The perfect midrange smartphone for 2026

Gone are the times during which you wanted to lay our a fortune to get smartphone. In 2026, options as soon as unique to high-end smartphones – massive batteries, multi-camera arrays, excessive refresh charge OLED shows and extra – have made their means all the way down to extra reasonably priced fashions. Sure, you’ll nonetheless want to purchase a flagship smartphone to get one of the best digital camera or quickest processor, however you do not have to make almost as many compromises as you as soon as did in case you have a strict funds to stick to whenever you buy groceries on your subsequent smartphone. If in case you have lower than $600 to spend, allow us to assist you determine what options to prioritize when looking for one of the best midrange smartphone.

Desk of contents

Greatest midrange telephones for 2026

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel 9a review

The Pixel 9a is not particularly flashy and it would not have any particular options that are not already out there on its costlier siblings. In reality, it truly has slower charging speeds and it is lacking assist for a few of Google’s homegrown software program just like the Screenshots app. However for everybody who simply desires a easy telephone with a stable design, a pleasant AMOLED show, wonderful digital camera high quality and robust battery life, the Pixel 9a is de facto laborious to beat. It handles low gentle photographs impressively nicely for a telephone at this midrange worth, and Google’s good AI options improve each the primary digital camera and modifying expertise. So whereas it is not tremendous fancy, the telephone has all of its most vital bases coated (after which some). However most significantly, beginning at simply $499, this telephone seems like an unbelievable deal that punches nicely above its worth level. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter

Execs

Glossy design
Superior battery life
Good show
Nice cameras
IP68 score for mud and water resistance

Cons

Charging may very well be sooner
No Pixel Screenshot app
Macro Focus mode could be a bit finicky

$399 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 16e review

The iPhone 16e is nearer in specs to the iPhone 16 than the iPhone SE was to the iPhone 13. And that makes selecting which iPhone to purchase tougher than ever. Must you save $200 and quit a twin digital camera system, Dynamic Island, Digicam Management and MagSafe? That relies upon largely in your priorities and funds.

Whereas I believe that anybody who can afford the worth distinction ought to go for the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16e, I can’t deny that that is Apple’s greatest entry-level iPhone to this point. It has an Motion button, USB-C, a bigger, brighter display screen and an A18 CPU that allows Apple Intelligence. My largest issues with it are limitations introduced on by its single rear digital camera setup — issues like not having the ability to seize ultrawide photographs or Portrait mode not working if there isn’t a face within the scene. In the event you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, it’s best to contemplate whether or not the improved digital camera high quality is price giving up an ultrawide digital camera for. Whether it is, and should you can reside with out snapping portraits of objects and faceless objects, the iPhone 16e’s selfie digital camera will probably be satisfying.

There are different components to contemplate, like whether or not you often use MagSafe equipment or wi-fi charging. In the event you do, then the iPhone 16e will frustrate you because it doesn’t work with the magnetic attachment system (you may get a MagSafe case to treatment this) and prices at a slower pace than the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (however there’s no repair for this). You possibly can contemplate the $699 iPhone 15 for a greater digital camera and wi-fi charging expertise, however you’ll be giving up Apple Intelligence and an Motion button. — Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor

Execs

Strong efficiency
Lengthy battery life
Clear, sturdy design
Shiny, vibrant display screen

Cons

Just one rear digital camera, resulting in many limitations
Costly in comparison with earlier iPhone SE
No MagSafe

$599 at Apple

Nothing

Display measurement: 6.77 inches | Storage capability: 256GB | SIM kind: Nano-SIM + eSIM | Entrance digital camera decision: 50MP | Rear digital camera decision: 50MP most important, 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | Weight: 7.44 ounces

Learn our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

If you’d like one thing completely different out of your subsequent telephone, there are few if any gadgets on the market just like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass again that evokes the design of previous Sport Boys, permitting you to see a few of its inside elements, together with the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s additionally probably the greatest offers within the business, due to a compelling mixture of options. The Telephone 3a sports activities a brilliant 6.77-inch AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh charge. It additionally comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 CPU and a 3x periscope telephoto digital camera — a standout characteristic at this midrange worth. That final characteristic is one thing that’s tough to search out within the 3a Professional’s worth level, particularly in North America. The digital camera system additionally performs higher than anticipated in low gentle and helps helpful AI options for enhanced images.

