HomeGuides The Best Midrange Phones You Can Buy for around the $250-500(US)/$300-700(Canada)/€200-500/£200-450/₹12,500-30,000

[APRIL 2022] The Best Midrange Phones You Can Buy for around the $250-500(US)/$300-700(Canada)/€200-500/£200-450/₹12,500-30,000

US

$250-375

Best option

The Pixel 4a is Google’s midrange offering from last year and is the only compact Android option available at this price. Since it is a year old the hardware is decidedly on the lower end of the midrange segment with a Snapdragon 730G, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage. It does however offer a 5.8-inch AMOLED panel encased in a polycarbonate unibody. Like other Pixels the single camera is reliable and consistently takes good pictures in all conditions and like the 5a retains the headphone jack. However, it also does not have expandable storage and the battery life is nothing special as the capacity is the lowest of all the phones listed in this category. Since this is a from from Google, it should be updated for two years and may even get Android 14 although that has not been confirmed yet.

Alternatives

The One 5G Ace is Motorola’s latest One series device and is the first one with 5G. A 6.7 inch Full HD+ screen is paired with a Snapdragon 750G, 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage that can be expanded via Micro SD. A massive 5000 mAh battery powers the phone. As with other Motorola phones, the One 5G Ace will work with all mainstream US carriers. Updates are another matter though, the phone may not receive an update beyond Android 11. There is a Verizon version that also supports Verizon’s mmWave frequencies.

The Nord N10 5G is the most expensive OnePlus Nord phone in North America. Like the Nord N100 and N200 it retains the Micro SD card slot and the headphone jack and the display technology is LCD. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 690 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The 4300 mAh battery can be quickly topped up via OnePlus’s 30 W warp charger. OnePlus are only promising one updaate and two years of security patches with this device. Like the other devices in this segment, it is mainly constructed out of plastic.

SummaryGoogle Pixel 4aMotorola One 5G AceOnePlus Nord N10 5G
Display size and resolution5.8-inch 2340 x 10806.7-inch 2400 x 10806.49-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 60 HzIPS LCD, 60 HzIPS LCD, 90 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm, 143 g166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm, 212 g163 x 74.7 x 9 mm, 190 g
BuildGorilla Glass 3 on the front, polycarbonate frame and backGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP52 certifiedGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and back
Operating systemAndroid 11Android 10OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12 and 13; security updates up to August 2023Android 11; security updates up to January 2023Android 11; security updates up to October 2022
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 730GQualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 690
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 1286 and 1286 and 128
Expandable storageNoYes (up to 1TB)Yes (up to 512GB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (one physical SIM and eSIM)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM
Bluetooth5.05.15.1
Primary camera12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, 77˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4μm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS48MP f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.0″, 0.8μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.72″, 0.8µm
Ultrawide8MP, f/2.2, 118°, 1.12μm8 MP, f/2.25, 119˚
Front-facing camera8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm, 84˚, 1.12μm16MP, f/2.2, 1μm16 MP, f/2.05
Battery (typical capacity) and charging3140 mAh, 18 W5000 mAh, 15 W4300 mAh, 30 W
Charger in the boxYes, 18 WYes, 10WYes, 30W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackYesYesYes
Fingerprint sensorYes (rear-facing)Yes (rear-facing)Yes (rear-facing)
NFCYesYesYes
SpeakersDualMono (bottom firing)Dual
Price$349$329$299

$375-400

Best option

The Pixel 5a is the latest midrange phone from Google and is only sold in US and Japan presumably because of the chip shortage. It is a very well-rounded device covering most if not all of the basics with its Snapdragon 765G processor, 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, 6 GB RAM, metal construction (with a grippy plastic bioresin on top) with IP67 water and dust resistance, dual SIM with 5G connectivity (one physical+an eSIM) and Full HD AMOLED display. The camera hardware might not be comparable to rival products but the image processing is the best in this segment which compensates for the hardware leading to a great camera experience. The 5a will get three years of Android version and security updates since it’s a phone developed and sold by Google and it will be first in line to get those updates. There are some drawbacks, the display is a standard 60 Hz refresh rate when many of its rivals have moved on to 90/120 Hz displays and the phone is available in one storage configuration which cannot be expanded. Additionally, the phone has a large 6.3-inch display so it may not be suitable for people who want a more compact option.

Alternatives

The OnePlus 8T is OnePlus’s flagship phone from last year and has been discounted to $499 so it qualifies as an option. The phone has high end specifications with the Snapdragon 865, 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, 12 GB RAM that is packed in a metal and glass design. Since it has the Snapdragon 865 it supports 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6. OnePlus have announced the 8T will get three years of software updates and four years of security patches but their updates are often delayed especially as the phone gets older. The camera hardware is capable but OnePlus’s image processing is not the best so the cameras aren’t great especially in dim lighting. The phone does not officially have any water or dust resistance but has the seals and protections in place as the phone is also sold through T-Mobile and the carrier version has IP68 water and dust resistance. Like the 5a, the 8T may not be suitable for people wanting a compact option as it has a large 6.55-inch display. Unlike the other options, it does not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack either. There is only one storage configuration available.

Samsung has refreshed the A50 series with meaningful upgrades this year. The additions include OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) on the main camera and the phone is now IP67 water and dust resistant. Fan favourite features like the headphone jack and expandable storage have been retained. The A52 5G has a Snapdragon 750G processor, a 120 Hz 6.5-inch AMOLED display. 6/8 GB of RAM paired with 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage. Samsung has promised three years of Android version updates and four years of Android security updates. Like the 5a and 8T, the A52 5G may not be suitable for people looking for a compact option. Additionally the performance especially on the LTE variant is not competitive with other phones in this segment and the body and frame are composed of plastic . Samsung’s skin is feature packed but also comes with multiple duplicate apps.

The G100 is Motorola’s most powerful G series phone yet with a Snapdragon 870 inside. The phone is sold in one configuration with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage (expandable via Micro SD). A headphone jack is present just like the other Moto G phones. The phone also includes Motorola’s Ready For platform that allows the use of the phone as a computer replacement on monitors and enables one to access their applications on a desktop/laptop. The rest of the package feels decidedly lower end with a 6.7-inch 90 Hz LCD encased in a plastic body. The cameras are decent but aren’t special (the main sensor lacks OIS and the ultrawide is low resolution). Motorola does not have the best reputation with updates (this phone is supposed to get two years of Android updates and security patches) and are slower to provide them. However, the software itself is pretty close to the Pixel’s UI with additional customization options.

