iPhone 15 Launch Set for 13 September at Apple “Wonderlust” Event

It’s that time of the year: Apple’s 2023 iPhone lineup is set to be introduced on 13 September next month. The iPhone 15 series is expected to be made up of four different devices, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and of course, the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The
September Apple event
, dubbed “Wonderlust,” has an animated Apple logo with particles in blue, black, and grey. This could be a teaser of the colours available for the new iPhone, and it may even be foreshadowing the rumoured titanium frame of the Pro models.

Other upgrades the iPhone 15 series are expected to bring include USB-C charging, Dynamic Island as a standard feature, and even an improved camera system with thinner bezels. That being said, it’s worth noting that the latter two are said to be exclusive to the Pro models.

Beyond the iPhone 15 series, Apple is expected to reveal new Apple Watches as well, namely an update to the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 9. We’ll find out for ourselves at the Apple event come 13 September at 1AM Malaysian time.


Smart #1 Bookings Open in Malaysia Via Hello Smart App – 2 Variants, RM1,000 Booking Fee

Bookings for the Smart #1 have just been opened in Malaysia! Unlike other carmakers, the company is taking bookings of the EV through its just-released Hello Smart app, which is available for download now on the
Apple App Store
,
Google Play Store
, and
Huawei AppGallery
.

A RM1,000 fee is charged to book the Smart #1 through the app, and two variants of the electric SUV are offered for the Malaysian market: Premium and Brabus. The Premium model features a single 200kW motor driving the rear wheels that outputs 272PS and 343Nm of torque, allowing the EV to go from 0-100kmph in only 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 180kmph.

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

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

If you’re keen to book the Smart #1 ahead of its Malaysian launch sometime in Q4 2023, you can do so now through the Hello Smart app for RM1,000. To recap, it’s available on the
Apple App Store
,
Google Play Store
, and
Huawei AppGallery
.


Realme 11 Launched in Malaysia for RM1,199 – No Realme 11x (Yet?)

The Realme 11 has just been launched in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the more affordable Realme 11x was not introduced alongside the mid-ranger on our shores – despite
already appearing in SIRIM’s database
 – though the Realme 11 is already quite an affordable device.

For the Malaysian market, only a single variant of the Realme 11 is offered. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the phone retails at RM1,199 locally. Two colour options are available: Glory Gold (pictured here) and Glory Black.

Hardware wise, the Realme 11 features a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a 6.72-inch 2400 x 1080 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (108MP main with 3x in-sensor zoom + 2MP portrait), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging.

The Realme 11 is
now available for purchase in Malaysia
 for RM1,199, and a number of freebies are offered for early birds. While the Realme 11x was not launched together with the phone today, we reckon it will arrive here sooner rather than later, given that it has been registered with SIRIM already.


There’s Never Been a Better Time to “Break Free” From Pre-Built Keyboards

Pre-built keyboards have always been the go-to option for most folks who just want…well, a functional input device. But while these readily available keyboards are good –
some of them
,
anyway
 – a custom keyboard offers so much more, including a superior typing experience with tons of customisation options.

Malaysia’s 66th Independence Day is tomorrow on 31 August, so we thought it’d be apt to come up with an article for those who want to “break free” from an off-the-shelf keyboard. Without further ado, let’s get to why you should get a custom keyboard, and exactly how you can get started.

Why Should I Get a Custom Keyboard?

The biggest reason is certainly for a much improved typing experience. There are two parts to this: typing feel and sound profile. In regards to the former, custom keyboards usually have more sophisticated mounting systems, offering either a soft, comfortable typing experience, or a stiffer, more “solid” typing feel. Some custom keyboards even offer multiple mounting styles to change the stiffness of the keyboard.

Compare this to pre-built keyboards, many of which use a tray-mount system of sorts to attach the main assembly of the keyboard to the bottom of the case with screws. Not only does this make for a much stiffer typing experience, you also get inconsistent typing feel across the board, especially near screw points.

Granted, there
are
 more pre-built keyboards that use the popular gasket-mount system now, but these readily available keyboards can’t match the refined sound profile of custom keyboards. At least, not without modding them extensively, especially the stabilisers.

Stabilisers of most pre-built keyboards are harder to mod

While most custom keyboards offer easy access to stabilisers for tuning purposes

Stabilisers, as the name suggests, are used to “stabilise” longer keys such as the spacebar, backspace, and enter keys. More often than not, pre-built keyboards have rattly, noisy stabilisers. Even the most premium keyboard, custom or not, will feel bad to type on if the spacebar or backspace key has an annoying ticking sound.

That is where
tuning stabilisers
 come into the picture. While it’s possible to tune the stabilisers of a pre-built keyboard, it is usually more difficult to do so for various reasons. This is not an issue with custom keyboards, as most are designed to be relatively easy to assemble and disassemble. This makes stabiliser tuning a much more seamless process.

Plus, you also have the option to purchase a wide variety of stabilisers, even in specific colourways.

But the stabiliser is just one part of a keyboard’s sound profile. Depending on a custom keyboard’s construction, build material, switch choice, and even keycap brand, you can really change up the sound signature to your liking. It is no exaggeration to say that a custom keyboard will almost always sound better than a pre-built one, though this is (to an extent) a subjective matter.

Of course, there’s also the sheer customisability of custom keyboards. The word “preference” is thrown around in the custom keyboard scene quite a bit, and that’s really one of the most defining aspects of the hobby. Almost every single part of a custom board can be customised to your liking, including the keycap, switches, stabiliser, plate material, and of course, the keyboard itself.

All of these customisation options allow you to really personalise a custom keyboard to suit your aesthetics – not something you can do with a pre-built keyboard.

Isn’t It More Expensive?

Not necessarily! In today’s custom keyboard market, budget-friendly options have improved by leaps and bounds. Take the
JRIS75
, a 75% custom keyboard that starts from only RM696 when it was available for order. There’s also the very, very popular
Meletrix Zoom75 that starts at RM799
.

There are also various pre-built keyboards that implement features that are typically found on custom boards
at an even lower price point
. While they can’t quite match the refinement of true-blue custom keyboards, these “pre-built custom keyboards” are certainly a good entry point for those who are just getting started.

Okay, Where Do I Start?

It is much,
much
 easier now to secure a custom keyboard (and parts for it) in Malaysia.
Rebult Keyboards
, for one, is the Malaysian proxy for many custom keyboard groupbuys, including the aforementioned Zoom75 and JRIS75. The online retailer also carries various switches, keycap sets, and other keyboard parts.

If you want to check out a physical store instead, there’s
Mecha Store
 located in Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya. Not only does it have a wide variety of keyboard parts for sale – you can even try out a slew of switches there – Mecha even offers build services. Great for folks who are not quite ready to build their own keyboard yet.

The custom keyboard scene, especially here in Malaysia, has grown immensely over the past few years. There’s really no better time to get into the hobby if you want to elevate your typing experience to the next level regardless of your budget or skill level.

As long as you’re keen to up your keyboard game, there are many resources to take advantage of, including our
various keyboard-centric articles
 and
YouTube channel
.


31 August – 6 September Fuel Price: No Changes, RON 97 Price Stays at RM3.37 Per Litre

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

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

These prices will be in effect from 31 August to 6 September next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Realme Pad 2 & Realme Buds Air 5 Also Now in Malaysia for RM1,299 & RM299

Also launched alongside the
Realme 11
 in Malaysia are the Realme Pad 2 Android tablet and Realme Buds Air 5 wireless earbuds. Both of these products are relatively budget-friendly, especially the Buds Air 5, which is quite a bit more affordable
than the Pro model
.

For the Realme Pad 2, two variant are offered in Malaysia. The 6GB + 128GB model is priced at RM1,299, while the 8GB + 256GB configuration costs RM1,499. For that kind of money, it comes with a 11.5-inch 2000 x 1200 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, 8MP rear and selfie cameras, as well as an 8,360mAh battery with 33W charging.

As for the Buds Air 5, it is priced at RM299, featuring a 12.4mm “mega titanising driver” – it’s likely a dynamic driver – active noise cancellation, an IPX5 rating (only for the earbuds), as well as up to seven hours of battery life on a single charge; 38 hours when paired together with the charging case.

The Realme Pad 2 and Realme Buds Air 5 are now available for purchase in Malaysia. To recap, the Pad 2 retails at RM1,299 and RM1,499 for the 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB models respectively, while the Buds Air 5 is priced at RM299.


Tesla Model 3 Facelift Is Here – In Malaysia From RM189k, Late 2023 Delivery

The Tesla Model 3 facelift just made its global debut with a new exterior, interior, and even better range. Surprisingly enough, the new EV is also open for order in Malaysia already! For our market, the electric sedan is priced slightly lower than the
Model Y
, and it will even be delivered earlier on our shores.

More specifically, Malaysian deliveries of the Model 3 are expected to start in late 2023, while the Model Y will only be delivered sometime in early 2024 next year. Aside from that, it also retails from RM189,000; that’s RM10,000 less than the starting price of the Model Y.

Two variants of the Model 3 are available in Malaysia: the standard RWD model (RM189,000), and the Model 3 Long Range with AWD (RM218,000). Of course, you purchase various add-ons for the EV, such as Enhanced Autopilot (RM16,000) or the complete Full Self-Driving Capability for RM32,000.

Thanks to better aerodynamics, the Model 3 facelift now offers higher range. With the regular model, you can get up to 513km of range (WLTP), while the Model 3 Long Range can do up to 629km. As for performance, the Model 3 can go from 0-100kmph in 6.1 seconds; only 4.4 seconds for the Model 3 Long Range. Top speed for both variants is set at 201kmph.

Compared to the pre-facelift Model 3, the facelifted version has a more chiseled exterior with new LED daytime running lights and C-shaped taillights on the rear. The interior also gets a “wraparound styling” now with more prevalent ambient lighting. The cabin is said to be quieter too, thanks to the use of acoustic glass and improved soundproofing materials.

The Model 3 facelift is now available for order in Malaysia through Tesla’s official website. To recap, the EV retails at RM189,000 for the standard RWD version, while the Model 3 Long Range with AWD goes for RM218,000. First deliveries of the electric sedan here are estimated to start sometime in late 2023.


PlayStation Plus Price Increase in Malaysia – Up to RM151 Increase for 12-Month Plan

PlayStation will be increasing the price of its 12-month subscription to PlayStation Plus next week on 6 September, including for us in Malaysia. Depending on which tier you want to get, the price increase is between RM76 to RM151.

