There has never been a better time to be a mobile gamer than now. From the early days of Angry Birds and Temple Run to the likes of Mobile Legends and PUBG Mobile today, mobile gamers are blessed with games that span across genres. There are even games that rival the consoles in terms of visuals and depth. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that “gaming smartphones” started to emerge. These dedicated gaming phones pack all the hardware and gaming-centric features to give you the best mobile gaming experience ever. So, if you are in the market for the best gaming phones in Malaysia, you will not find anything better than these top performers.
7 Top Gaming Phones To Buy In Malaysia
The best of the best.
1. ASUS ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
The ASUS ROG Phone series is often hailed as the ultimate gaming phone in Malaysia and beyond. Now in its sixth iteration, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is more impressive than ever. It is not just the specs—165Hz high refresh rate display, 16GB of RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and 6,000mAh battery—that have stolen the headlines, but the array of features like AirTrigger ultrasonic buttons and AeroActive Cooler that bring the phone closer to a console experience.
Specs:
- 6.78-inch AMOLED FHD+ 165Hz display (2448 x 1080 resolution)
- 16GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 512GB internal storage memory
- Android 13
- Triple rear cameras (50MP primary lens + 13MP ultrawide lens + 5MP macro lens)
- 32MP selfie camera
- 6,000mAh battery (with 65W fast charging)
2. Black Shark 5 Pro
Giving the ASUS ROG Phone a run for its money as one of the best gaming phones in Malaysia, the Black Shark 5 Pro mimics the experience of gaming with a controller thanks to the two magnetic pop-up triggers on the side of the phone (when played in landscape mode).
On top of that, it packs a customized X-axis linear motor that introduces a layered vibration experience that makes gaming all the more immersive. The Black Shark 5 Pro also has an “ultimate charging mode” that fully charges the device in just 15 minutes!
Specs:
- 6.67-inch OLED FHD+ 144Hz display (2400 x 1080 resolution)
- 8GB/12GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- 128GB/256GB internal storage memory
- Android 12 (with Joy UI 13)
- Triple rear cameras (108MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 5MP macro lens)
- 20MP selfie camera
- 4,650mAh battery (with 120W fast charging)
3. RedMagic 8 Pro
ZTE sub-brand Nubia released the RedMagic 8 Pro gaming phone in Malaysia in February 2023, which succeeds the RedMagic 7S Pro. The device is up there with some of the best in the market, featuring powerful hardware that includes the latest and most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset and a gargantuan 6,000mAh battery.
You also get 520Hz shoulder trigger buttons and a 10-layer cooling system that keeps the device from overheating for long gaming hours. And just like its predecessor, it has 5G support.
Specs:
- 6.8-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz display (2480 x 1116 resolution)
- 12GB/16GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 256GB/512GB internal storage memory
- Android 13 (with RedMagic OS 6.0)
- Triple rear cameras (50MP primary lens + 8MP ultrawide lens + 2MP macro lens)
- 16MP selfie camera
- 6,000mAh battery (with 65W fast charging)
4. iQoo 11
If you don’t know, iQoo is a sub-brand of vivo which is geared towards performance and gaming phones. The latest flagship in the series, the iQoo 11, features some top-of-the-line specs which include the latest mobile chipset and a really nice screen.
Gaming-wise, it boasts a dedicated gaming chip, full-sensory game controls which include in-display dual touch sensors, and a vapour chamber liquid cooling system. If you prefer your gaming phone to have a more understated look but not at the expense of style, the racing stripes at the back plus the vegan leather material could be a hugely appealing factor.
Specs
- 6.78-inch AMOLED WQHD+ 120Hz display (3200 x 1440 resolution)
- 16GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 256GB internal storage memory
- Android 13 (with Funtouch OS 13)
- Triple rear cameras (50MP primary lens + 13MP ultrawide lens + 8MP telephoto lens)
- 16MP selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery (with 120W fast charging)
5. Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro gets a mention here mainly for two reasons. First, it is equipped with what is currently the most powerful mobile chipset in a smartphone (A16 Bionic). Thus, games generally run great on an iPhone. Secondly, there is Apple Arcade, a premium gaming subscription service with a growing catalogue of top-quality games with zero ads and in-app purchases.
The iPhone 14 Pro has all that you need for a superb gaming device. But if you want a bigger display and longer battery life, definitely go for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Specs:
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED 120Hz display (2556 x 1179 resolution)
- 6GB RAM
- Apple A16 Bionic
- 128GB/256GB/512GB internal storage memory
- iOS 16
- Triple rear cameras (48MP primary lens + 12MP ultrawide lens + 12MP telephoto lens)
- 12MP selfie camera
- 3,200mAh battery (with 15W fast charging)
6. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The latest Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may not carry a gaming phone tag, but it is undeniable that one of the most powerful Android smartphones at the moment makes one heck of a device for gaming. From the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset to a 120Hz display coupled with a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery, the S23 Ultra has all the necessary hardware that serious mobile gamers can take advantage of.
The only few things missing are gaming-specific features such as extra trigger buttons and a dedicated cooling system. But in place of all that, you get the best-in-class camera system, which none of the other gaming phones can boast.
Specs:
- 6.8-inch AMOLED Quad HD+ 120Hz display (3088 x 1440 resolution)
- 12GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 512GB internal storage memory
- Android 13 (with One UI 5.1)
- Quad rear cameras (200MP primary lens + 12MP ultrawide lens + 10MP periscope telephoto lens + 10MP telephoto lens)
- 12MP selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery (with 45W fast charging, 15W fast wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging)
7. OnePlus 11
Like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the OnePlus 11 isn’t a dedicated gaming phone per se, but its big-number specs certainly make it a worthwhile one. You’re looking at a brilliant 2K display with a high refresh rate, the most powerful Qualcomm chipset to date, and a huge battery that fully juices up in 25 minutes. To top it all off, you get a very-capable imaging system with Hasselblad cameras.
Specs
- 6.7-inch AMOLED QHD+ 120Hz display (3216 x 1440 resolution)
- 8GB/16GB RAM
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- 128GB/256GB internal storage memory
- Android 13 (with OxygenOS 13)
- Triple rear cameras (50MP primary lens + 48MP ultrawide lens + 32MP telephoto lens)
- 16MP selfie camera
- 5,000mAh battery (with 100W SuperVOOC fast charging)
Experience Unrivalled Mobile Gaming Experience Offered By These Gaming Phones In Malaysia
While each gaming phone has its own set of features, there are a few fundamentals that make for a great gaming device. A high refresh rate display is a must-have for ultra-smooth gameplay, while a powerful chipset is required to run graphically-intensive games that are getting more sophisticated by the day. Not to forget, you also need a big battery for these power-hungry games and also to support long gaming sessions. These gaming phones have them, and then some!
Gaming phones in Malaysia come in both flagship and budget models. If you’re looking for one that will not bust a hole in your bank account, these under-RM1,000 options are worth considering.
Check out Electronics Zone for unbeatable deals on the best smartphones, gadgets, peripherals, and more every Thursday!