Just as 2023 was coming to a close, LG was busy sneaking in product announcements. One of the announcements is the LG CineBeam Qube 4K which rethinks a projector for the modern home. The newly announced projector looks to be tagging along with LG at the upcoming CES 2024 showcase in Las Vegas.
Source: LG
The LG CineBeam Qube 4K is a projector after our own hearts. It’s a stylish projector designed to not only project high-quality video but also blend into any decor. The compact projector comes in at only 1.49kg weight and measures only 80mm x 135mm x 135mm. It’s most literally a cube. Let’s not forget about the 360° handle. LG intends the Qube to be a “stylish art objet” with a minimalist design aesthetic.
The projector is able to project in 4K UHD with a resolution of 3,840×2,160 pixels. The LG CineBeam Qube 4K isn’t a traditional projector, it’s an RGB laser projector with 500 ANSI Lumens of brightness. The Qube also comes with a 450,000:1 contrast ratio and covers 154% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. It supports screen sizes between 50 and 120 inches with a minimum throw ratio of 1.2. The Qube also supports Auto Screen Adjustment and HDR 10. It has HDMI with eARC connectivity and USB-C. If you want to go wireless, you should be able to screen share on Android or AirPlay on Apple devices.
Pricing & Availability
LG hasn’t announced any official pricing just yet. However, if you’re in the Las Vegas area, you should be able to get your glimpse at the projector at CES 2024.
Sony’s Xperia 1 is a milestone for the Japanese electronics giant. It is not the most powerful smartphone in the market when it was launched, though it was one of the more powerful flagships. It also marks Sony’s departure from their old Xperia ways and their embracing of the new era of ultra-high-end smartphones.
The first Xperia 1 is also the first Sony Xperia device that was made in collaboration with Sony’s Alpha imaging division. That also means that the camera is now a lot more optimized than before. It now means that Sony has a reliable hardware paired to reliably impressive imaging hardware.
The Sony Xperia 1 marks a new era of Sony smartphones, an era where Sony stopped thinking about sales numbers and focus on a niche. That was three years ago though. In that case, you might be due for an upgrade. What about the new Sony Xperia 1 III (mk. lll)?
In its third iteration, is the Xperia 1 III worth the upgrade from the first generation Xperia 1? Is it worth the MYR 5,799 asking price? Can it still hold its own when Sony is launching another major flagship soon?
Design
The Sony Xperia 1 III follows a design language that should be familiar to its fans. Not much has changed in terms of design language of the Sony Xperia smartphones. They have followed the same design language for years. You might not be able to tell apart one Sony Xperia 1 III to the first generation Xperia 1.
That said though, we are fans of the timeless design language. The device is full of flat surfaces with sharper angles compared to plenty of the regular flagships we are used to in 2021. It looks fresh, modern, and iconic in its skin. The only changes Sony has made between the differing versions of Sony’s Xperia devices are on certain materials used on the device itself.
On the Sony Xperia 1 III, Sony opted for what feels like aluminium for its backplate. While it feels like it is a single unit with the frames, it is not. We suspect that it is so that the Sony Xperia 1 III will be easier to disassemble and repaired. It also still features wireless charging, despite the aluminium. We like that Sony brought back the fingerprint sensor integrated power button.
The first thing that greets you when you take it out from the box is an elongated candy bar that boasts a 6.5-inch display that stretches to 21:9 in aspect ratio. The display may sound like it is a little smaller than most modern flagships. But because it is at 21:9 aspect ratio, the candy bar is longer than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It is much narrower though.
Still, the Xperia 1 III still features the signature camera button which doubles as a dual action shutter button that makes it work exactly like a compact camera. Additionally, there is also a Google Assistant button on the device this time. The Sony Xperia 1 III also features a 3.5mm combo jack, something of a feature today. As with any of the Xperia devices as well, you do not need a SIM tray removal tool for the Xperia 1 III.
There is a slight camera bump at the back of the device, which is quite expected on a modern smartphone. The bump is smaller than most modern flagship devices, though.
Sony did not bother with the whole edge-to-edge moniker with their expansive display. There is a small forehead and a tight chin on the device for earpiece and a front firing speaker, which is very traditional.
