RedMagic 8 Pro Gaming Phone Lands in Malaysia From RM3,699 – Early Birds Get Up to RM800 Discount

A new gaming smartphone is now available in Malaysia. Compared to its predecessor, the RedMagic 8 Pro features a second generation under display camera (UDC) for better screen clarity, along with a sleek-looking transparent design and cooling fan – yes, the built-in fan is still retained.

Two variants of the RedMagic 8 Pro are offered in Malaysia. The base Matte variant comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for RM3,699, while the more generous 16GB + 512GB Void model with a transparent design goes for RM4,299.

The Void model

The Matte variant

For that kind of money, the RedMagic 8 Pro is a well-equipped high-end gaming phone. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a 6.8-inch 2480 x 1116 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a generous 6,000mAh battery with 65W fast charging.

The RedMagic 8 Pro will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 25 February
on Lazada
. Those who purchase the gaming phone on that day itself can get a cool RM800 discount on both models, bringing down the price to only RM2,899 and RM3,499 for the 12GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB models respectively.


2023 MacBook Pro With M2 Pro & M2 Max Chips Now Available in Malaysia

Apple’s new
14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro
 laptops are now available for purchase in Malaysia! Sporting the Cupertino company’s brand new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, the new machines promise faster performance, and in the case of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, the “longest battery life ever in a Mac.”

The new MacBook Pros can now be purchased on Apple’s Malaysian online store. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the more affordable model of the two with a
RM8,799 starting price
, while the larger, more powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro
retails from RM10,799
.

Thanks to the power efficiency of the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, the 16-inch MacBook Pro can last up to a whopping
22 hours
 on a single charge. In the performance side of things, the M2 Pro (with a 10- or 12-core CPU) offers up to 20% faster performance over the M1 Pro. As for the M2 Max, it promises 30% improvement in graphics performance compared to the M1 Max.

Beyond the new chips, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models feature some hardware revisions as well, including WiFi 6E for twice as fast connectivity compared to the previous generation. Aside from that, both laptops also get “advanced HDMI” now, which allows support for 8K displays for the first time.

To recap, the 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at RM8,799 in Malaysia, while the larger 16-inch MacBook Pro retails from RM10,799. Now that both laptops are available for purchase on
Apple’s Malaysian online store
, we reckon retail stores will have them up for sale very soon as well.


2023 Mac mini Arrives in Malaysia – M2 or M2 Pro Chip From RM2,499

Aside from the revised
14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros
, Apple has also brought in the Mac mini to Malaysian shores. Not only is it available with Apple’s M2 silicone now, the compact desktop can be configured with a Pro-tier chip in the form of the M2 Pro chip for the first time too.

Here in Malaysia, the new Mac mini
retails from RM2,499
 for the base model with an M2 chip paired with 8GB unified memory and a 256GB SSD. If you want the more powerful M2 Pro configuration instead, it will
set you back RM5,599
, which gets you 16GB unified memory and 512GB of SSD storage.

Performance gain is expected with every new revision, and for the updated Mac mini, it can now deliver up to 50% faster performance than the previous model in image editing via Adobe Photoshop. As for the M2 Pro model – compared to the M1 Mac mini – it offers up to 4.2x faster ProRes transcode in Final Cut Pro, and up to 2.8x improved performance in Resident Evil Village.

The 2023 Mac mini is now available for purchase in Malaysia through
Apple’s online store from RM2,499
. Physical retail stores should have the compact desktop in stock soon as well.


Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: Minor Changes, Major Improvements

In recent times, Samsung has focused on refining its range of high-end phones without making drastic changes. This is exemplified with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is largely similar to its predecessor, the
S22 Ultra
. This, in turn, does not make for a…particularly exciting update.

But the S22 Ultra was considered one of the best phones released last year, so the fact that the S23 Ultra retains many of its feature set isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Plus, the changes that Samsung did introduce with the S23 Ultra – improved camera sensor and performance, to name a couple – do make for a more refined, more polished flagship phone.

That, unfortunately, also entails a more premium price tag. But for folks who want (easily) one of the best Android phones in the market now, it’s hard to go wrong with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

What It Is

Display
6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (3088 x 1440), 120Hz adaptive
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 3.36GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 740
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB/512GB/1TB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
200MP f/1.7, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
12MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide angle), Dual Pixel AF
10MP f/2.4 (telephoto), Dual Pixel AF, OIS, 3x zoom
10MP f/4.9 (telephoto), Dual Pixel AF, OIS, 10x zoom
Laser autofocus system
Camera (front)
12MP f/2.2, Dual Pixel AF
Battery
5,000mAh with 45W charging
Dimensions
163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
Weight
233g
OS
One UI 5.1 based on Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4/5/6GHz)
USB Type-C
Price
RM5,699 (256GB), RM6,199 (512GB), RM7,199 (1TB)

On paper, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a high-end flagship phone through and through. It has the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a sharp Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a fast 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a sophisticated quad camera system with a 200MP primary sensor.

If there’s anything to nitpick, it would be the fast charging rate of the S23 Ultra. Given that other flagship phones have much faster charging speeds – even the
RM3,299 OnePlus 11
 can do 100W fast charging – the S23 Ultra is noticeably falling behind. Nonetheless, let’s move on to something more positive.

The Good Stuff

Since the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s camera system sees one of the most drastic changes, let’s talk about that first. The quad camera setup is made up of a whopping 200MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom.

While it is largely the same camera system as the previous model, the 200MP main camera is a new sensor that bins 16 pixels into one to output 12.5MP images. Overall, the S23 Ultra’s camera does feel more capable than last year’s S22 Ultra, though not by a huge margin.

In short, the camera performance of the S23 Ultra remains as excellent as ever. It performs well regardless of lighting situation, it can lock in focus very quickly, and its far-reaching zoom is still my favourite aspect of the camera system. There just aren’t many phones that can rival the zooming capability of this flagship.

Yes, the colour reproduction of the camera can be a tad too saturated sometimes, but to my eyes, it does make for more pleasant-looking shots.

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

12MP ultra-wide

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

12MP ultra-wide

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

10MP telephoto (3x optical)

10MP telephoto (10x optical)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

12MP ultra-wide

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

10MP telephoto (3x optical)

10MP telephoto (10x optical)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

Next, we have the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and it brings with it a slew of improvements. Performance, for one, is markedly better than last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. Whether it’s multitasking with various apps or gaming, the S23 Ultra can keep up with my usage.

Another benefit the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset brings is better power efficiency. On average, I can easily get over six hours of screen on time with the S23 Ultra out of the 5,000mAh battery. For the sake of comparison, I could only get about five hours of screen on time with last year’s S22 Ultra, which had the same battery capacity.

Basically, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset of the S23 Ultra not only offers better performance, but much improved battery life as well.

In the display department, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has
undeniably
one of the best-looking screens in the business. The 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel offers bright, vibrant colours, good white balance, deep blacks, and of course, wide viewing angles. It’s a display befitting of a premium, high-end phone.

Also worth highlighting is the fast 120Hz adaptive refresh rate of the S23 Ultra’s display. It’s a joy to game on such a fast panel – assuming you’re running games that support 120fps – and the extra frames do make for a phone that feels
that
 much more responsive.

Oh, there’s also the built-in S Pen of the S23 Ultra. It still feels natural to scribble on the screen with the stylus, and the various Air Actions are easy to execute. All in all, it’s the same S Pen loved by many.

Last but not least is the slightly tweaked design of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Compared to the S22 Ultra, the new phone has flatter sides, giving it more of the signature “squared-off” design aesthetic found in previous
Galaxy Note phones
. This, in turn, makes the phone easier to grip, improving its ergonomics.

The Bad Stuff

For a flagship phone that ticks so many boxes, it’s odd that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is lacking in one area: the aforementioned charging speed. While 45W charging isn’t slow by any means, it does lag behind its competition that can do much faster charging rates. Even
mid-range phones
 support 120W charging speeds now.

And then there’s the asking price of the S23 Ultra. Retailing from RM5,699 for the 256GB model, the starting price of the flagship phone went up by RM600 compared to its predecessor. That being said, it’s worth noting that the S22 Ultra had a 128GB variant that went for RM5,099; the equivalent 256GB configuration was priced at RM5,499.

Still, that’s a high price of entry, and the S23 Ultra now costs dangerously close to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at RM5,799 for the 128GB model. While staunch Android users may not look at iPhones when they’re shopping for a new phone, that’s not the case for everyone.

Android phones (even flagships) always had a sizeable price advantage compared to iPhones. Now that the price gap is getting smaller, it may be worth looking into the iPhone as well for those who are shopping for a premium Android phone like the S23 Ultra,
especially if you value certain things more
.

Is It Worth It?

If you’re certain you want an Android phone, then yes, you really can’t go wrong with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It has a very capable camera system, it is faster than ever, battery life is much improved, and of course, the signature S Pen is still here.

It’s a costly phone, to be sure, and the 45W charging speed leaves much to be desired. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the S23 Ultra is a fantastic, premium high-end phone. It may not have some revolutionary new features, but the upgrades that Samsung did implement with the S23 Ultra do lend to much improved user experience in many areas.


23 February – 1 March Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.35 Per Litre

RON 97 sees no price change yet again this week. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 continues to be set at RM3.35 per litre for the next seven days. RON 95, on the other hand, remains at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 23 February to 1 March next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


2023 Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (UX3404) With 13th Gen Intel Chips Launched in Malaysia From RM4,999

Asus just launched the 2023 Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (UX3404) in Malaysia. Sporting a unique ceramic-like finish on the top lid, the premium productivity machine is touted by Asus as the first laptop in Malaysia with an OLED display and Intel’s latest 13th gen processors.

As many as three different variants of the Zenbook 14X OLED are offered in Malaysia, though only the Core i7-13700H model is available now for RM5,999. The more affordable Core i5-13500H (RM4,999) and range-topping Core i9-13900H + RTX 3050 (RM6,999) configurations will arrive sometime in April 2023.

Since only the Core i7 configuration of the Zenbook 14X OLED is available in Malaysia now, let’s dive into its hardware. For RM5,999, it features a 14.5-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, as well as a generous 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 is also bundled with the laptop.

