UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
We’re back! This year, we’ve got another juicy new selection of budget-friendly smartphones under RM1,200. So, what’s new in 2018? Quite a lot, actually. This year’s crop of smartphones may be among the best ones we’ve seen especially if you’re looking at the amount of goodies you can get for your money.
2017 was the year of shrinking bezels, dual cameras and the pursuit of even more selfie goodness in the mid-range market so this year’s compilation was an interesting set of devices. Across the board, you’re getting bigger screens — closer to 6″ than 5.5″ — but in a form factor that isn’t a whole lot bigger.
As usual, there are some rules. The first one is that these have to be relatively new smartphones, having been launched within about six months to a year from the day this list was first compiled. What’s more, none of these phones made an appearance on our previous list so you can still look at that one if you don’t mind picking up older phones.
Unfortunately, this year, Sony’s Xperia XA2 smartphone didn’t make the cut because that device’s RRP is RM1,299, pushing it just out of this list. That said, we will continue to update this list with more phones — like the promising Nokia 6 (2018) — as they launch so be sure to keep an eye out for that.
In any case, let’s get into the meat and potatoes of it all. For those who are new to our smartphone guides, you will find an entry for each smartphone in the following pages. Each entry will contain a brief rundown on some of the specs and some other features we think you should know about that particular smartphone.
In each entry, we will also provide links to where you can buy these phones online. However, keep in mind that we will not be responsible for any purchases you make, so do so at your own discretion. We would generally advise users to make purchases from reputable sellers or official stores. We also advise users to purchase devices with official Malaysian warranties to avoid any complications should problems arise with that particular device. Sure, there may be instances where imported sets are more affordable, but the risks associated with it are also higher.
Then, on the second last page, you’ll find our massive comparison table so you can see how each phone stacks up against each other at a glance. Finally, on the last page we will have an “Editor’s Choice” list where we will pick the best handsets from this list based on a particular category, including an overall “best budget phone” award.
Ready? Let’s get things started.
[nextpage title=”Xiaomi Redmi Note 5″]
For two years in a row, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note devices have been the reigning champions on our list and it isn’t hard to see why. Despite the fact that a lot of its competition has raised its prices, Xiaomi’s managed to keep their Redmi Note smartphones priced under RM1,000 while also offering better specs.
This year’s Redmi Note 5 danced dangerously close to the edge of RM1,000, with the most capable variant being priced at RM999, but it is also the best Redmi Note smartphone they’ve made yet.
In the past, the camera experience has definitely been the weakest link in the otherwise rock solid package this handset offers. This year, they’ve taken their camera to the next level with a dual-camera setup that features a 12MP main sensor with an f/1.9 aperture lens and a secondary 5MP camera for depth effects. The best part about this camera is the fact that it has Dual Pixel autofocus — yes, the same kind you’d find in some of Samsung’s best flagship handsets.
From what we’ve gotten to test, the Redmi Note 5’s camera is certainly promising. It’s snappy, can take good photos, and thanks to its secondary 5MP camera, it can also capture portrait mode photos with smooth blurred out backgrounds.
Couple that with the excellent value-for-money hardware that includes a Snapdragon 636 processor, up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, a 4,000 mAh battery, fingerprint scanner, large 5.99-inch Full HD+ 18:9 aspect ratio display plus a premium metal body, and you’ve got one killer smartphone on your hands. Also, a nice little bonus feature is that the Redmi Note 5 actually supports dual 4G standby.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM799
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM999
Where to buy (pre-order starts 25th April 2018):
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Mi retailers
[nextpage title=”Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus”]
This is the first time Xiaomi’s “basic” Redmi smartphone has made it into our list of smartphones under RM1,200. However, if you consider the fact that the Redmi 5 Plus was initially thought of as the replacement to the Redmi Note 4, you probably wouldn’t be too surprised.
