Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun & Ayato Event Wishes Go Live 27 December With Kujou Sara, Sayu, Rosaria

The Raiden Shogun’s and Kamisato Ayato’s rerun banners have just been revealed. Set to go live in
Genshin Impact
 next Tuesday on 27 December, the two 5-star characters’ event wishes will be accompanied by Kujou Sara, Sayu, and Rosaria.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

double banners
, Raiden Shogun and Ayato both have the same roster of 4-star characters despite the fact that they’re featured in separate event wishes. Of course, pity is also shared between the two banners, and the wish guarantee count
will
 carry over to future character banners too.

The same rule applies to the increased “drop rate” of Raiden Shogun, Ayato, Kujou Sara, Sayu, and Rosaria. In the case of Raiden Shogun and Ayato, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be either of them, depending on which banner you’re wishing. If you got a different character, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be them.

Since Genshin Impact’s pity system for character banners ensures that you will get at least one 5-star character every 90 wishes, you will have to do 180 rolls for a guaranteed Raiden Shogun or Ayato. The same rule applies to 4-star characters (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but given that there are three of them featured in the banner, it’s a little bit more random.

Basically, when you’re guaranteed a 4-star character from the banner, you will get either Kujou Sara, Sayu, or Rosaria. If you’re aiming to get either one of these three characters, you will likely have to roll a good number of times, depending on your luck.

Raiden Shogun’s “Reign of Serenity” and Kamisato Ayato’s “Azure Excursion” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 27 December 2022 next week. Their banners will be offered until 17 January 2023, and we can expect
Alhaitham and Yaoyao
 to be playable not long after that in the Version 3.4 update of Genshin Impact.


OnePlus Nord Keyboard Looks Like a Keychron Q1 With Wireless Support

OnePlus revealed earlier this month that it will be releasing a keyboard in collaboration with Keychron. Well, an alleged leak of the keyboard started surfacing online a couple of days ago, and it’s supposedly called the OnePlus Nord Keyboard.

The leaked image of the Nord Keyboard – courtesy of
MySmartPrice
 – looks strikingly similar to the
Keychron Q1
, which was first released by Keychron in August 2021. But there are a number of notable differences, including the OnePlus Nord branding on the bottom left of the keyboard, along with a rather unique blue colourway.

According to MySmartPrice’s report, the Nord Keyboard will supposedly be made out of both aluminium and plastic. That’s different from the all-aluminium construction of the Q1, not to mention the fact that the upcoming keyboard is said to feature Bluetooth support as well.

But given that these are leaked details, there’s a chance they are inaccurate, so take them with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, we’ll find out for ourselves just what the OnePlus Nord Keyboard will offer once it’s unveiled – it’s believed to be launching alongside the OnePlus 11 on 7 February 2023 in India.


Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition Lands in Malaysia for RM4,999

The
Asus ROG Phone 6
 Diablo Immortal Edition has just landed in Malaysia! The gaming smartphone is a collaboration between Asus and Blizzard, and it looks quite nice with some special Diablo-themed design elements and accessories.

One of the most eye-catching aesthetics of the ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition is the rear panel with an “exclusive Aura RGB Diablo Immortal logo,” as Asus puts it. There are even a slew of Diablo-themed accessories for the phone, including a Horadric Cube giftbox, a Shield Blessing Aero case, and even a map of Sanctuary.

Hardware wise, the special edition ROG Phone 6 is no different from the standard model. These include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 6.78-inch 1080p 165Hz AMOLED display, a triple camera system – 50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro – a 12MP selfie camera, and a generous 6,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

If you’re keen to pick up the Asus ROG Phone 6 Diablo Immortal Edition, you can do so now for a cool RM4,999 in Malaysia; it comes with a one-year extended warranty as well. Only limited quantities are available, and the first 50 folks who purchase the gaming phone will even get RM100 worth of freebies.


Could This Be TNG eWallet’s Visa Prepaid Card?

Touch ‘n Go previously revealed that it plans to release a Visa prepaid card linked to its TNG eWallet app before the end of the year. As 2022 draws to a close, a purported image of the prepaid card starting surfacing on the internet.

The image below was shared to
Amanz
, and it looks to be the much anticipated TNG Visa prepaid card. If you’re familiar with BigPay, it’s the same concept: the prepaid card is linked to your balance in the TNG eWallet app, making it easier to make purchases at any outlets that accept VISA cards.

Although Touch ‘n Go said its Visa prepaid card is set to be launched by the end of the year, it’s already 25 December – Merry Christmas everyone! – today. While it’s possible the company can still launch the card before 2023 is here, it’s a tight launch window.

Nonetheless, we will keep an eye on any relevant details pertaining to the availability of the TNG Visa prepaid card, especially on how users can get their hands on the card.


Nextrift’s Top Stories of 2022: Katapat, Owlab Spring, Nintendo Switch OLED, 4DX

The new year is coming! We’ve got our best
smartphone
,
games
, and
wireless earbuds
 of 2022, and now, we have Nextrift’s top stories of the year to wrap things up. It’s been a year of reopening for Malaysia as we recover from the pandemic, and some of our top articles reflect that.

Without further ado, let’s get to them!

Katapat – Wordle in Bahasa Malaysia!

Now this is an interesting hit. Katapat was consistently
our top story every week
 in the first half of the year on the back of Wordle’s popularity. Built by
Eugene Low
, he describes Katapat as a copy of Wordle, though the words are taken from the
DBP’s online dictionary
.

Just like the original Wordle game, you have six tries to guess a five-letter word in Katapat; a new word is generated every day at 12AM. Every guess must be a valid Bahasa Malaysia word, and if a letter you used is not in the word at all, it will be greyed out.

Though Katapat is not quite as popular anymore, we do find ourselves playing the game once in a while as a quick brain teaser. You can give Katapat a try for yourself
here
, or even the original English version,
Wordle
, which has since been bought by The New York Times.

The Owlab Spring Keyboard Looks Amazing

Of course, one of our top stories of 2022 is a custom keyboard, the
Owlab Spring
, and it’s a very sleek-looking board. One of its most eye-catching hardware is the PVD stainless steel weight on the bottom of the Alice-style keyboard, along with a unique leaf spring mounting system.

Basically, there are eight pieces of Owlab’s leaf springs (made out of Beryllium copper) that support the plate of the Spring. This, in theory at least, should make for a soft, comfortable typing experience. Plus, priced from $355 (about RM1,570), it doesn’t cost too much money either.

Despite the fact that it’s been almost a year since its debut, the Spring still stands out in the market – in our opinion, anyway. No word from Owlab on future sales of the Alice-style keyboard, though there’s a chance it will release a similar offering under its more affordable
Qwertykeys sub-brand
.

Nintendo Switch OLED vs. Switch V1 – Worth Upgrading?

Launched late last year, it seems like many folks were considering to upgrade to the Nintendo Switch OLED, judging by the amount of traffic to our
comparison article of the OLED model to the original V1
. Given that the two handheld consoles were released four years apart, it makes sense to upgrade.

Compared to the original Switch V1, the new OLED Switch features a larger 7-inch OLED panel with thinner bezels. It also has double the internal storage at 64GB, and the stand sees a design revision as well. Instead of the original Switch’s fragile-looking stand, this new Switch uses a much sturdier, wider stand that is also adjustable.

Other changes introduced in the new OLED Switch include a new dock with a wired LAN port, “enhanced audio” from the system’s onboard speakers, and between 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life – the same quoted battery life as the
Switch V2
. The V1, in contrast, can only last between 2.5 to 6.5 hours.

If you’re still keen to get the OLED Switch, keep an eye out for discounts: it can be purchased for
as low as RM1,299
, though it’s currently listed at RM1,349.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4’s Body Composition Analysis Is a Great Motivation Tool

Samsung was one of the first to introduce body composition analysis capability to a mainstream smartwatch with the
Galaxy Watch 4
, and it proved to be a feature many folks looked into throughout the year on Nextrift. It’s a feature we find to be a
great motivation tool
 to achieve our fitness goals.

Yes, the body composition analysis of the Galaxy Watch 4 is not meant to be used as a diagnostic tool, but the data that it can gather can still be helpful to track a user’s progress. Say you want to reduce your fat mass or increase your skeletal muscle; so long as you’re taking your body composition measurements consistently in the same conditions every day, you can still use the data to track your progress.

Right now, both the Galaxy Watch 4 and its successor – the
Galaxy Watch 5
 series – feature the body composition analysis. Take a look at either of them if this sounds like a feature you’ll find useful.

4DX Now in GSC IOI City Mall – Is It Worth Trying?

This is a blast from the past! We originally posted the story when GSC IOI City Mall added a 4DX hall back in 2019. Evidently, as the country opened up after the pandemic, folks started looking into the 4DX experience at GSC.

4DX is developed by South Korean company CJ 4DPLEX, and GSC is collaborating with the company to bring the experience to Malaysian moviegoers. Basically, 4DX aims to make the cinema experience more immersive by using 21 special effects.

What kind of special effects? It ranges from “motion-synchronised” seats, weather effects (rain, snow, lightning, wind, etc), and get this: scent. These effects are achieved through the use of lighting, fans, motorised seats, and
actual sprinkles
 of water.

To learn more about 4DX at GSC, check out our impressions
right here
.

These are just some of our top stories in 2022, and we truly appreciate the time our readers took to…well, read up on our writeups. Here’s to 2023, where we’ll continue to bring you the latest in consumer tech, custom keyboards, gaming, and the Malaysian automotive industry!


PlayStation Plus January 2023 Free Games: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Fallout 76, Axiom Verge 2

PlayStation Plus’ January 2023 free games have just been announced. The lineup includes Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Fallout 76, and Axiom Verge 2. Curiously, there are no extra games for the Asian region this time around either, just like last month.

The three games are playable on both the PS5 and PS4, though there’s no PS5 version of Fallout 76. With that in mind, it won’t benefit from faster loading times or the DualSense controller’s range of features like adaptive triggers and more refined haptic feedback.

With the
revamped PS Plus membership
, these three games can be claimed by subscribers of any tiers. Whether you’re on the Essential, Extra, or Deluxe plan, you will have access to these monthly PS Plus games.

All three games can be claimed by PS Plus members from 3 January 2023 to 6 February 2023. That means you have until this coming Monday (2 January 2023) to get your hands on December 2022’s free games, including
Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Divine Knockout: Founder’s Edition, and Biomutant
.


