An excellent phone should not cost a fortune. In 2025, functions that are once exclusive for high-quality devices-large batteries, multi-chamber massifs, displays with a high frequency of update and much more, came to more affordable models. Of course you still have to buy Flagship smartphone To get the best camera or the fastest processor, but you no longer need to compromise if you are looking for an excellent phone at a reasonable price. If you have less than $ 600, let us help you find out what functions to prioritize when trying to find the best middle -class smartphone.
The best medium -level phones for 2025
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Screen size: 6.1 inch | Storage capacity: Up to 256 GB | Type SIM cards: Nano-Sim, for example, Front chamber resolution: 13 MP | Rear camera resolution: 64 -megapixel main, 13 -megapixelnaya Ultrawide | Weight: 6.6 ounces
Read our full Google Pixel 8a review
The Google Series pixels have long been one of the best medium -level phones on the market. With the addition of the G3 chip chip G3, Pixel 8a It supports the same powerful and universal AI functions that you get on the flagship google phones, as well as excellent cameras, a magnificent OLED -display of 120 Hz and an excellent battery life. 8A is also supplied with comforts, such as the dust IP67 and water resistance, and comfortable (but slow) wireless charging 7.5 watts. More importantly, with an initial price of $ 499, it can be one of the best transartphones in the market.
- Colorful OLED -display for 120 Hz
- Strong time of autonomous work
- Great cameras
- Great value
- Slow wireless charging
- Thick frames
Photo of Billy Steel / Endaget
Read our full iPhone 15 review
Screen size: 6.1 inch | Storage capacity: Up to 512 GB | Type SIM cards: Double Esim | Front chamber resolution: 12 MP | Rear camera resolution: 48 MP Main, 12mp Ultra Wide | Weight: 6.02 ounces
So far, Apple has not announced the new iPhone SE, your best choice for an “affordable” option from the company is iPhone 15You can save a little money by the field by buying the iPhone 14, but we do not recommend it. The iPhone 14 is based on the Lightning port for wired charging, and in 2025 your next phone is independent of how much you spend and have to have a USB-C port. It will last longer and provide greater compatibility with accessories.
In our review, we called the iPhone 15 “The most significant update for the usual iPhone in recent years.” While the overall design and display were familiar, the largest updates were in the camera and the adoption of the dynamic island. You will receive a 48-megapixel basic shooter with a quad-bearing sensor that is able to take the best pictures in bedside table. You can also use the portrait mode settings after photographing with this system, instead of choosing it before taking a picture. We have seen noticeable improvements in the photographs taken on the iPhone 15 compared to those that are taken on the iPhone 14, especially in low lighting conditions, so you get the best camera system as a whole. As for the dynamic island, this is a portable function from Pro Level iPhone, which is really useful here.
The iPhone 15 works on an Apple A16 bionic chipset, and the performance, as we expected, with a very small amount of warm cases during daily use. The smartphone has a company's branded operating time, and we saw how it lasts a little longer than in our testing. Despite the fact that we understand that $ 700 is not quite “average” price, we believe that the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE, which cost 600 and 429 dollars, respectively, represent too many compromises to cost. If you are dead to receive the iPhone, but want to spend as little as possible, the future, you will be grateful for spending additional money on the iPhone 15.
- A modernized camera
- Continuous performance
- The dynamic island is convenient
- Charging USB-C
- Outdated design
- There is no high level of indicator
- USB-C is limited
- Color is not enthusiastic
Sam Rutherford for Engadget
Screen size: 6.7 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 256 GB | Type Sim: Dual Nano-Sim | Resolution of the front chamber: 32mp | Rear camera permission: 50 MP Main, 50mp Ultrawide | Weight: 6.7 ounces
Read ours Nothing phone 2A review
If you want something different from your next phone, there are several devices such as Nothing phone 2AIt has translucent plastic, which causes the design of old game boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components, including NFC antennas. For $ 349, this is also one of the best offers in the industry due to a convincing combination of functions. The 2A phone is equipped with a bright 6.5-inch OLED display with an update of 120 Hz. It also comes with a 5000 mAh battery and a decent Speed Dimensity 7200 Pro Chipset.
If you can resist buying a new phone, nothing will announce the 3A phone in early March. As soon as we have the opportunity to check it, we will update this leadership to mention if we recommend it.
- Unique design
- Light weight
- Surprisingly good performance
- No. 5G on At & T or Verizon
- There is no wireless charging
- 256 GB storage lids
OnePlus
Screen size: 6.72 inch | Storage capacity: 128GB + Microsd | Type SIM cards: Nano-Sim | Front chamber resolution: 16 MP | Rear camera resolution: 108mp Main, 2MP Macro | Weight: 6.8 ounces
When he first came out, North N30 It was mainly everything that you could want on the phone, which cost $ 300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides strong performance along with wireless speed, which is compatible with all large American media, not to mention good characteristics, including 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. It also has a large 6.7-inch display with an update of 120 Hz, which is rarely found on a budget phone, since most competitors have slower panels for 60 Hz or 90 Hz. And thanks to your 50-watt wired charging, you can also quickly surpass it. But the most important thing is that Nord 30 recently received the price from 300 to 250 dollars, which makes it undoubtedly a good deal and our best choice in this space.
- Good performance
- Display 120 Hz
- 50 watts of wired charging
What is a mid -class phone?
Although this term often appears in articles and videos, there is no coordinated definition for the “middle class” outside the phone, which is not a flagship or entry -level option. Most of our recommendations cost from 400 to 600 dollars – less, and you should expect significant compromises. If you need to spend more, you can also think about flagships, such as Apple iPhone 16 And Samsung Galaxy S25Field
What to consider before buying a middle class smartphone
Buying a new device can be frightening, but some questions can help you go through the process. First: What platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, it narrows your options up to one phone. (Fortunately, this is great.) And if you are a fan of Android, there is no shortage of convincing options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you should not exclude.
Of course, also think about how much it is convenient for you to spend. Even an increase in your budget by $ 100 can bring you a significant product. Moreover, manufacturers, as a rule, maintain their more expensive devices longer. It is worth buying something at the upper limit of what you can afford.
The idea of your priorities will help to inform your budget. Do you want for a long time of autonomous work or fast charging? Do you value quick characteristics above all? Or do you need the best cameras? Despite the fact that they continue to improve every year, even the best smartphones of the middle class in terms of some compromises, and the knowledge of what is important to you will facilitate the choice.
What It won't Do you get from a middle class smartphone?
Every year, the line between the middle and flagship telephone is blurred, since more prestigious functions and specifications descend to more affordable models. When Engadget for the first time published this leadership in 2020, it was difficult to find a phone for $ 500 with waterproofing and 5G. In 2025, the biggest thing that you can miss is wireless charging – and even then it becomes less true.
One thing with which your new phone will probably not come, this is a power adapter; Many companies stopped, including Chargers with all their smartphones. Productivity has improved in recent years, but it can still be affected or missed, since most middle -class phones use slower processors that can fight multitasking. Fortunately, their cameras have improved significantly, and you can usually expect at least a double lens system on most medium -level smartphones below $ 600.