I spent roughly a week with the realme C85 5G, and the best way I can describe it is simple: it’s a phone that does what it needs to do, lasts longer than you expect, and takes whatever life throws at it — sometimes literally. 

It sits in that growing corner of the entry-level segment where toughness, battery life, and reliability matter more than performance or camera tricks. And in that context, the C85 makes sense.

Most days with the phone were typical for me: chatting, browsing, catching up on an episode of Would You Marry Me on Disney+, and spiraling down YouTube, including ITZY’s “Tunnel Vision” music video as a casual MIDZY. It handled all of this in a way I’d call serviceable — a word I kept coming back to throughout the week.

A phone that doesn’t make you worry about battery

The star of the show is clearly the 7,000mAh battery. This thing does not die. It’s no secret that I tend to charge my phones when they hit 50% or below — a habit formed from generally being anxious. But the C85 never pressured me like that. It routinely lasted beyond a full day, often needing a charge only the following morning. 

This changes how you use your phone. I didn’t think twice about watching videos outdoors, navigating while commuting, or keeping multiple apps open. And when I did need to recharge, 45W SUPERVOOC did the job reasonably fast for a device in this category.

Built for everyday accidents — and random cats

realme markets the C85 as rugged, and in fairness, it lives up to that image. It has IP66, IP68, and IP69K ratings plus military-grade drop resistance, which is more than you usually get for this price.

I didn’t drop it from a motorcycle, but I did subject it to two tests that matter in real-world Filipino life: water and cats.

For water, I placed it under running water in the shower area of our condo pool for about a minute. Wiped it dry, and it kept working. No drama. Rainwater Smart Touch isn’t magic, but it helped keep the screen usable once it was clean and dry again.

For cats — well, that one was unplanned. While taking outdoor photos of the phone, a friendly stray with mismatched eyes followed me around. At one point, she stepped on the phone and even kicked it around with zero consequences. 

No scratches, no dents, no mad cat. If anything, it reassured me that this really is meant to survive little everyday mishaps without needing a case.

Bright, smooth screen… with caveats

The C85’s 6.8-inch 144Hz display sounds wild on paper. In practice, here’s the reality: it’s not as smooth as those numbers suggest. Coming from flagship phones (my ‘daily drivers’), the drop-off is noticeable. But if you’re upgrading from a Note 50, Note 60, or even last year’s C75, the bump will feel more substantial.

The real win is the 1,200-nit peak brightness, which made the screen usable even under the kind of brutal Manila sunlight that usually washes everything out. During a midday walk, I had no trouble reading chats and navigating menus.

Performance is… you guessed it: serviceable

The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 does enough for daily life. Not fast, not sluggish — just comfortably in the middle. Social apps, messaging, light gaming, navigation, and video streaming all ran fine, though I did experience occasional stutters.

A recurring issue was YouTube occasionally refusing to open when I was on mobile data. I’m not sure if that’s a network, software, or chipset quirk, but it happened enough times to mention.

realme UI 6.0 on Android 15 felt familiar and didn’t cause problems. Apps like Messenger, Chrome, YouTube, Disney+, and notes apps stayed open together without drama — something the 8GB RAM (expandable to 24GB with virtual RAM) certainly helped.

Cameras: Good enough for socials, but not exciting

The 50MP Sony IMX852 main camera is okay. Not disappointing, not impressive — just something you can work with. In daylight, photos look decent, detailed enough, and perfectly usable for social media. You can capture your food, your commute, and whatever landmark you stumble upon without issues.

Low light? That’s where the limitations show. It’s not awful, but it’s clearly entry-level. And while realme packs a long list of AI features — glare removal, unblur, smart remover 2.0 — I didn’t really use them.

The 8MP selfie camera is fine for video calls and casual posts. Again, nothing to write home about, but functional.

If cameras are a priority, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you just need “good enough,” the C85 is exactly that.

A quick note on speakers and extras

The 400% UltraBoom speaker is loud but never annoyingly so. Audio quality is flatter than what you get from flagships, but absolutely acceptable for its class.

As for the customizable Pulse Light, I’ll be honest: I forgot it existed after the first day.

You do get small modern touches like Air Gestures, Google Circle to Search, Mini Capsule notifications, and AI call and network optimizers, but nothing I’d consider deal-breaking or deal-making.

Is the realme C85 5G your BudgetMatch?

The realme C85 5G sits in that familiar budget territory where expectations are simple: stay smooth, last long, and don’t get in the way. It mostly does that. 

The cameras won’t blow you away, but they’re good enough for social posts. The performance holds up for everyday use. The battery is the real workhorse. Nothing fancy — just dependable.

The price also shifts the equation. At its full PhP 14,999 SRP, the C85 5G sits in that “think twice” territory. But at PhP 10,989 on realme’s official TikTok Shop, it becomes a much easier Swipe Right — the kind of deal where you stop nitpicking and start asking, “Okay, what am I really losing at this price?”

