Smartphones are an integral part of (almost) everyone’s life – even more so in recent years. According to Statista, there are 2000000 smartphone owners in Malaysia.
Your mobile phone helps you achieve a series of feats, from connecting with people half the world away to entering a romantic relationship via dating apps as well as making QR code payments before one could even blink. Hence, a good quality smartphone is vital.
Needless to say, smartphones have evolved into such a necessity that they should not be going anywhere, anytime soon.
When it comes to smartphones, the first brands that typically come to mind are Apple, Samsung, or HUAWEI – these are decent smartphone manufacturers in their own right, but there are plenty of other brands that provide good value and quality performance too. From budget and mid-range phones to high-end premium devices, there are so many choices on the market that it’s easy to feel lost.
Therefore, we’ve engaged our resident tech enthusiast, Umar, to help you break down the best smartphones in Malaysia. He’s a tech enthusiast who takes his interest in gadgets seriously, just like he does his coffee, photography, and filmmaking.
Editor
Mae An NG's Profile chevron_right
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Umar Naqshbandi chevron_right
Table of Contents
9 Best Smartphones To Get in Malaysia
Why It's Our Top Pick?
Our choice for the best smartphone overall is the Galaxy S24 Ultra, making it our top camera phone as well. Right now, hands down, the best Android phone that money can buy is no other than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The display is stupendous; it is fast and has a powerful performance; the battery life spans long; and the cameras are top-notch. Besides that, it features a built-in S Pen stylus, which is the main reason (besides camera zooming). As for having one of, if not the best, cameras on a smartphone right now, It is probably for this reason that camera updates are continually being rolled out by Samsung in order to improve picture quality and camera system stability, especially for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Overview
Some of the top-notch screens you can lay your hands on on any phone are found on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. This 6.8-inch AMOLED display comes with a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz that ensures power and performance are always optimised.
You can find the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s S Pen in the hole on the left edge of the phone by pushing the cap inside, and you can take out the pen from it by touching it with your fingers. Plus, it will notify you after retrieving your phone regarding whether or not you have forgotten this important accessory. Additionally, the flat screen of the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes it easier for the S Pen to be used in that it’s less likely to have your palm recognised as an input by the curved edge, making the S Pen more usable.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra employs Corning Gorilla Armour, which is tougher than any other type of glasses used on smartphones. The reflectivity of this glass type is less than that of other ordinary glasses; hence, it can greatly diminish reflection between 1 and 75 percent, contingent upon light intensity. On the back panel, the Galaxy S24 Ultra features the Gorilla Glass Victus 2, complemented with a matte finish to prevent fingerprint accumulation while maintaining a premium outlook. For dust and water, it has an IP68 rating and the ability to stay underwater at a depth of 1.5 metres for thirty minutes without any damage.
An under-display fingerprint sensor is your best bet for biometric security due to it being easy to reach and working reliably with the smartphone; however, face unlock is also available for users. The Galaxy S24 Ultra resolution can be increased from 2,340 by 1,080 pixels, which is its default setting, to the full 3,120 by 1,440 in Settings, making all images much sharper and animations smoother. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and has made the processor’s vapour chamber 92% larger than the S23 Ultra, resulting in increased performance and more AI power. Lastly, the weight of the S24 Ultra is only 0.03 pounds less than that of the S23 Ultra, making it lighter due to the improved design.
Details:
- Screen: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2,600-nit peak brightness
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
- Dimensions & Weight: 162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6mm & 232g
- Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless
- Refresh rate: 1Hz–120Hz variable
- Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Resolution: QHD+
- RAM: 12GB
- Front Camera: 12MP f/2.2
- Rear Cameras: 200MP f/1.7 wide, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 50MP f/3.4 periscope (5x), 10MP f/2.4 telephoto (3x)
Who is it for?
