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Top-end flagship smartphones may offer dazzling features, such as blistering performance, unrivalled cameras, and even foldable screens, but these kind of features can come at a crippling price. There’s still plenty of value to be had in the mid-range sector of the market, and in this article we’ve compiled a list of the very best ones you should consider.
The mid-range market has also grown massively in recent years, bringing with it a large diversity of handsets for many different customers. Major smartphone brands including Apple, Samsung, and Google have joined the game, offering eminently affordable alternatives for those who want a flagship feature or two without that off-putting price — and we expect even more to be unveiled shortly, at MWC 2022 and beyond.
Generally speaking, mid-range phones usually fall within the £400 to £750 (or $400 to $800) range, making them very a rather tempting choice to those customers otherwise horrified at the handful of £1000+ phones we’ve seen launch over the last few years – although you’ve got to bear in mind that there are usually a couple of compromises that have been made in to justify the smaller price tag.
In this list, you’ll find all of the best mid-range phones we’ve tried out this year along with links to our full, in-depth reviews so that you can read in greater detail the rigourous tests we’ve put them through.
If price isn’t such a concern and you’d actually prefer to compare the best flagship phones, you’ll want to check out our best phones guide. If your budget doesn’t stretch as far as the devices listed below, you can head over to our best cheap phones page to find the most affordable handsets we’d recommend right now.
How we test
Learn more about how we test mobile phones Every phone we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, screen accuracy, battery life, performance and camera prowess. These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real world checks, such as how much battery it loses per hour streaming video. We also make sure to use every phone we review as our primary handset for at least 4 days to ensure our review is as accurate as possible. You can see a more detailed breakdown of our testing methodology in our how we test phones guide.
Pixel 6
A cheaper alternative to the Pixel 6 Pro
Pros
So many great software featuresNice array of coloursStrong camera hardware for the price
Cons
Some jank in the softwareThe display lacks the 120Hz refresh rate of many similarly priced rivalsA couple of odd design choices
The Pixel 6 is the Google’s newest mid-range phone and a more affordable alternative to the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
The phone is the first from the company powered by its own Tensor chipset, offering major improvements in AI and machine learning over previous Pixels to enable new features like auto-translations built into the phone.
The phone features a new three-tone design sure to stand out in a crowd, a 6.4-inch display and is the first device to run Android 12 out of the box so you know its got the latest software on board.
On the back on the phone, there’s a dual camera made up of a 50-megapixel (f/1.85) wide angle lens and a 12-megapixel (f/2.2) ultra-wide angle lens backed up by Google’s advanced photo-processing algorithms, along with new photography features like the Magic Eraser, Real Tone and Face Unblur.
However, unlike the flagship Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 6 does not include a 120Hz display or a third telephoto lens for zooming in close to your subject.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full review: Google Pixel 6 Review
OnePlus 9
A flagship phone for less
Pros
Well calibrated screen that’s perfect for gamers and movie fansSolid camera with an advanced pro mode for tinkerers Outstanding, future proof performance
Cons
Lack of variable refresh rate means the screen eats up battery in its highest settingCamera’s image processing can be a little heavy handed
If you’re a power user that desperately wants a flagship phone, but can’t afford to spend over $1000 then the OnePlus 9 is the best option at the moment.It features all the key trappings you’d expect from a flagship. Highlights include 5G connectivity, top of the line internal components plus a few exclusive extras that put it a cut above its arch-rival, the Galaxy S21, during our tests.The biggest are its improved Hasselblad camera setup. Built in partnership with the iconic camera brand the OnePlus 9’s rear camera beats the Galaxy S21 when it comes to color reproduction and features a more useful secondary ultrawide sensor, which is great if you regularly shoot landscape shots.It’s also one of the fastest charging phones we’ve reviewed. During our tests its Warp Charge tech let the phone go from zero to 100 percent charge in less than 30 minutes, which is seriously impressive.The only slight downside is that, unlike the Galaxy S21, the phone’s 120Hz AMOLED screen doesn’t feature a variable refresh rate. This means it offers slightly shorter battery life than we’d like if you set the screen to its highest settings.Read our full OnePlus 9 reviewBuy now at Appliances Direct, £629Buy now at John Lewis & Partners, £629
Asus Zenfone 8
The best small Android phone around
Pros
Great size for those who find Android phones bigImpressive speedLovely screenImpressive value
Cons
Can get hot when gamingNo telephoto cameraNo wireless charging
