Best mid-range phones in 2022(Good value for money)

Get top-notch devices at a bargain price.

Image credit: Adrien on u splash.com

Why spend on an over-the-top top flagship phone when you can get a quality device for half the price(and even lesser).

Good news!

We have curated and reviewed the best mid-range phones money can buy under $500. And also the best deals up for grabs.

To enable you make an informed decision, if you’re on the look out for a device that has the essentials like a decent camera, battery, display and processor.

Without needing to dig deep into your pocket.

Let’s take a look at our top picks that make the rounds. Shall we?

1) Google Pixel 5a 5g

Specs Sheets

Operating system: Android 11

Display: 6.34inches OLED display (2400 × 1080pixels), 60Hz refresh rate

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

RAM: 6GB

Internal storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 12.2MP wide and 16MP ultra -wide

Front camera: 8MP front

Water resistance: IP67 rating

Battery: 4680mAh

Check out the best deals: on Amazon and Google

Positives

· Big OLED display

· Good battery life

· 5G connectivity

· Good performance

· IP67 water and dust resistance rating

· Decent build quality

· Quality camera

Negatives

· Just 60Hz refresh rate

· No optical zoom

· No wireless charge

· There should be better system updates policy

· Limited availability

This device is one of the best in its price range, with a little sprinkle of premium features.

Also, it’s bulletproof with IP67 water and dust resistance rating which is more of a flagship spec.

It runs smoothly on a 60Hz refresh rate on 6GB RAM and you shouldn’t expect more or less; that’s for avid gamers.

And it is run by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset which is not far behind what you can find on the Goggle pixel 6 Pro.

The device ticks most of the boxes for a mid-range device and is backed up with a 4680mAh battery which is enough to see you through a day’s journey.

The Pixel 5a 5G also shines in its camera department with a 12MP main camera, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP selfie cam.

In all, it’s a phone that beats most of its peers on a $450 budget.

2)Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

Specs sheet

Operating system: Android 11

Display: 6.5inches OLED display (2400 × 1080pixels), 120Hz refresh rate

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G

RAM: 6GB

Internal storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 64MP Quad camera

Front camera: 32MP

Water resistance: IP67 rating

Battery: 4500mAh

Check out the best deals: on Amazon and Samsung

Positives

· 120Hz refresh rate

· Fine build and design

· Good security update policy

· Quality quad camera system

· IP67 water and dust resistant rating

· Long lasting battery

Negatives

· On-screen optical fingerprint is slow

· 5G is available only for Sub-6

· Less premium plastic build

· Mushy haptics

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G is virtually delivered on all fronts as far as mid-range devices are concerned.

As it is packed with loads of power with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G with enough juice from the 4500mAh battery and 5G blazing speed on top of that.

The device is supported by 6GB/8GB RAM with 128GB/256GB worth of storage respectively which guarantees a smooth software interface.

It also has a unique build(design) and a big AMOLED display with deep contrasts.

One of the biggest selling points would have to be its premium 120Hz refresh rate that ensures streamlined animations and an immersive gaming experience.

It almost hits above our $500 benchmark but makes up for this with decent specs.

Galaxy A52 5G also features a versatile camera system of 64MP main CAM, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth. Supported by a 32MP front camera.

But you shouldn’t expect it to take quality pictures like the more premium devices.

Though, you can’t go wrong with this device for a price that offers good value for money.

3) iPhone SE 2020

Image credit: unsplash

Specs sheet

Operating system: IOS 13

Display: 4.7inch LCD screen(1334 × 750pixels)

CPU: A13 Bionic chipset

RAM: 3GB

Internal storage: 64GB/ 128GB/ 256GB

Rear camera: 12MP

Front camera: 7MP

Water resistance: IP67 rating

Battery: 1821mAh

Check out the best deals: Amazon

Positives

· IP67 water resistance rating

· Superb A13 bionic chipset

· wireless charge

· Affordable iPhone

· Consistent OS updates

Negatives

· Small display with low resolution

· No camera night mode

· No headphone jack

· Big bezel

iPhone SE(2020) is a phone for anyone comfortable with a handy device, albeit with a tiny display which is in stark contrast to the big displays we’ve today even on low-end devices.

Apart from that, you will do just fine.

It has a 4.7inch LCD small display and a fingerprint with Touch I.D for authentication and the previous signature bezels upfront.

The big steal here would have to be the A13 Bionic processor which is the same as that of the iPhone 11 which costs some hundred dollars more.

That means you get the same fast performance as iPhone 11 and a processor that optimizes your every camera shot for only $399.

Also, don’t forget that this device has a wireless charging feature and would keep on receiving software updates for the next three or four years.

It’s easily your cheapest bet for an efficient iPhone device. Plus an IP67 water resistant rating which is barely found on a device within it’s price range.

There are also rumors of a new iPhone SE with 5G connectivity, and that could be well worth the wait if you’re looking to purchase the device.

4) Samsung Galaxy A32 5G

Specs Sheet

Operating system: Android 11

Display: 6.5inch LCD screen(1600 × 720pixels) and 90Hz refresh rate

CPU: Media Tek Dimensity 720 5G

RAM: 4GB/6GB/8GB

Internal storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 48MP primary CAM, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth.

Front camera: 13MP

Water resistance: IP67 rating

Check out the best deals: on Amazon and Samsung

Positives

· Great battery

· IP67 water and dust resistance rating

· 90Hz display refresh rate

· Durable battery

· Three years OS update

· Gorilla Glass 5 protection

Negatives

· Mediocre LCD display

· Average software performance

· Only 15W fast charge

The 5G LTE is beginning to trickle down to mid-range devices and would be a norm in no distant time.

