Enhanced TNG Card With NFC Sold Out Within Hours of Launch

Just this morning, Touch ‘n Go officially launched the
enhanced TNG card with NFC capability
. Well, at the time of writing, the new card is sold out already on the TNG eWallet app. Evidently, many are eager to get their hands on the NFC-enabled TNG card.

We also checked with TNG’s very own hub in Nu Sentral to check if it has any enhanced TNG card for sale, but unfortunately enough, the hub didn’t have any stock left. Of course, we were directed to purchase the new card from the eWallet app itself, which is…well, sold out already.

Nonetheless, while TNG’s hub doesn’t have the enhanced TNG card in stock, there are quite a number of participating outlets listed
here
 that are said to carry the new card. It may be worth checking them out if any of the outlets are near your location.

If you want the convenience of getting the enhanced TNG card with NFC through the TNG eWallet app instead, you can register your interest through the app to be notified of any restock. Head to the
Apple App Store
 or
Google Play Store
 to download the TNG eWallet app.


Drop MT2 Keycap Renamed to DCX “Out of Respect” for Original MT3 Designer

Drop is finally addressing the controversial naming of its new
MT2 keycap profile
. “Out of respect” for the original MT3 designer (Matt3o), the company has renamed the MT2 set to DCX – that stands for Drop Cylindrical X.

Why the change? Well, it’s because Matt3o was never involved in the development of the MT2 keycap profile, which understandably drew ire from the custom keyboard community. With that in mind, it’s great that Drop is
admitting its oversight
 on the matter, and making things right for Matt3o by changing the name of the keycap profile to DCX.

Anyway, naming issue aside, Drop also revealed more details on the DCX keycap set. One of the most interesting details is the fact that DCX keycaps have “truly hidden sprue marks.” That is, the typical tiny marks on the bottom of a keycap (left from the injection molding process) will really be hidden from sight for DCX keycaps.

The first Drop DCX keycap will be
available for pre-order tomorrow
 on 26 April in the classic White-on-Black colourway. Normally priced at $99 (about RM430), the first production run will retail at only $79 (approximately RM345) for the base kit – that’s quite an attractive price tag.


New PlayStation Plus Tiers Going Live in Malaysia Earlier on 23 May

Now this is a pleasant surprise. It appears the
revamped PlayStation Plus service
 with different tiers will be available in Asia (including Malaysia) earlier than expected. Originally set for a June 2022 launch, the new PS Plus tiers will now be available here on 23 May.

For the Malaysian market, the revamped PS Plus service will be offered in three tiers: Essential (basically the original version), Extra, and Deluxe. Essential needs no elaboration as it is the PS Plus membership we’re all familiar with, while Extra adds on a catalogue of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. Of course, these games will be downloadable.

As for Deluxe, it includes access to PlayStation, PS2, and PSP games to download and play; you also get time-limited game trials.

Pricing wise, the Essential tier remains the same at RM29 monthly, RM69 quarterly, or RM159 yearly. Extra, on the other hand, costs RM44 monthly, RM114 quarterly, or RM269 yearly. As for the highest-tier Deluxe, it goes for RM50 monthly, RM130 quarterly, or RM309 yearly.

To recap, the new PlayStation Plus tiers will be available in Malaysia as early as next month on 23 May. If you’ve always wanted to revisit classic titles from previous generation PlayStation consoles, it may be worth signing up for the new tiers.


The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Is Still My Favourite Phone to Bring on a Vacation

In my line of work, I regularly rotate between different phones a couple of times a month; sometimes almost on a weekly basis. Needless to say, this can get quite tiring, but it does give me an opportunity to switch to the right phone for certain occasions.

When I go for a vacation, for example, I always find myself grabbing the
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
. After all, one of the most important things to do on a vacation is, well, capturing memories, and the S22 Ultra is
easily
 one of the best phones for this purpose.

Of course, beyond its sophisticated camera system, there are also other aspects of the S22 Ultra that make it my go-to phone for vacations, such as its bright, vibrant display, and water resistance.

Capable, Versatile Quad Camera System

This is really the main reason why the Galaxy S22 Ultra is my “vacation phone,” so to speak. Its quad camera system is made up of a 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP telephoto lens that can do 10x optical zoom.

Thanks to the combination of these four sensors, the Galaxy S22 Ultra can take
great-looking shots
 at different focal lengths. Want to get a tight, close-up shot of your meal? The 108MP primary sensor can do just that. Just take a look at these images:

108MP primary

108MP primary

108MP primary

108MP primary

It’s also worth noting that the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 108MP sensor has a shallow depth of field, which can be used to capture more dramatic-looking shots. Take the image of the cat above: you can see that the cat’s head is the point of focus, so it stands out from the rest of the image.

If you want to capture subjects that are much further away, well, the S22 Ultra is one of very few phones with a far-reaching zoom that doesn’t sacrifice much on image fidelity. Really, the phone’s 3x and 10x optical zoom lenses can certainly deliver excellent results. See for yourself with these sample shots!

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

10MP telephoto (30x)

10MP telephoto (100x)

Granted, at 100x zoom, the image quality isn’t great, but I’d argue the 30x zoom shot is still very acceptable. Not many phones can offer such a far-reaching zoom, so this remains to be one of the best qualities of the S22 Ultra. Just look at
how far
 the telephoto lenses managed to zoom in.

In low light conditions, however, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, especially with the 10MP telephoto lens that offers 10x zoom. Because it has a slower f/4.9 aperture, it cannot absorb quite as much light as the other sensors, so it has a tendency to produce noisier low light shots. This is evident in the images below:

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

Nonetheless, the Galaxy S22 Ultra still offers excellent camera performance, so it’s really ideal for capturing memorable moments (and food) on a vacation. It’s also worth noting that the camera interface itself is responsive in most conditions, and along with the quick, accurate focus, you don’t have to worry about missing the “perfect” shot.

Bright Display for Outdoor Use

Aside from its fantastic camera system, the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is great for vacations too. Say you’re using the phone to navigate to a particular cafe under the hot afternoon sun: the screen’s impressive peak brightness of 1,750 nits ensure that you won’t have to struggle to see your directions on display.

Naturally, the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen also supports HDR10+ with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. While you’re transiting to your destination, you know that you’ll have a fantastic screen to catch up on your favourite movie or TV series.

Of course, the display’s 120Hz adaptive refresh rate also makes it a joy to game on, if that’s more your thing.

Water and Dust Resistance for Peace of Mind

When you’re on vacation by the poolside or any large bodies of water, what can really ruin your holiday is if the phone decides to…well, take a swim. Fortunately, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has IP68 water and dust resistance, so it will definitely survive the swim.

Assuming you don’t drop it into the ocean or it’s submerged beyond the 1.5m depth. Salt water is a lot harsher than fresh water, so please be extra careful if you’re bringing the S22 Ultra to the beach. While it
may
survive a quick dip into the ocean – provided you rinse it immediately after – do note that IP testing is only done with fresh water.

If you’re looking for the ideal phone to bring on a vacation to capture the best-looking shots, the brightest display, and one that can take a quick dip into the pool without issue, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra really is one of the best options in the market now.

Take it from someone who have taken the S22 Ultra on vacation for a couple of times now. While its RM5,099 starting price is quite steep, you do get a lot of phone for the money. Still not convinced? Then check out our
full review of the S22 Ultra
.


PS5 Variable Refresh Rate Support Coming Later This Week

The PlayStation 5 will finally support variable refresh rate (VRR) later this week through an update for the next-gen console. Once the feature is rolled out, you can expect improved gaming performance, no screen tearing, and even reduced input lag.

Of course, these improvements will still depend on the TV you’re using, as well as which game you’re playing. To take advantage of the feature, you’ll need a HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible TV or monitor. Do note that not all displays with a HDMI 2.1 input support VRR.

In the coming weeks, as many as 15 games will be optimised for VRR through a patch for the respective games. Interestingly, VRR can even be applied to PS5 games that don’t support it yet, though this may result in unexpected visual glitches. Anyway, here are the PS5 games that will be updated to support VRR:

Astro’s Playroom
Call of Duty: Vanguard
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Deathloop
Destiny 2
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
DIRT 5
Godfall
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Resident Evil Village
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Tribes of Midgard


Diablo Immortal Arrives 2 June on Mobile & PC – Southeast Asia Getting in Late June Instead

Diablo Immortal finally gets a release date! Set to arrive on 2 June, the first Blizzard game to be built from the ground up for mobile…is also set to arrive on PC, though players in Southeast Asia (including Malaysia) will not be getting the game on release.

Instead, certain regions in Asia-Pacific will only get Diablo Immortal sometime in late June. These include Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. Interestingly, Vietnam will also get the game at the same time, but only on PC.

Blizzard is also enabling cross-play and cross-progression between the PC and mobile versions of Diablo Immortal. It’s worth noting that the PC version will launch in open beta, which will see changes and fine-tuning to the game until it “delivers a finalised experience for all courageous adventurers,” as Blizzards puts it.

If you’re keen to check out Diablo Immortal when it releases on 2 June (late June for us here in Malaysia), you can pre-register for the game
right here
. It will be available on iOS, Android, as well as PC through Battle.net, and with over 30 million pre-registrations already, it looks to be a highly anticipated game.


Vivo X80 Series Arrives in Malaysia 8 May

The Vivo X80 series is set to arrive here in Malaysia next month on 8 May. Though it’s not stated explicitly in the teaser, the launch event should see the debut of the X80 and X80 Pro on our shores, and they’re packing some high-end hardware under the hood.

Let’s start with the higher-end phone of the two, the X80 Pro. Curiously, it’s offered with two chipset options: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or a MediaTek Dimensity 9000. Beyond the different processor, both versions share the same hardware.

These include a 6.78-inch 3200 x 1440 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a quad camera system (50MP primary + 48MP ultra-wide angle + 12MP portrait + 8MP periscope telephoto), a 32MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, and a 4,700mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

As for the more affordable X80, it has a more modest set of hardware. It features a Dimensity 9000 chipset, a 6.78-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 12MP portrait), a 32MP selfie shooter, and a 4,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

The Vivo X80 series will make its Malaysian debut on 8 May 2022; we’ll find out then just how much the X80 and X80 Pro will cost on our shores. For the sake of comparison, the two phones start at 3,699 Chinese yuan (about RM2,455) and 5,499 yuan (approximately RM3,650) respectively in China.