Hardware
The Sony Xperia 1 III is not Sony’s most premium device you can find in Sony’s smartphone line-up. Except for its cameras, the Sony Xperia 1 III is still one of the most powerful devices in the Xperia line-up.
OLED 6.5-inch 3,840 x 1,644 pixels ~643ppi 120Hz (up to)
Operating System
Android 11
Battery
Non-Removable Li-Po 4,500mAh Fast Charging 30W
Connectivity
Dual SIM Wi-Fi WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS A2DP Bluetooth 5.2 LE OTG Support USB Type-C 3.1
Camera (s)
REAR: 12-Megapixel 24mm (f/1.7) 12-Megapixel 70mm (f/2.3, telephoto) 12-Megapixel 16mm (f/2.2, ultrawide) 0.3-Megapixel TOF depth sensor 4K video recording (120fps) LED flash FRONT: 8-Megapixel (f/2.0, 24mm) 1080p Full HD video recording (30fps)
Sensors
Accelerometer Proximity Fingerprint Sensor Ambient Light Gyroscope Face Unlock Compass
User Interface – Android 11 with Sony’s Xperia Touch
You can expect nearly stock Android 11 experience on the Sony Xperia 1 III as well. When we say ‘Xperia Touch’, we mean some of Sony’s own apps on the device itself.
On the end of apps, there are a few of Sony’s own app installed in the device. They are not so much bloatware though. You do have to note that there are two different camera apps on the device though. There is the regular Sony camera app that you can easily launch with a long press of the shutter button. There is also a separate video camera app (Cinema Pro) on the device. We will talk about these two apps later.
Most of the User Interface has been kept untouched from Google’s intended look. Even the notification screens are pretty much stock. That also means that you get a device that remains smooth and snappy for longer. At the same time, because the interface does not put extra unnecessary stress on memory and processors, you get apps working properly and smoothly.
Performance
The Sony Xperia 1 III is a powerhouse containing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 paired with 12GB of RAM. That also means that you can expect a lot of good things from the device.
Call Quality and Connectivity
Of course, making phone calls on a smartphone is the most regular thing you would do with it. It is, after all, the most basic function of a phone.
In that sense, making a phone call on the Xperia 1 III is pretty much like any other smartphone you can find today. You just need to pull up the Phone app and dial in your numbers, or type your friend’s name, or scroll through the contact list to make a call.
Connectivity for phone calls are quite excellent when you have enough signal strength to make the call. It also supports VoLTE, which is nothing to shout about for smartphones these days. But that also means you get crystal clear calls from the Sony Xperia 1 III. If you have a friend with networks that leverage VoLTE technology, you are going to have a good long chat with your friend on the phone without realizing that your friend is not even physically with you.
You hardly drop calls too unless you lose network signal on your device. You hardly lose network connectivity on the Sony Xperia 1 III. Of course, if you are going through an area known for weak signals, you are going to get some dropped calls.
Gaming
The display really shines when you game though. The 4K display is amazing to look at in games like Pokémon Unite. The problem is the real estate you get on the display.
The unique aspect ratio of the Sony Xperia 1 III’s display means that there is not a lot of space between the top and bottom of the display when you play games like PUBG Mobile or Mobile Legends Bang Bang. That means that your space for your navigation is limited. When you place your fingers on the display, you pretty much cover most of it.
That does not mean that you cannot enjoy the games though. They all look good on the 4K with plenty of details and with highly vivid colours. You do want to watch out for heat, though.
Multitasking and Productivity
With 12GB of RAM, there is no excuse to not perform. While the display is not optimized for multi-window experiences, you can load up tabs on your browser. That is what we did.
On the Sony Xperia 1 III, we have anywhere between 10-20 tabs open on Google Chrome. We often actively switch between 5 tabs most of the time. In that use case, the Sony Xperia 1 III copes very nicely.
We have also tried loading and actively switching between 4 different apps at the same time to stretch the device’s legs. One of the apps includes Google Chrome and multiple tabs on it. Even that did not trouble the Sony Xperia 1 III at all.
Battery Life
One of the biggest benefits to stock interfaces is battery life. Custom interfaces tend to be less efficient than stock ones. Interestingly, you rarely have a battery management system on stock interfaces like the Sony Xperia 1 III.