Moving on

The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G lines up decent specs with little to complain about except for a mediocre display and a processor that suggests that’s it’s a mid-range device.

It has a Media Tek Dimensity 720 processor that runs on 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB RAM variants supported by 64GB or 128GB internal storage.

This ensures your apps and games would run efficiently with minimal glitches.

The Galaxy A32 5G ships with a 90Hz display that ensures smoother transitions between screens or frames and a better gaming experience.

In all, it is an affordable device packed with a good camera setup and a 5000mAh battery that should be enough for 2days running.

If you’re on a tight $300 budget, the Galaxy A32 5G should easily be your best pick.

4) Moto G Power(2021)

Specs sheet

Operating system: Android 10

Display: 6.6inches (1600 × 700pixels)

CPU: Snapdragon 662

RAM: 3GB/4GB

Internal storage: 32GB/64GB

Rear camera: 48MP primary, 2MP macro and 2MP depth

Front camera: 8MP

Water resistance: None

Battery: 5000mAh

Check out the best deals: on Amazon and Motorola

Positives

· Long lasting battery

· Affordable price

· Decent budget processor

· Big display

· Good design

Negatives

· Only one year of OS update

· Lackluster display

· No NFC

· Mediocre camera system

Moto G power(2021) as the name suggests, is a device glowing with raw power worth 5000mAh, so heavy phone users are fully backed up.

For a device under the $250 mark it cuts it on all specs which are desirable for an everyday user.

The device fairs well with a capable camera system of a 48MP primary, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor which takes crisp photos.

Though there's no 5G connectivity and it’s not guaranteed system updates for more than one year.

But if that doesn’t bother you, then you would enjoy the device.

Also, a worthy note would be the Moto G power(2020) which has similar specs apart from the camera bump on the 2021 series. This would also be a decent device on a $250 budget.

6)Motorola Moto G Stylus(2021)

Specs sheet

Operating system: Android 10

Display: 6.8 inch LCD(2400 × 1080pixels), 60Hz refresh rate

CPU: Snapdragon 678

RAM: 4GB

Internal storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth

Front camera: 16MP

Water resistance: water repellent coating

Battery: 4000mAh

Check out best deals: on Amazon and Motorola

Positives

· In-built stylus

· Decent camera

· Good budget processor

· Affordable 5G phone

Negatives

· No NFC

· Irregular software updates

· No AMOLED display

· No wireless charge

The Moto G stylus offers an affordable version of the Galaxy Note with more subtle specs.

This would be a perfect match for you, if you you’re intrigued by phones with an in -built stylus.

The 6.8inch Full HD+ resolution provides enough grounds to let your creative art flow and you can also take notes on the go.

Though wouldn’t get the same precision as the Galaxy Note’s S-pen but it makes do for a phone of its price.

In the background, it is run by a good enough Snapdragon 678 processor on 4GB RAM storage which is okay for most people.

The camera setup is almost the same as what you can find in the Moto G power but has a step down to 4000mAh battery life.

Tying everything together, if you’re into phones with in-built stylus and willing to live with an only one-year guarantee of a software update

Then there’s a lot to be desired in this device.

7)One Plus Nord10 5G

Specs sheet

Operating system: Android 11

Display: 6.49inch Full HD+ resolution(2400 × 1080pixels) with 90Hz refresh rate

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 690

RAM: 6GB

Internal storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and 2MP monochrome

Front camera: 16MP

Water resistance: None

Battery: 4300mAh

Check out the best deals: Amazon

Positives

· Cheap 5G phone

· 90Hz display

· Good battery life

· 6GB worth of RAM

Negatives

· Less capable processor than the predecessor.

· Only one year of guaranteed software update

· Monochrome lens just makes up the numbers

The budget One Plus Nord series was first launched in 2020 which left One Plus fans pumped up, as the brand stepped into the mid-range waters.

And the stage was set for a sequel: One Plus Nord10 5G that beats the price competition, $299 for a 5G phone.

That’s a great deal of most people but the usual hiccups resurfaced, as the device had a less capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 processor.

Which is a drawback to what you have on the original Nord phone(Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G)

That aside, it has other specs that are worth checking out like the 6.49inch LCD showing it’s a budget phone.

Albeit the 90Hz display refresh rate makes up for that and ensures smooth animation and display.

The phone ships with a capable camera setup, 6GB RAM for system running and multi-tasking, and is supported by 128GB storage.

And a 4300mAh that ensures you don’t have to charge every time.

In all, it’s a device that ticks most of the boxes for a mid-range device.

Although it will only have one year of software updates and two years of security updates, If that’s not a priority then you would be just fine.

BOTTOM LINE

You can get cheap phones that meet your everyday needs as the prices of flagship devices are skyrocketing now and then.

But there are some priorities you would need to put up front.

To ensure that you would be satisfied with the device for at least a year or two.

Are you a camera enthusiast, or love bigger displays and storage?

Do you just want a phone for just routine usage, heavy gaming, or for surfing the web and social media feeds at 5G speed?

These would help you to make the right choice as you wouldn’t get a well-rounded spec on a mid-range phone.

Though the processor and battery capacity should be key for most people in making a purchase decision.

Also don’t forget to do a little research to see if your prospective phone supports the major carriers around.

That being said, you can leave your thoughts and insights in the comment section below.

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