Top 5 Mid-Range Smartphones 2025
High-end features without the usual price
The second crucial choice you must make after choosing between Android and iOS is how much you are prepared to spend on a new phone. Some individuals are prepared to pay for the greatest phones because they are the only ones that will work for them. The best low-cost phones, on the other hand, offer a strong core experience for a much lower price.
However, what if you fall somewhere in the middle? Even when flagship prices are out of your price range, you still want some of those premium features.
A mid-range phone can help with that. A phone must cost between £300/$300 and £700/$700 when purchased outright at launch in order to qualify. There are many of potential gadgets in that price range, but only the best have made it into the top 10 listed below.
The iPhone 16e is the sole mid-range model that Apple sells, yet it wasn’t good enough to be listed here. Although there are still many options, the list below only includes Android phones. Devices from OnePlus, Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Poco, and Nothing are listed below.
While all 5 of the phones listed below are sold in the UK, some are not in the US; we’ll note which ones are. Additionally, there is comprehensive purchasing guidance for mid-range phones at the bottom of the page.
Table of Contents
Best overall
1. Google Pixel 9a
Best value
2. Nothing Phone (3a)
Best design
3. Xiaomi 14T
Best performance
4. Poco F7 Pro
Best battery life
5. OnePlus 13R
1. Google Pixel 9a
Although the Pixel 9a is by no means a flawless phone, it is highly recommendable. This is the phone for you if you want a simple, mid-range phone that will last for many years.
However, that’s not to suggest it lacks any noteworthy features. The 6.3-inch P-OLED screen is superb, particularly with its incredibly smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Performance is also outstanding because the premium Pixel 9 phones use the same Tensor G4 chipset.
Additionally, you get an excellent camera for point-and-shoot photography with the 48Mp primary lens. The 13Mp ultrawide sensor may compete with the amazing 13Mp selfie sensor. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t a telephoto lens available for accurate zoom pictures.
On the software front, however, the Pixel 9a is maybe even more remarkable. Even if you don’t receive the complete package here, the slick Android 15 software is supported by a class-leading seven years of updates and helpful AI features. Additionally, when Android 16 and other major upgrades become available, Pixel phones will be the first to receive them.
The plain appearance won’t appeal to everyone, and the slow 23W wired charging is likely the biggest letdown despite the respectable battery life. However, the Pixel 9a is the phone for you if all you want is a reliable mid-range device that excels at handling practically all the basics.
2. Nothing Phone (3a)
The Nothing Phone (3a), which starts with just £329/$379, is hardly costly enough to be listed here. But if you don’t require high-end cameras, it has all the features that most people want in a phone.
The Phone (3a) is guaranteed to draw attention thanks to its distinctive design, which includes a semi-transparent back and customizable “Glyph” lights. However, the outstanding 6.77-inch 120Hz OLED display, outstanding Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 performance, and outstanding battery life (from the 5000mAh cell) are what really make the device great.
Another attraction is Nothing’s take on Android, which includes a full six years of software maintenance along with a new Essential Key that should become more helpful over time.
The primary sacrifice is the camera, which has a mediocre ultrawide lens and problems in low light. However, the Nothing Phone (3a) is an excellent phone for the money given all you’re getting, so most people have no incentive to upgrade to the Phone (3a) Pro.
3. Xiaomi 14T
The Xiaomi 14T is a good choice if you’re looking for a mid-range phone that looks like a flagship. Although it costs only £549 in the UK, it functions and looks a much like the standard Xiaomi 14.
There are many things to enjoy about this device, like as its high-end design and gorgeous big OLED display. Despite being a significant step down from Xiaomi’s class-leading 14 Ultra, the cameras are surprisingly good.
Even without wireless charging and without the required charger in the box, the remarkable 67W rapid charging supports a solid battery life.
Although the software is occasionally lacking, this phone has virtually no physical flaws. Although Xiaomi’s own AI efforts aren’t always successful, Google’s Circle to Search tool is actually helpful.
However, Xiaomi has a strong commitment to providing five years of security patches and four major OS updates. Additionally, it will be difficult to find a better all-around player in this price range. You could upgrade to the 14T Pro, but most users don’t think the extra £150 (it starts at £699) is worth it.
4. Poco F7 Pro
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a real flagship-level processor, offers consistently excellent performance in nearly every situation. Even though additional brightness would be good, the huge 120Hz OLED is a pleasure to operate, and the large 6000mAh cell provides outstanding battery life. You even get a high-end build, which is something that mid-range phones frequently lack.
In general, the cameras are remarkable as well, particularly the 50Mp primary lens. Unfortunately, the quality of the 8Mp ultrawide has significantly declined.
With obnoxious extra pre-installed programs and only four years of software support (compared to six on many mid-rangers), the software side shows larger concessions.However, when you consider everything else you’re getting for your money, these are simple to ignore. The F7 Pro is a better option for more people, but Poco also offers the more expensive F7 Ultra. The standard Poco F7 is a good option if you’re searching for something less expensive.
5. OnePlus 13R
It’s easy to overlook the less expensive 13R because it was released alongside the flagship OnePlus 13. However, this is a fantastic mid-range phone on its own.
It has nearly all of the features that most people want in a mid-range phone, including excellent performance, long battery life, and stylish software that deftly uses artificial intelligence to improve the user experience. Additionally, OnePlus offers the best six-year software update commitment available at this pricing tier.
The primary flaw is the cameras; while there have been some noticeable advancements over the OnePlus 12R, it still falls short of the best at this price range. Additionally, you won’t be able to use wireless charging because the MagSafe-style accessories need a separate case.
You can’t go wrong with the 13R, though, if you value user experience above all else and don’t mind compromising some camera performance to get it.