Nevertheless, the Redmi 5 Plus is a capable phone and can definitely hold its own among the “big boys” on this list. In many ways, it’s very similar to last year’s Redmi Note 4 as it packs a frugal Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor with a choice of 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. It’s also got a metal body, a large 4,000 mAh battery and a tall 5.99″ Full HD+ display pushing a resolution of 2160×1080 pixels.
The biggest difference between this and the Redmi Note 5 — besides its processor — is its camera, where you’re getting a more pedestrian 12-megapixel f/2.2 aperture main shooter and a 5-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera.
However, this phone has the benefit of being more affordable, with prices starting at RM749 for the base model and going up to RM899 for the top-spec variant. This means you can save up to RM100 if you pick this over its Redmi Note relative, which makes it idea for those on a tighter budget.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM749
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM899
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Mi retailers
[nextpage title=”Xiaomi Mi A1″]
The Xiaomi Mi A1 was last year’s poster child for a value budget smartphone because it combined the smooth fluidity and frequent updates of stock Android with the bang-for-buck hardware specs of Xiaomi. In theory, it was a match made in heaven and for the most part the smartphone definitely lived up to it, making it one of my go-to recommendations whenever people ask for a budget smartphone recommendation.
Its key feature lies in its software as the Mi A1 is the first handset in Google’s new revamped Android One program. This means the smartphone comes with a super slick stock Android experience and you are almost guaranteed consistent security updates and software support for two years after the handset has launched. This means, you should, at least, get Android P when it eventually launches as well.
On the hardware side of things, Xiaomi’s Mi A1 is powered by a Snapdragon 625 processor mated to 4GB of RAM with either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage.
Besides that, the Mi A1 features a dual-camera setup at the back with two 12MP sensors — similar to that on the Mi 6 flagship handset — so you have 2X telephoto zoom capabilities as well as Portrait Mode features.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Xiaomi Mi A1 — 4GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM799
Xiaomi Mi A1 — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM999
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Mi retailers
UPDATE: A previous version of this article originally stated that the Mi A1 does not support microSD storage expansion. This error has been rectified.
[nextpage title=”Huawei Nova 2i”]
Eager to get a slice of that selfie lover segment of the market that’s dominated by OPPO, Huawei released their first quad-camera smartphone in the Nova 2i. And boy did they do a good job at it. On launch, it was one of the best value-for-money mid-range handsets in the market that featured a slim-bezeled 5.93-inch Full HD+ 18:9 aspect ratio display that you may now know as the “Full View” display.
Today, the price has dropped significantly and although its RRP is still RM1,099, you can often find this phone for far less. Its specs are still solid, packing a Kirin 659 octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage that you can further expand with a microSD card.
For photos, you get a 16MP + 2MP dual camera at the back and a 13MP + 2MP dual camera in front so you can get bokeh-fied shots no matter which camera you use.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Huawei Nova 2i — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM1,099
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Huawei retailers
[nextpage title=”Huawei Nova 2 Lite”]
Launched as a more affordable alternative to the Huawei Nova 2i, the Nova 2 Lite comes in at a slightly more affordable retail price of RM799. However, you are giving up quite a lot for that lower price tag because you’re getting a lower resolution 5.99-inch HD+ screen and an entry-level Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor. RAM and storage also takes a hit, being bumped down to 3GB and 32GB respectively.
For photography, you’re getting a 13MP + 2MP dual camera at the back with an 8MP f/2.0 aperture selfie shooter in front. Keeping the lights on is a 3,000 mAh battery, which is also 340 mAh less than the Nova 2i. Sealing its fate as the “Lite” phone is the handset’s decidedly plastic body, making this one of the only two handsets on this list with a plastic shell.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Huawei Nova 2 Lite — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM799
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Huawei retailers
[nextpage title=”honor 7X”]
When you think of bang-for-buck phones, there is really only one brand in the market you think of besides Xiaomi, and that brand is honor. This year, their affordable mid-ranger is called the honor 7X and it’s an excellent device for the money.
