Cheap phones are getting better, and good phones are getting cheaper. In the many smartphones that have been launched this year, which one is the most worth owning? We agree that best value is subjective, but for the Best Devices 2023 list in the Best Value Smartphones category – the price of the device should be cheaper than the combination of great features/functions it comes with. Here are our three picks.
Choosing criteria
Worth the price with the included features.
Screens 6-inches and above, 120Hz.
Good performance.
5G support.
Additional features that increase value.
Using at least Android 13.
Has been officially launched in Malaysia.
Third Place – OnePlus 11
This is the most powerful OnePlus device today. It's a near-perfect iteration with a beautiful and fast Dolby Vision LTPO3 120Hz screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with up to 16GB of RAM, an incredible Hasselblad camera, IP64 support, and super-fast 100W charging. With a selling price starting at RM3299, there is no doubt that this is the best value device this year. Believe me, whoever bought it will not regret it because until today the OnePlus 11 is in my pocket.
Even so, the OnePlus 11 lost out to two other Chinese-made devices. In this list, OnePlus is the most expensive but if you look at the other two devices below with their selling prices and the specifications they offer you will definitely be surprised. OnePlus has the potential to be the first place if the selling price has officially dropped.
Specifications: 6.7” Fluid AMOLED LTPO3 (1440 x 3216) HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm (1x 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 + 2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 + 2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 + 3x 2.0 GHz Cortex -A510), 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, 50MP (Main) + 32MP (Telephoto 2x zoom) + 48MP (Ultra Wide Angle), 16MP (Selfie), 5000 mAh (100W), IP64, OxygenOS 14 Android 14.
Price: RM3,299 (8/128 GB)
Second Place – Poco F5
Who would have thought Poco F5 managed to enter second place. #BaikBeliPoco is still up to this year and this Poco F5 is a very worthwhile device for you to own. It comes with a modern flat design, a charming 120Hz Dolby Vision AMOLED screen, powered by a powerful enough Snapdragon 7+ Gen 1 chip, a beautiful 64MP camera and a commendable IP53 protection.
This device caught our attention because it not only offers great specs, but still includes a 3.5mm audio jack adding good value to owning this device. The sale price that can be obtained starts from less than RM1400, and will be the first model to receive the HyperOS update – Poco F5 deserves to be in your pocket.
Specifications: 6.67” AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 1 4nm (1x 2.91 GHz Cortex-A710 + 3x 2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 + 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A510), 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, 64MP (wide angle ) + 8MP (ultra wide angle) + 2MP (macro), 16MP (Selfie), 5000 mAh (67W), IP53, MIUI For Poco Android 13
Price: Starting at RM1,395 (8/256 GB)
Champion – Xiaomi 13T
Xiaomi this year really won our hearts. First of all they brought in all the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The first Leica Xiaomi camera device in Malaysia. All three of these devices are amazing and not only that, the Xiaomi 13T is also on offer. After using it, we agree that this device is the champion of the Best Value Smartphone 2023. The device offers a Leica camera at an affordable price, has IP68 protection, a Dolby Vision 144Hz screen, 4+5 years of updates and a premium design.
Imagine, a Leica camera Q series or M series reaches up to RM29,000 and RM46,000. The iteration that Xiaomi brings that focuses on portraits and street photography at a price starting at RM1799 is a ridiculous offering. Xiaomi 13T is a device with a complete package for those who just want to get used to professional photography. The Dimensity 8200-Ultra chip that has performance comparable to premium flagship devices makes the Xiaomi 13T worthy as the best value champion.
Specifications: 6.67” AMOLED 144Hz, Dolby Vision, Dimensity 8200-Ultra 4nm (1x Cortex-A78 + 3.1GHz + 3x Cortex-A78, 3.0GHz + 4x Cortex-A55, 2.0GHz), 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, 50MP (angle wide) + 50MP (telephoto 2x zoom) + 12MP (ultra wide angle), 20MP (selfie), 5000 mAh (67W), IP68, MIUI 14 Android 13.
Price: RM1,799 (8/256 GB)