SoyaCincau’s Ultimate Gadget Gift Guide 2015

Alas, 365 days of 2015 is close to meeting its end but before we celebrate New Year’s, there’s much gift giving to be done. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, there’s bound to be some presents heading your way and we’d like to help narrow down the tech gifts that you should be giving to your loved ones.

We broke the list down by price range, so each budgetary buyer will be free to choose according to what they’ll be able to afford. There’s some great deals in the list, so be sure to look out for those as well; ensuring you get your money’s worth.

Before we get carried away, let the gift searching begin!

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Aha, with every gift guide, there must be some great hidden gems that are affordably priced. The following list could very well make someone’s month, while still not costing a bomb.

 

3 in 1 universal clip on smartphone camera lens – RM 16

Selfies have moulded a generation and most of our pictures on social media are utilising the front cameras on our smartphones but no matter which sensor; rear or front, these 3 clip on lenses are surely to add a little extra to your photos.

Make group shots easier with that wide angle lens, get up close and personal with that macro lens or go crazy with that hemispherical imagery through the fisheye lens. Whatever it is, make sure you take lots of photos during the holiday season.

Where to buy?
Lazada

 

Virtual Reality Cardboard – RM 20 and up (multiple choices)

This year YouTube finally rolled out for all their videos to support the cinematic experience that is Cardboard VR. What is that you ask? It’s basically another means to view your content.

Content that takes a smartphone and a VR viewer that allows you to get a “virtual” view of what you’re watching. There’s also a 360-degree mode, that essentially allows you to turnaround (while wearing the headset) and see everything around you.

A freezing mountain adventure; an underwater dive; Lion King the musical and it doesn’t stop there – just ensure your smartphone fits in the cardboard model that you pick up.

Where to buy?
11street

 

SanDisk USB OTG Dual Drive 32GB – RM 45.30

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Are you missing a microSD slot on your smartphone? Well here’s an alternative method to store more of your media, an OTG thumb drive that lets you transfer files between your smartphone and other devices.

A handy little thing that’ll help expand your minimal storage and small enough to let you take it with you whenever you need to, what’s not to love?

Where to buy?
11street

 

Mi Powerbanks 10000 mAh (RM 59) or 16000 mAh (RM 89)

Everyone has been through those awful moments when your devices hit the dreaded 20% battery mark, though you’d expect that by now most people would have a powerbank handy. At least in an emergency, it’ll get you out in a pinch. Xiaomi powerbanks have been known to provide a good product at a really decent price. Even as the Ringgit stumbles across the exchange – so make sure you take advantage of these amazing little battery packs while they stay affordably priced.

Where to buy?
10000 mAh

16000 mAh

 

Mi Band – RM 69

Before the Mi Band, you’d be crazy if you could find a fitness tracker that’s so affordable – yes, you could consider the Pivotal Living but you’d have to pay US$ 15 (RM 65.60) on top of their yearly subscription cost of US$ 12 (RM 52.45), which by our records, is more expensive.

Sadly, Malaysia hasn’t received Xiaomi’s second iteration of the smartband, the Mi Band 1s but you’ll still get 30 days of battery life, sleep, step and calorie tracker; incoming notifications and funky band colour options.

Where to buy?
Xiaomi Malaysia

 

Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro – RM 79

*Smartphone sold separately*

IEM or in-ear monitors or headphones or earphones, regardless of you want to call them, Xiaomi outed their 4^th attempt at making audio equipment and this time, they’re touting it to be comparable with more expensive options.

They gave us a sneak-peak together with some Mi Fans recently and we’d say that the Kevlar and metal composition on these earbuds were really nice, probably adding to the durability at the same time. We’d also easily recommend them for the sound quality that they are able to produce – you can chuck your Apple Earpods away, like right now.

Where to buy?
Xiaomi Malaysia

 

Joby GorillaPod Magnetic Tripod – RM 89 + RM 5 shipping

Rated as one of the best flexible tripods out there, the Magnetic GorillaPod by Joby has (as the name suggests) three magnetic feet that are flexible and can contoured in whatever manner you want to get your perfect shot. It’s portable too, weighing in at 45.3grams and able to support devices up to 325grams.

