Huawei is making headlines once again with two significant developments that promise to reshape its future trajectory. From securing a cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson to the exciting resurrection of Kirin chips, Huawei is demonstrating its commitment to collaboration and innovation.
Cross-Licensing Agreement with Ericsson
Huawei partners up with Ericcson via cross-licensing. Image source: GSMArena
Huawei, a global technology giant, recently inked a cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson, a leading telecommunications equipment provider. This move is poised to have far-reaching implications in the realm of essential telecommunication standards. But what exactly does this agreement entail?
Simply put, a cross-licensing agreement allows both Huawei and Ericsson to access each other’s patents and technologies, fostering a spirit of cooperation rather than competition. The agreement covers the sharing of technologies between the two giants that covers standards such as 3GPP, ITU, IEEE, and IETF for 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular technologies.
One of the primary benefits of this agreement is the potential to reduce patent-related disputes and legal battles, which have plagued the tech industry in recent years. By sharing their intellectual property, Huawei and Ericsson aim to accelerate the pace of innovation and ensure that consumers worldwide benefit from cutting-edge technologies without unnecessary hindrances.
The Resurrection of Kirin Chips
In another intriguing twist, Huawei is reportedly reviving its Kirin chipset series. The Kirin chips were highly regarded for their impressive performance and power efficiency until they faced disruptions due to U.S. sanctions. Now, Huawei is making strides to reintroduce these chips into the market.
The resurrection of Kirin chips marks Huawei’s determination to regain its foothold in the smartphone industry. These chips are known for their exceptional AI capabilities, which contribute to improved device performance and energy efficiency. Huawei’s decision to revive Kirin reflects its commitment to providing consumers with top-tier, in-house developed hardware.
Huawei strategic moves to become an industry leader
In conclusion, Huawei’s recent moves demonstrate its strategic vision and commitment to advancing technology in collaboration with industry peers. The cross-licensing agreement with Ericsson paves the way for smoother cooperation in essential telecommunication standards. This fosters innovation between both companies while reducing potential patent disputes. Simultaneously, the revival of Kirin chips signifies Huawei’s determination to remain a significant player in the smartphone industry, promising exciting possibilities for tech enthusiasts and consumers alike.
Samsung’s collaboration with AMD goes beyond flagships.
Not long ago, Samsung and AMD decided to work together to bring better graphics performance to Samsung’s Exynos chipsets. Since then, only the Galaxy S22 models, powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chipset, were equipped with AMD GPUs (graphics processing units). While Samsung may have opted for Qualcomm chips for their next flagship Galaxy S family, the partnership is far from over. In fact, it’s set to extend to mid-range smartphones.
Source: Samsung
Revegnus (@Tech_Reve), a reliable leaker, has dropped some intriguing information about Samsung’s plans for their upcoming mid-range devices. These smartphones, expected to be announced and released next year, will feature AMD graphics technology. Specifically, the mid-range Exynos chipsets like the 1480 and 1430 will be equipped with mRDNA AMD GPUs.
Now, what makes this move particularly interesting is that these GPUs won’t primarily focus on gaming. While AMD GPUs are known for their prowess in gaming, Samsung’s strategy for their mid-range phones is different. Instead of amping up gaming capabilities, these GPUs will concentrate on improving image signal processing (ISP).
Source: Samsung
This strategic shift aligns with the mid-range smartphone market. Unlike flagship devices, mid-range phones typically don’t boast the hardware required for an enhanced gaming experience – think powerful CPUs, advanced cooling systems, and high-refresh-rate displays. Therefore, focusing on enhancing the ISP is a wise move and would provide a significant performance boost when it comes to smartphone performance.
If these rumours are true, Samsung could leverage the performance improvements from incorporating AMD’s mRDNA technology to bolster its already popular midrange Galaxy A series. As mid-range phones continue to gain popularity, it’s a smart strategy that could pay off handsomely.
