Hands-On

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: A pricey gimmick

It looks good though

Published

November 29, 2018

Don’t get me wrong: I am absolutely in love with the Xiaomi Mi 8. The GadgetMatch peeps can even tell you how much I didn’t want to let that phone go. It’s literally the phone I would buy for myself.

With the Mi 8 Pro, you’re pretty much getting the same top-shelf specs albeit in a different package.

That different package is this — the Transparent Titanium “color design” as Xiaomi noted on the phone’s global page. It will make you think you’re looking at the phone’s actual internals. I have to say, it is appealing but as is the case with the Mi 8 Explorer Edition, it’s all for show.

If you can get over (and maybe even appreciate) that the transparent look is all aesthetics, then you can move on to the good stuff. And the good stuff are plenty.

You’re looking at a phone equipped with the Snapdragon 845 SoC along with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. It only has a 3000mAh battery but it does support quick charge.

This means you’ll have no trouble running games like PUBG, Asphalt 9, Ragnarok Mobile, and basically whatever game you feel like playing. This also means the Mi 8 Pro is a lean, mean multitasking machine.

You can shuffle through all your social media apps, email, notes, as well as three dating apps so you can keep swiping away even though the person you really want to talk to is already reachable through other messaging apps. I digress. (Editor’s note: Sad.)

Unlocking can be a pain

The other main addition is the in-screen fingerprint sensor. On paper, it looks promising and I really appreciate that I don’t have to lift the phone to unlock when it’s lying flat on the table. However, “pressing lightly” as Xiaomi suggests just doesn’t do the trick.

I can’t count how many times I pressed the fingerprint sensor with it asking me to “press a bit harder.” I’d like to think I was already pressing hard. For comparison’s sake, I did use the Vivo V11 quite a bit too and didn’t encounter the same problems using its in-display fingerprint scanner.

It’s pretty fast when I apply the right amount of pressure, but the thing is I don’t always do so. To save myself from being asked to press harder all the damn time, I resorted to mostly using face unlock. It’s an option I wouldn’t have considered had I not used the iPhone XR a while back, but that’s a story for another time.

The phone warns you that it’s not as secure as the fingerprint sensor and that it can be unlocked using faces and objects that look like you. I tried putting a steamed bun in front of the phone and thankfully it stayed locked. I’m gonna mark that down as a win.

Kidding aside, my personal experience with the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro’s in-screen fingerprint sensor leaves a lot to be desired. Thankfully, this phone is pretty darn solid.

The other good stuff

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro sports the same cameras as the Xiaomi Mi 8 — that’s two 12MP rear cameras that capture images more than good enough for sharing on your social media feed.

Here are some samples taken in Singapore:

One of my personal favorites to try on any phone is the portrait mode. Again, I think the Mi 8 Pro does it pretty well. The image does get grainy if you try it in low-light conditions so I suggest sticking to normal shots and not use portrait mode when lighting in your area is less than ideal.

The front camera is a 20MP shooter that also has portrait mode and captures a fair amount of detail when you have a bright background.

I’m also a huge fan of MIUI. It’s just a thoughtful and clean user interface. I especially love the fullscreen gestures which I admittedly took time getting used to when I first tried them on the Mi 8. But they’re great once you get the hang of it.

Swiping on either side of the screen functions as the back button. Hold it long enough and you’ll be taken to the last app you used. That’s such a great feature especially when I’m darting between social media apps during event coverage.

Should you buy it over the Xiaomi Mi 8?

The easy answer is no. Most of the good stuff that you’ll find on the Mi 8 Pro are already on the Mi 8. One of the Mi 8’s main attractions, other than everything I’ve already mentioned thus far, is its pricing.

The Mi 8 is a solid flagship phone that’s an easy recommendation for anyone who wants those specs but doesn’t have the budget for the big hitters like the iPhone XS, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

With the Mi 8 Pro, you’ll shell out roughly around US$ 200 more and for what? An ice-breaking design that doesn’t really do much other than catch someone’s attention and an in-screen fingerprint sensor that’s still in its early stages. It’s simply not worth it.

If you’re hell bent on spending close to or around US$ 700 on a smartphone, there are better choices out there. But if you love what Xiaomi has to offer, you can drop the Pro and just grab the Mi 8.

Accessories

Marshall Major V: Reasons Why I Love It

After a month of using

Published

April 17, 2024

GadgetMatch and Michael Josh Villanueva

I’ve got a new favorite pair of headphones.

