Samsung Galaxy A54 Hands-on: Samsung’s Most Premium Mid-Ranger Yet

The Samsung Galaxy A54 could just be the Korean company’s most premium mid-range phone yet. While it is not exactly a replacement for the “FE” line of phones – which hasn’t seen any new additions since the
Galaxy S21 FE
 – it does feel somewhat like a spiritual successor.

I’ve spent a good amount of time with the Galaxy A54 as my daily driver, and overall, it’s quite an impressive mid-ranger. While its value proposition isn’t the best in the segment, it’s certainly one of the more refined phones I’ve tried at this price point.

First, let’s start with the pricing of the Galaxy A54. For the Malaysian market, the sole 8GB + 256GB configuration goes for RM1,899, which is quite a bit higher for a mid-range phone. But for that kind of money, it does come with a number of features not typically found in this segment, including an IP67 dust and water resistance and pretty darn respectable camera performance.

Honestly, I’m surprised by the low light performance of the Galaxy A54’s triple camera system. It’s made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 5MP macro lens. Collectively, both the 50MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide sensor can take some good-looking nighttime shots.

Judge for yourself with these sample images:

12MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

12MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

50MP primary

Granted, the Galaxy A54’s camera interface doesn’t feel particularly responsive in low light conditions, and the shutter speed slows down too, which makes it a little tough to get blur-free images. Then again, in the context of a mid-range phone, I am certainly impressed with the overall performance of the camera.

Next, there’s the general performance of the Galaxy A54 courtesy of the Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset. It may not be a particularly well-known chip, but it’s more than fast enough in day-to-day use with little to no performance hiccup. That being said, it does struggle to run
Genshin Impact
 smoothly at 60fps.

However, after tweaking the graphics settings accordingly, the game does run relatively well.

And then we have the 6.4-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display of the Galaxy A54. Not surprisingly, this panel offers vibrant, punchy colours with deep blacks and wide viewing angles; display qualities we’ve come to expect from a Samsung phone. The 120Hz refresh rate lends to very smooth-looking animations too.

Battery life of the Galaxy A54 is worth a mention as well. Packed with a 5,000mAh battery, I can get about five hours of screen on time with the phone so far. Not the best battery life I’ve seen on a phone at this price point or segment, but it’s definitely above average.

Design wise, I love how the Galaxy A54 looks in this Awesome Violet colourway. Not only is it quite an eye-catching colour, it also gives the phone a “fun” appeal. I appreciate the fact that the plastic frame matches the colour of the phone too.

Speaking of which, the Galaxy A54 still feels nice and premium in my hands despite the fact that its frame is made of plastic. Of course, the smooth glass back of the phone also helps in this regard, and I like the fact that I can (somewhat) comfortably use the A54 with just one hand, thanks to its relatively compact nature.

As much as I enjoy using the Samsung Galaxy A54, I can’t quite say for certain if it’s worth paying RM1,899 for the phone. After all, competition is tough in this segment, and there are plenty of other phones at this price point (or even lower, actually) that offers better value for money.

But the strength of the Galaxy A54 lies in its refinement and feature set. It looks sleek – though I do wish it had smaller bezels – it feels great in my hands, and it is a water-resistant mid-range phone. In a market where even
flagship
 phones don’t have this feature, it’s a unique appeal for the A54.

Nonetheless, I’ll put the Galaxy A54 through its paces in the full review; we’ll know then if the RM1,899 price tag is justified. If you’re keen to get the A54, it is now available for purchase on
Samsung’s online store
 in four colourways: the aforementioned Awesome Violet, Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite, and Awesome White.


20 – 26 April Fuel Price: RON 97 Still Set at RM3.35 Per Litre

As we lead up to the Hari Raya weekend, RON 97 sees no price change yet again. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

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

These prices will be in effect from 20 to 26 April next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Mode Is Coming to Malaysia Through Rebult Keyboards, Starting With Mode Envoy

Mode has been in the custom keyboard scene for quite some time now, and the keyboard brand is now expanding to other markets, including Malaysia. This expansion is done through vendor partners, and Rebult Keyboards will be the vendor for our market.

The first big Mode product that will be sold through these vendors is none other than the Mode Envoy, a relatively affordable 65% keyboard. A group buy for the Envoy – in five pre-configured colourways – will take place from 21 April at 8PM until 12 May in Malaysia from
Rebult Keyboards
.

As for pricing, the Envoy starts at RM965 for our market, and the price goes up accordingly depending on the colourway and plate material. Speaking of which, five plate options are available: aluminium, FR4, POM, carbon fibre, and copper.

Aside from the Envoy, group buy for other Mode keyboard components will be offered by Rebult Keyboards too. These include switches, deskmats, keycaps, and even artisan keycaps. It’s worth noting that these components are all designed after three specific Mode Themes: Anthracite, Obscura, and Tomorrow.

Estimated fulfilment for these Mode products (including the Envoy) is sometime in September 2023. While that’s quite some time away, at least you won’t have to pay for international shipping or extra import charges if you were to purchase these items directly from Mode.


Smart #3 Electric SUV Coming to Malaysia – Smart #1 on Track for Q4 2023 Local Launch

Unveiled just a couple of days ago at the Shanghai auto show, we now have confirmation that the new Smart #3 electric SUV is coming to Malaysia. According to Proton, the new EV will arrive here – via its subsidiary, Pro-Net – after the SUV goes on sale in China and Europe.

Dubbed as a “sport utility coupe” with a sloping roofline, the Smart #3 shares the same design language as the Smart #1, though it’s a larger electric SUV. Unfortunately, technical details of the #3 have not been revealed yet; we’ll have to wait for its official European debut sometime in September for those info.

Beyond the Smart #3, Proton reiterated that the Smart #1 is on track for its Q4 2023 debut here in Malaysia. Several media have even tested the SUV at Proton’s test track, and more preview sessions – which will be open to the public as well – will be held before the EV goes on sale locally.

It’s certainly exciting to see the launch of more EVs in Malaysia, even if our charging infrastructure still needs some work. Here’s hoping more EV chargers will be available locally as EV adoption increases on our shores.


Compact Acer Predator Triton 14 Unleashed With RTX 4070 & 250Hz Mini-LED Screen – Coming to Malaysia Soon

Acer is launching a slew of new products today, and one of the most exciting gaming laptops announced is the updated Acer Predator Triton 14. Yes, the compact Triton 300 SE now has a new name, and we actually spotted this new laptop in SIRIM’s database
earlier this year
 – that’s right, it’s finally coming to Malaysia.

Under the hood of the new Predator Triton 14 are some capable hardware. It can be configured with a 13th gen Intel Core i7-13700H processor paired with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 6000MHz RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 or RTX 4050 GPU, as well as Intel Killer WiFi 6E AX1675i for fast wireless connectivity.

These hardware are all packed into a compact 14-inch chassis, which I find to be the Triton 14’s best quality; it strikes a good balance between portability and performance. Aside from that, it also features a 14-inch 2560 x 1600 mini-LED display with a fast 250Hz refresh rate and tall 16:10 aspect ratio.

The Acer Predator Triton 14 is set to be available in North America sometime in May with a $1,499 starting price; that comes up to about RM6,650. While the compact gaming laptop has been confirmed for the Malaysian market, we don’t know yet exactly when it will be sold here.


Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 Also Coming to Malaysia – Value for Money RTX 4070 Gaming Laptop

Aside from the compact Triton 14, Acer also introduced the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 today. Touted as a value for money gaming laptop, the Neo 16 also has a unique-looking lid with “laser-etched encrypted codes” with a hidden message of sorts.

Not surprisingly, the Predator Helios Neo 16 can be configured with a 13th gen Intel Core HX processor paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, so it should be a reasonably capable gaming laptop. It can also be packed with 32GB of dual-channel DDR5 4800MHz RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe NVMe SSD in Raid 0 configuration.

In the display department, the Helios Neo 16 features a couple of screen options. There’s a 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate, or a more modest 1920 x 1200 screen with the same refresh rate. Both panel options support Nvidia Advanced Optimus and G-Sync.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is set to be available in Malaysia sometime in May next month. Of course, local pricing of the gaming laptop has not been revealed yet, though it starts at $1,199 in North America – that comes up to about RM5,320.


The Acer Predator Orion X Is a Compact (Liquid-Cooled) RTX 4090 Desktop for $2,999

This might just be Acer’s coolest desktop yet – literally and figuratively. Enter the Acer Predator Orion X: a compact, liquid-cooled desktop with some powerful hardware, along with an interesting design for easy disassembly.

The Predator Orion X has three distinct zones, which can all be popped out easily with a lever system on the front of the machine. The left side of the case houses a liquid-cooled GPU that maxes out at an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, while the right compartment houses an Intel Core i9-13900KS processor; also liquid-cooled. The top part, on the other hand, feature two fans.

It’s really quite impressive that the Orion X has such beefy hardware in a compact chassis, and it’ll be interesting to see just how effective its liquid cooling solution is. Anyway, the whole system weighs only 9kg as well, so if you ever need to move it around, you can easily do so.

Although the Acer Predator Orion X is introduced today, it will only hit the market sometime in September 2023. As for pricing, it’s set to retail at a cool $2,999 – that comes up to about RM13,310. No word yet on the Malaysian availability of the Orion X.


Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023) Launched – World’s Thinnest OLED Laptop From RM4,999 in Malaysia

The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED has just been refreshed for 2023, and it’s touted by the Taiwanese company to be the world’s thinnest laptop with an OLED display. Measuring only 10.9mm thin with a 1kg chassis, it’s certainly a slim, lightweight productivity laptop.

What’s particularly interesting about the new Zenbook S 13 OLED is its…well, OLED panel. The laptop features a 13.3-inch 2880 x 1800 “Asus Lumina” OLED screen, a new branding from the company that is only given to “superior OLED displays that meet our strict quality criteria,” as Asus puts it.

Naturally, this OLED panel is also Pantone Validated with support for Dolby Vision. It also meets DisplayHDR True Black 500 standards, so it’ll certainly be interesting to see how the display would fare once we have the laptop in for review.

Other specifications of the S 13 OLED (for the Malaysian market) include a 13th gen Intel Core i7-1355U or i5-1335U processor paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 5200MHz RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and a 63Wh battery with a quoted battery life of up to 14 hours.