OPPO Malaysia has introduced a new offering into their entry-level lineup – the OPPO A38. The new smartphone brings OPPO’s now signature SUPERVOOC charging to its lower-end devices. However, the new A38 is still packing the heat when it comes to the cameras.
The OPPO A38 comes with a design akin to the one we’ve seen on OPPO’s A78 and A98. Sleek, slender and ergonomically angled are the best descriptors for the A-series this year. The A38 has a sleek body and a textured back to help with grip and ergonomics. The back is also etched with OPPO’s Glow design technique that makes the smartphone shimmer under the light. It’s also got a matte finish to ensure that fingerprints don’t soil the details of the smartphone.
It’s not just about the design when it comes to the A38. OPPO is packing the entry-level device with enough features to make Santa Claus look stingy. When it comes to biometrics, the OPPO A38 comes with a side-mounted fingerprint reader which is embedded into the power button. The volume rocker and power buttons are also slightly raised for tactility.
The display on the smartphone is a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display. It has an HD+ resolution of 720×1612 pixels, a peak brightness of 720 nits and a 90Hz refresh rate. OPPO’s Sunlight Display also allows for better visibility under harsh lighting conditions and covers 96% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut for close-to-life colour reproduction.
On the back is a dual camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor. This is complemented by a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Up front, is a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The A38’s cameras are also feature-packed with AI-enabled features such as Portrait mode. The main camera sensor also uses pixel-binning technology for more detailed pictures even in low light. On the A38, this technology combines 4 individual pixels into a single pixel allowing more details to be observed by the sensor for better details in the picture.
The OPPO A38 is running on the Mediatek Helio G85 platform. The processor features two high-performance Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores which allow it to strike a balance between performance and power efficiency. This is complemented with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage.
OPPO touts an all-day battery with the smartphone’s large 5,000mAh battery. If you’re ever in need of a top-up, the 33W SUPERVOOC charging gives you a full charge in about 75 minutes. Oh… did we forget? It also has IP54 dust and water resistance.
Pricing & Availability
The OPPO A38 is already available in stores in Malaysia. The smartphone will be available in 2 shades: Glowing Gold and Glowing Black. It will cost MYR599.
Apple fans, mark your calendars! Apple is expected to unveil the latest iPhone on 12 September in a livestream event broadcasted from Apple Park. While the official invitation included some cryptic clues, we’re here to decode the details for you.
The invitation sent to the media featured a mysterious image and a single intriguing word: “Wonderlust.” While it doesn’t explicitly state that the event will revolve around the iPhone, history suggests this is precisely what we can expect. As the theme alludes to a sense of wanderlust, it’s safe to say whatever they’ll be announcing that day will be something for travelling enthusiasts.
So far, leaks and insider reports have given us a glimpse into the upcoming iPhone. Anticipate significant changes, including the long-awaited shift from Lightning to USB-C, upgraded processors, the introduction of the Dynamic Island feature on non-Pro models, and a transition from stainless steel to titanium finish for the Pro models.
If you want to catch the announcements live, you can visit the apple.com website on 13 September at 1 AM (Malaysia time). In the meantime, we’ll hold on to our seats for these exciting updates. Watch this space for more news!
Infinix took centre stage at the Venice Film Festival with a new smartphone focused on content creation and storytelling. Infinix collaborated with the Italian Pavilion to explore the synergy between smartphone technology and modern storytelling centred around Infinix’s new smartphone the Infinix ZERO.
Infinix’s ZERO 30 Series focuses on the selfie camera looking to empower self-expression to a whole new level with a 50-megapixel sensor. This sensor is capable of recording 4K video. This is bolstered by the 108-megapixel main camera on the back that is complemented by a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
The new smartphone comes with the Mediatek Dimensity 8020 chipset. A flagship chipset from Mediatek with features built to take on flagship phones. The octa-core CPU is complemented by either 8GB or 12GB of TAM and 256GB of storage. Display-wise, it comes with a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. All of this is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 68W fast charging.
