As one of Engadget’s resident mobile geeks, I’ve tested dozens of mid-range phones and concluded that a great smartphone doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Years of commercialization have meant that features once reserved only for high-end devices – including large batteries, multi-camera arrays and high refresh rate displays – are now available on their cheaper siblings. While there are still some things you only find on flagship smartphones, you no longer have to make as many compromises when looking for the best buy at a lower price. If you’re looking to spend less than $600, I can help you figure out which features you should prioritize when looking for the best mid-range smartphone.
Editor’s Note (5/9/24): Google has announced the Pixel 8a, its latest mid-range smartphone. The 6.1-inch phone starts at $499 and, as expected, is based on last year’s flagship Pixel 8 series. We will publish a full review in the coming days and update this guide accordingly. For now, check out our hands-on preview for more information on what to expect. Google says it will continue to sell the Pixel 7a, our current top model Choose it at a discounted price to keep it worth it. However, most people should wait until we put the new Pixel through its paces.
What is a mid-range phone anyway?
Although the term appears frequently in articles and videos, there is no consistent definition of “mid-range” beyond a phone that isn’t a flagship or entry-level option. Our recommendations for the best mid-range smartphones cost between $400 and $600 – anything less and you’ll be making significant compromises. However, if your budget is higher, consider flagships like the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S22.
What factors should you consider when buying a mid-range smartphone?
Buying a new device can be intimidating, but asking a few questions can help you along the way. First: Which platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, that narrows your options down to exactly one phone. (Luckily, it’s great.) And if you’re an Android fan, there’s no shortage of compelling options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you shouldn’t exclude any of them.
Of course, also consider how much you want to spend. Even increasing your budget by $100 more can get you a significantly better product. And manufacturers tend to support their more expensive devices for longer. It’s definitely worth buying something that’s on the higher end that you can afford.
Having an idea of your priorities will help you plan your budget better. Do you want long battery life or fast charging speed? Do you value fast performance above all else? Or do you want the best possible cameras? Although they’re getting better every year, even the best mid-range smartphones still require some compromises, and knowing what’s important to you will make your choice easier.
Finally, pay attention to Wi-Fi bands and network compatibility. If you don’t want to worry about this, it’s best to purchase directly from your carrier. For your convenience, all of the phones we recommend are compatible with all major wireless carriers in the US and can be purchased unlocked.
What habit do you get from a mid-range smartphone?
Every year the line between mid-range and flagship phones blurs as higher-end features and specs trickle down to cheaper models. When we first published this guide in 2020, it was difficult to find $500 devices with waterproofing or 5G. The biggest thing you could be missing out on is wireless charging. Remember to also include a power adapter – many companies no longer include chargers with their smartphones. Performance has improved in recent years, but can still be an issue as most mid-range phones use slower processors that have trouble multitasking. Luckily, their cameras have improved dramatically, and you can usually expect at least a dual-lens system on most mid-range smartphones under $600.
The best mid-range phones for 2024
Google Pixel 7a: The best mid-range Android phone
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
The $500 Pixel 7a offers everything we’ve come to expect from a great, affordable phone. New features include a faster Tensor G2 chip, a smoother 90Hz display and, for the first time on one of Google’s A-series phones: wireless charging support. And with a refreshed design with IP67 water resistance, it looks and feels like the standard Pixel 7 but costs $100 less. You also get great support with five years of security updates and at least three operating system upgrades. The phone’s only flaws are fairly minor and include the lack of a dedicated zoom lens and lack of support for mmWave 5G (unless you buy a slightly more expensive $550 model from Verizon).
$499 at Google
iPhone SE (3rd Generation): The best iPhone under $600
Apple
If you get past the dated design and small 5.4-inch display, the Apple iPhone SE is the fastest phone you can buy for less than $600. No other device on this list has a processor that comes close to the SE’s A15 Bionic. Additionally, you can expect Apple to continue supporting the 2022 model for years to come. The company is just ending support for the first-generation SE after six years. The company hasn’t said how long it plans to add new software to the latest SE, but it’s likely the device will be supported for a similar period.
Despite all of its strengths, the iPhone SE is held back by an outdated display. Not only is the SE’s screen small and slow, but it also uses an IPS panel instead of an OLED display, meaning it can’t deliver deep blacks. Additionally, this screen is surrounded by some of the largest bezels you’ll find on a modern phone. That’s not surprising. The SE uses the design of the iPhone 6, which will be a decade old in two years. And if the SE looks dated now, it’s only going to feel more tired in a few years.
$400 at Walmart
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: The mid-range phone with the best display for streaming
Photo by Mat Smith / Engaged
For the best possible display at this price, look no further than Samsung’s $450 Galaxy A53 5G. It features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display that is ideal for watching TV shows and movies. Additionally, the 120Hz panel is the fastest on this list. Other standout features of this Samsung phone include a 5,000mAh battery and a versatile camera system. The A53’s three cameras may not deliver the same detail and natural colors as the Pixel 7a, but it can capture larger scenes with its two wide-angle cameras on the back.
Like the other Android smartphones on this list, the Samsung Galaxy A53 isn’t the fastest device. At best, Samsung’s Exynos 1280 is a lateral development of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G in the Galaxy A52 5G. And even though the A53 is $50 cheaper than its predecessor, this Samsung phone no longer includes a power adapter and a headphone jack, so the difference may not be much in the end.
$395 at Amazon
OnePlus Nord N200 5G: The best cheap smartphone on a budget
Photo by Brian Oh / Engadget
If you only have around $200 to spend on your next phone, you could do a lot worse than the OnePlus Nord N200. First of all, this budget phone has a large 5,000mAh battery that can easily last you a whole day. The N200 also features a 90Hz display and 5G connectivity, which is hard to find at this price. The best part is that it doesn’t look like a cheap phone.
But the N200 is also a good example of why you should spend more on a budget phone if possible. It is the slowest device on this list due to its Snapdragon 480 chipset and paltry 4GB of RAM. The triple main camera setup is usable during the day but struggles in low light and doesn’t offer much versatility other than a disappointing macro lens. OnePlus also has no plans to update the phone beyond the soon-to-be-outdated Android 12. In short: the N200 is unlikely to last as long as any of the other affordable phones on this list.
$141 at Amazon
Chris Velazco contributed to this report.