The curtains are about to close for 2025, and we wil enter a new year full of big surprises in the market of smartphones. Some of the changes are coming for the best, while others may hurt at first. While we look at the infinite possibilities set for the next year, it's time to also look at the past and make some considerations. For hardware enthusiasts and smartphone lovers, we have to say that 2025 was quite positive. We had very good smartphones in the mid-range segment, which, for the first time, are becoming true replacements for those who have always had flagship phones. The huge gap between mid-range phones and flagships is no longer here, and 2025 brought us some interesting releases in this segment. Through this article, we will list some neat surprises we had in 2025, based in our reviews and in the general market. So be ready to see our Best Mid-Range Phones of 2025.
Be aware that this is our GizChina Awards list, and you're free to express a different way of thinking. So far, the smartphones listed below have been our biggest surprises in the 2025 market. So without further ado, let's dive into the list of the best mid-range smartphones that drew our attention and deserve a place in the GizChina Awards' list.
1 - Honor Magic8 Lite - A Big Surprise in the Magic Series
The Honor Magic 8 Lite fully earns its place in the GizChina Awards Best Mid-range Phones of 2025 because it delivers something genuinely rare in this segment: true peace of mind. Its massive 7,500mAh silicon carbon battery redefines expectations, offering up to four days of real use and completely changing how often users think about charging.
That alone sets it apart, but Honor goes further with flagship-level durability, including IP69K protection and serious drop resistance that few mid-range phones even attempt. The large 120Hz OLED display is bright, smooth, and comfortable on the eyes, making daily use a pleasure indoors or outdoors. While performance and cameras remain sensible rather than spectacular, the overall balance is clear and intentional. The Honor Magic 8 Lite excels in this regard better than almost any competitor this year.
Highlights
- 7,500mAh silicon-carbon battery with up to 4 days of real use
- 66W fast charging
- IP68 + IP69K water and dust resistance
- Strong drop resistance for daily abuse
- 6.79-inch 120Hz OLED display, very bright and eye-friendly
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 for stable everyday performance
- Cameras are average but consistent
- Built for users who prioritize battery life, durability, and reliability
2 - Vivo V60
The vivo V60 refines an already solid formula into a more complete and confident device. It stands out with a slim yet premium design that somehow accommodates a large 6,500mAh battery. As a result, it delivers nearly two days of real-world use while still charging extremely fast with the bundled 90W adapter.
The 120Hz curved AMOLED display is bright, fluid, and excellent for outdoor use. When it comes to this device, the daily use and media consumption are genuinely enjoyable. Cameras remain a key strength, especially with the ZEISS-tuned main sensor and the capable 3x periscope telephoto. It's uncommon in this segment, and this device offers class-leading zoom performance for the price.
Performance comes from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, which is smooth and dependable, even for gaming. The brand promises long software support for this smartphone, adding in the real long-term value. Despite some compromises like bloatware and average low-light photos, the V60 delivers a well-rounded mid-premium experience that clearly deserves recognition.
- Slim premium design with 6,500mAh battery
- 90W fast charging included in the box
- 6.77-inch 120Hz curved AMOLED, excellent outdoor visibility
- ZEISS-tuned cameras with 3x periscope telephoto
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 delivers smooth daily performance and gaming
- Promised long-term software support
- Weak points include bloatware and average low-light photos
- Strong mid-premium all-rounder with focus on design and cameras
3 - TECNO POVA 7 Ultra
The Tecno Pova 7 Ultra strongly deserves a place in the GizChina Awards Best Mid-range Phones of 2025 by delivering an experience that goes far beyond raw specs. The phone combines flagship-level performance with excellent battery life. It's the perfect match for users who push their phones hard every day.
Under the hood, the Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chip, fast UFS 4.0 storage, and an advanced cooling system ensure smooth gaming and multitasking without overheating. There is also a 6,000mAh battery that easily lasts two days and charges incredibly fast.
The phone brings a 144Hz AMOLED display that is bright, sharp, and immersive. Media is enjoyable with loud Dolby Atmos stereo speakers that elevate the experience. The futuristic design and functional Mini-LED light strip give it a unique identity. There are also some extras like wireless charging and a magnetic power bank that add real value. With capable cameras, useful AI features, and a surprisingly clean HiOS 15, the POVA 7 Ultra proves TECNO was able to deliver a bold, well-rounded mid-range standout in 2025.
