Category Archives: Reviews

Logitech Lift Vertical Ergonomic Mouse Review – Ergonomics at a Cost But It’s Worth It

July 28, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

We use a mouse nearly every day now. Whether it’s cause you’re designing something or simply working with numbers. The mouse has become an essential part of our workflow whether we like it or not. More and more, we look for mouses – mice? – that are more feature-packed and comfortable to use. In the past few years, we’ve learnt that the design of the mouse and how we use it had serious implications on our joint health – particularly when it comes to our wrists. That’s exactly where the new Logitech Lift comes in.

Editor’s Note: We chose to use the term “mouses” instead of mice in the article as the term mouse for computers is actually an acronym M.O.U.S.E. which stands for Manually Operated User Selection Equipment.

The Logitech Lift is a new entry into a space which is looking to our utilitarian approach to mouses for a more thoughtful, ergonomic design. It feels like a device that puts function over form or aesthetics but it doesn’t, it puts the user before all else. We’re taking a deep dive into the Logitech Lift to see if the new paradigm in mouse design is actually something to consider for the long term.

Design

Design is truly where you will notice the Logitech Lift. Its design is “interesting” at first glance. While not all things described as “interesting” are necessarily good, we only use the word to describe the Lift because of convention; We’re so used to seeing mouses that are designed to be flat or cradle the wrist in a way that is comfortable and ergonomic. The Lift, however, takes that and turns it on its side – both literally and figuratively.

The first thing that will leave an impression is how tall the Logitech Lift is. The mouse is literally the tallest one you will find in Logitech’s lineup of mouses. It’s got good reason to be though. The tall form factor allows you to hold it in a more ergonomic way which reduces strain on your wrist long term. This is because unlike with conventional mouses, you will be moving the Lift on the same axes as your wrist. In addition, you are also not resting your wrist on the table. Instead, it remains floating as you hold and use the mouse. You will also realise, that the mouse isn’t at a 90° angle, Logitech has a more natural 55° angle which allows the wrist to rest in a neutral position.

Together with its overall design, the Lift also comes with a slightly different design when it comes to buttons. It still comes with the same number of buttons we expect to see in an everyday mouse, but Logitech has tweaked the design to accommodate the more vertical orientation. The right and left mouse buttons are on the right side of the mouse with the Smart Wheel and DPI Switch. On the left, are two buttons that usually correspond to the forward and back buttons on browsers. Keep in mind, that we had a right-handed one for review.

The tall mouse is slender up top and a little bit wider on the bottom. It’s about the same size as any mouse when it comes to the bottom perhaps, just ever so slightly slimmer. The wider, egg-shaped base does provide a little bit better stability; but, more importantly, it helps cradle your hand as you use the Lift. It’s also where you’ll find your function button to switch between connected Bluetooth devices and also where the battery and Logotech Bolt receiver is nestled. These items are nestled inside a magnetic cover which is opened by simply pressing down on the indention – one of the best design choices on the mouse.

Overall, it does feel like Logitech did put ergonomics front and centre when it comes to designing the Lift. The company has made it very easy to hold and comfortable to use while keeping all the functionality we expect from a mouse.

Features

The Logitech Lift isn’t anaemic in design or functionality. Logitech has packed the mouse with more features than any other Logitech mouse we’ve used to date. In fact, they’ve brought some of the features that we’re used to seeing in other Logitech devices like the K380 keyboard and their Logitech G line up to the Lift which enhances the experience and functionality of the mouse tremendously.

Multi-device Connectivity

You’ll be able to connect up to three devices on the Logitech Lift at any one time. They can be connected via Bluetooth or through the Logi Bolt. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can control all three at the same time. However, it gives you the freedom to jump from your desktop to your laptop to your tablet by simply clicking a button.

The multi-device button is located on the bottom of the mouse. Clicking it will change the device you’re connected to while long pressing sends it into pairing mode. Of course, it will automatically be toggled into pairing mode when you turn it on for the first time. Pairing with the Bolt will need you to plug in the Logi Bolt before turning the mouse on. Bluetooth connectivity will also work for mobile devices like a tablet (i.e. iPad) or mobile phones.

Having the flexibility of connecting to multiple devices gave a lot of flexibility when it came to keeping quick connectivity for the Lift. Of course, given the fact that we do tend to have multiple devices with us for review at the same time, it also made it easier for us to jump from one device to the other or from the review device to our personal devices.

Extended Functionality through Logi Options+

While having a quick connection with multiple devices is cool. The Logitech Lift shines when it comes to its extended functionality which comes with the Logi Options+ application which you can install on your devices. Note that we say CAN and not need. Logitech has given users the flexibility of using the mouse without the need to install the Options+ application. However, when you install it, you get access to a whole load of new features that allow the mouse to serve you better.

