Gone are the days when you needed to spend a lot of money to get a good smartphone. By 2026, features that were once found in high-end smartphones – large batteries, multiple cameras, high refresh rate OLED and more – have trickled down to affordable models. Yes, you’ll still need to buy a flagship smartphone for the best camera or fastest processor, but you don’t have to make nearly as many compromises as you once did if you have a tight budget to stick to when shopping for your next smartphone. If you have less than $600 to spend, let us help you figure out which features to prioritize when trying to find the best midrange smartphone.
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The best mid-range phones of 2026
Sam Rutherford of Engadget
Screen size: 6.3 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 256GB | SIM card type: Nano SIM, eSIM | Front camera configuration: 13 MP | Rear camera configuration: 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.6 aw
Read our full Google Pixel 9 update
The Pixel 9a isn’t too flashy and doesn’t have any special features that aren’t already available in its more expensive siblings. In fact, it has slow charging speeds and lacks support for Google Home software like the Screenshots app. But for everyone who just wants a simple phone with a solid design, a great AMOLED display, excellent camera quality and solid battery life, the Pixel 9a is really hard to beat. It handles low-light shots surprisingly well for a phone at this midrange price, and Google’s smart AI features improve both the main camera and editing experience. So while it’s not the best, the phone has all of its most important bases covered (and then some). But more importantly, starting at just $499, this phone feels like an amazing deal well above its price tag. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- Smooth design
- Amazing battery life
- Great display
- Good cameras
- IP68 rating for dust and water resistance
- Charging may be faster
- There is no Pixel Screenshot app
- Macro Focus mode could be easier
$399 at Amazon
Cherlynn Low of Engadget
Read our full iPhone 16e review
Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 512GB | SIM card type: Dual eSIM | Front camera configuration: 12 MP | Rear camera configuration: 48MP Fusion main | WeightWeight: 5.88 kilograms
The iPhone 16e is closer in specs to the iPhone 16 than the iPhone SE was to the iPhone 13. And that makes choosing which iPhone to buy harder than ever. Should you save $200 and ditch the dual camera system, Dynamic Island, Camera Control and MagSafe? That really depends on your priorities and your budget.
While I think anyone who can afford the price difference should choose the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16e, I can’t deny that this is Apple’s best entry-level iPhone to date. It has an Action button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter screen and an A18 CPU that powers Apple Intelligence. My main concerns with it are the limitations brought about by its single rear camera setup – things like not being able to capture super wide shots or the Portrait mode not working when there’s no face in the scene. If you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, you should consider whether the improved camera quality is worth giving up the ultrawide camera. If so, and if you can live without taking pictures of objects and objects without faces, the selfie camera of the iPhone 16e will satisfy you.
There are other factors to consider, such as whether you use MagSafe accessories regularly or wireless charging. If you do, the iPhone 16e will frustrate you as it does not work with the magnetic attachment system (you can get a MagSafe case to fix this) and charges at a slower speed than the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (but there is no fix for this). You can consider the $699 iPhone 15 for a better camera and wireless charging experience, but you’ll be giving up Apple Intelligence and the Action button. – Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor
- Solid performance
- Long battery life
- Clean, durable design
- Bright, bright screen
- There is only one rear camera, which leads to many limitations
- It is more expensive compared to the previous iPhone SE
- No MagSafe
$599 from Apple
Nothing
Screen size: 6.77 inches | Storage capacity: 256GB | SIM type: Nano SIM + eSIM | Front camera configuration: 50 MP | Rear camera configuration: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | Weight: 7.44 aw
Read ours There are no reviews for the Phone 3a Pro
If you’re looking for something different in your next phone, there are few if any devices like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a transparent glass back that evokes the design of old Game Boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components, including the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s one of the best deals in the industry, thanks to a compelling mix of features. The Phone 3a sports a bright 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a blazingly fast Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 CPU and a 3x periscope telephoto camera – a standout feature at this mid-range price. That last feature is something that’s hard to find in the 3a Pro’s price point, especially in North America. The camera system also performs better than expected in low light and supports useful AI features for improved photography.
- Fun design
- Large 120Hz AMOLED screen
- A clean yet customizable Android skin
- US limited warranty
- No wireless charging
- Tinny speakers
$459 at Amazon
OnePlus
Screen size: 6.72 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera configuration: 16 MP | Rear camera configuration: 108MP main, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz
When it first came out, the Nord N30 basically had everything you could want in a $300 phone. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers solid performance and fast wireless connectivity that matches all major US carriers, not to mention great specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a large 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare for a budget phone as most competitors feature slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. The display isn’t AMOLED, so you might see deep bezels and a slightly lower contrast, but it’s still a solid screen. And thanks to its 50-watt cable charging speed, you can fill it up quickly, too. But most importantly, the Nord 30 has just received a price drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably good deal and our top pick in this space.
- Good performance for the price
- 120Hz display
- 50W charging cables
$273 at Amazon
What is a midrange phone?
Although the term often appears in articles and videos, there is no agreed-upon definition of “midrange” beyond a phone that is not a flagship or entry-level option. Most of our recommendations cost between $400 and $600 – or less and you should expect a big compromise. If you have more to spend, you might also consider flagships like the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 if you’re looking for the best smartphone experience. Devices like Pixel phones tend to stay in this price range, and offer the best value for Android buyers.
What you should consider before buying a midrange smartphone
Buying a new device can be intimidating, but a few questions can help guide you through the process. First: which platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, that narrows your options down to exactly one phone. (Thanks, cool.) And if you’re an Android fan, there’s no shortage of compelling options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you shouldn’t rule out either.
Of course, and think about how comfortable it is to use. Even increasing your budget by $100 more can get you a better product. In addition, manufacturers tend to support their most expensive devices for a long time with software updates and security updates, so it is worth buying something that reaches the upper limit of what you can afford.
Having an idea of your priorities will help inform your budget. Are you looking for longer battery life or faster charging? Do you value fast performance above all else? Or would you like the best cameras with high megapixel counts? While they continue to improve every year, even the best midrange smartphones still require compromises, and knowing what’s important to you will make choosing one easier.
What I won’t you get from a midrange smartphone?
Every year, the line between mid-range and flagship phones blurs as high-end features and functions trickle down to affordable models. When Engadget first published this guide in 2020, it was tricky to find a $500 phone with waterproofing and 5G. In 2026, the biggest thing you might miss is wireless charging — and even then, that’s getting less and less.
One thing your new phone probably won’t come with is a power adapter; many companies have stopped including chargers with all their smartphones. Performance has improved in recent years, but it can still be hit or miss as many mid-range phones use slow processors that can struggle to multitask. Thankfully, their camera systems have improved a lot, and you can expect at least a dual-lens system on most mid-range smartphones under $600 with decent camera quality, selfie functionality and software support to keep things running smoothly for years to come.
Midrange smartphone FAQs
How often do mid-range phones get software updates?
Support varies by brand, but most mid-range phones get about three to five years of software and security updates. Apple tends to support iPhones for a long time while companies like Google and Samsung now promise several years of Android and security patches for their mid-range models. Budget-oriented products may offer less so it’s worth checking the review policy before buying.
Are mid-range phones good for gaming?
Yes, most mid-range phones handle games well, especially popular titles like Fortnite, Genshin Impact again Call of Duty Mobile. They usually include capable processors, although you won’t always get the smoothest performance in demanding mobile games or at high settings. If you’re playing casually or sticking to less specific subjects a midrange phone will feel more than adequate.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.
