Category Archives: Reviews

Gaming, Reviews

[Game Review] techENT Plays: Baldur’s Gate 3

Leave a comment

Is it worth the hype?

Baldur’s Gate 3 – the long-awaited story-focused role-playing game by Larian Studios (the developer behind Divinity Original Sin 1 & 2) is now available on PC and Consoles.

Baldur's Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK (9)
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay

In a nutshell

Abducted by Mind Flayers and implanted with a tadpole that threatens a painful and terrifying end, you traverse Faerûn, a vast land of magic, fantasy, and different factions in search of answers and a cure before it’s too late. Along the way, you meet a diverse cast of memorable characters with different backgrounds and motivations that join you on your journey. Somewhere along the line, you realize that a great power is growing inside you. It is your choice to embrace the power or resist its temptations on your treacherous adventure to uncover the truth.

INVENTORY
Source: Larian Studios

Set in an immersive and carefully crafted world, players embark on an exciting adventure with a party of up to 4 characters. The party can consist of companion characters players encounter, Hirelings that can be customized, and, in co-op, other player-created characters. You make choices that dictate the narrative and flow of the world – from dialogue options to saving or killing characters which would impact the world’s factions and all living in it significantly. The game’s turn-based combat with randomized starting order adds a layer of unpredictability and strategy to every fight.

A Dungeons & Dragons Adventure

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a top-down point-and-click high fantasy role-playing game. Goblins, Humans, Elves, Halflings, Angels, Devils, and otherworldly creatures inhibit Faerûn, the magical land the game takes place in. Players can take control of the party members and interact with the world and its inhabitants. Combat is turn-based and the order in which characters go first is randomized. Players would have to tweak their party’s strategies and juggle limited resources, items, and spells to overcome the many challenging fights.

CC2 2 2

Baldur’s Gate 3 is largely based on the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (5e) rulebook. However, Larian Studios has taken some liberties with certain rules to make it more fun and viable in a video game format. While long-time Dungeons & Dragons players would need to figure out and adapt to the changes in the rules (Here’s a link to the wiki), players new to Dungeons & Dragons would benefit from the quality of life changes.

Baldurs Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK 7
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay

Baldur’s Gate 3 has successfully replicated the randomness of Dungeons & Dragons when it comes to the rolling of a dice to determine outcomes. This randomness is a major part of the fun and chaos that is Dungeons & Dragons. A master Rogue sneaking through the darkness rolling a 1 out of 20 (the worst outcome)? Oops, they’ve been spotted and have incurred the ire of more than 10 enemies their party was trying to sneak by. On the other hand, your clunky Fighter in full plate armour rolled a natural 20 (the best possible outcome) and remained hidden in the shadows watching your Rogue get pelted by arrows and fast-approaching enemies. The uncertainty and chaos that the roll of the dice brings is what draws players into Dungeons & Dragons and games like this. The failure to land a hit with 80% accuracy or the success of executing a hail mary with only a 30% chance of succeeding lends to the up-and-downs that make these games so addicting. Add that to the epic wins – and hilarious fails – that come with the journey and you’ve got an epic where even the best fighters can miss and the worst plans could be a win.

Freedom of Choice: It’s up to you what you want your adventure to be

While the game has a main story to follow, it’s up to you how you want to get there. As the game allows up to four characters in your party, you could venture through Faerûn with your custom character and 3 companions you’ve met along the way OR you could choose to venture through Faerûn alone. You could also grab a friend and play in a party made up of two custom characters and two companions or grab three friends and go through the story without any companions at all in your party.

The same goes for how you want to tackle the story, dialogue, and combat. Approaching a potential enemy encampment, you could carefully and strategically sneak up and dwindle their numbers before they even know you are there or you could simply opt to burst through the front gates and face all the enemies at once.

UI 11

In a conversation with a seriously powerful-looking character, you could thread carefully and avoid confrontation and maybe even try to persuade them that you and your party mean no harm. Or you could take a deep breath, yell “AAAAHHHH!” and proceed to swing your great-axe at them. The choice is yours.

Actions matter: Like, really matter

With great freedom of choice, comes great consequences that follow. Baldur’s Gate 3 remembers your actions and choices. They come back to haunt or bless us in various ways – from brief mentions in dialogue, additional dialogue options, to factions that become hostile to us. The inverse is also true. These choices can result in factions going from hostile to neutral or friendly, and can even have game-altering consequences. Everything you do impacts the future of your playthrough.

Baldurs Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK 1
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay

This is not exclusive to grand or obviously game-changing choices or actions. Many of us are loot goblins at heart, and one could say that playing a rogue, it would be a shame to not at least attempt to pick-pocket a trader or a rich-looking character – the option to pickpocket is there for a reason after all. However, should you fail, the consequences of being caught may not be as simple as a slap on the wrist, a warning, or a fine. An entire town – that you were hoping would help you with your story, befriend, and trade goods with – could immediately turn hostile to you with no easy way to turn the situation around. If you do not load your save at that point, your story could change drastically as a consequence of your action.

Immersion: A wonderful cast of characters to meet

The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 and its inhabitants have a magical way of fully immersing the player into its universe. The voice acting in this game is top notch and it’s obvious how much love was poured into this game by the amount of voice lines alone – many of which may not be heard by the general populace if they’ve only played one playthrough. From tucked-away areas, side quests, different dialogues, and cutscenes based on choices made, to different reactions and novel dialogue options simply based on the character’s race or class you are controlling when initiating the conversation, there are so many fully voiced lines within the game that contributes to the feeling of fullness and liveliness when traversing Faerûn.

BG3 Shadowheart
Source: Larian Studios

Going from the first cutscenes and into the first dialogues with characters we meet in Baldur’s Gate 3, it was immediately apparent that something was different. The dialogue screens outside of the cutscenes… feel like cutscenes. Unlike regular RPGs, every single character with dialogue screens was all done with mocap. This lends an incredible range of movement and facial expression to the characters you meet in Faerûn. With a large repertoire of expressions: subtle smiles, coy looks, frowns, disgust, shock, anger, worry, disappointment, and sadness – just to name a few – the characters in the game are all incredibly life-like, expressive, and a joy to watch.

Listening to the characters speak, feeling the emotions in the lines, and noticing the subtle and dramatic changes in facial expressions and body posture, all come together to make each and every character we meet feel important and alive. It feels like we are watching a top-tier animated movie instead of playing a video game.

Baldurs Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK 10
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay

The magnetic and expressive voice of the narrator of Baldur’s Gate 3 further adds to the immersion of the game and purposefully nudges the player towards appropriate emotions when traversing the narrative of the game. Together, the narrator and wonderful cast of characters draw the player into the story in a wonderfully immersive experience. The only time I’ve felt like I needed to put the game down for a second and take a breather was after a momentous and emotional event with consequences both good and bad – a roller coaster of emotions brought to life through the extraordinary cast of Baldur’s Gate 3.

My Personal Experience with Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 was my first entry into the genre. I saw Baldur’s Gate 3 as a mixture of Dungeons & Dragons storytelling and dice rolling, Skyrim’s world-building and characters, and X-Com’s strategic, turn-based, top-down combat. While I’ve enjoyed Dungeons &Dragons (I’ve played one campaign weekly for 3 months), Skyrim (100+ hours), and X-Com 1 and 2, I was hesitant going into Baldur’s Gate 3 as it felt intimidating considering its scope, mechanics to learn, hefty price tag, and potential time sink.

Baldur's Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK (3)
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay

70+ hours in, and heading into Act 3, while the start of the game was a bit confusing, after a few lessons learned via dicey situations, “oops, shouldn’t have done that” moments and a few firebolts accidentally thrown at friendly faces (yes, there is friendly fire, and yes you can choose to target your party member with your firebolt spell) – learning Baldur’s Gate 3 was quick, intuitive, and rewarding.

With the fantastic and meticulously crafted world and painstakingly sculpted characters, the gripping story, and incredibly engaging and challenging combat, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the most fun I’ve had with a video game in a long time. The 70+ hours flew by and the game does not lose steam at all as we progress through the acts. I’m looking forward to seeing what awaits my party and me in Act 3, and also, I am already planning my next playthrough. I’m currently playing as a Halfling Paladin, in a committed relationship, looking to save the world. Maybe in my next playthrough, I’d be a Drow Sorcerer, looking to set the world ablaze with Fireballs.

Conclusion

Baldur’s Gate 3 is an impressive labour of love. It’s Dungeons & Dragons in a video game, complete with a gripping campaign, challenging top-down turn-based combat, and a fantastic cast of characters and narrator. There is a lot to experience in the main storyline and even more to discover in hidden nooks and crannies, sidequests, and trinkets of lore. Successful and failed dice rolls – and the consequences that follow – have led to some of the highest highs and lowest lows I’ve felt in a video game. Baldur’s Gate 3 has managed to tell its story while maintaining a sense of agency for the player – where we feel like we’re in control of our actions and consequences instead of being led along – a truly impressive feat.

Baldurs Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK 12
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay
Baldurs Gate 3 Screenshot JeremyK 11
Screen capture from Baldur’s Gate Gameplay

If you’re on the fence on Baldur’s Gate, I would highly recommend it. There is so much to unpack in this game and through the Acts, it just keeps getting better and better. Baldur’s Gate 3 has truly lived up to its hype. Let Faerûn draw you in and immerse you in its stories.

Android, Mobile, Reviews

Honor 90 5G In-Depth Review: An Affordable Powerhouse

Leave a comment

No one has a bigger bone to pick with the affordable segment than Honor. Where it was once an indelible mark is now an arena where it has to prove its prowess. The Honor 90 is another try to prove that the company knows what people want at the astounding prices that they’re used to getting Honor smartphones.

IMG 7957

On paper, the  Honor 90 seems to check all the boxes when it comes to specifications with a large camera sensor, the latest version of Android and Magic OS and even battery life that is touted to last “All day”. Do these features make the perfect smartphone? Is it worth forking out the money for? We’re about to answer these questions in our in-depth review.

Design

Thin. Light. Durable. That’s the three words that come to mind when describing the Honor 90’s design. While the smartphone is for all intents and purposes a run-of-the-mill midrange smartphone when it comes to design, Honor has injected some of its design influences into it.

HONOR 90 14
HONOR 90 08
HONOR 90 01
HONOR 90 16
HONOR 90 15 1
HONOR 90 10

The slim form factor is very much appreciated at a time when smartphones, particularly in the mid-range, are opting for chunkier bodies. The Honor 90 isn’t just slim, it’s somehow ergonomic. Holding it in your hand is comfortable. The dual curved edges don’t dig into your hands like you would expect it to. Instead, it’s comfortably curved and gives you a little bit more grip when holding the phone.

The back of the phone is textured. The version we have has a matte texture that gives it a lot more traction when you use it. Honor has also given it a metallic finish which makes it look a little bit more premium. The two camera humps also have a halo that gives it a pretty finish and makes the protruding a little bit more acceptable.

Hardware

When it comes to hardware, the Honor 90 doesn’t shy away from being a mid-range smartphone. Instead, it embraces it. In fact, it’s showing the industry that the company knows how to strike a balance between performance and price that is not only acceptable, it’s applauded.

Specifications

 ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition
Octa-Core: 1×2.5GHz Cortex A710, 3×2.36GHz Cortex A710, 4×1.8GHz Cortex A510
RAM8GB 12GB 16GB (As Tested)
Memory256GB
512GB (As Tested)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)Adreno 644
DisplayAMOLED panel
6.7-inch (~435 ppi)
1200×2664 pixels
FHD+ resolution
19.98:9 Aspect Ratio
120Hz Refresh rate
HDR10+
1600 nits peak brightness
Operating SystemAndroid 13 with MagicOS 7.1
Battery5,000mAh
Fast Charging (66W)
ConnectivityDual SIM (nano SIM), Dual Standby 5G/4G LTE/HSPA/GSM
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6(ax) GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
A2DP
Bluetooth 5.2, LE, aptX HD
OTG Support
USB 2.0 (Type-C) NFC
CameraREAR:
Triple Sensor:

200-Megapixel (Wide)
f/1.9, 1/1.4″, 0.56µm
Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)  

12-megapixel (Ultrawide)
f/2.2, 112˚
Autofocus (AF)  

2-Megapixel (Depth)
f/2.4  

LED Flash
HDR
Panorama
4K Video recording (30fps)
1080p Video recording (30/60fps)
Gyro-electronic image stabilization (EIS)

FRONT:
50-megapixel (Ultrawide)
f/2.4, 100˚
4K (30fps)
1080p (30/60fps)
Gyro-EIS
SensorAccelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Fingerprint (Optical, under display)
Gyroscope
Compass
MiscellaneousDual SIM
Retail Price (Malaysia)MYR1,799 (256B + 12GB)
MYR2,099 (512GB + 12GB)
Retail Price (EU)EUR€399.90 (512GB + 12GB)
EUR€369.90 (256GB + 8GB)

User Interface

The Honor 90 continues to use Honor’s MagicOS. Like the Magic5 Pro, the interface has come leaps and bounds not only from its roots under Huawei but also when it comes to stability, performance and even optimisations.