The first thing that you’ll see when you launch the Logi Options+ application is a quick walkthrough of all the features that you have with your Logitech mouse. For the Logitech Lift, it highlights the ability to customise your mouse sensitivity. The sensor in the Logitech Lift has a sensitivity of 400 dpi to 4000 dpi. Out of the box, it looks like it’s set to 2000dpi (50% in the app). We’re assuming these values as the app gives it to us in percentage and not dpi. In the app. You can set up 2 sensitivities to toggle between with the button next to the Smart Wheel. On the main device screen, you’ll be able to see all your connection methods and battery life as well as your customizations. You will also be updating your firmware from the app.

The Logi Options+ app also allows you to set up application-specific profiles. So you can set up the mouse to have specific functions with different apps. When you first launch the app, it will automatically set up profiles for known programs like the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Teams and even Zoom. The customizations for Zoom and Microsoft Teams are of particular interest. Logitech makes it easy to mute yourself as well as quickly toggle your camera in these apps. The back and forward buttons are remapped to accommodate these functions. Of course, this is only a start when it comes to custom mapping functions. You can even make it easier to copy and paste in applications like Microsoft Word or even toggle Windows features like screen capture or even switching apps.

In addition to the increased customizability, the Logi Options+ app also allows you to copy and paste between different devices where you have it installed. Yes, you’ll be able to copy a file from one laptop to the other without a USB drive. Logitech calls this the Logi Flow. You will need to be on the same network and use the same Logitech mouse to use it. This came in very useful for us when it came to jumping PCs. Of course, if you have OneDrive or Dropbox set up on your devices, it would already sync, but the added convenience of having this as an option is definitely a big plus.

Performance

When it comes to the performance of the Logitech Lift, it performed as well as any other everyday mouse. Movements were registered sufficiently, and the response was near seamless. However, it did suffer from a few nagging issues which a small design update could solve.

The Lift moves on surfaces pretty well. However, there was some added friction especially if you have a desk mat that isn’t made of synthetic fibres. In our case, we were using it on a textured faux-leather desk mat and movement on this surface felt strained. While it’s a simple fix of putting an additional mouse pad on the desk, we were expecting a little better from the design as we’ve used other Logitech mouses on the surface without much hassle.

That aside, the sensor on the Logitech Lift is able to register movement exceptionally well, it feels very responsive and quick when moving around the screen. Of course, this is nothing when compared to more robust gaming mouses. However, it contributes significantly to the user experience.

The Logitech Lift comes with a significant learning curve. That said, it’s a curve that’s there only because we have grown too used to conventional mouse design. It took us about 3 to 4 hours to get used to using the mouse in the new orientation. Once we were over this hump, it felt like any other mouse. In fact, we were able to seamlessly adapt between the Lift and a gaming mouse without much hassle.

There’s another aspect of performance that comes into play with the Logitech Lift – ergonomics and wrist health. Personally, I suffer from De Quervain’s tenosynovitis which is a condition where the tendon which connects to the thumb can become inflamed. The condition flares up every once in a while, when I forget to check on the ergonomics of my workspace. With the Logitech Lift, these flare-ups were significantly reduced. In fact, my wrist felt less strained overall. This is mostly due to the more natural position that the Lift puts your hand into when using it. It helped put the wrist into a more relaxed position and also forces you to use the mouse on a more natural axis. You bend your wrist according to the angle of the bone joint and do not cause it to strain through overexertion through side-to-side movements.

SILENCIO! The Mouse Is Mushy

Speaking of convention, we’re so used to hearing clicking sounds when we use our mouses. When it comes to the Logitech Lift, it was a little bizarre how silent it is. The mouse is more silent than a live mouse! Click and clack all you want, you won’t hear the clicking of the mouse. While this is a very welcomed change, it felt a little bit unnatural to not have the click when pressing down on the left and right mouse buttons.

Logitech has definitely hit the mark when it comes to soundproofing on the Lift. However, the soundproofing may also be the reason the mouse is a little mushy when you click. This was a jarring flaw to us. The lack of feedback when clicking down on the mouse buttons made it feel like we were pushing down on plastic on a pillow. Initially, this feeling led to pressing down pretty hard on the buttons which led to extra fatigue. However, after a little while of getting used to it, it became a welcomed addition to having a mouse that is so silent.

Rethinking Convention for Better Ergonomics at a Price but for Better Long-Term Health

In a nutshell, the Logitech Lift is everything you can expect a mouse to be. Of course, there are a few flaws here and there but it’s definitely not something that Logitech can’t fix with some design updates. The unique 55° angle at which they have designed the mouse makes it one of the least straining experiences with a mouse. We highly recommend it to anyone who is dealing with wrist issues including tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Of course, there are concessions to the added advantage of having healthier wrists. However, in the long term, these concessions are minor ones. The mushy clicks are balanced out by tactile buttons and smooth scrolling. We’re confident that if a majority of users do feel the mush, Logitech will update the design sooner or later to give it a more satisfying tactility than is currently available.

That said, it is a little bit more pricey than a normal mouse with the same feature set. Compared to the MYR69 of the Logitech Signature M650, the Logitech Lift is pretty pricey. It comes in at MYR299. That said, for some of us, it’s a necessity for better productivity and wrist movement. So, it ultimately boils down to what we’re looking for when we choose a mouse.

