Consider investing in one of the top mid-range smartphones if you’re sick of paying a hefty price for a showy flagship phone. Previously, choosing a smartphone that wasn’t an expensive flagship meant putting up with a subpar experience. Cheap smartphones were then associated with drab looks, cheap construction, and slow performance. Users of these smartphones frequently expressed frustration due to the lousy cameras, sluggish apps, and short battery life of these handsets. Thankfully, those times are well in the past now.
These gadgets frequently have upscale aesthetics, rapid performance, and long-lasting batteries. In order to make sure you don’t miss out on life’s special events, several of them also have surprisingly good cameras.
It’s now simpler than ever to locate a mid-range smartphone that suits your wants without going over budget, thanks to the abundance of fantastic selections. The top mid-range smartphones are highlighted in our guide, providing all the features you require for an amazing mobile experience for a fraction of the price of flagship models. These cellphones are made to last, so you should have years of good use out of them.
1.Google Pixel 7a
Even if the Google Pixel 7a is intelligent and powerful, I won’t be suggesting it as one of the greatest phones out there if it can’t hold out for an entire day. The little battery may not be able to handle the power of the Google Tensor G2 engine, which can remove tall structures from your photographs with a few touches. To make matters worse, the phone charges slowly.
Why begin with battery-related complaints? since it is significant. More significant than shooting excellent pictures, which the Pixel 7a can do well but won’t win you any awards for. Many of the pictures I captured, even with more megapixels available, resemble those from its predecessor, the Google Pixel 6a.
The most significant factor is battery life, not any performance gains from Google’s potent chipset, which can easily run the most sophisticated apps and games. If you spend the entire commute to work playing those games on the train, you should have a charger ready at your desk and a few hours before you run out of battery life again.
The Pixel 7a is comparable to a European roadster, with lightning-fast speed that quickly depletes the battery. With a few compromises made in size, you receive all the functionality and elegance of the top sports car. It’s also preferable to hold off until the Pixel 7a lowers to a price that makes sense, like with a fantastic roadster.
When the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were released, their corner-mounted camera blocks made them stand out from other bland phone designs. When the Pixel 6a arrived, it had the same appearance. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro followed, offering more of the same. As of right moment, the Pixel 7a has the same appearance. Really, Google, after all this time, even Apple modifies their phones slightly.
If the Pixel 7a still appears special, it could be because there aren’t many Pixel phones available, which is bad news for Google. When I first saw the recognizable Pixel design in October 2021, I liked it. Sadly, Google hasn’t changed the fundamental recipe, but ditched the two-tone colorway options that were really the best part of Pixel 6a design.
My UK colleagues managed to get hold of the blue model, so we have some fantastic photographs to showcase it, but my review sample isn’t the stylish Coral hue or even the less stylish Sea. I apologize, Snow; I went white. Fortunately, I also received the official Google silicone case in coral, which is incredibly attractive. As a result, I almost ever looked at the sleek little shell because I kept it largely in the case.
The Pixel 7a has a beautiful matte touch on the frame, which makes it simple to grab if you have to leave your phone unattended and worried. Although the smooth, slightly curved back surface will slip off a hill, it won’t be difficult for you to grab onto.
The Pixel 7a, according to Google, is the most resilient Pixel a-series phone yet, and thankfully it’s water resistant to survive splashes or an accidental dip in the sink.
Pros
Almost as fast as the Pixel 7 Pro
Great photo capabilities and editing tools
Cons
Battery won’t last all day
2.OnePlus Nord 3
For lovers of the greatest OnePlus phones, the OnePlus Nord 3 is a fascinating proposition. It is the company’s most recent mid-range phone, following a slew of low-cost spin-offs and OnePlus Nord 2 substitutes.
It is, like other mainstream Nord products, a more reasonably priced version of the current OnePlus flagship—in this case, the OnePlus 11. People can purchase a new Android phone with a ton of flagship features without having to pay top dollar thanks to its pricing.
The Nord brand is OnePlus’s line of reasonably priced, mid-range Android phones. These phones are aimed at individuals with budgets that cannot purchase the company’s more expensive powerhouses, but still want to have practical features.
Numerous spin-offs have joined the original OnePlus Nord and Nord 2, such as the OnePlus Nord 2T, OnePlus Nord CE 2, OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite, OnePlus Nord N10, OnePlus Nord N200, and more. Add the Nord 3 to the long list of affordable, high-quality products.
