Proton X50 Best-Selling Car in July 2022 With 4,763 Units Sold – Beats Myvi, Bezza, Saga

Now this is interesting. With over 4,763 units sold in Malaysia last month, the
Proton X50
 was the best-selling car on our shores in July 2022. According to Proton, this is the first-time ever an SUV managed to grab the title.

Typically, the monthly best-selling car title goes to Perodua’s ever-popular Myvi or Bezza; occasionally, even Proton’s own Saga. The fact that the X50 got the title instead is definitely an impressive achievement, given that it also sits at a higher price bracket than the three aforementioned models.

“The company is immensely proud of the model becoming the first SUV to be crowned as the best-selling vehicle in Malaysia and we are thankful for the support from our customers,” said the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah.

“This achievement and Proton’s sales leadership in other segments shows our business plan is on the right track and repays the confidence placed in the brand by buyers, investors and other stakeholders,” he added.

Not far behind the Proton X50 in total sales for July 2022 is the Saga with 4,521 units sold. This is followed by the X70 (1,704 units) and Exora (476 units) – both of them led their respective segments.


Acer Aspire 3 & Aspire 5 Land in Malaysia – Affordable 12th Gen Intel Laptops From RM2,499

Aside from the thin and light
Swift 5
, Acer Malaysia also introduced two much more affordable productivity laptops with Intel’s 12th gen chips on our shores: the Acer Aspire 3 and Aspire 5. Retailing from only RM2,499, these two laptops are ideal for those who are on a tight budget.

Let’s start with the more affordable laptop of the two, the Aspire 3. Four different configurations are offered in Malaysia. The base RM2,499 model features an Intel Core i3-1215U processor paired with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Want a faster CPU and more storage? Then consider the RM2,899 Core i5-1235U model with a 512GB SSD.

The Acer Aspire 3

A tier up shares the same configuration as the Core i5 model, but it packs a dedicated Nvidia GeForce MX550 GPU instead for RM3,399. As for the range-topping Aspire 3, it comes with a Core i7-1255U processor with 16GB of RAM for RM3,699. Beyond that, all models of the Aspire 3 share the same 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display; the full version of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 is also included.

Next is the Aspire 5, which is available in two configurations. The base RM2,599 model has a Core i3-1315U chip and Intel UHD graphics, while the Core i5-1235U variant with Iris Xe graphics costs RM3,099. Besides the different CPU, both models share the same hardware, including 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, as well as the full version of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 included.

The Acer Aspire 5

Both the Acer Aspire 3 and Aspire 5 are now available for purchase in Malaysia from RM2,499 and RM2,599 respectively. You can also check out the two laptops at the Acer Day roadshow happening now in Pavilion Bukit Jalil until 7 August this Sunday.


Drop Teases SENSE75 Custom Keyboard With “Genuine Gasket Feel”

Drop is set to release a new custom keyboard, and it looks to be the company’s most premium offering yet. Enter the SENSE75, a 75% keyboard with a gasket mount system that “genuinely provides a gasket feel.

Gasket mounted keyboards have gotten increasingly popular in recent times, though the implementation of the mounting system differs from one keyboard to another. Given Drop’s lofty promise of a “genuine gasket feel” for the SENSE75, it’ll be interesting to see how its gasket mounting works.

Aside from that, the SENSE75 also has a number of features that are geared toward enthusiasts. These include PCB mounted stabilisers, south-facing per-key RGB lighting, an aluminium case, a hotswap PCB, as well as “accessible configuration software and QMK firmware,” though there’s no mention of VIA compatibility.

No word yet on when the Drop SENSE75 will be available for purchase, though
registration of interest for the custom keyboard is now open
. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the availability of the SENSE75.


7Hz Salnotes Zero Review: Chu Better Watch Out

While the future of IEMs seems to be steering towards planar magnetic driven ones like the
7Hz Salnotes Dioko
, traditional dynamic drivers are not going anywhere anytime soon. Expanding upon its affordable “Salnotes” lineup, 7Hz has released the Zero – a humble single dynamic driver earphones.

More specifically, the Salnotes Zero sports a 10mm dynamic driver with a metal composite diaphragm. The latter looks to be a popular piece of tech in the ChiFi space lately; the
BLON Fat Girl
 we previously reviewed is one such IEM that uses a similar diaphragm. Just like that IEM, the Zero is also
very
 affordable.

Retailing at just $19.99 (about RM90) on Linsoul
, the Salnotes Zero competes directly with the Moondrop Chu, an IEM that is currently dominating this price bracket…as well as several tiers above. We actually have a unit of the Chu, and you can bet we are comparing it to the Zero in this review.

What It Is

As mentioned, the 7Hz Salnotes Zero uses a 10mm dynamic driver with a metal composite diaphragm. 7Hz doesn’t really say how this type of diaphragm affects the sound profile of the Zero, though the company did mention it’s made of high quality materials, “making it easier to resonate or vibrate along with sound waves.”

Packaging of the Zero is nothing out of the ordinary. You get the earphones themselves, a detachable 4-core high purity oxygen-free copper cable, as well as an assortment of standard and narrow-bore ear tips. Similar to the ones included with the Dioko, basically.

The Salnotes Zero’s shell has a fairly unique look to it. The housing is said to be made from an environmentally-friendly plastic, along with a stainless steel faceplate with the name of the IEM on the side.

You get the option of three colour options for the shell of the Zero: Black (as pictured here), White, and Blue. The shape of the Zero fits well in my ears too, but it doesn’t offer the best isolation. The cable is also not free of microphonics, but at least there is a chin slider.

How Does It Sound?

The sound signature of the 7Hz Salnotes Zero can best be described as neutral, with (at most) a hint of brightness. While I wouldn’t consider the Zero to be laid back, it’s far from the most energetic IEM. Its flat tonality might even be a tad boring to some folks, but personally, I just find myself yearning for a bit more warmth and body in the notes.

Detail retrieval is about what you might expect from a dynamic driver; that is, it’s not particularly amazing, and the same can be said about instrument separation. Beyond that, 7Hz must have taken notes from Crinacle during their recent collaboration on the Dioko, as the neutrality of the Zero is organic and well-tuned, to say the least.

Bass

First off, the sub-bass of the Zero is surprisingly well-extended. It isn’t overly boomy or punchy, but you do get an interesting “tingling” sensation in your ears and head from the vibrations of the driver as the bass rumbles. This sensation is particularly evident in the opening to Blackpink’s Whistle, where the bass rumble decay lingers and reverberates clearly.

Also rather surprising is the mid-bass of the Zero. It’s tame and flat, but it is also tight and controlled. There’s no aggressive bump that you’d normally find with budget IEMs like these, so unfortunately for bassheads, the Zero’s listening experience is not super exciting.

Mids

The neutrality present within the bass of the Zero is true for the mids as well, and perhaps to a fault. Though not recessed, the mids don’t stand out in any particular way, it’s merely…present. It isn’t thick by any means, and it is not especially light or breathy. Vocals are also, to my ears, relatively natural, though it could do with a tad bit more weight and warmth.

To better describe this, the acoustic version of NIKI’s La La Lost You seems a tad “floaty” with the Zero; it lacks body and definition. The breaths that NIKI takes between lines are also subdued, making the track lose its almost ethereal quality.

This remains true for male vocals. While I can feel the drum that’s thumping in the background in Sam Smith’s Stay With Me, his vocals are a bit cold and thin, and it almost gets outshined by the track’s tambourine, cymbals, and aforementioned drums.

Highs

As with the bass and mids, the treble of the Salnotes Zero continues the mostly flat and neutral presentation. There is some detail present, but there’s a hazy, veiled quality to the treble that makes these details less obvious. There’s also an abrupt end in the decay of the treble instead of a smooth roll-off, which makes the presentation harsher than it should be.

Omen by Disclosure (featuring Sam Smith) is a track with snaps, claps, and cymbals throughout, but the Zero’s muted treble makes the song lose some of its energy and excitement. But there is a bright side to this: it’s not a fatiguing pair of earphones, so it should be good for longer listening sessions.

Soundstage

The Salnotes Zero makes up for its lack of height and depth with above-average width in the soundstage. But it isn’t completely an “in-your-head” listening experience, as you still get some vertical depth. It’s just…relatively meagre, though not unexpected.

Comparison to Moondrop Chu

It’s a great time to be in the ChiFi hobby now: you can pay as little as $20 to get the sound quality of IEMs at much higher price points. This “budget” category initially started with sub-$100 IEMs, which progressed to the sub-$50 category, and has now reached the astonishingly low price of below $20.

One of the most popular options in the sub-$20 price point is the Moondrop Chu, and it is now joined by the Salnotes Zero. These two IEMs are actually quite similar to each other (aside from their respective tunings), and there are a few physical differences between them that are worth pointing out.

First and foremost is the lack of a detachable cable with the Moondrop Chu. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but having the flexibility of using different cables allows you to get an ever so slightly varied sound signature, depending on the cable used.

Oh, you’d also be able to terminate at different jacks like 2.5mm or 4.4mm, not to mention the freedom to switch up the aesthetics a bit with third-party cables.

The fit of the Chu might not be for everyone as well, as the IEM’s earhook (or lack thereof) may prove difficult to get a secure fit. The hooks and overall shape of the Salnotes Zero allow me to get a snug fit easily, while the Chu took a bit of adjustment for me to get the same fit. But of course, everyone’s ears are shaped differently, so your mileage may vary.

A big selling point of the Moondrop Chu is the fact that it comes with a full set of Moondrop’s own Spring Tips. These tips would normally cost you around $13, and the fact that it comes bundled with the $19.99 Chu is
fantastic
 value. However, while I really like how soft and comfortable the Spring Tips are, I’m not too fond of what they do to the sound profile of earphones.

In my experience, the Spring Tips tend to flatten the bass and treble of IEMs fitted with these tips, lowering the dynamics of said IEMs for a more “smooth” sound signature. That being said, you should definitely try the Spring Tips for yourself first and see if they’re actually to your liking.

Now, let’s talk about their sound profiles. If the Salnotes Zero has a neutral tonality with a hint of brightness, the Moondrop Chu has a more apparent neutral-bright sound signature. The latter has more forward upper-mids, so it has a crisper high end too, though this also results in the Chu being more susceptible to shouty highs.

