The universe is continuously expanding — and does the tech scene especially with the limitless innovations being announced in a span of just a year.
And much like a parent star that has a lot of planets orbiting around it, the same thing can be said to me who has a lot of gadgets spinning around me — whether that may be a smartphone, tablet, camera, TV, a pair of earbuds, and more gadgets over the horizon.
But just like how most planetary system works, only a selected few only gives the most habitable life — very similar to some of the gadgets that matched my actual needs.
#BackgroundCheck
For those who didn’t know, I’m Vincenz — or often called by GadgetMatch members as ‘V‘ due to my name’s lengthy pronunciation. But to avoid confusion between the stranger ‘V’ and the wildly popular ‘V’ (*coughs* Taehyung from BTS), I decided to just use my real name for this write-up.
ICYMI, I’ve been GadgetMatch’s in-house video editor, (kinda frustrated) photographer, and full-fledged K-Pop connoisseur who joined the team way back in 2018 as an intern.
But this blog isn’t totally about me, it’s about my favorite devices of the year. While I haven’t tried and tested a lot of gadgets this 2023, there are some that totally matched my lifestyle and needs.
Xiaomi 13 Pro
In a wide array of phone brands that offer photography-centric smartphones, the Xiaomi 13 Pro matched well with what I wanted in a camera smartphone. Sure, it may not have the best of the best video stabilization nor the clearest zoomed shots past 10x, but undeniably, it exceeded my expectations.
The fusion of Leica’s long-time excellence in imaging, Xiaomi’s focus on bringing the best of photography through AI algorithm, and Sony’s snappy 1-inch sensor all resulted to an excellent camera packed in such pocketable slab.
If you’ve read my long-term review, you’ve probably seen how I gave a lot of praises for how this smartphone performed. While the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Pro are all ganging up the Xiaomi 13 Pro, it’s still a very commendable smartphone with one of the best cameras around. This wonder of a smartphone was able to bring back my passion into photography.
READ: Xiaomi 13 Pro: Frustrated photographer’s review
HUAWEI P60 Pro
Another phone in this list is HUAWEI’s P-flagship of 2023. And yes, I know what you’re thinking. How come I consider this a favorite gadget if it lacks the most “basic” functions of an Android smartphone.
Well, hear me out. There are workarounds to fully maximize the use of Google Mobile Services (GMS) in this phone. Lack of 5G? 4G+ is still thriving in most countries. But again, those aren’t the reasons why I picked this as one of my faves.
As I’ve already mentioned earlier, the Xiaomi 13 Pro isn’t the right smartphone when you take a lot of zoomed photos past the 10x mark. This is where the HUAWEI P60 Pro comes into the spotlight. Despite not having a dedicated 10x periscope zoom lens, the P60 Pro was still able to deliver astounding shots — prevalent when I brought the phone with me during TWICE’s concert.
READ: TWICE Ready To Be in Bulacan: Shot on HUAWEI P60 Pro
Don’t @ me. Me (and my concert-obsessed friend) also tried Galaxy S23 Ultra’s zooming prowess but HUAWEI’s AI tricks actually made the zoomed photos more pleasing to the eyes. That’s with the fact that HUAWEI P60 Pro only relies on its 3.5x telephoto zoom lens for zooming in.
I just wish Samsung could keep up with AI software magic like HUAWEI does other than actually flaunting its long telephoto module to spec-obsessed nerds. But that might be for another story as the Samsung Galaxy S24 series is just around the corner.
READ: HUAWEI P60 Pro review: Picture perfect
GoPro HERO12 Black
Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of taking videos as I really prefer shooting photographs more than ever. But the GoPro HERO12 Black definitely made me enjoy recording a lot of memories. That’s especially thanks to its sizable and lightweight form factor that my iPhone couldn’t achieve.
Never have I imagined that GoPro can go even farther than what it already offers with its ultra-wide lens. With the Max Lens Mod 2.0, it gave me an even wider and more appreciative view of the world around me that most smartphones fail to provide with their measly UWA focal length.
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And with the world heavily relying on short-form videos in TikTok or Reels, it’s built-in vertical mode shooting actually made more sense than trying to shoot with the action camera rotated. My Bangkok trip summarized in 60 seconds could attest to that.
READ: GoPro HERO12 Black: Making heroic shots with the new HERO
JBL Tune Beam
While I do commend the HONOR Earbuds 3 Pro (that Rodneil gave me) with its rich sound quality and very adequate noise-cancelling capabilities, its lackluster battery life is what had me concerned in the long run.
