ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) Review — ASUS’ hero Z490 board?

With the 10th Gen Intel Core desktop processors, you will have to get a new motherboard. You get a new LGA 1200 socket, more cores in them and consequently higher power demands, so the motherboards designed to support the 10th Gen Intel Core “Comet Lake-S” processors are also relatively beefy. So beefy that even the lowest-end ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) sports a power delivery system that walks all over the flagship ROG Maximus XI Extreme. Interested already? Well, here we go.
Unboxing

We have already done an unboxing of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi), which you can check out in the video above or in our unboxing article. Or you just check out the contents of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi)’s package below. It’s quite a comprehensive array of accessories, and there’s even a fan to mount over your VRM.

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As a member of the ROG family, the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) comes with a whole set of ROG paraphernalia, including a nice keychain this time around. There’s also a little 40mm fan to cool the VRM heatsinks better, although it definitely isn’t all that necessary, and was definitely added as an afterthought, unlike with the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming.
Appearance

The ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) definitely looks a lot more “covered” than its predecessor. Instead of just overdosing on plastic,  this time it’s mostly for cooling purposes. It gets a pretty huge “Northbridge” heatsink which helps to wick heat away from the two main VRM heatsinks via a connected heatpipe, and between the first and second PCIe x16 slots, there’s a huge metal heatspreader which will help to cool the two M.2 SSDs you can put under it.

ASUS seems to have equipped the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) with the beefiest VRM cooling across the whole ROG Maximus XII family. The heatsinks are quite tall, but not tall enough to affect compatibility with huge air coolers, and extend all around the socket, instead of sacrificing a portion of it to throw on an OLED panel. Deep slits are cut into most of the aluminium blocks to increase the surface area and facilitate airflow around the socket area. It’s no fin array, but at least it is better than the solid aluminium blocks that decorated the previous generation of ROG Maximus boards.

Meanwhile lower down the board, this area is literally teeming with PCIe and M.2 slots. ASUS covers the onboard audio circuitry with some plastic for a sleeker look, while all the M.2 slots gets improved heat dissipation courtesy of the heatspreader. The PCH might not be so lucky, with a plastic cover over the actual aluminium heatsink impeding cooling. It’s not going to be an issue though as the PCH doesn’t produce too much heat at all.

For the rear I/O, the lone HDMI output sets the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) apart from the rest of the ROG Maximus XII product stack. There’s also a rear-mounted Clear CMOS button and a BIOS Flashback button. There are also two LAN ports, with the one labeled 5G capable of 5 Gbps speeds courtesy of a Marvell AQtion controller.

The back of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) is a lot cleaner than what you get on the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming. There’s still no backplate, as you will have to plump up for the ROG Maximus XII Formula to get a backplate from ASUS.

ARGB lighting is applied on the I/O shroud and the PCH cover. The illumination is diffuse so you get even brightness across the panels. Glossy plastic is used quite liberally though, which means that you want to be quite careful when building your next rig.
Specifications
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi)

CPU support
Intel LGA 1200
10th Gen Intel Core desktop processors (Comet Lake-S)
Pentium Gold & Celeron processors

Power
1 x 24-pin ATX
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V (ProCool II)
1 x 4-pin EATX 12V
ASUS ASP1405i PWM controller (7 + 1 phase config)
14 x TDA21462 60A power stage for VCore
2 x TDA21462 60A power stage for iGPU

Chipset
Intel Z490

Memory
4 x DDR4 DIMM, max. 128GB un-buffered memory

Multi-GPU Support
2-way NVIDIA SLI
3-way AMD CrossFireX

Expansion slots
PCIe 3.0 x1
PCIe 3.0 x16 (x16 electrically)
PCIe 3.0 x1
PCIe 3.0 x16 (x8 electrically)
PCIe 3.0 x1
PCIe 3.0 x16 (x4 electrically)

Storage
6 x SATA 6 Gb/s, supports RAID 0,1,5,10
1 x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4/SATA
1 x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 (shared bandwidth with last PCIe 3.0 slot)
1 x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 (disables SATA_5 & SATA_6 when used)

Network
Intel WiFi 6 AX201 (2×2 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1)
Marvell AQtion AQC111C 5 GbE
Intel I219V GbE

USB
Rear I/O:
3 x USB 3.1 (10 Gbps)
1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (10 Gbps)
4 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)
2 x USB 2.0
On-board headers:
1 x USB 3.1 (10 Gbps)
1 x USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) (2 ports each)
2 x USB 2.0 (2 ports each)

Audio
SupremeFX S1220 CODEC
ESS ES9023P DAC
5 x gold-plated audio jacks (rear)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
1 x front panel audio connector

Display output
1 x HDMI 1.4

Other onboard connectors
1 x CPU fan header
1 x CPU_OPT fan header
1 x AIO_PUMP header
1 x H_AMP fan header (3A)
1 x W_PUMP+ header (3A)
3 x Chassis fan headers
1 x W_IN header
1 x W_OUT header
1 x W_FLOW header
1 x Temperature sensor connector
2 x AURA RGB headers
2 x ARGB Gen 2 headers
1 x Thunderbolt 3 header

Overclocking features
Onboard power button
FlexKey
ReTry button
BIOS Flashback
Clear CMOS button
Q-CODE readout
Q-LED debug LEDs

Included accessories
User’s manual
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable
2 x M.2 Screw Packages
2 x M.2 rubber package
1 x Wi-Fi Antenna
1 x Q-connector
1 x 40mm assistant fan (VRM fan)
1 x Fan bracket
1 x ARGB extension cable
1 x RGB extension cable
1 x Driver disk
1 x ROG stickers
1 x ROG thank you card

Form factor
ATX (12″ x 9.6″)

System

CPU
Intel Core i5-10600K (ES), 6C/12T @ up to 4.8 GHz, 14nm

RAM
2 x 8GB TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem ARGB DDR4-3600

Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) (BIOS ver. 0503)

GPU
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER Advanced Edition 8GB GDDR6

Storage
120GB Kingston A400 SSD
960GB Kingston UV500 SSD
1TB Seagate FireCuda SSHD

CPU Cooling
Cooler Master ML240R

Case
Vector Benchcase

PSU
Cooler Master V850 Gold

Monitor
BenQ EL2870U

User Experience
Build
It fits in the normal ATX dimensions, so no concerns there. The integrated I/O shield also simplifies the process as there’s one less thing to worry about when building with the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi).

But while they simplified the build experience in one way, ASUS somehow decided that you need to undo a total of seven screws to make use of the first two M.2 slots. First, you have to remove the plastic PCH cover which is made of glossy plastic, which is not only vulnerable to scratches, but also quite a dust magnet, as you can see.

Under it lie the heatspreader that covers two M.2 slots. If you only want to use one M.2 SSD, then you can use the last slot for it, which has the heatspreader held down by just two screws. All the M.2 heatsinks sport good pre-applied thermal pads.

The watercooling enthusiasts among you would also appreciate the watercooling headers along the lower right edge of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi). With two headers for water temperature as well as one for water flow rate, you are well set for a well-monitored custom liquid cooling loop. And for those who just want a clean build, there’s a 90° USB 3.0 header to allow for (much) easier cable management.
BIOS
          EZ Mode            Extreme Tweaker          Voltages              V/F Point adjustment            Power management            RAM tweaks              Q Fan profiles            Customizable Flex Key
As you might expect from a board from ASUS, the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi)’s BIOS is not only feature-packed, but also one of the easiest to use. There are even Maximus Tweaks to apply to the RAM overclocking, which are optimized memory settings to help enthusiasts unleash more performance. For those who are less experienced, AI Overclocking feature is a handy tool for one to dip their toes into overclocking without any effort. The feature could be a bit more conservative though, as it will pump well above 1.5V into the 10th Gen CPUs, which isn’t exactly recommended.
Overclocking
The 10th Gen Intel Core processors are quite easy to overclock, and the Intel Core i5-10600K (ES) which we received with the board was easy enough to push to 4.9 GHz. Just dial in the multiplier to 49x and up the voltage to 1.35V, and it was smooth sailing from there. RAM overclocking was done with just the XMP profile of the T-FORCE XTREEM ARGB DDR4-3600 CL14 kit that we have, and it too worked like a charm.

For those who are more interested in a more trial-and-error approach, you will be pleased to find the ReTry button over on the lower edge of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi). It essentially gives you access to the BIOS after a failed overclock prevents you from even POST-ing by temporarily using the default settings to let you finetune your settings in the BIOS. It’s one of my favorite features and it seems like it is still an ROG-exclusive feature, with the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming we reviewed earlier not getting it.

It’s worth mentioning that the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi)’s VRMs can run rather warm. When the overclocked Core i5-10600K was pulling around 140W for a whole hour, the VRMs hit a maximum of 52°C, as reported by the BIOS through HWiNFO. It’s definitely quite a peculiar result as the ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming actually reported lower temps, although the way the boards report are probably not comparable as the ROG Strix board does not have a direct VRM temperature readout.
Software
          Armoury Crate – Aura Sync            Armoury Crate – Aura Sync              Armoury Crate – Aura Sync            Dual Intelligent Processors 5            GameFirst VI            RAMCache III
ASUS offers a most comprehensive set of software with the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi). Armoury Crate handles the RGB lighting, while Dual Intelligent Processor 5 lets you tweak most of the BIOS’ settings directly from Windows. It’s recommended to just go to the BIOS and do it from there, but some people prefer doing it from Windows. There’s also RAMCache to let you experiment with turning some RAM into non-volatile storage to accelerate your loading times.
Conclusion
Premium audio hardware
The ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) itself does serve up a lot for the RM2089 price tag. Three M.2 PCIe slots, 5 Gbps Ethernet and support for up to 4800 MHz memory are among them, as well as the much-acclaimed BIOS to help you push the 10th Gen Intel Core processors to the very limits. But one can’t help but notice that the board is priced very similarly to the Crosshair VIII Hero (WiFi), while falling a bit short on certain features.