Aside from that, the Chu has noticeably less sub-bass than the rumbly Zero, even if the former has a punchier and tighter mid-bass. The vocals on the Chu are a tad more natural and forward too, which I personally prefer.

If you want a sound signature that’s more tuned to the Harman target, the Moondrop Chu is your best bet. If you prefer something a little more flat – or if you’re sensitive to forward upper-mids – then the Salnotes Zero is the way to go.

Is It Worth It?

While the 7Hz Salnotes Zero doesn’t particularly excel in any one area, it’s also hard to find any major fault with it,
especially
at this price point. Again,
for only $19.99 on Linsoul
, the Zero is great to use as a daily driver. Given just how affordable it is, you can just toss it in your bag without worries and listen to it on the go.

Whether you prefer the more evident bass response of the
Salnotes Zero
 or the
Moondrop Chu
‘s crisper highs, you really can’t go wrong with either options. Both of them are currently going for only $19.99 on Linsoul, and at this price point, you’re getting absolutely fantastic value for your money.

Li Jin Soh contributed to this review.


Illegear Atomic 16 Official – Intel 12th Gen, 16″ 120Hz Display, 15mm Thin, From RM3,299

Illegear just launched a new laptop in Malaysia, and it’s not a gaming machine. Rather, the Illegear Atomic 16 is a thin and light productivity-focused laptop – it measures only 15mm thin with a 1.55kg chassis – powered by Intel’s 12th gen processors, and it’s quite affordable too.

Two main variants of the Atomic 16 are offered in Malaysia. The base model features a Core i5-12500H processor for RM3,299, and you can swap it to a faster Core i7-12700H chip for RM299, bringing up the total price to RM3,598.

As with most of Illegear’s laptops, the hardware of the Atomic 16 is customisable. By default, it features a rather sharp 16-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 16:10 aspect ratio – perfect for productivity tasks – 4GB of RAM (free upgrade to 8GB RAM until 20 August), a 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, and a two-year carry-in warranty.

The Illegear Atomic is now available for pre-order in Malaysia on
Illegear’s online store with a RM3,299 starting price
 until 20 August. If you pay in cash instead, you can get the 16-inch productivity laptop from only RM3,135. It’s estimated to start shipping from 21 August onwards.


Asus ROG Phone 6 Finally Shipping in Malaysia This Week – Demo Units Available 13 August

After an initial delay, the
Asus ROG Phone 6
 will finally start shipping to customers in Malaysia
sometime this week
. If you want to check out the gaming phone in person, you can do that too from 13 August onwards at selected stores.

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

For that kind of money, the ROG Phone 6 features Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and

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

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

If you’ve pre-ordered the Asus ROG Phone 6, expect it to be delivered to you sometime this week. If you’d like to try out the gaming phone for yourself first, you can do so
at these stores
 from 13 August onwards.


Maybank Confirms Apple Pay Availability in Malaysia

It’s been rumoured for quite some time now, but here it is: Maybank just released a
support page for Apple Pay
, confirming the availability of the service in Malaysia. On top of that, Maybank also revealed a list of its cards that can be added to Apple Pay.

Looking at the list
, both credit and debit cards from Maybank support Apple Pay. While American Express cards from the bank are not listed at the moment, Maybank said that support for AMEX cards will be added in due time, though Maybank corporate cards are not eligible for Apple Pay.

Apple Pay makes it much easier to make payments with a compatible Apple product, as it allows you to add your credit card or debit card to the service. Once you’ve set up Apple Pay on, say, your iPhone, you can use your phone to make payments at retailers that support the service. So long as they have a card terminal, Apple Pay should be supported.

Although Maybank already released the support page for Apple Pay, it remains to be seen exactly when the service will be available in Malaysia, though we reckon it will go live on our shores very soon.


Here’s How to Activate Apple Pay on Your iPhone in Malaysia

Apple Pay is finally available in Malaysia! Although it only works with cards from certain banks on our shores – three banks, to be specific – it’s certainly a service that many Apple users have been asking for. If you’ve got a card issued by Maybank, AmBank, or Standard Chartered, then this setup guide is for you.

To start the setup process for Apple Pay on your iPhone, launch the Wallet app; it should be pre-installed. Once you’re in the app, just click on the add card banner. If you’ve already set up a card before, the banner won’t be shown, so you’ll have to click on the + button instead.

Next, you will see the screen above. Tap on the “debit or credit card” option to continue the setup process. You can then either manually enter your card’s information or use the camera to capture the necessary details. Once you’ve done that, that’s it! You can now start using Apple Pay.

If you’re trying to add a card from a bank that doesn’t support Apple Pay (such as my Citibank card shown below) you’ll get a notification saying so. To recap, only cards from Maybank, AmBank, and Standard Chartered can be added to Apple Pay; debit cards from the latter two banks are not supported either.

Alternatively, you can also set up Apple Pay through the banking app of selected banks, such as the
SC Mobile Malaysia
 app for Standard Chartered. This is the method I took as I don’t currently have the physical card with me.

Anyway, in the SC Mobile app, there will be a button that says “add to Apple Wallet” for Standard Chartered credit cards that support Apple Pay. Once I’ve clicked on the button, I will be guided through the same setup process outlined above, though my card’s details will be added automatically. It’s that easy.

It’s quite a seamless process to setup Apple Pay on an iPhone, and a wide range of iPhone models actually support the service. As long as your iPhone is equipped with Face ID or Touch ID (with the exception of the iPhone 5s), it will be able to use Apple Pay.

So…how
do
 you use Apple Pay at a physical outlet? Well, it’s quite simple, and dare I say more intuitive than Samsung Pay. For iPhones with Face ID, just double click on the power button to bring up the Apple Pay screen, glimpse at it for Face ID authentication, and hold the iPhone near the card reader to complete the payment.

If you’ve got an iPhone with Touch ID instead, just rest your finger on the Touch ID button and hold the iPhone near the card reader.

Needless to say, Apple Pay will make it much more convenient to perform cashless payments in Malaysia, even if only cards from three banks – again, these include Maybank, AmBank, and Standard Chartered – support the feature on our shores at the moment.

It’s worth noting that American Express cards will also be supported on Apple Pay later this year, though it remains to be seen if other banks in Malaysia will also support the payment service in the future. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye for any relevant news regarding this.


Apple Pay Now Available in Malaysia

After much rumours and leaks, Apple Pay is finally available in Malaysia! Well, sort of. While the local availability of the service has not been confirmed yet by Apple itself, you can start using Apple Pay in Malaysia right now with credit or debit cards from selected banks.

Apple Pay makes it much easier to make payments with a compatible Apple product, as it allows you to add your credit card or debit card to the service. Once you’ve set up Apple Pay on, say, your iPhone, you can use your phone to make payments at retailers that support the service.

Basically, if a retailer has a card terminal, Apple Pay should be supported.

From what we have gathered, only certain cards from Maybank, AmBank, and Standard Chartered can be added to Apple Pay in Malaysia at this moment. However, in the case of Standard Chartered, only its credit cards are supported right now; our own debit cards issued by the bank cannot be linked to Apple Pay yet.

If you’ve got any cards issued by Maybank, AmBank, or Standard Chartered right now, try adding them to Apple Pay now to see if they work; we reckon more cards will be added to the service in due time. Maybank, for one, has mentioned it is currently working to get its
American Express cards to support Apple Pay
.


Apple Pay Officially Launches in Malaysia With Maybank, AmBank, Standard Chartered

It’s official! Apple just announced the availability of Apple Pay in Malaysia, alongside banks that currently support the service. These include Maybank, AmBank, and Standard Chartered. That’s right, only cards issued by these banks currently support Apple Pay in Malaysia.

But as shown on
our local Apple Pay page
, support for American Express cards will be added later this year. This was also
previously confirmed by Maybank itself
 in its FAQ, which has since been taken down. Now that Apple Pay is officially available here, we reckon the page will be back up soon.

Apple Pay makes it much easier to make payments with a compatible Apple product, as it allows you to add your credit card or debit card to the service. Once you’ve set up Apple Pay on, say, your iPhone, you can use your phone to make payments at retailers that support the service.

If you’ve got a card issued by Maybank, AmBank, or Standard Chartered – do note that
Standard Chartered debit cards are not supported yet
 – you can now add it to Apple Pay to start making payments with the service. Several online merchants also support Apple Pay, including Shopee and Adidas.


2023 Toyota Vios Unveiled in Thailand – All-New Design, 1.2L NA, Toyota Safety Sense, From RM68k

The Toyota Vios is a mainstay in the Malaysian B-segment sedan market, and it is finally,
finally
 getting a proper update; at least, that’s the case in Thailand. Launched in the country as the Yaris Ativ, the fourth generation Vios sports a sleek new design, not to mention a much more premium interior.

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.

For the Thai market, four different variants of the updated Vios are offered: Sport, Smart, Premium, and the range-topping Premium Luxury. All of them are powered by a 1.2L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 94PS and 110Nm of torque, and it’s paired to a CVT gearbox.

Aside from that, the new Vios also comes with six airbags as standard, and on higher-end trims of the B-segment sedan, Toyota Safety Sense is also offered. It includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assist, front departure alert, and pedal misoperation control.

Now, prices. In Thailand, the 2023 Toyota Vios starts at 539,000 Thai baht (about RM67,715) for the Sport, followed by the Smart at 584,000 baht (~RM73,415), Premium at 659,000 baht (~RM82,835), and the highest-end Premium Luxury at 689,000 baht (~RM86,610).

No word yet on when UMW Toyota Motor will introduce the new Vios in Malaysia, though it could happen soon now that the updated sedan has been launched in Thailand.


Xiaomi 12 Lite With Snapdragon 778G Likely Coming to Malaysia 18 August

Xiaomi Malaysia set a product launch event for 18 August next week, but the Chinese company did not reveal exactly what it is introducing on that date. Well, based on a new teaser, it looks to be the Xiaomi 12 Lite, an upper mid-range smartphone with a premium appeal.

Looking at the Facebook post below, Xiaomi Malaysia is running a competition for fans to guess the brand ambassador for (you guessed it) the Xiaomi 12 Lite. This pretty much confirms the Malaysian release of the mid-ranger, and the contest will run until 17 August; a day before the company’s launch event.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, the 12 Lite should be able to provide a good level of performance, especially for a mid-range smartphone. It also features a bright and vibrant 6.55-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Other specifications of the 12 Lite include a triple camera system (108MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 32MP selfie camera, up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, and a 4,300mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging; a 67W charger is provided with the phone.

