Hands-On

Redmi 7A Hands-On: Nailing the basics

Plus major battery life

Published

August 12, 2019

One time a friend messaged me saying his phone broke and asked what’s affordable and reliable that he can buy and use in the meantime. My first instinct was to recommend a Redmi phone. And the Redmi 7A is one such phone that fits what he was looking for — affordable and reliable.

Getting the basics right

This is what Redmi — Xiaomi’s “budget line” — has always been. Something you can rely on when in a pinch, and something you can hold on to long after you’ve gone past that pinch.

The specs won’t jump out at you: Snapdragon 439 chip, 2GB of RAM with either 16GB or 32GB storage that’s expandable up to 256GB via a microSD card slot. But this combo is enough for what I consider basic smartphone needs.

Naturally, you would want access to social media. This phone can Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with no problems whatsoever. However, to get the most out of this phone, I recommend getting the lite versions of these apps. There are also lite versions of Spotify and Messenger that I opted to use while I had this phone on hand.

Lite apps are your friends

Lite apps will take up less space — something you don’t have a lot of — and consumes less data. Perfect for this phone. You probably also need to get a bit of work done. For that there’s GMail Go. Another lite app for your convenience.

Of course, it’s also running MIUI 10 which is one of the smoother Android skins out there. Navigating the phone feels snappy enough that you don’t feel shortchanged.

It can game… sort of

Don’t expect to have a lot of games here — not unless you go out of your way to buy a microSD card. I tried Mobile Legends: Bang Bang on this phone and it handled it fine but I constantly got messages of my storage being full.

That said, it should have no trouble playing more casual games. The type you play while waiting in line, trying to pass the time, or just waiting in general. I have no recommendations because the casual ones I know are too old and I don’t know if they’re even in the Play store any more. 😂

Cameras are okay

You’re getting a 12MP rear shooter and a 5MP front-facing camera. Oh simpler times.

Single rear camera to keep things simple

The cameras are okay, you just have to make sure you’re at an area with natural light or at least somewhere with a good amount of light to capture respectable shots.

The last few shots were taken indoors with not ideal lighting which is why it’s grainy. You can just say it’s a filter. 😝

Superb battery and other features

Now here’s where this phone is at its best. When it’s powering you through your day. It has a 4000mAh battery and since it’s not supporting a lot of crazy features, you get extended hours on this thing.

I’ve used it as a secondary phone and it takes about three to four days before I even decide to charge it. And it’s not even completely drained at that point. With more regular use, it should last you about a day and a half before you feel the need to reach out for a charger.

Splash-proof and durable. Getting a case is optional

The phone also happens to be splash resistant. So you don’t necessarily have to go rushing to find a case to protect it. It’s pretty durable all on its own.

Another feature that some of you might find useful is the FM radio. When you’re at home and not sure what to listen to, you can just fire it app and toggle through radio stations quickly. If you’re in a public area, simply plug in your earphones because yes, this still has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Is the Redmi 7A your GadgetMatch?

At PhP 4,790 (US$ 92) for the base model, to me it’s really that emergency phone or a starter phone. It’s the one you purchase for now as you’re trying to save up for a better, more powerful model.

The battery is no joke

That said, this will also work as a phone for older folks who simply want a way to stay in touch with their loved ones without having to figure out too many things on their phone. You can get this for your kids too, although getting a phone for your kid isn’t something I actually recommend. Maybe if they’re already in their teens. But I’m not a parent so what do I know.

If you need something that’s no frills, no fuss, and gets the basics just right. It’s hard to find other alternatives at exactly PhP 5,000 or below it. The Redmi 7A is the right choice.

Hands-On

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Hands-on

Play It Safe or Push Forward?

Published

February 26, 2026

GadgetMatch

Did Samsung push forward or play it safe with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series? Well, it’s a little bit of both.

Here’s our Hands-on with the new Samsung Galaxy S26 series to find out.

PRE-ORDER and SAVE up to $900 with enhanced trade-in credit:

Hands-On

Samsung Galaxy S26 series: Chasing usability, not specs

Thoughtful software additions

Published

February 26, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

“Our philosophy has never been about chasing specs.”

That line from Samsung’s presentation captures the Galaxy S26 Series better than any spec table.

This isn’t a year of radical hardware shifts. Battery capacities remain unchanged. Megapixel counts are familiar. The design language evolves rather than transforms.

But incremental doesn’t automatically mean irrelevant.

The S26 Ultra feels like Samsung refining its priorities — usability, privacy, and AI integration — instead of pursuing headline-grabbing numbers.

Hardware refinement, not reinvention

The Galaxy S26 series looks more unified. All three models now share the same corner radius, creating a consistent visual identity. The Ultra no longer stands apart with sharper edges. It’s a small change, but it makes the lineup feel cohesive.

