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Hongzuo’s top picks at Comex 2022

By Liu Hongzuo - 1 Sep 2022

Hongzuo’s top picks at Comex 2022

Vivo booth at Comex 2022.

To say that Singaporeans are starving for a physical IT fair is an understatement. 

With the crowd clamouring to snag brochures and flood the floors of Comex 2022 (happening between 1 to 4 September 2022 at Suntec Convention Centre Level 4, Halls 401 to 406), it can get quite difficult to source noteworthy deals and promotions scattered across the exhibition.

In here, we look at some of the eye-catching best buys and products across brands that carry smartphones, gaming peripherals, custom mechanical keyboards, and adjustable desks – with some audio gadgets thrown in the mix.

Listings are arranged in alphabetical order. Note that the deals might differ from what we’ve seen, as the booths are always free to adjust their bargains to entice you even further.

If you prefer doing your own brochure research, you can head on to our Tech Show Portal for more tech show content.

 

1. ASUS ROG PG259QNR gaming monitor

ASUS ROG PG259QNR (bottom left).

This 24.5-inch Full HD (1080p) IPS LCD HDR gaming monitor (bottom left) has a neck-breaking 360Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for gamers who rely on lightning-quick reflexes to clinch a win. It’s also NVIDIA G-Sync ready, so you'll still get a butter-smooth experience even when your card can't maintain the full 360FPS. 

Originally priced at S$1,199 (no desk clamp mount) and S$1,299 (with desk clamp mount), you can get it off the Comex 2022 show floor at just S$999 and S$1,099 respectively. Payment and collection are made on the spot. It’s located at Booth G2-03 (Hall 406).

Read our coverage here.

 

2. Cooler Master CK721 RGB mechanical Bluetooth keyboard

Cooler Master’s CK721.

Do you need a mechanical keyboard that also works wirelessly? Cooler Master’s CK721 might suit your needs.

It offers a 65% keyboard layout with RGB backlighting, a durable aluminium top plate, and a choice between red, blue, and brown TTC mechanical switches. Wireless connectivity can be done via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth 5.1, and it has a 2,000mAh battery with 73 hours of battery life (LED off).

It’s now at S$129 (originally at S$169) over at the Cooler Master stand (Hall 406). 

 

3. Google Pixel 6a

Google Pixel 6a.

The Google Pixel 6a is a mid-range alternative in Pixel 6’s lineup, with some key differences save for the following two important bits.

It has the same chipset as its flagship counterparts Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, and it has the same operating system as their more expensive brethren, stock Android 12. 

Originally at S$749, Google’s very own booth (yes you read that right) at Booth 8175 has it S$699 with a free Fitbit Charge 5 (worth S$288), free Pixel 6a case (worth S$49), and assorted #TeamPixel merchandise that consist of a tote bag, water bottle, and stickers.

Read our review here. 

 

4. Logitech G G502 Lightspeed Wireless gaming mouse

Logitech G's G502 Lightspeed Wireless.

The G502 Lightspeed retains its 16,000 DPI sensor, 11 customisable buttons, and 114g body. But, it packs support for its PowerPlay Wireless charging mouse pad. Basically, it’s a wireless gaming mouse that charges by itself if you leave it on its mouse pad. Yum. Taking it off the pad confers 48 hours of battery life, with all its fancy lights powered on.

Originally at S$249, it now retails at S$149 over at Logitech G’s booth (Hall 406). 

Read our coverage here.

 

5. Mash custom mechanical keyboards

Mash.

Custom mechanical keyboards need no introduction to HWZ readers, but here’s a quick rundown for folks who are new to the scene. You pick a preferred keyboard base with your preferred key layout, along with a mechanical switch type and brand of your liking, and pretty keycaps to match your aesthetic. Your objective is to create a keyboard that not only looks good, but also feels good to you.

At Mash’s booth (Booth 8555), you can pick between four layouts (65%, 75%, 96%, TKL) across different brands for its bases. There are also eight types of switches to choose from, with 19 keycap designs to tickle your fancy. 

Page 1 of Mash brochure.

Mash brochure Page 2.

For S$139, you can get a Tecware Veil 87 base with a choice between two Jelly switches and different keycaps. 

 

6. Mecha custom mechanical keyboards

Mecha.

Mecha, which self-proclaims as Singapore’s first custom mechanical keyboard store, is located at Booth G1-02 (Hall 406). They have four different layouts (65%, 75%, 96%, TKL), at least 14 different types of mechanical switches, and at least 10 different keycap designs.

