Honor Magic 5 Series Coming to Malaysia April 2023 – Triple Camera With up to 100x Zoom

Honor just confirmed that the Honor Magic 5 series is coming to Malaysia as early as next month in April 2023. Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the Magic 5 Pro and the standard Magic 5 are fast, high-end phones, and the Pro model even has a triple camera system that can do up to 100x zoom.

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

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

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

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

Although we now have confirmation that the Honor Magic 5 series will be coming to Malaysia in April 2023 next month, it remains to be seen if both the Magic 5 Pro and the regular Magic 5 will be available on our shores. Nonetheless, we’ll find out as we get closer to the local launch of the Magic 5 series.


Honor Magic Vs Foldable Phone Also Coming to Malaysia April 2023

Aside from the Honor Magic 5 series, the Chinese company will also be releasing its foldable phone, the Honor Magic Vs, in Malaysia next month. It is a slightly upgraded version of the original
Magic V
 – which was launched early last year – and naturally, it sports a number of high-end features.

Powering the Magic Vs, for one, is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It should be able to deliver the performance level of a proper flagship smartphone, and aside from that, it also has a larger 5,000mAh battery now (250mAh more) than the Magic V with support for 66W fast charging.

Other specifications of the Magic Vs include the familiar 7.9-inch 2272 x 1984 OLED foldable display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 6.45-inch 2560 x 1080 OLED cover screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (54MP primary + 50MP ultra-wide + 8MP telephoto), and a 16MP selfie camera.

The Honor Magic Vs is set to be launched in Malaysia sometime in April 2023 next month alongside the Magic 5 series. No word yet on its local asking price, but in China, the foldable phone retails from 7,499 Chinese yuan (about RM4,885) for the base 8GB + 256GB model.


Affordable Samsung Galaxy A14 Launched in Malaysia for RM799

Samsung just launched the affordable Samsung Galaxy A14 in Malaysia. Despite its budget-friendly nature, it actually offers reasonably good hardware, including a Full HD+ display and a triple camera system that is…actually practical.

Only one variant of the Galaxy A14 is sold in Malaysia. Packed with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, the phone is priced at RM799 locally. Three colour options are offered: Dark Red, Silver, and Black. Unfortunately, the Light Green colour isn’t available on our shores.

Hardware wise, the Galaxy A14 is powered by an Exynos 850 chipset for our market. It also features a 6.6-inch 2408 x 1080 PLS LCD display, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 13MP selfie camera, a generous 5,000mAh battery, and One UI 5.1 based on Android 13 out of the box.

The Samsung Galaxy A14 will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 15 March onwards this Wednesday. Priced at RM799, it can be bought online through
Samsung Malaysia’s online store
 or Samsung authorised retailers nationwide.


FreeYond Entering Malaysian Market 21 March With M5, F9 Smartphones & Smartwatches

FreeYond, a company based in Shenzhen, China, is set to enter the Malaysian market on 21 March. According to a press release sent by the brand, it will be introducing as many as
five
 different products locally next week, including smartphones, smartwatches, and a pair of wireless earbuds.

Let’s start with the two smartphones FreeYond is bringing into Malaysia, the FreeYond M5 and F9. Of the two, the M5 is the better-equipped phone with a 6.52-inch 720p IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Unisoc T606 chipset paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging.

As for the FreeYond F9, it features a Unisoc SC9863A processor paired with up to 3GB RAM and 128GB storage, a dual camera array (13MP main + 2MP macro), an 8MP selfie shooter, as well as a 5,000mAh battery.

Next, there’s the FreeYond Pods 1 wireless earbuds. It promises up to six hours of use on a single charge – for a combined battery life of up to 30 hours with the charging case – a 12mm “bass enhancement unit,” and an IPX4 rating. As for the Watch F1 and S1, no details on these two smartwatches have been revealed yet.

We’ll find out more about these FreeYond products once they are officially introduced next week on 21 March. Looking at their respective spec sheets, these products should be affordable, so they may be worth considering for folks on a tight budget.


Yellow iPhone 14 & 14 Plus Now Available in Malaysia From RM4,199

Apple’s new yellow colourway for the iPhone 14 and
iPhone 14 Plus
 are now available for purchase in Malaysia. This time around, only the non-Pro iPhones get the new colour, so the
iPhone 14 Pro
 and Pro Max don’t see the addition of any new colourway.

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

On paper, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are very similar to the iPhone 13 series: they soldier on with the same A15 Bionic chip that made its debut last year. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, of course, given the
sheer processing power of the chip
 – even high-end Android phones have trouble matching the performance level of the A15.

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

The yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are now available for purchase on
Apple’s Malaysian online store
 with a RM4,199 starting price. Chances are, retail stores should have the new colour in stock now too. If you’d like to learn more about the iPhone 14 Plus, check out our
full review
.


Proton Previews New SUV With Mild Hybrid Powertrain – Likely Dubbed Proton X90

Proton finally confirmed its plan to launch another SUV, though the national carmaker stopped short of announcing the official name of the upcoming model. We got a preview of the new SUV today at the line-off ceremony to mark the start of production, and it’s definitely based on the Geely Haoyue, so this should be the much anticipated “
Proton X90
.”

Unfortunately, members of the media were not allowed to take images of the new SUV, so we only have a glimpse of the car’s front end in the official shot below. Nonetheless, it is described as an MPV-like SUV, and the new model is set to be the national carmaker’s largest SUV yet.

It also comes with a mild hybrid system, which should be the same powertrain used by the Geely Okavango – that’s the name of the Haoyue in The Philippines – which combines a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine with a mild hybrid system. The powertrain puts out a combined figure of 190hp and 300Nm of torque.

Previous spy shots of the “Proton X90”

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

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

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

The Geely Haoyue

According to Proton, its new SUV will be introduced “in the coming months” after a nationwide customer familiarisation tour. A media preview will also be held in the near future, so stay tuned for that!


Proton Introduces New Stamping Line at Tanjung Malim Plant – Largest in Malaysia

Aside from giving us a
brief preview of its upcoming SUV
 – likely dubbed the
Proton X90
, which is based on the Geely Haoyue – Proton also launched a new stamping line at its Tanjung Malim plant in Perak. Not only is it the largest stamping line in Malaysia, it can also reduce the national carmaker’s use of imported parts by 115,000 units every year.

This, in turn, boosts Proton’s localisation efforts for its range of SUV models manufactured at Tanjung Malim, including the
X50
, X70, and the upcoming “X90,” which has just started production today. The RM140 million stamping line can also produce up to 50 unique components, including body panels.

“The launch of our new stamping line in Tanjung Malim is a major addition to Proton’s car production capabilities. As a national automotive brand, the increased use of locally sourced parts in our production activities is vital to the national automotive ecosystem and helps reduce the outflow of funds from the country,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah.

“Aside from potentially reducing our use of imported parts by 115,000 units per year, the stamping line also allows for greater flexibility when deciding our production mix every month and improves the speed by which we can locally produce new models,” he added.

Hopefully, the improved manufacturing speed will come in handy to ensure that Proton can meet customer demands, now that the national carmaker has another SUV entering the market soon. Once the X90 is ready for launch, it will join the existing X50 and X70.


Hoyoverse Testing Cloud Version of Genshin Impact for Android in Malaysia & Singapore

Now this is interesting: it appears Hoyoverse is testing a cloud version of Genshin Impact for Android. The company sent out a notice through the in-game mail to recruit players in Malaysia and Singapore who would be interested to give the feature a test.

According to the notice, Genshin Impact Cloud allows players to play the game at “high graphics and frame rates” without needing to download the game in its entirely. As more content are released in Genshin Impact, the overall size of the game also increases steadily.

This cloud implementation could be a solution for those with limited storage on their Android devices.

Of course, beyond saving storage space, Genshin Impact Cloud also lets mobile gamers play the game at higher graphics settings with smooth frame rates regardless of what Android device they’re using. Granted, latency is the main issue with cloud gaming, so it’ll be interesting to see how well Genshin Impact Cloud will run.

If you’re a Genshin Impact player in Malaysia or Singapore, give your in-game mail a check if you’d like to give the cloud version of the game a try. Recruitment is open until 20 March, and successful applicants will be informed via email from 7 April onwards.


Deal: Sony WF-1000XM4 Heavily Discounted to RM599

The
Sony WF-1000XM4
 was originally launched back in 2021, and to date, it is still Sony’s flagship wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC). Given that it’s been quite some time since its launch, the earbuds are now more affordable than ever: you can get it
for only RM599 now
.

This deal is offered by Sony Centre Sunway Pyramid on Shopee Mall, so it is most definitely a legitimate promotion. The WF-1000XM4 is
listed at RM649
 on the store, and with the complimentary RM50 TNG eWallet credit, you’re essentially paying only RM599 for the wireless earbuds – a huge discount compared to its RM1,099 launch price.

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

for only RM599
. It has a warm, “fun” sound signature that complements pop music very well, and it offers pretty darn long battery life as well.

If you want to learn more about the Sony WF-1000XM4, check out our
full review of the wireless earbuds
. Again,
for only RM599
, its value proposition is very good.


HBO’s The Last of Us Review: Expanding Upon the Original Series (While Remaining Faithful)

The first season of HBO’s The Last of Us concluded just two days ago after nine episodes. As a long-time fan of Naughty Dog’s beloved franchise, I…actually enjoyed the TV adaption. It’s largely a faithful adaption of
The Last of Us Part I
, though it does diverge from the main narrative of the game in several instances.

