Reviews

Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 review: Bigger and better

Than the already impressive Xiaomi Pad 6

Published

May 2, 2024

Around 8-9 months ago, I was in the market for a tablet that can be my on-the-go companion when I step out for events and don’t want to bring a laptop. I found it with the Xiaomi Pad 6 but now months later, the company has come out with a bigger, better version — the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4.

Unboxing the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 and its accessories

Like the tablet that preceded it, the 6S Pro came with a generous accompaniment of accessories. Other than the tablet itself, there’s the Cover, Touchpad Keyboard, and the Focus Pen.

Watch the unboxing below.

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This is our favorite Android tablet right now! #XiaomiPad6SPro #Xiaomi

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Pros and cons of going bigger

The first, most recognizable difference between the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 and the Xiaomi Pad 6 is the size. The 6S Pro comes in at, as the name suggests, 12.4 inches while the 6 offers 11 inches of screen.

That may not seem like a lot on paper, but I assure you, the extra 1.2 inch makes a huge difference in practice.

For one, the 6S Pro just doesn’t fit in the Xiaomi Sling I was merrily walking around with. Thankfully, I have since acquired a bag small enough to carry around for half to full day affairs, but big enough to fit my usual 13-inch laptop. That means it also easily fits the 6S Pro along with all of its accessories for a lighter load out.

The extra size also means it’s mostly better to use on a desk vs carrying on hand. I can count in one hand the number of times I opted to hold the tablet instead of just propping it up on some surface somewhere.

While I’ve found a solution, I still count the mini-laptop-like size as a con especially if you’re really eyeing something that you can already use with your existing smaller bags.

The size of the screen though, makes it great as both a main screen or secondary screen. On days that I would work from home, I usually have the 6S Pro to my left, running episodes of Arrow as I go through the day’s work. Meanwhile, when I’m out and about, it makes for a more than big enough screen to handle tasks like some quick writing and email correspondence.

Better in many ways

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the 6S Pro is as powerful as flagship smartphones that came out late 2023 to early 2024. It’s as good as it gets.

I feel even more at ease using the multi-screen function knowing it has the hardware to keep things running, perhaps all day. I’ve had a handful of writing sessions in this set-up, including the very article you’re reading now.

That means you should have no qualms pushing its computing power. In fact, I have to say I have criminally underutilized it over the last 10-12 days that I’ve had it.

I’ve also used the multi-screen feature when scheduling posts on our social platforms.

You can lock certain app combinations if you use them frequently.

It’s a handy function that works not just for productivity but also for more of my favorite showcase: Watching two different fancams (even if they’re of the same person), at the same time.

Media-viewing, you already know. The 3K display is absolutely stunning for media consumption. Other than X-Men 97 and Arrow episodes, I’ve used this to tune in to the NBA Playoffs in the morning. It’s the perfect white noise, desk companion.

And it’s not just the display too. The 6S Pro is equipped with 6 speakers with support for Dolby Atmos. While so many modern devices these days can say that. We can vouch that in the 6S Pro, this combination truly works wonders. If not old TV Shows, I switch over to music apps to listen to Gabe Bondoc, Jesse Barrera, BINI, TWICE, Marc Indigo, Kjwan,or whatever it is I’m in the mood for.

The top-of-the-line chip along with the 144Hz refresh rate also lends itself nicely to gaming. We only really played Honkai: Star Rail briefly but it was a fun and a little different experience on a display this large.

If you’re a content creator, this is also pretty darn good already for some light video editing. Whether that’s using the native video editor or an app like CapCut.

You can accomplish all of these tasks knowing you have a device whose 10,000mAh battery will more than keep up with you. Brought this along once on a 14-hour day and while I managed to drain it all the way to 13%, it did stay alive on a heavy-usage day. It tops up pretty quickly too thanks to its 120W HyperCharge tech.

There’s a lot you can do on the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 that I dare say it can replace a laptop for a large number of people.

