Category Archives: Android

Android, Gaming, Mobile, News

ASUS Unveils the ROG Phone 5 series; Prices Start at MYR2,999

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ASUS is arguably one of the first companies to make a gaming smartphone. The original ROG Phone launched back in 2018 to much acclaim and praise and with a customised chipset from Qualcomm. This year, ASUS refines its ROG Phone series with more features and more affordable price points.

The ROG Phone 5 series is the first in the ROG Phone family to officially be introduced with more than one entry into the line up. The series will consists of the ROG Phone 5, the 5 Pro and the 5 Ultimate which are differentiated by a few features and key specifications. On the outside, the ROG Phone 5 series continues to inherit the ostentatious design queues which have become its signature. Over on the back you have the angular accents of the camera modules and the angular design of the new ROG Dotted Matrix Design which allows for some extensive customisation. The Pro and Ultimate variants, this is replaced by angular lines which surround the ROG Vision screen.

Specc’d to Game

When it comes to the phone itself, the ROG Phone 5 series comes equipped with a Samsung AMOLED screen. The screen is a 6.78-inch Full HD+ display with a resolution of 2448×1080 pixels. The phone boasts one of the only displays with a 144Hz refresh rate. On the protection side of things, it comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch and shatter resistance.

The new entries are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with either 8GB, 16GB or 18GB of RAM with up to 512GB of internal storage. It doesn’t seem to support memory expansion with a microSD card – making it the third flagship this year to eschew the microSD card. The ROG Phone 5 Pro and Ultimate are available with 512GB of internal storage with 16GB and 18GB of RAM respectively. The ROG Phone 5 caps out at 256GB with 16GB RAM. The series is also the first in the ROG Phone series to support 5G connectivity.

Perfecting Audio

The new ROG Phone continues to support better audio features by not only retaining the 3.5mm audio jack but also introducing even more audio centric features. Of note is the inclusion of a high-end ESS9280AC Pro DAC on the 3.5mm jack for better audio fidelity. It also supports symmetrical dual front-facing speakers. These are some of the largest speakers on smartphones coming in at 12x16mm. ASUS promises a louder, more rounded experience with these speakers. Also along for the ride this time is a DIRAC tuned AudioWizard with customizable equalizer for your perfect sound. DIRAC is providing optimisations on the ROG Phone 5 series to minimise crosstalk and widen the sound stage of the audio experience on the ROG Phone 5.

Of course, the ROG Phone 5 series comes with all the bells and whistles of its predecessors including improved Air Triggers and motion controls. In addition, ASUS is also introducing a new AeroActive cooler which come with two physical buttons for the triggers when plugged in.

Accessories, Accessories, Accessories

As with previous ROG Phones, ASUS is bringing a whole slew of gaming oriented accessories to enhance the ROG Phone 5. The first, is the AeroActive cooler which helps cool the phone down during intense gaming sessions while allowing you to charge the phone. This year, there are actual buttons on the AeroActive Cooler to provide a more tactile experience when it comes to using the triggers.

This year sees an improved ROG Kunai 3 controller. The controller allows you to have the versatility to play in a more console like way on the gaming smartphone. If you’d rather a more attached experience, the ROG Clip gives you a controller with a clip for the smartphone. It can attach via the USB-C port on the side of the ROG Phone 5.

ASUS has also opted to include more audio centric accessories this year with the ROG Cetra II earphones which comes with active noise cancelling with ambient mode. The wired earphones come with LSR drivers for premium sound quality and embedded microphones. ASUS also introduced the ROG STRIX GO BT with the ROG Phone 5. The wireless headphones come with up to 45 hours of battery life and AI noise cancelling microphone technology.

For those looking to upgrade from the ROG Phone 3, take note that not all accessories are forward compatible. Notably, the TwinView Dock 3, Mobile Desktop Dock and AeroActive Cooler 3 are not supported. The Kunai GamePad II, on the other hand, is partially supported by the 5.

Pricing & Availability

The ROG Phone 5 series will be available starting March 2021. The regular ROG Phone 5 will be retailing for MYR2,999 (USD$726.84) for the 8GB/128GB version and MYR3,799 (USD$920.73) for the 16GB /256GB version. Both will be available in Phantom Black and Storm White. These versions do not come with the AeroActive Cooler. Internationally, the ROG Phone 5 will be retailing for €799 (USD$950.16) for the 8GB/128GB, €899 (USD$1,069.02) for the 16GB/256GB version and €999 (USD$1,187.94) for the 16GB/256GB version.

The ROG Phone 5 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia from 11 March 2021 to 25 March 2021. Pre-orders of the ROG Phone 5 will come with a free Kunai 3 GamePad. You can pre-order the phone exclusively on the ASUS store on Shopee.

The Pro will be retailing for MYR4,499 (USD$1,090.39). It will be available only in Phantom Black and comes with the AeroActive Cooler in the box. The Pro will be available starting in May 2021. Internationally, it will be costing €1,199 (USD$1,425.83).

