11 Best Budget Smartphones In Malaysia 2022 Under RM1000

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Not everybody needs a high-end Smartphone. The best budget Smartphones in 2022 Malaysia may be just what you’re looking for!

So we have listed the cheapest Smartphones under RM1,000 that serve functionality and style!

However, if you can afford to save up for one, go for these best Smartphones below RM2,000 instead. For higher performance and reliability!

11 Best Budget Smartphone In Malaysia 2022

• Best For Gaming – realme narzo 50
• Best Overall Value (Under RM700) – POCO M3 PRO 5G
• Best Overall Value (Under RM1,000) With AMOLED Display – POCO M4 Pro
• Best Basic Budget Smartphone – Realme C11
• Best Entry Level Budget Smartphone (RM500) – VIVO Y15S
• Best Samsung Budget Phone – Samsung A13
• Fastest Charging – HUAWEI nova 8i
• Best Budget Phone For A Keen Social Media User (RM1,000) – OPPO A95 Smartphone
• Best Budget Phone For A Keen Social Media User (~RM500) – Oppo A16

1. VIVO Y15S

Compared to the previous VIVO Y12S, the VIVO Y15S is lighter (179g vs 191g). There’s a change to the overall phone design as well. However, the display (size and brightness), memory storage (RAM), and battery capacity are basically identical.

It’s unfortunate that the charging capacity is still maxed at 10W.

The new VIVO Y15S is a bit shorter (75.2mm vs 76.3mm) although the reduction in thickness is not perceivable (8.3mm vs 8.4mm).

More importantly, the VIVO Y15S remains affordable, costing just under RM500. And it can still carry a two nano SIMs.

There are some other small changes – like the wider maximum aperture of the front camera (f/2.0 vs f/1.8).

Software has not changed significantly. While the GPU and CPU remain roughly the same which means this is still not a phone we’d suggest for gamers.

Clearly, the main advantage of the VIVO Y15S is its price point. And so, if you’re looking for a budget, entry-level option, the VIVO Y15S delivers plenty of bang for your buck, offering a decent range of specs at a very affordable price.

It boasts a side fingerprint sensor, a dual-lens rear camera, and a 5000mAh battery. As well as a 3.5mm audio jack, which is somewhat of a rarity in more top-of-the-line smartphones.

Verdict: Best Entry Level Budget Smartphone

All-in-all, even if the VIVO Y15S doesn’t bring anything new to the table:

It is a serviceable option if you’re on a tight budget and so long as you’re not using it for anything too extensive, it can serve you quite well until you gather the funds for a better model.

• Display: 6.51″ IPS LCD (720 x 1,600), 400 nits
• Weight: 179g
• Dimensions: 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm
• OS: Funtouch OS 11.1 / Android 11
• CPU: Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, 8-Core
• GPU: PowerVR GE8320
• RAM: 3GB
• Storage: 32GB (Expandable via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual Nano SIM
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM499

Pros:

• Dual-Sim
• Entry-level price
• Has 3.5mm audio jack
• Power buttons doubles as fingerprint scanner
• Sleek, stylish design

Cons:

• Lack of NFC (Near-Field Communication)
• Low screen brightness (Only 400 Nits)
• Charging limited to only 10W
• Poor choice for gaming
• Poor integrated speakers
• Camera is just okay (Dual-lens without ultrawide support)
• No 5G capability

2. Realme C11 Smartphone

Best Basic Budget Smartphone

Only have a budget of RM500? Realme’s entry-level C11 Smartphone comes around RM400 and has a large screen of 6.5” with acceptable resolution.

Plus a dual camera (though limited to a f/2.2 max aperture)!

For the specs that you get, this is one of the most cost-effective smartphones in the market! Great if you just need a phone with basic functions.

Hopefully, you don’t need it for taking clear photos either! And you will definitely find it slow if you’ve ever used a top-of-the-line Smartphone before!

