Xiaomi has been known to shake up the smartphone market every now and again. Just recently, they announced the Xiaomi 12S Ultra which brings a large 1-inch sensor and Leica imaging technology to their flagships. Now, the company is supercharging their Lite series with features that make other mid-range smartphones cry.
The freshly announced Xiaomi 12 Lite completes the current Xiaomi 12 lineup. It brings a more restrained combination of specifications while keeping it more affordable but feature-packed. The 12 Lite is one of the lightest smartphones coming in at only 173g (6.1oz). It’s also one of the sleekest available right now with a 7.29mm thickness. It’s a rather industrial device with an angular body and rounded corners. Of course, like all modern smartphones, the 12 Lite comes with a multicamera setup.
Impressive Camera Performance with a 108-megapixel Sensor and Xiaomi’s Own AI
The Mi 12 Lite comes with a triple camera setup which is accented on the back by metal rings. The main sensor is a 108-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HM2 sensor. Yep – the same one we’ve seen on flagships like the S21 and Xiaomi 11. Complementing this is an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle sensor and a 2-megapixel macro camera. Of course, the sensor is not thing doing the work when it comes to the camera. Xiaomi has imbued its MIUI camera with AI and features that up the ante in the midrange. Specifically, the Xiaomi 12 Lite will be shipping with AI-powered eye tracking and even motion capture.
On the front, the smartphone is coming with a 32-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GD2 sensor with autofocus. That’s right, the front camera of the Xiaomi 12 Lite comes with autofocus – something that is nearly unheard of at its price point and even in its device class. This is supported by Xiaomi’s own algorithm that optimises things like depth estimation and HDR colouration to give vibrant pictures and milky smooth bokeh. Xiaomi has also equipped the 12 Lite with a new Selfie Glow System which helps illuminate subjects in front of the sensor. The system consists of 2 strips of LED lights that are able to flood the subject with light. It also can act as a highlighting light under the right conditions.
Uncompromising Power with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G
The Xiaomi 12 Lite comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G. The octa-core processor packs performance and power savings with its 6nm fabrication. This is complemented with up to 8GB and 256GB of internal storage.
In addition to the power-packed internals, the 12 Lite comes with a 6.55-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a 20:9 aspect ratio and an FHD+ resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. The display is a TrueColor display which can provide a more true-to-life-reproduction of colours. The phone also comes with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision certifications in addition to its stereo speakers.
All of this runs on a 4,700mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging. Xiaomi is touting that fast charging will allow you to go from 0-50% in 30 minutes. Smart charging provides some protection for overnight charging by charging from 0-80% rapidly and slowly to 100% by the time you unplug in the morning.
Pricing & Availability
The Xiaomi 12 Lite will be available in three colours: Lite Pink, Lite Green and Black. In Malaysia, it will be available with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal memory and 8GB RAM and 256GB internal memory versions. The former will be priced at MYR1,699 while the latter will be priced at MYR1,899.
The 12 Lite will be available for pre-order starting on the 19th of August until the 26th of August 2022. Pre-orders will be entitled to an MYR100 discount. Those done via Xiaomi Stores will get an additional MYR299 of freebies including a Xiaomi Shoulder Bag, Xiaomi Sports Bottle and a Mi Body Composition scale. While those done on Xiaomi’s online stores on Shopee and LAZADA will be entitled to a free Redmi Buds 3 Lite worth MYR99.
Xiaomi took to the stage to announce their new flagship series – the Xiaomi 12S series. The series has multiple entries and has the Xiaomi 12S Ultra as its centrepiece. The new flagship is the first device in what looks to be a long-term partnership with Leica when it comes to imaging and photography.
You’re Gonna Leica this – the Leica Summicron 1:1.9-4.1 / 13-120 ASPH. camera system
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with the Leica Summicron 1:1.9-4.1 / 13-120 ASPH. camera system. Yep – that’s a mouthful. The new co-engineered system marries Leica’s camera technology with Xiaomi’s smartphone prowess. It’s a Triple sensor setup with the new, 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor as the main sensor. The 50.3-megapixel sensor comes with Quad Bayer technology which promises better image capture in both low- and normal lighting and an aperture of f/1.9. It also comes with Octa-phase detection Autofocus which apparently allows it to focus faster. The main sensor is complemented by a 48-megapixel f/2.2 Sony IMX586 ultra-wide sensor and a 48-megapixel f/4.1 Sony IMX586 periscope sensor. These sensors also use Quad Bayer technology.
Source: Xiaomi
The main sensor uses an 8P Aspherical Lens. This helps reduce glares and also helps with imaging performance overall. All of the sensors have Pixel binning which increases the quality of the photos taken by the camera thanks to an even larger hybrid pixel size. Binning essentially creates larger pixels by combining four pixels in the sensor. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra also comes with HyperOIS technology and boasts even better image stabilization thanks to an innovative approach of taking the time between images (7ms) to stabilize and reset the sensor.
