Ducky’s First Mainstream Hotswap Keyboard, One 3 Series, Now in Malaysia From RM499

Introduced globally back in November last month, the
Ducky One 3 series
 of mechanical keyboards are now available in Malaysia. What makes these keyboards particularly interesting is the fact that they are the Taiwanese company’s first mainstream offering with a hotswap PCB, allowing users to easily swap out the switches.

Looking at
Sun Cycle’s website
 – the official distributor of Ducky products in Malaysia – three sizes of the One 3 series are available here now; it seems the TKL layout is not part of the lineup yet. That leaves the 60% (from RM499), 65% (from RM549), and full-size (from RM525).

Yes, the 65% model is priced higher despite being physically smaller than the full-size version, oddly enough.

One of the best selling points of the One 3 series is its aforementioned hotswap PCB, making it Ducky’s first mainstream keyboard with such a feature. While the
2020 Ducky Year of the Rat
 is technically the company’s first keyboard with hotswap support, it’s a limited edition model.

Aside from the hotswap PCB, the One 3 series also features double-shot PBT keycaps, Cherry MX switches, RGB backlighting, a number of sound deadening material for improved sound profile, and plate-mounted stabilisers that are “fine-tuned for an exceptional typing experience,” as Ducky puts it.

If you’re keen to get any one of the Ducky One 3 series keyboards,
Dotatech
 has them in stock right now. While this is still a pre-built keyboard that lacks
many features of a custom buil
d
, the One 3 series does look to be a decent starting point for newcomers that just want a mechanical keyboard that works out of the box.


Deal: Get the Nintendo Switch OLED For Only RM1,459 (With One Free Game)

The
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
 is getting more and more affordable. Previously going
for RM1,549
, you can now get the latest and greatest Switch
at only RM1,459
 with a
free game
 thrown in.

This deal is offered by Gaming Gadgets 1U located at (you guessed it) 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya. However, this deal is only for walk-in customers, so you’re required to head to the physical store itself. On top of that, this promotion is only valid while stocks last, and it’s offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you prefer getting the OLED Switch online instead, you can grab it
for RM1,498.88
 from Preferred Shopee retailer GameStop, though you won’t be getting a free game.

Compared to its predecessor, the new OLED Switch features a larger 7-inch OLED panel with thinner bezels. It also has double the internal storage at 64GB, and the stand sees a design revision as well. Instead of the original Switch’s fragile-looking stand, this new Switch uses a much sturdier, wider stand that is also adjustable.

Other changes introduced in the new OLED Switch include a new dock with a wired LAN port, “enhanced audio” from the system’s onboard speakers, and between 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life – the same quoted battery life as its predecessor.

If you want to get the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) for only RM1,459 along with a free game, you can give Gaming Gadgets 1U a visit at its retail store. Alternatively, you can get the console from GameStop on Shopee
for RM1,498.88
.


2022 Honda Civic Buy & Win Contest Leaks – RM100,000 Worth of Prizes up for Grabs

The
2022 Honda Civic
 is set to be launched in Malaysia in Q1 2022, so we can expect the new C-segment sedan to be available here before 31 March 2022. A leaked brochure of a buy and win contest for the updated Civic is also corroborating this, which offers RM100,000 worth of prizes, including an
iPhone 13 Pro
.

This brochure was shared on Lowyat.NET’s forum by
Scissorshand
. The contest is only open to Honda owners who have successfully registered the all-new Civic by 31 March 2022, so there’s a good chance the sedan will be launched well before that date.

So far, only the range-topping Civic RS has been confirmed for the Malaysian market, though we can confirm that there are a total of
three variants to choose from
. One of the biggest upgrades to the new sedan is a retuned 1.5L VTEC turbo engine that now delivers 182PS and 240Nm of torque – that’s 9PS and 20Nm more than the current 10th gen Civic.

Naturally, it is still paired with a CVT gearbox, but it has three drive modes now: ECON, Normal, and Sport. Aside from that, the new Civic RS also features an enhanced Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems. What’s new is the Lead Car Departure Notification System, which notifies the driver when the lead car (the car in front) starts moving forward.

No word yet from Honda Malaysia on the actual release date of the 2022 Honda Civic. But given that the brochure for the buy and win contest is already circulating, there’s a good chance the C-segment sedan will be launched as early as this month. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on this.


Deal: Get 25% Discount on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3, Watch 4 & Buds 2

Samsung Malaysia just announced a surprise sale for four of its products. If you’re quick enough, you can get a generous
25% discount
 on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3,
Z Flip 3
, Galaxy
Watch 4
, and Galaxy
Buds 2
.

To enjoy the 25% discount, you’ll just need to head
here
 and select which product you’d like to purchase. Once you’ve done that, just apply the discount code AGENZY25 at checkout to get the savings; it’s that simple. Do note that this promotion is only valid while stocks last.

Interestingly, even though we were told that the 25% discount is only valid between 8PM to 11PM tonight, you can actually get the discount
right now
. Given that stocks are limited, you may want to act fast to secure the savings.

To recap, head on to Samsung Malaysia’s online store
right here
 to save 25% on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3, Galaxy Watch 4, and Buds 2 with the discount code AGENZY25. Yes, you can enjoy the discount on more than one product too.


Yae Miko Teased for Genshin Impact – Likely Playable in Version 2.5 Update

Right before Genshin Impact’s
Version 2.4 update
 goes live this Wednesday on 5 January, Mihoyo is teasing a brand new character in the game – well, sort of. The character is none other than Yae Miko, who has appeared in the Inazuma storyline. With this teaser, there’s a good chance she will be playable in Version 2.5.

After all, previous characters that were teased by Mihoyo were eventually playable in the next version update of Genshin Impact. These include
Shenhe
, Yun Jin,
Arataki Itto
, Gorou, and of course, the
Raiden Shogun herself
.

Yae Miko ‧ Astute Amusement
Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine
The Grand Narukami Shrine's head shrine maiden and a descendant of Kitsune lineage, Eternity's servant and friend… and the intimidating editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House, a publisher of light novels.
pic.twitter.com/xgMxeQrTnp
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact)
December 31, 2021

As shown in-game, Yae holds an Electro vision, and the teaser confirms that she is indeed an Electro character. Given her importance in the lore of Genshin Impact, there’s a good chance she is also a 5-star character. Unfortunately, it’s not revealed yet what kind of weapon she wields.

Looking back at Mihoyo’s previous Genshin Impact teasers, we’re confident Yae Miko will be playable in Version 2.5 of Genshin Impact. The new update should be released after
Ganyu’s and Zhongli’s banners end on 15 February
 – expect Yae to make her debut then.


Honda Malaysia Now Offering up to RM12,000 Discount for CNY 2022

Last month, Honda Malaysia
offered up to RM10,000 discounts
 for its range of models. But for this month – in conjunction with Chinese New Year – the deal is even better: the carmaker is now offering up to a
whopping RM12,000 discount
 throughout January 2022.

Naturally,
the Honda Accord
 gets the best discount. Both the range-topping TC-P and more affordable TC variants of the D-segment sedan receive a generous RM12,000 rebate, though this is only for models manufactured in 2021. If you want a 2022 model instead, you’ll only get a RM3,000 rebate.

The next best deal is for the seven-seater
Honda BR-V
. Both the E and V trims get a RM7,000 discount for the 2021 model; RM1,000 if you opt for the 2022 model instead. All variants of the 2021
Honda HR-V
, on the other hand, receive a RM5,500 rebate. Curiously, for a 2022 make, only the HR-V RS RS gets a RM1,000 discount.

Next is the
Honda City
 which is offered with a RM4,000 rebate for all 2021 variants, while the 2022 models get a RM1,000 discount. Last but certainly not least is the CR-V: you can get a RM4,000 rebate for all 2021 models, while the 2022 ones are offered with a RM1,000 discount.

Do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles registered between 1 to 31 January 2022. More information on these discounts can be found
here
.

If you’re interested to get any of these Honda models with the aforementioned rebates, you can place your booking online
here
. Alternatively, bookings can be done through the HondaTouch app as well – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Huawei P50 Pocket Foldable Flip Phone Coming to Malaysia 12 January

Announced just a couple of weeks ago, we just got word that the Huawei P50 Pocket – the Chinese company’s first-ever foldable flip phone – is launching here in Malaysia as early as next week. Meant to go against the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
, the P50 Pocket has a more unique circular cover screen, though it also has a higher asking price.

For the Chinese market, the P50 Pocket retails from 8,988 Chinese yuan for the 256GB variant with 8GB of RAM; that comes up to about RM5,900. The Premium Edition (512GB + 12GB) with a unique textured design, on the other hand, costs 10,988 yuan (around RM7,215).

For the sake of comparison, the Z Flip 3
starts at only RM3,999
 for the Malaysian market, or
as low as RM2,999
 when it’s on sale.

Of course, the P50 Pocket does have a number of advantages over the Z Flip 3. When the device is folded, for example, there’s barely any gap, thanks to the “multi-dimensional” hinge design. According to Huawei, the display won’t have any noticeable crease either when it is unfolded.

Other specifications of the P50 Pocket include a 6.9-inch Full HD+ OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 1.04-inch 340 x 340 circular OLED cover screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, a triple camera system (40MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 32MP “ultra spectrum”), a 10.7MP selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery.

To recap, the Huawei P50 Pocket will be launched in Malaysia next week on 12 January. It’ll be interesting to see how much the foldable flip phone will cost locally.


Huawei P50 Pro With 100x Zoom Also Launching in Malaysia on 12 January

Aside from the
P50 Pocket
 foldable phone, Huawei Malaysia is also launching the Huawei P50 Pro locally next week. Introduced in China back in July last year, the flagship phone sports a quad camera system that can do 100x zoom.

The quad camera system of the P50 Pro really is one of its main selling points. It’s made up of a 50MP primary shooter, a 40MP monochrome sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens, and of course, a 64MP telephoto camera that can do up to 100x digital zoom.

For the Malaysian market, it’s likely that the P50 Pro will be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset. That’s right, as its name suggests, it does not support 5G networks. Of course, for markets where 5G connectivity is not widespread yet – such as Malaysia – this is not a big deal, though it’s definitely an omission worth pointing out.

