Author: Jayvee Fernandez

To begin this piece, I shall borrow a paragraph I wrote when I reposted a review my staff did on the HUAWEI Mate X6, because it’s quite apt that the reason HUAWEI is what it is today, is due to a series of events that some may claim to be fortunate – or the opposite, depending on which side of the coin you are on. It begins, “There’s a fork in the timeline. In that other multiverse, the HUAWEI ban never happened. HUAWEI went on to become the number 1 smartphone brand, overtaking Samsung.” But alas, we are in the…

There’s a concept in Metaphysics called the Act of Being, stating how an object, by merely existing, is perfect, fulfilling its purpose. The fact that the Galaxy S25 exists, being only marginally better than the previous model does bring some sense of wonder. Within its bubble, in its features and flaws, and within its narrative, it’s really a great device. I say this as someone who has been using Fan Editions of previous Samsung flagships, and also as someone who has made extensive use of this model’s predecessor, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is merely a year old. I say…

The year is 2001. I am sitting by the wall of the classroom for my thesis, waiting for the professor. I intentionally did not bring a pen and paper to this class but instead produce a Handspring Visor Prism from my pocket. By today’s standards, it is a tad clunky, yet small enough to have fit in my jeans pocket. With my blockmates’ eyes on me, I also pull out a Targus foldable keyboard. Like a magician, I unfold the keyboard and attach it to the device. To cap the mini magic show, I pull out a landline cable and…

Who is this for: The realme C75 is meant for people with a hard budget of less than P10,000, looking for a phone with a decent camera, slick aesthetics, and decent performance. They prioritize longevity and durability over top performance. The realme C75 is the latest entry in the competitive smartphone space. Amidst the marketing hype of being one tough cookie to crack (we heated it up in a hot box), this phone is meant for workhorse daily tasks with a long lasting battery and a camera that is actually quite decent. One tough C The realme team claims durability…

Who is this for: The mid-range kingmaker is back for its encore. This phone is meant for those who have a strict budget for a sub-20k phone. It sells for P17,999 (12GB+256GB) and P19,999 (12GB+512GB). Early bird pricing is at P14,699. PRICE LIST: The past year was a great run for Xiaomi. With the high end Xiaomi 14T and the Redmi Note 13 series reigning supreme in the mid-premium markets, Xiaomi begins 2025 with yet another kingmaker – the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G. I have spent several days with the top of the line device from the Redmi 14…

Iconic digital watch brand CASIO G-SHOCK proudly announces the G-STEEL GM-2110D Metal Series, marking a new chapter in the ongoing TOUGH LIKE YOU campaign.

Who is this for: This toy camera is for anyone who wants to go back to basics with the joys of delayed gratification, with the conveniences of digital media. It makes for a great gift given its less than P5,000 price point. In the fast-paced world of digital, there’s some consensus that we need to slow down and reminisce about the good old days. Photography is one of them. Say hello to Camp Snap, a toy camera that kids will love as much as their parents who grew up with disposable cameras. A shot of nostalgia It doesn’t have a…

With 18 years of experience in the tech field, Hewlett-Packard (HP) Philippines’ new Managing Director is confident in expanding her horizons in the arena of information and communication technologies (ICT). PhilSTAR Tech sat down with Ida Ong-Co, one of the country’s most visible Filipina leaders in technology, as she shared her onboarding experience with HP for the past five months.“Bigger scope and bigger company. But I can actually say that I can apply all my experiences, not only on the sales side but also on the project management side, which are important for my new role as a managing director,”…

The Arctis Nova series from SteelSeries is a great set of cans for gaming. I am lucky to have been sent the Nova 5 to test. Given the features, it’s relatively more affordable than other headphones in the sub P10k category. As an Arctis believer (yes I do have my biases), the Nova 5 distills the essentials of wireless gaming: its main selling point is the ability to switch from 2.4GHz to Bluetooth connectivity with a push of a button. There’s also a stigma on wireless headset battery life. The Nova 5 claims 50 hours battery life when using 2.4GHz…

PLDT’s wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), is upgrading the 5G experience for ordinary Filipinos through its value mobile brand, TNT, with the launch of 5G Max—a boosted network experience that delivers faster speeds and more reliable connectivity for subscribers. A big step toward TNT’s thrust to bring the many benefits of 5G technology to the masses, the TNT 5G Max experience is initially available at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and its surrounding areas – a bustling area of people from all walks of life, including office workers, college students, entrepreneurs, and tourists, among others. Powered by TNT…