OPPO R9s review — Faster. Better. Clearer?

OPPO launched the OPPO F1s with an impressive 16MP selfie camera for selfie fanatics last year. This year, we have the OPPO R9s, which has a new focus on the rear camera, upgrading the rear camera to a 16MP Sony IMX398 sensor with Dual PDAF autofocus, while keeping the 16MP front camera too for some serious camera performance on both ends. How does it perform? Well, let’s find out.
Unboxing

On the outside, the OPPO R9s’s packaging is pretty standard, with a sleeve with all the product information and product image over a clean white box.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The innards are a little more interesting. While I am used to seeing the smartphone placed in a tray that you can see as soon as you open the package, the OPPO R9s makes better use of the space, by making the tray a box too, where they stuffed the included soft case and documentation. Included cases are really nice to see as they help protect your device from day one, and I really do hope more manufacturers will follow this trend.

The entire package laid out here. Pretty standard stuff. You get a quick guide, some important information guide, the device, some cheap looking earphones packaged really fancily and the charger, which definitely deserves highlighting. I really like the cable management for the cable using two plastic tabs, as it definitely beats the usual plastic wrapper.

Unlike most devices which come with 10W chargers or god forbid, 5W ones, the OPPO R9s came with a 20W one! This is their VOOC charger, which is OPPO’s proprietary fast charging technology. They have a nice list of technical jargon that have a singular aim: to give you fast and safe fast charging.

Even the cable is different from a standard microUSB one. This cable comes with more pins, used for relaying information between the charger and the device as well as to deliver the larger amount of power safely. And yet, the OPPO R9s supports charging over your usual microUSB cable, but you won’t get to enjoy the fast charging capabilities. It is great that OPPO didn’t just decide to force their users to only use their proprietary cables. If I were to complain. it would be that OPPO has not revised their VOOC standard to support the newer USB Type-C standard, which is actually capable of delivering enough power to feed a MacBook.
Appearance

From the front, the OPPO R9s is almost indistinguishable from the OPPO F1s. The 5.5″ display dominates much of the front, with the home button which doubles as a fingerprint sensor with a golden frame taking up the lower bezel, while the top bezel is home to the proximity sensor, ambient light sensor and also the front camera.

OPPO has gone for a very clean back, with the “six-string” antenna lines cutting across the all-metal back of the OPPO R9s. The camera and LED flash finds their home in the upper left corner. OPPO has made a great deal about their fine 0.33mm antenna line design, which to be honest is quite refreshing when compared to the chrome bands that several manufacturers have defaulted to recently.

It’s busy on the bottom edge of the OPPO R9s. You get the 3.5mm jack which has thankfully not been thrown away in a fit of courage, the primary microphone hole, microUSB port flanked by two screws and the loudspeaker. You can also see how the lines taper off at the side, a tiny detail that you might not even notice until you look closely, but shows that OPPO did put some effort into making a pretty device.

The right side of the device (when looking at the screen) is home to the power button and the SIM tray, while the volume buttons are over on the other side. The OPPO R9s has a very unique to its sides, with the back not smoothly curving into the sides, instead meeting it at an angle.
Specifications

CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 (8 x A53 @ 2.0 GHz), Adreno 506 @ 650 MHz

RAM
4GB

Display:
5.5″, FHD (1080p) AMOLED display

Storage:
64GB internal (expandable with microSD up to 256GB)

Camera:
16MP f/1.7, 1/2.8″ Sony IMX398, Dual PDAF, single LED flash
16MP f/2.0,

OS:
ColorOS 3.0, based on Android 6.0

Connectivity:
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz)
Bluetooth 4.1

SIM:
nanoSIM (dual SIM support, one nanoSIM slot doubles as microSD slot)

Battery:
3010 mAh (non-removable)

Performance
Packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, I am glad that OPPO didn’t decide to pack the OPPO R9s with a Mediatek MTK6750. In case you didn’t know, the Snapdragon 625 is based on the 14nm FinFET manufacturing process, promising better efficiency and lower operating temperatures. Also, thanks to this new process, Qualcomm got all the A53 cores to hit 2.0 GHz without any major drawbacks, quite a feat when you are dealing with eight of them. So now that we know the OPPO R9s has a good SoC, let’s take a look at the numbers.

In Antutu, the OPPO R9s bests the ASUS ZenFone 3, which also packs a Snapdragon 625. However it is still quite some way from the Snapdragon 652 devices. Scoring nearly 66 000, the OPPO R9s’s Snapdragon 625 is decidedly a mid-range device. It definitely beats having a MTK6750 like the OPPO F1s has though, which doesn’t make it into our comparison chart.

3DMark tests the GPU performance of the devices, where the OPPO R9s comes in just below the ASUS ZenFone 3. Judging from the scores, you will be able to play most recent games fluidly.

The OPPO R9s scores slightly below the ASUS ZenFone 3 in single-core, while it scores a lot lower in the multi-core segment. Still, this could be due to some optimization issue with the OPPO R9s, as it is very unusual for devices with the same SoC to score so differently.

In PCMark, the OPPO R9s does pretty decently. Once again, it scores lower than the ZenFone 3, which is no surprise after finding it scoring so much lower in the multi-core segment in Geekbench. We have found that PCMark prefers devices with higher multi-core scores, which probably explains why the ZenFone 3 is so much higher up in the chart despite sporting the same SoC.
Long battery life, super-fast charging. Perfection?
Battery life is pretty stellar, as expected from a device with the Snapdragon 625. With nearly 19 hours away from the plug, the OPPO R9s notched up more than 5 and a half hours of screen on time before hitting my usual cut-off point of 15% battery remaining. This was with use of WiFi and also LTE when I was out, music playing over Bluetooth, and excessive use of Facebook and Whatsapp. Whittling it down to 10% took another 30 minutes, and it was really time to start recharging it up to take a look at how fast the VOOC flash charging technology system can feed the 3010 mAh battery in the OPPO R9s. It was fully charged in less than an hour, which is really impressive in my book as I can forget about charging the OPPO R9s overnight and just plug it in before I get ready for the day, and have it fully charged before I am done. OPPO has a whole VOOC ecosystem with VOOC car chargers and VOOC power banks so you can have fast charging anywhere you want, but with the battery life of the OPPO R9s, the car chargers and power banks will most probably not see much use.
User Experience
As pretty standard for current devices, the OPPO R9s goes for a hybrid nanoSIM-microSD slot. This means you get a choice of either expanding the memory, or using two SIM cards, but not both at the same time. Well, if you aren’t brave enough to do some modding, that is. It is actually a step back from the OPPO F1s’ true dual-SIM functionality.

The 6.58mm thickness places it among the thinner phones I have used, but one which I am confident to use without a case for protection. It has some weight to it, which gives the device a nice solid feel in the hand, and the subtle edge where the back meets the sides digs into my palm very securely.

OPPO packs a solid state fingerprint sensor this time around. The fingerprint sensor is really fast, unlocking the device nearly instantly after I place my thumb on it. The navigation keys are backlit, with the stock Android icons, but sadly the arrangement is inverted, having the back button on the left.

ColorOS 3.0 is OPPO’s skin for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. You don’t get an app drawer here, as usual for most Chinese devices. Not much has changed from the OPPO F1s’s interface, despite the major Android version upgrade. A rather serious annoyance which is the notification shade always defaulting to quick settings first, needing a swipe to the left to view notifications. OPPO, it’s called the notification shade for a reason, not the quick settings shade. There should be a setting for it, but looking in the notification and status bar settings reveal nothing. The two-page notification shade is also way outdated, and I hope that they will update it soon to a pull down for notification, pull down more for quick settings one. OPPO has also yet to keep with the times and use more of Google’s apps, instead supplying their own renditions of various apps, including a web browser.

Despite a focus on photography, OPPO has forgone adding laser autofocusing systems, RGB sensors or even dual-tone LED flashes, instead going for a very basic camera + single LED flash combo. However this decision could be justified as the OPPO R9s features a 1/2.8″ Sony IMX398 which OPPO claims was developed exclusively for OPPO, sporting Dual PDAF technology which promises 40% faster autofocusing speeds even in low light conditions. The wide f/1.7 aperture also lets the sensor receive up to 60% more light compared to devices with f/2.2 aperture. That’s all the technical talk, let’s get down to actually using the camera.

The camera UI is simple, offering a big shutter button that you cannot miss, and a row of modes that you can swipe through. Reminds me of a certain fruity smartphone, but I would say imitation is the best form of flattery? You have a full-fledged manual mode, but otherwise there are not that many settings to play around with. The funniest thing is that choosing the “Rectangle” viewfinder gives you a viewfinder with a square view. HDR is very easy to enable, with a very accessible shortcut on the left edge of the UI. You can shoot up to 4K videos, but you have totally no control over the parameters.

Image quality out of the OPPO R9s is good, but not spectacular. Despite being able to use lower ISO settings thanks to the f/1.7 aperture which is larger than what most of its contemporaries sport, loss of details are still noticeable when taking a closer look at the images. Edges can look fuzzy in less than optimal lighting conditions, but that is only noticeable when zooming in, as images are still more than adequate for the great Instagram post you are looking for. Focusing is fast, but could definitely be improved in terms of the accuracy. I had to tap several times to get it to focus on the subject, negating any benefit the fast autofocus offered. These could probably be overcome with software updates to improve the image processing and focusing algorithm though, so I remain hopeful for better performance. The f/1.7 aperture does improve subject isolation, especially when compared to smartphones with smaller apertures. Yet another minor gripe I have with the camera is the lack of an instant HDR mode. It offers an auto HDR mode, but still takes a moment to process the image after pressing the shutter button. The delay isn’t that long, but a delay nonetheless. Shooting in lower light might prove an issue despite the wider aperture, as it lacks OIS. You can check out full resolution images on our Flickr.

