Last updated: January 2024
It’s the middle of 2023 and last year’s tech line-up is exciting, to say the least. With COVID-19 related obstacles getting out of the way and the latest smartphones, we have to say: the newest phones of the prior year did not disappoint.
The past decade was huge when it came to new technology – from the dawn of augmented reality to the beginnings of the 5G era, to huge advancements in processing and efficiency, we’ve come a long way, and so have the gadgets available to us.
With the latest and greatest smartphones ever made accessible to just about anyone in the world, now is the perfect time to consider turning in your handheld for something better, faster, and more powerful in just about every way.
Whether you’re looking to get the latest models or just aiming for an upgrade to a more recent model, we’ve come up with this list to help you find your next smartphone.
Across a dozen brands and dozens of models over a huge price range, we’ve handpicked the best handheld devices you can get your hands on right now. Read on to find out more!
Top 11 Cheapest Smartphones You Can Buy in Malaysia
If you’re in the market for a smartphone today, you’ve no doubt come across the multitude of options, including models from internationally respected brands like Apple and Samsung, to not-as-big but highly-competitive brands like Oppo and OnePlus.
Depending on your needs and ultimately your budget, if you’re looking for the best smartphones you can buy in Malaysia, then check out the list below.
1. Apple iPhone 13 - Best iPhone for most people
Apple iPhone 13 - Smartphones Malaysia
The iPhone 13 is a great phone! It has many features that are new and improved compared to its predecessors, such as facial recognition and Animoji.
Additionally, it has a larger screen than previous iPhones which makes viewing content more enjoyable.
The iPhone 13 also takes great pictures! It has a new sensor that is faster and more accurate, plus it includes portrait mode for capturing stunning photos of people.
You'll also appreciate the improved color accuracy and dynamic range. And if you're looking to take high-resolution images or videos, the iPhone 13 can do that too!
While iPhones are not technically waterproof, they do come with a number of water-resistant features that make them resistant to moisture and rain.
These features include an IP68 rating meaning the iPhone is immune to dust, dirt, snow, rain and sleet protection against accidental spills up to 3 feet in height.
In addition, the smartphone has a special coating that makes it resistant to scratches and bumps.
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2. Apple iPhone 12 - Still a Great Bargain
Apple iPhone 12 - Smartphones Malaysia
If you’re looking into the best smartphone money can buy, you just can’t ignore Apple and their award-winning iPhone line.
The latest models that came out this year – the Apple iPhone 12 and all of its variants – are the most powerful Apple smartphones ever made thanks to the new A14 Bionic chip, plus a lot of great new features and refreshing new design.
On paper, the Apple iPhone 12 is a terrific smartphone with a sleek new look. The new dual-lens camera is a marvel of innovative hardware and state-of-the-art software from Apple that delivers professional-grade camera performance that people have come to expect from the iPhone brand.
If you’re thinking of upgrading from previous iPhone models, the new 5G support should be well worth it coming into the new decade.
The iPhone 12 also has a new Ceramic Shield installed into the OLED displays, which the company says makes this phone four times less likely to break than previous models.
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Read more: Latest Apple Mobile iPhone Price in Malaysia
3. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra - Best Android phone for most people
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra - Smartphones Malaysia
Although Apple is widely regarded as the world’s top smartphone manufacturer, their key competitor, Samsung, is never too far behind.
With the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Android users get to experience the highest-end smartphone with as much power and performance as a modern PC.
With a 6.9-inch display, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra offers one of the biggest screens you can get on a smartphone, which means more space, more productivity, and an overall better viewing experience, especially for power users.
The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is 5G capable, and boasts some of the highest specs out there for people who want undisputed smart performance wherever they go.
Thanks to Samsung’s expertise when it comes to vibrant, color-accurate displays, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is the perfect for those who want to work with a truly powerful, professional tool – especially with its incredible professional-grade camera.
One of the best things about the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra is the included S Pen – a revolutionary touch stylus that lets users unlock the full potential of their Galaxy Note20, and outperforms any other stylus available on the market today.
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4. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE - Smartphones Malaysia
The Samsung Galaxy S20 was a fantastic smartphone when it launched earlier this year, but the latest variant – the S20 Fan Edition (FE) – offers similar performance with additional affordability to make for the ultimate daily driver, for everything from your personal life to professional life.
With a 6.5-inch AMOLED display and a super sleek screen-to-body ratio, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is our top pick for the best-looking smartphone, but it’s also incredibly powerful, as one might expect from a Samsung flagship.
With the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, you’ll be getting the same premium features you’d expect from the more expensive models – ultra-fast refresh rates, 5G capability, top-notch battery life, dust and water resistance, and even a telephoto lens.
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5. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max - Smartphones Malaysia
It’s the end of 2020 – a full year since the release of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max - but this smartphone is just so good that it’s still one of the best handheld devices you can buy on the market today. Plus, since the Apple iPhone 12 launched just recently, you can expect to get some pretty big savings when you buy this phone right now.
The Super Retina XDR OLED Display was one of the best Apple ever came up with – vibrant, vivid, and smooth enough to make a difference – and the triple-camera system they used helped take some of the best smartphone photographs well into 2020.
The A13 Bionic Chip is a league behind the new Apple A14, but it’s still a super-powerful, super-efficient processor that’ll hold its own for years to come.
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6. OnePlus 8T
OnePlus 8T - Smartphones Malaysia
Although it’s not as big as Apple or Samsung, the Android-based OnePlus 8T is easily one of the best smartphones you can buy in 2022.
With high-end components, a well-polished interface, and superb build-quality at a fraction of the price you’d pay for a Samsung or Apple phone with the same specs, the OnePlus 8T is as premium as premium can get.
