TinHiFi T1S Review: Thick, Dark, And…Warm?

Yes, we’ve got another review of an ultra-budget single dynamic driver IEM. This time around, we have an affordable IEM from TinHiFi, a brand that needs no introduction in the “ChiFi” scene. Having released affordable bangers like the T2, T3, and many other variants of the two, the new TinHiFi T1S is one such variation.

Touted to be an improved version of the T1 Plus, how does the T1S stack up to other ultra-budget IEMs such as the
Tripowin Leá
 and
CCA CRA+
? Well, let’s find out!

What It Is

Packaging of the T1S is pretty standard, which is to be expected at this price point. You get the IEMs themselves, a thin cable (with a tendency to tangle quite easily), three pairs of wide-bore ear tips, and two more pairs of standard-bore ones. There is one oddity though: the inner box still reads “T1 Plus.” Even the IEMs’ shells have the T1 Plus branding on them.

Aside from this peculiar branding, the plastic shells of the T1S have a semi-transparent housing with silver speckles sprinkled over the faceplate, somewhat resembling a starry night sky. Aside from the black model in this review, there are also white, pink, and green color options from
Linsoul
.

I also have to add that the plastic used for the T1S’ housing is thin and weighs next to nothing. It’s also shaped in a similar manner to the usual offerings from KZ, and in extension, not that different from the
CCA CRA+
.

And just like the CRA+, finding the right fit for the T1S required the constant shifting around of the IEMs in the ear canals, as well as the hassle of trying all the differently sized ear tips provided. Thankfully, I did eventually discover the “sweet spot” for the IEMs to stay put and sound optimal.

Compared to the T1 Plus, the T1S has new beryllium plated drivers, as well as the redeveloped acoustic silicon sleeve…which we assume means new ear tips. But what do these rather minor upgrades mean acoustically for the T1S? Let’s get to that in the next section.

How Does It Sound?

The first thing I noticed once I put on the T1S – aside from the sub-par passive noise isolation due to the fit and vents – is its warm sound signature. Unfortunately, this seemingly pleasing quality does creep its way into the rest of the frequency range, making too much of a good thing, bad.

Bass

Bass is definitely the standout frequency of the T1S. In fact, you might even say it sticks out like a sore thumb. The mid-bass is
unabashedly
bloated, bleeding into the mids without a care.

Now, you would think that this gives pop tracks some low-end kick, and you’d be right, if it weren’t for the bit of sub-bass roll-off that limits the bass extension and details a fair bit.

Mids

One advantage of the T1S’ thick, low-end presence is the fact that it gives vocals a good sense of weight and body. However, whether this affects your music positively or not differs from track to track, vocalist to vocalist. For example, Rich Brian and Jackson Wang might sound full and intimate, but Sam Smith and The Weeknd could sound veiled and drowned out.

There’s a bit of a lift in the upper mids of the T1S to resurface some of the female vocals lost in the warmth from the low-end, but it isn’t nearly enough for my taste. There is a severe lack of air and spaciousness which, does make the T1S a mellow, non-fatiguing pair of earphones, but female vocals have a tendency to sound a tad nasally too.

Highs

Like the mids, the treble of the T1S is also lightly painted over by the warmth of the low-end, but I wouldn’t say the highs are completely enveloped in it. The warmth tames the highs just enough for it to be fatigue-free, albeit at the cost of clarity and detail. I just wish there were a bit more sparkle and a touch more air.

Soundstage

The T1S does have a good sense of vertical depth, with the space between left and right a little narrower. The veil of warmth present throughout the frequency range also gives the sense of a…congested stage, though instrumentally-light tracks will still sound sufficiently spaced out.

Is It Worth It?

For only $20
 (about RM90), the TinHiFi T1S isn’t the budget all-rounder some might hope for. It isn’t made for monitoring or any form of analytical listening; far from it. The dark, warm sound signature is more suited for casual listening sessions in front of the fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa.

But we’re in Malaysia, and we have no need for fireplaces. So likewise, not everyone will need or want that amount of warmth in their music with the T1S.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


Why You Should Buy a Nokia Phone in 2022

Who can forget the legendary Nokia 3310? Not only is it one of Nokia’s most iconic models, it’s also famously known for its incredible durability. Over the years, it’s no exaggeration to say that Nokia has become a household name, and almost everyone knows the legacy of the brand.

Today, Nokia is still going strong under HMD Global with a slew of smartphones in different segments, catering to consumers at every price point. Of course, durability remains the focus of Nokia’s modern phones, and this extends beyond physical durability; it also offers robust software and security updates.

Sustainability is a big part of the Nokia brand too, and we’ll explore these aspects in this article.

Durability

A smartphone’s durability is much more than just how well it can survive drop tests, though it’s worth noting that Nokia phones do undergo tougher tests than the industry standard. You can take a look at how these physical durability tests are done in the video below.

As the video shows, Nokia phones are dropped at various angles to ensure that it can survive the occasional drops in everyday use. They are also bent, twisted, and even tumbled around – which looks even more unforgiving than a drop test – to make certain that the phones will last you for years to come.

Aside from that, Nokia devices will also remain durable in the software side of things for quite some time. HMD Global commits to two years of Android software upgrades for its smartphones, so Nokia owners can enjoy new features and enhancements the operating system has to offer.

Of course, HMD Global also issues out monthly security updates to its range of Nokia smartphones, and this is done for three years. So even after your Nokia phone no longer gets new Android upgrades after two years, you’ll still get another year of monthly security updates to keep your phone safe from malicious software.

Beyond security updates, Nokia phones also have a suite of other security features to keep your data and information secure. Let’s get to them in the next section.

Security

Our smartphones contain most (if not all) of our sensitive information, so it’s important to ensure that these data are not compromised. To this end, Nokia smartphones and tablets with the Android Enterprise Recommended seal have comprehensive multi-layer security to defend user’s data.

It is also worth noting that Nokia smartphones top the
2020 Counterpoint Research trust rankings
. As the rankings show, Nokia phones “lead the global rankings in providing the fastest software and security updates with the highest share of portfolio recommended for enterprises.”

Security authentications can be…well, troublesome sometimes, and this is especially the case with face unlock. To address this, Nokia added Mask mode, which made its debut on the affordable Nokia G21. As its name suggests, Mask mode ensures that it can still recognise you with or without a face mask.

If you’ve always wanted to try a VPN service, you’ll be happy to know that every new Nokia smartphone comes with a 30-day free trial to ExpressVPN. This gives users enhanced privacy and peace of mind, and the added flexibility of using the service first before deciding if it’s for you (or not) is a plus point.

Sustainability

Nokia as a brand is committed to sustainability, so its phones are made to last. Nokia phones are designed to be durable and made from high-quality materials, and as the company puts it, “a phone that lasts is a simple, yet highly-effective way to reduce the ecological footprint.”

On top of that, HMD Global also aims to reduce the environmental impact of its products. All materials that are used in a Nokia phone are carefully selected to ensure that they do not contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment or people.

A Nokia Phone for Every User

Regardless of your budget, there is a Nokia phone for you. There’s the company’s range-topping
Nokia X20
, mid-range G series, which include the
G21
 and
G10
, the entry-level
C20
 and
C01 Plus
, as well as a range of feature phones, such as the
Nokia 225 4G
 and
Nokia 110 4G
.

Whether you want a smartphone that is durable – both in terms of hardware and software – secure enough to keep all of your data safe, or sustainable, a Nokia phone fulfill all of these criteria at all price points. This is something that cannot be said of every other phone maker.

More details on HMD Global’s range of Nokia devices can be found on its
official website
. You can also follow Nokia’s
Facebook
 and
Instagram
 pages for the latest news.

Disclosure: This article is sponsored by HMD Global
.


Oppo A57 With 5,000mAh Battery & 33W Fast Charging Arrives in Malaysia for RM699

Oppo just launched the affordable Oppo A57 here in Malaysia. Not only is it budget-friendly, it also has a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging; ideal for those who want a long-lasting smartphone.

Only one configuration of the A57 is offered in Malaysia. The sole variant features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (expandable with a microSD card) for only RM699. It’s also offered in two colours: Glowing Green and Glowing Black.

Given its affordable nature, the A57 doesn’t have the most impressive hardware list. It features a 6.56-inch 1612 x 720 display with a 60Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, a dual camera system (13MP primary + 2MP monochrome), an 8MP selfie camera, the aforementioned 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, and ColorOS 12.1 out of the box.

The Oppo A57 can now be purchased in Malaysia for RM699. It is available at Oppo brand stores and authorised dealers, as well as online through Shopee and Lazada. More details on the A57 can be found on
Oppo Malaysia’s official website
.


MacBook Air (M2) Arrives in Malaysia July 2022 From RM5,499

Apple just revealed the Malaysian availability of the new M2-powered MacBook Air! Set to be available here sometime in July next month, the local availability of the sleekest (and fastest) MacBook Air was revealed in its
product page
.

Given its premium appeal, the updated MacBook Air does not come cheap. For our market, the base model starts at RM5,499, and it features an M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and GPU, 8GB of unified memory, as well as a 256GB SSD.

A tier up is the RM6,699 model, which offers a faster 10-core GPU and a 512GB SSD.

Naturally, the all-new MacBook Air retains its thin and light design. With a 11.3mm thin chassis, this is without a doubt a portable laptop. But how much does it weigh? Well, it tips the scales at only 1.2kg – this is a very much a lightweight laptop.

Aside from its portable nature, the new MacBook Air also gets a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display – complete with a notch – a very respectable battery life of up to 18 hours, as well as up to 24GB of memory and 2TB SSD storage. Oh, the MagSafe charger makes a return too.

If the MacBook Air 2022 doesn’t quite fit your budget, you can always opt for the more affordable M1 model. Yes, it will continue to be sold alongside the newer M2 Air.


New 2022 Perodua Alza Teaser Shows Exterior & Electronic Parking Brake – First for Perodua

Perodua continues to tease its upcoming MPV, the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza. This time around, we got a look at the exterior of the Alza, along with the car’s electronic parking brake (EPB).

It’s worth noting that the Alza is Perodua’s first-ever model to feature EPB, and it is exclusive to the range-topping AV trim, so what you see in the video below is the highest-end variant in all its glory. Also shown right next to the EPB in the centre console is the auto brake hold button.

There are also some exterior shots of the new Alza, and not surprisingly, it looks strikingly similar to the latest Toyota Avanza and its twin, the Daihatsu Xenia. We also get a glimpse of the LED headlights with sequential turn signals; the latter is equipped on both the H and AV variants.