It’s worth noting that this price increase is only applicable to the 12-month plans of PlayStation Plus for all three tiers, which are Essential, Extra, and Deluxe. Here is a table for easy reference between the new and old prices – the difference is quite substantial, especially for the higher plans.

PlayStation Plus 12-Month Subscriptions
Old Price
New Price
PlayStation Plus Essential
RM159
RM235
PlayStation Plus Extra
RM269
RM400
PlayStation Plus Deluxe
RM309
RM460

Do note that despite the price revision, it is still more cost-effective to get the 12-month subscription of PlayStation Plus rather than the 1-month or 3-month plan. As mentioned, the prices for the latter two membership periods are actually
unchanged from the current prices
.

These new prices for the PlayStation Plus 12-month membership tiers will go into effect next week on 6 September 2023. Do note that if you have an active 12-month plan right now, you will only be charged the new rates if your renewal happens on or after 6 November 2023 instead.


Sony Xperia 5 V Official – Larger Main Camera, No Telephoto Lens, Coming to Malaysia Q4 2023

IFA 2023 is here, so expect to see the launch of several new devices, including the Sony Xperia 5 V. Now sporting a larger sensor for the main camera, the compact flagship phone continues to focus on its photography capability, though it no longer features a telephoto shooter.

Instead, the Xperia 5 V makes do with a dual camera system made up of a 52MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter. But while it no longer has a zoom lens, the Xperia 5 V’s 52MP main camera with a larger 1/1.35″ Exmor T sensor is an improvement over
its predecessor
‘s 12MP primary shooter.

Other specifications of the Xperia 5 V include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, a 6.1-inch 2520 x 1080 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and wide 21:9 aspect ratio, a 12MP selfie camera, 256GB of internal storage, an IP65/IP68 rating, and a 5,000mAh battery.

The Sony Xperia 5 V is set to arrive in Malaysia sometime in Q4 2023, so it could be launched here as early as October next month. No local pricing has been revealed yet, though it does retail from €999 in European markets, which comes up to about RM5,035.


Honor Magic V2 & Honor V Purse (Concept) Foldable Phones Previewed at IFA 2023

Honor just previewed two foldable smartphone at IFA 2023. There’s the Honor Magic V2, which is touted by the company as its slimmest and lightest foldable phone yet, as well as the Honor V Purse concept that reimagines a foldable smartphone as a “fashion-forward purse,” as the company puts it.

Let’s start with the Magic V2. Weighing only 231g with a 9.9mm chassis when it’s folded, it is certainly a lightweight, thin foldable phone. Despite its slim profile, it still comes with a rather generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

Aside from that, the Magic V2 also features a triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP telephoto shooter. It also has a total of two 16MP selfie cameras; one for the inner screen, and another for the cover display.

Other specifications of the Magic V2 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM, three storage options (256GB, 512GB, 1TB), a 7.92-inch 2344 x 2156 OLED primary display with a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 6.43-inch 2376 x 1060 OLED cover screen (also 120Hz).

As for the Honor V Purse, it looks strikingly similar to the form factor of 2020’s
Huawei Mate Xs 2
 with an outward-facing foldable display. While detailed hardware of the phone were not revealed – it’s a concept, after all – it does make use of an always-on display to mimic a…well, purse.

Unfortunately, the global availability of the Honor Magic V2 or Honor V Purse was not revealed at the company’s IFA 2023 press conference. However, given that the
Magic Vs
 was launched here, we reckon the Magic V2 will (eventually) be introduced locally.


Lenovo Legion Go Is a Switch-Like Handheld Gaming PC for $699

Lenovo just announced a competitor to the
Asus ROG Ally
 and Valve’s Steam Deck. Aptly dubbed Lenovo Legion Go, it shares similar hardware as Asus’ offering, though it does have some unique features, including detachable controllers. Yes, much like the
Nintendo Switch
 with its Joy-Con.

The “Legion TrueStrike” controllers, once detached from the main body of the Legion Go, can supposedly be used as a mouse once the right controller is (magnetically) attached to an included controller base. Of course, the handheld gaming PC also has a kickstand at the back to prop it up.

Of course, the Legion Go also runs on Windows 11 out of the box.

Under the hood, the Legion Go is quite capable. Just like the ROG Ally, it is configurable with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. It also has a sharp 8.8-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, along with a 49.2Wh battery. That’s quite a bit bigger than the 40Wh battery of the Ally.

The Lenovo Legion Go is set to be available in selected markets sometime in November 2023. Retailing from $699 (about RM3,250), it’s priced quite competitively as well. No word yet on its Malaysian availability, unfortunately enough.


Video: Driving the Proton X90, X70 & X50 in 2023!

The Proton X series is the result of the national carmaker’s collaboration with Geely over the years. It started with the
X70
back in 2018, followed by the
X50
 in 2020, and of course, the
X90
 earlier this year. In a
recent media drive
, we managed to drive all three of the SUVs, so here’s our quick review of them!

Each of the SUV caters to different crowd. The X50, thanks to its more compact size, feels more agile and nimble, making it the most fun to drive – in our opinion, anyway. The X90, on the other hand, is made for those with a bigger family, and it also has the best ride quality in terms of comfort. As for the X70, it sits right between the two of them, both in terms of drivability and ride comfort.

Watch our video above to learn more about the X90, X70, and X50! Looking forward, Proton is rumoured to be working on several new models. These include an X70 facelift, an updated X50, and even a brand new sedan popularly referred as the
Proton S50
. All of them are said to be introduced sometime this year or early next year.


Gateron Opens Official Store in Malaysia Through Shopee & Lazada

It’s even easier to get more keyboard parts in Malaysia now. Gateron is one of the most recognisable names in the keyboard switch market, and the company has just opened an official store in Malaysia on two major platforms:
Shopee
 and
Lazada
.

At the moment, there are a total of 17 different switches offered by Gateron on Shopee, including the popular
Gateron Oil King
 and more affordable
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro
 switches. Curiously, there are actually 18 switches sold on its Lazada store, with the extra switch being the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White.

While it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, it is likely that the official Gateron store for our market is handled by MKB, which has a
physical store in SS15, Subang Jaya
. Of course, it’s worth noting that MKB itself is an official distributor of Gateron switches in Malaysia.

If you’re keen to grab some switches from Gateron, head on to its official stores on
Shopee
 and
Lazada
. Every switch sold through Gateron comes with a one-year local warranty, and this being an official store, you can be assured the switches are genuine.


iQOO Z7 in Supernova Orange Now in Malaysia – Limited Edition, 120W Charging, Still RM1,499

iQOO just launched a new colourway for the iQOO Z7 in Malaysia. The Supernova Orange colour is touted as a limited edition model, though it still retails at the same price point as the standard version.

For the Malaysian market, the iQOO Z7 in Supernova Orange is only offered in the 12GB + 256GB configuration for RM1,499. Unfortunately enough, it’s not available in the more affordable 8GB + 128GB version, which is only offered for the
Matrix Blue and Metallic Grey colourways
 for RM1,299.

Anyway, the iQOO Z7’s 120W fast charging capability is one of its best selling points; it’s said to be able to charge up the phone’s 5,000mAh battery from empty to full in only 26 minutes. Aside from that, it also has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G chipset, 6.64-inch 1080p LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (64MP main + 2MP depth), and a 16MP selfie camera.

The iQOO Z7 in Supernova Orange is now available for purchase in Malaysia. In conjunction with the upcoming 9.9 sale this Saturday, the phone will be
discounted to RM1,175 on Shopee
 with a number of freebies bundled. Curiously,
on Lazada, it will be offered for RM1,169
 instead with a free pair of Skullcandy earbuds.


Honor Magic V2 Hands-on: Incredibly Thin & Lightweight Foldable Phone

The Honor Magic V2 made its international debut last week at IFA 2023. Initially launched in China back in July this year, the foldable smartphone’s lightweight nature and slim chassis are some of its most highlighted features.

After spending a brief time with the Magic V2, I’m very impressed with the foldable phone. Honor certainly has a promising product on its hands, and if the Chinese company ever brings in the phone to the Malaysian market, I reckon it can give other foldable phones a run for their money.

First, let’s talk about the specifications of the Magic V2. Tipping the scales at only 231g with a 9.9mm chassis when folded, it is certainly a lightweight, thin foldable phone. Despite its slim profile, the phone still comes with a rather generous 5,000mAh battery that supports 66W fast charging.

Aside from that, the Magic V2 also features a triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP telephoto shooter. It also has a total of two 16MP selfie cameras; one for the inner screen, and another for the cover display.

Other specifications of the Magic V2 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM, three storage options (256GB, 512GB, 1TB), a 7.92-inch 2344 x 2156 OLED primary display with a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 6.43-inch 2376 x 1060 OLED cover screen – also clocked at 120Hz.

When I first picked up the Magic V2, it feels quite surreal to hold in my hands. While I wouldn’t say it feels like a conventional bar phone –
contrary to Honor’s claim
 – it’s certainly one of the slimmest foldable phones I’ve ever held.

That being said, when unfolded, the Magic V2 does feel a tad
too thin
 to hold comfortably. After all, it measures merely 4.7mm when it’s opened up, so it’s not exactly the most ergonomically-friendly device to hold.

On the plus side, the Magic V2 does have a solid, robust hinge. Folding and unfolding the phone feel nice and smooth, and the tension remains consistent. Definitely a hinge that inspires confidence.

As for the display crease of the Magic V2, it is…okay? While it is visible from certain angles or when the display is dim, it’s not particularly noticeable when in normal use. Sure, I can feel the crease if I run my finger over it, but again, I don’t think it is something that will stick out in daily use.

In terms of panel quality, the Magic V2’s 7.92-inch 2344 x 2156 OLED primary display looks nice and vibrant with punchy colours. The 120Hz refresh rate also lends to fluid animations and a zippy user experience; exactly what is expected out of a flagship smartphone.

The cover screen of the Magic V2 is quite good too. It is a 6.43-inch 2376 x 1060 OLED panel that also sports a 120Hz refresh rate, so you get a consistent user experience regardless of which display you’re using. From my brief time with the phone, I’d say the cover screen is big enough for everyday use.

Under the hood of the Magic V2 is none other than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. It’s the SoC that powers the majority of flagship Android smartphones in the market now, so needless to say, it can provide a high level of performance. Switching between multiple apps feels very, very seamless and responsive.

While I can’t quite gauge the battery life of the Magic V2 – this is just a hands-on – I reckon it can last quite long on a single charge out of the 5,000mAh battery. It’s certainly above average for a foldable phone this thin.