Spy Shot: Proton S50 Spotted Again – Preve Replacement Launching in 2023?

Not only is Proton testing the
Proton X90
 on Malaysian roads, the national carmaker is also hard at work with another model, the Proton S50 sedan. Based on the Geely Emgrand, the test mule has been spotted on local roads yet again.

These images were shared by
The Ajerul
 and taken by one Fazrul Nazir. The S50 featured in these spy shots is the same test unit that’s been spotted before, judging by the trade plate. It looks to be a right-hand drive model as well, so local development of the sedan should have progressed quite a bit.

Widely speculated to be a replacement for the Proton Preve, the S50 is quite a sizeable car. The Emgrand, the model it’s said to be based on, measures 4,638mm long, 1,820mm wide, and 1,460mm tall. That makes it 95mm longer and 34mm wider than the Preve, assuming Proton retains the same dimensions.

Though the Emgrand is powered by a 1.5L NA engine (114PS/147 Nm) in China, it’s possible the sedan will feature a 1.5L TGDi engine instead for the Malaysian market. After all,
Proton foreshadowed that two of its new models
 will feature the 1.5L turbocharged engine that offers up to 177PS and 255Nm of torque; that’s a respectable output.

The Geely Emgrand

Nonetheless, we reckon it’s still quite some time away before the Proton S50 is officially unveiled, though it’s rumoured to be launching as soon as 2023 next year. It’ll be interesting to see if it will be introduced after the Proton X90, which looks to be
further in development right now
.


Vivo X90 Pro Also Coming to Malaysia – Zeiss Camera System With 1″ Sensor

We previously reported the
Vivo X90’s SIRIM certification
 earlier this month, and it seems like the higher-end Vivo X90 Pro is also coming to Malaysia. While it features a Zeiss-branded camera system like the X90, the Pro model has a more sophisticated configuration.

The Vivo X90 was registered with SIRIM just a few days ago on 27 December under Vtalent Business with the model number V2219. Electronic devices in Malaysia have to be certified by SIRIM first before they can be officially sold on our shores, so the X90 Pro should be launched here very soon.

Unlike the Zeiss-branded camera setup of the standard X90, the X90 Pro features a more sophisticated 50MP main shooter with a large 1-inch sensor for improved camera performance. Complementing the primary camera are a 50MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter.

Other specifications of the X90 Pro include a 6.78-inch 2800 x 1260 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 chipset, up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, a 32MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, as well as a 4,870mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging.

Now that the Vivo X90 and X90 Pro have been certified by SIRIM, we reckon both phones will be launched in Malaysia very soon. It remains to be seen if the X90 Pro+ will be made available here as well, but given that two phones in the series are in SIRIM’s database already, there’s a good chance it will be sold on our shores too.


Oppo Find N2 – The Best Foldable You Can’t Buy

Oppo has only released a total of three foldable smartphones over the past couple of years. There’s the original
Find N
, the
Find N2 Flip
, and the device you see here, the
Find N2
. Despite that, the Chinese company’s foldable phones are easily some of the most refined offerings in the market now.

At least, that’s the case in China, as Oppo’s foldable devices have not been released outside of the country, including the Find N2. That’s quite unfortunate, given just how compelling the Find N2 is after I’ve used it for a couple of weeks.

If Oppo does decide to launch the Find N2 in international markets, I’m confident it will be well-received, and I’ll explain why below.

First, let’s talk about the hardware of the Find N2. Just like its predecessor, the foldable phone has a compact form factor, so it’s still an ergonomically-friendly phone. It has a slightly larger 5.54-inch 2120 x 1080 AMOLED cover screen with a 120Hz refresh rate now, while the internal display is a familiar 7.1-inch 1920 x 1792 AMOLED panel; also clocked at 120Hz.

According to Oppo, the width of the crease on the primary display of the Find N2 has been reduced by 67%, lending to a sleeker-looking design. Of course, looking at the actual phone in person, the crease is definitely still there, but it’s not particularly prominent, which is good.

Other specifications of the Find N2 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a Hasselblad-branded triple camera system (50MP primary + 48MP ultra-wide + 32MP telephoto) with Oppo’s MariSilicon X NPU for improved performance, a 32MP selfie camera, up to 16GB of RAM, two storage options (256GB or 512GB), and a 4,520mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging.

You can see the display crease at an angle

But in normal use, it’s not very noticeable

Tipping the scales at 233g, the Find N2 is touted by Oppo to be the “lightest horizontally folding phone” – that is, foldable phones with a tablet-style form factor like the
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
. While 233g doesn’t sound all that light on paper, the large dimensions of the phone distributes the weight nicely. Compared to the aforementioned Z Fold 4, the Find N2 is noticeably lighter, making it less fatiguing to use for long periods of time.

The robust hinge of the Find N2 is worth a mention as well. Not only does it feel smooth to fold and unfold the phone, it also closes the phone with a reassuring thud. The best part is, there’s no noticeable gap at all when the phone is folded close – very impressive.

And then we have the two 120Hz displays of the Find N2, which look great. The 5.54-inch AMOLED cover screen is nice and compact, while the 7.1-inch primary inner display (also AMOLED) is there for tasks that require more screen real estate. As these are both AMOLED panels, their deep, true blacks and vibrant colours are great for content consumption.

Surprisingly enough, I find myself using the cover screen of the Find N2 more often than the larger primary display. I just love the wide and short aspect ratio of the external screen, making one-handed use a breeze. The panel is also more than big enough for a comfortable viewing experience, in my opinion.

Next, we have the performance of the Find N2, and it is unsurprisingly a quick smartphone. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and while it’s not the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, there’s no denying that this is still a very capable chip that can offer flagship-tier performance.

Speaking of performance, let’s move on to the camera performance of the Find N2’s Hasselblad-branded triple camera system. For the most part, the 50MP primary sensor, 48MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and 32MP telephoto lens are capable of taking some great-looking shots, but it is also…well, inconsistent.

Judge for yourself with these sample shots.

48MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

32MP telephoto

48MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

32MP telephoto

50MP primary

48MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

32MP telephoto

48MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

32MP telephoto

48MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

32MP telephoto

Most of these shots taken with the Find N2 look great, but some of them are also lacking in detail, especially in low light conditions. The focus can be quite soft as well, and the colour reproduction can be a tad too saturated for my liking. It’s also worth noting that the camera interface has a tendency to flicker whenever I click on the shutter button.

Nonetheless, I do think the Find N2 has a reasonably capable camera system. It’s not class-leading by any means, but it can definitely take good shots. I just wish it offered a more consistent camera performance with a more refined camera interface.

Unfortunately, I did not manage to do a proper battery test with the Find N2, given that it’s running on the Chinese version of ColorOS 13. It doesn’t have access to the Google Play Store – the service is not offered in China, after all – so I can’t really test out the phone’s battery life in a fair manner without access to my usual suite of apps.

But all things considered, the Oppo Find N2 is easily one of the most refined foldable phones in the market now. If it was more widely available, I reckon it can even put up a good fight against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, which I consider to be the benchmark for tablet-like foldable phones.

Oppo certainly knows how to make good foldable phones, and the Find N2 is a testament of that. While this phone (probably) won’t be sold outside of China, the
Find N2 Flip may enter international markets
. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing that foldable flip phone enter the Malaysian market, even if the Find N2 does not.


Proton Ends 2022 With 150,000 Units Produced – Highest in 10 Years

Proton ends 2022 on a high note with 150,000 units produced at its two plants in Tanjung Malim and Shah Alam. According to the national carmaker, this is its highest production achievement yet since 2012 despite facing several issues throughout the year.

“2022 was a tough year to start with. Spillover effects from the floods of December 2021, continued parts supply issues, and import restrictions all conspired to depress our production numbers. But we did not give up in the face of adversity,” said Proton in a
Facebook post
.

With over 150,000 units produced, it’s possible Proton have achieved its sales target for 2022, which was
also set at 150,000 units
. Of course, that depends on whether or not the carmaker managed to register as many units; production output isn’t the same as total sales.

Nonetheless, we’ll find out once Proton is ready to share its 2022 sales report, which should be revealed very soon. We expect the national carmaker to release the report sometime this week.


Honda Malaysia CNY 2023 Deal Offers up to RM4,000 Discount

Honda Malaysia continues to offer discounts on some of its models in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration. These include the
popular Honda City
, the City Hatchback, and the Accord – it’s worth noting that these are brand new units made in 2023.

Naturally, the
Honda Accord
 gets the best discount. Both the range-topping TC-P and more affordable TC variants of the D-segment sedan receive a RM4,000 rebate, while the City and City Hatchback get a RM1,000 discount each.

Do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles that are registered between 1 to 31 January 2023; more information on the deal can be found on
Honda Malaysia’s website
. If you’re interested to get any of these Honda models with the rebates, you can place a pre-booking online
here
.

Alternatively, bookings can be done through the HondaTouch app as well – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Dell XPS 13 Plus Review: Form Over Function

Dell’s XPS range of premium laptops have always been very modern-looking products. This is especially true for the Dell XPS 13 Plus: not only is it still a compact, lightweight productivity machine, it also looks quite unique with a “seamless glass touchpad” and capacitive function keys.

But as good as the XPS 13 Plus looks, it also sacrifices on a couple of key functions to achieve its minimalist aesthetics. This, in turn, affects the practicality of what would’ve otherwise been an excellent productivity laptop with a sleek, premium design and bright, vibrant screen.

That being said, I’m still fond of the XPS 13 Plus, and it is certainly worth considering.

What It Is

Display
13.4-inch 4K IPS (3840 x 2400), 60Hz
Processor
Intel Core i7-1260P (12C/16T, up to 4.7GHz)
GPU
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM
32GB LPDDR5 5200MHz
Storage
2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Camera
720p webcam
Battery
55Wh
Dimensions
295.3 x 199.04 x 15.28 mm
Weight
1.23kg
Audio
Quad-speaker design
Ports
2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort)
Price
RM11,699

The XPS 13 Plus in this review is the range-topping configuration with a Core i7-1260P processor, 32GB RAM, and a
whopping
 2TB SSD. It also features a sharp 4K touch-enabled IPS panel, which looks great with minimal bezels surrounding the screen.

Of course, these hardware don’t come cheap with a steep RM11,699 price tag, though there’s the more modest RM6,999 base model of the XPS 13 Plus. That variant features a Core i5-1240P processor instead paired with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 1920 x 1200 non-touch IPS display.

