Category Archives: Android

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Sony’s Xperia 1 IV is Proof That Your Smartphone is All You Need to Get Started in Content Creation

Leave a comment

Content is king in a world dominated by digital displays today. Gone are the days where you must wait for the newspaper to be printed the next day to know what happened in the world yesterday. Gone are the days where you must buy an array of magazines to know what is trending in the week and expectations moving forward.

Today, contents are created on the go and edited in almost real time. Contents gets published and distributed almost immediately after whatever that is happening happened. Modern cameras are not just created for photography too, they are made for videos and to go LIVE quickly and easily. At the same time, social media is making contents even more readily available and optimised for smartphones, the little computers that is constantly with us.

But content creators are also debating about something else today. A lot of content creators are saying that your smartphone is the best tool you have for creating contents. You can use to vlog, create voice memos to be used later, record videos, take photos, and even stream events LIVE. While that is true in most cases, there has never been a smartphone that really highlights its power in creating contents. Until Sony releases their Xperia 1 IV that is.

If you want to pronounce the name correctly, the full name of the new flagship from Sony is named the Xperia 1 mark four. Sony’s naming scheme has always been a little mouthful, but their products have always been some of our favourites for good reason. One of the reasons we love the Xperia 1 flagship series is that it is the only smartphone in the current market to feature a nice 4K display.

The 4K HDR 120Hz – Still Brilliant

  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 19
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 18
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 10
    Source: Sony

Yes, we are going to talk about the very familiar display to Sony users. It is a 4K display, not really a true 4K since you are missing some resolutions at the sides of the slim display. It is still a 6.5-inch OLED panel that refreshes at 120Hz that you have seen from the previous Xperia 1 III. You still get HDR BT.2020 standard colours too from the fourth generation Xperia 1 flagship. It is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, which is also the same case in the older flagship.

No upgrades in the display section of the Xperia 1 IV then. To be fair to Sony though, they are the only major smartphone maker to include 4K resolution in their flagships. At 120Hz, it really does not get much better than this in the smartphone industry currently.

Thanks to the advancements that is made with the Sony Xperia Pro though, the 4K display has a new function added to it. You can now use the Xperia 1 flagship as a 4K monitor display for your Alpha cameras. You can use the USB type-C port of the camera and the smartphone to get it to work as your monitor. Not only that, your smartphone can stream the contents captured on your Alpha camera directly to YouTube if you need it to.

Powerful Insides

  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 2
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 7
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 9
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 4
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 17
    Source: Sony

Of course, it is 2022, and the Xperia 1 must be updated to match the modern age of smartphones. It packs a healthy 12GB of RAM to start with. You can opt for 512GB in storage for the Xperia 1 IV too, if you want. The highlight here is the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 system on a chip (SoC) that makes the flagship the most powerful Sony has ever made so far. To be fair though, Sony is a little late in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 game.

Sony also managed to shoehorn a larger battery module in the same form factor they retained from the Xperia 1 III. It is now a 5,000 mAh battery that charges at up to 30W with fast wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities. The larger battery also means that the smartphone should be able to last a little longer than before when you are out and about.

Even More Powerful Cameras

  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 20
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 13
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 14
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 6
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 11
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 16
    Source: Sony
  • Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 12
    Source: Sony

On paper, it does not look like Sony has changed much on their camera array. You still get three 12-Megapixel cameras out the back. The main camera is attached to 24mm lens at f/1.7, similar to the third generation Sony Xperia 1. You also get a nice 16mm ultra-wide shooter like before. The only change they made, in terms of hardware anyway, is the first truly optical zooming lens at 85-125mm lens on the telephoto camera. This allows the device to zoom smoothly, when you want it to, pretty impressive stuff while keeping all 12-Megapixels while you zoom in.

But that is not all they did to improve their camera. It now supports Sony Alpha’s very famous EYE Auto Focus mechanism that allows the Photography Pro app to work just like your Alpha cameras. Thanks to their know how in stabilising mirrorless cameras too, the Optical SteadyShot allows you to take clear photos whenever, wherever, however. You can even take photos with EYE AF at up to 20fps real time burst mode and in HDR with all three lenses.

Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 3
Source: Sony

Their video and cinema capabilities have been sort of put on steroids too. The fourth generation Sony Xperia 1 still shoots at up to 4K 120fps. Videography Pro now allows you to shoot videos with EYE AF though, which also means that you might not need to fight with focus hunting in the future. You can just leave your app to Auto Focus mode and it will just do its thing in keeping your subject in focus no matter what. It cleverly switches from face detection to eye detection too, when the option is available. At the same time Videography Pro also allows you to capture your videos with all your lenses at the same time. That allows you a wider dynamic range to work with. Not only that, but you can also seamlessly zoom in between scenes like what you see in the movie 300. They worked with three cameras for that iconic battle shot featuring Gerard Butler cutting up Persians. You now only need one smartphone to recreate that iconic shot.

It is a smartphone; you are going to be constantly connected. That also means you get to livestream your contents or even vlog freely if you want. You can even use your main cameras to vlog with Sony’s optional attachments. In that case, you get to enjoy Sony’s clever EYE AF and object tracking features with your vlogs. The Optical SteadyShot will also be mighty helpful in keeping your vlogs look really good and focused.

Of course, fi you want more cinematic creativity, Cinematography Pro “powered by CineAlta” is available for you to shoot in Logs. When they say that the best camera is the one that is with you, this one takes it to a completely different level in this case. All three cameras at the back can shoot videos at 4K 120fps too, which will be greatly appreciated by content creators anywhere.

Even Better Sounds

Sony Xperia 1 IV Launch 15
Source: Sony

The Xperia 1 IV now gets 360 Reality Audio support on its speakers. Its speakers are also tuned to allow for more immersive sound with improved bass response. The combination of that is that you get a better audio experience with your Xperia smartphone on apps like Tidal for example, without even using headphones. If you want to use headphones anyway, the Xperia still retains the 3.5mm combo jack that other flagships have conveniently omitted for reasons.

To ensure that you are getting the best audio experience from the Xperia 1 IV, DSEE Ultimate algorithm improves sound quality of all your streaming platforms. You get audio quality that is close or at least comparable to CD quality sounds. If you prefer to listen to your music wirelessly, Bluetooth LE Audio will be available later to reduce latency.

But improvements to the audio aspect of the Xperia 1 IV is not just on its speakers. They have made their microphones and audio recording feature even better than before. The Xperia 1 IV is not just your audio note recorder now. You can turn it into a one-stop-shop for remote music recording with Music Pro. With the power of machine learning and AI, the app allows you to record audio out in the open and still get crisp, studio tuned quality audio. You can even record your voice and guitar simultaneously and the app cleverly separates the two audio channels to allow for a much more robust mix on-the-go.

Price and Availability

The Sony Xperia 1 IV will be available in only two colours. No white options here though, you choose between black, or Purple. It’s priced from US$ 1,599 globally, which converts to about MYR * today. We expect the price of the new flagship to hover somewhere around the MYR 6,999 mark or more when it gets to local shores. Sony Malaysia confirms that the device will be available in Malaysia by July 2022. More information on the Sony Xperia 1 IV can be found on their website.

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, Reviews

The OPPO A96 In-Depth Review – It Works, and That’s All It Needs to Do

Leave a comment

What do you do when you need to buy a smartphone and only a budget of MYR 1,599? It may not seem like an issue to a lot of us, but it is a valid question still. Smartphones are simply too expensive.

