Source: Rodion Kusaev on Unsplash
We all know that we simply can’t live without smartphones in this day and age, let alone good ones. If you are on a tight budget for a good smartphone, look no further. I’m here to help you narrow your choices down. Check out these smartphones under RM1000 in Malaysia that don’t break the bank and still serve their purpose in the best way possible.
So, keep your eyes peeled for these phones as they have been filtered based on their functionality and price which are guaranteed to get your money’s worth. Keep in mind that they are not ranked in any particular order.
1. Samsung Galaxy M21
Source: www.samsung.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Samsung Galaxy M21 price starts at RM 899.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
The 6.4-inch Infinity U-display presents an expansive viewing experience with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) Super AMOLED FHD+ which allows you to watch the latest Netflix shows and play your favorite mobile games with detailed vibrance.
Platform & Memory:
The phone is powered by an Octa-core 2.3GHz and 1.7 GHz processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64 GB storage which can be increased to up to 512 GB.
Camera & Battery:
The Samsung Galaxy M21 smartphone captures clear and wide images in the day and night time with the 48MP main camera and 8MP ultra-wide camera as well as clear detailed photos with the 5MP depth camera. Video recordings can be taken with UHD 4K video resolution at 30 fps to help you capture your important moments to the fullest at the highest quality.
The battery power of the phone at 6,000 mAh is a dream turned reality for all gamers. The charging power is not the fastest at 15 W, but the battery is sufficient to sustain a day of heavy gaming, 48 hours of call, and 131 hours of music.
Special features:
Game Booster maximizes your game performance while optimizing your battery, temperature, and memory. The Frame Booster will also offer you crisp graphics and motions which are life-like.
2. Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
Source: www.mi.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC price starts at RM 889.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
Xiaomi POCO X3 NFC is one of the best smartphones in Malaysia for gamers because of the 120Hz refresh rate. You will never miss a sharp turn or an approaching enemy get that perfect headshot.
Platform & Memory:
With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, Qualcomm Kryo 470 CPU, 8nm process technology, Octa-core processor, up to 2.3GHz; Adreno 618 GPU, and 4th Generation Qualcomm AI Engine, Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC provides strong graphics and processing power. It also has 6GB RAM with 64GB or 128GB storage and runs on Android 10, POCO Launcher 2.0.
Camera & Battery:
You can get more “likes” on Instagram with a 64MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, and 2MP macro camera which is an impressive feat for a smartphone under RM1000 like the Poco X3 NFC, if you ask me.
Because of the high Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G performance, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC smartphone benefits from a 33 W fast charging speed and strong 5160 mAh battery which makes it worth the price for a budget phone in Malaysia.
Special features:
With LiquidCool Technology 1.0 plus, the POCO X3 NFC is equipped with 3D heat dissipation which prevents your device from heating up despite hours of gaming. This smartphone is also ideal for hygiene freaks because it has an anti-bacterial case.
Source: www.mi.com.my
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S
Source: www.mi.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S price starts at RM 899.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
For the price of a budget phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S boasts an impressive 2400 1080 FHD+ resolution 6.67″ FHD DotDisplay with an IPS LCD. Moreover, you get a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection alongside a Rheinland low blue light certification which reduces eye strain and protects your eyes.
Platform & Memory:
This phone boasts a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 720G with either a 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM or a 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. It is run by Android 10 that is upgradable to Android 11.
Camera & Battery:
You are able to take sharp and exquisite photos with the 48MP AI quad-camera and 8000 x 6000 ultra-high resolution. The camera feature also supports 4K and video pro mode. This smartphone is great for taking photos of moving images because it has an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera that supports distortion correction.
Compared to the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC, this phone has less battery power at 5020 mAh with 18W fast charging. However, you can save up to RM100 for this small difference.
Special features:
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S phone is considered the most aesthetic smartphone on the list because of the 3D curved glass back that is designed to give you a good and comfortable grip. It is one of the rare phones under RM1000 that has a 5MP macro camera that takes close-up shots.
Source: www.mi.com.my
4. Realme 6
Source: Wikipedia Commons
Today’s Best Deals
Realme 6 price starts at RM 829.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
Flourished with a 90 Hz Ultra Smooth display, IPS LCD, and 2400×1080 FHD+, it provides you with an extraordinary gaming experience. The Corning Gorilla Glass also provides your screen with sufficient protection.
