Smartphones

realme 13 Pro series, Buds T310, Watch S2 now official

Philippine price, availability, launch offers

Published

August 28, 2024

Manila Connoisseur

realme 13 Pro Plus, ealme Watch S2, realme Buds T310

realme has officially launched the realme 13 Pro series, its latest number series smartphones, in the Philippines. The upper midrange devices come in the realme 13 Pro and realme 13 Pro+ variants, and are now available through realme’s official online and offline channels.

Along with the two phones, realme has also unveiled the realme Buds T310 and realme Watch S2, offering users the opportunity to wield an entire ecosystem of realme devices.

Price, availability, launch offers

The realme 13 Pro+ 5G, which has two configurations, is now available in realme physical stores nationwide in Monet Gold and Emerald Green for the following prices:

realme 13 Pro+ (12GB+256GB): PhP 28,999
realme 13 Pro+ (12GB+512GB): PhP 31,999

Meanwhile, the realme 13 Pro 5G (12GB+256GB) is available for PhP 24,999 in Monet Purple and Emerald Green on the realme TikTok Shop. Purchases of this model entitles customers to a free TechLife portable steam iron, until stocks last. Customers should also be on the lookout for a PhP 3,500 discount on the platform to bring the price down to just PhP 21,499 until September 3, 2024.

Customers preordering the phones can get a Mystery Gift Box freebie worth up to PhP 29,999 until September 4. Aside from that, purchases made from September 6 to 8 and 13 to 15 may come with prizes worth up to PhP 16,990 on select realme physical stores.

For those managing their expenses, the two devices are available at 0% interest installment plans of up to 18 months both via Home Credit and Credit Cards, until September 30.

Moreover, here’s the pricing details for the realme Buds T310 and Watch S2:

realme Buds T310

First selling (until September 10): PhP 1,499 (TikTok)
First selling (until September 10): PhP 1,599 (Lazada, Shopee)
SRP: PhP 1,999

realme Watch S2

Steel Wrist Strap, Grey Color

First selling (until September 10): PhP 3,499 (TikTok)
First selling (until September 10): PhP 3,699 (Lazada, Shopee)
SRP: PhP 4,499

Silicone Wrist Strap, Black or White Color

First selling (until September 10): PhP 2,999 (TikTok)
First selling (until September 10): PhP 3,299 (Lazada, Shopee)
SRP: PhP 3,999

DSLR in your pocket

Dubbed as the “DSLR in your pocket” smartphones, realme’s latest series features an Ultra Clear Camera with AI, along with the most advanced hardware and software technologies to achieve unparalleled image clarity, detail, and color accuracy.

The realme 13 Pro+, in particular, boasts of a dual Sony main camera system. It is the first to use the 50MP Sony LYT600 Periscope Camera which supports 120x SuperZoom. Complementing this camera is a 50MP Sony LYT701 OIS main camera.

On the other hand, the realme 13 Pro 5G comes with a 50MP Sony LYT600 sensor. Both phones feature various features under their AI Imaging Algorithm, including AI HyperRAW, AI Denoise, AI Portrait, AI Pure Bokeh, AI Natural Skin Tone, and AI Image Stablization.

Going along with the camera packages are a 120Hz curved OLED display for both models. This panel comes with Rainwater Smart Touch and an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance.

Furthermore, the phones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processors, and have been fortified with several AI enhancements for better performance and more seamless usage.

Wear your AI

Launched alongside the realme 13 Pro series are the realme Watch S2 and realme Buds T310 (in Monet Purple, Vibrant Black, and Agile White).

The smartwatch features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display and an advanced stainless steel textured body. It has a customizable battery life of up to 20 days on a single full charge. As usual, the wearable has standard health monitoring features, including heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep analysis, among others.

It also supports various shortcut controls from your wrist, like taking a photo, answering a call remotely, or replying to messages using quick notes. The wearable even has ample storage for about 50 songs if you plan on working out minus your phone.

Meanwhile, the Buds T310 feature 46dB Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, as well as a standard and transparency mode for tailored listening. It complements the Dolby Atmos support on the latest realme phones, and also has 360-degree Spatial Audio and several settings to customize the audio experience.

Overall, all three devices promise a bang-for-your-buck ecosystem in the midrange segment, covering all bases for users seeking such experience from a smartphone, smartwatch, and noise-cancelling earbuds.