About the accessories

The generous helping of accessories is also such a boon. These normally come as a bundle if you pre-order the device. And I can tell you right now, it’s totally worth it.

The Cover is a little unorthodox. Instead of the usual folio with a straightforward flapping cover, you get on that turns into somewhat of a triangular stand that sticks out. It looks odd at first but you’ll get used to it quickly especially since it lets you prop up the tablet in both portrait and landscape. Very helpful in many scenarios, especially when using apps that have no support for landscape orientation or are better off viewed vertically.

You don’t get a lot of versatility with how it tilts so that’s one thing to keep in mind. That means you get weird angles when using the pretty darn good selfie cameras when you’re in video calls.

For my part I opted to take calls while it’s propped up vertically.

The Cover also has a provision for the Focus Pen that I, admittedly, never really get to use a lot.

Although, I do plan to spend more time with the device. Hopefully I figure out more use-cases for the Pen during that time.

Lastly, there’s the Keyboard cover. Like the Cover, you don’t have a lot of freedom in terms of how it’s tilted. But that’s par for the course for most keyboard folios. But unlike most ones, this looks more like the Microsoft Surface where there’s a kickstand at the back.

The keyboard itself feels great to type on. There were days where I opted to write articles entirely on it because of the keyboard feel. It feels that good. Although it doesn’t light up so best to have a lamp at night or use it only when the lights are on. It also has an okay touchpad. Nothing too fancy but it gets the job done. The layout is so reminiscent of a regular laptop which added to the whole satisfying feeling when typing on it.

Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 specs

Display — 12.4” 144Hz 3K display, supports Dolby Vision
Processor — Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Battery — 10,000mAh, 120W HyperCharge
RAM and Storage — 8GB+256GB / 12GB+512GB
OS — Xiaomi HyperOS
Cameras — 50MP main (4K, 60 FPS video), 2MP depth, 32MP front (1080p, 30 FPS video)
Connectivity — USB 3.2 Gen 1, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 7
Audio — Six (6) speakers, support for Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Hi-Res wireless

Is this your GadgetMatch?

I absolutely love it when we get review devices that are easy to recommend. That’s exactly what the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 is. Mouthful of a name with a feature set that’s just as packed. It’s a device made for many purposes. It’s a workmate, a creative companion, and a relaxation buddy all-in-one. It certainly deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

It also doesn’t hurt that it’s at a fair price point. Especially for everything it offers. I see this as a device great for anyone looking to be productive, creative, with a fair bit of balance since you can also use it to unwind with streaming apps and even gaming.

Price and availability

The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro will be available in two variants and are priced as follows:

12+512GB — PhP 39,999
8+256GB — PhP 33,999

It comes in classic Black and White colors.

Meanwhile, the accessories are priced as follows:

Focus Pen — PhP 3,499
Touchpad Keyboard — PhP 6,499

Discounted from May 3 to 9

Naturally, these will be available at special slashed prices from May 3 to 9 on the Shopee exclusive online sale.

12+512GB — PhP 37,199
8+256GB — PhP 31,199

Buyers will get free Redmi Buds 4 Active (valued at Php 999) for every checkout of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro.

Reviews

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro review: Built to endure

Guaranteed tough for gaming

Published

May 13, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

Infinix wasn’t playing around when it released the NOTE 40 series. We got not just one, two, nor three, but four models under this new lineup, as Infinix continued to offer affordable gaming smartphones to its audience. It also featured the revitalized AllCharge FastCharge 2.0.

Together with my nephew, a MiHoYo video game lifer, we chronicled a week-long experience of how the Infinix Note 40 Pro withstood — and passed with flying colors — an extensive gaming test.

