Reviews

Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro: One week with a ‘classic’

Daily, Smart Casual, and Sports

Published

March 13, 2023

Xiaomi followed up its Watch S1 series from 2022, not with an S2 series, but with the Watch S1 Pro. On paper, the Watch S1 Pro looks like Xiaomi took the best of both the S1 and the S1 active and melded it into a package that’s fit for all types of occasions.

In case you missed it, we did an Unboxing and First Impressions of the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro. But to summarize quickly…

You get the watch itself.

The wireless charging dock.

And some documentation (user manual and warranty).

The variant we got is the Black Stainless Steel with the Black Fluororubber strap made for workouts.

There are some new key information we asked Xiaomi between the unboxing and this review:

As you know, the watch is also available in a silver stainless steel case with brown leather strap. If you want that strap, you can purchase it separately.

But you have an even wider range of choices as the straps of the S1 and S1 Active will also work with the S1 Pro.

If that’s still not enough, any 22mm strap size will work with the watch S1 Pro. So, you’re free to style it however you see fit.

It has a 1.47” display which is larger than the 1.43” on the other S1 series watches.

It also prominently features a crown for easier navigation.

That’s it. So, what’s it like using the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro for a week? Let’s talk about it in the different scenarios that Xiaomi imagines you’ll use it for.

Daily

While working on this review, I’ve had to think about what it meant for me to own a smartwatch.

Due to the nature of my work, I’ve had the privilege of using a handful of them for a few weeks to a month. Over the last two years, I’ve mainly used one which also has a “pro” label on it.

To me, it’s now become a necessity. I get a ton of notifications daily. Work emails and messages dominate my day. Seeing the notifications come in through the watch helps me mentally prepare for the next task as I work on finishing the one that’s currently on my plate.

It helps that the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro also displays exactly which app the notification came from. I’ve used some smartwatches in the past that could not make this distinction. Instead, they only show a brief part of the message with a default message icon. Glancing quickly when notifications come in helps me organize my thoughts better, and knowing which app the notification came from also helps me plan my next move better.

The UI’s design

The app selection interface looks a lot like the Apple Watch. The difference being the general look and feel of the app’s themselves. I’m lukewarm on how they look. They’re not bad, but something about them feels a little off to me.

When you swipe left or right from the watch face, you can see the widgets available. There’s one for health monitoring, one for fitness, and another for Alexa. You can arrange them however you like. I personally put fitness as the first swipe from the left and the health monitoring as the first swipe from the right.

Here’s another area where I thought the widgets just didn’t look quite right. While all the elements fit inside the circular display, something tells me this layout fits a more rectangular shape better. Yes, the exact shape of the Apple Watch. Not a deal breaker, but it’s worth pointing out.

Xiaomi uses their own MIUI Watch OS so I asked Xiaomi if there will be an update to apply themes to change this. Unfortunately, there isn’t. Again, this isn’t objectively bad, I just personally wish there was a way to customize it.

Smart Casual

When the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro was launched in Barcelona, Spain during MWC 2023. We had a chance to sit down with TJ Walton who takes the lead in talking up Xiaomi’s accessories and overall ecosystem. Referencing the silver stainless steel case with brown leather strap, he was asked if there was a conscious effort to make the watch look more luxurious. To which, he answered affirmatively.

While you can certainly say that for the silver case, leather strap variant, the black case, fluororubber one, in my opinion, does have its “luxury limits.” You wouldn’t wear this as is with formal attire. Thankfully, it does work in more smart casual or business casual fits.

It also helps that, as mentioned earlier, you can purchase separate straps to fit the occasion better. I already looked up 22mm watch straps on popular shopping platforms and you should have a field day from the selection. Everything from stainless steel, to leather straps are available for purchase.

While you can get away with the black fluororubber strap in most scenarios, you should do yourself a favor and buy an alternative strap or two so you can mix things up and accessorize appropriately.

Sports

I have said this a few times already in previous smartwatch reviews, but in case this is your first time reading mine, I hate workouts. Or at least the idea of working out. I’m just lazy like that. I do like walking and playing basketball.

I always just walk whenever I can. Especially when I’m traveling, there’s nothing like soaking in a place better than taking the time to stroll down its streets. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro’s step counter works just about as well as any step counter. There will be variance with other smartwatches which is natural, but it is fairly accurate. So, if you’re targeting a certain number of steps, you can rest easy knowing you walked enough to reach your goals.

Speaking of goals, that’s what I love about the workouts available on the Watch S1 Pro. With it, you can select whether you want to track the duration or by calories burned. The smartwatch I’ve been sporting simply tracks both at the same time but without the granular control of targeting each one.

