A Smart TV is the cornerstone of any living room nowadays. However, when it comes to options, there isn’t much when it comes to platforms and operating systems. Currently, one of the most popular platforms is Android TV which not only has a wide selection of apps from the Google Play Store but also has the most robust ecosystem with Google Home compatibility.
That said, the prices of Android TVs have been steadily increasing over the years thanks to more and more manufacturers entering the foray. There’s a newcomer that’s looking to bring more value and allow more people to enter the world of Android TV – Candy. Candy is a brand with its beginnings in Italy as one of the first companies to release a washing machine. Since then, the brand has expanded to offer a full array of household appliances in multiple markets around the world.
32-inch & 43-inch Candy Android TV series
32-inch & 43-inch Candy Android TV series
32-inch & 43-inch Candy Android TV series
Candy is now making its Android TV portfolio available in Malaysia. After silently introducing its offerings on Shopee during the recent 11.11 Great Sale, Candy is confident that its offerings will not only allow every home to have a smart TV but also enjoy the robust ecosystem Google’s Android TV has to offer.
The current lineup of Candy Android TVs comes in 32-inch, 43-inch and 50-inch options; each with a different specification set. The lineup will launch Android TV 11.0 with built-in Chromecast (Screen Mirroring). All the TVs support Bluetooth connectivity and WiFi support with a slim bezel design to ensure the TVs fit seamlessly into any space.
50-inch Candy Android TV series
50-inch Candy Android TV series
50-inch Candy Android TV series
The top-of-the-line 50-inch C50K702AU comes with 4K UHD resolution and support for Dolby Atmos surround sound. It also supports high dynamic range (HDR) with its D-LED panel. The panel also comes with a 60Hz refresh rate. Together with this, the company is also offering a 43-inch TV with 1080p resolution and a smaller 32-inch TV with 720p resolution.
To kick off their introduction, Candy will be having an exclusive Black Friday sale on Shopee happening from the 25th of November until the 28th. During the sale, all three models will be on sale for unbeatable prices.
Samsung has been creating waves and making its mark with its tablets – notably, the Galaxy Tab S series which pushes the boundaries of multitasking and productivity. However, what happens if we want the portability and versatility of a tablet but don’t have the moolah for a Tab S7 or Tab S8? Well, you have the Galaxy Tab A series, which brings all the essentials that make up the core Galaxy Tab experience.
Source: Samsung
The Galaxy Tab A8 was released worldwide earlier this year in January. It comes with a UNISOC Tiger T618 Quadcore processor. While this may seem a bit out of sorts for Samsung, the SoC isn’t a slouch. According to reviews, it is comparable with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665. It has the Mali G52 MP2 graphics processor and is paired with up to 4GB RAM on the Tab A8. With up to 128GB of internal storage and support for microSD cards, the A8 is looking to be a contender for a top performing mid-range tablet.
The Tab A8 is equipped with a sizeable, 10.5-inch TFT LCD display which brings pretty good colour reproduction and accuracy. However, we’ll wait to make a judgement in our upcoming review. The WUXGA resolution of 1200×1920 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio promises a level of immersion that we once thought was reserved for flagships. Samsung completes the Tab A8’s media prowess with a quad speaker setup and Dolby Atmos sound.
It also comes with a conventional single camera setup with an 8-megapixel camera sensor on the back with autofocus capabilities. It can also shoot videos at 1080p Full HD resolution at 30 frames per second. On the front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie camera which can also shoot 1080p at 30 fps.
Connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 shouldn’t be an issue. It’s equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6 and GPS connectivity. Don’t need to worry about battery life too as Samsung claims that the tablet can last for hours on end with its 7,040 mAh battery. This is also thanks to the tablet supporting 15W fast charging via USB-C. The tablet is also one of Samsung’s lightest coming in at only 508g.
These specifications are just the surface of what the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 can do. We’ll be giving it the techENT review treatment soon. So stay tuned!
Before we go on, no we haven’t heard too much of TECNO. Yes, technically TECNO is new to the smartphone industry. Yes, it is TECNO’s first smartphone to enter Malaysia. No, we do not know why any new players would want to compete in the current smartphone market landscape.