You do want to keep in mind that there are apps that will drain the device’s battery, like the two camera apps. That said, even with extensive use of the camera apps, you can get a good working day of battery life. On typical days, you are working with a good day of battery life plus a few more hours in the next day, on a single charge.
Charging the device is fast enough. Like most flagships, you get to charge the device from empty to full in less than two hours. Unlike some flagships in the market as well, the Sony Xperia 1 III still ships with a wall charger.
Display
One of the big highlights of any Xperia 1 device is its one-of-a-kind display. The 6.5-inch 21:9 aspect ratio display packs 4K resolution. It is also a more powerful display compared to some 4K TVs you can find today.
This AMOLED display is the most advanced display you can find on a smartphone. You get 120Hz refresh rate on this 4K display. The Sony Xperia 1 series is also the only series of smartphones in the world that gets 4K resolution displays as standard. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a QHD+ display.
As if the 4K resolution is not impressive enough, the 6.5-inch panel also boasts HDR colours with 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage. You even get 240Hz touch sampling rate for an almost instant response on your display. To reduce flicker in upscaling contents, the display boasts 240Hz in motion blur reduction.
Thing is, it is not a true 4K UHD display that you work with. Instead of 2,160 pixels in depth, it only features 1,644 pixels. You still get 3,840 on the side.
Still, that does not mean that the display is not impressive. It is a fantastic display to consume contents with. If you are planning to use it as an external monitor for your cameras, it works great too with Sony cameras.
Cameras
The other highlight of the new Sony Xperia 1 III is its camera. You get a humble 12-Megapixel sensor for its main shooter. Both its flanking cameras are also 12-Megapixel units. There is an 8-Megapixel shooter out the front, which is rather understated for a flagship.
Despite the ‘low’ Megapixel count, it is a fantastic camera. You get some Alpha touches, of course. It is also the most reliable camera app and unit you get from a Sony device so far.
The photos you get from the device are amazing to look at in terms of detail and colour. Of course, you may not get ultra-crisp details if you put it beside a Samsung Galaxy S21’s photo at 108-Megapixel, for example. But you do get fine enough details for stunning social media posts.
The selfie camera may not be the best you can find on a smartphone. We think that the selfie camera is more for video calls or facial recognition. Still, if you are in the mood for a selfie, it works.
The Camera App vs Cinema Pro
There are two separate camera apps on the Sony Xperia 1 III as mentioned. Both works differently too, for different functions. The camera app is more of a general app that you can use for both regular photos and videos. The other app is more specific for videos though.
There is one Sony’s specific Alpha camera mode. You get more granular controls over your photos in that mode. If you are a Sony user, the interface is also very reminiscent and very familiar to Sony’s cameras. You also get to set your camera in modes that is closer to a regular camera over a smartphone.
You can put your camera in Auto, which is what we do most of the time, ‘M’ for Manual or ‘Pro’ mode, ‘A’ for Aperture priority, and ‘P’ for Programmable Auto. You get different outcomes and controls in different modesband your Sony Xperia 1 III turns into a point and shoot.
The Cinema Pro app is something you are really going to enjoy if you are planning to use your smartphone as the main content capturing device. It does all the usual thing for a smartphone video mode. You can set the resolution and how many frames it takes. But the Cinema Pro app does way more than that.
It allows you to have even more control over your videos over the regular camera app. You can play around with focus pulling on the Cinema Pro app, both manually and guided auto. You can even control things like ISO and Aperture if you are really getting as much manual control over your video as possible. You can even change the colour profile if you really need to.
Gallery
The Sony Xperia 1 III – The Best of Sony
The new Sony Xperia 1 III is even more expensive than the Sony Xperia 1 II that it replaced. For that money though you are the most powerful Sony Xperia 1 device to date.
The new Sony Xperia 1 III is also more expensive than most flagship smartphones you can find in the market today. The thing is, the Sony Xperia 1 III is marketed toward a very specific target market. They are selling the device to the content creator market, a market that knows what they want in a smartphone.
Of course, you can argue that these guys should maybe go for the Xperia Pro-I instead. The price difference between the two devices makes the Xperia 1 III the more sensible smartphone choice though. Other than the larger and more powerful camera, the Xperia 1 III and Xperia Pro-I shares the same hardware too.
