Opinion: Are high megapixel cameras on your phone important or overrated?

In the past two years, more smartphones are being equipped with high megapixel camera sensors up to 108MP. In fact, it has even made its way to budget-friendly devices such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro. This proved that customers no longer need to spend a lot to get a camera with high megapixels, but is it overrated?

I mean, don't get me wrong - 108MP cameras are certainly capable of capturing nice shots. But that doesn't necessarily mean they can deliver high-quality pictures. After all, Apple and Sony are still leading brands with their 12MP cameras that can capture amazing photos. Today, we will explain why you shouldn't worry about whether a phone features a high megapixel camera or not.

The pixel refers to the point of light generated on any electronic screen and the colour it will change into based on the image you want to display. If you zoom up close to any display, you will see small boxes with changing colours. These are the building blocks that generate the images we see on screens. In case you're curious, they're easier to find on screens with HD or 720p resolution.

Camera sensors also have pixels, except they're not intended to display light. Instead, they receive light from outside to convert into an electric signal. This signal is then passed to the chipset to be processed into a picture. So how many pixels do these sensors have? A 108MP has a whopping 108 million pixels that can receive light. Likewise, a 64MP sensor has 64 million pixels.

Of course, the number of light received by the sensor can significantly affect the image's quality. But megapixels are not the appropriate measurements to use for accessing light received by the sensor. Instead, it's the sensor's size that is more important for determining the amount of light a camera sensor can receive.

For example, a DSLR with a 12MP or 20MP sensor will always take far better pictures than any phone's camera due to the sensor's size. Larger sensors will always be able to receive more light. This is why it's never a good indicator to compare DSLRs and smartphones in the first place (looking at you, brands that dare compare). Also, smartphones have space limitations, so it's obviously harder to house a larger sensor. If a brand were to try, it would take up a lot of space like the Nokia Lumia 1020.

A DSLR has plenty of space to house a large sensor, while phones are forced to use small sensors to maintain an easy-to-hold design

If you check out DxOMark's smartphone camera ranking, there are many smartphones with lower megapixel counts. For example, the Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ (50MP), iPhone 12 Pro Max (12MP) and vivo X50 Pro+ (50MP) all have bigger image sensors than the Redmi Note 10 Pro (108MP). For comparison, here's each phone's sensor size below:

In a previous article, we talked about "Why video recording with 4K resolution is not that useful on your phone". The main benefit of more megapixels would be higher resolutions. This means that if the user crops a part of the image, the image quality can remain undistorted and still look good. In fact, you can discern whether an image looks good or not by zooming in on your phone or computer.

The difference between a 12MP (left) and 64MP (right) shot taken on a Samsung Galaxy S20+

Photos with higher resolutions can be printed out and still look good. Of course, we also have to take other factors into account. Lens quality, camera software, and image processing capability all play a role in a camera's image quality. Otherwise, it won't be possible for some brands like Apple to have photos good enough (#ShotOniPhone ) to be showcased on billboards. Mind you, these are user-submitted photos.

To recap, the number of megapixels isn't the only thing determining your phone's photo quality. So if your phone doesn't have a 108MP camera, don't be too disappointed. In our honest opinion, boasting about a phone's high megapixel camera sensor is just a marketing tactic (and there's nothing wrong with that). In the end, it's all about advertising and selling a product.

But what about you, folks? Do high megapixel camera sensors matter to you? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more tech article opinions like this only at TechNave.com.


Opinion: Experts say 6G would make smartphones obsolete, but would Smart glasses replace them?

Most of us have a smartphone in our pocket these days. It's a device that not just allows communications, but even tasks normally performed on a computer (like gaming). Some would say that smartphones would stay for another decade or so. But is that the case?

Well, Pekka Lundmark seems to think otherwise. At the recent World Economic Forum 2022 (WEF 2022), Nokia's CEO claimed that 6G could be available as early as 2030 and that it could make smartphones obsolete. That got many people thinking, "What device could take the place of this incredibly useful gadget?" Lundmark says smart glasses could replace them, and I'm inclined to agree.

Before giving our predictions, here's some context on the topic. So, what aspect of 6G makes smartphones obsolete? One word: speed. While 5G aims to deliver peak data rates of up to 1.1Gbps, 6G has a theoretical top limit of 1000Gbps!

Yup, 6G is about 1000 times faster than 5G. This means that 6G networks and devices can transmit A LOT of data quickly, which gives it many advantages. Devices could store all their content on an external storage drive/server and stream remotely.

In other words, manufacturers could exclude internal storage flash drives from devices. These storage chips aren't that big, but they should still result in more compact devices. A focus on remote streaming could lead to more platforms relying on cloud servers. Services like cloud gaming could overtake mainstream gaming, as faster data rates also mean much lower latencies.

Now that you have some context on 6G, let's talk about what kind of devices could replace a smartphone. According to Lundmark, smart glasses are a category that would start popping up before 6G becomes mainstream. The Nokia CEO also believes that it could flourish with the help of 6G's ultra-fast data rates.

The OPPO AirGlass that was introduced last year

Mind you, that's not an unreasonable assumption, as some companies are already looking into smart glasses. In fact, the OPPO Air Glass unveiled last year is one of the first models in that category. There are also Meta's AR/VR smart glasses introduced a few months ago and one from Apple that's expected to launch in 2024.

Wilder creations would include the 'smart contact lenses. Back on April Fool's Day, ASUS ROG uploaded a YouTube video about a "ROG Smart Lens". If you think about it, is it really impossible for this to exist? Not with current technologies, but it could happen in the future, right?

Why are smart glasses strong candidates to replace smartphones? If you ask me, the reason would be the display interface. Any device that wants to replace a smartphone needs to have this, and with smart glasses, you have it right on your face. Personally, I'm all for this since I don't have to hold up a phone to my face anymore when I'm reading e-books. The only issue is how you'd interact with this interface.

The next one is less likely to happen (and kinda scary to think of) - embedded chips. At the WEF 2022, Lundmark also commented on the possibility of devices being built directly into our bodies. That's some high-end sci-fi imagination there, but he's not the only one to have claimed this.

One of Elon Musk's companies, Neuralink, is working on electronic devices that can be implanted into the brain. These devices allow users to communicate with each other and with machines, basically what a smartphone does. Less invasive procedures would include embedding these chips into a person's wrists or arms, allowing them to interact with selected electronics with them. For example, they could unlock a door with it or use them as ID chips.

Would you embed a microchip in your head?

There are already people who are implanting chips into their bodies

The way I see it, smart glasses could indeed replace smartphones someday. Companies are already developing these and could have suitable models before 6G becomes mainstream. However, that doesn't mean they'll replace smartphones anytime soon. In fact, early prototypes will probably be so expensive that only the rich will buy them.

Of course, I'm no expert and the way the future unfolds remains uncertain. But it's an interesting topic, don't you think? Share your thoughts with us in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news and articles like this!


(Opinion) Google Pixel 3 camera modes seem like they’re learning from Huawei, is the Huawei Mate 20 the new cameraphone king to watch for 2018?

Google just announced their Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones last night, and despite their camera improvements over the Pixel 2 series, we can’t help but draw parallels with the camera improvements pushed by AI powered phones like the Huawei P20 Pro. The Super Res Zoom, which enhances digital zoom sounds like a poor man’s copy of the hardware enhanced Hybrid Zoom while Fused Video Stabilization sounds just like AI Stabilization.

The unreleased upcoming Night Sight update also sounds like a carbon copy of Huawei’s Night mode, but Huawei already have a Super Night Mode update on the way for phones like the Huawei Nova 3 and others. Long known as the defacto standard for Android cameraphones, perhaps the time is nigh for photographers and camera fans to start looking towards Huawei and their upcoming Huawei Mate 20 series for the cameraphone innovations of 2018? Is the Huawei Mate 20 the new cameraphone king of 2018?

So far, all leaks indicate that the Huawei Mate 20 will utilize LEICA powered triple rear cameras with better AI Camera Scene recognition which could be known as Master AI. However, one of the key features spotted during the recent Kirin 980 demo points towards an AI Assisted Composition function which could make taking better photos for the layperson or non-photographer a lot easier, so no more chopped heads when taking group photos and stunning sunsets every time. Hopefully it comes out for both the front and rear cameras.

The Kirin 980 demo also points towards more accurate AI-driven motion tracking which leads to object recognition over image recognition, which could result in more detailed video recording with better stabilization and using higher resolutions (such as 4K at 60fps). The recently revealed teasers hint at other AI assisted camera features as well including Super Wide angle shots that don’t lose out in terms of details, close up high resolution macro shots that don’t need a macro lens and more vibrant colours with deeper blacks and lush colours.

No more chopped heads at group photos hopefully

The teasers also reveal other not so photography centric features as well, such as a camera that can tell how many calories the food you are eating contains. There may also be Huawei’s take at Google Lens where you can get online information about whatever you point your camera at.

We’re also hopeful that the Huawei Mate 20 series also comes with a full fledged video editor and image editor built-in. The kind that even professionals would like to use complete with image resizing, 4K video editing, insertion of other elements and so forth, maybe even an AI driven one that can put videos together automatically.

Regardless, it seriously seems like the Huawei Mate 20 series is now the cameraphone to watch but it remains to be seen if all we’ve said here will actually come. There may also be a number of other improvements as well on top of all that we mentioned here. What camera feature are you expecting from the Huawei Mate 20 series? Any camera feature in particular that you want to see?

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long, as the Huawei Mate 20 series is expected on 16 October 2018 in London. Stay tuned to TechNave.com as we’ll be there to check out its cameraphone prowess first hand.


Acer Spin 3 now on pre-order with RM1000 worth of freebies till 15 May 2020 + Acer Swift 3 with Ryzen 4000 also available!

Announced back in February 2020 (way before the MCO), Acer Malaysia is now offering the Acer Spin 3 for pre-order from 13 May 2020 till 15 May 2020. During these 3 days, there will be 50 pre-order slots for the Spin 3 convertible laptop with a built-in Acer Active Stylus running Wacom AES that offers freebies worth up to RM1000.