Speaking of which, the OPPO R9s packs a 5.5″ 1080p AMOLED display, a very welcome upgrade from the 720p display the OPPO F1s sported. Vivid colors, deep blacks and sharp text are all the criteria of a good display, and the OPPO R9s ticks all the right boxes. No complaints here. Sunlight legibility is also good with the display’s low reflectivity and good brightness, ensuring you don’t have to squint while looking at the display under direct sunlight.

Audio from the mono loudspeaker is very loud at maximum volume, however lacks in details making it not the best way to listen to music to. It is great for alarms and notifications, which is the main use of the loudspeakers anyway. Connecting headphones via the 3.5mm jack allowed me to tune the sound signature with the Dirac HD Sound feature. While better than nothing, it is quite limited, allowing you to tune the bass, baritone, and treble. Turning on Dirac Real HD Sound gave me more bloated bass and better clarity. From what I can hear, it seems like it applies a V-shaped equalizer to the sound. Tweaking it a bit gave me better sound.
Conclusion
The moment of truth. what do we think of the OPPO R9s? Well, for starters, it is a great device. The Snapdragon 625 SoC, VOOC fast charging, 16MP IMX398 camera with Dual PDAF and f/1.7 aperture all come together in a nice sleek 6.58mm thin aluminium body with the unique “six-string” antenna line design, giving us a device that we can truly fall in love with. Software wise, it definitely looks dated, but some might prefer the familiarity of it all. It’s pricing may be an issue though. Priced at RM1798, it is priced higher than the other devices packing a Snapdragon 625. With that said, the OPPO R9s is deserving of our Silver Pokdeward, as it is a really quite a nice device, aside from the rather high asking price.

Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


CES 2021: Kingston Unveils New NVMe SSD Lineup Plus Workflow Station

The folks at Kingston has revealed their upcoming NVMe SSD, Kingston Workflow Stations and Reader at this year’s CES 2021. Here’s the products that’s being showcased.
CES 2021 Kingston
Kingston Workflow Station and Readers

Kingston’s Workflow Station and Readers give users the freedom to create and customize a file offload setup, making video, photos, and audio from multiple sources at once.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

With it, you can simultaneously connect the USB miniHUB, SD or microSD readers that the shoot requires to transfer footage quickly. Aside from that, it can also be used standalone by connecting to a laptop through the included USB-C cable, giving you flexibility.
Kingston CES 2021 lineup
Aside from that, they’ve also unveil their SSD offerings at CES 2021, which includes their first PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 as well as external USB 3.2 SSD. The former is the Ghost Tree which offers 7000MB/s read and write speed with a capacity from 1TB to 4TB.
There’s the Kingston NV Series, their latest Gen 3.0 x4 SSD that makes it ideal for first-time NVMe users with capacities up to 2TB. On the other hand is the Kingston XS2000, the brand’s new USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 external drives with 500GB to 2TB capacity option that comes with a USB Type-C interface that allows data transfers up to 2000MB/s.
Last on the list is the Kingston DC1500M, a Data Center that serves as an update tot he previous DC1000M. The U.2 NVMe SSD is designed to support a wide range of data-intensive workloads including cloud computing, web hosting, and virtual infrastructures.
Pokdepinion: That Kingston Workflow Station and Readers isn’t something that you’d see everyday. Looks pretty interesting. Let’s hope that all of the products will make their way here to Malaysia.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Samsung Galaxy A04 Arrives in Malaysia With A Very Affordable Price

The entry-level Samsung Galaxy A04 has finally arrived in Malaysia, and it has a very affordable price tag for everyone.
Samsung Galaxy A04

The Samsung Galaxy A04 has landed in Malaysia, and it’s an entry-level smartphone with a very affordable price. While the exact chip powering it is unknown, it has an octa-core CPU that goes up to 2.3GHz with 4GB RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage. If that isn’t enough, you can expand up to 1TB via microSD.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

It sports a 6.5-inch HD+ (1600 x 720) LCD display. As for connectivity, you get 4G LTE support, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, and a headphone jack. It will be lacking NFC, in case you were wondering. It will be powered by the One UI Core 4.1 based on Android 12.
As for camera, the Samsung Galaxy A04 has a dual-camera setup consisting of a 50MP f/1.8 wide angle camera and a 2MP f/2.4 depth camera. The selfie camera is a 5MP wide-angle shooter. All of this will be juiced by a 5,000mAh battery with no fast charging whatsoever.
The Samsung Galaxy A04 will be retailing for RM479 for the 3GB RAM / 32GB storage variant and RM559 for the 4GB RAM / 64GB storage variant. You have the option of getting in in Black, Copper, and Green colours. You can purchase it on their official online store.
Source
Pokdepinion: For a no-nonsense, entry-level smartphone, this certainly does offer good value. I’m about pretty sure the battery life can last quite a bit as well but just don’t expect it to play games well for obvious reasons.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Cooler Master launches CM310 RGB gaming mouse — 10K DPI, RGB lighting, ambidextrous shape, all for only RM99!

There are a lot of gaming mice out there, but left-handed gamers are often at a disadvantage. They do not have that many options to choose from, but that’s about to change now. The latest Cooler Master CM310 Ambidextrous RGB gaming mouse caters to both left-handed and right-handed gamers with amazing value for money, and RGB illumination all around the mouse.

The Cooler Master CM310 features a high performance 10 000 DPI Pixart A3325 optical sensor. For quick access to DPI controls, there are two DPI buttons on the top, as well as a lighting effect adjustment button with five preset RGB illumination modes.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The weight of the mouse is precisely calibrated to 100 grams, which according to Cooler Master’s survey, is the perfect weight for a gaming mouse. The sides of the Cooler Master CM310 sport rubberized side grips for better control of the mouse and comfort during heated matches.
The Cooler Master CM310 offers all of that for just RM99, which is really amazing value for money.
Pokdepinion: The Cooler Master CM310 isn’t perfectly ambidextrous though… Left-handed gamers won’t get to use the side buttons with their thumbs…
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


The AMD Athlon 3000G is overclockable from just $49

The previous two announcements about the latest AMD CPUs may be on the pricier side. But not this one. This one is for the penny pinchers out there. The AMD Althon 240GE was a pretty decent chip, but hey, we want more. Enter the AMD Athlon 3000G.

Don’t ask us why the Athlon 3000G isn’t the 300G. We have no idea either. The dual-core CPU is clocked at a sweet 3.5 GHz, 300 MHz faster than the Athlon 200GE, and packs a slightly faster Radeon Vega 3 GPU running at 1100 MHz, which should give it that nice boost in performance, and the ability to walk all over the Pentium G5400. All of that at the same 35W TDP. Nice…

But it gets even better. Unlike the Athlon 200GE, 220GE and 240GE, the Athlon 3000G can be overclocked. In AMD’s internal tests, it was suggested that 3.9 GHz was an easily achievable target. Even before overclocking, it was already impressive against the Pentium G5400, before widening the gap further with the respectable 400 MHz overclock.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

AMD Athlon 3000G
2C/4T @ 3.5 GHz, 14nm FinFET5MB cache (L2 + L3)12 PCIe 3.0 lanes (1x PCIe 3.0 x8 + 1x PCIe 3.0 x4 for NVMe SSDs)35W TDPRM209
And the good news keep coming. The price tag is definitely the real attraction with the AMD Athlon 3000G. The AMD Athlon 3000G is priced at just $49 (~RM202), it’s $6 (~RM25) cheaper than the Athlon 200GE at launch. And it’s overclockable. And it runs faster out of the box.
Pokdepinion: Definitely a good option for POS or office machines.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


KL Hunters (KLH) Has New Official Partners; 1 Malaysian Telco and 1 Gaming Gear Brand

Kuala Lumpur Hunters (KLH), local League of Legends champions, announced a 1-year partnership with Digi Telecommunications, Malaysia. Digi joins KLH’s long-standing sponsor Logitech as partners of the eSports team.

Kuala Lumpur Hunters (KLH) Has New Official Partner

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

With the support of the two partners, KLH will be embarking on a month-long eSports boot camp in South Korea. This will give KLH the opportunity to train and hone their skills alongside top players in the country, who have consistently retained the dominant position in the pro League of Legends scene.
As one of the most recognized professional gaming teams in Malaysia, KLH will become the first local eSports team to embrace the gaming culture in Seoul, South Korea, before resuming their efforts to qualify for the League of Legends World Championships 2017 held later this year in China.

Mohd Muhaymin, Head of Activation & Sponsorship from Digi said,
We are delighted to be partners with local gaming champions Kuala Lumpur Hunters and look forward to working towards our shared goal of positioning Malaysia as a powerhouse in Southeast Asian eSports. The boot camp in Korea is a fantastic opportunity for each player to train and develop their specialties, as well as for the team to build better group dynamics and coordination in the game.
Digi is a fun and youthful brand so it’s only natural that we take a leading position in the local gaming scene. Partnerships like this are just the beginning to a future with many more gaming-related offerings that we’re confident our customers will love.
Following the company’s decision to sponsor KLH back in June 2016, Logitech has played an important role in KLH’s success that saw the team’s rise to be one of Southeast Asia’s top three League of Legends teams.

