Can’t Access Your Vaccination Page in MySejahtera? Reinstall the App

If you’re having trouble accessing your vaccination page in MySejahtera, the developer has issued a fix: simply uninstall and install the app again. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to view the page.

Having access to your vaccination flow page is important to ensure that you are properly registered for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK). On top of that, if you’ve registered for the
AstraZeneca opt-in
, this page will be updated with your vaccination appointment’s date and time.

Good Day, if you are facing this issue of not getting to view your vaccination flow page, please uninstall and reinstall the application. Thank you.
pic.twitter.com/VC4YLCXhEH
— MySejahtera (@my_sejahtera)
May 24, 2021

Again, just uninstall and install the MySejahtera app again if the vaccination flow page isn’t updated with your details as shown in the Tweet above. Stay safe everyone!


Deal: Save RM100 on the TTRacing Maxx Gaming Chair Again on Shopee

The
TTRacing Maxx
 gaming chair will be discounted again tonight on Shopee. Originally retailing at RM1,099, you can the company’s most premium gaming chair yet
for only RM999
 at 12AM tonight.

Of course, this deal is offered by TTRacing’s own
official store on Shopee
. Both the Royal Black and Midnight Stealth colourways will be listed at only RM999 from 12AM to 2AM on 25 May, and you can get additional discounts with other vouchers from Shopee.

As TTRacing’s most premium gaming chair yet, the Maxx features a number of interesting features. It uses faux leather and velour to dissipate heat faster, dense cold cure foam to provide good support over long sitting hours, and even velour covered memory foam neck and lumbar pillows for better comfort and support.

Other features of the Maxx include support for 155-degree full recline, a steel frame structure with lifetime warranty, a multi-tilt mechanism, an aluminium alloy wheelbase, and large 65mm castors with a locking mechanism to fix the chair in place.

Taking into accounts its feature set, RM999 for the TTRacing Maxx gaming chair is certainly a good offer. If you’re keen to get it, you can do so over at
TTRacing’s official Shopee store
 from 12AM to 2AM on 25 May. We’ve received a review unit of the Maxx as well, so stay tuned for our unboxing and assembly of the gaming chair!


Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Promises “Multi-Day Battery Life” – Made for Entry-Level Laptops

Qualcomm just unveiled the new Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, an ARM-based chip that will power affordable, entry-level laptops. Compared to its predecessor, the new chip promises faster performance while retaining the same feature set.

According to
Anandtech’s report
, the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 has a slightly faster 2.55GHz clock speed; the original Snapdragon 7c was clocked at 2.4GHz. Beyond this one change, other features of the refreshed chip are largely the same as the original, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Since the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 is an ARM-based chip, it has very good power efficiency. In fact, Qualcomm promises “multi-day battery life” with this chip. It is able to offer up to 19 hours of continuous use, and according to the chipmaker, this is essentially “two times the battery life of most competing platforms.”

Other features of the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 include two Kryo 468 Gold cores, six more power-efficient Kryo 468 Silver cores, an Adreno 618 GPU, LTE connectivity, along with support for 4K HDR media and a single 32MP camera or two 16MP shooters.

The first device powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip is expected to arrive sometime this summer. ARM-based chips may not offer the best performance, but the better power efficiency is a worthy trade-off to some folks.


AstraZeneca Vaccine Opt-In for Under 60 Opens Tomorrow (26 May) at 12PM

The
second AstraZeneca vaccine opt-in
 is currently only open to those above 60 years old. But come tomorrow (26 May) at 12PM, registration for the COVID-19 vaccine will be open for those under 60 as well.

This was just announced by Khairy Jamaluddin, the coordinating minister for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. Just like before, those above the age of 18 will be able to register for the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12PM onwards tomorrow on 26 May. This is open to residents in five states: Selangor, KL, Penang, Sarawak, and Johor.

Those who meet the criteria can register for the AstraZeneca vaccine
right here
. If you’re currently in the waiting list from the previous AstraZeneca opt-in session, you don’t have to sign up for this one – you will get an appointment through the MySejahtera app in due time.


Those in AstraZeneca 1.0 Waitlist Can Register Again Tomorrow (26 May)

If you’re currently in the waitlist for the first AstraZeneca opt-in, take note: you can actually register again tomorrow on 26 May for the second session. This is especially convenient if you want to select when and where to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

This was revealed by the
Jawatankuasa Khas Jaminan Akses Vaksin COVID-19
 (JKJAV) itself in a Tweet. According to the post, those in the waitlist don’t have to register again for the second AstraZeneca opt-in – their appointments will be given in due time – but they can do so if they want to choose a particular date and location.

Waitlist from AZ 1.0 for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, do not need to book again as you will be slotted in automatically for AZ 2.0. However you are free to book again if you want to choose a date and location.
— Vaksin COVID-19 🇲🇾 (@JKJAVMY)
May 25, 2021

To recap, the
second AstraZeneca opt-in
 will be open for those above the age of 18 tomorrow (26 May) at 12PM, though it is only available to residents in Selangor, KL, Penang, Sarawak, and Johor. If you meet the criteria, you can register for the COVID-19 vaccine
over here
 at 12PM tomorrow.


ShopeePay Offering RM5 Free Credit to Youths Between 18 to 20 Years Old

In preparation for the government’s
eBelia initiative
 – which offers eligible Malaysians RM150 ewallet credit – ShopeePay is organising a rather interesting campaign. If you’re between the age of 18 to 20 years old, you can get RM5 free credit from the ewallet service.

Of course, there is a caveat to this, though it’s really a very simple process. If you meet the age requirement, all you need to do is to
activate your ShopeePay Premium
 account to get the RM5 credit. In order to do so, you just need to verify your ShopeePay account with your IC number.

Once you’ve successfully activated your ShopeePay Premium account, the RM5 credit will be sent to your account within five working days. Do note that this campaign (which is only valid until 31 May) is separate from the eBelia initiative. The company mentioned that more benefits will be offered to those that claim the RM150 eBelia credit with ShopeePay.

To recap, the RM150 eBelia credit is offered to Malaysians between the age of 18 to 20 (born from 2001 to 2003). You are also eligible if you’re a full-time student undertaking a “diploma or SKM4 (and above) in a public or private institution of higher learning in Malaysia recognised by the ministries.”

Aside from ShopeePay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, BigPay, and Boost are also selected for the eBelia initiative. You can start claiming for the RM150 credit from either one of these ewallet services from 1 June to 22 July, but note that all of the credit has to be spent by 31 July 2021.


Asus TUF Dash F15 Review: Slim & Light RTX 3060 Gaming Laptop From RM4,699

Most affordable gaming laptops are not particularly lightweight or slim, which is the very reason why the Asus TUF Dash F15 is such an intriguing gaming machine. Not only does it have a relatively thin, lightweight chassis, it also offers good value for money with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU.

Despite some of its shortcomings, the TUF Dash F15 is easily one of the most attractive RTX 3060 gaming laptops in the market now. Keep on reading this review to find out why!

What It Is

Display
15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080), 144Hz
Processor
Intel Core i7-11370H (4C/8T, 3.3GHz with boost up to 4.8GHz)
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 (85W TGP)
RAM
16GB DDR4 3200MHz
Storage
512GB M.2 PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD
Camera
None
Battery
76Wh
Dimensions
360 x 252 x 19.9 mm
Weight
2kg
Audio
Bottom-firing stereo speakers
Ports
3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort)
1x HDMI 2.0b
1x RJ45
Price
RM5,499

There are as many as four different variants of the TUF Dash F15 for the Malaysian market; the one we received is the RM5,499 mid-range configuration, which I personally believe offers the best performance for the money.

Sure, the RM4,699 model has even better value for money, but that variant features only 8GB of RAM and a Core i5-11300H chip. For the best balance between cost and performance, I highly recommend the configuration we received for this review.

The Good Stuff

The major highlight of the TUF Dash F15 has to be its thin and light nature. Tipping the scales at 2kg with a 19.9mm thin chassis, it’s one of the more portable gaming laptops in the market now, especially at this price point. I dig the minimalist, understated design of the Dash F15 as well.

In the performance department, the Dash F15’s combination of a Core i7-11370H processor and an RTX 3060 GPU can run AAA games with little to no difficulty. I’ve played a few games at maxed out graphics settings on this laptop, and while the fans did kick up a fuss, the games ran very well with high, consistent frame rates.

Games (max settings @ 1080p)
Average FPS
Genshin Impact (1.5 render resolution, locked at 60fps)
59.219
Borderlands 3 (DX11)
61.65
Witcher 3 (HairWorks disabled)
79.877

Complementing the fast performance of the TUF Dash F15 is its equally fast 15.6-inch 1080p IPS screen with a 144Hz refresh rate. Not only does this offer excellent motion clarity in fast-paced, competitive games, even just browsing the web with the high refresh rate is a pleasant experience.

Speaking of which, the Dash F15 can actually return
very respectable
 battery life. Outside of gaming, I can get between seven to eight hours of use on a single charge. If you plan to use this gaming laptop as a productivity machine as well, you won’t be disappointed with its battery life.

And then we have the thermals of the TUF Dash F15, which really surprised me. No matter what I throw at it, both the CPU and GPU never got above 80°C. The palm rest area does get a little warm in longer gaming sessions, but not to the point where it’s uncomfortable to the touch.

Last but certainly not least are the input devices of the Dash F15. The keyboard, for one, has enough key travel to not feel shallow, and I like the rather pronounced tactility of the keys, not to mention the standard (hence intuitive) layout of the keyboard. As for the trackpad, it can accurately track my fingers with no issue.

The Bad Stuff

While the TUF Dash F15 offers really good performance, there’s still room for improvement. The Core i7-11370H processor powering this laptop is decent, but it is outclassed by AMD’s Ryzen processors. I put the Core i7 through its paces in Cinebench R20 – see for yourself how it compares to AMD’s offerings.

Processor
Single-core test
Multi-core test
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Asus ROG Flow X13)
572
4922
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX (Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE)
566
5461
AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS (Asus ROG Zephyrus G14)
481
4173
AMD Ryzen 7 4800H (Asus TUF Gaming A15)
481
4106
Intel Core i7-10875H (Acer Predator Triton 500)
483
3773
Intel Core i7-11370H (Asus TUF Dash F15)
581
2749

Yes, the Core i7-11370H can outperform its competition in the single-core test, but it loses out in terms of multi-core performance by a very big margin. This can be attributed to the fact that it is only a quad-core processor; most of the competition, even at this price point, already offers eight processing cores.

