News
YouTube has become ‘new TV’ in the Philippines, drives better ROI for ads
A major shift in the content consumption landscape
YouTube has effectively become the “new TV” in the Philippines and is delivering a significantly better return on investment (ROI) for advertisers, a Google-commissioned Nielsen study has found.
The report pretty much attests to the massive migration of Filipino viewers from scheduled programming to on-demand and creator-driven content, with nine out of 10 Filipinos using YouTube.
In addition, the Nielsen study mentions that 88% of rural Visayas and Mindanao also use YouTube daily. It is a fundamental change in how Filipinos, especially the younger generations, use content.
And it’s not just about short clips; even primetime entertainment, news, and educational programs are being watched more frequently on YouTube.
The development is likewise beneficial for business. Nielsen says in the country, YouTube is 3.86 times more effective than linear TV and 2.71 times more effective than other digital platforms as a medium for advertising.
Moreover, according to a survey conducted by Kantar, 90% of surveyed viewers in the Philippines agree that YouTube has the most trusted creator content.
This figure outperforms the competitive average of 77% across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Same trend in the U.S.?
On a larger scale, the trend in the Philippines parallels the content consumption landscape in the United States.
According to a June 2025 Nielsen report of The Gauge, streaming has notched a record 44.8% of total TV usage last May. This percentage narrowly eclipsed the combined 44.2% for broadcast and cable TV.
Of the 44.8% viewership share, 12.5% came from YouTube. Other major streaming platforms in the country include Netflix (7.5%), Disney (5.0%), Prime Video (3.5%), Roku (2.5%), and Paramount (2.2%).
News
HONOR Magic8 Pro now in the UK: Price, availability
HONOR’s latest flagship brings enhanced photography, efficiency, AI power
The HONOR Magic8 Pro has officially launched in the United Kingdom, expanding the company’s latest flagship smartphone’s presence in global markets.
The device is available in Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, and Black and a lone 12GB+512GB configuration for £ 1099.99.
In addition, the HONOR Magic8 Lite variant in Forest Green, Midnight Black, and Reddish Brown is available for £ 399.99.
Flagship mobile photography
The HONOR Magic8 Pro brings flagship photography to one’s fingertips. With the latest advancements in its AiMAGE Camera System, users can expect an elevated experience with clarity, stability, and creative control powered by AI.
The phone is comprised of the following cameras:
- 1/1.4-inch 200MP Ultra Night Telephoto camera, f/2.6, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom
- 50MP Ultra Night Main Camera, f/1.6, OIS
- 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera, 2.5cm HD Macro, 122°
Specifically, the AI telephoto system is said to be the industry’s most advanced to date. Powered by HONOR’s AI Adaptive Stabilization Model, users can get up to seven times better zoomed images.
The Magic8 Pro also achieves the most stable CIPA 5.5-level and a 4x improvement in shake detection accuracy.
The camera package also debuts Magic Color, an AI-powered color engine. It relies on advanced deep learning algorithms to extract 16.77 million colors.
Users can recreate cinematic styles, apply professional film tones, or build personalized templates from any reference image. These can then be used directly in the camera via Magic Portal.
AI Photos Agent
Meanwhile, the recently previewed AI Photos Agent also enables one-tap or voice-based operations. The AI-powered editing suite includes features like AI Eraser, AI Outpainting, AI Color, and AI Cutout.
A new AI Button, a dedicated key independent from the power button, is mapped by default to launch the Camera with a double press, even from a locked screen.
Users can customize its gestures to access HONOR AI, AI Settings Agent, AI Photos Agent, and other features.
Power, endurance, performance
The HONOR Magic8 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. With Low-Bit Quantization Technology, the phone is efficient and packed with computing power especially for AI tasks.
Inside is a 6,270mAh battery with support for 100W wired and 80W wireless HONOR SuperCharge. In front is a 6.71-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED display with adaptive refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits brightness.
