Popular doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe. That’s what we’re seeing from a new report which has led to Google removing nine apps from the Google Play Store. The nine apps recently surfaced in a report by security firm, Dr. Web, these apps were providing fully functional service while stealing users’ Facebook login information.
The apps in question had different malware variants in their coding. Their developers incentivised surrendering user information by offering a “free upgrade to Pro” when a user opted to log in with their Facebook account. Once the unassuming user did this, the app would intercept and hijack the login credentials. The apps, identified as trojans, used an intermediary server to spoof and collect Facebook information and cookies.
A total of five malware variants were found in these apps. All of them were classified under the same trojan by Dr. Web. Three of these variants were apparently developed natively for Android while another two were done using Google’s Flutter framework. The latter of the types pose an increased risk to users as the framework allows apps to be developed across multiple platforms. All of these malware variants shared identical configuration file formats and identical JavaScript code to steal data.
According to the report from Dr. Web. The apps in question are:
If you have downloaded any of these apps in the past or still have them on your phone. You should thoroughly check your phone for malware. Apps such as Kaskpersky and Malwarebytes are good options to help remove any malware from your device. It goes without saying that you should uninstall these apps immediately.
Google has since removed the apps from the Play Store. Ars Technica states that a Google spokesperson noted that the offending app developers have been removed and banned from the Play Store.
It has been nearly a month since Google’s I/O keynote. In that same time, we were reeling back from the shock we got from the keynote itself about Google and Samsung joining hands to co-develop Android Wear moving forward. That announcement also means that Samsung is abandoning their Tizen OS for future Galaxy Watches. It also seems like Samsung might give up on the idea of their own unique looking UI on their smart watches with the announcement. Now, it does not seem so.
They call it the One UI, and yes, it is based on Google’s Android Wear UI. At least according to Samsung, One UI is developed and built jointly with Google for the Galaxy Watch platform. It is meant to be a unified platform that combines the best of both Google’s wearable platform and Samsung’s Watch platform.
All this is meant to create a Galaxy Watch experience that is familiar but somewhat new to users. But at the same time, the new One UI platform is designed to be more integrated with your Android smartphones as well. That also means that you get a more unified experience between your smartphone and your Galaxy Watch.
Source: Samsung
With the new One UI, the Galaxy Watch responds almost simultaneously with your Android smartphone. For example, if you change the information you want on your clock app on your smartphone, the changes will be reflected on your Watch as well. When you download apps with a complementing app for the Watch, your Watch downloads and installs the complementing apps at the same time too. When you block calls or messages from your smartphone, that gets directly translated on your Watch as well.
The biggest difference between the older Tizen OS powered Galaxy Watch and the new upcoming One UI powered Galaxy Watch is where you get your apps. One UI gets all its apps from Google’s trusty Play store. That should be good news to Galaxy Watch users though. It means you get access to popular apps like Google Maps, and YouTube music, finally.
Samsung is not the only one that gets the benefits of this partnership though. Samsung is bringing their clever watch face design tool for developers into the Android Wear ecosystem. That also means that designing watch faces for Android Wear is even easier now. More watch faces is always better, especially if you can get great looking watch faces from the Galaxy Watch ecosystem.
Source: Samsung
Of course, the new One Ui unified platform from the Samsung and Google partnership will be featured in the new upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch device. The full functionalities of One UI will also be announced and showcased in the upcoming Samsung Unpacked event. There are already leaks of how the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 floating around on the internet, and all of those gets us more excited about Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 that is coming soon.
Xiaomi is known for many things. They are currently one of the most popular names in smart home ecosystem accessories and appliances. But they started as a humble smartphone manufacturer that shook the market with a very memorable and immensely popular Xiaomi Mi 3.
The Xiaomi Mi 3, while a powerhouse back in its day, may not cut it for 2021 though. For 2021, you need something more powerful, something like the Redmi Note 10S from the highly commended Redmi Note 10 series. Welcome to the 64-Megapixel experience of the Redmi Note 10S.
Immersive and Impressive
Source: Xiaomi
The device first greets you with a beautiful 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED DotDisplay screen at the front with a punch-hole to house a 13-Megapixel selfie camera. The 20:9 ratio display boasts a bezel-less design too for a properly immersive and optimal viewing experience. With Dual speakers at the top and bottom of the device, the Redmi Note 10S offers an immersive experience like no other in its class.
