Huawei MatePad 11″ PaperMatte Edition Now in Malaysia for RM2,299

Aside from the
Watch GT 4 and Watch Gold Ultimate Design
, the Huawei MatePad 11″ PaperMatte Edition also made its debut in Malaysia. As its name suggests, this version of the MatePad 11″ has a rather intriguing “paper-like” display to reduce glare.

For the Malaysian market, only one variant of the MatePad 11″ PaperMatte Edition is offered locally. Packed with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, the tablet retails at RM2,299. It is also available in the sole Graphite Black colourway.

For that kind of money, the MatePad 11″ PaperMatte Edition comes with an 11-inch 2560 x 1600 IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a matte-like texture, which feels like a…well, matte screen protector. Aside from that, the tablet features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, a 13MP rear camera, an 8MP selfie shooter, as well as a 7,250mAh battery.

The Huawei MatePad 11″ PaperMatte Edition is now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM2,299. If you purchase the tablet early enough, you can get freebies worth up to RM1,496, including a keyboard case and the second generation Huawei M-Pencil stylus.


Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 With Dual Driver Also Lands in Malaysia for RM899

Wrapping up Huawei Malaysia’s launch event tonight is the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3. Featuring a dual driver setup made up of an 11mm dynamic driver and a planar driver, the wireless earbuds promise “true-to-life listening,” as the company puts it.

Priced at RM899 in Malaysia, the FreeBuds Pro 3 is offered in three distinct colours: Silver Frost, Ceramic White, and Green, which is the colourway you see here. It will be available for purchase online through Shopee and Lazada, as well as Huawei’s own stores.

Aside from the aforementioned dual driver design, the FreeBuds Pro 3 also features active noise cancellation, an IP54 rating for the earbuds – the charging case doesn’t have any IP rating – and up to 6.5 hours of battery life with ANC disabled. The battery life goes down to 4.5 hours with ANC enabled.

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 3 will be available for purchase in Malaysia later this month on 21 October. To recap, the wireless earbuds is priced at RM899 on our shores.


Playing Exoprimal on MSI G274QPF-QD – 27″ WQHD 170Hz Gaming Monitor for RM1,299

Exoprimal is quite an intriguing game. Though the Capcom title was released back in July this year, I recently had the opportunity to try it out more extensively courtesy of MSI. While I was at it, I also played it on the MSI G274QPF-QD gaming monitor, which is now more affordable than ever.

If you’re looking for a fast, but still affordable 1440p gaming monitor, the G274QPF-QD is certainly worth considering. As for Exoprimal, it is also quite a fun game. But given that it is a team-based multiplayer game, it may not be for everyone,

What Is Exoprimal?

Capcom describes Exoprimal as an online, team-based action game. Players can don a variety of different exosuits to battle against a horde of – get this – dinosaurs. I was a big fan of Capcom’s Dino Crisis franchise, and playing through Exoprimal does bring back some fond memories, even though the two games play quite differently.

The main plot of Exoprimal revolves around a rogue AI dubbed Leviathan, forcing exosuit-equipped players to participate in endless wargames. A typical game of Exoprimal is a 5v5 match, where your team of five will go against five other players to complete a set number of objectives.

Oh, it’s worth noting that matches are online-only, and the story progression of Exoprimal is tied to these online matches. Curious, isn’t it?

Is Exoprimal Any Good?

In a way, yes. It’s quite exhilarating to go against a horde of dinosaurs that pour out of portals, and the different exosuits in Exoprimal offer different gameplays and strategies. The exosuits are divided into three main categories: assault (the carry, basically), tank, and support.

I thoroughly enjoy playing through Exoprimal’s different exosuits. The different roles that they serve, combined with their own unique mechanics, result in a rather complex (in a good way) gameplay experience. My personal favourites are the melee exosuits, Zephyr and Murasame.

The Zephyr exosuit

Aside from that, the main storyline of Exoprimal is also quite intriguing. It’s nice to see how the story progresses after some matches, and I find the voice acting and character development to be pretty darn good as well. I’m just annoyed that I
have
 to play a multiplayer game to progress the story.

And that is a good segue to the next section..

Any Bad Things About Exoprimal?

In my opinion, the fact that Exoprimal’s story is tied to the multiplayer aspect of the game is its biggest shortcoming. I personally prefer the experience of single-player games that don’t rely on the random factor of playing against (and with) other players of different skill levels. In this regard, Exoprimal’s multiplayer gameplay just isn’t my cup of tea.

Needless to say, it can be frustrating to play with teammates who are not cooperating, while the opposing team is clearing objectives much quicker. In my experience, matchmaking can take quite some time as well, which doesn’t exactly make for a pleasant gaming experience.

Despite all of that, I’m still willing to persevere through the multiplayer matches just to advance Exoprimal’s narrative. I’m a sucker for a good story, and I’m invested enough in the game’s storyline to see how it ends.

And I also enjoy battling the different dinosaurs in Exoprimal, of course.

How About the MSI G274QPF-QD?

Oh, I absolutely enjoyed using this gaming monitor. Not only is the 27-inch 2560 x 1440 IPS panel bright and vibrant with VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification, it also has a fast 170Hz refresh rate. While my desktop setup isn’t quite powerful enough to run Exoprimal near the 170fps limit, I imagine it would look incredible if you have a system that can do that.

Besides that, the G274QPF-QD is also G-Sync Compatible with support for AMD FreeSync Premium, so you won’t have to worry about screen tearing with this gaming monitor. I love how versatile the stand is too: I can tilt, swivel, and even rotate the monitor 90-degree.