Fortunately, JBL gave away these cool AF Tune Beam earbuds in the Ghost White (or Transparent) colorway that I really adore — much like the Nothing ear. Despite its less heavy price tag, JBL’s superior sound quality still remains. There’s also a decent amount of Noise Cancelling happening when it’s actually in use.
Moreover, its software prowess and compatibility towards most devices make the experience seamless. Best of all? Its battery life that felt like it never lasts out even if I use it for long K-Pop music sessions for more than six to seven hours (and counting).
Honorable Mentions
I consider this list more as my “2023 Tech wishlist” as I wasn’t able to try these products but still garnered much of my attention mostly due to what they offer on paper:
Blog
GadgetMatch at gamescom 2025: stepping into the world’s biggest gaming stage
This first gamescom won’t be our last.
Walking into gamescom for the first time, I felt both overwhelmed and grateful. Cologne turns into a celebration of gaming every year. Being there in person — seeing the scale, the creativity, the energy from fans and developers — reminded me how much we’ve wanted to be part of this moment.
Gaming has always been part of our DNA. Since 2017, GadgetMatch has reviewed games alongside the gadgets that power them. We’ve covered console launches, tested big titles, and told stories about how games shape everyday life. Being at gamescom felt less like trying something new, and more like coming home to a community we’ve long been part of.
Swiping in game reviews
And just like with gadgets, we’re gonna start carrying over our playful way of saying what’s worth your time into game reviews. A Swipe Up means highly recommended. Swipe Right means recommended, but maybe not for everyone. A Swipe Left means not recommended. It’s the same DNA, now applied to the worlds, battles, and stories we escape to.
An experience
gamescom 2025 | GameSir | Honor of Kings: World
On the ground, so many moments stood out. The massive lines waiting for Silksong. Capcom’s crowd-pullers like Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata. Spotting a GameSir controller — one of our long-time partners — while playing the Honor of Kings: World demo. Finally meeting peers I had only known through email.
@gadgetmatch Sights & Sounds at #gamescom2025 ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch
There were cosplayers at every corner, ready to strike a pose. A cosplay village overflowing with anime merch I couldn’t ignore. Samsung and Genshin Impact sharing a massive booth, proof of how big mobile gaming has become. And yes, I finally played Phantom Blade 0, a game I’ve been waiting for.
gamescom 2025
gamescom shows the full range of the industry. The big, cinematic AAA titles. The clever indies with fresh ideas. It’s what makes covering games so exciting. Gaming is never just about the hardware. It’s about the stories, the worlds, and the communities that grow around them.
This first gamescom won’t be our last. We want to come back, not just as attendees, but as an active part of the gaming conversation. If you’re a publisher or developer looking for a platform that values both the tech and the stories behind your games, we’d love to tell them with you.
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GadgetMatch wraps up COMPUTEX 2025
We explored Taiwan’s biggest tech show and connected with the brands shaping tomorrow.
GadgetMatch proudly wrapped up its on-ground coverage of COMPUTEX 2025, the world’s leading technology expo held annually in Taipei, Taiwan.
From the latest gaming rigs and AI-powered laptops to memory innovations and lifestyle tech, this year’s show floor buzzed with breakthroughs and we were there to experience it all.
Covering the event were Rodneil Quiteles, Managing Editor of GadgetMatch Philippines; Vincenz Lee, Associate Creative Producer; and MJ Jucutan, Associate Creative Director.
Together, they brought stories, videos, and social coverage that highlighted the best of what COMPUTEX had to offer, while also giving our community a taste of tech culture in Taiwan.
Our highlights from the show floor
MSI went all in on AI. We explored their latest creator and gaming laptops featuring built-in Copilot buttons and AI-enhanced performance. MSI also showcased a new line of desktops and monitors designed to keep up with modern workflows.
Acer wowed us with its SpatialLabs technology, blending AI, 3D, and immersive visuals for next-gen creators and gamers. Their new Predator and Swift lineups are not just powerful; they’re pushing boundaries.
Gigabyte unveiled sleek motherboards and pre-built solutions for power users. Their AORUS line was particularly impressive for gamers and PC builders who want performance without compromise.
ADATA and XPG gave us a look at high-speed, high-capacity memory, and storage options that are ideal for gamers, creatives, and data-heavy pros. Their booth also included eye-catching collaborations with artists and modders.
TeamGroup highlighted its commitment to performance and design. From DDR5 RAM to high-efficiency SSDs, they’re clearly tuned in to the needs of both builders and enterprise users.
iRocks merged form and function with a range of mechanical keyboards and ergonomic setups that blend aesthetic appeal with typing comfort.