The 2022 Perodua Alza is now available for booking in Malaysia from RM62,000 to RM75,000. Given that the sales tax exemption will only be given to cars that
have been booked by 30 June
, you may want to place your order soon. You can book the new Alza at a Perodua dealership or online
right here
.


BLON Fat Girl Review: Who Said Big Girls Don’t Cry?

BLON is a name you would have likely heard of if you’re already neck-deep into the rabbit hole that is ChiFi. The brand took the budget IEM world by storm back in 2019 with the release of the BLON BL-03 single dynamic driver earphones.

Those earphones – like a few other ChiFi IEMs – were dubbed the “budget king” of its time. Since then, BLON has released the BL-05 and BL-07, but lightning has never really struck twice since the venerable BL-03.

It’s now 2022, with single dynamic driver IEMs releasing what seems like every week or so. BLON stepped back onto the stage, hoping to stand among the likes of Moondrop and CCA with a controversial name that’s sure to raise some pitchforks: the BLON Fat Girl.

And I have only one thing to say to that name – and a whole lot more about the earphones themselves in this review – why BLON?

What It Is

You can’t really fault the Fat Girl for looking pedestrian, given that these earphones are sold
for just $9.99 on Linsoul
. Surprisingly enough, you can even go for the model with a microphone…for no extra charge whatsoever.

Now, just because these earphones have a modest price tag, doesn’t mean they sound modest, right? In the case of the Fat Girl, I’m setting modesty aside for honesty – it sounds just like how a pair of $10 earphones would sound like. Actually, maybe even less than that.

How Does It Sound?

Wrong. The Fat Girl just sounds…wrong. Yes, both in terms of the naming and tuning. It’s just baffling how this is the same company that released the esteemed BL-03. Perhaps the lukewarm reception of everything else that came after that was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

Perhaps the individual who was in charge of tuning the BL-03 had left for greener pastures after he or she struck gold. While I’ll never know the outcome of this hypothetical situation of mine, I do know that the Fat Girl’s tuning took several steps in the wrong direction.

Bass

There’s an obvious bass elevation with the Fat Girl, but it adds more bloat than punch. If it’s any consolation, at least that means the bass doesn’t bleed its way into the mids, but I almost wish it did. The bass hits without much energy or enthusiasm.

In fact, I wouldn’t call it a “hit” at all – it’s more of a weak thump. The lifted low-end is something you will hear and be aware of, but you won’t actually
feel it
. Suffice to say it literally doesn’t resonate with me, and I reckon you’ll share my sentiment when you hear the Fat Girl for yourself.

Here’s a metaphor to better describe these earphones’ bass response: it’s as though a thin piece of hide was stretched over a large drum, a drum far too large for that piece of leather to handle. Upon impact, you’d expect the drum to rumble and resonate with its expansive breadth.

But the hide, bursting at its seams, produces only…disappointment.

This disappointment presents itself as dominoes toppling over from the bass, the mids, the highs, and basically, across the entire frequency range. Anyway, let’s proceed to the mids now, or what
should have been
 the mids.

Mids

As I mentioned before, I almost wish the Fat Girl’s bass would bleed into the mids, and that’s purely because of how thin and anemic the mids sound. Male vocals lack weight, definition, and presence. There’s an unnatural, almost robotic quality to it.

Female vocals do present themselves a bit more clearly with a lift in the upper mids, though the thinness remains, making high notes borderline sibilant. Even with the aforementioned elevation in the upper mids, there still seems to be a lack of air and breathiness.

Highs

The next domino to fall is the treble: the Fat Girl’s highs sound like there are peaks and valleys along this area of the frequency range. There is a mishmash of farting trumpets and sibilant cymbals in tracks like Millennium Parade’s U. Snares also lack crisp and sparkle, making otherwise fun-sounding instrumentals devoid of any sort of liveliness.

Soundstage

On lighter flavours of music, the Fat Girl actually offers a bit of vertical depth within the soundstage. It’s only when instruments actually come into play that separation falls apart and the space is congested. It’s also during these busier tracks where you can hear the earphones struggling and fumbling to juggle everything, everywhere, all at once.

Is It Worth It?

What makes ChiFi so exciting is just how often these budget IEMs punch high above their weight class. Despite being flawed in several aspects, ChiFi IEMs, at the very least, almost always present great value for money. The BLON Fat Girl, on the other hand, absolutely do not.

Sure, the Fat Girl is “only” $10, but that money could’ve been spent on something like the Moondrop Chu or the
CCA CRA+
. Yes, these IEMs are more than twice the price of the Fat Girl at around $20, but you’ll also get more than twice the value for money.

Really, even similarly priced offerings from KZ would have been a better option than the Fat Girl. With a dingy design and terrible tuning, it’s just really hard to recommend this IEM from BLON. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: how is this IEM from the same company that released the BL-03?

They say it’s not over till the fat lady sings. But the Fat Girl doesn’t sing at all, so it’s back to the drawing board for BLON.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


More 2022 Perodua Alza Exterior Shown – Headlights, Taillights, Grille, Wheels

Another day, another teaser of the upcoming 2022 Perodua Alza. We get more shots of the MPV’s exterior in today’s teaser, which shows the headlights, taillights, grille, as well as the wheels.

Based on these glimpses of the Alza’s exterior styling, it does look like a rather handsome seven-seater MPV. Not surprisingly, it is strikingly similar to its sister models, the Toyota Avanza/Veloz and Daihatsu Xenia, though there are some differences here and there.

Up front, the Alza’s grille is closer in design to the Xenia; the Avanza/Veloz has a much more prominent grille. Another design element of the Alza that’s quite a bit different than its sister models are the LED headlights, which look decidedly more premium. Chances are, these are the headlights of the range-topping AV variant with sequential turn signals.

The 2022 Perodua Alza is now available for booking in Malaysia from RM62,000 to RM75,000. Given that the sales tax exemption will only be given to cars that
have been booked by 30 June
, you may want to place your order soon. You can book the new Alza at a Perodua dealership or online
right here
.


Hearthstone Murder at Castle Nathria Expansion Lands 3 August – New Location Card Type, Free Legendary

Hearthstone just unveiled the next expansion for the popular digital card game. Set to land on 3 August, Murder at Castle Nathria will add 135 new cards, and among them is a new card type: Location.

Location cards are played onto the battlefield for an initial cost, and it works similarly to weapons in the sense that they have a durability count. Once a Location card is played, players can activate its ability for free, though there is a one-turn cooldown in between uses.

Aside from that, Murder at Castle Nathria will also introduce a new Infuse keyword. When an Infuse card is in your hand, it will absorb “anima” from friendly minions as they die. Once a specified number of friendly minions have been destroyed, the Infuse card will transform into a more powerful version.

Hearthstone’s Murder at Castle Nathria expansion is set to land on 3 August. Just like previous expansions, the new cards will be shown
here
 as they are revealed over the next few weeks. You can also
pre-purchase the new expansion
 now, and every player will get a Prince Renathal Legendary minion once they open a Murder at Castle Nathria pack.


Unannounced Nokia G11 Plus Appears in SIRIM – Launching in Malaysia Soon?

It appears HMD Global is set to launch another phone in Malaysia, and it’s a device that has not been officially announced yet. Enter the Nokia G11 Plus, which looks to be an improved version of the standard G11.

While going through SIRIM’s database, we spotted a device with the model number TA-1421 registered under Zitron Fulfilment just last week on 24 June. The listing confirmed it to be a Nokia-branded phone, and a quick Google search revealed that this is in fact the upcoming
Nokia G11 Plus
.

The Nokia G11

Compared to the regular G11, the G11 Plus is said to feature a more sophisticated 50MP camera. It’s also rumoured to be running on Android 12 instead of 11, though other alleged specifications of the new phone is said to be similar to the G11, including the same Unisoc T606 chipset.

Now that the Nokia G11 Plus have been registered with SIRIM, we reckon HMD Global is gearing up to launch the new phone in Malaysia very soon. We’ll keep a close eye on the local availability of this (likely) affordable smartphone.


The HTC Desire 22 Pro Is a “Metaverse-Focused” Phone – Yes, HTC Is Still Making Phones

It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen any new device from the Taiwanese company, but here it is: the HTC Desire 22 Pro. Touted to be a “metaverse-focused” phone, this mid-ranger is said to be the perfect companion to HTC’s Vive Flow VR headset, even if the headset is compatible with any Android phone.

Anyway, the Vive Flow VR headset is used to access the Viverse, HTC’s own take on the metaverse. This is where the Desire 22 Pro’s metaverse marketing comes into the picture, though beyond that, it looks to be your standard mid-range smartphone.

Hardware wise, the Desire 22 Pro is a packed with a 6.6-inch 1080p display clocked at 120Hz, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 5MP depth), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,520mAh battery. Interestingly, it is also IP67-rated, a rare feature for a phone in this segment.

The HTC Desire 22 Pro will start shipping in the UK from 1 August onwards with a £399 price tag, which comes up to about RM2,155. It remains to be seen if the Desire 22 Pro will be offered in other markets, especially here in Malaysia.


Sony INZONE Gaming Headsets Unveiled for PC & PS5 – 3 Models From RM439 in Malaysia

Sony just unveiled three gaming headsets under its new INZONE series. Made for PC and PS5, the lineup consists of the INZONE H3, INZONE H7, and the highest-end INZONE H9. The latter two are wireless headsets, and all three of them are confirmed for the Malaysian market.

In fact, Sony Malaysia already revealed the local price tags of these three headsets. The most affordable H3 goes for RM439, while the H7 is priced at RM1,099. As for the range-topping H9, it costs RM1,299. Both the H3 and H7 are now available in Malaysia, while the H9 will arrive here at a later date.

Naturally, the H9 is the most well-equipped gaming headset of the three. It features active noise cancellation, 360 Spatial Sound (only for PC), up to 32 hours of battery life, and of course, a boom microphone that can be flipped up to mute. The H9 also supports the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech.

As for the H7, it shares many of the H9’s features, with the exception of active noise cancellation; this explains the RM200 price difference. However, it’s worth noting that it offers up to 40 hours of battery life instead. That’s eight more hours over the H9.

Last but not least is the H3 wired headset. It is the most basic model, so it only supports 360 Spatial Sound and not the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech. Of course, you still get a boom microphone.