The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED is set to arrive in Malaysia sometime in the middle of May next month. Two variants are offered: the Core i5 base model with a 512GB SSD is priced at RM4,999, while the Core i7 variant with a 1TB SSD costs RM5,999. It’s worth noting that the S 13 OLED also comes with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 out of the box.


Proton X90 Launch Set for 7 May – After Sabah & Sarawak Public Preview

We finally got a launch date for the
Proton X90
. The premium D-segment SUV is set to be launched on 7 May 2023 next month, which is just a week after the public preview of the X90 in Sabah and Sarawak on 29 and 30 April.

To recap, the public preview of the X90 started from 8 April in six states across Malaysia. These include Selangor/KL and Penang (8 – 9 April); Johor and Pahang (15 – 16 April); as well as the aforementioned Sabah and Sarawak public previews on 29 to 30 April. Not surprisingly, this preview is by invitation only.

The X90 is offered in four variants: Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship. Out of the four trim levels, only the Flagship model comes with six seats. There are individual “captain seats” for the second row, as you can see in the interior shot above.

Aside from that, the X90 is also Proton’s first new energy vehicle (NEV) with a mild hybrid system. Its 1.5L TGDi three-cylinder turbo engine is paired with a 48V electric motor synergy (EMS) system that offers a combined output of 190PS and 300Nm of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Proton, this mild hybrid system offers up to 15% improved fuel efficiency.

In the safety department, the X90 features Proton’s most elaborate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) yet, which is available on the Premium and Flagship models. The ADAS is said to offer a sophisticated level 2 autonomous driving, including three new features: rear collision warning (RCW), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and traffic sign information (TSI).

Once the Proton X90 is launched on 7 May, it should be available for viewing at selected Proton showrooms throughout Malaysia. The premium SUV is also available for booking now, though you can
only do so from Proton 4S or 3S outlets
.


Unboxing MTG March of the Machine Set Boosters & Commander Deck – Final Battle!

Magic: The Gathering’s newest set, March of the Machine, is now available for tabletop. It is the fourth and final instalment in MTG’s four-part Phyrexian storyline, and it features a new card type: Battle. This is the first new card type to be introduced since the debut of Planeswalkers back in 2007.

To celebrate the launch of March of the Machine, Wizards of the Coast sent us a box of Set Boosters and a Commander Deck (Growing Threat) of the set to check out. If you’re interested to pick up either one of these products, here’s our unboxing of the new expansion’s Set Boosters and Commander deck!

Let’s start with the Set Boosters. Unlike Draft Boosters, Set Boosters are meant to be more “exciting” to crack open. This is probably why it is popular among folks who just enjoy opening booster packs instead of using them for Limited play, such as Draft or Sealed.

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

Typically, when you crack open a Set Booster, the first card you’ll see is an art card followed by a land card. But this have changed since the introduction of the previous set (
Phyrexia: All Will Be One
) right before March of the Machine. Depending on how you open a pack of Set Booster now, you may see the art card first, but the cards now face the
other
 side with some changes to the order. Technically, the art card is now the “last” card in the pack.

So the order of a March of the Machine Set Booster now looks like this: a token/ad card; a guaranteed foil card; the main set’s rare or mythic rare card; two wildcards, which can be a Multiverse Legends card with a Booster Fun treatment of its respective plane; an uncommon double-faced Battle card; a common or uncommon card double-faced Phyrexian card; two uncommon and two common cards with a connection to each other; a basic or full-art harbinger basic land; and an art card.

There are a few interesting things to take note of. The guaranteed foil card, for example, can be of any rarity with a chance to be a Multiverse Legends card. On top of that, the two wildcard slots can be of any rarity as well, so it’s possible you can get as many as
five
 rare or mythic rare cards in a March of the Machine Set Booster.

We’ve cracked open a fair number of Set Boosters from this set, and two of our packs had three rare cards, which has a 14% chance of happening. Pretty good odds, in our opinion, considering that opening a pack with four or five rare/mythic rare cards are 2% and <1% respectively.

Next, we have March of the Machine’s Commander deck, a 100-card deck that’s ready to play out of the box. We received the Growing Threat White-Black deck with Brimaz, Blight of Oreskos as the main Commander. Included in every March of the Machine Commander deck is a Collector Booster Sample Pack, which contains two cards. One of them is a rare or mythic rare card from the set (non-foil or traditional foil), while the other one is a traditional foil uncommon Multiverse Legends card.

Also found inside every March of the Machine Commander deck are a number of neat items, including ten oversized Planechase cards unique to each deck, a life counter, and 10 double-sided tokens. While the Commander format can be quite complicated – especially to newcomers – it can definitely be fun to play with friends.

And that’s our unboxing of the Set Boosters and Commander Deck of Magic: The Gathering’s new March of the Machine set. If you’re keen to check out this new set, give your
nearest game store
 a visit.


Huawei P60 Pro Coming to Malaysia 11 May – Launching Alongside Mate X3 Foldable Phone?

Launched in China just last month, the
Huawei P60 Pro
 is set to be launched here in Malaysia in the next couple of weeks on 11 May. It’s said to be launched alongside a “flagship product,” which could be hinting at the Huawei Mate X3 foldable phone.

The local launch date of the P60 Pro was revealed by Huawei itself on the
registration page for the Malaysia preview
 of the flagship smartphone as seen below. The company is also
running a contest
 to invite 10 winners to the local launch of the new device.

Hardware wise, the P60 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chip. It also features a 6.67-inch 2700 x 1220 OLED panel with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (48MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + 48MP telephoto), a 13MP selfie shooter, a 4,815mAh battery, and an IP68 rating.

As for the Mate X3, it also has a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G processor, along with a 120Hz 7.85-inch 2496 × 2224 inner OLED display, a 6.4-inch 1080p OLED cover screen (also set at 120Hz), a triple camera system (50MP main + 13MP ultra-wide + 12MP periscope telephoto), an 8MP selfie camera, a 4,800mAh (standard model) or 5,060mAh (Collector’s Edition) battery, as well as an IPX8 rating.

To recap, the Huawei P60 Pro is set to be launched in Malaysia on 11 May, and it will likely be launched alongside the Huawei Mate X3. The local pricing of the two flagship phones should be revealed then too.


Asus ROG Ally Launching on 11 May – Compact Steam Deck Competitor With AMD Ryzen Z1

The Asus ROG Ally is set to be launched in the next couple of weeks on 11 May! Basically, it is a competitor to the Steam Deck, and it looks to be more compact too with the “fastest AMD APU yet” in the form of the AMD Ryzen Z1 – or Z1 Extreme – with RDNA 3 graphics.

If we were to take Asus’ claim at face value, the ROG Ally may just offer better gaming performance over the Steam Deck, given that the latter is also powered by an AMD APU, Aerith. The Ally also has a higher resolution 7-inch 1920 x 1080 display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Steam Deck has lower resolution 60Hz panel, though it has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio.

Aside from that, the ROG Ally can also be connected to the (proprietary) ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure for higher fidelity gaming. It’s said to run on Windows 11 as well, so it’ll be interesting to see how this would impact the battery life of the handheld gaming console.

Other specifications of the Ally include up to 16GB of LPDDR5 dual-channel RAM and 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD – this is said to be upgradable – a microSD card slot for further storage expansion, as well as a lightweight chassis that tips the scales at 608g.

The Asus ROG Ally will debut in the next couple of weeks on 11 May. The launch event will take place at 10PM Malaysian time on that day, and hopefully, we’ll find out then if the handheld gaming console will be coming to Malaysia.


Honkai: Star Rail Now Available on iOS, Android, PC – Coming to PlayStation Soon

Hoyoverse’s new game, Honkai: Star Rail, is now available on various platforms. These include iOS, Android, and of course, PC. The game is also coming to PlayStation, though no release date has been given yet.

Unlike
Genshin Impact
 or Honkai Impact 3rd, Star Rail is a turn-based RPG game where players fight in a party of four. The game also have dungeon exploration, puzzle-solving, and even flashy animations as characters unleash their respective skills. Based on
our review of the game’s

second closed beta
, Star Rail has an intriguing, engrossing storyline too.

To celebrate the launch of Star Rail, a number of rewards are given to players who check-in to the game and have reached certain progression milestones. These include Star Rail Pass – which is used to unlock characters and “Light Cones,” which are essentially weapons – credits, and Stellar Jade (the game’s premium currency).

If you’re keen to give Honkai: Star Rail a try, you can download the game
right here
. To recap, the RPG game is now available on iOS, Android, as well as PC via Hoyoverse’s own launcher and the
Epic Games Store
. As for the PlayStation version, it will arrive at a later date. Naturally, cross-platform progression is offered for Star Rail, which will come in handy for players who play on multiple platforms.


WhatsApp Finally Enables Multiple Phone Linking – Here’s How to Do It

You don’t have to
use our workaround
 to get WhatsApp to work on multiple phones anymore. The company just made it possible to link up to four additional devices now, including smartphones. If you’re wondering how to do that, here’s our guide.

First, download (or update) the latest version of WhatsApp on the
Google Play Store
. Launch the app, and go through the setup process until you get to the phone number screen. Instead of keying in your phone number, click the button on the top right corner to summon the menu, and select “link a device.”

Once you’ve done that, you’ll see the page above with instructions to start the link process. Just scan the QR code with your primary WhatsApp phone, and you’re done! According to WhatsApp, linked phones “connect to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that your personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted,” which is reassuring.

WhatsApp added that it is currently working on an easier method to link your phone with
WhatsApp Web
. Instead of scanning a QR code, you’ll just need to key in your phone number to send a one-time code to your primary WhatsApp phone to start the link process. This feature will be rolled out in the coming weeks.


Redmi 12C Receives RM100 Price Cut in Malaysia – Now Starting at RM499

The budget-friendly
Redmi 12C
 was launched in Malaysia just last month, and now, it receives a pretty respectable price cut. Thanks to this price revision, the affordable phone – packed with a reasonably large display and battery capacity – looks to be an even better option now for those on a tight budget.

