Top 10 mid-range smartphones: Decent specs for under $500

2024 has seen a number of mid-range smartphones come out with pretty good specs for under $500.

Here are the top 10 smartphones in this category.

Google Pixel 8a

This is a Pixel — that's enough for many buyers. Pure Android, 7 years of updates, the best camera in the segment, and a compact size. Significant downsides: wide bezels, Tensor G3 instead of Snapdragon, and issues with PWM and network.

Nothing Phone (2a)

The new product from Nothing made it to the top list thanks to its modern design and excellent specs: a 6.7-inch AMOLED at 120 Hz, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chip, and a 5000 mAh battery with 45 W charging.

Motorola Edge 50 Neo

Motorola has surprisingly made it to the top list with this model. 6.4” AMOLED screen, Dimensity 7300, IP68 water resistance and wireless charging. The 13 MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom adds uniqueness to the model.

Samsung Galaxy A55

Samsung surprises again with its popular Galaxy A series. The smartphone is equipped with a 6.5” Super AMOLED screen, Exynos 1380, a 64 MP main camera and a 5000 mAh battery with 25 W fast charging.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

Xiaomi offers a 6.67” AMOLED screen at 120 Hz, Dimensity 920, a 5000 mAh battery with 120 W fast charging. An excellent choice for those looking for performance and quality.

Realme 12 Pro

Realme continues to delight with balanced devices. The smartphone is equipped with a 120Hz AMOLED screen, Dimensity 8100 chip and a 50MP main camera with optical stabilization.

Honor 90

A smartphone with a 6.7” OLED screen, Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, 5000 mAh battery and 66W fast charging. Suitable for lovers of high-quality screens and reliable battery life.

Vivo V29 Pro

The smartphone stands out with a 6.78” 120Hz AMOLED screen, Dimensity 8200 chip, 64MP main camera with OIS and a 5000 mAh battery.

OnePlus Nord CE 3

OnePlus offers a high-quality 6.7” AMOLED screen with 120Hz, Snapdragon 782G, 5000 mAh battery and 80W fast charging.

Poco F5

Poco continues to be one of the leaders in the price-quality category. The smartphone is equipped with a 6.67” AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, 64 MP main camera and 5000 mAh battery with 67W charging.