Now we got that out of the way, let us look at what they just came up with, the Phantom X. Well, when we said they just came up with it, the device was technically launched by TECNO in the middle of 2021. The said device launched first in India and the later to the rest of the world, now Malaysia. While it is a new device in Malaysia, it is technically an outdated device by the time we get our hands on one. No matter though, modern outdated devices are still full of features and are still good enough to at least last a few software updates, so it is not like you are missing out on that much.
It is priced at MYR 1,499, which is relatively little ask for a modern smartphone by any standards. While the price range puts it squarely in the entry-level mid-range smartphone segment, TECNO claims that this device is, in fact, a flagship smartphone. At least on paper, the device looks the part.
Flagship Performance
Source: TECNO
RM 1,499 buys you a MediaTek Helio G95 System on A Chip (SoC). While it does not sound like much, the MediaTek 12nmm SoC is still powerful enough to perform like modern flagships (not necessarily in gaming terms). Sadly, it does not support 5G. Then again, how many smartphones in the sub-MYR 1,500 category does?
Alongside the SoC, there is 8GB of RAM that can be expanded to up to 13GB. The extra 5GB is borrowed from 256GB of on-board storage that is offered on the device. If 256GB of storage feels a little constrictive, you can also expand via the dedicated MicroSD card slot that is more of feature now than anything else.
Immersive Display
Source: TECNO
Wrapping the internals are 3D curved glass panels that is held together an aluminium frame, an industry standard today. Out the front is a Corning Gorilla Glass that encases 6.7-inch of AMOLED goodness. The AMOLED panel offers Full HD+ in resolution and up to 90Hz in refresh rate. In theory, the combination should give you a smooth and immersive experience with Android 11 with HIOS 7.6 overlay.
5 Cameras
Source: TECNO
Parked on the top left side of the display is a punch hole that houses two cameras. It is one high-resolution 48-Megapixel main selfie camera for those extra crisp and detailed self-portraits. For a group photo, you get an 8-Megapixel ultrawide shooter beside it.
Source: TECNO
Out the first-in-industry etched textured glass back are three cameras. The main shooter is an impressive 50-Megapixel camera with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor for the best-in-class image clarity and detail. It should perform better in low-light conditions too, with a larger sensor to capture more light naturally. The main camera is flanked with a 120o ultra-wide camera with 8-Megapixel sensor behind the glass. There is also a 13-Megapixel telephoto sensor at 50mm, which we can safely say is a more of a portrait lens than anything else.
Long Battery Life
Source: TECNO
To keep everything running all day long and more is a large 4,700mAh built-in battery. The battery is rated to last up to 30 days in standby conditions, up to 16 hours in video streaming, and even 9 hours in continuous video conferencing. When your battery is running low, you get up to 33W in charging speeds as well to charge your device from nothing to full within an hour.
Price and Availability
The TECNO Phantom X is now available at all their authorised stores and retailers across Malaysia. As mentioned, the device is priced at MYR 1,499. You can get your hands on one in two colour options – Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Summer. To celebrate TECNO’s entry into Malaysia and its launch of the Phantom X, the first 2,000 buyers of the device are entitled to a complementary TECNO buds wireless earphones. For more information on the TECNO Phantom X, you can visit their website.
Updating your apps is a hassle, so is finding the right app to do specific things you want for your Android or iOS machines. We live in an age where there is an app for everything, and it all started with the iPhone and then later expanded by Google’s Android ecosystem. To think that we almost do not get ecosystem with open-sourced apps is an odd one today.
Android’s foray into the app ecosystem game marks the start of a war between iOS and Android. The war of the app store, we call it. Who had better app support, who had better apps, and who had the biggest app store? We have reached a breaking point, however.
The world today, while still revolves around apps, cares more about the quality of contents each app delivers than how many apps you have on your smartphone. I, for one, want as little apps as possible on my smartphone but enough apps to perform everything I need from my smartphone. We do not need a million apps to do a million things. We want 10 apps that does 1,000 things well, and that is a problem for the app stores with millions upon millions of apps.
Source: Google
While choices are good, Google deems that not all choices may be suitable for users. Of course, apps need to comply to Google’s security guidelines that changes with every new iteration of Android. That also means that apps that are on the Play Store should be updated to match the new security standards set by Google.