Highlights:
- Dimensity 8350 Ultimate with UFS 4.0 storage
- Advanced cooling system for sustained gaming
- 6,000mAh battery with fast wired + wireless charging
- 6.67-inch 144Hz AMOLED display
- Loud Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
- Futuristic design with Mini-LED notification light
- Magnetic wireless power bank included
- Excellent performance-focused mid-range phone with strong value
4 - Infinix GT30 Pro - A Survivor in the Gaming Phone Field
The Infinix GT30 5G deserves recognition in the GizChina Awards Best Mid-range Phones of 2025 for one simple reason: it brings real gaming features to a price point where most phones only pretend to.
For instance, the phone has mechanical shoulder triggers, strong haptic feedback, and a smooth 144Hz AMOLED display. These specs combined deliver a level of immersion rarely seen under the ₹20,000 range.
The Dimensity 7400 may not chase benchmark records, but it is well-optimized for everyday use and casual to moderate gaming, especially when paired with XOS 15’s gaming-focused tweaks.
The battery life is reliable, and passthrough charging is a genuine gamer-friendly bonus. Also, the lightweight design makes long sessions comfortable. Camera performance is clearly not the focus, yet the solid front camera and usable video keep it practical beyond gaming. The Infinix GT30 understands its audience and prioritizes the right features, making it one of the smartest budget gaming phones of 2025.
Highlights:
- Mechanical shoulder triggers for gaming
- Strong haptic feedback for immersion
- 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display
- Dimensity 7400 optimized for casual to mid-level gaming
- 5,500mAh battery with passthrough charging
- Lightweight plastic build for long gaming sessions
- Rear cameras are weak, front camera is solid
- One of the best budget gaming phones of 2025
5 - POCO X7 Pro
One of the most valuable surprises of 2025, and that clearly deserves a place among our best mid-range phones of 2025, is the POCO X7 Pro. With this device, the brand managed to hit many spots in the mid-range market and even flirt with the flagship segment.
The phone brings a powerful Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset that can handle basically all games from the Play Store without much effort. The device is even capable of emulating some PC games via Winlator and is also decent in general emulation of old Consoles. The 120Hz AMOLED display is one of the brightest in the segment, and the in-display fingerprint scanner adds in a flagship-level feeling.
The POCO X7 Pro has a massive 6,000mAh Battery (6,550mAh in India) and leaves the battery anxiety below when paired with 90W charging. This was one of the biggest surprises of 2025, and only makes us expect anxiously for the next big thing in this family.
Highlights:
- Powerful Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset
- Handles heavy games and PC/console emulation
- 120Hz AMOLED display, very bright
- In-display fingerprint scanner
- 6,000mAh battery (6,550mAh in India)
- 90W fast charging
- Excellent performance-to-price ratio
- One of the biggest mid-range surprises of 2025
6 - POCO F7
If the POCO X7 Pro is the best entrance in POCO's lineup for 2025, the POCO F7 sits one step above. Despite being more of a flagship than a mid-range phone, this device's price is still closer to the budget segment than to the premium flagship.
For its price, we have a huge AMOLED display with thin bezels, capable cameras, and a powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. If you need more juice, the phone brings a large 6,500mAh battery paired with 90W charging. This is the device for those who want to emulate PC games on Android, and even for those who want to play all Switch games without much hassle.
Highlights:
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, near-flagship performance
- Large AMOLED display with thin bezels
- Capable and versatile camera system
- 6,500mAh battery with 90W charging
- Excellent for emulation, Switch games, and heavy gaming
- Priced closer to mid-range despite flagship power
- Ideal for users who want maximum performance without flagship pricing
7 - Nothing Phone 3a
One honorable mention in the mid-range segment is the Nothing Phone 3a. If you're bored by the general, this device tries to be different with the unique and unusual design that Nothing has been consolidating with its devices.
It has a gorgeous and smooth 144Hz AMOLED screen with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 keeping performance in check. The different and smooth Nothing OS keeps the things interesting and enjoyable every day. It's a device that certainly deserves an honorable mention in the list, even though acquiring one may not be the so easy for certain parts of the world.
Highlights:
- Unique and recognizable Nothing design
- 6.7-inch 144Hz AMOLED display
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 for balanced performance
- Clean, smooth Nothing OS
- Strong everyday usability and fluid UI
- Limited availability in some regions
- Chosen for design, software experience, and consistency
Read also
Conclusion - Best Mid-Range Phones of 2025
These were some of our best picks in the list of best mid-range phones of 2025. We are excited to see what the market will bring in 2026, even though the current changes and the imminent shortage of certain components
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