But these diversions do expand upon The Last of Us’ worldbuilding in a meaningful way, further exploring the background of certain characters in the original game. These moments are what set HBO’s adaption apart, and it’s great that the TV series is not just a direct retelling.

That being said, there are some aspects of the TV series that I’m not thrilled about. But whether you’re an existing fan or completely new to the franchise, HBO’s The Last of Us is certainly worth watching.

Just like the game, The Last of Us TV series follows smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) and teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they journey across the US ravaged by a fungal pandemic. Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson – the voices of Joel and Ellie respectively in the game – also make an appearance in the adaptation as different characters, and it’s great to see them play a part here.

Without going into spoiler territory – this is a spoiler-free review, of course – the two of them play characters that are quite involved in the main narrative of the TV series. Suffice to say they are not minor characters, and fans of The Last of Us will not be disappointed by their appearances in the adaptation.

What about the diversions in HBO’s The Last of Us? Well, it’s a little tough to talk about this in detail without revealing some spoilers, but I do think it’s one of the TV series’ best qualities. These “extra narratives” don’t come from the source material (the original game), but they do feel well-thought-out and engrossing. These moments are not limited to just one episode either, which is great.

Speaking of which, there are also some changes to the main storyline in this adaptation of The Last of Us. Some moments are “cut short,” in a manner of saying, and several key sequences (mostly action-packed ones) are changed up as well in the show.

For the most part, I’m okay with some of these changes as they still retain the emotional impact; the means have been revised, but the ends are still the same. However, some plot points do feel a little rushed from these changes, unfortunately enough.

On top of that, as most action sequences are removed from HBO’s The Last of Us, the Infected are not portrayed as much as they should be. Sure, there are some terrifying encounters with Clickers and Runners in the show, but it’s not on the same level of intensity or dread as the game.

Granted, this could be a creative decision to put more focus on the “human” aspect of The Last of Us in the TV adaptation. But in my opinion, the Infected play a big part in the worldbuilding of the franchise. The fact that they don’t get much screen time in the show is underwhelming, to say the least.

Anyway, let’s move on to the performances of Pedrol Pascal and Bella Ramsey as the iconic Joel and Ellie, and I’d say they do justice to their respective characters. This is especially the case with Pedro, who played a very convincing Joel. From his gruffness, jadedness, to his relationship with Ellie throughout the show, he’s very much…Joel.

Bella’s portrayal of Ellie, however, is quite a bit different from her game counterpart, though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I have to admit, it took me a while to warm up to Bella as Ellie due to how different she in from Ashley’s version, but I do end up liking her take on the character as the show progresses.

Personally, I’m excited to see how Bella’s version of Ellie will play out in the second season of the TV adaptation.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoy HBO’s The Last of Us. While there are some aspects of the TV show that I’m not a fan of – the cut down action sequences, for example – I’d definitely recommend folks to watch it. It’s a great show for newcomers to be acquainted with the franchise, and existing fans will catch some neat Easter eggs here and there.

After completing the first season of The Last of Us, I’m actually thinking of giving
The Last of Us Part II
 another playthrough to continue the narrative of the story. Needless to say, I’m more than thrilled to see how HBO will adapt the second game, which is hinted to be split into multiple seasons.


16 – 22 March Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.35 Per Litre

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

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

These prices will be in effect from 16 to 22 March next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Samsung Galaxy A54 & A34 Official With Brighter Display & IP67 Rating – Coming to Malaysia 24 March

Samsung just added two new devices to its Galaxy A series, the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the more affordable Galaxy A34. Both devices now sport brighter displays and IP67 water resistance, which is (still) quite a rare feature in this segment – even some flagship phones don’t have this rating.

Let’s start with the higher-end phone of the two, the Galaxy A54. It features a Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage, a 6.4-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery.

As for the Galaxy A34, it’s powered by a more modest MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB expandable storage. It also comes with a 6.6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (48MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro), a 13MP selfie camera, as well as a 5,000mAh battery.

The new Samsung Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 will be launched in Malaysia next week on 24 March. As for colour options, both phones are available in Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite, and Awesome Violet, though the Awesome White and Awesome Silver colourways are only available for the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 respectively.


ShopeePay Now Available as Payment Option on Apple Services – Here’s How to Set It Up

ShopeePay can now be used to…well, pay for Apple services. Whether you want to make an in-app purchase through the Apple App Store or renew your Apple TV+ subscription, you can now use ShopeePay to pay for these services.

To link ShopeePay to your Apple ID, it’s quite simple, especially if you have an iPhone. Just click on your Apple ID in the Settings page, select Payment & Shipping, tap on Add Payment Method, and click on the ShopeePay option to start the link process. Shopee has even provided a neat video showing these steps.

“ShopeePay is committed to meeting the needs of users who are increasingly expecting seamless payments across all platforms,” said the head of ShopeePay Malaysia, Alain Yee. “We are excited to offer ShopeePay as a convenient payment option for our customers, and expand access to digital payments, benefitting more users,” he added.

If you’re a regular ShopeePay user, the ability to link the payment service to your Apple ID now should prove useful. It’s worth noting that ShopeePay isn’t the only ewallet that can be linked to an Apple ID; TNG eWallet is another noteworthy alternative.


Sony WF-1000XM5 Leaks – Smaller Design & Possible Dual-Driver Setup

Sony’s current flagship wireless earbuds, the
Sony WF-1000XM4
 – which is
heavily discounted to RM599 now
 – was launched back in 2021, so it’s high time for a successor to be released. Based on a recent leak, it looks like the Japanese company is gearing up to launch the Sony WF-1000XM5, and it’s sporting a more compact design and (possibly) a dual-driver setup.

These leaked images were first spotted by
The Walkman Blog
 through the FCC, which claims that the wireless earbuds with model number YY2963 are actually the WF-1000XM5. If this is indeed the successor to the WF-1000XM4, it seems to feature a more compact design.

On top of that, the alleged WF-1000XM5 may be sporting a dual-driver configuration too, based on the fact that there are two contacts in the internals of the earbuds. It will be interesting to see if Sony will take the same approach as, say, the
OnePlus Buds Pro 2
 or the
QKZ x HBB Khan
, where one driver acts as a subwoofer, while the other handles mids and highs.

At the time of writing, it remains to be seen when (or if) Sony will officially introduce the WF-1000XM5. But now that the wireless earbuds have been certified already, we reckon the company will be unveiling it soon.


iQOO Z7 5G Arriving in Malaysia Soon – Appears in SIRIM’s Database

iQOO is
teasing the Malaysian arrival of a new smartphone
, and there’s a good chance it is the upcoming iQOO Z7 5G. After all, the design of the phone matches the teaser released by the brand, and we have also spotted the device in SIRIM’s database.

The iQOO Z7 was registered with SIRIM just today on 16 March with the model number I2213. This particular model is usually associated with the “
Z7 Pro
,” but according to the SIRIM certification, this phone is just dubbed Z7 5G; very curious.

The iQOO Z7 launch teaser for China

The teaser released by iQOO for the Malaysian market; there’s no mistaking the camera bump

Given that the iQOO Z7 has not been launched yet – it’s slated to be released on 20 March in China – most of its specifications are still under wraps. That being said, the company did mention that the Z7 will feature a 5,000mAh battery with support for 120W fast charging, and looking at its teaser image in China, the phone has a dual camera system too.

Now that the iQOO Z7 5G has been certified by SIRIM, we reckon Malaysia will be one of the first markets to receive the phone once it has been officially launched. We’ll find out just what the phone has to offer come 20 March next week.


Genshin Impact Shenhe & Ayaka Banners Arrive 21 March With Mika, Sucrose, Diona

Details on Shenhe’s and Kamisato Ayaka’s rerun banners have been revealed. Set to go live in
Genshin Impact
 next week on 21 March, the two 5-star characters’ event wishes will be accompanied by Mika – a brand new 4-star character – Sucrose, and Diona.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

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

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

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

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

Shenhe’s “The Transcendent One Returns” and Ayaka’s “The Heron’s Court” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 21 March next week. Their banners will be offered until 11 April, and we can expect
Baizhu and Kaveh
 to be playable not long after that in the Version 3.6 update of Genshin Impact.


Exclusive: Logitech G Pro Superlight Spotted in SIRIM Ahead of Launch – Coming to Malaysia Soon?

It appears Logitech is working on a new gaming mouse. Dubbed Logitech G Pro Superlight, it may be a lighter version of the original G Pro, which could bring back the features that were removed in 2021’s
G Pro X Superlight
.

We spotted the unannounced Logitech mouse in SIRIM’s database. Sporting the model number MR0097, the G Pro Superlight was registered with the certification body just today on 17 March. This isn’t the G Pro X Superlight either, given that it has a different model number (MR0106).

The G Pro X Superlight

Back when the G Pro X Superlight was introduced in 2021, it removed quite a number of features from the original G Pro. These include LED lighting, a DPI button on the bottom of the mouse, and perhaps most importantly, the modular, removable buttons on the right side of the mouse for left-handed gamers. Given its naming convention, we reckon the G Pro Superlight will bring back these features.

Of course, this is just an educated guess on our part. We’ll just have to wait for Logitech to introduce the G Pro Superlight to find out just what it will bring to the table. Now that it’s been certified by SIRIM, there’s a good chance the gaming mouse will be unveiled very soon, and Malaysia could be one of the first markets to get it.


Deal: Get the Logitech G Pro X Superlight For Only RM499 Now

Launched back in 2021, the
Logitech G Pro X Superlight
 has dropped in price quite a bit since then. Originally retailing at RM649, you can now get the very lightweight gaming mouse
for only RM499
.

