Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Preview

With the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event just around the corner, Samsung have decided to whet our appetite with what we can expect from their latest range of devices and technological advancements. 

Turning a photo from day to night in seconds. Restoring missing parts of objects in images – like a bite taken out of a cake. Seamlessly merging multiple photos into a single, cohesive result. These are the kinds of creative capabilities that once required professional skills or hours of editing. Now they’re about to become possible in minutes, directly from a phone, by simply asking in your own words.

That’s the next evolution of the Galaxy camera: an end-to-end experience with the brightest Galaxy camera system ever as the foundation.

 Mobile cameras are moving beyond capture alone and the latest Galaxy AI experiences bring advanced creative capabilities together in one intuitive place, unifying capture, editing, and sharing into a seamless experience. The result is a more fluid creative process – eliminating the need to switch between apps or navigate complex tools, so creativity feels faster, simpler, and more natural.

At the core of this evolution is the belief that creativity should not be limited by technical skill or experience. From shooting to editing, the phone camera has quietly redefined what’s possible. Now anyone can create cinematic movies, track stars across the night sky, or capture richly detailed photos – even in low light. And with natural, multimodal input, editing becomes as easy as using a few words to express what you have in mind.

Stay tuned for the easiest and most user-friendly Galaxy camera experience yet, unveiling next week at Galaxy Unpacked February 2026.

Monday Choon: John Newman - Love Me Again (Again)

 

This one is for all those FIFA fanboys, as we know the legendary Football game by Electronic Arts has had some stellar playlists over the years featuring great artists with tracks that become cult classics. FIFA 14 introduced us to the voice of John Newman with his track "Love Me Again" fast forward 12 years and John has decided to re-release the track as "Love Me Again (Again), bringing a fresh new beat and sound to the track, giving it a progressive house vibe and bass line with an energetic piano play stealing the show on this one. Turn up the volume and let nostalgia take over. 

Bucket Seat: Renault Kiger

Renault has refresh the looks on their Kiger and was launched late last year, like the Triber, the differences are just cosmetic with the underpinnings and power plant remaining the same as the previous model. The Crossover Coupe styling has always been a favourite of mine, with it sharing the same platform as the Nissan Magnite, I found that the Renault version just looked better on the road. The design changes of the new model give the Kiger a more streamline and mature. The interior remains virtually the same and unfortunately so does the build quality. Here are my thoughts on it after spending a week with the Kiger. 

DESIGN

The updated Renault Kiger doesn’t reinvent itself, but it certainly refines what was already a distinctive design. Compared to the outgoing model, the front end feels more assertive, with a revised grille and updated Renault badging that give it a cleaner, more modern identity. The LED lighting signature looks sharper and more premium than before, while subtle bumper revisions add visual width. It still carries that high-riding, compact SUV stance that South Africans love, but now it does so with a bit more polish. Down the sides, the familiar sculpted body lines remain, yet new wheel designs help freshen up the look. The rear styling benefits from cleaner detailing, and overall the Kiger now feels less like a budget-focused crossover and more like a properly resolved compact SUV. It still turns heads for its coupe-inspired roofline and contrasting roof options, but the facelift gives it just enough visual maturity to stay competitive in a very crowded segment.

PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet, the Kiger manual continues with the naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. On paper, outputs remain modest, and that translates directly into the driving experience. Around town, however, the engine feels perfectly adequate. It’s light on fuel, easy to manage, and well suited to daily commuting. The throttle response is predictable, and in urban conditions the Kiger feels nimble and unintimidating. Once you venture onto the highway, though, you become more aware of its limitations. Overtaking requires planning, and you’ll need to work through the gears to extract the most from the small engine. It’s not slow in a dangerous way, but it’s certainly not eager. This is a vehicle designed for efficiency and affordability rather than performance. The five-speed manual gearbox complements the engine’s character. The clutch is light enough for daily traffic, and the shift action is straightforward and easy to get used to. It isn’t particularly slick or sporty, and at times the shift feel can be slightly notchy, but for the target market it does the job without fuss. For buyers who still prefer the engagement and control of a manual transmission, especially at this price point, it remains a sensible and cost-effective choice.