Where to buy?
Ipmart

 

iflix 1-year subscription – RM 96 (RM 8 x 12 months)

Netflix and chill, or iiflix and chill for us Malaysians – sexual innuendoes aside, media consumption is crazy these days. It’s either you’re on Facebook, watching a quick clip; on YouTube, checking out the latest tech reviews; or (illegally) downloading a torrent, hoping to watch an unedited movie or TV series.

International paid streaming sites are popular too but unless you have a paid VPN, choices are pretty limited. That said, iflix is your best bet in getting movies and TV shows, albeit having content that’s slightly behind when compared to what’s being currently shown in the States.

Gifting this subscription is tough though, since there’s no option to buy a gift-card, you’re stuck with either using an e-mail address that belongs to the person you’re presenting this to, while signing up or make an e-mail account specially for that reason and passing them the login details.

Where to buy?
iflix Malaysia

 

Logitech G100s Optical Gaming Mouse – MSRP RM 99

Okay these aren’t Razers or SteelSeries mice but Logitech does a decent job at making gaming mice. While not the creme dela creme of the gaming world, the G100s is reasonably well-rated on Amazon and for this price, it’s worth it.

The optical track laser allows you to move around in 250 – 2500 dpi (dots per inch) and the buttons supposedly have been tested up to 20 million clicks before not performing as it should. The mouse also comes with a 3-year warranty so you can rest easy.

Where to buy?
Logitech Malaysia

 

Logitech F310 Gamepad – MSRP RM 99

With holidays come free time and when you’re not stuffing yourself silly or spending time with loved ones, gaming should be on your mind. Depending which side of the coin you fall on: PC master race or console gaming only, if you’re on the former but still prefer a gaming controller, Logitech has some great gamepads.

You’re getting a familiar package since has the same button layout as a PlayStation controller but they’re all programmable. Connected by a 1.8 meter cable, you can also opt for the wireless option but it’ll cost you double.

These controllers are also capable with some Android TVs, switching between your PC and Android OS TVs using the controller switch underneath. You’ll also get the same 3-year warranty on the controllers, lasting the same lifetime of a top line gaming machine if needed.

Where to buy?
Logitech Malaysia

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Logitech K380 Multi-Device Portable Bluetooth Keyboard – MSRP RM 149

Ever needed a bluetooth keyboard that you can easily bring around? Look no further as this wireless keyboard is multi-platform/cross-platform compatible – Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, Android and iOS.

Choose to pair up to three devices and easy-switch your way between them by clicking three dedicated buttons to instantly type whatever you need to in a hurry. Providing the power for this typing machine are 2 AAA batteries that by Logitech’s estimates will get you 2 years of battery life.

Where to buy?
Logitech Malaysia

Alternatively if you want something more permanent you can look at the K480 model that includes a stand for your smaller devices – MSRP RM 179

 

Google Chromecast (old generation) + 1-year free iflix subscription

Google’s dongle that attaches itself to any HDMI port on a screen and lets you project your media onto the big screen. Choose from YouTube, iflix, Netflix (if you have a VPN) and etc, and heighten your viewing experience by blasting it to your 42-inch TV in your living room, or go all the way and plug it into a projector for a fully fledged movie night.

You do have to note that the Chromecast only works with TVs that have HDMI-CEC settings enabled. For your reference it’s called something different depending on the brand. Samsung calls it Anynet +, LG calls it Simplink, Sony calls it Bravia Link, Toshiba calles it Regza Link and Panasonic calls it Viera Link.

Where to buy?
Lazada Malaysia

 

Spotify Premium 1-year subscription – RM 178.80

Everyone knows what Spotify is, if you haven’t, ask Taylor Swift. She pulled all her music from the streaming site due to “not getting paid enough”, so if you’re a Swiftie, best look elsewhere.

For everyone else, Spotify is a music streaming service that allows you to access music on your smartphone, tablet, PC or PS4. If you’ve used the free app, you’d probably become familiar with those annoying ads that disrupt your listening experience.

