Reviews

The art of being in and behind the frame

An OPPO Reno15 5G review

Published

February 13, 2026

MJ Jucutan

As someone who tells stories for a living, I’ve always stood behind the camera.

I know all too well that I’m exceptional at framing people and landscapes, capturing moments that make sense later.

When I flew to Northern Mindanao, I told myself I was going for a change of scenery. I wanted to exist inside my own narrative, too.

Bukidnon became the perfect backdrop for getting to know myself in and behind the frame. In my pocket was the OPPO Reno15 5G in Aurora White.

There were no expectations of the smartphone being part of the story. I just wanted to see if I could trust it to document my adventures.

Surprisingly, it did.

Refinement over noise

I’ve always been drawn to designs that stand out. Covering the Reno series from its earliest iterations up to the Reno15 has been a hallmark of my career in journalism.

I like pieces that catch attention. As a Leo, I’ve always loved it — in how I dress and in the items I carry. In the past, that meant bold finishes and loud statements, much like the Reno lines before this.

As I grew and aged gracefully, my taste evolved. I still want to demand some form of presence. I just don’t want it to feel abrasive.

The Reno15 demands attention without being loud. The Aurora White finish looks clean and polished from afar. Up close, the surface shifts under light and a shimmer reveals itself only when you move it.

The glass back flows seamlessly into the camera module, so the silhouette feels cohesive rather than decorative. It still carries that flat-edge familiarity people love to compare to an iPhone, and I get why.

In hand, the Reno15 5G feels substantial at 197 grams, yet it never became uncomfortable during long days of recording across different adventures.

The 6.59-inch frame sits comfortably when I’m scrolling one-handed or holding it up to film while moving, like when I rode a 4×4 to a ranch, gripping it tightly as rough terrain threatened to jolt everything out of place.

That said, I live actively. I move between environments without babying my devices. My arsenal looks like gear ready for battle, and that sums up what I need from a smartphone.

The Reno15 5G’s IP66, IP68, and IP69 protection means this beauty is tougher than it looks. It resists dust and handles water exposure. Add Splash Touch support, and even slightly damp fingers don’t interrupt what I’m doing.

Light under pressure

For someone who practically lives under the sun, the display became both a companion and a challenge.

When I was filming in open fields, the Reno15 5G’s screen sometimes struggled against harsh midday light. Even at 1200 nits in high brightness mode, the glare could be relentless.

I found myself stepping into pockets of shade, tilting the screen at careful angles, squinting just to confirm whether a shot was framed properly.

On days when there was no escaping the sun, I trusted the camera and my instinct for composition. I mounted the phone on my Ulanzi tripod, positioned myself in the scene, and focused on performing rather than obsessively reviewing every second.

There was a learning curve, but it reminded me that sometimes you have to let the moment unfold and stitch the story together later from whatever you captured.

Now Playing: Undercover Hong

My life as a creative director isn’t all shooting and exporting. I consume as much as I create. Inspiration has always come from film and television.

Lately, I’ve been watching Undercover Hong on Netflix, with Park Shin Hye playing Hong Keum-bo, an elite securities inspector who goes undercover as a rookie employee inside a suspicious investment firm.

Set in 1997 Seoul during the Asian Financial Crisis, the series commits fully to its time period. The palette leans into muted browns and dusty blues that echo economic tension.

Interiors feel dim and textured and office spaces look rigid. The fashion reflects the late ’90s without turning into a costume. Nothing is polished for surface appeal because everything feels rooted in its world.

On the Reno15 5G’s 6.59-inch AMOLED display, those tonal differences came through clearly. Dark scenes retained shadow detail instead of collapsing into flat black, while warm tungsten lighting looked rich without veering orange.

Beyond inspiration, I trim clips and scrub through footage I captured during my trip. The 120Hz refresh rate makes swiping and scrubbing feel fluid.

Where nothing lags

As someone fond of flagship devices like my OPPO Find X9 and iPhone 16 Pro, I know immediately when a smartphone feels like a compromise. The OPPO Reno15 5G is technically midrange, yet it never felt like one.