To drive that point home even more, a about 10 years ago, MYR 2,000 will get you a brand-new Samsung Galaxy Note2. The Samsung Galaxy Note2 is a very highly rated flagship in its day, one of the most powerful devices you can get. A brand-new iPhone 3GS as well at the time will set you back less than MYR 2,500. Heck, the first Samsung Galaxy S smartphone will only set you back MYR 1,000, and that was expensive.

Today, spending MYR 3,000 on a smartphone is normal. This is especially true with flagship level devices. A mid-range device today will set you back less than MYR 3,000 but more than MYR 2,000. Anything below that is usually entry-level.

Entry-level devices are not stellar, but you can find some good ones in the segment. While it is not as competitive as the mid-range market, it is still a highly competitive segment. After all, the entry-level device segment could be your first smartphone experience.

Meet the OPPO A96. It sets you back less than MYR 1,500, which should mean that you might not enjoy the smartphone very much. We find that a little untrue though as you read on. But is it worth MYR 1,299? Or should you look elsewhere when you want a budget smartphone?

Design

  • OPPO A96 25
  • OPPO A96 1
  • OPPO A96 24
  • OPPO A96 23
  • OPPO A96 22
  • OPPO A96 21
  • OPPO A96 20
  • OPPO A96 19
  • OPPO A96 18
  • OPPO A96 17
  • OPPO A96 16
  • OPPO A96 15
  • OPPO A96 14
  • OPPO A96 13
  • OPPO A96 12
  • OPPO A96 11
  • OPPO A96 10
  • OPPO A96 9
  • OPPO A96 8
  • OPPO A96 7
  • OPPO A96 6
  • OPPO A96 5
  • OPPO A96 4
  • OPPO A96 3
  • OPPO A96 2

The best way to describe the OPPO A96’s form is that it is rather ordinary. There is nothing too special or outstanding about the device. It is a regular candy bar smartphone. The most interesting thing about it is probably its unique back styling they call the OPPO Glow design.

The crystalised design on the back of the device looks rather good in camera. It may not strike everyone the same in its physical form though. Some might like it, some might not.

Out the back of the device, the camera array is like a hark to OPPO’s Reno series. Of course, it could just be OPPO’s design language. It is a bump though, which means you might want to use the case that comes in the box or buy a different case that would sit flush with the camera bump.

OPPO A96 10

Despite the matte and rather plastic feel of the back, OPPO says that it is, in fact, glass. That is not necessarily a bad thing though. While it does not feel too premium, it does help with preventing fingerprint stains. The bad side of that is that it is slippery to the touch. If you use a case, it will not matter anyway.

You have a USB Type-C port at the bottom with some ports for the speaker, a small microphone hole, and a bigger 3.5mm combo jack. There is also a small microphone hole on top of the device too.

We like the fact that the power button is also the fingerprint sensor, a design made popular by Sony. The front facing camera sits in a corner instead of the middle of the display like we are used to on most devices. That is about it for the design of the device. Everything that you expect from a modern smartphone is on the device. It does not feel like a budget product, which is a good thing. But it does not feel or look all that premium either.

Hardware

OPPO A96 14

Underneath the glass and aluminium mix of a shell lies a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 System on a Chip (SoC). It is not even a 5G chip, just regular 4G LTE support, which is plenty enough still. There is also 8GB of RAM and 256GB in memory.

Specifications

ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 680
Octa-core
4x Kryo 265 Gold @ 2.4GHz
4x Kryo 265 Silver @ 1.9GHz
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)Adreno 610
RAM (Native)8GB
Memory (as tested)256GB
Display(s)6.59-inch IPS LCD
1,080 x 2,412 pixels ~401ppi
90Hz (up to)
480 nits (typical)
Operating SystemColorOS 11.1 based on Android 11
BatteryNon-Removable Li-Po 5,000mAh
Fast Charging 33W
Revers Charging
ConnectivityDual SIM
Wi-Fi WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
A2DP
AptX HD
Bluetooth 5.0
OTG Support
USB Type-C 2.0
Camera (s)REAR:
50-Megapixel (f/1.8, 27mm wide angle)
2-Megapixel (f/2.4, depth sensor)
1080p video recording (30fps)
LED flash
FRONT:
16-Megapixel (f/2.0, 26mm wide angle)
1080p video recording (30fps)
SensorsAccelerometer
Proximity
Side Mounted Fingerprint
Ambient Light
Gyroscope
Face Unlock
Compass

User Interface – Color OS 11

  • OPPO A96 Screen 2
  • OPPO A96 Screen 1
  • OPPO A96 Screen 8
  • OPPO A96 Screen 13
  • OPPO A96 Screen 12
  • OPPO A96 Screen 11
  • OPPO A96 Screen 10
  • OPPO A96 Screen 9
  • OPPO A96 Screen 6
  • OPPO A96 Screen 5
  • OPPO A96 Screen 4
  • OPPO A96 Screen 3

OPPO’s ColorOS is now something unique on its own. In older OPPO devices you get an interface that can be likened to the iOS. The modern ColorOS has some Android flair in an optional app tray you can turn on in the settings page.

You do not get 120Hz out of the display. Instead, you make do with 90Hz, which is still a fast display considering its price. That also gives you a smooth and refined feel of ColorOS. Unless you have very sharp eyes and is observant enough, ColorOS 11 on the device feels as smooth as the flagship devices. zx

The app tray is not turned on by default. We kind of think that while OPPO does want to retain their original look that is free of an app tray, having the app tray is a great thing for ColorOS and it should be made a default option when you first set up the device. The fact that OPPO includes it as an option though, unlike plenty of manufacturers that came out of China, is a welcome though.

+5GB RAM

OPPO A96 Screen 12

When you need more RAM in your PC, you add a RAM stick or replace it with something bigger. On your smartphone though, that is hardly possible. Space is a premium in your smartphone, so manufacturers can only fit one large RAM module that is usually attached to the SoC in favour of space. To get more RAM space then, some creativity gets involved

While OPPO is not the only one who does this, it is good to note that you can opt to use it or not. You can expand your RAM by up to 5GB just using the native UFS storage on the device itself. It does help with some multitasking performance, but hardly too noticeable because 8GB is rather plenty these days.

To opt out of it or to switch how much of your storage is being used as RAM is not quite as easy as OPPO wants you to believe though. You must do a little bit of digging within the settings of the device.  We only found it by using the search bar on the page. By default, OPPO sets aside 3GB of your storage as a temporary RAM. You can put it down to 2GB and up to 5GB or turn it completely off if you think it is not necessary.

Performance

OPPO A96 18

The SoC is not a high-end one. In this case, you get Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680, which is not technically entry-level. It is sitting lower than the 700 series though. It also does not have 5G, so we do not get to test out Yes 4G’s “5G” network.

Benchmarks

  • OPPO A96 Bench 1
  • OPPO A96 Bench 2
  • OPPO A96 Bench 3
  • OPPO A96 Bench 4
  • OPPO A96 Bench 5
  • OPPO A96 Bench 6
  • OPPO A96 Bench 7

Call Quality and Connectivity

Despite it not being a 5G device, you technically are not missing out on much. Malaysia’s 5G network is not out in full force yet too, which also means that you are not missing out on the OPPO A96’s regular 4G LTE network. The OPPO A96 also supports VoLTE, which means you are still getting crystal clear calls.

That is what you get with the OPPO A96, crystal clear phone conversations when you have enough signal strength. As with modern smartphones, making a call with the OPPO A96 is rather straightforward with a similar phone app layout as any other modern smartphones.