SummaryGoogle Pixel 5aOnePlus 8TSamsung Galaxy A52 5GMotorola G100
Display size and resolution6.34-inch 2400 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 10806.5-inch 2400 x 10806.7-inch 2520 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 60 HzAMOLEDAMOLEDIPS LCD
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm, 183 g160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm, 188 g159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189 g168.4 x 73.4 x 9.7 mm, 215 g
BuildGorilla Glass 3 on the front, aluminium frame and back (covered with bioresin); IP67 certifiedGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, aluminium frame; T-Mobile version is IP68 certifiedGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP67 certifiedGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and back
Operating systemAndroid 11OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11One UI 3.1 based on Android 11MyUX based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to August 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to October 2024Android 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to April 2025Android 12 and 13; security updates up to 2023
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 765GQualcomm Snapdragon 865Qualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 870
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 12812 and 2566 and 128, 8 and 2568 and 128
Expandable storageNoNoYes (up to 1 TB)Yes (up to 1 TB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (physical SIM and eSIM)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM
Bluetooth5.05.15.05.1
Primary camera12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, 77˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4μm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.0”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.7X”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/2.0″, 0.7µm, PDAF, Laser AF
Ultrawide16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 1μm16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚, 1/3.09″, 1.0μm12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3″, 1.12μm16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚, 1/3.06″, 1.0μm
Front-facing camera8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm, 83˚, 1.12μm16 MP, f/2.4, 1/3″, 1.0μm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 0.8 μm16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm, 1.0μm (primary) + 8 MP, f/2.4, 20mm, 118˚, 1.12μm (ultrawide)
Battery (typical capacity) and charging4680 mAh, 18 W4500 mAh, 65 W4500 mAh, 25 W5000 mAh, 20 W
Charger in the boxYes, 18 WYes, 65 WYes, 15 WYes, 20 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (3.1)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (3.1)
Headphone jackYesNoYesYes
Fingerprint sensorYes (rear-facing)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)
NFCYesYesYesYes
SpeakersDualDualDualDual
Price$449$499$425$499

Canada

Best option

The S20 FE is a more affordable version of the Galaxy S20 series that brings most of the headline features such as the Snapdragon 865 processor, Samsung Dex, wireless charging (including reverse wireless charging) and an IP68 water-resistant body. A few compromises have been made to get to a lower price point, the display is now FHD+ instead of QHD+ but still refreshes at a 120 Hz, the fingerprint reader is now optical instead of ultrasonic, the cover glass is now Gorilla Glass 3 and the back of the phone is now covered by plastic instead of glass. The cameras have also been downgraded although the S20 and the S20 FE share the same primary camera and Samsung’s commitment to software updates means the phone should get updates up to October 2024. We feel this is the best package in this category as the cuts from the S20 do not make too much of a difference in the overall experience of the phone and Samsung phones have some of the best availability and are among the most widely supported.

Alternatives

The OnePlus 8T is OnePlus’s flagship phone from last year and has been discounted to $499 so it qualifies as an option. The phone has high end specifications with the Snapdragon 865, 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, 12 GB RAM that is packed in a metal and glass design. Since it has the Snapdragon 865 it supports 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6. OnePlus have announced the 8T will get three years of software updates and four years of security patches but their updates are often delayed especially as the phone gets older. The camera hardware is capable but OnePlus’s image processing is not the best so the cameras aren’t great especially in dim lighting. The phone does not officially have any water or dust resistance but has the seals and protections in place. There is only one storage configuration available.

The Pixel 4a 5G is last year’s midrange phone from Google and retains its place as its successor the 5a is only sold in US and Japan presumably because of the chip shortage. Like the 5a, It is a very well-rounded device covering most if not all of the basics with its Snapdragon 765G processor, 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage, 6 GB RAM, dual SIM with 5G connectivity (one physical+an eSIM) and Full HD AMOLED display. Unlike the Pixel 5 and the 5a the 4a 5G is not certified for water resistance. The camera hardware might not be comparable to rival products but the cameras are the same as the Pixel 5 and the 5a the image processing is the best in this segment which compensates for the hardware leading to a great camera experience. The 5a will get three years of Android version and security updates since it’s a phone developed and sold by Google and it will be first in line to get those updates. There are some drawbacks, the display is a standard 60 Hz refresh rate when many of its rivals have moved on to 90/120 Hz displays and the phone is available in one storage configuration which cannot be expanded. Additionally, the phone has a large 6.24-inch display so it may not be suitable for people who want a more compact option.

Samsung has refreshed the A50 series with meaningful upgrades this year. The additions include OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) on the main camera and the phone is now IP67 water and dust resistant. Fan favourite features like the headphone jack and expandable storage have been retained. The A52 5G has a Snapdragon 750G processor, a 120 Hz 6.5-inch AMOLED display. 6/8 GB of RAM paired with 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage. Samsung has promised three years of Android version updates and four years of Android security updates. Like the 5a and 8T, the A52 5G may not be suitable for people looking for a compact option. Additionally the performance especially on the LTE variant is not competitive with other phones in this segment and the body and frame are composed of plastic . Samsung’s skin is feature packed but also comes with multiple duplicate apps.

The Pixel 4a is Google’s midrange offering from last year and is the only compact Android option available at this price. Since it is a year old the hardware is decidedly on the lower end of the midrange segment with a Snapdragon 730G, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage. It does however offer a 5.8-inch AMOLED panel encased in a polycarbonate unibody. Like other Pixels the single camera is reliable and consistently takes good pictures in all conditions and like the 5a retains the headphone jack. However, it also does not have expandable storage and the battery life is nothing special as the capacity is the lowest of all the phones listed in this segment.

The One 5G Ace is Motorola’s latest One series device and is the first one with 5G. A 6.7 inch Full HD+ screen is paired with a Snapdragon 750G, 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage that can be expanded via Micro SD. A massive 5000 mAh battery powers the phone. As with other Motorola phones, the One 5G Ace will work with all mainstream Canadian carriers. Updates are another matter though, the phone may not receive an update beyond Android 11.