You can check all the freebies in the pre-order image below but these include a 3-year Acer Supercare 2 extended warranty (worth RM339). The Acer Spin 3 will come in with 10th Gen Intel Core processors where the Core i5 + 8GB RAM version goes for RM3299 while the Core i3 + 4GB RAM variant is going for RM2799.

Designed for everyone from business users to designers who like to sketch, the 14-inch touchscreen has very thin 7.82mm bezels. Equipped with fast charging, Acer says that you can get 90 minutes in just 15 minutes worth of charge.

Both offer a 360 degree hinge and measure in at 1.5kg and 16.9mm thin at Acer’s Official Online Store and all official and certified stores on Shopee starting 13 May 2020. Acer Malaysia are also offering an RM120 voucher for selected products. Offline sales will start after 15 May 2020 but there won't be any freebies.

In related news, the Acer Swift 3 has arrived in Malaysia with the Intel Core i5 going for RM3099 and the Intel Core i7 for RM4299. It will come in Silver, Blue and Pink. There’s also the Ryzen 4000 series powered Acer Swift 3 (the Ryzen 5 4500U to be exact) with 8GB RAM and an SSD going for RM2599. It will come in Silver and Purple. In addition, there will also be an RM100 TnG ewallet topup for the first 100 customers on Shopee.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting either the Acer Spin 3 or the Acer Swift 3? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Opinion: If the ASUS ZenFone 5Z coming in June is below RM2.2K, will it be the most value-priced flagship killer?

It isn't a secret that the ASUS ZenFone 5Z is going to be launched in June 2018 as the release dates were previously revealed during the launch, but since we have another 2 months away we have some time to speculate about its Malaysia price. Earlier announced for 479 euros (RM2280) for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage version, as we keep saying, European prices are usually much higher than Malaysian prices which could indicate that the Malaysia price would be well below RM2.2K.

Considering that the OnePlus 6 could be priced at RM2388 (or higher) like the previous OnePlus 5, this could make the ZenFone 5Z the most affordable Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 powered smartphone in Malaysia at least where the next OnePlus is concerned. However, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s was also announced previously at 3299 CNY (~RM2037) for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 + 6GB RAM + 64GB storage version.

A quick tech specs comparison between the ZenFone 5Z and Mi Mix 2S shows the 5Z leading in terms of the 8MP front camera, slightly higher resolution FHD+ display and lighter and thinner body but the Mi Mix 2s packs in the strongest dual rear cameras from Xiaomi to date (ASUS cameras are also built for photography but we can't make any camera sample comparisons just yet). The 5MP front camera on the Mi Mix 2s is also located at the bottom right corner (making for easier selfies of your chin) as before but at least the screen isn't notched like the ZenFone 5Z (which we think doesn't look half-bad actually).

At this point, the upcoming OnePlus 6 has quite a lot of catching up to do because if the Mi Mix 2s doesn't come to Malaysia in June, the ZenFone 5Z will take over the mantle of flagship killer instead, especially as rumours from industry experts indicate that ASUS could have learned their lesson from the previously somewhat overpriced ZenFone 4 series. This could mean that they'll be bringing in their 8GB RAM + 256GB storage version or that the price for the ZenFone 5Z could actually dip below RM2K. How much do you think the ASUS ZenFone 5Z will cost in Malaysia? How much would you pay for it? Stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Opinion: Should you buy a handheld gaming PC? Probably not

If you're into PC gaming, you've likely heard of the new gaming console from Valve - the Steam Deck. I'm personally quite interested in it, as it has even more potential reach than the Nintendo Switch.

Unfortunately, the Steam Deck isn't available in Malaysia and importing one is near impossible. So, what happens if I want to have a handheld gaming PC? The alternative is to get one that runs on Windows. But could these handheld consoles become mainstream PC gaming, and should you buy one? I probably won't, and below are reasons why I think it's a bad idea.

Benchmarks for the GPD Win Max released in 2020 in native 1280x800 resolution (image from Wccftech)

One of the biggest factors for that would be the performance or the limitations on performance to maintain the form factor. Handheld gaming PCs don't tend to be powerful. This is because the hardware can't be too powerful or it would be hard to maintain a relatively portable body. There's also the issue of cooling, as companies need to find the right mix of cooling performance and acceptable noise level.

It doesn't help that many of them use chipsets that tend to run hot, so the cooling systems have a hard time catching up. Some companies are going for AMD Ryzen chips for their handheld consoles, as those have more powerful integrated GPUs. These APUs are expected to enable higher performance on handheld consoles, and might not need as much cooling.

Personally, I'm eyeing the recently announced AYANEO 2. This handheld gaming PC will come with an AMD Ryzen 6800U chipset, which is expected to deliver great performance. Would it prove to be powerful enough to make handheld Windows gaming more appealing? Well, we'll find out once it's out on the market.

The AYANEO 2 was recently announced and seems quite promising

Besides limited performance, handheld gaming PCs have one problem that makes them less than appealing - lack of customisability. Unlike desktop PCs, you can't swap out the components in a handheld gaming PC. This means that they lack upgradability, which is crucial to keep up with the always growing requirements for new PC games.

Sure, you could upgrade the storage for some models with microSD chips or small PCIe SSDs. But forget about upgrading the CPU because it's probably soldered onto the circuit board. Unlike laptops, you also can't connect an external GPU to the device for extra performance, which is quite a bummer.

Like most handheld gaming PCs, the ONEXPLAYER Mini lacks upgradability

One of the reasons why the Steam Deck is getting so much interest is the software. Valve has done a great job on the Steam Deck UI, making it a relatively smooth user experience for a handheld console. Of course, I won't say that the Steam Deck is perfect.

In fact, plenty of reviewers have pointed out that it has software issues. But if you ask me, the Steam Deck does well enough for what it offers and the UI rarely gives you problems. Moreover, Valve managed to make many games playable out of the box.

There's a dedicated compatibility page for the Steam Deck, but handheld Windows gaming PCs don't have that

At a glance, Windows-based systems shouldn't be all that different. But it has plenty of issues, like the UAC (User Account Control) prompts disabling trackpads. Overall, it's a lot less optimised for handheld gaming PCs, which makes them a pain to use.

It doesn't help that many games aren't compatible or perform worse on Windows handheld gaming PCs. I'd get a Windows OS license to go with the device, which is kind of nice if I also want to use it as a mini PC. But that's not really what I have in mind.

Some models are available on local platforms like Shopee, at scary prices

Another big reason that handheld Windows gaming PCs won't work is cost, more so for Windows-based ones than the Steam Deck. For reference, the Steam Deck is USD399 (~RM1758). It's an okay price that's somewhat comparable to current game consoles, but not exactly cheap considering its limited storage. And if I want more storage, I'd have to pay more for an additional PCIe SSD.

The Windows models are way more expensive. For instance, the ONEXPLAYER Mini - a decently powerful handheld gaming PC - sits at a hefty USD1259 (~RM5546). It's 3x more expensive than the Steam Deck but only has the display as an advantage over the latter. That Full HD+ display also resulted in poor battery life, so it's hard to call it a solid win. At this level of pricing, I rather just shell out more money and get a desktop gaming PC.

Some brands only have 1 or 2 models available through local platforms

Last but not least is availability. All of these consoles, including the Steam Deck, have limited availability. Sure, you could import some of them via foreign e-commerce websites like Taobao or eBay. However, you'll likely have to pay exorbitant prices to scalpers. I have a friend in Australia that just bought one from eBay, and he paid nearly RM4000 for it. Yikes!

Some handheld Windows gaming PCs are more accessible for us Malaysians. For example, you can find some AYANEO or ONEXPLAYER models on Lazada or Shopee. However, be prepared to pay RM4000-8000 for one unit, depending on the seller. Moreover, these are imported units that are usually from China. If you run into any issues, warranty claims or repairs could take weeks if not months.

Handheld gaming PCs have a lot of problems to solve, such as weird control schemes...

Due to the reasons above, I don't see handheld PC consoles becoming mainstream for PC gamers. The Steam Deck is the best option in that category, and even that console has its share of issues. Would I get one if a brand could solve or address all the points above? Definitely. Do PC gamers need that kind of portability? That's a bit more debatable.

But what do you think about this topic? Are handheld PC gaming consoles worth the money? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more articles like this in the future.


Opinion: The Huawei Mate RS Porsche Design is THE Luxury Smartphone to beat but needs these 3 things to be perfect

Luxury smartphones have traditionally been expensive devices that don't really deliver when it comes to performance or technological innovation (the currently deceased Vertu, etc.). However, Huawei's recent Mate RS Porsche Design smartphone is breaking the mould by not only delivering best in class performance but also utilizing the latest components generally not used in consumer devices due to their higher cost instead of just relying on premium materials.

This includes Qualcomm's latest under-display fingerprint sensor said to be 3x more expensive than normal capacitive sensors but which allows users to simply hover their finger over the screen to unlock the Mate RS Porsche Design. In addition, Huawei have also included backup security by including a faster rear fingerprint sensor, providing an alternative if you don't like to unlock your device from the front..

While the Porsche Design branding is certainly premium the Mate RS isn't just a smartphone based off of the beautiful yet powerful Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but it is also the first to pack in microcapsule PCM (Phase Change Material) cooling. Huawei didn't stop there and packed in up to 6GB of RAM and 512GB of storage (China only for now) along with Dolby Atmos dual SLS speakers. AI assisted ambient noise recognition keeps your audio clear even in a crowded room.

True, not many rich people use even half of the functions in their expensive devices but photographers willing to spend tens of thousands on cameras, lenses and other photography equipment will immediately see the value of the Mate RS Porsche Design as a backup 4K video recording device you can fit into your pocket. This is because anyone who has worked with 4K videos can attest to the massive sizes of the video files.

Talking about cameras, the Mate RS Porsche Design is as photography ready as the P20 Pro with the same pioneering 40MP + 20MP + 8MP triple rear cameras and selfie-expert level 24MP Leica front camera. Truthfully, the blur-free 5x Hybrid Zoom, 4D predictive focus for clearer motion shots, 960fps slow motion and AI stabilization features are expert level photography tools that even laymen can use much less a more experienced photographer. There's also fast wireless charging, IP67 water and dust resistance and a 2K resolution full view display with no notch.

