Looking for the best smartphone under RM500 in Malaysia? These days, even tight budgets can score capable phones with solid features. In this guide, we highlight affordable models that deliver great value with large screens, long-lasting batteries, and decent cameras—all for under RM500. Whether you need a backup device, a phone for kids, or a reliable daily driver on a budget, these picks offer the essentials without breaking the bank. Read on for our in-depth picks and see which phone fits your needs.
How To Choose The Best Phone Under RM500
When shopping for the best budget phones in Malaysia, focus on a few key factors:
Battery Life
Look for phones with at least 5000mAh. This ensures all-day use without frequent charging.
RAM & Storage
Aim for 4GB RAM minimum and expandable storage if possible. This keeps apps running smoothly over time.
Display Quality
A higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) makes scrolling feel smoother, even on budget devices.
Daily Use Performance
Budget phones are not built for heavy gaming, but they should handle messaging, streaming, and browsing comfortably.
1. Realme C71
The Realme C71 is a newly released entry-level phone with impressively long battery life. It features a large 6.67-inch HD+ display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, ideal for watching videos or gaming. Under the hood, it uses a UNISOC T7250 processor and comes with 6GB RAM (expandable via virtual RAM).
The highlight is its 6,300mAh battery with 45W fast charging, which easily powers two days of typical use and charges up quickly. The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, so photo quality is decent for this price range. The C71 also offers durability features like basic water resistance and military-grade shock resistance.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.67-inch HD+ (1600×720) 120Hz |
| RAM | 6GB (no extended) |
| Processor | UNISOC T7250 (Octa-core) |
| Storage | 128GB (microSD slot) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 6300mAh (45W fast charging) |
2. Realme Note 70
The Realme Note 70 delivers reliable performance and endurance without a high price tag. It’s powered by a UNISOC T7250 processor paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, making it capable of everyday apps, browsing, and social media. A 6,300 mAh battery ensures long usage (often lasting well beyond a full day), and 15W VOOC charging helps top up quickly.
The large 6.74″ HD+ display is easy on the eyes for videos, browsing, and messaging. Photography is handled by a basic 13MP rear camera and 5MP selfie cam, solid for casual snaps and video calls.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.74″ HD+ (720 × 1600) |
| Processor | UNISOC T7250 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB (expandable) |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP |
| Front Camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 6300 mAh (15W charging) |
3. Redmi 15C
The Redmi 15C is a new budget model that impresses with its massive battery and large screen. It sports a 6.9-inch IPS display (edge-to-edge design) that supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, making content look smooth. Powering the Redmi 15C is a MediaTek Helio G81 processor, and it can have up to 8GB RAM with memory expansion, enough for everyday tasks.
The key highlight is its 6,000mAh battery, which Xiaomi claims can last very long even with heavy use. A 33W fast charger is included, letting you reach 50% battery in about 30 minutes. For cameras, it offers a 50MP rear sensor and a basic front camera, suitable for casual photos. In summary, the Redmi 15C is a standout budget phone under RM500 in Malaysia with endurance and a smooth display.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.9-inch HD+ (1600×720) 120Hz |
| RAM | 3/4/6/8GB (with memory expansion) |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G81 (Octa-core) |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB (microSD slot) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) + 2MP (depth) |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 6000mAh (33W fast charging) |
4. Redmi A5
The Redmi A5 is a strong entry-level choice for users who want a large screen and everyday performance without spending much. It has a 6.88″ HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, giving smoother scrolling and a spacious view for videos. Powered by a UNISOC T7250 octa-core processor, it’s paired with configurations up to 4GB RAM and 128GB storage (expandable), which handles basic tasks and apps well.
Photography is anchored by a 32MP AI rear camera with a simpler 8MP front camera for selfies. A 5,200 mAh battery keeps the phone going through long sessions of streaming or browsing.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.88″ HD+ (1640 × 720) 120 Hz |
| Processor | UNISOC T7250 |
| RAM | 3 GB / 4 GB (memory expansion) |
| Storage | 64 GB / 128 GB (expandable) |
| Rear Camera | 32 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 5200 mAh (15W) |
5. POCO C85
POCO’s C85 is a slim, budget-friendly phone with some surprisingly good specs. It features a 6.71-inch display and packs a 6,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. Under the hood is a MediaTek Helio G85 processor and up to 8GB RAM, which handles daily apps and casual games well. The dual rear cameras (50MP main + 2MP depth) are similar to the Redmi 15C, and a 5MP front camera sits in a punch-hole.