Of course, this display is is integrated with a Chip-Level AI Defocus Display and more advanced features for eye care.
The phone runs on MagicOS 10 while HONOR AI delivers a balanced mix of creativity, reasoning, and contextual task handling with the help of Google Gemini for cloud-based reasoning.
Intelligent experience
MagicOS 10 introduces a translucent visual style that is airy and readable throughout navigating the phone.
Cross-platform collaboration is enhanced with an upgraded HONOR Share, which supports transfers between Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices.
In addition, the phone offers the most comprehensive device cloning capability among similar devices. That migration goes for even iPhones, including contacts, calendars, photos, notes, and more.
HONOR AI can intelligently decipher on-screen content, interpret natural commands, and act directly across system settings and applications.
A long press of the AI Button can also let users access AI Screen Suggestions. These intelligently adapt to current scenarios and can activate further features like AI Photos Agent and AI Deepfake Detection.
Moreover, the Magic Sidebar offers one-swipe and hold access to HONOR AI, Magic Portal, and more capabilities.
For gaming, the GPU-NPU Heterogeneous AI super-resolution and frame-generation technology helps transform low-resolution, low-frame rate gameplay into a sharper, smoother, and more immersive visual experience.
SEE ALSO:
The upgraded POCO M8 5G and POCO M8 Pro 5G have officially launched globally, marking a major evolution in the brand’s M Series.
The latest mid-range smartphones bring flagship-inspired entertainment features for the following prices:
POCO M8 Pro
12GB+512GB
- Early bird pricing: US$ 339 / £ 299/ SG$ 429
- Recommended retail price: US$ 359 / £ 349 / SG$ 449
8GB+256GB
- Early bird: US$ 279 / £ 259 / SG$ 369
- Retail price: US$ 279 / £ 299 / SG$ 389
POCO M8
8GB+512GB
- Early bird: US$ 259 / £ 219 / SG$ 329
- Retail price: US$ 279 / £ 259 / SG$ 359
8GB+256GB
- Early bird: US$ 209 / £ 189 / SG$ 299
- Retail price: US$ 229 / £ 229 / SG$ 329
The Early Bird Price period is available until January 19. Both variants come in Black, Green, and Silver colorways.
POCO M8 Pro 5G
Headlining the POCO M8 Series is the Pro variant, which takes an entertainment-first approach.
It comes with upgrades across battery, display, speakers, and camera system to bring flagship-level experiences to the midrange segment.
The POCO M8 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 7s gen 4 processor for a 66% better AnTuTu score. It houses a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with 100W HyperCharge and 22.5W reverse charging.
In front is a 6.83-inch 1.5K CrystalRes Flow AMOLED display with up to 3,200 bits of brightness, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+.
This display is coupled with dual 1115F speakers for rich and balanced 3D sound enhanced by Dual Gold Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos.
And for the first time in the M Series, the Pro variant features the POCO IceLoop Cooling System with real liquid cooling. This leads to improved heat dissipation to sustain peak performance.
Onto its cameras, the POCO M8 Pro has a fully-upgraded 50MP Light Fusion 800 main camera and flagship-level OIS for better light intake. It also has a 32MP front camera.
For software, Ultra-Clear Portrait algorithm delivers sharper and more natural selfies. Imaging tools include the AI Creativity Assistant for effortless editing.
POCO M8 5G
Meanwhile, the POCO M8 5G also elevates entertainment in the midrange level. It comes with a 6.77-inch Flow AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and a similar 3,200 nits peak brightness.
Along with these are DCI-P3 wide color gamut and 12-bit color depth, as well as eye-care certifications. The device comes with the same Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio dual speakers as well.
The POCO M8 is powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor while inside is a 5,520mAh battery.
For its cameras, the device comes with a 50MP Light Fusion 400 main camera and upgraded 20MP selfie camera.
Among the improved features of the cameras are an AI-enhanced portrait mode and AI image editing tools.
