How quite a bit are you eager to spend on a cellphone?
After deciding between Android and iOS, it’s the next huge decision it is important make. For some people, solely the right telephones will do, they normally’re eager to pay for it. On the completely different end of the scale, the easiest value vary telephones ship a powerful core experience at a fraction of the price.
Nevertheless what about within the occasion you’re someplace in between? You proceed to want just a few of those premium choices, nevertheless your value vary can’t pretty stretch to flagship prices.
That’s the place a mid-range cellphone is obtainable in. To be eligible proper right here, a cellphone ought to value between spherical £300/$300 and £700/$700 when bought outright at launch. That’s a pretty big worth differ, with dozens of doable models, nevertheless solely the right have made it into the best 10 below.
The one mid-range iPhone that Apple sells is the iPhone SE (2022), nevertheless that’s not okay for inclusion proper right here. It means the itemizing below is solely Android telephones, though there’s nonetheless a great deal of various. Below, you’ll uncover models from OnePlus, Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, Nothing, Motorola and Poco.
Honourable mentions go to the Nubia Flip 5G, the one mid-range folding cellphone, and the Fairphone 5, which has spectacular sustainability and repairability credentials.
All 10 telephones below could be discovered throughout the UK, nevertheless not all of them are provided throughout the US – we’ll level out the place that’s the case. And on the bottom of the net web page, you’ll uncover detailed purchasing for suggestion for mid-range telephones.
Why you have to perception us: Phone critiques and purchasing for suggestion have been a staple of Tech Advisor’s safety as a result of the distinctive iPhone was launched in 2007 and Android made its first headlines in 2008.
We’ve guided you through 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G; we’ve reported on the rise and fall of Dwelling home windows Phone, BlackBerry telephones and LG telephones. We’ve seen corporations push the boundaries of what is doable on such a small system, persevering with to make leaps forward by the use of every {{hardware}} and software program program.
Nevertheless on the similar time, we’ve seen these premium choices steadily trickle all the way in which right down to additional cheap handsets, which means mid-range telephones in the intervening time are larger than they’ve ever been.
We feature out in-depth, real-world testing on every new mid-range cellphone that’s value purchasing for (dozens every single 12 months), adopting it as our fundamental cellphone for primarily essentially the most real experience doable and making certain we’re prepared to supply the best possible cellphone purchasing for suggestion.
Biggest cellphone affords
In case you’re searching for a wonderful deal in your subsequent cellphone this festive season, listed below are the affords to deal with:
UK
US
*lowest ever worth
For additional data and suggestion, see our full data to the easiest cellphone affords, plus devoted round-ups of the easiest Samsung Galaxy affords and biggest Google Pixel affords.
Biggest mid-range cellphone 2025
1. OnePlus Nord 4 – Biggest whole
Execs
- Premium assemble
- Good present
- Strong foremost digicam
- Sturdy battery life
- Six years of software program program help
Cons
- Polarising design
- Disappointing ultrawide digicam
- No telephoto digicam
Price When Reviewed:
499 Euro
The OnePlus Nord 4 is an impressive cellphone which affords all of the items most people are searching for in a mid-range cellphone.
That options superb assemble top quality, with the metal unibody design ensuring top-class sturdiness, even when the reflective plastic window throughout the cameras will divide opinion.
The Snapdragon chip beneath the hood isn’t pretty Qualcomm’s flagship, nevertheless effectivity stays to be very strong, whereas the very good present could cross for a instrument twice the worth.
Sturdy battery life is supported by 100W fast charging (albeit with out the charger throughout the area), whereas the six-year substitute dedication is the easiest on a non-Samsung or Google cellphone.
The downsides are concentrated throughout the cameras, with OnePlus selecting a disappointing ultrawide lens in its place of any telephoto. Nevertheless the precept and selfie sensors are okay which you’ll principally ignore that.
And considering all of the items else you’re getting, the Nord 4 is great value for money.
Be taught our full
OnePlus Nord 4 analysis
2. Xiaomi 14T – Biggest effectivity
Execs
- Slick design
- Good cameras
- Sturdy effectivity
- Fast charging
- Useful Google Circle to Search perform
Cons
- Hit-and-miss AI choices
- No wi-fi charging
- Plastic physique
- Not accessible throughout the US
If you want a mid-range cellphone that will merely cross as a flagship, the Xiaomi 14T is for you. It appears to be and performs relatively quite a bit similar to the frequent Xiaomi 14, however begins at merely £549 throughout the UK.