According to Sony Malaysia, the INZONE H7 and INZONE H3 are now available for purchase in Malaysia for
RM439
 and
RM1,099
 respectively, though it’s said to be sold out on the company’s online store. As for the
RM1,299 INZONE H9
, it will arrive here sometime in the near future.


7Hz Salnotes Dioko Pre-Orders Now Open – $99 Planar IEM Tuned by Crinacle

If you’ve been around the ChiFi scene, you would’ve heard of 7Hz and Crinacle. Well, the former just released the 7Hz Salnotes Dioko, a planar IEM tuned by Crinacle himself. The best part is, this IEM doesn’t cost all that much either with a $99 price tag – that’s only about RM435.

Based on the frequency response graph
shared by Crinacle
, the Dioko looks to be a relatively neutral-sounding IEM with quite a bit of bass boost. It also has a 14.6mm planar driver that promises “true audiophile sound character” with “outstanding clarity and detail in every note,” as 7Hz puts it.

Beyond that, the Dioko itself looks quite premium despite its affordable price tag. Not only does it have a CNC aluminium shell, it also has a tempered glass cover with sapphire coating. It comes with an OCC copper cable as well with a rather neat-looking storage box.

If you’re keen to get the 7Hz Salnotes Dioko, you can place your pre-order with
Linsoul for $99
. Alternatively, if you’re in Southeast Asia, you can get it from
Mecha Store
 instead for S$149. Needless to say, a planar IEM at this price point is certainly interesting; the fact that it’s also tuned by Crinacle makes it that much more attractive.


Sony INZONE M9 & M3 Monitors Are Made for PC Gaming (And PS5) – Not Coming to Malaysia

Aside from the
INZONE range of gaming headsets
, Sony also unveiled two new gaming monitors under the series. The Sony INZONE M9 and INZONE M3 are both made for PC gaming and PS5, but sadly, they will not be available in Malaysia.

We reached out to Sony Malaysia to check on the local availability of the M9 and M3, and we were told that there are no plans to bring in the two monitors to our shores. Only the
INZONE gaming headsets
 will be available here, unfortunately enough.

Nonetheless, the M9 and M3 monitors are quite interesting, especially the former. As the higher-end offering, the M9 sports a 27-inch 4K IPS panel with full array local dimming, a fast 144Hz refresh rate, support for VRR, and 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space.

As for the M3, it sports a lower resolution 27-inch 1080p IPS panel, but the refresh rate is cranked up to a blazing fast 240Hz. It doesn’t have local dimming either, though it does still feature VRR support and 99% coverage of the RGB colour gamut.

Aside from that, both the M3 and M9 support Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode on the PS5.

For the US market, the Sony INZONE M9 retails at $900, which comes up to about RM3,960. As for the M3, it costs $530 (approximately RM2,330). As mentioned, Sony Malaysia has no plans to bring in these two monitors to the Malaysian market.


30 June – 6 July Fuel Price: No Price Changes, RON 97 Still RM4.84 Per Litre

Finally, no price changes to RON 97 this week! Naturally, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are also maintained, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is set at RM4.84 per litre. The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 30 June to 6 July 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Acer Nitro 5 With 12th Gen Intel Chips Now in Malaysia From RM4,399 to RM8,699

Acer’s affordable gaming laptop has just been refreshed for the Malaysian market. Now sporting Intel’s 12th gen chips, the Acer Nitro 5 remains affordable with its RM4,399 starting price. On top of that, there are
five
 different variants of the gaming laptop for our market.

Let’s start with the RM4,399 base model of the Nitro 5. It features a Core i5-12500H processor paired with 8GB of RAM, an RTX 3050 Ti GPU, 512GB of SSD storage, and a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Reasonably good hardware for a laptop at this price point.

A tier up is the RM5,299 variant of the Nitro 5, which upgrades the CPU to a Core i7-12700H, but downgrades the GPU to an RTX 3050. Thankfully, it does feature more RAM at 16GB. Of course, you can upgrade the GPU to an RTX 3050 Ti, but this will set you back RM5,499.

Moving on, we have the fourth Nitro 5 variant. It retains the same hardware as the previous models, with the only difference being its more capable RTX 3060 GPU for RM5,999.

Last but not least is the range-topping Nitro 5, which comes with a number of upgrades. While it has the same Core i7-12700H processor, it has more RAM at 32GB, a large 1TB SSD, a powerful RTX 3070 Ti GPU, as well as a sharper, faster 15.6-inch QHD IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate. These upgrades do cost quite a bit of money though at RM8,699.

The new Acer Nitro 5 is now available for purchase in Malaysia. If you want to get this gaming laptop at a discount, give Acer Malaysia’s It Lies Within roadshow a visit at Sunway Pyramid until 3 July; you can get up to RM150 cashback on the Nitro 5.


Acer Predator Helios 300 Lands in Malaysia – Core i7-12700H, 165Hz QHD Screen, From RM7,999

Want something more powerful than the
new Nitro 5
? Then consider the Acer Predator Helios 300, which has also been launched in Malaysia. Sporting a fast (and sharp) 165Hz QHD screen with Intel’s latest 12th gen processors, you can also configure this gaming laptop with a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU.

Of course, that GPU is reserved for the highest-end Helios 300. Aside from the RTX 3080, this variant also features a Core i7-12700H processor paired with 32GB of RAM, a very generous 2TB of SSD storage, and a 15.6-inch QHD IPS screen with a 165Hz refresh rate. How much does this model cost? A cool RM11,999.

If you don’t quite need that powerful of a GPU, there’s the RTX 3070 Ti configuration for RM9,999; every other hardware are exactly the same as the aforementioned model.

Moving down the price range is the RTX 3070 variant of the Helios 300 for RM8,999. Compared to the previous two models, this variant swaps out the RAM and SSD capacities to 16GB and 1TB respectively; not a bad tradeoff to lower the price by a whole RM1,000.

Speaking of lower prices, the most affordable configuration of the Helios 300 costs just RM7,999. For that kind of money, you’re getting a more modest (but still quite capable) RTX 3060, along with the same RAM and SSD combo as the RTX 3070 model.

The new Acer Predator Helios 300 is now available for purchase in Malaysia. If you want to get this gaming laptop at a discount, give Acer Malaysia’s It Lies Within roadshow a visit at Sunway Pyramid until 3 July; you can get a RM200 cashback on all variants of the Helios 300 there.


PlayStation Plus July 2022 Free Games: Crash Bandicoot 4, Man of Medan, Zero Strain

PlayStation Plus’ July 2022 free games have just been announced. The lineup includes Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, Arcadegeddon, Man of Medan, and for us here in Asia, Zero Strain. All of these games are available for both the PS5 and PS4, except for Man of Medan; only the PS4 version is offered.

Out of the four games, Crash Bandicoot 4 is definitely the most popular title. Like previous games in the franchise, it’s a platformer that will bring back some nostalgia if you’re a long-time Crash fan. Of course, the PS5 version also takes advantage of the adaptive triggers on the PS5’s DualSense controller.

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

All four games can be claimed by PS Plus members from 5 July to 1 August 2022. That means you have until this coming Monday (4 July) to get your hands on June 2022’s free games, including
God of War, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, and Can’t Drive This
.


Genshin Impact 2.8 Livestream Set for 2 July – Kazuha Banner Rerun?

Hoyoverse just announced the livestream for
Genshin Impact
 2.8. Set to take place this Saturday on 2 July, both Kaedehara Kazuha and Fischl (along with the Traveler) are featured in the teaser image. On top of that, there appears to be a mysterious character in the picture too.

The unknown character can be seen in the lower right corner of the teaser image below. It doesn’t look like any existing character in Genshin Impact – to our knowledge, anyway – so it could either be a completely new one…or a different outfit for a specific character.

Anyway, given that Kazuha is featured in the teaser, we could be seeing a rerun of the 5-star Anemo character in Version 2.8 of Genshin Impact. There’s a good chance Shikanoin Heizou will also be a playable character in the new update, given that he was
teased by Hoyoverse
 in May last month.

Version 2.8 of Genshin Impact looks to be dubbed Summer Fantasia, so we can expect to see in-game events with a…well, summer theme. As with previous version update livestreams, redemption codes offering Primogems will be given during the stream as well.

You can catch the livestream of Genshin Impact Version 2.8
on Twitch
 this Saturday on 2 July at 8PM for us here in Malaysia. If you missed the stream, don’t worry: the special program
should also be on YouTube
 shortly after the livestream.


Nothing Phone 1 to Use Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ Chipset – Good Enough?

The Nothing Phone 1 has been teased and hyped for quite some time now, but most of its hardware still remain (officially) under wraps. Well, Carl Pei – the founder of Nothing and former OnePlus CEO – finally confirmed the chipset powering the phone: the upper mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ SoC.

Pei revealed this bit of information to
Input Mag
. According to him, the decision to go with the Snapdragon 778G+ for the Phone 1 comes down to performance, power consumption, and cost. He further elaborated that going with a more powerful chip would have “diminishing returns.”

https://t.co/Fi36JzXBL5

pic.twitter.com/lTvEvnfbKV
— Carl Pei (@getpeid)
June 29, 2022

It’s definitely interesting that Nothing is going with a non-flagship chipset for the Phone 1. This being the brand’s first-ever smartphone, it will be hard for the phone to stand out in a market that’s filled with higher-end, more powerful offerings from other established players.

But there is one area where the Phone 1 can (potentially) best its competition: value proposition. Since it’s not powered by a costlier – albeit more powerful – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, for example, it’s entirely possible Nothing can price its phone competitively.

A reasonably low starting price paired with the Phone 1’s unique features and polished software experience could prove to be a winning formula for the young brand.

The Nothing Phone 1 is set to be launched on 12 July. So far, it’s only been confirmed for the UK and European markets. It remains to be seen if the phone will also be sold here in Malaysia.


2022 Honda HR-V Malaysian Launch Set for 14 July

We just got word from Honda Malaysia on the local debut of its brand new SUV, the 2022 Honda HR-V. It is set to be launched here on 14 July, which is in line with the Japanese carmaker’s Q3 2022 timeline.

Looking back at the
teaser shared by Honda Malaysia
, the hybrid model of the 2022 HR-V with the 1.5L i-MMD e:HEV powertrain is confirmed for our market. In fact, it is touted as the “most advanced” engine in the B-segment market. On top of that, it will also get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems and sequential turn signals.