News

Next iPhone might get rid of the Action Button

Both functions will be in one button instead.

Published

November 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

In a world with a love-hate relationship with extra buttons on a phone, Apple has gone to the deeper end and included two buttons in the latest iPhones: the Action Button and the Camera Control. Next year, Apple might consolidate the two buttons into one, ridding itself of the Action Button.

According to a Weibo leak from Instant Digital, Apple will merge the two buttons starting with next year’s iPhones. Though technically a new button in itself, the merged version will, based on the leak, retain more Camera Control than the Action Button.

Of course, both functions can coexist in the same button. The Camera Control activates with a single press, while the Action Button needs a longer press. In the merged button, a single press can still open the camera and a longer press can activate whatever the user sets it to.

Both buttons have had a storied past. The Action Button came in 2023, replacing the Ring/Silent Switch. Meanwhile, the Camera Control debuted a year later, offering control over the camera with a capacitive button. The current iterations retain both buttons on the same phone.

Personally, as someone used to creating content, the Camera Control button is ultimately a boon to get those shots quickly while in the moment. Retaining that functionality is definitely worthwhile.

Philippines

realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition: Price, availability in the Philippines

Hogwarts magic meets smartphone design

Published

October 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition is now available in the Philippines for PHP 39,999. This limited-edition smartphone features a color-changing Hogwarts crest, an exclusive Harry Potter-themed interface, and a collection of Wizarding World memorabilia.

Limited to fewer than 200 units nationwide, the special edition is designed for fans and collectors of the beloved franchise.

Hogwarts magic in every detail

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition comes in Magic Brown, featuring an Enchanted Texture Leather back with a three-dimensional diamond pattern inspired by wizard chessboards.

Its centerpiece is the Hogwarts Four-House Crest, which reveals the signature colors of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff when exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. This effect uses realme’s Quadra Light-Sensing Color-changing Tech.

The phone also features a gold Hedwig-inspired camera design, matching gold accents along its edges, and a laser-engraved “Welcome to Hogwarts” inscription on the side.

A Hogwarts-inspired interface

The Harry Potter theme extends to the phone’s software. Exclusive wallpapers depict Hogwarts Castle at different times of the day, with Golden Dawn for daytime and Mystic Dusk for nighttime.

Other customizations include boot-up and fingerprint animations inspired by Hogwarts acceptance letters, more than 30 redesigned app icons, and camera watermarks inspired by the four Hogwarts houses.

A trunk full of collectibles

The limited-edition packaging takes the form of a Harry Potter-inspired trunk featuring the Hogwarts crest and the realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition branding.

Inside, fans will find a Hogwarts acceptance letter addressed to Mr. Potter, character postcards featuring Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and bookmarks representing all four Hogwarts houses.

The package also includes Hogwarts Crest pins and a Hogwarts Express-inspired ticket bearing the route from London to Hogwarts via Platform 9¾.

realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition price and availability

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition is priced at PHP 39,999 in the Philippines. Only fewer than 200 units will be available nationwide.

Hogwarts-inspired store displays will be available at the following locations:

SM Fairview
SM North EDSA
SM Calamba

The device will also be available at kiosks in SM Clark, SM Dasmariñas, and SM Megamall.

For further updates, visit realme’s official Facebook page.

Philippines

Samsung Galaxy A18, Galaxy A08 now in the Philippines

Everyday smartphone experience

Published

October 29, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has unveiled the new Samsung Galaxy A18 and Samsung Galaxy A08 smartphones in the Philippines.

These affordable A series handsets bring more capable performance, long-term reliability, and core AI experiences to users.

The Galaxy A18 features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and is powered by a Helio G99+ processor.

It comes with an upgraded DDR5 memory and supports RAM Plus, which uses available storage as virtual memory.

At its back is a 50MP wide camera, 5MP ultra-wide camera, and 2MP macro camera.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy A08 comes with a 6,000mAh battery, Helio G99+ processor, and upgraded memory.

It also comes with a similar 50MP main camera, along with a 2MP depth camera, and 8MP front camera.

Core AI experiences, long-term reliability

Both the Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08 come with core AI experiences, including Circle to Search.

Moreover, both phones come with multiple AI agents to help users move more seamlessly between supported Galaxy native apps, Google apps, and select third-party apps.

Both handsets also feature IP64 rating for protection against dust and water splashes.

Furthermore, the devices support up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.