To recap, the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED is available for purchase in Malaysia now in the Core i7 configuration for RM5,999. The Core i5 and Core i9 models, on the other hand, will arrive on our shores sometime in April 2023.


Samsung Galaxy S23 Roadshow Begins 24 February at 4 Locations Throughout Malaysia

To celebrate the launch of its latest Samsung Galaxy S23 series in Malaysia, the Korean company will be running a roadshow at four locations throughout Malaysia from 24 February tomorrow until 26 February. Of course, customers can also grab a number of interesting promotions at the roadshows.

We visited the Galaxy S23 roadshow at 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, which is where these pictures are taken. Three other locations in Malaysia will have a similar roadshow too, including Gurney Plaza, Penang; AEON Mall Tebrau City, Johor Bahru; and Vivacity Megamall in Kuching, Sarawak.

At the Galaxy S23 roadshow, several activities are prepared. You can get a RM50 Samsung e-voucher by just capturing and sharing images of the roadshow, or even get a free Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm) worth RM1,099 with every purchase of the S23 series, along with a 30% PWP discount on accessories like the Silicone Grip Case.

Aside from that, there’s also a Spin & Win contest for those who get any Galaxy S23 device, where you can win a prize worth up to RM2,599. There is a
very attractive BOGO (buy one, get one) deal
 as well for the S23 series: you can trade-in your
S22 Ultra
,
S21 Ultra
, or
Note 20 Ultra
 to get the standard Galaxy S23 (128GB) for free with every purchase of a Galaxy S23 Ultra (256GB) priced at RM5,699.

Of course, depending on which Ultra device you have, you’ll have to top-up an additional RM199 or RM399 if you’re trading-in the S21 Ultra or Note 20 Ultra. No top-up required if you’re trading-in the S22 Ultra.

You can accessorise your phone with the Bespoke Studio

To recap, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is the most affordable device in the series with a RM3,899 starting price for the 128GB model; the 256GB variant costs RM4,199. A tier up is the Galaxy S23+, which goes for RM4,699 and RM5,199 for the 256GB and 512GB models respectively.

Finally, there’s the highest-end Galaxy S23 Ultra. The 256GB configuration costs RM5,699, while the 512GB variant carries a RM6,199 price tag. There’s also a whopping 1TB model for a cool RM7,199, though this particular configuration is not eligible for the free Galaxy Watch 5 launch promotion.

More details on the Galaxy S23 roadshow can be found on
Samsung’s official website
.


MSI Raider GE78HX Is an RTX 4090 Gaming Behemoth (With a Lightbar) for RM24,999

MSI just launched a slew of new laptops powered by Intel’s latest 13th gen processors, and one of the most powerful offerings by the Taiwanese company is the MSI Raider GE78HX. Sporting a fast Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with an equally speedy Intel Core i9-13980HX processor, it’s a very capable gaming machine.

Only one variant of the Raider GE78HX is offered in Malaysia, which features the aforementioned RTX 4090 and Core i9-13980HX combo for a cool RM24,999. For that kind of money, you’re also getting a very generous 4TB PCIE 4.0 SSD and 64GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM.

Of course, the new Raider also features a display worthy of its gaming prowess. It comes with a 17-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS-level screen with a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate. Paired with the beefy GPU and CPU, fast-paced games like Valorant and Apex Legends should be able to make full use of that refresh rate.

Another eye-catching feature of the Raider is the lightbar underneath the gaming laptop. Dubbed Mystic Light, the RGB lighting is (naturally) configurable. The SteelSeries-branded keyboard’s per-key RGB lighting is also customisable.

The MSI Raider GE78HX is now available for purchase in Malaysia. RM24,999 is certainly a hefty amount of money for the laptop, but if you want a serious gaming machine, the Raider fits the bill.


MSI Stealth 14 Studio Is a 14″ RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop For RM9,999 in Malaysia

Aside from the (almost obscenely) powerful
Raider GE78HX
, MSI also introduced a more compact laptop, the MSI Stealth Studio 14. One of the best selling points of the laptop – in my opinion, at least – is the fact that it’s a reasonably capable gaming laptop in a 14-inch form factor.

Offered in only one variant in Malaysia, the Stealth 14 Studio is priced at RM9,999. For that kind of money, it features an Intel Core i7-13700H processor paired with up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, a rather sharp 14-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS-level display with a very fast 240Hz refresh rate, as well as a PCIE 4.0 SSD, though the exact capacity was not detailed.

Given the 14-inch form factor of the Stealth 14 Studio, it is without a doubt a compact gaming laptop. It’s quite lightweight and thin as well with a 19mm chassis that tips the scales at 1.7kg. It’s a laptop I wouldn’t mind lugging around at all.

Sure, RM9,999 for “only” an RTX 4060 gaming laptop isn’t exactly great value proposition, but the MSI Stealth 14 Studio
is
 a compact gaming laptop; there’s not much competition in this space. Alternatively, there’s the
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
, though the new 2023 model hasn’t arrived here yet.


Budget 2023: License Fees Waiver for B2 Motorcycle, Taxi, Bus, e-Hailing Tests

Malaysia’s Budget 2023 is being retabled today, and one of the biggest transport-related announcements is the waiver of license fees for four different categories. These include test fees for B2 motorcycle (below 250cc), taxi, bus, and e-hailing.

The initiative was originally announced by the previous administration in October 2022, and this is really a confirmation that it will be implemented. The license fees waiver for these classes of vehicles is meant to help folks who rely on these vehicle classes to make a living, such as the B40 group.

It remains to be seen exactly when (and for how long) the license fees waiver will be implemented. We’ll have to wait for more details to be announced by the government in the near future.


Genshin Impact Baizhu & Kaveh Teased – Likely Playable in Version 3.6 Update

In typical Hoyoverse fashion, the developer dropped a teaser for two new characters coming to
Genshin Impact
: Baizhu and Kaveh. Both of them have actually appeared in the game before, so chances are, they will be playable in the Version 3.6 update of Genshin Impact.

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

As with previous teasers, there’s no mention of the weapons that Baizhu and Kaveh use; they haven’t been seen wielding any weapon in the game yet. But it’s confirmed in-game – and by Hoyoverse itself – that both of them possess a Dendro Vision.

Expect Baizhu and Kaveh to be playable characters once Genshin Impact 3.6 is here, which should be released sometime in April 2023, given that the Version 3.5 update
drops next week on 1 March
. That’s also when Dehya’s and Cyno’s event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact.


Budget 2023: Belia Rahmah Initiative Gives Youths RM200 eWallet Credit

Youths in Malaysia are set to get RM200 in ewallet credit sometime in 2023. This was confirmed at the retabling of Budget 2023 by the current government, and curiously, this initiative has been revised since its original announcement in October 2022: those in the M40 income group
will no longer receive RM100
.

That being said, it’s worth nothing that income tax for M40 group will be reduced by 2% for those with annual incomes between RM35,000 to RM100,000 as part of the new Budget 2023. According to the government, that’s up to RM1,300 extra disposable income for about 2.4 million taxpayers.

Anyway, for youths between the age of 18 to 20, they are set to receive RM200 in ewallet credit as part of the Belia Rahmah initiative. It will benefit over two million youths in Malaysia, and RM400 million funds will be used for this.

As usual, there’s no word yet on when the Belia Rahmah initiative will begin, though we reckon more details will be revealed in the near future. It’ll be interesting to see if the government will engage with the same ewallet services for the initiative, which included ShopeePay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, BigPay, and GrabPay.


2023 Toyota Vios Open For Booking in Malaysia – Estimated Pricing From RM90k

Well well well, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) just opened bookings for one of its most popular models, the 2023 Toyota Vios. The well-known B-segment sedan is now in its fourth generation, and it is feature-packed with rather comprehensive driver assistance systems.

According to UMWT, the new Vios is estimated to start from RM90,000 for the base 1.5E model, and dealers have revealed that the range-topping 1.5G may be priced from RM96,000. That’s right, only two trim levels are expected to be available in Malaysia.

In the safety department, the upcoming Vios will feature a slew of driver assistance systems. These include pre-collision system, lane keeping control, auto high beam, and get this: adaptive cruise control. Not many B-segment vehicles have this convenient feature.

Other revealed specifications of the updated Vios include 17-inch alloy wheels, three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power), paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, rear air-cond vents, a 3D panoramic view monitor, and even a 9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2023 Toyota Vios is now
available for booking in Malaysia
. To recap, it’s expected to retail from RM90,000 to RM96,000 for the base 1.5E and highest-end 1.5G models respectively.


Budget 2023: Tax-Free Period for EVs in Malaysia Further Extended to 2025 & 2027 for CBU and CKD Models

While it wasn’t verbally mentioned at the retabling of Budget 2023 by the current government, electric vehicles (EV) in Malaysia are actually getting more incentives now. These include both fully imported (CBU) and locally assembled (CKD) EVs.

Previously, import and excise duties exemption on CBU EVs in Malaysia were proposed to end on 31 December 2024 at the original tabling of Budget 2023. But this has now been revised to be extended
another year
 to 31 December 2025.

The
Ora Good Cat

The Smart #1

That also means the highly anticipated
Smart #1
 electric SUV that will be brought into Malaysia by Proton Edar towards the end of this year – in CBU form – can enjoy over two years of tax-free prices. As for CKD EVs, they will remain tax-free until 31 December 2027. That’s right, locally assembled EVs get two additional years of tax exemptions.

Thanks to these incentives, EVs in Malaysia should remain (relatively) affordable for quite some time, which should bolster EV adoption on our shores. As
EV charging infrastructure
 is
further improved
 throughout the country, EVs are set to be more attractive options in the near future.


Xiaomi 13 Also Launched in Malaysia – Still Features Leica Camera for RM3,499

Launched alongside the range-topping Xiaomi 13 Pro is the more affordable standard Xiaomi 13. Despite sitting at a lower price point, it is still a flagship-tier phone with a Leica triple camera system – albeit not as sophisticated – and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.

Unlike the 13 Pro, the regular Xiaomi 13 is only offered in one variant in Malaysia. Featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, it is priced at RM3,499. Three different colour options are available: Flora Green, White, and the classic Black.

Although the Xiaomi 13 doesn’t get the Pro’s 1-inch primary camera sensor, it’s still a rather capable (and Leica-branded) triple camera system. It consists of a 1/1.49-inch 50MP main shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto sensor. It’s a versatile camera setup with three different focal lengths.