The optimisations that Honor brings to its midrange smartphone more or less mirror those on its flagships like the Magic5 Pro. It has a very light layer on top of Android 13 with a clean, near-minimalistic take on Android and its Material UI. It does away with the opacity and density of colour that is now the signature Android 13 and puts on a light layer of effortless simplicity that makes the OS easier on the eyes and simpler to interact with.

MagicOS 7.1 continues to imitate the look and feel of iOS but is beginning to slowly differentiate itself. While some of the styles of the icons and interface may mimic iOS, Honor is focusing on making the interface fluid and dynamic. It is one of the better Android-based operating systems out there. The interface is responsive, easy to navigate and very fluid. Everything is accessible with one click. This includes, for better or worse, the control centre that feels like a spaceship control panel. But this also means that, unlike other Android interfaces, the notifications and controls are separated. Definitely a welcomed convenience but is handicapped by the need to remember which side to swipe down on. Swiping further to the right brings down the control centre but if you wanted to bring down the notifications shade, you won’t be able to. Instead, you’ll have to back out of the control centre and swipe to the left of the screen.

  • Screenshot 20230812 002211
  • Screenshot 20230812 002248
  • Screenshot 20230708 012443
  • Screenshot 20230708 012504
  • Screenshot 20230708 012528
  • Screenshot 20230708 012531
  • Screenshot 20230725 180628

Cards which made its debut with MagicOS 7, continues to be included with the Honor 90’s version of MagicOS 7.1. While they are a welcomed addition and layer to the convenience that the OS affords, it’s still remains rather handicapped with limited 3rd party support. I still found myself going back to regular widgets to get the functionality I was looking for.

Again, like in the Magic5 Pro, customization continues to be limited to font packs, icon packs and themes. At this point, with the increasing amount of customization offered by stock Android, it feels like Honor needs to up the ante and embrace it. Allow users to further customize their experience with coloured accents in addition to those already available. This, of course, excludes the highly customizable always-on-display (AOD).

Overall, when it comes to user interface, it feels like the Honor 90 brings a consistency we haven’t seen in many mid-range smartphones when it comes to feature sets. Nearly all the flagship software experiences are accessible on the Honor 90, unlike a majority of the competition who choose to limit lower-end software experiences.

Performance

The Honor 90 is laced with features that allow it to squeeze every bit of performance from a processor that can be seen as a little dated. That said, it also proves that not all smartphones need to be on the latest and greatest to provide an experience that is comparable to any flagship. Honor has tweaked and optimised the processor and software to deliver a very high-performing phone that doesn’t break the bank.

Multitasking & Productivity

The Honor 90 gave me a welcomed surprise when it handled multitasking without a hitch. I was, of course, expecting that the phone would be sluggish or, at least have noticeable slowdowns when multitasking. But that really wasn’t the case.

In fact, the phone excelled; especially when it came to doing tasks like split-screen multitasking. I was able to work on a Google document while referencing a website with ease. This was also the case even when I was using a split screen with YouTube. There was nearly no instance where the smartphone slowed down enough that it was unusable.

HONOR 90 16

Multitasking was a breeze, to say the least. But it seems like the phone was made for it to be honest. The optimisations that were made to the software make it really easy to jump in and out of tasks and documents with features like split screen and pop-up window.

Call Quality & Connectivity

Being a mid-range phone, I expected to have some concessions in hardware that would affect call quality. However, the Honor 90 pleasantly surprised me with pretty good call audio. The tone was warm, crisp and clear. Unlike a lot of the competition in its range, the audio lacked a lot of the tinny resonance we’ve come to expect with lower-end smartphones.

It’s also got all the bells and whistles when it comes to connectivity. The Honor 90 has 5G connectivity which should serve you well when it comes to your carrier. The higher speeds – which was gotten thanks to YTL communication’s Yes 5G – did come in handy when downloading big files off emails and also streaming my shows off Amazon Prime and Netflix. Support for WiFi 6 also came in clutch with streaming.

There were minor hiccups with connectivity – particularly with WiFi 6 and 5G. With the former, it had issues maintaining a connection with my WiFi 6 router. However, the issue was resolved after an update for the OS itself. The 5G connectivity problems seem to be stemming from the network itself. I had more stable data connectivity on 4G LTE. Of course, data speeds were not as impressive but a more stable connection does provide a better overall experience. However, since the 5G issues were verified to not be connected to the phone, it didn’t factor into our overall rating.

Overall, when it comes to call quality and connectivity, the Honor 90 really shows up the competition. It’s getting the basics right – and then some.

Gaming

When it comes to gaming, the Honor 90 didn’t have that many hiccups. During the review period, we tested the smartphone with games like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9: Legends, Pokémon UNITE and Diablo Immortal. The smartphone was able to perform pretty well across the board. However, it’s not unexpected given the class in which the Honor 90 punches.

HONOR 90 15 1

The graphical intensity of Genshin Impact really did make the Honor 90 sweat. Putting the game on max settings made the phone go warm. However, it also limited the frame rate and made the game unplayable in my honest opinion. Taking the settings down a notch changed the experience totally. The game performed well with optimised settings. The Honor 90’s cooling system kept the phone cool, but it still did warm up after a while. While it’s not very surprising, it was more surprising to go an hour or two without the phone getting any warmer.

Diablo Immortal, on the other hand, gave the Honor 90 a proper challenge. As always, this was most apparent with demon mobs. Just as my character was being overwhelmed by the mob, so too was the phone. It began stuttering and lagging just a tad. It’s not unexpected as the game does give higher-end devices some problems too. With the 90, this happened when there was about 60 to 80 monsters on the screen at the same time. Adding AoE attacks to the mix did slow it down a little more but the phone quickly rebounded once the animations were over.

Overall, if you’re gaming on the Honor 90, you’re not going to be facing many hiccups thanks to the enhanced version of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Aside from these two instances, other games like Pokémon UNITE and Asphalt 9: Legends had little to no issues.

Battery Life

Honor brings its signature battery life to the Honor 90. This smartphone really does give claims of “all day” battery life a run for their money. The battery on the Honor 90 was able to last at least 36 hours on a single charge with mixed-use. However, more often than not, I found myself charging the Honor 90 only after 2 days of regular use. This included using the phone for shooting, emails, messaging and calls.

  • Screenshot 20230707 042710
  • Screenshot 20230710 232322
  • Screenshot 20230710 232328
  • Screenshot 20230707 023419

On average, I was getting at least 36 hours of battery on a single charge. When it was actively being used, the smartphone was able to last about 3 hours on a full charge. At 15% with battery saving mode, I was able to get another 2 to 2.5 hours depending on usage during the time. On standby, this time went well over 4 days of battery life. This was without mobile connectivity and with minimal screen time.

Display

The display on the Honor 90 is one of the better ones in its price range. The AMOLED panel reproduced colours pretty accurately. When it comes to brightness, the screen is able to achieve a blinding 1,600 nits peak brightness. That means it was more than just legible even under direct sunlight.

While the display is just FHD+ in resolution, the Honor 90 does support HDR10+. This addition means that the display can reproduce intricate details in dark visuals. Viewing and editing video on the go on this screen was amazing thanks to HDR as well. The screen’s high refresh rate made transitions were buttery smooth.

The Honor 90 had one of the best reading experiences on a smartphone in its class. This is primarily due to the TUV Rheinland Certified blue light reduction for eye protection, and also reading modes. My eyes weren’t tired even after about 2 hours of reading an ebook and my comics. The ebook mode made reading less strenuous on the eyes but I still haven’t gotten used to it yet. So, I found myself reading using normal screen modes with blue light reduction and eye comfort turned on.

Cameras

The Honor 90 comes with a triple camera setup with a massive 200-megapixel sensor. However, Honor is allowing the hardware to be the only hero when it comes to the camera. The company has been developing its own algorithm to augment the quality of pictures taken with the smartphone. It seems like the Honor 90 is the first of many in a game of striking the best balance between hardware and software with Honor’s midrange. The smartphone continues to employ pixel binning to get the most out of the sensors it comes with but with the extra light and information, it’s able to create sharper, crisper edges in its pictures.

HONOR 90 02

Honor’s AI enhancements overall are a little bit aggressive for me. However, it does produce pretty detailed and vibrant pictures from the sensors. That said, I found myself turning AI off to get the shot I wanted in most situations. That said, without AI, the cameras performed pretty well even in point-and-shoot (Auto) mode.

Photos taken with the Honor 90’s camera were vibrant and detailed in good lighting. However, its performance under low lighting was less than stellar. Often, pictures were overblown to compensate for the lack of light. While quality degradation is expected, we expected a little more from the Honor 90 camera. Photos in low light were noisy and some were ruined by overcompensation. That said, kicking it into Pro mode is a saving grace. It allows you to get results that are closer to what you want.

Zooming in to take pictures on the Honor 90 can be a little bit of a hit or miss. This is pretty expected given the lack of a telescopic sensor in the phone’s camera setup. However, images and video are pretty crisp and detailed as long as you don’t go beyond 3x zoom. Going any higher than that or even maxing out at 10x resulted in grainy, blurry pictures. The Honor 90 comes with the same AI stabilization as the Magic5 Pro. It’s still as mind-blowing as it was with the Magic5 Pro.

To view this content, you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To do so, please follow these instructions.

Videos taken with the main camera setup are pretty good. We used it to do a few of our video content on social media (let us know if you find them). The results with good lighting are close to DSLR quality. Of course, we can’t get 100% of the intricacies of a DSLR with the smartphone. It’s perfect for capturing memories but falls a little short when it comes to being a video production powerhouse./

I feel like the Honor 90 puts most flagships to shame with its front-facing camera. Although, I feel like it does come with a caveat that it’s enhanced with AI features. With the right lighting, the pictures are vivid, colourful and detailed. The large 50-megapixel sensor allows for amazing quality. Even under low light, the results were better than a lot of the other options out there. But this may be cause we’re so used to low-quality selfies in this price range.

Overall, the Honor 90 has a power-packed camera setup. The robustness of the software and the versatility of the triple camera setup make it a good starter option for aspiring content creators. It’s also one of the best that we’ve used when it comes to video footage. Honor is definitely honing its software and hardware balance.

A Power packed Offering with Little to Lose with a Delicate Balancing Act between Software and Hardware for the Best Value

The Honor 90 is walking a delicate tightrope of features and price points. The performance of its software makes it a top contender for anyone looking for a value-for-money option for a smartphone. Extra emphasis on the value for money as the Honor 90 breaks a price point that other mid-range flagships dismiss readily. Its feature-packed software and selectively outstanding hardware make it worth every penny spent. You’ll be able to game on more intense games, create content capture memories and even multitask without breaking the RM2,500 price point. We’re comfortable calling this an unbeatable value smartphone.

Android, Mobile, Reviews

Honor Magic5 Pro 5G In-Depth Review: Breaking into Premium Flagships with All the Right Moves

Leave a comment

Honor isn’t holding anything back this year. The smartphone manufacturer has come out guns blazing with a smartphone that may very well be the push it needs to tip over into premium territory. While it’s not their first rodeo, the Honor Magic5 Pro 5G feels like it breaks away from conventional Honor smartphones or maybe it’s the first of a line of smartphones that will revolutionise where Honor stands in the spectrum of smartphones.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 28

The Honor Magic5, truthfully, isn’t the first flagship-class smartphone from Honor. However, it brings together a bevvy of software features that beautifully complement the hardware that comes inside. So, does Honor prove that it has what it takes to be a premium smartphone? We’re about to find out in our in-depth review.

Design

The Honor Magic5 Pro 5G isn’t a smartphone that feels cheap. It’s designed to stand out in more than one way. It’s got heft and a rather larger circular accent where the cameras are housed. While it may seem like the smartphone is rather large, Honor has taken steps to ensure that the smartphone fits nicely into your palm without much hassle. The edges of the back of the phone are slightly curved making it easier to hold.

  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 17
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 18
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 19
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 20
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 21
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 22
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 23
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 24
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 25
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 26
  • HONOR Magic5 Pro 27

The smartphone is built to feel sturdy in hand. The back feels sturdy and premium with its aluminium alloy and glass materials. It also feels good in hand and has more grip than other smartphones with similar finishes. The Honor Magic5 Pro is also not on a mission to run away from you when you put it on a flat surface. It does slip off the table or surface any chance it can.