With a refined design, tonnes of power, a built-in stylus, helpful AI tools, and seven years of promised updates, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best Samsung phones you can buy for the long haul. Therefore, if what you need is just nothing but something top-class in Samsung brands of smartphones and camera superiority that you can stick with over a long period of time, then you need to consider getting the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Overview
A handheld gaming titan in the palm of your hand, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is undeniably compact, making it easier to fit inside a pocket. In addition, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is dustproof and waterproof at a depth of one metre for thirty minutes, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 within this Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts faster UFS 4.0 and LPDDR5x for memory bits.
A resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels and a maximum brightness of 2,500 nits are some of the features found on the 6.78-inch AMOLED screen of the ROG Phone 8 Pro. It can still be seen even in direct sunlight, and it has a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate but has the capability of boosting its smoothness by setting it to 165Hz.
Asus decided to use an inward-facing camera placed beneath the screen, thus diminishing the bezels on the phone's frontal side to a 100% screen area. On the back side, there is a camera protrusion, but the phone's overall feel for gaming purposes, like landscape handholding while playing games, is well-balanced.
The phone's rear panel contains a second display. 341 programmable mini-LEDs on the ROG Phone 8 Pro can only be seen when they are turned on. When it is off, the back panel seems continuous without any signs of light coming from underneath it. One can find more than 20 pre-programmed animations, like displaying information about charges, working as a music visualizer, or showing a camera icon, letting other people realise that you are taking photos.
Visual speed isn't the only notable aspect of the ROG Phone 8's screen. It also has a 720Hz touch sampling rate, which means it responds to touch input far faster than other phones. This is a clutch for games that require quick button presses and high levels of responsiveness.
Lastly, to keep the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro cool during gaming, it has upgraded its cooling conductors, which take heat coming from the processor to the back cover, with the AeroActive Cooler X, which is designed in such a way that it can help further alleviate the situation of back cover heating by up to seventy-nine degrees Fahrenheit while at the same time ensuring that gaming sessions can be carried out for an extended amount of time.
Details:
- Features: Capactive touchscreen with 10-point multitouch (supports glove touch), HDR10 support, Always-On display
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, SM8650, Qcta-core CPUs, 3.3GHz
- Dimensions & Weight: 163.8mm / 76.8mm / 8.9mm, and 225g
- Display: 6.78" FHD+ SAMSUNG Flexible AMOLED
- Screen Type: Corning® Gorilla® Glass VictusTM2
- Operating System: Android™ 14 with ROG UI
- Power Adapter: USB power adapter (65-Watt)
- SIM Cards: Dual Nano SIM (5G/4G/3G/2G)
- Rear Camera: 50 MP + 13 MP + 32 MP
- Resolution: 2400x1080 pixels
- Memory: LPDDR5X 12GB
- Storage: UFS4.0 256GB
- Front Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,500 mAh
- NFC: YES
Who is it for?
The ROG Phone 8 Pro is one of the best performers in the smartphone gaming segment, designed specifically for gamers. Although some may be faster than ASUS` flagship products, none can maintain such consistency throughout their lifespan in terms of pure performance for gaming needs. Therefore, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the ideal smartphone for those looking to buy the best gaming smartphone available on the market.
Overview
Sporting Armor Aluminum frames along with exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the Cover Screen and back, the Flip4 is Samsung's most durable foldable phone to date.
The Main Screen is fortified with the optimized layer structure to reduce damage from external shock. It’s also IPX825 certified water resistant, making it one of the first water-resistant foldable phones in the world.
Plus, the upgraded camera system now comes with 65% brighter sensor and the newest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform, so your photos and videos will come out clearer and crisper, even in low light conditions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 4nm Octa-Core Processor
- Display: 6.7” FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Main Screen), 1.9” Super AMOLED (Cover Screen)
- Memory: 8GB RAM + 128GB/256GB/512GB ROM
- Rear Camera: Dual Camera, 12MP Ultra Wide + 12MP Wide-angle with OIS
- Front Camera: 10MP
- Battery: 3700mAh, 25W Super Charging
- Operating System: Android 12, One UI 4.1.1
Who is this for?
If you’re tired of the same old brick-like smartphones, then you should try the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4! It’s unconventional yet as powerful as a typical flagship smartphone, packing all the features you need and more. Plus, you can also customize the colours with the Bespoke Edition to really make a statement with your phone!