The Nord N10 5G is the most expensive OnePlus Nord phone in North America. Like the Nord N100 and N200 it retains the Micro SD card slot and the headphone jack and the display technology is LCD. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 690 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The 4300 mAh battery can be quickly topped up via OnePlus’s 30 W warp charger. OnePlus are only promising one updaate and two years of security patches with this device. Like the other devices in this segment, it is mainly constructed out of plastic.

SummarySamsung Galaxy S20 FEOnePlus 8TSamsung Galaxy A52 5GGoogle Pixel 4aMotorola One 5G AceOnePlus Nord N10 5G
Display size and resolution6.5-inch 2400 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 10806.5-inch 2400 x 10805.8-inch 2400 x 10806.7-inch 2400 x 10806.49-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 60 HzAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 60 HzIPS LCD, 60 HzIPS LCD, 60 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm, 190 g160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm, 188 g159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189 g144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm, 143 g166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm, 212 g163 x 74.7 x 9 mm, 190 g
BuildGorilla Glass 3 on the front, aluminium frame, plastic back; IP68 certifiedGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, aluminium frameGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP67 certifiedGorilla Glass 3 on the front, polycarbonate frame and backGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP52 certifiedGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and back
Operating systemOne UI 3.1 based on Android 11OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11One UI 3.1 based on Android 11Android 11Android 10OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12 and 13; security updates up to October 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to October 2024Android 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to April 2025Android 12 and 13; security updates up to August 2023Android 11; security updates up to January 2023Android 11; security updates up to October 2022
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 865Qualcomm Snapdragon 865Qualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 730GQualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 690
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 12812 and 2566 and 1286 and 1286 and 1286 and 128
Expandable storageYes (up to 1 TB)NoYes (up to 1 TB)NoYes (up to 1TB)Yes (up to 512GB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (one physical SIM and eSIM)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Single SIM
Bluetooth5.05.15.05.05.15.1
Primary camera12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.76″, 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.0”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.7X”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, 77˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4μm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS48MP f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.0″, 0.8μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.72″, 0.8µm
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123°, 1/3.0”, 1.12μm16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚, 1/3.09″, 1.0μm12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3″, 1.12μm8MP, f/2.2, 118°, 1.12μm8 MP, f/2.25, 119˚
Telephoto8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm 1/4.5”, 1.0μm, 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS
Front-facing camera32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 1/2.74″, 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, 1/3″, 1.0μm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 0.8 μm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm, 83˚, 1.12μm16MP, f/2.2, 1μm16 MP, f/2.05
Battery (typical capacity) and charging4500 mAh, 25 W (wired), 10 W (wireless), supports reverse wireless charging at 4.5 W4500 mAh, 65 W (wired)4500 mAh, 25 W (wired)3140 mAh, 18 W (wired)5000 mAh, 15 W (wired)4300 mAh, 30 W (wired)
Charger in the boxYes, 15 WYes, 65 WYes, 25 WYes, 18 WYes, 10WYes, 30W
USBType-C (3.2)Type-C (3.1)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackNoNoYesYesYesYes
Fingerprint sensorYes (in-display, optical)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (rear-facing)Yes (rear-facing)Yes (rear-facing)
NFCYesYesYesYesYesYes
SpeakersDualDualDualDualMono (bottom firing)Dual
Price$699$629$530$479$499 ($409 at Costco.$390

€200-300

Best option

The Poco F3 is the device Poco claims is the true successor to the F1 and the pricing indicates they’re positioning it that way. True to Poco’s motto of providing you the most bang for the buck; the F3 has a Snapdragon 870 chipset, 6 or 8 GB of RAM paired with 128 or 256 GB of storage. The front and back of the phone is covered by Gorilla Glass 5 but the headphone jack is absent which is disappointing considering it was highlighted as one of the key features of the F1 and the F2 Pro. Poco’s reliance on Xiaomi means they’re using the controversial MIUI skin which hasn’t exactly been well optimised for Poco branded devices.

Alternatives

The GT Master Edition is the lowest end model of the confusingly named GT lineup in Europe. This particular model has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor along with 6 or 8 of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage. There’s a choice between two materials on the back with a glass variant resembling other phones and a vegan leather variant that was designed alongside a Japanese Designer. Realme bought back the headphone jack on the GT series after removing it on the X50 series last year however the frame has been downgraded to plastic and the ultrawide has been downgraded as part of a cost-cutting exercise. The focus on speed is evident with the presence of a GT mode that is supposed to boost gaming performance.

The Note 10 Pro is the successor to the Note 9 Pro from last year. There are three major upgrades from last year’s model manly the display, build and the camera. The display is now a 120 Hz AMOLED that has enabled Redmi to cut the size of the bezels, make the phone thinner and reduce the weight from the Note 9 Pro. There is an option to get a frosted glass finish on a Redmi Note phone for the first time. The primary camera is the other area which has gotten a huge upgrade, the 64 MP GW3 sensor has been replaced with a 108 MP HM2 sensor. The other improvements are modest, the phone is now powered by a Snapdragon 732G processor instead of the 720G on last year’s model paired with 6/8 GB RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

The Motorola G60S is the newest edition to Motorola’s G series lineup. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G95 paired with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. There is a massive 6.8-inch 120 Hz IPS LCD panel on the front. A few sacrifices have been made to get to this price point, a compass is missing from the package and the display is not protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass. Motorola’s Android skin is close to Google’s version of Android.

