News

TECNO’s PHANTOM V Fold2 currently has the biggest battery in any foldable

Minor refinements with one major change

Published

September 13, 2024

Vincenz

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

TECNO, one of the budding brands in the tech space, has finally announced the PHANTOM V Fold2 — the successor to the company’s first-gen book-style foldable.

Biggest Battery Ever

Starting with the headliner, the TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 boasts a humongous 5750mAh battery. This beats the last record-holder, vivo X Fold3 Pro, with its 5700mAh capacity.

50mAh may not sound a lot but something doesn’t mean nothing. And compared to its predecessor, the V Fold2 gets a bigger increase at 750mAh.

Not only that, charging has been improved a lot. It now has 70W Fast Wired Charging as opposed to last year’s 45W. That’s still a lot faster compared to Samsung’s measly 25W support on the Galaxy Z Fold6.

TECNO has also welcomed the idea of wireless charging of up to 15W. There’s reverse wireless charging as well.

Better Durability

The PHANTOM V Fold2 has achieved a serious slimming effect.

Compared to its predecessor, it’s now thinner at 11.78mm (and 5.52mm when unfolded). Last year’s V Fold is thicker at 14.5mm (6.8mm opened). It has also managed to shed 50g (299g vs 249g).

Thanks to its aerospace-grade precision hinge, high-performance lightweight materials, and finger-dimensional engineering design, the PHANTOM V Fold2 can now be folded up to 400,000 folds (versus 200,000 last year).

Its 3D micro-arc extreme middle frame and curved outer screen also make for a comfortable grip. This means its pebble-like shape gives for an easier and effortless opening and closing of the foldable.

The droplet hinge is also responsible for giving it a barely shallow crease of just 0.1mm.

Its aluminum alloy frame is high in performance as well. There’s a 0.2mm aluminum silicon carbide for the battery compartment as well as robust low-density plastics for a resilient build.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The back cover of the PHANTOM V Fold2 comes with an industry-first laminated fiberglass material. Its just 25% the weight of a regular glass back but 100x greater strength when dropped. And with its NCVM Coating Technology, it creates an overall metallic texture.

Speaking of drops, the screen is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus. Lastly, there’s an IP54 rating protected agains water splashes and dust. Its predecessor doesn’t feature one.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it

There are things that remain totally unchanged in the updated PHANTOM V Fold2.

First and foremost, it still keeps the same 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ SoC.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

On the brighter side, it’s now only available to a single, high-capacity configuration: 512GB UFS 3.1 storage plus a 12GB LPDDR5X memory.

Screen size, ratio, and resolution were barely changed as well: 6.42-inch FHD+ for the cover screen and 7.85-inch 2K+ when you unfold it.

Display tech? Same LTPO AMOLED displays with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Still with improvements

The PHANTOM V Fold2 still has subtle improvements across the board.

First of which is the camera system. Ditching last year’s 50MP Samsung GNV sensor, the PHANTOM V Fold2 now comes with a 50MP f/1.9 based on the OmniVision OV50H sensor instead.

That’s the same camera sensor as those found in some flagships like the HONOR Magic6 Pro and HUAWEI Pura 70 series, as well as the vivo X Fold3 Pro mentioned earlier.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Moreover, the UWA (Ultra-Wide Angle) lens was changed from 13MP 120-degree FoV to a 50MP 114-degree FoV lens. Aperture is the same though at f/2.2.

However, its 50MP telephoto shooter is still stuck at 2x optical zoom (and up to 20x digital).

Main front camera has been upgraded to 32MP (vs 16MP), making both of them 32MP selfie shooters.

Its partnership with Dolby has been brought to the foldable as well with its dual stereo speaker setup powered by Dolby Atmos. Last year’s PHANTOM doesn’t have it.

There are more added features such as Wi-Fi 6E support, satellite communication services, and an intelligent, more precise positioning accuracy.

Freeer Fold

The improvements don’t stop on the hardware side. HiOS Fold 14 based on Android 14 comes with several software additions to make the foldable experience greater.

The FreeCam system allows you to shoot with the PHANTOM V Fold2 freely. There’s the usual cover screen preview, as well as taking selfies using the rear cameras.

And with a folding range between 30 to 120 degrees, you can shoot selfies, videos, and several other more hands-free.

The tripod-less dependency also means you can take timelapse and long exposures more.

There’s also FreeForm where you can unfold and angle your device while using it for video calls, watching videos, and playing music.

There’s even Tent Mode that lets you play videos on the outer screen without totally closing the foldable.

Lastly, there’s now a stylus support on its folding screen by using the optional PHANTOM V Pen.

The pen enables more features other than writing such as taking screenshots, remote operations, and even handwriting calculations.

Eco-Friendlier Approach

Unlike the standard Karst Green colorway made up of fiberglass, TECNO has decided to make its Rippling Blue variant different.

This special variant features an eco-friendly leather material all thanks to their continuous partnership with LOEWE., a German TV and audio brand.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

This special unit comes with an industry-first eco-friendly packaging made mostly of plant fibers such as pulps from sugarcane, wood, and bamboo, as well as discarded cardboard boxes.

The packaging is also fully degradable and got completed through a process of pulping, absorption molding, and drying — all harmless to the environment.

Pricing and Availability

The PHANTOM V Fold2 5G retails for around US$ 1099 (around EUR 996 / GBP 840 / SG$ 1434 / PhP 61,985 / INR 92,288). Pricing will still vary depending on one’s region.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

TECNO also said that they will sell it in key regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia. There’s also Latin America, the Middle East, and more on the list.