Android, Editor's Choice, Mobile, Reviews

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G In-Depth Review: A Delicate Balancing Act That Pushes the Mid-range Further

June 30, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

When it comes to smartphones – particularly Android smartphones – you rarely hear of people recommending midrange phones. In fact, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that you will only get recommendations for flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S22+. That seems to be changing now with more and more companies taking the time to develop and release compelling mid-range, affordable smartphones.

Samsung is, arguably, one of the first smartphone manufacturers to rethink their mid-range with the relaunch of the Galaxy A series back in 2017. The company imbued their mid-range flagships – the Galaxy A7, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3 – with features that made the devices more compelling than before. This year, in 2022, they are taking the term “flagship” even more seriously by bringing features from the Galaxy S series to the Galaxy A series flagships – the Galaxy A73 5G, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A33 5G.

With a flagship lineup that fits the “affordable” bill at every price point, we’re taking a look at Samsung’s true mid-range – the Galaxy A53. Does the follow-up to the popular Galaxy A52 warrant your hard-earned money? Did Samsung make a truly compelling smartphone that can champion its mid-range? We’re about to break it down in our in-depth review of the smartphone.

Design

Samsung’s adoption of a tick-tock strategy when it comes to design is no big secret. In fact, the Galaxy A53 and Galaxy A52 are virtually indistinguishable unless you look at getting their exclusive colours. However, the lack of emphasis on design has actually worked to the smartphone’s advantage – as you will see later in the review.

The overall design language of the Galaxy A52 looks and feels premium. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the Galaxy A53 could be a reinvigoration of what we accept a midrange to be. The smartphone doesn’t have the discernible curves we see in flagships, however, the flatter, candy bar design lends itself to better one-handed use and makes it easier to grip. While it may seem blocky and unwieldy, Samsung has put some subtle curvature to the back and frame of the smartphone. These accented curves are a welcomed addition as they allay the digging sensation of sharper angles on a smartphone.

The Galaxy A53 5G is a sleek-looking phone – especially in White. To be very honest, I wasn’t a fan of the white colour of the A53 review unit we got. However, the colour has grown on me during the course of the review. Why? The first reason is that it has stayed white even after our review period. There was no yellowing or stains even after spilling some soy sauce and curry on it. Even when it did seem a little dirty, a quick wipe with a wet wipe or damp cloth got it back to the brilliant white that came out of the box.

The front of the smartphone is nearly completely covered by the screen. There are minute, 2mm bezels which frame the screen but they do little to dull the visual experience of the smartphone overall. On the back, the sleek white covers 100% of the phone. The small camera hump is hidden by the smooth curves that minimise the visibility of the raised module. It does this so well that you sometimes forget that it’s there when looking at the device. The buttons on the A53 5G are also clicky and, thanks to the colour combinations, add to the sleek outlook of the smartphone overall. The White version we have has a silver frame with the buttons.

Yes, Samsung does check all the boxes when it comes to the aesthetics of the device. However, if there is one nitpick I have with the phone, it’s that it’s comically light. While it’s not a deal breaker, the added heft would have made the phone feel just a little bit more premium. Of course, it’s also because the device itself is made primarily out of plastic.

Hardware

The design is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Galaxy A53 5G. It’s also been supped up with some of the better midrange hardware on the market. While it’s not revolutionary and coming with a flagship processor, Samsung has equipped the mid-ranger with enough oomph for it to stand out among its competition.

Specifications

Processor	Exynos 1280 (5nm) [Octa-Core: 2×2.4GHz Cortex A-78, 6×2.0GHz Cortex A55]
RAM	4GB *8GB (As Tested)*
Memory	128GB 256GB (As Tested)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)	Mali-G68
Display	Super AMOLED panel 6.5-inch (~405 ppi) 1080×2400 pixels FHD+ resolution 20:9 Aspect Ratio 120Hz Refresh rate HDR 800 nits peak brightness
Operating System	Android 12 with One UI 4.1
Battery	5,000mAh Fast Charging (25W)
Connectivity	Nano SIM 5G/4G LTE/HSPA/GSM Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS A2DP Bluetooth 5.1 LE OTG Support USB 2.0 (Type-C)
Camera	REAR: Quadruple Sensor: 64-Megapixel (Wide) f/1.8, 1/1.7X″, 26mm, 0.8µm Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) 12-Megapixel (Ultrawide) f/2.2, 1/3.94″, 123˚, 1.12µm Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) 5-Megapixel (Macro) f/2.4 5-Megapixel (Depth) f/2.4 LED Flash HDR Panorama 4K Video recording (30fps) 1080p Video recording (30/60fps) Gyro-electronic image stabilization (EIS) Stereo Sound Recording FRONT: 32-Megapixel (Wide) f/2.2, 26mm, 1/2.8”, 0.8µm 4K video recording (30fps) 1080p (30fps)
Sensor	Accelerometer Virtual Proximity Sensing Fingerprint (Optical, under display) Gyroscope Compass Barometer
Miscellaneous	Dual SIM
Retail Price (Malaysia)	(128GB) MYR 1,849 (256GB)
Retail Price (US)	USD$ 349.99 (128GB) (256GB)

User Interface

The Galaxy A53 5G comes with a scaled-back version of One UI 4.1 that we saw in the Samsung Galaxy S22 series. However, Samsung hasn’t slammed the brakes on this version like it has in previous versions. Instead, the version of One UI 4.1 is more feature rich than the ones we’ve seen in the Galaxy A series before.