The on-screen display (OSD) of the G274QPF-QD is worth a mention too. Thanks to the joystick on the back of the monitor, navigating through the menu is a breeze. Needless to say, the joystick is far more intuitive to use than buttons.

Negatives on the MSI G274QPF-QD?

For the most part, I’m quite happy with the G274QPF-QD, though it does have some small drawbacks here and there. The HDMI input, for one, is limited to only 144Hz; you have to use the DisplayPort if you want to make full use of the monitor’s 170Hz refresh rate. Besides that, there’s also the fact that it doesn’t have a…power button, which is a weird omission.

Then again, the G274QPF-QD is now going
for only RM1,299
, and you can get it at even lower prices on promotional days like the upcoming 10.10 sale across various platforms. At this price point, I can easily overlook its shortcomings – it’s absolutely a solid buy.

Again, if you’re looking to get a 1440p gaming monitor on a budget, the MSI G274QPF-QD is worth shortlisting. Exoprimal, on the other hand, is also quite a fun game with an engaging plot and sophisticated gameplay, even though I’m not a big fan of its emphasis on multiplayer gameplay.

Nonetheless, do note that every purchase of the G274QPF-QD by 31 December 2023 will come with Exoprimal for free. More details can be found
here
.


Taking the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5…Rock Climbing?

Since I got the
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
 for review, I’ve been taking it rock climbing quite a bit. No, not to have it with me while I’m on the wall, but to record videos of my climbs when I am climbing alone. The foldable nature of the Z Flip 5 (and its IPX8 rating) certainly comes in handy in my climbing sessions.

Needless to say, trying to get footage of my climbs when I’m at the climbing gym alone can be troublesome. Sure, I don’t
have
 to record myself, but seeing how I move on the wall is helpful to check on my technique. Okay, if I’m being honest, it’s also to get content for my social media.

While I can just get a small tripod and prop up my phone to start recording, it would just be another item for me to carry around. I prefer to keep items on me to a minimum in the gym.

That is why the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is (essentially) my “rock climbing phone” now. With just the foldable phone itself, it is much easier to record my climbs. I just have to find a suitable surface to place it, prop it up, press on the record button, and off to the wall I go. If you’re wondering, no, I’m not particularly concerned about random strangers picking up my phone and making a run for it. The climbing gym I frequent feels like a safe space.

Anyway, coming back to the Z Flip 5 itself, the large 3.4-inch Flex Window cover screen of the phone also helps with my video framing. If I had a tripod and a non-foldable phone with me instead, I have to spend extra time to check on the framing before I hit the record button. Imagine if my framing had been off and I just managed to send a particularly difficult route – I’d be devastated!

Besides that, the IPX8 rating of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 also comes in handy when I’m taking it rock climbing with me. Look, by the end of my climbing sessions, the phone can get a bit…well, chalky. As I go from one route to another and constantly apply chalk to my hands – trust me, it helps with grip immensely – some of the chalk gets to the phone too.

But thanks to the Z Flip 5’s IPX8 rating, which allows it to be submerged underwater up to 1.5m for 30 minutes, I can just wash off the chalk easily. After some (light) rubbing with soap applied under the water tap, the phone is as good as new after every climbing session.

Of course, I thoroughly enjoy using the Galaxy Z Flip 5 as my daily driver as well. Priced from RM4,499, it is certainly a premium foldable smartphone, though I do think the price tag is justified for a device of this calibre. It has a big, practical cover screen, it is just as fast as any other flagship phone in the market now with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and the dual camera system (12MP main + 12MP ultra-wide) is quite capable too.

That being said, there are still a couple of areas where the Z Flip 5 could be better. While its dual camera setup can take good-looking shots, it would’ve been great if it also had the versatility of a telephoto lens. The Z Flip 5’s battery life isn’t the best either, though its 3,700mAh battery can provide all-day battery life as long I don’t use the camera (or game on it) too much.

Nonetheless, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is still one of the best foldable flip phones you can buy in Malaysia now. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can read the full review of the Z Flip 5
here
.


Spy Shot: Proton S50’s Infinite Weave & Interior Detailed Ahead of November 2023 Launch

The Proton S50 has been spotted in Malaysia yet again! The upcoming sedan was seen refuelling at a Shell station, and we got a closer look at its interior and Infinite Weave grille, which looks to be taking inspiration from the
X90’s diamond-shaped studs
.

These stills of the S50 were taken from a video posted by Facebook user
Syahid Ayatullah Bin Ramli
 and shared to the
Paultan.org Automotive/Car Discussion Group
. Looking at the footage, the sedan looks to feature a black interior with a floating-style infotainment screen. Not surprisingly, the interior design looks similar to that of its donor model, the Geely Emgrand.

The interior of the Geely Emgrand for comparison

Based on previous rumours, four different variants of the S50 will supposedly be offered. All of them are said to be powered by the familiar 1.5L TGDi engine that outputs 177PS and 255Nm of torque, which is the same mill found under the hood of the
X50
 and
X70
. It is rumoured be sporting a large 12.3-inch full LCD meter as well.

But until confirmed by Proton itself, take these leaked details of the Proton S50 with a grain of salt, though the
unavailability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
 is confirmed already. We should learn more about the sedan as we approach closer to the (likely) launch of S50 in November 2023 next month.


Honkai: Star Rail x La Juiceria Themed Cafe in Malaysia Now Open for Booking

The Honkai: Star Rail Astral Express Pit Stop event is happening in Malaysia later this week on 11 October, coinciding with the launch of the
Version 1.4 update
. On our shores, the themed cafe event will run until 14 November at the
Menara Hap Seng 2 branch of La Juiceria Superfoods
, and you can make a reservation now.

