Acer Predator Triton 14 Review: Powerful 14″ Gaming Laptop With RTX 4070 (For RM8,999)

The 14-inch gaming laptop market has seen some notable additions over the past couple of years, and the Acer Predator Triton 14 is particularly interesting, especially here in Malaysia. After all, the range-topping model comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, making it one of the most powerful 14-inch gaming laptops on our shores right now.

Of course, this hardware also comes with a matching price tag, positioning the gaming laptop as a premium offering. But while its value proposition isn’t fantastic, the Triton 14 brings fast performance, an equally fast (and vibrant) display, as well as surprisingly good battery life despite its beefy hardware.

This, in my opinion, is a winning combination for the Predator Triton 14, and it could be well worth it for folks who are willing to fork out the money for this premium gaming laptop.

What It Is

Display
14-inch WQXGA IPS (2560 x 1600), 165Hz
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700H (14C/20T, up to 5.0GHz)
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6
RAM
32GB LPDDR5 6000MHz
Storage
1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
Camera
1080p
Battery
76Wh
Dimensions
313.5 x 227 x 18.99~19.99 mm
Weight
1.7kg
Audio
Bottom-firing stereo speakers
Ports
1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4)
2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2
1x HDMI 2.1
1x microSD card slot
Price
RM8,999

The Triton 14 in this review is the range-topping RTX 4070 model, which is priced at RM8,999. There’s also a more affordable RM7,599 configuration, which swaps out the GPU for an RTX 4050 paired with less RAM at 16GB. In my opinion, the performance gain offered by the RTX 4070 model – not to mention the extra RAM – is worth the additional RM1,400.

For other markets, the Triton 14 is actually configurable with a brighter, more vibrant mini-LED display clocked at a blazing fast 250Hz. This display option is not available in Malaysia, unfortunately enough, though this particular hardware would have further increased the price tag of this premium gaming laptop.

The Good Stuff

Let’s get to the most important aspect of any gaming laptop first: performance. Powered by an RTX 4070 GPU with a Core i7-13700H processor, there’s no denying that the Predator Triton 14 is a capable gaming laptop. Judge for yourself with these benchmarks:

Games (max settings @ 2560 x 1600)
Average FPS
Borderlands 3 (DX11)
68.07
Control (DX11)
51.46
Witcher 3 Patch 4.0 (DLSS, HairWorks disabled)
97.76

Though only Control couldn’t hit the sweet 60fps mark at the laptop’s native 2560 x 1660 resolution, I can still get this frame rate by just tweaking some of the graphics settings. To get this level of performance, I put the laptop in Turbo mode, which does increase system noise quite a bit – more on this later.

Thermal performance of the Triton 14 is adequate too. After prolonged gaming, the GPU and CPU hit peak temperatures of 85% and 86% respectively, which is not bad at all. While the left palm rest area does get a bit warm in heated gaming sessions, it never gets too hot to the touch.

Next, we have the display quality of the 14-inch WQXGA IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. Not surprisingly, it’s a bright screen with wide viewing angles and vibrant colours, though I do wish the saturation is turned down a tad. Nonetheless, I appreciate the 16:10 aspect ratio of the display; the extra vertical screen real estate makes it great for productivity tasks.

While we’re on the topic of productivity, the Predator Triton 14 has reasonably good battery life. On average, I can get about six to seven hours of use on a single charge out of the 76Wh battery. This isn’t quite long enough to comfortably last me through a typical workday, but it’s certainly above average for a gaming laptop of this calibre.

Input devices of the Triton 14 are good too. The keyboard offers just enough travel to not feel shallow, and the keys have a good amount of tactile feedback as well, not to mention the fact that the keyboard is surprisingly quiet with every keystroke. As for the trackpad, it’s smooth and accurate, allowing me to use it comfortably for my everyday work, though I do wish it was slightly bigger.

Last but not least is the sheer portability of the Predator Triton 14. Even though it’s not particularly lightweight with a 1.7kg chassis, the laptop’s 14-inch form factor makes it easy to lug around in my backpack. I’ve always loved the idea of a powerful gaming laptop in a compact chassis, and with that in mind, I’m a big fan of the Triton 14.

That being said, it does have some notable shortcomings, which I’ll get to in the following section.

The Bad Stuff

One of the biggest downsides of a compact gaming laptop like the Predator Triton 14 is system noise. With limited space for heat to dissipate, the fans do have to work quite a bit harder to cool the laptop, resulting in higher fan noise. This is especially evident in Turbo mode to squeeze out every last bit of performance from the machine.

To be fair, the fan noise is not unbearable by any means, though I’d still put on headphones when I’m going into a game for the best gaming experience. For what it’s worth, at least the fans are whisper quiet outside of gaming.

I’m not a fan of the Triton 14’s keyboard layout either. As Acer added an extra column of keys on the right side, the whole layout of the keyboard is shifted slightly to the left. I eventually got used to this layout after a short adjustment period, though I still occasionally pressed on the PredatorSense button by accident when I wanted to hit the backspace key instead.

Is It Worth It?

If you want one of the fastest 14-inch gaming laptops in Malaysia now, then the Acer Predator Triton 14 is a great option. While its RM7,599 starting price is quite high, it’s a premium laptop through and through with solid performance, great-looking display – albeit a tad saturated for my liking – and most importantly, a compact form factor.

I am thrilled that more brands are releasing compact gaming laptops like the Predator Triton 14. It may have its shortcomings, but I can happily live with them for the sheer portability (and performance) of this 14-inch gaming laptop. The fact that it can also serve double duty as a pretty darn good productivity machine is a nice bonus too.


Honda Malaysia Price Hike – Civic, HR-V, City Hatchback Affected; Up to RM1,200 Increase

Honda Malaysia is increasing the prices for three of its models effective today, which is likely due to the weakening ringgit. The models affected are the Civic, HR-V, and City Hatchback, with prices going up by as much as RM1,200.

Out of the three models, the Civic sees the highest price increase of RM1,200. This applies to the petrol variants of the C-segment sedan, which includes the base E (now RM131,900), mid-tier V (RM144,900), and range-topping RS (RM151,900) trims. As for the e:HEV RS hybrid model, its price is unchanged at RM166,500.

Next, we have the HR-V, which is RM1,100 more expensive now. This price hike affects the S (RM115,900), E (RM130,900), and V (RM135,900) variants. Unlike how it is for the Civic, even the highest-end HR-V RS hybrid model is affected; it’s now going for RM141,900.

Last but not least is the City Hatchback. The B-segment hatchback gets a RM300 price increase, which applies to all four petrol variants: S (RM78,900), E (RM86,900), V (RM91,900), and V Sensing (RM95,900). The City Hatchback e:HEV RS, on the other hand, sees no price revision, maintaining its RM109,800 price tag.

These new prices for the Honda Civic, HR-V, and City Hatchback are effective today. At the moment, Honda Malaysia’s other models see no price revision.


Honkai: Star Rail Drops Fu Xuan Teaser – Likely Coming in Version 1.3

Hoyoverse is teasing yet another new playable character coming to
Honkai: Star Rail
. After teasing
Imbibitor Lunae
 yesterday, the developer just dropped another teaser for Fu Xuan. It’s likely that she will be playable alongside Imbibitor Lunae in the Version 1.3 update of Star Rail.

Not surprisingly, Fu Xuan’s abilities have not been revealed yet, though the teaser image confirms that she is a 5-star Quantum character that walks the Path of the Preservation. With this in mind, she should be able to provide a good amount of defense (and survivability) to the party.

Fu Xuan has appeared in the Xianzhou Luofu main storyline, and given that she will be playable soon, there’s a good chance we will see more of her in the continuation of the narrative. Hopefully, we’ll get more details on this at the
Honkai: Star Rail livestream
 on 8 July this Saturday.

Speaking of which, both
Kafka and Blade
 are set to make an appearance at the livestream later this week. We reckon the two characters – including Luka – will be playable in Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.2, given that they were already teased by Hoyoverse.


Proton Records 77,321 Sales in 1H 2023 – Highest Since 2012, Saga Remains Best-Seller

Proton had an eventful 1H 2023. With over 77,321 units sold, this is the national carmaker’s best first half year of sale since 2012. Naturally, the
Proton Saga
 remains the company’s best-seller with 33,325 units sold up to June 2023.

In fact, the Saga is actually the most popular A-segment sedan in June 2023 with 6,111 units delivered. Four other Proton models lead their respective segments as well, including the ever-popular X50 (2,449 units), Persona (2,254 units), X90 (1,082 units), and of course, the Exora (368 units).

“Proton’s performance in the first half of 2023 is noteworthy as we achieved our best start to a year since 2012 and are also on track for fifth consecutive year of sales growth,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah. “For the second half of the year, Proton is confident we have the products and promotional strategies in place to continue our growth trajectory,” he added.

“We will also execute our plans to update our range, launch our entry into the Malaysian EV market with Pro-Net and further improve the quality of our products via investments announced this year to improve our production capabilities,” said Roslan.

At the moment, the
Smart #1
 is expected to be launched by Pro-Net sometime in Q4 2023. Now that Roslan has revealed that Proton is planning to update its range, the previous rumour of the
X50 and X70 receiving a facelift this year
 may just be true after all.


OnePlus Nord 3 Review: Almost a Flagship (For Half the Price)

The OnePlus Nord series is positioned as the Chinese company’s more affordable mid-range lineup, which is why the new OnePlus Nord 3 is particularly interesting. Not only is it powered by a reasonably powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip, it feels quite a bit like a flagship phone in other aspects too.

Priced at RM2,199, the value proposition of the Nord 3 is
excellent
, given its feature set. While it also has its fair share of shortcomings, this is still an easy phone to recommend. Without further ado, let’s get to the review of the Nord 3.

What It Is

Display
6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED (2772 x 1240), 120Hz
Chipset
MediaTek Dimensity 9000 3.05GHz octa-core
GPU
Arm Mali-G710 MC10
RAM
16GB
Storage
256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP, OIS
8MP (ultra-wide)
2MP (macro)
Camera (front)
16MP
Battery
5,000mAh with 80W fast charging
Dimensions
162.6 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm
Weight
193.5g
OS
OxygenOS 13.1 based on Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
USB Type-C
Price
RM2,199

Looking at its spec sheet, the Nord 3 can easily pass of as a flagship phone, thanks to the Dimensity 9000 chip. It also has a rather capable triple camera system headlined by a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor, the very same one found in the higher-end
OnePlus 11
.

