Pixel 6A Unveiled With Google’s Flagship Tensor Chip, But Simpler Camera System for $449

The Pixel 6A is here, and it shares the same flagship Google Tensor chip as the higher-end Pixel 6 series. On top of that, it is also quite a bit more affordable, though it also has a more simplified camera system.

Let’s start with the Pixel 6A’s Tensor chip. Said to be competitive with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, it is also packed with a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) for AI tasks, enabling faster speech recognition, among other things.

Design wise, the Pixel 6A looks very similar to the higher-end Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. What is different is the size of the phone: sporting a 6.1-inch 1080p OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, it’s quite a bit more compact, even if it’s a little underwhelming it only has a 60Hz panel.

Other specifications of the Pixel 6A include a dual camera system (12.2MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle), an 8MP selfie camera, an under-screen fingerprint sensor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 4,410mAh battery.

The Pixel 6A will be available on 28 July; a whole two months away. Pricing wise, it retains the 5A’s $449 (RM1,970) price tag. As usual, it’s unlikely the Pixel 6A will be officially offered in Malaysia, though we reckon parallel importers will bring in the phone to the local market.


Google Teases Pixel Watch – Arrives in Fall 2022 Alongside Pixel 7

Google confirmed the existence of the Pixel Watch, though the company isn’t quite ready to share all details on the new smartwatch. But Google did mention that the wearable will be launched alongside the Pixel 7 series later this year in fall.

That’s right, Google also gave us a quick teaser of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. It has the same horizontal camera bar design as the current Pixel 6 series, though the camera cutout looks slightly different now. It will also be powered by a next-gen Tensor chip.

The next generation of Pixel phones is on the horizon. Here’s a first look at the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro — equipped with a new generation of Google Tensor and a sleek design. Coming this fall.
#GoogleIO

pic.twitter.com/WMysJv1lZP
— Google (@Google)
May 11, 2022

As for the Pixel Watch itself, it has quite a minimalist, circular domed design with a “tactile” crown and one side button. It’s also made of recycled stainless steel, and the wearable supports swappable bands too, though it uses a proprietary design.

The Google Pixel Watch is slated for release sometime in fall 2022 alongside the Pixel 7 smartphones. It’s said to be a premium product, so expect to pay a premium price for the smartwatch, especially if you want to get it here in Malaysia from parallel importers.

After all, it’s unlikely the Pixel Watch will be officially available in our market.


Google Will Release an Android Tablet in 2023 With Its Tensor Chip

Now here’s a surprise: Google is returning to the tablet market in 2023 next year. This comes years after the company mentioned back in 2019 that it was getting out of the tablet game, curiously enough.

Details on the mysterious Google tablet are light at the moment, though it is “built to be the perfect companion for your Pixel phone,” as the company puts it. No word yet on what it will be called – or if it will carry the Pixel branding at all – but it will be powered by Google’s Tensor chip.

Aside from that, Google also showed off what the upcoming tablet may look like, though the image above is said to only be a prototype. Hopefully, the bezels will be shrunk in the finalised tablet; it doesn’t look particularly sleek (or modern) as it is.

We’ll learn more about Google’s tablet as we get closer to its debut sometime in 2023 next year. Aside from Samsung, there aren’t a lot of players in the tablet market, so it’ll be interesting to see how Google can…well, revitalise the Android tablet space.


How Technology Has Changed Hari Raya From 10 Years Ago

This year’s Hari Raya celebration is a special one: we can finally head back to our hometowns without restrictions. Thanks to the advancement of technology over the years, celebrating Raya is not quite the same as it was, say, 10 years ago.

Over the past couple of weeks, we noticed just how much technology has changed our Raya celebration; for the better, naturally. From staying connected to loved ones and enjoying streaming services with our family uninterrupted, it is more important than ever to have reliable internet connectivity.

Take, for example, getting in touch with distant relatives who can’t quite make it back to the hometown on time for Raya – we know how bad the
balik kampung
 traffic jams are. 10 years ago, we can only contact them through voice call, but it’s very easy now to make a
video call
 instead with high-speed mobile internet.

Raya entertainment have also changed over the years. Back in the days – okay, it’s not quite
that
long ago – we’ll usually head out to a cinema nearby to watch some Raya movies. Well, with the slew of streaming services available now (such as Netflix and iQiyi), it’s easier than ever to just stream movies or shows from the comfort of your own home! Mobile gaming has also become more popular.

Of course, that’s assuming you’ve got fast enough internet (and quota) to stream seamlessly. In this day and age, it’s really important to have reliable internet service. Imagine when your relatives invite you to a game of PUBG Mobile or Mobile Legends; you wouldn’t want slow internet to negatively affect your gameplay experience.

Speaking of which, mobile internet quota has also gotten much more generous compared to 10 years ago, especially when you need to rely solely on mobile internet back in your hometown. We definitely do not miss running out of quota whenever we balik kampung now.

Can you imagine not being able to post about your Raya celebration (and OOTD) on social media because you’ve used up your internet quota? Or not being able to send a picture of this one amazing
lemang
 stall you’ve found to your family’s WhatsApp chat?

It’s no exaggeration to say that fast, reliable internet connectivity – with enough internet quota to boot – is important for today’s Raya celebration as well as our daily lives in general. If you’re looking for a new mobile internet pass, Celcom Xpax Unlimited is just the one to get.

One of the best features of Xpax Unlimited is the 2x quota of uncapped speed internet for smooth streaming, lag-free gaming, crystal clear calls, and faster online experience! Depending on which pass you get, you can get up to 20GB of additional high-speed internet quota. You can also enjoy unlimited internet to stay connected to family and friends for all 30 days of Raya!

If you’re feeling generous, Xpax Unlimited also provide up to 6GB hotspot to share your mobile internet with your loved ones this Raya; everyone can post their OOTD on social media. On top of that, you also get free six months of iQiyi VIP access to stream the latest dramas on the platform!

To further sweeten the deal, Xpax Unlimited users can get exclusive rewards too from FoodPanda, Zalora, Petronas, Texas Chicken, ShopBack, and many more. Whether you’re preparing dinner for a festive feast or want to do some Raya shopping, these rewards will sure come in handy.

Keen to sign up for Celcom Xpax Unlimited? You can do so
right here
. Switch now to continue your Raya celebration without worrying about internet quota!

Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Celcom.


Sony WH-1000XM5 Unveiled – Better Noise-Cancelling & New Design for RM1,799 in Malaysia

Sony makes some of
the best noise-cancelling wireless headphones
 in the market, and this remains true with the new Sony WH-1000XM5. Not only does it offer even better active noise cancellation (ANC), it also sports a new design, though with a slightly higher asking price too.

Its predecessor, the WH-1000XM4, retailed at RM1,599 when it was first launched in Malaysia. As for the WH-1000XM5, it costs slightly more with a RM1,799 price tag; a RM200 price difference. Of course, you do get quite a number of upgrades for that kind of money.

One of which is superior ANC performance, thanks to the WH-1000XM5’s addition of another processor (V1) that complements the QN1 noise cancellation processor. These two hardware control eight microphones, and a specially designed 30mm driver unit further enhances the noise-cancelling capability of the headphones.

Aside from that, the WH-1000XM5 also sports a newer, more modern-looking design, though it cannot be folded anymore for easier storage. Nonetheless, we do like the fresh new look, and Sony promises that the new “synthetic soft fit leather” allows users to wear the headphones all day, free of discomfort.

Oh, battery life remains the same at up to 30 hours, though it now supports fast charging that gives three hours of use in just
three minutes
 of charging.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia for RM1,799 until 5 June in
Black
 or
Silver
; early birds will receive a complimentary STM Myth 18L backpack worth RM399. Deliveries of the headphones are expected to begin from 8 June onwards.


Zenless Zone Zero Is Hoyoverse’s New Game – Beta Registration Now Open for iOS & PC

Hoyoverse just announced another new game after
Honkai: Star Rail
. The developer’s new title is Zenless Zone Zero, which seems to be an action RPG in the same vein as
Genshin Impact
 and Honkai Impact 3rd.

Beyond the trailer above, not much details have been revealed about Zenless Zone Zero. It does seem to have a rather interesting storyline – which is really one of Hoyoverse’s strong suits – not to mention flashy animations as the characters unleash their skills.

Naturally, Hoyoverse is currently recruiting players for Zenless Zone Zero’s closed beta test. Dubbed Tuning Test, it’s a small-scale test for iOS and Windows PC. This beta test isn’t available on other platforms such as Android, unfortunately enough.

Nonetheless, you can sign up for Zenless Zone Zero’s closed beta test through the game’s
official website
. At the time of writing, the sign up period for the beta test has no end date, though you may want to submit your application earlier to avoid missing out on it.


This Is (Possibly) Malaysia’s First Keyboard Cafe in George Town, Penang – Opens End-May 2022

Who would’ve thought we’d get a keyboard cafe right here in Malaysia? Click & Brew, located in George Town, Penang, could very well be the first-ever cafe of its kind on our shores. Not only does it sell custom mechanical keyboards, it also serves coffee.

Interestingly, Click & Brew will also offer workshops on mechanical keyboards and coffee, though no particular details have been revealed yet. After all, the cafe isn’t actually open yet; renovation works are still being done, as shown on its
Instagram page
.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Click & Brew Cafe (@click_and_brew)

The cafe also has its
own online store
 with various keyboards, switches, keycaps, and even coffee for sale. Although some items seem to be in stock already, you can’t actually buy them yet. We’ve tried purchasing a couple of products, but there’s no option for pickup or delivery at checkout.

Regardless, Click & Brew is expected to start operating by the end of May 2022 this month. If you’re in Penang by then, it may be worth checking out. To get the latest updates on the status of the cafe, follow its
Instagram
,
Facebook
, and
online store
.