And there’s relatively quite a bit to slick proper right here, along with a premium design full with a shocking huge OLED present. The cameras are surprisingly good, no matter being a clear step down from Xiaomi’s class-leading 14 Extraordinarily.
Sturdy battery life is supported by spectacular 67W fast charging, even when the necessary charger isn’t throughout the area and there’s no wi-fi charging.
This could be a cellphone with almost no {{hardware}} weaknesses, though the software program program stays to be underwhelming at events. Google’s Circle to Search perform is genuinely useful, though Xiaomi’s private AI makes an try aren’t always worthwhile.
Xiaomi’s dedication to 4 fundamental OS updates and 5 years of security patches is robust, though. And as an all-rounder, you’ll wrestle to hunt out one thing larger at this worth degree. You can probably step as a lot because the 14T Skilled, nevertheless the additional £150 (it begins at £699) merely isn’t value it for most people.
Be taught our full
Xiaomi 14T analysis
3. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G – Good all-rounder
Execs
- Prolonged software program program help
- Good foremost and selfie cameras
- High quality present
- Good battery life
Cons
- Plasticky constructing
- Sluggish at events
Price When Reviewed:
€379
In case you’re frightened about purchasing for an older cellphone and wish the reassurance of prolonged software program program help, go for the Galaxy A35 5G in its place.
Samsung’s 2024 mid-ranger affords relatively quite a bit in your money, along with a class-leading promise of 4 fundamental OS updates and 5 years of security updates to its slick One UI software program program, even within the occasion you don’t at current get Galaxy AI choices.
Elsewhere, the Galaxy A35 affords strong foremost and selfie cameras for the worth (albeit not pretty almost pretty much as good as a result of the Pixel 7a), plus a beautiful 120Hz present and glorious battery life. In case you may look previous the plastic assemble and effectivity that obtained’t blow you away, it’s easy to recommend.
Samsung moreover has a additional premium selection throughout the Galaxy A55 5G, nevertheless it’s not positively well worth the enhance for most people, and isn’t accessible throughout the US.
Be taught our full
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G analysis
4. Google Pixel 8a – Biggest software program program experience
Execs
- Glorious software program program experience
- Seven years of updates
- Superb cameras
- Premium design
Cons
- Sluggish charging
- Frequent battery life
- Chunky show display screen bezels
The newest Pixel A-Assortment cellphone isn’t the simple suggestion that its predecessors have been. As you can see, there are three mid-range telephones that we’d recommend ahead of the Pixel 8a.
Nonetheless, it’s positively nonetheless value considering, significantly if you’ll uncover a discount on its £499/$499 starting worth. The strong assemble top quality from the Pixel 8 moreover makes an look proper right here, alongside a beautiful 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED that makes it top-of-the-line compact telephones spherical.
The Pixel 8a moreover has the easiest single digicam lens you’ll uncover on any mid-ranger, with the 64Mp foremost rear sensor delivering continuously strong footage. The 13Mp ultrawide and selfie cameras aren’t half harmful, each.
However it absolutely’s software program program the place the cellphone truly comes into its private. Android 15 is at its highest on the Pixel, with a slick particular person experience supported by nicely timed updates and seven years of software program program help.
A mix of frequent battery life and sluggish charging will put many people off, significantly at full worth. Nevertheless the Pixel 8a is undoubtedly value considering if the digicam or software program program are most significant to you.
Nonetheless, within the occasion you’re pleased with one factor a little bit bit older and wish to save lots of more money, the Pixel 7a stays to be a wonderful selection.
Be taught our full
Google Pixel 8a analysis
5. Xiaomi Redmi Phrase 13 Skilled – Biggest present
Execs
- Clear effectivity
- Vivid 120Hz AMOLED show display screen
- Fast charging
- Generous storage
Cons
- Irritating software program program experience
- Restricted software program program help
- Some digicam factors
Price When Reviewed:
399,90 Euro
There are two mid-range telephones throughout the Redmi Phrase 13 differ, nevertheless we count on you’re larger off with the cheaper one.
Just about pretty much as good as a result of the Phrase 13 Skilled+ is, it’s moreover £110 costlier at launch than the Phrase 13 Skilled. For a barely additional extremely efficient chipset, IP68 water and dirt resistance (versus IP54) and faster 120W charging (reasonably than 67W), we don’t assume it’s value it.