Clean Cut, Stunning Looks
Source: Xiaomi
You do not unlock the device like any other device of its class too. The Arc biometric fingerprint sensor is nestled on the power button housed on the aluminium frame on the sides of the Redmi Note 10S. That also means clean, balanced, and polished look from all sides of the Redmi Note 10S. Covering the back of the device is a beautifully crafted glass backing in three colour choices – Onyx Gray, Pebble White, and Ocean Blue.
An Everyday Powerhouse
Source: Xiaomi
The Android 10 device is powered by a powerful MediaTek Helio G95 System on a Chip (SoC) which is designed with gaming in mind. Serious gamers would also appreciate its 31% GPU performance bump compared to its predecessor. All that power requires a large battery bank though. That is handled by a massive 5,000 mAh battery pack to keep it running for an entire day and more. With 33W of fast charging too, you will not be stuck to a wall socket for too long before getting on your next big adventure again.
Memories in Better Detail
When you talk about adventure, you are also talking about creating memories. In that sense, there is no better way to create memories with tonnes of photos. This is the Redmi Note 10S’ party piece is.
The Redmi Note 10S packs an immensely powerful 64-Megapixel quad camera set up that will capture the best moments of your next adventure. The main 64-Megapixel shooter shoots highly detailed photos that captures the essence of the moment in that photo.
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
There is an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide camera that captures at 118o. A wider shot also means more object in a photo. You can now include everyone of your group without finding a large space for you to back out to. You can capture more of nature in your adventures. You can take stunning landscape photos and freeze that moment in time forever in the ample 128GB (up to) of storage you have in the Redmi Note 10S.
Ultra-wide
There is also a 2-Megapixel macro camera that allows you to take photos of the finer things in life. You can go into the details of your adventure with the macro lens, taking photos of everything including the sunflower that bloomed right beside your chalet or tent. If there is a butterfly or a bee on the flower, your macro lens could handle the shot and produce clear and detailed image of that moment.
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
The 64-Megapixel shooter also works as a portrait camera. With the 2-Megapixel depth sensor supporting the main camera, you get better and more accurate depth effect from the camera. You can capture beautiful and highly detailed portrait shots with the Redmi Note 10S, capturing what is important in your adventures – the people you are with.
Price and Availability
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
The Redmi Note 10S is now* available from Xiaomi’s official online stores on Shopee and Lazada, authorised retailers, and Xiaomi Stores nationwide. You can get your hands on the Redmi Note 10S at MYR 899 onward (8GB + 64GB). As mentioned, you can choose between three very attractive colours – Onyx Grey, Pebble White, and Ocean Blue. For a limited time, each purchase of the Redmi Note 10S includes an exclusive free gift of Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2. This promotion is available on a first-come-first-served basis, while stocks last.
DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertorial and does not represent the views and opinions of the techENT editorial board.
Lenovo has been one of the only manufacturers actively releasing tablets in the Android space. This year, the company is updating and diversifying their offerings with a slew of new tablets. Each line up addresses a unique niche with features that not not only address the need but also up their design ante.
Entertain, Create and Be Productive with the New Lenovo Yoga Tab Lineup
The Lenovo Yoga Tab series has always been Lenovo’s go to when it comes to pushing the boundaries of entertainment. The new lineup of the Yoga Tab series continues to inherit the sleek design and curves of the Yoga Tabs of the past. However, this year, the new entries: the Yoga Tab 11 and Yoga Tab 13 come with the lineup’s signature design which resembles a folded magazine or book. This year it’s paired with a large display and specifications which gear the tablets to be one of the most versatile tablets in the Yoga Tab lineup.
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 comes packed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 mobile platform paired with 8GB of RAM. The Octa-core processor is able to process data at up to 3.2GHz of speed. It also has 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. It comes with a Dolby Vision certified 13-inch LTPS display with a WQHD resolution of 2160×1350 pixels. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate with 400 nits peak brightness. The screen is complemented with Quad JBL speakers with a 5cc audio chamber and Dolby Atmos certification and Lenovo’s Premium Audio Solution. It has 3 microphones for video calling and recording audio. The Tab is powered with a 10,000mAh battery with up to 12 hours of video playback at 1080p. Topping up charge shouldn’t be a problem with 30W quick charge.