The Ultimate will be retailing for MYR4,999 (USD$1,211.51). It will be available only in Storm White and will come with the AeroActive Cooler in the box. It also comes with the limited edition ROG Ultimate Fan Gift box which hosts a whole bunch of ROG swag. Internationally, the Ultimate will be costing €1,299 (USD$1,544.75).

Android, Mobile, News

OnePlus 9 Coming 23 March 2021 with Hasselblad Camera and Charger in the Box

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UPDATE (11/03/21): OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 9 will come with a Sony IMX766 50-Megapixel ultra-wide camera. They also say that the Ultra-Wide camera should deliver distortion free ultra-wide shots thanks to the free-form lens technology OnePlus 9 features. The OnePlus 9 is also confirmed to come with a Sony IMX789 for its main camera.

HUAWEI has Leica right behind them, but they will not be the only one smartphone manufacturer with a large imaging giant behind their camera technology anymore in the market. Technically, since Sony’s Alpha integration with their smartphones, HUAWEI has not been the only one. Then again, Sony’s integration should have been natural in the first place. No matter.

Now OnePlus is the next smartphone player to add a big imaging solution manufacturer in their list of solution partners. That big name is Hasselblad. Of course, you see the benefits in the camera.

If you have not heard of Hasselblad, it is okay. Hasselblad is a name that is familiar only to enthusiast photographers and is a brand that you see in large studios. That is because their camera trade is unlike Sony, Canon, Nikon, and even Leica. They make Medium Format cameras, cameras with sensors as large as your face (that is an exaggeration).

If you put a Sony mirrorless camera beside a Hasselblad camera, the Sony will look like a child’s camera. But that is mostly thanks to the fact that the body of a Hasselblad needs to house a much larger sensor. You rarely see a Hasselblad out in the wild because of the heft. But they are also mostly used for studio photography to be made to large prints, like the ones you see on billboards or your magazines.

In that case, OnePlus is getting one of the world’s top imaging solutions provider as a partner and that can only mean one thing. The OnePlus 9 will come with a Hasselblad engineered camera. That, or at least a camera that is co-developed and engineered with Hasselblad, a world leader in imaging technology. That also means that OnePlus might take the camera top spot fight to the likes of Apple, HUAWEI, Samsung, Xiaomi, and even OPPO with the US$ 150 million that Hasselblad is planning to commit in the three-year partnership deal.

The OnePlus 9 is said to sport a custom Sony IMX789 sensor that is capable of shooting photos at 12-bit RAW. It is also rumoured that the OnePlus 9 can shoot videos at up to 8K (30fps), which also means that the camera is no less than 34-Megapixel. It is also supposed to be the first smartphone to be able to shoot 4K videos at 120fps, the slow-motion territory. The new camera supposedly packed into the OnePlus 9 also has a new autofocus mechanism that locks in a lot faster than traditional smartphone cameras.

There are no confirmations yet on the resolution of the camera currently. But at least we now know that the OnePlus 9 will come with an excellent low-light performance too thanks to dual native ISO. With some clever knowhow too, the OnePlus 9 should be able to shoot amazing looking panorama shots at 140o field of view.

There are a few things that we know about the OnePlus 9 though. The top-of-the-line variant should come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC. It could also come with up to 12GB of RAM and an OLED display with up to 120Hz in refresh rate. These are things we have seen before on the flagship though. The OnePlus 9 should also come with 65W fast-charging on a 4,500mAh battery pack too. Wireless charging is expected to be up to 45W for what will most likely be the OnePlus 9 Pro.

Unlike Samsung and Apple though, OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 9 will come with a charger. Many of today’s smartphone chargers barely hits 45W in charging speeds. In that case, for OnePlus to fully capitalise on their own 65W charging capability, its best that OnePlus includes their own proprietary charger that chargers at that speed, very much like OPPO and their VOOC technology.

OnePlus 9 Series - Lunarland

The OnePlus 9 will be launched on the 23rd of March 2021 at 10.00 a.m. EDT (11.00 p.m. +0800GMT, Kuala Lumpur). We pretty much know how it will look like when it launches thanks to OnePlus’ own video teasing the Hasselblad camera. There are no mentions yet on its availability and official pricing.

Android, Mobile, News

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Series is Here for MYR 799!

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Xiaomi’s Redmi line-up has been the long serving champion of great value for money smartphones. Okay, I might have exaggerated their position a minute there. But they are really good at what they do; they are really good at making budget friendly smartphones that punches above their weight.

Yesterday they launched the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note10 Pro in Malaysia with prices starting at MYR 799. The new Redmi Note series is, technically, the brand’s most advanced Redmi yet in certain areas.

Redmi Note 10 Pro

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You get a very powerful and proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 700 series in the form of a Snapdragon 732G. Unfortunately, you do not get 5G capabilities with the chipset. Then again, 5G technology has yet to see public daylight in Malaysia at this time.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro more than makes up for it with an ultra-powerful 108-Megapixel main camera though. Yes, it is the same 108-Megapixel sensor that the Xiaomi Mi11 gets. You also get the enhanced Night Mode 2.0 for even better low-light shooting capabilities with the high-resolution camera. That added with the dual native ISO nature of the sensor means you can really take this device to the night. The 108-Megapixel camera also comes with an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide sensor, 5-Megapixel telemacro sensor, and a 2-Megapixel depth sensor to make it even more versatile.