The Mi 11 Lite is the thinnest and lightest phone in this list weighing 157g. It also has a premium build with a Gorilla Glass 5 covering on the front and back with a plastic frame in between. It is powered by a Snapdragon 732G processor along with 6/8 GB RAM and 64/128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage which is expandable via Micro SD. Unlike most of the other phones in this segment the Mi 11 Lite does not have a headphone jack

SummaryPoco F3Realme GT Master EditionRedmi Note 10 ProMotorola G60SXiaomi Mi 11 Lite
Display size and resolution6.67-inch 2400 x 10806.43-inch 2400 x 10806.67-inch 2400 x 10806.8-inch 2460 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 120 HzIPS LCD, 120 HzAMOLED, 90 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 196 g159.2 x 73.5 x 8.0/8.7 mm (plastic / vegan leather), 174/180 g (plastic/vegan leather)164.5 x 76.15 x 8.1 mm, 192 g169.61 x 75.88 x 9.6 mm, 212 g163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm, 196 g
BuildGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, plastic frameUnknown glass on the front, plastic frame, plastic / vegan leather backGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, plastic frameGorilla Glass 3, plastic frame and backGorilla Glass 5 front, plastic frame, unknown glass back
Operating systemMIUI 12 based on Android 11Realme UI 2 based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 11MyUX based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12 and 13; security updates up to March 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to August 2023Android 12 and 13; security updates up to March 2024Android 12; security updates up to September 2023Android 12 and 13; security updates up to March 2024
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 870Qualcomm Snapdragon 778GQualcomm Snapdragon 732GMediaTek Helio G95Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 128, 8 and 2566 and 128, 8 and 2566 and 64, 6 and 128, 8 and 1284 and 1286 and 64, 6 and 128, 8 and 128 (dependent on region)
Expandable storageNoNoYes (up to 512 GB)Yes (up to 1 TB)Yes (up to 512 GB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Triple card slot)2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)
Bluetooth5.15.25.05.05.1
Primary camera48 MP f/1.79, 26mm, 1/2″, 0.8μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.8, 25.3mm, 80.5˚, 1/2″, 0.7µm, PDAF108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.52″, 0.7μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2″, 0.7µm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7μm, PDAF
Ultrawide8 MP f/2.2, 15mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm8 MP f/2.2, 15.8mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm8 MP f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ 1.12 µm8 MP f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
Front-facing camera20 MP f/2.45, 1/3.4″, 0.8μm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm, 85˚, 1/2.74″, 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm16 MP f/2.25, 1.0μm16 MP, f/2.45, 25mm, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging4520 mAh, 33 W4300 mAh, 65 W5020 mAh, 33 W5000 mAh, 50 W4250 mAh, 33 W
Charger in the boxYes, 33 WYes, 65 WYes, 65 WYes, 50 WYes, 33 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackNoYesYesYesNo
Fingerprint sensorYes (side-mounted)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)
NFCYesYesYesYesYes
SpeakersDualMono (bottom-firing)DualMono (bottom-firing)Dual
Price€290-350/£275-325€300-370€250-300/£240-300€220/£220-230€230-300/£230-260

€300-400

Best option

The Galaxy A52s is a midcycle refresh of the A52 that significantly improves the processor and the overall value of the device. The phone is now powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G processor which is the newest and most capable 700 series chipset from Qualcomm. The rest of the hardware is identical to the A52 5G which means you’re getting a 120 Hz AMOLED display, 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage (RAM and storage depends on country). This is one of the only devices to have an IP67 certification in this segment in Europe (the rest being its siblings the A52, A52 5G and A72). There’s also a headphone jack which is a feature missing on many of its competitors.

Alternatives

The Nord 2 is OnePlus’s sucessor to the Nord which was a popular mid-ranger last year. The processor and the camera have gotten huge upgrades with the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 replacing the Snapdragon 765G and the two-year old IMX586 has finally been replaced with the IMX766. The Nord 2 undercuts OnePlus’s flagships by a significant amount while providing almost all of the features associated with them (including the lack of expandable storage and headphone jack). It is also the first OnePlus device to use the merged OxygenOS and ColorOS codebase which may be a positive or negative depending on the user.

The G100 is Motorola’s most powerful G series phone yet with a Snapdragon 870 inside. The phone is sold in one configuration with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage (expandable via Micro SD). A headphone jack is present just like the other Moto G phones. The phone also includes Motorola’s Ready For platform that allows the use of the phone as a computer replacement on monitors and enables one to access their applications on a desktop/laptop. The rest of the package feels decidedly lower end with a 6.7-inch 90 Hz LCD encased in a plastic body. The cameras are decent but aren’t special (the main sensor lacks OIS and the ultrawide is low resolution). Motorola does not have the best reputation with updates (this phone is supposed to get two years of Android updates and security patches) and are slower to provide them. However, the software itself is pretty close to the Pixel’s UI with additional customization options.

The 5G version of the Mi 11 Lite, this phone’s primary objective is the thin and light weight design. The Snapdragon 732G is replaced with the Snapdragon 778 or the 780. The base storage has also been upgraded to 128 GB while retaining the expandable storage slot. As with the Mi 11 Lite there’s a 6.55-inch 90 Hz 10-bit AMOLED panel at the front with a plastic frame and a glass back along with 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storages.

SummarySamsung Galaxy A52S 5GOnePlus Nord 2Motorola Moto G100Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G / Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
Display size and resolution6.5-inch 2400 x 10806.43-inch 2400 x 10806.7-inch 2520 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 90 HzIPS LCD, 90 HzAMOLED, 90 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth in mm) and weight (in grams)159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189 g159.1 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm, 189 g168.38 x 73.97 x 9.69 mm, 207 g160.53 x 75.73 x 6.81 mm, 159 g/158 g
BuildGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP67 certifiedGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, plastic frameGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and backGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame, unknown glass on the back
Operating systemOne UI 3.1 based on Android 11OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11MyUX based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 11 / MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to August 2025Android 12 and 13; security updates up to July 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to April 2023Android 12 and 13; security updates up to March 2024 / Android 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to September 2024
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 778GMediaTek Dimensity 1200 AIQualcomm Snapdragon 870Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G/Snapdragon 778
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 128, 8 and 128, 8 and 256 (dependent on country)8 and 128, 12 and 2568 and 1286 and 128, 8 and 128 (depends on region)
Expandable storageYes (up to 1 TB)NoYes (up to 1 TB)Yes (up to 1 TB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)
Bluetooth5.05.25.15.2
Primary camera64 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7X”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS50 MP, f/1.88, 24mm 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/2.0″, 0.7µm, PDAF, Laser AF64 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7μm, PDAF
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3″, 1.12μm8 MP f/2.25, 119.7˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm,16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚, 1/3.06″, 1.0μm8 MP f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
Front-facing camera32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 0.8 μm32 MP f/2.45, 26mm, 0.8μm16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm, 1.0μm (primary) + 8 MP, f/2.4, 20mm, 118˚, 1.12μm (ultrawide)20 MP, f/2.24, 27mm, 1/3.4″, 0.8µm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging4500 mAh, 25 W4500 mAh, 65 W5000 mAh, 20 W4250 mAh, 33 W
Charger in the boxYes, 15 WYes, 65 WYes, 20 WYes, 33 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (3.1)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackYesNoYesNo
Fingerprint sensorYes (in-display, optical)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)
NFCYesYesYesYes
SpeakersDualDualMono (bottom-firing)Dual
Price€380-420/£330-400€400/£400-470€380-450/£400-450€350-380/£280-300