The smaller Yoga Tab 11 comes with a smaller 11-inch LCD display with a WUXGA resolution of 2000×1200 pixels. It comes in two memory configurations: 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard memory and 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard memory. Both run on the MediaTek Helio G90T processor. Similar to its larger sibling, the Yoga Tab 11 comes with Quad JBL speakers and all the extras. However, it comes with a dual-mic configuration. It also comes with a 7,500mAh battery with up to 15 hours of video playback and support for 20W quick charge. Both support the Lenovo Precision Pen 2. You’ll be able to use the built-in kickstand to get the tablets in the best orientation for your artistic endeavours.
Versatility with the New Lenovo Tab P11 Plus & 3rd Generation Tab M series
Lenovo is buffing up its Tab portfolio with the new Lenovo Tab P11 which is powered by the same MediaTek Helio G90T which powered the smaller Yoga Tab 11. It comes paired with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal memory. The front is emblazoned by an 11-inch IPS LCD display with a 2K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. It has a dual microphone array with Smart Voice DSP with Dolby Atmos optimised speakers. It also comes with up to 12 hours of video playback powered by a 7,500mAh battery with 20W quick charge support.
Together with the Pad 11 Plus, Lenovo is introducing the third generation of the Lenovo Tab M7 and Tab M8. The two new entries into Lenovo’s mainstream tablet lineup bring a new, empowered approach to their tablets. They make one of the best entertainment experience on a tablet available at a more affordable price. They come with a 7- and 8-inch IPS screen respectively. The smaller M7 comes with an resolution of 1024×600 pixels while the M8 HD resolution of 1280×800 pixels. Both are powered by MediaTek processors.
Pricing & Availability
MalaysiaAvailability
MalaysiaPrice starting from
Global Availability
Global Price from (VAT included)
Yoga Tab 13
TBC
TBC
June 2021
€799
Yoga Tab 11
TBC
TBC
July 2021
€349
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
Sept 2021
RM1,799
July 2021
€299
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Google Assistant
TBC
TBC
August 2021
€89.99
Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen)
July 2021
RM549
June 2021
€119
Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)
January 2022
TBC
January 2022
TBC
Official Specifications
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
Processor
Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform, Octa-Core, up to 3.2GHz
About two months ago, Lenovo dropped their brand-new Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2. The new gaming smartphone replaces their old Lenovo Legion Phone Duel. It also came with a whole slew of updates that makes it one of the most compelling gaming smartphones in the current market.
There was no solid release date for the smartphone in Malaysia though, until today that is. The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is finally released in Malaysia. It is available now and it will set you back MYR 3,299 for the lesser 12GB + 256GB variant and MYR 3,899 for the 16GB + 512GB variant. It also comes to Malaysia with a Maxis and Hotlink special deal at that. A little more on that later.
Source: Lenovo
The Legion Phone Duel 2 is built to be the ultimate gaming phone in the market with its horizontal first orientation approach. Even its pop-up selfie camera pop’s up from the side if you are holding the device like you normally would. When you game, it is a more natural position too. At the same time, a pop-up camera allows for a fuller display real estate for a more immersive experience.
It also packs the most powerful processor the Android market has seen so far, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G System on a Chip (SoC). With up to 16GB of RAM, the spec sheet looks more like a powerful gaming laptop than a gaming smartphone. To keep the device running as optimally as possible, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 packs a very innovative cooling solution to keep things running as comfortably as possible.
To keep the powerful internals running for the entire day, there are two batteries inside the device that adds up to 5,500 mAh capacity. Two batteries also means that the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 charges faster and safer at 90W. The approach allows the device to be properly optimised for a comfortable horizontal use of the device too. To ensure that you really conquer your games, there is the touch-sensitive trigger buttons.
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
The internals are encased in mix of glass and aluminium, fronted by a 6.92-iunch AMOLED Full HD+ display that refreshes at 144Hz and 720Hz Sampling rate for a near instant touch response time. The pop-up camera is also a very powerful 44-Megapixel sensor with ultra-wide angle lens that ensures that you look good in that mobile gaming stream.