Overview
The metallic frame on the front and back corners of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro now has a more rounded shape. This makes holding and using it smoother on the palm. Consequently, the phone sheds some girth as well as some ounces due to its titanium nature.
The front glass of the 15 Pro uses Apple Ceramic Shield and the rear panel has an infused colour with a matte texture. It also has an IP68 certification that guarantees the device is entirely resistant to water as well as dust.
The largest change in the hardware is the Action button, which used to be the ringer switch. The button still rings out of the box, but it can be set up to open the camera instead, turn on the flashlight, switch to Focus mode, etc. Opening Apple’s Shortcuts will show that this button allows you to do any task.
The USB-C port on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro can transfer data at 10 GB/s, record ProRes video to an external SSD, and output a 4K60 HDR signal for extending your iPhone’s display to a monitor/TV. You can also use it to charge AirPods Pro or Apple Watch.
The adaptable refresh rate of the screen is between 1Hz and 120Hz, a technology known as ProMotion from Apple. Whenever you scroll or play games, such dynamic rates could assist in energy savings when using slow rates on still frames as opposed to rapid increments when scrolling through menus. The Apple iPhone 15 Pro has True Tone white balance that adapts to surrounding light too.
Details:
- Features: IP68 dust/water resistance, Apple Pay certification, Always-On display, Dual-LED flash, HDR
- Video: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, Dolby Vision HDR
- SIM: Nano-SIM, eSIM (International), Dual eSIM (USA), Dual SIM (China)
- Triple Main Camera: 48 MP wide, 12 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide
- Internal Memory: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB storage, 8GB RAM
- Body Dimensions & Weight: 146.6 / 70.6 / 8.3 mm & 187g
- Display Type: LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Platform OS: iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.4
- Build: Glass front and back, titanium frame
- GPU: Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
- Protection: Ceramic Shield glass
- Chipset: Apple A17 Pro (3 nm)
- Resolution: 1179 x 2556 pixels
Who is it for?
As for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro, some may like its sleek appeal and feel, while those who create content will be impressed by the features it has such as recording ProRes video. As for iPhone fans, they will enjoy exploring its customisable Action button and adaptable refresh rate display, while professionals will find its productivity-enhancing features invaluable, from high-speed data transfer to customisable shortcuts. Therefore, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is a versatile device made for many users, especially for iPhone fans.
Overview
The Xiaomi 13T Pro 5G comes before the next-gen flagship and includes an excellent Leica-branded camera, a large display, as well as some high-quality specifications. Xiaomi is still able to provide users with an opportunity to experience exclusive technology through smart trade-offs in pricing. In both dimensions and texture, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is big but not heavy or awkwardly large in your hand.
One of the best parts of the Xiaomi 13T Pro 5G is the triple-lens camera, which includes a main shooter with optical image stabilisation that is 50-megapixel, a telephoto lens that is 50-MP and supports 2x optical zooming, and a static-focus ultrawide of 12-MP.
Just like Xiaomi’s flagships, this camera is enhanced by Leica and comes with two modes: Authentic, which gives natural colours, and Vibrant, with colours that really pop out. You can easily snap away and get a picture that works for you in almost any situation, whether you are inside a building with dim lighting; outdoors when it’s evening or morning; or during cloudy as well as bright hours.
While curving at the back corner of its body through the frame, the screen of the Xiaomi 13T Pro is simply impressive - measuring 6.67 inches with an AMOLED display featuring 2,712 x 1,220 pixels resolution—and tops all these off with adaptive refresh rates that go as high as 144Hz, moreover, it comes with Dolby Vision support. - you’d find it easy to read a book outside or play games in daylight because videos looked good even in direct sunlight.
When it comes to its longevity and construction, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is secured by Gorilla Glass 5 and has an in-built screen protector, IP68 grease dust, and waterproof, so there is very little to fear concerning environmental damage.
When it comes to the top and bottom of the frame on the Xiaomi 13T Pro’s stereo speakers, you can expect good audio quality, while unlocking with the in-display fingerprint sensor is really quick and flawless.
