Quick answer: The best gaming smartphone in Malaysia right now is the REDMAGIC 11S Pro, RM4,499 on Shopee Malaysia (price checked 26 September 2026), built around a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with fan-and-liquid cooling so it never throttles mid-match. If you want dedicated shoulder triggers instead, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro (RM3,699) is the pick below, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (RM4,997) is the best choice if you also want a flagship camera and S Pen.
Mobile gaming is more popular than ever and smartphones today are designed with that in mind. They’ve become faster, more powerful, and hold more RAM, all so you can have the best experience possible while gaming.
Contents
- Best Gaming Smartphones in Malaysia
- Best for Heavy Gaming: REDMAGIC 11S Pro
- Best for Gaming and Photography: vivo X200 Pro
- Best for Overall Gaming Performance: iQOO 15
- Best for Budget Gaming: POCO X7 Pro
- Best for Mid-Range Gaming: HONOR Magic7 Pro
- Best for Smoothest Display: Xiaomi 17T Pro
- ProductNation’s Other Recommendations
- Best for Dedicated Gaming Controls: ROG Phone 9 Pro
- Best for Budget Fast Charging: TECNO POVA Slim 5G
- Best for Samsung Flagship Gaming: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Expert FAQ
- - How do you choose a gaming smartphone?
- - Why do you need a good gaming smartphone?
- - In your opinion, what are the top smartphone brands in Malaysia?
- - Snapdragon vs MediaTek vs Exynos: Which is better for gaming?
- - What is the best gaming phone in Malaysia right now?
- Related guides
So, whether you’re a casual gamer looking for something light that can run your favourite games, or an esports gamer who needs the best hardware possible, browse through our resident expert’s recommendations below to find the best phone that will cater to your gaming needs!
REDMAGIC 11S ProRM4,499Shopee
vivo X200 ProRM4,199Shopee
iQOO 15RM3,839Shopee
POCO X7 ProRM1,799Shopee
HONOR Magic7 ProRM2,779Shopee
Xiaomi 17T ProRM2,898.90Shopee
ROG Phone 9 ProRM3,699Shopee
TECNO POVA Slim 5GRM1,129Shopee
Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraRM4,996.98Samsung
Best Gaming Smartphones in Malaysia
2 more points
Overview
The RedMagic 11S Pro pairs a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version chip with AquaCore fan-and-liquid cooling, so frame rates hold steady through hours-long sessions. The 6.85-inch AMOLED display runs at 144Hz with a 2,592Hz PWM dimming rate that is easy on the eyes at night.
RedMagic 11S Pro Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (Leading Version)
- Display: 6.85” AMOLED, 144Hz
- Memory: up to 16GB RAM
- Storage: up to 512GB
- Battery: 7,500mAh, 80W wired/wireless
- Cooling: AquaCore fan + liquid cooling
Who Is It For?
Anyone who plays demanding titles like Genshin Impact or Wuthering Waves for hours at a time and wants zero thermal throttling.
2 more points
Overview
The vivo X200 Pro pairs a 200MP ZEISS periscope telephoto camera with a Dimensity 9400 chip, so it handles heavy games as comfortably as it shoots. A 6,000mAh battery means it rarely needs a mid-day top-up.
vivo X200 Pro Specifications
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 (3nm)
- Display: 6.78” AMOLED, 120Hz
- Camera: 200MP ZEISS telephoto
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Memory: up to 16GB RAM
Who Is It For?
Gamers who also want a genuine flagship camera, not just gaming specs.
1 more point
Overview
The iQOO 15 runs a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with a dedicated Q3 supercomputing chip for smoother frame pacing in titles like Genshin Impact, backed by a 7,000mAh battery, the largest on this list.
iQOO 15 Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3 chip
- Display: 6.85” 2K AMOLED, 144Hz
- Battery: 7,000mAh, 100W wired + 40W wireless
- Memory: up to 16GB RAM
- Storage: up to 1TB
Who Is It For?
Players who want flagship gaming performance without paying for a dedicated gaming-phone chassis.
1 more point
Overview
The POCO X7 Pro is the value pick here: a Dimensity 8400-Ultra chip and 120Hz AMOLED display handle most competitive titles at high settings, and the 6,000mAh battery with 90W charging keeps up with long sessions.
POCO X7 Pro Specifications
- Processor: Dimensity 8400-Ultra
- Display: 6.67” AMOLED, 120Hz
- Battery: 6,000mAh, 90W
- Memory: up to 12GB RAM
- Storage: up to 512GB
Who Is It For?
Budget-conscious gamers who want current-generation performance without a flagship price.
