With so many varieties of phones in the market, we are certainly spoilt for choice, making it hard for us to choose the best phone to get. However, when it comes to choosing a gaming phone, it is slightly different than choosing a normal phone for daily use. After all, you want the best gaming phone that you can rely on in the heat of battle or at the suspenseful crunch times, especially if you want to win and also provide you with the best gaming experience at the same time!
The Best Gaming Phone 2021 Malaysia: How to Choose?
But how would you choose the best phone for gaming given the many options in the expanding gaming phone category, especially with phone gaming becoming more mainstream in recent days? Which one is the best phone in Malaysia? What are the first things that you should look for in a gaming phone? What are the specifications in a phone that would be good for your gaming experience? Which is the most suitable one for you?
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The chipset of the phone, the efficiency of its cooling system, a high refresh rate, display size, battery capacity and charging speed are among the important factors to look for in a gaming phone and these are the specifications that you should take note of as you choose the best gaming phone for you.
Therefore, this article aims to shed light on some of the best gaming phones in Malaysia based on these factors so you can select the best phone for an incredible gaming experience. Let’s begin exploring these phones so you can decide which one is the best for you.
Asus ROG Phone 5
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Asus ROG Phone 5 price starts at RM 2,555.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
The ASUS ROG Phone 5 follows the launch of the ASUS ROG Phone 3 back in 2020 and this sleek new version is fast becoming a gamers’ favourite. So, let’s take a closer look at its specifications:
Battery Charging Capacity
With a large 6,000 mAh battery capacity, users can look forward to longer gaming sessions without any interruptions. A new split design can ensure better thermal stability even during these longer gaming hours. Additionally, it also comes with 65W charging, along with a side-mounted port for the convenience of gamers as it enables them to charge their phone while gaming.
Display Size and Refresh Rate
With a large 6.78-inches Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED) screen size, users can certainly look forward to a great gaming experience. The ASUS ROG Phone 5 has a touch sampling rate of 300 Hz and a high refresh rate of 144 Hz, which are great features for gaming to ensure that users won’t face lag when they game.
CPU, RAM, and Other Features
The powerful phone also boasts up to 16GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 888 chipset, with Adreno 660 Graphics Processing Units (GPU) on Android 11. Gamers would also appreciate the shoulder triggers, programmable RGB (red, green, and blue) lights, dedicated gaming mode in the software, and dual front-facing speaking speakers, all of which can certainly provide for a great gaming experience. The ASUS ROG Phone 5 was released in Malaysia in March 2021.
Reasons to Avoid
However, two drawbacks would be its lack of a telephoto camera and its price, which might not be affordable for everyone. The price on its website is listed as starting from RM 2,999.
ASOS ROG Phone 5 Phantom Black Design, Source: rog.asus.com
ASOS ROG Phone 5 Storm White Design, Source: rog.asus.com
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel
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Lenovo Legion Phone Duel price starts at RM 2,289.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel was launched three years after the launch of Lenovo’s gaming sub-brand, and it does not appear to be disappointing. Packed with top-notch specifications, the phone was designed from the ground up with gamers in mind and for the ultimate gaming experience.
Display Size, Response Rate and Touch Sampling Rate
The phone has a 6.65 inches AMOLED display size with a 144 Hz response rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate to ensure colourful and sharp gaming images. Users have the option of playing in horizontal mode as well as the option of casting it on a connected external monitor or television. The phone runs Android 10 with Lenovo’s LegionOS laid over the top.
Dual Front-Facing Speakers
The phone has dual front-facing stereo speakers for the assurance of top-notch audio quality. Meanwhile, its dual vibration engines would certainly help gamers to fully immerse themselves while playing.
CPU, RAM, and Other Features
The phone has a Snapdragon 865 chipset and was apparently among the first to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus 5G Mobile Platform when it was launched. The Snapdragon 865 is deemed as being able to improve the performance of the phone. It also comes with either the 12 GB or 16GB RAM option, with Adreno 650 GPU. Another interesting feature of this phone is its pop up camera. The motorised pop up camera is 20 MP with an f/2.2 aperture.