With the paid subscription, you’ll get an uninterrupted listening while also allowing you to choose whatever song you’d like to play (this is absent on the free-smartphone version). Spotify thankfully allows you to gift subscriptions and you can choose from 1, 3, 6 or 12 months through one payment, there’s currently a workaround to get a cheaper price for the first 3 months but it’s slightly long-winded – feel free to ask us if you want to save some money and read about the offer here.

Where to buy?
Spotify Malaysia

 

Kingston HyperX Cloud Core Gaming Headset – RM 198.80

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Rated highly by a panel of reviews on thewirecutter.com, Kingston’s HyperX Cloud Core Gaming Headset offers one of the best comfort ratings and sound quality for the best price. As far as gaming goes, you’ll be spending some long hours at your computer desk and when you’re having something on your ears for such a long time, it better be comfortable – otherwise it’s just going to be a painful experience.

Durable in nature by being made out of aluminium, it has a removeable microphone, some interchangeable earpads and even boasts volume and mute controls.

Where to buy?
11street

 

Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Mouse – RM 300

This mouse just works, even on glass. Throw anything at it and it’ll track your cursor just fine. It performs on any surface thanks to its darkfield laser tracking technology. Pairing gets done through either Logitech’s Unifying Receiver or via Bluetooth Smart connectivity.

Like its keyboard counterpart, this mouse also lets you choose between three devices in a switch of a button. It charges via micro-USB and its 500 mAh battery gets up to speed pretty quickly. Logitech claims you’ll get one hour of usage by just charging it for 1 minute, while a full charge will get you two months of use.

Where to buy?
Logitech Malaysia

Alternatively if you want a cheaper option, here’s the older generation model, the MX Anywhere Mouse.

For gaming? Opt for the G502 Proteus Core from Logitech – MSRP RM 279

 

OtterBox Mobile Device Cases (smartphones and tablets) – RM 100 to RM 300+

Have a friend or family member that fumbles their devices around a lot? Have they cracked an iPhone or two in their lifetime? OtterBox has got you covered with their wide array of cases that’ll save you from a drop, splash or anything more extreme – depending on the case you pick out.

They offer cases for almost every mainstream smartphone and there are many styling options that you can choose from. Some will cater to the everyday user while some are more for the adventurous and more dangerous environments.

Where to buy?
Lazada Malaysia

Alternatively, check out products on their asia website (delivery is free for Malaysia)

 

Beyerdynamic MMX102iE – RM 249

At this price, these earbuds are a steal and you can take a look at how the folks at Tested went through 100 over types of in-ear monitors to finally come to the conclusion that the Beyerdynamic’s was the best bet.

It has a universal remote that’ll work with both iOS and Android, a microphone for those voice calls, but it lacks volume controls though. They’re also light, produce some good sounds and are quite comfortable.

These buds are slightly bass heavy and don’t present a great reference for monitoring but overall the package is quite worthwhile.

Where to buy?
Jaben Malaysia

 

Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1TB 2.5” Portable Hard Drive – RM 253

Have you played into the trap of having too many files? Are you a hoarder when it comes to movies, songs and TV shows? Take a look at the Backup Plus Slim; one of the fastest read/writing speeds of a normal SATA drive and it’ll give you one of the most competitive storage sizes / per ringgit.

The drive itself is powered through micro-USB, so there’s no mess of extra power cords and it’s pretty straightforward – just plug and store whatever you need.

Where to buy?
Lazada Malaysia

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Xiaomi Redmi 2 – RM 399

At this price, nothing comes close to what this Xiaomi smartphone provides. A 4.7-inch HD (1280 x 720) display, a Snapdragon 410 processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable storage. While its shutters are an 8-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front, just enough for some spur of the moment photography.

Paying RM 399, you’re also getting Dual-SIM 4G LTE and a 2200 mAh battery. Given a choice between a feature phone and this, we’d rather save up a bit and get this instead. It’s also available in two colours: white and dark grey.

You can find more info about the Redmi 2 here but keep in mind you’re getting the basic version, if you’ve got a little more to spend, consider getting the Enhanced version at RM 529.