You also get the Note 10 Pro with 120Hz AMOLED display. This makes this mid-ranger one of the most unique smartphones in the market. You seldom see 120Hz refresh rates in smartphones at this price, at this range. The 6.67-inch Full HD AMOLED display boasts Full HD+ and is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Of course, all that power needs a lot of electricity to keep it going. That is where the 5,020mAh battery comes in to ensure you get a whole day of running time. You can get the battery charged quickly too at 33W.

Redmi Note 10

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The Redmi Note 10 is a little less impressive with 6.43-inch AMOLED DotDisplay taking up its front. But you still get 33W charging on the impressive 5,000mAh battery. You also still get dual speakers similar to the Redmi Note 10 Pro with Hi-Res Audio certification for immersive audio.

The Processor is a step down from the Redmi Note10 as well at a Qualcomm Snapdragon 678. The System on a Chip (SoC) is still no slouch though. You can still play modern mobile games with it with no issues.

On the camera front, while not as impressive as the 108-Megapixel main camera flanked by three other cameras, the Redmi Note 10 still has four cameras packed into the rear section of the device. You get a 48-Megapixel main shooter, which is still relevant today, an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide shooter, a 2-Megapixel macro sensor, and a 2-Megapixel depth sensor.

Redmi Note 10S

Want a higher-resolution camera without breaking your bank with the high-end Redmi Note 10 Pro? There is the in-between model that is the Redmi Note 10S.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S features a 64-Megapixel main shooter that is flanked by an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide sensor, a 2-Megapixel macro camera, and another 2-Megapixel depth camera. You can see a pattern emerging here. The 64-Megapixel sensor though should be able to give you super clear, super pretty photos out-of-the-box.

You are not getting a Qualcomm Snapdragon to boot here though. You are getting a MediaTek Helio G95 SoC to work with. The MediaTek Helio G95 is proven to be a potent and capable processor in mobile gaming, so you should not be left wanting more.

You also get 5,000mAh battery packed in its body for all-day battery and even more. If that is not enough, the battery charges at up to 33W too for a quick trip to the sockets.

Redmi Note 10 5G

If you want to take advantage of 5G networking when its available then you have to look at the 5G variant of the new Xiaomi Redmi Note series. It is the only Redmi Note series that is powered by MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 700 with 5G capabilities. There are some compromises on this device though.

For one, you get one less camera. You still get a high-resolution 48-Megapixel main camera to work with. But you are only getting two other cameras besides. You get a 2-Megapixel macro sensor and another 2-Megapixel depth sensor. You also lose out on the front camera at 8-Megapixel compared to 13 (10 and 10S) and 16 (10 Pro).

You do get a bigger display though at 6.5-inch. You also get an impressive 90Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate that will optimise itself to keep your device lasting as long as it can on a single charge. You also get a 5,000mAh battery for an impressive battery life. Although, you only get up to 18 in charging speed.

Spec Sheet

Redmi Note 10 ProRedmi Note 10Redmi Note 10S*Redmi Note 10 5G*
Display120Hz AMOLED 6.67” DotDisplay6.43” AMOLED DotDisplay6.43” AMOLED DotDisplay90Hz AdaptiveSync 6.5” DotDisplay
Rear camera108MP wide-angle camera 8MP ultra-wide angle camera 5MP telemacro camera 2MP depth sensor48MP wide-angle camera 8MP ultra-wide angle camera 2MP macro camera 2MP depth sensor64MP wide-angle camera 8MP ultra-wide angle camera 2MP macro camera 2MP depth sensor  48MP wide-angle camera 2MP macro camera 2MP depth sensor
Front camera16MP front camera13MP front camera13MP front camera8MP front camera
Dimension & Weight164mm x76.5mm x 8.1mm 193g160.46mm x 74.5mm x 8.29mm 178.8g160.46mm x 74.5mm x 8.29mm 178.8g161.81mm x 75.34mm 8.92mm 190g
ProcessorQualcomm® Snapdragon™ 732GQualcomm® Snapdragon™ 678MediaTek Helio G95MediaTek Dimensity 700
RAM+ROMLPDDR4X UFS 2.2LPDDR4X UFS 2.2LPDDR4X UFS 2.2LPDDR4X UFS 2.2
AudioDual speakers 3.5mm headphone jack Hi-Res Audio certificationDual speakers 3.5mm headphone jack Hi-Res Audio certificationDual speakers 3.5mm headphone jack Hi-Res Audio certification3.5mm headphone jack Hi-Res Audio certification
SecurityArc side fingerprint sensorArc side fingerprint sensorArc side fingerprint sensorSide-mounted fingerprint sensor
Charging5,020mAh (typ) battery Supports 33W wired fast charging5,000mAh (typ) battery Supports 33W wired fast charging5,000mAh (typ) battery Supports 33W wired fast charging5,000mAh (typ) battery Supports 18W wired fast charging
ConnectivityDual SIM Multi-functional NFC* IR blasterDual SIM IR blasterDual SIM Multi-functional NFC IR blaster5G Dual SIM Multi-functional NFC IR blaster
Variant6GB+64GB* 6GB+128GB 8GB+128GB4GB+64GB* 4GB+128GB* 6GB+128GB6GB+64GB 6GB+128GB 8GB+128GB4GB+64GB 4GB+128GB 6GB+128GB
Available colorOnyx Gray Glacier Blue Gradient BronzeOnyx Gray Pebble White Lake GreenOnyx Gray Pebble White Ocean BlueChrome Silver Graphite Gray Nighttime Blue Aurora Green
*Availability may vary between markets.

