Tech gurus may create all the hype around cutting-edge flagship phones but it’s the vast midrange segment that keeps this industry’s cash registers flowing.
This is the reason why Google released a cut-price Pixel 8a a few weeks ago despite dominating headlines with its AI-enhanced Pixel 8 Pro last year. Similar to its arch-rival Samsung, Google wants to lure the demanding midrange smartphone buyer into its ecosystem. However, Samsung isn’t the only name that Google has to worry about. The midrange segment is already full of compelling choices from various brands and you as a consumer will be spoilt for choice.
From the lower fringes of this segment, we have devices like the Nothing Phone (2a) with its glamorous styling whereas, towards the higher end, we have something like the iQOO 12 that delivers cutting-edge specifications on par with a 2024 flagship. The variety doesn’t stop there though.
Shutterbugs are pampered by phones like the Vivo V30 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus. Then there’s the flagship Samsung Galaxy S23 from the bygone year that still stays relevant in this competitive segment with its lower price. If you are lucky enough, you might even find a couple of folding phones, too (although we recommend avoiding them, owing to the dated specifications and durability concerns).
While we are familiar with the concept of “the more the merrier,” we also know that choosing the right phone isn’t always an easy decision. Hence, we sat down to sort out and list the latest and best midrange phones that you can buy in 2024.
We have taken into consideration various factors including budget, purpose and the user experience you could expect.
Hence, without wasting another breath, let’s dive into our extensive list.
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Best midrange smartphones in 2024
Google Pixel 8a
Price: SGD 799
Being the latest entrant in this category, the Google Pixel 8a brings a lot of excitement into this segment with its flagship-inspired advanced generative AI features and a mega promise of software updates for the next seven years.
You get the same Tensor G3 chip as the Pixel 8 but compromises are made elsewhere. A 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display, a 4,400mAh battery, a 64-megapixel main rear camera and a plastic rear panel are the areas where you compromise. The price is towards the higher side but the user experience it promises is unmatched for a midrange smartphone.
iQOO 12
Price: SGD 799
If generative AI is not your thing, then the iQOO 12 is easily the next best thing, especially for those who fancy raw processing performance over everything else. The iQOO 12 is the most affordable gaming smartphone featuring the mighty Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Other key highlights include a 6.7-inch 144Hz OLED display with a peak brightness rating of 3,000 nits and a well-tuned triple rear camera system with a dedicated periscope lens shooter for portraits.
The icing on the cake is the 120W wired fast-charging solution promising to fill up the battery in under 20 minutes!
Samsung Galaxy S23
Price: N/A
Samsung’s 2023 flagship is now selling for surprisingly low prices and as a result, makes for a great feature-packed and premium midrange experience. The Galaxy S23 is based on the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset but the rest of its features are almost identical to the latest Galaxy S24. You even get all of Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI features from the Galaxy S24 series.
The Galaxy S23 also flaunts a premium build quality that no other smartphone in this category can match.
Vivo V30 Pro
Price: SGD 699
The Vivo V30 Pro is one of the most affordable smartphones to feature Zeiss-branded optics. Vivo borrows the Zeiss filters and enhancements from its flagship smartphones and pairs them with an Aura ring light for a complete photographer package in this midrange segment.
In fact, the triple rear camera system consists of three 50-megapixel sensors! It also gets a 50-megapixel front camera with an Eye autofocus system. The phone is based on the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 5G chipset and features a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with curved edges and a 5,000mAh battery.
OnePlus 12R
Price: SGD 909
The OnePlus 12R is another great choice for performance seekers in the midrange segment. The more accessible price gets you only a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a set of mediocre cameras but the rest of the package is nothing short of impressive. You get a nice 6.7-inch curved edge OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 100W wired charging solution that looks after a massive 5,500mAh battery.
Overall, this is a good phone for mobile gamers.
Samsung Galaxy S23FE
Price: SGD 997
Going down the price ladder, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 FE is another decent pick in the midrange category. Based on the Exynos 2200 platform, the Galaxy S23 FE brings a familiar user experience as the standard Galaxy S23. You get a 120Hz refresh rate OLED display, a versatile triple rear camera system and a decent battery backup.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI package extends the benefits of generative AI to the masses and promises to deliver four Android OS upgrades.