€400-500

Best option

The A52s is still the best option at this price range despite the inclusion in the last section. It is a midcycle refresh of the A52 that significantly improves the processor and the overall value of the device. The phone is now powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G processor which is the newest and most capable 700 series chipset from Qualcomm. The rest of the hardware is identical to the A52 5G which means you’re getting a 120 Hz AMOLED display, 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage (RAM and storage depends on country). This is one of the only devices to have an IP67 certification in this segment in Europe (the rest being its siblings the A52, A52 5G and A72). There’s also a headphone jack which is a feature missing on many of its competitors

Alternatives

The Motorola Edge 20 is the successor to last year’s Motorola Edge. The name is misleading as the Edge 20 does not have a curved screen. We’ve got the typical year over year upgrades with the Snapdragon 778G replacing the Snapdragon 765G and the display now refreshes at 144 Hz instead of 90 unlike last year’s model. The device keeps the telephoto camera from last year and adds OIS to that camera however it is missing from the main camera where the 64 MP sensor of last year’s model has been upgraded to a 108 MP sensor. There are downgrades in other departments however – the headphone jack has been removed and expandable storage is no longer available.

The OnePlus 8T is OnePlus’s flagship phone from last year and has been discounted to $499 so it qualifies as an option. The phone has high end specifications with the Snapdragon 865, 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, 12 GB RAM that is packed in a metal and glass design. Since it has the Snapdragon 865 it supports 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6. OnePlus have announced the 8T will get three years of software updates and four years of security patches but their updates are often delayed especially as the phone gets older. The camera hardware is capable but OnePlus’s image processing is not the best so the cameras aren’t great especially in dim lighting. The phone does not officially have any water or dust resistance but has the seals and protections in place.

The GT is one of Realme’s flagships in the confusingly named GT lineup which consists of four other models. This particular model has the newest and fastest Qualcomm processor, the Snapdragon 888 along with 8 or 12 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage. There’s a choice between two materials on the back with a glass variant resembling other phones and a racing inspired vegan leather variant. Realme bought back the headphone jack on the GT after removing it on the X50 Pro last year however the frame has been downgraded to plastic and the ultrawide and telephoto lenses have been downgraded as part of a cost-cutting exercise. The focus on speed is evident with the presence of a GT mode that is supposed to boost gaming performance.

The Mi 10T Pro was one of Xiaomi’s flagships from last year and is now available for a reduced price. It is powered by a Snapdragon 865 processor along with 8 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of storage along with one of the largest batteries in the segment. There is a 144 Hz IPS LCD panel on the front. The Mi 10T Pro shares the Mi 10’s 108 MP primary and 13 MP ultrawide cameras. Like most other Mi series phones in 2020 and 2021, there is no headphone jack and the phone is relatively heavy at 218g.

SummarySamsung Galaxy A52sMotorola Edge 20OnePlus 8TRealme GTXiaomi Mi 10T Pro
Display size and resolution6.5-inch 2400 x 10806.7-inch 2400 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 10806.43-inch 2400 x 10806.67-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 144 HzAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 120 HzIPS LCD, 144 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189 g163 x 76 x 6.99 mm, 163 g160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm, 188 g158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 / 9.1 mm (plastic / vegan leather), 186 g / 186.5 g (glass / vegan leather)165.1 x 76.4 x 9.33 mm, 218 g
BuildGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP67 certifiedGorilla Glass 3 on the front, aluminium frame, plastic backGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, aluminium frameGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame Gorilla Glass 5 / vegan leather on the backGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, aluminium frame
Operating systemOne UI 3.1 based on Android 11MyUX based on Android 11OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11Realme UI 2 based on Android 11MIUI11 based on Android 10
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to August 2025Android 12 and 13; security updates up to August 2023Android 12 and 13; security updates up to October 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to June 2023Android 12 and 13; security updates up to October 2023
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 778GQualcomm Snapdragon 778GQualcomm Snapdragon 865Qualcomm Snapdragon 888Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 128, 8 and 128, 8 and 256 (dependent on country)8 and 1288 and 128, 12 and 2568 and 128, 12 and 2568 and 128, 8 and 256
Expandable storageYes (up to 1 TB)NoNoNoNo
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6E)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM
Bluetooth5.05.25.15.25.1
Primary camera64 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7X”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS108 MP, f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.52″, 0.7μm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, 1/2.0”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS64 MP f/1.8, 26mm, 78.6˚, 0.8μm, PDAF108 MP, f/1.85, 26mm, 1/1.33″, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3″, 1.12μm16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚, 1/3.09″, 1.0μm8 MP f/2.3, 15.7mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm, 123°, 1/3.06″, 1.12μm,
Telephoto8 MP, f/2.4, 79mm, 1/4.4″, 1.0µm, 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS
Front-facing camera32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 0.8 μm32 MP, f/2.3, 1/3.0″, 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, 1/3″, 1.0μm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm, 1/3.0”, 1.0μm20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm, 1/3.4″, 0.8μm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging4500 mAh, 25 W4000 mAh, 30 W4500 mAh, 65 W4500 mAh, 65 W5000 mAh, 33 W
Charger in the boxYes, 15 WYes, 30 WYes, 65 WYes, 65 WYes, 33 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackYesNoNoYesNo
Fingerprint sensorYes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)
NFCYesYesYesYesYes
SpeakersDualMono (bottom-firing)DualDualDual
Price€380-420/£330-400€460-500/£430€480-500/£450€450-500/£400€460-515

India

India has one of the most competitive midrange markets in the world so this part of the wiki has been divided into four subsections based on the price.

