Questioning the Value of Midrange Smartphones in 2025: A Grumpy Philosopher’s Take

A skeptical look at whether midrange smartphones in 2025 truly offer value without compromise, questioning the features and what you’re really getting for your money.

Ah, the midrange smartphone—that elusive middle child of the tech world, caught between the flashy flagships and the budget-friendly basics. But let’s be real: ‘midrange’ in 2025 is about as clear as mud. Is it a phone that’s almost top-tier but not quite? Or just one that won’t make you cringe when you pull it out in public? So helpful.

Brands love to brag about trickling down premium features—like massive batteries, fancy camera setups, and buttery-smooth screens—to us mere mortals. But here’s the kicker: they’re still asking for a pretty penny. ‘Under $600 for a great phone!’ they say. But what’s ‘great’ these days? Not exploding in your pocket? Cool, cool.

Now, onto the ‘best’ midrange contenders of the year. There’s the Google Pixel Gemini, the iPhone 16e, the Nothing Smartphone, and the OnePlus Unlocked. They all promise the stars but deliver… let’s just say, a few dim bulbs.

Before you swipe that credit card, think: What’s your non-negotiable? All-day battery? Snappy performance? A camera that doesn’t turn your selfies into potato quality? Or are you just hoping to snag a flagship vibe on the cheap? Spoiler: the gap might be narrowing, but you’re still making trade-offs—just with a prettier bow on top.

And oh, the things you’ll miss. Wireless charging? Still playing hard to get in the midrange scene. A charger in the box? That’s a laugh. And as for zipping through apps? Let’s just say you might want to keep a book handy for those loading screens. But hey, at least the cameras don’t suck anymore. Silver linings, right?

So, is a midrange phone in 2025 the move? Well, if ‘almost awesome’ sounds good to you, then go for it. Just don’t forget—you’re not getting the whole pie, just a decent slice.