Features
Phablet Wars Episode 1: Galaxy Note 5
There’s a certain cadence to tech reporting, a routine if you will, milestones and destinations that are plotted on a calendar like red letter days. Like holidays more than special events, affairs that you know will take place, come hell or high water.
And sure enough, as it has come to pass every year since the original large screen smartphone was invented back 2011, a new Samsung Galaxy Note is unveiled.
I’m here on my third year running, and there’s a comforting familiarity about things, but something is not quite right, something is messing up the expected sense of déjà vu.
The date and place are different.
Normally this event takes places in September, in Berlin, right before the start of a technology trade show called IFA. Instead we’re at the Lincoln Center in the Big Apple, in the middle of August.
Almost ironically, you have Apple to blame for messing up this rhythm.
Back in 2011, Steve Jobs mocked the original Note predicting that no one would want to buy a phone with a large screen. But Samsung was laughing all the way to the bank, and so last year, behest their departed founder’s wishes, Apple released the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.
That super sized iPhone goes head-to-head with the Note, and Apple being Apple, can afford to be 3 years late, and still make a competitive dent in this growing space of smartphones that are larger than your usual phone and smaller than your usual tablets.
Each move now, is a play in these “phablet” wars. And that’s why we are here early.
Samsung wants a head start, away from any noise that Apple can generate. The Korean tech giant needs to wow the world like its never done before, and it needs to get the Note 5 to stores before Apple can say iPhone 6S Plus.
GLORIOUS
Behold the Note 5 in all its glory. The demo phone I’m given to take around town is gold, and it glistens under the New York sun, more prestigious than any Note I’ve previously had the privilege of using.
Its front panel is unmistakably Samsung with rounded corners and a glass face, as always a large Samsung logo is plastered just below the ear piece, and on the bottom center of the device, the capsule shaped home button.
The screen on this phone is as glorious as ever, similar to last year’s model, the resolution is twice that of a high-def display, with more pixels than the eye can see. Colors have the usual saturation and vibrance Samsung Super AMOLED displays are known for, and so far, its been holding its own against North America’s over zealous sun.
The only thing noticeably different about this screen is its bezel. One this phone, that border in between the display and the phone’s aluminum trim is reduced slightly, so the phone is not just thinner, but also a tiny bit shorter and slimmer.
But it is the phone’s back side that’s left me infatuated.
Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S6 Edge – one of the most, I wanna say, fashion forward phones of the year, but in technological terms. Its edge display is curved on both sides, tapering down to fractions of a millimeter on both sides. This stunning specimen of a smartphone feels like the future.
In New York, Samsung unveiled a phablet version of the S6 Edge calling it the S6 Edge+ and I know it sounds like i’ve digressed, but if you can imagine what the screen of the S6 Edge+ looks like (I’ll make it easy for you, I’ve got a photo) that’s exactly how the back of the Note 5 is.
Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but this curvature adds to the phones “grippability,” matching the normal arc of one’s palms. After two years of experimenting with materials, I’m happy to see things come to this.
There’s a level of coldness associated with glass construction, it doesn’t embrace you, feeling more like a Porsche than a high-end mini van, but the Note 5 is the Porsche of smartphones, and in this case it hits the mark.
EVERYONE HAPPY
It’s about time. I’ve complained about Samsung’s plasticky build for many years now, they’ve finally delivered on premium looking phones this year. Of course premium construction has come at the cost of waterproof features, expandable storage and replaceable batteries.
The first two, Sony with its Xperia line, has managed to accomplish so I see no reason why this can’t be done.
But I expect the latter to piss off some loyalists. I know of many Note users who carry around a spare battery, and even with fast charging as an option, swapping a fresh battery for a depleted one sure beats having to use a power bank.
And while I don’t feel the urge to complain about this as much, it’s one area of innovation I wish Samsung would look into. How to maintain premium construction, while providing this flexibility some users demand. Maybe something to look into next year.
Apple doesn’t get the same amount of flack, even when iPhones have never been water proof, have never offered expandable storage options, and have never let users replace batteries. Perhaps it comes with the territory, Android users demand more options, even though we don’t always end up using them
I for one have used a Note for many years, and don’t remember if I really needed more storage. I sure didn’t ever have an extra battery, even if that would have been a great idea.