Two variants of the Redmi 12C are offered in Malaysia, and both of them receive the same RM100 price cut. The base model with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage now retails at RM499, while the 6GB + 128GB configuration goes for RM599. Four different colour options are available: Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple, and Graphite Grey.

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

The Redmi 12C is now available for purchase in Malaysia at these new prices through
Shopee
,
Lazada
, as well as authorised Xiaomi stores nationwide. To recap, the Redmi 12C now goes for RM499 and RM599 for the 4GB + 128GB and 6GB + 128GB configurations respectively.


27 April – 3 May Fuel Price: RON 97 Still at RM3.35 Per Litre

It’s time for another fuel price update, and not surprisingly, RON 97 sees no price change yet again. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

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

These prices will be in effect from 27 April to 3 May next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


7Hz Legato Review: Boombox Bass?

7Hz has certainly made a name for itself in the competitive ChiFi market. With almost every release, it leaves behind a prominent mark. The 7Hz Timeless, for example, is regarded as one of the best (and properly tuned) ChiFi planar IEMs when it was first released.

There’s also the
7Hz Salnotes Dioko
, which is a refined, affordable sub-$100 planar IEM that was developed in collaboration with the famed Crinacle. 7Hz has a very good offering in the more budget-friendly segment too in the form of the
7Hz Salnotes Zero
, a single dynamic driver IEM from only $22.99.

Not only has 7Hz released products at various price points to appeal to different crowds, it’s also evident that the brand is well aware of what’s trending in the IEM space. And if you’ve been keeping up with the fast-moving ChiFi market, you’d know that the current talk of the town are dual dynamic driver IEMs.

Well, enter the 7Hz Legato.

What It Is

According to a
video interview
 with 7Hz’s co-tuners (Larry and Ray) by YouTuber Ian Fann, the Legato is meant to stray away from the Harman-style tuning that’s been all the rage as of late. Instead, the Legato aims to emulate the experience and nostalgia of…an 80s, vintage boombox.

In order to achieve this, the Legato utilises a dual dynamic driver configuration. A 12mm subwoofer, of course, handles the bass, while another 6mm tweeter handles the mids and highs.
Paired with its $109 (about RM485) price tag on Linsoul
 – which sent us this review unit – it’s quite reasonably priced.

If you own the Dioko, then you’ll be very familiar with the packaging of the Legato. In fact, aside from a different texture, the case is practically the same. Inside, you’ll find the Legato itself with a thick OCC cable already attached, five pairs of silicone ear tips, and extra nozzle filters – a thoughtful addition.

How Does It Sound?

If it hasn’t been made obvious yet, the 7Hz Legato is all about that bass. The overall note weight is thick with a warm tonality and V-shaped sound signature. The emphasised low-end, however, does mean that details can get a bit veiled.

Soundstage has good height and width, but it’s mostly an intimate experience. The lack of depth isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though busier tracks tend to sound a bit messy thanks to the Legato’s less-than-stellar imaging performance.

Bass

I’ve mentioned a couple of times that the Legato’s main focus is its bass. But how exactly is the quality of the bass? Well, let’s first talk about quantity. The Legato’s sub-bass extends deep down low with strong, boomy authority. Mid-bass has less extension, but is still plenty impactful.

In regards to the Legato’s inspiration to sound like a vintage boombox, I would say…mission accomplished. The IEM not only achieves the slam of a boombox, it also brings a more coloured and less analytical sound.

The meaty low end is strong, no doubt, but it also ends up sounding loose and undefined. The texture of the bass also has a certain fuzziness to it that lends to the “vintage” sound it sought to achieve, though that also means it’s not as refined – to me, anyway.

The
QKZ x HBB Khan
 is another dual dynamic driver IEM that I previously reviewed. The mid-bass on that set has better extension with tighter and cleaner impact, while the bass of the Legato sounds much more… “chonky” and looser. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the Legato has muddy bass, but there’s definitely notable bass bleed into the mids.

Mids

Mids on the Legato take a step back. While the mids don’t sound
too
recessed to my ears, the IEM’s treble and (especially) bass are so apparent and forward that the mids seem a tad shy – qualities of a V-shaped sound signature. That being said, compared to the Khan, female vocals are definitely more present here with thicker note weight.

The aforementioned bass bleed of the Legato also gives vocals an unnatural timbre and weight. It’s worth noting that while these qualities are apparent with female vocals, male vocals don’t suffer too much as the added warmth does sound fairly organic.

Timbre quality of instruments also sounds a bit artificial. There’s a certain hollowness to it that doesn’t sit right with me, though I guess I can chalk it up to the Legato aiming to achieve the “old-school sound quality.”

Highs

The theme of unnaturalness extends to the highs of the Legato. The treble region is also not particularly detailed with a grainy texture to it, though I do appreciate that it is bright enough to my liking. It doesn’t sound too dark or too shrill, which is good.

Comparing the Legato (once again) to the Khan, the latter has a smoother, more rolled-off treble, while the Legato has sparklier highs that tend to sound a bit harsh on busier tracks.

Is It Worth It?

The 7Hz Legato can be described as a basshead’s ideal mid-range IEM. It has all the
rumble
you’d want without the thinness of most IEMs these days that are tuned to the Harman target curve. It’s also more musical than it is analytical, which may appeal to some folks.

But I still find myself reaching for the QKZ x HBB Khan when I feel like listening to something fun; the tightness of the bass on that set is just more impactful and engaging to me. But to the Legato’s credit, I do miss its thicker note weight when I’m listening to the Khan.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


Asus ROG Ally Will Supposedly Retail at $699.99 for Highest-End AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Model

We may just have pricing details on the upcoming
Asus ROG Ally
. If the leak is to be believed, the highest-end configuration of the handheld gaming console with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip will go for
just
 $699.99 – that comes up to about RM3,115. Just imagine how much more affordable the base Z1 configuration could be.

This leak comes from
The Verge
, which received the pricing detail on the ROG Ally from renowned leaker
Roland Quandt
. Another leak by SnoopyTech in the Tweet below also confirms this, though it’s entirely possible the pricing is still not finalised yet. We’ll only know for sure once the device is launched on 11 May.

ASUS ROG Ally (AMD Z1 Extreme) = $699.99
https://t.co/GDkz6wZNWI
— SnoopyTech (@_snoopytech_)
April 26, 2023

It’s obvious that the ROG Ally is a competitor to Valve’s Steam Deck, and it looks to be more compact too with the “fastest AMD APU yet” in the form of the AMD Ryzen Z1 or Z1 Extreme with RDNA 3 graphics. The Ally also has a higher resolution 7-inch 1920 x 1080 display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Steam Deck has lower resolution 60Hz panel, though it has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio.

Aside from that, the ROG Ally can also be connected to the (proprietary) ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure for higher fidelity gaming. It’s said to run on Windows 11 as well, so it’ll be interesting to see how this would impact the battery life of the handheld gaming console.

Other specifications of the Ally include up to 16GB of LPDDR5 dual-channel RAM and 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD – this is said to be upgradable – a microSD card slot for further storage expansion, as well as a lightweight chassis that tips the scales at 608g.

The Asus ROG Ally will debut in the next couple of weeks on 11 May. The launch event will take place at 10PM Malaysian time on that day, and we’ll find out then if the handheld gaming console will indeed top out at $699.99, and whether or not it will be coming to Malaysia.


Genshin Impact Baizhu & Ganyu Banners Arrive 2 May With Kaveh, Candace, Fischl

Details on Baizhu’s and Ganyu’s banners have been revealed. Set to arrive in
Genshin Impact
 next week on 2 May, the two 5-star characters’ event wishes will be accompanied by Kaveh, a brand new 4-star character, as well as Candace and Fischl.

In line with
previous Genshin

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

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

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

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

Baizhu’s “Immaculate Pulse” and Ganyu’s “Adrift in the Harbor” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 2 May next week. Their banners will be offered until 23 May, and we can expect
Kirara
 to be playable not long after that in the Version 3.7 update of Genshin Impact.


Samsung Galaxy A34 Review: The Ideal RM1,599 Mid-Range Phone (For Some Folks)

The mid-range smartphone market is a tough segment to compete in. There are a lot of options in this price range, and many of them offer great hardware for the money. Unfortunately, in this regard, the RM1,599 Samsung Galaxy A34 can’t quite compete with its competition.

But while the Galaxy A34 doesn’t have the best hardware at its price point, it’s easily one of the most
refined
phones in its segment. It has an intuitive, polished software experience, great build quality, and even an IP67 rating – a feature that even some flagship phones don’t have.

While the Galaxy A34 is not the fastest mid-range phone I’ve tried, it’s certainly a phone that I enjoyed using as my daily driver.

What It Is

Display
6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED (2340 x 1080), 120Hz
Chipset
MediaTek Dimensity 1080 2.6GHz octa-core
GPU
Arm Mali-G68 MC4
RAM
8GB
Storage
256GB, expandable
Camera (rear)
48MP f/1.8
8MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
5MP f/2.4 (macro)
Camera (front)
13MP f/2.2
Battery
5,000mAh with 25W charging
Dimensions
161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm
Weight
199g
OS
One UI 5.1 based on Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
USB Type-C
Price
RM1,599

Under the hood, the Galaxy A34 has a modest set of hardware. The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 – while not particularly quick – can still offer a good level of performance for day-to-day use, and the Full HD+ Super AMOLED display looks pretty darn good too, especially for a mid-range phone.

To me, the most compelling feature of the Galaxy A34 has to be its IP67 dust and water resistance, which does give peace of mind in daily use. It’s already a feature that some flagship-tier phones don’t have, so the fact that a mid-range phone like the A34 has this rating is certainly a good selling point.

The Good Stuff

One of the best features of the Samsung Galaxy A34 has to be its software experience, which feels largely similar to that of the
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
. It’s intuitive to navigate around, it feels responsive, and and it just feels…polished. While it does have a number of bloatware out of the box, it’s not the worst offender in this regard.

Display quality of the Galaxy A34 is worth a mention too. Not only does the 6.6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display look great with punchy colours and deep blacks, it also has wide viewing angles; qualities we’ve come to expect from a Samsung phone with an AMOLED panel.

It’s also worth noting that the A34’s screen has a 120Hz refresh rate as well, which gives the impression of an even faster device.

