Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review: Made For Note (And Snapdragon) Fans

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, especially for the Malaysian market, will appeal to two folks. Galaxy Note fans, for one, will love the built-in S Pen and Note-like design of this flagship phone. The other group? Users who have eagerly waited for Samsung Malaysia to bring in the Snapdragon variant of the Galaxy S series.

With the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you’re getting just that…and more. Of course, given the premium positioning of this phone, you’ll also have to pay a premium for it, though it’s not
that
 much more costly than its predecessor. Without further ado, here’s our review of the S22 Ultra.

What It Is

Display
6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (3088 x 1440), 120Hz adaptive
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 2.99GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 730
RAM
8/12GB
Storage
128/256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
108MP f/1.8, PDAF, OIS
12MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide angle), Dual Pixel AF
10MP f/2.4 (telephoto), Dual Pixel AF, OIS, 3x zoom
10MP f/4.9 (telephoto), Dual Pixel AF, OIS, 10x zoom
Laser autofocus system
Camera (front)
40MP f/2.2
Battery
5,000mAh with 45W fast charging (15W wireless)
Dimensions
163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm
Weight
228g
OS
One UI 4.1 based on Android 12
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ax
USB Type-C
Price
RM5,099 (128GB + 8GB), RM5,499 (256GB + 12GB), RM5,899 (512GB + 12GB)

There’s no denying that the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a high-end phone through and through. Not only does it have a stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate – it can alternate between 120Hz to as low as 1Hz – it even has a sophisticated, far-reaching quad camera system.

Granted, most of these hardware are also found on its predecessor (except for the S Pen, obviously), but what makes the S22 Ultra particularly unique for the Malaysian market is the inclusion of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. This is quite a surprise, given that the S series for our market had always used Exynos chips instead.

The Good Stuff

Let’s talk about the design of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra first, which I really, really like. Compared to the S21 Ultra, this new phone sports a more angular design with its flat top and bottom. The sides of the phone, on the other hand, are rounded; it’s almost like the display and glass back panel of the phone are wrapped around the frame. All in all, this makes for a premium phone in looks and feel.

And then there’s the camera arrangement on the back of the S22 Ultra. While it looks…well, slightly unconventional, I like the fact that the lenses are no longer housed in a large module. They look better (in my opinion) this way, even if the sensors are not quite as protected.

While design is subjective, it’s much easier to judge a display’s fidelity. In this regard, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a fantastic 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. According to Samsung, this is the brightest screen ever on a Galaxy S device with a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. Naturally, it also supports HDR10+ with 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut.

The result? Well, a very pleasant screen to look at. It can get really, really bright, it has vibrant colours, and this being an AMOLED panel, it also offers deep, true blacks with wide viewing angles. The display’s 120Hz adaptive refresh rate also makes it a joy to game on.

Speaking of which, the performance level of the S22 Ultra is undoubtedly good, especially after an update to remove the throttling by Samsung’s Game Optimization Service (GOS). While it still can’t run Genshin Impact at maxed out graphics settings – to be fair, not many flagship Android phones can – it still offers smooth enough gameplay.

What about the S Pen? Well, it’s great! Thanks to its lower latency, the writing experience is more fluid than ever. In short, it feels quite natural to write using the S Pen; almost like I’m physically scribbling on a piece of paper.

The design of the S Pen itself sees a slight revision as well. Previously, it was just a simple plastic stylus, but the S22 Ultra’s S Pen has a slightly rubberised texture for a more comfortable grip. I also like the fact that it’s finished in black now.

Last but not least is the camera performance of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which is (unsurprisingly)
excellent
. This applies to all four sensors of the quad camera system; not something that can be said of many, many other flagship-tier phones in the market now. Judge for yourself with these sample shots:

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

10MP telephoto (30x)

10MP telephoto (100x)

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

108MP primary

108MP primary

108MP primary

108MP primary

What remains to be very impressive is the zooming capability of the S22 Ultra’s telephoto cameras. While the image quality at 100x zoom isn’t great, I’d argue the 30x zoom is still acceptable. Of course, the camera interface itself is responsive too, and focus locking is very fast and accurate.

While the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a lot of winning qualities, it does have its fair share of shortcomings as well – let’s get to them in the next section.

The Bad Stuff

Despite its sizeable 5,000mAh battery, the S22 Ultra’s battery life is…decidedly average. Throughout the review period, I can only get about five hours of screen on time on a single charge. While this isn’t bad by any means, it’s certainly not class-leading.

But the biggest downside of the S22 Ultra has to be its high asking price. Retailing from RM5,099 – a RM100 price increase over the S21 Ultra – this is a costly device. You
do
 get a fantastic phone for that kind of money, but you can also get the same level of performance and refinement from a more affordable phone.

Is It Worth It?

Even though the value proposition of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra isn’t great, it does have more than a few winning qualities to justify its high price tag. Not only do you get an excellent far-reaching quad camera system with the S22 Ultra, there’s also the unmatched utility of the S Pen.

The S Pen has always been one of the best features of a Galaxy Note phone, and now that the series is (likely) discontinued, the stylus lives on with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Given that none of Samsung’s competition is able to offer the same utility as the S Pen, this stylus remains to be a winning feature for Samsung.

For fans of the S Pen – and the Galaxy Note lineup – the Galaxy S22 Ultra will be right up your alley. It really is a true successor to the Note series, which hasn’t seen an update for
almost two years now
. Even if you don’t need the utility of the S Pen, the S22 Ultra’s combination of a sophisticated camera system, stunning display, and high-end performance…make for a complete flagship smartphone.

With a matching price tag, of course.


Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5) Review: A “Jujutsu” Sorcerer in Beautiful, Dystopian Tokyo

When Ghostwire: Tokyo was first unveiled, I was immediately entranced by the combat system of the game. Performing spells with hand signs in the game seem very…Jujutsu Kaisen-like, or even like Doctor Strange-like, if you will.

But as I explore the world of Ghostwire, it is so much more than casting fancy spells to ward off supernatural beings. This dystopian, but still very beautiful Tokyo is awe-inspiring, and the game makes very good use of the PS5’s DualSense controller, so the gameplay is
that
 much more immersive.

If you want to live your dream as a “jujutsu” sorcerer in an open world setting set in Tokyo, Ghostwire is just the game for you.

What It Is

Available on both PS5 and PC, Ghostwire: Tokyo is a first-person game developed by Tango Gameworks. It follows a seemingly normal human named Akito, the protagonist, who gained mysterious new powers when he was possessed by a spirit who calls himself KK.

A “massive paranormal event” then wiped out 99% of Tokyo’s population, and spirits from Japanese folklore started roaming the streets. Some of them can be quite…eerie, and it is up to Akito and KK to unravel the mystery of the paranormal event.

As mentioned, Ghostwire is offered on both PS5 and PC. The PS5 version is priced at
RM249 for the Standard Edition
, while the
Deluxe Edition is priced at RM339
. You can even play the game three days early (on 22 March) with this edition.

If you want to get Ghostwire on PC instead, you can buy it at a lower price: it goes for RM179.99 and RM239.99 for the Standard and Deluxe Editions respectively. Of course, you can purchase the PC version on both
Steam
 and the
Epic Games Store
.

The Good Stuff

I love a game with a good story to tell, so I really enjoyed the storyline of Ghostwire: Tokyo. There’s good character development – even if the side characters aren’t explored much – the plot is decent, and I was excited to progress through the main story. It’s just unfortunate that it is a tad too brief; I completed the story in about 15 hours.

Thankfully, there are a ton of side missions scattered throughout Tokyo in Ghostwire, and some of them can be quite riveting. Many of these side missions are inspired by stories that were told to the developers at Tango Gameworks, and it’s evident that some of them feel quite personal.

Speaking of which, the open world of Ghostwire is quite fun to explore as well. I find myself engrossed in traversing every nook and cranny of Tokyo, finding collectables and collecting spirits to further develop my skill tree. I really enjoyed gliding from one rooftop to another too – Akito certainly feels very mobile.

Of course, Ghostwire’s combat system is done quite well too; I especially like the fancy hand signs that Akito does. There are three main “ethereal weaves” or spells in the game: wind, fire, and water. Wind focuses on quick attacks, fire does more damage (with less ammo available), and water performs wide, short-ranged attacks.

At times, combat in Ghostwire can feel quite chaotic and disconnected, but once I got the hang of it – with upgraded spells – it can be quite fun. It’s a little annoying that getting a perfect block doesn’t always perform a counterattack (it depends on the attack itself), but when it does, it
is
 satisfying.

Tell me this isn’t eerie?

Graphically, the city of Tokyo in Ghostwire is rendered beautifully on the PS5. It gives off just the right amount of eeriness, especially when I’m in a dilapidated building filled with spirits from Japanese folklore. Trust me, some of them can
really
 make your skin crawl, which shows just how well-designed the enemies are.

As with any PS5 game, I’m excited to see how the DualSense controller’s refined haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are used in Ghostwire. Well, I’m happy to report that Tango took advantage of these hardware very well. Remember the different spells I talked about? Depending on which element you use, the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback change accordingly.

When I’m using quick wind attacks, for example, there are less resistance on the adaptive triggers. But if I switch to the more powerful fire spells, the triggers feel heavier with more pronounced haptic feedback. All in all, Tango Gameworks made very good use the DualSense’s features.

The Bad Stuff

While Ghostwire: Tokyo’s graphics look great, there are still room for improvement on the PS5. I play the game almost exclusively in Performance Mode to set the framerate at 60fps, but unfortunately enough, there are a few instances where the framerate noticeably drops.

Granted, this doesn’t happen too frequently; it mostly happens when I’m high up on the rooftops of Tokyo as the game tries to render the surrounding area. It doesn’t happen during fast-paced combat situations, so that’s good.

What’s not good are the selection of weapons in Ghostwire. Aside from the three ethereal weaves I’ve mentioned, you only get a bow and arrow (which is very unwieldy to use) and some talismans that can either stun enemies or distract them.

This lack of weapon variety makes the combat system feel not as fleshed out as it should be. Don’t get me wrong, I like the combat of Ghostwire; I just wish there was another layer of complexity to it for a more “complete” experience.