Vivo T1 & T1X Launched in Malaysia From Only RM699 – Early Birds Get up to RM100 Off

Vivo recently launched its latest gaming series in Malaysia, the Vivo T1 and Vivo T1X. Despite being marketed as a gaming lineup, these two devices aren’t exactly “true” gaming phones, though they’re certainly affordable with a RM699 starting price.

Of course, the RM699 starting price is for the more affordable T1X in 4GB + 64GB configuration. The more practical 8GB + 128GB model, on the other hand, costs RM899. As for the higher-end T1, the sole 8GB + 128GB variant retails at RM1,299.

Given that the T1 is the higher-end device of the two, it’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset. It also has a 6.44-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 4,700mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging.

And then there’s the budget-friendly T1X with a more modest Snapdragon 680 chip, a 6.58-inch 1080p LCD screen, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 2MP bokeh + 2MP macro), an 8MP selfie shooter, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging.

The Vivo T1 and Vivo T1X are now available for purchase in Malaysia. If you get either phones by 24 May, you’ll be eligible for a discount. The T1X, for one, will retail at RM649 (RM50 discount) and RM799 (RM100 discount) for the 4GB + 64GB and 8GB + 128GB models respectively.

As for the T1, you can get it for only RM1,249 by 24 May; that’s RM50 worth of savings.


Poco F4 GT Lands in Malaysia – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Phone From Only RM1,999

Now this is an intriguing flagship phone: enter the Poco F4 GT. Sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, this phone will be available in Malaysia for only RM1,999. This makes it
the most affordable
 phone powered by the chipset in Malaysia now.

Of course, there is a caveat to this: you can only get the Poco F4 GT for RM1,999 on 28 April this Thursday; it normally goes for RM2,299. For that kind of money, it offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

If you want more storage, you can get the 12GB + 256GB model instead for RM2,499. Early birds can get this variant for only RM2,199.

As mentioned, the F4 GT features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, along with a fast 120Hz 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED display. It also has a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 20MP selfie camera, and a 4,700mAh battery with support for blazing fast 120W charging.

To recap, the Poco F4 GT will be available for purchase in Malaysia on 28 April this Thursday. On that day, you can get the 8GB + 128GB model for RM1,999 (RM200 discount) and the 12GB + 256GB configuration at only RM2,199 (RM300 discount). The F4 GT can be purchased on both
Shopee
 and
Lazada
.


Acer Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition Launched in Malaysia for RM4,199

Acer just launched quite a sleek-looking (and eco-friendly) productivity laptop in Malaysia. This is the Acer Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition, a special edition of the
Aspire Vero
. Not only does it have a unique aesthetic, it also carries the same price tag as the standard model at launch too,
while
 offering twice as much SSD storage.

Only a single variant of the Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition is offered in Malaysia. Priced at RM4,299, it comes with an Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, along with a generous 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD storage.

Compared to the regular model, the Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition has a few unique design elements. There are contour lines on the lid of the laptop of a topographic map, the iconic National Geographic yellow border on the palm rest area, and a “For Planet Earth” script on the spacebar.

This being an eco-friendly product, the chassis of the Aspire Vero is composed of 30% PCR plastic, which cuts CO2 emissions by 21% for the production of this particular part. The laptop’s keycaps also contain 50% PCR plastic, and even the 100% recyclable packaging of the laptop can be repurposed as a laptop stand.

Each purchase of the Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition helps support the US-based global non-profit National Geographic Society “in its work efforts to protect our world through exploration, research, and education,” as Acer puts it.

The Acer Aspire Vero National Geographic Edition laptop will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 1 May onwards for RM4,299. There’s also a trade-in programme for the laptop – you can get up to RM500 cash rebate by trading in (working or non-functional) tablets, laptops, desktops, and even AIO systems.


Acer Aspire Vero Receives up to RM600 Price Cut in Malaysia

Introduced in Malaysia last year in November, the eco-friendly Acer Aspire Vero is now more affordable locally. In fact, you can get up to RM600 worth of savings – that’s quite a hefty price cut for a reasonably capable productivity-focused laptop.

Let’s start with the base model of the Aspire Vero. Previously retailing at RM3,399, this Intel Core i5-1155G7 laptop with 8GB of RAM has its priced revised to RM2,999 on our shores. The higher-end Core i7-1195G7 configuration with 16GB of RAM, on the other hand, will go for RM3,699 from RM4,299; a RM600 price difference.

Aside from the different processor and RAM capacity, both variants of the Aspire Vero are similar to each other. They have a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS screen – which is said to be 99% recyclable – Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 512GB of SSD storage, Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 with a lifetime license, and Windows 11 out of the box.

Beyond what’s under the hood, it’s worth noting that the chassis of the Aspire Vero is composed of 30% PCR plastic, which cuts CO2 emissions by 21% for the production of this particular part. The laptop’s keycaps also contain 50% PCR plastic, and even the 100% recyclable packaging of the laptop can be repurposed as a laptop stand.

These new prices for the Acer Aspire Vero will be applicable from 1 May 2022 onwards. To recap, the Core i5 + 8GB RAM model will go for RM2,999, while the Core i7 + 16GB RAM configuration will be priced at RM3,699.


Wearing Mask Will Be Optional Outdoors From 1 May 2022 – Still Mandatory Indoors

Effective 1 May 2022 this Sunday, wearing face mask will be optional outdoors in Malaysia. However, it is highly encouraged to do so, especially in crowded places and for high-risk individuals. If you’re indoors, well, it’s still mandatory to wear a face mask.

This was announced by Khairy Jamaluddin, the Minister of Health. Outdoor settings, as outlined by the government, include outside of a house or office building, bus stops, parks, and open-air walkways/bridges.

Mask-wearing is still mandatory indoors from 1 May 2022. However, it is optional outdoors. It is still encouraged when in crowded places and for high-risk individuals. 😷
pic.twitter.com/5QaO18Vsn3
— KKMalaysia🇲🇾😷 (@KKMPutrajaya)
April 27, 2022

As for indoor settings, shopping malls, office buildings, public transports, and even classrooms are defined as such. However, in certain situations, you
can
 remove your face mask indoors, including eating, exercising (alone), when giving a speech, or when performing on stage.

Do note that this new ruling will only be applicable from 1 May onwards this Sunday. Until then, make sure you have your face masks on when you’re outdoors. Stay safe!


MySejahtera Check-In No Longer Required From 1 May 2022

If you’re getting tired of checking into premises with MySejahtera, good news: this will no longer be required from 1 May 2022 this Sunday. This was announced by Khairy Jamaluddin, the Minister of Health.

Curiously, entry to premises are permitted regardless of vaccination status as well once the new ruling is in effect. Basically, you won’t have to be vaccinated to enter premises anymore, though there are certain exceptions.

MySejahtera check-in is no longer required to enter premises from 1 May 2022. Entry to premises are permitted regardless of vaccination status. However, COVID-19 positive cases and those under HSO are still not allowed to enter premises.
pic.twitter.com/motjttPkIc
— KKMalaysia🇲🇾😷 (@KKMPutrajaya)
April 27, 2022

Obviously, COVID-19 positive cases with a high risk status on MySejahtera will not be allowed entry; the same applies to those under Home Surveillance Order (HSO). Although checking in with MySejahtera will no longer be required from 1 May onwards, premise owners are still required to check visitors’ risk status on the app.

With that in mind, you can’t exactly uninstall MySejahtera on your phone yet, given that you still need to show your risk status at premises. Haven’t gotten the app yet? Then download it from the
Apple App Store
,
Google Play Store
, or the
Huawei AppGallery
.


Smart #1 EV Debuts in China From Only RM126k – Deliveries in Q3 2022

The
Smart #1
 EV recently made its debut in China, and it gives us an idea on how much the electric SUV could cost in other regions, including Malaysia. After all, it’s confirmed that Proton Edar will be the importer, distributor, and dealer for Smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand.

In China, the Smart #1 retails from 190,000 Chinese yuan (about RM126,330) for the base Pro+ model. The Premium trim, on the other hand, goes for 230,000 yuan (approximately RM152,900).

Do note that these are “pre-sale” prices; the finalised pricing will only be revealed sometime in June before deliveries begin in Q3 2022.

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 Pro+; it goes up to 560km for the Premium model, 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 starts at 190,000 yuan (about RM126,330) in China, and deliveries of the EV will commence sometime in Q3 2022 in the country. It remains to be seen exactly when the #1 will debut here in Malaysia; here’s hoping the EV will be priced similarly to China on our shores, thanks to the
incentives given by the government
.


28 April – 4 May Fuel Price: RON 97 up 13 Sen

After not seeing any price changes for the past couple of weeks, RON 97 is going up in price this week. No changes to the prices of RON 95 and diesel, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.94 per litre (up from RM3.81). 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 28 April to 4 May 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Honkai: Star Rail 2nd Closed Beta Registration Opens Today for iOS, Android, PC

First unveiled
back in October last year
, registration for Honkai: Star Rail’s second closed beta is open today. As its name suggests, this title is the latest addition to the Honkai series, and it is Hoyoverse’s next game after the huge success of
Genshin Impact
.

In order to sign up for the closed beta, just head on to Star Rail’s
official website
. Once you’re there, you’re required to login with your Hoyoverse account, and complete the survey on the website. Unlike the first closed beta – which was only available on iOS and PC – this second test supports Android as well.

Unlike Genshin Impact or Honkai Impact 3rd, Star Rail is a turn-based RPG game where players fight in a party of four. The game also have dungeon exploration, puzzle-solving, and even flashy animations as characters unleash their respective skills. If the trailer is any indication, Star Rail looks to have a pretty intriguing storyline too.

To recap, you can sign up for Honkai: Star Rail’s second closed beta on the
official website
. The registration will be closed on 15 May 2022 at 12PM for us in Malaysia, so make sure you submit your application before that.


PlayStation Plus May 2022 Free Games: FIFA 22, Tribes of Midgard, Curse of the Dead Gods

PlayStation Plus’ May 2022 free games have just been announced. The lineup includes FIFA 22, Tribes of Midgard, and Curse of the Dead Gods. All of these games are offered for the PS5 and PS4, except for the last game; that’s only for the PS4.

Out of the three games, FIFA 22 is likely the title most players are familiar with. On top of the game, a FIFA 22 FUT pack is also offered to PS Plus members, which offer 11 players rated 82 or above, as well as an Icon Moments Loan Player Pick.

