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

The Pixel 9a is far from being a perfect phone, but it is very easy to recommend. 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.

With a starting price of just £329/$379, the Nothing Phone (3a) is only just expensive enough to be included here. However, provided you don’t need top-tier cameras, it offers everything most people are looking for in a phone.

Nothing’s signature design, with a semi-transparent back and customisable ‘Glyph’ lights, means the Phone (3a) is sure to turn heads. But it’s the excellent Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 performance, superb 6.77-inch 120Hz OLED display and superb battery life (from the 5000mAh cell) that elevate the device from good to truly excellent.

Nothing’s take on Android is another highlight, with a new Essential Key that should get more useful over time, plus a full six years of software support.

Cameras are the main compromise, with issues in low-light and a disappointing ultrawide lens. But for everything you’re getting, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a superb phone for the money.

Who should buy the Nothing Phone (3a)?

Anyone who wants a great mid-range phone for a fraction of the price of many rivals, or anyone who likes the idea of customisable lights on the back of their device.

Nothing Phone (3a): Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you care about a great all-around camera experience or want a compact phone.

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.

From a hardware perspective, the Poco F7 Pro is an amazing achievement.

It packs a true flagship-level chipset in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which delivers predictably superb performance in basically any scenario. The large 120Hz OLED is a joy to use, even if more brightness would be nice, while battery life from the large 6000mAh cell is excellent. You even get a premium build, something which is often sacrificed on mid-range phones.

The cameras are generally impressive, too – especially that 50Mp main lens. Sadly, the 8Mp ultrawide is a big step down in quality,

Bigger compromises appear on the software side, with annoying extra pre-installed apps and only four years of software support (as opposed to six on many mid-rangers).

But these are easy to overlook when you see everything else you’re getting for your money. Poco also has a more premium F7 Ultra, but the F7 Pro is a better choice for more people. If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider the regular Poco F7.

Who should buy the Poco F7 Pro?

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

Poco F7 Pro: Further considerations

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

Given it launched alongside the flagship OnePlus 13, it’s easy to overlook the cheaper 13R. But this is a great mid-range phone in its own right.

It offers almost everything most people are looking for in a mid-range phone, namely great performance, superb battery life and slick software that cleverly deploys AI to enhance the user experience. And at this price point, OnePlus’ commitment to six years of software updates is the best around.

Cameras are the main shortcoming – despite some notable improvements compared to the OnePlus 12R, it’s a step down from the best at this price point. You’ll also have to make do without wireless charging, with the MagSafe-style accessories requiring a separate case.

However, provided user experience is your top priority and you don’t mind sacrificing some camera performance to get there, you can’t go wrong with the 13R.

Who should buy the OnePlus 13R?

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

OnePlus 13R: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want great cameras 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 regular 400 is the Honor phone that we’d recommend to most people. A more premium version in the 400 Pro is available, but for £300 less, its regular sibling is excellent value for money. If only it were available in the US!

Cameras are undoubtedly the highlight here, with impressive performance from the 200Mp main sensor in particular, including a range of convincing Studio Harcourt portrait effects. And while there’s no telephoto sensor, the capable ultrawide and selfie lenses do a good job of supporting it.

The sleek, flagship-esque design is another highlight, while the sizeable 5300mAh cell delivers strong battery life. With an attractive 6.55-inch AMOLED display, an AI-infused software experience and a full six years of OS and security updates, the Honor 400 has a lot going for it.

A charging speed downgrade compared to the Honor 200 and unreliable gaming performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset are the main things that count against it, while not everyone will enjoy Honor’s MagicOS user interface.

But considering how little you’re paying and how much you’re getting here, the Honor 400 is a genuine mid-range contender.

Who should buy the Honor 400?

Anyone who wants a flagship phone design and doesn’t want to compromise on cameras, display or software support.

Honor 400: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you’re serious about mobile gaming or prefer a clean software experience.

For many people, the Nord 5 will be an underwhelming update. OnePlus has ditched the metal unibody design from the Nord 4, while battery capacity and charging speeds have both been reduced, meaning the Nord 5 is nowhere near as good a value as its predecessor.

However, there’s no denying it’s still a very strong mid-range phone. The new design looks good and arguably has more mainstream appeal, while the 6.83-inch AMOLED display is one of the best around. And while the battery life and charging speeds have been downgraded, both are still impressive at this price point.

OnePlus also continues to excel in the software department, with its intuitive OxygenOS Android skin now full of AI, including some genuinely thoughtful features. Four years of OS upgrades is around average, though the six years of security patches are excellent.

It’s definitely still worth considering, but as you can see from this article, there are other mid-range phones that we’d recommend looking at first.

Who should buy the OnePlus Nord 5?

Anyone who enjoys OnePlus’ software experience, values thoughtful AI features and loves a big, bright display.

OnePlus Nord 5: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want top-tier cameras or a genuinely unique design.

The Redmagic 10S Pro is a contender for the best gaming phone outright, making it remarkable that it’s priced as a mid-range phone.

Nubia is going head-to-head with the more expensive Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro here, yet the Redmagic fares well. Performance from the upgraded Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Version chipset is its key strength, offering superb gaming performance in combination with the built-in fan and advanced cooling system.

Nubia’s ‘Game Space’ software mode offers useful gaming tweaks and customisation, while the large 6.85-inch display and premium design make it a joy to use. And with a 7050mAh battery and 80W fast charging (with the charger included in the box), the battery life/charging combo is one of the best around.

The 10S Pro’s main weaknesses appear when you try to use it as a regular phone, with a poor under-display selfie camera and hit-and-miss software. Nubia also only guarantees three years of software updates, which is behind the competition.

Nonetheless, the Redmagic 10S Pro provides a near-complete mobile gaming experience at an impressively low price.

Who should buy the Nubia Redmagic 10S 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 high-quality cameras – especially the selfie lens.