Wearables
xMEMS introduces the future of audio technology
It’s all silicon
“Solid-state” often goes hand-in-hand with storage technology. However, the technology can go beyond hard drives. As early as now, it is readying a massive push for an unexpected industry: audio technology. Before the biggest brands adopt the new technology, check out the latest development coming to your earbuds.
Pioneered by xMEMS Labs, solid-state fidelity is slowly making its way to next-generation TWS earbuds and other personal audio devices. Compared to the coil architecture commonly used today (and has been used for a century), the new silicon membrane architecture weighs much less but performs much better.
Instead of a coil, the system melds thin-film piezo technology with silicon, much like solid-state technology today. The resulting product is only a tenth of the weight of a speaker today. Because of the reduced weight, it’s easier to produce more units at a faster clip.
Now, as for the audio quality, xMEMS Labs reports that the technology is 95 percent stiffer, allowing for better midrange and treble responses. In a personal test of the prototype, I can confirm that it does sound better. I came in with a pair of Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, but I wanted to leave with an unbranded and 3D-printed prototype. The soundstage was much more immersive, allowing for the music to really breathe. No fiddling around with an equalizer required.
Besides audio quality, the company also worked on the technology’s ANC capabilities. With the new SkyLine DynamicVent, the silicone-based device can switch between noise-cancelling and transparent modes in an instant. The system uses a closable vent, which has been tested for durability (including in a washing machine where it went through unscathed).
Now, the silicon architecture comes in three flavors: Cowell, Montara, and Montara Plus. While the Cowell focuses more on TWS devices, the Montara series aims to deliver an audiophile-level, high-fidelity in-ear monitor experience to devices.
At the time of publication, xMEMS Labs had not announced any brand which will sport the new technology in the future. The company does state that notable names in the industry have already inked deals to incorporate the system into their own products. Plus, since the technology is easier to reproduce, it would ideally cost much less than most devices today, hopefully resulting in better savings for consumers.
At WWDC 2026, Apple unveiled Siri AI, a smarter version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, with personal context, onscreen awareness, deeper app integration, and a brand-new experience across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro.
Apple also announced new Apple Intelligence features, Google Gemini-powered foundation models, smarter photo editing tools, improved parental controls, faster performance across iPhone and iPad, and the next version of macOS: Golden Gate.
In this WWDC 2026 Rewind, Michael Josh breaks down the biggest announcements, what actually matters. And, whether Apple finally delivered on the promises it made last year.
DOOGEE is debuting the BoneBeat Series this 6.6 sale, offering active consumers wearable audio solutions that fit their lifestyles.
The new collection is designed to support and empower runners, cyclists, triathletes, and sports enthusiasts in general with a wide range of durable, comfortable, and safety-focused gear.
The DOOGEE BoneBeat Series comes in three models: the BoneBeat Run Ray, BoneBeat Run Digital, and BoneBeat Swim Ray.
Customers can get the products during the 6.6 Shopee Sale via DOOGEE’s official Shopee Store. All come with a one-year warranty.
The Run Ray (PhP 1,799) is designed specifically for runners and outdoor fitness enthusiasts. It has an open-ear bone conduction technology that allows users to enjoy music while staying aware of their surroundings.
It also has a built-in safety light for improved visibility, specially during night runs. Moreover, it has an IP66 sweat-resistant design and long-lasting battery life.
Meanwhile, the Run Digital (PhP 1,999) in similar to the Run Ray but offers a digital display for quick monitoring. It has enhanced audio performance, Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity with dual-device pairing, and an IP67 rating.
Lastly, the Swim Ray (PhP 3,999) comes with an IP68 waterproofing and built-in MP3 storage for phone-free underwater listening.
It has a secure, pressure-free, and skin-friendly fit that stays in place even during intense movement, while still offering open-ear comfort. It has up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Hands-On
The Xiaomi Watch S5 proves you don’t have to take it off
Elegant enough for dinner. Tough enough for Spartan.
Picture this: one night, I’m dressed for a sophisticated gala in a carefully curated look. The following morning, less than twelve hours later, I’m standing at the starting line of a Spartan Trail 10K in Arden Botanical Estate with dirt on my shoes.
I’ve always struggled with smartwatches (or other timepieces) because they tend to ask you to choose a side. For instance, a classic timepiece looks right with tailoring, dinner jackets, and occasions where dress codes actually matter.