The Asus Zenfone 8 sets itself apart from other phones on this list by being both a small device and one that packs plenty of power.The size is far more comparable to the iPhone 12 with the 5.9-inch display and thanks to some software tweaks you can use the phone well with just one hand.Where the Zenfone 8 stands above other smaller devices, like the Pixel 5, is in the internals. Here you’ve got a flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset (with 5G), up to 16GB RAM and 30w charging. The screen can also ramp up to 120Hz – the Pixel 5 is stuck at 90Hz.It might be small, but Asus has still managed to fit in a pair of stereo front-firing speakers and a 3.5mm port for your wired headphones.Not all is perfect, though. There’s no wireless charging and the lack of a zoom camera means versatility in photography is limited when compared to some other phones on this list. It can get a little when gaming, too. Read our full Asus Zenfone 8 review
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
The best mid-range Samsung Galaxy phone
Pros
Snapdragon 865 in the UKLovely 120Hz panelAvailable in a nice array of colours
Cons
Secondary cameras aren’t great
£699 might be pushing the definition of mid-range, but with flagship devices costing twice this these days, it can sometimes put more affordable phones into context. A good example of this is the Galaxy S20 FE, which Samsung crammed many of its 2020 flagship features into without making too many sacrifices. The highlights here include an attractive 120Hz OLED flat panel offering punchy colours and deep blacks, 6GB of fast RAM and 128GB storage. You’ll also find a triple camera array on the rear of the device, which is headlined by an excellent 12-megapixel camera capable of capturing bright, detailed and intensely colourful photos. Through testing, we found it more than good enough for taking photos for use on social media and video-calling over Zoom. However, we’d still say the Pixel series offers the very best camera experience in this price bracket. Samsung has also included plenty of features that are often ditched at this price, including Qi charging, an IP68 water-resistance rating and expandable storage.The real star of the show here is the Snapdragon 865 chipset (there’s also a 4G Exynos 990 version available for £100 less), which not only gives the FE better performance than other European versions of last year’s S20, but superior battery life, too. There’s 5G support to boot – although, as we found during testing, unless you live in an area with 5G coverage, the latter isn’t a huge selling point.Finally, there’s the FE’s design, which is fairly similar to Samsung’s current Galaxy S21. It’s built of tough plastic rather than glass. But using it as my everyday phone, I found the matte finish attractive – and, unlike most plastic-backed phones, it wasn’t a magnet for fingerprints. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is also available in a range of eye-catching colours, including a deep blue and striking red.
It’s also worth noting that we expect the Galaxy S21 FE to launch this year, so it may be worth holding out for that launch if you like the sound of Samsung’s more affordable S Series line. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S20 FE reviewBuy now at BuyMobiles, £26 p/m, £39 upfrontBuy now at BuyMobiles, £23 p/m, £99.99 upfront
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
A great all-rounder with 5G
Pros
Great screen5GLong battery lifeYears of software updatesOIS makes the camera better
Cons
Basic designPoor secondary cameras
At £399 (no current US price available), the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is one of the cheaper options on this list and is a great pick if you want to save a bit more money without sacrificing too many features.The star of the show here is the 6.5-inch OLED display which, like some of the pricier phones around, has a quick 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive gaming. You’ll notice that quick screen constantly, as it just makes the phone feel a lot smoother than you’d expect.It’s a quality panel in other ways too. The OLED tech gives you inky blacks and vivid colours, while the 1080p resolution is more than sharp enough. There’s no proper HDR support, but the bright screen still looks great for watching Netflix on.Inside the phone you’ll find a Snapdragon 750G chipset paired with 6 or 8GB RAM. This is a slower chipset than many phones on this list in terms of benchmarks and overall performance, however we found it more than capable of handling day-to-day tasks and gaming. You’ve got 128GB storage too, and a slot for expansion – something you won’t find on the Galaxy S21.Another impressive feature is battery life, which we found easily lasted through the day and then some. It’s a 4500mAh cell and charges up via an included 15w charger.On the back of the phone you’ll find a good main 64MP camera with OIS (optical image stabilisation) along with a couple of less impressive secondary cameras and an adequate 32MP selfie camera.There aren’t too many sacrifices here. You get an IP rated body, various colour options and Samsung promises three years of security updates. The design is a bit basic though, and it’s very much made out of plastic.Read our full Samsung Galaxy A52 5G reviewBuy now at BuyMobiles, £21 p/m, £29.99 upfrontBuy now at Appliances Direct, £379
Google Pixel 4a
A mix of the 4a and 5
Pros
Great camera that’s the same as the Pixel 5Bigger display than the Pixel 5Decent performance and 5G
