I’ve never quite pegged myself as a “content creator” in the traditional, polished sense. In my head, I’m a writer surviving the advertising trenches and a photographer who values the raw grit of a sports gig.

But life — much like a fast-paced YA novel — decided to turn my journey into an epic adventure of documenting high-mileage runs, fast-paced travel, and mundane gym sessions.

I thought my iPhone 16 Pro and a 360 camera were a complete kit. But after living with the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 since January, I’ve had an epiphany: it’s simply the best tool I’ve found to film myself as I star in my own story.

Familiarity doesn’t breed contempt

Moving from a mirrorless setup to the Pocket 3 originally felt like learning a new language. But moving from the 3 to the 4? It’s like upgrading your favorite pair of running shoes.

Because I use this for work, like capturing highlight reels at events so people can feel the vibe they missed, the familiarity is a godsend.

While the silhouette is similar, the tactile experience has matured significantly. The Pocket 4 replaces the previous model’s basic controls with a new 5D analog joystick for ultra-precise gimbal pans and adds dedicated physical buttons under the touchscreen for fluid zooming.

The internal architecture has seen a massive shift too, moving from the Pocket 3’s “SD-only” setup to a built-in 107GB of internal storage.

This is paired with a hardware upgrade from USB 2.0 to USB 3.1, which physically enables wired transfer speeds of up to 800MB/s — roughly 5 to 10 times faster than the older model.

Even the battery has been bulked up to 1545mAh (compared to the 1300mAh on the 3), giving you more endurance for a full day of reporting without reaching for a power bank.

Sensor that sees more

The new 1-inch sensor is the upgrade I didn’t know I needed until I saw the results.

I took it to a cafe in Bangkok where the lighting was… let’s call it “challenging.” We’re talking low-light interiors clashing with blown-out al fresco sunlight.

The Pocket 4 handled it with the grace of a professional cinematographer, thanks to its 1-inch CMOS engineered for better detail and more accurate color. The camera was good enough to reduce shadow and noise to keep the image how we see it.

When I want to shoot fast, the vertical 3K mode is great, especially for quick social updates. But shifting to the 4K horizontal mode is where the magic happens, thanks to its 14-stop dynamic range. It preserved the delicate highlights of a moody, dimmed interior or night shot that make it looks like a cinematic masterpiece.

Because this dynamic range works across 4K/60fps and 4K/30fps, it adds a tangible depth to the footage that makes everything feel more three-dimensional.

To really push that cinematic aesthetic, the Pocket 4 now supports 10-bit color depth even in standard mode, which means smoother gradients in the sky and zero color banding.

If you’re shooting in those dim, late-night settings, the camera even has a dedicated 4K low-light video mode that pushes the dynamic range up to two stops further, ensuring that nighttime portraits remain bright and natural instead of becoming a grainy mess.

Adding soul through color

With the introduction of 10-bit color depth in standard mode, the Pocket 4 now captures over a billion colors.

It delivers significantly smoother gradients and virtually eliminating the “stepping” of color banding in wide-open skies. This technical leap provides much greater post-processing flexibility, yet even without a single tweak, the camera captures incredibly vibrant, true-to-life imagery.

I put this to the test when Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation transformed Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City into “Port Bonifacio.”

I visited the activation alongside notable cosplayers and creators, and the Pocket 4’s ability to “interpret” the vivid colors of that world was stunning.

 

 

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By applying my own film-like retro preset in CapCut, the footage easily took on a stylized, anime-like vibe. I felt like the protagonist of my own arc, capturing everything from the arrival of Laboon to the docking of the Going Merry with cinematic texture.

For those who want to push their craft further, the D-Log Pro Mode is a professional-grade essential. It expands the dynamic range in high-contrast or color-rich scenes, preserving maximum data for flexible color grading.

This allows you to apply complex filters and LUTs while maintaining total control over the highlights and shadows, giving your videos a distinct “soul” that feels less like a digital recording and more like a cinematic film.

