The 10 best mid-range phones you can buy right now, reviewed and ranked

After years of underwhelming Fan Edition phones, Samsung has finally nailed it with the S25 FE. Essentially, it takes nearly everything that made the flagship Galaxy S25+ so good and drops the price into mid-range territory.

There are some compromises, most notably in the supporting cameras, but the main and selfie lenses are good enough that you can ignore them. The excellent build quality, gorgeous 6.7-inch display and top-class Snapdragon 8 Elite performance speak for themselves, while the 5000mAh battery won’t let you down.

Samsung also continues to excel on the software side, with One UI 8 its best effort yet. Alongside seven years of software, it’s a key reason to buy the phone over rivals.

The Galaxy S25 FE isn’t the best value mid-ranger by any means. But if your budget is £700/$700, there’s no better option right now.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE?

Anyone who wants the absolute best mid-range phone and doesn’t mind paying close to the limit.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE : Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want the best value mid-range phone or need a versatile camera system.

The Pixel 9a is far from being a perfect phone, but it is very easy to recommend – even with the arrival of the Pixel 10a. If you want a no-frills mid-range phone experience that will serve you well for many years, this is it.

That’s not to say it doesn’t have any standout features, though. The 6.3-inch P-OLED display is excellent, especially with that silky-smooth 120Hz refresh. Opting for the same Tensor G4 chipset as the flagship Pixel 9 phones means performance is excellent too.

And in the 48Mp main lens, you’ve got a superb camera for point-and-shoot photography. The 13Mp selfie sensor is impressive too, while the 13Mp ultrawide can hold its own. It’s just a shame there’s no telephoto lens for proper zoom photography.

But the Pixel 9a is arguably even more impressive on the software side. Slick Android 15 software is backed by a class-leading seven years of updates and useful AI features, even if you don’t get the full set here. Pixel phones are also first in line to get Android 16 and future major versions when they arrive.

While battery life is decent, slow 23W wired charging is probably the biggest disappointment, while the nondescript design won’t be for everyone. But if you just want a solid mid-range phone that handles almost all the fundamentals well, the Pixel 9a is the handset for you.

Who should buy the Google Pixel 9a?

Anyone looking for a no-fuss mid-range phone that gets all the basics right, or anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on photos from the main camera.

Google Pixel 9a: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you care about zoom photography or fast charging.

Easily one of the most exciting brands currently operating in this space, Nothing continues to push the boundaries of what we can expect from mid-range devices with the Nothing Phone (4a). Unlike a lot of cheaper phones, the (4a) is immediately striking, and although it isn’t a major overhaul from the equally brilliant Nothing Phone (3a), there’s still a lot to like.

On the back, Nothing has revised its usual look to be a bit more streamlined than before. Instead of the mechanical styling of its predecessor, the Phone (4a) looks almost space-age, and the Glyph Lights system has been condensed into a Glyph Bar comprised of seven blocks. The blocks will flash to indicate various notifications and the single red block at the bottom can be a useful indicator to let people know when you’re recording video.

The display is now much easier on the eyes as it’s a larger 6.83-inch panel, peaking at 4500 nits of brightness and offering a resolution of 1.5K. It’s a joy to look at, and it’s only made better by how striking the composition of Nothing OS continues to be. Nothing’s software is right up there with the likes of Apple, Google and OnePlus in terms of offering an uncluttered experience that’s dripping with sophistication.

The upgraded main camera does a great job of capturing colour in a way that doesn’t feel saturated, although it would be nice if the phone offered greater control when it comes to managing bokeh intensity in photos. We would have liked to see more of a performance leap as the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 doesn’t go far enough, but given all you get elsewhere with this device, the Nothing Phone (4a) presents a very compelling package.

Who should buy the Nothing Phone (4a)?

Anyone who thinks that modern phones look too homogeneous. 

Nothing Phone (4a): Further considerations?

The device is beaten by Samsung, Apple and Google for long-term software support.

The OnePlus 15R is a clear downgrade compared to the flagship OnePlus 15, but it remains a compelling phone that offers impressive value for money.

Its headlining features – stunning Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 performance and incredible battery life from the 7400mAh silicon-carbon cell – clearly elevate it above most mid-range rivals. Add in rapid 80W charging, a strong main camera (the same sensor as the 15) and OnePlus’ signature software experience, and it becomes an easy recommendation.

However, there are key compromises to be aware of, most notably in the removal of its predecessor’s telephoto lens and a less distinctive design, which will be viewed by many as a downgrade. There’s also no wireless charging.

But if you care about the fundamentals of a great mid-range phone and are willing to accept some trade-offs, the OnePlus 15R is a fine choice.

Who should buy the OnePlus 15R?

Anyone who wants the absolute best performance on a mid-range phone or excellent battery life.

OnePlus 15R: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you need wireless charging or the versatility offered by a dedicated telephoto camera.

With a starting price of £699 at launch, the Xiaomi 15T Pro sits right at the top of what we’d consider to be a mid-range phone. However, it’s the one phone in this round-up that feels almost indistinguishable from a flagship.

Everything about the 15T Pro’s hardware is top-tier, from a gorgeous 6.83-inch AMOLED display to superb performance from the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset. A strong camera system includes an impressive new periscope telephoto, while support for 4K 120fps is a big upgrade for video.

With great battery life from the 5500mAh cell and rapid 90W charging, plus a premium, flagship-level design, there’s very little to dislike here.

In fact, aside from an underwhelming ultrawide lens, the only real issue is Xiaomi’s HyperOS Android, which isn’t for everyone.

