Singapore

Smartphone photography 101: How to take slice of life photos

Aim for a variety and tell a story

Published

August 9, 2019

Chay Lazaro

Whether you want to capture random mundane activities or annual festivities like National Day, making sure you tell a story with your photos is important. There are so many ways to snap slice-of-life images, no matter which platform they’re made for — the challenge is to make each photo interesting.

Here are some tips from actual photographers on how you can take pro-looking photos of everyday life using just an iPhone. The best camera, after all, is the one that you have with you at all times:

Use the horizon as your guide

When it comes to photographing buildings, Darren Soh says to keep your iPhone level to the horizon. There’s no shame in taking a few seconds to frame your shot so the building remains straight in your photos as in real life.

Aim for variety

No matter how mundane, a picture is worth a thousand words. Franz Navarrete says to ask yourself before tapping that shutter: “What’s the story I want to tell?” Spontaneity is fun but when time allows for it, plan and research the place you’re going to to give you a sense of what you should be looking for. Make an effort to explore and walk a lot the unbeaten path — go to the alleys and climb those stairs.

Use long exposure

Shot on iPhone XS Max, Melissa Patrice (@girleatworld)

Live Photo isn’t just for taking moving Harry Potter-like photos. When you swipe up on any Live Photo, you’ll see a variety of effects including long exposure. Melissa Patrice says you will want to be as steady as possible when taking photos with long exposure as the intension. A tripod will help, but if you don’t have one, she says you can find a stable surface to rest your phone on while taking the photo. Keep in mind that this effect works really well only when you have a steady subject and a lot of movement in the background.

Hold your breath

Shot on iPhone XR, Jason Lim (@jsnjnr)

This is one of the most underrated and least talked about trick, even in videography. If you don’t have a tripod, Jason Lim suggests holding your breath when taking a photo to keep your phone steady and make sure the photo is sharp.

Use portrait mode

Shot on iPhone XS Max, Ivan Kuek (@phonenomenon)

We’ve talked about using portrait mode sparingly before, and that applies here as well. Ivan Kuek says the trick for making it work is to look for good lighting. Framing your shot with a foreground or background that relates to your subject also helps tell a more meaningful story.

Clean your lens

This is another underrated and overlooked step when taking photos. Franz Navarrete reminds users to make sure you wipe the lens of your phone with soft fabrics, like a microfiber cloth to clear off dusts and smudges.

Do you have tips in taking slice of life photos? Share them with us in the comments below!

Accessories

UGREEN launches new MagFlow and Nexode Pro charging accessories to Southeast Asia

Here to charge your multiple devices rapidly

Published

September 30, 2026

Vincenz

Graphice by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

UGREEN has finally introduced its new MagFlow and Nexode Pro charging accessories to Southeast Asia. These bring faster wireless charging, improved thermal management, and high-power multi-device charging

Nexode Pro 160W Charger + Retractable Cable

First in the list is UGREEN’s Nexode Pro 160W Charger with Retractable Cable.

This charging adapter offers up to a speedy 160W total output across four charging connections.

It has three USB-C outputs and one USB-A port, including a built-in 70cm retractable USB-C cable. The USB-C1 port and built-in cable support up to 140W, while USB-C2 supports up to 100W and USB-A reaches 22.5W.

Other features include a smart display, SmartCharge power distribution, GaNInfinity technology, Thermal Guard, OTA updates, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity for app-based control.

MagFlow Pro 10,000mAh 25W Magnetic Power Bank

The MagFlow Pro packs a 10,000mAh battery with up to 25W Qi2 wireless charging and 45W USB-C output. Its standout feature is UGREEN’s CryoPulse liquid-cooling system, which uses a visible coolant window and multi-layer heat dissipation to help manage temperatures during wireless charging.

UGREEN says the system can reduce peak phone temperatures by up to 10°C compared to its industry benchmark in testing.

It also features a built-in 45W USB-C cable, USB-C port, charging status display, and 16+1 N52H magnets for a secure magnetic hold.

MagFlow 2-in-1 25W Foldable Wireless Charger

Lastly, the MagFlow 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger 25W combines a 25W Qi2 magnetic charging pad with a dedicated earbuds charging area.

It delivers up to 25W to an iPhone and 5W to earbuds, while its foldable design doubles as a phone stand. It also supports simultaneous wireless charging for a phone and AirPods.