To reserve a seat for Star Rail’s Astral Express Pit Stop event, head to La Juiceria’s
dedicated page
 for booking. Pick a date that you want, select a time slot – dining time is limited to 75 minutes for each customer – select your combo and any side dish, and make your payment.

It’s worth noting that walk-ins are actually accepted for the event, though it will be subject to availability.

A number of Star Rail merchandise will also be on sale throughout the event period. You don’t have to purchase any meal to buy the merchandise either, though the special holographic ticket can only be redeemed by those who dine at the restaurant. On top of that, the Star Rail collaboration stand can also be redeemed with a purchase of any two sets on weekends.

You can reserve your seat for the Honkai: Star Rail Astral Express Pit Stop event right now over at
La Juiceria’s dedicated page
 for the themed cafe collaboration. At the time of writing, a number of slots have already been taken up for this coming weekend.


The 2023 Genshin Impact Concert in Malaysia Was Amazing

@nextrift

#GenshinConcert
 in Malaysia! Were you there?
#genshinimpact

#gaming

#gamingontiktok

#hoyoverse

#mihoyo

♬ Autumn Kyoto ♪Asian Lo-fi ♪ China / Taiwan / Korea / Japan / Fallen Leaves / Travel / Tokyo / Genshin / Temple / Shrine /(1108580) – Ney

The Malaysian leg of the Genshin Concert Tour: Melodies of an Endless Journey concluded last weekend on 7 October 2023. Held at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas and performed by (naturally) the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), it was an
amazing
show.

Conducted by Naohisa Furusawa, who has been a member of MPO since 2003, Genshin Impact fans were treated to a slew of soundtracks from the game. These include iconic music from Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, and get this: even Fontaine.

Throughout the Genshin Concert,
the playlist
 moves from one region to another in chronological order. That is, the first set of songs were taken from the starting region, Mondstadt. But the
actual
 first song that was performed by MPO is Overture of Storms, which was played in the very beginning of the game when the two Travelers were separated from each other by an unknown god.

Next up is Acquaintance (Statue of The Seven); this is basically the music you hear in the login screen of Genshin Impact. Our personal favourite song from the Mondstadt list is certainly the Dawn Winery Theme – a few members of the audience actually gasped when Diluc was shown on the projection.

Once the Mondstadt playlist was wrapped out – and after a 15-minute intermission – we move on to Liyue with…well, Liyue. We also got Qilin’s Prance, the song that accompanied Ganyu’s character demo, and even the epic Wrath of Monoceros Caeli track that was used for the third phase of the Childe boss fight.

But the highlight of the Liyue playlist – and arguably the whole Genshin concert – had to be when the orchestra started playing Rex Incognito. We first hear this song when Zhongli’s character demo was first released, and to date, it has garnered a whopping 32 million views. Needless to say, this one song made our night.

Just when we thought the Genshin Concert was over – it certainly felt like it when the whole orchestra was standing up – we were told that there will be another (!) 15-minute intermission. It was certainly a pleasant surprise, as we though we would only get Mondstadt and Liyue songs from the concert.

After Liyue, we get to Inazuma, where we get songs like Inazuma (of course), Kitsune’s Mask, and Termination of Desires; the latter is none other than the theme song for the Raiden Shogun herself. Shortly after Inazuma, we get to Sumeru with Whirling of Leaves and Petals, Fresh Breezes of Dawn, and the
incredibly catchy
 Hustle and Bustle of Ormos.

For the encore, we also got three songs from Fontaine! Given that these soundtracks were not found in the official programme book, we absolutely did not see it coming.

All in all, we definitely enjoyed ourselves at the Genshin Concert tour in Malaysia. This event is quite a big deal, given that it is Hoyoverse’s very first international offline concert series that is happening worldwide until early 2024. Here’s hoping Hoyoverse will do yet another Genshin concert sometime next year – perhaps Malaysia will get more than one show in the next round!


Tesla Supercharger Available in Sunway Pyramid Soon – Tesla Cars Only

Looks like Tesla is rapidly growing its network of Superchargers around Klang Valley. The latest location to get the fast EV charger is none other than Sunway Pyramid in Subang Jaya, and it looks to be open to Tesla cars only.

First spotted by
SoyaCincau
, the Supercharger at Sunway Pyramid is located right outside of the mall near the main entrance. The station has four stalls in total, and it looks to be under construction. A large “Tesla charging only” sign is also clearly written on each parking bay.

Image credit:
SoyaCincau

Given that this a Tesla Supercharger, idle fees are applicable. Basically, if your car is already fully charged and you still leave it connected to the charger, you will be charged a certain amount per minute. Take the
Pavilion KL Supercharger
: a RM2 idle fee is charged per minute, and it goes up to
RM4 per minute
 if the station is fully occupied. To avoid being charged idle fees, you will need to disconnect the charger within five minutes of charging completion.

While the Supercharger at Sunway Pyramid will only be open to Tesla vehicles, it’s worth noting that selected Superchargers in the future will be usable by non-Tesla EVs. After all, it was previously revealed that Tesla will install at least 50 DC fast chargers in Malaysia (with a minimum charging rate of 180kW), and 30% of them have to be made available to non-Tesla vehicles.


Proton Saga Hot Wheels Now Available in Malaysia for RM9.90 – Resold up to RM295

The highly anticipated Proton Saga Hot Wheels 1:64 diecast model is now available in Malaysia! Based on the 1985 Saga, the diecast is now available at major departmental, toy specialty, or convenience shores throughout Malaysia.