The Good Stuff

Without a doubt the design of the Dell XPS 13 Plus is its best quality, in my opinion. The fact that the trackpad is now “invisible” – it’s integrated underneath the smooth glass surface of the palm rest area – gives it a very clean-looking design, and I
absolutely
love it.

Now, the XPS 13 Plus’ trackpad is really only in the middle of the palm rest area; exactly where it would be normally, basically. It’s not like the whole slab of glass is the trackpad, no, it’s just that there are no borders to show the working area of the trackpad.

It’s also worth noting that the trackpad relies on haptics to simulate a click, as the trackpad itself doesn’t physically move. Despite that, the haptic feedback does mimic the sensation of a click very well. It really does feel like I’m physically clicking onto it, though it is not without faults – more on this later.

Beyond the functionality of the trackpad, the XPS 13 Plus looks and feels like a premium machine. It has solid build quality, it’s lightweight and compact enough to just slip into my backpack without issue, and the InfinityEdge display with very small bezels look great.

Speaking of the display, it’s a pleasant panel to look at. As mentioned, this unit of the XPS 13 Plus features the range-topping 4K IPS display, and it offers good brightness, vibrant colours, and wide viewing angles. While some may question the practicality of such a high resolution panel on a 13.4-inch screen, there’s no denying that it looks stunning.

But that also means this 4K panel is more power-intensive than the Full HD+ option, or even the 3.5K OLED panel, which translates to slightly worse battery life. I’ll get to this in the next section of the review.

Performance wise, the XPS 13 Plus’ Core i7-1260P processor is no slouch. Paired with 32GB of RAM and a fast 2TB SSD storage, the laptop doesn’t miss a beat in my productivity tasks. It feels very fast and responsive, and I can even do some light gaming (Dota 2, Diablo Immortal) with the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

Last but not least is the keyboard of the XPS 13 Plus. While it’s not the best laptop keyboard I’ve ever tried, it’s above average. It has a decent amount of key travel to not feel shallow, and it offers reasonably good tactile feedback.

I would’ve liked the keyboard more if the backspace key wasn’t shortened for the power button – which also doubles as a fingerprint reader – but overall, it’s not a bad keyboard to do a lot of typing on.

The Bad Stuff

As much as I like the looks of the invisible touchpad, I don’t like the user experience as much. It’s a tad to sensitive to register a click, and I find accidentally clicking on the static trackpad more often than I care to admit when I just wanted to move the cursor around.

The capacitive function keys above the number row are also finicky. Unlike the trackpad, the capacitive keys are not sensitive enough, so I had to tap on the same key multiple times for it to register. It’s also not ideal that the capacitive keys are constantly illuminated.

Last but not least is the battery life of the XPS 13 Plus. On average, I can only squeezes out about five to six hours of use on a single charge. This isn’t bad by any means, but it’s certainly not class-leading, especially for a premium productivity laptop.

For this reason alone, I would personally go for the Full HD+ or 3.5K OLED panel option for the XPS 13 Plus, which should improve its battery life.

Is It Worth It?

Despite its shortcomings, I still thoroughly enjoy using the Dell XPS 13 Plus as my daily driver over the past few weeks. It has good performance, the 4K panel – even if it takes up quite a bit of power – is sharp and vibrant, and most of all, this is a very handsome laptop with a unique, eye-catching aesthetic.

Granted, you do have to pay quite a bit for the XPS 13 Plus with its RM6,999 starting price. It is not an affordable productivity laptop by any means, but for those who are willing to fork out the money for it, you’ll get a fast, sleek, striking laptop.


Asus ROG Azoth Official – 75% Wireless Keyboard With Gasket Mounting & OLED Display

Asus just unveiled a new 75% wireless mechanical keyboard, and it is the company’s most refined keyboard yet. It’s said to have “features typically only found on premium DIY keyboards,” and this is…actually true, to a certain extent.

Take the mounting system of the ROG Azoth: instead of a tray-mount system typically found on pre-built keyboards, it has a more sophisticated gasket-mount design instead. However, it still offers a relatively stiff typing experience, which can be attributed to the use of silicone gaskets instead of a softer material.

Aside from that, the Azoth also has an OLED display on the top right corner. It can show various information, including system information, audio visualisation, or just a nice animation. There’s also a three-way toggle and a side button to the right of the OLED screen to control volume, lighting, and even media playback.

Other features of the ROG Azoth include wireless support via a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth, a hotswap PCB with three choices of ROG NX switches (linear, tactile, clicky), three layers of dampening foam to reduce case ping, and double shot PBT keycaps.

Oh, the keyboard is bundled with a lube kit too, which includes a bottle of Krytox 205g0 – a popular lube in the custom keyboard hobby.

Unfortunately, there are no details on the pricing or availability of the Asus ROG Azoth. But we did receive a unit of the keyboard, so stay tuned for our full review of the Azoth!


The Acer eKinekt BD 3 Is a $999 Bike Desk

Acer has released some
intriguing products
 over the years, and the Acer eKinekt BD 3 is the latest one. It’s a bike desk that allows users to exercise and work at the same time, and the kinetic energy generated by the bike can even be used to charge your devices.

As you pedal the Ekinekt BD 3, power is provided to the bike desk’s two USB-A ports and one USB-C connection. According to Acer, an hour of constant cycling at 60RPM can generate 75 watts of power, which is said to be able to charge up laptops as well.

To make the eKinekt BD 3 more…comfortable, the position of the desk can be adjusted as well. in Working Mode, the surface of the desk moves closer to the chair to let users sit upright while typing and pedaling. As for Sports Mode, the desk top will be positioned further forward to give users more space to pedal harder.

The Acer eKinekt BD 3 will be available in the US sometime in June 2023 for $999, which comes up to about RM4,400. It remains to be seen if the bike desk will ever make it to the Malaysian market.


Proton Sold 141,432 Cars in 2022, Highest in 9 Years – Saga Best-Selling Model With 55k Units Sold

Proton’s sales continues to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2022. The national carmaker sold as many as 141,432 cars last year, its best performance since 2013. It is also a notable 23.3% improvement compared to the company’s total sales in 2021.

Of course, the Proton Saga remains the carmaker’s best-selling model last year. As many as 55,878 units of the A-segment sedan were sold throughout 2022, which is an increase of 31.1% compared to the prior year. Evidently, the
Saga MC2 facelift
 is well-received locally.

As for Proton’s second best-selling model in 2022, it is none other than the
X50
 with 40,681 units sold; that’s an impressive 41.4% improvement than 2021. In third place is the X70 with 18,533 units delivered to customers last year.

“2022 was a year of achievements and missed opportunities for Proton. The effect of the floods at the end of 2021 spilled over to the first quarter of the year and ensured we began 2022 on the back foot as we collaborated with our vendors to restore parts supply,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah.

“Thankfully, the volume was made up over the next three quarters, but we are confident we could have achieved more and posted even better numbers if not for the disrupted start to the year. Still, Proton now has recorded sales growth for a fourth consecutive year, and we are proud of being the only automotive company in Malaysia to achieve that from 2019 to 2022,” he added.


Acer Nitro Gaming Laptops Refreshed With 13th Gen Intel Chips & Nvidia RTX 40 Series GPU

Acer just refreshed its affordable Nitro series of gaming laptops. Now sporting a new design language – alongside a sleek logo – the new Nitro 16 and Nitro 17 are now sporting Intel’s 13th gen processors and Nvidia’s just released RTX 40 series GPUs.

Yes, the Nitro 16 and Nitro 17 have been renamed to reflect their screen sizes. The Nitro 16 can be configured with a 16-inch WUXGA or WQXGA display with a 165Hz refresh rate, while the Nitro 17 features a 17.3-inch Full HD 144Hz/165Hz panel or a QHD panel with a 165Hz refresh rate.

Aside from that, the Nitro 17 also comes with more powerful 13th gen Intel Core HX processors packaged in a chassis that weighs less than 3kg. Other specifications of the two Nitro laptops include up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of fast M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, though it wasn’t mentioned which of the RTX 40 GPU either laptops get.

As usual, there’s no word yet on the Malaysian availability of the Acer Nitro 16 and Nitro 17. But given Acer Malaysia’s notable presence on our shores, there’s a good chance the two gaming laptops will eventually be sold here.


Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 Updated With AniMe Matrix Display & RTX 4090 GPU

At CES 2023, Asus introduced the all-new Asus ROG Zephyrus M16. Redesigned from the ground up, the thin and light gaming laptop gains the Taiwanese company’s signature AniMe Matrix LED display on its lid, alongside a fast Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU.

With so much power under the hood – the Zephyrus M16 can be configured with an Intel Core i9-13900H processor too – the cooling of the slim laptop has been improved accordingly. It now features Tri-Fan Technology and a full-width heatsink, which allows the gaming laptop to run 25 watts higher compared to last year’s model.

Another noteworthy hardware of the ROG Zephyrus M16 is its display. It is packed with a 16-inch QHD Nebula HDR panel with mini-LED technology, promising deep blacks with 1100 nits of peak brightness. This being a gaming laptop, the panel has a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate as well.

Malaysian pricing and availability of the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 have not been revealed yet. But given Asus Malaysia’s commitment to our local market, we reckon it’s only a matter of time before the M16 arrives here.


5 – 11 January Fuel Price: RON 97 Remains at RM3.35 Per Litre

RON 97 sees no price change again this week. Of course, 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 will be set at RM3.35 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 5 to 11 January next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Honor X9a Lands in Malaysia – Ultra Tough Curved OLED Display & Slim Design for RM1,499

The Honor X9a has just been launched in Malaysia. Sporting a sleek-looking “ultra tough” dual-curve OLED display with a slim chassis, it’s quite a handsome mid-range smartphone.

For the Malaysian market, only one variant of the X9a is offered. Packed with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the mid-ranger is priced at RM1,499. Three colour options are available: Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, and Midnight Black.

One of the most highlighted features of the Honor X9a is its 6.67-inch 2400 x 1080 OLED curved display, which is protected by a 0.65mm “super reinforced” glass. The glass is said to be stronger and more drop-resistant than 0.55mm glass typically used on other smartphones.

Other specifications of the X9a include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, a generous 5,100mAh battery, and Magic UI 6.1 based on Android 12.

The Honor X9a will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 6 January onwards for RM1,499. Early birds who purchase the phone will also get a Honor Choice Earbuds X3 (worth RM249) and a 180-day screen crack protection (worth RM169) for free.