KP Sim, Country Manager for Logitech Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei, said:
We are committed to continuing our support to KLH on every step of the way. We believe in the team’s potentials to achieve new heights and to cement their name in the in the international League of Legends community.
For the local community, team fans and eSports enthusiasts alike will be delighted to see the return of Malaysian eSports icon and KLH team captain, Poon ‘OzoraVeki’ Kok Sing, to the main roster of five players including Adrian ‘Shiro’ Lee, Eric ‘Qaspiel’ Sia, Chan ‘ArrHedge’ Roonghan and Ramsay ‘Bipolar’ Devaraj.

With his international experience, OzoraVeki aims to prove that Malaysia is a formidable competitor in the global arena.
The opportunity to compete in another region has made me realize that League of Legends is more than just a game for me. It is something that I grew up with, and knowing that I am capable of  making a difference in the Malaysian League of Legends eSports scene and helping it grow is what makes it worth fighting for.
OzoraVeki is the first Malaysian League of Legends player to professionally compete abroad with the Hong Kong ESports (HKES) team in the League Master Series (LMS) in Taiwan. Under his leadership, KLH won 3 League of Legends titles in Malaysia and secured the 3rd place at the Garena Premier League (GPL) in late 2016.
Working closely with Digi and Logitech, KLH aims to grow its reach and deepen the engagement with the gaming community in the future by introducing official team merchandising and official live-streamers.

Pokdepinion: KL Hunters going stronger than ever. I heard the South Korean bootcamp is going to be kinda scary so I hope the team will survive and come back in top shape.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


NVIDIA’s 800W “TITAN RTX” GPU Leaked Showing Its Crazy Specs

Behold the green monster… and no, it’s not The Hulk.
Previously leaked images of the TITAN RTX ‘Ada’. Image: Moore’s Law Is Dead
Previously we mentioned the existence of a quad-slot monstrosity of a GPU which is once expected to be sitting on top of the RTX 4090 (leak courtesy of Moore’s Law Is Dead), but we didn’t get the full picture of it aside from a close-up shot and the heatsink design. Thanks to leaker @MEGAsizeGPU, we know it’s very much a brick-shaped contraption…
Alleged NVIDIA TITAN RTX ‘Ada’ prototype. Image: MEGAsizeGPU (Twitter)
From this image you might’ve spotted something rather unusual (aside from the massive size): the I/O ports are lined up vertically across the GPU instead of horizontally, like you see from pretty much every modern GPU these days. Such designs points to a PCB entirely different from what NVIDIA has designed for its current RTX GPUs – which seemed to be positioned vertically and have the PCIe slot running at a 90° angle from it (It is worth noting that the render images leaked from Moore’s Law Is Dead shows a more conventional I/O layout).

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

"the beast" PG137-SKU0AD102-450-A118176FP3248G 24Gbps GDDR6Xtotal board power ~800W
— kopite7kimi (@kopite7kimi) July 25, 2022

As far as specifications go, it’s as balls-to-the-wall as it gets. The TITAN RTX ‘Ada’ runs on AD102 die containing 18,176 CUDAs, 142 SMs (2 short of an entirely full die), paired with 48GB of GDDR6X VRAM rated at 24Gbps. All that numbers accounted up to 800 watts of power usage – nearly double that of a stock RTX 4090, which in itself is already a very demanding GPU. As said previously though, this is likely a cancelled project internally from NVIDIA so it’s very unlikely we’ll see this GPU in anyone’s PC anytime soon.
Source: Videocardz
Pokdepinion: Last I checked, space heaters consumes 1500 watts or thereabouts. We’re halfway there…
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


AMD could make a custom X86 SoC for Apple’s 2017 iMac — detailed analysis

On the AMD Q2 2015 earnings teleconference, Lisa Su announced a third semi-custom design in the pipeline and again on latest the Q3 2015 earning teleconference she announced that one of these three new design will be generating revenue in the second half 2016.
The claims led to many speculations but the most promising is that there’s a possibility that AMD is making a custom X86 SoC chip for the upcoming Apple iMac 2017-2018. The reason why it is highly probable is because AMD and Apple has been working together to provide a graphic solution for the latest Apple MacBook Pro and Mac Pro line-ups.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

If we look up at the AMD roadmap, the first AMD Zen processor will be roll out on 2016, however the rumor suggest that AMD will make a custom X86 SoC for iMac on 2017-2018. This could be a strong evidence that AMD APU SoC based on the AMD Zen “Zen+” will be using on the iMac.
Just sharing out a rumor and ending without further research seems pointless, but yet I’ve read from many sources and even some top dog blogs that just ended the story here. I don’t like it that way, as what can we learn from a simple rumor? Almost nothing. So let’s go through some key points on how AMD could be the one who will be making the custom x86 SoC chip powering the next iMac.

AMD Zen “Zen+” X86 CPU

If this graphic is to be trusted, the AMD Zen “Zen+” cores are due to eventually arrive by 2016, matching Lisa Su’s claims that AMD will be generating revenue in the second half of 2016. If it is true that Apple will be using a custom AMD x86 SoC chip, so it will prove that the AMD Zen architecture can really delivers the performance gains over the old Excavator core, which will put the AMD Zen “Zen+” on par with Intel Skylake, at the very least. With a claimed 40% IPC improvement over its predecessor, and also manufactured on the 14nm process, that should allow AMD Zen “Zen+” cores to trade punches with Intel Skylake cores.

AMD Greenland GPU

“We are also focused on delivering our next generation GPUs in 2016 which is going to improve performance per watt by two times compared to our current offerings, based on design and architectural enhancements as well as advanced FinFET products process technology“. —  Lisa Su
The AMD Greenland, we don’t know much about it except that it will feature second generation HBM, 14nm FinFET manufacturing process and double the performance-per-Watt efficiency over its predecessor. The second generation HBM 2.0 will be twice as fast as the first generation and also allows for more capacity, which will lead to even higher performance.

So by gathering all the key points I have mentioned previously, the 14nm manufacturer, HBM 2.0 and improved power efficiency, it gives us even more insight into the rumor. Since AMD Zen “Zen+” and AMD Greenland will be based on the 14nm manufacturing node, it should herald the arrival of extremely powerful AMD APU with low TDPs, high performance and also vastly improved efficiency. If Intel can put eDRAM on the Broadwell processors I don’t see why can’t AMD integrate HBM into their APUs. This is most probably the next step for AMD if you ask me, because AMD is becoming an expert in designing custom chips lately.
All this are shows that AMD is on track to its 2020 target, the 25×20 vision through heterogeneous computing, real-time power management and energy efficiency design innovations

Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA)
Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA)  is an industry standards body focused on making it dramatically easier to program heterogeneous computing devices. Simply put, it’s seeks to create applications that seamlessly blend scalar processing on the CPU, parallel processing on the GPU, and optimized processing on the DSP via high bandwidth shared memory access, enabling greater application performance at low power consumption.

The HSA Foundation is defining key interfaces for parallel computation utilizing CPUs, GPUs,  DSPs, and other programmable and fixed-function devices, thus supporting a diverse set of high-level programming languages and creating the next generation in general-purpose computing.
I think this is enough on AMD’s side, let’s see if we have any further leads from Apple’s side.

Apple Metal API
Have you read about the Metal API from Apple? Let take a good explanation from Wikipedia site :
“Metal is a low-level, low-overhead hardware-accelerated graphics and compute application programming interface (API) , it combines functionality similar to OpenGL and OpenCL under one API. Metal also further improves the capabilities of GPGPU programming by introducing compute shaders.”
Bam, take that!  Do you understand this explanation? Let me break it down further.
Firstly, Metal, a low-overhead hardware-accelerated graphics and compute application programming interface (API), same like Mantle and Vulkan, but Apple has decided to make their own API. To allow this feature to unleash its maximal performance, doesn’t it need hardware or graphic processing that has asynchronous computing? AMD’s latest graphic cards based on GCN have that feature down pat, unlike NVIDIA.
Second, it combines functionality similar to OpenGL and OpenCL under one API. Let me tell you the reason why Apple has decided to use AMD FirePro and R9 Radeons on their Mac Pro and MacBook Pro line-up, it’s because of OpenCL. It’s AMD’s specialty to optimize the OpenCL performance of their cards.

Lastly, improve the capabilities of GPGPU programming by introducing compute shaders. What is the main point of HSA’s existence? Of course GPGPU which is part of the defining key interfaces for parallel computation utilizing CPUs, GPUs,  DSPs, and other programmable and fixed-function devices, thus supporting a diverse set of high-level programming languages and creating the next generation in general-purpose computing.

System on Chip (SoC)
What is a SoC to begin with? In short, a SoC packs all the components that a computer needs to run in a single chip, the result of this design not only reduces the printed circuit board size but it also removed unnecessary interconnects and by cramming everything into a single chip, it will result in lower power consumption and heat production.