My ideal production crew

By no means am I a professional shooter. I rarely have the luxury of time to produce a cinematic masterpiece on my own accord, but as someone who frequently has to shoot with zero cameramen — especially during solo travels or international assignments — the Creator Combo is a godsend.

Shooting solo gives me the liberty to dictate every shot and style, essentially acting as my own director and editor. If you’re a strong, independent gal, say no more; the Osmo Pocket 4 feels like a dedicated production crew that I can tag along anywhere I like.

While my more rugged adventures are better suited for the Osmo Nano or Action 6, the Pocket 4 shines in controlled environments where I can plan my shots across Bangkok, Manila, and Jakarta.

 

 

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My absolute favorite new feature is the six built-in film tones, which are a game-changer for achieving a professional look straight out of the camera without extra editing.

You can opt for CC Film for Fuji-inspired cool tones and soft skin, or NC Film for a classic negative style that delivers bright, luminous complexions.

If you crave a brighter aesthetic, Pastel provides a cool-toned, transparent vibe with rosy skin, while Warm Tone offers rich, saturated colors perfect for scenery and buildings.

For that classic street shot aesthetic, Movie adds cinematic depth and dimension, and Retro creates a nostalgic film mood that feels tailor-made for historic architecture and old-world streets.

Glowing in every frame

Even when you’ve mastered the art of being in front of the lens, that flicker of self-consciousness never truly disappears.

I noticed that the Pocket 4’s native shots are quite intimate, so I find myself reaching for the wide-angle lens from the Creator Combo to gain better control over my framing and composition.

Zoomed-in captures of your face can be daunting, but thankfully, the Pocket 4 delivers instantly bright, clear, and glowing skin.

This is thanks to a massive jump in photo resolution — from the 9.4MP of the Pocket 3 to a stunning 37-megapixels — combined with built-in filters.

 

 

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It functions like a high-end beauty mode on a smartphone, allowing you to smoothen your complexion and fine-tune your skin tone’s warmth with total ease.

If the environment isn’t doing you any favors, you can take it up a notch with the Magnetic Fill Light. It snaps onto the gimbal like a tiny, personal ring light, ensuring you stay perfectly lit even when the world around you is dark (or when you just need that “holy” glow).

The light moves in sync with the gimbal, and you can easily toggle through three levels of brightness — 12, 25, or 40 lux — and adjust the temperature from a cozy 2800K to a crisp 5500K. In a way, it’s making sure you always look your best, regardless of the setting.

Now an athlete’s choice

Beyond the tech and the art, 80 percent of my life is defined by being an athlete. Historically, I’d never dream of bringing a Pocket device into my training; earlier models felt far too fragile, with gimbals and screens that seemed destined for disaster.

The Pocket 4, however, introduces a much-needed gimbal clamp that prevents it from turning on automatically while jostling inside your pouch.

I’ll be honest: I’ve accidentally knocked this camera five times already (I am that clumsy!) but when the impact was strong, the device actually displayed “Gimbal Protected”.

Now, that’s a companion that can finally keep up with my pace.

I put this to a test at a HYROX class in The Commune in Jakarta. While a dimly lit gym isn’t the easiest place to film, the Pocket 4’s upgrade to 4K with 2x zoom allowed me to station it safely out of the way while still capturing a tight, high-quality shot.

This is where Active Track 7.0 feels like magic; a simple double-tap locks the focus on me, and the intelligent autofocus keeps me centered even during the most intense movements.

You can even use Dynamic Framing to position yourself via the rule of thirds or the golden spiral for a more professional look.

Most importantly for the solo shooter, it prioritizes pre-registered faces. It literally learns to look for you!

When a simple palm or “V” gesture is all it takes to start recording, you realize that beyond being a camera, it’s also a partner in your fitness journey.

For capturing your favorite memories

Over the holidays, I had an epiphany. I finally decided to start a project that had been simmering in my mind since 2023.

For the past seven years, I’ve been slowly collecting Instax films: tangible, physical snapshots of my favorite moments and the people I’ve shared them with.