The problem is, while that is something that should be, it is not how it is in the current app stores. There are millions of apps in the ecosystem that has gone silent for years. These apps do not get updated and yet they still sit in the App Store. Granted, there are plenty of apps like these that are still being used by users. Developers of the app could have either given up on the project or have closed shop for a while. They still pose security risks for Android though.
In that case, Google is taking a step up in preventing users from downloading or coming across apps that have not been updated for longer than at least one generation of Android. That also means that if the apps on Google Play Store have not been updated for Android 11 currently, they app will be taken down from the Play Store, even if the ratings for the apps are high. When we say take down, they are not completely removed from the app store, more like downranked. If the app has not been updated for more than two generations, Play Store will not allow the app to be installed on your device at all.
Source: Google
This system is completely dependent on the update cycle and age of your smartphone or tablet as well though. For example, if your device is still on Android 9, you will still be able to see apps that have been updated for Android 9, even if the said app has not been updated for Android 11 or Android 12. Once you update your device to Android 11 or 12 though, you may not see the app on the Play Store. However, if you already have the said app on your device, it will note affect your experience with the app at all. It will only affect new users to the said app.
The changes that are teased by Google is just that for now, a tease. It is expected that changes on the Play Store will start taking place on the 1st of November 2022 onward. It does give some time for developers who has not updated their apps for a year or two to prepare and update their apps before the implementation date. While it may seem odd that Google may be phasing out some of the higher rated apps just because they are old, it is also a good security measure for Android users with better compliance. It could also help new apps shine and get into the spotlight a little bit.
A lot of times, as users, we look at smartphones through a very narrow lens. We look at their specifications and look up reviews for the latest and greatest. However, over the years, we have seen a shift in focus when it comes to smartphones. While we still have the big flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, a new class of smartphones has been emerging. One spearheaded by companies like HMD Global who are focusing on experience and software support.
HMD Global showed us a big shift with the announcement of their new flagship – the Nokia X20. Unlike the Nokia 8.1 or Nokia 9 PureView of year’s past, the Nokia X20 focused on affordability and software. It eschewed the pricey Snapdragon 800 series for a more affordable and equally capable Snapdragon 480 5G. The Snapdragon 480 5G is a capable octa-core processor with speeds of up to 2.0GHz which pack enough performance for an everyday user. Its added 5G capabilities also help futureproof the smartphone with 5G networks being turned on across the world. Paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, HMD Global is packing the Nokia X20 with specifications that are up to the job.
However, that’s only part of the equation! The user experience of any given smartphone is centred on the software. The Nokia X20, like previous Nokia Android devices, comes with near-stock Android. HMD Global opted to not bog down the operating system with needless skins and features which consume RAM and storage. Instead, the experience you get with the Nokia X20 is a pure, unadulterated version of Android. This vanilla approach to Android allows HMD to focus on developing features like their ZEISS camera lens which come with X20.
The 64-megapixel quad-camera setup on the Nokia X20 is equipped with ZEISS optics. The Nokia X20 utilises these optics to deliver some of the most stunning pictures you can get on a smartphone. HMD Global partners with ZEISS to ensure that each of the lenses used in the camera sensors is up to scratch. Like cameras, lenses in smartphones play a key role in focusing light and what we want to capture. Using poor quality lenses can lead to aberrations and distortions which will result in a horrible picture. However, with technology like ZEISS, you get clear, crisp pictures. The camera of the Nokia X20 also comes with AI-augmented features which allow it to intelligently focus and optimise to get the best picture.
AI isn’t just employed for photography. The Nokia X20 continues to stay true to the promise of having up to 2-days of battery on each charge. HMD Global has imbued the Nokia X20 with AI algorithms that allow the phone to adapt and optimise according to the usage patterns of its user. This allows it to get every millisecond from the 4470mAh battery of the X20. No need to hug walls or carry bulky battery packs and power banks when your phone has your back. Even if you forget to plug in after a day and a half, the Nokia X20 comes with support for Quick Charge 4+ which will allow you to get up to 5 hours of battery life in 15 minutes.