• Display: 6.5″ IPS LCD (720 x 1,560)
• Weight: 196g
• Dimensions: 164.4 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm
• OS: realme UI 1.0 / Android 10
• CPU: MediaTek Helio G35 Octa-Core
• GPU: PowerVR GE8320
• RAM: 2GB / 3GB
• Storage: 32GB (Expandable Up to 256 GB via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
• Rear Camera: 13MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 5MP (f/2.4)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual Nano SIM
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM399-449

Pros:

• Solid build
• Good battery capacity
• 2 available colors (grey or mint)
• Dual-SIM
• Inexpensive
• Large screen size

Cons:

• No fingerprint sensor
• Not enough RAM to update to a higher Android version
• Charging 10W (Micro-USB)
• Bulky
• Only has 32GB internal storage
• eMMC 5.1 storage interface
• No ultra-wide rear camera lens
• Font camera only 5MP

3. Xiaomi Redmi 9C

No budget Smartphone list is complete without mentioning this brand!

Released in the later end of 2020, together with the new version of the compatible Smartwatch (Mi Band 5):

Xiaomi Redmi 9C is the upgraded version of the 9A. It may have the same display and expandable memory.

But there is now a fingerprint sensor. Plus, it’s powered by the MediaTek Helio G35 chip.

If you have the Redmi 9A and want to know how it compares to the Redmi 9C, there are 2 things you can look forward to in the newer model. The first is a better overall performance, and the second is the addition of 2 more lens for the rear camera!

Other comparable budget smartphones that are in the same price bracket include the Realme C11. And the Honor 9A!

In fact, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C actually runs on the same CPU and GPU present in the Realme C11.

Now you may be wondering if you should get the Realme C11 then:

On the contrary, the Xiaomi Redmi 9C is more worth your money (even if it costs a little more)! Because this model has a fingerprint scanner and more internal storage. Don’t forget that improved rear camera!

• Display: 6.53″ IPS LCD (720 x 1,600)
• Weight: 196g
• Dimensions: 164.9 x 77 x 9 mm
• OS: MIUI 12 / Android 10
• CPU: MediaTek Helio G35 Octa-Core
• GPU: PowerVR GE8320
• RAM: 3GB
• Storage: 64GB (Expandable Up to 256 GB via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
• Rear Camera: 13MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 5MP (f/2.2)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual Nano SIM
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM479

Pros:

• Triple cameras with satisfactory performance (considering the price of the phone)
• Dual-SIM
• Phone exterior does not smudge easily
• Solidly built
• Decent audio
• Affordable

Cons:

• Large sized and heavy phone with thick bezels
• Camera module protrudes out
• Charging is limited to 10W
• Screen is not bright enough for outdoors
• eMMC 5.1 storage interface

4. Samsung Galaxy A13

Alright, now this is one of the newest budget phones under Samsung:

Samsung Galaxy A13 brings with it an improvement in display (2408 x 1080 vs 1560 x 720) as well as performance (Exynos 850 with Mali-G52 vs Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 with PowerVR GE8320) over the previous Samsung Galaxy A12.

Despite this, the screen is far from vibrant and the refresh rate could afford to be faster (90Hz). And if you’re coming from a premium phone, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is going to feel slow.

We would not recommend the Samsung Galaxy A13 for playing demanding games.

On another note, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is lighter than the A12 too (195g vs 205g). Although the phone is now wider and longer to accommodate the 6.6” IPS LCD (vs 6.5” IPS LCD in the Samsung Galaxy A12).

However, like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A13 still carries the eMMC 5.1 storage interface where a UFS 2.1 would have been preferable at this price range!

The Samsung Galaxy A13 maintains the hefty internal storage (128GB) that can still be expanded to 512GB! This is paired with a RAM of 6GB.

Battery capacity remains the same at 5000mAh. Tests by gsmarena show that the Samsung Galaxy A13 is able to run for more than 110 hours. Both the rear and front camera specs aremore or less the same (the rear camera is now 50MP with a wider aperture of f/1.8 vs 48MP and f/2.0).

So this budget phone is not the best but still offers better camera performance compared to cheaper models. Even if it struggles in low lighting situations.

Verdict: Best Samsung Budget Phone

Samsung Galaxy A13 still has a slow performance despite the upgrades from A12. The display (not OLED) and camera(s) are nothing to shout about.

But the Samsung Galaxy A13 is one of the cheapest Samsung Android Smartphones around. And that amazing battery life will carry you through most of the day.

