Smartphones

vivo V20 SE unboxing

Cheaper but not cheap-looking

Published

October 23, 2020

MJ Jucutan

Chinese company vivo introduces a new midrange lineup with the V20 series: the V20, V20 SE, and V20 Pro.

Introducing an SE variant just like Apple and OPPO, you’d think less seeing how it’s just another younger sibling. In your head, it’s probably the same handset with a lower configuration.

Perhaps you’re right, or not. Let’s find out by unboxing and taking a quick look at the vivo V20 SE.

Unboxing the youngest sibling

The V20 SE comes in the same box as its other siblings: a shiny, reflective V-shaped light across its surface, beaming in a beautiful and striking blue.

Taking it out of the box, you’ll be greeted by accessories deemed essential in a smartphone box. For instance, you can find a white earpiece, a Type-C to Type-A USB Cable, and a free power adapter.

There’s also a protective case for the V20 SE, along with a SIM ejector pin.

Youngest but the most sleek-looking

Seeing the V20 SE didn’t give a youthful vibe even though it’s the youngest in vivo’s V20 lineup. While an SE variant promises a lower configuration for a more affordable option, the V20 SE looks like a powerhouse that every professional would sport. At least, that’s how it looks.

The V20 SE uses a plastic body, but can still look as bewitching as its siblings’ glass bodies. It comes in two sheeny colorway: Gravity Black and Oxygen Blue.

Although, the one we have is painted in Gravity Black yet looks lustrous in a calming, faded blue when hit by light at certain angles. Somehow, it’s quite reminiscent of the vivo X50’s design and approach.

The vivo V20 SE sports a triple rear camera system, housed in a vertical bump. It has a 48-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel camera for wide-angle and macro shots, and a 2-megapixel bokeh lens.

On the front, it has a 6.44-inch AMOLED display with 2400×1080 FHD+ resolution just like the base V20. It also runs FunTouch OS 11 based on Android 11. Moreover, it’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665, an 8GB RAM, and 128GB internal storage.

Of course, the V20 SE still sports a waterdrop notch housing its 32-megapixel front-facing camera.

On its bottom side, you can find the beloved headphone jack, speaker grillers, and a USB Type-C port. It’s perfect for charging up to 33W using vivo’s Flash Charge 2.0, filling up the V20 SE’s 4100mAh battery.

The vivo V20 SE has certain rooms for exploration, even with a lower configuration among its siblings. There’s one thing for sure: this sleek-looking cheaper variant that doesn’t look really cheap has a market to conquer.

It retails for PhP 15,999. It will be available in vivo’s official stores and authorized retailers.

SEE ALSO: vivo V20 unboxing | vivo V20 Pro review

News

Power Mac Center SM Aura is now an Apple Premium Partner store

With a new protection plan dubbed as “1Protect” for your precious new iPhones

Published

September 23, 2026

Vincenz

Photos and graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Power Mac Center has upgraded its SM Aura branch into an Apple Premium Partner (APP) store. The “APP” designation is the highest tier for reseller stores worldwide.

Originally opened in 2014, the redesigned store now houses its retail space, training center, and a service center in one.

The new space also puts more emphasis on learning. Free group demos will be held every Friday to Sunday. These will cover topics such as iPad creativity, or camera features, personalization, and Continuity for the latest iPhone series.

To celebrate the opening, customers can also score discounts on select Apple devices and accessories until September 27, 2026.

Deals include up to:

₱PhP 36,000 off MacBook Pros
PhP 19,500 off iPads
PhP 3000 off Apple Watches; and
PhP 11,000 off iPhone models

There are also service discounts until September 25. Plus, new iPhones purchases here are also covered with 1Protect coverage options.

ICYMI, it’s a partnership between PMC and Bolttech. It’s basically a new way to protect your precious new iPhones.

Your regular one-year warranty does not cover accidental drops and water damage. Purchasing this new coverage plan (good for one year) gives you an unlimited dose of that.

Parts are guaranteed original and is an official part of AppleCare Services.

This protection program also covers one-time unwarranted exchanges (or change of mind returns) from micro scratches to color options. It will even replace your iPhone (of the same model and configuration) if it was stolen once.

There’s also the 1 Infinite loyalty program. Members can earn points from purchases and redeem them for devices, accessories, services, and training.

The Power Mac Center SM Aura APP store is located on Level 2 and is open daily from 10AM to 10PM.

News

MediaTek launches the Dimensity 9600 Pro

Smartphones are scheduled to launch later this year.

Published

September 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The stage is set for next year’s smartphones. Both MediaTek and Qualcomm have unleased their upcoming flagship chipsets for the coming generation. If you’re looking for the Qualcomm side of things, go here. But if you’re looking for MediaTek, then you’re in the right place.

The Dimensity 9600 Pro adopts the 2nm process mode, which makes MediaTek one of the first companies to use it. The chip itself features a 2+3+3 All Big Core CPU. Specifically, it has two C2-Ultra cores going up to 4.55GHz, three C2-Pro cores going up to 4.35GHz, and three C2-Pro ones going up to 3.1GHz. This configuration can reportedly achieve 17 percent better single-core performance and 15 percent higher multi-core performance.

Besides all that power inherently built in, the chipset also has the G2-Ultra NX GPU. This GPU can deliver 27 percent higher peak performance, 24 percent lower power consumption, 18 percent faster raytracing, and gaming at up to 185 frames per second.

Finally, the chipset has the Imagiq 1290 ISP. With this engine, the processor can handle 60fps motion capture and 4K240 direct-output ultra-slow-motion video.

Alongside the Dimensity 9600 Pro, MediaTek is also launching the Dimensity 9600M, a slightly more lightweight option of the Pro that deliver flagship level performance to more users outside of that price point.

Smartphones that will come with the Dimensity 9600 Pro and 9600M will launch sometime in the fourth quarter.

News

Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series

This time, there are two models.

Published

September 23, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The end of the year always heralds the next step of processors for next year’s smartphones. Besides the oodles of phone rumors we’ll have before the year ends, these new processors give us a powerful hint of what the new machinery can do. Today, Qualcomm has unveiled that next generation, announcing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.

Yes, this time, the Snapdragon flagship chipset will come in two flavors. Let’s start with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.

The “base” model of the duo has an octa-core Oryon CPU with two prime cores going up to 5GHz. It also has an Adreno GPU that touts 35 percent faster performance compared to the previous generation. Additionally, the chipset has a 16MB Flex Cache which can supposedly leverage the cache better to deliver better single-threaded performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will also have a new Spectra ISP. The engine can support single image capturing at 320 megapixels, or 64 megapixels with a triple rear camera combo. It also supports 8K video capturing at 30fps. Further, Intelligent Pixel Control features better contextualization skills so the camera can more accurately detect what you’re taking a photo or video of.

Finally, the X105 5G modem offers the usual array of 5G connectivity options but also goes up to supporting Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 8.

Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 offers much of the same as the duo’s regular model. However, it features 18MB of high performance memory, video recording that goes up to 60fps at 8K resolution, and new Matrix Cores that boost frame generation for gaming.

As expected, both models will appear in new smartphones from later this year to next year.