If price is a consideration for your next phone, you’re in luck: as smartphone technology gets even smarter, choosing a mid-range phone no longer means you’re getting mid-range performance. The latest round of mid-range smartphone releases includes features you’d expect from flagship handsets, so you don’t have to compromise. Browse our experts’ top picks of the best mid-range phones, and match them with our excellent pay monthly deals for your next handset.
Best for durability: Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a blends classic Google design with modern refinements, making it one of the most stylish mid-range phones of 2025 so far. The slightly chunkier camera bar is gone, replaced with a sleeker, flatter rear panel that feels smooth and balanced in the hand., and reduces scratches and scrapes to the lens. The matte texture is useful on the practical side of things, enhancing your grip, but it also gives the phone a premium feel, especially when paired with soft, pastel colourways like Iris, Peony, Porcelain and Obsidian.
At just 185.9g, its lightweight and compact, with a 6.1-inch screen that’s ideal for one-handed use. Gorilla Glass 3 on the front adds durability, and the upgraded IP68 water and dust resistance rating makes the 9a more resilient to everyday wear and tear than the previous Pixel 8a. It’s a subtle evolution, but one that nails the balance between form and function, giving the Pixel 9a the edge when it comes to design. Explore more of this excellent handset with our Pixel 9a review.
- Release date: April 2025
- Dimensions: 154 x 7.3 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 185.9g
- Display size and resolution: 6.3-inch Actua display (1080 x 2424)
- OS: Android 15
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- CPU: Google Tensor G4
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: 5,100mAh
- Rear cameras: 48MP (main) + 13MP (ultrawide)
- Front camera: 13MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Matte back for extra grip and a sleek, premium feel
- New and improved camera bar design
- Integrated AI camera for simple editing with excellent results
Best for photography: Honor 200 Pro
If you’re a photography enthusiast who wants professional-looking results from your smartphone, the Honor 200 Pro is going to cut it and more. The triple rear camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, 50MP telephoto lens and 12MP ultra-wide lens, all supported by powerful AI processing to help you capture sharp, detailed shots in almost any lighting condition. Whether you're snapping portraits, landscape views or nighttime shots, the Honor 200 Pro’s camera app gives you creative control with the bonus of intuitive features and intelligent enhancements.
According to Honor, the phone’s OLED display not only helps you review your photos in crystal clear clarity but also supports eye comfort technology for longer viewing sessions without any strain – good news for gamers, as well as serial photo-editors.
The Honor 200 Pro doesn’t compromise on battery life, either. You’ll get a solid day and a half of usage, so you can keep shooting, editing and sharing all day long.
- Release date: February 2025
- Dimensions: 163.3 x 75.2 x 8.2mm
- Weight: 199g
- Display size and resolution: 6.78-inch AMOLED 2X (2700 x 1124)
- OS: Magic OS 8.0 (based on Android 14)
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB
- CPU: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- RAM: 512GB
- Battery: 5,100mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP (wide) + 50MP (telephoto) + 12MP (ultra wide)
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- OLED display
- Triple-lens camera set up
- AI-infused photography
- Stunning marbled design in Cyan and White
Best flagship features: Samsung A56 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G brings premium performance and top tier features to the mid-range market, all without the steep price tag. Packed with powerful specs, an elegant design, and intelligent features that rival Samsung’s flagship models, the A56 5G keeps the A series’ signature flair alive with a sleek finish and bold colour options.
Samsung’s latest AI smarts are on full display here, from smooth photo editing to enhanced power management. The built-in Photo Assistant offers editing suggestions in real time, while AI Image Clipper lets you effortlessly cut out subjects to create scroll-stopping visuals. Add to that a stellar triple camera system, led by an upgraded 50MP main lens – and you’ve got a device ready for stunning shots day or night, ideal for social-savvy teens and content creators alike.
- Release date: March 2025
- Dimensions: 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4mm
- Weight: 198g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display (1080 x 2340)
- OS: Android
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 256GB
- CPU: Octa-Core
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP (main) + 12MP (wide angle) + 5MP (telephoto)
- Front camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Smooth 120Hz display for fast navigation
- Smart editing tools
- Superb longevity, with up to a full day of video playback on offer
While it’s certainly not to be looked down on, the A56 has an IP67 rating, rather than the IP68 rating some of our other mid-range handsets hold. If you’re prone to accidental drops, this is something to consider, but you’ll still get an impressive water and dust resistance with the A56.