Unfortunately, the Nord 3 doesn’t come with a telephoto lens, which limits the camera’s versatility. Nonetheless, I’ll get to the camera performance of the phone further down the review.

The Good Stuff

Performance of the OnePlus Nord 3 is really one of its main highlights. As an upper mid-range phone, the fact that it is powered by a Dimensity 9000 chipset is a big plus point. Even if the SoC is last year’s offering, there’s no denying that it is still a fast, capable chip that offers flagship-tier performance.

In
Honkai: Star Rail
, for example, the Nord 3 can run the game at a relatively stable 60fps at maxed out graphics settings. It does drop some frames in situations where there are more on-screen elements, but for the most part, the phone can provide a smooth gameplay experience.

Further enhancing the gaming experience of the Nord 3 is its 6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display. It’s a pleasant-looking screen with vibrant colours, deep, true blacks, and wide viewing angles; perfect for both gaming and general content consumption. The panel’s 120Hz refresh rate lends to good motion clarity and smooth animations too.

When it comes to battery life, the Nord 3’s 5,000mAh battery can last quite long. On average, I can get about five to six hours of screen on time with the phone. On a typical workday, I can comfortably get to the end of the day with this level of battery life, even with some gaming time thrown in throughout the day.

Next, there’s the camera performance of the Nord 3, which really surprised me quite a bit. The 50MP main sensor, for one, really does remind me of the OnePlus 11’s image quality; that’s high praise for this much more affordable device. The 8MP ultra-wide angle lens can take some good-looking shots too.

See for yourself with these sample images:

50MP primary

50MP primary

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

50MP primary (2x zoom)

All in all, the Nord 3 is a fast phone with a great-looking display and capable camera system; that’s a winning combination. However, as much as I enjoy using the phone, it does have some notable drawbacks – let’s get to them in the following section.

The Bad Stuff

Although I’m quite happy with the camera performance of the Nord 3, I’m not thrilled by the omission of a telephoto shooter. While there’s option for 2x zoom, this is merely digital zoom of the main 50MP camera. A dedicated telephoto lens – assuming it’s done right, of course – would’ve offered better image quality when I want to snap subjects that are further away.

And then there’s the software experience of OxygenOS 13.1, which is
still
not up to par. While it does feel lightweight, it also doesn’t feel as responsive as it should be. When I’m accessing the recent apps page, for example, I have to wait a split second before I can start interacting with the screen again. I also don’t like the fact that I can’t swipe down on multiple notifications from the same app to expand them; other versions of Android has this enabled by default.

Last but not least is the build quality of the Nord 3. Don’t get me wrong, it does feel like a solid phone, but it is also
very slippery
. The glossy Gorilla Glass 5 back panel, as OnePlus puts it, is “flawlessly smooth,” which also makes it quite difficult to get a good grip on the device. With this in mind, I highly recommend getting a case for the phone to get a firmer, more secure grip in daily use.

Is It Worth It?

For only RM2,199, the sheer value for money the OnePlus Nord 3 offers makes it a very easy phone to recommend, even with its drawbacks in mind. Sure, the software experience isn’t ideal, but this – and the lack of a telephoto camera – may not matter as much to other folks.

OnePlus’ product offerings in recent times have gotten quite a bit better, especially after the release of the OnePlus 11. With the introduction of the Nord 3, it’s clear that the brand is heading in the right direction – I’m certainly looking forward to its future products now.


6 – 12 July Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.37 Per Litre

Another week, another fuel price update. As usual, there’s no price change to RON 97 this week, and the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 continues to be set at RM3.37 per litre for the next seven days. RON 95, on the other hand, remains at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 6 to 12 July next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


OnePlus Nord 3 Lands in Malaysia for RM2,199 – Dimensity 9000, Same Camera as OnePlus 11

We first spotted the
OnePlus Nord 3 in SIRIM’s database
 back in April this year, and today, the upper mid-range phone is finally official. Sporting a fast MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip with good value proposition, the Nord 3 is quite an intriguing phone, and it’s coming to Malaysia.

Only one variant of the Nord 3 will be available in Malaysia. Sporting 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage, it retails at RM2,199 on our shores. It is offered in the sole Misty Green colour option you see below, which features a glossy back.

For that kind of money, the Nord 3 is powered by the aforementioned Dimensity 9000 chip, which is a flagship-tier processor. We’ve spent quite a bit of time with the phone before its launch today, and it does feel fast and zippy. It’s no exaggeration to say that the phone feels just as fast as a flagship device.

Other specifications of the Nord 3 include a 6.74-inch 2772 x 1240 Super Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system with the same 50MP primary sensor as the higher-end
OnePlus 11
 – paired with an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and 2MP macro lens – a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging.

The OnePlus Nord 3 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia later today at 10PM alongside the equally new OnePlus Nord Buds 2r. Early birds who purchase the Nord 3 by 9 July will also receive a OnePlus Nord Buds wireless earbuds for free.


Oppo Reno 10 Series Unleashed in Malaysia From RM1,799 – 3 Devices, Telephoto Camera as Standard

The latest Oppo Reno 10 series has just been launched in Malaysia. The new lineup features three different devices: the standard Reno 10, the mid-tier Reno 10 Pro, and of course, the range-topping Reno 10 Pro+. One of the biggest selling points of these phones is the fact that all of them feature a telephoto camera.

First, prices. The most affordable of the lot is naturally the Reno 10 for RM1,799 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, followed by the Reno 10 Pro at RM2,199 (12GB + 256GB). As for the highest-end offering, the Reno 10 Pro+, it goes for a cool RM3,499 with the same 12GB RAM and 256GB storage.

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro+

As the range-topping device, the Reno 10 Pro+ features some high-end internals. These include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a 6.74-inch 2772 x 1240 AMOLED curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP main + 64MP periscope telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,700mAh battery with support for fast 100W charging.

And then we have the Reno 10 Pro. It comes with a Snapdragon 778G chip, a 6.7-inch 2772 x 1240 OLED curved screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera setup (50MP main + 32MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide), a 32MP selfie shooter, and a 4,600mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

Last but not least is the standard Reno 10. It is packed with a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, a 6.7-inch 2412 x 1080 AMOLED curved display, a triple camera configuration (64MP main + 32MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging.

The Oppo Reno 10 series is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 14 July 2023 from RM1,799. Those who purchase either phones in this period will receive a number of freebies worth up to RM896, including a one-year extended warranty, a bluetooth speaker, and for the Reno 10 Pro+, even an Oppo Enco Air 3 wireless earbuds and free access to the KLIA Plaza Premium Lounge.


Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ Review: Premium RM3,499 Mid-Ranger With Some Caveats

It has come to a point where upper mid-range smartphones could easily pass off as a flagship device. The Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ is a prime example of this: not only does it feel and look properly premium, it also has the processing power of a flagship-tier phone courtesy of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.

But with that in mind, the Reno 10 Pro+ also comes with a matching price tag; RM3,499, to be specific. At this price point, it has to contend with some very competent devices, which makes it difficult for the phone to stand out. Nonetheless, it’s still a curious upper mid-range phone that is worth considering.

What It Is

Display
6.74-inch FHD+ AMOLED 3D Curved (2772 x 1240), 120Hz
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 3.0GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 730
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.8, PDAF, OIS
64MP f/2.5 (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical
8MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
Camera (front)
32MP f/2.4
Battery
4,700mAh with 100W fast charging
Dimensions
162.9 x 74 x 8.28 mm
Weight
194g
OS
ColorOS 13 based on Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
USB Type-C
Price
RM3,499

Even though the Reno 10 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is last year’s offering, it is still a fast, capable chipset that can deliver flagship-tier performance. This, paired with the phone’s sophisticated (and versatile) camera system, makes for a pretty complete smartphone.

However, while the Reno 10 Pro+ looks good on paper, there’s more to a phone than its spec sheet. Take the software and user experience, which can only really be ascertained by using the phone for an extended period of time.

Unfortunately, the Reno 10 Pro+ doesn’t fare too well in these two regards – I’ll get into detail further down the review.

The Good Stuff

Powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, it’s little surprise that the Reno 10 Pro+ offers a good level of performance. Multitasking is effortless with this phone, even as I juggle between different apps. The chipset only really shows its limits in graphically demanding games like
Honkai: Star Rail
.

For the most part, the Reno 10 Pro+ can run the game relatively well at 60fps with maxed out graphics settings, though it does start stuttering for a bit when things get more intense. Nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoy gaming on this phone.

In the display department, the Reno 10 Pro+’s 6.74-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen looks great with punchy colours and deep, true blacks; winning qualities of an AMOLED panel. The 120Hz refresh rate lends to good motion clarity and smooth animations too.

Battery life of the Reno 10 Pro+ is reasonably good as well. On average, the phone’s 4,700mAh battery can return between five to six hours of screen on time throughout the review period. The fast 100W charging can quickly top up the battery too.

And then we have one of the best features of the Reno 10 Pro+: camera performance. Its triple camera system consists of a 50MP primary shooter, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor.

All in all, I had a blast photographing with this phone under all kinds of lighting conditions, especially with the versatility of the three focal lengths.

What’s that on the tree?

It’s a dusky leaf monkey!

While the periscope telephoto lens isn’t particularly far-reaching at 3x optical zoom, it can still capture some great-looking shots at a distance, as you can see above. For an upper mid-range phone, I’m certainly happy with its camera performance.

Last but not least is the build quality of the Reno 10 Pro+. It feels nice and premium in my hands thanks to the metal frame and glass back with a matte finish for this Silvery Grey colourway. The dual curved screen may not be particularly ergonomic, but it does give the phone a premium aesthetic.

The Bad Stuff

As much as I enjoy photographing with the Reno 10 Pro+, I do have some qualms with the phone. Launching the camera with a double tap of the volume up or down button, for example, is…abnormally slow. Granted, the review unit I tested is not running on finalised, consumer-ready software, which could be the cause of this.

While we’re on this topic, I’m not thrilled by the software experience of ColorOS 13. It’s the same issue I had when I was reviewing the
Oppo Find N2 Flip
, where the user interface doesn’t feel as responsive as it should be. The fact that I can’t swipe down on multiple notifications from the same app to expand them isn’t intuitive either.