They look good, sound good, last long, are compact and portable.

Most of all? They are from a brand that I truly love.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Here’s are V Major reasons why I love the new Marshall Major V!

Hands-On

ZTE nubia Neo 5G: Decent for gaming

But needs improvement

Published

April 4, 2024

GadgetMatch and Levi Verora Jr

Photos c/o Deric Claveria

If you’re looking to buy a smartphone specifically for gaming, you’ll typically need to shell out more. You have to spend extra for capable hardware and software to fuel the mobile gaming experience. That doesn’t mean manufacturers aren’t trying their best to bring more affordable gaming phones to customers. Enter the ZTE nubia Neo 5G.

Known for their higher-end devices like the Redmagic series, ZTE introduced a budget-level choice that promises better gaming for all. Appearance-wise, it straight up looks like a gaming phone. But does it really deliver on being a great value device for mobile gamers?

ZTE nubia Neo 5G specs

Unisoc T820 chipset, up to 2.7GHz
Android 13
8GB+10GB RAM
256GB RAM
6.6-inch FHD+ display
120Hz refresh rate
50MP main camera + 2MP depth camera, 8MP front camera
4,500mAh battery
22.W fast-charging
3.5mm jack
2 SIM card slots

On paper, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G has the usual specs expected of a smartphone of its price point. There’s the usual 50MP main camera, FHD+ display, and and even a 3.5mm jack. On the positive end, it differs from other competitors by offering a higher refresh rate and a more spacious internal storage. However, it has a smaller battery capacity and a slightly slower “fast-charging” output.

WATCH: ZTE nubia Neo 5G Unboxing Reel

Appearance, feel

This budget gaming phone immediately stands out with its gold-and-black, Mecha-like finish at the back. The protruding camera lenses somehow mimic machine gears. The unit we tested came in War-Damaged Yellow. It somehow reminds us of Bumblebee from the Transformers franchise. There is also a Phantom Black option for those wanting black to be the dominant color.

The phone itself has just the proper amount of sleekness into it. It’s not slippery. It’s comfortable to hold. However, the placement of its speakers on the lower left does not help when holding the phone horizontally. Fingers tend to have it blocked, lessening the gaming experience.

Camera

As usual, this budget offering has as 50MP main shooter, with the 2MP extra camera standing in vain. The main camera works well with stills, and leans more on the natural side when it comes to color. Not too saturated, not too pale, just about right. Of course, you’ll need to be ultra steady when capturing as this phone does not support advanced stabilization features.

Additionally, you’ll need sufficient lighting to retain details. Shoot against the light, and the camera’s low dynamic range won’t help in preserving details in the darker parts. Shake your hand a bit, and you’ll get blurred captures. It’s pretty much expected for a handset in this segment.

Check out these sample photos:

Usage

The ZTE nubia Neo 5G does have a simple user interface that’s familiar long-time for Android users. It is able to work well for casual browsing, switching from one app to another, and having a few apps open.

On the downside, there are a few instances that hopping from one app to the other takes a bit more than a split second. I kind of expected that already, especially with watching livestreams or apps involving videos like YouTube and TikTok.

Of course, for optimal performance, it’s best to have just a few apps running at a time. And even with its slightly “smaller” battery, the phone can last you up to a full day for light to moderate use.

Gaming

We tested multiple titles on the ZTE nubia Neo 5G, ranging from slightly to highly demanding, to check its promise of better gaming on an affordable device. Apparently, games will run on the phone under low settings by default.

The phone held its own quite smoothly for usual MOBA and FPS titles, for as long as the graphics settings are set to low.

But where there are more simultaneous things going on, like in a mad Call of Duty scramble, that’s where the effects begin to experience lagging.

Moreover, with titles like Asphalt 9: Legends and Genshin Impact, which both push capabilities to the limit, the phone barely was able to support high settings.

To be fair, the phone did not get very hot throughout about an hour of gameplay, which is quite a plus. All things considered, including its price point and aesthetic that screams gaming, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G can be a decent gaming choice for those who are on a budget but still want to enjoy such games.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

Overall, the ZTE nubia Neo 5G is a serviceable budget phone, especially when it comes to usual performance. There are, however, some aspects that need to be improved. It wouldn’t hurt to improve the fast-charging capabilities, change the placement of its speakers, or sneak an extra ultra-wide lens to the setup.