Even though the Saga Hot Wheels costs only RM9.90 in Malaysia, scalpers are already reselling the diecast model for up to
RM295
online. Do note that this isn’t even a limited edition model; it is sold under Hot Wheels’ Basic Car Dash B line.

It’s worth noting that there is a special edition Proton Saga Hot Wheels, which will be available in Malaysia sometime in 2024. What makes this upcoming model particularly interesting is the fact that the packaging is
designed by 9-year-old Saw Jane Harn from Penang
.

Harn’s artwork was selected from over 386 participants between the ages of 4 to 12 years old in a design competition held by Mattel and Proton earlier this year. Keeping in line with the theme of “A Malaysian National Car,” her design includes the rhinoceros hornbill, the hibiscus, and of course, the Petronas Twin Towers.

The Hot Wheels Proton Saga Special Edition diecast will first be available in over 150 countries from December 2023. For the Malaysian market, it will be offered here sometime in 2024 at “leading toy specialty stores, departmental stores, hypermarkets, petrol kiosks, online, and in convenience stores nationwide.”

As for the regular Saga Hot Wheels, you can try checking if your nearest toy or convenience store still has it in stock for RM9.90 – we highly discourage purchasing it from scalpers for hundreds of ringgit more. Do note that there will also be an unboxing event for the Saga Hot Wheels
this weekend on 14 and 15 October at Pavilion Bukit Jalil
.


Apple Watch Ultra 2 Available in Malaysia Soon – Registered With SIRIM

After the
Apple Watch Series 9
 and
2nd generation AirPods Pro (USB-C)
 appeared in SIRIM’s database, the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 has also been registered with the certification body just today on 10 October. Chances are, these three Apple products will be available in Malaysia very, very soon.

Just like the Series 9, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 is now powered by the S9 chip, along with an even brighter display and support for the new double tap gesture. The latter allows users to control the primary button in any given app with just a double tap of the index finger and thumb, which is quite neat.

Another noteworthy upgrade to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a brighter screen. With a peak brightness of a whopping 3,000 nits – which is said to be 50% brighter than its predecessor’s panel – Apple says this is the brightest display ever on an Apple Watch.

Despite the upgrades that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 bring, its asking price for the Malaysian market
remains the same at RM3,799
. Now that the smartwatch has been certified by SIRIM already, we reckon the Watch Ultra 2 will be available in Malaysia in the very near future.


Slimmer PS5 Debuts – 1TB Storage, Detachable Disc Drive, Coming in November With Price Hike

PlayStation got a neat surprise for us this morning!
Enter the new PlayStation 5
, which is…well, still dubbed the PlayStation 5. The new console is slimmer than ever, and it now comes with a detachable disc drive and larger 1TB storage. Unfortunately, its price tag is also larger now.

At least, that’s the case for the PS5 Digital Edition, which sees a price hike from $399 (about RM1,885) to $449 (approximately RM2,120) in the US. As for the standard PS5 with the (detachable) Blu-ray disc drive bundled together, it’s still going for $499 (around RM2,360).

Of course, the Blu-ray drive itself is also sold separately for $79 (about RM375).

Compared to the original PS5, the new model “has been reduced in volume by more than 30%, and weight by 18% and 24% compared to the previous models,” as the company puts it. It is also shorter and slimmer by 33mm 44mm respectively, and it now comes with four separate cover panels – the bottom covers are still finished in matte, while the top covers are glossy.

As mentioned, the new PS5 comes with a 1TB SSD now compared to the previous model’s 825GB drive. It’s also worth noting that only a horizontal stand will be provided with the updated console; a new vertical stand – which is also compatible with the original PS5 – is sold separately for $29 (about RM135).

The new, slimmer PS5 will be available in selected markets, including the US, UK, Europe, and Japan from November 2023 onwards, with global rollout (which should include Malaysia) taking place the following months. Once existing stocks of the current PS5 are sold out, the slimmer PS5 will be the only model available.


Honkai: Star Rail x La Juiceria Themed Cafe Experience in Malaysia

The Honkai: Star Rail Astral Express Pit Stop event is now live in Malaysia! It coincides with the launch of the
Version 1.4 update
 today, and on our shores, the themed cafe event will run until 14 November at the
Menara Hap Seng 2 branch of La Juiceria Superfoods
.

We were given the opportunity to try out the Astral Express Pit Stop event ahead of the launch today, and it was quite a pleasant experience. From the themed meal to the merchandise on offer, we reckon every Star Rail fan will appreciate dining (and shopping) here.

Every merchandise purchased comes with these cute headbands

The first thing you’ll see when you walk into La Juiceria Superfoods in Menara Hap Seng 2 is none other than the merchandise shop. Unfortunately, the shop wasn’t open during our visit, so we couldn’t grab any of the cool items shown on the table, including the sleek acrylic stands of various characters. Do note that you don’t have to dine at the cafe to buy these merchandise.

We did, however, get the Star Rail special holographic ticket, which is only given to customers who purchased a set meal. Not only does the ticket look nice – you’ll get either the March 7th or Dan Heng version – it also comes with a redemption code for some in-game items. These include a Chef Pom-Pom avatar, a Conductor’s Treat phone wallpaper, Pom-Pom’s Fried Fowl consumable, and a recipe for it.

Besides that, you can also redeem the Star Rail collaboration stand you see above by purchasing any two set meals on weekends. Alternatively, it can also be bought for RM70, while the Pom-Pom badge is priced at RM14. You can also get the badge and a character postcard by completing some special tasks.

Naturally, the La Juiceria Superfoods cafe itself is also adorned with various Star Rail decorations. From the tables, walls, to various character standees placed throughout the space, it does feel quite…well, festive in the cafe. It’s a relatively similar ambience to
last year’s Hoyo Fest 2022 celebration
.