My last qualm with Ghostwire is the English voice-over. Personally, I prefer the Japanese audio – this is actually the default option – but I decided to give the English option a try for the sake of the review. It’s not bad, per se, but it is distracting that the lip-syncing, which is catered to the Japanese voice-over, doesn’t match.

Is It Worth It?

Even though Ghostwire: Tokyo suffers from some performance issues on the PS5 with not much weapon variety, it is still an easy game to recommend. It has a robust combat system, an engrossing storyline, and most of all, it’s a gorgeous game set in a beautifully rendered dystopian Tokyo – with some frightening Japanese folklore spirits to boot.

Yes, you can pet the dogs in Ghostwire

In retrospect, while I wish the combat system is a bit more sophisticated, it
is
 refreshing that Ghostwire doesn’t demand too much from players. The skill tree is straightforward, there are no long-winded cutscenes with a convoluted plot, and it’s a game that I can just pick up and jump straight in without much thought.

Is Ghostwire a must-play title? Not necessarily, but it’s definitely a game that I thoroughly enjoyed. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have side missions to complete in Tokyo…as a “jujutsu” sorcerer.

Ghostwire: Tokyo launches on PS5 and PC on 25 March.


Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate Hotswap Keyboard Costs RM799 in Malaysia

The Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate is finally available in Malaysia. Featuring a hotswap PCB with a unique AniMe Matrix LED display on the top right corner of the keyboard – not unlike the one found on the
Zephyrus G14
 gaming laptop – this is quite an interesting pre-built keyboard.

Retailing at RM799, three different switch options are offered with the Flare II: ROG NX Brown (tactile), Red (linear), and Blue (clicky). It’s worth noting that Asus’ NX Brown switch has a much more pronounced tactile bump than, say, a Cherry MX Brown switch, so don’t be fooled by its name.

Aside from that, the Flare II is a full-size keyboard with a hotswap PCB, though it only supports three-pin switches. It also has double shot PBT keycaps with “shortened stems and mid-height profiles” to reduce key wobble and improve ergonomics. Compared to OEM keycaps, this keycap set definitely has a lower profile; almost like a Cherry profile, in fact.

To recap, the Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate is now available in Malaysia. You can get purchase it through
Asus’ official Shopee store
 for RM799. Not sure if it’s the right pre-built keyboard for you? Then stay tuned for our full review of the Flare II!


Neotez Gaming Monitors Discounted up to RM200 in Malaysia Until 30 April 2022

To celebrate Neotez’s arrival in Malaysia, the company is offering a discount on its range of gaming monitors on our shores. These include the Aquila 24, Aquila 27, and the biggest of the lot, the Aquila 34. For a limited time, you can save up to RM200 on these monitors.

Of course, the RM200 discount is reserved for the Aquila 34 ultrawide monitor. Originally retailing at RM2,099, this 34-inch 3440 x 1440 curved gaming monitor with a VA panel is now
listed at RM1,899
. It also has a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR400 certification.

The Neotez Aquila 27

And then there’s the
Aquila 27
, a 27-inch 1440p IPS gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate. Also sporting a HDR400 certification, it can be purchased
at only RM1,399
 now, saving you RM150. Last but not least is the most affordable Aquila 24. This 24-inch 1080p IPS monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate usually retails at RM899, but it is currently going
for only RM799
.

We were told by Neotez that this launch promotion for the Aquila monitors will be valid until 30 April 2022 next month. That’s ample amount of time to take advantage of these discounted prices.


Oppo Reno 7 Z With Snapdragon 695 Launching in Malaysia 29 March

Initially set to be launched in April
 next month, Oppo Malaysia just revealed that the Oppo Reno 7 Z will be launched on our shores next week on 29 March. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, it is quite a well-equipped device in its segment.

Given that it features a Snapdragon 695 chipset, the Reno 7 Z is in the same league as the
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
, for example. It also has a triple camera system made up of a 64MP primary shooter, a 2MP monochrome sensor, and a 2MP macro lens.

Other specifications of the Reno 7 Z include a 6.43-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, a 16MP selfie camera, a 4,500mAh battery, and ColorOS 12 based on Android 11 out of the box.

The Oppo Reno 7 Z will be launched in Malaysia next week on 29 March. No word yet on how much it will cost in our market, though it should be more affordable than the
RM1,999 Reno 7
.


Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate Review: RM799 for a Hotswap Keyboard With an LED Display

As the custom keyboard scene grows, we can see that a number of pre-built keyboards have started implementing some features that are more commonly found on enthusiast-level keyboards. One of them is a hotswap PCB, which is one of the best qualities of this keyboard, the Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate.

Of course, it also has a unique AniMe Matrix LED display on the top right corner; similar to the larger LED panel on the top lid of the
Zephyrus G14
 gaming laptop. Unfortunately, the Flare II still has the typical shortcomings of a pre-built keyboard, and priced at RM799, it’s not particularly affordable either.

What It Is

The ROG Strix Flare II Animate is a full-size keyboard with a hotswap PCB as one of its best selling points, even if it only supports three-pin switches. It also has double shot PBT keycaps with “shortened stems and mid-height profiles” to reduce key wobble and improve ergonomics. Compared to OEM keycaps, this keycap set definitely has a lower profile; almost like a Cherry profile, in fact.

Aside from that, the Flare II is also offered in three different switches: ROG NX Brown (tactile), Red (linear), and Blue (clicky). It’s worth noting that Asus’ NX Brown switch – this review unit comes with this option – has a much more pronounced tactile bump than, say, a Cherry MX Brown switch, so don’t be fooled by its name.

Regardless of which switch option you go with, the Flare II is priced at RM799. Needless to say, this is a steep price tag for a pre-built keyboard, though you do get features you cannot find on a custom keyboard – let’s talk about them in the next section.

The Good Stuff

While there are some custom keyboards that have implemented a screen of sorts, none of them is quite as unique as the LED display on the ROG Strix Flare II Animate. Not only can you customise it to show your own animations, it also shows some useful information. As you adjust the volume with the scroll wheel, for example, the LED display will show the volume level.

Speaking of which, I really, really like the scroll wheel of the Flare II. Not only is it made of metal, there are subtle clicks that feel
very
 satisfying as I use it to control the volume. The toggle to the left of the wheel can also reverse or skip track, and the circular button on the side is used to pause playback.

Naturally, the Flare II has some bright RGB lighting too. The legends on the keycaps are also translucent, so you get the full per-key RGB effect on every key. I’m not big on RGB lighting on my keyboard, but I imagine folks who don’t share my sentiment will appreciate this feature.

I’m also quite a fan of the ROG NX Brown switch on the Flare II. It has a pronounced, rounded tactile event that starts at the very top of the downstroke. While it’s not as tactile as the
Gazzew Boba U4T
 or
Anubis
, it’s comfortably a medium tactile switch. On top of that, it has reasonably minimal stem wobble as well, though it also has a slight scratchiness throughout the downstroke.

If you want to experiment with different switches, no problem. The Flare II’s hotswap PCB allows you to seamlessly swap switches whenever you want to, but it’s unfortunate that it only supports three-pin switches.

Build quality of the Flare II is surprisingly good too. Even though it has a plastic bottom case, the keyboard itself has almost no flex at all; it’s one solid keyboard. Speaking of flex, the Flare II also offers a stiff typing experience. Depending on your preference, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The Bad Stuff

What is definitely a bad thing is the costar-style stabilisers of the ROG Strix Flare II Animate. Not only is it harder to tune than your conventional plate-mounted stabilisers, it is also quite tricky to assemble and disassemble as it requires you to carefully hook the wire to the housing.

Of course, it’s still possible to lube these stabilisers with a syringe to eliminate the slight ticking and rattling on these stabilisers – despite the fact that they are factory lubed – but it definitely takes more work than necessary.

And then there’s the…unrefined sound profile of the Flare II, to put it bluntly. This is really a typical trait of a pre-built mechanical keyboard: not only is this quite a loud keyboard, it has a plasticky sound signature too. I’m also not a fan of the overly rough double shot PBT keycaps.

But the biggest shortcoming of the Flare II has to be its RM799 price tag. For the same amount of money, you can get yourself a decent custom keyboard, such as the
Meletrix Zoom65
. Granted, it’s not as readily available as the Flare II, but you do get a superior typing experience and build quality.

Is It Worth It?

It may sound cliche, but it really depends on what you want out of a keyboard. If you want a no-nonsense, readily available full-size keyboard with hotswap support, a nice, metal scroll wheel, and a unique LED panel, then the Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate is a good option.

However, if you want the best typing experience you can get at this price point, and you don’t mind much longer waiting times, then putting the RM799 into a custom keyboard instead is the better alternative. It will take more of your time, for sure, but the end result will be well worth it.

But not everyone is willing to put in the time and effort into building a custom keyboard, which is where the Flare II comes in. Yes, you’ll sacrifice on typing experience, but you’re still getting a reasonably good mechanical keyboard with a unique LED display, a nice scroll wheel, and a full-size layout – features you don’t usually get with a custom keyboard.


Dell G15 With 12th Gen Intel CPU Quietly Launched in Malaysia From Only RM4,499

Looking for an affordable gaming laptop? Then consider the new Dell G15. Not only does it start at only RM4,499 in Malaysia, this budget-friendly gaming laptop is also powered by Intel’s latest 12th gen processors.

Of course, the RM4,499 price tag is for the base model of the G15. It comes with a Core i5-12500H processor paired with 8GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, a 15.6-inch 1080p WVA display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 256GB SSD.

If you want something even more powerful, there’s the RTX 3070 Ti variant of the G15 for RM7,299. Aside from the much beefier GPU, this configuration is also packed with a Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, a faster 165Hz 1080p display, as well as a 512GB SSD.

Aside from these models, you can actually configure other hardware of the G15 on
Dell’s Malaysian online store
. You can change the GPU to an RTX 3050 Ti or RTX 3060, and there’s even an option to upgrade the screen to a 1440p panel with a blazing fast 240Hz refresh rate, though this configuration is only offered with an RTX 3060 GPU.

