Gadgets
Review: ASUS ROG Flow X13 (GV301)
The new ASUS ROG Flow X13 is the company’s ultra-slim gaming laptop that measures just 15.8mm thin and weighs just 1.3-kgs.
As soon as we took it out of its packaging, we were quite surprised at how thin the laptop was. This 13-inch gaming laptop comes with a 360-degree hinge, which ASUS calls Ergolift.
DESIGN
This hinge lets you use the laptop in multiple form factors to fit your needs. You can use it in the clamshell mode for the usual laptop usage. You can also flip the screen all the way to the back to use it as a tablet. In addition, you can even switch it to tent or stand modes to increase cooling that according to ASUS, lowers processor temperatures by up to 8°C.
And the Flow X13 looks pretty! You get textured lines across its surface for added grip for easy carrying. We also liked the fact that it has the metallic ROG badge on it, which makes it even cooler to look at. The ROG Flow X13 also supports the ROG XG Mobile external GPU, which is sold separately.
CONNECTIVITY
In terms of connectivity, you get plenty. On the left edge, you get a ROG XG Mobile interface, one HDMI 2.0b port, the 3.5mm audio combo jack, the activity LED and the power LED. On the right edge, you get one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports which come with DisplayPort 1.4 + PD support, and the power button, which also doubles-up as a fingerprint reader.
Around the edges of the Flow X13, you will find plenty of cooling vents to keep the device cool, even during your intense gaming sessions. The laptop also comes with two Speakers and a Smart Amp, with support for Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos. In terms of battery, you get the 62Whr variety and ASUS bundles a smaller power adapter rated at 100W. The charger uses the USB-C connector to charge up the device.
DISPLAY
As soon as you open the top lid of the laptop, you come face to face with a 13.4-inches UHD touch display that offers an aspect ratio of 16:10. The screen offers a refresh rate of 60Hz, is Pantone validated, and comes packed into 4.9mm slim side bezels. For extra protection from drops or scratches, the display is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass. You also get a webcam on top of the display that offers a resolution of 720P.
Everything displayed on the Flow X13’s screen looked awesome. You also get the ASUS Pen inside the box, which is bundled along with the Flow X13. Since the display is protected with Gorilla Glass, you don’t have to worry about scratches when you tap, swipe, and scribble on it. The ASUS Pen offers a smooth stylus action whether you’re sketching, writing, or just jotting down on the screen.
SPECIFICATIONS
Under the hood, the ROG Flow X13 is powered by AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor with Radeon Graphics, running at a clock speed of 3.30GHz. You also get 16GB of LPDDR4X 4266MHz Dual Channel RAM, and 1TB of M.2 2230 PCIe SSD storage. The laptop is also equipped with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth v5.2 wireless connectivity.
The 15-inch keyboard on this 13-inch laptop comes with curved keys that make typing on it a breeze. The keys offer a 1.7mm travel distance that allows for effortless keystrokes. The keyboard also comes with a white backlit that offers better visibility of the keys under low-light conditions.
PERFORMANCE
The performance offered by the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is top-notch, especially for a gaming laptop this thin and light. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, coupled with 16GB of RAM, lets you run graphics-hungry applications with ease. Even CPU-intensive workloads such as video editing and 3D rendering become effortless.
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For a price of AED 6999, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 seems like a very good deal, considering the form factor it is available in. It is thin, light and is also a gaming laptop. It also comes packed with an outstanding specs sheet, which offers brilliant overall performance. If you are a road warrior who is heavily into content creation or hardcore gaming on the go, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 won’t disappoint.
Price: AED 6999
Photography by Ranbir Sen
Gadgets
Huawei to Launch Next-Generation Foldable Smartphone at Dubai Launch Event
Huawei is set to host a highly anticipated launch event in Dubai this December, where the company will unveil several innovative products that promise to redefine the tech landscape. The event marks a pivotal moment for the brand, unveiling groundbreaking products like the HUAWEI Mate X6, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4, and HUAWEI nova 13 Series. The new products will set new benchmarks for design, functionality, and user experience in the mobile and audio markets.
As Huawei continues solidifying its position as a leader in the tech industry, this launch will underscore the company’s expanding influence in international markets. Huawei’s latest flagship foldable, the HUAWEI Mate X6, will be unveiled during the Dubai launch. The phone is expected to redefine the future of foldable smartphone technology. It is among the company’s most advanced foldables to date. The Mate X6 is expected to take mobile photography to new heights, building on Huawei’s legacy of pioneering smartphone cameras of the Mate Series.
