Buyers Guide: Best Overall Midrange Phones 2021

Buyers Guide: Top Overall Midrange Phones 2021

This is where the quest for the perfect midrange phone stops. Visit our editors’ selection of choices at multiple price points.

We’ve subdivided the “midrange” price category, as it’s quite broad. Perhaps €50 is a significant price difference between each of the price categories. The category that follows all-out flagships includes devices like the ‘premium overall’ class, which tend to be fairly well-priced, even if they’re not exactly affordable.

Best Overall midrange Phones up to €200

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC

6.67″ IPS LCD display, 120Hz refresh, HDR10
Excellent battery life, 33W fast charging
Gaming-friendly Snapdragon 732G
Quad-camera, good photo and video quality
Gorilla Glass 5, aluminium frame, IP53-rated

Not the best pixel response time leading to ghosting in 120Hz

€189 Poco X3 NFC is the best phone under €200 if you’re shopping for a mid-range device. Actually, this €250 champ was our top pick, but now it’s even cheaper!

You get an amazing 120Hz display with better than average performance and long battery life, all for a decent price.

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Everything you would want in a smartphone — such as a 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers, a microSD slot, IR blaster, FM radio, and NFC — is included in the Poco X3 NFC. The latest Android and MIUI versions are running on it.

The Poco X3 NFC has a single problem, and many users may not notice — slower pixel response time which could cause smearing or ghosting when scrolling. You have to look really hard to find it, and even then, you may not notice it.

[accordions title=”Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC”] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC (Brief Review)” load=”show”]€189 Poco X3 NFC is the best phone under €200 if you’re shopping for a mid-range device. Actually, this €250 champ was our top pick, but now it’s even cheaper!

You get an amazing 120Hz display with better than average performance and long battery life, all for a decent price.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10

6.43″ 1080p AMOLED
Snapdragon 678 chip is alright
Quad-camera, 4K capturing
Stereo speakers
5,000mAh battery, 33W charging
IP53, Gorilla Glass 3 front, IR blaster, FM radio, microSD

No NFC
No HRR screen

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]If the Poco X3 NFC is not an option, we will buy the Redmi Note 10. In this price range, it has most everything you would expect: a large, clear AMOLED screen, a capable chip (powerful and efficient), a giant 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W charging, and a whole range of cameras.

That, however, is not the final component. It has an IP53-rated body with splash protection, stereo speakers, and IR emitter built in, allowing you to control your legacy appliances.

Missing NFC and HRR functionality may be annoying for some, but Redmi Note 10 is a superb phone at this price.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Realme 6

6.5″ LCD, 90Hz refresh
Helio G90T is fast enough for gaming on a budget
Very affordable
Dependable photo camera
Excellent battery life, fast charging
Dedicated microSD slot, 3.5mm jack, NFC

Uninspiring video recording

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Realme 6 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]Though it is no longer our Editors’ Choice, we still recommend the Realme 6 as one of our top mid-range devices in this price range. For only €150, you can buy the most feature-rich phone you can, and its price has already fallen to some bargain numbers.

Realme 6 is better than many of the most expensive mid-range phones, boasting an even better selection of features, such as a 90Hz refresh rate on its 6.5″ 1080p screen, gaming-capable Helio G90T chipset, and 4GB or 6GB of RAM. The phone performed excellently in our battery life test, getting a fantastic 103h endurance rating, and you can charge it up in record time.

However, don’t forget about the additional benefits. The Realme 6 boasts a quad-camera capable of taking normal, ultra-wide, macro, and portrait photographs, and also shoots 4K video.

On top of that, the Realme 6 uses Android with Realme UI on it, and under that 90Hz screen, it is quite quick.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Samsung Galaxy A41

Great Super AMOLED screen, a small notch
Outstanding battery life
The consistently good camera even if it lacks a Night Mode
Great portraits, good selfies
Android 10 and One UI – a combo we like
USB-C, 3.5mm jack, microSD, FM radio

No 4K video recording
Uninspiring graphics performance

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Samsung Galaxy A41 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]While the Galaxy A41 is a year old, it remains cheap for various reasons. The AMOLED display is crisp, the battery life is great, and the camera system isn’t bad for the price.