Last but not least is the camera performance of the Magic V2, which feels reasonably capable. As mentioned, it has a triple camera system made up of a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 20MP telephoto shooter; a versatile camera setup with three different focal lengths.

I didn’t quite manage to extensively test out the camera performance of the Magic V2, but I can say that it can take some great-looking shots with a rather responsive camera interface. But the real test for a smartphone’s camera lies in low light photography, which I’ll definitely put to the test once (or if, rather) the Magic V2 is available more widely.

Speaking of which, the Honor Magic V2 has no release date yet for the international market. At the moment, it is only available in China starting at 8,999 Chinese yuan – that comes up to about RM5,760. Not too far from the
Magic Vs
‘ asking price here in Malaysia (RM5,999).

Even though there’s no confirmation from Honor Malaysia yet on the local availability of the Magic V2, we reckon it will arrive here eventually, given the company’s prominent presence here. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the Malaysian availability of the Magic V2.


PlayStation Plus Price Increase: 1-Month & 3-Month Plans Also Affected in Malaysia

Well, it looks like there’s a price increase across the board for all PlayStation Plus plans in Malaysia. Previously, only the 12-month plan sees a price revision, but it appears even the 1-month and 3-month plans are affected now.

This was revealed by PlayStation itself in a
revised blog post
. While the price increase for the 1-month and 3-month plans are not as drastic as the 12-month memberships’, it’s still a noticeable difference. The biggest one being the 3-month plan for PlayStation Plus Deluxe, which sees a RM15 increase.

PlayStation Plus 1-Month Subscriptions
Old Price
New Price
PlayStation Plus Essential
RM29
RM32
PlayStation Plus Extra
RM44
RM49
PlayStation Plus Deluxe
RM50
RM55

PlayStation Plus 3-Month Subscriptions
Old Price
New Price
PlayStation Plus Essential
RM69
RM75
PlayStation Plus Extra
RM114
RM125
PlayStation Plus Deluxe
RM130
RM145

PlayStation Plus 12-Month Subscriptions
Old Price
New Price
PlayStation Plus Essential
RM159
RM235
PlayStation Plus Extra
RM269
RM400
PlayStation Plus Deluxe
RM309
RM460

It’s worth noting that the price revision for the 1-month and 3-month PlayStation Plus plans are only applicable to Malaysia and Thailand, as outlined by PlayStation. Of course, despite the price revision, it is still more cost-effective to get the 12-month subscription of PlayStation Plus.

Previously, it was confirmed that the new pricing for the PlayStation Plus 12-month memberships will go into effect tomorrow on 6 September 2023. However, it remains to be seen if the same would be true for the new 1-month and 3-month plans – we’ll update this space once we have more information.


Proton CEO: Proton S50 Coming in 2 Months – November Launch Likely

It’s no secret that Proton is planning to release a sedan based on the Geely Emgrand very soon. Popularly referred to as the Proton S50, we now have confirmation from Proton itself on a release window for the sedan: it’s said to be introduced in the next two months.

This detail comes directly from the CEO of Proton, Li Chunrong, as reported by
Paultan.org
. This matches the rumoured launch of the S50, which is believed to be happening sometime in November, with mass production supposedly starting the month before in October.

Previous spy shots of the Proton S50

As for the S50 itself, four different variants of the sedan are said to be offered. All of them are rumoured to be powered by the familiar 1.5L TGDi engine that outputs 177PS and 255Nm of torque – the same one found under the hood of the
X50
 and
X70
.

But until confirmed by Proton itself, take these rumoured details of the Proton S50 with a grain of salt, though the
unavailability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
 is confirmed already. We should learn more about the S50 as we approach closer to the launch of the sedan in two months’ time.


Honda Malaysia Offering up to RM12,000 Discount for September 2023

Honda Malaysia’s discount for the month of September 2023 looks to be even more attractive than the previous month. From now until 30 September 2023, a number of Honda models are discounted pretty heavily, including the
City Hatchback
, CR-V, and Accord.

Naturally, the
Honda Accord
 gets the best discount. Both the range-topping TC-P and more affordable TC models of the D-segment sedan receive a total of RM12,000 rebate, while all variants of the CR-V get a RM8,000 total discount.

As for the City Hatchback, all five models of the B-segment hatchback are discounted by RM2,500.

As usual, these discounts are only applicable to vehicles that are registered between 1 to 30 September 2023, meaning you have to take delivery of the car within this month. More details on Honda Malaysia’s September promotion can be found on
its official website
.

If you’re interested to get any of these three 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
.


Booked a Tesla Model Y? RM1,000 Non-Refundable Fee Transferable to Model 3

If you’ve placed a booking for the
Tesla Model Y
, but you’re more interested to get the
facelifted Tesla Model 3
 instead, we have good news for you. The RM1,000 booking fee – which is usually non-refundable – can actually be transferred to the Model 3.

According to Tesla, you have to follow a number of steps (and fulfill some criteria) to transfer a Model Y’s RM1,000 booking fee to the Model 3. Firstly, only Model Y orders placed before 1 September – that’s when the Model 3 facelift was introduced – are eligible for the RM1,000 booking fee transfer.

You can then place an order of the Model 3 with
the same Tesla account
, and…well, pay another RM1,000 booking fee. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have to send a refund request to Tesla via email at
[email protected]
. Make sure to include your order numbers for both the Model Y and Model 3 in the email.

It’s worth noting that the refund request
has
 to be done by 15 September 2023, and it will only be processed once at Tesla’s discretion. With that in mind, do act quick if you want to transfer your RM1,000 non-refundable fee from the Model Y to the Model 3 facelift.


Toshiba Launches Z870M & Z670M Smart TVs in Malaysia – Bundled With Asus ROG Ally

Toshiba just unveiled two new TVs for the Malaysian market. These include the Toshiba Z870M 4K mini-LED TV, as well as the Toshiba Z670M 4K TV with quantum dot technology. Both of these TVs feature a 144Hz refresh rate complete with variable refresh rate (VRR) support, not to mention pretty darn good value, especially during the pre-order period.

Both the Z870M and Z670M are expected to hit store shelves sometime in October 2023, and they are now available for pre-order – at promotional prices, to boot – in Malaysia until 30 September. The higher-end Z870M, for example, is going for RM6,099 (from RM7,699) and RM7,499 (originally RM9,399) for the 55-inch and 65-inch models respectively.

To sweeten the deal, Toshiba is even throwing in an
Asus ROG Ally
 with every pre-order of the 65-inch Z870M. The 55-inch model, on the other hand, is bundled with a Logitech Z906 5.1 surround sound system.

The Toshiba Z870M

The Toshiba Z670M

As for the Z670M, it’s priced at RM3,999 (from RM4,999) and RM4,999 (originally RM6,299) for the 55-inch and 65-inch models respectively. A Bose TV speaker system is bundled with every pre-order of either sizes too; not bad for a 144Hz quantum dot TV with VRR.

If you want something even more affordable, there’s the Toshiba M550M. Set to arrive in Malaysia sometime in October next month, it is offered in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes. The M550M is touted as an entry-level 4K quantum dot TV that runs on Google TV, and it is expected to be even more affordable than the Z670M.

The Toshiba M550M

To recap, the Toshiba Z870M and Toshiba Z670M are now available for pre-order in Malaysia from RM6,099 and RM3,999 respectively until 30 September. Deliveries are expected to start sometime in October next month.


7 – 13 September Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.37 Per Litre

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

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

These prices will be in effect from 6 to 13 September next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


MTG Wilds of Eldraine Prerelease Experience – From Adventures to Anime Cards!

Magic: The Gathering’s latest set, Wilds of Eldraine, is set to arrive for tabletop this Friday on 8 September. Ahead of the expansion’s official release, Wizards of the Coast sent us a few products ahead of time, including a couple of prerelease packs.

Of course, we had to give the Wilds of Eldraine prerelease packs a go with a few rounds of Sealed Deck games, which proved to be quite fun with all of the set’s mechanics and special cards. These include Adventure cards, powerful Enchanting Tales cards, and of course, the much sought-after anime-themed cards.

Let’s start with what you get in a Wilds of Eldraine prerelease pack. The main contents include six Draft Boosters, a foil-stamped Wilds of Eldraine rare or mythic rare promo, a spindown life counter in a random colour, and a deck box.

For our Wilds of Eldraine prerelease pack, we got a Restless Vinestalk for the promo card, and a number of sweet cards in the Draft Boosters. Our (only) mythic rare is Agatha of the Vile Cauldron, while our rare cards include Scalding Viper – which we used for our final deck – and a sweet Karmic Justice in the anime borderless treatment!

However, as Karmic Justice is an Enchanting Tales card, it is
not
 Standard legal. But in a limited format, as long as you got it from your opened packs, it can be used to build your deck. Not that we did, as we opted for a red/blue deck instead.

All of the cards we opened in our six Draft Boosters

We like going with a more aggressive strategy in limited formats, which is partly the reason why we went with a combination of red and blue cards; an Izzet deck, basically. Well, that, and the fact that we got a Scalding Viper. Dealing one damage for every spell cast by our opponent with mana value of 3 or less? Yes, please.

Scalding Viper is also quite a good interaction tool. It’s an Adventure card, so we can actually cast the spell portion of the card first – Steam Clean, in this instance – exile the card, and then cast it back as a creature when it’s possible to do so.

In our first game, we managed to get Scalding Viper in our opening hand, which quickly overwhelmed my opponent. Talion’s Messenger helped a ton as well, as it can get a +1/+1 counter whenever I’m attacking with one or more Faeries. The fact that Talion’s Messenger has Flying makes it more difficult to be blocked too.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t repeat my success in the second game. I wasn’t drawing as many creatures as I would’ve hoped, and I drew my Scalding Viper a tad too late. On the bright side, at least it was a relatively close game; my opponent’s life total was quite low by the end of the second game.

And that is our prelease experience with Magic: The Gathering’s newest set, Wilds of Eldraine. Aside from the prerelease packs, we also got a Starter Kit and a box of Set Boosters from the expansion; we will unbox both of them very, very soon.

To recap, Wilds of Eldraine is set to be available for tabletop on 8 September this Friday. To celebrate the arrival of the new fairy tale-like set, Wizards of the Coast will also be holding an
Open House
, which is essentially a Launch Party.

You can also pre-order Wilds of Eldraine from your
favourite game store
 now ahead of its release. The expansion is offered in Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Commander Decks, Prerelease Packs, Bundles, and a Starter Kit.


