Philippines

Xiaomi 15, more launched in the Philippines

Local pricing, availability

Published

March 6, 2025

Manila Connoisseur

Xiaomi has made the Xiaomi 15 series available in the Philippines on Thursday, just a few days after the flagship smartphones were launched globally at the MWC 2025 in Barcelona.

Like Xiaomi Philippines did with the Xiaomi 14, only the Xiaomi 15 variant has been made available locally.

There are two storage configurations: the 12GB+256GB retails for PhP 45,999 while those who want to get twice the storage will have to shell out PhP 49,999.

Customers can choose from green, white, and black colorways. The phones will include a free Redmi Pad SE 8.7″ when customers preorder via Lazada or Shopee.

The 512GB variant, meanwhile, comes with the following when preordered from March 7 to 13:

1+1 year extended warranty
VIP Service in Exclusive Service Centers
6 months of Google One (100GB storage)
4 months of Spotify Premium
Xiaomi Gift Box
Instant Photo Printer

The Xiaomi 15 series continues Xiaomi’s partnership with Leica, offering customers pinnacle-level mobile photography and even videography.

It also introduces Xiaomi HyperOS 2, and a slew of AI-powered features to elevate the usage experience further, like AI Writing, AI Search, AI Art, real-time subtitles, and more.

Xiaomi 15 specs and features

Unveiled during an exclusive event, the Xiaomi 15 features three Leica Summilux cameras on the rear:

50MP f/1.62 Leica Light Fusion 900 main camera (23mm), OIS
50MP f/2.0 Leica floating telephoto camera (60mm), OIS
50MP f/2.2 Leica ultra-wide camera (14mm), 115-degree POV

A 32MP selfie camera in front completes the camera package. The telephoto camera can double as a macro shooter for subjects as close as 10cm.

For those into filming or content creation, the Xiaomi 15 can record up to 8K quality at 30fps, and up to 4K at 60fps. They can also shoot in log format or HDR Dolby Vision.

The Xiaomi 15, like its Ultra counterpart, is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform. They are the first Xiaomi flagships to sport the aforementioned processor. The phones support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.

The phone also equipped with the company’s IceLoop cooling system. In addition, it has a 5,240mAh battery which supports 90W wired HyperCharge and 50W wireless charging.

In front, the device sports a 6.36-inch AMOLED display with dynamic 1-120Hz refresh rate. This panel supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It also has a maximum brightness of 3,200nits, and comes with various eye comfort-related certifications.

Design wise, the IP68-rated Xiaomi 15 has a slightly-curved frame, with the volcano-inspired camera deco protruding slightly. It also has a narrower bezel on all four sides for better immersion.

Xiaomi HyperOS 2

Making the Xiaomi 15 a lot better than its predecessor is the latest Xiaomi HyperOS 2 platform, which introduces Xiaomi HyperCore, HyperConnect, and HyperAI.

These give users an enhanced mobile experience in functionality, system fluidity, cross-platform connectivity, security, privacy, and access to next-generation AI interactions and productivity tools.

Under HyperAI are AI Writing and AI Speech Recognition to boost efficiency. The AI Creativity Assistant, meanwhile, offers next-generation photographic and videography tools, like AI Image Enhancement, AI Eraser Pro, AI Film, and more.

And as part of a collaboration with Google, Xiaomi’s latest handsets come with Google Gemini, which can find and take actions across Xiaomi apps. Users can utilize Gemini for Xiaomi Notes, Calendar, and Clock for the first time.

Private Cloud Connect powered by Google Cloud also ensures security with multiple layers of encryption whenever using the Xiaomi 15.

New Xiaomi wearables, more

In addition to the Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi also unveiled new wearables now available for purchase in the Philippines: the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S4 and Smart Band 9 Pro.

They come with the following price tags:

Buds 5 Pro: PhP 9,599
Watch S4 (White, Rainbow, Black): Starts at PhP 7,799 (Starting March 14)
Smart Band 9 Pro (Silver, Black, Rose Gold): Starts at PhP 4,299

The Xiaomi Pad 7 Series was also unveiled, together with its Focus Pro Keyboard and Focus Pen.

The Pad 7 retails for the following discounted prices until March 16 via Lazada and Shopee:

8GB+128GB: PhP 17,999 (from 19,999)
8GB+256GB: PhP 21,499 (from 22,499)

On the other hand, the Pad 7 Pro is priced at:

8GB+128GB: PhP 27,999 (from 29,999)
8GB+256GB: PhP 23,999 (from 33,999)

The accessories, meanwhile, can be purchased for 30% off until March 16 as well.