Honor X7a Also Arrives in Malaysia – 6,000mAh Battery, Quad Camera, RM799

Also launched alongside the Honor X9a is the more affordable Honor X7a. One of the best selling points of the phone – aside from its affordable price tag – is its longevity: it’s said to offer a whopping 3.5 days of battery life out of its sizeable 6,000mAh battery.

Here in Malaysia, the sole variant of the Honor X7a is priced at only RM799. For that kind of money, you’re getting 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage; further expandable with a microSD card up to 1TB. It is offered in three distinct colours: Titanium Silver, Ocean Blue, and Midnight Black.

Rounding out the specifications of the X7a are a MediaTek Helio G37 chipset, a quad camera system (50MP primary + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), an 8MP selfie camera, the aforementioned 6,000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging, and Magic UI 6.1 based on Android 12 out of the box.

To recap, the Honor X7a is priced at RM799 in Malaysia, and it will be available for purchase this Friday on 6 January. If you’re one of the first to get the phone, you’ll also walk away with RM168 of freebies, including an extended warranty on the phone and a vacuum mug.


Honda Malaysia Sold 80,290 Cars in 2022 – Retains Top Spot in Non-National Passenger Car Segment

Honda Malaysia revealed its sales report for 2022, and it looks like the Japanese carmaker had an eventful year. With over 80,290 units sold last year, the company achieved its 2022 sales target while retaining its top position in the non-national passenger car segment for the ninth consecutive year.

Not surprisingly, the City continues to be Honda Malaysia’s best-selling model, which makes up 36% of the carmaker’s 2022 overall sales. These are followed by the City Hatchback and HR-V, making up 20% and 14% of total sales respectively.

“2022 was a challenging year with global chip shortage and flood disasters that have affected
our car production. Honda Malaysia shifted into higher gears in 2022 and exceeded our sales target with the strong support from all the stakeholders,” said the managing director and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Hironobu Yoshimura.

“We are working closely with the suppliers and dealers to ensure timely delivery for customers, especially those who booked their cars during the sales tax exemption period,” he added. So if you’re still waiting to take delivery of your new Honda model, you don’t have to worry too much now.


Perodua Achieves Record-Breaking 282,019 Sales in 2022

Perodua’s 2022 sales report has just been released, and the national carmaker blew past its annual sales target for the year (247,800 units) by a pretty big margin. Throughout 2022, Perodua sold a whopping 282,019 units, which is its best yearly sales figure to date.

Compared to its total sales in 2021 (190,291 units), Perodua’s sales grew by a very respectable 48.2% in 2022. Total production of the carmaker increased accordingly as well: with 289,054 units produced last year, Perodua manufactured 49.5% more cars in 2022 compared to 2021 (193,400 units).

“Our goal was to meet customers’ expectations of us – not just in terms of delivery of products and services but also in introducing greater value offerings to all Malaysians,” said the president and CEO of Perodua, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Just like most carmakers in Malaysia now, Perodua remains committed to deliver existing orders before the sales tax exemption deadline. “Our priority is to deliver to those who booked their Perodua within the sales tax exemption period as the price for these vehicles will remain as per agreed until 31 March 2023 deadline,” Dato’ Sri Zainal added.


Sony Puts More Focus on Accessibility With Project Leonardo for PS5

Accessibility is one area Sony has put a lot of focus on, and its latest effort is Project Leonardo for the PS5. It’s a customisable controller kit that is meant to help players with disabilities “play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods,” as the company puts it.

Design wise, Project Leonardo shares the PS5’s and DualSense’s design language and colour scheme, but it has a circular shape instead. The controller also has swappable components with analog stick caps and buttons in different shapes and sizes to suit a player’s preference.

There are also some software customisations, including button mapping and control profiles. Players can even use up to two different Project Leonardo controllers and a DualSense controller as a single virtual controller, depending on the needs of players.

Project Leonardo is currently in development, so there’s no tentative launch date yet for the controller. Once it’s ready for release, we reckon players with disabilities will appreciate the controller’s range of accessibility features. More details on Project Leonardo can be found
here
.


Go To-U EV Charging Hub Now Open in Cyberjaya – 60kW DC Charger, Free Until End-Jan 2023

More and more EV charging stations are popping up throughout the Klang Valley area, and the latest one to be operational is the Go To-U EV Charging Hub at RekaScape in Cyberjaya. Launched by Roda Emas Industries Sdn Bhd (REISB) under its subsidiary, Go To U (M) Sdn Bhd, the hub consists of two Star Charge 60kW DC chargers.

Each Star Charge DC charger are equipped with two charging guns, so there are a total of four charging points at the Go To-U EV Charging Hub. The charging guns (with CCS2 connectors) are currently supplied with 30kW of power each, and they are free to use until the end of January 2023.

At the launch event of the Go To-U EV Charging Hub at RekaScape, Cyberview and REISB also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a smart mobility ecosystem in Cyberjaya. Of course, that entails the installation of more EV charging stations in the city.

You can give the Go to-U EV Charging Hub a try for yourself now at RekaScape, Cyberjaya. To recap, it is free to use until the end of January 2023, so pricing details will be announced at a later date.


Acer Nitro 16 Hands-on: Reinvigorated

At CES 2023, the Acer Nitro series got an updated design language and a cool new logo – in my opinion, at least. The aesthetics of Acer’s Nitro gaming laptops have been changed several times over the years, but none of them were quite this drastic; or as sleek-looking.

Thanks to the new design language and shiny new hardware under the hood, the Acer Nitro 16 is more compelling than ever. After all, it can be configured with either AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series chips or Intel’s 13th gen processors, along with Nvidia’s new RTX 40 GPUs.

Needless to say, the Nitro 16 looks to be a capable gaming machine, and I can’t wait to put it through its paces in a full review.

Ahead of its unveiling a couple of days ago, I managed to spend a brief time with the Nitro 16. As mentioned, it can be configured with either AMD’s or Intel’s chipsets, though it remains to be seen which of the two chipmakers’ processors will offer better performance.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test any games on the Nitro 16 to see just how capable its hardware are, especially the new RTX 40 series GPU. If we were to take Nvidia’s word for it, the Nitro 16 should be able to deliver good gaming performance with improved power efficiency and lower heat generation.

That being said, it’s worth mentioning that Acer has not revealed the exact RTX 40 GPU of the Nitro 16 yet, so it’s a little tough to gauge the performance level of the gaming laptop right now.

One of the most eye-catching design elements of the new Nitro 16 has to be the top lid. Gone are the Acer branding and plain black design for some sleek accent lines and new Nitro logo. These are really only minor changes, but it does give the gaming laptop a more…premium appeal, if you will.

And then we have the 16-inch display of the Nitro 16, and it looks great. Thanks to the fast 165Hz refresh rate, every animation looks extra smooth. The extra frame rate is noticeable just by moving the cursor around the screen.

It’s also worth noting that the Nitro 16 now features a slightly taller display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, so you get more vertical screen real estate to work with.

To game effectively, you need a good set of keyboard. In this respect, the Nitro 16…has a reasonably good keyboard. While it does feel a tad too “soft” for my liking due to the low actuation force, it does have more than enough key travel to not feel shallow. There’s also good tactile feedback for a comfortable typing and gaming experience.

But what I don’t quite get is the numpad that’s squeezed to the right of the Nitro 16’s keyboard. Not only is the compressed layout not feel great to use, it also shifts the primary keyboard to the left, making it slightly awkward to get used to. Of course, if you want a numpad, then you probably won’t mind this.

As for the trackpad, it’s great. It has a nice, smooth surface, and it can track my fingers quite accurately.

The Acer Nitro 16, with the renewed branding, really does invigorate the Nitro series of gaming laptops. It looks better, it gets a taller display, and the hardware are as capable as ever. When we take into account the fact that the Nitro series has always offered good value for money, the new Nitro 16 is that much more attractive.

However, the Malaysian availability and pricing of the Nitro 16 have not been revealed yet, so it remains to be seen if its value proposition will remain as competitive as it is now. For context, the previous Nitro 5 – the direct predecessor of the Nitro 16, despite the different naming convention – retailed from RM4,399 locally at launch.

If Acer Malaysia can retain this price point, I reckon the Nitro 16 will be well-received by Malaysian consumers. After all, a sub-RM4,500 gaming laptop with AMD or Intel’s latest processors paired with Nvidia’s RTX 40 series GPU sounds like a great combo, even though its global pricing is higher.

Take the price of the Nitro 16 for the US market, which starts at $1,149 – that comes up to about RM5,060. However, in China, it retails from only 7,099 Chinese yuan (approximately RM4,555). That is closer to the starting price of the gaming laptop – well, last year’s model, anyway – on our shores.

Hopefully, the Nitro 16 will continue to offer good value for money once it is launched here in Malaysia. The gaming laptop will be available first in China sometime in April 2023, while the US and EMEA markets will get it in May 2023.


Dell Concept Nyx Game Controller Features Adaptive Thumb Sticks & Fingerprint Sensor

The Dell Concept Nyx made its debut back in 2022 as an edge gaming concept that provides easy access to a user’s gaming library on multiple devices and screens. This year, the company released the Dell Concept Nyx Game Controller to further improve upon the concept.

On the surface, the Concept Nyx Game Controller looks like your average gamepad, but it does have some intriguing features. The thumb sticks, for example, have a “self-adjusting variable resistance” system to add immersion in games. It even has a scroll wheel for easy navigation or weapon cycling in supported games.

Of course, the most interesting features of the Concept Nyx Game Controller play into Concept Nyx itself. The controller can be pointed to a screen or device to start streaming games by pulling the trigger – voice commands can be used to achieve this too – and it has a fingerprint sensor as well to launch, say, a game you yourself previous played instead of someone else that uses the controller too.

Dell Concept Nyx and the Nyx Game Controller are certainly interesting, but it remains to be seen if Dell can execute the idea. With that in mind, Concept Nyx has no tentative release yet, given that it is still a…well, concept. It’ll be interesting to see if it will ever materialise to be a consumer product.


Oppo Find N2 Flip Looks to Be Coming to Malaysia Soon

While the
Oppo Find N2
 may not be sold outside of China, that’s not the case with the Chinese company’s other foldable phone, the Oppo Find N2 Flip. Not only is the clamshell foldable phone entering the European market, it looks to be coming to Malaysia as well.

In our routine search through SIRIM’s database, the Find N2 Flip was registered with the certification body under Jie Business just last week on 31 December 2022. Electronics have to be certified by SIRIM first before they can be officially sold in Malaysia, so evidently, Oppo Malaysia is working to launch the foldable phone here.

