News

Samsung Galaxy S21 Series now official

A few new improvements and features here and there

Published

January 14, 2021

Rodneil Quiteles

We knew it was coming, and like its predecessors, the leaks came flooding. Now, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is official. The series, like last year’s S20 is composed of three phones — the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Like the series that came before it, the Galaxy S21 series follows much of the same hierarchy in terms of size and performance. Here’s a quick look at the three phones by the numbers to get you acquainted.

Galaxy S21 Series Specs

	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S21+	Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display	6.2” Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz	6.7” Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz	6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz/4K
Processor	Snapdragon 888/ Exynos 2100 *Depending on the region
Build	Polycarbonate Plastic	Gorilla Glass Victus	Gorilla Glass Victus
RAM + ROM	Up to 8GB + 256GB	Up to 8GB + 256GB	Up to 16GB + 512GB
Battery Capacity	4000mAh 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging	4800mAh 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging	5000mAh 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging
Rear cameras	12MP Ultra Wide f/2.2 12MP Wide f/1.8 64MP Telephoto f/2.0	12MP Ultra Wide f/2.2 12MP Wide f/1.8 64MP Telephoto f/2.0	12MP Ultra wide f/2.2 108MP Wide f/1.8 10MP Telephoto1 f/2.4 10MP Telephoto2 f/4.9 Laser AF
Selfie camera	10MP f/2.2		40MP f/2.2
S Pen support	No	No	Yes Sold separately No slot for storage
Colors	Phantom Violet Phantom Pink Phantom Grey Phantom White *Varies depending on market	Phantom Violet Phantom Grey Phanton Silver Phantom Black *Varies depending on market	Phantom Silver Phantom Black

Improve Camera features

The megapixel numbers on the phones have largely stayed the same from the Galaxy S20 series. However, Samsung said the improvements they made will largely come in the software department.

Other than improving their computational photography, they have also improved and added upon features that were introduced in the Galaxy S20 series. AI has been applied to Portrait Mode — and nope, it’s no longer called Live Focus.

When shooting using the telephoto lenses, there’s now ZoomLock to aid people with shaky hands. It uses AI to help keep the shot steady and the subject in frame.

Samsung took time to develop the video taking capabilities of the Galaxy S21 series. For instance, Single Take Mode now uses AI to analyze more frames per second.

There’s 8K video recording that lets you take a high resolution photo while you’re recording. Then, there’s the Director’s View Mode that lets you do a number of things. It lets you shoot from both the front and rear cameras at the same time. It also shows you the view from the other cameras and lets you switch between them as you please.

Performance

Jury’s still out on this aspect but it should be no different than the flagships of the past. It’ll be interesting to see how the benchmarks compare between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 units and those that are equipped with the Samsung Exynos 2100 which is promising to be the largest step up for Exynos to date.

As stated on the specs sheet above, all three models have Dynamic AMOLED Display with support for 120Hz screen refresh rate for that oh so smooth viewing and scrolling experience.

S Pen support

As rumored, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will have support for the S Pen. However, unlike the Galaxy Note series, it doesn’t come bundled and does not the smartphone doesn’t have a slot to keep the S Pen tucked in. The S Pen can be bought separately for US$ 39.99.

If you’re keen on getting the S Pen, Samsung has first party cases that have a provision for the S Pen. The cases start at US$ 69.99.

No charger in the box, other things to note

After mocking Apple for removing power bricks, Samsung is doing the exact same thing. The Samsung Galaxy S21 series will also not come with power adapters.

The entire Galaxy S21 series also has UWB or Ultra Wide Band. It lets users point their phone at another Galaxy phone to send files. The feature set has been expanded to include unlocking your car with your phone.

Samsung is also launching an accessory called Smart Tags. These are trackers you can attach to your keys or your backpack. You can then use these to locate your items using the SmartThings Find App.

