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Plan to upgrade your phone to one of the best Smartphones in Malaysia 2021?
Smartphones have come a long way in terms of multi-tasking capabilities, screen resolution, cameras, etc. Even some of the best budget Smartphones in Malaysia are worth looking into!
So whether you want a premium, mid-range or budget Smartphone, you’ll find a selection of solid options here!
Our Picks
- Best Telephoto Phone: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Best For Videographers: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Best Value: Xiaomi Mi 11
- Best Budget With Great Performance: Poco X3 Pro
- Best Budget With Great Camera: Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Best For Gaming: ASUS ROG Phone 5
- Best Portable But Powerful Smartphone: iPhone 13 mini
- Best Long-lasting Battery Life: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best Premium Smartphone Malaysia 2021
1. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
The latest and greatest iPhone to date:
Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max shares the same overall design as the iPhone 12 Pro Max, with a notably smaller front camera notch (although it’s still an annoyance for some).
It also has a polished steel side finish, which does look very premium, but finds itself covered in fingerprints more often than not.
The selling point of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is its upgraded camera, offering excellent capture and video quality, alongside Dolby Vision HDR.
It also has a significantly improved battery life, direct comparisons see a 15% increase of battery capacity between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Pro Max (4,352mAh vs 3,687mAh).
Other upgrades over last year’s edition includes a newer, more powerful chipset (the A15 Bionic).
And the new display with ProMotion technology intuitively sets the refresh rate between 10Hz to 120Hz according to your usage (I.e. saves battery).
These features make the iPhone 13 Pro Max a solid option for gaming on the go.
At the moment, the iPhone 13 series are the only iPhone range with the Cinematic mode (1080p, 30FPS)! And they are noticeably heavier than the 12 series owing to their larger battery capacity.
Verdict – Best For Videographers
If you can stomach it’s absurd RM5,000 asking price and don’t mind buying into the Apple’s insular ecosystem (which means proprietary accessories and repairs only):
The iPhone 13 Pro Max offers an amazing camera, quality display, long-lasting battery life and a smooth experience, whether you’re browsing YouTube or playing a few games.
It’s pretty much Apple’s best iPhone ever, until the iPhone 14 Pro Max comes out that is.
- Display: 6.7″ Super Retina XDR OLED 120Hz (1284 x 2778), 1000 nits
- Weight: 240g
- Dimensions: 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7 mm
- OS: iOS 15
- CPU: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM & GPU: 6GB; Apple GPU 5-core
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (Not Expandable)
- Battery: 4,352 mAh
- Rear Camera: 12MP (ƒ/2.8) + 12MP (ƒ/1.5) + 12MP (ƒ/1.8)
- Front Camera: 12MP (ƒ/2.2)
- IP Rating: IP68
- SIM Card: Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: From RM5,299
Pros:
- 5G-Compatible
- Up to 1TB of internal storage
- Exceptional camera quality (w/ Dolby Vision HDR)
- Large 6.7” screen
- Speedy, smooth response
- High-quality screen
- Sturdy-build
- Great for intensive mobile games
- Dust, spill and water resistant (IP68)
- Long-lasting battery (28 hours video playback)
Cons:
- Exceptionally expensive
- No charger provided
- Limited to internal storage (No SD Card slot)
- Not 3rd party repair-friendly
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- Very much locked into Apple’s ecosystem.
- Stainless steel casing attracts fingerprints
- Cameras still protrude from the back
2. OnePlus 8T 5G
Even though its biggest disappointing feature is the lack of wireless charging capability:
The OnePlus 8T 5G excels at other things (charging speed of up to 65W, camera, battery life, etc)!
And there’s no ignoring that 120 Hz Fluid display! That fast refresh rate equates to smooth scrolling through websites and social media feeds!
- Display: 6.55″ Fluid AMOLED (1,080 x 2,400)
- Weight: 188g
- Dimensions: 160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm
- OS: OxygenOS 11 / Android 11
- CPU & RAM: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865; 8GB / 12GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Not Expandable)
- Battery Life: 4,500 mAh
- Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.78) + 16MP (f/2.2) + 5MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.4)
- IP Rating: n/a
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Price: From RM2,699 – RM2,999
Pros:
- Affordable for a high-powered Android phone
- Sufficient processing speed for gaming
- Supports 5G - future-proof
- Main camera is good
- Accurate fingerprint scanner
- New Aquamarine Green color
Cons:
- Low light and macro photography is not good
- No IP rating (not rated for waterproof ability)
- Only slightly better than the OnePlus 8 (Looks very similar too)
3. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Make no mistake, Samsung’s latest 5G model, Galaxy S20 FE 5G prioritizes on its 120Hz display and fast performance! Compromising on things like the build, battery and RAM (6Gb) instead.