Cons
Design a bit blandThe Pixel 5 packs in more features for not much more money
Sitting bang in the middle of Google’s 2020 range of Pixel phones is the 4a 5G. It’s very much a mixture of the 4a and 5 models, combining the design of the former with the camera and 5G support of the latter.It’s the biggest of the Pixels, too, coming with a 6.2-inch display. This OLED panel looks great, even if we do wish it had a 90Hz refresh rate. It’s missing wireless charging too, and an IP rating which are two features often missed at this price. Other specs include a 765G Snapdragon chipset, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It runs Android 11.Battery life during testing was good, but it’s the dual camera that really shines. It’s the same unit as included in Pixel 5, which means in tests it proved capable of taking super-detailed shots in all manner of conditions, including low light. If camera is your main focus then this should be very high on your list, especially if you don’t want to spend more on the Pixel 5.Read our full Google Pixel 4a 5G reviewBuy now at Appliances Direct, £449.97Buy now at Amazon, £478.99
iPhone SE 2
A fast and cheaper iPhone
Pros
Excellent performanceGood cameras for most peopleGreat software that won’t confuse non-techies
The iPhone SE 2 is a simple device. It looks very much like the iPhone 7 or 8, but it has the internals of the newer iPhones. It’s fast, packs a good camera and okay battery life.What really sets this phone apart from other handsets on this list is its size. This is a small phone, whose screen we found was atypically easy to use one-handed during testing.The SE 2 comes with a physical Touch ID home button, too. Other features worth noting include an IP67 rating, wireless charging and it’s available in an eye-catching red colour, too.If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone and your budget is less than £500, this really is your only choice if you’re looking new. Of course, there’s also the iPhone 12 Mini available for £699 – however the smaller size might put some off.Read our full iPhone SE 2 reviewBuy now at Mobile Phones Direct, £21 pm, £29.99 upfrontBuy now at BuyMobiles, £23 pm, £39 upfront
Motorola Edge 20 Pro
A 5x periscope zoom camera for under £700
Pros
5x zoom camera is rare at this levelSolid outdoor display brightnessGood general and gaming performance
Cons
Mono speakerMain camera lags behind the best a littleMore powerful phones at available at the price
In our review, reviewer Andrew Williams calls the Motorola Edge 20 Pro the “most expensive Motorola phone most of you should consider buying” and there’s a reason for that.
The phone features a slim design, a bright display and is powered by the Snapdragon 870 5G processor, a tweaked version of last year’s Snapdragon 865 that offers fast performance and can handle gaming.
The highlight here is the triple camera array, which consists of a 108-megapixel wide angle lens, a 16-megapixel ultra-wide angle lens and an 8-megapixel periscope zoom lens. The latter lens is particularly impressive, offering 5x optical zoom at an affordable price, but the main camera falls behind some rivals.
The battery is smaller than average, but nevertheless offers a decent amount of battery life despite its size.
Reviewer: Andrew Williams
Full review: Motorola Edge 20 Pro Review
ZTE Axon 30 Ultra
Packed with high-end features
Pros
Great screenCapable, versatile camerasFast charging
Cons
No long-term software supportSoftware lacks some polishCamera processing isn’t up there with the best
The ZTE Axon 30 Ultra is the Chinese manufacturer’s attempt at creating a mid-range “ultra” phone and it offers a competitive range of features.
These include a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a speedy 144Hz refresh rate and Qualcomm’s high-end Snapdragon 888 5G chip commonly found inside more flagship Android phones.
Triple camera array consisting of two 64-megapixel sensors – a main sensor and an ultra-wide sensor – and an 8-megapixel periscope zoom lens. There’s a wide array of shooting modes and colour reproduction is strong, but some photos can come out overly sharpened
The battery life is decent and the inclusion of 65W fast charging and a fast charger in the box means you can charge the phone to 70% in as little as 30 minutes.
The main disadvantage here is the software, which lacks some polish and doesn’t appear to be supported with long-term updates, meaning the phone may not hold its resale value.
Reviewer: Sean Cameron
Full review: ZTE Axon 30 Ultra Review
FAQs
How much does a mid-range phone cost? The team at Trusted Reviews defines mid-range smartphones as any handset costing between $400-$800 (£400-£750). We raised our definition last year, following a gradual rise in prices in the top end of the market. Are mid-range phones good? Over the last few years the mid-range phone market has blossomed, with key companies including Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo and Samsung creating mid-range handsets with features traditionally reserved for flagship devices. Recent highlights have included 5G connectivity, high refresh rate screens and improved rear camera sensors. The team of experts at Trusted Reviews recommend most users consider a mid-range smartphone before investing in a flagship as a result. Are there 5G mid-range phones? 5G is an increasingly common site in the mid-range market with Samsung, Oppo, Motorola, OnePlus and Google having mid-range phones supporting the connectivity.
