The D2 Mach 2 Pro is made for pilots and includes aviation tools such as flight maps, weather updates, and PlaneSync support. It also has voice commands, a built-in speaker and microphone, and navigation features.

The watch has a 1.4-inch AMOLED display that is easy to see in sunlight. It also includes a flashlight with white and red light, and a Red Shift Mode that changes the screen to red to help protect a pilot’s night vision during flights.

Aside from aviation features, the smartwatch also tracks health and fitness. It supports over 100 activities and can monitor the user’s condition during flights. The battery can last up to 24 days in smartwatch mode.

The D2 Mach 2 Pro is now available through Garmin’s website with a listed price of $1,549.99. Some features like satellite messaging may need a subscription and may not be available in all areas.

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The MISSION 1 Series includes three main models: MISSION 1 PRO, MISSION 1 PRO ILS, and MISSION 1. All models use a 50MP 1-inch sensor and a new GP3 processor. These allow better image quality, improved low-light performance, and longer recording time.

One key feature is the MISSION 1 PRO ILS, which supports interchangeable lenses using Micro Four Thirds mounts. This lets users choose different lenses for different needs, such as zoom or macro shots. Other models keep a fixed lens but still support high-resolution video and photo capture.

The cameras can record up to 8K video and support Open Gate format, which captures more of the image for flexible editing. They also include features like slow motion, advanced audio recording, and waterproof design up to 20 meters without extra housing.

GoPro said the new series aims to combine the strength of action cameras with tools usually found in cinema cameras. The products and prices will be shown at the NAB event.

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With PH Stocks, users can trade directly inside the GoTyme app without using a separate platform. They can fund trades using their bank balance, place orders even outside trading hours, and withdraw earnings within the same app.

The new feature aims to make investing easier for everyday Filipinos. Many people have avoided stock trading due to account setup steps and using different apps. By putting banking and investing in one place, GoTyme hopes to make it simpler for users to start investing.

GoTyme said the feature is focused on long-term investing instead of frequent trading. The bank added that its goal is to help users move from saving money to investing it in a simple way.

DragonFi Securities, which provides the trading system, said the partnership helps bring stock market access to more Filipinos. By placing trading tools inside a digital bank app, the company aims to make investing part of daily financial habits.

The feature reflects a growing trend where financial apps combine banking and investment services in one platform.

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The new Photo page allows users to import, manage, crop, and color-edit photos, including RAW files from cameras like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Sony. It works with Resolve’s Color tools, where users can adjust images using a node-based system. This setup lets users apply changes to one photo and reuse them on others.

Users can also view albums in a LightBox mode, where edits update across multiple images in real time. The app supports camera control for live photo capture and allows collaboration through Blackmagic Cloud, though some features require payment.

Alongside photo tools, the update adds new AI features for video. These include tools that can change a person’s age or adjust facial features. Other AI tools can remove skin marks, sharpen blurry footage, and fix motion blur in videos.

Some features, like Magic Mask and Film Look Creator, are only available in the paid Studio version, while most tools remain free.

With this update, Blackmagic Design is adding more editing tools that may compete with apps like Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.

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Skills works with Google’s Gemini AI, which is already built into Chrome. With this update, users can save prompts they often use and run them again on any webpage without typing them again. This helps make tasks faster and easier.

For example, if a user often asks Gemini to suggest vegan options while reading recipes, they can save that prompt as a Skill. They can then use it anytime with just a click or by typing a slash ( / ) or pressing the plus ( + ) button.

Users can save a Skill from their chat history and edit it anytime. The feature can also run across multiple open tabs. Google said early users tried Skills for tasks like checking nutrition in recipes, comparing products when shopping, and summarizing long articles.

To help users start, Google also added a Skills library. This includes ready-made tasks for productivity, shopping, recipes, and budgeting. Users can add these and change them based on their needs.

Before doing actions like sending emails or adding events, Skills will ask for user approval.

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Spoiler alert: it checks a lot of boxes for a budget tablet– ranging from its large display to its long battery life.

But as always, the real experience goes beyond what’s written on paper. So let’s take a closer look at what this tablet actually delivers in everyday use.

Design and Construction

Starting with design, the HONOR Pad X8b keeps things simple and straightforward. The tablet comes in a Space Gray finish that looks minimal and professional, making it suitable for both casual and work-related use.