The Xiaomi 12 Lite should be introduced in Malaysia next week on 18 August. Given that it falls under the premium Xiaomi 12 series, expect it to cost slightly more than other mid-range phones from Xiaomi. We’ll find out for ourselves at the
livestream of the launch event on 18 August at 8PM
.


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Hands-On: Small, Meaningful Upgrades

Samsung’s latest range of foldable phones are here, and just like last year, we’ve got two devices with a folding screen from the Korean company. There’s the larger Z Fold 4, and this phone right here, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. Yes, it looks strikingly similar to the previous
Z Flip 3
.

While this makes for a…less exciting device, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 does have some notable (albeit small) improvements here and there. These, in turn, make for a more refined, even more practical foldable phone that should improve its mainstream appeal.

If you’re ready for your first foldable phone, the Z Flip 4 could just be the device for you.

Although it looks identical to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is actually ever so slightly shorter and narrower, so it’s more compact over the Z Flip 3. It also has flatter sides, improving the ergonomics of the foldable, clamshell-like phone. Basically, the Z Flip 4 feels more comfortable to hold.

Further enhancing the feel of the Z Flip 4 is the matte finish on the front and back panels. That’s right, gone are the glossy surfaces in favour of a matte, almost rubberised finish. Not only does it improve the look and feel of the phone, the matte panels also contrast nicely with the glossy metal frame.

Another notable change – and it’s potentially a major quality of life improvement – is the Z Flip 4’s larger 3,700mAh battery; that’s a 400mAh increase over the previous model. This should (theoretically) improve the battery life of the foldable phone, though it remains to be seen by how much.

For the sake of comparison, I managed to get
about four hours of screen on time
 with last year’s Z Flip 3. If the Z Flip 4 could, say, extend it up to five hours with its larger battery, I’d say it would be a win already.

And it could very well achieve that, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 powering the Z Flip 4. After all, it’s built on a more power-efficient 4nm process over the 5nm Snapdragon 888 found under the hood of the Z Flip 3.

Of course, aside from that, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will be able to provide a high level of performance as well. In my brief time with the Z Flip 4, it feels fast and zippy; just like how a flagship smartphone should be like.

The fast display of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 certainly helps with the responsiveness of the phone too. It features a 6.7-inch 2640 x 1080 Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, so the panel’s refresh rate can go down to as low as 1Hz to conserve power.

What about the display quality of the Z Flip 4? As expected of Samsung, it’s as good as ever. It’s a bright, vibrant AMOLED panel with punchy colours, wide viewing angles, and deep, true blacks. Granted, it’s “only” a Full HD+ resolution, but I’d say this is still sharp enough for a display this size.

That being said, I do have some qualms with the display of the Z Flip 4, starting with the protective layer on top of the foldable glass screen. While it feels reasonably smooth to the touch, it’s still not as slick as…well, actual glass.

Oh, the crease on the foldable display is also visible if you look for it. While this doesn’t bother me – it practically disappears in normal use – some folks may be particular about this “imperfection.”

As for the 1.9-inch 260 x 512 Super AMOLED display on the cover of the Z Flip 4, it’s more or less the same here, though it is said to be more customisable now.

Last but not least is the camera performance of the Galaxy Z Flip 4. According to Samsung, the foldable phone now features a 65% brighter sensor, which should improve the camera’s low light performance. However, the dual camera configuration remains the same: it still consists of a 12MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens.

I managed to briefly test out the camera performance of the Z Flip 4 – albeit in a well-lit room – and it does still feel quite capable, even if it’s not an awfully sophisticated camera array. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to share any sample shots taken with the phone at the media briefing.

Now let’s talk prices. For the Malaysian market, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 retails from RM4,099 for the 8GB + 128GB model; a RM100 price increase over last year’s model. A tier up is the 8GB + 256GB configuration for RM4,399 (RM200 increase).

It’s also worth noting that the Malaysian market finally gets the
Bespoke Edition
 of the Z Flip 4. Also packed with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, this customisable model retails slightly higher at RM4,599. Also new to our market is the 8GB + 512GB variant of the foldable phone for a cool RM4,899.

Given all of the upgrades you’re getting with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, the price increase is, in my opinion, justified. Not only does it feature a faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset now, it also looks and feels better, not to mention the fact that it has a slightly larger battery for improved battery life.

Yes, the Z Flip 4 doesn’t offer an exciting new design, but the small improvements that it does bring do make for a better foldable phone. Plus, it’s still IPX8-rated for water resistance – there’s no other foldable phone (aside from the Z Fold 4) with such a rating in Malaysia.

It’s also worth noting that many,
many
 other flagship phones aren’t water-resistant either. The fact that this is a water-resistant
foldable
 phone is impressive in its own right.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia on
Samsung.com
. If you use code AMGZF4VIP at checkout, you can get a Super Fast Wireless Charger Duo worth RM369 with your purchase; a cable and 15W charger are also included.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Hands-On: Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, at a glance, can easily be mistaken as the Z Fold 3. Yes, just as leaks and rumours have revealed, there’s no big design changes to Samsung’s flagship foldable phone; it’s an incremental, evolutionary improvement, rather than a revolutionary overhaul.

But just like the Z Flip 4, the small upgrades the Z Fold 4 bring make for a more complete foldable phone, including a slightly more compact chassis, faster performance (naturally), and improved camera performance. On top of that, it is also the first phone to ship with Android 12L, which is optimised for foldable phones.

Yes, it sees a price hike too, but with all of the upgrades taken into consideration, the slightly higher asking prices make sense. Keen to get the Z Fold 4? Keep on reading!

Compared to the Z Fold 3, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is slightly more compact. The bezels on the 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (48~120Hz) have also been shrunk, making it that much easier to use with only one hand.

Speaking of which, it’s also more comfortable to hold the Z Fold 4 now, thanks to the flatter sides. These small design changes do improve the overall refinement of the foldable phone, which extends to other aspects of the device as well.

It may not look like a new phone, but it
does
 feel like a different phone in my hands. Again, an evolutionary change, rather than revolutionary.

The 4MP UDC is still quite visible

Another aesthetic change to the Z Fold 4 is the 4MP under display camera (UDC) on the main foldable display, which is said to be less visible now with a new “scatter-type sub-pixel arrangement.” While this is true when darker elements are shown on the display, it’s still quite obvious on, say, a white screen.

Beyond that, the Z Fold 4’s primary 7.6-inch 2640 x 1080 Dynamic AMOLED 2X foldable screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz) remains as excellent as ever. It offers, deep, true blacks, punchy colours, wide viewing angles, and it can get very, very bright. The 120Hz refresh rate lends to a very fluid user experience as well.

Unfortunately, the display crease is still there, though I personally don’t find it an issue, especially in normal use. I’m more bothered by the protective layer on top of the foldable screen, which doesn’t feel as smooth as the actual glass of the display.

What I am a fan of is the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s new Taskbar, which is an Android 12L feature. It can be summoned by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, providing quick access to your favourite apps. On top of that, you can also tap and drag any of the apps and drop it on the screen to open said app; very neat and convenient.

Performance wise, the Z Fold 4 is naturally no slouch. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and in my short time with the foldable phone, it definitely feels fast and zippy with no noticeable sluggishness. Built on a 4nm process, it should be more power-efficient than its predecessor’s 5nm Snapdragon 888 chip too.

The Z Fold 4 will need the better power efficiency for improved battery life, given that it still has the same 4,400mAh battery as last year’s Z Fold 3.

And then we have the camera performance of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. It has a triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. That’s right, it’s similar to the camera setup of the
Galaxy S22 and S22+
.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the Z Fold 4’s triple camera system feels very capable with fast autofocus, good detail preservation, and responsive camera interface. While we weren’t allowed to share images taken with the foldable phone at the media preview, the images I took do look quite promising.

However, it would’ve been great if the Z Fold 4 had, say, the
Galaxy S22 Ultra
‘s more sophisticated camera array instead. Then this foldable phone would have
Samsung’s best camera system yet
.

Okay, so how much does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 cost in Malaysia? Well, it starts at RM6,799 for the base 12GB + 256GB model; that’s a RM100 price increase. As for the 512GB model with the same amount of RAM, it goes for RM7,299 (RM200 increase). New to the Malaysian market is a whopping 12GB + 1TB configuration of the foldable phone; this variant is priced at a cool RM8,299.

While some may be disappointed that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 isn’t a major overhaul – and the fact that the S Pen still isn’t built-in – there’s no denying that it is Samsung’s most refined foldable phone yet. It is now more comfortable to hold, the camera performance is improved, and it is also a faster device with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.

Samsung evidently wants to improve the mainstream appeal of the Z Fold 4, and one way to do that is to keep prices as low as possible. If the company had overhauled the design of the foldable phone, it would’ve likely increased the retail price out of the reach of mainstream buyers.

It’s not an exciting upgrade, but the Z Fold 4 is also not a bad phone by any means. In fact, it’s still one of the most accessible foldable phones in the market now, both in terms of general availability and affordability – this fact alone, more often than not, is a winning formula.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia on
Samsung.com
. If you use code AMGZF4VIP at checkout, you can get a Super Fast Wireless Charger Duo worth RM369 with your purchase; a cable and 15W charger are also included.


11 – 17 August Fuel Price: RON 97 Down 10 Sen, Now RM4.40 Per Litre

The price of RON 97 continues its downward trend this week: it’s set to go down by 10 sen per litre this midnight. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are all maintained, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is set at RM4.40 per litre (down from RM4.50). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 11 to 17 August 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Official – Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, Bigger Battery, From RM4,099 in Malaysia

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is here! As expected, it looks very similar to its predecessor, though it does offer some notable upgrades, including a faster chipset, bigger battery, as well as a couple of meaningful design changes.

For the Malaysian market, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 retails from RM4,099 for the 128GB model; a RM100 price increase over last year’s model. A tier up is the 256GB configuration for RM4,399 (RM200 increase). We’re also getting the
Bespoke Edition
 of the foldable; also featuring 256GB of storage, this customisable model retails slightly higher at RM4,599.

Also new to our market is the 512GB variant of the Z Flip 4 for a cool RM4,899. Regardless of which model you go for, you’ll get 8GB of RAM.