₹12,500-15,000

Best option

The Redmi Note 10S is the successor to last year’s Redmi Note 9 Pro and retains a similar spec sheet except for a few changes such as the switch to a MediaTek Helio G95, 6 GB RAM and 64/128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage with a triple card slot allowing the usage of two SIM cards and a Micro SD card simultaneously and an AMOLED display. The phone is now smaller and lightweight as a result of these changes and the design on the rear seems cleaner as the camera module has been moved from the center to the top left. MIUI on Redmi phones especially Indian variants may be buggy with advertisements in system apps.

Alternatives

The G40 Fusion ticks a lot of boxes with its specifications. It has a 6.67-inch 120 Hz IPS LCD panel, 4 or 6 GB RAM, a Snapdragon 732G and 64 or 128 GB of internal storage (expandable via Micro SD) along with a lightly skinned version of Android. Sacrifices have been made to hit the low price point though, this phone lacks a compass.

The Narzo 30 undercuts the Redmi Note 10 and Note 10S by providing a 90 Hz Full HD panel albeit of the IPS LCD kind. It is powered by a Helio G95 paired with 4/6 GB of RAM and has 64/128 GB of storage along with Micro SD card expansion as part of the triple card slot. Realme UI is generally cleaner than MIUI on Redmi phones but still has a fair share of pre-installed apps and services.

The Poco M3 5G is one of the few 5G ready devices at this price point and actually supports a decent number of 5G bands. A Dimensity 700 powers things couple with 4/6 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB UFS 2.2 storage along with Micro SD card expansion as part of the triple card slot. MIUI for Poco phones is cleaner than it is on its Redmi siblings but also has a reputation for being buggy.

SummaryRedmi Note 10SMotorola G40 FusionRealme Narzo 30Poco M3 Pro 5G
Display size and resolution6.43-inch 2400 x 10806.8-inch 2460 x 10806.5-inch 2400 x 10806.5-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 60 HzIPS LCD, 120 HzIPS LCD, 90 HzIPS LCD, 90 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight160.46 x 74.5 x 8.29 mm, 178.8 g169.6 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm, 225 g162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm, 192 g161.81 x 75.34 x 8.92 mm, 190 g
BuildGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and backUnknown glass on the front, plastic frame and backUnknown glass on the front, plastic frame and backGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and back
Operating systemMIUI 12.5 based on Android 11MyUX based on Android 11Realme UI 2 based on Android 11MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12; security updates up to May 2024Android 12; security updates up to May 2023Android 12; security updates up to May 2023Android 12; security updates up to May 2024
CPUMediaTek Helio G95Qualcomm Snapdragon 732GMediaTek Helio G95MediaTek Dimensity 700
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 64, 6 and 1284 and 64, 6 and 1284 and 64, 6 and 64, 6 and 1284 and 64, 6 and 128
Expandable storageYes (up to 512 GB)Yes (up to 1 TB)Yes (up to 256 GB)Yes (up to 1 TB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Triple card slot)2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Triple card slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)
Bluetooth5.15.05.05.0
Primary camera64 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7μm, PDAF64 MP f/1.7, 0.7μm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 79˚, 1/2.0”, 0.8μm, PDAF
Ultrawide8 MP f/2.2, 118˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm,8 MP f/2.2, 118˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
Front-facing camera13 MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06″, 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.2, 1µm16 MP, f/2.1, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 77.8˚, 1.12µm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging5000 mAh, 33 W6000 mAh, 20 W5000 mAh, 30 W5000 mAh, 18 W
Charger in the boxYes, 33 WYes, 20 WYes, 30 WYes, 22.5 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackYesYesYesYes
Fingerprint sensorYes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)
SpeakersDualMono (bottom-firing)Mono (bottom-firing)Mono (bottom-firing)
Price₹15,000-17,000₹14,500-16,500₹13,500-15,500₹14,500-16,500

Note: The Poco M3 Pro and the Redmi Note 10T 5G are the same phone so the Redmi Note 10T may be considered if the Poco is unavailable. The Narzo 30 5G also shares similarities with phones and could be an option for people who prefer Realme UI to MIUI.

₹15,000-20,000

Best option

The Indian edition of the Redmi Note 10 Pro gets a 64 MP Samsung GW3 sensor instead of the 108 MP HM2 sensor found on the international variant (which is renamed as the Pro Max for India). The rest of the specifications are the same meaning you get a Snapdragon 732G processor, 6 or 8 GB of RAM paired with 128 GB of storage and a triple card slot allowing you to use two SIM cards and a Micro SD card simaltaneously. This is the cheapest device with a 120 Hz AMOLED panel in India. The phone has a relatively premium build with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and the back with a plastic frame in between.

Alternatives

  • Samsung Galaxy M51 and 2. Samsung Galaxy F62 – Manufacturer’s spec sheet (M51F62), GSMArena spec sheet (M51F62)

The Galaxy M51 and F62 are for people who value battery life the most with the M51 being the battery champion with its massive 7000 mAh battery.

The Galaxy M51 is for people who value battery life the most with the M51 being the battery champion with its massive 7000 mAh battery paired with a power efficient Snapdragon 730G processor with 128 GB of UFS 2.1 storage and 6/8 GB of RAM. Most of Samsung’s M series phones run a stripped-down version of One UI and the M51 is no exception in that regard. The F62 has a faster processor and gets the Full One UI experience and is a great gaming phone due to its Exynos 9825 SoC and 7000 mAh battery. It is aavailable with 128 GB of UFS 3.0 storage and 6/8 GB of RAM.

The Poco X3 Pro may be the best option for gamers in a phone costing under 25,000. It is powered by a Snapdragon 860 chipset paired with 6/8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage (expandable via Micro SD card).

The Narzo 30 Pro is our pick for a 5G capable phone in this subsection. It has a Dimensity 800U chipset paired with 6/8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage (expandable) along with a 120 Hz IPS LCD panel. We have chosen this over the Realme X7 since the X7 does not have a headphone jack or expandable storage.

