Asus Zenfone 2 ZE500CL

Asus Zenfone 2 ZE500CL price in Malaysia starts from RM599, putting it firmly in budget territory. Inside is an Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core chipset paired with 2GB RAM, enough for basic multitasking but not much beyond that. Storage sits at 16GB, with a microSD slot that takes you up to 64GB more if you need it. The 5.0-inch IPS screen runs at 720 x 1280 pixels, giving a pixel density around 294 ppi, decent for everyday viewing.

The rear camera is an 8MP unit with autofocus and LED flash, capable of 1080p video at 30fps, while a 2MP front camera handles selfies. A 2500mAh battery keeps things running, non-removable, so what you get out of the box is what you're stuck with long term. It ships with Android 5.0 Lollipop and supports LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS with GLONASS, and Bluetooth 4.0.

At 155g and 10.9mm thick, it's a light, pocketable device. Colour options include Charcoal Black, Pearl White, and Cherry Red, giving a bit of choice for a phone this affordable.