So, is the realme C85 5G your BudgetMatch?

If you’ve been eyeing that ultra-thin phone everyone’s been raving about but don’t quite have the budget for it, this might be your lucky day. nubia has recently launched the nubia Air in the Philippines.

It’s a new phone that boasts only 5.9mm of thinness and weighs just 172 grams, all while keeping things firmly in the affordable category.

So, brace yourself because this might just be the kind of “Air” that won’t make your pockets feel light.

But before anything else, let’s breeze though some of its specs:

• Ultra-slim and lightweight build — just 5.9mm thin and 172g
• 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
• IP69K dust and water resistance
• 50MP autofocus main camera + 2MP auxiliary lens
• 20MP front-facing camera
• 5,000mAh battery with 350W fast charging support
• Unisoc T8300 octa-core processor (6nm)
• 8GB RAM, expandable up to 20GB with virtual RAM expansion
• 256GB internal storage
• Android 15 out of the box

Design & build quality: Slim, premium, and surprisingly polished

The nubia Air is one of those phones that immediately makes an impression the moment you pick it up. At just 5.9mm thin, it feels incredibly sleek—almost unreal—and yet it still manages to deliver a reassuringly premium in-hand feel.

I’m not usually the type who gravitates toward ultra-thin phones but holding this one honestly made me reconsider. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and far more refined than what its just over PhP 10,000 price tag would suggest.

It comes in two colors: Titanium Black and Titanium Desert. My Titanium Black unit looks clean and understated, though it’s worth noting that both the frame and the matte back can pick up fingerprints and smudges more easily than expected. The included case solves that quickly, but it’s something users should keep in mind.

Despite clearly taking inspiration from a more famous “Air” device, nubia adds its own touches. The red-accented power button and the subtle red branding on the camera plateau give the phone a bit of personality without overdoing it. Small details, but they help the nubia Air establish an identity of its own.

A display that punches above its price

Front and center, the nubia Air packs a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, topped with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for added scratch resistance. And honestly? It looks far better than what you’d expect from a phone sitting at this price tier.

Brightness isn’t an issue either. With auto mode pushing it up to around 4,500 nits, I never struggled to read anything outdoors — even under Manila’s unforgiving midday sun. The 120Hz refresh rate keeps things smooth, whether you’re scrolling through socials, swiping menus, or gaming lightly on the side.

The borders are slim enough to make everything feel more open and immersive. Viewing angles hold up well too, maintaining clarity even when you’re not looking straight at the screen.

Overall, the nubia Air’s display puts in the work. It looks modern, feels fluid, and definitely won’t give away that you’re using a budget phone.

Cameras: Decent, usable, but not the star

The nubia Air is equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and an additional auxiliary sensor. Photos turn out good and very usable, but this is where the phone’s budget roots show the most.

Images are generally clear, but sharpness varies, saturation can sometimes go overboard, and HDR isn’t the most reliable. The AI mode doesn’t add much either. Surprisingly, night shots are still okay, just not impressive.

There’s also a 78mm digital zoom preset, but as expected, the quality dips noticeably the moment you switch to it.

Up front, you get a 20MP selfie camera. It’s decent and social-media-ready, but the processing isn’t the best. HDR struggles here too, and while beauty filters exist, they don’t fully mask that “affordable phone” look.

Here are some samples taken with the nubia Air.

Performance & battery: Smooth for daily use, casual for gaming

If you’re sticking to light gaming, music streaming, and social media, the nubia Air will easily get you through a full day with some battery to spare. The 5,000mAh battery paired with 30W fast charging means you can quickly top up when you’re in a rush—it’s not the fastest, but it’s convenient.

This is my first time using a phone with a Unisoc T8300 processor, and it delivers a smooth experience. Scrolling through apps and social media feels effortless, especially with the 120Hz display; the interface really does feel like it’s breezing through.

Gaming, however, is a different story. Even at lower graphics settings, frame drops are noticeable, including in lighter games like Roblox. This is expected at this price point, and casual gamers won’t find it game-breaking. Multitasking is solid thanks to 8GB of RAM, expandable up to 20GB with virtual RAM, keeping day-to-day use fluid and responsive.

Other features & AI

The nubia Air runs Android 15 out of the box with a UI that’s clean and direct, keeping things simple without heavy skinning. It comes with a reliable in-display fingerprint sensor and a Live Island feature, where the punch-hole camera interacts with the software for notifications and alerts.

AI enhancements are present, especially for imaging, and it also supports Gemini AI. While it’s not groundbreaking compared to flagship devices, it’s a nice touch for a phone in this price range.

Is the nubia Air your GadgetMatch?