In doing so, this model is cheaper than the Galaxy S20. Which buyers can definitely appreciate! As it’s still a very powerful phone (Snapdragon 865 processor)!
- Display: 6.5″ Super AMOLED HDR10+ (1,080 x 2,400)
- Weight: 190g
- Dimensions: 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm
- OS: One UI 2.5 / Android 10
- CPU & RAM: Snapdragon 865; 8GB
- Storage: 256GB (Expandable via MicroSD Up to 1TB)
- Battery Life: 4,500 mAh
- Rear Camera: 12MP (f/1.8) + 8MP (f/2.4) + 12MP (f/2.2)
- Front Camera: 32MP (f/2.2)
- IP Rating: IP68
- SIM Card: Nano-SIM 1 + Hybrid (SIM or MicroSD)
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM3,399
Pros:
- 6 colors to choose from
- Fast charging up to 25W
- Impressive telephoto zoom
- IP68 rated
- Reverse wireless charging 4.5W
- USB Power Delivery 3.0
- Large storage (Expandable to 1TB with microSD)
- Great for selfies
Cons:
- Fast charger costs more
- Plastic back
- Bulkier than Galaxy S20
- Optical sensor instead of ultrasonic sensor (i.e. less accurate)
- Average camera performance
- OneUI not that great to use
4. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
It’s difficult to find an equal for the Samsung Galaxy S21’s astounding camera performance! The main highlight is the incredible zoom lens!
This phone can even take photos at 12-bit color RAW (at 108MP)! That certainly explains that enormous price tag!
And with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, you’ll be ready for the next generation of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6E!
- Display: 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz (1,440 x 3,200)
- Weight: 227g
- Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
- OS: One UI 3.1 / Android 11
- CPU: Exynos 2100 (5 nm) Octa-core
- RAM: 12GB / 16GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (Not Expandable)
- Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
- Rear Camera: 108MP (f/1.8) + 10MP (f/4.9) + 10MP (f/2.4) + 12MP (f/2.2)
- Front Camera: 40MP (f/2.2)
- Dust/Water Resistant: IP68
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM5,299 – RM5,899
Pros:
- 50% charge in just 30 minutes with the 25W travel adapter
- Lovely design
- Great battery life (5,000mAh)
- Excellent optical telephoto performance (up to 100x)
- Supports S Pen stylus
Cons:
- No charger provided
- No microSD card slot
- May be too bulky for your pockets
- Ultrasonic finger scanner can be improved (new technology)
5. Apple iPhone 13 Mini
The Apple iPhone 13 Mini is the smaller, and cheapest version of Apple’s flagship phone for this year.
When compared to the mainline iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Mini is smaller with only a 5.4” screen running at 60Hz (in-comparison to the Pro-range iPhones running at 120Hz).
The Mini is also lighter, weighing in at 140g in comparison to 173g.
Its smaller size does lead to it having a smaller battery as well, giving you about 17 hours of video playback on average. 2 hours less than the standard iPhone 13.
But apart from the above, the Mini is very much just a miniaturized version of the iPhone 13. Featuring an exceptional dual camera system, brilliant HDR display and the same Bionic A15 chipset as its larger counterparts.
As for how it holds up against the iPhone 12 Mini:
The iPhone 13 Mini offers a 10% increase in battery life (an additional 1.5 hours) with similar charge times, an improved chipset, and is just only 6g heavier than its predecessor.
The iPhone 13 Mini also has smaller front camera notch, and camera upgrades taken from last year’s iPhone 12 Max, such as sensor-shift image optical stabilization.
Verdict – Best Portable But Powerful Smartphone
Smartphones that can fit into your pocket are becoming rarer, even among Android Smartphones. And the iPhone 13 Mini is a very powerful phone for its size.