For merely £339, the Phrase 13 Skilled nonetheless delivers a premium experience, along with the very good 120Hz OLED show display screen. Effectivity and charging are nonetheless key strengths, as is the high-end design and strong battery life.
The one precise factors are on the software program program aspect, the place Xiaomi’s MIUI pores and pores and skin nonetheless leaves relatively quite a bit to be desired and the company solely formally commits to 2 years of updates.
In case you may put up with that, though, the Redmi Phrase 13 Skilled is an impressive cellphone for the money,
Be taught our full
Xiaomi Redmi Phrase 13 Skilled analysis
6. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus – Most unique
Execs
- Distinctive metallic design
- Extremely efficient, gaming-capable chipset
- Spectacular selfie digicam
- Good value for money
Cons
- Design not for everyone
- No wi-fi charging
- Rear cameras might probably be larger
Nothing has been turning heads ever as a result of it began life in 2020, nevertheless 2024 was the 12 months the company shifted its consideration to additional cheap handsets.
That’s included two variations of the Phone (2a), with this Plus model setting up on the strong foundations of the frequent mannequin. Most likely essentially the most eye-catching upgrades are a model new chipset, which boosts the already-strong effectivity, and a quite a bit higher selfie digicam.
It means the system retains that specific, semi-transparent rear design, full with a trio of customisable ‘Glyph’ lights. The 120Hz OLED present is nice, whereas Nothing’s deal with Android stands out for its intensive customisation selections.
With robust battery life and a ticket that additionally makes it comparatively cheap, the Phone (2a) Plus is a superb mid-range cellphone.
Be taught our full
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus analysis
7. OnePlus 12R – Biggest battery life
Execs
- Glorious present
- True two-day battery life
- Strong sustained effectivity
- 100W fast charging
Cons
- No wi-fi charging
- Nonetheless not absolutely waterproof
- Mediocre secondary cameras
Price When Reviewed:
699 Euro
The OnePlus 12R isn’t the easiest mid-range cellphone at anyone issue, nevertheless it performs properly in virtually all key areas.
That incorporates a huge, enticing 120Hz OLED present, strong effectivity from the older flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a 5500mAh battery which will stretch to 2 full days. Alongside 100W fast charging and slick software program program, it’s almost the entire bundle.
Nonetheless, cameras are an obvious weak spot, with foremost rear sensor supported by some underwhelming secondary lenses. It’s moreover missing just a few of the choices chances are you’ll be hoping for at this larger mid-range worth, along with wi-fi charging and a flagship-level IP68 water resistance rating.
Nevertheless within the occasion you may reside with out these, you obtained’t be disenchanted with the OnePlus 12R. Nonetheless, it’s moreover value considering the cheaper OnePlus Nord 3 and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.
Be taught our full
OnePlus 12R analysis
8. Google Pixel 8 – Biggest cameras
Execs
- Glorious foremost digicam
- Spectacular effectivity
- Superb Android 14 software program program
- Nonetheless six years of updates
Cons
- Underwhelming battery life
- Sluggish charging
- No telephoto digicam
The Pixel 8 is one different occasion of Google’s 2023 cellphone being larger than its successor for mid-range customers.
Proper right here, it’s because of the Pixel 9 begins at £799/$799, making it too pricey to be thought-about proper right here. The good news is that this older model is vulnerable to be typically discounted, and it stays a strong various in 2024.
The first digicam lens stays the highlight, delivering beautiful stills in various environments – along with at evening time. The ultrawide and selfie lenses aren’t harmful each, though you miss out on the telephoto from the Pixel 8 Skilled.
Effectivity from Google’s Tensor G3 chip is barely barely inferior to Qualcomm’s latest and finest, and it permits a wide range of clever software program program choices – along with Biggest Take. The rest of the Android 14 software program program isn’t harmful each, significantly with Google promising six additional years of updates.
Battery life is the precept weak spot, and it turns into rather more irritating when combined with sluggish 27W charging and no charger throughout the area.
Nevertheless the combination of premium design and 6.2-inch, 120Hz OLED present means the Pixel 8 is definitely value considering. However when your value vary does stretch a little bit bit further, the Pixel 9 is definitely value a look.