But first, specs:

MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate chipset
XOS 14 based on Android 14
12GB+12GB RAM
256GB internal storage
6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED display
120Hz refresh rate, 1,300 nits peak brightness
108MP f/1.8 main camera, 2x 2MP cameras, 32MP selfie camera
5,000mAh battery
70W All-Round FastCharge 2.0
20W Wireless Magnetic Charging

Built to endure

My nephew downloaded three of MiHoYo’s popular titles: Honkai: Star Rail, Honkai: 3rd Impact, and Genshin Impact. What better time to play the last title too, looking back, as version 4.6 went live over the weekend. From the get-go, the NOTE 40 Pro delivered flamboyantly.

My nephew played Genshin Impact first, all while having the other titles download in the background. That’s how capable the gaming phone is.

The dedicated gaming mode allows you to tinker with several settings, like block notifications to focus on your gaming. You can also switch between balanced or performance mode, which will allow the phone to have the CPU and GPU work hand-in-hand and distribute the workload in a balanced manner.

Technically the variant above the base model, the NOTE 40 Pro handled Genshin Impact‘s medium graphic settings well, and didn’t flinch even when it got to busy clashes. It showcased the characters’ attack effects smoothly, move after move.

The following day, my nephew decided to open Honkai: 3rd Impact. While he was able to play without too much disturbances, he noted how the phone had a difficult time when the title is put to high graphics. But that was understandable.

This game is just that demanding. The same problems can be experienced even when using PCs. There were just a few instances where the phone experienced frame drop while in-game, but good thing there’s XBOOST Frame Rate Control to mitigate it.

Finally, he switched from one game to another in the following days. And he also luckily got Arlecchino in Genshin Impact once the update went live.

With the open-world RPG, the gaming experience was still generally smooth even after an hour of gameplay, making the NOTE 40 Pro ideal for long grinds. My nephew noted how encouraging the experience is as a sign for the Helio G99 Ultimate processor under the phone’s hood. It definitely enabled the NOTE 40 Pro to exceed expectations.

Aside from its reliability and toughness for gaming, here are other things we loved about the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro:

70W All-Round FastCharge 2.0

Aiding the NOTE 40 Pro is Infinix’s much improved charging technologies. Users may choose between three charging modes when the device is already plugged in: Low-Temp, Smart, and Hyper. Hyper mode charges the phone in the lowest time possible.

We didn’t have to charge it every day. In our experience, it look under an hour to charge from 15% to full, and about 30 minutes from 50% to 100% on average.

It gets hot when under Hyper mode, but not too concerning. Fortunately, the phone disconnects automatically when it reaches 100%. That’s even if it’s still plugged in. I noticed this firsthand, where the phone stopped absorbing power and wasn’t hot anymore.

Only the adapter was still absorbing power. That’s a nice feature to have just in case you forget to unplug it right away or should you get distracted. By default, and just to save on your electric bill, make sure you remove the charger from the outlet once you’re done using it.

Nevertheless, if you want to buy more time or want to feel “safer,” the other two modes are there. I hardly used the 20W magnetic charging plate. But just to test it once, the phone took more than 90 minutes to charge to half full. When in-game, bypass charging gives the phone extra juice but it won’t charge the battery itself, so you’re safe from overheating.

Upper midrange feel

Elsewhere, the phone has a neat OS that looks and feels fine. I like how Infinix didn’t load it with bloatware, giving it an upper midrange feel in spite of the very affordable price point. The handset’s appearance is likewise a level up. At the back, there is a ring light (called Active Halo) instead of a traditional flash.

This also illuminates for additional style points. My only gripe is that the phone’s backside is slippery. But the magnetic charging case actually doubles nicely to give it a leathery finish. When the phone is slotted into the case, it feels perfect to hold. Not too thick nor thin, and just comfortable.

In front, the NOTE 40 Pro also has a 3D Curved 120Hz AMOLED display to complement the gaming experience. Even when you’re not busy with various titles, any content you consume will have a clearer, more vivid look. As the phone’s sound is also supported by JBL, it comes out with better bass and more impactful sound that’s likewise best for gaming or streaming.