For that kind of money, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers a few improvements, including the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a more generous 3,700mAh battery – that’s 400mAh larger than last year’s model – and flatter sides with matte covers; it’s quite a bit more comfortable to hold than the previous model.

Other specifications of the Z Flip 4 include a 6.7-inch 2640 x 1080 Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a 1.9-inch 260 x 512 Super AMOLED cover display, an improved dual camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle), a 10MP selfie camera, and an IPX8 water resistance rating.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia on
Samsung.com
. If you use code AMGZF4VIP at checkout, you can get a Super Fast Wireless Charger Duo worth RM369 with your purchase; a cable and 15W charger are also included.

Priced from RM4,099, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 does cost slightly more than its predecessor. But given all of the upgrades the foldable phone received, we reckon it’s worth it. Check out our
hands-on of the Z Flip 4
 if you’d like to learn more about this clamshell foldable phone!


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Unleashed – S Pen Support, S22 Camera, Starts at RM6,799 in Malaysia

After much leaks and rumours, here is Samsung’s flagship foldable phone in all its glory. It’s no mystery that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 sports almost the same design as last year’s Z Fold 3, but it does have some nice incremental upgrades to make it a more complete foldable phone.

First, let’s talk about the local prices of the Galaxy Z Fold 4. It starts at RM6,799 for the base 12GB + 256GB model on our shores, which is a RM100 price increase. As for the 512GB model with the same amount of RAM, it goes for RM7,299 (RM200 increase).

New to the Malaysian market is a whopping 12GB + 1TB configuration of the Z Fold 4; this variant is priced at a cool RM8,299.

For slightly more money than its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 does offer some neat upgrades, including a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the S22 and S22+’s triple camera system (50MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 10MP telephoto), as well as reduced bezels surrounding the 120Hz 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen.

Rounding out the specifications of the Z Fold 4 are a 7.6-inch 2640 x 1080 Dynamic AMOLED 2X foldable screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1~120Hz), a 10MP selfie camera on the cover screen, a 4MP under display camera – it’s said to be less visible now – and a 4,400mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging.

Of course, there’s S Pen support too, though the stylus is still not built-in, unfortunately enough.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia on
Samsung.com
. If you use code AMGZF4VIP at checkout, you can get a Super Fast Wireless Charger Duo worth RM369 with your purchase; a cable and 15W charger are also included.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 4 may not excite with its design, there’s no denying that it is one of the most refined foldable phones in the market now, not to mention the fact that it’s accessible both in terms of general availability and affordability. To learn more about the phone, check out our hands-on
right here
.


Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Series Can Measure Your Body Temperature – From RM1,099 in Malaysia

Aside from its latest lineup of foldable smartphones, the Korean company also unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The latter is a brand new model in Samsung’s lineup, and it has features (such as GPX) that outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate.

For Malaysia, the Galaxy Watch 5 starts at RM1,099 for the
40mm model
; the larger
44mm version
 costs RM1,199. As for the higher-end
Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
, it’s available in a sole 45mm variant for RM1,899. While there are also LTE versions of both smartwatches, they don’t seem to be offered here.

Aside from some distinct features and difference in size, both the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro are quite similar. They are packed with an Exynos W920 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a sapphire crystal display – the Pro model has a more durable crystal – and the ability to measure body temperature; it’s used to improve the sleeping tracking feature.

As for the differences, let’s start with the two Watch 5 sizes. The 40mm model has a 1.2-inch 396 x 396 circular Super AMOLED display with a 284mAh battery, while the 44mm version features a 1.4-inch 450 x 450 Super AMOLED panel with a 410mAh battery. Both of them also have an Armor Aluminium case.

Being the range-topping model, the Watch 5 Pro has an even more generous 590mAh battery and a titanium case, though its Super AMOLED display is similar to the 44mm Watch 5. Of course, it also comes with GPX, which allows the smartwatch to track hiking and cycling routes.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro are now available for pre-order in Malaysia through
Samsung.com
. Use the code AMGZF4VIP at checkout to get a 15W charger worth RM59 for free!


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Features 24-bit Audio, ANC & AKG Tuning for RM899 in Malaysia

It’s been a while
 since we’ve seen a pair of wireless earbuds with the Pro branding from Samsung, but here it is: the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. What sets it apart from its competition is the earbud’s ability to playback 24-bit audio via Bluetooth, promising a hi-fidelity listening experience.

Of course, there is a limitation to this: the Buds 2 Pro can only achieve 24-bit audio playback when it’s connected to a Samsung phone running on One UI 4.0 or higher. It also depends on which app is used, given that some streaming services (such as Spotify) don’t support 24-bit audio.

Aside from that, the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro also features active noise cancellation (ANC), a custom coaxial 2-way driver setup, up to 8 hours of use on a single charge – 5 hours with ANC activated – and of course, tuning by AKG, so the tonality of these earbuds should be excellent.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is now available for pre-order through
Samsung.com
 for RM899 in three colours: Bora Purple, Graphite, and White. If you’re keen to get it, use the code AMGZF4VIP at checkout to get a 15W charger worth RM59 for free.


Genshin Impact Version 3.0 Livestream Set for 13 August – Sumeru Region Confirmed

Hoyoverse just revealed the livestream date for
Genshin Impact
‘s next update, Version 3.0. Set to take place on 13 August this Saturday, the version update should see the introduction of Sumeru, a new region in the hugely popular live service game.

After all, Genshin Impact Version 2.0 saw the introduction of Inazuma, so it makes sense for Sumeru to be playable in the Version 3.0 update. On top of that, Hoyoverse already teased three new characters who hail from Sumeru:
Tighnari, Collei, and Dori
. They should make their debuts in the next version update.

With the introduction of Sumeru, we will be getting a slew of new characters in Genshin Impact; the three aforementioned characters are only some of them. You can catch a glimpse of even more Sumeru characters featured in the new video below, including the mysterious Nahida.

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 3.0 on
Twitch
 this Saturday on 13 August at 8PM for us here in Malaysia.

If you missed the stream, don’t worry: the special program
will be on YouTube
 shortly after at 12AM the next day (14 August).


Acer Malaysia Commits to Green Initiatives for Acer Day 2022 – Win an Aspire Vero Laptop in #Acer21DaysChallenge

Want to win a free laptop? Then consider joining the Acer 21 Days Challenge. Not only do you stand a chance to walk away with a brand new Acer Aspire Vero laptop, you can also win over RM50,000 worth of prizes by simply completing daily tasks.

This campaign is a part of Acer Day 2022, which showcases the Taiwanese company’s green initiatives. Beyond the campaign, Acer Malaysia is also running a number of other activities, including tree planting, a trade-in programme, up to 60% discounts
on its e-store
, and a lucky draw that offers prizes worth over RM250,000.

First, let’s talk about the Acer 21 Days Challenge. It’s currently ongoing until 30 September, and you’ll just need to
head here
 and sign up to join the challenge; you are required to log in to complete the daily tasks over 21 days. Those who have completed all 21 tasks will get an organic wheat lunchbox with a tumbler.

That’s not all: participants who have completed the Day 6, Day 13, and/or Day 18 tasks will also get a RM5 TNG eWallet credit. It’s worth noting that these prizes are all guaranteed, and depending on how many participants signed up for the Acer 21 Days Challenge, more prizes will be unlocked.

Three “landmarks” can be unlocked to…well, unlock different prizes. The Forest landmark is unlocked at 100 participants, which offers a unit of the acerpure. The Sea landmark, on the other hand, is activated at 400 participants: five units of the Acer Vero mouse and mousepad will be given away at this landmark.

Last but not least is the Soil landmark. Unlocked at 900 total participants, achieving this landmark will unlock the prized Aspire Vero laptop. Participants who registered for the Acer 21 Days Challenge by 30 September will stand a chance to win these products through a giveaway; the winners will be announced on Acer Malaysia’s
Facebook
,
Instagram
, and the
Acer Day website itself
.

Another part of Acer Day 2022 is the company’s tree planting effort with APE Malaysia. A tree will be planted with every purchase of selected acer devices until 30 September; you can even get an e-certificate of the tree planted for you by registering
here
. That’s quite neat.

If you’re curious, the trees will be planted in Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, to help the wildlife in the area, including the Bornean orangutans and Borneo pygmy elephants.

Next up, we have Acer Malaysia’s trade-in programme. If you’ve got any laptops, desktops, tablets, or even AIOs that you don’t need anymore – functional or not – you can trade them in to get up to RM500 cash rebate for an Acer Aspire Vero laptop. Electronic waste is a big environmental issue, so why not put your old electronics to good use?

Aside from its green initiatives, Acer Day also has other neat promotions, including up to 60% discounts (worth up to RM1,027) on selected Acer products through the
Acer e-store
. The eco-friendly Aspire Vero, for one, can be purchased
for only RM2,699
; you’re getting discounts and gifts worth up to RM897 for the laptop.

Last but not least is the lucky draw campaign for Acer Day. By purchasing selected Acer products, you stand a chance to get a share of the RM250,000 prize pool. These include travel vouchers to New Zealand, Turkey, or Phuket, two Gili Velo electric bikes, and five units of the Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition laptop.

Acer Day 2022 really focuses on the Taiwanese company’s green efforts, which is always a good thing. If you’d like to check out all of Acer’s current promotions for this year’s Acer Day, you can do so over at its
official website
.

Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Acer Malaysia.


Motorola Razr 2022 Launches With Foldable 144Hz Screen & Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 for 5,999 Yuan

The Motorola Razr is back! Well, sort of. The Motorola Razr 2022 has just been launched in China, and it is reportedly exclusive to the country, which is a shame, given its high-end hardware and affordability.

In China, the Razr 2022 is priced from 5,999 Chinese yuan; that comes up to about RM3,955. That puts it squarely against
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4
, which starts at RM4,099 in Malaysia. For that kind of money, the new Razr features pretty impressive hardware.

These include a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, an equally fast 6.7-inch Full HD+ P-OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate – the highest we’ve seen on a foldable phone so far – as well as a 2.7-inch P-OLED screen on the cover. It also features a dual camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 3,500mAh battery.

As mentioned, the Motorola Razr 2022 is only set to be offered in China, though we reckon parallel importers will eventually bring in the foldable phone here. Nonetheless, it’s entirely possible things could change in the future. After all,
previous iterations of the Razr were sold here
.