Details:
- RAM & Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB ROM; 16GB RAM, 1TB ROM
- Battery: 5,000mAH (120W Xiaomi Hypercharge)
- 6.67” AMOLED Screen , 144Hz refresh rate
- Rear Camera: 50MP + 50MP + 50MP
- Mediatek Dimensity 9200+
- Front Camera: 20MP
- Android 13, MIUI 14
Who is it for?
The Xiaomi 13T 5G Pro stands out as one such device that could have been made for people who love high-end phones, as well as those who want to make use of good cameras because it comes with all top-notch specifications and great cameras. Notably, the Leica-branded triple-lens camera system is a shining light for photography enthusiasts. The system features a 50-megapixel primary shooter incorporating optical image stabilisation a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens that guarantees versatility and superior image quality. It includes options such as versatile shooting modes, improved low-light performance, and support for Dolby Vision with bright photo viewing.
Overview
In an era where productivity, flexibility, and the ability to work from anywhere have become paramount, Samsung's brand new Galaxy Z Fold5, like its predecessor, is a complete game-changer.
Weighing in at 253g, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is 10 g lighter than its predecessor and 2.4mm thinner than before, at 13.4mm. Unfolded, the device features a comfortable 7.6" screen, providing ample space for multitasking and content consumption. The screen is incredibly bright, boasting 1200 nits of brightness and peaking at 1750 nits.
With its large screen, multitasking capabilities, and upgraded S Pen, the Z Fold5 is more than equipped to handle the complexities of modern work life. Need a bigger screen for viewing complex documents or a smaller device that fits right into the palm of your hand? The Galaxy Z Fold5 has got you either way.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 For Galaxy
- Display: 7.6” HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Main Screen), 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (Cover Screen)
- Memory: 12GB RAM + 256GB/512GB/1TB ROM
- Rear Camera: Triple camera, 50MP Wide Angle with OIS, F1.8 + 12MP Ultra Wide F2.2 + 10MP Telephoto F2.4
- Front Camera: 10MP Selfie Camera (Cover), 4MP (Under-display camera)
- Battery: 4,400mAh dual battery, 25W wireless, 15W wired
- Operating System: Android 13, One UI 5.1.1
Who Is It For?
If you’re new to the foldable game, you can’t go wrong with the Galaxy Z Fold5. Just like its predecessors, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is a fusion of innovation and style, perfect for tech lovers and professionals who multitask. With the ability to carry a smartphone, tablet, and laptop all-in-one, it’s perfect for the work-from-anywhere culture!
More: Find Out Which Of These 9 Best Xiaomi Phones Are For You
Overview
The design of the Xiaomi POCO M6 Pro is significantly captivating within its price range. This is due to the fact that the front side of POCO has a 6.67″ AMOLED DotDisplay screen that has been shielded with Gorilla Glass 5, which is known to be tempered; it covers almost all areas, hence bezels are not widely seen around it.
The screen is large in the Xiaomi POCO M6 Pro, which is good for watching different kinds of content, and at the same time, it weighs only 179 g, which is very light. This appeals to many people as it is beautiful and, at the same time, practical because it shows more on one screen, allowing a number of them to appear as opposed to several others in relation to its price. As for the resolution, it is 2400×1080 pixels with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, making everything smooth.
As for the battery life, the Xiaomi POCO M6 Pro could go up to 2 days with moderate usage, which is a very long time. As such, the M6 Pro will go for a day, and a heavy user spending more time on screen will also be content. Besides that, the Xiaomi POCO M6 Pro charging, charging which can refill your phone in a flash for only 10 minutes.
The POCO M6 Pro includes three cameras, one of which is 64 MP with an OmniVision OV64B sensor for stabilisation, making it its most important feature, while another one has a wide-angle 8 MP sensor.