Aside from that, the screen quality of the Dash F15 could be better too. It’s great that it has a fast 144Hz refresh rate, but the panel quality itself leaves much to be desired. The dynamic range isn’t particularly great, and I wish the brightness could be a tad higher for a more comfortable viewing experience.

My last qualm with the TUF Dash F15 isn’t a big one, but it’s definitely worth a mention: it doesn’t have a webcam. Given that more folks are working from home in this COVID-19 pandemic, the inclusion of a webcam would’ve really made this gaming laptop more attractive to those who are looking for a complete productivity machine.

After all, the Dash F15 already has very respectable battery life. It can easily double as a great productivity laptop too.

Is It Worth It?

Starting from RM4,699, you cannot go wrong with the Asus TUF Dash F15, especially if you want the best gaming performance at this price point in a slim, lightweight chassis. It would’ve been great if it shipped with an AMD Ryzen 5000 processor instead, but at least the laptop’s Core i7-11370H chip can still keep up with the RTX 3060 GPU.

If you can live with the shortcomings of the TUF Dash F15 – which are not lot, in retrospect – you will be very happy with this portable, sleek gaming laptop that also offers excellent value for money.


Genshin Impact 1.6 Special Program Happening 28 May – Klee Banner & Skins for Jean, Barbara Confirmed?

Mihoyo just revealed that the special program livestream for Version 1.6 of
Genshin Impact
 is happening on 28 May at 11AM UTC-5. What’s particularly interesting about the upcoming program is the teaser image, which seems to suggest that special skins for Jean and Barbara are happening in Version 1.6, along with the return of Klee’s banner.

As you can see in the image below, Jean and Barbara look to be donning a different outfit from their default attire in Genshin Impact. Chances are, the two characters will receive a special skin as part of a new in-game event in Version 1.6.

Aside from that, Klee can be seen in the background too, and she will likely take part in the special program livestream as well. With this in mind, it’s not far-fetched to assume that Klee’s banner will return in Genshin Impact. She was initially added into the game back in October 2020.

Beyond these new additions, Mihoyo revealed that Genshin Impact 1.6 will also see some
changes to the Serenitea Pot
. The load limit will be determined by the device players are using, the dialogue to access Serenitea Pot functions will be streamlined, and the room on the second floor will be open for decorations as well.

Oh, if you’re an active co-op player, you’ll be happy to know that you can finally use the Crafting Bench in co-op mode once Version 1.6 is live.

Genshin Impact Version 1.6’s special program will be livestreamed
on YouTube
 come 28 May at 11AM UTC-5. If you’re here in Malaysia, the stream will begin at 12AM this Saturday on 29 May.


27 May – 2 June Fuel Price: All Prices Remain

Great news folks: no changes to fuel prices this coming week. Price of RON 97 is not going up again this time around, while the prices of RON 95 and diesel remain the same, given that the price ceilings of the two have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 is kept at RM2.61 per litre. The price of RON 95, on the other hand, remains the same at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 27 May to 2 June next week. New fuel prices will now be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Monster Hunter Rise 3.0 Update Adds New Ending & Monsters – Available Now

This is probably the update most
Monster Hunter Rise
 players have been waiting for. Version 3.0 of the game will finally add a new, more conclusive ending, along with a number of new monsters.

Before the Version 3.0 update, the main storyline of Monster Hunter Rise ends in a cliffhanger. With this new update – which is live now, by the way – there will finally be a proper ending to the story. Capcom only mentioned that Narwa and Ibushi will meet in the ending as to not spoil the story.

Crimson Glow Valstrax
Apex Zinogre
Narwa and Ibushi

Aside from that, Valstrax (the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate) is now available in Monster Hunter Rise as well. It debuts in the game as Crimson Glow Valstrax, which looks to be a more aggressive variant of the regular monster. A new variant of Zinogre dubbed Apex Zinogre will also make its entry in this new update.

A number of DLCs will be added in Version 3.0 of Monster Hunter Rise too, including new layered armor, hairstyles, hunter voices, sticker sets, and even poses. A few Capcom Collab events are coming to the game as well; the first one is arriving in the middle of June for a Palico layered armor of Tsukino from Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.

Version 3.0 of Monster Hunter Rise is now available for download on the Nintendo Switch. Capcom also mentioned that players can expect more event quests to be added in the game that will reward players with layered armor of other Capcom characters.


Acer Unveils 2 New Gaming Laptops With Mini-LED Displays – Predator Triton 500 SE & Helios 500

Aside from the Swift X, Acer also unveiled two new gaming laptops: the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE and Acer Predator Helios 500. Both of these can be configured with a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, and both of them got their own unique features as well.

Let’s start with the slimmer gaming laptop of the two, the Triton 500 SE. It has a 19.9mm thin chassis, the aforementioned RTX 3080 GPU, up to an Intel Core i9 processor, and a maximum RAM capacity of 64GB.

What makes the Triton 500 SE even more interesting is its 16-inch 2560 × 1600 screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. There are three different panel options: a searingly bright 165Hz mini-LED display with a 1250 nits peak brightness, a 240Hz IPS “Polar Black” screen, or a more conventional 165Hz LCD panel.

Since we’re talking about displays, let’s break down the panel options of the bigger Helios 500 too. Its 17.3-inch screen can be configure with a sharp 4K mini-LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, or a blazing fast 360Hz Full HD panel with 3ms response time.

Other specifications of the Helios 500 include an overclockable 11th gen Core i9 processor, an RTX 3080 GPU, as well as up to 64GB of RAM.

The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE will hit the US market sometime in June 2021 from $1,750 (about RM7,245). The Predator Helios 500, on the other hand, will arrive later in August 2021 in the same market with a $2,500 starting price, which comes up to about RM10,350.

Both of these gaming laptops will be available in Malaysia as well, though it remains to be seen exactly when they will arrive here.


Acer Swift X Sports RTX 3050 Ti GPU & AMD Ryzen 7 5800U Chip in a 17.9mm Chassis

Now this is quite interesting: Acer just unveiled a brand new laptop under the Swift series, and it has some serious power under the hood. Enter the Acer Swift X: it can be configured with the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor, all packed in a 17.9mm thin chassis.

With these kind of hardware, the Swift X can arguably be considered a gaming laptop – a pretty good one at that – though the Swift lineup has always been productivity-focused machines. Anyway, Aside from the beefy GPU and CPU combo, this laptop can also be equipped with 16GB of RAM and a whopping 2TB of SSD storage.

As mentioned, the Swift X is a thin and light laptop as well despite the powerful hardware. Measuring only 17.9mm thin, it tips the scales at 1.39kg. Of course, this doesn’t make it the lightest or thinnest laptop in the market, but it’s still very much a compact, portable machine.

In the display department, the Swift X features a 14-inch Full HD IPS screen with an 85.7% screen-to-body ratio; a relatively good ratio for a modern, sleek-looking design. The screen also has a brightness of 300 nits with 100% coverage of the sRGB colour gamut.

The Acer Swift X will be available in the US market first sometime in June 2021 next month; it retails from $900, which comes up to about RM3,725. While we don’t know exactly when the Swift X will be available in Malaysia, we were told it will arrive on our shores eventually.


Horizon Forbidden West Gameplay Revealed, and It’s Amazing – Coming to PS5 & PS4

Guerrilla Games just showed off the gameplay of its highly anticipated PlayStation exclusive, Horizon Forbidden West. As a sequel to the well-received Horizon Zero Dawn, the upcoming game features a number of new gameplay elements and even more stunning-looking graphics.

Horizon Forbidden West follows the protagonist, Aloy, six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn. She heads west to uncover the mystery of a deadly blight, and the gameplay demo below takes place in post-apocalyptic San Francisco.

As the gameplay demo shows, combat feels much more dynamic in Forbidden West. Aloy’s Spear seems to have a new set of combos now, and she got a number of new weapons as well. Of course, staying true to the combat of the first game, Aloy’s Bow and its many different ammos appear to still be the primary weapon in the game.

Aside from the fact that the environment looks even more stunning in Forbidden West, it also opens up new traversal mechanics for Aloy. Using a new equipment called Pullcaster, for example, lets her climb up and zip from one structure to another very quickly. Combined with the Shieldwing glider, she can descend from any height safely too.

There is also the inclusion of a Diving Mask now, allowing Aloy to explore “a whole new underwater world.”

Horizon Forbidden West has no release date yet, though Guerrilla Games said that
development is on track
, and more updates will be given “very soon.” The upcoming game is a PlayStation exclusive, and it will be available on both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 systems.


Asus Zenfone 8 & Zenfone 8 Flip Now in Malaysia – Snapdragon 888 Phones From RM2,699

It’s been a while since we’ve heard of the Zenfone brand name from Asus here in Malaysia, but surprise surprise, the Taiwanese company just launched two (high-end) Zenfone smartphones locally today. Enter the Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip, flagship smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 chipset.

Out of the two phones, the RM2,999 Zenfone 8 Flip is the more exciting device, thanks to its unique flipping camera mechanism. The flipping triple camera system (64MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom) eliminates the need for a selfie camera, so you get a sleek all-screen design.

The Zenfone 8 (left) and Zenfone 8 Flip

Speaking of which, the Zenfone 8 Flip has a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate free of any notches or cutouts. Aside from that, it also has a Snapdragon 888 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, and a generous 5,000mAh battery.

As for the more compact, standard Zenfone 8, two variants are offered: 128GB + 8GB (RM2,699) and 256GB + 16GB (RM3,299). It’s worth noting that the latter is exclusively available on Shopee. Anyway, just like the Flip, the regular Zenfone 8 is also powered by a Snapdragon 888 SoC, though it does come with a faster 120Hz 5.9-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen.

Other specifications of the Zenfone 8 include a dual camera system (64M primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle), a 12MP selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery.

To recap, the Asus Zenfone 8 Flip retails at RM2,999 for the sole 256GB + 8GB model, while the regular Zenfone 8 costs RM2,699 and RM3,299 for the 128GB + 8GB and 256GB + 16GB variants respectively. Both flagship phones are now available for purchase in Malaysia.


Total Lockdown Happening in Malaysia – First Phase From 1 to 14 June

Given the increasing number of daily COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) has announced a total lockdown. Just like how it was during the first MCO, only essential economic and service sectors will be allowed to operate during the lockdown.