While the power delivery system here on the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) is definitely on par with the X570 board’s, there are less features to justify the premium pricing of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi). The Crosshair VIII Hero brings PCIe 4.0 support to the table, while the Intel Z490 platform doesn’t have PCIe 4.0. There are rumors that the Z490 boards are built to support PCIe 4.0, which might explain the rather exorbitant pricing considering the need for the additional PCB layers and other hardware to support the faster signaling of PCIe 4.0, but unfortunately you can’t take advantage of that yet. By the time Intel supports PCIe 4.0, there should also be a newer board that you can buy along with the CPU that supports PCIe 4.0. Perhaps the ROG Maximus XIII series?

Of course, none of that are really the shortcomings of the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi), as it is more a disadvantage that Intel’s platform currently has going up against the AMD AM4 platform now. If you are getting a 10th Gen Intel Core processor, there are going to be few boards that can match or exceed the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi)’s feature set when it comes to overclocking, with it offering exactly what makes ROG boards stand out, without the insane price tags that some of the higher-end ROG boards command.

Our thanks to ASUS Malaysia for sending us the ROG Maximus XII Hero (WiFi) for review.
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Celebrate vivo V Series’ 8th Anniversary with Exciting Events in Malaysia

The vivo V Series 8th anniversary celebration has been officially announced. Over the years, the V series has gained popularity among Malaysians, thanks to its exceptional photography capabilities. To commemorate this significant milestone, vivo Malaysia has planned a series of exciting events and exclusive offers for its customers throughout the celebration period, from 11 May to 12 June.
vivo V Series 8th Anniversary Special

As part of the anniversary celebrations, vivo Malaysia is offering an exclusive reward to its loyal customers. Malaysians can avail themselves of a Touch and Go reload pin worth RM100 by simply showing their old vivo V series device at any vivo concept store. No trade-in is required. This exclusive offer is available for those who purchase the latest vivo V27 during the celebration period.

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In collaboration with the iconic fashion brand Christy Ng, vivo Malaysia has created a specially designated bag for the vivo V series’ 8th anniversary. Customers who purchase the vivo V27 at any vivo concept store or online will receive this exclusive bag as a special gift. The limited edition bag adds a touch of style to the smartphone ownership experience.
Calling all vivo fans across Malaysia! As part of the nationwide celebrations, vivo will be organizing photography workshops in several cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sarawak, and Johor. These workshops offer an incredible opportunity for participants to learn new skills and approaches from experienced photographers. Alongside the workshops, there will be exciting prizes to be won and sumptuous meal gatherings to create memorable moments.

vivo Malaysia remains dedicated to providing Malaysians with cutting-edge technology that enhances their lives. The 8th anniversary celebrations for the V series exemplify this commitment, showcasing vivo’s continuous efforts to offer high-quality smartphones that cater to the evolving needs of its customers. As the celebrations unfold, vivo Malaysia looks forward to bringing more innovative devices and experiences to the Malaysian market.
Join vivo Malaysia in celebrating the 8th anniversary of the V series smartphones. Enjoy exclusive offers, receive a special edition designated bag, participate in photography workshops, and stand a chance to win amazing prizes. Stay tuned to vivo Malaysia’s official Facebook Page for more updates and information about the exciting events and offers during this commemorative period.
Pokdepinion: If you’re shopping around for some new gadgets anyway, might as well join in the fun. Who knows? You might just get some extra goodies for your trouble while you’re at it.
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OPPO Malaysia has revealed that they will be bringing in three color variants for the upcoming F9 smartphone, Sunrise Red, Twilight Blue and Starry Purple.
OPPO F9 Coming In Three Colors

While previously we’ve wrote on the teaser that OPPO released about the OPPO F9, now we have a clearer look on the F9 design. Instead of your typical ‘notch’ on top design, OPPO has tweaked it a little bit to bring a ‘waterdrop’ design.

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The phone is the first from the F-series to feature flower petal pattern with gradient colors from rear body to sides. Specification wise, it is said to feature a MediaTek Helio P60 SoC, 6GB RAM, a 6.3-inch display. Known for being one of the ‘Selfie Expert’ series, it offers a 25MP selfie shooter.

Memory wise, it comes with a 64GB internal storage which you can expand up to 256GB. As for its main camera, it sports a dual 16MP+5MP combo. Under the hood, it runs on a 3500mAh battery.
Pokdepinion: If you ask me on the design, I’d say its totally  better than to have a whole notch to be located on top of the screen of your device. What do you think of the waterdrop? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Digi Introduces New Postpaid Plan Benefits

The folks at Digi has today announce their upgraded Digi Postpaid plans to support more Malaysians as the country bounce back to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, offering simplicity and value.
Digi Postpaid plans

The all-new Digi Postpaid now comes with internet plans that removes quota partitions plus no speed caps. You have the option to sign up to six additional family lines at a 50% discount for each line, starting from as low as RM20 per month.

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In addition to that, you have the flexibility to choose free add-ons to meet your individual needs such as rebates on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, extra internet quota, and mobile broadband.
They’ve also reduced the entry price for their Digi PhoneFreedom 365 plan from RM90 to RM60 per month, enabling you to own a brand new smartphone from a lower price.
For more details on their postpaid offerings, you can check that out by heading to their website right here.
Stay tuned to Pokde.net for the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews.
Pokdepinion: The telco company has definitely made their plans more attractive with their offerings. Will you be picking up one of their Postpaid plans? Let us know in the comments.
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GIGABYTE’s upcoming laptop to come with next-gen hardware and design

GIGABYTE has shared with us some information of their upcoming gaming laptop, which has an all-new design that’s a stark departure from their current lineup of gaming laptops. In addition to the new design, it’s also expected to feature next-gen hardware.

GIGABYTE has equipped the laptop with the latest WINDFORCE Infinity Cooling System which offers 30% better cooling efficiency that enables the CPU and GPU to deliver optimal performance under full load. The battery is a huge 94 WHr unit so that you can also use it for work away from the plug.

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GIGABYTE will also be upgrading the keyboard in the laptop with OMRON Gaming Switches, which should make it the first laptop in the world to offer a mechanical keyboard experience in a laptop this thin. The OMRON Gaming Switches offer better illumination and a better typing experience with tactile feedback that’s unmatched by membrane designs. Each of the keys light up individually and can be controlled via the RGB Fusion 2.0 software.

Of course, no gaming laptop in 2020 will be complete with a high refresh rate panel. GIGABYTE will be equipping their upcoming gaming machine with up to 240 Hz displays, so you can take full advantage of the graphics prowess on tap.

All of that will be encased in an all-aluminium chassis. The laptop will feature a new gunmetal grey finish, unlike its predecessors which came with all-black finishes. The design has also been revamped, with a sleeker profile so that it won’t look out of place in a board room, and yet still offer the cooling you need with some huge vents on the rear and sides of the chassis. GIGABYTE calls this a “racing inspired” unibody design.
GIGABYTE AORUS 15
What do you think of the upcoming laptop’s design? Do you prefer it over last-gen’s GIGABYTE AORUS 15?

We are also running a contest where you can guess the name of the laptop and stand a chance to win a gaming mouse! Don’t miss out!
Pokdepinion: This laptop is definitely a much better looking machine than its predecessor!
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HUAWEI Band 6 Review – A fitness band with a smartwatch experience

Today we’ll be taking a look at a new fitness band from HUAWEI called the HUAWEI Band 6 which was just released very recently. The HUAWEI Band 6 comes with plenty of workout modes (96 workout modes to be exact) and features many different types of sensors that can measure things such as your heart rate, sleep quality, spO2 levels and even measures your stress levels.
Is the HUAWEI Band 6 any good though? That’s what we’re here to find out.
Unboxing
Here’s an unboxing video of the HUAWEI Band 6 which we shot recently to kick things off. Have a look below.

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As you can see from the unboxing video above, the HUAWEI Band 6 comes in a simple (yet somehow elegant-looking) white box. In front, you will see a picture of the fitness band itself with the colour that corresponds to the actual colour variant of the Band 6 itself. Inside you will see the HUAWEI Band 6, a magnetic charging cable that clips on to the back of the band as well as a user manual.
Appearance

The HUAWEI Band 6 features a rectangular watch face, which is a very typical design for most fitness bands like this. However, its wider display sets it apart from the other fitness bands and a little closer towards the smartwatch category. The HUAWEI Band 6 features a 1.47-inch AMOLED display that is pretty clear and bright. There is also a button that sits on the outer body of the band that is made out of plastic.

Underneath the HUAWEI Band 6, you will find an array of sensors which includes the optical heart rate sensor. You can also see the contacts next to the sensors where the magnetic cable connects to for charging. The underside of the Band 6 is also made of plastic but this time it’s made of plain black plastic as opposed to the more aesthetically pleasing plastic material of the outer body.

The Band 6 also comes with a silicone rubber strap that looks pretty great and doesn’t look like it’ll gum on you when you sweat. The strap features a loop that has a little nub on the inside that latches on to any of the strap holes so that it doesn’t slide around when you are on the move. The strap can also be easily removed and swapped with other compatible straps.
HUAWEI Band 6 Specifications

Display
1.47″ 194 x 368 AMOLED display with touchscreen support

Water resistance
5ATM water-resistant

Features
2.4Ghz, Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth LE, magnetic charging port, touchscreen with side button for navigation

Sensors
6-axis IMU sensor (Accelerometer sensor, Gyroscope sensor), optical heart rate sensor

Battery
180 mAh

Dimensions
18g

User Experience

The first thing I would like to acknowledge is just how attractive the HUAWEI Band 6 looks. To me, it doesn’t have the standard look of a typical, run-of-the-mill fitness band. The HUAWEI Band 6 looks more like a proper smartwatch that can go with any style of ensemble you’d be wearing that day.