Deal: Get the Sony WH-1000XM5 With RM400 Discount Now

Launched in Malaysia just a few months ago, the
Sony WH-1000XM5
 is now more affordable than ever. Originally retailing at RM1,799, you can now get the wireless headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC)
for only RM1,399
 – that’s RM400 worth of savings.

This deal is offered by Sony Centre Mid Valley on Shopee, so you know it’s a legitimate deal. At the time of writing,
27 units of the WH-1000XM5
 are available from the retailer. Of course, both the Black and Silver models are offered.

RM1,399
 for a wireless headphones with ANC of this calibre is really quite a good deal. If you’d like to learn more about the Sony WH-1000XM5, read our full review of the headphones
right here
.


I Am Groot Review: Adorable, Fun, Trivial

Disney+ Hotstar has some pretty neat animated shorts. From Baymax! to Star Wars: Visions, most of the shorts are delightful, though some do fall flat. I Am Groot, on the other hand, tips the line between the two extremes.

While it’s not exactly as enthralling as Baymax!, in my opinion, I did thoroughly enjoy the five short episodes of I Am Groot. The series is by no means a must-watch – trivial, even – but if you do decide to watch it, you’ll be greeted by an adorable (and sometimes very angry) Baby Groot. What’s not to love?

Each episode of I Am Groot is between three to four minutes long, and they have a surprising amount of variety to them. One episode shows Groot fighting with an inanimate bonsai tree, while another explores his creative side with some arts and crafts; there’s even a scene of him surfing on a bar of soap.

Voiced by none other than Vin Diesel, Baby Groot is as expressive as he is in the main Guardians of the Galaxy films, even if his lines were just him saying…well, “I am Groot.” One of the Guardians (I won’t say who) also appears in the animated shorts, with a special voice cameo by James Gunn himself.

As expected of Marvel, the animation quality of I Am Groot is top-notch. You can see all the grooves and lines on Baby Groot’s face in close-up shots, and most scenes are rendered meticulously. There were a couple of parts here and there that looked a little jarring, but it’s nothing too bad.

My only real qualm with I Am Groot is the fact that there’s no overarching arc or plot to the series. Unlike Baymax!, which ultimately ties all of the shorts together in the last episode, all five episodes of I Am Groot are basically their own stories, for better or worse.

Whether you watch I Am Groot or not, it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, especially in regards to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That is not to say it’s not worth your time: as trivial as the animated shorts are, that’s a part of the series’ charm.

I Am Groot doesn’t take itself too seriously, even if Baby Groot does get into some serious hijinks in the series. All five episodes of I Am Groot are now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.


Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 – 5.4mm Thin Foldable Phone With Leica Camera From 8,999 Yuan

Right after Samsung unveiled

its latest foldable devices
, other companies look to be following suit. Earlier today, there’s the
Motorola Razr 2022
, and now, we have the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2. Measuring only 5.4mm thin when opened – along with a Leica camera system – the foldable phone looks to be a refined, premium product.

For comparison’s sake, Samsung’s Z Fold 4 measures 6.3mm when unfolded; the MIX Fold 2 is almost 1mm thinner. When folded, it measures 11.2mm, which Xiaomi claims to be “the same thickness as a typical smartphone with a case.” We personally disagree, but that’s that.

Aside from that, the MIX Fold 2 has pretty similar displays on the outside and inside. The cover screen is a 6.56-inch 1080p AMOLED panel, while the inward folding display is an 8.02-inch 2160 x 1914 “Eco² OLED” screen. Of course, both panels feature a 120Hz refresh rate.

Other specifications of the MIX Fold 2 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a Leica-branded triple camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom), a 20MP selfie camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging.

Interestingly, the Fold 2 features MIUI Fold 13 instead of Xiaomi’s regular MIUI software, and it’s based on Android 12.

Now, prices. The base model of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 with 256GB of storage costs 8,999 Chinese yuan (about RM5,935), while the 512GB model goes for 9,999 yuan (approximately RM6,610). As for the whopping 1TB configuration, it is priced at 11,999 yuan (around RM7,915) – all variants of the foldable phone feature 12GB of RAM.

For now, the MIX Fold 2 is only confirmed for China, and it remains to be seen if the foldable phone will ever be sold in other markets, including Malaysia.


Revisiting the TNG RFID Fuelling System After a Year – Has It Improved?

The
pilot programme
 for the TNG RFID Fuelling system started about a year ago, where only five Shell stations in Klang Valley were equipped with the system then. Fast forward to today, the convenient payment method is now available at 88 Shell stations nationwide.

It’s been a while since I’ve used the TNG RFID Fuelling system, and now that it’s available at more locations, I decided to give it another shot. Well, my experience this time around is definitely much more pleasant, and I may just use it more often moving forward.

First, let’s talk about how to activate TNG RFID Fuelling. It’s quite simple: just click on the Shell icon in the TNG eWallet app, tap on “activate fuelling,” set a preset amount to be deducted when you’re refuelling, and you’re done.

What happens if you refuelled less than the amount you’ve set? No problem: any unused amount will be refunded back to your TNG eWallet within two business days. With that in mind, you should set the amount higher than how much you usually pay at the fuelling station. That way, you’ll get a full tank of fuel.

Once that’s settled, you can head to any one of
88 Shell stations
 with the TNG RFID Fuelling system installed to refuel. The TNG eWallet app does show Shell stations that offer the feature, but I decided to just visit the Shell station at R&R Kinrara right beside the KESAS highway to see if it had the system.

Luckily for me, it does! Every Shell station that has TNG RFID Fuelling will have two bays with the system installed, and these fuelling bays (based on my experience) are usually positioned at the furthest corner of the station. Alternatively, you can look for the RFID logo on the pump station…or the RFID reader itself.

At the Shell station in R&R Kinrara, the RFID reader is overhead – that is, it’s mounted to the ceiling of the station – instead of to the side. The latter was the system I tried over a year ago, which didn’t work as well as I had hoped.

Anyway, the moment I drove to the fueling bay (while making sure my car is facing the reader), the overhead RFID reader almost immediately recognised my car, much to my surprise. It’s quite easy to tell if the reader picked up my car’s RFID tag: there’s a bright display right next to the pump station that shows the status of the system.

Once it says “fuel now,” I can start the refuelling process. Seamless, quick, and convenient!

When I’m done refuelling my car, I just needed to return the nozzle back to the pump station, get back into my car, and drive off. I can check my transactions through the TNG eWallet app itself – the receipt was also emailed to me – and the unused funds from the refuelling amount I set beforehand were refunded to my TNG eWallet app relatively quickly too.

Overall, it was a smooth, seamless process refuelling my car with the TNG RFID Fuelling system. It is much better than my initial impression with the payment method last year, so evidently, improvements have been made to the system. There’s also the fact that it’s offered at more Shell stations now.

Moving forward, over 200 Shell stations will be installed with the TNG RFID Fuelling system by the end of the year. It’s certainly a convenient way to refuel your car, as you don’t have to interact with a point-of-sale system or through an app on your phone, such as Petronas’ Setel app.

If you’ve got a TNG RFID tag installed on your car, give the TNG RFID Fuelling system a try – you may be surprised by how seamless it is.


Pre-Order the PS5 From Sony Centre Mid Valley Until 14 August 2022

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

Well, sort of. In order to be in the running for a
chance
 to pre-order the PS5, you’ll have to
fill up this Google Form
. If you’re fortunate enough to be selected, you will be contacted from 15 August onwards to finalise your pre-order of the next-gen console.

Do note that you only have until 14 August at 2PM this Sunday to register your interest for the PS5 pre-order. This isn’t a first-come, first-served sale either; filling up the form just means you’re in the running to be chosen to pre-order the PS5.

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


Huawei MateBook X Pro Lands in Malaysia 19 August for RM9,999 – Early Birds Get RM1,927 Freebies

Huawei just revealed the Malaysian pricing and early bird promo of its latest flagship laptop, the
Huawei MateBook X Pro
. Now powered by Intel’s 12th gen processor, it also features two new colourways with a unique finish.

For the Malaysian market, the MateBook X Pro retails at a cool RM9,999. For that kind of money, you’re getting a 12th gen Intel Core i7-1260P processor paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Early birds can also enjoy RM1,927 worth of freebies, including two Huawei Sound Joy speakers and Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021.

As mentioned, the MateBook X Pro is now offered in two new colours: the model you see above is the Ink Blue option, which features a unique matte, almost rubbery finish. This gives the magnesium alloy chassis of the laptop a premium look and feel. If you’re not a fan of the Ink Blue colourway, there’s the White version.

Other specifications of the MateBook X Pro include a 14.2-inch 3120 x 2080 touch-enabled display with a 90Hz refresh rate – the 3:2 aspect ratio is great for productivity tasks – Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, a 60Wh battery, as well as a 15.6mm chassis that tips the scales at 1.26kg.

The Huawei MateBook X Pro will be available for purchase in Malaysia next week on 19 August for RM9,999. If you want to enjoy freebies worth over RM1,900, just get the premium productivity laptop by 31 August 2022.


Huawei MatePad Pro 11 Starts at RM2,999 in Malaysia – Pre-Orders Begin 19 August

Launched globally just a few weeks back, we now have more details on the Malaysian availability of the
Huawei MatePad Pro 11
. Pre-orders for the premium Android tablet will start on 19 August later this week, and its local pricing has been revealed too.

Two variants of the MatePad Pro 11 are offered in Malaysia. The more affordable 128GB WiFi-only model is priced at RM2,999, while the 256GB LTE variant goes for RM3,699. Early pre-orders will also come with RM1,400 worth of freebies, including a keyboard case and the M-Pencil stylus.

Interestingly, the MatePad Pro 11 is offered with two different chipsets: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, or a Snapdragon 870. For the Malaysian market, the WiFi-only model is powered by a Snapdragon 870, while the LTE variant features the faster Snapdragon 888.

Other specifications of the MatePad Pro 11 include an 11-inch 2560 x 1600 OLED display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, a 13MP rear camera, a 16MP selfie shooter, a rather generous 8,300mAh battery, and HarmonyOS 3.0 out of the box.

The Huawei MatePad Pro 11 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia on 19 August later this week with a RM2,999 starting price. It’ll be on store shelves the on 27 August next week.