Details:
- Processor: Helio G99-Ultra TSMC 6nm manufacturing process
- CPU: Octa-core processor 2 x Arm Cortex-A76, up to 2.2GHz; 6 x Arm Cortex-A55, up to 2.0GHz"
- GPU: ARM Mali-G57 MC2"
- Storage & RAM: 8GB+256GB / 12GB+512GB (Support expandable storage up to 1TB*)
- Dimensions (H/W/T/Wght): 161.1mm, 74.95mm, 7.98mm, 179g
- Display: 6.67" FHD+ Flow AMOLED DotDisplay, 2400*1080, 394 ppi
- Rear Camera: 64MP+8MP+2MP triple camera-64MP main camera
- Rear camera photography features: 64MP mode, Night mode, Document mode, Film Camera, and Portrait mode
- Rear camera video features: Slow motion, Time-lapse, and Short film
- Slow motion video: 120fps, 720p
- Front Camera: 16MP front camera, f/2.45
- Battery & Charging: 5000mAh (typ), 67W wired turbocharging, 67W in-box charger, USB-C
- Security: In-screen fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock, NFC Yes
Who is it for?
The Xiaomi POCO M6 Pro is ideal for people who value a quality display, fast charging, long battery life, a responsive operating system, decent build quality, an interesting design, good sound, adequate storage, and, of course, specifically those looking for the best bang-for-buck smartphone at a price of less than RM 1,000.
Overview
The Realme 12 Pro+ phone has a textured back with a vertical crack between them, therefore it can be touched; it also comes relatively light, weighing just 196 grammes, so it can be comfortably used for a long time. This time around, the company chose to focus on practicality by ensuring that it is easy to clean using water due to its hydrophobic nature that has low surface tension, making 30 different types of spots possible to clean off easily.
For the sake of security, the Realme 12 Pro+ comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor capable of unlocking the device within milliseconds. Featuring a centred punch-hole, FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 950 nits, the Realme 12 Pro+ has a curved 6.7-inch AMOLED display.
In order to enhance visibility and highlight finer details under different lighting conditions, the Realme 12 Pro+ has also been improved with Pro-XDR with the main aim of making HDR pictures look better; it achieves flicker elimination at some point and thus minimises eye strain by using 2,160Hz PWM dimming. Besides that, this phone features high-res audio quality facilitated by fine-tuned Dolby Atmos Hi-Fi speakers, which ultimately offer users an immersive sound and vision experience.
The Realme 12 Pro+ has one 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor as its triple rear camera setup, another 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and lastly, a 64MP OV64B periscope telephoto lens that has 3x optical zoom capability.
The Realme 12 Pro+’s camera is also now equipped with a customised tilt OIS that enhances lowlight photography through the reduction of light flare and stabilisation. Moreover, it has a night mode that clears away the noise that comes in after the sun sets; such noise usually deteriorates the quality of pictures captured at night. Nonetheless, one may notice the smoothening of details, but this translates into more cleaned-up final pictures. The camera app of Realme 12 Pro+ also features a Street mode that lets street photographers experiment with various focal lengths—between 16mm and 71mm. Also, it has a Starry mode used in astrophotography as well as other purposes. The device depends on a 32MP Sony camera for selfies and video calls, offering nice skin tones with some mild facial smoothing.
When mentioning the software, Realme 12 Pro+ features Realme UI 5.0, which employs the Android 14 OS version. It has a relatively neat and intuitive user interface compared to the previous version.
Details:
- Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ display, 100% DCI-P3, 93% screen-to-body ratio
- Storage: 512GB internal cstorage, expandable up to
- 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
- UI: Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery
- 67W SUPERVOOC charge
- RAM: 12GB+12GB
Who is it for?
The Realme 12 Pro+ continues the trend of vegan leather and luxury watch design introduced last year with the Realme 11 Pro series. The 12 Pro+ features subtle changes such as a new colour, a redesigned camera module, contrasting edges, and more, enhancing its premium look and aesthetic appeal. That said, the Realme 12 Pro+ is an amazing mid-range smartphone at a great price. It has a beautiful design with a leather back and clear screen, as well as reliable software performance that appears friendlier with a more modern Realme UI. If these features appeal to you, then it will be worth spending money on getting yourself the Realme 12 Pro+.