This is especially helpful for someone like myself whose “workouts” are limited to solo basketball drills and occasional pick-up games with neighbors. I’m currently trying to lose the massive weight I gained during the pandemic, and I’m doing so by watching my daily calorie intake. If I can track my hoop sessions based on calories burned, it’s easier for me to maintain a calorie deficit in tandem with my current meal plan.

It also helps that the watch, overall, isn’t too bulky and doesn’t feel heavy on the wrist at all. It’s a stark contrast to what I currently use. Granted it’s one that’s close to being three years old.

100+ workouts

As advertised, there are 100 types of workouts that the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro can track. Personally, I feel like this can be intimidating to a lot of people as it creates this idea that you need to try all of them to maximize the smartwatch. This isn’t true at all.

Just pick the workouts that work for you, the ones that you’re happy to do and can incorporate to your lifestyle. If you can do that, you’re already making the best of the smartwatch’s fitness features.

Battery life and other things of note

Xiaomi advertises up to 14-days of battery life in standard mode. If I extrapolate the results from my one-week use, you could see yourself charging the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro every 4-5 days with moderate to heavy workout usage.

Under very bright sunlight, it can be challenging to see the watch face. But that’s a really isolated case. Most of the time, you won’t have trouble seeing the watch face right away.

As of writing, I thought the available watch faces are pretty limited. There’s also no option to add a custom image (at least now when you use it with an iPhone). I couldn’t try it with the Xiaomi 13 Pro, which has an instant pairing mode that’s convenient, because it’s currently with another team member for a camera shootout. Xiaomi said more watch faces should come soon.

Xiaomi Pay isn’t available in the Philippines. It’s currently available in WEU, CEE & Nordic, and Russia. Availability in more regions and countries are in the pipeline. However, Xiaomi says this is dependent mainly on the business development of the issuer VISA and Mastercard’s plan. Contactless payment has gained more traction (yes, I see the irony in those words) of late and I wish the support for the feature expands soonest.

Is the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro has all the bells and whistles of a 2023 smartwatch. You have the usual health monitoring features (heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen, etc), as well as tracking for a huge number of activities.

And while the watch faces are limited at this point, the available ones offer enough versatility that you can switch it up depending on the occasion like you can with the straps.

The UI, I personally think, can be better, but it is objectively good. The battery life is also decent. It’s a happy middle ground between the charge-daily Apple Watch and the long-lasting offerings of Huawei.

Against its contemporaries, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is most appealing for its price (PhP 16,999/ EUR 299). You get pro features you expect from a smartwatch, as well as the versatility of matching it with your style. It also helps that it works with both Android and iOS.

If you’re looking to take your personal health and fitness monitoring to a “pro” level, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro likely offers the best overall value right now.

Reviews

Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 review: Bigger and better

Than the already impressive Xiaomi Pad 6

Published

May 2, 2024

Rodneil Quiteles

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.

@gadgetmatch

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

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

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.

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.

Reviews

OnePlus 12R review: Making sense of OnePlus’ latest flagship

Smooth beyond belief, but is it worth the upgrade?

Published

April 29, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

OnePlus has been fairly consistent when it comes to their positioning. Historically, the brand has offered flagship-level smartphones for a more affordable price point compared to its chief competitors. The OnePlus 11, for instance, did great overall, with just minimal misses here and there.

Now, the brand is back with the OnePlus 12R. It’s technically the “lite” or base model of the latest numbered series, but promises the same smooth, flagship-caliber experience. Users loyal to the OnePlus brand might think, is it time to upgrade? Conversely, is it worthy of a non-OnePlus regular’s consideration?

OnePlus 12R specs

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14
16GB RAM
256GB internal storage
6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 94.2% screen-to-body ratio
120Hz dynamic refresh rate, up to 1000Hz touch response rate
5,500mAh battery
100W SUPERVOOC charge

Appearance, feel: Still needs improvements

It’s good that the OnePlus 12R’s volume keys are now on the right. It makes it easier to adjust the volume when held with just one hand.

The alert slider is on the left, and the selfie camera punch hole is in the middle. Other than that, there aren’t many changes. The rear cameras look exactly the same from the OnePlus 11 series.

I wish OnePlus solved the slippery problem too. Although the unit we reviewed had a matte black finish, it was still slippery to hold. I’m sure most users have this habit of putting their phones on their laps from time to time. I wouldn’t recommend doing that with this particular model.

It will fall 100% of the time. Furthermore, it doesn’t help that there is no case to at least reinforce the grip. I was extra cautious every time I held the phone, because it just didn’t give me that assurance I was looking for.

Display, audio: Immersive, punchy

Moving on, the device’s display is bright as it gets. You will see content with a more natural tone. Details are vivid and crisp, and are retained even in bright and dark spots. Even when you zoom in on a 2160p video being played, you are guaranteed clear and accurate images. Moreover, I didn’t experience any eye strain while doing a handful of stuff on the phone. That’s always a great sign, but is expected of more expensive phones nowadays.