COMFORT

Step inside and you’ll immediately notice that Renault has worked to make the cabin feel more refined than before. The updated trim finishes and dual-tone interior give it a fresher, more upmarket ambience. While hard plastics are still present, as expected in this segment, the overall layout feels neat and modern rather than cheap. Seat comfort is commendable for a vehicle in this class. The front seats offer decent support for longer journeys, and the elevated seating position gives you that SUV-like sense of command over the road. Rear passengers benefit from surprisingly good space, especially considering the Kiger’s compact footprint. For young families or small households, it strikes a practical balance between size and comfort. Noise insulation also feels improved compared to earlier versions. Engine noise is noticeable under hard acceleration, which is typical of a three-cylinder motor, but at cruising speeds the cabin remains reasonably composed. The infotainment system, centred around an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims, adds a layer of modern connectivity with smartphone integration, making the Kiger feel current and competitive in daily use. One of the Kiger’s strongest attributes has always been practicality, and that continues with this updated model. The boot space is genuinely impressive for the segment, offering around 405 litres of luggage capacity. That figure places it among the leaders in the compact SUV category in South Africa. Whether it’s weekly groceries, school bags, or weekend luggage, the Kiger handles it with ease. The rear seats fold down to expand cargo capacity further, making it surprisingly versatile for road trips or larger loads. Cabin storage is also well thought out, with multiple compartments and cup holders adding everyday convenience. For buyers who need maximum practicality in a compact footprint, the Kiger delivers far more space than its exterior dimensions suggest.

VERDICT

In the context of the South African market, where affordability, fuel efficiency and practicality remain key decision factors, the Renault Kiger manual makes a compelling case for itself. It doesn’t pretend to be sporty or premium, but it offers honest value. The design updates keep it looking fresh, the interior improvements enhance daily comfort, and the generous boot space makes it especially appealing for families. The naturally aspirated engine paired with the manual gearbox is best suited to urban and suburban life rather than high-speed highway driving. Buyers who prioritise spirited performance may find it lacking, but those looking for a reliable, economical and well-packaged compact SUV will appreciate what it offers. Ultimately, the Renault Kiger manual remains one of the most sensible and practical entry points into the compact SUV segment in South Africa. It’s not about excitement — it’s about smart ownership, everyday usability and strong value for money.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1L N/A 3 cylinder
Gear Box	5-Speed Manual
Power	53kW
Torque	96Nm
Average Fuel Consumption	6.5L per 100km (as tested)
Price	R329,329

Bucket Tech: Haier now in SA

Haier, which has ranked No.1 in Euromonitor International’s Global Major Appliances Brand Retail Volume for 17 consecutive years, has officially launched in South Africa, introducing a premium range of smart, energy-efficient home appliances tailored to the needs of modern South African households.

Guided by the vision of “More Creation, More Possibilities”, Haier is committed to delivering innovative products and solutions that enable better living for users worldwide and support sustainable industrial development in collaboration with ecological partners. Through its entry into South Africa, Haier aims to combine globally proven technologies with localized products and services to better serve local consumers.

Why South Africa

South Africa represents a strategically important market within Haier’s global expansion, driven by ongoing urban development, increasing household electrification, and a growing demand for energy-efficient and reliable home appliances. As consumer preferences continue to shift toward smarter living solutions and higher-quality home experiences, expectations for product performance, sustainability, and after-sales service are rising across the market.

Haier’s entry into South Africa reflects a long-term commitment to addressing these evolving needs. By leveraging its global innovation capabilities together with localized products and service systems, Haier aims to contribute to improved living standards while supporting the modernization of household lifestyles nationwide.

Product Highlights

Haier’s initial product range in South Africa will be available through major retail partners and includes:

• Smart inverter refrigerators, offering efficient cooling performance, smart diagnostics, and modern design.
• High-efficiency washing machines, designed to save water, protect fabrics, and operate with ultra-low noise.
• Heat pump tumble dryers, delivering up to 50% energy savings compared with conventional dryers
• Smart air conditioners, featuring intelligent climate control, air purification, and whisper-quiet performance.

