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.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.