Proton Crosses 100k Sales as of August 2023 – X90, X50 Continues to Dominate

Proton has crossed the 100,000 sales mark as of August 2023, which is a month ahead compared to the national carmaker’s sales performance last year. More specifically, Proton has sold 104,602 units in 2023 to date, with 13,955 cars registered last month.

Not surprisingly, the new
Proton X90
 continues to dominate the D-segment SUV market. 719 units of the premium SUV were sold in August 2023, with a total of 2,944 units delivered so far. Also retaining its top spot in the B-segment SUV category is the
Proton X50
: 2,558 units were delivered last month for a total of 22,750 units sold for the past eight months.

The Exora sits at the top of the C-segment MPV market too with 409 units registered in August 2023 (3,150 units delivered so far). Not surprisingly, the Saga remains Proton’s best-selling model with 6,585 units sold last month alone for a total of 45,836 units received by customers in 2023 to date.

“For Proton, our sales growth is a reflection of how the company’s focus on delivering better quality products paired to a premium experience delivered by the 154 3S/4S dealerships in our network, have a positive effect on customers,” said the Deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah.

“Going forwards, these efforts towards better products and services will continue and be boosted by the recent announcement of Proton Test Labs receiving ISO 17025 accreditation as well as the company’s
impending entry into the EV space
 with smart Malaysia,” he added.


Xiaomi Launches TV A & TV A Pro Google TVs in Malaysia From RM1,199

Xiaomi just introduced two new TV lineups running on Google TV in Malaysia. There’s the more affordable TV A series in two sizes – one more is coming at a later date – as well as the higher-end TV A Pro lineup in three different models.

Let’s start with the Xiaomi TV A series. The 43-inch model with a Full HD panel is priced at only RM1,199, while the larger 55-inch variant with a sharp 4K display goes for RM1,999. It’s worth noting that both models will be discounted for Lazada’s 9.9 sale this Saturday: the 43-inch TV A will be discounted to RM899, while the 55-inch version can be bought for only RM1,499.

There is also an even more budget-friendly 32-inch TV A with a HD panel, though this model will only be available here at a later date.

Next, we have the TV A Pro lineup. It’s available in 43-inch (RM1,399), 55-inch (RM2,199), and 65-inch (RM2,699). All three sizes feature 4K panels – albeit only limited to 60Hz – along with support for Dolby Vision, and just like the more affordable TV A series, they run on Google TV out of the box.

If you want to get any of the TV A Pro models at discounted prices, you can do so at authorised Xiaomi stores nationwide on 9 September itself. All three sizes will be discounted by RM200, bringing down the prices to RM1,199, RM1,999, and RM2,499 for the 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch models respectively.

You can also check out the Xiaomi TV A and Xiaomi TV A Pro Google TVs for yourself at the ongoing Xiaomi Smart Living Showcase 2023 roadshow. It starts today until 10 September this Sunday at the Blue Concourse (LG2) of Sunway Pyramid in Petaling Jaya. Various Xiaomi products are also shown there, including its latest smartphones and home appliances.


Spy Shot: Proton X70 MC2 Facelift Spotted With New Infinite Weave Grille!

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Proton X70 MC2 (Minor Change 2) facelift on the road, but here it is! This is our closest look yet at the new front end of the upcoming SUV, which looks to mirror its Geely twins, the Boyue Pro and Azkarra. Of course, there’s also the new Infinite Weave grille!

The images below were taken by H+Z and subsequently shared by
Funtasticko
. Just as rumours have suggested, the new Infinite Weave grille does take inspiration from the X90’s diamond-shaped studs. The silhouette of the front end looks strikingly similar to the Boyue Pro and Azkarra as well, which
isn’t exactly a surprise
.

Aside from the updated exterior, the facelifted X70 is said to feature a new interior too, which we reckon will be similar to the aforementioned Boyue Pro and Azkarra. If this is indeed the case, it should feature a much bigger infotainment screen powered by Geely’s faster E01 SoC, chrome finishing on the air-cond vents, and redesigned climate controls.

As for expected release, the Proton X70 MC2 facelift is said to be introduced towards the end of the year or January 2024 after the launch of the much anticipated
Proton S50
 sedan. For the latter, it is (almost) confirmed for a November 2023 launch, with mass production rumoured to be beginning in October next month.

Interestingly, the
Proton X50
 is said to be receiving a Running Change update too, which may see some minor improvements to the popular B-segment SUV.


Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Mouse & Pro X TKL Keyboard Now in Malaysia For RM689 & RM799

Logitech got two new peripherals for the Malaysian market. There’s the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 wireless mouse with new “Lightforce” hybrid switches, as well as the Logitech G Pro X TKL wireless keyboard that offers reliable wireless connectivity via the Lightspeed dongle.

Let’s start with the G Pro X Superlight 2. Retailing at RM689 in Malaysia, it has a long spec sheet. These include the aforementioned Lightspeed hybrid switches that combine the performance of optical sensors with the feel and response of a mechanical switch, a new Hero 2 sensor, up to 95 hours of battery life, and the same 60g lightweight shell.

As for the G Pro X TKL keyboard, its Lightspeed wireless dongle offers “speed and reliability” with up to 50 hours of battery life. It also has double shot PBT shine-through keycaps for the Lightsync RGB support, Bluetooth connectivity, a carrying case, and three switch options: GX Brown (tactile), GX Red (linear), and GX Blue (clicky).

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 and Logitech G Pro X TKL are now available for purchase in Malaysia. To recap, the Superlight 2 retails at RM689 in Malaysia, while the Pro X TKL goes for RM799. We will be reviewing the two peripherals very soon, so stay tuned for that.


Games Haven Expands to Malaysia – Popular TCG Store Now Open in SS3, Petaling Jaya

Games Haven has expanded to Malaysia! Originally from Singapore, the trading card game (TCG) store is the first to receive the WPN Premium status from Wizards of the Coast – the company behind Magic: The Gathering – in the country. Needless to say, it’s an established brand.

There are currently four Games Haven stores in Singapore, so this Malaysian outlet, located in SS3, Petaling Jaya, is its fifth store overall. We were told that Games Haven PJ shares the same inventory as its stores in Singapore, so you can order items from
Games Haven’s website
 and have them delivered to the branch here.

At the moment, Games Haven PJ does not have an online store just yet, but it will be set up very soon. The outlet has quite a number of MTG products in stock too, ranging from older sets like
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
, to the latest
Wilds of Eldraine
 expansion that’s officially releasing tomorrow on 8 September.

Of course, Games Haven PJ sells MTG singles as well, and it has a respectable collection despite just opening its doors last week. Pricing wise, it takes
Card Kingdom’s price database
 as a basis, multiplying listed prices on the site (which are in USD) by four.

If you’re keen to give Games Haven PJ a visit, you can do so over at
20a, Jalan SS 3/31, Taman Universiti, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
. Its operating hours are from 3PM to 12AM from Monday to Saturday – though it is closed every Tuesday for the SS3 night market – and from 10AM to 6PM on Sunday.

You can also keep track of Games Haven’s latest MTG events on its
Facebook page
.


Unboxing MTG Wilds of Eldraine Set Booster & Starter Kit – How Many Anime Cards in a Box?

Magic: The Gathering’s Wilds of Eldraine set is available for tabletop today! To celebrate the arrival of the new fairy tale-like expansion, Wizards of the Coast is holding an
Open House
 at various TCG stores until 10 September, which is essentially a Launch Party.

Ahead of Wilds of Eldraine’s release, Wizards sent over a couple of products to unbox, including a Starter Kit 2023 and a box of Set Boosters. If you’re curious just what kind of cards you can get in the latter – especially those sweet, sweet anime cards – here’s an unboxing of Wilds of Eldraine’s Set Boosters and Starter Kit!

Before that, let’s check out a couple of other neat items that Wizards sent over. There’s a letter of sorts that connects the events of
March of the Machine
 to the Wilds of Eldraine, as well as a couple of sticker packs to “armor up” Syr Ginger, one of the most prominent figures of the set.

Next, there’s the Starter Kit 2023, which is made for new players who want a working 60-card MTG deck straight out of the box. In fact, two decks are bundled in the kit: there’s a red/blue deck featuring Tyrant of Kher Ridges, and a white/green deck headlined by Boon-Bringer Valkyrie – both of these cards are in traditional foil.

Next, there’s the Wilds of Eldraine Set Boosters. Unlike Draft Boosters, Set Boosters are meant to be more “exciting” to crack open, making it ideal for folks who just enjoy opening booster packs instead of using them for Limited play, such as Draft or Sealed.

Anyway, what makes an MTG Set Booster more exciting to open is the structure of the 14-card pack for the Wilds of Eldraine. 12 of them are guaranteed Magic cards, while the other two are an art card and a token/ad card; the latter has a chance to be replaced with a card from “The List.”

Unique to Wilds of Eldraine’s Set Booster is a dedicated slot for an Enchanting Tales card, which are made up of popular enchantments that were previously released. These borderless cards feature fairy tale-style artwork, and if you’re lucky, there is a 2.8% chance of cracking open an Enchanting Tales card with a special anime-themed treatment.

In my box of Wilds of Eldraine Set Boosters, I was lucky enough to pull not one, but three Enchanting Tales card with the anime borderless treatment! The anime Necropotence and Greater Auramancy are the regular variants, while Sneak Attack is a foil version. These are certainly high value cards, though I was hoping to get a Rhystic Study instead – that would’ve been a great addition to my Esper Commander deck.

Nonetheless, aside from these three anime enchantments, I also got a number of other noteworthy cards. These include Cavalier of Thorns and Korvold, Gleeful Glutton; the former was found in The List slot, while Korvold is a part of the Wilds of Eldraine Commander set. That is why these two cards do not have the Wilds of Eldraine set logo on them.

Other noteworthy mythic rare that I managed to pull from the Wilds of Eldraine Set Boosters are Virtue of Loyalty, Virtue of Persistence, and Talion, the Kindly Lord. It’s worth noting that these cards, along with the other mythic rare cards in the box, easily surpassed the cost of the Set Boosters. And that is without even looking at the other rare cards I got!

This comes as no surprise, given that the cards you get in a box of MTG Set Boosters can cover its cost; at least, in most cases. Of course, the caveat is that you will get random cards, and you may not pull for the
one card
 that you want – in my case, it was Rhystic Study.

Nonetheless, it’s always entertaining to unbox Magic: The Gathering’s Set Boosters. If you’re keen to get any products in the Wilds of Eldraine set, give your
nearest game store
 a visit. There’s a wide variety of products to choose from, including Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Commander Decks, Prerelease Packs, Bundles, and of course, the Starter Kit 2023.