Source: HMD Global
The only piece that is left to complete the experience with the Nokia X20 is good software support. Out of the box, the X20 comes with Android 11. However, thanks to the vanilla approach that HMD Global has taken with the software, you can expect that Android 12 will be making its way to the smartphone. In fact, you can rest assured that you will get the update. The Nokia X20 is guaranteed 3 years of OS updates. This means that the phone will see the update to Android 14! Realise that HMD Global isn’t taking the same approach as others when it comes to promises. They’ve promised 3 years and not 3 iterations. This means that if Android goes from 12 to 17 in that three years, you’ll get it all. In addition, the Nokia X20 is also guaranteed security updates for the same amount of time. It will be getting monthly security bulletins that help secure Android in a timely manner. As a matter of fact, there’s no doubting this with HMD’s current track record of updates. However, HMD isn’t just giving you software updates for 3 years, the warranty of the Nokia X20 lasts for the same 3 years!
Looking at the Nokia X20 makes one think about what truly makes a smartphone worth it. The smartphone isn’t a slouch when it comes to performance but it does bring a lot of quality of life features that are sorely lacking in the smartphone arena. Guaranteed software updates, long battery life, good camera performance and even specification that are up to task might just be the thing that all of us are looking for. In fact, that just might be it – the makings of a truly reliable smartphone; one that you can call your companion for 3 years confidently.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE IS AN ADVERTORIAL COMMISSIONED BY HMD GLOBAL. IT MAY NOT REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE TECHENT EDITORIAL BOARD
HMD has been pretty busy with new devices for their Nokia portfolio. Hot off their announcement of their first Android-powered tablet, the company is releasing another entry into their affordable smartphone lineup – the Nokia G50 5G. The new smartphone brings 5G connectivity to the sub USD$300 price point.
Source: HMD Global
The new addition to Nokia’s lineup brings a Snapdragon 480 5G processor paired with an Adreno 619 graphics processor. The processors are complemented with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. You can add on more memory with a microSD card. On the display side of things, it comes with a 6.82-inch IPS LCD panel with an HD+ resolution of 720×1560 pixels.
Source: HMD Global
On the camera side of things, the Nokia G50 5G comes with a triple sensor setup. The main sensor is a 48-megapixel sensor with a wide field of view and an aperture of f/1.8. It also has Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF). This is complemented by a 5-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front is an 8-megapixel wide selfie camera. Both setups are able to shoot video in 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps).
When it comes to connectivity, the Nokia G50 comes with support for 4G LTE and 5G connectivity on both mmWave and Sub6 bands. It also supports WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/b/ac and WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and FM radio. It also has support for GPS with A-GPS, GALILEO and Beidu. HMD has also included a side-mounted fingerprint sensor in the G50. The G50 is powered by a 5,000mAh battery. HMD continues to guarantee multiday battery life with its optimisations to Android.
The Nokia G50 continues HMD’s approach of bringing affordable smartphones with software support. The new smartphone is promised two years of OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates. It will come with Android 11 pre-installed.
Pricing & Availability
The Nokia G50 is currently available in the US and other select countries with availability to increase in the coming months.
It’s available in Midnight Sun and Ocean Blue with pricing starting at USD$299 (MYR1,247.46).
HMD Global seems to be pushing more Nokia devices this year and even entering new spaces. The latest device to enter the Nokia portfolio is an Android-powered tablet – the Nokia T120. The tablet also marks the brand’s first entry into the tablet space since it was first relaunched. It’s also part of a resurgence in the Android tablet space which has been spearheaded by the likes of Lenovo, Samsung and Xiaomi.
The Nokia T20 is a unique tablet. It comes with a UNISOC system on a chip. Never heard of them? Well, UNISOC is a Chinese semiconductor company. The specific SoC used is the UNISOC Tiger T610 which is an octa-core processor. It’s a 12nm chip with two high-performance Cortex A75 cores and six high-efficiency Cortex A55 cores clocked. The caveat, if you haven’t picked up on it just yet, is that the cores are relatively dated. The A75s were last used in Qualcomm’s 2017 flagship Snapdragon 845. However, that may be a boon to Nokia’s new tablet as it’s definitely a factor in keeping the price down.