Comparison Specifications
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Rear Camera
Front Camera
Video Recording
IP rating
Battery
Wirless charging
Fast Charging
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Resolution
HDR
Refresh Rate
Ports
Chipset
RAM
Colours
Bin capacity
Google Pixel 4a
£349
$349
€499
CA$479
AU$599
5.81 Inches
128GB
12.2MP
8MP
Yes
No
3140 mAh
–
Yes
69.4 x 144 x 8.2 MM
143 G
B08F7ZM2G4
Android 11
Aug-20
03/08/2020
G025J
2340 x 1080
Yes
60 Hz
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C
Snapdragon 730G
6GB
Black, Blue (limited edition)
litres
iPhone SE 2
£419
$399
€489
–
AU$749
Apple
4.7 Inches
128GB, 256GB, 64GB
12MP
7MP
Yes
IP67
1821 mAh
Yes
Yes
67.3 x 7.3 x 138.4 MM
148 G
–
iOS
April 2020
01/05/2020
–
750 x 1334
Yes
60 Hz
Lightning Connector
A13 Bionic chip Third‑generation Neural Engine
3GB
Black, White, Red
–
OnePlus 9
£629
$729
€699
–
AU$940
OnePlus
6.55 Inches
128GB, 256GB
48MP + 50MP + 2MP
16MP
Yes
No
4500 mAh
Yes
Yes
74.2 x 160 x 8.7 MM
192 G
B08V1QNZW3
Android 11 with Oxygen OS
March 2021
23/03/2021
–
1080 x 2400
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C 3.1
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
12GB, 8GB
White Mist, Artic Sky, Astral Black
litres
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
£399
–
–
–
–
Samsung
6.5 Inches
128GB
64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP
32MP
Yes
IP67
4500 mAh
–
Yes
75.1 x 159.9 x 8.4 MM
189 G
B08TCDK8Y2
Android 11 with OneUI
Mar-21
26/03/2021
SM-A526B
1080 x 2400
–
120 Hz
Headphone jack
Snapdragon 750 5G
6GB, 8GB
Purple, Black, Blue, White
litres
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
£599
–
–
–
–
Samsung
6.5 Inches
128GB, 256GB
12MP, 8MP, 12MP
32 MP
Yes
IP68
3956 mAh
Yes
Yes
69.1 x 7.9 x 151.7 MM
163 G
–
Android
October 2020
07/10/2020
–
3200 x 1440
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C
Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
6GB, 8GB
Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Navy, Cloud White, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange
–
ZTE Axon 30 Ultra
£649
$749
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
ZTE Corporation
6.67 inches
128GB, 256GB, 1TB
64MP + 64MP + 8MP + 64MP
16MP
Yes
No
4600 mAh
–
Yes
73 x 8 x 161 MM
188 G
–
Android 11
2021
05/07/2021
A2022P
1080 x 2400
Yes
144 Hz
USB-C
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
16GB, 8GB
Black, White, Blue, Brow
–
Pixel 6
£599
$599
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
6.4 inches
128GB, 256GB
50 MP
8 MP
Yes
IP68
4614 mAh
Yes
Yes
2.9 x 0.4 x 6.2 INCHES
207 G
–
Android 12
2021
15/10/2021
–
1080 x 2400
Yes
90 Hz
USB-C
Google Tensor
8GB
Stormy Black, Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral
–
Motorola Edge 20 Pro
£649
–
–
–
–
Motorola
6.7 inches
256GB
108/16/8MP
32MP
Yes
No
4500 mAh
–
Yes
76 x 8 x 163 MM
190 G
–
Android 11
2021
24/08/2021
–
2400 x 1080
Yes
144 Hz
USB-C
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
12GB
–
–
Asus Zenfone 8
£599
–
€599
–
–
Asus
5.9 inches
128GB, 256GB
64MP + 12MP
12MP
Yes
IP68
4000 mAh
–
Yes
68.5 x 8.9 x 148 MM
169 G
–
Android 11
120521
12/05/2021
–
2400 x 1080
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C, 3.5mm headphone
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
12GB, 16GB, 8GB
Black and Silver
–
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