You can purchase and see all configurations of the new Dell G15 on
Dell’s online store
. You can also check out our review of the
previous generation G15 here
 if you’d like to learn more about this gaming laptop.


Alienware m15 R7 Also in Malaysia – 12th Gen Intel CPU, up to RTX 3080 Ti, From RM7,699

Dell also brought in the updated Alienware m15 R7 with Intel’s 12th gen processors. Of course, given the premium positioning of this gaming laptop – especially compared to the
more affordable Dell G15
 – you do have to pay a premium for it too.

The most affordable variant of the m15 R7 for the Malaysian market retails at RM7,699. For that kind of money, you’re getting a Core i7-12700H processor – the sole chip option for the m15 R7 locally – paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 165Hz refresh rate (and G-Sync support), as well as a 512GB SSD.

Want a more powerful GPU? Well, you can swap out the RTX 3050 Ti for an RTX 3060 graphics card for RM8,299; you’re essentially paying RM600 for this upgrade. You can also change the GPU to an even beefier RTX 3070 Ti card for RM9,899.

It’s also possible to configure the m15 R7 with a very capable RTX 3080 Ti, though you’ll have to pay a cool RM12,399 for this. The
online configurator
 also lets you add more RAM, SSD storage, and opt for a QHD 240Hz or FHD 360Hz screen. Naturally, all display options for this gaming laptop support Nvidia G-Sync technology.

You can purchase (and configure) the Alienware m15 R7 in Malaysia right now through
Dell’s online store
. If you’d like to learn more about this gaming laptop, check out our review of the previous model
right here
.


Alienware x15 R2, x17 R2 Now More Affordable in Malaysia – Thin, Premium Gaming Laptops From RM10,799

Initially launched in Malaysia last month, Dell is currently offering a discount on the Alienware x15 R2 and x17 R2 on our shores. These are thin, premium gaming laptops with Intel’s 12th gen chips, so you do have to pay an equally premium price tag for them.

Let’s start with the more “affordable” gaming laptop of the two, the x15 R2. Starting at a cool RM10,799 (discounted from RM12,999), it features a Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a 165Hz refresh rate and G-Sync support, as well as a 512GB SSD.

Of course, with a 15.9mm thin chassis (16.3mm for the FHD model), this is really a slim gaming machine.

The Alienware x15 R2

As for the larger x17 R2, it retails from RM11,599 (usually RM13,599). For that kind of money, it has the exact same hardware as the base model of the X15 R2 above, though it does come with a bigger 17.3-inch 1080p display with G-Sync support and a 165Hz refresh rate. Oh, it is also slightly thicker, measuring 20.9mm thin.

Do note that these are just the starting prices of the x15 R2 and x17 R2. You can configure the various hardware of the two gaming laptops through Dell’s Malaysian online store, such as the GPU (up to an RTX 3080 Ti), and even a blazing fast 360Hz FHD display.

The Alienware x17 R2

You can now purchase the
Alienware x15 R2
 and
x17 R2
 in Malaysia via Dell’s online store. To recap, the x15 R2 now retails from RM10,799, while the x17 R2 starts at RM11,599 locally.


24 – 30 March Fuel Price: RON 97 Finally Down 17 Sen, Others Unchanged

RON 97 is finally going down in price this week! For the next seven days, RON 97 will be cheaper by 17 sen per litre. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

From tomorrow onwards, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.83 per litre (down from RM4.00). 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 24 to 30 March 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


The 14.5mm Thin Alienware x14 Gaming Laptop Receives RM1,600 Discount in Malaysia

The Alienware x14 was launched in Malaysia last month, and surprisingly enough, it is far more affordable now. Measuring only 14.5mm thin, this is a thin and compact 14-inch gaming laptop with reasonably powerful hardware.

Originally retailing at a hefty RM10,099, the Alienware x14 now goes for only RM8,499. For that kind of money, you’re getting an Intel Core i7-12700H processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 4800MHz RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, a 14-inch 1080p G-Sync display with a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 512GB SSD.

There is also a more powerful RTX 3060 variant of the Alienware x14 for RM9,399 (discounted from RM10,799). It has mostly the same hardware as the RTX 3050 Ti model, but the GPU is (naturally) upgraded to an RTX 3060. It also has faster 16GB LPDDR5 5200MHz RAM.

You can now purchase the Alienware x14 on
Dell’s Malaysian online store
 from only RM8,499. With a 14.5mm thin chassis in a compact 14-inch form factor, the x14 is the ideal laptop for those who want a portable (but still reasonably powerful) gaming machine.


Asus ROG Flow Z13 Launched in Malaysia – RTX 3050 Gaming Tablet From RM7,999

The
Asus ROG Flow Z13
 has just been launched in Malaysia. Touted as the “world’s fastest gaming tablet,” it’s really a capable, portable gaming machine, though you also have to pay quite a hefty price tag for it.

Three variants of the Flow Z13 are available in Malaysia. The RM7,999 base model, for one, features an Intel Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, a 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 512GB SSD.

A tier up is the Core i9-12900H configuration of the Flow Z13, which costs a cool RM8,799. Aside from the faster processor, you’re also getting a beefier RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a generous 1TB SSD. Given that you’re only paying RM800 for these upgrades, it’s quite worth it.

Last but not least is the range-topping Flow Z13 for an
eye-watering RM15,999
. Aside from a sharper 4K screen (though the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz), this variant also bundles the ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure, which houses a powerful RTX 3080 GPU (150W TGP).

One of the best qualities of the Flow Z13 has to be its tablet form factor; similar to
Microsoft’s Surface tablets
. Weighing only 1.1kg with a 12mm thin chassis, this is a very portable gaming machine. It also comes with a detachable keyboard case, an adjustable kickstand, and a 56Wh battery.

The standalone models of the Asus ROG Flow Z13 – that is, the RM7,999 and RM8,799 variants – can now be purchased in Malaysia. If you want the RM15,999 ROG XG Mobile bundle instead, it will be available here sometime in April 2022 next month.


Nothing Teases Nothing Phone 1 – Coming Summer 2022 With “Fast, Smooth” Nothing OS

Nothing, founded by former OnePlus CEO Carl Pei, finally announced its first-ever smartphone; sort of. Though no images or hardware of the phone were released, we now know that the Nothing Phone 1 is set to be launched sometime in summer 2022 – that’s between June to September.

Aside from that, it’s also confirmed that the Phone 1 will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon mobile platform. It’s not known yet if this means it’ll feature the flagship-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, though this is likely the case if the Phone 1 is positioned as a high-end device.

Nothing OS always on display

Nothing OS home screen

While details on the Phone 1 itself were scarce, Nothing did reveal the software that will be powering the device. Dubbed Nothing OS (of course), it is said to deliver a “fast, smooth, and personal experience.” The Android launcher seems to use Nothing’s signature dotted font as well.

Interestingly, users can actually give Nothing OS a try way before the Phone 1 is released. A launcher of the software will actually be available to download on selected smartphones next month in April, though these devices have not been revealed yet.

As for the Nothing Phone 1 itself, it will be introduced sometime in June to September 2022 in the summer. Evidently, Nothing is building anticipation for its first-ever smartphone.


QK65 Custom Keyboard Goes on Sale 31 March in Malaysia – Starts at RM669

Qwertykey, a sister company of Owlab – the brand behind the popular
Jelly Epoch
 and Mr. Suit custom keyboards – announced its first-ever keyboard, the QK65, not too long ago. What makes this custom board particularly interesting is its affordable price tag and feature set, and you can get it in Malaysia next week on 31 March.

Of course, Rebult Keyboards will be the Malaysian vendor for the QK65. Two distinct finishes of the custom keyboard are offered: the anodised version retails at RM669, while the e-white models are priced at RM755.

Do note that these prices include a solderable PCB and a plate of your choice. If you want to swap the PCB to a hotswap one instead, you’ll have to add RM86.

The Black Chroma QK65 is one of the most unique colour options

So what do you get with the QK65? Well, a number of very enticing features, including a gasket mounting system that’s similar to the popular Mr. Suit. It also has a die-cast aluminium bottom case with a stamped stainless steel weight (PVD-coated in very eye-catching colours) to bring down the price of the keyboard.

This being an “Owlab-style” keyboard – really, that’s what Qwertykeys said – the QK65 has quite a number of foam to produce a deep, thocky sound signature. It even has some silicone dampeners to further enhance the acoustics of the keyboard.

Oh, did we mention that the QK65 is also bundled with a carrying bag
and
 Owlab’s Liquidmetal Owlstabs stabilisers? Needless to say, the value proposition of this keyboard is very, very good.

You can join the sale for the QK65 in Malaysia on
Rebult Keyboards’ online store
 next week on 31 March at 8PM. Only one unit is allowed per order, though you can make multiple orders. Fulfilment of the QK65 is estimated to begin in June or July 2022 – reasonably short waiting time for a custom keyboard.


Astro Unveils Its Fibre Internet Plans – From RM129.99 for 50Mbps Plan With Astro TV Pack

Astro finally unveiled its fibre internet plans. Starting from RM129, Astro Fibre offers speeds between 50Mbps to 800Mbps. Naturally, the company is also bundling its fibre internet plans with various Astro subscriptions.

Four different speeds are offered: 50Mbps (RM129.99), 100Mbps (RM184.99), 500Mbps (RM244.99), and 800Mbps (RM304.99). Each subscription comes with a WiFi 6 router and one mesh WiFi, along with an Astro TV pack of your choice.

It’s worth noting that there is actually a typo on the
official product page for Astro Fibre
. Take the 50Mbps plan: it’s said to only offer up to 6Mbps download speed. This
should
 actually be 6MBps (megabyte instead of megabit), as 50 megabit converts to 6 megabyte.

Anyway, more information on Astro Fibre can be found
right here
, along with the Astro TV packs on offer. You can also sign up for the fibre internet plan through the same link.


Realme GT 2 Pro Lands in Malaysia – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Phone for RM2,599

Well, Realme is delivering on its promise to make the Realme GT 2 Pro the most affordable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phone in Malaysia. Retailing at only RM2,599, it undercuts both the
Xiaomi 12
 and
Motorola Edge 30
.