Finally, we have the set meals for Star Rail. Three different combo meals are offered with several side dishes, and we went with Combo A (Cosmic Fried Rice, Snapper Jam Appetiser, Punitive Energy Drink), Combo C (Wild Herb Soup, Fruitwood-Grilled Shantak Moa Drumettes, Vomit Inducing Agent), Steamed Puffergoat Milk, and All Good Potion.

While we are by no means food critiques, we did enjoy the dishes. Despite the name, the Vomit Inducing Agent actually tastes quite good! Same goes for the Wild Herb Soup, which is more akin to an acai bowl than a soup. After all, the “soup” is served cold, much to our surprise (in a good way).

Combo A

Combo C

The Steamed Puffergoat Milk (left) and All Good Potion

You also get these neat items with every set meal purchase

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed the Honkai: Star Rail Astral Express Pit Stop event in Malaysia. It’s set to run until 14 November next month, so there’s plenty of time to check out the themed cafe. If you’d like to reserve a seat for the event, you can do so over at La Juiceria’s
dedicated page
 for booking.

Once you’re on the page, just pick a date that you want, select a time slot – dining time is limited to 75 minutes for each customer – choose your combo and any side dish, and make your payment. It’s worth noting that walk-ins are actually accepted for the event, though it will be subject to availability.


12 – 18 October Fuel Price: RON 97 Stays at RM3.47 Per Litre

Another week, another fuel price update. Not surprisingly, RON 97 sees no price movement this week either. As for the prices of RON 95 and diesel, they are unchanged, given that their ceiling prices have been reached.

To recap, the price of RON 97 remains at RM3.47 per litre for the next seven days. RON 95, on the other hand, stays at RM2.05 per litre. As for diesel, it still costs RM2.15 per litre.

These prices will be in effect from 12 to 18 October next week. New fuel prices will be announced every Wednesday, so stay tuned to Nextrift next week for fuel price update.


Oppo Find N3 Flip – Register Interest Now to Get RM200 Rebate in Malaysia

The Oppo Find N3 Flip is making its way to Malaysia very, very soon. Ahead of its local launch, Oppo Malaysia has already opened a
registration of interest
 for the foldable phone, and you can even get a RM200 rebate on the N3 Flip by doing so.

Besides that, you can also secure an invite to an offline event to check out the new Find N3 Flip in person. While it looks similar to last year’s
Find N2 Flip
, the foldable flip phone does bring a few upgrades, including a more sophisticated triple camera configuration – still with the Hasselblad branding – and faster performance.

Compared to its predecessor, the Find N3 Flip’s new Hasselblad camera system is more sophisticated now. In addition to a 50MP main sensor and a 48MP ultra-wide shooter, there’s finally a telephoto lens now. To be specific, it is a 32MP telephoto camera that’s capable of 2x optical zoom or 20x digital zoom.

Powering the Find N3 Flip, on the other hand, is a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 chipset, which should be faster than the N2 Flip’s Dimensity 9000+ SoC. Beyond that, other hardware of the new flip phone is strikingly similar to last year’s model. Well, except for the addition of an alert slider on the left side of the phone.

Other specifications of the Find N3 Flip include a 6.8-inch 2520 x 1080 AMOLED primary display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.26-inch 720 x 382 AMOLED cover screen – still limited at 60Hz – a 32MP selfie camera, 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and a 4,300mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

You can register your interest for the Oppo Find N3 Flip in Malaysia now through
Google Forms
. You can get a RM200 rebate by filling up the form, along with a chance to see the phone for yourself at an offline event.


Oppo Find N3 Series Global Launch Set for 19 October – Find N3 & Find N3 Flip Expected

Oppo just revealed the launch date for its latest foldable smartphones; yes, plural. The Oppo Find N3 series will introduce two new foldable phones, and besides the already-revealed
Find N3 Flip
, there’s a good chance the second device is the successor to the
Find N2
, the Oppo Find N3.

Unfortunately, details are light on the Find N3, though we can expect it to sport the same tablet-like form factor as its predecessor. The livestream of the launch event itself will take place next week on 19 October at 2:30PM, and we can expect to learn more about the two foldable phones then.

While we don’t have details on the Find N3, we do know quite a bit about the Find N3 Flip. Compared to its predecessor, the N3 Flip’s new Hasselblad camera system is more sophisticated now. In addition to a 50MP main sensor and a 48MP ultra-wide shooter, there’s finally a telephoto lens now. To be specific, it is a 32MP telephoto camera that’s capable of 2x optical zoom or 20x digital zoom.

Powering the Find N3 Flip, on the other hand, is a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 chipset, which should be faster than the N2 Flip’s Dimensity 9000+ SoC. Beyond that, other hardware of the new flip phone is strikingly similar to last year’s model. Well, except for the addition of an alert slider on the left side of the phone.

Other specifications of the Find N3 Flip include a 6.8-inch 2520 x 1080 AMOLED primary display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.26-inch 720 x 382 AMOLED cover screen – still limited at 60Hz – a 32MP selfie camera, 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and a 4,300mAh battery with support for 44W fast charging.

The Oppo Find N3 series will make its debut next week on 19 October. The launch event will be livestreamed on that day at 2:30PM – we might learn about the Malaysian availability of the two foldable phones then.


AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) With USB-C Charging Case & IP54 Rating Now in Malaysia for RM1,099

Apple’s 2nd generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case is now available for purchase in Malaysia! The updated wireless earbuds don’t just feature a port change; the earbuds themselves are also more durable now with an IP54 rating, an upgrade from the
previous Lightning model
’s IPX4 rating.