Inside, the honor 7X is powered by a Kirin 659 processor mated to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It’s also got a 3,340 mAh battery to keep the lights on and a 16MP + 2MP primary camera at the back for bokehlicious photos. If you think those specs sound familiar, that’s because they are. They’re pretty much identical to that of Huawei’s Nova 2i.
The only part where the honor 7X loses out is in the front camera, where the honor 7X only features an 8MP selfie shooter compared to the Nova 2i’s dual-camera selfie shooter. Still, you do save some money so if selfies aren’t your thing, this may be the better device for you.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
honor 7X — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM899
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised honor retailers
[nextpage title=”honor 9 Lite”]
Of the two honor smartphones on this list, the honor 9 Lite is the more selfie-centric one because it has a 13MP + 2MP dual camera system in both the front and back of the smartphone. This allows you to take portrait mode photos and get blurry backgrounds to make your selfies pop.
It is also the more affordable honor handset but you do get less smartphone. Its screen, for example, is smaller, measuring just 5.65 inches but it still pushes a resolution of Full HD+, which is nice. The honor 9 Lite is also powered by a Kirin 659 processor, but it gets just 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. You’re also getting a smaller 3,000 mAh battery similar to the Huawei Nova 2 Lite.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
honor 9 Lite — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM749
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised honor retailers
[nextpage title=”Wiko View Prime”]
Those looking for a little French flair, Wiko’s View Prime is the smartphone for you. This is the company’s first stab at a Full View smartphone and honestly it isn’t the best value for money handset on this list. Even after all this time, the official RRP for this handset is still RM1,199, which means it is at a significant disadvantage when you compare it to the other smartphones here.
The View Prime’s screen only measures 5.7 inches diagonally and only pushes a 1440×720 pixels across the panel, giving it a resolution otherwise known as HD+. Inside, the smartphone is powered by an entry-level Snapdragon 430 processor that’s mated to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
Keeping the lights on is a 3,000 mAh battery, which also isn’t particularly large. However, it does have a 20MP + 8MP dual camera up front for taking selfies and a 16MP camera at the back for everything else. Unless you’re dying for a Wiko phone, or found it at a great price, I wouldn’t really recommend this phone over some of the better value handsets on this list.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Wiko View Prime — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM1,199
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Wiko retailers
[nextpage title=”Wiko View”]
If you want a little French flair but can’t afford the Wiko View Prime, the company has another, more affordable smartphone that you can overpay for and it’s called the Wiko View. Like its more expensive sibling, the Wiko View’s official RRP has also not changed since its launch and remains a stubborn RM899.
For that money you’re getting pretty much the same screen as the Prime but your processor gets knocked down to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chip, and RAM and internal storage is now just 3GB and 32GB respectively. You’re also left with a single 13MP camera at the back and a 16MP camera in front for selfies.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Wiko View — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM899
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Wiko retailers
[nextpage title=”Meizu M6s”]
Meizu’s M6s is a fairly sleek looking smartphone from the Chinese smartphone maker. It makes some interesting design choices but the phone in itself is reasonably spec-ed for its price tag. In fact, it is the most affordable handset on this list.
In front, the phone packs a 5.7-inch display but it only pushes a HD+ resolution of 1440×720 pixels. Inside, it’s powered by a Samsung Exynos 7872 hexa-core processor that is basically a tuned down version of the processor you’d find in the Samsung Galaxy A8. That SoC is then mated to 3GB of RAM andd 32GB of internal storage, plus a 3,000 mAh battery to keep everything running.
For photos, it gets a 16MP f/2.0 main camera and an 8MP f/2.0 selfie shooter so there’s nothing out of the ordinary here. Its body is made of metal and Meizu made the questionable design choice of mounting the fingerprint scanner on the side of the handset ala-Sony.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Meizu M6s — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM699
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Meizu retailers
[nextpage title=”Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro”]
Samsung’s new crop of J-series smartphones are objectively attractive devices considering their position in the South Korean electronics giant’s hierarchy. Previous Galaxy J phones have always been a little nasty but this year they’ve definitely improved.
