A few years ago, if someone told you mid-range smartphones would one day rival flagships, you might not have believed them.
Back then, these phones were mostly seen as cheaper options for people who couldn’t stretch for premium models. But a lot has changed.
Today, mid-range phones have improved so much that they’ve become the smart choice for many buyers. They give the right balance between performance and price, and honestly, that’s what most people care about now.
This change didn’t just happen by accident. It grew out of tough competition between phone makers who realised that not everyone wants to pay for brand prestige. Some just want reliable phones that work well and last long, and that’s exactly what mid-range phones have become.
In 2025, we’ve seen plenty of new launches in this category. Many of these phones now come with strong chipsets, high refresh rate screens, and camera setups that used to be found only on premium devices.
It’s now common to see someone using a ₦200,000 phone that performs just as smoothly as one that costs three times more.
Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, and OnePlus have been at the heart of this change. Samsung’s Galaxy A series, for instance, comes with AMOLED screens and multiple cameras, things that used to define its flagship models. Google’s Pixel “a” series has also blurred the line between high-end and mid-range by offering great cameras at reasonable prices.
Chipsets like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 series and MediaTek’s Dimensity 8000 have pushed this category even further.
Thanks to these, phone makers are now building mid-range devices that can handle gaming, content creation, and multitasking with ease.
Price and Performance
The balance between price and performance has always been a big deal, but in 2025 it’s more apparent than ever. Flagship phones may look better and sound more premium, but when it comes down to everyday use, the difference isn’t as wide as people think.
If you use your phone mostly for social media, emails, or video calls, you’ll barely notice any performance gap between a ₦200,000 phone and one worth ₦800,000. Both will handle your daily routine smoothly.
Xiaomi Redmi 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Let’s take the Xiaomi Redmi 15 and Samsung Galaxy S25 as an example. The Redmi 15, which launched in August 2025, comes surprisingly close to the Galaxy S25, and costs less than a third of its price.
Both phones have similar screen refresh rates, and the Redmi even has a slightly larger display. It runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip and an Adreno 619 GPU. While that’s a step below the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25, it still delivers impressive performance.
Both phones also run Android 15, with Xiaomi using its HyperOS interface and Samsung its familiar OneUI. In real life, both systems feel equally smooth.
For less than ₦360,000, you can get the Redmi 15, which offers solid performance, bright display quality, and decent storage, features that, not too long ago, were limited to flagship devices.
- Price of Xiaomi Redmi 15: ₦140,000 – ₦380,000
- Price of Samsung Galaxy S25: ₦850,000 – ₦1,300,000
- Price of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: ₦1,200,000 – ₦2,200,000
Camera and Display Quality
Cameras used to be the main reason people paid extra for flagship phones, but that’s no longer true. Mid-range devices now take great pictures too.
Phones like Samsung’s A16 5G and A06 both come with 50MP main cameras and AI-powered image optimisation. They adjust lighting and focus automatically, helping users take better pictures without any editing skills.
Displays have also come a long way. OLED screens, high refresh rates, and better colour contrast are now common in mid-range phones. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, gaming, or watching videos, the difference in experience is much smaller than before.
Samsung Galaxy A16 vs iPhone 17
The Samsung Galaxy A16 is one of the most impressive mid-range phones right now. It stands close to the iPhone 17, which says a lot.
It comes with a triple camera setup, a 50MP wide lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, features an 18MP main camera. Despite that, the A16 holds its own, especially in bright outdoor conditions.
The A16’s AMOLED display (1080 x 2340 pixels) offers crisp visuals and a pixel density of about 385ppi — not far from the iPhone’s 460ppi. But where Samsung wins big is battery life. Its 5000mAh battery lasts much longer, even under heavy use.
Price of Samsung Galaxy A16: ₦214,000 – ₦258,000
Price of iPhone 17 Series: ₦1,500,000 – ₦3,150,000
Battery Life and Software Support
Battery life has always been a deal breaker, especially in regions where constant power supply isn’t guaranteed. This is one reason mid-range phones dominate markets like Africa — they simply last longer on a single charge.
Most mid-range phones released in 2025 now come with at least a 5000mAh battery and fast-charging technology. Many can power a full day’s use without needing to be plugged in again, which is exactly what users want.
Realme P3 vs Google Pixel 9
When you compare Realme’s P3 to Google’s Pixel 9, you can see how much value mid-range phones now offer.
The Realme P3 packs a huge 6000mAh battery, while the Pixel 9 has a smaller 4900mAh one. The Pixel still wins in camera quality and software optimisation, but in terms of hardware and battery, the Realme P3 gives more for the money.
Realme P3 Battery Life: 6000 mAh
Google Pixel 9 Battery Life: ~4700 mAh
Price of Realme P3: ₦110,000 – ₦200,000 (approx. “box price” listings in Nigeria)
Price of Google Pixel 9: ₦900,000 – ₦1,200,000 (estimated based on listings)
Buying a mid-range smartphone in 2025 is simply the smarter choice. It lets you save money for other tech needs, like wearables or streaming subscriptions, without feeling like you’re missing out on premium features.
Manufacturers have also adjusted to this trend. They’re now building phones that serve different types of users: professionals who need reliable battery life, students who want affordability, and casual users who just need something that works.
At the end of the day, choosing a mid-range phone isn’t a downgrade. It’s a practical decision that balances performance, price, and purpose, proof that innovation doesn’t always have to come with a premium price tag.