Apple iPhone 12
Price: N/A
The iPhone 12 is almost four years old and despite its age, it continues to be a good smartphone in the midrange segment. The A14 Bionic was the first Apple chip to support 5G connectivity and made a reputation for delivering good performance.
Its dual 12-megapixel rear cameras offer a great optical setup for videographers and budding photographers. The Face ID system is highly convenient and the premium build quality outdoes every other Android phone in its vicinity.
The iPhone 12 should be eligible for at least three more iOS updates in its lifecycle.
Nothing Phone (2)
Price: SGD 499
The Nothing Phone (2) is dated but thanks to its tempting price tag, it still makes for a well-produced mid-range smartphone. Built around the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the Phone (2) backs its polarising semi-transparent looks with punchy performance and a clean Android experience. With two 50-megapixel cameras at the back, shutterbugs should be happy with its imaging capabilities. The battery life of around a day should do just fine for most people.
Samsung Galaxy A55
Price: SGD 618
Being the third Samsung device in this list, the Galaxy A55 5G is all about mid-range specifications packed in a premium body. The Galaxy A55 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate similar to the Galaxy S23 FE. Built around Samsung’s Exynos 1480 chipset, you can expect strictly midrange performance but Samsung’s One UI 6.1 delivers a feature-packed Android experience.
Shutterbugs will be happy to see a well-tuned 50-megapixel main rear camera and a 32-megapixel front camera for selfies.
iQOO Neo 9 Pro
Price: SGD 569
The iQOO Neo 9 Pro is another alternative to the OnePlus 12R for mobile gamers seeking an aggressive gamer-centric design. Based on the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform, the Neo 9 Pro prioritises the gaming experience with its 6.7-inch 144Hz OLED display, a 120W fast charging solution a 5,160mAh battery and a couple of advanced gaming-friendly software features. The plastic unibody construction may put off some but the lower price should make it palatable.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Price: EUR 700 (SGD 1,023 approx.)
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a beautiful midrange phone that prioritises a quality all-round user experience instead of outright raw performance. Based on a brand new Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, you are assured of great performance for all basic needs. The 6.7-inch pOLED 144Hz refresh rate display with curved edges, a dedicated telephoto camera for portraits, a 4,500mAh battery with 120W wired as well as 50W wireless charging and support for Motorola’s Gen-AI features make this phone a complete package for enthusiasts.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
Price: SGD 899
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is a feature-packed mid-range phone from Xiaomi that won’t break the bank. With a 3D curved AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass Victus protection, a 200-megapixel main camera, a 5,000mAh battery life with 120W fast charging and a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chip, you are getting a complete package here.
Xiaomi’s HyperOS experience is full of nifty features as well as nicely designed aesthetics.
Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G
Price: SGD 999
The Realme 12 Pro Plus is another great pick in the mid-range category featuring a 6.7 inch 120Hz curved display, a capable Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and a triple camera system on the back with a dedicated periscope telephoto lens that offers up to 120x digital zoom. With a 5000mAh battery and 67W fast charging, the Realme 12 Pro Plus ends up as one of the more stylish options in the midrange category.
OnePlus Nord 3
Price: SGD 699
The OnePlus Nord 3 is the quintessential midrange smartphone on sale today. The Nord 3 stands out with its bold design, a 6.7-inch 120Hz 10-bit OLED panel with razor-thin bezels, a decent dual camera system and an 80W charging system replenishing a 5,000mAh battery. The OxygenOS UI based on Android 14 offers a feature-packed yet bloatware-free user experience out of the box.
Nothing Phone (2a)
Price: SGD 1,109
If your budget allows you to be on the lower fringes of the midrange category, the Nothing Phone (2a) is another great option to consider. It loses out on a beefy chipset, wireless charging and an elaborate Glyph interface but it makes up for all that with its relatively clean Android experience, a unique design, well-tuned rear cameras and a large 120Hz OLED display.
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy OnePlus, Nothing, iQOO and Realme)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best mid-range smartphone to buy in 2024?
The Google Pixel 8a is one of the best mid-range smartphones you can buy in 2024.
– Which is the best mid-range Android phone I can buy in 2024?
The Google Pixel 8a, iQOO 12 and Samsung Galaxy S23 are some of the best mid-range Android phones you can buy in 2024.
