Best Mid-range Smartphones – December 2024

What are best Mid-range smartphones right now on the market? Google is offering a lite version of their Pixed 8, phone called Pixel 8a. Samsung released a new model for A50 series, called A55. Xiaomi has Note 13 Pro Plus, 13T and Poco X6 Pro. While Nothing Tech’s Phone 2a gives his competitors a real run for their money.

Apart from the highest end, this segment of smartphones is usually the most competitive. Consumers know that in this price range they can get 90% of the features and performance of the flagship models while Mid-range phones are more then 50% cheaper then flagship counterpart.

To keep the costs down, manufacturers may cut corners on different areas of the smartphones, such as:

• Camera
• Build quality
• Software
• Flagship chipset

We’ll be taking a look at these phones today:

• Poco X6 Pro
• Google Pixed 8a
• Nothing Phone 2a
• Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
• Honor 90

POCO X6 Pro

The POCO X6 Pro, released in early 2024, is a mid-range smartphone aiming to deliver premium performance at a competitive price. It features a robust design, powerful internals, and advanced features tailored for gaming and multimedia enthusiasts.

The device boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (1220 x 2712 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate. With support for HDR10+ and a peak brightness of 1200 nits, the screen delivers vivid colors and sharp visuals, ideal for streaming and gaming. Its Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection ensures durability against scratches and minor impacts.

The POCO X6 Pro is designed with a glass front and a plastic back, providing a sturdy yet lightweight feel. At 186 grams and measuring 8.25 mm thick, it is comfortable to hold. It carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, offering a bit of durability in everyday conditions​

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra chipset, the phone excels in performance, with options for 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This setup makes it ideal for gaming, multitasking, and heavy applications. The advanced vapor chamber cooling system ensures stable performance even under extended loads.

The rear camera setup includes: 64MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for sharp and clear shots, even in low light. 8MP ultra-wide lens with a 120° field of view for expansive shots. 2MP macro lens for detailed close-ups. The selfie camera is 16MP and supports up to FullHD video recording. The main camera can record up to 4K resolution at 30fps with optical image stabilization.

Battery capacity is 5000 mAh, it supports fast 67W wired charging. If you are not an extreme gamer, battery will last you throughout the full day without issues. If it doesn’t, phone can charge from 0% to full in less then an hour which is mighty impressive.

Verdict

At this moment this phone seems to be checking all the checkboxes for users that prioritize performance over software experience. Great battery, powerful chipset and vivid screen will make consuming content a great experience. Where Xiaomi cut corners here is the camera, build quality, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker for a lot of buyers.

Pros

• Quite powerful chipset
• Great display
• Fast charging and great battery life

Cons

• Plastic frame and back
• Only IP54 certification

Nothing Phone 2a

The Nothing Phone 2a, released in March 2024, is the latest mid-range offering from the innovative Nothing brand. It carries forward the unique design language seen in its predecessors, blending transparent aesthetics with practical features like the Glyph interface. Positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to the Nothing Phone 2, it features thoughtful compromises that keep it affordable without losing its signature charm.

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display offers a 120Hz refresh rate with HDR10+ support, delivering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. Its peak brightness of 1300 nits ensures usability under direct sunlight. Symmetrical bezels and Gorilla Glass 5 protection enhance its premium feel. Although it lacks LTPO technology, its color accuracy and brightness control are impressive, with PWM dimming for comfortable low-light viewing.

The Phone 2a retains the distinctive transparent back with illuminated Glyph lights, now sporting 26 individually addressable zones. It has an IP54 rating for splash resistance and weighs a manageable 190g. Its plastic frame feels sturdy, but the transparent aesthetic sets it apart in a sea of generic designs.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset, while the Phone 2a delivers excellent mid-range performance, it’s not even close to what chipset in POCO X6 Pro delivers. Running on Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.5, the software is clean, fast, and minimalistic.

The dual rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. The front 32MP camera handles selfies with clarity. The camera system performs well in daylight, capturing detailed and vibrant shots, though low-light performance is average. It supports video recording at up to 4K30fps on the rear and 1080p60fps on the front​.

The 5000mAh battery offers reliable endurance, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. With 45W fast charging, the phone reaches 50% in just 23 minutes and 100% in about an hour. However, it lacks wireless charging.

Verdict

The Nothing Phone 2a is an excellent mid-range device, balancing performance, aesthetics, and features. Its unique design and solid hardware make it a distinctive choice in the highly competitive smartphone market. While it skips some premium features like LTPO display and wireless charging, its value proposition is strong for users looking for a stylish, dependable phone.

Props

• Unique and sleek design
• Solid perfomance
• Great software

Cons

• No wireless charging
• Not the best camera in low light
• No LTPO

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G is the latest iteration in Samsung’s popular mid-range Galaxy A series. Released in early 2024, it brings incremental updates to its predecessor, focusing on design, display quality, and long-term software support. With a premium aluminum and glass build, it targets users looking for a stylish yet affordable device.