From setup to day-to-day use, everything felt smooth. Apps opened quickly so I switched between shooting, editing, messaging, and uploading without hiccups.

My neurodivergent brain appreciated that it could keep up with the constant mental tabs I have open.

The 6500mAh battery lasted about a day and a half after shooting across cities and mountains. Charging took around 45-50 minutes from zero to 100% with 80W SUPERVOOC.

What I appreciated most was O+ Connect. I’ve used it before on the Find X9 and previous Reno devices, and it continues to make my workflow seamless.

It’s no secret that I exist deep within Apple’s ecosystem. My MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro are cross-functional tools for my work. I even switched to Apple’s Creator Studio.

Using the Reno15 5G as my primary content device during testing could have felt disruptive. Instead, O+ Connect allowed me to move files across devices easily.

I treated the Reno15 5G like a mirrorless camera, then refined everything on a bigger screen.

A playground for precision

Artificial Intelligence has ingrained itself into our devices in ways that don’t always feel natural.

I’ve seen AI productivity tools work well for people in high-pressure professions. For me, efficiency doesn’t mean teaching a system how to think before it works for me.

What stood out in the Reno15 series was AI Mind Space. It allowed my scattered brain to consolidate screenshots, schedules, references, and fragments of information into one hub that actually mirrors how I operate.

As someone who saves everything for later, it felt less like automation and more like organization that understands me.

Then there’s AI Motion Photo Popout. As a creative director, I don’t like posting stories the way everyone else does. I have a desire, deep in my bones, to stand out.

Popout lets me lift subjects out of the frame and turn them into layered visuals. I used it for Instagram Stories and thumbnails instead of settling for a random still from a Reel.

Being able to refine directly in the Gallery — erasing distractions or turning motion into cinematic snippets — meant I could act on impulse without sacrificing my love for curation.

Learning to be seen

During my time in Northern Mindanao, I stopped pretending I didn’t want to be in the photos.

For the longest time, I’ve been more comfortable orchestrating the frame than occupying it. I knew where to stand and how to direct, or where the light should hit… but for everyone else.

This past year, I’ve been learning to own the space I’m in and not dimming my light simply because I’m afraid of how bright it might be.

The OPPO Reno15 5G’s 50-megapixel ultra-wide front camera made that easier than I expected.

I told OPPO’s Creative Manager in passing that I genuinely liked the new hardware when he asked how the experience had been so far, and I meant it.

The wider field of view meant I didn’t have to overthink whether everyone fit into the frame. I didn’t have to do that subtle, Gen-Z arm stretch or step back awkwardly just to make room for the scenery.

I could capture more of the background without looking hideous in the process. The frame felt immersive, yet balanced: Faces looked natural and proportions didn’t warp.

There’s something powerful about not having to choose between yourself and the scenery. You can be the subject, or you can be part of the story. With this smartphone, you’re allowed to coexist with both.

I even asked my photographer friend, Neil Jimenez, to take my portraits using the 50-megapixel telephoto portrait camera.

Holding still in front of the lens felt unfamiliar. I tried to remain statuesque, composed, trusting him to see what I usually see in others.

The portraits came out vivid without distortion. The backgrounds softened, but never stretched or exaggerated.

It was strange to watch myself in those frames. To notice how the light rested on my cheeks, and see how my smile shifted when something genuinely amused me. To observe expressions I never see because I’m usually the one observing.

There’s another side of you that only appears when you let yourself be seen.

Behind the lens where I’m most comfortable

If being in the frame felt vulnerable, being behind it felt like home.

Bukidnon still feels like a dream when I replay it in my head: Horses moving across open fields, mountains layered into one another like watercolor washes.

I shot wide and then cropped in. The main camera gave me enough details to experiment. Whether I stayed at 1x or zoomed into 2x or 5x, I shaped the narrative the way I wanted people to experience it.

I framed lines and symmetry, and leaned into negative space. I played with contrast, like the way Alpine Village’s architecture stands against the surrounding greenery in Dahilayan.

There was room to explore. Room to make mistakes. It felt like the device in my hand wasn’t just a tool, but a collaborator responding to the way I see the world.

