BURO Gadget Guide: 4 Impressive tech releases from August 2024

Welcome back to another edition of the BURO Gadget Guide! In this series, we introduce you to some of the must-know gadget drops of the month. If you’re in the market for some new tech or just want to wistfully browse, this read’s for you. For this month’s guide, we introduce you to the Google Pixel 9, Leica D-Lux 8, and other tech releases from August 2024. 

GOOGLE PIXEL 9 PRO XL

Powered by AI, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has arrived in Malaysia alongside the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. This series marks the first time the phone is available in two different sizes. Running the phone is 16GB of RAM alongside the fourth generation of Google silicon, Tensor G4. This chip happens to be the fastest and most efficient one we’ve seen from the tech giant. With this chip, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL can operate the largest and most complex mobile ML models—a major plus in the era of AI.

Before we get into technical talk, let’s go over the phone’s design and display. The phone is available in four colourways: porcelain, rose quartz, hazel, and obsidian. With its silky matte glass back and polished metal sides, the phone also feels comfortable to hold and looks stylish as ever. As for its display, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a 6.8-inch Super Actua display, capable of up to 3000 nits in brightness. 

As for the phone’s photo- and video-taking capabilities, everything has been taken to another level. On the back of the phone is the camera bar, featuring a pro triple rear camera system. With a 50-megapixel wide lens, 48-megapixel ultrawide with macro focus, and a 48-megapixel 5x telephoto lens, you’ll be taking professional-level photos. On top of that, it also allows for Super Res Zoom for both video and photo, as well as optical quality zooms from 0.5x to 10x. To make things even better, its Night Sight feature is back and improved, while Video Boost can enhance videos to up to 8K resolution. Not to mention, your selfies are going to be looking crisp even in low light conditions with its 42-megapixel lens AKA the highest resolution ever seen on a front-facing Pixel Camera. 

As one can expect, this phone has been engineered to be a powerful tool to accompany you in your daily life with the help of AI-powered features. Its capabilities span photo-taking and even checking the weather. Among its standout features are Pixel Screenshots and Gemini Live. The former remembers information from your screenshots, while the latter is the phone’s AI-powered assistant. Gemini Live is your way of interacting with Gemini, Google’s AI chatbot. Meanwhile, the phone also comes with Pixel Studio, a first-of-its-kind image generator, as well as a slew of photo tools like Add Me, Reimagine, and audio Auto Frame. 

Price: From RM5,699

Availability: Purchase at Google Pixel Store on Shopee and Lazada.

Find more information on the Pixel 9 series here. 

GOOGLE PIXEL WATCH 3

Along with its Pixel smartphone series and the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google has also launched the Pixel Watch 3 in Malaysia. Set for a 10 September release, the smartwatch sees many upgrades in performance with your wellness and fitness in mind. It is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes in a range of colours to fit your tastes. The watches are also fitted with the most advanced Actua displays with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. This means you’ll be able to look at your watch even on the brightest of days during your outdoor workouts. 

More brightness comes with more screen space. The 41mm watch comes with a 10 per cent bigger screen than the Pixel Watch 2, while the 45mm model comes with 40 per cent more.  Even with its larger screens, the Pixel Watch 3 offers power efficiency, with refresh rates from 60Hz to as low as 1Hz in always-on display mode. Battery life has also been given an upgrade with the 45mm including a 35 per cent larger battery than previous models. Battery Saver Mode also extends battery life to a maximum of 36 hours. A new auto-bedtime mode can also detect sleep and conserve battery overnight. 

As for its tools, the Pixel Watch 3 comes with a selection of new features, including Daily Readiness, Cardio Load, Target Load, and Workout Builder. The first uses an improved algorithm to track and study your body’s key recovery biometrics, so you’re able to determine the kind of training you’re able to take on for the day. Meanwhile, Cardio Load tracks your heart’s performance and intensity during your workout and throughout the day. It also maintains a record of your trends over time, so you can track your progress. 

Target Load is a feature that delivers a personalised goal for your training of the day each morning. It uses information from your Cardio Load and Daily Readiness to determine your objectives, while also keeping recovery in mind. For runners, Workout Builder is a godsend. The feature allows you to build custom runs with your own goals for distance, time, pace, and more. During your workout, your watch will guide you through warm-up, pacing, and heart rate. After your runs, you can analyse your form, including cadence and mileage, thanks to the watch’s new advanced motion sensing alongside machine learning powers running form-tracking.

Price: From RM1,849

Availability: Purchase at Google Pixel Store on Shopee and Lazada.

Find more information on the Google Pixel Watch 3 here. 

LEICA D-LUX 8

Photography enthusiasts, rejoice! Leica’s D-Lux 8 is finally making its way to Malaysian shores this month. The new compact camera was made with the user’s comfort and overall experience in mind. Controls are intuitive, while the interface is easily navigable. With both manual and automatic modes, you will have complete freedom over your shots, whether you’re in for a quick snap or a more deliberate shoot. The camera is fitted with a high-resolution touchscreen and a 2.4-megapixel OLED viewfinder so framing the perfect shot is as easy as it comes. 

Within the Leica D-Lux 8 is a powerful 4/3” CMOS sensor with 21 MP (17 MP effective), a fast Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9-34 f/1.7-2.8 4 ASPH zoom lens as well as an attachable flash. This trio of tools means the camera is able to capture scenes and deliver images no matter the shooting conditions. Better yet, its optical zoom and 4k video capability make it the perfect companion for all shooting purposes, especially with its compact and lightweight stature. For full seamless use, the camera can also connect to the Leica Fotos App, so you’re able to access, download, edit, and share your images right after capturing them.

Price: Bundles start at RM9,889

Availability: Purchase online or at Leica stores from 10 September onwards. 

Visit the official Leica website for more details.

OPPO RENO12 IN SUNSET PINK

Though it isn’t necessarily a brand new gadget release, Oppo’s latest colourway for the Reno12 is worthy of a mention. While the phone itself was launched back a couple of months ago, this new Sunset Pink edition is a brand new arrival. The hue is an ode to Malaysia’s frontliners, including firefighters, doctors, nurses, police officers, and more, who work around the clock for our safety, regardless if the sun has set or not.

The Reno12 includes the brand’s most advanced capabilities, including Live Photo and AI Eraser. As for power, the phone runs on a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy platform with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Its main camera comes with a Sony LYT-600 sensor featuring full-pixel omnidirectional autofocus and OIS. Last but certainly not least, the Reno12’s GenAI capabilities make the phone what it is, supporting users in their everyday lives. From AI Studio to AI Smart Image, its artificial intelligence features gain users access to a world of creativity. 

Price: RM2,199

Availability: Purchase online or at all My OPPO Space, OPPO Brand Stores, and other authorised retailers. 

Click here for more on the Oppo Reno12.

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