New Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 Variant Now in Malaysia for RM2,999

Previously confirmed for the Malaysian market
last month
, a new variant of the
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2
 is now available for pre-order locally. If you’ve always wanted a more affordable variant of the gaming phone, you may be piqued by this new model.

To recap, the Legion Phone Duel 2 was previously only offered in two configurations: 512GB + 16GB (RM3,899) and 256GB + 12GB (RM3,299). This new model, on the other hand, has half the internal storage at 128GB with 12GB RAM for only RM2,999.

For that kind of money, you’re getting a powerful gaming smartphone. The Legion Phone Duel 2 is powered by a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, and it is complemented by an equally fast 6.92-inch 1080p AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate for an even more enjoyable gaming experience.

Other specifications of the Legion Phone Duel 2 include a side-mounted 44MP pop-up selfie camera, a dual camera system (64MP primary + 16MP ultra-wide angle), as well as an absolutely generous 5,500mAh battery with support for blazing fast 90W fast charging. This can supposedly charge up the phone to 50% from empty in only 12 minutes.

The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 with 128GB of storage is now available for pre-order in Malaysia
here
. According to the listing, the gaming phone will start shipping on 12 August.


2021 Proton Persona & Iriz Facelift Launching on 5 August

We finally got official confirmation from Proton itself on the local launch of the
2021 Proton Persona

and Iriz facelift
. Set to be unveiled this Thursday on 5 August, the two new B-segment models were teased by the national carmaker on its
social media pages
.

As the video teaser below shows, the updated Iriz and Persona are sporting some new looks. Take the new Iriz: Proton seems to be teasing the “Active” variant of the B-segment hatchback, which is believed to be the crossover version.

Although it’s a little hard to tell, you can see the wheel arch extensions of the Iriz Active finished in black. It also has roof rails, a redesigned Infinite Weave grille, as well as Proton’s new circular logo. It even has a black and red colour scheme for the exterior and interior.

Based on
previous spy shots
, we also know that the updated Iriz and Persona will sport LED headlights, though they’re likely reserved for the higher-end trims. The updated 16-inch alloy wheels of the two cars can be seen too, along with the new floating infotainment system.

The online launch of the 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelift will take place on
Proton’s Facebook page
 on 5 August at 11AM. You can also register your interest for these two new B-segment models
right here
.


Honda Malaysia Offering up to RM6,000 Discount for Merdeka

In conjunction with Malaysia’s upcoming 64th Merdeka Day, Honda Malaysia is offering up to RM6,000 discounts for its range of models. These include the City, Civic, Accord, CR-V, HR-V, BR-V, as well as the Jazz.

Out of the seven models,
the Accord
 naturally receives the biggest discount. The range-topping 1.5L TC-P trim of the D-segment sedan receives a RM5,000 discount, while the more affordable 1.5L TC model actually gets a bigger RM6,000 rebate.

If you’re looking to get a seven-seater instead, good news. The
Honda BR-V
 gets a sizeable discount as well; both the 1.5L E and 1.5L V trims get a RM4,000 discount. Next is the
all-new Honda City
: the 1.5L E variant receives a RM3,000 discount, while the 1.5L S, 1.5L V, and the
range-topping 1.5L RS
 models get a RM2,000 discount.

Other notable discounts given by Honda Malaysia include RM2,000 savings for all variants of the
Civic
 and
CR-V
, a RM2,500 discount for the HR-V, as well as a RM3,000 rebate for the Jazz. Do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles registered between 1 to 31 August 2021.

However, given that the Klang Valley area is still under the first phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), it remains to be seen exactly when most of the automotive sector is allowed to resume operation. The sector will only be
allowed to operate in the second phase of the NRP.


YouTube Testing Cheaper Premium Lite Subscription for Ad-Free Viewing

If you’ve always wanted ad-free viewing on YouTube, but can’t quite justify the cost of a YouTube Premium subscription, we’ve got good news. YouTube is currently testing out a more affordable Premium Lite plan, which offers ad-free viewing on YouTube without the extra perks of the full Premium subscription.

This new plan was first spotted by a user on
ResetEra
. In a statement given to
The Verge
, YouTube confirmed that the Premium Lite is currently being tested in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Unfortunately, although the
Premium Lite page
 is accessible right now, the plan is not offered in Malaysia yet. Anyway, compared to the full YouTube Premium subscription, the Lite version only offers ad-free viewing on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

Basically, you won’t get YouTube Premium perks such as offline downloads, background play, as well as access to YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Originals. Of course, if you don’t care about these perks, we reckon Premium Lite is perfectly suitable for you.

Then again, it remains to be seen just how much YouTube Premium Lite will cost here in Malaysia, so it’s hard to decide whether it’s really worth it to go for that instead of the full Premium plan. Currently, YouTube Premium costs RM26.90 per month in Malaysia.


This Is the Pixel 6, and It’s Powered By Google’s Own Tensor Chip

Google just introduced its two new flagship smartphones, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Compared to their direct predecessors, these are properly premium high-end devices, and they’re also powered by Google’s very own Tensor chip.

Unfortunately, beyond some product shots of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google did not detail the specifications of the two phones. The full reveal will only take place sometime in fall, though we do have some key features of both devices.

The Pixel 6 Pro
The Pixel 6

The biggest feature is definitely the fact that the Pixel 6 phones will be using Google’s own Tensor SoC instead of, say, a Qualcomm processor. While the CPU and GPU of the Tensor chip still remain a mystery, the company did say it will be packed with Google’s own Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) and a Titan M2 security chip.

So what does the TPU offer? Well, for one, it promises better image
and
 video qualities; the latter has always been one of the biggest shortcomings of previous Pixel smartphones. On top of that, the TPU allows for faster offline speech recognition as well.

As for the hardware of the two phones, only some details were revealed. The better-equipped Pixel 6 Pro, for one, will be sporting a 6.7-inch QHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a triple camera system made up of a new primary sensor, an ultra-wide angle shooter, and get this: a periscope telephoto lens that can do 4x optical zoom.

In contrast, the regular Pixel 6 has slightly more pedestrian hardware, though we reckon it should still look and feel very much like a premium smartphone. It’s said to feature a slightly smaller 6.4-inch Full HD+ screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, and while it has a similar camera setup as the Pro model, it loses the telephoto lens.

Compared to Google’s previous Pixel-branded smartphones, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are definitely shaping up to be the company’s most exciting flagships to date. We’ll find out more about the two phones once they are launched sometime in fall 2021 – rumours are pointing to an October launch.


The Pixel 6 Is Finally a Full-Fledged “Google Phone,” and I’m Excited

I have a confession: I was never really excited for Google’s range of
Pixel smartphones
. Now, it’s not that I don’t like Google’s devices; I absolutely loved the Nexus series. Well, not all of them, but I still cherish the Nexus 6P I had back in 2015 with its very polished stock Android experience.

But when Google
officially unveiled the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
 – well, kind of – they certainly caught my attention. Not only is the Pixel 6 series shaping up to be Google’s most premium smartphone yet, it is also powered by the company’s own Tensor chip.

In short, the Pixel 6 is
finally
 a full-fledged “Google Phone” that can (hopefully) considered to be a proper, high-end flagship smartphone. Not convinced? Then read on.

What makes the Pixel 6 different from its predecessors is the fact that it will be powered by Google’s own chip, Tensor. Granted, there’s still a lot that we don’t know about the SoC, but it’s great to see that Google is no longer relying on Qualcomm’s processors in this regard.

Although we don’t know the CPU or GPU of the Tensor chip yet, Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh said that the Tensor’s performance should be “market leading.” He further added that “AI stuff” will further differentiate the Tensor from its competition.

Of course, Osterloh is talking about the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) and Titan M2 security chip of the Tensor SoC. Basically, the TPU lets the chip perform AI operations in a quicker manner, among other things.

For example, the TPU is said to help improve the camera performance of the Pixel 6. This includes better-looking still images, as well as improved video recording; one area Pixel smartphones had always struggled with. Aside from that, the TPU will also allow for more seamless offline speech recognition.

As for the Titan M2 security chip, not much has been talked about yet. Well, other than the fact that the chip gives the Pixel 6 “the most layers of hardware security in any phone.”

Now, let’s circle back to the camera performance of the Pixel 6. The camera hardware of the two phones have not been detailed yet, but it’s confirmed that the Pixel 6 Pro will have a triple camera system made up of a
new
 primary sensor.

For the longest time, Google had always stuck with the same primary sensor for its Pixel smartphones, so it’s about time the company went with a new one. Complementing the new main sensor is an ultra-wide angle shooter and a periscope telephoto lens that can do 4x optical zoom.

As for the Pixel 6, it has the same camera system, but it loses the telephoto lens, unfortunately enough.

Anyway, I’m excited to see how the Pixel 6 would fare in the camera department. After all, Google, at one point in time, was the class-leader in mobile photography. But other manufacturers quickly caught up to the company over the years, and I can’t wait to see if it can win back the crown with the help of the Tensor chip’s TPU and new camera hardware.

One last thing that drew me to the Pixel 6 smartphones is their looks. While the overall design of the two phones is…well, a little out there, I do like how they look. Maybe because the “camera bar” reminds me of the Nexus 6P – which is very dear to me – but more importantly, they
look
 like flagship phones with solid build quality.

The Pixel 6 Pro
The Nexus 6P

Of course, I can’t really say the Pixel 6 has “solid build quality” without physically holding the Pixel 6 in my hands first. But based on feedback from media folks that
have
 held the two phones, it’s very promising. Speaking on the build quality of the Pixel 6, Osterloh even said that “this is the first time where we feel like we really have it.”

Naturally, that also means the Pixel 6 smartphones will carry a premium price tag, which is fine
if
 it can really deliver the user experience of what we’ve come to expect from a high-end, flagship smartphone. With that in mind, there’s one thing that can potentially make or break the Pixel 6: the Tensor chip.

At the end of the day, the Google-designed Tensor SoC is still an entirely new chip with no track record yet. It also doesn’t help that most of the chip’s specifications are still shrouded in mystery. If it can’t at least match the performance level of, say, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC, the Tensor chip – and the phone – will be a tough sell.

Nonetheless, I’m still optimistic that the Pixel 6 will finally be the Google Phone folks have been waiting for. We’ll find out for ourselves once the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are unveiled this fall. Hopefully, Google will also officially launch the two phones here in Malaysia.