PRISM+ Q65 PRO QE & Q55 PRO QE Now in Malaysia – 4K Android TVs With Dolby Vision From RM2,399

PRISM+ recently launched two new Android TVs in Malaysia: the Q65 Pro QE and the more affordable Q55 PRO QE. Beyond the different size of these two TVs, they both share identical features. In fact, they’re very similar to the larger
Q86 PRO QE
 that was launched back in February this year.

First, prices. The more budget-friendly Q55 PRO QE retails at RM2,399, while the larger Q65 PRO QE goes for RM3,299. For that kind of money, both TVs feature a 4K Quantum IPS screen with bright, vibrant colours, and support for Dolby Vision; that’s a lot of value for the money.

As the Q65 PRO QE and Q55 PRO QE run on Android TV 10, you also have access to over 500 apps on the Google Play Store. You can cast content to the TV too from your mobile device, along with the ability to use voice commands via Google Assistant with the provided remote.

At the moment, every purchase of the PRISM+ Q65 PRO QE and Q55 PRO QE come with number of freebies. These include a 12-month subscription to Viu (worth RM88), two HDMI cables (worth RM88), and two years of onsite warranty. Those who purchase the Q65 PRO QE also gets a Logitech K400 keyboard worth RM199.


Proton Exora Will Receive Small Update Later This Year – More Extensive Facelift in the Works

It appears Proton will be updating its ageing seven-seater MPV, the Proton Exora, later this year. The update will be a minor one, while a more extensive facelift is supposedly in the pipeline, which could see some changes to the looks of the car, and even the powertrain.

This was revealed by
Paultan.org
 in an interview with the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah. The 2022 Exora is said to be packed with some new features, though the amount of changes are said to be “less than the
Saga
,” as Roslan puts it.

As for the extensive facelift of the Exora further down the road, changes to the exterior and interior of the MPV are expected. There’s mention of a new powertrain too, though Roslan did not reveal more details regarding this. Nonetheless, there’s a good chance it’ll either be the
X50’s 1.5L three-cylinder turbo engine
, or even the
X70’s 1.8L turbo mill
.

Even though the Proton Exora doesn’t look particularly modern next to other Proton models which have received numerous facelifts over the years, there’s still demand for the MPV. After all, it’s consistently the best-selling C-segment MPV in
Proton’s monthly sales report
.

How ever minor the change could be for the 2022 Exora, we reckon it’ll still attract some buyers who are looking for an affordable seven-seater.


Illegear Opens First Store in Penang – Third Branch in Malaysia

Illegear just opened its first-ever store in Penang. This marks the company’s third branch in Malaysia, with the other two stores located in Johor and Kuala Lumpur; the latter is its headquarters.

Located in
Bayan Lepas, Penang
, Illegear’s branch in the state handles both retail and aftersales, so you can return to the same location if you face any issue with your purchase. The company looks to feature a number of products in the store, including its range of desktops and customisable laptops.

According to a press release by Illegear, the opening of its Penang branch “forms part of the decentralisation policy implemented by the company to come closer to its customers.” “We have made this strategic choice, so as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency to deliver both quality products and service to our customers,” the company added.

If you’d like to visit Illegear’s Penang outlet, here’s the full address: G-19-1, Lorong Bayan Indah, Bay Avenue, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 10AM to 6PM.


Unannounced Oppo Pad Air Coming to Malaysia Soon

Oppo looks to be bringing in a new tablet to the Malaysian market, and it’s a product that hasn’t been officially announced yet. Enter the Oppo Pad Air, which is believed to be a mid-range offering.

While we were going through SIRIM’s database, we noticed that the Oppo Pad Air was registered with the certification body on 13 May. Electronics have to be registered with SIRIM first before they can be sold locally, so chances are, Oppo Malaysia is gearing up to launch the tablet on our shores.

Given that the Pad Air has not been launched yet, details on the tablet are light. But based on leaked information, the Pad Air will supposedly feature a 10.36-inch Full HD display with a 60Hz refresh rate. It’s also said to sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset and a 7,100mAh battery with 18W fast charging.

No word yet on the launch date of the Oppo Air Pad, so it remains to be seen exactly when the mid-range tablet will arrive in Malaysia. Rest assured, we will keep a close eye on the local availability of the Pad Air.


Genshin Impact Teases Shikanoin Heizou – Anemo Character Playable in Version 2.8?

Despite the
delay to Genshin Impact 2.7
, Hoyoverse just posted a teaser for an upcoming character: Shikanoin Heizou. Chances are, the Anemo character will be playable in Version 2.8 of the game; the next update after
Yelan and Kuki Shinobu
 are expected to debut.

Heizou, as revealed in the teaser, is an Anemo character, though it remains to be seen if he is a 5-star or 4-star character. His weapon was not detailed either, though he does look to be sporting a sword in the teaser image.

"Doushin Shikanoin has admirable wit and insight. While he is unfettered and unrestrained in demeanor, one should not dismiss his talents. The Tenryou Commission is incredibly fortunate to have such a man in their ranks." – Kamisato Ayato
#GenshinImpact

pic.twitter.com/lM0HNfZktr
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact)
May 16, 2022

Hoyoverse also mentioned that Heizou is from Inazuma, and he’s a detective for the Tenryou Commission. He is described by Kamisato Ayato to be “unfettered and unrestrained in demeanor,” but with “admirable wit and insight.”

Given that Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact has not received any release date yet after the delay, we may not see Heizou anytime soon. After all, it’s likely he will only debut in the following update (Version 2.8). Hopefully, Hoyoverse will give more details on the release of Genshin Impact 2.7 soon.


PlayStation Plus Extra/Deluxe Games Revealed – Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Sony just revealed the full list of games that will be accessible to
PlayStation Plus Extra and Deluxe
 subscribers once the revamped service goes live next week in Malaysia on 24 May. As expected, Sony is including some big titles, such as
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
,
Death Stranding Director’s Cut
, and even Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

To reiterate, these games are for those who are subscribed to the new PS Plus Extra and Deluxe tiers. The full list of games can be found below:

PlayStation Studios

Alienation
 |
Housemarque, PS4
Bloodborne
 |
FromSoftware, PS4
Concrete Genie
 |
Pixelopus, PS4
Days Gone
 |
Bend Studio, PS4
Dead Nation Apocalypse Edition
|
Housemarque, PS4
Death Stranding and Death Stranding Director’s Cut
 |
Kojima Productions, PS4/PS5
Demon’s Souls
 |
Bluepoint Games,  PS5
Destruction AllStars
 |
Lucid Games, PS5
Everybody’s Golf
|
Japan Studio, PS4
Ghost Of Tsushima Director’s Cut
 |
Sucker Punch, PS4/ PS5
God of War
 |
Santa Monica Studio, PS4
Gravity Rush 2
|
Japan Studio, PS4
Gravity Rush Remastered
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
Horizon Zero Dawn
|
Guerrilla Games, PS4
Infamous First Light
 |
Sucker Punch, PS4
Infamous Second Son
|
Sucker Punch, PS4
Knack
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
LittleBigPlanet 3
 |
Sumo Digital, PS4
LocoRoco Remastered
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
LocoRoco 2 Remastered
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
Marvel’s Spider-Man
 |
Insomniac Games, PS4
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
 |
Insomniac Games, PS4/PS5
Matterfall
|
Housemarque, PS4
MediEvil
 |
Other Ocean, PS4
Patapon Remastered
|
 Japan Studio, PS4
Patapon 2 Remastered
 |
 Japan Studio, PS4
Resogun
 |
Housemarque, PS4
Returnal
|
 Housemarque, PS5
Shadow of the Colossus
|
Japan Studio,  PS4
Tearaway Unfolded
|
Media Molecule, PS4
The Last Guardian
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
The Last of Us Remastered
|
Naughty Dog, PS4
The Last of Us: Left Behind
|
Naughty Dog, PS4
Until Dawn
 |
Supermassive Games, PS4
Uncharted The Nathan Drake Collection
 |
Naughty Dog, PS4
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
 |
 Naughty Dog, PS4
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
 |
Naughty Dog, PS4
WipEout Omega Collection
|
Clever Beans & Creative Vault Studios, PS4

Third-Party

Ashen
 |
Annapurna Interactive
,PS4
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
 |
Ubisoft, PS4/PS5
Cities: Skylines
 |
Paradox Interactive, PS4
Control: Ultimate Edition
|
505 Games, PS4/PS5
Dead Cells
 |
Motion Twin, PS4
Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition
 |
Square Enix Co. LTD, PS4
Hollow Knight
 |
Team Cherry, PS4
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
 |
Square Enix Co. LTD., PS4/PS5
Narutoshippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
 |
Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., PS4
NBA 2K22
 |
2K Games, PS4/PS5
Outer Wilds
|
Annapurna Interactive, PS4
Red Dead Redemption 2
 |
Rockstar Games, PS4
Resident Evil
|
Capcom Co., Ltd, PS4
Soulcalibur VI
|
Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., PS4
The Artful Escape
 |
Annapurna Interactive, PS4/PS5
The Crew 2
 |
Ubisoft, PS4

Another perk of being a PS Plus Deluxe member is access to PlayStation, PS2, and PSP games to download and play. The full list of games have not been revealed yet, though Sony did say some of the games have improved framerate and higher-quality resolution than their original counterparts.