For the Malaysian market, the new AirPods Pro
retains the same RM1,099 price tag in Malaysia
. Beyond the updated port and better durability, other specifications of the wireless earbuds remain the same, including the H2 chip for “up to double the noise-cancelling power” of the original AirPods Pro, along with a total of up to six hours of use with ANC activated.

It’s worth noting that with iOS 17, the AirPods Pro has a slew of new features. Adaptive Audio will adjust the noise control of the earbuds based on the environment, while Conversation Awareness, as its name suggests, will lower the volume and enhance voices in front of the user when said user starts speaking.

The 2nd generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C is now available for purchase in Malaysia for RM1,099 through
Apple’s Malaysian online store
. We reckon Apple Premium Resellers will also have the wireless earbuds in stock from today onwards.


smart #1 Brabus Test Drive: Truly 0-Walao in 3.9 Seconds!

Apologies for the bit of Manglish in the headline – “walao” translates to “wow,” if you’re wondering – but that really is an apt description for the
blisteringly fast
 smart #1 Brabus EV. Packing 428PS and 543Nm of torque out of its dual motor AWD powertrain, the electric crossover can go from 0-100kmph in only 3.9 seconds.

The fact that you can get this level of performance out of a car that’s estimated to go for RM250,000 in Malaysia is certainly, undoubtedly, a very enticing proposition for folks who want a powerful EV for the money. If your interest is piqued, here’s my impressions of the smart #1 Brabus after an hour-long test drive!

Compared to its Pro and Premium siblings, which get a single motor (272PS/343Nm) driving the rear wheels, the smart #1 Brabus’ power output is the biggest differentiator. To be specific, the difference is 156PS and 200Nm of torque, which is quite a big gap in performance.

But the higher-powered Brabus model also gets slightly less range as a result. Though it features the same 66kWh battery as the Premium model, it has a lower range of up to 400km on the WLTP cycle compared to 440km on the aforementioned Premium trim. Of course, this is still a respectable range, in my opinion.

Now, for a crossover with so much power on demand, the #1 Brabus doesn’t feel intimidating to drive at all, which is honestly quite a surprise to me. I can still easily manage the throttle for a comfortable, sedate ride, even when I set the drive mode to – get this – Brabus.

In the Brabus drive mode, AWD is engaged at all times, so I can tap into the #1 Brabus’ full power output. And boy, with the throttle pedal fully depressed, the EV
absolutely flies
. Even when I was going at about 100kmph, the car can still push me back into the seat by a good amount when I accelerate!

The only problem I had in my one-hour test drive is not having enough road to continue accelerating with the #1 Brabus.

Raw performance aside, I also managed to test out the #1 Brabus’ ADAS when my spirited driving spree was abruptly interrupted by traffic jams. The electric crossover is said to feature level 2+ semi-autonomous driving, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, highway assist, and even lane change assist.

Compared to other ADAS I’ve tested on more affordable cars, the #1 Brabus’ definitely feels like a step above. Not only can it keep the EV centred in the lane in various speeds – even in crawling traffic – it can negotiate bends very competently too with minimal steering input from myself.

That being said, the ADAS keeps its distance from the lead car a tad too much for my liking. Given that some Malaysian drivers can be a bit…impatient, this leaves more than enough gap for other cars to cut into the lane. To be fair, most ADAS does leave a conservative distance from the lead car for safety reasons.

Interior wise, the #1 Brabus’ cabin is a comfortable place to be in; very much appreciated when I was stuck in the aforementioned traffic jams. The suede seats and alcantara/leather-wrapped steering wheel feel very premium, as it should be for an EV at this price point, and there are plenty of storage compartments to store various items.

I’m quite a fan of the large 12.8-inch infotainment display as well. While I find the home screen is a bit too busy-looking – though I do like the fox virtual assistant that’s perpetually on the bottom left corner of the interface – I can always connect my iPhone or Android phone to the screen for wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Oh, there’s also a wireless charger, of course.

I really appreciate this padded part for my left knee to rest on

The smart #1 Brabus definitely left a lasting impression on me, even though I only drove it for about an hour or so. Not only is it ridiculously fast, it also feels well put together with premium touches throughout. This comes as no surprise, given that the EV is designed by Mercedes-Benz and built by Geely – two big names in the automotive scene.

All that’s left now is for smart to reveal the exact Malaysian pricing of the #1 Brabus. The company previously mentioned that the whole smart #1 lineup will retail from RM200,000 to RM250,000 on our shores, and given that the Brabus version is the range-topping model, we can expect it to retail around the RM250,000 mark.

The smart #1 Pro (left) and the Brabus version

If you want to check out the smart #1 Brabus, as well as the Pro and Premium models ahead of their Malaysian debuts sometime this quarter, you can do so at Menara Affin TRX until 6PM today (14 October). You can also test drive the #1 Brabus for yourself!


Ruark Audio R410 Coming to Malaysia for RM8,899 – Retro-Style All-in-One Audio System

British audio brand, Ruark Audio, which is known for its range of premium offerings, just launched the Ruark Audio R410 in Malaysia through VSTECS. The R410 falls under the company’s new 100 Series, which comes with Ruark’s signature RotoDial control system that’s been refined for the product line.

For the Malaysian market, the R410 is priced at a cool RM8,899. For that kind of money, you are getting a sophisticated all-in-one audio system. Design wise, its fused walnut veneer cabinet and grille are “engineered from sustainable woods that are expertly spliced and recomposed.” The result is a material that is similar to slow-growing hardwoods, as the company puts it.

