LG Optimus L7 II

Specs here put this squarely in entry-level territory: a dual-core 1 GHz Snapdragon chipset paired with 768 MB RAM, running Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. That's enough for basic tasks and light apps, but don't expect it to handle much multitasking. The 4.3-inch IPS LCD screen runs at 480 x 800, which works fine for everyday use though it won't impress anyone used to sharper panels.

The 8 MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash covers casual photography, and there's a VGA front camera for basic selfies and video calls. LG Optimus L7 II price in Malaysia starts from RM795, which fits its budget positioning. Storage is limited at 4 GB internally, so the microSD slot supporting up to 32 GB is worth using from day one.

Battery capacity sits at 2460 mAh, reasonable for a phone this size and screen resolution. It also comes with NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA support, features that were still uncommon at this price tier when it launched. Available in Black or White.