Value proposition of the Reno 10 Pro+ isn’t great either. For RM3,499, it has to compete with excellent flagships like the
OnePlus 11
 and
Xiaomi 13
, both of which feature faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets
for less money
. Yes, these two phones do have their own pros and cons, but the fact remains that you can get a more powerful phone than the Reno 10 Pro+ at a lower price point.

Is It Worth It?

Although its value proposition and software experience aren’t great, I still thoroughly enjoyed using the Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ as my daily driver. After all, it can still provide a good level of performance with a capable camera system that I can rely on – well, except for the camera quick launch shortcut, which is hopefully addressed in the final software version.

With over
952,000 Oppo Reno devices sold in Malaysia
 already, there’s no denying that Oppo is doing something right. The Reno 10 Pro+ is a testament to how far the Reno series has come over the years, and it can even take on (some) flagship smartphones now.


952,000 Oppo Reno Devices Sold in Malaysia

The Oppo Reno lineup has been around for quite some time now, so it’s no surprise that the Chinese company sold a respectable number of devices under the series. In Malaysia alone, over
952,000
 Reno phones have been sold here.

Oppo Malaysia revealed this bit of information at the local launch of the new
Reno 10 series
. The company also mentioned that the Reno series is well-received in other markets too. According to Oppo, there are over 67 million Reno users worldwide.

Photography has always been the focus of the Oppo Reno series, so the same remains true for the latest Reno 10 series. After all, all three phones in the lineup feature a telephoto shooter. In the case of the Reno 10 Pro+, it even has a 64MP telephoto camera that can do 3x optical zoom.

The Oppo Reno 10 series is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 14 July from RM1,799 for the standard Reno 10, while the Reno 10 Pro and Reno 10 Pro+ retail at RM2,199 and RM3,499 respectively. More details on the three phones in the lineup can be found
here
.


Huawei Nova 11 Series Launched in Malaysia From RM1,299

Huawei is launching a slew of new products in Malaysia today, including the latest Huawei Nova 11 series. Made up of the Nova 11i, Nova 11, and Nova 11 Pro, these three devices are offered at different price points to appeal to a wide variety of consumers.

Naturally, the Nova 11i is the most affordable device in the series with a RM1,299 price tag. A tier up is the standard Nova 11 for RM2,199, followed by the range-topping Nova 11 Pro for RM2,599. All three phones under this series feature 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

The Huawei Nova 11 Pro with vegan leather back

As its name suggests, the Nova 11 Pro is the highest-end device in the lineup. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G chipset, a 6.78-inch 2652 x 1200 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (50MP main + 8MP ultra-wide macro), a 60MP ultra-wide + 8MP portrait selfie camera setup, anda 4,500mAh battery with support for 100W fast charging.

If you want a more affordable device, there’s the regular Nova 11 with the same chipset and rear camera configuration as the Pro model. Beyond that, it has a 6.7-inch 2412 x 1084 OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 60MP ultra-wide selfie camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with 66W fast charging.

Finally, we have the Nova 11i. As the most affordable device in the series, it has a more modest set of hardware. These include a Snapdragon 680 chipset, a 6.8-inch 2388 x 1080 LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a dual camera configuration (48MP main + 2MP depth), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 40W fast charging.

The Huawei Nova 11

The Huawei Nova 11i

The Huawei Nova 11 series will be available in Malaysia from tomorrow onwards on 7 July. To recap, the Nova 11i retails at RM1,299, going up to RM2,199 for the Nova 11. The highest-end Nova 11 Pro, on the other hand, is priced at RM2,599.


2023 Huawei MateBook 16s & MateBook D 14 Now in Malaysia From RM3,199

Aside from the
Nova 11 series
, Huawei also launched two new laptops in Malaysia today. Enter the Huawei MateBook 16s 2023 and Huawei MateBook D 14 2023. The MateBook 16s is a premium Windows laptop, while the latter is a more budget-friendly machine.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the MateBook D 14 are offered: the 8GB RAM model is priced at RM3,199, while the 16GB RAM configuration goes for RM3,399. As for the premium MateBook 16s, it costs a cool RM6,999.

The Huawei MateBook 16s

Naturally, the MateBook 16s features Intel’s latest 13th gen Core i9-13900H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD, a 16-inch 2520 x 1680 IPS touch-enabled display with a 3:2 aspect ratio – it also has a maximum brightness of 400 nits – as well as a 84Wh battery.

As for the MateBook D 14, it is packed with a 12th gen Intel Core i5-1240P processor, a 512GB NVMe PCIe SSD, a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 56Wh battery, and just like the MateBook 16s, Windows 11 Home out of the box.

Both the Huawei MateBook 16s 2023 and Matebook D 14 2023 will be available for purchase in Malaysia on 15 July next week. To recap, the MateBook 16s is priced at RM6,999, while the MateBook D 14 goes for RM3,199 and RM3,399 for the 8GB RAM and 16GB RAM configurations respectively.


Huawei Watch 4 & Watch 4 Pro Also Unveiled in Malaysia – Premium Smartwatches From RM1,999

Beyond
its latest phones
 and
laptops
, Huawei is also introducing two new smartwatches for the Malaysian market today, the Huawei Watch 4 and Huawei Watch 4 Pro. Compatible with both Android and iOS, these two wearables are Huawei’s latest flagship smartwatches.

Given their premium appeals, the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Pro also come with matching price tags. The Watch 4, for one, retails at RM1,999, while the Watch 4 Pro goes for RM2,499. Every purchase of either smartwatches will come with an EasyFit 2 Strap worth RM169 for free.

The Huawei Watch 4 Pro

One of the highlights of the Watch 4 Pro is its Spherical Sapphire Glass, which is “built to face the hazards you might encounter,” as the company puts it. The watch case is also made from aerospace-grade titanium, while the standard Watch 4 uses stainless steel instead.

Beyond that, the Watch 4 comes with a black fluoroelastomer strap, while the Watch 4 Pro has a dark brown leather strap instead. Both smartwatches also feature a 1.5-inch 466 x 466 LTPO AMOLED circular display and a 5 ATM rating – it can even be worn for free diving to a maximum depth of 30m.

The Huawei Watch 4

Both the Huawei Watch 4 and Huawei Watch 4 Pro will be available for purchase in Malaysia on 15 July. The Watch 4 retails at RM1,999, while the Watch 4 Pro is priced at RM2,499.


Nothing Ear 2 Now Offered in Black – Still RM599 in Malaysia

The
Nothing Ear 2
 made its debut back in March 2023, and at the time, it was only offered in white. Well, you can now get it in black, complete with a “smoky and matte black finish,” as the company puts it. Of course, the wireless earbuds still cost the same at RM599 for the Malaysian market.

Compared to its predecessor, the Ear 2 features a number of improvements, including a custom dynamic driver for better sound quality, new press controls, and longer battery life. The diaphragm of the 11.6mm dynamic driver is made out of a combination of polyurethane (PU) and graphene, which is said to deliver “purer, more powerful” bass while also producing highs that sound clearer and brighter.

Other specifications of the Ear 2 include active noise cancellation (ANC), up to six hours of use on a single charge – can be extended up to 36 hours with the charging case – press controls instead of touch controls, as well as an IP54 rating; IP55 for the charging case.

The Nothing Ear 2 in black will first be available in Malaysia as a limited drop at the Crossover store in Mid Valley Megamall on 15 July for RM599. General local availability of the wireless earbuds’ new colourway is set for slightly later on 22 July. If you’d like to learn more about the Ear 2, read our full review
right here
.


15-inch MacBook Air Now in Malaysia From RM6,199 – 11.5mm Thin, 18-Hour Battery Life

Unveiled just last month at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air is
now available in Malaysia
. Sporting a large 15.3-inch display, a side profile of only 11.5mm thin, and up to
18 hours
 of battery life, the new MacBook Air is touted as “the world’s best 15-inch laptop.”

Naturally, the 15-inch MacBook Air is powered by Apple’s latest M2 chip. Its aforementioned 11.5mm chassis also makes this machine the world’s thinnest 15-inch laptop, as the Cupertino company puts it. Of course, tipping the scales at 3.3 pounds (about 1.5kg), it’s relatively lightweight too.

Other specifications of the 15-inch MacBook Air include a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness, a 1080p camera, a six-speaker sound system, up to 24GB memory with 2TB storage, as well as four colour options: Midnight, Starlight, Space Grey, and Silver.

The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air
can now be purchased in Malaysia
 with a RM6,199 starting price. For that kind of money, the base model features 8GB of unified memory and 256GB of storage. If you want to upgrade the storage to 512GB, you’ll have to fork out RM6,999 – an extra RM800.


Apple Mac Studio & Mac Pro With M2 Ultra Chip Land in Malaysia From RM9,499

Aside from the
15-inch MacBook Air
, Apple’s new Mac Studio and Mac Pro powered by the Cupertino company’s fast M2 chips are also available in Malaysia now. The Mac Studio is configurable with both the M2 Max and (brand new) M2 Ultra chips, while the Mac Pro is only offered with the M2 Ultra SoC. With these two product updates, the Mac’s transition to Apple’s own silicone is now complete.

Pricing wise, the new M2-powered Mac Studio now starts at RM9,499 for the M2 Max model with 32GB memory and a 512GB SSD. If you want the faster M2 Ultra variant instead, the base configuration will set you back RM18,999, which features 64GB memory and a 1TB SSD.

As for the Mac Pro, the tower form factor starts at RM32,999, while the rack version retails from RM34,999.

Beyond the M2 Ultra chip upgrade – which is said to be Apple’s largest and most capable SoC ever – it’s worth noting that the Mac Pro features some big upgrades internally. It now comes with six PCIe Gen 4 slots and eight built-in Thunderbolt ports; six on the back, another two on top of the machine.

The new Apple Mac Studio and Mac Pro are now available for purchase in Malaysia. The Mac Studio is in stock right now, while the Mac Pro (at the time of writing) will start shipping in two to three weeks for both the tower and rack models.


Honor 90 Launch in Malaysia Set for 20 July – Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, 200MP Camera

Honor is launching its premium mid-range smartphone, the Honor 90, here in Malaysia next week on 20 July. Packed with a triple camera system headlined by a 200MP sensor, the mid-ranger is also powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition chipset, which features higher clock speeds.

For the Malaysian market, we were told that only one variant of the Honor 90 will be available here. It’s packed with a generous 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage, and three colours options are set to be offered locally: Peacock Blue, Emerald Green, and Diamond Silver.