Rounding out the specifications of the Xiaomi 13 are a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset previously mentioned, a 6.36-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 32MP selfie camera, a 4,500mAh battery with 67W fast charging, and MIUI 14 based on Android 13 out of the box.

You can now pre-order the Xiaomi 13 in Malaysia for RM3,499 until 7 March 2023. Online pre-orders through Shopee or Lazada will be bundled with a RM699 e-voucher, while offline pre-orders at Xiaomi stores will be bundled with a 43-inch Xiaomi TV P1 worth RM1,799.


Xiaomi 13 Pro Unleashed in Malaysia – Leica Camera, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, From RM4,599

The Xiaomi 13 Pro has just been launched in Malaysia today. Sporting a Leica-branded triple camera system and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it’s certainly a premium flagship smartphone…with matching price tags.

Two variants of the Xiaomi 13 Pro are available in Malaysia. The base model with 256GB of storage and 12GB RAM retails at RM4,599, while the 512GB configuration – touted as a limited edition model – with the same amount of RAM goes for RM5,999.

It’s offered in two colours: Ceramic White and Ceramic Black.

Naturally, the Leica camera system of the Xiaomi 13 Pro is one of its main selling points. It’s made up of an impressive 1-inch Sony IMX989 primary sensor – the same one found in the
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
 – a 50MP telephoto shooter, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens with macro support.

Other specifications of the Xiaomi 13 Pro include the aforementioned Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a 6.73-inch 1440p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 32MP selfie camera, a 4,820mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging, and MIUI 14 based on Android 13 out of the box.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 7 March 2023. Those who pre-order the 256GB model (RM4,599) online can get a RM799 e-voucher from
Shopee
 or
Lazada
, while offline pre-orders through Xiaomi stores will come with a 58-inch Xiaomi TV A2 worth RM2,799.

As for the limited edition Xiaomi 13 Pro in 512GB configuration, it’s only available for pre-order offline at Xiaomi stores. It’s bundled with a Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, and a Xiaomi 33W PowerBank 10,000mAh Pocket Edition Pro.


Xiaomi Smart Cooking Robot Is a Thermomix Alternative for RM4,599 in Malaysia

Xiaomi has released a wide range of kitchen appliances, and its latest offering in Malaysia could just be the brand’s most interesting one yet. Enter the Xiaomi Smart Cooking Robot, which is touted as a more affordable alternative to the popular Thermomix.

Compared to the Thermomix TM6, for example – which currently retails at an
eye-watering RM7,488 in Malaysia
 – the Xiaomi Smart Cooking Robot is priced at only RM4,599. Needless to say, it’s quite a bit more affordable than the TM6, and it is feature-packed too with recipes tailored to the local market.

We were told that the Smart Cooking Robot currently has over 200 recipes, and some of them include dishes loved by locals such as
nasi lemak
 (!) and Hainanese chicken rice. More recipes will be added in the future too, and no membership is required to access them.

Other features of the Smart Cooking Robot include an 8-inch touchscreen, 3D induction heating – from 35°C to 180°C – and the ability to prepare three dishes and a soup
simultaneously
. A slew of accessories are bundled with the appliance as well, including a steamer set, blender base with blade, whisk, scraper, mesh basket, and measuring spoons.

The Xiaomi Smart Cooking Robot is now available for purchase in Malaysia at Xiaomi stores for RM4,599. We were told that stocks are limited at the moment, so if you’re keen to get this Thermomix alternative, you may want to contact your nearest Xiaomi store soon.


Honor Magic 5 Series Official – Triple Camera With up to 100x Zoom, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Honor just unveiled its latest series of flagship phones at MWC 2023. The Honor Magic 5 and Honor Magic 5 Pro, given their premium positioning, are naturally powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. In the case of the Pro model, its triple camera system can even do up to 100x zoom.

Let’s start with the range-topping Magic 5 Pro. Its triple camera configuration is made up of a 50MP primary shooter, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP periscope telephoto sensor that can do 3.5x optical zoom or 100x digital zoom. As for the selfie camera, it’s a 12MP unit.

Other specifications of the Magic 5 Pro include a 6.81-inch 2848 x 1312 LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz smart refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage, IP68 rating, a generous 5,100mAh battery with support for 66W wired charging (50W for wireless charging), and MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13.

As for the standard Honor Magic 5, it has slightly different hardware. While it’s still powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it has a more modest triple camera system made up of a 54MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 32MP telephoto camera with 2.5x optical zoom or 50x digital zoom.

Rounding out the hardware of the Magic 5 are a 6.73-inch 2688 x 1224 LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, a 12MP selfie camera, IP68 rating, and a 5,100mAh battery with 66W wired charging.

For European markets, the Honor Magic 5 is priced from 899 euro (about RM4,250), while the Honor Magic 5 Pro starts at 1,199 euro (approximately RM5,670). We were told that the Honor Magic 5 series will be coming to Malaysia, though it remains to be seen if both phones will be sold here.


Genshin Impact Dehya & Cyno Banners Arrive 1 March With Collei, Bennett, Barbara

Details on Dehya’s and Cyno’s event wishes have been revealed! Set to go live in
Genshin Impact
 tomorrow on 1 March, the two 5-star characters’ banners will be accompanied by Collei, Bennett, and Barbara.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

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

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

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

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

Dehya’s “Auric Blaze” and Cyno’s “Twilight Arbiter” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 1 March tomorrow. Their banners will be offered until 21 March, which is when
Kamisato Ayaka’s and Shenhe’s reruns
 – alongside Mika, a new 4-star character – will go live.


Click & Brew Moving to New Location in George Town, Penang – Closed for 2 Months

It’s official:
Click & Brew just announced
 that it will be moving to a new location. We wrote about this transition just last week in our
photo essay of the keyboard cafe
, and it will be closed for two months (from next week onwards) to facilitate the move and renovation at the new space.

While Click & Brew did not mention the exact location of the new store, we were previously told that it will still be located within George Town, Penang. So no, there won’t be any new keyboard cafe in the Klang Valley area. Well, not yet, perhaps?

Even though the keyboard cafe will be closed for the next two months beginning next week, Click & Brew’s online store will still be operational. You can still purchase its range of keyboards, switches, and keycaps from its
official website
.

If you want to give Click & Brew a visit before it closes at the end of the week, you can still do so at its current location at
4, Lebuh Acheh, George Town, Penang
. You can also check out our
photo essay of the current store
 before the move!


OnePlus 11 Concept Is a Liquid-Cooled Smartphone With Visible Liquid Flow

We’ve seen our fair share of concept smartphones, and at MWC 2023, OnePlus unveiled a rather interesting concept of its own. The OnePlus 11 Concept features a liquid cooling system dubbed Active CryoFlux, and the flow of the liquid is visible on the back of the phone and around the camera module.

Of course, the Active CryoFlux system isn’t there just for looks. According to OnePlus, the cooling system can lower the temperature of the phone by up to 2.1°C, which is said to provide between three to four extra frames per seconds in games.

Outside of gaming, the Active CryoFlux system offers another advantage too. During charging, for example, the cooler can bring down the temperature of the OnePlus 11 Concept by 1.6°C. This, in turn, shortens the charging time between 30 to 45 seconds.

While these benefits are by no means groundbreaking, it does make for a phone with a unique aesthetic with some improvements to the overall performance. However, as the OnePlus 11 Concept is, well, a concept phone, it remains to be seen if the Active CryoFlux system will ever make it to a consumer product.

Nonetheless, it’s still a “cool” innovation.


Pokemon Sleep Releases Summer 2023 – Attract Pokemons While You Sleep

Pokemon Sleep was announced back in 2019, and it finally got a proper release date. Set to arrive sometime in summer 2023 – so that’s between June to September 2023 – it’s essentially a sleep tracker that allows you to attract Pokemons while you’re asleep.

This is shown in a new trailer for Pokemon Sleep. Depending on your sleep pattern – the mobile app has three sleep categories: dozing, snoozing, or slumbering – you will attract different Pokemons with the same sleeping habit. If you’re lucky, you can even get Pokemon with “rare sleep styles.”

Aside from the new trailer for Pokemon Sleep, the Pokemon Company also released a video for the Pokemon Go Plus + device; yes, there are two instances of “plus” in the product name. Anyway, that device can be used for both Pokemon Sleep (for sleep tracking) and Pokemon Go, though the device is not necessary to play Sleep.

To recap, Pokemon Sleep is set to arrive sometime between June to September 2023 this summer. As for the Pokemon Go Plus + device, there’s no tentative release date for it yet.


Spy Shot: Could This Be the Proton X90’s Interior?

More spy shots of Proton’s upcoming D-segment SUV – tentatively dubbed
Proton X90
, which is based on the Geely Haoyue – are surfacing online. This time around, we possibly got a first look at the interior of the large SUV, and it looks pretty good.

These images of the X90 were shared by CW Awei – though they were originally posted by one Kamweng Woon – in the
Geng Funtasticko
 Facebook group. Not only do we have a purported shot of the interior, the Infinite Weave grille of the SUV seems to have changed
from the last time we spotted it
 too.

To recap, the Haoyue is a large D-segment SUV that can be configured with five or seven seats; it measures 4,835mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,785 tall. Compared to the
Proton X70
, the Haoyue is 316mm longer, 69mm wider, and 91mm taller.

Powering the Haoyue, on the other hand, is a 1.8L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that outputs 181PS and 300Nm of torque. This engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with drive sent either to the front wheels or all four of them for the AWD model.

However, it’s worth noting that in The Philippines, the Okavango (as it’s called there) is actually available with a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine – similar to the one
manufactured at Proton’s assembly line at Tanjung Malim, Perak
. It’s paired to a mild hybrid system that put out a combined figure of 190hp and 300Nm of torque, and it features a 7DCT, though there is no AWD variant.

Of course, given its positioning as a premium SUV, the Haoyue is equipped with Geely’s level 2 autonomous driving system too. It is made up of 24 different sensors to allow for as many as 17 “intelligent drive features.” According to Geely, this lets the SUV automatically follow, stop, as well as turn at speeds of up to 150km/h.