Still, VoLTE allows you to have clear conversations when there is enough signal strength. We find that anything between two bars to four bars is good enough and stable. Anything below two bars and you might find that calls get a little choppy. Data speeds tend to suffer too with lower signal strength, though this could just be the ISP’s fault.

Gaming

  • OPPO A96 GAME 2
  • OPPO A96 GAME 3
  • OPPO A96 GAME 4
  • OPPO A96 GAME 5
  • OPPO A96 GAME 6
  • OPPO A96 GAME 7
  • OPPO A96 GAME 8
  • OPPO A96 GAME 9
  • OPPO A96 GAME 10
  • OPPO A96 GAME 11
  • OPPO A96 GAME 12
  • OPPO A96 GAME 13

While it is not a flagship, gaming on a smartphone is a perfectly normal thing to do. If you are looking for a relatively budget friendly smartphone to game with, this could be it. You cannot expect a gaming performance that is likened to an OPPO Find X and its likes.

We played Pokémon Unite with the A96 mostly. We are happy to report that the game runs very smoothly on the device. While graphics performance might not match the flagships just to keep the framerates high, we do not mind that at all. We never faced any lags in the game which also meant that you should not have any issues when you are playing a ranked match. You still want to make sure that you have a solid internet connection though.

Game Space

Game Space is nothing new for OPPO devices. Its implementation is not unique either. It acts as a sort of one-click-overclocking tool that only activates when you play games. It also filters all your notifications just so that you do not get distracted in your gaming sessions.

Multitasking and Productivity

Smartphones like this is an indication that you do not really need a flagship to get a smartphone experience. Sure, you get the bleeding edge of whatever that is on offer on a flagship. The mid-range and entry-level devices eventually get it way later, but the most useful technologies do trickle down eventually. Ample RAM for example, makes it into budget friendly smartphones.

We usually have up to 15 tabs open within Google Chrome on the A96. We also tend to leave plenty of our apps working in the background. Apps like Instagram, Facebook, or Telegram are usually running in the background for us most of the time. At no point we felt that the device was sluggish to work with or experience any stutters when we are changing between screens in our daily use.

Battery Life

OPPO A96 25

Most smartphones at this range excels in this area and for good reason. Smartphones at this range usually comes with rather large batteries, larger than ones you can find on flagship devices. Combine that with lower power consumption from the SoC and you get a smartphone that can last days.

On standby, the OPPO can last up to 5 days without a single charge in between. Of course, with some hotspot, gaming, photo taking, calling, and messaging, the battery life does go down by quite a bit.

Our typical use of the OPPO A96 in a day involves plenty of Telegram messaging, some photos, a little bit of gaming, a few minutes of call, and some social media scrolls. In this case we could get the OPPO to last us nearly three days on a single charge. Three days from your smartphone is a lot of battery life, even for modern smartphones. When the battery drains, you only need about two hours for a full charge. We hardly charge the device overnight because we never needed to in our test period.

Display and Audio

OPPO A96 16

You get a nice 1080p Full HD+ display on the A96. It refreshes at 90Hz, which is more than what you can expect for most devices at this price range. Then again, everything that comes out in 2021 and later comes with 90Hz display.

What you do not get with devices at this price is an NTSC accuracy rating like this one does. The OPPO A96’s 6.59-inch IPS panel comes with a 96% NTSC colour gamut coverage. The colours produced on the OPPO A96 is comparable even to modern flagship devices.

While some of the flagship displays do come with 120Hz and higher resolutions at 2K or even 4K sometimes, you never really need them. Most of the time 90Hz is more than enough for most gaming situations. To make your UI look silky smooth, anything beyond 75Hz is enough. In terms of resolution, you most likely will not notice any difference between a 2K display and a 1080P display no thanks to how small the display is.

In this case, the display of the OPPO A96, we believe, is on par with most of the flagships you get today. Sure, it does not support HDR10 like most flagships do, but it is still a brilliant enough display that you can enjoy movies on Netflix and YouTube videos equally.

Cameras

OPPO A96 2

Here is where things do come down to earth a little. Instead of the usual three or four camera array we are used to seeing in modern smartphones. This one noticeable only has 2 out the back of the device. One is the main 50-Megapixel shooter that you are going to be driving most of the time. The other is an oddly oversized 2-Megapixel depth sensor.

The OPPO A96 shoots at 12-Megapixel mode if you leave the settings alone. If you want the full 50-Megapixel goodness, you must tweak the settings a little bit. There is no way for you to set it permanently to 50-Megapixel, which also means that you must toggle it to 50-Megapixel every time to you turn on the camera.

Photos do look impressive in 50-Megapixel mode. Details are sharp enough for you to zoom in a little, crop your photos to get a better frame of your subjects, so you can technically take photos in slightly wider frame and can get away with it. You do not get the same level of detail at 12-Megapixel mode, but at least your photos still look good with vivid and somewhat accurate colours. There is a little bit of a natural warmth to your shots though.

The 2-Megapixel depth sensor never really comes into play until you are taking photos of a person or when you put it into portrait mode. You can technically use it with small objects and get a natural looking depth effect with it. You are still shooting with your main shooter though, so your portrait can look rather great with plenty of details too if you shoot with the 50-Megapixel mode.

Gallery

The OPPO A96 – It Just Works

OPPO A96 19

At MYR 1,299, the OPPO A96 is not very expensive. On Paper, it may seem like quite a bargain. It has everything you need in a smartphone, nothing more. It also packs a large battery, a battery that would last for days at a time.

Sure, it does not pack Qualcomm’s most powerful. It packs a good ol’ Snapdragon 680 that does not even come with 5G as standard. At the same time, you only get one good camera to work with.

The MYR 1,299 OPPO A96 is a real treat, a bargain. It works just as you need to, as it is intended to. It does nothing more, but nothing less either, which is a good thing. It is a smooth operator, just as good as any flagship devices can offer you. You do not get any extraordinary features on the device, it just works.

If you are looking for a flagship experience with all the latest features and technologies, this will not be the device for you. It is a device that just works, it has everything you need in a smartphone, the essentials. The whole point of this device is reliability and simplicity. If that is what you are looking for, for your main driver or even your secondary device, this device is really made for you.

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile

Meet The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 – A Mid Range All-Rounder

Leave a comment

Samsung has been creating waves and making its mark with its tablets – notably, the Galaxy Tab S series which pushes the boundaries of multitasking and productivity. However, what happens if we want the portability and versatility of a tablet but don’t have the moolah for a Tab S7 or Tab S8? Well, you have the Galaxy Tab A series, which brings all the essentials that make up the core Galaxy Tab experience.

002 galaxy tab a8 dark gray kv 2p
Source: Samsung

The Galaxy Tab A8 was released worldwide earlier this year in January. It comes with a UNISOC Tiger T618 Quadcore processor. While this may seem a bit out of sorts for Samsung, the SoC isn’t a slouch. According to reviews, it is comparable with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665. It has the Mali G52 MP2 graphics processor and is paired with up to 4GB RAM on the Tab A8. With up to 128GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards, the A8 is looking to be a contender for a top performing mid-range tablet.

The Tab A8 is equipped with a sizeable, 10.5-inch TFT LCD display which brings pretty good colour reproduction and accuracy. However, we’ll wait to make a judgement in our upcoming review. The WUXGA resolution of 1200×1920 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio promises a level of immersion that we once thought was reserved for flagships. Samsung completes the Tab A8’s media prowess with a quad speaker setup and Dolby Atmos sound.