That it not to say the Galaxy A34 is a slow phone to begin with, as the Dimensity 1080 can certainly keep up with my everyday use, including frequent switching between different apps. That being said, the processor does show its limits in demanding games like
Genshin Impact
. It can’t quite run the game consistently at 30fps – let alone 60fps – but it is still (mostly) playable.

Despite the fact that the Galaxy A34’s frame and back panel are made of plastic – with a nice matte finish – the phone doesn’t feel cheap by any means, which is a pleasant surprise. I do wish that the phone feels less slippery from its matte finish, though I do like how the back cover of this “Awesome Lime” colourway has a nice sheen to it when it’s reflecting light from certain angles.

Last but not least is the battery life of the Galaxy A34. On average, I can get about six hours of screen on time consistently out of the phone’s respectable 5,000mAh battery. It would’ve been great if its charging rate isn’t limited to only 25W, but at least the phone can last quite a bit on a single charge.

The Bad Stuff

The middling camera performance of the Galaxy A34 is my main gripe with the phone. At this price point, I expect better image quality out of the triple camera system, which is made up of a 48MP main shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 5MP macro sensor.

Granted, the 48MP primary camera can take decent-looking shots, but the same cannot be said for the 8MP ultra-wide sensor. Just take a look at these sample shots:

48MP primary

48MP primary

48MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

48MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

48MP primary

8MP ultra-wide

48MP primary

Under good lighting, the Galaxy A34 can certainly take good-looking shots, but once the sun goes down, so does the camera performance. Granted, the 48MP primary camera can still take reasonably good shots, but the performance of the 8MP ultra-wide lens leaves much to be desired, especially in terms of detail preservation.

And then there’s the value proposition of the Galaxy A34. While I can see myself paying RM1,599 for the phone’s feature set as whole, folks who want better hardware at this price point would be better served by other options, such as the
Redmi Note 12 Pro+
 with a 200MP primary camera for the exact same amount of money.

Is It Worth It?

If you want a mid-range phone that offers a refined software experience, bright display, good build quality, and water resistance, then the Samsung Galaxy A34 is worth a consideration. While there are other devices at this price point that feature faster hardware or better camera performance, I’d argue that the A34 is still a more polished phone.

RM1,599 for a mid-range phone may seem expensive at a glance, but I do think this is a fair price for the Galaxy A34. I thoroughly enjoyed using it as my daily driver, even if I wish it had better camera performance.


Garmin Forerunner 965 Now Available in Malaysia for RM2,970 With AMOLED Display

Originally set to be available in Malaysia at the end of April 2023, the Garmin Forerunner 965 can now be purchased locally. One of the biggest upgrades to the smartwatch – believe it or not – is the addition of an always-on AMOLED display.

For the Malaysian market, the Forerunner 965 retails at a cool RM2,970. Three colour options are available: Amp Yellow (shown below), Whitestone, and a more minimalist Black. Regardless of which colourway you get, all of them feature a silicone strap with a lightweight titanium bezel.

As is name suggests, the Forerunner 965 is a running-focused smartwatch. It offers up to 23 days of battery life in smartwatch mode – it goes down to 31 hours in GPS mode – training metrics with recovery insights, built-in maps, multi-band GPS, as well as support for push notifications, naturally.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is now available for purchase in Malaysia through Garmin’s official stores on
Shopee
 and
Lazada
. While RM2,970 is quite a bit of money for a smartwatch, that’s how much you have to pay for a GPS smartwatch catered to serious runners.


Unreleased OnePlus Nord 3 Appears in SIRIM – Coming to Malaysia Soon?

It appears OnePlus is gearing up to launch another phone in Malaysia, and it’s an unannounced device. In our routine search through SIRIM’s database, we spotted the OnePlus Nord 3, suggesting that Malaysia could be one of the first markets to get the upcoming phone.

It’s believed that the OnePlus Nord 3 will be the global version of the OnePlus Ace 2V, which was launched in China earlier this month. If that is really the case, it should be an interesting upper mid-range smartphone powered by a fast MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset.

Besides that, the OnePlus Ace 2V – and by extension, the OnePlus Nord 3 – also features a 6.74-inch 2772 x 1240 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging.

It remains to be seen exactly when the OnePlus Nord 3 will be officially introduced, so we’ll just have to wait until it’s unveiled to see what the phone has to offer. Given that the Nord 3 has been registered with SIRIM already, we reckon the phone will be made available here shortly after its debut.


ChargEV Upgrading Older AC Chargers at 18 Petronas Stations

In the coming months, ChargEV will be upgrading a number of its AC chargers at 18 different Petronas stations throughout Malaysia. The upgrade process will see the decommissioning of these older AC chargers.

According to ChargEV, the upgrade process will “significantly enhance the charging experience for all EV drivers.” This could mean that ChargEV AC chargers at Petronas stations listed below will be upgraded to faster DC chargers, though this is merely an educated guess on our part.

It’s also possible that ChargEV will install newer AC chargers at these Petronas stations. After all, the current AC chargers are quite dated, which requires a physical ChargEV card to be activated. More modern AC chargers can simply be activated through various apps, including the
ChargEV app
.

We’ll find out just what the upgrade entails once ChargEV completes its upgrade works at these Petronas stations. As more EV models are introduced in Malaysia, it’s great to see improvements to the local EV charging infrastructure.


URL Links Sent Over SMS Will Be Blocked From 2 May 2023

If you (for some reason) regularly send URL links over SMS, do note that this will be blocked starting from 2 May 2023 next week. This was announced
back in February 2023
 by the Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The main objective of this initiative is to prevent consumers from becoming victims of online scams through the use of phishing websites. Interestingly, this block is applicable to SMS (sent and received) from both local and international mobile numbers.

Although the initiative was announced earlier this year, local telcos recently sent out an SMS informing customers of this directive,
as reported by Amanz
. At the moment, only SMS with URL links sent from personal numbers will be blocked from 2 May next week. SMS sent by businesses via short codes can still contain URL links, but this
will also be blocked in the near future
.


Deal: Sony WF-1000XM4 Gets Huge Discount – Now Only RM579

The
Sony WF-1000XM4
 was originally launched back in 2021, and to date, it is still Sony’s flagship wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC). Given that it’s been quite some time since its launch, the earbuds are now more affordable than ever: you can get it
for only RM579
.

This deal is offered by WeSave.my on Lazada, which is quite a reputable retailer. The WF-1000XM4 is
listed at RM629
 on the store, and with the
complimentary RM50 TNG eWallet credit
, you’re essentially paying only RM579 for the wireless earbuds – a huge discount compared to its RM1,099 launch price.

Although the WF-1000XM4 isn’t a particularly new pair of wireless earbuds, it can still hold its own against the latest offerings,
especially

for only RM5
7
9
. It has a warm, “fun” sound signature that complements pop music very well, and it offers pretty darn long battery life as well.

If you want to learn more about the Sony WF-1000XM4, check out our
full review of the wireless earbuds
. Again,
for only RM579
, its value proposition is very good, even if its successor could be
just around the corner
.


Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 Now in Malaysia – RTX 4060/4050 Laptop From RM4,899

As promised, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is now available in Malaysia. Launched globally
just a couple of weeks ago
, the Neo 16 is touted as a value for money gaming laptop, and it also has a unique-looking lid with “laser-etched encrypted codes” with a hidden message of sorts.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the Predator Helios Neo 16 are available in Malaysia. The base model features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, a 13th gen Intel Core i5-13500HX processor paired with 8GB of RAM, as well as a 512GB PCIe NVMe Gen4 SSD; all for RM4,899.

As for the higher-end RM6,399 configuration of the Helios Neo 16, it comes with a faster RTX 4060 GPU and a Core i7-13700HX processor. It also has more RAM and SSD storage at 16GB and 1TB respectively, not to mention a sharper display.

Speaking of which, the Helios Neo 16 features two screen options on our shores. The RTX 4060 variant has a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate, while the more affordable RTX 4050 model comes with a 1920 x 1200 screen with the same refresh rate. Both panel options support Nvidia Advanced Optimus and G-Sync.

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 is
now available for purchase

in Malaysia from RM4,899
. Those who get the gaming laptop by 8 May will receive free gifts worth RM956, including a Predator-branded backpack, a Predator Cestus 330 mouse, a Predator cap, and Acer SuperCare 2 warranty that provides a 3-year on-site warranty with accidental damage and theft coverage.


Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores Review: A (Great) Reason to Return

I have a confession: I have not fired up
Horizon Forbidden West
 since I reviewed it a year ago. So when I was given the opportunity to review its new DLC,
Burning Shores
, I thought it’d be a great time to get back into Guerrilla’s latest masterpiece.

For a DLC that
costs only RM79
, Burning Shores offers a lot of game for not a lot of money. I also love the fact that it continues the narrative of Horizon Forbidden West, which is one of the game’s best qualities. With a whole new area to explore along with some new weapons and machines, it’s a DLC that’s well worth getting.

What It Is

Burning Shores picks up right where the main storyline of Horizon Forbidden West left off, which is great as I wasn’t thrilled by the cliffhanger ending of the original game. That also means you have to complete all main quests in Forbidden West first before you can venture to the new region.

The Burning Shores is basically the “post-post-apocalyptic” ruins of Los Angeles, and you can still see the iconic Hollywood sign as you go around the new area. Despite the rather…well, uninviting name, there are many parts of the Burning Shores that look very scenic.

Heck, even the lava flows look charming (and deadly).

Of course, it’s a new threat that brings Aloy to the Burning Shores, and she meets a new character here, Seyka. Without going into too much detail, there’s a good chance we will see more of her in the next sequel of the Horizon franchise – she plays quite a central role in the story of this expansion.

The Good Stuff

Since we’re on the topic, the new story of Burning Shores is very engrossing. It has a much better ending than the original story of Forbidden West, and it gives us a better idea of what to expect in the next instalment of the game. Compared to, say, the Frozen Wilds DLC for Horizon Zero Dawn, Burning Shores feels like a more compulsory play.

In terms of visuals, it’s no surprise that Burning Shores continues to look stunning. Whether it’s the vast landscape or character models, everything is rendered in incredible detail. In my opinion, not many games – even taking into account AAA titles – offer this level of visual fidelity.