The total lockdown is divided into several phases. The first phase will commence from 1 to 14 June, where only essential economic and service sectors are allowed to operate. These sectors will be outlined by MKN soon.

If the number of daily COVID-19 cases are able to be reduced in the first phase, the second phase will commence. In this phase, certain economic sectors that don’t involve large gatherings – and where physical distancing is possible – will be opened up. This phase will be in effect for a total of four weeks.

Once that’s done, we will enter the third phase, which will be identical to the tightened MCO 3.0. Of course, the decision to move on from one phase to another will be decided by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will prepare financial aid to those who are affected as well – more information on this will be announced in the near future.

The first phase of the total lockdown in Malaysia will take place from 1 to 14 June 2021. As mentioned, the second phase will only commence if the number of daily COVID-19 cases are reduced accordingly.


Genshin Impact 1.6 Coming 9 June – Kazuha, Klee Banners Confirmed, Summer Outfits for Jean & Barbara

Mihoyo just revealed a plethora of new information regarding Version 1.6 of
Genshin Impact
. Set to arrive on 9 June, the new update will introduce a new 5-star Anemo character, Kaedehara Kazuha, who also happens to be the first playable character from Inazuma. On top of that, Klee’s bannner will make a return too.

Klee’s Event Wish will be released first come 9 June, while Kazuha’s banner will arrive immediately after. Aside from these Event Wishes, Jean and Barbara – as we’ve pointed out in our
previous article
 – will be getting their own summer-themed outfits too; this is the first time alternate attires are introduced in Genshin Impact.

Kazuha, a new 5-star Anemo character
Jean’s Sea Breeze Dandelion outfit
Barbara’s Summertime Sparkle outfit

The special summer-themed outfit for Barbara, “Summertime Sparkle,” will be free to claim by completing an in-game event. Jean’s “Sea Breeze Dandelion” outfit, on the other hand, is available for purchase through the in-game shop with a limited-time discount. Of course, after the discount period, the outfit will still be available in the shop, albeit at full price.

There are also other changes coming to Genshin Impact 1.6, including the ability to place characters that you own in your Serenitea Pot realm. Characters in the realm will gradually gain Character Companionship Experience as well, and the rate will be increased the higher your Adeptal Energy Rank is.

Mihoyo also gave us even more concept arts of Inazuma, the third major city in Genshin Impact that will be added sometime in the future. Kamisato Ayaka – a 5-star Cryo character that initially appeared in the closed beta of the game – was also introduced in the Version 1.6 livestream.

Given that Mihoyo is revealing more details on Inazuma – as well as finally introducing Ayaka – there’s a good chance the new region and character will make it into Genshin Impact very soon. Perhaps both will be released at the same time, given that Ayaka is also from Inazuma.

Version 1.6 of Genshin Impact will arrive on 9 June 2021. Quite a number of in-game events will also be available once the new update is live.


TTRacing Maxx Review: Comfortable, Premium RM1,099 Gaming Chair

TTRacing has been in the Malaysian market for quite some time now. I reviewed its range of gaming chairs
back in 2017
, and they were certainly good products for the money then.

Fast forward to 2021, we have TTRacing’s latest gaming chair, the TTRacing Maxx. This chair really is a testament to how far the brand has grown over the years: it feels and looks much more premium, it offers a very comfortable sitting experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed using it so far.

Granted, retailing at RM1,099, the Maxx is not exactly affordable, and it does have a couple of shortcomings here and there. However, if you want one of the best gaming chairs at this price point, the Maxx is easily at the top of the list.

What It Is

The Maxx is currently TTRacing’s highest-end product with a RM1,099 price tag. For that kind of money, the gaming chair is wrapped in faux leather and velour. This material combination promises faster heat dissipation for a more comfortable sitting experience.

Aside from that, the Maxx also features dense cold cure foam to provide a good level of firmness and support, not to mention cushioned armrests with 4D adjustments, velour covered memory foam neck and lumbar pillows, as well as a 155-degree full recline – for when you want to take a quick break.

All in all, the Maxx has a lot of good things going for it, but do these translate to a comfortable sitting experience? Absolutely. Let me elaborate in the following section.

The Good Stuff

The moment you sit on the TTRacing Maxx, you will definitely notice how firm it is, thanks to the dense cold cure foam. This is in contrast to the plush, more “cushiony” support of other gaming chairs. Personally, I love the Maxx’s firmness; over long sitting hours, it provides the necessary support for a comfortable sitting experience.

What makes the Maxx even more comfortable are the memory foam neck and lumbar pillows. Covered in soft, velour material, it certainly feels great and supportive, especially the neck pillow. The lumbar pillow provides a reasonable amount of support as well for my lower back, though I do wish it was a tad firmer.

Anyway, the faux leather of the Maxx is quite good too. It feels nice and soft, and the velour parts – though it doesn’t cover as much area as the leather – is even softer to the touch. Yes, “faux leather” may sound cheap and inferior to genuine leather, but using the latter would also drive up the price of the chair considerably.

The armrests of the Maxx are worth highlighting as well. I like to rest my elbow on the armrests, so I really appreciate the fact that they are cushioned. Of course, the armrests are also 4D adjustable: they can be adjusted up, down, front, back, left, right, and even angled. Basically, every user should be able to find a comfortable position.

More affordable gaming chairs usually don’t have the smoothest hydraulics, but that’s not the case with the Maxx. Though the lever for height adjustment does take some effort to activate, it goes up and down in a smooth, fuss-free manner. Same goes for the tilt adjustment, naturally.

In terms of stability, the Maxx’s aluminium alloy wheelbase is wide enough to provide good stability. Even when I fully incline the chair – with the rocking lever locked – it still feels very stable. I’m not afraid that I will topple the chair at all, which is very reassuring.

Last but certainly not least is the ease of assembling the Maxx. There’s not much room for error (though some of the instructions were a little vague), and you only need the provided allen key to put the different parts of the chair together. If you’d like to learn more about the assembly process and unboxing of the chair, check out our article
here
.

The Bad Stuff

As with any given product, the TTRacing Maxx does have some shortcomings here and there. The one that bothers me the most is the amount of wobble that the chair has. Don’t get me wrong, it
is
 a stable chair, but it does sway side to side a little bit. This is not a big deal by any means, but it’s definitely worth pointing out.

The castors of the Maxx could use some work too. While I appreciate the locking mechanism – useful for folks that don’t want the chair to move around – I do wish the castors were smoother. There’s a slight resistance to them, which is not exactly a dealbreaker, though it does mar the premium appeal of the Maxx a little bit.

Is It Worth It?

While its RM1,099 asking price may seem daunting, the TTRacing Maxx does offer immensely good value for money. You’d be hard-pressed to find another gaming chair at this price point that offers the same firm, comfortable sitting experience, which is (in my opinion) the most important aspect of any chair, gaming or not.

Even with its shortcomings in mind, the Maxx’s strong points far outweigh them. It’s very comfortable – yes, this is worth repeating – the faux leather and velour material feel great, the cushioned 4D armrests are easy to adjust and soft to the touch, and overall, it looks premium too.

If you’re keen to get the TTRacing Maxx, you can do so over at
TTRacing’s own website
 or its
Shopee store
 for RM1,099. Do note that the gaming chair is occasionally
discounted to RM999
 as well, making the Maxx
that
 much more compelling.


Sales Tax Exemption on CKD & CBU Cars Extended to 31 December 2021

In light of the
COVID-19 total lockdown
 happening in Malaysia, the government announced a new PEMERKASA+ initiative. One of the benefits announced is an extension on the sales tax exemption for locally assembled (CKD) and fully imported (CBU) cars to 31 December 2021.

Given that the majority of the automotive sector is not allowed to operate throughout the total lockdown, it’s great to see that the sales tax exemption on CKD and CBU cars is extended to end of the year on 31 December 2021. It was originally set to end on 30 June next month.

While the details of the extension have not been revealed yet, it should be similar to the previous sales tax exemption. CKD cars – which also include SUVs and MPVs, of course – will get 100% sales tax exemption, while CBU models will get 50% exemption instead.

Needless to say, we imagine both carmakers and buyers will be thrilled by this extension. This is especially the case for those who are still eagerly waiting to take delivery of hugely popular models such as the
Proton X50
 and
Perodua Ativa
. To recap, the sales tax exemption on CKD and CBU cars will now end on 31 December 2021.


Returnal Review: Brutally Difficult, Incredibly Rewarding

Returnal is a difficult game. I’ve spent countless hours trying to complete this roguelite title, but I simply cannot do it. Deaths are very punishing, getting the right setup is a chore, and it’s even worse when a good run gets ruined by the randomness of the procedurally generated world.

But when I do manage to defeat a boss, it feels
extremely
 satisfying. This cycle of frustration and moments of triumph is really my experience with Returnal. Despite its unforgiving nature, it’s also a very rewarding game with a solid gameplay and smart use of the new PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller.

While Returnal is not for everyone, it’s certainly a PS5 exclusive worth checking out – if it’s right up your alley, that is.

What It Is

Developed by Housemarque, which is known for bullet-hell shooters like Resogun, Returnal is a roguelite game in the sense that some of your equipment are permanent, which will be available on your future runs. This is in contrast to a strictly roguelike game where nothing is carried over.

Much like Housemarque’s previous games, Returnal plays like a bullet-hell shooter, but in third-person perspective with a rougelite mechanic. This being the case, the world is procedurally generated, so the areas that you go through and the order in which enemies appear are different in every run.

As for the Returnal’s story, it follows Selene, who crash-landed on a mysterious planet called Atropos. As you play through the game, you slowly unravel Selene’s past through her memories. Without getting into spoiler territory, suffice to say this game has a…thought-provoking narrative.

The Good Stuff

One of the best qualities of Returnal has to be its gameplay. It’s no exaggeration to say that the combat system is
exhilarating
. Not only can Selene move in a very quick manner, dodging can also be done swiftly with a short cooldown. It’s very satisfying to dodge a melee attack from enemies too.

More often than not, combat in Returnal can feel too overwhelming and chaotic, but once I’ve familiarised myself with the enemies and the plethora of weapons available in the game, I can start blazing through previous areas that felt much tougher in the beginning.

Once I got into the rhythm and start stacking on kill-streak bonuses, I thoroughly enjoy the game’s combat system.

