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We’ve always been impressed by how much value vivo smartphones offer. The X series in particular has had some of the best camera smartphones we’ve tested in recent years. This year’s vivo X80 and X80 Pro are no different.

We partnered with vivo and put together this Buyer’s Guide to figure out which one is your GadgetMatch.

Tale of the Tape

The Vivo X80 is the base model in the X80 series, but it’s no slouch. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 processor.

It’s got a 6.78″ HD display, 4500 mAh battery, 80W Flash Charge and 3 rear cameras co-engineered with Zeiss, coupled with OIS and EIS.

It’s going to be available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The price: INR 59,999 or around US$ 760 when converted.

The Vivo X80 Pro has all the bells and whistles and top of the line specs: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 6.78″ WQHD+ display, 4700 mAh battery, 80W Flash Charge and 50W Wireless Flash Charge, as well as 4 rear cameras co-engineered with Zeiss.

The rear camera system includes a new 50MP Ultra-sensing GNV sensor and Zeiss Gimbal Portrait Camera.

It’s going to be available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, select countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The price: INR 86,999 or US$ 1100 when converted.

Design

Both the vivo X80 and X80 Pro look and feel premium. They also both come in Cosmic Black, which is a rather classy finish. It’s got a nice shimmer to it.

Our X80 unit comes in a fun Urban Blue color — perfect for the summer.

The back is made of glass, but because of the frosted matte finish it’s not a fingerprint magnet the phones. The phones stay pristine-looking.

The camera module is nestled in a bigger rectangular plate. If you take a closer look, the X80 Pro’s is slightly bigger because of an extra 8MP Periscope lens.

The design is very similar to the previous X-series phones. Some people might find the lack of change rather boring, but I’m glad vivo is sticking to this design language.

For a few years now it has set the X-series apart from other smartphones and has left a lasting impression. Not to mention both phones are built great and feel solid.

If you ask me, I’d take something solid and refined over something flashy and gimmicky.

It’s worth noting that both the X80 and X80 Pro come bundled with matching cases. They’re made of plastic but have a leather-like finish.

Props to vivo for bundling a case that doesn’t cheapen the phone the way a jelly case does.

Display

Both the vivo X80 and X80 Pro sport a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

This faster refresh rate makes the phones feel snappier; animations more buttery smooth. When playing games that support it, graphics are more fluid also.

On top of that, faster response rates: 240Hz on the vivo X80 and 300Hz on the vivo X80 Pro.

If you’re looking for an extra crisp viewing experience, the X80 Pro is the one to get. Of the two, it’s got the higher resolution W Quad HD+ display.

While Our Great National Parks is best enjoyed on a bigger screen, the vivo X80 Pro is the next best thing when you’re mobile.

Battery Life

One thing that’s hard to show on video, and certainly not something noticeable from daily use, is that the X80 Pro is slightly thicker and heavier than the X80.

One reason is a bigger battery: 4700 mAh vs 4500 mAh.

Battery consumption is different from person to person but both leave plenty of juice in the tank after a heavy day of use. In fact I was getting more like a day and a half with the X80 Pro.

Both phones also support 80W FlashCharge. With the bundled adapter charging speeds were insanely fast: a full charge in just 35 minutes.

X80
10 mins 42%
30 mins 96%
35 mins 100%

X80 Pro
10 mins 42%
30 mins 95%
35 mins 100%The X80 does not support wireless charging. While the X80 Pro supports up to 50W Wireless Flash Charge with vivo’ proprietary 50W Vertical Wireless Flash Charger.

With the said wireless charger you can get to 50% in under 30 minutes.

Cameras

One department vivo has spent a lot of time on over the last few years is its camera technology.

With every iteration of the X series we’ve seen it get better and smoke the competition.

This year vivo’s introducing the V1+, a custom imaging chip that enables a diverse feature set and optimizes energy consumption.

Another reason the vivo X80 and X80 Pro’s cameras are so good is its partnership with German company Zeiss.