Filmed and directed by yours truly

After leaving the love of my life last year, I began documenting my trips. Maybe it was for content or healing. But I started treating my life like a film I had to direct and star in.

Acting in your own story while directing it at the same time is harder than it sounds. It requires vulnerability and believing that your perspective is worth documenting.

Bukidnon became my practice. I recorded clips using the OPPO Reno15 5G in 4K HDR because I wanted the footage to be stable and detailed even when I was moving.

I remember stressing over file sizes, wondering if I had overcommitted to quality. But when you care about storytelling, you’d rather have too much detail than not enough.

There were pine-lined roads. Snippets of conversations. Landscapes that felt cinematic without trying. And of course, me being a dramatic, slightly unhinged main character like I was starring in a Taylor Swift music video.

Getting out of my comfort zone meant taking the Reno15 5G — mounted securely on a tripod — to a 350-meter zipline ride. For a brief moment, I imagined I was Elphaba flying away from the Emerald City.

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A post shared by mj (@hemjaye)

I also brought it to the Razorback ride, using Dual-View Video to record the mountains stretching in front of me while capturing my own reaction at the same time.

I’ve done something similar during an ATV ride in Bohol, but this felt different. Higher stakes (and chances of falling if I abruptly stop). Faster wind (and a cold one, because we’re high up in the mountains). More nerves (because I’m not in control).

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A post shared by mj (@hemjaye)

I was terrified. The accelerator felt awkward under my control and the seatbelt didn’t feel secure. I’m short, so even sitting comfortably required adjustment.

There was a moment where I questioned whether I had overestimated my courage. But I survived. This story is published. The video is up.

Sometimes, being able to capture how a place made you feel — not just how it looked — is priceless. Vulnerability and honesty matters.

The courage to step into your own frame matters. It just helps when the device in your hand is capable enough to keep up with the story you’re brave enough to tell.

Is the OPPO Reno15 5G your GadgetMatch?

The OPPO Reno15 5G isn’t perfect. Priced at PhP 36,990, it sits a few thousand pesos higher than its predecessor, so the jump asks you to think twice.

What you’re really paying for is refinement. It has smarter AI integrations and a more cohesive overall experience.

But here’s the thing: this is the first Reno in a while that feels grown up. It makes storytelling easier for people who live half their lives online, with a camera system and performance that feel steady enough to rival devices in higher tiers.

So if you’re wondering whether it’s your GadgetMatch, consider a Swipe Right if you’re a content creator who values camera versatility, especially a strong front camera. If you move between Android and Apple ecosystems and need something that lets you shoot, edit, and publish on the go, this fits that workflow.

Swipe Left if you’re extremely price-sensitive or if you rarely go beyond basic point-and-shoot and don’t see yourself using the AI tools built into the system.

The OPPO Reno15 5G won’t transform your life. But if you’re already in the middle of writing your own story, it’s a dependable co-director and co-producer.

And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Gaming

Now Playing: Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties

How old should a game be before it gets a remake?

Published

February 10, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Nothing can beat the burden of being a remake or a remaster. Besides providing an enjoyable experience by itself, a remake or a remaster constantly has to justify its own existence: Why did this piece of media need to be rereleased? For some, it’s a no-brainer, such as the ongoing Final Fantasy VII remake series. For others, it’s a lot less clear, such as the many, many times there’s been an uber-mega-definitive edition of The Last of Us and Skyrim.

Now the third of its kind, Yakuza Kiwami 3 is inching perilously close to a point where it’s hard to justify why we need another remade Yakuza.

Continuing the series

Yakuza Kiwami 3 is a remake of the third entry in the Like a Dragon series. The original Yakuza 3 was the first one in the entire series to be developed for the PlayStation 3 era. Compared to the first two games, it features a lot more content and, on its own, can be considered a modern RPG by today’s standards.

Story-wise, it’s also a turning point for the series. Though Kazuma Kiryu already took the young Haruka under his wing by this point, Yakuza 3 is the first where the series protagonist tasted a life outside of the criminal underworld.