In addition to the hardware, Xiaomi and Leica have worked together in developing the software. The result? Two shooting modes that bring Leica’s signature elements into your smartphone. The “Leica Authentic Look” hearkens back to Leica’s signature aesthetic. It brings the vibrancy of true-to-life colours and the depth and emotion of Leica’s surrealism. The resulting photos are colourful or monochrome with a sense of depth. Xiaomi and Leica’s collaboration is more apparent with the “Leica Vibrant Look”. This look brings Xiaomi’s know-how with mobile cameras to Leica’s signature aesthetic. The resulting pictures are more vibrant and work to capture the feel of the moment.
Partnering with Adobe and Dolby
Keeping photography centerstage, Xiaomi and Leica have also worked with Adobe to enable RAW capture on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. The RAW capture on the 12S Ultra allows you to capture your images in DNG format preserving all the image data so you can edit and manipulate the image on programs like Adobe Lightroom. Adobe Lightroom will come equipped with a special profile for the 12S Ultra which will allow it to show you the actual image captured without you tinkering. Lightroom will be able to load the profile automatically from the image metadata.
When it comes to video capture, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the first smartphone to come with the ability to capture Dolby Vision HDR video. This brings a wider colour depth to video than HDR10+, allowing you to impart more emotion and character to your video shots. It will also help with low light performance.
Still Powered by Cutting Edge Tech
While it may seem like the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is all about the camera, the series still comes packed with cutting-edge technology under the hood. The whole Xiaomi 12S series runs on the new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform which ups the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 by nearly 10%. The new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is fabricated with TSMC’s new 4nm node which allows for better energy efficiency with a 21% smaller core and 10% boost in both CPU and GPU performance.
Source: Xiaomi
Xiaomi has also equipped the Xiaomi 12S series with a brand new cooling system which it touts as more efficient than currently available vapour cooling systems. The technology mimics the hydrostatic system of a leaf and its capillaries. This mimicry allows the system to dissipate heat more effectively and quicker than traditional vapour cooling systems. In fact, Xiaomi is touting a 100% better thermal conductivity.
The Xiaomi 12S series comes with a Samsung AMOLED display with 2K resolution. The panel comes with an E5 material which helps increase brightness. The display has a peak brightness of 1,500nits. On the 12S Ultra, the display comes with 1-120Hz AdaptiveSync Pro which allows it to hit 1Hz refresh rates when viewing text and 120Hz when gaming. The other regular 12S and the 12S Pro come with 120Hz AdaptiveSync. Across the board, the displays are calibrated with 100% coverage of the P3 colour gamut and support Dolby Vision.
Xiaomi 12S Pro Source: Xiaomi
The smartphones come equipped with Dual 5g connectivity with a 4×4 MIMO modem. They also support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 with support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon sound and aptX Adaptive.
The smartphones come with Xiaomi’s Surge G1 Battery Management chip and the Surge P1 fast-charging chips. These chips work in tandem to help preserve battery health while extending battery life and reducing charging time. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with a 4,860 mAh single cell, silicon-oxygen anode battery which supports 16A output current. The Ultra supports 67W wired fast charging, 50W wireless fast charging and 10W reverse fast charging. The Pro sports a smaller 4,600mAh with support for 120W wired fast charging and 50W wireless fast charging. The regular 12S comes with an even smaller 4,500mAh battery which has support for 67W wired and 50W Wireless.
Pricing & Availability
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra will be available in Mainland China in the near future. It will be available in Classic Black and Verdant Green. It’s will be available in three variants 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB. The 8GB+256GB version will be priced at CNY5999 (MYR3,951.18) while the 12GB + 256GB will retail at CNY6,499 (MYR4,280.08) and the 12GB+512GB version will be priced at CNY6,999 (MYR4,609.82).
The Xiaomi 12S and 12S Pro will be available in 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB variants. Pricing for the 12S starts at CNY3,999 (MYR2,633.90) for the 12S while the 12S Pro will start at CNY4,699 (MYR3,096.10).
A few months ago, we heard a rumour. A little bird said that Leica is looking for a partnership with a mobile manufacturer. We heard that they are looking into another partnership with a different Chinese manufacturer at the time, Xiaomi. For a few months after that, the rumour seemed dead, quiet.
Leijun, the current CEO of Xiaomi global, today just confirmed that the rumours a few months ago was true after all. There were no big announcements too, no press releases. It is just a simple twitter post that also teases a 4th of July 2022 launch date for the Xiaomi 12S Series flagship smartphones. It is happening at 7pm at GMT +8 next week, which is good for us in Malaysia.
After so much hard work, we can finally share our latest innovation, Xiaomi smartphones co-engineered with Leica, ushering in a new era in imagery technology. Looking forward to sharing more at the #Xiaomi12SSeriesLaunch on July 4, 19:00 GMT+8! pic.twitter.com/YHe5Zvqjdb
There is not too much that we know about the Xiaomi 12S series. To be fair, Xiaomi has not teased much about it and has been keeping mums about it quite well. Still there are a few things we may be able to expect out of the new flagship devices.