Pricing & Availability
The Infinix ZERO 30 will be available in three colour options: “Golden Hour,” “Rome Green,” and “Fantasy Purple.”
Source: Infinix
In India, the 8GB/128GB model is priced at INR 23,999 (MYR1,350.76/USD$290.17/EUR€268.80), and the 12GB/256GB version costs INR 24,999 (MYR/1,407.09/USD$302.28/EUR€279.98), both available for pre-orders through Flipkart.
No official pricing has been announced for Malaysia just yet. But the company looks poised to bring the smartphone to global markets in the near future.
OnePlus enthusiasts, mark your calendars for September 25, 2023! OnePlus has officially announced the launch date for OxygenOS 14, which is based on Android 14, promising to deliver an exceptional user experience.
OnePlus has always aimed to provide a fast and smooth experience for its users. This time, they’re introducing the “Trinity Engine,” a unique performance platform. Comprising six innovative technologies—CPU Vitalization, RAM Vitalization, ROM Vitalization, HyperBoost, HyperTouch, and HyperRendering—the Trinity Engine is designed to optimize power consumption, multitasking, and overall performance. It’s a significant step towards achieving a smoother and more enduring experience, particularly during multitasking or intensive gaming.
Before the stable release, OnePlus is initiating public testing for Android 14 on devices like the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 11R, and OnePlus Nord 3. An Open Beta program for OxygenOS 14 will follow soon. Notably, Google’s Pixel phones and select Samsung Galaxy phones are also gearing up for Android 14 updates, emphasizing the widespread anticipation for this Android iteration.
While detailed changes in OxygenOS 14 are yet to be revealed, OnePlus is focusing on achieving high performance with energy efficiency. RAM Vitalization aims to optimize memory resources for smooth multitasking, while HyperRendering enhances visual experiences.
Sony first introduced their very high-end, very clever, and very powerful Exmor T for mobile imaging sensor on the Xperia 1 V, Sony’s fifth generation flagship smartphone that does everything an Alpha user needs it to do and even more. The thing is, at MYR 6,399, the Xperia 1 V commands an asking price even higher than what Samsung asks for in their flagship Galaxy S line-up. While the Xperia 1 V is a brilliant smartphone that is supposed to offer unparalleled performance and functionalities to content creators or creative professionals, it may be a little too rich for plenty of users. So, you get the Sony Xperia 5 V then.
In any way you look at it, the Sony Xperia 5 V is a brilliant product still, even compared to its more premium brother, the Xperia 1 V. Sure, there are visual cues to tell the people who know that you are not using Sony’s top-of-the-line smartphone. Its display size, for example is only 6.1-inch compared to the larger 6.5-inch of the Xperia 1V. It is also only Full HD in resolution instead of 4K. You still get the unique 21:9 aspect ratio from the Xperia 5 V. It is also still an OLED display that offers up to 120Hz in refresh rate and 240Hz in sampling rate. According to Sony as well, the display on the Xperia 5 V offers 100% in DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage and even BT.2020. Like the more premium flagship, the Xperia 5 V also has an X1 engine just to power the display.
Beneath the Corning Gorilla Glass protected display though is still the very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen2 platform that proved to be a force in the Xperia 1 V. It is not like you are getting a dwindled down battery too. Even in a smaller shell, you still get a 5,000mAh pack. That also means that this one smartphone can offer you even better battery life than even the great Xperia 1. Of course, the device runs on a rather stock version of Android 13 with just a few bloatware like its premium brother.