The buttons on the sides of the phone are satisfyingly clicky. There’s enough travel for a satisfying click and the buttons themselves feel sturdy and high quality despite being moulded plastic. Even the frame of the Honor Magic5 Pro is built to last.

Hardware

The Honor Magic5 Pro is stepping out of being a midrange flagship to true flagship territory. It’s got the specification to back that aspiration. Honor is packing the Magic5 Pro with specifications that put other similarly priced smartphones to shame and its software may just be adding to the burn.

Specifications

 ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
SM-8550-AB
Octa-Core:
1×3.2GHz Cortex X3, 2×2.8GHz Cortex A-715, 2×2.8GHz Cortex A710 3×2.0Ghz Cortex A510
RAM8GB
12GB
16GB (As Tested)
Memory128GB
256GB
512GB (As Tested)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)Adreno 740
DisplayLTPO OLED panel
6.81-inch (~460 ppi)
1312×2848 pixels
QHD+ resolution
19.5:9 Aspect Ratio
120Hz Refresh rate
HDR10+
1800 nits peak brightness
Operating SystemAndroid 13 with MagicOS 7.1
Battery5,100mAh
Fast Charging (66W)
ConnectivityNano SIM 5G/4G LTE/HSPA/GSM
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6(ax)
GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
A2DP
Bluetooth 5.2, LE
OTG Support
USB 3.1 (Type-C) NFC
CameraREAR:
Triple Sensor:

50-Megapixel (Wide)
f/1.6,1/1.12″, 23mm, 1.4µm
Multidirectional Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
Laser AF  

50-Megapixel (Periscope Telephoto)
f/3.0, 90mm
Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF)
3.5x optical zoom  

50-Megapixel (Ultrawide)
f/2.0, 1/2.76″,122˚
Autofocus  

3D Time of Flight (TOF)
Depth Sensor  
LED Flash
HDR10
Panorama
4K Video recording (30/60fps)
1080p Video recording (30/60fps)
Gyro-electronic image stabilization (EIS)
10-bit Video

FRONT:
12-Megapixel (Ultrawide)
f/2.4, 1.22µm
4K (30fps)
1080p (30/60fps)
SensorAccelerometer
Proximity Sensor
Fingerprint (Optical, under display)
Gyroscope
Compass Colour Spectrum sensor Face ID IP68
MiscellaneousDual SIM
Retail Price (Malaysia)MYR3,499 (256B + 12GB)
MYR4,299 (512GB + 12GB)
Retail Price (US)EUR€1,199 (512GB + 12GB)

User Interface

Honor’s MagicOS has come leaps and bounds from its humble roots as an offshoot of Huawei’s EMUI. The company has optimised the software to fit their technology needs and has made a seamless, user-friendly experience that translates across the board.

On the Magic5 Pro, MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13 brings a very minimalistic take on stock Android. It delivers key Android features without the flash and opacity of stock Android. Instead, it delivers a thoughtful take on Android with the focus being on simplicity and functionality.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 06

The interface of MagicOS 7.1 is, for better or worse, designed to look similar to iOS. There’s no running from it. There are icons that are similar and even folders have similar functions to iOS. However, Honor brings its own flavour with the fluidity. Using the interface is easy, responsive and very superfluous.  Honor puts everything within a single click including an excessive amount of controls in its control centre. Yes – they’ve separated the notification shade and quick toggles. While it is a welcomed separation. The need to remember which side of the screen to swipe to get access to quick settings is irritating.

  • Screenshot 20230914 123433
  • Screenshot 20231025 160425
  • Screenshot 20231025 160447
  • Screenshot 20231025 160451
  • Screenshot 20231025 160457
  • Screenshot 20231025 160506
  • Screenshot 20231025 160514
  • Screenshot 20231025 160521

That isn’t the only change either. Honor is also introducing their own take on widgets called “Cards”. These cards provide some extended functionality compared to widgets. However, they are not resizeable or stackable like regular Android widgets. Fully functional cards allow you to essentially interact with apps without needing to open them. That said, Honor runs the complication of not having this feature fully supported by 3rd party apps. So, in the end, you end up using “traditional widgets” to get the functionality you want.

Customizability is a little limited on MagicOS 7.1 on the Honor Magic5 Pro. While stock Android allows you to customize your colours and accents in the interface, Honor has limited customizability to themes, icon packs and fonts. While it may seem a little limiting, this approach to personalisation allows the interface to remain clean while incorporating elements of the user’s personality. The Always On Display can also be customised to fit the needs of the user as well.

All of these unique features, while not flawless, lend themselves to one of the best iterations of Android I’ve used in quite a while. It’s simple, straight to the point and highly customisable. All characteristics of a user experience that is easy and simple. You can, of course, get all the usual functionalities and complexities of Android but the simple, easy-to-use interface makes it more refreshing.   

Performance

Honor’s Magic series has never been a slouch when it comes to performance. However, the Magic5 Pro feels supercharged and on par with other flagships this year partially thanks to the processor within the smartphone. That said, it is more than likely this performance boost more due to the optimisations Honor has included in Magic OS 7.1 and also RAM optimizations.

Multitasking & Productivity

Working on the go or even getting things done in a pinch is not going to be a problem on the Magic5 Pro. The smartphone is built to be a productivity machine even without the stylus support we’ve seen in many other smartphones. Honor has ensured that the phone is able to handle nearly any workload you can throw at it.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 08

When it comes to multitasking, the Honor Magic5 Pro excels. Whether it is jumping between apps in the recent apps interface or even using split screen, the Magic5 Pro is a champion. It is able to multiwindow multitask with a simple gesture. Pulling out the multitasking bar will allow you to launch apps in floating window mode. From the same bar, if you drag the app icon to the active screen, you’ll launch a split screen mode. While it isn’t as intuitive as regular stock Android gestures, it also prevents unwanted launches of apps. It’s also easier to explain to

Multitasking isn’t just about multiple windows, it’s about how the smartphone can handle the stress of running multiple apps at any given time. The Honor Magic5 is able to do this without choking. The processor is pretty powerful and the ample amount of RAM and ability to use dedicated allocations of memory as RAM extension for more when needed is genius. So, if ever the phone begins to choke, you can always increase the RAM to see if it is a memory issue.

Call Quality & Connectivity

The Honor Magic5 Pro performs admirably when it comes to connectivity. It supports 4G LTE and 5G connectivity without much issue. WiFi connections were stable with little to no disruptions or disconnects. Mobile data over 5G and 4G LTE were stable and didn’t have many hiccups.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 12

When it comes to calls, the quality on the Magic5 Pro was pretty good. Using Voice over LTE (VoLTE) was seamless and didn’t have any issues. Regular calls were also stable without much distortion. The call quality was good. Users on the other end of the line sounded crisp and clear. The sound quality was warm and full and didn’t sound metallic or distorted.

Gaming

When it comes to gaming, the Magic5 Pro had little issues. During the review period, we tested the smartphone with games like Genshin Impact, Asphalt 9: Legends, Pokémon UNITE and Diablo Immortal. The smartphone was able to perform pretty well across the board. However, it’s not without some caveats.

The graphical intensity of Genshin Impact did give the Honor Magic5 Pro a run for its money. While the game could be played in near maximum settings, the smartphone did get a little warm. This is even with the refinements that Honor has done to the cooling system in the smartphone. While it’s not very surprising, it was more surprising to go an hour or two without the phone getting any warmer. At no point during the prolonged session did the smartphone get too warm to hold. Of course, this was without charging the phone. We definitely wouldn’t suggest doing that.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 15

With Diablo Immortal on the other hand, the smartphone did struggle a little bit. This was particularly apparent when getting mobbed by demons. There was a point at which the smartphone couldn’t handle the number of events happening on screen and it started lagging. However, this only happened when I decided to accumulate about 100 enemies on the screen before using a skill with AoE damage. That said, once the animations for the attack were over, the game did rebound to be fully playable once again.

Overall, if you’re gaming on the Honor Magic5 Pro, you’re not going to be facing many hiccups. Aside from the two instances mentioned, games like Pokémon UNITE and Asphalt 9: Legends were able to run for prolonged sessions without issue. The only issue was whether I could handle the length of the gaming session.

Battery Life

Battery life on any Honor smartphone is commendable. However, on the Magic5 Pro, it’s amazing. I found myself charging once every 2 days. This is with 5 Gmail accounts and 7 work emails syncing in the background. Not to mention WhatsApp and Telegram. Honor’s AI technology when it comes to battery optimisation is astounding, to say the least.

Screenshot 20230331 010927

On average, I was getting at least 36 hours of battery on a single charge. When it was actively being used, the smartphone was able to last about 3.5 hours on a full charge. At 15% with battery saving mode, I was able to get another 2 to 2.5 hours depending on usage during the time. On standby, this time went well over 4 days of battery life. This was without mobile connectivity and with minimal screen time.

Display

The display on the Honor Magic5 Pro is one of the best we’ve seen in the price range. The OLED panel was able to reproduce colours pretty accurately with enough brightness to be viewable even under direct sunlight. It’s pretty clear that Honor was going all out when it comes to the display as it performed outstandingly well even under harsh sunlight.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 26

The HDR support on the display is a welcomed addition to the panel. Details in dark scenes, like the Battle of Winterfell in Game of Thrones, are noticeable and have enough detail to appreciate. The screen’s high refresh rate was also a boon in games and also when it came to the user interface. Transitions were buttery smooth.

Reading and texting on the Magic5 Pro was a pleasant one. With the TUV Rheinland Certified blue light reduction for eye protection, and also reading modes, I could read on the screen for prolonged periods. My eyes weren’t fatigued even after about 2 hours of reading an ebook. Speaking of,  the smartphone does come with an eBook reading mode which turns everything black and brownish mimicking an ebook reader. While this is great for extremely long reading sessions, I wasn’t used to the look of the mode and ended up turning it off after about 15 minutes.

Cameras

The Honor Magic5 Pro comes with a triple camera setup. While it doesn’t come with co-branding like some other smartphone brands, it does deliver rather commendable results. Honor’s decision to go with 50-megapixel sensors across the board does come with some benefits when it comes to the consistency of the pictures and footage that you get from the cameras.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 04

Honor also has some AI magic happening in the background when it comes to the camera. With pixel binning and AI, the camera setup is able to produce pretty sharp and vibrant photographs. The same can be said for the video footage that you get with the smartphone’s cameras. However, the AI can be overly aggressive at times resulting in overly exposed pictures or video.

That said, photos taken with the main camera are vibrant and detailed when you have good lighting. While there is some quality degradation when it comes to darker conditions, the photos still remain relatively detailed. In more challenging lighting conditions, photos can be noisy and blurry. By “more challenging” lighting conditions I mean near pitch black. Other than that, you should be able to get good photos from the camera.

To view this content, you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To do so, please follow these instructions.

Taking zoomed-in pictures can be a mixed bag with the Honor Magic5 Pro though. The optical zoom gives you decently detailed pictures. However, when you move to zooms beyond the 3.5x, results can be mixed. AI stabilization can only do so much when it comes to zooming in. Pictures beyond 30x zoom are horribly noisy and lack detail. Speaking of AI stabilization, the one on the Magic5 Pro is pretty good. In video mode, when you’re moving at higher magnifications, the AI creates a smooth panning effect to minimize motion blur and dizziness.

Videos taken with the main camera setup are pretty decent. In fact, we’ve shot some of our content using this smartphone – it’s up to you to find out which. The results with good lighting are really good. In fact, it’s probably comparable to some of the other flagship devices which are built specifically for photography. Honor has also baked in the ability to shoot in LOG which allows you to get a pretty colour-accurate video in post-production. LOG shooting will result in a flatter, duller colour profile which allows you to better colour grade after editing.

HONOR Magic5 Pro 22

When it comes to the selfie camera, the Magic5 Pro has a little bit of work to do. While the pictures under good lighting are vivid, robust and detailed, the lower megapixel sensor leaves some space for improvement particularly when it comes to detail. The low light performance is also a little bit lacking on the front camera.

Overall, the Honor Magic5 Pro has a pretty good camera setup given its price point. The robustness of the software and the versatility of the triple camera setup make it a good option for aspiring content creators. It’s also one of the best that we’ve used when it comes to video footage. Honor’s prowess at creating all-rounded cameras is definitely on show with this flagship.

An Honor-able flagship device that proves that the right balance of specifications and software is a winning formula

Honor is putting other “premium” smartphone brands to shame with the Honor Magic5 Pro. It’s proven that the right specifications and a robust but focused approach to software result in a smartphone that can cater to a wider range of users. The Magic5 Pro comes with a feature set that makes it one of the best smartphones for content creators while also being the perfect phone for people wanting to be productive on the go.

