Best mid-range smartphone 2023: affordable phones reviewed

There was a time when any smartphone short of a pricey top-tier flagship would serve up a disappointing experience. Bland designs, poor build quality, and a slow, stuttery experience all featured frequently in mid-range smartphone bingo. But those days are over – here’s our guide to the best mid-range smartphones in the $450/£450 to $650/£650 range.

Today, you can buy cracking handsets that are nigh-on inseparable from smartphones that cost twice as much, covering almost all of your needs without bleeding your wallet dry. From premium builds to nippy performance, all-day battery life, and even decent cameras, there are plenty of handsets out there that more than nail the basics, while capable of serving you well for years to come.

What is the best mid-range smartphone?

We think the Google Pixel 7 (check price) is the best mid-range smartphone you can buy. While part of Google’s 2022 flagship line-up, is technically a mid-range handset by our priced-based definition. You’ll love its impeccable camera skills, punchy performance, minimalist Pixel design and pure Android experience.

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Other mid-range smartphone recommendations

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The best mid-range phone you can buy today:

1. Google Pixel 7

Google Pixel 7 specs
Screen	6.3in, 2400×1080 AMOLED w/ 90Hz refresh rate, HDR10+
CPU	Google Tensor G2 octa-core
Memory	8GB RAM
Cameras	50MP, f/1.9 w/ PDAF, OIS + 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide rear. 10.8MP, f/2.2 front
Storage	128/256GB
Operating system	Android 13
Battery	4355mAh, 30W wired charging, 20W wireless charging
Dimensions	156x72x8.7mm, 197g

That’s right — the Pixel 7, while part of Google’s 2022 flagship line-up, is technically a mid-range handset by our priced-based definition, which, depending on how you look at it, makes it a superb bang-for-buck option. And there’s lots to love here.

From its impeccable camera skills and punchy performance to a minimalist Pixel design and pure Android experience, this could be the ultimate choice for Google fans. Sure, it has a few specs that are lagging behind some of the competition (including a 90Hz display and slower charging), but on the whole, there’s little else as well-rounded as the Pixel 7 for the money, making it a very tempting option indeed…

• Read more: Google Pixel 7 review

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2. Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Apple iPhone SE (2022) specs
Screen	4.7in, 750 x 1334, Retina IPS LCD
CPU	Apple A15 Bionic
Memory	4GB RAM
Cameras	12 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS (rear) 7 MP, f/2.2 (front)
Storage	64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Operating system	iOS 15
Battery	2018 mAh, 20W wired
Dimensions	138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm, 144 g

The new iPhone SE (aka the iPhone SE 3, released in 2022) is one of the best-value iPhones ever made. While it looks seriously old-fashioned by today’s standards thanks to its home button and thick bezels, it more than makes up for it on the inside — despite costing less than half the price of the iPhone 13, it’s still rocking the same incredibly powerful A15 Bionic processor.

If you prefer dinkier screens for easy one-handed use, then its 4.7in LCD display (sadly not OLED) will be an absolute joy to use, banishing over-stretched thumbs for good. If you don’t mind the fact that it’s only got a single camera, smaller battery, and no Face ID smarts, then this should definitely be a consideration for Apple fans on a budget. Is it the best mid-range smartphone on sale? No siree – but it is the best mid-range Apple one.

• Best iPhone: every Apple phone compared

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3. Nothing Phone 2

Nothing Phone 2 specs
Screen	6.7in, 2410×1080 OLED w/ 120Hz
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 octa-core
Memory	8/12GB RAM
Cameras	50MP, f/1.9 w/ PDAF, OIS + 50MP, f/2.2 ultrawide w/autofocus rear 32MP, f/2.5 front
Storage	128/256/512GB
Operating system	Android 13 w/ NothingOS 2.0 UI
Battery	4700mAh w/ wired, wireless charging
Dimensions	162x76x8.6mm, 201g

Don’t be fooled by the see-through shell: the Nothing Phone 2 is no gimmick. Sure, the transparent design and lighting strips do plenty to catch the eye, but there’s also one of the best mid-range smartphone models on sale lurking beneath the surface.

The 6.7in OLED display punches above its weight, while the construction materials give it the feel of a more premium device. The CPU is last year’s flagship, so plenty potent: running Nothing’s minimalist take on Android 13, it operates very smoothly in day-to-day use, with no noticeable slowdowns.

Battery life is much improved over Phone 1, and while the revised rear camera hardware can’t dislodge Google as the best snapper going under £600, it still shows meaningful gains over Nothing’s debut effort. If you’re keen on a genuinely refreshing take on the affordable smartphone formula, Phone 2 should sit near the top of your list.