Anyway, here’s the list of (some) classic games PS Plus Deluxe members will enjoy:

Classic Games Catalogue – Original PlayStation and PSP

PlayStation Studios

Ape Escape
 |
Japan Studio, Original Playstation
Hot Shots Golf
 |
Japan Studio, Original Playstation
I.Q. Intelligent Qube
 |
Japan Studio, Original PlayStation
Jumping Flash!
|
Japan Studio, Original PlayStation
Syphon Filter
 |
Bend Studio, Original PlayStation
Super Stardust Portable
|
Housemarque, PSP

Third-Party

Mr. Driller
 |
Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., Original PlayStation
Tekken 2
 |
Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., Original PlayStation
Worms World Party
 |
Team 17, Original PlayStation
Worms Armageddon
|
Team17, Original PlayStation

Classic Games Catalogue – Remasters

PlayStation Studios

Ape Escape 2
 |
 Japan Studio, PS4
Arc The Lad: Twilight of the Spirits
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
Dark Cloud
|
Japan Studio, PS4
Dark Cloud 2
 |
Japan Studio, PS4
FantaVision
|
SIE, PS4

Hot Shots Tennis
|
Japan Studio, PS4

Jak II
|
Naughty Dog, PS4
Jak 3

|
Naughty Dog, PS4
Jak X: Combat Racing
|
Naughty Dog, PS4
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
 |
Naughty Dog, PS4
Rogue Galaxy
|
Japan Studio, PS4
Siren
 |
 Japan Studio, PS4
Wild Arms 3
|
SIE, PS4

Third-Party

Bioshock Remastered
 |
2K Games, PS4
Borderlands The Handsome Collection
 |
2K Games, PS4
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
|
THQ Nordic, PS4
Lego Harry Potter Collection
 |
WB Games, PS4

Of course, PS Plus Deluxe subscribers are also offered time-limited game trials. The trial of the full game can be played for two hours, and if you do decide to buy it, your progress (including trophies) will be carried forward.

Some of the games that will be available for trial include
Horizon Forbidden West
 (PS4/PS5),
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
 (PS5), Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5), WWE 2K22 (PS4/PS5), Tiny Tina’s Wonderland (PS4/PS5), and Farming Simulator 22 (PS4/PS5).

Do note that the list of PS4 and PS5 games offered to PS Plus Extra and Deluxe members will be refreshed in the middle of each month “with new games across the Extra and Deluxe plans.” Sony added that the number of games refreshed will vary per month.

The new PlayStation Plus tiers will be launched next week on 24 May. Pricing wise, the base 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.


Oppo Find X5 Pro Unboxing & Hands-On – Properly Premium, High-End Flagship Phone

Announced globally back in February this year, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is finally launching in Malaysia tomorrow on 18 May. One of the headline features of this flagship phone is its MariSilicon X Imaging NPU, which promises improved camera performance, especially when shooting low light 4K videos.

Oppo Malaysia sent us a review unit of the Find X5 Pro to unbox – and do a first impression of – ahead of its launch tomorrow. If you’re looking to get this premium, high-end phone, here’s what you get in the box!

The packaging of the Find X5 Pro is quite…well, sizeable. The design of the box is simple with just the name of the phone, and there’s a Hasselblad branding on the side. Once you open up the box, you’ll find the phone, a case, and of course, a charger with a USB-C charging cable.

Naturally, the charger supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, which is said to be able to charge up the phone’s 5,000mAh battery to 50% in only 12 minutes. While this is not quite as fast as other phones with 120W fast charging, it’s still an impressive charging rate.

As for the Find X5 Pro itself, a screen protector is pre-applied to the phone, so you won’t have to go out and look for a screen protector yourself. Granted, it doesn’t feel particularly smooth, but it’s decent for a plastic screen protector.

Our review unit of the Find X5 Pro is in the sleek Ceramic White colourway. As its name suggests, the back panel is made from smooth ceramic. Not only does it feel great to the touch, it adds quite a bit of heft to the phone too (it weighs 218g) for a more premium feel.

However, I do find the ceramic back to be a bit
too
 slippery. I find myself putting on the case – which is actually quite nice – to get a better grip on the phone.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, one of the main selling points of the Find X5 Pro is its MariSilicon X NPU. According to Oppo, it allows the phone 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.

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.

After taking the Find X5 Pro’s camera for a quick spin, it does seem to be able to snap great-looking shots, though I’ll reserve judgement until I can really put the camera through its paces. Nonetheless, here are some shots taken with the phone:

50MP primary

50MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

13MP telephoto (2x)

50MP primary

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

One of the first things I do whenever a new phone comes in for review is to run
Genshin Impact
 on it to gauge its level of performance. In the case of the Find X5 Pro, it performs quite well! While it has trouble running the demanding game at a consistent 60fps, it’s smooth enough for a pleasant gaming experience.

Further enhancing the gaming experience of the Find X5 Pro is its bright and vibrant 6.7-inch WQHD+ curved AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. Not only is this a stunning display, the fast refresh rate also lends to a responsive user experience.

Another feature of the Find X5 Pro that’s worth highlighting is its IP68 rating. This allows the phone to be submerged up to 1.5m underwater for 30 minutes, and it’s really a feature that every flagship phone should have. After all, even mid-range devices have water and dust resistance now.

All in all, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is a premium, high-end device through and through. But we’ll only find out tomorrow at the Malaysian launch of the phone just how compelling it would be once its retail price is revealed. As long as it’s priced right, it’s definitely worth considering.

But given that the Find X5 Pro is a high-end flagship phone from Oppo, expect it to carry a premium price tag. For context, this phone starts at 5,999 Chinese yuan (about RM3,900) in China for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

With that in mind, it’s entirely possible the Find X5 Pro will be priced beyond the RM4,000 price point in Malaysia. We’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to see how much it’ll go for in our local market.


Foxconn Plans to Open Facility in Malaysia to Manufacture Chips for EVs

Now this is quite interesting. Foxconn, well-known for assembling Apple’s range of iPhones, is planning to build a chip facility right here in Malaysia. The facility will manufacture semiconductors for the booming EV market.

According to a report by
Nikkei Asia
, Foxconn signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia’s Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNex) to build and operate the chip facility on our shores. The plant is expected to produce 40,000 wafers a month, which include both 28nm and 40nm technologies.

Of course, these chip production technologies are widely used to manufacture parts for – you’ve guessed it – electric vehicles. Given that chip supplies have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (and still is), Foxconn’s expansion to our shores could help to alleviate such an issue in the future.

The location and cost of Foxconn’s and DNex’s chip facility have not been revealed yet. But for the latter, chip industry executives estimate that the project could cost between $3 billion to $5 billion – that’s about RM13.1 billion to RM21.9 billion.


6 Best Features of the Samsung Galaxy A73

The Samsung Galaxy A73 may not be the most affordable mid-range phone with its RM2,099 price tag. But for that kind of money, you’re getting a relatively complete feature set, including water resistance, good build quality, as well as a bright and vibrant Super AMOLED Plus screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate.

If you’re looking for a capable mid-ranger – that is also water-resistant – consider the Galaxy A73. While value for money is not its strong suit, this phone has some compelling qualities; here are six of our favourite features.

Bright, Vibrant 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus Screen

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. Mobile games that support this refresh rate will also run noticeably smoother.

As for the Galaxy A73’s 6.7-inch 1080p AMOLED panel itself, it’s very pleasant to look at. It has punchy colours, good brightness, and deep, true blacks; inherent characteristics of an AMOLED screen. In short, you won’t be disappointed with the screen quality of this mid-range phone.

Adequate Performance Level

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, the Galaxy A73 is more than fast enough to provide a smooth user experience in day-to-day use. That being said, it does struggle to run
Genshin Impact
 at 60fps consistently, though the game is still very much playable.

Given that Genshin Impact is one of the most demanding games to run – even some flagship phones can’t play the game smoothly – it’s commendable that the A73 can run it as well as it does.

Good Build Quality

As for build quality, the Galaxy A73 feels solid in the hands. This is despite the fact that it has a plastic frame and rear panel; 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.

Though not strictly related to build quality, it’s worth noting that the plastic back panel of the Galaxy A73 also has a matte finish. It’s very nice to the touch, which gives the phone a more…well, premium appeal.

Long Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the Galaxy A73 is quite long-lasting.
In our review
, we 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 we’ve seen on a mid-ranger, it’s certainly above average.

Do note that we got this figure by setting the refresh rate of the Galaxy A73’s display to 120Hz; the always on display was also enabled. If you want even better battery life, lowering the refresh rate and disabling the always on display should do the trick.

Polished Software Experience

Software is arguably more important than raw hardware power, and in this regard, the Galaxy A73 has a polished, responsive software experience. In fact, running on One UI 4.1 based on Android 12, it (essentially) has the same software experience as
Samsung’s flagship phones
.

A refined, fuss-free software experience is something that doesn’t apply to many, many other Android phones across all segments. Samsung really does offer one of the best – if not
the best
 – software experiences in the Android space, and this remains true for the Galaxy A73.

IP67 Water Resistance

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
.

Basically, the IP67 rating of the Galaxy A73 allows it to be submerged up to 1m underwater for 30 minutes. This alone can be a huge selling point to certain folks, especially if you want the convenience of giving the phone a quick wash. You won’t have to worry (too much) about water damage either.

Priced at RM2,099, the Samsung Galaxy A73 is positioned as an upper mid-range phone, and it doesn’t offer particularly great value for money. But while its value proposition is not fantastic, this phone does offer water resistance, a bright, vibrant, and fast 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus screen, as well as solid build quality.

You will definitely find other phones with better value for money, but you’d be hard-pressed to look for another mid-ranger with a similar feature set as the Galaxy A73. If you want a mid-range smartphone with these qualities – along with a polished software experience – the Galaxy A73 should be in your shortlist.


Oppo Find X5 Pro Lands in Malaysia for RM4,999 – Early Birds Get Freebies Worth up to RM1,726

Oppo’s latest flagship smartphone, the
Oppo Find X5 Pro
, has finally been launched in Malaysia. The headlining feature of the phone is its MariSilicon X Imaging NPU, which promises improved camera performance, especially when shooting low light 4K videos.

Only one variant of the Find X5 Pro is offered in Malaysia. Sporting 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it costs a cool RM4,999. Those who place a pre-order of the phone by 27 May will also receive RM1,397 worth of freebies, including an Oppo Enco X2 wireless earbuds (RM799), a one-year screen protection (RM399), and a year of extended warranty (RM199).

If you get the phone through
Oppo’s website
, Shopee, or Lazada, you’ll also get a kevlar phone case (RM129), a RM100 TNG reload pin, and a RM100 gift voucher. These extra freebies bring the total value of the pre-order goodies to RM1,726.

