Best Smartphones in Malaysia 2021

[Updated 28 July 2021]

Below is a list of the best smartphones available now in Malaysian. This list is categorised into three price brackets:

Our editor’s pick is based on overall value for money. We take the pricing, performance and features into consideration for these recommendations.

Top 3 Smartphones Under RM2,000 in Malaysia

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE LTE

(8 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(Sept 2020)

RM 2,699.00
RM2,099.00
 SAVE RM600

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.5 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
8 GB

Main Camera:
12mp + 8mp + 12mp

Battery Capacity:
4500 mAh

Network:
4G, 3G, 2G

Processor:
Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)

Operating System:
Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0

Dimensions:
159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm

Weight:
190 g

Pros

• Great Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ display

• IP68 dust/water resistant

• MicroSD expansion


• Samsung has great software update support

• Cameras come with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)

• Flagship performance

Cons

• Does not support 5G

• Doesn’t ship with fast charger

• Limited Snapdragon versions available in Malaysia

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⚠️Important Notes

• Prices fluctuate between RM 2,299 – RM1,999 with on-going promotions.

• The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is expected to launch on Aug 11, 2021. We do anticipate a further price drop leading up to the launch.

• The model recommended is the Snapdragon 865 version (SM-G780) and not the Exynos 990.

• This model is occasionally restocked on Samsung’s official Shopee store.

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Xiaomi Mi
10t Pro 5G

(8 + 256GB)

---

Launch Price
(Sept 2020)

RM 1,999.00
RM 1,799.00
 SAVE RM200

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.67 inch

Storage:
256 GB

RAM:
8 GB

Main Camera:
108mp + 13mp + 5mp

Battery Capacity:
5000 mAh

Network:
5G, 4G, 3G, 2G

Processor:
Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865

Operating System:
Android

Dimensions:
165.1 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm

Weight:
218 g

Pros

• Buttery-smooth 144 Hz refresh rate display

• Large 5,000 mAh battery

• Great camera set

• Comes with a 33W charger

• Flagship performance

Cons

• No IP rating

• IPS LCD display

• No optical zoom

• No expandable micro SD slot

• No wireless charging

---

⚠️Important Notes

• Not to be confused with the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G.

Helpful Reviews
★★★★★

• KLGadgets
• Izami Gadget

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Apple
iPhone SE (2020)

(3 + 64GB)

---

Launch Price
(April 2020)

RM 1,999.00
RM 1,808.00
 SAVE RM191

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
4.7 inch

Storage:
64 GB

RAM:
3 GB

Main Camera:
12mp

Battery Capacity:
1821 mAh

Network:
4G, 3G, 2G

Processor:
Bionic wafer A13

Operating System:
iOS 13

Dimensions:
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm

Weight:
148 g

Pros

• Grants access to the Apple ecosystem

• has IP67 rating

• Powerful A13 bionic processor

Cons

• Small 4.7inch retina IPS LCD display

• Single rear and front camera

• Small 1,800mAh battery

• Small built-in memory with no expandable micro SD slot

• Does not support 5G

---

⚠️Important Notes

None.

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★★★★★

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• Izami Gadget

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Top 3 Smartphones Under RM1,500 in Malaysia

realme 8 Pro

(8 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(Mar 2021)

RM 1,299.00
RM 1,149.00
 SAVE RM150

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.4 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
8 GB

Main Camera:
108mp+8mp+2mp+2mp

Battery Capacity:
4500 mAh

Processor:
Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)

Operating System:
Android 11, Realme UI 2.0

Dimensions:
163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm

Weight:
176 g

Pros

• Dedicated micro SD slot with dual sim support

• Decent 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display

• Amazing
108MP Ultra Quad camera set with 3x lossless zoom

• 50W SuperDart Charge

• Has 3.5mm headphone jacks

Cons

• Only supports up to 60Hz refresh rate

• Does not support 5G

• Mono speakers

• Poorer performance in its class

---

⚠️Important Notes

None.