With the revamped PS Plus membership that’s coming 23 May to Malaysia, these three games can be claimed by subscribers of any tiers. Whether you’re planning to sign up for the Essential, Extra, or Deluxe tier, you will have access to monthly PS Plus games.

Anyway, these three games can be claimed by PS Plus members from 3 May to 6 June 2022. That means you have until this coming Monday (2 May) to get your hands on April 2022’s free games, including SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated, as well as Hood: Outlaws & Legends.


Mitsubishi Xpander Tops Non-National MPV Segment in 2021 With 9,065 Units Sold

In its financial year 2021 (April 2021 – March 2022) sales report, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) revealed that it has sold over 9,065 units of the Mitsubishi Xpander MPV. According to the company, this is enough for the Xpander to claim the top spot in the non-national MPV segment in Malaysia.

On top of that, the Xpander also accounts for almost half of the company’s total sales at 47.2%. Given the value for money that this locally assembled MPV offers – even with the
recent price hike
 – it’s no surprise the seven-seater is such a popular option.

Now priced at RM93,318 with SST exemption, the Xpander is powered by a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine that outputs 105PS and 141Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Aside from that, the seven-seater is also shod with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Other equipment of the Xpander include LED headlights, two airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, hill start assist, a 9-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, leather seats, a 360-degree camera, a dashcam, as well as keyless entry with push start button.

Keen to get the Mitsubishi Xpander before the
sales tax exemption ends on 30 June
? You can do so at your nearest Mitsubishi Motors authorised showrooms nationwide. Four colour options are available: Red Metallic, Titanium Grey, Quartz White, and Diamond Black.


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Recorded 19,217 Sales in FY2021 – Claims Top 3 Non-National Car Brand

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) just revealed its sales figure for financial year 2021 (April 2021 – March 2022). With over 19,217 units sold, the company claims the top three non-national car brand in Malaysia – right behind Honda and Toyota.

Of the 19,217 units sold, 47.2% of the figure is made up by the Mitsubishi Xpander. Between April 2021 to March 2022, over 9,065 units of the seven-seater was sold in Malaysia; enough to put the Xpander at the top of the non-national MPV segment locally.

But the Xpander isn’t the company’s best-selling model – that honour goes to the Mitsubishi Triton with 9,420 units sold in Mitsubishi’s FY2021 sales report. MMM elaborated that the pickup truck has a market share of close to 21.4%.

“In general, the past two years have been tough on the automotive industry, not only with the rising cases of Omicron but floods that affected the Klang Valley and East Coast region, as well as parts or chips shortage,” said the CEO of MMM, Shinya Ikeda.

“There were many hurdles for the industry to overcome, thus for our sales performance to grow is a significant triumph for us,” he added.

Ikeda also said that the company is aware many customers are aiming to get their cars before the
SST exemption ends on 30 June 2022
. “We are continuing our best efforts to meet the booking numbers, and we have already increased our production capacity while maintaining a high level of product quality,” he said.


Long-Time Android User Switches to iPhone – Do I Regret It?

For the longest time, my daily driver has been an Android device. While I briefly swapped to a couple of different iPhones back in 2018, I ended up going back to Android afterwards for the familiarity of the operating system, among other things.

But when an opportunity to give the iPhone 13 Pro Max a proper review presented itself – in the
sleek new Alpine Green colourway
, to boot – I decided to switch to it for good to see just what I’m missing out on. Well, after a month of use, I’m happy to report that…I’m glad I made the switch!

Don’t get me wrong, there are still some aspects where Android is better. But for the most part, iOS offers a more refined software experience, not to mention the incredible performance of the 13 Pro Max’s Apple A15 Bionic chip. If you’re thinking of migrating from Android to iOS, here’s what you can expect.

Uncontested Performance

It is no exaggeration to say that no Android phone to date can rival the performance of the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip with a powerful 5-core GPU, it offers
insanely good
 graphics performance and processing power.

To put this to the test, I thoroughly tested
Genshin Impact
 on this phone; a game that many high-end, flagship Android devices struggle to run consistently at 60fps. Well, on the 13 Pro Max, not only can I set the framerate to 120fps – not even the PC version has this option – it also runs very smoothly at
maxed out
 graphics settings.

Granted, there are a few instances where the framerate would drop below 60fps, but this is only for a short while. Basically, there really is no denying the fast performance of Apple’s A15 Bionic chip.

Fantastic OS & App Optimisation

Aside from its powerful chip, iOS 15 on the iPhone 13 Pro Max is also very well optimised. By just scrolling through the user interface, you can
feel
 how fluid and responsive the operating system is. The bright and vibrant Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion – offering an adaptive refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz – certainly helps with the responsiveness of the phone too.

The same applies to apps on iOS 15. Not only do they load noticeably faster compared to Android – which is also thanks to the speedy A15 Bionic chip – the level of refinement of these apps (and especially games) is a step ahead of Google’s operating system as well.

It’s almost as if the same apps available on both iOS and Android are originally made for the former.

But it makes sense for apps to simply work
better
 on an iPhone. After all, developers only need to make sure that their apps work well on a handful of iPhone models, rather than a bunch of different Android devices with different hardware capability.

Impressive Battery Life

Although the iPhone 13 Pro Max is “only” packing a 4,352mAh battery, it’s able to return
immensely good
 battery life. Throughout my time with the phone as my daily driver, it never failed to last me through the end of a typical work day, even when I did a lot of gaming.

Suffice to say the power efficiency of iOS 15 is superior to Android. While most flagship Android devices are packed with much more generous 5,000mAh batteries, the 13 Pro Max can still easily outlast them. This is a perfect example of how hardware don’t tell the full story; software optimisation matters too.

There’s still plenty of juice left

Premium Build Quality

You cannot fault Apple when it comes to build quality. The iPhone 13 Pro Max feels nice, hefty, and most definitely premium in the hands. While the glossy stainless steel frame is a fingerprint magnet, I do like the flat nature of it. This makes it easy to get a good grip on the phone.

The smooth matte finish on the glass back panel of the 13 Pro Max is also very nice to the touch, and I’m a fan of the Alpine Green colour. Depending on lighting, it can actually look like a shade of grey. Personally, I quite like this: not only does it look great, it also gives the phone a unique aesthetic.

Responsive, Capable Camera System

And then we have the camera performance of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is great. What really impressed me when I started photographing with the phone is just how
responsive
 the camera interface is. There’s no stuttering at all, and I can capture my shots without any annoying shutter delay.

Aside from that, the triple camera system of the 13 Pro Max is very competent too. Made up of a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP telephoto shooter (3x optical zoom), and a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens with autofocus capability, this is a versatile camera setup that can capture great-looking shots regardless of lighting condition.

12MP primary

12MP primary

12MP telephoto (3x)

12MP ultra-wide angle

12MP primary

12MP primary

12MP ultra-wide angle

12MP primary

12MP telephoto (3x)

While I do miss the far-reaching zoom of the
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
 when I switched to the 13 Pro Max, I’m happy that I still have access to a capable camera system…along with a more responsive camera interface for a more pleasant shooting experience.

Unintuitive Notification System

Now, onto less positive aspects of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, starting with the unintuitive notification system. I don’t love the fact that I cannot dismiss notifications with a simple swipe, and even though it’s great that iOS can now group notifications by different apps, it’s still a little clunky when I have multiple conversations from the same app.

iOS’ notification system has always been my least favourite feature of the operating system. While it has gotten better over the years, Android still handles notifications much better. I especially miss having interactive notifications on Android; this is one area iOS 15 still lags behind its competition.

Accurate Keyboard, But Could Be Better

I love how accurate iOS’ stock keyboard is, but only when I’m typing in “proper” English. When I’m composing a message in informal English with some Bahasa Malaysia words thrown in (hey, I love my Manglish), the autocorrect is more of a nuisance than a helpful feature.

Granted, after “teaching” the keyboard some of my informal vocabulary and Bahasa Malaysia words I often use, the autocorrect does gradually get better. But even after using the 13 Pro Max exclusively over the past month, I still find myself typing more comfortably on an Android device.

It’s really because iOS’ stock keyboard doesn’t support one feature: swipe to delete. I’ve used SwiftKey on Android devices for the longest time, and being able to quickly delete words by just swiping to the left on the keyboard really speeds up my typing.

Yes, I’ve tried installing SwiftKey on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. No, swipe to delete isn’t offered on iOS, for whatever reason. While I wouldn’t say the stock keyboard is intolerable – I really do appreciate how accurate the autocorrect is – I definitely miss using SwiftKey on Android.

In Need of Redesign

Last but not least is the design of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is honestly due for an update. While it’s a premium phone with impeccable build quality, it still has largely the same design as iPhones over the past couple of generations.

I mean, the 13 Pro Max still has a display notch in this day and age, even if it’s slightly smaller now. Because of the notch alone, this iPhone doesn’t look quite as sleek next to its Android competition, such as
Samsung’s S22 Ultra
 and the
Xiaomi 12
.

Hopefully, rumours of the iPhone 14 series sporting a bigger design update will pan out. While the notch is necessary to house the module for Face ID – I actually find myself liking this authentication method – it’s high time Apple swaps it out for a more modern solution that doesn’t require such a big screen cutout.

At the end of the day, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is still a very easy phone to recommend, especially for folks that don’t have a preference for any mobile operating system. It offers performance even flagship Android phones cannot compete with, it’s a very well optimised platform, and it has really long battery life, not to mention a competent, responsive camera system.

That is why the iPhone 13 Pro Max gets the
Nextrift Recommends
 badge, which we award to products that are, well, worth recommending. It’s our way of endorsing products for their unique appeal, refinement, and in the case of the 13 Pro Max, its feature set as a high-end, premium smartphone.

Yes, I’m not a fan of how iOS handles notifications, and the 13 Pro Max is not the sleekest-looking phone in the market either. But despite all of that, I do not regret switching over to this phone at all. It provides a level of refinement – both hardware and software – that Android devices just don’t offer.

Granted, with a
RM5,299 starting price
, the iPhone 13 Pro Max certainly carries a premium price tag, but so does its competition. In fact, you don’t even have to pay top dollar to get a similar level of performance with the
2022 iPhone SE
 – it’s also packed with an A15 Bionic chip
from only RM2,099
.