However, there is a caveat: the GT 2 Pro will only be priced at RM2,599 (discounted from RM2,999) between 25 – 26 March and 30 – 31 March on its
official Shopee store
. Those who purchase the flagship phone within the promotional period will also receive a Realme Buds 2 Neo earphones for free.

For that kind of money, the GT 2 Pro is powered by the aforementioned Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The sole variant also features 12GB of RAM and 1256GB of internal storage. These are quite generous capacities, especially at this price point.

Other specifications of the GT 2 Pro include a 6.7-inch 1440p LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 50MP ultra-wide angle + 3MP micro-lens), a 32MP selfie camera, as well as a 5,000mAh battery with support for 65W fast charging.

The Realme GT 2 Pro will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 25 March onwards on
Shopee
. To recap, you can get this phone for only RM2,599 (instead of RM2,999) if you get it through the
e-commerce platform
 between 25 – 26 March and 30 – 31 March.


Realme Narzo 50 & Narzo 50A Prime Now in Malaysia From RM529

Realme also launched two affordable phones in Malaysia today: the Realme Narzo 50 and Realme Narzo 50A Prime. Retailing from only RM529, these budget-friendly devices also offer reasonably good hardware for the money.

The higher-end phone of the two is the Narzo 50. The 4GB + 64GB variant is priced at RM699, while the more generous 6GB + 128GB configuration costs RM799. Between 27 to 29 March, you can get these two models at only RM649 and RM729 respectively on Lazada.

Rounding out the specifications of the Narzo 50 are a MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, a 6.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.

And then there’s the more affordable Narzo 50A Prime. Two variants (both with 4GB RAM) are also offered: the 64GB model costs RM629, while the 128GB configuration goes for RM679. On 25 and 26 March, you can get them at RM529 and RM579 respectively through Shopee.

Given its more affordable price tag, the Narzo 50A Prime has a more modest set of hardware. These include a Unisoc T612 processor, a 6.6-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 2MP macro + 0.3MP depth), an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging.


Shopee User Spent RM247,000 on Shopee 3.15 Consumer Day

Shopee just released some interesting insights on its 3.15 Consumer Day sale last week. One Shopee user, for example, spent a
whopping RM247,000
 on that day itself.

So what exactly did the user buy? Well, Shopee said the individual bought home appliances, including various vacuum cleaners and a smart TV to reach that impressive figure. Aside from that, in the first two hours of the sale alone, five times more items were sold on Shopee compared to an average day.

Of course, just like other Shopee mega sales, the e-commerce platform offered a slew of vouchers for users to collect. In fact, over 36 million vouchers were claimed by users
per hour
 on 15 March. ShopeePay transactions also increased by up to 3.5 times.

“We are happy to see more people finding time to celebrate and reward themselves at our first 3.15 Consumer Day,” said the head of marketing campaigns at Shopee Malaysia, Kenneth Soh. “The year has only just begun, and users can look forward to even more exciting activities to enjoy in the months ahead,” he added.


iPhone 13 Pro Max Alpine Green Unboxing – Faster Than Any Android Phone!

The new green colourways for the iPhone 13 series are now available in Malaysia! The standard iPhone 13 gets the new Green colour option, while the iPhone 13 Pro lineup – including the iPhone 13 Pro Max you see here – sports a slightly lighter shade of green dubbed Alpine Green.

Now that the green iPhones are available in Malaysia, here’s our unboxing of the iPhone 13 Pro Max in Alpine Green. While a green phone is not exactly…well, new, the Alpine Green shade certainly gives this iPhone a unique aesthetic.

It’s easy to tell that you’ve got the Alpine Green iPhone 13 Pro Max based on the packaging; the image of the new colour is prominently shown on the box itself. It’s also a slim, compact box, given that a charger is no longer bundled with the phone.

If you’re curious, the shade of green shown on the packaging is different than the actual Alpine Green colour. The phone looks slightly darker, as you can see below. This can be attributed to the smooth matte finish on the glass rear panel of the iPhone, which also feels very nice to the touch.

Depending on lighting, the Alpine Green colour can actually look like a shade of grey; again, likely because of the matte finish. Personally, I quite like this: not only does it look great, it also gives the iPhone a unique aesthetic.

Of course, the stainless steel frame of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is also finished in a shade of green. It’s a nice, subtle (and very glossy) finish, and thanks to the flat nature of the frame, it’s easy to get a good grip on the phone.

So what else do you get in the box? Well, there’s a USB-C to Lightning cable, an Apple sticker, a SIM ejector pin, some instruction booklets, and…that’s it.

As for the iPhone 13 Pro Max itself, it’s still the same excellent phone. It has a bright and vibrant Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, which offers an adaptive refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz. This is the first iPhone – alongside the iPhone 13 Pro – to sport such a high refresh rate.

Aside from that, the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s OLED display also has a max outdoor brightness of 1000 nits; this is said to be the brightest screen ever on an iPhone. The notch is also 20% smaller now, so you get a sleeker, more modern-looking phone, though it still doesn’t look quite as sleek as its Android competition.

But no Android phone to date can rival the performance of the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip with a powerful 5-core GPU, it offers 50% faster graphics performance than “the leading competition.” In fact, it is touted to offer the fastest graphics performance on
any smartphone
.

After playing a quick session of
Genshin Impact
 on this phone, I’m inclined to agree. Not only can I set the framerate to 120fps – not even the PC version has this option – it also runs
buttery smooth
, even at this high refresh rate.

I cannot stress enough just how impressive this is. I’ve reviewed many high-end, flagship Android phones, and none of them can even run Genshin Impact smoothly at 60fps without stuttering. There’s really no denying the fast performance of Apple’s A15 Bionic chip.

Anyway, the triple camera system of the iPhone 13 Pro Max has been improved too. There’s now a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and get this: a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens with autofocus capability. This allows the iPhone to capture macro shots, much like
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra
 and
S22 Ultra
.

Battery life of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is also better now. The combination of the A15 Bionic chip, iOS 15’s power efficiency, and a larger battery, allow this iPhone to return up to 2.5 hours longer battery life than its direct predecessor, the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

After many years of using an Android phone as my daily driver, I’m excited to switch to the iPhone 13 Pro Max to see how it stacks up to its Android competition in this day and age. Design wise, the iPhone isn’t the sleekest-looking phone with its notched display, but in terms of raw performance, the A15 Bionic chip easily surpasses the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.

If you’re keen to get the iPhone 13 Pro Max, you can do so right now through
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. Alternatively, the new Alpine Green colourway should be available at your nearest Apple reseller too. Starting at RM5,299, the iPhone 13 Pro Max certainly carries a premium price tag, but so does its competition.


Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – How Good Is the Camera’s Zoom Performance?

One of the most highlighted features of the
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
 has to be its quad camera system. Made up of a 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle shooter, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP lens with 10x optical zoom, this is a sophisticated, far-reaching camera array.

In fact, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, just like
its predecessor
, can do 100x Space Zoom, which can deliver some interesting results! But just how good is this quad camera configuration? Well, take a look at the sample shots below taken with all four cameras of the flagship phone.

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

10MP telephoto (30x)

10MP telephoto (100x)

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

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

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

12MP ultra-wide angle

108MP primary

10MP telephoto (3x)

10MP telephoto (10x)

But overall, the Galaxy S22 Ultra still offers excellent camera performance. All four sensors of the quad camera system can take great-looking shots, which is not something that can be said of many other flagship phones.

Yes, the 10x telephoto lens does struggle a bit in nighttime shooting, but it can still return good results most of the time. It also helps that the camera interface itself is responsive in most conditions, not to mention the fact that the camera can lock in focus accurately in a quick manner.

If you want a high-end flagship phone with a sophisticated, far-reaching camera system, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is easily one of the best – if not
the best
 – options in the market now. If you’d like to learn more about this premium phone, check out our
full review of the S22 Ultra
.


iPhone SE (2022) Hands-On: The Most Powerful RM2,099 Phone

Let’s cut to the chase: you will not find a phone faster than the 2022 iPhone SE at the RM2,099 price point. After all, this third generation iPhone SE is powered by Apple’s very own A15 Bionic chip – the same chip used in the
higher-end iPhone 13 series
.

However, even though the iPhone SE is a
fast
 phone, it also has…well, a dated-looking design. Sharing the same chassis as the iPhone 8 – which was launched five years ago in 2017 – it has a compact 4.7-inch display as well. To some folks, this may be too small.

But if you can overlook the “vintage” design and small screen of the iPhone SE, it really is the
fastest
 phone you can get for RM2,099 – here’s our hands-on of this blazing fast compact phone.

As with any new iPhones, the 2022 iPhone SE does not come with a charger, evident by the slim packaging. Thankfully, a USB-C to Lightning cable is provided with the phone, though you’d need to get a charger with a USB-C port to use the cable.

This is the Midnight variant of the iPhone SE, which is quite an interesting colour. At a glance, it looks like your standard black phone, but it’s really a dark blue shade. If you want a brighter colour, you can opt for the Starlight or (very striking) Product Red colourway.

One of my favourite features of the iPhone SE has to be its compact form factor. Sporting a 4.7-inch 1334 x 750 IPS display – which looks great, especially for an LCD panel – I love the fact that I can comfortably type on this phone with only one hand.

Yes, this 4.7-inch display is definitely on the small side, but it’s still very usable, in my opinion. The on-screen keyboard does not feel cramped to me, I’ve got enough screen real estate to comfortably browse the web, and I can play
Genshin Impact
 quite well on this compact display.

What’s not so great, however, are the chunky bezels surrounding the screen of the iPhone SE. This gives the phone its dated-looking design, even if you do get the home button with Touch ID; perfect for those that don’t like Face ID or gesture navigation of modern iPhones.

While the design of the iPhone SE is straight out of 2017, its performance level is a
completely
different story. As mentioned, it is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic chip, so it’s no exaggeration to say that it is
as fast as the iPhone 13 phones
. Needless to say, this is an impressive feat.

Of course, to test out the performance of the 2022 iPhone SE, I
had
 to run Genshin Impact on it; this is easily one of the most demanding mobile games now. Well, as expected, the compact phone ran the game with absolutely no issue at all with
maxed out
 graphics settings at 60fps.