The charger uses 17 N48H magnets for up to 11N of magnetic force and features Thermal Guard temperature monitoring. When folded, it measures 2.37 × 2.86 × 1.05 inches.

Pricing and Availability

As of today (September 30, 2026) all three products are available across major Southeast Asian markets.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Nexode Pro 160W + Retractable Cable

Singapore = SG$ 140
Malaysia = MYR 419
Vietnam = VND 2,699,000
Philippines = PhP 4,999

MagFlow Pro 25W 10,000mAh Magnetic Power Bank

Singapore = SG$ 154
Malaysia = MYR 479
Vietnam = VND 3,690,000
Philippines = PhP 6389

MagFlow 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger

Singapore = SG$ 64.90
Malaysia = MYR 189
Thailand = THB 1990
Vietnam = VND 1,419,000
Philippines = PHP 2499

Singapore

Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus EH-LS970B with 4K projection, more launches

Ultra-short-throw projection, AI-powered image processing, Sound by Bose

Published

September 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

Epson has officially launched the Lifestudio Grand Plus EH-LS970B, its latest all-in-home home entertainment solution.

This new offering combines large-scale 4K projection, AI-powered image processing, and integrated Sound by Bose speakers.

It is designed for consumers seeking a bigger, more immersive viewing experience without compromising their living spaces.

The EH-LS970B can project 4K (8.3 million pixels) content from 80 to 150 inches while positioned just inches from the wall.

Its ultra-short-throw design (0.16 ratio) removes the need to mount a large display or position a conventional projector across the room, giving homeowners greater flexibility in how they use their space.

It has a 3LCD laser projection system for up to 4,000 lumens of color and white brightness, as well as a contrast ratio of more than 5,000,000:1.

In addition, the projector features upgrades across image processing and audio while retaining a compact, all-in-one approach to home entertainment.

At the heart of Epson’s EH-LS970B is a new AI-powered TV chip that analyses content in real time. This automatically optimizes the image for each scene.

AI Super Resolution enhances sharpness and fine details, while AI Picture Quality automatically adjusts the image based on what is being displayed.

Features like Dynamic Colour Booster, Local Contrast and De-contour Processing further optimize color, contrast, and gradients as well.

The visual quality is complemented by an integrated 20W 2.1 channel Sound by Bose speaker system.

This delivers room-filling audio with deep bass, without requiring a separate speaker setup. Bluetooth mode also allows the projector to function simply as an audio system when the display isn’t in use.

The projector comes with Google TV built-in and supports Google Cast and voice control.

News

iPhone Duo: Price, availability in Singapore

Apple’s first foldable iPhone arrives in Singapore.

Published

September 10, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable iPhone. It uses a passport-style design that opens into a larger display while retaining a conventional smartphone experience when closed.

Price and availability

The iPhone Duo starts at SGD 3,099 in Singapore for the 256GB model.

Here’s the full Singapore pricing:

256GB — SGD 3,099
512GB — SGD 3,399
1TB — SGD 3,999
2TB — SGD 4,899

The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky. Apple will make it available starting October 23.

A foldable design built around two displays

The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and a 7.6-inch main display when opened. Both displays share the same aspect ratio, allowing iOS to transition smoothly between the two orientations.

The rear chassis uses Ceramic Shield, while the front display gets Ceramic Shield 2. The phone is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.

Its hinge uses carbon fiber supports and magnets. Apple also designed the camera plateau with a curved edge that flows into the rear chassis.

A20 Pro powers the foldable experience

The iPhone Duo runs on the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro series. Apple says it delivers 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.

It also comes with the new C2 cellular modem, which provides up to 50 percent faster uploads. The foldable can be used in different configurations, including tent mode and partially folded like a book.

A 48-megapixel camera system

The iPhone Duo gets a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto camera. A 12-megapixel Center Stage camera handles selfies and video calls.

Apple also places the front camera under the display for a cleaner inner-screen experience.

Battery life that lasts beyond a day

The iPhone Duo offers up to 31 hours of video playback using its inner display and up to 44 hours when using the outer screen.

Charging is also fast. Apple says a 20-minute charge can replenish half the battery, while a five-minute charge can provide up to five hours of video playback.