GoPro Hero 12 Black Lands in Malaysia for RM1,999 – Longer Runtime, More Feature-Packed

Not long after the global introduction of the brand new GoPro Hero 12 Black, it is now available right here in Malaysia. One of the biggest improvements to GoPro’s latest flagship action camera is longer runtime – the Hero 12 Black is said to offer twice as long runtime as its predecessor, the Hero 11 Black.

For the Malaysian market, the Hero 12 Black itself retails at RM1,999, while the RM2,999 “Creator Edition” bundles the action camera with a number of accessories, including a grip, a “media mod” attachment with a mic, and an LED light attachment. There’s also the Max Lens Mod 2.0 for RM519, which allows you to take footage at a 177-degree field of view in 4K at 60fps.

Thanks to a redesigned power management system, the Hero 12 Black is capable of up to 155 minutes of continuous recording at 1080p30. It goes down to 95 minutes at 5.3K30, or 70 minutes at 5.3K60 – that’s the Hero 12 Black’s highest performance setting.

Other specifications of the Hero 12 Black include wireless audio support for
Apple AirPods
 and other wireless earbuds via Bluetooth, the ability to do 8x slow-motion video at up to 2.7K resolution, as well as a 1/1.9-inch sensor that allows it to record footage in 8:7 aspect ratio that can then be cropped to other aspect ratios, including 16:9, 9:16, and even 4:3.

To recap, the GoPro Hero 12 Black will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 13 September onwards for RM1,999. If you want the Creator Edition bundle instead with a number of accessories, it will set you back RM2,999. You can also purchase the RM519 Max Lens Mod 2.0 attachment to record footage at a wider field of view.


Tesla Opens Online Merchandise Store in Malaysia – Fancy a RM170 Desktop Supercharger?

Tesla just opened its online merchandise store for the Malaysian market, and the carmaker is selling quite a number of neat accessories. These include various items for the Model Y, apparel, a Tesla-branded USB drive, and get this: a desktop Supercharger.

Despite what it is called, the
desktop Supercharger
 isn’t actually a charger. Rather, it’s more of a cable organiser for your desk, and it costs a cool RM170. It is said to be a precise scale model replica of the actual Supercharger, so Tesla fans may appreciate the unique-looking cable organiser.

Aside from the desktop Supercharger, there’s also a
128GB Tesla USB drive
 for…RM240. Certainly a steep price tag for a 128GB drive. If you want something even more unique, there’s the limited edition
Cyberwhistle
 – also priced at RM240 – which is a whistle inspired by the design of the Cybertruck.

You can check out the full list of merchandise Tesla is offering for the Malaysian market through its
official website
. What do you think: will you be getting the RM170 desktop Supercharger to tidy up cables on your desk?


Lightweight Acer Swift Edge 16 With OLED Display Now in Malaysia From RM3,999

Initially unveiled at Computex 2023, the Acer Swift Edge 16 is now available in Malaysia. It’s a refresh of the
original Swift Edge we reviewed
, and it is now powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series processors with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics.

Two variants of the Swift Edge 16 are available in Malaysia. The Ryzen 5 7535U model with 512GB of SSD storage retails at RM3,999, while the higher-end Ryzen 7 7735U configuration with a 1TB SSD goes for RM4,399.

Beyond the different processor and SSD capacity, both variants of the Swift Edge 16 have the same hardware. These include a 16-inch 3840 x 2400 OLED display – we don’t get the 120Hz panel option, unfortunately – 16GB of RAM, along with a 12.95mm chassis that tips the scales at only 1.17kg; quite lightweight for a 16-inch laptop.

The Acer Swift Edge 16 is now available for purchase in Malaysia from RM3,999. The first 30 customers to purchase the laptop will also get freebies worth up to RM948, including a Porsche-branded wireless mouse, an Austin backpack, as well as TNG eWallet credit in conjunction with the ongoing
Acer Day 202
3
 campaign
.


Realme 11x Coming to Malaysia 15 September in Purple Dawn & Midnight Black

Though the Realme 11x didn’t make its Malaysian debut alongside the
Realme 11
 a couple of weeks ago – despite
already appearing in SIRIM’s database
 – the Chinese company just confirmed the local availability of the mid-range phone: it’s set to be launched here on 15 September this Friday.

For the most part, the Realme 11x shares many of its hardware with the higher-end Realme 11. It still comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a 6.72-inch 2400 x 1080 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 5,000mAh battery.

Where the Realme 11x differs from the Realme 11 are in two aspects: camera configuration and charging speed. It has a simpler dual camera configuration made up of a 64MP main shooter and a 2MP portrait lens, an 8MP selfie camera, and 33W fast charging.

To recap, the Realme 11x will be launched in Malaysia this Friday on 15 September. Of course, the local pricing of the phone has not been revealed yet, though it’s confirmed to coming here in two colourways: Purple Dawn and Midnight Black.


Infinix GT 10 Pro Pre-Orders in Malaysia Now Open for RM999 – Free XE27 Wireless Earbuds

Now this is curious. Ahead of the Infinix GT 10 Pro’s Malaysian launch on 12 September tomorrow, local pre-orders for the phone have actually started on
Infinix’s official Shopee store
. Not only has the pre-order gift been revealed, we also know the Malaysian pricing of the GT 10 Pro already.

Only one variant of the GT 10 Pro is offered in Malaysia. Packed with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the phone is priced at RM999. Two colour options are available – Cyber Black and Mirage Silver – and every pre-order of the GT 10 Pro placed by 12 September will be bundled with an Infinix XE27 wireless earbuds worth RM99.

Hardware wise, the GT 10 Pro is comfortably a mid-range offering. It features a MediaTek Dimensity 8050 processor, a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (108MP main + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

The Infinix GT 10 Pro is now available for pre-order in Malaysia through Infinix’s official Shopee store
for RM999
. The official launch of the phone is set for tomorrow on 12 September – we’ll find out then if Infinix has more surprises in store.


Deal: Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 With RM100 Discount Now

The
Sony WF-1000XM5
 was launched in Malaysia just last month, and it appears the wireless earbuds are being discounted already. Originally retailing at RM1,399, you can now get the WF-1000XM5 for RM1,299 – that’s RM100 worth of savings.

This deal is offered by Sony Malaysia itself on
Shopee
 and
Lazada
, and it looks to be a special promotion for the 9.9 sale on both platforms. Not only are the earbuds discounted to RM1,299, a premium casing is bundled too, though this is limited to the first 30 customers.

The highlight feature of the new WF-1000XM5 is certainly the improved noise cancelling. Using a total of six microphones and two separate processors, the XM5 can capture ambient sound more accurately while also delivering “unprecedented noise cancelling quality” – certainly a lofty promise.

Other specifications of the WF-1000XM5 include a new 8.4mm dynamic driver dubbed Dynamic Driver X – it’s said to provide deeper bass, richer vocals, and clear highs – up to 12 hours of battery life (down to eight hours with noise cancellation enabled), noise isolation foam tips, and IPX4 water resistance.

If you’re keen to purchase the new Sony WF-1000XM5 for only RM1,299, head on to
Shopee
 or
Lazada
 now. While a RM100 discount doesn’t seem much, it’s really quite good for a pair of wireless earbuds as new (and as good) as the WF-1000XM5.


SINGAKBD Kohaku Polycarbonate In-Stock Raffle Likely Happening This Weekend (16 September)

First teased a couple of months ago, the in-stock raffle for the
polycarbonate version of the SINGAKBD Kohaku
 is (finally) upon us. According to SINGAKBD on its
official Discord channel
, the polycarbonate Kohaku will likely go on sale this weekend; more specifically, on Malaysia Day itself this 16 September.

As previously revealed, the in-stock sale of the polycarbonate Kohaku will be done through a raffle, and only 100 units will be up for grabs. The colour combination is limited to a brass weight with a black aluminium plate as well, which does look quite good, in our opinion.

Based on the Kohaku R2, the polycarbonate Kohaku has a different weight design from the
original keyboard
 for easier assembly. This, along with the polycarbonate material, also change the sound profile of the keyboard. The polycarbonate Kohaku is still using a gasket mount design too, and it’s worth noting that brass weight with the Koi motif is now protected by a tempered glass cover.

More details on the in-stock raffle sale of the polycarbonate SINGAKBD Kohaku will be revealed very soon. Given that only 100 units are up for grabs, do note that odds of winning the raffle will be quite low, as is the case with SINGAKBD’s previous sales.


Illegear Enters Gaming Desk Market With Illegear Obsidian – RGB Desk for RM599

Illegear just released its first-ever gaming desk. The Illegear Obsidian is touted as a budget-friendly desk, and given that Illegear’s range of products are catered to gamers, it’s no surprise that the Obsidian comes with RGB lighting.

Two sizes of the Obsidian are offered. The small version (1120 x 600 mm) retails at RM599, while the large model (1360 x 600 mm) goes for RM699. The desk have three adjustable heights too (710mm, 760mm, 810mm), though you have to disassemble the feet to change the height – no, it doesn’t have a motor.

RGB lighting of the Obsidian – which is said to be customisable – can be adjusted with the controls on the bottom right side of the desk. Besides that, it also has a headphones hanger and cup holder to keep the surface clutter-free. Speaking of which, the Obsidian’s surface is a particle board with melamine lamination.

The Illegear Obsidian is now available for purchase in Malaysia
through Illegear’s online store
 for RM599 and RM699 for the small and large models respectively. Do note that you can get a discount on the desk if you’re paying in cash, lowering the prices to RM570 and RM665 respectively.

More details on the Obsidian can be found
on its product page
.


What to Expect From Tonight’s iPhone 15 Event

Apple’s September event is happening in less than 12 hours, where the Cupertino company is expected to unveil the new iPhone 15 series. Plenty of rumours surrounding the next iPhone lineup were posted prior to the launch tonight, so we figured it’d be good to do a recap of them.

Of course, besides the new iPhones, Apple is said to be releasing a number of other products at the event too, including a new Apple Watch and an updated AirPods Pro charging case – more on these further down the article.

How to Watch Apple’s iPhone 15 Event?

You can catch the iPhone 15 launch event in the YouTube video embedded above, or through
Apple’s very own website
. The launch is set to begin at 1AM Malaysian time on 13 September, and rest assured, we will be doing a live coverage of the event.

Going by previous Apple launches, we expect the Cupertino company to reveal the Malaysian pricing of every product introduced at the event right after the keynote has concluded. That’s right, we will find out the local prices of the new iPhone 15 lineup very, very soon.