Did we miss anything? What more could the Huawei Mate RS Porsche Design need? Discuss in our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Opinion: The Intel Arc series could be the new blood the GPU market needs

For the longest time, the discrete graphics card market has been dominated by a single company - Nvidia. Of course, AMD has been working hard to compete. But years went on, and it has yet to shake Nvidia's nigh-monopoly. Now, a new player is set to enter the game.

Recently, Intel launched its Arc A750 and Arc 770 GPUs. The company claimed that its new cards provide far better performance per dollar. It's hard to take this claim at face value, but we'll get to that later. What we want to know is: Can the Intel Arc series GPUs be the new blood that the GPU market needs?

The Intel Arc GPUs are positioned against the RTX 3060

Before I go on, here's some context. Let's look at some numbers because numbers don't lie (unless you got them wrong, lol). According to Jon Peddie Research, Nvidia's discrete GPU market share was a whopping 75% in Q1 2022. That means almost 8 out of 10 PCs with a discrete GPU are equipped with an Nvidia graphics card!

For most consumers, this kind of market dominance is often bad news. It's supply-and-demand 101; people want Nvidia GPUs, so Nvidia can dictate prices and control supplies. Within the last decade, Nvidia GPU prices have continued to rise. The supply shortage resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the crypto-mining boom in recent years only worsened the situation.

Market prices for the RTX 3060 are still pretty high

Although the situation is improving, you'll still find the mid-range RTX 3060 GPU going for prices ranging from RM1600 to 1900. The RTX 3080 is even pricier, with prices easily over RM3000. And don't expect prices to go back down once things settle.

During Nvidia's launch of its RTX 40-series GPUs, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang claimed that "Moore's Law is dead. The idea that the chip is going to go down in price is a story of the past." He cited rising manufacturing costs and the slowdown in performance increase as the main reasons for increasing GPU prices. Suffice it to say, we can expect these high prices to remain.

But enough about Nvidia! Let's talk about Intel and its new Arc A-series GPUs. While Intel has never been a real player in discrete GPUs, it has always been the biggest in integrated GPUs. Data shows that Intel has the majority (60%) of the overall GPU market share, which is a lot. This is thanks to its integrated GPUs in Intel laptops. And as you know, most laptops come with Intel CPUs integrated GPUs like Intel Iris Xe and Iris Plus.

Of course, the discrete GPU market is a different ball game. But it's a game Intel now has a stake in, thanks to its Arc A750 and Arc A770 GPUs. Many of you might be wondering, "can they compete?" Intel seems to think they can, at least with an overclocked mid-range Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060.

Intel has most of the global integrated GPU market share

In the Intel reveal, a series of benchmark charts provided a decent picture of what we could expect. The two Intel GPUs performed slightly better than the RTX 3060 in many modern games but also worse in some. It was pointed out that the differences could be whether the games were running with DirectX 11, DirectX 12, or Vulcan. Based on the charts, the Intel cards generally performed worse in DirectX 11 mode.

So, the Intel Arc GPUs don't blow the RTX 3060 out of the park. But they could provide better performance per dollar, making them good options for gamers looking to build mid-range gaming rigs. That's a good target market since most PC gamers play games in 1080p or 1440p. The RTX 3060 has been the GPU king of this segment since its launch, but in my opinion, its current price could result in gamers going for these new Intel cards.

Intel claims that its GPUs will offer better value

But they're not that great with games in DX11 mode yet

For your info, the suggested retail prices for the Arc A750 and Arc A770 are USD289 (~RM1344) and USD329 (~RM1530), respectively. If Intel can guarantee retail models at these launch prices, Intel could sway some gamers who aren't diehard Nvidia fans. After all, if you can save a few hundred Ringgit, why not?

Having said that, there are a few things to consider. First, the RTX 3060 is a card from earlier 2021, so the comparison doesn't sound all that convincing. You're competing with an almost 2-year-old card! Plus, gamers could get a second-hand card from people upgrading to the GeForce RTX 40-series. That's assuming you're not worried about getting a banged-up crypto-mining card, of course.

Expect prices to be marked up through board partners (image from Cool3c)

On Intel's side, there's no guarantee that the Arc GPUs would launch at the exact prices Intel has quoted. While Intel has factories for its CPUs, it was already confirmed that there will be board partners. And when they sell the GPUs through board partners, you can be sure that the prices will be marked up.

Lastly, there's the issue of GPU drivers to consider. The benchmark charts show that the Arc GPUs work well enough with Intel CPUs, but what about AMD CPUs? Whether Intel likes it or not, AMD is a strong competitor in the CPU space these days. As such, the drivers need to be optimised for games to run well on AMD CPUs.

Overall, I'd say Intel needs to work these out before it can claim that its new GPUs truly offer better performance per dollar. But if they could deliver, I won't mind grabbing an Intel Arc A770 myself for my next gaming PC. Who knows? It might end up being a way better deal than I expected.

How about you? Let us know what you think in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more articles like this.


Opinion: Waiting for that monster mojo… phone

Someone recently asked me, ‘What is your ideal phone? What features would it have?’ As someone who believes in the saying that “the best computer is the one that you carry with you”, MY ideal device would be a 7-inch or 8-inch display monster phone with a killer camera, fast processor, lots of RAM, storage, strong but stable connectivity, 2-day battery life… and a built-in laser keyboard*. Extremely unlikely I know, but that would be my ideal mojo (mobile journalism) device.

Unlike most tech journalists in Malaysia, I'm one of the few mobile journalists to fully embrace the usage of smartphones or tablets to do my work. This is because if you go to any tech event in Malaysia you're bound to see them. Tech journalists tied to a notebook computer, trying to transfer pictures from their DSLR, cursing about that forgotten SD card reader or transfer cable, hunting for a power socket and cursing some more about the forgotten notebook adapter cable.

What normally happens at least once to most tech journalists

My solution was to go for an all-in-one device where I can take great photos or video with it, then edit it and post it up direct. More than 3 years I've been doing this, and it hasn't been easy certainly but I now can boast having one of the fastest post and video turnaround times in the industry with same day posts complete with video and pictures.

My mojo (mobile journalism) solution? A smartphone with a bluetooth keyboard

As unlikely as it may seem, the chances for my ideal mojo phone appearing with the next big phone announcement are becoming higher and higher. This is because phones are coming out with bigger displays in smaller bodies like the LG G6 with its 5.7-inch display in a 5.2-inch body. The ‘infinity design’ rumoured to be coming with the Samsung Galaxy S8 may soon result in a 7-inch display in a 6-inch body (probably not in time for the Galaxy S8 though).

From posting, to getting tech specs, multi-tasking is fairly important in a mojo device

Processors are also steadily becoming more energy-efficient, eventually there will be either  a powerful processor that lasts longer or a midrange energy-efficient processor that is powerful enough to process video and smoothly handle multiple apps at a time. Fast Dual Pixel cameras that work well in the dark are also becoming more available as the ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom and Moto G5 Plus are proving.

I can't wait for progress to catch up with my mojo but for now, here are my ideal phone tech specs:

What are your ideal phone tech specs or features? Feel free to discuss in our Facebook page because who knows which smartphone brand is watching and developing your next ideal phone. Stay tuned for more at TechNave.com.


Opinion: What's the best way to make a completely full-screen smartphone?

In a time when a smartphone with a 5.5-inch display was the standard for the "biggest" viewing experience, the current smartphone trend is all about maximizing the screen size, yet keeping the device small enough to be comfortably used in one hand. This is mostly thanks to the Apple iPhone X, but we aren't going to talk about what we think of the notch, but rather - what's the best way to make a completely full-screen smartphone?

First thing's first, to understand why smartphone brands are adopting the notch, we must understand why there is a notch in the first place. It looks out of place and it pisses off OCD people (me) when we hold it horizontally. Moreover, a lot of Android phones haven't properly integrated their software adaptations to the notch, such as viewing 'Stories' in Instagram but only to be blocked by the notch. So why?

From the words of Carl Pei, the CEO of OnePlus in an interview with The Verge, he wanted everyone to know that the OnePlus isn't promoting the notch as a new aesthetic look, but it's all about "moving the entire notification bar up, giving users more content on their screen" which is true. By having the notch, phones now can go up to 19:9 screen-to-body aspect ratio easily, also leaving more reading space and gaming mechanics for you to enjoy. Then again, how do you get rid of the front camera and other sensors? Surely, there has to be a way.

That being said, there are several different examples that manufacturers have implemented to develop a completely full-screen smartphone. With current mobile devices having an aspect ratio of larger than 16:9, the first on the example list is the Doogee Mix 4. What Doogee did was make a slideable screen to hide the selfie camera when not in use. Unfortunately, this also hides the speaker grill and the light sensor, which is definitely a trade-off when aiming for a bezel-less screen without needing to have a notch screen at the top of the display.

Not only that, personally I feel that it wouldn't be as durable due to the fact that it's a physical mechanism, it will wear out and cause problems after rigorous use. Remember the era of flip phones becoming flap phones? Yup, it didn't look as cool after the screw got loose.

vivo APEX concept phone, the right side shows the front camera popping up

Vivo is also experimenting with a full-screen phone that looks gorgeous. Known as APEX, it's a concept phone that sports a full frontal 5.99-inch OLED display and it covers the front up to 91%. But that's not the interesting part, the display is using COF technology that allows it to have ambient and proximity sensors. In other words, it can function as a loudspeaker and as an earpiece for network calls.

An in-display fingerprint sensor is present too and they even managed to put a pop-up front camera on top like the former. However, we think that mechanism will also wear out in time and will probably face some internal issues and popping out eventually.

So what about the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2? It's currently out in the market and so far, it has received some favourable reviews. The screen panel measures 5.99-inch (IPS LCD) and it nearly completes a full-screen scale because of that front camera that is oddly placed at the bottom.

As nice as it looks, the bottom right front camera is kind of flawed because when you want to take a selfie, the camera will take a lower angle of your chin first. What's more, if you're taking a portrait shot, you'd have to lift that phone pretty high up to achieve a nice angle and that's really funny-looking (trust me).