It’s also a more economical alternative if you still want to own Apple’s latest mobile device.
And if you previously passed on the iPhone 12 Mini because of the disappointing battery life, the iPhone 13 Mini is the solution.
- Display: 5.4″ Super Retina XDR OLED 60Hz (1080 x 2340), 800 nits
- Weight: 141g
- Dimensions: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm
- OS: iOS 15
- CPU: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM & GPU: 4GB; Apple GPU 4-core
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (Not Expandable)
- Battery: 2,438 mAh
- Rear Camera: 12MP (ƒ/2.4) + 12MP (ƒ/1.6)
- Front Camera: 12MP (ƒ/2.2)
- IP Rating: IP68
- SIM Card: Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM)
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: From RM3,399
Pros:
- Same chipset, RAM and GPU as the standard iPhone 13
- IP68 Rating
- Great battery life (up to 17 hours)
- Exceptional camera quality with Dolby Vision HDR
- Smooth, responsive display
- Lightweight
- Easily fits in your pockets
Cons:
- Still pricy for your average smartphone
- Screen is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate
- Limited to internal storage (No SD Card slot)
- Not 3rd party repair-friendly
- Restricted to Apple’s product ecosystem
- No charger provided
- No 3.5mm audio jack
6. ASUS ROG Phone 5
With its flashy aesthetic and sharp edges, the design of the ASUS ROG Phone 5 clearly has gamers in mind. Moreover, it has impressive specifications and RGB lighting to boot.
Compared to the previous ROG Phone 3, it has thinner bezels but an overall larger size.
At a baseline, the ROG Phone 5 offers a 144Hz 6.78” AMOLED display, all running on the Snapdragon 888 CPU, an Adreno 660 GPU with 8GM of RAM.
As such, you can expect a smooth 60FPS when running games such as PUBG or Genshin Impact. Even at max settings, which is something not a lot of other phones can offer.
ASUS also has a variety of accessories to complement the ROG Phone 5 – from a mobile cooling case to adaptive triggers.
The phone also offers 2 separate charging ports, the standard bottom one and a side port.
Apart from allowing you to game and charge, you can also plug 2 cables in to effectively double the charging speed if you so wish.
Verdict – Best Phone For Gaming
The ROG Phone 5’s attractive price and amazing specifications makes it our phone of choice for gaming on the go.
That being said, while the ROG Phone 5 has plenty of features for the avid gamer:
The camera quality isn’t the best, and many of the features aren’t a consideration if you simply want a plug-and-play experience.
- Display: 6.78″ AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz (1080 x 2448); 800 nits
- Weight: ~238g
- Dimensions: 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm
- OS: ROG UI / Android 11
- CPU: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 660
- RAM: 8GB / 12GB / 16GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Not Expandable), UFS 3.1
- Battery Life: 6,000 mAh
- Rear Camera: 64MP (f/1.8) + 13MP (f/2.4) + 5MP (f/2.0)
- Front Camera: 24MP (f/2.0)
- Dust/Water Resistant: –
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM2,499-RM3,499
Pros:
- Excellent for mobile gaming
- Balanced and comfortable ergonomics
- Works with a variety of gaming accessories
- Has 144Hz OLED Display
- Great CPU and GPU
- Large 6,000mAh battery
- 65W Fast Charging
- Comes with its own case
- Has a 3.5mm audio jack
Cons:
- Heavy
- Camera is only serviceable for its price range
- No SD Card slot
- Internal storage is comparatively low to similar offerings
- Not as suited as an ‘everyday’ phone
- Pro and Ultimate versions only offer more RAM
7. Xiaomi Mi 11
Mi 11 is Xiaomi flagship’s phone for 2021. What’s new with this model compared to its predecessor (Xiaomi Mi 10) lies in that shiny screen:
With 1B colors, increased resolution (1440p from 1080p), and a higher refresh rate (now 120Hz from 90Hz previously)!
Not forgetting the boost in performance (20%) from the upgraded CPU and GPU! Reading and writing is faster with the UFS3.1 (from UFS 3.0) too.
Other things worth noting is the faster charging time (55W now compared to 30W) including reverse wireless charging (10W from 5W).
If anyone cares, the whole phone is also thinner by 1mm than the previous model (Xiaomi Mi 10)! For all these changes however, the camera remains pretty much the same.
