Despite the surprising no-show at CES 2023, Sony was the first major TV maker in Singapore to reveal its 2023 lineup earlier this month. However, the star of the show, the Bravia XR A95L, which boasts the latest QD-OLED panel, didn’t make the launch event. In fact, the A95L, which succeeds last year’s widely-acclaimed A95K, won’t be available in Singapore till August. I suppose that’s still an improvement over the A95K, which wasn’t launched in Singapore.
The A95L will likely go against Samsung’s S95C, and LG’s G3. All three TVs are premium OLED-based models. While the Samsung and Sony use Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels, LG is sticking to its WOLEDs (White OLED), but with a twist. The G3 will likely use a new Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which adds a layer of microscopic lenses to focus the light, thus increasing the maximum brightness, and improving the viewing angles.
It’s still early to say which OLED tech will come out at the top. Samsung has been making big promises (up to 2,000 nits of brightness) with its second-gen QD-OLED panels. More importantly, these QD-OLED panels will now come in more screen sizes (49” and 77” joining the existing 55” and 65” variants). LG’s MLA tech may help to stem the tide — the South Korean market leader is playing defense in the premium OLED TV segment it kickstarted. For consumers, the competition will likely spur more innovation, and perhaps lower the prices of OLED TVs. Expect to hear more about LG and Samsung’s 2023 TVs in the coming weeks — April/May is typically when new TVs hit the shelves.
In our latest reviews, we checked out an Asus gaming router, a Secretlab footrest, and a compact handstick vacuum from Acer.
With its 10Gbps Ethernet port, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro is the router to get if you’re considering a 10Gbps broadband plan (now available from Singtel and StarHub). But the average user won’t use most of its high-end features. The Rapture is also not a mesh router system that will solve Wi-Fi coverage issues. In short, it’s only worth the S$759 asking price to some users.
The Secretlab Premium Footrest is made from memory foam with a nice velvet finish that feels comfortable. Your foot sinks into the top outer layer, and comes to a rest when it reaches the harder core foam. Works with any chair (or couch), washable cover (hand only), and costs S$99.
With a compact handstick vacuum like the Acerpure V1 Lite (S$98), you’re not looking at suction power or battery life. Instead, it’s about being light (it’s just 550g) and easy to handle. There’s also a corner cleaning accessory to let you reach under your cabinets. You can also charge it via USB-C, though it lasts only 15 mins on a single charge.