NOTE TAKING
I also din’t use my S-Pen much. Which is an aweful admission, considering this bundled stylus is how the Note gets its name.
This year, many will speak about how the S-Pen got a face lift, and how its new spring loading mechanism ensures that the pen stays inside the phone when not in use. But it’s really the innovations built around S-Pen software that are huge for the Note.
Being able to scribble and draw on your phone is the value proposition of the Note. And in a sea of smartphones above 5.5 inches, it’s the first, and one of a handful, that actually bundle a digital pen — getting this right is justifying the phone’s existence.
Let me give you some concrete examples. Since the last two iterations, when you pull out the S-Pen it brings up a menu called Air Command. Do you want to scribble down a note, make a clipping from the current screen? All these options are a tap away from this pop-up menu.
But say you’ve moved on to other things, pen still in hand, summoning Air Command for another task isn’t as easy. It’s a meticulous process that entails pointing at the screen, close enough but without touching, and then a press of a button on the S-Pen.
Samsung’s fixed that on the Note 5. Air Command is now a small bubble that floats on your screen, you can position it anywhere you want, so it won’t get in the way of business. Retracting the pen still enables it, but it stays there, awaiting your next command. It took just a few minutes with the device, before I got that aha moment, it makes perfect sense. Just with that small adjustment, I have a feeling I’ll be using my S-Pen more now.
Samsung has also made the note taking experience more seamless. Even if the phone is off, you can pull out the pen, scribble a note and save it for later. The whole time the screen remains dark, giving you the impression that its still off. You can also save notes as minimized stickies that resemble app icons on your home screen.
I also think I’ll be using a feature called Scroll Capture. It saves you from having to take multiple screen shots of a webpage, or a lengthy chat conversation. When enabled, all you have to do is tap and it will scroll up one page. You can tap and scroll up to 22 times, on any app, and when you’re done it will save the screen grabs as one long image.
PHOTOGRAPHER’S BEST FRIEND
With all that the Note 5 has going for it, the camera feels like an aside, but traditionally all Notes have had some of the best smartphone cameras each year, and this one is no different. Although unlike previous years, this one doesn’t get an upgrade from last February’s Galaxy S6. It’s the exact same camera, and that really isn’t a bad thing – 8 months into the year, its still one of the best cameras we’ve seen on a smartphone this 2015.
Like the S6 you can double press on the home button to launch the camera, from any window, even with the display turned off. If you don’t have an S6, I promise you this will change your life, or at least give you the ability to capture even the most fleeting of moments.
So that the camera feels fresh, the Note 5 gets some nice-to-have features, but nothing really ground breaking. There’s an expanded “Beauty Face” mode for selfie-holics, a video collage mode that’ll elevate your Instagram or Vine posts, and for content creators the ability to livestream on YouTube from within the camera app.
Here are a few sample photos taken with the Note 5.
PHABLET WARS
In a few hours I’ve got a plane to catch back to Manila, for the first time since I started covering these events I have a phone to take back with me and use for a couple of weeks, which should be enough time to let the hype die down, and see how the phone performs in the real world. My feelings may or may not change then. By that time also, Apple will be ready with its own iPhone announcements, at which point we shall continue this Phablet War, and maybe even, declare a winner.
[irp posts=”913″ name=”Galaxy Note 5: BenCab Edition Unboxing”]
Features
Inside Infinix’s first global concept store in Bali
Infinix’s first global concept store pairs gadgets with a coffee bar and a robotic arm.
Bali is an island people visit to slow down. It makes sense that Infinix picked it for a store that wants you to stay awhile.
The brand unveiled its first global Flagship Concept Store there. It’s also the first store of this format within parent company Transsion Holdings’ brand portfolio.
Coffee break, Infinix style
The experience begins before you step inside. The store’s futuristic design and digital visuals are meant to catch your eye from the outside.
Once you’re in, a robotic-arm installation anchors the space, which looks like a technological imagination turned into a bold visual statement.
The store’s other signature element is n_x, Infinix’s locally developed coffee brand. For Infinix, a simple coffee break here is an invitation to slow down and enjoy a laid-back moment in the middle of a busy day.
You can catch up with a friend over a cup or take a few minutes for yourself. Together with the robotic arm, n_x gives the store a more relaxed and imaginative side.
The tech hasn’t gone anywhere, though. The smartphone lineup includes the NOTE 60 and HOT 70 series along with the GT 50 Pro.