Just like the
Proton X50
, the Haoyue is also capable of parking itself. It features a 360-degree camera as well, and given the large size of the SUV, we imagine this will come in handy for most drivers.

The Geely Haoyue

Even though the Geely Haoyue has been spotted on Malaysian roads quite a bit, it’s still too early to tell if it will eventually materialise to be the “Proton X90,” even if it’s allegedly launching sometime this year. Nonetheless, we will keep a close eye for any local development of this premium SUV.


It’s Official: Tesla Is Coming to Malaysia!

Now this is interesting: Tesla is officially coming to Malaysia! Once the carmaker is here, Malaysians won’t have to purchase Tesla models from grey importers anymore, not to mention the availability of official aftersales services.

This bit of news comes from MITI minister Tengku Zafrul. According to him, Tesla is coming to Malaysia through MITI’s BEV (battery electric vehicle) Global Leaders initiative to boost BEV demand in the local market. In fact, the brand is the first applicant for the program.

Malaysia Welcomes
@Tesla
!
@MITIMalaysia
 has approved Tesla's application to import BEVs into Malaysia.
Tesla will establish a Head Office, Tesla Experience & Service Centres, and Supercharger network, simultaneously creating skilled & better paying  jobs for M'sians.
pic.twitter.com/BbQP7jNazX
— Tengku Zafrul 🇲🇾 (@tzafrul_aziz)
March 1, 2023

He added that Tesla will be opening a head office in Malaysia, along with Tesla experience and service centres. Of course, the company will develop a Supercharger network locally as well, which should bolster the availability of EV chargers throughout the country.

Unfortunately, there’s no word yet on exactly when Tesla will be coming to Malaysia. Nonetheless, it’s still great to see that the company now has approval to import its EVs to our market.


Oppo Find N2 Flip Foldable Phone Lands in Malaysia for RM3,999

The Oppo Find N2 Flip has finally been launched in Malaysia! Not only is this the Chinese company’s first-ever foldable phone to be sold outside of China, it is also quite a refined device with a minimal crease on the foldable display for improved user experience.

For the Malaysian market, only one variant of the Find N2 Flip is offered. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the clamshell foldable phone is priced at RM3,999 on our shores. Two colour options are available: Moonlit Purple (pictured here) and Astral Black.

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

Just like the larger
Oppo

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

Rounding out the specifications of the Find N2 Flip include a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset, a 32MP selfie camera, as well as a rather generous 4,300mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

Malaysian pre-orders of the Oppo Find N2 Flip begin today until 10 March 2023. To recap, it retails at RM3,999, and early pre-orders will come with a slew of freebies, including a pair of Oppo Enco Air 3 wireless earbuds, a case, and a one-year extended warranty.


Oppo Find N2 Flip Hands-on: Refining the Foldable Flip Phone Design

After much anticipation, the Oppo Find N2 Flip is finally launched in Malaysia. It is the Chinese company’s first-ever foldable phone to be (officially) sold on our shores, and despite this being the brand’s first clamshell foldable phone, its refinement is on-par with the competition.

If you’re in the market for a foldable flip phone, you should really give the Find N2 Flip a consideration. It has a number of advantages compared to other clamshell-style foldable phones, and Oppo’s latest offering is priced quite well in the segment too.

Before we get to it, let’s talk about the price of the Find N2 Flip. For the Malaysian market, only one variant of the foldable phone is offered. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the clamshell foldable phone is priced at RM3,999 on our shores. Two colour options are available: Moonlit Purple (pictured in this writeup) and Astral Black.

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

Now, the primary screen is actually one of the biggest selling points of the phone – I’ll elaborate more later.

Beyond that, the Find N2 Flip features a Hasselblad-branded camera system, just like the larger
Oppo Find N2
. Of course, it’s not quite as sophisticated of a setup: the dual camera is made up of a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. Naturally, it features Oppo’s very own MariSilicon X NPU as well for improved camera performance.

Rounding out the specifications of the Find N2 Flip include a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset, a 32MP selfie camera, as well as a rather generous 4,300mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging. Interestingly, a faster 67W charger is actually provided with the phone.

Now, one of the most highlighted features of the Find N2 Flip is its 6.8-inch 1080p AMOLED inner display, and it has a couple of advantages over its main competition, Samsung’s Z Flip 4. For one, it closes completely flat. There’s no gap at all when the phone is in its folded state, which is quite impressive.

What’s even more impressive is the display crease of the Find N2 Flip. While it’s not completely invisible, it’s certainly a more minimal crease than the Z Flip 4’s. You can still see and feel the crease if you really look for it, but you’d be hard-pressed to notice it in normal use.

The crease is visible if you look for it

But it practically disappears in normal use

It closes nice and flat

While we’re on the topic of display, the Find N2 Flip’s cover screen is nice and expansive, making it much more pleasant to use than, again, the Z Flip 4’s smaller outer display. What I especially appreciate is using the cover screen as a viewfinder to snap a picture of friends and families; the fact that they can also see the framing helps them get an idea of how the picture will turn out.

However, I do wish I could do
more
 with the Find N2 Flip’s cover screen. While I can look at my notifications and interact with them – to some extent – I’d have to unfold the phone if I want to craft my own reply. There’s more than enough screen real estate on the cover display to fit in, say, a T9 keyboard, which would’ve been really useful to quickly reply to messages instead of picking from a list of pre-set texts.

Anyway, let’s move on to a more positive note: the battery life of the Find N2 Flip. Packed with a sizeable 4,300mAh battery, I can easily get through a typically workday with the phone so far in the review process. Evidently, the power efficiency of this phone is quite good.

And that can also be attributed to the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset of the Find N2 Flip. Yes, MediaTek chips are not as popular as Qualcomm’s offerings, but this is really quite a capable chip. It can provide a fast, zippy user experience, and I’d even say it’s comparable to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC found in the Z Flip 4.

Last but not least is the Find N2 Flip’s camera performance. Its Hasselblad-branded dual camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide) can take some good-looking shots, even in low light conditions. The camera interface is also quite responsive, lending to a pleasant shooting experience. Rest assured, I will be putting the camera through its paces in the full review.

All in all, the Oppo Find N2 Flip is quite an attractive foldable flip phone. It has minimal crease on the main foldable screen, it offers a good level of performance, and its camera system is easily among the best…in the segment. It still can’t quite compare to traditional flagship phones, though I do enjoy photographing with the phone so far.

You can now
pre-order the Find N2 Flip in Malaysia
 until 10 March 2023 for RM3,999. Early pre-orders of the flip phone will come with a slew of freebies, including a pair of Oppo Enco Air 3 wireless earbuds, a case, and a one-year extended warranty.


Honda Malaysia Kongsi Bersama Rewards Offers up to RM4,000 Discount for March 2023

In conjunction with the upcoming festive season – Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri – Honda Malaysia continues to offer discounts on some of its models. These include the
popular Honda City
, the City Hatchback, the Accord, and the CR-V – it’s worth noting that this promotion are for brand new units made in 2023.

Naturally, the
Honda Accord
 gets the best discount. Both the range-topping TC-P and more affordable TC variants of the D-segment sedan receive a RM4,000 rebate, while all variants of the CR-V also get a pretty generous RM3,000 rebate.

As for the City sedan, every trim levels get a RM2,000 discount, while the more compact City Hatchback gets a RM1,000 discount.

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

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


Proton Sold 14,033 Units in February 2023 – X50 Continues to Be Segment-Leader

Proton just released its sales figure for February 2023, and things are looking great for the national carmaker. With over 14,033 units sold last month – including domestic and export sales – the company delivered quite a bit more cars in February 2023 than it did the month before (11,681 units).

Naturally, the X50 continues to lead the B-segment SUV market with over 3,247 units sold last month. But it is not Proton’s best-selling model; that honour goes to the Saga with 6,345 units delivered in February 2023.

The Exora continues to be the leading C-segment MPV locally as well with 336 units sold last month. As for Proton’s other models, the Persona sees 2,313 units delivered in the same period of time, while the X70 and Iriz recorded 981 and 811 sales respectively.

“Over the next few months, Proton will also be making several announcements to shape the company’s direction for 2023 and beyond,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah. “This will be a busy year as we establish our presence in new segments, enter the new energy vehicle market, and build our EV credentials when sales of the
Smart #1
 begin,” he added.

Previous spy shots of the Proton X90

Proton previously revealed that the Smart #1 electric SUV will be sold in Malaysia sometime in Q4 2023, and there’s a good chance the “
Proton X90
” – tentative name for the company’s new SUV based on the Geely Haoyue – will be released this year too, given the
amount of spy shots
 surrounding the new model.


Illegear Launches 3 New RTX 40 Gaming Laptops in Malaysia – Mach 15, Onyx 2023, Sapphire GX

Illegear unveiled three new gaming laptops – with different display sizes – powered by Nvidia’s latest RTX 40 series GPUs. These include the Mach 15, Onyx 2023, and the largest machine of the bunch, the Sapphire GX.

Let’s start with the most compact (and affordable) laptop of the lot, the Mach 15. Retailing from RM3,999, the base model features a fast 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate, an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor paired with 8GB DDR5 RAM, a 512GB NVMe SSD, and an RTX 3050 GPU (4GB GDDR6).

If you want to fit an RTX 4050 GPU (6GB GDDR6) to the Mach 15 instead, it’s a RM799 upgrade.

The Illegear Mach 15

If you want a slightly bigger machine with more power, there’s the Onyx 2023. The Onyx VX is the AMD version with a RM4,999 starting price, and it comes with a Ryzen 7 7735HS processor paired with 8GB DDR5 RAM, a 16-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, an RTX 4050 GPU (6GB GDDR6) – upgradable to an RTX 4060 (8GB GDDR6) for RM699 – and a 512GB NVMe SSD.

As for the Intel variant, the Onyx GX, it starts at RM12,599 for a fast Intel Core i9-13900HX processor paired with 16GB DDR5 RAM, an RTX 4080 GPU (12GB GDDR6), a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS screen with a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 512GB NVMe SSD.

Last but not least is the Sapphire GX. The RM12,999 base model is packed with a sizeable 17-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 240Hz refresh rate, a Core i9-13900HX processor paired with 16GB DDR5 RAM, an RTX 4080 GPU (12GB GDDR6), and a 512GB NVMe SSD.