While the HUAWEI Band 6 can be used very well on its own, you will have to pair it with the HUAWEI Health app if you’d like to access its full suite of features. To download the HUAWEI Health app, you can either download it straight from the App Store or the Google Play Store or you can just scan the QR code provided in the included user manual. You don’t need a HUAWEI phone to use the app. Once downloaded, you will have access not just to the fitness features but customisable watch faces too.

Speaking of customisable watch faces, there are many different styles of watch faces for you to choose from. Most of these custom watch faces are user-submitted designs and includes either paid designs or free designs. Personally, I didn’t go for any of the custom watch faces as I was quite happy with the default watch face. To me, it looked pretty and elegant and reminded me of a normal wristwatch.

In terms of its features, the HUAWEI Band 6 generally perform well in that regard. The heart rate monitor, sleep tracker and SpO2 monitor all work without any fuss. The heart rate monitor works well and the heart rate numbers I got are more or less the same as the ones I got on my own Mi Band 4 so I believe it to be quite accurate. The sleep monitor is by far my favourite feature as it offers an in-depth look at my sleeping patterns which I have to say are quite revealing.

The SpO2 monitor and stress work well without any sort of fuss, although I am not entirely sure how accurate the results are as I don’t have any other equipment to compare the results with. I tend to take these results as just an indication rather than using them as concrete evidence.

The HUAWEI Band 6 can also display notifications from various messaging apps or social media apps. You can choose which apps to have their notifications displayed on the HUAWEI Band 6 via the HUAWEI Health app. You can also control your music through the watch as well notify you of incoming which you can reject or silent from the band itself.
The battery life of the HUAWEI Band 6 is also quite impressive. HUAWEI advertises that the Band 6 can last up to 14 days on a single charge and while I did not get 14 days of battery life during my testing, the Band did manage to hold out for a full 12 days before having to charge it. The charging time is not that bad either, it can be fully charged in just a little over an hour.
All in all, I am quite satisfied with the whole user experience with the HUAWEI Band 6. I have to say that my user experience with the Band has not been the smoothest ride ever. I found that the Band’s connection is a little spotty at times and is prone to randomly disconnect and reconnect on its own. This does not affect the fitness trackers and apps, however, it does affect notifications in a big way.

Because of this connection issue, I had problems receiving my notifications for long periods. To be quite honest, it is not a huge deal-breaker for me as I am used to just whipping out my phone to check my messages. Also, having to reconnect the HUAWEI Band 6, while not difficult, to the app every time it disconnects can be a bit of a hassle, especially when you have to do it frequently. Also, the notifications tend to get a little buggy sometimes with the same message appearing multiple times which can be a bit annoying.
In addition to that, the HUAWEI Band 6 does lack some features when compared to some other fitness bands. The main feature missing is built-in GPS although I can’t really fault HUAWEI for not including it as such a feature would have definitely driven the HUAWEI Band 6’s retail price up. You can always use your phone GPS through the HUAWEI Health app to track your location. With that being said, those who are specifically looking for GPS built-in so that they can use the HUAWEI Band 6 for running or cycling might have to look elsewhere.
Conclusion

The HUAWEI Band 6 is literally a slightly pared-down version of the HUAWEI Watch Fit as they share many of the same features and sensors. Regardless, the HUAWEI Band 6 is quite an impressive bit of equipment. It has a very attractive overall design and does everything it says on the tin. You get great features like live heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, SpO2 tracking, an abundance of different workout or exercise modes as well as excellent battery life.
The connection issues are a bit of a sore point for me as it affects the ability of the HUAWEI Band 6 to display notifications for me. As I said before, it’s not a major issue for me but for those who are looking to rely on the Band to help them with their notifications, this might pose a bigger issue. Moreover, the random bugginess of the notifications is also quite annoying.

Despite some issues, I would say that the HUAWEI Band 6 is a fantastic option for those who are looking for a good fitness band to use while they work out or do activities. It does well enough as a smartwatch too. The HUAWEI Band 6 retails for RM219 and can be bought at the HUAWEI Store Online or their official store on Shopee.
And with that, I award the HUAWEI Band 6 a solid Silver Pokdeward.

Huge thanks to HUAWEI Malaysia for providing us with the HUAWEI Band 6 for this review.
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Amongst the huge list of hardware ASUS is presented on its Computex booth this week, the brand has also debuted a brand-new family of monitors with a touch of colors – something you don’t really see outside of current-gen iMacs. The monitor itself comes in four colors, which is Quiet Blue, Green Grey, Astro Beige, and Pink Clay.
The ASUS VU series comes in two sizes: 23.8-inch and 27-inch (VU249CFE and VU279CFE respectively) – both of which packs a 1080p IPS panel that offers refresh rate of up to 100Hz. As far as entry-level monitor displays go, 100Hz is fairly decent even for gaming scenarios. While the stand itself isn’t directly mounted to VESA which often offers greater articulation, the stand itself offers some degree of maneuverability with three adjustable height levels (71, 96 & 121mm), as well as a cable management channel. I/O options include HDMI, USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 15W Power Delivery for device charging.

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The VU series are all manufactured using 85% of post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) and contains fully recycled paper for packaging, sourced from FSC-certified sustainably managed forests; and ASUS is targeting Energy Star 8.0 rating with the use of built-in light sensor to adjust brightness on-the-fly and reduce excess brightness when necessary to save power. As of this writing, no availability nor pricing information has been announced.
Pokdepinion: Certainly a breath of fresh air from all the grayscale-shaded monitors these days.
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ONEXPLAYER 1S handheld console now available in Malaysia at RM4799

While you might have seen various handheld gaming consoles powered by AMD processors, the ONEXPLAYER 1S is probably the first one I have spotted featuring 11th Gen Intel Core processors. And not just any Tiger Lake processor, but the Intel Core i7-1195G7, which is Intel’s highest end Tiger Lake option that boosts up to 5.0GHz, when the thermals allow for it.
More powerful than most handheld consoles?

Of course, cooling is probably quite limited in such a compact chassis, although ONEXPLAYER mentions that there is a dual-fan, dual-heatpipe cooling system inside. If provided with sufficient cooling, the Intel Core i7-1195G7 should give the ONEXPLAYER 1S should have the upper hand over most of the AMD-based handheld consoles, simply because of its beefier 96EU Intel Iris Xe Graphics clocked at up to 1.4GHz.

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Intel claims that their gaming performance is up to 2X faster than AMD’s last-gen solution, and while the AMD Ryzen 5000 series have arrived, they are still powered by the same Radeon Vega graphics solutions. The processor is paired with 16GB LPDDR4X-4266 memory to give the integrated graphics the best chance it can get to shine. Storage is upgradeable with support standard M.2 2280 SSDs, although the ONEXPLAYER 1S comes with 1TB out of the box.

The console itself comes with other pretty interesting specifications, including Japanese ALPS rockers for the analog sticks, which should hopefully alleviate stick-drift issues plaguing other portable consoles out there. There are also analog triggers for those who play more than RPG or FPS titles. Between the controls lie a 8.4″ display that boasts of a whopping 2560 x 1600 resolution. That’s way higher than what you should be using when gaming on integrated graphics!
All of that is powered by a 58.91WHr battery, which is pretty huge considering the size of the entire device. It also supports up to 65W USB-PD for quick charging, or even USB-PD power banks. I don’t expect battery life to be great if you are gaming on the ONEXPLAYER 1S, as the processor runs with a 20W TDP out of the box, with a button to push that 28W TDP. If you want even more power, you can go to the BIOS to unlock the 40W TDP limit as well, which should chug down the battery really quickly.
Supports external graphics!

In any case, the most interesting thing about the ONEXPLAYER 1S is probably its connectivity. You get the standard WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, but it also boasts of two USB 4.0 ports that support external GPU solutions! USB 4.0 is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, so you can use the Thunderbolt eGPU docks to amp up the performance of the ONEXPLAYER 1S. Of course, this means that it is no longer a portable console.
Aside from the handheld mode out of the box, the ONEXPLAYER supports use with external displays with a graphics card dock and also as a laptop, with a magnetic keyboard. The thing runs full Windows 10, so why not? In fact, it makes a lot of sense to use the ONEXPLAYER 1S as your laptop, as it even has a fingerprint scanner integrated into its power button, ensuring that your work/game files are secure when you bring it on the go with you.

It seems that the magnetic keyboard add-on is not available in Malaysia though. The ONEXPLAYER 1S console itself is available for pre-order from Impulse Gaming at RM4799, which is really steep when you consider that most handheld consoles come in at around half that price. However this handheld console also supports being docked with an external GPU, which gives you plenty of options beyond what existing solutions can offer.
Pokdepinion: If I had the money, this would probably be the handheld console I would get.
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AMD’s new R series processor supports DDR4 memory — for embedded platforms

Intel was the first to use DDR4 memory modules in both consumer and enterprise segments, leaving AMD behind still stuck with DDR3. Even though there are rumors that AMD Carrizo APUs will support DDR4 memory but when it was finally officially released, it only came with DDR3 support.

AMD just announced their new R-series APU which is designed for embedded platforms, and interestingly the R-series is actually from the AMD Carrizo family, and it really comes with DDR4 memory support. But don’t get too hyped about this because the R-series isn’t meant for consumers but for embedded market.