Where to buy?
Xiaomi Malaysia

 

Logitech Z506 Surround Sound Speakers – MSRP RM 449

A 6-piece set up that features analog surround sound, the Z506 speakers from Logitech are one of the most affordable options out there. Be warned, if you’re not good at cable management this 6-piece wonder is gonna be really bothersome, with cables running from each individual module into the subwoofer base.

This will definitely be a permanent edition to your desktop desk and while so many cables might scare you, everything is colour coded to ensure a worry and stress free time when setting up. There’s no controller so make sure you have the two front speakers and subwoofer easily reachable to change any controls. Also, make sure your sound card is capable of supporting this system that gets a thumbs up by most tech sites and amazon reviews.

Where to buy?
Logitech Malaysia

 

Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Wristband – RM 450

What sets Fitbit apart from the Mi Band recommended in the lower budget level is the app UI, functionality and styling options. As it is, the Flex will get you a step, calorie and distance counter, sleep tracking, silent (vibration) wake alarm and minutes spent active.

Once fully charged, it’ll get you 5-days of battery life, and with each passing day, the closer you get to your goal, the more LED lights will be lit on the device itself. Available in 5 colour options (black, slate, red, navy and lime green), you shouldn’t have a problem choosing which suits you. For an extra RM 165, you’ll get a 3-pack of hot-swappable wristbands too.

Where to buy?
Harvey Norman Malaysia

 

Audio Technica M40x Headphones – RM 489.72

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Look for headphones under US$ 100 and you’ll likely come across this pair. The Audio Technica name comes with a lot of recognition and these live up to the hype. They won’t double as monitoring headphones but they come really close.

Out of the box the M40x’s come with a really cool leather-like carrying pouch and two detachable cables – one coiled and one straight. A short step down from the M50x’s if you have enough cash make sure you look into those as well.

Where to buy?
Jaben Malaysia

 

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones

Germany has knack for producing some great quality headphones, with Beyer, Koss and Sennheiser just some of the few most well recognised brands out there. Critics favour these pair of over-ear headphones but tend to recommend them more for studio use rather than everyday listening though maybe you could make an exception?

They refer to it as a comfy, powerful and an accurate pair of audio equipment but it still lacks a key thing to have – detachable cables.

Where to buy?
Ipmart

 

Corsair Strafe Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – RM 499

104 fully mechanical keys will make its way on this wonderful keyboard. Corsair has existed since 1994 and you’ll be sure to get a great product. What warrants that exorbitant pricing? Well there’s some sort of satisfaction while typing a mechanical keyboard, the tactility and feedback you get when pressing down on these keys are something that’s only worth explaining through experience.

At half a 1000 Ringgit, you’ll be paying for either Cherry MX Reds or Browns, you can check out videos on key-switch comparisons here.

Where to buy?
Heavy Arm U-Garage Store, SS15, Subang Jaya

 

UE BOOM – RM 499 (if you purchase two)

This Bluetooth speaker packs a punch and comes highly recommended by tech sites around the world. You can find our review of them here. Sizing in slightly longer than a can of Coke, you’ll be able to port around this super loud speaker easily in your bag or hang it by its included D-ring.

Logitech, the parent company of Ultimate Ears are currently running a special end of the year sale on the UE BOOMs. Basically if you were to purchase it before, it would’ve ran you back RM 799 but now if you purchase two, it’ll only be RM 499 each. At the same time, they’ve also discounted the price for a single unit, now only RM 599.

Where to buy?
Our UE sale post

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Western Digital My Cloud 2TB / 3TB / 4TB – RM 600 / RM 680 / RM 780

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Cloud storage, an option that most of us prefer to have. Be it Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud. Whatever your poison, Western Digital has their own spin on storing your files in the cloud.

Link up the My Cloud White at any location and make sure it has a working connection to beam all your files onto a secure WD server, login anywhere in the world to gain access. What about losing files that you forgot to backup? There’s a flexible automatic backup option built in, that’s compatible with any Windows or Mac computer.

For more info, head on over here.

Where to buy?
Lowyat Forum. Alternatively, check out your neighbourhood IT malls for the most competitive pricings.