The Illegear Mach 15, Onyx 2023, and Sapphire GX are all available for purchase now through
Illegear’s online store
. Those who place their orders by 12 March 2023 can get RAM and SSD upgrades worth RM577 to RM2,237, depending on which laptop you get.


Impulse Gaming Opening New Store in Sungai Besi, KL – Biggest Game Store in Malaysia

Impulse Gaming is easily one of the most well-known game stores in Malaysia, and the company is
 set to open its ninth branch
 in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. Once it is operational, it is said to be the biggest game store in Malaysia with a “showroom-esque” retail experience, as Impulse puts it.

It’s been in the planning stage for over a year now, and the Sungai Besi branch will have demos for almost every product Impulse Gaming carries from various brands. These include PlayStation (naturally), Asus, MSI, Razer, and Logitech. These brands will also have their own showrooms within the store.

Renders of Impulse Gaming’s Sungai Besi branch

Aside from that, Impulse Gaming will have a cafe its Sungai Besi branch as well. This is done in partnership with Chatto, so you can get your bubble tea fix while you’re browsing through the store. With over 10,000sqft of space, it’s really quite a sizeable retail outlet.

If you’re a fan of tabletop
card games
, you’ll be happy to know that Impulse Gaming will be running weekly TCG events – which should include games like Magic: The Gathering – at its Sungai Besi branch. The store can also accommodate up to 64 players in one sitting.

Needless to say, Impulse Gaming’s Sungai Besi branch is shaping up to be quite an exciting game store. No word yet on exactly when the retail space will be operational, but given that Impulse is already sharing details on the store, we reckon it will be open very soon.


Oppo Find N2 Flip Review: Flipping Good Foldable for RM3,999

It’s surreal that the Oppo Find N2 Flip is the Chinese company’s first foldable flip phone. Not only does it feel like a really refined foldable device with a smooth hinge, large cover screen, and minimal crease on the flexible display, it’s also priced quite competitively.

That being said, while the hardware of the N2 Flip are solid, its software isn’t quite up to par. It also has some drawbacks here and there, but overall, the Find N2 Flip is a solid phone that can compete with the
other
clamshell-style foldable phone – the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
 – in the Malaysian market now.

What It Is

Display
6.8-inch FHD+ AMOLED (2520 x 1080), 120Hz adaptive
Chipset
MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ 3.20GHz octa-core
GPU
Arm Mali-G710 MC10
RAM
8GB
Storage
256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.8
8MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide angle)
Camera (front)
32MP f/2.4
Battery
4,300mAh with 44W charging
Dimensions
Unfolded: 166.2 x 75.2 x 7.45 mm
Folded: 85.5 x 75.2 x 16.02 mm
Weight
191g
OS
ColorOS 13.0 based on Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (2.4/5.1/5.8GHz)
USB Type-C
Price
RM3,999

Looking at its spec sheet, the Find N2 Flip is quite well-equipped. While the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ isn’t quite as popular as Qualcomm’s high-end chips, it’s still a capable SoC that can deliver flagship-tier performance. In fact, I’d even say it’s comparable to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC found in Samsung’s Z Flip 4.

Another hardware of the N2 Flip that’s worth pointing out is its generous 4,300mAh battery, which is quite a bit bigger than the (again) Z Flip 4’s 3,700mAh cell. This translates to longer battery life than Samsung’s offering, and I can easily get a day’s worth of use out of this phone on a single charge.

The Good Stuff

Design is easily one of the key highlights of the Find N2 Flip. This Moonlit Purple colourway, for one, is a nice shade of purple with a smooth, glossy finish that is (surprisingly) not a fingerprint magnet. The Astral Black colour option is quite nice too with a matte finish instead, which feels very nice to the touch.

I also appreciate the “wave” design on the N2 Flip’s hinge. It’s just a small touch, but it does give the flip phone a unique aesthetic. Speaking of the hinge, I absolutely love how smooth it is. The tension of the hinge is consistent when I fold and unfold the phone, and it closes with a reassuring thud too.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Find N2 Flip closes
completely flat
. As there’s no gap between the two halves of the phone, dust wouldn’t get inside the primary display when I keep it in my jeans pocket. In my opinion, this is a distinct advantage over the design of Samsung’s Z Flip 4.

However, I do wish the hinge of the N2 Flip was a tad stiffer, which would’ve made it easier to hold the screen at a certain angle.

Next, we have the Find N2 Flip’s primary 6.8-inch 2520 x 1080 AMOLED foldable screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel’s high refresh rate lends to a pleasant user experience with smooth animations, and the display itself is bright and vibrant with punchy colours and deep blacks. While its viewing angles could be better, it’s still a nice display to look at overall.

What about the crease on the N2 Flip’s main screen? Well, it’s markedly better than the crease found on the Z Flip 4. It’s not completely invisible, but it is a minimal crease that’s hard to notice in normal use. Of course, you can still see and feel the crease if you really look for it.

The crease is visible if you look for it

But it practically disappears in normal use

And then there’s the cover screen of the N2 Flip. It’s a sizeable 3.26-inch 720 x 382 AMOLED panel, which is touted as “the largest of its kind” by Oppo. That’s certainly true (at the time of writing), and I love the fact that the extra screen real estate makes it easier to read my notifications. What I don’t love is the limitation of the cover screen; I’ll elaborate more in the next section.

In the performance department, the Find N2 Flip’s Dimensity 9000+ can keep up with my demands. Whether I’m juggling between different apps or gaming, the phone remains fast and zippy. But there is one caveat: I can’t play
Genshin Impact
 smoothly at 60fps with maxed out graphics settings on this phone, though once I lowered the graphics settings, it runs quite well.

As for battery life, the Find N2 Flip is a long-lasting phone. I can get between five to six hours of screen on time out of the 4,300mAh battery, which is respectable for a foldable flip phone. I have no trouble at all getting through a typical workday with the phone, even with a couple of gaming sessions thrown into the mix.

Value proposition of the N2 Flip is quite good too. Retailing at RM3,999 for 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, it undercuts the price of the Z Flip 4 with the same amount of storage and RAM for RM4,499. That being said, Samsung Malaysia is currently offering its foldable phone with a RM400 discount. This brings down the price of the 256GB Z Flip 4 to RM3,999, matching Oppo’s offering.

Lastly, there’s the camera performance of the Find N2 Flip’s Hasselblad-branded dual camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide). The 50MP main sensor, for one, can take some good-looking shots, even in low light conditions. The camera interface is also quite responsive, lending to a pleasant shooting experience.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the 8MP ultra-wide lens, which brings us to the next section.

The Bad Stuff

Even under ideal lighting conditions, the difference in quality between the 50MP primary camera and 8MP ultra-wide sensor is very noticeable. The latter’s detail preservation isn’t quite as good, and its colour reproduction is quite muted too. Judge for yourself with these sample shots.

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

Even with the Hasselblad branding, the N2 Flip’s camera performance – more specifically, the 8MP ultra-wide sensor – leaves much to be desired. For what it’s worth, at least the 50MP main camera performs quite well, especially in this segment.

Software experience of the Find N2 Flip could use some work too. It runs on Oppo’s ColorOS 13.0, which feels remarkably similar to OxygenOS 13.0. This comes as no surprise, in view of the affiliation between Oppo and OnePlus.

Anyway, that also means ColorOS 13.0 shares the strengths and weaknesses of OxygenOS 13.0. It has a lightweight, responsive user experience, but it is also not as responsive as it should be. When I’m opening the recent apps page, for example, I have to wait a split second before I can interact with the screen. I also don’t like the fact that I can’t swipe down on multiple notifications from the same app to expand them.

And that brings me to the cover screen of the Find N2 Flip. Yes, I can look at my notifications and interact with them with pre-set texts or emojis, but if I want to craft my own reply, I’d have to unfold the phone. Given the size of the cover display, Oppo could’ve easily implemented, say, a T9 keyboard on this screen, which would’ve been really useful to quickly type out a reply.

Beyond that, there’s also the lack of any IP rating with the N2 Flip. This is one area the Galaxy Z Flip 4 has the upper hand with its IPX8 water resistance rating. Considering the fact that the two phones are priced similarly now, Samsung’s offering does appear more compelling if you’re concerned about water damage.

Is It Worth It?

Despite its shortcomings, the Oppo Find N2 Flip is still an excellent foldable flip phone. It has a minimal display crease, a large cover screen – even if it’s not fully utilised – long battery life, good level of performance, and a reasonably capable camera system, though this is mostly applicable to the 50MP primary sensor.

Retailing at RM3,999, the N2 Flip is not budget-friendly by any means. But it’s priced relatively well for a foldable phone, especially for one that’s as refined as this device. If you’re looking to get a clamshell-style foldable phone, the Find N2 Flip is definitely worth shortlisting.


Video: JRIS75 Review – Another “Best” Budget 75% Custom Keyboard

IRISLAB is back with another affordable keyboard, the JRIS75. It sports a unique mechanism that allows for easy disassembly of the top case without the use of any tools, and it has a customisable gasket mounting system too – all
from only RM696
.

At this price point, the value proposition of the JRIS75 is
incredibly
 good. The sound profile and typing feel of this 75% custom keyboard are also great. It is neither too clacky or thocky, it has a soft, comfortable typing experience, and it can be configured with a knob as well.

The JRIS75 groupbuy is now live through
Rebult Keyboards
 in Malaysia until 12 March 2023; it will be closed earlier if the 3,000 unit limit is reached. Watch our full video review above to learn more about the JRIS75!


SINGAKBD Unikorn R2.2 Rerun – Next In-Stock Sale on 12 March 2023 for RM1,950

The next in-stock sale for SINGAKBD’s very popular Unikorn custom keyboard is happening this Sunday on 12 March! This is the second in-stock sale of the 60% custom keyboard, and as usual, it will be done through a raffle.

But unlike the first round of sale – 300 units were up for grabs then – stocks for this second Unikorn raffle is approximately half the amount. The second half of stocks will be sold in a future raffle, and the colourways offered will be the same: Berlin Blue and Pewter Grey.

Do note that those who won the first round of Unikorn raffle (Flamenco Red and Reseda Green) late last year cannot join this second round of sale. However, there will be a third round of raffle sale for 60 units of a Special Edition Unikorn sometime in the future; that one will be a free for all.