Other specifications of the P50 Pro include a 6.6-inch Full HD+ OLED dual curved screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, a 13MP selfie camera, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, a 4,360mAh battery, an IP68 rating, and HarmonyOS 2 (still based on Android) out of the box.

In China, the Huawei P50 Pro with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM – which seems to be the only variant available in Malaysia, based on the
local product page
 – retails at 6,488 Chinese yuan (about RM4,260). It’ll be interesting to see if it will be priced similarly in Malaysia once it is officially launched here next week on 12 January.


Deal: Trade-In Your Nintendo Switch V2 to Get the OLED Model for Only RM699

Feel like upgrading to the new
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
? Well, if you’ve got yourself the Switch V2 – that is, the
revised model
 released in 2019 after the original one – you can trade it in and get the new OLED model
for only RM699
.

This deal is offered by Impulse Gaming, one of the most renowned game stores in Malaysia. According to Impulse, a trade-in of the Switch V2 (complete set) lets you purchase the OLED Switch for only RM699. Depending on the condition of your Switch V2, this can be quite a good deal.

Now, if you prefer getting the OLED Switch outright without trading anything in, you can grab it
for only RM1,498.88
 from Preferred Shopee retailer GameStop. If we were to take this value and compare it to Impulse Gaming’s trade-in offer, you’re effectively getting RM800 for your Switch V2.

Of course, Impulse Gaming also accepts trade-in of other consoles for the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model); you can even get cold hard cash instead if that’s what you want. You can get in touch with the game store
here
 for more details on its trade-in programme.


Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Official – Starts at RM2,899 in Malaysia

The much-rumoured Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is finally here. Sporting the same design language as its
higher-end S21 siblings
, the S21 FE also shares many of their hardware, including the same Exynos 2100 chipset for our region.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the S21 FE are offered. The 128GB variant costs RM2,899, while the 256GB configuration goes for RM3,099. Both models also feature 8GB of RAM; the same amount of RAM you get in the S21 and S21+ in Malaysia.

One of the biggest differences between the Galaxy S21 FE and its more costly siblings is build quality; instead of a more premium glass back, it has a plastic rear panel instead to bring down its price. But beyond this different material choice, you’re still getting quite a capable phone powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 chipset.

Other specifications of the S21 FE include a 6.4-inch 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP telephoto with 30x zoom) a 32MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, and a rather generous 4,500mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging; 15W wirelessly.

To recap, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE retails at RM2,899 and RM3,099 for the 128GB and 256GB variants respectively in Malaysia. We received an invite from Samsung Malaysia to a launch event tomorrow, so we reckon the Korean company will share more details (including any pre-order promotion) on the S21 FE then.


Proton X50 & X70 Dominate Malaysian SUV Market in 2021 With 45,149 Units Sold

Proton just revealed its total sales for 2021, and not surprisingly, the national carmaker’s SUVs proved to be very, very popular. In fact, both the
Proton X50
 and
X70
 make up almost 40% of Proton’s sales last year – that’s a sizeable amount.

The Proton X50, for one, were delivered to 28,774 owners last year, making it the best-selling SUV for 2021. Last month alone (December 2021), over 4,310 units were sold; the highest number of units delivered for the B-segment SUV in a single month. It’s also worth noting that the X50 is Proton’s best-selling model after the Saga (42,627 units).

As for the Proton X70, over 16,375 units of the SUV were sold last year; 1,616 orders were fulfilled in December 2021. This makes the X70 the third best-selling SUV in Malaysia, though it is still leading the C-segment SUV market. In total, Proton sold 45,149 SUVs last year.

In 2021 itself, Proton sold 114,708 cars throughout the year. This is the national carmaker’s highest annual sales since 2014, though it is a slight increase of 4.5% compared to 2020’s sales. Nonetheless, given that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted sales quite a bit in these two years, it’s impressive that Proton still managed to improve its sales.

If you’re looking to get a B-segment SUV, you really can’t go wrong with the Proton X50, though you do have to contend with long waiting times. But if you have the patience to wait, you will get an SUV that’s worth every single sen – watch our video review above to find out why!


Proton Sold 114,708 Units in 2021 – Saga Best-Selling Model With 42,267 Sales

Proton had an eventful year in 2021. With over 114,708 units sold, the national carmaker managed to sell 4.5% more vehicles last year compared to 2020 (109,716 units). As for Proton’s best-selling model, it is none other than the Proton Saga with a respectable 42,267 units sold.

Right behind the Saga in terms of sales volume in 2021 is the exceedingly popular
Proton X50
 with 28,774 units sold, making it the best-selling SUV in Malaysia. Given its asking price, the fact that the X50 is Proton’s second best-selling model is really quite impressive.

In third position is the X70 with 16,375 units registered last year; this is enough to make it the third best-selling SUV in Malaysia, though it is still (naturally) leading the C-segment SUV market. In fourth place is the Persona (16,153 units), followed by the Iriz (6,708 units) and Exora (4,035 units).

“2021 was tough for the automotive industry as a whole and this is reflected in the reduction in TIV compared to the previous year. From a global chip shortage to a spike in COVID-19 numbers that lead to another lockdown to skyrocketing transport costs, there were many challenges for industry players to overcome,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

“That is why Proton’s sales growth in a year where the market contracted is significant as it is the result of careful planning and juggling of available resources,” he added.


Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Launching in Malaysia 14 January – CKD From RM137k

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has finally revealed the launch date of the
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
 on
its Facebook page
. Set to be introduced here next week on 14 January, it will be locally assembled (CKD), and the hybrid SUV is estimated to retail from RM137,000 – this is with sales tax exemption applied
until 30 June 2022
.

What sets the Corolla Cross Hybrid apart from the standard model is its hybrid powertrain. The electric motor – which outputs 72PS and 163Nm of torque – is paired with a 2ZR-FXE 1.8L four-cylinder petrol engine that does 98PS and 142Nm of torque. This makes for a combined system output of 122PS, with drive sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT.

If you’re worried about the battery longevity of the Corolla Cross Hybrid, you’ll be happy to know that it comes with an eight-year, unlimited mileage warranty. If you want even longer coverage, you can fork out RM2,950 to get two more years of warranty.

In terms of colour options, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is offered in five different shades. There’s Platinum White Pearl – an RM800 option – Red Mica Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Celestite Grey Metallic, which is exclusive to this hybrid model.

If you’re keen to place a booking for the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, you can do so at your nearest Toyota dealership; you can also book for a test drive
right here
. More details on the hybrid SUV can be found on
UMWT’s website
, and we’ll find out exactly how much it will be priced at for the Malaysian market next week on 14 January.


Perodua Sold 190,291 Vehicles in 2021 – YoY Sales Down by 29.8%

Perodua is the latest carmaker to reveal its sales figures for 2021. In total, the national carmaker sold 190,291 vehicles last year; a 29.8% decrease in sales compared to 220,154 units sold in 2020.

Perodua attributes this drop in sales to COVID-19, chip shortage, and the recent floods. These three factors “adversely impacted production,” as the carmaker puts it. “The 190,291 registrations were below our target of 200,000 units for 2021 as the challenges in 2021 were greater than anticipated,” said the CEO and President of Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

“Despite the lower than expected performance for 2021, our countermeasures for the impact of COVID-19 has proven successful so far as we and our suppliers are dynamically cooperating and coordinating our efforts to ensure interruptions are minimised,” he added.

Even though Perodua’s YoY sales are down in 2021, the Myvi continued to be the best-selling car in Malaysia last year with over 47,525 units sold. The Axia and Bezza are said to be leading their respective segments too: 43,080 units of the Axia were sold in 2021, while the Bezza saw 42,698 units registered in the same year.

“In December, we forecasted a 240,000 sales target for 2022. However, we will likely review that figure later this month (January) as we are taking into account the latest developments and events into consideration,” said Dato’ Zainal.

Nonetheless, with the extension of the
sales tax exemption in Malaysia until 30 June 2022
, we reckon Perodua’s sales – and other carmakers – will see encouraging growth in the first half of the year.


Perodua Myvi – Best-Selling Car in Malaysia in 2021 With 47,525 Units Sold

The Perodua Myvi is undoubtedly the most recognisable car in Malaysia, so it’s no surprise that it was the best-selling car of 2021. With over 47,525 units sold, the B-segment hatchback even outsold the carmaker’s own Axia, which saw
43,080 units registered last year
.

Given that the
2022 Myvi facelift
 was only launched in November 2021, it’s likely that the impressive figure is mostly made up of the pre-facelift model, which was updated
back in July 2020
. Given the upgrades the facelifted Myvi received, we reckon it will see even more encouraging sales this year.

One of the biggest upgrades the new Myvi received is a D-CVT gearbox – the same one found in the
Ativa
 – which improved the 0-100km/h acceleration of the hatchback by 20%. It takes 11.5 seconds for the 1.3L models to do the century sprint, and 10.2 seconds for the 1.5L variants.

Speaking of which, the facelifted Myvi soldiers on with the same 1.3L (94hp/121Nm) and 1.5L (102hp/136Nm) engines. Thanks to the new D-CVT gearbox, fuel efficiency has been improved too: the 1.3L models have an impressive figure of 22.2km per litre, while the more powerful 1.5L variants can do 21.1km per litre, which is still quite respectable.

As for pricing, the most affordable 1.5L G base model costs RM45,700, while the same trim with Perodua Smart Drive Assist (PSDA) goes for RM47,700. PSDA, in this case, is made up of Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Pedal Misoperation Control, Front Departure Alert, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).

Moving up the price range is the 1.5L X variant, which costs RM49,900, followed by the 1.5L H model for RM53,900. Last but certainly not least is the 1.5L AV trim; this range-topping Myvi facelift with all the bells and whistles costs RM58,800. It is also the only model to get the
full
PSDA system.

On top of the safety features mentioned above, the AV trim’s PSDA system adds on Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Control (LKC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), as well as a reverse camera.

Thanks to the addition of ACC (throttle operation) and LKC (steering), the AV Myvi meets the criteria for level 2 semi-autonomous driving – a feature that’s unheard of at this price point.

The 2022 Perodua Myvi facelift is now open for booking at Perodua showrooms nationwide. You can also place a booking online
right here
.


PlayStation VR2 Details Revealed – 4K HDR, 120Hz OLED Display, Eye Tracking

Sony
just revealed
 more information on the PlayStation VR2 for the PS5. Yes, that’s the official name, and the
controller for the virtual reality system
 is now called PS VR2 Sense. Combined with the headset’s new “sensory” features – and even eye tracking! – PS VR2 promises a more immersive gameplay experience.

