Samsung Galaxy Fold Is Official In Malaysia; Price Starts From RM 8388

The hotly anticipated device is coming soon to Malaysia – Samsung’s Galaxy Fold will be available for pre-order for consumers (at least those who has the moolah) for a cool RM 8388.

As a recap, the Galaxy Fold was previously announced then retracted its availability due to some production woes and design problems. In particular, the ease of dust and particles to slip in between the display and get lodged in it, harming the display in the process.

The device features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, and the unique dual displays that makes the Galaxy Fold a unique standout. The smaller display is a 4.6” 720p display, located on the ‘outside’ of the fold. Meanwhile the main display is a 7.3″ full rectangle display, with a resolution of 2152 x 1536 pixels.

Video via CNET

Samsung Malaysia confirmed that the Malaysian model will be the one with the 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. Imaging on the Fold is similar to the Galaxy Note 10, with a triple sensor package of 12.0 MP + 16.0 MP + 12.0 MP.

The Samsung Galaxy fold will be priced at RM 8,388 for the Malaysian market, and receive the Galaxy Fold Premier Service package that includes 24/7 Premium Careline, free On-site Pick-Up and Delivery for Service Support within 12 months of purchase.

Apple May Release iPhone SE2 Sometime Next Year

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities, Apple may be coming out with a new iPhone SE next year. This is on the back of their recently launched iPhone 11.

The analyst, who has previously predicted new Apple launches quite on-point, said that the new iPhone SE2 is said to use the iPhone 8 body, and will feature the new A13 Bionic chipset. This is, as Ming-chi said, will be “the best upgrade choice for existing 100mn iPhone 6 series users, will be a key growth driver for Apple in 2020”.

Other design that may be included in the new SE2 includes the home button (as the iPhone 8 design does not support Face ID), a lesser camera, and a smaller battery. Expect the phone to have the Lighting connector, and big bezels for 2020.

Of course this is just a conjecture as this point of time, but if the iPhone SE2 comes out next year, this will be a great upgrade phone for iPhone 6 users who are still holding onto their phones right now.

Huawei Mate 30 Series Officially In Malaysia; Starts From RM 2799

Malaysia was given the honour to be the second market after China to receive the Huawei Mate 30 series as both he Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro is now available for sale in Malaysia.

As a recap, both devices are powered by Huawei’s latest chipset – the Kirin 990. Both also feature 8GB of RAM, and a quad-camera array. The Mate 30’s cameras includes a 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide + 40MP f/1.8 SuperSensing wide + 8MP f/2.4 telephoto lens with OIS + Laser focus sensor. The Mate 30 Pro meanwhile gets  a 40MP f/1.8 ultra-wide Cine camera, a 40MP f/1.6 SuperSensing Camera, an 8MP f/2.4 Telephoto lens with OIS, and a 3D depth-sensing camera instead of laser focus.

As Huawei Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro are shipped without the Google Mobile Services (GMS), Huawei has made the option of creating their own, called the Huawei Mobile Service (HMS), which is available with the new Mate phones.

The Huawei Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro is available now, and priced at RM2799 and RM3899 respectively. Additionally, from 3 October until 22 October, consumers who purchases either device will be given a DJI Osmo Mobile 3, a Back Casing, SuperCharge Wireless Car Charger, and a 1-year Extended warranty and 6-months screen crack warranty under Huawei Care for free. That is a deal – but it is to be seen if the lack of Google Services will push the sales up or down in Malaysia.

Microsoft Introduces The Next Stage of Computing: The Surface Neo And Surface Duo

Previously thought as just vaporware and whisperings of the tech underground, Microsoft shared with the world two new concepts for 2020 at the Surface event – the Surface Neo and the Surface Duo.

Riding on the current obsession of folding devices, the Surface Neo is a two-screened device that runs Windows 10 X, a new Windows fork designed for multi-screen portable devices. The Neo is said to run on Intel’s upcoming Lakefield processor, which one model features the combination of Atom and Sunny Cove CPU cores – essentially a big.LITTLE architecture on x86. The dual screen can be flipped 360 degrees – sort like Lenovo’s YOGA series.

A cool feature is the optional Bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard can be attached magnetically onto the back of the Neo, and then flipped onto one of the screens to turn it into a mini laptop. The Neo also works with Microsoft’s latest Surface Slim Stylus – it magnetically attaches to the top of the Neo, and also charges itself using wireless charging.

The Surfarce Duo meanwhile is the return of Microsoft to the smartphone game. It shares the same design as the Neo – only smaller. It runs Android, and from the teaser video, it is using Microsoft’s Launcher (which is available for any Android device currently). One feature looks to be omitted on the Duo are cameras – the only camera seen is for video calling/selfies.

The two devices are slated to be out by the holiday season…of 2020. Yes, Microsoft announced the devices a year early. This is no doubt to deter any leaks or speculations. Plus it can help spur its partners to create something similar for the ecosystem as well.

Vivo V17 Pro Now Available In Malaysia with 6 Cameras On Board

Vivo has officially announced the V17 Pro availability in Malaysia. The smartphone comes with a mid-range processor, 6 cameras and an affordable price point of RM1,699.

Optics wise, the Vivo V17 Pro sports 6 sensors. The two on the front is in a pop-up module, with one sensor a 32MP wide-angle shooter and the other being a 2MP depth sensor. Meanwhile, on the back you get 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP quad camera combo.

The chipset is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675, paired to 8GB of RAM, 128GB internal storage and a 4100mAh battery for a full day’s use. The screen is a 6.44-inch Full HD+ display (with no notches or punch holes).

Vivo is pricing the V17 Pro at RM 1,699 and is available starting from today.