  • 013 galaxy tab a8 pink gold back h
  • 015 galaxy tab a8 pink gold l side
  • 017 galaxy tab a8 pink gold front h l30 1
  • 019 galaxy tab a8 pink gold front h r30
  • 016 galaxy tab a8 pink gold r side
  • 018 galaxy tab a8 pink gold front v l30 1
  • 014 galaxy tab a8 pink gold back v

It also comes with a conventional single camera setup with an 8-megapixel camera sensor on the back with autofocus capabilities. It can also shoot videos at 1080p Full HD resolution at 30 frames per second. On the front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie camera which can also shoot 1080p at 30 fps.

Connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 shouldn’t be an issue. It’s equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6 and GPS connectivity. Don’t need to worry about battery life too as Samsung claims that the tablet can last for hours on end with its 7,040 mAh battery. This is also thanks to the tablet supporting 15W fast charging via USB-C. The tablet is also one of Samsung’s lightest coming in at only 508g.

These specifications are just the surface of what the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 can do. We’ll be giving it the techENT review treatment soon. So stay tuned!

Official Specifications

01 galaxy tab a8 specification infographic 1
Source: Samsung
Android, Mobile, News

TECNO Enters the Malaysian Smartphone Market with Their Phantom X Flagship Smartphone at MYR 1,499

Leave a comment

Before we go on, no we haven’t heard too much of TECNO. Yes, technically TECNO is new to the smartphone industry. Yes, it is TECNO’s first smartphone to enter Malaysia. No, we do not know why any new players would want to compete in the current smartphone market landscape.

Now we got that out of the way, let us look at what they just came up with, the Phantom X. Well, when we said they just came up with it, the device was technically launched by TECNO in the middle of 2021. The said device launched first in India and the later to the rest of the world, now Malaysia. While it is a new device in Malaysia, it is technically an outdated device by the time we get our hands on one. No matter though, modern outdated devices are still full of features and are still good enough to at least last a few software updates, so it is not like you are missing out on that much.

It is priced at MYR 1,499, which is relatively little ask for a modern smartphone by any standards. While the price range puts it squarely in the entry-level mid-range smartphone segment, TECNO claims that this device is, in fact, a flagship smartphone. At least on paper, the device looks the part.

Flagship Performance

TECNOPhan5
Source: TECNO

RM 1,499 buys you a MediaTek Helio G95 System on A Chip (SoC). While it does not sound like much, the MediaTek 12nmm SoC is still powerful enough to perform like modern flagships (not necessarily in gaming terms). Sadly, it does not support 5G. Then again, how many smartphones in the sub-MYR 1,500 category does?

Alongside the SoC, there is 8GB of RAM that can be expanded to up to 13GB. The extra 5GB is borrowed from 256GB of on-board storage that is offered on the device. If 256GB of storage feels a little constrictive, you can also expand via the dedicated MicroSD card slot that is more of feature now than anything else.

Immersive Display

TECNOPhan1
Source: TECNO

Wrapping the internals are 3D curved glass panels that is held together an aluminium frame, an industry standard today. Out the front is a Corning Gorilla Glass that encases 6.7-inch of AMOLED goodness. The AMOLED panel offers Full HD+ in resolution and up to 90Hz in refresh rate. In theory, the combination should give you a smooth and immersive experience with Android 11 with HIOS 7.6 overlay.

5 Cameras

TECNOPhan3
Source: TECNO

Parked on the top left side of the display is a punch hole that houses two cameras. It is one high-resolution 48-Megapixel main selfie camera for those extra crisp and detailed self-portraits. For a group photo, you get an 8-Megapixel ultrawide shooter beside it.

TECNOPhan2
Source: TECNO

Out the first-in-industry etched textured glass back are three cameras. The main shooter is an impressive 50-Megapixel camera with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor for the best-in-class image clarity and detail. It should perform better in low-light conditions too, with a larger sensor to capture more light naturally. The main camera is flanked with a 120o ultra-wide camera with 8-Megapixel sensor behind the glass. There is also a 13-Megapixel telephoto sensor at 50mm, which we can safely say is a more of a portrait lens than anything else.

Long Battery Life

TECNOPhan6
Source: TECNO

To keep everything running all day long and more is a large 4,700mAh built-in battery. The battery is rated to last up to 30 days in standby conditions, up to 16 hours in video streaming, and even 9 hours in continuous video conferencing. When your battery is running low, you get up to 33W in charging speeds as well to charge your device from nothing to full within an hour.

Price and Availability

The TECNO Phantom X is now available at all their authorised stores and retailers across Malaysia. As mentioned, the device is priced at MYR 1,499. You can get your hands on one in two colour options – Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Summer. To celebrate TECNO’s entry into Malaysia and its launch of the Phantom X, the first 2,000 buyers of the device are entitled to a complementary TECNO buds wireless earphones. For more information on the TECNO Phantom X, you can visit their website.

Android, Editorial, Mobile, Reviews

Samsung Galaxy S22+ In-Depth Review: The Latest Refinement With A Little Bit More to Be Desired

Leave a comment

Samsung’s Galaxy S series has been the hallmark of its smartphones since it first debuted in 2010. It’s been the company’s “IT” device housing the latest in technological innovations and software. This year, with the Galaxy S22 series we saw Samsung do something a little bit unconventional for the smartphone manufacturer, we saw them stick to a signature design and fold their Galaxy Note into the Galaxy S series. It’s also the first series to release with the new RDNA powered Exynos SoC with Xclipse GPU. However, that version of the S22 series is only available in Europe.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Review 10

With that said, the Galaxy S22 series as a whole holds much promise as Samsung’s latest flagship, but we’re zooming into the S22+, the middle child of the lineup. It’s a blown-up S22, but is it only that? Does it have something else that sets it apart from the S22? That’s what we’re breaking down in our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S22+.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is the epitome of a tick-tock strategy when it comes to design. It inherits most, if not all of the design language of the S21 series. Everything from the unique, two-colour colourway to the rounded edges of the smartphone makes a triumphant return to the smartphone. However, that doesn’t mean that Samsung didn’t make changes to the design at all. The biggest change when it comes to the S22+ is the less rounded edges of the screen, particularly where it meets the metal frame. While the S21 opted for a more curved design, the S22+ has a more angled design which is, ironically, more palmable. The sharper angle also allows you to have a better grip when holding the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Review 12

Aside from this, there really is nothing too significant when it comes to the overall design. While there are smaller bezels and thinner camera humps, these changes don’t really make an impact on the overall design. That said, the small tweaks that Samsung did do with the design make enough of an impact to make it feel totally different.

Perhaps the most impactful change is the change of materials from yesteryear’s glasstic to Gorilla Glass. The small change does make the smartphone feel a little bit more premium. The aluminium frame complements this pretty well and makes the smartphone feel like a true premium flagship. While we do commend the change, it does mean that it’s pretty much more of the same when it comes to design.

Hardware

While the design is more of the same, Samsung upped the ante when it came to the hardware of the Samsung Galaxy S22+. That said, the Exynos version with the new AMD RDNA based Xclipse graphics is only available in Europe. The rest of us get the version with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. It’s a real bummer we didn’t’ get to try out Samsung’s new Exynos, the Snapdragon version seems to be more than good enough to fill its shoes.