 

 

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To honor those memories, especially the connections that have since drifted away due to distance or disagreements, I finally took those films out of their memory box to put them in a frame for display.

Documenting this tactile activity with the Pocket 4 felt like weaving a narrative in high resolution. It’s an art form, per se, but one that becomes significantly easier to master when you have the right gear to translate physical memories into a digital story.

Beyond these aesthetic reflections, the Pocket 4 proves its worth in vlogging and storytelling through its technical maturity. It features 4-channel output, delivering a professional audio capture that recreates the immersive feel of a live concert.

The Audio Zoom is equally impressive; the capture intelligently adjusts with the video zoom, amplifying the sound as you move in and dampening it as you pull away.

When I remember to use the DJI Mic 3 transmitter from the Creator Combo, the clarity is undeniable, ensuring the narrative remains as clear as the visuals.

Which should you get?

Deciding between the two versions depends entirely on how deep you want to go into your own narrative.

If you opt for the Osmo Pocket 4 Standard Combo, you get the essentials: the device itself, a USB-C to USB-C PowerDelivery Cable, the Gimbal Clamp, a Wrist Strap, a Handle with 1/4″ Thread, and a portable carrying pouch.

It’s the perfect entry point for those who want to “shoot, edit, and upload” without getting bogged down by technicalities. You still get that signature high-grade quality regardless of the accessories.

However, the Creator Combo is where the story truly expands. On top of the standard kit, you get the DJI Mic 3 Transmitter (complete with magnetic clips and windscreens), the Fill Light, a mini Tripod, the wide-angle lens, and an additional carrying bag.

If you make a living through your content, like handling brand partnerships or professional video work, this combo is a non-negotiable.

The return on investment is staggering; even after months of use, I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of its capabilities.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The Osmo Pocket 4 has transcended the typical “vlogging camera” label.

It has become a legitimate replacement for a smartphone camera for those who want to document their lives with the precision of a professional production crew. This tool pushes the “main character” narrative to its peak, allowing you to record your best life even when the journey requires being alone.

I relate to this device deeply because I am a “multi-purpose” friend: I’m down for anything, and I can handle anything. The Osmo Pocket 4 mirrors that versatility. It’s an expert at capturing life’s fragments, documenting your personal projects, and producing the kind of high-stakes videos people actually want to watch.

For its ability to turn everyday behavior into cinema, the Osmo Pocket 4 is a Super Swipe Right and earns the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

There is no reason to Swipe Left unless you are specifically looking for the rugged durability of an action camera or the granular technical control of a mirrorless setup.

But even then, you’d be missing the point. The Pocket 4 isn’t a device you choose instead of others; it’s the tool you pick to fill the gaps in your arsenal.

I work with a mirrorless camera, a 360 action camera, and an Osmo Nano, but the Pocket 4 has found its unique place in my routine. It’s a matter of fitting the technology into your life until it serves its true purpose: making your story feel real.

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The Osmo Pocket 4 Standard Combo retails for PhP 28,990, while the Creator Combo is priced at PhP 37,490.

There are days when work feels light.

Not because there’s less to do, but because everything just flows. Emails get answered quickly. Ideas come together without much friction. Writing feels natural. Even distractions — the occasional Instagram story check, a song on repeat — don’t completely derail the rhythm.

That’s the kind of flow I tried to build around the HONOR MagicPad4.

For the first week, I used it as a primary mobile work device. Emails, drafts, notes — everything went through the tablet. To its credit, it held up better than expected.

But by the second week, something changed.

Not because it couldn’t keep up. But because it found a different role.

The screen that keeps pulling you back

The MagicPad4 makes a strong first impression the moment you pick it up.

At just 4.8mm thin and 450g, it feels incredibly light for something with a 12.3-inch 3K OLED display running at 165Hz.

And that display is the reason it keeps finding its way back into my hands.

It’s sharp, vibrant, and smooth — the kind of screen that makes everything look just a little better than expected. With 5280Hz PWM dimming and eye comfort features, it’s also easy to use for long stretches without feeling strained.