The Dimensity 9000 CPU, 12GB or 16GB of RAM, an in-screen fingerprint sensor, and up to 256GB of storage are all features of the OnePlus Nord 2. All areas of the phone are improved with the Dimensity 900, but especially gaming and image (more on that later). Although it isn’t quite as good as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in practically all of the greatest Android phones, it is still fairly close.
OnePlus has this setup phone with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of storage. This means you can expect the Nord 3 to hold up to 40 apps uninterrupted. We haven’t been able to test this, but that would track with our experience with other smartphones which have 16GB of RAM and a virtual RAM feature.
If you’re not that much into having the most smartphone you can buy and would be happy with the base model to save costs, you’re able get a OnePlus Nord 3 with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM instead.
Pros
Battery is good
Good volume
Cons
Display not as good as some
3.Nothing Phone 2
It’s a well-equipped intermediate gadget based on the numbers. It has a large, smoothly scrolling screen, a powerful Snapdragon CPU, and a few extras like wireless charging for. Everything is going OK so far. At least half of the attraction, though, comes from the vibe. It’s more difficult to measure, however it’s located in between the unique Nothing OS launcher, the light strip notification indications, and the translucent back panel design. It’s a cool phone, not like your average phone.
The ethos of Nothing, a phone designed for those who choose to use their device with less distraction and more purpose, is woven into that feeling. It’s for those who desire to rediscover the joy of technology. It aids in keeping your attention on what really important.
This is where all of that meets reality: the Nothing Phone 2 is a fashionable phone designed for individuals who like their technology to be noticed. It won’t help you become a more deliberate, goal-oriented person. If its vibe is similar to yours, it’s well designed, reasonably priced, and I think you’ll enjoy using it—as long as you’re not looking for a life-changing event.
The Phone 2 feels like the device the Phone 1 was meant to be. Nothing seems to have ironed out some earlier issues — battery life is much improved, for starters. It lasts through a day of moderate use thanks to a more power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset and a bigger 4,700mAh cell (up from 4,500mAh).
The 8 Plus Gen 1 is snappy; my review unit has 12GB of RAM, and I can cruise between apps seamlessly. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, but I don’t think that would make any significant difference in day-to-day use. The 6.7-inch 1080p screen is one of the nicest you’ll find on any phone this far south of. It’s screen capable of running up to 120Hz and all the way down to 1Hz up to 120Hz and all the way down to 1Hz.
Its 6.55-inch screen is larger than the Phone 1’s, and this year’s bezels are also somewhat thinner. In direct sunshine, it becomes brighter, supposedly up to 1,600 nits, though Nothing isn’t exactly a trustworthy source when it comes to that; it first said the Phone 1 could reach 1,200 nits before reducing it to 700. Either way, I had no trouble using the screen to take pictures in the bright sunshine while hiking.
Pros
Light strips are a neat design touch
Useful always-on display with customizable info
Cons
Only splash-resistant
4.Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro
Xiaomi’s most recent Redmi Note 13 lineup, with special attention to its cameras and some fascinating AI capabilities, packs an outstanding punch for its pricing. Additionally, they can be less expensive options than the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
Two of the five-strong new Redmi Note 13 series that were released in January are the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus.
When I tested the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G and Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate from a company more recognized for its budget-friendly models than its flagships. However, I had a pleasant surprise.
The Pro and Pro Plus, which each have a triple camera system with a 200-megapixel main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP front camera with optical image stabilization, best highlight the Redmi Note 13 series’ strong emphasis on photography.
Compared to the previous Redmi Note 12 Pro, this larger camera module is much more noticeable. On both versions, the 50-megapixel primary camera is replaced with an improved 200-megapixel camera.
When I pushed the zoom to its maximum 4x focal range, I was amazed at how much detail the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus was able to capture. This is where the optical image stabilization really helped, especially in low-light conditions.
Given that macro cameras significantly improve the overall smartphone photographic experience, the inclusion of a 2MP macro camera seems a little unnecessary. In today’s top phones, ultra-wide cameras are more often utilized for macro photography.
With Xiaomi ProCut 2.0, photos shot in 200-megapixel mode may produce various crops to accommodate a variety of aspect ratios. which is useful for filming content for social media. The depiction of color was slightly subdued but not entirely washed out, giving the impression of more natural, realistic color.