Samsung succeeded in reaching the budget because the chips were undemanding. Tasks that are mundane are good, but it’s not great for more serious gaming. Some people won’t even miss having 4K video recording, which is something that is absent from the camera.

But even with its price tag around €200, you’re getting a solid AMOLED screen and an excellent camera, so the Galaxy A41 is worth a look.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Xiaomi Poco M3

Large 1080p screen, a small notch
Okay camera experience
6,000mAh battery, 18W charging
Stereo speakers, IR port, microSD, 3.5mm jack

No ultrawide camera
No NFC
Gaming would require lowering the screen resolution

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Poco M3 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]It is still one of the best offers on a budget with its €150 Poco M3. It’s got a massive 6,000mAh battery, stereo speakers, and a big LCD screen to enhance its functionality as a social network companion, with a fast-charging rate. Also, you can play games if you simply drop the graphics settings and resolution.

Don’t worry — the M3 won’t be well-known for its camera performance, but it’s perfectly acceptable. It has great speakers, it charges fast, has a 3.5mm audio jack, microSD storage, and is a good choice overall.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Motorola Moto G40 Fusion (India)

Large 120Hz 1080p HDR10 screen
Adequate performance
A triple camera on the back, Night Mode, 4K
6,000mAh battery, 20W charging
NFC, microSD, 3.5mm jack
Splash protection

Bulky

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Motorola Moto G40 Fusion (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]This incredibly intriguing India-only phone is the Moto G40 Fusion. That big 6,000 mAh battery will likely provide ample juice for marathon runs. A huge 1080p screen, one that has a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10 support, along with the Snapdragon 732G processor, are just a few of the phone’s notable features. The phone has a MicroSD slot and quick charging capability along with a 3.5mm audio jack and NFC support.

On the rear, the G40 Fusion comes with a 64MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. In addition to 4K, the main camera features night mode and advanced capturing options.

It’s thick and heavy at just over 1cm and weighs 225 grams. That being said, it is widely regarded as one of the better phones available in India at INR 13,999.

If you’d like to go all out and enjoy a 108MP main camera, you should consider the Moto G60, which is basically the same phone like the Moto G6 but has a better camera.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Nokia G20 (USA)

Large screen, a small notch
Adequate performance for 720p OS experience
Okay camera experience, ultrawide and macro
Android 11
NFC, microSD, 3.5mm jack, FM radio

720p screen
Manu phones offer better specs

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Nokia G20 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]The Nokia G20, with its clean Android, is a $190 outlier. With its 720p screen and capable processing power, it also has four cameras with various wide, ultrawide, depth, and macro options. In addition, the battery should work well, as it has a capacity of 5,050mAh.

The Nokia G20 has low-end specs, with average performance, but you’ll love the Android 11 OS on it.[/accordion] [/accordions]

OnePlus Nord N100

Large HD screen, 90Hz, a small notch
Adequate performance for 720p OS experience
Triple camera with macro and portraits
Oxygen OS
Stereo speakers, FM radio, microSD, 3.5mm jack
5,000mAh battery, 18W charging

720p screen
No NFC

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”OnePlus Nord N100 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]The €170 OnePlus Nord N100, another interesting option, is a laptop computer. It offers a large enough screen with a 90Hz refresh and an adequate chip to handle its 720p resolution. It has an identical triple camera on the back (main, ultrawide, macro). In addition, the 5,000mAh battery should be more than enough.

The Nord N100 comes with speakers for stereo audio, as well as a host of connectivity options, but with no NFC support. Thanks to the 90Hz screen with reduced resolution, this tablet runs incredibly fast. Even though it isn’t the fastest phone out there, it is very affordable, and it still packs quite a punch, so we’re including it in this shortlist.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Best Overall Midrange Phones up to €250

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

Large 1080p LCD screen, 120Hz, HDR10
IP53, Gorilla Glass 6 protection
Good photo and video camera quality
Top notch performance, outstanding stability.
Excellent battery life, fast charging
Stereo speakers, NFC, 3.5mm jack, microSD slot

Bulky
Not ideal pixel response time

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro” load=”hide”]In the €250 price range, the €220 Poco X3 Pro is unquestionably the best option. Its large 120Hz display has a Snapdragon 860 chipset, as well as an ample amount of RAM and storage. Splash-proof phone: IP53 rated and featuring Gorilla Glass 6 screen protection.