One of the best features of the Honor 90 has to be its triple camera system. The primary shooter is a 200MP unit, and it’s complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP depth sensor. While the phone doesn’t offer a telephoto camera, you don’t often see a 200MP primary camera in this segment.

Other specifications of the Honor 90 include the aforementioned Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition – it has peak CPU speeds of up to 2.5GHz – a 6.7-inch 2664 x 1200 dual-curve OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

To recap, the Honor 90 will make its debut here in Malaysia next week on 20 July. We’ll find out then just how much this premium mid-range smartphone will go for on our shores.


Honkai: Star Rail Version 1.2 Drops 19 July – Kafka & Blade Playable With New Areas

Honkai: Star Rail
 is set to receive its Version 1.2 update on 19 July next week. Not only will three new playable characters be added to the game – these include
Kafka, Blade, and Luka
 – the upcoming update will conclude the Xianzhou Luofu storyline too.

As previously revealed, Kafka and Blade are 5-star characters, while Luka is a 4-star unit. Blade’s banner will be offered first after the Version 1.2 update is live, accompanied by Natasha, Sushang, and Arlan. Kafka’s event warp, on the other hand, will be offered in the second phase alongside Luka, Serval, and Sampo.

Kafka

Blade

Luka

The current Xianzhou Luofu story in Star Rail will also reach its climactic end in Version 1.2. It appears Imbibitor Lunae (alongside a new boss) will be making an appearance in the storyline, and two new areas, Alchemy Commission and Scalegorge Waterscape, will be added too.

We’re also getting a number of new content in Star Rail 1.2. A new segment in the Forgotten Hall (The Voyage of Navis Astrige), for example, will reward players with the 4-star character Yukong by completing Stage 1. Two new relic sets (Longevous Disciple and Messenger Traversing Hackerspace) and planar ornaments (Rutilant Arena and Broken Keel) can be obtained by players as well.

The Version 1.2 update of Honkai: Star Rail will go live on 19 July next week. To recap, Blade’s event warp will be available first once the update drops, followed by Kafka’s banner alongside Luka at a later date.


Hoyo Fest 2023 Returns to Malaysia August 2023 at Tropicana Gardens Mall

Hoyo Fest is back again in Malaysia! Set between 1 to 7 August, Hoyo Fest 2023 will have a dedicated booth at Tropicana Gardens Mall, Petaling Jaya. All five games from the company will be featured there too, including Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and even the unreleased Zenless Zone Zero.

Naturally, a number of merchandise from these Hoyoverse games (except for Zenless Zone Zero) can be purchased at the Hoyo Fest 2023 booth. Genshin Impact, for one, has the widest range of merchandise on sale, including a neat 1/7 scale figure of Ningguang that costs a cool RM1,014.

Each Hoyoverse title will also have its own activities at Hoyo Fest 2023. By completing certain activities, players can get various merchandise. Again, Genshin Impact has the most number of activities, where visitors can walk away with stickers, posters, postcards, and even a Primogem-themed hair accessory.

It’s worth noting that Zenless Zone Zero will have a dedicated gameplay demo at Hoyo Fest 2023 too, which is quite interesting. After all, the game has not been released yet, and the only time the game can be played was during its first (and only) closed beta test last year.

Hoyo Fest 2023 is shaping up to be the most exciting one yet, especially here in Malaysia. To recap, the event will take place from 1 to 7 August 2023 at Tropicana Gardens Mall. More details – along with merchandise that are available for purchase – can be found
right here
.

Read more:

Photo Essay: Hoyo Fest 2023 in Malaysia – Tropicana Gardens Mall Until 7 August


Realme 11 Pro Series Coming to Malaysia 20 July – 200MP Camera, Vegan Leather Back

The new Realme 11 Pro series is set to launched in Malaysia next week on 20 July. Sporting a 200MP camera (
sounds familiar?
) and a rather unique-looking vegan leather back, the lineup should consist of the Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+.

Initially launched in China back in May this year, the 11 Pro and 11 Pro+ feature largely similar hardware. These include a 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 1TB of storage – the Pro model maxes out at 512GB – as well as a 5,000mAh battery, though the Pro+ features faster 100W charging over the standard Pro’s 67W rate.

Things get more interesting in the camera department. Naturally, the 11 Pro+ gets a more sophisticated triple camera system made up of a 200MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 2MP macro lens; it also has a 32MP selfie camera. As for the 11 Pro, it has a dual camera setup (100MP main + 2MP depth) and a 16MP front-facing shooter.

The Realme 11 Pro series will be launched in Malaysia next week on 20 July. We’ll find out then the exact variants of the two phones that will be sold in the Malaysian market, along with their local price tags.


Proton S50 Rumoured to Launch November 2023 – 1.5L TGDi Engine, 7DCT, 4 Variants

The
Proton S50
, which is believed to be the national carmaker’s upcoming sedan based on the Geely Emgrand, is rumoured to be launching in Malaysia as early as November 2023. On top of that, four different variants are said to be offered, and all of them will be powered by the familiar 1.5L TGDi engine – the same one found under the hood of the
X50
 and X70.

These details on the S50 came from
Funtasticko
, citing an anonymous source. According to the source, the sedan will be offered in four trims: Executive, Premium, Flagship, and Flagship X. As mentioned, all models are said to feature a 1.5L TGDi engine that outputs 177PS and 255Nm of torque; it’s rumoured to be paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission too.

Previous spy shots of the S50 on Malaysian roads

Previously, the S50 was speculated to be powered by a 1.5L NA engine with 114PS and 147 Nm of torque, which is the unit used by the Emgrand in China. But as Funtasticko’s source said, this engine option will only be available sometime in 2025; perhaps for a facelift update.

Nonetheless, until confirmed by Proton itself, take these rumoured details on the Proton S50 with a grain of salt. Then again, it’s worth noting that Funtasticko does have a pretty good track record with previous rumours that turned out to be true. We’ll just have to wait for Proton to release more details on the S50 – perhaps closer to the rumoured November 2023 launch.


Nothing Phone 2 Hands-on: Same Same, But Different (In a Good Way)

At a glance, it’s easy to mistake the new Nothing Phone 2 for last year’s
Phone 1
. After all, both devices share very similar aesthetics, including the transparent back panel with the unique Glyph Interface lighting. But while both devices look similar, there are some notable changes, especially under the hood.

Powered by a much faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset along with a reworked, more functional Glyph Interface, the Phone 2 is every bit better than its predecessor. While it may not be a major departure from the Phone 1, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you like the design language.

Let’s talk about the Phone 2’s new Glyph Interface first. The lighting in the main glyph area is now broken up to several parts, with some of them, such as the top right corner, doubling as a progress tracker for delivery services or even a countdown timer. While this is ultimately a novel feature, it’s still quite neat.

Also changed is the glass back of the Phone 2, which is now curved on all sides. This makes the phone more ergonomically-friendly than the flat back of the Phone 1, making it more comfortable to hold in the hands. This gives the phone a premium touch too, in my opinion.

I also appreciate the fact that Nothing is retaining the flat sides of the Phone 2. It’s an ergonomically-sound design choice as it offers more surface area to get a good grip on the phone, which is something that’s often overlooked by other brands.

Yes, thank you for retaining the flat sides Nothing

Another area where the Phone 2 sees a major improvement is performance. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset under the hood, it is quite a bit more powerful than the Phone 1’s Snapdragon 778G+, a decidedly mid-range SoC. While the Phone 2 doesn’t feature the latest Qualcomm chip, the 8+ Gen 1 is still plenty capable. It’s a flagship-tier processor that was only released last year, after all.

In my brief time with the Phone 2, it does feel fast and zippy, just as you’d expect from an upper mid-range phone in today’s market. While I wasn’t able to put the phone through its paces in more demanding tasks (such as gaming), I’m sure the phone can keep up with my demands. I’ll be sure to do a ton of gaming in the full review.

In the display department, the Phone 2 comes with a 6.7-inch 1080p LTPO OLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that can go as low as 1Hz to conserve power. This being an OLED panel, it’s a pleasant screen to look at with bright colours and deep blacks as well. It complements the monochrome icons of Nothing OS 2.0 – which also feels lightweight and polished – quite well too.

Packed with a 4,700mAh battery, the Phone 2 should be able to deliver all-day battery life. While its 45W charging rate isn’t the fastest in the market, it can still fully charge the phone in 55 minutes, as Nothing puts it. In my opinion, this is still reasonably fast charging time for most users, including myself.

And then we have the camera performance of the Phone 2. On the surface, it’s nothing fancy: it only has a dual camera that is made up of a 50MP f/1.88 primary shooter paired to a 50MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens. But what’s particularly interesting is the 50MP main camera, which actually uses a Sony IMX890 sensor. This is the same sensor found in the
OnePlus 11
, a flagship smartphone.

The results? Well, take a look with the sample shots below.

There’s no denying that the Phone 2 can take some great-looking shots, and the camera interface also feels relatively responsive with fast, accurate autofocus. While the true test of a smartphone’s camera lies in low light photography – something that I haven’t had the chance to try out yet – it’s certainly a promising camera system that I’m excited to test out more extensively.

All in all, the Nothing Phone 2 is most certainly an improvement over last year’s model while still retaining its winning qualities. It still has a similar transparent design, an improved Glyph Interface lighting system, even faster performance, and a superior camera system – what’s not to like?

All that’s left is for Nothing to reveal the Malaysian pricing and availability of the Phone 2, which will be announced come 14 July this Friday at its local launch here. Hopefully, the phone will be priced competitively for our market.

For the sake of comparison, the Phone 1 retailed from RM2,399 at launch for the 8GB + 256GB model, going up to RM2,699 for the 12GB + 256GB configuration. As for the Phone 2, it is available in three variants: 8GB + 128GB, 12GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 512GB. For now, it remains to be seen which configurations will be offered for the Malaysian market.


Sony Xperia 1 V Now in Malaysia for RM6,399 – Free WH-1000XM5 Headphones

The Sony Xperia 1 V is now available for purchase in Malaysia. As the Japanese company’s latest flagship smartphone, it features some high-end hardware, including a camera system with a next-gen sensor, allowing it to take low light images “never thought possible on a smartphone,” as Sony puts it.

For the Malaysian market, the Xperia 1 V is offered in the sole 12GB + 256GB variant, which is priced at a cool RM6,399. Those who purchase the phone by 31 July will also get the popular
WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones
 (worth RM1,799) for free.

