A 2019 study done by Google Malaysia revealed that Malaysian consumers no longer consider price as the prime determining factor when making smartphone purchases. In fact, the camera mechanism emerges as one of the top deal breakers. Now, we all know the best smartphone cameras belong to the flagship iPhones, Samsungs, and Huaweis of the world. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get a decent mobile shooter if we don’t have the budget to splurge. Here are the best camera phones to buy in 2022 for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a flagship device but still want decent cameras that won’t let their Instagram and TikTok game down!
7 Best Sub-RM1,500 Camera Phones To Buy In 2022 In Malaysia
Whether it is taking nice-looking photos, selfies or videos, you will find a great deal among these best camera phones to buy in 2022.
1. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
Megapixel count is not the sole determinant of a good camera. That said, the more megapixels a camera lens has, the more details it can capture in a photo. If you like your phone to pack in as many megapixels as possible, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G has got you covered. It is one the best-specced phones to buy in 2022 with a 108MP camera.
Specs:
- 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 6GB/8GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset
- 128GB internal storage memory
- 5G support
- Android 11 (with MIUI 13)
- Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens)
- 16MP front selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery (with 67W Turbo charging)
2. realme 9
Like the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, the realme 9 also packs a 108MP rear camera. Not only that, it also packs a ton of camera features, in particular the Street Photography Mode 2.0, which gives photos the classic punchy filmstock look with its 90s Pop filter. Furthermore, its NanoPixel Plus technology improves light intake in the image sensors, enabling users to take clear photos in low-light environments.
Specs:
- 6.4-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 6GB/8GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset
- 128GB internal storage memory
- Android 12 (with realme UI 3.0)
- Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens)
- 16MP front selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery (with 33W Dart Charge)
3. Oppo Reno6 Z 5G
Another great option among the best camera phones to buy in 2022, the Oppo Reno6 Z 5G is all about giving users fantastic portrait shots. Features such as Bokeh Flare Portrait turns background lights into gorgeous backdrops that help you stand out, whereas Portrait Beautification Video automatically removes blemishes on your face while brightening your eyes in videos. These are just two of many other camera features built into the phone to give you the most eye-pleasing images.
Specs:
- 6.4-inch AMOLED display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 8GB RAM
- MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 800U chipset
- 128GB internal storage memory
- 5G support
- Android 11 (with ColorOS 12)
- Triple rear cameras (64MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens)
- 32MP front selfie camera
- 4,310mAh battery (with 30W fast charging)
4. vivo V23e 5G
You don’t often find a high-resolution selfie camera on a smartphone, but vivo bucks the trend with its V series lineup. The vivo V23e 5G retails at under RM1,500, and yet it offers a 44MP front camera that will take sharp-looking selfies at every turn. On the back, you will find a decent trio camera array led by a 50MP primary camera.
Specs:
- 6.44-inch FHD+ AMOLED display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 8GB RAM
- MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset
- 128GB internal storage memory
- 5G support
- Android 11 (with FuntouchOS 12)
- Triple rear cameras (50MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens)
- 44MP front selfie camera
- 4,050mAh battery (with 44W fast charging)
5. Xiaomi 11T 5G
Want to create some “cinemagic”? With an advanced AI algorithm and pro-grade cameras, the Xiaomi 11T 5G has the chops to offer the “ultimate cinematic experience” and is one of the best affordable camera phones in 2022. You will have access to professional special effects and creative tools at your fingertips, such as one-click AI cinema and tele-macro shooting to create your photography and videography masterpiece.
Specs:
- 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 8GB RAM
- MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra chipset
- 128GB/256GB internal storage memory
- 5G support
- Android 11 (with FuntouchOS 12)
- Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 5MP macro lens)
- 16MP in-display front selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery (with 67W fast charging)
6. Honor 50 Lite
The Honor 70 and Honor 50 might be grabbing the headlines with their superior camera array and features, but the more affordable Honor 50 Lite is no slouch. Armed with a respectable 64MP main camera accompanied by three other lenses of various functions, it can capture high-definition pictures during the day and night – the latter enhanced by a noise-reducing algorithm.
Specs:
- 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD display (2376 x 1080 resolution)
- 8GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset
- 128GB internal storage memory
- 5G support
- Android 11 (with Magic UI 4.2)
- Quad rear cameras (64MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens + 2MP depth sensor)
- 16MP front selfie camera
- 4,300mAh battery (with 66W fast charging)
7. OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
Rounding up our list of the best camera phones to buy in 2022 is the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, which has a solid 64MP main camera flanked by an ultrawide secondary camera and a macro lens. If you like bokeh shots, the phone’s Bokeh Flare will add those dreamy blurred backgrounds to elevate your portraits. Aside from that, videos shot on this device will always look well-lit with its improved AI background lighting and colour optimization feature.
Specs:
- 6.43-inch FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 8GB RAM
- MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset
- 128GB internal storage memory
- 5G support
- Android 11 (with OxygenOS 12)
- Triple rear cameras (64MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens)
- 16MP front selfie camera
- 4,500mAh battery (with 65W SuperVOOC fast charging)
Specs Overview
Here is a side-by-side look at all seven phones’ specs.
| Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G | realme 9 | Oppo Reno6 Z 5G | vivo V23e 5G | Xiaomi 11T 5G | Honor 50 Lite | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G |
| 6.67” FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display | 6.4” FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display | 6.4” FHD+ AMOLED display | 6.44” FHD+ AMOLED display | 6.67” FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display | 6.67” FHD+ LCD display | 6.43” FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display |
| 6GB/8GB RAM | 6GB/8GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 | MediaTek MT6835 Dimensity 800U | MediaTek Dimensity 810 | MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 | MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset |
| 128GB storage | 128GB storage | 128GB storage | 128GB storage | 128GB/256GB storage | 128GB storage | 128GB storage |
| 5G support | – | 5G support | 5G support | 5G support | 5G support | 5G support |
| Android 11 | Android 12 | Android 11 | Android 11 | Android 11 | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens) | Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens) | Triple rear cameras (64MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens) | Triple rear cameras (50MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens) | Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 5MP macro lens) | Quad rear cameras (64MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens + 2MP depth senspr) | Triple rear cameras (64MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens) |
| 16MP front camera | 16MP front camera | 32MP front camera | 44MP front camera | 16MP in-display front camera | 16MP front camera | 16MP front camera |
| 5,000mAh battery (with 67W fast charging) | 5,000mAh battery (with 33W fast charge) | 4,310mAh battery (with 30W fast charging) | 4,050mAh battery (with 44W fast charging) | 5,000mAh battery (with 67W fast charging) | 4,300mAh battery (with 66W fast charging) | 4,500mAh battery (with 65W fast charging) |
These Best Camera Phones To Buy In 2022 Could Be More Than Meets The Eyes
Interestingly, the most expensive smartphones with the so-called best cameras do not necessarily produce the mostliked photos. Take famous tech YouTuber MKBHD’s blind smartphone camera test for example, which showed time and again that it was often the midrange and cheaper phones that received the most audience votes for producing the most eye-pleasing shots. Now, that’s a huge vote of confidence for getting one of these best camera phones in 2022!
Looking for more budget options? Take a peek at our picks for the best gaming phones under RM1,000 and best 5G smartphones below RM1,500.
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