Besides the Mate X6, Huawei will unveil its next-generation audio products, including the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4. These earbuds will be the first to feature HUAWEI SOUND, offering an immersive audio experience. They will also include AI-driven noise reduction technology, designed to isolate the wearer’s voice during calls while eliminating environmental noise. This feature significantly enhances call quality, particularly in noisy environments.
Consumers can also look forward to the launch of the HUAWEI nova 13 series, a new midrange smartphone that brings a unique interweaving design and an array of exciting features. The nova 13 series offers significant upgrades over its predecessors, including enhanced camera capabilities, a performance boost, and more. The new HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 will also deliver a paper-like experience, perfect for light office productivity, efficient learning, and everyday tasks.
The Dubai event, scheduled for the 12th of December, will mark the global unveiling of Huawei’s several innovative products. The MEA market is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions for technology, and Huawei is committed to strengthening its regional presence. By continuing to introduce groundbreaking products, Huawei is positioning itself to shape the future of mobile technology while reinforcing its role as a global tech powerhouse.
Gadgets
PS5 Anniversary Update Intros Retro Themes Celebrating Every PlayStation Generation
Sony has delighted gamers with a nostalgic surprise to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. In addition to retro hardware that quickly sold out, Sony has released a software update that adds classic boot screens and themes for each generation of PlayStation console. Upon launching the update, users will be prompted to select their favourite generation, with options ranging from the PS1 to the PS4.
This update changes the PS5 dashboard’s menu colours and sounds to match the chosen console’s user interface. Additionally, players can explore other themes through the new “PlayStation 30th Anniversary” item in the settings menu.
However, these themes are available only for a limited time. Sony has not specified when they will be removed, but the decision to make them temporary has raised some eyebrows. While creating a perception of scarcity or avoiding clutter in the settings menu might be strategic, it could be seen as a missed opportunity to let users permanently enjoy the nostalgic themes.
This isn’t the first time Sony has indulged in retro charm. A decade ago, during PlayStation’s 20th anniversary, a free theme transformed the PS4, PS3, and Vita to reflect the PS1’s look and startup sound. As Sony celebrates three decades of gaming excellence, fans are once again treated to a trip down memory lane.
Gadgets
Apple to Retain Titanium Frame for iPhone 17 Pro Series, Says Leaker
According to a recent leak from Weibo user “Instant Digital,” next year’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will retain their titanium chassis, contrary to earlier reports suggesting that Apple might shift to aluminium for its 2025 lineup. The Information’s Wayne Ma had previously indicated that Apple’s flagship iPhone 17 Pro models could be the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminium frame since the lineup’s split into Pro and non-Pro models.
Historically, high-end iPhone models used stainless steel frames until the iPhone 15 Pro introduced a titanium chassis, which was touted as a significant upgrade. However, Ma’s report suggested a return to aluminium for the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Instant Digital, however, disagrees, stating on Weibo (via machine translation), “Of course, the iPhone 17 Pro will still use titanium. Why would anyone believe it would switch to aluminium? Think about it — it’s just not possible. Looking back at recent iPhone models, Apple has consistently emphasized the premium frame materials of the Pro series as one of its key selling points, from ‘surgical-grade stainless steel’ to ‘titanium.’ If they switched to aluminium, how could they even market it?”
The Weibo leaker’s claims, however, lack verification from supply chain information, and Ma’s report details a significant design change involving an aluminium upper back with a rectangular camera bump made of aluminium instead of traditional 3D glass, while the bottom half would remain glass to support wireless charging. Apple has a history of introducing and then discontinuing breakthrough features in its iPhones. For example, the 3D Touch feature introduced with the iPhone 6s in 2015 was phased out with the iPhone 11 in 2019.
Despite Instant Digital’s mixed accuracy record with Apple rumours, the leaker has made some accurate predictions, such as the Yellow iPhone 14 launch in 2023, the frosted back glass on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, the minor refresh for the Apple Watch Series 9, and other notable features. The iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in the fall of 2025, featuring new display sizes, a rumoured ultra-thin model, and ProMotion displays across the lineup. As always, the anticipation for Apple’s latest innovations continues to build.
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