You can expect Qualcomm’s latest Snadragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip fitted into the new devices. It will effectively be the first devices in the world to pack Qualcomm’s new generation system on a chip (SoC). Technically at launch too, it will be the most powerful Android device available in the market.
You can expect up to 12GB of RAM too in the most premium variant of the Xiaomi 12S alongside up to 256GB of storage. In terms of display, you should get up to 120Hz in refresh rate, the highest you can sort of get in smartphones today anyway. Like Xiaomi teased a long time ago too, fast charging will still be a thing with the new device with up to 120W in charging speeds.
Of course, the Xiaomi 12S will be an Android 12 device at launch. It should be upgradable to Android 13 when it is available from Xiaomi. As with any other Xiaomi flagship that came before, it will come installed with MIUI 13 based on Android 12 too.
There are no confirmations on what prices the devices will launch with. There is also nothing to indicate its availability date in different regions. We are hoping that Malaysia will be in the list of countries that gets the Xiaomi 12S devices first. The Xiaomi 12S, with Leica’s co-engineered camera sounds a lot like a treat, and we are excited for it.
When HUAWEI and its sister brand started in the world of Windows PCs, we were quite curious. The dawn of smartphones and tablet devices were regarded by many experts as the beginning to the decline of bulky PCs. If you think about it as well, today we rely more on our smartphones than modern PCs.
The reality today is a large contrast to what the experts thought would happen many years ago. Smartphones thrived, which is largely in line with what was being said at the time. Oddly enough, Windows PC and Macs thrived too, there is even the Chromebooks now. All of which also points to the fact that PCs still have their place in the world today. In most cases, you tend to use both devices for differing functions. That is why Xiaomi also came up with the RedmiBook 15.
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
Source: Xiaomi
The RedmiBook 15, to be fair, looks like any other thin and light notebook that came out from any China manufacturers like HONOR and HUAWEI. They all have that same svelte and clean design with minimal branding. You can probably only see the branding on the cover of the laptop and the bottom of the display. Even the cover shell branding is rather subtle on the RedmiBook 15.
As its name suggests, it is a 15-incher notebook. Specifically, you get a 15.6-inch display that boasts up to 1,920 by 1,080 pixels in resolution. It is an anti-glare display with flicker-free technology to protect your eyes. Of course, sitting atop the display is a 720p webcam, nothing too special or surprising there.
The Microsoft Windows 11 machine is powered by Intel’s 11th Generation Core processors. There is no Core i7 model here though, you only get up to a Core i5. We presume that it is because they might want to keep costs low. Storage wise, you get up to 512GB in SSD storage paired with up to 8GB of DDR4 RAM. Graphics is handled by Intel’s UHD Graphics. All of these are kept running for up to 10 hours at a time with a 46Whr internal battery.
Yes, to be fair, there is nothing much to shout about here. Intel’s 12th Generation Core processors are gracing the field now. The UHD Graphics are also a little outdated at this point with Intel’s Iris Xe graphics going on every thin and light you can find in 2022. There is a reason why you might want to get your hands on one of these though, its cost.
Price and Availability
The Intel Core i3 variant of the Xiaomi RedmiBook 15 starts at MYR 2,399 which is not a lot of money to begin with for a Windows 11 machine. If you want to go for the more powerful Core i5 variant, it will set you back MYR 2,799. The Xiaomi RedmiBook 15 will be available 6th June, 2022 onward in all authorised Xiaomi stores nationwide (Malaysia) and on Xiaomi’s official online stores on Shopee and Lazada.
These days, when you talk flagship, you think about devices that cost at least MYR 3,000 and above. Anything below that price range is usually categorised as mid-range smartphones. They are usually specced as such too, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 700 series, 6-8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. Not this one though. It is priced as a mid-range smartphone, but on paper, it is a flagship.
First, the POCO F4 GT packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the most powerful system on a chip (SoC) you can find in an Android smartphone currently. Sure, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is rumoured to come some time soon. Until then, the Gen 1 is still the most powerful SoC you can find on an Android. The powerful SoC is supported by up to 12GB of speedy LPDDR5 RAM with up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage for snappy operations.
They say that it is made for mobile gaming. To ensure that the SoC stays cool for extended gaming sessions then, they have something they call LiquidCool Technology 3.0. The technology large dual vapor chambers to ensure that heat from the SoC can be quickly and efficiently transferred and dissipated elsewhere on the device.
Source: POCO
Out the front is an expansive and immersive 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 10-bit colours. With up to 120Hz, your interface should feel smoother than running a hot knife through butter. At up to 480Hz of touch sampling rate, every touch should feel more instant and more responsive than ever before. Of course, with DisplayMate’s A+ rating, this display should be great with movies too.