Basically a SoC consists of :

a microcontroller, microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP) core – multiprocessor SoCs (MPSoC) having more than one processor core
memory blocks including a selection of ROM, RAM, EEPROM and flash memory
timing sources including oscillators and phase-locked loops
peripherals including counter-timers, real-time timers and power-on reset generators
external interfaces, including industry standards such as USB, FireWire, Ethernet, USART, SPI
analog interfaces including ADCs and DACs
voltage regulators and power management circuits

(taken from Wikipedia site)

Pokdepinion : So how convinced are you that the next iMac Pro will be based on a custom AMD X86 SoC? Based on all the above main points, it is almost certain to be a reality. An iMac with a high performance custom AMD APU custom X86 SoC based on AMD Zen “Zen+” and AMD Greenland GPU with HBM 2.0 that will bring lower TDP and power consumption figures. With DDR4 RAM which will enhance the GPGPU computing performance, this kind of SoC will definitely bring the iMac to another level.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Nokia 5.3 leaked to feature Snapdragon 665 and four rear cameras

The previously leaked Nokia 5.2 will reportedly be renamed to the Nokia 5.3, probably to keep up with the rest of the x.3 generation that Nokia is launching in 2020. As you might expect, the Nokia 5.3 is going to be a lower mid-range model from Nokia, and it does seem pretty impressive if that’s the segment it will be competing in.
For starters, the Nokia 5.3 is slated to sport the Snapdragon 665 or Snapdragon 660 chipset, with up to 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. The camera is probably the most interesting aspect about it, with a 16MP primary camera mated to two 8MP modules and a 5MP camera. There are no details about the lens configurations, but we can safely assume that there will be an ultra-wide angle camera somewhere in the mix, and maybe a macro camera.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Over on the front is a pretty large 6.55″ display, hopefully with a FHD+ resolution, as well as an 8MP selfie camera in a little notch. Powering everything is a 4000 mAh battery, which does seem like par for the course in this segment.
Nokia 5.3 Specs (leaked)

Snapdragon 665, octa-core up to 2.0 GHz, 11nm FinFET
Up to 6GB RAM
Up to 64GB storage
6.55″ display
16MP + 8MP + 8MP + 5MP rear camera
8MP selfie camera
4000 mAh battery
180 USD (~RM751)

The Nokia 5.3 will reportedly arrive in a number of variants, with the model numbers TA-1223, TA-1227, TA-1229 and TA-1234 all referring to the same marketing name. It has already been spotted on Geekbench with the code name Captain America and 3GB RAM, so we know there will be more budget-oriented configurations, as 6GB RAM is still relatively unheard of in the lower-mid-range segment.
MWC 2020 was supposed to be the time that HMD Global would have debuted the Nokia 5.3, but as you might have known, it didn’t happen. So stay tuned for the official launch which should be happening pretty soon.
Pokdepinion: The specifications aside from the cameras aren’t that interesting, but if the price is right, this might just be a hit.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS Announces PadFone S with 4G LTE

Kuala Lumpur (5th Oct, 2014) — ASUS today announced the availability of PadFone S, an innovative premium 5-inch Full HD smartphone featuring leading technology such as 4G LTE -Advanced connectivity, Near Field Communication (NFC) support and a 13-megapixel PixelMaster camera.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

ASUS PadFone S features a unique 5-inch Full HD Android 4.4 KitKat smartphone, which has a thin and light design with a stunning In-Plane Switching (IPS) 1920 x 1200 display covered with durable, scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 plus an anti-fingerprint coating, capable to stand up to the rigors of daily use. The PadFone S meets stringent international operator requirements with its ability to pass numerous drop and water resistance tests. This tough design helps protect PadFone S against falls and dings, accidental spills, and getting caught in the occasional rain shower.
PadFone S can be docked into the PadFone S Station – sold separately – to transform into a 9-inch tablet, giving users flexibility to choose the optimal screen size for any scenario, such as making phone or video calls, composing email, watching videos or playing games. In dock mode, running apps on the phone are seamlessly resized to fit the tablet’s larger display. Dual front speakers provide rich and immersive sound, and complement the large display to deliver incredible entertainment experiences.

Leading technology and innovation

PadFone S features support for LTE-Advanced technology, including Carrier Aggregation, to deliver blazingly fast mobile data speeds for an optimal internet experience and stutter-free streaming music and video. The phone shares its data connection with the tablet, so users can enjoy fast internet access in any usage scenario without the need for a separate data plan.
PadFone S is powered by a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 quad-core 2.3GHz processor to provide incredible performance, even the latest most demanding apps and games run smoothly. When docked in the optional tablet, its large battery charges the phone, providing up to two-times (2X) longer battery life.
PadFone S features a 13-megapixel, f/2.0 aperture PixelMaster camera for capturing stunning photographs that rival or surpass those taken by dedicated digital cameras. It has an external image signal processor (ISP) to provide enhanced noise reduction for smoother, better-looking photos. The camera’s Low-light Mode significantly increases camera performance during night time and in poorly-lit scenes. By merging adjacent pixels, the camera increases light-sensitivity by up to 400% and contrast up to 200%, resulting in clear and bright low-light shots without the need for a flash.

ASUS ZenUI with Android 4.4 KitKat

PadFone S comes with ZenUI, the all-new, mobile user interface exclusive to ASUS mobile devices that was developed around the concepts of freedom, expression and connection. Featuring a new visual design made to be efficient and inviting, it contains modern ‘flat’ icons, vivid color themes, animations, new ringtones and notification sounds, and a clean layout to present information clearly.
ASUS ZenUI also includes two features, “What’s Next” and “Do It Later”, designed to free users from actively having to manage the multitude of information they are confronted with daily, and enable better productivity. “What’s Next” puts the information currently most important and useful to the user — such as upcoming appointments, new messages and missed calls from VIP contacts, weather at the next destination, and more — front and center on the lock screen, the home screen and in the notification drawer.
“Do It Later” frees the user to focus on the task at hand, without forgetting about other imp ortant things that they need to do later. If a user is in the middle of writing an email and receives a phone call, a simple button tap automatically creates a reminder to call that person back. Users can also save interesting items, like articles, YouTube videos, or any web page, to read later. Each reminder and saved item is collected in the separate Do It Later app and includes a shortcut to perform the related action, such as call a contact or view a web page.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING
Available at local IT stores and ASUS authorized resellers now.
– PadFone S (Smartphone)    RRP: RM 899
– PadFone S Station (Tablet)  RRP: RM 499
Specification
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


You Can Now Purchase Homes Online On Lazada

Lazada and Mah Sing Group Berhad has joined arms to bring home purchasing online for the first time in the region.

At the back of their recent 11.11 Shopping Festival, Lazada has said the collaboration is to cater a new breed of online shoppers.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

So what’s on offer when you purchase your homes on the platform? Well they are offering an exclusive 5% Lazada Incentive, which is worth RM20,000 to RM30,000, and it is the biggest online incentive that Lazada has ever offered.

As for their project that will be listed on Lazada for 12.12 includes M Vertica, Cheras; M Centura, Sentul; Sensa [email protected] City, KL South; M Aruna, Rawang; M Vista, Penang; and Meridin East, Johor.
If you are interested, you can now start to preview homes from today and can add to cart and purchase from 10th to 12th of December 2018.
Great news is that booking fees are fully refundable if you decide not to proceed with the purchase. Once the unit selection, documentation, and loan application are finalized, you can sign your Sales and Purchase Agreement and the new home is all yours.
Pokdepinion: Buying homes online huh? I wonder what’s next for Lazada to introduce in the future.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


RIP YouTube Stories: The Snapchat-Lookalike Feature Shuts Down On June 26th

That’s one more for the infamous Google graveyard.

When the short, limited-time form of content was all the crazy some few years ago – which was first popularized by Snapchat – other major social media companies has since added their own flavors of the same feature into their platforms. Instagram is considered the most successful with the Stories feature, so much so that Snapchat has been squeezed out of the competition. YouTube had a go at it too (which originally was named ‘Reels’ back in 2017), with the 7-day expiration date instead of 24 hours.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

However that craze has since cooled off, or rather, overtaken by another big thing that is short videos (courtesy of TikTok). The YouTube Shorts has been a relative success, so that leaves little reason for the Google subsidiary to keep the Stories feature as it remained underutilized. In the blog post, Google says the feature will be shut down past June 26th, 2023 and all content made using the feature will expire 7 days after that.
Some of the features from Stories will be carried over to Community Posts, however. As the company says the recently-expanded feature “drives many times more comments and likes compared to Stories”, and still offers expiration limit of 24 hours if required. Creators can still post polls and images like usual.
Source: PCMag
Pokdepinion: Inevitable – I’m pretty sure since Shorts is a thing I haven’t seen anyone using Stories anymore.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Claim This FREE Game For Steam Before It’s Gone!

If you’re on the lookout for some games to play but don’t want to spend a single cent, well here’s some good news. There’s a free game offer going on right now but you need to act quickly.

