Best mid-range smartphones – interesting ratings

 

In the world of mid-range smartphones, more and more models are appearing that offer the features of flagship devices at a reasonable price. In this review, we will compare five such smartphones: Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro, Samsung Galaxy A36, Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, Nothing Phone (3a) and realme 15T. These and other mobile phones on Rozetka are available in various memory configurations and body colors. In fact, there is plenty to choose from.

 

We’ll examine their screens, cameras, performance, batteries, and design features to determine which models stand out in their respective categories. Each has its own strengths, from a high-refresh-rate screen to a large-sensor camera or a large battery.

 

At the same time, it’s important to evaluate the compromises manufacturers make to keep prices within the mid-range segment. This comparison will help you understand which features are worth considering and which device offers the best value for money. Whether it’s worth paying extra for one model or whether the basic set is sufficient is a question we’ll try to answer. We invite you to read the review to help you make an informed choice.

 

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

 

 

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G offers a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It features a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, complemented by up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage without a microSD slot. The device is guaranteed to receive up to six generations of OS updates and six years of security updates – a rarity for a mid-range device.

 

The 50MP main camera with 4K video support is paired with an 8MP ultrawide and 5MP macro module, while the front camera is a 12MP unit. The battery is rated at 5,000mAh and supports 45W fast charging, allowing for all-day use.

 

The smartphone’s body is IP67-rated, and the back is treated with Gorilla Glass Victus+, increasing resistance to drops and scratches. The One UI 7 interface and Circle to Search feature allow you to quickly search for objects using the camera or gestures. The body is available in two color options: Awesome Black or Awesome Lavender.

 

+ Bright 120Hz AMOLED display and large 6.7″ format.

+ IP67 certification and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.

+ Decent processor and 6 years of OS updates.

+ 50MP main camera with 4K video recording.

- High price for its segment.

- No microSD card slot.

- The front camera is only 12 MP—weaker than competitors.
- The case is bulkier and heavier than ultra-compact models.

 

Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

 

 

The Moto Edge 50 Fusion smartphone features a 6.7-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. It uses a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor (4 nm technology) paired with up to 12 GB of RAM. The interface is based on Android 14 with Hello UI, which minimizes bloatware and simplifies navigation.

 

The main camera has a 50 MP sensor with optical image stabilization, complemented by a 13 MP wide-angle module; the front camera is 32 MP for selfies and video calling. The 5000 mAh battery supports 68 W fast wired charging, allowing you to quickly recharge throughout the day. At approximately 7.9 mm thick and weighing 175 g, the case feels comfortable to hold and fits comfortably in the hand. The device is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, a rare feature in its price segment. Built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support create a more immersive sound experience when watching videos or listening to music.

 

+ 6.7″ display with a 144Hz refresh rate.

+ 50MP camera with optical image stabilization.

+ 32MP front camera.

+ 5000mAh battery with 68W fast charging.

+ IP68 certification for water and dust resistance.

- The case may become warm under prolonged use.

- The 13MP ultra-wide camera module isn’t top-of-the-line.

- There’s a lot of competition in this price segment with similar models.

 

Nothing Phone (3a)

 

 

The Nothing Phone (3a) features a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 2392 x 1080 pixel resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth animations and a comfortable reading experience. It features a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor (4 nm technology) paired with 8 or 12 GB of RAM, providing seamless multitasking. The main camera is a 50 MP unit with optical image stabilization, complemented by an 8 MP ultra-wide camera and a 50 MP telephoto camera with 2x zoom. The front-facing camera is 32 MP, meeting modern standards. The battery capacity is approximately 5000 mAh, supports fast charging, and runs Android 15 with Nothing OS.

 

The case features a stylish design with recognizable brand elements, a good screen-to-body ratio, and modern colors. The smartphone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring fast and stable connectivity. The interface is noticeably smooth, and apps and videos are comfortable to use, although the case may become warm during extended gaming or under heavy loads. It’s also worth noting that the lack of wireless charging and a memory expansion slot may limit your choice slightly if these features are critical. Overall, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a well-balanced mid-range smartphone with an emphasis on design and performance.

 

+ High-quality OLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

+ Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor and modern memory.

+ 50 MP main camera with OIS and a telephoto module.

+ Stable connection and modern communications (5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4).

- No microSD slot for memory expansion.

- The case may become hot under heavy use.

- The telephoto module only has 2x zoom—less impressive than in flagships.

Redmi Note 14+ Pro 5G

 

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G smartphone is built on the new Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, manufactured using a 4-nanometer process technology, delivering high performance and power efficiency.The device features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2712 x 1220 pixels, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of up to 3000 nits. This screen ensures smooth dynamic scenes and comfortable use even in direct sunlight.

 

The smartphone’s main camera has a 200 MP sensor with an f/1.65 aperture and optical image stabilization. It supports 2x and 4x lossless zoom, allowing you to capture both portraits and distant objects. The front camera has a resolution of 16 MP. The 5110 mAh battery supports 120W fast charging using HyperCharge technology—a full charge takes just a few minutes.The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is IP68 dust and water resistant, and the display is covered with durable Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

 

Configurations are available with 8 or 12 GB of RAM and 256 or 512 GB of internal storage, without support for memory cards. The smartphone supports dual SIM cards, features NFC, an IR port, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and an X-axis vibration motor, adding a premium feel to everyday use. Incidentally, this is a fairly popular model, including on Rozetka.