Aside from that, there are numerous reports that the all-new HR-V will also be offered with a 1.5L turbocharged VTEC engine
and
 a naturally-aspirated mill. This will certainly make the B-segment SUV more appealing to customers that don’t fancy the hybrid powertrain. Of course, there’s the much more modern styling of the SUV as well to capture buyers’ attention.

The 2022 Honda HR-V is now open for booking in Malaysia. Naturally, the local pricing of the B-segment SUV has not been revealed yet. We’ll find out for ourselves once the new HR-V is launched here on 14 July, which is exactly two weeks away.


Purchase AMD-Powered Products to Get up to 3 Free Games – Offer Valid Until 13 August

If you’re thinking of getting an AMD-powered laptop, desktop, or even graphics card, this deal is for you. As part of AMD’s Raise the Game and Raise the Game Fully Loaded bundles, eligible AMD products will be offered with up to three complimentary games.

Let’s start with the Raise the Game Fully Loaded bundle, which is reserved for laptops and desktops with an AMD Radeon RX 6000 series GPU. Depending on which GPU the laptop or desktop is packed with, you can get Saints Row, Sniper Elite 5, and Evil Genius 2 for free. Higher-end GPUs will come with all three games, naturally.

The same applies to the Raise the Game bundle for AMD’s range of Radeon RX 6000 graphics cards, but the games are slightly different. While this bundle still offers Saints Row and Sniper Elite 5, you get Forspoken instead of Evil Genius 2.

To check whether or not the AMD laptop, desktop, or graphics card you’re looking to get is eligible for this offer, you can check the full list of products that are a part of the
Raise the Game
 and
Raise the Game Fully Loaded
 bundles by clicking on the links provided.

You have until 13 August to purchase the eligible AMD products to get the free games, though you can redeem the games by 13 September.


Asus ROG Cetra Now in Malaysia for RM515 – Wireless Earbuds With ANC, Low Latency

Asus just launched a new pair of wireless earbuds in Malaysia. Given its gaming-centric branding, the Asus ROG Cetra promises low latency for the best gaming experience, along with active noise cancellation (ANC) to eliminate ambient noise.

For the Malaysian market, the Cetra is priced at RM515; a reasonably good price tag for a pair of wireless earbuds with ANC. According to Asus, the Cetra’s latency “nearly matches that of wired earphones” too, which is quite a bold claim.

Aside from ANC and low latency, the Cetra has reasonably long battery life as well. On a single charge, it can return up to 5.5 hours of continuous use. Paired with the charging case, it has a total battery life of 27 hours. It also has an IPX4 rating, so while it’s not exactly water-resistant, it can survive some water splashes.

The Asus ROG Cetra wireless earbuds are now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM515. We’ve got a review unit of this gaming-centric earbuds, so stay tuned for our review of the Cetra!


Sony Xperia 10 IV Pre-Orders Open in Malaysia for RM2,099 – Early Birds Get RM449 Earbuds

As promised
, Sony Malaysia just opened pre-orders for its latest mid-range smartphone today, the Sony Xperia 10 IV. As a pre-order incentive, early birds will get a complimentary Sony WF-C500 wireless earbuds worth RM449 for free – that’s a pretty good offer.

Only one variant of the Xperia 10 IV is offered in Malaysia. Packed with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, the mid-ranger is priced at RM2,099. Two colour options are available here: Mint and Black. Unfortunately, the Lavender and White models are not offered on our shores.

Just like its predecessor, the Xperia 10 IV has an IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance, which is quite a rare feature for a mid-range smartphone. It also features Sony’s signature 21:9 tall and narrow display for easier one-handed use.

Other specifications of the Xperia 10 IV include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, a 6.0-inch 2520 x 1080 OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 8MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide angle), an 8MP selfie camera, and a sizeable 5,000mAh battery.

The Sony Xperia 10 IV will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 1 to 31 July 2022 for RM2,099. As mentioned, those who place their pre-orders within this time period will also receive a Sony WF-C500 wireless earbuds worth RM449 for free.


Honda City Sees up to RM4,300 Price Increase With SST

Now that the sales tax exemption on locally assembled (CKD) and fully imported (CBU) cars have expired, car prices will increase accordingly. Honda Malaysia have updated its website to reflect this, and its popular B-segment sedan, the
Honda City
, is now up to RM4,300 more expensive.

Well, the exact figure is RM4,387.64 for the Honda City V Sensing, followed by the standard V model with a RM4,038.55 price hike. Curiously, the RS hybrid model actually sees a lower price increase of RM2,849.55 despite being the range-topping variant.

Honda City
Current Price (with SST
)
Price (without SST
)
Price difference
1.5L S
RM77,600
RM74,191.27
+RM3,408.73
1.5L E
RM85,600
RM81,664.82
+RM3,935.18
1.5L V
RM90,600
RM86,561.45
+RM4,038.55
1.5L V Sensing
RM94,600
RM90,212.36
+RM4,387.64
1.5L RS
RM108,800
RM105,950.45
+RM2,849.55

It’s worth noting that the new prices you see in the table above are only for new bookings placed after 30 June 2022. If you placed your order earlier, you’ll still be eligible for the pre-SST prices; you just need to make sure your car is
registered by 31 March 2023
 next year.

Nonetheless, if you’re interested to get the Honda City, you can place your 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
.


Perodua SST Price Increase: 2022 Myvi up to RM1.1k More, Ativa up by RM1k to RM1.4k

Perodua also updated the price list of its cars with SST applied, now that the sales tax exemption on CKD and CBU vehicles have ended. While most of the national carmaker’s models simply reverted to pre-SST prices, two of them – the
2022 Myvi facelift
 and
Ativa
 – do not have this, since they were introduced in the tax-free period.

As the comparison table below shows, the new Myvi is up to RM1,100 more expensive now, which naturally applies to the range-topping AV variant. Other models see between RM800 to RM1,000 price hikes, which slightly increases the starting price of the popular B-segment hatchback to RM46,500.

Perodua Myvi
Current Price (with SST
)
Price (without SST
)
Price difference
1.5L G (no PSDA)
RM46,500
RM45,700
+RM800
1.5L G
RM48,500
RM47,700
+RM800
1.5L X
RM50,900
RM49,900
+RM1,000
1.5L H
RM54,900
RM53,900
+RM1,000
1.5L AV
RM59,900
RM58,800
+RM1,100

Perodua Ativa
Current Price (with SST
)
Price (without SST
)
Price difference
1.0L X
RM62,500
RM61,500
+RM1,000
1.0L H
RM67,300
RM66,100
+RM1,200
1.0L AV
RM72,600
RM71,200
+RM1,400

As for the Ativa, prices are up between RM1,000 to RM1,400, so the most affordable X variant now starts at RM62,500. Do note that depending on your paint choice, the prices will increase accordingly. Going with a “Special Metallic” colour, for example, is a RM500 premium; RM800 if you want the dual-tone colourway for the AV trim.

If you’ve placed your booking for a Perodua model (or any car model) by 30 June, you will not be affected by these new prices. You’ll still get to enjoy the tax-free prices as long as your car is registered – that is, when you actually receive your unit –
by 31 March 2023
 next year.


Honda City Hatchback – From RM2.9k to RM3.9k More With SST

Aside from the Honda City, the Honda City Hatchback also gets a price increase, now that the sales tax exemption on CKD and CBU cars is no longer valid. On the bright side, the price hike for the B-segment hatchback is not quite as steep as its sedan counterpart.

Depending on which variant you’re looking at, the City Hatchback is now between RM2,930 to RM3,891.49 more expensive. The model that sees the biggest price hike is actually the V Sensing variant, followed closely by the range-topping RS hybrid trim.

Honda City Hatchback
Current Price (with SST
)
Price (without SST
)
Price difference
1.5L S
RM78,600
RM75,670
+RM2,930
1.5L E
RM86,600
RM83,080
+RM3,520
1.5L V
RM91,600
RM87,860
+RM3,740
1.5L V Sensing
RM95,600
RM91,708.51
+RM3,891.49
1.5L RS
RM109,800
RM105,950.45
+RM3,849.55

It’s worth noting that the new prices you see in the table above are only for new bookings placed after 30 June 2022. If you placed your order earlier, you’ll still be eligible for the tax-free prices; you just need to make sure your car is
registered by 31 March 2023
 next year.

Regardless, if you’re interested to get the Honda City Hatchback, you can place your 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
.


2022 Honda Civic Now up to RM6.3k More Expensive – Existing Orders Unaffected

It is now 1 July, which means we’ll see the prices of cars go up quite a bit after the sales tax exemption period is over. The Honda Civic, for one, sees its price increase by up to
RM6,300
 – that’s quite a sizeable price hike.

Of course, that amount is for the range-topping RS variant of the Civic, which now retails at RM150,700. Compared to its tax-free prices, it is exactly RM6,349.91 more costly. As for the other two variants, the C-segment sedan is RM5,065.36 and RM5,656.64 more expensive for the E and V models respectively.

Honda Civic
Current Price (with SST
)
Price (without SST
)
Price difference
1.5L E
RM130,700
RM125,634.64
+RM5,065.36
1.5L V
RM143,700
RM138,043.36
+RM5,656.64
1.5L RS
RM150,700
RM144,350.09
+RM6,349.91

Of course, existing Civic orders placed by 30 June yesterday are unaffected by the new prices you see in the table above,
provided
 your car is
registered by 31 March 2023
 next year as announced by the Malaysian government. If you fulfill these criteria, you can still enjoy the tax-free prices.

Interested to get the 2022 Honda Civic? You can place your 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
.


Honda Malaysia Continues to Offer up to RM4,000 Discount for July 2022

While the sales tax exemption on car purchases is no longer valid, Honda Malaysia is maintaining its discount on several models. Just like last month, the Japanese carmaker is offering up to RM4,000 discount on its range of models, including the
popular Honda City
, Accord, and
CR-V
.

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. A tier down is the Honda City, which gets a RM2,000 discount for all variants of the B-segment sedan, including the range-topping
RS e:HEV model
.

Next up is the
Honda BR-V
; this seven-seater gets a RM1,000 rebate. If you want an SUV instead, you can opt for the
Honda CR-V
, which is also offered with a RM1,000 discount. The HR-V is no longer a part of this promo, given that the carmaker is set to
release the updated model on 14 July
.

Do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles registered between 1 to 31 July 2022. 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 your 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
.