Other than these, the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel also has an advanced cooling system with dual liquid cooling and copper tubes to ensure that the phone does not overheat during advanced gaming lengths. The phone was also designed with its dual 2,500 mAh batteries at the sides to allow the gamers to hold the handset easier. Depending on the RAM version, the phone has up to 90W fast charging. The trigger buttons are also a highlight of this phone, as not all phones have trigger buttons. This would be a good phone for you to get if you are looking to gain a competitive advantage over other gamers with on-screen buttons. The phone was released in Malaysia in October 2020.
Reasons to Avoid
It is worth noting that the camera can be considered average at best, and the price of the phone also lies on the higher end. The price on its website is listed as starting from RM 3,099.
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel, Source: lenovo.com
Lenovo Legion Phone Duel, Source: lenovo.com
Apple iPhone 12
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iPhone 12 price starts at RM 2,889.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Price starts at RM The Apple iPhone 12 creates some competition for Android from dominating the gaming phone scene, proving that iOS can hold its own! Let’s delve into what this phone offers for gaming:
Bionic Processor
The phone, which was released in Malaysia in November 2020, has a powerful A14 Bionic processor, a new version of the central processing unit. According to Apple, the A14 Bionic processor is the fastest chip in a smartphone. The phone operates on the iOS 14.1 system and is upgradable to 14.7.
Display
For the perfect gaming experience, the phone boasts of up to 6.1 inches display with a resolution of 2,532 x 1,170 pixels and 460 PPI pixel density. It also uses Super Retina XDR OLED technology, which can enhance the images on the phone.
Dual-Camera System
The phone also comes with a dual-camera system with night mode. The new wide camera is reported to bring in 27 per cent more light for clearer pictures.
Ceramic Shield
Another unique feature of the phone is its Ceramic Shield, which protects the phone should the user accidentally drops it, especially in the heat of battle!
Reasons to Avoid
Apart from this, the battery capacity of this phone is only 2,815 mAh (Li-Ion and non-removable) with fast 20W charging. Do take note that just like the rest of the iPhone series, it is not cheap. The price on its website is listed as starting from RM 3,899.
Source: apple.com
Source: apple.com
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra price starts at RM 4,399.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
It is undeniable the phone’s sleek and clean finishing is attractive, but what lies underneath Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are attractive features that every gamer can certainly appreciate.
Display
A big AMOLED screen size of 6.8 inches with 1,400 x 3,200 pixels at a 20:9 ratio can provide for a satisfying gaming experience, along with a 120 Hz refresh rate as the higher refresh rate can show more images per second.
Chipset and Memory
There are two RAM options which are 12 GB or 16 GB. When it comes to the chipset, Samsung describes the phone as having the fastest chip in a Galaxy phone and the 5nm processor will also ensure smooth multitasking and fast content streaming. The phone has been released with versions with one version holding the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and the other is powered by the Exynos chip. The Snapdragon 888 is of course an interesting chipset, leaving many to wonder about the differences between the Snapdragon 888 and the Exynos chip. A detailed review of both the Snapdragon 888 and the Exynos chip can be found here. With that, we hope this can answer any questions that you have about the Snapdragon 888 and Exynos chip.
Battery Capacity and Other Features
With a 5,000 mAh battery capacity and fast wireless charging 2.0, gamers can have peace of mind that the phone can run smoothly, especially during intense gaming moments! According to Samsung, the battery is able to learn the user’s application usage and subsequently optimise power consumption. Other than these, the Eye Comfort Shield feature can adjust blue light so that the user’s eyes do not feel so tired. The phone was launched in Malaysia in January 2021.
Reasons to Avoid
However, all of these attractive features are also reflected in the price of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra – which, unsurprisingly, sits on the higher end of the spectrum. Despite this higher price, future buyers must take note that there is no MicroSD slot in the phone, which can be slightly disappointing given the price. The price on its website is listed as starting from RM 4,799.
Source: samsung.com
Source: samsung.com
Black Shark 3 Pro
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Black Shark 3 Pro price starts at RM 3,359.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
With a catchy name that implies a powerful phone that is able to meet the strongest enemy in the gaming world, this phone has its attractive features to meet this challenge!