This deal on the G Pro X Superlight is offered by Asashi Technology, which is quite a reputable retailer in Malaysia. Both the Black and White models are
currently listed at RM499
, though if you want the bright Pink colourway, it will
set you back RM529
.

One of the best features of the G Pro X Superlight has to be its lightweight nature. Tipping the scales at only 63g, you can even remove the magnetic plate on the bottom of the mouse to reduce the weight to only 60g. It also has much larger “zero-additive” PTFE feet (in comparison to the G Pro) for a smoother glide, along with up to 70 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Besides that, the G Pro X Superlight also uses the same sensor as the G Pro. However, compared to the latter, the Superlight does exclude a number of features. It doesn’t have as much LED lighting, the DPI button on the bottom of the mouse has been removed, and it no longer has the modular, removable buttons on the right side of the mouse for left-handed gamers.

Anyway, if you want a lightweight gaming mouse, you can get the Logitech G Pro X Superlight
for only RM499
 now through Asashi Technology on Shopee. That being said, there’s a chance the
G Pro Superlight will be introduced by Logitech soon
, so it may be worth holding out for that mouse, though it may not be quite as affordable.


Exclusive: Proton Digital Xperience Store Spotted in KL – Run by ACO Tech?

We just spotted a very intriguing retail space in Kuala Lumpur, which looks to be a Proton Digital “Xperience” store of sorts. Although the sign on the facade of Quill City Mall – where the store is located – is covered up, Proton’s logo and script are still quite visible, and a Proton DX logo can be seen inside the mall as well. To top it off, it appears to be run by ACO Tech.

At least, we
believe
 it will be run by ACO Tech, given the presence of the company’s branding in the retail space. While the Proton DX store is covered up from the outside, we did manage to snap some shots through the gaps in the coverings. There appears to be an interactive game in the store too, which features the
Proton X50
, X70, and Iriz.

You can see the silhouette of Proton’s logo and script underneath the coverings

Notice the Lynk & Co branding on the box

The black packaging on the shelf also has Lynk & Co’s branding

Aside from that, we saw a number of Lynk & Co logos in the store too, which is another car brand under Geely. It’s interesting to see Lynk & Co’s presence here, though it’s possible only merchandise from the brand are sold here; there are some featured in the retail space.

Several ACO Tech products can be seen throughout the store too. These include ATLAS Pay –  a car-based digital wallet system – and even the Proton X Watch, a smartwatch that lets X50 and X70 owners control their vehicles. Oh, several apparel with a curious branding are also showcased in the retail space.
It’s worth noting that the Proton DX store is currently hiring retail crew and barista as well, suggesting that it could be offering a cafe experience in some form.

Aico is ACO Tech’s mascot

It remains to be seen exactly when the Proton Digital Xperience store will be operational, but given just how complete the retail space looks on the inside, we reckon it will be opened to the public very soon. We have contacted both Proton and ACO Tech regarding this curious store, and we’ll share any update once we hear back from them.


Honda Malaysia to Introduce 3 New Models & 1 Facelift This Year – Honda WR-V in Q3 2023

Honda Malaysia just revealed its plans for 2023. The Japanese carmaker will introduce as many as four new models this year locally – one of them being a facelift – which also includes Honda’s first small SUV. That is likely a reference to the Honda WR-V; it’s set to debut here sometime in Q3 2023.

Positioned below the
HR-V
, the WR-V is a direct competitor to another popular small SUV on our shores, the
Perodua Ativa
. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how Honda Malaysia will price the WR-V in our market. While we don’t expect it to be in the same price range as Perodua’s offering, we reckon it will be one of Honda Malaysia’s more affordable models.

As for the other two new Honda models that will be launched in Malaysia this year, the carmaker did not elaborate much, though there’s a good chance one of them will be the 2023 CR-V. After all, that SUV is slated to be launched in Thailand this Wednesday on 22 March.

What about the facelifted Honda model? Well, we believe it would be the fifth generation City sedan, which was launched on our shores back in 2020. Three years into its life cycle, it makes sense for the B-segment sedan to get a facelift. Plus, the City has also been facelifted in India recently.

2023 is shaping up to be quite an exciting year for Honda Malaysia, especially with the introduction of its first small SUV here. Though we’ll have to wait until Q3 2023 to see the local debut of the WR-V, it may just be the Japanese carmaker’s most anticipated model yet.


Honda BR-V Discontinued in Malaysia in Favour of Honda WR-V

If you’re still waiting for the all-new Honda BR-V to be introduced here, we have bad news: Honda Malaysia confirmed that the MPV has been discontinued for the Malaysian market. Taking its place in the carmaker’s local product lineup is, well, none other than the upcoming Honda WR-V.

According to Honda Malaysia, it sees demand for a small SUV like the WR-V on our shores over the likes of the BR-V, a seven-seater MPV. The model was first introduced in Malaysia six years ago in 2017, which was then
facelifted in 2020
 with some styling changes and an updated interior.

Positioned below the
HR-V
, the WR-V is a direct competitor to another popular small SUV on our shores, the
Perodua Ativa
. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how Honda Malaysia will price the WR-V in our market. While we don’t expect it to be in the same price range as Perodua’s offering, we reckon it will be one of Honda Malaysia’s more affordable models.

The Honda WR-V is expected to be launched in Malaysia sometime in Q3 2023, so it could debut locally as early as July 2023. We’ll find out then just how much it will be priced at for the Malaysian market, which could very well shake up the small SUV market here.


Honda Malaysia Targets 80,000 Sales for 2023

Aside from (somewhat) revealing its model lineup for the year, which includes the
WR-V
 small SUV, Honda Malaysia also outlined its sales target for 2023. The Japanese carmaker aims to move 80,000 units throughout the year with a 12.3% market share.

This is essentially the same sales target Honda Malaysia achieved last year, where the carmaker sold
exactly 80,290 units
; this makes up 11.1% of the total industry volume (TIV) in 2022. It is also an impressive 51% improvement over its total sales in 2021.

Though Honda Malaysia aims to sell about the same amount of cars this year, it will be facing a different set of challenges. After all, CKD and CBU passenger cars were exempted from sales tax in 2022, which bolstered the sales performance of Honda Malaysia and other carmakers. No such incentive will be given for 2023.

Granted, with
four new models coming from Honda Malaysia
 later this year, it’s entirely possible the carmaker can meet its sales target for 2023. It may very well retain its top spot in the non-national passenger car segment for the tenth consecutive year too.


Alienware’s 2023 Keyboard, Gaming Mouse & Headphones Malaysian Availability Revealed – From RM369

Earlier this month, Alienware launched a slew of new gaming peripherals, and we now know the exact Malaysian availability of these products. The Alienware AW420K TKL gaming keyboard, Alienware AW620M wireless gaming mouse, and Alienware AW720H wireless gaming headset will arrive in Malaysia by the end of March 2023 this month.

In fact, the AW420K TKL keyboard is actually available for purchase in Malaysia already. The gaming keyboard retails at RM719, and for that kind of money, it features Cherry MX Red switches, double shot PBT keycaps, RGB lighting, and customisable key commands.

As for the AW620M wireless gaming mouse, it’s priced at RM369 for an ergonomic shell made for right-handed users. It also has patent-pending “magnetic force” keyplates, up to 26,000 DPI, 50G max acceleration, and up to 140 hours of battery life; a quick five-minute charge gives up to 10 hours of use too.

Last but not least is the AW720H wireless gaming headset for RM679. It features wireless connectivity via a 2.4GHz USB-C wireless dongle – it works with a 3.5mm headphone jack too – 40mm “hi-res certified drivers” with support for Dolby Atmos, as well as up to 30 hours of battery life.

To recap, the Alienware AW420K TKL keyboard is now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM719. The Alienware AW620M wireless gaming mouse (RM369) and Alienware AW720H wireless gaming headset (RM679), on the other hand, will arrive here by the end of March 2023.


PDRM Giving 60% Discount on Summons Until 31 March 2023 Nationwide

If you’ve got any outstanding summonses from PDRM, now is a good time to clear them. In conjunction with Hari Polis Ke-216, the police is giving a generous 60% discount on summonses, though some terms and conditions apply.

As usual, the 60% discount is not applicable to a number of offences. These include summonses involving accidents, court cases, traffic lights, emergency lane, double line overtaking, dangerous overtaking, and of course, non-compoundable summonses. Op Selamat summonses are not eligible for the discount either.

If your particular summons doesn’t fall into any of these category, then good news, you should be able to get a 60% discount on it. In order to enjoy the rebate, you can pay for the summons online through the
MyBayar portal
. MyBayar is also available as an app on the
Apple App Store
,
Google Play Store
, and
Huawei AppGallery
.

Alternatively, you can settle your summons the old-fashioned way at traffic summons counters at contingent and district police headquarters nationwide. The 60% discount on PDRM summonses is valid until 31 March 2023 next week.


2023 Toyota Vios Launched in Malaysia – Premium Looks, Toyota Safety Sense ADAS, From RM89.6k

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) just launched the 2023 Toyota Vios in Malaysia. The popular B-segment sedan is now in its fourth generation, and it is feature-packed with a sleek new look and rather comprehensive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) through Toyota Safety Sense.