Best value: iPhone 16e
The latest iPhone release to hit the shelves, the iPhone 16e replaces the SE line as Apple’s more affordable sister product to its flagship series. A wallet friendly price tag hasn’t stopped the 16e from shining though, with a sleek, streamlined design matching the range of thoughtful, longwearing features packed into the handset.
The 16e feels durable and solid in the hand, protected by an IP68 rating. The aerospace grade aluminium frame keeps your phone safe from daily wear and tear, and Apple’s much lauded Ceramic Shield design will prevent any accidental smashes - a feature also present in their recent flagship models.
Alongside the impressive design, Apple have introduced a Fusion camera setup to the 16e, effectively merging high-resolution image capability and a 2x telephoto lens within a single 48MP sensor. We were impressed by the realistic tones and intricate detail captured, both when snapping photos, and recording in 4K video.
- Release date: February 2025
- Dimensions: 146.7x71.5x7.8mm
- Weight: 167g
- Display size and resolution: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (2523 x 1170)
- OS: iOS 18
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB
- CPU: A18 chip
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: up to 26 hours video playback
- Rear cameras: 48MP fusion camera
- Cover camera: 12MP
- IP rating: IP68
- In-built Apple Intelligence amplifies a huge range of features, from snapping photos to browsing the Internet
- Enjoy up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes, with the best battery life in an iPhone this size
- Bright, bold screen with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits
Best for battery: Motorola Edge 60 Pro
The Motorola Edge 60 Pro is a standout in the mid-range category, with aesthetic, Pantone-inspired colourways making an immediate impact. Combining reliable power with great specs and smart software, this is a great choice for users who need a stylish phone that keeps up with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle.
Motorola pull out all the stops when it comes to battery life, and the Edge 60 Pro is no exception. The Edge 60 Pro’s long-lasting 6,000mAh battery leaves even the most top-quality flagships in the dust; if you’re looking for a mid-range phone that can really go the distance, this is the one for you. It’s built for efficiency, with Motorola’s intelligent battery management features helping you stretch usage even further between charges. This handset also supports 125W Turbo Power fast charging, giving you a day’s power in just minutes. There’s even 50W wireless charging for more versatility.
- Release date: April 2025
- Dimensions: 160.69x73.06x8.24mm
- Weight: 186g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch Super HD Display (2712 x 1120)
- OS: Android 15
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 512GB
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 8350
- RAM: 12GB
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP (main) + 50MP (ultrawide) + 10MP (telephoto)
- Front camera: 50MP
- IP rating: IP69
Best for AI: Samsung S24 FE
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is a serious contender in the mid-range space this year and it’s leading the charge when it comes to integrated AI. Whether you’re editing photos, summarising notes, or just want a more intuitive everyday experience, Samsung’s latest Fan Edition puts smart features front and centre, without skimping on style or performance.
Other AI highlights like Transcript Assist and Live Translate take everyday tasks and make them smarter and smoother - perfect for teens, students, or anyone wanting a little extra help from their phone. Find out more about why we love the Galaxy S24 FE in our review.
- Release date: October 2024
- Dimensions: 162x 77.3x8mm
- Weight: 213g
- Display size and resolution: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1080 x 2340)
- OS: Android
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 128GB
- CPU: Samsung Exynos 2400e
- RAM: 8GB
- Battery: 4,700mAh
- Rear cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP
- Front camera: 10MP
- IP rating: IP68
- Fantastic suite of Galaxy AI tools, including Generative Edit, Photo Assist, Live Translate, and more
- 7 years of OS and security updates, taking you all the way to 2032
Summary
Whether you’re searching for top-of-the-range cameras or excellent battery life to see you through a full day and more, the excellent variety of mid-range phones on the market mean you can find all the features you’re after, without the price tag to match. Once you’ve chosen your new handset, find out how to use it overseas and more on the iD Mobile blog.
Mid-range phones FAQs
Mid-range handsets offer the middle ground between performance and budget. Generally speaking, they blend the most some of the most premium aspects of flagship phones with more affordable features for a balanced, high-performing phone.
Finding the right phone for you is a personal choice; if budget is a factor for you, mid-range phones can be a better option. If you’re looking for cutting-edge technology and performance however, a flagship handset is more likely to deliver.