Last updated: January 2024
Smartphones are essential in this day and age. It’s the all-in-one tool that lets us communicate, research, enjoy entertainment, store notes, photographs, videos, and more, while being able to sit comfortably in the palms of our hands or fit snugly in our pockets to go with us wherever we go.
Especially now, in quarantine, we are closer than ever to our smartphones – it’s how we’ve managed to stay in touch with the outside world.
If you’re in the market for a smartphone or tablets but worry about how expensive it can get, then that’s justified.
After all, the latest and greatest smartphones today can cost upwards of RM 5000, depending on which make and model.
However, that doesn’t mean smartphones are only for the rich and famous. You can get your very own fully-functional smartphone for a fraction of that price.
Of course, you won’t be getting as many bells and whistles, but for under RM 500, you’re sure to find a smartphone that caters to your needs.
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Top 10 Smartphones You Can Buy For RM500 or Less
If you’re looking for the best bang for your RM 500, then check out the following list of the best smartphones you can buy right now for just RM 500 or less.
| 10 Best Budget Smartphones in Malaysia | Best Deal |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 9A | RM349.00 |
| Oppo A16 | RM499.00 |
| Samsung Galaxy A10S | RM399.00 |
| Huawei Y7 Pro | RM390.00 |
| Lenovo A8 | RM399.00 |
| Honor 9A | RM449.00 |
| Wiko View 4 Lite | RM366.00 |
| Realme C3 | RM154.01 |
| Huawei Y6P | RM449.00 |
| Oppo A12e | RM469.00 |
1. Xiaomi Redmi 9A - Cheap & Good Smartphone
Xiaomi Redmi 9A - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
When it comes to entry-level smartphone offerings, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A stands on top of the rest as the budget smartphone king.
For just RM 300+, you can enjoy some excellent performance, a massive battery, a sleek, modern design, and one of the best speakers you’re likely to find in this price range.
With 2GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM storage, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A offers incredible performance for its price. The G25 High Performance processor keeps most apps snappy and responsive, but don’t expect to run the most demanding apps with ease.
At 6.53 inches, the display is a great size that offers a solid viewing experience, especially considering the great audio quality.
Another great thing about Xiaomi Redmi 9A is that you get entrance to the ever-popular MIUI ROM that’s installed on top of Android. MIUI prides itself on smoothness and modern design, and is often dubbed the closest you can get to iOS on Android.
Available in Twilight Blue, Peacock Green, and Carbon Gray.
Get the Xiaomi Redmi 9A – one of the best budget smartphones available - right now below at
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2. Oppo A16
Oppo A16 - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
Oppo has made a name for itself as a top-notch provider of budget to mid-range smartphones, and for those looking for a smartphone under RM 500, the cheap Oppo A16 delivers fantastic performance and quality for the price.
The Oppo A16 phone is a budget-friendly option that offers features that are comparable to more expensive models.
Its camera is good for basic photography, and the phone has a large storage capacity. It also runs on the Android operating system.
Unfortunately even though the battery life of the Oppo A16 is excellent, it is not a good choice for gaming. Playing PUBG or Call of Duty will lag especially when you are outdoors with many other people.
Overall, the Oppo A16 is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable smartphone for photography and regular use.
You can buy the Oppo A16 for just
10. Oppo A12e
Oppo A12e - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 and 3GB of RAM, the Oppo A12e is a top-performer in the budget smartphone range.
For its price, the 64GB of storage is a god-send, and with the big 4230mAh battery, you can expect this smartphone to get you through your day with charge to spare. It’s also got the Adreno 506 chip to manage graphics effectively, making this smartphone a solid option for most mobile gamers.
The Oppo A12e smartphone runs on ColorOS, a simple yet intuitive UI based on Android 8.1. The 6.2-inch display is bright and vibrant with HD+ resolution and up to 16 million colors. Available in two colors: Dark Purple and Red.
You can buy the Oppo A12e for just
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3. Samsung Galaxy A10S
Samsung Galaxy A10S - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
Xiaomi and Oppo may offer excellent budget options, but when it comes brand performance and overall polish, you just can’t beat Samsung – the Android King itself.