SummaryRedmi Note 10 Pro/Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy M51 / Samsung Galaxy F62Poco X3 ProRealme Narzo 30 Pro 5G
Display size and resolution6.67-inch 2400 x 10806.7-inch 2400 x 10806.67-inch 2400 x 10806.5-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 60 HzIPS LCD, 120 HzIPS LCD, 120 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight164.5 x 76.15 x 8.1 mm, 192 g163.9 x 76.3 x 9.5 mm, 213 g (M51) / 218g (F62)165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm, 213 g162.2 x 75.1 x 9.1 mm, 194 g
BuildGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, plastic frameGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and backGorilla Glass 6 on the front, plastic frame and backGorilla Glass 3 on the front, plastic frame and back
Operating systemMIUI 12 based on Android 11OneUI core based on Android 10 / OneUI 3.1 based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 11Realme UI 2 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12; security updates up to March 2024Android 11 and 12; security updates up to September 2024 (M51) / Android 12 and 13; security updates up to February 2025 (F62)Android 12; security updates up to March 2024Android 12; security updates up to March 2023
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 732GQualcomm Snapdragon 730G (M51) / Samsung Exynos 9825 (F62)Qualcomm Snapdragon 860MediaTek Dimensity 800U
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 128, 8 and 1286 and 128, 8 and 1286 and 128, 8 and 1286 and 64, 8 and 128
Expandable storageYes (up to 512 GB)Yes (up to 1 TB)Yes (up to 1 TB)Yes (up to 256 GB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Triple card slot)2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Triple card slot)2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)
Bluetooth5.05.05.05.1
Primary camera64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7μm, PDAF (Redmi Note 10 Pro) / 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.52″, 0.7μm, PDAF (Redmi Note 10 Pro Max)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.73″, 0.8µm, PDAF48 MP f/1.79, 26mm, 1/2.0″, 0.8μm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/2″, 0.8µm, PDAF
Ultrawide8 MP f/2.2, 118˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 1/3.1″, 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 119˚, 1μm8 MP f/2.3, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
Front-facing camera16 MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, 1/2.8″, 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 1/3.4″, 0.8μm16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm, 1/3.09″, 1.0µm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging5020 mAh, 33 W7000 mAh, 25 W5160 mAh, 33 W5000 mAh, 30 W
Charger in the boxYes, 33 WYes, 15 WYes, 33 WYes, 30 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackYesYesYesYes
Fingerprint sensorYes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)
NFCNoYesNoNo
SpeakersDualMono (bottom-firing)DualMono (bottom-firing)
Price₹18,000-22,000₹20,000-22,000 (M51) / ₹18,000-20,000 (F62)₹17,000-19,000₹17,000-19,000

₹20,000-25,000

Best option

The Edge 20 Fusion is the cheapest and most affordable model in the Edge 20 series and retains some of the features found on the more expensive phones such as the 10-bit 90 Hz AMOLED panel and Motorola’s Ready For platform. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 800U processor paired with 6 or 8 GB or RAM and 128/256 GB storage. Unlike the other Edge 20 models, the Edge 20 Fusion retains the headphone jack and has a Micro SD card slot for expandable storage. However, the phone has a hybrid SIM tray so one has to choose between a second SIM or the Micro SD card. Additionally, the phone has NFC and supports 20+ LTE and 13 5G bands thus making it a good option for international travelers. Motorola’s MyUX software is similar to Google’s version of Android in look and feel but Motorola haven’t been the best at updating the phone long term.

Alternatives

The Nord CE is the cheapest OnePlus device available in India and the only one to offer a headphone jack. It is technically 5G compatible but only supports 1 band of 5G so it should be treated as a 4G phone for the most part. It has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with 90 Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 750G processor coupled with 6/8 GB RAM and 128/256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

The Mi 10i is powered by the same Snapdragon 750G as the Nord CE and like the Nord CE only supports two bands of 5G so it may not be the most future proof device. The 750G is paired with 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage (expandable via Micro SD) and 6/8 GB RAM. The Mi 10i uses the HM2 sensor(also used in the Edge 20 Fusion) as its primary camera

The Mi 11 Lite is the thinnest and lightest phone in this list weighing 157g. It also has the most premium build with a Gorilla Glass 5 covering on the front and back with a plastic frame in between. It is powered by a Snapdragon 732G processor along with 6/8 GB RAM and 64/128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage which is expandable via Micro SD. Unlike the other phones in this segment the Mi 11 Lite does not have a headphone jack

SummaryMotorola Edge 20 FusionOnePlus Nord CEXiaomi Mi 10iXiaomi Mi 11 Lite
Display size and resolution6.7-inch 2400 x 10806.43-inch 2400 x 10806.67-inch 2400 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 90 HzAMOLED, 90 HzIPS LCD, 120 HzAMOLED, 90 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight166 x 76 x 8.3 mm, 185 g159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm, 170 g165.38 x 76.8 x 9 mm, 214.5 g160.53 x 75.73 x 6.81 mm, 157 g
BuildUnknown glass on the front, plastic frame and backUnknown glass on the front, plastic frame and backGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, plastic frameGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame, unknown glass on the back
Operating systemMyUX based on Android 11Oxygen OS 11 based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 10MIUI 12 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12 and 13; security updates up to August 2023Android 12 and 13; security updates up to June 2024Android 11; security updates up to January 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to March 2024
CPUMediaTek Dimensity 800UQualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 750GQualcomm Snapdragon 732G
RAM and storage (in GB)6 and 128, 8 and 1286 and 128, 8 and 128, 8 and 2566 and 128, 8 and 1286 and 64, 8 and 128
Expandable storageYes (up to 1 TB)NoYes (up to 512 GB)Yes (up to 512 GB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)
Bluetooth5.05.15.15.1
Primary camera108 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52″, 0.7μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 1/2″, 0.7µm, PDAF108 MP, f/1.75, 26mm, 1/1.52″, 0.7μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7μm, PDAF
Ultrawide8 MP f/2.2, 118˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.3, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm, 119˚8 MP f/2.2, 120˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm8 MP f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm
Front-facing camera32 MP, f/2.25, 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.5, 1/3.0″, 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.45, 25mm, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.45, 25mm, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging5000 mAh, 30 W4500 mAh, 30 W4820 mAh, 33 W4250 mAh, 33 W
Charger in the boxYes, 30 WYes, 30 WYes, 30 WYes, 30 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackYesYesYesNo
Fingerprint sensorYes (side-mounted)Yes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)
NFCYesYesNoNo
SpeakersMono (bottom-firing)Mono (bottom-firing)DualDual
Price₹21,500-23,000₹23,000-28,000₹22,000-24,000₹22,000-24,000

₹25,000-30,000

Best option

The Nord 2 is excellent value in India and is probably the best option under ₹30,000. It is the successor to the Nord which was a popular mid-ranger last year. The processor and the camera have gotten huge upgrades with the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 replacing the Snapdragon 765G and the two-year old IMX586 has finally been replaced with the IMX766 (with OIS). The Nord 2 undercuts OnePlus’s flagships by a significant amount while providing almost all of the features associated with them (including the lack of expandable storage and headphone jack). It is also the first OnePlus device to use the merged OxygenOS and ColorOS codebase which may be a positive or negative depending on the user. It is our top pick as it can be bought from online and offline retailers whereas some of the other phones like the Moto Edge 20 and Edge 20 Lite are only available via flash sales at the moment. The 90 Hz display may be a bit of a shortcoming when the competition provides 120 Hz at the same price point.