But we’re slotting this phone into our premium smartphone list anyways because it currently employs the most powerful Android chipset in the market (Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660)!
The performance of which, beats even Samsung’s latest chip (Samsung Galaxy S21) (*1)!
While still keeping things relatively affordable (less than RM3K)! If you’re a gamer and you like Android phones, you need to seriously consider this Smartphone!
- Display: 6.81″ AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz (1440 x 3200)
- Weight: ~196g
- Dimensions: 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm
- OS: MIUI 12.5 / Android 11
- CPU: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 660
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Not Expandable), UFS 3.1
- Battery Life: 4,600 mAh
- Rear Camera: 108MP (f/1.9) + 13MP (f/2.4) + 5MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 20MP (f/2.2)
- Dust/Water Resistant: –
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM2,799-RM2,999
Pros:
- Nice display
- Excellent performance
- Quality build
- Great speakers
Cons:
- No IP rating
- Finger print scanner is average at best
- Camera is nothing fancy
- There is no 3.5mm audio jack
Best Smartphone Malaysia Below RM2,000
8. Xiaomi Mi 10T
For those of you that are eying the Samsung Galaxy S20FE, Xiaomi 10, or OnePlus 8T but find yourselves hesitating because of the price:
The Xiaomi Mi 10T fills in the gap nicely! As one of the best mid-range phones you can get in Malaysia!
Not surprisingly, since they have the same CPU and GPU, the performance of the Xiaomi Mi 10T is comparable (if not equal) to OnePlus 8T or the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G (also in this list)!
And since it uses the latest UFS 3.1 tech (also in the Xiaomi Mi 11), you can expect faster reading and writing speed too!
So what’s the catch in the lower cost? This phone does not have an impressive camera.
Note: Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro packs a better camera
- Display: 6.67″ IPS LCD, 144Hz (1,080 x 2,400)
- Weight: ~216g
- Dimensions: 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm
- OS: MIUI 12 / Android 10
- CPU: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 650
- RAM: 6GB / 8GB
- Storage: 128GB (Not Expandable), UFS 3.1
- Battery Life: 5,000 mAh
- Rear Camera: 64MP (f/1.9) + 13MP (f/2.4) + 5MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 20MP (f/2.2)
- Dust/Water Resistant: –
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM1,699
Pros:
- Quality build
- Good performance
- Affordable
- Has a 144 Hz refresh rate while Xiaomi Mi 10 uses 120 Hz
- Battery life is solid (5,000 mAh)
Cons:
- No IP rating
- There is no wireless charging capability
- Display is limited to LCD (IPS technology)
- You cannot expand further than the built-in memory
9. realme GT Master Edition Smartphone
A more budget-friendly, mid-ranged version of realme’s GT line of smartphones.
The realme GT Master Edition has a unique suitcase design by renowned designer, Naoto Fukasawa!
For internals, the GT Master has a Snapdragon 778g 5GB Octa-Core processor, an Adreno 642L GPU, 8GB of RAM and 128/256GB of non-expandable internal storage.
Running on Android 11, the overall UI is pretty clean, although there’s some clutter with pre-installed apps.
Other features include a speedy 65W fast charging, a great Samsung-based AMOLED display at 120Hz and up to 20 hours of video playback.
But the best thing about the GT Master is its competitive pricing, coming in at only RM1,499 to RM1, 699.
When compared to the Poco X3 Pro, which has a similar amount of RAM and storage:
The realme GT Master has faster charging speeds, a better display, higher-quality camera and a better chipset. With the caveat being that the Poco X3 Pro is around RM500 cheaper than the GT Master.
Verdict
With an amazing battery life, a solid display and fast charging speeds:
The Realme GT Master Edition is a well-priced, mid-ranged phone that maintains plenty of the same features from the mainline GT series. Without skimping out on the things that matter!