It will officially go on-sale first on September 23rd in Africa. Other markets are expected to follow around September to October.

News

iPhone 17 Pro Max is somehow the most traded-in phone today

All of the recent Pro Max models are sitting at the top, too.

Published

February 19, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For a lot of people, reselling or trading-in is the natural end of their time with an iPhone. After all, an iPhone is too expensive to leave lying stagnant in a drawer. Now, this usually happens years after a phone fully lives out its usefulness. However, the new iPhone 17 Pro Max has somehow claimed the top spot as the most traded-in phone today.

According to reports organized by SellCell, a surprising number of people are reselling their iPhone 17 Pro Max. Today, 11.5 percent of trade-ins are of the current generation’s most premium model. The next models, the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, all sit between 7.2 percent and 7.3 percent apiece. This is a staggering growth, as the iPhone 17 Pro Max was sitting at only 5.1 percent of trade-ins in late November.

There’s no confirmed reason as to why people are trading their premium models so early into the model’s lifecycle. However, if it’s any indication, the iPhone 17 Pro Max has the lowest depreciation for a premium iPhone model, when compared to its predecessors in the same time frame.

Given that the resale value of a new iPhone 17 Pro Max is still pretty high today, it’s possible that users aren’t completely satisfied with the model and opted to trade in their new phones for something more manageable. After all, the new phone is as premium as they come. It’s also as large as they come.

That said, it’s certainly an odd tidbit that the most premium iPhone is the one that people are dumping the most.

News

vivo V70 launched globally, introduces 4K 60fps, OriginOS 6, more

Comes with powerful ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera

Published

February 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

The vivo V70 has officially been launched globally, and will soon roll out gradually across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and other markets.

The company’s latest V series mid-ranger features helpful tools for travel, concerts, and other occasions, with its familiar 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, AI Stage Mode, 4K 60fps video, and AI-powered editing tools.

A refined design also features aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame, rounded corners, and a flat 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED display in front. The back, meanwhile, has AG glass for scratch resistance.

Available colors are Golden Hour, Alpine Gray, Sandalwood Brown, Canary Yellow, and Authentic Black.

In addition, the vivo V70 debuts the new OriginOS 6 out of the box for enhanced performance and security.

Pro-grade telephoto camera

The vivo V70’s 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera has a pro-grade, 1/1.95-inch sensor and OIS for sharper shots in low-light and challenging conditions.

Its advanced periscope design also allows for higher zoom levels without adding bulk.

This shooter is coupled with a 1/1.56-inch 50MP ZEISS main camera. There is also an 8MP ZEISS ultra-wide angle camera and a 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera.

The new device comes with a new AI Stage Mode, tuned for stage photography.

Shots are enhanced by AI Image Portrait Enhancement Algorithm and AI Style Portrait Technology.

This way, users can achieve 10x zoom for crisp stage photos.

As with previous iterations of the V series, the latest handset is also equipped with ZEISS Multifocal Portrait, along with options like 85mm ZEISS Sonnar Style Bokeh or 100mm Close-Up Portrait in ZEISS Planar Style.

And for the first time in the V series, the phone introduces 4K 60fps video for cinematic and smooth captures.

AI Audio Noise Eraser, meanwhile, offers an additional layer of creative control fo post-editing.

Other AI-powered editing tools include AI Magic Weather, AI Magic Landscape, AI Retouch, AI Erase, AI Magic Move, AI Image Expander, and AI Color Adjustment.

The cameras are arranged in a flagship metallic camera module for a smooth, clean, and understated look.

Smarter, more intuitive

Along with a fully rebuilt infrastructure and Origin Smooth Engine, the system looks, feels, and stays smooth while allowing multi-scenario connectivity.

The OS also introduces Origin Island, a dynamic capsule at the top of the screen.

The phone also supports cross-device transfer, including with supported iPhone models.

Inside is a 6,500mAh BlueVolt battery with 90W FlashCharge. Other features include Dual-Bridge Signal Concurrency for optimized network even in congested environments.

Cameras

Osmo Pocket 4 makes a surprising appearance in public

Is the built-in light real?

Published

February 19, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 might be the most popular camera in recent history. The tiny action camera constantly sells out, thanks to creators and would-be vloggers. Because of the current generation’s popularity, everyone is looking forward to the next-generation Osmo Pocket 4. Though it’s still unannounced, the new camera has suddenly made a surprising appearance out in the wild.

The leak shockingly comes from an authorized DJI retailer in Kuala Lumpur. Supposedly, a customer entered the store with what they claimed was an Osmo Pocket 4. The store, DronesKaki, even shot a now-deleted video of the unannounced camera, rescued by New Camera.

Based solely on the short video, the Osmo Pocket 4 looks and feels very familiar to those who’ve already used the Pocket 3. The three-axis gimbal system still keeps shots in place for taking videos while on the move. The 2-inch rotating screen looks identical to the current one, especially because of intuitive settings and controls.

However, the biggest standout is the built-in LED light sitting atop the camera. Despite how convenient and easy to use it is, the Pocket 3 doesn’t exactly shine in low-light conditions, prompting users to always bring an external flash. If the leak is true, the Osmo Pocket 4 cures this issue to some extent. (Built-in flashes aren’t usually standout solutions, but they can work in a pinch.)

Still, take the leak with a grain of salt. Though the store could have deleted the video because of a request from DJI, they could have also deleted it because it’s not the Osmo Pocket 4. At this point, we won’t know, but current rumors speculate that the camera is launching soon.