as much, what are your options?

So far from what we’ve reviewed, the Redmi Earbuds S appears to be a solid choice. That one doesn’t follow the stem design popularized by Apple’s Airpods. If that’s what you’re looking for but for much less, that’s where the OPPO Enco W31 comes in.

‘Airpods’ look

I have mixed feelings about this stem design. On one hand, it’s clear what all the other manufacturers are trying to be. They’re just reinforcing the idea that Apple is the gold standard instead of blazing their own trail.

On the other, as long as it works and the stems are there for a reason, we can’t really complain too much, can we?

Which is the case for the OPPO Enco W31. Double tapping on the stem of the left earbud will shift the mode from Balanced to Bass and vice versa. Meanwhile, a double tap on the stem of the right earbud will skip to the next.

Triple tapping either stem will trigger the Google Assistant so you can ask stuff like “How is the Philippines handling the Coronavirus pandemic?” You will then get factual information and not the propaganda that the powers-that-be want you to believe. I digress.

The controls, while limited, work as advertised. They’re responsive and rarely did I have any trouble switching modes, skipping to the next truck, or summoning the trusty Google Assistant.

Clamshell case, box inclusions

The similarities with the Airpods pretty much ends with the stem look. First off, it opts for an in-ear design. It helps in making the earphones feel snug in your ears as well as add to some form of noise-cancelling.

Upon opening the box, it already does a great job of reminding you that it’s an OPPO product. Right smack in the middle is the clamshell case with the OPPO logo dead center.

Elsewhere in the box you’ll find the user guide, warranty card, the USB-C cable, and some spare eartips. The usual stuff.

The clamshell case, I thought, was a curious design case. Up until this one, most of the cases for stemmed TWS earphones are vertically oriented. One where the stem is buried deep in the case and you pull it out to take it from the case.

The clamshell case opens like, well, a clamshell. It also reminds of the compact that girls carry around. The way the earphones sit on the case makes it more difficult than usual to pry it off.

It’s magnetic, sure, but the spaces around it weren’t big enough for my stubby fingers to easily lift the earphones from the case. It also didn’t help that I’m such a klutz that I kept dropping the earphones as I tried to take them from the case.

It’s a minor gripe, but one that can certainly be improved upon.

Sound quality is okay

This is where I think the most compromise was made. It’s by no means terrible, but it certainly is not in the level of the three more premium TWS headphones we tested (Airpods, Galaxy Buds+, Freebuds 3).

With the only other mode other than Balanced being Bass, the earphones definitely favor the bass. In fact, there’s little difference between the two modes. It’s noticeable, for sure. But the Balance mode lacks the crisp and clarity one would expect from a setting that’s supposed to be balanced.

It’s a little unfair that I’m comparing it to more expensive devices, but at the moment that’s my only gauge. But I would like to emphasize that it isn’t bad at all. It’s certainly better than even the wired ones that are bundled with phones.

There’s another TWS on my to-review list that I expect to be similarly priced to this. With that, I can have a better bar in terms of gauging the sound quality.

Despite not sounding as crisp as it’s more expensive counterparts, it does sound better than even some wired headphones I’ve tried in the past. I used my trusty playlist for audio testing again and it’s able to do that left-to-right thing that some tracks implement.

Jamming to other tunes will get you vibing too. The in-ear design boxes you in and it does get more than loud enough so you’re really immersed in what you’re listening to.

Call quality a mixed bag

So I called two friends and they had different feedback regarding how I sounded during the calls.

The first one said I sounded like I’m calling from a metallic room. It was echoey and the reverb just didn’t sound good.

The second person I called had a more positive feedback. She said I sounded pretty clear. Initially, she thought I had put her on speaker phone. But when I said I was using TWS earphones, she said the sound was clean and clear. Not what she was expecting.

Battery life is impressive

Just like the controls, the battery life on this thing is as good as advertised. It says up to 10 hours of playback with the earphones alone and up to 30 hours with the charging case.

USB-C port to charge the OPPO Enco W31

I typically used it for about three to four hours each day for a little under 10 days. I haven’t charged it since the initial juice up right before I began the testing phase.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

If you’re looking at the OPPO Enco W31 as your first pair of TWS earphones, I’d say you’re in for a treat.

The controls and battery life work as advertised. The in-ear design helps keep you immersed in what you’re listening to. Sound quality may not be stellar but it’s par for the course for the price it commands.

If this is your first step to free yourself from the entanglement of wires, know that you’re getting a solid pair of TWS earphones.

