The very best mid-range telephones in 2024

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

Its 6.78-inch show is equally spectacular, an LTPO AMOLED panel sporting a decision of 1264p and a dynamic refresh fee 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 know-how. 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 prime it off, the 12R can be IP64 resistant, so it’s rugged sufficient for on daily basis use.

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

Photographs captured on the 12R’s 50MP essential digital camera lens comprise 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 particularly noteworthy, with the previous specced with a surprisingly low megapixel depend. For extra in-depth ideas, see our OnePlus 12R evaluation.

Don’t let its age idiot you, the iPhone 13 stays a sensible purchase for these in the hunt for a mid-range cellphone operating iOS. The variations between it and the iPhone 14 are minor and with updates promised by Apple till 2027, it’s onerous to view it as something however an amazing worth choice 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 sturdy battery life that may final you most, if not all, of the day regardless of its comparatively small 3,240mAh battery capability.

Predominant, ultrawide, and selfie cameras on the iPhone 13 all use 12MP lenses and seize wonderful pictures however are notably sturdy with regards to video seize. Naturally, all your snaps and clips look improbable on the cellphone’s 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED panel.

The one main shortcomings of the iPhone 13 are its refresh fee and RAM capability. Whereas the 60Hz refresh fee does sting a little bit, 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 right now, however Android options and extra premium iPhones provide 6GB/8GB, and are value contemplating if this spec is a precedence for you.

Samsung’s Galaxy Fan Version sequence has classically been a super method to get a cellphone that gives the lion’s share of a flagship expertise at a extra modest value 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 value selecting the most recent 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 general dimension 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 additionally creates room for its massive and vivid 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 choice to make use of a less-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset but it surely does at the very least maintain 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 with regards to pictures which is not any shock given how related their lens specs are. Nevertheless, there’s a extra noticeable distinction with regards to video seize, with the S23 naturally popping out on prime.

If an amazing digital camera is what you search for in a brand new cellphone, we suggest the Google Pixel 8. It’s recognized for wonderful pictures skills, with a number of the finest pictures {hardware} and software program on any Android choice. The Pixel 9 solely gives minor enhancements for a better value, which signifies that the Pixel 8 with its $600-$700 price ticket is much more worthwhile.

Outfitted with 50MP essential, 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 normally.

As a part of the Pixel sequence, the Pixel 8 can be one of many first telephones to obtain the most recent variations of Android. Proper now, it comes with Android 15, but it surely’s potential you possibly can be utilizing Android 16 earlier than the summer season of 2025. In the meantime, you’ll be able to relaxation straightforward understanding you’ll be due safety patches with the Pixel 8 till 2030.

The principle weak point of the Pixel 8 is its Tensor G3 chipset, which might battle below load, notably in demanding video games. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but it surely pales compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside Android options just like the Xiaomi 14 and Honor Magic6 Professional. Then there’s the temperature sensor, which Google made a giant deal out of in the course of the launch however we by no means actually discovered a consumer for in our testing. Try our Google Pixel 8 evaluation for extra particulars.

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

Making certain your cellphone has loads of juice, particularly for video games, the Redmagic 9 Professional comes with an infinite 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 should you splurge for a costlier set of specs. We put in a large 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 gadget, it’s not the very best at being a standard cellphone, as all the pieces is so gaming-orientated. The cameras are higher than the unique 9 Professional, however they’re nonetheless not on the identical degree 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 value 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 evaluation.

Within the face of homogenous smartphone designs, the Nothing Cellphone (2) is the midrange maverick that many have been ready for. Its clear chassis, gentle strips, and bespoke Nothing OS 2.0 all come collectively to make a $600 gadget in contrast to some other in the marketplace.

Flashy because the Nothing Cellphone (2)’s gentle strips are, they’re truly helpful too. Dubbed the ‘Glyph Interface’, it gives a visible cue for quantity, battery proportion, timers, and extra, in addition to the flexibility to flash when particular contacts, set by you, or apps create a notification in your cellphone. Glyph Composer additionally offers you the instruments to create your personal 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 novel Nothing aesthetic, there’s a stunning quantity of tinkering that you are able to do with app and widget sizes and colours. Naturally, all of your present apps will work with the Nothing Cellphone (2) however simply put together your self for some to doubtlessly spoil your curated colour scheme (as can be the case with Materials You on inventory Android).

Outdoors of its distinctive visible flairs, the Nothing Cellphone (2) hits all the fitting bases with regards to mid-range smartphone specs. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset remains to be a lot quick by right now’s requirements, and it’s one of many few telephones on this value class to sport an LTPO OLED show, prolonging the cost offered 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) evaluation.