You can assemble your own keyboard at the booth, starting at just S$229 for a KBD67 Lite base with switches and keycaps included in the price.

 

7. MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD gaming monitor

MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD.

If 99% Adobe RGB colour reproduction matters just as much to you as headshots in your favourite shooter game, the MSI Optix’s Quantum Dot IPS LCD gaming monitor might just be up your alley. 

This 32-inch 4K resolution monitor has VESA DisplayHDR 600, a response time of 1ms and a 144Hz refresh rate, with support for HDMI 2.1 and an adjustable stand to sweeten its all-in-one positioning. 

You can find it among all the GamePro distro stuff (Booths at Hall 406) at S$1,599, which is S$100 off its usual S$1,699 retail price. Payment is made on the spot, with an option to collect and carry or to have it delivered home.

 

8. Noble Desk Duke Series

Noble Desk Duke Series.

The Duke Series from Noble is a new addition to its ergonomic/gaming table lineup. The tables come in two sizes: 120x60cm, and 150x75cm.

In a nutshell, the desk’s built-in lights can sync with your PC’s, with front-facing fibre optic lights and back-facing LEDs. On the desk is an integrated USB hub with both Type-A and Type-C ports, a cup holder, a separate headphones holder, and 10W wireless fast-charging pad to the tabletop’s left. Finishing off its featureset is a built-in anti-collision feature for the adjustable version.

The non-adjustable version starts at S$349 (originally S$379) while the adjustable one starts at S$479 (originally S$509). If you get the adjustable one, it even comes with free delivery, free installation, and a free desk organiser (supposedly a calendar-notebook combo). 

Find out more at Noble’s exhibit (Booth 8515).

 

9. Omnidesk Ascent ergonomic table

Omnidesk Ascent.

We’ve covered the Omnidesk Ascent table before, so we’ll just quickly tell you its key features. It has a built-in controller with a ton of features (four presets, height adjustment, vibrating alarm, and more) on top of a companion app for even more customisation. It also has a self-detecting sensor with anti-collision properties so you won’t accidentally lower/heighten the desk beyond what you might have around the furniture.

It now starts at S$748 (black or white MDF wood with powdered coating, 48x30inches), down from its original S$1,308 price tag. If you do what they want you to do at their booth (follow their socials etc.), you get on-site extended warranty of 10 total years, a free cable management bar (worth S$79), and free flat-pack delivery to your dwelling (worth S$50). 

Find them at Booth 8545.

Read our coverage here. 

 

10. Osim uThrone V Transformers Edition gaming massage chair

Osim uThrone V Transformers Edition.

Is it a massage chair, a gaming chair, or an Autobot? 

It’s all three. 

The Osim uThrone V Transformers Edition is a triple-threat flex by the massage chair veteran. Besides conventional “gaming chair” ergonomics, it has V-Hand Technology, which is its proprietary massage programming. Why? Because they can.

It retails at Comex 2022 at just S$899 (original price S$1,599) with one-year warranty. If you’re willing to pay via BPNL provider Pace, you can get an additional S$100 off and an extra year of warranty. Find them at their exhibit (Booth 8220).

 

11. Prism+ PG320 Ultra gaming monitor

Prism+ PG320 Ultra.

The PG320 Ultra by Prism+ offers 32 inches of 4K resolution display with 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, thanks to its choice of IPS LCD panels. It’s also adjustable with tilt, swivel, and a height adjustment stand.

It’s originally priced at S$1,999, but you can get it at S$1,199 if you’re willing to use BNPL service provider Atome to make your payment. Each purchase also grants a single chance at Atome’s lucky draw. Free delivery of the monitor requires two to three working days.

Find it Prism+’s booth (Booth 8540).

 

12. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G (foreground).

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G starts at its usual S$1,398 (128GB), but buying one at Comex 2022 nets you a S$200 Samsung e-voucher, 50% off two-year Samsung Care+ Screen Care protection at S$119, and (gasp) a free 25W travel charging adapter worth S$28.

The Flip4 itself has several minor refinements over its predecessor, which we have covered in great detail in our review here. If you've read it, you'll understand why the travel charging adapter comes as a surprise to us.

Many of Samsung's mobiles (ranging from its mid-range Galaxy A series to its high-end Galaxy S stuff) are also peddled at Comex 2022 with similar offers. You can find Samsung at Best Denki (Booth 8155) and Planet Telecom (Booth 8433).