The game that’s on hand is Serial Cleaner, which Humble Bundle is offering now absolutely for free.
Wondering what the game is all about? Well Serial Cleaner is a 2D action-stealth game that was released back in 2017. Here’s a synopsis of the game, courtesy of Steam;

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

You are a professional cleaner. Your job is to clean up murder scenes by disposing of bodies, cleaning up blood stains and hiding incriminating evidence. A good cleaner never gets caught so you have to make sure you get in, clean up and get out without leaving a trace of evidence for the police to find.
To claim the game (and make it yours to keep forever), you will need to login to Humble Bundle and subscribe to their newsletter. The offer will last until 2am on the 25th November 2019. You can do so by clicking on the link right here.
Pokdepinion: Looks fun but I’m not sure if I’ll play it… Nonetheless, another collection to the library :P
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Razer Announces New BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed 65% Keyboard

Razer has just announced their new BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed keyboard, a 65% wireless keyboard with full-height keys, arrow and navigation keysets for maximum usability, and Razer HyperSpeed Wireless. The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed is the ideal gaming and all-around use keyboard for both clutter-free and restricted space setups, thanks to its flexibility and addition of fast HyperSpeed Wireless for seamless, low-latency wireless networking in a compact form factor.
Introducing Razer’s new BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed wireless keyboard

The new BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed keyboard features Razer’s new HyperSpeed Multi-Device Dongle which allows any compatible Razer HyperSpeed keyboard/mouse combination to be connected to the PC without the need for other dongles. This new dongle further helps to reduce desktop clutter and uses fewer USB ports.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Furthermore, the keyboard has Bluetooth connectivity that can be paired up to 3 different devices. The new BlackWidow keyboard also comes with Type-C connectivity which can be used for wired connection or to charge the keyboard. Razer says that the keyboard can last up to 200 hours per charge.

The new BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed keyboard is available with either Razer’s clicky, tactile Green Switches or their silent, linear Yellow Switches which includes new and improved sound dampeners. The keyboard also features per key Razer Chroma RGB lighting, Doubleshot ABS keycaps and extra-thick side walls.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed keyboard will retail for RM799 and is available at select retailers, etailers and the official Razer page. You can visit the official page here to learn more about Razer’s new keyboard.
Pokdepinion: Gosh this keyboard looks so cute! I’m a sucker for small keyboards and this is just right up my alley.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


PC Processor Shipments Has Seen Its Worst Decline In 30 Years

Weak consumer demands and inventory correction contributed to low sales, according to Mercury Research.
Image: Mercury Research
Since 2020, the pandemic has seen PC sales boom in pretty significant ways, as work-from-home become mostly a mandate due to lockdowns and various restrictions in place. Three years later, the world has moved on – and the so has the PC sales. The after-effect of pandemic-era sales has seen consumer demands reduced greatly, per a report from Mercury Research.
In the report, x86 market has been the worst-hit among all, which experienced “the largest on-quarter and on-year declines in our 30-year history.” Dean McCarron of Mercury Research thinks it’s likely that the numbers of Q4 2022 and the year as a whole may be the worst decline ever seen in PC processor history.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

All in all, the total CPU shipment (excluding ARM processors i.e. Qualcomm 8cx series or Apple M-series) is 374 million – down -21% from 2021. Revenue was also down by -19% year-over-year, at $65 billion. While that is a significant drop, it’s still higher than all pre-Covid figures, McCarron says.
AMD is the big winner – with nearly 30% market share overall by the end of 2022, a big jump from 23.3% in the year prior. Most of that comes from server sales, as AMD’s EPYC continues to dominate against Intel’s incompetitive datacenter offerings.
However, it’s not just the low sales that’s causing the decline, McCarron says. A big part of that comes from ‘inventory correction’ – which is to say shipments are deliberately limited to reduce the impact of market oversupply situation. The analyst further notes that this phenomenon will continue for the better part of 2023, and things should get better in the second half of the year.
Source: Tom’s Hardware
Pokdepinion: That’s quite a huge jump in server market share for AMD, I’m surprised.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Lazada Citi Card Launched in Malaysia – Get the Best Rewards and Cashback on Lazada with This

Lazada Citi Card Launched in Malaysia

The folks over at Lazada have teamed up with Citi to offer Southeast Asia’s first e-commerce co-brand credit card, the Lazada Citi Card. It is currently available in Malaysia and is expected to roll out to other regions within the next six months.
The Lazada Citi Card will offer the highest reward points earning when shopping on Lazada as well as topping up their eWallet, with a 10x point multiplier. Furthermore, there will be a 20% cashback for Lazada Wallet topups along with other savings. For every month there’s a minimum retail spend of RM1,500, users will be rewarded with 1,000 bonus points.

To sweeten the deal, new card applicants who apply for the Lazada Citi Card online will receive RM500 vouchers which can be used on Lazada. The card will come packed with a variety of benefits and discounts from their partners. This includes Malindo, Klook, ClassPass, Fraser Hospitality, Dominos, and Healthland.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, you can easily register for it by clicking right here. Just keep in mind that there’s an RM100 annual fee for the primary card, minimum age of 21 to apply, and you need a minimum yearly income of RM24,000. If you meet the criteria, then everything should process easily.
Pokdepinion: If I do get one for myself, I’d be very tempted to purchase a brand new TV immediately. At the same time, I also want to save a bit of money so I probably shouldn’t indulge myself just yet. The temptation is very real.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


ASUS CG32UQ Console Gaming Monitor Review – It’s Like a TV, But Better

Unboxing the ASUS CG32UQ Console Gaming Monitor

The ASUS CG32UQ console gaming monitor comes in a rather large box. There are quite a few things inside the box, including:

High voltage charging cableHead phone rackPower adapterDisplayPort cableUSB cableQuick start guideHDMI cableWarranty CardVESA mount kitRemote Control
Appearance

The ASUS CG32UQ console gaming monitor looks like a 32-inch TV but with a cleaner design. Looking at the front, you have a 31.5-inch 4K anti-glare display with relatively small bezels. You can also see two logos here; “Sound by Harman Kardon” on the bottom-left corner, and the ASUS logo in the bottom-centre.

On the back, the first thing you’ll definitely see is the large ASUS logo. Below that, you have a hole where the monitor stand connects and below that, you have the ports. In case you’re wondering, there are three HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, a 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports, and a power port.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Towards the bottom-right corner, you have three navigation buttons and a navigational joystick. You also have two speaker grilles; one beside the buttons and the other on the opposite side. One thing that can be easily missed until it’s powered on is the array of 66 addressable RGB LED lights that can match ambient room lighting with what’s being displayed.

The stand itself has a couple of CG (console gaming) logos, but they don’t light up. It may feel a bit cheap when you’re assembling it but it surprisingly holds the monitor pretty steady. It’s worth noting that there are two USB ports here, as well as two protruding platforms where you can conveniently place your gamepads on.
Overall, it’s a simple gaming monitor at first glance but it has some features that can make your gaming setup look even more majestic with its LED lights. It is a rather big monitor, so you can use it like a TV and view it from further away. This is ideal so the rear LED lights are more noticeable.
Specifications
Panel SizeWide Screen 31.5″ (80.1 cm) AutoPanel TypeVATrue Resolution3840 x 2160Display Viewing Area (HxV)698.4 x 392.85 mm Display SurfaceNon-glareTouchscreenNoPixel Pitch0.182 mm Brightness400 cd/m2 Contrast Ratio3000:1Viewing Angle (CR≧10)178°(H) / 178°(V) Response Time5 ms (GTG)Display Colours16.7 million colours HDR SupportYes, HDR10Refresh Rate60 HzLow Blue LightYesHDCP SupportYesViewing ModesScenery / Racing / Cinema / RTS/ RPG / FPS / sRGB Modes / MOBA ModeAdaptive Refresh RateYes, FreeSyncSignal Input1 x DisplayPort 1.23 x HDMI 2.0Audio12W x 2 Stereo RMS Power<50W consumptionMechanical DesignTilt : +20°~-5°Height Adjustment : 0~100 mmVESA Wall Mounting : 100x100mmAura Sync lighting effect Dimensions359.7 x 227.4 x 9.0 mm, 9.1 kg
Performance
We begin our tests with DisplayCAL, using Spyder5 as the measuring device, to see how well it performs. Right out of the box, this is how well it performed.
Measured whitepoint0.53OKMeasured display profile whitepoint0.2 Average ΔE*000.43OKMaximum ΔE*001.27OK
At 100% brightness, monitors would usually have rather bad score and then see improvements after calibration. This one is already good from the get-go. For those who aren’t aware, it’s recommended to get a score less than 1 for whitepoints and the average ΔE00 whereas for the maximum ΔE00, it’s best to score less than 3.

As for the colour gamut, the ASUS CG32UQ console gaming monitor managed to cover 100% sRGB, 87.7% Adobe RGB, and 92.3% DCI-P3. For Gamut volume on the other hand, it covers 141% sRGB, 97.1% Adobe RGB and 99.9% DCI-P3. The scores are pretty great, making it a viable choice for creative work or if you just need a big range of colours.

We ran the display uniformity test to see if each part of the display are equally lit up, with the centre square used as a guide and compared to the others. In this area, it’s just decent. The ASUS CG32UQ mostly had nominal scores but two areas saw nominal tolerance exceeded. Personally, it did seem like the bottom-left corner seemed a bit darker but the top-right corner seemed to be same as the others.
User Experience

The ASUS CG32UQ is one of the more enjoyable products I’ve reviewed thus far. It had the interesting concept of being a monitor that’s more suited for console gaming, which is typically linked to TVs instead of monitors. Like TVs, all you have to do is just connect to devices either via HDMI or DisplayPort, and power it up via a power socket.
You have three HDMI ports and a single DisplayPort to use, so you can easily connect to multiple devices. I personally connected it to my PC (as a secondary display), my PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. While it can seem tedious to switch “channels” using the navigation buttons, it does come with a remote control, so it really starts to feel like a regular TV.