Out the back is a 64-Megapixel main shooter which should be enough in most cases. Of course, most of the time, you are really taking 12-Megapixel photos unless you tell your camera that you want to shoot in 64-Megapixel mode. The powerful camera is supported by an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide shooter and a 2-Megapixel macro camera. Out the front is a 20-Megapixel selfie shooter for when you need to stream or when you just want to capture a clear selfie.
To keep everything running nicely an entire day and more is a 4,700mAh battery inside the device. It is also the first battery in POCO’s device range to offer 120W HyperCharge charging speed. The device can be fully charged in just 27 minutes. Charging your device at 120W at all times can destroy the battery pretty quickly though, so POCO’s AdaptiveCharge feature cleverly keeps your battery from overcharging to prolong its shelf life.
Alongside the POCO F4 GT, POCO also launched their new Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition with a rather special design throwing homage to the ever so popular mobile game. They also launched the POCO Watch, their first ever smartwatch cum fitness tracker. It does not run on the Wear OS.
The POCO F4 GT is available in three colour options from 28th of April 2022 onward. You can choose between Stealth Black, Knight Silver, and Cyber Yellow colour options. You can also choose between an 8GB + 128GB variant and a 12GB + 256GB variant for MYR 2,299 and MYR 2,499 respectively. If you purchase your device on the 28th of April 2022 on either Shopee or Lazada, you can get your device for MYR 1,999 and MYR 2,199 respectively. The POCO Buds Pro Genshin Impact Edition and POCO Watch will be available for MYR 299 and MYR 249 respectively on the same date. More information on the new POCO devices can be found on their website.
It is not easy to follow up from a great product. Xiaomi managed to introduce the Xiaomi 11 series, their most powerful flagship with a lot of new upgrades from its predecessor. The Xiaomi 11 series packs very powerful System on a Chip (SoC) with an ultra-powerful camera array. At the same time, the 2021 flagship costs a fraction of the prices of most of the flagships out there.
So how do you follow up from such a strong device? If you ask Xiaomi, more of the same things that they have done before.
Enter the Xiaomi 12 series. On paper, it does not look like they have moved away from their old recipe of great prices and powerful flagship level hardware.
Xiaomi 12
Source: xiaomi
We start with the most obvious change on paper, the SoC. You get the most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC to date on the Xiaomi 12 series. You get a nice and powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip with 4nm technology powering Google’s latest Android 12 with MIUI 13.
Alongside the powerful processor is an ample 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM for super-fast read speeds. Speaking of memory, you can spec your Xiaomi 12 with up to 256GB of built-in storage. There are no expansion slots for the device though, bummer.
All these pushes MIUI 12 interface to take advantage of the AMOLED Dot Display. It is a 6.28-inch Full HD+ panel that offers 120Hz in refresh rate for the smooth feel. For vivid, immersive colours the panel offers HDR10+ support, Dolby Vision certification, TrueColor support, and is rated at A+ by DisplayMate. You can do away with screen protectors too with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus protecting the panel.
Watching movies with a Xiaomi 12 should be an immersive experience too with Dolby Atmos certified speakers. Moreover, it is tuned by the knowledgeable guys over in Harman Kardon.
Source: xiaomi
Where the older Xiaomi 11 offers one very powerful 108-Megapixel sensor for its main camera, the Xiaomi 12 only offers up to 50-Megapixel in resolution for its main sensor. That is not necessarily a bad thing though, considering that its supporting cameras also offer higher resolutions than before at 13-Megapixel for its ultra-wide shooter, and 5-Megapixel for its telephoto shooter. Out the front is a 32-Megapixel camera for ultra-clear and detailed self-portraits or group photos. While you do lose some resolution in photos, you can still get 8K video recordings out of the main sensor.
Keeping everything running along for an entire day is a large 4,500mAh battery. You get up to 67W in charging speeds via the USB Type-C port. Charging it wirelessly should also be quick enough with up to 50W in charging speeds. If you have other devices that needs power quickly, the Xiaomi 12 can wirelessly share its charge at 10W.
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Source: xiaomi
If the regular Xiaomi 12 does not rock your boat, you might want to look at its Pro variant. True to the Pro moniker, it is bigger, more powerful, and surely more expensive. For good reason though.
You are not getting a different SoC, it is the same powerful one since you cannot get anything more powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. You are getting a much bigger 12GB RAM for it though, which also means that you have more multitasking capabilities. Pair that to a 256GB storage, your Xiaomi 12 Pro is a media powerhouse.
The display is much bigger too at 6.73-inch with a few more curves. It is still an AMOLED Dot Display with AdaptiveSync. It is an AdaptiveSync Pro technology that allows the display to switch up between 1Hz to 120Hz for better dynamics and even better battery life. At the same time, the increase in size allows Xiaomi to fit twice more resolution than its regular counterpart making it effectively a WQHD+ display. It also protects your eyes better with SGS Eye Care Display certification.