Display
Gamers are bound to appreciate the large 7.1 inches AMOLED screen display that will certainly. provide for a great gaming experience. Additionally, with 1,440 x 3,120 pixels, gamers can also look forward to sharpness and clarity in images.
CPU and Memory
The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset on Android 10 with an Adreno 650 GPU. There are options between 8GB and 12 GB RAM, with UFS 3.0 storage.
Battery Capacity and Other Features
The phone’s battery certainly packs a punch with a Li-Po 5,000 mAh non-removable battery and fast charging of 65W. Additionally, the phone also has stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone has been described on its website as having the world’s lowest touch latency of 24 ms, to deliver stunning fast actions with a 30% increase in fluidity. The Black Shark 3 Pro was launched in Malaysia in June 2020.
Reasons to Avoid
The phone only has a 90Hz refresh rate, which is lower compared to other gaming phones in this review, like the Asus ROG Phone 5 and Lenovo Legion Phone Duel for example. The RAM options could also be larger as the larger capacity will come in handy, especially for gaming with more resource-heavy games.
Source: global.blackshark.com
Source: global.blackshark.com
Nubia Red Magic 5G
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Nubia Red Magic 5G price starts at RM 2,399.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Another popular phone among gamers is the Nubia Red Magic 5G. So, let’s take a closer look at the specifications of this phone:
Display Size and Resolution
The Nubia Red Magic 5G has a big AMOLED display at 6.65 inches with an impressive refresh rate of 144 Hz. Gamers would also appreciate the built-in shoulder button triggers and vibration to fully immerse themselves in the best gaming experience. Gamers would appreciate the shoulder triggers for increased control while gaming.
Chipset and Cooling System
The phone is powered on the Snapdragon 865 5G chipset with an Adreno 650 GPU on Android 10. In terms of RAM capacity, the phone has 3 different options which are 8GB, 12 GB, and 16 GB on UFS 3.0. A liquid cooling system with Turbo Fan V 3.0 would certainly come in handy during longer gaming hours to ensure that the phone does not overheat.
Battery Capacity and Other Features
The battery capacity of the phone is 4,500 mAh and the phone also comes with low blue light to ensure eye comfort while gaming, which would greatly benefit gamers during extended gaming sessions. The phone was launched in Malaysia in March 2020.
Reasons to Avoid
However, one downside of the Nubia Red Magic 5G is the 1,080 x 2,340 screen, and this could mean a lack of sharpness in the images.
Source: global.redmagic.gg
Source: global.redmagic.gg
Pocophone F2 Pro
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Pocophone F2 Pro price starts at RM 1,999.00 | View at Shopee Malaysia
The Pocophone F1 smartphone was generally deemed to be a good value of money. Following this model was Pocophone F2 Pro, so let’s check out what this model offers for gaming:
Display
With a 6.67 inches Super AMOLED display, the phone can hold its own when it comes to bright contrast and colours for a vivid gaming experience.
Chipset and Memory
The Pocophone F2 Pro has an Adreno 650 GPU and a Snapdragon 865 5G chipset. The operating system is Android 10, but it is upgradable to Android 11.
Battery Capacity and Other Features
The phone has a decent battery capacity with a non-removable Li-Po 4,700 mAh battery with fast 30W charging. There are four colour options to choose from, which are neon blue, phantom white, electric purple, and cyber grey. The Pocophone F2 pro was launched in Malaysia in June 2020.
Reasons to Avoid
However, one of the downsides of this phone is a rather low refresh rate of only 60 Hz, and it does not come with a MicroSD card. Additionally, the RAM capacity options of 6GB and 8GB can also be higher to cope with more resource-heavy games.
Source: po.co
Source: po.co
Best Gaming Phones under RM 1,000
If you’re looking for less expensive gaming phones, fret not because this article will also cover the three best gaming phones under RM 1,000! After all, a higher price tag should not be a deterrent for those who are looking to purchase the best gaming phone.
Redmi Note 9 Pro
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Redmi Note 9 Pro price starts at RM 869.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
With the Note series being a key model of the Redmi brand, are you curious to find out what the Redmi Note 9 Pro offers for gaming? Let’s take a look:
Display size and features
The phone has a comfortable display size of 6.67 inches with 1,080 x 2,400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Additionally, the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 also offers screen protection.
