Top 10 Recommended Mid-Range Smartphones for 2023
In today's fast-paced digital age, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. From communication and entertainment to productivity and navigation, these pocket-sized powerhouses have revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us. As technology evolves, so do our expectations from these devices. While flagship smartphones boast cutting-edge features and jaw-dropping prices, a significant portion of consumers seeks a more practical and budget-friendly option. This is where mid-range smartphones shine.
Over the past few years, mid-range smartphones have seen a significant surge in popularity, and for good reason. Unlike their flagship counterparts that often come with a hefty price tag, mid-range smartphones strike a perfect balance between performance, features, and affordability. With advancements in technology, mid-range devices have managed to bridge the gap, offering a compelling user experience without breaking the bank.
Mid-range smartphones are now equipped with capable processors, ample RAM, and sufficient storage, delivering smooth multitasking and lag-free performance. Moreover, they come with increasingly sophisticated camera systems, vibrant displays, and long-lasting batteries, satisfying the needs of the average smartphone user without compromising on quality.
Without further ado, let's dive into our list of the best mid-range smartphones for 2023 that combine affordability with impressive performance and features. Get ready to discover the perfect companion that will not only elevate your digital experience but also fit your budget like a glove.
1. Realme 9 Pro Plus
The Realme 9 Pro Plus is a highly anticipated mid-range smartphone set to make its debut in 2022. This device boasts a sleek and modern design, featuring a large 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a high refresh rate for smooth visuals. Powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity chipset and coupled with ample RAM and storage options, the Realme 9 Pro Plus promises exceptional performance for gaming and multitasking. One of its standout features is its impressive camera setup, comprising a versatile quad-camera system with advanced AI capabilities, allowing users to capture stunning photos and videos in various conditions. Additionally, the smartphone is equipped with a substantial battery that supports fast charging technology, ensuring extended usage without frequent charging hassles. With its impressive specifications and budget-friendly pricing, the Realme 9 Pro Plus is expected to be a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.
| Realme 9 Pro Plus Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 920 MT6877T Processor |
| RAM | 6 GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB Storage |
| Front Camera | 16 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 4500 mAh Battery |
| Screen Size | 6.4 inches Super AMOLED Display |
| OS | Android v12 OS |
2. Honor Magic 5 Lite
The Honor Magic 5 Lite is a stylish and feature-rich mid-range smartphone that offers an excellent blend of performance and affordability. Sporting a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with vibrant colors and high resolution, the device provides an immersive viewing experience. Powered by a capable mid-range chipset and paired with ample RAM and storage options, the Honor Magic 5 Lite delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Its camera setup is noteworthy, consisting of a triple-lens system with AI enhancements for capturing impressive photos and videos. The device also boasts a long-lasting battery that supports fast charging, ensuring prolonged usage without frequent recharging. With its sleek design, capable specifications, and pocket-friendly price tag, the Honor Magic 5 Lite appeals to users seeking a well-rounded smartphone without compromising on features.
| Honor Magic 5 Lite Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Rear Camera | 64 MP + 5 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| Front Camera | 16 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 5100 mAh |
| Screen Size | 6.67 inches, AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| OS | Android v12 OS |
3. Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a is a highly anticipated mid-range smartphone from the tech giant, offering a premium experience at a budget-friendly price. With a 6.1-inch OLED display and a high refresh rate, the Pixel 6a promises stunning visuals and smooth scrolling. Powered by Google's custom-designed chipset and equipped with ample RAM and storage configurations, the device ensures snappy performance for everyday tasks and demanding apps. As expected from the Pixel series, the camera setup on the Pixel 6a is outstanding, featuring advanced AI enhancements for capturing breathtaking photos and videos in various lighting conditions. Additionally, Google's signature software optimizations and timely updates provide a pure Android experience. With its competitive pricing and Google's commitment to excellence, the Pixel 6a is set to be a compelling choice for users seeking a high-quality mid-range smartphone.
| Google Pixel 6a Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor Processor (5 nm) |
| RAM | 6 GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 12.2 MP + 12 MP Dual Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB Storage |
| Front Camera | 8 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 4410 mAh Battery |
| Screen Size | 6.1 inches OLED Display |
| OS | Android v12 OS |
4. Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
The POCO X5 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a striking new design, reliable gaming hardware, a large battery lasting over a day, and a good 120Hz AMOLED screen. The phone runs MIUI 14 on Android 12, which may disappoint some users as it will not receive the Android 13 update soon. The 108MP camera on the back is not as impressive as other phones with the same sensor, but it does offer 4K video capabilities. Despite its outdated software, the POCO X5 Pro still provides good overall value, making it a decent recommendation. The design stands out, particularly the POCO Yellow variant with a metallic shimmer finish, and the camera island has a cleaner layout than its predecessor.
| Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| RAM | 6GB, 8GB |
| Rear Camera | 108 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Screen Size | 6.67 inches, AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 14 for POCO |
5. OnePlus Nord 2T 5G
The OnePlus Nord 2T 5G is a mid-range smartphone and the first in the Nord series to carry the T branding. It offers a familiar design, similar to its predecessor, the Nord 2 5G, and comes with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone features the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chipset with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, providing decent performance for its price range. The camera setup includes a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP monochrome camera on the back, and a 32MP front camera. The main camera performs well in good lighting conditions but the ultra-wide camera quality is comparatively lower. The device supports 80W fast charging, but it doesn't offer a significant improvement over the previous model's 65W charging. OxygenOS 12.1 runs on top of Android 12, and while the software is stable, it lacks some customization features present in older OxygenOS versions. Overall, the Nord 2T 5G is a decent mid-range offering, but it doesn't bring substantial upgrades over its predecessor.
| OnePlus Nord 2T 5G Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 1300 MT6893 Processor |
| RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB Storage |
| Front Camera | 32 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 4500 mAh Battery |
| Screen Size | 6.43 inches AMOLED Display |
| OS | Android v12 OS |
6. iPhone SE 3 (2022)
The iPhone SE (2022) retains the beloved features of the iPhone SE (2020) like its compact and lightweight design, 4.7-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, and 12MP rear and 7MP front cameras. However, the major upgrade lies in its A15 Bionic chip, which is the same powerful processor found in the iPhone 13 lineup, surpassing even Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in Geekbench scores. This enables the iPhone SE (2022) to handle demanding tasks such as 4K video editing and gaming with ease. While it lacks some advanced features found in higher-end iPhones and its storage options are limited, it still offers remarkable performance and 5G connectivity at an affordable price, making it an attractive option for Apple enthusiasts.
| iPhone SE 3 (2022) Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic Processor |
| RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 12 MP Rear Camera |
| Storage | 64 GB Storage |
| Front Camera | 7 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 2018 mAh Battery |
| Screen Size | 4.7 inches IPS LCD Display |
| OS | iOS v15 OS |
7. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers solid performance and features for its price range. It comes with a 6.4-inch display and an octa-core processor, providing enough power for daily tasks and light gaming. The camera setup includes a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera, capturing decent photos with some oversaturation. The phone has 128GB of storage, expandable via microSD cards up to 1TB. While it faces tough competition from Google's Pixel 6A and 7A, the Galaxy A54's larger display and expandable storage make it a worthy option for those looking for a budget smartphone with good performance.
| Samsung Galaxy A54 5G Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 1380 Processor |
| RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 12 MP + 5 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB Storage |
| Front Camera | 32 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 5000 mAh Battery |
| Screen Size | 6.4 inches Super AMOLED Display |
| OS | Android v13 OS |
8. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is a mid-range smartphone with a 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED display, Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W charging. It boasts a 108MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 2MP macro lens. The phone delivers a great screen experience and impressive battery life. However, it has some downsides like an older version of Android, limited video quality, and a cluttered Android skin. Despite its strengths, it faces tough competition within Xiaomi's portfolio, particularly from the POCO X4 Pro, which offers similar specs and performance at a lower price.
| Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6GB, 8 GB |
| Rear Camera | 108 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Screen Size | 6.67 inches, Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
9. Xiaomi 12T Pro
Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 12T Pro, featuring a groundbreaking 200MP camera sensor, Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, and a large 5,000mAh battery with rapid 120W charging. The phone boasts a smooth 6.67-inch display with a high refresh rate, and it runs MIUI based on Android 12. While its camera performance is impressive, the other cameras are less notable. The design includes a plastic frame and tempered glass back, deviating from the typical metal-and-glass construction. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T Pro is a powerful flagship with some outstanding features but may not appeal to those seeking water protection or the latest Gorilla Glass technology.
| Xiaomi 12T Pro Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| RAM | 8 GB, 12 GB |
| Rear Camera | 200 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Front Camera | 20 MP |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Screen Size | 6.67 inches, AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
10. Nothing Phone (1)
The Nothing Phone 1, the second product from the London-based startup, boasts a striking design with a transparent rear glass, visible faux components, and pulsing rear lights powered by LEDs. Despite its high-profile backing, the phone is a mid-range device with a Snapdragon 778G Plus processor and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It aims to capture attention with its aesthetics while keeping the price low. The phone's performance is generally satisfactory, with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate and decent everyday usage, though gaming performance and GPU capabilities fall behind flagship devices.
| Nothing Phone (1) Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) |
| RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 50 MP Dual Rear Camera |
| Storage | 128 GB Storage |
| Front Camera | 16 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 4500 mAh Battery |
| Screen Size | 6.55 inches OLED Display |
| OS | Android v12 OS |