Source: xiaomiSource: xiaomiSource: xiaomi
Dolby Atmos and Harman Kardon tuning should be enough for the immersive feel of movies on your smartphone. Not for the Xiaomi 12 Pro though. Instead of the regular dual speaker set-up, the larger body allows Xiaomi to shoehorn four speakers, two tweeters and two subwoofers, for an even more immersive audio experience without the need to use Bluetooth speakers.
To keep all these things working for you an entire day and more is a larger 4,600mAh battery pack. You can also charge the battery at 120W that fully charges the battery in 18 minutes. It also comes with 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging like the Xiaomi 12.
Prices and Availability
The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro is now available for pre-order until the 23rd of March 2022. You can pre-order yours directly from Xiaomi. The new flagships will set you back MYR 2,899 (8GB + 128GB, MYR 2,999 for 8GB + 256GB) and MYR 3,899 respectively. Unfortunately, you do have to arrange to collect your device from a Xiaomi Flagship store near you once it is available though. Still, every pre-order entitles you to an array of premium free gifts worth up to MYR 2,197 like a 3.1 Channel Soundbar for example. For more information on the Xiaomi 12 series devices, you can visit their website.
Xiaomi’s quest to be the king of the Internet of Things (IoT) is no secret. The company has more than one subsidiary working on its IoT products. To date, we’ve seen IoT products branded as Mi, Soocas and even Dreame. ROIDMI is yet another brand that works on IoT particularly cordless vacuums. Its laser focus on the niche seems to have worked in its favour as their line-up of cordless vacuums seems to be one of the more popular options on platforms like Shopee and Lazada.
That said, Robot Vacuums are no revolution when it comes to cleaning. They’ve been available on the market for quite a while now, but they’ve always had their quirks when it comes to cleaning. ROIDMI’s EVE Plus is looking to address many of these quirks with some interesting approaches and smart implementation of AI technology. These small innovations have made for one of the easier, hands-off cleaning experiences for robot vacuums we’ve experienced.
The ROIDMI Experience
The ROIDMI experience isn’t just a manual plug-and-forget experience; it comes with a host of “prep work” and setup that you’ll have to undertake at the beginning which lends to a more automated experience later on. Of course, it is in no way a deal-breaker when it comes to the overall experience.
Being an IoT device, the robot vacuum requires some setup. However, the process is pretty straightforward, simple and very app-centric. The EVE Plus Robot Vacuum itself doesn’t come with many interactive components. Most of the interactions and settings are done through the app. This actually makes setup a breeze. However, the ecosystem itself can be a little quirky as it isn’t as integrated as you would think.
When you initially unbox and set up your EVE Plus Robot Vacuum, you’ll need to make sure that you remove the plastic and Styrofoam pieces that have been placed to prevent damage to moving parts during shipping. If you look at the manual, it says that the vacuum can be integrated into the Mi Home app or the ROIDMI app. However, this particular model of the robot vacuum isn’t listed in the Mi Home app, instead, you will need to use the ROIDMI app to set it up.
Set up was very simple and quick. All you had to do is plug in the base, place the EVE Plus in the cradle and power on. Once you do, you just have to tap the add product option in the app which is denoted by a “+” on the top right. When you do this, it will automatically look for the local WiFi being broadcast by the vacuum and proceed to program the Wi-Fi settings for the vacuum. To be frank, that’s all the setup that is required. After this, everything else is automated and done by the vacuum itself during its first cleaning.
App Design & Usability
The ROIDMI app is a simple, well-designed app. Unlike a lot of other IoT apps, it cuts to the chase and immediately allows you to set up and manage your products after you sign in. The simplicity and straightforward design are some of the best features of the app. The no-frills in your face design lets you get things done without fumbling and digging for functions.
After your initial set-up of registering and logging in, you’ll be greeted by a screen with a list of your appliances. Each appliance can be set up and monitored through the app. The main screen shows you pertinent information such as the battery level, active time, and area that the vacuum has cleaned previously.
Clicking further into the app brings up more detailed information. In the case of the EVE Plus Robot Vacuum, you’ll be able to see a map of the space it’s in and the cleaning path it took on the previous cleaning session. It also gives you quick access to its cleaning modes and map customisations. It also gives you quick access to the recharge and clean options. You can also customise how much water it will dispense when mopping and even the suction power of the vacuum.
Designed for Real Living Spaces
While the app is the core of their user experience, the ROIDMI EVE Plus Robot Vacuum itself comes packed with hardware and design that makes using it a more seamless experience.
Let’s start off with the overall design of the vacuum. The ROIDMI EVE Plus Robot Vacuum is designed to be able to manoeuvre through real living spaces. While it shares a similar design to many of the robot vacuums available, it is short enough to fit under most spaces in a room. The circle design of it gives it more manoeuvrability that allows the vacuum to get out of tight situations with minimal intervention.
ROIDMI has also struck a balance in the size of the vacuum and the size of the internal tank. It is large enough that the vacuum doesn’t need to make multiple trips back to the docking station to be emptied even in larger rooms but small enough that the robot vacuum is still able to fit in most nooks and crannies of a space. It also doesn’t come with many parts which click into space. All the components of the robot vacuum are securely in place either with screws or by a secure locking mechanism.