On the surface, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the Galaxy A53 and any other Samsung device. However, when you look a little closer, features like Samsung DeX are noticeably absent. That said, the lack of these features doesn’t really take away from the overall experience of using the A53 as a daily driver.

Like the version of One UI 4.1 that comes with the S22 series, the Galaxy A53’s version brings the same refinement to the experience. It marries the feature-rich elements of One UI with the refinement that comes with stock Android 12. This complementary approach to One UI allows the device to feel more cohesive than previous mid-range offerings. Elements like Dynamic Widgets and colour palettes bring a layer of personalisation that makes the device feel uniquely yours.

The updated look and feel of One UI 4.1 also brings a sense of refinement that was sorely missing before. The interface doesn’t feel childish or cartoon-like anymore. Instead, it feels like Samsung did put some time and thought into the look and feel of the user interface. It feels more cohesive and well-rounded than other Galaxy A series. It’s also more stable and nimbler. Animations have been optimised to make the phone feel faster and don’t weigh it down.

Performance

Historically, Samsung’s A series never had a device that brought more than just an iterative update and core features. That said, this year’s Galaxy A53 5G made us do a double take when it comes to day-to-day performance in nearly every aspect. Overall, it performed pretty well, striking a balance between battery life, features and day-to-day performance.

Multitasking & Productivity

The Galaxy A53 5G is a smartphone that brings all the core features you’d want in a smartphone. It adopts a lot of the features that you need for a smartphone that allows you to be productive on the go. It’s inherited the essentials from the Galaxy S series and adapts it to fit the users’ needs.

The only jarring omission when it comes to multitasking in the A53 is the lack of Samsung DeX which has become a hallmark feature for multitasking on Galaxy smartphones. That said, other features like multiwindow and split screen multitasking do make it into the smartphone. To be honest, the Galaxy A53 is an exercise in restraint when it comes to features and it also proves that there are some features in the Galaxy S that help elevate the experience but are not essential.

During the review period, the Galaxy A53 was able to withstand my daily demands for a daily driver. Syncing multiple emails, having multiple chat apps and even consuming media wasn’t much of a task for the A53. It excelled when multitasking. The overall experience was smooth and, most importantly, functional. I was able to get things done when I needed to without much hassle and the smartphone wasn’t dragging its feet either.

That said, there were a few instances where the smartphone did chug a little. This occurred primarily when using split screen applications. Word processing and messaging apps were fine. However, when it came to using messaging apps or word processing apps in split screen mode with a media-heavy app like YouTube or even the video player, the Galaxy A53 did struggle – but only a little bit. It wasn’t overtly unusable, but it did get a little annoying. That said, this only happened once or twice during my week using it.

Samsung has brought Link to Windows and the ability to receive calls on other devices to the Galaxy A series this year as well. These features are a boon to the A53. Having the ability to respond to messages and transfer files using Link to Windows makes being productive even easier. Screen mirroring via the Link to Windows feature has also made it easier to get things done. If you’re using a Samsung Tablet, the ability to take a call while using the tablet is a welcomed addition too. It actually stops you from panicking and looking for your smartphone all the time; allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

Call Quality & Connectivity

Being a smartphone, it comes as no surprise that the Galaxy A53 is able to handle calls seamlessly. Thankfully, I was able to test the smartphone over 4G LTE and 5G networks. The call quality on both connections was crisp and clear. The audio was a little bit metallic at times but that didn’t hinder the usage. Of course, the call quality was very dependent on the quality of the cell signal. Since Malaysia is still in the early days when it comes to the 5G rollout, the signal for 5G was pretty spotty. However, the Galaxy A53 was able to handle the constant network changes without impacting the battery life too much. Even switching between SIM cards was pretty seamless on the A53.

Samsung has equipped the A53 with more than just the necessities when it comes to connectivity. Bluetooth 5.1, LE, WiFi 6 and GPS are all along for the ride and they all performed well when connectivity was stable. Bluetooth 5.1 and LE allowed me to use the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro with the smartphone. The connectivity was pretty stable, and it could remain connected for further ranges than other smartphones. WiFi was also very stable when connected. With Smart connect, the phone was able to intelligently jump between known WiFi networks and mobile which allowed me to be connected all the time.

Gaming

Gaming on the Galaxy A53 5G is a mixed bag. While it does have the specs for a decent gaming experience, it stumbles with some of the more demanding games out there. I was hoping to be able to test it further with Diablo Immortal, but Blizzard has delayed that game until July.