Accessories

Bellroy expands in the Philippines with retailer partnerships

Products now available at Beyond the Box, Digital Walker

Published

April 13, 2026

GadgetMatch

Australian carry brand Bellroy has expanded its footprint in the Philippines, striking partnerships with retailers Beyond the Box and Digital Walker.

This shall enable Filipino customers to experience the brand’s award-winning, protective tech kits firsthand at select physical stores and even online.

Bellroy has befome a global favorite since its inception in 2010 for its design-led minimalism and commitment to sustainability.

Some of the brand’s featured products readily available in-store include MagSafe-compatible phone cases and the best-selling Desk Caddy and Tech kit.

The latter is designed to organize chargers and cables seamlessly.

Meanwhile, the Venture and Lite series bags are also available. These are crafted from durable, water-resistant fabrics made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles.

Furthermore, exclusive editions featuring INNOVERA, a high-performance plant-based leather alternative with 80% renewable carbon content, are also on display.

Customers can visit select Digital Walker and Beyond the Box branches nationwide to check Bellroy’s offerings.

They are present at flagship locations in Bonifacio High Street, Uptown Mall, and Glorietta. Alternatively, customers can also shop online via digitalwalker.ph and beyondthebox.ph.

Accessories

Dyson now has its own pricey handheld fan

The HushJet Mini Cool can spin up to a blazing 65,000rpm.

Published

April 10, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Handheld fans are in again. With the scorching heat bearing down on the country, a portable way to keep cool is an absolute must if you want to last even a few minutes out in the sun. Now, if you have the money, why settle for a plain old JisuLife? Dyson has just launched its own handheld fan called the HushJet Mini Cool.

Ironically, when I see a JisuLife, I already think of a Dyson with its unique design reminiscent of a turbofan engine. With its new handheld fan, Dyson is once again reimagining new ways to deliver wind from one place to another.

The HushJet Mini Cool doesn’t feature Dyson’s iconic circular chamber. Rather, it’s very tubular with an asterisk-like spout to deliver cool air. The brushless motor inside can spin up to 65,000rpm, which translates to air speeds of up to 25m/s.

For reference, the JisuLife Pro 1 spins only up to 15,000rpm. The HushJet Mini Cool has some serious firepower for such a small device.

For functionality, Dyson’s fan has six speeds, which includes a boost mode for those extra-hot days. It can also stand on its own, so it can be a makeshift desk fan if the need arises.

For its insane windspeeds, the fan doesn’t have the most stellar battery life. A single charge is reportedly enough for only six hours of juice. Thankfully, it can be charged via a USB-C cable and a charging stand shipped with the box.

As with most things Dyson, the HushJet Mini Cool costs a pretty penny, setting you back by US$ 99.99. It comes in three colorway options: Stone/Blush, Ink/Cobalt, and Carnelian/Sky (available in May).

Accessories

GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ Edition: My default PC controller

A surprisingly easy switch

Published

April 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

There’s a moment when a new piece of gear stops feeling new. You stop thinking about it. You stop noticing it. It just becomes part of your setup. That’s what happened with the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ Edition.

I keep saying this about GameSir controllers that I’m starting to sound like a paid shill—but I’m not. The truth is, this is a spectacular controller. It has quietly become my default whenever I game on PC.

And for someone who tends to overthink setups, that says a lot.

I’ve been playing my usual rotation—Sleeping Dogs for quick pick-up sessions, and NBA 2K26 when I just want to zone out. Nothing too hardcore. Nothing too technical. But enough to get a real feel for what a controller is like to actually live with.

And the G7 Pro? It just works.

Familiar, but better

I actually first held this controller at Gamescom in Cologne while playing Honor of Kings: World. At the time, I didn’t even realize it wasn’t a standard Xbox controller. That’s how natural it felt.

It was only during a lull in the demo that I noticed the GameSir branding and went, “Wait, this isn’t first-party?”

That first impression stuck.

gamescom 2025 | GameSir | Honor of Kings: World

Back home, using it on my own setup, that same feeling carried over. It doesn’t scream premium in the way some flashy controllers do, but it feels solid, balanced, and intentional. The weight distribution is right. The grips feel secure. Nothing about it feels cheap.

There are small touches here that go a long way, too. I’m a big fan of the orange accents around the sticks—it gives the controller just enough character without going overboard.

Even the ZZZ collaboration design, which could have easily gone full loud and chaotic, feels surprisingly restrained. It still has personality, but it doesn’t scream for attention.