Camera package: Surprisingly good

This Infinix offering also boasts of a 108MP main camera. I was actually surprised at how pictures of food and landscapes came out with good color and quality.

Yes, it’s not as high-end as what you’ll get from flagships, but the results are still a level up from typical budget smartphones. Color temperature is on the warmer side, while colors lean toward more saturation.

Reds and oranges appear intense, which can be good for food and landscapes. At the very least, you’re assured of captures that aren’t dull.

I took most shots using the AI main camera, which does well in detecting the scenes. Unless I intended to use another mode, the default shooter sufficed. I am even more impressed by the portrait mode.

Transition between blurred and non-blurred parts is smooth, and the bokeh effect looked natural. It elevated some subjects more. Of course, you’ll get some results where it didn’t appropriately blur some parts.

Night mode is decent, too. You get brighter captures on scenes under low-light compared to what you saw with the naked eye. The results aren’t noisy, either.

Selfies are just alright, with some balance between detail and smoothness. Naturally, since this is a budget phone, it kind of gave up after an hour of shooting. There were instances where it didn’t capture images even if I repeatedly pressed the shutter.

But with what I’m getting for its camera package, it’s a great bonus.

Final thoughts: Guaranteed tough for gaming

Even if you’re not a gamer, you’ll absolutely appreciate what the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro can bring to the table. For PhP 9,999, you get an all-around phone that delivers reliable performance and allows you to elevate the overall usage experience. You get a capable camera, ample memory and storage, and generally smooth performance.

If you’re a gamer, this is an absolute steal. From its design that puts it right up there with flagship level devices, along with its tough performance even when we played the most RAM-demanding titles and set other games to higher graphic settings, Infinix made sure this device wasn’t just all for show.

With the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro, you’ll wield a budget phone that is not budget-level at all. Guaranteed.

The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro retails for an introductory price of PhP 9,999, exclusively on Shopee.

Reviews

Xiaomi 14 Ultra Review: The Ultimate Camera Smartphone

Like a Leica

Published

May 8, 2024

GadgetMatch

It is almost guaranteed that the best flagship smartphones you can buy today have nothing less than their excellent cameras.

But Xiaomi not only wants to take smartphone photography up a notch, their approach is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

This is our Xiaomi 14 Ultra Review!

Convenient Smart Home

I swear, Samsung’s The Freestyle spells freedom

The projector-slash-smart-TV makes you want to watch shows wherever, whenever possible

Published

May 2, 2024

MJ Jucutan

Anyone in their late 20s who just finally broken free from the asylum that raised them would know that settling for a small, tight space would be better for mental sanity.

Getting away from my parent’s clutches meant bidding goodbye to a capacious living room. There’ll be no more monstrous TV that I can watch on while I rot on the sofa bed.

You can’t have the same luxury in a 40 sqm condominium space. When you’re moving out, you have to let go some of the stuff that made you… you. But it gives you an opportunity to create a new identity, armed with the freedom of making decisions on your own.

Freestyle for those who just earned their freedom

Taylor Swift’s speech at the NYU Spring 2022 graduation ceremony resonated with me as I pack my bags and boxes.

“The scary news is: You’re on your own now. The cool news is: You’re on your own now.”

It’s scary to be on your own. No fallbacks; no safety net. But I revel in the freedom of making decisions that won’t be disapproved by my parents.

Instead of opting for the familiar rectangular TV, an unconventional projector such as Samsung The Freestyle took over my chamber.

I didn’t have to worry about mounting a TV on bare walls I haven’t decided how to decorate or setting a TV stand that would cramp my already tight space.

I’ve had my hands on it a few years back, which makes me familiar with its capabilities as a Smart TV. Now, it’s on its 2nd-generation, and this portable TV just got even better.

Learning to adjust and adapt

Samsung’s The Freestyle is easy to set up, and it’s even easier if you have a Samsung device that allows you to control everything through the SmartThings app.