POCO adds some extra perks like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the screen. Overall, the C85 is a balanced package for just under RM500, offering strong battery life and reasonable performance.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.71-inch HD+ (1650×720) |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB (LPDDR4X) |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G85 (Octa-core) |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB (microSD slot) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) + 2MP (depth) |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 6000mAh (33W fast charging) |
6. POCO M7
The POCO M7 is built for endurance and performance on a budget-friendly tier. It features a massive 7,000 mAh battery which easily lasts multiple days of typical use, and supports 33W fast charging plus 18W reverse charging handy for topping up other devices.
The 6.9″ FHD+ display with 144Hz AdaptiveSync ensures fluid scrolling and visuals. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 685 platform paired with up to 8GB RAM and generous storage gives solid day-to-day performance for apps and light gaming. Camera chops include a 50MP main sensor alongside an 8MP front shooter.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.9″ FHD+ 144 Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 685 |
| RAM | Up to 8 GB (expanded) |
| Storage | Up to 256 GB (expandable) |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 7000 mAh (33W) |
7. Infinix Smart10 Plus
The Infinix Smart10 Plus is a generous spec-for-price deal from a well-known budget brand. It offers a 6.67-inch IPS screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, making things look fluid. The phone comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage out of the box, plus Android 15 and NFC. Its standout is the 6,000mAh battery with 18W charging, which comfortably lasts more than a day of use.
Performance comes from a MediaTek Helio G85 chip (same as POCO C85), so everyday tasks run smoothly. Cameras are basic (13MP rear, 8MP front), but enough for video chats and daytime photos. With 4G connectivity and even a fingerprint scanner on the back, the Smart 10 Plus is a fully-loaded bargain under RM500.
Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ (2400×1080) 120Hz |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G85 (Octa-core) |
| Storage | 128GB (microSD slot) |
| Rear Camera | 13MP (f/2.0) |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Battery | 6000mAh (18W charging) |
8. OPPO A6x
The OPPO A6x brings a premium-leaning experience into an affordable bracket with a 6.75″ HD+ display that supports 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness, which is good for outdoor viewing and content. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 685 chipset with 4GB–6GB RAM and storage up to 256GB, giving a smooth interface and enough space for photos and apps.
A 6,500 mAh battery is large enough for all-day use, while the 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras cover basic photography needs. OPPO’s software features and performance optimisations help ensure a fluid everyday experience.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.75″ HD+ 120 Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 685 |
| RAM | 4 GB / 6 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP |
| Front Camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 6500 mAh |
9. Samsung Galaxy A06 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A06 5G brings 5G support to Samsung’s budget lineup, powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage that is expandable via microSD. A 6.7″ HD+ PLS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate gives smooth visuals for social feeds and streaming.
Photography includes a 50MP main sensor with 2MP depth and an 8MP selfie camera, while a 5,000 mAh battery with 25W fast charging keeps you going all day. IP54 dust/water resistance and a side fingerprint sensor add durability and convenience. Software support includes up to four major Android upgrades, a notable advantage in this segment.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.7″ HD+ PLS LCD 90 Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB (expandable) |
| Rear Cameras | 50 MP + 2 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh (25W) |
10. Vivo Y04s
The vivo Y04s is a strong contender in the best phone under RM500 category thanks to its balanced mix of battery life, storage space, and everyday usability. This model typically offers 4GB RAM plus 4GB extended RAM and a generous 256GB of built-in storage, so you can install lots of apps, save photos and videos, and not worry about running out of space soon.
One of its biggest highlights is the 6,000 mAh battery, which easily sees you through a full day of social media, browsing and video watching, and even a second day with light use. The 6.74″ display has a smooth 90 Hz refresh rate, making scrolling feel noticeably more fluid compared to older budget phones. Photography is handled by a 13MP main camera with a tiny secondary depth sensor, plus a 5MP selfie camera, which are solid for daylight shots and casual social uploads. On top of this, the device carries an IP64 dust- and splash-resistant rating, so it’s a touch more rugged for everyday life.
Key Specs
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.74″ HD+ (1600×720), 90 Hz refresh |
| Processor | UNISOC T7225 octa-core (up to 1.8 GHz) |
| RAM | 4 GB + 4 GB Extended |
| Storage | 256 GB (expandable via microSD up to 2 TB) |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP + depth sensor |
| Front Camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 6000 mAh with 15 W fast charging |
These Under-RM500 Phones Offer The Best Bang For Your Buck
Budget smartphones have come a long way. A few years ago, you would only find phones with basic and measly features at these price points. But now, you get ones that come with multiple cameras and massive batteries that rival some of their far more expensive counterparts. Sure, they may not have all the limelight-stealing bells and whistles, but some of the best phones under RM500 are more than enough to serve a lot of people’s smartphone needs. For them, value is the phone’s greatest feature.
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