Next, the ZTE Iceberg utilizes a symmetrical notched screen design which means that there will be notches on both the top and the bottom of the screen. In my opinion, it looks visually more pleasing compared to the single notch design. Both of these notches would house the speakers and the selfie camera of the device without the need to compromise on the screen size.

However, the only drawback is that a small portion of the display will be eaten up by these notches. Also, since there is no space at the front of the phone to include the fingerprint scanner, it is then moved back to the back of the phone. The transparent corners give it the illusion of a more rounded corner device but we see no actual purpose for this.

Last on the list is the Huawei Mate RS. As some of you already know, it's designed by Porsche and has no notch in sight. But instead, it has the more traditional notch-less design that we have grown accustomed prior to the iPhone X. This makes the display incredibly clean and pleasing to look at because you don't have notches protruding into elements of the display at the cost of a slightly thicker bezel as compared to the Iceberg and Mix 4. Interestingly enough, the Mate RS includes two fingerprint scanners, one in the front under the display, and another at the back.

In my opinion, it would be interesting to see a mix of the Iceberg with its double notch edge to edge bezel-less design along with the Mate RS's under display fingerprint scanner. I feel that this is the best combination to achieve a near bezel-less display without compromising on screen real-estate as well as needing to find the fingerprint scanner tucked away behind the device.

How would you make a  completely full-screen smartphone? Drop us a comment on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for all things tech.

ZTE Iceberg image courtesy of XDA-Developers.com


Opinion: Will the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 S-Pen be more than a stylus?

Recently, leaks about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 9 have appeared saying that the S-Pen Stylus would offer a whole bunch of new features including as a remote control for your camera shutter along with music playback. Set for an unveiling at Samsung Unpacked on 9 August 2018, the new S-Pen is also rumoured to have a feature "unrelated to the pen" indicating that it could do more than what a normal smartphone stylus would be able to do.

Currently, some rumours say that this could be as a wireless Bluetooth speaker, but that would require the S-Pen to be a lot bigger than it currently is, unless Samsung are ok with tinny sound that could cheapen the overall Galaxy Note 9 experience. While Samsung could have come out with a new, more compact speaker system, we're guessing that the new Galaxy Note 9 S-Pen could have a built-in headset so you could answer calls directly without having to access the phone or slide the S-Pen back in to the phone as this tech is relatively smaller than a speaker.

Another possibility is that the new S-Pen could have a built-in laser pointer, or that it has a built-in presentation clicker function, so you could perhaps hook up the Galaxy Note 9 to a projector and start a presentation using the new S-Pen as your remote control for the next slide. While no other tech specs are forthcoming, we expect the dual curved edge Infinity Design screen and dual rear cameras of the Galaxy S9+ to make a come back in the Galaxy Note 9.

Please be aware that these are just our opinions based on unconfirmed rumours but what do you think this new S-Pen feature could be? Discuss in our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Opinions: Should you buy a Chromebook laptop for around RM400? How to make it last longer?

We’re all stuck at home this MCO, and with the current numbers in Malaysia, it seems like this is going to be another extended stay. For those of us who can still work from home, Alhamdulillah, but for the school-going children, students and teachers, online learning is a relatively new experience. In this case it would be great for these students to have their own laptops, tablets or phones to do online learning because we’re also using our own laptop or phone for work.

On social media I came upon a novel suggestion, why not buy a new Chromebook laptop for around RM300 or RM400? Chromebook laptops are run by Chromebook OS, always get updates directly from Google and have fairly long battery life. So what’s the catch? Well, today we’re answering that question, “Should you buy a Chromebook laptop for around RM400?” And if you have already bought it or have no other alternative, we’ve also included some tips or best practices on keeping your investment running well.

Yes, you can find a lot of Chromebook laptops for around RM300 to RM400

Yes, you can find Dell, HP, Samsung and Acer branded Chromebook laptops on the Malaysian market for around RM300 to RM400 and even some of the sellers are quite reputable or have preferred status or something like that. However, they probably aren’t new (FYI, the original poster has also confirmed this).

They are all probably  used or refurbished (have been repaired and refitted with new parts). Actually, if the seller does say they are new, it’s the first warning sign we’d say to watch out for, as that seller is probably lying… unless he or she’s found some hidden stash of unused Chromebooks in perfect condition laying about somewhere (¯\_(ツ)_/¯ stranger things have happened).

If you’ve checked the buyer reviews and the seller is reputable or has a good track record, for example: is willing to exchange a faulty laptop or provide a 1 or 2 week warranty period, then you can still buy that RM300 or RM400 Chromebook laptop (here's some more tips on buying safely online). It’s still better than nothing. For what to do after you’ve bought it, keep on reading.

Best practices for your used Chromebook laptop

No, we're not endorsing this Chromebook or seller, just pay attention to the lower-end tech specs

Yes, a Chromebook laptop does last longer and will always get updates. That much is true. However, most RM300 or RM400 Chromebook laptops are running on older Intel Celeron or other budget processors. They tend to be slower, respond longer or lag more. So, don’t expect that Chromebook laptop to be able to handle more than 5 tabs in the Chrome OS browser or have more than 3 or so apps running at the same time.

Some other things you can do to help your slower Chromebook laptop is to lower down your YouTube video quality to below HD like 480p or 360p or lower. These are educational videos, they don’t need to be in HD and they’ll also lower the amount of Internet data that your child uses. You can also lower the brightness of the screen so it does not use as much power.

Yes, you can probably play Candy Crush and other games on your used Chromebook laptop

Contrary to popular belief, you can run games on a Chromebook device but the apps that will run smoothly are the less demanding ones like Candy Crush or Bejeweled. However, you should remember that since this is a used Chromebook laptop, the parts cannot take as much stress as a new laptop. So don’t run it for too many times or for too long at a time, in fact, just using it for the 3 to 6 hours of school work a day should be the limit.

Keeping that used Chromebook laptop running longer than it has to will cause it to wear down faster. If you or your child were to play games all night just because the battery can last that long, you would no doubt cause the hardware to overheat or even fail faster. So if you do that, it might burn out in one night or a month, depending on the condition of the used or refurbished hardware.

Set up those parental controls just in case, so there are no "accidents"

We’d also heartily recommend that you download Google’s Family Link and set up the ChromeOS parental controls, so you can set the amount of time your children can use the Chromebook laptop. Just in case, we’d also suggest that you set up passwords and parental controls for purchases on the Play Store, as you don’t want your kids to accidentally use up RM10K in Candy Crush hearts or other game purchases (it has happened many times before to other kids and families) without you knowing about it.

Chromebook laptops run on ChromeOS, and while you can still do most things offline, most of the functionality of ChromeOS is available online with an Internet connection. Some apps may not work without any cloud or Internet connection too. In addition, most of the Malaysian online learning assignments we’ve seen will require your children to view videos which will definitely use more data. Be prepared and get a data package that offers a bit more speed and data.

There's a lot of things you can do with your Chromebook, I sketched these mountains with my Acer Chromebook Tab 10

Once you start exploring your new but used Chromebook laptop you’ll find that you can actually use it for a lot more things than you may have thought possible. With my own Acer Chromebook Tab 10, I’ve been able to use it as a mini laptop that can do basic photo editing, sketching, word processing and watching streaming video.

There’s also a growing community of Chromebook users in Malaysia so you’re definitely not alone if you choose to buy a Chromebook device for yourself or your children. Check them out for suggestions on apps that you can use and other tips like the ones we’ve given here, but as always, stay tuned to TechNave.com


Opinions: Should you get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 powered JOI Book SK3000 released in Malaysia for RM2199?

In our most recent briefings with Qualcomm, they revealed that new Windows-on-Snapdragon laptops would be coming to Malaysia soon, and it appears one of the first would be the JOI Book SK3000 laptop. Utilizing both a Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 chipset and Windows 10 Pro, the laptop is on pre-order for Malaysians at RM2199 with an ETA set for 6 January 2021. Is it worth it?

A quick look through our laptop search reveals a number of other contenders in the RM2000 to RM2300 range from ASUS, HP and Dell. While the JOI Book SK3000 offers just 4GB of RAM, most of the laptops available also offer 4GB of RAM too so in this aspect, they’re all mostly equal.

Other laptop contenders in the RM2000 - RM2300 range

However, the 128GB SSD on the SK3000 might be a bit of a let down though as most of these other laptops offer 256GB SSDs. Also, most of the competition like the ASUS Vivobook A412DA and HP 14 use AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (the Vivobook A512DA uses an AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and 512GB SSD).

With the price question out of the way, the SK3000 does offer significant advantages in terms of weight and design as it is just 1.05kg and is 15mm thin. The other contenders are quite thick and weighty except for perhaps the ASUS VivoBook laptops (these still come in at 1.5kg and above).

The SK3000 also offers built-in 4G LTE connectivity and nearly instant-on startup times. Supposedly, ARM powered laptops also offer better battery life and cooler operating temperatures too, but we’ll only be able to confirm these advantages once we’ve tried out the JOI Book SK3000 ourselves.

So, based on just that, would you be interested in getting the JOI Book SK3000? In terms of weight and portable design the JOI Book SK3000 sounds like a pretty nice laptop to own, but at RM2199 it’s also a pretty high price considering the other tech specs and features like RAM, storage and processor that it comes with.

For us, if you’re just a writer with light computing needs or someone who uses your laptop for emails, some light photo editing, watching movies and light browsing the Internet, then the JOI Book SK3000 certainly sounds like a laptop to consider. However, if you’re also a gamer or budding content creator, someone who works with video, then maybe the other aforementioned laptop contenders might be a better fit.

While it’s great that the JOI Book SK3000 is from a local seller and brand, we would have to wait for a review unit or for other brands to come in with their Snapdragon powered Windows laptops (Acer Spin 7, Lenovo C630, etc.) before we make any snap judgements so we’d wait for now. Do you agree or disagree? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com


Opinions: Should you trust Apple's new M1 chip powered Macs?