After all, the last Google-branded phone that was officially sold here was the Nexus 6P back in 2015 – that’s six whole years ago.


Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro With Ryzen 5000 Chips Now in Malaysia From RM3,429

Lenovo just revealed the Malaysian availability of the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro. Available in both 14-inch and 16-inch configurations, it’s a decent productivity laptop powered by AMD’s excellent Ryzen 5000 processors.

Let’s start with the higher-end offering of the two, the 16-inch IdeaPad 5 Pro. The sole model available on
Lenovo’s Malaysian online store
 – which retails at RM4,699 – is packed with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, as well as a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD.

Aside from that, this configuration of the IdeaPad 5 Pro also has a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS screen with a reasonably fast 120Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate will be able to provide good motion clarity in fast-paced games, and the panel’s 16:10 aspect ratio is ideal for productivity tasks too.

As for the 14-inch IdeaPad 5 Pro, it is available in two variants locally. The RM3,429 base model (which is
also customisable
), features a Ryzen 5 5600U processor paired with 8GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, integrated AMD Radeon graphics, and a 14-inch 2240 x 1400 IPS screen with a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

A tier up is the Ryzen 7 5800U model, which features more RAM at 16GB, a faster 512GB SSD, as well as Nvidia’s beefier MX450 dedicated GPU. These upgrades drive up the price to RM4,399.

Both the
14-inch
 and
16-inch
 variants of the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro are now available for purchase locally from Lenovo’s Malaysian online store.


Spy Shot: Best Look Yet at 2021 Proton Persona & Iriz Facelift

The
2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelift
 will debut this Thursday on 5 August, but before that, here’s a fresh set of spy shots. Compared to previous leaked images, this is our best look yet at the two new B-segment models.

These images came from a reader of
Funtasticko
, which shows the Iriz Active – the crossover version of the hatchback – and Persona quite a bit. To our knowledge, this is also the first time the “Active” moniker is confirmed for the Iriz; the word is shown on the driver’s seat and door panel.

The dual-tone interior and exterior of the Iriz Active are pictured here too. Compared to the current Iriz, the facelift’s overall design is a lot more modern-looking. It has LED headlights now, new 16-inch alloy wheels, a redesigned Infinite Weave grille, as well as Proton’s new circular logo.

Some of these design changes are evident on the new Persona facelift as well. However, although it shares the same grille design and new Proton logo as the Iriz Active, it has a more understated styling for those who want a more mature-looking car. Its brown seats, for one, don’t look quite as sporty as the Iriz’s black and red colour interior.

Both the 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelift will be unveiled this Thursday on 5 August. You can catch the virtual launch of the two new B-segment models on
Proton’s Facebook page
 at 11AM then. Registration of interest for the updated Persona and Iriz are also
open now
.


New 2021 Proton Persona Teaser Confirms More Premium Exterior & Interior

Proton is building up quite a bit of hype for the launch of the
2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelift
. Today, the national carmaker released a new teaser focusing on the updated Persona, showcasing the more premium interior and exterior of the B-segment sedan.

Just like the
Proton X50
, the facelifted Persona is sporting Proton’s updated circular logo. Complementing the new logo is the equally new Infinite Weave grille, which does give the the sedan a more sophisticated-looking front end. You can see this new design in
previous spy shots of the Persona too
.

On the inside, there are also a number of changes, such as the brown seats – which looks to be finished in leather – as well as a new floating infotainment system. Of course, the “Hi Proton” voice command is still here too, and it seems to be able to control the windows and air-conditioning now. Previously, it can only be used to control the audio.

Another neat upgrade to the interior of the Persona facelift is the new digital air-conditioning controls instead of a manual unit, giving the sedan a more premium look and feel. However, it’s worth noting that this doesn’t mean the new sedan will also get automatic air-conditioning.

The 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz facelift will be launched this Thursday on 5 August; the virtual launch will start at 11AM on
Proton’s Facebook page
 on that day. You can also register your interest for the new Persona and Iriz
over here
.


2021 Proton Iriz Active Teaser Details the “SUV-Style” Hatchback

Not much longer now until Proton officially reveals the 2021 Proton Iriz Active and Persona facelift tomorrow morning. Before that, the national carmaker released yet another teaser of the Iriz Active, which is believed to be the SUV-style crossover version of the B-segment hatchback.

Just like
previous spy shots
 have confirmed, the Iriz Active has new LED headlights, an updated Infinite Weave grille, as well as Proton’s new circular logo. There is also a red accent across the grille, giving the hatchback a sportier appeal. All in all, an improved front fascia, in our opinion.

To complete the SUV styling of the Iriz Active, the exterior of the hatchback has a number of new additions too. These include wheel arch extensions finished in black, roof rails, and a blacked-out roof. It also features new (and larger) 16-inch alloy wheels.

The teaser video shows some of the Iriz Active’s interior as well. More specifically, the new floating infotainment system. Though it wasn’t demonstrated in the video, the “Hi Proton” voice command should now be able to control the windows and air-conditioning. Previously, it can only be used to control the audio.

The 2021 Proton Iriz Active and Persona facelift will be launched tomorrow on 5 August; the virtual launch will start at 11AM on
Proton’s Facebook page
. If you’re keen to get either one of these two new B-segment models, you can register your interest
over here
.


Asus ROG Phone 5 Ultimate Malaysian Pre-Orders Start 8 August for RM4,999

After some delay, the Asus ROG Phone 5 Ultimate will finally be available for pre-order in Malaysia from this Sunday onwards on 8 August. To sweeten the deal, early birds will also receive freebies worth RM1,099.

Available in the sole 512GB configuration with 18GB of RAM (!), the ROG Phone 5 Ultimate retails at RM4,999 in Malaysia. Those who pre-order the gaming phone between 8 to 21 August will also receive an “ultimate fan gift box collection” and an ROG Strix Go Core gaming headset. Collectively, these freebies are worth RM1,099.

Compared to the standard
ROG Phone 5
, what differentiates the Ultimate variant is the addition of the “ROG Vision” back panel, which is basically a small PMOLED screen that shows charging information or an incoming call. It also has two extra capacitive buttons on the rear panel, which work in tandem with the ultrasonic shoulder buttons.

Other specifications of the ROG Phone 5 Ultimate are no different from the regular model. These include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, a fast 144Hz 6.78-inch 1080p AMOLED screen, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 5MP macro), a 24MP selfie camera, as well as a generous 6,000mAh battery.

The Asus ROG Phone 5 Ultimate will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from
Shopee
 and
Lazada
 from 8 to 21 August. According to Asus Malaysia, the gaming phone will arrive here in the middle of August.


5 – 11 August Fuel Price: All Prices Remain

The price of RON 97 isn’t going up for a change this coming week. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel remain the same as well, given that the price ceilings of the two have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 is unchanged at RM2.74 per litre. The price of RON 95, on the other hand, remains the same at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 5 to 11 August. New fuel prices will now be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Glorious Lynx – Glorious’ First “Premium” Linear Switch

Glorious just revealed a brand new mechanical keyboard switch, the Glorious Lynx. This is the company’s first-ever linear switch – and second switch release after the
Glorious Panda
 – and it’s said to be a premium offering…with a price to match.

Available both unlubed and lubed, the Lynx is unmistakably quite a costly linear switch. A box of unlubed Lynx switch – which contains 36 switches – retails at $25 (RM105), while a box of lubed ones costs $35 (about RM145). Basically, you’re paying about RM3 per switch or RM4 for the lubed version.

This puts the Lynx in the same price point as other high-end linear switches, so it’ll be interesting to see how it would compare to, say, the
SP-Star
 or
Cobalt POM
. On paper, the Lynx looks to be a reasonably good linear switch with a 60g “proprietary” spring and a five-pin design.

The Lynx is also said to offer a “truly transcended, ultra-smooth typing experience” – we’d definitely put this to the test to see if it can really deliver on this promise. Beyond that, the Lynx has a polycarbonate top housing, a nylon bottom housing, as well as a POM stem – standard specs of a linear switch, really.

No word yet on exactly when the Glorious Lynx will be available for purchase. Given that the
Glorious Panda
 is sold locally here in Malaysia via Sun Cycle, we reckon the Lynx will eventually be offered here too.


Custom Keyboard Buyer’s Guide – Accessories You Need

So you’ve got a
custom keyboard
 already – what’s next? Well, a whole lot more! Depending on how far down the rabbit hole you’d be willing to go, you will need more tools and accessories to help you further improve your keyboard and (effectively) your typing experience as well.

Now, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are the accessories that I have personally bought throughout my time in this hobby. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Deskmat

This is the easiest way to “upgrade” your typing experience. As I’ve written in my
article dedicated to deskmats
, a deskmat offers a range of benefits. It protects your keyboard, it will improve the sound profile of your keyboard – though this is situational – and you won’t even need a mousepad anymore.

Screwdriver Set

An essential tool for anyone that plans to assemble their own custom mechanical keyboard. The screw bits you need will depend on the keyboard that you’ll be building, so it’s best to get a screwdriver set with a wide range of different bits for the best compatibility.

Better yet, get a screwdriver set with a magnetic tip. Trust me, it will make your building experience much, much more pleasant when you don’t have to fumble with a bunch of tiny screws.

Keycap Puller – A Proper One

There are two prevalent types of keycap puller in the market: a much smaller, plastic one, and a wire keycap puller. Avoid the former at all costs: not only is it difficult to use, it’s easy to scratch your keycaps with that “tool” too.

The best one is definitely a wire keycap puller. The wire makes it a lot easier to get a good grip on a keycap, and you can pull multiple keycaps at one go as well.

Do not get this
Get this instead

High-Quality Switch Puller

One of the advantages of a custom keyboard is the ability to swap switches whenever you feel like it – especially with a
hotswap PCB
 – but in order to do that, you need a switch puller.

Now, this is one tool you do not want to cheap out on. I purchased a dirt cheap switch puller before, and as a result, I ruined a fair bit of switches because of how soft the tips are. This makes it difficult to get a good grip on the switches.

Avoid this
Rama Work’s switch puller is much better

Switch pullers that I can personally recommend is this one from Rama Works. It has served me very, very well, and if you’re not a fan of the yellow colourway, you can get the
white one instead from iLumkb
. If you want something a bit fancier,
Wuque Studio’s titanium switch puller
 should be good too.

