Maxis now has its own smartphone and it’s simply called the NeXT by Maxis. For RM78/month, the NeXT is an all-in-one bundle that gives you a 4G phone, bundled data and calls plus an extended warranty for a worry-free experience.
The smartphone itself is called the NeXT M1 and it gets a 5.5″ HD display, an Octa-Core processor and a 13MP camera. Maxis hasn’t revealed its full specs but it looks like an entry-level device.
UPDATE: Maxis has updated the page with the device’s spec sheet. The NeXT M1 has a 5.5″ Full HD display and it runs on a Helio P10 (MediaTek MT6755) processor mated to 2GB RAM with 16GB storage (expandable via MicroSD). For camera, it gets a 13MP main unit while the front has a 5MP shooter with LED flash. The battery is a non-removable 2,960mAh capacity unit which charges via microUSB.
The NeXT package is tied with a 24-month contract and you’ll get 4GB of data and 50 minutes of calls included each month. If you need more data, you can top up 500MB/day at RM5, 1GB/day at RM8 or 3GB/3days at RM12.
According to the site, the NeXT M1 is offered with RM0 upfront but strangely the FAQ has a section on device advance payment. Interestingly, there’s also mention of 4G weekend data in the FAQ as well.
UPDATE: The NeXT’s 4GB data is split between 2GB all day and 2GB 4G weekend data.
The biggest differentiator would be its Ultimate Care as the device comes with a 24-month warranty against defects and 12 months coverage for its bundled accessories (e.g. cable, charger). For greater piece of mind, there’s also a 6-months screen protection and Maxis is also offering a one-time 1 to 1 replacement if you damage your phone within the 24-month device warranty.
For the price, you probably can get a better device and more data for your money each month. However, the extended warranty and one-to-one swap coverage could be the deal breaker in the entry-level segment.
The NeXT M1 device will be available starting 3rd March, which is tomorrow. For more info, visit the Maxis NeXT website.