Apple recently announced their new M1 chip powered MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini with plans to transition their Mac line-up with the new M1 chips and beyond over a 2-year transition period. So in effect, Apple have stopped using Intel chips for their Macs and won't be using them again for the next 2 years. But should you trust Apple's new M1 chip powered Macs?

In our own personal opinion, the short answer to that question would be "Yes". While it may be the first M1 chip Apple have made, Apple have been making their own ARM-based System-on-Chip or SoC for years for their iPhones and iPads. If you trusted the Apple A14 Bionic chip in the latest iPad Pro to do your video work, why can't you trust the Apple M1 chip to do the same in your Macs? For the longer answer, do read on.

While it may be in fine print, Apple have already listed that they've actually done the testing between their M1 processors and the latest laptop processors in the market:

"Testing conducted by Apple in September and October 2020 using JetStream 2 and Speedometer 2.0 performance benchmarks. Tested on preproduction MacBook Air and Mac mini systems with Apple M1 chip and 8-core GPU, as well as production 1.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7-based 13-inch MacBook Air systems and 3.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i3-based Mac mini systems, all configured with 16GB RAM, 2TB SSD, and prerelease macOS Big Sur. Tested with prerelease Safari 14.0.1 and WPA2 Wi-Fi network connection." Sourced from Apple

Their results have been very encouraging with much better performance vs power ratios compared to currently existing laptops. Testing against their own non-M1 powered laptops resulted in "up to 3.5x faster CPU performance, up to 6x faster GPU performance, and up to 15x faster machine learning, all while enabling battery life up to 2x longer". This means your new M1 powered Macs could last 2x longer than before yet provide faster performance and better graphics.

Real-world testing may of course differ, but the numbers would be off by only a little bit we think. So even if the new Macs were just 2x faster with 1.5x better battery life, this would still be an improvement. It'd be great if we could confirm these numbers testing out these new M1 powered Macs ourselves, but we'll have to wait for time and budget to see if we can do so.

Of note is that the M1 chips also incorporate other new technologies like 15x faster machine learning performance with their Apple Neural Engine, their latest image signal processor, Secure Enclave for security and a USB 4 supporting Thunderbolt controller for transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. There's also a high-performance storage controller with AES encryption hardware and low-power media encode and decode engines.

So, should you buy the new M1 powered Macs? If you have a need for it, then they should maintain the same standards of quality and performance that Apple have delivered previously. For our own pandemic-hit Malaysians, it will be tough during these trying times so we'd suggest waiting first unless you have the money to spare. What do you think? Would you buy one of these new M1 powered Macs or are planning to do so? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com


Acer Swift 1 & Swift 3 Malaysia release: starting price from RM2099 alongside a mini projector for RM1099

While kicking off the annual Acer Day campaign, Acer Malaysia also announced a bunch of gadgets during the event. There are new editions of the Acer Swift 3 and Swift 1, as well as a new mini projector called the AOpen PV12.

Starting with the Swift 3, it comes with a bigger 16-inch FHD IPS display and a 100% sRGB colour gamut. The interior tech specs also come with up to 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H processor, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD and up to 16GB of RAM. As for the Swift 1, it is now updated with the latest Intel Pentium Silver N6000 processor, 4GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. Both the Swift 3 and Swift 1 come with pre-installed Microsoft Office Home & Student 2019 as well. From 3 August onwards, both laptops are available at all Acer official online stores and Acer authorized resellers stores nationwide.

The Swift 1 is priced at RM2099, while the 16-inch Acer Swift 3 comes with two variants which are powered by 11th Gen Intel Core i7 and Intel Core i5, priced at RM4599 and RM3699 respectively. During the Acer Day x Shopee Superbrand Day, the Swift 3 will be shipped with a free Gateway Pro Wireless Headset worth RM239. The new Acer Swift 1 also offers a RM100 discount and a free Acer E300 Trueharmony Earphones worth RM199 during the special two-day period.

On the other hand, the AOpen PV12 is a new mini aforementioned projector. Measuring less than 4cm in height and weighing 440g, it has a battery life of up to 5 hours and it is equipped with LED with 700 lumens brightness. According to Acer, its durability lasts up to 30,000 hours long lifespan.

It is now available at all Acer official online stores and Acer authorized resellers nationwide, it retails at RM1099. During the Acer Day x Shopee Superbrand Day, limited units of AOpen PV12 will be priced at RM909 under shocking sales, while any purchase with standard retail price will be rewarded with a Gateway Pro Wireless Headset worth RM239.

Just for your information, there are a couple of participating stores during the promotion period (3-4 August 2021). You can check them out below as reference:

That's all, folks. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Opinions: The top camera upgrades for the iPhone 12 series that we think will have the biggest impact

Well, it’s finally official and the Apple iPhone 12 series is officially here despite the pandemic and all the other crap of 2020. Apart from the obvious hardware upgrades like their A14 Bionic chipset, 5G and the return of the classic iPhone 4 flat sided design, there were also a number of other camera upgrades that we felt will have a huge impact on iphoneagraphers the world over.

We’ve yet to actually get our hands on any of the iPhone 12 series devices so these are mostly just the result of our own thoughts and discussions as fans of smartphone photography and videography. Hopefully when we do get them, we can test out the following Top camera upgrades for the iPhone 12 series that we think will have the biggest impact.

Light Detection and Ranging or LiDAR sensors are currently being featured in the higher-end iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max but they offer a bit more than just 6 times faster autofocus in the dark for both photography and videography. While they may be similar to ToF or Time of Flight sensors in that they both scan their surroundings for depth information, LiDAR sensors are generally more accurate as they send pulse rays instead of a single flash pulse like ToF sensors.

This means you’ll be getting better photos and videos in the dark or under low-light conditions with the LiDAR equipped iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, but LiDAR originally was designed for more accurate AR or augmented reality. Therefore, if you’re into seeing virtual objects in real life, the LiDAR sensors will take it to another level. We can’t wait to see what Adobe will do with them considering that you can currently have blue skies and meteor showers with their Photoshop Camera app but like you, we’ll have to wait and see.

Featured in just their highest-end Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, Sensor Shift on OIS or Optical Image Stabilization is Apple’s answer to the recent camera stabilization tech like built-in gimbals and steady shot. It doesn’t just mean that people with shaky hands or grips will get better shots, but also more accurate colours while retaining all the details.

This tech was previously utilized in mainly DSLR and mirrorless cameras but in the iPhone 12 Pro Max it should result in even less blurred photos or videos than the current iPhone 11 Pro Max. It should also decrease noise and improve clarity, something which iPhones tend to be rather infamous for, especially in low-light conditions.

Again another camera feature belonging to just the iPhone 12 Pro Max, 10-bit Dolby Vision is a world’s first for a cameraphone. Taking it a step higher than HDR10, Dolby Vision promises better and clearer colours in video recording. So instead of a blurry smudge of light that looks like fireworks, you’ll see the little spurts of fireworks coming out just like how your eyes would perceive them in real life.

On top of that, 10-bit Dolby Vision video recording will be at 4K resolutions on 60fps for ultra smooth video with all the ultra higher definition you could want. Good luck finding a TV to support that though, but it should make those people and videographers who record at night or in low-light extremely satisfied.

Last time for the iPhone 11 series, their new Night Mode was just awesome, but it only worked for the rear cameras. Now, with the iPhone 12 series, Night Mode is not only available on the front camera, but also for ultrawide and timelapse, so that’s practically every camera mode that most iphoneagraphers would use.

Having tested out the iPhone 11 series Night Mode this means that taking selfies on your iPhone 12 series smartphone in complete darkness will be almost as clear as day. Those ultrawide group shots in the club will be just as good as the one that where you previously had to all squeeze into for the normal telephoto. Sunset timelapses are going to be a whole other level… we hope.

Quite obviously, no one, not even MKBHD have had the chance to take a closer look at the iPhone 12 series smartphones, so these are only our hopes for the new camera features coming out for the iPhone 12 series smartphones. We’ll definitely check them out when or if we get our hands-on them, but as things are shaping up right now, if you’re a videographer, the iPhone 12 series smartphone to get will definitely be the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

It is also quite obviously going to be the most expensive iPhone 12 series smartphone with our own local pricing placing it from RM5299 for the 128GB storage version. We’ll be covering more on the iPhone 12 series in the coming weeks but for now, these are most of the things we wanted from the latest iPhone at least where cameras are concerned.

However, for me, the biggest improvement has to be the video editor or the capability to edit video on the phone (meaning the native video editor has got to be good right?). I've been saying it time and again in my reviews and so forth, how come the photo editor / video editor lacks key features (like image resize, a better interface, etc) that are standard in third party apps?

The logic is simple, if you have a great photo editor and video editor built into the phone, of course you're going to consider buying the phone more if you like taking photos or videos. Smartphone Brands have had all the time in the world to do this change (Apple included), so why did it take them so long to make that decision to include a great native video editor? Maybe we can hope that other brands will follow?

What do you think? Is another RM400 worth the upgrade from the RM4899 iPhone 12 Pro to the RM5299 iPhone 12 Pro Max? What iPhone 12 series camera features are you most excited for? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned for more on TechNave.com


Opinions: These are probably the reasons why the Huawei MatePad 10.4 2022 costs RM100 more yet has better value

Recently the Huawei MatePad 10.4 2022 tablet was announced for RM1599 and a number of those in the tech industry were wondering why as the MatePad 10.4 2020 was announced for RM1499? After taking a look at what Huawei is offering with this iteration of the MatePad 10.4, we immediately saw the reasons why.

However, perhaps rather than jump the gun and post inaccurate comments, we’d like to explain it further in detail. If you’re interested in finding out the reasons too then please do read on as to why the Huawei MatePad 10.4 2022 costs RM100 more but yet has better value.

So, this time around the Huawei MatePad 10.4 2022 retained its 10.4-inch 2K display, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and 7250 mAh battery with 18W fast charging. The major tech differences here are that the chipset is the Huawei Kirin 710A, which is a step down from the Kirin 820 chipset in the MatePad 10.4 2020, but the MatePad 10.4 2022 also has 4G LTE connectivity as well while the previous version was WiFi-only.