Price and Availability

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 series, as per mentioned earlier starts at MYR 799 (Note 10 6GB + 128GB). The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro will be available in Malaysia with 128GB storage options only, and it starts at MYR 999 (6GB RAM) and MYR 1,099 (8GB RAM). The Redmi Note 10 will be available 8th March 2021 onward at official Xiaomi physical Stores, authorised retailers, and their official Lazada store. The Redmi Note 10 Pro will be available 15th March onward in Xiaomi’s official offline stores, authorised retailers, and their official store on Lazada. There are no mentions of pricing and availability for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and Redmi Note 10 5G at this time.

Android, Contributed, Editorial, Mobile

A Deep Dive into One UI’s Design

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There isn’t much you can’t do with a smartphone these days, from filming content to banking online from anywhere with just a few taps. But there is always room for improvement, and Samsung Electronics is constantly seeking to make the smartphone experience more intuitive to help us do even more. This is why One UI was created.

Unveiled in November 2018, One UI improved smartphone usability for millions of users. After two years of further evolution, Samsung launched One UI 3 in December 2020, building on the design, efficiency, and user experience of the original across various devices. Now Samsung is raising the bar yet again with One UI 3.1. From February 18th, the latest One UI is bringing updates to support powerful functionality for some existing smartphones.[1]

So what kind of experience can users enjoy with One UI 3? Samsung Mobile Press sat down with the designers of One UI to ask them what we can expect.

The 4 Principles of One UI

1) Focus on the task at hand
2) Interact naturally
3) Be comfortable to view
4) Make things responsive

These four principles were established by One UI designers to give users the best experience possible.

▲ Jeonggun Choi, Principal UX Designer in the Core UX Group, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics

The fourth principle is a completely new principal introduced for One UI 3.1.

“From tablets to foldable phones and regular smartphones, the types of devices people are using has diversified, and the number of features and functions has also increased,” said Principal UX Designer Jeonggun Choi. “Following this trend, new principles were needed to provide the best layout for our users.” Whether an app is running on the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Tab, or the foldable Galaxy Z series, the UI is optimized for each device.

When using the Samsung Notes app on smartphones with regular sized displays, for example, users can access the app menu by pressing the navigation button at the top left side of the screen. But on the Galaxy Z Fold and Tab series, users can take advantage of the larger display by having the entire menu always in view, without having to press anything.

▲ Before (left) and after (right) views of the high contrast menu function

As part of the fourth principle, Samsung has also improved the accessibility experience by recommending features that complement the ones already in use. When someone with impaired or weakened vision has High contrast fonts turned on, for example, One UI suggests other features that improve visibility such as Bold font or Dark mode on the Recommended for you screen. One UI also reduces the hassle of having to sort through several menus by allowing users to turn off any accessibility features they are using from a single screen.

“Accessibility features are so diverse that it can often be difficult to use them to their full potential,” said Jeonggun Choi. “The ‘Recommended for you’ function increases convenience and helps users get more out of those features by identifying and recommending ones that users may need. We’ve also made it easy to use these features only when needed by allowing users to turn the features on and off while in use on one page.”

Galaxy Ecosystem Allows for Seamless Connectivity Between Devices

Another perk offered by One UI 3 is the ability to seamlessly switch between smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Taking into account the increased use of tablets and laptops spurred by a boom in remote learning and work, the new update provides a ‘connected device experience.’ This seamless ecosystem is paramount to enhancing study and work productivity.

“A new feature called ‘Continue apps on other devices’[2] has been added so that users can continue whatever they were doing on their smartphone – whether browsing a web page or working on a draft in Samsung Notes – on their tablet,” said Principal UX Designer Min-Young Chang. “Users can also copy text on their smartphone and paste it onto their tablet.”

In addition, users can connect their Book Cover Keyboard to both their tablet and smartphone with the Wireless keyboard sharing feature. The new Auto Switch feature also automatically connects Galaxy Buds to whichever device is playing media, so that users can seamlessly switch between their smartphones and tablets.

Connected device experiences are not only available with mobile devices, they are also available on home appliances such as TVs. Starting with One UI 3, users can use Smart View to enjoy multimedia content from their smartphone on their TV alongside the camera feed from their smartphone. This is especially beneficial for users who work out at home, allowing them to compare their movements with those of their virtual instructor.