Genshin Impact 3.0 Arrives 24 August With New Sumeru Region & Dendro Element

Genshin Impact’s next major update is coming next week on 24 August! The Version 3.0 update will introduce the new Sumeru region, alongside the seventh (and final) element in the game: Dendro. Of course, characters wielding the new element will be playable next week too.

Two Dendro characters will make their debuts in Genshin Impact 3.0: Tighnari and Collei. Both of them are archers, though Tighnari is a 5-star character, while Collei is a 4-star unit. They will be featured in the same banner, though it’s worth noting that Collei will be given for free to players who complete 3.0’s main seasonal event, Graven Innocence.

Interestingly, Tighnari isn’t an event-exclusive character either: he will be added to the standard event wish after the Version 3.1 update.

Of course, with the introduction of these new Dendro characters, the element itself can finally be utilised by players in Genshin Impact 3.0. Depending on which element it’s applied with, you’ll get different reactions. We imagine the team lineup meta in the game will change quite a bit with the addition of Dendro.

Last but not least is the new Sumeru region in Genshin Impact Version 3.0. Located to the west of Liyue, Sumeru is divided into two main parts: rainforest and desert. It is also known as the Nation of Wisdom, where knowledge is treated as a resource that is strictly managed.

Chances are, this will be one of the main plots in the new Archon quests surrounding Sumeru.

Genshin Impact 3.0 will arrive next week on 24 August. The first phase of the event wish will feature Tighnari, Collei, and even Zhongli, while the second phase will see the rerun banners of Ganyu and Sangonomiya Kokomi alongside Dori, a new 4-star Electro Sumeru character.


Illegear Sapphire – Illegear’s Most Premium Gaming Laptop Yet From RM9,310

Illegear just launched yet another laptop, but this time around, it’s a serious gaming machine. This is the Illegear Sapphire, and it’s touted by the company to be its most premium gaming laptop yet – it can be configured with an Intel Core i9-12900H or AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX processor with a fast Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU.

Of course, these hardware do not come cheap. The base model of the Sapphire is priced at RM9,799 (RM9,310 if you pay in cash), and for that kind of money, it features the aforementioned Ryzen 9 6900HX processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an RTX 3070 Ti GPU, and a 512GB SSD (free upgrade to 1TB until 22 August).

If you want to upgrade the GPU of the Sapphire to an RTX 3080 Ti, it’ll cost a cool…RM5,999. Swapping the CPU to an Intel Core i9-12900H processor, on the other hand, doesn’t cost quite at much at RM199. As for the display, the Sapphire comes with a 17-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS display with G-Sync support and a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate.

Another interesting hardware of the Sapphire is its keyboard; more specifically, a Cherry MX
mechanical
 keyboard. Naturally, it uses a low-profile design, and it’ll be interesting to see if it will be able to provide a superior typing experience compared to a regular laptop keyboard.

The Illegear Sapphire is now available for pre-order on
Illegear’s online store
 from RM9,799; again, RM9,310 if you choose to pay in cash instead. You can also configure the gaming laptop with hardware of your choosing through the configurator, and it is expected to ship by the end of August 2022.


Keychron Q8 Review: My Favourite Q Series Keyboard!

We’ve seen plenty of keyboards released under Keychron’s Q series, but none of them are quite as exciting as this one right here, the Keychron Q8. Not only does it have a unique “Alice” layout, it also has one new feature that’s not found on other Keychron Q keyboards to date.

While the Q8 also sees a slight price hike compared to its predecessors, it still offers good value for money,
especially
 for a keyboard with this unconventional layout. If you’ve always wanted an Alice-style keyboard that’s easily accessible, the Q8 is worth a consideration.

What It Is

First of all, why is it called an “Alice” layout? Well, the name is actually taken from the TGR Alice, which was a keyboard designed by a Malaysian. Anyway, that’s the keyboard that popularised this staggered, split layout.

While the Keychron Q8 doesn’t have the exact same layout as the TGR Alice, it’s similar enough to the latter, including having two B keys on the left and right columns of the keyboard. Keychron also added arrow keys to the Q8, and overall, it’s certainly a more practical layout – in my opinion, anyway.

Aside from that, the Q8 has all the features found on other Q series keyboards too. These include a “double-gasket” design for improved sound profile, a full CNC aluminium case, a hotswap PCB with QMK/VIA support, as well as screw-in stabilisers.

But unlike its predecessors, the Q8 has one new feature: it is tape modded
straight out of the factory
. This mod – which involves applying a layer of tape under the PCB – is typically done by end users to deepen the sound profile of a keyboard, so it’s quite impressive that the Q8 has this mod out of the box.

Now, let’s talk prices. There are two variants of the Q8: the barebone kit
retails at $175
 (about RM780), while the fully assembled model, which includes Gateron G Pro switches of your choice and double shot PBT OSA keycaps, costs $195 (around RM870). You can also add a knob for $10 (approximately RM45).

The Keychron Q8’s factory tape mod

It’s worth noting that there aren’t many Alice-style keyboards in the market now, let alone one that’s readily available like the Q8 with an aluminium case at
this
price point. Without a doubt value for money is one of this keyboard’s best qualities.

And that’s a good segue to the next section.

The Good Stuff

Thanks to the factory tape mod and double-gasket design of the Keychron Q8, I really dig its sound profile. However, even with the tape mod, it’s still a clacky keyboard to my ears, but it does have a deeper, lower-pitched sound signature than, say, the
Keychron Q5
.

Another benefit of the factory tape mod is reduced case ping on the Q8. Yes, the case ping is still there, but at head level, it’s not particularly audible, unless you’re in a really quiet room. All in all, I’m a fan of the Q8’s sound profile; just take a listen for yourself in the sound test above.

Sound profile aside, the typing feel of the Q8 is quite good as well. The double-gasket design offers a good amount of flex, though it’s not exactly a soft or bouncy keyboard. This can be attributed to the steel plate stiffening up the typing experience, though it’s still not as stiff as a tray-mounted keyboard like the
Keychron V1
 or
K8 Pro
.

And then there’s the Alice layout of the Q8, which is really one of its best selling points. Because the keys are arranged outward, my hands are in a more natural position when I’m typing on the keyboard. While it does take some time to get used to the split layout – especially if you’re not a touch typist – I imagine most folks can get used to it after a short adjustment period.

Just like other Q series keyboards, the Q8 has support for QMK/VIA, which gives users the freedom to easily change the mapping of the keyboard. Even though VIA doesn’t automatically detect the Q8 out of the box, it’s not too hard to grab the
JSON file
 from Keychron’s website to start configuring it.

Last but not least is the screw-in stabiliser of the Q8. The wires of the stabilisers are lubed out of the box, and it does a decent job of minimising ticking and rattling. While there’s still a hint of rattle on certain mod keys, it can easily be fixed by adding a bit more lube.

The Bad Stuff

Even though the screw-in stabilisers of the Keychron Q8 are good (for the most part), there is a weird…tonal difference on certain keys, such as the left spacebar. See, hitting that spacebar on the left and right corners produce
very
 different sounds: one has a deeper pitch, while the other is oddly clacky.

That being said, I did manage to eliminate this weird issue by adjusting the fit of the keycap on the stabiliser. With that in mind, I definitely recommend swapping to a higher quality third-party stabilisers if this sounds (sorry for the pun) like an issue that you’ll find annoying.

Another downside of the Q8 is its…well, utilitarian design. While the Alice layout does look aesthetically-pleasing, I’m not crazy about the sizeable bezels on certain parts of the keyboard. As a result, it doesn’t look quite as sleek as it should be.

Is It Worth It?

Starting at only $175, the Keychron Q8 is worth every penny; assuming you’re looking to get an Alice-style keyboard. As mentioned, there aren’t a lot of keyboards with such a layout in the market now, so the wide availability and affordability of the Q8 – along with its aluminium case – make it a very easy Alice keyboard to recommend.

It would’ve been great if the Q8 had a more appealing design, but ultimately, the Keychron Q series had always been more about practicality than offering an eye-catching design. That, and the fact that it’s easily accessible, both in terms of pricing and availability.


Malaysia Will Have Its Own Keyboard Meetup on 1 October – IC Now Live

We’ve seen plenty of keyboard meetups outside of our country, and finally, we’re getting our very own (large-scale) meetup right here in Malaysia. Set to take place on 1 October, the local keyboard meetup will be held at the Grey Box in GMBB Kuala Lumpur.

It looks to be still early in the planning stage, so an
interest check
 for the keyboard meetup is now live. Aside from, well, checking interest for the meetup, the organiser (Keebmunity) will also decide how the event will be done based on feedback received. Do note that the IC form will close on 27 August.

Of course, there is an admission fee to the keyboard meetup, though the exact price has not been detailed yet. According to Keebmunity, the ticket price will be revealed in the near future on its
Discord server
.

It remains to be seen if any notable brands will join the Malaysian keyboard meetup, such as SINGAKBD, Monokei, or
Axiöm Studios
. Rest assured, we will keep an eye on the meetup for any interesting development; more details should be revealed as we get closer to 1 October 2022.


2022 Renault Zoe EV Now in Malaysia – 395km Range, 2 Variants, From RM163k

TC Euro Cars (TCEC) just launched the new 2022 Renault Zoe in Malaysia! Retailing from RM163,000, the EV promises up to 395km of range on the WLTP cycle; a respectable range for the fully electric hatchback.

Of course, the RM163,000 price tag is for the base Zen R110 variant of the new Zoe. Compared to the higher-end Intens R135 model, the R110 has more modest outputs of 110PS and 225Nm of torque. As for the R135, its electric motor offers 135PS and 245Nm of torque with an estimated pricing of RM175,000.

But with the added power, the range of the R135 is also slightly lower at 386km over the R110’s 395km quoted range.

Both variants of the updated Zoe feature Renault’s new 52kWh Z.E. 50 battery, which is said to be a 25% improvement over the previous generation’s battery without actually increasing its physical size. It can also be charged from 0-100% in three hours with a 22kW charger; nine hours and 30 minutes with a 7.4kW charger instead.

Other standard equipment of the new Zoe include full LED Headlights with C-shaped DRLs, an Easy Link 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as four airbags. The higher-end Intens R135 also gets combination leather and cloth upholstery, along with a reverse camera.