In addition, the MatePad 10.4 2022 also packs in the 2nd Generation M Pencil stylus, something which was never offered initially with the MatePad 10.4 2020. Back when the MatePad 10.4 2020 was first announced, it only came with the Huawei Magnetic Keyboard. If you wanted to get the 2nd Generation M Pen stylus separately, it costs RM499, so being able to get this stylus and 4G LTE connectivity for just an additional RM100 seems like a pretty good deal to us.

Yes, the Kirin 710A chipset probably won’t outperform the Kirin 820 chipset, but it’s no slouch either as it was previously used in the Huawei Nova 8 SE smartphone. As a midranger chipset it should satisfy most needs, especially if it’s used in a tablet for education or work where having 4G LTE connectivity and a stylus would be especially useful.

While we don’t usually do comparisons like this, we thought that Huawei balanced out the tech specs and value-added accessories for the new MatePad 10.4 2022 rather nicely. We’ll be able to tell you more about the overall performance of the Huawei MatePad 10.4 2022 later if or when we get the device for review, but we hope that this explanation helps to inform you better about what you’ll be getting with the MatePad 10.4 2022 tablet.

The pre-order for the Huawei MatePad 10.4 2022 will start tomorrow on 22 April 2022 and end on 2 May 2022, so if you’re looking to get this particular 4G LTE tablet + stylus + keyboard case deal, do check out their site starting from tomorrow. We're interested to see how much the whole deal would be priced after the pre-order period but we expect it to either be without the M Pencil or at a higher price tag.

Would you be interested in getting it? As always, stay tuned to TechNave.com to keep well informed on the latest tech deals and news.


Opinions: Top improvements we'd like to see in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

When you look at smartphones these days, you'll realise that by and large, they all function the same. Our choice of one model over another tends to come down to preferences in design, brand, and price.

But isn't that boring? In my opinion, the average smartphone is pretty boring. A smartphone that looks different and has different functions would be a worthier purchase. That's probably why foldable devices are trending - they're different!

My personal favourite is clamshell-styled foldable phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series. Last year's Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 proved to be an excellent device, and this year's model should be better. We don't know too much for sure about it at the moment, but here are the top improvements we'd like to see in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4.

The cover screen has simple music playback controls, but that's it

Remember the Moto Razr back in the day? It was a flip phone that had several functions tied to physical gestures. For example, you could lightly shake the phone in one direction to skip to the next track.

Wouldn't it be cool if the Galaxy Z Flip4 could do something similar? Sure, the phone already has gestures linked to the display, and the cover display also has touch controls, but physical gestures would let you control media playback without interacting with the screens.

Speaking of the cover screen, it's rumoured that this year's model could be bigger

As an alternative, physical music playback buttons would also be nice. But it would mean needing extra space in the device, plus extra control chips for the media playback functions. As such, I don't see that ever happening... but it would be nice, in my opinion.

Since physical buttons and gestures might be tricky to implement, an accessory like the S Pen could be another option. And if it's for a more compact device like the Galaxy Z Flip4, I hope it could be a collapsible one. Specifically, one that can fold or retract/shorten itself.

Having an S Pen would be great, maybe attached magnetically?

To keep it secure, Samsung could either make a case with a holding slot for it or the company could also make it attachable to the side of the device magnetically. Of course, a dedicated slot would be nice. But again, that's probably not going to happen.

If it's going to be used as a music player, it's got to have good audio! It's not just the speakers that need to be good. The device needs to be capable of High-Res Audio too. In other words, it needs improvement in hardware and software.

We can't comment much about the former, but the Galaxy Z Flip3 had pretty good speakers. They're pretty loud and clear, though the audio quality isn't quite top-tier. With that in mind, giving the Galaxy Z Flip4 better speakers or using better audio chips could drastically improve it as a media device.

Better speakers to better enjoy mobile games

As for the software, it would be great if Samsung could use audio codecs that support Hi-Res Audio over Bluetooth. And preferably with ultra-low latency, to better enjoy mobile games without that audio desync or lag.

For me, music playback is not the only thing that's important in a phone. Getting a great picture capturing whatever that is going on around me in whatever situation is also equally important.

As such, it would be great to see the main rear camera on the Galaxy Z Flip4 getting a major upgrade. The Galaxy S22 series offer amazing camera performance, especially the Ultra variant. In particular, the latest series excels in night photography or nightography as they put it. If Samsung can bring this level of performance to the next Galaxy Z Flip model, I could definitely see more people buying it.

When out and about, the last thing you want is your phone's battery dying, especially when you're nowhere near any power sockets. While having a fast charger alleviates this problem somewhat it still means you having to find those power sockets and bringing along that bulky fast charge. But what if you want to go sightseeing and rather travel light? In that case, longer battery life is the way to go.

Two small batteries that add up to roughly 3270mAh (Images via PBK Reviews)

Short battery life is a weakness of the Galaxy Z Flip3, which only comes with a 3300mAh battery. That's partly due to the size and vertical folding form factor that limits space for a battery. For the Galaxy Z Flip4, we would love to see a significantly larger one. If possible, a 4000mAh battery would be ideal. But a recent rumour suggests that we're getting a 3700mAh battery instead so this improvement at least sounds plausible in the next Galaxy Z Flip phone.

This would definitely be something useful in the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip4

Being able to work on the go is a really big thing for us, so it would be great if the next Galaxy Z Flip phone could also support Samsung's Dex or Desktop Experience mode. These days, most Samsung Galaxy flagship phones can easily connect wirelessly to a handy monitor like Samsung's own M series Smart monitors.

Then, all you'd need for it to become your own PC desktop-like system is a bluetooth mouse or keyboard. We fully expect the Galaxy Z Flip 4 to come with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor like the SD8+ Gen 1 and at least 8 to 12GB of RAM, so we see no hardware reason why it wouldn't be able to support Samsung Dex, but then again, we're not smartphone manufacturers.

Anyway, the points above are areas we think Samsung could improve on for the Galaxy Z Flip4. Of course, we can't guarantee that all of them would happen. After all, some of them are our preferences and not yours (or Samsung's, for that matter).

What do you think? Share your thoughts on what you'd like to see improved in the Galaxy Z Flip4 in the comments below! And as usual, stay tuned to TechNave for more articles and news on the latest mobile devices.


Opinions: Why do Android brands release so many phones in a year?

Every year, Apple releases one new iPhone series available in several different variants, including the base model, Mini, Pro, and the Pro Max that usually cost more than RM3000. Also, in recent years, Apple started releasing the iPhone SE, which is slightly cheaper than the iPhones mentioned earlier but still not as affordable compared to most budget to mid-range Android smartphones.

However, compared to Android brands, the number of devices released by Apple are significantly lower. But why is that? This article will look at why brands that make Android smartphones launch more devices than Apple. That being said, let’s take a closer look.

ROG Phone 5 series comes with up to 18GB of RAM

First and foremost, materials and components used to make Android smartphones vary greatly and are usually more affordable than iPhones. Because of that, Android smartphone brands are given the liberty to manufacture different devices that suit different user’s needs.

For example, entry-level Android smartphones are usually built using plastic outer shell, which is usually not as durable and usually performs slower compared to phones made by Apple. Moreover, iPhones are also equipped with much better displays which are one of the more expensive components of a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy M12. Priced at only RM799.

With that being said, the bill of materials for manufacturing Android phones are much cheaper making them more affordable. A user who only uses their device for surfing the internet or scrolling through social media doesn’t necessarily need a smartphone equipped with 18GB of RAM or even a 108MP primary camera.

With that said, these users are more likely to get a more suitable smartphone for their use case, which gives manufacturers the incentive to make more affordable devices. Also, you have customers who don’t need a top of the line smartphone but still need something a little more capable than a low-end phone. Brands also release a few mid-range smartphones equipped with flagship specs and features that add to the number of phones released in a year.

vivo X60 Pro that's catered towards taking photos and videos

With 5G picking up speed, some companies started making a 5G and non-5G variant for users that don’t require 5G or countries that have yet to roll out 5G network. Let’s not forget specialised smartphones like the ASUS ROG Phone 5 designed with gamers in mind or the vivo X60 series, collaborating with Zeiss optics for video and picture taking.

Foldable smartphones are slowly gaining popularity, prompting brands like Samsung to start a new series called the Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Flip or Huawei with their Mate X series. Also, brands like vivo and OPPO released a few concept smartphones showcasing innovative technology such as not having physical ports like the vivo Apex or devices with a rollable display such as the OPPO X. (usually not for sale)

108MP main camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro at only RM999?

With Android brands having the freedom to build their smartphones however they want, flagship Android devices are usually fitted with much better hardware than their Apple counterparts at a much lower price. For example, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 is equipped with a huge 18GB RAM and a display that’s capable of achieving up to 144Hz, starting from only RM2999, while even the most expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max 512GB to this date that costs RM6699 is still stuck with a measly 60Hz display.

Also, the image sensor resolution on Android phones are usually much higher for their price compared to iPhones as well while remaining significantly cheaper. This is true for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, which has a 108MP main camera from the price of only RM999, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max has only up to a 12MP image sensor at the back.

Although, image sensor resolution doesn’t necessarily correlate to better pictures as there are other factors that could affect how good a picture looks such as how the image is processed by the chipset, pixel size, and post processing.

iOS 13 and 14 adoption rate compared to Android

While launching more products on the market can increase the earning potential of Android smartphone brands, it introduces a few problems that commonly plague the ecosystem. First of all, the Android ecosystem is usually a lot more fragmented as not many of them can update to the latest Android operating system. At the same time, the adoption rate for last year’s iOS and iPad OS 13 was more than 85%.

However, it is usually not the user’s fault, as some smartphone brands are much slower to adopt the latest version of Android OS than others. One notable factor as to why updates are much slower is because smartphone manufacturers often customise the Android OS by applying their customised skins on top, which adds additional functionality and support for devices in their respective ecosystem.

Samsung's One UI skin that looks much different compared to stock Android

Because of that, it may slow down the development process in getting the new update ready for their smartphones. Furthermore, hardware plays a factor in whether a device can support the latest update. There are many Android phones out there with varying tech specs, making it challenging for the developers to optimise the Android OS for every smartphone in the past 3 to 5 years, unlike Apple who only has to worry about their products.

