It's a habit for us to share a list of the best devices throughout the year, and this time it continues with the premium mid-range device segment. This selection involves several interesting criteria, especially the price is adequate with the given features. Here is the full list of devices with specifications for all the selected ones.
Choosing criteria
A screen with a high refresh rate.
Satisfactory performance with a mid-range chip.
Best value for the price offered.
Using at least Android 13.
Officially launched in Malaysia in 2023.
Third Place – Vivo V29 5G
This year we include the Vivo V29 5G in the list of the best premium mid-range devices. The device's camera gives satisfactory results for most situations. As an added value, there is also a built-in aura light feature that makes it easier for you to take pictures in the dark. The thin and light construction also makes it easy for you to carry it anywhere.
Other eye-catching features include the device's 6.78″ AMOLED screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. With the Snapdragon 778G chip, despite being quite old, the performance is still strong. Then the device's battery can be charged quickly through the 80W charging system. But unfortunately the lack of waterproof standards is one of the most significant weak points of the device.
Specifications: 6.78” AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G (1 X 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3 X 2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4 X 1.9 GHz Cortex-A55), Adreno 642L, 8GB RAM, up to 512GB storage, 50+2 +8MP (Main), 50MP (Selfie), 4600 mAh (33W), Android 13.
Price: RM1,799 (8/128GB) / RM1,899 (12/256GB)
Second Place – OnePlus Nord 3 5G
The OnePlus Nord 3 5G is also one of the best mid-premium devices released this year. Equipped with a powerful Dimensity 9000 chip that makes the device stand out in terms of performance. If you feel that 16GB is still not enough, the RAM Expansion feature can add up to 12GB more RAM virtually. So this device can have up to 28GB of RAM in total.
In addition, you can also take advantage of the amazing Fluid AMOLED 6.74″ 120Hz display, a camera system with quite good capabilities and IP54 waterproof which means it is splash resistant but cannot be taken diving. But at least it's better to have than nothing right? One of the obvious weaknesses is the battery. The 5,000mAh capacity sounds big enough but unfortunately the battery life is less than impressive. However this shortcoming is remedied by the fast 80W fast charging.
Specifications: 6.74” Fluid AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz, Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) (1×3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510), Mali-G710 MC10, 8GB RAM, storage up to 256GB, 50+2+8MP (Main), 16MP (Selfie), 5,000 mAh (80W), Android 13.
Price: RM 2,199 (16/256GB)
Champion – Nothing Phone (2)
The champion for this category is Nothing Phone (2). We can say that the package given is worth it starting from the design, specifications to the selling price. As an example of a transparent finish with a combination of Glyph LED lights on the back successfully creates an interesting style. Also of interest is the Glyph Composer feature for you to customize your own ringtone to match the flashing lights in the background.
The included internal specifications are also quite good with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip even though it is quite old it is still smooth and capable. Then the 120Hz OLED screen in battery-saving LTPO mode, the camera's capabilities are suitable for casual photography use and the Nothing OS 2 software is also smooth with a variety of interesting additional features. If the selling price is also considered with the given features, it starts at RM1799 a piece.
Specifications: 6.7” LTPO OLED FHD+ 120Hz, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) (1 X 3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3 X 2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4 X 1.80 GHz Cortex-A510), Adreno 730, 8GB RAM, storage up to 256GB, 50+50MP (Main), 32MP (Selfie), 4700 mAh (45W), Android 13.
Price: RM 2,999 (12/256GB)