First Look

IFA 2016: Sony launches flagship Xperia XZ, adds smaller X Compact

Published

on

We saw this coming last month, and now it’s a reality: Sony has unveiled its new flagship smartphone, the 5.2-inch Xperia XZ. Along with it comes the 4.6-inch Xperia X Compact, which, you could say, is the spiritual successor to the Z Compact series.

Sony Xperia XZ

It seems kind of odd to add a “Z” to the moniker – considering that Sony ditched the Z series last year in favor of its refreshed X lineup – but the company explained that the Xperia XZ departs from the established design language of the X series to form something different. The brand of aluminum employed on the new flagship is called ALKALEIDO, which admittedly felt really light and nice to touch during our time with the phone.

gadgetmatch-xperia-xz-ifa-20160901-06

In some of the photos, you’ll see a metal frame that adds to the curvature of the handset’s ends. We noticed it being very prone to smudges, but the rest of the body seemed to be resistant to blemishes. The best news is that the IP68-certified water and dust resistance is still here, and several of the traits we’ve grown accustomed to, such as the stereo speakers, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and expandable storage via microSD, are all back.

The real star, however, is the newly developed 23-megapixel camera that’s backed by an autofocus system consisting of phase detection, an IR sensor, and laser assist capable of accurately measuring subject distance. An unusual omission is optical image stabilization, although Sony’s software algorithms should be able to stabilize shots just like on past Xperia flagships. The front camera has an equally impressive 13-megapixel sensor for your selfies.

gadgetmatch-xperia-xz-ifa-20160901-05

For the spec sheet enthusiasts, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a high-end Snapdragon 820 processor inside, together with 3GB of RAM and, thankfully, a USB Type-C port. You might be disappointed about the rather small 2,900mAh battery, but there’s Quick Charge 3.0 to make up for it and a decent 1080p resolution to lower the power drain.

There are three colors to choose from – Forest Blue, Mineral Black, and Platinum – and retail units will supposedly be available by October if things work out.

gadgetmatch-xperia-xz-ifa-20160901-12

Sony Xperia X Compact

Admittedly, most of us were more excited to hear about the Xperia X Compact, since the older Z5 Compact was the closest Android competition to the 4.7-inch Apple iPhone 6s. Unfortunately, the modest label applies to the internal parts, as well.

gadgetmatch-xperia-x-compact-ifa-20160901-12

The new compact series is no longer flagship level; the X Compact settles for a midrange Snapdragon 650 processor and a plastic build that isn’t even water resistant. The 720p display resolution and comparatively thick 9.5mm frame were expected, but don’t help in sweetening the deal. On the bright side, the X Compact adopts the same 23-megapixel main camera and advanced autofocus mechanism of its bigger siblings, minus the 4K video recording. Everything else is pleasant, from the USB Type-C port with Quick Charge 2.0 technology, to the acceptance of microSD cards as extra storage.

gadgetmatch-xperia-compact-ifa-20160901-10

Both handsets come with Android 6.0 Marshmallow on board, and not 7.0 Nougat. We’re perfectly fine with it, though, since Sony has always respected the purity of Android and even adds welcome touches to the interface. In this implementation, you can access Google Now by swiping to the left of the home screen, the drop-down settings and notifications are just like stock Android, and the drawer for all your apps is transparent.

The Xperia X Compact is expected to ship this month in White, Universe Black, and Mist Blue. Pricing for both smartphones hasn’t been revealed by Sony yet.

gadgetmatch-xperia-compact-ifa-20160901-08

[irp posts=”11148″ name=”Sony Xperia XZ Premium Hands-On”]

CES 2026

Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook at CES 2026

Did They Perfect the Dual-Screen Laptop?

Published

on

THE Michael Josh just got back from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas — the annual tech event that attracts all the biggest tech brands.

One of which is none other than ASUS, Taiwan’s biggest computing giant. They have launched the first wave of Windows laptops for 2026. There’s a full lineup — models for everyday folks, creators, and gamers.

However, we are focusing on these Zenbooks favorites the show: the updated 2026 Zenbook DUO and Zenbook A14, as well as a bigger Zenbook A16 model.

Eager to know more about them? Here’s our Spotlight on the three power-packed ASUS Zenbooks at CES 2026.

Continue Reading

First Look

First Look: Apple iPhone Air, 17, and 17 Pro

The Most Important iPhone Lineup Ever?!

Published

on

Apple just dropped four new iPhones!

There’s the base iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro series, and the much-anticipated iPhone Air.

Which model should you get? Should you even upgrade this year?

And which is your GadgetMatch?

Here is a comprehensive First Look with the new iPhone Apple announced at its September event.

Continue Reading

First Look

Match Pulse: Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Getting to know the super-slender slab for 60 hours

Published

on

By

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Two months ago, Infinix unveiled the latest HOT 60 Pro+.

It’s out there not just for being a sexy slim smartphone, it’s a record-breaker in the history of Guinness World Records as well.

Now that the device was introduced to me, it’s the perfect time to know exactly what it’s like being with it 60 hours after unboxing.