Commitment to Service

In addition to its product portfolio, Haier has established a comprehensive after-sales service ecosystem in South Africa to ensure long-term customer confidence and satisfaction. This includes a national service network, authorized installers in major metropolitan areas, a 48-hour response target, comprehensive spare-parts availability, and extended warranty options.

Monday Choon: John Grand - Feel The Love

 

Feel The Love opens with warm chords and uplifting momentum, balancing radiant melodies with a sense of forward motion designed for both club floors and open-air moments. Hear You Calling follows with a deeper, more melodic touch, pairing John Grand’s and Daijan’s refined production. With regular DJ support from Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, Andrew Rayel and Tritonal, John Grand continues to cement his place within the global progressive landscape, delivering a release built for peak-time sets and melodic journeys alike.

Bucket Seat: Leapmotor C10 REEV

I'll be honest, I cannot keep up with the various Chinese brands that are entering our market and I'm in the motoring space, so I can only imagine how the general consumer feels. It's like over the last year, there's just been a sudden influx of brands that we have never heard of popping up. Some are affiliated or are sub-brands of well known Chinese manufacturers that have a really good footprint and some are just totally new. For my first test car of 2026, I had one of the latest brands give me a car to spend some time with, and it was from "Leapmotor". Founded in 2015 in Hangzhou China, they are now the third largest new energy vehicle startup in China, having sold over 400,000 EV's in China as of July 2024. So over year has passed since that last stat, so that number has grown exponentially since then. The Financial Times calls them a "no-frills" EV maker", with offerings cheaper than their Chinese counterparts BYD which helped them gain market share in China, catching the likes of Tesla and soon BYD. Now while the SA market is still getting accustomed to the Chinese offerings, let alone EV's, Leapmotor which is partly owned by leading global automobile group Stellantis, they've taken the decision to introduce the C10 REEV, which is a petrol hybrid model medium SUV to the market. Offering locals a test of their EV technology but the safety net of a range extender petrol engine. After spending a week with the car, here are my thoughts on this latest addition to our market. 

DESIGN

When the C10 cruised into my driveway, I was surprised at the size of it, as I was expecting something a bit smaller, sort of the Corolla Cross size but this was substantially bigger, about the size of the Audi Q5, if not a bit bigger. The clean design reminded me of the Geely which I saw late last year of which the lines are similar but with their own added flair. There aren't many ridges or edges but rather smooth flowing panels with subtle and soft curves that make the car look futuristic and elegant. It is a handsome looking car, I cannot deny that, the front LED headlights sit recessed into the front facia almost making it look like it was carved into the the body work. The slim grille that connects the two headlamps provides a subtle break in the body work with a straight edge difusser to make the front face more pronounced. There is a curvature to the bumper that folds into the body which just adds more character. The profile of the car is sleek with recessed door handles that continue the minimalist look with a black badge protruding from the front just above the wheel arch with the Leapmotor branding on it. The 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are standard on the "Design" version of the C10 are really eye-catching. The rear is more of what you expect, clean, smooth and a solid light bar that runs across the back with a design very similar to that of the Porsche Cayenne. In fact, at a quick glance of the rear, some might mistake it for the German sports SUV. 

PERFORMANCE

While Leapmotor are known for their EV's in China, the C10 REEV is a PHEV, meaning it has an electric plug in motor as well as an internal combustion engine but while most PHEV's use the electric motor as a slave with the master being the ICE, with the C10 its the opposite. If you have enough charge, it will use the electric motor for most part of your drive. Hence giving you a total range with a full tank of fuel and fully battery of 970km! The switch over from petrol to electric is seamless and only can be felt on the highway when extra power is required where the all too familiar groan of the CVT kicks in. The dual power plants are broken into a 158kW electric motor that punches our which is rear wheel driven that has a 28.4kwh battery and gives you a pure electric range of 145km on a full charge. The ICE part of the car sits up front with a 1.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that has 63kW and 125Nm of torque, this is the sort of engine you'd find in a small C-Segment car. It has a 50L petrol tank so quite big but don't ask me how to open the fuel car for it as I'll explain that further in the next paragraph. The vehicle feels solid and steady on the road, with minimal body roll and extremely smooth on most surfaces. The steering wheel is light and rear active making easy work of controlling this big car on the road. I didn't take it on any gravel road but I feel with its raised suspension and big profile tyres, it would make light work of it. 

