Both affordable and mid-range smartphones have come a long way since the early days of Android. The hardware on these devices has now evolved to a point where you can expect consistently smooth performance in day-to-day tasks as well as in demanding tasks such as gaming. The latter is even more true with the latest mid-rangers redefining what value-for-money devices mean with their amazing cameras, powerful hardware, meticulously crafted designs, and more. If you’re searching for a good affordable device for daily use, or want a mid-ranger that can do most things with ease, the below list will come in handy for you. The list includes best-selling affordable and midrange devices from top brands including Samsung, Realme, iQOO, Redmi, and more. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Things to consider while buying smartphones
- Display: While considering the best smartphones look out for the display tech manufacturer is using — most manufacturers use either IPS or AMOLED panels to offer excellent image quality. This is especially true for the latter as AMOLED panels are known for producing vibrant images with deep blacks and natural whites. if you’re getting an AMOLED display in the budget of your choice, we recommend you opt for this display type for excellent image reproduction.
- Processor and RAM: Ensure that you get the latest generation of powerful processors such as Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and above in the affordable segment and Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and above series of processors in the mid-range segment for smooth performance in daily tasks as well gaming. Similarly, look for a minimum of 4GB RAM or more for smoother multitasking performance.
- Battery: Whatever phone you end up choosing, make sure it at least lasts a full working day so you don’t have to juice it up in the middle of the day.
Pro Tips
- PPI (pixel per inch) resolution: Look for the amount of PPI (pixel per inch) resolution the display — as displays in the budget smartphone in the budget segment tend to come with HD/720p resolution panels which produce grainy images with jagged edges due to lower PPI densities. The issue becomes even more exaggerated if the manufacturer crams bigger displays while keeping the overall resolution low. As such, always keep an eye on the PPI resolution of the display while choosing a device. In the mid-range segment, this isn’t an issue as most devices come with a minimum FHD/1080p resolution. Even so, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the PPI resolution of the display so that even after paying a premium, you don’t get end up getting a subpar viewing experience.
- Fast charging: Ensure that the phone comes with a fast charging tech so that you don’t have to wait up for hours to refill the battery juice.
Best-selling affordable and midrange smartphones on Amazon
Affordable
Redmi A1
The Redmi A1 is probably the best budget device as it packs everything a good affordable device should offer — such as a big 6.52-inch HD+ display for expansive visuals, a big, long-lasting 5,000mAh battery for day-long backup (10W charger in the box to quickly juice the battery when needed), and a decently powerful processor to handle daily tasks. The Redmi A1 comes with a MediaTek Helio A22 processor at the heart that takes care of all the day-to-day tasks and offers a stutter-free, smooth performance across the apps and OS. The Redmi A1 also packs 8MP dual rear cameras and a 5MP selfie camera at the front for an excellent photography and videography experience. There is 2GB RAM and 32GB storage on board on this device along with an option to expand the storage up to 512GB through a microSD card if needed. The smartphone also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack to let you connect your favorite wired headphones. Lastly, the Redmi A1 offers a clean and fast Android OS experience for an antuititive and elevated software experience.
Samsung Galaxy M04
The Samsung Galaxy M04 is yet another feature-packed device that you can consider. It comes with an even more powerful processor — MediaTek Helio P35 for a power-packed performance. The Galaxy M04 further packs 4GB RAM for fluid multitasking. It has 64GB built-in internal storage for apps and games which is expandable up to 1TB using microSD. There is also a RAM Plus option for adding additional virtual RAM for smoother performance. The device boots Android 12 by default for a feature-packed software experience. One of the highlighting things about the Galaxy M04 is that Samsung is promising up to two major Android OS upgrades for the extended device lifespan. The device also gets a long-lasting battery life thanks to the massive built-in 5,000mAh battery. In terms of optics, the smartphone includes a 13+2MP rear camera setup and a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls. Finally, you get a 6.5-inch HD+ display at the front with a 269 PPI density for crisp visuals.
realme narzo 50A Prime
The realme narzo 50A Prime is one of the most stylish smartphones out there with a slim form factor and premium-looking Speed Texture Design at the back. And unlike many smartphones in this segment, the narzo 50A sports an FHD+ display with 6.6-inch screen size. Even in its compact form factor, the phone manages to pack a massive 5,000mAh battery. You can fully get the battery juiced up in a matter of minutes with the 18W fast charge capability. At the heart of the narzo 50A is the Unisioc T612 processor that promises to offer reliable, stutter-free performance in day-to-day tasks. A 50MP AI Triple camera is taking care of the optics — and with the B&W lens and Macro Lens with wide aperture sizes on the narzo 50A, the possibility of capturing your dream shot is just a click away on this device. Further, there is an 8MP AI selfie camera for beautiful selfie shots. The realme narzo 50A Prime also gets a responsive side-mounted fingerprint scanner for a quick phone unlocking experience.
Tecno Spark 9
Techno makes some of the best value-for-money and feature-packed smartphones and the Techno Spark 9 takes this concept to the next level by offering a feature-packed and powerful performance at an even more affordable price point. The Techno Spark 9 is also one of the rare smartphones that feature a fluid 90Hz refresh rate display. Further, the 6.6-inch HD+ Dot Notch display also gets a 269 PPI density for crisper visuals. Gamers would be happy to know that the handset features a 180Hz touch sampling rate for instant response times. Optics-wise, it gets a 13MP Dual rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera with a wide range of camera modes including Portrait, Smile Shot, AI Scene Detection, 1080P Time-lapse, Video Bokeh, and more. The MediaTek Helio G37 Gaming processor powers the device to offer a powerful budget gaming experience. Music enthusiasts would be happy to know that they get the Soplay 2.0 for music composing experience on the Spark 9. Lastly, there is a big 5,000mAh battery for long-lasting battery backups on a full charge.