The Find N2 Flip is Oppo’s answer to the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
. Compared to the latter, the Find N2 Flip sports a more sizeable 3.26-inch 720 x 382 AMOLED cover screen, while the primary display is a 6.8-inch 2520 x 1080 AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Just like the larger Find N2, the Find N2 Flip features a Hasselblad-branded camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. Naturally, it features Oppo’s very own MariSilicon X NPU as well for improved camera performance.

Rounding out the specifications of the Find N2 Flip include a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM, two storage options (256GB or 512GB), a 32MP selfie camera, as well as a generous 4,300mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

We haven’t heard from Oppo Malaysia on any local launch for the Oppo Find N2 Flip. But given that it’s been registered with SIRIM already, we reckon it’s only a matter of time before the foldable phone is officially sold here. We’ll be sure to keep a close eye for any relevant updates.


Genshin Impact 3.4 Arrives 18 January With Alhaitham, Yaoyao & New Outfits for Ayaka, Lisa

Genshin Impact 3.4 is coming in just a couple of weeks! Set to arrive on 18 January 2023, the Version 3.4 update will introduce Alhaitham and Yaoyao as playable characters, along with new outfits for Kamisato Ayaka and Lisa.

Let’s start with the two new Dendro characters. As expected, Alhaitham is a 5-star character that wields a sword, while Yaoyao is a 4-star polearm character. Both of these characters will be featured in the same event wish alongside Xiao’s rerun banner in the first phase, followed by Hu Tao’s and Yelan’s event wishes in the second half.

Aside from that, once Genshin Impact’s Version 3.4 update is available, Kamisato Ayaka’s “Springbloom Missive” outfit will be available for purchase in the shop at a discount (1,350 Genesis Crystals); the price will revert to 1,680 Genesis Crystals on 27 February. As for Lisa’s “A Sobriquet Under Shade” outfit, players can get it for free by completing the annual Lantern Rite event.

A new area will also be available in Sumeru once Genshin Impact 3.4 is live. The Desert of Hadramaveth is located to the northwest of Sumeru, where a perpetual tornado sits in the centre of the desert. A new World Quest “Golden Slumber” can be found in the area, so if you’re a fan of Genshin Impact’s lore, be sure to complete it.

To recap, the Version 3.4 update of Genshin Impact will arrive in the next two weeks on 18 January. Alhaitham, Yaoyao, and Xiao will be featured in the first event wish, followed by Hu Tao and Yelan in the second phase.


Vivo X90 Series Confirmed for Malaysian Market

Vivo Malaysia just confirmed the local availability of its latest flagship smartphones, the Vivo X90 series. The lineup consists of the X90, X90 Pro, and X90 Pro+, and at least two of them are set to be available in Malaysia.

The local availability of the X90 series was confirmed by Vivo Malaysia on its Facebook page. Though the Chinese company didn’t specify which phones in the series will be available here, we’ve previously reported on the SIRIM certifications of the
X90
 and
X90 Pro
, so these two models should be sold here.

Despite being the most affordable model, the Vivo X90 still features a Zeiss-branded triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 12MP portrait lens. It also features a 6.78-inch 2800 x 1260 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 32MP selfie camera, up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage, as well as a 4,810mAh battery.

As for the X90 Pro, it has a more sophisticated Zeiss camera setup headlined by a 50MP main shooter with a large 1-inch sensor for improved camera performance. Complementing the primary camera are a 50MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter.

Beyond its camera configuration, other hardware of the X90 Pro are similar to the standard X90, though it does have a slightly larger 4,870mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging.

Although the Vivo X90 series is confirmed for the Malaysian market already, it remains to be seen exactly when it will be launched on our shores. We’ll keep a close eye for any relevant updates, especially on the local availability of the range-topping X90 Pro+.


Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Finally Coming to Malaysia

It looks like Acer Malaysia is finally bringing in its compact gaming laptop, the
Acer Predator Triton 300 SE
, to Malaysian shores. The current refreshed model was launched back in May 2022, and compared to its predecessor, it sports a sleeker, more modern-looking design now.

As usual, we were going through SIRIM’s database when we saw the Triton 300 SE registered with the certification body under Acer Malaysia just today. Though it’s dubbed “Predator Triton 14” in the database, the N22Q8 model number points to it being the Triton 300 SE.

The refreshed Triton 300 SE is offered in two sizes. There’s the 14-inch model you see here – and likely the SIRIM certification too – and a larger 16-inch version for those who want a more expansive display. There’s even an option for an OLED screen, though this seems to be limited to the 14-inch variant.

Depending on the size of the Triton 300 SE, the refresh rate of the display also varies from 90Hz to as high as 240Hz; the resolution also ranges from 2560 x 1600 to 2880 x 1800. Regardless of which size you get, both models feature a tall 16:10 display over the previous model’s 16:9 panel.

Other specifications of the updated Triton 300 SE include a selection of Intel’s 12th generation H-series processors (up to a Core i9), Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs (maxing out at an RTX 3070 Ti), as well as custom-engineered 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans for improved cooling performance.

It remains to be seen exactly when the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE will be launched in Malaysia, but given that it has been registered with SIRIM already, we reckon its local launch is happening very soon. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the availability of the compact gaming laptop on our shores.


Asus ROG Azoth Review: Asus’ Most Custom Pre-Built Keyboard Yet

Asus’ range of pre-built mechanical keyboards have steadily improved over the years, and the new Asus ROG Azoth is the Taiwanese company’s most refined keyboard yet. Not only does it provide a refined typing experience and sound profile, it also combines several features of a custom keyboard with the creature comforts of a pre-built.

However, in comparison to a “proper” custom keyboard – especially at the same price point – the ROG Azoth still has some ways to go. But if you want the convenience of a pre-built keyboard with elements of a custom keyboard, the Azoth is worth looking into.

What It Is

At a glance, the ROG Azoth is a 75% keyboard with a mounting style more commonly found on custom keyboards. Instead of a tray-mount system typically found on pre-built keyboards, it has a more sophisticated gasket-mount design instead. However, it still offers a relatively stiff typing experience, which can be attributed to its use of silicone gaskets – more on this later.

Aside from that, the Azoth also has an OLED display on the top right corner. It can show various information, including system information, audio visualisation, or just a nice animation. There’s a three-way toggle too with a side button to the right of the OLED screen to control certain functions.

Other features of the ROG Azoth include wireless support via a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth, a hotswap PCB with three choices of ROG NX switches (linear, tactile, clicky), three layers of dampening foam to reduce case ping, and double shot see-through PBT keycaps. Oh, the keyboard is also bundled with a lube kit.

Unfortunately, there are no details on the pricing and availability of the ROG Azoth at the moment, though an Asus representative told me it would sit around the RM1,000 price point. That’s not too far from the launch price of Asus’ other high-end keyboards like the
ROG Claymore II
.

The Good Stuff

Let’s start with the sound profile of the Asus ROG Azoth, which is…well, surprisingly solid! While it still has some of the “plasticky” sound signature typically found on pre-built keyboards, it’s not quite as pronounced with the Azoth. Evidently, the dampening foams used in the keyboard work, not to mention the gasket mounting system.

Speaking of which, the gasket-mount of the ROG Azoth is implemented in such a way that the typing experience is quite stiff. This is due to the use of silicone gaskets instead of a softer material like PORON; there’s also the fact that this keyboard uses a rather stiff steel plate.

Of course, a stiff typing experience isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It all comes down to preference, and one advantage of the Azoth’s gasket-mount system is a more “even” typing feel across the keyboard. This is in contrast to a typical tray-mount keyboard, which usually has uneven typing feel around the mounting points.

As for the Azoth’s ROG NX Red switch on this review unit, it’s…a decent linear switch. The factory lube is quite good and consistent, though there’s still a hint of scratchiness. But that’s where the bundled lube kit comes in.

It’s actually very, very impressive that a mainstream brand like Asus is providing such a robust set of equipment in the ROG Azoth’s lube kit. There’s a bottle of Krytox 205g0 – a popular lube in the custom keyboard hobby – a switch opener, a switch holder, and of course, a brush. Everything you need to start lubing switches for a more refined typing experience, basically.

Besides that, I also appreciate the option to use the Azoth in three different typing angles, thanks to the inclusion of two feet with different heights. This is a feature not commonly found on custom keyboards, so that’s an added advantage for the Azoth.

And then there’s the ROG Azoth’s stabiliser, which is surprisingly good with little to no ticking out of the box. Still, I’m not thrilled by the proprietary, costar-style design of the plate-mounted stabilisers, so thankfully enough, the PCB of the Azoth actually has cutouts that allow the installation of popular screw-in stabilisers like the
Staebies
 or
TX stabilisers
.

Last but definitely not least is the OLED screen of the Azoth. While it may seem gimmicky at a glance, it is actually quite functional. Its ability to show vital system information, battery life, or even just an animation is a nice novelty. I absolutely love the practicality of the three-way toggle and side button to the right of the screen too, which allows me to control the volume, lighting, and even media playback.

The Bad Stuff

As much as Asus has improved the typing experience and sound profile of the Asus ROG Azoth, its double shot PBT keycap set is still not particularly polished. Not only does it have an overly rough texture, the see-through legends don’t look great either, though I understand it’s there for the RGB lighting of the keyboard to come through. With that in mind, yes, the PCB does have north-facing LEDs, which may cause interference with lower profile keycaps.

Build quality of the Azoth could use some work too. Don’t get me wrong, it feels like a robust, solid keyboard, but the plastic bottom housing does affect the perceived quality of the Azoth. Granted, the use of this material is to maximise the wireless performance of the keyboard, and in this regard, it does serve its function. There’s no perceivable input delay at all in wireless mode.

While this is not a completely fair comparison, I do have to put the ROG Azoth against an equivalent custom keyboard for the same amount of money. While there’s no official pricing yet for the Azoth, we can take the RM1,000 estimated pricing as a ballpark figure.

For that kind of money, there’s no denying that you can get better typing experience and sound profile with a custom keyboard, such as the
Qwertykeys QK75
. Yes, custom keyboards are not as widely available as the Azoth, but if you value typing feel, sound profile, and customisation above all else, a custom keyboard offers just that.

Is It Worth It?

Well, it depends. At the time of writing, the Asus ROG Azoth has no pricing or release detail yet, so it’s tough to gauge the worthiness of the keyboard. But I do thoroughly enjoy using the keyboard as my daily driver – much more than any other pre-built keyboard I’ve tested from a mainstream brand.