First, pricing. The base 1.5E model of the new Vios is priced at RM89,600, while the range-topping 1.5G goes for RM95,500; these prices are on-the-road without insurance. That’s right, only two trim levels of the sedan are available in Malaysia, and it comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Unlike previous iterations of the Vios, the new model is built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform; the same one used for the
Perodua Ativa
 and the recently launched
2022 Alza
. It measures 4,425mm long, 1,740mm wide, and 1,480mm tall. Basically, it’s slightly bigger than its predecessor.

Under the hood of the new Vios is a 2NR-VE 1.5L four-cylinder engine that delivers 106PS and 138Nm of torque; slightly lower outputs than the outgoing mill (107PS/140Nm), though UMWT says that engine response has been improved. The engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven virtual speeds.

In the safety department, the 2023 Vios features a slew of driver assistance systems courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense. These include pre-collision system, lane keeping control, auto high beam, and get this: adaptive cruise control, though the latter three are limited to the 1.5G model. Nonetheless, not many B-segment vehicles have this level of ADAS.

Other specifications of the updated Vios include 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for the 1.5E), three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power), rear air-cond vents, a 3D panoramic view monitor – yes, this is standard – six airbags, and a 9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Of course, as it is the more premium variant, the 1.5G Vios features more equipment, including paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, and leather upholstery.

The 2023 Toyota Vios is now
available for booking in Malaysia
; you can also test drive the new sedan at all Toyota showrooms nationwide. To recap, the base 1.5E variant is priced at RM89,600, while the highest-end 1.5G model with all the bells and whistles goes for RM95,500.


FreeYond Enters Malaysian Market With 2 New Affordable Smartphones From RM399

FreeYond, a company based in Shenzhen, China, has just made its debut in Malaysia. It’s entering the local market with
five
 new products, including two budget-oriented smartphones: the FreeYond M5 and FreeYond F9.

Let’s start with the higher-end phone of the two, the FreeYond M5. It comes with a 6.52-inch 720p IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Unisoc T606 chipset paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W charging.

The FreeYond M5

The FreeYond F9

As for the FreeYond F9, it features a 6.52-inch 1600 x 720 IPS display, a Unisoc SC9863A processor paired with up to 3GB RAM and 128GB storage, a dual camera array (13MP main + 2MP macro), an 8MP selfie shooter, as well as a 5,000mAh battery.

The FreeYond F9 and FreeYond M5 will be available for purchase in Malaysia by the end of March 2023 this month. Two variants of the F9 are offered: the 3GB + 128GB model is priced at RM499, while the 2GB + 64GB configuration costs RM399. The FreeYond M5, on the other hand, carries a RM699 price tag.


2023 Toyota Vios Received Over 5,000 Bookings – Priced From RM89,600

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) launched the 2023 Toyota Vios in Malaysia yesterday, and the company revealed that the updated B-segment sedan received quite a number of bookings. Since orders were opened on 24 February, over 5,000 bookings have been placed for the popular model.

“The response for the all-new Toyota Vios has been phenomenal, with more than 5,000 orders to date made since we announced our order-taking on 24 February 2023,” said the president of UMWT, Datuk Ravindran K. “This is a testament to the popularity of the all-new Toyota Vios in the Malaysian market,” he added.

Pricing wise, the base 1.5E model of the new Vios goes for RM89,600, while the range-topping 1.5G is listed at RM95,500; these prices are on-the-road without insurance. That’s right, only two trim levels of the sedan are available in Malaysia, and it comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Unlike previous iterations of the Vios, the new model is built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform; the same one used for the
Perodua Ativa
 and the recently launched
2022 Alza
. It measures 4,425mm long, 1,740mm wide, and 1,480mm tall. Basically, it’s slightly bigger than its predecessor.

Under the hood of the new Vios is a 2NR-VE 1.5L four-cylinder engine that delivers 106PS and 138Nm of torque; slightly lower outputs than the outgoing mill (107PS/140Nm), though UMWT says that engine response has been improved. The engine is paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven virtual speeds.

In the safety department, the 2023 Vios features a slew of driver assistance systems courtesy of Toyota Safety Sense. These include pre-collision system, lane keeping control, auto high beam, and get this: adaptive cruise control, though the latter three are limited to the 1.5G model. Nonetheless, not many B-segment vehicles have this level of ADAS.

Other specifications of the updated Vios include 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch for the 1.5E), three drive modes (Eco, Normal, Power), rear air-cond vents, a 3D panoramic view monitor – yes, this is standard – six airbags, and a 9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Of course, as it is the more premium variant, the 1.5G Vios features more equipment, including paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, and leather upholstery.

The 2023 Toyota Vios is now
available for booking in Malaysia
; you can also test drive the new sedan at all Toyota showrooms nationwide. To recap, the base 1.5E variant is priced at RM89,600, while the highest-end 1.5G model with all the bells and whistles goes for RM95,500.


5 Highways to Use Open Payment System by September 2023 – MLFF Implementation by Q3 2024

A number of highways in Malaysia will begin to use an open payment system by September 2023. These include the New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Sungai Besi Expressway, Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), and the Penang Bridge.

This bit of info was revealed by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi on
Facebook
. Once the open payment system is implemented, road users will be able to pay for tolls with their credit or debit cards. Basically, Touch ‘n Go will no longer be the only payment method on these highways.

Nanta elaborated that this is one of the first steps to transition to the Multi Lane Fast Flow (MLFF) system. A proof of concept will be done by October 2023, and MLFF will be fully implemented on all Malaysian highways by Q3 2024 next year.

MLFF is quite exciting, as it is a barrier-free tolling system to reduce traffic congestion. After all, there would be no toll booths anymore to slow down traffic. Hopefully, MLFF – and the open payment system – will be implemented according to the set timeline.


Acer Nitro 16 Coming to Malaysia Soon – RTX 40 Gaming Laptop

Acer looks to be launching a new gaming laptop in Malaysia soon, the Acer Nitro 16. Unveiled back at CES 2023 a few months back, the laptop can be configured with either AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series chips or Intel’s 13th gen processors, along with Nvidia’s new RTX 40 GPUs.

We spotted the Nitro 16 in our routine search through SIRIM’s database. The gaming laptop was registered with the certification body just today on 21 March under Acer Malaysia, suggesting that the Taiwanese company is gearing up to launch the Nitro 16 on our shores.

As mentioned, the Nitro 16 is configurable with either AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series chips or Intel’s 13th gen processors, though it remains to be seen if the Malaysian market with receive both options. Given that it’s also powered by the new RTX 40 series GPU – even if we don’t know which particular GPU it is getting – it should be a capable gaming laptop.

Other specifications of the Nitro 16 include a 16-inch WUXGA or WQXGA display with a 165Hz refresh rate, PCIe Gen 4 SSD, up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM, liquid metal thermal compound on the CPU, and a four-zone RGB keyboard.

No word yet from Acer Malaysia on the local availability of the Acer Nitro 16. But given that it’s been certified by SIRIM already, we reckon it’s only a matter of time before the gaming laptop arrives here.


FreeYond Watch S1, F1 & Pods 1 Wireless Earbuds Also Launched in Malaysia From RM89

Aside from the
M5 and F9 smartphones
, FreeYond also introduced three other affordable products for the Malaysian market. These include the FreeYond Watch S1 and F1 smartwatches, as well as the FreeYond Pods 1 wireless earbuds.

Out of the three products, the Pods 1 is the most affordable one with a RM89 price tag. For that kind of money, it features up to six hours of use on a single charge – for a combined battery life of up to 30 hours with the charging case – a 12mm “bass enhancement unit,” and an IPX4 rating.

And then there’s the Watch F1, which costs only RM119. It has an Apple Watch-like design with a 1.8-inch display, an IP67 rating, and up to five days of battery life under light use. As for the Watch S1, it’s a RM159 smartwatch with a 1.39-inch circular display, an IP68 rating, and up to seven days of battery life; again, under light use.

According to FreeYond, these products will be available for purchase in Malaysia by May 2023 from selected retailers. They will also be offered online through FreeYond’s official Shopee and Lazada stores.


Honor Magic 5 Pro Review: Needs a Bit More Magic

Update 6 April, 4PM:
 Honor Malaysia just revealed the local pricing of the Magic 5 Pro. The flagship phone retails at RM4,299, and the review has been updated to reflect this.

The Honor Magic 5 Pro is set to be launched in Malaysia sometime in April next month. Ahead of its local debut, I got to test out the phone extensively as my daily driver. For the most part, it’s a really good high-end smartphone – perhaps Honor’s best flagship phone to date.

However, Honor’s old habits are still very much present on the Magic 5 Pro. Its software experience isn’t particularly polished, and the phone’s much touted triple camera system…could use some work. But overall, I did enjoy using the Magic 5 Pro over the past few weeks, even if I’m not a big fan of MagicOS.

What It Is

Display
6.81-inch LTPO OLED (2848 x 1312), 120Hz adaptive
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 3.19GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 740
RAM
12GB
Storage
512GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.6, OIS
50MP f/2.0 (ultra-wide)
50MP f/3.0 (periscope telephoto), 3.5x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom, OIS
Camera (front)
12MP f/2.4
Battery
5,100mAh with 66W SuperCharge charging
Dimensions
162.9 x 76.7 x 8.77 mm
Weight
219g
OS
MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be (2.4/5GHz)
USB Type-C
Price
RM4,299

Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the Magic 5 Pro offers performance level befitting of a flagship phone. It also has a rather sophisticated triple camera system with up to 100x digital zoom, though not all of its sensors offer the best image quality – more on this further down the review.