Four New iPhones With USB-C, Camera Upgrade, Thinner Bezels

As usual, four different devices are expected to make up the new iPhone 15 series. These include the standard iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, though previous rumours claim that Apple may use the “Ultra” branding for the Pro Max.

Branding aside, the biggest change to the iPhone 15 lineup is the transition from Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector to the widely used USB-C port. If you’ve got a lot of USB-C cables lying around, this is great news. In fact, Android users may be more incentivised to make the jump to iPhone with this port change.

However, some reports claim that not all phones in the iPhone 15 series will get faster data transfer despite the transition to USB-C. Only the Pro and Pro Max models will supposedly support “at least” USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, while the base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus gets only USB 2.0.

On the bright side, at least all devices in the iPhone 15 lineup are said to support faster 35W charging rates with the switch to USB-C.

Dynamic Island is said to be offered on all phones in the iPhone 15 lineup too, though the chips powering them will be different. The Pro models are believed to be powered by Apple’s new A17 chip built on a 3nm process, while the regular iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be packed with the A16 chip. The latter is currently found in the
iPhone 14 Pro
 and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Beyond that, the Pro models in the iPhone 15 series are said to get a number of exclusive features as well. Apple is claimed to be moving from the stainless steel frame to a titanium one for the Pro iPhones, and thinner bezels are on the cards too. There’s also one other big update to the iPhone 15 Pro Max: better zoom performance.

If rumours are to be believed, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is said to feature a
periscope
 telephoto lens, allowing it to zoom in closer to a subject with minimal loss in image fidelity. Currently, the iPhone 14 Pro Max can only do 3x optical zoom, so if this rumour proves to be true, we can expect to see even better zoom performance out of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

It’s quite interesting that only the Pro Max model is reportedly getting a periscope telephoto camera while the regular Pro isn’t, given that both iPhone Pro models usually have the same camera configuration.

Updated Apple Watch Lineup

New Apple Watches could also debut at the September Apple event. The Apple Watch Ultra, for one, could be getting a new S9 processor based on the A15 chip that first appeared in the
iPhone 13 series
. The range-topping Apple Watch is rumoured to be getting a new darker titanium case as well.

As for the Apple Watch Series 9, it’s said to feature the same S9 processor too, along with a new pink colour option. It is also reported to feature a new band option that comes with a magnetic buckle.

New AirPods Pro USB-C Charging Case

The iPhone 15 isn’t the only one that’s going to get USB-C. Supposedly, the
AirPods Pro
 – more specifically, the charging case – will be updated with an USB-C port from the Lightning connector. Whether or not the earbuds themselves will get some changes as well remain to be seen.

To recap, the “Wonderlust”
September Apple event
 is slated to start at 1AM Malaysian time on 13 September. We’ll find out then just what the new iPhone 15 lineup, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro will bring to the table.


Infinix GT 10 Pro Launched in Malaysia for RM999 – Colour-Changing Back Panel, Dimensity 8050

Infinix just launched its latest phone in Malaysia, the Infinix GT 10 Pro. Sporting a rather sleek-looking back panel to match its gaming appeal – the Mirage Silver model even has a colour-changing design – the GT 10 Pro looks to be a decent mid-range phone.

Only one variant of the GT 10 Pro is offered in Malaysia. Packed with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the phone is
priced at RM999
. Two colour options are available – Cyber Black and Mirage Silver – and every pre-order of the GT 10 Pro placed by 12 September today will be bundled with an Infinix XE27 wireless earbuds worth RM99.

Hardware wise, the GT 10 Pro is comfortably a mid-range offering. It features a MediaTek Dimensity 8050 processor, a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (108MP main + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

The Infinix GT 10 Pro is now available for pre-order in Malaysia through Infinix’s official Shopee store
for RM999
. Again, every pre-order of the phone placed by today will be bundled with an Infinix XE27 wireless earbuds worth RM99.


Apple Watch Series 9 Official – S9 Chip, New Double Tap Gesture, Brighter Display

Apple’s September event is happening right now, and the first product to be introduced is the Apple Watch Series 9. Now powered by the new S9 chip, the smartwatch even features a brighter display with support for a “Double Tap” gesture.

To perform the Double Tap gesture – which is said to be coming next month – you just have to tap your index finger with your thumb twice. This gesture controls the primary button in any given app, so it can be used to, say, snooze your alarm.

It’s worth noting that Double Tap is enabled with the new S9 chip powering the Series 9, so it doesn’t seem like the gesture support will be coming to older Apple Watches.

Beyond that, there’s also the aforementioned brighter display of the Series 9; it now has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, which is said to be doubled from the Series 8. There is also a new pink colourway, along with new “FineWoven” bands that are said to have a suede-like feel.

The Apple Watch Series 9 will be first available in selected markets including US, Canada, and Australia from $399 (about RM1,865) on 22 September. Malaysian pricing of the Apple Watch Series 9 should be unveiled very soon; stay tuned for that.


Apple Watch Ultra 2 Features S9 Chip, 3,000 Nits Display, Same RM3,799 Price Tag

Aside from the Apple Watch Series 9, the Cupertino company also introduced the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 at its September event. Just like the former, the rugged smartwatch is now powered by the S9 chip, along with an even brighter display and support for the new double tap gesture.

The unique double tap gesture is enabled with the Watch Ultra 2’s new S9 chip. By just tapping your index finger with your thumb twice, you can control the primary button in any given app. You can, for example, accept calls or snooze your alarm by just doing the double tap gesture; that’s quite neat.

Another noteworthy upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a brighter screen. With a peak brightness of a whopping 3,000 nits – which is said to be 50% brighter than its predecessor’s panel – Apple says this is the brightest display ever on an Apple Watch.

Despite the upgrades that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 bring, its asking price for the Malaysian market
remains the same at RM3,799
, which is great. What is not so great is the fact that the local availability of the new watch has not been revealed yet. We’ll be sure to update this space once we know when the Ultra 2 can be purchased in Malaysia.


iPhone 15 & iPhone 15 Plus Get USB-C, Dynamic Island, New 48MP Camera

The 2023 iPhones are here! First out the gate are the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and just as rumours have suggested, the new base iPhones now feature a USB-C port along with the Dynamic Island screen cutout. On top of that, they also get an improved dual camera system that features a new 48MP main sensor.

Thanks to the new 48MP primary camera, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus can now do 2x lossless zoom, just like last year’s
iPhone 14 Pro
 series. Aside from that, the standard iPhones are also powered by Apple’s A16 Bionic chip – yes, the same one found under the hood of last year’s Pro iPhones.

Display of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus sees a nice upgrade too. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the new screen is said to be twice as bright as the iPhone 14’s panel. The display is also protected by Ceramic Shield now, which is said to be “tougher than any smartphone glass.”

Pricing wise, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus retail at $799 and $899 respectively in the US. Stay tuned for the Malaysian pricing of the two iPhones – the information should be made available in the next hour or so.


iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max Unleashed – A17 Pro Chip, 12MP Periscope Camera, USB-C

The higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have just been unleashed, and it brings a slew of new upgrades to the table. These include a blazing fast A17 Pro chip, a 12MP periscope camera for improved zoom performance, and of course, a USB-C port with faster transfer speeds.

Built on a power-efficient 3nm process, the Apple A17 Pro is said to be the most powerful chip found in a smartphone. The performance level of the chip even allows Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 to be playable on the iPhone 15 Pro models; titles that were previously exclusive to consoles and PC.

In the camera department, the iPhone 15 Pro Max gets a new periscope telephoto lens that enables 5x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro soldiers on with a 12MP telephoto sensor that does 3x optical zoom. There’s also a new 48MP primary camera with a larger sensor for better low light performance, along with an improved 12MP ultra-wide shooter.

For the US market, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will start at $999 and $1,199 respectively; these prices are said to be the same as last year’s equivalent models. As for the Malaysian pricing of the two iPhones, it should be revealed very, very soon.


iPhone 15 & iPhone 15 Plus Malaysian Pre-Orders Start 22 September From RM4,399

You can pre-order the new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus in Malaysia as early as next week on 22 September.
Starting at RM4,399 and RM4,899 respectively
, the base iPhones see a
similar RM200 price hike
 as the Pro models on our shores.

Of course, you do get more phone for the money with the new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. Not only do they come with a USB-C port now, the two phones get the Dynamic Island screen cutout as well. On top of that, there’s also an improved dual camera system that features a new 48MP main sensor.

Thanks to the new 48MP primary camera, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus can now do 2x lossless zoom, just like last year’s
iPhone 14 Pro
 series. Aside from that, the standard iPhones are also powered by Apple’s A16 Bionic chip – yes, the same one found under the hood of last year’s Pro iPhones.

Display of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus sees a nice upgrade too. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the new screen is said to be twice as bright as the iPhone 14’s panel. The display is also protected by Ceramic Shield now, which is said to be “tougher than any smartphone glass.”

As mentioned,
Malaysian pre-orders of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
 will start on 22 September next week from RM4,399 and RM4,899 respectively. Local deliveries will begin the following week on 29 September.


iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max Start at RM5,499 & RM6,499 in Malaysia

We now have the Malaysian pricing of the new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max!
Starting at RM5,499 and RM6,499 respectively
, both iPhones see a RM200 price hike for the Malaysian market.

It’s worth noting that the RM6,499 starting price for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is for the 256GB model; no 128GB version is offered anymore for the Pro Max model, it seems. This effectively raises the price of entry for the large premium phone.

Nonetheless, Malaysian pre-orders of the new Pro iPhones will start on 22 September, and they are set to arrive here the following week on 29 September, which is really quite fast.

Naturally, the new iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max bring a slew of upgrades to the table. These include a blazing fast A17 Pro chip, a 12MP periscope camera (for the Pro Max only) for improved zoom performance, a customisable Action button in place of the mute switch, and of course, a USB-C port with faster transfer speeds.

Built on a power-efficient 3nm process, the Apple A17 Pro is said to be the most powerful chip found in a smartphone. The performance level of the chip even allows Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 to be playable on the iPhone 15 Pro models; titles that were previously exclusive to consoles and PC.

In the camera department, the iPhone 15 Pro Max gets a new periscope telephoto lens that enables 5x optical zoom, while the iPhone 15 Pro soldiers on with a 12MP telephoto sensor that does 3x optical zoom. There’s also a new 48MP primary camera with a larger sensor for better low light performance, along with an improved 12MP ultra-wide shooter.

You can
pre-order the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
 in Malaysia from RM5,499 and RM6,499 respectively next week on 22 September. Deliveries will begin the following week on 29 September.