I must admit I usually feel cynical about co-engineering partnerships because in a lot of cases it’s nothing but a license to plaster a prestigious camera company’s logo on phones.

My experience of using the X80, and even more so the X80 Pro has me convinced otherwise.

All the lenses on the X80 and on the X80 Pro have Zeiss patented T Star coating, which helps reduce those reflections when photographing lights at night.

Photos taken with the X80 and X80 Pro have none of those. What you get are clear, crisp images. even in the most challenging of situations.

Given its Pro monicker, the X80 Pro’s camera system is superior compared to the X80, headlined by a new 50MP Ultra Sensing Samsung GNV Sensor. Coupled with OIS and a f/1.57 aperture, it can capture photos that even the eyes can’t see in complete darkness.

With the X80 Pro you’re also getting a 8MP Periscope Camera with 5X optical zoom so you can take photos of landmarks even from far away.

It’s also got a 48MP f/2.2 Ultra Wide Angle Camera which makes taking photos of iconic places like Times Square a lot easier.

The new 12MP Gimbal Portrait camera lets you capture clear action shots. It comes with a new Camera Panning feature, which lets you achieve this linear motion blur effect when taking photos of moving subjects.

A lot of smartphones nowadays take excellent photos during the day; the vivo X80 and X80 Pro are no exception but where the X80 and X80 Pro really excel in is night time photography and videography.

In the X80 Pro vivo also introduces XDR photo technology, which, simply put helps manage highlights, shadows, contrast, and color reproduction in the most difficult of scenarios.

Watch our in-depth Buyer’s Guide video to see all the photos we took with the X80 and X80 Pro, and watch a video montage of New York City shot on the Vivo X80 Pro.

Is the vivo X80 or X80 Pro your GadgetMatch?

You can start by asking yourself these questions: What do I use my phone for? How important are top of the line specs to me?

Do I need wireless charging? How often do I take photos and videos? How much am I willing to pay?

If you want top of the line specs and wireless charging definitely go for the Pro Model. I’m confident that it’s one that you can rely on from day to night.

If differing cameras are a concern for you, my thoughts are while the Pro model has better cameras, the X80 still is a solid camera smartphone. You just lose the ability to zoom in 5x.

Definitely do pick up the X80 Pro if you want the best camera in your pocket. I’d say it’s up there among the best Android phones.

Of course with a great camera and advanced features comes a higher price tag. So that US$ 300 difference between the two should be taken into consideration.

Do the benefits make up for paying this much more? That’s something you have to answer based on what means the most to you.

Watch our in-depth vivo X80 vs X80 Pro Buyer’s Guide for you to find out!

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Buyer's Guide

Before you buy: NBA 2K26

CliffsNotes from the Courtside Reports

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August 27, 2025

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NBA 2K26

NBA 2K26 is more than just a roster update. With sweeping changes across gameplay, player creation, and even how MyTEAM works, this year’s release is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious in the series. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new before you buy in.

Gameplay gets a serious upgrade

At the center of NBA 2K26 is ProPLAY™, a motion system powered by real NBA footage. The result: footwork looks sharper, players move more naturally, and that old “ice skating” feel has been cut down.

Shooting, post moves, and layups have been refined, with added customization options. The AI also plays smarter on both ends of the floor, and even rebounding now comes with timing feedback.

The MyPLAYER Builder is more detailed than ever

Creating your player isn’t guesswork anymore. The new Animation Glossary lets you preview signature moves and check requirements before committing. You can now build by badges—choosing abilities first and letting the game shape your stats around them.

Build Templates based on NBA stars, pro builds, and even community submissions offer a starting point, while the new Scouting Report clearly lays out your strengths and weaknesses.

Add to that new Badge Perks, reworked Takeover mechanics, and questlines that let builds specialize, and the mode feels deeper than before.

MyNBA and MyGM lean into story

For franchise mode fans, 30 new storylines aim to keep long seasons from getting repetitive. Dynamic Banners spotlight key achievements, the simulation system has been refined, and there’s more support for online playoffs.