COMFORT

The C10 is big, its spacious, its futuristic and most importantly, its comfortable. Like most of the Chinese cars, the brief for the interior seems to be standard "Big infotainment screen in excess of 10-inches, small instrument screen behind the steering wheel, little to no buttons, and floating center console with hard to reach USB ports". I get the whole futuristic thing but there's certain things about the C10 that annoyed me, a lot. For starters, the key, its an NFC card that only unlocked and locks the car from the driver side mirror. It had no proximity sensor which also means that there isn't comfort access for opening the tailgate when you are carrying a lot of things in your hands. With the cover on the car, it also made it tricky to get the card to read on the mirror. Once in the car, the second thing that annoyed me, was adjusting the side mirrors, no physical buttons meant going into the menu on the massive display screen, when you eventually find the sub-menu to adjust the mirrors, you have to use the little dials on the steering wheel to move the mirrors on either side. Extremely frustrating especially when you are trying to do this while driving. Then comes the climate control, works like a charm, dispelling even Durban's harsh humid conditions but when you want to change the direction of the airflow, you met with another conundrum, there isn't any physical lourves to adjust, how do you do it? Yes, you guessed it, its on that magic big screen, granted this one was much easier to access and it was pretty cool to just move your finger to show which direction you want the the air to go but all of that doesn't compare to the biggest gripe I have with the car, THERE IS NO MOBILE APPLICATIONS! Yes, no Apple Car Play, no Android Auto! in 2026?! Really?!!!! Well enough of the complaining, lets talk about the nice things, the seats were ultra comfy and have heating and ventilation, the ambient lighting is subtle and has a nice "rhythm" feature which changes colour to the beat of the music you are listening too. The electric seats are quite nice to use and easy to save for driver memory. The panoramic roof is large and the tint lets in the light without the heat. The driving safety sensors are not as pedantic as the other Chinese cars. The infotainment screen is easy to use and the vehicle menu gives you quite a comprehensive breakdown on the driving stats but I wish it had a graphic to show you when you are using the electric motor and when you are using the petrol engine. 

VERDICT

For it's first model to hit the roads in South Africa, the C10 REEV is a decent offering, the thing that will appeal to most is the range of the car. 970km is quite impressive and the overall package is nice apart from those few grips I shared about, but I realised I forgot two more, to start the car, you need to place the NFC card on the wireless charging mat while pushing on the break, while it worked most of the time, some times I found myself fighting with the car to start. The car has a premium feel to it which I loved, the design is different to what we are used to and looks more on the sophisticated side instead of being brash and in your face. The drive is great and I'm sure on long distances it will perform extremely well. While some in the industry said they feel this car was rushed, I think it was just short-sightedness from the brand to not see what the local market liked and adapted that to their offering but they rather chose to just give us what they think we wanted, or hoped we would ignore those short-comings with some fancy things. The price tag for this model is quite high, with it being just shy of 800K, so it's hard to ignore those factors when you are paying European money for something coming out of China. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5L N/A 4 cylinder  +28.4kWh electric motor
Gear Box	Automatic CVT
Power	158kW + 63kW
Torque	320Nm + 125Nm
Average Fuel Consumption	6.1L per 100km (as tested)
Price	R799,900

 

Bucket Tech: OPPO Reno 15 Series

Last week OPPO announced the South African launch of the Reno15 Series, bringing the Reno15 Pro and Reno15 F to customers nationwide from 7 February.

Building on one of OPPO’s most established and recognised device ranges in South Africa, the Reno Series enters its next chapter with the Reno15. The latest generation brings refined design, improved display and camera performance, and a premium mid-tier experience that delivers real value, while keeping pricing steady at a time when smartphone prices are rising across the market.