“Starting with the One UI 3.1 update, users can cast their Google Duo video calls onto their TV with one just click,” said Jeonggun Choi. “With an increasing number of people connecting with their family via video calls and conducting virtual work meetings, this is an especially useful feature.”

A Customizable Galaxy Experience to Suit Your Needs

Smartphones are no longer just a tool that gives users the power to do various tasks—they’ve become a means of self-expression. Perhaps the best example is decorating the Galaxy Z Flip with stickers to create your own unique phone. But there are many ways to create a custom smartphone experience with the latest updates. “We have implemented a diverse array of features to let users use their smartphone as a form of self-expression,” said Jeonggun Choi. “Users can enjoy a customized Galaxy experience by choosing a video as the incoming and outgoing call screen or changing the wallpaper in the Messages app.”

▲ Before (left) and after (right) views of the quick panel. The design has been simplified and the most commonly used icons have been placed to speed up the search process. Users can add other icons by clicking the ‘See more’ button in the top right corner.

“We first analyzed the usage for each feature available in previous models,” said Min-Young Chang. “After ranking the features based on their popularity, we placed the most used features at the top while hiding the least used features to simplify the panel.”

Saving Your Time, Even if it’s Only 1 Second

▲ Min-Young Chang, Principal UX Designer in the UX Design 2 Group, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics

Another updated feature available through One UI 3.1 is the integration of the Clock app with Digital Wellbeing’s Bedtime mode.[3] After opening the Clock app, users can tap See More, then tap Set bedtime to set their sleep and wake-up times. Users no longer have to switch between two apps, making setting a daily sleep schedule easier and faster.

“Users might not be aware of all of the One UI design updates that have been made but these improvements combined help users recognize and react to various features quicker and in a more direct manner. Even if it saves 1 to 2 seconds of user’s time, I think it would have been worth the effort,” said Jeonggun Choi. “The One UI designers are going to continue coming up with designs that elevate our users’ happiness and satisfaction with Galaxy devices.”

[1] Features of One UI 3.1 may vary by device model. Updates may vary by carrier, country, and model.
[2] Both connected devices need to be running One UI 3.1 or above, have Bluetooth turned on, be signed into the same Samsung account, and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
[3] The feature allows users to change the background to grayscale and mute incoming notifications in order to help them sleep better.

Android, Mobile, News

Samsung Galaxy M62 Launches in Malaysia with 7,000 mAh Battery – Bigger is Better

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Samsung is at it again. Just when we thought Samsung is quite done with the first half of the year with the Samsung Galaxy S flagship series, they come back with their budget class Galaxy M series. Samsung is launching their Samsung Galaxy M62 on the 3rd of March 2021 and it will be available then too.

The Samsung Galaxy M62 is not here to impress the speed freaks. But it is still formidable in its class. It packs a Samsung Exynos 9825 System on a Chip (SoC), which is no slouch. The 7nm is supposedly boasting flagship level of processing power at a fraction of the cost. With that (SoC) you also get 8GB of RAM to ensure you do not run out of gas running multiple applications and even having multiple tabs open on Google Chrome.

The SoC and RAM combination powers a large 6.7-inch Infinity-O AMOLED display that churns out Full HD+ resolutions. That also means that you get a better look and view of your Social Media apps. You can even enjoy movies on Netflix with the large display and still make out details in the films, so you do not miss a thing. Of course, AMOLED comes with great colour contrasts and saturation.

Source: Samsung

The biggest selling factor of this device though is its huge battery. It packs a 7,000mAh battery. 7,000mAh is larger than most conventional power banks you can buy in the market today. It is more than two times bigger than a Samsung Galaxy Note8’s battery pack. That also means that you are carrying a smartphone that can double as a powerbank with Wired PowerShare.

Beyond that though, you can survive in the wild for a while with 7,000mAh, you are not going to be wanting to look for a charger for a few days. A large battery does not mean that you need to charge it for hours on end though. With the included 25W USB Type-C charger, the Samsung Galaxy M62 charges from nothing to full within 2 hours.

The Samsung Galaxy M62 will be available 3rd March 2021 onward exclusively on Lazada. The device will retail for MYR 1,999. For one day only on the 3rd of March 2021, the Samsung Galaxy M62 will be available for MYR 1,599. For more information on the Samsung Galaxy M62, you can visit Samsung’s website.

Android, iOS, Mobile, News, Social Media

Instagram Live Rooms – Experience video broadcasting with more users on Instagram Now

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Attention Instagrammers! Instagram has rolled out a new feature that allows more people to go live at once. The new feature called “Live Rooms”allows up to 4 users to participate and act as ‘hosts’ in a video chat room. Instagram hopes that the introduction of Live Rooms will encourage users to start their first podcast on Instagram. Also, going live with more than two people ups the fun factor. It also allows creators to share their audiences which can help increase reach and follows among the collaborators.

