The best mid-range phones in 2024

There’s no higher poster youngster for mid-range telephones than the OnePlus 12R. Beginning at $500, its worth is nothing wanting staggering with specs that punch properly above its worth level. Packing a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired with a minimal of 8GB of RAM, with 12GB and 16GB choices obtainable, the 12R stays aggressive with many high-end telephones when it comes to efficiency. Nevertheless, the cellphone is just obtainable with both 128GB or 256GB of storage, with no assist for growth through microSD.

Its 6.78-inch show is equally spectacular, an LTPO AMOLED panel sporting a decision of 1264p and a dynamic refresh price vary of 1-120Hz. It’s not only a fairly face, both, because it’s one of many first telephones to supply OnePlus’ Aqua Contact expertise. This function goals to fight the frustration of utilizing your cellphone within the rain or in case your fingers are moist with surprisingly compelling outcomes. To high it off, the 12R can be IP64 resistant, so it’s rugged sufficient for daily use.

A big 5,500mAh battery (100 mAh bigger than its flagship sibling, the OnePlus 12) ensures long-lasting display screen time on the 12R. It may juiced up from 1-100% in simply 26 minutes in keeping with OnePlus, through its included A/C adaptor that costs the cellphone at as much as 80W. Sadly, although, there’s no possibility for wi-fi charging.

Pictures captured on the 12R’s 50MP important digital camera lens include suitably pleasing ranges of element and dynamic vary to most eyes. An 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lens spherical out the cellphone’s array however neither is very noteworthy, with the previous specced with a surprisingly low megapixel depend. For extra in-depth ideas, see our OnePlus 12R overview.

Don’t let its age idiot you, the iPhone 13 stays a wise purchase for these looking for a mid-range cellphone working iOS. The variations between it and the iPhone 14 are minor and with updates promised by Apple till 2027, it’s laborious to view it as something however an excellent worth possibility each now and for the longer term at $600.

Apps, video games, and basic efficiency on the iPhone 13 are expectedly excessive given it options the identical A15 Bionic chipset because the iPhone 14 (save for one GPU core). The cellphone can be extraordinarily environment friendly, with surprisingly robust battery life that may final you most, if not all, of the day regardless of its comparatively small 3,240mAh battery capability.

Foremost, ultrawide, and selfie cameras on the iPhone 13 all use 12MP lenses and seize glorious images however are significantly robust relating to video seize. Naturally, your entire snaps and clips look implausible on the cellphone’s 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED panel.

The one main shortcomings of the iPhone 13 are its refresh price and RAM capability. Whereas the 60Hz refresh price does sting just a little, Apple is but to provide any subsequent iPhone an improve on this regard, with the iPhone 16 nonetheless unbelievably rocking 60Hz. In the meantime, 4GB of RAM nonetheless looks like a lot for many apps at this time, however Android alternate options and extra premium iPhones provide 6GB/8GB, and are price contemplating if this spec is a precedence for you.

Samsung’s Galaxy Fan Version collection has classically been a really perfect strategy to get a cellphone that gives the lion’s share of a flagship expertise at a extra modest worth level and the Galaxy S23 FE is not any exception. Certain, there’s a brand new S24 FE out, however in our opinion, the modifications aren’t price selecting the newest mannequin over its decrease priced predecessor simply but.

Facet-by-side with the costlier Galaxy S23, you’d be hard-pressed to inform the distinction between the 2 if not for the bigger bezels and total measurement of the Galaxy S23 FE. These elevated dimensions naturally make the cellphone extra weighty, which provides to the already premium really feel of its construct, but in addition creates room for its huge and vibrant 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X show.

Regardless of the Galaxy S23 FE that includes a bigger 4,500 mAh battery, relative to the Galaxy S23’s 3,900 mAh capability, battery life is nothing distinctive. That is due partially to Samsung’s resolution to make use of a less-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset nevertheless it does a minimum of hold all apps and actions {smooth} throughout on a regular basis use. It’s as snappy as it’s snazzy too, with loads of colorways to select from.

Digicam comparisons between the Galaxy S23 FE and S23 reveal there’s not a lot in it between the 2 telephones relating to images which is not any shock given how related their lens specs are. Nevertheless, there’s a extra noticeable distinction relating to video seize, with the S23 naturally popping out on high.