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Mi 11 Lite 5G

(8 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(April 2021)

RM 1,199.00
RM 1,099.00
 SAVE RM100

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.55 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
8 GB

Main Camera:
64mp+8mp+5mp

Battery Capacity:
4250 mAh

Processor:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G (5 nm)

Operating System:
Android 11, MIUI 12

Dimensions:
163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm

Weight:
159 g

Pros

• Beautiful AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 90Hz display

• Support 5G

• IP53 rating

• One of the thinnest and lightest 5G device in the market

Cons

• Does not have Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)

• No 3.5mm headphone jack

---

⚠️Important Notes

• Not to be confused with the Mi 11 Lite without 5G support.

Helpful Reviews
★★★★★

• GSMArena

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Poco F3

(6 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(Jan 2021)

RM 1,499.00
RM 1,399.00
 SAVE RM100

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.67 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
6 GB

Main Camera:
48mp+8mp+5mp

Processor:
Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G

Operating System:
Android 11, MIUI 12 for POCO

Dimensions:
163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm

Weight:
196 g

Pros

• Flagship performance

• UFS3.1 memory

• Supports 5G

• Excellent AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Slightly more expensive though within budget range

• No 3.5mm headphone jack

• Mediocre camera set

• No official IP rating

• No expandable micro SD slot

---

⚠️Important Notes

• The POCO F3 is a rebranded version of the Redmi K40 device

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• Fuzz Channel

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Top 3 Smartphones Under RM1,000 in Malaysia

Redmi Note 10 Pro

(6 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(Mar 2021)

RM 999.00
RM 799.00
 SAVE RM200

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.67 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
6 GB

Main Camera:
108mp + 8mp + 5mp + 2mp

Processor:
Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G

Operating System:
Android 11, MIUI 12

Dimensions:
164 x 76.5 x 8.1 mm

Weight:
193 g

Pros

• Great AMOLED, 120Hz, with HDR10 support display

• Huge 5,020mAh battery

• Has IP53 rating

• Has a dedicated expandable microSD slot

• Fast charging 33W

Cons

• Impressive 108MP camera that delivers sub-par photos and videos.

• Camera does not have gyro-EIS for steady video shooting

• Does not support wireless charging

• Does not support 5G

---

⚠️Important Notes

• The Redmi Note 10 Pro is preferred over the 10S and 5G models.

• The Redmi Note 10 Pro does come in a 8 + 128 GB variant.

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realme 8 5G

(8 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(April 2021)

RM 899.00
RM 809.00
 SAVE RM90

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.5 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
8 GB

Main Camera:
48mp + 2mp + 2mp

Battery Capacity:
5000 mAh

Network:
2G, 5G, 3G, 4G

Processor:
MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 5G (7 nm)

Operating System:
Android 11, Realme UI 2.0

Dimensions:
162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm

Weight:
185 g

Pros

• Supports 5G

• Decent 90Hz IPS LCD display

• Huge 5,000mAh battery

• Great Dimensity 700 5G chipset which has a slight edge over Snapdragon 732G

Cons

• Mono speakers

• Slightly slower 18W charging speed

• Does not have ultrawide angle lens.

---

⚠️Important Notes

None.

Helpful Reviews
★★★★★

• Izami Gadget
• GSMArena

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POCO X3 Pro

(6 + 128GB)

---

Launch Price
(Mar 2021)

RM 999.00
RM 978.00
 SAVE RM21

---

Product Specifications

Screen Size:
6.67 inch

Storage:
128 GB

RAM:
6 GB

Main Camera:
28mp+8mp+2mp+2mp

Processor:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 860

Operating System:
Android 11, MIUI 12 for POCO

Dimensions:
165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm

Weight:
215 g

Pros

• Beautiful IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 display

• Has IP53 ratings

• Huge 5,160 mAh battery

• Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor

Cons

• Does not have a dedicated MicroSD Slot

• Does not support 5G

---

⚠️Important Notes

• The POCO X3 Pro 5G shares almost identical specs as the POCO X3 NFC with an improved processor.

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• Izami Gadget
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[Updated 14 Sept 2021]