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Entry-level phones used to be drab plastic affairs with limited features, boring designs, and barely usable cameras. But all of that has changed in recent years, and budget phones today offer much of the same experience you’ll find on a high-end flagship phone, including bezel-less displays and dual camera setups.
For this category we're looking for the phone that offers the most bang for your buck. We're taking into account build, performance, battery life and any other features that exceed what you normally find in this price range.
The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 punches well above its weight with an attractive 'Wave Design' that looks, feels, and handles like a much more expensive device. Its large Full HD display, mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, and huge 5,000mAh battery all also exceed what you normally expect at this price range. To seal the deal, the Max Pro M2 also runs on stock Android, providing a clean and lightweight user experience.
| Criteria/Model | ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 | Huawei Nova 3i | Nokia 6.1 Plus | Xiaomi Mi A2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 (adjusted up from 6.5 in the original review) |
| Features | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| User-Friendliness | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 (adjusted down from 8 in the original review) |
| Performance | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 (adjusted up from 7 in the original review) |
| Value | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 (adjusted up from 6 in the original review) |
| Overall | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 (adjusted up from 6.5 in the original review) |
| Price | S$348 | S$398 | S$399 | S$369 |
*Note: Prices and ratings listed are accurate at the time of individual product evaluation.
For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed in the References section at the end.