Given that Genshin Impact is a game that even flagship Android phones struggle to run well with lowered graphics settings at 60fps, it speaks volume to just how powerful the iPhone SE is.

But as powerful as the new iPhone SE is, there is still one other area (aside from design) where it is lacking: camera. Granted, the SE’s sole 12MP rear shooter with optical image stabilisation does come with some software-based improvements such as Apple’s Deep Fusion technology, so it can still take some good-looking shots.

Even so, you’re still limited to only one focal length. You don’t get the versatility of an ultra-wide angle lens or the far-reaching zoom of a telephoto sensor. It’s still possible to take flattering shots with the SE though, as you can see in the sample shots below.

Basically, if you don’t care for a more versatile camera configuration, you’ll be happy with the camera performance of this compact phone.

All in all, the 2022 iPhone SE packs modern day performance…in yesterday’s design. But what it lacks in looks and camera versatility, it makes up in blazing fast performance and good value for money. A compelling combo for those who want the best performance for the least amount of money.

For RM2,099, the iPhone SE offers 64GB of storage. If you want more storage space, you can go for the 128GB or 256GB variant, which will set you back RM2,299 and RM2,799 respectively. Personally, I’d go for the 128GB variant for the best balance between storage capacity and cost.

The new iPhone SE is now available for purchase through
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. Alternatively, if you want to check out the phone in person, your nearest Apple reseller should have it on display now.


No New Proton Model This Year – Focus on Backlogged Orders & Supply Issues Instead

Well, it appears the highly anticipated
Proton X90
 – this is expected to be Proton’s naming for the Geely Haoyue seven-seater SUV – and
new Saga
 will not be launching this year. In fact, no new Proton model is expected to be launched in 2022; any launches are supposedly rescheduled to 2023 next year.

This came from a report by
The Edge
. Citing a Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research analyst, the report states that new Proton model launches are expected to be rescheduled to 2023. This is done so that the national carmaker can focus on backlogged orders (60,000 units were mentioned) and resolving supply chain issues.

Previous spy shots of the Proton X90

Interestingly, the report also states that Proton will “likely” venture into the electric vehicle (EV) market by 2027. The carmaker will supposedly release some hybrid vehicles too, though the mention of “minor stepping stone” for the segment seems to suggest only mild hybrids instead of plug-in ones.

While some folks may not be thrilled that Proton will not be releasing new models this year – though it’s possible things may change – it’s great that the national carmaker is focusing on backlogged orders instead. Resolving its supply chain issues (especially
in terms of spare parts
) should keep existing customers happy too.


Genshin Impact Teases Yelan & Kuki Shinobu – Likely Coming in Version 2.7

With Version 2.6 of Genshin Impact arriving in the next two days, Hoyoverse is teasing two brand new characters for the game! Enter Yelan and Kuki Shinobu, who will be playable in Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact.

After all, previous characters that were teased by Hoyoverse were eventually playable in the next version update of Genshin Impact. These include
Yae Miko
,
Shenhe, Yun Jin
, and more recently,
Kamisato Ayato
.

I'd like to suggest that you treat her as an ordinary person, but if you do, it's easy to lose control over negotiations. — Yanfei
◆ Yelan
◆ Valley Orchid
◆ A mysterious person who claims to work for the Ministry of Civil Affairs
◆ Hydro
◆ Umbrabilis Orchis
#GenshinImpact

pic.twitter.com/DZ1j3PyshW
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact)
March 28, 2022

I am writing to introduce a talented person to you.  — Kujou Sara
◆ Kuki Shinobu
◆ Mender of Tribulations
◆ Deputy Leader of the Arataki Gang
◆ Electro
◆ Tribulatio Demptio
#GenshinImpact

pic.twitter.com/48q4sY0IP5
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact)
March 28, 2022

As with Genshin Impact’s previous teasers, the rarity of Yelan and Kuki Shinobu have not been revealed yet. But the teasers did confirm that Yelan is a Hydro character in Liyue, while Kuki Shinobu hails from Inazuma with an Electro vision instead.

Based on Hoyoverse’s previous Genshin Impact teasers, we reckon both Yelan and Kuki Shinobu will be playable in Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact. Expect these two characters to make their respective debuts then.


Genshin Impact Ayato & Venti Banners Arrive 30 March With Yun Jin, Sucrose, Xiangling

Kamisato Ayato and Venti’s rerun banners have been announced for
Genshin Impact
! Set to arrive this Wednesday on 30 March, the event wish for these two 5-star characters will be accompanied by Yun Jin, Sucrose, and Xiangling.

In line with
previous Genshin Impact

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

Similar to Genshin Impact’s
previous character

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

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

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

Kamisato Ayato’s “Azure Excursion” and Venti’s “Ballad in Goblets” event wishes will be available in Genshin Impact on 30 March 2022, right after the
Version 2.6 update
 goes live. Their banners will be offered until 19 April; Kamisato Ayaka’s rerun banner will follow suit then.


Oppo Reno 7 Z With Snapdragon 695 Now in Malaysia for RM1,699

Oppo Malaysia just introduced the Oppo Reno 7 Z for the Malaysian market. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, it offers a good level of performance for a mid-range smartphone; it looks quite sleek too.

Only one variant of the Reno 7 Z is offered in Malaysia. Sporting 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, it is priced at RM1,699 on our shores. Early birds will also receive RM223 worth of freebies, including a Reno-branded backpack and 50% discount on the
Oppo Enco Air 2 wireless earbuds
.

Given that it features a Snapdragon 695 chipset, the Reno 7 Z is in the same league as the
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
, for example. It also has a triple camera system made up of a 64MP primary shooter, a 2MP monochrome sensor, and a 2MP macro lens.

Other specifications of the Reno 7 Z include a 6.43-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, a 16MP selfie camera, a 4,500mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging, and ColorOS 12 based on Android 11 out of the box.

The Oppo Reno 7 Z is now available for pre-order on
Oppo Malaysia’s online store
 for RM1,699 until 1 April. To recap, early birds can get RM233 worth of freebies; the first 100 customers will also receive Oppo store vouchers and a stainless steel suction cup.


MYNIC Berhad & ICANN Announces APAC DNS Forum 2022

MYNIC Berhad, an agency under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (K-KOMM), just announced the Asia Pacific Domain Name System Forum 2022 (APAC DNS Forum). Done in collaboration with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the forum is meant to discuss the domain name marketplace.

Naturally, the APAC DNS Forum is a virtual one, and 24 different countries have registered for the forum, including Malaysia. One of the main goals of the forum is to create collaboration opportunities (and knowledge sharing) between DNS communities in the Asian Pacific region.

Of course, it’s not only limited to industry experts; domain name and website owners can also participate in the forum to discuss various issues in the DNS industry.

The APAC DNS Forum is a continuation of six webinars that took place between September 2021 to March 2022 this month. The topics that were discussed include the current state of the DNS industry, search engine optimisation, the future of DNS, and of course, understanding the domain name system itself. You can still access these webinars
right here
.

“APAC DNS Forum 2022 reiterates the importance of DNS and domain names for the future. It is a unified platform for DNS practitioners from various backgrounds to equip, discuss, and share knowledge of the latest development in this industry,” said the Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

The CEO of MYNIC Berhad, Datuk Hasnul Fadhly Hasan, also spoke on the importance of DNS. “It remains a critical element to new network architectures and technologies in enabling devices to securely and reliably access the network.”

“With the emergence of new technologies such as 5G, DNS will transform network architecture design to support low latency for core network services, leading to an improvement in network safety and reliability for everyone,” he added.

MYNIC also extends its appreciation to GloComp (a Malaysian ICT solution provider with over 22 years of experience) and CentralNic (one of the world’s leading registry services companies) for their involvement and support as the gold sponsors for the APAC DNS Forum 2022. More information on the APAC DNS Forum can be found
here
.

Disclosure: this article is sponsored by MYNIC Berhad.


Xiaomi 12 Review: Championing the Compact Flagship Segment

It’s tough to find a “feature-rich” flagship smartphone in a compact form factor. While there are are some good options in the market – such as the
Samsung Galaxy S22
 or
iPhone 13 mini
 – they also sacrifice on a number of key features.

This applies to the Xiaomi 12 as well, but it’s…well, still a relatively complete flagship phone, especially if you don’t care for a zoom camera. Retailing from RM2,899, it’s quite an affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phone too.

What It Is

Display
6.28-inch FHD+ AMOLED (2400 x 1080), 120Hz
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 3.0GHz octa-core
GPU
Adreno 730
RAM
8GB
Storage
128/256GB, non-expandable
Camera (rear)
50MP f/1.88, OIS
13MP f/2.4 (ultra-wide angle)
5MP f/2.4 (telemacro)
Camera (front)
32MP f/2.45
Battery
4,500mAh with 67W fast charging (50W wireless)
Dimensions
152.7 x 69.9 x 8.16 mm
Weight
180g
OS
MIUI 13 based on Android 12
Connectivity
5G
LTE
NFC
Bluetooth 5.2
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
USB Type-C
Price
RM2,899 (128GB), RM2,999 (256GB)

On paper, Xiaomi 12 is a flagship-tier phone. It’s powered by a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, an equally fast 120Hz AMOLED display, along with a sizeable 4,500mAh battery for such a compact phone. The only real missing hardware is a telephoto camera, though you do get a telemacro sensor instead.

Value wise, it’s best to go for the more generous 256GB model for RM2,999. After all, you’re only paying RM100 more to get double the internal storage, even if the 128GB variant can be purchased
for only RM2,799
 (RM100 discount) in the occasional flash sales.

The Good Stuff

One of the best aspects of the Xiaomi 12 – in my opinion, at least – are its design and compact form factor. Not only does the phone’s matte glass back and metal frame feel good in my hands, the compact size of the Xiaomi 12 also makes it a breeze to be used with only one hand.

Really, it’s refreshing to be able to type a message without having to hold the phone with both hands.

Another noteworthy hardware of the Xiaomi 12 is its bright and vibrant 6.28-inch 1080p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This fast panel lends to a very responsive user experience, and the panel itself is also very pleasant to look at with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support.