The processor is complemented with either 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage or 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. If you need extra memory, there’s support for a microSD card. On the display side of things, the Nokia T20 comes with a 10.4-inch LCD with 2000×1200 pixel resolution and a 5:3 aspect ratio. It has “toughened glass” for protection. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 5.0. There is also a 4G LTE variant that supports 4G connectivity. On the camera front, it has a 5-megapixel selfie camera and an 8-megapixel main sensor. The Nokia T20 is powered by an 8,200mAh battery capable of 15W fast charging through a USB-C cable. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The tablet itself will have an aluminium back which should give it some added durability. HMD is claiming that the battery will be able to last up to 15 hours on a single charge. The company has also committed to three years of security updates and 2 years of major Android updates for the tablet. The Nokia T20 will launch with Android 11.
Pricing & Availability
The Nokia T20 will be making its way to select markets starting on October 6, 2021. It will be priced at €UR199 (MYR961.49) for the Wi-Fi only version. The 4G LTE version will be priced at €UR239 (MYR1,154.78).
It will only be available in Nokia’s signature Ocean Blue colour.
Microsoft’s Surface Duo made quite the splash in its initial outing. The smartphone rethought the notion of foldable devices with a more productivity centred approach. This year, Microsoft is doubling down on their approach with the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 which bumps the specs and functionality of the smartphone.
The Surface Duo 2 comes with the Snapdragon 888 paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage. Microsoft has also increased the size of the screens on the Duo 2 to 5.8 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Both screens individually have a resolution of 1892×1344 pixels. When viewed side to side, it has an 8.3-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and resolution of 2688×1892 pixels.
The cameras on the Surface Duo 2 have also been updated. The foldable now comes with a triple camera array for its main camera setup. The array is made of a 12-megapixel wide sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor with an f/2.4 aperture and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. This is a big upgrade from the single sensor that was on the Surface Duo. On the front, the Duo 2 still sports a single 12-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 sensor.
Aside from that, the Surface Duo 2 remains one of the thinnest smartphones in the market. It comes in at 11mm thick when closed and 5.5mm when opened. It supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth5.1 and has a fingerprint reader. It’s powered by a 4,449mAh battery with support for fast charging.
It’s Not Just About Hardware
Microsoft leaned into innovating technology which made an impact. With the Surface Duo 2, they are staying true. The focus isn’t just on the hardware, Microsoft has been working on the software of the Duo. They have optimised their version of Android 11 for the Duo 2 packing it with features that make sense for the dual-screen setup.
They have created an extended experience that takes advantage of the slight curves of the Surface Duo 2’s screens when closed. With the Glance Bar, you will now be able to tell how many notifications you have when the screen is closed. The same feature can also be used to tell your battery capacity when charging.
Microsoft is also banking on a more seamless experience across its Windows 11 devices and the Surface Duo 2. They have updated the Microsoft launcher with a UI that is both familiar and utilitarian – similar to the one we see on Windows 11. These optimisations also include widgets that share the same approach.
Aside from this, the Surface Duo 2 comes with a lift to wake feature. This wakes the screen as soon as you lift it making things feel snappier and quicker. Of course, Microsoft XBOX App with Game Pass also makes an appearance on the Surface Duo 2. In fact, it comes with optimisations that turn one screen of the Duo 2 into a controller. This will allow you to have an uninterrupted gaming experience across the two screens.
Pricing & Availability
The Surface Duo 2 will be available in select countries starting October 21, 2021. It will be retailing at USD$1,499.99 (MYR6,271.80) for the 128GB version, USD$1,599.99 (MYR6,690.38) for the 256GB version and USD$1,799.99 (MYR7,526.69) for the 512GB version. It will be available in two colours: Obsidian and glacier.
Pre-orders are starting today in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Japan. Units will start shipping on October 21, 2021.
There is no indication just yet if the Duo 2 will be making its way to other countries after its initial rollout.
Xiaomi launched something we thought we might never see from any other Android manufacturer in their launch event two days ago. They launched a tablet, and not just any tablet. They launched an 11-inch tablet that is set to take on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 series and even HUAWEI’s MatePad series. If you consider its size, it competes directly with the Apple iPad Pro too.