Disney+ Hotstar Now Accessible on Astro Ultra Box

Astro just added another streaming service to its 4K-enabled Ultra Box. Back in November, the company
added support for Netflix
, and now, you can also start streaming Disney+ Hotstar on the connected set-top-box.

This makes it more compelling to purchase
Astro TV packs
 that have Disney+ Hotstar bundled together; the most affordable one is the Movies Pack for RM94.99/month. If you want both Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix in the same TV pack, there’s Premium Pack 3 for RM154.99/month. Access to HBO GO is also offered in this bundle.

Of course, you don’t have to purchase these TV packs to access Disney+ Hotstar on Astro’s Ultra Box. As long as you have an active subscription to the streaming service, you can log on to it without any issue. It’s just a little bit more convenient to include the subscription cost into a single bill, especially if you fancy other content in the TV pack.

To access Disney+ Hotstar on the Astro Ultra Box, just find for the streaming service on the home screen. If you’re already subscribed to a TV pack that includes the streaming service, follow the instructions below to get your login ID.


Drop DCX Keycaps Now Available for Pre-Order – $20 Discount for Early Birds, 21 June Delivery

Drop has finally opened pre-orders for its new DCX keycaps. Available in three colourways (White-on-Black, Black-on-White, and Genesis) the new keycap profile – which looks to be very similar to GMK/Cherry’s – is offered with a $20 discount for a limited time.

Usually priced at $99 (about RM430), all three colourways of the DCX keycaps are now priced at only $79 (approximately RM345); that’s quite a hefty discount. Do note that this early bird pricing is only valid until 1 May 2022 at 5AM for us here in Malaysia.

Among the goals Drop set out for these DCX keycaps are “industry-leading legend tolerances,” keycaps that are free from exterior blemishes and imperfections, and a cylindrical profile. It’s worth noting that these characteristics are very similar to that of GMK keycaps, which are considered by many to be the “gold standard.”

But one important aspect where the Drop DCX keycaps differ quite a bit from GMK is waiting time. Set to ship as early as 21 June, that’s
merely
a two-month wait. Needless to say, this is a short waiting time in the custom keyboard hobby. If you’re keen to get the DCX keycaps, you can do so
over here
.


Unboxing MTG Streets of New Capenna Set Booster & Commander Deck

Magic: The Gathering’s newest set, Streets of New Capenna, launches today. This set takes place in the bustling metropolis of New Capenna, where five crime families vie for control over the city: Obscura, Maestros, Riveteers, Cabaretti, and Brokers.

To celebrate the launch of the new set, Wizards of the Coast sent us a Set Booster of Streets of New Capenna to check out, along with all five Commander decks based on the different families of the new set.

If you’re interested to pick either of these two products, here’s our unboxing of the Set Booster and Commander deck of New Capenna!

Let’s start with Streets of New Capenna’s Set Booster. Unlike a normal Draft Booster, a Set Booster is meant to be more “exciting” to crack open, which is likely why it is popular among folks who just enjoy opening booster packs instead of using them for Limited play (Draft or Sealed).

So…what makes a Set Booster more exciting to open? Well, quite a number of things. There is a structure to this (technically) 14-card pack. 12 of them are guaranteed Magic cards, while the other two are an art card and a token/ad/punch-out counter card; the latter has a chance to be replaced with a card from “The List.”

When you crack open a Set Booster, the first card you’ll see is an art card, followed by a basic land or metropolis basic land card for New Capenna. If you’re lucky enough, there is a 15% chance that this land card will be foil. If you do get a foil land, it doesn’t prevent you from getting another foil card in the pack.

After the basic land card, the next six cards in a Set Booster will be regular commons and uncommons with some form of “connection” to each other. For Streets of New Capenna, these cards will be three commons and three uncommons; simple enough.

After these common and uncommon cards, the 9th card in a Set Booster pack is the “head-turning slot,” as Wizards puts it. This slot is occupied by different cards from one set to another, but for Streets of New Capenna, it will be a common or uncommon showcase card – that is, it has a special frame.

The 10th and 11th slot of a Set Booster is where things can get really interesting. These two slots can be anything from common to
mythic rare
 cards, depending on your luck. You will also get showcase cards in these slots; we got a pretty neat showcase card for Crew Captain in one of the packs.

Of course, the 12th slot in a Set Booster pack is a guaranteed rare or mythic rare card, which is no different than the same slot found in Draft Boosters. As for the 13th slot in the pack, it is a guaranteed foil card, and it can be of any rarity – yes, you can even get a mythic rare foil.

Last but certainly not least is the 14th slot, which is usually a token/ad card. However, there is a 25% chance it will be a card from “The List” – a list of 300 interesting cards from Magic’s past. If a Set Booster pack has such a card, it can be of any rarity. We happened to get an Arvinox, the Mind Flail from this slot!

And…that is basically what a Set Booster is. Its unique structure certainly makes it interesting to crack open, especially with the increased chance of getting a rare or mythic rare card. Oh, also included in the Streets of New Capenna’s Set Booster is a Box Topper foil card: Gala Greeters.

You can get this same Box Topper foil card in Draft Booster and Collector Booster boxes of New Capenna as well. Basically, this is an extra incentive for players to purchase a whole booster box instead of individual packs.

Next, we have the Commander decks. As mentioned, these 100-card decks – which are ready to play out of the box – are based on the five families of New Capenna. We have Obscura Operation, Cabaretti Cacophony, Bedecked Brokers, Riveteers Rampage, and Maestros Massacre.

Included in every New Capenna Commander deck is a Collector Booster Sample Pack, which contains two cards. One of them is a “Booster Fun” treatment rare or mythic rare that can be found in New Capenna’s Collector Boosters, while the other card is a foil golden age or skyscrapper common/uncommon.

Also found inside every New Capenna Commander deck are a number of useful items, including a life tracker, punch-out counter card, and even some sweet full-art basic land cards. While the Commander format can be quite complicated (especially to newcomers), it can definitely be fun to play with friends.

And that’s our unboxing of the Set Booster and Commander deck of Magic: The Gathering’s Streets of New Capenna. If you’re keen to check out this new set, give your
nearest hobby shop
 a visit tonight – it’s Friday Night Magic!


Genshin Impact 2.7 Update Delayed – Compensation to Be Given

For the first-time ever,
Genshin Impact
‘s next version update is delayed. This was
announced by Hoyoverse itself
, and it remains to be seen exactly how long the delay will be, though players will be compensated for the delay.

According to Hoyoverse, the Version 2.7 update of Genshin Impact is postponed due to “project progress.” Chances are, it’s due to the extended COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai; that’s where Hoyoverse is based in.

Hoyoverse further elaborated that the release date of the new update and content adjustment plan to Genshin Impact will be detailed as soon as possible, along with compensation to players for the delay. Though no official details on Version 2.7 have been revealed, we can expect
Yelan and Kuki Shinobu
 to be introduced in the update.

While it’s not great that Genshin Impact’s Version 2.7 update is delayed, Hoyoverse’s transparency on the matter is certainly appreciated. Hopefully, the company will reveal more details on the update soon; we reckon many players are excited for Yelan and Kuki Shinubo to make their debuts in the game.


Honda Malaysia Continues to Offer up to RM4,000 Discount for Hari Raya (May 2022)

Selamat Hari Raya! In conjunction with the festive season, Honda Malaysia continues to offer up to RM4,000 discount on its range of models. These including the
popular Honda City
, Accord, and HR-V.

Naturally, the
Honda Accord
 gets the best discount. Both the range-topping TC-P and more affordable TC variants of the D-segment sedan receive a RM4,000 rebate. A tier down is the Honda City, which gets a RM2,000 discount for all variants of the B-segment sedan, including the range-topping
RS e:HEV model
.

Next up is the
Honda BR-V
; this seven-seater gets a RM1,000 rebate. If you want an SUV instead, you can opt for the
Honda CR-V
 or
Honda HR-V
 – both of them also receive a RM1,000 discount.

If you’re wondering why Honda’s May 2022 discounts
aren’t quite as generous as a couple of months ago
, that’s because the 2021 models are no longer available. Also, do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles registered between 1 to 31 May 2022.

More information on these discounts can be found on
Honda Malaysia’s website
.

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


Astro Now Offering Fibre Broadband Standalone – RM99 for 50Mbps, RM249 for 800Mbps

Previously bundled with Astro’s various TV packs
, the company is now offering its fibre broadband as a standalone product. With prices starting at RM99 for 50Mbps, it’s priced quite well against its competition.

Just like the previous Astro subscription bundle, Astro Fibre is offered in four different speeds: 50Mbps (RM99), 100Mbps (RM129), 500Mbps (RM189), and 800Mbps (RM249). Regardless of which speed you go for, you will get a WiFi 6 router.

Interestingly, if you get the 100Mbps or above plan, you will also receive a free mesh WiFi for 24 months. After the 24-month period is over, you can either return the mesh WiFi, or pay a monthly subscription fee. Of course, all of these plans come with a 24-month contract to.

More information on Astro Fibre can be found
right here
, along with the Astro TV packs on offer if you also want to get an Astro subscription. You can sign up for the fibre internet plan through the same link too.


5 – 11 May Fuel Price: RON 97 Still Set at RM3.94 Per Litre

RON 97 sees no price change this week! Of course, RON 95 and diesel remain the same as well, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

From today until 11 May next week, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.94 per litre. 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.

New fuel prices are announced every Wednesday, so the next price update (if any) will be revealed on 11 May next week. Stay tuned to Nextrift then for fuel price update.


Mode Sonnet Pre-Orders Now Open – From $299, October 2022 Shipping

After a slight delay, the Mode Sonnet is finally available for pre-order date. Touted  by the brand to be its “best keyboard yet,” the Sonnet is a 75% custom keyboard offered in a variety of materials and accent pieces that is configurable
right here
 from only $299 (about RM1,300).

It’s worth noting that the Sonnet is open for pre-order
indefinitely
. Mode’s goal is to make the keyboard as accessible as possible by doing so; a great move by the brand to make custom keyboards more readily available.

Just like the
Mode SixtyFive
 and
Eighty
, the Sonnet can be mounted in two ways: isolated top mount or stack mount (the silicone base add-on is required for this). What’s unique to the Sonnet is the bottom case with “precision-milled” curves, which give the keyboard a…premium aesthetic, in our opinion.