Infinix’s broader AIoT ecosystem is on display as well, with recent products like the ZCLIP 2 Pro clip-on earbuds and SPACE Max wireless headphones.
The XEnergy portable power stations are also part of the lineup.
Making Sense of “1+2+X”
Infinix calls the format its “1+2+X” retail concept. The “1” is the full technology experience, and the “2” refers to the two signature elements, n_x and the robotic arm.
The “X” is the open-ended part. Infinix plans on bringing gaming, music, sports, creative partnerships, interactive content, and community activities over time.
The brand wants to work with artists, musicians, and other creative talents on original content and experiences, rather than only featuring established names or one-off partnerships.
Visitors can also take part through shared experiences, content creation, and feedback. The plan is for the store to keep introducing new collaborations, creative displays, and lifestyle activities after opening, so regulars have fresh reasons to return.
Beyond Bali
Looking ahead, Infinix hopes the Bali store develops a recognizable identity of its own and becomes a destination people return to for its atmosphere and community as much as its products.
The brand also says this opening is the start of a broader retail push, with five more flagship stores planned across Indonesia this year.
Similar concept-led stores are also being explored in other markets. Infinix states that future locations won’t copy the Bali format and will be adapted to local cultures and lifestyles.
Apple just unveiled their brand spanking new MacBook Pro, now with a touchscreen. That’s fine and all, but something about it lacks… imagination.
Apple broke tech and cultural barriers with the iPhone and the iPad. The MacBook, meanwhile, has been a standard-bearer of personal computing for years. Yet Apple’s latest attempt at innovation doesn’t inspire the same sense of possibility.
Tech creators and publications present at the event have shared their thoughts. While they didn’t necessarily say it verbatim, there’s a “Who asked for this?” or “Who needs this?” energy going around.
The argument for the company in Cupertino has always been that while it might join the party late, it arrives with something refined and ready for the spotlight. That feels less certain in 2026.
I digress.
That’s a whole other topic to unpack, so before I go any further, let me shift back to what I wanted to write about in the first place: the innovations I want to see from Apple. Ones that capture the imagination and inspire possibilities.
MacPad or MacPad Pro
Yes, I’m starting with a haymaker.
For years, users have been asking Apple to make the iPad run some hybrid of iPadOS and macOS.
The MacBook Neo and iPad Pro are proof that this isn’t too farfetched. The former runs macOS on an iPhone/iPad chip (A-series) while the latter runs iPadOS on a MacBook chip (M-series). Computing power doesn’t seem to be the issue. Apple is just likely afraid that one device category will cannibalize the other. That’s pure speculation on my part so let’s just continue with the thought exercise.
Assuming we get that macOS and iPadOS hybrid, what will the hardware look like?
Some disclaimer before the fun part. This whole article is a thought exercise and I am inviting all of you to imagine with me. But to make things feel a little more grounded, I will name models from other brands that Apple can take some inspiration from. Just, you know, Apple-fy it.
For the MacPad or MacPad Pro, I’m thinking something like a 2-in-1. The main body is a slab with a display and kickstand. Think Nintendo Switch 2. But instead of provisions for Joycons on the side, you get some form of cooling and the ports.
Let it have an M-series chip for maximum computing power. But to differentiate it from the iPad, have it come with a foldable keyboard and trackpad folio of some sort.
The ROG Flow Z13 but Apple-fied
Now that I think about it, what I’m describing is likely closer to the ROG Flow Z13. But instead of a gaming aesthetic, make it closer to how sleek and streamlined the look of MacBooks and iPads.
Having spent time with the ROG Flow Z13 (2025), I know there’s something genuinely compelling about this form factor. It’s a tablet with the brains of a full-fledged PC, with the keyboard becoming an accessory rather than a permanent fixture.
I traveled with the Flow Z13 and loved how it could serve as my work machine, gaming console, and entertainment device. Detach the keyboard and you have a screen for watching videos. Prop it up and you have a surprisingly capable gaming machine. Connect it to a TV and you have another way to play. It simplified my travel loadout in ways I didn’t expect.
Now imagine that same flexibility with macOS. A MacPad Pro could be a tablet when you want to browse, read, or watch something, then become a proper Mac when it’s time to get serious about work. You wouldn’t need to choose between carrying a MacBook and an iPad because one device could cover both roles.
