The best mid-range phones to buy in 2025

Mid-range phones have become increasingly popular and more impressive throughout the last half of the decade. The main objective of a mid-ranger is to offer premium feel and performance for a price that is considerably lower than that of the current flagship options on the market.

Now, of course, price is a very subjective topic, but if we take a look at the high-end and then the best budget phones, we can assume the middle range fits somewhere between the $400 and $700 mark. So, keeping that in mind, here are our top contenders for the best mid-range phones in 2025.

Galaxy S24 FE

A flagship in mid-ranger's clothing

The Galaxy S24 FE feels like some happy accident that happened at Samsung — it is simply too good to be true. While on paper the latest Fan Edition sounds impressive, it proved to be even more so during our review.

While the S24 FE does not come with the exact same processor that powers the flagship Galaxy S24 models, the Exynos 2400e managed to give us very similar performance. But the processor is not where the similarities end. Samsung has even added the same 50MP main camera, which produces image quality that is just as good as the standard Galaxy S24 and the S24 Plus.

The one downside we noticed during our time with the Galaxy S24 FE, and the one that keeps it from being a perfect mid-range phone, is its battery life. While it is not exactly bad, it is also nothing to write home about. Our battery life tests gave the new Fan Edition an estimated 6 hours and 20 minutes.

But for the starting price of just $649.99 from Samsung's online store, the Galaxy S24 FE is a total bargain. Especially if you consider the 7 years of software support, the awesome display, and the great dual speakers it comes with.

Read more:Galaxy S24 FE review

The Pixel 9a keeps Google's promise of high-value phones alive with a bright OLED display, excellent camera system, and Google's fun and practical software features.

The 9a comes with the same Tensor G4 chip found in the flagship Pixel 9, and while it doesn’t get the full Gemini AI experience, it still features Circle to Search, Magic Compose, and many other exclusive tools.

What stands out most is its massive 5,100mAh battery, which delivered an estimated 8 hours and 11 minutes in our battery tests — better than the iPhone 16e and Galaxy A56.

Camera performance is also solid, with realistic colors and strong HDR, even if image sharpness and contrast aren’t flagship-grade. The display gets super bright at 2,700 nits, and the Actua tuning ensures it remains color-accurate even under direct light.

Plastic materials and thick bezels make it feel a bit less premium, but at $499 and with seven years of updates promised, the Pixel 9a is a smart, futureproof choice for those who value clean Android and great battery life.

Read more: Google Pixel 9a review

Great display, charging speed, and seven years of updates

The Galaxy A56 is Samsung's more affordable mid-ranger. It comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, an updated aluminum frame, and a sleek, slim profile.

The A56 5G also includes a triple-camera setup, a 5,000mAh battery, and a very welcome upgrade to 45W fast charging (same as S25 Ultra).

Samsung's new Exynos 1580 chip delivers significantly better performance, and the battery life has also improved. We recorded an estimated 7 hours and 3 minutes, with nearly 18 hours of browsing and over 10 hours of gaming in our tests. It also launches with Android 15 and will get seven years of updates — matching Samsung's flagships.

The camera system doesn't beat the Pixel 9a, but it’s perfectly fine for casual users. If you're looking for a stylish Samsung phone with great display brightness and reliable long-term support, the A56 is a solid mid-range pick at around $499.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy A56 Review

The iPhone 16e replaces the SE and 14 models, ushering in the "e" series.

While "e" has no official meaning, the phone is designed for everyone. It features a modern design similar to the iPhone 14, including a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, USB-C, and the Action Button.

Key upgrades include the A18 chip (same as the iPhone 16), 8GB RAM, a 48MP main camera, and significantly improved battery life. It runs iOS 18 with new Apple Intelligence features.

However, it has some drawbacks: a single rear camera (no ultra-wide), no Cinematic or Action video modes, no MagSafe, and a higher price of $600 compare dto the $500 of the SE series from past years.

While the iPhone 16e excels in performance and video quality (4K60), the lack of MagSafe and an ultra-wide camera are notable omissions. It's positioned against phones like the Galaxy S24 FE and Pixel 8a, both of which offer a second camera. But the neat thing about the 16e represents a shift away from truly budget iPhones, offering flagship-level performance at a mid-range price.

The OnePlus 13R strikes a sweet spot for anyone wanting a near-flagship smartphone experience without breaking the bank. With its 6.78-inch ProXDR AMOLED display, it’s a real standout. During our hands-on use, the colors were vibrant, the 2800 x 1260 resolution looked razor-sharp, and the 120Hz refresh rate made everything feel smooth as butter. Features like TÜV Rheinland Eye Care 4.0 and Aqua Touch 2.0 were a pleasant bonus, making it just as comfortable to use outdoors as it is indoors.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powers this phone, and it really delivered during our time with it. Whether it was juggling multiple apps or running demanding games, the 13R handled everything with ease. Honestly, it even outperformed a few competitors, like the Pixel 8a, in most of our tests. The option for up to 16GB of RAM ensures that multitasking is snappy, and the performance overall feels surprisingly close to what we’ve seen in last year’s flagship phones.

Now, let’s talk cameras. The 13R’s main 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor (with OIS) paired with a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x zoom delivers sharp, detailed images, especially when lighting conditions are good. That said, the 8MP ultrawide camera was a bit underwhelming, and video stabilization could’ve been better—it wasn’t bad, just not great. Still, considering the price point, the camera setup as a whole is solid.

Battery life was another highlight for the most part. The 6,000mAh battery held up well during daily use, although it didn’t last quite as long as its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R. But here’s the thing: the 80W fast charging more than makes up for it. We got from 0 to 62% charge in just 30 minutes during our tests, which is super convenient if you’re always on the go. Plus, OxygenOS 15 adds a layer of smart features, like Task Prediction and real-time translations, which we found useful without being intrusive.

At $599, the OnePlus 13R feels like a great deal. You’re getting a stunning display, solid performance, and a sleek design—all for a fraction of what some flagship phones cost. If you’re thinking about upgrading and want something high-performing but affordable, this phone deserves a serious look.

The Motorola Edge (2024) is a mid-range phone that recently launched in the US. It boasts a large 6.6-inch P-OLED display, a decent Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, and a capable camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide sensor.

The phone excels in battery life with its long-lasting 5,000mAh battery that supports both speedy 68W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. That said, its processor and camera system are not the best at this price range. So, if these are your top priorities, you might want to consider exploring other options like the OnePlus 12R or Pixel 8a.

The Motorola Edge (2024) will cost you $549 for a 256GB storage variant.

Read more: Motorola Edge (2024)

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a unique take on the mid-range formula. With a striking transparent back, a simplified Glyph lighting interface, and a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, it’s all about flair without going over budget. The phone may not be a performance leader, but it is reliable and smooth for most daily tasks.

Its OLED display peaks at 3,000 nits and holds its own in terms of color accuracy and brightness. The camera setup is versatile, with a 50 MP main, 50 MP 3x zoom, and 8 MP ultra-wide sensor, though results in low light and video zoom are its weak spots. It received a 135 Camera Score in our tests, beating many phones in its price class.

Battery life is solid, with over 11 hours of gaming and over 10 hours of video playback in our tests. What’s even better is its 50W fast charging — we got a 70% charge in 30 minutes, and a full charge in under an hour.

For $459, and with 6 years of promised software support (3 years OS + 6 years security), the Phone (3a) Pro has definitely earned its place in this list.

Read more:Nothing Phone (3a) Pro review