Metal Switch Opener

Those who want to go the extra step of lubing their switches for an even better typing experience – which I highly recommend – will need a switch opener. Preferably a metal one, such as
this one from Keys
.

A plastic, 3D printed switch opener will work fine, but it won’t be able to open up switches quite as easily. When you need to lube in excess of 60 switches for a compact keyboard, you’d want to be able to open them up without much fuss.

Lube and Brush

Of course, you need a lube and brush to start lubing the switches. Any brush would do, though I do recommend going with a finer tip for better control of how much lube to apply.

As for what lube to get, you can’t go wrong with
Krytox 205g0
. It can be used to lube switches, stabiliser housings, as well as stabiliser wires too. It’s almost an all-purpose lube, really.

How about a lube station? Well, while it would be useful to have the different parts of the switches laid out in a neat manner, it’s not something I would consider to be a necessity. I’ve lubed hundreds of switches without one.

Stem Holder

What I do consider to be a necessity is a stem holder. Basically, it can hold on to the stem of a switch to make the lubing process much easier. It’s entirely possible to lube a switch stem without this stem holder, but it can be tricky to get a good grip on the tiny stem during the lube process.

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this article, this is not an exhaustive list. There are a couple of other accessories that you can get to improve your typing experience, such as a wristrest or a custom cable. The latter doesn’t really “improve” your keyboard in a meaningful way, but it does look…well, nice.


2022 Proton Iriz Unveiled – New SUV-Style Active Variant, LED Lights, From RM40,300

Here it is: Proton just unveiled the brand new 2022 Proton Iriz. That’s right, the facelifted hatchback is dubbed by Proton to be the 2022 model instead of 2021, and just as previous leaks and rumours have revealed, there’s a new range-topping Active variant too.

Now, only three models of the Iriz are available. The base 1.3 Standard costs RM40,300, while the higher-end 1.6 Executive is priced at RM47,100. As for the range-topping Active trim, it retails at RM54,000. That’s right, there’s no more manual transmission.

Do note that these prices are with sales tax exemption applied, which are valid until 31 December 2021. Without the exemption, the Standard, Executive, and Active models cost RM500, RM700, and RM800 more respectively.

Naturally, the Iriz Active gets all the bells and whistles. This SUV-like B-segment hatchback features quite a number of sporty stylings, including new 16-inch alloy wheels (the Executive gets it too), roof rails with a blacked-out roof, semi leather seats, aluminium pedals, and of course, LED headlights.

Further completing the new looks of the Iriz Active include wheel arch extensions finished in black, an updated Infinite Weave grille with a sporty red accent finish, as well as Proton’s new circular logo. All in all, we’re liking the updated looks of the hatchback.

The interior of the new Iriz gets some very nice upgrades too. The Active model is the only one to get a black and red colour scheme for the interior – including bright red seat belts! – along with a large 8-inch floating infotainment system with the updated “Hi Proton” voice command.

Under the hood, the 2022 Iriz soldiers on with the same engine options. The 1.3L mill for the Standard model outputs 95PS and 120Nm of torque, while the 1.6L engine for the Active and Executive variants produces 109PS and 150Nm of torque.

Both engines are paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It wasn’t mentioned in the press release if Proton further tuned the transmission for a more refined driving experience, but we’ll definitely keep an eye out for any changes.

The 2022 Proton Iriz is now available for
booking online
. To recap, the 1.3 Standard is priced at RM40,300, while the Executive and Active models cost RM47,100 and RM54,000 respectively. These prices are valid until 31 December 2021, unless the government
further extends the sales tax exemption
.


2022 Proton Persona Launched – More Premium Looks From RM45,200

Aside from the
2022 Proton Iriz
, the national carmaker also unveiled the facelifted 2022 Proton Persona. With a more premium exterior and interior, the updated B-segment sedan is certainly a more accomplished product now. Of course, this also means it is slightly more costly than the previous model.

Three variants of the 2022 Persona are offered. The 1.6 Standard goes for RM45,200, while the 1.6 Executive costs RM50,100. The range-topping 1.6 Premium, on the other hand, is priced at RM54,900.

These prices are with sales tax exemption applied, which is valid until 31 December 2021. Without the exemption, the Standard, Executive, and Premium models will cost RM600, RM700, and RM900 more respectively.

Just like the updated Iriz, the facelifted Persona features a similar-looking Infinite Weave grille along with Proton’s new logo. But instead of a red accent, the Persona’s grille has a chrome finish for a more mature-looking design.

The Premium model also gets LED headlights – it’s the only one to get this – as well as new 16-inch alloy wheels with a different design than the Executive’s wheels of the same size. The standard, on the other hand, only gets 15-inch alloys.

On the inside, the 2022 Persona’s interior gets a more premium touch too, especially the Premium trim with its brown leather seats; it is said to be the same shade as the Proton X70’s nappa leather seats. Of course, there’s also the new 8-inch floating infotainment screen with the updated “Hi Proton” voice command and digital air-conditioning controls.

No changes to the engine of the new Persona, though the manual transmission is no longer offered. Powering all three variants of the sedan is a 1.6L engine that outputs 109PS and 150Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The 2022 Persona facelift is now available for
booking online
. Here are the prices of the sedan again: the Standard costs RM45,200, while the Executive and Premium models go for RM50,100 and RM54,900 respectively. These prices are valid until 31 December 2021, unless the
sales tax exemption is extended again
.


Honda Malaysia Sales Down 52% YoY in May-July 2021 – New Model Production Affected

The extended COVID-19 lockdown is impacting the automotive industry in Malaysia quite a bit. Honda Malaysia, for one, just revealed that its sales between May to July 2021 are down 52% compared to the same period last year.

“Honda Malaysia saw a decline of 52% in car sales for the year-on-year period of May to July 2021. We sold about 5,700 units in this period compared to close to 12,000 units sold in the same period last year when the country was under CMCO and RMCO,” said the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Madoka Chujo.

The 2022 Honda Civic

On top of that, Honda Malaysia said that its new model production has been affected by the lockdown too. Chances are, this is a reference to the local debut of the
2022 Honda Civic
, which was supposedly
set to happen in Q3 2021
.

“The prolonged business closure has impacted Honda Malaysia’s new model production due to no testing conducted in the manufacturing facility,” Chujo added.

In an effort to speed up the rate of COVID-19 vaccination locally, Honda Malaysia also said that it is aiming to get all of its associates inoculated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by mid-August 2021.

As per the government’s guideline, most of the automotive sector will only be allowed to resume operation in the
second phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP)
. At the moment, the Klang Valley area is still under the first phase of the NRP, with increasingly high COVID-19 cases reported daily.

That being said, ease of restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals will be announced by the government soon, so there is a chance the automotive sector (with fully vaccinated staff) can resume operations in the near future.


Oppo Reno 6 & Reno 6 Z Arrive in Malaysia From RM1,699

Oppo just launched two new mid-range smartphones in Malaysia, the Reno 6 and Reno 6 Z. Even though these are not flagship smartphones, they do look quite premium with a sleek design.

Let’s start with the higher-end Reno 6. Available in the sole 128GB configuration with 8GB of RAM, this mid-ranger retails at RM2,399 in Malaysia. For that kind of money, you’re also getting a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, which offers 5G connectivity too.

Rounding out the specifications of the Reno 6 are a 6.4-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (64MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 32MP selfie camera, an in-display fingerprint sensor, as well as a 4,300mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

As for the Reno 6 Z, it’s quite a bit more affordable with a RM1,699 price tag. Given the phone’s more budget-friendly nature, its hardware aren’t quite as high-end as the standard Reno 6. Powering the Reno 6 Z, for one, is a 5G-capable Dimensity 800U chip paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Other specifications of the Reno 6 Z include a 6.4-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, the same rear and front cameras as the Reno 6, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and a 4,310mAh battery with support for 30W fast charging.

The Oppo Reno 6 and Reno 6 Z are now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 13 August. Both phones will hit store shelves the following day on 14 August 2021.


Ghost of Tsushima: Legends Will Be Available Standalone for RM89 on 3 September

Ghost of Tsushima: Legends
 was initially available as a free co-op online multiplayer for
the main game
, but come 3 September next month, Legends will be available as a standalone purchase. Of course, it will be available on both the PS5 and PS4.

Aside from this announcement, Sucker Punch also revealed a number of additions coming to Legends, including a new Rivals mode. This mode pits two teams of two against each other to defeat waves of enemies. Magatama will drop when you defeat enemies, which can then be spent to “harm the other team,” as Sucker Punch puts it.

Once you’ve spent a certain amount of Magatama, you will unlock the Final Stand waves. If you clear these before the opposing team does, you’ll win the match. You can take a look at the video above for a gameplay of Rivals, which does look quite fun.

Aside from the new mode, Legends will also introduce the Gear Mastery system. It’s an expansion of the current progression systems and rewards in Legends. Players with 110-level gear can bind it to a class and activate “Mastery Challenges.” This allows the gear’s Ki level to be upgraded to 120 and unlock a second perk slot.

According to Sucker Punch, “as you activate Mastery Challenges, you can also unlock a new Ability and new Techniques for each class.”

These additions to Ghost of Tsushima: Legends will be available from 3 September 2021 onwards; that’s also when it will be available as a standalone purchase for RM89 here in Malaysia. Those who have purchased Legends as a standalone release can also upgrade to
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
 at any time for RM160 (PS4) or RM210 (PS5).


2022 Proton Iriz & Persona Receive 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating

Safety has always been one of the main selling points of Proton’s models, so it’s no surprise that the new
2022 Proton Iriz
 and
Persona
 got a full five-star rating in the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asia (ASEAN NCAP).

Do note that for this crash test, ASEAN NCAP only tested the Persona. But given the similarities between the Persona and Iriz, the test is considered to be valid for both models. After all, they share a similar structural design.

Looking at the results, both the Persona and Iriz have adequate adult occupant protection. In frontal and side impacts, the driver and passenger are adequately protected. With an overall score of 84.13, these two B-segment models are eligible to be awarded the 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.

You can look at the full report of the crash test by ASEAN NCAP
over here
. A video of the crash test will also be posted soon.