On the other hand, Instragram is trying to one up apps like Clubhouse, Pong Pong and Partying by creating a more interactive session with the video experience. This allows the audience and friends to actually see the expressions and reactions of the hosts on camera. Instagram claims that its limit of up to 4 hosts helps prevent participants talking over each other. That said, the audience can still freely interact with hosts through the chat function. Instagram is encouraging a plethora of content formats including livestream shopping and fundraising using Live Rooms.

Going live with Live Rooms isn’t just about interactions. Instagram Live Rooms is also helping creators monetise by offering “Live Badges”.The audience can purchase “Live Badges” from the host. The hope is that, like other platforms, these badges will help connect creators to their audiences better. It also allows audiences to directly support creators.

However, Live Rooms isn’t going live on Instagram willy nilly. Instagram has put in place terms and conditions to help protect creators and the community. People who have been blocked by any of the participants in the Live Room will not able to join the room. In addtion, those who have lost their privileges to go Live on Instagram due to violations of Community Guidelines will not be able to partake in Live Rooms.

Both Android and iOS users have access to Live Rooms and the feature is now available on Instagram. Instagram app is available for free on from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Of course, as mentioned, terms and conditions to Live Rooms apply.

Android, Editorial, Gaming, Lifestyle, Mobile

ASUS ROG Phone 5: Everything You Need to Know

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Update (10 March 2021): More rumors are continuing to surface about the ROG Phone 5 in the days leading up to its release. The first is that the new gaming phone will have a variant with 16GB of RAM. Something we highlighted in our original article. In addition to this, we’ve got our first look at the phone thanks to leaker @IshanAgarwal on Twitter. It seems like the phone will be coming in a new, sleek white color similar to the Zephyrus G14/15. The official renders also show a new AeroActive Cooler with a slight redesign.

ASUS’s ROG Phone is arguably one of the most popular gaming phones on the market. ASUS launched the first ROG Phone to much fanfare in 2019 creating a new niche for loud, gamer-proud devices. They also pack specifications and software features that allow users to get the most out of their phones when it comes to performance and comes with software optimizations for gaming. Don’t forget the plethora of gaming-centric accessories that is now a signature of the ROG Phone lineup.

In the past, ASUS has announced their gaming smartphone closer to mid year. However, this year, the company has already announced that they will be revealing their new entry into the ROG Phone line up on March 10 at 7pm. With that in mind, we thought it’s be an opportune time to round up the rumours and everything else we know so far about the ROG Phone 5.

Bringing New Design Cues from Successful Laptops

Yep. You read that right. No you didn’t miss a ROG Phone somewhere in between. Instead, ASUS has decided to skip straight to 5 as the number 4 in Mandarin and other Chinese dialects sounds similar to the word for death.

With that out of the way, let’s get down to business. You’d have realised that ASUS has been teasing the ROG Phone 5 for about a week now. If you’ve been paying attention, it looks like the AniMe matrix from the ROG Zephyrus G14 is coming along for the ride. It seems to be the hallmark design feature of the phone and will be replacing the RGB logo which was one back of the phone.

From the leaks, it looks like this may be complemented by a small display. The small strip could be used as a notification ticker or possibly in a similar way that the HTC One Ultra used it for interactive features. However, there’s no confirmations so far on the functionality of the display.

This would be an excellent complement to the triggers that we already know will be coming to the ROG Phone 5. It also seems like there is an extra red button on the phone’s lower left edge. Keep in mind, that the ROG Phone series has historically come with a side mounted USB-C port.

Asus Rog Phone 5 Live Hands on Video

Specc’d to Kill

As is the usual, it seems like the ROG Phone 5 is specced to kill – in a matter of speaking. We know the phone will be coming with a Snapdragon 888 processor. However, what we don’t know is whether the processor will come with a special build like previous years. Typically, ASUS and Qualcomm have launched the ROG Phone 5 with a “plus” or + variant of the year’s top processor. However, this year, the ROG Phone seems to be coming with the run of the mill Snapdragon 888.

We know from TENAA documentation that there will be an 8GB version of the smartphone, possibly the Tencent or STRIX version which we’ve seen in the past. However, we also have an inkling through rumours that ASUS is likely to have a 16GB and 12GB versions as well. Of course, they will be using the UFS 3.1 standard of memory for that snappy runtime. We will definitely see versions with 256GB and 512GB of internal storage however we wouldn’t put it past ASUS to offer a whopping 1TB version too perhaps paired with 16GB of RAM.

When it comes to the battery, we know for a fact that ASUS hasn’t shied away from large battery capacities. This year’s ROG Phone seems to be coming with a 6,000mAh battery if rumours are to be believed. ASUS is apparently achieving this by doubling up on 3,000mAh battery modules. Of course, the phone will be able to support up to 65W Fast Charging and come with Quick Charge 4, USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 and maybe even reverse charging. However, we don’t expect to see wireless charging in the ROG Phone 5 if ASUS keeps to its trends.

Source: ASUS

On the display front, it looks like ASUS might be equipping the ROG Phone 5 with a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen. However, rumours point to the gaming smartphone only coming with a Full HD+ resolution. That said, the display may be getting a boost from the HDR10+ feature it’s rumoured to be touting. It also looks like the smartphone will be coming with Android 11 out of the box.