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Named AMD Merlin Falcon, it’s a semi-custom chip from AMD which adds DDR4 memory support and is based on the Excavator core, with up to four cores per unit. It will have 8 compute units on the GPU, resulting in a balanced, powerful and efficient performance in HSA enabled applications, as the Merlin Falcon supports the HSA heterogeneous computing standard and ARM TrustZone security technology.

As it is designed for embedded platforms it should have lower TDP figures, and the AMD Merlin Falcon TDPs are between 12 to 35W, with 6 models available.

The Merlin Falcon is not only designed to exclusively support DDR4 memory, but it also has support for 2133 MHz and 2400 MHz DDR3 memory modules. Why does it need fast RAM? AMD APU’s actually need to be paired with faster memory modules.

Compare with its predecessor, Bald Eagle, as a SoC chip the AMD Merlin Falcom has merged the external southbridge, packing it with the APU, unlike the Bald Eagle platform, resulting in a smaller motherboard with a footprint up to 30% compared to the older platform.

Time for performance tables. it’s quite a bold claim by AMD, but they said that the new R-series Merlin Falcon has a big advantage over the Intel Core i7 5650U in terms of GPU performance and is on par in terms of the CPU performance.

Pokdepinion : If you want to get your hands on one of these chips, it’s quite easy actually. You can go to any slot machine in a casino that is using the AMD R-series embedded chip and play with it, hit the jackpot and then what you need to do is just to buy the slot machine.
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TM, TNB Cancelled Collaboration “Beneficial” for Malaysia – Government’s Plans Unaffected

With TM and TNB’s collaboration for the Nationwide Fiberisation Plan (NFP) now cancelled, Minister Gobind Singh said that it is beneficial for Malaysia.
TM, TNB Cancelled Collaboration “Beneficial” for Malaysia

Yesterday, we reported about the cancellation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Telekom Malaysia (TM) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) with regards to the Nationwide Fiberisation Plan (NFP). Naturally, this leaves a lot of questions unanswered, especially with the state of the government’s plan to make high speed internet available for everyone and also lowering its cost.

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According to Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, the Suburban Broadband Project is not affected even though the government faced various constraints including finance due to the amount of national debt. The Suburban Project refers to the plan to provide high speed internet coverage in suburban areas nationwide.
He said the goal of providing broadband facilities of up to 20 MBps in suburban areas nationwide would still be implemented in order to bridge the digital gap between the urban and rural areas as the government already has sufficient funds for this very purpose.

The government has a Universal Service Provision (USP) fund. Telecommunications companies are channelling some of their profits or funds to a fund (USP) and this is used for programmes and broadband connectivity projects in the rural areas. So the funds are there.
He also mentioned that the cancelled collaboration between TM and TNB is beneficial for Malaysia as it breaks the monopoly in the industry. This would allow other companies to provide similar services which will lead to fiercer competitions and a better overall system.
While there were mentions by Gobind Singh Deo that the Nationwide Fiberisation Plan (NFP) may be replaced with the National Connectivity Plan, the ultimate goal here is still the same and unaffected. It is to provide a wider, and more extensive internet accessibility while simultaneously making it affordable and maintaining good quality.
Gobind said that it has always been his focus since he took on the role of Communications and Multimedia Minister, and that he ensures that the recent developments will not affect it.
Source: The Edge Markets / The Sun Daily MY
Pokdepinion: Well, we got some explanation but not exactly why the joint collaboration between TM and TNB got cancelled. At this point, I doubt we will ever know the reason behind it. Either way, I do hope Gobind’s plan will come to fruition one way or another.
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You Can Win USD $4500 with The Banner Saga – Creative Individuals Should Give It A Try

With The Banner Saga trilogy coming to an end soon, the creators are doing something special which can yield players with USD $4500, cash.
You Can Win USD $4500 with The Banner Saga

The Banner Saga Trilogy will soon be coming to a close with the upcoming release of The Banner Saga 3, and to celebrate, the folks behind the series have an interesting proposal for fans, which is to make a trailer.
That’s right, there’s a contest airing right now for fans to make their own trailer from trailers and images provided, footage from the game that players have captured, or players’ own artwork.

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The prize? Bragging rights and USD $4500. Additionally, the runner-up will get a digital copy of the Banner Saga Trilogy Deluxe Edition on PC, while three 3rd place winners will receive a digital copy of Banner Saga 3 on the platform of their choice.
The contest begins at 10:00 AM, Pacific Time on 28th June 2018 (1 AM 29th June 2018 for Malaysia and GMT +8 timezone) and ends at 11:59 PM, Pacific Time on 20th July 2018 (2:59 AM 29th June 2018 for Malaysia and GMT +8 timezone). Requirements for all entries are:

Trailers must be your original creation using the assets provided in combination with assets you own or have the proper permission to use. Submissions should not infringe on any other party’s rights or content including trademarks, logos, game capture, etc.
Submissions should not be any longer than 5 minutes.
You should aim for the highest quality for your trailer. We recommend 1080p or 720p.
Your trailer must include the title, “My Banner Saga – Recap”.
In the description of your trailer we recommend including your own explanation of your video direction in about 2-3 sentences plus links to both bannersaga.com and Embark on your own Banner Saga.

Winners will be announced 25th July 2018. If you’re interested in entering and want to check out the full terms and conditions, you can do so at The Banner Saga website right here.
The Banner Saga 3 will be coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac on 26th July 2018.
Pokdepinion: Anyone with proficiency in video editing, and have the creative capacity should definitely give this a try. It’s not gonna be easy but at least you’ll get a free game if you don’t manage to score the USD $4500 cash prize.
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Transcend Introduces StoreJet 200 – A Portable Hard Drive For Your Mac!

Transcend has recently reveal of their latest portable hard drive, Transcend StoreJet 200, which has large storage capacity and lightweight for Mac users.
Transcend StoreJet 200
The new StoreJet 200 weighs only 133g and 9.95mm thick, making it ideal for work or travel. Despite its size, it has a storage capacity of 2TB, ensuring users to have enough for their usage.
Enclosed in a aluminum housing, it features a classic silver color, CNC-finished edges, and an industrial design. It utilizes USB 3.1 Gen 1 and a USB Type-C Port. In addition, a USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable are included in the package so the hard drive will work with all Macbook, Macbook Pro, and iMac models.

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The hard drive is factory formatted with the HFS+ file system, enabling it to be used right out of the box with Time Machine. Users can choose it as a backup destination directly without having to worry about storage capacity.
With its Transcend Elite software, it is compatible with both both macOS and Windows that features user-friendly applications, such as backup and restore, data encryption, and cloud backup that help users to manage data and increase productivity. Users can download the software from Transcend’s website.
Transcend StoreJet 200 for Mac is backed up by Transcend’s three-year limited warranty.
Pokdepinion: All I can say is, I’m too poor to even own a Mac *sobs
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ASUS x LAZADA 11.11 Sales see laptops go for as low as RM979!

Your search for an affordable laptop is ending soon! ASUS is offering their laptops with massive discounts of more than RM1000 this ASUS x LAZADA 11.11 Sales! Also you can get really affordable laptops from just RM979.
Let’s start from the bottom up. The ASUS VivoBook Max X441N is definitely a steal, priced at just RM979. This affordable laptop offers entry-level specifications such as a Celeron N3350, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD storage and a 14″ 768p display. It won’t surprise you with its performance, but it is definitely great value for money.

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Two other VivoBook models are also a part of the ASUS x LAZADA 11.11 Sales. The ASUS VivoBook A411U sees RM240 slashed off its RRP, and will be offered for just RM2259 on 11.11. Meanwhile the ASUS VivoBook S430 will be offered for RM2949.

Two variants of the new ASUS TUF Gaming laptops will also be offered during the 11.11 Sales. The ASUS TUF FX505 equipped with a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti will be sold for RM4429, while the more powerful variant with a GeForce GTX 1060 will be sold at RM5299 during the promotion.

Stepping up the ladder, there’s the ROG Strix SCAR Edition GL703G which will be offered at RM4699. This laptop offers a large 17.3″ display and a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti inside. Last but not least, it’s the ROG Zephyrus M, which will see a whopping RM1022 price cut during the sale. RM7777 will be the promotional price of the svelte ROG Zephyrus M, so do make sure to get it on ASUS x LAZADA 11.11 Sales!
The following are the key specifications of the laptops on offer during the ASUS x LAZADA 11.11 Sales:

ROG Zephyrus M (GM501G-SEI006T) – i7 8750H, 16GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Max-P, 15.6″ FHD 144 Hz G-SYNC – RM7777
ROG Strix SCAR Edition (GL703G-EEE035T) – i7 8750H, 8GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB, 17.3″ FHD 120 Hz – RM4699
ASUS TUF FX505 (FX505G-MES182T) – i7 8750H, 8GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, 15.6″ FHD 144 Hz – RM5299
ASUS TUF FX505 (FX505G-EBQ242T) – i7 8750H, 8GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 15.6″ 60 Hz – RM4429
ASUS VivoBook 14 (A411U-FEB143T) – i5 8250U, 4GB RAM, GeForce MX130, 14″ FHD – RM2259
ASUS VivoBook S430 (S430UN) – i5 8250U, 4GB RAM, GeForce MX150, 14″ FHD – RM2949
ASUS VivoBook Max (X441N) – Celeron N3350, 4GB RAM, 14″ HD – RM979

Interested in any of these laptops? Make sure to check out ASUS’ official Lazada store on 11.11!