In addition to these perks, the Poco X3 Pro includes fast charging, long battery life, and fast photo-capturing capabilities. Its flagship performance is more than worth its extra weight, no doubt.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G

6.67″ IPS LCD display, 120Hz refresh, HDR10
Excellent battery life, 33W fast charging
Gaming-friendly Snapdragon 750G, 5G
Quad-camera, good photo and video quality
Dual Gorilla Glass 5 panels

Uninspiring photo quality

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G” load=”hide”]The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G uses a 5G-capable chip in a slightly altered version of the Poco X3 NFC. Its 6.67″ 120Hz LCD screen has improved pixel response time and improved refresh rate handling, just like before (including Smart AdaptiveSync). In the Mi 10T Lite 5G, you get a splash-proof body with a large 120Hz display, speedy performance, a good quad-camera, and excellent battery life, all for a great price.

Similarly, the Mi 10T Lite 5G features a 3.5mm jack, stereo speakers, a microSD slot, IR blaster, FM radio, and NFC, just like the Poco X3. The latest Android and MIUI versions are running on it.

While the Mi 10T Lite 5G is a bit more expensive than the Poco X3 NFC, this price range is very small.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Realme 7 Pro

Large OLED screen
Water-repellent coating
Good quad-camera
Very good performance
Outstanding battery life, 65W charging!
Stereo speakers, NFC, 3.5mm jack, microSD slot

60Hz screen
No NFC (market dependent)
Underwhelming video recording quality

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Realme 7 Pro (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]The Realme 7 Pro price dropped to about €230, which is why we decided to put it in this category. Although the Realme 8 Pro has been released, the Realme 7 Pro has more features and is, therefore, a better phone (Realme does that, yes).

So, the Realme 7 Pro boasts an incredibly vibrant AMOLED screen, robust chipset, quad-camera, loud stereo speakers, and outstanding battery life all while outdoing all other competitors with its incredible fast charging. It has enough extras to make up for the lack of an HRR screen.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Samsung Galaxy A32

1080p 6.4″ Super AMOLED display, 90Hz
Large 5,000mAh battery, 119h endurance
Snappy Helio G80 chip (4,6,8GB RAM versions)
The capable camera setup includes a 64MP main unit, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro
3.5mm jack, NFC, FM radio, dedicated microSD

GPU performance is lacking
A bit slow to charge
Buggy Night Mode for the camera, no 4K
Slow fingerprint reader

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Samsung Galaxy A32 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]The Samsung Galaxy A32, which has a price tag of about €220, is a good option for those who are fans of Samsung Super AMOLEDs. It comes with a 90Hz 1080p AMOLED screen, four-camera options, and a selfie shooter with a battery that lasts a long time.

The Galaxy A32’s GPU performance lags behind the competition, and it’s also quite slow when it comes to charging. I just wish the phone would have a 4K video and at least one good feature like the price. Even so, if you are fine with the small setbacks, you are certain to enjoy the excellent AMOLED screen and its massive display on the A32.[/accordion] [/accordions]

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

6.49″ IPS LCD 1080p screen, 90Hz refresh
Great battery life, 30W fast charging
Quad camera, great Nightscape shots
Skilled hardware, 5G
Stereo speakers, microSD slot, 3.5mm jack

The ultrawide camera needs some work
Slow fingerprint
No NFC
No updates past Android 11

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”OnePlus Nord N10 5G (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]If you want to be connected to a 5G network, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, a mid-range device, could be right for you. Even though the phone features a 90Hz screen and a Snapdragon 690 5G chip, it really stands out in terms of its camera, especially at night.

