Holiday Gadget Gift Guide for Millennials : International Tech Brands Edition

It’s Christmas time once again and - for techies like me - I’m sure you’re now starting to create a list of gadgets that you’d want to give your loved ones – including yourself, of course – this Holiday season.

I made this post as a way to help my fellow millennials in picking great gizmos and electronic accessories as presents during this 'most wonderful time of the year'.

But first, let me explain what exactly defines a millennial. Are you one yourself?

Well, according to Wikipedia, if you’re born during the early 80’s up to the late 2000’s, then you are a millennial. Various studies state that millennials are noted by their optimism about the future, love for being connected with their friends and family both in the real world and online, upbeat attitude, and competitiveness in any endeavor.

Having cleared the term’s definition, allow me to share with you my list of gadgets released this year that - I believe - would fit our profile and lifestyle as full-fledged millennials.

1. Apple iPhone 6S and Apple iPhone 6S Plus

Retail Price starts at around Php 40,000

Officially arriving in the Philippines on November 6, 2015, these two models are the most advanced and most powerful smartphones ever released by the world's most profitable technology company. Featuring the all-new 3D Touch technology, faster fingerprint scanner, beastly Apple A9 processor, higher resolution front cam with virtual flash, and an improved main camera module, this year's iPhones will surely be the top selling premium handsets come Yuletide.

2. Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi

Price starts at Php 39,995

I personally own this model and I think it's the best Windows 10 tablet-ultrabook hybrid that's out in the market. Clad in aluminum and supporting stylus input on its 12.5-inch scratch-resistant capacitive touchscreen, Asus Transformer Book T300 is a reliable daily companion for work and play that's not only handsome and stylish but also smart and powerful.

Other Recommended Must-Haves from the Taiwanese electronics company:

Asus ZenPower 10,500 mAh Blue - Price: Php 795


Weighing only 215 grams and no bigger than a credit card, the sleek and aluminum-clad Asus ZenPower 10,500 mAh may be lightweight and small but it sure packs a serious punch. It supports fast charging and features the company's very own PowerSafe Technology that monitors temperature, controls both input and output voltages, and guards against short circuits to ensure maximum safety while charging.

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE550KL 5.5-inch - Price: Php 8,695


Featuring similar design identity and user interface as the more expensive Asus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML flagship, midrange model Asus ZenFone 2 Laser ZE550KL is one of the best value for money Android phablets this year. Powered by a 64-bit Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, this handset sports a 5.5-inch HD IPS display that's protected by scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 4 touchscreen and 13 MegaPixel camera with Laser Autofocus technology letting you lock in on your subject and snap shots faster. Both the main camera at the back and the 5MP selfie cam in front feature Asus' PixelMaster technology that delivers bright and brilliant colors along with crisp details on photos taken even in low light conditions. Oh, and the rear cam comes with Dual Tone LED flash that gives you more natural-looking skin tone when you use the phone to take photos of people.

3. Speck MightyPack


Any laptop is a major gadget investment. If you have one, you should definitely get a good bag for it -- especially if your notebook is expensive and you're always running around. I love Speck MightyPack because it looks hip, it has lots of compartments for all of my accessories, and - thanks to its tough, molded EVA foam interior - it effectively protects my device against knocks and bumps.


According to Speck, MightyPack (just like the bigger MightyPack Plus) has been lab-tested to shield what's inside it against extreme temperatures, chemical resistance, and other 'environmental' impacts.

4. GoPro Hero 4 Black or Silver

Priced at roughly Php 25,000

Most millennials love travelling and many enjoy getting into extreme sports and outdoor activities. If you're like that, the very popular GoPro Hero 4 is quite simply the best action camera that you can get to document your adventures and misadventures. Rugged, compact, lightweight, wearable, and 'mountable' on objects such as quad-copters, planes, surfboards, cars, bicycles, boats, and even on pets like cats and dogs, among others, this cam is a leader when it comes to versatility and 4K video quality.

5. Sony Xperia Z5

Price: Php 35,990

DxOMark, a leading and trusted reference for mobile imaging, ranks Sony Xperia Z5 Premium - along with the smaller Sony Xperia Z5 Compact and the larger Sony Xperia Z5 Premium that both have the same imaging hardware and software - as the number one cameraphone in the world today. Needless to say, this handset is ideal for millennials who love to take great photos and shoot crisp and clear videos on the go, without having to carry a powerful point-and-shoot or DSLR in their bags. And it also doesn't hurt that this waterproof device looks very sleek, has powerhouse internal hardware, and is equipped with a large 5.2-inch Full HD Triluminos display that looks great regardless of the viewing angle.

6. Belkin Charger Pack

Price: Php 2,450 -- already includes an Apple-certified Lightning Cable

Whether at home or in your car, you should always use a safe, fast, and reliable charger to power up your gadgets. Confident in the quality of their accessories for charging, American company Belkin started offering a $2,500 USD (or roughly Php 120,000) connected equipment warranty (subject to terms and conditions) for the repair or replacement of connected equipment damaged from surges and spikes that occur when they are properly connected to certain surge protectors and uninterruptible power supplies.

7. Runtastic Moment Classic


Optimistic about the future and always competitive, millennials know that taking care of their body and living a healthy lifestyle will definitely benefit them in the long run and help them achieve their lofty goals in the future. Runtastic Moment Classic - which combines the elegant look of a precious timepiece and the functionality of a fitness tracker - counts your steps, tracks your sleep, and measures your calories burned per day to give you relevant data that you can use to improve your overall well-being. And what makes this device even cooler is that - unlike most fitness bands which have very limited uptime - Runtastic Moment Classic has a whopping six-month battery life!

8. Sony Xperia C5 Ultra

Price: Php 17,990

Sporting a 13 MegaPixel front-facing camera with backside-illuminated Exmor RS sensor and Soft LED flash, Sony Xperia C5 Ultra could very well be the best phablet for taking selfies that you can get anywhere in the world today. And on top of that, it also has good technical specifications headlined by its massive 6-inch Full HD IPS display, 64-Bit Octa Core MediaTek MT6752 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, 13 MP main camera, LTE connectivity support, and 2,930 mAh battery pack. Not to mention, its near-bezel-less face - framed by anodized aluminum and complemented by a glazed back plate - is always a joy to behold.

9. BRAVEN BRV-X Bluetooth Speaker

Price: Php 10,450

IPX7 certified waterproof and flaunting an exterior crafted from reinforced alloy and shockproof rubber, Braven BRV-X is an ultra-rugged Bluetooth speaker that can also work as a noise-cancelling speakerphone as well as a 5,200 mAh powerbank! Talk about the perfect accessory to bring during outdoor adventures with your friends.

10. Marshall Mode EQ Headphones

Price: Php 4,450

Anyone who 'truly, truly' knows speakers, headphones, and amplifiers will tell you that the legendary Marshall brand is the absolute best that's out there when it comes to crafting such products. The company's well-received Mode EQ headphones deliver huge, ultra-clear, and brilliant sound in a package that fits in the palm of your hand. Available in Black with Gold Brass accents, the intriguing Marshall Mode EQ lets you choose between two sound steps: EQ I, if you like a warmer, bass-heavy sound, and EQ II, if you prefer music brighter, with an emphasis on mids and highs. Whatever genre of music you love to chill with, Marshall Mode EQ will be the perfect headphones for your millennial groove.

You can now purchase all of these amazing gadgets and gizmos as Yuletide presents for yourself and for the important millennials in your life at all SM Supermalls CyberZone areas nationwide! Merry Christmas, everyone!