The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is now available in Malaysia from any Lenovo Exclusive Stores nationwide and online official stores on Lazada and Shopee. You can get the Legion Phone Duel 2 in two colour options – black or white. There are also two variants of the smartphone, a 12GB + 256GB variant and a 16GB + 512GB variant, to choose from. The device will set you back MYR 3,299 onward and if you are a Maxis and Hotlink user, you are entitled to claim a complementary Lenovo 500 Bluetooth headphones worth MYR 189 between 28th June to 31st July, 2021.
The Honor namesake has been tied to HUAWEI for the longest time. That should not be a surprise though, Honor started out life as HUAWEI’s sister brand. For the longest time as well, they have lived under the shadows of the giant that is HUAWEI. When HUAWEI’s trade band with U.S. companies fell Honor, as a part of HUAWEI, was heavily impacted as well.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel though. Honor is no longer part of HUAWEI group as of 2021. In 2021 also, Honor confirms that their devices will run on Android with Google Play in tow.
A few weeks after they mentioned that they launched their first ever smartphone for 2021. They launched their new Honor 50 series smartphones. Instead of just one smartphone then, they released three – the Honor 50 SE, Honor 50, and Honor 50 Pro.
HONOR 50 SE
Source: GSM Arena
The HONOR 50 SE was not technically highlighted too much in the launch. It is still a part of the HONOR 50 family, however. It is the most budget friendly of the bunch, but also a little different.
Instead of the usual Qualcomm Snapdragon System on A Chip (SoC) that you expect from the new HONOR line-up, you get a MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC. Admit it, for a moment you were expecting the name HiSilicon to come up. Despite being made to fit smaller budgets, the Dimensity 900 chip is still no slouch with 5G connectivity. The octa-core SoC can clock at up to 2.4Ghz when you need the power for MagicUI 4.2 on Android 11 and its apps.
Because the Dimensity 900 can support UFS 2.1 memory, you get exactly that in 128GB flavour for storage on the Honor 50 SE. There is also 8GB in RAM to pair with the device. All of these are given life by the 4,000 mAh battery that should last you all day. If you run out of juice, 66W fast charging should have you covered.
The brand, like HUAWEI, has always been watched for its camera technology though. Out the back is a 108-Megapixel main camera alongside two more supporting cameras. One is an 8-Megapixel ultrawide sensor and the other is a 2-Megapixel macro sensor. Out the front you will find a single 16-Megapixel shooter perched in the middle of the forehead of the 6.78-inch 120Hz Full HD+ LCD display.
HONOR 50
HONOR 50
The main stars of the show are naturally the vanilla variant and the overkill Pro variant of the HONOR 50. The two devices should also be the most popular devices in its range in terms of sales. At the same time, if you have seen the HONOR 50 SE, it is quite difficult to tell the devices apart if you do not pay attention. That is to say that they sport nearly similar designs, apart from camera placements and size.
The HONOR 50 is fronted by 6.57-inch Full HD+ display with 120Hz in refresh rate to give you a consistently smooth UI experience. For that snappy feel too, the panel supports 300Hz sampling rate for an almost immediate response from every single touch. Of course, these speeds do contribute to great gaming experience on the device too.
The HONOR 50 shares the same rear camera array and platform as the more premium and powerful HONOR 50 Pro. It does not share the selfie camera though. The HONOR 50 only has a single lens 32-Megapixel camera parked in a hole at the top of the display.
Like its more premium brother, the Honor 50’s MagicUI 4.2 on Android 11 is powered by a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC with 5G capabilities. It is supposedly less powerful than the outgoing Snapdragon 780G platform, but not by much. You get up to 8GB of RAM to go alongside up to 256GB of storage. Everything runs of the 4,300mAh battery that can fast-charge at 66W.
HONOR 50 Pro
Source: GSM Arena
The HONOR 50 Pro, as its name suggest, is the most premium device of the HONOR 50 range. It may not pack more power than the HONOR 50 with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G SoC in tow. It does have more RAM with up to 12GB in RAM size alongside up to 256GB in storage.