The bloatware powers the same Exmor T for Mobile sensor that its higher-end flagship brother gets. The Xperia 5 V boasts an effective 48-Megapixel underneath a 24mm lens with F1.9 aperture. Instead of two other cameras though, there is only one more camera that sits with the main shooter. You get a 12-Megapixel ultra-wide shooter instead of the clever variable telephoto that the Xperia 1 V offers. Still, you probably can get enough details with digital zoom from the 48-Megapixel photos. There is also a front-facing camera that is rated at 12-Megapixel for all your selfie and video-conferencing needs.
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Source: Sony
Just like its bigger brother, the Xperia 5 V maintains the same candy bar look and offers 3.5mm jack connectivity. Alongside that, there is the unique shutter button too. If you need, the Xperia 5 V also features a MicroSD card slot for storage expansion up to 1TB. There is fast charging for the large battery, you also get wireless charging still with the Xperia 5 V.
Price and Availability
While Sony Malaysia touts Q4 2023 availability, they have not officially announced its retail price just yet. We expect the Xperia 5 V to be a little more expensive than the current Xperia 5 IV at MYR 4,499. We do not think it will be priced above RM 5,000 though, at least there is no reason to believe that it will be priced as such. For now, we can only wait. For more information on Sony’s latest Xperia 5 V, you can head to their website.
Smartphones today are getting a little dreary. The most exciting thing to happen in the past few years was the introduction of foldable form factors. Even then, their practicality is limited, and end up being fashion statements.
Sony’s Xperia 1 smartphones have never been the type that follows trends. The Sony Xperia 1 devices pushed the boundaries of photo and video workflows on a smartphone. There are apps for specific functions and each specialized app does their jobs well. They were always made for Sony’s existing customers looking for an extension to their workflows. The new one is supposed to fit that bill better than before.
It is now MYR 6,399 though. Is it worth that much money? Should you get one? We find out.
Design
We have said this before; we think that Sony managed to nail a design that is elegant and timeless. Nothing much has changed since the introduction of the modern Sony Xperia 1 series. The familiar candy bar design might be old-fashioned, yet the hard-edged design still holds well today. You might not even be able to tell this Xperia 1 V apart from its predecessors.
You get the same button placements as before. The fingerprint sensor is also your power button. The volume rockers sit above the power button. The shutter button that is exclusive to Xperia devices is still there. The display size remains the same for the Xperia 1 V at 6.5-inch with 21:9 aspect ratio that forms the familiar narrow form factor. The sides are now serrated for better grip and feel. The glass at the back is also textured, giving a frosted look to the back and a slightly more organic feel while also resisting fingerprint marks.
Hardware
It is a 2023 device, so it needs modern hardware inside. There are a few things that remain though. You still get a 3.5mm jack and the 4K display unique to the Xperia 1 series.
6.5-inch OLED 1,644 x 3,840 (~643 ppi) 21:9 aspect ratio 120Hz (up to) HDR BT.2020 Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Operating System
Android 13
Battery
Non-Removable Li-Po 5,000mAh Fast Charging 30W Wireless Charging Reverse Charging
Connectivity
Dual SIM Wi-Fi WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e Wi-Fi Direct DLNA GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS A2DP LE Audio AptX HD AptX Adaptive Bluetooth 5.3 OTG Support NFC USB Type-C 3.2
Camera (s)
REAR: 48-Megapixel (f/1.9, 1.12µm Exmor T for Mobile, 24mm wide angle) 12-Megapixel (f/2.3, 85mm telephoto, 125mm telephoto) 12-Megapixel (f/2.2, 16mm ultrawide) Dual Pixel PDAF 4K video recording (120fps) 5-axis gyro EIS, OIS HDR Zeiss T* LED flash FRONT: 12-Megapixel (f/2.0, 24mm wide angle) 4K video recording (30fps) 5-axis gyro EIS HDR
Sensors
Accelerometer Proximity Side Mounted Fingerprint Ambient Light Gyroscope Compass
User Interface – Clean and Plain Android 13
Sony stuck with the original Android interface. The few bloatware that you can find on the Xperia 1 are Photography Pro, Video Pro, Cinema Pro, and Music Pro. To view your creations, there is Google’s Photos app.