Read more:

2022 Proton Iriz Unveiled – New SUV-Style Active Variant, LED Lights, From RM40,300

2022 Proton Persona Launched – More Premium Looks From RM45,200

2022 Proton Persona – The Premium Variant Is the Best Choice

2022 Proton Iriz – Which Variant to Get?


Video: 2022 Proton Iriz & Persona – Sleek B-Segment Models

It’s been a long time coming, but here they are: the brand new 2022 Proton Iriz and Persona facelift. Both of them look quite a bit more premium than their pre-facelift models, and in the case of the Iriz, there’s even an SUV-style variant now dubbed Active.

One of the biggest changes to the new Iriz and Persona is the new Infinite Weave grille with Proton’s updated circular logo. Aside from that, both B-segment models also get larger 16-inch wheels and LED headlights, though this is limited to the higher-end variants.

The 2022 Proton Iriz and Persona are now available for
booking online
. The new Iriz
starts at RM40,300
, while the Persona is
priced from RM45,200
.

Read more:

2022 Proton Iriz Unveiled – New SUV-Style Active Variant, LED Lights, From RM40,300

2022 Proton Persona Launched – More Premium Looks From RM45,200

2022 Proton Iriz & Persona Receive 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating


One of the Thockiest Linear Switches Just Got Restocked on iLumkb for SEA Market

If you’re looking to get a
linear switch
 with a deep sound signature, consider the Lavender.
iLumkb
, which is based in Singapore, just restocked this thocky – and pretty-looking – linear switch.

Priced at S$9 for 10 switches from iLumkb, you’re paying about RM3 per switch for the Lavender. This does put it in the same price range as other higher-end switches such as the
Cobalt POM
 and
SP-Star
, though the latter is slightly more affordable.

What makes the Lavender such a thocky switch lies in its housing material. Just like the
Anubis

tactile switch
, the Lavender has a full nylon housing, which produces a deeper, thockier sound than the typical polycarbonate top and bottom nylon housings of other switches.

Aside from that, the Lavender also has a 65g spring with a five-pin design and some factory lube out of the box. it is produced by Durock as well, one of the most recognisable switch manufacturers in the market now.

If you’re keen to purchase the Lavender – especially if you’re in the SEA region – you can
get it from iLumkb
. Of course, the vendor does ship to markets outside of SEA too, but given that it is based in Singapore, expect to pay more for shipping.


2022 Proton Iriz – Which Variant to Get?

After more than half a year of leaks and rumours, the
2022 Proton Iriz facelift
 has finally been launched yesterday. The variants on offer have been simplified too – there are only three models of the B-segment hatchback to choose from now.

But between the 1.3 Standard, 1.6 Executive, and brand-new 1.6 Active variants of the facelifted Iriz, which one should you get? Well, let’s take a look at each one of them to see which is the best…for your needs.

1.3 Standard

This is the most affordable 2022 Iriz, and despite it being the base model, the Standard variant is actually better-equipped than the pre-facelift hatchback of the same trim level. Not only does it get 15-inch alloy wheels now (instead of 14-inch), this entry-level variant also gets two extra airbags for a total of four airbags.

Of course, these upgrades do increase the price of the new Iriz Standard a tad bit. The pre-facelift 1.3 Standard CVT was priced at RM39,200 (with sales tax exemption applied), while this new facelifted Standard model costs RM40,300 – also with sales tax exemption applied
until 31 December 2021
.

Basically, you’re paying RM1,100 more for these additions, which is not bad at all. Spread out over a five-year or seven-year loan, the difference won’t be all that noticeable either.

The 2022 Iriz Executive

Anyway, besides getting larger wheels and more airbags, you’re also paying slightly more for the 2022 Iriz Standard’s sleeker-looking exterior and interior. While there are no exterior images of the Standard yet, it should be sporting the same updated Infinite Weave grille finished in glossy black and the new circular Proton logo.

The interior of the facelifted Iriz Standard sees a bigger upgrade. The centre console looks quite a bit more modern with digital air-conditioning controls, the steering wheel now has Proton’s new logo with a different, more upmarket design – though it’s still urethane – and get this: there’s finally an armrest.

Interior of the 2022 Iriz Standard

Okay, so is the 2022 Iriz Standard worth getting? If you want an affordable B-segment hatchback, and you don’t need the more powerful 1.6L engine, leather seats, or other creature comforts that the Executive and Active variants offer, the Standard model will serve you very well.

While the Iriz Standard’s 1.3L engine that outputs 95PS and 120Nm of torque paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) doesn’t sound particularly exciting, it’s more than adequate to get you from point A to point B. Sometimes, that’s all you need.

Plus, as the facelifted Iriz is a true blue Proton model, you can expect to get excellent ride and handling out of this B-segment hatchback regardless of trim level.

1.6 Executive

And then we have the mid-tier 1.6 Executive variant of the facelifted Iriz. Priced at RM47,100, you’re paying RM6,800 more over the Standard model – that’s quite a big price difference.

Naturally, you do get your money’s worth with the added cost. For one, the new Iriz Executive gets a more powerful 1.6L engine that does 109PS and 150Nm of torque paired to a CVT. This model also features larger 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and six airbags for even better safety.

The list of added features continues in the interior of the facelifted Iriz Executive. These include more premium leather seats, an 8-inch floating infotainment system with a reverse camera, as well as keyless entry with push start button.

Essentially, the 1.6 Iriz Executive is made for those that want most of the creature comforts this hatchback has to offer without spending top dollar for the Active model. In fact, I reckon this will be the most popular variant in the 2022 Iriz lineup.

While the Iriz Active looks sportier than this Executive variant – it’s worth noting that both models are powered by the same 1.6L engine – some folks may not be thrilled by the more aggressive styling of the former. But if you do like how the Active looks…let’s move on to the next section.

1.6 Active

As the range-topping model, the Iriz Active gets all the bells and whistles. The most immediate difference between the Active and the hatchback’s other two variants is the exterior. It is packed with LED headlamps, fender extensions, different 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as roof rails with a blacked-out roof – it’s certainly a sporty-looking hatchback.

The interior of the Iriz Active gets some notable additions too. Red accents are found throughout the cabin – it even has a bright red seat belt! – semi leather seats, as well as aluminium pedals. It also has a similar-looking 8-inch floating infotainment screen as the Executive model, but this one supports the new “Hi Proton” voice command.

Previously, the voice command feature could only control the audio, but it has been updated to be able to adjust the air-conditioning and windows as well. On top of that, it also has an eSIM (with a five-year data package for 1GB of data monthly) for online navigation.

However, you do have to pay quite a bit more for the Iriz Active. With a RM54,000 price tag, the Active costs a whopping RM6,900 more over the Executive model. In terms of sheer value for money, the Executive trim is definitely the winner, though I’m sure some folks are willing to pay extra for the sportier appeal of the Active.

Which Variant to Get?

It depends. If you want the best value for your money, the 2022 Proton Iriz Executive is the one to go for. But if you don’t need the 1.6L engine and creature comforts offered by the Executive model, the Standard trim is the best option for you; it’s still quite a complete B-segment hatchback.

On the other hand, if you like the looks of the Iriz Active, and you don’t mind paying more for the sporty stylings, then go for it! Personally, I’d go with the Executive model of the 2022 Iriz – it has most features that I care about, and it’s priced quite well too.


2022 Proton Persona – The Premium Variant Is the Best Choice

Launched alongside the
2022 Proton Iriz
 is its sedan counterpart, the
2022 Proton Persona facelift
. Though it doesn’t get a brand new variant like the Iriz Active, the updated B-segment sedan does look quite a bit more premium than the pre-facelift model, especially the interior.

If you can afford to, the best model of the Persona to get is the range-topping Premium variant. Not just because it get all the bells and whistles, of course: in my opinion, it also offers the best value for money. Read on to find out why.

The Price Difference Is Worth Paying

Let’s break down the prices of the 2022 Persona. The 1.6 Standard goes for RM45,200, while the 1.6 Executive costs RM50,100. The range-topping 1.6 Premium, on the other hand, is priced at RM54,900. Do note that these prices are with sales tax exemption applied, which is valid until
31 December 2021
.

Looking at the feature set of these three variants, you get the most value for your money in the jump between the Executive to the Premium model. Granted, a RM4,800 price difference between the two models is not exactly small, but you really do get your money’s worth.

Aside from the range of upgrades you’re getting – which we’ll get into further down this article – the next part alone is worth paying the extra premium…for the Premium (excuse the pun).

It Offers the Best Safety

Unlike the 2022 Iriz, only the Premium trim of the 2022 Persona gets six airbags. The other two variants get four airbags instead, omitting the curtain airbags.

In the event of a side impact crash, curtain airbags are essential to protect an occupant’s head. Needless to say, it can literally be a lifesaver, even if the likelihood of a side impact crash is lower than that of a front or rear-end collision.

You Get a Much More Premium Interior

Airbag count isn’t the only thing that sets the 2022 Persona Premium apart from the other variants. The Standard and Executive models get fabric seats of different designs, while the Premium trim gets brown leatherette seats for a classier-looking interior.

Aside from that, the Persona Premium also features an 8-inch floating infotainment screen with the updated “Hi Proton” voice command, which can now be used to control the air-conditioning and windows. The infotainment system offers online navigation too, thanks to the eSIM with a five-year data package for 1GB of data monthly.

Brighter LED Headlights, Sleeker-Looking Exterior

Just like the range-topping Iriz Active, the facelifted Persona Premium is the only variant to come with LED headlights; the lower two trims have halogen headlights instead. Not only are LED headlights brighter, it lends to a more upmarket look too.

Aside from that, I really dig the 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels of the new Persona Premium too. While the Executive trim gets 16-inch alloys as well, it has a different single-tone design.

Also worth a mention is the blacked-out roof of the Persona Premium, not to mention the fact that it is the only variant that is offered in Space Grey.

Other Variants Are Still Worth Considering

Although I believe the 2022 Persona Premium offers the best value for money, the Standard and Executive variants are still very good options for those who are shopping for a new B-segment sedan.

In fact, the Persona Standard is an especially good option, even when compared to the Executive model. After all, every variant of the Persona gets the same 1.6L engine that outputs 109PS and 150Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The 2022 Persona Executive

Although the Persona Standard doesn’t get some nice features like 16-inch alloy wheels – it has slightly smaller 15-inch wheels – an 8-inch infotainment screen with reverse camera, LED daytime running lights, or keyless entry with push start button, the Standard is still quite a complete sedan.