Being such an important milestone for the franchise, a Kiwami remake seems like the best or the worst idea.

(For reference, “Kiwami” refers to an ongoing series of remakes that rebuilds the classic Yakuza games with a new engine that began in Yakuza 0.)

When a new coat of paint doesn’t really help

Yakuza 0 came out in 2015. That means the studio has been using the same engine for over ten years. The engine is starting to overstay its welcome, especially in the Kiwami series.

Despite being built with PlayStation 3 technology, Yakuza 3 still had its limitations. For one, 1080p was just becoming a standard by then. Cutscenes had to be smaller and, thus, more tightly shot. But ultimately, the limits resulted in a more cohesive game that maximized what it worked with. Yakuza 3’s Kamurocho feels alive, and you never know what’s waiting behind the next corner.

Sadly, Yakuza Kiwami 3 does not take advantage of better hardware to update how the game feels. Cutscenes were splashed with a new coat of paint, but the composition remains the same. As a result, they look so empty with so much white space.

They could have added some clouds.

The “improved” Kamurocho also doesn’t feel all that updated. There’s a palpable sense of sameness as you explore through the game. Even Okinawa looks like just an extension of Tokyo. In the more modern games, exploring was rewarding. Even if the game tells you where missions are, there are new sights and new stores to just look at.

Kamurocho is a central piece of every Like a Dragon game. But I don’t think it has to be static, even if it’s just a remake.

That, and I’m just tired of seeing the same character models every time I boot up a Yakuza game.

A few controversial model changes

To be completely fair, the main characters did get some updates. And, of course, there are a few elephants in the room.

First up is Rikiya, the upstart yakuza from Okinawa. From other media, Rikiya is listed as being around 20 to 21 years old. Now, I’m not a good judge of age based on looks, but the old Rikiya from the original game really doesn’t look like he’s in his early 20s.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 has a new model for Rikiya, one based on Japanese actor Sho Kasamatsu. Others have criticized this decision because the new models looks so different from the original. In my opinion, the change just makes sense; he looks much younger and brasher, just as his character dictates.

Mine also looks like a Japanese George Russell now.

The other change, however, goes beyond just narrative disagreements. Hamazaki, one of the main antagonists in the game, also received a dramatic change. In contrast to his more thug-like looks in the original, the new Hamazaki looks smarmier and more cunning. The problem lies in their choice of actor, Teruyuki Kagawa, who’s had sexually charged issues in the past.

Strangely, the studio hasn’t responded in a way that’s consistent with how they responded to similar issues in the past. Previously, they halted sales just to deal with an issue with a voice actor. This time, the studio’s response boils down to: “Hamazaki is a creep, so we got a creep to play him.”

*shrug*

A pared down experience

Anyway, on to the gameplay.

Despite the concerns I’ve had with how this remake played out, I still had so much fun. My total playtime, according to Steam, is just a little less than 60 hours. This is also the first review game that I’ve earned all achievements for, before its release. It’s inaccurate to say that it’s a bad game because it hasn’t justified itself as a remake.

Compared to the original, Yakuza Kiwami 3 offers a shorter but tighter experience. While the old one had over a hundred and a dozen substories, the remake has only 31 substories to its name.

The remake is perfectly paced. There are hardly any points when I felt that the game was an endless grind.

Dark Ties, the secondary game focused on Yoshitaka Mine, is just as balanced. It has only three main chapters, 13 longer substories, and around 50 bite-sized activities. The story itself just tells how Mine got into the yakuza life and his relationship with Tsuyoshi Kanda (but we’ll get into the story later).

Mine’s fighting style feels smoother than Kiryu’s. He uses quick jabs, kicks, and grapples, similar to Judgment’s Yagami. For me, it’s more enjoyable to beat people up, compared to Kiryu’s slower beat-em-up approach.

Character-wise, Mine is also much colder. Seeing him go through the usual shenanigans of Yakuza’s insane substories is funnier and is much more refreshing because I’ve seen Kiryu go through the same schtick so many times in the past. It’s even funnier that his main goal is to help Kanda rebuild his reputation by doing good deeds around town while pretending to be him.