Android 10 Go Introduced; The Latest Operating System Version For Low-end Devices

The latest version of Android is now available for Android Go devices as the Android 10 Go Edition has finally gone live. Designed for light devices, it is nevertheless proper Android, complete with the latest security features.

This includes Adiantum, Android’s security functionality. There are also several updated Go version apps such as YouTube Go, Gallery Go and more. Google has managed to seed up performance on the Android 10 Go by 10% (no puns here!), so even devices with 1GB of RAM will feel everything is a bit faster and snappier.

The new text-to-speech in Android 10 Go Edition

Better yet, functions that previously not available in Android 9 Go is present such as text-to-speech functionality, Google Lens, and more. Many apps are already optimised for Android 10 Go so users will be able to experience the best of Google right out of the box.

Over 500 manufacturers have launched more than 1,600 Android (Go edition) device models to 180+ countries in the past 18 months. So expect better use experience with the new Android 10 Go for these devices.

Next Samsung Flagship To Feature 108MP Sensor and Periscope Lens

Next year’s Samsung S11 model is expected to be a game changer for the company in terms of photography. This is as reports shared online states that Samsung is set to feature both a 108MP sensor for the main camera and a 5x periscope lens for telephoto.

The 108MP sensor is already in use by the Mi Mix Alpha, and the periscope lens for the telephoto sensor most likely be inspired by ones already on OPPO phones.

Render of the new Samsung periscope camera

Like modern smartphones, the telephoto lens is more about capturing details to enhance crop of the main sensor, in this case the 108MP sensor. When binned, the 108MP sensor will output 27MP images that is expected to trounce any sensor that Samsung has created so far.

Spring 2020 is the expected launch date for the new S series model, and it is expected that the two cameras will be front and centre as the flagship feature for 2020’s flagship design.

iPhone 11 Family On Sale Now In Malaysia

For apple fans in Malaysia – the time has come; the new Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max is now available in Malaysia.

As a recap, iPhone (replacing last year’s iPhone Xr) carries over a few components from the older model including the 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display. It however adds a second sensor – a wide-angle sensor, a first for iPhones. It also features the new Apple A13 Bionic processor, touted as ‘Apple’s fastest’

The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max meanwhile differs in screen size – the former is 5.8-inches while the latter is 6.5-inches. The two models also come with the A13 Bionic chip, and features triple cameras – a standard, ultra-wide and telephoto.

All three models are IP68 rated, and a first for apple, includes a fast 15W charger for the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.

The iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max can be ordered in Malaysia starting 27 September, with pricing starting from RM 3399 for the 11, RM 4899 for the 11 Pro and RM 5299 for the 11 Pro Max. You can head to this link to start your order process.

The prices for the new iPhones are as follows:

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB – RM5299
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 256GB – RM5999
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 512GB – RM6899

Apple iPhone 11 Pro 64GB – RM4899
Apple iPhone 11 Pro 256GB – RM5599
Apple iPhone 11 Pro 512GB – RM6499

Apple iPhone 11 64GB – RM3399
Apple iPhone 11 128GB – RM3599
Apple iPhone 11 256GB – RM4099

OnePlus 7T Launched; 90Mhz AMOLED Screen and Triple Camera Headlines Featureset

After multiple teasing, OnePlus has unveiled the latest model – the OnePlus 7T. This time around, the phone comes with a fast 90MHz AMOLED screen, triple camera at the back and the latest chipset inside.

Snapdragon 855+ is the chip of choice for the new phone. 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GN of memory is available as options for buyers. There is also a 3800mAh battery that supports OnePlus’ own Warp Charge 30T fast charging tech. Thanks to this, the OnePlus 7T’s battery can regain its capacity from 0% to 70% in just 30 minutes.

At the back, the OnePlus 7T’ main camera is the 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor and f/1.6 7-elements lens with both optical as well as electronic image stabilization system. Alongside the main camera, it also includes a 12MP f/2.2 telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom, as well as a 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera.

OnePlus 7T’s 90Hz Fluid Display is a 6.55-inch Full HD+ AMOLED panel with a pixel density of 402 ppi. Also featured an in-display fingerprint scanner, the 20:9 display also supports HDR10+ and has a maximum brightness level of 1,000 nits.

The new OnePlus 7T is rolling out to select markets now – with India and the US getting the first batches of the device. It will start from USD 599 (~RM 2511).

Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha Introduces Wraparound Screen For 180% Body-to-Screen Ratio

Xiaomi unveiled a new prototype phone during their launch in China. The Mi Mix Alpha is touted as a concept phone, and will be released to the market in limited numbers. What makes the Mi Mix Alpha special is the screen – it almost wraps around the body of the phone.

Standing out among the phones in the market, the Mi Mix Alpha features a titanium-alloy body for strength, and the 180.7% body-to-screen ratio display. As the body is all screen, there is naturally no physical buttons on the sides. Instead, the controls are all touch-based, pressure-sensitive, and virtual.

Inside, Xiaomi fitted it with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+, 12GB of RAM and 512GB of memory. A 4050mAh nano silicone cathode battery that supports wired fast charging support of up to 40W powers everything.

Apart from the screen, the cameras on the Mi Mix Alpha also needs a special mention. It is the first device to utilize the new 108MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX camera sensor as its main camera. Seeing there is a screen at the back of the phone, Xiaomi made the main camera as the selfie camera too. Xiaomi has also equipped a 20MP f/2.2 wide-angle camera with 1.5cm super macro support into the phone, together with a 12MP f/2.0 telephoto 2x zoom camera.

One last thing – the price of the phone will shock everyone. It is priced at 19,999 RMB, or the equivalent of RM 11,770 after conversion. That is half of the new Axia E as comparison. Crazy indeed.