A triple camera system is on the back of the Xperia 1 V, which is made up of a 52MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 12MP telephoto lens. According to Sony, the new 52MP shooter allows the phone to capture “2x better” low light shots than last year’s
Xperia 1 IV
. We tested out the camera for a brief period of time, and it does feel quite capable.

Other specifications of the Xperia 1 V include a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a microSD card slot for further storage expansion, a 12MP selfie camera, a 5,000mAh battery, as well as IP65/68 water and dust resistance.

The Sony Xperia 1 V is now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM6,399. As mentioned, early birds who get the phone by 31 July will also get a free WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones.


Nothing Phone 2 Official – Refined Design, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Coming to Malaysia

After much teasing, the Nothing Phone 2 is finally official. Sporting a more refined design – still retaining the see-through back panel, of course – with a much faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the new phone is quite a bit better than last year’s
Nothing Phone 1
.

Let’s get to the design changes of the Phone 2 first. Compared to its predecessor, which has a flat back panel, the new phone has a “gently curved pillowed glass back” now for improved ergonomics. The Glyph Interface on the rear panel has been reworked too; while it looks similar, the overall lighting have been split to several parts.

By doing so, some parts of the Phone 2’s Glyph Interface now have a practical component to them. The bar on the upper right corner of the main glyph, for example, can act as a progress tracker for delivery services or even a countdown timer now. That’s quite neat.

Another big change to the Phone 2 is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, Qualcomm’s flagship SoC last year. According to Nothing, this chip brings 80% performance improvement compared to the Phone 1’s Snapdragon 778G+ processor. This makes sense, given that the 778G+ is a mid-tier offering.

Other specifications of the Phone 2 include a 6.7-inch 1080p LTPO OLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide), a 32MP selfie camera, up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, as well as a 4,700mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

Finally, pricing. In the US, the Nothing Phone 2 retails from $599 for the base 8GB + 128GB model, which comes up to about RM2,790. The phone is set to be launched in Malaysia later this week on 14 July, so we’ll find out the local availability and pricing of the phone then.

If you’d like to learn more about the Phone 2, read our hands-on
right here
.


Nothing Phone 2 First Sale in Malaysia Happening 15 July – 2 Variants Available

Nothing just revealed more details on the Malaysian availability of the
Nothing Phone 2
. The first sale of the premium mid-range phone on our shores is set to happen on 15 July, and two variants will be offered for our market.

Both the 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB configurations of the Phone 2 will be first available in Malaysia through Crossover Mid Valley on 15 July this Saturday; it will be more widely available next week on 22 July. Unfortunately enough, it appears the more affordable 8GB + 128GB variant won’t be offered here. Nonetheless, both the white and new grey colourways will be sold locally.

Compared to last year’s
Phone 1
, the Phone 2 now features a reworked Glyph Interface with a slightly different design. It also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the chipmaker’s flagship SoC last year. According to Nothing, this chip brings 80% performance improvement compared to the Phone 1’s Snapdragon 778G+ processor. This makes sense, given that the 778G+ is a mid-tier offering.

Other specifications of the Phone 2 include a 6.7-inch 1080p LTPO OLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide), a 32MP selfie camera, up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, as well as a 4,700mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

The Nothing Phone 2 Malaysian launch is set for 14 July this Friday; the local pricing of the premium phone will be unveiled then. But given that the base 8GB + 128GB variant of the phone won’t be offered here, expect the starting price of the Phone 2 to be a tad higher than other markets.


Realme Watch 3 Pro & Realme Buds Air 5 Pro Coming to Malaysia 20 July

Aside from the
Realme 11 Pro series
, the Chinese company is also bringing in two other products to Malaysia: the Realme Watch 3 Pro and Realme Buds Air 5 Pro. Ahead of their local unveiling next week on 20 July, you can actually check out the two new products in person right now at the ongoing Realme City Exploration Project.

Let’s start with the Watch 3 Pro. It features a 1.78-inch 368 x 448 AMOLED square display, GPS support, a suite of health monitoring tools – including heart rate sensing and blood oxygen measurement – as well as a 345mAh battery that promises up to 10 days of battery life. It also supports both iOS and Android devices.

As for the Buds Air 5 Pro, it has active noise cancellation capable of silencing noises up to 50dB, a two-driver setup (11mm woofer and 6mm planar), IPX5 rating, up to 11 hours of battery life – a total of 40 hours with the charging case – and dual device pairing.

The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Realme Watch 3 Pro will be launched in Malaysia next week on 20 July. Both products – including the Realme 11 Pro+ – are also showcased at the ongoing Realme City Exploration Project at
169, Jalan Tun H S Lee, Kuala Lumpur
.


Realme City Exploration Project (Featuring Realme 11 Pro+) Now in Malaysia Until 25 July

Realme is running a rather curious photography exhibition in Kuala Lumpur right now. The Realme City Exploration Project, set to run until 25 July, features photographs taken by the upcoming Realme 11 Pro+. The mid-range phone itself is also showcased at the event.

The headline feature of the 11 Pro+ – which will be launched in Malaysia next week on 20 July – is its triple camera system made up of a 200MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 2MP macro lens. It also has a rather unique-looking vegan leather back panel.

Other specifications of the 11 Pro+ include a 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 1TB of storage, a 32MP selfie camera, as well as a 5,000mAh battery with support for fast 100W charging.

If you’re keen to check out the Realme 11 Pro+ alongside some
other Realme products
, you can do so over at the Realme City Exploration Project. It is located at
169, Jalan Tun H S Lee, Kuala Lumpur
, and it’s opened daily from 10AM to 9PM until 25 July.


Spy Shot: Honda WR-V Heading to Showrooms Ahead of Launch Tomorrow (13 July)

Honda Malaysia’s first small SUV, the
Honda WR-V
, is set to make its Malaysian debut on 13 July tomorrow. Ahead of its launch, it appears the WR-V is already making its way to showrooms, based on a spy shot of the SUV being transported on a trailer.

The image below was taken by Mohammad Shahiran and subsequently shared by
Paultan.org
. The WR-V in red looks to be sporting an RS badge on the tailgate, while the white model doesn’t have the same badge with a different set of alloy wheels.

Naturally, Honda Malaysia has not revealed the exact specifications and variants of the WR-V yet, though it did release several key details. The SUV is said to come with a 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine that outputs 121PS and 145Nm of torque paired to a CVT, support for the Honda Connect telematics system, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels (for the RS model), Honda LaneWatch, and even Honda Sensing.

It’s worth noting that the WR-V will be getting a rather complete Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance systems. These include Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

We’ll find out more about the Honda WR-V – including its local pricing – once it is launched in Malaysia tomorrow on 13 July. The SUV is also available for booking now at all 101 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. Alternatively, a pre-booking can be done online
here
, or through the HondaTouch app – it can be downloaded from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Spy Shot: Smart #1 Seen on Malaysian Roads – Public Preview Next Weekend, Q4 2023 Launch

The
Smart #1
 EV is expected to be launched in Malaysia sometime in Q4 2023. The electric SUV is rarely spotted on Malaysian roads, so it’s quite exciting when the upcoming model is caught on camera, as these images show.

These shots were snapped by Amir Zaheen Minhaj around Shah Alam and shared by
Funtasticko
. There’s no denying that the silhouette of the camouflaged SUV is the Smart #1, and from what we can gather, it looks to be the higher-powered Brabus model too, based on the design of the vents up front and larger rear wing.

For the Malaysian market, the Smart #1 is said to be offered in both standard and Brabus variants. The regular model is believed to be powered by a single 200kW motor driving the rear wheels that outputs 272PS and 343Nm of torque. This allows the EV to go from 0-100kmph in only 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 180kmph.

As for the more powerful Smart #1 Brabus, it comes with another electric motor at the front – making it all-wheel drive – for a very respectable total output of 428PS and 543Nm of torque. How fast can it complete the century sprint with this kind of setup? A mere 3.9 seconds; very impressive.

Both models of the Smart #1 are said to be packed with a 66kWh lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) battery that offers up to 440km range on the WLTP cycle for the standard variant. This figure goes down to 400km for the higher-powered Brabus model, understandably.

As previously shared by Proton, the Smart #1 is still set to be introduced in Malaysia sometime in Q4 2023. A
public preview of the electric SUV
 will also be held at the EVx Malaysia 2023 event run by Paultan.org next weekend on 22 and 23 July at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam.


13 – 19 July Fuel Price: No Changes, RON 97 Remains at RM3.37 Per Litre

Another week, another fuel price update. Not surprisingly, there’s no price change to RON 97 this week, and the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 continues to be set at RM3.37 per litre for the next seven days. RON 95, on the other hand, remains at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 13 to 19 July next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Honda WR-V Launched in Malaysia – 1.5L i-VTEC, Honda Sensing, From RM90k to RM108k

Honda’s much anticipated small SUV, the Honda WR-V, has just been launched in Malaysia. Offered in four different variants, the WR-V is Honda Malaysia’s most affordable SUV yet with a RM89,900 starting price.

Of course, that RM89,900 price tag is for the base S model of the WR-V. A tier up is the E trim for RM95,900, followed by the V variant at RM99,900. As for the range-topping – and more aggressive-looking – RS model, it goes for RM107,900. These prices are on-the-road without insurance.

All variants of the WR-V are powered by the same 1.5L naturally-aspirated DOHC i-VTEC engine that outputs 121PS and 145Nm of torque paired to a CVT driving the front wheels. It’s worth noting that this is the same mill found in the
City
 and the base S variant of the
HR-V
, so this is a tried-and-true engine.

One of the headline features of the WR-V has to be the Honda Sensing ADAS, which is offered on all trims except for the base S model. It features Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

However, as the WR-V doesn’t feature an electric parking brake, its version of Honda Sensing doesn’t support Low-Speed Follow, much like the V Sensing models of the City and
City Hatchback
.

As the range-topping model, the WR-V in RS guise does come with a number of exclusive features. On the exterior, it features a mesh-style grille with a dark chrome finish, bright silver lower garnish, and sleek-looking 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels; other models get 16-inch alloys instead. On top of that, it gets the Honda Connect telematics system too.

Other standard features of the WR-V include four airbags (six for the RS), a 7-inch infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry with push start button, and the Honda LaneWatch camera mounted on the left side mirror.

According to Honda Malaysia, the Honda WR-V has received over 2,500 bookings. The Japanese carmaker said that deliveries for these orders are expected to be fulfilled within two to three months; not too long of a waiting time.