First Look

At first glance, you’d be surprised how the Infinix HOT 60 Pro+ managed to be this oh-so-thin. With its thinnest point capped at 5.95mm, it’s one of the slimmest smartphones out in the market.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Interestingly, it’s a bit thicker compared to the 5.8mm Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and the newly-revealed iPhone Air at 5.64mm — which is, by far, the world’s thinnest.

But, with a frame sandwich by a curved screen and a fiberglass back, it gives you the illusion of being the slimmer smartphone. The other two have flat edges around, making them look otherwise.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Revealing its back will remind you of something that will satisfy someone’s sweet tooth. Dubbed as the “Coral Tides” colorway, it exudes shades of pink in a gradient manner.

Although it’s not the something I’d pick, it’s personally more pleasing than the plain ol’ Sleek Black and the ultra-flashy Sonic Yellow choices.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

As you’ve noticed, there are three camera lens cutouts. Despite that, it’s only a single-firing 50MP shooter. The rest are just auxiliary lenses that honestly give nothing but aesthetics.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Speaking of, beneath that third cutout is where Infinix’s Active Halo Lighting resides. Though not as evident as you see it on its GT and NOTE cousins, that light-up feature can still be useful for important notifications and reminders.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

The eye-candy satisfaction doesn’t end there. Flipping it gives you a bedazzling 6.78-inch curved screen with bezels that are narrower than my patience.

While the heydays of curved displays are slowly fading away, this type of display is where it makes more sense as it harmoniously blends together along its thin trims.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

That’s then protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i alongside an IP65 water and dust resistance rating for utmost durability.

These are all something one wouldn’t expect to have in a budget smartphone if we’re gonna predict it five years ago.

First Date

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

What does the Infinix HOT 60 Pro+ and government officials have in common? They both exist but, you’ll barely feel ’em. Moreover, holding Infinix’s thinnest phone felt surreal — just like their “effective” flood control projects.

Even so, the HOT 60 Pro+ is still effectively thin and light even when you slap on its bundled Rimowa-inspired clear case. At the end of the day, only the Nepo babies get the real Rimowa treatment.

YouTube K-Pop

Now, despite the category it belongs to, its display is honestly top-notch and never a slouch. That AMOLED display tech surely gives the best visuals possible.

Colors pop, blacks are deep, whites are effectively blinding when pushed to the extremes. Much like politicians and their ~innocent children~ being blinded by greed when shown heaps of taxpayers’ money.

YouTube K-Pop IVE Liz

Elizabeth Helga Müller cleansing our eyes against all anomalies

Its 144Hz refresh rate takes it to the next level. And, I’m not speaking solely by numbers. You can actually see and feel its overall buttery smoothness.

Thanks to the upgraded MediaTek Helio G200 chipset paired with an 8GB memory (virtually extendable up to 16GB), breezing through apps and multitasking in-between felt snappy — unlike the sluggish and incompetent officials out there.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

The experience was never the same when I held numerous lag-fested G99 phones two to three years ago.

The downside, however, is using this phone past its performance limits — particularly hardcore gaming. You can obviously play your favorite games but at the expense of medium to low quality graphics and gameplay stuttering.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Additionally, the inclusion of stereo speakers are unexpected.

For a phone this price and thin, I’m not expecting anything grand. However, the HOT 60 Pro+ delivered desirable sound output that’s adequate to the ears.

They’re not like the hypocritical individuals in the senate who are excessively loud and sound irritating in the long run.

Apple Music Lossless DAY6 Inside Out

Gladly, its entry-level SoC didn’t hinder me from downloading and listening to Lossless audio tracks. More so, the YouTube playback limit of Full HD (1080p) finally gets pushed to a clearer 2K (1440p) resolution.

Overall, these make the HOT 60 Pro+ undeniably great for a full-on entertainment experience.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Back to its lone 50MP camera, I’ve managed to take more than enough to show how it performs.

1x Wide vs 2x Lossless Zoom

1x Portrait ON vs 1x Regular

I even tried it with some delectable munchies and coffees paid by me and my colleagues’ self-earned money.

Lastly, night-time shots that looked as sharp as any crocodiles’ 🐊👀 night vision.

After all that moderate usage, the Infinix HOT 60 Pro+ was able to last at the end of the day. More than that if you don’t exhaust it.

For its size, 5160mAh sounds more than enough in today’s standards. If it totally dies down, its packaged 45W charger will totally fill it in around 70 minutes.

That’s still faster than applying for a single government-issued ID or document, if I must say.

First Impressions

If you’ve been clamoring for a super-slim smartphone without breaking the bank (literally and figuratively), the Infinix HOT 60 Pro+ is a match made for you.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Considering the hardware it possesses, it’s a no-brainer that it belongs to the budget segment.

To get this exclusive colorway, you need to shell out PhP 9,555 (below US$ 170) in the Philippines. Other variants are being offered at a cheaper price tag under PhP 9,200.

Infinix HOT 60 Pro+

Then again, being affordable doesn’t mean bad quality. The Infinix HOT 60 Pro+ proves to be just one among the quality-tested smartphones that provides ample performance for most users.

Just don’t expect it to run your favorite games nor take images with its camera at the bestest quality possible.

After all, the phone being impossibly thin and featherweight without compromising the Android experience is the reason why it exists in the first place.

Continue Reading

Trending