Engadget's full explanation of the best mid-range smartphones

 

Introduction

Premium smartphones are expensive, but they're mostly worth it. They have the fastest processors, the longest battery life and the best cameras. However, if you don't need the latest and greatest features, you can get a lot of smartphone for much less money by going with a mid-range handset. Here's our full explanation of what makes them so useful:

What is a midrange phone and why should you care about it?

The term "mid-range" has a lot of different meanings depending on who you ask, and it can be a bit confusing when you're trying to figure out what exactly this phone is. So let's start off with the basics: A midrange phone is any device that falls between an entry-level model and a high-end flagship smartphone.

Most people are familiar with low-end smartphones, which are often sold on prepaid plans or through carrier financing programs. These devices typically have plastic bodies, less RAM than their higher-end counterparts (which affects how well they multitask), slower processors and smaller screens. They also tend to have poorer cameras than their higher priced competitors—but hey, at least they're cheap!

Midrange phones offer excellent value for money when compared against feature phones or other low-cost models like Android Go or Nokia 1 Plus (though those are technically entry level). With features like fingerprint sensors and dual cameras becoming increasingly common at this price point as well as attractive designs from companies like Huawei or Vivo...

The best mid-range smartphones of 2017

The best mid-range smartphones of 2017

The OnePlus 5T is a great all-around phone for $500, with a fantastic camera and gorgeous display that doesn't feel like it's much more expensive than other options. For $250 less, the Honor 9 Lite offers almost as good specs and build quality but lacks any sort of water resistance or wireless charging. If you're looking to spend as little as possible on your next handset, then check out the Moto G5 Plus ($200) or Nokia 6 ($230).

Other options

If you're looking for a high-end device, look no further than the Google Pixel 2. It runs stock Android 8.0 Oreo and is powered by a Snapdragon 835 chipset. As usual with this series, it has an excellent camera (rated at 89 on DxOMark), although there are some reports of screen burn-in after extended use. The 64GB variant costs just $649 from Verizon Wireless, although you'll have to pay more if you want more storage or a wireless charging pad in the box (the latter comes standard with every Verizon unit).

Next up: Samsung's Galaxy S8. This phone boasts top-notch hardware and software features such as water resistance and wireless charging—but what makes it stand out are its Infinity Display design and DeX desktop experience (which allows you to use your phone like a PC). You can pick up an unlocked model directly from Samsung for around $600 if you don't mind buying direct from them; otherwise, T-Mobile sells theirs starting at $750 while AT&T sells theirs starting at around $800-$850 depending on whether they're offering special financing deals or not (and whether they're also willing to subsidize part or all of that cost).

OnePlus has been making waves in recent years by offering flagship specs at midrange prices; their newest model delivers plenty of bang for your buck—you get 6GB RAM plus 64GB storage for under $500 without ads! It's got plenty going on under the hood (Snapdragon 835 processor), along with dual rear cameras that support portrait mode effects thanks to software optimizations made by OnePlus themselves rather than relying entirely on hardware processing power alone like most other brands do these days...

Mid-range phones from major manufacturers are great devices and often cost half as much as their premium counterparts.

Mid-range phones from major manufacturers are great devices and often cost half as much as their premium counterparts. They have the power, cameras, and features you need to do everything from taking great photos to listening to music on Spotify. These phones also typically look better than most budget options, with sleek metal bodies or curved glass that makes them feel high-end despite their mid-range price point.

For people who want a great phone but don't want to spend a lot of money on one, these are all excellent choices (we're not including any more budget devices in this list). If you're looking for something that's fast enough for everyday use without breaking your bank account, consider one of these options:

Conclusion

The mid-range isn’t for everyone. If you’re locked into the Apple ecosystem, then you’re probably better of just buying an iPhone SE. But if you aren’t and don’t want to spend more than $400 on a new phone, your choices are more open and diverse than they ever were. With the prevalence of fantastic mid-range devices in 2016, it has never been easier or cheaper to switch between Android brands and pick up some new hardware along the way.