News

Xiaomi Mi 6 has Galaxy S8’s power, iPhone’s dual-camera

Published

April 19, 2017

Marvin Velasco

Xiaomi has done it again; its Mi 6 flagship smartphone takes the best features of today’s hottest handsets, mashes them into a sleek design, and sells it at a fraction of the others’ cost.

The thing is, Xiaomi isn’t even shy about copying its rivals. Just look at one of its official marketing materials from the official website:

That image is referring to the Mi 6’s use of two main cameras, one 12-megapixel camera for regular wide-angle shots and another 12-megapixel shooter for zoomed in photos just like — you guessed it — the iPhone 7 Plus. It’s admittedly a great setup, and something we appreciated on phones like the ZenFone 3 Zoom, as well.

As for the processor, it’s a Snapdragon 835, the same chip found in Samsung’s Galaxy S8, which was the first to launch with it. We detailed its best features when Qualcomm first announced it, but in a nutshell, it’s way ahead of the pack in terms of performance and efficiency thanks to a new fabrication, and you’ll want this in your next smartphone as much as possible.

The rest of the specs are just as impressive: 6GB of memory by default, a choice between 64GB and 128GB of internal storage, and a splendidly sized 3350mAh battery sandwiched between the 5.15-inch Full HD LCD in front and curved glass back. The only glaring omission is the 3.5mm audio port, which is odd considering how this isn’t exactly a razor-thin phone like the Moto Z. Just another case of Apple copying, perhaps?

In exchange for the lost port, we’re treated to stereo loudspeakers, splash resistance, and a well-aligned design Xiaomi appears to be so proud of. If you look closely at the promotional images, the slots and ports are symmetrical from top to bottom, side to side. No doubt it’s a good-looking gadget, but we’ll leave the final judgement to when we get it in our hands.

Now, for the best part: The Mi 6 will retail for a starting price of CNY 2,499 (a little over $360). That’s for the 64GB storage version. If you want the 128GB variant, you’ll have to fork over CNY 2,899 (about $420). And if you really want to treat yourself, there’s a ceramic black version with 128GB of storage priced at CNY 2,999 ($435).

These are very competitive prices for a phone that’s likely faster than any other handset available right now. We just have to hope Xiaomi will ship this beauty outside of China, and without added tax that may otherwise ruin such a great deal.

[irp posts=”12207″ name=”One month with Xiaomi’s Yuemi mechanical keyboard”]

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140th anniversary at the Presidential Car Museum

A generation’s worth of presidential Benz models under one roof

Published

July 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last month, Mercedes-Benz Philippines kicked off its 140^th -anniversary “Welcome Home” campaign. Designed to celebrate the iconic Chedeng and introduce a new generation to the brand, the campaign attracts old and new customers alike. Now, the brand’s 140^th year is also hitting history buffs with a special showcase at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City.

Since President Cory Aquino’s term, the official presidential car has been a Benz, offering comfort and protection for the current head of state. It is here where Mercedes-Benz wants to celebrate the legacy of the brand, especially in the annals of Philippine history.

Amid the cars of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and Macapagal-Arroyo, Mercedes-Benz is displaying a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen Replica, which is the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica will be on display until December 2026.

Outside the Presidential Car Museum, Mercedes-Benz is running discounts through the end of July. There are also special aftersales services for those who already own a Benz. Finally, the brand will continue to run activations throughout the anniversary, so expect to hear a lot more about the Chedeng throughout the year.

News

Samsung releases teaser with Spider-Man: Brand New Day Easter eggs

Spot also teases upcoming Galaxy foldable devices

Published

July 16, 2026

GadgetMatch

Samsung has just premiered a new spot that showcases clips directly from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, just a few weeks before the movie hits cinemas later this month.

The clip showcases Spider-Man as he fights crime and puts his phone through the wear and tear of superhero life.

In the spot, the Fabricator creates a number of devices for Spider-Man built to stand up to the pace and unpredictability of life behind the mask. This includes what clearly looks like a Galaxy Z Flip phone.

This provides a behind the scenes look into how Peter Parker ultimately landed on a Samsung phone — as fans speculated from the first trailer.

Meanwhile, Ned can also be seen using the Spidey Tracker to try and catch Spider-Man throughout the city on his Samsung phone.

The campaign pretty much formalizes Jacob Batalon — who plays Ned Leeds — as Samsung’s Team Galaxy’s newest ambassador.

The clip ends with the text “A brand new shape for a Brand New Day”, which is also a callback to what the brand has been teasing regarding the future of its Galaxy foldable devices.

Samsung to release latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked

Next week, Samsung is set to launch its latest devices at Galaxy Unpacked 2026.

Ahead of the launch, customers who wish to reserve as early as now can get a US$ 30 credit during pre-order, for a total of up to US$ 1,230 in savings.

Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 US$ 500 Samsung.com gift cards towards their purchase.

Apps

iOS 27 public beta gives us our first taste of Siri AI

You can access the beta for free.

Published

July 16, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Normally, public betas come and go with nary a peep from anyone but dedicated fans and testers. After all, why care about a beta when the final release is likely just around the corner? This one, however, is special. Today, Apple launched the iOS 27 public beta, and it’s our first taste of the redesigned Siri AI.

Recently, WWDC 2026 unveiled Apple’s latest attempts at entering the AI segment. Whereas previous iterations to incorporate AI failed to make an impact, Siri AI promises to provide users with helpful feedback that’s actually helpful.

Now, in the public beta for iOS 27, users all over can finally access the new assistant. To get to the beta, you need to be a part of the beta program, which you can easily sign up for on beta.apple.com. Once signed up, you can get the update from Software Update in Settings. You’ll see options for a developer beta and a public beta. Choose iOS 27 Public Beta.

At face value, Siri AI offers much of what you’d get from a traditional AI-powered assistant. However, it does slightly differ because it integrates the entire phone. The assistant contextualizes your information (including emails, messages, and photos) to give you the most accurate feedback that you might need.

If that’s not enough, Siri AI also has its own chatbot app. If you’re more used to ChatGPT, the assistant should give you that bit of familiarity.

Now, if you don’t want to go for a beta, Apple is expected to launch iOS 27 in its final form sometime in September.