By week two, the MagicPad4 had quietly become my default second screen.

On my desk, it’s always on — opening reference tabs, playing something in the background. In bed, it’s the screen I reach for without thinking. It’s not replacing my main devices, but it’s constantly supporting them.

And honestly, calling it a “second screen” almost undersells it.

It just happens to be the best one within reach.

Good enough when you need to get work done

That said, it’s not like the MagicPad4 can’t handle actual work.

During that first week, I used it to reply to emails and draft notes for several reviews. Paired with the keyboard, it’s surprisingly capable.

Typing feels good enough for longer sessions, and with Auto PC Mode and multi-window support, it behaves more like a lightweight computer when needed.

Performance hasn’t been an issue either. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, paired with a 10,100mAh battery and 66W charging, keeps everything running smoothly throughout the day.

Work gets done here. Just not always where it naturally stays.

The parts that don’t quite match

The longer you use it, though, the more you start to notice the gaps.

There’s no fingerprint scanner — a small but curious omission on a device that leans into productivity.

Then there’s the accessories.

The keyboard is usable. It gets the job done. But it doesn’t quite match the feel of the tablet itself. There’s a slight disconnect between how premium the tablet feels and how basic the accessory comes across.

More importantly, the ecosystem feels limited.

Compared to tablets from brands like Xiaomi, which offer a fuller range of accessories — from multiple keyboard options to simple folio cases — the MagicPad4 feels a bit constrained.

That wouldn’t matter as much if third-party options were widely available. But outside of iPads, that kind of ecosystem is still rare.

In my case, I ended up picking up a Moft Magnetic Vertical Stand just to prop it up the way I wanted.

There is a stylus available too, which is great for those who use one regularly. It’s just not something I personally reach for.

None of these are dealbreakers. But they do shape how far the tablet can go beyond being an excellent everyday screen.

Now playing

A lot of my time with the MagicPad4 eventually shifted toward watching. This is where it really shines.

I watched The Copenhagen Test and Caddo Lake on HBO Max — both with noticeably darker, gloomier settings. The kind where weaker displays tend to flatten everything out.

That never really happened here.

Somehow, each and every scene still looked great. Details held up. Contrast stayed intact. It didn’t matter if it was a dimly lit interior or a wide outdoor shot — the display consistently delivered.

I also used it to catch up on Season 2 of Frieren — just to add a bit more color to my viewing. And it delivered there too. Brighter scenes pop, motion stays smooth, and everything feels clean and easy to watch.

Then there are the lighter moments. Like watching way too many ITZY Ryujin fancams.

On this screen, she looks borderline ethereal. Colors pop, motion stays smooth, and everything just feels a little more alive.

Pair that with the tablet’s eight-speaker setup with spatial audio, and you’ve got an experience that’s more immersive than you’d expect from something this thin.

And while working, I had Sponge Cola’s “Tempura” on repeat. It was just that kind of mood that week.

The earbuds that don’t quite keep up

Then there’s the HONOR Earbuds 4.

On paper, they check all the right boxes. Dual drivers, spatial audio, and up to 50dB hybrid active noise cancellation. They’re clearly built to be an everyday companion.

But in actual use, they just don’t hold up — especially if you’re used to better audio.

Switching to something like the Galaxy Buds4 Pro while playing the exact same track on the same app makes the difference immediately obvious.

It’s night and day.

The Earbuds 4 sound fine. But that’s about it.

And at this point, “fine” isn’t really enough — especially when there are better options even below the USD 200 range.

They do get the basics right. ANC is solid, and battery life can stretch up to 46 hours with the case, which makes them convenient for everyday use.

But sound quality is still the main reason you reach for a pair of earbuds.

And here, they fall short.

Making light work — in its own way

The idea of a lightweight setup still holds.

The HONOR MagicPad4 delivers — just not necessarily in the way you might expect at first.

It may not fully replace your main work device. But it becomes something you use constantly. A screen that’s always within reach. One that makes everything from quick tasks to late-night viewing feel just a little better.