Specifications

ProcessorQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1  (4nm)
[Octa-Core: 1×3.0GHz Cortex X2, 3×2.4GHz Cortex A710, 4×1.70GHz Cortex A510]
RAM8GB (As Tested)
Memory128GB (As Tested) 256GB
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)Adreno 730
DisplayDynamic AMOLED 2X panel
6.6-inch (~393 ppi)
1080×2340 pixels FHD+ resolution 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio 120Hz Refresh rate HDR10+ 1750 nits peak brightness
Operating SystemAndroid 12 with One UI 4.1
Battery4,500mAh
Fast Charging (45W)
Fast Wireless Charging (15W) Reverse Wireless Charging (4.5W) USB-PD 3.0
ConnectivityNano SIM 5G/4G LTE/EVDO/HSPA/CDMA/GSM
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
A2DP
Bluetooth 5.2
OTG Support
USB 3.2 (Type-C)
CameraREAR:
Triple Sensor:

50-Megapixel (Wide) f/1.8, 1/1.56″, 23mm, 1.0µm Dual Pixel Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)   10-Megapixel (Telephoto) f/2.4, 1/3.94″, 70mm, 1.0µm Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) 3x Optical Zoom   12-Megapixel (Ultrawide) f/2.2, 1/2.55”, 13mm, 123˚FOV, 1.4µm Super Steady Video
LED Flash Auto-HDR Panorama
8K Video recording (24fps) 4K Video recording (30/60fps)
1080p Video recording (30/60/240fps) 720p Video recording (960fps) Gyro-electronic image stabilization (EIS) Stereo Sound Recording
FRONT:
10-Megapixel (Wide) f/2.2, 26mm, 1.22µm Dual Pixel Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
4K video recording (30/60fps) 1080p (30fps)
SensorAccelerometer
Proximity
Fingerprint (Ultrasonic, under display)
Gyroscope
Compass Barometer
MiscellaneousDual SIM/eSIM

Retail Price (Malaysia)MYR 4,099 (128GB) MYR 4,299 (256GB)
Retail Price (US)USD$ 299.99 (128GB) USD$ 349.99 (256GB)

User Interface

Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ comes with the brand new One UI 4.1 based on Android 12. It brings together some of the best elements from One UI and stock Android. Samsung has adapted Android in a way that highlights some of the key elements of One UI and makes Android feel more fine-tuned than before. It really complements the premium feel of the Galaxy S22+ overall.

  • Screenshot 20220405 152723 WhatsApp
  • Screenshot 20220405 152728 One UI Home
  • Screenshot 20220320 131933 Instagram
  • Screenshot 20220405 152847 Camera 1
  • Screenshot 20220405 152733 One UI Home
  • Screenshot 20220323 200122 Calendar
  • Screenshot 20220405 152744 One UI Home
  • Screenshot 20220405 152847 Camera
  • Screenshot 20220405 152853 One UI Home

Samsung’s One UI 4.1 thoughtfully takes features like Dynamic Widgets, the Theme Palette and increased privacy controls and fine-tunes it for Samsung devices. Samsung makes the features fit overall One UI 4.1 more naturally than any other Android skin out there. The UI itself has been updated and refined to look and feel more premium.

That said, the software itself feels a lot more stable than before. Just last year with the Galaxy Z Flip and S21, the experience was initially somewhat compromised with random reboots and crashes. However, with the S22+ it didn’t feel that way. In fact, after using it for over 2 weeks, none of the apps we were using crashed nor were there any random reboots. The software feels lighter as well. It’s snappier and smoother. It feels like Samsung has optimised the animation and transitions from previous One UI iterations into the version we experienced on the S22+

Performance

Being a Samsung flagship, we’re expecting some of the best performance that we can get from the Galaxy S22+. To be honest, it does deliver but, like the design, it doesn’t feel as revolutionary as we were expecting. This could be due to the anticipation we had for the Exynos 2200 and the XClipse graphics. However, overall, the S22+ did provide pretty outstanding performance during our review period.

Multitasking & Productivity

Samsung’s flagships have become a mainstay when it comes to smartphones that allow you to multitask like a boss, and the Galaxy S22+ continues to build on that heritage. It brings along with it all the productivity features you can think of including Samsung’s DeX, an extended multiwindow mode and even split-screen multitasking.

During my time with the Galaxy S22+, it became my driver. I was getting WhatsApp and Telegram messages as well as emails from multiple accounts on it. It was safe to say that it was put to the test when it came to multitasking and to all its credit, I was able to multitask without much hassle. In fact, the experience was so much smoother than the Note10+ which was my daily driver before.

I was able to reply to emails and messages while copying and pasting between them. In fact, I could even do this while editing a slideshow or document without thinking twice. Samsung’s extended multiwindow allowed me to put my conversation in a floating bubble while I had my emails and Microsoft PowerPoint open. Speaking of Microsoft, Samsung’s Link to Windows is another boon when it comes to multitasking. I was able to reply to messages on my phone – SMS included – without looking at the screen on my Windows 11 laptop. In fact, I was able to use some of my Android apps in Windows natively. Of course, these were simply mirrored from my phone, but it helped when there was pertinent information in those apps that were needed.

Samsung’s DeX took seamless multitasking to another level. It allowed me to drag and drop items into my gallery or folders on my phone without needing to physically plug my phone into the computer. As a matter of fact, I was able to even work on a loaned laptop (with DeX installed) without opening or saving sensitive information on the loaned laptop thanks to DeX.

Call Quality & Connectivity

Connectivity and call quality are, unsurprisingly, one of the best we’ve experienced so far on a Samsung flagship. The calls coming in LTE and 5G are pretty crisp and clear. The audio was warm and felt pretty natural. Of course, this also depended on the quality of the connection. Since Malaysia is only in its rollout of 5G with its 3G network has been sunset, the connectivity on 5G was spotty and subject to the rollout. However, the quality of the 5G connectivity was pretty stable and speeds were quick where available.

When it comes to connectivity, the Galaxy S22+ comes with all the options you could want including Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6 and even GPS. All of them work splendidly with stable connectivity. In fact, Samsung’s smart connect feature ensured that I always have connectivity when it came to messaging. It would allow messaging apps to jump on 4G or 5G when the WiFi is unstable. This allowed my messaging apps to be automatically connected to the most stable connection available. WiFi6 support also meant that DeX was much more stable when connecting wirelessly.

Gaming

The Galaxy S22+ isn’t touted as a gaming phone but it should be. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the Adreno 730 give the smartphone enough juice to run even the most taxing games like Genshin Impact without much hassle. The high 120Hz refresh rate also lends itself to enhancing the experience on the Galaxy S22+. The dual speakers and Dolby Atmos sound allow an even more immersive experience, particularly when paired with a good set of wireless earphones.

During my time with the Galaxy S22+, gaming on the smartphone was enjoyable. Touch controls were snappy and responsive and this held true even for Bluetooth controllers. The high refresh rate and deep, vibrancy of the display also allowed for a more enjoyable visual experience. HDR compatibility meant that dark scenes were not just black but filled with detail.

For review purposes, I tried Genshin Impact, PUBG, Wild Rift and Pokemon UNITE on the S22+ and all of them played beautifully. There was no frame tearing in situations where the screen was filled with animation from multiple players like in Wild Rift and Pokemon UNITE. The animation was smooth and uninterrupted. The detail in the animation while gaming was also next level. It was able to render details I’m more used to seeing in console and PC level gaming.

The S22+ didn’t struggle with performance. However, when it came to cooling, it did get a little warm when gaming. While it didn’t overtly affect the gaming experience it did get warm enough to be noticeable and a little uncomfortable in my opinion. The heat was concentrated in the area immediately beside the camera enclosure. However, it did rapidly cool down after a few minutes post gaming session.

