Her GadgetMatch

Making the case for white smartphones

White over gradient, any day

Published

September 12, 2018

Chay Lazaro

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.

Related Topics:featured Huawei Huawei P20 Pro Mi Mix 2S Nokia Nokia 7 Plus P20 Pro specials Xiaomi Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S

Her GadgetMatch

What your smartphone color choice reveals about you

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

Published

August 14, 2026

MJ Jucutan

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?

Her GadgetMatch

TECNO and Angélica Dass team up for a global portrait project

Dass aims to photograph 100 people across five countries using the TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra

Published

July 8, 2026

Vincenz

TECNO has partnered with Brazilian photographer Angélica Dass in launching “100 Portraits of Becoming.”

It is a two-year global initiative that explores identity, representation, and how AI sees people.

The project officially kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya — where Dass began photographing participants using the latest TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra.

Who’s Angélica Dass?

Angélica Dass is best known for exploring identity and self-expression through portrait photography.

Her award-winning “Humanæ” project challenged conventional ideas of race and skin color by highlighting the diversity of human skin tones.

ICYMI, Dass and her project gained much recognition from:

TED
World Economic Forum
UNESCO
American Museum of Natural History
Vogue
National Geographic

Portraits beyond appearances

With this portrait project, Dass teams up with TECNO to photograph 100 people across five countries.

Rather than simply documenting faces, 100 Portraits of Becoming aims to tell the stories behind each participant. Every portrait is paired with a personal narrative about growth, identity, and life experiences. Creating what TECNO calls a “Living Archive.”

Participants are photographed in natural light, without filters, and while wearing clothing of their own choice to better reflect their authentic selves.

The collaboration also explores how AI can go beyond simply recognizing faces. Asking instead how technology can better reflect the complexity of human identity and give people more control over how they choose to be seen.

Powered by TECNO’s Universal Tone imaging

All portraits are shot using the TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra, which features the company’s Universal Tone imaging technology.

Introduced in 2023, Universal Tone is designed to improve how smartphone cameras capture different skin tones. According to TECNO, the system is built on a database covering hundreds of skin tone samples, allowing photos to produce more natural and accurate results across a wider range of complexions.

The company says the technology aligns with the project’s goal of promoting more authentic and inclusive representation in photography, especially as AI-powered imaging becomes increasingly common nowadays.

From Kenya to the world

As previously mentioned, Kenya serves as the project’s first stop. With TECNO citing the country’s growing technology ecosystem and young population as reasons for beginning there.

Over the next two years, the initiative will travel to the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil. The first collection of portraits and stories expected to go live online in August.

As of writing, TECNO is currently accepting participants from the Philippines where Dass is expected to take part from August 16 until August 22, 2026.

Through 100 Portraits of Becoming, TECNO hopes to spark conversations around identity, diversity, and how technology can better reflect the people it captures—not just visually, but through their stories as well.

Her GadgetMatch

Dyson’s viral portable fan arrives in the Philippines

Published

June 23, 2026

Carolyn Ramoran Hamilton | Almost Diplomatic

If there is one Dyson launch that has generated unusual levels of anticipation this year, it is the Dyson HushJet Mini Portable Fan.

The compact cooling device quickly gained a following after its international release, reportedly selling out within a day in several markets. Now, just in time for the hottest and most humid months of the year (no thanks to climate change), it is finally arriving in the Philippines.

With temperatures continuing to climb, the timing feels almost inevitable. Lightweight and designed for use on the move, the HushJet™ Mini brings Dyson’s airflow technology into a portable format that fits easily into everyday life—whether commuting through the city, attending outdoor events, traveling, or spending long days under the sun.

Its appeal extends beyond functionality. Finished in Dyson’s Stone/Blush colorway, the device combines cooling performance with a sleek aesthetic that feels at home alongside the accessories people already carry daily.

The new Dyson HushJet Mini is your new companion against heat and humidity.

The launch also marks one of the most accessible entry points into the Dyson ecosystem. Priced at PhP6,499, the HushJet Mini offers consumers a practical way to experience the brand’s engineering and design in a product built for everyday use.

Given the strong demand seen overseas, interest is expected to be high when the fan officially launches in the Philippines.

Where, when, and how to get your own Dyson HushJet

The Dyson HushJet Mini Portable Fan in Stone/Blush will be available beginning June 25, 2026 at 3 p.m. at participating Dyson stores, including Mall of Asia, Podium, Greenbelt 5, and One Bonifacio High Street.

For those hoping to get their hands on one, it may be worth keeping a close eye on Dyson Philippines’ official social media channels and Dyson.ph. If international demand is any indication, this could be one of the season’s most sought-after releases.