If you’re keen to check out the 2022 Renault Zoe EV in person, you can do so over at the Renault flagship showroom in Petaling Jaya, though only the more affordable Zen R110 is on display there. You can also register your interest for the electric hatchback
right here
.


Poco M4 With 5,000mAh Battery & 90Hz Display Launching in Malaysia 18 August for RM699

The Poco M4 is set to be launched in Malaysia later this week on 18 August. Just like other Poco-branded phones, the M4 offers good value for money, along with a large 5,000mAh battery and 90Hz display; not bad for a phone that
starts at only RM699
.

If you’re fast enough, you can actually get the Poco M4 with a
RM50 discount
 on 18 August through Shopee, bringing down the price to RM649. Of course, that’s for the base model of the phone with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. If you want more storage, opt for the 6GB + 128GB configuration for RM899;
RM799 if you get it on 18 August
.

For that kind of money, the Poco M4 features a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, a 6.58-inch 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (13MP primary + 2MP depth), a 5MP selfie camera, and a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

To recap, the Poco M4 will go on sale in Malaysia on 18 August through Shopee. If you get the phone through the e-commerce site on 18 August, you can enjoy a
RM50 or RM100 discount
 for the 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 128GB models respectively.


2022 Proton Exora Launch Set for 19 August – Minor Changes Expected

Well, this is a pleasant surprise. While a facelift to the Proton Exora is expected to happen sometime this year, we didn’t expect it to happen later this week. The national carmaker
just announced
 that the new Exora is set to be introduced on 19 August this Friday.

However, beyond the launch date, no other details of the new Exora were revealed. Well, there’s mention of a turbocharged engine that will make your “everyday journeys smoother,” but we imagine it’s the same 1.6L turbo Campro CFE engine found in the current model. It outputs 140PS and 205Nm of torque paired to a CVT gearbox.

According to the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah, in a
previous interview
, the new Exora will in fact sport some new features, though the amount of changes are said to be less than the
facelifted 2022 Saga
. There
is
 a more extensive facelift to the MPV in the pipeline, but that isn’t happening anytime soon.

Nonetheless, we’ll find out for ourselves just what the new 2022 Proton Exora would bring this Friday on 19 August; you can also register your interest
right here
. Even though it’s expected to be a minor change, the MPV may feature some much-needed upgrades, which could appeal to buyers who are looking for an affordable seven-seater.


Super Affordable Poco C40 With JLQ JR510 Chip Arrives in Malaysia 18 August – Starts at RM499

Aside from the
Poco M4
, the Chinese company is also launching an even more affordable phone in Malaysia. Retailing from merely RM499, the Poco C40 may appeal to folks who are on a tight budget; early birds can even get it with a RM50 discount.

Two variants of the C40 are offered in Malaysia. The 3GB + 32GB base model
costs RM499
, while the more practical 4GB + 64GB variant
retails at RM599
. For those who purchase the phone on 18 August through Shopee, they can get a
RM50 discount on both models
.

Given its affordable nature, the C40’s spec sheet is not particularly impressive. It features a JLQ JR510 processor, a 6.71-inch 720p display, a dual camera system (13MP primary + 2MP depth), a 5MP front camera, a very generous 6,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, and MIUI 13 for Poco based on Android 11 out of the box.

The Poco C40 will be available for purchase in Malaysia on 18 August this Thursday. To recap, the more affordable 3GB + 32GB base model
is priced at RM499
, while the 4GB + 64GB variant
goes for RM599
. On 18 August only, you can get a
RM50 discount on both models
.


Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Now in Malaysia – Intel & AMD Options, up to RTX 3070 Ti, From RM6,359

Lenovo Malaysia just launched a slew of new products on our shores, including the updated Lenovo Legion 5 Pro. Available with an Intel or AMD processor, the gaming laptop can even be configured with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, so it’s quite a capable machine.

On Lenovo Malaysia’s online store, the Legion 5 Pro
retails from RM6,359
 for the AMD configurations. If you want the Intel version instead – it’s dubbed Legion 5i Pro – it
starts at RM7,119
. Depending on which model you choose, the hardware are slightly different.

Let’s start with the more affordable AMD version, the Legion 5 Pro. The RM6,359 base model features a Ryzen 5 6600H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD storage, an RTX 3060 GPU, and a 16-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate.

Given its higher starting price, the base model of the Intel version does feature higher-end hardware…somewhat. The most affordable RM7,119 Legion 5i Pro is packed with a Core i7-12700H processor with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, a sharper 16-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, and curiously, an RTX 3050 Ti GPU.

All available configurations of the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro and Legion 5i Pro can be found on Lenovo Malaysia’s online store. To recap, the Legion 5 Pro (the AMD version) starts at RM6,359, while the Intel Legion 5i Pro is priced from RM7,119.


Lenovo Legion 5 Lands in Malaysia – 12th Gen Intel or AMD Ryzen 6000 Chips From RM4,839

If the
Pro model
 doesn’t strike your fancy, consider the more affordable Lenovo Legion 5. Also offered with Intel’s 12th gen or AMD Ryzen 6000 processors, the Legion 5 starts at only RM4,839, though you do have to pay quite a bit more if you want the range-topping model with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU.

Between the Intel and AMD models, the latter is more affordable, so let’s get to that first. The base variant of the AMD-powered Legion 5
starts at RM4,839
, and it features a Ryzen 5 6600H processor paired with 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, a 15.6-inch 1440p IPS panel with a 165Hz refresh rate, and an RTX 3050 GPU.

As for the Intel version, dubbed Legion 5i, the most affordable model
costs RM5,729
. For that kind of money, it is packed with a Core i5-12500H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate, and an RTX 3060 GPU.

Although both the Intel and AMD versions of the Legion 5 share the same chassis, their hardware (and starting price) do differ quite a bit, curiously enough. The base model of the AMD configuration, for one, has a sharper 1440p screen compared to its Intel counterpart with a 1080p display, though the Intel model does come with a faster RTX 3060 GPU rather than an RTX 3050.

Anyway, the full configurations of the Lenovo
Legion 5
 and
Legion 5i
 can be found on Lenovo Malaysia’s online store, including the RTX 3070 version of both models.


Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro and Yoga 7i Launched in Malaysia – 12th Gen Intel Laptops From RM4,149

Lenovo Malaysia also launched several productivity-focused laptops today, including the new Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro and Yoga 7i. Retailing from RM4,149, these laptops are naturally powered by Intel’s latest 12th gen processors.

Out of the two laptops, the
Yoga Slim 7i Pro
 is the slightly more affordable machine. It starts at RM4,149, and the base model features a Core i5-1240P processor paired with 8GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and a sharp 14-inch 2880 x 1800 IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro

The Lenovo Yoga 7i

As for the Yoga 7i, the convertible laptop
starts at RM4,189
. For that kind of money, the most affordable model comes with a Core i5-1235U processor paired with 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, and a 14-inch 2240 x 1400 IPS display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

All configurations of the Lenovo
Yoga Slim 7i Pro
 and
Yoga 7i
 for the Malaysian market can be found on Lenovo Malaysia’s online store. To recap, the former starts at RM4,149, while the Yoga 7i convertible laptop retails from RM4,189.


18 – 24 August Fuel Price: RON 97 Down 5 Sen, Now RM4.35 Per Litre

The price of RON 97 continues to go down this week! At the stroke of midnight, the fuel will go down by 5 sen per litre. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are all maintained, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is set at RM4.35 per litre (down from RM4.40). The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 18 to 24 August 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Lenovo Yoga 9i in Malaysia – Convertible Laptop With 4K OLED Display & Intel 12th Gen Chips From RM5,709

Rounding up Lenovo Malaysia’s launch event today is the updated Lenovo Yoga 9i productivity laptop. Configurable with a bright and vibrant 4K OLED display with Intel’s latest 12th gen processors, it’s certainly a premium convertible laptop.

On Lenovo Malaysia’s online store, the Yoga 9i
starts at RM5,709
 for the default base model. It features a Core i5-1240P processor paired with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and a 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS display. Not exactly the advertised 4K OLED panel, but hey, this
is
the base model.

Of course, you can configure the different hardware of the Yoga 9i on the online store. If you want to swap the default Full HD display to a 2880 x 1800 OLED panel, it’s a RM110 upgrade. What about the 4K OLED screen? Well, it will set you back RM450.

Aside from that, you can also upgrade the processor of the Yoga 9i to a Core i7-1260P chip for RM360; the SSD can be upgraded to a 1TB drive for RM220 too. If you use Microsoft’s Office applications, good news – this laptop comes with the full version of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 for free.

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is now available for purchase in Malaysia through
Lenovo’s online store from RM5,709
. You can also configure the different hardware of the convertible laptop over there.


OnePlus 10T Malaysian Pre-Orders Now Open – RM3,199 for Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Unveiled globally just a couple of weeks ago, the OnePlus 10T is now available for pre-order in Malaysia. Of course, the Malaysian pricing of the phone has been revealed too, and it’s priced reasonably well for a flagship device powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

Only one variant of the OnePlus 10T is offered in Malaysia. Sporting 256GB of storage and a generous 16GB RAM, it is priced at RM3,199. This makes it one of the most affordable Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phones on our shores right now.

Aside from the fast chipset, the OnePlus 10T also has an equally fast 150W SUPERVOOC fast charging. In only 10 minutes of charging, the phone’s 4,800mAh battery can be charged from 1% to 67%; that’s really quite impressive.

Other specifications of the 10T include a 6.7-inch 2412 x 1080 Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and OxygenOS based on Android 12 out of the box.

The OnePlus 10T is now available for pre-order in Malaysia through
Shopee
 and
Lazada
. With a RM3,199 price tag, those who want a flagship smartphone with good value for money should consider the 10T.


Unannounced Xiaomi 12T & 12T Pro Coming to Malaysia Soon

It looks like Malaysia will be one of the first markets to get Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship phones. The unannounced Xiaomi 12T and Xiaomi 12T Pro have already been registered with SIRIM, suggesting that the Chinese company is gearing up to launch the two phones here.

Given that the 12T and 12T Pro (technically) don’t exist yet, there are no official details on the two phones. But based on rumours, they should be sporting some high-end features. After all, the Xiaomi T series had always offered flagship-tier hardware at a lower price point than its main flagship lineup.