1 more point
Overview
The HONOR Magic7 Pro runs a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and pairs it with a 200MP main camera and a large silicon-carbon battery, making it a strong all-rounder that also games well.
HONOR Magic7 Pro Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Display: 6.8” AMOLED, 120Hz
- Camera: 200MP main
- Battery: large-capacity silicon-carbon cell
- Memory: up to 12GB RAM
Who Is It For?
Buyers who want flagship performance and camera quality first, with strong gaming as a bonus.
1 more point
Overview
The Xiaomi 17T Pro’s 144Hz AMOLED display is the smoothest in this price range, and its 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery with a Leica 5x periscope telephoto camera make it a genuine all-rounder for gaming and everyday use.
Xiaomi 17T Pro Specifications
- Display: 6.83” AMOLED, 144Hz
- Battery: 7,000mAh
- Camera: Leica 5x periscope telephoto
- Memory: up to 12GB RAM
- Storage: up to 512GB
Who Is It For?
Gamers who want the smoothest screen on this list without stepping up to a dedicated gaming phone.
ProductNation’s Other Recommendations
1 more point
Overview
The ROG Phone 9 Pro is built for esports: ultrasonic AirTrigger shoulder buttons, a 6.78-inch 185Hz display, and AeroActive Cooler compatibility for extended ranked sessions.
ROG Phone 9 Pro Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Display: 6.78” AMOLED, 185Hz
- Battery: 5,800mAh, 65W
- Shoulder Triggers: AirTrigger ultrasonic
- Cooling: AeroActive Cooler compatible (sold separately)
Who Is It For?
Competitive mobile gamers who want dedicated hardware controls, not a phone that merely games well.
2 more points
Overview
The TECNO POVA Slim 5G is the cheapest 5G gaming pick here, with a curved display that is unusual at this price and 8GB of RAM (with virtual expansion) to keep casual and mid-weight titles running smoothly.
TECNO POVA Slim 5G Specifications
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6400
- Display: curved AMOLED-style panel, 120Hz
- Battery: 5,160mAh
- Memory: 8GB RAM (+ virtual expansion)
- 5G: yes
Who Is It For?
Casual gamers on a tight budget who still want a 5G phone with a modern curved screen.
1 more point
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “for Galaxy” chip, so it handles any mobile game at its highest settings, backed by a 200MP main camera and a built-in S Pen for note-taking between matches.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Display: 6.9” LTPO OLED, 120Hz
- Camera: 200MP main
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- S Pen: built-in
Who Is It For?
Samsung loyalists who want one phone that is a flagship camera, a productivity tool, and a capable gaming phone.
Expert FAQ
- How do you choose a gaming smartphone?
Outstanding GPU performance (game resolution/frame rate booster feature is a PLUS!) > Durable battery life > Fast charging: These are my requirements/standards for choosing a perfect gaming phone.
Besides that, the chipset and RAM capacity is a very important requirement for a good gaming experience. An additional built-in graphics card like the vivo V3 chip in recent vivo and iQOO phones and HONOR’s discrete display chipset is great for graphics enhancement too, especially when playing graphics-heavy games like Genshin Impact.
- Why do you need a good gaming smartphone?
As a hardcore fan of Genshin Impact, I will spend 1-2 hours a day minimum on the game, and up to 6 hours if there’s a new update of the game. Therefore, I’ll need a reliable gaming phone that can keep up with this heavy usage without overheating.
If you’re like me, you’ll likely need a good gaming smartphone too. Regular smartphones often put their focus on other aspects, like the camera setup; gaming smartphones are made especially for gaming, so they have more powerful chipsets and robust cooling mechanisms to avoid overheating.
- In your opinion, what are the top smartphone brands in Malaysia?
Redmagic and iQOO are some brands that make great gaming phones with robust specs and features. The latter even keeps their price affordable!
- Snapdragon vs MediaTek vs Exynos: Which is better for gaming?
Snapdragon is considered a leader in the industry, so I would say the better option is still Snapdragon, as it has a more stable performance for long-term usage. That said, MediaTek has also been catching up in recent years, so I’m looking forward to 2025 when it can finally come out on top!
[Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the Expert and do not completely reflect the views or positions of ProductNation.]
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- What is the best gaming phone in Malaysia right now?
As of 26 September 2026, our pick is the REDMAGIC 11S Pro (RM4,499, Shopee Malaysia) for its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and active cooling. If you want dedicated gaming controls instead, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro (RM3,699) has ultrasonic AirTrigger shoulder buttons; if you want one phone for gaming, camera and productivity, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (RM4,997) is the strongest all-rounder.