Xiaomi is not a new player in the Android space. They have overtaken Apple to be the second largest brand globally in terms of shipped smartphones. All this while not having a major presence in the United States market. At one point, they were third globally without even hitting most of the European market. This is also a testament that Xiaomi really knows what they are doing in the smartphone space.
The tablet space is a little different though. The Android tablet market space is a sparse one. The only viable player in the Android tablet space is Samsung with their Galaxy Tab S7 series. HUAWEI is out of the picture, since their devices do not and cannot support Google Play Store and Google’s mobile framework. Even we would admit that Apple’s iPad has offered the best tablet experience so far.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 then is a peculiar product. While we liked the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 very much, we still think that the Android tablet experience has a lot to be left desired if compared to the Apple iPad devices. While the Apple iPad goes all the way to the pro version with M1 chipset and endless potential in its applications, the same cannot be said for Android tablets, even the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. So, what then can the Xiaomi Pad 5 offer that Samsung cannot, and what does it have that might sway you away from just buying the shiny new iPad?
The Power of Xiaomi Pad 5
Source: Xiaomi
Firstly, we have to look at its internals to understand what this tablet can offer. It is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (Snapdragon 870 for Pro variant) that keeps the Android 11 with MIUI 12.5 tablet trundling along. It is no Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which is a slight disappointment. While it makes little to no practical difference, its direct competitor is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 System on a Chip (SoC). It also packs less RAM at 6GB compared to its Android competitor.
Within the aluminium and glass constructed body though is a large 8,720mAh battery with 33W charging speeds. Most tablets have batteries that can go on for days on a single charge though, so that would not be all that special anyway. Like its competitor also it packs four speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning.
Stunning Display
Source: Xiaomi
Where it holds a slight lead though is on the panel that lies under the glass protection out-front. It is an 11-inch IPS display instead of the regular TFT LCD display from the Samsung. It offers the same WQHD+ (1,60 x 2,560 pixels) resolution as well, meaning the display should look just a tad better in terms of colour reproduction and contrast, especially with HDR contents. Dolby Vision is also built-into this display for the best entertainment experience possible on a tablet device. Of course, it refreshes at 120Hz, that is quite mandatory in devices today.
Productivity Suite
Source: Xiaomi
Like most Android tablets (we say most because we still regard the HUAWEI MatePad Pro to be a variant of an Android tablet), the Xiaomi Pad 5 comes with a stylus. They call it the Xiaomi Smart Pen (seriously, can anyone come up with better names for styli?) and it is a good pen, on paper anyway. It offers 4,096 pressure points which also means that it is as sensitive as it gets when it comes to stylus technology. With 240Hz of sampling rate, the Smart Pen is also as responsive as it can get today. It is an active pen with smart programmable buttons on its side. That also means that you need to keep it charged by attaching the Smart Pen to the side of the device. It charges from flat to full in 18 minutes and should be able to keep you writing, drawing, and scribbling for as long as 8 hours non-stop.
No Other Accessories So Far
Source: Xiaomi
Everything that has been stated above and in the launch points to a very capable tablet device. It is a highly compelling device that could even be just a little better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. On paper, these two offer practically the same things at different price points. The Xiaomi Pad 5 starts at MYR 1,499 or approximately while the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 starts at MYR 3,299.
There is a problem here though. The Xiaomi Pad 5 does not come with the accessory support that the Samsung tablet has. There is a keyboard case and another magnetic case that is made for the tablet. Along with the Smart Pen, there is no other accessory for it. Then again, this is the same problem that Samsung has with their tablet line-up compared to the Apple iPad.
The basic Apple iPad starts at MYR 1,499 though, the same price as the base model of the Xiaomi tablet. The same priced Apple iPad does not come with an Apple Pencil, or a keyboard case too, which makes the Apple iPad a more expensive device compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5.