• Display: 6.6″ IPS LCD (1080 x 2408)
• Weight: 195g
• Dimensions: 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm
• OS: One UI 4.1 / Android 12
• CPU: Exynos 850, Octa-Core
• GPU: Mali-G52
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB (Expandable Up To 512GB via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
• Rear Camera: 50MP (f/1.8) + 5MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.2)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM689

Pros:

• The main camera takes satisfactory pictures
• Battery life is long
• Performance is great considering the price point
• Huge built-in internal memory storage
• Dual sim capability
• Fast charging 15W capability
• Sports a fingerprint scanner

Cons:

• Not suitable for gamers
• With old flash technology (eMMC 5.1)
• Sides of screen tend to trap dust
• Plastic-y build
• 15W fast charger not included

5. OPPO A16

Running on Android 11, the Oppo A16 is a budget smartphone with similar specs to the VIVO Y12s.

If you enjoy taking photos, you’ll also be happy to know that the A16’s have a Tri-Lens rear camera and an 8MP forward-facing camera.

In comparison to the OPPO A15 released the year before, the A16 boasts both an improved CPU and GPU, a higher capacity battery (5,000mAh vs 4,230mAh), and higher RAM offerings (3/4GB vs 2/3GB).

It is, however, thicker and heavier than its predecessor, weighing 15g more, and has an additional 0.5mm of thickness.

The A16 also has the same camera system and display screen found on the A15, and the lack of any upgrades to that aspect is disappointing.

Verdict

While the A16 isn’t going to turn any heads, it’s still a great budget phone running on the latest Android OS, with fairly decent specifications.

That being said, if you already own an A15, the A16 isn’t a significant enough jump in terms of specs and features to be worth investing your money in.

• Display: 6.52″ IPS LCD (720 x 1600)
• Weight: 190g
• Dimensions: 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm
• OS: ColorOS 11.1 / Android 11
• CPU: MediaTek MT6765G Helio G35, Octa-Core
• GPU: PowerVR GE8320
• RAM: 3GB / 4GB
• Storage: 32GB / 64GB (Expandable via microSD), eMMC 5.1
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
• Rear Camera: 13MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM549 – 649

Pros:

• Runs on the latest Android 11
• Comes in 3 Distinct Colors
• Large screen with auto-adjustable brightness
• Great forward and rear-facing camera

Cons:

• Price is relatively high for its specifications
• Not a significant upgrade over the Oppo A15

6. Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G

Taking over the former Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC, the new Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G might have a smaller screen now (6.5″ vs 6.67″ IPS LCD) but the resolution is the same (1,080 x 2,400) with a refresh rate of 90Hz.

Like the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G still has an enjoyable display with plenty of contrast.

It’s also less bulky (161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm vs 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm), lighter (190g vs 215g) and cheaper (under RM800 vs RM900). The compromise is a downgrade for the rear (64MP to 48MP) and front camera (20MP to 8MP).

The Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G does only have an average camera performance – good enough for casual use – selfies are surprisingly nice. And it has lost the dual stereo speakers but we will say the speakers are decent anyways.

Besides this, there is now a slightly smaller battery (5,000 mAh vs 5,160 mAh) with 18W fast charging (the previous model could take 33W). RAM is less too (6GB/8GB to 4GB/6GB).

For storage, the most you can get is with the 128GB version where you can expand it up to 256GB via microSD.

This phone retains the IP53 rating of the former model, whichis a wonder because you don’t often see this on a budget Smartphone!

However, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G can no longer do what its predecessor, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC excelled at – 4K video recording.

Gaming is still possible but just at a satisfactory level with lower settings engaged. At least you won’t have to worry about battery life!

Verdict: Best Overall Value (Under RM700)

If you’re looking for a phone under RM 1,000 that is equipped for 5G, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G might interest you. Because the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is one of the most affordable entry-level 5G SmartPhones right now.

But that would be the only reason to get it though as it has lost many features that made the previous Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC so great!