Thanks to DxO Mark’s audio review, we know that the ROG Phone comes with stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack – hooray~! In addition, it looks like the phone will be equipped with an ESS DAC for better quality sound and it will also have at least four microphones. On the optics side of things, not too much detail is known. However, we do have leads showing that the phone will be coming with a triple sensor setup. It will be fronted by a 64-megapixel main sensor. The remaining sensors are unknown but if we are to go with what came in the ROG Phone 3 and similar phones this year, we’re betting on an ultrawide sensor and a macro sensor.

Pricing & Availability

While nothing much has been said about the price, we’re expecting ASUS to maintain the general price point of the ROG Phone 5. The ROG Phone came with a price tag of $999 in the U.S. and €999 in Europe at launch. In Malaysia, pricing was about MYR4,499 at launch.

However, given Samsung’s move to make the barrier to ownership a little lower this year, we can probably expect that ASUS may do the same; either with a lower specc’d entry or a very slight price decrease. We’ll have to wait and see.

Android, Mobile, News

OPPO Find X3 Series Coming 11 March 2020

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Samsung with their Galaxy S21 series has sort of won the flagship market in the first quarter of 2021. There is the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 11 that was very recently launched too, which was touted to be better than the South Korean flagship in every way, on paper. They also sell the device with a charger, a bonus.

Xiaomi is not the only one vying for the top spot in the premium flagship space though. There is also OPPO. To attempt to dethrone Samsung, they are launching the OPPO Find X3 series in 2021.

There is not much information at this time regarding the OPPO Find X3 series. The only thing we know for certain is that OPPO is launching their OPPO Find X3 Pro on the 11th March 2021. It is also most likely going to be launched with Android 11.

The OPPO Find X2 series really pushed Samsung in terms of specification. They proved that a high-resolution display with high refresh rates is possible. They also proved that high refresh rates does not mean a terrible battery life with the 2020 flagship.

The replacement, the OPPO Find X3 Pro continues on that recipe with a supposed high-resolution 1440p display with up to 120Hz. That is technically not a huge upgrade over the 2020 flagship that it replaces. We are also expecting it to come with up to 12GB of RAM, again something that we have seen before in the OPPO Find X2 Pro.

What is new with the OPPO Find X3 Pro though is supposedly its heart. When we say heart, we are mostly referring to powerhouse that is the SoC. We are expecting the OPPO Find X3 Pro to come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 flagship class SoC of course.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC is first seen in Malaysia on the Xiaomi Mi 11 flagship smartphone. While you have seen the Xiaomi Mi 11 perform, it does not mean that the OPPO Find X3’s inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC is any less significant. The OPPO Find X3 Pro could really benefit from the new powerful SoC.

For one, we really like OPPO’s camera application and optimization. We find that they really are among the best in the industry when it comes to camera technology and innovation. We are saying that they really know how to make smartphone cameras work.

With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, the OPPO Find X3 Pro might just be one of the best camera smartphones in the Android space. Even with the Xiaomi Mi 11 series, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC has boasted better sensitivity for low-light conditions. OPPO’s Find X2 series was one of the best low-light shooters we have tested in 2020. That also means that added sensor sensitivity in low-light will just make the OPPO Find X3 Pro an even better low-light shooter than before.

With the Snapdragon 888 in the OPPO flagship as well, the camera AI should benefit from Qualcomm’s Hexagon 780 dedicated AI engine embedded within the chipset. That could also mean better colours, better temperature adjustment, cleverer angle detection and recommendation, and an overall improvement in scene detection. It could also mean better depth in your photos. In that sense, what could you have asked for more?

Of course, we loved the OPPO Find X2 series for their gaming capabilities. We have used it as an alternative display in completing most of Death Stranding. We also played other games with it of course. Games like PUBG Mobile, and even Mobile Legends really benefit from a fast display.

The OPPO Find X3 Pro should deliver even more gaming performance with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. Qualcomm’s latest processor is supposedly able to cut down your reaction times in games like Mobile Legends and even PUBG Mobile by 20%. The display is supposed to react to your touch inputs faster than before thanks to the new ultra-fast processor. Of course, even better performance and faster clocks on the SoC does not hurt gaming. They even tout desktop PC level of performances on the SoC.

Of course, all these are still yet to be confirmed. We can only confirm all of the information when the product launches on the 11th of March 2021. Are we excited though? For a smartphone that could give Samsung a run for their money, heck yes.

Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi Just Announced the Mi 11 – The Most Affordable Snapdragon 888 Flagship in Malaysia & Singapore Yet!

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Xiaomi is no stranger to the smartphone scene. In recent years, the company has clawed its way to become one of the top 3 smartphone brands in the world. The same rings true in Malaysia and Singapore where the company has become one of the top 2 fastest growing smart devices companies. They have attributed their success to their highly innovative R&D process amazing products and what they call “honest prices.”  That said, Xiaomi’s biggest boon is the support of their Mi Fans Community. Today, the company announced their latest flagship – the Xiaomi Mi 11, the first device in both Singapore and Malaysia to come with MIUI 12.5 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with support for 5G.  

