Top Tech Treasures: Unveiling This Year’s Ultimate Gadgets

We can’t get enough of devices. These helpful tools enhance our lives by making them simpler or more enjoyable. Nevertheless, device possesses a vague meaning and varies with the context. Even a smartphone may occasionally be referred to as a device.

Thus, for this compilation, we determined that anything that does not fall under smartphones or tablets could be categorized as a device. That explains the presence of some unusual categories here. However, let’s not be bogged down by the definition of device and instead concentrate on the products that shone brightly in their category.

To assist you in acquiring the ideal device that meets your budget and requirements, the tech specialists at SoyaCincau.com, which include Alex, Hanif, Chapree, Putra, Sam, Aisyah, and Duke, have assembled a selection of the finest devices launched in 2024, bestowing them with Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards.

Of course, we had to outline certain criteria to help refine our nominees. Hence, only models introduced between November 20, 2023, and November 1, 2024, were eligible. Moreover, nominated devices needed to still be available for purchase, ruling out any limited edition or one-off items.

Now, without further delay, we present to you, SoyaCincau Awards 2024: The Best Devices of the Year:

Explore the remaining awards

After you finish going through this list, don’t forget to check out our other selections for SoyaCincau Awards 2024!

Laptop of the Year

Bronze: Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel)

Let’s get straight to the point; the rationale behind selecting the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED as the Bronze awardee for our Laptop of the Year category is that it stands out as one of the finest productivity laptops we’ve tested this year, irrespective of the operating systems.

First and foremost, it provides remarkably good battery longevity, allowing it to last the entire day, even leaving adequate power for some YouTube and Netflix watching sessions post a full day’s work. Indeed, it closely rivals the super-efficient MacBook Air within the Windows domain.

This efficiency is likely due to the Intel Core Ultra processors it utilizes, which operate far more adeptly than its earlier chip sets.

Equally essential for any, and we stress ANY, productivity laptops is the variety of I/O ports provided. This device includes a variety of USB-C, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, 3.5mm audio, and even USB-A ports, rendering it a highly practical productivity laptop.

Moreover, as indicated by its title, the 14-inch OLED screen found in the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, specifically a resolution of 2880 x 1800p arranged in a 16:10 format, is merely the cherry on top.

If you are accustomed to the standard IPS LCD displays in your laptops, including MacBooks, the vividness and authentic deep blacks offered by this OLED screen will undoubtedly leave you in awe.

Discover the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Intel) on Shopee and Lazada.

Silver: Asus Vivobook S 15 OLED

The Asus Vivobook S 15 OLED marks the debut of laptops utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor. Compared to other laptops equipped with the same chip, the Vivobook S 15 OLED is distinguished by its incorporation of IceCool thermal innovation.

This empowers the SoC to function at 45W, resulting in a 31% increase in performance compared to rival models. Additionally, this device achieved a superior benchmark score relative to the M3-powered MacBook Air 15.

Nevertheless, that still isn’t the most commendable feature of this device. That accolade belongs to its battery longevity. A member of our team relied on this laptop for daily tasks, and it lasted three whole days.

Finding Windows laptops with such extensive battery life is uncommon. In case that’s still not sufficient, the Asus Vivobook S15 is compatible with battery inputs ranging from 5 to 20V. You can even charge the laptop with a powerbank,

however, we suggest utilizing one that delivers a minimum of 90W to guarantee that the power input exceeds the power being consumed.

Another aspect that drew us to the Asus Vivobook S15 is that even though it features a 15-inch screen, its overall dimensions feel more akin to those of a 14-inch laptop, largely due to its slender bezels. In terms of the display, it boasts a 3K OLED panel with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate.

Overall, the Asus Vivobook S 15 OLED is not only high-performing but also offers impressive battery longevity, an OLED display, and a “premium” selection of I/O ports, making it worthy of the Silver accolade in the Laptop of the Year category. By the way, if you’re considering purchasing one, be informed that it retails for RM6,299.

Explore the Asus Vivobook S 15 OLED on Shopee and Lazada.

Gold: Asus ZenBook Duo

Though the dual-screen design of the Asus ZenBook Duo may initially appear as a novelty, we highly encourage you to give it a try. Once we experienced its adaptability in a fairly portable design, we were won over. The main draw for many users opting for a multi-monitor setup is the enhanced multitasking capability it offers.

Just imagine bringing that enhanced experience wherever you go with the ZenBook Duo. You’ll find tasks becoming simpler, work transforming into more productive processes, and overall efficiency increasing. Thanks to the integrated kickstand, you can modify the angle of the screens to achieve the perfect position. However, Asus didn’t just add a secondary display without purpose.