Apple Watch Series 9 Retains RM1,899 Price in Malaysia – Available Soon

Good news: the new Apple Watch Series 9
retains the same RM1,899 starting price
 as
its predecessor
 for the Malaysian market. Powered by the new S9 chip, the smartwatch also features a brighter display now with support for a “double tap” gesture.

To perform the double tap gesture – which is said to be coming next month – you just have to tap your index finger with your thumb twice. This gesture controls the primary button in any given app, so it can be used to, say, snooze your alarm when it rings.

It’s worth noting that the double tap gesture is enabled with the new S9 chip powering the Series 9, so it is unlikely the gesture support will be coming to older Apple Watches.

Beyond that, there’s also the aforementioned brighter display of the Series 9. The screen now has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, which is said to be doubled from the Series 8. There is also a new pink colourway for the smartwatch, along with “FineWoven” bands that are said to have a suede-like feel.

While we already know the Malaysian pricing of the Apple Watch Series 9, there’s no word yet on exactly when it can be purchased on our shores. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the local availability of the new smartwatch.


AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) Updated With USB-C Charging Case & IP54 Rating for RM1,099

Also updated with a USB-C connector is Apple’s popular
2nd generation AirPods Pro
; more specifically, its charging case. Aside from the port change, the earbuds themselves are also more durable now with an IP54 rating – an upgrade from the previous Lightning model’s IPX4 rating.

Basically, the USB-C AirPods Pro gains dust resistance, though other specifications of the wireless earbuds remain the same. These include the H2 chip for “up to double the noise-cancelling power” of the original AirPods Pro, along with a total of up to six hours of use with ANC activated.

It’s worth noting that with iOS 17 – which is set to be released on 18 September next week – the AirPods Pro will get a slew of new features. Adaptive Audio will adjust the noise control of the earbuds based on the environment, while Conversation Awareness, as its name suggests, will lower the volume and enhance voices in front of the user when said user starts speaking.

Naturally, the 2nd generation AirPods Pro with the new USB-C charging case
retains the RM1,099 price tag in Malaysia
. But much like other products announced by Apple today – with the exception of the
iPhones 15

lineup
 – it is not available for purchase on our shores just yet.


iPhone 14 & iPhone 14 Plus Now More Affordable in Malaysia – Up to RM400 Price Cut

With the launch of the
new iPhone

15 lineup
, Apple has revised the prices of the iPhone 14 and
iPhone 14 Plus
 in Malaysia. With up to RM400 price cut, the base iPhone 14 now starts at RM3,799, while the iPhone 14 Plus retails from RM4,399.

In fact, all variants of the iPhone 14 see a RM400 price cut, while the iPhone 14 Plus gets a RM300 discount across the board. For easy reference, we compare the old and new prices of the two iPhones in the tables below:

iPhone 14
Old Price
New Price
128GB
RM4,199
RM3,799
256GB
RM4,699
RM4,299
512GB
RM5,699
RM5,299

iPhone 14 Plus
Old Price
New Price
128GB
RM4,699
RM4,399
256GB
RM5,199
RM4,899
512GB
RM6,199
RM5,899

On paper, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are very similar to the iPhone 13 series; they soldier on with the same A15 Bionic chip that made its debut back in 2021. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, of course, given the
sheer processing power of the chip
. Even high-end Android phones have trouble matching the performance level of the A15
in 2023
.

You can purchase the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus at these new prices right now on
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. If you want to learn more about the iPhone 14 Plus, check out our
full review here
.


Of Course Apple Made a USB-C to Lightning Adapter for RM159

Apple is really bidding farewell to the Lightning port. All of the
iPhone 15

phones
 now feature USB-C connectors, so your existing Lightning cables will not be compatible with the new iPhones. But there is a way for you to continue using your Lightning cables: enter Apple’s USB-C to Lightning adapter.

Naturally, the adapter costs quite a bit of money;
RM159
, to be specific. For that kind of money, the USB-C to Lightning adapter does have a braided cable for added durability. Of course, it is said to be compatible with the new iPhone 15 and iPads with USB-C ports as well.

Unlike the iPhone 15, which will be available for pre-order in Malaysia on 22 September, the USB-C to Lightning cable can actually be purchased right now. If you want to prepare for the new iPhone in advance, you can do just that.

If you’re keen to get Apple’s USB-C to Lightning adapter, you can get buy it on
Apple’s Malaysian online store now for RM159
. While there are certainly more affordable alternatives in the market, you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues with Apple’s very own adapter.


The USB-C Finally Unites iPhone & Android Users

“Hey, do you have a charging cable? The one for iPhone.”

Chances are, you had a similar conversation at one point in time, and it can prove to be quite troublesome to keep track of different cables for different phones. This is especially the case if your circle of friends (or family members) use both iPhone and Android devices.

But with the introduction of the
latest iP
h
one

15 lineup
 with USB-C connectors instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, you only need a USB-C cable now to recharge a wide range of phones. With Malaysia Day taking place this Saturday on 16 September, we thought it would be good to talk about how the USB-C port is (essentially) uniting both iPhone and Android users.

One Port to Rule Them All

The USB-C standard has been around for a while now, and it is widely used across many device categories. It has just taken Apple…well, quite some time to make the transition to the connector for its smartphones. Granted, this isn’t the first time the Cupertino company is making use of USB-C – the port can already be found on its other products, including the
MacBooks
 and
iPads
.

That being said, the iPhone 15 series’ switch to USB-C is certainly a big deal. With the transition, you can now use the very same USB-C cable to charge your iPhone, MacBook, and a wide range of other devices (including Android phones) from many different brands. Gone are the days where you need to specify which charging cable you need for your phone.

Well, to
some
 extent, given that many iPhones in the market now still use the Lightning port – more on this later.

Can Any USB-C Cable Work With the iPhone 15?

In theory, yes, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. Not all USB-C cables are made equal, and poorly manufactured ones can even be detrimental to the device it is connected to, iPhone or not. With that in mind, it’s important to get a cable that’s properly certified.

One easy way to identify if a particular USB-C cable would work with the iPhone 15 – outside of just getting one directly from Apple, of course – is to look for the Made for iPhone (MFi) label on the packaging of the product. Such a cable should work with the new iPhone without issue,
provided
 it’s from a reputable brand.

Without going too deep down the rabbit hole, pay attention to the rated charging capability of the USB-C cable to ensure that your iPhone 15 can charge…well, normally. Apple still uses a 20W adapter to gauge the charging time of the new iPhones, so look for a USB-C cable that can do at least 20W charging.

If you plan to transfer huge amounts of data from your iPhone 15 – especially the Pro models – to another device with a USB-C cable, get one that is rated for fast data transfers. While the base iPhone 15 only supports USB 2, the Pro models feature USB 3, which can transfer data at up to 10Gbps – that’s the magic number you have to look for.

Needless to say, this applies to Android phones as well. Look for a USB-C cable that’s rated for the charging speeds and data transfers that suit your needs.

The Transition Will Take Time

As with any changes in the smartphone industry, it will take some time before the USB-C standard becomes more widespread among iPhone users. As mentioned, there are still many, many iPhones in the market now with a Lightning port, so the demand for Lightning cables is still very much there.

For folks who still have a lot of Lightning cables they want to use with the new iPhone 15, it’s worth looking into a USB-C to Lightning adapter of sorts, such as
this one from Apple for a cool RM159
.

All in all, it’s a great move from Apple to transition to the USB-C standard with the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The four new iPhones will all be available for pre-order in Malaysia next week on 22 September, and local deliveries will begin the following week on 29 September. Not too long of a wait until we can get our hands on the latest and greatest iPhones.


Proton X90 Catching Fire – Accident Caused by Grounding Connection, Not Hybrid Battery

A few week ago
, a viral video of a
Proton X90
 catching fire – the boot area, to be specific – started making its rounds on the internet. Proton, together with Geely, has found the root cause of the fire. As expected, the premium SUV’s mild hybrid (48V) battery is not the cause of the fire.

Rather, the fire was caused by grounding connection to the body of the X90. “This can cause overheating in the connecting area when a continuous large current passes through it and can result in a thermal incident due to its proximity to the sound proofing material,” the national carmaker said in a statement.

With this in mind, Proton’s 3S and 4S dealers will be contacting all owners of the X90 individually to bring in their SUV for inspection. If required, remedial action will be taken by the service centre to eliminate any thermal risk. Alternatively, current X90 owners can also get in touch with a Proton 3S or 4S dealer to make an appointment, or call Proton’s helpline at 1-800-88-8398 for more information.

To ensure that such an issue will not happen again, Proton and its vendors have made necessary countermeasures by enhancing their supplier process control and incoming inspections of the Proton X90’s production line. The carmaker reiterated that the fire is not caused by the SUV’s mild hybrid battery, and that the quality of its products and the safety of its customers remain the company’s top priorities.


14 – 20 September Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.37 Per Litre

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

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

These prices will be in effect from 14 to 20 September next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic Now CKD in Malaysia – Lower RM379k Price Tag

Launched earlier this year in CBU form, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic is now locally-assembled here in Malaysia; more specifically, at the brand’s production facility in Pekan, Pahang. Naturally, the CKD version of the SUV sees quite a big RM51,000 price drop.

This brings down the price of the GLC 300 4Matic in CKD to RM378,888 on-the-road without insurance. Not only is it more affordable, the locally-assembled version even gets two additional features: panoramic sliding sunroof and Handsfree Access. The latter is essentially a foot sensor-activated automatic tailgate.

Powertrain of the GLC 300 4Matic in CKD form remains the same: it’s still powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system that outputs 255hp and 400Nm of torque. It is mated to a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, sending drive to all four wheels through the 4Matic AWD system.

“With over 12,000 units sold since 2016, the GLC maintains its status as Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling SUV in Malaysia, offering a harmonious blend of luxury, versatility, and driving pleasure,” said the Vice President of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia and SEA II, Bettina Plangger.

“The introduction of the locally-assembled GLC marks a significant milestone in our journey, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to delivering uncompromised quality to our valued customers in Malaysia. This development is a testament to our customer-centric approach, as we continually strive to provide our valued customers with the best possible experiences,” she added.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic can now be booked in Malaysia for RM378,888. More details on the premium SUV can be found
here
.


PRISM+ Opening Another Outlet in Queensbay Mall, Penang on 16 September 2023

PRISM+ is opening yet another outlet in Malaysia! This time around, the store is located in Queensbay Mall, Penang, and it is the company’s second outlet outside of the Klang Valley area; fourth one overall in our local market.