As for pricing, the SINGAKBD Unikorn R2.2 rerun is set to go for RM1,950; the price increase is attributed to higher metal prices. Check out SINGAKBD’s
official Discord channel
 and
this page
 for more information on the sale come 12 March this Sunday.


Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition Receives RM1,000 Discount in Malaysia

Fans of the Dark Knight, here’s a deal for you: the
Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition
 is now more affordable than ever in Malaysia. Based on the standard
ROG Phone 6D
, this limited edition gaming phone comes with a number of neat accessories.

Originally priced at RM4,799, the ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition is now going for only RM3,799 – that’s a whopping RM1,000 discount. For that kind of money, it features 12GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, and several Batman accessories, including a bat-signal projector, a case themed after the superhero, and a Batman SIM ejector pin.

Unique to the ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition is a special semi-matte finish on the back of the phone that “mimics a cloudy night sky penetrated by a searchlight” when it catches the light. The software of the phone has also been customised to prominently feature the Dark Knight himself.

Here in Malaysia, the ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset instead of a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. It also has a 6.78-inch 1080p 165Hz AMOLED display, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro), a 12MP selfie camera, and a generous 6,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

The RM1,000 discount for the Asus ROG Phone 6 Batman Edition is valid until 31 March 2023. Though it’s not the exact same model, check out our
review of the original ROG Phone 6
 if you’d like to learn more about the fast gaming phone.

Thanks for the tip, Pang!


Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) After a Week – M2 Max Brings Maximum Power

The 2023 MacBook Pro 14 brings one notable change over the previous model: faster performance. This comes from the new Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, offering performance levels that rival the best Windows laptops.

I’ve been using the new 14-inch MacBook Pro as my daily driver for the past week, and I’m thoroughly impressed with it so far. Beyond just raw performance, it’s also a very refined laptop in other regards, including battery life, display quality, and of course, a pretty darn good keyboard.

In short, the MacBook Pro 14 is a premium laptop that offers a premium user experience, but that also comes with an equally premium price tag.

Starting at RM8,799
, the 2023 MacBook Pro 14 is a costly laptop, and the price can go up quite a bit depending on the configuration. This particular unit features an M2 Max with a 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU, a whopping 96GB of unified memory, and 8TB of SSD storage – all for a cool RM25,999.

Granted, for that kind of money, you’re getting a very,
very
 powerful laptop that will meet the needs of even the most demanding creative professional. For most folks, the base RM8,799 M2 Pro model with 16GB memory and 512GB SSD will do just fine, though that is still quite a bit of money.

Since performance is the highlight of the new MacBook Pro 14, let’s talk about that first. I put the laptop through its paces in the Cinebench R23 synthetic benchmark, and in the multi-core test, it churned out a total score of 14,771.

To put this number into context, it got a higher score than, say, last year’s
Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
 gaming laptop. Granted, this is not an apples to apples comparison, but it does give us an idea of the M2 Max’s performance level.

But how does this translate to day-to-day performance? Well, the M2 Max remains blazing fast, naturally. This is especially true for apps that are built to run on the ARM-based Apple silicone, though the chip can still run apps designed for Intel Macs through the Cupertino company’s Rosetta 2 emulator.

Take PhotoScape X, which I primarily use for light photo editing. Even though it’s not built for Apple’s M series chips, it still runs as fast as it does on even the most powerful Windows laptop I’ve used. Granted, it’s not a particularly heavy software anyway, but I’m happy that it runs as well as it does.

 Rest assured, I’ll be sure to put the M2 Max to the test thoroughly in the full review.

Beyond performance, it’s also worth noting that the new MacBook Pro 14 features some other hardware changes. There’s now WiFi 6E support for twice as fast connectivity compared to the previous generation, along with “advanced HDMI” – HDMI 2.1, basically – which allows support for 8K displays for the first time.

Now, speaking of display, the 2023 MacBook Pro 14 has a
stunning
 screen. It’s a familiar 14.2-inch 3024 x 1964 Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display found on the previous model, and it’s still a very pleasant screen to look at. It has deep blacks (almost like an OLED panel), well-calibrated colours, and no noticeable backlight bleeding at all. The 120Hz refresh rate lends to very smooth animations too.

This is really a testament to Apple’s excellent quality control. Even on the most premium Windows laptop, there’s always an imperfection with the screen that I can nitpick. That’s not the case at all with the MacBook Pro, though I’ll need to spend more time with it before I can say for sure.

MacBooks have always offered excellent battery life, so it’s no surprise that the new MacBook Pro 14 is a long-lasting machine. Apple’s quoted battery life is up to 18 hours of battery life, and while I haven’t done extensive testing yet, I’m inclined to take this estimate at face value.

So far, I have absolutely no issue getting through a typical workday with the 14-inch MacBook Pro. In fact, I can even stretch it to two days of use without plugging it in. This depends on my overall workload, which consists of a ton of web browsing, writing, and the occasional video streaming.

Again, I’ll get a better feel for its battery life once I’ve used the laptop for a longer period of time.

As for the input devices of the MacBook Pro 14, they’re great! The keyboard, for one, is comfortable to type on. While it doesn’t have the longest key travel, the keys have good tactile feedback and just the right amount of actuation force to let me type fast and accurately.

Unsurprisingly, the trackpad of the 14-inch MacBook Pro remains as accurate as ever. Gestures work flawlessly, the large size of the trackpad makes it easy to navigate around, and the smooth surface allows my fingers to glide effortlessly on it.

All in all, it’s an excellent trackpad that can even mimic clicks very well. After all, Apple has transitioned to a fixed trackpad – it has no moving parts at all – for its range of laptops for quite some time now.

While there’s no denying that the 2023 MacBook Pro 14 is a costly laptop with a
RM8,799 starting price
, you’re also getting a very refined, very premium laptop for the money. It has excellent performance out of both the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips; it has a stunning mini-LED display; and to top it off, it has unrivalled battery life as well.

Granted, these are my thoughts after only a week of use with the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, so I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve spent enough time with the laptop for a fair assessment. For what it’s worth, I’m absolutely enjoying using the MacBook Pro 14 , especially after being “away” from the macOS platform for quite some time.


Sonos Era 300 & Era 100 Official – Smart Speakers (With Bluetooth) From RM1,599 in Malaysia

Sonos just unveiled two new smart speakers, and both the Sonos Era 300 and the more affordable Era 100 are available for pre-order in Malaysia now too. Connectivity is one of the main highlights of the smart speakers – they support both Bluetooth and USB-C line-in.

First, Malaysian pricing. The Era 100 is the more affordable speaker of the two with a RM1,599 price tag. As for the larger Era 300, it retails at RM2,799. They are now available for pre-order locally through
TC Acoustic
 or the Sonos Concept Store at The Starhill in Bukit Bintang.

Given its higher price tag, the Era 300 is the more premium speaker. It has six drivers with Dolby Atmos support, so spatial audio is certainly one of its main features. The Era 300 can also be paired to two speakers – such as the Arc or Beam (Gen 2) – to create a “supercharged Dolby Atmos experience,” as Sonos puts it.

As for the Era 100, it is the successor to the Sonos One. It comes with two angled tweeters for stereo output, a rather compact design, and two units of the Era 100 can act as the rear speakers for surround sound when they’re paired to a soundbar. Alternatively, two units can be paired for improved stereo sound as well.

To recap, the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 are now available for pre-order in Malaysia. They will hit store shelves towards the end of the month from 28 March onwards.


iPhone 14 & iPhone 14 Plus Now Available in Yellow – Pre-Orders Start 10 March in Malaysia

Apple just introduced a new yellow colourway for two of its iPhones: the iPhone 14 and
iPhone 14 Plus
. Curiously, only the non-Pro iPhones get a new colour this time around, so the
iPhone 14 Pro
 and Pro Max are not getting any new colour option.

With the addition of the new colour, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are now available in six different shades. These include midnight, starlight, Product Red, blue, purple, and the all-new yellow. Quite a colourful lineup that’s sure to appeal to most folks.

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 last year. 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.

Beyond that, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus also feature a new 12MP primary sensor, which promises superior camera performance, especially in low light conditions. The ultra-wide angle lens offers better low light performance too, and the 12MP TrueDepth selfie camera is now packed with autofocus capability – say goodbye to blurry selfies.

The new yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 10 March at 9PM onwards with the same RM4,199 starting price; it will hit store shelves next week on 14 March. If you’d like to learn more about the iPhone 14 Plus, check out our
full review
.


Perodua Sold 46,385 Units in First 2 Months of 2023 – Up to 8 Months Waiting Time

Perodua continues to record high sales this year. In the first two months of 2023, the national carmaker sold 46,385 units. Compared to the same period last year – where it sold 34,865 vehicles – the company sees a 33% uptick in sales; that’s quite an achievement.

Essentially, Perodua is selling almost as many cars as it can make. In January and February 2023, the company’s production sits at 51,134 units, an increase of 32% compared to last year’s output in the same timeframe (38,460 units).

According to Perodua, demand for its range of models remain healthy, and it is ramping up production to meet said demand. “The average waiting period as of 28 February is now between 2.5 months and 8 months…this timeframe is subject to the model, variant, and colour,” said the president and CEO of Perodua, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“We apologise to our customers and thank them for their patience. We will try to further improve our production and registrations in the months to come,” he added. With that in mind, if you’re waiting to take delivery of your new Perodua car – such as the
recently launched 2023 Axia
 – rest assured the carmaker is doing its best to meet expectations.


Spy Shot: Proton X90 Spotted in Factory With New Deep Marine Blue Colour

Seems like Proton’s new SUV – tentatively dubbed
Proton X90
, which is based on the Geely Haoyue – is in the manufacturing stage already. Spy shots of the upcoming model in the factory have been posted online, and it’s believed to be sporting a new colour option: Deep Marine Blue.

The images below were shared by
The Ajerul
. The silhouette of the SUV certainly matches the Haoyue, and it seems like Proton has indeed changed the position of the number plate. It looks to have been moved up from the rear bumper to the tailgate.

Previous spy shots of the Haoyue in Kuala Lumpur

To recap, the Haoyue is a large D-segment SUV that can be configured with five or seven seats; it measures 4,835mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,785 tall. Compared to the
Proton X70
, the Haoyue is 316mm longer, 69mm wider, and 91mm taller.