The amazing visuals of Burning Shores is especially evident in the final boss fight. Without getting into spoiler territory – this review is as spoiler-free as possible – let’s just say it is
absolutely
 a sight to behold, both in terms of visual and scale.

As much as I enjoy playing Horizon Forbidden West, I’m not too fond of the weapon offerings in the game, which is mainly focused on the bow and arrow. So when I come across this one new weapon type in Burning Shores – which is teased in the trailer below – it immediately became my favourite weapon to wield. It adds even more depth to the weapon system of the game.

As mentioned, there are several new machines found in Burning Shores too, which are quite fun to engage. The frog-like Bilegut, while frustrating to handle at first – I’m partly to blame, given that I didn’t level up my equipment as much as I should – does feel satisfying to take down once I got the right strategy nailed down.

Unfortunately, besides the Bilegut, there aren’t that many new machines introduced in Burning Shores, which is fine to me. After all, Horizon Forbidden West itself already has a wide variety of machines to take down.

The Bad Stuff

While I love the story that Burning Shores brings, I’m not a fan of the main antagonist, which is…well, one-dimensional. The villain is mainly here as a plot device to move the story forward, for better or worse, and in this regard, the main storyline of Forbidden West has more sophisticated antagonists.

And then there’s the fact that the Burning Shores DLC is exclusive to the PS5. If you’re on the PS4, the only way you can enjoy the new story is to watch a playthrough of it. This is unfortunate, given that Burning Shores is a must-play (in my opinion) before the third Horizon game comes out sometime in the future.

Is It Worth It?

Nonetheless,
for only RM79
, the Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West is absolutely worth getting if you have the game on the PS5. It’s a stunning new region to explore, the new weapon type is very fun to wield, and most importantly, it’s a vital continuation of the game’s overarching plot.

It’s a shame that the Burning Shores expansion is exclusive to the PS5, especially for a game that’s available on both the PS4 and PS5. Nonetheless, if you have access to the DLC, and you’re eager to jump back into the world of Horizon, Burning Shores is worth every penny.


BMW CE 04 Electric Scooter Costs RM59,500 in Malaysia

The BMW CE 04 was teased for the Malaysian market earlier this year, and today, the local pricing of the electric scooter has finally been revealed. One of the main selling points of the CE 04 is its sleek-looking futuristic design, not to mention pretty respectable performance.

For the Malaysian market, the CE 04 is priced at RM59,500 on-the-road without insurance; it also comes with a 3-year warranty and 3-year roadside assistance. BMW group also offers a financing plan for the CE 04, which starts at RM728 per month based on the Balloon Financing estimates of an 80% loan on a 4-year tenure.

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

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

To recap, the BMW CE 04 is priced at RM59,500 in Malaysia, which is quite a bit lower than the asking prices of the electric scooter in other markets, thanks to
tax exemptions gi
v
en to EVs on our shores
.


Proton X50 R3 20th Anniversary Edition – 200 Units, October 2023 Delivery

Now this is interesting: Proton is showing off a new variant of the Proton X50 at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023. Given that this is a limited edition model, only 200 units of the hugely popular SUV are available, and bookings can only be made at the event.

Based on the Flagship model, we were told that the R3 edition of the X50 will (likely) be a cosmetic upgrade over the regular version of the SUV. It comes in R3’s signature black and yellow colour scheme with various yellow highlights throughout the exterior.

Some unique design elements of the X50 R3 include a matte black paint job, an R3 aerokit, a bonnet stripe, and even sleek 18-inch alloy wheels. All in all, it looks properly sporty, though do note that the model pictured here is only a “concept,” as the name plate suggests. The final consumer version of the SUV may look different.

Speaking of which, while bookings of the R3 edition X50 will be opened at the Malaysia Autoshow, deliveries are only expected to start sometime in October 2023. While that’s quite a bit of wait, you
are
 getting a limited edition model.

Pricing details of the Proton X50 R3 20th Anniversary Edition have not been revealed yet, though a Proton representative said it will be priced slightly higher than the regular Flagship model, which is currently going for RM113,300. Nonetheless, if you’re keen to get the X50 R3, head on to the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 – it will be open to the public from 4 to 7 May.

As mentioned, only 200 units of the limited edition SUV are available, so you may want to place a booking as soon as you can at the event.


Neta V Is the Most Affordable EV in Malaysia for RM99,800 – RM10k Cash Voucher, up to 380km Range

There’s a new EV in town, and it is now the most affordable vehicle of its kind in Malaysia. Enter the Neta V, which has been brought into Malaysia by Intro Synergy, the sole distributor of Neta cars on our shores. Not only is the EV affordable, early birds can even get a respectable RM10,000 rebate on it.

Here in Malaysia, the Neta V is available in the sole Deluxe variant for RM99,800; just shy of the RM100,000 mark. Coupled with the RM10,000 rebate – though this is limited to the first 100 orders – the EV can be bought for only RM89,800; on-the-road pricing without insurance.

For that kind of money, the Neta V offers a range of up to 380km (following the NEDC standard) out of its 38.54kWh battery. It supports up to 100W DC fast charging too, which can juice up the battery from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. With a slower 6.6kW AC home charger, it can be charged from empty to full in 8 hours.

Performance wise, the Neta V’s front-mounted electric motor outputs a modest 95PS and 160Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0-50kmph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 120kmph. Safety wise, it features two airbags – yes, only two – ABS, EBD, ESC, and passive cruise control.

The Neta V gets 16-inch alloy wheels

The Neta V will be available for viewing at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 from 4 to 7 May at MAEPS Serdang. The first 100 folks who
book the EV online
 by 10PM on 7 May will get the aforementioned RM10,000 rebate, bringing down the price of the Neta V to RM89,800. Deliveries are expected to begin in Q3 2023.


4 – 10 May Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.35 Per Litre

Another week, another fuel price update, and RON 97 continues to remain at the same price. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

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

These prices will be in effect from 4 to 10 May next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Perodua EMO EV Concept Is a Glimpse of Electric Myvi – 300kW Charging, up to 350km Range

At the ongoing Malaysia Autoshow 2023, Perodua showed off a rather interesting concept. The Perodua EMO – which stands for Electric Motion Online – is an EV that looks strikingly similar to the Myvi, and it’s a glimpse of what Perodua’s electrified future could look like.

Despite being a concept product, Perodua actually gave a rather detailed spec sheet of the EMO. It’s said to be a B-segment hatchback that measures 3,895mm long, 1,735mm wide, and 1,515mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,500mm. These are (not surprisingly) the exact same dimensions as the latest
Myvi
.

Aside from that, the EMO concept is also said to offer 95PS and 121Nm of torque, allowing it to do the century sprint in 10 seconds with a top speed of 160kmph. It comes with a 50kWh battery that promises between 300km to 350km of range as well, along with support for fast 300kW DC charging that takes only 20 minutes to reach 80% battery level.

It’ll be a while before the Perodua EMO concept becomes a consumer-ready product (if ever), but its outlined features do make for a compelling EV for the right price. If you’d like to check out the EMO in person, check out Perodua’s booth at the Malaysia Autoshow until 7 May 2023.


Tecno Phantom V Fold Now in Malaysia – Dimensity 9000+ Foldable Phone For RM4,999

Tecno has launched a new foldable phone on our shores, the Tecno Phantom V Fold, and it’s pretty darn affordable. While the Chinese company isn’t widely known in the smartphone market, the foldable device does look quite promising for the money – on paper, at least.

Only one variant of the Phantom V Fold is offered in Malaysia. Sporting 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, it retails at only RM4,999. This price tag undercuts other foldable phones in our market now, including the
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
 and
Honor Magic Vs
.

For that kind of money, the Phantom features a MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset, a 7.85-inch 2296 x 2000 AMOLED primary display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 6.42-inch 2550 x 1080 AMOLED cover screen with the same 120Hz refresh rate, as well as 16MP and 32MP selfie cameras for the inner and cover screens respectively.

Other specifications of the Phantom include a triple camera system (50MP primary + 50MP telephoto + 13MP ultra-wide angle), a 5,000maAh battery with 45W fast charging, and HiOS 13 Fold based on Android 13 out of the box.

The Tecno Phantom V Fold is now available for pre-order in Malaysia for RM4,999 through
Shopee
 and
Lazada
. More details on the foldable phone can be found on
Tecno’s official website
.


Book & Drive Home a Perodua in Only 2 Hours at Malaysia Autoshow 2023

Aside from showcasing its
EMO EV concept
, Perodua is also running a rather intriguing exclusive promotion at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023. The “
2 Hours Challenge
” allows visitors to book and drive home a brand new Perodua car
within two hours
 at the event.

However, visitors are required to bring a number of documents for the loan application process. These include your latest three or six months payslips; bank account and EPF statements; EA form and employment letter; as well as your IC and driving license.

Yes, quite a number of documents are needed for the 2 Hours Challenge, but the fact that you can book and drive home a new car within two hours is pretty darn interesting. This is especially the case if you don’t want to wait too long to take delivery of your car, though we reckon this offer won’t be applicable to every Perodua model.

Nonetheless, if you’re keen to give Perodua’s 2 Hours Challenge a try, head on to its booth at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023, which is ongoing right now at MAEPS Serdang until 7 May this Sunday. As mentioned, this promotion is only valid at the event.


Nothing Phone 2 Teased – Powered by Snapdragon 8 Series, Coming by September 2023

It looks like Nothing is gearing up to launch a successor to the
Nothing Phone 1
. Dubbed Nothing Phone 2 (naturally), the upcoming phone is said to be a “premium move,” and it will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series chipset.

That is quite a change over the Snapdragon 778G+ chip used in the Nothing Phone 1, though the Nothing Phone 2 won’t be using the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Instead, it’s believed that the phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset instead; still a very capable chip, of course.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nothing (@nothing)

As the teaser above shows, the Nothing Phone 2 is retaining the see-through design of its predecessor. It’s becoming the brand’s signature design language, so it only makes sense for the new phone to continue offering this feature as a unique appeal.

The Nothing Phone 2 is set to be launched sometime in summer 2023, which is between June to September. With that in mind, it’s entirely possible Nothing’s new smartphone will arrive as early as next month, though we reckon it will make its debut sometime in July instead, just like the Nothing Phone 1 last year.


