While budget and premium smartphones are now better and faster, the mid-range segment is where most of the innovation happens. As smartphone makers step up their game in 2024, gone are the days when you had to shell out a lot of money to get flagship-like displays and cameras.
Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or a mobile gamer looking to squeeze every last drop of performance, the mid-range segment has something for everyone. While mid-range devices priced below 30,000 now have flagship-like chipsets and lengthy software support, this year we saw impressive camera capabilities bundled with the latest chipsets in many premium mid-range devices.
Moto Edge 50 Neo
Motorola phones are known to offer great value for money, but the company is also known for its unreliable software update policy. But it looks like the company is going to change that for the better with the Motorola Edge 50 Neo (Review).
Featuring the Dimension 7300 chipset that also powers the likes of the Nothing Phone (2A), Redmi Note 14 Pro and Oppo Reno 12 Pro, the phone has a vegan leather back with a minimalistic look that makes it look premium.
While the chipset isn’t the fastest in the sub-25,000 segment, the Edge 50 Neo is a standout with its MIL-STD-810 SGS certification, IP68 dust and water resistance, 3x optical zoom and a 10MP telephoto lens with wireless charging. which is currently limited to premium flagships.
You also get a 6.4-inch LTPO 1.5K AMOLED screen, which is perfect for one-handed use and a clean interface, which is closer to the Pixel devices. It’s also one of the few Motorola devices to get 5 years of Android updates, but we’ll have to see if the company keeps its promise.
Pixel 8a will receive 7 years of Android updates. (Express Photo)
Google Pixel 8a
Launched earlier this year at Rs 52,999, the Pixel 8a has received several price cuts and is now available for as low as Rs 39,999 with the Tensor G3 chipset, the Pixel 8a offers a lag-free clean interface and one of the best primary cameras for is Asking price.
Perfect for those looking to buy a compact Android phone, it has a 120Hz 6.1-inch OLED screen that’s really bright even in direct sunlight.
While the chipset isn’t going to win any awards, the 64MP primary camera and 13MP ultrawide shooter and Google’s computational photography can take some really impressive photos.
The Pixel 8a may miss out on some of the AI bells and whistles introduced with the Pixel 9 series, but Google’s promise of 7 Android updates and a smart minimalist design make it a winner.
The Poco F6 is aimed at mobile gamers who want flagship-like performance for less than half the price. (Express Photo)
Poco F6
Another phone that set the benchmark for mid-range phones this year is the Poco F6. Poco’s latest F-series phones not only offer flagship-like performance at around a third of the price but also an equally impressive primary shooter that takes great photos both day and night.
Compared to other mid-range devices, the Poco F6 might feel cheap with its plastic back, but the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and super-smooth HyperOS experience puts most mid-range devices to shame. It’s an easy recommendation for those who want a fast phone that will easily last them a few years.
Xiaomi is one of the best compact phones of 14 years. (Express Photo)
Xiaomi 14
The Xiaomi 14 is one of the few flagship devices currently competing in the premium mid-range segment. From the camera to the display, this compact device has everything you can think of.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Xiaomi 14 has a 120Hz LTPO 6.36-inch, making it one of the few devices that can be used comfortably with one hand.
The Xiaomi 14 (Review) packs an impressive triple 50MP camera tuned by Leica, which easily outperforms most mid-range devices. If you’re looking to buy a compact phone that will last for years and has an impressive point-and-shoot camera without spending too much, this one ticks all the right boxes.
Galaxy S23 FE is powered by Exynos 2200 chipset. (Express Photo)
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung phones are known for their excellent build quality and feature-packed interfaces, and the Galaxy S23 FE is no exception. Launched in October last year, the Indian variant of the phone is powered by the Exynos 2200, which isn’t the fastest chipset but is a beast when it comes to day-to-day tasks.
Like Samsung’s premium phones, the Galaxy S23 FE (Review) comes with the Galaxy AI feature suite and has a premium glass-metal sandwich design with IP67 dust and water resistance. And while the cameras may not be as impressive as other mid-range phones, the phone makes up for it with its long software support. Overall, this is one of the best all-rounder phones under Rs 30,000.
Honorable Mention:
Realme GT 6T
This year, Realme reintroduced its GT series in India with the Realme GT 6T. Although the device was initially launched at over Rs 30,000, it has seen a significant price cut, making it one of the best mid-range phones of the year.
While the Realme GT 6T misses out on the telephoto shooter, the performance Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 brings it on par with phones costing twice as much. If you don’t mind slapping a glossy plastic back cover and don’t like Xiaomi’s HyperOS, the Realme GT 6T is a great option.
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