This high quality panel also lends to an enjoyable gaming experience. Even though the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset can’t quite run
Genshin Impact
 smoothly at 60fps on the Xiaomi 12 – but it’s worth noting that many other flagship Android phones have the same struggle – it’s still very playable.

Battery life of the Xiaomi 12 is quite good too, especially for such a compact phone. On average, the 4,500mAh battery can consistently return five hours of screen on time. Not the best battery life I’ve seen on a phone, but hey, this
is
 a compact device; there’s only so much battery you can fit into this small chassis.

And then there’s the camera performance of the Xiaomi 12. Not surprisingly, the 50MP primary sensor can take good-looking shots regardless of lighting condition, and the same can be said (to an extent) for the 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor, though its detail preservation isn’t quite as good.

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

8MP ultra-wide angle

50MP primary

50MP primary

5MP telemacro

Unfortunately, the Xiaomi 12 doesn’t have a telephoto sensor like the
Pro model
, limiting the versatility of this triple camera system. What you do get, however, is a 5MP telemacro lens, which
can
 be used to take some interesting close-up shots, as you can see above.

The Bad Stuff

Let’s go back to the previous point: the lack of a telephoto camera on the Xiaomi 12 is really one of its biggest shortcomings. After all, this is supposed to be a flagship phone. It’s not unrealistic to expect a more versatile camera configuration in this segment and price point.

Aside from that, the palm rejection of the Xiaomi 12 could be better too. Yes, the dual curved screen gives the phone a sleek aesthetic, but throughout my time with the phone, I kept hitting the sides of the screen by accident. I’m sure Xiaomi can issue a software update to improve this, though it remains to be seen if it will be done.

Speaking of which, the software experience of the Xiaomi 12 isn’t fantastic either. Granted, Xiaomi’s software has improved over the past few years, but there are still small niggling issues here and there. Take the always on display: it doesn’t show notifications from all apps.

On top of that, I also don’t like the fact that the notification icons will be gone from the always on display after unlocking the phone; this is the case even if I haven’t interacted with said notifications. I’ve never experienced this with Samsung’s always on display, for example.

Is It Worth It?

Despite not having a particularly versatile camera system or a super refined software experience, the value proposition, good performance, and compact form factor of the Xiaomi 12 make for an attractive small phone. Only a handful of other phones offer such a package, and even lesser at this price point.

It would’ve been great if the Xiaomi 12 also had a telephoto camera for a more complete flagship device, but nonetheless, it’s good to see a compact phone that doesn’t sacrifice on too many features.

Hopefully, Xiaomi will continue to improve the software of the Xiaomi 12 for a more pleasant user experience. The Chinese company had always been a value champion, but now that it is charging more for its flagship devices, other aspects of the phones have to improve accordingly as well.


Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Unleashed With 120W Charging & Dimensity 920 – From RM1,499 in Malaysia

There’s a new device in the Redmi Note series, and it is now the range-topping model: enter the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G – yes, it’s a mouthful. Compared to the “standard” Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, this new phone features an even faster 120W charging and a MediaTek Dimensity 920 chip.

For the Malaysian market, two variants of the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G are offered. The 128GB base model costs RM1,499, while the more generous 256GB variant goes for RM1,599. Both models are packed with 8GB of RAM.

Beyond its faster 120W charging and Dimensity 920 chipset, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G actually has similar hardware as the non-plus model. These include a 6.67-inch 1080p AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (108MP main + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro), and a 16MP selfie camera.

However, the faster charging of the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G does come with a slight sacrifice. The battery capacity has been reduced to 4,500mAh, so it may not be quite as long-lasting as the non-plus model. After all, that device has a larger 5,000mAh cell instead.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 6 April onwards on Shopee and Lazada for RM1,499 and RM1,599 for the 128GB and 256GB variants respectively. Early birds can also get a RM100 discount on these two models in a flash sale, so keep your eyes peeled for that.


Redmi Note 11S 5G Official – Dimensity 810, 90Hz Screen, RM999

Unveiled alongside the range-topping
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
 is the more affordable Redmi Note 11S 5G. Despite its more budget-friendly price tag, this phone still offers reasonably good features, including 5G connectivity with the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset.

Only one variant of the Redmi Note 11S 5G is available in Malaysia. Packed with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, this mid-ranger is priced at only RM999. It is also offered in three colours locally: Star Blue, Twilight Blue, and Midnight Black.

Under the hood of the Redmi Note 11S 5G is the aforementioned Dimensity 810 processor. It also has a 6.6-inch 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a triple camera system (50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide angle + 2MP macro), a 13MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 33W fast charging.

The Redmi Note 11S 5G will be available in Malaysia on 22 April. It can be purchased online through Shopee or Lazada, as well as Xiaomi authorised stores and retailers nationwide then.


Sony Revamps PlayStation Plus Service – Competes With Xbox Game Pass

Sony
just revamped its PlayStation Plus subscription
. Now split to three separate tiers, it also combines the PlayStation Now service to the membership. Essentially, this is the Japanese company’s long-rumoured answer to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass.

Here are the three new tiers for PS Plus: Essential (basically the original version), Extra, and Premium (Or Deluxe for certain markets). Essential needs no elaboration as it is the PS Plus membership we’re all familiar with, while Extra adds on a catalogue of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. Of course, these games will be downloadable.

Premium, on the other hand, offers up to 340 additional games, including PS3 games via cloud streaming, and a catalogue of classic games from the original PlayStation, PS2, and PSP. These will be offered in both streaming and download options.

The main component of PS Now that’s been absorbed to PS Plus lies in this Premium tier. In markets where PS Now is offered, gamers has cloud streaming access to PlayStation, PS2, PSP, and PS4 games that are offered in the Extra and Premium tiers.

Interestingly, you can even stream these games on your PS4, PS5,
and
 PC. Time-limited game trials will also be available to PS Plus Premium subscribers, giving you the option to try selected games before buying them.

For markets that don’t have cloud streaming service – such as Malaysia – a Deluxe tier will be introduced instead at a lower price than Premium. It includes access to PlayStation, PS2, and PSP games to download and play; you also get time-limited game trials.

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

These new PlayStation Plus tiers will be introduced sometime in June 2022. What do you think? Will you subscribe to the new tiers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!


Redmi 10 5G Offers 5G Support for $199 – Coming to Malaysia Soon

Xiaomi
announced a slew

of new phones
 today, and the most affordable device of the lot is the Redmi 10 5G. Not only is it very budget-friendly, it is also the first phone in the Redmi series – not to be confused with the
Redmi Note
 lineup – to feature 5G connectivity.

Two variants of the Redmi 10 5G have been announced. The base model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage retails at $199 (about RM840), while the more practical 128GB configuration (also with 4GB RAM) costs $229 (approximately RM965).

Powering the Redmi 10 5G is a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip, which gives the phone its 5G connectivity. Other specifications of this affordable device include a 6.58-inch 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a dual camera system (50MP primary + 2MP depth), a 5MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging.

Xiaomi Malaysia confirmed that the Redmi 10 5G will be available on our shores, though no specific timeline or price was given. Nonetheless, it should be priced lower than the
RM999 Redmi Note 11S 5G
.


Honor X7 Launched in Malaysia for RM699 – Snapdragon 680, 90Hz Display, 5,000mAh Battery

Honor Malaysia just unveiled a bunch of new phones for the local market. The most affordable device among them is the Honor X7, and even though it’s priced at only RM699, this phone still offers reasonably good hardware, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset.

Only the sole RM699 variant of the X7 is offered in Malaysia. For that kind of money, it features 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage; pretty good capacities. On top of that, it’s also powered by the aforementioned Snapdragon 680 SoC.

Other specifications of the X7 include a 6.74-inch 720p LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a quad camera system (48MP primary + 5MP wide-angle + depth + macro), an 8MP selfie camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging.

The Honor X7 will be available for purchase in Malaysia from 14 April onwards for RM699. Early birds will also receive a one-year extended warranty worth RM109.


Honor X8 Coming to Malaysia for RM899 – Early Birds Get Freebies Worth RM436

Aside from the
Honor X7
, Honor Malaysia also unveiled the Honor X8 on our shores. Sporting similar hardware as the X7 with some notable differences here and there, early birds who get the X8 will also receive free gifts worth RM436.

Only one variant of the X8 is available in Malaysia. Packed with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, this mid-ranger is priced at RM899. Early birds who pre-order the phone by 6 April will also receive a Honor Choice Earbuds X, six months screen crack protection, and a one-year extended warranty – these freebies are worth RM436.

Powering the X8 is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, just like the X7. It also has a 6.7-inch 1080p LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a quad camera system (64MP primary + 5MP wide-angle + depth + macro), a 16MP selfie camera, and a 4,000mAh battery with 22.5W fast charging.

To recap, the Honor X8 is now available for pre-order in Malaysia for RM899. Those who pre-ordered the phone by 6 April will also receive a Honor Choice Earbuds X, six months screen crack protection, and a one-year extended warranty worth RM436 in total.


Honor X9 & Honor X9 5G Announced for Malaysia – Starts at RM1,099

Rounding out the four new devices Honor Malaysia introduced on our shores are the Honor X9 and Honor X9 5G. Retailing from RM1,099, these two phones are higher-end offerings compared to the
Honor X8
 and
Honor X7
.

Let’s start with the more affordable Honor X9. Priced at RM1,099, it comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, along with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, a 90Hz 6.81-inch 1080p LCD display, a quad camera system (64MP primary + 8MP wide-angle + 2MP bokeh + 2MP macro), and a 4,800mAh battery with 66W fast charging.

The Honor X9 5G, on the other hand, retails at RM1,299. Given its higher asking price, it is also better-equipped, packing a Snapdragon 695 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM, a 6.81-inch FHD+ LCD display with a higher 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a 4,800mAh battery with 66W fast charging.

Rounding out the specifications of the X9 5G include a triple camera system (48MP primary + 2MP depth + 2MP macro) – yes, it has a less sophisticated camera array compared to the standard Honor X9 – a 16MP selfie camera, and 128GB of internal storage.

The Honor X9 5G is now available for pre-order in Malaysia until 6 April for RM1,299; early birds will receive a Honor Choice Earbuds X, a case, six months screen crack protection, and a one-year extended warranty worth RM516 in total. As for the Honor X9, it can be purchased from 14 April onwards for RM1,099.