The HONOR Earbuds 4, on the other hand, feel more optional than essential. They work. They’re convenient. But they don’t elevate the experience in the same way. But maybe that’s the takeaway.

Some devices try to be everything. Others simply find their place.

The MagicPad4 does the latter — and in doing so, makes light work of your day.

You might just want better earbuds to go with it.

Like it or not, Chinese phone makers are unstoppable when it comes to unleashing smartphones beyond 5000mAh.

The latest brand to hop in is none other than TECNO with the POVA Curve 2 — currently the world’s slimmest 8000mAh smartphone.

Cyber-sthetic coolness

While the TECNO POVA Curve 2 isn’t as ambitious as other smartphones with flashy RGB / white light strips, LED matrix, or specific gaming detailing, it looks cool nonetheless.

Rocking this Mystic Purple colorway, its vibrancy is the perfect contrast to the minute black and orange elements all around.

If this isn’t ideal for your taste, there are also the Melting Silver and Storm Titanium color choices.

Looking closely, the lower right part is not an actual cutout that shows its internals. It’s more like a decal of some sort. Still, it makes the overall design as balanced as possible.

That goes along with its cyborg-looking (or starship-inspired, as they say) camera hump at the upper left corner. Thus, a cool-looking phone with cyber aesthetics — or cyber-sthetic in my vocab.

My fascination doesn’t end there.

With a thinness of a mere 7.42mm, I wasn’t kidding when I said this is the slimmest 8000mAh smartphone you can buy right now. As of this writing, it still is.

Other 8000mAh smartphones all range between 7.8mm to 8mm: OPPO K15 Pro+, realme Neo8, HONOR 500 series, nubia RedMagic 11 Pro. The list is short but it keeps growing.

While it’s not as record-breaking as the 5.93mm TECNO Slim, it still proves that TECNO’s consistent innovation push can lead you to making consumer products like this.

When held, the TECNO POVA Curve 2 has a solid yet justifiable heft to it.

Even with such thinness, it’s not super slippery. There’s enough grip to make you hold it for prolonged periods without actually dropping it.

But, in case you drop it, set your worries aside as it’s rated for SGS 5-Star Drop Resistance alongside an IP64 rating. Flipping to its front then reveals its Gorilla Glass 7i protection by Corning.

Now Playing: YENA, LATENCY

Recently, YENA’s latest “Catch Catch” has been playing in my mind non-stop — both the song and her visuals alike.

From that cat get-up reminiscent of T-ARA’s Bo Peep Bo Peep to IU’s iconic red dress in Good Day, it totally brings back the nostalgic 2009 look of the 2nd gen K-Pop I’ve witnessed in my teenage years.

The same can be said with the display of the TECNO POVA Curve 2.

While most brands have already moved over to flat displays, TECNO isn’t totally done with it. They are still keeping those dual-curved edge screens of the last generation.

For its class, it’s more than capable especially that it is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel after all.

Colors pop with crisper details. That’s courtesy of its Full HD+ display resolution, 1.07 Billion Colors support, plus a 429ppi pixel density. It’s sufficiently bright outdoors too capping at 4500 nits.

Such nostalgia also reminded me that some of my 4th-gen K-Pop faves got reunited in the newer 5th gen by forming an all-new girl band dubbed as “LATENCY” with the same debut song title.

ICYMI, it’s composed of LOONA’s Hyunjin alongside three cignature ex-members: Jeewon (now ZZONE), YeAh (now Haeun), and Semi. That’s also the group where Hyeonju (UNIS) belonged to.

Enough geeking out. Even if we’re already bombarded by a lot of midrangers nowadays with oh-so-thin-bezels, this display won’t disappoint you.

Those curved edges with moderately-sized bezels are more than enough to make one mesmerized. It also won’t get in the way of your day-to-day usage.

On Queue: Archive. 1 by WOODZ

Content consumption doesn’t stop there.