MyTEAM finally mixes things up

The biggest change in MyTEAM is the ability to run NBA and WNBA players on the same squad. That means all-time legends from both leagues can share the floor, creating new fantasy matchups that haven’t been possible in past games.

The W gets a stronger push


Women’s basketball continues to expand in 2K26. The W mode keeps its focus on progression and going up against WNBA stars, but the integration into MyTEAM suggests a more central role for the league this year.

Presentation feels closer to the real thing

Arenas, crowd reactions, and broadcast packages have been updated again. The focus is on making each game feel like a proper event, not just a match you play through.

Worth an early purchase? 

We can’t really say for sure as we haven’t played the game. But these early presentations suggest that NBA 2K26 brings upgrades that go beyond cosmetic changes. The new motion system makes gameplay more realistic, the player builder has added depth, and MyTEAM finally gets a shake-up with WNBA integration. If you’ve been waiting for something fresh in the series, this might be the year worth jumping back in.

NBA 2K26 preorder

Players can now preorder NBA 2K26, which is available in four editions. Here’s what they’ll be getting when they preorder via the PlayStation Store.

Standard Edition

  • 2x MyTEAM Promo Packs
  • MyPLAYER Gamerplate
  • 10,000 VC

Superstar Edition

  •  Everything from Standard Edition
  • 100,000 VC
  • Up to 7-Day Early Access
  • Full Series 1 Team Selection
  • Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack
  • 5x Series 1 Packs
  • 2-Hour 2XP Coin
  • 25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts
  • 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts
  • 2-Hour 2XP Coin
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Cover Jersey

Leave No Doubt Edition

  • Everything from Superstar Edition, but with 135,000 VC
  • Puffer Jacket on top of MyCAREER Content inclusions
  • Leave No Doubt Promo Pack on top of MyTEAM inclusions (1x Galaxy Opal Player Card in December 2025; 1x Invincible Player Card in May 2026)
  • Season 1 Pro Pass
  • Summer Pass (Season 7-9 Pro Passes)
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Buyer's Guide

Which new Samsung monitor is your GadgetMatch?

Samsung releases latest Smart, ViewFinity, and Odyssey monitors

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August 15, 2025

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Samsung monitors

As far as monitors go, there are plenty of options coming in different sizes, features, and materials. If you’re planning on upgrading or simply getting started for your endeavors, Samsung has just released its latest monitors.

They come with impressive gaming features, Knox Security, and other nifty additions like Samsung OLED Safeguard+ for burn-in protection. In case you don’t know where to look and how to get going, here’s a quick buyer’s guide.

For those looking for lifelike visuals on a larger scale: 37″ ViewFinity S7

The 37-inch ViewFinity S7 displays unmatched color accuracy on Samsung’s largest 16:9 4K monitor yet.

It features 99% sRGB color gamut, 1.07 billion colors, and HDR10 for true-to-life visuals. Faithfully representing colors as seen by the naked eye makes this model ideal for creatives.

This monitor also has a built-in LAN port for seamless Ethernet connectivity, and a DisplayPort.

And for those having to work tirelessly for projects, the ViewFinity S8 is also TÜV-certified Intelligent Eye Care. It is also Flicker-Free and has an Eye Saver Mode.

Regardless of content, be it exhilarating live sports or gut-wrenching movies and series, as well as the popping colors of your favorite girl group’s music videos, the ViewFinity S8 delivers an unmatched spectrum of shades.

It’s a good step up from inferior monitors, and one that still has an accessible asking price of just below US$ 600.

For those looking for a smart and powerful 4K display: Smart Monitor M9

Samsung monitors

Price: PhP 80,100

Meanwhile, if you want to jump further from your current display to one that can carry its own weight exceptionally well, the Smart Monitor M9 is the ideal offering.

The Vision AI-powered monitor uses 4K AI Upscaling Pro technology to enhance lower-resolution content to 4K quality on a QD-OLED display.