Screen size is 6.6″, it supports 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 936 nits. Media consuming and gaming is very enjoyable experience because of the AMOLED technology and HDR10+. The only downside of this display are rather thick bezels which makes the phone look older then it’s is.

Frame is built from the alumunium, display and back of the phone is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+ which is very impressive. Durability wise, it has IP67 certification, meaning that it can survive being submerged in water for a half an hour.

Biggest issue with this phone is the perfomance, shouldn’t come as a surprise as soon as you see Exynos listed in specs. While the chipset is fine for browsing and every day use, gaming is where chipset is going to struggle unfortunately.

Triple camera setup is at the back with the main, ultra wide and the macro camera. At the front is a good 32MP sensor. Overall the camera is quite good for this price range. Images are sharp and colors are accurate.

Battery is 5000mAh, charging is on the slower side with only 25W. Also the bad thing is that the charger is not included in the box. Battery life tho is quite impressive, it will last throught the full day of use without issues.

Verdict

Definitely a phone that focuses more on sleek design, premium feel and camera then performance. Eventhough the charging speed is slower then something that for example Xiaomi offers from their offerings, it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. Software is excellent as on every Samsung device.

Pros

• Great build quality
• HDR10+ Display
• Very good battery life
• Solid camera

Cons

• Lackluster performance
• Slow charging speed
• No charger in the box

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is a feature-packed mid-range device, offering flagship-like features at an affordable price. It distinguishes itself in Xiaomi’s lineup with a premium design, excellent display, solid performance, and impressive charging speeds.

The phone features a 6.67-inch curved AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. It boasts peak brightness levels of 1800 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides durability, making the display resistant to scratches and minor drops.

With its curved edges and IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ feels premium. It weighs 204.5 grams and measures 8.9 mm in thickness.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra chipset powers the phone, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming experiences. Paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage, it delivers a seamless performance. However, it is not handling heavy gaming as well as POCO X6 PRO for example.

The triple-camera setup includes a 200MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro shooter. The main sensor delivers sharp, detailed images with accurate colors in daylight but struggles slightly in low light with noise. The ultra-wide lens performs decently but falls short in darker conditions, and the macro camera is underwhelming. The selfie camera is a 16MP sensor capable of recording up to 4K video at 30fps.

Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ supports 120W fast charging, fully recharging the device in about 30 minutes. The battery easily lasts a full day of moderate use, with lighter users potentially stretching it to two days.

Verdict

While it is a bit more pricey then A55 or Nothing Phone 2a, it delivers quite a bit for that price difference. Design and curved display give this phone a real premium feel. Charging speed is incredible, no phone on this list can’t come even close to 120W. Camera is the only aspect where it seems like the manufacturer cut corner to keep the cost down.

Pros

• Ultra fast charging speed
• Premium design
• Solid chipset
• IP68 certification

Cons

• Camera struggling in low light
• Can get hot in heavy gaming sessions

Google Pixel 8a

The Google Pixel 8a, released in 2024, offers some flagship-like features in a midrange package, priced at around $450. One of the few phones with small form factor with the screen size of just 6.1 inches. With AI-driven enhancements, strong build quality, and excellent cameras, it is a unique device in this price range.

The Pixel 8a features a 6.1-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate with incredible peak brightness of 2000 nits. It delivers sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and smooth scrolling, media consumption might not be as enjoyable as it is on larger screens.

The phone adopts a premium design, blending Gorilla Glass Victus on the front with a durable plastic back. Frame of the phone is made out of the aluminium. It feels solid in hand and is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance

Powered by the Google Tensor G3 processor, the Pixel 8a handles everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking decently. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it performs consistently well, leveraging Google’s optimized software for AI-driven features like Magic Editor and enhanced Google Assistant.

The 64MP main sensor and 13MP ultrawide deliver excellent photos, particularly in dynamic lighting and low-light conditions, thanks to Google’s computational photography. The 13MP front camera excels at selfies. AI features like Magic Editor and Best Take enhance the photography experience, allowing edits like removing distractions or swapping expressions.

The battery with very specific capacity of 4,492mAh provides solid all-day performance under moderate use. However, heavy usage might require a top-up by evening. Charging supports up to 18W wired and 7.5W wireless, which is very slow compared to any phone in this price range.

Verdict

The Pixel 8a shines with its compact size, excellent cameras, vibrant display, and intelligent AI features, making it a standout in the midrange market. However, its average battery life and slow charging speeds might deter power users.

Pros

• Solid aluminium build
• Great display
• 7 years of software updates
• Very good camera performance in all conditions

Cons

• Thick bezels
• Slow charging
• Plastic back
• No charger in the box
• Chipset tends to throttle under heavy tasks

In summary, there is a fierce competition in this price range, every manfuacturer is trying to bring something unique to the table to make it able to stand out.

You should know which are the most important things you want out of the mid range phone. Is it performance, design, camera, software? As this is mid-range, you’ll have to make some compromises or make a step up to the flagship devices.