The displays are dual 14-inch 3K OLEDs with a 120Hz refresh rate, supported by an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 155H in our variant. Asus has also incorporated its own software enhancements atop Windows to facilitate the multi-screen experience, allowing for quick app organization across various sections of the displays or transitioning apps between them.

We must confess – the selling price of RM11,099 is certainly a considerable expense, especially considering the lack of a discrete GPU.

expressed, we believe that the influence of the ZenBook Duo on efficiency is invaluable.

Explore the Asus ZenBook Duo on Shopee and Lazada.

Gaming Device of the Year

Bronze: Pico 4 Ultra

With a price tag of RM2,799, the Pico 4 Ultra provides an outstanding virtual reality adventure without overwhelming your finances. As a self-sufficient VR headset that requires no high-performance computer, it serves as a multifunctional device ideal for both work and leisure.

Our crew has been utilizing it to engage in sports games on All-in-Sport VR — staying active and adopting a healthier lifestyle without stepping out of the office. After gaming sessions, the headset’s dual displays convert into a virtual working environment, featuring a fluid 90Hz refresh rate. Equipped with the advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon CR2 Gen 2 processor, the latest SoC for VR headsets, it performs tasks effortlessly.

Discover the Pico 4 Ultra on Shopee and Lazada.

Silver: Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM

This was a challenging choice as the Asus ROG Swift OLED and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 are quite closely aligned. However, ultimately, we opted for the Asus ROG Swift OLED due to several notable advantages.

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This monitor features enhanced full-screen brightness and peak HDR luminosity, ensuring that your gaming experience remains vivid and colorful, even in well-lit environments. Furthermore, Asus incorporates a screw thread at the upper section of the stand, simplifying the attachment of accessories such as streaming cameras or lighting equipment.

A convenient feature is the USB C port located on the ROG Swift OLED, which accommodates up to 90W USB PD output and Display Port capabilities, enabling a single cable connection between your laptop and the monitor.

As previously mentioned, the distinction between the two models is minimal. Nevertheless, we believe that the additional functionalities of the ROG Swift OLED enhance its practicality.

Explore the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM on Shopee and Lazada.

Gold: Asus ROG Ally X

We view the ROG Ally as a groundbreaking advancement in portable gaming devices utilizing the Windows operating system. Although alternatives like the Steam Deck and other comparable options have existed for some time, Asus has adeptly positioned this gaming tool within mainstream appeal.

The already remarkable ROG Ally has received enhancements with the introduction of the ROG Ally X. It now features a substantially larger battery, allowing for considerably extended gaming sessions. The RAM has been upgraded to 24GB with faster modules. Additionally, it incorporates a new joystick module alongside a more resilient D-pad.

Responding to gamer insights, Asus has also integrated an additional USB port with Thunderbolt 4 capability. This not only boosts the iGPU’s functionalities but also accommodates more accessories.

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Consequently, we have designated the ROG Ally X as the benchmark in portable gaming.

Explore the Asus ROG Ally X on Shopee and Lazada.

Smartwatch of the Year

Bronze: Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro

The Huawei Watch GT5 Pro may lack as many intelligent capabilities as the average Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch available in Malaysia, nonetheless, it boasts a significant benefit that resonates with most individuals – battery longevity.

With Always-On Display activated, along with a host of health monitoring features like heart rate, blood oxygen, ECG, and skin temperature sensors operational continuously, it can still endure for up to a week. This is a significant improvement compared to the 1 to 2 days of battery performance typical of Apple and Google Pixel watches.

Additionally, if you’re in search of a smartwatch that appears sophisticated, the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro fulfills that requirement excellently, showcasing an elegant design that vaguely reminds us of the Tag Heuer Carrera series.

Have we not highlighted that the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro stands out as the sole timepiece on this list compatible with both Android and iOS? Talk about being the “mediator”.

However, it should be noted that the remarkable battery longevity mentioned earlier is achievable due to the absence of more sophisticated features such as third-party app compatibility, payment applications like Google Pay, as well as a convenient voice assistant. This is why we had to position the Huawei Watch GT5 Pro

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below the Apple Watch Series 10 and Google Pixel Watch 3. After all, it’s vying to be the top smartwatch, isn’t it?

Explore the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro on Shopee and Lazada.

Silver: Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm

Let’s be honest, the inaugural Google Pixel Watch did not precisely achieve success. Yet, the brand quickly learned from those mistakes and provided us with a more refined and reliable smartwatch through the Pixel Watch 2. Nevertheless, one problem persisted, a crucial one – battery longevity.