Buy Sony’s INZONE Gaming Headsets at Pavilion Bukit Jalil & Get up to RM100 Steam Wallet

Sony’s brand new
INZONE gaming headsets
 are now available in Malaysia, and the Japanese company is running a rather interesting deal at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. By purchasing the headsets at the mall, you can get up to RM100 Steam Wallet.

More specifically, this deal on the INZONE gaming headsets is offered through Sony’s booth at the Game On Expo in Pavilion Bukit Jalil. Every purchse of the INZONE H3 and H7, for example, will come with a RM50 Steam Wallet code. If you opt for the range-topping INZONE H9 instead – which is actually on pre-order – you’ll get a RM100 Steam Wallet code.

To recap, the INZONE H9 retails at RM1,299, and it features all the bells and whistles, including active noise cancellation (ANC), wireless capability, and support for PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech. As for the INZONE H7, it has largely the same features for RM1,099, though it doesn’t have ANC. The most affordable INZONE H3, on the other hand, costs just RM439, though it is a wired headset.

If you want to get up to RM100 Steam Wallet code, head on to Sony’s booth at the Game on Expo in Pavilion Bukit Jalil to purchase – and even try out – the new INZONE gaming headsets. Do note that this promo is only valid this weekend, so you only have until tomorrow (3 July) to enjoy the deal.


Sony INZONE H9 Gaming Headset Coming to Malaysia Early August 2022 for RM1,299

At the local launch of the new
Sony INZONE gaming headsets
, Sony Malaysia revealed the local availability of the range-topping INZONE H9. Set to be available here in early August next month, the new gaming headset will join the INZONE H7 and INZONE H3, which are already available for purchase locally.

As the highest-end model in the INZONE series, the H9 is naturally the most costly headset at RM1,299, though you do get some nice features for that kind of money. These include active noise cancellation, 360 Spatial Sound (only for PC), up to 32 hours of battery life, and of course, a boom microphone that can be flipped up to mute. The H9 also supports the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech.

The Sony INZONE H9

From left: INZONE H3, INZONE H7, INZONE H9

The wireless dongle for the INZONE H7 and H9

As for the RM1,099 H7, it shares many of the H9’s features, with the exception of active noise cancellation; this explains the RM200 price difference. However, it’s worth noting that it offers up to 40 hours of battery life instead. That’s eight more hours over the H9.

Last but not least is the RM439 H3 wired headset. It is the most basic model, so it only supports 360 Spatial Sound and not the PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech. Of course, you still get a boom microphone.

If you want to get any of the new Sony INZONE gaming headsets, why not purchase it from Sony’s booth at the Game on Expo in Pavilion Bukit Jalil? Not only can you try them out in person there, you can also get up to
RM100 Steam Wallet code
. Do note that this promo is only valid this weekend, so you only have until tomorrow (3 July) to enjoy the deal.


Spotify Finally Confirmed For ACO Tech’s ATLAS – Coming to Selected Proton Models Q3 2022

Back at the launch of
ACO Tech’s ATLAS
 (ACO Tech Local Automotive Services) infotainment system early last month, the company mentioned of a global partnership with an audio streaming service. Well, ACO Tech finally revealed today that it’s Spotify, and the service will be available on selected Proton models soon.

Touted as an infotainment system made by Malaysians for Malaysians, ATLAS will be offered on a slew of Proton models, including the
X50
,
Iriz
,
Persona
, and the new
2022 Proton X70
. Spotify is said to be added to selected Proton models sometime this quarter, so it should be available by September 2022.

Based on Android 10, ATLAS has a distinctively different – and more practical – user interface than Proton’s GKUI system. It has customisable widgets on the home screen, offline navigation, and even voice command features that can differentiate between the driver’s and front passenger’s voices.

“I’m incredibly proud of the steady progress the team has achieved in introducing the capabilities of a humanised connected lifestyle to a wider public in Malaysia through meaningful brand collaborations,” said the CEO of ACO Tech, Li Pu.

“Working together with Spotify is an important milestone for ACO Tech as the partnership not only helps us to stay competitive in the smart mobility industry, it is also instrumental in easing Malaysians into the possibilities of smart and connected car technologies,” he added.

Spotify is set to be available on the ATLAS infotainment system sometime in Q3 2022 on selected Proton models. To learn more about ATLAS and other offerings by ACO Tech, you can head on to its website
right here.


2022 Proton X70 Prices up by RM7,000 With SST – Now From RM99k to RM129k

Launched just last month, the
2022 Proton X70
‘s prices have been revised to include sales tax. Naturally, prices are up across the range, with the highest-end 1.8L Premium model seeing the biggest price increase by RM7,000.

With this price revision, the new X70 now tops out at RM128,800 for the range-topping 1.8L Premium model, followed by the 1.5L version of the same trim at RM123,800 (RM5,900 increase). The 1.5L Executive models, on the other hand, are up by RM5,300 and RM5,500 for the 2WD and AWD options respectively.

Last but not least is the most affordable 1.5L Standard X70, which is now going for RM98,800 (up by RM4,900).

Proton X70
Current Price (with SST
)
Price (without SST
)
Price difference
1.5L Standard
RM98,800
RM93,900
+RM4,900
1.5L Executive
RM110,800
RM105,500
+RM5,300
1.5L Executive (AWD)
RM116,800
RM111,300
+RM5,500
1.5L Premium
RM123,800
RM117,900
+RM5,900
1.8L Premium
RM128,800
RM121,800
+RM7,000

Now, if you placed a booking for the X70 by 30 June last week, the new prices you see above will not affect your order. Of course, this is assuming your car is
registered by 31 March 2023
 next year as announced by the Malaysian government. If you fulfill these criteria, you can still enjoy the tax-free prices.

If you’re interested to get the 2022 Proton X70, you can place your booking online
here
. Alternatively, bookings can also be done at Proton dealerships nationwide.


Genshin Impact 2.8 Arrives 13 July – Kazuha, Klee, Yoimiya Returns, Diluc Gets 5-Star Outfit

Genshin Impact 2.8 will go live next week on 13 July, and we’ll see the return of quite a number of 5-star characters. These include Kazuha, Klee, and even Yoimiya, who are getting their own rerun banners. On top of that, Diluc will also get an alternative outfit alongside Fischl.

What makes Diluc’s new outfit particularly interesting is the fact that it is the first 5-star outfit in Genshin Impact. Compared to other alternative outfits in the game – which are 4-star rarities – Diluc’s “Red Dead of Night” outfit has its own unique idle animation and new effects.

As for the banners that will be featured in Version 2.8 of Genshin Impact, the first phase will consist of Kazuha’s and Klee’s rerun banners, which will also be joined by the new 4-star Anemo character Shikanoin Heizou. As for the second phase, Yoimiya is coming back with her own event wish.

Other new content in Genshin Impact 2.8 include the return of the Golden Apple Archipelago island – completing the events in the new area will give players Fischl’s new “Ein Immernachtstraum” outfit – Kazuha’s own story quest, and Heizou’s Hangout event.

Version 2.8 of Genshin Impact will go live on 13 July next week. To recap, Kazuha’s and Klee’s rerun banners (alongside Heizou) will be available first, followed by Yoimiya’s event wish at a later date.


Proton Sold 14,787 Cars in June 2022; Best Sales Performance of the Year

Proton moved a lot of vehicles in June 2022 last month. With over 14,787 units sold, it was the national carmaker’s best sales month of the year. It also saw the most
X50
 units delivered in a single month with 4,473 units registered.

Not surprisingly, the X50 remains the best-selling B-segment SUV
and
 the overall leader in the Malaysian SUV market. This year alone, 15,982 units of the X50 were delivered. As of March 2022,
over 100,000 bookings of the SUV
 were received since orders opened in September 2020 – that’s a very respectable figure.

But Proton’s best-selling model last month is not the X50. Rather, it’s the Proton Saga with 5,460 units sold, making it the best-selling A-segment sedan in June 2022. Of course, the X70 and Exora remain the best-selling models in their respective segments too with 2,696 and 513 units sold respectively.

And then there are the Persona (1,224) and Iriz (421), which are placed third and fourth in their respective segments. In total, Proton sold 60,124 cars in 2022 so far with an estimated market share of 22.6%, putting it in second place in the automotive industry.


Xiaomi 12S Series “Co-Engineered With Leica” Official – Exclusive to China

Xiaomi’s first-ever smartphones series with the Leica branding have just been announced. Enter the Xiaomi 12S series, which is made up of the standard 12S, 12S Pro, and the range-topping 12S Ultra. These phones are said to be “co-engineered with Leica,” and photography is one of their main selling points.

Unfortunately, Xiaomi said that these three phones are only sold in China, though the company added that its collaboration with Leica could be seen in its other smartphone series for the international market. Nonetheless, the Xiaomi 12S series are certainly high-end devices; they’re also powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra

In the camera department, all Xiaomi 12S phones feature Leica’s imaging profiles. Users have two photographic styles to choose from: Leica Authentic Look – it produces a natural imagery which Leica is known for – and Leica Vibrant Look that combines “Xiaomi’s experience in smartphone photography with Leica’s leading aesthetic,” as the company puts it.

Hardware wise, the 12S Ultra features a Sony IMX 989 1-inch sensor for the primary camera, along with a 48MP (IMX 586) ultra-wide angle shooter and a 48MP (IMX 586) telephoto lens. As for the 12S and 12S Pro, they are equipped with Sony’s IMX 707 sensor, though their full camera configurations were not detailed.

Other specifications of the 12S Ultra include a 6.73-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate – the 12S Pro shares the same screen – and a 4,860mAh battery. The 12S Pro, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 4,600mAh cell. The 12S, being a more compact phone, has a 4,500mAh battery instead along with a 6.28-inch 120Hz screen.

The Xiaomi 12S Pro

The Xiaomi 12S

As mentioned, the Xiaomi 12S series is exclusive to the China market, so don’t expect it to be available in other regions. That being said, Xiaomi did say it will release other phones with the Leica branding in markets outside of China in the future.


Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro Unleashed – Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 18GB RAM, 165Hz AMOLED, RM4,999

The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is finally here, and it is easily the Taiwanese company’s most impressive gaming phone yet. Not only is it powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, it also features a sleek new design – yes, it still has a display on the back panel.

First, let’s talk prices. Only a single variant of the ROG Phone 6 Pro is offered in Malaysia, and it goes for a cool RM4,999 with a whopping 18GB RAM and 512GB storage. Unfortunately, it will only be available on our shores sometime in September 2022; the standard ROG Phone 6 will arrive here first.