Speaking of weapons, I absolutely love how Housemarque implemented the DualSense’s adaptive triggers in Returnal. Like most games, I can aim by holding down on the L2 button, but it has two “tensions.” Holding it down halfway aims down the sight, and completely depressing the trigger activates the secondary fire.

It’s a smart implementation, but what really caught my attention is how Returnal uses the haptic feedback of the DualSense controller. When it’s raining in the game, for example, I can “feel” the raindrops; even firing different weapons produces different levels of vibrations.

I’ve said it before
, and I’ll say it again: the Dualsense’s incredibly refined haptic feedback adds a level of immersion I never thought was possible in a game. This, in turn, makes Returnal that much more enjoyable.

Graphically, Returnal looks stunning with beautifully (and eerily) rendered enemy models and environment. The later bosses in the game look especially intimidating, and Housemarque’s (almost) gratuitous use of particles in this game actually look mesmerising.

This is especially the case when the screen is filled with deadly bullets. As I frantically try to avoid all of them – at a smooth 60 frames per second, if I may add – there’s also a weird sense of awe from just looking at them. While I do groan when the boss shoots out a complex wave of bullets, I can’t help but to admire the equally intricate patterns.

So Returnal looks stunning with a solid gameplay and smart use of the DualSense controller; what’s not to like? Well, let’s get to the frustrating elements of the game in the next section.

The Bad Stuff

If there’s any reason not to get Returnal, it would be the game’s
sheer
 difficulty. Since it is a rougelite game, every death means you’ll be back at the beginning of the game. Sure, certain equipment are carried over from one run to another, but your hard-earned weapons and power-ups are all gone.

Granted, you do unlock a shortcut to the next biome once you managed to defeat the previous biome’s boss, but you still have to run around to find the portal. While Selene’s quick movement makes it easier to dash from one area to another, this repetitive cycle does feel tedious after some time.

I’ve been brought back to the beginning here so many times it’s not even funny

Yes, this is the very reason why Returnal feels so very rewarding when I eventually manage to beat a boss with a sliver of health remaining, but some folks may be discouraged by this. All it takes is one mistake to end a good run, and going through the procedurally generated world again to find for the “perfect” setup feels very tiresome.

As I’ve mentioned before, I have not finished Returnal, and it’s not for the lack of trying. I would love to unravel the storyline of the game and be awed by the final boss. But in order to get there, I need to go through hours upon hours of slogging through the same biome over and over again.

Oh, you will also lose progress on your current run if you exit the game. That’s right, if you switch off your PS5 in the middle of a run, your progress will not be saved. You can put your PS5 in Rest Mode as a workaround, but this is not exactly the most practical solution.

Aside from Returnal’s punishing difficulty courtesy of its rougelite nature, I also wish Selene’s facial expressions were a little less…stiff. Granted, it’s not a huge deal, and it’s not really the main focus of the game. But for a RM299 exclusive game for the PS5 – that’s a steep price tag – I can’t help but to expect more.

Is It Worth It?

At the end of the day, I still think Returnal is worth getting; only if you’re up for a challenge, of course. Though its roguelite mechanic got the best of me, I still thoroughly enjoy the game’s dynamic combat system, fantastic DualSense implementations, and stunning graphics.

RM299 is a hefty price tag for the game, without a doubt, but this is how much you have to pay for a AAA game on the PS5 moving forward.

While I still haven’t managed to finish Returnal, I will definitely keep trying. Every death feels frustrating and discouraging, yet I keep getting drawn back to the game – I want to experience the sweet moments of triumph again, even if it means I have to repeat the cycle over and over again.


Disney+ Hotstar: No Annual or Monthly Subscription in Malaysia

Disney+ Hotstar
 is finally available in Malaysia yesterday. However, word got around that there is a monthly and annual subscription to the streaming service, which are quite a bit cheaper than the RM54.90 quarterly membership. Well, this is now proven to be false.

In Disney+ Hotstar’s app listing on the
Apple App Store
, three subscription periods were shown: monthly (RM11.90), quarterly (RM54.90), and annual (RM62.90). However, in a statement given by a Disney+ Hotstar representative to
Amanz
, only the RM54.90 three-month membership is available in Malaysia.

The supposed monthly and annual pricings for Disney+ Hotstar, on the other hand, are directly converted from the Indonesian market. This explains why the pricing of the two plans are in stark contrast to the quarterly subscription.

Of course, it’s entirely possible a monthly or annual subscription to Disney+ Hotstar will be available in Malaysia in the future, though this is only an educated guess at this point in time. Nonetheless, you can subscribe to the streaming service without worries now at RM54.90 for a three-month membership.

Alternatively, if you’re an Astro subscriber to the Movies Pack, you can get access to Disney+ Hotstar
for RM5 per month
. Do note that your monthly bill will automatically be charged an additional RM5 even if you don’t activate your Disney+ Hotstar membership with Astro.


3 – 9 June Fuel Price: RON 97 Goes up

If you need to be out and about during the total lockdown, take note: the price of RON 97 is going up by 2 sen per litre this midnight. The prices of RON 95 and diesel remain the same, given that the price ceilings of the two have been reached.

For this coming week, the price of RON 97 is now RM2.63 per litre (up from RM2.61). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, remains the same at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 3 to 9 June next week. New fuel prices will now be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


1,899 Proton X50 Delivered in May 2021; Launch of New Proton Models Pushed Back

Proton just released its sales figures for the month of May 2021, and given the implementation of the third Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia last month, it’s not quite as encouraging as prior months. The
Proton X50
, for one, were only delivered to 1,899 customers last month.

In comparison, as many as
3,583 bookings of the X50
 were fulfilled in April 2021. But with 1,899 units delivered last month, the X50 is still leading the B-segment SUV market. To date, as many as 17,136 units of the SUV are now on the road.

Aside from the X50, three other Proton models led their respective segments in May 2021. These include the
Proton X70
 (1,523 units), Proton Saga (3,786 units), and Proton Exora (399 units). The Persona, on the other hand, is the third best-selling B-segment sedan (1,303 units), while the Iriz sits at the fourth spot in its segment with 526 units sold.

According to Proton, the implementation of the total lockdown in Malaysia is also pushing back the launch of its new models. Though the carmaker did not specify any of them, we believe they are the
facelifted Persona
,
Iriz
, as well as the
special edition X70
.

Despite the current circumstances, Proton “remains committed to meeting our launch targets and creating some excitement for our customers in 2021,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

At the moment, Proton is halting sales and production of its models until the
first phase of the total lockdown
 is lifted on 14 June, though there’s a chance this will be extended. Nonetheless, at least the sales tax exemption for cars has also been
extended to 31 December 2021
, so buyers can still enjoy lower prices until then.


Glorious GMMK Pro Custom Keyboard Malaysian Pre-Orders Live for RM739

Initially unveiled back in November last year, the
Glorious GMMK Pro
 custom mechanical keyboard is finally coming to Malaysia. Pre-orders for the keyboard kit is now open locally, and it retails at a reasonably good price.

Retailing at $170 (that comes up to about RM700) from Glorious itself, the GMMK Pro is listed at only RM739 for the Malaysian market by renowned retailers
Dotatech
 – which is actually the authorised retailer for Glorious’ products locally – as well as
ETECH PC
 on Shopee.

However, only a single unit of the White Ice GMMK Pro is available from each retailer at the time of writing.

One of the biggest selling points of the GMMK Pro is its gasket-mounted plate, which promises a “unique haptic and acoustic experience.” It also has a CNC aluminium case to give it solid build quality and a premium feel. After all, most custom keyboards at this price point come with plastic cases.

Other specifications of the GMMK Pro include a hotswap PCB to easily swap between different switches, a 75% layout, support for both screw-in and clip-in stabilisers – it is pre-installed with Glorious’ own screw-in GOAT stabilisers that are pre-lubed – a USB-C connection, as well as QMK and VIA compatibility for easy key customisation.

According to Dotatech’s listing of the Glorious GMMK Pro on
Lazada
, the custom keyboard is estimated to arrive in Malaysia on 30 June 2021. If you’re keen to pre-order this keyboard, head on to
Dotatech’s
 or
ETECH PC’s
 Shopee stores – these are the only two listings of the GMMK Pro that are not sold out at the moment.


DualSense Midnight Black & Cosmic Red Arrive in Malaysia 10 June From RM349

The two new DualSense colourways – Midnight Black and Cosmic Red – are arriving in Malaysia exactly one week away on 10 June. If you don’t fancy the white DualSense that’s bundled with the
PlayStation 5
, you have two new colour options now.

Just like the standard white DualSense, the Midnight Black version retails at RM349 for the Malaysian market. As for the more unique-looking Cosmic Red DualSense, you do have to pay a slight premium – it retails at RM369 here.

Compared to its direct predecessor, the DualShock 4, the new DualSense controller is far more feature-packed. Aside from its more ergonomic shape, it also features adaptive triggers: the “tension” of the L2 and R2 buttons will adapt according to each game.

Aside from that, the DualSense comes with much more refined haptic feedback as well. In
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
, for example, you can physically feel gameplay elements like the static of an electrified floor, or even the beats of the background music.

The DualSense will be available in Midnight Black and Cosmic Red in Malaysia next week on 10 June. The Midnight Black model retails at RM349, while the Cosmic Red version costs RM369.


Suunto 9 Peak Smartwatch Coming to Malaysia 17 June From RM2,799

Suunto is known for its range of sport-centric smartwatches, and the Finnish company’s latest product, the Suunto 9 Peak, is arriving in Malaysia very soon. Based on the much chunkier Suunto 9 Baro, the Peak is a much more modern-looking smartwatch, though it also carries a rather steep asking price.

Set to arrive in Malaysia on 17 June, the Suunto 9 Peak is offered in two main variants. The more affordable model, which comes with a stainless steel case, retails at RM2,799 in All Black and Moss Grey. The titanium version, on the other hand, costs RM3,199, and it’s available in Granite Blue and Birch White.

At these price points, the Suunto 9 Peak is undoubtedly an expensive smartwatch, but it does come with a number of feature sports enthusiasts will appreciate. It can track up to 80 different sports, it has GPS navigation, and of course, it can measure heart rate and blood oxygen level as well.

Other specifications of the Suunto 9 Peak include up to 170 hours of battery life – 25 hours with GPS switched on – fast charging support (only one hour for a full charge), a 240 x 240 screen with automatic backlighting, a sapphire crystal glass, as well as up to 100m water resistance.