Pokdepinion: That ROG Zephyrus M really seems like a incredible deal!
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POCO M3 Pro 5G Officially Launched From RM699

Today marks the launch of the new POCO M3 Pro 5G, where the device will be available in Malaysia starting from the 6th of June 2021.
POCO M3 Pro 5G officially launched

Instead of coming with a Snapdragon 662 chipset which was used in the normal POCO M3, the POCO M3 Pro 5G utilizes a Dimensity 700 SoC instead. It comes with a 90Hz refresh rate on its 6.5-inch FHD+ LCD DotDisplay.

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In terms of storage, it comes with either a 4GB+64GB or 6GB+128GB variants.  Under the hood is a 5000mAh battery which you can charge with its 22.5W in-box charger (charges at 18W).
As for the cameras, it offers a triple camera setup at the back consisting of a 48MP main camera, 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. At the front, there’s a 8MP lens that you can use for your selfies.
Available in POCO Yellow, Power Black, and Cool Blue colour variants, you can get them for RM699 for the 4GB version and RM799 for the bigger 6GB model on Shopee. Feel that it’s a bit too high? POCO is offering for a limited time from 6th of June till 7th of June (11.59pm GMT+8) where you can get it for just RM599 and RM699 respectively.
Previously we’ve reviewed the standard POCO M3, do check that out by heading to the link right here. For more on the latest tech and gaming news plus reviews, stay tuned to Pokde.net.
Pokdepinion: Though I’ve yet to test the phone, I would definitely recommend the higher 6GB RAM version if you’re planning to get it. 4GB doesn’t give a smoother experience as I’ve witnessed from the previous model.
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The New Samsung Galaxy Watch is Coming to Malaysia – Simplify Your Life

The New Samsung Galaxy Watch is Coming to Malaysia

If you’ve been looking for a brand new smartwatch to call your own, then perhaps the newest offering by Samsung is the one you’re looking for. First introduced during the Galaxy Note9 Unpacked event, the new Samsung Galaxy Watch will be bringing the best of the Galaxy ecosystem to Malaysia.
The Galaxy Watch is said to have a long-lasting battery life, up to 80+ hours per full charge so users don’t have to worry about charging it everyday, which can feel like a chore. It offers what Samsung described as “a true holistic health experience” with its new and improved stress management tracker which can automatically detect high levels of stress and offer breathing exercises to help users keep focus.

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The new advanced sleep tracker monitors all levels of sleep, even REM cycles, so you can adjust your sleeping habits in order to get best rest possible. It also adds 21 new indoor exercises, tracking a total of 39 workouts that allow users to customize and change up their routines. As diet is equally as important as the exercise to stay healthy, the calorie tracking and personalized alerts will ensure you are on the right track to your goals. Users can even stay on track of their meals by using Bixby Vision.
The new smartwatch will have a circular, rotating bezel, Always-On Display, Corning Gorilla Glass DX+, and a 5 ARM water resistance rating to ensure long-lasting use regardless of the environment.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch will coming in two variants; 46mm and 42mm. The 46mm variant, which is only available in Silver, will be retailing for RM1,299. The 42mm variant, which is available in Midnight Black and Rose Gold, will be retailing for RM1,199. It will be available for purchase starting 5th October 2018.
Pre-Order Promo

From 1st October to 4th October 2018, you can pre-order both the 46mm and 42mm Galaxy Watch at the Samsung E-Store. Doing so for the 46mm variant will get you one free strap (Brown / Navy Blue) worth RM109. If you pre-order the 42mm variant instead, you will receive a Tan-coloured strap for Midnight Black, and Phonebox-colour strap for Rose Gold, for free.
If you’re interesting to pre-order it, click right here to head straight the E-Store.
Pokdepinion: Still thinking if I should get one for myself or not. Very tempting.
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Edifier W860NB ANC Wireless Headphones Review – Good ANC performance without breaking the bank

Active Noise Cancelling is a feature that is generally something you’d expect on premium headphones which tend to feature more expensive price tags. The Edifier W860NB ANC wireless headphones is meant to offer the premium ANC function and a quality listening experience without having to spend so much of your hard-earned cash.
Unboxing

The box that the Edifier W860NB comes packed in has a very premium look to it. You can see a very nice and polished picture of the headphones plastered on the front of the box with the Edifier logo and headphone model in reflective lettering. You can also see several highlighted features listed out.

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At the back of the box, you will see more highlighted features and specifications of the W860NB listed in four different languages as well as another picture of the headphones themselves. On the sides, you can find more miscellaneous information and a highlight of the Edifier W860NB headphones’ various touch controls.

Upon opening the box, you will see the hard carrying case containing the headphones, a 3.5mm aux cable, a micro-USB cable and a splitter. Underneath the carrying case, you will see a small and clear ziplock bag containing the user manual.
Appearance

The Edifier W860NB has a very elegant look about it with an overall matte design that makes the headphones look more expensive than it actually is. The W860NB is made mostly out of plastic but it is built pretty sturdily with no unnecessary parts jiggling or rattling about. There is also faux leather material used on the soft padding of the earcups as well as around the headband.

The earcups themselves feature swivels at the base where they can be spun so that they can lay flat and hinges at the side. On the outside of the right earcup sits the touch panel, while at the bottom section of the earcup you can find the multi-function button as well as the ANC switch. On the left earcup, you can find a covered micro-USB port at the bottom together with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Another interesting design feature is that Edifier managed to print the letters “R” and “L” on the inside of the earcups instead of the normal small letters on most other headphones to indicate which one is the left or the right earcup.
Edifier W860NB Specifications

Drivers
40mm

Frequency Response
20-20KHz

Impedance
32 ohm

Sensitivity
100dB

Headphone Type
Wireless, closed-back, over-ear

Connection
Bluetooth 5.0
NFC
Micro-USB

Wireless Range
10m

Audio Format
Qualcomm AptX

Battery
With ANC
25 hours
Without ANC
45 hours

Noise Cancelling
Active Noise Cancelling

Colour
Black, Beige

User Experience
Pairing
Pairing the Edifier W860NB was a fairly simple process with no major hurdles or hiccups. To pair the W860NB to your device, all you have to do is to hold down the multi-function button for about 5 seconds until the indicator light flashes red and blue. Once the headphones are connected, the indicator light will flash blue.

The headphones can also be connected to two devices simultaneously. To do that, you have to first pair with one device. After that, restart the headphones and enter pairing mode again by holding down the multi-function button and pair with the second device. Finally, connect the Edifier W860NB back with the first device and you can now use the headphones on two devices simultaneously. The Edifier W860NB can also be connected via NFC. Just tap your device on the NFC tag located on the left earcup and you’ll be automatically paired.
Alternatively, the Edifier W860NB headphones can be connected via a 3.5mm aux cable and plugging in the headphones will automatically disconnect the Bluetooth connection. ANC can still be used while being in a wired state although you won’t be able to use the touch panel. Since there are no in-line controls on the included 3.5mm aux cable, you will have to rely on your device to control your music.
Sound
The audio quality of the Edifier W860NB headphones is pretty bass-heavy overall though not enough to drown every other element of the music you are listening to. As with other ANC-capable headphones, there is a difference in audio quality when the feature is turned on versus when the feature is turned off. When the ANC feature is turned off, the bass is pretty prominent throughout a track with the mids and the lows becoming fuzzy and muddy. Perfect for those who like to listen to electronic or rock music where the bass is usually prevalent.

When the ANC is turned on, however, you can clearly hear that the lows have been significantly dialled back and at times get cut off altogether. Though this a common trait with many other ANC devices as low frequencies are where most ambient noises tend to sit. The mids and the highs are more pronounced in this mode which makes the whole general listening experience slightly better for me.
As for the Active Noise Cancelling function itself, it works pretty well as ambient sounds such as usual noises households tend to make were successfully filtered out. I took the W860NB out for a spin while I was doing grocery shopping at my nearby Tesco and it managed to filter out most of the outside crowd sounds. I could still hear the louder sounds such as bags or boxes being thrown on the floor but even then those were pretty well tamped down. For something with this price, the ANC performance is quite impressive.

Also. this is just me but I get a kick out of turning the ANC on whenever I am in an empty room. It makes me feel like I am stepping into a vacuum. Call quality of these headphones is also pretty good. Used them to call a friend during my grocery shopping trip to Tesco with no issues on either side of the call. Gaming on these headphones is also not recommended as I experienced severe latency, especially in fast games.
Comfort
The Edifier W860NB headphones are one of the most comfortable headphones I’ve had the pleasure of using. The earcup padding is extremely soft and dares I say, almost pillow-like on my giant ears. The clamping force is also good with little to no pressure experienced while wearing the headphones for long periods of time.

This is pretty important for me because not only do I have a big head but I tend to get headaches easily and most headphones tend to trigger those uncomfortable headaches. Although, due to the faux leather used on the earcups, the ears do get a little warm.
The touch controls are for the most part okay to use but it needs some getting used to particularly the volume up and volume down gestures. They’re actually pretty straightforward; swipe up from the middle to increase the volume and swipe down to lower the volume. The general issue is that you need to swipe your fingers just right for the touch gestures to successfully register which means there’ll a lot of frantic and frustrating swipes before you can get a successful one. This frustrates me to no end and I end just using my phone to change the volume.

Below is a complete list of all the touch gestures found on the Edifier W860NB.
For music

Tap the middle of the touch control panel twice to play or pause your music.
Swipe right to got to the next track and left to go back to the previous track.
Swipe up to increase the volume and swipe down to lower the volume.

For calls

Tap the touch panel twice to answer a call and tap twice again to end a call. You can also use the multi-function button to accept and end a call. Simply press to answer and press again to end.
Tap and hold the touch panel to reject a call. The multi-function button can also be used to reject a call by pressing and holding the button for 2 seconds.