The camera module sits on a more defined island rather than blending into the rear panel. It’s subtle, but noticeable in person.

Samsung also trimmed weight and thickness on the Ultra. At 7.9mm and 214 grams, it handles slightly better than last year’s model. The company switched to Light Armor Aluminum, which it claims improves heat dissipation and weight. The difference in hand isn’t dramatic, but it’s appreciated during extended use.

Charging finally moves forward. The Ultra supports 60W wired charging, up from 45W. Samsung says you can reach 75 percent in around 30 minutes. That’s a meaningful improvement for quick top-ups.

However, 60W isn’t industry-leading in 2026. Competing brands have offered similar or faster speeds for years. This feels less like Samsung setting a new benchmark and more like closing a gap.

Battery capacity remains 5,000mAh. That’s consistent with previous models. While fast charging helps daily convenience, endurance gains will depend on software optimization and real-world usage.

AI and software remain the headline

Like recent Galaxy generations, the S26 Series leans heavily on software features.

Privacy Display is one of the more practical additions. It restricts viewing angles at the pixel level, functioning like a built-in privacy filter. If you’re using your phone in public spaces, people nearby will struggle to see what’s on screen.

You can toggle the feature or enable it only for specific apps. That flexibility matters. It allows privacy protection for sensitive apps while keeping general use unaffected.

This addresses a real-world problem. Public screens are inherently visible. Privacy Display doesn’t eliminate that risk, but it reduces casual glances and unwanted observation.

Audio Eraser also gets an upgrade. It now works across third-party apps. We tested it on a noisy K-pop fancam from YouTube, and the background noise reduction was noticeable without destroying audio quality.

It’s not perfect. Overprocessing can occur in extreme cases. But for cleaning up shared videos or reducing ambient noise, it proves useful.

AI Photo Assist introduces text-prompt editing directly inside the Gallery app. Users can describe edits in natural language — remove objects, expand backgrounds, or modify elements — without exporting images to external tools.

This isn’t groundbreaking technology. Similar generative edits exist in other AI platforms. The difference is integration.

By embedding generative tools inside the Gallery, Samsung turns them into part of the default workflow. Photo editing becomes more accessible rather than requiring specialized knowledge or separate apps.

That shift is meaningful. It signals that generative AI editing is becoming a standard smartphone feature rather than an experimental add-on.

Cameras: computational evolution

The camera hardware remains familiar. The Ultra continues with a 200MP main sensor and telephoto configurations similar to last year.

Improvements focus on computational photography.

Samsung widened apertures to allow more light. Stabilization has been refined. AI sharpening and Nightography processing aim to produce cleaner images with reduced noise.

From samples shown during the presentation, low-light shots appear brighter and cleaner. However, the processing can feel aggressive. Details sometimes look overly smoothed, and textures can appear artificial.

This reflects Samsung’s long-standing approach — prioritize computational enhancements over megapixel increases. The S26 continues that philosophy.

For video creators, APV (Advanced Professional Video) enables 8K recording with minimal quality degradation during edits. Super Steady Video also improves handheld stabilization.

These features cater to content creation workflows rather than casual snapshots.

Incremental but intentional

The Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t try to shock. It doesn’t reinvent Samsung’s design language or introduce dramatic hardware leaps.

Instead, it refines existing ideas.

Privacy Display addresses public visibility concerns. Audio Eraser improves real-world video cleanup. AI Photo Assist integrates generative editing into everyday photo workflows. Charging speeds improve without industry-leading ambitions.

Even the design changes — unified corner radii, a defined camera island, lighter materials — emphasize cohesion.

This strategy resembles the broader shift in the smartphone industry. Hardware innovation has slowed. Software and usability improvements drive differentiation.

Samsung appears comfortable with that reality.

Of course, first impressions only tell part of the story. We still need extended testing for battery life, thermal performance, camera consistency, and AI reliability.

The S26 Ultra may not represent a revolution. But refinement can matter — especially when it targets usability and practical features.

Samsung will have to make significant hardware upgrades eventually. But for now, it feels like the company is doubling down on incremental progress. Not flashy. Not radical. But purposeful.