With 5G capabilities, a whopping 12GB of RAM, and the super-powerful Snapdragon 865 5G, this phone is a top-tier pick for anyone who wants flagship performance without shelling out too much money for Apple or Samsung’s price-inflated offerings.
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7. Realme X3 SuperZoom
Realme X3 SuperZoom - Smartphones Malaysia
Realme may be a budget-oriented brand, but with the X3 SuperZoom, you’re getting flagship performance for a fraction of the cost.
With 8GB of RAM and the power of the Snapdragon 855 at your fingertips, the Realme X3 SuperZoom is a phone model that’s well worth the price, so long as you have no interest in 5G.
Get the Realme X3 SuperZoom at
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8. Oppo A31
Oppo A31 - Smartphones Malaysia
Although it’s far from being a flagship device, the Oppo A31 deserves to be on this list for its sheer price-to-performance ratio.
For significantly less than RM 1000, the Oppo A31 packs a serious punch, making it one of our favorite budget smartphones to come out this year.
With 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a large 6.5-in display and a big battery that rivals those of flagship smartphones, the Oppo A31 delivers fantastic performance for the price; so much so that it’s easy to forget that it’s a budget smartphone.
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Read more: If you are looking for a cheap smartphone, here are Top 8 in Malaysia
9. Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G
Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G - Smartphones Malaysia
There’s been a lot of controversy about Huawei, but you can’t deny they know how to make a great smartphone. The Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G came out last year, but it’s still one of the best smartphones you can buy in 2020.
The 6.53”OLED display, 8GB of RAM, and the Kirin 990 5G AI chipset come together in this smartphone to create one of the best-value offerings in the high-end smartphone range.
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10. Huawei Nova 7 5G
Huawei Nova 7 5G - Smartphones Malaysia
The newest smartphone from Huawei, the Nova 7 5G is an ultra-capable smartphone that you can get for relatively cheap.
For just under RM 2000, you can enjoy flagship-like performance as well as an award-winning camera system that keeps Huawei users coming back thanks to its superb picture quality and camera performance.
Does Huawei Nova 7 5G have Google?
While Huawei Nova 7 5G does not have Google, it is compatible with many of the same Android applications and services.
As a result, you can access your Gmail account, Moonwalk (Google Maps), YouTube, Play Store, and more without any trouble. Additionally, you can still use various other apps that require a Google login such as Instagram or Facebook.
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11. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro - Smartphones Malaysia
You can’t have a list of the best smartphones without mentioning Xiaomi, and the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is their fastest, most powerful, and most surprisingly affordable flagship ever.
Though this phone was released back in November 2020, it has received some great reviews from users who appreciate its speed and overall performance.
Additionally, the camera on this phone is said to be excellent, with stunning images that can rival those taken with more expensive models.
One of the best reasons to get the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is for its 108MP camera. Other brands do software better, but when it comes to sheer high-end hardware and top-notch performance, it’s tough to beat Xiaomi at any price range.
There have been several reports of the handset lasting for days on end without charging thanks to its high-capacity battery pack (which also supports Quick Charge 4).
So whether or not you're currently using or considering buying a smartphone, theMi 10T Pro may still be a good option due to its many outstanding features.
Even the Mi 10T – their flagship – is available at standard mid-range prices despite its premium features and performance.
Get the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro at
Where to Buy the Cheapest Smartphones Malaysia
What is Cheapest Best Smartphone in Malaysia?
This is a really tricky question, because it really depends on your budget, the features you are looking for and the phone you are currently using.
For example, if you have a iphone 11, you might want the iPhone 12, since it is a better upgrade. If you are using a Samsung Galaxy S20, you might want the Galaxy S22, since it is very similar, but with a better screen.
If you are looking for a cheap android phone, you might consider the POCO X3 Pro, which is RM999.00 and you get a lot of excellent smartphones for this price.
All in all, there is no perfect phone for everyone. Each of us has different criteria and different needs. The best way to find the best phone for you is to visit the stores and try out each display set for the best feel.
How to choose the best smartphone for you?
You need to assess your needs, and buy a phone that meets them.
If you are buying a camera phone, you must consider megapixels and the number of pixels per inch. Higher end camera phones have a better sensor and lens in addition to better software. There are also apps that help you manipulate your images.
If you are looking for a music phone, you must look at the quality of sound output and the software that comes with it, if you are looking for a gaming phone, you must consider the graphic processor and the RAM storage.
If you are looking for a business phone, you must look at the reliability, security and the ease of use.
Which is better Android or iOS?
Android offers more options and flexibility than iOS when it comes to customizing your experience, and the range of available apps. Android also releases more frequent security and performance updates nowadays, allowing users to keep their phones up to date with the latest technology.
On the other hand, iOS provides a more unified experience with less clutter and a consistent, clean user interface. iPhone users also benefit from good customer service, as Apple stores are considered more prestigious than Android stores.
Ultimately, Android and iOS both offer powerful devices that are great for accessing the web and many other activities, so it’s worth exploring both to see what’s best for you.
Do iPhones last longer than androids?
Generally, iPhones are known for their durability and reliability. In fact, iPhones can last for up to three years with proper maintenance.
That said, the lifespan of any device depends heavily on usage. Android phones are generally cheaper than iPhones, and thanks to the sheer number of different models, you can easily find one within your budget.
However, because of their inexpensive price tags, many Android phones lack the same level of quality that iPhones offer.
With that in mind, it’s possible for an Android to last just as long as an iPhone if you maintain it properly and don’t push it too hard. Ultimately, the answer to this question largely comes down to individual user experience.
Smartphone Malaysia
From the RM 4,500+ Apple iPhone 13 to the budget-oriented Oppo A31, 2023 will be a great year for smartphones! For whatever need and any budget range, we hope you found the best smartphone for you on this list of the best smartphones you can get right here in Malaysia.
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