The Android Tablet That Makes A lot of Sense
Source: Xiaomi
Here is the thing, the Apple iPad Pro with M1 wins the tablet market hands down. There are two things that holds it back though despite its processing prowess. The iPad Pro is held back by its price and the limitations of iPadOS itself. The iPadOS experience is something that is constantly evolving though, which also means that the next iteration of iPadOS might start taking advantage of the M1 chips.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is never really designed to compete with the Apple iPad Pro line-up though. It is meant to compete with the humbler regular iPad, and in that we think it excels. At MYR 1,499, the Xiaomi Pad 5 comes in with a reasonable price tag that plenty can swallow. It is a perfect Android device that is targeted squarely at users who are thinking of buying an iPad and not willing to spend much more for a tablet. More information on the Xiaomi Pad 5 is available on their website.
HONOR is a brand most well-known for being the affordable arm of HUAWEI. However, that changed over a year ago when the company was spun off to be an independent company challenging what was once its parent company. This year, the company has already launched one flagship as an independent company – the Honor 50 series. HONOR is once again expanding its portfolio with a brand new smartphone.
Better Image and Video with IMAX Enhanced Cameras
Source: HONOR Global (YouTube)
The HONOR Magic3 series will consist of three smartphones (for now): the HONOR Magic3, the HONOR Magic3 Pro and the HONOR Magic3 Pro+. These smartphones are the first smartphones on the market to have IMAX enhancements when it comes to imaging. They have capabilities for shooting in exclusive 3D LUT colour grading profiles as well as video recording in LOG format.
Of course, given the hallmark partnership with IMAX, the HONOR Magic3 does have a focus on the camera that powers these features. The HONOR Magic3 comes with a triple camera setup. Its main sensor is a 50-megapixel, SONY IMX 766 sensor with 23mm focal length and an f/1.9 aperture and a wide-angle lens. This is complemented by a 64-megapixel monochrome sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 13-megapixel sensor with an ultra-wide-angle lens, 13mm focal length and an f/2.2 aperture. It also has a laser autofocus module. The HONOR Magic3 Pro comes with a four-sensor camera setup. It shares the same setup as the Magic3 with a complement of an additional telephoto sensor with a 64-megapixel periscope sensor with OIS and 3.5x optical zoom and an 8×8 dTOF sensor. The Magic3 Pro+ comes with the same setup as the Magic3 Pro with the 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor replaced with a 64-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
Source: HONOR Global (YouTube)
With the partnership with IMAX, the HONOR Magic3 series is said to be one of the factors behind the increased image quality. It allows even more flexibility when it comes to post-processing thanks to the 3D LUT profile and LOG format video. The cameras come with eight AI film effects with preset LUT profiles. These profiles allow users to edit and colour grade more easily allowing for better colour accuracy and better image quality. This is enhanced further by the enhanced colour precision of the 8 colour channels of the sensor and its integrated Smart AWB algorithm.
On the front, is a dual-sensor camera setup. This is nestled in the 3D display in a pill-shaped cutout. The 13-megapixel sensor is complemented by a 3D ToF depth sensor. The camera setup doesn’t just take selfies, it is also used in the phone’s more secure implementation of the face unlock feature.
A Powerpacked Flagship
The two smartphones are running on Qualcomm’s latest and greatest: the Snapdragon 888+. The new processor is a supped up Snapdragon 888 which promises even better performance while sipping on battery power. This is complemented with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard memory. Both phones also run on a 4,6000mAh battery capable of 66W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
Source: HONOR Global (YouTube)
On the display side of things, both of the HONOR Magic3 smartphones come with a 6.76-inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display is also curved and folds over the sides. The Pro+ comes with a higher resolution QHD+ resolution screen. The Magic3 comes with IP54 certification while the Pro comes with IP68. Both will be running Magic UI powered by Android 11.
Pricing & Availability
The HONOR Magic3 series will be available in two finishes. The first is finished with synthetic leather while the next comes with a more conventional glass back. The former is available in Golden Hour and Blur Hour colours while the latter is available in Black and White.
Source: HONOR Global (YouTube)
The HONOR Magic3 is priced at €899 (MYR4,462.72*) while the HONOR Magic3 Pro comes in at €1,099 (MYR5,455.85*).
The HONOR Magic3 Pro+ will come in Ceramic Black and Ceramic White. It will be priced at €1,499 (MYR7,441.18*).
The Magic3 series will be released in China first with plans for a global rollout to be announced later on.
*Conversion rate taken from XE.com at 9.49 pm on 12 August 2021. EUR€1 = MYR4.64.