Kingston stayed true to its legacy of reliability with new innovations in SSD and memory solutions. Their FURY gaming lineup continues to be a top choice for competitive gamers around the world.
Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our partners and sponsors:
- MSI, our official tech partner, for their continued trust and collaboration.
- Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), our official coverage partner, for supporting media from all over the world and inviting us back to experience Taiwan’s tech ecosystem firsthand.
- EVA Air and Grand Hi Lai Hotel (through TAITRA), for making our stay and travel comfortable, allowing us to focus on creating content that matters.
See you at COMPUTEX 2026!
We’re already looking forward to next year. COMPUTEX 2026 happens from June 2-6, and we’re more inspired than ever to expand our coverage, bring in more stories, and partner with even more brands in the tech-lifestyle space.
If you’re a brand looking to reach a global audience through engaging, relatable, and visually compelling tech storytelling, now’s the time to connect with us. Let’s build something bigger for 2026 — together.
From Taipei, this has been your GadgetMatch team.
See you next year at COMPUTEX!
GadgetMatch’s very own associate creative director and auto beat reporter MJ Jucutan bagged the Ford Automotive Article Feature of the Year award at the recent 24th Henry Ford Awards.
MJ’s winning feature was about the Next-Gen Ford Territory. The story highlighted the SUV’s driver-assist technologies, high-tech features, and more capabilities.
The HFA handed a total of 13 trophies — one for each category — to the deserving winners.
Furthermore, the event recognized the outstanding contributions from automotive journalists, who have chronicled the industry’s important events, trends, and issues.
The award-giving body held the awards night last May 5. Here are the 13 24th Henry Ford Awards winners under the Industry and Ford categories:
Industry category
- Automotive Column of the Year: “’Nawalan ng preno’ not a reason for road crashes” — Raymond Gregory B. Tribdino, Malaya Business Insight
- Automotive Electric Vehicle Story of the Year (Print/Online): “EV Life Without the Hassle? Here’s the Best Way to Transition.” — Ramoncito ‘Monch’ Henares, Monchster Chronicles
- Automotive Industry Feature of the Year (Print/Online): “Car Ownership 101 – Just say no to an open deed of sale” — Eric Tipan, AutoIndustriya
- Automotive Launch Story of the Year (Print/Online): “May the re-entry of a legend save another from oblivion” — Teresa R. Salazar, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Automotive Lifestyle Story of the Year (Print/Online): “Luisa’s Journey: A Life on an Electric Three-Wheeler” — Kristoffer Lim, Motortech.ph
- Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year: “The Honda CRV Hybrid RS Edition – should you daily drive it? Here’s 5 reasons why you should” — Aristo Konstantino Tejano, Apex Motoring Ph
- Automotive Photograph of the Year (Print/Online): “First Drive – A few laps on the track prove that the 2024 Ford Mustang really is all-new” — Carlo Chungunco, Top Gear Philippines
- Automotive Tech Story of the Year (Print/Online): “5 Technologies that can impact how we drive in the future” — Dinzo Tabamo, Top Gear Philippines
- Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Article): “The P14.49-M Range Rover Sport is worth every darn peso” — Leandre Mari C. Grecia, Top Gear Philippines
- Automotive Vehicle Review of the Year (Video): “Can We Make It To La Union in the BYD Atto 3?” — Earl Davidson Lim Lee, AutoDeal
Ford category
- Ford Automotive Article Feature of the Year: “Why the Next-Gen Ford Territory is an endurance athlete’s choice” — Mark Julius Jucutan, GadgetMatch
- Ford Automotive Short-Form Video of the Year (Social): “How close car photographers get to nail the perfect shot” — Carlo Chungunco, Top Gear Philippines
- Ford Automotive Video Feature of the Year (TV/Online): “South African Adventure With The 2024 Ford Everest V6! | First Impressions” — Kristopper Santos, AutoDeal
In addition, Top Gear Philippines was given the Automotive Outlet of the Year award for bagging four wins. Meanwhile, Carlo Chungunco was named Automotive Journalist of the Year.
HFA introduces Lifetime Achievement Award
Moreover, the Henry Ford Awards has unveiled the Butch Gamboa Lifetime Achievement Award.
This lifetime distinction will be presented to one Filipino motoring journalist who has made a significant impact among their peers, colleagues, brand leaders, and the industry in general with their profound work in automotive journalism.
HFA will honor the journalist next year, at its milestone 25th anniversary. The award recognizes the legacy of the late Philippine motoring journalism icon Butch Gamboa.
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