The sensory features of the PS VR2 are highlighted quite a bit by Sony. The headset has a built-in motor with vibrations that is meant to amplify “the sensations of in-game actions from the player.” For example, you can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, or even the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, as Sony puts it.

The PS VR2 Sense controller

Another highlight of PS VR2 is its eye tracking capability. You can just look in a specific direction as an input method, so it’ll be interesting to see how developers will take advantage of this capability. Oh, you won’t even need an external camera for the PS VR2: there are cameras inside the VR headset itself for tracking. How cool is that?

Other specifications of the PS VR2 include support for 4K HDR, a display resolution of 2040 x 2000 per eye, an OLED panel with a 90/120Hz refresh rate, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering.

No release date or pictures of the PS VR2 system itself have been revealed, though Horizon Call of the Mountain (from Guerrilla and Firesprite) have been confirmed for the system. “This is only a taste of things to come, and I can’t wait to share more details with you about PS VR2,” said Hideaki Nishino, the SVP of platform experience at Sony.


Asus ROG Flow Z13 Touted as World’s Most Powerful Gaming Tablet

CES 2022 is out in full swing, so expect a slew of new products from various companies. Asus, for one, just unveiled the Asus ROG Flow Z13. Touted as the “world’s fastest gaming tablet,” it’s quite a capable, portable gaming machine.

Thanks to its tablet form factor – which is similar to
Microsoft’s Surface tablets
 – the Flow Z13 weighs only 1.1kg with a 12mm thin chassis. Despite its lightweight, slim design, it’s still a reasonably powerful machine. The Z13 can be configured with Intel’s latest 12th gen Alder Lake-H Core i9-12900H processor and an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti GPU (35W TGP).

If you need more power, the Flow Z13 can be connected to Asus’ ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure. The new 2022 model now features an AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT or RTX 3080 GPU, along with a number of connectivity options.

Other specifications of the Flow Z13 include a 13-inch touch-enabled display (either a 4K 60Hz or 1080p 120Hz panel option), up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD, a detachable keyboard case, an adjustable kickstand, as well as a 56Wh battery.

The price of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 has not been revealed yet, but given its premium appeal, there’s a good chance it will cost quite a bit. The gaming tablet is set to be available either in Q1 or Q2 2022.


Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Finally Gets a Webcam & Bigger Display

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 still remains
one of my favourite gaming laptops
 since it first launched in 2020, and the latest 2022 revision finally makes it a more complete laptop. Aside from the usual hardware upgrades, the new G14 now features a webcam and a taller display.

That’s right, the G14 finally gets a webcam and a 16:10 display, making it that much better as a productivity laptop. Speaking of which, it is also one of the first laptops to get Asus’ new Nebula display. It’s a 14-inch 2560 x 1600 panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of peak brightness, and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space.

Alternatively, you can also opt for a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS screen with a faster 144Hz refresh rate.

Of course, the 2022 Zephyrus G14 is also packed with AMD’s latest Ryzen chips; the highest-end configuration features a Ryzen 9 6900HS processor. Interestingly, Asus is not offering the G14 with Nvidia’s range of GPUs this time around, opting instead for the new AMD Radeon RX 6800S GPU.

Rounding out the specifications of the G14 are the gaming laptop’s signature AniMe Matrix display on the lid (now with more LEDs than last year’s model), up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD, a 76Wh battery, as well as Windows 11 out of the box.

The 2022 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is only set to hit the market in the middle to late 2022, and its asking price has not been revealed yet either. Nonetheless, once it starts shipping, we reckon the new G14 will also be available in Malaysia.


Proton X50’s Production Resumed After Halted by Floods

Many were affected by the floods throughout Malaysia, including Proton’s assembly lines for the popular
Proton X50
. After almost two weeks of downtime, the production of the B-segment SUV at the national carmaker’s Tanjung Malim plant in Perak has finally resumed.

It’s worth noting that the Tanjung Malim plant itself was not flooded. Rather, it was Proton’s parts suppliers that were affected by the floods. “Less than two weeks after the floods disrupted operations for many of our parts suppliers, we have been able to restart Proton X50 production at Tanjung Malim,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

“This was only made possible by the close cooperation between Proton and its vendors and is an example of how we can work together to overcome an issue that affected thousands of people,” he added. In fact, Proton staff assisted in the clean-up operations at several supplier facilities.

“The quick restart of production also means we will have more stock to fulfill orders from our customers, so we are looking forward to having a great start to 2022,” said Roslan.


New Acer Swift X Laptops Offer Intel Arc or RTX 3050 Ti GPU in a Thin & Light Chassis

Acer just introduced two thin and light laptops with reasonably powerful hardware. Enter the new Swift X: available in 14-inch and 16-inch models, the new laptops can be configured with the brand new Intel Arc dedicated GPU or Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card.

Of course, the Intel Arc GPU is reserved for the more powerful 16-inch Swift X. Aside from Intel’s latest discrete GPU, it also features a sharp 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and up to 400 nits of brightness. The 14-inch variant, in comparison, features a 2240 x 1400 IPS panel instead.

The 16-inch Acer Swift X

Aside from that, the 14-inch Swift X is also equipped with an RTX 3050 Ti GPU. Given that this graphics card is packed into a 17.9mm thin aluminium chassis – 17.95mm for the 16-inch model – it’s quite impressive. It also tips the scales at 1.4kg, so you can easily lug it around in your backpack. The 16-inch variant, given its bigger size, weighs 1.7kg instead.

Beyond that, both versions of the Swift X feature the same hardware. These include Intel’s latest 12th generation Core processors (up to 12 cores), up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of PCIe SSD storage, a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello authentication, and Windows 11 out of the box.

The 14-inch Acer Swift X

No word yet on the price or availability of the Acer Swift X laptops. Given Acer’s wide presence here in Malaysia, we reckon the two laptops will be sold here in due time.


6 – 12 January Fuel Price: RON 97 up 3 Sen, Others Unchanged

It’s another price hike for RON 97 this coming week: the fuel is set to go up by 3 sen per litre for the next seven days. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

From tomorrow onwards until Wednesday next week, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.03 per litre (up from RM3.00). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 6 to 12 January 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Lands in Malaysia – Early Birds Get RM350 e-Voucher

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has just been launched here in Malaysia. Sporting the same design language as its
higher-end S21 siblings
, the S21 FE also shares many of their hardware, including the same Exynos 2100 chipset for our region.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the S21 FE are offered. The 128GB variant costs RM2,899, while the 256GB configuration goes for RM3,099. Both models also feature 8GB of RAM; the same amount of RAM you get in the S21 and S21+ in Malaysia.

One of the biggest differences between the Galaxy S21 FE and its more costly siblings is build quality; instead of a more premium glass back, it has a plastic rear panel instead to bring down its price. But beyond this different material choice, you’re still getting quite a capable phone powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 chipset.

Other specifications of the S21 FE include a 6.4-inch 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP telephoto with 30x zoom) a 32MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, and a rather generous 4,500mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging; 15W wirelessly.

To recap, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE retails at RM2,899 and RM3,099 for the 128GB and 256GB variants respectively in Malaysia. It will be available for pre-order tomorrow on 6 January until 10 January, and if you apply the code S21FEFANS at checkout on
Samsung Malaysia’s online store
, you will get a RM350 e-voucher.

Oh, you will also get one year of SamsungCare+ accidental damage protection (including liquid damage) if you pre-order the phone on Samsung’s online store, which is worth RM220. Got a device you want to trade-in? You can do just that to save even more on the S21 FE.


14-inch Acer Swift X (2022) Hands-On – A Lightweight Productivity & Gaming Laptop

The new 2022 14-inch Acer Swift X is an intriguing thin and light laptop. Acer’s Swift lineup typically consists of slim and light productivity machines, but the Swift X can easily double as a gaming laptop too, thanks to its Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a new
12-core
 processor from Intel.

After spending a brief time with the updated Swift X, I’m quite impressed with this “double duty” laptop. If priced right, it can easily appeal to folks who want a productivity laptop that can also do more than just light gaming on the side.

First, let’s talk specifications. The 14-inch Swift X is powered by Intel’s latest 12th generation Alder Lake chips. The prototype unit that I tested was powered by an Intel Core i7-1260P 12-core processor, which should offer notable performance gains over its predecessor.

In the GPU department, the Swift X is sporting the aforementioned RTX 3050 Ti graphics card. It’s not awfully powerful, but it should still be able to run AAA games reasonably well. This GPU also offers RTX-specific features like ray tracing and Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), offering even higher frame rates without sacrificing visual fidelity.

Unfortunately, I was not able to put the Swift X through its paces in my brief time with it. But on paper, there’s no denying that it will serve as a really good productivity
and
 gaming laptop – just don’t expect to play heavily demanding games at maxed out settings with it.

Other specifications of the Swift X include a 14-inch 2240 x 1400 IPS panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 17.9mm thin profile with a 1.4kg chassis, up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of PCIe SSD storage, a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello authentication, as well as Windows 11 out of the box.

One of the biggest changes to the updated Swift X is definitely the new, taller 16:10 display. It has more vertical screen real estate than the previous model’s narrower 16:9 screen, so it doesn’t feel quite as “cramped” for a more comfortable user experience.

Plus, if your job requires you to do a lot of screen scrolling, you’ll definitely appreciate the extra vertical space.

Of course, the taller display of the Swift X also makes for a more modern-looking machine, thanks to the smaller bezels surrounding the screen. According to Acer, this laptop has a 92.22% screen-to-body ratio, which is really quite good. It would’ve been great if the top and bottom bezels were a tad smaller, but overall, this is still a sleek-looking laptop.

Speaking of looks, the 14-inch 2240 x 1400 IPS panel of the Swift X is a looker too. Colours are vibrant, viewing angles are good, and it is bright enough for comfortable use outdoors. It also offers 100% coverage of the sRGB colour space. Overall, definitely a display I won’t mind looking at for long periods of time.

Oh, I dig the colourway of the Swift X as well. Available in either red or green – the unit you see here is the latter – it has a nice dual-tone design for a unique aesthetic.

