Mid range Android Mobile Phone and Chipset

[xiaofan]

Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra and Xiaomi Poco F8 Pro are using the last-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset. They are kind of mid-range phones in terms of pricing.
https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_poco_f7_ultra-13723.php
https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_poco_f8_pro_5g-14303.php

Xiaomi Poco F8 Ultra is using the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm). It kind of belongs to high end phones already in terms of spec and pricing.
https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_poco_f8_ultra_5g-14301.php

Not so sure if Xiaomi will release the mid-range Poco F8 or not.

Poco F7 --> Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4 nm)
Poco F7 Pro --> Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
Poco F7 Ultra --> Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)

Poco F8 --> ?? Or maybe Xiaomi will skip this model.
Poco F8 Pro --> Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
Poco F8 Ultra --> Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

The upcoming Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro is supposed to be based on Mediatek Dimensity 8500 chipset and really belong to the mid-range phones. Xiaomi Poco X8 may use lower end chipset.

 

[xiaofan]

1. Samsung phones using Samsung chipset
https://semiconductor.samsung.com/processor/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_A_series
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_M_series

Exynos 2600 (high end) -- some versions of Galaxy S26 and S26+
Exynos 2500 (high end) -- Galaxy Z Flip 7
Exynos 2400 (high end) -- some versions of S24 and S24+ (high end), S25 FE (higher tier of mid-range), Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE

Exynos2400e -- S24 FE (higher tier of mid-range).
Exynos 2200 (high end) -- all Samsung S23 FE (higher tier of mid-range)

Exynos 1680 (mid-range) -- Galaxy A57 5G
Exynos 1580 (mid-range) -- Galaxy A56 5G
Exynos 1480 (mid-range) -- Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A37 5G
Exynos 1380 (mid-range) -- Galaxy A54 5G, Galaxy A35 5G, Galaxy A26 5G, Galaxy M54 5G
Exynos 1330 (low to mid-range) -- Galaxy M14 5G, Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A34 5G, Galaxy M34 5G, Galaxy A16 5G, Galaxy A17 5G
Exynos 1280 (mid-range) -- Galaxy A53 5G, Galaxy A33 5G, some version of Galaxy A26 5G

2. Samsung low end and mid-range phones using Qualcomm and MediaTek chipset
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_A_series

Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G -- Galaxy A73 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 -- Galaxy A36 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 -- Galaxy A23 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6300 -- Galaxy A06 5G, some version of Galaxy A16 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ -- Galaxy A15 5G
MediaTek Helio G99 -- Galaxy A07 4G, Galaxy A17 4G, Galaxy A16 4G, Galaxy A15 4G, Galaxy A24 4G
MediaTek Helio G85 -- Galaxy A06 4G, Galaxy A17 4G, Galaxy A16 4G, Galaxy A05 4G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 -- Galaxy A05s

 

[xiaofan]

Mid-range Samsung A series phone comparison

 

[xiaofan]

Comparison of Nothing Phone 3a Pro, Galaxy A56, and OnePlus Nord 4.

 

[xiaofan]

Very similar to Fall 2025 recommendation.

0:00 - Happy 2026!
1:07 - Google Pixel 9a
3:11 - OnePlus Nord 5
5:15 - OnePlus Nord CE5
6:03 - OnePlus 15R
7:27 - Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
8:37 - Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
9:10 - Samsung Galaxy S25 FE
9:38 - Nothing Phone 3a & 3a Pro
11:10 - CMF Phone 2 Pro
11:37 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus
13:09 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G
14:13 - Xiaomi 15T
15:33 - Poco X7 Pro
17:02 - Poco F8 Pro
17:35 - Honor 400 Lite
18:35 - Honor Magic 8 Lite
20:23 - REDMAGIC 10 Air
21:55 - Vivo V60

 

[limmk]

Very similar to Fall 2025 recommendation

Ya sia

 

[xiaofan]

GSMARENA best mid-range all-rounders 2026

Best midrange phones around €200
Motorola Edge 60 Fusion
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15
Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G
Samsung Galaxy A36

Best midrange phones around €300
Xiaomi Poco F7
Xiaomi Poco M8 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G
Motorola Edge 60
Samsung Galaxy A56

Best midrange phones around €400
Motorola Edge 60 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+
Honor 400

Most recent updates
February 15, 2026: Added the Redmi Note 15 5G, Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 15 Pro+, Poco M8 Pro, Motorola Edge 60 Pro. Moved the Poco F7, Redmi Note 14 Pro+, and the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G in lower price categories. Removed the Poco X7, Redmi Note 14 4G, Redmi Note 14 5G, and the Poco X7 Pro.