 

+ Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor

+ Bright AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness up to 3000 nits.

+ 200MP main camera with optical image stabilization

+ Super-fast 120W HyperCharge

+ IP68 body protection and Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

- No microSD card support.

- The weight and thickness are greater than the battery and cooling system.

- High power consumption at 120Hz and maximum brightness.

 

Realme 15T

 

 

The Realme 15T features a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080×2372 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max chipset, manufactured using a 6 nm process, paired with memory configurations of up to 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB or more of internal storage. The interface is based on Android 15 with Realme UI and supports modern Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C connectivity. Connections are stable, and the device handles everyday tasks and mid-range games well. However, the smartphone may become warm during intensive gaming or heavy use.

 

The main camera features a 50 MP sensor with optical image stabilization and supports 5G networks, making the model suitable for modern tasks. The 7,000 mAh battery guarantees long battery life, and 60 W fast charging allows you to recharge quickly. The model weighs approximately 181 g and is approximately 7.8 mm thick, creating a compact feel despite its large screen. Furthermore, the 2 MP ultra-wide camera module is weaker than its competitors.

 

+ Large 6.57″ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

+ High-capacity 7000 mAh battery.

+ Memory configuration up to 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage.

+ Modern connectivity standards: 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C.

- Ultra-wide camera module is only 2 MP – limited versatility.

- Possible dropouts under heavy use The case gets hot.

- No wireless charging support.

 

Comparison table of 5 inexpensive smartphones

 

Smartphone Ratings: Price/Quality Category

 

1st Place – Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G

Traditionally a strong value proposition: a very powerful camera (200 MP), a solid chip, and a good screen for the price – a top choice for value.

Glossary: ​​A value proposition is essentially ‘price versus features’. Good value means that the device offers a lot of features at a relatively low price. That is:

• Good combination of features (performance, screen, cameras, battery)
• Acceptable price in the market
• Better than competitors in the same price segment for “features for the money”

2nd place – Realme 15T 

Distinguished by its huge battery (7000 mAh) and a good set of features and capabilities for a small price.

3rd place – Nothing Phone (3a) 

Strong design and performance, but the Nothing is usually priced above “honest” value; However, the excellent device experience and good software ensure a top spot, but not #1 in terms of price/quality.

4th place – Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

Good screen and fast charging (68W), but in terms of price/performance, it’s inferior to those above it in pure value. But for those who value Motorola’s signature features, this is it.

5th place – Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Brand reliability, excellent display (Super AMOLED), and update support—but in terms of pure price/hardware, it’s usually a bit more expensive than competitors with similar specifications. If One UI and updates are important, this is a great choice, but not the most cost-effective.

 

Category “Games and Multimedia”

 

1st Place – Nothing Phone (3a)

Best overall platform performance (Snapdragon 7s Gen3), good 6.7″/6.8″ AMOLED panel, and decent cameras → more like renders, smooth gaming FPS, and a high-quality screen for multimedia.

2nd Place – Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

A strong mid-range chip (Snapdragon 7s Gen2), a good 6.7″ OLED screen, and Motorola’s optimizations for photo/video → very good in gaming and editing.

3rd Place – Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G

Powerful multimedia hardware (200MP camera in the top configuration, powerful Dimensity 7300 Ultra) – excellent for photos and videos, good gaming performance, but the overall GPU performance is slightly inferior to the Snapdragon 7.

4th place – Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Comfortable 120Hz AMOLED, 6.7″ and 5000 mAh; Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC – not bad, but inferior to the more “gaming” 7s/Dimensity 7300 in raw power and photo/video processing.

5th place – Realme 15T

A decent display, but with a raw CPU/GPU for heavy gaming and fast photo/video editing, it’s weaker than the Dimensity 6400 Max listed above. It’s suitable for casual gaming and on-the-fly processing, but not for demanding tasks.

 

“Blackout Smartphone” Category

 

In this category, the rating is based on several characteristics declared by the manufacturers: hardware energy efficiency, charging power (charging speed), and battery capacity. Actual battery life, in addition to these parameters, depends heavily on the smartphone’s usage (web surfing, gaming, video, etc.), software version, and software optimization for specific tasks. Therefore, the rating below should be used as a guide only.

1st Place – Realme 15T

Very large capacity – 7000 mAh + 60W charging. Great for blackouts.

2nd Place – Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G

5110 mAh battery – average battery life. But 120W Hyper Charge allows you to charge your smartphone in just a few minutes.

3rd place – Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

Average 5,000 mAh capacity, but effective optimization and very fast 68W TurboPower charging.

4th place – Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Average 5,000 mAh capacity, but an energy-efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor and a power-saving Super AMOLED screen.

5th place – Nothing Phone (3a)

Average 5000 mAh capacity, 50W charging, adequate power efficiency, but the more powerful and less power-efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen3 processor and the emphasis on features, so it scores slightly lower in the battery life rating compared to optimization.