Measuring 17.9mm thin with a 1.4kg chassis, you can just slip the Swift X into a backpack and forget about it. Granted, it’s not the thinnest or lightest laptop around, but given the reasonably powerful hardware under the hood, these dimensions are more than acceptable. Plus, a thinner chassis would likely mean worse cooling performance.

Last but certainly not least are the input devices of the Swift X. The OceanGlass trackpad – made out of recycled plastic – feels surprisingly smooth despite its plastic material. It can also track my fingers quite accurately, which is important for a productivity-focused laptop.

The Swift X’s keyboard, on the other hand, is…serviceable. While I can easily get accustomed to the standard layout of the keyboard, it doesn’t offer a lot of key travel, so it feels quite shallow to type on. Thankfully, the keys provide enough tactile feedback and a cushioned bottom out for a comfortable typing experience.

All in all, the 2022 Acer Swift X is a nice upgrade over its predecessor. It looks sleeker, it is faster, and it still retains the slim, lightweight design. The only issue is, the price and availability of the new laptop has not been revealed yet, so it’s tough to decide if it is worth it or not.

If the new Swift X is priced similarly to the previous model (from RM4,299), then yes, it may just be worth considering. As far as first impressions go, I’m quite fond of the Swift X, but only a full review can shed a light on its strong and weak points for a more fair assessment.


Gran Turismo 7 Physical Pre-Orders Go Live in Malaysia Tomorrow From RM249

The physical pre-order of Gran Turismo 7 is finally going live tomorrow in Malaysia on 7 January. Compared to the digital pre-order, those who purchase a physical copy of the PlayStation exclusive stands a chance to get a “metal and leather keychain” physical premium.

Two versions of Gran Turismo 7 are offered. The Standard Edition retails at RM249 (PS4) and RM299 (PS5), while the 25th Anniversary Edition costs RM379. This edition of the game offers both the PS5 and PS4 versions of the game; a physical disc for PS5, and a voucher code for PS4.

Aside from that, you also get other extra goodies with the 25th Anniversary Edition of Gran Turismo 7. There’s a SteelBook case, a FIA Gran Turismo Championships World Series Model – a Toyota GR Yaris with country-specific-livery – 30 PSN avatars, and an official soundtrack.

As for the Standard Edition, every pre-order will be bundled with a three-car park – Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept Stealth Model, Porsche 917 Living Legend ’14, Toyota Supra GT500 ’97 (Castrol Tom’s) – and 100,000 in-game credits. Of course, pre-orders of the 25th Anniversary Edition will get these bonuses too.

The physical pre-order of Gran Turismo 7 will start tomorrow on 7 January. If you prefer getting the digital version of the game instead, you can do so over at the
PlayStation Store
.


Mitsubishi Sales up 91% in 2021 – Triton Best-Seller With 9,268 Units Sold

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) had quite a year in 2021. With over 17,489 units sold, the carmaker’s sales increased by an impressive 91% compared to 2020.

MMM attributes this increase in sales to the
Mitsubishi Xpander
, which found 7,397 homes last year. According to the company, this is enough to crown the Xpander “the number one best-selling Japanese seven-seater crossover in Malaysia.”

Even though MMM credits the Xpander for its sales growth, the Triton is actually the carmaker’s best-selling model in 2021. Over 9,268 units of the pickup truck were sold last year, a 34% increase in sales compared to the same period in 2020.

“Despite another year of being disrupted by COVID-19, we are thankful for our customers for showing trust, confidence, and loyalty towards the Mitsubishi Motors brand. We are pleased that Xpander has enjoyed strong sales performance thanks to the extension of the tax-free incentive period,” said the CEO of MMM, Shinya Ikeda.

“This decision by the Malaysian government has certainly helped the industry to sustain itself during this challenging phase. At Mitsubishi Motors, we have now progressed to increase our production volume for Xpander, to cater for higher production capacity, and to fulfill all booking demands,” he added.


CannonKeys Bakeneko65 Goes on Sale Tomorrow – O-Ring Gasket Keyboard for $145

If you’ve been waiting for CannonKeys to release a 65% version of the
affordable Bakeneko60
, good news: the Bakeneko65 will go on sale tomorrow as an in-stock product. Naturally, the budget-friendly nature of the keyboard is retained too.

There are several variants of the Bakeneko65. The painted and powder coated versions cost $145 (about RM610), while the “special” powder coated variant – it has a glossier, smoother finish – goes for $150 (around RM630). By default, both versions come with a silicone insert, but you can add $20 (about RM85) to get a zinc internal weight.

The silicone insert
The zinc internal weight

Just like the Bakeneko60, the slightly bigger Bakeneko65 features a gasket-mounting system: an o-ring is used to friction fit the plate and PCB assembly inside the case. This is effectively a gasket-mount design, and depending on the “hardness” of the o-ring, you can get a soft or firm typing experience.

Other items bundled together with the Bakeneko65 include a hotswap PCB, an FR4 plate, Cherry clip-in stabilisers, and even a carrying case. You can also get a solderable PCB and o-rings of different hardness as add-ons if you so desire.

The Bakeneko65 will go on sale on 9 January at 12AM (tomorrow midnight, basically) for us here in Malaysia. You can purchase the keyboard on
CannonKeys’ online store
.


The Owlab Spring Keyboard Looks Amazing – In-Stock Sale in February 2022 From $355

Owlab is back with yet another keyboard after the
Jelly Epoch
 and Mr. Suit. This time around, the brand is going with a more unique layout: enter the Owlab Spring. Not only does it have a split layout, it’s also more affordable than the company’s previous keyboards.

Starting from only $355 (about RM1,495), the Spring is priced lower than Owlab’s previous offerings. Of course, that’s still a lot of money, but you
are
 getting a sleek-looking keyboard. Just look at the PVD stainless steel weight on the bottom of the Spring.

As its name suggests, the Spring uses a leaf spring mounting system: there are eight pieces of Owlab’s leaf springs (made out of Beryllium copper) that support the plate of the keyboard. Theoretically, this should make for a soft, comfortable typing experience.

Other specifications of the Spring include an aluminium case, a hotswap or solderable PCB, four choices of plate material (aluminium, FR4, polycarbonate, POM), as well as an LED indicator on the bottom left of the keyboard. Every unit of the Spring are also bundled with the brand’s “Owlstabs” stabilisers and a carrying case.

The Owlab Spring will go on sale sometime in February 2022 next month with a $355 starting price. Just like the company’s previous keyboards, it will be sold as an in-stock product on a first-come, first-served basis. More details on the Spring and its sale can be found
here
.


2022 Honda Civic Launching in Malaysia 13 January 2022

We just got word from Honda Malaysia on the local launch of the new
2022 Honda Civic
. Set to debut here next week on 13 January, we’ll finally find out how much the updated C-segment sedan will be priced at for the Malaysian market.

As per our
previous report
, three different variants of the 11th gen Civic are available in Malaysia: the base E, mid-tier V, and range-topping RS. Surprisingly enough, even the most affordable E model is
set to get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems
.

With the launch of the 2022 Civic, the 1.8L engine will no longer be offered either. All variants of the updated sedan seem to feature the updated 1.5L turbo mill. It now outputs 182PS and 240Nm of torque, which is 9PS and 20Nm more than the current 10th gen Civic.

Just like the Civic FC, the 11th gen model can be purchased in
five different shades
: Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, and Ignite Red Metallic. The latter two are new paints for the Civic, which are also offered for the
City Hatchback
.

The 2022 Honda Civic will be launched in Malaysia next week on 13 January. It’s also open for booking now, and you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to do so. Alternatively, you can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Hands-On: Good Phone, Wrong Time

After plenty of leaks and rumours, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was finally introduced earlier this week. Sporting the same design language and most of the hardware of its
higher-end siblings
, it is also a bit more affordable, which makes for quite an intriguing phone.

Unfortunately, the S21 FE is launched at a rather awkward time. With the Galaxy S22 series just beyond the horizon, it’s not particularly easy to recommend this phone, even if it’s positioned as a more budget-friendly option. Nonetheless, if it fits your budget, the S21 FE can definitely serve you well.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the S21 FE are offered. The 128GB variant costs RM2,899, while the 256GB configuration goes for RM3,099. Both models also feature 8GB of RAM; the same amount of RAM you get in the S21 and S21+ in Malaysia.

One of the biggest differences between the Galaxy S21 FE and its more costly siblings is build quality; instead of a more premium glass back, it has a plastic rear panel instead to bring down its price. But beyond this different material choice, you’re still getting quite a capable phone powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 chipset.

Other specifications of the S21 FE include a 6.4-inch 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP telephoto with 30x zoom) a 32MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, and a rather generous 4,500mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging; 15W wirelessly.

Despite its plastic back panel, the Galaxy S21 FE has solid build quality. The rear panel has a matte finish, which feels nice to the touch. It also has a metal frame that’s just thick enough to provide a good grip on the phone. All in all, it’s a surprisingly nice phone to hold in my hands.

The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display of the S21 FE, as expected, is also pleasant to look at with bright, vibrant colours. Even though it’s “only” a 1080p panel, it still looks sharp enough. Screen transitions and animations look extra smooth too, thanks to the screen’s 120Hz refresh rate.

When it comes to battery life, the S21 FE should be quite long-lasting. Packed with a 4,500mAh battery, you should be able to get (at the very minimum) a day’s worth of use before needing to charge it up. If you want even better battery life, setting the display’s refresh rate to 60Hz should accomplish this.

In the performance department, the Galaxy S21 FE feels very responsive. After all, it’s powered by the same Exynos 2100 chipset found in the other S21 phones. Granted, it’s been a year since the SoC made its debut, but there’s no denying that it’s still a capable chip that can provide flagship-class processing power.

How about the camera performance of the S21 FE? Well, it’s reasonably good. Naturally, it can lock in focus lightning quick, the camera interface does not feel sluggish, and the image quality is more than acceptable for a device at this price point. Refer to the sample shots below to see how the camera performs.

For the sake of comparison, I took similar shots with the S21 Ultra as well using all three focal lengths of both phones. These include the ultra-wide shooter, the primary sensor, and of course, the telephoto lens. Given that the S21 FE doesn’t have the Ultra’s 10x zoom telephoto camera, I only tested the 3x zoom of the two phones.

