Old but still Gold: 5 older gaming flagships that are still amazing

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For gaming enthusiasts, having a powerful smartphone is crucial for a seamless and immersive experience. While newer models continue to hit the market, several flagship phones from the past few years still excel in delivering top-notch gaming performance. But, you should never underestimate the older ones. After all, there could be some gems out there.

For our list, we decided to take a look at phones from 2020 to 2022 that still offer great performance in gaming. So, here’s our Old but still Gold: 5 older gaming flagships that are still amazing for gaming in Malaysia.

 

ASUS ROG Phone 6 - The bargain powerhouse with gaming accessories

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The ASUS ROG Phone 6 is a powerhouse designed specifically for gamers, packed with cutting-edge technology and robust performance. It features a distinctive design with RGB lighting, customisable AirTriggers, and a range of accessories that enhance the gaming experience. It's cooling system might be somewhat dated, but it still offers you a solid gaming performance for your comfort.

If this device catches your interest, you can get it from a bargain price of RM2599. Keep in mind, it's availability could be an issue. So, you might want to check your nearest authorised retailers for it.

Tech Specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • 6.78-inch AMOLED, 165Hz refresh rate
  • Up to 16GB RAM
  •  Up to 512GB UFS 3.1 storage
  • Camera: Triple rear camera setup (50MP main, 13MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro)
  • Battery: 6000mAh with 65W fast charging

Key Features:

  • AirTrigger 6
  • GameCool 6 cooling system
  • Aura RGB lighting
  • ROG UI

 

 

 iQOO 11 - The hidden performance gem

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The iQOO 11 is designed to provide top-tier performance with a focus on gaming and multitasking. It features a sleek design with a focus on speed, enhanced by its advanced cooling system and fast charging capabilities. Its cutting-edge processor, stunning display, and advanced cooling system keep it relevant and competitive in the current gaming phone market.

Price-wise, it's a bit on the higher-end for this list but is still quite a bargain. Coming in at RM3499, this phone should be a great addition to your gaming experience.

Tech Specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • 6.78-inch E5 AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate
  • Up to 16GB
  • Up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
  • Triple rear camera setup (50MP main, 13MP telephoto, 8MP ultra-wide)
  • 5000mAh with 120W FlashCharge

Key Features:

  • Monster Touch shoulder buttons
  • Dual pressure-sensitive zones
  • iQOO UI

 

POCO F4 GT - The affordable value-buster

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The POCO F4 GT is a gaming-centric smartphone that offers high-end specifications at an affordable price. It’s still built for performance though, with a sleek design and innovative gaming features like shoulder triggers that enhance the gaming experience. If you are a huge gaming fan, this phone should be high on your wish list.

If this phone caught your attention, you might be in for a ride. That's because the availability for this phone is quite scarce. Plus, you can expect this device to cost you around RM1399 so you can expect quite a lot of others on the hunt for it. Regardless, it should be worth your time and effort if you're looking to game on a budget.

Tech Specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • 6.67-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Up to 12GB
  • 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
  • Triple rear camera setup (64MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro)
  • 4700mAh with 120W HyperCharge

Key Features:

  • Magnetic pop-up triggers
  • LiquidCool Technology 3.0
  • Dual speakers

 

Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro - The borderless wild card

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The Nubia Redmagic 8 Pro is a beast of a gaming phone, known for its unique design and powerful internals. It boasts a borderless AMOLED display and an active cooling system, making it one of the best choices for mobile gamers. This phone might be a bit dated these days, but it still supports extended gaming sessions without frequent interruptions, making it a robust choice for gamers on the go. 

Priced at RM3799, this device is quite pricey to have. But, if you're the type of gamer to be affected by a punch-hole camera in the display then it should be a great investment for your gaming needs. 

Tech Specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • 6.8-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Up to 16GB
  • Up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
  • Triple rear camera setup (50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro)
  • 6000mAh with 80W fast charging

Key Features

  • Built-in cooling fan
  • Shoulder triggers
  • Redmagic OS

 

realme GT3 - The ultra-fast charging dark horse

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The realme GT3 is a high-performance smartphone that offers a seamless gaming experience. With a focus on speed and efficiency, the GT3 is equipped with a powerful chipset, ultra fast charging, and a high refresh rate display. Moreover, it features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. The device is equipped with up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, making it ideal for multitasking and gaming, but it is one of the few in this list that doesn't have trigger buttons.

Additionally, with a 5000mAh battery and 240W SuperVOOC fast charging, the GT3 lets you charge and get back in the game in just 10 minutes. Additionally, its GT Mode 3.0 and advanced cooling system further enhance gaming performance. If you are interested, it should cost you around RM2799. However, its availability can be quite an issue. So, you might have to put in more effort for this one.

Tech Specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • 6.74-inch AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate
  • Up to 16GB
  • Up to 256GB UFS 3.1
  • Triple rear camera setup (50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro)
  • 5000mAh with 240W SuperVOOC fast charging

Key Features:

  • GT Mode 3.0
  • Stainless steel vapor cooling
  • X-axis linear motor

 

Conclusion - Older gaming phones for those on a budget

Whether you’re looking for a device specifically designed for gaming or one with strong overall capabilities, these options provide excellent experiences for gamers in Malaysia. Each phone brings unique features to the table, ensuring there’s a great choice for different preferences and needs.

Our personal pick? It's definitely the iQOO 11. Bargain price, solid specs, gaming features and stellar battery life. What's not to like? This one is a no brainer for us but the other devices above are also good gaming phones in their own right.

 

Like what you are reading or do you have some suggestions of your own? Share your thoughts in the comments but for your information, a Part 2 of our list is coming with more powerful old but still gold devices, so stay tuned to this space and TechNave.com