As technology advances, smartphones from the past couple of years still hold significant value, especially flagships with long-lasting battery performance. If you happen to be on the lookout for older flagships in Malaysia that can last throughout your busy day and then some, you have come to the right place.
Featuring former flagships with larger-than-usual batteries for their time, do read on for our "Old but still Gold" smartphones with superb battery life.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra - Consistently solid and reliable
Released: February 2022
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a flagship device that excels in multiple areas, including battery life. It features a robust 5000 mAh battery that ensures long-lasting performance. Coupled with Samsung's power-efficient hardware and software optimisations, this phone can easily power through a full day of heavy usage. For more info on this variant, you might want to read our review here.
If you are interested, this phone should cost you around RM3000 to RM3500. Currently, Samsung has yet to update the price for this variant. Plus, availability for this model is quite limited. So, you might want to visit your nearest Samsung retailer for this model. In addition, Samsung also recently announced that the Galaxy S22 series would be getting the latest Galaxy AI OneUI 6.1 update along with about 4 more years of updates, so it's still a fairly good long-term buy.
Key Features:
- 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Exynos 2200 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Quad-camera system with a 108 MP main sensor
- 45W fast charging
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max - Classic and classy
Released: September 2022
Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max is renowned for its seamless performance and efficient power usage. With a 4323 mAh battery, it leverages the efficiency of the iOS operating system and the A16 Bionic chip to deliver outstanding battery life. This device is ideal for those who need a reliable smartphone that can handle intensive tasks without frequent recharging.
For a price of around RM4949, it might be a bit pricey compared to the other phones on this list. But for its specs and the fact that it is an Apple iPhone, we feel it's good value for money.
Key Features:
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion
- A16 Bionic chip
- Triple-camera system with improved low-light performance
- 20W fast charging
Google Pixel 7 Pro - Great camera but hard to get
Released: October 2022
The Google Pixel 7 Pro offers a combination of a 5000 mAh battery and Google's software optimisations. This leads to an excellent battery life. Known for its clean Android experience and exceptional camera capabilities, this device is perfect if you want a powerful yet energy-efficient smartphone.
Interested? This device should cost you around RM4730 for the vanilla model. The specs are great, but for its price, we feel there are more affordable and feasible options on the list. Plus, it is also quite hard to get in Malaysia. So, you might have to order from a third party instead.
Key Features:
- 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Google Tensor G2 chip
- Triple-camera system with advanced computational photography
- 30W fast charging
OnePlus 10 Pro - Capable for work and daily needs
Released: January 2022
The OnePlus 10 Pro is celebrated for its battery performance. It comes with a 5000 mAh battery and OnePlus's 80W fast charging technology, making it a reliable companion for long days. It also means that you can quickly top up the battery and continue with your tasks without much interruption as long as you bring the charger.
Currently, the phone is priced around RM3699. Given its specs and performance, we feel this phone is a viable alternative for your long-lasting user experience.
Key Features:
- 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Triple-camera system with Hasselblad collaboration
- 80W fast charging
Xiaomi 12 Pro - The affordable alternative with a faster charge
Released: December 2021
While on the older side of the spectrum, the Xiaomi 12 Pro still offers commendable battery life with its 4600 mAh battery. Xiaomi's MIUI helps in extending the battery performance. Additionally, its 120W HyperCharge technology ensures that the phone can be charged quickly, making it highly convenient for those who are always on the go.
Like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Xiaomi has yet to update the official price for this model. So, we could expect the price to be around RM1700 to RM2500. Moreover, the availability of this phone might be limited. Therefore, you might have to check your local retailers for this model.
Key Features:
- 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Quad-camera setup with a 50 MP main sensor
- 120W fast charging
ASUS ROG Phone 7 - The largest battery is a gaming phone?
Release date: 2023
This might be the only gaming phone on our list, but the ASUS ROG Phone 7 is no slouch. This phone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. It also runs up to 16GB of RAM and a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals.
Its excellent battery life is powered by a massive 6000mAh dual-cell battery, ensuring extended gaming sessions without frequent recharges. Coupled with 65W fast charging, the ROG Phone 7 offers both endurance and quick power top-ups, making it an ideal choice for gamers and power users. Currently, the phone is priced at RM3599. Given its specs and performance, that is quite a bargain in our opinion, especially if you're into gaming.
Conclusion - A long lasting former flagship for everyone
These models are great choices for those who are looking for former flagship smartphones that combine excellent battery life with robust performance here in Malaysia. Whether you need a device for heavy usage, gaming, or everyday tasks, these smartphones offer the longevity and reliability you need.
Investing in these slightly older models can provide great value while ensuring that you stay connected throughout the day. Personally, our pick will be the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Sure, it's a bit hard to get, but the new updates offer a bit more icing on top of the cake of an already tempting device.
What do you think? Is there something we missed or a former flagship with superb battery life that you'd suggest? Share your experiences in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave!
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