Overview
One of the most appealing aspects of the OnePlus Nord 3 5G is its stunning display, which has a dynamic refresh rate of 40Hz to 120Hz. A simple thing about this price point is that it has 10-bit colour depth and HDR10+ support for 10-bit colour depth for a viewing experience that does not make it comparable at all with any device around here. As for the audio quality, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G offers outstanding audio output courtesy of having two Dolby Atmos speakers in a single device. Great visuals matched with a superb sound experience would definitely make any multimedia addict contemplate having such a gadget.
As for the camera sensors, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G also comes with a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor with OIS that is capable of clicking nice shots in all kinds of lighting conditions, allowing users to capture detailed shots with good dynamic range. The 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor offers a field-of-view (FoV) of 112 degrees.
In terms of user interface, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G has a butter-smooth experience with Oxygen OS 13.1 (which is rooted in Android 13). Some notable features the OnePlus Nord 3 5G has to offer, start with its prominent gaming feature, which is the Championship mode, which allows you to avoid any banner notifications, calls, alarms, and more when you are gaming. Additionally, you can choose options such as a stable refresh rate, the ultimate touch experience, and performance breakthroughs to get actual benefits while using the smartphone. Moreover, if you’re looking to avoid distractions, the O-Relax app on the phone comes with a collection of soothing sounds, calming white noise, and mini-games to aid relaxation.
Finally, one common feature of all great phones is their usability over time. The long-lasting battery life of the OnePlus Nord 3 feels like a blessing because it has such good efficiency and economy for power consumption. Moreover, the average screen-on time on the OnePlus Nord 3 5G is 7-8 hours per charging session on average if you do not have an opportunity to stay near a charger during a working day. When it comes to charging, you do not need to stay close to a power outlet for an extended period while charging your phone – thanks to the super-fast 80W charging speed that ensures the phone is full in less than one hour.
Details:
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9000
- GPU: Arm® Mali G710 MC10
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 256GB UFS 3.1
- Available configurations: 16GB+256GB
- Vibration: Haptic motor
- Battery: 5000mAh (Dual-cell 2,500 mAh, non-removable), 80W SUPERVOOC
- Front Camera: 16MP F/2.4
- Rear Camera:
- 50MP (IMX890) + 8MP + 2MP,Triple Cameras
- Display: 6.74 ''120 Hz Super Fluid AMOLED,
- Dual nano-SIM slot
- Features: Eye comfort, Image sharpener, Video colour enhancer, Screen colour mode, Auto brightness, Manual brightness, Screen colour temperature, Bright HDR video mode, Dark Mode, Screen colour pro mode
- Dimension (H/W/T/Wght): 16.26cm/7.51cm/0.81cm/193.5g
Who is it for?
If you want a great mid-range phone with a good screen and battery, consider buying the OnePlus Nord 3 5G. The user interface is straightforward, which makes it easy to use, and best of all, it has some additional features that are very functional on top of Android 13. When taking photos, the phone’s rear camera does not disappoint, and the Nord 3 can hold its ground against any other phone at this price point as far as photo quality is concerned.
More: Everything To Know About The iPhone 12 Series Before You Buy Them...
FAQ:
- How To Choose a Smartphone
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Display
Choosing the right display may be a hassle when it comes to buying a smartphone regardless of age, as smartphone displays vary in size. For instance, if portability is what you’re looking for, a smaller display would suffice as it is easier to hold and use with one hand.
Meanwhile, if you’re an avid mobile gamer, opt for a bigger display so you would be able to see more details such as your enemies’ whereabouts. Logically, the smaller the display, the harder it is you’re going to read texts.
-
Storage
Storage is another factor when it comes to purchasing a smartphone. Some smartphones have limited storage and some are not expandable. Hence, choose your storage wisely to best fit your own usage. Futureproof a little by purchasing a bigger capacity model to avoid deleting things that matter to you.
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Price
If budget is an issue, set a maximum price you’re willing to pay and then determine what features you want or need in your smartphone. That way, it would be easier to not break your budget.
