5 reasons why you don’t need an expensive phone

When shopping for phones, you may be tempted by the latest and greatest devices like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, and Google Pixel 7 Pro.

This device is very powerful and can do anything without breaking a sweat. But do you really need this expensive device? We’ll find out below.

1. Mid-range phones already have good cameras

One of the reasons people chose high-end smartphones in the past was their cameras. In 2019, the image quality of the mid-range Samsung Galaxy A70s is acceptable for most daytime shots. However, the high-end Samsung Galaxy Note10+ still performs better, especially in difficult lighting conditions.

However, this is no longer true on today’s cell phones. For example, the mid-range Google Pixel 6A beat 16 other smartphones to get the best overall smartphone camera for 2022 from YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee.

This means the Google Pixel 6A outperforms other, more expensive phones, including the Google Pixel 7 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, on the camera front. Even the Vivo V25 Pro, which is specifically marketed by Vivo for photography lovers, is able to perform as well as other flagship devices.

2. You can find comparable hardware on more affordable devices.

Another reason why users buy expensive smartphones is to have powerful chips and large RAM to handle tough tasks. This will allow them to run the latest apps or even make sure their phones are still usable five years later.

This is especially important for users who like to play high-end mobile games on their devices, such as Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, World of Tanks Blitz, etc. But in recent years, even mid-range phones have gotten high-end SoCs inside.

For example, iQOO 11, Vivo’s gaming-focused mid-range brand, comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 16GB of RAM. Thanks to these specs, the iQOO 11 has better hardware than flagship phones like the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Vivo X80 Pro, both of which feature the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (due to their previous releases) and 12 GB of RAM.

In benchmark tests, the powerful SoC even allowed the iQOO 11 to beat the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro Max, a smartphone that costs almost twice as much.

3. Long battery life and fast charging are not exclusive to flagship phones.

A few years ago, smartphones that lasted about a day of typical use were only found in the more expensive category. Other, more affordable devices generally have shorter battery lives, around four to six hours.

But with advances in battery technology, and after Apple stopped shipping charging bricks with its phones, mid-range phones have caught up with their flagship devices.

Today, you can buy a mid-range phone like the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G which offers the same battery capacity as Samsung’s high-end offerings. Also, since the S22 Ultra does not come with a fast charging brick, it loses out to other mid-range phones, such as the Redmagic 7S Pro, which come with a 65 watt or higher charger.

4. Many manufacturers offer additional support for mid-range phones.

It is usually dangerous to use a smartphone that no longer receives security updates from the manufacturer. That’s why users who prefer to keep their devices longer choose premium models for extended support.

However, in 2019, several manufacturers have expanded their smartphone software and security support. For example, mid-range Samsung Galaxy A-series phones get the same four years of security update support as high-end Galaxy S-series and Z-series devices.

Google also announced that all Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 6, will get security updates for up to five years. Even Xiaomi’s mid-range Redmi Note and Mi-series phones will receive three major updates in their lifetime.

However, extended support is still not correct in all cases. Some manufacturers, such as Oppo, Motorola, and Nokia, only offer security updates for three years or less. So check out which manufacturer is best for Android updates before buying a mid-range smartphone for long-term use.

5. No need to be wasteful if you update frequently

For many users, a phone plan will allow them to get a new device every two or three years. If so, there’s probably no need to get the best of the best when it comes to smartphones.

After all, the technology found in today’s flagship phones will soon find its way to mid-range devices within a year or two. Due to this reason, some users are confused between choosing a new budget phone and choosing an older flagship device.

So even if you don’t have access to the latest, you can still enjoy a reasonable quality phone without breaking the bank. And when you look at the build quality of today’s mid-range devices, they can rival flagships.

For example, many mid-range phones now have high refresh rate displays, large batteries, NFC compatibility and excellent camera systems. And while their cameras aren’t necessarily brand exclusives, such as Hasselblad, Leica, and Zeiss, the quality of their output can still rival those of phones the company partners with.

Smartphone manufacturers can skimp on certain features for their mid-range phones. For example, many of these models do not have an IP environmental protection rating, sapphire or Gorilla Glass protection, or premium materials such as stainless steel. That said, you still get the most important features you need when using your phone.

Mid-range phones can compete with market flagships

A flagship smartphone is always a great choice, especially if you can afford it. But if you’re on a tight budget, mid-range phones can give you a great experience without breaking the bank. These more affordable models can provide everything you need for a lot less than their more expensive offerings.

And if you’re looking for something specific, like a great camera or a better gaming experience, you can choose a mid-range device that the maker has built specifically for the task. That way, you’ll get a smartphone that performs best with the tasks you need it most.