Android, Mobile, Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 In-Depth Review: Bigger is Better… But What Else?

Leave a comment

Flip, Fold, Open, Close – Foldables seem to be all the rage as more and more companies continue to weigh in on the new form factor. From sleek, shiny folding clamshells to thinner-than-you-can-imagine folding tablets, that’s the current climate of the smartphone market. But, as more companies start releasing their foldables, it’s becoming more difficult to differentiate and stand out from the noise.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 12

The Galaxy Z Flip5 is Samsung’s fourth iteration of their pioneering Galaxy Z Flip lineup and it makes some strides when it comes to functionality and features. However, is that enough for Samsung to stand out? Or will it simply get lost in the crowd? We’re taking a deep dive into the smartphone and its new features to find out just that.

Design

The Galaxy Z Flip5 is not a revolutionary update when it comes to design. Instead, Samsung has made small, incremental updates to the design in response to consumer feedback and also to accommodate the many features that it introduced.

The Flip5, like its predecessor, is very focused on being a fashionable addition to your tech gear. Its svelte form factor is meant to be easy on the eyes, light in hand and a statement piece when it comes to your outfit. It’s built to accessorize and be functional.

The biggest, most obvious change this year is the top half of the Flip being jet black. This is done to accommodate the upsized 3.4-inch display that now emblazons the top half. Samsung has also opted to keep the Flip5 colourful as a lineup with a selection of seven colours at launch with more options sure to come as the year progresses. However, the pastel palette of the Flip5 is lost and subdued even further by the jet-black upper half, leaving the phone feeling rather drab. Most colours appear white or slightly off-white after a while.  We experienced this with the Mint colour of the review unit we had.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 14
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 19
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 5
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 23
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 15
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 28
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 29
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 25

The other design change is the reduction and removal of the visible gap between the two halves when closed. While this is a major aesthetic change, it doesn’t affect the functionality. The biggest impact it had in our review period was making it harder to open the Flip with a single hand. This was just because there wasn’t a place to leverage to push the hinge open. Speaking of the hinge, Samsung has changed its design to minimize moving parts which also allowed for the removal of the gap. The only complaint we have with this design change is that it seemed to make the crease more apparent. It felt deeper, and more pronounced on the Flip5 than it was on the Flip4.

Other than that, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is still a pretty little thing when it comes to design. It’s made a few functional tweaks that leave it feeling refreshed. However, it feels like Samsung needs to refine the design a little bit more to get to that perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality.

Hardware

Hardware-wise, the Z Flip5, feels like a repeat performance of the Z Flip4. Of course, that doesn’t include the larger cover display which plays a prominent role in the improved functionality of the smartphone.

Specifications

 ProcessorQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Octa-Core @ 1×3.36GHz Cortex-X3, 2×2.8GHz Cortex-A715, 2×2.8GHz Cortex-A710 &  3×2.0GHz Cotex-A510
RAM8GB (As Tested)
Memory256GB (As Tested) 512GB
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)Adreno 740
Main DisplayFoldable AMOLED 2X panel
6.7-inch (~425 PPI)
1080×2640 pixels FHD+ resolution 22:9 Aspect Ratio 120Hz Refresh rate
Cover DisplaySuper AMOLED panel 3.4-inches (~306ppi) 720×748 pixels resolution Gorilla Glass Victus
Operating SystemAndroid 13 with One UI 5.1.1
BatteryNon-Removable 3,7000mAh Li-Po
Fast Charging (25W)
Fast Wireless Charging (15W) Reverse Wireless Charging (4.5W) USB-PD 3.0
ConnectivityNano SIM 5G/4G LTE/EVDO/HSPA/CDMA/GSM
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e(ax) GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
A2DP
Bluetooth 5.3
OTG Support
USB 3.2 Type-C
CameraREAR:
Dual Sensor:
12-megapixel (f/1.8, 1/1.16″, 24mm (wide angle), 1.8µm Dual Pixel Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)   12-Megapixel (f/2.2,123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm) HDR10+
LED Flash
4K Video recording (30/60fps)
1080p Video recording (60/240fps) 720p Video recording (960fps)
FRONT:
10-Megapixel (f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1.22µm)
4K video recording (30fps)
SensorAccelerometer
Proximity
Fingerprint (side-mounted)
Gyroscope
Compass Barometer Samsung Pay
MiscellaneousSingle SIM/eSIM

Retail Price (Malaysia)MYR 4,499 (256GB) MYR 4,999 (512GB)
Retail Price (US)USD$ 999.99 (256GB) USD$ 1,199.99 (512GB)

User Interface

OneUI continues to homogenise the Samsung ecosystem when it comes to mobile devices. The user interface of the Flip5 is for better or worse – the same. However, there is one caveat Samsung has introduced a lot of features when it comes to the cover screen and the folding form factor.  While not much has been done in terms of better adapting the UI to the longer 22:9 aspect ratio, they have introduced features which make apps look better optimised for the display.

Samsung’s focus when it came to UI this generation is undoubtedly on Flex Mode. The company has put its weight behind some apps like Facebook, Instagram, and the Google Suite to better utilise Flex Mode. In Malaysia, we have apps from companies like ZUS coffee, Family Mart and Maxis that have been optimised to make use of Flex Mode. However, for apps that haven’t been optimised, you have the option to enable the floating Flex Mode trigger which brings up a grey screen at the bottom which functions like a touchpad. Using this touchpad, you can scroll, select, and interact with the active you have in Flex Mode. One of the features I used most in Flex Mode is using the Flip5 on a flat surface to free up my hands during a video call.

Of course, Flex Mode’s features extend to a whole myriad of Samsung apps like the camera. In the camera itself, activating Flex Mode allows you to hold the Flip5 like a camcorder with functions and buttons on the bottom side while the viewfinder remains on the front. Flex Mode also allows you to take selfies with the cover screen and the main cameras.

Screenshot 20230911 121053 CoverScreen
Screenshot 20230911 121059 CoverScreen
Screenshot 20230911 121107 CoverScreen
Screenshot 20230911 121151 One UI Home
Screenshot 20230911 121200 One UI Home
Screenshot 20230911 121211 One UI Home
Screenshot 20230911 121222 Camera

Speaking of the Cover Display, Samsung’s new approach to it – the Flex Window expands the functionality of the display tremendously. You can now interact more directly with the apps from the cover display itself. You’ll be able to reply to messages with a full on-screen keyboard while reading it. You can create and edit calendar events seamlessly as well. However, the functionality goes into overdrive when you use some of the Good Lock modules. The Multistar module lets you use any app on the with no restrictions. During our time with the device, we tried to do some gaming with it on the Flex Window. While it didn’t feel very comfortable, it was possible to game on the FlexWindow.

While the Galaxy Z Flip5 comes with a larger FlexWindow, it did allow me to properly disconnect from my apps. I found myself striving to not open the Flip throughout the day. I was replying to messages with the FlexWindow while checking my schedule with a simple swipe. The best part is everything and I mean everything was a swipe away. This to me was the best feature of the User Interface hands down.

Performance

The Z Flip5 continues to be one of Samsung’s go-to flagships when it comes to foldables. However, aside from its processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 this year, it doesn’t feel like a flagship like its larger sibling the Fold5 or even the Galaxy S23 series.

That said, Samsung’s focus on OneUI does make it a little better with the software optimizations and a killer feature like the FlexWindow.

Multitasking & Productivity

Samsung’s focus on OneUI also trickles into productivity with features like the sidebar, split screen and floating windows playing a huge role when it comes to productivity. While the Flip doesn’t necessarily have the form factor to be a productivity powerhouse, the ability to use 2 apps in split screen and Flex mode makes it functional for people looking to get things done on the go. It also shines when it comes to creating an environment to focus on work thanks to the cover display.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 17

Multitasking and productivity also get a little bit of a kick with the FlexWindow and more so with Good Lock. The fact that you don’t have to open your phone to get things done is a dream for me. I found myself using the calculator, calendar and to-do list apps from the FlexWindow itself. The voice recording widget made it even easier to quickly capture my thoughts. Samsung’s Notes app also helped accomplish some note-taking and productivity on the go.

Call Quality & Connectivity

With Samsung’s track record with flagship smartphones, it should come as no surprise that the Flip5 has crisp call quality and a bevvy of connectivity options including 5G. The unit we got for review didn’t come with a dual SIM but the Malaysian version of the smartphone does come with support for Dual SIMs. That said, you could leverage the eSIM capabilities of the smartphone to get the same result.

Aside from this, the Galaxy Z Flip5 does come with support for Bluetooth 5.3, and WiFi 6e. Like many of the other Samsung flagships, the Flip5 had no qualms when it comes to connectivity. 5G connectivity was quite fast with commendable performance on 4G LTE as well. If anything, the connectivity on the Flip5 and other Samsung devices, in general, has been a lot more stable than many of its Android competitors.

Bluetooth performance on the Flip5 was also pretty solid. Using the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, I was able to move about while connected to the smartphone. Signal degradation only happened about 30 to 40 meters away from the phone. It was the same even when using the OnePlus Buds2 Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM3.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 20

Quick Connect and nearby share are boons to the device too. Provided the device you are trying to connect supports it, all you have to do is click one button and your earbuds, speakers or even laptop are connected seamlessly. The option to use nearby share to send large files wirelessly is also a plus. I mean, sending a 100MB file over a nearby share took only 5 minutes and you didn’t have to fumble with cables or finicky wireless pairing.

Gaming

When it came to gaming, the Z Flip5 was a little bit of a challenge. Let’s be straight, you’re not buying a Z Flip5 for its gaming capabilities. However, with a processor like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and extendable RAM, you would expect a little bit more from the device.

While games ran pretty well on the smartphone, the issue we had with it was that it got a little bit warm. Not as bad as the S22+ when we reviewed it, but it did get warm. Of course, this wasn’t with simple games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds. This was with games like Diablo Immortal and Genshin Impact. That said, while it did get a little warm, there were hardly any stuttering or screen tears during gaming sessions.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 2

Your biggest challenge when it comes to the Flip5 with gaming is the fact that it has a hinge. If you’re playing a horizontal game, you run the risk of over-exerting and bending the hinge the wrong way; and even if you bend it the correct way, your gaming session is disrupted because you accidentally switched off the screen.

However, with games like Pokemon GO, Pokemon TCG Live and Marvel’s Snap, we didn’t feel the hinge as much. The vertical alignment alleviates a lot of the issues we mentioned.

Battery Life

Samsung’s track record with battery life hasn’t been the best but it’s also not the worst. With the Flip5, I was easily able to get a good 7-8 hours with regular use. This was primarily using apps like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram and Threads. On days where I found myself interacting more with the FlexWindow this easily went up to about 11-13 hours. However, if you are using it constantly, you may find yourself looking for a charger in about 6 hours.

Of course, it should come as no surprise that I only managed to get about 3 hours of continuous gaming time with the Flip5. This was playing Diablo Immortal which can be quite taxing on the battery and processor.

Display

The display of the Galaxy Z Flip5 is one we’re used to seeing in Samsung flagships. The flexible AMOLED 2X and the FHD+ resolution are a good combination. The screen is capable of vivid colours and deep blacks. However, the panel can oversaturate some colours like reds and oranges when pumped up to vivid. In its natural tone mode, it feels a little washed out. These are, however, issues that can be addressed through software updates later on. Samsung’s inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate is also a plus which brings buttery smooth and fluid animations and a little bit of an edge when it comes to games like PUBG Mobile.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 1

The only thing that takes some getting used to when it comes to the display on the Flip5 is the aspect ratio. With most phones coming with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the 22:9 aspect ratio will seem a little weird at first. You will notice black bars on videos that you usually wouldn’t have any. However, these issues will take a backseat as you continue to use the device.

The FlexWindow or Cover display is the hallmark of this smartphone. The Super AMOLED panel in the FlexWindow does its job pretty well.  It delivers high-quality images with good colour reproduction. You won’t even realise that it only has a 60Hz refresh rate. However, I don’t think Samsung was prepared for users like me who end up using this display more than the main display. But for all the functions that are possible on the screen, it excels at delivering a near-perfect experience.

Cameras

Samsung continues to opt to equip the Flip series with a dual-sensor setup when it comes to cameras. To be very honest, you’re not missing out on much when it comes to camera performance – unless you’re looking for extensive camera performance to be a Pro photographer. Let’s be honest, you’re better off buying a camera at that point. Samsung has packed a bevvy of features into the camera of the Flip5 for users like most of us who want to point and click and not fuss about apertures, shutter speed and the like.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 26

Samsung continues to prove that more sensors don’t mean better cameras. The Z Flip5’s dual 12-megapixel main cameras are pretty decent. They give you enough options for Zoom and changing to a larger aperture or even landscape shots with an ultrawide mode.  The versatility also means you have options even for a bokeh-licious portrait shot. With super steady mode, you’ll be able to shoot while walking or skating but also it allows for better movement shots.