Naturally, the ROG Phone 6 Pro features a fast Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and it even comes with an equally speedy
165Hz
6.78-inch 1080p AMOLED display. Thanks to the panel’s 720Hz sampling rate, it also has a touch latency of only 23ms; perfect for avid mobile gamers.

Other specifications of the ROG Phone 6 Pro include a triple camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + macro), a 12MP selfie camera, an ROG Vision coloured PMOLED display on the back panel, capacitive shoulder buttons, and a generous 6,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

To recap, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is priced at RM4,999 in Malaysia, and it offers 18GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It is set to be available here sometime in September 2022.


Asus ROG Phone 6 With Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 & 165Hz AMOLED Display Arrives in Malaysia From RM3,599

Asus’ latest lineup of gaming smartphones are here, and the standard Asus ROG Phone 6 here is the more affordable model. On top of that, it shares many of the Pro model’s hardware as well, including a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and 165Hz AMOLED screen.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the ROG Phone 6 are available. The base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs RM3,599, while the 16GB + 512GB configuration goes for RM4,399. These prices are quite a bit lower than the Pro model, which is priced at RM4,999.

For that kind of money, the ROG Phone 6 features the aforementioned Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and

a 6.78-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a blazing fast 165Hz refresh rate. This panel also has a high 720Hz sampling rate, giving it a touch latency of only 23ms.

Other specifications of the ROG Phone 6 Pro include a triple camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + macro), a 12MP selfie camera, an illuminated ROG logo on the back panel, capacitive shoulder buttons, and a generous 6,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

The Asus ROG Phone 6 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 6 July tomorrow with a RM3,599 starting price. Early birds will get RM548 worth of freebies, including the new AeroActive Cooler 6 (worth RM349) and a one-year extended warranty (worth RM199).

According to Asus Malaysia, the ROG Phone 6 is set to arrive in Malaysia sometime in August next month.


Proton Received Over 150,000 Bookings in 1H 2022 – 34k for Saga, 11k for 2022 X70

Proton had an eventful first half of 2022. In the first six months of the year, the national carmaker received over 150,000 bookings. This is a very respectable figure, and it’s likely further bolstered by buyers that want to take advantage of the sales tax exemption that ended last month.

Out of the 150,000 bookings, 34,017 of them consist of the Proton Saga. It is consistently one of Proton’s best-selling models, and last month alone, over 5,460 units of the sedan were sold. This makes it the best-selling A-segment sedan in June 2022.

Aside from that, Proton also revealed the booking numbers of the 2022 Proton X70 MC, which was introduced just last month. This makes the 10,985 bookings for the updated C-segment SUV all the more impressive within such a short span of time.

“June was a busy month for the automotive industry with most brands trying to produce as many cars as possible to satisfy market demand. The announcement that SST incentives would be removed on 1 July also created a surge in bookings as customers rushed to take advantage of the savings offered,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah.

“Proton has received more than 150,000 bookings for the first six months of the year and when added to carry-over orders from 2021, we will need to work hard to deliver cars as quickly as possible to eager customers,” he added.


Proton X50’s 1.5L TGDi Engine Will Power 2 More Upcoming Proton Models

While Proton revealed a while ago that it will introduce “at least”
three new models by 2024
, details were light on these upcoming cars. Well, while we were visiting Proton Tanjung Malim’s new assembly line for the
X50
‘s 1.5L TGDi engine, the national carmaker revealed that two new Proton models will use the very same mill.

Unfortunately, Proton did not elaborate more, though we can make some educated guesses. One of the two Proton models that will get the 1.5L TGDi engine is likely the
X90
; the tentative name for the Geely Haoyue – or Okavango, as marketed in The Philippines – for the Malaysian market.

After all, the D-segment premium SUV
has been spotted on Malaysian roads
 many times now with
some changes here and there
. In The Philippines, the Okavango is actually available with a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine and a mild hybrid system that put out a combined figure of 190hp and 300Nm of torque, though it remains to be seen if the X90 will get the hybrid system too.

The other model that will get the 1.5L turbo engine could very well be the “Proton S50” sedan, which is said to be a replacement for the Proton Preve. Believed to be based on the Geely Emgrand, this particular model has actually been spotted testing on Malaysian roads.

Based on Proton’s presentation, we’ll see the debut of these two models between 2023 to 2024. One other model not powered by the 1.5L TGDi engine is also expected to debut in the same timeframe, which is likely the
Smart #1 EV
. Proton Edar previous revealed the electric SUV will arrive here sometime next year.


Asus ROG Phone 6 Series Hands-On: Faster, Sleeker, (Slightly) Costlier

Asus may not have a wide range of phones in the market now, but its line of ROG gaming phones have always been considered one of the best offerings in the market. Naturally, the same still applies to the new Asus ROG Phone 6 series, which is made up of the standard ROG Phone 6 and the ROG Phone 6 Pro.

As with every new successor in the series, the ROG Phone 6 phones offer a respectable spec bump with a more capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and a faster 165Hz AMOLED display. In the case of the ROG Phone 6 Pro, it also gets a sleeker, more premium design.

Of course, these upgrades do come at a (slight) price increase, but if you want one of the most promising gaming phones of 2022, the ROG Phone 6 series is worth considering.

Let’s get the prices of the phones out of the way first. The base model of ROG Phone 6 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs RM3,599, while the 16GB + 512GB configuration goes for RM4,399. These prices are quite a bit lower than the Pro model, which is priced at RM4,999.

That’s right, the ROG Phone 6 Pro costs quite a bit of money at RM4,999, though you do get a whopping 18GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. Only one variant of the Pro model is offered on our shores, so unfortunately enough, you do have to pay a premium for the premium looks of the gaming phone.

The ROG Phone 6 Pro

The ROG Phone 6

Compared to the standard model, the ROG Phone 6 Pro is actually not that different. The biggest difference – aside from the 18GB RAM – is just the back panel of the phone. Instead of a glossy finish, thee Pro model has a much nicer-looking frosted/matte back cover, which also feels great to the touch.

There’s also the ROG Vision coloured PMOLED display on the back panel of the ROG Phone 6 Pro. It can be customised to show a wide range of animations for different scenarios. You can select certain animations for incoming calls, launching a game, or just charging your phone.

It is by no means a groundbreaking feature, though it is certainly a unique hardware of the ROG Phone 6 Pro.

In contrast to the Pro model, the regular ROG Phone 6 has an illuminated ROG logo on the back panel. It’s not quite as flashy as the PMOLED screen of its Pro counterpart, though it does still give the gaming phone a nice aesthetic. Well, in my opinion, anyway.

So if you don’t care for the frosted back panel or slightly more RAM of the Pro variant, the standard ROG Phone 6 will do just fine. After all, it has the
exact same hardware
 as the Pro model, including the aforementioned Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and capacitive shoulder buttons.

While I haven’t had the chance to test out any intensive games on the ROG Phone 6, I reckon this processor will be able to keep up with any game I throw at it, including
Genshin Impact
. Suffice to say I can’t wait to put the gaming phone through its paces once I received a review unit.

Next, we have the ROG Phone 6 series’ fast 6.78-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a blazing fast 165Hz refresh rate. This panel also has a high 720Hz sampling rate, giving it a touch latency of only 23ms. As far as I can tell, the phone certainly feels very responsive.

This being an AMOLED panel, it also offers bright, vibrant colours; perfect for gaming and content consumption. While it would’ve been great if the ROG Phone 6 phones had a higher resolution display, the 1080p screen still looks good enough to my eyes.

There’s also an advantage to using a 1080p panel: the ROG Phone 6 should still be able to offer above average battery life. Packed with a generous 6,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging, I’m confident this will be a long-lasting phone.

And then we have the camera performance of the ROG Phone 6, which is…decent? It features a triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a macro shooter, along with a 12MP selfie camera.

Yes, the ROG Phone 6 phones don’t have the most sophisticated camera system, and the image quality leaves much to be desired from both the 50MP main sensor and 13MP ultra-wide angle camera. But considering the fact that these are gaming-centric phones, it’s no surprise that the camera performance is not particularly…impressive.

All in all, the Asus ROG Phone 6 and ROG Phone 6 Pro are extremely promising gaming smartphones. Granted, they are quite a bit more expensive than their predecessors, but the price difference is actually not that big. Take the regular ROG Phone 6: even though it starts at RM3,599 now, you’re getting 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.

In comparison, the ROG Phone 5s’ base model is priced at RM2,999, but it only offered 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. A more proper comparison would be the 16GB + 256GB configuration of the ROG Phone 5s for RM3,799, so in retrospect, the RM3,599 starting price of the ROG Phone 6…is not that bad.

How about the ROG Phone 6 Pro? Well, the ROG Phone 5s Pro with the same RAM and storage capacities (18GB + 512GB) also has the
exact same price tag
 of RM4,999.

Yes, the starting price of the ROG Phone 6 series is still higher now, but you
are
 getting your money’s worth, in my opinion. While I can’t say for sure it’s worth getting yet – only a full review can shed some light on this – I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the two gaming phones.

That is, once they are available here in Malaysia. The ROG Phone 6 will only arrive here sometime in August, while the Pro model will land on our shores in September.


7 – 13 July Fuel Price: RON 97 Finally Down 4 Sen – Now RM4.80 Per Litre

After going up in price week after week, the price of RON 97 is finally going down by 4 sen! Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are all maintained, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is set at RM4.80 per litre (down from RM4.84). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 7 to 13 July 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Perodua Recorded a Whopping 25,100 Bookings on the Last Day of SST Exemption

Perodua just revealed its sales data for the first half of 2022, and there are some interesting details to go through. On the very last day of SST exemption (30 June), for one, the national carmaker received
a

whopping 25,100 bookings
 in a single day.

The carmaker did not give a model breakdown of the bookings made on that day, though there’s no denying that this is a very, very impressive figure. Evidently, Malaysians want to secure the tax-free prices – as long as the car is
registered by 31 March 2023
 – with Perodua before SST is applicable again from 1 July onwards.

“There was a significant rush in vehicle booking especially when the government extended the registration period to 31 March 2023 and we thank Malaysians for choosing Perodua as their brand of choice,” said the CEO and president of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Speaking of the sales tax exemption; on the last day of the initiative, Perodua saw the highest single booking day on 30 June 2022 with 25,100 vehicles orders taken. This is unprecedented and a testament to the growth potential of Malaysia’s automotive industry given the right incentive,” he added.