At just 7.25mm thin and around 499 grams, the tablet feels relatively light for its large form factor.

While I do have small hands, I find it easy to carry around whether I’m using it at home, bringing it to work or just taking it on the go. The flat-edge design adds that modern flair, and I didn’t find it uncomfortable to hold during long sessions.

In terms of build quality, it’s decent for its class. The tablet doesn’t feel premium to my liking, but it also doesn’t feel fragile. It uses a metal chassis in which HONOR claims to have improved drop, crush, and water resistances.

I don’t want to test those myself, but HONOR being known for their “tough phones,” these are some welcome protective measures for a tablet.

For I/Os, in landscape orientation, both the power and volume buttons sit at the top left, with speakers on both sides, and the USB-C port on the right.

No complaints here since it’s a familiar layout that’s easy to use.

Display, Multimedia, and Biometrics

Flipping it to the front, the HONOR Pad X8b features an 11-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of luminance in high brightness mode (HBM).

I’d say, the screen holds up pretty well for everyday use whether you’re watching videos, browsing the web, or attending online classes.

The Full HD+ resolution is sharp enough for its size and the 90Hz refresh rate make navigating around feel a bit smoother.

One thing you’ll notice right away is the relatively thick bezels. They’re noticeably larger compared to more premium tablets which can make the design feel a bit dated in my opinion.

That said, they do help when holding the tablet, giving your fingers space without accidentally touching the screen. And it’s still able to provide a comfortable viewing experience.

Talking about the audio quality, it can get very loud which is one of the tablet’s standout traits. Watching videos or listening to music without using earphones won’t be an issue.

However, the quality itself feels a bit boxed in, lacking depth and a wider soundstage. It’s clear enough for dialogues and casual listening, but it won’t provide the most immersive experience.

For biometrics security, you only get face unlock here. That’s right, no fingerprint sensor on this guy, and that’s alright.

Overall, the display is serviceable for everyday use. While the bezels are on the larger side, the loud audio helps make up for it when it comes to media consumption.

Cameras

Moving over to cameras, the HONOR Pad X8b comes with a basic setup which is expected for a tablet. It features a 5-megapixel rear camera and another 5-megapixel over here to the front.

You can expect the cameras to perform very basic yet still functional. The rear camera is best used for scanning documents or quick reference shots while the front camera works for video calls and online meetings.

Image quality is limited with low average sharpness and respectable colors. Shots are usable in good lighting, but quickly fall off in low lighting conditions. There is a beauty filter option, but it doesn’t do much to help the image.

That said, this is typical for tablets in this category and it’s clear that the cameras are meant more for utility rather than photography.

There are other modes available here though, like timelapse and HDR photo. There are also  built-in editing tools in the Gallery for quick touch ups and fixes, so that’s nice.

HONOR Pad X8b sample photos

Mar 31 – Apr 6

The tablet can capture videos at 1080p at 30fps for both the rear and front cameras. In terms of video quality, nothing out of the ordinary here, but like I said, it’s good enough for video calls and online meetings.

To me, as long as expectations are set properly, the cameras serve their purpose.

Rear camera:

Front camera:

Performance and Benchmarks

Now, let’s talk about performance. The HONOR Pad X8b is powered by the Snapdragon 680, paired with 4GB of RAM plus 4GB of memory extension and 128GB of expandable storage.

You heard that right, this tablet comes with a dedicated microSD slot supporting up to 2-terabyte storage expansion.

For everyday use, performance is acceptable. Tasks like browsing, streaming, attending online classes and light multitasking are handled without major issues on my end. It’s not particularly fast but it remains usable for basic needs.

Just take a look at our synthetic benchmarks.

In AnTuTu V11, it got a score of over 400K and it got relatively low Geekbench and 3DMark scores.

When it comes to gaming, this is clearly a casual-use device.

In lighter titles like Pokémon Unite and Blood Strike, the tablet can handle Medium graphics. The games are playable and I didn’t encounter any major stutters.

But with more demanding games like Wuthering Waves, the tablet struggles heavily.

Even at the lowest settings, performance is almost unplayable with frequent lag and noticeable frame drops. But that’s to be expected for an entry-level tablet.