Pricing and availability

Starting prices are as follows:

	US	Philippines
Galaxy S21	US$ 799.99	PhP 47,990
Galaxy S21+	US$ 999.99	PhP 57,990
Galaxy S21	US$ 1,199.99	PhP 69,990

More US pricing and availability details here.

More Philippine pricing and availability details here.

News

Two new Xiaomi audio wearables join REDMI Note 15 Series

The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses and REDMI Buds 8 Lite

Published

January 15, 2026

GadgetMatch

Xiaomi has launched two new audio wearables on the same day it launched the REDMI Note 15 in the Philippines.

These two wearables are the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses and the REDMI Buds 8 Lite.

The two new offerings expand Xiaomi’s ecosystem, bringing innovative features in different form factors to users.

Mijia Smart Audio Glasses

The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses house a speaker system and four built-in microphones in a stylish eyewear design.

This enables users to stay aware of surroundings while enjoying crystal-clear audio and 4.5m/s wind noise reduction.

It is an ideal accessory for city walks, outdoor travel, and even more discreet scenarios like meetings and calls with a new privacy mode.

This mode leverages a custom algorithm to ensure clear audio while significantly reducing sound leakage.

Inside the glasses are non-coaxial steel-cased batteries. Full charging takes just about an hour, and fuels up to 13 hours of music playback.

Users can connect the wearable to the Xiaomi Glasses app for greater customization and control.

The Mijia glasses are available in three styles: Titanium, Pilot-Style, and Browline. All lenses can be replaced with prescription ones if needed.

In addition, the Browline and Titanium come with up to 25% blue light protection lenses while the Pilot-Style features up to a 99.99% UV light blocking rate.

Pricing:

Browline and Pilot-Style: Starts at PhP 10,999
Titanium: Starts at PhP 12,999

REDMI Buds 8 Lite

On the other hand, the REDMI Buds 8 Lite are built for those who seek practicality and crystal-clear sound at the same time.

The buds house large 12.4mm titanium-diaphragm drivers for clear sound and rich detail. They support Bluetooth 5.4 connection for AAC and SBC audio codecs for high-quality audio across a wide range of devices.

Moreover, the REDMI Buds 8 Lite feature up to 42dB hybrid active noise cancellation, on top of a Transparency Mode.

The ANC uses a combination of talk and feedback microphones to effectively detect and suppress ambient noise.

And with the Xiaomi Earbuds app, users can tailor-fit the sound better to their liking with five pre-installed EQ modes and the option to customize EQ tuning.

The Buds 8 Lite is available in Black, White, and Blue starting at PhP 1,199.

Joining the two new Xiaomi audio wearables are other AIoT devices that are now available at online and offline Xiaomi stores: the Mijia Smart Air Purifier Max, Xiaomi Electric Scooter 6, and 6 Lite.

News

REDMI Note 15 Series unveiled: Price, availability in the Philippines

4 models available starting at PhP 9,999

Published

January 15, 2026

GadgetMatch

The REDMI Note 15 Series has been officially launched in the Philippines. It comes in four variants: the Note 15 Pro+ 5G, Note 15 Pro 5G, Note 15 5G, and Note 15.

Featuring “REDMI Titan Durability”, the lineup highlights long-lasting battery performance, reinforced drop resistance, and enhanced dust and water protection.

Alongside these physical upgrades, the REDMI Note 15 Series also comes with enhanced imaging capabilities, reliable performance, and a seamless overall user experience.

Xiaomi also introduced the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses and REDMI Buds 8 Lite, among others, expanding their ecosystem.

The top-of-the-line variants, the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G and REDMI Note 15 Pro 5G, feature 6,500mAh batteries with 100W HyperCharge.

Making its REDMI Note Series debut, the Silicon-Carbon battery technology enables higher energy density within a compact form factor.

The Pro variants also come with better protection, with the Pro having a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the Pro+ having a tough fiberglass back panel.

In addition, the Pro+ comes with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K dust and water resistance ratings.