CPU and Memory
It is powered by a Snapdragon 720G chipset on Android 10 and has an Adreno 618 GPU. The RAM options of this phone are up to 8GB with memory storage options of 64GB and 128 GB.
Battery Capacity and Other Features
Gamers will be pleased with the non-removable Li-Po 5,020 mAh battery with fast 30 W charging for those long hours of gaming. There are three colour options to choose from which are tropical green, glacier white, and interstellar grey. The phone was launched in Malaysia in May 2020.
Reasons to Avoid
However, it must be noted that the phone is on the heavier side. But if you’re comfortable with its weight, this phone is a good value for money as it provides access to other features that make a good gaming phone.
Source: mi.com
Source: mi.com
The Poco X3 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Poco X2, so let’s take a closer look into the features of this phone.
Poco X3 NFC
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Poco X3 NFC price starts at RM 899.00 | -> View at Shopee Malaysia
Display Size and Refresh Rate
Gamers looking for an overall comfortable gaming experience will be satisfied with the 6.67 inches in-plane switching (IPS) LCD screen and 120 Hz refresh rate. Users can also be assured of screen protection with Corning Gorillas Glass 5.
CPU and Operating System
The Poco X3 NFC, which was launched in Malaysia in September 2020, has the Snapdragon 732G chipset with an Adreno 618 GPU. The operating system is Android 10, but it is upgradable to Android 11.
Battery Capacity, Stereo Speakers, and Other Features
It comes with a non-removable Li-Po 5,160 mAh battery with fast 33W charging. Additionally, the phone also has dual stereo speakers that support self-cleaning and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. There are two colour options to choose from which are cobalt blue and shadow grey.
Reasons to Avoid
One of the downsides of this phone is the fact that the RAM options are rather on the lower side at 6GB and 8GB. But overall, this phone is a good value for money with a good refresh rate and sufficient battery capacity to ensure that long sessions of gaming are supported. Certain gamers would also appreciate the 3.55mm headphone jack that can provide zero-latency while gaming.
Source: po.co
Source: po.co
Redmi Note 10
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Redmi Note 10 price starts at RM 699.00 | View at Shopee Malaysia
The Redmi Note 10 which was launched less than a year after the Redmi Note 9 Pro also offers gamers options in the budget smartphone category. Let’s delve into this phone’s features:
Display Size
The phone has a 6.43 inches Super AMOLED screen with 1,080 x 2,400 pixels and a 20:9 ratio. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers protection to the screen.
CPU and Memory
The chipset of the phone is a Snapdragon 678, it has an Adreno 612 GPU on Android 11. There are two RAM options which are 4GB and 6GB.
Battery Capacity and other Features
The Redmi Note 10 has a non-removable Li-Po 5,000 mAh battery with fast 33W charging. It also comes with stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and high-res audio certification. The phone comes in three colour options which are shadow black (onyx grey), frost white (pebble white), and aqua green (lake green). In comparison to the Redmi Note 9 Pro, this phone is slightly lighter at 178.8g compared to the former’s 209g. The phone was launched in Malaysia in March 2021.
Reasons to Avoid
The screen size of Note 10 is also smaller (6.43 inches) compared to Note 9 Pro (6.67 inches). Additionally, the Note 9 Pro offers RAM options of 6 GB and 8G, but Redmi Note 10 has smaller options of 4GB and 6GB. But if you’re comfortable with the overall specifications of the phone, apart from the two factors, you can consider getting this phone.
Source: mi.com
Source: mi.com
Are You Ready to Choose the Best Phone for Gaming in Malaysia?
With that, we hope that this article has been beneficial for you to evaluate which is the best gaming phone in Malaysia, and you can now choose the best gaming phone to get based on the features that are the most important for you. Wishing you all the best for your future gaming adventures, let the gaming begin, and may the best gamer (and phone) win! Feel free to share in the comments below which are the features that you consider to be the most important for a gaming phone!
Sheela Vijayan
Sheela Vijayan is an Indian-Chinese Malaysian from Selangor, Malaysia. An engineer by training, she began her career with an international bank before leaving to work full-time with her church. She is currently devoting her time to pursuing her passion for writing and enjoys connecting with her readers through her words.