Honda WR-V Receives 2,500 Bookings – 2 to 3 Months Waiting Time, RS Most Popular

Bookings for the
Honda WR-V
 were opened in Malaysia in mid-June earlier this year, and according to Honda Malaysia, the small SUV has received over 2,500 bookings. Of those bookings, the RS model is the most popular option.

The RS variant of the WR-V accounts for 43% of the total bookings. This is followed by the V and E trims at 38% and 12% respectively, while the rest is made up of the most affordable S model. Honda Malaysia expects the RS variant to be the best-selling option, and looking at the breakdown of the bookings made, this does seem to be the case.

To recap, the WR-V starts at RM89,900 for the base S model. A tier up is the E trim for RM95,900, followed by the V variant at RM99,900. As for the range-topping RS model, it goes for RM107,900. These prices are on-the-road without insurance, and five colour options are available: Ignite Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and the new Stellar Diamond Pearl.

Honda Malaysia said that the 2,500 bookings of the Honda WR-V are expected to be fulfilled within two to three months’ time. If you’re keen to purchase the new compact SUV, keep this waiting period in mind. More details on the WR-V can be found
here
.


Kiwi Ears Quintet Review: 5 Drivers for 5-Star Audio Quality

Even for folks who are familiar with the ChiFi scene in the rabbit hole that is the audio hobby, Kiwi Ears may be a name that have only been seen in passing. Eclipsed by giants like Moondrop and 7Hz, Kiwi Ears has quietly released IEMs like the Cadenza, Dolce, and Quartet, all of which were quite well-received.

The brand’s first release was the Orchestra, a $499 (about RM2,290) IEM with eight balanced armature (BA) drivers; it then followed up with the Orchestra Lite for half the price. Every release since then has mostly been targeted at the sub-$100 market, and while there’s
some degree
 of fanfare with those releases, Kiwi Ears never quite impacted the ChiFi scene like the bigger brands.

That is, until the brand released its newest IEM: the Kiwi Ears Quintet.

What It Is

The Kiwi Ears Quintet is an IEM with four different driver types: one Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver, two BA drivers, one planar magnetic driver, and a piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor. Basically, there’s a total of five drivers within each shell of the IEM, hence the name Quintet.

An IEM with multiple driver types isn’t anything new; most (if not all) brands have the ability to do so. The actual challenge lies in tuning the individual drivers to be both coherent and balanced. No one driver should stand out too much, but all of them should meaningfully add
something
 to the table as well.

In my opinion, Kiwi Ears managed to strike a good balance in this regard with the Quintet, a feat that countless brands have failed to achieve. Speaking of outdoing its peers, Kiwi Ears is pricing the IEM at
$219 (about RM1,000) on Linsoul
, which sent over this review unit of the Quintet.

While this pricing may seem steep for a ChiFi brand, the Quintet
is
a five-driver IEM with four different driver types that actually sounds good – well, to me at least. Such a driver setup at this price point is practically unheard of until now.

Anyway, unlike the IEM itself, the packaging of the Quintet takes a more modest approach. Sliding open the sleeve and the box reveals the two IEM shells. A layer beneath sits a small, hard-shell zipper case that holds a four-core oxygen-free SPC cable, three pairs of normal bore tips, and three pairs of wide bore tips.

The shell of the Quintet is made up of 3D printed resin with a rather subdued silver metal faceplate. On one side of the faceplate is Kiwi Ears’ logo, while the other has the Quintet branding etched on it. You’d expect a shell housing five drivers to be bigger and heavier than usual, but in reality, it’s quite the opposite with this IEM.

Not only is the Quintet’s shell compact and lightweight, it also fits very comfortably in my ears. In fact, I find it to be one of the most comfortable earphones I’ve tried with above average noise isolation to boot. However, as the shape of everyone’s ear is different, your mileage may very well vary.

As for the included SPC cable, it is of two-pin variety and terminates in the standard 3.5mm. The cable also isn’t too thin and is able to resist tangling quite well. The silver chin slider portion and 3.5mm end adds a premium touch, but they also make the cable a tad heavy in those specific sections.

I consider the packaging of the Quintet modest as some IEMs a fraction of this price have a more elaborate packaging. That could be in the form of a fancier-looking case or a more unique unboxing experience, though I suppose Kiwi Ears is placing more emphasis on the IEM itself rather than the packaging. This is certainly evident in how the Quintet performs.

How Does It Sound?

The Quintet has a mostly balanced sound signature with an ever so slightly V-shaped characteristic. The tonality, to my ears, is natural with a hint of warmth for good measure. Overall, it’s quite a laid-back sound that isn’t too fatiguing or dull – balanced in every sense of the word.

Presentation of soundstage for the Quintet is a slight out-of-head experience, but is still intimate enough to be engaging and immersive. What’s surprising is the detail retrieval and instrument separation of the Quintet. Whether it’s the inclusion of Kiwi Ears’ own Micro Planar Transducer (MPT) or the piezoelectric driver, something is working its magic in isolating the instruments within the soundstage and presenting them with great clarity and sense of space.

You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that an IEM with this many drivers would be quite power-hungry. On the contrary, this set is surprisingly easy to drive, and it gets loud on both my phone and laptop without a hitch. That being said, pairing the IEM with a more powerful source does allow it to breathe and open up a bit more with a wider soundstage.

Bass

With an emphasis on the sub-bass instead of the mid-bass, the Quintet provides rumble that extends deep down but controlled enough to not be all boom and bloom. That’s not the say the mid-bass is lacking: there’s ample impact, speed, and even warmth to provide the low-end with texture without bleeding into the mids.

Despite that, I doubt the impact of bass provided here would meet the requirements of a seasoned basshead – the
7Hz Legato
 might be a better fit for such a crowd. But what the Quintet lacks in bass quantity is made up in quality with a presentation that’s both fun and clean.

Mids

While the Quintet’s bass might not bleed into the mids, some warmth and texture of the upper-bass does carry over. Male vocals benefit greatly from this, providing a thick and full note weight. The texture of said vocals are lush and remain organic too.

Female vocals are almost equally great, but to my ears, there’s a pinch of dryness or grain that makes it less than natural. I also wish that the warmth and weight of the male vocals would be reflected more here as well. It’s not that the vocals sound “steely” or “metallic” – common caveats associated with BA drivers – the Quintet actually manages to steer clear from these negative traits, boasting Kiwi Ears’ tuning prowess.

This minor quirk aside, the vocals are intimate without being intrusive, and it skirts around the usual fate of Harman-tuned options with a shouty upper-mid region.

Highs

Treble is another testament to the adept tuning of the Quintet. Extension in the high-end is quite remarkable, providing a texture that’s sparkly and rich. But the Quintet doesn’t overextend its reach, controlling its treble in such a way that it remains smooth and tame, giving it a more laid-back sound signature in the highs.

The above could be credited to the piezoelectric driver of the Quintet, though this driver is also known to make treble sound a bit messy and fatiguing at higher volumes; a minor flaw that even the Quintet wasn’t able to avoid. But as long as you refrain from turning up the volume too much, only the strengths of the Quintet will present themselves to you.

Is It Worth It?

As mentioned before, $219 for the Kiwi Ears Quintet sounds far from affordable in comparison to most ChiFi offerings. But again, this is a five-driver IEM that is
actually
 well-tuned and coherent – this alone is reason enough to purchase the Quintet.

The only shortcomings of the Quintet that stood out to me were the slightly unnatural upper-mids and the IEM’s basic case and packaging; the latter is a minor gripe, I’d admit.

Balance, as I’ve echoed many times throughout this review, is the name of the game when it comes to the Quintet. Any minute misjudgment of the five individual drivers could tip the scales and cause the tuning to fall apart. It’s already no easy task handling hybrid drivers, let alone four different driver types. But the coherence that the Quintet manages to achieve is astounding, and it is an accomplishment that Kiwi Ears should be proud of.

Here’s hoping this isn’t a mere one-hit-wonder from the brand, and it is instead a sign of more great things to come.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


Tesla Model Y From RM199k in Malaysia – First Official Tesla Here, Early 2024 Delivery

The Tesla Model Y is the first model from the renowned brand to be officially available here in Malaysia. Priced from RM199,000, the electric SUV can be ordered right now, though delivery is only expected to take place sometime in early 2024.

This was first spotted by
Paultan.org
 through Tesla’s Malaysian website. The configurator for the Model Y is now live, with prices starting from the aforementioned RM199,000 for the standard RWD model. Opting for the Long Range AWD variant sees the price go up to RM246,000, and if you want the fastest Model Y Performance, it will set you back RM288,000.

Naturally, opting for the Model Y Performance comes with a suite of other upgrades. These include larger (and much sleeker) 21-inch Überturbine alloy wheels, performance brakes, lowered suspension, aluminium alloy pedals, a carbon fibre spoiler, and of course, an increased top speed from 217kmph to 250kmph.

As is the case with all Tesla models, you can purchase various add-ons for the Model Y in Malaysia. Getting the Enhanced Autopilot, for one, is a RM16,000 add-on, while the complete Full Self-Driving Capability is a RM32,000 premium. You can change the all-black interior to a black and white colour scheme too for RM5,000.

If you’re keen to get the Tesla Model Y, you can place an order right now on its
Malaysian website
; a RM1,000 non-refundable fee is required for the booking. Again, do note that the estimated delivery for the electric SUV in Malaysia is sometime in early 2024 next year.


Tesla Lists 10 Superchargers in Malaysia – Klang Valley, N. Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Johor

Now that Tesla’s Malaysian website is open, the carmaker also listed
10 Supercharger locations in Malaysia
. Naturally, most of them are located in the Klang Valley area, though some Superchargers can also be found in several states like Penang and Perak.

In Kuala Lumpur itself, as many as four Supercharger locations have been listed. These include Bukit Bintang, Bukit Jalil, and two more unnamed locations in the city centre. Two other Superchargers located in Klang Valley are Petaling Jaya and Dengkil, both of which are in Selangor.

Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur

Two other locations in Kuala Lumpur

Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Dengkil, Selangor

Negeri Sembilan

Perai, Penang

Ipoh, Perak

Iskandar Puteri, Johor

Beyond that, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, and Johor will also get Supercharger stations, though only one location in each state has been listed at the time of writing. Of course, it remains to be seen exactly when these Superchargers will be available for use.

Interestingly,
application to host a Supercharger
 is also open in Malaysia now, so do head to the Malaysian website if you’re keen to do so. It was previously revealed that Tesla will install at least 50 DC fast chargers in Malaysia with a minimum charging rate of 180kW, and 30% of them have to be made available to non-Tesla vehicles too.