Unreleased Beats Studio Buds Plus Coming to Malaysia Soon

The Beats Studio Buds Plus is rumoured to be introduced on 18 May, and it seems like Malaysia will be one of the first markets to get the upcoming wireless earbuds. Sporting a new transparent colour option with some notable upgrades, Beats’ latest earbuds look quite compelling.

As usual, we were going through SIRIM’s database when we came across two curious devices dubbed A2871 and A2872. Registered just two days ago on 3 May, these are actually the model numbers of the Beats Studio Buds Plus; each earbud has its own model number.

Aside from its transparent design, the Beats Studio Buds Plus is said to offer improved active noise cancellation compared to its predecessor. It promises better transparency mode too, along with up to 36 hours of total battery life.

Now that the Beats Studio Buds Plus has been registered with SIRIM, we reckon it will be available in Malaysia shortly after its debut on 18 May. A previous leak suggests that it will be priced at $169.95 (about RM755), so we just have to wait for the official release to see if this price tag is legitimate.


Proton X90 Launched in Malaysia From RM123,800 – Mild Hybrid Premium SUV

The
Proton X90
 is finally here in Malaysia! Offered in four different variants, the premium D-segment SUV is the national carmaker’s first new energy vehicle (NEV) with a mild hybrid system, which is standard across the range – yes, even the most affordable model features the same powertrain.

First, prices. The base Standard X90 is priced at RM123,800, while the Executive model goes for RM130,800. Another tier up is the Premium variant for RM144,800, while the range-topping Flagship trim carries a RM152,800 price tag.

Out of the four different variants of the X90, the Flagship trim is the only model with six seats. There are individual “captain seats” for the second row, as you can see in the interior shot above. Based on our brief time with the X90, it does feel very much like a premium SUV. It looks and feels great, and all seven seats – or six seats for the Flagship model – are comfortable, though the third row does have pretty limited leg room.

But in terms of practicality, the X90 ticks all the boxes. Not only are there dedicated USB-A charging ports for all passengers – the second row even gets a USB-C charger – they also get individual air-conditioning vents; great for those
balik kampung
 trips.

If you need to transport large items with the X90, you’ll be happy to know that the D-segment SUV offers up to a whopping 2,050L of boot space with the seats folded down. That is
a lot
 of space.

As mentioned, the X90 is Proton’s first new energy vehicle (NEV) with a mild hybrid system. Its 1.5L TGDi three-cylinder turbo engine is paired with a 48V electric motor synergy (EMS) system that offers a combined output of 190PS and 300Nm of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. According to Proton, this mild hybrid system offers up to 15% improvement with a quoted fuel efficiency of 6.8L/100km.

In the safety department, the X90 features Proton’s most elaborate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) yet, which is available on the Premium and Flagship models. The ADAS is said to offer a sophisticated level 2 autonomous driving, including three new features: rear collision warning (RCW), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and traffic sign information (TSI).

Yes, the X90’s ADAS can detect and display road signs in Malaysia.

To recap, the Proton X90 is priced from RM123,800 to RM152,800, undercutting its competition by quite a bit as a premium D-segment SUV. Bookings for the X90 are now open, though there’s no mention of any expected waiting time.


Proton Will Release “At Least” One NEV Model Every Year

At the local launch of the
Proton X90
, the national carmaker revealed its NEV (new energy vehicle) plans. According to Proton, it will introduce
at least
 one NEV model every year, so we can expect the company to add more hybrid – or even electric – vehicles to its model lineup in the future.

In order to accomplish this, Proton will have full support from Geely. The Chinese carmaker will also aid Proton in cultivating over 5,000 NEV talents within the next five years, alongside developing an NEV ecology in Malaysia with the goal of helping Proton to become a “leader of new energy vehicles in ASEAN countries.”

The first step of Proton’s NEV plans is the introduction of the Proton X90, which features a mild hybrid system. Later this year in Q4 2023, the national carmaker – under its Pro-Net subsidiary – is bringing in the
Smart #1
 electric SUV as well, with the
Smart #3
 following suit sometime in the future.

Proton’s NEV plans are certainly enticing for folks who want to move away from more conventional ICE vehicles. Previously, the company revealed that it aims to release its own EV sometime in 2025, so perhaps Proton will continue to look into introducing a hybrid model for 2024.


Asus ROG Ally Coming to Malaysia Q3 2023

The Asus ROG Ally will be officially introduced later this week on 11 May. Ahead of its launch, we managed to spend a brief time with the handheld gaming console at a media preview, and we were told that the Ally will be coming to Malaysia as early as Q3 2023.

With that in mind, the ROG Ally could arrive on our shores as early as July 2023, though this is the best case scenario. Given that the console has not been launched yet, there’s no word on the local pricing of the Ally either, though an
earlier leak claims that it will retail at $699 (about RM3,100)
 for the range-topping AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme model.

Compared to its main competition, the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally offers a number of upgrades, including a higher resolution 7-inch 1920 x 1080 display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, has lower resolution 60Hz panel, though it has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio.

Aside from that, the ROG Ally can also be connected to the (proprietary) ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure for higher fidelity gaming. It’s said to run on Windows 11 as well, so it’ll be interesting to see how this would impact the battery life of the handheld gaming console.

Other specifications of the Ally include up to 16GB of LPDDR5 dual-channel RAM and 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD – this is said to be upgradable – a microSD card slot for further storage expansion, as well as a lightweight chassis that tips the scales at 608g.

The Asus ROG Ally will debut this Thursday on 11 May. Though it’s only set to arrive in Malaysia sometime in Q3 2023 – so that would be July at the earliest – it’s good that we have confirmation on the local availability of the handheld gaming console. We’ll find out later this week just how much the Ally will be priced at.


Proton Sold 9,415 Units in April 2023 – X50 Continues to Lead SUV Market

Things are certainly looking up for Proton. The national carmaker managed to sell 9,415 units (including export sales) in April 2023 last month, which translates to a 6.5% improvement over its
April 2022 sales
. This is despite the shortened sales and production time due to the Hari Raya holiday period.

Not surprisingly, the hugely popular
Proton X50
 continues to lead both the B-segment SUV market and the overall SUV market. With 2,644 units sold, as many as 12,312 units of the X50 have been delivered up to April 2023; a respectable figure.

Aside from the X50, the Persona and Exora continue to lead their respective segments too with 1,263 and 465 units sold respectively in April 2023. As for Proton’s best-selling model, it is none other than the Saga with 3,949 units sold last month, bringing the A-segment sedan’s total sales for 2023 to 21,395 units.

Now that the Proton X90 has been launched, we reckon the national carmaker’s sales will see further growth. After all, the premium D-segment’s value proposition is really quite good – more details on the X90
here
.


Asus ROG Ally Hands-on: The Most Exciting Handheld Console to Date

What started as an April Fools’ joke turned out to be quite an exciting product. If you’re in the market for a handheld gaming PC, the Asus ROG Ally should definitely be in your shortlist. It’s the first of (hopefully) more portable machines powered by AMD’s new Ryzen Z1 chips.

After spending a brief time with the ROG Ally, I absolutely cannot wait to put the handheld gaming machine through its paces. It’s a very promising device for gamers on the go, and if it’s priced right – as per an
earlier leak
 – it could prove to be a winner for Asus.

Compared to its main competition, Valve’s Steam Deck, the ROG Ally has a number of advantages. Its display, for one, is a higher resolution 7-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, has a lower resolution 7-inch 1280 x 800 with a 60Hz refresh rate, though it has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio.

So how good is the display quality of the ROG Ally? Well, it’s above average. The 120Hz display lends to excellent motion clarity, and with a peak brightness of 500 nits, it’s bright enough to provide a comfortable gaming experience. However, I do wish the viewing angles were better; the display dims quite a bit when it’s viewed at a slight angle.

I’m not too crazy about the rather sizeable bezels surrounding the screen either.

Next, there’s the performance level of the ROG Ally, which is quite impressive. The unit I tested is the range-topping Ryzen Z1 Extreme model, and it can run titles like Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak and Street Fighter 6 at a reasonably high (and consistent) frame rate.

Granted, I need to lower the graphics settings so that the ROG Ally can run these games at a higher frame rate, but not by a whole lot. The games still look great on the Ally, and the fact that I don’t have to sacrifice too much visual fidelity to get a smooth gameplay experience on this handheld gaming PC is surreal.

It’s also worth noting that the ROG Ally remains (surprisingly) quiet when I was running some games on it. Heat doesn’t transfer to touch points either, though the top of the handheld does get quite warm after some time.

In terms of build quality, the ROG Ally doesn’t feel cheap at all, though it also doesn’t feel particularly premium. Don’t get me wrong, the handheld gaming PC feels nice to hold in my hands, but the textured plastic chassis doesn’t exactly feel…well, expensive.

But to the Ally’s credit, its buttons do feel great to actuate with good tactile feedback. The two analog sticks, while not particularly firm – they feel a tad too loose for my liking – are large enough for comfortable use. All in all, the Ally’s input devices are good, which is important for a gaming-focused device.

Also important to a handheld gaming device is battery life, and this is still a question mark for the ROG Ally. After all, I only had a brief amount of time with the machine, so I don’t exactly have a feel for its battery life yet. For what it’s worth, I did notice that a few matches in Street Fighter 6 take up about 10% of battery life, and Asus quotes up to two hours of heavy gaming in performance mode.

Of course, I’ll test the Ally’s battery life more thoroughly in the full review. It’ll be interesting to see how long the 40Wh battery can last on a single charge, given that it is basically a compact PC running a full-blown version of Windows 11.

While that does give the Ally the freedom to install any game that runs on Windows, that also means it will draw the same amount of power as a regular Windows machine.

Nonetheless, the Asus ROG Ally is a very interesting handheld gaming PC, and I’d even go as far as to say that it is the most exciting device of its kind to date. Until other companies release similar products powered by AMD’s new Z1 chips – which is “temporarily” exclusive to Asus – the Ally is the only handheld I can comfortably recommend right now.