The ROG Azoth is a fantastic effort by Asus to implement desirable features of a custom keyboard on a mainstream, widely available pre-built keyboard. While it’s still not quite on the same level as a custom keyboard yet when it comes to typing feel or sound profile, it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Hopefully, Asus Malaysia will reveal the local availability and pricing of the Azoth in the near future. In my opinion, it is Asus’ most refined keyboard yet, and it does have some modding potential.


Another Highway Toll Evader Caught With 45 Unpaid Toll Fares – Mercedes A-Class Driver Charged RM275.65

It looks like yet another highway toll evader got caught. This time around, it’s a
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
driver, who has managed to evade a grand total of 45 toll charges before getting caught – that is quite a number of evasions.

The Mercedes driver was caught on the AKLEH highway by Prolintas; there’s a chance the driver did not manage to tailgate another car to get through the toll’s boom gate. The offender paid RM275.65 on the spot to settle the unpaid toll charges.

Cuba teka, kali ni kereta apa pulak yang kantoi? Amboi berani betul sister ni.
pic.twitter.com/EHeOpPWC0g
— PROLINTAS AKLEH (@AKLEHtrafik)
January 9, 2023

Evidently, the driver is lucky to only have to pay that amount of money – even if it’s quite a big sum – without getting any form of summon for the offense. A fine can be issued to toll evaders, though legal actions have to be pursued.

Beyond getting fined, the act of toll evasion is also dangerous as it requires the offender to closely tailgate another car in order to pass through the boom gate. Of course, dangerous driving in itself is a punishable offense, so be warned!


Video: Asus ROG Azoth Sound Test – Actually Good?

The Asus ROG Azoth could just be Asus’ most refined pre-built keyboard yet. Packed with some features typically found on custom keyboards, the Azoth even has an OLED display on the top right corner.

At a glance, the ROG Azoth is a 75% keyboard with a gasket-mount design, which is typically only found on custom keyboards. However, it still offers a relatively stiff typing experience, which can be attributed to the use of silicone gaskets instead of a softer material – more on this in the full review.

Other features of the ROG Azoth include wireless support via a 2.4GHz dongle or Bluetooth, a hotswap PCB with three choices of ROG NX switches (linear, tactile, clicky), three layers of dampening foam to reduce case ping, and double shot PBT keycaps. Oh, the keyboard is bundled with a lube kit too, which includes a small bottle of Krytox 205g0, a popular lube in the custom keyboard hobby.

Unfortunately, there are no details on the pricing and availability of the ROG Azoth at the moment, though an Asus representative told us it would sit around the RM1,000 price point. Nonetheless, stay tuned for our full review of the Azoth!


Hoyoverse Reminds Genshin Impact Players to Be Wary of Third-Party Sites for Account Security

Account security has always been an issue in the online gaming community, and
Hoyoverse is reminding Genshin Impact players
 to be wary of certain actions that could compromise their account security. These include logging into phishing websites, account sharing, and using third-party plugins.

According to Hoyoverse, Genshin Impact players who had their accounts compromised have logged into third-party websites and applications from unknown sources. If you’ve done either of these, it’s best to change your password immediately to avoid losing access to your account.

It’s also good practice to not trust websites or platforms that offer free Primogems or “farming services,” which is widely available, surprisingly enough. Letting another party log into your Genshin Impact account, with permissions or not, can compromise account security.

Genshin Impact players with any concerns on the security of their accounts can get in touch with Hoyoverse through the Hoyolab app. Alternatively, the customer service team can also be reached via email at
[email protected]
.


Nokia 5710 XpressAudio With Built-in Wireless Earbuds Land in Malaysia for RM339

HMD Global has released quite a number of Nokia feature phones in Malaysia, and the latest offering to arrive here is the Nokia 5710 XpressAudio. One unique feature of the phone is the fact that it comes with built-in wireless earbuds.

That’s right, the 5710 XpressAudio has a pair of wireless earbuds hidden in the phone’s back casing. There are two ways to look at this device: it’s either a phone with wireless earbuds, or a pair of wireless earbuds with a charging case that doubles as a phone.

Hardware wise, the 5710 XpressAudio is decidedly modest. It features a 320 x 240 LCD display, a Unisoc T107 processor paired with 48MB of RAM – this is a feature phone, after all – 128MB of internal storage, a 0.3MP rear camera, and a 1,450mAh battery…that is also removable. Very nice.

The Nokia 5710 XpressAudio is
now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM339
. If you need either a pair of wireless earbuds or a feature phone for emergencies, this affordable phone is worth considering.


BMW CE 04 Electric Scooter Coming to Malaysia March 2023 – RM60k Estimated Pricing

The much anticipated BMW CE 04 will make its way to Malaysian shores in March 2023 later this year. One of the main selling points of the electric scooter is its sleek-looking futuristic design, not to mention pretty respectable performance.

At the moment, no official pricing for the CE 04 has been revealed, though it’s estimated to retail around the RM60,000 price point. The final price will be unveiled closer to its aforementioned local launch sometime in March 2023.

Touted as an electric scooter for city riding, the CE 04 is quite a fast vehicle, though it does have relatively limited range of up to 130km from a 8.9kWh battery. Nonetheless, the scooter’s electric motor can output 42PS and 62Nm of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0-50kmph in only 2.6 seconds. It also has a top speed of 120kmph (electronically limited).

As for charging time, the CE 04 can be charged from 0-80% in 1 hour and 5 minutes with a 6.9kW AC charger. If it’s charged with a slower 2.3kW AC charger instead, it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes to get to the same level of charge.

To recap, the BMW CE 04 is expected to arrive in Malaysia sometime in March 2023. It’s estimated to go for around RM60,000, which is quite a bit lower than the asking prices of the electric scooter in other markets.


2023 BMW 3 Series Lands in Malaysia – 3 Variants (320i, 330i, 330e), CKD, From RM284k

Aside from the sleek
BMW CE 04
, BMW Malaysia also introduced the latest 2023 BMW 3 Series (G20) LCI locally. Three variants of the premium sedan are offered at launch, including the 320i, 330i, and 330e – all available only in M Sport trim and locally assembled (CKD).

Let’s start with pricing. Naturally, the 320i is the most affordable of the lot with a RM283,800 price tag. A tier up is the 330e for RM298,800, while the 330i comes in at a cool RM317,800. These prices include a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme, BMW roadside assistance and accident hotline, BMW Group Loyalty+ app, BMW Privileges Card, and BMW Service Online.

The exterior of the 320i, 330i, and 330e may be similar to each other, but it’s a whole different story under their respective hoods. The 320i, for one, features a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that outputs 184hp and 300Nm of torque, and it can go from 0-100kmph in 7.4 seconds.

As for the 330i, it has a more powerful version of the same 2.0L turbo engine that delivers 258hp and 400Nm of torque for a quick century sprint timing of only 5.8 seconds. As for the 330e plug-in hybrid (PHEV), it has a combined output of 292hp and 420 Nm of torque with a similar 0-100kmph time as the 330i (5.8 seconds).

An eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels is standard across the range of the new 3 Series.

Other specifications of the new 3 Series include 18-inch alloy wheels, the BMW Curved Display in the interior that combines the 14.9-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Driving Assistant (Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, Front Collision Warning), and of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

To recap, the 2023 BMW 3 Series starts at RM283,800 for the 320i, moving up to RM298,800 and RM317,800 for the 330e and 330i respectively; these prices are on-the-road without insurance. It’s worth noting that BMW Malaysia will bring in two more variants of the 3 Series sometime in March 2023.


Video: Wind X R2 Sound Test – Super Flexy 65% Custom Keyboard With a Numpad!

One of the main selling points of the Wind X R2 is its layout: it combines a 65% layout with a numpad, which is not something you see very often. It is also a very flexible keyboard, as you can see in the sound test video above.

There are two ways to mount the Wind X R2: top-mount or gasket-mount, and we went with the latter for our build. On top of that, there are actually two different methods to gasket-mount the keyboard. There’s the standard PORON gasket, or a nub-like silicone gasket, which we decided to go with.

The groupbuy for the Wind X R2 will take place from 3 February to 3 March next month, and Rebult Keyboards will be the Malaysian proxy for the keyboard. Stay tuned for our full review of the Wind X R2 on
our YouTube channel
!


DJI RS 3 Mini Official – 795g Handheld Travel Stabiliser for RM1,549 in Malaysia

DJI just released a new product, the DJI RS 3 Mini, and it looks to be the perfect stabiliser for those who are looking for a lightweight, portable option. After all, it weighs just 795g, and it can carry a payload of up to 2kg.

According to DJI, this makes the RS 3 Mini ideal for supporting mainstream mirrorless cameras and lenses. Some examples include a Sony A7S3 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 GM lens or a Canon EOS R5 paired to an RF24-70mm f/2.8 STM lens. A full list of compatible options can be found
here
.

Of course, the lightweight nature of the RS 3 Mini is really one of its main selling points. Tipping the scales at only 795g, it is 50% lighter than the RS 3 Pro, and 40% lighter than the RS 3. Aside from that, it also has Bluetooth shutter control, a “third generation stabilisation algorithm,” native horizontal and vertical switching, a 1.4-inch colour touchscreen, as well as up to 10 hours of use.

The DJI RS 3 Mini can now be purchased in Malaysia for RM1,549. You can get it from DJI Malaysia’s official store on
Shopee
 or
Lazada
. More details on the RS 3 Mini can be found
here
.


Samsung Schedules Unpacked Event for 2 February – Galaxy S23 Series Expected

Samsung officially confirmed its next Unpacked event, and it’s most likely a launch event for its latest flagship smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series. Set to take place in San Francisco on 2 February, this will be the Korean company’s first in-person Unpacked event in three years.

The teaser for the February Unpacked event,
just like

previous ones
, somewhat gives us a glimpse to what Samsung could be introducing. The three spotlights shown could be a nod to the design of the phones’ camera configuration, or even to signify that there will be three Galaxy S23 phones.

Anyway, if the Unpacked teaser is focusing on the camera system of the Galaxy S23, it’s possible the upcoming flagship phones will feature a new camera system of sorts. After all, it’s been rumoured that (at the very least) the Galaxy S23 Ultra will receive a 200MP main camera.