Once again, Google recognized its responsibility and presented us with a resolution, in the shape of the Google Pixel Watch 3, particularly with the expanded 45mm variant, marking a first for the company, which had previously offered both of its initial two generations of timepieces in a single 41mm case size option.

Even with the Always-On Display feature activated, the 45mm Google Pixel Watch 3 easily endured for a full two days. This, combined with its excellent smartwatch and fitness monitoring functionalities, positions it as one of the finest comprehensive smartwatches available for Android users. For that reason, we believe it merits its place as the second-best smartwatch of the year 2024.

Discover the Google Pixel Watch 3 45mm on Shopee and Lazada.

Gold: Apple Watch Series 10

I recall looking for the “ideal” wearable gadget nearly ten years ago that could effectively offer both smartwatch and fitness tracking functionalities. Yet, in practice, they often thrived in one area and faltered in the other.

Although still not without flaws, the Apple Watch evolved into that wearable device, at least from the Series 2 onward (the original Apple

Watch was a fiasco).

What elevates the Apple Watch Series 10 to the top position in our Smartwatch of the Year category this year is not solely its proficiency in smartwatch and health and fitness functions; it also performs these tasks consistently.

I’ve never faced an instance where my Apple Watch disconnected from my iPhone inexplicably, and the unification of the devices is an effortless procedure as I have never had to navigate to my phone’s settings to establish the connection with the watch.

The reliability, combined with the outstanding health and fitness tracking functions of the Apple Watch Series 10, now augmented with the introduction of sleep apnea monitoring, solidifies its status as the winner of the SoyaCincau Awards 2024 Smartwatch of the Year category.

Nonetheless, it would be remarkable if Apple could develop a smartwatch that works with Android, even though it’s evident that this is highly unlikely.

Explore the Apple Watch Series 10 on Shopee and Lazada.

Headphone of the Year

Bronze: AirPods 4 with ANC

The initial response from many of us at the SoyaCincau office when we first experienced the AirPods 4 featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) was “wow.” This is due to the fact that, despite its open-style design, the level of ANC provided far surpassed our expectations.

One of our coworkers who utilizes a first-generation AirPods Pro daily mentioned that the AirPods 4 equipped with ANC muffles external sounds more effectively in comparison. Keep in mind that the AirPods Pro are in-ear devices!

Similar to other AirPods, the AirPods 4 featuring ANC provides fairly impressive clear and balanced sound output. They aren’t the pinnacle of audio quality, especially when evaluated against similarly-priced rivals, but they suffice for the majority of users who aren’t audiophiles.

Ultimately, the peculiarly named AirPods 4 with ANC are not the ideal earbuds. Nonetheless, the ANC functionality they offer, coupled with their seamless integration with other Apple devices, positions them among the most remarkable true wireless earbuds we’ve experienced this year.

Discover the AirPods 4 furnished with ANC on Shopee and Lazada.

Silver: CMF Buds Pro 2

While CMF’s audio offerings are categorized generally as budget earbuds in comparison to Nothing’s audio range, the CMF Buds Pro 2 presents an authentically remarkable experience—in a very positive way.

The audio performance of the CMF Buds Pro 2 is outstanding, producing robust bass and clear articulation of vocals and instruments. While the bass may not be excessively precise and might occasionally seem a bit unclear, when considering the price bracket, the overall audio quality is quite pleasing.

Nonetheless, it’s not merely the audio that makes an impression. The active noise cancellation (ANC) functionality in the CMF Buds Pro 2 operates exceptionally well, successfully shielding the user from ambient sounds. Moreover, the microphones ensure clear call clarity. These earbuds are comfortable to wear and feature an IP55 water-resistance rating, making them apt for physical activities.

A remarkable aspect of the CMF Buds Pro 2 is its distinctive charging case design, which features a rotating dial. This is not merely a gimmick—it also serves as a practical control for the earbuds, simplifying usage while providing the case with a unique appearance.

By providing extraordinary sound quality and ANC capabilities at a competitive price, CMF has established a remarkable product in the CMF Buds Pro 2. Consequently, we have bestowed upon it the silver medal in this year’s headphone category.

Explore the CMF Buds Pro 2 on Shopee and Lazada.

Gold: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Upon the launch of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, there was some disappointment as Samsung chose to move away from the distinctive bean-like design of its earlier models in favor of a more standard stalk design similar to Apple’s AirPods. Nonetheless, it is recognized that the stalk shape tends to be the more ergonomic alternative.