Up front, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is equipped with a 10-megapixel sensor. One that I didn’t use much as I found myself defaulting to the main sensors. The FlexWindow allowed for better control of selfies using the front cameras. The selfie sensor was only my go-to when it came to video calls. This was mostly cause of the convenience the folding allowed me when using it. It allowed the phone itself to become like a tripod and freed up my hands to do other things.

That said, the images from the selfie camera were still pretty sharp and detailed.

To view this content, you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To do so, please follow these instructions.

The main camera setup is an unusual combination of two 12-megapixel sensors – a wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an ultrawide one with an f/2.2 aperture. Samsung didn’t even include its variable aperture technology. However, the combination gave relatively good photos. Colours were bright and popped.

That aside, the camera combination allowed the Flip to be a little more versatile than other dual-camera smartphones. While the lack of a telephoto meant that there was no optical zoom, the limited digital zoom allowed for good zoomed-in photos. However, don’t expect the quality to be anything like other smartphones with optical zoom. Pictures beyond 2x or 3x zoom become grainy and unusable. Zoom aside, the phone was still able to adapt to portrait mode and was even able to take close-up shots. The versatility proved to be quite useful during our review period, but it still is no replacement for a DSLR.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Series 27

The main camera paired with the cover screen is also a winning combination. The fact that you’re getting stunning selfies thanks to the main sensors is a win in our books. What’s more, you don’t even need to flip the phone open to use them. However, the size does limit the versatility of the cameras. However, that’s not a deal breaker considering you technically can just flip the phone open to use the cameras fully.

Supersizing a Cover Screen and Making it Flex Hard with Functionality while Leaving Users Wanting More in terms of Performance and Upgrades

Saying the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is an iterative update would be a disservice to the change that the FlexWindow brings to the table when it comes to functionality and productivity. However, when you look at what powers the Z Flip5 and the overall specifications, it seems like Samsung may have been a little too hyper-focused on its update of the Z Flip lineup.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 3

That said, the focus pays off when it comes to the overall user experience. The hyper-focus allowed Samsung to iron out the kinks and perfecting features that were left to third parties to figure out. Them taking on things like optimising for FlexWindow and FlexMode elevated the user experience significantly making it a more enjoyable user experience that you would be comfortable with even in 3 years. That said, Samsung’s inclusion of an IPX8 rating needs to be recognised as it brings us that much closer to having a foldable that is truly water and dust-resistant and having peace of mind with splashes and accidental spills is a big win.

User experience-wise, it’s a near-perfect update to the Galaxy Z Flip series. However, the only place where the Flip tends to fall short is on the hardware upgrades that it lacks internally. We want to see Samsung up the ante with features like Cameras and RAM to make it even more compelling than their A and S series. Samsung can make a performance powerhouse that’s a foldable and the Z Flip series is the series to prove it. Sadly, the Flip5 isn’t that.

Android, Editor's Choice, Lifestyle, Mobile, Reviews

The Sony Xperia 1 V In-Depth Review – Maybe the Best MYR 6,399 You Can Spend

Leave a comment

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

  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 01
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 27
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 26
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 25
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 24
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 23
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 22
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 21
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 20
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 19
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 18
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 17
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 16
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 15
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 14
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 13
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 12
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 11
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 10
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 09
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 08
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 07
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 06
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 05
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 04
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 03
  • Sony Xperia 1 V Review 02

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

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 07

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.

Specifications

ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Octa-core
4nm
1x Cortex-X3 @ 3.2GHz
2x Cortex-A715 @ 2.8GHz
2x Cortex-A710 @ 2.8GHz
3x Cortex-A510 @ 2.0GHz
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)Adreno 740
RAM (Native)12GB
Memory (as tested)512GB
Display(s)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 SystemAndroid 13
BatteryNon-Removable Li-Po 5,000mAh
Fast Charging 30W
Wireless Charging
Reverse Charging
ConnectivityDual 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
SensorsAccelerometer
Proximity
Side Mounted Fingerprint
Ambient Light
Gyroscope
Compass

User Interface – Clean and Plain Android 13

  • Screenshot 20230720 141611
  • Screenshot 20230720 141626
  • Screenshot 20230720 141620
  • Screenshot 20230720 141614
  • Screenshot 20230720 143901

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

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 22

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

  • Screenshot 20230720 140335
  • Screenshot 20230720 140343
  • Screenshot 20230720 140357
  • Screenshot 20230720 140404
  • Screenshot 20230720 140412

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

  • Screenshot 20230718 025404
  • Screenshot 20230718 025416
  • Screenshot 20230718 025427
  • New Battle Action RPG "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Battle Chronicle" Launches Today, August 24
  • Screenshot 20230718 025624
  • Screenshot 20230718 025641
  • Screenshot 20230718 025711
  • Screenshot 20230718 030955
  • Screenshot 20230718 031031
  • Screenshot 20230718 031043

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

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 20

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

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 21

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)

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 11

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

  • Screenshot 20230720 141639
  • Screenshot 20230720 141648
  • Screenshot 20230720 141651
  • Screenshot 20230720 141700
  • Screenshot 20230720 141709
  • Screenshot 20230720 141714
  • Screenshot 20230720 141717
  • Screenshot 20230720 141723

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

  • Screenshot 20230720 142317
  • Screenshot 20230720 142325
  • Screenshot 20230720 142338
  • Screenshot 20230720 141837
  • Screenshot 20230720 141833
  • Screenshot 20230720 141844
  • Screenshot 20230720 141848
  • Screenshot 20230720 141856
  • Screenshot 20230720 141902

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

  • Screenshot 20230720 141828
  • Screenshot 20230720 141815

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.

To view this content, you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To do so, please follow these instructions.

Monitor Mode

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

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 05

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.

Sony Xperia 1 V Review 22

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.

Reviews

Soundcore A20i In-Depth Review – TWS Essentials Done Right

Leave a comment

Anker continues to expand its influence in the earbud market with its latest True Wireless entry in the Soundcore series, the Soundcore A20i. With prices going as low as RM 89 on discount, one could easily doubt the quality of these earbuds. But you are in for a pleasant surprise!

A20i feature

Design

Positioned as a budget-friendly model, the A20i is not the flashiest in terms of design. The charging case has the conventional cuboidal shape with rounded edge, as with most entries in the market. There is only the Soundcore logo branded on the top, a white LED charging indicator on the bottom lip of the case opening and a handy lanyard. This minimalistic design is also reflected on the earbuds themselves, with only the engraved Soundcore logo and slightly tapered edges for the button heads.

A20i buds close up

The same lightweight material is used for both the Soundcore A20i case and earbuds. It has good grip and more importantly, is not a magnet for dust or fingerprints. When using these earbuds in the gym or during brisk walking, its light weight coupled with well-fitting tips helped the earbuds stay on. The buds were still easy to grip even when handling with sweaty hands. The form factor of the buds are also on the smaller side and comes with rubber tips, which makes it very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Even through sweat and long hours, there are times where I almost forget that I’m wearing them.

Hardware and Features

The wireless sound of the Soundcore A20i works over Bluetooth 5.3, with a very stable connection. I frequently used the buds at the gym or at work and rarely ever had a disconnect. Even when moving up to 4 meters away from my connected device, I did not experience any crackling or connection drops.

Pairing the earbuds was very quick and is mediated through the Soundcore app. Simply remove the earbuds from the case and it is immediately discoverable by Bluetooth, and with one tap, its ready. Connecting with PC was also seamless, with the buds being immediately discoverable and connected on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.

A20i angled

As this is a budget set of earbuds, there are limitations in its features. There is no multi-point connection available, so you can only have one device connected to the A20i at any given time. There is no support for higher end audio features such as Hi-Res Audio and also, no Active Noise Cancelling. It does however, come with IPX5 waterproof rating, so no stress when caught in bad weather or hitting the gym.

Soundcore App

The Soundcore App is one of the plus points of getting the A20i, or any other Soundcore product for that matter. The landing page is streamlined, showing your connected device and a battery snapshot.

Soundcore connected

Tapping into your device brings up the device settings, allowing you to adjust the equalizer and customize the tap controls on the earbuds. At the bottom, tapping the tab with the Anker logo in the middle brings you to an Anker landing page with a few nifty features. The Discovery tab shows the latest news and products from Anker while the White Noise tab gives a selection of free, white noise channels with different subgenres to them. I spent some hours on these channels as they are quite diverse and rather relaxing to listen to while I’m at work, or even writing this article.

Equalizer Soundcore
Tap function Soundcore

The Equalizer is pretty comprehensive and there are audible differences in the audio with each setting. As someone who prefers more punchier bass in their music, I find the soundcore Signature setting with BassUp turned on to be quite acceptable. I use the Podcast setting when I’m listening to podcasts, which helps improve clarity especially in noisy environments. The customization of the tap functions is simple yet covers the necessary bases. It is good enough to let me listen to music and use Google Assistant features without looking at my phone screen. One minor complaint is that when adjusting the volume via tap, there is a bit of a delay between the tap and the volume changing. However, it is no dealbreaker. I also found the user interface of the Soundcore app to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.

Performance

Sound Quality

Considering its price tag, the Soundcore A20i pleasantly surprised me with its sound quality. Testing was mainly done with Spotify, YouTube and Netflix. I was impressed with the volume of the earbuds. In a busy environment with the smaller ear tips, I was able to clearly listen to YouTube videos even without noise cancelling. There is very good clarity on the highs and mids; they did not sound muddled and even at full volume, I never heard any distortion. While the bass will not set your heart racing, it is audible and punchy enough to round out the music. The BassUp feature in the Soundcore Signature is definitely a must if you prefer louder punchier bass as without it, I found it pretty middling. The voice clarity, be it in music, podcasts, Netflix or YouTube videos, were always crisp and clear.

A20i headshot

No complaints on call quality too. With testing on WhatsApp calls, Microsoft Teams and regular phone calls, I found call audio to be clear and crisp. The earbuds also come with dual mics, which resulted in the voice being clear and have good volume too. In a noisy environment however, the background noises did get picked up by the mics.

Audio quality in games is also good. There is a dedicated game mode which is claimed to enhance the sound of footsteps, voices and improves latency too. The audio quality on PUBG Mobile was good, with footsteps and gunshots ringing clear. Honestly, I did not hear a remarkable improvement in the sounds of footsteps in Game Mode. But that is mainly because I found the audio quality to be loud and clear enough even without Game Mode.

Battery life

The battery life is another impressive feature of the Soundcore A20i. With a single charge on the buds, I managed to get around 9 hours of playtime. The case holds up to two (almost) full charges and is charged with the provided USB-C cable. With a fully charged earbud and with additional charging from the case, the total playtime from the A20i was approximately 27 hours.

The Verdict – Probably the best no frills wireless earbuds of 2023!

Overall, the Soundcore A20i offers an impressive, no frills, true wireless earbuds that does the essentials really well. For a price point below RM100, it has impressive sound quality, IPX5 rating, stable connectivity, good build quality and wearing comfort. It is a great option for anyone looking for their first TWS earbuds on the cheap, as a pair of secondary earbuds or even as a pair of basic fitness buds.

Computers, Gaming, Reviews, Writer's Choice

The Predator Helios Neo 16 In-Depth Review – Interstin, Powerful, Quite Heavy

Leave a comment

Gaming laptops can be a better buy than most types of laptops out there. There are going to be some compromises. A gaming laptop is larger and heftier than thin-and-light laptops. Since they are heftier, they are less portable too than thin-and-light laptops. They require more cooling and pack more powerful hardware, hence more power demands and larger power bricks.

While they are less mobile, they are powerful devices that can make short work of anything you can throw at them. When the mood takes you, you can play games. If you want to, you can even create content.

Which one do you get though? This one maybe, the Predator Helios Neo 16; Acer’s latest entry into the gaming laptop market.

It will set you back at least MYR 4,899. The one we got sets you back MYR 6,399. Whichever you buy, you get a premium metal chassis that holds a state-of-the-art cooling solution for your laptop.

The price difference between the two Predator Helios Neo 16 models is about MYR 1,500. Is the MYR 4,899 package worth buying? Should you spend the extra? We find out.

Design

  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 01
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 23
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 22
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 21
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 20
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 19
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 18
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 17
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 16
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 15
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 14
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 13
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 12
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 11
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 10
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 09
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 08
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 07
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 06
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 05
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 04
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 03
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 02

Unlike the Predator Helios 18 and 16, the Neo 16 (as we shall mostly refer to it) has a slightly more complex design at the back of the display. We think that it is to compensate for the lack of external RGB treatment. To a certain extent, we think it is interesting.