• Read more: Nothing Phone 2 review

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4. Google Pixel 7a

Google Pixel 7a specs
Screen	6.1in, 2400×1080 gOLED w/ 90Hz
CPU	Google Tensor G2 octa-core
Memory	8GB RAM
Cameras	64MP, f/1.9 main w/ OIS + 13MP,f/2.2 ultrawide rear 13MP, f/2.2 front
Storage	128GB
Operating system	Android 13
Battery	4385mAh w/ 18W wired, 7.5W wireless charging
Dimensions	152x73x9.0mm, 193g

The Pixel 7a might have received a price bump over its predecessor, but is still a lesson in budget-minded brilliance. It distils the two-tone styling of its premium Pixel siblings, with a metal frame and composite shell that does a convincing impression of glass. Up front, the 6.1in OLED panel is perfectly crisp and pleasingly vibrant and now benefits from a faster 90Hz refresh rate. Rivals are faster still, but scrolling is a little slicker than before.

A Tensor G2 chip inside bests almost everything in this price bracket. A Google smartphone in the purest form, it flies through Android 13 without a stutter. The same goes for its camera skills: powerful algorithms extract impressive results from the 64MP main sensor, which is even more impressive in low light than last year’s model. Autofocus is rapid, colours are well-judged and almost every still is stuffed with detail. Unless you need a telephoto, this is a heck of a lot of Android phone for your cash.

• Read more: Google Pixel 7a review

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5. Red Magic 8 Pro

Red Magic 8 Pro specs
Screen	6.8in, 2480×1116 AMOLED w/ 120Hz
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Memory	12/16GB
Cameras	50MP, f/1.8 w/ OIS + 8MP, f/2.4 ultrawide + 2MP, f/2.4 macro rear 32MP front
Storage	256/512GB
Operating system	Android 13 w/ RedMagicOS
Battery	6000mAh w/ 65W wired charging
Dimensions	164x76x8.9mm, 228g

Searching for an excellent value gaming phone? Your answer is the RedMagic 8 Pro. For a reasonable mid-range sum, you’re getting Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 power and 256GB storage, along with a seriously geeky, fit-for-purpose UI that’s perfect for gamers and tinkerers alike.

We particularly loved its large, uninterrupted near-bezel-less display in our review, along with its transparent back that offers something different from the norm. And while its camera won’t deliver best-in-class performance, it’s hard to argue with its overall features at this price — making it a great choice for the overall best mid-range smartphone as well as the best mid-ranger gaming phone.

• Read more: Red Magic Pro 8 review

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6. Motorola Moto G82

Motorola Moto G82 specs
Screen	6.6in, 2400×1080 AMOLED w/ 120Hz refresh rate
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 octa-core
Memory	6GB RAM
Cameras	50MP f/1.8 w/ PDAF, OIS + 8MP, f/2.2 ultrawide + 2MP, f/2.4 macro rear. 16MP, f/2.2 front
Storage	128GB on-board, microSD
Operating system	Android 12
Battery	5000mAh non-removable
Dimensions	161x75x8mm, 173g

Hitting the price-performance sweet spot, the Moto G82 is a welcome reminder that Motorola knows how to nail a keenly priced all-rounder. A surefire steal of a smartphone, it packs a superb OLED panel with high refresh rates, a giant 5000mAh battery and an optically stabilised 50MP main camera – all specs you’d expect to find in handsets costing a good chunk more.

It’s not the last word in performance for the money, and you can get more power for not much more cash. But Motorola’s marvellously minimalist take on Android runs bloat-free and briskly enough, while 30W charging means a full refuel in an hour. Provided you don’t need the option to record 4K video, you’re getting a lot of smartphone here for your readies.

• Read more: Motorola Moto G82 review

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7. OnePlus Nord 2T 5G

OnePlus Nord 2T 5G specs
Screen	6.43in 2400×1080 90Hz AMOLED
CPU	MediaTek Dimensity 1300
Memory	8/12GB
Cameras	128/256GB
Storage	Android 12 with OxygenOS 12
Operating system	50+8+2MP rear, 32MP front
Battery	4500mAh
Dimensions	159x73x8.2mm, 190g

The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G might have a horrifically convoluted name, but it more than makes up for it with a beautiful, premium design, bolstered by quality specs and performance in all the right places. Slathered front and back in gorilla glass, it’s available in grey or a head-turning Jade Fog finish, making it one of the best looking mid-range handsets money can buy.

Ready for super-fast 5G, it’s powered by MediaTek’s powerful Dimensity 1300 processor, which has made a name for itself as one of the best mid-range CPUs currently available. It’s got a triple-camera setup too, though its main snapper will be the one that gets the majority of the legwork done.

Throw in speedy Google, Samsung and Apple-trouncing 80W fast charging, a 90Hz AMOLED display, and a dual-SIM slot for extra flexibility, and you’ve got one of the top mid-range Android picks around.