While I have the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, I still managed to set everything up using my iPhone. My Samsung account, after all, is still logged in on my Safari browser. (I am deeply sorry, Samsung)

The beauty of having a Smart TV is how everything just works. It connected easily — on my WiFi, signing in my accounts, and accessing my favorite streaming apps.

It took me less than 30 minutes to set the whole thing up. From unboxing the device to figuring out the setup and finding the right angle.

It keystones automatically, which meant adjusting the screen to a perfect rectangle regardless of the angle you’re projecting on. This makes it easy to watch on a wall or on a ceiling — depending on your preference and watching behavior.

And more importantly, the remote control works even if you don’t point directly to the device. I tried pointing it at the screen and on a different wall, and the Freestyle just works flawlessly — even its voice assistants such as Samsung’s Bixby.

Whatever situation it finds itself in, the Freestyle just knows how to adapt and give you the best experience. I’m still learning to do the same.

Drawn to a whole new world

The first thing I did was watch my comfort anime, One Piece, and feel free like a kid again. The picture quality — whether on daytime or at night — is superb, vivid, and crisp.

Even at the scorching noon time reaching a heat index of almost 50-degrees Celsius, the sunlight is no match for the Freestyle’s projected screen. It’s like looking at a phone screen with almost 3000-nits peak brightness.

Netflix has just added the Enies Lobby arc, which is the storyline that made me fall in love with the anime. Having no friends growing up like Nico Robin makes me burst into tears every time I re-watch the scene where she screamed wanting to be live and be saved.

It didn’t help that the built-in speaker projects a 360-degree sound making me feel as if Nico Robin is screaming within my apartment.

To refresh my tears and regulate my emotions, I shifted to watching my favorite Disney movies since I just came back from Hong Kong Disneyland, and the magic’s still inside me.

I relieved my memories by playing my favorite films such as Aladdin, Frozen, Tangled, and Little Mermaid. Singing to my childhood songs made it magical, and the Freestyle just makes the experience spectacular.

Since the Freestyle can be connected via Bluetooth and/or HDMI to another sound system, I linked it to my JBL PartyBox Encore Essential, which immersed me and my whole space — making me feel like I’m back in Disneyland.

Of course, I almost burst into tears again.

To endless possibilities

I had a lot of fun using the Freestyle. Sometimes, I’d stand in front of the projector while playing some of Ariana Grande’s music videos, acting as if I’m starring in my own music video. Honestly, there are plenty of ways to experience and enjoy the Freestyle.

It’s portable, lightweight, and I bet it would make a great tool for traveling — especially on camping and road trips. I haven’t found ways to do that since I’m preoccupied with moving in and out of my new home.

Looking back, I would have loved to own the Serif as I dream of decorating my own space with my own aesthetic. But the sudden life change didn’t give me the space and the budget to make me build my dream space.

Nevertheless, it came with an unconventional solution. One that gave me endless possibilities as I try to explore who I am becoming. The Freestyle suits those with creative minds; it’s just as versatile as I am. Simply plug it in and find the right angle to experience a new way to watch your favorite content.

Maybe we don’t get what we want, but the universe will always give us what we need at the moment. Everything is still in perfect alignment. That’s my conclusion from the whole ordeal with the moving out process and having to only take the Freestyle with me in my new space.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

I’m a big fan of Samsung’s Lifestyle TVs. Most of the time, they’re unconventional and fits a certain aesthetic and — of course — lifestyle.

Samsung The Freestyle fits those who are in love with freedom, wanting to watch their favorite shows in YouTube, Netflix, or Disney+ whenever, wherever possible. It’s a smart projector and TV in one that won’t require you to use your last three brain cells, because it just works.

Samsung The Freestyle (2nd Gen) is currently available at an introductory price of PhP 34,999. Its predecessor retailed for PhP 48,999.