A MicroSD slot, 3.5mm jack, and stereo speakers are a few features the general public is fond of. However, it doesn’t include NFC, and the fingerprint reader is underwhelming. Lastly, it’ll be running on Android 11 for the long haul. Even though we really like working with Oxygen OS, it is a bit sluggish.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Best Overall Midrange Phones up to €300

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

6.67″ AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh, HDR10
Excellent battery life, 33W fast charging
Gaming-friendly Snapdragon 732G
Quad-camera with 108MP primary, good photo and video quality
Dual Gorilla Glass 5, IP53-rated
Stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack, microSD, NFC, FM radio, IR blaster

The low-light camera quality is mediocre

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]If you are looking for a €300 device (MSRP €279, but you can purchase for €250 on Mi.com with current deals), the Redmi Note 10 Pro is the best midrange smartphone on the market. The phone features splash-resistant glass, and has both exceptional screen and camera quality. It may not be the fastest, but it performs to expectations.

Additionally, the Redmi Note 10 Pro offers microSD support, a 3.5mm jack, a microSD slot, a built-in IR blaster, an FM radio, and NFC. The latest Android and MIUI versions are running on it.

For €300, you’ll find the best phone on the market.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro, also known as Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, is available in India.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Samsung Galaxy A52

Excellent 6.5″ AMOLED, 90Hz, a small notch
IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, Gorilla Glass 5 front
Great battery life, 25W fast charging
Versatile quad-camera setup, with OIS on the main 64MP snapper
Stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack, NFC, microSD

15W charger in the box
There are faster phones

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Samsung Galaxy A52 (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]This is a pretty decent deal. It is a water-proofed smartphone with one excellent AMOLED screen, 90Hz at that. Overall, the quad-camera that we installed in the back was impressive, with its excellent speakers and dependable 4,500mAh battery (105h endurance rating).

Even if the Snapdragon 720G has enough performance for the mid-rangers, there are faster phones available. It is yet to be determined how the IP67-rating and great AMOLED compare, but Samsung is making numerous promises for the A52.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite

Top-notch 6.55″ AMOLED, 1B colours, 90Hz, HDR10
Great battery life, 33W fast charging
Triple-camera with superb daylight image quality, excellent video
Loud stereo speakers, microSD, NFC, IR blaster

A faster chipset would have been more appealing

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G is a brand new phone in this category, with a high-quality AMOLED screen that has a 90Hz refresh rate and 10-bit colour capability. It’s a big win with a good camera, loudspeakers, and long battery life with a fast charge.

Although the Snapdragon 732G chip is now a bit slower, it will still mostly succeed in doing the job. And there’s really only one negative issue with this Mi 11 Lite — it’s a phone that performs slower than comparable devices for the same price. If you want a light and thin phone with one of the best screens and cameras, but are not after the flagship-like performance, you will be pleased with the Mi 11 Lite.[/accordion] [/accordions]

OnePlus Nord CE 5G

Fluid Oxygen OS
90Hz OLED
Snapdragon 750G with 5G
Great battery life, plenty fast charging
Okay main camera
NFC, 3.5mm jack

Ultrawide photo quality is not good
No stereo speakers, no microSD
No ingress protection

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”OnePlus Nord CE 5G” load=”hide”]The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a mid-range device with a lot to offer. The device features 5G connectivity, a nice screen, a quick operating system, great battery life, and some awesome charging capabilities. The reason this model has been included in our mid-range chapter is that it is more affordable than the original Nord.

On this Nord, the camera quality and the stereo speakers are pretty bad. Not only is it missing ingress protection, but it is missing splash resistance, which is found on most competitors’ phones.

You should take a chance on the €299 Nord CE 5G, because of its good screen, Oxygen OS, and long battery life.[/accordion] [/accordions]

Realme X50 5G

Large 6.57″ 120Hz LCD screen
Gaming-friendly Snapdragon 765G 5G chip with 6GB RAM
Plenty of snappers with the good overall quality
4,200mAh battery, 30W charging
NFC, FM radio

No stereo speakers
No 3.5mm jack, no microSD
Almost all games are limited to 60Hz

[accordions title=””] [accordion title=”Realme X50 5G (Brief Review)” load=”hide”]Even though the Realme X50 5G has aged considerably, it can now be purchased for roughly €260 or less. The phone has a fast, responsive screen, along with a Snapdragon 765G chip with a 5G modem. It also has some nice features.

With no water protection, a 3.5mm jack, a MicroSD slot, or stereo speakers, the X50 5G sacrifices extra features to boast high-quality parts that competitors are unable to provide at the same price. On that screen, Realme UI runs super smoothly.[/accordion] [/accordions]