Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy A56, A36 brings Awesome Intelligence

AI for less

Published

March 2, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

It’s always a good thing when features introduced in flagship models make their way to devices with a more approachable price point. That’s the story of the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36.

Recently, Samsung unveiled the new Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36. For the first time, the midrange lineup is getting Awesome Intelligence, Samsung’s take on AI-based software. Pair it with Samsung’s impressive hardware, and you have the makings of a promising midrange smartphone.

A throng of improvements under the hood

Compared to last year’s Exynos 1480, the Galaxy A56 gets a more impressive Exynos 1580 chipset. The new processor promises 12 percent better NPU performance, 17 percent GPU performance, and 18 percent better CPU performance, opposite the Exynos 1480.

On the other hand, the Galaxy A36 has the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, which provides an 8 percent better CPU performance compared to the Exynos 1380.

They will have a slightly larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. To maximize entertainment, they are capable of up to 1200 nits of brightness and Dolby Atmos.

As for cameras, both the Galaxy A56 and the A36 will have a 50-megapixel OIS (f/1.8) main camera capable of HDR video capturing and a 5-megapixel f/2.4 macro lens. However, the Galaxy A56 will have a 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, as opposed to the Galaxy A36’s 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide lens.

Both models will have a 5000mAh battery, compatible with 45W fast charging. Samsung says that the battery will charge to full in just 68 minutes.

Awesome Intelligence is for everyone

Samsung is touting that the new midrange devices will bring AI to everyone. The Galaxy A series will get a host of features that should prove useful for everyone.

For one, both models will get AI Select. Using the feature, both phones can automatically select information on the screen. It can select text, copy phone numbers, or even turn videos into GIFs.

Best Face, another new AI-based feature, will automatically select the best faces in a batch of selfies and groufies you took.

Price, availability

Exclusive to the online store, the 8GB+128GB variants of the Galaxy A36 and the A36 will cost you PhP 19,990 and PhP 23,990, respectively.

On the other hand, the 8GB+256GB variant will cost PhP 21,990 for the Galaxy A36 and PhP 25,990 for the Galaxy A56.

Related Topics:Galaxy A36 Galaxy A56 Samsung

News

OPPO Find X9 now available through Smart Postpaid, Infinity

OPPO’s latest flagship has triple Hasselblad cameras, more advanced features

Published

December 6, 2025

GadgetMatch

The flagship OPPO Find X9 is now available through Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity plans for customers in the Philippines.

Subscribers can get the device through Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999 and Smart Infinity Device Plans 5000/8000.

Here are the inclusions:

Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999 (PhP 32,500 one-time cashout)

15GB data
Unli 5G data for 12 months
Unli AllNet Calls & Texts
Unli Landline Calls
Access to Smart Postpaid Perks
Extra 30GB free data for 6 months
Free Landers Premium Membership (for eligible subscribers)
PhP 1,000 worth of shopping GCs (Dec. 6 to 12 only for new line)

Infinity Device Plan 5000 (PhP 7,200 one-time cashout)

Unlimited data
Unli calls and texts
PhP 1,500 monthly consumables for in-app purchases, content subscriptions, more
1GB roaming for 5 days/month
Personalized assistance
24/7 dedicated personal account manager
More exclusive lifestyle perks and privileges

Infinity Device Plan 8000 (device is complimentary)

Unli data, calls, and texts
PhP 3,000 monthly consumables
2GB roaming for 7 days/month
Personalized assistance
24/7 dedicated personal account manager
More exclusive lifestyle perks and privileges

As an exclusive launch offer, in-store subscribers will also receive a complimentary DJI Osmo Mobile SE stabilizer.

The Smart website also shows that the Find X9 is bundled with a free Enco Buds3 Pro.

Flagship find

The OPPO Find X9 features a triple Hasselblad camera system powered by OPPO’s all-new LUMO Image Engine.

It has three 50MP cameras at the back — one rear, one telephoto, and one ultra-wide — as well as a 32MP front camera.

OPPO’s latest flagship handset is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor. It has a 16GB+512GB configuration and a massive 7,025mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC and 50W AIRVOOC charging.

In front is a 6.59-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with a remarkable 95.4% screen-to-body ratio, 1,800 nits HBM brightness, 100% DCI-P3, and 460ppi pixel density.

News

iPhone Air has the worst resale value for Apple in years, report says

One variant has reportedly lost 47.7 percent in value.

Published

December 5, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

An iPhone is not an easy purchase to make. After you spend your hard-earned cash on one, you’re also likely thinking about how much you can resell the phone for. Still, even if it’s used, an iPhone can still fetch a decent price… unless, apparently, if you own an iPhone Air.

The iPhone Air is the latest non-typical addition to Apple’s iconic flagships. Compared to the mainline series, the Air is much thinner but still capable of delivering the Apple experience. Unfortunately, the model might end up being the brand’s biggest misfire.

According to SellCell (via GSM Arena), the iPhone Air has had the worst depreciation in value after ten weeks. Averaging all three variants, the model now averages a 44.3 percent loss of value in the resale market. Worst of all is the 1TB variant which has lost 47.7 percent of its resale value already.

In comparison, the entire iPhone 17 lineup averages a loss of only 34.6 percent. The iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB variant, in fact, only lost 26.1 percent.

Based on the report’s findings, the iPhone Air’s sudden drop is the worst one since 2022. This is unlikely to be a nitpicked chart, too. Previous reports have speculated that Apple is not bringing back the Air next year because of poor sales.

News

Infinix partners with Ferrari designer for NOTE 60 Ultra

Published

December 4, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Smartphones always do well when they ink a partnership with a car-related brand. Remember how amazing it always looks when Porsche or BMW get involved with anything in the smartphone space. Today, Pininfarina is the next automative-adjacent brand to enter the smartphone space via Infinix.

Though you might not recognize the name “Pininfarina,” you will undoubtedly know all the big names they’re associated with. The Italian design firm is behind the designs of iconic Italian luxury cars like the Ferrari Testarossa and the Alfa Romeo Spider. Now, it’s coming to a smartphone.

Infinix, to be exact. Today, Infinix announced that it is partnering with Pininfarina for the Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra.

The brand has been on the rise lately, especially in Southeast Asia. According to IDC, the brand recently topped the quarter-on-quarter shipment increase in the region. The brand seesaws between offering affordable smartphone experiences to premium daily drivers. The NOTE 60 Ultra will be latest to join this thriving lineup.

Unfortunately, Infinix has not announced what the upcoming smartphone will look like. Pininfarina will, at least, add a nice veneer of luxury to the phone’s design.

The brand has confirmed, however, that the phone is launching in 2026. More details, including features and availability, will be released in the coming weeks.