Perodua Sold 127,343 Cars in 1H 2022 – Maintains 247,800 Annual Sales Target

Perodua has consistently stayed at the top of the Malaysian automotive industry in terms of sales volume, and this remains true for 2022. In the first half of the year, the carmaker recorded over 127,343 sales; that’s already slightly more than half of Perodua’s sales target for the year.

Among the 127,343 sales, the popular Perodua Myvi continues to lead with over 38,039 units delivered between January to June 2022. This is followed by the Axia (29,183 units sold), with the Bezza not far behind at 28,719 units registered this year.

Compared to the same period in 2021, where Perodua sold 97,290 units, the national carmaker’s 1H 2022 sales performance is a notable 30% improvement. Perodua attributes this to the “strong demand for vehicles in the first half of 2022 due to the sales tax exemption deadline.”

Moving forward, Perodua is maintaining its 2022 sales target of 247,800 units despite issues such as skilled labour and parts shortage. “We sincerely apologise for the long wait and are doing everything in our power to further improve production for the benefit of our customers,” said the CEO and president of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.


Proton Unveils New 1.5L TGDi Engine Plant at Tanjung Malim – First Outside of China

Proton officially unveiled its brand new assembly line for the carmaker’s 1.5L TGDi engine – found in the
X50
 and
X70 MC
 – at Tanjung Malim, Perak. This is the first time the engine is assembled outside of China, and it is said to be one of the most advanced automotive engine assembly lines in Malaysia.

Covering an area of 18,000 sqm, the new plant has a maximum capacity of 180,000 engines when running on three shifts. It actually started operating back in April this year, and the assembly line itself is a part of Proton’s huge RM1.8 billion investment to upgrade its facilities at Tanjung Malim.

Aside from that, Proton also mentioned that the locally assembled 1.5L TGDi engine uses 72 parts supplied by 19 Malaysian (and four ASEAN) vendors. Workers operating the assembly line have undergone extensive training with Geely and the suppliers of the machines used too, which include ABB, COMAU, FEV China, FEV India, WiBeda, and Hangxin.

“Quality is the main priority at our new engine assembly line. We know we need to show Malaysians that Proton is capable of building reliable high-quality products, so we have left nothing to chance,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah.

“Aside from the quality monitoring measures deployed on the assembly line, we also work closely with our counterparts at Geely to troubleshoot issues and share best practices in our efforts to produce a world-class engine,” he added.


Rugged Amazfit T-Rex 2 Smartwatch Lands in Malaysia for RM799

If you’re looking for a rugged smartwatch to complement your active lifestyle, then the Amazfit T-Rex 2 could just be for you. With support for over 150 different sports modes, a durable design, and up to 24 days of battery life in normal use, the T-Rex 2 is reasonably affordable too.

For the Malaysian market, the T-Rex 2 is priced at RM799. For that kind of money, you’re getting a bright and vibrant 1.39-inch 454 x 454 circular AMOLED display, a durable polymer alloy body, the ability to track heart rate and blood oxygen level, as well as a 10 ATM water resistance rating.

As mentioned, the T-Rex 2 supports 150 sports modes too, including a Triathlon mode and Track Run mode to record your laps. It can also automatically track eight types of exercises, including outdoor running, swimming, treadmill, and even the elliptical machine. It has also passed 15 military-grade tests, so you know it’s a durable smartwatch.

The Amazfit T-Rex 2 is now available for purchase in Malaysia through
Amazfit’s official Shopee store
. Those who placed their orders by 8 July tomorrow will also receive an Amazfit-branded water bottle.


MacBook Air (M2) Goes on Sale in Malaysia Tomorrow on 8 July

Launched globally exactly a month ago, the M2-powered MacBook Air will be available for purchase in Malaysia tomorrow! Orders of the sleek new MacBook will be open on 8 July through
Apple’s Malaysian online store
 at 8PM, so mark your calendars.

Given its premium appeal, the updated MacBook Air does not come cheap. For our market, the base model starts at RM5,499, and it features an M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and GPU, 8GB of unified memory, as well as a 256GB SSD. A tier up is the RM6,699 model, which offers a faster 10-core GPU and a 512GB SSD.

Naturally, the all-new MacBook Air retains its thin and light design. With a 11.3mm thin chassis, this is without a doubt a portable laptop. But how much does it weigh? Well, it tips the scales at only 1.2kg – this is a very much a lightweight laptop.

Aside from its portable nature, the new MacBook Air also gets a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display – complete with a notch – a very respectable battery life of up to 18 hours, as well as up to 24GB of memory and 2TB SSD storage. Oh, the MagSafe charger makes a return too.

The MacBook Air 2022 will be available for purchase on
Apple’s online store
 on 8 July tomorrow at 8PM. If this MacBook doesn’t quite fit your budget, you can always opt for the more affordable M1 model. Yes, it will continue to be sold alongside the newer M2 Air.


God of War Ragnarok Arrives 9 November 2022 – Pre-Orders Open 15 July From RM249

Despite rumours of a delay, God of War Ragnarok finally gets a release date, and it’s still coming this year. Set to be available on 9 November, the latest entry in the God of War franchise will be playable on both the PS5 and PS4.

Ragnarok takes place a few years after the events of the 2018 God of War. Kratos’ son, Atreus, is now a teenager, and he “wants to understand who he is more than anything,” as the developer puts it. After all, the big revelation of the previous game is the fact that he is – spoiler alert – the infamous Loki in Norse mythology.

Speaking of which, Kratos and Atreus will also face off against the legendary Aesir god Thor in Ragnarok, along with Freya from the previous game. Naturally, Ragnarok will introduce a number of new enemies and abilities as well. Kratos will have new attacks and weapons, while Atreus seems to have gained a new Runic Summon.

Pre-orders of Ragnarok will begin next week on 15 July. The Standard Edition for the PS4 costs RM249, while the PS5 version goes for RM299. There’s also a Digital Deluxe Edition for RM339, which includes both the PS4 and PS5 version, Dark Horse digital mini artbook, an avatar set, a PS4 theme, a digital soundtrack, and in-game cosmetic items.

If you want something more…decadent, there’s the RM839 Collector’s Edition of Ragnarok, which comes with a 16-inch Mjolnir replica. Feeling extra fancy? Then there’s the RM1,099 Jotnar Edition. It’s similar to the Collector’s Edition, but it includes extra items, such as a Legendary Draupnir Ring and a Yggdrasil Cloth Map. Both of these bundles include the PS5 and PS4 versions of the game.

Physical pre-orders of God of War Ragnarok from certain stores will also come with one of three freebies: a Leviathan Axe 3D Keychain, a printed enamel mug, or a Thor Hammer Pen/Stand. The list of participating stores will be revealed on 13 July.


Diablo Immortal Now Live in Asia-Pacific, Including Malaysia

After a slight delay, Diablo Immortal is now live in the Asia-Pacific region, including Malaysia. The delay was necessary for optimisations to be done – which included bug fixes and performance improvements – and based on our brief time with the game, it does run quite well on mobile and PC.

Aside from Malaysia, Diablo Immortal is also available in several Asia-Pacific markets today. These include Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. Interestingly, the game can also be played in Vietnam now, but only on PC; there’s no mobile version for the country.

Blizzard is also enabling cross-play and cross-progression between the PC and mobile versions of Diablo Immortal. It’s worth noting that the PC version is currently in open beta, which will see changes and fine-tuning to the game until it “delivers a finalised experience,” as Blizzards puts it.

If you’re keen to check out Diablo Immortal, you can download the game right now through the
Apple App Store
 and the
Google Play Store
. If you want to play it on PC instead, you can do so on Blizzard’s
Battle.net launcher
.


2022 Honda HR-V – More Than 12 Months Waiting Period

Well, this is quite the news. Bookings for the 2022 Honda HR-V opened just last month on 9 June, and it looks to be a highly anticipated B-segment SUV. Apparently, waiting period for the new HR-V now stands at
more than 12 months
.

This long waiting period for the new HR-V is detailed in a Honda Malaysia internal memo sighted by the folks over at
Paultan.org
. The memo informed dealers to “avoid any overpromise and ensure customers receive constant updates on their new vehicle delivery timing.”

Of course, the 12-month waiting period may not apply to those who have placed a booking for the HR-V earlier, though this is only an educated guess on our part. Chances are, many buyers are eager to get the SUV before the resumption of sales tax on 1 July.

With that in mind, it’s also entirely possible that buyers who placed a booking by 30 June may not get the 2022 HR-V with tax-free prices. As announced by the government, all cars booked by that date
have to be registered by 31 March 2023
 to enjoy sales tax exemption; that’s only six months away.

Nonetheless, we’ll just have to wait for official confirmation from Honda Malaysia. If you’re just thinking of placing a booking for the 2022 Honda HR-V, it’s likely you’ll have to wait over a year to take delivery of the SUV.


Moondrop Aria Snow Edition Review: A Cool Take on a Crowd-Favourite

Practically everyone in the ChiFi scene have heard of Moondrop. Having released a wide range of earphones at different price points, the company has amassed something of a cult following. This may or may not have something to do with the anime girls (or “waifus”) often flaunted on the packaging of Moondrop’s products.

Among Moondrop’s many well-received IEMs, the Aria 2021 is arguably the most popular. Priced at a mere $80 (about RM355), the Aria 2021 has been revered as a well-tuned, affordable IEM. As often as the term “excellent value for money” has been thrown around – especially in the budget ChiFi scene – it’s no denying that the Aria’s sheer value proposition is one of its best qualities.

In a bid to capitalise on the popularity of the Aria, Moondrop released the Aria Snow Edition, which is also priced at $80. This is actually not the first time the company released a different version of the acclaimed Aria. Earlier this year, there was the Aria Elven Maiden Edition themed after vocaloid Hatsune Miku.

But unlike that version of the Aria, the Aria Snow Edition is more than just a reskin of the original. The latter features a different driver, a different tuning, and of course, a different-looking – and arguably sleeker – shell.

So the question is: can the Aria Snow Edition repeat the success of the esteemed Aria 2021?

What It Is

Right off the bat, the Aria Snow Edition distinguishes itself from the original with a new packaging, and in true Moondrop fashion, it features a new anime girl. The layout and contents of the Aria Snow’s packaging are similar to that of the Aria 2021, just finished in a snow white theme. That means you still get the round case and three pairs of silicone tips.