That is not to say that the Predator Helios Neo 16 is ugly. We think that the subtle etchings and engravings on the clam add some drama to the laptop. According to Acer, the engravings point to a real location. We have not bothered to find out what they lead to.

The chassis design shares similarities with previous generation Helios laptops. You still get a protruded “tail” of the chassis for optimized cooling surfaces and airflow. Of course, it is also a subtle way of telling the world that it means business. There is also morse code adorning the protrusion that spells either ROTNUERP or PREDATOR (obviously) depending on its orientation.

Inside is the usual affair for gaming laptops. You get an addressable 4-zone RGB keyboard inside. The WASD keys are highlighted with more RGB passthrough, as usual. There is a numpad array too, making this a full keyboard with a large trackpad. Thanks to the arrangement, the main keyboard is pushed further to the left of the device offering a more natural gaming position. Above the keyboard is a familiar air intake perforated grille.

Hardware

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 10

You can get your Predator Helios Neo 16 in two configurations. You can either get it with a 13th Generation Intel Core i5 and NVIDIA’s entry-level GeForce RTX 40 GPU. It tops out at Core i7 and GeForce RTX 4060.

Specifications

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16As tested
Processor (clock)Intel Core i7-13700HX
3.70 GHz 16-core (8x performance cores, 8x performacne cores with Turbo Boost (up to 5.00GHz)
30MB Intel Smart Cache
GPUIntegrated Intel UHD 770
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Display16” WQXGA IPS (2560 x 1600)
16:10 aspect ratio
165Hz
100% sRGB
NVIDIA G-SYNC
Memory16GB LPDDR5
1TB PCIe® NVMe™ 4.0 M.2 SSD
Networking and ConnectionsIntel Killer WiFi 6 AX 1650i
Intel Killer Ethernet E2600
Bluetooth 5.1
2x Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C®
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2
1x USB 3.2 Gen 1
1x 3.5mm AUX Jack
Battery90Wh Built-in Li-Po battery
330W proprietary barrel plug power adapter
Operating SystemWindows 11 Home 64-bit
MiscellaneousFHD 60p camera
4-Zone RGB Keyboard
DTS:X Ultra Audio
MicroSD Card Reader
DisplayPort over USB-C
2 years On Site Warranty w/ Accidental Damage & Theft

Features

The Predator Helios Neo 16 is not cheap by any means. In fact, in this configuration we have, you are spending a premium for a gaming laptop.

More Useable Rear I/O

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 09

The Predator Helios Neo 16’s power inlet port is at the back of the device, same as its predecessor. This time though, the Neo 16 offers an array of ports out the back. There are two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports and an HDMI 2.1. That also means that you can either have three monitors connected (two via USB-C, one via HDMI), or use the USB-C ports for other peripherals. Whatever it is, we do appreciate the cable management options that come with rear I/Os.

4-Zone RGB Full Keyboard

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 13

As we mentioned earlier, the Neo 16 gets a full keyboard treatment complete with a numpad section. The numpad section looks squeezed because they are rather narrow. That is not a bad thing though, we still prefer having it than not. There are also a few media buttons on top of it alongside the PredatorSense button, which we appreciate.

We still find that the most annoying part of the keyboard is the power and PredatorSense buttons arrangement. The Neo 16’s power button and PredatorSense buttons are integrated into the numpad arrangement and feel the same as any of the other keys. While the power button sits further away, we might still hit it accidentally while we work on the numpad. The PredatorSense button sits right next to the backspace button, which will get even more accidental launches.

Despite the complaint, we like the keyboard. There is enough key travel and tactility to button presses for some needed assurance. It is also quiet enough that it will not annoy anyone at the workplace or the café. We felt like we could get a long essay and email typed out without too much fatigue.

PredatorSense – Go Eco, Go Quiet, or Go Hard

  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 24
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 25
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 26
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 27
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 28

PredatorSense is one of the most unique tuning platforms for gaming laptops. The new one offers a mascot figure on the home page, which is a little unnecessary, we think. That aside though, PredatorSense is one of the more useful software you have in the Neo 16.

It allows you to change between preset Eco, Quiet, Balanced, Performance, and even Turbo modes. Each mode selection gives you a slightly different colour to the iconic ‘Turbo’ button at the top left corner of the keyboard. The PredatorSense interface also monitors the laptop temperatures and spools Acer’s 5th generation Aeroblade 3D Fans when needed. The app is also where you change or turn off your RGB lighting schemes.

NVIDIA Advanced Optimus

NVIDIA’s Advanced Optimus technology allows the GPU to be completely turned off for even quieter operations. That also allows PredatorSense to operate on a single fan (we see an average of 45oC operating temperatures) to keep the laptop quiet in cafés or offices while extending its battery life. When the mood takes you, the discreet GPU kicks in for the extra kick. Obviously with a significant bump in power consumption, you want to make sure that you are plugged in.

The ‘Turbo’ Button – Now the ‘Mode’ Button

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 16

One of Acer Predator’s signatures on all their devices is their ‘Turbo’ button, which is now a ‘Mode’ button. While the old ‘Turbo’ button only offers extra speed and noise from your laptop, the new button switches between preset profiles from battery saving eco mode, all the way to opening the taps the 13th Generation Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 inside the hull of the Neo 16 and then spool up the metal fans.

We think that the mode switch is a much better use of the ‘Turbo’ button. You do not need to navigate into PredatorSense or the bottom right of the Windows taskbar to switch between power modes. You can toggle through different modes with a single button, saving you plenty of time to work on important things like going through your emails and then straight to killing monsters.

Performance

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 11

This is a proper gaming laptop with a powerful 13th Generation Intel Core i7 CPU paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Keeping everything cool is an in-house 5th Generation AeroBlade 3D metal fans with what they call Vortex Flow technology. There is a huge power brick rated at 330W to keep up with the hardware’s power demands.

Multitasking & Productivity

For MYR 6,399 you are getting 16GB in the form of DDR5 RAM. That also means that you are getting some of the fastest sets of 16GB RAM you can get on a laptop. We were able to smoothly work with about 20 Google Chrome tabs, five Microsoft Edge tabs, and 10 Mozilla Firefox tabs. You should not have any trouble working with Microsoft Word, or PowerPoint at most times. The sizeable RAM also benefits large Excel spreadsheets.

We use Adobe’s suites of applications including Lightroom and Premiere Pro. In Adobe Premiere Pro, we find that the Neo 16 works well enough even if you are scrubbing through 4K footage. Of course, once you load in all the special effects, transition effects, and colour correction or grading, the program might slow down a little, but you can scrub through the footage relatively smoothly. It took about 11 minutes for us to export a two minutes 50 seconds 4K 30p video from 4K H.264 format video footage.

Entertainment & Gaming

  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 29
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 30
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 31
  • Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 32

While it is a Predator gaming laptop, it is not necessarily made for high-end gaming like Acer’s Predator Helios 16 or Helios 18. That does not mean that you will enjoy your games any less.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is not a high-end GPU, it is considered an entry-level gaming GPU. It is still a potent GPU though, made for modern gaming with support for modern hardware. It supports ray tracing technology and DLSS 3.0 upscaling technology. The Neo 16 also features HDMI 2.1 that offers support for 8K displays at 60fps. We think that the laptop can cram a Mini DisplayPort but it might not be too useful.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is a capable GPU. You are not going to get anywhere near the Neo 16 display’s 165 frames per second (fps) capabilities at QHD resolution when you play the latest AAA titles at the highest graphics settings. If you adjust your expectations a little, you are going to get a great gaming experience still.

We tested the laptop with Need for Speed: Unbound, F1 2022, Cities Skylines and Death Stranding. In Need for Speed Unbound, we left the game at high settings and got 90 fps. In F1 2022, at the same settings, we got 120 fps, while in Death Stranding, we got about 90 fps on the same preset. While playing Need for Speed: Unbound we found that the average temperature of the Predator Helios Neo 16 is kept at about 70oC. This, we think, can be attributed to the liquid metal thermal paste paired with their proprietary cooling solution.

Battery Life

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 22

One of the things we are most impressed with is the Neo 16’s battery life. In our test, we left the Neo 16 on Balanced mode and then eco mode when unplugged, we had a few tabs of Mozilla Firefox tabs open alongside a Microsoft Word document open. We played music through Spotify’s web player on its speakers most of the time. We played a couple of videos on YouTube from time to time.

We managed to get nearly four hours of use time with the Neo 16 in eco mode before the battery percentage hit 20%. In eco mode, your RGB is turned off by default. You still can turn on RGB from PredatorSense if you want to. You technically can push your Neo 16 into high-performance mode on battery power to tank your battery life.

Display & Audio

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 01

You get a 16-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) at 16:10 aspect ratio. It is not Mini LED or OLED display, like some other laptops. Instead, you are getting an IPS panel which might seem like a compromises.

While IPS panels do not boast colour saturation and HDR like OLED, they are cheaper. That means that you are not necessarily paying a huge premium just for a slightly better display. IPS panels tend to be a little faster than standard OLED displays today too, making them a little more suitable for competitive gaming, if that is what you are into.

You lose out on colour contrast, local dimming, and the inky blackness that OLED displays can offer, but you are not giving up a lot. IPS displays are still much brighter than regular VA or TN panels and offer colour reproduction far superior to other LCD technologies. With up to 100% sRGB colour gamut, you still get highly saturated and impressive colour contrasts over regular LCD panels and at a super-fast refresh rate at 165Hz.

On games like Need for Speed: Unbound and F1 22, we appreciate the extra world information we can see on the 16:10 aspect ratio. Even with games like Cities Skylines or RTS titles like Age of Empires IV, we appreciate the breadth of things we can see on the screen. We think that open world games like Red Dead Redemption II benefit most since the HUD is less obstructive.

Like Acer’s many laptops, the Predator Helios Neo 16 comes with DTS:X certified audio. There are two down-firing speakers at either side of the Neo 16. The two speakers are not the most powerful speakers you can find on a laptop. They offer rich mid to high tones at medium volumes. We think that the speakers are happiest when you set it to 80% and below. There is no subwoofer to work with low-end power and detail tends to suffer. While it is fine to game on the laptop, the speakers do leave a little more to be desired.

The Predator Helios Neo 16 – Definitely a Heavy Hitter

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 20

The Predator Helios Neo 16 that we have here will set you back MYR 6,399. You are paying for the most modern CPU and GPU combination in the form of the 13th Generation Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. While it is a lot of money, on paper, the Helios Neo 16 looks more like the value choice of gaming laptops.  

Where most gaming laptops offer Full HD resolutions at this price range, the Helios Neo offers a WQXGA display. You also get 1TB SSD with the Neo 16 where some offers half that storage. Unlike most gaming laptops, you get liquid metal thermal paste for better heat management.

It is a productivity warrior if you are a creator since with enough horsepower under the covers to get your creative work done quickly. The display is even accurate enough for you to do your colour grading with, or a quick photo edit. There is enough storage space to store not just your video workflow but also all the games that you want to take on the road.

Predator Helios Neo 16 Review 05

It packs enough grunt for you to play most AAA titles on-the-go. You are getting decent enough performance to enjoy your games wherever you set up. If you want, you can even connect 4K monitors to it for more immersive gaming experiences. A decent pair of gaming headphones should also add to the immersion.

It does not look like a typical gaming laptop for 2023. The cover design can be somewhat flashy. We think it looks interesting in a good way. It is not the most handsome thing out there, but it has its charms.

We think that a price difference of MYR 1,500 is large enough to warrant spending less at MYR 4,899, we do think that the MYR 6,399 option is much better in the long term. The MYR 4,899 package is still worth getting, but you are giving up a lot of horsepower for it. If you do have the extra money to spend, you should get the Neo 16 in its Core i7 and GeForce RTX 4060 guise, it is worth those extra pennies.

Editor's Choice, Gaming, Lifestyle, Reviews

PICO 4 In-Depth Review: Is It Really the Perfect VR Headset?

Leave a comment

Virtual Reality (VR) isn’t anything new. In fact, it’s been around for ages! When we were younger we had attractions like SEGA City which brought some of our favorite characters to life with VR, today we’re able to bring these experiences with us anywhere we go.

PICO 4 02

The PICO 4 is one of the first VR headsets that enable these experiences. It allows you to take a deep dive into games and content. You can escape reality even if it’s for a short gaming session. But these experiences are becoming more ubiquitous with games like Final Fantasy XVI and Resident Evil launching with VR experiences built-in.

That said, we’re looking at the big picture – does the PICO 4 deliver on the promises of VR and its experiences? Is it worth the money?