• Display: 6.5″ IPS LCD (1080 x 2400) 500nits 90Hz
• Weight: 190g
• Dimensions: 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm
• OS: MIUI 12 / Android 11
• CPU: MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 Octa-Core
• GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
• Storage: 64GB / 128GB (Expandable Up to 256 GB via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh, Fast charging 18W
• Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.9) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
• IP Rating: IP53
• SIM Card: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~From RM699 to RM799

Pros:

• With 5G and NFC support
• Cheap but has decent performance
• Can support dual SIM
• Phone has a 3.5mm audio jack and IR blaster
• IP53 waterproof rating
• Fantastic battery life (almost 2 days with minimal use)
• Comfortable and no longer bulky
• Possible to switch to 60Hz mode to save on battery
• MiUI 12 is use-friendly

Cons:

• Camera performance is only ok
• 18W fast charging (much lower than previous model)
• Back attracts dust and fingerprints easily
• Doesn’t get too hot while gaming
• Numerous bloatware
• Macro lens is not good

7. Huawei Nova 8i Smartphone

If you thought the 44W fast charging on the HUAWEI Nova 7i Smartphone was fast, the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone has an even faster charging rate of 66W!

And while the battery capacity has increased (4,300 mAh vs 4,200 mAh), it’s not by any means, significant.

Aside from this, the screen is larger (6.67” vs 6.4”) with a 60Hz refresh rate and there is some improvement with the rear camera (64MP (f/1.9) vs 48MP (f/1.8)).

However, there’s still no NFC support with the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone.

Nor does it have expandable storage (the built-in storage is 128GB to be fair). This is odd considering that the HUAWEI Nova 7i Smartphone had expandable storage (up To 256GB via Nano Memory).

The HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone is heavier (190g vs 183g) than its predecessor and slightly longer (161.9mm vs 159.2mm) too.

And like the HUAWEI Nova 7i Smartphone, the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone misses out on the Google Play store.

But the good news is you that you still have access to popular apps (Facebook, Twitter, Grab, Lazada, Shopee, WhatsApp, etc) from the HUAWEI AppGalery.

For the apps that you can’t find, you can use a third-party APK downloading website like APKMonk or APKPure.

But most importantly:

The HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone can’t retain the previous position for the best budget Smartphone for gaming (under RM1,000) as it no longer has the superior Kirin 810 CPU that came with the HUAWEI Nova 7i Smartphone (thanks to US trade bans).

It was the combination of Kirin 810 & Mali-G52 MP6 that previously allowed the HUAWEI Nova 7i Smartphone to take on games and high-res photos which in turn, made it a sweet deal for its price! We sadly, can’t say the same about the newer HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone.

Verdict: Fastest Charging Budget Smartphone

If you always struggle with battery life for your phone, you might really enjoy the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone’s fast charging capabilities (it can reach 100% in under an hour).

Unfortunately, that is pretty much all that the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone has to offer besides its good looks.

• Display: 6.67″ IPS LCD (1080 x 2376)
• Weight: 190g
• Dimensions: 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm
• OS: EMUI 11 / Android 11
• CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 Octa-Core
• GPU: Adreno 610
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB (Not Expandable)
• Battery Life: 4,300 mAh
• Rear Camera: 64MP (f/1.9) + 8MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.0)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM999

Pros:

• Dual sim support
• Extremely fast charging (66W)
• Has a fingerprint sensor (Side)
• With stereo speakers
• Good battery life
• Stylish with a large screen to body ratio
• There is a 3.5mm audio jack

Cons:

• No NFC support
• Lower CPU and GPU performance
• Not expandable storage
• Not an AMOLED screen
• 60Hz refresh rate is disappointing for this price point
• Despite the camera improvements (64MP), dim light performance is not good

8. Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone

With the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone out of the picture, gamers will look to the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone for a budget gaming Smartphone under RM1,000.

There are two versions and since the higher spec 6GB/128GB costs ~RM100 more, we’d recommend going for it instead of the lower spec (4GB/64GB).

The camera performance (including night mode) of the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone isn’t too shabby either. You can even shoot videos from both sides of the phone simultaneously!

And while the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone’s fast charging is no match for the HUAWEI Nova 8i Smartphone’s, it’s still fast at 33W.

