Published

on

Last year when Samsung released second editions of its foldable phones, I bought them both — The Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy Z Fold2 because I wanted in on the world of foldables.

Of the two, the Z Flip is the phone that excites me more. I love being able to fold it shut and tuck it into my pocket. And even more so the other way around.

Well, the time has come for a new Z Flip and I’m pretty stoked. Today Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G.

Thinner body, larger cover display

The new Z Flip 3 is still roughly the same size as last year’s model. But its feels more flat with straight edges versus last year’s model. The finish also isn’t as glossy, and doesn’t pick up smudges easily.

I really like this new two toned design. Well, two-toned if you get one of these colors: Cream, Lavender or Green. But solid black is nice too. Speaking of colors, if you order on Samsung.com, there are exclusive color offerings: White, Pink and Grey.

This design brings your focus to the cover screen, which I think is the biggest upgrade Samsung’s made to the Galaxy Z Flip3. After all when you have a phone that folds — you want to be able to use it whether it’s closed or open.

At 1.5 inches diagonally it is four times larger than last year.  The display on last year’s Z Flip was tiny. Now, you can fit four lines of text on here with the option to scroll down to see more.

That means more space to read notifications, display widgets – like the music controls or the weather, or pay with Samsung Pay. If you swipe down you can also access controls to adjust brightness or volume.

You can also add Cover Display Art that coordinates with the watch face on the newly announced Galaxy Watch 4.

Z Flip3 cameras

Probably more importantly, it makes it easier to take selfies while the phone is closed. Don’t get me wrong, you can take selfies with the front camera on the original Flip. But with how small the display was,  it doesn’t even show the entire frame.

That’s not a problem anymore with the Galaxy Z Fold3. And now you can also take videos. So, for those vloggers out there, you can do that too on the new Z Flip 3.

The feature is called Quick Shot 2.0 and to activate it, just double press on the power button, which by the way doubles as a fingerprint scanner.

Speaking of cameras, this phone has got the same exact hardware as on the previous model. Here’s a recap:  12MP f/1.8  Dual Pixel wide angle camera and a 12MP f/2.2 Ultra wide angle camera. When you open up the phone you get a 10MP selfie camera.
10MP F/2.4.

While the hardware is the same, with the improved SOC and new software features, I expect photos to be better. Plus you get all the features that came with the Galaxy S21 Series.

Durability

Just like on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the durability on the Flip 3 has been improved. First off the inner display has a new protective film that’s supposedly 80 percent more durable. And feels smoother to the touch than on the previous model.

The glass on the outside sides of the Galaxy Z Flip3 are both made of Gorilla Glass Victus — the toughest in its class. And the metal frame and hinge are made of a new material Armor Aluminum which is 10 percent stronger. But also a lighter.

And finally, the phone is also now IPX8 water and dust resistant, making both the Flip 3 and the Fold 3 the first in their class to get a water resistance rating.

More improvements

Two more improvements worth noting: The inside display is now a buttery smooth 120Hz It’s still a 6.7 inch Infinity Flex Display (FHD+ AMOLED panel). And you now get stereo speakers via grilles on both sides of USB-C port On the previous model you only got mono audio. So, very practical quality of life improvements over all.

The phone runs off of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor, at least here in the US. It has 8GB of ram and  comes in 128 or 256GB Storage Configurations. UFS 3.1. Battery Size is the same 3,300mAh. And nop,  Samsung doesn’t include a charger in the box.

Accessories

As the Flip is targeted at the younger, hipper crowd as well as those more fashion forward, it makes perfect sense that Samsung is also launching a line of cases with the new phone. Including a silicone ring case. And my favorite a strap case.

Price and availability

Of course, the biggest news here is that both Samsung foldables are more affordable than last year. Pricing are as follows:

Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G — BUY here
Galaxy Fold 3 5G — BUY here
Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic — BUY here
Tab S7 FE — BUY here
Galaxy Buds 2– BUY here

Related Topics:

Accessories

Marshall Major V: Reasons Why I Love It

After a month of using

Published

on

April 17, 2024

By

and

I’ve got a new favorite pair of headphones. 

They look good, sound good, last long, are compact and portable. 

Most of all? They are from a brand that I truly love.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s are V Major reasons why I love the new Marshall Major V!