Source: Xiaomi

The Mi 11 is being touted by Xiaomi as a ‘Movie Magic’ device as it allows users to enjoy shooting like a director and edit like a pro. The Mi 11 comes with a triple camera sensor setup and a single selfie camera. Its main sensor is a 108-megapixels sensor. The is complemented with a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor with 123° field of view and the first M series Tele-macro lens. The front 20-megapixel, selfie camera is nestled in a punch hole up front.  

The camera setup comes with improved software including an improved night mode which is now available on the ultra-wide and front camera, giving users to the flexibility of shooting at night with different lenses. It is also equipped with AI features such as Magic Zoom, Parallel world, Freeze Frame, and Night Time-lapse, which brings even more variety to the shots that users can take with the smartphone. Apart from that, users can also take advantage of 8 cinematic video filters. The Mi 11 supports recording video in 8K resolution and supports HDR10+. It also has a 30% improvement in capture compared to previous devices. 

Source: Xiaomi

Even with all those features, the Mi 11 is thinner and lighter than before. It has a quad-curved edge design on the front and back of the device which make it more ergonomic. This device comes with a WQHD+ resolution AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120hz and 480Hz touch sampling.  

The Mi 11 has a dual speaker setup calibrated by Harman Kardon for a more premium audio experience. Keeping the device flagship worthy, the Mi 11 comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor complemented by the Adreno 660 GPU promising an immersive, responsive experience. The new flagship is also the first device with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi’s latest operating system which runs atop Android 11. To make sure that you have enough power to last, the Mi 11is supported by a 4600mAh battery fully equipped with 55W fast charging and 50W wireless charging. It also supports 10W reverse charging. The cherry on the package with the Mi11 in Malaysia and Singapore is the inclusion of a 55W GaN (Gallium Nitride) charger in the box.  

Pricing & Availability   

Xiaomi Mi11 will be available in three colors: Cloud White, Horizon Blue, and Midnight Gray. It will be priced starting at MYR2,799 (SGD999/USD$) for the 8GB version with 128GB internal storage. Full pricing is listed in the table below. 

Storage & Memory Sale Date Pricing  
128GB + 8GB RAM TBA MYR 2,999 (SGD$1099/742.53USD$) 
256GB + 8GB RAM March 13, 2021 MYR 2,799 (SGD$999/693.04USD$)  
  • Source: Xiaomi
  • Source: Xiaomi
  • Source: Xiaomi
  • Source: Xiaomi
  • Source: Xiaomi

Pre-orders are now open in Malaysia and Singapore. It will be running from 25 February to 10 March 2021 at Authorized Mi Stores and on Lazada, and Shopee. In Singapore, the Mi 11 is also available for pre-order with M1, Singtel, and StarHub.  

Pre-orders are will be up for several freebies. The first 100 pre-orders made will stand a chance to win Mi AloT Premium Pack worth up to MYR1,356 (SGD$ 461.90). The subsequent 600 pre-orders in Singapore and 1,500 in Malaysia will be in the running to win a Mi Air Purifier 3C worth MYR 569 (SGD$ 179). To be eligible, customers will need to register their pre-orders at the official Mi11 pre-order website. 

First sales will kick off on March 13, 2021 in Malaysia and 20 March 2021 in Singapore.

Android, Mobile, News

Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Gets 128GB Version in Malaysia

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A month after the introduction of their new flagship series: the Galaxy S21, Samsung is adding new options to their lineup. The Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra are getting an additional 128GB version on top of the 256GB and 512GB version already in the market. The new variants also come with lower prices starting at MYR3,499 (USD$865.67) for the Galaxy S21.

The new variants lower the barrier of ownership for the series. Bringing the S21 to a palatable price. However, keep in mind that the new S21 series doesn’t come with a microSD card slot; this means you’ll be stuck with only 128GB of memory. However, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be needing more. The new variants keep the RAM spec of the base models. The S21 and the S21+ will have 8GB of RAM while the S21 Ultra will have 12GB of RAM.

Purchases of the Galaxy S21 series will come with a few freebies including the Galaxy SmartTag, the Galaxy Fit2, and the Wireless Charger Trio during the introductory period. These freebies come with the purchase of any S21 series variant.

The introduction of the new variants comes after Samsung revised the pricing for their Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 FE smartphones. The smartphones get a pretty significant repricing with the Galaxy Z Flip getting over MYR1,000 in reduction. It is now available at MYR3,999 (USD$989.28) from the original MYR5,888 (USD$1456.58). The Galaxy S20 FE gets an MYR400 reduction for both the 5G and 4G LTE variants. Their prices are now reduced to MYR2,999 and MYR2,299 respectively.

Pricing & Availability

The smartphones are currently available in the market.

ModelPrice (MYR)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3,999
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2,299
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G2,999
Samsung Galaxy S21 (128GB)3,499
Samsung Galaxy S21+ (128GB)3,999
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (128GB)4,999