12MP ultra-wide angle (S21 FE)
12MP ultra-wide angle (S21 Ultra)
12MP primary (S21 FE)
108MP primary (S21 Ultra)
8MP telephoto 3x zoom (S21 FE)
10MP telephoto 3x zoom (S21 Ultra)

It’s no surprise that the much more costly S21 Ultra can capture better-looking images with superior detail preservation, but the S21 FE can still take good shots. It’ll be interesting to see how the camera would perform in other shooting conditions, though I’ll only be able to do that in a full review of the phone.

So should you get the Samsung Galaxy S21 SE? Well, it depends. If you like how it looks, and it fits your budget, then yes, it’s a phone worth considering. That being said, if you don’t mind getting a slightly smaller phone, you may be better off with the standard S21.

After all, it retails
at only RM3,088 now
 for the 256GB model; slightly more affordable than the S21 FE, which costs RM3,099 for the same storage capacity. On top of that, the regular S21 also offers a more sophisticated 64MP telephoto lens over the 8MP zoom camera of the S21 FE.

However, if the S21’s slightly smaller 6.2-inch screen isn’t for you, then the S21 FE is a good option. But if you’re thinking of getting this phone, keep in mind that the S22 series is coming very, very soon – if you can wait, you may want to do that to see what the upcoming phones have to offer.


UMW Toyota Leads Non-National Segment in 2021 With 72,394 Units Sold

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is the latest carmaker to reveal its sales performance in 2021. With 72,394 units sold, UMWT leads the non-national segment in Malaysia – that’s quite an impressive achievement.

Not surprisingly, the Toyota Vios is UMWT’s best-selling model; it accounts for 31% of the company’s total sales in 2021, though the exact figure was not revealed. The Toyota Hilux, on the other hand, remains the best-selling pickup truck in Malaysia last year.

In comparison to its total sales in 2020, UMWT’s sales in 2021 increased by a respectable 22%. The company also managed to sell more cars in December 2021 (9,289) compared to the same period the previous year (9,246). That’s a 0.5% improvement.

“We would like to thank Malaysians and our loyal customers for their continuous support towards our brand and choosing Toyota as their preferred road companion. We are driven by their love and passion towards our brand,” said the President of UMWT, Ravindran Kurusamy.

“Despite the most of 2021 being a rather challenging year for most sectors, including automotive, the team at Toyota showed resilience by continuously innovating to offer only the best mobility solutions to our customers who are eager to get back on the road upon the lifting of the lockdown in August,” he added.


Dell XPS 13 Plus Coming to Malaysia March 2022

The recently unveiled Dell XPS 13 Plus is set to arrive in Malaysia later this year in March 2022. Redesigned from the ground up, the new ultraportable features a sleeker, cleaner-looking design, though not necessarily more practical.

On the outside, the XPS 13 Plus doesn’t look all that different from its predecessor, but it’s almost a completely different laptop on the inside. Gone are the physical function keys in favour of capacitive keys (almost like Apple’s Touch Bar), and the trackpad has been replaced with a “seamless glass touchpad” that provides haptic feedback.

Also redesigned is the keyboard of the XPS 13 Plus. The keys are now larger, and they still provide the same 1mm of travel as the previous model. All in all, these changes make for a clean-looking laptop, though not knowing
where
 the trackpad is and having to use capacitive keys instead of physical ones for the function row may be cumbersome.

Anyway, other specifications of the XPS 13 Plus include Intel’s latest 12th gen Alder Lake processors (maxes out at a Core i7-1280P), a 13.4-inch 16:10 InfinityEdge display – configurable with an OLED or LCD panel up to 4K resolution – up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD, as well as a 55Wh battery.

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is set to arrive here in Malaysia sometime in March 2022. Once it’s available here, it can be purchased on
Dell’s Malaysian online store
.


2022 Peugeot 2008 Now Open for Booking in Malaysia – Starts at RM1XX,XXX

Set to be launched sometime this month, the 2022 Peugeot 2008 is now open for booking in Malaysia – well, sort of. On top of that, the starting price of the B-segment SUV has been revealed too: it’s set to retail from RM1XX,XXX locally.

We managed to get the starting price of the new Peugeot 2008 in Malaysia from the SUV’s product page on the carmaker’s official Malaysian site
right here
. However, it’s worth noting that the product page for the SUV is actually hidden from the main site, though it
is
 accessible to the general public.

As for local booking of the Peugeot 2008, Bermaz itself – the distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia – has not made any announcement regarding it, though Peugeot Kota Damansara is
already taking bookings for the SUV
. You can even request for a test drive with the showroom through its website, as shown in the image above.

Local assembly (CKD) of the Peugeot 2008 has actually started at the Stellantis plant in Gurun, Kedah, which was formerly owned by Naza. That being said, the SUV is currently produced for the Thailand market, so with that in mind, it’s likely that Malaysia will get similarly equipped model.

These include a 1.2L three-cylinder turbo petrol engine – the same one used in the previous 2008 – that’s been retuned to deliver 130hp and 230Nm of torque, a six-speed automatic gearbox, 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as a suite of driver assistance systems, including cruise control, lane keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking.

To recap, the 2022 Peugeot 2008 will start from RM1XX,XXX in Malaysia, though it’s worth noting that the
official product page
 (where the starting price was shown) is currently hidden, so there is a chance it’s not finalised. Aside from that, Peugeot Kota Damansara has also
opened bookings for the new 2008
.


MSI Malaysia Offers up to RM2,700 Discount for CNY 2022

If you’re looking to get a new laptop from MSI, great news: the Taiwanese company is offering up to RM2,700 discount on selected products in conjunction with Chinese New Year. These include its range of gaming and productivity-focused laptops.

The best discount is naturally reserved for one of MSI’s most beefy laptops, the MSI GS76 Stealth. Originally retailing at RM17,999, you can get it
for only RM15,299 now
. For that kind of money, you’re getting an Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU, an Intel Core i9-11900H processor, and a sharp 17.3-inch 4K panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.

If you want a productivity laptop instead, the MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo gets the best discount in the segment. Usually retailing at RM6,699, this convertible laptop is now
discounted to RM5,699
. It features a Core i5-1155G7 processor, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, and a 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 display with a 16:10 aspect ratio.

MSI’s Chinese New Year promotion is happening right now until 13 February 2022. The full list of MSI laptops on offer can be found
right here
.


Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review: The Little Tablet That (Almost) Could

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 may not be an exciting successor to the previous model, but thanks to a faster processor, this portable tablet is now more practical than ever. On top of that, it is also quite a bit more affordable now while retaining its excellent build quality.

However, despite these improvements, the Surface Go 3 still falls shorts in a number of vital areas, including battery life and general practicality – more specifically, the typing experience. But if you absolutely need a portable Windows tablet, the Surface Go 3 is a fine option; so long as you know what to expect.

What It Is

Display
10.5-inch PixelSense (1920 x 1280)
Processor
Intel Core i3-10100Y (2C/4T, 1.3GHz with boost up to 3.9GHz)
GPU
Intel UHD Graphics 615
RAM
8GB LPDDR3
Storage
128GB SSD
Camera
5MP (front), 8MP (rear)
Battery
28Wh
Dimensions
245 x 175 x 8.3 mm
Weight
544g
Audio
Front-facing stereo speakers
MicroSD card reader
Ports
1x USB-C
Price
RM2,988

The biggest change the Surface Go 3 brings is the Intel Core i3-10100Y processor. Granted, it’s still not a particularly fast chip, but it does provide enough processing power for comfortable everyday use. Well, as long as you’re not trying to do
too much
 with this little tablet.

Unfortunately, that’s all that changed with the Surface Go 3. It’s still packed with a rather small 28Wh battery, which is one of the biggest shortcomings of the tablet – more on that further down this review.

The Good Stuff

Portability is the major highlight of the Surface Go 3, and it really is a light and compact tablet. Weighing only 544g with an 8.3mm thin chassis, it’s made for those who are always on the go and don’t want to lug around a larger machine.

Build quality is also one of the Surface Go 3’s strong points. The magnesium chassis feels nice and premium to the touch, and it does feel like a smaller version of the Surface Pro tablets. That’s high praise for this much more affordable tablet.

The 10.5-inch PixelSense display of the Surface Go 3 is reasonably good too. While I wish it was a tad brighter, it’s still a very usable and pleasant screen to look at with vibrant, punchy colours and wide viewing angles. All in all, it doesn’t look like a “cheap” panel at all.

Last but certainly not least is the processing power of the Surface Go 3. The Core i3-10100Y processor can keep up with my workflow quite well, which involves a ton of web browsing and word processing. The tablet does have some slight pauses here and there – especially when I have in excess of 10 open tabs – but overall, it gets the job done.

I’m also quite happy with the trackpad of the Surface Go 3’s Type Cover. It’s large enough for comfortable use, and it can track my fingers accurately. Sadly enough, the keyboard itself isn’t quite up to par.

The Bad Stuff

As a productivity-focused tablet, it’s important for the Surface Go 3’s Type Cover to be pleasant to type on. Unfortunately, that’s not the case: while the keys provide enough key travel and tactility for a comfortable typing experience, the smaller, more compact layout proved to be cumbersome to use.

Throughout the review process, I find myself hitting the wrong key every so often; this can be quite frustrating when I’m rushing to publish a story. Granted, I can
probably
get accustomed to the smaller layout after some time – especially if you have smaller hands –  but in my two weeks with the tablet, I still can’t quite get used to it.

And then there’s the battery life of the Surface Go 3, which is decidedly average. According to Microsoft, this tablet can return “up to 11 hours of typical device usage,” but in my testing, I only managed to get around six hours of continuous use. This only involved web browsing and word processing to boot.

Although it’s more affordable than its predecessor, RM2,988 for this Core i3 variant of the Surface Go 3 still doesn’t offer particularly great value. It’s worth noting that this price tag doesn’t even include the Type Cover, which costs
a steep RM578
.

For the same amount of money, you can opt for a more powerful Windows laptop, though you won’t get the same premium build quality or portability of the Surface Go 3.

Is It Worth It?

It depends. If you really need a Windows tablet this portable, then yes, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a good option. But if you don’t need the utility of Windows, you may be better served by, say,
an iPad
, which starts at only RM1,499
while providing
 much faster performance.

For what it’s worth, I do enjoy using the Surface Go 3 despite the less than ideal typing experience. Personally, I find Windows to provide more utility than iPadOS too. At the end of the day, it comes down to what kind of operating system that you want in a portable form factor.