But the real highlight of the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone is the chipset, the Mediatek Helio G96 which should allow you to play most games lag-free, at least at the medium settings for graphic-intensive games.

For those wondering, the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone is capable of playing Mobile Legends at high settings with minimal lag.

Verdict: Best For Gaming

So currently, the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone is the best budget phone for gaming in Malaysia. How many budget smartphones can tout a refresh rate of 120Hz for their LCD display? You can switch that refresh rate to 60Hz to save battery too.

Maybe you don’t need even a Smart TV when you have the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone and its huge screen!

• Display: 6.6″ IPS LCD (1080 x 2412), 120Hz
• Weight: 194g
• Dimensions: 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm
• OS: Realme UI 2.0 / Android 11
• CPU: Mediatek Helio G96 Octa-Core
• GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
• RAM: 4GB / 6GB
• Storage: 64GB / 128GB (Expandable Up To 512GB via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh, Fast charging 33W
• Rear Camera: 50MP (f/1.8) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.1)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM779

Pros:

• Great performance
• Crispy LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate and 401 pixel density
• Affordable (~RM800)
• Attractive and unique sporty design
• Expandable memory
• Supports dual sim use
• Better than average camera performance in this price range
• Fast charger (33W) included
• Fast charging (0 to 70% in an hour)

Cons:

• No NFC capability
• Quite heavy
• Back of phone attracts fingerprints
• No stereo speakers
• Camera doesn’t support ultra-wide shots

9. vivo T1x

vivo T1x was released together with the vivo T1 5G and here’s the lowdown on the 4G version, the vivo T1x:

Firstly, there are some notable features like the 1080p HD LCD display which has a 90Hz refresh rate, a 50MP triple camera setup, as well as the sizeable 5000mAh battery.

If you play a lot of games though, get a microSD to boost up the 64GB of storage with another 128GB.

The vivo T1x is capable of running Mobile Legends or League Of Legends: Wild Rift at high settings while Call of Duty will require you to run at medium settings. It is even possible to play Genshin Impact with this phone though on a casual basis.

Verdict

The vivo T1x is an unexpectedly good option for an entry-level gaming Smartphone.

But you might also want to look at the Realme Narzo 50 Gaming Smartphone if you’re serious about gaming and can only afford a phone in this price range.

• Display: 6.58″ IPS LCD (1080 x 2408) 90Hz
• Weight: 182g
• Dimensions: 164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm
• OS: OriginOS / Android 11
• CPU: Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G Octa-Core
• GPU: Adreno 610
• RAM: 4GB / 8GB
• Storage: 64GB / 128GB (Not Expandable)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh, Fast charging 18W
• Rear Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8 + 2 MP, f/2.4 + 2 MP, f/2.4
• Front Camera: 8 MP, f/1.8
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM899

Pros:

• Sound battery life (not excellent but satisfactory)
• Display is good for the price range
• Fast charger provided
• Affordable

Cons:

• No NFC
• Heats up quickly during gaming
• Average camera performance
• Takes 2 hours to fully charge with the 18W fast charging
• No stereo speakers

10. POCO M4 Pro

POCO M4 Pro has one of the smallest screens in this list of budget Smartphones in Malaysia. But it is an AMOLED display (the first in the POCO M-series) which has a 90Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 700nits where many other budget Smartphones in this price range (like the vivo T1x) still bear an LCD display.

However, even with that wonderful OLED display, the POCO M4 Pro sadly doesn’t have HDR support which is a bummer if you often stream from platforms like YouTube.

This phone is not very heavy at less than 180g, even though it packs a 5,000mAh battery (that is also fast charging at 33W). Under the hood, the Mediatek G96 is not known for its energy efficiency though.

Another gripe is that the POCO M4 Pro phone won’t carry you into the 5G phase. Unlike the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G.

But if that doesn’t bother you, there are other aspects of this phone to look forward to:

Such as the 64MP triple-camera set up, stereo speakers, and generous storage (up to 256GB via microSD).

Verdict: Best Overall Value (Under RM1,000) With AMOLED Display

The compact POCO M4 Pro is not perfect. However, it’s hard to resist its premium features at this competitive price point!