The Galaxy A53 5G didn’t fall flat on its face. It just struggled when games got increasingly more detailed in graphics. This isn’t really surprising as the chipset isn’t the top of the line but it does take away from the overall experience of the smartphone. That said, it’s not a deal breaker.

Playing games like PUBG mobile and Free Fire were a little bit of a challenge for the hardware but with the setting put down a notch, it was able to perform well. In fact, compared to some of the competition out there, it performed better. The graphics was smooth though not as detailed as it was on the S22+ but there was little tearing and ghosting. This is mostly thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate of the smartphone’s Super AMOLED display. However, when it came to games like Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds, it did seem like the phone responded slower initially. Samsung seems to have addressed this issue with a software update.

When it comes to cooling, the smartphone did get a little warm when gaming. While it never became uncomfortable to hold, it did get warm enough to become finger warmers. It is understandable considering the heat dissipation of the S53 isn’t cutting edge, but I would advise against gaming and charging the smartphone at the same time.

Battery Life

If there was one area where the Galaxy A53 excelled, it would be the battery life. Throughout my review period, I was consistently only charging the smartphone once in two days on average. Of course, if there was gaming involved, this would be substantially shorter. This could be due to the more efficient 5nm architecture of the Exynos 1280, but it’s more likely due to the Galaxy A53’s optimizations and 5,000mAh battery size.

While it may seem like the smartphone is overly aggressive on optimisations, the truth is that it isn’t. I was consistently getting notifications for social media and my messaging apps like Telegram on the A53 before the S22+. That said, the two day battery life of the A53 isn’t anything new for A series. It has had good battery life for more than 2 iterations already.

Display

Samsung opted to use the Super AMOLED panel in the Galaxy A53 5G. While this isn’t the best panel on the market right now, it does allow the A53 to strike a delicate balance of being feature rich and affordable. The Super AMOLED panel provides enough brightness to be visible under direct sunlight. Although, a teeny bit more lumens would have been ideal. It’s also got pretty good colour reproduction. While it isn’t 100%, you won’t know what you’re missing unless you work with colours on a regular basis. Of course, out of the box, the settings of the display are typical AMOLED with blown-out reds and oversaturated pictures. However, a simple tweak in the settings allows you to have better, more true-to-life colours.

Reading and texting on the display was a pleasant experience. Even over long hours of reading ebooks, my eyes didn’t feel fatigued even with eye comfort turned off. The eye comfort mode brings a degree more comfort, but it also turned the display a little too yellow for my liking. HDR compatibility of the display also lent itself to better viewing and gaming experiences overall. The display combined with the Dolby Atmos sound compatibility gave an immersive experience that we expected from flagship smartphones.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy A53 comes with a robust quad camera setup that brings multiple modes and shooting photo possibilities. What’s surprising is that the smartphone comes with a larger 64-megapixel sensor for its main sensor – at least when it comes to pixel count – compared to the Galaxy S22+. However, the sensor pixel count is only one of the many factors that create a good camera experience. The A53’s main sensor is complemented with a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, a 5-megapixel depth sensor and a 5-megapixel macro sensor.

While the pixel count of the main sensor is larger than most, the smaller pixel size poses a challenge when it comes to details and sharpness. Samsung uses its Galaxy AI and pixel binning to help optimise this. In essence, it stitches multiple pixels to absorb more light and produce more detail in pictures. This technology actually makes the A53’s setup one of the best we’ve seen so far among the smartphones in its category. Pictures taken in auto mode are crisp and detailed with little to no blurring and detail loss.

Galaxy AI is the hallmark function of the camera. Samsung has brought a lot of the software features that was once thought to be reserved for its flagships to the Galaxy A53 5G. Features like single take and even pro-mode makes a full-featured debut with the new A series. These software features not only bring a whole new level of photography to the smartphone, it empowers content creation and creativity.

The pictures taken with the main camera array of the Galaxy A53 are detailed and crisp with good lighting. You can zoom into the photos to see details. However, this detail and sharpness is lost when you start using the digital zoom beyond 2x. Of course, this is expected but it becomes a handicap only because other comparable smartphones have some form of optical zoom. That said, the overall performance is actually pretty impressive. You don’t have long processing times when you take pictures; something that has become a hallmark of smartphones in the same class.

Under low light, the sensors are good but not great. With their focus on Nightography for their flagships, we expected some of the innovations that drive that focus to trickle down to the Galaxy A series but that didn’t happen. That said, low light photography isn’t a write off. Photos taken under low-light are decent, not too detailed but usable. They can be blurry and fuzzy in poor lighting conditions.

When it comes to the front 32-megapixel camera, the Galaxy A53 continues to inherit the selfie DNA of the Galaxy A series. Photos taken with the front camera are crisp and clear – perhaps a little clearer than the main sensor. However, under low light, there is a lot to be desired. Again, low light pictures can be blurry and lack detail.