Yes, I’d wholeheartedly recommend the Ally over the Steam Deck, especially here in Malaysia. The thing is, while the latter is available for purchase on our shores, it doesn’t come with official warranty support. If anything were to go wrong in the product’s lifetime, trying to get it fixed may prove to be a challenge.

Naturally, this won’t be an issue with the Ally once Asus Malaysia brings in the handheld PC
sometime in Q3 2023
.

The ROG Ally will be officially introduced later this week on 11 May. The pricing of the handheld gaming PC will be unveiled then, and if the
leaked pricing of the range-topping Z1 Extreme model
 prove to be accurate at $699 (about RM3,105), it will almost surely sell like hot cakes.


Poco F5 Pro Unleashed in Malaysia for RM2,099 – Early Birds Get up to RM200 Discount

Poco just unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the Poco F5 Pro. Sporting last year’s (but still very capable) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the F5 Pro is a reasonably well-equipped phone with decent value for money.

For the Malaysian market, as many as three variants of the F5 Pro are offered here. The base 8GB + 256GB model is priced at RM2,099, while the 12GB + 256GB configuration goes for RM2,199. As for the range-topping 12GB + 512GB variant, it’s priced at RM2,399.

It’s worth noting that early birds can get a discount on the F5 Pro. The range-topping RM2,399 model gets a RM200 discount, while the other two models receive a RM100 rebate. These promotional prices are valid while stocks last on
Lazada
.

For that kind of money, the Poco F5 Pro features the aforementioned Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. While it’s not quite as exciting as the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, it’s still a fast processor that will be able to provide flagship-class performance.

Other specifications of the F5 Pro include a sharp 6.67-inch 3200 x 1440 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,160mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging. Interestingly, it can do 30W wireless fast charging too.

The Poco F5 Pro is now available for purchase in Malaysia. To recap, the phone retails from RM2,099, and early birds can get up to RM200 discount on the phone while stocks last.


Poco F5 With Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Also Launched in Malaysia – Starts at RM1,699

Launched alongside the F5 Pro is the more affordable Poco F5. Given its more budget-friendly nature, the F5 features slightly more modest hardware, but powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, it’s still quite a capable phone.

Two variants of the F5 are offered in Malaysia. The 8GB + 256GB model is priced at RM1,699, while the 12GB + 256GB configuration goes for RM1,799. While stocks last, a RM300 discount is offered for both variants through
Shopee
, bringing down the starting price of the phone to only RM1,399.

One of the unique selling points of the F5 is its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chip. In fact, it is the first phone in Malaysia with this SoC. Based on early impressions, it’s quite a capable chip that will be able to offer a good level of performance.

Rounding out the specifications of the F5 are a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging.

The Poco F5 is now available for purchase in Malaysia; the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB models retail at RM1,699 and RM1,799 respectively. As mentioned, early birds can get a RM300 discount on each variant while stocks fast.


Apple Adds Final Cut Pro & Logic Pro to iPad – Subscription-Based From RM22.90

The iPad just got more powerful with the addition of Apple’s two popular software: Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The two apps are offered on a subscription basis for the tablet, which starts at RM22.90 per month.

This is quite a bit more affordable than buying Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for a Mac, which are priced at RM1,299.90 and RM999.90 respectively. Despite the price difference on a Mac, the two apps cost the same on the iPad: RM22.90 per month (as mentioned) or RM199 for an annual subscription.

Of course, Apple did add some new features to the iPad version of the two apps. In the case of Final Cut Pro, there is a new touch interface (naturally) along with a jog wheel that lets users “interact with content in completely new ways,” as the Cupertino company puts it.

As for Logic Pro, support for touch controls – including pinch to zoom and swipe to scroll – allows users to play software instruments and navigate around the app more intuitively. If you prefer more traditional keyboard controls for the two apps, you can still use them by connecting the iPad to a Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard Folio.

If you want to give the two apps a try, a one-month free trial will be offered for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on iPad. Both apps will be available for Apple’s tablet from 24 May later this month.


Asus ROG Phone 7 Series Lands in Malaysia – Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Gaming Phone From RM3,599

Initially unveiled last month, the
Asus ROG Phone 7
 and the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate have landed in Malaysia today. For the most part, these two phones feature very similar hardware, though the Ultimate model does come with a rather unique cooling system.

First up, prices. For the Malaysian market, the standard ROG Phone 7 starts at RM3,599 for the 12GB + 256GB model, while the 16GB + 512GB configuration goes for RM4,299. As for the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate (16GB + 512GB) with a more robust cooling solution, it’s priced at RM4,999, which includes the AeroActive Cooler 7.

One of the most unique features of the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is its AeroActive Portal, which is a port on the back of the phone that opens up when the AeroActive Cooler 7 is connected. This allows for “nearly 1L of cold air per second” to be blown directly to the heat dissipation fins (in the vapour chamber) that are connected to the CPU. It’s worth noting that the AeroActive Cooler 7 is also packed with a
subwoofer
 now for improved bass response.

Aside from that, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, just like last year’s model, features a ROG Vision color PMOLED display on the back panel. It can show customisable graphics for various scenarios, including incoming calls, launching a game, or entering the phone’s high performance “X Mode.”

Beyond these differences, the ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate have the same hardware. These include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a 6.78-inch 2448 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 6,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

The standard Asus ROG Phone 7

The Asus ROG Phone 7 is now available for purchase in Malaysia from RM3,599, while the Ultimate model will arrive here on 15 May. Asus Malaysia is also running a roadshow at the Centre Court of Pavilion Bukit Jalil to showcase its latest gaming phones, which is happening now until 14 May this Sunday. You can get freebies worth up to RM946 by purchasing the phone at the roadshow or through
Asus’ online store
.


Asus ROG Phone 7 Review: Even Faster Gaming Phone For the Same Price

The Asus ROG Phone 7 isn’t remarkably different from the
ROG Phone 6
. While it does feature a sleeker-looking design with a dual tone finish, it still has largely the same aesthetics. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, given that the gaming phone maintains the same RM3,599 starting price as last year’s model.

While the ROG Phone 7 doesn’t see any major design overhaul, it sees quite a bit of change under the hood. Thanks to the faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, longer battery life, and a brighter AMOLED display, the ROG Phone 7 is certainly an improvement over its predecessor.

Essentially, it is a better, more powerful gaming phone for the same amount of money, though it still has its fair share of shortcoming.

What It Is

Display
6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED (2448 x 1080), 165Hz
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 3.19GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 740
RAM
12/16GB
Storage
256/512GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.9, PDAF
13MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
5MP f/2.0 (macro)
Camera (front)
32MP f/2.5
Battery
6,000mAh with 65W fast charging
Dimensions
173 x 77 x 10.3 mm
Weight
239g
OS
Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.3
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be (2.4/5/6GHz)
USB Type-C
3.5mm headphone jack
Price
RM3,599 (12GB + 256GB), RM4,299 (16GB + 512GB)

The ROG Phone 7 is offered in two variants: the 12GB + 256GB model costs RM3,599, while the 16GB + 512GB configuration – which I am reviewing here – goes for RM4,299. It’s worth noting that this price tag is actually
RM100 less
 than the ROG Phone 6 with similar RAM and storage capacities
at launch
. Very interesting.

Anyway, hardware wise, there’s no denying that the ROG Phone 7 is a flagship-tier gaming phone through and through. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 can provide excellent gaming performance, the 165Hz AMOLED display is fast and vibrant, and while the 6,000mAh battery is unchanged from its predecessor, it can actually provide better battery life; more on this later.

The Good Stuff

Given that this is a gaming-centric phone, let’s talk about the performance of the ROG Phone 7 first. Needless to say, it’s a fast, very responsive device. I can seamlessly switch between different apps without losing a beat, and it can run even the most demanding games – including
Genshin Impact
 and
Honkai: Star Rail
 – at maxed out graphics settings quite well.

There’s no denying that the ROG Phone 7 is one of the best Android phones to get now if you’re an avid mobile gamer, though I’d argue that the
iPhone 14
 (or even the
iPhone 13
) series still offer better raw performance. But then again, not many phones offer the practicality of the ROG Phone 7’s capacitive shoulder buttons, which are still intuitive to use.

Next, we have the 6.78-inch 1080p AMOLED display of the ROG Phone 7. This being an AMOLED panel, it has all the typical traits of the screen technology, including vibrant, punchy colours; wide viewing angles; and most importantly, deep, pitch blacks. Whether I’m gaming or streaming a show, this AMOLED display makes it an enjoyable experience.

The 165Hz refresh rate of the ROG Phone 7 is worth a mention too. Compared to a 120Hz screen typically found on today’s flagship phones, this 165Hz panel is noticeably smoother, though only when I’m comparing them side by side. Nonetheless, there is definitely tangible difference.

And then there’s the
excellent
 battery life of the ROG Phone 7. Throughout the review period, the phone almost never ran out of juice in my typical day of use, which involves a ton of web browsing, content consumption, and of course, gaming. As you can see above, even with seven hours of screen on time, the phone still has 20% battery left – that’s notably better than the ROG Phone 6’s battery life.

Last but not least is the overall design of the ROG Phone 7. I really like the dual tone finish on the back of this Phantom Black model that separates the two halves of the phone. The bottom portion has a matte finish, while the top features a glossy surface with “translucent elements,” as Asus puts it.

Compared to the ROG Phone 6, this is certainly a better-looking phone, in my opinion.

The Bad Stuff

At a glance, the camera setup of the Asus ROG Phone 7 is unchanged. It still features a triple camera system with a 50MP primary shooter, a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 5MP macro sensor. But after putting the camera through its paces, I’m surprised that the gaming phone can actually take better shots over last year’s model.

This is especially evident in more challenging lighting situations. The ROG Phone 7’s 50MP primary camera can finally get the right level of exposure, and the image quality of the 13MP ultra-wide angle shooter is actually quite good…for the most part. As much as I appreciate the improved camera performance, the colour reproduction of both sensors could be better, as you can see below.

50MP primary

13MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

13MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

13MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

13MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

13MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

50MP primary

On top of that, the ROG Phone 7’s camera feels sluggish in low light conditions, negatively impacting the shooting experience. Because of this, I don’t quite trust the camera to capture the shots I want in every situation. Granted, this
is
 a gaming-centric phone, so camera performance is (likely) not the main focus in its product development.