Although, not all Android smartphone brands are like that, as Samsung are not only relatively fast at adopting new updates, but they also promise up to 4 years of major updates to any of their smartphones. Because of how accessible the Android OS is compared to iOS, there is unsurprisingly a few companies releasing poorly manufactured phones for the sole purpose of making a quick buck.

Because of that, it may not be compatible with certain apps on the Google Play store that might require specialised hardware such as NFC. New smartphone buyers must do their research when making a new smartphone purchase. You can’t go wrong with sticking with notable brands such as Samsung, OPPO, realme, Xiaomi and vivo.

iPhone 12 series that was released last year

Sure they could, but the answer is a lot more complicated than that. First of all, releasing too many smartphones in a year could overwhelm potential customers from purchasing a new iPhone. Not only that, but by releasing fewer smartphones, they’re able to release updates without worrying too much about whether the latest update can run on iPhones that launched in the past 4 years.

Also, iPhones are heavily integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, allowing them to control, utilise, and share files between various Apple products, including the Apple Homepod, Airpods, Mac computers, Apple TVs and the iPad. With that in mind, releasing more iPhone variations could potentially lead to more security holes that Apple will have to patch up to keep their ecosystem secure.

Last but not least, let’s not forget that Apple is the only brand that manufactures iOS-powered smartphones, unlike Android, with more than 15 notable brands producing phones. With that in mind, we can expect Apple’s trend to release fewer smartphones than Android phone brands to continue.

Coming back to the earlier question, Android smartphone makers release more devices so that there's a device for all users or target a specific market. Granted, this also means that they're in the business of making money but so is Apple who has already secured its place in the upper midrange and flagship market. This explains why there are more Android smartphones out there.

That being said, just because Apple is releasing fewer phone series than Android brands doesn’t mean that they are not doing too well. Also, the fact that Apple’s phones are well integrated into their ecosystem and the guaranteed software updates (for around 4 years or so) is more than enough of a reason to overlook their lack of choices compared to Android phones.

Unfortunately, other than the iPhones mentioned above, there is not much else to choose from to suit your needs or budget, especially if you are actually on a budget. Also, not everyone wants to be tied down to an ecosystem as migrating out of it might be a huge hassle too.

With that being said, it might be better to consider getting Android phones as you’ll get a variety of phones choices to choose from, and most of them often give you better value for your money compared to getting something from Apple.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on the number of smartphones released by Apple and Android brands? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Opinions: Will Google’s decision to side with the US affect Huawei at all? How will it affect us in Malaysia?

Recent news that Google has stopped access to certain services and updates for Huawei on US orders has sent any number of Malaysians into a frenzy. The first thing we have to say is, chill and keep calm, the stopped access only affects future updates to certain proprietary Google apps and the upcoming Android Q. If you’re a Huawei device user, you won’t lose access to GMail or YouTube today (we used Google Docs to type this with no issues). We'd recommend taking a chill pill for now and seeing what else Google details in their official statement and what Huawei has planned.

When Google or the Alphabet company does actually go through with the stopped access to Huawei and Honor device users the main issue would be vulnerabilities due to the loss of security patches and updates in Android. Everything else will be much like if you were using an older version of Android (the upcoming Android Q is version 10 and there are still many Android 5 users out there). How many of you are still using Android 4 or lower?

There's always the Android Open Source Project (AOSP)

You’d still be able to use your not updated YouTube and GMail apps and access the web versions from a non-Google Chrome Internet browser (there’s tons, I’m using Opera). Google have already reassured that access to the Google Play store and Google Play Protect security will still be in place. But, your Android Play Store may stop updating your apps, especially the aforementioned YouTube and GMail apps. Huawei already has their App Gallery as a replacement for this with a slew of coupons and vouchers for those who adopt it, but for now we’ve accessed the Android Play store from our Huawei device with no issues.

In addition, Huawei still (and should always) have access to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) version of Android. So, they won’t be completely left in the dark if proprietary Google access is cut off. Any number of other brands utilize AOSP versions of Android with no problems and there’s a huge number of third-party developers doing forks of their versions of AOSP Android.

Huawei have already said repeatedly that they have replacement apps (and even an operating system) in place and have been preparing for something like stopped Google Access and access to other US based services and products for YEARS. It just depends on how Huawei’s Plan B will be received by all their users.

For example, you can use the Huawei email client that comes with your Huawei device or access the web version of YouTube from an Internet browser. Some users of the Huawei P30 series may have also noticed that they also have their own Huawei Internet Browser, so there’s also other Google Chrome alternatives for Huawei and Honor device users. We don’t think that Huawei will suddenly force everyone to speak and use Mandarin either, so please don’t get into a frenzy about that too but some users may be too invested in Google to just up and leave.

While it may be a slight inconvenience to Huawei users, it sets a dangerous precedent for other US-based tech companies. This is because it means that Google, arguably the most global US-based tech company around, has done exactly what the US claimed Huawei could do for China (Huawei still vehemently denies ever spying for China now or in the future). Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp may soon follow, but then a lot of you wanted to get off social media anyway right?

It also means that if Huawei, arguably the largest Chinese tech company can be targeted, then everyone else is fair game as well. Non-US brands like OPPO, Vivo, Lenovo and even Taiwanese companies like ASUS and Acer or South Korean companies like Samsung or LG could also get targeted, so just because you’re not a Huawei or Honor user, it doesn’t mean you’re safe either. Apple users may likely be safe for a while but China may just ban Apple users entirely with those friendly to China following as well. Would you still use an Apple device if it could only be used in the US? Do you even know where most Apple devices get made (Foxconn, which is in China but they do have a new India plant)?!

Then there’s what may happen if things escalate even further. Huawei could just stop supporting all Huawei networking equipment in the US, effectively crippling many networks there. Our fervent wish right now is that cooler heads will find a middle path forward (yes, we’re looking at you Google!) or that somehow the US and China stop this stupid trade feud and come to an agreement as these are harbingers of war here, if not with tanks and bombs but with tech.

It’s not all bad though, as it could also mean that China may open up their Google replacements to Huawei and Honor device users. So there may just be English and other localized versions of Baidu and Weibo following WeChat into the world. So, in the end, the US may just become the isolated country instead, but this may just be looking a bit too far in the future.

Right now, no one actually needs to be in a frenzy or panic, as this may lead to making the wrong decisions. In fact, we actually need everyone to take a chill pill (Google, Huawei, the US, China, you… everybody), keep calm and think logically for the welfare of the world. Huawei and Honor users won’t be affected too much by this decision with it until a couple of years, but by that time we expect Huawei’s Plan B to be firmly in place (heck, we expect it to roll out as soon as Google makes it official... if they don't suddenly make a U-turn).

The Kirin 990 or Kirin 985 and Huawei Mate 30 Pro might get set back a little as Huawei focuses on this transition, but asides from that, we expect Huawei to bounce back from this. Malaysia itself is already well on its way to Huawei 5G network integration, so we expect that we already know which side we’re on. So rather than be all doom and gloom, do take a look at what hidden opportunities may arise.

Interesting times, people. Interesting times. What's your take on all this? Tell us what you think and as always, stay tuned to TechNave.com

[Update]: For those not in the know, Huawei have since responded with a statement of support and we’ve explored many of the possibilities for the future. In addition, the US have also made a U-Turn, but to stay up to date with all the latest news, feel free to download our new TechNave APP 2.0 for Android and iOS.


Opinions: Would you still want a compact flagship?

Smartphones these days are slowly growing in size because of the demand for devices with larger displays and battery size. Because of that, some smartphones are big enough to the point they could barely fit inside a person’s pocket comfortably.

Some smartphone manufacturers like ASUS and Apple released compact flagship smartphones that are smaller and equipped with top of the line tech specs and features. But, with smartphones nowadays equipped with around a 6.8-inch display, should you still consider getting a compact flagship smartphone?

This article will highlight the benefits of compact flagship smartphones and the things to consider before getting one. With all that said, let’s have a closer look.

Holding up the ASUS Zenfone 8 which only has a 5.9-inch display

Compact flagship smartphones have a much smaller form factor than their full-sized variants, making them much more comfortable to hold and it will also fit in most pockets. When attempting to fit a larger smartphone in a small pocket, the phone might stick out slightly or not fit at all.

Not only that, but for individuals with smaller hands, a compact flagship smartphone might be a lot more comfortable for one-handed use as they don’t have to stretch their fingers as much just to reach the corners of the display. Furthermore, it reduces the likelihood of users dropping their smartphone while using them because they are much smaller and less awkward to hold.

Left: iPhone 12 Pro Max at RM5299. Right: iPhone 12 Mini at RM3399

Because of their smaller size, compact flagship smartphones are usually cheaper than other variants because their smaller chassis, battery capacity, and display. A trade-off to consider is that they are usually not equipped with up to the same specs as the full-sized variants.

For instance, the iPhone 12 Mini only comes with 4GB RAM, 12MP + 12MP rear camera, and a smaller 2227mAh battery, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max has up to 6GB RAM, 12MP + 12MP + 12MP + ToF 3D LiDAR sensor, and a 3687mAh battery. As for the pricing, the iPhone 12 the iPhone 12 Pro Max is priced at RM5299, which is significantly more expensive than the iPhone 12 Mini at only RM3399.

However, even though the iPhone 12 Mini is the cheapest and smallest device in the iPhone 12 series, it was not as well-received as the others because it did not strike the right balance of size, features and affordability. Also, some might argue that a 5.4-inch display, while compact, might be too small by today’s standards for reading text, viewing pictures or watching videos.

If you judge the ASUS Zenfone 8 by it's size and price, you might might consider it a compact flagship smartphone that lacks some features instead of a full-fledged smartphone. But that's not the case as the Zenfone 8 is more than capable of punching above its weight because it comes with 120Hz display, Snapdragon 888 chipset, and IP68 water and dust resistance.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip foldable smartphones

Foldable smartphones could be the compact flagship smartphone of the future as they’re relatively portable because they’re not as wide when folded, and they’re usually equipped with flagship features. However, they’re still quite expensive as the technology is still very new, and it might take several years before it becomes cheaper to manufacture.