As for thermal management, the tablet warms up slightly during gaming, but it doesn’t get too hot. And for typical usage like scrolling on socials, it remains manageable to hold even during longer sessions.

Performance-wise, while the HONOR Pad X8b has limited processing power, it still works as intended for daily tasks and casual gaming.

OS, UI, and Apps

On the software side, the tablet ships with MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, and in my opinion, the experience is a mix of functionality and some limitations.

The interface is easy to navigate and generally smooth for basic use. However, multitasking is quite limited. There is no split-screen support and you only get one floating window. This restricts how much you can do at once especially on a larger display like this.

You’ll also notice some bloatware and pre-installed apps here. While some may be useful, others feel unnecessary and take up space out of the box. This slightly affects the overall user experience, especially if you prefer a cleaner interface.

Thankfully, they can be easily removed.

Another thing worth noting is the lack of AI features. There doesn’t seem to be support for Circle to Search or other AI-driven functions found on newer devices.

Perhaps these limitations are due to a chipset that can only do so much. So, there’s that.

Battery and Connectivity

One major highlight of this tablet is its solid battery life. The tablet is equipped with a 10,100mAh battery and this one lasts for days.

In our PCMark battery test, it lasted 29 hours and 29 minutes which is an excellent result. And in real-world use, this translates to over a full day and even up to two days of usage depending on your workload.

Whether you’re using the tablet for entertainment or productivity, it can easily keep up without needing to recharge frequently. Maybe that’s why HONOR didn’t bother to specify the charging rate at all. But in my experience, charging it took about two hours.

For connectivity, it has all the essentials except cellular, including Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB Type-C.

Verdict

Now, before we move over to our verdict, let’s discuss pricing.

As of making this article, there is still no official price for the HONOR Pad X8b. But if it ends up being priced close to the HONOR Pad X8a, which launched at PHP 7,999, then this could serve as a solid follow-up.

It keeps what worked from the previous model while making a few improvements.

The HONOR Pad X8b seems to be a tablet that focuses on the basics and gets most of them right.

It offers a large display that works well for everyday tasks, very loud speakers for media consumption and excellent battery life that can easily last more than a day. These are the areas where the tablet stands out the most.

At the same time, it has its limitations. Performance is only suited for casual use, the cameras are basic and the software experience feels restricted especially with the lack of proper multitasking features and the presence of bloatware.

If your main use case is watching videos, browsing, attending online meetings and the like, then the HONOR Pad X8b makes sense as a practical and reliable option.

At the end of the day, it’s a tablet that knows its role, sticks to it and delivers a consistent experience within those limits.

What we like:

• Long battery life, easily lasts 1–2 day
• Decent display for casual viewing
• Lightweight and slim for a tablet

What we didn’t like:

• Audio sounds a bit boxed in
• No split screen support
• No notable AI features

HONOR Pad X8b specs:
11-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display (1920 × 1200)
Up to 90Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
Adreno 610 GPU
4GB LPDDR4X RAM (+4GB Honor RAM Turbo)
128GB eMMC storage
5MP rear camera f/2.0 AF
5MP front camera f/2.0
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.0
USB Type-C
MagicOS 10 (Android 16)
10100mAh battery
256.91 × 168.46 × 7.25 mm
499g
Space Gray

The post HONOR Pad X8b Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.

The tablet is now available exclusively on TikTok Shop from April 14 to April 21, with a promo price of ₱9,999, bundled with a free stylus pen.

Designed for students, young professionals, and families, the HONOR Pad X8b focuses on durability, long battery life, and multimedia performance.

The HONOR Pad X8b features an 11-inch display with a 1920×1200 resolution and eye comfort features designed for extended use. The 90Hz refresh rate aims to provide smoother navigation for apps and media.

Powering the device is a Snapdragon 680 processor, paired with a large 10100mAh battery, which HONOR claims can deliver extended usage for both productivity and entertainment.

The tablet also includes a quad-speaker setup tuned with HONOR Sound, along with voice enhancement features for clearer audio.

On the durability side, the Pad X8b uses a metal body with reinforced structural design. It has received SGS certifications for drop and crush resistance, positioning it as a more rugged option compared to typical tablets.

HONOR also integrates a dedicated Kids mode, allowing parents to manage screen time, app access, and content through built-in parental controls.