Powering the Haoyue, on the other hand, is a 1.8L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that outputs 181PS and 300Nm of torque. This engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with drive sent either to the front wheels or all four of them for the AWD model.

It’s worth noting that in The Philippines, the Okavango (as it’s called there) is actually available with a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine – similar to the one
manufactured at Proton’s assembly line at Tanjung Malim, Perak
. It’s paired to a mild hybrid system that put out a combined figure of 190hp and 300Nm of torque, and it’s rumoured that the Malaysian market will receive this particular powertrain.

Of course, given its positioning as a premium SUV, the Haoyue is equipped with Geely’s level 2 autonomous driving system too. It is made up of 24 different sensors to allow for as many as 17 “intelligent drive features.” According to Geely, this lets the SUV automatically follow, stop, as well as turn at speeds of up to 150km/h.

Just like the
Proton X50
, the Haoyue is also capable of parking itself. It features a 360-degree camera as well, and given the large size of the SUV, we imagine this will come in handy for most drivers.

The Geely Haoyue

It’s rumoured that the Proton X90 will be launched sometime this year, though no official confirmation has come from Proton’s side yet. Nonetheless, we will keep a close eye for any local development of this premium SUV.


Nothing Ear 2 Launch Set for 22 March – Coming to Malaysia Soon

Nothing is set to launch the successor to its original Ear 1 on 22 March. Aptly dubbed Nothing Ear 2, the second generation wireless earbuds (naturally) promise better audio quality, and we have good reason to believe that Malaysia will be one of the first markets to get the Ear 2.

As usual, we looked through SIRIM’s database to see if there’s anything interest, and sure enough, an unidentified pair of Nothing wireless earbuds were certified by SIRIM
last month
 on 14 February. Carrying the model number B155, we believe this is the Nothing Ear 2.

It’s worth noting that B157 is the model number for the
Nothing Ear Stick
, so it’s likely B155 is a reference to the Ear 2. After all, it’s the only Nothing product that will be launched in the near future. Looking at the teaser image above, it looks to retain the same transparent design language too.

Compared to the original Ear 1, the Nothing Ear 2 promises better sound, clarity, and overall, “just better,” as the company puts it. We’ll find out for ourselves just what are the improvements once it is unveiled on 22 March – you can also register your interest for the Ear 2
right here
.


Moondrop Droplet Review – Only a Drop in the Competitive ChiFi Ocean

This is the Moondrop Droplet, and it’s been awhile since we’ve seen a high-profile release like this from ChiFi heavyweight Moondrop; the brand is certainly not just resting on its laurels. Sure, there are the Venus and Void headphones, but those were met with…well, lukewarm response.

But the $15 (about RM65) Quarks DSP, on the other hand, was quite well-received, which is probably why Moondrop saw fit to release a costlier DSP option in the form of the Droplet. Instead of a dynamic driver, Moondrop has opted for a single balanced armature driver with the Droplet, and it costs
$49.99 on HiFiGo
 – that comes up to about RM225.

At this price point, the Droplet isn’t the most budget-friendly option, especially when it’s compared to other ChiFi offerings in today’s market. But whenever Moondrop has a new…drop – sorry, I had to do it – it’s almost always a banger.

Well, almost.

What It Is

As mentioned, the Moondrop Droplet is a single balanced armature earphone with a built-in DSP profile and microphone. It also has a USB-C termination, so it’s quite evident that this IEM is meant to appeal to mobile users.

The shell of the Droplet itself is teardrop-shaped and made of chrome-plated brass. The material is also reflective and glossy, so it’s quite a slippery IEM. Thankfully, it has a small footprint, and its lightweight nature allows the buds to sit comfortably in my ears. However, I’m not a fan of the included foam tips – they feel oily and itch in my ears (a tad) after some time.

Packaging of the Droplet feels quite premium and
surprisingly
hefty. Sliding the box open, you’re greeted by a shiny “dog tag” of sorts. On said dog tag is the name of the earphones, “The Droplet,” along with a Chinese quote that roughly translates to…”if I destroy you, what business is it of yours?”

Yes, it’s quite peculiar, and on the back writes “three-body” in both English and Chinese.

It was only after looking up the aforementioned quote did I learn that the Droplet is actually inspired by a popular Chinese science fiction novel by Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem. This
somewhat
 explains the fact that the earbuds’ shells look like space ships. Coincidentally (or not), Moondrop also has another pair of IEMs called the Spaceship with very similar-looking shells.

Also included in the packaging of the Droplet are several cards that I assume are the inspiration for the design of the Droplet within the context of The Three-Body Problem novel. There’s also a card with more images from the novel, along with a small leather carrying pouch holding three pairs of foam tips in different sizes.

The cable of the Droplet is non-removable, but it does feel quite nice. It also has an MEMS microphone and volume controls on the cable itself, which is convenient. The Droplet has a built-in DSP chip too, so audio signal is run through its DAC. In a way, this IEM has its own EQ profile, and I find this quite interesting.

How Does It Sound?

Similar to other Moondrop offerings, the Droplet is tuned to the VDSF target, which is the brand’s own take on the more common Harman-tuning. If you’ve listened to a Moondrop IEM before, then it’s likely you’ll find the tuning familiar. But it’s worth noting that there’s something of a “pre-tuning” or EQ that’s applied with the DSP in the Droplet.

For the most part, the Droplet has a relatively neutral sound signature with just a hint of brightness to my ears. But they never get too sharp or shouty; far from it. The first thing you’ll notice upon listening to the Droplet is the presence of the balanced armature timbre, but it isn’t too metallic or unnatural.

Compared to the
Joyodio Shine I just reviewed
, the Droplet sounds more accurate with a touch more warmth and control in the treble region. This is despite the fact that the former has a more sophisticated 1DD + 2BA configuration, while the Droplet is able to perform better with just a single balanced armature – well done Moondrop.

Bass

What immediately caught me by surprise was the amount of sub-bass the Droplet can produce from just a single BA. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still inherently a balanced armature driver, so it can’t produce the tone and impact of bass nearly as well as a dynamic driver can. But the punch and extension of the bass is still respectable nonetheless.

Mid-bass is elevated as well, but it’s not particularly lean or controlled, and even comes close to muddying some male vocals. There’s just a
looseness
in the bass that makes it fuzzy and not that well-defined. Despite that, the speed of the bass is fast and snappy – courtesy of the BA driver.

Mids

In the mids region, the Droplet is noticeably forward with upper mids that
sound
like it would be too shouty, but it remains controlled and never reaches those heights. Male vocals have good presence and decent amount of warmth, though note weight is a bit on the thinner side of things.

The same can be said for female vocals on the Droplet; more weight and warmth would’ve helped in producing vocals that are more organic and close to natural-sounding, in my opinion. Remember when I said that the mids never get too shouty? Well, this also means that the amount of air is cut off. This does make vocals in the upper-mids smoother, but also more laid-back and flat-sounding.

Highs

Despite sounding slightly bright to my ears, the treble of the Droplet is smooth and very well-balanced. The highs are also energetic without being too fatiguing. Things do get a bit messy and overwhelming at higher volumes, but as long as you control your volume output, the Droplet will respond with the same amount of control.

Speaking of control, the Droplet has surprisingly good technicalities. The balanced armature driver is able to retrieve good amount of details and produce solid imaging. Soundstage is horizontally wide with clear instrument separation, though depth and verticality is a little lacking.

Is It Worth It?

The Moondrop Droplet has a pleasant, inoffensive sound signature that’s great for most genres and use cases. The built-in MEMS microphone makes it ideal for Zoom calls, online meetings, or even gaming as well. Its DSP chip and Type-C termination also eliminate the need for a portable DAC or 3.5mm dongle if you’re listening on your phone…unless it’s an iPhone. You’d need a USB-C adapter for the Lightning port then.

Anyway, for
$49.99 on HiFiGo
, I’d say the Droplet is worth the price, though not necessarily a steal by any means. You can get better value for your money with the $15 Moondrop Quarks DSP, especially with its more familiar dynamic driver and tuning. Let’s not forget about other sub-$50 IEMs like the excellent
QKZ x HBB Khan
, which costs merely $40 (approximately RM180).

Considering its competition, the Droplet can be seen as a mere drop in the highly competitive ChiFi ocean. I suppose it’s pretty cool that the IEM is inspired by The Three-Body Problem, especially if you’re a fan of the science fiction novel. In fact, after looking it up, it has gotten me rather interested in picking up the novel for myself. I imagine it’d be a good read – book in hand, Droplet in each ear…

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


9 – 15 March Fuel Price: RON 97 Remains at RM3.35 Per Litre

RON 97 sees no price change yet again this week. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 continues to be set at RM3.35 per litre for the next seven days. RON 95, on the other hand, remains at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 9 to 15 March next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Redmi 12C Arrives in Malaysia From Only RM599

The budget-friendly Redmi 12C is now available in Malaysia. Sporting a very affordable price tag with a reasonably large display and battery capacity, it looks to be a good option for those who are on a tight budget.

Two variants of the Redmi 12C are offered in Malaysia. The base model with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage retails at RM599, while the 6GB + 128GB configuration goes for RM699. Four different colour options are available: Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple, and Graphite Grey.

Given the affordable nature of the Redmi 12C, it has a modest spec sheet. It features a 6.71-inch 720p display, a MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, a 50MP primary camera paired with an auxiliary lens for capturing depth information, a 5MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging via a microUSB port.

The Redmi 12C is now available for pre-order in Malaysia through
Shopee
 and
Lazada
 until 15 March; early birds can get a Redmi Buds 4 Lite (worth RM139) for free. To recap, the Redmi 12C costs RM599 and RM699 for the 4GB + 128GB and 6GB + 128GB configurations respectively.


Astro Adds Viu to Ultra Box – Free 3-Month Subscription to Viu Premium

Astro is adding yet another streaming service to its 4K-enabled Ultra Box. Viu is now accessible on the connected set-top-box, and to celebrate the availability of the service on the platform, eligible customers can enjoy a complimentary three-month subscription to Viu Premium.