The vacuums movement is dependent on two rather large plastic wheels. They function similar to the hoverboards we’ve seen in the market. This decision actually allows the robot vacuum to find its way through tough spaces. It also allows it to move over ledges objects about 2cm in height. So, if you have a table with a stand design that runs on the ground or running cables across a room, it’ll be able to move over them. However, for cables, if they aren’t fastened to the ground securely, you might have electrical items connected to these cables falling over.
The ROIDMI EVE Plus has a small, elevated component on the top where the LIDAR sensor is. This allows it a 360° field of view allowing it to map and detect quicker and more accurately. In fact, it managed to map the room it was in even during setup. The sensor also allows the robot vacuum to gauge the height of furniture, so it doesn’t get stuck under them. This is complemented by sensors on the side and bumpers on the front to help with movement and manoeuvring. There are only 3 physical buttons on the EVE PLUS – the power button, the home button and a button that acts as a quick clean command.
The base station or dock is also designed minimally. It’s a relatively small unit with a single touch screen for status monitoring and a space for the EVE Plus to come home to. The main, 3-litre dust bag is accessible through the top. It also has a HEPA filter to prevent odours from escaping. This also means that you won’t be emptying the bag too often. ROIDMI does highlight that they’ve designed the base in a more compact fashion. This apparently allows them to minimise noise while dust is being emptied.
Dealing with the Dust in a Smart Way with Some Quirks
To be really frank, I’ve never really understood the allure of robot vacuums even after reviewing earlier models ages ago. In fact, they always seemed like more hassle than they are worth. However, the Xiaomi ROIDMI EVE Plus robot vacuum did a good job of convincing me otherwise.
The AI that comes programmed into the EVE Plus makes it one of the simplest, most seamless robot vacuum experiences I’ve had to date. It can intelligently detect the height of furniture and even detect slopes or ledges. It was able to avoid getting stuck most of the time thanks to this. However, even if it got stuck you simply had to put it immediately beside the area it got stuck in and it would avoid it.
The way the EVE Plus cleans is also different from other robot vacuums. It intelligently partitions large areas into smaller rooms. It wasn’t immediately apparent when I was observing the vacuum itself but when I glanced at the app, the map was sectioned into multiple smaller areas. Using this mapping and guidance, it would optimise its route to efficiently clean the area. It’s also the only robot vacuum I’ve seen that has a unique Y cleaning pattern that allows it to clean more effectively. If you’re like me, you’ll also turn on the 2X clean feature which makes the EVE Plus do a second run when cleaning. Its ability to mop with spaces with water is also a welcomed feature. However, this feature is limited to 250m2 space as the water tank on the robot vacuum is limited.
However, the ROIDMI EVE Plus is not without its quirks. During our review period, the vacuum actually lost mapping data spontaneously. This isn’t a major issue as it is able to rebuild the data pretty quickly. The robot vacuum is also a little quirky when it comes to dealing with carpets and rugs. It’s able to handle thicker carpets but tends to wrestle with rags.
It also communicates through the app which is an added advantage – if your phone doesn’t put the app to sleep. The app never requests to allow it to run in the background either so when you launch your ROIDMI app, it tends to spam you with notifications. It also does cry for help with a voice when it’s stuck.
Of Raised Slopes & Tassels – ROIDMI Eve Plus Kryptonite
If the ROIDMI EVE Plus was Supergirl, tassels and slopes are its kryptonite. The robot vacuum seems to enjoy wrestling (and losing) with tassels. Rugs or carpets with tassels are things you may want to remove when using the EVEL Plus. In fact, I had to cut tassels off a floor mat cause the EVE Plus had a bout with them and couldn’t break free. The other thing that the EVE Plus seems to have trouble with is raised slopes and platforms. This is particularly apparent if you use a stand fan in your room. If the stand fan is designed with a base that is slightly sloped, the EVE Plus will try to run over the slope and eventually get stuck.
This was irritating at first. However, you can easily prevent this by creating no-fly zones on the map through the ROIDMI app.
Not Just About Removing Dust – It Zaps Bacteria with Activated Oxygen
Earlier we mentioned the HEPA filter that helps prevent odours from escaping. This is actually part of a larger disinfection system that is integrated into the base station of the EVE Plus. When the dust is emptied from the robot vacuum to the main 3-litre bag, it is bombarded by activated or ionised oxygen. A little bit of a science refresher here – activate or ionised oxygen is a charged molecule that readily destabilizes cellular structures and intracellular structures. Using this understanding, ROIDMI has created a solution that is able to kill 99.99% of bacteria or so they claim.
This technology is also responsible for the odourless storage of dust in the base station. The ionised oxygen can also help neutralise bad odours. This working together with the HEPA filter that is integrated into the docking station minimises harmful particles and allergens from escaping.
