Our experts rank the 10 top mid-range phones

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 around £700/$700, there’s no better option right now. This sentiment is now doubled following the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, which includes a price increase, so if you want to maximise your cash, you’re better off seeking out the S25 FE first.

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

The Galaxy S26 FE has hit the scene, boasting more features, but it does include a price increase.

The Pixel 9a isn’t perfect, but it is very easy to recommend, even with the arrival of the Pixel 10a – it’s nearly identical and can now be found much cheaper. 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.

If you love Nothing’s design language but you want a bit more power to go with it then the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is a great alternative to consider. Because of its higher price tag of £499/$499, we don’t think that the value proposition is quite as solid as the standard Phone (4a), but it’s still a great phone nonetheless.

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. You can also get better performance from the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.

There are plenty of mid-range phones that go all in on a specific feature, but if you want an almost iPhone-like all-rounder that ticks off plenty of boxes across the board, then the Oppo Reno 16 is well worth considering. In fact, with a compact chassis and rounded edges, the Reno 16 does feel like an iPhone in hand, but the best way of framing this phone is that it’s an ideal, cheaper alternative to something like the Samsung Galaxy S26.

With a 6.3-inch display, the S26 leads the charge for being one of the few remaining compact flagship phones in the Android space, but with a similar 6.32-inch panel, the Reno 16 can also be used one-handed and easily fit into a pocket. That screen gets bright too at 3600 nits, and with a 1.5K resolution plus solid stereo speakers to boot, the whole thing is a great little device for catching up on entertainment when the mood strikes.

It also helps that Oppo’s operating system, ColorOS, isn’t far removed from Samsung’s One UI in terms of quality. There is a bit more bloatware to contend with ,which is a shame, but ColorOS offers up a ton of customisation so you can tweak your homepage to look exactly how you like it. We even had several apps display in rectangular boxes, almost like looking at book binders on a shelf.

Where the Reno 16 did surprise us is with its photography chops. All pictures we took with the phone had a very natural colour representation, and even when going beyond the 3.5x telephoto and into digital zoom, the camera held up with taking good-looking pictures from afar. We only wish that the Reno 16 had a chipset that fell more in line with its higher pricing, as the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 can be found on much cheaper mid-range phones.

Who should buy the Oppo Reno 16?

Buyers after a great all-round experience from their smartphone.

Oppo Reno 16: Further considerations

You can find better-performing phones for less.

Fairphone has already made a name for itself in showing up other companies where sustainability is concerned, and that reputation only continues with the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus. Although it’s not a major reinvention over the Fairphone Gen 6, this ‘plus’ model still shows the industry how you can put together a great phone that doesn’t drop the ball when it comes to giving consumers proper long-term value for money.

Unlike a lot of mid-range phones (or even any smartphone to be precise), you can take apart the Gen 6 Plus and replace the components with very little effort. If the display is cracked and you need a new panel, you can order one from Fairphone’s storefront and replace it yourself in next to no time. It’s just so refreshing compared to the hoops that a lot of companies make you jump through any time you want to get something repaired, and the fact that you’re getting a five-year warranty plus software support until 2033 is exceptional value.

On top of the repairability, the Fairphone’s design means that you can also swap in accessories when the mood strikes you. For instance, you can remove the default backing and add a lanyard or a card holder if you please. In terms of upgrades over the previous-gen phone, the big change here is the newer Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset and its pairing with 12GB RAM. The higher RAM count is surprising given its ever-increasing cost these days, but it’s a welcome change, even if overall performance isn’t exactly head-to-head with the best of the mid-range market.

If you’re sick of being constantly distracted by your phone, then you may also enjoy the Fairphone Moments mode, which can be toggled by the dedicated yellow slider on the right-hand side. This boots up a pared-back UI that gives you access to just a small collection of pre-selected apps, keeping you away from doomscrolling and locked in with any tasks at hand. Even though it’s not a major reinvention over its predecessor, the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus is still a great mid-range option worth considering.

Who should buy the Fairphone Gen 6 Plus?

Anyone who prioritises sustainability and repairability above all.

Fairphone Gen 6 Plus: Further considerations

You can get better specs and performance elsewhere for a similar price.

Last year’s Honor 400 was a terrific handset, and one of the best you could buy around the £400 mark if you prioritised having a great screen and a competent set of cameras to boot. For its follow-up, however, the brand has gone in a slightly different route for the Honor 600 with a much higher price tag, but for all that you get in return, the uptick is easily worth it.

The most obvious change is in the design, which takes more than a few cues from the iPhone 17 Pro, and although it might seem derivative, there’s no denying that it feels great in the hand and looks very much like a flagship phone. Working even more in the phone’s favour is the dazzling 6.57-inch display which can reach a peak of 8000 nits.

For context, that’s even brighter than what the eye-wateringly expensive Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra can achieve, and it means you’ll never find yourself squinting when trying to line up a shot in broad daylight. Speaking of which, there’s now a 200Mp main sensor on the back that can capture some of the most stunning photos possible from a mid-range device.

The battery has also been given a boost, jumping up to 6,400mAh, although there still isn’t any wireless charging to speak of, which was less of an issue with the Honor 400 but more glaring now that the 600 is pricier than the Pixel 10a which does pack the feature. There’s the usual MagicOS bloatware that comes with any Honor phone, but it’s not enough to derail the tremendous value here.