Although Samsung is better known for its high-end flagships that typically go for RM 4000 or more, the entry-level Samsung Galaxy A10S is a top-tier budget smartphone from one of the best brands available.
With 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, the Samsung Galaxy A10S offers middling specs on paper, but the software optimizations and high-quality hardware ensures a solid user experience nonetheless. The 6.2-inch display offers terrific HD picture quality, and the 13MP front camera performs surprisingly well.
Although it runs Android 9.0, the Samsung Galaxy A10S comes with OneUI – the Samsung-made user interface that runs on top of Android. The 2.0GHz Octa-core Cortex A53 chip that powers this phone also makes it one of the best-performing smartphones in this price range. Available in four colors: Red, Black, Blue, and Green.
The Samsung Galaxy A10S can be yours for just
4. Huawei Y7 Pro
Huawei Y7 Pro - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
The Huawei Y7 pro is a great phone in Malaysia. This cheap smartphone has a lot of features that are similar to the other high-end phones in the market, but it is much more affordable.
The main selling points of this phone are its dual camera (which is great for taking photos), battery life (which is terrific), and its overall design.
The Huawei Y7 features a 13 MP rear camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 5 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.4 aperture. It also has phase detection autofocus (PDAF) for the rear camera, which helps it focus quickly and accurately. The rear camera is also capable of recording 1080p video at 30 fps.
As far as picture quality goes, the Huawei Y7 is a decent mid-range smartphone camera. It takes sharp and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions, but performance start to deteriorate in low light – though this is to be expected with any smartphone camera.
Another great thing about this phone is that it comes with Android Nougat pre-installed, which means that you'll have access to all the latest features and updates from Google.
Overall, the Huawei Y7 pro is a good all-rounder for those who are looking for a high-quality, but budget-friendly smartphone.
Get it at
5. Lenovo A8
Lenovo A8 - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
They didn’t start making smartphones until recently, but Lenovo has always been considered an industry-leading computing brand, and their expertise shows in the Lenovo A8. Sleek and sturdy with a modern, rugged design, the Lenovo A8 combines durability and build-quality with performance components to deliver an entry-level smartphone that’s worth a look.
With 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, and the MediaTek Helio P22, the Lenovo A8 packs a punch in terms of power and performance. Plus, with Android Q, you’re getting the latest version of Android and all of the high-end features that comes with it.
The Lenovo A8 is also one of the few smartphones to offer Triple SIM capabilities. It comes with 4 card slots – one MicroSD and three nano SIM slots to help you freely switch between SIM cards on the fly. The 5000mAh battery is also impressive.
The Lenovo A8 is readily available on for just
6. Honor 9A
Honor 9A - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
As a subsidiary of Huawei, Honor delivers some serious hardware even in the entry-level smartphone range. The Honor 9A is a great phone, particularly for gamers who need solid performance at budget prices.
With 3GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM, the Honor 9A should have no trouble with most games and apps, especially considering the Octa-core Cortex A53 that powers it.
Buy the Honor 9A smartphone for just
7. Wiko View 4 Lite
Wiko View 4 Lite - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
Made in France, Wiko may not be one of the most popular brands, but it’s definitely a solid contender in the smartphone market, especially their entry-level Wiko View 4 Lite.
With a vivid 6.52” display and 64GB of storage, the Wiko View 4 Lite offers a ton of performance for a smartphone that costs just RM 399. It runs Android 10 – so you’re getting the best security and the latest features – plus the 4000mAh battery gives you plenty of juice to get you through your day and then some.
The Wiko View 4 Lite also runs on Wiko Launcher, and smooth user interface that runs on top of Android 10. It’s got Face Unlock technology and supports Dual SIM. It even comes with a dedicated button for Google Assistant!
Make the France-made Wiko View 4 Lite your next smartphone for just
8. Realme C3
Realme C3 - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
A subsidiary of Oppo, Realme is known as great, budget-friendly smartphone brand with some great entry-level to mid-range options, including the Realme C3 entry-level smartphone.