But when it comes to battery life, the Magic 5 Pro is a
very
 long-lasting smartphone, thanks to its 5,100mAh battery and power efficiency. It’s good to see that the phone has an IP68 rating as well, which is really a feature all flagship smartphones should have.

The Good Stuff

I’m quite a fan of the Magic 5 Pro’s design. Yes, the huge circular camera module protrudes out of the phone rather awkwardly – and the dual curved display is not ergonomically-friendly – but I do think it has a unique aesthetic with a nice matte finish on the back cover of this Meadow Green colour option.

A couple of my friends were actually intrigued by the looks of the phone, though I suspect it’s because of the large, circular camera module, for better or worse.

Since we’re already talking about the camera of the Magic 5 Pro, let’s get to the camera performance of the phone. For the most part, I do like photographing with the triple camera system. The interface is relatively responsive – even if it does stutter in more challenging lighting situations – and the end results look great in a variety of shooting conditions.

That being said, this is mostly applicable to the Magic 5 Pro’s 50MP main sensor. The 50MP ultra-wide camera and 50MP periscope telephoto lens do perform well under good lighting, but in low light conditions, they start showing their limits. I’ll further elaborate on this in the following section. In the meantime, take a look at these good-looking shots taken with the phone:

50MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

50MP telephoto (3.5x optical zoom)

50MP telephoto (10x digital zoom)

50MP primary

50MP primary

50MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

50MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

And then we have the Magic 5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which provides a fast, responsive user experience. Throughout my time with the phone, there’s no hint of any slowdown, but it does show its limits in graphically demanding games like
Genshin Impact
. With the frame rate set to 60fps at maxed out graphics settings, there’s noticeably stuttering, though I can still get a smooth gameplay by just tweaking the settings a little bit.

Further enhancing the gaming experience of the Magic 5 Pro is its 6.81-inch 2848 x 1312 LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate lends to very smooth-looking animations – thanks to the extra frames – and the panel itself is great with bright, vibrant colours and wide viewing angles.

That being said, the default white balance is a bit too warm for my liking, though it’s easily adjustable from the settings.

Another
absolutely
 amazing aspect of the Magic 5 Pro is its sheer longevity. The 5,100mAh battery can last me well over a day of use, and on certain days, I can even get
nine hours of screen on time
. This is very impressive, and I reckon some folks can get up to two days of use on a single charge.

The Bad Stuff

Honor put a lot of emphasis on the camera of the Magic 5 Pro, which is probably why I’m quite let down with the overall performance of the phone’s triple camera array. Yes, the 50MP primary shooter can take great shots, but the 50MP ultra-wide and 50MP periscope telephoto lenses leave much to be desired.

Judge for yourself with these sample shots:

50MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

50MP telephoto (3.5x optical zoom)

50MP telephoto (10x digital zoom)

50MP ultra-wide

50MP primary

50MP telephoto (3.5x optical zoom)

50MP telephoto (10x digital zoom)

Given ample lighting, both sensors can deliver good shots, but they struggle to deliver in low light conditions. Noise is very apparent, detail preservation takes a hit, and shutter speed slows down considerably too. Granted, with some effort, the two sensors can still take good shots, but they don’t feel “effortless” to photograph with.

Beyond that, there’s the software experience of the Magic 5 Pro. While MagicOS 7.1 feels relatively lightweight, it is also…quirky, to put it into word. The notification shade, for example, cannot be opened by swiping down on the home screen. On top of that, there’s also no key shortcut to quickly launch the camera.

I’ve tried double clicking on both the power button and volume rocker to summon the camera, and both methods didn’t work. There’s no option to enable it in the settings either.

But the biggest software issue I encountered throughout my time with the Magic 5 Pro is the fact that Netflix suddenly stopped working on my review unit, though my colleague’s unit didn’t have this problem. While this could be an isolated case, it’s still worth mentioning.

Is It Worth It?

Retailing at RM4,299, the Honor Magic 5 Pro is a decent buy, especially if you want a fast flagship phone with very,
very
 long battery life and respectable camera performance. It is not quite a segment-leader – in my opinion – but it doesn’t cost quite as much either, which is good.

There’s no denying that Honor has come a long way since its inception back in 2013, and its range of flagship smartphones have only gotten better over the years. The Magic 5 Pro shows how much the brand has grown, even if it’s not a class-leading phone that can demand a premium price tag.

With that in mind, the Magic 5 Pro does somewhat stand out in the highly competitive smartphone market – especially in the flagship segment – with its value proposition. It may not offer the best value for money or user experience, but it’s still a phone I enjoyed using as my daily driver.


23 – 29 March Fuel Price: RON 97 Remains at RM3.35 Per Litre

Not surprisingly, RON 97 sees no price change yet again this week. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are unchanged as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

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

These prices will be in effect from 23 to 29 March next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Nothing Ear 2 Is Here – Custom Dynamic Driver, Up to 36 Hours Battery Life, RM599 in Malaysia

The
Nothing Ear 2
 has just been unveiled, and it is looks…largely familiar to its predecessor. But under the hood, the new wireless earbuds feature a number of improvements, including a custom dynamic driver for better sound quality, new press controls, and longer battery life.

For the Malaysian market, the Ear 2 is priced at RM599; that’s the same exact price as the outgoing Ear 1 after a price hike last year. Local pre-orders will be open later at 12AM on 23 March 2023 through
Crossover’s online store
.

The new earbuds will also be available for users to try out at selected stores, including Yes Experience Store at Lot 10, DirectD Gadget Mega Store at Petaling Jaya, and TMT at Mid Valley Megamall.

As mentioned, the Ear 2 now has a custom 11.6mm dynamic driver. Its diaphragm is made out of a combination of polyurethane (PU) and graphene, which is said to deliver “purer, more powerful” bass while also producing highs that sound clearer and brighter.

Other specifications of the Ear 2 include active noise cancellation (ANC), up to six hours of use on a single charge – can be extended up to 36 hours with the charging case – press controls instead of touch controls, as well as an IP54 rating; IP55 for the charging case.

To recap, the Nothing Ear 2 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia through
Crossover’s online store
 at 12AM on 23 March; that’s mere moments from the time of writing. The new earbuds are priced at RM599 locally, and we’ll be posting our full review of the Ear 2 very soon – stay tuned for that!


PantheonKeys Launching Purity Switch – Medium Tactility With Full PBT Housing

PantheonKeys, a custom keyboard vendor based in Singapore, is releasing a new tactile switch soon. Dubbed Purity, the upcoming switch has a medium tactile bump with a full PBT housing. That’s quite a unique choice of material, even if the vendor
isn’t the first to do so
.

PBT plastic is known for its deep, “thocky” sound profile, which is the very reason why PantheonKeys went with this material for the Purity’s top and bottom housings. “We’ve experimented with different materials to find the deepest, thockiest thock we can make, and we believe that the PBT housing material we’ve chosen plays a big role in achieving that sound,” said the vendor.

Aside from the full PBT housing, the Purity also features a single-stage 65g spring with a “mystery blend” stem. It is also factory lubed with 3.4mm of travel; slightly shorter compared to the standard 4mm key travel. It’ll be interesting to see how the reduced travel would affect the typing experience.

According to PantheonKeys, pre-orders for the Purity switch will be opened in the next couple of weeks. As for pricing, it will be priced at around S$0.60 per switch, which comes up to about RM2 per switch. We’ll be receiving the Purity switch from PantheonKeys for review purposes, so stay tuned for that!


Astro Adds Viu to Ulti Box – ZEE5 Also Available on Ultra Box & Ulti Box Now

Just a couple of weeks ago,
Astro added Viu to its 4K-enabled Ultra Box
. Fast forward to today, the streaming service is now accessible on Astro’s more affordable Ulti Box too. On top of that, ZEE5 has also been added to the two connected set-top-boxes.

With the addition of Viu to the Ulti Box, the complimentary three-month subscription to Viu Premium has now been extended to customers who own either the aforementioned Ulti Box and the Ultra Box. It’s worth noting that the subscription usually costs RM14.90 per month.

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

As for ZEE5, Astro customers on the Ultra or Ulti Box can start streaming content from the service today. To access exclusive content and remove ads, users can add ZEE5 premium to their subscription for RM10.60/month instead of the usual RM14.90/month rate.


Roborock S8 Series Robot Vacuums Land in Malaysia – S8, S8+, S8 Pro Ultra From RM2,699

Roborock just launched three new robot vacuum cleaners in Malaysia under the Roborock S8 series. Now featuring enhanced suction power (6,000Pa), the lineup is made up of the Roborock S8, the Roborock S8+, and the range-topping Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.

The most affordable robot vacuum of the three is the standard S8. Priced at RM2,699, it now features the aforementioned suction power upgrade, along with two rubber roller brushes for improved dirt pickup and less hair tangles – this feature is standard across the range.

A tier up is the S8+ for RM3,999. Given the price increase, it sports a number of improvements over the more affordable S8, including the ability to automatically empty the robot’s dust bin into the 2.5L dust bag. According to the company, the dust bag doesn’t have to be cleaned for up to seven weeks.

Last but certainly not least is the highest-end S8 Pro Ultra for a cool RM5,599. It has the most sophisticated all-in-one docking system dubbed RockDock Ultra that can automatically dry the robot vacuum, clean its mop, and even refill the water tank for mopping.

The Roborock S8 series is now available for purchase in Malaysia from RM2,699 at AiHome stores in Mid Valley Megamall, One Utama, IOI City Mall, Sunway Velocity, and Setapak Central Mall; iGadgets at Pavilion Bukit Jalil also carries the robot vacuums. Alternatively, the S8 series can also be purchased online through
Shopee
 and
Lazada
.


OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite & OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Launch Set for 4 April – Confirmed for Malaysia

OnePlus is set to introduce two new products on 4 April next month: the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and OnePus Nord Buds 2 wireless earbuds. On top of that, these two products are coming to Malaysia as well.

In OnePlus’ Twitter post of the Nord CE 3 Lite and Nord Buds 2, a link is provided to the
Malaysian-specific teaser page of the two products
. Needless to say, this is certainly a confirmation that the smartphone and earbuds are coming to Malaysia.

We don't mean to exaggerate, but we have something
#LargerThanLife
 coming your way on April 4. Stay tuned.
#OnePlusNordCE3Lite
 5G
April 4, 19:00 IST | 14:30 BST
— OnePlus (@oneplus)
March 23, 2023

Naturally, specifications of the Nord CE 3 Lite and Nord Buds 2 have not been detailed yet, though we do know that the phone will come in a striking Pastel Lime colourway. The design of the Nord Buds 2 have been revealed too, and given that OnePlus’ Nord lineup is usually budget-oriented, we expect the two products to be affordable.

More details on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and OnePlus Nord Buds 2 will be revealed come 4 April. The launch event will take place at 9:30PM here in Malaysia, and you can register your interest for the CE 3 Lite
here
 for a chance to win the phone – two lucky winners will be chosen.


Huawei P60 Pro & Mate X3 Foldable Phone Official – Malaysian Preview Registration Open

Huawei just launched its latest flagship phones in China. There’s the Huawei P60 series – made up of the standard P60, P60 Art, and P60 Pro – as well as the Huawei Mate X3 foldable phone, and
registration for the Malaysia preview
 of the P60 Pro and Mate X3 is open now.

This could mean that the two phones will be officially available here, though Huawei Malaysia stopped short of confirming this outright. Nonetheless, the two devices are quite interesting, especially the Mate X3, which is touted as an “ultra-thin” foldable phone; it measures only 5.3mm thin when it is unfolded.

Other specifications of the Mate X3 include a “Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ 4G” chipset – which should be the 4G version of the 8+ Gen 1 – a 7.85-inch 2496 × 2224 inner OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 6.4-inch 1080p OLED cover screen (also set at 120Hz), a triple camera system (50MP main + 13MP ultra-wide + 12MP periscope telephoto), an 8MP selfie camera, a 4,800mAh (standard model) or 5,060mAh (Collector’s Edition) battery, as well as an IPX8 rating.

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

It remains to be seen if the Huawei P60 Pro and Huawei Mate X3 will be available in Malaysia, though if you’re interested, you can register your interest to preview the two phones on our shores
right here
.


Asus ROG Phone 7 Launching (Earlier Than Expected) on 13 April – Coming to Malaysia

It looks like Asus is launching its 2023 gaming phone earlier than expected. The Asus ROG Phone 7 is set to be unveiled on 13 April next month, which is almost three months earlier than the debut of the
ROG Phone 6
 series last year. Naturally, the phone (or rather, phones) will be coming to Malaysia too.

Given that the ROG Phone 7’s existence is confirmed, we reached out to Asus Malaysia to enquire about its availability in our market. Not surprisingly, we were told that the upcoming gaming phone will be coming to Malaysia, though it remains to be seen if it will be available here right after the global debut.

Stay tuned for the new legend. ROG Phone 7 is coming on April 13, 8AM EDT.
Watch it live 👉
https://t.co/CGZtFnsTOF
#ROGPhone7
#ForThoseWhoDare

pic.twitter.com/iNbTUSD5cz
— ROG Global (@ASUS_ROG)
March 23, 2023

No details on the exact specifications of the ROG Phone 7 have been revealed, though we reckon it will at least be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. There should be two devices too: a standard model and a higher-end Pro variant, just like previous iterations of the ROG Phone series.

Of course, these are just educated guesses on our part. We’ll just have to wait until 13 April next month to find out just what the Asus ROG Phone 7 will bring to the table. If the teaser image is anything to go by, there’s a chance the gaming phone will be sporting a new design language of sorts.


Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – Still the Best Far-Reaching Smartphone Camera?

Camera performance has always been one of the winning qualities of the Samsung Galaxy S series, so it’s no surprise that the
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
 has one of the most far-reaching (and sophisticated) camera configurations in the flagship segment.

Compared to the
Galaxy S22 Ultra
, the latest S23 Ultra features an upgraded camera system: the quad camera array is now headlined by a 200MP primary sensor. Complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP periscope telephoto sensor with 10x optical zoom, it is without a doubt a versatile camera setup with various focal lengths.

Yes, it is largely the same camera system as its predecessor, except for the 200MP main sensor that bins 16 pixels into one to output 12.5MP images. This makes for an even more capable camera system than the S22 Ultra’s. Even if the improvement is not by a huge margin, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Photographing with the S23 Ultra feels just as effortless as it was with last year’s model. It performs well regardless of lighting situation, it can lock in focus very quickly, and its far-reaching zoom is still my favourite aspect of the camera system.

Just take a look at these sample images:

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

12MP ultra-wide

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

12MP ultra-wide

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

10MP telephoto (3x optical)

10MP telephoto (10x optical)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

12MP ultra-wide

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

10MP telephoto (3x optical)

10MP telephoto (10x optical)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

Beyond the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200MP main sensor, the sheer focal range of the phone is certainly class-leading. Even at 10x zoom, the image quality is still more than acceptable. There just aren’t many phones that can rival the zooming capability of this flagship.

Of course, the image quality of the 10x periscope telephoto lens does show its limits in low light conditions. Noise becomes more evident, and detail preservation isn’t as good anymore. That being said, the image output at
this
 level of zoom is still a step above the competition, in my opinion.

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

10MP telephoto (10x optical)

200MP primary (12.5MP output)

10MP telephoto (10x optical)

Beyond its camera performance, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is also a very capable flagship smartphone. It has a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, much improved battery life out of the 5,000mAh battery – thanks to the power efficiency of the chip, among other things – and of course, a stunning 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

There’s also the signature hardware of the S23 Ultra, the built-in S Pen. It still feels natural to scribble on the screen with the stylus, and the various Air Actions are easy to execute. All in all, it’s the same S Pen loved by many, and it’s one of the best reasons to get the S23 Ultra – or even its predecessor.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a competent, premium flagship smartphone, so that also entails an equally premium price tag. Retailing from RM5,699 for the 256GB model, the starting price of the flagship phone went up by RM600 compared to its predecessor. That being said, it’s worth noting that the S22 Ultra had a 128GB variant that went for RM5,099; the equivalent 256GB configuration was priced at RM5,499.

It’s a costly phone, to be sure, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a fantastic high-end phone. It may not have some revolutionary new features, but the upgrades that Samsung did implement with the S23 Ultra – such as the 200MP main camera – do lend to much improved user experience in many areas.


Samsung Galaxy A54 & A34 Land in Malaysia – Brighter Display, IP67 Rating, From RM1,599

Just last week, Samsung added two new devices to its Galaxy A series, the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the more affordable Galaxy A34. Both devices are now available in Malaysia, and they sport brighter displays with IP67 water resistance ratings – the latter is quite an interesting feature, especially in this segment.

Out of the two phones, the Galaxy A54 is the higher-end device, and its price tag certainly reflects that. For the Malaysian market, the mid-ranger is
priced at RM1,899
, and it comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.

The Samsung Galaxy A54

The Samsung Galaxy A34

Other specifications of the Galaxy A54 include a Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset, a 6.4-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery.

As for the Galaxy A34, it’s slightly more affordable
with a RM1,599 price tag
. For that kind of money, it features a more modest MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB expandable storage. It also has a 6.6-inch 1080p Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (48MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro), a 13MP selfie camera, as well as a 5,000mAh battery.

The new Samsung Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 are now available for pre-order in Malaysia; early birds who place their orders by 6 April will even get a Samsung Galaxy Buds Live wireless earbuds worth RM549 for free. You can also use our code AMGA34545G to get a complimentary 35W PD Power Adapter Duo worth RM99 from Samsung’s online store.

As for colour options, both phones are available in Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite, and Awesome Violet, though the Awesome White and Awesome Silver colourways are only available for the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 respectively.


Honkai: Star Rail, Hoyoverse’s Next Game Arrives 26 April on iOS, Android, PC – PlayStation Soon

Pre-registration for Hoyoverse’s next game, Honkai: Star Rail, was opened just last month. Fast forward to now, the developer gave us a release date for the RPG game: it’s set to arrive on multiple platforms next month on 26 April.

The platforms confirmed for Star Rail include iOS, Android, PC, as well as PlayStation, which is a new addition. However, it’s worth noting that the 26 April launch date is only for the former three; the game will be released on PlayStation at a later date.

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

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

If you’re keen to pre-register for Honkai: Star Rail, you can do so
right here
. Come 26 April next month, the RPG game will be available on iOS, Android, as well as PC via Hoyoverse’s own launcher and the
Epic Games Store
; the PlayStation version will arrive at a later date.

Naturally, cross-platform progression is offered for Star Rail, which will come in handy for players who play on multiple platforms.


SINGAKBD Unikorn R2.2 Rerun – Next In-Stock Sale on 30 March 2023 for RM1,950

The next in-stock sale for SINGAKBD’s very popular Unikorn custom keyboard is happening this Thursday on 30 March. This is the third in-stock sale of the 60% custom keyboard, and as usual, it will be done through a raffle.