Who should buy the Honor 600?

Anyone looking for the brightest display on a mid-range phone.

Honor 600: Further considerations

The lack of wireless charging gives the Pixel 9a or 10a a clear advantage.

Motorola is in a rather fascinating position right now in that the brand keeps showing up the competition in a handful of areas. The flagship Motorola Signature has one of the most competent camera arrays around, like the Razr 70 Ultra continues to show Samsung what can be done with the flip phone concept, and now we have the Motorola Edge 70 Fusion, which, thanks to a huge 7,000mAh onboard, triumphs against its mid-range fellows on pure longevity.

Admittedly, Motorola has employed a rather odd pricing strategy for this phone, as there is a version with a 5,200mAh battery, but instead of being made available at a significant discount, it’s only £10 less than the larger variant, so it makes absolutely no sense to opt for the lesser phone. With the 7,000mAh cell in tow, however, the Edge 70 Fusion is capable of providing genuine multi-day battery life between charges. We were able to get two days of use under most circumstances, which means you’ll never have to worry about battery anxiety over the course of a single day.

There’s 68W wired charging available so you can get the phone back to 100% pretty quickly when you need to, although, as you might expect for a phone of this price, there’s no wireless charging to speak of. It’s helpful that the Edge 70 Fusion has such a long battery, though, because it’s a device that absolutely shines when it comes to entertainment. The likes of Netflix and Disney+ have rarely looked so good as they do here on the 6.78-inch OLED display, enhanced by the 5200 nits of peak brightness.

There is an impressive 144Hz refresh rate on board, although the limited Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset means that you won’t be getting the best experience when it comes to gaming, but if that’s your main concern, then you can always opt for a Poco phone instead. As a final note, we would like to see Motorola either move away from AI or double down with greater resources because Moto AI, in its current state, is a mess and not worth using.

Who should buy the Motorola 70 Edge Fusion?

Binge-watchers who want a great screen and even better battery to keep up with their day.

Motorola 70 Edge Fusion: Further considerations

The phone is beaten by others when it comes to long-term software support.

For a good while, it was the Poco F8 Pro that held this spot as the go-to mid-range phone for performance, so it’s only fitting to see the phone leapfrogged by another option from the same brand, this time the Poco X8 Pro Max. Just like other phones within Xiaomi’s budget-friendly Poco stable, this phone goes all in on performance.

Powering the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, which is just a step down from the full fast Dimensity 9500 found within the high-end Oppo Find X9 Pro. Regardless of whether you opt for the 256GB model or its slightly more expensive 512GB alternative, both versions come with a whopping 12GB RAM that the chipset can rely on for more demanding tasks. For most people, this will feel like flagship-level performance, especially when diving into 3D games like Wuthering Waves, as we clocked a steady 60fps in our playthrough.

Working in tandem with the phone’s gaming credentials is a gorgeous 6.83-inch 120Hz OLED display, which can reach 3,500 nits of peak brightness. It’s a true visual feast that’s then emboldened by the stereo speakers on board that offer up plenty of depth and bass. If you’re playing/streaming at home then it’s great to comfortably rely on these speakers without needing to reach for a pair of earbuds.

As if that wasn’t enough, there’s an 8,500mAh battery on board that can be topped up at 100W (yes, you read that right). All of these specs are practically unheard of for a mid-range phone, and they make the X8 Pro unbeatable on performance alone. Where the phone isn’t quite able to compete is on software, as there’s an unfortunate amount of pre-installed bloatware to deal with, and there are just four years of OS updates which is bettered by Samsung and Google.

Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro Max?

Power users who need a mid-range phone that can keep up with heavy tasks and gaming.

Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro Max: Further considerations

With just four years of OS updates, there are better long-term options available from Samsung and Google.

As much as we love Samsung’s mid-range phones for being reliable options that are easy to recommend, the Samsung Galaxy A57 is fairly iterative for updates, and if you’re not fussed about having the latest tech, then the previous-gen Galaxy A56 is arguably a better buy. However, there’s still a lot to like here.

Something we love to see is the push to make mid-range phones as durable as their flagship counterparts, and with an official IP68 rating, the Galaxy A57 is now better equipped to handle an accidental dip in a body of water. The design has also been slimmed down, coming at just 6.9mm (down from 7.4mm), making it feel more svelte and premium in the hand.

Under the hood is the more powerful Exynos 1680 chipset, which pairs with a 13% larger vapour chamber for improved performance during more demanding tasks. It’s not a complete beast for gaming, and you’ll get on better with a Redmagic device if that’s your main concern, but it fared well during a few rounds of The Division Resurgence. 

As is now customary for Samsung’s non-flagship phones, you’re getting a promised six years of support for the Galaxy A57, which is ideal for rinsing as much value out of the phone as possible, especially as it now costs slightly more. The phone now has a starting price of £529/$549.99, which isn’t a massive uplift in price, but definitely noticeable given that you have so many compelling mid-range options that don’t go above the £500/$500 mark.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A57?

Those who want premium Samsung style and One UI software.

Samsung Galaxy A57: Further considerations

The Galaxy A56 is very similar but is now available for a lot less.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy A57 review

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.