And if you do get tired of how it looks, you can just swap things out. Switching from the default black faceplate to a clear version gives it a completely different vibe. It’s a small thing, but it helps the controller feel fresh over time—like it can evolve with your setup instead of being stuck as one look forever.

It’s the kind of controller you don’t have to adjust to.

Just works, right out of the box

I’ve already broken down everything included in the package in our unboxing reel. But what matters more is this: you don’t actually need to touch most of it to enjoy the controller.

And that’s a good thing.

I like my gear to be great by default. Not something I have to tweak before it becomes usable.

The G7 Pro nails that.

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Clicks you can trust

The buttons are one of those things you don’t think about—until they’re bad. Here, they’re not.

They’re not loud. Not distracting. You can play comfortably without feeling like you’re announcing every input to the room. I wouldn’t necessarily game beside someone sleeping, but it’s not something I’d worry about either.

What you do notice is how smooth everything feels.

Not necessarily faster than a standard Xbox controller, but more precise. More consistent. There’s a sense of durability to every press, like it’s built to take repeated inputs without wearing down. It’s subtle. But it adds up.

The only thing I didn’t vibe with was the default circular D-pad. It’s not bad—it’s just not for me. Good thing there’s a more traditional option in the box. I swapped that out eventually– after these photos were taken.

When control actually matters

If there’s one moment that sold me on the G7 Pro, it wasn’t in a shooter. It was in NBA 2K26. I usually play a more system-heavy game. Move the ball. Run plays. Keep things controlled.

But with this controller, I found myself leaning into isolation. More dribble-heavy possessions. More one-on-one situations. Not because I had to—but because I felt like I could.

The sticks felt reliable enough to handle it. No hesitation. No second guessing. No fear of drift creeping in. That confidence changes how you play.

And that’s when you realize a controller is doing something right.

Triggers built for a specific kind of player

The triggers are interesting. They come with locks that turn them into near-instant inputs—perfect for competitive shooters. And to be fair, they work. But for me, they feel a little too shallow.

There’s barely any travel, to the point where it almost feels like you’re not pressing anything at all. That’s great if you’re chasing faster reaction times. Not so great if you prefer a bit more feedback.

This is one of those features that will either click with you immediately or not at all. If you play a lot of shooters, you’ll probably love it. If you don’t, it’s easy to ignore.

More control than I actually use

Customization is a big part of the G7 Pro’s appeal. Swappable D-pads. Magnetic faceplates. Extra buttons. Back paddles. It’s all there.

You can see everything included in our unboxing, but the short version is this: it gives you a lot of control over how you want to play.

Personally, I didn’t use most of it.

I tend to stick to default layouts, especially since I jump between platforms and want to keep my muscle memory consistent. The extra buttons can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re not into tinkering.

But that’s the thing—you don’t have to use them.

You can explore at your own pace. Or ignore them completely. And the controller still feels complete.

Seamless where it matters

I mostly used the G7 Pro wired on my Legion 7i. Setup was easy. Plug it in, press the Xbox button, and it just works. No weird pairing issues. No friction.

Any hiccups I ran into were more on Windows than the controller itself. That reliability matters more than any spec sheet.

A controller that fits into your routine

Battery life was never really a concern for me.

Partly because my gaming sessions have been shorter lately—quick bursts here and there. But also because it just didn’t feel like something I had to constantly think about.

I didn’t use the charging dock much yet since I’m still reworking my setup. But I do want to make space for it eventually. It looks good, and it fits the kind of “drop and go” routine I prefer.

For now, I’ve just been using my UGreen Nexode charger alongside everything else on my desk. Not ideal, but it works.

Not perfect—but close

If I had to nitpick, it really comes down to two things.

The default circular D-pad isn’t for everyone. And the extra buttons might feel like overkill if you just want a straightforward experience.

That’s it.

Everything else feels dialed in.

Is the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ Edition your GamingMatch?

I think the reason I enjoyed using the G7 Pro so much is simple. I’ve already assigned it a role. This is now my go-to PC gaming controller.

As someone who leans PlayStation, the DualSense is still king for me overall. That’s years of muscle memory and familiarity. It’s hard to replace.

But having a dedicated controller for each platform removes friction. It clears space in your head. And the G7 Pro does that effortlessly. From here on out, it’s going to be the standard I measure other PC gaming controllers against.

And that might be the biggest compliment I can give it.

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