Let’s find out!

Design

The PICO 4 headset is a pretty sleek device. It’s minimalistic in its approach having a simple black and off-white color and it’s built to last. It’s made of high-quality, durable plastic that doesn’t scratch easily. Of course, it goes without saying that dropping the PICO 4 isn’t recommended. That said, PICO XR seems to have gone out of its way to make the headset feel premium too. It’s slightly heavier than other headsets weighing in at 583g, however, it’s got better weight distribution and ergonomics.

PICO 4 19

The headset itself isn’t too front-heavy. So, it’s not uncomfortable to wear for long stretches. PICO has managed to minimize the size and weight of the front portion of the headset thanks to the pancake lenses that they’ve used. They’ve also created better weight distribution by placing the battery pack in the back portion of the headband. That’s about 40% of the weight of the headset that’s at the back of the headband instead of on your face!

PICO 4 13 1
PICO 4 09
PICO 4 08
PICO 4 07
PICO 4 14
PICO 4 12

Overall, the design and build of the headset are more ergonomic than most of the other VR headsets available in the market right now. The small tweaks that they’ve done throughout the headset create an overall better product which allows you to wear it without much issue for longer VR gaming sessions.

Hardware

The PICO 4 is one of the first VR headsets to come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR platform which is built to enable VR and augmented reality (AR) experiences. It’s built from the ground up to deliver cutting-edge VR graphics and perform independently from a dedicated PC. PICO XR as a company has built its own OS to complement the hardware and focuses on delivering the best VR immersion from the time you power on the headset.

Specifications

ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon XR2 (7nm)
Octacore 64 bit
RAM8GB (As Tested)
Memory128GB (As Tested)
256GB
OpticsPancake Lens
105° Field of View
20.6 PPD
62-72mm adjustable inter-pupillary distance
Display4320×2160 pixels resolution
(2160×2160 each eye) 70Hz/90Hz refresh rate
Operating SystemPICO OS 5.0
Battery5,300mAh
Fast Charging (20W)
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Dual band WiFi Bluetooth 5.1
USB 2.0 (Type-C)
AudioIntegrated High Fidelity Speakers Dual Mic
Sensor6DoF Positioning System
Retail Price (Malaysia)MYR 1,699 (128GB)
MYR 1,899 (256GB)
Retail Price (US)USD$ 449.99 (128GB)
USD$ 559.99 (256GB)

User Experience

The PICO 4’s user experience starts with the feel of the headset on your head. As mentioned in our design section, it’s designed to be more ergonomic than most of the VR headsets available in the market right now. This ergonomic approach is much appreciated especially when you’re going at it hard in a game like Beat Saber.

PICO 4 25
PICO 4 23
PICO 4 22
PICO 4 33
PICO 4 28
PICO 4 37
PICO 4 26
PICO 4 32

The PICO 4 also allows you to adjust the interpupillary distance between the two lenses between 62mm and 72mm. Be-spectacled users – like myself – are very thankful for this feature as it allows us to align the interpupillary distances of the PICO 4 and our spectacles. PICO XR has also included an extra spacer in the box which allows you to have your spectacles on while you use it if you want to. I can tell you that this helps many of us with motion sickness – which I go into detail in the following section. You can even go lower to 58mm but the headset will show you a prompt telling you that it may be a little uncomfortable as the headset might start pinching on your nose. However, getting the right pupillary distance does drastically improve visual clarity and allows for a better gameplay experience.

The headset comes with PICO OS 5.0. It’s a simple, easy-to-understand OS that is also easy to navigate. Setting up the PICO 4 is also simple with the guided setup. Once you’re set-up, you’ll be treated to the most aesthetic scene we’ve experienced in VR and this scene is your home screen with a soft overlay of all the icons you can initiate. You’ll be able to download games from the PICO store to play natively on the PICO 4. It can also hook up to a PC with Steam or a console like the PlayStation 4.

  • PICO 4 02 1
  • PICO 4 03
  • PICO 4 04
  • PICO 4 05

You’ll need a space that’s clear of any obstructions to play. Of course, the larger this area is, the better your experience. However, unlike some of its competition, you won’t need to mount cameras everywhere or need a large space to play. The PICO allows you to define spaces – large, medium, or small. That said, the best part is the ability to define a space, even if it’s a small area in your room. Using these custom boundaries makes VR even more accessible as space isn’t an issue anymore. What happens when you hit a boundary? The PICO 4 headset goes into pass-through mode which allows you to see your surroundings. You can trigger this mode by simply touching the right side of the headband.

Motion Sickness Isn’t An Issue

Moving around in the PICO 4 isn’t as disorienting as you’d expect. In fact, somehow, it’s the only VR headset that I’ve used for more than 25 minutes. I usually get motion sickness after 25 minutes even with headsets like the HTC VIVE or Meta’s Oculus Rift.  That said, with the PICO 4, I was able to play a first-person zombie shooter without feeling motion sickness or any disorientation. In fact, it felt unnervingly natural to be behind the lenses of the PICO 4.

The only time it became a little disorienting was when I used pass-through mode. This was more because the cameras took time to transmit the images to my eyes. But once I was adjusted, there wasn’t much disorientation. That said, it takes time to adjust every time you launch into pass-through mode. It might be a software issue that PICO XR can address in a software update, however, we doubt you’ll be spending much time in pass-through mode.

The only other time there was a bit of disorientation was when it came to games like Iron Guard VR. During my gaming session, I did find myself feel slowly losing balance while I was “walking” around the game map. But this was more due to the fact that I was moving in-game and not physically which actually speaks to the lack of an accelerometer in the PICO 4. That said, not many other VR headsets have it either.

Performance

We will be approaching the PICO 4’s performance a little differently. It’s the first time we’re fully reviewing a VR headset and we’re trying to encapsulate our whole experience into the article. So, we’ll take it step by step with visuals, audio, battery life, compatibility, and even other aspects which we’ll highlight later on in the article.

Visuals

Let’s dive into the most important thing when it comes to VR – the visuals. The PICO 4 comes with two 2160×2160 pixel screens that make up the high-resolution display of the headset. It delivers a 4320×2160 total resolution which is slightly higher than UHD. The displays in front of your eyes deliver vibrant, rich graphics at 70Hz or 90Hz. This makes the experience of gaming in them a lot more immersive. While the frame rate may not be as high as a smartphone, TV, or gaming monitor, it lends itself to providing a better experience when it comes to VR. It’s less disorienting and feels easier on the eyes.

PICO 4 38
PICO 4 36 1
PICO 4 31
PICO 4 30
PICO 4 24

The high-resolution displays of the PICO 4 allow the experience to be even more immersive. The graphics are sharp, and you hardly realize when there is any pixelation or artefacting. The increased resolution also helps as it makes you feel like you are in-game. The graphics wrap around you and feel like you’re looking out naturally in fantasy games.

Audio

Good visuals need to pair with good audio and the PICO 4 has a good set of speakers; the mic, however, is a different case. The speakers that are built-in to the PICO 4 are high-fidelity speakers that support spatial audio. They’re not groundbreaking but they are good enough to immerse you in whatever content you’re indulging. The bass is punchy with an acceptable overall soundstage.

That said, the PICO doesn’t come with 3.5mm headphone jacks if you want to use better-quality headphones. The silver lining when it comes to audio is the PICO 4’s support for Bluetooth 5.2 which means that you’ll be able to use your favorite Bluetooth gaming headsets or TWS earbuds with the system. You’ll have to keep in mind that the band of the PICO 4 is rigid on the sides with some touch features so you’re probably better off using TWS earbuds.

PICO 4 10

The PICO 4 comes with dual microphones built in. However, getting them to work, especially when connecting to PC or another system is finicky at best. During our time with the system, we had issues when it came to getting the microphones to work properly – particularly when it came to connecting it to a PC. This might have been an issue with the drivers as the speakers and microphones were getting mixed up. The computer that we used to test it kept recognizing the speakers as the microphone and vice versa.

Recording sound from the PICO 4 itself was also affected by a weird issue which caused a lot of feedback from the microphones. We weren’t able to rectify it during our time with the PICO 4. But there are tutorials online that have figured to address the issue with some remapping. That said, the minor driver issue aside, the PICO 4’s audio is a pretty impressive combination. It delivers an immersive audio experience despite having some teething issues with the PC.

Controls

The PICO 4 comes with two controllers out of the box. The controls interact with the sensors in the headset. The PICO also doesn’t display the controllers as hands in the VR interface instead it shows the controllers with a green indicator with where to which is a welcome visual cue.

  • PICO 4 18
  • PICO 4 17
  • PICO 4 15

When it comes to gameplay, the PICO 4’s controllers are quite responsive. There’s hardly any noticeable delay between clicking and moving the controller and the action in-game. Latency aside, the build of the controllers is also pretty durable. They feel sturdy and have a nice grippy underlayer. The added wristbands provide additional peace of mind that the controllers won’t accidentally go flying.

The controllers for the PICO 4 are also very lightweight. You won’t be giving your biceps and wrists too much of a workout with the controllers – perfect for an extended gaming session too. It’s also very balanced even with its lopsided design. The ring portions don’t force your wrist into a weird position nor does it add much weight.

That aside, the only way you’ll be interacting with the interface or games for the PICO is through the controller, aside from the limited touch interaction on the sides of the headsets, there are no gesture controls or voice controls built-in to the PICO 4.


Cross Compatibility & Connectivity

While the PICO 4’s interaction methods may be limited, its compatibility isn’t. Setting up the PICO as a standalone device is easy enough. You can also stream the visuals onto a TV or smart monitor if you want to share in on the experience. It’s as easy as installing an app on any Android TV from the Play Store. The PICO VR app will instantly allow you to do this without much setup.

The same goes for Windows PCs with the PICO Link application. Once installed either via the Steam store or as a direct download application, you’ll be able to play games from your Steam Library on the PICO 4. Most of our review time was spent playing VR Games this way. Simplicity is key as the headset opens up a lot more options when it comes to games with cross-compatibility. You can also link up to a PlayStation system, be it PS4 or PS5, using an app as well. You’ll be able to find tutorials for this with a simple Google search, however, keep in mind that Sony also makes the PSVR and leans towards its own hardware when it comes to VR experiences on its consoles.

PICO 4 13

Of course, wired connectivity works better when it comes to the PICO 4 and signal fidelity with PC and other hardware. The only option available at the moment is the USB-C port that comes on the PICO 4. However, the cable that comes in the box will have you sitting less than 2 meters from your system if you want to use it. If you still want to go the wired route, you’ll need a cable that can do both fast charging and high-capacity data transfers and a long one at that.

Sticking to wireless was the way we went. We’d advise having a WiFi connection that’s at least a WiFi 5 (802.11ac); a WiFi 6 (802.11ax) connection would be better. These WiFi connections allow for larger amounts of data to be transferred which leads to a better gameplay experience.

Battery Life

Playing wirelessly does limit your play time though. In our experience, the PICO 4 lasted around 2 hours without being plugged in. With a power pack or being tethered increases the time slightly to about 3 hours if not slightly more. That said, it’s good to take a break from VR every so often to prevent too much eye strain.

The controllers on the other hand are still running on their first charge! We spent about 10 hours on the PICO 4 and have yet to need to change the AA batteries on the controllers. You can also swap them out for high-capacity rechargeable batteries if you want to be a little bit more environmentally aware.

The PICO 4 is the friendliest, most affordable VR Headset with the widest compatibility that makes VR more accessible than ever.

Having spent quite some time with the PICO 4, the system is one of the most compelling arguments when it comes to taking that step into the VR gaming space. Not only is it one of the most affordable options on the market, it’s also the most feature-rich at its price point. It’s got everything you’ll need to get started – even an independent OS and marketplace.

It’s the perfect VR package for any gamer. Even for more advanced VR users, the PICO 4 could be the best thing since sliced bread. The system strikes a balance between ergonomics, functionality, and even features that allow it to compete with systems that are more advanced. Having an unbound headset with a customizable play area unlocks VR for everyone who’s interested regardless of their space restraints.

Reviews

Huawei MatePad SE 10.4 In Depth Review – A Valuable Mate

Leave a comment

Huawei’s MatePad SE is an affordable, everyday use table that has surprising bang-for-buck, even a year on after its release. With marketing focused on its 10.4-inch display and a “family theatre in your palm”, we found more reasons for it to be…your Mate of choice!

Matepad Cafe 102901~2

Design

Sporting a matte black finish with clean aesthetics, the Huawei MatePad SE 10.4 has a metal chassis surrounded with a brushed metal coating. While it is a magnet for fingerprints, the device feels really comfortable to hold in hand, even for long periods. This is helped by the ergonomic design with rounded edges. For a 10-inch tablet, the build is rather compact, with minimal bezels surrounding its 83% screen-to-body ratio display. Even with its light weight of 450g, the build quality of this tablet feels surprisingly good and robust.