MYR 5,799 is still a lot of money for a smartphone. A Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G at this point will set you back MYR 5,299 at retail price (12GB + 256GB). In that sense, there is not that much in terms of reasons to get the Sony Xperia 1 III. But there is a very good reason why you want one. This is a device created specifically with one target audience in mind. Its sole purpose is to do a job for a specific target group; very well at that.
If you are already working with Sony’s vast array of tools, the Sony Xperia 1 III is really an extension. It even shines as a standalone, if you like it to be. The camera is still a Sony Alpha developed tool made for the Xperia, which also means that you are getting a Sony camera that is better than ever. You can even get eye autofocus function working with it. For those alone, you should get the Sony Xperia 1 III.
The HUAWEI MateView is HUAWEI’s first attempt in capturing the premium desktop display market. At MYR 2,988, the HUAWEIMateView is nowhere near cheap. It does come with a few features that would make other displays look a little lacking though.
It comes with two 5W speakers that is embedded within the stand of the display. That also means that HUAWEI can keep the body of the display itself thin and svelte. Multiple I/O makes it simple to work with, and flexible enough that you can work with multiple devices with just a single display.
You are viewing all your contents at 4K+ UHD resolution. While the display factor is a little odd at 3:2, you are technically getting a little more for your buck. The IPS panel also projects colours at 98% DCI-P3 for the best-in-class colour reproduction. The HUAWEI MateView is really something else.
The HUAWEI MateView is now available for pre-order form HUAWEI’s Online Store and their retail partners including Shopee and Lazada. The pre-order period lasts until 21st July 2021. Every pre-order in this period is entitled to a free HUAWEI WIFI AX3 Dual Core router. More information on the HUAWEI MateView can be found on HUAWEI’s website.
Samsung’s Odyssey Gaming Monitor lineup has been the talk of the town since it debuted last year. Last year, the company introduced two models which stole the limelight with their curves. This year, it looks like Samsung’s Odyssey Gaming Monitors are flattening the curve, bringing more options for gamers.
Source: Samsung
The expanded line up still brings the hallmark features of the Samsung Odyssey lineup with high refresh rates, NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync compatibility and most importantly, Samsung display technology which infuse more vivid, vibrant colours to the gaming experience. The four new models span three lineups: the premium G7, the balanced G5 and the affordable G3.
The largest of the new additions to the line up is the Odyssey G7 (G70A) which comes with a large, 28-inch display. The display comes with VESA DisplayHDR 400 which certifies it for colour accuracy and vibrance. It comes with a Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution of 3,840 x 1,260 pixels and has a 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response. For those looking for high refresh rates, the Odyssey G7 comes with 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 400cd/m3 . It also comes with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility. The G7 is also the model with the widest array of ports coming with a Display Port 1.4, 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, and 3 USB 3.0 ports.
Source: Samsung
The Odyssey G5 (G50A) comes with a slightly smaller 27-inch display with a Quad HD (QHD) resolution of 2,560×1,440 pixels. It has HDR10 certification for colour accuracy and vibrance. It has a peak brightness of 350cd/m3 and also comes with 1ms GTG response time. However, it has a higher 165Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility. Both the G5 and G7 support low input lag mode which allows for better latency while gaming. They also have support for Samsung’s Super Arena Gaming UX and CoreSync Lighting. The G5 only comes with 2 inputs: 1 Display Port 1.2 and 1 HDMI 2.0 port.
The G3 (G30A) comes in 27-inch and 24-inch sizes. Like the other monitors announced, it has a 16:9 aspect ratio but only has a peak brightness of 250cd/m3 – the lowest among the bunch. It comes with a Full HD resolution of 1.920×1,080 pixels with a 1ms motion picture response time (MPRT). Like the G7 it has a 144Hz refresh rate. However, it only supports AMD’s FreeSync Premium and doesn’t support the various features mentioned above in the G5 and G7. On the ports front, it has two ports: 1 Display Port 1.2 and 1 HDMI 1.4.
Source: Samsung
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Odyssey monitors will start being available globally starting on 21 June 2021. No Pricing has been announced internationally.
In 2014, a little-known upcoming brand from China took to Malaysia by storm. Xiaomi launched their flagship class Xiaomi Mi 3 at the time and started their sale campaign in Malaysia in a way familiar to Malaysians but has yet to become a norm. They sold their highly anticipated smartphone online and sold out in minutes.