We’ll find out for ourselves just what Samsung has in store for us come 2 February at 2AM; that’s when the Galaxy Unpacked event will be streamed live for us here in Malaysia. You can also register your interest
here
 to get a RM200 Samsung e-voucher to pre-order the next Galaxy.


Marvel Snap Introduces Slew of Changes – Card Nerfs & Buffs, Series Drop, QoL Improvements

Second Dinner just dropped a new patch for Marvel Snap, and there are quite a number of changes to go through. Not only have several cards been nerfed – some even got buffed – a number of Series 4 and Series 5 cards are also going down a Series in the near future, making them more accessible.

First up, cards that have been nerfed in Marvel Snap. Leader – I absolutely hate his ability – Aero, Nova, and Galactus have their powers reduced by one. It’s worth noting that both Leader and Galactus may see additional changes in the future.

The first patch of 2023 is here!
As a heads up, this is a bit lighter of an update and you can expect more balance changes to hit the game in the coming weeks.
See the full patch notes here 👇
https://t.co/jXJMWe6d9Y

pic.twitter.com/3JoGzv8rNd
— MARVEL SNAP (@MARVELSNAP)
January 10, 2023

As for cards that are buffed, both Groot and Drax have their powers increased by one, though their effects also see one power reduction. This change is meant to make them less risky to play, even if their final powers (if their effects land) are ultimately unchanged. Besides that, Hazmat, Nakia, and Black Cat have their powers increased by one too.

Now, onto the Series Drop. The Series 5 cards that will be moved to Series 4 include Bast, Shuri, Black Panther, Valkyrie, and Super-Skrull, while Series 4 cards that are going down to Series 3 are She-Hulk, Absorbing Man, Luke Cage, and Titania. This Series Drop is expected to
take place on 31 January
 through a patch.

Beyond these changes, Marvel Snap sees other quality-of-life improvements as well. Cards that take a long time to finish their animations, for one, will see the game “fast forward” to the end of their effects. The full patch note can be found
here
.


12 – 18 January Fuel Price: RON 97 Still Remains at RM3.35 Per Litre

RON 97 sees no price change yet again this week. Of course, 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 RM3.35 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 11 to 18 January next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


MKB Now Open – Another Custom Keyboard Retail Store in Malaysia

It looks like the custom keyboard scene in Malaysia is steadily growing. We’ve got
Click & Brew
 in George Town, Penang;
Mecha Store
 in Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya; and now, MKB in SS15, Subang Jaya.

MKB started off as a Shopee retailer, and it opened its retail store just a couple of weeks ago. The store looks to be quite sizeable as well, and of course, there are a variety of mechanical keyboard parts there, including switches, keyboard kits, deskmats, and even artisans.

Looking at MKB’s
Shopee store
 and
website
, the retailer looks to carry very affordable products. That makes it ideal for folks who want to get into the custom keyboard hobby without spending too much money, and it’s worth noting that MKB has a wide variety of switches as well.

You can give MKB a visit over at
SS15, Subang Jaya
, right beside the popular Nasi Kandar Pelita restaurant. The store is open every day of the week from 12PM to 10PM.


Video: DJI Mavic 3 Classic vs. Mavic 3

The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is essentially a more affordable alternative to the higher-end Mavic 3. Beyond the absence of the 12MP telephoto lens, it has the same features as the more expensive drone, including the same battery life (up to 46 minutes), D-Log, and Night Mode.

For the Malaysian market, the Mavic 3 Classic is
currently listed from RM6,879
. As for the more capable Mavic 3, it
starts at a cool RM9,799
 – that’s almost a RM3,000 price difference. Given that the only big differentiator between the two drones is the 12MP telephoto camera, you can save up quite a bit of money with the Classic if you don’t need that lens.

If you’d like to know more about the DJI Mavic 3 Classic, check out our video above! Of course, we also have several sample footage shot with the drone in the video.


Acer Predator Helios 16 & Helios 18 Coming to Malaysia Soon

It looks like more Acer products are coming to Malaysia. The Acer Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18 were unveiled just last week at CES 2023, and we believe these two gaming powerhouses will be available in Malaysia very soon.

Just today, both the Predator Helios 16 and Helios 18 appeared in SIRIM’s database under Acer Malaysia. Before electronics can be officially sold here, they have to be certified by SIRIM first, so it’s likely the Taiwanese company is gearing up to launch the two laptops on our shores. Hopefully, alongside the
Predator Triton 300 SE
 as well.

The Acer Predator Helios 18

Hardware wise, the Helios 16 and Helios 18 are quite similar to each other. Both can be configured with Nvidia’s latest RTX 4080 GPU, 13th gen Intel Core i9 or i7 HX processors, and get this: mini-LED displays with a taller than usual 16:10 aspect ratio.

That’s where the two gaming laptops differ from each other. The Helios 16 features either a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display at 165Hz or a mini-LED panel at 250Hz, while the Helios 18 comes with an 18-inch panel of various options that maxes out at a 250Hz mini-LED screen.

The Acer Predator Helios 16

No word yet from Acer Malaysia on any local launch for the Helios 16, Helios 18, or even the Predator Triton 300 SE, which has
also been certified by SIRIM
. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye for any relevant development.


SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Gets New Trailer – Coming 31 January 2023

Yes, there’s a new SpongeBob SquarePants game around the corner, and THQ Nordic dropped a new trailer for it. Set to be released at the end of the month on 31 January 2023, the trailer for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake shows us the characters that will make an appearance.

If you’re familiar with the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise, you’ll definitely see some familiar faces in the trailer below. There are of course SpongeBob himself with Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, and even Gary, SpongeBob’s pet snail. The best part is, all of them are voiced by the original voice actors.

Like previous SpongeBob games, The Cosmic Shake is a 3D platformer, and the game will follow the titular character’s adventure to reunite the people of Bikini Bottom. Players can travel to seven different “Wishworlds,” and there are as many as 30 different costumes to choose from.

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake will be released on 31 January 2023 at the end of the month. It is available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, as well as PC on Steam.


Proton X50 & X70 Facelift Expected in 2023

Now this is interesting: a new report claims that Proton could be giving the X50 and X70 a facelift sometime this year. It makes sense for the national carmaker to refresh the two models, especially the X50, which has not seen any major update since its introduction in 2020.

This bit of rumour came from
Funtasticko
. According to its source, the X70 will get a more major change than
last year’s update
, which introduced the X50‘s 1.5L turbo engine to the C-segment SUV. Funtasticko’s source claims that the X70 will see some exterior and interior updates, including a new grille, bumper, larger infotainment screen, and an updated gear knob.

As for the X50, no details have been revealed by Funtasticko’s source. Chances are, the B-segment SUV may receive some slight design changes, given that it is only a facelift. It should still soldier on with the same 1.5L engine that outputs 177PS and 255Nm of torque paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The same source also said that the facelifted Proton X70 is expected to debut sometime in June 2023, while the Proton X50 facelift will follow suit at a later date. Nonetheless, given that this is only a rumour, take these details with a grain of salt.


Vivo X90 & X90 Pro Launching in Malaysia 3 February 2023

Vivo Malaysia will be launching its latest flagship smartphones on our shores early next month. The local launch event of the Vivo X90 series is set to take place on 3 February 2023, and two phones in the series – X90 and X90 Pro – will be offered in Malaysia.

That’s right, Vivo Malaysia confirmed that only the X90 and X90 Pro are launching in Malaysia on that day, which is in line with our reports on the SIRIM certifications of the
X90
 and
X90 Pro
. Unfortunately, the higher-end X90 Pro+ won’t make an appearance at the launch event.

Anyway, despite being the more affordable model, the Vivo X90 still features a Zeiss-branded triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 12MP portrait lens. It also features a 6.78-inch 2800 x 1260 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 32MP selfie camera, up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage, as well as a 4,810mAh battery.

As for the X90 Pro, it has a more sophisticated Zeiss camera setup headlined by a 50MP main shooter with a large 1-inch sensor for improved camera performance. Complementing the primary camera are a 50MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter.

Beyond its camera configuration, other hardware of the X90 Pro are similar to the standard X90, though it does have a slightly larger 4,870mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging.

To recap, the Vivo X90 and Vivo X90 Pro will be launched in Malaysia early next month on 3 February 2023. While there’s no mention of the X90 Pro+, it’s possible that the company will introduce the device here at a later date.


Apple Pay Now Supports HSBC Credit Cards – RM30 Cashback up for Grabs

Another bank now supports Apple Pay here in Malaysia. If you’ve got a Visa or Mastercard credit card issued by HSBC – whether it’s a HSBC or HSBC Amanah card – you can now add it to the convenient payment service.

Now that HSBC credit cards are supported in Apple Pay, the bank is running a
RM30 cashback campaign
. To be eligible for the cashback, cardholders are required to make five transactions with their HSBC cards through Apple Pay until 31 May 2023.

Of course, the process to add a HSBC credit card to Apple Pay remains the same. You can refer to our step-by-step guide to add supported cards to an iPhone
right here
.

To recap, Apple Pay makes it easier to make payments with a compatible Apple product, as it allows you to add your credit card or debit card to the service. Once you’ve set up Apple Pay on, say, your iPhone, you can use your phone to make payments at retailers that support the service.

If you’ve got a card issued by HSBC, Maybank, AmBank, or Standard Chartered, you can now add it to Apple Pay to start making payments with the service. Again, if you’re not sure how to do that, here’s our guide on how to
activate Apple Pay on an iPhone
.


Genshin Impact Shows New Animated Trailer With Xiao, Baizhu, Qiqi, Venti

Hoyoverse released a rather interesting new (animated) trailer for Genshin Impact, and it focuses quite a bit on Xiao. It’s quite an intriguing video that goes into Xiao’s struggle as a Yaksha, and three other characters – Baizhu, Qiqi, and Venti – make an appearance in the trailer too.

What makes this trailer particularly intriguing is the fact that it has some
stunning
 animations; something that isn’t done very often in Genshin Impact’s promotional videos. There’s a chance the trailer is a glimpse at the storyline for this year’s Lantern Rite festival in the game.

The Lantern Rite festival in Genshin Impact is an in-game event that takes place in the Liyue region. It’s done in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration on an annual basis, and it usually offer a generous amount of rewards.

Genshin Impact 3.4 is set to arrive next week on 18 January alongside Alhaitham’s event wish and Xiao’s rerun banner, so it’s no coincidence that he is featured quite prominently in the trailer above. More details on the Version 3.4 update of Genshin Impact can be found
here
.


