Lifestyle
Samsung Galaxy J7+ hands-on review
Samsung’s firm belief in the saying “the more, the merrier” stands true as yet another phone is launched under the J7 banner. This saying also applies to the number of cameras on their phones: The Samsung Galaxy J7+ is Samsung’s second dual-camera phone and this time, you don’t have to shell out US$ 1,000 to own it.
The phone looks good
With a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, the Galaxy J7+’s screen wows.
This also means you get an Always On display which can be pretty useful, TBH.
The screen is bright and the images look crisp. The phone is pretty responsive — it does well for a midrange phone — though it’s obviously not as snappy as flagship devices, but that is to be expected.
And it feels good, too
It has a good weight and an aluminum body which means it’s a delight to hold — I don’t like light and plastic-y phones as they usually tend to feel cheap.
Speaker grilles are still at that spot we love
That spot is at the top-right side of the phone, above the power button.
Marvin and Dan have raved about this speaker placement, but I never really appreciated it until I used the phone. Clear audio all the way, and no issues with accidentally covering speakers way up there, even when I’m on the phone while lying in bed.
Still pretty old school with a micro-USB and (yay!) audio jack
It’s 2017 and while I’d love to see USB-C in new devices, it’s still pretty common for more affordable phones such as the Galaxy J7+ to have a micro-USB port.
The chin of the phone houses a physical home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner which unlocks the phone in a second. There are two capacitive buttons (back and recent apps) to the sides of the home button.
More choices with a dual-SIM slot
Again, the more the merrier! Two nano-SIM cards can be inserted on the phone, with one convertible slot that can house a microSD card for added storage as much as 256GB.
The volume buttons are on the top-right of the phone.
Of course, there’s the dual-cam rear setup
The rear packs 13- and 5-megapixel shooters, the latter camera designed to capture depth on photos.
Here are a few test shots:
The Galaxy J7+ cameras prove to be very capable with photos coming out with great color and detail in normal daylight scenarios.
The phone was even able to capture my dog in this pose — and doggies are rarely very still!
Another new feature that comes to the Galaxy J7+ is its Live Focus view, which allows you to adjust the bokeh or blur on a particular photo during or even after the photo had been taken. I’ve tried this mode on the Galaxy Note 8 and it’s a pretty fun feature!
Unfortunately, because this is a pre-production unit and some bugs are to be expected, I wasn’t able to try the mode out on this phone. The photos I took were tagged as “processing,” and this went on for a long time. After 30 minutes of waiting, I still couldn’t edit or open them.
The selfie camera is cool, too
This phone’s front-facing camera is a 16-megapixel shooter and has a built-in beauty mode which allows you to slim down your face, smoothen it out, adjust skin tone, or even increase your eye size.
There are also bundled stamps and stickers that make for the cutest selfies, and if you’re not impressed, well then you’re missing out on some serious millennial fun. I will never tire of these Samsung filters!
Here are more sample shots from the front and rear cameras:
All other things worth noting
The Samsung Galaxy J7+ is powered by a MediaTek Helio P20 processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. I had no issues running multiple apps and games that aren’t so heavy, like Stranger Things and Plants vs Zombies, played smoothly. A single charge on its 3000mAh battery lasted me a whole day’s worth of use.
At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy J7+ is good for what it is: a midrange smartphone with good cameras on it.
This dual-camera phone comes at a way cheaper price point than the other dual-camera Samsung alternative (the Galaxy Note 8), but it’s worth noting that there are other phones in the market with specs that rival this for even less.
For those who know and love the Samsung brand, however, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re looking for a Samsung smartphone and only a Samsung, this may be the dual-cam handset for you.
The Samsung Galaxy J7+ retails for PhP 19,990 in the Philippines and THB 12,900 in Thailand.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy J7+ launches in the Philippines
[irp posts=”21809″ name=”Samsung’s Galaxy J7+ ad will give you all the feels”]
Haven’t planned your international vacations yet? Great news for Filipino travelers: AirAsia MOVE’s ASEAN Explorer Pass just got a lot cheaper. Until April 30, the pass is available for a promo price of PhP 13,488. That’s PhP 1,400 cheaper than its original cost of PhP 14,888. To avail of the pass, simply download the AirAsia MOVE app here.
The ASEAN Explorer Pass offers Southeast Asians a cheaper and simpler way to explore more destinations within the region. When subscribed to the pass, travelers will unlimited enjoy zero-base fares on international ASEAN flights to Bangkok (Thailand), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Moreover, they will be able to enjoy unlimited use of an exclusive promo code to save up to 50% on all hotel bookings, as well as AirAsia ride perks. There are also free AirAsia ride trips from KLIA Terminals 1 and 2.