Pricing and availability

The HONOR Pad X8b is priced at ₱9,999 and is available exclusively on TikTok Shop from April 14 to April 21, with a free stylus pen included for early buyers.

HONOR Pad X8b specs:
11-inch HONOR Eye Comfort FullView Display
1920 × 1200 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset
Adreno 610 GPU
10100mAh battery
Quad-speaker system, Hi-Res Audio
MagicOS 10 (Android)
Metal body, SGS drop and crush resistance
HONOR Kids mode (parental controls)
7.25mm thickness, 499g weight
microSDXC support
WiFi 5, BT 5.0, LTE
Color: Space Grey

The post HONOR Pad X8b now official, priced and specs in PH appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines Tech News & Reviews.

The new lineup focuses on combining updated design with improved camera performance, particularly in portrait photography.

At the center of the refresh is what realme calls an “Urban Wild Design,” developed in collaboration with Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa. The concept blends natural textures with a more refined, modern look.

The realme 16 Pro+ 5G will be offered in a Master Gold finish inspired by natural landscapes, while the realme 16 Pro 5G comes in Pebble Grey and Orchid Purple. The standard realme 16 5G, meanwhile, adopts a more minimal “Air” design with White and Black color options.

• 200MP main camera with OIS (Pro models)
• 50MP telephoto lens (Pro+ model)
• 8MP ultra-wide camera
• 50MP front camera
• TÜV Rheinland-certified LumaColor imaging

realme is positioning the series around its new 200MP multi-focal camera system, which aims to improve image quality, color accuracy, and portrait performance. The Pro+ variant also includes a telephoto lens for zoom shots, while maintaining ultra-wide and selfie camera support.

The standard realme 16 5G uses a 50MP Sony IMX852 main camera paired with a 50MP front camera, targeting everyday photography needs.

The company said the new imaging system is designed to deliver more natural colors, balanced lighting, and better subject detail.

The realme 16 Series 5G will be officially introduced in the Philippines on April 23 at 5:30 PM through realme’s official Facebook page. Pricing and full specifications are expected to be revealed during the launch event.

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Companies including JoyRide, Angkas, Move It, and Grab confirmed that they have lowered their commission cuts to help ease the financial burden on drivers affected by increasing fuel costs.

JoyRide said it reduced its commission for four-wheel vehicles from 20% to 15%, with some drivers able to bring it down further to 10% through incentives tied to activity levels.

Angkas implemented a similar structure, lowering its base commission from 20% to 15%, with highly active riders potentially paying no commission at all under its incentive system.

Move It also introduced a graduated commission scheme starting at 15%, alongside additional support such as fuel vouchers to help drivers manage daily expenses.

For four-wheel ride-hailing, Grab reduced its commission from around 20–21% to 18%. The company also introduced fuel discounts, rebates, and incentives, while exploring a shift toward electric vehicles to reduce long-term costs.

Meanwhile, InDrive maintained its lower commission cap of 10%, with rates that can go as low as 1% in certain conditions.

Lawmakers have pushed for more structured policies, suggesting mandatory commission reductions during periods of high fuel prices to better protect drivers’ earnings. Officials noted that even small percentage cuts could have a meaningful impact on drivers’ take-home income.

The move comes as fuel prices continue to rise, putting pressure on transport workers who rely on daily trips for income. While platforms have introduced various support measures, discussions are ongoing on whether more formal regulations are needed.

• JoyRide: 20% → 15% (can drop to 10% with incentives)
• Angkas: 20% → 15% (can go as low as 0% for active riders)
• Move It: Now starts at 15% (with fuel vouchers support)
• Grab: 20–21% → 18%

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The feature allows users to check scheduled meetings and join calls directly from their car’s screen, offering a more seamless way to stay connected while on the move. However, calls are simplified for safety, with video turned off and only basic controls like mute available.

Additional features such as hand raise, Q&A, and polls are also disabled, and users will not be able to view presentations or other participants during calls.

One key limitation is that work accounts are not supported on Android Auto. While active calls may still appear, users won’t see upcoming meetings or call history tied to work profiles, which could limit its usefulness for business users.

The rollout appears to be gradual and may depend on server-side updates, as the feature is not yet available to all users.

Google recently introduced Meet support for Apple CarPlay, and the Android Auto version is expected to expand further in the coming weeks.

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