The price of smartphones differs depending on its model, specification, features and more. Lower-end brands such as Xiaomi would cost around RM 400 and above. Meanwhile, middle-range brands like Samsung cost roughly above RM 1,000 and the higher-end ones such as Apple would cost you at least RM3,000.
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Operating System
iPhone runs only on the iOS software whereas, brands like Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, and more commonly run on Google’s Android platform. Both OS have their own perks (ways to achieve seamless connection offered by both OSes also differ) so choose wisely!
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Smartphone operating systems vary depending on the brand. Moreover, different OS commonly offers its own set of basic apps such as messenger and web browsers. The user interface also differs depending on its brands and model.
- Which are the most popular smartphone brands in Malaysia?
Some of the more popular smartphone brands in Malaysia include Huawei, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, Nokia, and Realme. Among these brands, Huawei, Apple, and Samsung have established themselves as the top three in the mobile world.
Huawei
The main reason Huawei’s products resonate with a lot of buyers is its well-rounded product portfolio. This ranges from high-end smartphones that come with beautiful designs and premium specs (P and Mate series) to more budget-friendly picks that fall under its Honor offshoot brand.
However, as of 2019, major US tech firms such as Google have reportedly cut business ties with the firm. The lack of access to Google Mobile Services means that users will lose access to Android software updates and popular Google apps like the Play Store and Gmail. Whether or not this proves to be a deal-breaker for potential buyers remains to be seen.
Apple
The brand loyalty that the Apple iPhone manages to achieve is nothing short of remarkable. In its most recent iPhones, its A13 Bionic chip trumps everything that Android has to offer. Furthermore, the iPhone is often favoured by developers as the launch platform of choice for new apps. Apple also seems to be one step ahead of the rest in terms of software and hardware.
Samsung
Similar to Huawei, Samsung caters for smartphones in all price brackets. While its Galaxy S series carries its flagship and high-end devices, the Galaxy M and Galaxy A series are treasured by budget-conscious buyers. Samsung is also quite the trendsetter. The brand is known for making the large screen fashionable, revolutionizing the thin bezel design, and producing the first phone with an AMOLED display.
- Android vs iOS: Which is Better?
Ah, the endless debate over which operating system is the best for humankind. But the truth is, none is better than the other.
Instead, they both have their own pros and cons:
Android OS
Of course, Android OS is the world's most used operating system due to the vast availability of it in many branded smartphones such as Samsung, Huawei, Sony & Xiaomi. From here, it's easy to switch between phones once you mastered the ways of this OS.
A catch here is that because Google (parent developer of Android) only outsources the primary coding for the latest Android system versions, they are not able to control what phone manufacturers do to the end-result of the smartphone and the OS in it. Thus, this can distort the perfect Android experience and overall user satisfaction.
Pros of Android phones:
- Easy to switch between phone brands
- Different OS experience across phone brands
- Budget to high-end price range
- The latest hardware and is generally value-for-money
iOS (Apple iPhones)
Not a surprise; they are known for their premium look and feel yet seemingly exorbitant prices. If you look at the hardware, iPhones seem to have lower specifications for the price you are paying compared to Android phones. Moreover, the built of iPhones feel fragile, though they excel in their aesthetics.
A (big) surprise to using iPhones: their software is superior compared to almost, if not, all Android phones. From playing games to taking good photographers, iPhones are known to be reliable in executing tasks seamlessly and have better longevity on average according to users in terms of useability.
And while iPhone specifications may seem lower than Android phones, the hardware is carefully optimized and updated, resulting in constant outperformance to Android phones with similar or even better specification.
Pros of iOS (iPhones):
- Seamless execution especially when multitasking
- Simple and easy-to-understand layout
- More constant updates and support - a longer phone lifespan
- Have better software security overall
Conclusion
Buying a smartphone isn’t rocket science, but it’s also wise to plan out your purchase decision before going in for the kill. Common questions to ask yourself: do I need this much storage? Would it be able to last the past 3 years?
An expensive product does not necessarily mean that it’s the right pick for you. Hence, it’s important to always have these questions in mind alongside doing research online to find out what’s the best smartphone for you.
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