With the Helio G70 processor and 3GB of RAM, the Realme C3 offers very competitive performance for the price. The 32GB storage is less than what we’d expect, but the 5000mAh battery makes up for it in troves.
The Realme C3 also offers terrific camera performance. Apart from the high-quality 12MP camera hardware, Realme takes pride in its AI-powered camera systems that work well in guaranteeing good pictures in all kinds of environments.
Get the Realme C3 smartphone – one of the best-selling budget smartphones – right now for just
9. Huawei Y6P
Huawei Y6P - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
From budget offerings to mid-range options, and even to high-end flagship-level smartphones, the Huawei brand is popular in just about every smartphone market in the world thanks to its top-notch performance and modern features. The Huawei Y6P is their entry-level smartphone, but keeps enough premium features to be one of the best budget phones you can buy today.
The 6.3” display boasts a modern dewdrop aesthetic instead of the dated top panel you’re likely to find on other, older devices, particularly in this price range. With a large 5000mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, the Huawei Y6P is easily one of the most powerful entry-level smartphones you can get your hands on for under RM 500.
Get your Huawei Y6P smartphone right now at
10. Oppo A12e
Oppo A12e - Smartphones under RM 500 Malaysia
The Oppo A12e is a good smartphone. It has a lot of features that are popular among smartphone users, such as a high resolution camera and good battery life. It's also affordable, which makes it a desirable option for people on a budget.
With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 and 3GB of RAM, the Oppo A12e is a top-performer in the budget smartphone range.
For its price, the 64GB of storage is a god-send, and with the big 4230mAh battery, you can expect this smartphone to get you through your day with charge to spare. It’s also got the Adreno 506 chip to manage graphics effectively, making this smartphone a solid option for most mobile gamers.
The Oppo A12e smartphone runs on ColorOS, a simple yet intuitive UI based on Android 8.1. The 6.2-inch display is bright and vibrant with HD+ resolution and up to 16 million colors. Available in two colors: Dark Purple and Red.
You can buy the Oppo A12e for just
What is a budget smartphone?
A budget smartphone is a mobile phone that is designed to be affordable, often undercutting market prices of similar models from other manufacturers.
These devices often have muted features, low-end specs, and even slower performance, but they provide essential features like messaging, internet access, and basic applications at an economical price point.
Easily accessible, these devices are frequently found in retail stores, budget department stores, and online markets. By offering users access to the world of smartphones at an affordable cost, budget phones are driving down the cost of ownership and making technology more accessible for everyone.
How to choose the best cheap phone in Malaysia?
Picking the best but cheapest phone can be challenging. But there are so many phone brands and models out there that are budget-friendly. When choosing the best cheap phone, you must assess the features and specifications you want first so you can select the right model for you.
Do you want a clear front camera? Or maybe you want lower storage so you can save money? These are just some of the factors you need to take a look at. Once you’re done assessing, then you can now browse for phone models and brands that perfectly suit your needs.
Whether you’re an Android or Apple user, you’ll surely find a cheap phone for yourself.
How much RAM is good for a phone?
For a more powerful device, 6GB or more is recommended. Anything more than 8GB is overkill for a phone and generally reserved for gaming phones and other high-end devices.
If a phone has a microSD slot, extra RAM can be replaced with internal storage, so users don't have to sacrifice one for the other.
However, make sure that the device has enough RAM for the apps and services that are being used, as not having enough can lead to lag and app crashes.
Is Vivo or Oppo better?
Vivo is perhaps the better brand for those looking for stunning visuals, as their flagship models are renowned for their display quality.
Oppo, on the other hand, specialize in camera technology, with some of their models having some of the best cameras available on a smartphone.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, as both brands offer a great range of products to choose from.
What is the cheapest phone in Malaysia?
You don’t need to shell out big bucks to get your hands on one of the most ubiquitous tools the world has ever known. Whether you’re opting for trusted brands like Samsung and Lenovo, or want to explore new value offerings from other brands, get your very own smartphone now for less than RM 500!
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