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The Galaxy A53 5G is able to shoot up to 4K UHD resolution at 30fps when it comes to videos. The main sensor produces pretty respectable videos with enough detail. However, it may not be the best when it comes to becoming a main camera for content. If you’re looking for one that can – you’d be better off with A73 or a flagship S series.

A Redefining Device for the mid-range; transforming a drab, uninspired offering into a flagship experience that brings more than just basic functionality

Samsung proves it’s taking mid-range smartphones seriously with the new approach to the Galaxy A series. The Galaxy A53 5G is an epitome of that being in the middle of the new offerings this year. Even with the scaled back specifications, the Galaxy A53 5G has proven that the software does revolutionise the overall experience for users. A feature-rich software experience puts every capability at your fingertips and could be the tipping point for users getting this smartphone instead.

The Galaxy A53 is truly an exercise in striking a balance. Samsung does a delicate teetering between providing the features users are looking for and the price they are willing to pay for it. The A53 brings a robust set of features both in hardware and software that allow it an edge over the competition. It’s not sacrificing much in the way of camera features and overall performance when it comes down to it. There is space for improvement, but it’s a leap in the correct direction for the company when it comes to their mid-range. It makes the A53 one of the most exciting offerings when it comes to smartphones in the mid-range.

Accessories, Computers, Lifestyle, Reviews

The Logitech Signature M650 In-Depth Review – The Cheaper, Quieter MX Anywhere

May 28, 2022 Darwin Sucipto Leave a comment

We hardly review accessories like a mouse. That is because reviewing a mouse is not as easy as it seems. In plenty of occasions, the decision on buying a mouse always ends up in preference.

Mice also comes in all shapes and sizes. They are also made with specific functions in mind. You have gaming mice, productivity mice, portable wireless gaming mice, portable wireless productivity mice , quiet mice, and now there is even ergonomic mice.

Choosing the right mice for you is not as easy as it seems. It is not like you can build one from scratch as well, like you do with custom keyboards. Sure, there are ways to mod your mouse with custom switches and what not, but that is sort of it.

They have come up with this Signature M650. It is compact, so you can bring it anywhere you want. It is also a wireless mouse that can either be used with a dongle or Bluetooth. Better yet, that means you can use it with up to two devices at a click of a button. Because it is clever, it offers its own solutions and functions for different applications too. Best of all, it is quiet.

Is it worth its asking price though, at MYR 159? You can get a Logitech quiet mouse at about three times less than this one. For that kind of money, you can also get a gaming mouse that is a little bigger than this one. You can only use this wirelessly. At the same time, the battery is not even a built-in one, still a single AA solution at that. Is it any good? We find out.

Design

Logitech knows a thing or two about making a good mouse. They start with plastics, because plastic is rather light and easy to work with in a mould. They are cheaper to make and replace too, obviously. They later add other materials to their mouse to add some textures and practical features.

In this case, while most of the Signature M650 is made of plastic, there is a sort of rubberised coating or material that surrounds the sides of the mouse. The rubberised sides are also textured with little dimples to add a sort of tactile feel to your fingers when you hold the mouse. At the same time, the textured surface adds a sense of grip and comfort to the hands. The mouse feels at home in your palms the moment you hold the mouse. Your thumb and fingers immediately find grip on the mouse.

Unlike Logitech’s ergonomic offerings, the Signature M650 is designed with some ambidexterity in mind. You can use it with your left and right hands. The only issue is that the extra buttons on the side does not get translated on the other side, so if you are using the mouse with your left hand, accessing the side buttons might be an issue.

While it is small, it is not as small as the typical ultra-compact and flat mouse. Compared to those, the Signature M650 is considered quite chunky. But the extra size can be appreciated thanks to the more ergonomic design. The top cover easily forms into your palms. At least for me it does, I do not have big hands. For those with larger hands, there is an ‘L’ variant of the mouse, though only available in Graphite colour option.

We also like that the soft-touch texture design continues to the mouse wheel. The mouse wheel is covered with a sort of rubber or silicon material for that soft feel on your fingers too. Scrolling the mouse wheel feels like you are fiddling with those gummy candies than a mouse wheel. It is an odd, but quite comfortable feeling.

The under body is a single unit that forms from the side. The colours here are consistent with the sides as well. The only piece that is not part of the bottom of the mouse is the plastic cover that protects the AA battery and Logitech Bolt USB receiver. It also serves as continued flat plane of the bottom side of the mouse. The optical sensor is off-center, presumably to ensure that the AA battery can be fitted sideways to ensure that it is, in fact, compact.

Underneath the optical sensor is a power on/off toggle, which is pretty much expected from a wireless mouse. While Logitech says that the included battery can last up to 24-months, turning it off can extend its battery life. At the same time, you would not want any accidental inputs from your mouse when you are carrying it around.

There is also a button above the optical sensor. It is the Signature M650’s Bluetooth pairing and switch button. A long press will kick the Logitech 650 into Bluetooth pairing mode. A quick press toggles it back to the Bolt Receiver mode.