 

Jabra Sports Coach – RM 649

Since the end of the year brings about a sudden rush of fitness fanatics ready to take on their resolutions, what’s more fitting than a pair of bluetooth earphones that will coach you to get in shape? Meet the Jabra Sports Coach, a sweat proof wireless headset that’ll come with intelligent audio coaching – mainly for cross training exercises.

Pair up your smartphone through NFC or Bluetooth and track all those useful stats that you’ll need with the inbuilt Trackfit motion sensor. The device is readily available in Blue, Red or Yellow. Read about it here.

Where to buy?
ALL IT, Harvey Norman, Machines and Viewnet Computer Systems.

 

FitBit Charge HR – RM 690

The Charge HR gets you everything the Flex does and more. It adds a display large enough to tell the time, has auto sleep detection and tells you the number of floors  you’ve climbed through its altimeter sensors. Best of all, it has an optical heart rate sensor, allowing you to track performance while exercising. It’s also sweat-proof and water resistant (some reviewers have used it while taking a shower but we don’t recommend doing this)

You’ll be able to choose 3 colour options, the normal black, blue and tangerine if you want to add some spice in your wardrobe.

Where to buy?
Harvey Norman Malaysia

Alternatively, if you want something a little higher up that has GPS tracking, look at the Fitbit Surge (RM 1,080), their flagship wearable tracker.

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 AP SET – 16GB (RM 699) / 32GB (RM 899)

Metal maketh man, okay, we butchered that movie quote but here is Xiaomi’s first smartphone and it has all the bells and whistles that you need. It packs a Helio X10 processor, a huge 4,000 mAh battery, a rounded rear fingerprint sensor, dual-SIM 4G LTE and 802.11ac WiFi, among other great internal specifications.

Where to buy?
DirectD

 

Apple TV – 16GB (RM 729) / 32GB (RM 949)

More power, better multi-tasking, a revamped operating system and better specs. Apple’s new set top box could be the perfect living room companion. Play your games and watch all your content, while controls are handled by the new Siri remote (Malaysians won’t be able to use it though).

Where to buy?
Apple Malaysia

 

ASUS VivoWatch – RM 799

A non-Android Wear wearable that uses e-ink? If that didn’t rub you or whoever you’re gifting the wrong way, this the waterproof (IP 67) VivoWatch from ASUS might tickle you in all the right spots.

It’ll be quite similar to other available wearables in the market – Fitbit and Pebble to name a couple. Mainly because it uses a non-colour display, but usage of that particular technology allows it to last up to 10 days without a charge, bettering Apple and Samsung smartwatches by a long shot.

As mentioned earlier, it isn’t an Android Wear device, but it still plays nice with Android smartphones, as well as iOS devices.

Where to buy?
ALL IT Hypermarket

 

Mi Air Purifier – RM 799 (first generation – bigger but more powerful) / RM 599 (second generation – compact and more efficient)

You can never be too cautious of air quality in Malaysia, especially when the impending haze will hit us sometime next year, again. Place one of these bad boys inside your house and you’ll have less to worry about, at least when concerning the health of your loved ones.

Best of all, everything is smart, meaning that you’ll interact with the Air Purifier(s) through dedicated app. It’s also smart enough to realise when you’re near home, switching it on before you reach your door, keeping the air in your home less polluted.

Where to buy?
Mi Air Purifier via DirectD

Mi Air Purifier 2 via DirectD

 

Star Wars BB-8 Droid by Spero – RM 849

The Force is growing and with the latest Star Wars movie hitting the big screens around the world, what would be more fitting than a BB-8 Droid to provide company while you’re away from a loved one. They won’t be fighting the Imperial Army or the Sith Order but this cute miniature droid is more than just something you’ll throw at your cat.

Being a droid, you can control it remotely or let it do its own thing in autonomous mode – after it has fully scanned your home. The BB-8 will even respond to commands and listen to every Jedi order you have for it, yes, through voice recognition. Learning as it goes, the Droid has an adaptive personality, while not rivalling those in the Star Wars series, still is pretty cool.