Redmi 10A
The Redmi 10A is the last pick for the best-selling affordable smartphones in the market. The affordable nature of the device coupled with the best price is what makes the Redmi 10A a good choice for most people in the budget segment. For starters, the Redmi 10A sports a premium-looking textured back EVOL. design, which also ensures the phone remains free from any smudges even after using it for a long time. The powerful and efficient MediaTek Helio G25 octa-core processor handles everyday tasks with smoothness so you can quickly launch apps and navigate between them with ease. The phone also gets a RAM Booster feature as well. There is a 6.53-inch HD+ IPS display that has a 20:9 aspect ratio for expensive visuals. The handset also gets a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front selfie camera. The built-in massive 5,000mAh battery provides full-day video playback which is perfect for bingeing your favorite show. This variant of the Remdi 10A also packs 64GB storage which is further expandable by up to 512GB via a microSD slot. You also get a built-in rear fingerprint reader for quick authentication.
Mid-range
Redmi A1
Redmi A1, as we briefed above, is one of the best phones in the budget category, and it also makes for a great daily driver with decently powerful specs to handle everyday tasks. Further, it is a great choice for first-time smartphone users and a perfect alternative to your primary device too. Redmi A1 sports an expansive 6.52-inch HD+ display (with max 400 nits brightness) that renders clear visuals in all scenarios. And you get a big 5,000mAh battery so you have plenty of juice for every task including long bingeing. In terms of software, the phone boots a clean and optimized build of Android to offer a clutter-free and fast user experience. The Redmi A1 gets a three-card slot system to help you add an SD card along with dual SIMs. The A1 is also a looker with a leather texture design at the back. The phone also retains the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack. As for the processor, the MediaTek Helio A22 is handling all the processing needs for a fluid software experience across the OS.
Redmi 10 Power
The Redmi 10 Power is a feature-packed midrange (with an excellent value-for-money proposition) that comes with a powerful processor, impressive two-day battery life, and an excellent camera setup to capture stunning shots. Its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor offers excellent performance while playing games — and you also get the RAM Booster feature, which lets you add up to 11GB RAM for added smoothness while gaming. The phone sips juice from the massive 6,000mAh battery which promises up to two days of continuous usage on a full charge — and the company also promises 20 hours of music playback on a single full charge. The Redmi 10 Power also supports 18W fast charging (10W adapter in the box) for quick top-ups. The Redmi 10 Power sports a 6.71-inch HD+ IPS display to offer an excellent content consumption experience. Finally, you get a 50MP + 2MP rear camera setup along with a 5MP front shooter for selfies.
iQOO Z6 Lite 5G
iQOO’s recently launched Z6 Lite 5G, which is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a feature-packed value-for-money mid-ranger. The phone comes with a 6.58-inch FHD+ display that refreshes at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid animations across the apps and games. Further, to offer stutter-free navigation, the phone comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, which is the latest in Qualcomm’s entry-level processors that comes with several modern technologies to enhance the overall user experience. As for the optics, the phone uses a 50MP Eye Auto Focus camera to let you capture clear and focused shots every time. There is also a 4-component cooling system, which efficiently dissipates the heat while playing graphics-intensive games. Plus, the phone also gets a 240Hz touch sampling rate for instant responses and navigation in games. Finally, the phone has a big 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G
The Samsung Galaxy M33 5G is quite a popular mid-range from Samsung. If you want a reliable mid-range alternative, this is one of the best reliable available options in the market. The phone comes with a big 6.6-inch (120Hz) FHD+ display for expansive visuals and a powerful Exynos 1280 processor with 12 bands of 5G support for seamless next-generation network access. Optics-wise, the phone is powered by a 50MP Quad rear camera and an 8MP selfie shooter at the front. One of the highlights of the Galaxy M33 5G is its massive 6,000mAh battery that lets you play games and watch movies for hours. And you can always quickly get the battery fully juiced up in a matter of minutes as the phone comes with 25W fast charging support. The Galaxy M33 5G runs on the Android 12 OS with a feature-packed and intuitive custom One UI 4 on top. Further, the software also features a Voice Focus feature for clear voice calls and an Auto Data Switching feature which automatically latches on to the secondary SIM to offer non-stop internet access while the primary one is out of network.
realme Narzo 50 Pro 5G
The realme Narzo 50 Pro 5G is one of the most powerful and stylish mid-range smartphones in the market currently. The powerful mid-range processor — Dimensity 920 5G is powering this handset for smooth gaming performance. Further, the built-in Vapor Chamber cooling system ensures that you get consistently high frame rates while playing graphics-heavy games. The design of the Narzo 50 Pro 5G is also one of the highlighting factors about this device as the build measures just about 7.99mm thin and weighs just around 181 grams. The phone also gets Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio playback support for a premium audio experience. There is also an X-axis linear motor for next-level haptics experience. The 48MP AI Triple camera backed with AI magic means you get perfect shots in vivid details every time. Finally, you get a big 6.4-inch (FHD+) 90Hz AMOLED display for vivid and life-like image rendering. It also features an excellent 360Hz touch sampling rate to ensure smooth navigation in day-to-day apps and games.
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