Just like the previous in-stock sale
earlier this month
, stocks for this third Unikorn raffle is approximately half of the usual amount (300 units). The colourways offered will be the same as well, which are the Berlin Blue and Pewter Grey colour options.

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

As for pricing, the SINGAKBD Unikorn R2.2 rerun is set to go for RM1,950; the price increase is attributed to higher metal prices. Check out SINGAKBD’s
official Discord channel
 and
this page
 for more information on the sale come 30 March this Thursday.


Proton X90 Name Confirmed – 4 Variants, Mild Hybrid, Public Preview From 8 April

Proton finally confirmed the name of its upcoming D-segment SUV. Not surprisingly, it’s called the
Proton X90
, and it is touted as a premium, modern family SUV that is available with either seven or six seats, depending on the variant.

There are a total of four different variants of the X90: Standard, Executive, Premium, and the range-topping Flagship. The former three are seven-seaters, while the Flagship trim is the only model with six seats; there are individual “captain seats” for the second row, as you can see in the interior shot below.

We managed to spend a brief time with the X90 in person, though unfortunately, members of the media were not allowed to take any photograph. Nonetheless, we can talk about our experience with the SUV, and it does feel very much like a premium SUV. It looks and feels great, and all seven seats – or six seats for the Flagship model – are comfortable, though the third row does have pretty limited leg room.

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

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

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

In the safety department, the X90 features Proton’s most elaborate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) yet. It’s said to offer a sophisticated level 2 autonomous driving, including three new features: rear collision warning (RCW), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and traffic sign information (TSI). Yes, the X90’s ADAS can detect and display road signs in Malaysia.

No launch or booking date has been set yet for the Proton X90, though public previews of the SUV will be held at six cities in Malaysia from 8 April onwards. Interested customers will be able to look and feel the new SUV before its official launch, and (hopefully) place a booking at the same time.


Proton X90 – Official Images Revealed With New Marine Blue Colour

Proton revealed quite a bit more details on its upcoming D-segment SUV, which is confirmed to be called the
Proton X90
. It is touted as a premium, modern family SUV that is available with either seven or six seats – depending on the variant – and the national carmaker just released official pictures of the new SUV in the new Marine Blue colour.

There are a total of four different variants of the X90: Standard, Executive, Premium, and the range-topping Flagship. The former three are seven-seaters, while the Flagship trim is the only model with six seats; there are individual “captain seats” for the second row, as you can see in the interior shot below.

It’s also worth noting that the new Marine Blue colour option is only offered for the Flagship and Premium variants.

We managed to spend a brief time with the X90 in person, though unfortunately, members of the media were not allowed to take any photograph. Nonetheless, we can talk about our experience with the SUV, and it does feel very much like a premium SUV. It looks and feels great, and all seven seats – or six seats for the Flagship model – are comfortable, though the third row does have pretty limited leg room.

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

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

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

In the safety department, the X90 features Proton’s most elaborate advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) yet. It’s said to offer a sophisticated level 2 autonomous driving, including three new features: rear collision warning (RCW), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), and traffic sign information (TSI). Yes, the X90’s ADAS can detect and display road signs in Malaysia.

No launch or booking date has been set yet for the Proton X90, though a public preview will be held at six cities in Malaysia from 8 April onwards. interested customers will be able to look and feel the new SUV before its official launch, and (hopefully) place a booking at the same time.


Proton X90 Tuned for Malaysian Roads – 96,000 Hours of Testing Over 1.2 Million Kilometre

At the media preview of the now confirmed
Proton X90
, the national carmaker also revealed that the upcoming D-segment SUV has been tuned for Malaysian roads. This, in turn, should translate to refined ride and handling – a strong suit of Proton.

According to the director of group engineering at Proton, Hazrin Fazail Haroon, the X90 has been tested extensively on Malaysian roads. In fact, it has traveled a total of
1.2 million kilometre
 in its development, taking up over 96,000 hours of testing.

It was also revealed that the X90 will be sporting a multi-link rear suspension, which is a change over the original Geely Haoyue – the model it is based on – which uses a torsion beam setup instead. Multi-link suspensions are (generally) considered to offer superior ride and handling, so it’s good to hear that the X90 features this setup.

No launch or booking date has been set yet for the Proton X90, though a public preview will be held at six cities in Malaysia from 8 April onwards. interested customers will be able to look and feel the new SUV before its official launch, and (hopefully) place a booking at the same time. More details on the X90 can be found
here
.


Redmi Note 12 Series Coming to Malaysia 5 April – 200MP Camera, 120Hz Display, 120W Charging

The Redmi Note 12 series is set to arrive in Malaysia next week on 5 April. Touted as the “mid-range king,” the upcoming phone does sport a number of intriguing features, including a 200MP camera, a 120Hz display, and even 120W fast charging.

This feature set is certainly a reference to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. Complementing the aforementioned 200MP main camera is an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro lens. As for the display, it’s a 6.67-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Other specifications of the Note 12 Pro+ include a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage, a 16MP selfie camera, and a 4,980mAh battery with support for 120W HyperCharge. According to Xiaomi, the phone can be fully charged in only
19 minutes
, and of course, a 120W charger is also provided in the box.

It’s pretty much confirmed that the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ will be launched in Malaysia, and it will likely be joined by the standard Redmi Note 12 as well; we
spotted that phone in SIRIM’s database late last year
. We’ll find out for ourselves what other devices under the Redmi Note 12 series will be available here come 5 April at 7PM on
Xiaomi Malaysia’s Facebook page
.


Realme C55 Now in Malaysia With Mini Capsule “Dynamic Island” From RM699

Realme recently launched a new affordable phone in Malaysia, the Realme C55. One of the most unique appeals of the budget-friendly device is the “Mini Capsule” feature, which (somewhat) mimics the functionality of Apple’s Dynamic Island notch.

Two variants of the C55 are offered in Malaysia. The base model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage goes for RM699, while the 8GB + 256GB configuration retails at RM799. Two colour options are available here: Sunshower and Rainy Night.

So what exactly is the Realme C55’s Mini Capsule? Well, in normal use, the phone has a standard hole-punch cutout for the 8MP selfie camera. But when it’s plugged to a charger or the battery is low, the cutout will expand accordingly – mimicking Apple’s Dynamic Island – to show these details. While Realme’s implementation isn’t as functional or extensive, it is a novel feature.

Other specifications of the C55 include a MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, a 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (64MP primary + 2MP depth), and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.

The Realme C55 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia from RM699. Early birds can even get a Realme Buds 2 Neo and a six-month extended warranty for free, which are worth RM129 altogether.


Genshin Impact 3.6 Livestream Set for 31 March With Baizhu, Nahida, Dori

Hoyoverse just revealed the livestream date for
Genshin Impact
‘s Version 3.6 update. Scheduled for this Friday on 31 March, the version update looks to feature Baizhu, Nahida, and Dori – it’s possible these characters will be featured in the next update’s banners.

Genshin Impact’s Version 3.6 update is dubbed
A Parade of Providence
. Given that Baizhu is set to make an appearance in the livestream, it’s almost confirmed that he will be playable in the new update. Kaveh should be playable too, considering that he was
teased alongside Baizhu late last month
.

As with previous Genshin Impact version update livestreams, redemption codes offering Primogems will be given during the stream as well. You can catch the livestream of Genshin Impact Version 3.6 through
Twitch
 this Friday on 31 March at 8PM for us here in Malaysia.

If you can’t watch the stream, don’t worry: the special program
will be on YouTube
 shortly after at 9PM on the same day. Looking at the end date for
Kamisato Ayaka’s and Shenhe’s banners
 in Genshin Impact now (11 April), the Version 3.6 update should be available not long after.


SINGAKBD Kohaku R2 Groupbuy Set for 12 April – 700 Units, 4 Colours, From RM2,430

SINGAKBD is releasing a second iteration of its stunning 65% keyboard, the
SINGAKBD Kohaku R2
. The R2 version sports a number of changes, along with new colour options and more units up for grabs – a total of 700 units are available.

Previously, only 300 units of the original Kohaku went up for sale, so there are twice as many units (and then some) for the R2 sale. There are also four colourways now: Autumn Lilac, Smoke Grey, Lunar Black, and the sleek British Racing Green variant you see in the video below.

Beyond the new colours, the Kohaku R2 also has a different weight design now for easier assembly. This also changes the sound profile of the keyboard a tad bit as the video above shows, though it’s not too different overall, in our opinion. Oh, the acrylic cover for the weight with the Kōhaku Koi motif has also been replaced with tempered glass; very nice.

Other specifications of the Kohaku R2 include a gasket mount design, three choices of plate material – aluminium by default with carbon fibre and polycarbonate available as add-ons – sandblasted stainless steel or brass weight (depending on colourway), and a hotswap or solderable PCB.

Here in Malaysia, the groupbuy for the SINGAKBD Kohaku R2 will be offered by SINGAKBD itself from 12 to 14 April through a raffle. The base kit without PCB costs RM2,250, so you’ll have to add on a solderable or hotswap PCB for an extra RM180 or RM245 respectively, so the starting price of the Kohaku R2 is RM2,430 – not a bad price at all for a premium custom keyboard.

More details on the Kohaku R2 groupbuy can be found
here
. Fulfilment of the 65% custom keyboard, on the other hand, is expected to start in Q4 2023 or Q1 2024.