The Mode Sonnet is now available for pre-order, and it will start shipping sometime in October 2022. While it starts at $299, the price will go up depending on the materials and options that you pick for the keyboard. You can configure your own Sonnet on
Mode’s website
.


Samsung Galaxy A73 Review: Of Upgrades & (Some) Downgrades

While Samsung’s range of Galaxy A devices don’t offer the best value for money, they are feature-packed upper mid-range devices; the Samsung Galaxy A73 is one such phone. Priced at RM2,099, it’s not a particularly affordable device in its segment, but it does have a few notable upgrades over its predecessor.

However, the Galaxy A73 also gets a less versatile camera system than last year’s
Galaxy A72
, not to mention the fact that it now costs RM200 more. Granted, the A73 does get a slew of other upgrades, and if you don’t need a telephoto camera, it’s definitely a mid-ranger worth considering.

What It Is

Display
6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Plus (2400 x 1080), 120Hz
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 2.4GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 642L
RAM
8GB
Storage
256GB, expandable
Camera (rear)
108MP f/1.8, PDAF, OIS
12MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide angle)
5MP f/2.4 (macro)
5MP f/2.4 (depth)
Camera (front)
32MP f/2.2
Battery
5,000mAh with 25W fast charging
Dimensions
163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm
Weight
181g
OS
One UI 4.1 based on Android 12
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.0
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
USB Type-C
Price
RM2,099

On paper, the Galaxy A73 is quite a well-equipped mid-range phone. Not only does it have a bright and vibrant Super AMOLED Plus display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, it also gets a reasonably capable Snapdragon 778G chipset and IP67 water and dust resistance.

However, compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A73 loses out on a dedicated telephoto sensor; in its place is a 5MP depth camera instead. As the camera system now lacks an extra focal length, it’s not as versatile anymore; more on this further down the review.

The Good Stuff

Let’s start with the Super AMOLED Plus display of the Galaxy A73. Now featuring a 120Hz refresh rate – an upgrade from 90Hz – the phone feels extra fluid and responsive. The 6.7-inch 1080p panel itself is also very pleasant to look at with punchy colours, high brightness, and deep blacks; inherent characteristics of an AMOLED screen.

Performance wise, the Galaxy A73 is quite good too. The Snapdragon 778G is more than fast enough to provide a smooth user experience in day-to-day use, and though it does struggle at running
Genshin Impact
 at 60fps consistently, the graphically demanding game is still very playable.

As for build quality, despite sporting a plastic frame and rear panel, the Galaxy A73 still feels solid in my hands; the phone doesn’t feel cheap by any means. I also like the fact that it has a “flatter” frame than its predecessor, which makes it easier to get a good grip on the phone.

When it comes to battery life, the Galaxy A73 is quite long-lasting. Throughout the review period, I managed to consistently get over six hours of screen on time out of the generous 5,000mAh battery. While this is not the best battery life I’ve seen on a mid-ranger, it’s certainly not the worst either.

And then we have the camera performance of the Galaxy A73. Sporting a quad camera system made up of a 108MP primary shooter, a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, a 5MP bokeh camera, and a 5MP depth sensor, it can take decent-looking shots, even in low light conditions.

Judge for yourself with these sample shots:

108MP primary

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

108MP primary (2x digital zoom)

108MP primary

108MP primary

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

108MP primary (2x digital zoom)

Last but certainly not least is the IP67 rating of the Galaxy A73. Yes, it’s not the most exciting feature, but it’s a unique selling point for this mid-range smartphone. After all, even most flagship-class phones are not water-resistant
in 2022
. The fact that the A73 can be submerged up to 1m underwater for 30 minutes can be a huge selling point to certain folks.

The Bad Stuff

Even though the Galaxy A73’s quad camera system is quite adequate, I’m not thrilled by the omission of the telephoto lens. Granted, a telephoto camera may not be a priority to some users, but it’s
odd
 that Samsung decided to remove this sensor on the A73 when its predecessor already had one.

Okay, there is an option to do 2x zoom in the camera interface, but this is only digital zoom from the 108MP primary camera. The results are…well, decent, but detail preservation does suffer quite a bit, as you can see in the sample images above.

There’s also the fact that the Galaxy A73 is a RM2,099 mid-range smartphone. For that kind of money, you can get other devices with a much faster chipset, such as the
RM2,299 Poco F4 GT
 with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. You can even get it for only RM1,999 when it’s on sale.

Is It Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy A73 does not offer the best value for money. But what it does offer is water resistance, a bright and vibrant Super AMOLED Plus screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, and a more than adequate camera performance despite the absence of a telephoto shooter.

You will definitely find other phones with better value proposition, but you’d be hard-pressed to look for another mid-ranger with a similar feature set as the Galaxy A73. As a plus point, this phone also shares the same software experience as
Samsung’s flagship phones
, which is to say it offers a responsive, polished operating system.

That is not something that can be said of many,
many
 other Android phones across all segments.


Genshin Impact Offers 400 Primogems Every Week for Version 2.7 Delay

Hoyoverse just revealed the compensation details for the
delay of Genshin Impact 2.7
. From 11 May onwards, 400 Primogems will be sent to players (among other goodies)
every week
 until the Version 2.7 update is live.

Aside from 400 Primogems, Hoyoverse will also give players a Fragile Resin, 7x Hero’s Wits, 16x Mystic Enhancement Ores, and 120,000 Mora. Again, these rewards will be issued every week until the release of Version 2.7.

With the delay of Version 2.7,
Kamisato Ayaka’s event wish
 – and the accompanying weapon banner – is also extended until the end of Version 2.6. If you’ve always wanted to get Ayaka and her signature weapon, this is definitely great news to collect more Primogems to roll for her.

Unfortunately, it still remains to be seen exactly when Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact will go live; Hoyoverse said an announcement will be made “as soon as it has been confirmed.” While some may be disappointed the next update is delayed, the generous compensation certainly makes up for it, in our opinion.


Oppo A96 Review: Excellent Battery Life, Not So Much on Value

The Oppo A96 is a…curious mid-range phone. Retailing at RM1,299, it’s certainly priced on the higher side in the segment. But for that kind of money, it does offer a generous 256GB of internal storage, not to mention very,
very
 long battery life.

However, the A96’s value proposition isn’t quite as good, and it doesn’t perform particularly well in other aspects either. While its battery life and large storage capacity are good selling points, its shortcomings make it a bit of a tough recommendation – read on to find out why.

What It Is

Display
6.59-inch FHD+ LTPS LCD (2412 x 1080), 90Hz
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 2.4GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 610
RAM
8GB
Storage
256GB, expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.8, PDAF
2MP f/2.4 (depth)
Camera (front)
16MP f/2.0
Battery
5,000mAh with 33W fast charging
Dimensions
164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm
Weight
191g
OS
ColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11
Connectivity
LTE
Bluetooth 5.0
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
USB Type-C
3.5mm audio jack
Price
RM1,299

For a mid-range phone, the Oppo A96 isn’t very well equipped, especially at this price point. Not only is the Snapdragon 680 chip can be found on
much
 more affordable phones – such as the Honor X7
for only RM699
 – its camera system is (essentially) just a single 50MP shooter, given that the 2MP secondary camera is only used for depth perception.

Nonetheless, the A96 does have some good hardware, including a large 5,000mAh battery with reasonably fast 33W charging, as well as a relatively bright and fast 90Hz LTPS LCD screen.

The Good Stuff

Sporting a 6.59-inch 1080p LTPS screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, I’m quite surprised by the vibrancy of the A96’s LCD panel. While it’s not comparable to a much more punchy AMOLED display, it’s certainly a pleasant screen to look at. The 90Hz refresh rate helps to provide a more fluid, responsive user experience too.

Another area where the A96
absolutely
excels in is battery life. Throughout the review period, I couldn’t completely drain the 5,000mAh battery in a day’s worth of use no matter what I throw at the phone. When I did manage to trickle down the battery on the second day, I was left with over
nine hours
 of screen on time – that’s very impressive.

Despite packing such a large battery capacity, the A96 doesn’t feel particularly heavy or thick either. Measuring 8.4mm thin with a 191g chassis, it fits in my hands comfortably without feeling too heavy. I’m happy that the side-mounted fingerprint sensor works fast and seamlessly too.

The 256GB internal storage of the A96 is worth a mention as well. More often than not, a mid-range phone with this much storage capacity sits at a higher price point. This is really a good selling point for the A96, even though its other hardware don’t quite reflect the RM1,299 price tag.

And that’s about it for the positives of the A96. Now, let’s move on to the shortcomings of this mid-range phone, starting with its lacklustre camera performance.

The Bad Stuff

Packed with a 50MP primary shooter with a 2MP depth sensor, the Oppo A96 can capture…well, average-looking shots. Given enough light, it’s able to take flattering shots – even if some of them are oversaturated – but in moderately low lighting, the camera already starts struggling. Just take a look at these sample shots:

Not only does the 50MP camera offers decidedly mediocre performance, the fact that the A96 doesn’t offer a telephoto lens, let alone an ultra-wide angle shooter, severely limits the versatility of its camera system as well.

In a market where most mid-rangers (at the bare minimum) offer a regular wide angle shooter along with an ultra-wide lens, the A96 doesn’t compare very favourably.

And then there’s the performance of the A96. While the Snapdragon 680 performs adequately in day-to-day use, it struggles to run Genshin Impact even at the lowest settings. While it’s still somewhat playable, I wouldn’t say it’s an enjoyable experience.

Last but not least is the value proposition of the A96. For RM1,299, it’s a tough price tag to swallow, especially with its average performance level and camera quality. At this price point, you’ve got many other phones to choose from with more versatile camera systems and faster chipsets.

Is It Worth It?

Even though the Oppo A96 can’t quite match the processing power or camera capability of other phones at this price point, it still has its own winning qualities. Not only is it a very long-lasting phone – nine hours of screen on time on a single charge is really quite an achievement – it also has a generous 256GB internal storage.

But if value for money is what you look for in a mid-range phone, then perhaps the A96 is not the best option. If Oppo had brought in the more affordable 128GB model at a lower price point though, things may have been different.


2022 Proton Saga Facelift Launching This Month in May 2022

It’s official! Proton just confirmed that the 2022 Proton Saga facelift is launching by the end of this month. The national carmaker revealed this through its April sales report released today.