For Voice Assistant

Double press the multi-function button to enable Voice Assistant.
Double press the multi-function button again to disable Voice Assistant.

Battery Life
The Edifier W860NB is officially rated for 25 hours of continuous playback with Active Noise Cancelling turned on and 45 hours when turned off. During my use, the headphones managed to last slightly shorter than that as I generally use the headphones at higher volumes which do increase their power usage. When the power taps out it will take upwards of 3 hours for the headphones to fully charge.

A little disappointed that the Edifier W860NB still uses micro-USB though instead of Type-C. Yes, I understand these headphones came out a while ago but even then Type-C is already pretty commonplace.
One thing of note is that the ANC function will continue to drain the headphones’ battery even when the headphones have been turned off. Therefore, to preserve battery life I suggest flipping the ANC button off when you power down the Edifier W860NB headphones.
Conclusion

All in all, the Edifier W860NB are a pretty great pair of headphones with good audio quality and great Active Noise Cancelling functionality especially for the price Edifier is charging for these headphones. Though a little more bass-heavy than I would’ve liked them to be, they generally sound pretty satisfying. They’re also very comfortable to wear over long periods of time and the battery life on these things are quite impressive.
The headphones are not perfect by any means. The overall audio quality leans more towards heavier bass performance with muddy mids and lows especially with ANC turned off. The overall plastic build of the W860NB can feel a little cheap sometimes and its use of a micro-USB port is a little annoying especially when you’re already accustomed to an environment that is heavily reliant on Type-C connections.
Now, this is a huge nitpick on my part which is in no way indicative of the W860NB’s performance, but I wish that the carrying case it came with was a little smaller. The headphones can be folded anyway so a smaller case can make carrying around the headphones all that easier.
The Edifier W860NB ANC wireless headphones currently retail for RM539 on Shopee, which is a pretty great price for quality ANC wireless headphones like these. And with that, I bestow the Edifier W860NB ANC wireless headphones a solid Silver Pokdeward.

Big thanks to Edifier for providing us with the Edifier W860NB headphones for the purpose of this review.
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ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip and Zenfone 8 officially launched — arriving in Malaysia REALLY SOON

The ASUS Zenfone 8 series has finally launched, with the Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip both featuring top-notch specifications. The main difference between the two members of the Zenfone 8 family are their screen sizes, with the ASUS Zenfone 8 touting a compact 5.9″ display, while the Zenfone 8 Flip offers a much larger 6.67″ screen.
Both the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip and Zenfone 8 tout Samsung AMOLED displays tuned by Pixelworks, promising a great visual experience, with Delta E <1 color accuracy and also HDR10+ certification. However that’s about where the similarities end for the display. The Zenfone 8 touts a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, while the Zenfone 8 Flip only boasts a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen on the smaller device is also protected by the more durable Gorilla Glass Victus, versus the Zenfone 8 Flip’s Gorilla Glass 6.

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As you would expect, the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip’s Flip Camera allowed ASUS to remove the front-facing selfie camera for a more splendid viewing experience. Meanwhile the Zenfone 8 touts a tiny punch hole to house its 12MP selfie camera. Stereo speakers round off the audiovisual aspect of the ASUS Zenfone 8 series.
Since we are on the topic of cameras, this is where the Zenfone 8 actually has yet another small advantage versus the ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip: OIS. The 64MP main camera of the Zenfone 8 touts OIS for better video capabilities, while the Zenfone 8 Flip has to rely on EIS.

On the other hand, the Zenfone 8 Flip touts an 8MP 3X telephoto camera that the Zenfone 8 lacks, but it too is not supported by OIS. I am not exactly sure how ASUS expects people to take photos with 3X zoom without OIS. Meanwhile the ultra-wide camera is the same on both Zenfone 8 devices, with both touting a 12MP IMX363 behind ultra-wide optics that can capture macro photos as well.
You can check out the following specifications table to identify the other differences between the Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip:
ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip and Zenfone 8 Specs

ASUS Zenfone 8
ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip

CPU
Snapdragon 888, 5nm FinFET
1 x Cortex-X1 @ 2.84 GHz + 3 x Cortex-A78 @ 2.42 GHz + 4 x Cortex-A55 @ 1.80 GHz

GPU
Adreno 660 @ up to 840MHz

Memory
Up to 16GB LPDDR5
8GB LPDDR5

Storage
Up to 256GB UFS 3.1, non-expandable
Up to 256GB UFS 3.1, expandable via microSD

Display
5.9″ FHD+ (2400 x 1080) 120Hz AMOLED display
240Hz touch sampling, 1100 nits, 112% DCI-P3, Delta E <1
Gorilla Glass Victus
6.67″ FHD+ (2400 x 1080) 90Hz AMOLED display
200Hz touch sampling rate, 1000 nits, 110% DCI-P3, Delta E<1
Gorilla Glass 6

Camera
64MP f/1.8 Sony IMX686, OIS
12MP f/2.2 IMX363 ultra-wide, AF, macro
8K24 video recording
64MP f/1.8 Sony IMX686
12MP f/2.2 IMX363 ultra-wide, AF, macro
8MP 3X optical telephoto camera
8K30 video recording

Selfie camera
12MP Sony IMX663 selfie camera, AF
Same as rear camera (Flip Camera)

Battery
4000mAh
Up to 30W fast charging
QC 4.0 / USB-PD (charger included)
5000mAh
Up to 30W fast charging
QC 4.0 / USB-PD (charger included)

Dimensions
148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm
165.04 x 77.28 x 9.6 mm

Weight
169g
230g

Ingress protection
IP65/IP68
N/A

Price
From €599
From €799

          ASUS Zenfone 8 Flip            ASUS Zenfone 8
The ASUS Zenfone 8 comes in matte Obsidian Black and Horizon Silver finishes, while the Zenfone 8 Flip is available in glossy Galactic Black and Glacier Silver options. Do stay tuned for their local availability as they will be launched in Malaysia by the end of this month!
Pokdepinion: The ASUS Zenfone 8 actually looks like the more premium device… I guess ASUS really wanted to make a strong entry in the compact device market.
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Celebrate Raya With Free Daily Essentials From Celcom

Celcom is offering you a chance to win one-year free groceries from a cash pool worth RM500,000 this Ramadan.
Celcom 1-year free groceries
The deal is already up and running and will last until the 31st of July 2020. To join, you will need to be a Celcom Xpax prepaid and eligible Celcom postpaid customers.
All you need to do is simply conduct transactions such as purchasing internet passes, register for a new plan, pay bills and the likes. These can be done online or at any Celcom bluecube outlet as well as Celcom certified partners.

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The more transactions that you do, the higher your chances is on winning. Celcom has said that they will give Boost e-wallet credits to the winners, where weekly winners will enjoy RM100 worth of grocery credit and one-year winners will receive RM1,000 grocery credit for 12 consecutive months within the Boost app.
You can check on your accumulated entries through the Celcom Life app. Winners will be determined based on the entries collected every week for One Week Prizes and every month for the One Year Prizes. The list of winners will be announced at their Raya campaign page.
Aside from the campaign, all Celcom customers can continue to enjoy free unlimited access to WhatsApp until 30th of June 2020 and the ability to access to Microsoft Office 365 until 9th of June 2020. Not to forget, they also can gain free unlimited access to MuslimPro, an Islamic mobile app that provides prayer time, Azan clock, full audio Quran, Halal restaurants, and more.
Pokdepinion: Well I won’t say no to 1-year’s worth of supplies!
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HUAWEI may leapfrog Samsung with foldable phones — all in the name of innovation?

Samsung may have successfully manufactured and certified their flexible OLED displays, but they don’t seem ready to mass produce the new screens. HUAWEI might just use flexible OLED panels by Chinese display manufacturer, BOE, to make the first foldable smartphone in the market.

HUAWEI has been known to be at the forefront of technology, with their adoption of AI being the most recent one. They were the first to incorporate NPUs into their Kirin 970, accelerating AI-related tasks. HUAWEI definitely didn’t refrain from bragging about it every chance they had.

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This new foldable smartphone will give them yet another bragging right, and this time rightly so. Beating a brand which produces OLED panels in-house at making a new smartphone form factor is definitely a noteworthy achievement. However HUAWEI isn’t expected to mass produce their upcoming foldable smartphone either, limiting it to a short run of special edition devices.
Would you get one of them when it comes out? Let us know!
Source: The Verge
Pokdepinion: No idea why I would need a foldable phone. But then again if they make it something like the ROG Phone’s TwinView Dock, it might actually be interesting…
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realme 3 review — giant leap forward for realme!

Introduction

The realme 3 is the successor to the realme 2, which unfortunately we didn’t review. Since the realme 2 was pretty similar to the realme C1 with some minor exceptions, we will be seeing if it was a true upgrade to the realme C1, or not. We do see a shift from Qualcomm to Mediatek which some may frown upon, but we will see if realme made a wise decision to go down that route. Without further ado, lets take a look at what realme has to offer with the realme 3.
Unboxing

realme has changed up their identity, starting with the realme 3. Gone is the white-red color scheme. They now tout a grey package with yellow accents.

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The inner tray is fully yellow. It somewhat reminded me of the POCOPHONE F1’s packaging. In the box is a microUSB cable, 10W charger, soft TPU case, the usual documentation, and of course, the phone itself. Nothing too grand here. Also this is the first time I see realme include a charger that sports a realme label, as previous models we reviewed had OPPO’s logo on their power adapters.
Appearance

While the realme 2 and realme C1 came with conventional notches, the realme 3 follows in the footsteps of the more premium realme 2 Pro and proffers a waterdrop notch for increased screen-to-body ratio over its predecessors. There’s still a sizeable chin, but we aren’t gonna begrudge it for it.

