Top 5 Smartphones with Telephoto Lens Under RM 2000 in Miri
Why Telephoto is a Must-Have for Miri Photographers
The ability to zoom in without losing image quality is a feature often restricted to high-end flagship phones. However, several strong contenders in the under RM 2000 price segment now offer a dedicated Telephoto lens—a major advantage for users in Miri who photograph the city’s unique nature spots, detailed architecture, or want superior, blur-free portraiture.
In this price category, the availability of a dedicated optical zoom lens is often what distinguishes a premium mid-range camera phone. Our top pick focuses on providing genuine optical zoom capability within your budget.
Our Top Pick: Best Zoom Value
The best phone providing true Optical Zoom under RM 2000 in Miri is the Xiaomi 14T, priced around RM 1,899. It offers a premium camera setup co-engineered with Leica, featuring a dedicated telephoto sensor.
🔝 The 5 Best Telephoto Phones Under RM 2000 for Sarawak
Here are the top 5 smartphones available in the Malaysian market that offer the best telephoto/lossless zoom performance under the RM 2000 budget:
| Rank | Model Name | Approx. Price (RM) | Telephoto Spec | Key Camera Benefit |
| 1 | Xiaomi 14T 5G | RM 1,899 | 50MP Telephoto (2x Optical Zoom) | Leica collaboration, Excellent Portrait Mode |
| 2 | HONOR 200 Pro 5G | RM 1,990 | 50MP Telephoto (2.5x Optical Zoom) | Superior portrait depth, High-resolution zoom |
| 3 | realme 12 Pro+ 5G | RM 1,699 | 64MP Periscope (3x Optical Zoom) | Best budget zoom reach, OIS stabilization |
| 4 | Nothing Phone (3a) | RM 1,699 | 50MP Telephoto (2x Optical Zoom) | Clean UI, Unique design, Balanced zoom |
| 5 | Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G | RM 1,599 | 50MP Telephoto (2x Lossless Zoom) | Great Value, Fast Charging, Good Daytime Zoom |
Detailed Zoom & Performance Review
1. Xiaomi 14T 5G: The Clarity Champion
- Telephoto Advantage: The dedicated 50MP telephoto lens, co-engineered with Leica, delivers phenomenal 2x optical zoom shots. This is perfect for capturing clean, professional portraits of people or detailed shots of scenes around Miri, such as the Grand Old Lady viewpoint.
- Performance: Powered by the Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset, the phone ensures quick image processing, vital for maintaining photo quality in varying light conditions.
- The Miri Benefit: The Leica color profiles and excellent zoom clarity make it a favourite for serious photo enthusiasts.
2. HONOR 200 Pro 5G: Best for Portraits
- Zoom Power: With a 50MP telephoto sensor providing 2.5x optical zoom, the HONOR 200 Pro excels in isolating subjects. This allows photographers in Miri to take beautiful, clean portrait photos that mimic professional camera depth.
- Performance: Features the powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, ensuring fast performance not just for the camera, but for smooth 120Hz scrolling and gaming as well.
- The Miri Benefit: Ideal for capturing high-quality portraits at local events or taking clear zoom shots across the Miri River.
3. realme 12 Pro+ 5G: Budget Periscope King
- Periscope Zoom: This phone uniquely offers a 3x optical Periscope telephoto lens—a feature almost unheard of under RM 2000. Periscope technology allows for superior light gathering and better stabilization at higher zoom levels.
- Stabilization: The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is crucial for zoom lenses, as it keeps images sharp even when your hands shake, especially useful when photographing Miri’s evening scenery.
- The Trade-off: While the zoom is excellent, the main processor is a step down from the Xiaomi and HONOR models.
4. Nothing Phone (3a): Clean & Crisp Zoom
- Clean Optics: The Nothing Phone (3a) provides a solid 2x optical telephoto experience focusing on clean, unfiltered images consistent with the brand’s aesthetic.
- User Experience: Its near-stock Android experience ensures a fast, bloatware-free camera app, allowing photographers to quickly snap and edit photos.
- The Miri Benefit: A great choice for users who value a unique, minimalist look combined with reliable photo quality.
5. Infinix NOTE 50 Pro+ 5G: The High-Spec Surprise
- Value Proposition: This phone offers a massive package—including a 2x telephoto lens and 100W fast charging—all for under RM 1600.
- Zoom Type: It features a dedicated sensor that delivers high-quality 2x lossless zoom, making it an excellent budget-friendly entry point for users wanting true zoom capabilities.
Telephoto Zoom Comparison Table
| Model | Optical Zoom | Telephoto Resolution | Camera Focus | Price Rank (Miri) |
| Xiaomi 14T 5G | 2x | 50MP | Leica Color & Clarity | RM 1,899 |
| HONOR 200 Pro 5G | 2.5x | 50MP | Premium Portrait Zoom | RM 1,990 |
| realme 12 Pro+ 5G | 3x Periscope | 64MP | Best Zoom Range Under RM 2K | RM 1,699 |
Final Verdict: Zooming in on Value
For photographers in Miri with an RM 2000 budget, the choice is between the all-around flagship quality of the HONOR 200 Pro and the specialized zoom capabilities of the realme 12 Pro+. If your priority is achieving the maximum optical zoom (3x) at the lowest price, the realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. However, for the most consistent image quality and a better processor, the Xiaomi 14T provides the best balance.