Hardware wise, 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. Other specifications of phone 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 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 27 May for RM4,999. To recap, early birds can get up to RM1,726 worth of freebies; you may want to be quick if you want to enjoy this pre-order deal.


Proton Edar: Smart #1 EV Coming to Malaysia in 2023 – No Local Assembly

We know that the Smart #1 EV will be coming to Malaysia via Proton Edar, but there’s no indication on exactly when it will be available here; until now. According to the deputy CEO of Proton, Roslan Abdullah, the electric SUV is “on track to be launched next year.”

This was reported by
Paultan.org
. Given that the import tax, excise duty, and road tax exemptions for imported EVs are only valid until the end of 2023, it’s evident that Proton Edar wants to take advantage of the savings. After all, it would make the Smart #1 that much more affordable.

At the moment, there are no plans for local assembly of the Smart #1; Roslan said that the expected volume is too small to benefit from economies of scale. Nonetheless, with the incentives given by the Malaysian government right now, the EV should be priced competitively.

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). However, do note that these are “pre-sale” prices; the finalised pricing will only be revealed sometime in June before deliveries begin there 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 will be launched right here in Malaysia sometime in 2023 next year. Hopefully, the EV will be priced similarly to China on our shores, thanks to the
incentives given by the government
.


19 – 25 May Fuel Price: RON 97 Now RM4.33 Per Litre – 2 Sen Increase

Another week, another price increase for RON 97: it’s set to go up by 2 sen per litre this time around. 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 RM4.33 per litre (up from RM4.31). 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 19 to 25 May 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Oppo Enco X2 Wireless Earbuds With ANC Now in Malaysia for RM799

Launched alongside the
Find X5 Pro
 flagship smartphone is the Oppo Enco X2. Featuring active noise cancellation (ANC) that can even cancel out human voices, the X2 also offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life on a single charge.

For the Malaysian market, the Enco X2 is priced at RM799. Given that it has a number of attractive features – including the aforementioned ANC – this is really quite a fair asking price. It is available in two colours: White and Black.

Aside from ANC, the Enco X2 also has a Super Dynamic Balance Enhanced Engine (SuperDBEE) acoustic system co-developed with Dynaudio, which promises “outstanding sound performance.” As for battery life, a single charge offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life, which can be extended to 40 hours with the charging case.

The Oppo Enco X2 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia for RM799, including
Shopee
 and
Lazada
. According to the latter’s listing, the wireless earbuds are expected to start shipping from 28 May onwards.


Sony LinkBuds S Arrives in Malaysia 7 June for RM929 – World’s Lightest, Smallest Earbuds With ANC

It hasn’t even been a week since the launch of the
Sony WH-1000XM5
, yet the Japanese company is introducing yet another new audio product. Enter the Sony LinkBuds S, which is touted as the smallest, lightest wireless earbuds with ANC, and it will be available in Malaysia next month on 7 June.

Available in three colours (White, Black, Ecru), the LinkBuds S is set to go for RM929 in Malaysia. For that kind of money, you’re getting a really lightweight pair of earbuds: each earpiece weighs only 4.8g, and Sony said that the LinkBuds S is designed to “perfectly match the human ear with an ergonomic design for a more stable fit.”

Of course, the LinkBuds S also has ANC (active noise cancellation). When you need to hear the outside world, you can activate the ambient sound mode. Sporting a new 5mm driver unit, the LinkBuds S is said to be able to deliver “powerful bass and crystal clear vocals” too. As for battery life, it can last up to 6 hours on a single charge with ANC activated; 20 hours total with the charging case.

The Sony LinkBuds S will be available for purchase in Malaysia next month on 7 June. If you want a comfortable, lightweight wireless earbuds with ANC, it’s certainly worth considering.


Huawei Mate Xs 2 Launched in Malaysia – 120Hz Foldable Screen, Snapdragon 888, RM7,999

Unveiled globally just yesterday, Huawei Malaysia just introduced its latest foldable phone on our shores. Not only does the Huawei Mate Xs 2 feature a foldable display with a faster refresh rate than its predecessor, it’s also quite a bit lighter, tipping the scales at 255g.

Only one variant of the Mate Xs 2 is offered for the Malaysian market. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, the foldable phone retails at a cool RM7,999 locally. It will be available for pre-order from 3 to 23 June, and early birds will get up to RM1,400 worth of freebies.

The most impressive hardware of the Mate Xs 2 has to be its 7.80-inch 2480 x 2200 OLED foldable display. When folded, it’s a more compact 6.5-inch 2480 x 1176 panel. Thanks to the screen’s 120Hz refresh rate, the phone also feels extra responsive and smooth. The hinge itself is also nice and solid whenever I fold and unfold the phone.

Other specifications of the Mate Xs 2 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP telephoto) , a 10.7MP selfie camera, a 4,600mAh battery with support for 66W fast charging, and EMUI 12 based on Android. No, Google Mobile Services (GMS) are still not offered.

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 3 to 23 June for RM7,999. To reiterate, early birds will get freebies worth up to RM1,400, including a Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro.


Huawei P50 Pro Silver Blue Now in Malaysia – Price Revised to RM3,699

Aside from the
Huawei Mate Xs 2
 foldable phone, the Chinese company also announced the arrival of the Huawei P50 Pro in Silver Blue for the Malaysian market. On top of that, the retail price of the phone has been revised too.

Previously priced at RM4,199
, the P50 Pro will now go for RM3,699 in Malaysia; that’s a pretty big RM500 price cut. As for the new Silver Blue colour option, it is available for pre-order now until 3 June. Early birds will even get a complimentary Huawei Band 6.

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

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

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

To recap, the Huawei P50 Pro now retails at only RM3,699 in Malaysia. The new Silver Blue colourway is also available for pre-order locally until 3 June 2022.


Huawei P50 Finally in Malaysia for RM2,999 – Early Birds Get RM1,000 Freebies

Huawei Malaysia finally brought in the more affordable Huawei P50 to the local market. Given its more modest set of hardware, the P50 is quite a bit more affordable than its higher-end Pro counterpart.

Only one variant of the P50 is offered here in Malaysia. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, this high-end phone costs RM2,999 on our shores. Early birds who pre-order the phone by 26 May will also get RM1,000 worth of freebies, including a Huawei FreeBuds Lipstick wireless earbuds.

Pricing aside, the P50 does have the same design language as its Pro sibling, though its list of hardware isn’t quite as high-end. Its display, for one, is just a regular 6.5-inch Full HD+ OLED flat panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. In comparison, the P50 Pro features a 120Hz dual-curve screen.

In the camera department, the P50 has a triple camera system. It consists of a 50MP primary sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide angle shooter, and a 12MP telephoto lens that can do up to 50x digital zoom. A reasonably good array of camera sensors.

Other specifications of the P50 include a 13MP selfie camera, 8GB of RAM, a 4,100mAh battery, an IP68 rating, and HarmonyOS 2 based on Android out of the box.

The Huawei P50 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 26 May 2022. Priced at RM2,999, you can get RM1,000 worth of freebies if you get the phone in the pre-order period.


Honor Magic 4 Pro Coming to Malaysia 1 June

The
Honor Magic 4 Pro
 Malaysian launch date has finally been confirmed. Set to arrive here on 1 June next month, the launch event will be livestreamed on
Honor Malaysia’s Facebook page
 at 3PM on that day.

Unfortunately, there’s no indication that the regular Magic 4 will also make its debut in Malaysia, so it remains to be seen if the more affordable variant will also be sold here. It’s entirely possible the standard model will be launched here at a later time.

Anyway, 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.

The Honor Magic 4 Pro will make its debut in Malaysia on 1 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 RM5,115.


PS5 Pre-Orders Open Again From Sony Centre Mid Valley Until 22 May 2022

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

Well, sort of. In order to be in the running for a
chance
 to pre-order the PS5, you’ll have to
fill up this Google Form
. If you’re fortunate enough to be selected, you will be contacted on 23 May to finalise your pre-order of the next-gen console.

Do note that you only have until 22 May at 1PM this Sunday to register your interest for the PS5 pre-order. This isn’t a first-come, first-served sale either; filling up the form just means you’re in the running to be chosen to pre-order the PS5.

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


Oppo Find X5 Pro Review – Premium Phone, Even More Premium Price

The Oppo Find X5 Pro is, without a shadow of a doubt, a premium phone. It looks and feels great, it has a capable, sophisticated triple camera system, and it has all the hardware you’ve come to expect from a high-end, flagship smartphone.

But all of these come at a price; a steep one, at that. For the Malaysian market, the Find X5 Pro retails at a cool RM4,999, putting it on the same playing field as the likes of Samsung and Apple. While it’s certainly a commendable flagship phone, having to contend with the Galaxy S22 and iPhone 13 series…is a tough spot to be in.

What It Is

Display
6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED (3216 x 1440), 120Hz adaptive
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 3.0GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 730
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.7, PDAF, five-axis OIS
50MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide), PDAF
13MP f/2.4 (telephoto), PDAF, 2x zoom
Camera (front)
32MP f/2.4
Battery
5,000mAh with 80W fast charging
Dimensions
163.7 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm
Weight
218g
OS
ColorOS 12.1 based on Android 12
Connectivity
LTE
Bluetooth 5.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
USB Type-C
Price
RM4,999

Hardware wise, the Find X5 Pro has all the makings of a flagship phone. It’s powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, it has a stunning, sharp QHD+ AMOLED display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, and it also has a capable Hasselblad-branded triple camera system.

There’s no denying that the Find X5 Pro has hardware befitting of a high-end, premium phone, but the same cannot be said of its software experience. More on this further down the review.

The Good Stuff

My favourite aspect of the Find X5 Pro has to be its premium build quality, thanks to the ceramic back panel. While the material is quite slippery, I do like how
smooth
 it feels. It also gives some extra heft to the phone for a more premium feel.