There is actually a very mild gradient here. The blue is a little bit lighter at the top, darkening and taking on a greenish hue towards the bottom side. The primary rear shooter comes with a nice little yellow ring around it, highlighting its camera chops. The position of the realme logo also makes it more noticeable when you are using the camera, rather than hidden under your hand.

realme throws the volume rocker here on the left and SIM tray, and the power button on the right. As you can see, realme adopted a unibody design, which is a nice upgrade from the realme 3’s predecessors’ design which sports a separate frame and back panel.

Here on the bottom is where you will find the loudspeaker and microphone holes. You also get a headphone jack and a microUSB port here. The latter is somewhat undesirable, especially as we enter 2019.
Specifications

CPU/Chipset:
MediaTek Helio P60 (4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.0 GHz + 4x Cortex-A53 @ 2.0 GHz), 12nm FinFET

GPU:
Mali-G72 MP3 @ 800 MHz

RAM:
4GB

Display:
6.2″ HD+ (1520 x 720) IPS LCD display

Storage:
64GB eMMC 5.1 (expandable via microSD up to 256GB)

Camera:
Main Camera(s)
13MP F1.8 + 2MP depth sensor
PDAF, Nightscape, Hybrid HDR, Chroma Boost, Portrait Mode, 1080p30 video, 720p90 slow-mo
Front Camera
13MP f/2.0
AI Beautification, HDR

OS:
ColorOS 6 based on Android 9 Pie

Connectivity:
LTE Band 1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth 4.2

SIM:
Dedicated dual nanoSIM

Battery:
Li-Po 4230 mAh (non-removable)
10W (5V 2A) charging

Dimensions:
156.1 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm

Weight:
175 g

Performance

In Antutu, the realme 3 actually outperforms its predecessor, the realme 2 Pro. This comes as quite a surprising considering its price.

Geekbench sees it slide down under the realme 2 Pro and HUAWEI Y9 (2019).

It then climbs over the HUAWEI Y9 (2019) in 3DMark with its superior GPU, but does not manage to overcome the much more powerful Adreno 512 in the realme 2 Pro.

PCMark places it under the realme 2 Pro again, but the realme 3 does enjoy a rather fair lead over the rest of the devices in these charts.

Interestingly, the realme 3 ekes out just a bit more battery life than the realme C1, despite sporting much better performance. A great showing for its MediaTek chipset and also realme/OPPO’s optimizations in ColorOS 6.
Benchmarks are one thing, but some devices can be totally different in daily use. I am glad to report that it is actually quite smooth. The 4GB RAM lends itself well to the general fluidity in daily tasks. Gaming isn’t exactly the realme 3’s strong suit, with PUBG Mobile clearly taxing the device with some visible delay after my input before the game responds. It doesn’t warm up too much though, which is good.
User Experience

While the general performance of the realme 3 is quite good, it is really held back by its 720p display. The display is quite visibly less sharp when displaying texts, and does look quite grainy when dealing with generally white backgrounds. The realme 3 feels nice in hand, but can get icky really quick once it collects fingerprints. And it does so prodigally. The gradient back became completely smudged up in mere moments of me taking the realme 3 out of the box. That included soft case? You are gonna need it.

The tiny notch above the display lends itself to offer more area on the notification shade to show some notification icons. Finally, ColorOS supports notification icons in the status bar! Aside from being out of the way most of the time, it also takes selfies and allow you to use facial recognition to quickly unlock your device. The realme 3 does come with a pretty quick rear fingerprint scanner too, so you can choose to use that instead if you decide you need a bit more security.

In addition to now supporting notification icons, ColorOS 6 is a huge upgrade over ColorOS 5. For starters, there is an app drawer by default. Instead of the good ol’ three navigation buttons at the bottom, it now comes with a Pixel-esque pill button and a back key. Aside from Android One device, this might be the only way you get to enjoy that method of navigation. The notification shade is a touch more translucent now, and looks way more modern with huge, colorful toggles. OPPO did a great job with ColorOS 6, and the best part is that it is based on Android 9 Pie, so even an affordable device like the realme 3 isn’t left out of enjoying all the latest Android features, in addition to ColorOS 6’s.

The camera on the realme 3 deserves a highlight because they added a number of features to it that rivals flagship deices. Nightscape and Chroma Boost. While the hardware itself won’t really turn heads, we are living in an era where the software optimizations of the camera on a smartphone is just as important as the sensor and lens construction to take a great photo. Or more importantly, a great photo that requires no effort.

OPPO must have somehow fired all their previous staff working on their UI, as the camera UI is radically revamped too. It’s now much easier to switch between the modes, with a simple three modes available at first glance, and more modes hidden away into a sub-menu on the side. Gone are the times where you had to swipe frantically between the modes that are all at the bottom of the screen.
          Chroma Boost            Chroma Boost          Nightscape              Nightscape            Chroma Boost            Auto              Chroma Boost          Nightscape            Nightscape              Chroma Boost            Portrait Mode              Chroma Boost            Nightscape          Nightscape              Auto Selfie            Chroma Boost            Chroma Boost
In terms of image quality, the realme 3 isn’t one for pixel peepers. Zooming in on images reveal some pretty intense sharpening applied. However Nightscape and Chroma Boost does turn out some amazing shots. Both need some time to process, so you will have to give it some time. Nightscape especially, as you will need to stabilize yourself for about 4 seconds as the realme 3 works its magic. It’s like Google’s Night Sight or HUAWEI’s Night Mode, taking more exposures and then combining them into one beautiful image. Due to the lack of OIS, the 4 seconds can be excruciating at times, with images coming out blurry due to just very minor camera shake. realme could probably optimize the EIS a tad for better stabilization. Chroma Boost adds some contrast and dynamic range to your shots with AI, making the images more appealing. You can check out the full-sized images on Flickr here.
Conclusion
Priced at just RM699, the realme 3 is up against some pretty serious competition. However the new camera features on the realme 3 are actually much better than what we have seen at this price range, and even better than some that might cost quite a sum more. ColorOS 6 is also much better than what we have seen on previous OPPO/realme devices, allowing the realme 3 to keep up with the times. The Helio P60 is a pretty strong chipset, and while it isn’t the best for gaming, it’s good enough at this price point. Battery life is really impressive with that big 4230 mAh battery.
The design is also very nice, albeit one which you will most probably obscure with a case due to the realme 3’s susceptibility to fingerprint smudges. As a whole, the low resolution 720p display is the only thing that’s holding me back from wholeheartedly recommending the device though, as it is quite visibly less sharp, and has no reason to be used in any device launched in 2019. Still, it is a great device if you are in the market for a smartphone that takes some pretty awesome shots without breaking the bank.
The realme 3 can be gotten from Lazada starting this 27th March, which is the day the realme 3 debuts here in Malaysia. Do check it out on Lazada via the following link:

Our thanks to realme Malaysia for providing the realme 3 for our review purposes.
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Digi Offers Lowest Installment Plan For iPhone 11 Series — Early Birds Can Get Apple Watch Series 4 Or iPhone 6s For Only RM11

Digi has announce today that they are offering the lowest all-in installment plan in the market for Apple’s iPhone 11 series through their smartphone ownership plan, Digi PhoneFreedom 365.

Apple’s latest flagship smartphones will be available beginning from tomorrow, 27th of September 2019, at all Digi Stores and Digi Store Express through PhoneFreedom 365. What’s special on their end? Well they are offering the first 80 customers of the new iPhone 11 series at the Digi Store in Bangsar Shopping Centre on the launch day the opportunity to purchase the Apple Watch Series 4 or an iPhone 6s at only RM11.

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Additionally, customers can enjoy up to 60% discounts for selected iPhone accessories at the store (more details here). Those who purchase the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max through PhoneFreedom 365 will also be able to enjoy benefits such as 2x internet and borderless roaming services. For instance, if you are subscribed to the Digi Postpaid 120 plan, you will be getting double of the data at 80GB of internet and unlimited calls to all networks at home and abroad.
Those who sign up for Digi Postpaid 160 and Postpaid 190 plan with PhoneFreedom 365 will also get a complimentary Digi Shield coverage for 24 months, which includes protection against accidental and liquid damage.
There’s also the opportunity for a free smartphone once you complete the require payments from the 18th month onwards with no outstanding amounts. For more details on the latest iPhones pricing on Digi, check it out here.
Want to know what’s new with the latest iPhone 11 series? Do read more on our previous coverage here.
Pokdepinion: I’m pretty sure there’ll be a lot people to flock the store! I mean the Apple Watch Series 4 or iPhone 6s for just RM11? That’s insane.
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Prepaid reloads are exempted from SST — reloading RM10 should get you RM10 credit

You may have seen news that telcos are charging Sales and Service Tax (SST) for reloads, thus giving users less credit than they paid for. In an SST briefing at Kota Kinabalu yesterday, Lim Guan Eng, our Finance Minister, stressed that reload vouchers were exempted from SST.
He further mentioned that there should be no deductions and telcos are not to charge SST to consumers. Consumers who purchased RM10 reload coupons should receive RM10 credit, as expected.
Lim Guan Eng is expected to meet telcos next week to discuss the issue, which means that we most probably won’t see full reload values until later this month.

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Source: The Star
Pokdepinion: If telcos were to charge SST, it should be on the services provided, not the mobile credit. But not charging it at all is definitely preferable!
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Sony Introduces the ECM-G1 Shotgun Microphone Ideal for Vlogging

Sony unveils the new tiny and lightweight ECM-G1 microphone, which improves video recording quality through high-quality sound gathering. Users may experience exceptional sound quality when collecting footage thanks to ambient sound reduction and crisp frontal sound gathering.
The ECM-G1 features a large diameter, which is about 14.6 mm, microphone capsule that collects clear sound while reducing noise, considerably boosting video production quality. Not only that, the microphone contains a windscreen to decrease wind noise while shooting outside, and has an optimized frame with anti-vibration dampers to control vibration noise. The cableless design avoids cable-transmitted vibration noise when attached to a Sony camera with the Multi Interface (MI) shoe.