After all, the interior of the Persona Standard is almost identical to the Executive model, except for the aforementioned 8-inch infotainment screen. It still has the same redesigned centre console, fabric seats, digital air-conditioning controls, as well as an armrest.

The interior of the 2022 Persona Standard
The interior of the 2022 Persona Executive
The digital air-conditioning controls

Priced at RM45,200, I’ll definitely consider the 2022 Proton Persona Standard to be the next best choice after the Premium model in terms of sheer value for money. Yes, even if there’s a RM10,000 price difference between the two variants.

See, if it fits your budget, it’s worth paying extra for the Persona Premium simply because it offers six airbags – safety is of utmost importance. Plus, when the price difference is put into a five-year or seven-year loan, it doesn’t increase the monthly commitment too much either.

Of course, it’s also important to not spend beyond your means. If the Persona Standard fits your budget more comfortably, go for it – it’s still get a very good B-segment sedan with Proton’s renowned ride and handling.


2022 Honda Civic Lands in Thailand – No More 1.8L Engine, RM122k to RM151k

Four months after its global debut, the
2022 Honda Civic
 has landed in Thailand. The biggest change with the 11th generation Civic for the market is the omission of the 1.8L engine – all variants of the C-segment sedan for Thailand now feature the 1.5L turbocharged engine.

First, let’s talk about prices. Three different variants of the 2022 Civic are offered in Thailand: the base EL model is priced at 964,900 Thai baht (about RM121,700), while the mid-tier EL+ variant costs 1,009,900 baht (approximately RM127,375). The range-topping RS trim, on the other hand, goes for 1,199,900 baht (around RM151,340).

As mentioned, all variants of the Civic for Thailand now features a 1.5L turbocharged engine. While it’s a carryover from the
previous model
, it’s been tuned to deliver more power. With 178PS and 240Nm of torque, the updated engine offers 5PS and 20Nm of torque more than the 10th generation Civic. Naturally, it is still paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Aside from that, Honda Sensing is also standard across the range. It’s a suite of safety features that include Collision Mitigation braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Auto High Beam (AHB), and Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN).

The exterior of the new Civic is quite a departure from the previous model too. The A-pillars have been pushed back 1.96 inches to elongate the hood for a “premium silhouette,” as Honda puts it. Pushing back the A-pillars – and mounting the side mirrors to the door – improve the visibility of the C-segment sedan as well.

At the back of the 2022 Civic, gone are the “ketam” C-shaped taillights of the current 10th generation Civic FC for a more mature-looking L-shaped LED lighting; the front DRLs has the same L-shaped lighting too. As for the overall silhouette of the new Civic, it’s very reminiscent of its D-segment sibling, the
Honda Accord
.

Inside the cabin, Honda took a more minimalist design approach with the 11th generation Civic. There’s now a floating infotainment screen with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the centre armrest is no longer partly exposed, and the air vents are integrated into the honeycomb mesh that stretches across the dashboard.

Given that the 2022 Honda Civic has been launched in Thailand, it’s not far-fetched to assume that it will be coming to Malaysia soon. Well, this was
originally
the plan: the C-segment sedan would’ve made its debut here in
late Q3 or early Q4
 if not for the
extended COVID-19 lockdown
 in Malaysia.

Given that most parts of Malaysia is
still under lockdown
 – especially the Klang Valley area – it remains to be seen exactly when the 2022 Civic will be available locally.


Genshin Impact Yoimiya Banner Arrives 10 August With Sayu, Diona, Xinyan

Yoimiya’s banner has been revealed! Set to go live in
Genshin Impact
 on 10 August, the event wish of the brand new 5-star Pyo character will be accompanied by Sayu – also a new 4-star Anemo character – Diona, and Xinyan.

Just like Genshin Impact’s
previous character

event banners
, the “drop rate” of Yoimiya, Sayu, Diona, and Xinyan will be increased. In the case of Yoimiya, the first 5-star character you get will have a 50% chance to be her. If you didn’t get her in this instance, the
next
 5-star character you roll is guaranteed to be Yoimiya.

Genshin Impact’s pity system ensures that you will get at least one 5-star character or weapon every 90 wishes – depending on which banner you’re rolling – so you will have to do 180 rolls for a guaranteed Yoimiya. The same rule applies to 4-star units (guaranteed every 10-roll instead), but since there are three of them featured in the event wish, it’s a little bit more random.

Basically, when you’re guaranteed a 4-star character from the banner, you will get either Sayu, Diona, or Xinyan. If you’re aiming to get either one of these three characters – especially Sayu, given that she’s a brand new character – you will have to roll a good number of times, depending on your luck.

Yoimiya’s “Tapestry of Golden Flames” event wish will go live in Genshin Impact on 10 August this Tuesday at 6PM for us here in Malaysia. Her banner will be available until 31 August, and
there’s a good chance
 the event wish of the
Raiden Shogun
,
Sangonomiya Kokomi
, and
Kujou Sara
 will be offered next.


Fully Vaccinated Individuals Allowed to Cross District (With Restrictions) From 10 August

Great news for those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Several restrictions for these individuals – after a certain period of time has passed since the final dosage – will be eased from 10 August onwards, including the ability to cross districts and states.

Of course, there are a number of caveats. For one, this only applies to long-distance couples whose significant other resides in a different state or district. Parents are also allowed to do the same to meet their children who are under the age of 18.

Aside from that, fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to attend certain religious gatherings too. As for travelers who have received their full COVID-19 vaccination, they are allowed to have their mandatory quarantine at home.

It’s worth noting that these ease of restrictions apply to all states regardless of which phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) they are in.

For fully vaccinated individuals residing in states that are in the second phase of the NRP, they can enjoy even more freedom. Dine-in will be allowed, non-contact sports are also permitted, and they will be able to cross district without restriction too.

As mentioned, in order to be considered fully vaccinated, a certain amount of time has to pass first. Those who received two-dose COVID-19 vaccines – including Sinovac, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca – are considered full vaccinated after 14 days of getting the second dosage.

In contrast, individuals that have received a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine instead – such as Johnson & Johnson or CanSino – they are considered fully vaccinated after 28 day has passed since the initial dosage.

The government will also ease restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals in the economic sector. However, details on this will only be announced in the near future.


Samsung’s New Foldable Phones Will Feature S Pen Support & “Enhanced Durability”

Samsung is set to unveil the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3
this Wednesday on 11 August
. Ahead of the two foldable phones’ launch, the President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung, TM Roh, revealed that the company’s next foldables will feature S Pen support and “enhanced durability.”

This was detailed in a
blog post
 by Roh himself. At Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event set for this Wednesday, Roh said that the South Korean company will “share some foldable surprises – including the first-ever S Pen designed specifically for foldable phones.”

TM Roh

Chances are, this is a reference to the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3, which has been rumoured for quite some time now
to feature S Pen support
. Roh added that “instead of unveiling a new Galaxy Note this time around, we will further broaden beloved Note features to more Samsung Galaxy devices.”

Besides that, Roh also wrote in the blog post that Samsung’s third generation of foldable phones – which is likely the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 – will feature enhanced durability. The Z Flip 3, in particular, is said to bring “an even more refined style, armed with more durable, stronger materials.”

Evidently, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are shaping up to be pretty darn promising foldable smartphones. Stay tuned to Nextrift as we bring the latest news on these two phones –
and more
 – come
Samsung’s Unpacked event on 11 August at 10PM
.


Keychron Q1 Pre-Orders Open 24 August – Starts at $139

After months of teasers
, the Keychron Q1 will finally be available for pre-order on 24 August. If you’re in the market for a relatively affordable 75% mechanical keyboard with features that are only typically found on enthusiast-level keyboards, the Q1 fits the bill.

The Q1 is available in two configurations: the barebone kit – that is, without switches and keycaps – retails at $139, which comes up to about RM585. The fully assembled model with double-shot ABS keycaps and factory lubed Gateron Phantom switches, on the other hand, costs $169 (approximately RM715).

If these prices seem a tad high for a Keychron keyboard, that’s really not the case, given what you get for the money. As mentioned, the Q1 is packed with features that are usually only found on enthusiast-level keyboards, including a gasket mounting system, a CNC aluminium body, a hotswap PCB with south-facing LEDs, and even screw-in stabilisers.

With that in mind, a $139 starting price for the Q1 is more than fair. This even makes it one of the most affordable 75% mechanical keyboards with such a feature set. If you’re curious, Keychron released a sound test of the Q1 too – you can listen to it in the video below.

The Keychron Q1 will be available for pre-order on
Keychron’s website
 on 24 August at 9PM for us here in Malaysia. You can also register your interest for the keyboard
over here
.


Looking Back at the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip – Still Worth Considering

The successor to the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
 is expected to be unveiled this Wednesday on 11 August at Samsung’s Unpacked event. As with any new smartphone, the Z Flip 3 should be offering a number of upgrades, such as a
bigger cover display
.

Given that the Galaxy Z Flip’s successor is just around the corner, is it still worth considering? Absolutely, especially if you want one of the most affordable foldable smartphones in the market now. Without further ado, let’s take a look back at Samsung’s very first foldable phone with a clamshell design.

First up, specifications. The Galaxy Z Flip, as its name suggests, features a foldable 6.7-inch 2636 x 1080 Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex Display with a tall 21.9:9 aspect ratio. There is also a small Super AMOLED screen on the cover of the phone, which shows basic information like incoming calls and the time.

Powering the Z Flip, on the other hand, is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chipset; the chipmaker’s 2019 flagship SoC. While a chip from two years ago may not sound particularly impressive, it’s still a plenty fast processor that will be able to provide flagship-level performance.

In the camera department, the Galaxy Z Flip features a simple (but capable) dual camera system made up of a 12MP f/1.8 primary sensor and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle lens. Aside from that, there’s also a 10MP f/2.4 selfie camera in the hole-punch cutout on the primary screen.

Other specifications of the Z Flip include 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, as well as a 3,300mAh battery. All in all, decent hardware for a flagship-class device – even in 2021.