The Redmi K50 Ultra

The Xiaomi 12T Pro, in particular, is rumoured to feature a
whopping 200MP camera
. Leaks are also suggesting that the phone will be a rebranded Redmi K50 Ultra for the China market, so if that’s the case, it’s possible the 12T Pro will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.

Nonetheless, we’ll find out for ourselves once Xiaomi is ready to officially unveil the 12T and 12T Pro. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the local availability of the phone too.


U Mobile Introduces New U Postpaid 68 & U Postpaid 98 Plans – Up to 1TB Quota for RM98/Month

U Mobile just launched two new postpaid plans: U Postpaid 68 and U Postpaid 98. The latter plan is particularly interesting, as it offers a whopping 1TB of 5G-ready high-speed data. On top of that, that quota can also be shared to other lines.

This can be done through the U FamilyShare line, and it costs just RM38 per line (up to six). However, it’s worth noting that this particular feature is only offered for the U Postpaid 98 plan; the U Postpaid 68 – which comes with 100GB quota – does not have it.

Aside from the generous 1TB data and the ability to share the quota with six other lines, the U Postpaid 98 plan also comes with 15GB of free global roaming and incoming calls in
63 different destinations
. These include US, UK, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and of course, Singapore.

As for the more affordable U Postpaid 68 plan, it also gets to enjoy the free 15GB roaming data and incoming calls in 63 destinations. Just like the U Postpaid 98 plan, it also has unlimited calls to all networks in Malaysia.

It’s worth noting that U Mobile’s new U Postpaid 68 and U Postpaid 98 plans are 5G-ready; when the telco rolls out its 5G network, these two plans – alongside the previously unveiled U Postpaid 38 plan – can enjoy 5G connectivity. More details on the new plans can be found on
U Mobile’s website
.


Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 Launching in Malaysia 25 August – Premium Wireless Earbuds With ANC

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 is set to be launched in Malaysia next week on 25 August. Co-engineered with Devialet, the premium wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC) too, along with a relatively neutral tonality.

Two drivers are found in each buds of the FreeBuds Pro 2. There’s a standard 11mm dynamic driver, and a “planar diaphragm driver” – it’s said to be the first wireless earbuds with such a driver setup. According to Huawei, the ANC of these earbuds is also able to cancel out sounds between the 50Hz to 3000Hz frequency range.

As for battery life, the Freebuds Pro 2 can last up to 6.5 hours on a single charge with 30 hours of total playback with the charging case. But with ANC activated, the battery life is limited to 4 hours and 18 hours respectively. It comes with IP54 dust and water resistance rating as well.

We’ve
tested the audio quality
 of the FreeBuds Pro 2 for a bit, and it’s quite good. It has a relatively neutral tuning, though to some folks, it can also be described as a “boring” sound signature. Yes, these wireless earbuds may sound flat to some folks, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 will be launched in Malaysia next week on 25 August 2022. No word yet on exactly how much it’ll cost for the Malaysian market, but for context, it retails at 199 euro in Europe – that comes up to about RM905.


2022 Perodua Alza Now Supports Apple CarPlay – Activated During Service for Existing Owners

It’s said to be in the pipeline a few times in the past, and it’s now a reality: the
2022 Perodua Alza
 now finally supports Apple CarPlay. This makes it the first-ever Perodua model to support the feature, on top of Android Auto.

This was reported by the folks over at
Paultan.org
, which received confirmation from Perodua itself. For those who have already received the Alza, Apple CarPlay will be enabled during servicing or inspection at a Perodua service centre, though you may want to remind them to be safe.

It’s worth noting that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are only available in the range-topping Alza AV; other variants of the MPV do not get the convenient feature, unfortunately enough. Other features exclusive to the AV model include a 360-degree camera, an integrated dashcam, electronic parking brake with auto brake hold, as well as the full capability of Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA).

To recap, there are three variants of the 2022 Perodua Alza. there’s the base X model (RM62,500), mid-range H trim (RM68,000), and the highest-end AV variant (RM75,500); these prices are on-the-road without insurance. If you’d like to learn more about the new Alza, check out our
launch article of the MPV
.


CIMB to Support Apple Pay in 2H 2023

Apple Pay
 was officially launched in Malaysia just last week, but only three banks currently support the convenient payment service. But this will change in the future, as CIMB just revealed it is currently working to support Apple Pay.

According to
Amanz
, CIMB is targeting to support Apple Pay sometime in the second half of 2023. Yes, it will be a while before you can start adding your CIMB cards to the payment service, but it is nice to have confirmation from the bank itself.

To recap, Apple Pay makes it easier to make payments with a compatible Apple product, as it allows you to add your credit card or debit card to the service. Once you’ve set up Apple Pay on, say, your iPhone, you can use your phone to make payments at retailers that support the service.

If you’ve got a card issued by Maybank, AmBank, or Standard Chartered, you can now add it to Apple Pay to start making payments with the service. If you’re not sure how to do that, here’s our guide on how to
activate Apple Pay on an iPhone
.


Honor 70 Unveiled in Malaysia – Sony IMX 800 Sensor, Snapdragon 778G+, RM1,999

Honor just launched the Honor 70 in Malaysia. Sporting a rather sleek-looking design and respectable hardware for a phone in its segment, it looks to be positioned as a premium mid-ranger with a rather interesting camera system.

Only one variant of the Honor 70 is offered in Malaysia. Featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the phone is priced at RM1,999 for our market. It’s also available in three colours: Crystal Silver, Emerald Green, and Midnight Black.

One of the most highlighted features of the Honor 70 is its 54MP primary camera with a Sony IMX 800 1/1.49-inch sensor. It’s said to be able to capture more light than a conventional smartphone camera sensor, which should translate to improved low light performance. Complementing that sensor is a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 2MP depth camera.

Other specifications of the Honor 70 include a 6.67-inch 2400 x 1080 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ chipset, a 32MP selfie camera, a 4,800mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging, and Honor’s Magic UI 6.1 based on Android 12.

The Honor 70 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia later tonight at 9.30PM; early birds can even get free gifts worth up to RM597. Retailing at RM1,999, it’s certainly priced on the higher side for a mid-ranger, though the Honor 70 does have a rather interesting camera configuration – even if it’s lacking a telephoto lens.


2023 Proton Exora Official – New Circular Proton Logo, Leatherette Seats, Hi Proton, From RM63k

The 2023 Proton Exora has just made its debut, and as expected, it sports some minor upgrades, though these changes do make for a more modern-looking MPV. Of course, that also means it sees a price hike: the MPV now starts from RM62,800, which is a RM3,000 increase.

That price tag is for the more affordable Executive Exora. The range-topping Premium variant, on the other hand, goes for RM69,800; also a RM3,000 price hike over the previous model. These prices are on-the-road without insurance.

One of the most noticeable changes to the new Exora is the use of Proton’s new circular logo on the front and rear of the MPV, along with the steering wheel. For the Premium trim, it also gets LED daytime running lights, side skirtings, a rear spoiler, blacked-out roof, and black tailgate garnish.

Also exclusive to the Premium Exora are leatherette seats and steering wheel – fabric and urethane respectively for the Executive model – armrests for the front seats (only the second row for Executive), a reverse camera, and a new 7-inch infotainment system with support for the “Hi Proton” voice command.

Beyond these changes, both variants of the Exora soldiers on with the same 1.6L turbocharged Campro CFE engine that outputs 140PS and 205Nm of torque paired to a CVT gearbox. Other standard equipment of the updated MPV include halogen headlights, two airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, and ESS.

While the 2023 Proton Exora doesn’t offer a lot of changes, it does have some meaningful upgrades, including the leatherette seats and a more sophisticated infotainment system. Granted, these changes command a RM3,000 price hike across the range, but hey, you’re getting more for your money too.

If you’re keen to get the new Exora, it is now available for
booking online
 and at all authorised Proton showrooms nationwide.


Smart #1 EV Coming to Malaysia in Early Q4 2023

Proton recently revealed a more specific launch timeline for the Smart #1 electric SUV in Malaysia. According to the national carmaker, the EV will makes its local debut in early Q4 2023. With that in mind, it’s possible the EV will be available here as early as October 2023.

Previously, Proton mentioned that there are no plans for local assembly of the Smart #1, so it should be full imported (CBU) to our market. Of course, with the incentives given by the Malaysian government right now – though it’s set to end on 31 December 2023 – the EV should be priced competitively.

In China, the Smart #1 retails from 181,600 Chinese yuan (about RM119,445) for the base Pure+ model. The Pro+ trim, on the other hand, goes for 196,600 yuan (approximately RM129,315). As for the range-topping Premium+ trim, it is priced at 226,600 yuan (around RM149,015).

Just like the European-bound model, the Smart #1 for China features a 200kW motor driving the rear wheels that outputs 272PS and 343Nm of torque. This allows the EV to go from 0-100kmph in only 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 180kmph.

Aside from that, the Smart #1 – according to the CLTC standard – has a range of up to 535km for the Pure+ and Pro+ models. The range of the Premium variant is slightly better at 560km, thanks to the use of silicon carbide (SiC) technology in the motor. The Premium trim also gets a more sophisticated driver assistance systems, along with larger 19-inch wheels.

To recap, the Smart #1 will be launched right here in Malaysia in early Q4 2023. Hopefully, the EV will be priced similarly to China on our shores, thanks to the
incentives given by the government
.


Xiaomi 12 Lite With Snapdragon 778G Now Available for Pre-Order in Malaysia From RM1,699

The Xiaomi 12 Lite is now available for pre-order in Malaysia. Not only does the upper mid-range smartphone have a premium appeal, it also offers reasonably good value for money.

Two variants of the Xiaomi 12 Lite are offered in Malaysia. The 8GB + 128GB base model costs RM1,699, while the 8GB + 256GB configuration is priced at RM1,899. To sweeten the deal, early pre-orders of either variants can enjoy a RM100 discount, bringing down the starting price to only RM1,599.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, the 12 Lite should be able to provide a good level of performance, especially for a mid-range smartphone. It also features a bright and vibrant 6.55-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Other specifications of the 12 Lite include a triple camera system (108MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 32MP selfie camera, and a 4,300mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging. Of course, a 67W charger is provided with the phone.

To recap, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is now available for pre-order in Malaysia from RM1,699; RM1,599 if you’re one of the early buyers. You can place your order through
Shopee
 or
Lazada
.