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The ECM-super-cardioid G1’s pick-up pattern emphasizes clear sound collection from in front of the camera, with ambient noise minimized to guarantee only requested audio is caught which is ideal for selfie photography. Even while filming inside, the ECM-G1 reduces echo pickup from walls and voice reverberation, resulting in crisp conversation sound capture.
MI Shoe support gives you more freedom while shooting without a battery or a cord. Because power is provided straight from the camera to the microphone, there is no need to worry about the battery running out or cords getting in the way even while filming with the vari-angle LCD monitor extended horizontally.

The ECM-G1 weighs only 34g, and is extremely small at 28.0 mm x 50.8 mm x 48.5 mm, allowing it to be used anywhere and at any time.
A recording cable is provided, and the microphone jack is compatible with a broad range of devices, including cameras and smartphones, providing users with maximum versatility for a variety of shooting scenarios.
The new ECM-G1 will be released in select Asia Pacific countries beginning in August 2022.
Please visit Sony’s official website for more information on the ECM-G1 microphone.
Pokdepinion: A mic for content creators who focuses on more outdoor content. Something that you might want to keep an eye out for!
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MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review — Lightweight Yet Packs A Punch

If you’re on the lookout for a lightweight gaming mouse, we take a closer look at MSI’s latest offering in this MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT review. Coming in with the PixArt PWM 3389 optical sensor and weighing in at a mere 65g, could this be the one for you? Find the answer to that, and more, right here.
Unboxing

The packaging for the gaming mouse is simple but I kind of like it that way. It comes in a black and white-themed box. On the back, you can see some of the key features that it has to offer.

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MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – Unboxing

With the box already small, it’s not surprising that the unboxing experience is straightforward, where you only have the gaming mouse and documentation.
Appearance
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – Front
Despite marketing it as a lightweight mouse, that didn’t stop MSI from making the GM41 to be decently sized overall. You can see the company’s branding on the middle, which also lights up for some good old RGB love through Mystic Light. Also, there are two side buttons on the left side for additional control options.
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – Mouse wheel
Despite being plastic, the company has designed it properly with a matte feel to it, which I commend them for.
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – Bottom
Underneath it, you can see that there are two PTFE mouse feet parts on the top and one half-circle below. The product details are shown here as well as the MSI dragon below it. Finally, you’ll find the DPI button towards the middle-right side.
Although I find that the design is ergonomic, left handed users could feel a bit left out because of the design, especially the side button placement. Let’s move on with the review, shall we?
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Specifications

Body Material:
Matte plastic shell with rubber sides

Sensor:
PixArt MPW-3389

DPI:
Up to 16,000 DPI, 5 DPI presets

USB report rate:
1000Hz

Connectivity:
USB 2.0

Switch Type:
OMRON 60M

RGB:
MSI Mystic Light

Cable:
2m braided with Gold-Plated Connector

Mouse Feet:
100% PTFE

Built-in Memory:
Yes, for custom DPI and configurations

Weight:
65g (excluding cable)

Dimensions:
130.1 x 67 x 38.3mm

User Experience
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – User Experience
Like I mentioned earlier, the mouse isn’t catered to left-handed users as the side buttons are located on the left hand side. Putting that aside, I do like the size of it. If you’re fond of bigger-sized units, this would do just fine. I found no issues using it with a palm grip and a claw grip. Despite the size, it’s actually light. Coming from a lightweight mouse, I feel that the GM41 doesn’t feel different from my own, smaller mouse, which of course is what MSI is advertising here.
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – Mystic Light
While I love the RGB lighting on it, I find the position to not be ideal. When you’re using it, your hands are basically covering it so it loses a bit in the looks department. Coming with only two additional buttons, you can say that it suits first-person shooters the best. Talking about the buttons, you can customize them using the MSI Dragon Center software.
I’m not much of a fan of the scroll wheel as it feels like it doesn’t have much resistance. I feel that some force to make it scroll would give it a more premium feel.
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – DPI button
Another thing that I’m not satisfied with is the DPI switcher. I personally feel that the location isn’t that ideal if you’re looking to switch the sensitivity on-the-go. Yes, you can do it through the software, but that would mean you’d need to stop what you’re doing and go there. I think that they could’ve put the button closer to the scroll wheel since there’s definitely more than enough space there.
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – DPI test
There are 5 DPI presets that you can choose from and you can also customize them up to 16,000 DPI. As you can see from the picture, the mouse is pretty capable of tracking up to 3,200, which I find to be still be acceptable. Going above that, you can clearly see the jittering and clearly becoming less accurate. While that’s the case, I don’t think there are a lot of people who would go to DPI levels that high, let alone 16,000 DPI.
As for the Omron switches, they feel excellent to click. The clicks are clicky to say the least, and it comes with minimal travel distance, just how I like them. It has a rating of over 60 million clicks, so you are assured of quality there for the long run.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, you can use the MSI Dragon Center software where you can tweak light settings, button mapping, and customize your DPI among others. It’s a good thing that with it, you can save your configuration using the onboard memory. Overall, it’s pretty straightforward and easy to use.
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Verdict
MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT Review – Verdict
The MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT is definitely an option for those who want a solid, lightweight gaming mouse. It is not perfect but it is exactly what MSI has promoted it to be and that gets my approval.
For the price of RM189, I’d say it’s a reasonable price for what you’re getting. For that, I award the mouse our second best trophy, our Silver Pokdeward.

Our thanks to MSI Malaysia for providing the MSI CLUTCH GM41 LIGHTWEIGHT that was used in this review.
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Next-gen Exynos with RDNA 2 GPU outperforms Exynos 2100 by more than 50%!

The Exynos 2100 is a formidable chipset, with excellent performance that nips at the heels of the contemporary Snapdragon 888. However the upcoming Exynos chipset featuring the RDNA 2 GPU blows it out of the water in 3DMark Wild Life. AMD’s RDNA 2 GPU allows the yet unnamed Exynos chipset to score an amazing 8134 in the benchmark, and this isn’t even its final form yet.
The chipset tested reportedly touts Cortex-A77 cores, which are really quite outdated. Performance could stand to get even better when paired with the latest Cortex-X2 cores, although scores might not differ that much as 3DMark Wild Life scores are focused solely on the GPU rather than gauging the CPU performance as well, like in 3DMark Sling Shot or Ice Storm.

Exclusive: Samsung is testing the AMD GPU in the new Exynos, and the Wild Life test on the 3D Mark has scored 8134 points. It is worth mentioning that the CPU in this test is A77 architecture, for reference only. Each test has different results, we need to wait for more results. pic.twitter.com/Rej9vqyP6s
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) June 29, 2021

It is also worth mentioning that 3DMark Wild Life is a really short 1-minute benchmark that tests for peak performance rather than sustained performance. Previous reports have pointed towards heavy throttling in subsequent benchmark runs that reduced performance by up to 30%. However all the recent flagships exhibit serious throttling anyway, so this chipset will still outperform any flagship available in the market now, even after throttling.

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The leaked benchmark scores places it well above any iPhone launched to date, although it will definitely be competing against a new batch of iPhones by the time it launches. At the moment, this Exynos-RDNA 2 chipset scored 6% higher than the iPhone 12 mini’ Apple A14 Bionic and is nearly 40% faster than the fastest Snapdragon 888 score in 3DMark’s charts.

In any case, Samsung’s RDNA 2-based Exynos chip is going to be an absolute beast when it arrives. Rumors are pointing towards a July launch of the chipset, although we aren’t sure which device will be the first to tout it.
Pokdepinion: AMD GPUs now compete in the desktop, laptop and even mobile markets. All with one architecture. Absolutely mindblowing scalability!
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Registrations For 2nd Season Of Free Fire MCP Majors Qualifiers Open Now

The Free Fire MCP Majors’ second season is now available! With a USD50,000 (RM211,965) prize pool on the line, players from all around the MCP (Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines) region can register for the In-Game Qualifiers starting on August 8th, with the In-Game Qualifier matches taking place from August 10th to 12th.
Free Fire MCP Majors Qualifiers registrations are open now

Teams registering for the Free Fire MCP Majors Qualifiers will compete in qualification matches from 1PM to 6PM (GMT+8) daily, between the 10th and 12th of August 2021, for Free Fire players aged 16 and up with Gold Rank and Lvl 20 accounts.

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Participants will compete for a spot in the top 24 teams for the Qualifier Finals, where the top 12 teams will be among the 18 teams that will compete in the League Stage, with seeds drawn from the top 6 teams from MCP Majors Season 1 – Geek Fam, Sem9 (previously known as AutoKnockOut), Supreme Assault Forces, FastKill.My, Blacklist International, and Freedom Rumble. The League Stage will last six weeks, culminating in a Grand Finals showdown between the remaining 12 teams.

Leading up to the MCP Majors, a virtual Launch Party will take place on Facebook and YouTube on August 7 at 8PM, including 24 of your favourite personalities from Malaysia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, as well as Free Fire professionals in a Battle Royale showmatch. Catch a glimpse of a spectacular Free Fire KL Tower light projection during the virtual party to commemorate Free Fire’s impending 4th Anniversary celebration.
Head over to the official Free Fire MCP Majors Qualifiers website to know more.
Pokdepinion: Looking forward to watching the Qualifiers. Love watching a good tournament. Gets the blood pumping.
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