Oh, I also really like how there’s a gradual “slope” from the back panel to the camera bump. It’s quite an elegant design element, in my opinion.

Next, we have the dual curved display of the Find X5 Pro. Not only does the 6.7-inch 1440p AMOLED panel offer bright, vibrant colours, it also has a fast 120Hz refresh rate for an extra responsive user experience. Of course, this being an AMOLED panel, it also feature deep, true blacks.

With the high quality display, gaming on the Find X5 Pro is also very enjoyable. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip can keep up with my needs too. Whether it’s switching between different apps or playing demanding games like
Genshin Impact
, the phone performs well.

As for battery life, the Find X5 Pro’s 5,000mAh battery can last reasonably long on a single charge. On average, I can get between five to six hours of screen on time. Not the best battery life I’ve come across, but certainly above average, especially for a phone with a high-end chipset and sharp 1440p display.

And then we have the photography performance of the Find X5 Pro’s triple camera system. Made up of a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 13MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom, it’s a versatile setup with three different focal lengths.

Naturally, the camera interface feels quite responsive, and the phone can capture some great-looking shots as well…to an extent. Just take a look at these examples:

50MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

13MP telephoto (2x)

50MP ultra-wide angle

13MP telephoto (2x)

50MP primary

Given enough light, the Find X5 Pro can definitely take stunning-looking shots. Even in low light conditions it can deliver, though this mostly applies to the 50MP primary sensor. The other two shooters? Well, let’s move on to the next section for that.

The Bad Stuff

Unfortunately, the Find X5 Pro’s 50MP ultra-wide angle lens and 13MP telephoto sensor cannot match the image fidelity of the 50MP primary camera. Their detail preservation aren’t as good, dynamic range is limited, and they struggle in more challenging lighting situations.

They’re not horrible, per se, but the disparity in image quality between the three sensors is definitely worth pointing out.

50MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

13MP telephoto (2x)

Another not so great aspect of the Find X5 Pro is its software experience: it is
filled to the brim
 with bloatware. There are way too many apps pre-installed on the phone that I immediately feel like uninstalling, and some of them will even deliver
push notifications
.

Thankfully, ColorOS 12.1 itself is quite lightweight and intuitive to use; I didn’t face any stability issue either throughout the review period. That being said, I do find it a tad annoying that I cannot dismiss notifications with a left swipe, much like how it is on iOS.

Last but certainly not least is the steep pricing of the Find X5 Pro. Retailing at RM4,999, it is priced very closely to the
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
, which starts at RM5,099. It’s also competing with the iPhone 13 Pro Max (from RM5,299), even if the latter costs RM300 more.

Granted, the Find X5 Pro is still more “affordable,” given that it offers 256GB of storage at this price point. Samsung and Apple’s offerings, on the other hand, only feature 128GB of storage for the base models; you’ll have to pay quite a bit more to get the 256GB variants.

However, both the S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max also offer more phone for the money compared to the Find X5 Pro. The S22 Ultra has the much-loved S Pen and superior zooming performance, while the iPhone has much more refined software experience (with minimal bloatware) and processing power.

Is It Worth It?

At the end of the day, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is still a high-end, flagship phone with its own unique appeals. It has solid, premium build quality, a very pleasant, high resolution screen to look at, and a capable camera system, even if the ultra-wide angle and telephoto shooters aren’t quite up to par.

But the thing is, priced at RM4,999, you’ve got many other options to consider, including the aforementioned Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Although the Find X5 Pro is technically more affordable with a larger 256GB storage, these alternatives also bring their own unique selling points to the table.

That is not to say the Find X5 Pro is not worth it. Personally, I definitely enjoyed using it as my daily driver – just know that you’ve got other options at this price point before you finalise your purchase for Oppo’s latest flagship.


Genshin Impact 2.7 Goes Live 31 May – Yelan, Kuki Shinobu, Xiao, Itto Banners Confirmed

After some delay, Hoyoverse finally revealed the launch date of Genshin Impact 2.7. Set to go live on 31 May, the company also confirmed the event wishes of two new characters: Yelan (5-star) and Kuki Shinobu (4-star). Xiao and Arataki Itto will also get their own rerun banners.

According to Hoyoverse, Yelan is a Hydro DPS bow character that “combines rapid attacks with agile mobility.” As the trailer below shows, she seems to have a special sprint to quickly get from one point to another. As for Kuki Shinobu, she is said to be an Electro support character that uses a sword; she’s able to heal other party members by consuming her own HP.

Of course, Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact will also continue the game’s main storyline with a new Archon quest. The story will actually feature both Yelan and Kuki Shinobu, alongside Xiao, Itto, and even Yanfei. Given
Hoyoverse’s storytelling chops
, we reckon the new Archon quest will be entertaining.

Other new content coming to the Version 2.7 update include an event-exclusive 4-star bow, Fading Twilight, that can be obtained by completing the “Realms of Guile and War” combat challenge. Yelan will also get her own story quest, while Kuki Shinobu will be added to the Hangout event.

Genshin Impact 2.7 will arrive in the next two weeks on 31 May. Yelan and Xiao’s event wishes will be available once the update is live, while Itto’s banner – also featuring Kuki Shinobu – will be offered right after.


Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Revamped With Sleeker Design & 12th Gen Intel Chips

At Acer’s annual Next@Acer Global Press Conference, the Taiwanese company unveiled a sleek new version of its compact gaming laptop, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE. Now sporting a more modern-looking design and a taller 16:10 display, it’s certainly an interesting gaming machine.

Compared to
its predecessor
, the new Triton 300 SE is now offered in two sizes. There’s this 14-inch model, and a larger 16-inch version for those who want a more expansive display. There’s even an option for an OLED screen, though this seems to be limited to the 14-inch variant.

Depending on the size of the Triton 300 SE, the refresh rate of the display also varies from 90Hz to as high as 240Hz; the resolution also ranges from 2560 x 1600 to 2880 x 1800. Regardless of which size you get, both models feature a tall 16:10 display over the previous model’s 16:9 panel.

Other specifications of the updated Triton 300 SE include a selection of Intel’s 12th generation H-series processors (up to a Core i9), Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series GPUs (maxing out at an RTX 3070 Ti), as well as custom-engineered 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D fans for improved cooling performance.

The new Acer Predator Triton 300 SE will be available in North America sometime in July. EMEA markets, on the other hand, will get the gaming laptop in September. Pricing wise, it starts at $1,600 in the US; that comes up to about RM7,020.


The Acer Predator Triton 300 SE Is the Most Exciting Product at Next@Acer 2022

At last week’s Next@Acer 2022 Global Press Conference, one product stood out to me the most: the new Acer Predator Triton 300 SE. Not only is this a compact gaming laptop – a category that’s still
largely dominated by Asus
, especially in Malaysia – it also sports a sleeker, more modern-looking design now.

Out of all the products the Taiwanese company introduced last week, the Triton 300 SE really is the most exciting product of the lot – in my opinion, at least. It’s not just because it gives consumers another alternative in a size category that doesn’t have as many options, but also because it’s a refined gaming machine in its own right.

Unlike its
direct predecessor
, the new Triton 300 SE is offered in two sizes. There’s this 14-inch model, and a larger 16-inch version for those who want a more expansive display. There’s even an option for a 3K OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, though this seems to be limited to the 14-inch variant.

The model I tested here is the 14-inch version of the Triton 300 SE, though it’s sporting a 2560 x 1600 LCD display instead of an OLED panel. Despite that, it’s still quite a bright and vibrant screen, and the 165Hz refresh rate also makes for a very fast, very responsive display – great for gaming, basically.

Speaking of which, the gaming performance of the Triton 300 SE is also quite respectable. The 14-inch model pictured here is equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. Paired with an Intel Core i7-12700H processor, you’ll definitely be able to play AAA games with this laptop.

Yes, an RTX 3060 graphics card isn’t quite as impressive as, say, an RTX 3080 GPU, but the Triton 300 SE is a
compact
14-inch gaming laptop with limited room for cooling. Plus, an RTX 3060 is
plenty capable of running AAA games at playable framerates
, even if tweaking the graphics settings is (sometimes) necessary.

Acer has not revealed the dimensions of the Triton 300 SE, but as far as I can tell, it’s certainly a thin and light (as well as compact) laptop. I can comfortably carry it around with only one hand, and it’s portable enough to fit into most backpacks. In fact, I wouldn’t even mind lugging it around as my daily driver.

Thanks to its portable nature, the Triton 300 SE can easily (in my opinion) double as a productivity laptop. Its compact nature, alongside the tall 16:10 display, fit the criteria of a competent work laptop. At least, that’s the case for someone in my line of work.

But there is one area where the Triton 300 SE needs to deliver in order for it to be a productivity laptop worth considering: battery life. Unfortunately, Acer only revealed the battery capacity of the laptop. Packed with a 76Wh battery, it
should
 be able to return good battery life, though only a full review can shed some light on this.

Anyway, aesthetically, I really like the understated design language of the Triton 300 SE despite it being a gamer-centric laptop. It only has a small, minimalist Predator logo on the lid, and the laptop as a whole almost looks…well, professional. It definitely won’t look out of place in an office, for example.

While I’ve only had positive things to say about the Triton 300 SE so far, I do have one major qualm with this gaming laptop: its keyboard. Not only does it have limited key travel – lending to a shallow typing experience – the actuation force of the keys are also much too light for my liking.

These two factors, combined with the fact that the keys don’t have particularly strong tactile feedback, make for a keyboard that feels almost “mushy.” On the flipside, at least the keyboard has a standard layout, so I can still type (and game) without much trouble.

As for the trackpad of the Triton 300 SE, I’m quite taken aback by just how good it is. It can track my fingers accurately, gestures work without any issue, and it has a nice click too.

Overall, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE looks to be a very promising gaming laptop. It looks sleek, it offers fast performance, it has an equally fast (and sharp) display, and more importantly, all of these are packed into a compact, portable chassis.