But we fully understand that this device was meant for gaming. Higher-end models aren’t perfect either. This is a decent choice, considering that incorporating better specs to cheaper devices is still an ongoing process. It can only get better from here.

The ZTE nubia Neo 5G is available starting at PhP 9,999 on ZTE’s official Shopee store.

Hands-On

Found: Cute smartphone to match your coquette aesthetic

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G deserves that cute, pink bow

Published

March 4, 2024

MJ Jucutan

If you like it, then you should’ve put a ~pink bow~ on it!

At least, that’s what we did with the newest OPPO Reno11 F 5G painted in Coral Purple.

That soft, lilac hue bodes well with the coquette aesthetic — social media girlies’ cute (and crazy) obsession now.

Originally, the term “coquette” means “a woman who flirts,” which is also referenced at Robert Greene’s book called “The Art of Seduction.”

But the Generation Z knows how to put a spin on everything, with the trend now leaning into more playful and romantic approach to everything they see.

Think: pastel, pink, bows, and everything about girlhood.

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G fits in that dainty aesthetic. It’s a smartphone that looks playful from the get-go.

The frame’s slender, and it’s light enough for some chicly usage. Taking mirror selfies like a supermodel can be an achievable flex.

The flat sides look polished, befitting someone who looks bejeweled and ready to step into the world with confidence.

The buttons on the right side are easily reachable — for adjusting your music’s volume and for taking quick selfies.

It also comes in USB-C sitting on its bottom side along with mic and speakers.

Forget 11:11

Up front, the Reno11 F 5G comes with a flat display. Just like the coquette aesthetic, flat displays are being revived.

Curves are getting overrated, though. The flat, 6.7-inch AMOLED display is easier for watching and streaming your favorite shows and films.

Streaming a 2000s film like Mean Girls in 2024 didn’t feel like I was watching a movie from two decades ago. The visuals look as punchy and vibrant as it gets.

I enjoyed rewatching Devil Wears Prada as well, which can be streamed on Netflix. Even when I was sitting by the windows during noontime, the phone’s brightness kept up with the harsh light coming through.

It maintained that dynamic color despite struggling with glares.

What surprised me was the Ultra Volume mode, which boosts the audio up to 300%. The bimbo in me thought it was specifically for Netflix’s content, but I was wrong.

While using TikTok to think of new coquette style and watching my mother Taylor Swift’s performance since I wouldn’t be able to go to the Eras Tour, I activated the ultra volume once more.

The speaker’s as powerful as it gets but frankly, it might hurt your ears. It’s a back-up feature for when you forget your cute, full-toned speakers.

Living life like you’re in a rom-com film

Having a playful smartphone doesn’t end with putting pink bows and looking cute. It should let you romanticize life and let you live like you’re in a rom-com film.

We got to take the smartphone out for a whole day and its 5000mAh battery capacity didn’t even drop to one-fourth. Yup, even with mobile data on, taking pictures and videos, and browsing endlessly on TikTok and Instagram.

The 256GB internal storage is also sufficient for storing all your favorite moments. And more importantly, it’s got a camera that lets you record your everyday life.

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G comes with a 64-megapixel Ultra-Clear Triple Camera, which is also capable of recording a 4K Ultra-Clear Video apt for your TikTok and Instagram Reels.

There’s an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera using a Sony IMX355 sensor, if you want to capture your views.

And for some details, there’s a 2-megapixel macro camera for when you want to zoom in a little. Up front, you can enjoy a 32-megapixel selfie camera which uses a Sony IMX615 sensor.

Moreover, there are built-in filters that you can select for your photos. Here are glimpses of our lives romanticized.

A match made for coquette girlies

The OPPO Reno11 F 5G takes anyone easily in their lover era, thanks to its playful vibe. The coquette aesthetic may fit it well, but it’s still a versatile phone that any girlies and their oomfs can take advantage of.

It’s just like any midrange phone, capable of multi-tasking from morning to night. Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7050, you can certainly swipe continuously and power through the day.

You can even play some games if you’re bored from doomscrolling.

And when you’re in dire need of recharging, you can let it charge with its 67W SUPERVOOC. Before you’re done with your makeup, the phone’s already back to a hundred.

So, if you’re up for a smartphone that can easily take on your day-to-day life while looking coquette, the OPPO Reno11 F 5G just might be the dainty gizmo of your dreams.

Pricing and availability for the OPPO Reno11 F 5G will be announced soon. Stay tuned.