There is one area that it excels at where TVs will lose unless you get a specific mounting bracket. That is the ability to tilt it up or down by about 20°. This gives you added flexibility on where you’d like to place the monitor, be it higher or lower. 20° may not seem like much but trust me, it can be hard to live without it when you’ve grown accustomed to it.

The first thing you should do when you have the ASUS CG32UQ monitor up and running is to check out the OSD settings. You have a variety of viewing modes to choose from, and you can adjust specific settings such as speakers, contrast, and more.

It does have a fair bit of options so it will allow users to customize it to quite an extent. I personally like how the OSD looks, and I find it easy to navigate. The joystick works great but you most likely will rely on the remote control to adjust settings instead. My only complaint is that the animation for the OSD menu seems to be a little choppy and slow at times.
Moving on to the display itself, the ASUS CG32UQ monitor is one of the better ones I’ve experienced myself. Viewing angles are great, colour reproduction is accurate enough to be used for creative work, and the slim bezels make it a more immersive experience as it slowly seems to blend in.
Keep in mind that this monitor does have FreeSync so if your PC can support it, you can take advantage of it. This is especially great for resource-intensive games like Battlefield V where the game may get choppy due to low frame rates. You will then get to enjoy a surprisingly smooth gaming experience with it at the cost of a bit of input lag.

You may be confused as to why there’s FreeSync for a console gaming monitor. The key here is futureproofing. At the moment, Xbox One is the only console capable of FreeSync. With the PS5 and Xbox Series X, both of which are powered by AMD chips, they’re expected to come with FreeSync from the start. Furthermore, this is a 4K resolution monitor. While it does have its benefits now, it will work far better for console gaming in the future.

I find myself enjoying the rear array of addressable RGB LEDs. It actually changes accordingly with what pops up on the screen. Is the display showing a visual of outer space? It will have a dark blue glow. How about a picture of daylight and nighttime side-by-side? Half will mimic the daylight colour while the other half will mimic the colours of the night. Is it necessary? No. Is it great? Heck yeah.

Gaming on the ASUS CG32UQ is a blast. Not only do games look great across PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, it does seems to be slightly faster than my Philips TV. This is particularly noticeable for me in games like Tekken 7 (PC and PS4) and Super Smash Bros Ultimate (Switch). You can take advantage of HDR features on the PS4 with this monitor.
What’s more interesting is that on Tekken 7, it seems like that the response time is just a bit faster on PC compared to its PS4 counterpart. It’s barely noticeable so most people wouldn’t realize it but as I play competitively, every single frame matters.

Another great thing about the ASUS CG32UQ with regards to console gaming is that the stand doubles as a USB hub. My PS4 only has two USB ports, and one of them is reserved for an external HDD. Now I can just charge my DualShock 4 controller via the monitor stand, and it even has a nice platform for me to place two controllers on. It’s convenience that also allows for a cleaner, space-saving gaming setup.
It’s worth noting that if you decide to mount the monitor on the wall or ceiling, you can actually use the stand itself as a headphone / gaming headset stand. It comes with an additional accessory that allows you to convert it into that. That way, you get a headphone stand and can still have it function as a USB hub.

The ASUS CG32UQ has built-in 12W stereo speakers. You can get audio transmitted from devices, like the PS4 and Nintendo Switch for example, via HDMI and it will automatically play the audio. The volume is actually louder than I expected and the sound quality is decent. However, it lacks the crisp detail of a standalone speaker.

It’s very convenient to have but if you have your own set of speakers, you may want to opt for that instead. Keep in mind that this does have a 3.5mm audio jack so you can also plug in a headphone or compatible speakers for a better audio experience. Personally, I would use the built-in speakers over most portable speakers because of the volume.
ASUS CG32UQ Verdict

The ASUS CG32UQ monitor is great for both PC and console gaming. It has features that’s suitable for console gaming in the next generation, and the colours are actually good enough for creative work. It feels like a TV but with the added benefits of a gaming monitor.
I personally only have two complaints, and that is the choppy OSD animations as well as the 60Hz refresh rate. It’s understandable that console games typically don’t go past 60 FPS but I figured they would make it more viable for PC gamers as well if they pushed it to at least 120Hz.
Some of you may prefer it to have additional ports, perhaps an extra DisplayPort or a DVI-D input. I feel that the ports are more than enough especially given that it’s geared towards console gaming. With that, I award the ASUS CG32UQ console gaming monitor with our Silver Pokdeward.

Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


TM Begins First Phase of 5G Rollout to Unifi Mobile Customers

Following the signing of DNB (Digital Nasional Berhad) Access Agreement on 30th October 2022, TM has rolled out its first phase of 5G services today to existing Unifi Mobile Postpaid customers, as well as new Postpaid and Prepaid customers, with unlimited data usage. Unifi Mobile also offers bundles with 5G-capable devices at various price points to ensure affordability across all backgrounds.

Aside from that, TM has launched its “5G Sphere” – a circle of leading technology and smart solution partners to form an ecosystem which is set to speed up the creation of innovative 5G use-cases. The company stated there are 39 partners in this programme.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

“As we transform to become a human-centred TechCo, TM’s 5G commitment goes beyond connectivity to enabling our interconnected society reshape the way we live and work. We recognise the value that this next-gen technology will bring to communities, businesses and the Government, and will continue to explore new ways to make 5G and digital progress accessible to all,” Imri concluded.”, says TM CEO Imri Mokhtar.
Learn more on Unifi’s 5G plans here.
Pokdepinion: Unlimited data, sounds good to me.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Street Fighter V Arcade Edition Unveiled; New Modes and V-Trigger Moves

If you’re looking for a reason to get back to the game or even fighting games in general, you might want to consider Street Fighter V Arcade Edition.

Street Fighter V Arcade Edition Unveiled

If you’ve been wanting to get back into Street Fighter V, this piece of news might pique your interest. Today Capcom officially announced Street Fighter V Arcade Edition, and it includes a slew of new content.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

First up, the new version will include two new modes Arcade and Extra Battle, with the former being something that fans have been wanting ever since the game was first released. In Arcade Mode, players will be able to choose to go on 6 different paths, each with their own unique ending. In Extra Battle Mode, they’ll be able to spend their Fight Money in order to compete in challenges, which, if completed, will unlock exclusive outfits for you characters.
Additionally, the Arcade Edition will include new V-trigger moves, a new gallery, all of the extra characters from Season 1 and 2, as well as a new and improved menu.

Players will be able to get their hands on the game starting January 16, 2018. The best part is that if you already own Street Fighter V, you’ll be eligible to upgrade to the Arcade Edition completely free of charge, however you won’t get the Season 1 and 2 characters. If this is your first time buying the game, it’ll cost you the same retail price of the original Street Fighter V game.
In order to celebrate the announcement of the Arcade Edition, a brand new trailer was also released, which shows off gameplay from the upcoming upgrade. In other Street Fighter V news, last week it was revealed that the game would be receiving new Halloween-themed costumes in the coming weeks.
Street Fighter V was originally released on February 16th 2016, and is available for the PlayStation 4 and PC.

Pokdepinion: I personally am not a fan of Street Fighter V. I love the series but just not the game due to the barebones release. Well, maybe the Street Fighter V Arcade Edition might change my mind.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Monster Hunter World For the Nintendo Switch? This is What the Capcom President Had to Say

There has been a huge demand for Monster Hunter World to be ported to the Nintendo Switch. Even the President of Capcom had something to say about it.
Monster Hunter World For the Nintendo Switch?

Ever since the announcement on Monster Hunter World, many requested a port for Nintendo Switch. According to Capcom President and Chief Operating Officer Haruhiro Tsujimoto, it would be problematic, as he explained in an interview with Tokyo Keizai Online.
Tsujimoto-san explains that the game was developed for home consoles and PC because there are limits to what portable consoles can display, and the developers desired to create a game that went back to the drawing board with state-of-the-art tech, answering to the expectations of gamers. This allowed developers to showcase a realistic ecology, and it’s an element that has been welcomed favorably by players.
Asked about the possibility of developing for Nintendo Switch, Tsujimoto-san acknowledged that there is such a demand, which is why the publisher already launched Monster Hunter XX on the Switch. However, considering “various conditions”, it would be difficult to port Monster Hunter World to Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch is different from other home console both in features and user base.

Each console has its own characteristics, and Tsujimoto-san argues that Capcom’s developers need to create software that fits them. How to do adapt Capcom’s franchises to the Switch, including Monster Hunter, is a question that will be studied for the future.
Interestingly, Tsujimoto-san was also asked about the technology and budget gap against major western developers. He explained that Capcom must make an effort to catch up with state-of-the-art tech in the future. However, the most important factor isn’t the technology itself, but creating interesting games that make the most of it.
Monster Hunter World and Resident Evil 7 Biohazard had unique worldviews that led to widespread support from gamers. The intention is to make a planning effort to develop games that aren’t found in other publishers’ lineups.
In addition to that, Capcom also plans to utilize data gathered from customers. In the era in which sales of packaged games in the stores were the focus, means of listening to the users were limited, but now the internet allows to pick up a lot of information.
Monster Hunter World is currently available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a PC version coming later this year.