What makes the Galaxy Z Flip
particularly
 interesting now – well, to me anyway – is the fact that it is far more affordable in recent times. Back when it was first introduced in Malaysia, this foldable phone went for
a whopping RM5,888
 – that’s much more than what a typical flagship device is priced at.

But right now, the Z Flip retails
at only RM2,699
 from Samsung itself; that’s
more than half
 off of the original asking price. In fact, the price can even drop down
to merely RM2,499
 when it’s on sale. At this price point, the Z Flip is really quite a compelling foldable smartphone.

This is exactly why I think the Galaxy Z Flip is still worth considering today, even if the newer, faster Z Flip 3 is just beyond the horizon. The thing is, it is unlikely that the latter will be as affordable as the original Z Flip now, though it remains to be seen just how much of an upgrade the successor would be.

Aside from that, once the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is officially available here – which likely won’t take too long, given Samsung Malaysia’s speedy local product launches – I imagine the original Z Flip would be much harder to find then. It’s hard to say if it will still retail at the same price point now too.

There’s no denying that the Z Flip 3 will bring some notable upgrades, but based on the plethora of leaks and rumours surrounding the upcoming foldable phone, its form factor is still largely similar to the much more affordable Z Flip now.

If all you want is just the unique clamshell design of a foldable phone, then the Galaxy Z Flip is a fantastic option. I mean, the sheer affordability of the foldable phone currently – though RM2,699 is still quite a lot of money – is hard to argue from a value standpoint.

Of course, you can always wait it out just a bit longer to see exactly what the Z Flip 3 would offer once it is officially introduced in the next two days. Once you know what kind of upgrades the new foldable flip phone offers – hopefully with Malaysian pricing as well – it’ll be much easier to make a decision.

Other than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, the foldable phone will also be joined by the Galaxy Z Fold 3 at Samsung’s Unpacked launch event this Wednesday on 11 August. On top of that, Samsung is expected to reveal new smartwatches and
a pair of wireless earbuds
 as well.

Samsung Malaysia has also opened registration of interest for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3
right here
. Those who do so will even receive a RM300 Samsung e-voucher which can be used after you’ve pre-ordered “the next Galaxy,” as Samsung puts it.

The Galaxy Unpacked event on 11 August will be livestreamed on Samsung’s various platforms, including its
YouTube
 channel,
Facebook
 page, and even
its website
. The virtual event will start at 10PM Malaysian time this Wednesday – stay tuned to Nextrift then for our coverage of the event!


Video: Harimau & Penyu Sound Test on ai03 Vega – Malaysian-Designed Switches!

These are the Harimau and Penyu switches, Malaysian-designed tactile and linear switches respectively! Released by the local folks over at
Rebult Keyboards
, these are rather intriguing switches with a long stem pole.

Unfortunately, we don’t have enough switches for a full sound test, but these comparisons with other notable switches should give you a good idea of how they sound like. We compare the Harimau tactile switch against the highly popular
Boba U4T
, while the Penyu linear switch is pitted against the 8008 Ink and Diamond switches.

If you’re interested to pick up the Harimau or Penyu switch, you can join the group buy until 31 August over at
Rebult Keyboards’ online store
. Of course, we will also post our full review of these two switches before the group buy ends!


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Official – Bigger Cover Screen, More Durable, From $999

Samsung’s latest foldable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, is finally here. Not only is it more durable than its predecessor, it is also water-resistant now with a bigger cover screen – it’s even slightly more affordable than the original Z Flip at launch.

Let’s talk about the biggest change to the Z Flip 3 first: the larger cover screen. Compared to its
predecessor’s smaller 1.1-inch display
, the new cover screen has been upsized to a 1.9-inch 512 x 260 Super AMOLED panel. With more screen real estate, it can show more detailed notifications and widgets.

In fact, you can even use the bigger cover screen to frame your selfie shots with the “rear cameras” without opening the phone.

Speaking of which, when you open up the Galaxy Z Flip 3, you’ll be greeted by the same 6.7-inch 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display, but the refresh rate has been increased to 120Hz. Samsung also mentioned that the protective layer of the foldable glass screen is now 80% more durable.

While we’re on the topic of durability, it’s worth mentioning that the Z Flip 3 is now IPX8 water-resistant; its metal frame and hinge is made out of “Armor Aluminium” too, which is said to make the foldable phone 10% more durable. Samsung added that Armor Aluminium is the “strongest material ever used on a smartphone” as well.

Other specifications of the Z Flip 3 include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, a dual camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle), a 10MP selfie camera, and a 3,300mAh battery.

As mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is more affordable than the original Z Flip at launch. For the US market, this foldable phone retails from only $999, which comes up to about RM4,235. No word yet on the Malaysian availability of the Z Flip 3, but we reckon we’ll hear from Samsung Malaysia very, very soon.


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Unleashed – Under Display Camera, IPX8 Rating, From $1,799

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is here, and as expected, it gets some neat upgrades over its predecessors. The biggest addition has to be the foldable phone’s new 4MP under display camera (UDC) – this makes it the first Samsung smartphone to sport such a feature.

Thanks to the new UDC, the Z Fold 3’s primary 7.6-inch 2208 x 1768 Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen – now with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate – has no hole-punch cutout at all for the selfie camera. It remains to be seen how visible the camera would be in daily use, but based on renders of the phone, it does seem to be quite well-hidden.

Aside from that, the Z Fold 3 now supports the S Pen as well. Two versions of the S Pen work with the foldable phone: the larger S Pen Pro with Bluetooth support – this lets you perform
Air Action gestures
 – and a more basic (but lighter) S Pen Fold Edition without Bluetooth.

Just like the Z Flip 3, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is now more durable than ever. It is IPX8 water-resistant, the protective film layer for the primary screen has a redesigned layer structure which is 80% more durable, and the metal frame and hinge of the foldable phone is 10% more durable, thanks to the use of a new “Armor Aluminium” material.

While the cover screen of the Z Fold 3 is still a 6.2-inch 2268 x 832 display, it is now a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a faster 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Powering this foldable phone, on the other hand, is none other than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 flagship chipset.

Rounding out the specifications of the Z Fold 3 are 12GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, a triple camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle + 12MP telephoto), a 10MP cover camera, a 4,400mAh battery, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 retails from $1,799 (about RM7,625) in the US, which is actually $200 (approximately RM850) less than what its predecessor went for at launch. Malaysian pricing and availability of the Z Fold 3 have not been announced yet, but we expect Samsung Malaysia to reveal these details very soon.


12 – 18 August Fuel Price: All Prices Remain Again

Great news folks: the price of RON 97 is unchanged again for the coming week. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel remain the same as well, given that the price ceilings of the two have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 is unchanged at RM2.74 per litre. The price of RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 12 to 18 August. New fuel prices will now be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week on the same day for future updates!


Xiaomi Mix 4 Unveiled With Under Display Camera for a Truly All-Screen Design

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new Mi Mix device from Xiaomi. After some hiatus, it’s back with the sleek Xiaomi Mix 4. Sporting a true “all-screen” design, this phone features an under display camera.

Xiaomi calls this Camera Under Panel (CUP) technology, and as its name suggests, the 20MP camera is placed beneath the Mix 4’s screen. According to the Chinese company, the display has a 400ppi zone around the selfie camera to let light pass through for the camera to work.

As for the Mix 4’s display itself, it’s a 6.67-inch 2400 x 1080 AMOLED display that curves on either sides of the phone, along with a 120Hz refresh rate. Aside from that, this is also one of the first phones to ship with
Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888+ chipset
, which features faster CPU and AI Engine.

Other specifications of the Mix 4 include 8GB or 12GB of RAM, three storage options (128GB, 256GB, 512GB), a triple camera system (108MP primary + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 8MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom), and a 4,500mAh battery with support for blazing fast 120W wired or 50W wireless charging.

In wired mode, the phone can be fully charged in only 15 minutes; 28 minutes for wireless charging.

At the moment, the Xiaomi Mix 4 is only available in China with a 4,999 Chinese yuan (about RM3,265) starting price for the 128GB model with 8GB of RAM. The range-topping 512GB configuration with 12GB of RAM, on the other hand, retails at 6,299 yuan (approximately RM4,115).


Xiaomi Pad 5 & Pad 5 Pro Revealed With Snapdragon 870/860 & TrueTone 120Hz Screen

Xiaomi returns to the tablet market with the new Xiaomi Pad 5 and Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro. Both tablets are relatively similar to each other with some high-end hardware under the hood, including fast 120Hz screens and Qualcomm’s flagship-level chipsets.

As the higher-end model, the Pad 5 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 870 chipset. It is essentially a
faster version of the Snapdragon 865
, so you can expect to get a good level of performance out of this tablet. The standard Pad 5, on the other hand, features a Snapdragon 860 chipset instead – an improved version of the Snapdragon 855.

Aside from that, both the Pad 5 and Pad 5 Pro come with an 11-inch 2560 x 1600 TrueTone display – it can adjust the screen’s white balance to match ambient lighting – with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. These two tablets can be paired with a magnetic stylus and keyboard cover too, just like other notable tablets in the market now.

Other specifications of the Pad 5 and Pad 5 Pro include a 13MP rear camera – the Pad 5 Pro adds on a 5MP depth sensor, while the 5G version of the same tablet has a 50MP primary shooter instead – an 8MP selfie camera, an 8,600mAh battery (the Pad 5 has a slightly larger 8,720mAh battery), 6GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage.

The Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
 The Xiaomi Pad 5

As usual, the Xiaomi Pad 5 and Pad 5 Pro are only available in China at the moment, but it’s worth noting that the former
has been registered with SIRIM already
, suggesting that it could be making its way to Malaysia soon.

Anyway, in China, the Pad 5 retails from 1,999 Chinese yuan (about RM1,305), while the Pad 5 Pro starts at 2,499 yuan (approximately RM1,635).


The New Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Series Can Measure Your Body Composition

Aside from the
Galaxy Z Flip 3
 and
Z Fold 3
 foldable smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series made its debut too. Made up of the standard Galaxy Watch 4 and the larger Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, the biggest new feature of these two smartwatches is the ability to measure a user’s body composition.

That’s right, the Galaxy Watch 4 series can measure your body composition. Using the new Samsung BioActive Sensor on the back of the smartwatch, this wearable can give you vital details like skeletal muscle, fat mass, body fat, BMI, and even your body water. Samsung even said that these measurements are up to 98% accurate.