October 19, 2025: Added the Honor 400. Removed the Galaxy A26, Moto G55. Moved the Galaxy A56 in a lower price category. Moved the Galaxy A36 in a lower price category.

June 29, 2025:. Replaced the Galaxy A16 5G with the Galaxy A26. Moved the Redmi Note 14 4G to a lower category. Replaced the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion with the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion. Removed the Edge 50 Neo. Moved the Redmi Note 14 5G and Redmi Note 14 Pro 4G to a lower category. Replaced the Galaxy A35 with the Galaxy A36. Moved the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G to a lower category. Replaced the Motorola Edge 50 with the Motorola Edge 60. Removed the Poco F7. Replaced the Galaxy A55 with the Galaxy A56.

...

 

[xiaofan]

Some top mid-range phones (recently released or to be released) in 2026

Last updated on 3 April 2026
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Pixel 10a -- lack of update from Pixel 9a but it will still be liked by some users

Poco F8 Ultra (kind of flagship already and not really a mid-range)

Poco F8 Pro

Poco X8 Pro Max (mid-range pricing, near flagship spec)

Poco X8 Pro

OPPO Reno 15 Pro Max

OPPO Reno 15 Pro

OPPO Reno 15

Vivi V70 Elite

Vivo V70

Nothing Phone 4a

OnePlus 15R (close to flagship spec)

Samsung Galaxy A57

Samsung Galaxy A37

Samsung Galaxy S26FE (to be announced)

Xiaomi 17T (to be announced)

OnePlus Nord 6 (to be announced)

....

 

[xiaofan]

Reviews of some top mid-range Android phones mentioned above

Poco X8 Pro Max


Nothing Phone 4a


Google Pixel 10a


Vivo V70


Poco F8 Pro

 

[xiaofan]

Best Mid-Range Camera Phones 2026 Chapters:
0:00 - Quality cameras, less cash
0:37 - Pixel 9a
4:09 - Nothing Phone 3a & Pro
8:14 - Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
12:31 - Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
16:05 - OnePlus 15r
16:54 - OnePlus Nord 5 & CE5
20:48 - OPPO Reno 13 Pro
25:02 - Motorola Edge 70
29:06 - Xiaomi 15T
32:56 - Vivo V60
36:15 - Honor 400 Lite
40:36 - Close but not quite: Magic 8 Lite
40:55 - Byyyyeeeeee

 

[xiaofan]

Best Budget Phones 2026 Chapters:
0:00 - Budget blowers ahoy
0:45 - Nothing Phone 3a
2:09 - Nothing Phone 3a Lite
3:06 - CMF Phone 2 Pro
3:55 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 15
5:26 - Poco M8 & M8 Pro
7:06 - OnePlus Nord CE5
8:08 - Motorola G77 5G
9:17 - Motorola G06 Power
10:02 - HMD Fusion
10:46 - Infinix Note Edge
11:18 - Byyyyyyeeeeee

 

[xiaofan]

This might be interesting for those who want to compare Apple iPhone 17e with a mid-range Android phone.

 

[xiaofan]

Samsung Exynos 1680, used in Galaxy A57

https://www.sammobile.com/news/exynos-1680-chip-launched-faster-performance-ai/

Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 news by HWZ
https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/mob...get-6-generations-updates-available-singapore

 

[xiaofan]

Galaxy A57 versus A37

 

[xiaofan]

Forum expert's view of some popular mid-range Android phones

nothing phone is fancy for sure. but pricing wise is still

Spending 739 for Nothing phone 4A Pro, I will get A57 instead though.

But in actual fact, if considering pricing in the 600-700 range, my choice will be OP15R > Poco X8 Pro Max > A57 > Nothing Phone 4A Pro

Specs still plays a part in the longevity of the device especially in the mid range segment. I rate OP15R over X8 Pro Max is just because of the 2 year warranty, better build quality, cleaner software and better software support. Of course, X8 Pro Max cost around 480 - 500 compared to 6xx on OP15R. If one got the knowledge to debloat and remove ads from Poco X8 Pro Max, by all means go X8 Pro Max instead.