The only thing left is for Acer Malaysia to bring in the laptop to our shores. Given that its predecessor never made it here, I’m hoping that things will be different for the new Triton 300 SE. After all, it’s a capable, sleek, compact gaming laptop – you don’t have a lot of options in this particular category.

Granted, this laptop is positioned as a premium product; it retails from $1,600 in the US, which comes up to about RM7,035. But even at this price point, I’d say the Triton 300 SE remains to be a compelling gaming laptop.


Asus Zenbook Pro 16X OLED Lands in Malaysia for RM11,999 – Most Powerful Zenbook Ever

Introduced globally just a couple of weeks ago, Asus Malaysia just launched the Asus Zenbook Pro 16X OLED in Malaysia. 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.

Only one variant of the Zenbook Pro 16X OLED is offered in Malaysia. Priced at RM11,999, the creator-focused laptop is packed with an Intel Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, as well as 1TB of SSD storage.

Aside from that, the Pro 16X OLED also features 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.

In the cooling department, the Pro 16X OLED has an “AAS Ultra” mechanism that lifts up the keyboard deck. Asus said this allows the CPU and GPU of the laptop to 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.

To recap, the Asus Zenbook Pro 16X OLED is priced at RM11,999 for the Malaysian market. According to Asus Malaysia, this premium laptop will be available for purchase on our shores sometime in June next month.


Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED Launched in Malaysia for RM8,999 – Compact Dual Screen Laptop

Also launched alongside the Zenbook Pro 16X OLED in Malaysia is the 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.

For the Malaysian market, the Pro 14 Duo OLED is offered in a sole RM8,999 variant. For that kind of money, it features an Intel Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and 512GB of SSD storage.

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 CPU and GPU of the machine.

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 now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM8,999. If you’ve always wanted a laptop with two displays in a compact chassis – not to mention a bright and vibrant OLED panel – this premium dual screen machine may just be for you.


Diablo Immortal Arrives 23 June in Malaysia – Available on Mobile & PC

Diablo Immortal finally gets a release date for the Asia-Pacific region, which includes Malaysia. Set to arrive in the region on 23 June, the first Blizzard game to be built from the ground up for mobile is also set to arrive on PC.

The markets that will get Diablo Immortal on 23 June 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; there’s no mobile version for the country.

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 23 June in Asia-Pacific, 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.


Asus Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition Now in Malaysia From RM5,599

Here’s another laptop that Asus just launched in Malaysia, the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED Space Edition. What sets this version of the 14X apart from the standard model is (naturally) its space-themed design, as well as a 3.5-inch OLED display (dubbed ZenVision) mounted on the lid.

First, prices. Two variants of this special edition 14X OLED are offered in Malaysia. The base model with an Intel Core i5-12500H processor paired with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD costs RM5,599, while the higher-end Core i7-12700H model with the same amount of RAM and double the SSD storage (1TB) goes for RM6,499.

For that kind of money, you’re getting a unique-looking laptop. As its name suggests, the Zenbook 14X OLED features a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED display with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio; perfect for productivity tasks. it also comes with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics.

The Asus Zenbook 14X OLED is now available for purchase in Malaysia. To recap, the Core i5 base model retails at RM5,599, while the more powerful Core i7 model costs RM6,499.


Asus Zenbook 14 OLED With 12th Gen Intel Chips Arrives in Malaysia – From RM4,399

If the other laptops launched by Asus Malaysia today don’t quite fit your budget, consider the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED. Retailing from RM4,399, it’s definitely the most affordable laptop of the lot, and it still sports a bright and vibrant OLED display.

Two variants of the Zenbook 14 OLED are offered in Malaysia. The Intel Core i5-1240P configuration with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD costs RM4,399, while the faster Core i7-1260P model with the same RAM (but double the SSD storage at 1TB) goes for RM5,599.

One of the headline features of the Zenbook 14 OLED is its, well, OLED display. Sporting a 14-inch 2880 x 1800 OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh, it also has a 16:10 aspect ratio. Thanks to the taller nature of this aspect ratio, you get more vertical screen real estate.

Other specifications of the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED include Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics and Windows 11 Home out of the box. It’s also quite a slim laptop, measuring only 16.9mm thin. If you’re keen to get the Zenbook 14 OLED, it’s now available for purchase in Malaysia. The Core i5 base model is priced at RM4,399, while the higher-end Core i7 variant carries a RM5,599 price tag.


PS Plus Upgrades Will Be Pro-Rated to the Subscription Period of Your Current Plan

The new
PlayStation Plus tiers
 are now available in Malaysia! With the launch of the revamped service, every existing subscribers to the service now belong to the Essential plan. If you want to upgrade to the new Extra or Deluxe tiers, the cost will be pro-rated to the subscription period of your current plan.

Here’s one example: our current Essential plan is set to expire on 23 November 2024. If we were to upgrade our plan to the Deluxe tier, it will cost us RM410.24. That’s quite a bit more than the RM309 annual fee of the Deluxe plan, but that’s because the subscription period will be matched to our current plan’s expiry on 23 November 2024.

Of course, the cost is also pro-rated with our current Essential plan in mind.

With that in mind, you’ll have to pay more to upgrade your plan if you’ve been stacking your PS Plus subscription like we did. It’s also worth noting that once you did the upgrade, you can still redeem a PS Plus membership voucher, but it will be converted to a length of time on your current plan “equivalent to the monetary value of the voucher.”

Say you’re claiming a 12-month PS Plus voucher. If you’re on the Deluxe plan, it will be converted to 190 days of subscription; 219 days if you’re on the Extra tier. Of course, if you’re on the Essential plan – or you don’t have an active PS Plus membership – you’ll get 365 days of subscription to the Essential tier instead.

More details on the new PlayStation Plus plans can be found
here
. You can also find the full list of games offered to Extra and Deluxe members
right here
.


Shenpo Keycaps Review: Very Affordable PBT Keycaps (With Some Sacrifices)

When it comes to keyboard keycaps, there are many options in the market now. From affordable offerings to more premium choices from the likes of GMK and ePBT, it can be quite overwhelming to look for the “right” keycap, especially for those who are on a tight budget.

Well, if you’re looking for an affordable keycap set, consider Shenpo’s range of keycaps. Not only are they budget-friendly, these PBT keycaps are also quite thick with a texture that’s not overly rough. Of course, given its affordability, there are some shortcomings here and there too.

But for only RM155, Shenpo keycaps have a comprehensive base kit for maximum compatibility with different keyboard layouts – this is the keycaps’ best selling point.

What It Is

That’s right, Shenpo keycaps retail at
only RM155
 for the Malaysian market, and NullKeyboards currently have
quite a number of different colourways in-stock
. The one you see here is the TA variant, and the base kit is really, really comprehensive.

In fact, you’ve got enough keycaps to support a full-size keyboard, or even a split keyboard that requires split spacebars. Again, for only RM155, the amount of keycaps you’re getting for the money is almost too good to be true. Just take a look at the whole base kit below.

The Shenpo keycaps in (our own) JTK tray

Aside from that, Shenpo keycaps are made from PBT plastic, which usually has a deeper, lower pitched sound profile than ABS plastic. They’re also Cherry profile keycaps, which is my personal favourite for its low profile nature. As for the legends, they are dye-subbed, so you won’t have to worry about them fading over time.

Given the similarity of a Shenpo keycap set to the popular (and much loved) CRP, I decided to compare it to the latter in this review. Surprisingly, there are some interesting comparisons to be made here.

The Good Stuff

The best quality of Shenpo keycaps
have
 to be their value proposition. Really, for merely RM155, the sheer value for money these keycaps offer
cannot
be overstated. The comprehensive base kit alone is worth the asking price.

A CRP keycap (left) next to the Shenpo

Beyond value for money, Shenpo keycaps are surprisingly thick too. Next to a CRP keycap – which is considered to be one of the best PBT keycaps in the market – the Shenpo is noticeably thicker. However, this does not necessarily mean Shenpo keycaps have a deeper sound profile than CRP; more on this later.

And then there’s the texture of the Shenpo keycap. PBT keycaps usually have a rough texture, and while the same applies to Shenpo, it’s not
overly
 rough. However, I still prefer the slightly smoother texture of CRP keycaps, but it’s also worth noting that a Shenpo base kit costs only a quarter of a complete CRP set.

Last but not least is the sound profile of the Shenpo keycaps. As with (most) keycaps made from PBT plastic, they do have a lower pitched, deeper sound profile. Mounted on the right keyboard with the right switch, you can definitely achieve a “thocky” sound signature with them.

Now, let’s move on to the shortcomings of the Shenpo keycaps.

The Bad Stuff

Given their affordable price point, it’s no surprise that Shenpo keycaps have some downsides; one of which is the quality of their legends. They’re not particularly sharp, there’s bleeding on certain keycaps, and there are also some inconsistencies with the thickness of the dye-sublimation.

When it comes to the sharpness and “crispness” of the legends, CRP certainly has the edge.

It’s also worth noting that Shenpo keycaps look to be a little “deformed.” As you can see in the comparison images above, the underside of the Shenpo keycap is not as straight as a CRP. Granted, this isn’t something super noticeable, but it’s definitely worth mentioning.

Let’s come back to the sound profile of the Shenpo keycap. While there’s no denying that it has the characteristic low pitch of a PBT keycap, a CRP set still produces a deeper sound signature. This is despite the fact that Shenpo keycaps are thicker – odd, isn’t it?

To put this into context, just take a listen to the comparison video below:

Is It Worth It?

Still, for only RM155, a Shenpo keycap set offers excellent value for money, and the quality of the keycap certainly matches the asking price. There’s also the fact that you’re getting a
very comprehensive
 base kit that will be compatible with almost any keyboard layout you can think of.

Yes, there are better keycaps than the Shenpo, but those offerings are also much more costly. If you’re looking to get your first set of aftermarket keycaps without breaking the bank, you will not be disappointed with Shenpo.