Tesla Opening Service, Experience Centres & Head Office in Selangor This Year – PM Anwar

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, earlier today.
In the meeting
, it’s confirmed that Tesla will be opening its service and experience centres, as well as a head office in Selangor sometime this year.

Evidently, Tesla is expanding its presence in Malaysia rapidly. After all, the carmaker is set to make its
Malaysian debut next week on 20 July
, and ahead of the launch, the Tesla Model Y is already available for order in Malaysia earlier today with a
RM199,000 starting price
.

Also unveiled today are
10 Supercharger locations
 that will be made available in Malaysia. While most of them are listed in the Klang Valley area – six of them, in fact – several states will also get Supercharger stations, including Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, and Johor.

Given that Tesla will be opening its experience stores in Selangor as early as this year, eager customers may be able to view the carmaker’s various models very soon. While only the Model Y is available for order now – with deliveries estimated for early 2024 – it’s worth noting that the
Model 3 is also featured on Tesla’s Malaysian website
.


BYD Dolphin EV Coming to Malaysia 28 July – Registration of Interest Now Open

BYD is
set to add another EV model
 to its product lineup in Malaysia later this month. The much anticipated BYD Dolphin will make its local debut here on 28 July, and what makes the electric hatchback particularly enticing is its value proposition.

Compared to its SUV sibling, the BYD Atto 3, the Dolphin is expected to be priced lower. For added context, the Atto 3 currently starts at RM149,800. An electric hatchback at a lower price point than this does sound quite compelling.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BYD Cars Malaysia (@bydcarsmalaysia)

Of course, it remains to be seen just which variant of the Dolphin the Malaysian market is set to get, though there’s a good chance it will mirror the Atto 3’s offering here. If this is the case, it will be available in both Standard Range and Extended Range configurations.

The Standard Range Dolphin features a single electric motor driving the front wheels that produces 94PS and 180Nm of torque, which allows it to go from 0-100kmph in 12.3 seconds. Packed with a 44.9kW battery, this variant has a range of up to 410km on the NEDC standard.

As for the Extended Range Dolphin, it has a more powerful motor (also driving the front wheels) that outputs 204PS and 310Nm of torque with a 0-100kmph time of only 7 seconds. It has a larger 60.48kW battery too with a maximum range of 490km (NEDC) on a single charge.

To recap, the BYD Dolphin will make its debut in Malaysia on 28 July.
Registration of interest
 for the electric hatchback is now open too, and you can even sign up for a test drive session at 11 BYD outlets nationwide.


Nothing Phone 2 Launched in Malaysia From RM2,999 – First Sale 15 July

Unveiled globally just a few days ago, the
Nothing Phone 2
 has just landed in Malaysia. As expected, it is priced higher than last year’s
Phone 1
, which isn’t a surprise given the upgrades that the new phone brings.

Two variants of the Phone 2 are available in Malaysia. The 12GB + 256GB model is priced at RM2,999, while the more generous 12GB + 512GB configuration costs RM3,499. Unfortunately enough, the more affordable 8GB + 128GB variant won’t be offered here. Nonetheless, both the white and new grey colourways will be sold locally.

Compared to last year’s
Phone 1
, the Phone 2 now features a reworked Glyph Interface with a slightly different design. It also features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the chipmaker’s flagship SoC last year. According to Nothing, this chip brings 80% performance improvement compared to the Phone 1’s Snapdragon 778G+ processor. This makes sense, given that the 778G+ is a mid-tier offering.

Other specifications of the Phone 2 include a 6.7-inch 1080p LTPO OLED display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system made up of a 50MP main shooter – it uses the Sony IMX890 sensor, the same one used in the flagship
OnePlus 11
 – and a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens, a 32MP selfie camera, as well as a 4,700mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

The Nothing Phone 2 – alongside the
Ear 2 in black
 – will be first available in Malaysia through Crossover Mid Valley on 15 July tomorrow at 11AM; it will be more widely available next week on 22 July. If you’d like to learn more about the phone, check out our
Phone 2 hands-on
.


Spy Shot: 2023 Proton X70 Facelift Spotted! Launching in Malaysia Soon?

It’s believed that the Proton X70 (and even the
X50
) will be
facelifted sometime this year
, and it looks like the rumour is turning out to be true. New spy shots of the X70 covered in some light camouflage have surfaced, so it’s likely this is the 2023 facelift model.

These images were taken by one Fakhri Abdullah and shared by the folks over at
Funtasticko
. While only the rear of the mysterious X70 test mule was photographed, we can still see some camouflage on the front end of the C-segment SUV in the image below.

Chances are, the upcoming X70 facelift will take some design cues from its Geely twin, the Boyue Pro. The model was launched in China back in 2019 with some exterior and interior changes. In regards to the former, the Boyue Pro features a reworked front end with a new headlight design and a more minimalist rear bumper.

As for the interior, the Boyue Pro is equipped with a sleeker-looking dashboard. The infotainment screen is much bigger than the one found on the previous model – it also has Geely’s faster E01 SoC – chrome finishing on the air-cond vents, and redesigned climate controls.

The Geely Boyue Pro

Of course, it remains to be seen if the 2023 Proton X70 facelift will feature these changes. We reckon it will be a styling update rather than a major change, so no engine update is expected. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about the X70 facelift soon, and maybe even for the X50 as well.


Honor 90 Lite & Honor Pad X9 Also Coming to Malaysia 20 July

Honor Malaysia just revealed two other products that will be launched alongside the
Honor 90
 later this week. The Honor 90 Lite and Honor Pad X9 will make their debuts here on 20 July, and both of them are touted as mid-range offerings.

Let’s start with the Honor 90 Lite. As its name suggests, it has more modest hardware over the Honor 90, though it still comes with a triple camera system headlined by a 100MP primary shooter. That sensor is complemented by a 5MP ultra-wide angle camera and a 2MP macro lens.

Other specifications of the Honor 90 Lite include a 6.7-inch 1080p IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of storage, a 16MP selfie camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with support for 35W fast charging.

As for the Honor Pad X9, it features a 11.5-inch 2000 x 1200 TFT LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chip paired with 4GB of RAM, 5MP cameras for the rear and front, along with a 7,250mAh battery. All in all, pretty modest hardware.

The Honor 90 Lite, Honor Pad X9, and of course, the Honor 90 will be launched here in Malaysia this Thursday on 20 July. Local availability and pricing of these devices should be revealed then.


Acer Swift X 14 Now in Malaysia From RM5,999 – 120Hz OLED Display, Up to RTX 4050

Acer just launched a new product in Malaysia, the Acer Swift X 14. Touted as a laptop for creative professionals, the Swift X 14 is relatively well-equipped, especially for a laptop this size – you can even do some gaming on it.

Three different variants of the Swift X 14 is offered in Malaysia. The RM5,999 base model features a 13th gen Intel Core i5-13500H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. A tier up is the RM6,399 configuration, which upgrades the CPU to a Core i7-13700H along with a more generous 1TB SSD.

As for the range-topping RM7,399 variant of the Swift X 14, it swaps out the GPU for a faster RTX 4050 and a more generous 32GB of RAM. Regardless of which configuration you get, all models of the laptop feature a 14.5-inch WQXGA+ OLED display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. It also meets 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and carries the VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 certification.

The Acer Swift X 14 is now available for purchase in Malaysia. Those who get the laptop by 31 July will also get freebies worth RM529, including a Porsche-branded wireless mouse and Acer Supercare extended warranty that covers accidental damage and even theft.


Chery Omoda 5 in Malaysia – 3,000 Units Sold in Only 10 Days, From RM108,800

Chery made its grand return to Malaysia earlier this month, and it appears the Chinese carmaker is off to a great start. As many as 3,000 units of the new Chery Omoda 5 has been sold here in only 10 days, which certainly shows just how popular the locally-assembled B-segment SUV is on our shores.

The encouraging sales figure of the Omoda 5 can be attributed to its competitive pricing. Two variants of the SUV are available here: there’s the base C variant for RM108,800, and the range-topping H model, which is priced at RM118,800.

For that kind of money, you’re getting great value for money. Regardless of which variant you get, both models of the Omoda 5 is powered by the same 1.5L turbo engine that outputs 156hp and 230Nm of torque paired to a CVT. A number of ADAS features are also standard, which include adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic jam assist, and of course, autonomous emergency braking.

“As an automotive manufacturer with extensive manufacturing experience and innovative capabilities, Chery is dedicated to delivering high-quality products that meet the needs of Malaysian consumers,” said Chery Malaysia’s executive VP, Leo Chen. “We place utmost emphasis on product quality, safety, and performance, continuously innovating and improving our technologies to stay ahead of market demands,” he added.

The Chery Omoda 5 is now available for booking in Malaysia at over
23 showrooms nationwide
. Eight more outlets will be completed by the end of August, bringing the total number of showrooms locally to 31. With over 22 service centres at the ready, it’s evident that Chery is aggressively expanding its presence in the Malaysian market.


Deal: Get RM300 Discount on Samsung’s Best Wireless Earbuds Yet

Almost a year since its release, the
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
 is still one of the most well-tuned wireless earbuds in the market now. If you’ve been looking to get a good deal on the Buds 2 Pro, now’s your chance: it’s currently listed
at only RM599
, which is a whopping RM300 discount.

This deal is offered by Preferred Shopee retailer Mobile Gadgets, and naturally, the Buds 2 Pro from the retailer comes with official warranty support from Samsung Malaysia. The Bora Purple and White colour options are in stock, with the Graphite colourway being the only one that is not available from the retailer.

Even at its original RM899 price tag, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is an attractive pair of wireless earbuds with a complete feature set, including pretty competent active noise cancellation. Now that it’s going for
as low as RM599
 from Mobile Gadgets, it’s an even easier pair of wireless earbuds to recommend.

If you’d like to learn more about the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, check out our
full review
.


Here’s How to Check Your Polling Location for the 2023 State Elections on 12 August

Ahead of the 2023 Malaysia state elections next month on 12 August, eligible voters can now check their polling location through
MySPRSemak
. The state elections will be held at six states across Malaysia, which include Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.

To check your polling location, just head on to
MySPRSemak
 and click on the “semakan dafter pemilih” option. Once you’ve done that, just fill in the relevant information (and complete the CAPTCHA challenge) to get your polling location.