The side content is much better

As with every Yakuza game, Yakuza Kiwami 3 has secondary game modes that can suck in hours of your time. This time, the main game has two new ones: Morning Glory and Bad Boy Dragon.

Morning Glory is a Stardew-Valley-type mode where Kiryu manages the orphanage of the same name. By doing various minigames, such as sewing and cooking, he increases his reputation as a dad with the kids under his wing.

In the past, I’ve had problems with the franchise’s more laidback game modes, such as Infinite Wealth’s awful Animal Crossing island game. This one, however, is a perfect length. There’s a bit of a grind, but it’s short enough to be completed in one or two sittings.

Morning Glory feels more fleshed out.

The same goes for Bad Boy Dragon. In this one, Kiryu helps a female biker gang become the best biker gang in all of Japan. The gameplay is very similar to Pirate Yakuza’s Pirate Showdowns. It’s all about beating stronger and stronger gangs in combat.

Dark Ties has its own side content called Survival Hell, a dungeon crawler mode. Enemies get stronger with every level, so you have to collect “Gospels” that bolster your strength while inside the dungeon. Once again, it’s much shorter than previous modes of the same type.

All of them are enjoyable without dragging too much of your time. It also helps that you can earn big money by completing these modes. For example, completing Survival Hell’s hardest dungeon can net you over 25 million yen at least.

But, again, do we need the remake?

These are all well and good, but we still haven’t answered whether or not Yakuza 3 really needed a remake.

As I played through the game, it became clearer why we’ve gotten to this point. There are subtle to not-so-subtle changes to the story.

Ultimately, it helps with the continuity between games. It’s like the Rebuild of Evangelion but for the Yakuza franchise. However, I can’t help but wonder if fan service was a stronger motivator than building a more cohesive story.

For example, one of the new substories in the main game involves a fortune teller. When she tells Kiryu’s fortune, she references a major plot point in Infinite Wealth, a game that’s set so far into the future from the events of Yakuza 3. It feels a reference just for the sake of making a reference.

The franchise is getting to the point where there are more references and tapping into old wells than introducing new stories and characters.

Is Yakuza Kiwami 3 your PlayMatch?

As its own game, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties works well as its own game. By now, the franchise has perfected the Yakuza formula. It knows how to deliver an enjoyable experience. I wouldn’t have spent 60 hours on it, if it was a bad game.

However, with a reskin that doesn’t stand out from its predecessors and all the self-references, the game struggles as a remake. If you haven’t played the original, the remake is good to get you up to speed with the franchise’s story. However, if you enjoyed the original, there’s hardly any compelling reason to play through this pared-down version again.

Well, except maybe for the Dark Ties content.

Laptops

TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th review: No-frills beneath those grills

All-around laptop without messing around

Published

February 8, 2026

Vincenz

For the record, the last time I held a Windows laptop was back in 2022. It wasn’t even a conventional one. Rather, it was a gaming hybrid — or a laptop and tablet rolled into one. That was a short escape though.

After being a religious Mac user since 2016, it’s high time to re-experience Windows four years after that very limiting ROG review.

Here’s my 16-day stint with the TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th – Intel Edition.

All-metal clad that’s far from being bad

Gone are the days of Windows laptops that are icky plasticky.

If it is not evident enough, the TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th uses real metal. It looks and feels solid. And by that, it has characteristics of being decently hefty and light at the same time.

The only problem with this finish is how much of a smear magnet it is. But hey, at least it’s on par with my 2023 MacBook Pro for this smudge madness (or smudge-ness in my vocabulary).

With a laptop this size, port selection should be the least of its concerns.

It has twice the USB-C and USB-A 3.1 ports, as well as inclusions of HDMI 1.4, Ethernet / RJ45, and 3.5mm audio jack. Kensington lock is still present as well — not that it’s badly-needed.

If I were to nitpick, two things that ick me are the arrangement of ports. Look at how inconsistent they are, much like seeing your disorganized spoons, forks, and knives in a single tray.

Another would be the inclusion of a microSD card slot instead of a regular SD one. I don’t get how the latter was not chosen especially with its sheer size.

