Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE

Running Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim puts this handset in a different category from the Android and iOS crowd, which matters if you're after something distinct or need it for a legacy work setup. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 400 chipset with a quad-core 1.2GHz processor and just 1GB RAM, paired with 8GB storage that stretches to 128GB via microSD. The 5-inch IPS LCD screen at 720 x 1280 resolution keeps things sharp enough for everyday browsing and messaging.

Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE price in Malaysia starts from RM397, which puts it firmly in budget territory. The 8MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash handles casual shots reasonably well, while the 1MP front camera is basic at best. A 2500mAh battery backs it all up, and LTE support means you're not stuck on 3G speeds despite the phone's age.

NFC and GPS with GLONASS and Beidou round out the connectivity, useful extras for a phone at this price point. It comes in Glossy cyan, Orange, White, and Matte black, giving it more personality than most budget phones bother with.