Meanwhile, the REDMI Note 15 5G and REDMI Note 15 house 5,520mAh and 6,000mAh batteries, respectively. These two models also have SGS Comprehensive Shock and Drop-Resistance certifications.

Cameras

Onto the series’ cameras, both Pro models boast of a new 200MP ultimate-clarity camera, along with the global debut of a 200MP HPE image sensor.

This large, 1/1.4-inch sensor backs 2x and 4x optical-level in-sensor zoom, triple-focal length DAG HDR, and advanced AI processing. This way, users can get detailed and true-to-life images across in various lighting conditions.

The two Note 15 variants, meanwhile, come with 108MP main cameras. These offer up to a 3x optical-level telephoto experience.

Creative and AI-powered tools complement the shooting experience. There’s ultra-clear portrait algorithm, Dynamic shots 2.0, and AI Creativity Assistant on the Pro models.

Across the entire lineup are everyday creativity features like AI Remove Reflection and AI Beautify.

Upgraded performance, smarter connectivity

The REDMI Note 15 Series also delivers balanced performance in the segment. Powering the Note 15 Pro+ 5G is a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 mobile platform and introduces the Xiaomi IceLoop cooling system.

The entire lineup also come with new generation Snapdragon and MediaTek chipsets for faster performance and smoother graphics.

All models support Google Gemini and Circle to Search with Google out of the box. The Pro+ also integrates Xiaomi HyperAI for a more personalized and intelligent experience.

And for enhanced connectivity, the Pro models support Xiaomi Offline Communication which allows for voice transmission even without network coverage.

Immersive audiovisual experience

In front, the series offers an upgraded viewing experience. The Pro models have 6.83-inch displays, while the base models have 6.77-inch screens.

These have up to 3,200 nits brightness and triple eye-care certifications. Complementing these are up to a 400% volume boost capability.

Price, availability

The REDMI Note 15 Pro models retail for the following prices:

Note 15 Pro+ 5G: PhP 27,999 (Mocha Brown, Glacier Blue, Black)
Note 15 Pro 5G: Starts at PhP 19,999 (Mist Purple, Black)

Early bird purchases (January 16 to 29) include a PhP 2,000 savings, Xiaomi Smart Band 10, and Black Box Gift Set.

From January 30 to February 8, the same freebies (minus the discount) are still available to claim.

On the other hand, the REDMI Note 15 base models are available for:

Note 15 5G: Starts at PhP 14,999 (Glacier Blue, Mist Purple, Black)
Note 15: Starts at PhP 9,999 (Glacier Blue, Purple, Black)

Customers can grab an additional PhP 1,000 off, REDMI Buds 8 Lite, and Xiaomi Black Backpack until January 29, with the two freebies available for purchases made until February 8.

Other perks include:

4-year battery replacement warranty
2-year liquid damage coverage
2-year front & back cover replacement
3 months Spotify Premium
3-month 100GB cloud storage

All models are now available across Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, and mi.com.

Accessories

Sony ships its LinkBuds Fit Hatsune Miku edition to the United States

It will come with the special acrylic stand.

Published

January 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Hatsune Miku is finding her way everywhere. Last year, the pop icon built partnerships where you might have least expected one. Now, a recent collaboration has made it to new shores. Sony is shipping its recent partnership with Hatsune Miku in the United States.

In the middle of last year, Sony released a limited edition of the LinkBuds Fit featuring Hatsune Miku. Inside, the special variant is indistinguishable from the original series. However, it will have special colorway options, including the icon’s signature green.

Now, the limited edition is now available in the United States. It will be available for US$ 249.99.

Like the first launch, buying the special edition of the earbuds will give fans a limited-edition acrylic earbud stand featuring newly illustrated artwork by Ogipote. It also features two original HoloModels of the character.

Further, those who purchased the device will get access to a special campaign song called “BELIEVE DAY” and an animated performance of the same song. Fans need only to register their product and install the HoloModels app.