If an excellent digital camera is what you search for in a brand new cellphone, we suggest the Google Pixel 8. It’s recognized for glorious pictures skills, with among the finest pictures {hardware} and software program on any Android possibility. The Pixel 9 solely offers minor enhancements for the next worth, which signifies that the Pixel 8 with its $600-$700 price ticket is much more worthwhile.

Outfitted with 50MP important, 12MP ultrawide, and 10.5MP selfie lenses, Google has packaged the Pixel 8 with a powerful digital camera array from which to work its trademark post-processing enhancements. The dearth of a telephoto lens is unlucky, however the high quality of the cellphone’s digital zoom is greater than sufficient to get you by usually.

As a part of the Pixel collection, the Pixel 8 can be one of many first telephones to obtain the newest variations of Android. Proper now, it comes with Android 15, nevertheless it’s attainable you possibly can be utilizing Android 16 earlier than the summer time of 2025. In the meantime, you’ll be able to relaxation straightforward realizing you’ll be due safety patches with the Pixel 8 till 2030.

The principle weak spot of the Pixel 8 is its Tensor G3 chipset, which might wrestle beneath load, significantly in demanding video games. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, nevertheless it pales compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside Android alternate options just like the Xiaomi 14 and Honor Magic6 Professional. Then there’s the temperature sensor, which Google made an enormous deal out of through the launch however we by no means actually discovered a consumer for in our testing. Take a look at our Google Pixel 8 overview for extra particulars.

Some mid-range telephones, just like the Redmagic 9S Professional, present that gaming efficiency doesn’t should take a success for those who don’t shell out for the top-of-the-line machine. This perky machine comes loaded with the newest technology Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for top-end efficiency, 120Hz refresh charges enabling super-smooth gameplay, and a surprising AMOLED show that shines vibrant it doesn’t matter what you’re enjoying.

Guaranteeing your cellphone has loads of juice, particularly for video games, the Redmagic 9 Professional comes with an unlimited 6,500mAh battery. You’ll have greater than sufficient room even for large Hoyoverse video games, because of the Redmagic’s roomy 256GB capability, or 512GB for those who splurge for a costlier set of specs. We put in an enormous quantity of video games throughout testing, and it didn’t even come near filling up the 256GB storage.

Sadly, whereas the Redmagic 9S Professional is an distinctive gaming machine, it’s not one of the best at being a standard cellphone, as all the things is so gaming-orientated. The cameras are higher than the unique 9 Professional, however they’re nonetheless not on the identical stage as one thing just like the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy S24, and you may say the identical factor for RedMagic’s Android pores and skin. It’s additionally price noting that this factor can get a bit sizzling, although by no means as a lot that you just’re compelled into placing it down. For extra on this one, see our RedMagic 9S Professional overview.

Within the face of homogenous smartphone designs, the Nothing Cellphone (2) is the midrange maverick that many have been ready for. Its clear chassis, mild strips, and bespoke Nothing OS 2.0 all come collectively to make a $600 machine not like every other available on the market.

Flashy because the Nothing Cellphone (2)’s mild strips are, they’re really helpful too. Dubbed the ‘Glyph Interface’, it offers a visible cue for quantity, battery share, timers, and extra, in addition to the power to flash when particular contacts, set by you, or apps create a notification in your cellphone. Glyph Composer additionally provides you the instruments to create your individual customized ringtones with sound packs that play in tandem with the sunshine strips.

Customization with NothingOS 2.0, the Nothing Cellphone’s customized Android launcher. Along with carrying a singular Nothing aesthetic, there’s a shocking quantity of tinkering that you are able to do with app and widget sizes and colours. Naturally, all of your current apps will work with the Nothing Cellphone (2) however simply put together your self for some to probably spoil your curated shade scheme (as can be the case with Materials You on inventory Android).

Exterior of its distinctive visible flairs, the Nothing Cellphone (2) hits all the precise bases relating to mid-range smartphone specs. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset remains to be a lot quick by at this time’s requirements, and it’s one of many few telephones on this worth class to sport an LTPO OLED show, prolonging the cost supplied by its 4,700mAh battery. Cameras are a weak level for the Nothing Cellphone (2) however aren’t by any means horrible, though its largest downside is its comparatively low IP54 water and mud resistance. For the total lowdown, see our Nothing Cellphone (2) overview.