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As one of Engadget’s resident mobile geeks, I’ve reviewed dozens of mid-range phones and have found that good smartphones don’t have to cost a fortune. Years of commoditization have brought features once reserved for high-end devices, such as high-capacity batteries, multi-camera arrays, and high-refresh-rate displays, to more affordable devices. There are still a few features you’ll only find on flagship smartphones, but if you’re looking for a robust device at a budget price, you don’t have to compromise too much anymore. If your budget is under $600, we can help you decide which features to prioritize when looking for the best mid-range smartphone.
What is a mid-range phone, anyway?
Although the term comes up frequently in articles and videos, there is no agreed-upon definition of “midrange” beyond mobile phones that aren’t flagship or entry-level options. Our recommendations for the best mid-range smartphones range in price from $400 to $600, but anything below that requires significant compromises. However, if you’re on a higher budget, you should consider flagship models like the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S22.
Buying a new device can be intimidating, but a few questions can help guide you through the process. First, which platform do you want to use?If the answer is iOS, the choices are narrowed down to her one phone. (Thankfully, it’s a great thing.) And if you’re an Android fanatic, there’s no shortage of attractive options. Both platforms have their strengths, so there’s no need to rule out one or the other.
Naturally, also consider how much you can afford to spend. You can get a dramatically better product for just another $100 more in your budget. Manufacturers also tend to support more expensive devices for longer. It’s definitely worth buying something towards the upper limit of what you can afford.
Knowing your priorities will help you plan your budget. Do you want long battery life or fast charging speeds? Do you want speedy performance above all else?
Finally, also pay attention to wireless band and network compatibility. If you don’t want to worry about that, your best bet is to buy directly from your carrier. To make things easier, all the phones we recommend are compatible with all major US wireless providers and can be purchased unlocked.
what won’t Get it from a mid-range smartphone?
The lines between mid-range and flagship smartphones are blurring each year as higher-end features and specs trickle down to more affordable models. When we first published this guide in 2020, it was hard to find a $500 device that was waterproof or had 5G. Well, the biggest thing you might be missing is wireless charging. Don’t forget to budget for the power adapter as well. Many companies have stopped packing chargers with smartphones. Performance has improved in recent years, but most mid-range phones use slow processors that can struggle to multitask, so they can still be hit or miss. Thankfully, the company’s cameras have improved dramatically, and you can usually expect at least a dual-lens system from most mid-range smartphones under $600.
Best mid-range smartphones of 2023
Google Pixel 7a: The Best Mid-Range Android Phone
$500 pixel 7a It offers everything you want in an affordable mobile phone. New features include a faster Tensor G2 chip, a smoother his 90Hz display, and support for wireless charging, a first for Google’s A-series phones. With an all-new design with IP67 water resistance, it looks and feels just like the standard Pixel 7, but costs $100 less. You also get excellent support with 5 years of security updates and at least his 3 OS upgrades. The only downsides to this phone are that it’s fairly small, doesn’t have a dedicated zoom lens, and doesn’t support mmWave 5G (unless you buy the slightly more expensive $550 model from Verizon).
iPhone SE (3rd Gen): Best iPhone Under $600
If you can get past the outdated design and tiny 5.4-inch display, Apple iPhone SE is the fastest cell phone you can buy for under $600. No other device on this list has a processor that matches SE’s A15 Bionic. Additionally, you can expect Apple to support the 2022 models for years to come. The company has just ended support for the original SE, which lasted for six years. The company hasn’t said how long it plans to keep the new software on the latest SE, but it’s likely to support the device for a similar amount of time.
Despite its strengths, the iPhone SE suffers from an outdated display. Not only is the SE’s screen smaller and slower, but it uses his IPS panel instead of an OLED display, which can’t render deep blacks. Plus, its screen is surrounded by some of the largest bezels we’ve seen on modern phones. That’s not surprising. The SE adopts the design of the iPhone 6, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in two years. And even if the SE looks dated now, it will only feel even more tired in a few years.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: mid-range phone with the best display for streaming
For the best possible display at this price, look no further. Samsung’s $450 Galaxy A53 5G. It has a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, perfect for watching TV shows and movies. Additionally, the 120Hz panel is the fastest on this list. Other great features of this Samsung phone include a 5,000mAh battery and a versatile camera system. The A53’s three shooters may not deliver the same detailed and natural-color photos as the Pixel 7a, but the two wide-angle rear cameras can capture a larger scene.
Like other Android phones on this list, the Samsung Galaxy A53 isn’t the fastest performer. At best, Samsung’s Exynos 1280 is a sideways move from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G found in the Galaxy A52 5G. And while the A53 is $50 cheaper than its predecessor, that Samsung phone doesn’t come with a power adapter or headphone jack, so that might not be much of a difference in the end.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G: the best cheap smartphone on a budget
If you only have a budget of about $200 to spend on your next smartphone, you could end up doing much worse than your previous phone. OnePlus Node N200. For starters, this affordable phone comes with a massive 5,000mAh battery that will easily last you a whole day. The N200 he also has a 90Hz display and his 5G connectivity, which is hard to find at this price. Best of all, it doesn’t look like a cheap cell phone in appearance.
But the N200 is a good example of why you should spend more on a budget phone if you can. With a Snapdragon 480 chipset and just 4GB of RAM, it’s the slowest device on this list. The triple main camera setup works well in daylight, but struggles in low light and doesn’t offer much more versatility than the disappointing macro lens. Also, OnePlus has no plans to update this phone beyond the soon-to-be-deprecated Android 12. That means the N200 may not last as long as other affordable phones on this list.
Chris Velazco contributed to this report.