Top 7 budget phones under RM500 in Malaysia (Part 2)

Previously, we mentioned the Top 7 Budget Phones under RM600 in Malaysia. However, we feel that there might be a few phones that have flown under or recently popped up on our radar. Given the ever-growing number of smartphones in the world, we are not surprised if more of these smartphones made its way to the Malaysian market.

Whether you’re scrolling through TikTok, watching YouTube, or playing a few games, these budget phones can get the job done. So, this is our Part 2 for the Top 7 budget phones under RM500 in Malaysia.

#1 Redmi A7 Pro: The Battery Buster

According to Redmi, the Redmi A7 Pro is all about endurance. With one of the biggest batteries in this price range and a massive display, it’s perfect for users who prioritise screen time and long usage without constantly charging. Due to the chipset, performance is basic, but it handles everyday apps smoothly and is ideal for casual users who just want long-lasting reliability.

It’s built for longevity rather than speed, making it great for media consumption, light gaming, and daily tasks. At RM400-RM450, this phone offers you good value for money. Given that it is still new, you might be able to get it at a lower price thanks to the available promotion, though you might want to double-check the promo with your local or official retail store beforehand.

Tech specs and features:

  • Display: 6.9-inch HD+ IPS LCD, up to 120Hz
  • Chipset: Unisoc T7250
  • RAM and storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (expandable)
  • Rear camera: 13MP main
  • Front camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 6300mAh, 15W charging
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE
  • Price: From RM400

#2 POCO C85: The Performance Pick

The POCO C85 stands out for offering better performance than most entry-level phones. It feels smoother in daily use and can even handle light gaming like Mobile Legends without many issues. If you want something fast and responsive on a tight budget, this is one of the best picks available.

Additionally, POCO phones are known for prioritising performance in the budget segment, often delivering stronger chipsets compared to competitors at similar prices. At RM450, that makes this model is especially appealing for users who want smooth multitasking and better gaming capability at a budget price. However, its availability could be a bit of an issue.

Tech specs and features:

  • Display: 6.9-inch HD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz
  • Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
  • RAM and storage: Up to 6GB RAM, 128GB storage
  • Rear camera: 50MP main
  • Front camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 6000mAh, 33W charging
  • Connectivity: 5G
  • Price: From RM450

#3 Samsung Galaxy A06: Reliable and Stable

The Samsung Galaxy A06 focuses on stability and long-term usability rather than raw specs. With Samsung’s One UI experience, it feels familiar and easy to use, making it a great option for users who prioritise software support and consistency over performance.

While it may not have the strongest hardware, Samsung’s optimisation and ecosystem help deliver a smooth and predictable experience. This makes it especially suitable for casual users, older users, or anyone who just wants a dependable daily phone. It also has great availability nationwide. At RM450, it's quite hard to go wrong if you need a device that does the necessities well.

Tech specs and features:

  • Display: 6.7-inch HD+ PLS LCD
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio G85
  • RAM and storage: 4GB RAM, 128GB storage
  • Rear camera: 50MP main + 2MP depth
  • Front camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 5000mAh, up to 25W charging
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE
  • Price: From RM450

#4 Infinix Smart 20: The Value All-Rounder

The Infinix Smart 20 is a well-balanced device that covers all the basics. It doesn’t dominate in any one area, but it delivers consistent performance, decent battery life, and a usable camera setup, making it a safe and practical choice for most users.

In Malaysia’s budget segment, brands like Infinix focus on delivering a solid user experience by balancing specs across the board. At RM399, it is the most affordable option on the list. It gets the job done, sure. But there are better options with the same price range on the market.

Tech specs and features:

  • Display: 6.78-inch HD+ IPS LCD
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultimate (12 nm)
  • RAM and storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage
  • Rear camera: 8MP
  • Front camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 5000mAh, 10W–18W charging
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE
  • Price: From RM399

#5 realme Note 80: Stylish and Clean

The realme Note 80 brings a more modern design and cleaner UI compared to many competitors in this price range. While performance is similar to others, the overall polish, design, and software experience make it feel slightly more premium in daily use.

Additionally, realme devices in this segment typically focus on design and usability, offering a more refined look and feel without increasing the price too much. That makes this a good pick for users who care about aesthetics as well as functionality. At RM399, we feel it's a good bargain for your money. However, its availability could be an issue. So, you might want to go on a little adventure for this one. Third-party app resellers like Shopee, Lazada and more could be a good start.

Tech specs and features:

  • Display: 6.74 inch HD+ IPS LCD, 90Hz
  • Chipset: Unisoc T7250
  • RAM and storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage
  • Rear camera: 8MP main
  • Front camera: 5MP
  • Battery: 5000mAh, 18W charging
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE
  • Price: From RM399

#6 HONOR X5d: The Latest Budget Option

If you’re looking to stay under RM500 but still want something fresh, the HONOR X5d is a solid entry-level choice. It focuses on the basics, offering a smooth display, reliable battery life, and enough performance for everyday use.

On the downside, it doesn’t bring 5G like higher-end models, but it still delivers a dependable experience for social media, video streaming, and light tasks. This makes it a great option for users who want something simple, affordable, and easy to live with. If you are interested, the price for this model starts from RM350.

Tech specs and features:

  • Display: 6.74-inch HD+ IPS LCD, 90Hz
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio G81
  • RAM and storage: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (expandable)
  • Rear camera: 13MP main
  • Front camera: 5MP
  • Battery: 5260mAh, 15W charging
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE
  • Price: From RM350

#7 HONOR X5d Plus: The Latest Budget Option (the Upgrade)

Compared to the vanilla HONOR X5d, the HONOR X5d Plus features a significant upgrade to the camera. The X5d Plus uses a 50MP main camera, while the X5d has a lower resolution sensor, so photos on the Plus look sharper and more detailed. It also usually comes with more storage (128GB, compared to the X5d's 64GB), which gives you more space for apps, photos, and videos.

Other than that, both phones are basically the same. They use the same processor, same 6.74-inch 90Hz display, similar battery size and charging speed, and run on the same software. At RM450, it might be wiser to go for this variant compared to the base one. Regardless, both models get the job done.

Tech specs and features

  • Display: 6.74-inch HD+ IPS LCD, 90Hz
  • Chipset: MediaTek Helio G81
  • RAM and storage: 4GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
  • Rear camera: 50MP main
  • Front camera: 5MP
  • Battery: 5260mAh, 15W charging
  • Connectivity: 4G LTE Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
  • Software: MagicOS based on Android
  • Price: From RM450

Conclusion

Personally, we feel the POCO C85 would be the best pick on the list. For its software and hardware, it should offer you a good bargain for its price, especially for the amount of memory (RAM and storage) it offers. Did any of these phones pique your interest? Did we miss other phones that should have made the list? You might want to check out more of our budget picks here.

What are your thoughts on this article? Comment down below and stay tuned for more news like this at TechNave!