Of course, in order to enjoy the free subscription to Viu Premium – which costs RM14.90 per month – you have to be an Astro Ultra Box customer. That being said, existing Astro users can still redeem this free trial by upgrading to the Ultra Box. This can be done by contacting Astro’s customer service centre at 03-9543 3838.

The complimentary access to Viu Premium for Ultra Box customers is valid until 8 June 2023. Once the free subscription is over, Astro owners can add the streaming service to their subscription “at an exclusive offer,” though the company did not reveal more information beyond that.

Nonetheless, future updates on any offers related to Viu with Astro can be found
here
. If you’ve got an Ultra Box, you can already start accessing Viu on the connected set-top-box. If you want to stream Viu via the mobile app or website instead, just click on the “pair account” button and follow the on-screen instructions.

We were told that Viu will be added to the more affordable Astro Ulti Box as well, but no tentative timeline was announced.


Asus Launches Zenbook 14 Flip OLED With 13th Gen Intel Chip in Malaysia for RM5,499

Asus just introduced another productivity laptop in Malaysia with an OLED display. This time around, it’s a convertible machine in the form of the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED. It’s powered by Intel’s latest 13th gen processor, and once it’s available here later this month, it joins the
Asus ZenBook 14X OLED
.

Only one variant of the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is offered in Malaysia. Priced at RM5,499, the sole configuration is powered by a Core i5-1340P processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. Decent capacities for most productivity tasks.

Aside from that, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED also features integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 touch-enabled OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and Windows 11 out of the box. It’s also a relatively portable convertible laptop with a 1.5kg chassis that measures 15.9mm thin.

The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED will be available for purchase in Malaysia towards the end of March 2023 this month. To recap, the sole Core i5 model is priced at RM5,499 on our shores, and it’s offered in two colours: Foggy Silver and Ponder Blue.


Thieaudio Ghost Review: Better Left Ghosted?

Thieaudio, the brand known for excellent IEMs like the Monarch and Oracle, has also released several headphones. These include the Phantom and Wraith, both of which are planar magnetic driver cans that were reasonably good headphones for the money.

And then we have the Thieaudio Ghost, the brand’s first attempt at the more traditional dynamic driver headphones. It’s (arguably) an easier task, but given the vast amount of other competing products with similar configurations, it’s also a much harder space to stand out.

So can the Ghost rise above the rest, or is it as elusive as a…ghost? Read on to find out.

What It Is

The Ghost is a pair of
$129 (about RM585)
 open-back headphones with a 40mm sapphire composite dynamic driver. We received this review unit from Linsoul, and according to the vendor – and collaborator of Thieaudio – the Ghost’s driver consists of layers of cermet (ceramic-metal composite) on a thermoplastic polymer film stabiliser. In short, this tech should result in good sound quality.

In terms of build material, the Ghost has both metal and plastic parts, making it lightweight, but not entirely cheap feeling. The earpads are made from plush velour material, and there’s also soft leather cushioning on the headband for improved comfort.

Speaking of comfort, thanks to its lightweight nature, the Ghost is fairly comfortable on my head. The velour earpads are breathable enough that my ears don’t feel like they’re “steaming up” too much. Clamping force is just right to me, but as I wear glasses, I do experience a bit of discomfort above the ears where the frame of my glasses sit after long listening sessions.

Unfortunately, the Ghost has no folding mechanism of any sort to make it more portable. But on the plus side, Thieaudio was kind enough enough to include a hard shell carrying case with the Ghost; quite good value for a pair of $129 headphones.

Inside said carrying case, you’ll find a 3.5mm cable of the flat variety and a quarter-inch adapter. The other end of the cable plugs into both sides of the Ghost, which also means that you have the option to upgrade the cable if you so desire.

I actually highly suggest doing so, as swapping to a balanced cable, for example, will provide more power and flexibility to the Ghost.

As these are open-back headphones, sound leakage might be something to be wary about with the Ghost. Through my less-than-scientific testing of having someone else put the headphones on, I’d say that others around you should only be able to hear any sound leakage if they’re right next to you, and that’s at about 50% listening volume.

How Does It Sound?

The tuning of the Thieaudio Ghost is mostly neutral and well-balanced, if not a tad bit…boring. Separation and imaging are above average, and it’s quite easy to make out the positioning of instruments – an inherent advantage of open-back headphones.

That being said, soundstage of the Ghost isn’t as wide as I expect from a pair of open-back headphones, but there’s still decent width and depth, especially with a good enough source. Height of the soundstage is a bit lacking, however.

Not surprisingly, the Ghost has low sensitivity, so it does need a bit of juice to drive. They still work fine without an amp, but you’ll hear them open up a bit more with a proper source. You also won’t have to crank up the volume as much.

Bass

The bass of the Ghost is on the lighter side, with sub-bass that’s present, but a little “shy” in terms of impact and extension. The mid-bass isn’t much better either, providing what I’d deem as the bare minimum of thump and presence for genres like pop and hip-hop. The low-end as a whole is tight, but isn’t particularly extensive or detailed.

At the very least, muddiness or bass bleeding into the mids is a non-issue.

Mids

I’d consider the mids of the Ghost to be its highlight, though that’s not to say it’s perfect in this frequency range. What’s immediately noticeable is the forward presentation that’s clean and neutral-sounding. Male vocals do sound a bit thin to my ears, lacking in body and weight. Female vocals, on the other hand, are intimate and breathy, and there are some raspiness and sparkle that sound pleasantly organic.

However, there’s a bit of a veil that envelops the vocals, which is a bit of a shame considering how natural the vocal section would otherwise sound like. But it’s quite easy to remove the earpads of the Ghost, so perhaps trying pads of other materials might help in this regard.

Highs

In the treble region, the Ghost is sparkly with plenty of air; snares and cymbals are clear, though they can also sound a bit sharp at times. Unfortunately, the sparkle doesn’t last too long, and it fizzles out towards the end of the frequency range, showing a lack of extension.

To be fair, this does help control the treble from getting too hot, and it lends to a much smoother presentation. But much like the bass and mids, this relaxed sound signature might be too laid-back for some folks, especially if they prefer a more “exciting” sound signature.

Is It Worth It?

All things considered, the Thieaudio Ghost is a mids-focused pair of headphones with plenty of bite, but not much in terms of warmth. It sounds a bit flat, and it is lacking in overall dynamics and energy. It’s more suitable for instrumentals, ballads, and classical music, basically.

But to be realistic, the Ghost is still just a $129 pair of headphones, so I can’t really be too critical of its shortcomings. The plastic and metal build of the headphones is also decent for the asking price. Paired with the plush velour earpads, it does feel quite nice to hold with good comfort level.

The Ghost is touted as a “reference tuning headphones,” and I do see it fitting that description well enough. But with that in mind, if you want a fun and dynamic pair of headphones, the laid-back Ghost…might just scare you off.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


UMW Toyota Sold 9,297 Units in February 2023 – Highest Month-on-Month Sales Growth

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) recorded its best month-on-month sales growth yet in February 2023. With over 9,297 units sold – 64 of them are Lexus models – it’s a marked 37% improvement over its sales figure in January 2023 (6,786 units).

Compared to the same month in 2022, UMWT’s February 2023 sales figure is an impressive 45% improvement. In 2023 so far, the company moved 16,083 units (including 79 units from Lexus), a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.

“Our February 2023 sales numbers are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team at UMWT. By continuously listening to our customers and adapting to their needs, we have been able to maintain our position as a top-performing player in the automotive industry,” said the president of UMWT, Datuk Ravindran K.

“With the introduction of our new GR and GR Sport models and the all-new
Toyota Vios
, we are excited to continue providing our customers with exceptional vehicles that exceed their expectations,” he added.

Speaking of which, the fourth generation Toyota Vios is now
available for booking in Malaysia
. The B-segment sedan is expected to retail from RM90,000 to RM96,000 for the base 1.5E and highest-end 1.5G models respectively.


2023 Toyota Vios Arrives 20 March in Malaysia – Estimated Pricing From RM90k

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT)
has revealed the local launch date
 of the 2023 Toyota Vios. Set to be unveiled in Malaysia on 20 March, the popular B-segment sedan is now in its fourth generation, and it is feature-packed with rather comprehensive driver assistance systems.

According to UMWT, the new Vios is estimated to start from RM90,000 for the base 1.5E model, and dealers have revealed that the range-topping 1.5G may be priced from RM96,000. That’s right, only two trim levels are expected to be available in Malaysia.

In the safety department, the upcoming Vios will feature a slew of driver assistance systems. These include pre-collision system, lane keeping control, auto high beam, and get this: adaptive cruise control. Not many B-segment vehicles have this convenient feature.

Other revealed specifications of the updated Vios include 17-inch alloy wheels, three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power), paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, rear air-cond vents, a 3D panoramic view monitor, and even a 9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2023 Toyota Vios is now
available for booking in Malaysia
. To recap, it’s expected to retail from RM90,000 to RM96,000 for the base 1.5E and highest-end 1.5G models respectively. We’ll find out the final pricing of the B-segment sedan very soon on 20 March.


Qwertykeys QK80 Groupbuy Live in Malaysia – TKL Custom Keyboard From RM855

The groupbuy for the Qwertykeys QK80 is live in Malaysia. Set to run until 26 March 2023, the QK80 is the brand’s fourth keyboard, and it shares many of the
QK75
‘s design elements, including a PCB-mounted design that allows for a plateless build.

Rebult Keyboards is naturally the Malaysian proxy for the QK80. It
retails from RM855
 for the most affordable case, plate, and PCB combination. The total price goes up to RM1,265 if you opt for the bundle instead, which includes matching keycaps – Cherry profile, double shot PBT with dye-subbed legends – and 90 Latte switches.

Essentially, the QK80 is the QK75 with a tenkeyless (TKL) layout, though there are some key design differences. While it uses the same PCB-mount gasket system, the QK80 now comes with two sets of gaskets with different stiffness for even more customisability. Aside from that, it also has an LED strip above the arrow keys for a unique aesthetic.

The Qwertykeys QK80’s groupbuy is now
live in Malaysia through Rebult Keyboards
 until 26 March. It is an unlimited groupbuy, and fulfilment is expected to begin sometime in July or August 2023. We received a QK80 from the good folks over at Rebult Keyboards, so stay tuned for our full review!