“South Africa is an important market for OPPO, and the Reno Series has built a loyal following here because it delivers the experiences people care about most,” says Jace Chen, CEO of OPPO. “With Reno15, we’re pushing design, imaging and performance forward, while remaining disciplined on pricing in a challenging global market.”

Premium mid-tier experience, done properly

Designed for both work and life, the two Reno15 models available locally are slim and comfortable to hold, with large AMOLED displays and smooth 120Hz refresh rates that make everything feel fast and fluid. 

The Reno15 Pro features a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with an impressive screen-to-body ratio and rich, vibrant colours, making streaming, gaming and scrolling a pleasure. The Reno15 F offers a larger 6.57-inch AMOLED display with the same smooth performance and vivid visuals, delivering a premium viewing experience across the range.

Imaging remains at the heart of the Reno experience

The Reno15 Pro introduces OPPO’s most advanced camera system in the Reno lineup, led by a 200MP main camera, supported by a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical portrait zoom and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. A 50MP ultra-wide front camera ensures detailed selfies and group shots, while a wide range of shooting modes, including 4K video, Dual-View Video and Underwater Photography, support both creativity and everyday capture.

The Reno15 F delivers a versatile camera setup designed for confident everyday photography, featuring a 50MP main camera, ultra-wide and macro lenses, and a 50MP ultra-wide front camera. Across both models, OPPO’s AI-powered imaging features, including AI Portrait Glow, AI Motion Photo, AI Eraser 2.0 and built-in video editing tools, make it easier to capture, refine and share content quickly and naturally.

Performance & battery that keep pace

The Reno15 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8450 chipset, delivering smooth performance for multitasking, gaming and content creation. With up to 12GB of RAM expandable to 24GB, up to 512GB of storage and OPPO’s AI HyperBoost 2.0 technology, the device stays responsive under sustained use. A 6,200mAh battery paired with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging ensures reliable all-day power. 

The Reno15 F is equipped with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform and a larger 7,000mAh battery, also supported by 80W SUPERVOOC charging, delivering dependable performance and long-lasting battery life. 

Both devices feature IP69-rated durability and support underwater photography.

The path to local value

The Reno15 Series launches into a global smartphone market shaped by ongoing supply-chain disruption and component shortages. While many brands have increased prices, OPPO has taken a different approach, deliberately keeping Reno15 pricing steady to ensure local users can access a complete premium mid-tier smartphone experience without paying more. 

Price & Availability

The OPPO Reno15 Series will be available in-store from 7 February across Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, with both models offered on contract and supported by competitive promotional bundles.

Reno15 Pro launch deals include:

● Vodacom (Red3): R899 on a 36-month deal (deal periods: 7 Feb–6 Mar), with Watch S + Pad SE

● MTN (Prime): R899 on a 36-month deal with Yellow Cart options: Watch + Buds or Pad SE (from 7 Feb)

● Telkom (Flexon4): R899 on a 36-month deal (7 Feb–15 Mar)

● Cell C (Elevate2+): R979 on a 36-month deal (7 Feb–15 Mar)

Reno15 F launch deals include:

● Vodacom (Red1): R589 or R599 on a 36-month deal, with Watch S + Pad SE

● MTN (Plus): R599 on a 36-month deal, with Yellow Cart options: Watch + Buds or Pad SE

● Telkom (Flexon2) : R639 on a 36-month deal

● Cell C (Elevate2+): R749 on a 36-month deal

Monday Choon: Kyau & Albert - Unforgivable

 

German DJ duo Kyau and Albert latest offering dropped last week, "Unforgivable" is a track that is very melodic with a sound that we're used to from them. The song's euphoric melodies and driving beat contribute to a feeling of pure bliss, fitting the emotional landscape of trance music.

Ultra SA 2026 - Artist Line Up

Big news for all ultranauts dropped yesterday with Ultra SA giving us the full artist line-up for this years event taking place on the 25th of April in Johannesburg and the 26th of April in Cape Town. Unlike previous years where we had a phased artist announcement, this year they decided to just drop the entire line-up which in my opinion is better rather than playing the waiting game to see if your fav's are coming. 