Other specifications of the R410 include two Ruark 100mm NS+ bass-mid units, a pair of Ruark 20mm silk dome tweeters, a 120W amplifier, as well as support for several streaming services, including Spotify and Tidal. You can even connect a turntable or CD drive to the R410, if you want that kind of setup.

The Ruark Audio R410 will be available for purchase in Malaysia towards the end of Q4 2023. Priced at RM8,899, it is certainly positioned as a premium offering on our shores, which is really expected from an equally premium brand like Ruark.


Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2 Now in Malaysia From RM1,899

It looks like the
updated AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case
 isn’t the only product available in Malaysia today. Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now be purchased locally, and with that, all major products unveiled at Apple’s September 2023 event are now available on our shores.

Of course, the Series 9 is the more affordable smartwatch of the two,
retailing from RM1,899
 in Malaysia – this is the same starting price as the Series 8 at launch. As for the more rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2,
it goes for RM3,799
 locally; also similar to last year’s model.

Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 are packed with brighter displays than their respective predecessors, and they are also powered by Apple’s S9 chip now. This opens up support for the new double tap gesture, which allows users to control the primary button in any given app with just a double tap of the index finger and thumb. That’s quite neat.

You can now purchase the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Malaysia
directly from Apple’s

online store
. Chances are, Apple Premium Resellers will also have the two smartwatches in stock from today onwards.


Budget 2024: RM2,500 EV Charging Tax Relief & EV Rental Tax Deduction Extended to 2027

At the tabling of Budget 2024, the government announced extensions to the (up to) RM2,500 tax relief for costs related to EV charging. On top of that, the tax deduction on renting EVs by companies – amounting to no more than RM300,000 – has also been extended.

The RM2,500 tax relief for EV charging was set to end on 2023, while the tax deduction on EV rentals is ongoing until 2025. The government has extended these two initiatives by four and two years respectively, so both benefits will now be applicable until 2027.

Beyond that, the government also announced a special scheme to encourage the adoption of
electric bikes
. Malaysians with annual income of RM120,000 and below will be eligible to enjoy up to RM2,400 rebate on the purchase of an electric bike. That’s quite encouraging, though the specific mechanism for the scheme has not been revealed yet.

Also announced at Budget 2024 is over RM170 million worth of investments by Tesla, Gentari, and TNB to install 180 EV chargers throughout Malaysia. This should make it easier for EV owners to charge up their vehicles locally in the near future.


Budget 2024: Extension on License Fees Waiver for B2 Motorcycle, Taxi, e-Hailing Tests

At Budget 2023, the government announced the waiver of license fees for three different categories, which include test fees for B2 motorcycle (below 250cc), taxi, and e-hailing. Well, at the tabling of Budget 2024, this initiative will continue to be extended.

According to the government, this initiative will benefit over 40,000 youths from low income families. Funds for the initiative will be taken from the sales of special number plates, which will also be channeled to other efforts.

One such effort is supplying over 100,000 motorcycle helmets, including those for children, to low income families for free. The same funds will also be used to continue the FLYsiswa programme, which will benefit almost 60,000 students who need assistance to afford flight tickets back home.


Spy Shot: Proton S50 Undisguised! Actually Called Proton S70?

It looks like we’re nearing the local launch of the
Proton S50
! Or rather, the Proton S70. The upcoming Proton sedan has just been spotted on the road completely undisguised, and it looks to be sporting an “S70” badge on the boot lid.

The undisguised S70 was spotted by
Paultan.org
 reader Ilyas Othman. The car looks to be in the middle of a commercial shoot – look at camera mounted on the Porsche Cayenne! – and curiously enough, despite the fact that the S70 badge is already on the car, the model plate has the digit missing. Perhaps it will only be added in post-production?

The Geely Emgrand, which is what the S70 is based on

Nonetheless, based on previous rumours, four different variants of the S70 will supposedly be offered. All of them are said to be powered by the familiar 1.5L TGDi engine that outputs 177PS and 255Nm of torque, which is the same mill found under the hood of the
X50
 and
X70
. It is rumoured be sporting a large 12.3-inch full LCD meter as well.

The Proton S70 is largely believed – and
sort of confirmed by Proton’s own CEO
 – to be launched sometime in November 2023 next month. We’ll find out then the final name and (more importantly) pricing of the highly anticipated sedan.


Neta V EV Malaysian Launch Set for 25 October 2023 – Sub-RM100k Price Expected?

The
Neta V
, which could potentially be the most affordable EV in Malaysia, is set to be launched on our shores
next week on 25 October
. The electric hatchback first made its debut at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 back in May this year, and it was touted then as the most affordable EV in our local market with a RM99,800 price tag.

It’s worth noting that just a couple of months ago, an image
showing a RM79,800 pricing for the Neta V
 at a shopping mall went viral, though Intro Synergy quickly confirmed that the pricing is actually not accurate. “We would like to deny the displayed price and would like to clarify that the price of Neta V will only be officially announced during the launch ceremony,” as the company puts it.

Pricing aside, the Neta V offers a range of up to 380km (following the NEDC standard) out of its 38.54kWh battery. The EV supports up to 100W DC fast charging too, which can juice up the battery from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. With a slower 6.6kW AC home charger, it can be charged from empty to full in 8 hours.

Performance wise, the Neta V’s front-mounted electric motor outputs a modest 95PS and 160Nm of torque, allowing it to go from 0-50kmph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 120kmph. Safety wise, it features two airbags – yes, only two – ABS, EBD, ESC, and passive cruise control.