 

[xiaofan]

Forum expert's review of Samsung Galaxy A57

Okay, time for another review on the latest Samsung A57

Huge shoutout to @Galaxy Commander for making this possible!

Let me begin with the unboxing of the device:









Some observations of the device:
1. It is slimmer and lighter compared to last year Samsung A56.
2. Bezels are thinner than the Samsung A56. At least I feel that it is accepted to me compared to A56, and it also seems like the bezels are thinner than the Google Pixel 10A? Well done Samsung!
3. Power and Volume buttons are not wobbly. Build quality is definitely up there.
4. Same glossy glass finish at the back. How I wish that it is a matte glass instead. Hopefully, this dream will come true some day. Glossy glass back is a fingerprint and micro scratches magnet.

 

[xiaofan]

Forum expert's review of Samsung Galaxy A57 -- Part 2

Time for some performance numbers for anyone whom is interested:








Some observations on the performance, heat output, connectivity of the device:
1. Single core score is more or less the same as A56. Multi core performance increase by about 10%? Marginal upgrade there.
2. GPU scores are about the same as last gen. So not much improvement there.
3. Samsung A57 is still running on UFS 3.1
4. Heat output is very minimal. I mean duh, that is expected on a low powered chip
Device is just warm to the touch during benchmark sessions.
5. Amazing stability scores on the gaming performance, which points back to the amazing heat output of the device. Less heat = higher stability.
6. L1 GPS ONLY??????!!!! SERIOUSLY SAMSUNG? At 6xx, PLEASE GIVE L1 and L5 GPS LAAAA. Like how much does it cost???????? Poco X8 Pro Max and OnePlus 15R is having L1 + L5 GPS leh?
7. Day to day performance is fine. Still some random stutters can be observed when navigating through the OS.
8. One thing I will like to highlight is the WiFi connectivity of this device. This is definitely not the strongest point of this phone. I have 2 APs in my entire flat. WiFi connection frequently drop out and switched to 5G at the furthest bedroom from the 2 APs (1 x AP in living room, 1 x AP in Master Bedroom). Unsure why this is happening as I do not observe this issue from my wife's Oppo Find X8, OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R, and other phones I tested as well. Similar issue happens on my Poco X8 Pro Max as well though, making me died a couple of times in MLBB

I am unsure if this is the issue with my WiFi set up or just the way Samsung A57 and Poco X8 Pro max handles WiFi connections especially with regards to AP roaming. The experience is definitely not good. The A57 is also hovering between WiFi 6 and 6E constantly. Maybe there are some negotiation issues ongoing which I am unsure why this is the case, but Poco X8 Pro max supports WiFi 7 and still, similar issue is happening

So maybe the OnePlus G2 WiFi chip is really doing wonder here?

Final verdict
There are better options right there at the current pricing this is at. One can look at OnePlus 15R at 6xx OR Poco X8 Pro Max, which offers better performance per dollar, and overall must better specs, unless one really likes Samsung OneUI and in the eco system, which is one of the strongest selling point of this phone. Samsung OneUI still remains to be one of the best android skins out there.

Those owning Samsung A56 can skip this generation. Upgrades are very very marginal. Unless you really need the thinner bezels of the A57, else, it really makes no sense.

 

[xiaofan]

Best Mid-Range Android Phones Spring 2026

Chapters:
0:00 - A mobile melange
0:52 - Google Pixel 10a
2:48 - OnePlus Nord 5
4:52 - OnePlus Nord CE5
5:39 - OnePlus 15R
7:03 - Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
(My note -- A57 5G has been released)
8:22 - Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
(My note -- A37 5G has been released)
9:17 - Nothing Phone 4a & 4a Pro
11:10 - CMF Phone 2 Pro
11:16 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus 5G
12:46 - Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G
13:52 - Poco X8 Pro Max
15:08 - Poco X8 Pro
15:29 - Poco F8 Pro
15:50 - Honor 400 Lite
(My note -- Honor 600 Lite has been released)
16:50 - Honor Magic 8 Lite
18:34 - REDMAGIC 11 Air
19:18 - Vivo V70

 

[xiaofan]

Comparison of some popular mid-range phones including iPhone 17e.

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro vs Google Pixel 10a vs iPhone 17e vs Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

 

[xiaofan]

Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 chipset, nothing special...

https://gadgets.beebom.com/news/qualcomm-snapdragon-6-gen-5-and-4-gen-5-chipsets-announced