And the Galaxy J7 Pro is the most capable one in the line. In front, the handset is the only device on this list to feature an AMOLED display measuring 5.5 inches with a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. However, this phone is still in that 16:9 aspect ratio and still features rather fat bezels.
That said, you do get to keep the front fingerprint scanner and capacitive back and menu keys. Inside, it’s powered by an Exynos 7870 octa-core processor mated to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It also has 13MP cameras on the front and back while a 3,600 mAh battery keeps the phone running.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM1,099
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Samsung retailers
[nextpage title=”Moto G5s Plus”]
Moto has been a little quiet in Malaysia but the G5s Plus is definitely a capable smartphone. For fans of stock-like Android experiences, this is one of the few phones that offers that, plus a couple of added features like Moto’s gestures.
On the hardware side of things, the device is pretty standard, featuring a Snapdragon 625 processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Its also got a 13MP + 13MP dual camera system at the back and an 8MP selfie shooter in front for all your photography needs.
That said, if you were looking for a tall 18:9 screen with slim bezels, you will be disappointed because the handset comes with a regular 16:9 aspect ratio display with regular old bezels. Still, it pushes a resolution of Full HD 1920×1080 pixels so you do get a sharp 401 pixels per inch so that’s always nice.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Moto G5s Plus — 4GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM999
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Moto retailers
[nextpage title=”vivo V7″]
vivo’s V7 is the more affordable version of their absolutely befuddling V7+ handset and it fundamentally has a lot in common with its more expensive sibling. This includes the fact that you will be paying a premium if you’re planning on picking this handset up because it costs RM1,199.
For that money, you will be getting a 5.7″ display that pushes a HD+ resolution of 1440×720 pixels in an 18:9 aspect ratio. Inside, the device is powered by an entry-level Snapdragon 450 processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Its also got a 3,000 mAh battery keeping the lights on.
Since it is a phone for the selfie generation, the V7 has a 24-megapixel front camera with beautification features and a 16MP primary shooter at the back.
These aren’t terribly impressive specs for its price tag but that’s what you have to expect picking up a vivo smartphone. However, if you’re looking for a selfie smartphone, you’d be hard pressed to find a more dedicated brand. Well, except for their sister company OPPO of course.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
vivo V7 — 4GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM1,199
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised vivo stores
[nextpage title=”OPPO F5″]
While the brand new OPPO F7 was just released in Malaysia awhile back, that smartphone unfortunately launched above the price limit of this guide. The good news for those who are looking for a smartphone that lives and breathes selfies is, OPPO’s F5 has just received a price cut awhile back, putting its RRP at just over RM1,000.
As far as specs are concerned, the handset features a 6-inch Full HD+ 18:9 LCD display that pushes a resolution of 2160×1080 pixels. At its heart, the phone has a MediaTek Helio P23 processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Keeping the lights on is a 3,200 mAh battery.
But if you’re looking at this phone, odds are you’re most concerned about the selfie camera and the OPPO F5 has a 20MP shooter with an f/2.0 aperture up front for your selfie needs. It comes with OPPO’s famous beautification features which can get pretty crazy. At the back, you’ve also got a 16MP sensor paired to an f/1.8 aperture lens for the times where you want to take pictures of things other than your face for whatever reason.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
OPPO F5 — 4GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM1,099
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised OPPO retailers
[nextpage title=”Neffos N1″]
One look at the Neffos N1 and you might see the resemblance between it and a certain 2017 flagship from China. But that’s pretty much where the resemblance ends because the N1 — despite its flagship looks — is very much a mid-ranger.
In front, the phone has a regular 16:9 Full HD display that pushes a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels across 5.5 inches. Inside, the handset is powered by a MediaTek Helio P25 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and has a 3,260 mAh battery to keep the lights on.