The one we have here is the Rose variant, the pink one. There is the regular Graphite and Off-White colour options. These are the colours that are quite regular in Logitech’s product line-up though, so there is not too much to say about them. The pink on the Rose variant is soft and sweet though, not too overbearing, and because the bottom side is a darker shade of pink as well, it does not look cheap. The only concern with this colour option is how the colour will age.

The entire construction, while mostly made of recycled plastic, feels rather premium. The soft and smooth finish on the matte finished top feels like a quality product. While the sides may not be real rubber, the added texture feels like they belong there and durable enough to last years of abuse, even after your first battery gives out. Even the ‘logi’ logo feels like it will not fade at least until a year or two of use in. Of course, that really depends on how you use your mouse.

Features

Although this is a compact mouse, there are a lot of things that makes the Logitech M650 looks like a full-sized mouse on paper. The features on the mouse are designed for productivity even when you are out of your workspace. Of course, when you just want to wind down, relax, and just scroll through the net, this is one comfortable mouse to use as well.

SmartWheel

Where the MX series has the MagSpeed, the Signature M650 gets something called a SmartWheel. It is rather clever for quickly browsing through the net and even pages of documents. The SmartWheel scrolls like any other mouse wheel you might have used before. But it feels softer and smoother than the usual wheel. There is still some tactility and resistance when you scroll the wheel.

The smooth and soft feel of the mouse wheel is rather nice to work with. When you are browsing the internet, different scroll gestures give you different scrolling speeds. To be fair, there is only sort of two scrolling speeds with the SmartWheel – fast and slow. When you need to quickly scroll down the page to get to the part you want, a flick of the wheel makes it a sort of a MagSpeed wheel. Once you need to slowly look through the page, you can scroll through click by click. It works with your Microsoft apps too.

The wheel is not just to scroll up and down though. You can use it to scroll left to right too. You press and hold one of the side buttons and use the heel with it to scroll from side to side.

Multi Device

You can use it with up to two devices wirelessly. One of them needs a USB type-A port to work with. That would be your laptop or PC to plug in your Logitech Bolt receiver.

The other device would need Bluetooth to use the Logitech Signature M650. As we mentioned earlier, it is just a matter of pressing a single button at the bottom of the mouse. Once it gets into pairing mode, Windows Quick Connect detects the mouse and allows you to get your mouse connected in just one or two clicks.

The Logitech M650 relies on a Bolt receiver, not the same unifying receiver that older or cheaper Logitech mice comes with. That also means that the Logitech M650 is supposed to be working with a lower latency time than older mice. You also cannot use Logitech’s older Logi Option software with it.

Silent Operator

The Logitech Signature M650 is silent, but not as silent as we hoped. The main two buttons and scrolling wheel or middle button are all working silently. The side buttons, compared to the main two buttons are rather ‘clicky’. While it does not annoy us in the slightest, some of you might not like that very much.

Still, the main buttons are silenced without much sacrifice to tactility. There is a little bit of mushiness in every click of the three main buttons and even the scroll. But the tactility of a mouse click is still very defined. Every click feels sure and registered but a lot more muted in noise. Then again, Logitech has been making quiet mice for a long time, they know what they are doing.

Logi Options+

If you are using the Logitech Signature M650 on your Windows or Mac, you can download something called Logi Options+. Why did they have to develop a new software? We do not know, but here it is. When you plug the Bolt receiver into your PC or Mac, a prompt will ask you if you want to install the app on your device.

The software sort of acts like a manual for you to refer to. It tells you what each button does for each application that it supports. The application also allows you to change what the secondary buttons and middle button does for each application if you want to. For example, you can change the side buttons to ‘select’ and ‘cut’ in Adobe’s Premiere Pro while the middle button can be a play/pause button.

You can toggle on something called ‘smooth scrolling’ with the mouse too. That way, scrolling your webpages or documents looks nice and smooth instead of the usual staggered feel. It is ‘off’ by default, so we turned it on because we liked it.

You can also control how fast your mouse goes on Logi Options without getting through Windows default settings page. You can go as slow as 400 dpi or as fast as to 4,000 dpi to avoid huge mouse actions.

Performance – Smooth Operator

Once you know what each buttons do and get familiarised with all the applications you work with, the Logitech M650 becomes rather intuitive. It is still a compact mouse, which also means that you might still want to work with a bigger full-sized mouse when you can, I know I want to use a bigger mouse at home at least.

Still, when portability is concerned, a compact mouse is always appreciated. The Logitech Signature M650 is that compact mouse that does not compromise too much. The M650 retains a lot of functions that you can only find on bigger mice today. At the same time, it is ergonomic despite its proportions.

Having the option to use Bluetooth with a mouse like this is always appreciated especially when modern light-and-compact laptops usually come with no USB Type-A port or just that one port. Having the option to leave your only free USB Type-A slot is always best, and that is why Bluetooth is an important feature. This also gives you the option of leaving your bolt receiver plugged into your PC at home.