- Display: 6.43″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz (1,080 x 2,400)
- Weight: ~174 or 180g
- Dimensions: 159.2 x 73.5 x 8.0/8.7 mm
- OS: Realme UI 2.0 / Android 11
- CPU: Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 642L
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Not Expandable), UFS 2.2
- Battery Life: 4,300 mAh
- Rear Camera: 64MP (f/1.8) + 8MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 32MP (f/2.5)
- Dust/Water Resistant: –
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM1,499-1,699
Pros:
- 65W fast charging
- Sturdy, suitcase design
- Lightweight
- Very reasonably priced
- Has a headphone jack
- 120Hz Samsung AMOLED
Cons:
- No external card slots
- Camera isn’t great
- No IP rating (Not water or dustproof)
- No wireless charging
- CPU could’ve been better for its price
Best Smartphone Malaysia Below RM1,500
10. Poco F3
There are 3 main reasons why this phone has made this list of the best Smartphones in Malaysia:
For starters, it has an AMOLED screen. Although the refresh rate is only at 120Hz.
Secondly, it employs one of the top 5 fastest chips available worldwide. We’re referring to the Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 here!
And lastly, this one of the best phones you can get for just under RM1,500! A deal for anyone who prioritizes on phone display and processing power!
- Display: 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz (1080 x 2400)
- Weight: ~196g
- Dimensions: 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm
- OS: MIUI 12 / Android 11
- CPU: Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 650
- RAM: 6GB / 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Not Expandable), UFS 3.1
- Battery Life: 4,520 mAh
- Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.8) + 8MP (f/2.2) + 5MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 20MP (f/2.5)
- Dust/Water Resistant: IP53
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM1,399
Pros:
- Excellent screen
- Solid quality build
- Super affordable
- With UFS 3.1 (fast reading and writing speed)
Cons:
- Camera is just average
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- Battery life could stand to be better
- Software can be buggy at times
11. Redmi Note 10 Pro
Oddly about the same price as its predecessor, Redmi Note 9 Pro:
The first thing you might notice is the higher display quality as the Redmi Note 10 Pro has an AMOLED screen. With a not-so-impressive refresh rate of 120Hz.
There is improvement in the CPU, upgraded from Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G to Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G. With no change to the GPU (still Adreno 618).
And its fast charging capability is 3W more than what it was in the Redmi Note 9 Pro.
This model also sees a switch for a better rear camera! But keeps the front camera of the previous model.
In fact, this is our pick for the best budget phone with great camera performance. Because you can’t find a phone at this price with its 108MB rear camera!
- Display: 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz (1,080 x 2,400)
- Weight: ~193g
- Dimensions: 164 x 76.5 x 8.1 mm
- OS: MIUI 12 / Android 11
- CPU: Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 618
- RAM: 6GB / 8GB
- Storage: 128GB (Expandable), UFS 2.2
- Battery Life: 5,020 mAh
- Rear Camera: 108MP (f/1.9) + 8MP (f/2.2) + 5MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 16MP (f/2.5)
- Dust/Water Resistant: IP53
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM999-1,099
Pros:
- Great screen AMOLED 120Hz
- Superb battery life
- Rating of IP53
- Inexpensive
- Good camera for the price you pay
Cons:
- It is possible to get a better chipset in this price range
- Not for gamers
- Not 5G capable
- Only UFS2.2
Best Budget Smartphone Malaysia Below RM1,000
12. Poco X3 Pro
Another Poco but this one’s for less than RM1,000!
If you can forgo the need to have a crispy display with the latest technology (this phone uses an IPS LCD):
This is the best budget phone with great performance you can get now!
As there is no other phone at this price range that matches its power. It uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chipset (CPU) and Adreno 640 (GPU).
- Display: 6.67″ IPS LCD, 120Hz (1080 x 2400)
- Weight: ~215g
- Dimensions: 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm
- OS: MIUI 12 / Android 11
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860, 8 cores
- GPU: Adreno 640
- RAM: 6GB / 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (Not Expandable), UFS 3.1
- Battery Life: 5,160 mAh
- Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.8) + 8MP (f/2.2) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 20MP (f/2.2)
- Dust/Water Resistant: IP53
- SIM Card: Hybrid Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM999
Pros:
- Great performance for its price
- Decent battery life
- Satisfactory camera
- Rating IP53
- With 3.5mm audio jack
Cons:
- Back design is a magnet for fingerprints
- Not an AMOLED screen
13. Xiaomi POCO M3
Xiaomi POCO M3 has a beast of a battery! It can last for 2 days even with more than 7 hours’ of screen time!
And that’s not all:
Its audio performance (stereo speakers) stands out from competitors in the same price range! Furthermore, at low light, the camera is not too shabby!