Execs

Enjoyable design
Massive 120Hz AMOLED display screen
Clear however customizable Android pores and skin

Cons

Restricted US guarantee
No wi-fi charging
Tinny audio system

$459 at Amazon

OnePlus

When it first got here out, the Nord N30 had mainly the whole lot you can need in a telephone that value $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers sturdy efficiency together with speedy wi-fi connectivity that’s suitable with all the massive US carriers, to not point out good specs together with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It additionally has an enormous 6.7-inch show with a 120Hz refresh charge, which is uncommon on a funds telephone as most rivals characteristic slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. The show isn’t AMOLED, so you might discover deeper bezels and barely decrease distinction, but it surely’s nonetheless a stable display screen. And due to its 50-watt wired charging speeds, you may prime it up rapidly, too. However most significantly, the Nord 30 lately bought a worth drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably whole lot and our prime decide on this area.

Execs

Good efficiency for the worth
120Hz show
50W wired charging

$273 at Amazon

What’s a midrange telephone?

Whereas the time period steadily seems in articles and movies, there isn’t an agreed-upon definition for “midrange” past a telephone that isn’t a flagship or an entry-level possibility. Most of our suggestions value between $400 and $600 — any much less and it’s best to anticipate important compromises. If in case you have extra to spend, you may as nicely contemplate flagships just like the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 in order for you one of the best smartphone expertise. Units like Pixel telephones usually sit on this worth vary too, providing a few of the greatest worth for Android consumers.

What to contemplate earlier than shopping for a midrange smartphone

Shopping for a brand new gadget might be intimidating, however just a few questions may help information you thru the method. First: what platform do you wish to use? If the reply is iOS, that narrows your choices down to precisely one telephone. (Fortunately, it’s nice.) And should you’re an Android fan, there’s no scarcity of compelling choices. Each platforms have their strengths, so that you shouldn’t rule both out.

In fact, additionally contemplate how a lot you’re comfy spending. Even rising your funds by $100 extra can get you a dramatically higher product. Furthermore, producers are inclined to assist their costlier gadgets for longer with software program updates and safety updates, so it’s price shopping for one thing towards the highest restrict of what you may afford.

Having an concept of your priorities will assist inform your funds. Would you like an extended battery life or quick charging? Do you worth speedy efficiency above all else? Or would you want the absolute best cameras with excessive megapixel counts? Whereas they proceed to enhance yearly, even one of the best midrange smartphones nonetheless demand some compromises, and understanding what’s vital to you’ll make selecting one simpler.

What gained’t you get from a midrange smartphone?

Yearly, the road between midrange and flagship telephones blurs as extra upmarket options and capabilities trickle all the way down to extra reasonably priced fashions. When Engadget first revealed this information in 2020, it was tough to discover a $500 telephone with waterproofing and 5G. In 2026, the largest factor you may miss out on is wi-fi charging – and even then, that’s turning into much less true.

One factor your new telephone most likely gained’t include is an influence adapter; many corporations have stopped together with chargers with all of their smartphones. Efficiency has improved lately, however can nonetheless be hit and miss as most midrange telephones use slower processors that may battle with multitasking. Fortunately, their digital camera techniques have improved dramatically, and you may sometimes anticipate a minimum of a dual-lens system on most midrange smartphones beneath $600 with first rate digital camera high quality, selfie efficiency and software program assist to maintain issues working easily for years to come back..

Midrange smartphone FAQs

How lengthy do midrange telephones get software program updates?

Assist varies by model, however most midrange telephones obtain round three to 5 years of software program and safety updates. Apple tends to assist iPhones longer whereas corporations like Google and Samsung now promise a number of years of Android and safety patches for his or her midrange fashions. Price range-focused manufacturers may supply much less so it’s price checking the replace coverage before you purchase.

Are midrange telephones good for gaming?

Sure, many midrange telephones deal with gaming nicely, particularly in style titles like Fortnite, Genshin Influence and Name of Obligation Cellular. They often embody succesful processors, although you gained’t at all times get the smoothest efficiency in probably the most demanding cell video games or at max settings. In the event you play casually or persist with much less graphically intensive titles a midrange telephone will really feel greater than enough.

Georgie Peru contributed to this report.

Trending Merchandise