Now Playing: Can This Love Be Translated 🗣️🔥⁉️

Just like waiting to re-experience a Windows device, the same can be said when I waited for the premiere of the K-Drama “Can This Love Be Translated.”

The title was already compelling to begin with. That curiosity sparked twofold upon knowing that my two favorite stars (Kim Seonho and Go Younjung) will steer drive the whole series.

Speaking of star, the biggest star of this laptop has got to be its massive 16-inch display.

Not only I was able to reinvigorate my heart with the rom-com scene of Joo Hojin and Cha Muhee in front of that dreamy Mt. Fuji scenery.

Their Aurora Borealis scene was also breathtaking. Although not as vivid as other displays, its max brightness felt just right to make the visuals pop against that harsh sunlight.

And while we’re already at it, the matte coating of the K16s 13th has been a real savior. It’s more useful for users (like me) who work at cafés with large windows every once in a while. My MacBook Pro definitely loses this fight with its awfully reflective panel.

While it is not, in any way, greater than any other OLED display nor some panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, it still feels justified considering where the K16s 13th is positioned in this vast laptop market.

On Queue: EXO’s REVERXE, ZB1’s Running To Future,

My idol anticipation doesn’t stop there. EXO’s much-awaited comeback as a full group is another one. Then, there’s ZEROBASEONE’s release.

These comeback promotions should sound good, right? Well, not really.

EXO is coming back with three missing members, all because of a justifiable lawsuit against their agency.

On the other hand, ZB1 is coming back — but, for the last time as they will disband real soon after completing their 2.5-year contract as a project group. A real disadvantage of a group being formed during a survival show.

Just look at how cohesive the K-Pop album covers look for January 2026

Much like all that bittersweet aftertaste, I can relate the same feeling with the MEGABOOK K16’s speaker setup.

On paper, TECNO says it’s a master-level 2.5W 4013 quad-speaker setup that delivers 300% louder volume. I am not sure how it was tested nor compared.

Without much comparison, it’s adequately loud. However, it lacks the fullness and all the necessary thump and oomph to make the sound fuller than ever.

This just means a big laptop isn’t directly synonymous to having a greater audio system.

Unparalleled performance for its price

NGL, I have been spoiled by power-packed laptops especially for the creative work that I do.

That said, the MEGABOOK K16s 13th is far from being a slouch with the Intel Core i9 (specifically the 13900HK) at its core. That’s then paired by Intel’s Iris Xe graphics, alongside 32GB of memory, plus 512GB of SSD storage.

Without a hitch, I immediately installed all the essential creativity apps I use.

Lightroom is less demanding so post-processing the photos I took for the MEGABOOK K16s 13th was easy-peasy.

I then managed to make static graphics using Adobe Photoshop for another review article.

As for Premiere Pro and After Effects, you can still scrub through heaps of layers with tolerable amount of hiccup considering how packed my timeline was.

This laptop boasts a cooling fan system that kicked in heavily when the laptop was in dire need of releasing all the heat within — which went out through its four air vents.

Work-life balance achieved

My test doesn’t end just yet. I have installed both the Forza Horizon 5 and Euro Truck Simulator 2 for greater measure.

As expected, having integrated graphics (and the lack of a dedicated graphics) mean lower graphics support.

Surprisingly, both titles were playable enough. I enjoyed playing Forza Horizon 5 even in the lowest playable setting for more than 30 minutes — just with some stutters in between.

ETS2 felt smoother though. Driving the bus with the custom livery I made on Photoshop last 2019 was still working — and my pre-pandemic nostalgia kicked in.

Using the keyboard for playing isn’t the best thing in the world but it does the job — much like how I was able to write this review piece using the laptop itself.

As for the feel, the keys are more on the mushier side that felt like typing on a mashed potato. Not that I’m expecting a mechanical nor MacBook-level type of clickiness.

Good thing is, its trackpad supports gestures I’ve been heavily using since transitioning to a Mac.

Security-wise, the TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th can be unlocked with your fingerprint button using the power button as the reader.

That 1MP webcam also has a sliding cover for that extra level of protection against privy hackers.