“The best-selling model in April however was the Proton Saga with 4,579 units sold leading to a year-to-date total of 14,028 units in its final full month of sales before the launch of the 2022 Proton Saga,” the company said in the press release.

Previous spy shots of the 2022 Saga

Based on leaks, we know that the upcoming Saga facelift is offered in four variants: Standard MT, Standard AT, Premium AT, and the range-topping Premium S AT. Naturally, the latter gets all the bells and whistles, including keyless entry, push start button, semi-leather seats, and side skirts with a front bumper lip.

No changes to the engine of the new Saga is expected, so it will likely soldier on with the same 1.3L four-cylinder engine that outputs 95hp and 120Nm of torque. It should still be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that’s sourced from Hyundai as well.

Given the new features and creature comforts the 2022 Proton Saga is getting, it’ll be interesting to see how much it will be priced at. For context, the current Saga costs between RM32,400 to RM39,300 with sales tax exemption applied.


Video: CableMod Keyboard Cable Review

As you get deeper into the custom keyboard rabbit hole, you might be thinking of getting a custom coiled cable for your sweet custom board. Well, if you’re looking for a premium option, consider CableMod’s excellent keyboard cable with
a ton
 of customisation options!

On top of that, if you’re here in Malaysia, you can use the code MALAYSIA40 to get 40% discount on the total price of your configured CableMod cable. You also only need to pay $10 (about RM43) to get the cable shipped to a Malaysian address – that’s a good price for international shipping.

Keen to get CableMod’s keyboard cable? You can start configuring your own cable
right here
. We weren’t told how long the 40% discount code (MALAYSIA40) will be valid for, so you may want to be quick to secure the savings.


2022 Proton Saga MC2 Facelift Launching 12 May – New Circular Logo, Updated Alloy Wheels

Proton just announced the launch date of the new 2022 Proton Saga MC2 (Minor Change 2) facelift! Set to debut on 12 May this Thursday, the national carmaker also revealed some cosmetic changes to the updated A-segment sedan.

Two teaser images of the Saga MC2 were shared by Proton. One of it shows the new circular logo on the front end of the sedan – along with a red accent strip on the grille – and updated alloy wheels for a sleeker, sportier look.

Based on

previous leaks
, we know that the Saga MC2 is offered in four variants: Standard MT, Standard AT, Premium AT, and the range-topping Premium S AT. Naturally, the latter gets all the bells and whistles, including keyless entry, push start button, semi-leather seats, and side skirts with a front bumper lip.

No changes to the engine of the facelifted Saga is expected, so it will likely soldier on with the same 1.3L four-cylinder engine that outputs 95hp and 120Nm of torque. It should still be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission that’s sourced from Hyundai as well.

Previous spy shots of the 2022 Saga

To recap, the 2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift will make its debut on 12 May this Thursday; the virtual launch will take place on
Proton’s Facebook page at 9.45AM
. If you’re keen to get the new Saga, you can register your interest
right here
.

At the moment, we still don’t know exactly when the Keychron Q1 QMK Keyboard will be officially introduced. Nonetheless, you can register your interest for the upcoming keyboard
over here
.

Read more:

2022 Proton Saga MC2 Facelift Launched – Keyless Entry, New Interior, From RM34k to RM44k


Proton’s Sales Drop 32.2% in April 2022 Due to Chip Shortage

Chip shortage continues to be an issue for many carmakers, and Proton is no exception. In April 2022 last month, the national carmaker sees its sales drop by a steep 32.2% due to chip supply issues.

Despite the chip shortage, three Proton models continue to lead their respective segments. These include the
highly popular X50
 (1,554 units), X70 (1,530 units), and the Exora (301 units). The Saga was Proton’s best-selling model last month with 4,579 units sold, though it sits at the second spot in the A-segment sedan market.

Thankfully, Proton said that it has secured enough chips for May and June 2022, and it is projecting a quick turnaround in the coming months. But the carmaker added that “the situation is still uncertain for the rest of the year and the global car industry is under pressure from rising costs.”

“The company is working on countermeasures against these issues to ensure our customers get the best products and value in Malaysia and abroad,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

With the launch of the new
2022 Proton Saga MC2
 set for 12 May this Thursday, we reckon the national carmaker’s sales will see an encouraging growth for the coming months. Learn more about the new Saga facelift
right here
.


Vivo X80 & X80 Pro Land in Malaysia – RM3,499 to RM4,999

The Vivo X80 and X80 Pro are now available for pre-order in Malaysia. Starting from RM3,499, these are high-end phones with matching price tags. Early birds can even receive up to RM1,555 worth of freebies.

Of course, the RM3,499 starting price is for the more affordable X80, which features 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The higher-end X80 Pro, on the other hand, also comes with the same RAM and storage capacities for RM4,999.

Given its dearer asking price, the X80 Pro is naturally the higher-end phone of the two. Packed with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, it also has a 120Hz 6.78-inch 3200 x 1440 AMOLED display, a quad camera system (50MP primary + 48MP ultra-wide angle + 12MP portrait + 8MP periscope telephoto), a 32MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, and a 4,700mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

As for the more affordable X80, it has a more modest set of hardware. It features a Dimensity 9000 chipset, a 6.78-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 12MP portrait), a 32MP selfie shooter, and a 4,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

The Vivo X80 and X80 Pro are now available for pre-order in Malaysia through
Vivo’s official online store
,
Shopee
, and
Lazada
 for RM3,499 and RM4,999 respectively. If you want to get the pre-order goodies, make sure you get either phones by 13 May this Friday.


CableMod Keyboard Cable Review: Premium, High-End Coiled Cables (With 40% Discount!)

CableMod is a brand name that’s quite well-known in the PC building scene for its range of sleeved cables. In recent times, the company ventured into the custom keyboard scene with the same high quality cables, which also offers
a ton
 of customisation options.

Naturally, this level of customisability and quality also come with a premium price tag, but you’re definitely getting an equally premium keyboard cable too. As a cherry on top, if you’re here in Malaysia, you can even get a 40% discount on a CableMod keyboard cable
and
 $10 flat shipping rate.

Continue reading this review to find out how!

A blue Pro Coiled CableMod cable with the Slimline QDC

What It Is

CableMod offers four different options for its keyboard cable: Classic Straight (from $24.90), Pro Straight (from $29.90), Classic Coiled (from $49.90), and Pro Coiled (from $58.90). The Classic options are basically cables without a “quick disconnect” (QDC) connector – aviator or Slimline – while the Pro ones come with such a connector.

In
CableMod’s configurator
, you can change the colour of virtually every part of the keyboard cable. These include the cable’s inner paracord base layer, the ModMesh nylon top layer, the connector (you can also change the type of connector), and the QDC.

There are also different finishing options for the QDC and connectors! The QDC has three choices of finishing (anodise, cerakote, powder coating), while the connectors have the same options, with the addition of heatshrinking.

Needless to say, the customisation options are
extensive
. Did I mention you can also change the length of the cable, along with the orientation of the coil?

The Good Stuff

Of course, one of the best features of CableMod’s keyboard cable is its sheer customisability mentioned above. This is something that’s not offered on such a scale from other vendors, which is really a unique selling point for CableMod. There’s even a live preview of how your customised cable will look like.

Aside from that, the quality of the cable itself is also very good. I’ve received two separate cables from the company, and both of them have no noticeable finishing issues. There are no visible scratches, the cables feel sturdy, and I’m especially impressed with the straightness of the coil.

One of the biggest issues with cheaper coiled cables is the crooked appearance of the coil, along with inconsistent coiling. CableMod’s coiled keyboard cable does not suffer from this at all; not only is the cable very straight, the coiling is also tight and consistent.

I also like CableMod’s Slimline connector. It has a nice “snap” when connecting the two halves, and the same applies to the aviator QDC. While the latter feels a tad too tight when pushing in, I appreciate that the aviator’s screw is not crooked – this is an issue I faced with other keyboard cables.

Last but not least is the packaging of the CableMod keyboard cable. It’s a nice zippered case with a foam to protect the cable during transit. It feels a little…too much for “just” a cable, but I’m all for it.

The Bad Stuff

It’s great that CableMod offers so many customisation options for its keyboard cable, but the downside to this is the final cost of the customised product. Take the QDC: the aviator connector is the default option, and opting for the lower profile Slimline connector is a $16 upgrade. Yes, $16 for just a different connector,

Selecting a different finish for the QDC also increases the price of the cable. Want a Cerakote coating? It’ll set you back $4 for
each
 end of the connector. Basically, depending on the customisation options you’re going for, expect to pay much more than what the starting prices suggest.

Is It Worth It?

Even though the CableMod keyboard cable can get pretty expensive, you
are
 getting a high quality, premium product. It has a tight, straight coil, the finishing of the cable itself and connectors are excellent, and the ability to customise the colour to your liking means you can get a cable that is uniquely yours.

If the CableMod cable is still a tad too expensive for you, good news. If you’re here in Malaysia, you can get the aforementioned 40% discount on the total cost of the cable, not to mention a flat $10 shipping to get it delivered to a Malaysian address.

All you need to do is use the code MALAYSIA40 at checkout to enjoy the discount. CableMod did not specify exactly how long the discount code will be valid for, so you may want to be quick to secure the savings.

Keen to get the CableMod keyboard cable? Then start configuring your very own cable
right here
.


Oppo Find X5 Pro Malaysian Launch Set for 18 May

Oppo’s latest flagship smartphone, the
Oppo Find X5 Pro
, is coming to Malaysia as early as 18 May next week. Sporting the Chinese company’s latest MariSilicon X Imaging NPU, the X5 Pro promises improved camera performance, especially when shooting low light 4K videos.

According to Oppo, the MariSilicon X NPU allows the Find X5 to shoot night videos in 4K with “less grain and superior colour reproduction,” thanks to the use of an advanced AI noise reduction algorithm designed by the Oppo Research Institute.

Of course, whether or not this is the case, we’ll have to reserve judgment until we can try out the phone for ourselves.

Aside from that, the Find X5 Pro has a triple camera system made up of a 50MP primary camera – complete with a “first-of-its-kind” five-axis OIS system for more stable videos and sharper still photos – a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 13MP telephoto camera with 5x hybrid zoom. It also features Hasselblad Natural Colour Calibration in Pro Mode for…well, more accurate colour reproduction.