It does not have the best rear camera set up too, the same as HONOR 50, as we mentioned. There is the 108-Megapixel main shooter. The 108-Megapixel shooter is supported by three other cameras that are parked in the other halo of cameras and flash collection. You get one 8-Megapixel ultrawide shooter, a 2-Megapixel Macro shooter, and another 2-Megapixel depth sensor out the back. Out the front though is a dual-lens combination of a 32-Megapixel sensor and a 12-Megapixel wide-angle lens. As expected from HONOR as well, the HONOR 50 Pro and HONOR 50 camera app comes with a bunch of multi-camera modes and all kinds of enhancements including Super Night Mode that is also available to the front camera.
It has the largest and best display among the three in the series too. The HONOR 50 Pro also has a 120Hz refresh rate display at Full HD+ resolution. The display expands to 6.72-inch though, instead of the 6.57-inch of the regular device. The display also boasts DCI-P3 100% colour gamut for the best and most accurate colour reproduction you can find on a smartphone display. Alongside 300Hz sampling rate, MagicUI 4.2 on Android 11 looks better than ever.
The only thing that is less in the HONOR 50 Pro compared to the vanilla HONOR 50 though is its battery. At 4,000mAh, you are not going to complain that it is too small, because it is still a significant size. Instead of 66W though, it charges even faster at 100W allowing the device to charge from flat to 100% in less than an hour, theoretically.
Price and Availability
The HONOR 50 series are coming to Malaysia, as confirmed by HONOR. Currently though, there are no confirmation on when that is going to happen just yet. We can also confirm that the HONOR 50 and HONOR 50 Pro will be part of the HONO 50 family that is available in Malaysia – no word on HONOR 50 SE’s availability.
The devices are already available for pre-order in China. The HONOR 50 series will be available in 4 colour options; you get to choose from Frost Crystal (special finish), Amber Red, Emerald Green, and Midnight Black colour options. The HONOR 50 and HONOR 50 Pro are selling for CN¥ 2,699 (MYR 1,736*) and CN¥ 3,699 (MYR 2,380*) respectively, while the HONOR 50 SE will be available for CN¥ 2,399 (MYR 1,543*). More information on the HONOR 50 series can be found on their website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of CN¥ 10 = MYR 6.43 on xe.com as of 17/06/2021
Android 12 is undoubtedly the most anticipated Android operating system (OS) to date. It is not too difficult to see why it gained its popularity. Despite all the excitement though, it will be a few months before we see Android 12 coming to Android smartphones in full force, especially smartphones that comes with manufacturer skins like Samsung.
If you cannot wait to try out the new interface though, you can always go ahead and work with the Beta version of Android 12. If you have a device that supports Android 12 Beta as well, you are in luck because Android 12 Beta 2 has just been released. On Android 12 Beta 2, you are also one step closer to working with the full Android 12 that is supposed to come in August 2021 or so. But what is new on the second Beta version of Android 12?
Privacy Dashboard
Source: Google
Google talked about the Privacy Dashboard in their Google I/O 2021 keynote. Privacy is more important than ever in today’s world. Manufacturers and developers alike are putting more emphasis on privacy as well than ever. They are also giving more control and power ever to their users.
This Privacy Dashboard is one of them. It gives you more control and visibility over what hardware are being used by different apps and what access different apps have on your device. The dashboard can also help you understand the way and why apps need access to certain things on your device.
Mic and Camera Indicators
Smartphones are terrible at telling you that certain things on your smartphone is being used for something. While the Privacy Dashboard does add a little more control and transparency, it is also important to know when something is being accessed or used. It is especially true when it is your mic or camera that are being used. With the new indicators, users can easily and quickly find out which apps are accessing either the camera, or the microphone, or both in real-time. You can also easily and quickly bar the access of mic and camera in that case.
Mic and Camera Toggles
To completely block off any access to your Microphones and Cameras was virtually impossible on a modern smartphone before this. With Android 12, you now can. That feature is now available to play with in Android 12 Beta. You do have to go through some checks to see if your device supports the function or not. Once you turn off access to the mic and camera though, no apps can access both functions at all.
Clipboard Read Notification
Clipboards is naturally something we put out of our mind. It is the list or a collection of texts or things we copied from websites, notes, documents, and anything as such. Android 12 Beta now notifies you if the clipboard is being used in a particular app. A toast will appear at the bottom of the screen each time a clipboard item on another app is being accessed or read by the app you are currently using.
