Sitting in between those two extremes are the mid-rangers, all-rounders that give off a premium-like experience for much less upfront cost. This is a vast category that\u2019s surprisingly complex. It\u2019s broad and can arguably contain phones priced anywhere between the \u00a3250 and \u00a3600 mark, typically when bought outright and unlocked.<\/p>\n
Jump to<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Luckily, due to the broad mid-range category, there\u2019s a lot of options for both brand and budget. Here are some tips on how to choose the right model for you.<\/p>\n Still unsure which model to go for? Don\u2019t worry \u2013 we have got you covered. Our expert reviewers have tested a variety of handsets in this popular category \u2013 at a range of prices. So here are the best mid-range smartphones that you can buy in 2021.<\/p>\n Best mid-range iOS experience\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features<\/strong><\/p>\n At just under \u00a3400, the second-generation iPhone SE is the best option if you want an iOS experience without paying a premium for a newer model such as the iPhone 12. Released in 2020, the 4.7-inch SE has an older design, weaker battery life and a slightly more dated screen \u2013 but it retains many of the key iOS features, such as Siri, iMessage and FaceTime. We found the camera setup to be pretty good, too.<\/p>\n As our expert tester, Natalya Paul, wrote in our in-depth Apple iPhone SE (2nd gen) review<\/a>: \u201cThe SE (2nd gen) is a smaller and more basic version of the 2020 iPhone line-up. It comes with many of the same features, but for a fraction of the price.\u201d<\/p>\n Buy the Apple iPhone SE (2nd gen) SIM-free:<\/strong><\/p>\n Best mid-range Android experience<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features<\/strong><\/p>\n There are multiple handsets in the current Google Pixel range \u2013 the Pixel 4a (From \u00a3349), the Pixel 4a 5G (from \u00a3499) and the flagship Pixel 5 (from \u00a3599). In terms of the best mid-range, you will be more than safe with either the 4a or 4a 5G \u2013 and we are only choosing the 5G variant as it\u2019s slightly more futureproof. The camera is stunning, and the phone has great update support, solid battery life and a large screen. With the Google Pixel 6<\/a> incoming this year, the 4a 5G may be about to get cheaper.<\/p>\n As we wrote in our full Google Pixel 4a 5G review<\/a>: \u201c[It] is a good alternative to\u2026 the Samsung Galaxy S21. It takes excellent photos, is powerful enough for most people, isn\u2019t too large or heavy and has a bigger screen than the Pixel 5 or Pixel 4a.\u201d<\/p>\n Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G\u00a0SIM-free:<\/strong><\/p>\n Best mid-range all-rounder<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features<\/strong><\/p>\n OnePlus made its name with so-called flagship killers, and the OnePlus Nord CE is a 5G-enabled phone that offers a premium feel for well under \u00a3500. The 6.43-inch\u00a0 OLED screen has a 90HZ refresh rate for smooth scrolling, while the 4500mAh battery capacity will easily keep you going through the day. It\u2019s not perfect, however, and we deducted some points in our OnePlus Nord CE 5G review<\/a> for its plastic construction and it being more expensive than some key rivals. For a more premium mid-range experience, we advise looking in the direction of the fantastic OnePlus 8T 5G<\/a>.<\/p>\n Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G SIM-free:<\/strong><\/p>\n Great budget option<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features<\/strong><\/p>\n The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro will certainly be one of the smartphones that skim along the edge between budget and mid-range, coming in at around \u00a3250. There\u2019s a lot we loved about the handset during our hands-on testing, including the large OLED screen, a premium glass back, solid cameras and two-day battery life. It doesn\u2019t have 5G, but this is a great option if budget is your main priority. If you want to spend slightly more cash for 5G, consider the \u00a3345 Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G<\/a>.<\/p>\n But as we noted in our full Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro review<\/a>: \u201cThe [handset] is almost certainly one of the best value phones of 2021. If you are a demanding phone buyer who wants as much for your cash as possible, you can\u2019t do much better.\u201d<\/p>\n Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro SIM-free:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best affordable 5G mid-range<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Poco F3 5G, which is from a sub-brand of top Chinese phone maker Xiaomi, has a fantastic variety of top-end features that would be just as suited to a much more expensive handset: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G processor, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4520mAh battery, an AI-powered triple camera setup and Dolby Atmos dual speakers. It comes in three colours, but we recommend either the black or white versions to avoid the larger Poco branding that is found on the \u201cdeep ocean blue\u201d model. Regardless of colour, it\u2019s still a great mid-range smartphone for the price.