31 March – 6 April Fuel Price: RON 97 up 8 Sen, Others Unchanged

RON 97 is going up in price this week. For the next seven days, the price of RON 97 will go up by 8 sen per litre. Of course, the prices of RON 95 and diesel are maintained, given that their price ceilings have been reached.

From tomorrow onwards, the price of RON 97 is set at RM3.91 per litre (up from RM3.83). 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 31 March to 6 April 2022. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


TTRacing Maxx Iron Man Edition Now Available for Pre-Order in Malaysia – RM1,249, 15 April Delivery

TTRacing introduced a new variant of its
comfortable Maxx gaming chair
. Themed after Marvel’s iconic Iron Man character, the TTRacing Maxx Iron Man Edition looks quite sleek, and you won’t have to wait too long to get it either.

Priced at RM1,249 – just RM150 more than the standard model – the Maxx Iron Man features faux leather and velour fabric finished in striking red. Aside from that, the Maxx also features dense cold cure foam to provide a good level of firmness and support, not to mention cushioned armrests with 4D adjustments.

Other features of the Maxx Iron Man include support for 155-degree full recline, a steel frame structure, a multi-tilt mechanism, an aluminium alloy wheelbase, and large 65mm castors with a locking mechanism to fix the chair in place.

The TTRacing Maxx Iron Man Edition is
now available for pre-order in Malaysia
 for RM1,249. Deliveries are expected to begin on 15 April (or earlier), and if you’d like to learn more about this gaming chair, check out our full review
right here
.


Keychron Q3 Finally Goes on Sale – Gasket-Mounted TKL Keyboard From $154

The Keychron Q3 is finally available for purchase right now! This TKL keyboard, much like the
Keychron Q1
, features a gasket mounting system, an aluminium case, and of course, a knob.

As its
product page shows
, the Q3 starts at $154 (about RM645) for the barebone kit. The fully assembled model, on the other hand, costs $174 (approximately RM725). Want to add a knob? Well, you’ll just have to add on $10 (around RM40).

Aside from its TKL layout, the Q3 also features the aforementioned gasket mounting system, a full aluminium body, a VIA-compatible hotswap PCB, and support for screw-in stabilisers. On top of that, it has silicone gaskets between the top and bottom cases as well to reduce case ping.

The Keychron Q3 is now available for purchase on
Keychron’s official online store
. Retailing from only $154, this TKL keyboard certainly offers good value for money.


Honda Malaysia Assembled 1 Million Cars in Malaysia – Civic RS Marks the 1 Millionth Unit

Just last year, Honda Malaysia achieved
one million sales
 on our shores. Fast forward to now, the Japanese carmaker is celebrating the rollout of its one millionth locally assembled (CKD) vehicle at the company’s manufacturing plant in Pegoh, Malacca.

The 2022 Honda Civic RS is the one millionth vehicle to be assembled at the plant, which started operating in January 2003. The first car manufactured at the plant then was the second generation Honda CR-V at the number one line. The second line was opened in October 2013 with the rollout of the Honda Jazz Hybrid.

With both production lines taken into account, Honda Malaysia is able to produce 100,000 units per year. Seven different models are also assembled at the Pegoh plant, including the all-new Civic, City, City Hatchback, Accord, BR-V, HR-V, and CR-V.

“It has been 20 years since Honda Malaysia’s establishment in the country. We have evolved and recorded significant achievements since then,” said the MD and CEO of Honda Malaysia, Madoka Chujo.

“In March 2021, we achieved the one millionth sale unit milestone with all Malaysians. Just one year later, I am now celebrating another significant milestone with all of you – the one millionth production unit; which is the All-New Civic,” she added.

For 2022, Honda Malaysia is set to introduce two all-new models. The carmaker did not reveal what these two models are, though there’s a good chance they are the
2022 Honda HR-V and Honda BR-V
.


QK65 Custom Keyboard Goes on Sale in Malaysia Tonight at 8PM – Starts at RM669

Qwertykey’s first-ever custom keyboard, the QK65, will go on sale in Malaysia tonight at 8PM. What makes this custom board particularly interesting is its affordable price tag and feature set, not to mention the fact that Qwertykey is a sister company of Owlab, the brand behind the popular
Jelly Epoch
 and Mr. Suit.

Of course, Rebult Keyboards will be the Malaysian vendor for the QK65. Two distinct finishes of the custom keyboard are offered: the anodised version retails at RM669, while the e-white models are priced at RM755.

Do note that these prices include a solderable PCB and a plate of your choice. If you want to swap the PCB to a hotswap one instead, you’ll have to add RM86.

The Black Chroma QK65 is one of the most unique colour options

So what do you get with the QK65? Well, a number of very enticing features, including a gasket mounting system that’s similar to the popular Mr. Suit. It also has a die-cast aluminium bottom case with a stamped stainless steel weight (PVD-coated in very eye-catching colours) to bring down the price of the keyboard.

This being an “Owlab-style” keyboard – really, that’s what Qwertykeys said – the QK65 has quite a number of foam to produce a deep, thocky sound signature. It even has some silicone dampeners to further enhance the acoustics of the keyboard.

Oh, did we mention that the QK65 is also bundled with a carrying bag
and
 Owlab’s Liquidmetal Owlstabs stabilisers? Needless to say, the value proposition of this keyboard is very, very good.

You can join the sale for the QK65 in Malaysia through
Rebult Keyboards’ online store
 tonight at 8PM. Only one unit is allowed per order, though you can make multiple orders. Fulfilment of the QK65 is estimated to begin in June or July 2022 – reasonably short waiting time for a custom keyboard.


Students & Youths Can Claim RM150 Credit in Mid-April 2022 From ShopeePay, TNG, BigPay & GrabPay

If you’re a full-time student or between the age of 18 to 20, you can claim RM150 worth of credit from four ewallet services in Malaysia sometime in the middle of April 2022 next month. This is a part of the government’s ePemula cashless transaction scheme.

Youths and students can claim the RM150 credit from one of these four ewallet services: ShopeePay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, BigPay, or GrabPay. The method of claiming the ePemula credit will depend on each ewallet service.

Siaran media berkenaan ePemula: Dua Juta Belia Bakal Menerima Manfaat e-Tunai Berjumlah RM300 juta melalui BigPay, GrabPay, ShopeePay atau Touch ‘n Go eWallet.
pic.twitter.com/CuHFAkYfbG
— Ministry of Finance🇲🇾 (@MOFmalaysia)
March 31, 2022

The ePemula programme is a RM300 million initiative, and it will benefit over two million youths. In retrospect, this is very similar to the
government’s previous initiatives
,
including eBelia
 to promote cashless payments.

No word yet on when exactly youths and students can claim the RM150 credit from these four ewallet services. We expect more information to be revealed as we approach the middle of April 2022 – that’s when the programme is expected to begin.


Booked the 2022 Honda Civic FE? Bid for the FE Number Plate Now

If you’ve just booked the
2022 Honda Civic FE
 – or you’re planning to – consider getting the FE number plate to match the C-segment sedan. JPJ just opened the FE series for bidding, and you’ve got until 5 April to do so.

In order to place your bid for an FE plate, you will need to register for an account with JPJeBid
on the website
. Alternatively, you can also register through the mobile app on the
Apple App Store
 or
Google Play Store
.

Now that the FE series is opened for bidding, you can start placing your bid. Do note that there are minimum bid amounts depending on the number that you want to get. FE 1, for example, starts at a steep RM20,000 – it is considered a “golden number.”

If course, if you want a “regular number” without any special significance, the minimum bid amount is RM300; the standard price for a plate number. Do note that if your bid is successful, you will have 12 months to register the plate number you’ve won to a vehicle.

You’ve got until 5 April to place a bid for the FE series; the results will be released the following day on 6 April. Good luck!


iPad Air (2022) With M1 Chip Now in Malaysia From RM2,699

The brand new fifth generation iPad Air with Apple’s very own M1 processor is now available for purchase in Malaysia. Thanks to the M1 chip, this iPad is the fastest tablet in the Air lineup yet; on par with the more costly
iPad Pro
, even.

Starting at RM2,699
, the base model of the new iPad Air features 64GB of internal storage. The more generous 256GB model, on the other hand, costs RM3,349. If you want cellular capability, you’ll have to pay an additional RM650.

The biggest upgrade to the new iPad Air is none other than the M1 chip; Apple claims it is twice as fast as Windows laptops in the same price range. On top of that, it also gets a 12MP front-facing camera now with support for Apple’s Center Stage feature, which automatically keeps you in frame.

If you want to get your hands on the 2022 iPad Air, you can purchase it directly on
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. Alternatively, if you want to check out the new iPad in person, your nearest Apple reseller should have it on display now.


Asus ROG Flow Z13 Hands-On: A True Gaming Tablet From RM7,999

Asus has previously forayed into the “gaming tablet” space with the
ROG Mothership
, but that product is more of an all-in-one PC than a tablet due to its imposing size. Fast forward to now, we have the Asus ROG Flow Z13 – a true gaming tablet that’s both portable and powerful.

Of course, such a combination also comes with a steep price tag. Retailing from RM7,999, the Flow Z13 is not an affordable machine. However, believe it or not, the value proposition of the Z13 is actually quite good – you’re getting some excellent hardware for the money.

Let’s start with the pricing of the ROG Flow Z13. Three variants of the tablet are available in Malaysia. The RM7,999 base model features an Intel Core i7-12700H processor paired with 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, a 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 512GB SSD.

A tier up is the Core i9-12900H configuration of the Flow Z13, which costs a cool RM8,799. Aside from the faster processor, you’re also getting a beefier RTX 3050 Ti GPU and a generous 1TB SSD. Given that you’re only paying RM800 for these upgrades, it’s quite worth it. This model, in my opinion, offers the best value for money.

The ROG XG Mobile

Last but not least is the range-topping Flow Z13 for an
eye-watering RM15,999
. Aside from a sharper 4K screen (though the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz) and a 2TB SSD, this variant also bundles the ROG XG Mobile external GPU enclosure, which houses a powerful RTX 3080 GPU (150W TGP). This is the model you see in this hands-on.