We like the Vanilla Android 13 on Sony’s Xperia 1 V. It feels minimal, simple, and snappy. Since there are no custom skins to worry about, major Android updates can be pushed earlier too.
The Bloatware – Photography Pro, Video Pro, Cinema Pro, Music Pro
Unlike most smartphones today, the Xperia 1 V comes with just a few useful ‘bloatware’. They replace the camera and voice recorder apps. The camera app is replaced by three apps – the Photography Pro app, Video Pro app, and Cinema Pro. The voice recorder app is replaced by Sony’s Music Pro app.
Music Pro
The Music Pro app does everything regular voice recording apps does and more. There is just a simple problem of setting up hitting ‘voice recording’ on the setting before you can start. Beyond that, you can use it to record vocals and instruments separately, and then put them together to create your own demo or even master tracks. Unfortunately, we do not possess nearly enough musical talent nor the time to record proper tracks, so there will be no samples from us.
You can technically record your guitar and vocals concurrently. With some clever AI and acceptable noise levels, we find that the audio recorded on the device sounds clean and clear enough even for music mastering. The ‘voice and guitar’ mode does not separate voice and guitar tracks though.
You can edit your recordings with the app too. While there are limited things you can do, the Music Pro app is comprehensive enough for quick demo tracks. You can add various effects and mix the volumes of each track recorded on the app.
Performance
This is a top-tier smartphone with matching hardware. You get Qualcomm’s most powerful Snapdragon processor to date paired with the best display you can find on a smartphone.
Benchmarks
We have maintained that benchmarks for smartphones are flawed and can be unreliable. There were only a handful of benchmarking tools that are available for the Xperia 1 V.
Call Quality and Connectivity
While it is a 5G device, 5G availability in Malaysia is limited. Since Maxis did not offer 5G connectivity in our testing period, we did not test the device with 5G connectivity.
Even with 4G LTE though, we are happy to report that the device works as expected with little issues during a call with VoLTE support. When you lose network coverage, the device holds your call for a few moments to attempt a reconnection. You can make calls even when you have a single bar of network coverage with limited effectiveness.
Gaming
The hallmark of Qualcomm’s most advanced and powerful processor to date is its gaming prowess. The game of choice for us was Pokémon UNITE.
Like most modern smartphones, there is an interface to turn up your device or go into ‘do not disturb’ for uninterrupted gaming experience. We assume that Pokémon UNITE runs at the highest settings based on its hardware. We were impressed with its heat management too.
The game runs at up to 60fps and looks great on the device, especially with the vivid and bright colours. Since the display is wide, you get better overviews of what is happening on the battlefield. In PUBG Mobile, you might appreciate the extra display real estate too.
PlayStation Remote Play
If you have the latest PlayStation devices, this is an obvious choice for mobile gaming. You can technically play your games outside your home even without the DualShock controller if you have an adequate network (like 5G, for example). While this is not an Xperia exclusive feature, we find that games somehow play smoother and snappier on the Xperia 1 V, especially when both devices are under the same WiFi umbrella.
Multitasking and Productivity
Sony wants the Sony Xperia 1 V to be the ultimate tool. That also means smooth multitasking is crucial. With 12GB of RAM within the device, you should have no issues with it.
In our tests, we have Google Chrome with about 20 tabs, Gmail app, WhatsApp, Telegram, Adobe’s Lightroom for Mobile working while running Photography Pro or Video Pro concurrently. The Sony Xperia 1 V managed to run all these applications and even switch between them without any visible hiccups.
Display and Audio
6.5-inch might look small. But this is no ordinary smartphone display. It is a narrow 9:21 (vertical) aspect ratio at 1,644 by 3,840 pixels which also means that it is not technically a true 4K 2160p UHD display.