Simpler Connectivity Options
Source: Google
The networking page and access has been completely redesigned on Android 12. One of the primary focus on Android 12 is its intuitiveness. They completely overhauled the network connection screen to do just that. You can now switch between their network providers and WiFi easily and quickly. The new Internet Panel also allow users to quickly troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
Android 12
Android 12 was announced, and its first Beta launched at Google I/O 2021. The new platform is expected to fully release by August 2021 onward and partnering manufacturers will release their own versions of Android 12 soon after. Google’s Android 12 also features one of the platform’s largest visual overhaul in its history. The platform now features something they call Material You in their design language. The UI is designed around more personalisation and more intuitiveness than ever. Find out more about Android 12 on our release write-up here, or you can also visit their website for more information on Android 12 Beta 2. At the same time, you can visit the Android 12 Beta devices page to find out if you have a compatible device.
It’s been quite a while since Malaysia saw a Zenfone. The last Zenfone officially launched in Malaysia was the Zenfone 5 – which, to be honest, was a stellar device. However, since then, ASUS hasn’t brought any of their smartphones – aside from the ROG Phone – to Malaysia. This year, it seems like ASUS will be kicking into gear bringing in not one but both of their Zenfone 8 offerings to Malaysia.
The Zenfone 8 series launched internationally earlier this month. The series brings two new Zenfones into ASUS’s portfolio – the Zenfone 8 and the Zenfone 8 Flip. The Zenfone 8 marks a new approach for ASUS when it comes to smartphones. The company is committing to creating smaller, palmable devices with killer specifications. Of course, to do this, they leave behind some of the defining features of the Zenfone including the flipping camera. That’s where the Zenfone 8 Flip comes in. With a larger body, it brings along the now signature flip camera of the Zenfone series.
Palmable Performance with the Zenfone 8
The Zenfone 8 still carries the honour of being the ASUS flagship. ASUS is packing a top of the line Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor into the smartphone with the Adreno 660 GPU. IT’s coming with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. The Zenfone 8 also packs a 5.9-inch, Samsung AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120HZ refresh rate.
Of course, being equipped with a flagship processor, it comes with support for WiFi 6 connectivity and Tri-band WiFi support on 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz. It also supports Bluetooth 5.2 and Qualcomm’s aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and NFC. It is also 5G ready.
On the camera front, the smartphone comes with a 64-megapixel Sony IMX686 sensor with 1/1.7-inch sensor size and 0.8μm pixel size equipped with Quad Bayer technology. The sensor has an f/1.8 aperture, with a 78.3° field of view and a 26.6mm focal length. This sensor is complemented by a Sony IMX363 12-megapixel ultra-wide, dual pixel sensor. It comes with 1/2.55-inch sensor size and 1.4 μm pixel size and f/2.2 aperture. This sensor supports dual phase detection autofocus and has real-time distortion correction. It also supports 4cm macro shots. On the front is a Sony IMX663 12-megapixel sensor with a 1/2.93-inch sensor with 1.22μm pixel size and 76.5° field of view. It supports Dual Phase Detection autofocus.
The smartphone also comes with an under-display fingerprint sensor. It runs on Android 11 with ZenUI 8. All of this runs on the Zenfone 8’s 4,000 mAh battery which is charged via a USB-C port. The hallmark is that all of these specifications and features are housed within a compact body measuring only 148mm x 68.5mm x8.9mm.
Zenfone 8 Flip – Flipping Bigger than its Flagship
The Zenfone 8 Flip shares most of the same specifications as its flagship brother. However, it comes with a larger 6.67-inch FHD+, AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It comes with only 8GB of RAM and only 256GB of internal storage. It’s also powered by a larger 5,000mAh battery.
The biggest difference comes in the form of the flipping camera. ASUS has imbued the Flip with a triple camera setup which functions as both the main and selfie cameras. The setup comes with the same sensors as the back camera on the Zenfone 8 but is further complemented by an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom and 12x hybrid zoom.