To recap, the Neta V EV is set to be launched in Malaysia next week on 25 October 2023 at IOI City Mall, and it looks to be followed by a roadshow at the shopping mall until 29 October. According to Intro Synergy, the EV will be offered with “attractive package offers to all customers.”


Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Review: A Spectacular Balancing Act

Who would’ve thought that in 2023, we get a Spider-Man game that features two playable, fully fledged-out Spider-Mans? (Or is it Spider-Men?) That’s exactly what Insomniac Games is bringing with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

Whether it’s the storyline, character development, or gameplay, both Peter Parker and Miles Morales feel equally well-developed in Insomniac’s latest title. Striking a good balance between these two iconic characters is no small feat, which is one of the best qualities of Spider-Man 2.

What It Is

As the many trailers for Spider-Man 2 have shown, Peter and Miles have to face off a number of supervillains in this game, including the likes of Sandman, Kraven, and Venom. The latter is quite a bit more prominent, of course, inspiring even the
limited edition PS5 and the accompanying DualSense controller
.

Throughout Spider-Man 2, players will switch between Peter and Miles for various missions and side missions, some of which are exclusively available to either one of them to advance their own personal stories. Just like the previous games, even the side missions expand upon the two Spider-Mans’ stories quite a bit.

Retailing from RM299 in Malaysia
, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is priced reasonably well, in my opinion. For that kind of money, you’re getting a ton of content that will keep you entertained for hours on end, though I do have some gripes regarding this – I’ll elaborate more further down the review.

The Good Stuff

I love a game with a good story, and in regards to Spider-Man 2, it’s…well, decent. While I find the first Spider-Man’s plot to be more engrossing, that is not to say this sequel has a bad narrative; far from it. Yes, the overarching story is a tad cliche, but I do enjoy the character development of Peter, Miles, and other characters – including MJ and Harry – in the 13-hour or so main storyline.

There are also a few Easter eggs and interesting cameos to discover throughout Spider-Man 2. Without going into spoiler territory, there is potential for yet another sequel. Insomniac has certainly done its homework for Marvel’s Spider-Man’s worldbuilding.

Speaking of which, the open world environment of Spider-Man 2 has gotten bigger too, thanks to the introduction of two new boroughs: Brooklyn and Queens. Swinging around New York has never felt more expansive with the new areas to explore, which is further enhanced by the new traversal mechanics.

One such mechanic is the Web Wing, which allows the two Spider-Mans to glide quickly from one district to another. I’ve always enjoyed just moving around the city to look for any noteworthy side missions to complete, and I’m ecstatic that I can traverse through New York with a greater degree of freedom now.

Both in terms of traversal speed and the sheer scale of the expanded city.

That is a good segue to how quickly I can swap between Peter and Miles in Spider-Man 2. As mentioned, certain missions can only be done by either one of the two superheroes, and swapping between them takes merely seconds with the PS5’s speedy SSD. Even fast travelling between districts is equally fast with no loading screens at all; there’s even a cool animation of the map rendering to the actual district that you’re fast travelling to.

Combat also feels better in Spider-Man 2. While Peter has access to a slew of symbiote abilities, Miles has his own bio-electric venom powers that feel distinctively different. Each Spider-Man also has his own skill upgrade path, along with one shared skill tree between the two characters.

On top of that, the introduction of one key mechanic also adds more depth to combat: parrying. While I usually just juggle my enemies in mid-air whenever I enter combat (trust me, it’s fun), I can’t employ the same strategy with heavier brute enemies or bosses. That’s when parrying comes in handy.

That being said, even though parrying can be very effective, it doesn’t feel particularly…satisfying. It only opens up the enemy for a few hits before they recover, and having to repeatedly parry the same enemy three – or even four times – before they’re defeated can get old pretty quickly.

What is not old is Insomniac’s much more elaborate use of the DualSense’s range of features for Spider-Man 2. The controller’s more refined haptic feedback is used in various scenarios now for a more immersive gameplay experience, and the adaptive triggers are even used for certain puzzles; much appreciated.

The Bad Stuff

While I’m quite entertained with the main storyline of Spider-Man 2, I still wish it was a tad longer. Granted, I only completed it within 13 hours as I did very minimal side missions to upgrade some of my skills. As a consolation, at least some side missions have pretty interesting plots too.

Of course, it’s entirely possible Spider-Man 2’s story will be further expanded in future DLCs. After all, this was the case with the original game through The City That Never Sleeps expansion. Here’s hoping such a DLC is in the works.

Besides that, combat can also feel a bit frustrating in certain parts of Spider-Man 2, especially in bigger boss fights. The damage scaling doesn’t feel…well, fair, especially in comparison to how much (or rather, how little) damage I was dishing out. To be fair, I was playing on the normal difficulty without upgrading too much of my health or damage, which could’ve made these boss encounters more difficult than they actually are.

On the plus side, at least there are a ton of settings to scale down the difficulty, which I was tempted to do on several occasions, but ultimately did not.

Is It Worth It?

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a fantastic sequel in more ways than one. It’s impressive how well Insomniac Games balanced the overall story and abilities of both Peter Parker and Miles Morales, and though I was left wanting for more story content, I do appreciate the fact that even side missions have a good story to tell. It also helps that the open world environment is now bigger with even more traversal tools at players’ disposal.

It is for these reasons that Spider-Man 2 deserves the Nextrift Recommends badge. It’s our way of endorsing a particular game or product for its entertainment value, refinement, unique appeal, or even just sheer value for money. In my opinion, Insomniac’s latest entry in the Spider-Man franchise fit all of the criteria for the much-deserved award.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches 20 October exclusively on PS5.