An awesome cell phone doesn’t must break the bank. In 2025, options as soon as unique to high-end units – large batteries, multi-camera arrays, excessive refresh price OLED shows and extra – have trickled all the way down to extra inexpensive fashions. Positive, you’ll nonetheless want to purchase a flagship smartphone to get the very best digital camera or quickest processor, however you don’t must compromise almost as a lot anymore for those who’re on the lookout for a fantastic handset at an affordable worth. In case you have lower than $600 to spend, allow us to assist you determine what options to prioritize when looking for the very best midrange smartphone.
Desk of contents
The very best midrange telephones for 2025
Display screen measurement: 6.3 inches | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM, eSIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 13MP | Rear digital camera decision: 48MP most important, 13MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.6 ounces
Learn our full Google Pixel 9a review
The Pixel 9a is not particularly flashy and it would not have any particular options that are not already out there on its dearer siblings. In actual fact, it really has slower charging speeds and it is lacking help for a few of Google’s homegrown software program just like the Screenshots app. However for everybody who simply needs a easy telephone with a strong design, a pleasant AMOLED show, wonderful digital camera high quality and powerful battery life, the Pixel 9a is actually exhausting to beat. It handles low gentle photographs impressively effectively for a telephone at this midrange worth, and Google’s good AI options improve each the primary digital camera and modifying expertise. So whereas it is not tremendous fancy, the telephone has all of its most necessary bases coated (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this telephone appears like an unimaginable deal that punches effectively above its worth level. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- Glossy design
- Superior battery life
- Good show
- Nice cameras
- IP68 score for mud and water resistance
- Charging might be sooner
- No Pixel Screenshot app
- Macro Focus mode could be a bit finicky
Cherlynn Low for Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 16e review
Display screen measurement: 6.1 inches | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM card sort: Twin eSIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 12MP | Rear digital camera decision: 48MP Fusion most important | Weight: 5.88 ounces
The iPhone 16e is nearer in specs to the iPhone 16 than the iPhone SE was to the iPhone 13. And that makes selecting which iPhone to purchase tougher than ever. Must you save $200 and quit a twin digital camera system, Dynamic Island, Digicam Management and MagSafe? That relies upon largely in your priorities and finances.
Whereas I believe that anybody who can afford the worth distinction ought to go for the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16e, I can’t deny that that is Apple’s greatest entry-level iPhone up to now. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display and an A18 CPU that allows Apple Intelligence. My largest issues with it are limitations introduced on by its single rear digital camera setup — issues like not having the ability to seize ultrawide photographs or Portrait mode not working if there isn’t a face within the scene. In case you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, you must contemplate whether or not the improved digital camera high quality is value giving up an ultrawide digital camera for. Whether it is, and for those who can dwell with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless gadgets, the iPhone 16e’s selfie digital camera will likely be satisfying.
There are different components to think about, like whether or not you repeatedly use MagSafe equipment or wi-fi charging. In case you do, then the iPhone 16e will frustrate you because it doesn’t work with the magnetic attachment system (you may get a MagSafe case to treatment this) and fees at a slower velocity than the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (however there’s no repair for this). You possibly can contemplate the $699 iPhone 15 for a greater digital camera and wi-fi charging expertise, however you’ll be giving up Apple Intelligence and an Motion button. — Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor
- Strong efficiency
- Lengthy battery life
- Clear, sturdy design
- Shiny, vibrant display
- Just one rear digital camera, resulting in many limitations
- Costly in comparison with earlier iPhone SE
- No MagSafe
Nothing
Display screen measurement: 6.77 inches | Storage capability: 256GB | SIM sort: Nano-SIM + eSIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 50MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP most important, 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | Weight: 7.44 ounces
Learn our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review
In order for you one thing totally different out of your subsequent telephone, there are few if any units on the market just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass again that evokes the design of outdated Sport Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inside parts, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally probably the greatest offers within the business, due to a compelling mixture of options. The Telephone 3a sports activities a vivid 6.77-inch AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh price. It additionally comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 CPU and a 3x periscope telephoto digital camera — a standout function at this midrange worth. That final function is one thing that’s troublesome to search out within the 3a Professional’s worth level, particularly in North America. The digital camera system additionally performs higher than anticipated in low gentle and helps useful AI options for enhanced pictures.