Not only that, but there are still quite a few issues that need to be addressed, like the crease usually found on foldable displays and durability of the hinge. Also, foldable phones are more susceptible to water damage, which could be a deal-breaker for me.

Compact smartphones are great candidates for those who want a flagship smartphone but don't necessarily need all the flagship features found on more expensive variants. They’re also worth considering if you’re looking for a phone that’s small enough to be used comfortably because of the smaller overall size.

Personally, I would much rather get a larger smartphone because it usually has a longer battery life and reading text as well as watching videos feels a lot more comfortable. With all that said, what are your thoughts on compact flagship smartphones that are available today? Is there anything we missed? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Oppo A57 with Snapdragon 435, 3GB RAM and 13-megapixel selfie camera launched in China for RM 1035

A new selfie smartphone has entered the game. The Oppo A57 was just launched recently, and it comes with an above-average selfie shooter on the front, with some mid-tier specs underneath the metal body.

It has a 5.2-inch LCD screen with 2.5D curved glass with a 720 x 1280 resolution. The processor is the Snapdragon 435 chipset with an octa-core 1.4 GHz CPU, and the Adreno 505 GPU. 3GB of RAM is inside along with 32GB of internal storage. A 128GB capacity microSD slot is available. It also supports DualSIM.

For imaging, the phone has a rear 16-megapixel camera with a f/2.2 lens that comes with PDAF and laser focusing. For selfies, it comes with a 13-megapixel front facing unit. Powering everything is a 2900mAh battery, and Android 6.0-based ColorOS 3.0.It is available in Gold and Rose GOld.

For those who are looking to get one, we have yet to receive any information on the Malaysian availability – but in China it will be selling for RMB1599 (~RM 1035). Stay tuned to TechNave for more Oppo A57 information.


Oppo A77 officially unveiled in Taiwan

It is official, the selfie-centered Oppo A77 has been released in Oppo Taiwan’s official site and will open up their pre-orders starting 19 May 2017 and officially releasing on 26 May 2017 in Taiwan. The A77 will pack the following specs:

Those who enjoy selfies more than the next person should seriously consider getting this phone as it features a 16MP front camera with Beauty 4.0 as well as a portrait mode.

Based on the fact that it will be officially released in Taiwan on the 26 May 2017, we can almost expect that the Malaysian release will not be far behind. With a RRP of around $365 (~RM1600), the phone is a bit on the expensive side so selfie lovers should consider this as well.

Do stay tuned to TechNave.com for any news about the official Oppo A77 Malaysian release in the near future.


Oppo A96 to launch in Malaysia soon with up to RM947 worth of pre-order rewards up for grabs

OPPO Malaysia today announced that the latest member of its A series, the OPPO A96 will be arriving in the Malaysian market soon. Packed with a series of hardware and software innovations, the A96 is poised to fulfil users’ diverse range of everyday needs.

The A96 comes with a 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM configuration with RAM expansion capabilities of up to 5GB. This makes the smartphone the first-ever A series model with such a large storage capacity.

Furthermore, the A96 also comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery that supports 33W SUPERVOOC ultra-fast charging. Besides that, no further details of the A96 were given by OPPO Malaysia just yet other the ones mentioned above, including its price.

However, OPPO Malaysia did confirm that users can get RM498 up to RM947 worth of rewards if they pre-oder the A96 during a limited time period. These rewards include 50% discounts for the OPPO Watch Free, OPPO Band or Enco Air2, as well as getting a complimentary gift box, cash rebate, voucher, exclusive rewards for My OPPO Members and more.

The pre-order period will start soon, though OPPO Malaysia didn’t specify exactly when. For more information on the A96 launch and pre-order campaign, do visit OPPO Malaysia’s official facebook page here.

So, are you excited for the A96? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for all the latest smartphone releases in Malaysia and beyond!


Oppo F1 debuts in Vietnam with 3GB RAM and 8MP selfie snapper for 6.4 mil Dong (around RM1270)

OPPO's newest F series member, the OPPO F1 has made its debut in Vietnam as a luxurious and premium mid-range smartphone for customers who loves taking pictures. The following tech specs are as it follows:-

Aside from protected by the standard Gorilla Glass 4, the main highlight of the smartphone is the camera. Along with the 13MP for the main camera, it's also equipped with a F/2.2 lens and a single-LED flash; the front camera as seen in the specs list above have an impressive 8MP with F/2.0 lens. The camera software feature also marks the return of Beautify 3.0, colour filters, and it can even use its screen as a flash in low-light conditions.

Although the F1 is starting in Vietnam first, other countries will be able to get their hands on it in the near future. Currently it cost 6490000 Dong (around RM1270) and the first 1500 customers who pre-order the device will get an iLike Bluetooth headset, we will get back to you once we know when it will sell in Malaysia.


Acer Swift 14 and Swift Go 14 Malaysia release: Up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7 H-series or AMD Ryzen 7 7730U from RM3199

Acer Malaysia launched several new products for our local market today, including new thin and light laptops in the Swift series. Comprising the Acer Swift 14 and Acer Swift Go 14, read on to find out more about both lineups.

First up, the Swift 14 is aimed at highly-mobile professionals and is an evolution of Acer’s iconic Swift 5. The laptop boasts an aerospace-grade aluminium unibody chassis crafted with CNC machining. This process allows for the 1.2kg weight and makes it both visually striking and incredibly easy to carry on the go.

Within its 14.95mm thin chassis, Swift 14 packs up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7 H-series processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics. Intel Evo-verified, Acer claims that the Swift 14 can offer more than 10 hours of battery life.

With the “always on” feature, the laptop comes with the latest connectivity features such as the versatile Thunderbolt 4 and WiFi 6E. Besides that, there are options for either 8 or 16GB of onboard LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage.

In terms of display, the Swift 14 delivers stunning visual clarity with its 14-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) IPS display. It is also protected by the durable Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass that provides scratch resistance and prevents the growth of stain and odour-causing bacteria.

Moving toward the Swift Go 14, the laptop is designed for young adults who prefer to work or study on the go. Coming in a sleek 14.9 mm aluminium chassis, the laptop weighs just 1.25kg with Acer claiming up to 13 hours of battery life.

As for the display, the Swift Go 14 sports a 14-inch FHD IPS display featuring a 90% screen-to-body ratio with ultra-slim side bezels measuring just 4.15mm. Under the hood, the laptop is equipped with up to AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, up to 16 GB LPDDR4X RAM and 512GB SSD.

Despite its ultra-thin design, the Swift Go 14 is still able to offer a full-fledged selection of ports. These include USB Type-C, HDMI 2.1 and a MicroSD card reader.

Both Acer Swift 14 and Swift Go comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office 2021 Home and Student editions. Available by end of April 2023 at Acer eStore and Acer official stores on Shopee and Lazada, the Swift 14 starts at RM4299 while the Swift Go 14 starts at RM3199.

For more information, you can visit Acer Malaysia’s Facebook page @AcerMalaysia, call Acer’s Product Infoline at 1800-88-1288 (9am – 6pm, Mondays to Fridays) or email [email protected] As always, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news such as this.


Oppo F5 selfie smartphone appears on Philippine posters

Remember the Oppo F3 that was launched in May? Probably not, because it never officially came to Malaysia but just in case, introducing the Oppo F5, an apparent selfie-centric phone according to posters found in a mall in the Philippines, courtesy of noypigeeks.com.

The posters show two different Filipino stars, Alden Richards and Sarah Geronimo posing with the black and red versions of the Oppo F5. It can also be seen from the posters that the Oppo F5 will have a singular main camera with a cool looking oval-shaped fingerprint scanner on the back.

Not much else can be seen from the images themselves, but the slogans “Capture the real you” and “Selfie Expert” gives a big indication that the device may have a dual front camera setup for that perfect vanity shot.

Rumoured specs for the F5 are a 6-inch FHD+ 2880x1440 display with an 18:9 screen ratio. There are also rumours going around that the F5 will be Oppo’s first fullview device but let us wait for an official confirmation shall we.

Fair warning to us Malaysians; since the Oppo F3 was not launched at all in Malaysia, I wouldn’t recommend sitting on the porch to wait for this phone’s Malaysian release but it wouldn’t hurt to hope and pray.

No official release dates can be seen for now but rumours aside, please remember to stay tuned to TechNave.com for more juicy updates and official news.


Oppo Find 7 and Find 7a officially announced, includes 5.5-inch 2K display and 4G LTE

Oppo continues it's tech spec rampage with the official announcement of their flagship Oppo Find 7 smartphone. Notable features include a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and 5.5-inch display with 2560 x 1440 pixel resolutions for a massive 534ppi pixel density. Confirming earlier reports that there would be two versions, Oppo has also announced the Oppo Find 7a. Tech specs for the Find 7 and Find 7a include:

Features worthy of mention include the 50MP Super Zoom enhancement, which will supposedly take 10 continuous burst shots that are combined into a 50MP image. We're not sure what this does for the image but it probably includes some form of oversampling for more detailed pictures. Thanks in part to the Snapdragon 800 chipsets, the rear camera can also record 4K videos at 30fps and has RAW file export capabilities. The camera also has a 32-second slow shutter speed along with other camera enhancements. Another notable feature is the VOOC rapid charging tech which lets you charge the Oppo Find 7 up to 75% in 30 minutes but you can still use standard microUSB chargers as well.

Priced at 3498 Yuan (RM1860) the Oppo Find 7 should make a big splash when it hits Malaysia. Unfortunately, there is no news about Malaysia release dates but with Oppo Malaysia already here, we're hoping it should come with the global roll-out. The Oppo Find 7a on the other hand is priced at 2998 Yuan (RM1590) and is set for availability in April 2014. Oppo also announced a smart band fitness tracker called the O-band with their Oppo Find 7 smartphones. The O-band will track and monitor daily activities, sleep and provide notifications much like any other fitness tracker. It looks a lot like the Sony SmartBand but the O-band is currently limited to China for now, so no Malaysia release dates for the O-band just yet.