For photos, it does get a 12MP + 12MP dual-camera system at the back with an 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera up front. Its dual camera is similar to the Huawei P10, that it also shares a striking resemblance with, where one sensor is an RGB sensor while the other is a monochrome sensor.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
Neffos N1 — 4GB RAM, 64GB storage — RM1,099
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised Neffos retailers
[nextpage title=”ASUS ZenFone Max Plus (M1)”]
ASUS’ ZenFone Max line has always been one that boasts excellent battery life and that shows with the latest handset to launch in Malaysia from the same line. This is the ASUS ZenFone Max Plus (M1) and it has the biggest battery of any phone on this list, coming in at 4,130 mAh. Granted, it isn’t bigger by a huge margin, but extra mAhs are always welcomed.
Besides that, the smartphone also features an 18:9 Full View screen measuring 5.7 inches and pushing a resolution of 1440×720 pixels, otherwise known as HD+. Inside, it has a MediaTek MT6750T processor mated to 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.
For imaging, the smartphone gets a 16MP + 8MP dual camera at the back that combines a standard focal length f/2.0 aperture lens (on the 16MP sensor) with an ultra wide 120-degree lens (on the 8MP sensor). In front, you’ve got a 16MP selfie shooter with an f/2.0 aperture lens that comes packed with beautification features and HDR.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
ASUS ZenFone Max Plus (M1) — 4GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM799
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee, Lazada
Store: Authorised ASUS retailers
[nextpage title=”HTC Desire 12 & 12+”]
Despite the once prestigious names, HTC’s Desire 12 and Desire 12+ are the company’s sub-RM1,000 smartphone. These draw a lot of visual inspiration from HTC’s flagship U11 smartphone but with significantly watered down specs.
The Desire 12+ is the larger and more capable device of the duo. It’s got a 6″ 18:9 aspect ratio display but it only pushes a HD+ resolution of 1440×720 pixels. Inside, you’re getting an entry-level Snapdragon 450 processor, mated to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. This model also comes with a 13MP+2MP dual camera module at the back for shallow depth of field effects. In front, you’ll be greeted by an 8-megapixel camera when you need to take a selfie. This phone also comes with a 2,965 mAh battery.
On the other hand, the smaller Desire 12 bumps screen size down to 5.5 inches but maintains the same resolution so you get more pixels per inch. Besides that, you get a MediaTek MT6739 processor instead, though RAM and storage remains the same. It also loses one camera at the back so you’re left with a single 13MP main shooter with an f/2.2 aperture lens while the front also gets bumped down to a 5MP selfie shooter. Battery capacity also takes a hit, now only coming in at 2,730 mAh.
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
HTC Desire 12+ — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM899
HTC Desire 12 — 3GB RAM, 32GB storage — RM739
Where to buy:
Online: Shopee
Store: Authorised HTC retailers
[nextpage title=”Comparison table”]
Click to enlarge
Here’s a quick look at all the phones and their specs so you can quickly compare each device with the other spec-for-spec. It is important to figure out what you want a smartphone to do before deciding what phone to buy.
For example, if you’re looking for good battery life, then you might want to consider devices with a Snapdragon 625 or Snapdragon 636 processors that also have big batteries around 4,000 mAh.
If software updates are important to you, then you should definitely consider phones with stock or close to stock operating systems like the Xiaomi Mi A1, for example. You can also look at devices that launch running Android 8.0 Oreo and above because that is the latest version of Android at the time of this guide’s publishing (April 2018).
If camera is your thing, this year is your lucky year because there are a number of devices that feature much more capable cameras than the devices that grace last year’s list. Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 5 and Mi A1 are two good examples.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that a dual camera system automatically means a better camera experience — because it doesn’t. Check out reviews for those devices and you should be able to get a good idea on their camera performance. That said, if selfies are your thing and you want a whole bunch of beautification features, then you can’t really go wrong with OPPO’s F5, vivo’s V7 or Huawei’s Nova 2i.
Performance should also factor into your purchasing decision because a laggy phone is almost always a nasty experience, unless you’re some kind of masochist or something. If you can afford it, look for devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625, Snapdragon 636 or Kirin’s 659 processor and you should generally get a pretty smooth experience. Moving down that, MediaTek’s Helio P23 and Helio P25 processors are also reasonably good.
