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POCO F5 Series: Price, availability in the Philippines
Speed is the name of the game

POCO has unveiled the all-new POCO F5 series, pushing the brand’s boundaries when it comes to flagship smartphones. The series will come in two variants: the POCO F5 and POCO F5 Pro.
The F5 Pro model is the first POCO device to be powered by the new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor.
On the other hand, the standard F5 is equipped with a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, to go along with reliable specs and features as well.
POCO F5 Pro: Ignite your hyperpower
The POCO F5 Pro is ideal for both gaming or streaming, thanks to the upgraded visual experience it offers.
The phone has a WQHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display with up to 1400nits of brightness. That’s twice as clear as an FHD+ display, providing superb details for users.
On top of that, the self-developed super touch makes gaming steadier and more accurate to boost the chances of winning.
The device also features LiquidCool Technology 2.0 with a high-efficient Vapor Chamber, so it can be used while maintaining low operation.
When it comes to the camera package, the F5 Pro has the following package:
- 64MP f/1.79 main camera
- 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
- 2MP f/2.4 macro camera
- 16MP f/2.45 front camera
The phone’s cameras are capable of dual OIS and EIS stabilization, giving users the luxury to capture up to 8K videos.
Its 5,160mAh battery can be charged via the 30W wireless charger or the 67W turbocharging technology for a quick 50% recharge in just 15 minutes.
POCO F5: The origin of speed
Meanwhile, the POCO F5 is the first smartphone in the market to house the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2.
The 5G-capable device’s chipset has a higher rating than its previous generation, providing and even smoother experience.
The phone has an immersive 6.67-inch 120Hz Flow AMOLED display, and the same camera package as the F5 Pro for up to 4K video shooting with OIS and EIS.
Like the Pro, the F5 can be recharged to 100% within 50 minutes using the 67W wired charger.
Price, availability
The POCO F5 series retails for the following prices:
POCO F5 Pro (Black or White)
- 8GB+256GB: PhP 26,999
- 12GB+256GB: PhP 28,999
- 12GB+512GB: PhP 30,999
POCO F5 (Black, Blue or White)
- 8GB+256GB: PhP 20,999
- 12GB+256GB: PhP 22,999
Shopee Special
Starting May 9 on Shopee, any variant will be available for an early bird price with discounts ranging from PhP 1,500 to PhP 3,000 off.
POCO F5 Pro (Black or White)
- 8GB+256GB: PhP 23,999
- 12GB+256GB: PhP 25,999
- 12GB+512GB: PhP 27,999
POCO F5 (Black, Blue or White)
- 8GB+256GB: PhP 18,299
- 12GB+256GB: PhP 20,099


Do you need an AI chatbot to hold a conversation? Instagram seems to think so. As the world rapidly experiments with developments in AI technology, the platform is reportedly working on a chatbot for its users.
According to Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer who usually digs up future plans for popular apps, Instagram is working on the AI chatbot feature for a future iteration of the app. Much like other chatbots out in the market today, Instagram’s unnamed bot will enable users to interact with it in casually flowing conversation.
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) June 5, 2023
The screenshots obtained by the engineer read that it “answers questions, gives advice.” Additionally, it helps users “find the best way to express [themselves] … [through] writing messages.” From a usability standpoint, the feature can help users craft replies to direct messages. They can also bring the bot into human-to-human conversations by mentioning the bot in the conversation.
To add to the quirkiness, Instagram will supposedly add 30 different personalities to the chatbot. Users can pick and choose which one they like the best. The sneak peek does not reveal any personalities included in the feature. (We’re hoping for a snarky one that judges and critiques posts.)
The feature has no timetable as to its release. However, since TikTok already released its own chatbot for testing, it should stand that Instagram’s feature will come out soon.

The ROG Ally has some hefty shoes to fill. Touting an impressive slate of specs, the upcoming handheld console is one of the first true competitors to the dominating Steam Deck. Unfortunately, early reviews revealed a flawed comparison against Valve’s juggernaut of a console. Now, days ahead of its official launch, ASUS is releasing new firmware which drastically improves the console’s performance.
Getting down to the nitty gritty of things, the ROG Ally, in its unpatched version, lacked performance in low-wattage scenarios. Early reviewers found that the console could not keep up with the Steam Deck under such circumstances.
A new update, which started rolling out to early units, started catching up. According to YouTuber Dave2D, the update easily improves the console by 15 to 20 percent better than its initial release. First of all, it brings the ROG Ally almost at par with the Steam Deck in low-wattage scenarios. While the results aren’t as good as the latter device yet, it’s a much better performer compared to the former on day one. ASUS acknowledges that Valve really did its homework in low-wattage scenarios.
More notably, the update dramatically boosts the ROG Ally’s performance in higher wattages. The console is now close behind the Ayaneo 2S, a beefier alternative to the Steam Deck. Before the update, the ROG Ally could barely touch the Steam Deck, let alone the Ayaneo 2S.
ASUS also notes that the update should include improvements for the battery life. The lackluster battery has been a point of contention among all early users.
The ROG Ally is officially launching on June 13 and will start at US$ 699.99.
SEE ALSO: How well do PlayStation games run on the ROG Ally?

In recent years, Motorola and Samsung have proved that the clamshell phone is more than just a resurrected fad. Both companies have developed solid lineups capable of becoming daily drivers. Now, others want to get into the market. Following the footsteps of its contemporaries, Xiaomi is reportedly developing a clamshell phone of its own.
Even before the unannounced clamshell phone, Xiaomi has some experience in the foldable market. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 was quite the impressive powerhouse when it launched last year. The foldable smartphone even bagged the title as the thinnest foldable at the time (before Huawei grabbed the title soon after).
Now, the Chinese company is seemingly tapping into the same lineup for a rumored clamshell phone. According to Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the brand is indeed looking at an extremely light version of the vertically folding form factor.
Unfortunately, not much else is known about the upcoming device yet. However, Xiaomi’s supposed entry into the market shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, the brand’s competitors — Huawei and vivo — are already deep inside the clamshell segment. The latter, for example, just released the vivo X Flip, its first device in the vertically folding market. Expect things to heat up in the Chinese foldable market soon.
SEE ALSO: The vivo X Flip is the company’s first vertical-folding smartphone
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