The Suunto 9 Peak will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 17 June onwards on
Shopee
,
Lazada
, as well as physical retailers. To recap, it retails at RM2,799 and RM3,199 for the stainless steel and titanium models respectively. More information on the smartwatch can be found
over here
.


Genshin Impact Comes to Epic Games Store 9 June – Free Redemption Code

Genshin Impact
 will be even more accessible to PC players next week. Set to arrive on the
Epic Games Store
 on 9 June, this is the first time the game is offered on a major PC storefront. To celebrate this occasion, Mihoyo is giving out a free redemption code as well.

The redemption code GenshinEpic will be available for players to claim in Genshin Impact come 9 June. Though Mihoyo did not say exactly when the code will go live, it’s probably safe to assume it will only be claimable after the
Version 1.6 update
, which is arriving on the same day.

Just like the PC version of Genshin Impact through Mihoyo’s own launcher, those who install the game on the Epic Games Store will be able to co-op with players from other platforms as well. These include PlayStation, Android, as well as iOS.

Existing players can also continue their Genshin Impact progress on Epic Games Store, provided they’re coming from PC, Android, or iOS. After all, progression on PlayStation is different from other platforms, though PS4 players can (naturally) continue their progress on the
PS5 version
.

You can now start adding Genshin Impact to your wishlist on the
Epic Games Store
. The game will be available on the storefront come 9 June – don’t forget to claim the GenshinEpic redemption code then!


Asus Launches 2 Laptops With OLED Displays in Malaysia – From RM4,299

You don’t often see laptops with OLED displays in the market, so it’s always exciting when laptop makers launch such a product locally. Asus Malaysia just introduced the ZenBook 13 OLED and ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED in our market – two laptops that sit at very different price points.

Let’s start with the more affordable machine of the two, the ZenBook 13 OLED productivity laptop. As mentioned, it features a 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080 OLED panel along with two processor options: an Intel Core i5-1135G7 (RM4,299) or a faster Core i7-1165G7 (RM4,999).

Other specifications of the ZenBook 13 OLED include Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, a 13.9mm profile, and a pretty lightweight 1.14kg chassis.

And then there’s the much higher-end ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED, which is meant to appeal to content creators who need two screens. The primary display is a 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch-enabled screen, while the secondary 14.09-inch ScreenPad Plus is a UHD touch-enabled IPS panel.

Rounding out the specifications of the ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED are an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, a generous 1TB SSD, and two processor options: a Core i7-10870H chip (RM12,999) or a beefier, unlocked Core i9-10980HK processor (RM15,999).

Both the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED and ZenBook 13 OLED will be available for purchase in Malaysia from tomorrow onwards on 7 June 2021. If you want a laptop with a vibrant screen (and deep blacks), consider these two new laptops.


Genshin Impact Klee Rerun Banner Coming on 9 June With Fischl, Sucrose & Barbara

If you’ve missed Klee’s event wish in
Genshin Impact
 last year, great news: her banner is returning to the game this Wednesday on 9 June. The 5-star Pyro character will be accompanied by Fischl, Sucrose, as well as Barbara.

Just like Genshin Impact’s
previous character

event banners
, the “drop rate” of Klee, Fischl, Sucrose, and Barbara will be increased. In the case of Klee, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be her. If you didn’t get her in this instance, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be Klee.

Genshin Impact’s pity system ensures that you will get at least one 5-star character or weapon every 90 wishes – depending on which banner you’re rolling – so you will have to do 180 rolls for a guaranteed Klee. The same rule applies to 4-star units (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but since there are three of them featured in the event wish, it’s a little bit more random.

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

Klee’s “Sparkling Steps” banner will go live in Genshin Impact right after the
Version 1.6 update
 on 9 June, which should be done by 11AM for us here in Malaysia. Klee’s event wish will be available until 29 June; Kaedehara Kazuha – a new 5-star Anemo character – will replace her banner then.


Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Review: A True Next-Gen Title

Ratchet & Clank is one of the longest-running PlayStation exclusive series, and the latest entry in the franchise, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is
easily
 the best one yet. Built from the ground up for the PlayStation 5 by Insomniac Games, it looks stunning, it tells a heartfelt story, and it’s a masterful showcase of the PS5’s next-gen hardware.

If you’ve always been a fan of the series, or you simply just want one of the best PS5 games right now, Rift Apart is definitely worth checking out. It’s one of very few games that I strive to get 100% completion – it’s
that
 much fun.

Story

Before we get to it, I have a confession: I’ve never played any entry of the Ratchet & Clank titles, so Rift Apart is my very first experience with the series. Admittedly, I do feel lost in a couple of story moments in the game, but I still find the storyline absolutely compelling.

In fact, Rift Apart made me a fan of the series. As per previous games, the new title revolves around Ratchet and Clank as the duo go against “an evil emperor from another reality.” Joining their adventure is a mysterious female Lombax from another dimension, Rivet.

As you progress through the story, you will come across familiar faces. Well, alternate dimension versions of them, anyway. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, I don’t actually know these characters before starting the game, but I imagine longtime fans of the series will definitely appreciate this.

Without going into spoiler territory, suffice to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Rift Apart’s narrative. There’s a surprising amount of depth to the story; I find myself smiling at the exchanges the characters have in the midst of battle, not to mention the heartfelt moments – which there are quite a number of – throughout the game.

Of course, the excellent voice acting really helps with the immersion of the story too.

That being said, I do wish Rift Apart’s story was a tad longer. Not because it was short by any means – it took me about 15 hours to complete the story without actively completing optional quests – but I was hoping the plot would be advanced just a little bit further.

Granted, the game does have very good character development and replay value, thanks to the new game plus mode dubbed Challenge Mode. Aside from that, I still have a number of optional quests to complete, so there’s no shortage of content here.

Gameplay

I’m genuinely surprised by how much fun Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s gameplay is. I was a little concerned when the combat feels a little too easy in the beginning of the game, but as I progress further, the difficulty does ramp up accordingly. In fact, I had trouble in later parts of the game because I didn’t upgrade my weapons enough.

And boy are there a
ton
 of weapons in Rift Apart. Almost every time I visit the weapon store, there’s a new one up for grabs. All of the weapons feel unique with their own playstyles, and it’s not very difficult to upgrade them with raritanium either; a rare mineral that’s conveniently marked on the map of explored areas.

What makes Rift Apart
that
 much more enjoyable is how Insomniac Games made full use of the DualSense controller’s features. How the adaptive triggers behave, for example, changes from one weapon to another.

Take the basic Burst Pistol: holding the R2 trigger button halfway shoots out one projectile at a time, but depressing the trigger all the way activates the weapon’s burst mode. While holding down the trigger, I can
physically
feel the trigger vibrating – yes, the
trigger
 was vibrating – with every projectile that’s shot out.

This extra layer of immersion is further amplified by the DualSense’s incredible haptic feedback. Loud music playing in the background? The controller “thumps” accordingly. Walking on a metal floor? Surprisingly, the DualSense’s haptic feedback can even emulate this.

But the DualSense truly impressed me – not that I wasn’t fascinated by it already – when I tried to hit an enemy encased in ice. It’s hard to explain, but I do get the sensation that I
am
hitting ice with a hard object through the controller’s haptic feedback.

Basically, It really is amazing how well Insomniac Games implemented the DualSense’s range of features in Rift Apart. I’m not exaggerating when I say this controller is one of the PS5’s most important hardware for a true next-gen gaming experience.

Anyway, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Combat encounters in Rift Apart feel fun and challenging enough without feeling overly difficult, and I love how quickly I can move and dodge in the encounters. When I’m low on health or ammo, I just start running around the area to look for health or ammo crates.

The satisfying, fun combat experience, huge selection of weapons, and extra layer of immersion offered by the DualSense controller make Rift Apart an absolute joy to play through. On top of that, the game loads extremely quickly, and it looks great too – more on that in the next section.

Graphics

This being a PS5 exclusive, it’s a given that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart looks stunning. Character models are rendered in painstaking detail, facial expressions are done very well, and the environment of the different planets look fantastic too.

Three different graphics modes are available in Rift Apart: Fidelity, Performance RT, and Performance. The first mode, as its name suggests, focuses on delivering the best-looking graphics at 4K resolution with ray-tracing and enhanced lighting, but the frame rate is capped at 30fps.

Performance, on the other hand, is a dynamic 4K mode that sets the frame rate higher at 60fps. If you want the best of both worlds, there’s Performance RT: while it’s also a dynamic 4K mode, it runs at a lower resolution to offer ray-tracing at 60fps.

While Rift Apart looks gorgeous when running in Fidelity mode, my go-to graphics setting is Performance RT. Sure, some graphics fidelity is sacrificed in this mode, but in fast-paced combat, having the game run at a much smoother 60fps more than make up for it. Plus, I still get ray-tracing as well.

Conclusion

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a fantastic PlayStation 5 exclusive. It has stunning-looking graphics, its gameplay is fun with plenty of replay value, it tells a heartfelt story, and the way the game uses the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers really elevate this game to must-play status, in my opinion.

Yes, Rift Apart’s
RM299 price tag
 is steep, but this is how much a high-profile PS5 game of this calibre will be priced at moving forward. Plus, you’re getting a lot of game for the money here, and I cannot wait to get the platinum trophy in this game as I complete the slew of optional quests and hidden achievements – long after I’ve completed the main storyline.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart launches on the PS5 on 11 June 2021.


6 Years After Release, the iPhone 6s Is still Getting the Latest iOS 15

At its annual WWDC event, Apple just gave us a preview of the latest iOS 15 software for its range of iPhones. Not only does the new update bring a slew of new features, iOS 15 is even coming to the iPhone 6s, which was released way back in 2015.

So what’s new in iOS 15? For one, FaceTime gets some neat upgrades. Spatial audio will be added, new microphone modes will be able to separate background noise from the user’s voice, and there will also be a Portrait mode for video calls to blur the background.

Interestingly, Facetime in iOS 15 will be supported on non-Apple devices as well through a web browser. This effectively lets Android and Windows devices join a Facetime call.

Notifications on iOS 15 got some tweaks too. App icons are larger, contact photos will appear next to messages, and a new Focus feature gives you the ability to only show notifications and apps depending on your current activity – like when you’re working.

Other noteworthy changes coming to iOS 15 include the ability to search for specific text in a photo thanks to the new Live Text feature, a refreshed Safari design to make it easier to browse the web with only one hand, and an updated Apple Maps interface that offers “significantly enhanced details in cities for neighborhoods.”