Performance

The MatePad SE 10.4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset with an Adreno 610 GPU. Surprising for Huawei to forgo their Kirin chipset but the inclusion of Snapdragon is a smart addition to the MatePad line. While being of an older generation, the Snapdragon 680 is a fairly powerful chipset with an emphasis on energy efficiency thanks to its 6nm process. This coupled with a 5100 mAh battery results in impressive battery life for a tablet of its price bracket. With regular day-to-day use of web surfing, watching videos and the occasional navigation, I found myself only needing to charge the tablet every two to three days.

Matepad Harmony UI 102931
Great performance from an older but power efficient Snapdragon 680

The powerful processor is also supplemented by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. With this combination, general use of the tablet is very snappy and switching between apps is a breeze. The performance during multitasking is pretty decent too with some interesting productivity features. Using Huawei’s Multi-Window mode, I regularly opened several tabs in the Browser and the Email app in split screen while having the Notepad app float as a bubble to intermittently take notes. And never once did I experience an app crash, lag or stutter. In fact, large swathes of this review were written on the MatePad SE 10.4 itself!

Matepad Multi window 103055
Good multitasking and productivity with Multi-Window mode

Gaming

Gaming performance has its limitations, however. The display size is comfortable enough to access the on-screen controls while also being large enough for visual clarity. Mobile Legends handled well at medium settings with no stuttering or lag. I did notice some sluggishness and dropped frames in PUBG Mobile at Balanced settings, but it was intermittent enough to not be a bother. In both cases, after hours of gaming, there was no drop in performance and there was no significant overheating either, so that is a plus for gaming comfort and reliability. That being said, the battery life does drop rather quickly when gaming. So overall, the MatePad SE 10.4 is suitable for some light gaming.

Good but not great gaming performance

Display and Audio

Huawei’s postured the MatePad SE 10.4 as family-friendly entertainment tablet, with its centerpiece being its 10.4-inch IPS display. The display has an FHD+ resolution of 2000 x 1220 pixels, at 225 pixels per inch (ppi). It has passed both TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light and Flicker Free certifications, making it easy on your eyes for long-term viewing. We spent hours on Netflix and YouTube (for display performance testing of course) and were impressed. The brightness and image fidelity were good, despite the non-flagship grade pixel density. Visibility was great in dark environments however, it suffers in direct sunlight or brightly lit environments. The color reproduction and contrast were not the greatest but did not put us off.

Matepad Cafe 2 102740~2

Furthermore, the audio quality on this device is a pleasant surprise. Thanks to its dual speaker system tuned with Histen 8.0 technology, the tablet emulates surround sound well enough for immersive viewing. The display also comes with specialized modes such as Eye Comfort to filter out blue light, eBook mode to replicate paper-like texture and my personal go-to, Dark Mode; making viewing on this a tablet very easy on the eye. Overall, the display performs really well for a tablet of this price range and brings a great viewing experience at home or indoors.

Camera

The camera is probably the weakest element of the Huawei MatePad SE 10.4. It sports a 5MP main rear shooter and a 2MP front shooter. Image quality is rather poor, with fuzzy edges and poor contrast being the biggest issues. When zoomed in, there is obvious increasing pixelation starting at 2.0x and becoming unbearable even at 5.0x for the main shooter. Images also suffer from overbrightness when taking snaps outdoors. Huawei seems to have prioritized economical options in this aspect and I can’t fault them for that, being one that doesn’t use tablets for photos anyway.

Rear camera 1.0x
Image by main camera at 1.0x
Image by main camera at 2.0x
Image by main camera at 2.0x
Image by main camera at 2.0x
Image by main camera at 2.0x

Software

User Experience

The MatePad SE 10.4 ships with HarmonyOS 3 out of the box, which should feel familiar to long time Huawei users. As a first-time user of HarmonyOS, I truly appreciate the “clean” and minimalistic aesthetic of this OS.

Matepad Settings Panel 103104
Drop down control panel
Matepad Storage 103109
OS interface in Settings

All non-Google affiliated apps can be downloaded through Huawei’s own AppGallery. The tablet comes preinstalled with Petal Search as its default search engine service and Petal Maps, analogous to Google’s own proprietary services. The apps themselves work well in their own right, with Petal Search offering both Voice typing and Image search functionality. The interfaces are also very intuitive for those familiar with their Google counterparts. All-in-all, there is very little lost from the lack of Google apps, with perhaps the most significant being the lack of Google Assistant.

LightHouse app

For those put off by the lack of a Google Play Store, fear not as the LightHouse app will satisfy those needs. This app provides a gateway to access Google Play Store apps via Huawei’s AppGallery. To do so, you simply need to install two apps from the AppGallery first; LightHouse and LightHouse Ex. Once done, you will be able to download your favorite Google apps directly from the AppGallery. We tested out Google Maps, GMail and YouTube and all apps installed fairly easily. When trying them out, they worked as you would expect on any other Android-based device.

Matepad Google Maps 102917
Google Maps installed through LightHouse
Matepad Youtube 103113
YouTube installed through LightHouse

The Verdict: A daily Mate for you and your wallet

The Huawei MatePad SE 10.4 shines in terms of multitasking performance, battery life and build quality. With its attractive price tag, it will serve well as a daily use tablet for the light to heavy user, with focus on web surfing and entertainment. It is also great as a family tablet with kid-friendly features. The MatePad SE 10.4 currently retails starting at RM799 for the 6GB RAM+64GB with WiFi variant and RM999 for the 4GB RAM+128GB storage with WiFi variant. All purchases from the Huawei Malaysia site now will come with a Flip Cover as a free gift.

Camera, Editorial, Lifestyle, Reviews

24 Hours with the Sony ZV-1 II – It’s Great, But Not MYR 3,999 Great 

Leave a comment

What can you buy with MYR 4,000? You can get yourself a very nice steak dinner for at least four people in a very expensive restaurant. You can buy an entry-level gaming laptop with older generation hardware. You can even buy a decent laptop that you can use for work and play for that money. Even if you buy a 4K TV, you might still have some spare cash to afford yourself a decent soundbar. Or you can buy a Sony ZV-1 II, Sony’s latest compact camera, and have MYR 1 to spare for your parking.  

So Familiar 

  • Sony ZV 1 M2 01
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 02
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 03
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 04
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 21
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 05
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 06
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 07
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 08
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 09
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 10
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 11
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 12
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 13
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 14
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 17
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 18
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 19
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 15
  • Sony ZV 1 M2 20

If you have had your hands on a Sony ZV-1, the original one, you would be surprised (or maybe not) at how similar this ‘second-generation- ZV-1 is to the first one. It is sort of the same body that both use with no changes in the layout or material. That also means that if you come from the ZV-1, you will be quickly familiar with the ZV-1 II.  

We like plenty of things on the ZV-1. We like the swiveling hinged monitor that we can just swing out to quickly turn the camera on. We like that folding in the display also turns the camera off. We like that it is compact yet shoots decent 4K footage, and we like that it features a standard zoom 24-70mm lens. Most of these features stayed on for the ZV-1 Mk. II.  

The ZV-1 II still has a brilliant swiveling display that will be the only source of monitoring you get on the camera itself. There is no viewfinder to look at here, which is pretty much expected in this form factor. Then there is the 4K 24p capabilities that continued from the older ZV-1. The lens offers the same zoom mechanism and look, except that it is an 18-50mm lens now instead of a 24-70mm with a maximum aperture of F4.0.  

They have added a few things too. They added ‘background blurring’ effect toggle for your portraits. They also added more creative looks for the ZV-1 II. The highlight addition though, at least we think, is the Cinematic Vlog mode that completely changes how you shoot your videos. 

21-Megapixel Photos and 4K videos 

To view this content, you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
To do so, please follow these instructions.

The sensor you get on the ZV-1 II is pretty much the same one you can find from the first-generation ZV-1. You get a 1-inch 21-Megapxiel Exmor RS sensor that is also capable of taking videos at 4K 24p resolutions. You can technically also record Full HD videos at up to 60p with the camera. That also means there is no slow-motion video recording for the ZV-1 II. To be fair, that is not what the ZV-1 is for anyway.  

If you come from the older ZV-1, there should be no surprises about the photo and video quality here. The 21-Megapixel photos are clear and well detailed, even at the edges. While the sensor is not very big, you technically can get great looking portraits with some deep ‘bokeh’ effect by turning on the camera’s ‘background blur’ mode. Even if you do not use the ‘background blur’ mode though, portrait still looks mighty good with limited depth. Still, for landscape photos, the image is mostly clear and sharp when you go closer to the edges of the image. If you are shooting at 18mm, you can expect some distortion at the edges of your image since you are technically getting an ultra-wide angle.  

The ZV-1 II can also shoot photos at up to 24fps, meaning you can technically use this to shoot action photos. You can take it down to your local track on a track day and take great looking photos with this camera thanks to the fast and rather accurate autofocus. We did not get to do that though unfortunately. You technically can take photos when your friends are playing football or any other sports technically thanks to the clever eye-AF. Again, we did not get to do that in our test period.  

Sony ZV 1 M2 19

For 4K video recording, the camera uses the entire 1-inch sensor to shoot, which also means that you are not getting any odd crops on your frame when you switch between photo and video mode. In video mode though, the camera defaults to 16:9 aspect ratio, which means that you lose a little bit of image from the top and bottom of the photo frame. The Cinematic Vlog mode cuts the image even more to make the traditional film 2.35:1 aspect ratio for that cinematic look. We also noticed that the image stabilization is a little more aggressive in cinematic vlog mode allowing for a much more stable looking contents without going through vigorous stabilization algorithms from your editors.  

You can technically shoot in Sony’s colour gamut Log with the ZV-1 II. You can go up to S-Log3 in both 4K and Full HD modes. There is no S-Cinetone log here though, which is a shame since we thought it would be nice to pair with the cinematic vlog function. Of course, since the ZV-1 II is made for quick and fuss free vlog production and social media contents, it would not make sense for its intended user to use any of the colour gamut logs. Still, having the option to use the logs in all kinds of shoot mode would be nice for more advanced users.  

You can even use the ZV-1 as your webcam if your PC does not already have one. Unfortunately, the camera only allows for up to 720p when you stream the camera directly to the PC via USB Type-C. Still, the 720p image still looks better than most 720p and even Full HD 1080p webcam you can find in the market today. If you are looking for a plug-and-play webcam that looks good, this one could be for you. 

Oddly Poor Battery Life 

There is a compromise with all the weight saving and focus on making the ZV-1 II the most compact camera of its type yet capable of even more than its predecessor. The compromise comes in the form of a small battery capacity. To be fair, the small battery also contributes to the lightweight construction of the camera.  

It is a rather small 1,240mAh NP-BX1 removeable battery that the ZV-1 II packs: the same one as the first-generation ZV-1. It is rated for up to 290 stills and up to 75 minutes of continuous video recording. We took it out to do both stills and videos in the same venue for our test. In our test, we barely got the camera through an hour and a half (1 hour 30 minutes) before the ZV-1 II started warning us of low battery. Since it is replaceable, you technically can buy more to prolong your photo shoot or video shoot with the ZV-1 II. Each battery pack will set you back MYR 202 though. Thankfully you can charge the battery and camera via the camera’s USB Type-C port, meaning you can just plug it to your powerbank, and you are ready to shoot even more photos and videos.  

Should You Then? Maybe Not. 

Sony ZV 1 M2 09

We like the ZV-1 II. It is a tiny camera that is rather well packaged and well-rounded enough for a quick photo walk around town. Even if you are not on a dedicated photo walk, it is a compact enough camera for you to carry around and pull out when you see a photo opportunity. It is made for the spontaneous content creator that does not need or want to carry a bunch of gear or a large DSLR around for convenience and subtlety. It also works as a decent webcam to replace your rather poor one on the laptop for an all-around better video conferencing or streaming experience. 

We are finding it difficult to recommend this camera to anyone who wants a compact camera that does everything though. For starters, it will set you back MYR 3,999. For that kind of money, you can get your hands on an older ZV-1 and still have extra to buy a proper Sony mic that can be mounted on the camera. Secondly, the ZV-1 will still be on sale, and there is nothing wrong with that camera in the first place. Thirdly, if simplicity is what you are after, what is wrong with the ZV-1F? The ZV-1F has a fixed lens and does everything the ZV-1 does too. If you already have the ZV-1 or the ZV-1F, apart from a few added features and the different lens length, you are not getting much of an upgrade on the ZV-1 II too.