It is one of the first Samsung monitors to incorporate OLED technology in the screens, providing viewers with deep blacks, rich color contrast, and a Glare-Free experience.

Gamers can also take advantage of the 165Hz refresh rate and low 0.03ms response time. Furthermore, the monitor easily recognizes the genre of the game being played using AI Picture Optimizer, subsequently fine-tuning the picture settings.

Talk about a smart monitor that delivers an optimal and immersive gaming experience suited to your liking.

Elsewhere, this monitor even has Click to Search and Copilot, for whatever scenarios you might need them.

For gamers who want the best picture quality and performance: 32″ Odyssey OLED G8

Price: PhP 73,099

Furthermore, the 32″ Odyssey OLED G8 takes detail and picture quality to the next level. It packs a 166 pixels-per-inch pixel density in a QD-OLED screen.

The Glare-Free monitor is VESA Display HDR TrueBlack 400 certified for true and rich blacks. But quality is just half of the equation.

This monitor also delivers on performance with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate and a response time of as low as just 0.03ms.

Pair this screen with an equally-capable system and you’ll prevent screen tearing, ghosting, and other gaming-related graphics problems.

It also comes with Samsung OLED Safeguard+ to protect the display from burn-ins, ensuring the display lasts long even when it is pushed to the limit each time.

For those wanting a new dimension of immersion: Odyssey 3D 27″ monitor

Price: PhP 130,999

If you want an entirely new level of immersion, there’s the Odyssey 3D 27″ monitor. It uses advanced eye-tracking technology and a proprietary lenticular lens to deliver a natural-looking, high-definition 3D image.

There’s no need for specialized glasses. The visuals will just pull you in as the action jumps out of the 4K screen.

This monitor can even unlock possibilities with a 3D AI Video Conversion feature that adds depth and realism to your content.

Of course, as it also caters to gaming, players can leverage its 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms GtG response time, and support for advanced graphics features with the proper accompanying systems.

For the ultimate gamer wanting to be transported: 49″ Odyssey OLED G9

Price: PhP 111,399

Lastly, if your space permits and you want to take the immersion further up a notch, nothing beats the Odyssey OLED G9.

With a 32:9 aspect ratio and a 1800R curvature, this 49-inch behemoth will transport you from your seat to what’s in front of you.

The screen provides wide QHD visuals with excellent contrast, color gamut, and dynamic range. It supports 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and HDR10+ Gaming.

And like the other Samsung offerings above, the Odyssey OLED G9 has advanced features for eye care and protection, in case you’re going to be in front of it for countless hours.

These latest Samsung monitors are now available for purchase at www.samsung.com/ph or at any of Samsung’s authorized dealers nationwide.

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Buyer's Guide

Hisense C2 Projectors: Buyer’s Guide

Best Laser Projectors of 2025?

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August 7, 2025

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and

Have you ever dreamed of watching a movie under the stars, gaming on a massive screen, or maybe turning your ceiling into a private cinema?

What if I told you that there’s a gadget, or a family of gadgets that’ll help you do that and more?

Whether you’re a casual movie night fan or a hardcore gamer, there’s a Hisense C2 Projector for you.

The C2 Series is part of a lineup of laser projectors from Hisense – a company known for bringing great display solutions to homes without breaking the bank.

Across the three projectors we’re featuring you’re getting triple-laser technology which means the light source uses three separate lasers — red, green, and blue – instead of just one.

You also get 4K resolution with Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, projection size of up to 300 inches, VIDAA Smart OS TV which includes your favorite streaming apps Netflix, YouTube, Disney+ and more.

All three have autofocus and auto keystone correction, a gimbal stand for 360 degree horizontal or 135-degree vertical viewing, and up to 25,000 hours of viewing. This means any of these projectors will last you for a really long time.

SHOP NOW!

Hisense C2  

Hisense C2 Pro

Hisense C2 Ultra

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