The best mid-range phones in 2025: Samsung, Google, Nothing and Apple

Hello everyone! I’m Marta, and today we’re going to talk about something I’m passionate about: finding phones that offer the best value for money. The mid-range has become the most interesting segment of the market, with phones that have almost everything we need without blowing our whole paycheck on them. In this review we’re going to compare four very interesting options: the Samsung Galaxy A56, the Google Pixel 8a, the Nothing Phone 3a and the iPhone 16e. Let’s see which one takes the mid-range crown in 2025!

Samsung Galaxy A56: The perfect balancer

Samsung has refined its mid-range formula until it achieved a phone that really impresses with its balance. The Galaxy A56 is the natural evolution of a series that has been improving year after year.

What I liked:

• Screen: 6.5″ AMOLED at 120Hz that’s simply spectacular for watching content
• Battery: 5,000 mAh that easily lasts a day and a half of heavy use
• Cameras: The 64MP main sensor takes surprisingly good photos, even in low light
• Software: One UI has matured a lot and is now intuitive and customizable
• Updates: Samsung promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 of security

What didn’t convince me as much:

• The design is still somewhat generic, although the new colors help
• The 25W charging falls a bit short compared to the competition
• It still comes with some preinstalled apps that not everyone will use

The Galaxy A56 is perfect for: Users who want a balanced phone that does everything well, without standing out especially in anything but without failing in any aspect. Price: €399

Google Pixel 8a: The king of affordable photography

Google has achieved something incredible with the Pixel 8a: bringing the photographic magic of its flagship phones to a much more accessible price. If photos are your priority, there’s no competition in this range.

What I liked:

• Cameras: Simply the best in the mid-range, with image processing that seems like magic
• Software: Pure Android with exclusive Pixel features and 5 years of updates
• Size: More compact than most, perfect for one-handed use
• AI: Features like Magic Eraser, Best Take and real-time translation are truly useful
• Performance: The Tensor G3 chip performs surprisingly well in everyday tasks

What didn’t convince me as much:

• The 4,500 mAh battery is just enough to make it to the end of the day
• The design, although improved, is still somewhat boring
• The 90Hz screen when the competition already offers 120Hz

The Pixel 8a is perfect for: Photography lovers who don’t want to spend a fortune, and those who value having pure Android with fast, long-lasting updates. Price: €449

Nothing Phone 3a: Design and personality

Nothing has managed to carve out a niche in the market thanks to its different approach, and the Phone 3a is proof that you can innovate in design without skyrocketing the price.

What I liked:

• Design: Simply unique, with the Glyph interface on the back that’s as useful as it is eye-catching
• Screen: 6.4″ OLED at 120Hz with accurate colors and excellent brightness
• Software: Nothing OS 3.5 is minimal, fluid and bloatware-free
• Audio: The stereo speakers are surprisingly good for this range
• Charging: 45W wired and 15W wireless, something rare in the mid-range

What didn’t convince me as much:

• The cameras are decent but don’t particularly stand out
• The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor falls a bit short in demanding games
• The update promise is smaller: only 3 years of Android

The Nothing Phone 3a is perfect for: Those looking for a phone that stands out for its design and personality, with a clean and different software experience. Price: €429

iPhone 16e: The gateway to the Apple ecosystem

Apple has renewed its mid-range strategy with the iPhone 16e, a device that brings much of Apple’s premium DNA at a more accessible price (although it’s still the most expensive in this comparison).

What I liked:

• Performance: The A18e chip performs better than any Android mid-range processor
• Ecosystem: Integration with other Apple devices is unbeatable
• Camera: A single lens that takes consistent photos and excellent videos
• Updates: A minimum of 5-6 years of guaranteed support
• Build: Material quality above the average of this range

What didn’t convince me as much:

• The price is still high for what it offers
• The 60Hz screen in 2025 is hard to justify
• It still uses Lightning instead of USB-C
• Customization is limited compared to Android

The iPhone 16e is perfect for: Users who already have other Apple products and want the iOS experience without spending as much, or those who value longevity and long-term performance. Price: €529

Direct comparison: Which to choose according to your needs?

Let’s compare these four phones in the most important categories to help you decide:

Best value for money

1. Samsung Galaxy A56 – Offers the best balance for €399
2. Nothing Phone 3a – Unique design and good specs for €429
3. Google Pixel 8a – Superior cameras justify the €449
4. iPhone 16e – By far the most expensive at €529

Best camera

1. Google Pixel 8a – Unbeatable in image processing
2. iPhone 16e – Consistent and excellent in video
3. Samsung Galaxy A56 – Versatile with its multiple lenses
4. Nothing Phone 3a – Decent but nothing special

Best battery

1. Samsung Galaxy A56 – 5,000 mAh and good optimization
2. Nothing Phone 3a – 4,800 mAh with faster charging
3. iPhone 16e – Lower capacity but excellent optimization
4. Google Pixel 8a – The phone’s weakest point

Best screen

1. Samsung Galaxy A56 – 120Hz AMOLED with vibrant colors
2. Nothing Phone 3a – 120Hz OLED with more natural colors
3. Google Pixel 8a – High-quality 90Hz OLED
4. iPhone 16e – Good quality but limited to 60Hz

Best software and updates

1. Google Pixel 8a – Pure Android and 5 years of updates
2. iPhone 16e – iOS and 5-6 years of updates
3. Samsung Galaxy A56 – One UI and 4 years of updates
4. Nothing Phone 3a – Nothing OS and 3 years of updates

My final recommendation

After testing these four phones for several weeks, my recommendation is:

• If you’re looking for the best balance: Samsung Galaxy A56
• If the camera is your priority: Google Pixel 8a
• If you want to stand out with a unique design: Nothing Phone 3a
• If you already have Apple products: iPhone 16e

My personal favorite is the Google Pixel 8a, because I’m passionate about photography and I love having pure Android. But I recognize that the Samsung Galaxy A56 offers the best overall balance for most users. And what do you think? Which of these phones catches your attention the most? Do you have any questions about any of them? Tell me in the comments! A tech hug, Marta 💖