21:9 (horizontal) aspect ratio is perfect for cinema. Movies like Devotion or The Adam Project on Netflix fill the entire display with content. The front-facing camera is placed on a thin bezel on top of the display, offering unbroken immersion while watching movies.
You tend to get two huge negative spaces at the sides for regular 16:9 videos though. In effect, you are getting a slightly smaller screen than other smartphones. Still, it is an OLED display that offers 120Hz and HDR BT.2020 colours underneath a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. HDR BT.2020 is a new standard that maximizes the colour depth 4K displays can offer. You are getting 12-bit in colour depth with the most accurate, vibrant colours available and deep blacks from the Sony Xperia 1 V.
Sony’s Xperia 1 V boasts dual speakers that offer 24-bit/192kHz decoding. That means that your smartphone is a Hi-Res capable music player with capable speakers. We think that the Sony Xperia 1 V’s speakers are one of the best sounding speakers fitted to a smartphone. It sounds full, punchy, and accurate at all volume ranges. It can get loud too if you want it to be. The only thing missing is its own subwoofer for even punchier bass notes.
3.5mm AUX Jack
Nothing beats the wire in terms of audio quality and latency. The 3.5mm AUX jack on the Sony Xperia 1 V is nothing too special to begin with, but the fact that the device has one is interesting enough. Having a 3.5mm jack also means that you are not relying on battery power for your audio; one less thing to go wrong. The AUX jack can also be used as a mic input.
Battery Life
The Sony flagship comes with a 5,000mAh battery, typical of modern flagships. We were pleasantly surprised with its battery life despite the 4K display. In our typical use case mentioned above, we typically saw the Sony Xperia 1 V lasting more than a day and sometimes even two days in minimal use cases.
Camera(s)
The Sony Xperia 1 V comes with three cameras. Each of them is rated at 12-Megapixel resolution, but there is more to it. Sony developed a new larger Exmor T for mobile sensor underneath a 24mm lens on the device.
The 12-Megapixel Exmor T for Mobile – More Like 52-Megapixel
While Sony says that the main camera captures 12-Megapixel photos, their sensor technically has 48 million effective pixels from an oversized 52-Megapixel 1/1.35-inch sensor. Save for the Xperia Pro-I, the Exmor T for mobile is the largest ever camera sensor in a smartphone with about 26% more surface area than regular 1/1.7-inch sensors. Larger pixels also means that each individual pixel captures more light for more details and better low-light performance.
In adequate lighting, you get even better results. Photos look stunning and feel like something you get from proper cameras. We are not saying that this can replace a DSLR, but the best camera is the one you have, and this one is one camera you want to have in your pockets.
Photography Pro
This replaces your regular camera app and can work like one. In the ‘basic’ mode, it does everything automatically. Snaps can be taken with the physical shutter button or the on-screen button. There is the usual Auto, Aperture Priority (A), Programmable Auto (P), and Shutter Speed Priority(S) modes alongside Manual (M) mode. We left it on Auto most of the time since it is quicker to work with.
The Auto option still offers a few granular controls. You can choose to save your photos in RAW or JPEG formats, or both. You can manually control your focus pull as well from the interface for even more creative control. You even get focus peaking if you need it.
Video Pro
The Video Pro app turns the device into a proper production ready camera. The interface is intuitive with all the granular controls you need on the display. You can even adjust focus pull, put markers on the slider and let the interface automate the focus pull for you.
You get to choose between different colour logs, even S-Cinetone if you want to for that extra cinematic look post edit. If you do not want any of the post editing hassle though, you can just still with the basic or the vivid colour log.
The Sony Xperia 1 V also comes with both Optical and Electronic Image Stabilizers. It takes a little bit of practice, but when you get your movements right, you can easily shoot a stable video while walking through the park even without a gimbal.
Cinema Pro
The Video Pro app is not the only video recording app on the device though. The Cinema Pro app lets you capture videos at 21:9 aspect ratio. The Cinema Pro app also offers most of the controls that are offered on the Video Pro app, including shooting in the S-Cinetone colour gamut.