Enduring that endurance

For the most part, the 70Wh battery of the MEGABOOK K16s 13th delivers a satisfactory endurance.

You will not feel its gradual decrease for the most basic of tasks — writing notes, being in a call meeting, even juggling through tens and hundreds of webpages for your write-ups.

Even between consuming several hours of entertainment, the MEGABOOK K16s 13th can still manage just like any other modern-day laptop would.

With the excellency and efficiency of hardware components in this digital age, it’s hard to kill a laptop with these day-to-day habits.

That said, the MEGABOOK K16s 13th isn’t totally meant for anything graphics-heavy.

As one would (and should) expect, the battery level instantly descends the moment you enter the start screen of a game or export a 10-second motion graphic in After Effects.

For instance, after running Forza Horizon 5 for 20 minutes, it depleted significantly from 51% all the way down to 27%.

Fortunately, the MEGABOOK K16s 13th packs a 65W GaN charger out of the box.

Charging speeds isn’t all that great, though, as it will take a long time filling the battery from zero to the brim.

I have honestly given up my GadgetMatch Charge Test upon realizing that in the 45-minute mark, it was only able to fill it at 27%.

This just means that in order to enjoy your me time, you have to sit very near a plug outlet. Moreover, expect severe battery health degradation in the long run if you intend to use it for casual gaming.

“Win”dows is far from winning

Before being a Mac user last 2016, I have been a long-time Windows user. My youthful years made me experience Windows 98, XP, Vista, 7, and even as far as Windows 8.1. My university years in 2015? Relying on Windows 10.

Now that we’re in the era of Windows 11, it’s still far from being flawless.

Even before Fruitiger Aero aesthetics of Windows Vista, Apple was already way ahead of its time with the first iteration of the OS X dubbed “Cheetah” and its translucent UI elements along a cleaner overall look.

2.5 decades after, Windows is as cluttered as it was in its prime days. Settings are for one, file system for another.

Task Manager, Explorer, and even Recycle Bin still crash like crazy — even if the MEGABOOK K16s 13th is already equipped with a pro-grade processor in its core.

The lack of fluidity is also for another. It will really make any Mac user justify the “once you go Mac, you can never go back” saying. Reality speaking, Windows is far from winning over.

This isn’t a TECNO problem per se. It’s always been about Microsoft not fully immersing and polishing their software for the longest of time.

If you happen to own other TECNO devices, TECNO’s PC Manager saves the day.

That so-called “OneLeap Collaboration” not only enables seamless data sharing and file transfers between all your TECNO devices, it also has support for Multi-Screen or Remote PC.

PC cloning, laptop optimizations, even troubleshooting, can also be done in this one-stop app.

Is the TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th your GadgetMatch?

The TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th in the Philippines retails for PhP 46,999 — and I am not even surprised by this.

I have known TECNO as a brand for quite a while now. The MEGABOOK K16s 13th is another testament to the brand’s vision of bringing devices within the reach of consumers at the middle to the lower-end of the working class.

For those who need better performance, especially those who need intensive graphics power (emphasis on intensive), this is obviously a Swipe Left.

However, it’s a no-brainer Swipe Right for buyers who want a shiny new all-rounder laptop without spending a fortune.

Even with the similar price as the ASUS Vivobook S16, the TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th has the upper-hand with its more powerful 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 chipset plus Iris Xe graphics (versus the Core 5 + UHD Graphics pairing).

That’s if you don’t care about the latter’s smoother 144Hz IPS display.

Being “basic” is neither a bad thing

The TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th is as “basic” as a Windows laptop can get — at least compared to a swarm of 2-in-1s, ultrabooks, creative powerhouses, and gaming machineries.

I am not saying this is a letdown. In fact, I have to commend the K16s 13th for being a simple yet straightforward laptop that delivers all the necessities without frills.

Although it’s the core definition of a “basic” Windows laptop, it’s still a powerful one — way beyond its price point. It should serve as an example of how “basic” Windows laptops should be in the first place.

The TECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th is simply an all-around laptop that delivers without messing around.