In fact, when navigating using Apple Maps on the iPhone or via Apple CarPlay (available at a later date), there will be a “three-dimensional city-driving experience” to make it easier to recognise the turns you need to take.

iOS 15 will be publicly available sometime this fall 2021; usually coinciding with the launch of the new iPhone. As mentioned, iPhone 6s and later will receive the new software update then.


Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Review: RTX 3070 Gaming Laptop With Incredible Value for Money

I’m gonna say this right out of the gate: the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is the gaming laptop to get if you want the most affordable RTX 3070 laptop in the market now. Aside from its excellent value for money, it’s also a very good laptop overall with a stunning-looking display, solid performance, and surprisingly good battery life.

While the Legion 5 Pro does have some shortcomings, I will still wholeheartedly recommend this gaming laptop for anyone that’s looking to get the best level of performance below the RM7,000 price point. Keep on reading this review to find out why!

What It Is

Display
16-inch WQXGA IPS (2560 x 1600), 165Hz
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (8C/16T, 3.2GHz with boost up to 4.4GHz)
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 8GB GDDR6 (140W TGP)
RAM
16GB DDR4 3200MHz
Storage
1TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD
Camera
720p
Battery
80Wh
Dimensions
356 x 260.4-264.4 x 21.7-26.85 mm
Weight
2.45kg
Audio
Bottom-firing stereo speakers
Ports
4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
2x USB-C Gen 2 (DisplayPort)
1x HDMI 2.1
1x RJ45
Price
RM6,590

Given its list of hardware, it’s almost unreal that this configuration of the Legion 5 Pro only costs RM6,590 on
Lenovo’s Malaysian online store
 right now, though you do have to customise it yourself. In fact, you can even forego the two-year onsite warranty to save RM150, or opt for a smaller 512GB SSD to get an additional RM220 discount.

Now, I wouldn’t recommend skimping on storage capacity and warranty support, but the option is there to lower the price tag of the gaming laptop even further.

The Good Stuff

Since this is a gaming laptop, let’s get to the gaming performance of the Legion 5 Pro first. Its combination of a fast AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and an equally beefy Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU – with a 140W TGP – perform very, very well. Take a look at the benchmarks below – the games were running at the laptop’s 2560 x 1600 native resolution.

Games (max settings @ 2560 x 1600)
Average FPS
Genshin Impact (1.5 render resolution, locked at 60fps)
60.363
Borderlands 3 (DX11)
59.01
Witcher 3 (HairWorks disabled)
82.729

With a 140W TGP, the RTX 3070 GPU under the hood of the Legion 5 Pro is obviously very capable. If you want even higher frame rates, you can always run the game at a lower 1080p resolution. Rest assured, this gaming laptop can run AAA games with little to no issue.

Of course, I tested the CPU performance of the Legion 5 Pro’s Ryzen 7 5800H processor as well. I put it through its paces in Cinebench R20, and it’s actually comparable (naturally) to other Ryzen 5000 series chips in the market now in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks.

Processor
Single-core test
Multi-core test
AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (Lenovo Legion 5 Pro)
554
5116
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX (Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE)
566
5461
AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Asus ROG Flow X13)
572
4922
AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS (Asus ROG Zephyrus G14)
481
4173
AMD Ryzen 7 4800H (Asus TUF Gaming A15)
481
4106
Intel Core i7-10875H (Acer Predator Triton 500)
483
3773
Intel Core i7-11370H (Asus TUF Dash F15)
581
2749

Without a doubt the Legion 5 Pro offers strong performance, and the gaming experience on this laptop is further enhanced by its fast and sharp 16-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS screen – yes, it has a 16:10 aspect ratio – with a 165Hz refresh rate. Not only does the high refresh rate gives excellent motion clarity in fast-paced games, the panel quality itself is great too.

Whether I’m gaming or just streaming a show on Netflix, the Legion 5 Pro’s display is just very pleasing to look at. It can get really bright, it has very wide viewing angles, and colours look vibrant as well. I also love the fact that this is a tall 16:10 screen – this aspect ratio makes it ideal for productivity tasks.

Speaking of which, the Legion 5 Pro can actually serve as a decent productivity laptop; as long as you don’t mind its bulky nature. Outside of gaming, I can get about six to seven hours of use on a single charge. While this isn’t incredibly good battery life, it’s certainly above average for a gaming laptop with such beefy hardware and a sharp screen.

As for system noise, even when the Legion 5 Pro is under load, the fans don’t get obnoxiously loud, which is great. Thermals of the laptop, on the other hand, could be better, but I’ll get to this in the next section.

The Bad Stuff

In prolonged gaming sessions, the Legion 5 Pro does run quite hot. Its Ryzen 7 5800H processor got up to a toasty 90°C, while the RTX 3070 GPU hit a peak temperature of 83°C. Thankfully, the palm rest area doesn’t get too warm to the touch, so you can still game comfortably on it.

Aside from that, I’m not a big fan of the Legion 5 Pro’s keyboard either. It doesn’t offer a lot of key travel, which makes for a shallow typing experience. The keyboard’s short backspace – because Lenovo decided to squeeze in a numpad to the right of the keyboard – also throws me off a bit, though I did eventually get used to the slightly odd layout.

Tipping the scales at 2.54kg with a 26.85mm chassis (at its thickest point), the Legion 5 Pro is not the most portable machine. Granted, most folks who are shopping for a 16-inch gaming laptop probably won’t have portability in mind anyway, but it’s still a point worth mentioning.

Is It Worth It?

If you want a 16-inch gaming laptop with an RTX 3070 GPU below the RM7,000 price point – and there are not a lot of options in this price range – the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is absolutely worth it. It’s fast, it has a fantastic-looking (and sharp) 16:10 screen with a fast 165Hz refresh rate, and it also has very respectable battery life for a gaming laptop.

Yes, the Legion 5 Pro doesn’t have a very good keyboard, and it does run a little hot, but I thoroughly enjoyed using it as my daily driver and gaming machine over the past few weeks. Plus, for only RM6,590 for this RTX 3070 configuration – and you can lower the price even further if you’re okay with skipping on warranty and storage – you’re getting excellent,
excellent
 value for money here.


10 – 16 June Fuel Price: RON 97 Goes up Again

Take note folks: the price of RON 97 is going up (again) by 2 sen per litre this midnight. The prices of RON 95 and diesel remain the same, given that the price ceilings of the two have been reached.

For this coming week, the price of RON 97 is now RM2.65 per litre (up from RM2.63). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, remains the same at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 10 to 16 June next week. New fuel prices will now be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 With OLED Screen & HarmonyOS 2 Now in Malaysia for RM3,999

Huawei just launched its latest high-end tablet in Malaysia, the Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6. Sporting an OLED screen with a new HarmonyOS 2.0 operating system, early birds who purchase the tablet will also get freebies worth RM1,747.

Only one variant of the MatePad Pro 12.6 is available in Malaysia, which retails at RM3,999 for 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. It will be available for pre-order from today until 17 June, and those who are early enough will get RM1,747 worth of accessories as well.

These include the new second generation Huawei M-Pencil, Huawei Smart Magnetic Keyboard, a Huawei-branded backpack, a three-month subscription to 50GB of Huawei Cloud Storage, and a month of Huawei Video VIP access.

As its name suggests, the MatePad Pro 12.6 features a sharp 12.6-inch 2560 x 1600 OLED display. It’s also powered by the Chinese company’s very own Kirin 9000E chipset. Not only does the chip offer 5G connectivity, it’s built on a 5nm process too, promising good power efficiency.

Other specifications of the MatePad Pro 12.6 include a very generous 10,050mAh battery with support for 40W wired charging (27W for wireless), a dual camera system (13MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle), an 8MP selfie camera, as well as a new – but still based on Android – HarmonyOS 2 operating system.

The Huawei MatePad Pro 12.6 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 17 June for RM3,999; it will hit store shelves the following day on 18 June. To recap, early pre-orders will receive RM1,747 worth of freebies, and you can place your order on
Huawei’s own online store
,
Shopee
, or
Lazada
 at 12PM later today.


2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Will Debut on 24 June – 6-Speed Manual Available

If you’ve been waiting to see how the all-new 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback would look like, you won’t have to wait much longer now. The global debut of the hatchback version of the C-segment model is set for two weeks from now on 24 June, and Honda even gave us a teaser of the car’s side profile.

Although the teaser image is quite dark, we can still see that the front end of the Civic Hatchback looks almost identical to the
sedan version
. The fastback silhouette is retained as well, though the rear end is (naturally) quite a bit shorter.

Based on patent renderings of the Civic Hatchback, its taillights are also quite different than the ones found on the sedan version. Not only are the taillights not as angular, there’s a thin strip of light that joins them together too. In retrospect, this is similar to the Civic Coupe’s taillights.

Beyond the different body shape and stylings, the Civic Hatchback should be similar to the sedan version in other regards. It will likely be powered by a retuned 1.5L turbocharged engines that now outputs 180hp and 240Nm of torque; 6hp and 20Nm of torque more than the previous 1.5L turbo engine.

Aside from that, a 2.0L NA (158hp/187Nm torque) engine should still be offered in the US market too for the Civic Hatchback. But unlike the sedan version, it is available with a six-speed manual or CVT gearbox.

Patent renderings of the 11th generation Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback will be unveiled globally later this month on 23 June at 6PM PDT; that’s 9AM on 24 June for us here in Malaysia. It remains to be seen if Honda Malaysia will bring in the hatchback version of the Civic, given that it has always sold the sedan version here instead. Nonetheless, the 11th generation Civic could arrive on our shores
as early as this year
.


Spy Shot: 2021 Proton X70 SE in Ocean Blue Spotted in the Wild

The
Proton X70 SE
 was previously leaked last month, and while it remains to be seen exactly when it will be officially introduced, we’ve got a couple of spy shots of the upcoming special edition C-segment SUV.

We came across these pictures from
The Ajerul
‘s Facebook post. The rear end shot of the X70 SE was shared by the page, while the side profile image came from another Facebook user (Raaf Man) in the comments section. Note the SE emblem on the rear of the X70 right below the left taillight.

Looking back at the
leaked brochures of the X70 SE
, the special edition SUV is offered in two colours: Ocean Blue – the same colour offered on the
Proton X50
 and
Iriz
 – and Ruby Red. It also features a blacked-out roof and side mirrors, along with new 19-inch alloy wheels that’s similar in design to the ones used on the Geely Boyue Pro.

