Her GadgetMatch

Making the case for white smartphones

White over gradient, any day

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Trends come and go. Apart from notches and tall displays, 2018 saw playful colors and gradients make a big splash in the world of smartphones. I appreciate and celebrate this trend not only because as a producer I want our videos to look different each time, but also because it’s consumers who really benefit the most from having more options.

We’re seeing so many bold colors and gradients on phones this year because the line between technology and fashion is as blurry as ever. Smartphones in particular are no longer just handy computing devices; they’ve slowly become a status symbol and a fashion statement.

While I always wish phones came in more colors and never hide my excitement every time a new phone is released in my favorite shade of blue, I found myself drooling over those that come in white more. Even if flashy gradients are all the rage these days, here’s why I’d rather buy a white smartphone in 2018.

Mixing and matching is not a problem

The Mi Mix 2s is an all-white phone that comes with a matching matte white case out of the box

Having a colored phone doesn’t stop anyone from buying cases that may or may not match them, but do know that color blocking takes a whole different level of sartorial power. Using a clear plastic case to show off that beautiful back isn’t exactly making a statement either, lest you should look kitschy.

In the case of white phones (no pun intended), it’s easier to find one in whatever color and material you might like. Whether you’re feeling bold, feminine, or effortless, you’re sure to find a whole range of options that won’t clash with both your device and your look.

It’s not a fingerprint magnet

The Nokia 7 Plus has a matte back and metallic copper accents

Unlike clothes, shoes, or bags wherein white almost always attracts stains, smudges aren’t as visible on white phones, a pain point of a lot of gadgets these days, glossy or matte. Use it without a case and a white phone will look just as pristine as it did on day one — unless you drop it.

White is timeless

A white, pearlescent Huawei P20 Pro was recently announced in Berlin, some six months after the phone launched

If fashion shows are any indication, whether it’s several brands’ 2019 spring/summer collection or autumn/winter looks from five years ago, white will always be on trend.

Gadgets are an investment, and like a lot of classic pieces in your wardrobe, they should last a few years without going out of style. If you’re spending so much on a smartphone, wouldn’t you want to buy something you’d want to use for a really long time, instead of a color that was cool for just one season?

For some people, that classic shade is black, but in so many ways it’s become a generic choice in my eyes. I also associate black more with either hardcore tech or the cheap-looking devices of the past, instead of modernity and panache.

It’s bold, not boring

In an industry that puts a premium on standing out and being different, there’s value in carrying a device that doesn’t scream for attention all the time. Take it from the Duchess of Cambridge herself, a fashion icon, trendsetter, and outfit repeater: toning it down is a virtue.

Picking white over colored phones is safe, but like all-white outfits, it’s a choice that also represents confidence, simplicity, and elegance all at the same time.

Some may argue that white is too plain, that bold colors are the future, or that once you go black you’ll never go back. What I know is this: White doesn’t have to be boring; there are so many subtle ways to make it look different without being over-the-top. It’s flexible and chic; you can dress it up or dress it down as you please.

At the end of the day, one color isn’t really better than the other as it ultimately boils down to preference, and options are important in finding one’s ultimate GadgetMatch. But if standing out is what you feel will get you far in life, ask yourself if you’d really rather let a phone steal the spotlight away from the one that truly matters — YOU.

Convenient Smart Home

30 days with the LG AeroMini

The upgrade my new space ~badly~ needed

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Moving into a new space comes with a long list of things to figure out, and lately, I’ve been paying more attention to something that’s easy to overlook: air quality.

After using the LG AeroMini for about a month, it has become a subtle but welcome addition to my space. It helps make the room feel fresher, while its compact and stylish design fits naturally into my setup. Here are the things that stood out to me most after living with it for a month.

360° purification for a fresher space

One of the things I appreciate about the AeroMini is its 360° air purification, designed to bring purified air in every direction.

For me, this is particularly useful in a new space where I’m spending a lot of time working, relaxing, and just settling in.

Combined with its True HEPA filter, which is designed to remove 99.999% of 0.01μm fine dust and allergens, it gives me added peace of mind about the air I’m breathing every day.

After a month, I can genuinely say that the space feels fresher with it running.

Surprisingly quiet

This is probably my favorite feature.

The LG AeroMini operates at just 26dB, and after using it for a month, what stands out is how easy it is to forget that it’s even running.

I can have it running while I’m working or sleeping without the noise becoming a distraction. For an appliance that’s designed to continuously improve the air around you, I think that’s a big deal.

Sometimes, the best feature is the one you barely notice.

Design that fits my space

Since I recently moved, I’ve been pretty conscious about what I bring into the space. I want things to be functional, but I also don’t want appliances that feel like they’re taking over the room.

The AeroMini’s slim and compact design makes it easy to incorporate into my setup. It doesn’t feel bulky or industrial, and I like that I can leave it out without feeling like I need to hide it away.