Platform & Memory:
The memory spaces available in the phone is 4GB RAM and 8GB RAM. However, the storage space is fixed at 128GB. It also runs on the standard Android 10 that is upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1.
Camera & Battery:
For a budget phone under RM1000, Realme 6 has the best camera with a 64MP Ultra high-resolution wide-angle camera, 8MP Ultra wide-angle lens, Black and White Portrait lens; 2MP Macro lens, and 16MP Primary camera. The sensor area reaches 1/1.7 inches and has an F1.8 large aperture.
This smartphone has a battery of 43000 mAh and 30W flash charging to get the phone on the go for the next daily usage.
Special Features:
Besides being splash-resistant, this smartphone has a Soloop app that helps you to customize it to serve you best. The Ultra Image Stabilisation Max also stabilizes all your video shooting and provides you with wider image angles at a high 4K@30fps video resolution.
5. VIVO Y50
Source: www.vivo.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Vivo Y50 price starts at RM 839.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
This 6.53-inch screen phone comes with 2340 × 1080 (FHD+) resolution. It also uses an IPS LCD panel screen with a crystal clear display, and a punch-hole notch on the top left-hand side of the screen.
Platform & Memory:
It has an Octa-core Snapdragon 665 processor with a large 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM which is impressive considering its affordable price range in Malaysia.
Camera & Battery:
Vivo Y50 comes with standard camera features with a 16 MP front camera, a 13MP main camera, an 8MP Super Wide-Angle Camera, a 2MP Macro Camera, and a 2MP Bokeh camera. The phone has a Super Night camera to capture sharp selfies and stellar night landscapes anywhere in Malaysia for Instagram.
This smartphone also has a 5000 mAh battery which is a steal for a phone under RM1000. However, this device does not support fast charging.
Special features:
For a budget phone, Vivo Y50 has one of the best technologies that can predict abnormalities in the system and solve them before they occur. The Multi Turbo 3.0 app can also reduce crashes by 80%. The Jovi Smart Scene app keeps your health and exercise habits in check. It runs on the Funtouch OS 10 that features Ambient Light which is a nice extra touch for the aesthetic soul.
6. OPPO A74
Source: www.oppo.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
OPPO A74 price starts at RM 899.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
The AMOLED FHD+ punch-hole display gives you a wholesome high screen-to-body ratio that enables an immersive 6.53-inch experience.
Platform & Memory:
It runs on the Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor and Qualcomm Adreno GPU 610 at 950MHz. The phone contains 6GB RAM with 128 GB ROM.
Camera & Battery:
The Oppo A74 smartphone has one of the best cameras for a phone under RM1000 in Malaysia which is useful for the influencers out there. It is furnished with a 48MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP depth lens and 2MP macro lens.
Highly powered with a 5000 mAh battery and a 33W flash charging, it is the best smartphone on the list for the price because it enables you to charge up to 54% in only 30 minutes which is a time saver.
Special features:
What’s special about this phone is that it runs on ColorOS 11.1 that enables you to customise your phone and translate screenshot texts by using only 3 fingers. The phone also has a Smart Sidebar to translate your screen contents to interact with foreign speakers both inside or outside of Malaysia.
7. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
Source: www.mi.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro price starts at RM 974.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
Ideal for gamers, this budget phone boasts the best refresh rate of 120Hz with a 240Hz touch sampling rate with a 6.67″AMOLED DotDisplay and 2400 x 1080 FHD+ PPI 395 resolution. The SGS Eye Care Display Certification and Reading Mode 3.0 provides a more comfortable experience.
Platform & Memory:
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G CPU and Qualcomm Adreno 618 GPU are excellent for a more spectacular gaming experience. With LPDDR4X RAM + UFS 2.2 Flash Storage, it has 3 selections to choose from: 6GB RAM with 64GB storage, 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, or 8GB memory space with 128GB ROM.
Camera & Battery:
The 108MP wide-angle camera is the most ideal feature in capturing the smallest detail to develop a more crisp image. It comes with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 5MP telemacro lens; a 2MP depth sensor lens, and a 16MP front lens.
This high-powered device has a high-capacity 5020 mAh battery with 33W fast charging to sustain you throughout the day.
Special features:
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro gives you triple protection because it is splash resistant, water-resistant, and dust resistant. Moreover, the main camera has dual native ISO and Night Mode 2.0 with RAW multi-frame for capturing sharp night images whilst reducing noise distractions.