Battery Life

The new 4nm architecture of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 does lend itself to better power efficiency in the Galaxy S22+. However, I think most of the power efficiency we see in the S22+ comes from Samsung’s optimisations of One UI. One UI used to be notoriously power-hungry because of all the background processes it had. In One UI 4.1, that has been optimised to help with battery life. In fact, some of these optimisations come directly from stock Android 12. The software now intelligently puts programs and apps running in the background to sleep if you’re not actively using them. While this can lead to a small delay when it comes to chatting apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, the impact on battery life is significant.

20220310 174032

During our review period, the smartphone consistently delivered between 10 to 12 hours of battery life with regular use. This included syncing multiple Gmail accounts, multiple chat apps and emails as well as light camera use and gaming in my case. Since we couldn’t go out much during the time, GPS and navigation use were pretty limited. However, it wouldn’t have impacted the battery life too much as it usually is plugged in when I’m driving. The battery managed to chug along for about 4 to 5 hours when it came to extended gaming sessions. Of course, the dip in battery life is thanks to the increased brightness, processor performance and refresh rate of the display.

Display

Like all of Samsung’s Flagships nowadays, the Galaxy S22+ comes with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The panel is vibrant and has ample contrast. In fact, it seems like the panel is brighter than before but also seems to have better colour accuracy. During the review, I used the display in both its vibrant and natural modes. There is a huge difference between the two settings. The natural mode is more muted and natural when it comes to colour reproduction while the vibrant setting makes it more contrasted; more akin to the AMOLEDs of the past.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Review 04

That said, when using the display for reading articles and comics, I preferred to use the natural setting as it felt less straining to the eyes. However, when it came to video content, the vibrant setting allowed more details to be seen especially in HDR-compatible content. When it boils down to it, the display of the S22+ is one of the more adaptable displays available on a smartphone. It’s able to accommodate the user when it comes to different content types as mentioned here.

It also enhances the immersiveness of content particularly gaming. The vibrant colours and HDR compatibility allow you to feel in the moment when gaming. The Ful HD resolution of the display strikes an important balance between resolution and battery life. While the Full HD+ resolution of the display is adequate, we feel like Samsung scaled too far back on the S22+ with the Full HD resolution. Instead, they should have used the same QHD+ display in the Ultra to further differentiate the S22+ and to add more value for the money spent.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ comes with a triple camera setup – the same we saw in the S21+. However, unlike the Galaxy S21+, it comes with a larger, 50-megapixel main sensor. Yes, I said larger 50-megapixel sensor. The overall size and pixel size of the S22+’s sensor is larger than the S21+’s 64-megapixel sensor. It’s an important distinction as the larger sensor and pixel size allow more light to be absorbed which translates to more detail and sharpness in the picture.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Review 02

The pictures taken on the S22+ are notably sharp with a lot of details preserved even in low light. The smartphone processes the images to be vibrant and saturated. That said, the quality of the pictures changes from sensor to sensor. It goes without saying that the larger 50-megapixel sensor produced the best quality pictures.

Samsung has packed the camera with tonnes of features. This round they were focusing on low light photography, and they’ve made noticeable improvements when it comes to the quality and detail that is reproduced in the pictures taken. However, it feels like there’s a little bit more work needed to take the camera to where they want to be.

During our review, I used the S22+ as my main camera for events and even when spending time with my family. It performed well and was able to respond quickly which is really important when it comes to taking pictures of a toddler.

The video from the S22+ is also pretty good. Shooting at 4K and 1080p produced really crisp detailed videos in the correct lighting. In low lighting, the videos were dramatic but lacked some depth and detail which is expected in such conditions. However, it’s still one of the best performers when it comes to smartphones. To be honest, we’ve yet to see any Android smartphone which is on par with the S22+. What amazes us is that this isn’t their true technological flagship and they still managed to get the camera to perform this well.

A new flagship experience with more of the same outward design proving that fine tuning may do the user experience well

Samsung’s approach to the Galaxy S22+ series proves that they have the capacity to produce amazing user experiences in both the hardware and software of their devices. The Galaxy S22+ brought some of the most compelling software features and paired it with capable hardware that helps elevate the experience significantly.

The Galaxy S22+ is the sweet spot in the series bringing both the size in hardware and software and comfort when it comes to viewing and manoeuvring the phone. It’s the goldilocks of the three S22 devices we have today. With Samsung’s commitment to actually supporting the new S22 series for at least 5 years, the S22+ is an amazing proposition when it comes to getting something that will be able to stand the test of time. It’s also got the versatility to be your companion when you’re out having fun and your sidekick when you need to be productive.

Android, Gaming, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

POCO Launches Their Latest Flagship, the F4 GT at MYR 2,299

Leave a comment

These days, when you talk flagship, you think about devices that cost at least MYR 3,000 and above. Anything below that price range is usually categorised as mid-range smartphones. They are usually specced as such too, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 700 series, 6-8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. Not this one though. It is priced as a mid-range smartphone, but on paper, it is a flagship.

First, the POCO F4 GT packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the most powerful system on a chip (SoC) you can find in an Android smartphone currently. Sure, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is rumoured to come some time soon. Until then, the Gen 1 is still the most powerful SoC you can find on an Android. The powerful SoC is supported by up to 12GB of speedy LPDDR5 RAM with up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage for snappy operations.

They say that it is made for mobile gaming. To ensure that the SoC stays cool for extended gaming sessions then, they have something they call LiquidCool Technology 3.0. The technology large dual vapor chambers to ensure that heat from the SoC can be quickly and efficiently transferred and dissipated elsewhere on the device.

Screen
Source: POCO

Out the front is an expansive and immersive 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 10-bit colours. With up to 120Hz, your interface should feel smoother than running a hot knife through butter. At up to 480Hz of touch sampling rate, every touch should feel more instant and more responsive than ever before. Of course, with DisplayMate’s A+ rating, this display should be great with movies too.

Out the back is a 64-Megapixel main shooter which should be enough in most cases. Of course, most of the time, you are really taking 12-Megapixel photos unless you tell your camera that you want to shoot in 64-Megapixel mode. The powerful camera is supported by an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide shooter and a 2-Megapixel macro camera. Out the front is a 20-Megapixel selfie shooter for when you need to stream or when you just want to capture a clear selfie.

To keep everything running nicely an entire day and more is a 4,700mAh battery inside the device. It is also the first battery in POCO’s device range to offer 120W HyperCharge charging speed. The device can be fully charged in just 27 minutes. Charging your device at 120W at all times can destroy the battery pretty quickly though, so POCO’s AdaptiveCharge feature cleverly keeps your battery from overcharging to prolong its shelf life.

0001
Source: POCO
Yellow back
Source: POCO
Silver back
Source: POCO
Screen
Source: POCO
Full KV
Source: POCO
Dual vapor chamber
Source: POCO
CPU
Source: POCO
Charging
Source: POCO
Black back
Source: POCO
5G
Source: POCO

Alongside the POCO F4 GT, POCO also launched their new Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition with a rather special design throwing homage to the ever so popular mobile game. They also launched the POCO Watch, their first ever smartwatch cum fitness tracker. It does not run on the Wear OS.

001
Source: POCO
002
005
Source: POCO
006
Source: POCO
007
Source: POCO
008
Source: POCO
009
Source: POCO
010
Source: POCO
All colours
Source: POCO
Watch 002
Source: POCO
Watch 001
Source: POCO
Five colour straps
Source: POCO
Blue
Source: POCO
Blue Black
Source: POCO
Black Charging battery life
Source: POCO
Black 04
Source: POCO
Black 03
Source: POCO
Black 02
Source: POCO
Black 01
Source: POCO
Beige
Source: POCO

The POCO F4 GT is available in three colour options from 28th of April 2022 onward. You can choose between Stealth Black, Knight Silver, and Cyber Yellow colour options. You can also choose between an 8GB + 128GB variant and a 12GB + 256GB variant for MYR 2,299 and MYR 2,499 respectively. If you purchase your device on the 28th of April 2022 on either Shopee or Lazada, you can get your device for MYR 1,999 and MYR 2,199 respectively. The POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition and POCO Watch will be available for MYR 299 and MYR 249 respectively on the same date. More information on the new POCO devices can be found on their website.