<\/p>\n In our guide to the best Android phone<\/a>, we praised the POCO F3 5G as being the best option for sheer value, specifically loving its strong gaming performance and top quality screen. As we wrote: \u201cThis phone is something of a money-saving maverick.\u201d<\/p>\n Buy the POCO F3 5G SIM-free:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best mid-range phone by Oppo<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features<\/strong><\/p>\n The Find X3 Lite 5G from Oppo, a brand that is owned by Chinese tech giant BBK Electronics, which also oversees OnePlus and Realme, is a great Android phone for under \u00a3400. It not only has 5G but also boasts a 90 Hz refresh rate, fast charging, a quad-camera set-up, a glass back frame and a nice 6.4 inch AMOLED screen. The only big aspects missing are water or dust resistance and wireless charging.<\/p>\n As we noted in our Oppo Find X3 Lite 5G review<\/a>: \u201cAs part of Oppo\u2019s flagship series, we were expecting a lot\u2026 And while it doesn\u2019t have the bells and whistles of the Pro model, it is a solid smartphone that delivers well on everything it offers.\u201d<\/p>\n Buy the Oppo Find X3 Lite 5G SIM-free:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Best for mid-range power specs\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Key features<\/strong><\/p>\n While Motorola offers a wide range of smartphones that are typically on the more affordable side of the spectrum, the G100 actually stands out as a bit of a beast. At a little over \u00a3400, it runs on Android 11, has a strong Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G chipset, a large 5000mAh battery and boasts a 64 MP triple camera setup. The 6.7\u2033 display has a 90Hz refresh rate \u2013 great for web browsing and gaming. In the UK, the Moto g100 comes with a \u201cReady for\u201d stand \u2013 intended for added productivity as it can help the smartphone to be hooked up to an external monitor and keyboard.<\/p>\n Due to its powerful specs, we awarded the Moto g100 the title of \u201cbest for gaming\u201d in our buyer\u2019s guide to the best Motorola phones<\/a>.<\/p>\n Buy the Motorola Moto g100 SIM-free:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n For the latest news, reviews and deals, check out the RadioTimes.com Technology<\/a> section. Shopping for a handset? Read our guide to the best smartphone<\/a> of the year. Don\u2019t miss the tech deals during Black Friday 2021<\/a> and Cyber Monday 2021<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nHow to choose the best mid-range phone<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best mid-range phones at a glance\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Best mid-range phones in 2021<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Apple iPhone SE (2nd gen)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""Walid\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/iPhone-SE-ce67923.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Apple\\"")
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Google Pixel 4a 5G\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""Google\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/Pixel-4a-5G-b8563b6.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Google\\""){kind=tracking}
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OnePlus Nord CE 5G\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""OnePlus\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/06\/Nord-CE-5g-1-72ffd54.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Nord-CE-5g-1\"\\"")
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""Note\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/Note-10-Pro-3a31fc9.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Note\\"")
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POCO F3 5G<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""POCO\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/Poco-F3-5G-86837bd.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"POCO\\"")
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Oppo Find X3 Lite 5G<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""Oppo\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/Oppo-Find-X3-Lite-5G-1cd979b.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Oppo\\"")
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Motorola Moto g100<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\""Moto\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2021\/08\/Moto-g100-fecd6cb.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Moto\\"")
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