Alternatives

The Edge 20 is Motorola’s re-entry into the premium midrange segment of the Indian market. It Is powered by a Snapdragon 778 and is the only phone in this segment that offers a proper telephoto camera available in a slim package that is 6.99 mm thin and 163g light. The display is the highlight of this phone as it has a 10-bit 144 Hz AMOLED panel with 576 Hz touch sampling rate. The primary camera is 108 MP sensor which does not have OIS. The Edge 20 is only available in one storage configuration (with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage) and is currently being sold via flash sales on Flipkart so availability isn’t the best.

Xiaomi did not sell the 5G version of the Mi 11 Lite in India presumably because of the chip shortage so they were quick to announce the release of the 11 Lite NE which does away with the Mi branding. As with the Mi 11 Lite, this phone’s primary objective is the thin and light weight design. The Snapdragon 732G is replaced with the Snapdragon 778. The storage has also been upgraded to 128 GB while retaining the expandable storage slot. Additionally, there is a variant with 8 GB of RAM. Unlike other Xiaomi 5G phones, the 11 Lite NE supports 12 5G bands so it should be future-proof. This is also the first Xiaomi branded device in India that will get three Android updates and four years of security updates.

The Mi 11X is the Indian variant of the phone that is also known as the Poco F3 or the Redmi K40 but there are a few cutbacks on this variant that aren’t present on the others as it is only available with 128 GB of storage, lacks NFC and has limited support for LTE and 5G with 6 LTE bands and 2 5G bands. The rest of the package is similar to the F3 with a Snapdragon 870 and 6/8 GB RAM paired with 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The A52 is not as powerful as the M52 or the F62 and does not possess the endurance of the F62 or M51 but compensates with a body that is IP67 water and dust resistant. It is also one of the few options offering optical image stabilization at this price-point. Since this is an A series device, it gets the full One UI experience and will also get three years of software updates and four years of security updates. Additionally, it can be purchased offline.

SummaryOnePlus Nord 2Motorola Edge 20Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NEXiaomi Mi 11XSamsung Galaxy A52
Display size and resolution6.43-inch 2400 x 10806.7-inch 2400 x 10806.55-inch 2400 x 10806.67-inch 2400 x 10806.5-inch 2400 x 1080
Display type and refresh rateAMOLED, 90 HzAMOLED, 144 HzAMOLED, 90 HzAMOLED, 120 HzAMOLED, 120 Hz
Dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight159.1 x 73.3 x 8.2/8.3 (glass / vegan leather) mm, 189/184 g163 x 76 x 6.99 mm, 163 g160.53 x 75.73 x 6.81 mm, 159 g/158 g159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 196 g159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm, 189 g
BuildGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 / vegan leather on the backGorilla Glass 3 on the front, aluminium frame, plastic backGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame, unknown glass on the backGorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, plastic frameGorilla Glass 5 on the front, plastic frame and back; IP67 certified
Operating systemOxygenOS 11 based on Android 11MyUX based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 11 / MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11MIUI 12 based on Android 11One UI 3.1 based on Android 11
Scheduled updatesAndroid 12 and 13; security updates up to July 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to August 2023Android 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to September 2024Android 12 and 13; security updates up to March 2024Android 12, 13 and 14; security updates up to August 2025
CPUMediaTek Dimensity 1200 AIQualcomm Snapdragon 778GQualcomm Snapdragon 780G/Snapdragon 778Qualcomm Snapdragon 870Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
RAM and storage (in GB)8 and 128, 12 and 2568 and 1286 and 128, 8 and 128 (depends on region)6 and 128, 8 and 1286 and 128, 8 and 128
Expandable storageNoNoYes (up to 1 TB)NoYes (up to 1 TB)
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz + 6GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6E)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Supports Wi-Fi 6)2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Cellular Connectivity2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)2G, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G (sub-6); Dual SIM2G, 3G and 4G LTE; Dual SIM (Hybrid slot)
Bluetooth5.25.25.25.15.0
Primary camera50 MP, f/1.88, 24mm 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS108 MP, f/1.9, 24mm, 1/1.52″, 0.7μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.79, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7μm, PDAF48 MP f/1.79, 26mm, 1/2″, 0.8μm, PDAF64 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7X”, 0.8μm, PDAF, OIS
Ultrawide8 MP f/2.25, 119.7˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm,16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 119˚, 1/3.06″, 1.0µm8 MP f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm8 MP f/2.2, 15mm, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3″, 1.12μm
Telephoto8 MP, f/2.4, 79mm, 1/4.4″, 1.0µm, 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS
Front-facing camera32 MP f/2.45, 26mm, 0.8μm32 MP, f/2.3, 1/3.0″, 0.7µm20 MP, f/2.24, 27mm, 1/3.4″, 0.8µm20 MP f/2.45, 1/3.4″, 0.8μm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 0.8 μm
Battery (typical capacity) and charging4500 mAh, 65 W4000 mAh, 30 W4250 mAh, 33 W4520 mAh, 33 W4500 mAh, 25 W
Charger in the boxYes, 65 WYes, 30 WYes, 33 WYes, 33 WYes, 15 W
USBType-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)Type-C (2.0)
Headphone jackNoNoNoNoYes
Fingerprint sensorYes (in-display, optical)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (side-mounted)Yes (in-display, optical)
NFCYesYesYesNoYes
SpeakersDualMono (bottom-firing)DualDualDual
Price₹27,000-35,000₹30,000₹27,000-30,000₹30,000-32,000₹27,500-29,000

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