Smartphones

TECNO unveils own tri-fold smartphone concept

The TECNO Phantom Ultimate 2

Published

August 28, 2024

Manila Connoisseur

In a video it unveiled on its YouTube channel today, TECNO has bared its own tri-fold smartphone concept in the TECNO Phantom Ultimate 2.

Aiming to redefine the large-screen experience on a compact form factor, the Phantom Ultimate 2 sports a 10-inch display when unfolded. This tablet-esque 3K LTPO display has a 4:3 aspect ratio and impressive 392 PPI pixel density.

In addition, the display features OLED Touch and TDDI technology for the first time in a foldable device. The concept offers a glimpse into a more immersive, convenient, and exciting future for foldable smartphones.

TECNO mentioned that it considered key points like hinge durability, camera performance, and software optimization in its attempt to mark a significant leap forward in foldable innovation. In fact, the hinge on the Phantom Ultimate 2 is said to be able to withstand over 300,000 folds. It also has a 2100MPa tensile strength.

Not sacrificing portability either, the phone measures just 11mm when folded. To make the Phantom Ultimate 2 as thin as possible, TECNO also utilized a super compressed Titan Advanced Fiber material for its battery cover, which measures an industry-thinnest 0.25mm.

The camera, meanwhile, is located on the leftmost side of the unfolded phone’s rear. This leads to an easier time for users to find the handset’s center of gravity.

Versatile scenarios

With such a unique form factor, the Phantom Ultimate 2 opens various scenarios for users for work, entertainment, and daily life in general. The phone supports screen hovering for new possibilities.

For example, users may fold a third of the phone to a 90-degree angle for its keyboard. The middle third acts as a laptop-style display. Lastly, users may utilize the final third for multi-screen functions.

Furthermore, the phone may be folded into tent mode for dual-screen face-to-face real-time AI translation. Users can likewise explore creative unfolded angles enabled by the tri-fold design. Based on TECNO’s released images, it looks like the Phantom Ultimate 2 will also come with stylus support.

TECNO also mentioned that it will lean on advanced software and UI specially optimized for the tri-fold design so users can take advantage of the tri-fold hardware. Optimizations include dynamic wallpapers and adaptive icons that adjust with folding and unfolding.

The unveiling of the new concept is in line with TECNO’s goal of releasing soon its second-generation foldable devices, the Phantom V Fold2 5G and Phantom V Flip2 5G.

New era?

In case you have been living under a rock, it’s pretty much common knowledge that we’re well into the era of AI smartphones. That’s after book-style and flip foldables also became a norm in the past few years.

With TECNO’s unveiling, it now seems that foldable smartphones are headed towards this direction. In the past few weeks, Huawei’s chairman, Richard Yu, has been spotted carrying what looks like a tri-fold smartphone. Looks like the race is on when it comes to which company officially releases the world’s first tri-fold foldable.

Related Topics:Tecno TECNO Phantom Ultimate 2

News

Qualcomm is raising its prices this year

Will the price of smartphones follow suit?

Published

July 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The price of technology isn’t fun these days. Because of the ongoing RAM shortage wrought by AI, companies across the industry are raising the prices of their products. Some, however, are still willing to shoulder the burden for their customers. Unfortunately, Qualcomm is soon leaving that list.

As reported by Bloomberg, Qualcomm will raise the prices of its products starting in September. Though the exact figure is unknown, the company did confirm that it’s in the double digits, percentage-wise. According to them, they can no longer shoulder the costs for its customers.

If you’re just a regular user, Qualcomm’s prices might not mean much for you. After all, the chipmaker doesn’t make phones of its own.

That said, Qualcomm is still one of the biggest suppliers for smartphone chipsets, including those that Samsung uses. Pushing the burden from chipsets to phone manufacturers reduces one more buffer against costs being ultimately pushed to consumers.

All things considered, Samsung managed to keep its prices hikes relatively low with the latest batch of foldables. However, with chips getting more price increases, it’s still within the realm of possibility that Samsung will also increase the price of its smartphones. The same can be said for any Qualcomm-powered smartphone available today.

News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges.

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.

Philippines

OPPO Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines

Pocket Studio arrives

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

OPPO has confirmed that the Reno16 Series 5G is coming soon to the Philippines.

The upcoming smartphone series will introduce the company’s new Pocket Studio imaging experience alongside OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View. The launch also continues OPPO’s partnership with K-pop girl group BABYMONSTER, the brand’s global ambassadors.

Pocket Studio puts the focus on photography

OPPO positions the Reno16 Series 5G as a camera-first smartphone. The series features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera, and Dual View Video for capturing photos and videos from multiple perspectives.

The company says these upgrades are designed to make mobile photography and content creation more versatile. Users can capture wide group selfies, detailed portraits, and creative videos without carrying dedicated camera gear.

OPPO Bubble brings remote camera controls

A standout feature is OPPO Bubble with Camera Remote View.

The new feature lets users pair the Reno16 Series 5G with compatible OPPO devices. From there, they can preview the camera feed remotely and trigger the shutter wirelessly.

This also allows users to frame selfies and group photos using the phone’s rear cameras while viewing the composition from another device. OPPO says the feature makes it easier to capture everyone in the frame without relying on timers.