Other noteworthy additions to the X70 SE include black nappa leather seats instead of brown, different trim finishing in the interior, as well as optional door visors and dash cam. Aside from these aesthetic changes, other aspects of the special edition model should be similar to the
regular version
, including a 1.8L turbo engine (181hp/300Nm) paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Leaked brochures of the Proton X70 SE from
Paultan.org

Given that Malaysia is currently under
total lockdown
 until 14 June – pending further extension, if any – it’s hard to say exactly when the Proton X70 SE will be officially launched. Of course, we will keep a close eye for any details on the local launch of the C-segment SUV.


Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra Review: Amazing Camera, Fast Performance, Subpar Software

I am very impressed with the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. It has a very capable, very far-reaching camera system; fast performance courtesy of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset; as well as an equally fast (and sharp) 1440p AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Which is why it’s so disheartening that the software experience of the Mi 11 Ultra is
still
 subpar. Don’t get me wrong, I loved reviewing this flagship phone, but its software definitely doesn’t match other (excellent) aspects of the device. So…is the Mi 11 Ultra worth it then? Of course; but not if you value software experience above all else.

What It Is

Display
6.81-inch WQHD+ AMOLED (3200 x 1440), 120Hz
1.1-inch 294 x 126 AMOLED (on camera module)
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 2.84GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 660
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.95, OIS, Dual Pixel Pro AF
48MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide angle), PDAF
48MP f/4.1 (telephoto), OIS, PDAF, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom
Camera (front)
20MP f/2.2
Battery
5,000mAh, 67W wired and wireless fast charging
Dimensions
164.3 x 74.6 x 8.38 mm
Weight
234g
OS
MIUI 12 based on Android 11
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
USB Type-C
Price
RM4,299

Evidently, the Mi 11 Ultra has all the hardware you’d want out of a flagship-class smartphone. Now, retailing at RM4,299, it is definitely one of Xiaomi’s most expensive phones to date, but you do get your money’s worth – head on to the next section to find out why.

The Good Stuff

Let’s start with arguably the best feature of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: camera performance. The triple camera system can truly deliver great-looking shots, especially at higher levels of zoom. Judge for yourself with these samples shots – the 120x digital zoom is particularly impressive.

48MP ultra-wide angle
50MP primary
48MP telephoto (5x zoom)
48MP telephoto (10x zoom)
48MP telephoto (120x zoom)

However, while the 48MP telephoto sensor works great in adequate lighting (not surprisingly), it does struggle quite a bit in low light conditions. As you can see in the shots below, it can’t capture as much details in more challenging lighting, and even with optical image stabilisation, it still takes some effort to get blur-free images.

Fortunately, the Mi 11 Ultra’s 50MP primary camera still performs great regardless of lighting situation, and the same applies (for the most part) to the 48MP ultra-wide angle shooter as well.

50MP primary
50MP primary
48MP ultra-wide angle
48MP ultra-wide angle
50MP primary
48MP telephoto (10x zoom)

Beyond its camera, the performance of the Mi 11 Ultra is worth highlighting as well. Powered by a Snapdragon 888 chipset, this is without a doubt a very fast smartphone. There’s no sign of sluggishness at all throughout my time with the phone, and gaming on it is simply a joy.

Further enhancing the user experience of the Mi 11 Ultra is its 6.81-inch 1440p AMOLED screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Not only does the high refresh rate gives the impression of a smoother interface – not that this is a sluggish phone by any means – the panel quality is fantastic too.

While I wouldn’t say the Mi 11 Ultra’s AMOLED panel can rival, say, the screen quality of the
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
, it’s still a very pleasant display to look at. This being an AMOLED panel, it offers vibrant colours, deep, true blacks, and wide viewing angles. It’s a screen that fits a flagship phone of this calibre.

As for battery life, the Mi 11 Ultra does quite well in this regard. On average, I can get about five hours of screen on time on a single charge. Of course, this isn’t exactly fantastic battery life, but for a phone this big with a sharp 1440p screen, this is quite respectable battery life.

Plus, this phone can charge up
very
 quickly. Within 30 minutes of charging with the provided 67W charger, the battery got close to 90% from completely empty – that’s incredibly fast charging speed.

So the Mi 11 Ultra has a lot of good things going for it – what about its shortcomings? Well, let’s get to that in the following section.

The Bad Stuff

As is always the case with Xiaomi smartphones, the Mi 11 Ultra’s biggest shortcoming is its subpar software experience. I had some apps randomly crash on me throughout the review period, not to mention the fact that the phone has a tendency to mix up notifications from other apps.

These software-centric issues, combined with quite a number of bloatware pre-installed, really does blemish the overall software experience of the Mi 11 Ultra. Yes, these are by no means huge problems, but this is
not
 a budget-friendly smartphone. With a higher asking price – RM4,299, to be specific – it has to meet higher expectations as well.

Aside from that, the Mi 11 Ultra also has a tendency to heat up quite a bit in longer gaming sessions. In fact, it can get to the point where the phone gets uncomfortably hot. Slapping on a case to the Mi 11 Ultra does alleviate this issue, but the thermal issue itself is not exactly solved.

Last but definitely not least is the absolutely
huge
camera bump of the Mi 11 Ultra. It sticks out of the phone in a very jarring manner, and the sheer size of the camera module just draws even more attention to it.

Oh, the small display right beside the camera sensors? It’s useful when I do want to take a selfie with the rear cameras, but for the most part, it just feels like a gimmick.

Is It Worth It?

Despite its shortcomings in the software department, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is still a fantastic flagship smartphone that can go against the best in the business. While its RM4,299 asking price is steep, that’s the going rate for a proper flagship smartphone in today’s market, and you’re definitely getting such a device with the Mi 11 Ultra.

After all, it has a very capable, far-reaching camera system, excellent level of performance – even though it heats up quite a bit in certain scenarios – and it just feels and looks like a premium, high-end smartphone. Xiaomi has proven itself to be capable of producing a compelling flagship device – all that’s left is for it to improve the software experience.


Brunei Gets “Proton X70 SE” First – Dubbed Exclusive Edition, Limited to 37 Units

Now this is a surprise: it appears Brunei is getting the “
Proton X70 SE
” ahead of us here in Malaysia. Dubbed X70 Exclusive Edition instead, bookings for the special edition C-segment SUV is now open in the country, and only 37 units are available.

Just like the X70 SE – which should be introduced for the Malaysian market in the near future – the X70 EE for Brunei has the same stylings. These include the Ocean Blue paint job, black nappa leather seats, new design for the 19-inch alloy wheels, as well as different trim finishing in the interior.

Image source:
Fadli Proton Brunei

The only difference between the X70 EE and the X70 SE for the Malaysian market is the absence of an SE badge on the rear end of the SUV. Given that
previous leaked images of the X70 SE
 looks to be sporting the SE emblem, there’s a good chance Proton is almost ready to roll out the SUV to the local market soon.

Beyond the styling updates, the X70 EE – and by extension, the SE model as well – should have the same powertrain as the regular version. This means it will be powered by the same 1.8L turbo engine (181hp/300Nm) paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It’s certainly odd that Brunei is getting the Proton X70 SE first, though it’s entirely possible the special edition SUV would’ve been launched here in Malaysia first if not for the
total lockdown
, which is set to end on 14 June next week – pending further extension, if any. Nonetheless, we’ll keep a close eye on the local availability of the X70 SE.


The Mid-Range OnePlus Nord CE 5G Is Arriving in Malaysia Soon

Launched globally just yesterday, it appears the OnePlus Nord CE 5G – CE stands for Core Edition – will be arriving in Malaysia very soon. Essentially, it’s a more affordable alternative to the higher-end
OnePlus Nord
, though it does have a number of improvements…and some sacrifices.

In our routine search through SIRIM’s database, we spotted the Nord CE 5G, which was registered under All Plus Technology on 9 June 2021 with the model number EB2103. Electronics have to be certified with SIRIM first before they can be officially sold in Malaysia, so there’s a good chance the mid-ranger will be made available here soon.

While its design looks strikingly similar to the original Nord, the Nord CE 5G does have a number of differences. For one, it ships with a slightly slower Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset instead of the Nord’s Snapdragon 765G processor. That being said, the Nord CE 5G does have a larger 4,500mAh battery.

Other specifications of the Nord CE 5G include a 6.43-inch 1080p Fluid AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, up to 256GB of internal storage and 12GB of RAM, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP depth), a 16MP selfie camera, and OxygenOS based on Android 11 out of the box.

No word yet on exactly when the OnePlus Nord CE 5G will arrive in Malaysia. But seeing that it has already been registered with SIRIM, we reckon it will be sold here very soon.


Sony WF-1000XM4 Finally Official – Best In-Class ANC & 8-Hour Battery Life for RM1,099 in Malaysia

Almost two years after its initial release, the successor to the
WF-1000XM3
 is finally here. The aptly named Sony WF-1000XM4 brings with it a number of neat upgrades, including “industry-leading” noise cancellation, better battery life, and water resistance. Of course, these upgrades also drive up the price of the wireless earbuds slightly.

For the Malaysian market, the WF-1000XM4 costs RM1,099 – that makes it exactly RM150 more costly than its predecessor. But looking at the improvements you’re getting with this new pair of wireless earbuds, it’s really worth the slightly higher asking price.

As mentioned, Sony said that the WF-1000XM4 has the best active noise cancellation (ANC) in comparison to other wireless earbuds, thanks to a new V1 chip. On top of that, even with ANC activated, the XM4 can last up to eight hours on a single charge – that’s two more hours than its predecessor’s quoted battery life.

In terms of sound quality, the WF-1000XM4 now supports high-resolution audio courtesy of LDAC, so it should be able to deliver better audio quality. On top of that, the
WH-1000XM4
‘s “Speak-to-Chat” feature has been implemented into these wireless earbuds too. Basically, when you start speaking, it will automatically let in ambient sound.

Other noteworthy features of the WF-1000XM4 include IPX4 water resistance – you can use it for your workouts or in the rain without issue – as well as a 40% smaller charging case. The case supports wireless charging, and it can fully charge the earbuds twice, giving you effectively 24 hours of battery life in total.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 is now
available for pre-order in Malaysia
 until 15 July for RM1,099; early birds will also receive a complimentary wireless charging pad worth RM339. The wireless earbuds will be on store shelves locally sometime in the middle of July 2021.


Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Production Allegedly Halted Due to Parts Shortage

Production for the much rumoured Samsung Galaxy S21 FE – which is believed to be a more affordable alternative to the
flagship Galaxy

S21 series
 – is said to have been halted. The phone was allegedly planned for an August debut, though it appears the shortage of parts is putting this plan on hold.

This bit of news came from
ETNews
. Citing a source familiar with the matter, there is supposedly a shortage of semiconductors for the Galaxy S21 FE. This is likely caused by the global chip shortage, but Samsung is also said to be allocating these chips for its range of foldable phones instead.

As far as I know, the sudden shutdown of S21 FE is not due to the chip, but to the fact that some other part cannot be supplied normally, most likely the battery.
pic.twitter.com/5BzoBNjLLj
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce)
June 13, 2021

That being said, renowned leaker Ice Universe added that battery supply issues could have contributed to the production halt of the Galaxy S21 FE instead of chip shortage. “It’s not that the battery is in short supply, it’s that the parts required by FE’s new technology are not up to standard,” Ice Universe added.

Nonetheless, the bottom line is production for the Galaxy S21 FE has been halted. It remains to be seen if production will resume in the future, given that this is the first time Samsung has had to put on hold the release of a phone due to parts shortage – even if this is not officially confirmed.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 series

As for Samsung’s plans moving forward, the South Korean company is said to be launching as many as two foldable smartphones sometime in August 2021. Unfortunately, there’s supposedly no plans for a new Note-branded device this year.


OnePlus Nord CE 5G Lands in Malaysia From RM1,399

We spotted the
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
 in SIRIM’s database just last week, and we just heard from OnePlus Malaysia that the mid-range device will be officially available on our shores soon. Of course, its retail prices have been revealed as well, and as expected, it’s more affordable than the
original Nord
.

Two variants of the Nord CE 5G are available in Malaysia. The base model features 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM for RM1,399, while the more generous 256GB variant with 12GB of RAM costs RM1,799. Interestingly, those who pre-order the 256GB model from 21 to 25 June on Shopee can get it with a RM200 discount, bringing down the price to RM1,599.

While its design looks strikingly similar to the original Nord, the Nord CE 5G does have a number of differences. For one, it ships with a slightly slower Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset instead of the Nord’s Snapdragon 765G processor. That being said, the Nord CE 5G does have a larger 4,500mAh battery with support for Warp Charge 30T Plus.

Other specifications of the Nord CE 5G include a 6.43-inch 1080p Fluid AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP depth), a 16MP selfie camera, and OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 out of the box.

To recap, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G will be available for pre-order on Shopee from 21 to 25 June. During the pre-order period, the 256GB model will be
priced at RM1,599
 instead of RM1,799; a RM50 voucher and a Nord-branded cap will also be thrown in for the first 100 customers.

While the 128GB variant of the Nord CE 5G doesn’t get a price discount – it will still be
listed at RM1,399
 – a RM30 voucher and the same Nord cap will be given to the first 150 pre-orders.


Exclusive: Razer Working on New Pro Click Mini Wireless Mouse?

Razer made a name for itself for its range of gaming-centric PC peripherals, which is why the Razer Pro Click is a rather intriguing wireless mouse from the company. Made in collaboration with Humanscale, it is a productivity-focused mouse, and we have good reason to believe that a smaller version of the Pro Click is in the works.

While we were going through SIRIM’s database, we notice that Ban Leong – distributor of Razer products in Malaysia – registered a rather intriguing wireless mouse just today, the Razer Pro Click Mini. Carrying the model number RZ01-0399, this is a different product from the regular Pro Click; the latter’s model number is RZ01-0299.

With this in mind, there’s a good chance Razer is working on a smaller version of the Pro Click, given the “Mini” moniker in the product name. After all, the Pro Click itself is similar to Logitech’s MX Master range of mice, not to mention the
MX Anywhere
 series, which is the smaller counterpart of the MX Master lineup.

Anyway, the Pro Click itself, as mentioned, is a productivity-focused wireless mouse with an ergonomic shape. It offers better palm support than a conventional mouse, a true 16,000 DPI sensor, and up to 400 hours of battery life when connected via Bluetooth. If the mouse is used with the 2.4GHz wireless dongle instead, it can last up to 200 hours.

No word yet on exactly when the Razer Pro Click Mini will be introduced, but given that it’s been registered with SIRIM already, we reckon the company will unveil the new wireless mouse soon.


Samsung Galaxy Xcover 5 Rugged Smartphone Coming to Malaysia Soon

Samsung released quite a number of rugged smartphones over the years, but most of them are not available here in Malaysia. Well, this could change in the near future: there’s a possibility Samsung Malaysia is gearing up to launch the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 5 on our shores.

As usual, we were going through SIRIM’s database when we spotted the Galaxy Xcover 5 – with the model number SM-G525F/DS – registered under Samsung Malaysia just today on 14 June. Electronics have to be registered with SIRIM first before they can be officially sold here, so there’s a chance the Xcover 5 will be made available locally soon.

Unveiled back in March 2021, the Galaxy Xcover 5 is not an awfully high-end smartphone, though it is a very durable device. It can withstand drops up to 1.5m, it has an IP68 dust and water resistance, and it even comes with a Glove Touch feature to increase the touch sensitivity of the screen for those who need to operate the phone with gloves on.

Other specifications of the Galaxy Xcover 5 include a 5.3-inch HD+ screen, a Samsung Exynos 850 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, a 3,000mAh battery – it’s user-replaceable, by the way – a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP selfie shooter, and Android 11 out of the box.

We haven’t heard from Samsung Malaysia on the local availability of the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 5, but it’s worth noting that a support page for the phone is already up on
Samsung Malaysia’s website
. Given that the Xcover 5 is already registered with SIRIM, there’s a good chance the phone will be introduced here soon.


Linear, Tactile, Clicky, Silent – Which Mechanical Keyboard Switch to Get?

So you’ve decided to start building a custom mechanical keyboard, great! But then comes the next question: which switch should you get? With so many options in the market now, it can be tough to find the right switch for you.

In a bid to make it easier for you to make a decision, we will walk you through several types of switches that you can buy right now in this article. These include linear, tactile, clicky, and even silent switches. Let’s get to it, shall we?

Linear Switches

This is arguably the most popular switch option in the custom mechanical keyboard scene. As its name suggests, a linear switch provides no feedback at all throughout the downstroke until you bottom out, lending to a “linear” feeling.

And that is the very reason why a linear switch is my personal favourite. The best linear switch offers very, very smooth downstroke, which offers a pleasant typing experience free of scratch, tactile bump, or audible click. It also lets me type quite a bit faster than other types of switches – more on that later.

Cobalt POM linear switch

If a linear switch sounds like the one for you, you’ll be happy to know that there are a ton of options. Some of the best linear switches I have personally tried include the
Gateron Ink Black
,
NovelKeys Cream
 – though you do have it break it in and lube it to bring out the switch’s best potential – and the
Cobalt POM
.

Tactile Switches

Just like linear switches, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to tactile switches. If you’re a more “intentional” typist who values accuracy, you may be interested in this switch. Tactile switches have a noticeable tactile bump to let you know that you have actuated them, which can help you to…well, type more accurately.

Glorious Panda switch

However, for what it’s worth, I prefer linear switches over tactile. I like to type fast, but because I need to exert more force to “overcome” the tactile bump of a tactile switch, I find myself typing quite a bit slower.

Don’t get me wrong, I do type more accurately with tactile switches. But I find myself missing the smooth typing experience of a linear switch after some time, so make of that what you will!

Anyway, if you want to get a tactile switch, the
Gazzew Boba U4T Thocky
 is an
excellent
choice; it’s easily one of our favourite tactile switches in the market now that’s also (somewhat) readily available. Alternatively, you can also consider the
Glorious Panda
 – it emulates the very popular Holy Panda tactile switch quite well.

Gazzew Boba U4T Thocky tactile switch

Clicky Switches

If you want something with an even more pronounced feedback than a tactile switch, consider clicky switches. Not only does a clicky switch have a tactile bump, it also offers an audible click when it is actuated. Of course, this also means it is the noisiest switch type of the lot.

Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on who you’re asking – there aren’t as many selections of clicky switches in the custom mechanical keyboard scene. Truth be told, I was a fan of clicky switches in the past, but once I’ve built a number of custom keyboards, I prefer using non-clicky switches to not mask the unique sound profile of each keyboard.

In my opinion, this could be the reason why clicky switches are not quite as popular as its linear or tactile counterpart in the scene.

Outemu Blue switch

That being said, there are still a number of clicky switches that are quite good. I highly recommend the
Kailh Box White
: it’s not an overly loud clicky switch, and it has a reasonably strong tactile bump as well. If, for some reason, you want a clicky switch with an even louder click, there’s the
Kailh Box Jade
.

Silent Switches

Last but definitely not least are silent switches, which are offered in linear or tactile form. For the most part, silent linear and tactile switches are not too different from their non-silent counterparts, but the stems of silent switches usually have dampeners to absorb the impact of the downstroke and upstroke.

Zeal PC’s Aqua Zilent silent tactile switch

This, in turn, makes for a muted typing experience; ideal for those who want to build an absolutely silent keyboard. But silent switches, given the extra dampeners on their stems, usually have shorter key travels as well. As a result, they offer a more shallow typing experience than non-silent switches, which could be a dealbreaker to some folks.

But if you’re okay with the shorter key travel, and you want a silent keyboard, then consider silent switches. My personal favourite silent linear switch is the
Gazzew Bobagum
, but if you’ve got a deep pocket, Zeal PC’s Zilent V2/Aqua Zilent silent tactile and Healio V2 silent linear switches are good options too.

Gazzew Bobagum silent linear switch

And there you have it! These are the four main categories of switches you can find in the custom mechanical keyboard scene. While it may seem intimidating, building a keyboard is a
very rewarding hobby
, and we hope this article – and our other
keyboard-related writeups
 – will help you in your journey to build your very own custom keyboard!


17 – 23 June Fuel Price: RON 97 up 2 Sen Again

Another week, another price increase for RON 97; it set to to go up by 2 sen per litre (again) this midnight. The prices of RON 95 and diesel remain the same, given that the price ceilings of the two have been reached.

For this coming week, the price of RON 97 will be set at RM2.67 per litre (up from RM2.65). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, remains the same at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 17 to 23 June next week. New fuel prices will now be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!