Most smartphone manufacturers, such as Poco F2, develop flagship devices with superior design. When we look towards mid-range smartphones, even for those who can afford a flagship smartphone, as the trend goes, the mid-range flagship can be a battery smartphone for you.
Today the time has arrived when you don’t find a flagship phone in need. Because mid-range devices now offer comparable features and performance at a fraction of the cost, they are the best choice for most users. However, flagship phones are packed with the latest processing power, vibrant display quality, and premium build materials, but recent market evolution has created a different perception.
I am sure if somewhere you have an interest in smartphones, then you always dream of a flagship phone. But wait, your perception will now change as Mod Range players are getting noticed with those flagship features. However, that does not mean mid-range phones are the best substitutes for flagship phones. These are great options if you have some specific expectations of your phone. So, let’s understand exactly what it is.
Why Flagships Used to Be Superior
The above context is trying to take the place of flagship phones over mid-rangers. But a question arises: why did flagships used to be superior ones? For this thing, I reviewed multiple flagship smartphones and found a common thing between all of them. And that’s the only reason people merely look for flagship phones rather than any mid-ranger. So, below are the common attributes that we found in every flagship phone and the reasons they use them as superior.
- Processing power: flagship phones packed with high-end chipsets ensure smooth performance for even the most demanding tasks. And so on, guaranteeing future proofreading for upcoming applications.
- Camera quality: Another common feature that is found in all flagships is camera quality. As they are packed with premium sensors aligned with multiple lenses and advanced features allowing them to capture exceptional photos and videos, and so on, they outperform mid-rangers.
- Display quality: The flagship phones are rich in display quality as they feature the sharpest and most vibrant displays with the help of higher resolutions and refresh rates.
- Build materials: Unlike mid-range smartphones, flagship smartphones are focused on premium materials like metal and glass so that they are more luxurious and durable. And you know how appearance and durability matter.
How the midrange market has evolved
You have seen the specific qualities that a flagship smartphone includes. But as I said, mid-rangers are better options than flagships. In this context, one of the main reasons is that the mid-range smartphone market is now evolving. They are now focusing on giving whatever people get with flagship to mid-range smartphones. Based on my research, I found these changes in the mid-range smartphone market.
- Processing Power: The gap in processing power between flagship and midrange phones is somewhere between bridging. All thanks to advancements in chipset technology, modern mid-range chipsets like the Snapdragon 778G are now manufactured using efficient 7nm nodes, which are similar to flagship processors.Â
- Camera Quality: Earlier, we saw that mid-range smartphones were no longer slouches in the camera department. But similar to processor manufacturers, advancements in sensor technology, including larger sensor sizes and improved pixel binning, are capturing more light and details in photos. Additionally, computational photography and the use of software help enhance images.Â
- Display Quality: Another attribute that is easily found in flagship phones is now similar to mid-range phones. I am talking about display quality, as the flagship display component with a 90 HZ or higher refresh rate is now available in mid-range phones. Additionally, such mid-range phones have advanced display technology like AMOLED panels that are known for deeper blacks and superior contrast.
Why are midrange phones now a viable option?
Now the main focus is on how midrange phones seem like a viable option rather than opting for flagships. See, in terms of features we have with flagship phones, midrange phones are now getting closer and almost similar in such qualities. But along with such qualities, midrange phones have some more benefits. And these are the only things that become a viable option. So, let’s discuss what those are.
- Mid-range phones have the biggest advantage of cost efficiency.
- Such smartphones offer flagship phone benefits at a limited cost, which seems like an additional benefit and ultimately a decision-turner.
- Mid-range phones deliver a compelling balance between features and cost.
- Phones in the mid-range category cater to the majority by offering powerful processors, impressive cameras, and high-quality displays.Â
- Some mid-range smartphone manufacturers are improving materials and construction to enhance the durability of their phones.
- Mid-range smartphones are now getting more security and software updates.
We need a smartphone with a price-quality ratio where quality also means a lot. Most smartphone manufacturers have their smartphone series, where the most expensive device is a premium and the lowest is a budget. But the scenario is changing from last year. Here, we get smartphones with a small notch and fewer bezels, as well as curved glass-covered pretty premium-design smartphones. But those smartphones are not of good quality, which leads to glass breaking, easily getting scratched, and being oleophobic.
The flagship smartphone now has more than a touchscreen, a dual camera, and ports. They need to do such big things to stand out by pushing their limits. Like making a flawless smartphone, triple or more camera sensors, mechanical sliders, or in-display fingerprint sensors, making smartphones slimmer and using premium materials with fancy gradients, and more. These small things that make smartphones more premium are also pushing everything to its final limit. Because they have a lot of competitors. If they don’t, they start losing.
A long time ago, smartphone manufacturers used to put the best version of hardware and software into a smartphone, so you could decide whether you had to pay extra for that or not. Today also, Super AMOLED mainly seems to be in a flagship smartphone.
We don’t say that mid-range smartphones compete with flagships; even they can’t compete in every single category. Mainly, the mid-range is not as bright as you find on a flagship. Not to mention, mid-range smartphones are not waterproof, nor are their cameras. For the price, these are mind-blowing, but it is unfair to compare flagship and mid-range smartphones.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, the midrange market has undergone a remarkable transformation, offering performance, features, and quality that rival even flagships all at a reasonable cost. From onwards, it translates to significant savings for users who can now get a powerful mobile experience without investing such a huge amount as a flagship requires. So before blindly chasing the latest flagship, consider the compelling value proposition offered by today’s midrange phones.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is an old flagship better than a new midrange?
Ans. Previously, we could say that, but today, this will not work.
Q2. Which brand is best for mid-range phones?
Ans. This seems like a contradictory question, but at present, Google and Samsung are two potential brands.
Q3. Which phone should I buy in 2024?
Ans. It could depend on user preferences, but in general, the Galaxy S24 Ultra seems like the best option for this year.
Q4. Do flagship phones last a long time?
Ans. Of course, they last a long time, but only when you compare them with a mid-range smartphone.