Honor Magic V Foldable Phone Unveiled – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Creaseless 90Hz Display, 9,999 Yuan

There’s another foldable phone in the market, this time from Honor. Enter the Honor Magic V: not only is it powered by the latest
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
 chip, it’s also touted to sport a creaseless foldable display.

It’s worth noting that the Magic V is the first foldable phone to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, which promises 30% faster GPU with 25% better power efficiency. As for the main foldable display, the 7.9-inch 2272 x 1984 OLED panel has a 90Hz refresh rate and a creaseless design.

Another highlight of the Magic V is its cover screen. It’s a 6.45-inch 2560 x 1080 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 21.3:9 aspect ratio. This aspect ratio is similar to that of a traditional smartphone, “rather than appearing long and narrow,” as Honor puts it.

Other specifications of the Magic V include a triple camera system (50MP primary + 50MP ultra-wide angle + 50MP “spectra enhanced”), two 42MP selfie cameras for the cover and main screens, 12GB of RAM, two storage options (256GB or 512GB), and a 4,750mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

The Honor Magic V is currently only available in China. Starting at 9,999 Chinese yuan (about RM6,580), it’s not an exorbitantly priced foldable phone. If it’s launched in other markets, we reckon Malaysia will be one of the first to get the Magic V, given Honor’s notable presence here.


Genshin Impact Is the Most Popular Game on Twitter

Twitter
just shared
 some interesting insights for 2021. Throughout the year, over 2.4 billion Tweets were posted about gaming on the platform; a 14% increase compared to 2020. The most Tweeted game? Well, it’s none other than
Genshin Impact
.

Evidently, Mihoyo garnered quite a large Genshin Impact fan base on Twitter. The developer also consistently post about the latest character event wishes and teasers on Genshin Impact’s Twitter account, which seem to drive even more conversations surrounding the game.

Aside from Genshin Impact, Apex Legends is the second most talked about game on Twitter, followed by Ensemble Stars, Final Fantasy, Fate/Grand Order, and even Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Even though the Nintendo Switch exclusive was launched back in 2020, the Version 2.0 update does freshen up the game quite a bit.

Anyway, here’s the full list of most talked about games on Twitter in 2021:

Genshin Impact (
@GenshinImpact
)
Apex Legends (
@PlayApex
)
Ensemble Stars! (
@ensemble_stars
)
Final Fantasy (
@FinalFantasy
)
Fate/Grand Order (
@fgoproject
)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (
@animalcrossing
)
Knives Out (
@game_knives_out
)
Minecraft (
@minecraft
)
Project Sekai (
@pj_sekai
)
Fortnite (
@fortnitegame
)


Spy Shot: 2022 Honda Civic Spotted on Trailer – Heading to Showrooms?

Set to be launched in Malaysia this Thursday on 13 January, the all-new
2022 Honda Civic
 has been spotted on a trailer. Chances are, these units are heading to Honda dealerships ahead of the C-segment sedan’s official launch.

These pictures were uploaded by Daniel Chee Kah Chun on the
Civic FE Club Malaysia’s Facebook page
. Based on official shots of the sedan from Honda Malaysia, this should be the range-topping Civic RS. The 18-inch alloy wheels with a black matte finish can be seen in the shot, alongside the black door handles, side mirrors, and spoiler.

As per our
previous report
, three different variants of the 11th gen Civic are available in Malaysia: the base E, mid-tier V, and range-topping RS. Surprisingly enough, even the most affordable E model is
set to get the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems
.

With the launch of the 2022 Civic, the 1.8L engine will no longer be offered either. All variants of the updated sedan seem to feature the updated 1.5L turbo mill. It now outputs 182PS and 240Nm of torque, which is 9PS and 20Nm more than the current 10th gen Civic.

Just like the Civic FC, the 11th gen model can be purchased in
five different shades
: Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, and Ignite Red Metallic (likely the colour of the Civic pictured above). The latter two are new paints for the Civic, which are also offered for the
City Hatchback
.

Official shots of the Civic RS

The 2022 Honda Civic will be launched in Malaysia this Thursday on 13 January. It’s also open for booking now, and you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to do so. Alternatively, you can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


OnePlus 10 Pro Official – Hasselblad Camera, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, From 4,699 Yuan

OnePlus just unveiled its first 2022 flagship smartphone in China, the OnePlus 10 Pro. Naturally, the high-end phone features Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, as well as a camera system with Hasselblad’s branding.

This is the second OnePlus phone to carry the Hasselblad branding, which brings a feature dubbed Natural Color Optimisation 2.0. With over “500+ scene colour optimisation,” the camera promises natural colour reproduction. As for the triple camera itself, it’s made up of a 48MP primary shooter, a 50MP ultra-wide angle sensor, and an 8MP telephoto lens.

Aside from that, the OnePlus 10 Pro also has a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO 2.0 curved AMOLED display that can dynamically switch between 1Hz to 120Hz refresh rate in a more efficient manner. OnePlus said that this extends battery life by up to 1.7 hours, which is said to be a 40% improvement.

Rounding out the specifications of the OnePlus 10 Pro are a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, a 32MP selfie camera, 8GB or 12GB of RAM, two UFS 3.1 storage options (128GB or 256GB), and a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging; 50W wirelessly.

At the moment, the OnePlus 10 Pro is only available in China with a 4,699 Chinese yuan starting price – that comes up to about RM3,095. No word yet on its availability outside of the region (including Malaysia), though we reckon it’s only a matter of time before the flagship phone lands here.


Shopee Warns Against Scam Messages Offering Employment or Rewards

Shopee just issued an advisory to warn users against scam messages that are supposedly representing Shopee. Whether it’s to offer employment or rewards, these messages are usually
not
 from the e-commerce platform.

“Shopee does not employ any individuals to recruit employees through messaging platforms,” even for the purpose of “increasing the exposure rate of merchants ,” said the company in a press statement. Shopee contests are also only hosted on the official Shopee app, social media pages, and Shopee’s WhatsApp verified business account with the verified check mark.

If you are interested to pursue a career at Shopee, you can refer to
this page
 for more information. Alternatively, you can even send an email to
[email protected]
 if you have any doubt about a role that’s advertised or offered by Shopee.

What if you came across a contest promoted by Shopee that seemed suspicious? Well, you can contact the e-commerce platform’s customer service hotline at +603 2777 9222 or email
[email protected]
 to verify said contest.

To help users identify tell-tale signs of a scam, Shopee has a dedicated cybercrime awareness microsite too – you can refer to it
over here
.


Spy Shot: 2022 Proton Saga Facelift Spotted – New Proton Logo, Body Kit

The Proton Saga was the national carmaker’s
best-selling model in 2021
, and it seems like the A-segment sedan is set to be facelifted soon. Recently, a test mule of the 2022 Saga has been spotted on the road, suggesting that Proton is gearing up to launch the updated model.

These images of the new Saga facelift were taken by
Funtasticko readers Putra Kamrin Azran

and Cedric Ng
. It’s the very same unit spotted at different locations around the Klang Valley area, and judging by the covered up grille, blacked out front lip and side skirts, the 2022 Saga should feature Proton’s new circular logo and body kit.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the updated Saga’s interior will see any changes, though it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility. After all, for the Pakistan market, it gets a centre armrest, not to mention a stabiliser bar for the strut mounts and sound deadening material under the bonnet and boot.

Beyond aesthetic changes, the facelifted Saga should soldier on with the same 1.3L four-cylinder engine that outputs 95hp and 120Nm of torque; the mill is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that’s sourced from Hyundai. In fact, this is the same transmission used in the Kia Picanto.

Previous spy shot of the 2022 Saga

Rumours suggest that the 2022 Proton Saga facelift will be introduced sometime in the first half of 2022. There’s a chance the
Proton X70
 will be updated too, and some even believe that the
much-rumoured Proton X90
 will debut before the year ends.


Huawei P50 Pocket Foldable Flip Phone Lands in Malaysia From RM5,999

Announced globally just a few weeks ago, the Huawei P50 Pocket – the Chinese company’s first-ever foldable flip phone – has just been launched in Malaysia. Meant to go against the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
, the P50 Pocket has a more unique circular cover screen, though it also has a higher asking price.

Two variants of the P50 Pocket are offered in Malaysia. The standard White model with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM goes for RM5,999. The Premium Edition (512GB + 12GB) with a more unique textured design, on the other hand, costs RM7,299.

The standard P50 Pocket
The P50 Pocket Premium Edition

Compared to its main competitor (Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3), the P50 Pocket does have a number of advantages. When the device is folded, for example, there’s barely any gap, thanks to the “multi-dimensional” hinge design. According to Huawei, the display won’t have any noticeable crease either when it is unfolded.

Other specifications of the P50 Pocket include a 6.9-inch Full HD+ OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 1.04-inch 340 x 340 circular OLED cover screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, a triple camera system (40MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 32MP “ultra spectrum”), a 10.7MP selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery.

To recap, the Huawei P50 Pocket retails at RM5,999 for the regular White model. The Premium Edition, on the other hand, goes for RM7,299 in Malaysia. Both models will be available for pre-order from 22 January to 13 February 2022, and early birds can also get a Huawei Watch 3 (worth RM1,699) for free.


Huawei P50 Pro Now in Malaysia for RM4,199

Aside from the
P50 Pocket
 foldable phone, Huawei Malaysia also launched the Huawei P50 Pro on our shores. Introduced in China back in July last year, the flagship phone sports a quad camera system that can do 100x zoom.

Only one variant of the P50 Pro is available in Malaysia. Featuring 256GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM, this flagship phone retails at RM4,199. It is also offered in two colours: Cocoa Gold and Golden Black.

For the Malaysian market, the P50 Pro is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset. That’s right, as its name suggests, it does not support 5G networks. Of course, for markets where 5G connectivity is not widespread yet – such as Malaysia – this is not a big deal, though it’s definitely an omission worth pointing out.

The quad camera system of the P50 Pro is one of its main selling points. It’s made up of a 50MP primary shooter, a 40MP monochrome sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens, and of course, a 64MP telephoto camera that can do up to 100x digital zoom.

Other specifications of the P50 Pro include a 6.6-inch Full HD+ OLED dual curved screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, a 13MP selfie camera, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, a 4,360mAh battery, an IP68 rating, and HarmonyOS 2 (still based on Android) out of the box.