While we would prefer to have a flush body with an internal non-removable battery, we understand that the trade-off must be made in favour of battery life. A single AA battery can keep the Logitech Signature M650 running for up to two years. We are not sure if a built-in battery can give the Logitech mouse that kind of battery life from a single charge.

The mouse is highly comfortable to use in any conditions. It lacks the heft of bigger mice, but it is still ergonomic enough that using it is rather comfortable even at extended periods. It feels almost natural to use.

We did not use the Logitech Signature M650 for gaming much, nothing intense anyway. The games we chose to play with the Logitech mouse are more titles like Cities: Skylines and Two Point Hospital. The two side buttons have no preset functions in this case, so there is not much in terms of extra features or functions within the game.

The Logitech Signature M650 – More Sensible, Still Clever

We are not looking at a gaming mouse here. It is not meant to be one, nor made to be one. It is a general-purpose mouse that is meant to be used in a work environment, remote workstations, and even at home. It is a sort of all-in-one mouse that you can put to good use with your work PC and get it to work with your home PC as well, no need to bring your work PC home.

In that sense, while it might seem a little pricey, the Logitech Signature M650 is an excellent mouse. It feels durable and comfortable, more so than those mice you can find for MYR 39. Sure, for MYR 159 we think Logitech can do better in terms of packaging, but to be fair, the packaging will end up in the trashcan anyway. There is not much in terms of documentation either.

MYR 159 for this mouse does not just buy you a compact mouse. It does not just buy you a silent mouse either. It buys you some premium feel and functions that is comparable to something like a Logitech MX Anywhere, probably even better than it.

The Logitech Signature M650 is a good buy. Not because it is cheaper than Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3. It is a good buy because you are getting a great mouse for its asking price. If you are looking for a cheap, low-budget mouse, you are looking at the wrong place. If you are looking for something that you can use to streamline or enhance your workflow in and out of your office, something comfortable to use, and even something durable and reliable, the MYR 159 asking price looks like a bargain.

Computers, Editorial, Reviews, Writer's Choice

ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED (UX5400E) In-Depth Review – Eye Candy and Productivity with a Steep Learning Curve

May 13, 2022 Nur Jeevan Leave a comment

It’s not every day that we see something new and interesting when it comes to laptops. We’re so used to seeing the mundane clamshell form factor with new insides, displays and ports. However, ASUS has been on a roll lately with a slew of laptops that bring fun, new features as well as new hardware that is truly revolutionary. Over the past year, they’ve been adamant about equipping their laptops with OLED displays which are certified for their colour accuracy.

With their Zenbook Duo lineup, they’ve brought an interesting approach to multiscreen productivity. But what happens when you take multiscreen productivity and fit it into a space once exclusively reserved for the trackpad? You get the hallmark feature of the ZenBook 14X’s hallmark feature: the Screen Pad. Does this new approach make sense? Is productivity enhanced or deterred by the feature and is it here to stay?

We’re looking to answer those questions and also the most pertinent one when it comes to any piece of tech, “Is it worth my money?”, in our in-depth review of the ZenBook 14X OLED.

Design

The ZenBook 14X OLED has its origins in the ZenBook’s early days as a flagship. It’s equipped with a machined aluminium body with a brushed finish and made of premium build materials; like any other ZenBook. However, the thing that makes the laptop stand out is the sheer sleekness and miniature form of the laptop overall. ASUS has made the ZenBook 14X OLED one of the smallest and sleekest laptops in its lineup. However, its minute stature isn’t where the story ends.

When it boils down to it, the ZenBook 14X OLED distinguishes itself with its brushed aluminium top. However, it doesn’t give in to the incessant need to be thin as paper. Instead, it’s thicker and more substantial than its predecessor and competition. Coming in at just under 17mm, the laptop strides the line of being just thin enough and being thick and chunky in this day and age. That said, the added thickness and sturdy build materials provide the top lid with added stability and rigidity. This also prevents the display from flexing which can be detrimental to the laptop.

That said, the ZenBook isn’t only sturdy, but it’s also well designed. ASUS has made sure that while the ZenBook 14X OLED is slim and light, it’s also well equipped for working on the go. It comes with a good range of ports – which we will elaborate on later in the review. That said, these ports don’t break the overall aesthetic of the laptop. Instead, ASUS has made them flush seamlessly into the aluminium chassis. The thickest point of the laptop is also used to house the largest ports: USB-A and HDMI ports.

The small body of the laptop doesn’t hinder ASUS from equipping the laptop with a tactile keyboard that emblazons the entirety of the main body. It’s only complemented by the chamfered dip which adds to the aesthetic of the laptop. That same aesthetic dip also highlights a change in materials as the top plate of the keyboard and ScreenPad isn’t made with the same aluminium. Instead, it feels a little more like plastic. That said, the plate is still encased within the aluminium frame.

Hardware

The ZenBook 14X OLED isn’t just about the aesthetics, it’s built for productivity. To achieve this, ASUS has packed the laptop with rather commendable insides which allow the ZenBook to stride the fine line between battery life and performance.