• Display: 6.43″ AMOLED (1080 x 2400) 90Hz 700nits
• Weight: 179.5g
• Dimensions: 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm
• OS: MIUI 13 / Android 11
• CPU: Mediatek Helio G96 Octa-Core
• GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
• RAM: 6GB / 8GB
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Expandable via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh, Fast charging 33W
• Rear Camera: 64 MP, f/1.8 + 8 MP, f/2.2 + 2 MP, f/2.4
• Front Camera: 16 MP, f/2.5
• IP Rating: IP53
• SIM Card: Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM899

Pros:

• Fast charging 18W
• Dual selfie camera (with good autofocus)
• Has a fingerprint sensor
• Memory can be expanded (microSD)
• Dual sim capability
• Bright and sharp screen that supports multitouch
• Still has space for a 3.5mm audio jack
• Doesn’t look cheap

Cons:

• Slightly above RM1000
• Battery is not removable
• Fingerprints are easily seen on the black cover
• Plastic build

11. OPPO A95 Smartphone

Over the OPPO A94, the OPPO A95 Smartphone has a relatively similar weight (175g vs 172g) and performance but what’s nice, is that the battery life has improved (5000mAh vs 4310mAh) and can now handle 33W fast charging (previously 30W).

This model still keeps the 3.5mm audio jack in case the loudspeaker doesn’t strike your fancy.

And like the OPPO A94, memory storage starts at 8GB/ 128GB with the OPPO A95 but you can expand this to 256GB.

The display is still the same size (6.43”) and an AMOLED of 800nits maximum brightness (no problem using this phone outdoors) and 1080 x 2400p resolution.

But the OPPO A95 Smartphone caps at a 60Hz refresh rate which not impressive for its price considering other phones like the POCO M4 Pro which have an AMOLED display and 90Hz refresh rate!

However, the camera sees a downgrade (there are now 3 cameras instead of 4 with the 8MP camera removed entirely). Moreover, the OPPO A95 is not capable of 4K video recording, unlike the OPPO A94.

For those keen on selfies, the OPPO A95 selfie camera has dropped to 16MP from 32MP.

Besides this, the OPPO A95 Smartphone frustratingly still doesn’t have NFC support.

Verdict

Get the OPPO A95 Smartphone if you place a high priority on aesthetics and will only be using it for browsing the internet, social media, etc.

And for taking daily photos and selfies, the OPPO A95 Smartphone will not disappoint.

However, the refresh rate of 60Hz, together with the outdated chipset, will hinder gaming significantly. Hence, we really would advise against getting the OPPO A95 Smartphone if you game a lot.

• Display: 6.43″ AMOLED (1080 x 2400) 430 to 800 nits
• Weight: 175g
• Dimensions: 160.3 x 73.8 x 8 mm
• OS: ColorOS 11.1 / Android 11
• CPU: Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 Octa-Core
• GPU: Adreno 610
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB (Expandable via microSD)
• Battery Life: 5,000 mAh, Fast charging 33W
• Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.7) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
• Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.4)
• IP Rating: n/a
• SIM Card: Dual SIM (Nano SIM)
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Price: ~RM999

Pros:

• Lovely design (especially the rainbow iridescent option)
• Fingerprint-proof
• Light and sleek
• Crispy and bright display (can be seen outdoors)
• Has a display fingerprint scanner as well as facial recognition
• Decent camera performance (including 1080p video recording)
• Good for selfies
• Fast charging at 33W (0 to 100% in ~1 hour)
• Lasting battery (up to a day on light use)

Cons:

• No NFC
• Big chin bezel
• Not great for gaming
• No ultra wide lens
• Macro camera struggles to find edges

Conclusion

There are decent budget Smartphones in Malaysia at the RM500 price mark. But if you play many games, you might want to consider increasing that budget to RM1,000.

And if 5G capability is the reason you want to upgrade but don’t want to spend more than RM1,000, consider the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G.

Introducing The New Xiaomi POCO X4 Pro 5G (2022)

Further reading:

• 13 Best Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds In Malaysia
• 15 Best Power Bank Malaysia
• 13 Best Android TV Box Malaysia
• 11 Best Laptops To Buy In Malaysia
• 13 Best Dash Cams Malaysia