However, there are a couple of new features with the Aria Snow Edition, including a 6N oxygen-free copper silver-plated cable, which complements the white theme of the IEM very well. There’s also the welcome addition of Moondrop’s own Spring Tips.

As mentioned, the Aria Snow Edition also comes with a different driver, specifically a “diamond-like diaphragm” dynamic driver found in Moondrop’s higher-end Kanas Pro IEM. This also means the tuning of the Aria Snow will differ from the regular Aria, and it’s not as simple as having the Kanas Pro’s sound signature in the shell of an Aria.

How Does It Sound?

The tonality of the Aria Snow Edition, compared to the standard Aria, is neither an improvement nor a setback. There is, however, a reduction in mid-bass and lower-treble, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Tuning wise, the Aria Snow Edition is in line with Moondrop’s own Harman-esque curve – the VDSF target response. They’re evidently balanced and neutral-sounding with a laid-back tonality, though I wouldn’t necessarily call it boring.

While I’d love to compare the relaxed listening experience of the Aria Snow Edition to being out on a cold winter’s day just to achieve the “snow” metaphor, the IEM doesn’t exactly sound that…frosty. The experience is more akin to being in a field of hyacinths on a chilly autumn day.

Speaking of seasons, let’s talk about the Spring Tips now.

While it’s great that Spring Tips are included with the Aria Snow Edition, they might not actually be the best choice sonically. They seem to have a tendency to tone down both ends of the frequency spectrum, causing the Aria Snow to sound less dynamic than it should be. It’s quite a shame as the Spring Tips do fit securely and comfortably in my ears, though the normal silicone tips do get the job done as well.

The Spring Tips

The regular silicone tips

The following impressions of the Aria Snow Edition were carried out with the standard silicone tips as I personally prefer how they sound over the Spring Tips. That being said, the latter tips are still worth trying if they fit both your ears and your sonic preferences.

Bass

The bass of the Aria Snow Edition is clean and quite detailed. Sub-bass is rolled-off, but the slight bump in mid-bass does make up for this. It’s not a boomy mid-bass; far from it, though there is a certain tightness and control to the bass that make it
strangely
 addictive.

Seconds into a track like Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy, for example, and I find myself tapping my foot to the beat. The speed of the bass and the solid reverberations make up a combination that’s just…again, addictive.

Mids

The mid-range of the Aria Snow Edition is pushed forward and stands out from the frequency range, though it still maintains a comfortable distance within the soundstage. Male vocals are presented smoothly, but could do with a bit more body. Glimpse of Us by Joji, for instance, has a tendency to sound a bit thin and unnatural.

Female vocals, on the other hand, have a tint of warmth and an accompanying weight that’s
just right
 to my ears. But the slight dip in the lower treble region does affect the breathiness of female vocals, and I find myself yearning for a bit more air.

For example, the lower frequency of the guitars on Solar Power by Lorde are incredibly organic, but Lorde’s raspy vocals seem a bit too constrained here.

Highs

The neutrality presented from the Aria Snow Edition can also be a double-edged sword to some as the treble on certain tracks can sound a bit dry. As I’ve mentioned in the previous section, there’s a lack of air and even sparkle due to a dip at the 10kHz region.

This also means that the Aria Snow lacks quite a bit of detail and clarity in the upper treble region, but the more blunt presentation may be a blessing to those who are treble-sensitive – maybe.

Soundstage

The width of the Aria Snow Edition’s soundstage is just a tad wider than what your average dynamic driver is able to resolve. That being said, it can actually produce a surprising amount of vertical depth when I paired it with my Grace Design M9XX DAC/Amp.

Instrument separation is exceptional too, and positioning instruments around the stage is a breeze for the Aria Snow. On an orchestral track like The Scavenger by John Williams, I can hear the placement of the flutes in the back and the horns to the right. Unfortunately, clarity and detail do exponentially decline when the track swells in the second half.

Is It Worth It?

In a vacuum, the Moondrop Aria Snow Edition is worth every penny.
At only $80 – well, $79.99 – on HiFiGo
, it’s one of the easiest IEMs to recommend in the sub-$100 price range. Not only are you getting a solid, aesthetically-pleasing metal shell, the Aria Snow also offers a relaxed and natural-sounding tonality.

It’s not a detail monster or a basshead’s best friend, and there’s also the matter of which tips to use as I personally prefer the standard silicone tips over the decidedly more expensive Spring Tips, though your mileage may vary. Regardless, the Aria Snow is an IEM that belongs among the single dynamic driver greats.

I wouldn’t say it’s an upgrade over the Aria 2021. Rather, the Aria Snow Edition is more of a…side-grade. If you want an IEM that is a little more dynamic, then the standard Aria is the way to go. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed, mid-centric tuning, then the Aria Snow is the one for you.

It can be tough to pick between the two IEMs, but it’s an easier decision if you have a preference for which “waifu” you like more on their respective packaging boxes.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


Pre-Order the PS5 From Sony Centre Mid Valley Until 11 July 2022

It’s been quite some time since the PS5 was launched in Malaysia
, but it’s still a challenge to get a unit of the highly sought-after next-gen console. If you’re feeling lucky, good news: Sony Centre Mid Valley is accepting pre-orders of the PS5 yet again.

Well, sort of. In order to be in the running for a
chance
 to pre-order the PS5, you’ll have to
fill up this Google Form
. If you’re fortunate enough to be selected, you will be contacted on 12 July to finalise your pre-order of the next-gen console.

Do note that you only have until 11 July at 2PM next week to register your interest for the PS5 pre-order. This isn’t a first-come, first-served sale either; filling up the form just means you’re in the running to be chosen to pre-order the PS5.

While it wasn’t mentioned, it’s likely that stocks are very limited, so don’t be disheartened if you’re not chosen to pre-order the PS5. If you want a better chance of securing a unit, we recommend checking in with your favourite game shop to get into the waiting list – if the store has one.


Spy Shot: 2022 Honda HR-V RS Heading to Showrooms Ahead of 14 July Launch!

The 2022 Honda HR-V will make its Malaysian debut next week on 14 July. Ahead of its local launch, it looks like the B-segment SUV is heading to showrooms, as these spy shots show.

These images came from
Paultan.org
, which show the range-topping RS trim of the new HR-V in all its glory. This hybrid variant is sporting the SUV’s signature red paint job, which should be dubbed Ignite Red Metallic. Yes, the same colour option offered on other Honda models.

Looking back at the
teaser shared by Honda Malaysia
, the RS trim of the new HR-V comes with a 1.5L i-MMD e:HEV powertrain; it is touted as the “most advanced” engine in the B-segment market. On top of that, it will also get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems and sequential turn signals.

Aside from that, there are numerous reports that the new generation HR-V will also be offered with a 1.5L turbocharged VTEC engine
and
 a naturally-aspirated mill. This will certainly make the B-segment SUV more appealing to customers that don’t fancy the hybrid powertrain. Of course, there’s the much more modern styling of the SUV as well to capture buyers’ attention.

The 2022 Honda HR-V is now open for booking in Malaysia, though you’re looking at
more than 12 months of wait
 at the moment. Naturally, the local pricing of the B-segment SUV has not been revealed yet either; we’ll find out for ourselves once the new HR-V is launched here on 14 July next week.


Genshin Impact Teases 3 New Characters From Sumeru – Tighnari, Collei, Dori

Hoyoverse dropped quite a bit of new details on
Genshin Impact
. Not only do we get
a look at the members of the Fatui Harbingers
, the developer also revealed three new characters that are (presumably) coming to the game. These include Tighnari, Collei, and Dori; all of them hail from the new region, Sumeru.

Chances are, these three characters will be playable in Version 3.0 of Genshin Impact, which will see the introduction of the Sumeru region and the final element in the game, Dendro. In fact, Tighnari and Collei wield the new element, while Dori is an Electro character.

From left: Tighnari, Dori, Collei

Given that Hoyoverse is teasing Sumeru characters now, it’s highly likely the next version update of Genshin Impact will be Version 3.0. After all, the characters the developer tease are always released in the following update, just like
Heizou
,
Yelan, and Kuki Shinobu
.

Of course, things could change in the following months, though we’re pretty confident Genshin Impact 3.0 will be coming right after Version 2.8 update. Speaking of which, that update
will go live tomorrow
, along with Kazuha’s and Klee’s rerun banners; Heizou is also featured in the two event wishes.


Genshin Impact Kazuha & Klee Rerun Banners Arrive 13 July With Heizou, Thoma, Ningguang

Kazuha’s and Klee’s rerun banners have been revealed for
Genshin Impact
. Set to arrive tomorrow on 13 July, the event wish for these two 5-star characters will be accompanied by Thoma, Ningguang, and the new 4-star Anemo character, Heizou.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

double banners
, Kazuha and Klee both share 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.

Similar to Genshin Impact’s
prior character

event wishes
, the “drop rate” of Kazuha, Klee, Heizou, Thoma, and Ningguang will be increased. In the case of Kazuha and Klee, 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 Kazuha or Klee. The same rule applies to 4-star characters (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but given that there are three of them featured in the banner, it’s a little bit more random.

Basically, when you’re guaranteed a 4-star character from the banner, you will get either Heizou, Thoma, or Ningguang. 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.

Kazuha’s “Leaves in the Wind” and Klee’s “Sparkling Steps” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 13 July tomorrow, right after the
Version 2.8 update
 goes live. Their banners will be offered until 2 August; Yoimiya’s rerun banner will follow suit then.


Huawei Nova Y90 Landing in Malaysia 15 July for RM999 – Snapdragon 680, 5,000mAh Battery

Huawei is set to launch an affordable phone in Malaysia later this week. Set to arrive on 15 July this Friday, the Huawei Nova Y90 sports a large 5,000mAh battery with support for 40W fast charging, all packed into a rather sleek-looking chassis with a high 94% screen-to-body ratio.

Only one variant of the Nova Y90 is available in Malaysia. Priced at RM999, it features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It’s also offered in three distinct colours: Blue, Green, and Midnight Black.

Hardware wise, the Nova Y90 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, which should be fast enough for everyday use. Other specifications of the Y90 include a 6.7-inch 1080p LCD display, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), an 8MP selfie camera, and the aforementioned 5,000mAh battery with 40W fast charging.

The Huawei Nova Y90 will be available for purchase in Malaysia this Friday on 15 July.
Huawei Malaysia’s online store
 will have the phone up for sale then, and early birds will even get RM200 worth of freebies.