A Simplified, Smart Robot Vacuum that is able to handle small to medium spaces with a user experience that changed the mind of a non-believer
It’s very rare for a piece of technology to make me reconsider my initial experiences and change my mind. However, the ROIDMI EVE Plus robot vacuum did just that. It provided a seamless, simplified experience which convinced me that there is a time and space for smart cleaning devices. In my case, with a busy day to day life and older parents at home, the robot vacuum provided us with a means to maintain our most used spaces keeping them clean and dust-free without sacrificing time and conserving time.
The features of the EVE Plus are what made the difference. Its simple app and set-it-and-forget-it experience allowed me to get things done without the need to worry about the robot vacuum when it’s running a cleaning cycle. If the vacuum had poorer manoeuvrability or got stuck in spaces regularly, this review would have been very different. However, the fact that it was able to handle a busy space without much hassle, was a welcomed surprise.
Xiaomi has been extending its reach into the realm of IoT in recent years. The company has developed and released many different offerings that cater to different segments and use cases. One of their most popular is home appliances. They have been busy developing everything from TVs to robot vacuums.
ROIDMI is one of their foremost offerings when it comes to robot vacuums. The new Eve Plus version of the robot vacuum is one which can not only vacuum but mop floors. It comes with a 2,700pa suction which is stronger than most of the competing brands.
In addition the vacuum also brings some of the latest in mapping and navigation technologies. The LDS 4.0 navigation technology allows it to detect, recognise and map terrain better than before. These features work together with the MiJia or Mi Home app to enable customised cleaning plans. You can even get it to clean on demand by using voice activation with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.
The ROIDMI Eve Plus Robot Vacuum come with a 5,200mAh battery which gives it a 250 minutes run time. If it runs out of battery midway cleaning, it will simply return to the dock and pick up where it left off after recharging. The dock also allows the vacuum to empty itself. It holds up to 60 days of waste in its 3-litre dust bag before needing to be emptied. The 250ml water tank that is built-in to the ROIDMI Eve Plus allows it to mop up stains while cleaning.
The Eve Plus Robot Vacuum is one of the only available that is able to sterilize and disinfect air that is sucked up and released by the vacuum. The activated oxygen system is able to kill 99.9% of bacteria including E.coli, S.aureus and even the fungus C.albicans. Air released by the vacuum is also clear of toxic chemicals such as benzenes, ammonia and formaldehydes.
The vacuum will be available on Shopee for a limited time offer of MYR400 off its retail price. It will be available MYR1,588 for a year’s warranty. The premium warranty is available for MYR1,988. This includes a 1-to-1 replacement should there be anything wrong with the ROIDMI Eve Plus.
Xiaomi is no stranger when it comes to home technologies. The company has made waves with their IoT lineup. It has also been in the news for investing and developing brands that push not only IoT products but regular home products as well. Dreame is one of the few that focuses on delivering household solutions to users.
Dreame has long been available via online platforms, however, the brand is finally making its official debut in Malaysia. Partnering with their sole local distributor, Uniqbe Sdn Bhd, their offerings will now be available through the official Dreame store on Shopee.
Source: Dreame
The first product officially arriving in Malaysia is the Dreame H11 series vacuums. The Dreame H11 and H11 Max both come with a two-tank design that allows users to vacuum and mop simultaneously. The cordless vacuum system comes with a 900ml clean water tank and 500ml dirt water tank. This allows the vacuums to simultaneously suck and vacuum the floor. During use, cleaning solution and clean water are continually sprayed on the roller brushes from the clean water tank. While in use, the rollers are also cleaned as the dirt separation system removes the dirt from the rollers and deposits it into the 500ml dirt tank. The H11 series comes with up to 30 minutes of active use.
The Dreame H11 Max comes with an added auto mode that intelligently adjusts the suction power according to the clean up needed. Both the H11 and H11 Max come with an LED display screen and intelligent voice prompts which Dreame claims will help with cleaning.
Source: Dreame
The H11 and H11 Max will be available from their official store on Shopee. The H11 will be retailing at MYR1,999 while the H11 Max will be retailing for MYR2,499. In conjunction with their launch, they will be selling 50 units each of the H11 and H11 Max at MYR1,388 and MYR1,788 respectively.
In addition, Uniqbe Sdn Bhd is also partnering with Make-A-Wish Malaysia to help make Dreame’s launch more impactful. From now until Chinese New Year, the company will be earmarking 11% of sale from Dreame products for Make-A-Wish.
Xiaomi just launched their new Xiaomi 11T series globally last week. This week, the new Xiaomi device is finally here. Well, it was not a long wait anyway.
If you haven’t known yet, the new Xiaomi 11T series is the latest flagship series coming from the Chinese giant. For eagle eyed viewers as well, you will be right in pointing out that the latest Xiaomi 11T does not carry the Mi branding anymore. The Xiaomi 11T series are the first devices not to carry the Mi branding as well.
As per the global launch, they launched the entire Xiaomi 11T line-up including the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE. They also launched the Xiaomi Pad 5 tablet for good measure. At the same time, the launch comes with a few attractive deals.