So, if you haven’t availed of the pass and happen to be thinking of traveling to Southeast Asian destinations, now is definitely a great time to avail. Kuala Lumpur also happens to be AirAsia’s “central hub,” meaning connecting flights almost always passes through KLIA 1 and 2. This means if you plan on traveling to nearby countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the ASEAN Explorer Pass is definitely one way to save on fares.
The low-cost airline’s digital arm released the Asean Pass last March, taking off from a previous promo called the airasia Super+. According to AirAsia MOVE’s December 2022 data, 80,000 international flights were redeemed and flown in a year from the Super+ offer, allowing travelers to save an average of PhP 17,900.
Entertainment
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes showing on May 8
The 4th film under the reboot franchise
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is coming to Philippine cinemas on May 8 for IMAX, 4DX, and 2D. It is the fourth installment of the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise, and the sequel to 2017’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
The upcoming action sci-fi is directed by Wes Ball. It features a new timeline where the apes are the dominant species. It is set several generations after Caesar’s reign. For those who have followed the reboot trilogy, the film’s story is set up by the simple question “What has happened since Caesar’s death?”
Proximus Caesar, played by Kevin Durand, is the apes’ new leader in “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” In this timeline, humans have also regressed into primitive beings. Yet, things aren’t going smoothly for the apes. Proximus is apparently thirsty for power. He is determined to do everything to conquer the entire world, even if that means wreaking havoc on human species.
That’s where young chimpanzee hunter Noa (Owen Teague) and wise orangutan Raka (Peter Macon) conspire to uncover the truth behind Proximus’ unvirtuous intents. Noa will eventually meet a feral human named Mae (Freya Allan). Mae is being hunted by Proximus’ forces for her intelligence.
When Noa finds out that Proximus has been brainstorming everyone, he resents and tries to lead others in a battle to preserve the future for both apes and humans.
Entertainment
May 2024 movie checklist: Back to Black, The Fall Guy, IF, more
Plan your next movie trip
Summer season has been nothing short of scorching hot so far. One of the best ways to cool down? Sit comfortably inside a cozy cinema and enjoy watching a movie. To help you plan your next movie trip with friends, family, your loved ones, or even just alone, here are May 2024’s upcoming titles.
There are lots of movies to choose from, covering different genres like action thriller, comedy, horror, and drama. from family-friendly comedies to nerve-wracking horrors, from an Amy Winehouse biopic to the latest installment in a popular franchise, May 2024’s lineup has it all.
Feel free to chow down on popcorn and flush it with ice-cold soda if you want to.
The Fall Guy (May 1)
Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and Stephanie Hsu team up for an action comedy film loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name.
Gosling plays protagonist Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman who has endured a near career-ending accident. Colt’s ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, is played by Blunt. Moreno is working with Taylor-Johnson’s character Tom Ryder for her directorial debut. However, Tom goes missing, and that’s where Colt volunteers to find the actor whom he apparently had also doubled a long time ago.
SEE ALSO: The Fall Guy kicks off Ryan Gosling’s post-Ken life to a great start
Tarot (May 1)
Filipino-American Jacob Batalon returns to the big screen, this time headlining a supernatural horror film. His character is part of a college group of friends, including Avantika, Harriet Slater, and Adain Bradley.
Like how most horror film stories develop, the group commits a reckless mistake when they violate the sacred rule of Tarot readings. Unknowingly, they unleash unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.
IF (May 15)
Real-life couple John Krasinski (writer, director) and Emily Blunt are back, this time exchanging thriller for a family-friendly live-action comedy. They are joined by a star-studded ensemble that includes Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carell, George Cloonney, Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper, and Blake Lively.
IF is about Blunt’s character who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends. She embarks on a magical adventure with that power to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids.
Monkey Man (May 15)
Dev Patel, who played Jamal in the revered Slumdog Millionaire film, makes his directorial debut in this action thriller. Monkey Man is about a man’s quest for vengeance against corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and victimize the poor and powerless.
Also the main protagonist Kid, Patel takes on the role of a vengeful monkey mask-wearing grown up who wants to exact revenge on Baba Shakti. As Monkey Man is also co-produced by Patel, it features a predominantly Indian cast in key roles in a story set in the South Asian country.
Back to Black (May 15, Ayala exclusive)
Back to Black is a celebration of the most iconic homegrown star of the 21st century. The film chronicles the life and music of the late Amy Winehouse. Viewers will get to know more about Winehouse’s family background, her path to success, as well as her demons. Marisa Abela stars as Winehouse in the powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 22)
The fifth installment of the Mad Max franchise takes viewers back in time with a spin-off and prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. The film puts focus on a young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy). She is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa needs to survive many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland.
The Garfield Movie (May 29)
Lastly, everyone’s favorite Monday-hating, lasagna-loving cat is back for another outdoor adventure. Voiced by Chris Pratt, Garfield has a new journey to undergo in this animated film. This, after an unexpected reunion with his father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson). The fresh new story puts more focus on Garfield, Odie, and Vic, instead of him with Jon and Liz.
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