Smartphones

Coronavirus can live on a phone’s screen for 28 days, study finds

There is a caveat, though

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Smartphones are one of the grubbiest things we handle every day. From our fingers to our ears to our mouths, a human body comes into contact with a smartphone several times each day. Naturally, because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, phone sterilizers have turned into the norm. If you haven’t bought into the “clean phone” hype yet, a new study might convince you otherwise. Apparently, the coronavirus can live on a phone’s screen for 28 days.

According to a study conducted in Australia, the specific strain of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for today’s pandemic can survive up to 28 days on common surfaces including “glass, stainless steel, and both paper and polymer banknotes.” Further, the study also tested common substrates like vinyl, a material found in screen protectors.

Non-porous surfaces — like glass and vinyl — still had the virus after 28 days. Meanwhile, porous substances — like cotton — had the virus for only up to 14 days. Of course, there is a rather large caveat: The study happened under 20 degrees Celsius, a far cry from normal room temperature.

Countering this caveat, the study also conducted the same tests under 30 degrees Celsius. The virus survived for up to 7 days on steel and glass. It survived up to 3 days on vinyl and cotton. Also, at 40 degrees Celsius, the virus survived for only up to 48 hours on all surfaces.

Now, before you throw away your smartphones for good, remember that the tests were conducted under controlled lab conditions. The results do not indicate what might happen in the real world.

Besides the controlled temperature, the study applied the virus without mucus. It’s another important caveat since transmission usually occurs through contact with droplets. Even outside of a body, mucus contains white blood cells, which can reduce the virus’s survivability outside of a host.

Adding to this caveat, the study starts with an even more important warning: “the role of fomite transmission [that is, surface-to-body] is not yet fully understood.” If anything, the test merely proves that the virus is much more durable than expected.

SEE ALSO: Samsung has launched a personal phone sterilizer

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Philippines

realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition: Price, availability in the Philippines

Hogwarts magic meets smartphone design

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October 29, 2026

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The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition is now available in the Philippines for PHP 39,999. This limited-edition smartphone features a color-changing Hogwarts crest, an exclusive Harry Potter-themed interface, and a collection of Wizarding World memorabilia.

Limited to fewer than 200 units nationwide, the special edition is designed for fans and collectors of the beloved franchise.

Hogwarts magic in every detail

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition comes in Magic Brown, featuring an Enchanted Texture Leather back with a three-dimensional diamond pattern inspired by wizard chessboards.

Its centerpiece is the Hogwarts Four-House Crest, which reveals the signature colors of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff when exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light. This effect uses realme’s Quadra Light-Sensing Color-changing Tech.

The phone also features a gold Hedwig-inspired camera design, matching gold accents along its edges, and a laser-engraved “Welcome to Hogwarts” inscription on the side.

A Hogwarts-inspired interface

The Harry Potter theme extends to the phone’s software. Exclusive wallpapers depict Hogwarts Castle at different times of the day, with Golden Dawn for daytime and Mystic Dusk for nighttime.

Other customizations include boot-up and fingerprint animations inspired by Hogwarts acceptance letters, more than 30 redesigned app icons, and camera watermarks inspired by the four Hogwarts houses.

A trunk full of collectibles

The limited-edition packaging takes the form of a Harry Potter-inspired trunk featuring the Hogwarts crest and the realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition branding.

Inside, fans will find a Hogwarts acceptance letter addressed to Mr. Potter, character postcards featuring Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and bookmarks representing all four Hogwarts houses.

The package also includes Hogwarts Crest pins and a Hogwarts Express-inspired ticket bearing the route from London to Hogwarts via Platform 9¾.

realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition price and availability

The realme 16 Pro 5G Harry Potter Edition is priced at PHP 39,999 in the Philippines. Only fewer than 200 units will be available nationwide.

Hogwarts-inspired store displays will be available at the following locations:

  • SM Fairview
  • SM North EDSA
  • SM Calamba

The device will also be available at kiosks in SM Clark, SM Dasmariñas, and SM Megamall.

For further updates, visit realme’s official Facebook page.

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Philippines

Samsung Galaxy A18, Galaxy A08 now in the Philippines

Everyday smartphone experience

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October 29, 2026

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Samsung has unveiled the new Samsung Galaxy A18 and Samsung Galaxy A08 smartphones in the Philippines.

These affordable A series handsets bring more capable performance, long-term reliability, and core AI experiences to users.

The Galaxy A18 features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and is powered by a Helio G99+ processor.

It comes with an upgraded DDR5 memory and supports RAM Plus, which uses available storage as virtual memory.

At its back is a 50MP wide camera, 5MP ultra-wide camera, and 2MP macro camera.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy A08 comes with a 6,000mAh battery, Helio G99+ processor, and upgraded memory.

It also comes with a similar 50MP main camera, along with a 2MP depth camera, and 8MP front camera.

Core AI experiences, long-term reliability

Both the Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08 come with core AI experiences, including Circle to Search.

Moreover, both phones come with multiple AI agents to help users move more seamlessly between supported Galaxy native apps, Google apps, and select third-party apps.

Both handsets also feature IP64 rating for protection against dust and water splashes.

Furthermore, the devices support up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.

Price, availability

The Samsung Galaxy A08 comes in Dark Blue, Silver, and Green, for the following prices:

  • 4GB+64GB: PhP 11,190
  • 4GB+128GB: PhP 13,090

Samsung is offering up to PhP 1,200 in savings until November 30.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy A18 will be available by December in Black, Silver, and Light Blue.

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Hands-On

Apple iPhone Duo Unboxing and Hands-on

Supported apps, crease, cameras, and MagSafe all tested

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October 22, 2026

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Apple’s iPhone Duo is finally here!

Aside from unboxing the all-new iPhone-dable in Night Sky, we take a closer look at the display crease, check out the under-display camera quality, see which MagSafe accessories work with it.

Most of all, which apps support it (or not).

But how well does the dual-screen experience on an iPhone actually work? Watch our Apple iPhone Duo unboxing and hands-on to know more!

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