The Galaxy Watch 4 (left) and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

Sleep tracking capability of the Watch 4 has been improved as well. Not only can it track your blood oxygen level – a very important feature in this COVID-19 pandemic, in our opinion – it even has…snoring detection. Anyway, using these data, the watch can then give you a sleep score.

Other specifications of the Galaxy Watch 4 series include a new Exynos W920 5nm processor that promises up to 20% faster CPU, a 1.19-inch or 1.36-inch circular display – depending on which size of the smartwatch you get – 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, as well as a 361mAh or 247mAh battery – again, dependent on the size of the watch.

Of course, the Watch 4 series also runs on Samsung’s new One UI Watch operating system, which allows you to install wearable apps from the Google Play Store.

For the US market, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 retails from $249 (about RM1,055), while the bigger Galaxy Watch 4 Classic starts at $349 (approximately RM1,480).


Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Features ANC & $149 Price Tag

Joining Samsung’s
two
 new
foldable
 phones (and
smartwatch
) is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. Available in a number of colourful designs, the new wireless earbuds also come with improved active noise cancellation and an affordable price tag.

According to Samsung, the new Buds 2’s active noise cancellation is able to cut off external background noise by up to 98%. The Ambient Sound mode has three levels too, giving you the ability to control how much of the outside world that you hear.

In terms of battery life, the Buds 2’s 61mAh battery can provide up to five hours of continuous playback with active noise cancellation switched on; 7.5 hours if ANC is disabled. With the included charging case, the battery life can be extended up to 20 hours or 29 hours with ANC off.

Speaking of which, the charging case of the Buds 2 also supports wireless charging. Otherwise, it can be charged through the USB-C connection. Aside from that, these wireless earbuds are also available in four colours: White, Graphite, Olive, and Lavender.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 will be available in the US from 27 August onwards for $149; that’s about RM630. As usual, it remains to be seen exactly when these earbuds will be available in Malaysia, but it should be happening soon, given that the Buds 2
has been registered with SIRIM already
.


WhatsApp Finally Allows Chat History Transfers Between iOS & Android…Sort Of

One of the biggest pain points of WhatsApp when you’re changing phones is finally addressed; well, sort of. Beginning with Samsung’s new foldable phones, the
Z Flip 3
 and
Z Fold 3
, you will be able to transfer your chat history from an iOS device.

Unfortunately, this is the limit of the new feature at the moment. The ability to transfer chat history from iOS and other Samsung phones – aside from the new foldables – will be possible “in the coming weeks,” but it will be limited to Samsung devices that are running Android 10 and above.

Eventually, this feature will be extended to all Android devices, though it remains to be seen exactly how long until this will be rolled out to other devices. On top of that, there’s no tentative timeline as to when it will be possible to transfer chat history from Android to iOS either, unfortunately enough.

Anyway, in order to transfer the chat history from iOS to the new Samsung foldable phones, you’ll need a Lightning to USB-C cable. That’s right, the transfer is done completely offline, which makes sense, given that Android and iOS devices back up chat history to Google Drive and iCloud respectively.


Keychron Q1 Product Page Live – Barebone Version Now $149

The
product page
 for the
Keychron Q1
 is now live, giving us a look at all possible configurations of the 75% mechanical keyboard. Unfortunately, the product page also shows that the price of the barebone kit has been increased from $139 to $149 – that comes up to about RM630.

With this change in price for the barebone kit, the value proposition of the fully assembled Q1 is quite a bit better. After all, for only $20 more (approximately RM85), you get Gateron Phantom switches of your choice, along with a set of double-shot ABS keycaps.

According to the product listing, those who pre-order the Q1 will also get a “premium” coiled USB-C cable. Looking at an example of the sleeved cable, it does look rather good; it even has an aviator connector. It is by no means as premium as other custom coiled cables, but it’s still great that Keychron is giving a cable of this quality with the Q1.

To recap, the Q1 is a feature-packed 75% keyboard. It features gasket mounting system, a full CNC aluminium case, an aluminium plate, a hotswap PCB with south-facing LEDs, and support for screw-in stabilisers. It’s worth noting that these features are typically only found on enthusiast-level keyboards.

The Keychron Q1 will be available for pre-order on 24 August
right here
 at 9PM for us here in Malaysia. Shipping for the fully assembled model will begin a week after pre-orders are open, and it is expected to be completed by 15 September.

As for the barebone kit of the Q1, it will start shipping to customers between 15 to 30 September 2021.


Proton Staff Now 86% Fully Vaccinated – Safer Work Environment to Be Implemented

Following the second round of its
vaccination exercise
 last week, Proton just announced that over 86% of its 8,486 staff members are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The national carmaker added that this number is expected to increase in the coming weeks, as over 98% of its staff have received their first dose.

This is in line with Proton’s effort to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 in its chain of operations. “We estimate more than 80% of our operations chain would have received at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of August,” said the CEO of Proton, Dr Li Chunrong.

He further added that Proton’s vaccination exercise will allow the carmaker to “hit the ground running once the automotive industry is given the greenlight to resume operations nationwide.” Previously, the government announced that most of the automotive sector will only be allowed to operate in the
second phase of the National Recovery Plan
.

To help reduce the number of COVID-19 daily cases, Proton will also be implementing a number of changes to its business procedures. “We have created new processes in all areas, from our production lines to our corporate offices, ensuring a new and safer work environment,” Dr Li elaborated.

It’s worth noting that the government previously announced it will ease restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals in the economic sector. But details on this will only be announced in the near future.


Video: 2022 Proton Persona & Iriz Crash Test – 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating

Here it is: the full video of the
2022 Proton Persona
 crash test by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asia (ASEAN NCAP). Although only the Persona is tested in this crash test, it is considered to be valid for the
2022 Iriz
 as well, given the similarities between the two B-segment models.

Safety has always been one of the main selling points of Proton’s models, so it’s no surprise that the new 2022 Persona and Iriz got a full five-star rating in ASEAN NCAP’s crash test. Do note that the Persona in this test is of the Standard variant, so it’s missing the curtain airbags in the side impact crash test.

Looking at the results, both the Persona and Iriz have adequate adult occupant protection. In frontal and side impacts, the driver and passenger are adequately protected. With an overall score of 84.13, these two B-segment models are eligible to be awarded the 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.

You can look at the full report of the crash test by ASEAN NCAP
over here
.

Read more:

2022 Proton Iriz – Which Variant to Get?

2022 Proton Persona – The Premium Variant Is the Best Choice


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 – Finally a Mainstream Foldable Phone?

Samsung made a pretty bold decision to not introduce a new Galaxy Note device this year; a series that already has strong mainstream appeal. Instead, we get two foldable smartphones: the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
, and the bigger, almost tablet-like
Galaxy Z Fold 3
.

Without a doubt foldable phones don’t have particularly great mainstream appeal right now, but this
could
 change with these two new smartphones. This is especially true for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, given its much more affordable nature than the Z Fold 3.

While these two foldable phones may not be able to enjoy the same success as Samsung’s very popular Note devices – not yet, anyway – the South Korean company is definitely on the right path. In fact, I personally believe the Z Flip 3 will pave the way for that.

In my opinion, two criteria have to be met in order for foldable phones to be appealing enough for the mainstream market: affordability and durability. Well, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 fulfill these two criteria…to a certain extent.

Let’s focus on the affordability of the Z Flip 3 first. The
original Z Flip
 was only offered with 256GB of storage, which puts it at a higher price point. The new Z Flip 3, on the other hand, is offered in 128GB and 256GB configurations, effectively lowering the entry price of the phone.

Unfortunately, local pricing of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has not been revealed yet, but it shouldn’t stray too far from the $999 starting price of the foldable phone in the US – that comes up to about RM4,230. Yes, that’s still quite a steep price tag, but compared to the local launch price of the original Z Flip (a
whopping RM5,888
), it’s much, much more palatable.

While we’re talking about affordability, it’s worth mentioning that the original Z Flip is also far more affordable now. As mentioned, it retailed at RM5,888 when it was first available here in Malaysia, but you can currently get it
for merely RM2,699
; that’s
more than half
 off of the launch price.

Anyway, affordability alone is just half of the equation. In order for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 to really enjoy mainstream success, it has to be durable enough for everyday use too. This was one of the shortcomings of the first Z Flip.

Now, it’s not that it was fragile by any means, but the plastic protective layer on top of the phone’s foldable glass screen can get scratched and dinged quite easily. Unlike other proper flagship smartphones, the Z Flip lacks any form of water resistance too.

Well, both of these have been addressed with the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Not only does it have an IPX8 water resistance rating now, the protective layer of the phone’s screen is said to be up to 80% more durable too. That’s not all: thanks to the use of a new “Armor Titanium” material, the metal frame and hinge of the phone are now 10% tougher.

Beyond the fact that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is more affordable and durable than its predecessor, it is also a better foldable phone overall. One of the biggest upgrades it received is a larger 1.9-inch 512 x 260 Super AMOLED panel on the exterior cover of the phone. With more screen real estate, it can show more detailed notifications and widgets.

Aside from that, the Z Flip 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s relatively new Snapdragon 888 chipset as well, so you can expect to get flagship-level performance out of this foldable phone. This is in contrast to the original Z Flip, which didn’t ship with the most recent flagship chip available at the time.

Other specifications of the Z Flip 3 include the same 6.7-inch 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display – but with a much faster 120Hz adaptive refresh rate – 8GB of RAM, a dual camera system (12MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide angle), a 10MP selfie camera, and a 3,300mAh battery.

So then, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is more affordable, more durable, and a more polished foldable smartphone over its predecessor – are these enough to propel it to mainstream success? Well, it still depends on overall market sentiment, especially in a price-sensitive market like Malaysia.

While it’s great that the Z Flip 3 is more durable than the previous model – and it’s the right direction to go in order for foldable phones to be more compelling – the mainstream appeal of the Z Flip 3 is highly dependent on exactly how much it will cost.

Hopefully, Samsung Malaysia will price the Galaxy Z Flip 3 competitively enough. I’d argue it is more important to price this phone well over the decidedly more premium Z Fold 3. After all, if it’s affordable enough, the Z Flip 3 could be the first foldable phone most consumers will (seriously) consider picking up.


