The best mid-range smartphones for 2022

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.

A good smartphone doesn't have to cost a fortune. Years of commoditization have brought features once exclusive to high-end devices - including big batteries, multi-camera arrays and high refresh rate displays - to their more affordable siblings. As one of Engadget's resident mobile geeks, I've reviewed dozens of midrange devices. So I'm here to help you figure out which features to look out for when trying to find the best midrange phone for under $600.

Engadget's Choices

Best mid-range Android phone: Google Pixel 6a

Best (and only) iPhone under $600: Apple iPhone SE

Mid-range phone with the best screen: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Ultra-budget option: OnePlus Nord N200 5G

What's a mid-range phone, anyway?

Although the term pops up frequently in articles and videos, there's no agreed-upon definition for "mid-range" beyond a phone that isn't a flagship or option. 'entry level. For this guide, our recommendations for the best phone in this category range between $400 and $600. Less and you should expect significant trade-offs. If your budget is higher, you should consider flagships like the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S22.

Buying a new device can be daunting, but a few questions can guide you through the process. First: What platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, that narrows your options down to just one phone. (Luckily, that's awesome.) And if you're an Android fan, there's no shortage of great options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you shouldn't rule out one or the other.

Of course, also consider how much you're comfortable spending. Even spending $100 more can get you a much better product. And manufacturers tend to support their more expensive devices for longer. Definitely worth buying something towards the upper limit of what you can afford.

Having an idea of ​​your priorities will help you budget. Do you want long battery life? Do you value fast performance above all else? Or do you want the best cameras possible? While they continue to get better every year, mid-range phones still come with trade-offs, and knowing what's important to you will make the choice easier.

Finally, pay attention to wireless bands and network compatibility. If you don't want to worry about it, it's best to buy directly from your carrier. To make things easier, all of the phones we recommend are compatible with all major US wireless service providers and can be purchased unlocked.

What will not get with a mid-range smartphone?

Every year, the line between mid-range phones and flagship phones blurs as high-end features multiply. When we first published this guide in 2020, it was hard to find $500 devices with waterproofing or 5G. Now the biggest thing you might miss is wireless charging. Don't forget to also budget for a power adapter - many companies have stopped including them. Performance has improved in recent years, but can still be hit or miss, as most midra...