Leaving design aside, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro comes with an upgraded 2-way speaker system featuring a planar tweeter and double amps, providing high-fidelity sound with low distortion. The battery life is commendable, offering up to 6 hours with ANC active, while the charging case offers additional juicing, prolonging total playback duration to 26 hours with ANC.

Among the remarkable functionalities of the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is its adaptive noise control, driven by Galaxy AI, which fine-tunes to your surroundings for ideal noise elimination. Additional functionalities include Live Translate and Adaptive EQ, offering tailored sound and convenient real-time translations, respectively.

Although a Galaxy device is required to access most software features, the Galaxy Wearables app for Android ensures all supported capabilities can be utilized on any device. When considering all its advantages, it rightly assumes the leading position on this list.

Explore the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro on Shopee and Lazada.

Device of the Year

Bronze: Pico 4 Ultra

We have awarded the Pico 4 Ultra as our Bronze choice for Device of the Year for multiple reasons. To begin with, VR headsets are infrequently refreshed compared to smartphones, which receive yearly iterations. The initial Pico 4 debuted in 2022, indicating that this latest version is a significant upgrade.

Secondly, the item is now officially presented in Malaysia, featuring post-purchase assistance from the manufacturer. This signifies that anyone interested in delving into virtual reality can buy it with assurance. In contrast, while the Meta Quest provides a headset with comparable specs, it is available only as an import. Warranty service is restricted to the seller, and any problems necessitate sending the device back overseas to its original vendor.

Lastly, the cost is quite affordable. At only RM2,799, the Pico 4 Ultra transcends beyond gaming—it also serves as a proficient productivity device.

Discover the Pico 4 Ultra on Shopee and Lazada.

Silver: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

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You may be questioning whether we mistakenly recognized the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N as the second place winner in the Gadgets of the Year category. No, it was intentional, as it stands out as one of the most captivating and exciting gadgets we’ve encountered this year.

In addition to being an incredibly potent sporty SUV/hatchback with 609hp and 740Nm of torque thanks to its dual motor AWD configuration, the Ioniq 5 N can also engage in playful features such as mimicking the sound of a 2.0-litre turbo engine akin to a petrol-powered hot hatch, complete with pops and bangs, and clutch kicks.

The vehicle also delivers shifting jolts, mimicking the response of an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) under its hood.

Furthermore, the Ioniq 5 N is equipped with a variety of performance options for you to explore, which include N Drift Optimizer, N Torque Distribution, N Launch Control, and M Grin Boost.

Gold: Asus ZenBook Duo

Asus ZenBook Duo?! Gadget of the Year 2024? DEVICE? Well, reflecting on it, a gadget facilitates you in performing a specific task with ease. Thus, under that premise, the ZenBook Duo’s design enables a multitude of tasks to be accomplished effortlessly.

Do you need to review a document with a client? Simply lay the laptop flat and duplicate the document on both screens. Looking for a broader display for your presentation? Extend the content across both screens, granting you a combined 19.8-inch workspace. Asus has also developed specialized software that converts the lower screen into a digital control panel, replete with dials, sliders, and controls for interaction with compatible applications.

Additionally, you can connect your other technological devices to this laptop, turning it into a central hub. And true to the essence of any gadget, it’s portable, allowing you to carry all these capabilities wherever you go.

Thus, when you consider…
“`at the ZenBook Duo from this viewpoint, it genuinely stands out as one of the most captivating and remarkable devices of 2024.

Explore the Asus Zenbook Duo on Shopee and Lazada.

Conclusion

Selecting three devices for each category proved to be significantly more challenging than choosing smartphones or tablets, mainly due to their overwhelming quantity. Nevertheless, we placed our top picks into the fray and stood by them. For 2024, we can confidently declare that Asus excelled in the laptop segment and clinched the title of Gadget of the Year because, although they carry a higher price compared to their rivals, they triumphed in facets where cost plays a lesser role, such as aesthetics and allure.

For the first instance in SoyaCincau Awards history, Samsung did not secure a position in the top 3 for Smartwatch of the Year, making room for new entries like Huawei and Google. By relinquishing its iconic rotating bezel, we believe that the Galaxy Watch 7 is nothing more than another smartwatch. That being said, Samsung still maintained its reign in Headphone of the Year, and the same can be stated for the ROG Ally regarding Gaming Device of the Year.

What are your thoughts on our winners? Do you concur with our choices or believe we made a mistake? Share your opinion in the comments, and don’t forget to peruse the rest of our SoyaCincau Award victors.