REVIEW: The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro is an 11-inch treat

Lastly, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 Max and a new 212W HyperCharge Power Bank were both rolled out as well.

The e-scooter will be available for PhP 32,999 while the 24,500mAh power bank is priced at PhP 4,599.

News

Budget smartphone realme C100 Series launches

Long battery life, ruggedness, more

Published

June 18, 2026

GadgetMatch

The realme C100 Series, the brand’s latest rugged essential smartphone in the budget segment, has officially launched in the Philippines.

The series introduces up to an 8,000mAh Titan Battery on the realme C100 model, as well as IP69 Pro certification.

This means the handset has IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K dust and water resistance ratings to handle high-pressure water exposure and submersion for up to six meters and 30 minutes.

The C100 also supports 45W SUPERVOOC charging for quick battery top-ups. It even has a 10W reverse charging support to power other small devices.

On the other hand, the realme C100i comes with a 7,000mAh Titan Battery to likewise power all-day use. This model supports a steady 15W charging and 6W reverse charging. It is also rated IP64 for dust and water resistance.

In addition, both models support Rain Touch Mode, making the 6.8-inch 120Hz display optimized for touches even when it is wet. This panel also comes with ArmorShell Glass protection.

Powering the C100 is the MediaTek Helio G92 Max processor while the C100i has as Unisoc T7250 processor. The devices run on realme UI 7.0 (Android 16).

Price, availability

In the Philippines, the realme C100 Series comes in various storage configurations:

C100i (4GB+64GB): PhP 6,313 (SRP: PhP 8,999)
C100i (4GB+128GB): PhP 7,379 (SRP: PhP 11,999)
C100i (4GB+256GB): PhP 8,199 (SRP: PhP 13,999)
C100 (4GB+256GB): PhP 11,195 (SRP: PhP 16,999)
C100 (8GB+256GB): PhP 14,000 (SRP: PhP 19,999)

Limited-time launch offers are available through Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok from June 18 to June 30.

The phones are also available at realme concept stores, kiosks, and partner retailers nationwide. Potential freebies include a TechLife Smart band, extended warranty and screen damage protection, privilege card, or additional cash discount.

Finance

UnionDigital Bank, Chubb partner for accessible insurance protection

Chubb insurance products now integrated into UD app

Published

June 17, 2026

GadgetMatch

UnionDigital Bank and Chubb Philippines have partnered to bring accessible insurance protection to Filipinos.

The strategic partnership integrates Chubb’s insurance solutions directly on the UD app. These comprehensive solutions will be seen among UD’s suite of financial products. That way, insurance protection becomes more accessible for consumers.

The two key insurance products in the initial rollout are Loan Protect Insurance and Kaya Protect Insurance.

The first product is automatically included for eligible UD loan borrowers at no additional cost for the first three months once the loan is approved.

In the event of accidental death, permanent disability, temporary disability, or death due to illness, Loan Protect Insurance pays up to the original loan amount to cover 100% of the customer’s outstanding loan balance.

Any remaining balance is released to beneficiaries. Loan Protect Insurance is currently available for loans up to PhP 30,000 with short-term repayment periods.

Meanwhile, Kaya Protect Insurance will be available soon. This provides personal accident and accidental death coverage up to PhP 150,000 and is activated automatically by maintaining a low minimum balance of PhP 100 in the insured’s savings account.

The partnership between UnionDigital Bank and Chubb aims to address the protection gap, as according to a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey, 48% of adult Filipinos are currently uninsured.

Philippines

Globe, Starlink provide free data, messaging for customers affected by Mindanao earthquake

Globe deploys Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology for disaster response

Published

June 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

Globe has partnered with Starlink to deploy its satellite-to-mobile service in Mindanao areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on Monday. Provinces affected include South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani.

Deploying the service to support emergency communications and disaster response in the badly hit areas had demo permit approval from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

This deployment marks Globe’s first use of Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology for disaster and emergency response.

Over 700,000 Globe and TM customers stand to benefit from the deployment, providing them with messaging through WhatsApp and SMS at a time when it is needed most.

Globe will offer the service for free for up to 30 days as critical support to affected communities until the provider’s network is fully restored.

The network provider will reach out directly to customers to provide them with instructions to connect to the satellite service using their existing Globe SIMs and LTE-enabled phones.

The earthquake, one of the strongest in the country in decades, prompted tsunami warnings for several coastal communities in Southern Mindanao. It also caused network disruptions across multiple provinces, as commercial power interruptions impacted telco facilities.

As of posting time, Globe is working closely with local government units and local electric cooperatives to fully restore its services.