I’m also invested to the latest full album of WOODZ (or Cho Seungyoun if you knew him way back in X1 — or as a contestant in PRODUCE X 101 the way I did).

While he’s popularly known for his all-around versatility in the K-Pop world, the soloist leaning more into rock just means I can test out the Lossless quality of his latest album in a great measure.

Much like most smartphones in this price point, its stereo speakers are loud to fill in those banging bathroom sessions. I felt the emotions most when I played CINEMA, GLASS, and STOP THAT.

That said, having Dolby Atmos doesn’t mean a fuller sound output. Like what I have experienced in my TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra review, sound is loud yet not separated enough to highlight the highs, mids, and the deeper bass altogether.

More so, not enough distinction of WOODZ’s power vocals against the rich rhythm of his band instruments — especially in Human Extinction, Bloodline, and The Spark.

Fortunately, the POVA Curve 2 natively supports Hi-Res Wireless Audio. This means I get to fully enjoy the feature whenever I connect my wireless earphones and headphones that also support LDAC.

Peak performance

The TECNO POVA Curve 2 is one of the very few handsets that rock MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 SoC. That’s alongside the HONOR 600 Lite and Infinix NOTE Edge.

A chipset nestled in the middle of Dimensity 6500 and 7400 series means gaming performance isn’t as extreme as what you get in the 8- and 9-series.

Still, playing Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM) was easy-peasy. It can run High settings with frame rate set at the Max level. It’s more enjoyable especially that this phone possesses 144Hz refresh rate.

The more demanding Racing Master I love playing runs in Standard resolution + 30fps frame rate by default.

Overriding it to higher setting results to some game stutters — even when Performance Mode under High Boost gaming is enabled.

The opposite happens with the rest of apps. You can multitask and breeze through ’em without hiccups.

Thanks to the newer HiOS 16, overall UI experience felt smoother, faster, and more intuitive.

I also love how there’s a special skin on top of it. A cool way to differentiate it from the usual SPARK and CAMON series.

Of course, TECNO’s AI Tools weren’t left behind: Ella, Translation and Document Assistants, AI Writing, Note, Recording Summary, and many more in the list.

The POVA Curve 2 also promises connectivity in greater heights (literally and figuratively).

Not only is it the world’s first triple chipset smartphone, it’s also the first one to feature 20 5G bands.

As someone who’s living in an area where data reception can still be spotty, I can definitely attest that the POVA Curve 2 has the better network coverage compared to most smartphones.

Case in point: In a certain area of a transportation terminal I go to, the POVA Curve 2 detects 5G+ network with full signal bars. Whereas, the iPhone 13 Pro Max I have is only limited to a one-bar 4G / LTE.

The vivo X300 Pro I daily drive? Full bars but only limited to 4G+.

This totally makes the TECNO POVA Curve 2 ideal for being connected in crowded areas or even against building blind spots.

Assurance to endurance

As mentioned many times in this write-up, the TECNO POVA Curve 2 boasts a monstrous 8000mAh battery in it.

It’s a smartphone that’s really hard to kill. It reminds me of those corrupt government leaders who are still alive and kicking even after 20 years of bad service.

Sentiments aside, I’ve installed all the gaming resources for an hour and played for another hour. In other midrangers, that means a significant 20% decrease.

TECNO’s POVA Curve 2 only managed to shed around 8~10%.

Another example: Playing WOODZ’s album for 49 minutes accounted for only a 3% decrease — from 9% down to 7%.

I then played my 2.5-hour-long girl-group studded playlist:

Shockingly, the phone lasted up ’til CHUU’s XO, My Cyberlove before it ultimately died down. That’s 33 out of the 52 songs in the playlist I curated.

Additionally, the POVA Curve 2 lasts for more than a week when left in standby.

The POCO X8 Pro Max I held with an even bigger 8500mAh tank inside it can only last up to 4 days when untouched. The culprit? Its ever-plagued HyperOS.

This further justifies that TECNO’s revamped OS is more power-efficient compared to previous versions that drained battery a lot.