So you can imagine how much better it is in daylight!
- Display: 6.53″ IPS LCD (1,080 x 2,340)
- Weight: 198g
- Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm
- OS: EMUI 12 / Android 10
- CPU & RAM: Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 Octa-Core; 4GB
- Storage: 64GB / 128GB (Expandable via microSD up to 512GB)
- Battery Life: 6,000 mAh
- Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.8) + 2MP (f/2.4) + 2MP (f/2.4)
- Front Camera: 8MP (f/2.1)
- IP Rating: n/a
- SIM Card: Dual Nano SIMs
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: ~RM699
Pros:
- Fast charging 18W (within 3 hours)
- Supports reverse charging too (works as a powerbank)
- Tall profile but well-balanced weight
- Can handle graphic-intensive games
- Very affordable
- Dual sim slots
Cons:
- Occasionally slow performance
- Not the best display in the market
- Does not support NFC
More choices of the best budget smartphones.
How To Choose The Best Smartphone
1. Operating System: Android Or Iphone
A phone’s operating system is the built-in software that drives and manages the functions of the phone.
There are 2 main operating systems that dominate the market, iPhone and Android.
What is the difference between these 2 operating systems?
iPhone (aka iOS):
- Arguably more intuitive and thus, easier to use
- Better security
- Works well with other Apple devices
- Regular software updates
Android:
- Generally cheaper than an iPhone
- Customize-able
- Meant to integrate with Google services
So if you already have many Apple devices, it makes sense to go with an iPhone.
While an Android would be best if you frequently use Google services and Microsoft Office.
And if you have wireless earphones, you should check which operating system works better with them!
2. App Support
Don’t forget to list down the apps you use often! Chances are, there will be a similar version available regardless if you choose iPhone or Android!
Take a peek at the respective app stores to see if they have the apps you use!
- Android – playstore
- iPhone – appstore
3. Screen Size
Firstly, screen size is measured from corner to corner. Rather than from top to bottom.
If you’d like to carry your phone around in your pocket, a smaller screen size (<5.5 inches) will do. And you will be able to use it comfortably with one hand too.
4K resolution is overrated:
And you can always connect to a Smart TV or use a TV box if you want a bigger screen than what’s available in the Smartphone market!
4. Built-In Storage Space
Go for a Smartphone that has a minimum of 32GB of storage. To keep apps, music, photos and videos.
Something to note:
With iPhone, there’s no option to increase the built-in memory (i.e. they don’t have microSD slots). Models with bigger memory storage cost more upfront.
5. Cameras
There is a saying that the best camera is the one that you have in your hand! And Smartphones are definitely more portable than conventional cameras.
Look for wide aperture for better low light performance, night mode, noise reduction and optical image stabilization.
iPhones have particularly great cameras compared to other Smartphones!
6. Battery Life
Apps (especially games), phone calls, etc can use up battery fast!
As a rule of thumb, do not accept a Smartphone that only lasts for less than 10 hours on full charge.
The average battery life of Smartphones is between 8 to 18 hours. Which is plenty to use anywhere! Including on the best treadmill or when you’re outside!
Quick charge is a handy feature to have! So you don’t have to wait long to use your phone again!
7. Budget
Everyone knows that iPhones and the premium Samsung phones are the most expensive!
And at the other end of the spectrum, there is Huawei, Realme and Xiaomi with their more affordable phones. Although Huawei has high range phones too!
8. Other Features To Consider
- Fingerprint or face scanning (for security) – Some of the best laptops have a fingerprint scanner too
- Personal assistant
- Cloud support (external memory backup)
- Availability of third-party apps
- NFC (Near Field Communication) – New technology where compatible devices can exchange data, photos, etc just by being next to each other
- 5G compatibility
Conclusion
Of the best smartphones in Malaysia 2021:
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and iPhone 13 Pro Max have the best camera performance (with telephoto lens)! Both are ~6.7” phones with comparable processing speed!
And if you just want a premium phone that is also portable, go for the iPhone 13 Mini!
For smartphones under RM2,000, consider the realme GT Master Edition Smartphone or HUAWEI Nova 7 5G. Or the value-for-money Xiaomi POCO M3 (for social media addicts)!
Want a soundbar that works with your smartphone? See these soundbar reviews.