A detachable design, done right
There’s already a precedent for this, too. The Lenovo Yoga Duet 7i showed how a detachable tablet and keyboard could work together without either feeling like an afterthought. Its Bluetooth keyboard meant you weren’t necessarily tied to the tablet in the same way you would be with a conventional laptop.
That’s the part I’d want Apple to get right. Give the MacPad Pro a proper kickstand, a keyboard that doesn’t feel like a compromise, and enough ports to make it useful beyond the desk. Let people use it as a tablet, a laptop, or a makeshift desktop without having to fight the hardware.
And because this is Apple, I’d expect the accessories to be ridiculously good. If the company can make the Magic Keyboard for iPad feel like a convincing laptop keyboard, imagine what it could do if it built the entire experience around macOS from the start.
Heck, they can even go full Apple and do away with the kickstand and just include a flimsy folio in the original packaging. And then sell a Magic Keyboard and Trackpad folio separately for maximum profit. Now that’s truly the Apple way.
Refined MacBook Pro
Look, I love the MacBook Pro. And I’ll take macOS over Windows any day. But every now and again I come upon a Windows machine that has immaculate hardware.
This year, to me, that’s the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra. In terms of overall build, materials, display, and size it’s my favorite work machine that I personally spent significant time with.
Premium finish
It already has that sleek MacBook look. But on top of that, the Nano Ceramic finish elevates it in a way that only experiencing it firsthand can make you understand.
I wrote about this in my original review, but it’s worth repeating: the Nano Ceramic finish is one of those things that sounds like marketing fluff until you actually touch it. It gives the laptop a distinct texture that makes picking it up feel like an experience in itself.
What’s more surprising is that the feeling doesn’t wear off. I got the ExpertBook Ultra back for another stretch of use after ASUS had already collected it, and I still found myself running my hand across the lid before opening it. Thirty days later, I hadn’t outgrown the novelty.
That might sound trivial, but I don’t think it is. We interact with our laptops for hours every day. The materials, textures, weight, and little physical details all contribute to how much we enjoy using them. If a manufacturer can make something as ordinary as opening a laptop feel special, that’s a kind of refinement worth pursuing.
OLED all day
It doesn’t hurt to have STAYC Isa on screen.
The OLED display with matte coating is a feast for the eyes. I regularly worked in cafés beside large windows, and the matte coating helped keep the OLED panel looking magnificent even with all that ambient light.
Deep blacks, crisp colors, and fewer distracting reflections made it a pleasure to work on and an even bigger pleasure to take breaks with.
Tantalizing typing
And the chiclet-style feeling keyboard will have you waxing poetic about an intimate connection found and faded. The spacing is excellent, the travel feels satisfying, and I found myself typing without that awkward adjustment period you sometimes get with a new machine.
Neither feature is revolutionary on its own. That’s precisely the point. The ExpertBook Ultra brings together a collection of thoughtful hardware decisions that make the whole experience feel a little more special. I want that same attention to detail from Apple, even if the MacBook Pro is already one of my favorite laptops.
Imagine that hardware running macOS. One can dream.
Yoga MacBook
I don’t know how Apple will do this without Lenovo suing but for the love of the game, please indulge me.
Imagine the aforementioned macOS and iPadOS hybrid running on a machine that morphs from a regular laptop to one that’s display-facing. That’d make a touchscreen MacBook more compelling to more users.
They’re definitely gonna have to call it something else, but a flexible MacBook is more appealing than the same old clamshell but now with a touchscreen. It has more practical uses that extend beyond developers and heavy-duty multimedia professionals and creatives.
Bend it like Lenovo
Lenovo has been doing this for years with its Yoga series, and there’s a reason it has stuck around for ten generations. A good convertible isn’t just a laptop with a screen that folds backward. It’s a device that can adapt to what you’re doing without requiring you to change devices.
In laptop mode, you have a proper keyboard for writing and getting work done. Fold the display into tent mode and you have a convenient screen for watching videos or following a presentation. Flip it into stand mode and you can use it for video calls or put it in front of you while working with someone else. Fold it all the way back and you have a tablet for reading, browsing, or sketching.
I’ve seen how useful these different configurations can be in practice. They’re not just party tricks for product demonstrations. They offer different ways to use the same machine throughout the day, depending on what you’re doing and where you’re doing it.
