News
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 shares top spot with iPhone 8 Plus in DxOMark
It took a while, but DxOMark finally revealed their camera performance scores for the Galaxy Note 8. The results are interesting, to say the least.
The camera testing authority gave Samsung’s latest and greatest an overall score of 94, which ties it with Apple’s iPhone 8 Plus. DxOMark says the Galaxy Note 8 is an “outstanding choice for the smartphone photography enthusiast” and that the dual-camera setup implementation is “exceptional.”
More interesting, however, are the Galaxy Note 8’s separate scores for the photo and video categories.
The Samsung handset got 100 points for photo quality, which is the highest score ever given to a smartphone and a convincing lead over the iPhone 8 Plus’ 96. But in order for the two phones to have that matching overall score, the Galaxy Note 8 garnered only 84 points for video — significantly lower than the 89 of the Apple equivalent.
In direct comparisons, the Samsung entry offers better image quality than the iPhone 8 Plus when both optical and software zoom come into play. The Galaxy Note 8 also has a more favorable application of artificial background blur on portraits. Only the limited dynamic range and somewhat lackluster optical stabilization during video mode bring the overall score down.
With the Pixel 2 launching later today, Huawei set to reveal the Mate 10 on October 16, and the iPhone X rolling out in early November, the tides could easily shift in favor of a non-Samsung or Apple phone.
If you recall, the original Pixel held the top spot for a long time after its release this time last year — only to be topped by the HTC U11 more than half a year later.
SEE ALSO: OnePlus 5 fails to meet expectations on DxOMark
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HUAWEI will officially launch the HUAWEI FreeClip 2 in the Philippines on February 19.
HUAWEI says the only Airy C-Bridge open-ear TWS earbuds is the next evolution of open-ear listening.
It is designed for users who want premium sound, all-day comfort, and a truly secure fit — not just as a cutting-edge audio wearable but also as a tech jewelry.
There are several trendy colorways: Denim Blue, Black, Rose Gold, and White. Users can also style the FreeClip 2 with interchangeable accessories, like the Star, Butterfly, Flake, and Tassel designs.
Building on the first-generation FreeClip, the FreeClip 2 introduces a lighter, softer, and new design.
The Acoustic Ball, which houses the audio driver, is contoured and weighted to sit naturally near the ear canal. This change allows directing sound precisely while maintaining an open-ear design.
The counterbalance is the Comfort Bean, a broad and soft contact surface for a stable and ergonomic fit. This rests gently behind the ear and distributes pressure across a wider area.
Meanwhile, the Airy C-Bridge design is crafted from skin-friendly liquid silicone and high-performance shape-memory alloy. It is 25% lighter and is tested to withstand 25,000 bends.
Crystal-clear calls, powerful audio
Performance wise, the FreeClip 2 boasts of clearer sound and more reliable calls in real-world environments.
It is equipped with an advanced three-microphone system, including a Voice Pick Up bone-conduction mic.
The powerful dual-diaphragm driver in a TWS design is also engineered to deliver impressive sound. Users can expect a better bass performance for fuller and more dynamic audio for music, podcasts, and even video calls.
An integrated NPU AI Processor also elevates the listening experience with precise audio processing.
With Adaptive Volume, the wearable detects ambient noise and automatically adjusts playback. Adaptive Voice Enhancement also intelligently amplifies voice based on the content being played or surrounding noise.
Other features include up to 38 hours of usage, iOS and Android compatibility, and IP57 rating.
For its Philippines release, HUAWEI is offering Early Bird Vouchers worth PhP 1,000. On Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok, customers can also get PhP 500 vouchers and two sets of accessories, as well as a one-year, one-time loss compensation service.
Events
Apple’s March 4 Event signals something BIG is coming
When Apple breaks tradition, it usually means something big
Apple is gearing up for a big announcement, and the date is set — March 4, 2026.
Invites have gone out for an in-person “Apple Experience” happening simultaneously in New York, London, and Shanghai.
Typically, Apple hosts just two major in-person events each year: WWDC in June and the iPhone launch in September, both held at its Cupertino campus.
The last time the company staged a third in-person event was in spring 2024 for what became its largest-ever iPad refresh.
In-person events are usually reserved for major product launches, fueling speculation that Apple is preparing to introduce something significant.
While the company hasn’t officially confirmed the lineup, rumors point to a new entry-level Mac laptop featuring an aluminum chassis and bright color finishes.
Noted Apple leaker Mark Gurman says the invite’s yellow, green, and blue accents match colors Apple has reportedly tested for these upcoming devices.
Worth pointing out the three colors from the invite are light green, blue and yellow — which just so happen to be the colors Apple has tested the low-cost MacBook with, as I wrote yesterday. Coincidence? We shall see. https://t.co/1FFVkfw9JZ pic.twitter.com/ssKDDzdJsw
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 16, 2026
Additional reports suggest Apple could unveil an iPhone 17e, updated iPad and iPad Air models, upgraded MacBook Pro configurations powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a refreshed Studio Display, and an enhanced version of Siri with Google Gemini integration.
Whether all of these products make an appearance remains to be seen — but if the rumors hold true, 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for Apple.
Doomscrolling is the greatest enemy to everyone’s productivity today. The temptation to keep on scrolling for hours is an ever-present temptation. Taking a very strong stance against the phenomenon, the European Commission is now investigating TikTok for having an addictive interface.
Via Politico, Brussels is now prodding TikTok to change its interface. Very technically, the European Commission is not out to get doomscrolling, specifically. However, the major changes that they want to introduce “disabling infinite scrolling, setting strict screen time breaks, and changing its recommender systems.”
App addiction is a persistent problem today. Besides concerned parents, governments around the world have been trying to regulate addiction, especially when it comes to children. The European Commission, as is apparent from this new initiative, is at the forefront of preventing addiction.
Though the target is explicitly TikTok right now, changing addictive interfaces will also affect other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Most platforms nowadays thrive on encouraging users to keep scrolling through more content.
Right now, TikTok isn’t set to change just yet. However, the report states that the European Commission is willing to work with platforms for a better, non-addictive interface. It’s less abrasive than the region’s recent privacy initiatives, which requires users to verify their age before accessing mature content.
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