For a limited time, purchasing any Samsung Galaxy smartphone together with a Razer Kishi V2 lets you redeem Razer-related merchandise. Shoppers would need to bring their Samsung Galaxy proof of purchase to Razer at GG Playfest (Hall 406) to also purchase the Kishi V2, and receive the free swag therafter.

 

13. Singtel throws a free Samsung 4K TV into its 2Gbps Mesh Plan

Singtel.

Looking to renew your home Internet plan? Singtel is giving away a free 43-inch Samsung AU7000 (4K Smart TV) if you're signing up for its 2Gbps Mesh Plan (priced at S$72.90 per month). 

That's hardly the only offer at Singtel, with other things like S$650 off contract-bundled phones and 100GB of 5G mobile data at S$30/month for the first six months. All of Singtel's promotions can be found online before you decide to go to its exhibit at Booth 8245.

 

14. Secretlab’s S$290 off selected chair models

Secretlab's S$290 off selected models. The chair models. Not the chair model.

Secretlab, as you would expect, has tons of options. At Comex 2022, it’s running a series of promotions, with an eye-catching S$290 off its Secretlab Classic Napa Leather chair (centre, seated). 

Other promos include S$145 selected Secretlab Classics from its Prime 2.0 PU Leatherette and Softweave Fabric range, and up to S$180 off select Titan EVO 2022 seaters. The NeueChair (located behind the same booth) is offering up to S$115 off select models as well.

To sweeten the deal, Secretlab also offers same-day flatpack delivery (self-assembly) and free chair care wipes (worth S$59) if your total purchase is S$700 or above and are made before 5PM on the show floor. Limited delivery slots are available. Find them at Booth 8515 (around Halls 404 to 405).

 

15. Sonicgear Studiopod V-HD reference desktop speakers

Sonicgear Studiopod V-HD.

Sonicgear’s foray into high-fidelity audio brought them to the Studiopod V-HD desktop-sized reference speakers. It’s 2.0-channel (left and right), with 160W total output power (loud!), with support for Bluetooth and Aux In, RCA x2, Coaxial and Optical Inputs. There’s a remote control included in the package. Plus, it looks very friendly for younger listeners.

Since it’s Sonicgear’s attempt at high-fidelity audio, we suggest you head down to its booth (Booth 8001) to give them a spin and make your own judgements. It’s retailing at S$249 (originally S$399) at Comex 2022.

 

16. SteelSeries Arctis Pro with GameDAC headphones

SteelSeries Arctis Pro (GameDAC not pictured).

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is a wired pair of gaming headphones compatible with PlayStation (PS4 and PS5) consoles and PC gaming. What’s included is a physical digital-to-analogue audio converter called GameDAC, which gives users even higher audio fidelity that’s nearly on par with audiophile-grade sound. In fact, it’s even certified for Hi-Res Audio.

This gaming headphones-and-DAC combo retails at S$320 at Comex 2022, down from its street price of S$459. You can find it at the SteelSeries exhibit (Booth G3-05 in Hall 406). 

If you prefer wireless headphones, they have the Arctis Pro Wireless (no DAC) at S$429.

 

17. Vivo X80 Pro

Vivo X80 Pro.

The Vivo X80 Pro flies against the face of its original X-series brand positioning. What used to be a lineup that only had flagship-lite phones at best is now dethroned by the X80 Pro. It’s 5G-ready, packs a 1440p display, a fat 4,700mAh battery, IP68 water resistance rating, and a proper current-gen flagship-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor within. 

Originally at S$1,699, the Vivo X80 Pro retails at Comex 2022 for just S$1,599 with free gifts worth S$250 in total (a hand soap, phone case, 50W wireless charging dock, a ring holder, and a water bottle). Find them at their booth (Booth 8430).

Read our coverage here.

 

18. Xiaomi 12 Pro

Xiaomi 12 Pro.

Xiaomi has a ton of consumer electronic gadgets, but the Xiaomi 12 Pro caught our eye among all the things they had. Not because it has a flagship-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, nor is it because of its 1440p AMOLED display.

It’s because the Xiaomi 12 Pro has a listed price of S$1,349 (12GB RAM + 256GB storage), but the Xiaomi folks will only tell you what their promotions and offers are if you show up at their booth. Oddly secretive, but a deal’s a deal. Find them at Booth 8535.

 

 

Don't forget to catch all of our Comex 2022 coverage at our Tech Show Portal where you’ll also have access to the full brochure listing, interesting articles, and more

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