Continue Reading

Hands-On

ZTE nubia Neo 5G: Decent for gaming

But needs improvement

Published

on

April 4, 2024

By

and
ZTE nubia Neo 5G
Photos c/o Deric Claveria

If you’re looking to buy a smartphone specifically for gaming, you’ll typically need to shell out more. You have to spend extra for capable hardware and software to fuel the mobile gaming experience. That doesn’t mean manufacturers aren’t trying their best to bring more affordable gaming phones to customers. Enter the ZTE nubia Neo 5G.

Known for their higher-end devices like the Redmagic series, ZTE introduced a budget-level choice that promises better gaming for all. Appearance-wise, it straight up looks like a gaming phone. But does it really deliver on being a great value device for mobile gamers?

ZTE nubia Neo 5G specs

  • Unisoc T820 chipset, up to 2.7GHz
  • Android 13
  • 8GB+10GB RAM
  • 256GB RAM
  • 6.6-inch FHD+ display
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • 50MP main camera + 2MP depth camera, 8MP front camera
  • 4,500mAh battery
  • 22.W fast-charging
  • 3.5mm jack
  • 2 SIM card slots

On paper, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G has the usual specs expected of a smartphone of its price point. There’s the usual 50MP main camera, FHD+ display, and and even a 3.5mm jack. On the positive end, it differs from other competitors by offering a higher refresh rate and a more spacious internal storage. However, it has a smaller battery capacity and a slightly slower “fast-charging” output.

WATCH: ZTE nubia Neo 5G Unboxing Reel

Appearance, feel

ZTE nubia Neo

This budget gaming phone immediately stands out with its gold-and-black, Mecha-like finish at the back. The protruding camera lenses somehow mimic machine gears. The unit we tested came in War-Damaged Yellow. It somehow reminds us of Bumblebee from the Transformers franchise. There is also a Phantom Black option for those wanting black to be the dominant color.

The phone itself has just the proper amount of sleekness into it. It’s not slippery. It’s comfortable to hold. However, the placement of its speakers on the lower left does not help when holding the phone horizontally. Fingers tend to have it blocked, lessening the gaming experience.

Camera

ZTE nubia Neo

As usual, this budget offering has as 50MP main shooter, with the 2MP extra camera standing in vain. The main camera works well with stills, and leans more on the natural side when it comes to color. Not too saturated, not too pale, just about right. Of course, you’ll need to be ultra steady when capturing as this phone does not support advanced stabilization features.

Additionally, you’ll need sufficient lighting to retain details. Shoot against the light, and the camera’s low dynamic range won’t help in preserving details in the darker parts. Shake your hand a bit, and you’ll get blurred captures. It’s pretty much expected for a handset in this segment.

Check out these sample photos:

Usage

ZTE nubia Neo

The ZTE nubia Neo 5G does have a simple user interface that’s familiar long-time for Android users. It is able to work well for casual browsing, switching from one app to another, and having a few apps open.

On the downside, there are a few instances that hopping from one app to the other takes a bit more than a split second. I kind of expected that already, especially with watching livestreams or apps involving videos like YouTube and TikTok.

Of course, for optimal performance, it’s best to have just a few apps running at a time. And even with its slightly “smaller” battery, the phone can last you up to a full day for light to moderate use.

Gaming

ZTE nubia Neo

We tested multiple titles on the ZTE nubia Neo 5G, ranging from slightly to highly demanding, to check its promise of better gaming on an affordable device. Apparently, games will run on the phone under low settings by default.

The phone held its own quite smoothly for usual MOBA and FPS titles, for as long as the graphics settings are set to low.

But where there are more simultaneous things going on, like in a mad Call of Duty scramble, that’s where the effects begin to experience lagging.

Moreover, with titles like Asphalt 9: Legends and Genshin Impact, which both push capabilities to the limit, the phone barely was able to support high settings.

To be fair, the phone did not get very hot throughout about an hour of gameplay, which is quite a plus. All things considered, including its price point and aesthetic that screams gaming, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G can be a decent gaming choice for those who are on a budget but still want to enjoy such games.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Overall, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G is a serviceable budget phone, especially when it comes to usual performance. There are, however, some aspects that need to be improved. It wouldn’t hurt to improve the fast-charging capabilities, change the placement of its speakers, or sneak an extra ultra-wide lens to the setup.

But we fully understand that this device was meant for gaming. Higher-end models aren’t perfect either. This is a decent choice, considering that incorporating better specs to cheaper devices is still an ongoing process. It can only get better from here.

