News

vivo launches the V20 Series in the Philippines

The more, the merrier

Published

October 24, 2020

Vincenz

It’s only been four months since vivo launched two V19 models, but they already have a new V-series in the line.

Say hello to the newest V20 series! Instead of two, they’re making it three this time.

Design

There’s a fine line between V20 SE’s design compared to its more powerful siblings. The V20 SE, being the cheapest, has a back made out of plastic.

Meanwhile, the V20 and V20 Pro are pretty much alike with a smooth glass back. A nifty difference is that, the V20 Pro is a little bit smaller and slimmer at 7.39mm than the V20 due to slimmer display bezels.

Display

Speaking of display, all phones are packed with a 6.44-inch AMOLED Full HD+ display but instead of punch-hole cameras found on the V19 series, vivo has decided to bring back display notches.

The obvious distinction can be seen in V20 Pro’s wider display notch due to the presence of dual front cameras. Meanwhile, the V20 and V20 SE both feature a single, dewdrop notch. As an added ‘Pro’ feature, the V20 Pro supports HDR10 while the latter don’t.

All variants are equipped with vivo’s in-display fingerprint scanner technology.

Performance

What sets these three apart from each other are the processors they use. The basic V20 SE is equipped with Snapdragon 665 while the V20 has the Snapdragon 720G processor. Meanwhile, the V20 Pro uses a Snapdragon 765G processor. All models come with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of base storage with slots for microSD card for the lower variants. The V20 Pro doesn’t support microSD expandability.

The V20 SE has the biggest battery at 4,100mAh while the V20 and V20 Pro both feature 4,000mAh. All models are bundled with vivo’s 33W FlashCharge adapter that promises up to 65 percent of battery level in just a thirty minute-charge.

All V20 units run on Funtouch OS 11 based on Android 10.

Connectivity

All units come with USB-C ports and a set of mono speakers. Other than the exclusion of microSD card slot, the V20 Pro also doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack while the V20 and V20 SE clearly has it in place. Don’t worry, the V20 Pro has a bundled USB-C to 3.5mm audio jack adapter for those who still desire the audio plugging.

As an addition to its ‘Pro’ naming, the V20 Pro is the only phone that supports 5G out of the box.

Cameras

Both the V20 and V20 Pro sport the same 64-megapixel f/1.89 wide lens plus a 2-megapixel mono lens. On the other hand, the V20 SE only has a 48-megapixel f/1.8 lens paired with a 2-megapixel depth sensor. To lessen the confusion, all models come with an 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide camera.

With the notches in mind, all models also feature a 44-megapixel f/2.0 wide selfie camera but the V20 Pro has an additional 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide lens for an added focal length when shooting selfies.

Pricing and Availability

The vivo V20 SE is the cheapest in the bunch which sells for just PhP 15,999. It’s available in Gravity Black and Oxygen Blue options.

Next in line is the V20 priced around PhP 19,999 while its 5G sibling, the V20 Pro, retails at PhP 24,999. Both phones come in two common colorways: this psychedelic Sunset Melody variant and the Midnight Jazz that leans more into black. The V20 Pro only has the Moonlight Sonata option that’s clearly based on white.

These phones are available for pre-order through their official Lazada and Shopee channels. Pre-orders run from October 23 (Friday) until October 29 (Thursday).

Early buyers of the vivo V20 Pro will receive a PhP 7,999-worth gift set including a JBL Go2 Bluetooth Speaker, a noise-cancelling wireless earbuds, additional six months screen warranty and also an extended warranty of up to two years. Those who will pre-order the V20 will receive a similar gift set as the V20 Pro minus the JBL G02 Bluetooth Speaker.

Meanwhile, buyers who will pre-order the V20 SE will receive a 10,000mAh mega powerbank, additional six-month screen warranty, and also a warranty coverage of up to two years worth PhP 3,899.

Entertainment

Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting another anime series

Nier’s Yoko Taro is helming the project.

Published

February 24, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For an anime franchise that surely belongs in greatest-of-all-time lists, Neon Genesis Evangelion seems to thrive on controversy. From the polarizing ending of the original series to the controversial introduction of Mari Makinami in the Rebuild trilogy, there’s a lot to talk about between Evangelion fans. Now, the series has something new coming. Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting yet another series.

Most recently, the Rebuild of Evangelion completed its arc of rebooting the entire franchise with a more conclusive ending. It was a near conclusion, especially for those who grew dissatisfied with the previous attempts’ endings. Now, an upcoming series might take the franchise to new grounds.

To celebrate the franchise’s 30^th anniversary, Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting a new series helmed by Nier’s Yoko Taro, which you might also know as the guy who wears a creepy moon on his head. Kazuya Tsurumaki, who directed the Rebuild films, will return to direct some episodes. Series creator Hideaki Anno is, unfortunately, not writing this story.

Right now, no one knows what story the series will tell. The franchise is notorious for retelling the same story over and over but with different endings. It’s unclear whether the upcoming series will do the same, tell an entirely new story, or pick up where the series left off.

News

Nothing releases first look at Phone (4a)

The phone is still scheduled to launch on March 5.

Published

February 24, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Judging by their irreverent advertising as of late, Nothing wants to upstage Apple during the scheduled launch of the iPhone 17e. Specifically, the brand is launching the Nothing Phone (4a) a day after Apple’s event. Now, it looks like the wait got too long, even for the company itself. Ahead of the launch, Nothing has just revealed our first official look at the upcoming phone.

There is a lot riding on this phone. Earlier this year, Carl Pei confirmed that the brand will not launch the Phone (4) series this year. Instead, Nothing’s flagship spot for 2026 (or, at least, closest to it) will be reserved for the Phone (4a).

Like the previous years of the (a) series, the Phone (4a) is a notch below the flagship series but can still stand on its own. For one, it’s expected to launch with the latest Snapdragon 7 series chipset.

However, for the released photo, we got a look at the device’s rear. Like the Phone (3a), the Phone (4a) will have a center-aligned camera island.

Built different.
Phone (4a). 5 March, 10:30 GMT. pic.twitter.com/n3ZtbTmYIv

— Nothing (@nothing) February 23, 2026

There is a bit more going on with the phone, though. The photo teases the new Glyph Bars, the latest iteration of Nothing’s iconic lighting system. There’s also the red square usually prevalent in the flagship series.

As for aesthetic, the Phone (4a) looks simpler than its predecessors. We’re still getting the faux machinery designs, but there’s less lines and angles. It looks the closest to the flagship series than any of its predecessors.

Thankfully, the wait for the reveal isn’t long. Nothing is scheduled to launch the series on March 5.

Gaming

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch

Both games will be available starting February 27.

Published

February 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Millennials, prepare to have your nostalgia get hit right in the feels. Nintendo has officially announced that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch.

This year, the Pokémon franchise is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Naturally, with Pokémon Day coming up, it’s only right to celebrate the event with something huge. Finally, two of the most prolific titles in the series are coming to a modern console.

Originally released in 2004, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen were remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. At the time, the two titles reimagined the older games for the Game Boy Advance. Additionally, they introduced new post-game content set in the Sevii Islands, where Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Deoxys reside in the Kanto region.

Based on the short teaser trailer, the upcoming Switch versions will feature all of both games’ content. It will likely be remastered for the Switch’s larger screen.

To showcase more of the Switch version, Nintendo is hosting a Pokémon Presents on February 27. The brand has not mentioned anything about a potential physical version yet. However, they do promise that both games will be available on the Nintendo eShop as soon as next week’s Pokémon Presents concludes. Each game will cost US$ 19.99.