My last qualm with the ROG Phone 7 is its sheer size. Measuring 173mm tall with a 10.3mm profile, it is taller and chunkier than, say, the (already sizeable)
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
. Yes, Asus does make good use of the extra thickness by putting in a large battery into the phone, but that also makes it difficult to put the phone into my pocket sometimes.

Is It Worth It?

For avid mobile gamers that want excellent gaming performance – without going the iPhone route – the Asus ROG Phone 7 is absolutely worth it. Retailing at RM3,599, it doesn’t exactly offer the best value proposition, but that’s the price you have to pay for a high-end gaming phone like this.

While I do wish the ROG Phone 7 had better camera performance with a more streamlined, less chunky design, there is no denying that it is a capable flagship-tier phone that aims to offer the best gaming experience on the go. In this regard, the ROG Phone 7 accomplishes its mission.


11 – 17 May Fuel Price: RON 97 Maintains at RM3.35 Per Litre

Another week, another fuel price update, and RON 97 continues to remain at the same price. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

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

These prices will be in effect from 11 to 17 May next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Google Unveils 3 New Pixel Devices: $1,799 Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet

Google unveiled a slew of new hardware at its annual Google I/O keynote. These include the Pixel 7A smartphone, a new Pixel Tablet, and the most exciting of the bunch, the Pixel Fold foldable smartphone akin to
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4
.

Pixel Fold

It’s been rumoured (and leaked) for quite some time now, so it’s good to finally see the Pixel Fold materialise. It has the same tablet-like form factor as the Galaxy Z Fold 4, though it is more compact and it closes flat; there are no gaps when the device is folded.

Aside from that, the Pixel Fold also features a 7.6-inch 2208 x 1840 inner display along with a 5.8-inch 2092 x 1080 cover screen – both are OLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate – Google’s Tensor G2 chip paired with 12GB of RAM and 256/512GB storage, a triple camera system (48MP primary + 10.8MP ultra-wide + 10.8MP telephoto), a 9.5MP selfie camera on the cover screen (8MP for the inner screen), and a 4,821mAh battery.

The Pixel Fold is available for pre-order in the US now for a cool $1,799, which comes up to about RM8,030.

Pixel 7a

And then we have the budget-friendly Pixel 7a. Despite its more affordable nature, it’s still powered by the same Tensor G2 processor as the rest of the current Pixel lineup, including the
Pixel 7 series
 and Pixel Fold. With that in mind, it should be able to offer a good level of performance.

Other specifications of the Pixel 7a include a 6.1-inch 2400 x 1080 OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a dual camera system (64MP main + 13MP ultra-wide), a 13MP selfie camera, and a 4,385mAh battery. The phone is now available for purchase in the US for $499 (about RM2,225).

Pixel Tablet

Last but not least is the Pixel Tablet, which doubles as a…tablet, and a smart display (to an extent) when it’s connected to the provided Charging Speaker Dock. Just like the other Pixel devices here, the Pixel Tablet is powered by the same Tensor G2 chip.

Rounding out the specifications of the Pixel Tablet are a 10.95-inch 2560 x 1600 LCD display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, 8MP cameras on the front and back, as well as a 27Wh battery. The tablet is currently on pre-order (in the US, naturally) from $499, the same price point as the Pixel 7a.

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that any of these Pixel devices will be officially available in Malaysia, given the absence of Google’s range of hardware on our shores. Nonetheless, expect parallel importers to bring in the products here, for better or worse.


Sony Xperia 1 V Unveiled With “Next-Gen Sensor” & 4K OLED Display

The Sony Xperia 1 V is here, and it promises even better camera performance over its predecessor. According to Sony, the new flagship phone features a next-gen sensor with next-gen imaging, allowing it to take low light images “never thought possible on a smartphone,” as the company puts it.

A triple camera system is on the back of the Xperia 1 V, which is made up of a 52MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 12MP telephoto lens. According to Sony, the new 52MP shooter allows the phone to capture “2x better” low light shots than last year’s
Xperia 1 IV
.

Other specifications of the Xperia 1 V include a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB expandable storage, a 12MP selfie camera, a 5,000mAh battery, as well as IP65/68 water and dust resistance.

The Sony Xperia 1 V will start shipping sometime in late June next month, and it’s set to retail from 1,399 euro (about RM6,835) in European markets. No word yet on the Malaysian availability of Sony’s latest flagship phone, though we reckon Sony Malaysia will bring the phone here in due time.


Sony Xperia 10 V Is a Lightweight, Water-Resistant Snapdragon 695 Phone for RM2,199

Introduced alongside the higher-end Xperia 1 V is the more affordable Sony Xperia 10 V. At a glance, it is strikingly similar to
its predecessor
, though it does feature a new primary camera with a slightly lighter chassis.

Here in Malaysia, the Xperia 10 V features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage for RM2,199. It is also available in two distinct colours: Lavender and Black. Unfortunately, it appears the Sage Green and White colourways will not be offered here.

Tipping the scales at only 159g, it’s quite impressive that Sony still managed to pack in a 5,000mAh battery into the Xperia 10 V. It also has a 48MP primary camera now, which is complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor and an 8MP telephoto lens.

Rounding out the specifications of the Xperia 10 V are a 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display with a 21:9 aspect ratio and standard 60Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, an 8MP selfie camera, as well as IP65/68 dust and water resistance.

The Xperia 10 V will be available in Malaysia in early August 2023 for RM2,199. Quite pricey for a mid-range phone, to be sure, though you do get a lightweight device for that kind of money.


Sony Xperia 1 V Arrives in Malaysia 3 July for RM6,399

We just heard from Sony Malaysia on the local availability of its latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 V. The phone is expected to be available in selected markets in late June next month, but for us here in Malaysia, it will arrive on our shores slightly later on 3 July.

For the Malaysian market, the Xperia 1 V is offered in the sole 12GB + 256GB variant, which is priced at a cool RM6,399. According to Sony, the new flagship phone features a next-gen sensor with next-gen imaging, allowing it to take low light images “never thought possible on a smartphone,” as the company puts it.

A triple camera system is on the back of the Xperia 1 V, which is made up of a 52MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 12MP telephoto lens. According to Sony, the new 52MP shooter allows the phone to capture “2x better” low light shots than last year’s
Xperia 1 IV
.

Other specifications of the Xperia 1 V include a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a microSD card slot for further storage expansion, a 12MP selfie camera, a 5,000mAh battery, as well as IP65/68 water and dust resistance.

To recap, the Sony Xperia 1 V will be available in Malaysia from 3 July onwards for RM6,399. Usually, Sony Malaysia will run some interesting pre-order deals for its new phones, so we reckon the same will be done for the Xperia 1 V in the near future.


Huawei P60 Pro Lands in Malaysia From RM4,699

Aside from the
Mate X3
 foldable phone, the Huawei P60 Pro also made its Malaysian debut. Touted as a high-end phone with “exceptional camera capabilities and stylish design” by Huawei, the P60 Pro is certainly a unique-looking phone with a promising triple camera system.

Two variants of the P60 Pro are available in Malaysia. The base 8GB + 256GB model retails at RM4,699, while the 12GB + 512GB configuration goes for a cool RM5,499. Two colourways are offered here: Rococo Pearl (shown below) and a more minimalist Black.

Hardware wise, the P60 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chip. It also features a 6.67-inch 2700 x 1220 OLED panel with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (48MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide + 48MP telephoto), a 13MP selfie shooter, a 4,815mAh battery, and an IP68 rating.

The Huawei P60 Pro is
now available for pre-order in Malaysia
 from RM4,699 until 19 May 2023. Early birds stand to receive up to RM1,560 worth of freebies, depending on where the pre-order is placed.


Huawei Mate X3 Folds Its Way to Malaysia for RM8,888

Huawei just launched its latest foldable smartphone in Malaysia, the Huawei Mate X3. Touted as an “ultra-thin” foldable – it measures only 5.3mm thin when it is unfolded – the Mate X3 is a premium device with a matching price tag.

Only one variant of the Mate X3 is offered in Malaysia. Sporting 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, the foldable phone retails at a whopping RM8,888 locally. Two colour options are available: Dark Green – with a Vegan Leather finish – and Black.

For that kind of money, the Mate X3 features a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G processor, along with a 120Hz 7.85-inch 2496 × 2224 inner OLED display, a 6.4-inch 1080p OLED cover screen (also set at 120Hz), a triple camera system (50MP main + 13MP ultra-wide + 12MP periscope telephoto), an 8MP selfie camera, a 4,800mAh battery, as well as an IPX8 rating.

The Huawei Mate X3 is
now available for purchase in Malaysia
 for RM8,888. Depending on where you purchase the phone, you can get up to RM1,260 worth of freebies, including a Huawei MatePad SE tablet or a Huawei Eyewear.


Confirmed: Asus ROG Ally Starts at Only $599 For Z1 Model – $699 for Z1 Extreme

It’s confirmed: Asus just revealed the pricing of its handheld gaming PC, the
Asus ROG Ally
. Just as an
earlier leak suggested
, the range-topping model with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip does retail at $699 (about RM3,115), and the more affordable Z1 configuration costs only $599 (approximately RM2,670).

Compared to its main competition, the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally’s value proposition is really,
really
 good at these price points. Not only is it a more powerful handheld machine, it also has a number of advantages, including a higher resolution 7-inch 1920 x 1080 display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, has lower resolution 60Hz panel, though it has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio.

Aside from that, the ROG Ally can also be connected to the (proprietary) ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure for higher fidelity gaming. It’s said to run on Windows 11 as well, so it’ll be interesting to see how this would impact the battery life of the handheld gaming console.

Other specifications of the Ally include up to 16GB of LPDDR5 dual-channel RAM and 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD – this is said to be upgradable – a microSD card slot for further storage expansion, as well as a lightweight chassis that tips the scales at 608g.

The $699 Z1 Extreme Asus ROG Ally will be available in selected markets on 13 June, while the more affordable Z1 model will go on sale in Q3 2023, which is also when Malaysia will get the handheld gaming PC
as per our previous report
. If you’d like to learn more about the Ally, check out our hands-on
right here
.