To save one’s battery anxiety, 45W wired charging is here. While it’s not the fastest out there, it’s definitely doable for under 1.5 hours.

My GadgetMatch Charge Test proves that compared to the TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra I held a month ago.

	TECNO POVA Curve 2 8000mAh 45W Hyper Charge	TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra 6500mAh 45W Hyper Charge
START TIME (From 0%)	8:16AM	4:34PM
3 minutes	3%	4%
5 minutes	6%	6%
10 minutes	11%	12%
15 minutes	16%	21%
20 minutes	24%	30%
30 minutes	34%	43%
45 minutes	51%	65%
1 hour	69%	85%
1 hour 15 minutes	86%	99%
1 hour 30 minutes	97%	—
END TIME	9:50AM 1 hour 34 minutes	5:51PM 1 hour 16 minutes

Settled snapper

Despite that futuristic camera cutout, the POVA Curve 2 only has a single 50MP snapper.

I can somehow say the quality is decent for what you get. That’s evident whenever you take photos in broad daylight.

I value how TECNO included the versatility of 23mm, 28mm, and 35mm focal length through a series of taps.

That main camera is also responsible for 2x zoomed shots through in-sensor cropping.

As obvious as it seems, this has been my most used mode more than 1x.

47mm is also the perfect focal length I consider for food shots.

The bokeh falloff looks right without looking too abrupt.

It can even capture way beyond its means through digital zoom (plus AI magic after the fact).

Albeit, the lack of an ultra-wide lens means you either have to back up to get your desired shot — or ditch it altogether.

While the camera preview struggles when shooting indoors, the quality turned out to be decent after all.

For low-light scenes, Super Night Mode helps take better snaps.

Just don’t expect an outstanding quality — especially in 2x with grain presence when you crop in.

Before I forget, here’s a macro shot of a flower — just to prove that the extra 2MP macro camera has some purpose.

Is the TECNO POVA Curve 2 your GadgetMatch?

With prices of INR 27,999 and INR 29,999 for the 8+256GB and 12+256GB configurations respectively, the TECNO POVA Curve 2 is one among the ideal budget midrangers you can buy today.

In other regions, there’s even a 12+256GB model with pricing yet to be announced.

Swipe Left if you are the type of user who prioritizes gaming or camera needs.

But, for all things considered, the TECNO POVA Curve 2 is still a Swipe Right.

Its all-around versatility will still satisfy most users — especially those who want stylish aesthetics, bright and vivid display, plus performance decency at its core.

While other midrangers in the same range offer better specs such as a faster chipset or speedier wired charging, I can assure you that nothing beats its overall battery endurance.

The TECNO POVA Curve 2 is the truest definition of a battery champ.

More so, the aggressive network feats that cannot be achieved by other phones — regardless if they are in the same league or the class-leading flagships.

If only it had eSIM support and a larger 512GB storage, this would be an ideal smartphone to take with you as a frequent traveler. More so, a digital nomad.

Stopping at nothing

Let me get this straight. TECNO isn’t the first phone maker to bring in an 8000mAh smartphone to the table.

Still, the Chinese brand truly amazes me. In just a span of a year (or even less), TECNO has done drastic battery boosting among most (if not all) of their phones.

The first POVA Curve model from May 2025 already had an ample 5500mAh battery. In just nine months, they added 2500mAh more despite having almost the same thinness as its predecessor.

This justifies TECNO’s “Stop at Nothing” mantra — a true feat of engineering and a continuous strive for innovation, whereas brands like Samsung, a major tech component supplier, can’t even do the same, putting them to shame.

Their S Ultra models have been stuck in the same 5000mAh situation from 2020 up until this 2026 — that’s six years of consistency for the wrong reason.

It’s clearly a long overdue matter that was swept under the rug. But, maybe, they’re still trying to play it too safe. They want us to remember how the Galaxy Note7 fiasco shook the tech space a decade ago.

I just hope that we don’t have to deal with the same situation ever again — especially when everyone goes cray cray over this capacity craze.