The nubia Air is a no-brainer Swipe Right. It gives you a phone that looks and feels premium without making your wallet cry. The 5.9mm thin body and light 172g weight make it feel like holding air, yet it’s surprisingly solid. Casual users will enjoy smooth performance, the display is bright and immersive, and the battery easily lasts a full day.

What makes this deal even sweeter? While the SRP is PhP 12,999, ongoing promos on platforms like Shopee mean you can grab it for even less. For a sleek, lightweight phone that’s easy to recommend to parents, teens, or anyone wanting a stylish daily driver without overspending, this one’s hard to beat.

I have a confession. When I first got the Insta360 X4 Air, I thought it was something I could take on easily. I’ve been reviewing tech for over a decade now. I’ve fiddled my way through enough of them to be in this headspace. But that was my mistake. 

The Insta360 X4 Air, being the first 360 camera that I spent longer than a day with, humbled me right away. Part of that humility came from realizing that shooting with dual 1/1.8-inch sensors and full 8K 360 capture isn’t just “point and shoot.” You’re not just framing a subject. You’re framing the entire environment, and that requires a different mindset.

It wasn’t the usual smartphone review that I could write in my sleep. It was something else entirely. Even as someone who has professionally produced videos for the web for years, this was something new to me.

The thing is, the way it’s being marketed is that it’s something you bring with you, turn on, and just forget about. Just let it capture everything and make your adjustments later. 

And to be fair, the X4 Air leans into that philosophy. AdaptiveTone, Active HDR, and InstaFrame Mode are designed around the idea that you shoot first and carve out the story in post. That runs counter to how I’ve operated, especially recently.

My philosophy is to be as intentional as possible with every shot and every frame. My post-production process starts as early as the time I conceptualize the video. 

With the volume of stuff that we have to produce, we don’t always execute this perfectly. But it’s a nice general guideline that has saved me multiple times on multiple projects.

An outdoor camera

I am primarily an indoors person. That’s why most of our 360 and action camera reviews were handled by our more outdoorsy member, MJ. And to its credit, the X4 Air is built for the outdoors in a very literal sense. 

It weighs just 165 grams, slips easily into any sling or backpack, and its user-replaceable lenses now have a tougher optical coating that doubles drop resistance. It also has waterproofing up to 15 meters, plus FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock to keep things steady regardless of how chaotic the shooting environment gets.

So, does that mean myself and the Insta360 X4 Air are a mismatch? Not necessarily. I do travel a fair bit – at least once every quarter – and I can see the X4 Air being handy in those mostly work trips. 

And because it shares the same 8K 30 fps 360 video system and replaceable lens setup as the flagship X5, you’re not giving up much by picking the lighter option. It even supports most of the X5 accessories, which makes it a flexible travel companion.

Unfortunately, I had no such trips during my time with the X4 Air. That’s why I’m not exactly thrilled by the samples I produced. But that’s more a knock on my lifestyle than the camera.

 

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A post shared by Rodneil Quiteles (@rodneil)

360 camera: A new tool, a new challenge

Recognizing that I’m out of my depth and comfort zone, I quickly trooped to YouTube and looked up Insta360 sample videos. The videos were all incredible but none of them I could recreate right away. 

The X4 Air does make things friendlier with Twist to Shoot, Gesture Control, and Voice Control. You can start recording hands-free, which helps when you’re figuring out your flow. 

InstaFrame even saves a ready-to-share flat video on top of the full 360 archive. But you still need time to understand the angles, the movement, and the kind of shots that actually make sense once you start reframing.

I’m excited to take the Insta360 X4 Air in my upcoming trips and find a way to incorporate it into my workflow. I guess that’s the question you should ask yourself if this is a camera you’re eyeing. It’s an incredible tool, sure. But is it the right one for the content you intend to produce?

Too costly to try?

At PhP 21,999 (or PhP 24,999 for the Starter Bundle with the 114 cm Invisible Selfie Stick, lens cap, and extra battery), it’s quite an investment. 

You’re paying for the full 8K workflow, the stabilisation system, the improved low-light algorithms, the waterproofing, the tougher lens coating, and the AI-driven editing tools inside the Insta360 app. You’re also getting a one-year, 200 GB Insta360+ cloud subscription for backups and quick sharing.

The prudent thing to do is to do your research. Find out the work it takes to make the videos you want to make with a 360 cam and see if it’s something that you would be able to sustain.

@rodneilInsta360 X4 Air test clip. 🎳♬ som original – Darkness Music

Is the Insta360 X4 Air your GadgetMatch?

The Insta360 X4 Air is a Swipe Right, but you have to be purposeful about your intended use. Sure, you can do the just-turn-it-on-and-think-about-it-later approach, but I don’t think you’ll be maximizing it that way. 

At worst, it’s an expensive extra cam that you’ll only occasionally use. At best, it’s the tool that adds dynamic shots you simply can’t capture any other way.