Android, Mobile, News

OPPO A96 with 256GB Launches in Malaysia for MYR 1,299! Hands-On the OPPO A96

Leave a comment

The entry-level smartphone market, in Malaysia at least, is a rather crowded space. The offerings can also be compared directly to mid-range smartphones, which just complicates things when you are looking for a new smartphone at under MYR 2,500 range. There is still a distinction though. In the mid-range segment, you want the best bang-for-buck you can get in terms of high-level performance, and innovations. In the entry-level segment, you want the best bang-for-buck and reliability; something that just works.

While there are plenty of players in the entry-level segment at below MYR 1,500, we can safely say not many can do better than OPPO and their A-series smartphones. Do not get it confused with Samsung’s A-series though, Samsung’s offerings are in the premium mid-range segment. When you take up OPPO’s A-series smartphones, you start to wonder what the extra money do for you in the mid-range segment.

OPPO A96 Unboxing and Hands On || techENT

Take this latest OPPO A96 for example. On paper at least, it is comparable to any mid-range devices you can pit it up against. It might as well be a mid-range device on paper.

Big Memory

OPPO A96 3

It packs 8GB of RAM and 256GB in storage. With OPPO’s clever memory technology, the 8GB RAM can be expanded to up to 13GB temporarily for when you need the extra horsepower. This should mean much better multitasking experience comparable to even flagships of today. The only limiting factor should be its System on a Chip (SoC) that is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 platform. It does not pack 5G too, unlike most mid-range devices today.

Flagship Level Display

OPPO A96 17

The SoC is the only thing that puts it squarely in the entry-level segment though. The main display is still a Full HD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate with up to 96% NTSC or 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage. At 6.59-inch, it is not what you want to call a small display too.

Powerful Camera

OPPO A96 1

In terms of camera, the front-facing camera lodged in a punch hole on the display packs 16-Megapixel, rather powerful for an entry-level device. Out the back is a high-resolution 50-Megapixel shooter that works together with a 2-Megapixel depth sensor to produce beautiful portraits with those essential ‘bokeh’. Sure, it does not come with additional lenses to get telephoto or ultra-wide photos, but a high-resolution camera is the one that is being used often.

Premium Glass Backing

OPPO A96 19

The OPPO A96’s back plate is also a glass panel, not plastic like most entry-level devices at its price range. It has a unique texture and design that OPPO calls the Glow Design made with diamond-cut glass panel placed in a vacuum to bring out the crystal patterns you see on the Pearl Pink colour option. The unique texture produced by the process is also resistant to fingerprint stains, which is a bonus to keep your device looking fresh and pretty.

Beefy Battery

OPPO A96 16

To top all of that is an all-day battery sandwiched by two glass panels. It is 5,000 mAh battery that should last you at least an entire day with heavy usage. Use it sparingly and you might get two or even three days of charge with it. When it runs out, 33W charging speeds should bring it to a full charge within an hour for you to get going the entire day again. The device is also clever enough protect its own battery shelf-life by limiting its charge speeds when you charge it overnight to keep the battery optimised for you.

Price and Availability

As mentioned, the OPPO A96 will be available in two colour options – Starry Black and Pearl Pink. The device will be available for pre-order today onward all the way to the 22nd of April 2022. It will set you back MYR 1,299 and you can get your hands on one from OPPO’s authorised retailers and official showrooms when it is available. More on the OPPO A96 on their website.

Android, Mobile, News

vivo Joins the Fold-able Scene with vivo X Fold and vivo X Note in China

Leave a comment

When Samsung and HUAWEI captured the world with their folding smartphones a few years back, they opened an entire can of worms. Samsung stuck to their original design with multiple displays on offer and they made it stick with their second and third iteration of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold as they call it today. Their form factor also became the de facto foldable smartphone layout; just look at the OPPO Find N.

OPPO and HUAWEI are not the only smartphone manufacturers that wants a piece of the foldable smartphone pie with Samsung’s designs. Companies like OnePlus and even Google themselves have expressed interests in building their own version of a smartphone with one folding display and another solid display out front. Now vivo has beaten them both and introduced their own vivo X Fold.

vivo, to be fair, did not just launch the X Fold in China. They also launched their largest smartphone to date – the vivo X Note. In this case, before we talk about the foldable, we do have to at least talk about the vivo X Note.

vivo X Note

VIVO X NOTE
source: vivo

It is vivo’s most powerful candybar smartphone to date. It packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 for everything that Android 12 needs on the device. For photography, it packs vivo’s own developed V1 chip. That V1 chip powers a 50-Megapixel main camera that is flanked by an 8-Megapixel 5x telephoto camera, a 12-Megapixel 2x telephoto camera, and another 48-Megapixel ultrawide camera. Of course, the new vivo X Note is capable of recording videos at 8K. For selfies, you get a 16-Megapixel front-facing camera sitting in a punch hole in the display.

Speaking of display, it is an expansive 7-inch display that boasts 2K 1440p. It is an LTPO AMOLED display capable of up to 120Hz in refresh rate and down to 1Hz if need be. The brilliant display also offers HDR10+ in colour and contrast which also means watching Netflix or Prime Video on it should be a rather enjoyable experience.

For memory and storage, you get up to 12GB in RAM and 512GB in built-in UFS 3.1 flash module. Right beneath the display is also a large under-disply optical fingerprint sensor for faster and better fingerprint sensor coverage. To keep all of that running an entire day and more is a 5,000mAh battery that is also capable of 80W charging speeds. They say that the vivo X Note can fully charge (from 0%) within 32 minuttes.

vivo X Fold

VIVO X FOLD
source: vivo

The star of the show is vivo’s first foldable device, the vivo X Fold. While you may expect the vivo foldable device to have more in common to its cousin over from OPPO, the X Fold has more in common with Samsung’s Foldable. It is a larger device that the Samsung though.

For starters, the secondary outer display measures 6.53-inch compared to Samsung’s 6.2-inch. Unfold the device and an 8.03-inch display greets you. The outside display is an excellent AMOLED display that boasts Full HD+ resolutions at 21:9 aspect ratio. It is also a speedy display at 120Hz.

The larger main display boasts even more pixels than the outer display, which is quite expected. You get 1,916 by 2,160 pixels from the 8-inch flexible AMOLED panel. It boasts HDR10+ in colour contrast for the best display experience you can get for smartphones currently. It is also an LTPO display, which means that it goes down to 1Hz refresh to extend your battery life.

It shares some similarities with the vivo X Note too. It packs a 50-Megapixel main camera flanked by the same 5x telephoto, 2x telephoto, and high-resolution ultrawide cameras. There is only one front-facing camera though, unlike some of the foldables that we have seen. The 16-Megapixel front-facing camera sits in a punch-hole on the outer display.

The device is powered by the best that the industry has to offer currently, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 system on a chip (SoC). Supporting the powerful SoC is up to 12GB in RAM. You also get up to 512GB of storage for good measure.