Naturally, the Find X5 Pro is also powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset for flagship-tier performance. After all, it’s said to offer 30% improved GPU performance while sporting 25% better power efficiency, thanks to its 4nm manufacturing process.

Rounding out the specifications of the Find X5 Pro include a 6.7-inch WQHD+ curved AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a generous 5,000mAh battery with support for 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, an IP68 rating, a ceramic back, and ColorOS 12.1 based on Android 12 out of the box.

The Oppo Find X5 Pro will make its Malaysian debut next week on 18 May. No word yet on whether or not the
more affordable Find X5
 will also be launched here.


Asus Zenbook Pro 16X OLED Touted as Most Powerful Zenbook Ever With Core i9-12900H & RTX 3060

Asus just unveiled a slew of new laptops, and the headlining product is the Asus Zenbook Pro 16X OLED. Touted by the Taiwanese company as the “most powerful Zenbook ever,” this creator-focused laptop features an Intel Core i9-12900H processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU.

While the RTX 3060 graphics card is not exactly the best mobile GPU in the market now, it makes sense for a creator laptop like the Pro 16X OLED to feature such hardware. What’s more important is the fast Core i9-12900H chip; it’s an impressive
14-core
 processor.

Paired with a robust cooling system – the laptop has an “AAS Ultra” mechanism that lifts up the keyboard deck – Asus said that the CPU and GPU of the Pro 16X OLED can run at up to 140W combined TDP in Performance mode without throttling. Given that this is 16.9mm thin laptop, it’s quite an impressive claim.

Other specifications of the Pro 16X OLED include a “world-leading” 16-inch 4K OLED HDR touch-enabled display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 2.4kg unibody chassis, and a generous 96Wh battery that is said to provide up to 10 hours of continuous use on a single charge.

Given the premium positioning of the Asus Zenbook Pro 16X OLED, it naturally carries a premium price tag: this creator laptop starts at $2,599 in the US, which comes up to about RM11,380. No confirmation yet on the Malaysian availability of this premium machine.


Honda BR-V Facelift Gets 2 New Colours – Ignite Red Metallic & Meteoroid Grey Metallic

Launched back in June 2020, the Honda BR-V facelift just received two new colour options: Ignite Red Metallic and Meteoroid Grey Metallic. These two new colours replace the existing Passion Red Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic options respectively.

To recap, two variants of the facelifted BR-V are offered. The E trim costs RM86,726, while the range-topping V variant goes for RM93,693. Of course, these prices are with sales tax exemption applied
until 30 June 2022
.

Compared to the pre-facelift model, the current BR-V gets some styling changes that lend to a more “masculine look,” as Honda puts it. Both the E and V trims are now equipped with a new front grille, front bumper, and lower bumper garnish, though it’s worth noting that only the V variant gets fog lamps. Besides that, the facelift gets new 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheel design too, along with a revised rear bumper (with vertical reflectors) and shark fin antenna.

Of course, the cabin of the updated BR-V gets some neat changes too. Standard equipment across the two variants include tweeter speakers, cabin filter, automatic air-conditioning, keyless entry, and push-start button. The range-topping V trim, on the other hand, gets a seven-inch infotainment screen, paddle shifters, leather seats with red accents, and a gear knob with red stitching.

Beyond these changes, the facelifted BR-V is identical to the previous model. It soldiers on with the familiar 1.5L four-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC engine, which outputs 120hp and 145Nm of torque. It is also mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) just as before with drive sent to the front wheels.

Safety equipment of the updated BR-V remains the same as the pre-facelift model. These include driver and front passenger airbags, vehicle stability assist (VSA), traction control system (TCS), anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), and three-point seat belts for all seven seats.

If you like the new Ignite Red Metallic and Meteorite Grey Metallic colours for the Honda BR-V facelift, you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to place a booking. Alternatively, you can also book them online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Honda BR-V Facelift – 5,700 Units Sold in Malaysia Since June 2020

The Honda BR-V facelift was introduced in Malaysia back in
June 2020
. Fast forward to today, over 5,700 units of the seven-seater MPV have been sold on our shores.

While this isn’t a huge figure, it’s worth noting that the BR-V was launched here five years ago back in 2017. The fact that Honda Malaysia still managed to sell this many units of the (admittedly) ageing MPV is really quite impressive.

Speaking of which, it’s likely that Honda Malaysia will introduce the all-new 2022 BR-V locally
sometime this year
 alongside the new HR-V. It’s high time we get a proper update to these two models, given that it’s been quite some time since their respective debuts on our shores.

Nonetheless, if you’re keen to get the Honda BR-V facelift – especially with the
introduction of two new colours for the MPV
 – you can head to your nearest Honda dealership to place a booking. Alternatively, you can also book them online
here
, or even through the HondaTouch app – you can download it from the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED – Asus’ Most Polished Dual Screen Laptop Yet

Asus also unveiled an updated version of the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED. Now featuring the aforementioned OLED screen, the dual screen laptop also has a number of other improvements, including a faster processor and a more robust cooling system.

Thanks to the Pro 14 Duo OLED’s new Active Aerodynamic System Ultra (AAS Ultra) – which lifts up the secondary touchscreen by 12 degrees for better ergonomics and cooling – the laptop can achieve a total TDP of up to 85W. Plenty of breathing room for the Intel Core i9-12900H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU.

Aside from the, the Pro 14 Duo OLED also has a primary 14.5-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a tall 16:10 aspect ratio. It is paired with a 12.7-inch 2880 x 864 ScreenPad Plus secondary touchscreen too, which is now bigger and brighter than the previous model’s.

The Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED is said to start at $2,000, which comes up to about RM8,765. It remains to be seen if this premium dual screen laptop will be available in Malaysia, but given Asus’ prominent presence on our shores, there’s a good chance it will eventually be sold here.


Nintendo Sold 4.11 Million Switch Consoles in Q1 2022; Forecasts Lower Sales

Nintendo just revealed its sales report for the financial year (April 2021 – March 2022), which sheds some light on the sales performance of the Switch console. In the first quarter of 2022 itself, over 4.11 million units of the Switch were sold worldwide.

This brings the total number of Switch sales since its debut in 2017 to an impressive 107.65 million, making it Nintendo’s best-selling home console to date. However, sales of the Switch have actually been declining over the years, even after the introduction of the
Switch OLED
 in October 2021.

Between April 2020 to March 2021, Nintendo sold 28.83 million Switch consoles. In the same period between 2021 to 2022, the total sales is lower at 23.06 million. That’s a difference of 5.77 million or about 20% decline.

For April 2022 to March 2023, Nintendo expects to sell “only” 21 million units of the Switch, which seems to suggest that demand for the console is waning. But whether or not this is a sign Nintendo will introduce a generational update to the Switch remains to be seen.


DJI Mini 3 Pro Official – First High-End Mini Drone From RM3,399 in Malaysia

After numerous leaks, the DJI Mini 3 Pro is finally official. As the successor to the Mini 2, this new drone sports a number of features that puts it more in line with DJI’s higher-end drones, including a more sophisticated flying capability and the ability to shoot videos in vertical mode.

That’s right, the Mini 3 Pro’s 48MP f/1.7 camera can be rotated 90-degree to take vertical videos; perfect for social media such as TikTok and Instagram Stories. Aside from that, it can also shoot in 4K at up to 60fps, not to mention a slew of shooting modes including ActiveTrack, QuickShots, and MasterShots.

Another neat hardware of the Mini 3 Pro is its tri-directional obstacle sensing; this drone has forward, backward, and downward visual sensors. Despite packing all of these new features, DJI still managed to keep the weight of this drone to only 249g, so you won’t have to register it in most regions.

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 16 May on Shopee and Lazada from RM3,399 for the drone itself. If you also want to get the remote controller, it will set you back RM4,199. You can visit the
DJI flagship store in Pavilion KL
 as well to learn more about this brand new drone.

We also received a review unit of the Mini 3 Pro; stay tuned for our full video review of it!


2022 Proton Saga MC2 Facelift Push Start Button Confirmed – Keyless Entry Likely

It’s less than 24 hours before the
2022 Proton Saga MC2
 (Minor Change 2) facelift makes its debut tomorrow on 12 May. Before that, Proton has one more teaser to show, which confirms the new A-segment sedan’s push start button.

Given that the facelifted Saga’s keyless ignition feature is officially confirmed by Proton, there’s a good chance the sedan will also get keyless entry. After all,
numerous leaks
 have confirmed this convenient feature; you can even see the button for keyless entry on the driver’s side door handle in the leaked image below.

Based on

previous leaks
, we know that the Saga MC2 is offered in four variants: Standard MT, Standard AT, Premium AT, and the range-topping Premium S AT. Naturally, the latter gets all the bells and whistles, including the aforementioned push start button, keyless entry, semi-leather seats, and side skirts with a front bumper lip.

No changes to the engine of the facelifted Saga is expected, so it will likely soldier on with the same 1.3L four-cylinder engine that outputs 95hp and 120Nm of torque. It should still be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission as well.

The 2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift will make its debut on 12 May tomorrow; the virtual launch will take place on
Proton’s Facebook page at 9.45AM
. If you’re keen to get the new Saga, you can register your interest
right here
.


Genshin Impact – Login Now to Claim 400 Primogems

Hoyoverse just sent out the compensation for the
delay of Genshin Impact 2.7
. As long as you’ve reached Adventure Level 5 or above, you can claim 400 Primogems from the in-game mail today. In fact, you’ll get this reward
every week
 until the Version 2.7 update is live.

Aside from 400 Primogems, Hoyoverse will also give players a Fragile Resin, 7x Hero’s Wits, 16x Mystic Enhancement Ores, and 120,000 Mora. Again, these rewards will be issued every week until the release of Version 2.7.

With the delay of Version 2.7,
Kamisato Ayaka’s event wish
 – and the accompanying weapon banner – is also extended until the end of Version 2.6. If you’ve always wanted to get Ayaka and her signature weapon, this is definitely great news to collect more Primogems to roll for her.

Unfortunately, it still remains to be seen exactly when Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact will go live; Hoyoverse said an announcement will be made “as soon as it has been confirmed.” While some may be disappointed the next update is delayed, the generous compensation certainly makes up for it, in our opinion.


Asus ROG Flow Z13 Price Change in Malaysia – Between RM200 to RM1,000 Price Increase

Launched in Malaysia just a couple of months ago in March, the
Asus ROG Flow Z13
 is seeing a price adjustment locally. While the starting price of the gaming tablet remains the same at RM7,999, the higher-end variants of the Z13 are now slightly more expensive.