Pricing & Availability
The Zenfone 8 will be available starting from 28th May 2021 at all authorized dealers and ASUS Digital Stores. It will come in two configurations; one with 8GB RAM and 128GB onboard memory which retails for MYR2,699 and a 16GB RAM with 256GB onboard memory retailing for MYR3,299. The latter will be available exclusively on Shopee. It comes in Obsidian Black or Horizon Silver.
The Zenfone 8 Flip will retail for MYR2,999 for the 8GB and 256GB version in Malaysia. It will be available in Galactic Black and Glacier Silver.
Purchases made on ASUS’s Shopee Mall front will be entitled to early bird promos from 28 May to 11 June 2021. Purchases made within this period will be entitled to a SolidSuit Case. ASUS is also offering a trade-in deal where customers are able to trade in their old Zenfones for an MYR200 rebate on the Zenfone 8 series. However, this trade-in offer is only available at physical retail stores from 28 May until 25 June 2021.
Google I/O happened last week and there was a lot to take in and dissect even from the two-hour long keynote to kick the Google’s 2021 developers conference off. We highlighted our favourite moments and things that we learned from Google I/O 2021. What caught our attention this year was their WearOS partnership with Samsung announcement. Android 12 is getting a huge visual revamp too this year. At the end of the show, something else caught our attention, and that was the Project Starline.
Google’s Wear OS is about to get a revamp and overhaul thanks to their new formed partnership with Samsung. This also means that Samsung will be ditching their Tizen OS development and focus on developing Wear OS with Google. Funnily enough Fitbit is not really getting involved. While they spent a very small amount of time making the announcement, there is more to Wear OS and Samsung’s involvement than Google made it out to be though. Fitbit is also not entirely out of the picture at this point.
We also saw the new Android 12 with Material You design language. The UI is cleaner, more intuitive, and even more customisable now. It is technically more YOU, more personal. You can change your theme colours to fit YOU. You can tune certain UI features to YOU. It is even more personal too with a Privacy Dashboard. You can even turn off your camera and mic completely if you want to; even your camera app will not be able to access both functions.
Project Starline was amazing. In brought to life a concept that we though will never see the light of day until way later. The whole pandemic situation has isolated us even more, and with conditions expected to take a turn for the worse in the coming year, physical connection to other human beings is sorely missed. Project Starline is as close as you can get to a physical touch and interaction to others at this point of time. To be fair, the technology is still in its early development stage and brings 3D and holographic telecommunications to life. It was encouraging and exciting to see, but we wonder how practical it would be if you want to bring that kind of technology to your homes or offices.
It’s been quite a journey for Honor in its recent emancipation from Huawei. However, it looks like the emancipation is coming with significant benefits. If you need a little refresher, Honor started off as a subsidiary brand of Huawei to address the growing Millennial and Gen-Z segment who were looking for affordable, power-packed devices. Honor had a big European debut with one of their first ambassadors being Brooklyn Beckham, son of Football Star, David Beckham and Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham. However, with the sanctions from the U.S. on Huawei, the brand began to ship their devices without Google Play Services and with Huawei’s AppGallery.
Earlier this year, the brand was spun off into its own company and it looks like that has been a boon to it. In a tweet from the Official Honor Germany account the brand confirmed that their latest flagship, the Honor 50 will be coming with Google Play Services. (The tweets have since been deleted.) This is a big win for the brand as we’re beginning to see Huawei slip from the top of the list of smartphone vendors. Most recently, the company noted a 41% year on year decline in smartphone shipments.
Source: Android Authority
Source: Android Authority
That said, with the sale of Honor to a Chinese consortium of companies, Honor is seeing positive momentum. In fact, the company has confirmed that their upcoming Honor 50 will be coming with the recently announced, Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G. The partnership wasn’t possible under Huawei due to the U.S. sanctions. In addition to this, the company has also revealed that an upcoming Honor Magic device will be coming with the “most premium Qualcomm chipset”. The current SoC which fits that description is the Snapdragon 888 unless Qualcomm has another chipset up its sleeves.
The last Honor Magic device was released way back in 2018. The line up is being reintroduced as part of the new portfolio. Previously, the Magic line up was Honor’s most premium line up with power-packed specifications and top of the line features. It looks like that isn’t changing with the company touting the upcoming device as a “premium flagship product featuring superb imaging quality”.