Oppo A78 5G Lands in Malaysia – Dimensity 700, 5,000mAh Battery, RM1,099

Oppo just introduced a new affordable phone in Malaysia, the Oppo A78 5G. Sporting a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging, the mid-ranger offers reasonably good value for money too.

Only one variant of the A78 5G is available in Malaysia. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, it is priced at RM1,099. Two colour options are offered: Glowing Black, and a striking Glowing Purple colourway.

For that kind of money, the A78 features a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, a 6.56-inch 1612 x 720 display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (50MP primary + 2MP monochrome), an 8MP selfie camera, and ColorOS 13 based on Android 12 out of the box.

The Oppo A78 5G will be available for purchase in Malaysia from tomorrow onwards on 14 January. To recap, it retails at RM1,099, and those who buy the phone from an Oppo brand Store will also get an Oppo Band worth RM159 for free.


QKZ x HBB Khan Review: Other Sub-$40 IEMs Khan Touch This

2022 saw the release of numerous “YouTuber collaboration” IEMs, with manufacturers tapping the shoulders of the likes of
Crinacle
, HawaiiBadBoy (HBB), and Z Reviews. The results of these collaborations are IEMs tuned to the preference of the respective content creators, flaunting their years of expertise reviewing products from a plethora of audio brands.

HBB, also known by his YouTube handle
Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews
, is a name that needs no introduction; even if you’re only ankle-deep into the audio hobby. You’re bound to have come across one of his reviews on YouTube, especially in regards to ChiFi audio products.

One of his latest collaborations is the QKZ x HBB Khan, a dual dynamic driver IEM with a 10mm DD handling the bass, and a 7.8mm DD in charge of the mids and highs. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a driver configuration of this sort – the
Truthear Zero
 (a Crinacle collab IEM) has the same setup.

So…is it any good? Let’s find out in this review of the Khan.

What It Is

In a way, the Khan really is HBB’s take on the Truthear Zero, an IEM that received plenty of praise and glowing reviews. As mentioned, both IEMs feature a dual dynamic driver setup, and they seem to have a similar tuning (on paper, at least) as the Khan with only a slight variation in the mids and treble. Both are said to give you the listening experience of a “subwoofer” in an IEM, which I’ll talk about further down this review.

The Khan features a 3D-printed, metallic-looking shell with carbon fiber-esque faceplates – which QKZ calls “dragon scales” – covered by a layer of resin. QKZ’s logo is printed on the left shell, while the right one has HBB’s own logo.

The shape of the Khan’s shell is similar to that of the
Truthear Hexa
, though it does have a longer and wider nozzle. The IEM fits in my ears comfortably, but your mileage my vary – some of my colleagues find the nozzle to sit a tad too deep in their ears.

As for the Khan’s included cable, it’s a detachable 2-pin 0.75mm oxygen-free copper cable with the option to include a mic at no additional cost. Unfortunately, the cable is quite basic, prone to tangling, and doesn’t feel particularly robust. But be fair, this
is

just a $39.99 (about RM175) IEM on Linsoul
 – it’s very affordable.

Aside from the IEM itself, inside the Khan’s box is a gold coin with HBB’s and QKZ’s logo printed on both sides. The coin is neither made of chocolate nor actual gold, though it is surprisingly hefty.

There’s also a hard shell carrying case included that isn’t all that…hard. It may have the looks of a Pelican case, but it feels thin and light in the hands. Not that you should expect any more for only $39.99, considering that other IEMs at this price point are usually bundled with a drawstring carrying pouch only – or nothing at all.

How Does It Sound?

If you’re a basshead, the QKZ x HBB Khan should be high up on your list. Its bass quality really is one of the IEM’s best qualities, which will definitely get your feet tapping to the beat of the drums in rock tracks, for example. Anyway, let’s break down the sound signature of the Khan.

Bass

As gimmicky as a subwoofer-like sound quality…sounds, the sub-bass of the Khan is truly something else. The low-end extends deep, it is substantial, and it is full of energy. The texture could be a tad tighter and more defined, but it is by no means muddy.

The speed of the Khan’s bass is a slight bit slower than usual to my ears, but for added context, I have spent an extended amount of time with the
Raptgo Hook-X
. Needless to say, the bass quality of planar drivers has entirely different speed and texture.

As for the mid-bass, it is tucked in a bit, which I’m not too bothered by as the presence from the sub-bass is already sufficient enough. This mid-bass dip also means that there won’t be any bass bleeding into the mids.

Mids

In the mids region, there is a bit of audible recession. This is especially obvious if you’re used to the upper mid-range boost usually present in Harman-tuned IEMs. The lack of mid-bass gives male vocals a lighter note weight, but it’s far from shrill. Aside from the lack of body, male vocals could also benefit from a bit more warmth to liven up the sound a little.

Female vocals are clear and natural-sounding, but they’re almost a bit too laid back. There is a lack of presence and “bite” that makes this region a little dull. As someone who mostly listens to female vocal-centric songs, I consider this to be one of the Khan’s main drawbacks.

Treble

The excitement that was present in the bass and missing in the mids makes a return in the treble region of the Khan. The crispness of the highs pair well with the boomy low-end, creating a foot-tappingly fun listening experience. In short, the treble is crispy and smooth overall with a hint of grain, and there is a bit of a gentle roll off up top, lending to highs free from shoutiness and fatigue.

Soundstage

Staging of the Khan is above average with a slight out-of-head sound. There is also good width, though depth and height are a little lacking. Imaging and clarity of instruments are done surprisingly well too.

Is It Worth It?

Overall, the QKZ x HBB Khan is an immensely fun pair of earphones. They are exceptionally good for genres like rock and hip-hop, though it is a bit lacking when it comes to slower ballads and female vocals. Even if QKZ doesn’t publicly market the Khan to have the “sound of a subwoofer,” the claim that the Truthear Zero makes does hold some water here as well – it has a similar driver setup, after all.

If you’ve yet to try the Zero, or if you’re just not a fan of Crinacle and his tuning – it’s a subjective hobby – then perhaps the sub-heavy Khan can be the ideal…
sub
stitute.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


Genshin Impact Dehya & Mika Teased – Playable in Version 3.5 Update?

In typical Hoyoverse fashion, the developer dropped a teaser for two (sort of) new characters coming to
Genshin Impact
: Dehya and Mika. Both of them have actually appeared in the game before, so chances are, they will be playable in the Version 3.5 update of Genshin Impact.

After all, characters that are teased by Hoyoverse are usually playable in the next version update of Genshin Impact, so there’s no reason the same wouldn’t apply to Dehya and Mika. Unfortunately, the rarity of the new characters has not been revealed yet, though we reckon Dehya is a 5-star character, given how prominent she is in the main Sumeru storyline.

As with previous teasers, there’s no mention of the weapons that Dehya and Mika use, though the former does wield a claymore in-game. As the Vision of the two characters show in-game – and confirmed by Hoyoverse itself – Dehya wields the Pyro element, while Mika is a Cryo character.

Expect Dehya and Mika to be playable characters once Genshin Impact 3.5 is here, which should be released sometime in March 2023, given that the Version 3.4 update
drops tomorrow on 18 January
. That’s also when
Alhaitham’s, Xiao’s, and

Yaoyao’s event wishes
 will be available in Genshin Impact.


Genshin Impact Alhaitham & Xiao Event Wishes Arrive 18 January With Yaoyao, Yun Jin, Xinyan

The character lineup for Alhaitham’s and Xiao’s event wishes has been revealed. Set to go live in
Genshin Impact
 tomorrow on 18 January, the two 5-star characters’ banners will be accompanied by Yaoyao, Yun Jin, and Xinyan.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

double banners
, Alhaitham and Xiao both have the same roster of 4-star characters despite the fact that they’re featured in separate event wishes. Of course, pity is also shared between the two banners, and the wish guarantee count
will
 carry over to future character banners too.

The same rule applies to the increased “drop rate” of Alhaitham, Xiao, Yaoyao, Yun Jin, and Xinyan. In the case of Alhaitham and Xiao, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be either of them, depending on which banner you’re wishing. If you got a different character, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be them.

Since Genshin Impact’s pity system for character banners ensures that you will get at least one 5-star character every 90 wishes, you will have to do 180 rolls for a guaranteed Alhaitham or Xiao. The same rule applies to 4-star characters (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but given that there are three of them featured in the banner, it’s a little bit more random.

Basically, when you’re guaranteed a 4-star character from the banner, you will get either Yaoyao, Yun Jin, or Xinyan. If you’re aiming to get either one of these three characters, you will likely have to roll a good number of times, depending on your luck.

Alhaitham’s “Caution in Confidence” and Xiao’s “Invitation to Mundane Life” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 18 January 2023 tomorrow. Their banners will be offered until 7 February 2023, which is when
Hu Tao’s and Yelan’s reruns
 will go live.


Genshin Impact Hu Tao & Yelan Event Wishes Revealed Early – Arrives 7 February With Beidou, Ningguang, Xingqiu

Now this is a pleasant surprise: Hoyoverse revealed the character lineup for Hu Tao’s and Yelan’s rerun banners earlier than expected. Set to go live in
Genshin Impact
 on 7 February, the two 5-star characters’ event wishes will be accompanied by Beidou, Ningguang, and Xingqiu.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

double banners
, Hu Tao and Yelan both have the same roster of 4-star characters despite the fact that they’re featured in separate event wishes. Of course, pity is also shared between the two banners, and the wish guarantee count
will
 carry over to future character banners too.

The same rule applies to the increased “drop rate” of Hu Tao, Yelan, Beidou, Ningguang, and Xingqiu. In the case of Hu Tao and Ye Lan, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be either of them, depending on which banner you’re wishing. If you got a different character, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be them.

Since Genshin Impact’s pity system for character banners ensures that you will get at least one 5-star character every 90 wishes, you will have to do 180 rolls for a guaranteed Hu Tao or Yelan. The same rule applies to 4-star characters (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but given that there are three of them featured in the banner, it’s a little bit more random.

Basically, when you’re guaranteed a 4-star character from the banner, you will get either Beidou, Ningguang, or Xingqiu. If you’re aiming to get either one of these three characters, you will likely have to roll a good number of times, depending on your luck.

Hu Tao’s “Moment of Bloom” and Yelan’s “Discerner of Enigmas” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 7 February 2023 next month. Their banners will be offered until 28 February 2023, and we can expect
Dehya and Mika
 to be playable not long after that in the Version 3.5 update of Genshin Impact.