Xiaomi 11T and Xiaomi 11T Pro
The new Xiaomi 11T series picks up where the Xiaomi Mi 11 left off. You get a very powerful 108-Megapixel main camera. You get a 2x telemacro lens as well alongside an ultra-wide-angle lens to work with. The new 108-Megapixel sensor also allows the Xiaomi 11T devices to shoot videos at 8K resolution with HDR10+ colours. At the same time the Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro are also equipped with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ 120Hz AMOLED TrueColor displays that can push 1 billion colours at HDR10+ standards. With up to 480Hz touch sampling rate, gaming should be quite an experience with this device.
Xiaomi 11T Pro
Source: Xiaomi
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The new Xiaomi 11T Pro packs a very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 System on a Chip (SoC). Because it is a Qualcomm device, you also get speedy charging. It is not like any other fast-charging technology though. It takes fast charging technology to a whole new level. Instead of just charging at a measly 60W speeds, the Xiaomi 11T Pro charges at 120W. How Xiaomi achieves this speed, the Xiaomi 11T Pro splits its large 5,000mAh battery into two and each charge at 60W simultaneously. That results in a full charge in just 17 minutes from nothing. With Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the Xiaomi 11T Pro is an entertainment powerhouse, especially with SOUND by Harman Kardon tuned speakers.
Xiaomi 11T
Source: Xiaomi
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The Xiaomi 11T packs a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra chipset instead of the Qualcomm. It does not mean that the Xiaomi 11T is a much less powerful device though. The Xiaomi 11T is a 5G device still. While you do not get 120W in charging speed, the Xiaomi 11T still charges at 67W speed with a 36 minutes 100% charge.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
Source: Xiaomi
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The most budget friendly smartphone device of the bunch is the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE. It does not look anything like the Xiaomi 11T, to be fair. It retains the Xiaomi Mi 11 look. It sports a 6.55-inch AMOLED DotDisplay with Full HD+ resolution with 10-bit TrueColor support with Dolby Vision that makes this Xiaomi 11 Lite an entertainment powerhouse still.
Out the back is 64-Megapixel main camera supported by an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 5-Megapixel telemacro lens. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G SoC, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is still powerful enough for more AI camera effects and even cinema effects. Keeping all of these working on overtime is a 4,250mAh battery with 33W fast charging technology.
Xiaomi Pad 5
Source: Xiaomi
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Source: Xiaomi
The new Xiaomi Pad 5 is really an Android tablet that you can look at and ask; “should my Android tablet be more expensive than this?”. While it is not the most powerful Android tablet you can find in the market, it is still a formidable one. It also comes with a smart (Xiaomi Smart Pen) stylus like all the other Android tablets.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 comes with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 SoC, a 7nm flagship class SoC that is still very capable despite its age. There is a 13-Megapixel camera out the back and an 8-Megapixel working out front for video calls and selfies, if you are into that kind of thing with a tablet. The display is a very fast 120Hz WQHD+ 11-inch display. The display is also a Dolby Vision display paired to Dolby Atmos quad speakers. All these are powered by a large 8,720mAh battery to keep them running all day.
Price and Availability
The Xiaomi 11T and Xiaomi 11T Pro will be available in Malaysia 2nd of October 2021 onward on Lazada and Shopee, in authorised Mi stores, and other authorised retailers in Malaysia. Xiaomi 11T Pro will start at MYR 2,099 and tops out at MYR 2,299. The Xiaomi 11T will start at MYR 1,699 and tops out at MYR 1,899. Both the Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro will be available in Meteorite Gray, Moonlight White, and Celestial Blue.
The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE will be available today onward via Lazada and Shopee as well. It will also be available in authorised Mi stores and other official retailers across Malaysia. The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE will come in Truffle Black, Bubblegum Blue, Peach Pink, and a Snowflake White. You can get your hands on one for MYR 1,199 onward and tops out at MYR 1,599 (8GB + 256GB).
The Xiaomi Pad 5 will be available today onward as well on Lazada. Later, you can get the Xiaomi Pad 5 will be available in authorised Mi stores and other official retailers, including on Shopee. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is now available in Cosmic Gray and Pearl White. The Xiaomi Smart Pen is sold separately with no confirmed price and availability yet at this time.
The Xiaomi 11T series goes on pre-order today onward until 29th of September 2021 (11.59 p.m.) with various premium free gifts. Customers stands a chance to win a 43-inch Mi P1 TV when they buy the new Xiaomi 11T series from the 2nd of October to 4th of October 2021 onward. Customers who purchased the Xiaomi 11T series before the 31st of October 2021 will receive one free screen repair within the first six months of purchase on top of a 1+1 year limited warranty. Any purchase of the Xiaomi 11 5G NE will receive a free screen repair within the first six months of purchase.
More information on the Xiaomi 11T, 11T Pro, Xiaomi 11 5G NE, and the Xiaomi Pad 5 can be found on their website.