Meanwhile, a sports watch belongs in training kits, race bibs, and muddy obstacle courses. I’ve spent years switching between both, often leaving my smartwatch behind whenever the outfit called for something more refined.
Then, the Xiaomi Watch S5 arrived and challenged that whole routine. For once, I didn’t feel like I had to pick between looking polished and being athletic. I didn’t feel like I had to separate one part of my life from another.
A wardrobe investment
The Xiaomi Watch S5 immediately felt sleek. The upgraded stainless steel frame gives it the weight and polish of a traditional luxury watch. It looks expensive in the way a great accessory does.
It slips easily under a cuff, works with tailoring, and doesn’t compete with the rest of what you’re wearing. That mattered to me because I wore it to an evening event, styled like any proper watch would be.
Then the next morning, I wore it at a Spartan Race — at 6:00 AM, I was running the Spartan Trail 10K during a sudden downpour. Heavy rain poured over the course. Mud thickened under every step.
A few hours later at 9:30 AM, I was back on the course for the Spartan Sprint Open under the complete opposite conditions. Bright sun, harsh heat, and definitely no shade. By the time I crossed the finish line, I had visible sunburn.
I wore the Watch S5 across back-to-back races in completely different conditions. When it rained, the 5ATM water resistance handled it and allowed me to finish the Spartan Trail 10K with 350m elevation gain in 1 hour, 20 minutes.
And even in full sun, the 2500-nit AMOLED display was bright enough for me to check my pace and metrics without squinting through sweat.
In a way, that is the whole point of versatility. You don’t have to look good in one setting. You just survive all of it.
High-fashion navigation on a sample sale budget
I love gear that performs. I love it even more when it doesn’t cost as much as a plane ticket.
My Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) — which I had since 2023 — remains my benchmark for race-day navigation. It’s dependable and incredibly capable. It also costs enough to make me stare at my credit card statement in silence.
The Xiaomi Watch S5 gave me a surprisingly similar sense of confidence with built-in offline maps at a much more approachable price.
For trail races where routes are usually marked, that feature becomes less about finding your way and more about peace of mind.
Knowing you can navigate technical terrain without reaching for your phone feels reassuring, especially when weather conditions change fast — and on race day, mine certainly did.
One moment I was climbing through rain. A few hours later I was baking under direct sunlight wondering how my shoulders had already turned red.
The Watch S5 handled both like it was no big deal.
Keeping pace with a social butterfly’s calendar
A wearable becomes part of your wardrobe when you stop thinking about it. That’s where battery life matters.
The Xiaomi Watch S5 runs up to 14 days on normal use, which means I wore it across workdays, training sessions, events, recovery days, and race weekend without needing to obsess over charging it overnight.
It outlasted my phone, my laptop, and possibly my emotional stability somewhere between the last aid station and the fire jump.
Once I finally got home, showered off layers of mud and sunscreen, and collapsed into bed with sore legs and sunburn, the Watch S5 kept doing its job in the background.
Sleep tracking, recovery insights, and wellness metrics all quietly continued while I did absolutely nothing.
Is the Xiaomi Watch S5 your GadgetMatch?
What I like most about the Xiaomi Watch S5 is that it doesn’t force a choice. It doesn’t ask you to pick between being sporty or polished. There’s no need to separate performance from style.
It looks elegant enough for formalwear, and tough enough for weathering the elements. For me, it went from chic events to an action-packed Spartan Race day without feeling out of place. And maybe, that’s the best way to describe it.
Swipe Right if you want a smartwatch that can keep up with both your calendar and your training schedule. The Xiaomi Watch S5 feels right at home with tailored looks, yet it’s durable enough for muddy race courses, sudden downpours, and long hours under the sun.
This is for the people who go from dinner reservations to race day without warning.
Swipe Left if you want highly advanced training analytics or a deeply specialized multi-sport watch for serious race preparations. Athletes who rely heavily on performance metrics may still prefer something more purpose-built.
For PhP 10,999, the Xiaomi Watch S5 46mm feels more like a wardrobe investment. One that happens to track your sleep, navigate a trail course and survive the elements, and still look good at dinner.
The Xiaomi Watch S5 46mm comes with an early-bird price of PhP 10,229 and a free strap. The Special Edition retails for PhP 11,999, with an early-bird price of PhP 11,159 and a free strap.
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