As usual, to celebrate the launch of the new store on 16 September (Malaysia Day!) this Saturday, PRISM+ will be running a number of promotions outlined below. A 15% discount on all Logitech G products will also be offered, though this is limited to only one unit of keyboard, mouse, and headset per customer while stocks last.

1x free F240n 24-inch 165Hz gaming monitor (worth RM629) for any purchase
of a PRISM+ Q55-QE 55-inch 4K Android TV at RM1,699

1x free Elevate X1 monitor stand (worth RM299) and 1x free Logitech
G304 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse (worth RM119) for any purchase
of an X340 PRO 165Hz 34-inch ultrawide curved gaming monitor at RM1,599

1x free Arc Lite monitor arm (worth RM199) for any purchase of an X270
240Hz 27-inch curved gaming monitor at only RM999

X340 Pro 100Hz 34-inch ultrawide curved productivity monitor at RM1,199

W220v 22-inch productivity monitor at RM299

Logitech G304 Lightspeed wireless gaming mouse at RM119

PRISM+ reiterated that it will be launching its range of smart home appliances in Malaysia sometime this year. “With the trajectory towards smart home appliances and the increasing post-pandemic foot traffic in retail spaces, physical touch points have become pivotal to our expansion strategy. The upcoming inauguration of our Penang store symbolises another pivotal stride towards nationwide coverage,” said the Country Director of PRISM+ Malaysia, Eric Kam.

The grand launch of the new PRISM+ store in Queensbay Mall (2F-11 and 2F-12) at Penang is set for this Saturday on 16 September 2023. You can check out
PRISM+’s website
 for its full list of products too.


“Fashion-Forward” Huawei Watch GT 4 Official – Malaysian Pre-Orders Now Open for RM50

Huawei just unveiled its latest flagship smartwatch, the Huawei Watch GT 4. The Chinese company is putting quite a bit of emphasis on the “fashion-forward” design of the wearable, while also promising impressive battery life of up to 14 days on a single charge.

Two variants of the Watch GT 4 are offered. There’s the smaller, more elegant-looking (in our opinion) 41mm model, and the larger 46mm version. The 41mm watch is said to resemble a jewellery piece, while the 46mm variant has a “strong, sturdy exterior” with an octagonal dial design.

As mentioned, the Watch GT 4 promises up to 14 days of battery life under light usage, though this is limited to the 46mm model; the 41mm version offers up to seven days of use instead. Beyond that, both smartwatches feature a 466 x 466 circular AMOLED display, stainless steel body, a 5 ATM or IP68 rating, as well as over 25,000 different watchfaces to choose from.

According to Huawei Malaysia, the Huawei Watch GT 4 is
now available for pre-order in Malaysia
 with a RM50 deposit, though the local pricing of the smartwatch has not been revealed yet. As a point of comparison, last year’s
Huawei Watch GT 3
 retailed from RM999 at launch.


Honkai: Star Rail Arrives on PS5 11 October – Get Pre-Order Bundle for RM42

We finally got a date for
Honkai: Star Rail
‘s launch on the PlayStation 5! Set to arrive on the console next month on 11 October, Hoyoverse is also releasing a limited time pre-order bundle for the game on the PlayStation Store.

Priced at RM42
, the bundle comes with several in-game items for Star Rail. These include two Star Rail Passes, 150,000 Credits, 80 Adventure Logs, and 50 Sparse Aether. The full list of items included in the bundle is shown below:

Based on Hoyoverse’s announcement, it appears that Star Rail on the PS5 won’t quite take advantage of the DualSense controller’s features yet, such as adaptive triggers. Of course, there’s a chance it could be implemented later on – that was the case with
Genshin Impact
.

Honkai: Star Rail will be available on PS5 next month on 11 October. If you’re interested to purchase the RM42 pre-order bundle, you can do so on the
PlayStation Store
. While the listing shows that Star Rail costs RM42, that is the price for the pre-order bundle.

After all, Star Rail is a free-to-play game, just like how it is on other platforms.


SINGAKBD Kohaku (PC) In-Stock Sale Happening 16 September – RM2,350 Without PCB

As we
previously reported
, SINGAKBD will be running the in-stock sale for the
polycarbonate version of the SINGAKBD Kohaku
 tomorrow on 16 September. As usual, the in-stock sale will be done through a raffle, and only 100 units are up for grabs.

Pricing wise, the polycarbonate Kohaku goes for a cool RM2,350 without PCB; that’s RM100 more than the standard Kohaku. The colour combination is also limited to a brass weight with a black aluminium leaf spring plate, which does look quite good, in our opinion.

Based on the Kohaku R2, the polycarbonate Kohaku has a different weight design from the
original keyboard
 for easier assembly. This, along with the polycarbonate material, also change the sound profile of the keyboard. The polycarbonate Kohaku is still using a gasket mount design too, and it’s worth noting that brass weight with the Koi motif is now protected by a tempered glass cover.

The polycarbonate SINGAKBD Kohaku in-stock raffle will take place tomorrow on 16 September between 11AM to 11PM via Jotform; more details on the sale can be found on
SINGAKBD’s official Discord channel
. Do note that there will be a B-stock raffle of the keyboard at a later date, which could take place as early as next week.


PlayStation State of Play September 2023: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Spider-Man 2, Colourful PS5 Accessories

PlayStation just held a State of Play presentation earlier today, and there a quite a number of noteworthy announcements. Not only did we get a slew of new game trailers – with a release date for the highly anticipated Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – there are some colourful new PS5 accessories too.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

Yes, we finally know exactly when Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is coming! Set to be released next year on 29 February 2023 for the PS5, we get treated to a new trailer for the upcoming game. From familiar faces like Sephiroth to new synergy moves from the battle system, it’s shaping up to be quite an exciting follow-up to Final Fantasy VII Remake.

As previously revealed, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a three-part trilogy, so Rebirth is only the second instalment. We’ll have to wait for the third part to reach the conclusion of the series.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

While we already know that Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be released next month on 20 October 2023 – not too long now! – Insomniac Games gave us a more detailed look at the expanded city of New York. It’s said to be nearly double the size of the city in the first game, so players will have plenty of area to explore once the game drops.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be available exclusively on the PS5.

New Colourways for PS5 Accessories

Finally, we have some new colourways for a range of PS5 accessories. Dubbed Deep Earth Collection, the new colours have a metallic sheen to them in three shades: Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue, and Sterling Silver. These three new colours will be offered for the DualSense controller and PS5 console cover at RM369 and RM259 respectively.

Of the three colours, the Volcanic Red and Cobalt Blue accessories will be available first on 3 November, while the Sterling Silver models will arrive later on 26 January 2024. It remains to be seen if the Malaysian market will also receive these new colourways on the same dates.


Casetify Releases Funky Ultra Bounce iPhone 15 Case – Up to 10m Drop Protection

Casetify released a number of new cases to protect the equally new
iPhone 15 series
. The Ultra Bounce case, for one, has a rather funky design with some serious drop protection: Casetify says that the case can protect the iPhone 15 from drops up to 10m in height.

The Casetify Ultra Bounce case has a “6-layered rugged protection system,” and the four Ultra Bounce Corners are part of that system. The case is also Magsafe-compatible, and just like other Casetify cases, it can be customised accordingly for $110 – that comes up to about RM515.

Another new product is the Casetify Impact Ring Stand case. Basically, the camera ring of the case can be popped out to act as a kickstand. Priced at $80 (approximately RM375), the Impact Ring Stand case is also quite a bit more affordable than the Ultra Bounce case.

Aside from the two iPhone 15 cases, Casetify also got two new bands for the Apple Watch Series 9. The Bounce Band ($69, about RM325) is made from FKM fluoroelastomer rubber, which is said to be a high-resistant material while still providing good comfort. There’s also the more affordable Impact Band ($50, around RM235) with a slim strap “that favours water resistance,” as the brand puts it.

All of these products are now available for purchase
directly from Casetify
. Other products from the brand, including Magsafe accessories and screen protectors, can also be found on the brand’s official website.


Realme 11x Now in Malaysia Exclusively From U Mobile – Free With U Postpaid 98 Plan

As promised
, the Realme 11x has just been launched in Malaysia, and it looks to be available
exclusively on U Mobile
 at the moment. Though the mid-range phone retails at RM999, you can get the phone for free by subscribing to the U Postpaid 98 plan.

Of course, there are some caveats. In order to get the Realme 11x for RM0, you have to sign up for the U Postpaid 98 plan on a 24-month contract. If you get it on a 12-month contract instead, you’ll have to pay RM349 for the phone.

Alternatively, you can also get the Realme 11x with the more affordable U Postpaid 68 plan. Getting the plan with a 12-month contract discounts the phone to RM439, while the 24-month contract lets you purchase the phone for only RM239.

For the most part, the Realme 11x shares many of its hardware with the higher-end Realme 11. It still comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a 6.72-inch 2400 x 1080 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 5,000mAh battery.

Where the Realme 11x differs from the Realme 11 are in two aspects: camera configuration and charging speed. It has a simpler dual camera configuration made up of a 64MP main shooter and a 2MP portrait lens, an 8MP selfie camera, and 33W fast charging.


Genshin Impact 4.1 Arrives 27 September – Fatui Harbinger Arlecchino Makes Her Debut

Genshin Impact 4.1 is set to arrive in the next two weeks on 27 September, and the main storyline of the new Fontaine nation is looking to heat up. Not only will the upcoming version update add two new playable characters, the Fatui Harbinger “Arlecchino” will be making her debut too.

The trailer below shows a few snippets of Arlecchino, though it remains to be seen exactly what role she will be playing in the Fontaine storyline. Beyond that, Neuvillette and Wriothesley will be playable in Genshin Impact 4.1 as well, and both of them are 5-star catalyst characters. Their respective story quests will be available too.

Neuvillette

Wriothesley

A new area in Fontaine will also be unlocked in the Version 4.1 update of Genshin Impact. The Fortress of Meropid is where the main Archon quest will pick up again, where the Traveler will be looking for – slight spoiler here – Childe after the events of Version 4.0.

September is when Genshin Impact celebrates its anniversary, so a number of rewards will be given to players. These include 10 Intertwined Fates, 1,600 Primogems (enough for another 10 rolls), four Fragile Resins, and two unique gadgets:
Portable Aerodynamic Gelatinous Bubble Generator
 – that’s a mouthful – and
Itty Bitty Octobaby
.

Genshin Impact 4.1 will go live on 27 September 2023. Neuvillette’s event wish will be available first alongside Hu Tao’s rerun banner, while Wriothesley’s and Venti’s banners will be offered at a later date.