The Huawei P50 Pro is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 21 January 2022 for RM4,199; it will hit store shelves the very next day on 22 January. Those who place a pre-order for the flagship phone will also get a Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro (worth RM1,199) for free.


13 – 19 January Fuel Price: RON 97 up 4 Sen, Others Remain

The price of RON 97 is increasing yet again this week. The fuel is set to go up by 4 sen per litre this time around for the next seven days. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

From tomorrow onwards until Wednesday next week, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.07 per litre (up from RM3.03). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 13 to 19 January 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Huawei P50 Pocket Hands-On: Pricey, But Enticing

While we’re seeing the introduction of more foldable phones recently, there aren’t as many foldable “flip phones,” which is why the new Huawei P50 Pocket is quite exciting. After all, it goes head to head with
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3
; the sole option for a foldable flip phone in Malaysia, given that it’s quite difficult to get the
Motorola Razr
 now.

But retailing from RM5,999, the P50 Pocket undoubtedly carries a premium price tag, especially in comparison to the Z Flip 3’s much more affordable RM3,999 starting price. But even though it’s a pricey device, it’s also quite an enticing foldable phone, even when faced with a competitor like the excellent Z Flip 3.

Now, one of the biggest differences between the P50 Pocket and the Z Flip 3 is when the two devices are folded. Unlike Samsung’s offering, the P50 Pocket has
absolutely
 no gap when it’s folded. Granted, this isn’t exactly groundbreaking – Motorola’s Razr already accomplished this – but it is a difference worth pointing out.

Is there any benefit to this? Well, when you keep the P50 Pocket in your pocket (excuse the pun), having no gap between the two halves of the screen does protect it from dust or fine grains in your pocket. This, in turn, reduces the chance of scratching the screen.

No gap at all when the Huawei P50 Pocket is folded
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a slight gap when folded

Speaking of which, I’m
very
 impressed with the screen durability of the P50 Pocket. Earlier foldable phones have screens that get scratched and dinged up easily, but that is not the case at all with the Pocket. I even tried running my fingernail on the foldable display to see if it will leave a mark on the screen, but to my surprise, it stayed pristine!

Of course, the P50 Pocket does seem to have a screen protector installed; just like any other foldable phone, basically. Either way, it doesn’t get scratched easily, and it feels quite smooth as well. Not quite as smooth as glass, but definitely good enough to provide a pleasant user experience.

As for display quality itself, the P50 Pocket does have a high quality screen. Sporting a 6.9-inch Full HD+ OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, it’s a fast, bright, vibrant display. This being an OLED panel, you also get deep, true blacks for a more enjoyable viewing experience, especially if you’re watching content with dark scenes.

Oh, Huawei mentioned that the P50 Pocket’s display doesn’t have any noticeable crease when it is unfolded, but that’s…well, not the case. In normal use, the crease is barely noticeable, but if you look for it, you’ll definitely see and feel the uneven surface.

Is this a big deal? Not at all. I doubt the screen crease will negatively affect the user experience much, though it is a little annoying when the crease is visible under bright lighting.

The display crease is definitely there
But it’s not very visible in actual use

Okay, enough about the display: what about the performance of the P50 Pocket? Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset (yes, 4G), you can expect to get flagship-tier performance out of the phone. Though you don’t get 5G connectivity with this chip, it’s not really an issue here. 5G isn’t exactly widely available in Malaysia yet.

Build quality of the P50 Pocket is commendable as well. It feels solid in my hands, and the unique textured finish on both the White and Premium Gold colour options feel quite good to the touch. However, despite the fact that Huawei said they’re made of glass, the textured panels do feel
slightly
 plasticky, in my opinion.

The P50 Pocket Premium Edition
The standard P50 Pocket in White

The hinge of the P50 Pocket, on the other hand, is a bit of a mixed bag. While I like how the phone “snaps open” when I unfold it to a certain angle, the hinge itself feels a tad too soft; there’s not much resistance as I move the hinge. In contrast, the Z Flip 3 has a firmer, more solid-feeling hinge. Personally, I prefer Samsung’s implementation.

Anyway, packed with a 4,000mAh battery, I reckon the P50 Pocket will be able to deliver good battery life. This battery capacity is above average for a phone this size, and when you need to charge it up quickly, the 40W fast charging should be able to juice up the Pocket quickly.

Last but not least is the camera performance of the P50 Pocket. Sporting a triple camera system made up of a 40MP primary shooter, a 13MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 32MP “ultra spectrum” sensor (it can supposedly capture a greater range of colour), it can take reasonably good-looking shots. Judge for yourself with these sample shots.

13MP ultra-wide
40MP primary
40MP primary (2x zoom)

Granted, these images were taken under ideal lighting, so it’s a given that the P50 Pocket will be able to deliver good results. Aside from image quality, the camera interface feels quite responsive too, and it can lock in focus quite quickly as well; as expected of a flagship smartphone.

So…is the Huawei P50 Pocket worth it? As far as first impressions go, it does feel like a high-end foldable phone through and through, but whether or not it can really justify the RM5,999 price tag – or a whopping RM7,299 for the Premium Edition – can only be explored in a full review of the Pocket.

After all, there are a lot of factors to consider for a phone that sits at this price point. A brief hands-on is not enough to really assess these factors, such as battery life, camera performance, and more importantly for a Huawei device, software experience.

Given that the P50 Pocket does not ship with Google Mobile Services, not having access to Google’s range of apps and services on this foldable phone can be a legitimate dealbreaker to some folks. But Huawei’s own selection of apps through the AppGallery have grown immensely over the years, so it
may
 just be able to fill the void left by Google.

Again, only a full review of the P50 Pocket can shed a light on this, among other aspects.


2022 Honda Civic Launched in Malaysia – 3 Variants, Honda Sensing as Standard, From RM126k

The all-new
2022 Honda Civic
 has just been launched in Malaysia! As per our
previous report
, three different variants of the 11th gen Civic are available in Malaysia: the base E, mid-tier V, and range-topping RS. Surprisingly enough, Honda Sensing is now standard across the board. Yes, even the most affordable E model gets the driver assistance system.

Of course, that also mean prices are up across the board. The most affordable E trim costs RM125,634.64, while the mid-tier V model goes for RM138,043.36. The range-topping RS variant, on the other hand, is priced at RM144,350.09. These prices are with
sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022
.

With the launch of the 2022 Civic, the 1.8L engine is no longer offered. All variants of the new sedan now feature the updated 1.5L turbo mill. It outputs 182PS and 240Nm of torque, which is 9PS and 20Nm more than the 10th gen Civic. Naturally, it’s still paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Just like the
Civic FC
, the 11th gen model can be purchased in five different shades: Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, and Ignite Red Metallic. The latter two are new paints for the Civic, which are also offered for the
City Hatchback
.

The 2022 Honda Civic is now available for booking in Malaysia, and you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to do so. Alternatively, you can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


2022 Honda Civic – 1,200 Bookings Received, 900 Monthly Sales Target

At the local launch of the
2022 Honda Civic
, Honda Malaysia revealed that it has received over 1,200 bookings for the new C-segment sedan. The Japanese carmaker also said that it is planning to sell 900 units of the 11th gen Civic every month.

Of course, given that full details of the new Civic were only revealed today, there’s no specific breakdown of which variant received the most bookings. However, Honda Malaysia did say it is expecting 50% of total sales for the 2022 Civic to be the V variant, followed by the RS trim (30%) and E model (20%).

To recap, the most affordable E trim of the new Civic costs RM125,634.64, while the mid-tier V model goes for RM138,043.36. The range-topping RS variant, on the other hand, is priced at RM144,350.09. These prices are with
sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022
.

If you want to place a booking for the 2022 Honda Civic, you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to do so. Alternatively, you can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


2022 Honda Civic – Should You Get the RM126k Base E Model or RM144k Civic RS?

The Honda Civic has dominated the C-segment sedan market in Malaysia since the 10th gen model was launched here back in 2016. Fast forward to today, we now have the 2022 Honda Civic with a more mature styling and premium interior – along with higher price tags.

Although the entry price for the new Civic is higher than ever – an increase from RM109,326.51 to RM125,634.64 with
sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022
 – you are getting quite a number of upgrades. These include a more powerful engine and the Honda Sensing safety suite
as standard
.

If you can’t quite make up your mind which model of the 2022 Civic to get, here’s our breakdown of all three variants!

Civic E – Best Value

Despite being the most affordable model (RM125,634.64), the Civic E is actually quite well-equipped. Not only does it get the same 1.5L turbo engine as the V and RS trims (paired to a CVT) that outputs 182PS and 240Nm of torque – that’s 9PS and 20Nm more than the 10th gen Civic – it also gets the aforementioned Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety systems.

While the 2022 Civic E costs exactly RM16,308.13 more than the previous generation Civic 1.8 S, the price difference is justified (in my opinion) with these additions. After all, Honda Sensing was previously reserved for the range-topping Civic TC-P, which was priced at RM134,321.28.

Granted, the TC-P had a lot of other upgrades too, but it’s certainly a good move on Honda Malaysia’s part to offer Honda Sensing as a standard feature for the new Civic.

Civic V – Extra Creature Comforts

Moving up the price range is the Civic V. Priced at RM138,043.36, it is quite a bit more costly than the E model (by exactly RM12,408.72). But for that kind of money, you’re getting extra creature comforts, including leather seats, larger 17-inch alloy wheels over the E variant’s 16-inch wheels, and Honda Connect.

Previously only offered for the City RS e:HEV, the Honda Connect telematics system smartphone app offers a range of useful features. There are three main components of Honda Connect: safety, security, and convenience.

Within the safety and security categories, the app offers Automatic Collision Detection System, Security Alarm Detection, Speed Alert, Find My Car, and Geo-Fencing Alert; the latter will send a push notification to the owner if the car is driven out of a set radius.

The 2022 Civic V

In the event of a collision or airbag deployment, the Automatic Collision Detection System will send a notification to Honda’s 24-hour roadside assist call centre; emergency support will also be dispatched. Security Alarm Detection, on the other hand, will also notify the call centre – as well as the the owner via a push notification – if the car’s door, trunk, or bonnet is forcibly opened.

As for the convenience category within the Honda Connect app, there’s Remote Vehicle Control. As its name suggests, this lets owners control certain aspects of the car, such as unlocking the doors, start the engine, control the air-conditioning, and even switching on the headlights; it’s quite a nifty feature.