Source: Tokyo Keizai Online
Pokdepinion: Well, too bad for Nintendo gamers. You can always opt for the PC version when it comes out later this year.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


MP Questions 5G Direction When Basic Internet Access Is Weak In Malaysia

While it’s been known that Malaysia is on route to adopt 5G technology in the future, a Sarawak DAP lawmaker has taken to the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) to rethink of the idea when rural areas such as Sabah and Sarawak can’t even get stable internet connections.
Wong Ling Biu (PH-Sarikei) has said that the coverage in rural areas is still weak, where some parts don’t even have any connection whatsoever.  He states during Question Time in Parliament today “Let’s not talk about 5G connectivity – even fourth generation (4G/LTE) and normal connectivity is hard to get. What is the Ministry’s plan or measures that will be taken to address this in Sarawak”.
Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Minister, Gobind Singh responded by saying that the technology was important to prepare the nation to compete at the international level and to face the challenges of the digital economy in the future. He adds “We have to be prepared. Whether we like it or not, 5G is something that would take over the world and its economy in the years to come”.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Previously there was a 5G Showcase done in Putrajaya, where the public was allowed to experience what 5G technology could bring. HUAWEI has also join in on the action as they’ve partnered up with Celcom in creating their 5G Innovation Hub at Celcom’s HQ.
Pokdepinion: There is some truth to what he says… but regardless, we need to push forward and progress.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


One of the most popular horror / thriller movies as of late is A Quiet Place, with the franchise having two movies now. Naturally, there will be people who would want to capitalize on its popularity and a game adaptation is expected to come in 2022.
A Quiet Place Game Adaptation Coming in 2022

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

A game adaptation of A Quiet Place is reportedly in the works. The game will be developed by iLLOGIKA, the company who worked on games like Hyper Scape and Deux Ex Go, and EP1T0ME Studios. Saber Interactive will serve as the publisher of the game.
From our understanding, the game will be set in the same world as the movies, but it will be an all-new, original storyline with original characters specifically designed for the game. You will still come face-to-face with the alien creatures that are hyper-sensitive to sound, but no word yet on the game mechanics.
There isn’t expected to be a multiplayer experience but given the lack of details on the game at the moment, it’s still hard to say. For now, we only know that the game will be launched sometime in 2022, assuming there are no major delays. We will report more on this as soon as information becomes available so stay tuned.
Source
Pokdepinion:
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Free RM50 ePenjana Credit Has No Restrictions! Can Be Used For E-Hailing Services and Online Purchases

Free ePenjana credit has no restrictions!

Not too long ago, we reported that the free RM50 ePenjana credit carried a bizarre clause that restricted it from being used for a number of online services, which included online purchases, tolls, bill and utility payments as well as taxi and e-hailing. An FAQ document released by Boost further supported this clause. Not to mention that we were totally in the dark as to which eWallet can the free RM50 ePejana credit be used with.
Well, it turns out that this wasn’t the case. Now that the ePenjana programme is all full steam ahead, not only do we know which eWallet can be used to redeem the free credit, we now know that we can use the free credit for any kind of online purchases.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

So far the supported eWallets are Touch ‘n Go eWallet, Boost and GrabPay. Based on the new FAQ posted by these three eWallets, the free RM50 ePenjana credit can be used for everything supported by the eWallet which include in-app purchases such as food deliveries and e-hailing services. It also states that the RM50 ePenjana cannot be transferred to other e-wallet accounts or transferred for cash. In the case of Boost, their FAQ states that the free RM50 credit cannot be used for their in-app Donations section.
To qualify for the ePenjana free RM50 credit, you must be a Malaysian citizen who is 18 years of age or older (as of the end of 31 December 2020), with an annual income of less than RM100,000. Additionally, you are required to provide proof of identity using a valid Malaysian IC. Lastly, you must have the MySejahtera App downloaded on your device with a registered account that has information details matching the details of your chosen eWallet. The MySejahtera App is available to download for both Android and iOS devices.
Do note that the free RM50 credit redemption period is only until 24 September 2020.
Pokdepinion: Wew. Now that’s a few days of my lunch and dinner sorted.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Xiaomi Mi 9 might be even more affordable than the Mi 8 according to leaked banner!

The Xiaomi Mi 9 is launching this 20th February, and the device is basically launched. Xiaomi’s Senior Vice President has been bombarding Facebook with the design of the Xiaomi Mi 9 as well as details of the chipset. Basically there’s nothing left to reveal about the Xiaomi Mi 9. Except for the price.

Well, that has just been spotted floating around on the MIUI Forums by our friends over at ZingGadget. The pricing will reportedly start from as low as RMB 2499 (~RM1510), which makes it even more affordable than the Xiaomi Mi 8 at launch! It will be offered in a total of three variants, with the highest end variant priced at RMB 3499 (~RM2110), which is still very affordable.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The Mi 9 will adopt a triple-camera setup on its back, an upgrade over the dual-camera on the Mi 8. Meanwhile Xiaomi will be making full use of the front area with a minimal 3.6mm lower bezel and an under-display fingerprint scanner. That would mean the Xiaomi Mi 9 will also feature an AMOLED display, just like its predecessor.
Key Xiaomi Mi 9 Specifications

Snapdragon 855 chipset, octa-core, up to 2.84 GHz, 7nm FinFET
Up to 8GB RAM
Up to 256GB storage
48MP + telephoto lens + wide angle lens, triple camera setup
6GB + 64GB: RMB 2499 (~RM1510)
8GB + 128GB: RMB 2899 (~RM1750)
8GB + 256GB: RMB 3499 (~RM2110)

The Xiaomi Mi 9 will be announced on 20th February, so stay tuned for more updates about the upcoming Xiaomi flagship!
Pokdepinion: Never have we been happier to be proven wrong!
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Xiaomi Smart Home Products To Be Expanded In Malaysia

At today’s Xiaomi Mi 10T Series launch, Xiaomi Malaysia has surprised us all by announcing that they will be bringing in their smart home products.
Xiaomi Smart Home products to expand in Malaysia
If you’ve been to a Mi Store before, you would definitely notice some of their smart home products. That being said, there’s limited amount of products that’s available in the country and Xiaomi has definitely got more than what’s displayed. Well you can expect to see more offerings from the company.

They’ve announced a special IoT package, where you can save some cash on several bundles like security, kitchen, living hall, and lighting needs. You can find them to be available starting from tomorrow till 6th of November 2020 for the promo price.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Aside from that, they’ve also revealed that the recently launched (globally) Mi Watch will be coming to Malaysia in December, though there’s no confirmation on the official price just yet.
Not to forget, they will be bringing products such as the Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic, Mi Smart Electric Toothbrush T500, Mi Air Purifier Pro H, and more.
Pokdepinion: I’ve been saying this for a long time, Xiaomi has a lot of good IoT products but sadly we weren’t able to see them here in the country. Well hope the news will change things.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Apple Could Release Their New Budget iPhone This March

There’s been reports that Apple is working on a new budget iPhone, which could be called the iPhone SE2, and it might possible be released in March 2020.
Reportedly the new iPhone will be small in size, being at only 4.7″ and will be assembled at Hon Hai Precision Industry, Pegatron Corp, as well as Winstron Corp.
Leak of renders has been surfacing recently, with the new device touted to resemble an iPhone 8 design. It is said that the iPhone will come equipped with Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, the same that’s used in Apple’s iPhone 11 series.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

The render showcases a physical button. This could mean that Apple would discard Face ID features on it with the button acting as a fingerprint sensor instead.
In terms of the world’s biggest smartphone brand (sales), Apple has fallen down in the pecking order, where they are ranked third, behind Samsung and HUAWEI respectively. It’s likely that Apple wish to produce a budget iPhone just to attract for users. Will it work? Well we need to wait to find out.
Pokdepinion: I wonder how affordable it will be… (should it be released, of course)
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Square Enix Teases 2018 Plans; Will Be a BIG YEAR for Final Fantasy

Square Enix has gone full teasing mode as Brand Manager Shinji Hashimoto shared bits and pieces of what we can expect in 2018, especially for Final Fantasy.

Square Enix Teases 2018 Plans: Final Fantasy?

Over at YouTube channel Edamame Arcade, they have published a video interview with Final Fantasy Brand Manager Shinji Hashimoto, focusing on the popular trading card game dedicated to the series, but there was an interesting tease for fans of the games as well.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Speaking about what’s next for the franchise, Hashimoto-san mentioned that 2017 marked the 30th anniversary of the series. 2018 will be the 31st year, and the development teams are busy working on new titles, and they’re gearing up for a “big year.”
Hashimoto-san also thanked the fans for 30 years of support, mentioning once more that next year will be a big one in which Square Enix will bring “exciting, new Final Fantasy” games to the world.
That is certainly promising, especially considering that CEO Yosuke Matsuda also teased the announcement of “major” games between April and E3 in June just a few days ago.
It’ll be certainly interesting to see what Square Enix has in store for the fans of the Final Fantasy franchise. At the moment, we are still waiting for a release date of the Final Fantasy VII remake on the PlayStation 4, a game which was announced over 2 years ago with rumours running rampant as early as the PlayStation 3’s launch days.
Could 2018 be the year in which we get major Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts releases in the same time frame? I mean, any fan of Square Enix games won’t complain, but we’ll see how it goes and hope for the best from it.