COVID-19 Vaccination For Those Below 18 Happening Soon

COVID-19 vaccination rate is ramping up quite a bit in Malaysia, and in the near future, even those below 18 will be vaccinated. Of course, individuals in this age group with underlying medical conditions will be prioritised.

This was revealed by Khairy Jamaluddin, the coordinating minister for the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. According to him, those between the age of 12 to 17 with comorbidities will receive priority for the COVID-19 vaccination.

As per
@DGHisham
’s latest circular following revised recommendations to
@JKJAVMY
, PICK will start giving vaccinations to 12-17 year olds with the following priority order:
1) 12-17 w/ underlying medical conditions
2) 12-17 w/ no medical issues based on age de-escalation.
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj)
August 13, 2021

Once that’s done, those in the same age group with no medical issues will then receive their vaccination. The priority for this will be based on age de-escalation, as Khairy puts it.

An announcement will be made next week by the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) on how COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents will be implemented. These details should be posted
on its Twitter account
.


ShopeeFood Coming to Malaysia September 2021 – Now Hiring Riders

There could be a new food delivery service in Malaysia, and it’s from Shopee. Dubbed ShopeeFood, the service was initially available in Indonesia, and it seems to be expanding to our shores very soon, where it would compete against GrabFood and FoodPanda.

First spotted by
Amanz
, ShopeeFood is likely coming to Malaysia sometime in September next month, according to a post on the service’s
Facebook page
. Unfortunately, ShopeeFood appears to be only limited to Klang Valley at the moment.

Once ShopeeFood is implemented, the service will be
directly implemented into the Shopee app
. Aside from that, ShopeeFood also accepts a wide range of vendors. Whether you have a shop, stall, or a home business, you can sign up to be a vendor with the service.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, it’s more important now than ever for food delivery services to be available. If you’re interested to be a vendor with ShopeeFood, you can get in touch with the company
over here
. You can also sign up as a rider for the service
right here
.


Honor Magic 3 & Magic 3 Pro Unveiled – Its First Flagship After Huawei Split

Honor just introduced its latest flagship smartphones, the Honor Magic 3 and Magic 3 Pro. These are the Chinese company’s first high-end phones after its split from Huawei, so they will ship with Google’s apps and services out of the box.

Let’s start with the higher-end phone of the two, the Magic 3 Pro. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ chipset, you can expect to get flagship-level performance out of this phone. On top of that, it feature a 6.76-inch 2772 x 1344 OLED screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate; the panel meets HDR10+ standard too.

Other specifications of the Magic 3 Pro include up to 12GB of RAM, two storage options (256GB or 512GB), a quad camera system (50MP primary + 64MP telephoto + 13MP ultra-wide angle + 64MP monochrome), a 13MP selfie camera, a 4,600mAh battery with 66W fast charging, as well as an IP68 rating.

For the most part, the standard Magic 3 shares the same hardware and design as the Pro model, though it does have a number of differences. It has a slightly older Snapdragon 888 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, and an IP54 rating. Oh, it also loses the 64MP telephoto camera.

Price wise, these premium flagships carry equally premium price tags. The Honor Magic 3 retails from €899 (about RM4,475), while the Magic 3 Pro starts at €1,099 (approximately RM5,470). At the time of writing, there’s no word yet on the Malaysian availability of the Magic 3 Pro series.


Honor Magic 3 Pro+ Also Official With Premium Ceramic Body & Sophisticated Quad Camera

Aside from the
Magic 3 and Magic 3 Pro
, there’s also the third device in the series, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+. Featuring a ceramic body and a more sophisticated quad camera system, it’s touted by the Chinese company to be the most premium device in the lineup.

Beyond the slightly different camera array and ceramic body, the Magic 3 Pro+ is very similar to the standard Pro model. It’s still powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ chipset, and it has a 6.76-inch 2772 x 1344 OLED screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and support for HDR10+.

As for the Magic 3 Pro+’s camera system, it has the same 64MP telephoto and 64MP monochrome sensors as the regular Pro, but its 50MP primary lens has a larger 1/1.28-inch sensor for improved performance. On top of that, the ultra-wide angle shooter of this premium phone is now a 64MP unit as well instead of 13MP.

Other specifications of the Magic 3 Pro+ include 12GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage, a 13MP selfie camera, a 4,600mAh battery with 66W fast charging, and an IP68 rating. Of course, given that Honor is no longer a sub-brand of Huawei, this phone also ships with Google’s apps and services.

Given its premium positioning, the Honor Magic 3 Pro+ is quite a costly phone too; it retails at €1,499, which comes up to about RM7,465. Just like the rest of the Magic 3 phones, it remains to be seen when – or if – the Magic 3 Pro+ will be available in Malaysia.


Custom Keyboard – What Affects Sound Profile?

One of the main draws of the custom keyboard hobby is the ability to customise a board to your liking, including its sound profile. Whether you like a thocky or clacky keyboard, there are quite a number of ways to change – or even accentuate – the sound profile of a board.

If you’re building a custom keyboard with a particular sound signature in mind, take note of these factors – you’d be surprised how much each of them can affect the sound profile.

The Keyboard Itself

Needless to say, which custom keyboard you get will influence the sound profile the most. Practically every aspect of a keyboard can change the sound signature, from the mounting style, case material, to any unique design element of the board.

Take
Owlab’s Jelly Epoch
: even though it’s a gasket-mounted keyboard – this mounting style usually produces a cleaner, higher-pitched sound signature – it has one of the
deepest, thockiest
 sound profiles we’ve ever heard from a keyboard. Of course, it also helps that it uses quite a bit of foam, which brings us to the next point..

Sound Deadening Material

There are a wide array of mods the custom keyboard community has experimented with over the years, and one of the more popular mods in recent times is the
PE foam mod
; the very same material used in the Jelly Epoch.

Basically, a sheet of PE foam is placed over the PCB in between the switches, and the result is a deeper, thockier sound profile. We did the same mod to our ai03 Vega, and you can hear for yourself just how much deeper it sounds in the
Anubis switch review
 below versus our first video with a “stock” Vega.

For keyboards that sound hollow, many folks turn to adding foam to fill up empty spaces to make for a more solid sound profile. However, doing so also runs the risk of muting the sound “character” of a keyboard too much – it’s all about finding the right balance.

Switch

Naturally, switches affect the sound profile of a keyboard quite a bit too. Let’s bring the Jelly Epoch back to the picture: it is an inherently deep, thocky keyboard. But I’m currently using stock NovelKeys Cream switches on this board – to break them in before lubing – and boy, I’m surprised how clacky the Jelly Epoch is now!

NovelKeys Cream, besides its very scratchy nature out of the box, is one of the clackiest switches in the market, just like the
SP-Star
. Depending on the sound profile that you want to achieve out of your custom keyboard, pick your switch carefully. Want a thocky sound profile? Then the
Cobalt POM
 and
Anubis
 switches are great options.

That’s not all: lubing and filming switches will change their sound profile too. If you use a thick lube such as Krytox 205g0, it will lower the pitch of the switch. Installing a film can have the same effect too, with the added benefit of tightening the housing of switches, which can also result in a “cleaner” sound profile.

Keycap

If you’ve experimented with different switches and added sound deadening material to your keyboard, but still can’t quite get the sound profile that you want, consider getting a different set of keycaps. After all, keycaps offered with pre-built keyboards are (generally) not of particularly good quality.

Two things affect the sound quality of a keycap set: material and profile. In regard to the former, if you want a clacky, higher-pitched sound profile, look for keycaps made out of ABS plastic, such as GMK keycaps. Want a deeper sound signature instead? Then look for PBT keycaps.

As for profile – which is basically the height of the keycap – the taller the keycap is, the deeper it would sound, and vice versa. GMK keycaps, given their low profile and use of double-shot ABS plastic, have a clacky sound signature, and I absolutely love it.

It’s worth noting that not all ABS or PBT keycaps will sound the same; the keycap manufacturer matters too. The thickness of the keycap set, for one, differs from one manufacturer to another. If you’re wondering why certain keycap sets from a particular company
are so expensive
 – such as GMK sets – just know that there’s a good reason for it.

Deskmat

Among all of the factors listed in this article,
a deskmat
 impacts the sound profile of a keyboard the least…depending on how hollow your table is. A good,
high-quality deskmat
 helps to remove resonance from the table, so you can hear the “true” sound profile of your keyboard.

In fact, I actually stack a few deskmats on top of each other to really isolate my keyboard from the table. Really, depending on how hollow the surface you’re typing on, you may need the extra dampening of more than one deskmat to completely remove resonance.

So that’s roughly what you need to know to get the sound profile that you desire out of a custom keyboard. As its name suggests, a custom board gives you the ability to customise many aspects of the keyboard, and trust me, it’s a
really rewarding hobby
.

Well, and also quite punishing to the wallet. But it’s all worth it for a superior typing experience, right?


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 & Z Fold 3 to Retail From RM3,999 in Malaysia?

Samsung typically unveils the Malaysian pricing of its latest flagship smartphones relatively quickly after their global debut, but that wasn’t the case with the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
 and
Z Fold 3
. Well, based on some leaked details, we may have a good idea of how much these two foldable phones will cost locally.

First spotted by
Lowyat.NET
, both the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3
have been listed
 on
Digi’s website
; the listing for the two foldable phones are still up at the time of writing. According to Digi, the Z Fold 3 with 256GB of storage retails at RM4,199, while the Z Fold 3 is priced at RM6,699 and RM7,199 for the 256GB and 512GB models respectively.

What about the more affordable 128GB configuration of the Galaxy Z Flip 3? Well,
Amanz
 first spotted a
rather interesting post
 on Lowyat.NET’s forum, which shows that the 128GB variant of the Z Flip 3 costs RM3,999 on
Samsung Malaysia’s own online store
. Unfortunately, the price has been removed already.

If these prices are legitimate, Samsung Malaysia is certainly pricing these two foldable phones very, very competitively. To put this into context, the Z Flip 3 retails from $999 in the US, which comes up to about RM4,235. As for the Z Fold 3, it starts at $1,799 (about RM7,625) in the same market.

Evidently, the starting prices of the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
 and
Z Fold 3
 are quite a bit lower in Malaysia than the US; assuming these leaked prices are legitimate, of course. Nonetheless, we expect Samsung Malaysia to officially reveal the local pricing of these two phones very soon.