Gaming

My Hero Academia: All’s Justice: A familiar Final War, made playable

Reliving the Final War

Published

February 5, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

There’s a certain expectation that comes with a My Hero Academia game, especially one billed as the “final chapter.” You expect big emotions, loud battles, and characters pushed to their limits. After spending time with My Hero Academia: All’s Justice, it’s clear Bandai Namco isn’t trying to reinvent the arena fighter formula. Instead, it’s refining what fans already know and framing it around the series’ most climactic arc.

Early on, the game feels immediately familiar. If you’ve played previous My Hero Academia console titles, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. Combat rhythms, camera angles, and overall pacing don’t drastically change. For casual fighting game players like myself, the differences feel more granular than transformative, but that familiarity makes the game easy to settle into.

One notable addition is the dual control scheme: “Normal” and “Manual.” Normal mode smooths out inputs, lowering the skill floor, while Manual mode is the classic arena fighter setup. Normal works but reduces player agency in ways that feel unusual. Outside of combat, the game also replaces a standard menu with a city-like hub. Playing as Deku, you pull up a smartphone-style menu to access modes, subtly increasing immersion.

Combat and battle system

Combat feels largely unchanged in speed but leans more aerial than expected. Characters spend a lot of time in the air, creating distance and forcing you to think about positioning. Aggressive players may struggle, as patience and smart movement are rewarded more than constant pressure.

Quirks are intuitive, even for newcomers to 3D arena fighters. Visual indicators clearly communicate cooldowns and power states. Some Quirks are tuned for balance, but they still feel faithful to the anime. Ultimate and cinematic moves are satisfying and feel earned, never spammy.

Character variety is a standout. Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto share similar combat prompts, but their Quirks dictate unique movement, attack patterns, and space control. Deku, in particular, feels beginner-friendly, making him a natural starting point.

Roster and character balance

The roster feels large without overwhelming the player. Final-form characters aren’t instantly dominant; the true power spike comes when a character enters a “Rising” state after being the last fighter, gaining buffs across damage and abilities. Villains are just as enjoyable as heroes, with Dabi proving particularly fun to play. Story mode also presents moments of genuine challenge, such as facing multiple opponents at once.

While it’s early to speak on balance issues, the game seems thoughtfully tuned so far. Beginner-friendly characters include Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto, while other fighters may require more experience to master.

Team Up Missions

Team Up Missions offer shorter, varied challenges that feel like playable mini OVAs. While not essential to the main story, they unlock legacy battles and extra content for fans.

AI allies are competent and punish reckless play, which makes team composition matter more than cosmetic choices. While these missions don’t dramatically expand the fantasy of teamwork, they add fun replayable content for single-player fans.

Story and cinematic presentation

Story mode is where All’s Justice shines. Experiencing the Final War interactively delivers the same giddy excitement as watching those moments unfold in the anime. It evokes memories of the Naruto Ninja Storm series, balancing spectacle and fan service. Transitions between gameplay and cutscenes are serviceable—neither jarring nor groundbreaking.

The game assumes familiarity with the story, so newcomers may feel lost without prior anime knowledge. Battles often carry emotional weight, effectively allowing players to relive key moments of the Final War.

Visuals, performance, and audio

The game runs smoothly on PS5, even during effects-heavy fights. Character models are adequate, though not as sharp as hoped, while facial animations during story moments are expressive and well-done. The UI does enough to keep combat readable without distracting from the action.

Audio stands out. Voice acting delivers intensity, hit sounds feel impactful, and music consistently elevates big moments. The game is loud, but in a way that matches the over-the-top energy of the series.

Should you play My Hero Academia: All’s Justice

My Hero Academia: All’s Justice feels like a proper final chapter. It doesn’t overreach but delivers where it matters most. Competitive players will find depth, while anime fans can relive beloved battles interactively.

It may not redefine the genre, but it understands exactly what kind of game it wants to be—and it delivers that confidently.

The combination of familiar combat, a large and varied roster, cinematic story moments, and thoughtful extras like Team Up Missions makes it a satisfying experience for anyone looking to step into the shoes of their favorite heroes and villains.