Pokdepinion: My heart can’t take it anymore. I need solid details on Kingdom Hearts 3. I mean, a new Final Fantasy game would be nice too. Maybe something like World of Final Fantasy minus the monster stacking thing…that kinda ruined it for me. Could have had something as major as a Pokemon title if it wasn’t for the stacking mechanic.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Razer Partners With Visa To Enable Easier Payments In Southeast Asia

Razer has announce of their partnership with VISA, which will transform payments in the gaming industry by bringing the scale and reach of Visa’s global network to Razer Pay ewallet users.
The partnership between the two will see Razer’s very own Razer Fintech to join Visa’s fintech fast-track program, which is designed to make it easier for fintechs to access the global Visa payment network.
They will co-develop a virtual Visa prepaid solution to be embedded in the Razer Pay ewallet, allowing up to 60 million Razers users to make payments wherever Visa is accepted at merchants worldwide.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

With the solution, it will offer users the same convenient top-up and cash-out methods available on Razer Pay, underpinned by an advanced privacy and security framework. Razer Pay has collaborated with innovative partners to amplify its existing offerings by introducing ride-hailing, movie ticketing, and utility payments in streamlined mini-applications.
They have said that they will roll out the new solution progressively in selected countries across Southeast Asia in the coming months, before expanding globally.
Pokdepinion: I guess there’ll be more options now, when it comes to payments.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


Redmi Note 10 Review — Jam Packed Features At A Value Price

The Redmi Note series has proven to be a bang for buck option in the mid-range smartphone segment. With that being said, we dive into this Redmi Note 10 review. Will it follow the success of its predecessors? Let’s find out.
Unboxing
Redmi Note 10 Review – Unboxing
When we received our review unit of the Redmi Note 10, we found that it didn’t come included with the usual documentation, which will most likely be included in the final retail units. Regardless, here’s what you’ll find inside the package (aside from that).

Redmi Note 10 itself
33W charger
SIM ejector
USB-C cable
TPU case

Appearance
Redmi Note 10 Review – Front
Looking at the front, you’ll find a 6.43-inch AMOLED display along with a small selfie camera hole. The bezels are visible around it, especially on the bottom.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

Redmi Note 10 Review – Bottom
Moving over to the bottom, you can find the 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone, USB Type-C port, and the speaker grille.

Redmi Note 10 Review – Left

Redmi Note 10 Review – Right

You’ll find the volume rockers and power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint sensor, on the right side of the smartphone. On the opposite side, you will only find the SIM tray slot.
Redmi Note 10 Review – Back
Switching over to the back, you can see that we’ve got our hands on the Onyx Grey variant of the Redmi Note 10. It has a slight blue / purple appearance when looking at it from an angle. The quad camera is located on the top left corner, fitted in a rather wide bump if I do say so myself.
Redmi Note 10 Specifications

CPU:
Snapdragon 678 Octa-core (2×2.2GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6×1.7GHz Kryo 460 Silver) 11nm

GPU:
Adreno 612

Memory:
6GB LPDDR4X

Storage:
128GB UFS 2.2

Display:
6.43-inch (2400 x 1080) AMOLED DotDisplay

Camera:
48MP f/1.8, PDA
8MP f/2.2 ultrawide
2MP f/2.4 macro
2MP f/2.4 depth

Selfie camera:
13MP f/2.5

Connectivity:
LTE Band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41
IR blaster
NFC
USB Type-C

Battery:
Li-Po 5000mAh
33W fast charging (charger included)

Dimensions:
160.46 x 74.5 x 8.29mm

Weight:
178.8g

Ingress protection:
IP53 splash-proof

Performance
Redmi Note 10 Review – Antutu V8
This is the first time we’ve tested a Snapdragon 678-powered device and here on Antutu, we see that the phone falls behind the Redmi Note 8 Pro that we’ve tested previously. It is still better than the POCO M3 and OPPO A73 however, both of which utilized a Snapdragon 665 chipset.
Redmi Note 10 Review – Geekbench 5
On Geekbench 5 however, the single-core performance of the Snapdragon 678 performs better than the one in the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Redmi Note 10 Review – 3DMark
In terms of graphical performance, the Adreno 612 falls behind when compared to its competitors in the list. It’s still a decent score nonetheless.
Redmi Note 10 Review – PCMark Work 2.0
When it comes to PCMark’s Work 2.0 benchmark, the Redmi Note 10 performs quite well with a score of 7350. It’s noticeably ahead of devices running the Snapdragon 662 SoC.
Redmi Note 10 Review – Work 2.0 Battery Life
Recent mid-range devices from Xiaomi show that they’ve performed quite well when it comes to battery life, and it’s no different here with the Redmi Note 10 lasting 13 hours and 39 minutes on PCMark’s battery test.
In terms of real-life usage, the battery showcase a similar result where I can simply last a day and a half before I need to charge it again. I wouldn’t say that I’m a heavy user as I’d be normally be using the usual social media apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and also Messenger. I did watch some videos on YouTube, in case you’re wondering.
The phone was able to reach to go from 18% to 58% with just a 30-minute charging period, in case you’re wondering how fast the 33W fast charger juices up the device.
User Experience
Redmi Note 10 Review – User experience
The Redmi Note 10 fits perfectly fine in my hands and I have no complaints about the grip. If you’ve never experienced AMOLED displays before, it is a pleasure watching videos on the device as colors seem rich and the blacks are really black which results in improved contrast. In case you didn’t notice, the AMOLED panel is one of the selling points for the Redmi Note 10 series and I’d say it’s a very much welcomed feature for its price range. Not to forget, the dual speakers really does bring the multimedia experience to another level.
Despite the selfie camera being quite small, I find it kind of a nuisance when I game on the device horizontally. I would’ve preferred if Xiaomi had put it on the corner instead as I find the placement distracting. The same goes when I watch videos on this as well.
Redmi Note 10 Review – Material
While I like the look of the device from the back, I find glossy backs annoying. If you’ve read one of my reviews from before, I just dislike having stains or fingerprints when I hold a device. It doesn’t help that I also have sweaty hands. It’s something to take note of if you have a similar preference to me. Otherwise, you can opt to get a case of your own to cover it up.
Redmi Note 10 Review – UI
As you might recall from my previous reviews of the POCO M3 and Redmi 9T, they were lacking the RAM to provide a smooth experience. I can say that the UI is definitely better here on the Redmi Note 10. 6GB nowadays to me feels like the bare minimum for smartphones.
Redmi Note 10 Review – Camera UI
The same case as is for the camera UI, it’s pretty easy and smooth to use. Should you happen to not be familiar with MIUI’s skin before, it’s straightforward and if it’s not to your taste, you can tweak it on the home menu of the camera app.

For a mid-range device, the camera’s performance is quite decent. Night mode does the job rather well if I do say so myself. I would say that the digital zoom is where the phone has issues, but judging from my past experiences, it’s not surprising. You’d need stable hands or a stand to keep your shots stable so you won’t end up with blurry photos.
The HDR livens the photos a bit compared to just a normal shot, which is probably something that you would want for your social media uploads. All in all, pretty good camera performance given the price tag.
Check out the full-sized images right here.
Redmi Note 10 Verdict
Redmi Note 10 Review – Verdict
While you can get the Redmi Note 10 from the price of RM699, I’d just go for the higher 6GB+128GB variant which costs an additional RM100. In my opinion it’s worth getting that extra RAM for a smoother experience overall.
For what it offers, the Redmi Note 10 is quite the attractive deal; an AMOLED display, fast 33W charger to juice up your 5000mAh battery, as well as features such as dual speakers and a 48MP main camera. If you are indeed looking to not spend so much yet would like to have rather premium features, this smartphone is a solid choice. For that, we give the Redmi Note 10 our Silver Pokdeward.

We would like to thank Xiaomi Malaysia for providing us the Redmi Note 10 that was used in this review.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related


HONOR 20 Lite With Freebies Starts Sale Tomorrow On Shopee

Recently launched in Malaysia less than a week ago, the HONOR 20 Lite can be gotten starting from tomorrow, 24th of April 2019 at 9am on Shopee where customers who purchase the device will be entitled for free gifts.
HONOR 20 Lite Shopee promo
The first 500 customers to purchase the HONOR 20 Lite on the ecommerce platform will get their hands on a Noke drawstring bag as well as RM30 worth of Shopee Coins. As for the subsequent 1000 purchases, they will get an HONOR gift box and RM30 worth of Shopee Coins. Additionally, you can head to hihonor to make your purchase as the first 50 purchases will be entitled to an HONOR gift box.
HONOR 20 Lite is the first smartphone under the company to come with a triple rear camera setup as well as a 120-degree ultra-wide angle lens. It runs on a Kirin 710 chipset and packs a 3400mAh battery under the hood. You can get the HONOR 20 Lite in two color variants; Phantom Blue and Phantom Red.

 Join Pokde Telegram Channel

HONOR 20 Lite Specifications

Kirin 710, octa-core up (4 x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4 x 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
Mali-G51 MP4 GPU
4GB RAM
128GB
6.21″ FHD+ IPS, dewdrop notch
24MP f/1.8 PDAF + 8MP f/2.2 ultra wide-angle + 2MP f/2.4 depth
32MP f/2.0 selfie camera
EMUI 9.0 based on Android 9 Pie
3400mAh battery, 10W charging
RM949

Aside from that, HONOR has partnered up again with Shopee in hosting special prices for HONOR products on the platform. You can head over to HONOR’s official store on Shopee here to check out their Super Brand Day sales. If you are interested in purchasing the HONOR 20 Lite, click here.
Pokdepinion: It seems that they’re offering a lot of items on sale at their official store on Shoppe. You might want to check that out for some deals.
Spread the PokdeLoveClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related