Smartphones

All the foldable phones and how much you have to flex to get each one

A lot of $$$, basically

Published

February 27, 2019

Isa Rodriguez

We’re entering another technological era: The time of foldable smartphones. And no, I’m not talking about flip phones, no matter how cool those sound.

If you’re as confused as I am, this is all you need to know: For years, tech folks have been obsessed with foldable phones — with Samsung showing off a concept as early as 2014 — but it’s never really happened until this year.

All the bendy innovation comes at a price, though, that brings the famously expensive iPhone XS Max to shame. But, since price has never stopped anyone from liking weird stuff, I’ve rounded up all the foldable phones and added how much you’ll have to shell out to get one.

Royole FlexPai

Talk about beating the big tech companies to the punch, Royole launched the first-ever commercially available folding smartphone in China.

At this year’s CES, Royole showcased a folding phone that features a bendable display. The FlexPai wasn’t the only interesting flexible screen display application we saw from Royole.

Even better than the @RoyoleOfficial FlexPai? This awesome Royole purse fitted with a screen that can match your every mood 🤩 #CES2019 pic.twitter.com/rMn0DJHjm2

— Isa Rodriguez (@sisasaid) January 12, 2019

Not really surprised, though. This is the same company marketing a screen-fitted top hat for US$ 900 — which, TBH, is sort of worth it. 😂

Of course we have the #FlexPai foldable phone for you to touch & feel at our booth, but our flexible wearables are also here to entertain you! Hall 3, booth 3K33. #futurehat #MWC2019 pic.twitter.com/4ezo2f2mFC

— Royole Europe (@Royole_Europe) February 25, 2019

Cost: US$ 1,200 or just US$ 250 shy of that iPhone XS Max. If you think that’s expensive, oh, you have no idea.

Samsung Galaxy Fold

When Samsung finally unveiled its foldable phone at this year’s MWC, it was a 7.3-inch tablet that turns into a 4.3-inch phone by folding inward.

In case you missed it, @SamsungMobile unfolded the future #GalaxyFold #Unpacked pic.twitter.com/kGSmuKU0Fp

— GadgetMatch (@gadgetmatch) February 21, 2019

It has a total of six cameras on three different areas (there are so many phone sides now 😅).

Cost: US$ 1,980 or just about two reasonably priced 2018 smartphone flagships, because why get one phone when you can get yourself one that bends. 🤯

Huawei Mate X

Huawei’s entry into the foldable phone race folds outward and utilizes a bar on the back side for triple-camera Leica shooters.

It’s an 8-inch tablet that turns into a phone with a 6.6-inch front screen and a 6.38-inch back screen.

Cost: EUR 2,299 or around US$ 2,600 which is exactly the amount of money I do not have for a smartphone. Fun fact, the same price tag will get you two and a half Louis Vuitton Speedy Monogram bags or around 24 bottles of Moet.

OPPO foldable prototype

Not to be outdone and in true “if you can do it, we can do it, too!” fashion, OPPO also showed off a foldable device which looks a whole lot like Huawei’s Mate X.

Cost: Not coming to market… yet. OPPO admits that the cost of this phone is way too much for such a small market — finally, real talk from a multi-billion yuan company. 😅

TCL’s DragonHinge phones

Not to be outdone, TCL showcased a folding phone, well, sort of.

TCL unveiled the DragonHinge, which is a mechanism that will allow for even more foldable phones.

Cost: Phones with DragonHinge come with a 2020 shipping date so you can at least hold on to your cash until then.

LG V50 ThinQ with a case which is also technically something that folds

LG hasn’t jumped on the foldable screen bandwagon but instead offers a foldable phone option with their Dual Screen case. It’s literally an accessory that turns your single-screened V50 into a foldable phone with double screens — perfect for those who can’t commit to these flexy phones.

Cost: No pricing yet, but surely a phone and a phone case would cost less than 24 bottles of Moet?

ZTE Nubia Alpha Wearable, basically a phone bent around your wrist

So sure, these phones fold, but what if your flex is more of a bend than a fold? Worry not, dear reader, 2019 tech has you covered.

Here’s a new tech you can wear! #NubiaAlpha pic.twitter.com/yJ43gMSIno

— GadgetMatch (@gadgetmatch) February 26, 2019

ZTE’s Nubia Alpha wearable is sort of a smartwatch but is also almost a smartphone. It can house a 4G eSIM which means you can use it to call and text without pairing it to a phone!

Cost: EUR 549 for the basic 4G eSIM version, but there’s a luxxe 18-karat gold-coated version that retails for EUR 649.

Related Topics:Huawei Huawei Mate X LG LG V50 ThinQ OPPO Royole Royole Flexpai Samsung Samsung Galaxy Fold TCL TCL DrangonHinge

News

Qualcomm is raising its prices this year

Will the price of smartphones follow suit?

Published

July 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The price of technology isn’t fun these days. Because of the ongoing RAM shortage wrought by AI, companies across the industry are raising the prices of their products. Some, however, are still willing to shoulder the burden for their customers. Unfortunately, Qualcomm is soon leaving that list.

As reported by Bloomberg, Qualcomm will raise the prices of its products starting in September. Though the exact figure is unknown, the company did confirm that it’s in the double digits, percentage-wise. According to them, they can no longer shoulder the costs for its customers.

If you’re just a regular user, Qualcomm’s prices might not mean much for you. After all, the chipmaker doesn’t make phones of its own.

That said, Qualcomm is still one of the biggest suppliers for smartphone chipsets, including those that Samsung uses. Pushing the burden from chipsets to phone manufacturers reduces one more buffer against costs being ultimately pushed to consumers.

All things considered, Samsung managed to keep its prices hikes relatively low with the latest batch of foldables. However, with chips getting more price increases, it’s still within the realm of possibility that Samsung will also increase the price of its smartphones. The same can be said for any Qualcomm-powered smartphone available today.

News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges.

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.

Philippines

OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines

Pocket Studio arrives

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

OPPO has confirmed that the Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines.

The upcoming smartphone series will introduce the company’s new Pocket Studio imaging experience alongside OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View. The launch also continues OPPO’s partnership with K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER, the brand’s global ambassadors.

Pocket Studio puts the focus on photography

OPPO positions the Reno16 Series 5G as a camera-first smartphone. The series features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera, and Dual View Video for capturing photos and videos from multiple perspectives.

The company says these upgrades are designed to make mobile photography and content creation more versatile. Users can capture wide group selfies, detailed portraits, and creative videos without carrying dedicated camera gear.

OPPO Bubble brings remote camera controls

A standout feature is OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View.

The new feature lets users pair the Reno16 Series 5G with compatible OPPO devices. From there, they can preview the camera feed remotely and trigger the shutter wirelessly.

This also allows users to frame selfies and group photos using the phone’s rear cameras while viewing the composition from another device. OPPO says the feature makes it easier to capture everyone in the frame without relying on timers.