The international mainstage headliners did not disappoint with sets from Afrojack playing back-to-back with R3hab, Axwell, DJ Snake whom all have played in the country before but making his debut and being the main headline act is John Summit. We're a big fan of what John has been doing and we can guarantee you he will be bringing that energy to the SA crowds come April. 

Resistance stage is back with Dennis Ferrer and SA's very on Shimza who's been creating "fire" on dance floors across the world headling that. Loads of support artists for the event is made up with some of the best local acts, such as Dean Fuel, Aidin Caye, Liquideep, Timo ODV, DJ Kent, Baby Whitz and many more. Tickets are still availabe at www.ultrasouthafrica.com 

Bucket Tech: Hisense wins 58 awards at CES 2026,

Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, was recognised with a total of 58 astounding industry awards at CES 2026, highlighting its continued leadership across display technologies and smart home appliances.

Hisense’s performance at CES 2026 was further underscored by four CES Innovation Awards, demonstrating both the depth and diversity of its innovation portfolio. Among the winners, the 163 MX and X-zone Master each received the CES 2026 Innovation Award – Best Innovation in their respective fields. In addition, the 116UXS RGB MiniLED TV and Laser Projector XR10 were named CES 2026 Innovation Award Honorees, further validating Hisense’s leadership across both advanced display technologies and smart home solutions.

In displays, Hisense showcased its latest breakthroughs, led by the global debut of the 116UXS RGB MiniLED TV, the first product powered by the new RGB MiniLED evo platform. Representing a system-level evolution in large-screen display technology, RGB MiniLED evo enhances colour performance and viewing comfort through a newly expanded light spectrum. 

As the flagship highlight of Hisense’s CES lineup, 116UXS received widespread recognition from leading global technology and lifestyle media, earning multiple Best of CES, Best TV of CES, Editors’ Picks, and Standout honours from leading global technology and lifestyle media, including Android Headlines, CNET, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, T3 and others. The product was also recognised as a CES 2026 Innovation Award Honoree, further affirming its technological significance.

Alongside 116UXS, the 163 MX also received extensive Best of CES recognition from multiple international media outlets, further reinforcing Hisense’s leadership in ultra-large and premium display technologies.

In addition, Hisense’s UR9 RGB MiniLED TV earned multiple Best of CES and Editors’ Picks honours from professional AV and technology media, strengthening Hisense’s RGB MiniLED TV portfolio beyond its flagship offerings.

Hisense further expanded its large-screen ecosystem with the global debut of the Laser Projector XR10, which received multiple Best of CES, Editors’ Picks,  and CES Innovation Award Honoree recognitions from professional AV and technology media. Together, RGB MiniLED TVs and TriChroma Laser projectors demonstrate Hisense’s comprehensive large-screen display strategy, spanning premium living-room viewing and dedicated home cinema environments.

Beyond displays, Hisense presented a comprehensive range of smart home and white goods innovations. The X-zone Master, the world’s first X-in-one heat pump washer-dryer, was honoured with both the CES 2026 Best of Innovation Award and multiple Best of CES and Editors’ Picks distinctions from global technology and design media, highlighting its breakthrough modular design and fabric-care innovation.

In addition, several white goods, including PureFit refrigerators and wine cabinets, Slide In Smart Induction Range, and dehumidifier products, were recognised with Best of CES and TWICE Picks 2026 Awards from industry and trade publications, reflecting Hisense’s growing strength across kitchen and laundry ecosystems.

Reinforcing its long-term growth momentum, Hisense recently received authoritative recognition from Euromonitor International. According to Euromonitor International (Consumer Appliances 2026 Edition), Hisense Group achieved the fastest growth rate among the global TOP 10 home laundry appliance companies from 2021 to 2025, validating its accelerating global competitiveness in the white goods sector.

Looking ahead, Hisense remains committed to advancing display and home appliance technologies through continuous system-level innovation, delivering smarter, more immersive, and more human-centric experiences to consumers worldwide.