It is also a video editing app right on the device that allows you to stitch whatever footage you took on the device and get a cinematic video or vlog going without too much fuss. You are directly getting and editing footage at the natural cinematic aspect ratio perfect for viewing on the Sony Xperia 1 V itself. We think that it might provide an interesting look for your vlogs.
If you do have a modern Alpha camera though, the Xperia 1 V is not just an accompanying smartphone. It can be the ultimate companion for your alpha workflow. It can be your external monitor when you do your video shots on the Alpha camera. We are talking about a proper external 4K display for your Alpha camera.
The Xperia 1 V can be connected to the camera via a USB Type-C to HDMI cable to make it a larger, more colour accurate 4K external monitor for your shoots. The idea is not to use the Xperia 1 V with your modern Sony Alpha cameras though. It is to be used with older Alpha cameras and even cameras made by other monufacturers. If you have a USB Type-C to HDMI cable or some form of adapter for an HDMI or USB Type-C cables to the same effect, you can use the Sony Xperia 1 V in the external monitor mode with all sorts of cameras.
The Sony Xperia 1 V – Not the Average Flagship
We have to acknowledge that its design may not be to everyone’s liking. The sharper edges on the Xperia 1 V may also not be the most comfortable thing in your hands. There is not much else wrong with the Xperia 1 V though.
Its improved camera and apps capture better photos and videos than before. The device works extremely well as an alternative to regular cameras. While proper cameras offer better results, the videos and photos taken on the Xperia 1 V are still remarkable.
In the sea of Android devices, the near Vanilla Android 13 interface on the Xperia 1 V is refreshing. It feels clean, smooth, and looks great in 4K. Thanks to the minimal overlay as well, any major Android updates should come quickly on the Xperia 1 V.
We like the shutter button. The distinctive knurled shutter button alongside the textured back and sides make the device feel more premium than before. For protection, Sony also sells a minimal protective case with kickstand for the Sony Xperia 1 V that offers a better grip feel.
The 4K display is stunning to look at. We were also impressed with the battery life of the Sony Xperia 1 V despite the power-hungry display. It lasted more than a day even when we decided to work with the cameras. We liked that the flagship comes with 3.5mm jack as well as excellent speakers.
At MYR 6,399, the Sony Xperia 1 V is easily one the most expensive Android devices out there. Is it worth its asking price? To most, it is not. It is more than a regular smartphone for content creators. It is an extended tool, a companion, and a viable alternative when all else fails. For that, we think that it is worth the MYR 6,399 asking price. We would buy it.
Google Play Pass – the company’s answer to Apple Arcade – has made its debut in Malaysia. Play Pass will allow users access to a curated collection of mobile games free from ads and in-app purchases. Think of it like Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass for your Android phone. It currently has over a thousand games available in the catalogue on the Play Store.
Stealthily launched earlier this week in Malaysia, the Google Play Pass costs MYR10.99 per month. Your first month, however, is free. If you opt to subscribe to the Google Play Pass for a year, you’ll be getting a 25% discount with the plan renewing for MYR99 a year. The pass is shareable with up to five family members within a family group.
With the Play Pass, users gain access to games like Monument Valley 2, Stardew Valley, and more, all without ads and in-app payments.
Exciting times ahead for WhatsApp users as we round up the many new features coming very soon to your device!
Improved privacy features for messaging and calls
WhatsApp made great strides in privacy for messaging apps, when they introduced view-once messaging. Now, this process will get a whole lot easier. Spotted on a WhatsApp beta build on the Play Store, simply long-tap the send button to send a view-once message. This will also apply to sharing view-once photos and videos, though at the moment, GIF formats will not be able to be shared this way as reported by WABetaInfo.