At the time of writing, it takes a while to get our own polling location from
MySPRSemak
; we reckon quite a number of folks are trying to access the information as well. Nonetheless, it should be a smoother process after some time.


2023 Proton X70 MC2 Facelift’s New Face Seen in Leaked Images – Updated Interior Rumoured

Just yesterday we shared images of the
2023 Proton X70 MC2
 (Minor Change 2) facelift on local roads with some light camouflage. Today, new leaked images all but confirmed the C-segment SUV’s new face, which looks to mirror its Geely twins, the Boyue Pro and Azkarra.

These images came from
The Ajerul
, showing what looks to be the frame of the upcoming X70 facelift. Based on the cutouts and curves of the frame, it matches the design of the Geely Boyue Pro/Azkarra. According to
Funtasticko’s source
, the Infinite Weave grille of the new X70 will take inspiration from the X90’s diamond-shaped studs too.

The source further added that the facelifted X70 will get an updated interior as well, which we reckon will be similar to the aforementioned Boyue Pro and Azkarra. If this is indeed the case, it should feature a much bigger infotainment screen powered by Geely’s faster E01 SoC, chrome finishing on the air-cond vents, and redesigned climate controls.

As for expected release, the Proton X70 MC2 facelift is said to be introduced towards the end of the year after the launch of the much anticipated
Proton S50
 sedan. Interestingly, the
Proton X50
 is rumoured to be receiving a Running Change update too, which may see some minor improvements to the popular B-segment SUV.

Previous spy shots of the Proton X70 MC2 facelift


2023 Honda City Facelift Open for Booking in Malaysia – Low Speed Follow, Q3 2023 Launch

Right after introducing the
WR-V
 on our shores, Honda Malaysia is gearing up to release yet another new model, the 2023 Honda City facelift. Set to be launched on our shores sometime in Q3 2023, the facelifted B-segment sedan is getting a number of notable upgrades.

Not only does the City facelift come with a new front grille and updated bumper design – for the range-topping e:HEV RS model – its Honda Sensing ADAS capability is getting two new features too. These include Low Speed Follow (LSF) and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN).

Beyond that, the City e:HEV RS soldiers on with the same Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain that delivers 109PS and 253Nm of torque. The sedan also comes with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that does 98PS and 127Nm of torque, but it mainly acts as a generator for the electric motor. The 1.5L mill is only used at higher speeds.

While only the City e:HEV RS has been confirmed so far, it’s safe to assume Honda Malaysia will continue to offer petrol variants of the City. Currently, these include the S, E, V, and V Sensing models, which are all powered by the same 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine that outputs 121PS and 145Nm of torque. It is paired to a CVT with drive sent to the front wheels.

We’ll find out more about the new Honda City facelift, including its local pricing, once it is launched in Malaysia sometime in Q3 2023. The sedan is also available for booking now at all 101 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. Alternatively, pre-booking can be done online
here
, or through the HondaTouch app – it can be downloaded from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Over 68,600 Honda City (5th Gen) Sold in Malaysia

Introduced back in October 2020, the fifth generation Honda City has consistently been Honda Malaysia’s best-selling model. In fact, the national carmaker just announced that over 68,600 units of the current generation City have been sold in Malaysia.

This figure was revealed in a press release for the start of order taking for the new City facelift. “So far, more than 68,600 units of the 5th generation City have been sold since its launch, while in the first half of 2023, we have sold more than 10,000 units,” said the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Hironobu Yoshimura. “Truly, this iconic Honda model has proven to be a favourite in its segment amongst Malaysians,” he added.

The 5th gen Honda City

The upcoming 5th gen Honda City facelift

Set to be launched in Malaysia sometime in Q3 2023, the facelifted City – as least, for the range-topping e:HEV RS model – will feature a new front grille and updated bumper design. Its Honda Sensing ADAS capability gets two new features too: Low Speed Follow (LSF) and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN). Beyond that, the e:HEV RS variant soldiers on with the same Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain that delivers 109PS and 253Nm of torque.

The new Honda City facelift is open for booking now at all 101 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide. Alternatively, pre-booking can be done online
here
, or through the HondaTouch app – it can be downloaded from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Apple Showcases Contact Poster & New Memoji Stickers Coming to iOS 17 for World Emoji Day

In conjunction with World Emoji Day on 17 July, Apple is showcasing iOS 17’s new Contact Poster feature, which can also be customised to show your own Memoji. This feature was previewed just last month at WWDC 2023.

Basically, the Contact Poster you set for yourself will show up when you’re calling a synced contact who is also on iOS 17. You can choose a photo of yourself (or a Memoji) for your Contact Poster, and even set the font that displays your name, as shown below.

Apple is adding three new Memoji stickers in iOS 17 (Halo, Smirk, and Peekaboo) as well to further customise your Memoji. Also introduced in iOS 17 is the ability to peel and stick emoji stickers on messages, photos, documents, and more. Not a groundbreaking feature by any means, but certainly intriguing.

If you’re keen to give the public beta of iOS 17 a try, you can install it on a secondary device
right here
. The update will be released sometime in fall, likely coinciding with the introduction of Apple’s latest range of iPhones later this year.


Tesla Model Y Officially Lands in Malaysia – From RM199k, Public Viewing until 31 October

Tesla has officially entered the Malaysian market today! The carmaker makes its debut here with the Tesla Model Y, its first mass-market electric SUV. Unfortunately, the Model 3 did not make an appearance at the launch event, so it remains to be seen exactly when the EV will be available here.

Nonetheless, the Model Y is now available for public viewing (and ordering) at the Centre Court of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur until 31 October. The EV starts from RM199,000 for the standard RWD model, while the Long Range AWD variant goes for RM246,000. If you want the fastest Model Y Performance, it will set you back RM288,000.

Naturally, opting for the Model Y Performance comes with a suite of upgrades. These include larger (and much sleeker) 21-inch Überturbine alloy wheels, performance brakes, lowered suspension, aluminium alloy pedals, a carbon fibre spoiler, and of course, an increased top speed from 217kmph to 250kmph.

As is the case with all Tesla models, you can purchase various add-ons for the Model Y in Malaysia. Getting the Enhanced Autopilot, for one, is a RM16,000 add-on, while the complete Full Self-Driving Capability is a RM32,000 premium. You can change the all-black interior to a black and white colour scheme too for RM5,000.

If you’re keen to get the Tesla Model Y, you can place an order right now on its
Malaysian website
 or see it for yourself at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur until 31 October 2023. Deliveries of the electric SUV is estimated to start sometime in early 2024 next year.


Unity Developers Can Now Start Making Games & Apps for Apple Vision Pro

Unity has just released the beta program for visionOS, allowing developers on the popular platform to start working on games and apps for Apple’s upcoming
Vision Pro headset
. This is done through Unity’s new PolySpatial technology.

“By combining Unity’s new PolySpatial technology with Apple’s RealityKit-managed app rendering, content created in Unity will have a unified look and feel, alongside other apps in visionOS,” said the company in a press release. Unity added that current developers can build entirely new experiences or even port existing ones to visionOS with the beta program.

“With Unity PolySpatial, we are making it more efficient and streamlined for developers to create all new immersive experiences using the Editor they know and love,” said the SVP and GM of Unity Runtime, Editor, and Ecosystems, Ralph Hauwert. “This is core to our promise of enabling developers to create once and ship anywhere,” he added.

According to Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Group, Mike Rockwell, games and apps built with Unity run natively on Apple Vision Pro. Unity developers, in turn, can take advantage of visionOS features such as low latency pass-through and high-resolution rendering.

Those who are interested to gain beta access to Unity’s visionOS program can sign up
right here
.


Realme 11 Pro Series With 200MP Camera & Gucci Designer Lands in Malaysia From RM1,499

Realme’s latest premium mid-range phones have just been launched in Malaysia at a rather intriguing launch event on Redang Island. Made up of two phones, the Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+, both of them feature a unique vegan leather back designed by a former Gucci designer.

Only one variant of the 11 Pro and 11 Pro+ are available in Malaysia. The 11 Pro, packed with 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage, is priced at RM1,499. As for the higher-end 11 Pro+, it comes with 12GB RAM and a whopping 512GB storage for RM1,999.

From left: The Realme 11 Pro+ in Sunrise Beige and Oasis Green

One of the highlights of the 11 Pro series is certainly the vegan leather back panel. Realme Design Studio collaborated with Matteo Menotto – former print and textile designer from Gucci – to work on the Sunrise Beige and Oasis Green colourways of the phones. While Realme isn’t the first brand to make use of vegan leather, I do think the back panel design is quite eye-catching.

Beyond that, the 11 Pro+ gets a pretty sophisticated triple camera system made up of a 200MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 2MP macro lens; it also has a 32MP selfie camera. As for the 11 Pro, it has a more modest dual camera setup (100MP main + 2MP depth) and a 16MP front-facing shooter.

Other specifications of the 11 Pro series include a 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery. It’s worth noting that the 11 Pro+ features faster 100W charging over the standard 11 Pro’s 67W rate.

The Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+ will be available for purchase in Malaysia from tomorrow onwards on 21 July. To recap, the 11 Pro retails at RM1,499, while the 11 Pro+ costs RM1,999.


Realme Buds Air 5 Pro & Watch 3 Pro Also Launched in Malaysia From RM399

Launched alongside the new Realme 11 Pro series in Malaysia is the Realme Watch 3 Pro and Realme Buds Air 5 Pro. Retailing from RM399, these two devices are relatively affordable.

Of the two products, the Buds Air 5 Pro is more affordable, carrying the aforementioned RM399 price tag in Malaysia. For that kind of money, it has active noise cancellation capable of silencing noises up to 50dB, a two-driver setup (11mm woofer and 6mm planar), IPX5 rating, up to 11 hours of battery life – a total of 40 hours with the charging case – and dual device pairing.

As for the Watch 3 Pro, it is priced at RM429 in Malaysia. It features a 1.78-inch 368 x 448 AMOLED square display, GPS support, a suite of health monitoring tools – including heart rate sensing and blood oxygen measurement – as well as a 345mAh battery that promises up to 10 days of battery life. It also supports both iOS and Android devices.

The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro and Realme Watch 3 Pro can be purchased in Malaysia from tomorrow onwards on 21 July. If you want to check out the two products for yourself, both of them are showcased – alongside the Realme 11 Pro+ – at the ongoing
Realme City Exploration Project
 in Kuala Lumpur.