Perhaps one of the most important factors you need to consider is internal storage. The good news is that all the phones here come with at least 32GB of internal storage which I think is the bare minimum for a smartphone in 2018.
If you’re someone who uses dual-SIM and you need microSD expansion as well, you should consider devices with a dedicated microSD slot. Hybrid options mean you have to give up your secondary SIM for additional storage and vice versa.
Finally, if you’ve scanned the entire table and still can’t decide what phone you should get, check out our Editor’s Choice page where we’ll recommend some of our favourites from this list.
UPDATE: A previous version of this article originally stated that the Mi A1 does not support microSD storage expansion. This error has been rectified.
UPDATE 2: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
[nextpage title=”Editor’s Choice”]
UPDATE: Good news! We have updated and published a brand new Best smartphones under RM1,200 guide! It includes the new devices that have launched since this guide was published as well as the new discounted prices thanks to zero-rated GST. You can check it out here.
The ultimate all-rounder — Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
For the third year running Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series reigns supreme. The company’s latest Redmi Note 5 is their best Redmi Note phone yet and, we’d argue, it is the best phone on this list.
Not only does it come with solid specs in the form of a Snapdragon 636 processor, up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage, the Redmi Note 5 also comes with a large 4,000 mAh battery and a large 5.99-inch Full HD display.
What’s more, the 12MP + 5MP camera on the Redmi Note 5 is the best one Xiaomi’s put on a Redmi device yet so it is shoring up one of their line’s biggest weaknesses.
Couple that with the fact that its price tag — even for the most expensive variant — doesn’t exceed RM1,000 and it is truly a budget smartphone hunter’s dream device. Perhaps the only problem I personally have with this device is MIUI, but I’m a stock Android fan so your mileage may vary.
Best software experience — Xiaomi Mi A1
There is a reason why we call this the dream combination. To us, Xiaomi’s solid value-for-money hardware was always hindered by its heavily skinned MIUI software. Not only is MIUI a completely different experience to stock Android, phones running it often don’t get Android version updates (for example, Android 7 to Android 8) and instead receive MIUI version updates (for example, MIUI 8 to MIUI 9) instead.
With Android One, you’re getting all the goodies of stock Android, and considering how good Android has become in recent years, this is a very good thing. Couple that with the fact that the Mi A1 is already on Android 8.0 Oreo and is on the latest security patch, you’ve got a pretty good combination.
The only caveat with picking up a Mi A1 in 2018 is the fact that the device is already one year old. Android One’s commitment was two years of software support with at least two Android version updates. Mi A1 launched with Android Nougat and is now running Android Oreo. That means, you will likely only get upgraded once more to Android P when that version finally launches.
However, even if you stop receiving Android version updates, you’ll still get the smooth buttery experience of stock Android to enjoy with your already solid smartphone.
Best selfie smartphone — Huawei Nova 2i
This was a pretty tricky smartphone category to recommend. We think that if you’re going for pure 100% selfie features and selfie quality, you’d probably want to check out the OPPO F5 or vivo V7 instead. However, people buying these devices would likely also want a good phone to go along with good selfie taking capabilities as well.
And Huawei’s Nova 2i is an excellent smartphone for its money. For a time after its launch, the Huawei Nova 2i was the de facto smartphone to get if you wanted a mid-range handset with a Full View 18:9 aspect ratio display. It had a good processor, it had a large sharp screen and a good build — specs that we think are definitely superior to the other two “selfie experts” we mentioned on this list.
Plus, it’s no slouch in the selfie department either. In front, it’s got a dual-camera setup with a 13MP main sensor paired with a 2MP secondary sensor that’s used for depth effects. This meant you could take selfies with nice blurry backgrounds which is always attractive.
So, if you were looking at the whole package that includes a good phone with good selfie-taking capabilities, the Huawei Nova 2i is definitely the one we’d recommend.