30 March – 5 April Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.35 Per Litre

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

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

These prices will be in effect from 30 March to 5 April next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


WWDC23 Set for 6 June – New Software & (Maybe) VR Hardware Expected

Apple just revealed the date for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) for 2023. Set to start from 6 June (Malaysian time) to 9 June, the event will likely showcase new Apple software. It’s possible we’ll see the introduction of a brand new Apple product too: VR hardware.

At least, that’s what rumours are suggesting, given that Apple has been said to be working on a VR headset for quite some time now. While we don’t
typically
 see new hardware at WWDC, the Cupertino company did introduce new products at the event on a few occasions over the years, such as the
M2-powered MacBook Air
 just last year.

👁
pic.twitter.com/YHmfy52BMr
— Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani)
March 29, 2023

Going back to the possible launch of an Apple VR headset, the teaser image for WWDC23 is quite intriguing as well. It may be a reference to the rainbow arches at Apple Park – where an in-person event is set to take place at on the first day of WWDC – though it could also be a glimpse of, well, a VR hardware of sorts, though we’re probably looking too much into it.

Nonetheless, what we can absolutely expect at WWDC23 are a preview of Apple’s upcoming software updates for its various platforms. These include new updates for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and maybe even tvOS. We’ll find out at the keynote come 6 June at 1AM for us here in Malaysia.


Vivo V27 Lands in Malaysia – Colour-Changing Design, Dual Curved 120Hz Display, From RM1,799

The Vivo V27 has just been launched in Malaysia. Sporting a unique colour-changing design – somewhat of a signature feature for the Chinese company’s V series – and a reasonably fast 120Hz dual curved display, the V27 is quite a sleek-looking mid-range phone.

Two variants of the V27 are offered in Malaysia. The base model with 8GB of RAM retails at RM1,799, while the higher-end configuration with 12GB RAM goes for RM1,999. Both models feature 256GB of internal storage, and as many as three colour options are available: Emerald Green – the model you see here with a colour-changing back panel – Flowing Gold, and Noble Black.

The design of the V27 is certainly one of its most appealing features, in our opinion. Not only does the Emerald Green colourway changes colour depending on the source of light – from a light shade of green to a darker one – it also has a rather unique-looking pattern that mimics the veins of jade gemstones.

Other specifications of the V27 include a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, a 6.78-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), a 50MP selfie camera, and a 4,600mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

According to Vivo, those who purchase the Vivo V27 between 1 April to 1 May can get freebies worth up to RM957, including a one-year extended warranty, a one-year screen protection, and an exclusive gift box. To recap, the V27 retails at RM1,799 and RM1,999 for the 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB models respectively in Malaysia.


PantheonKeys Reveals More Details on Purity Tactile Switch – 65g Long Spring, Made by Meirun

Custom keyboard vendor PantheonKeys – based in our neighbouring country Singapore – revealed more details on its upcoming
Purity tactile switch
. We now know that the full PBT housing switch features a 65g long spring, and it is manufactured by Meirun.

Meirun is not a manufacturer that’s widely known in the custom keyboard scene, and truth be told, this is the first time we’ve heard of the brand. While this doesn’t immediately inspire confidence, we do think the Purity is a relatively well-made switch, based on our brief time with it so far. Yes, we’ve received samples of the switch already for our review.

Anyway, aside from the full PBT housing, the Purity also features a single-stage 65g long spring, which should make the switch feel “snappier.” Basically, the longer the spring, the stronger the upstroke, lending to a more responsive typing experience.

Rounding out the specifications of the Purity include a “mystery blend” stem, factory lube out of the box, and 3.4mm of travel; slightly shorter compared to the standard 4mm key travel. It’ll be interesting to see how the reduced travel would affect the typing experience.

According to PantheonKeys, pre-orders for the Purity switch will be opened in the next couple of weeks. As for pricing, it will be priced at around S$0.60 per switch, which comes up to about RM2 per switch. We’ll be posting our sound test of the Purity switch very soon, so stay tuned for that!


Qualcomm Highlights Its Role in Enabling AI Features on Various Platforms

Many of us are familiar with Qualcomm. After all, the chipmaker’s SoCs are found on smartphones across all segments. But what is (perhaps) not as widely known is the company’s contribution in enabling AI-centric features found on various platforms from smartphones to laptops.

Take real-time translation and digital assistance offered by your Android smartphone, which are enhanced with the Qualcomm AI Engine through natural language processing. It also enables shooting 8K videos with your smartphone complete with “cinematic effects,” as Qualcomm puts it.

Qualcomm’s AI efforts can be found in laptops built on the Snapdragon Compute Platform too. Qualcomm and Microsoft collaborated to introduce a number of neat AI-accelerated features in Windows 11, including a more natural video conferencing experience.

Whether it’s noise suppression, background blur, auto-framing, or gaze correction, the features are implemented without sacrificing performance or power efficiency. These computationally heavy tasks as offloaded to a dedicated AI engine, freeing up CPU and GPU resources.

AI may be used as a buzzword by certain parties to make their products more compelling, but it really does bring a number of benefits when properly implemented. It’s great to see Qualcomm’s efforts in this particular field to further improve user experience across various platforms.


Proton Will Have 8 Models by End-2023 – Proton S50 (Preve Replacement) Launching This Year?

At the media preview of the
Proton X90
, the national carmaker revealed that it will offer as many as eight models by the end of 2023. Currently, Proton has seven different models – including the upcoming X90 – so we reckon the “
Proton S50
” sedan will be the eighth model, which has actually been spotted testing on our local roads already.

Based on the Geely Emgrand, the new sedan – which is believed to be called the S50 – is widely speculated to be a replacement of the Proton Preve. In terms of dimensions, the Emgrand measures 4,638mm long, 1,820mm wide, and 1,460mm tall.

That makes it 95mm longer and 34mm wider than the Preve, assuming Proton retains the same dimensions for the localised model.

Previous spy shots of the “S50” on Malaysian roads

Under the hood, the Emgrand is powered by a 1.5L NA engine (114PS/147 Nm) in China, though it’s possible the sedan will feature a 1.5L TGDi engine instead for the Malaysian market. After all,
Proton foreshadowed that two of its new models
 will feature the 1.5L turbocharged engine that offers up to 177PS and 255Nm of torque.

Given that the 1.5L TGDi engine is already confirmed for the X90 – though it’s also paired to a mild hybrid system for higher output – the S50 is a good candidate for the turbo mill. It’s worth noting that the sedan shares the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) as Proton X50 too, so it could use the engine without issue.

The Geely Emgrand

Once the Proton S50 is launched in Malaysia, it will be the first Geely-based model from the national carmaker that is not an SUV. This is certainly an exciting proposition, in our opinion, as we haven’t seen a properly premium sedan from Proton for quite some time now.


I Finally Got WhatsApp to Work (Natively) on My Second Phone – Here’s How to Do It

Getting WhatsApp to work on more than one smartphone had always felt like a pipe dream; it doesn’t feel like a feature that would ever be introduced. This makes reviewing different smartphones slightly more cumbersome, especially if I’m switching between different platforms (iOS and Android).

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to the introduction of companion mode – albeit in beta form – I can now run WhatsApp on two different phones
natively
 at the same time. The best part is, I don’t even need to sideload any particular version of WhatsApp or root the phone to accomplish this.

If you’ve always wanted to run WhatsApp on multiple phones natively, here’s how to do it.

First, a disclaimer. Unfortunately, this method only works if you’re trying to get WhatsApp to run natively on a second device running on Android. It’s fine if your primary WhatsApp device is an iPhone – this is the case for me – but you can’t have a “second WhatsApp” running on another iPhone.

Okay, to start off, just download WhatsApp through the
Google Play Store
 on your second phone. Once you’ve done that, enable developer mode by tapping on the “build number” option seven times. Next, go to the developer options and find for the “minimum width” setting. Make sure you record the original value first before proceeding to the next step.

Now, you’ll need to change the value to 600; wide enough to “trick” apps into thinking your phone is a tablet, as companion mode is currently offered for Android tablets. Finally, just launch WhatsApp after adjusting the width value, and go through the setup process until you see a QR code. Scan this with your primary WhatsApp phone to complete the link, and voila! You’ve got WhatsApp running natively on a second phone.

Of course, make sure you change the minimum width of your phone back to the default value to avoid running into any issues. For the sake of context, I set up the
Samsung Galaxy A34
 as my second WhatsApp phone, and the setup process should be similar to most (if not all) modern Android devices.

Technically, you can have up to four other Android phones running on WhatsApp simultaneously, as you’re only limited by the max amount of linked devices (up to four). This includes any other devices you’ve linked through WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.

As for how well WhatsApp runs on my second phone, it’s (almost) flawless. I can make and receive WhatsApp calls without issue, there’s no delay in receiving messages, and my primary WhatsApp device doesn’t need to be connected to the internet either for the app to keep running; perfect.

Well, I do occasionally get the “waiting for this message” notice, and not all of my chat history is reflected in the second WhatsApp phone. But all in all, these are not huge issues to me.

It’s worth mentioning again that companion mode is still being tested in the beta version of WhatsApp, so there’s a chance you may run into some bugs. Once testing has concluded, we reckon the feature will be added to the phone version of the app without needing to go through the workaround outlined in this article.

And that is how you can get WhatsApp to run natively on a second, third, or fourth phone. While it’s unfortunate that companion mode is only limited to Android devices at the moment, there’s a good chance iOS will get it too once the feature gets out of beta.

In the meantime, I don’t have to trouble myself by setting up WhatsApp over and over again when I need to review new smartphones. I cannot overstate just how happy I am to be able to use WhatsApp (properly) on a second phone now.