It’s no secret that the ever-competitive smartphone market has prompted many phone manufacturers to entice customers with a range of value-for-money models — all at a different price range. And this includes phones under RM1,000. These days, you can get at least a decent phone at such a price point such as an above-average chipset, a bigger & better display and even a larger battery capacity. So, whether you are looking for a phone for day-to-day tasks and occasional streaming and gaming purposes, we have compiled 8 best budget Android phones under RM1,000.
1) Redmi 12
The words “Redmi” and “affordability” go hand in hand as always. The recently-released Redmi 12 is no exception. An entry-level smartphone with some impressive specs for its price point. This includes everything from a 6.79″ Full HD+ display with a premium glass design to a large 5,000mAh battery.
The Redmi 12 runs on MediaTek Helio G88, an octa-core powerhouse of a chipset combining efficiency and stability. The display boasts an SGS Low Blue Light Certification, which comes in handy to reduce eye strain. It has a triple-camera setup, covering a 50MP main as well as 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro shooters for different shooting conditions. Gamers, in the meantime, can enjoy a smooth gaming experience, thanks to its buttery-fluid 90Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate. And for peace of mind, the Redmi 12 is rated with an IP53 resistance against dust and minor water splashes.
2) Realme C53
Here’s a budget-friendly smartphone from Realme, offering a combination of beauty and performance. The former comes with a choice of Champion Gold or Mighty Black, both of which sports an ultra-slim phone design at just 7.49mm thin. This makes holding a phone all the more comfortable even for a long period.
The Realme C53 boasts a large 6.74″ HD display with a 90Hz refresh rate that benefits gamers. It houses a huge 5,000mAh battery capacity and best of all, it supports fast charging using the 33W SuperVOOC charge. Other highlights include a 50MP primary camera that offers excellent clarity and 8MP front-facing shooter for selfie lovers out there. The phone includes a microSD slot too, allowing you to expand your memory up to 2TB.
3) Oppo A78 5G
Looking for a budget 5G smartphone under a RM 1,000 price tag? Here’s one from Oppo — the A78 that comes with Glowing Black and Glowing Purple colours. If you can look past the dated teardrop notch, the Oppo A78 offers a few good stuff here. It operates on a speedy octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor with a large 6.56″ IPS LCD display at a 90Hz refresh rate.
The phone packs a 50MP main camera and a durable battery with a 5,000mAh capacity. Even if your phone runs out of juice, rest assured the 33W SuperVOOC charge gets you a full 100% in just 70 minutes or so. Finally, true to its “glowing” colour options, expect a gleaming back design that looks aesthetically pleasing no matter if you go for the black or purple.
4) Honor X8a
The Honor X8a features a clean-cut design both front and back. You’ll get ultra-thin bezels with a large 6.7″ 90Hz FullView display at an approximately 94% screen-to-body ratio. In other words, you can enjoy more screen area regardless of watching a video or playing a mobile game. Not to mention its 179g weight with a depth of just 7.48mm thin, making it lighter and more comfortable to hold.
Camera-wise, there’s a 100MP main lens that shoots crystal-clear images. Three more cameras are added here, covering a 5MP wide & depth as well as 2MP macro and 16MP selfie shooters. If you love to shoot videos, the dual-view mode allows you to stretch your creativity using the front and rear lenses simultaneously. The Honor X8a packs a large 4,500mAh battery and it supports fast charging, thanks to the 22.5W SuperCharge technology. Available in Cyan Lake, Titanium Silver and Midnight Black.
5) Samsung A24
Vivid colours and details take centre stage in Samsung A24. And it’s all made possible with the Super AMOLED display on Full HD+ at a large 6.5″ screen. The phone also features the optimum brightness of 1,000 nits, meaning you can enjoy better visibility upon streaming your favourite show even under the sunlight. Not to forget, its Eye Care Display helps to protect your eyes against blue light emissions.
The Samsung A24 sports four cameras — three in the back (5MP ultra-wide, 50MP main & 2MP macro) and one in the front (13MP selfie shooter). The 50MP primary lens even comes with OIS (optical image stabilisation), which helps to minimise camera blur upon taking photos. The phone runs on a multitasking-friendly, octa-core processor, complete with a microSD card slot that allows you to expand your phone space up to 1TB. It comes equipped with a 5,000mAh battery capacity, which is large enough to last at least a day of normal usage.
6) iQOO Z7x 5G
The Vivo sub-brand, iQOO released the Z7x 5G model, where you can own the 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM version below RM1,000. Fortunately, the RAM can be expanded up to an additional 8GB. Powered by Snapdragon 695 chipset, the phone features a large 6.64″ 120Hz LCD display with two rear cameras (50MP main & 2MP bokeh) and an 8MP selfie shooter on the front.
But the biggest selling point has to be its larger-than-usual 6,000mAh battery capacity and yes, it supports fast charging with its 80W FlashCharge technology. Available in Metallic Grey and Tropical Blue colours.
7) POCO X5 5G
The POCO X5 5G offers the best bang for the buck in an RM1,000 phone. This includes a large 6.67″ AMOLED DotDisplay with a vibrant Full HD+ screen and an optimum brightness peaked at 1,200 nits. It also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate to ensure a smoother gaming experience. The phone’s build is only 189g light with just 7.98mm thickness. It has three cameras at the back, covering 48MP main as well as 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro shooters.
The POCO X5 5G operates on a Snapdragon 695 chipset and has a 5,000mAh battery capable of lasting a day or so. The good news is, it supports fast charging at 33W.
8) Infinix Note Pro 30
Infinix proves that you can own an affordable phone with the kind of specs often found in high-end models. For starters, the Note Pro 30 is equipped with a 10-bit AMOLED display with 100% DCI-P3 capable of reproducing better colour performances. You’ll get a bigger screen too at 6.67″ with ultra-thin bezels all around and a peak brightness of up to 900 nits.
Gamers can look forward to buttery-smooth mobile gameplay with the phone’s 120Hz refresh rate. Not to mention its JBL dual-speaker system and VC liquid cooling, which helps to prevent the phone from overheating. When comes to the phone camera, the Infinix Note Pro 30 boasts a 108MP main with 2MP depth + 2MP macro located on the rear side. There’s a 32MP front-facing camera that captures clear selfie photos. The Infinix Note Pro 30 runs on a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, offering an efficient performance even if you multitask with the phone.