Whether that strategy resonates will depend on real-world performance.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Series – Specs

Feature	Galaxy S26 Ultra	Galaxy S26+	Galaxy S26
Display	6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ (3120 x 1440) 500 ppi, 1-120Hz S Pen support	6.7″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ (3120 x 1440) 516 ppi, 1-120Hz	6.3″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+ (2340 x 1080) 411 ppi, 1-120Hz
Rear Camera: Ultra Wide	50MP, F1.9, 0.7 µm	12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm	12MP, F2.2, 1.4 µm
Rear Camera: Wide	200MP, F1.4, 0.6 µm	50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm	50MP, F1.8, 1.0 µm
Rear Camera: Wide	Optical Quality 2x
Rear Camera: Telephoto 1	10MP, F2.4, 1.12 µm	10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm	10MP, F2.4, 1.0 µm
Rear Camera: Telephoto 1	3x optical zoom
Rear Camera: Telephoto 2	50MP, F2.9, 0.7 µm 5x optical zoom Optical Quality 10x	—	—
Front Camera	12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm	12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm	12MP, F2.2, 1.12 µm
Processor	Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy (3 nm)	Exynos 2600 (2 nm)*	Exynos 2600 (2 nm)*
Memory (RAM)	12GB / 16GB	12GB	12GB
Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1TB	256GB / 512GB	128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage	(Micro SD: N/A)
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,900 mAh	4,300 mAh
Battery	Super Fast Charging 3.0 Super Fast Wireless Charging Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions	78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm 214 g (Sub6/mmWave)	75.8 x 158.4 x 7.3 mm 190 g (Sub6/mmWave)	71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm 167 g (Sub6)
Colors	Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold	Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold	Standard: Cobalt Violet (Hero), Sky Blue, Black, White Online: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

First Look

Match Pulse: OPPO Reno15 Pro

My first time with a Reno phone is more than just a charm

Published

February 11, 2026

Vincenz

Believe me or not, I only had one encounter with an OPPO Reno phone, and it was the Reno10 Pro from 2021. However, my time with it was very short.

Almost five years in, I was finally given the chance to hold the Chinese brand’s latest and greatest Reno.

Without beating around the bush, here’s my first time with the OPPO Reno15 Pro.

First Look

The moment I unsealed its sturdy packaging, the OPPO Reno15 Pro greeted me in this shining, shimmering blue backing.

Dubbed as the “Aurora Blue” colorway, it instantly reminded me that I’m still not over that Aurora Borealis scene in the latest hit K-Drama “Can This Love Be Translated?” starred by Kim Seonho and Go Younjung.

I said it before and I’ll say it again, flashy finishes are the least of my options when choosing for a new phone. Still, this finish wins over the less impressive Dusk Brown shade.

Just like that dazzling northern lights, the Reno15 Pro shows off its aurora accents depending on how the sun hits it.

In the faintest of light, that aurora simply vanishes. Even so, the OPPO Reno15 Pro still shines through with its specks of glitter.

That’s more evident when you bring the OPPO Reno15 Pro indoors — be that your cool room (literally) or a warmly-lit café.

Its camera cutout may not be the most unique out there, but it’s uniformed enough to look clean. After all, a phone’s camera arrangement isn’t what defines the overall performance of its cameras.

First Date

Although 8.13mm isn’t “thin” in today’s standards, holding and keeping the OPPO Reno15 Pro for prolonged periods never felt a sore. Its aerospace-grade aluminum frame may just be one among many factors.

One after another, that 6.32-inch AMOLED 120Hz display is a huge complement to the hands. It fits my huge palms, more so, pockets of all sorts. This sweet screen size is also a breath of fresh air in a vast world of large slabs.

When hit by that harsh sunlight, it’s more than bright– up to 3600 nits of peak HDR brightness if I must insist. And, no matter what kind of content I consume, it’s truly crisp, clear, and even color-accurate.

Being powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8450 SoC alongside OPPO’s ColorOS 16 is what made me stuck longer. It honestly felt like I’m in a smooth ride without any road traffic.

The OPPO Reno15 Pro has a great harmony between its software snappiness and fluidity. Animations flow without feeling rushed — much like enjoying date nights without being pressured to catch the last bus trip back home.

Speaking of staying out late for a date, the Reno15 Pro lasted me more than enough. And, despite its petite form, it managed to fit in a 6200mAh battery inside.

The screen size to battery ratio is just a perfect match. Not only it fits in most (if not all) hands and pockets, it also meant being able to squeeze in more battery to make the most out of your day, night, and even midnight.

If juice gets squeezed out, its 80W SuperVOOC charging will truly save the day!

That doesn’t even end there. With triple IP ratings (IP66, IP68, IP69), you’re more than assured that it’s durable enough in occasional (and accidental) phone drops.

First Impressions

The OPPO Reno15 Pro, despite being categorized as a midrange device, already feels like a solid vanilla flagship.

Much like any other first dates, its overall appearance is just on the surface level. What made me invested more to know the Reno15 Pro further are none other than its intrinsic qualities.

That includes that screen size (or form factor) on the sweet spot plus oh-so-fluid ColorOS. Moreover, its powerful core paired with a humongous battery that will truly last you long.

While I may not have included any photo sample in this early look, I can already assure you that it has one of the greatest camera performers for its class. And actually, it is for another story 😉.

My first time with an OPPO Reno smartphone not only made me impressed. This phone also enticed me to consider switching to the OPPO system when another review opportunity arises.