Naturally, AI effects are also a crucial component. For example, the beautify tool let me alter the size and shape of my eyes and the contour of my face in a selfie. When I first tried it, it seemed unsettling, but with little effort, it generated some minor yet satisfying consequences.
I also witnessed a demonstration of the AI Sky Replace tool, which helped replace some dramatic, eye-catching skies that looked fine with some that were a touch too heavy-handed. The program helped replace a grey, washed-out, dull sky. Along with removing undesired subjects from photos, you may also use the Magic Eraser feature found in more recent Google Pixel devices. It worked fairly swiftly in some cases, but not at all in others, as I observed.
Poor illumination efficiency was better than I expected due to the larger-than-usual 1/1.4″ sensor, which can gather more light in a single shot which was evident in the dimly lit space I used the phone. I also loved some retro-looking filters in video mode that were fun but I didn’t get to try all of them out.
Pros
Lovely design
Fast charging
Cons
No wireless charging
5.OnePlus 12R
The interesting OnePlus 12R, which is the first R-series phone to be released outside, and the company’s newest flagship phone, the OnePlus 12, are how OnePlus is starting off 2024.
Although the T-series has made appearances on the international scene previously, the R more closely fulfills the promises of the company’s full-fat flagship phones, and this year’s 12R is no different. It runs on hardware that is familiar to fans of the OnePlus 11, while also bringing some firsts for the company and industry.
Due to its similar rounded edges and ‘Starlight Dial’ circular camera surround, which debuted on the OnePlus flagship in 2023, you could easily confuse the 12R for either the OnePlus 11 or the OnePlus 12.
Although OnePlus claims that switching the positions of the recognizable physical alert slider enhances antenna performance, the phone does not have wireless charging capabilities or complete IP68 dust and water resistance. Despite these shortcomings, the phone is elegantly designed, feels high-end, and has an ample capacity and long-lasting battery.
The 12R is essentially a redesigned OnePlus 11, with the same flagship-class Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in the best smartphones of 2023 if not for the smaller secondary cameras to 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the biggest battery ever seen in a OnePlus phone, which translates to the best longevity we’ve ever gotten from a OnePlus phone –battery life that matches the likes of the mighty samsung glaxy S23 Ultra.
Due to its similar rounded edges and ‘Starlight Dial’ circular camera surround, which debuted on the OnePlus flagship in 2023, you could easily confuse the 12R for either the OnePlus 11 or the OnePlus 12.
Although OnePlus claims that switching the positions of the recognizable physical alert slider enhances antenna performance, the phone does not have wireless charging capabilities or complete IP68 dust and water resistance. Despite these shortcomings, the phone is elegantly designed, feels high-end, and has an ample capacity and long-lasting battery.
The 12R is essentially a redesigned OnePlus 11, with the same flagship-class Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in the best smartphones of 2023 if not for the smaller secondary cameras.
Pros
Outstanding display
Brand-leading battery life
Cons
Update promise could be better
Which brand is best for a mid-range phone
A few companies stand out for their unique combination of performance, features, and affordability when it comes to the finest mid-range smartphones.
With its outstanding “A” series, Google is currently our front-runner. We give it a good rating because of its camera capabilities, which make use of Google’s excellent image processing algorithms to produce high-quality images that are on par with those from more costly models. The current Pixel 8a is an excellent option for individuals who value photography and a fluid user experience because it also has access to Google’s AI-powered editing capabilities and a robust software experience with assured updates.
The OnePlus Nord series is an additional excellent choice in the mid-range segment. OnePlus regularly produces devices that feel high-end but are more reasonably priced. The most recent Nord models have strong construction, stunning displays with frequent refresh rates, and dependable performance because of strong processors.
Finally, Nothing’s distinctive feature set and design make it a worthwhile consideration. They are visually striking with their unique transparent back and glyph interface. It performs admirably as well.
What is the difference between a mid-range and a flagship phone?
The primary distinction between flagship and mid-range phones, aside from cost, is found in their features, specs, and general performance.
The newest and most potent processors, the sharpest screens available, the best camera setups, and high-end components like metal and glass are usually found in flagship phones.
Advanced features like water resistance, wireless charging, and the most recent software upgrades are also frequently included.
On the other hand, mid-range phones provide a nice mix between affordability and performance. They typically have slightly older processors, lower-resolution screens, and less premium features, but they are still more than adequate for daily use.