Image source: WABetaInfo
Another boost to privacy, WABetaInfo have previewed a new feature called “Protect IP address in calls”. This feature can be toggled to mask your IP address by relaying calls through WhatsApp servers, making it harder to trace your location. While more secure, the feature comes at the cost of a small reduction in call quality. Another security feature for calls was the option to silence unknown callers. This toggle feature will stop calls from unknown callers ringing, while still showing up in your Calls tab.
Image source: WABetaInfo
Text formatting and enhanced media sharing
We can now expect more personalization and utility in messaging thanks to the new text formatting feature coming to WhatsApp. WABetaInfo showcased formatting tools such as syntax for blocking code snippets, quoting specific text, and creating text lists. There will also be a new “Quote”, which improves upon the existing “Quote message” feature. This will allow you to now quote specific parts of messages instead of the whole message.
Image source: WABetaInfo
WhatsApp will also be addressing another key issue; sharing HD media. As reported by 9to5Google via the Verge, there is a new “HD” button available when adding an image to a message. Selecting it brings up two options; standard quality (1600 x 1052) and HD quality (4096 x 2692). Recipients will also have the option to keep the standard quality or HD quality versions when on slow connections. No details on how compressed the images will be as of yet. WhatsApp will also give the same choice for HD video, as reported by TechCrunch. Users can now opt to send their videos either compressed to the current app standard of 480p or toggle HD video of 720p.
Native macOS app may be a reality soon
Great news for Mac users, WhatsApp will soon be available as a native macOS app. As reported by Tech Radar, the new app is already available to download for free via WhatsApp servers. However, if you prefer to use the Mac App Store, you will have to be patient as it is not available as of yet. Along with the new app, you can also expect integration with native Mac features such as “drag and drop” for easier media sharing and longer chat histories. There will also be enhanced call features, with capacity to connect 8 people on video call and 32 people on audio call. You can also join a group call after it has started, see your call history and opt to receive call notifications even when the app is closed. Alongside this features, you will also get the expected functionality of WhatsApp including end-to-end encryption and cross-platform support. Mac users will need to have a system running on macOS 11 Big Sur and powered by Apple chipsets; at least the Apple M1, to be able to use this app. If you don’t meet those requirements, don’t fret as there is always WhatsApp web.
Image source: Meta
Screen sharing and quality of life improvements
Another big addition coming to WhatsApp will be screen sharing over video calls. Keeping up with competitors like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, WhatsApp will now allow sharing of your phone or desktop screen as reported by Android Police. You can choose to share a specific app or your whole screen over a video call. Screen sharing will be protected by end-to-end encryption. The drawbacks are audio cannot be shared in screen sharing. To further support this feature, WhatsApp will allow video calls in landscape mode, to take advantage of your screen’s real estate. The feature might be coming sooner than expected. Keep a lookout for a Share button in the bottom action bar in your next video call.
Image source: Android Police
WhatsApp is also rolling out some quality of life enhancements to improve your app experience. This includes a revamped UI for Settings and the chat list along with a dedicated “You” page which houses your account information. There will be some minor visual enhancements, including the profile picture moved to the top right of the home screen.
Image source: WABetaInfo
Along with this UI update, Android Police has reported a new, sleek animation on the button when switching between audio message and video message. The icons jump up and twist when changing from a mic to a camera. This makes it easier to know which type of message is being composed, in addition to the existing floating tooltip. And finally, Android Police also reports the addition of a new page encouraging users to create their own Community. With WhatsApp being a staple for group chats, the Community feature will help organize messaging for larger groups of people. This is especially useful for neighborhood, schools and even select work groups. There is also a handy Get Started button that will help walk you through creating your first Community.
New features may already be in your hands
There are no exact dates when the new features will be available, but as it is a staged roll out, you may already have the chance to experience the enhanced WhatsApp. With the addition of these new features, WhatsApp is making great strides in keeping up with the competition. In fact, they may just end the year as the best messaging app in the market!