Setel Teases Support for EV Charging

Now this is quite interesting. Setel, which mainly allows you to pay for fuel at Petronas stations nationwide, seems to be teasing support for EV charging. If this is the case, it will certainly make it much easier for EV owners to look for a charger.

This was teased by Setel through its social media pages. The teaser is a simple one, simply stating that “something electrifying is coming.” No other information was given, unfortunately enough, though the company said that more details will be revealed as soon as tomorrow.

Be excited, and stay tuned. ⚡
pic.twitter.com/tbGd0mR8Qj
— Setel (@setel)
May 24, 2022

Looking at Setel’s
latest update note
 for the app, the company made some changes to the map on the home page. It mentions that users can now “discover places where you can pay with Setel and earn more Mesra points to redeem rewards and fuel.”

With this in mind, there’s a good chance the Setel app will add EV charging stations to the map. After all, certain Petronas stations already have EV chargers. Nonetheless, we’ll find out for ourselves come tomorrow.


Setel Adds Support for EV Charging – 5 Stations Revealed, 2 Are Currently Free

After
yesterday’s teaser
, Setel officially announced the addition of EV charging to its app. Currently, five EV charging stations can be found in the Setel app, and curiously, two of them are free to use at the moment.

These five (pilot) EV charging stations are done in partnership with JomCharge. They can be found at Lotus’s Tesco Kepong, Carsome PJ Automall, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort in Penang, EV Connection Workshop in Petaling Jaya, and ACO Group’s headquarters in Johor Bahru – the latter two are currently free to use.

Do note that charging cables are not provided at these EV chargers, so you are required to bring your own. In order to use the charging station, you’ll just have to activate it from the Setel app. Naturally, payment is also done in the app itself through the Setel Wallet.

According to Setel, more EV charging stations will be added in the future. In order to use this new feature, make sure you’ve updated the Setel app to Version 1.96. Oddly enough, only the
Apple App Store
 has this new update; the
Google Play Store
 is still on Version 1.95.2.

Nonetheless, more details on Setel’s EV chargers can be found
here
.


Oppo Enco X2 Review: Premium Earbuds With Good ANC & Sound Quality for RM799

If you’re looking for a truly wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC), you’re really spoiled for choice in today’s market. This makes it quite tough for any given earbuds with ANC to stand out, but the Oppo Enco X2 has an attractive feature set for its asking price.

Thanks to its premium build quality, “squeeze” controls, ANC, and audio quality, the Enco X2 is a reasonably compelling pair of wireless earbuds. Retailing at RM799, it’s priced quite well too, though it now has to contend with higher priced alternatives that saw their prices drop quite a bit.

And this puts the Enco X2 in a a rather unfavourable position. In a vaccum, it’s certainly a good product, but given the competition, it may not be the best choice for some folks – keep reading this review to find out why.

What It Is

The Oppo Enco X2, as mentioned, is a pair of truly wireless earbuds with ANC. It also has a Super Dynamic Balance Enhanced Engine (SuperDBEE) acoustic system co-developed with Dynaudio, which promises “outstanding sound performance.”

As for battery life, a single charge of the Enco X2 offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life, which can be extended to 40 hours with the charging case. Of course, this is with ANC switched off; activating the feature returns up to 5.5 hours of use instead (22 hours with the charging case).

Another interesting feature of the Enco X2 is the input method. Instead of touch controls, I just have to squeeze the stalk of the earbuds for music playback or activating the ANC. I can even slide up and down on the stalk to control the volume. I really like this input method, which I’ll get to in the next section.

The Good Stuff

One of my biggest qualms with wireless earbuds is the touch control. When I want to adjust the fit of the earbuds, for example, it will almost always register my touch as an input. Well, thanks to the squeeze controls of the Enco X2, this is not an issue at all with these earbuds.

I’m also surprised just how intuitive the squeeze controls are. Yes, it’s a little tricky in the beginning, but once I found the right area on the Enco X2 to…well, squeeze, it works like a charm.

The ANC of the Enco X2 is also very commendable. It doesn’t have the “deafening” effect, and it can effectively silence the outside world. Granted, the
Sony WF-1000XM4
 has a slight edge over the Enco X2 in this regard, but there’s no arguing that its ANC performance is above average.

In terms of audio quality, I’m quite happy with these earbuds. The mid bass is tight and controlled (even if it’s lacking in impact), the highs are clean and laid back, and generally, it has a “warm” sound signature. Audiophiles may be left wanting more, but for more casual listeners like myself, it’s certainly good enough.

Another positive of the Enco X2 is its relatively long battery life. On a single charge with ANC switched off, the earbuds managed to last almost 9 hours; just shy of Oppo’s quoted battery life of 9.5 hours. Even though this is not class-leading – the WF-1000XM4, for example, can last over 8 hours
with
 ANC activated – it’s still respectable.

Last but not least is the solid build quality of the Enco X2. It’s positioned as a flagship product, and this is definitely reflected in the build quality of the earbuds. The buds themselves look and feel nice, and the charging case is also solid with a good amount of heft.

While there’s a lot to like about the Enco X2, it also has one shortcoming: its competition.

The Bad Stuff

As mentioned, the Enco X2 is a compelling pair of wireless earbuds in a vacuum, but it has a tough competitor in the form of the Sony WF-1000XM4. Even though it originally retails at RM1,099, you can get it
for as low as RM818
 now. This effectively puts it in the same price bracket as Oppo’s offering.

Compared to the Enco X2, the WF-1000XM4 offers superior ANC performance, audio quality, and battery life. Depending on how you much you value these aspects, the XM4 may be the better wireless earbuds for you.

But the Enco X2 does have the advantage in other areas,
especially
 build quality. Both the buds and charging case of the Enco X2 feel more…substantial than the more plasticky nature of the WF-1000XM4. On top of that, some folks may prefer the looks of the Oppo earbuds over the bulky design of the XM4 too.

Is It Worth It?

For RM799, the Oppo Enco X2 offers a feature set that definitely match the asking price. While the Sony WF-1000XM4 offers better audio quality, ANC, and battery life for about the same amount of money, it doesn’t feel or look quite as premium as the Enco X2; something that consumers may find more appealing.

For what it’s worth, I certainly enjoyed reviewing the Enco X2. Its audio quality and ANC performance are more than good enough for my needs, and I really like the squeeze controls of the earbuds. I don’t have to worry about accidental inputs with these earbuds.

Plus, there’s no denying the premium appeal of the Enco X2 with its solid build quality and looks.


26 May – 1 June Fuel Price: RON 97 up 37 Sen, Now RM4.70 Per Litre

Another steep price hike for RON 97 in Malaysia: it’s set to go up by an eye-watering 37 sen per litre 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 RM4.70 per litre (up from RM4.33). 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 26 May to 1 June 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


XPS 13 Plus Finally Arrives in Malaysia – Starts at RM6,999

Originally slated for release in March
, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is finally available in Malaysia now. Redesigned from the ground up, the new ultraportable features a sleeker, cleaner-looking design, though not necessarily more practical.

For the Malaysian market, the XPS 13 Plus starts at RM6,999 for the base model. It features an Intel Core i5-1240P processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 non-touch display, 512GB of SSD storage, and Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics.

If you want a faster processor or a sharper, more vibrant OLED panel for the XPS 13 Plus, you can change it accordingly
in the configurator
. For example, swapping the processor to a Core i7-1260P is a RM500 upgrade, and if you want the range-topping UHD+ touch-enabled display, it’ll set you back RM1,600.

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

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

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is now available for purchase on
Dell’s Malaysian online store
. With a RM6,999 starting price, it’s certainly positioned as a premium offering.


Sony Fixes PlayStation Plus “Technical Error” With Pricing – Affected Customers Refunded

The
new PlayStation Plus plans
 went live just a couple of days ago in Asia (including Malaysia), and many players who are trying to upgrade to the new tiers reported issues with the pricing. Well, Sony has fixed this “
technical error
,” and affected players will be refunded in the form of credit.

Before the fix was implemented, players who have previously bought a PS Plus membership at a discount were forced to pay back the difference in order to upgrade to a higher tier. After today’s fix, we notice that the upgrade cost to Deluxe from the Essential tier on our account went down from around RM400 to RM374.79 – that’s quite a big difference.

Given that the upgrade cost will be pro-rated to the subscription period of your current plan, you’ll have to pay quite a bit if you’ve been stacking your PS Plus subscription like we did. It’s also worth noting that once you did the upgrade, you can still redeem a PS Plus membership voucher, but it will be converted to a length of time on your current plan “equivalent to the monetary value of the voucher.”

Say you’re claiming a 12-month PS Plus voucher. If you’re on the Deluxe plan, it will be converted to 190 days of subscription; 219 days if you’re on the Extra tier. Of course, if you’re on the Essential plan – or you don’t have an active PS Plus membership – you’ll get 365 days of subscription to the Essential tier instead.

Unfortunately, the launch of the new PlayStation Plus plans are off to a bit of a rocky start. More details on the new PS Plus tiers can be found
here
, and you can also find the full list of games offered to Extra and Deluxe members
right here
.


Enhanced TNG Card Sold Out (Again) Within Hours of Restock – Get From Petronas Instead

Just this morning, Touch ‘n Go restocked the
enhanced TNG card with NFC capability
 on the TNG eWallet app. Well, within hours of the restock, the new card is sold out already. Evidently, many are
still
 eager to get their hands on the NFC-enabled TNG card.

However, we tried our luck at a Petronas station near Jalan Tun Razak, and fortunately enough, the store got the new TNG card in stock! That being said, we were told the card costs RM13 instead of the original RM10 asking price, oddly enough.

Chances are, other Petronas stations could have the new enhanced TNG card in stock as well. In fact, TNG itself listed a number of participating outlets
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.