The plucky little brand has grown from strength to strength in the years it has existed. It has grown from a little company that makes affordable premium smartphones to a company that builds an ecosystem of smart products for a modern home. They have grown from making tiny devices that you put in your pockets to making electric scooters even.
Last night sees another one of Xiaomi more premium products making it into the Malaysian home appliance market. It is a big one too. Xiaomi introduced the Mi TV P1 and Mi TV Q1 to Malaysians.
Mi TV P1
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
The Mi TV P1, while boasting up to 4K UHD in resolution, is listed under Xiaomi’s more accessible offering in high-resolution entertainment. Understandably then you get a Full HD 32-inch option for the Mi TV P1 series. All of them still come with Android TV as standard though.
Despite being the more accessible series in the Mi TV family, the 55-inch variant gets HDR10+ on top of its 4K UHD resolution for even better colour reproduction. The added dynamic range also adds a sense of realism on the picture itself. Dolby Vision on the 55-inch also helps with more immersion as you watch Dolby Vision certified movies from the likes of Netflix.
You only get 60Hz from the LED panel. With MEMC motion smoothing technology though you are like to get a tear-free, lag-free, and smooth picture experience. Thanks to Android TV as well, you not only get to enjoy services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Spotify, and Tidal. You get to work with Chromecast built directly into the TV. You get the benefit of Google Assistant too, with the embedded mic on the TV you might not even have to reach out to your remote control.
Mi TV Q1
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
If you are looking for something more premium without breaking your bank, Xiaomi has the Mi TV Q1. The Mi TV Q1, at 75-inch, not only allow you to have a true large-screen experience. It also boasts QLED panels, the same one you find on Samsung’s premium TV line-up.
The 4K QLED TV packs a lot of punch in terms of colours with 100% NTSC colour range at 1.07 billion colours on tap to give you the best image quality with the smoothest colour gradients possible. With 192 zones of full-array dynamic local dimming, colour bleeding and fringing is kept to a minimum, almost not existent with superb contrasts.
Of course, the 75-incher supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, it is a Samsung QLED panel after all. On top of that though the QLED TV boasts up to 120Hz and HDMI 2.1 with Auto Low Latency Mode. Those also means that the Mi TV Q1 is ready for the next-generation gaming consoles. If you really want, plug in a gaming PC and watch your fps go crazy too.
Great pictures have to be coupled with great audio to really immerse in. The Xiaomi Mi TV Q1’s stereo speakers pack a lot of punch at 30W. The stereo set-up is made up of two tweeters and four woofers for a balanced and clear audio reproduction. The speaker set-up also supports Dolby Audio and DTS-HD for the best audio experience in its class.
The Xiaomi MI TV Q1 comes with Android TV. That also means, like the Mi TV P1, the Mi TV Q1 works nicely with Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Tidal, and Spotify. There are dedicated Amazon Prime Video and Netflix buttons on the remote. But you can easily launch all these apps via voice command anyway.
Price and Availability
The Xiaomi Mi TV P1 (43-inch, 55-inch) will be available for pre-order from 6th June 2021 onward for MYR 1,499 onward. It will retail for MYR 1,799 onward after pre-order period. The 32-inch variant will be available for pre-order from 6th June 2021 as well at MYR 899 (retail MYR 999). The new TV will be available online via Shopee and Lazada, and offline via authorised retailers, Senheng, and official Mi Stores across Malaysia.
The Xiaomi Mi TV Q1 will be available for pre-order from 6th June 2021 onward at MYR 7,999. The premium Mi TV will be available online via Lazada and offline via Senheng, authorised retailers and official Mi Stores across Malaysia. For a limited time and subject to stock availability, every purchase of the Xiaomi Mi TV Q1 will include Xiaomi’s exclusive gift pack worth MYR 1,765. The gift pack comprises the Mi Air Purifier Pro H, Mi Vacuum Cleaner Mini, Mi 360o Home Security Camera 2K, Mi Body Composition Scale 2, and Mi Wi-Fi Range Extender Pro. For more information on Xiaomi’s Mi TV P1 and Mi TV Q1, you can head out to Xiaomi’s website.