The Xiaomi 15T Pro isn’t much cheaper than many flagships, but it does offer the complete phone hardware of any mid-range phone right now.

Who should buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro?

Anyone who wants a mid-range phone with flagship-level performance or top-tier cameras (minus the ultrawide).

Xiaomi 15T Pro: Further considerations

The regular Xiaomi 15T starts at £549 and has plenty in common with the Pro. However, look to other brands if you value a clean software experience or are based in the US.

The Poco F8 Pro is another very impressive phone from the Xiaomi sub-brand, offering a premium experience that belies its relatively affordable price tag.

Excellent build quality and an attractive display help showcase the F8 Pro’s best attribute – stellar performance. You also get the all-too-rare combination of strong battery life from the 6210mAH cell and a rapid 100W fast charging, even if the wireless equivalent is missing.

With an impressive Bose-tuned speaker experience and decent cameras, the Poco F8 Pro has a lot going for it.

However, its biggest weaknesses remain on the software side, with an often confusing user experience that’s littered with ads. Ultimately, this is the main reason it’s not higher in this round-up, but it’s undoubtedly still worth considering.

Who should buy the Poco F8 Pro?

Anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on the fundamentals of design, performance, battery life and charging.

Poco F8 Pro: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you value an intuitive software experience or are based in the US.

If a good-looking phone is your top priority, look no further than the Motorola Edge 60 Pro.

Its gorgeous range of textured finishes and bright Pantone-inspired colours allows you to add a splash of personality without sacrificing grip. With impressive durability credentials too, you can’t get much better than the Edge 60 Pro when it comes to design.

There’s a lot to like elsewhere, too, with strong battery life from the sizeable 6000mAh cell and a gorgeous 6.7-inch pOLED screen. MediaTek’s Dimensity 8350 chipset delivers strong all-around performance, while the rear cameras perform very well when the light is good.

While the general software experience is good, there are drawbacks. Motorola’s implementation of AI features still needs work, while the company’s commitment of just three years of OS upgrades and an extra year of security patches is underwhelming when the cheaper Pixel 9a gets seven years of both.

However, very few phones can match the Edge 60 Pro in the design stakes, making it an impressive mid-range option.

Who should buy the Motorola Edge 60 Pro?

Anyone who wants the best-looking mid-range phone you can buy right now, plus a close to ‘stock’ Android software experience.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want long software support or are based in the US.

In many ways, the Galaxy A56 is a Galaxy S25+ at a mid-range price.

It offers a premium design, an attractive display and solid everyday performance, making it an appealing choice. And in One UI 7, you get one of the very best software experiences, complete with genuinely useful AI features. Samsung also offers an impressive six years of both OS and security updates.

However, performance for anything more demanding can prove problematic, while a decent main rear camera is let down by the supporting lenses. You’re also better off connecting Bluetooth headphones than relying on the lacklustre speakers.

The Galaxy A56 offers a lot for its mid-range price, but it’s not brilliant value. It’s a reliable choice, but you might find one of the phones above to be a better choice.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A56?

Anyone who regularly uses AI features on their phone, or who values the familiarity and long software support of a Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy A56: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want strong supporting cameras or top-tier performance. The Galaxy A57 is set to arrive soon.

It’s no secret that when the iPhone 16e launched, we were all scratching our heads, trying to understand who it was designed for when you could just pick up a previous-gen option like the iPhone 15 for around the same price or even less. Well, Apple’s mid-range replacement to the SE range now makes a lot more sense in the iPhone 17e – a solid all-rounder that’s sure to please a decent group of people.

There are quite a few reasons why this newer handset stands out, chief among them is the inclusion of MagSafe, which was such an odd omission on the 16e. Now, you can use the plethora of MagSafe-enabled accessories with the 17e, including chargers, wallets, power banks and stands, which improves the overall usability of the phone.

Elsewhere, there’s the newer A19 chipset, which is the same CPU found in the pricier iPhone 17, and it does a great job of showing off iOS in its best light. Throw in the move to having 256GB storage as standard (at no extra cost) with the more durable Ceramic Shield 2 on the display, and it quickly becomes apparent that the 17e isn’t just a good mid-range pick, it’s a solid iPhone overall.

Because this is a ‘budget’ device as far as Apple is concerned, you do have a few returning caveats such as the absence of an ultra-wide camera, and pretty slow charging that caps out at 20W, but these issues won’t be dealbreakers for a lot of people. The real allure is in long-term value, as the A19 is Apple Intelligence-ready and is set to receive the latest iOS updates for many years to come.

Who should buy the iPhone 17e?

Apple enthusiasts who want an inexpensive (by Apple standards) upgrade.

iPhone 17e: Further considerations

Even though it can take great pictures, the 17e’s camera system isn’t as versatile as most other mid-range phones.

Is gaming on your smartphone a top priority for you? If so, our recommendation is very simple: get the Redmagic 11 Pro.

Nubia’s latest dedicated handset for gamers is a triumph, taking the already-excellent performance to the next level thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. Crucially, this is combined with an advanced liquid cooling system, ensuring sustained performance throughout long gaming sessions.

The other vital feature – battery life – is taken care of by a giant 7,500mAh cell that should ensure around 7-8 hours of continuous gameplay.

It’s everyday use where you’ll notice some downsides, with unreliable cameras and some added bloatware. The bulky design also won’t be for everyone.

But if you’re serious about mobile gaming, it doesn’t get any better than the Redmagic 11 Pro.

Who should buy the Nubia Redmagic 11 Pro?

Anyone who wants a no-compromise gaming experience on a mid-range phone.

Nubia Redmagic 10S Pro: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you need great everyday software or top-quality cameras.