Be taught our full
Google Pixel 8 128 GB Obsidian analysis
9. TCL 50 Skilled Nxtpaper – Most unique
Execs
- Extreme-quality present
- Spectacular E-Ink mode
- Unbelievable battery life
Cons
- Disappointing cameras
- Underwhelming audio system
- Extra pre-installed apps
Be taught our full
TCL 50 Skilled Nxtpaper analysis
10. Nubia Redmagic 10 Skilled – Biggest for gaming
Execs
- Good effectivity
- Strong battery life
- Superb fast charging
- Useful ‘Recreation Space’ gaming mode
Cons
- Software program program help is barely 3 years
- Software program program robust throughout the perimeters
- Cameras are frequent
Price When Reviewed:
649 Euro
The Redmagic 10 Skilled is a contender for the easiest gaming cellphone outright, making it excellent that it’s priced as a mid-range cellphone.
Nubia goes head-to-head with the more expensive Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Skilled proper right here, and the Redmagic fares properly. Effectivity from the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is its key power, offering superb gaming effectivity in collaboration with the built-in fan and superior cooling system.
Nubia’s ‘Recreation Space’ software program program mode affords useful gaming tweaks and customisation, whereas the large present and premium design make it a pleasure to utilize. And with a 7050mAh battery and 100W wired charging (80W throughout the area), the battery life/charging combo is probably going one of many biggest spherical.
The ten Skilled’s foremost weaknesses appear whilst you try to make use of it as a each day cellphone, with a heavy assemble and hit-and-miss software program program. Nubia moreover solely ensures three years of software program program updates, which is behind the rivals.
Nonetheless, the Redmagic 10 Skilled provides a near-complete cell gaming experience at an impressively low worth.
Be taught our full
Nubia Redmagic 10 Skilled analysis
Mid-range telephones purchasing for suggestion
What’s a mid-range cellphone?
There’s no technical definition, nevertheless as talked about above, we define mid-range telephones based on worth: one thing that costs better than £250/$250 nevertheless decrease than £700/$700 within the occasion you buy it SIM-free.
One thing cheaper than that’s largely a value vary cellphone, and one thing costlier is a flagship.
Some mid-range telephones will take the all-round good-value technique, with succesful specs in each area; others will consider a key trait, such as a result of the digicam or present, and promise flagship-rivalling capabilities in that one aspect; others nonetheless was as soon as these flagships, so will provide unbelievable specs at a wonderful worth, nevertheless may be working on barely older {{hardware}}.
What specs do I would really like?
Every mid-range cellphone affords a compromise, trying to ship the easiest of a flagship with out costing pretty quite a bit. Nonetheless, there are some specs you don’t want to scrimp on. Seek for on the very least 6GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 7 or 8 chipset for simple effectivity (or one different mannequin equal), along with on the very least 128GB storage.
After that, it’s about deciding in your priorities. Are you searching for prolonged battery life, fast charging, an OLED present, or a strong digicam? Few mid-range telephones provide all of them, so resolve which points most to you.
One widespread element is that you simply simply’ll likely must give up on nice-to-haves like wi-fi charging or a water-proof rating – these nonetheless are normally reserved for the costliest telephones obtainable available on the market, though just some mid-range models do provide one or the other.
Try to don’t forget that it’s not always about specs each. We’ve hit one factor of a ceiling with reference to smartphone tech anyway, so although these telephones is not going to be as fast as your frequent flagship, they’re almost positively fast adequate for a lot of clients. Go for a cellphone that balances value, effectivity, choices and design in a technique that appeals to you and your needs.
Is there a mid-range iPhone?
There’s one mid-range iPhone obtainable available on the market – the 2022 iPhone SE – nevertheless we don’t assume it affords good value compared with Android rivals. Take into consideration it within the occasion you know you need an iPhone, nevertheless in some other case steer clear.
Instead, you’re most probably larger off having a look at an older flagship iPhone, significantly with reductions widespread at third-party retailers. Since Apple’s software program program help runs for subsequently prolonged, even an earlier iPhone should nonetheless run properly for just some years, nevertheless remember that you simply’ll likely miss out on just a few of the additional modern choices current in modern Android mid-rangers.
Why isn’t every mid-range cellphone on sale throughout the US?
In case you’re throughout the US or Canada, it is attainable you may uncover that not every cellphone in our round-up is obtainable so that you could buy. Sadly that’s because of a lot of the biggest Chinese language language cellphone producers merely don’t promote their merchandise throughout the US.
Chinese language language telephones are a wonderful various throughout the mid-range market because of they normally steadiness glorious specs with a less expensive value than you’d depend on. The likes of Xiaomi, Realme, and Poco normally provide staggering value, nevertheless for anyone throughout the US they’ll be import-only.