8. Xiaomi Mi A3
Source: www.mi.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Xiaomi Mi A3 price starts at RM 599.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
Xiaomi Mi A3 is furnished with a 6.088″ AMOLED Dot Drop display and an HD+ display to provide stunning sharp images. It has 2.5D glass, rounded display corners paired with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Platform & Memory:
It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor with an Octa-core Kryo 260 CPU and Adreno™ 610 GPU. There are two types of memory and storage space to choose from which are 4GB RAM +64GB ROM or 4GB RAM +128 ROM. You are also entitled to more storage for up to 256GB ROM.
Camera & Battery:
This smartphone is the best budget phone under RM900 for taking beautiful selfies because of the 32MP AI selfie camera. It comes with Ultra Wide-angle, 48MP primary lens, 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and 2MP depth lens.
The Xiaomi Mi A3 has a 4030 mAh battery with an 18W fast charging that is sufficient for medium-paced daily usage.
Special features:
This phone boasts the best front camera for Xiaomi smartphones. It comes complete with a Palm Shutter and steady handheld night photography as well as a panorama selfie.
9. Samsung Galaxy A21S
Source: samsung.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Samsung Galaxy A21S price starts at RM 869.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
The 6.5-inch Infinity-O display screen provides a cinematic feel to enjoy your movie, games, and live streams on HD+ display.
Platform & Memory:
With an Octa-core processor 2GHz speed, you can get to enjoy a smooth performance. It has 6GB of RAM and 64 GB storage that is expandable to 512 GB. This smartphone runs on Android 10 that is upgradable to the more advanced Android 11, One UI 3.1.
Camera & Battery:
The Samsung Galaxy A21S comes with a 48 MP main lens, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens at 123°angle, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth lens.
Powered by a 5000 mAh battery, it is useful for long hour usage and impressive for a Samsung Galaxy smartphone under RM1000. However, take note of the 15W fast charging, so it’ll take a while to charge compared to other smartphones in Malaysia.
Special features:
Enjoy multi-layered security with Samsung Knox which is built to protect your phone by defending any sensitive information you have from malicious threats while solving any threats to your system on the side.
10. VIVO Y19
Source: www.vivo.com.my
Today’s Best Deals
Vivo Y19 price starts at RM 889.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display:
This device is equipped with a 6.53-inch screen with 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution which enables a wide viewing with clear, pronounced images.
Platform & Memory:
Furnished with an Octa-core CPU and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, you are able to enjoy 4GB RAM with 128 GB storage for your important apps and photos.
Camera & Battery:
The standard camera comes with a 16 MP main lens, 8MP super wide-angle lens, and 2MP super macro lens. The phone also has a 16MP front camera with a video resolution of 1080p@30fps to record precious daily moments.
You can fully utilize your device the whole day because Vivo Y19 is powered by a 5000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging.
Special features:
The high-powered battery is useful because it can reverse charge up to 5W if your friends ever need a mobile power bank. That is an awesome feature in a budget phone under RM1000. It is able to change your voice to your liking with Voice Changer which can also protect your privacy when receiving calls from unknown numbers.
How to decide for yourself the best smartphone under RM1000 (Malaysia, 2021)
It is not easy to find a cheap smartphone on a budget in Malaysia that meets all your needs. However, it is important to bear in mind that you can find the best smartphone for yourself by considering the list of questions below, based on your usage and needs.
What is your main usage?
What do you use it for the most? If you are a gamer, consider a large processor such as Octa-core with a refresh rate of above 60Hz. If you are a social media influencer, choose a phone with a selfie camera with Bokeh function.
What is your ideal battery life and charging speed?
Do you use your phone often? Then consider a phone with a battery of 5000 mAh to 6,000 mAh. Do you often need to open multiple tabs at once? Then consider a smartphone with a memory of at least 6GB of RAM.
How much space do you need?
If you need to store a lot of videos, apps, or photos, choose at least a 64 GB storage to conveniently store your important items without worrying about the extra space.
Conclusion
Searching for the most ideal smartphone for ourselves under RM1000 in Malaysia is a meticulous task. However, you can still keep to your budget without compromising on the phone’s quality and functionality. It is unnecessary to choose a high-end smartphone at the expense of your wallet. Keep in mind that the best device for you is the one that fits your needs the most. I hope the list above has helped you decide on your ideal smartphone.