• Read more: OnePlus Nord 2T review

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8. Poco X5 Pro

Poco X5 Pro specs
Screen	6.67in, 2400×1080 OLED w/ 120Hz
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G octa-core
Memory	8/12GB RAM
Cameras	Camera 108MP, f/1.9 main w/ PDAF, 8MP, f/2.2 ultrawide, 2MP f/2.4 macro. 16MP, f/2.5 front
Storage	128/256GB
Operating system	Android 12 w/ MIUI 14
Battery	5000mAh w/ 67W wired charging
Dimensions	163mmx76x 7.9mm, 181g

A better budget gaming phone than its forebear, with a UI that runs delightfully smoothly – not always a given when talking this sort of cash. The Poco X5 Pro is also thinner and lighter than the phone that came before, and brings back great battery life (and fast charging).

Adding 4K video recording is welcome, but there haven’t been too many meaningful updates to the camera hardware, so this isn’t the phone for photographers with tight purse strings.

The screen doesn’t get quite as bright as the X4 Pro, and the weird-feeling plastic back won’t be to all tastes. But ultimately it doesn’t make you feel like you’re compromising in too many areas, so find one at the right price and it’s still a good buy.

• Read more: Poco 5 Pro review

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9. Realme 9 Pro+

Realme 9 Pro+ specs
Screen	6.43-inch 90Hz OLED
CPU	MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G
Memory	8GB
Cameras	50MP primary (f/1.8), 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 2MP Macro (f/2.4) rear, 16MP (f/2.4) front
Storage	256GB
Operating system	Android 12
Battery	4500mAh, 60W Super DART fast charging
Dimensions	160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm, 182 g

The Realme 9 Pro+ might just be the best overall choice for most people searching for the best mid-range smartphone (unless, of course, you’re after an iPhone).

Its primary selling points are a 90Hz OLED display, and a best-in-class main camera that genuinely goes toe to toe with premium flagships come day or night. It can even shoot HEIF 10-bit photos like the iPhone 13 Pro, for smoother gradients and colours for enthusiasts to work their editing magic. Its digital zoom isn’t too shabby either, and the same goes for its 8MP ultra-wide snapper.

As usual, the third macro camera isn’t really worth using more than a few times for experimentation, but given the imaging quality elsewhere, that’s fine by us. Powerful enough for smooth gaming with 60W charging thrown in for good measure, this is one of the best mid-range handsets currently available, at a borderline budget price tag.

• Read more: Realme 9 Pro+ review

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10. Honor Magic 5 Lite

Honor Magic 5 Lite specs
Screen	6.67in, 2400×1080 OLED w/ 120Hz
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 octa-core
Memory	6GB RAM
Cameras	64MP w/ PDAF + 5MP ultrawide + 2MP macro rear 16MP front
Storage	128GB
Operating system	Android 12 w/ MagicUI 6.1
Battery	5100mAh w/ 40W wired charging
Dimensions	162x74x7.9mm, 175g

One of those phones for people who spend more time in Google Chrome than Call of Duty, the Honor Magic 5 Lite is a great-looking handset that sticks with a modestly mid-range CPU in order to go big in other areas, like its screen. A 6.67in AMOLED is a treat for the eyes, especially at 120Hz, and the 5100mAh battery is capable of excellent longevity away from the mains.

While its secondary snappers don’t add a whole lot of value, the main sensor does a decent job of justifying the price. The super slim dimensions, glass rear and choice of head-turning colours are what give the Magic 5 Lite its strongest appeal, so if you like your tech to make a design statement, it’s a great choice.

• Read more: Honor Magic 5 Lite review

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How to choose the best mid-range smartphone for you

Choosing the best mid-range smartphone is a lot like choosing the best smartphone, but if you’re reading this then you’ve already defined a budget of between $450/£450 and $650/£650. If that’s still too much money, then you should check out Stuff’s guide to the best cheap smartphones.

These smartphones tend to offer a good balance between features and affordability. You may miss out on some headline features, such as a super-zoom camera or massive OLED display, but if you want a phone that’s brilliant at the basics without anything flashy, then these are perfect for you.

As we mentioned in the introduction as well, performance shouldn’t be an issue, with mid-range processors from reputable brands like Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek performing much better than they used to.

In terms of display, you should be looking for smartphones with at least Full HD (1080p) resolution and an IPS or AMOLED panel for vibrant colours and good viewing angles.

Despite being mid-range, you can expect a decent camera with multiple lenses and sensors (although, it may not be market-leading). You can look for features like optical image stabilization (OIS) or night mode.

If you’re looking for more specific buying recommendations, then you can check out Stuff’s guides to the best smartphone for gaming, the best smartphones for photography, and the best Android phones.