I haven’t had the chance to put the Flow Z13 through its paces yet, but chances are, it should be able to deliver excellent gaming performance, especially with the combination of the Core i9-12900H processor and XG Mobile. After all, the external GPU enclosure is packed with a fast RTX 3080 graphics card.

Naturally, I’ll also put the RTX 3050 Ti GPU of the tablet itself to the test in the full review of the Z13 – stay tuned for that.

With the keyboard cover (and the proprietary connection for the XG Mobile)

Without the keyboard cover

One of the best qualities of the Flow Z13 has to be its tablet form factor, similar to
Microsoft’s Surface tablets
. Weighing only 1.1kg with a 12mm thin chassis, this is a very portable gaming machine too. It also comes with a detachable keyboard case, so you don’t have to purchase this separately.

Speaking of which, I’m quite a fan of the keyboard case. It offers enough key travel to not feel shallow, the keys provide a good amount of tactility, and it even has a “cushiony” bottom out. All in all, this is a comfortable keyboard to do a lot of typing on.

The keyboard case’s trackpad is quite good too. It’s reasonably accurate, though I do wish it is a tad bigger for a more pleasant user experience.

Design wise, the Flow Z13 looks and feels great. It has solid build quality, there are minimal bezels surrounding the screen, lending to a modern-looking machine, and I love the glass window on the back (complete with RGB lighting!) that shows the tablet’s internals.

And then there’s the adjustable kickstand of the Flow Z13. The hinge feels solid as I adjust the angle to my liking – much like a Surface tablet, if I might add – and it even closes with a reassuring thud. I also appreciate the red tab on the kickstand to make it easier to pop it open.

Last but definitely not least is the stunning 4K Pantone Validated display of this range-topping Flow Z13. The 13.4-inch 3840 x 2400 IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio is bright, vibrant, and the extra vertical space really helps make this compact display feel bigger than it actually is.

Granted, it’s not ideal that this 4K panel only has a 60Hz refresh rate – especially for a gaming machine – but there’s no denying that this is a high quality screen. It even supports Dolby Vision HDR and 85% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space.

All in all, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a premium gaming tablet with surprisingly good value proposition, though this mainly applies to the RM8,799 variant with a Core i9-12900H processor. If you want a gaming machine with this chip at a similar price point, only the MSI Pulse GL66 stands out
at RM7,599
.

Even then, the Pulse GL66 is a gaming laptop instead of a tablet, and it can’t match the Flow Z13’s build quality or compact form factor either. Granted, it does offer better gaming performance with its RTX 3060 GPU, though the RTX 3050 Ti under the hood of the Z13 isn’t markedly slower.

Nonetheless, the Flow Z13 is definitely an interesting gaming tablet, and I’m excited to see if it can also double as a productivity machine. It has all the features of a good work tablet: a comfortable keyboard, a bright and vibrant 16:10 display, as well as a compact form factor. Hopefully, it will be able to return good battery life too.

Needless to say, I’ll also test the gaming performance of the Flow Z13 in the full review, both with the ROG XG Mobile (RTX 3080) and the RTX 3050 Ti GPU in the tablet itself.


Mitsubishi Xpander Sees Slight Price Hike – Now RM93k With SST Exemption

Launched back in November 2020, it appears Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has increased the price of the Mitsubishi Xpander. Previously priced at RM91,369, the seven-seater crossover now costs RM93,318 – a price difference of RM1,949.

According to
Paultan.org’s report
, which got in touch with MMM, this price hike on the Xpander is due to “cost up pressure.” While it’s not great that the seven-seater sees a price revision – even before the SST exemption is
set to end on 30 June 2022
 – its value proposition is still very good.

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

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

Keen to check out the Mitsubishi Xpander for yourself? You can do so at your nearest Mitsubishi Motors authorised showrooms nationwide. Four colour options are available: Red Metallic, Titanium Grey, Quartz White, and Diamond Black.


Honda Malaysia Offers up to RM4,000 Discount for April 2022

Looking to get a new Honda model before the sales tax exemption
ends on 30 June
? Good news: Honda Malaysia is now offering up to RM4,000 discount on its range of models, including the City, Accord, and HR-V.

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

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

If you’re wondering why this month’s discounts
aren’t quite as generous as last month
, that’s because the 2021 models are no longer available. Also, do note that these discounts are only applicable for vehicles registered between 1 to 30 April 2022. More information on these discounts can be found
here
.

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


2022 Toyota Yaris Prices Now Include SST – Almost RM3,000 Price Increase

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) released news prices for the Toyota Yaris, which now includes SST. Although the sales tax exemption is only set to end on 30 June, new bookings of the B-segment hatchback are only expected to be delivered in Q3 2022; hence the new prices with SST included.

Effectively immediately, the Yaris now starts at RM73,800 for the base 1.5J variant, a price increase of RM2,860. The 1.5E, on the other hand, costs RM83,300 (RM2,920 price increase). As for the range-topping 1.5G, it is now priced at RM87,600 (RM2,792 price increase).

Do note that these are only estimated prices, so there’s a chance there will be changes in the future.

Nonetheless, of the best features of the Yaris is Toyota Safety Sense. Available on the E and G variants – the base J model doesn’t get this – it includes two major features: Pre-Collision System (PCS) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA). The former warns the driver and automatically applies the brakes when there’s a risk of frontal collision, while LDA alerts the driver when the car is (unintentionally) getting out of lane.

Under the hood of the Yaris is the very same Dual VVT-i 2NR-FE 1.5L engine found in the pre-facelift model. It outputs 107PS and 140Nm of torque, with drive sent to the front wheels by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a seven-speed Shiftmatic mode.

Aside from that, the front end of the Yaris is slightly reworked as well. LED headlights are now standard across the range, and the lower grille is much wider now. These changes don’t radically change the looks of the Yaris, but they do give the hatchback a cleaner, more aggressive styling, in our opinion. As for wheels, the J model gets 15-inch alloys, while the E and G trims come with larger 16-inch alloy wheels.

On the inside, all variants of the updated Yaris come with fabric seats and seven airbags. The J and E models get urethane steering wheels with manual air-conditioning, while the range-topping G models has a leather-wrapped steering wheel with single-zone automatic air-conditioning. It’s also worth noting that the infotainment system of the E and G models now supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too.

The Toyota Yaris is now available for viewing and test drive at all Toyota dealerships and UMWT branches nationwide. The B-segment hatchback is offered in three colours: Red Mica Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Silver Metallic.


Proton Saga Best-Selling A-Segment Model in March 2022 – 6,422 Units Sold

Sales of the Proton Saga were very, very encouraging in March 2022: as many as
6,422
 units of the A-segment sedan were sold last month. This is a marked improvement compared to the previous month (February 2022), where only
2,951 units were sold
 as the Saga only managed half a month of normal production.

According to Proton, this figure is enough for the Saga to not only be the best-selling sedan in its segment in Malaysia, but also the A-segment market as a whole in March 2022. This is the model’s best sales performance in almost nine years as well.

The last time the Saga achieved higher sales was back in November 2013 – that’s when the Saga SV was launched. Evidently, this affordable sedan continues to be an important model to bolster the national carmaker’s sales performance.

Speaking of which, Proton sold over 13,028 units in March 2022. The Saga was the best-seller with the aforementioned 6,422 units sold, followed by the
X70
 and
X50
 with 2,320 and 1,573 units delivered respectively.


Proton Sold 13,028 Units in March 2022 – 41.2% Increase in Sales

Proton’s sales bounced back for the month of March 2022. With over 13,028 units sold, this is a whopping 41.2% improvement compared to the national carmaker’s sales figure the
previous month in February 2022 (9,225 units)
.

Leading the sales is none other than the Proton Saga: over 6,422 units of the A-segment sedan were delivered last month. Not only is it the
best-selling A-segment model
 as a whole in March 2022, it is also the sedan’s highest sales in almost nine years.

Right behind the Saga in sales is the
X70
 with 2,320 units sold, followed by the
X50
 (1,573 units). This is quite a big difference compared to February 2022’s deliveries, where 3,002 units of the latter were delivered.

Rounding out Proton’s sales for March 20222 are the Persona (1,411 units), Iriz (766 units), and the Exora (536 units). According to Proton, the Persona and Iriz are in third and fourth places in their respective segments due to “stiff competition and parts shortages,” as the company puts it.

“The first three months of 2022 has been tough for Proton and our customers. Production issues continue to suppress our true potential and as a result, created a long waiting list for our cars,” said the CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.

“Our parts supply and hence, production volumes, began to stabilise in March but we’re expecting a few more disruptions in the coming months as other industries ramp up their production,” he added.


2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge EV Launched in Malaysia – CKD, 418km Range, RM262k

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) just launched the Volvo XC40 Recharge EV on our shores! Locally assembled (CKD) right here in Malaysia – making it the first-ever EV to be assembled locally – this is a
fast
 SUV, and it is priced quite well too, especially in comparison to its competition.

For the Malaysian market, the XC40 Recharge EV is priced at RM262,460 with sales tax exemption applied until 30 June 2022. This puts it at a lower price point than the
Mercedes-Benz EQA
 and only slightly higher over the range-topping
Hyundai Ioniq 5
. It also comes with a five-year warranty with five years of free service, while the battery gets an eight-year warranty.

The XC40 Recharge EV is Volvo’s first mass-produced electric SUV, and it’s packed with a number of interesting features. According to the carmaker, the SUV has an all-electric range of 418km on a single charge, thanks to its 78kWh battery.

As for charging time, the XC40 Recharge EV can be charged up to 80% in only 40 minutes with a 150kW DC charging station (under ideal conditions). When charging at home instead, a three-phase 11kW wallbox can fully charge the XC40 in about eight hours from completely empty.

In terms of performance, the XC40 Recharge EV can go from 0-100kmph in only 4.9 seconds. That’s right, the Malaysian market gets the AWD variant, which outputs 408PS and 660Nm of torque out of a dual-motor setup.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge EV is now available for booking in Malaysia. You can place your booking through
VCM’s website
, and a sales advisor will get in touch with you.