The ZTE nubia Neo 5G is available starting at PhP 9,999 on ZTE’s official Shopee store.

Continue Reading

Hands-On

Found: Cute smartphone to match your coquette aesthetic

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G deserves that cute, pink bow

Published

on

March 4, 2024

By

If you like it, then you should’ve put a ~pink bow~ on it!

At least, that’s what we did with the newest OPPO Reno11 F 5G painted in Coral Purple.

That soft, lilac hue bodes well with the coquette aesthetic — social media girlies’ cute (and crazy) obsession now.

Originally, the term “coquette” means “a woman who flirts,” which is also referenced at Robert Greene’s book called “The Art of Seduction.”

But the Generation Z knows how to put a spin on everything, with the trend now leaning into more playful and romantic approach to everything they see.

Think: pastel, pink, bows, and everything about girlhood.

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G fits in that dainty aesthetic. It’s a smartphone that looks playful from the get-go.

The frame’s slender, and it’s light enough for some chicly usage. Taking mirror selfies like a supermodel can be an achievable flex.

The flat sides look polished, befitting someone who looks bejeweled and ready to step into the world with confidence.

The buttons on the right side are easily reachable — for adjusting your music’s volume and for taking quick selfies.

It also comes in USB-C sitting on its bottom side along with mic and speakers.

Forget 11:11

Up front, the Reno11 F 5G comes with a flat display. Just like the coquette aesthetic, flat displays are being revived.

Curves are getting overrated, though. The flat, 6.7-inch AMOLED display is easier for watching and streaming your favorite shows and films.

Streaming a 2000s film like Mean Girls in 2024 didn’t feel like I was watching a movie from two decades ago. The visuals look as punchy and vibrant as it gets.

I enjoyed rewatching Devil Wears Prada as well, which can be streamed on Netflix. Even when I was sitting by the windows during noontime, the phone’s brightness kept up with the harsh light coming through.

It maintained that dynamic color despite struggling with glares.

What surprised me was the Ultra Volume mode, which boosts the audio up to 300%. The bimbo in me thought it was specifically for Netflix’s content, but I was wrong.

While using TikTok to think of new coquette style and watching my mother Taylor Swift’s performance since I wouldn’t be able to go to the Eras Tour, I activated the ultra volume once more.

The speaker’s as powerful as it gets but frankly, it might hurt your ears. It’s a back-up feature for when you forget your cute, full-toned speakers.

Living life like you’re in a rom-com film

Having a playful smartphone doesn’t end with putting pink bows and looking cute. It should let you romanticize life and let you live like you’re in a rom-com film.

We got to take the smartphone out for a whole day and its 5000mAh battery capacity didn’t even drop to one-fourth. Yup, even with mobile data on, taking pictures and videos, and browsing endlessly on TikTok and Instagram.

The 256GB internal storage is also sufficient for storing all your favorite moments. And more importantly, it’s got a camera that lets you record your everyday life.

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G comes with a 64-megapixel Ultra-Clear Triple Camera, which is also capable of recording a 4K Ultra-Clear Video apt for your TikTok and Instagram Reels.

There’s an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera using a Sony IMX355 sensor, if you want to capture your views.

And for some details, there’s a 2-megapixel macro camera for when you want to zoom in a little. Up front, you can enjoy a 32-megapixel selfie camera which uses a Sony IMX615 sensor.

Moreover, there are built-in filters that you can select for your photos. Here are glimpses of our lives romanticized.

A match made for coquette girlies

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G takes anyone easily in their lover era, thanks to its playful vibe. The coquette aesthetic may fit it well, but it’s still a versatile phone that any girlies and their oomfs can take advantage of.

It’s just like any midrange phone, capable of multi-tasking from morning to night. Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7050, you can certainly swipe continuously and power through the day.

You can even play some games if you’re bored from doomscrolling.

And when you’re in dire need of recharging, you can let it charge with its 67W SUPERVOOC. Before you’re done with your makeup, the phone’s already back to a hundred.

So, if you’re up for a smartphone that can easily take on your day-to-day life while looking coquette, the OPPO Reno11 F 5G just might be the dainty gizmo of your dreams.

Pricing and availability for the OPPO Reno11 F 5G will be announced soon. Stay tuned.

Continue Reading

Trending