- Enjoyable design
- Massive 120Hz AMOLED display
- Clear however customizable Android pores and skin
- Restricted US guarantee
- No wi-fi charging
- Tinny audio system
OnePlus
Display screen measurement: 6.72 inches | Storage capability: 128GB + microSD | SIM card sort: Nano-SIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 16MP | Rear digital camera decision: 108MP most important, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz
When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had mainly every part you may need in a telephone that value $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers sturdy efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s appropriate with all the massive US carriers, to not point out good specs together with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It additionally has a giant 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh price, which is uncommon on a finances telephone as most rivals function slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. The show isn’t AMOLED, so it’s possible you’ll discover deeper bezels and barely decrease distinction, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a strong display. And due to its 50-watt wired charging speeds, you may high it up rapidly, too. However most significantly, the Nord 30 not too long ago acquired a worth drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our high decide on this house.
- Good efficiency for the worth
- 120Hz show
- 50W wired charging
What’s a midrange telephone?
Whereas the time period incessantly seems in articles and movies, there isn’t an agreed-upon definition for “midrange” past a telephone that isn’t a flagship or an entry-level possibility. Most of our suggestions value between $400 and $600 — any much less and you must anticipate vital compromises. In case you have extra to spend, you may as effectively contemplate flagships just like the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 in order for you the very best smartphone expertise. Units like Pixel telephones typically sit on this worth vary too, providing a number of the greatest worth for Android patrons.
What to think about earlier than shopping for a midrange smartphone
Shopping for a brand new gadget will be intimidating, however a number of questions might help information you thru the method. First: what platform do you wish to use? If the reply is iOS, that narrows your choices down to precisely one telephone. (Fortunately, it’s nice.) And for those who’re an Android fan, there’s no scarcity of compelling choices. Each platforms have their strengths, so that you shouldn’t rule both out.
After all, additionally contemplate how a lot you’re comfy spending. Even growing your finances by $100 extra can get you a dramatically higher product. Furthermore, producers are inclined to help their dearer units for longer with software program updates and safety updates, so it’s value shopping for one thing towards the highest restrict of what you may afford.
Having an thought of your priorities will assist inform your finances. Would you like an extended battery life or quick charging? Do you worth speedy efficiency above all else? Or would you want the absolute best cameras with excessive megapixel counts? Whereas they proceed to enhance yearly, even the very best midrange smartphones nonetheless demand some compromises, and realizing what’s necessary to you’ll make selecting one simpler.
What received’t you get from a midrange smartphone?
Yearly, the road between midrange and flagship telephones blurs as extra upmarket options and features trickle all the way down to extra inexpensive fashions. When Engadget first printed this information in 2020, it was difficult to discover a $500 telephone with waterproofing and 5G. In 2025, the most important factor you may miss out on is wi-fi charging – and even then, that’s turning into much less true.
One factor your new telephone in all probability received’t include is an influence adapter; many firms have stopped together with chargers with all of their smartphones. Efficiency has improved in recent times, however can nonetheless be hit and miss as most midrange telephones use slower processors that may battle with multitasking. Fortunately, their digital camera programs have improved dramatically, and you may usually anticipate no less than a dual-lens system on most midrange smartphones under $600 with first rate digital camera high quality, selfie efficiency and software program help to maintain issues operating easily for years to return..
Midrange smartphone FAQs
How lengthy do midrange telephones get software program updates?
Help varies by model, however most midrange telephones obtain round three to 5 years of software program and safety updates. Apple tends to help iPhones longer whereas firms like Google and Samsung now promise a number of years of Android and safety patches for his or her midrange fashions. Funds-focused manufacturers may supply much less so it’s value checking the replace coverage before you purchase.
Are midrange telephones good for gaming?
Sure, many midrange telephones deal with gaming effectively, particularly well-liked titles like Fortnite, Genshin Impression and Name of Responsibility Cell. They often embrace succesful processors, although you received’t all the time get the smoothest efficiency in essentially the most demanding cellular video games or at max settings. In case you play casually or keep on with much less graphically intensive titles a midrange telephone will really feel greater than ample.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.
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