Software that adapts
Of course, the hardware is only half the equation. macOS would need to adapt to these different configurations, too. Touch targets should be easier to hit when the laptop is folded into tablet mode, while creative applications should make better use of direct interaction with the display. The interface shouldn’t feel like a desktop operating system that reluctantly tolerates fingers.
This is where a hybrid of macOS and iPadOS could become particularly interesting. Apple wouldn’t have to abandon what makes the Mac good at getting work done. It would simply need to make that experience more adaptable when the keyboard and trackpad aren’t the most convenient ways to interact with the machine.
That’s the kind of touchscreen MacBook I’d get excited about. Not just a MacBook that lets me poke at the screen, but one that gives me a reason to use it differently.
Dream bigger, refine better
To be clear, I’m not asking Apple to reinvent every product in its lineup every year. That would be ridiculous, and not every new idea needs to become a commercial product. But I’d love to see the company take more chances on what its products could become, rather than simply adding another feature to what already exists.
I just miss the Apple that truly turns heads when it enters a room. Right now, it feels to me like the company is banking on the cultural cachet it earned decades ago.
The iPhone Duo and touchscreen MacBook show that Apple is still willing to experiment. Now I’d love to see it push those experiments further. It might as well go all in and Think Different.
Accessories
CASETiFY Match: Finding the right case for your Galaxy Z8 Series phone
Cases that match your personality
A phone case can be more than protection. It can also be a way to show off your interests, personality, and the little things that make you, well, you.
For our CASETiFY Match for the Galaxy Z8 Series, we asked the team one question: Why was this CASETiFY design your Match?
From Spider-Man fandom and capybara obsession to feline-inspired art and snake motifs, here are the designs that found their way into our team’s everyday carry, plus a couple of bonus picks worth checking out.
Rodneil: A little New York energy for a certified web-head
If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’m a certified web-head. I love anything and everything Spider-Man, especially the iconic red-and-blue motif. Though, if we’re being honest, I’m more partial to the red.
I had my eyes on the Spider-Man suit design for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and the Spider-Man Mask Snappy Grip Stand. Unfortunately, those designs aren’t available for the Galaxy Z Fold8.
So, I went with a design that gives off a bit of New York energy instead. It still pairs nicely with the Spidey Snappy Grip Stand, letting me bring a little of that Spider-Man vibe to my everyday setup.
V: Keeping it cool with capybaras
I’ve been a capybara stan since 2020, long before the world finally caught up with just how cute and chill these animals are. Seeing them get the recognition they deserve has been a source of much excitement.
Finding cool and cute capybara cases and accessories for the phones I use every day, however, hasn’t always been easy.
That’s where Deville Dewil’s capybara collection comes in. It fills that gap while making my Galaxy Z Fold8 feel like an even more personal accessory.
At this point, I’d like to identify as a capy/bara.
Luigi: A cat design that’s playful without being too loud
There’s no shortage of cat-themed cases out there. If you’re a cat lover like me, chances are you’ve considered one at some point.
The tricky part is finding a design that isn’t too whimsical or loud. I love the little furballs, but I still want something sleek and clean.
CASETiFY’s cat collection speaks to that balance. In particular, this design by Catwheezie blends artistry with a touch of whimsy. It lets me show off my personality without being too flashy.
MJ: A little reputation energy
I’ve always had a soft spot for snake motifs, and CASETiFY’s Transparent Kingsnake case gives me Taylor Swift’s reputation era energy.
I love how snakes symbolize transformation. As someone who’s always evolving and never afraid to reinvent himself, that meaning feels personal.
The black-and-white design also brings a sleek, rebellious edge. Paired with my Galaxy Z Flip8, it’s giving statement accessory with a little bite.
Bonus Match: Sunglasses at Night
Sometimes, keeping it simple is the way to go. The Sunglasses at Night design is tasteful and understated, letting me show off the actual color of my phone without competing with it.
Bonus Match: Pink Weekly Planner
For the girls (and gaes) who plan their days–and life–ahead. And of course, for when they need to keep their Wednesdays pink.
Find your Match
There’s no single way to find a phone case that feels right. It might be a favorite character, an animal you’ve loved for years, a piece of art, or a symbol that means something to you.
For our team, the right CASETiFY design is the one that brings a little more personality to a device we carry every day.
So, which design would be your Match?
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