For me, that balance between functionality and aesthetics makes it feel more like part of the space rather than just another appliance.

Air quality at a glance

Another feature I’ve found convenient is its Smart Control. Through the app, I can monitor and control the AeroMini while getting real-time updates on the indoor air quality.

It’s a small convenience, but being able to check the air quality without having to interact with the purifier directly makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening in the room.

Easy to maintain

I also appreciate that the AeroMini is designed with an all-in-one dust and deodorization filter that makes replacement and maintenance easier.

That matters to me because the best home gadgets are the ones that don’t create another complicated chore. I want something I can set up, use regularly, and maintain without too much fuss.

After a month, would I keep it?

Yes, and mainly because it quietly fits into my everyday routine.

The LG AeroMini has helped make my new space feel fresher and more comfortable, while its compact design means it doesn’t compromise the look of the room. But if I had to pick just one thing I appreciate most, it’s still how incredibly quiet it is.

It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t demand your attention. It simply works in the background.

If you’re also looking to make your home a fresher and more comfortable space for yourself and your family, visit https://www.lg.com/ph/ to learn more about the LG AeroMini and how it can fit into your everyday life.

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Her GadgetMatch

TECNO and Angélica Dass visit the Philippines next for its grand portrait project

100 Faces, 100 Stories

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A portrait can show what someone looks like, but what about the story behind the face?

TECNO and visual artist Angélica Dass are exploring that question through “100 Portraits of Becoming,” a two-year global portrait project featuring 100 people across Kenya, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.

The project begins with 20 portraits from Kenya, each paired with a personal story about identity, choices, change, and growth. Rather than having participants represent an entire culture or generation, the project focuses on their individual experiences.

Beyond inclusive imaging

The project builds on TECNO’s work with Universal Tone, its imaging technology designed to represent diverse skin tones more naturally and accurately.

But “100 Portraits of Becoming” takes that idea further. With AI increasingly involved in capturing, recognizing, and generating images of people, TECNO and Dass want to explore how technology can better represent the individual behind the image.

For Dass, meaningful portraiture starts with human connection.

“Meaningful portraits are never created by technology alone.”

She says her experience in Kenya reinforced the importance of trust, listening, and the willingness of people to share their stories.

The Philippines is next

Following Kenya, the project heads to the Philippines for a chapter called “Beyond Many Labels.”

It will feature 20 individuals, including working solo mothers and people whose lives are closely connected to solo parenthood.

Their stories will look beyond labels such as “single mother,” “breadwinner,” and “strong woman,” while exploring their ambitions, relationships, and personal growth.

The chapter will also explore “diskarte” — the ways Filipinos adapt, make choices, and find practical ways forward in everyday life.

After the Philippines, “100 Portraits of Becoming” will continue to Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil.

By the end of the project, TECNO and Dass hope the 100 portraits will offer exactly what the title suggests: 100 different ways of seeing humanity.

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Her GadgetMatch

What your smartphone color choice reveals about you

Eight colors, eight personalities. Here’s how to pick.

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Your phone color says more than you think. With the Pixel 11 series, Google’s giving you eight ways to make that statement, and there’s genuinely one for every kind of person.

Hibiscus

You’re never the quiet one in the room. Hibiscus doesn’t ask for attention; it just takes it, and if that sounds like you, you’re probably not planning to start hiding now. This is the pick for anyone who’d rather stand out than blend in.

Pistachio

You’re the one who remembers everyone’s coffee order. Pistachio is soft and easy; the one whom people gravitate toward without quite knowing why. It doesn’t try hard to be liked. It just is.

Frost

You like things a little too organized. Frost means clean lines and a clear head, the color equivalent of a camera roll with zero mess in it. If your notes app has color-coded folders, this one’s calling your name.

Obsidian

You let the work speak for itself. No flash needed, because when you show up, the room adjusts anyway. Obsidian is the classic choice, the one that’s never trying too hard because it doesn’t have to.

Canyon

You’re the one who suggests the sunset drive. Canyon is warm and a little restless, always chasing golden hour whether or not anyone else is up for it. Available on the Pro and Pro XL, it’s built for people who treat every evening like it might be a good one.

Olive

You’re outdoorsy, but you’ll still show up looking put together. Olive is low-key and grounded, the one who doesn’t try too hard because it’s already comfortable in its own skin. Another Pro and Pro XL exclusive.

Fog

You’re hard to read, and you like it that way. Fog is understated on purpose, a Pro and Pro XL colorway for anyone who’d rather keep people guessing.

So, which one’s you?

Eight colors, three phones, one very personal decision. Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL goes on sale starting August 20 — with Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost, and Obsidian on the base model; and Canyon, Fog, Olive, and Obsidian on the Pro line.

Which one’s calling your name?

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