Malaysia’s Latest Smartphone Craze: What’s New and Worth Buying

The smartphone world is definitely a fast moving one. With every passing year, new smartphones will swamp the market with new and updated features. From foldable to flagship phones, the first quarter of 2023 saw a slew of new phones released in the market.

If you’re a gamer or love taking photos, a new smartphone with top-of-the-line camera and gaming capabilities is a must-buy. With the latest smartphone models, you can expect to have the best experience when it comes to gaming and capturing stunning images. To keep your smartphone knowledge up to date, we have curated the 5 newest and best smartphones for your reading!

Xiaomi 13 Pro

This is the latest flagship from Xiaomi with a full list of high-end features with competitive price. This Xiaomi’s flagship offers stunning performance with the latest Snapdragon chipset. The latest update saw the company enhancing the water resistance with the new updated IP68 rating. The phone is also beautifully crafted with Gorilla Glass Victus with a curved screen which exudes a premium feeling to the device. The Sony camera sensor paired with Leica lens produces crisp images which definitely meets your social media requirements!

Pros of Xiaomi 13 Pro

Cons of Xiaomi 13 Pro

Details of Xiaomi 13 Pro

OPPO Find N2 Flip

The OPPO has been the company’s flagship for a period of time and the Find X N2 flip has been the latest addition to the flip phone of OPPO. Spotting a larger outer display compared to the Samsung Galaxy Flip phones, it provides a compact form factor with a hinge which rivals that of its competitors which leaves close to no crease and no gap when folded. The vertical large cover display makes it look like you have a miniature phone display which can fit more content on the screen. Definitely a good device to consider stepping into foldables.
OPPO’s Find N2 Flip stands out with its exceptional cover screen, which is the largest of any flip phone in the market. With a generous 3.26-inch display, users can easily access and interact with multiple notifications and messages without having to open the phone. What sets the Find N2 Flip apart is OPPO’s innovative New Generation Flexion Hinge, which eliminates any hinge gap when the device is folded, reducing dust ingress. Additionally, the hinge allows the phone to hold its form between 45 and 110 degrees, enabling users to take selfies without even touching the device. With these impressive features, the Find N2 Flip is a unique and compelling option for anyone seeking a high-quality flip phone.

Pros of OPPO Find N2 Flip

Cons of OPPO Find N2 Flip

Details of OPPO Find N2 Flip

OnePlus 11

OnePlus has built a reputation for delivering exceptional value to its customers, offering top-of-the-line specifications at more affordable price points than many well-known brands. Recently, the company announced the appointment of global artist Jackson Wang as the first smartphone ambassador of the OnePlus APAC region. Known as the “MAGIC MAN”, Jackson Wang is a multi-talented award-winning artist celebrated for his captivating performances and tremendous success across various roles. The OnePlus 11 boasts a familiar design, complete with a striking camera housing that encases the Hasselblad lens. The curved display offers improved ergonomics and aesthetics, complementing the sleek glass back – though it can be slippery. However, any minor flaws are easily overshadowed by the device’s impressive internal hardware, including a powerful processor, ample memory, and generous RAM.
The OnePlus 11 boasts an impressive array of specs, including a massive 5,000mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC fast charging – a feature that the company claims can fully charge the device in a mere 25 minutes. However, wireless charging is notably absent, and the device does not carry an IP rating. Despite these minor drawbacks, the OnePlus 11 offers a host of other features that more than make up for it. You’ll enjoy the convenience of the alert slider, a feature that was missing on the OnePlus 11T, as well as stereo speakers and an in-display fingerprint sensor. Additionally, the device offers support for NFC, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, and WiFi 7, ensuring that you’ll always stay connected. The OnePlus 11 is available in two striking colors – Titan Black and Eternal Green – making it a stylish choice for any discerning smartphone user.

Pros of OnePlus 11

Cons of OnePlus 11

Details of OnePlus 11

Vivo x90

The Vivo X90 Pro boasts a number of noteworthy features that make it stand out in the crowded smartphone market. Most notably, it is one of the few devices to feature the cutting-edge Dimensity 9200 processor from Mediatek, which provides lightning-fast performance and seamless multitasking capabilities. Additionally, the X90 Pro comes equipped with the Vivo V2, a powerful display and imaging co-processor that enhances the overall visual experience. One of the most exciting aspects of this device is its primary camera, which is equipped with Sony’s highly acclaimed one-inch IMX989 sensor – the largest currently available in a smartphone. With such impressive specs, the Vivo X90 Pro is definitely worth taking a closer look at.

The design of the X90 Pro is a true work of art, offering a unique and visually stunning curved front and back experience. While many in the industry are moving away from severely curved screens, the X90 Pro embraces this design element in a way that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Despite its large 6.78-inch 120Hz OLED screen, this device is surprisingly easy to grip with one hand, making it a great choice for those who crave a large display without sacrificing comfort or convenience. The X90 Pro’s impressive display boasts a maximum resolution of 2800×1260 pixels, with 1080p by default, delivering crisp and clear visuals that will take your mobile experience to the next level.

The Vivo X90 Pro’s standout feature is undoubtedly its lightning-fast charging capabilities, and the best part is that it comes with a compatible charger right out of the box. This device boasts an impressive 120W charging speed, which means that you can charge up to 50% in just 8 minutes and 10 seconds – a feat that’s unmatched by most other smartphones on the market. What’s even more remarkable is that the X90 Pro can be fully charged in less than 30 minutes, giving you more time to enjoy your device and less time tethered to a charging cable. With its exceptional charging speed, the Vivo X90 Pro is a game-changer for anyone who values convenience and efficiency.

Pros of Vivo x90

Cons of Vivo x90

Details of Vivo x90

Samsung Galaxy S23

The Samsung Galaxy S23 packs in some serious power, running on a Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) CPU processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM. The device boasts a stunning 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with 1080 x 2340 pixels and 422 ppi. The triple rear camera setup features a 50 MP wide lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP lens, providing excellent versatility for all your photography needs. Along with support for Wifi, Bluetooth, NFC, 4G LTE and 5G, the Samsung Galaxy S23 also has a Li-Ion 3900 mAh non-removable battery, all packed into a sleek 7.6mm device thickness and weighing just 168g. Running on Android 13, One UI 5.1, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is available in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, and Lime colors, with a starting price of RM3699 in the Malaysian market.
Despite its impressive features, the Galaxy S23 falls short in terms of fast charging support, capped at only 25W. Unlike the Plus and Ultra models, which offer up to 45W fast charging, the standard version does not include a charger in the box, meaning you’ll need to purchase Samsung’s 25W adapter separately. Charging the Galaxy S23 from 0 to 100% with the 25W adapter takes around 70 minutes, but using a 20W charger takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. This pales in comparison to other Android phones, even some that are more affordable, that boast faster charging times.

Pros of Samsung Galaxy S23

Cons of Samsung Galaxy S23

Details of Samsung Galaxy S23

When buying a new smartphone, it’s important to do your research and consider your needs before making a decision. First, determine your budget and prioritize the features that are most important to you, such as camera quality, battery life, or processing power. Consider the operating system and the app ecosystem that you are comfortable with, as well as the size and weight of the device. Reading reviews and comparing specifications of different models can also be helpful. Additionally, consider the reputation of the manufacturer and the availability of customer support. It’s also a good idea to test the device in person before buying, either in a store or by borrowing from a friend, to get a feel for the user interface and overall experience. By keeping these tips in mind, you can make an informed decision and find a new smartphone that suits your needs and budget.