ZTE Blade V7 Max

Specs here point to an entry-level device built for basic daily use rather than heavy multitasking. The Mediatek MT6753 octa-core chipset pairs with just 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, though a microSD card slot lets you expand that up to 256GB if you need more room for photos and apps. The 5.2-inch IPS LCD display runs at full HD resolution, giving decent sharpness for a phone in this bracket.

Camera-wise, you get a 13MP rear shooter with phase detection autofocus and dual-LED flash, along with a 5MP front camera for basic selfies. The 2500mAh battery is on the smaller side, so don't expect all-day heavy use without a midday top-up. ZTE Blade V7 Max price in Malaysia starts from RM539, and it ships with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, along with dual SIM slots and support for LTE Cat4 speeds.

It's a phone that covers the basics: calls, messaging, light browsing and casual photos. Just don't expect it to keep pace with anything demanding in terms of gaming or multitasking.