Instead of a side mounted fingerprint sensor though, vivo has employed the use of their large under-display optical fingerprint sensor. They have also installed not one, but two fingerprint sensors (one outside, one inside) for maximum convenience for users. vivo also produced their own unique hinge for the folding display that is supposed to minimise the crease of the folding display with a rising aluminium plate supporting the flexing part of the display. It could also help in durability and reliability of the folding display too.

To keep everything happy and running an entire day or more is a 4,600mAh battery pack within its body. It does not charge at 80W like the X Note though. Still 66W charging speeds should bring it from 0% to a full charge in about 37 minutes, which is still rather impressive.

All these things do make it a little heftier than the even the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3. It weighs just over 300g. To be specific, it weighs 311g, 40g heavier than the Samsung. Considering all that it packs though, that is not too big of a weight increase.

Price and Availability

For now, the vivo X Note and X Fold will only be available in China. There are no mentions when vivo will bring the device out of China. Then again, there are no confirmations on whether vivo will be selling the device outside of China. Remember the OPPO Find N? While that was showcased in Malaysia, the device never made it to Malaysia officially.

The vivo X Note will come in three storage and RAM offerings. It starts at 8GB + 256GB configuration at CN¥ 5,999 (MYR 3,990*) and tops out at CN¥ 6,999 (MYR 4,650*) for a 12GB + 512GB configuration.

The vivo X Fold will also be offering in a variety of storage options. It starts from 12GB + 256GB option at CN¥ 8,999 (MYR 5,960*) and tops out at 12GB + 512GB configuration at CN¥ 9,999 (MYR 6,620*).

* Approximation by Vivo Malaysia

Android, Mobile, News

Soon, Every App on Google Play Store Will Be New Updated Apps

Leave a comment

Updating your apps is a hassle, so is finding the right app to do specific things you want for your Android or iOS machines. We live in an age where there is an app for everything, and it all started with the iPhone and then later expanded by Google’s Android ecosystem. To think that we almost do not get ecosystem with open-sourced apps is an odd one today.

Android’s foray into the app ecosystem game marks the start of a war between iOS and Android. The war of the app store, we call it. Who had better app support, who had better apps, and who had the biggest app store? We have reached a breaking point, however.

The world today, while still revolves around apps, cares more about the quality of contents each app delivers than how many apps you have on your smartphone. I, for one, want as little apps as possible on my smartphone but enough apps to perform everything I need from my smartphone. We do not need a million apps to do a million things. We want 10 apps that does 1,000 things well, and that is a problem for the app stores with millions upon millions of apps.

image1
Source: Google

While choices are good, Google deems that not all choices may be suitable for users. Of course, apps need to comply to Google’s security guidelines that changes with every new iteration of Android. That also means that apps that are on the Play Store should be updated to match the new security standards set by Google.

The problem is, while that is something that should be, it is not how it is in the current app stores. There are millions of apps in the ecosystem that has gone silent for years. These apps do not get updated and yet they still sit in the App Store. Granted, there are plenty of apps like these that are still being used by users. Developers of the app could have either given up on the project or have closed shop for a while. They still pose security risks for Android though.

In that case, Google is taking a step up in preventing users from downloading or coming across apps that have not been updated for longer than at least one generation of Android. That also means that if the apps on Google Play Store have not been updated for Android 11 currently, they app will be taken down from the Play Store, even if the ratings for the apps are high. When we say take down, they are not completely removed from the app store, more like downranked. If the app has not been updated for more than two generations, Play Store will not allow the app to be installed on your device at all.

image2
Source: Google

This system is completely dependent on the update cycle and age of your smartphone or tablet as well though. For example, if your device is still on Android 9, you will still be able to see apps that have been updated for Android 9, even if the said app has not been updated for Android 11 or Android 12. Once you update your device to Android 11 or 12 though, you may not see the app on the Play Store. However, if you already have the said app on your device, it will note affect your experience with the app at all. It will only affect new users to the said app.

The changes that are teased by Google is just that for now, a tease. It is expected that changes on the Play Store will start taking place on the 1st of November 2022 onward. It does give some time for developers who has not updated their apps for a year or two to prepare and update their apps before the implementation date. While it may seem odd that Google may be phasing out some of the higher rated apps just because they are old, it is also a good security measure for Android users with better compliance. It could also help new apps shine and get into the spotlight a little bit.

Android, Mobile, News

There is the OPPO Reno7, and Then There is The Reno7 Z 5G – Now Available for MYR 1,699

Leave a comment

OPPO’s Reno7 series of devices are not what you call old. They arrived in the country as soon as February 2022. That is about a month ago. Prices started at MYR 1,999, which is not technically unreasonable too. But what if you could get your Reno7 at a lower price, that question spawns the Reno7 Z 5G. Before you ask; yes, 5G is a part of the naming scheme of plenty of devices today. You also might be forgiven for thinking that this is a new device from OPPO though.

First of all, while there are similar design cues between the Reno7 and Reno7 Z, they offer slightly differing body work. The design differences are more apparent if you put it next to the Reno7 Pro. There are no smooth tappers here. They are all sharp lines and angles. Including its cameras, it is very reminiscent of a certain Cupertino device too, except the Dual Orbit Lights that highlights the two large camera lenses sort of gives it away.

Under the flush body though is a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G System on a Chip (SoC). True to the 5G naming moniker, the device is 5G ready. 5G is yet to be available in Malaysia though, sadly. Still, the mid-range chip is a powerful enough chip for you to work with, comparable to a high-end smartphone that costs at least twice as much, until you push it with games and heavier applications that is.

OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 10

The chip is paired with an 8GB RAM and up to 128GB of storage. Not only can you have many tabs open on your Google Chrome for Mobile app, but you can also store many apps too. But you want ample storage not just for apps in this case. Oh, did we mention that you can expand its storage to up to 1TB (MicroSD) too?

You want the ample storage to house all your photos from the 64-Megapixel main camera out the back. That is one of the big lenses out the back. The other large lens houses a 2-Megapixel for Macro shots. There is also a small 2-Megapixel depth sensor that is also mirrored by a single LED flash module.

Out the front is a large 6.4-inch AMOLED display that also houses a 16-Megapixel camera. The AMOLED display offers up to Full HD+ in resolution. No 90Hz refresh rate here, just a plain ol’ 60Hz. It is a cheaper smartphone after all.

All of these is kept working the entire day and more by a 4,500mAh built in battery. When it runs out, you can charge it quickly too with 33W SUPERVOOC. But OPPO’s ColorOS 12 is kind on its battery life, which also means you should not worry all that much.

OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 01
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 12
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 11
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 10
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 09
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 08
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 07
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 06
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 05
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 04
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 03
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 02
OPPO Reno7 Z Launch 13
Reno7 Z 2
Source: OPPO
Reno7 Z Dual Orbit Light
Source: OPPO

The OPPO Reno7 Z will be available in OPPO Official and Brand Store, authorised retail partners, and Shopee 2nd of April 2022 onward. It will be available on Lazada a little later on the 9th of April 2022. You can pre-order your OPPO Reno7 Z today onward all the way to the 1st of April 2022 via OPPO’s Official and Brand Stores, Official Online Store, and Shopee. The first 100 customer to order the device on Shopee (until 10th of April 2022) are entitled to free gifts worth up to MYR 129. You are also entitled to 10 tickets to a lucky draw with chances to walk away with gifts worth up to MYR 2,526 when prizes are drawn on the 8th of April 2022. If you do purchase your devices on the 2nd of April 2022, you are entitled to free gifts worth up to MYR 233. More information on the OPPO Reno7 Z 5G can be found on their website.