This price change is reflected on the
local product page of the Flow Z13
. The base model, as mentioned, retains its RM7,999 price tag. It features an Intel Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, a 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 512GB SSD.

A tier up is the Core i9-12900H configuration of the Flow Z13, which is now set at RM8,999; that’s a RM200 price increase. Aside from the faster processor, you’re also getting a beefier RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a generous 1TB SSD. Despite the price revision, it’s really worth paying the extra RM1,000 for these upgrades over the base model.

Last but not least is the range-topping Flow Z13, which sees a RM1,000 price increase to RM16,999. Aside from a sharper 4K screen (though the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz), this variant also bundles the ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure, which houses a powerful RTX 3080 GPU (150W TGP).

According to Asus Malaysia, the price revision for the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is due to the increasing difference between MYR and USD. Initial stocks of the gaming tablet have also sold out, so expect the Z13 to carry these new price tags once it is restocked.


Honor Magic 4 Pro Launch in Malaysia Set for Early June 2022

The
Honor Magic 4 Pro
 made its global debut in March earlier this year, and it was confirmed not long after that it will makes its way into the Malaysian market. Well, we finally have a launch window for the flagship phone’s local unveiling.

According to the CEO of Honor Malaysia, Justin Li, the Magic 4 Pro will be available in Malaysia sometime in early June next month. Unfortunately, there’s no word on the local availability of the regular Magic 4, so it remains to be seen if the more affordable variant will also be sold here.

One of the highlights of the Magic 4 Pro is its triple camera system. It’s made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens that can do 3.5x optical zoom. These sensors are housed in a unique circular camera module.

Other specifications of the Magic 4 Pro include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, a 6.81-inch 2848 x 1312 OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 256GB of internal storage, a 12MP selfie camera, an IP68 rating, and a 4,600mAh battery with support for 100W wired and
wireless
charging; that’s quite impressive.

To recap, the Honor Magic 4 Pro is set to be launched here in Malaysia in early June next month; we’ll find out then just how much it will be priced at on our shores. For context, it is sold in Europe with a 1,099 euro starting price – that’s about RM5,075.


Sony Xperia 1 IV Launched – True Optical Zoom Camera for $1,599, Coming to Malaysia Soon

Sony just revealed its next flagship phone, the Sony Xperia 1 IV (it’s pronounced Xperia 1 Mark IV). One of the most unique selling points of this high-end phone is its telephoto lens with true optical zoom between 85mm to 125mm.

This is quite the technical achievement, given that telephoto cameras on smartphones have a fixed focal length. Granted, the 12MP telephoto lens’ 85-125mm focal length of the Xperia 1 IV isn’t particularly far-reaching, but it’s still a feature unique to this phone.

Complementing the telephoto shooter is a 12MP primary sensor and another 12MP ultra-wide angle lens.

Other specifications of the Xperia 1 IV are decidedly high-end. These include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a sharp 6.5-inch 4K OLED panel with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and tall 21:9 aspect ratio, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of expandable storage, a 12MP selfie camera, an IP65/IP68 rating, and a generous 5,000mAh battery.

The Sony Xperia 1 IV will be available in certain regions sometime in mid-June next month. With a $1,599 starting price – that comes up to about RM7,000 – it is unmistakably a costly flagship phone. As per Sony Malaysia’s
product listing of the Xperia 1 IV
, it’s said to be coming to the Malaysian market soon.


Sony Xperia 10 IV Weighs Only 161g With Water Resistance & 5,000mAh Battery for 499 Euro

Aside from the flagship
Xperia 1 IV
, Sony also introduced the more affordable Sony Xperia 10 IV. Touted as the world’s lightest 5G phone, it tips the scales at only 161g. That’s quite impressive, given that it also sports a sizeable 5,000mAh battery.

Of course, just like its predecessor, the Xperia 10 IV has an IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance; quite a rare feature for a mid-range smartphone. It also features Sony’s signature 21:9 tall and narrow display for easier one-handed use.

Other specifications of the Xperia 10 IV include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, a 6.0-inch 2520 x 1080 OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 8MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide angle), an 8MP selfie camera, 6GB RAM, 128GB expandable storage, and Android 12 out of the box.

The Sony Xperia 10 IV will be available in selected markets sometime in mid-June next month for 499 euro (about RM2,305). Sony Malaysia already has a
product page for the Xperia 10 IV
, and it’s said to be “available soon” on our shores.


12 – 18 May Fuel Price: RON 97 up 37 Sen

RON 97 is going up in price quite drastically this week: it’s set to increase by a steep 37 sen per litre. No changes to the prices of RON 95 and diesel, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 is set at RM4.31 per litre (up from RM3.94). 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 12 to 18 May 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Sony Xperia 1 IV Pre-Orders Start 11 June 2022 in Malaysia

We just got word from Sony Malaysia on the local availability of its latest flagship phone, the
Sony Xperia 1 IV
. If you’ve got your eyes on this phone, good news: it will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 11 June 2022.

The Malaysian pre-order of the Xperia 1 IV will be from 11 June to 10 July; quite a lengthy period. Unfortunately, Sony Malaysia did not reveal if any freebies will be bundled, but judging from the
pre-order of previous Xperia phones
, there should be some extra incentives.

One of the most unique selling points of the Xperia 1 IV is its telephoto lens with true optical zoom between 85mm to 125mm. This is quite the technical achievement, given that telephoto cameras on smartphones usually have a fixed focal length.

Granted, the 12MP telephoto lens’ 85-125mm focal length of the Xperia 1 IV isn’t particularly far-reaching, but it’s still a feature unique to this phone. Complementing the telephoto shooter is a 12MP primary sensor and another 12MP ultra-wide angle lens.

Other specifications of the Xperia 1 IV are decidedly high-end. These include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a sharp 6.5-inch 4K OLED panel with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and tall 21:9 aspect ratio, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of expandable storage, a 12MP selfie camera, an IP65/IP68 rating, and a generous 5,000mAh battery.

To recap, the Sony Xperia 1 IV will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 11 June to 10 July 2022. It remains to be seen how much it’ll be priced at for the local market, though it starts at $1,599 in the US (about RM7,000).


Sony Xperia 10 IV Malaysian Pre-Orders Open 1 July 2022 – 161g, 5,000mAh Battery, Water-Resistant

The colourful
Sony Xperia 10 IV
 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 1 July onwards. We received this confirmation from Sony Malaysia itself, and it’s quite a bit later than the local pre-orders of the
Xperia 1 IV
 – the flagship phone can be pre-ordered
from 11 June instead
.

Nonetheless, Malaysian pre-orders of the Xperia 10 IV will run from 1 to 31 July 2022; the whole month, basically. No word yet on any pre-order incentives for the mid-ranger, but it should be bundled with some freebies, just like
previous Xperia pre-orders
.

Just like its predecessor, the Xperia 10 IV has an IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance, which is quite a rare feature for a mid-range smartphone. It also features Sony’s signature 21:9 tall and narrow display for easier one-handed use.

Other specifications of the Xperia 10 IV include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, a 6.0-inch 2520 x 1080 OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 8MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide angle), an 8MP selfie camera, 6GB RAM, 128GB expandable storage, and a sizeable 5,000mAh battery.

To recap, the Sony Xperia 10 IV will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 1 to 31 July 2022. We haven’t been told how much it’ll cost locally, but for the sake of comparison, it starts at 499 euro in selected markets – that comes up to about RM2,305.


2022 Proton Saga MC2 Facelift Launched – Keyless Entry, New Interior, From RM34k to RM44k

Proton has finally launched the 2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift – MC2 stands for Minor Change 2, signifying that this is a minor upgrade over the 2019 facelift. While the updated A-segment sedan doesn’t get a new engine or a significant revision, it does offer some nice creature comforts now, including keyless entry and a new interior.

First up, prices. Four variants of the new Saga are offered: Standard MT (RM34,400), Standard AT (RM38,300), Premium AT (RM41,300), and the range-topping Premium S (RM44,300). These prices are on-the-road without insurance, and sales tax exemption
is actually applied until 30 June 2022
.

Naturally, the highest-end Premium S gets all the bells and whistles. These include the aforementioned keyless entry, push start button, semi-leather seats, red accents on the air-cond vents, a new 7-inch infotainment screen with iOS and Android mirroring, front bumper skirts, side skirts, as well as 15-inch alloy wheels.

Standard equipment across the range of the new Saga include two airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), hill hold assist, and the familiar 1.3L four-cylinder engine that outputs 95PS and 120Nm of torque. The Standard MT comes with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the other variants get a Hyundai-sourced four-speed automatic.

The 2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift is now available for booking. Given that the sales tax exemption is ending on 30 June, we imagine folks who are looking to get this new Saga would want to get their order in quickly to take advantage of the lower prices.


Proton Launching “At Least” 3 All-New Models by 2024 – Proton X90 Coming Soon?

At the launch
 of the
2022 Proton Saga MC2 facelift
, Proton revealed that it will be launching not one, but
at least three new models
 in the next two years. While the national carmaker did not specify any of the new models that will be launched here by 2024, we have a good idea for one of it: the
Proton X90
.

At least, that’s the tentative name for the Geely Haoyue – or Okavango, as marketed in The Philippines – for the Malaysian market. After all, the D-segment premium SUV
has been spotted on Malaysian roads
 many times now with
some changes here and there
.

Previous spy shot of the Haoyue in Malaysia

One of the first spy shots of the Haoyue on local roads

Notice the different number plate position on this earlier test mule of the Haoyue

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

Powering the Haoyue, on the other hand, is a 1.8L four-cylinder turbocharged engine that outputs 181PS and 300Nm of torque. This engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with drive sent either to the front wheels or all four of them for the AWD model.

However, it’s worth noting that in The Philippines, the Okavango is actually available with a 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine and a mild hybrid system that put out a combined figure of 190hp and 300Nm of torque. This setup is also paired with a 7DCT, though there is no AWD variant.

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

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

The Geely Haoyue

Even though the Geely Haoyue is already being tested on Malaysian roads, it’s still too early to tell if it will eventually materialise to be the “Proton X90,” even if
some rumours are suggesting a 2022 release
. Nonetheless, we will keep a close eye for any further development of this premium SUV!