Where to buy?
Machines Malaysia

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Google’s Nexus 6P – RM 2,698

Huawei teams up with Google to make one of the most highly anticipated Nexus devices to date. Enjoy some of the best specs and most up to date software on this 5.7-inch phablet.

Itchy to find out what this device offers and how Marshmallow operates? Check out our review here.

Where to buy?
Vmall Malaysia

 

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ – RM 3,099

Samsung’s biggest curved edge to edge display smartphone has been a hit and people haven’t stopped raving about it. A bigger AMOLED screen has mostly everyone swooning and its shortcuts on those tapered sides are really helpful.

It also gets a QHD (2560 x 1440) display, Samsung’s Exynos 7420 and 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage makes its way inside, ensuring that this flagship will last a good extra year before being considered an “old” smartphone.

Where to buy?
Locate a nearby store here.

 

BlackBerry PRIV – RM 3,559

Need security and a slide-out keyboard in your life? The PRIV might just be the particular Android smartphone you were looking for.

Priced really out of the world, it’ll take a lot of convincing or obsessiveness for you to purchase this for someone. But hey, if they need a BlackBerry, we guess it’ll be hard for them to adapt to anything else.

Where to buy?
Currently only exclusively sold under contract via Celcom and though 11street‘s online store

 

Apple iPad Pro – RM 3,599 to RM 4,899 (optional Pencil – RM 469 and Smart Keyboard – RM 799)

This 12.9-inch tablet can do it all but it won’t replace your laptop. It’s basically a very powerful huge tablet. Once you’ve added the other add-ons, it’ll allow you to draw, sketch, edit and type your way to more content.

Where to buy?
Apple Malaysia

 

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – RM 3,999 to RM 9,799 (additional RM 529 for the Type Cover)

Work, play, and entertain, make someone’s year by gifting them Microsoft’s latest Surface. At 12.3-inches, it’s large enough to be a laptop but light in the same sense to be a tablet. Choose from core M processors all the way up to i7, depending on what you’ll use it for and make use of the Surface Pen, if you’re handy with your penmanship/drawing skills.

Where to buy?
Harvey Norman Malaysia

 

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Drone – RM 5,431 (US$ 1,259)

Aerial drones, no longer machinery available only for cinematic experts, as they’ve become more accessible for the regular consumer. If you’re looking for another tool in your video/photo-taking arsenal, the Phantom 3 Professional is one of the best video-enabled drones out there.

Built with a 4K enabled camera on board, this sick flying machine can produce that said quality at 30 frames per second and take 12-megapixel stills too. The camera that sits under the drone’s body also has a 3-axis stabilisation gimbal, so no turbulence is gonna shake out your videos.

Whoever you’re buying this for will also get Live HD View, a feature that allows you to beam what the camera sees onto a phone or tablet in real-time, through the app. Don’t worry about the learning curve to man the Phantom 3 either, since many have said that their easy to fly, with the included joystick controller. And a beginner mode walkthrough will take you through the paces, if you’re really uncomfortable.

Where to buy?
DJI Online Store (yes, they ship to Malaysia direct)

 

TAG Heuer Connected – RM 6,471 (US$ 1,500)

Here’s your best bet at a status symbol smartwatch, nothing is going to come close to this Tag Heuer smartwatch. An Android-Wear Swiss timepiece that’s made from titanium has a 46mm diameter watchface, it ups the level of how luxurious a smartwatch can be.

That’s if you manage to get your hands on it – since demand has been high and online orders have been discontinued.

Where to buy?
Locate a nearby Tag Heuer boutique here.

 

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BMW i8 – RM 1,188,800 OTR (w/o insurance)

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If you need to make up for a grave mistake or just have too much money that you don’t know what to do with, go all out and get the techiest car you can at the moment, the BMW i8.

Imagine rolling up in the passenger seat of this car to a holiday party or rather being a passenger in the car that you gifted. It’s a hybrid too, and if you absolutely need another Wallbox/charging station, it’ll cost you another RM 10,000 – don’t worry one is already included.

Where to buy?
Locate a nearby BMW dealer here.