Upgrades everywhere
With Xiaomi HyperOS, the phones have Google Gemini, Circle to Search with Google, and Xiaomi Offline Communication.
They also come with Xiaomi Surge T1S Tuner to stronger signal reception and more stable connections.
For protection, the Pro has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and SGS Premium Performance Certification. It also has quadruple IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K dust and water resistance ratings.
Not to be left behind, the POCO M8 also passed the SGS Comprehensive Shock and Drop-resistance test. It is also rated IP66.
Design wise, they come in floating dual-curved bodies, offering a refined feel in a sleek and stylish design.
CES 2026
Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept was possible thanks to TCL CSOT
Also responsible behind the foldable display of the new motorola razr fold
At this year’s CES 2026 in Las Vegas, TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) and Lenovo have further proved their long-term partnership. The newest Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold are equipped with displays by TCL CSOT.
Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept
The continuous collaboration of the two mighty Chinese companies bring out something that has been envisioned in laptops for quite a while now.
Ever imagined of a conventional laptop with standard 16:9 display that can instantly stretch into a 21:9 widescreen monitor? Well, the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept proves it’s more than possible.
Pioneering this partnership starts with TCL CSOT’s rollable display. Dubbed as the Lenovo PureSight OLED Gaming display. From a regular 16-inch 16:9 display, it completely transforms into an ultra-wide screen — stretching between 21.5 all the way to 24 inches.
For gamers and even e-sports athletes who seek visual flexibility (literally and figuratively), the display adapts to three (3) different training phases.
- Focus Mode (16 inches) for honing reflexes
- Tactical Mode (21.5 inches) for enhanced situational awareness
- Arena Mode (24 inches) for full-scale competitive simulation
Behind that rollable display tech by TCL CSOT lies a dual-motor, tension-based system. This not only means that the rollable display can unroll smoothly, the expansion is not just controlled, its contraction also delivers minimal vibration and noise.
There’s also a dedicated tensioning mechanism that ensures consistent tautness across the OLED panel. Low-friction materials then secures durability throughout the rolling cycle.
motorola razr fold
Finally, after a long wait, motorola finally unveils their first-ever book-style foldable.
The motorola razr fold headlines TCL CSOT’s 8.1-inch 2K LTPO flexible inner display. And unlike most foldable offerings in the market today, it supports a stylus!
When closed, its 6.6-inch external display delivers the familiarity of a candy-bar smartphone. Furthermore, its sleek, striking, and slim silhouette will feel comfortable in one’s hands.
Not much has been shared but more details will soon be unfolded by motorola.
The Co-Innovation Legacy
The steady legacy of TCL CSOT and Lenovo has already delivered consumer-ready products past the convention center show floor showcase.
Those include the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i with a flexible 4K OLED display unveiled at CES 2025. Even the motorola razr 60 series flip-style foldables launched last July 2025 was not missed.
And, with the introduction of the Legion Pro Rollable Concept and the motorola razr fold, both companies continue to turn advanced display research into practical, user-focused products — setting new standards for performance, comfort, and sustainability.
With past display innovations, these newer advancements offer a more immersive viewing experience, better eye comfort, and flexiblility across various user applications.
This continuous collaboration highlights the companies shared commitment to advancing display technology and elevating the visual experience for users worldwide.
TCL CSOT’s constant strive for innovation is mainly driven by their APEX values:
- A-mazing Display Experience
- P-rotective of Eye Health
- E-co-Friendly to build and use; and
- X-Unlimited Imaginative Potential
Jun Zhao, the Senior Vice President of TCL Technology and CEO of TCL CSOT, states that the company is dedicated in providing Lenovo high-quality displays and custom diplay solutions that turn advanced technology into something “We are dedicated to providing Lenovo with high-quality, custom display solutions that turn advanced technology into everyday excellence, and
He also says “they look forward to exploring new frontiers together.”
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