On the audio side, the dual speakers provide you with an immersive feel. The sound comes out loud and punchy. They’re also placed appropriately. Even when you hold the phone horizontally for streaming or gaming, chances are you won’t block the speakers with your fingers.

Performance, browsing, gaming: Smooth AF

Performance wise, the OnePlus 12R is good as advertised. You will feel the smoothness right away when scrolling, switching between one app to the other, and more. This annoying thing that happens with Android phones lately where the keyboard just suddenly hangs on your screen didn’t occur once with the OnePlus 12R.

I also played Marvel Super War, easily one of the most demanding MOBA titles out there. The phone did not get hot even after a lengthy session at high graphics settings. That’s where the upgraded RAM capacity kicks in. But I feel it’s something the OnePlus 11 can also do, so it isn’t downright special.

I love the larger battery on the OnePlus 12R. It easily lasts a whole day on average usage. You’ll need just about 40 minutes to charge it from 15% back to full. When not in use, it will spend probably just 1% to 2% battery overnight on standby.

OnePlus 12R cameras: Hit and miss

50MP f/1.8 Sony IMX890 main camera
8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera
2MP macro camera
16MP selfie camera

Although OnePlus has a partnership with Hasselblad, the OnePlus 12R particularly uses a Sony IMX890 sensor for its main camera. It delivers fairly well for what is expected of a OnePlus camera. Color reproduction is very… well, OnePlus (you’ll understand if you’ve been using OnePlus devices in the past).

The tone is more on the redder, browner, and slightly more saturated side, which is ideal for food and landscapes. You’ll definitely capture the vibe of places and entice viewers with your food photos. This is without needing to post-process the color temperature or add filters.

The main camera does its job. It retains good detail even in captures against the light, thanks to its high dynamic range. It does well to fend off the sun’s rays or unwanted glares, and blend it with the photos you take.

You will get crisp and vivid photos by default, but detail loss will begin to be felt at 2x zoom and beyond. But it’s not like that’s super noticeable from your phone’s screen.

What I appreciate is the adjustable depth of field after portrait shots, for you to be able to match the background’s blur or bokeh effect properly with the subject. Speaking of, I underwent a trial and error phase under portrait mode. Some snaps came out out of focus, even if the indicator said “ready.”

But I reckon it’s not a perfect process, so I just adjusted on the fly. However, I did expect a lot more assistance from the camera especially since there’s some AI processing that comes with the algorithms. There were also times where the blurred effect at f/1.4 was too exaggerated, as if it’s cartoonized. On the positive side, there’s not much segmentation error and the transition from focused to blurred parts is generally smooth. But it would be tricky for users who aren’t too meticulous adjusting settings and would just rather point and shoot.

Other than that, I enjoyed shooting cityscapes and landscapes with the 8MP ultra-wide lens. There’s just a “correct” feel to it and it covers what you intended to do properly. The 2MP macro lens is extraneous at this point, since the main camera does pretty well for close ups of food and other subjects. I wouldn’t have hurt for OnePlus to include a periscope lens or an extra portrait sensor, considering its price point. As for filming, the camera package also has OIS and EIS support, and taking videos at 1080p @ 60fps had no hiccups on my end.

In front, the selfie camera delivers the same, “realistic” results as its predecessor. This may both be a good and bad thing for those who want smoother selfies instead of having their pores or eyebags come out too sharp. Personally, I prefer some smoothness with selfies, but a little retouching won’t hurt. You do you.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

As I’ve mentioned, OnePlus is consistent with how they approach the market. Loyal OnePlus user? You may feel this is an upgrade if you’ve been using a handset from two to three generations prior. Trying something new to break the iPhone-Galaxy S series duopoly? Go ahead, there’s no harm trying.

The OnePlus 12R is smooth, without a doubt, if that’s what you’re looking for. The camera package delivers the same signature performance expected of the brand. On paper, there are a lot of improvements. But is it worth it? It’s tough to say yes resoundingly.

If you happen to own a OnePlus 10 or 11, the differences in overall usage are minute. If you’re ready to spend PhP 40,000 or more, there are a lot of options that come with more cameras or put focus on gaming. Alternatively, if you want to save, there are also capable flagship killers in the market for a lot less. Moreover, other top brands’ flagships — base model or better — are selling for a lot less these days.

That makes the release of this particular variant from the series a little confusing or questionable at this point. Perhaps, it would have been better if OnePlus waited a bit more and dropped a banger of a latest flagship line with a lot more features and enhancements. I’m trying to make sense of it, but for now, it’s best to wait.

The OnePlus 12R retails for PhP 43,990 in the Philippines.

SHP: https://bit.ly/OnePlus-12R-Shopee
LAZ: https://bit.ly/Oneplus12R
Kiosks and partner Stores: http://bit.ly/3O9q76V