Honda Connect is by no means a groundbreaking feature, but it does make the owner experience of the Civic V a little bit more…well, fun.

Beyond that, other upgrades the Civic V gets over the E variant include Honda LaneWatch, paddle shifters, a drive mode selector – you can switch between Eco, Normal, and Sport to adjust the throttle and CVT mapping of the sedan – eight-way driver power seat, auto dimming rearview mirror, and a larger 9-inch infotainment system; the E gets a 7-inch unit instead.

Civic RS – Sportier, With a Matching Price

Last but certainly not least is the Civic RS, which gets all the bells and whistles and a sportier appeal. These include 18-inch alloy wheels with a black matte finish, blacked out door handles, side mirrors, shark fin antenna, and trunk spoiler, half leather seats with suede material and red stitching, as well as automatic front wipers.

How much do you have to pay for these upgrades? A cool RM144,350.09, which is exactly RM6,306.73 more over the mid-tier V model. Essentially, you’re paying more to get the sportier styling of the RS model – whether these aesthetic changes are worth the premium or not (though you’re also getting the excellent Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres) is entirely up to you.

Which Variant to Get?

Again, it depends on what you want out of the 2022 Honda Civic. If you want the absolute best value for money, the Civic E is the model to get. Want more creature comforts? Opt for the Civic V. If you want the sportiest-looking 11th gen Civic, then you’ll be happy with the Civic RS.

The Civic RS for our market only gets a 7-inch digital/analogue meter

Personally, I’d get the Civic V for the larger infotainment system, bigger wheels, Honda Connect, and leather seats. But if the RS variant for our market had the larger 10.2-inch digital meter as other regions, I may opt for that model instead. I was told by Honda Malaysia that the feature will be kept for future consideration, so perhaps the facelift will get it.

Anyway, do I regret purchasing the older Civic now that the new 11th gen model is here?
Not at all
, though I do like the more premium interior of the 2022 Civic. But hey, I’ve made my decision – it’s not too late for you to decide which model is right for you.


2022 Honda Civic – Deliveries Start Next Week, 1 – 2 Months Waiting Time

If you’ve placed a booking for the
2022 Honda Civic
, you’ll be happy to know that deliveries of the new C-segment sedan will begin as early as next week. Even if you’re just about to book the 11th gen Civic, you wouldn’t have to wait too long either to get the car.

The delivery timeline of the new Civic was revealed by the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Madoka Chujo. According to her, waiting times for new bookings will take between one to two months. Naturally, how long you have to wait will depend on which variant of the Civic you plan to get.

Speaking of which, the most affordable variant of the new Civic is the E trim for RM125,634.64. The mid-tier V model, on the other hand, goes for RM138,043.36. As for the range-topping RS variant, it is priced at RM144,350.09. These prices are with
sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022
.

Keen to place a booking for the 2022 Honda Civic? You can head to your nearest Honda dealership to do so. Alternatively, you can also book it online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download the app from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Vivo V23 5G With Colour-Changing Design Now in Malaysia for RM2,099

The Vivo V23 5G has just been launched in Malaysia. Sporting a “colour-changing” back panel and two front-facing cameras, this is certainly a selfie-centric phone with a unique design.

Only one variant of the V23 is available in Malaysia. Retailing at RM2,099, it is packed with 256GBG of storage and 12GB of RAM. Two colours are offered: Sunshine Gold and Stardust Black.

One of the most unique features of the V23 has to be its aforementioned colour-changing rear panel, which changes shade under direct sunlight. There are also the phone’s two selfie cameras: a 50MP primary shooter, and a wider 8MP sensor for group selfies.

Other specifications of the V23 include a MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset, a 6.44-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8 ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), and a 4,200mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

The Vivo V23 5G is now available for purchase in Malaysia through
Vivo’s e-store
,
Shopee
, or
Lazada
 for RM2,099. Those who place their orders by 16 January will receive RM668 worth of freebies, and those who get the V23 between 17 January to 14 February will get RM558 worth of gifts instead.


Should You Upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 11 has been around for a few months now, but even though my personal Windows 10 computer is eligible for the free upgrade, I haven’t made the plunge yet. I am tempted to try out the new operating system, but I didn’t want to risk running into any issues after the upgrade.

So when I was offered a chance to review Windows 11 with the
Microsoft Surface Go 3
, I was more than eager to give it a shot. After spending quite some time with the new operating system, I do like it, though I won’t be upgrading to Windows 11 on my personal computer just yet – more on this further down this article.

Sleeker, More Modern Design

Compared to Windows 10’s sharp lines, Windows 11 has rounded corners instead, making for a more modern-looking interface. Of course, there are also more colours throughout the interface to give the operating system a sleeker, more aesthetically pleasing look.

I’m quite a fan of the centred taskbar too. It is a little bit jarring at first – and quite reminiscent of macOS – but having the apps I want to open in the middle of the screen instead of the corner makes much more sense. If you don’t like this, no worries: you can set the taskbar back to the left-hand side of the screen if you so desire.

I’m also happy to see the removal of Live Tiles in the Start menu. I rarely find this feature useful in Windows 10, so it was more of a visual clutter than anything. Now that it’s been ditched, it makes for a much cleaner, more focused interface.

This may not be something folks pay attention to, but I absolutely love the sound design of Windows 11. It’s tough to put it in words, but it just sounds…modern. In Windows 10, for example, I’m annoyed at the sound of error pop-ups, but Windows 11 offers a more pleasant chime.

Superior Multitasking

Multitasking is better than ever on Windows 11. If you hover your pointer over the maximise button on most apps, you can select to “snap” said apps to a certain part of the screen. This new feature is called Snap Assist, which makes it much easier to arrange multiple windows.

It’s worth mentioning that the ability to snap windows to different parts of the screen have always been an integral part of Windows; it’s just a lot more visible and intuitive to perform now. It’s great that a feature only “power” users regularly use is now much easier to access to a regular user.

Better Touchscreen Experience

I’ve reviewed many Windows devices that had a touchscreen, but rarely do I use it throughout the review period. Sure, it can be convenient sometimes, but most of the time, using the trackpad to navigate around is an easier, fuss-free affair.

But with Windows 11, I do find myself using the touchscreen a lot more, thanks to the addition of new touch gestures. For example, I can perform a three-finger swipe sideways to switch between different apps, or even swipe downwards with three fingers to get back to the desktop.

What if you use more than one desktop? Well, you can just perform a four-finger sideways swipe to switch between virtual desktops. If these gestures sound familiar to you, that’s because these are the exact same touchpad gestures found in Windows 10 – they’re just implemented to the touchscreen now.

This isn’t exactly a groundbreaking feature, but it’s a very welcome one for a more intuitive user experience, especially on Windows tablets like the Surface Go 3.

Some Features Are Not Available

But as much as I love the looks, multitasking capability, and touchscreen integration of Windows 11, there are still a number of features that have not been implemented yet. Granted, Microsoft has added universal mute and Dynamic Refresh Rate since launch to Windows 11, but support for Android apps have not arrived yet.

Aside from that, it’s also not possible to change the position of the taskbar in Windows 11; the most you can do is to move it back to the bottom left side. While this isn’t a big issue to me, I’m sure there are folks that think otherwise.

Performance Issues

Although this isn’t something I personally faced on the Surface Go 3, there are many reports of performance issues on Windows 11. In the first couple of months alone, there were issues with AMD CPUs and slow performances with certain SSDs running on the new operating system

Thankfully, these issues have been addressed through patches, but they don’t exactly inspire confidence.

Should You Upgrade?

If you want a fresh new operating system with an equally fresh new look, then yes, Windows 11 is definitely worth upgrading. But if you don’t want to deal with performance issues or missing features (like not being able to move the taskbar around), then no, it may be a good idea to stick with Windows 10 for now.

Of course, Microsoft will eventually roll out fixes to these issues, but whether or not you’re willing to put up with them while waiting for the fix is something you have to consider before upgrading. Personally, I’ll wait for a couple more months before I make the jump to Windows 11 on my personal computer, even if I do enjoy using it.


3 New PS5 DualSense Colours Now in Malaysia for RM369

Announced
exactly a month ago
, three new PS5 DualSense controllers are now available in Malaysia. The new shades are Galactic Purple, Starlight Blue, and Nova Pink.

Compared to the White and Midnight Black versions of the DualSense, which cost RM349, these three new colours cost slightly more with a RM369 price tag. In fact, this is the same case for the
Cosmic Red
 colourway, which was launched back in June 2021. You can grab these new controllers on
Sony Malaysia’s online store
.

If you’ve been following PS5 news closely, you may recall that these new DualSense colours were announced alongside the
console covers
. Well, those are arriving in Malaysia next week on 21 January, and only the Midnight Black and Cosmic Red colourways will be available first.

The Galactic Purple, Starlight Blue, and Nova Pink console covers for the PS5 will only be released sometime in the first half of 2022. Rest assured, we’ll keep a close eye on the local availability of these colourful covers for the next-gen console.


Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Now in Malaysia – 10-Year Battery Warranty, 23.3km/l, RM137k

After many months of teasers, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has finally launched the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid in Malaysia. The local pricing of the locally assembled (CKD) C-segment petrol-electric hybrid SUV has been unveiled too, and it’s slightly lower than the estimated price.

For the Malaysian market, only one variant of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is offered. Priced at RM136,550 with 100% sales tax exemption applied
until 30 June 2022
, the SUV comes with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, while the battery is covered with an eight-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

If you want even longer coverage, you can fork out RM2,950 to get two more years of warranty on the battery.

What sets the Corolla Cross Hybrid apart from the standard model is its hybrid powertrain. The electric motor – which outputs 72PS and 163Nm of torque – is paired with a 2ZR-FXE 1.8L four-cylinder petrol engine that does 98PS and 142Nm of torque. This makes for a combined system output of 122PS, with drive sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT.

Other specifications of the Corolla Cross Hybrid include a quoted fuel consumption of 23.3km/l, Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance systems, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, seven airbags, a 360-degree camera system, a dashcam, and a 9-inch infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid is now available for booking in Malaysia at all Toyota showrooms nationwide. The hybrid SUV is offered in five different shades: Platinum White Pearl – an RM800 option – Red Mica Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Celestite Grey Metallic.