A great phone does not require the cost of a fortune. In 2025, exclusive features for high-ending equipment-have been dropped down to large batteries, multi-camera arrays, high refresh rate displays and more affordable models. Certainly, you will still need to buy a flagship smartphone to get the best camera or fastest processor, but if you are looking for a great handset at a reasonable price then you do not need to compromise almost the same. If you have less than $ 600 to spend, help us find out what facilities are to give priority when trying to find the best midrange smartphone.
Superior
Best Midrange Phone for 2025
Sam Rutherford for Engaget
screen size: 6.3 inch | storage capacity: Up to 256GB | Sim card type: Nano-Sim, ASIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear Camera Resolution: 48MP Main, 13MP Ultravide | weight: 6.6 ounces
Read our full Google Pixel 9A review
Pixel 9A is not particularly attractive and has no special features that are already not available on its more expensive brothers and sisters. In fact, it has a truly slow charging speed and is a missing support for some homegron software of Google. But for everyone who wants just a solid design, a good AMOLED display, excellent camera quality and a simple phone with strong battery life, defeating Pixel 9A is really difficult to defeat. It impresses the low light shots for a phone at this midrange price effectively handles, and Google’s smart AI features increase both the main camera and editing experience. So when it is not a super fancy, the phone has all the most important grounds (and then some). But most importantly, starting from just $ 499, this phone looks like an incredible deal that punches well above its price point. – Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- sleek design
- Excellent battery life
- Performance
- Great camera
- IP68 rating for dust and water resistance
- Charging can be faster
- No pixel screenshot app
- Macro focus mode may be a little final
$ 491 on Amazon
Cherlynn less for ngadget
Read our full iPhone 16E review
screen size: 6.1 inch | storage capacity: Up to 512GB | Sim card type: Dual Esim | Front camera resolution: 12MP | Rear Camera Resolution: 48 MP Fusion Main | weight: 5.88 ounces
The iPhone 16E is close to the iPhone 16 as compared to the iPhone 16. IPhone 13. Should you save $ 200 and leave a dual camera system, Dynamic Island, Camera Control and Magsef? It largely depends on your priorities and budget.
While I think anyone who can spend the price difference should choose the option of the iPhone 16 on the iPhone 16E, I cannot deny that this is Apple’s best entry-level iPhone. It has an action button, USB-C, a large, bright screen and A18 CPU that enables Apple Intelligence. My biggest concerns with it are limitations brought by its single rear camera setup – such as not working when not able to occupy ultravide shots or portrait mode if there is no face in the scene. If you are coming from an iPhone 11 or new, you should consider whether the better camera is worth giving an ultravide camera for quality. If it is, and if you can live without stretching the pictures of objects and faceless items, the iPhone 16E selfie camera will be satisfactory.
There are other factors to consider, such as you regularly use magasaf goods or wireless charging. If you do, the iPhone 16E will disappoint you as it does not work with a magnetic attachment system (you can get a magasfe case to remedy) and can charge a slower fee compared to the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (but there is no fix for it). You can consider $ 699 iPhone 15 for a better camera and wireless charging experience, but you will be giving apple intelligence and an action button. – Cherlin Lo, Managing Editor
- solid performance
- Long battery life
- Clean, durable design
- Bright, vibrant screen
- Only one rear camera, leading to several boundaries
- The previous iPhone is expensive than SE
- No magic
$ 599 in Apple
Nothing
screen size: 6.77 inch | storage capacity: 256GB | Sim type: Nano-SIM + ASIM | Front camera resolution: 50MP | Rear Camera Resolution: 50MP Main, 8MP Ultravide, 50MP Periscope Telephoto | weight: 7.44 ounces
Read our Nothing Phone 3A Pro Review
If you want something different from your next phone, then there are anything if any device is nothing like the phone 3A Pro. It has a translucent glass back that develops the design of the old game boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components including NFC antennas. In $ 459, it is one of the best deals in the industry, thanks to a compelling mix of features. The phone 3A sports a bright 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a deceit with Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 CPU and a 3x periscope telephoto camera – this also comes with a standout feature at this midrange price. This final feature is something that is difficult to find in the value point of the 3A Pro, especially in North America. The camera system also performs better than expected in low light and supports Handy AI features for increased photography.
- Funny design
- Big 120Hz Amoled Screen
- Clean but adaptable android skin
- Limited American warranty
- No wireless charging
- Tinni speaker
$ 459 on Amazon
OnePlus
screen size: 6.72 inch | storage capacity: 128GB + MicroSD | Sim card type: Nano-Sim | Front camera resolution: 16MP | Rear Camera Resolution: 108MP Main, 2MP Macro | weight: 6.8 ounces
When it first came out, the Nord N30 originally had everything you wanted in a phone that cost $ 300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset makes strong performance with wireless connectivity that is compatible with all large American carriers, not to mention good glasses including 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. It also has a 6.7-inch performance with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare on a budget phone as most of the rivals have 60Hz or 90Hz panels. The display is not AMOLED, so you can see deep bezels and slightly less contrast, but it is still a solid screen. And thanks to its 50-wise wired charging speed, you can quickly do it up quickly. But the most important thing is that the Nord 30 recently dropped from $ 300 to $ 250, making it an indisputably good deal and our top pick in this location.
- Perform good for price
- 120Hz display
- 50W wired charging
$ 300 on Amazon
What is a midrange phone?
Although the term often appears in articles and videos, there is not a agreeable language for “midrange” beyond a phone that is not an flagship or entry-level option. Most of our recommendations cost between $ 400 and $ 600 – any low and you should expect an important agreement. If you have more to spend, you can consider flagships like Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25.
What to consider before buying a midrange smartphone
Buying a new device may be scary, but some questions can help you guide through the process. First: Which platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, it takes your options on a phone exactly. (Thankfully, this is very good.) And if you are an Android fan, there is no shortage of compelling options. Both platforms have their strength, so you should not rule either.
Of course, also consider how comfortable you are spending. Even increasing your budget by more than $ 100 can give you a dramatic better product. In addition, manufacturers support their more expensive equipment for a long time with software updates and safety updates, so it is worth buying something towards the top range you spent.
An idea of ​​your priorities will help to inform your budget. Do you want a long battery life or fast charging? Do you value rapid performance on all? Or would you like the best possible camera? While they continue to improve every year, even the best midrange smartphones still demand some compromise, and knowing what is important to you, it will be easy to choose one.
What Will not done Do you meet a midrange smartphone?
Every year, the line between the midrange and flagship phones becomes blurred as more upmarket features and the glasses move down to the more affordable model. When Engadget first published this guide in 2020, it was difficult to find a phone of $ 500 with waterproofing and 5G. In 2025, the biggest thing you can miss is wireless charging – and still, it’s less true.
One thing that your new phone will probably not come will be a power adapter; Many companies have closed all their smartphones along with chargers. Performance has improved in recent years, but can still be hit or missed as most midrange phones use slow processors that can struggle with multitasking. Thankfully, their camera system has been dramatically improved, and you can usually expect at least one double lens system, which can be with software support to run smoothly for the coming years for the coming years with decent camera quality, selfie performance and software support on most midrange smartphones below $ 600.