God of War, Horizon, Gran Turismo to Get TV Series – Netflix & Amazon Involved

Sony continues to expand its PlayStation franchise to other medium.
In a business briefing
, Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO, Tony Vinciquerra, confirmed that God of War,
Horizon
, and
Gran Turismo
 will get their own TV series.

God of War has been picked up by Amazon for its Prime Video series, while Netflix secured streaming rights to Horizon. No word yet on which company will take up Gran Turismo, suggesting that it may be in the earlier planning phase.

It’s worth noting that God of War was previously confirmed to receive its own live-action TV series back in March; now we know Amazon will be handling it. Other PlayStation IPs that will get their own live-action adaptations include Last of Us, Ghost of Tsushima, and even Jak and Daxter.

Given Uncharted’s success on the big screens – despite the fact that it’s
not a faithful adaption
, in our opinion – there’s certainly potential to expand Sony’s PlayStation franchise beyond gaming. Here’s hoping the adaptations will appeal to existing and new fans alike.


ShopeeFood Coming to Penang in June 2022

ShopeeFood is set to be available in Penang sometime in June 2022 next month. Penang is the third state to get the food delivery service, right after the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru.

One of the advantages of ShopeeFood is the ability to “stack” vouchers for more savings. For example, you can stack a free shipping voucher with a different food discount voucher. Shopee also gives out up to 50% discounts on a daily basis from partner merchants.

“We are delighted with the positive response that we have received in Klang Valley and Johor Bahru and would like to bring the same convenience to Shopee users in Penang,” said the head of business development at ShopeeFood, Wong Chee Mun.

“Known as a food haven among food enthusiasts, we hope that through this new service, we can encourage more Penang merchants to digitise their business and reach out to more customers, driving long term growth in the digital age,” he added.

To check if ShopeeFood is available in your area, you can look for the ShopeeFood icon on the home page of the Shopee app once it’s launched in Penang sometime in June next month.


This “Perodua Myvi” Is Made From 1.27 Million Lego Bricks – On Show at Publika Until 29 May

The Perodua Myvi, often fondly referred to as the “king of the road,” has been immortalised in Lego bricks. This
life-size
 scale of the Myvi – humourously dubbed “Mybi” by the creators – is built by 15 Malaysian builders using a whopping 1.27 million Lego bricks.

This is the work of
Bryks Art
, a collective of artists. The Mybi is a part of the…King of the Road Showcase, which is clearly an homage to the nickname of the beloved B-segment hatchback. It took about two months to build this painstakingly detailed Myvi replica, complete with an interior!

Image credit:
Motorsports Malaysia

Aside from this impressive life-size recreation of the Myvi, there are also four other Lego works inspired by the hatchback. There’s a “flying” Myvi, a Myvi tractor, a Myvi ATV, and even a Myvi tank. While these works are smaller in scale, they are still very impressive.

If you want to see these awe-inspiring Perodua Myvi Lego works in person, you can do so over at Publika Shopping Centre at the King of the Road Showcase. The artwork will be there until 29 May this Sunday.


Asus ROG Flow Z13 Review: The Gaming Tablet to Get From RM7,999

If you’ve always wanted a true gaming tablet, your wish is realised with the Asus ROG Flow Z13. Not only is it a sleek-looking tablet, it also turns into a truly capable gaming machine with the ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure.

Of course, this level of power and versatility also demand a premium price tag. Priced from RM7,999 to an
eye-watering RM16,999
, the Flow Z13 is a costly product. But if you’re willing to fork out the money for it, you won’t be disappointed with this gaming tablet.

What It Is

Display
13.4-inch WQUXGA IPS (3840 x 2400), 60Hz
Processor
Intel Core i9-12900H (14C/20T, 2.5GHz with boost up to 5.0GHz)
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 16GB GDDR6 (ROG XG Mobile)
RAM
16GB LPDDR5
Storage
1TB M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
Camera
8MP (rear), 720p webcam
Battery
56Wh
Dimensions
302 x 204 x 12 mm
Weight
1.18kg
Audio
Side-firing stereo speakers
Ports
1x Thunderbolt 4 (DisplayPort)
1x USB-A 2.0
1x microSD card reader
1x ROG XG Mobile interface
Price
RM16,999

The Flow Z13 in this review is the range-topping variant with a fast Core i9-12900H processor, a sharp 4K IPS display, and the ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure. The latter is packed with an RTX 3080 GPU, which is why the price of the tablet jumps from RM7,999 for the base model to RM16,999.

Personally, I’d go for the RM8,999 variant of the Flow Z13, which swaps out the 4K display of the highest-end model for a lower resolution 1920 x 1200 IPS display, but with a faster 120Hz refresh rate. The XG Mobile enclosure is (obviously) not included either, so you’ll only get the RTX 3050 Ti GPU.

Yes, the XG Mobile does dramatically improve the gaming performance of the Flow Z13, but in my opinion, the extra cost does not justify the performance gain. More on this further down this review.

The Good Stuff

Since this is a gaming tablet, let’s talk about the performance of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 first. I tested the tablet in two scenarios: with and without the ROG XG Mobile. Given that the built-in RTX 3050 Ti GPU isn’t particularly powerful, I tested games at 1920 x 1200 resolution in this configuration.

Of course, with the XG Mobile (RTX 3080) connected, I cranked up the resolution to the display’s maximum 3840 x 2400 resolution…except for Control. I could only set the resolution to 3840 x 2160 in the game, oddly enough. Anyway, here are the results:

Games (max settings @ 1920 x 1200), tablet mode (RTX 3050 Ti)
Average FPS
Borderlands 3 (DX11)
37.98
Control (DX11)
33.633
Witcher 3 (HairWorks disabled)
49.434

Games (max settings @ 3840 x 2400), ROG XG Mobile (RTX 3080)
Average FPS
Borderlands 3 (DX11)
38.86
Control (DX11) @ 3840 x 2160
29.453
Witcher 3 (HairWorks disabled)
56.273

As the results above show, running games at Full HD with the Flow Z13’s RTX 3050 Ti can almost match the performance of the XG Mobile’s RTX 3080 GPU in 4K gaming. This is why I would personally forego the external GPU enclosure, though gaming at 4K is certainly a more enjoyable gaming experience.

Next, we have the stunning display of the Flow Z13’s 13.4-inch 3840 x 2400 IPS display. Not only is it a bright panel, it also offers vibrant colours with wide viewing angles. I really appreciate the 16:10 aspect ratio of the panel as well; there’s more vertical screen real estate for productivity tasks.

Speaking of which, I love using the Flow Z13 as a productivity machine. Not only does it offer the portability of a tablet, it’s also quite long-lasting. On a single charge, the 56Wh battery managed to return about five hours of use.

Given that this model has a sharp 4K panel
and
 a powerful Core i9-12900H processor, this level of battery life is respectable. I reckon the more modest Flow Z13 with a lower resolution screen can return even better battery life.

I’m also quite a fan of the Flow Z13’s keyboard case. It offers enough key travel to not feel shallow, the keys provide a good amount of tactility, and it even has a “cushiony” bottom out, given that the keyboard itself is elevated above the surface. All in all, this is a comfortable keyboard to do a lot of typing on.

The trackpad is quite good too. It’s reasonably accurate, it has a smooth surface, and it offers a pleasant click; I definitely don’t feel the need to plug in a mouse when I’m using it for productivity tasks. That being said, I do wish the trackpad was a tad bigger for a more pleasant user experience.

Build quality of the Flow Z13 is also solid. The minimal bezels surrounding the screen lend to a modern-looking machine, and I love the glass window on the back (complete with RGB lighting!) that shows the tablet’s internals.

Last but certainly not least is the adjustable kickstand of the Flow Z13. The hinge feels solid as I adjust the angle to my liking – much like a Surface tablet, if I might add – and it even closes with a reassuring thud. I also appreciate the red tab on the kickstand to make it easier to pop it open.

The Bad Stuff

System noise is one area where the Flow Z13 could use some improvement. Now, running demanding games on the tablet itself doesn’t produce too much fan noise, but with the XG Mobile GPU connected, the external GPU enclosure
certainly
 makes itself heard.

And then there’s the cost of the Flow Z13 itself. Starting at RM7,999, this is not an affordable tablet, and the range-topping model’s whopping RM16,999 price tag is even harder to swallow. Granted, you do get reasonably powerful hardware even with the base model (Core i7-12700H and RTX 3050 GPU), but there’s no denying that the price of entry is steep.

Is It Worth It?

Even though the Asus ROG Flow Z13 costs quite a bit of money, you do get a fantastic gaming tablet with good performance, a bright and vibrant display, as well as reasonably long battery life. Plus, it has solid build quality with some interesting design elements too, especially the glass window on the back of the tablet.

But in my opinion, opt for the Flow Z13 without the ROG XG Mobile. While there’s no denying the performance gain you get with the external GPU enclosure, it’s not worth paying so much for the hardware.

If it had not used a proprietary connector, then maybe the XG Mobile would be more compelling. The fact that it is only compatible with Asus machines that support the port – and there are only a handful of them – makes it hard to justify the extra cost.


Genshin Impact Yelan & Xiao Banners Dropping 31 May With Yanfei, Noelle, Barbara

Yelan’s and Xiao’s (who is returning for a third time) banners have been revealed for
Genshin Impact
. Set to arrive this coming Tuesday on 31 May, the event wish for these two 5-star characters will be accompanied by Yanfei, Noelle, and Barbara.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

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

Similar to Genshin Impact’s
previous character

event wishes
, the “drop rate” of Yelan, Xiao, Yanfei, Noelle, and Barbara will be increased. In the case of Yelan and Xiao, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be either of them, depending on which banner you’re wishing. If you got a different character, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be them.

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

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

Yelan’s “Discerner of Enigmas” and Xiao’s “Invitation to Mundane Life” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 31 May 2022, right after the
Version 2.7 update
 goes live. Their banners will be offered until 21 June; Arataki Itto’s rerun banner – which will be joined by Kuki Shinobu – will follow suit then.