Highlights

• Mid-range smartphones offer near flagship features at affordable prices.
• Popular models include iQOO Neo 7, Vivo V27, and POCO F5.
• High-performance specs and advanced cameras in the Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 range.
• Devices like Samsung Galaxy A34 and Realme 11 Pro Plus leading the trend.

As 2023 comes to a close, one smartphone segment that has seen explosive growth is the mid-range Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 bracket.

From the iQOO Neo 7 to the POCO F5, these competitively priced phones have struck the right chord with Indian consumers who want flagship-level features at a lower cost.

A recent report by 91mobiles showed the popularity of handsets in this price range.

Here’s an overview of the top 10 smartphones, in no particular order, that have garnered the most interest:

iQOO Neo 7

• Display & Design: Features a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant visuals and fluid motion. The design is modern with slim bezels and a punch-hole camera.
• Performance: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200, it handles gaming and intensive tasks smoothly. Comes with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage.
• Camera: Equipped with a 64MP main camera with OIS, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. A 16MP front camera caters to selfies.
• Battery & Charging: A 5,000mAh battery supported by 120W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 24,999 for 8GB/128GB and Rs 27,999 for 12GB/256GB.

Vivo V27

• Display & Design: Boasts a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone’s back panel changes color under bright light.
• Performance: Runs on MediaTek Dimensity 7200 with Mali-G610 MC4 GPU, offering solid performance.
• Camera: Features a 50MP Sony IMX766V sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro cameras. The front camera is 50MP.
• Battery & Charging: Comes with a 4600mAh battery and supports 66W fast charging.
• Price: Starts at Rs 32,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model although can be purchased under Rs 30,000 during sale period.

Motorola Edge 40

• Display & Design: A 6.55-inch FHD+ pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The faux-leather back and square camera module add a premium touch.
• Performance: Runs on MediaTek Dimensity 8020 with Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, balancing performance and efficiency.
• Camera: A 50MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. The selfie camera is 32MP.
• Battery & Charging: Features a 4,400mAh battery with 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging support.
• Price: Rs 26,499 for the 8GB/256GB variant.

Vivo V29e

• Display & Design: Sports a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The design is sleek, though the polycarbonate body feels less premium.
• Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 695 with Adreno 619L GPU, it’s adequate for daily tasks.
• Camera: Comes with a 64MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The front camera is 50MP.
• Battery & Charging: A large 5000mAh battery with 44W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 26,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model.

Samsung Galaxy A34

• Display & Design: Features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ sAMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The design includes a waterdrop notch.
• Performance: Equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC and Mali-G68 MC4 GPU.
• Camera: Has a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The front camera is 13MP.
• Battery & Charging: A 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 30,999 for the 8GB+128GB model.

POCO F5

• Display & Design: Offers a 6.67-inch FHD+ 12-bit AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Performance: Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen2 SoC, providing top-tier performance.
• Camera: Includes a 64MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide lens, and 2MP macro sensor. A 16MP front camera for selfies.
• Battery & Charging: Comes with a 5,000mAh battery and 67W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 29,999 for the 8GB/256GB model.

Realme 11 Pro Plus

• Display & Design: Features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The leatherette-back finish offers a premium feel.
• Performance: Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7050 5G chipset, it balances speed and efficiency.
• Camera: A 200MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro sensor. A 32MP front camera for selfies.
• Battery & Charging: Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery with 100W SuperVOOC fast charging.
• Price: Rs 26,799 for the 8GB + 256GB variant.

Infinix GT 10 Pro

• Display & Design: A 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The transparent design and orange accents create a unique look.
• Performance: Runs on MediaTek Dimensity 8050 processor with Mali-G77 MC9 GPU.
• Camera: Includes a 108MP primary camera and two 2MP sensors. A 32MP front camera.
• Battery & Charging: A 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 21,999 for the 8GB + 256GB model.

iQOO Z7 Pro

• Display & Design: Offers a 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and curved edges for a premium look.
• Performance: Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7200 5G chipset.
• Camera: Features a 64MP primary sensor and a 2MP bokeh lens. The front camera is 16MP.
• Battery & Charging: A 4,600mAh battery with 66W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 23,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model.

iQOO Neo 7 256GB

• Display & Design: Similar to the standard iQOO Neo 7, it boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Performance: Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 8200 and comes with up to 12GB RAM.
• Camera: Equipped with a 64MP main camera, 2MP depth, and 2MP macro sensors.
• Battery & Charging: Features a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging.
• Price: Rs 27,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant.

FAQs

What makes the mid-range smartphone segment so popular in India?

The mid-range smartphone segment, typically priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000, has gained immense popularity in India due to its balance of high-end features and affordability.

Phones like the iQOO Neo 7 and Vivo V27 offer advanced capabilities, such as high-quality displays and powerful cameras, without the steep price tag of flagship models.

Which smartphones are currently leading in this price range?

In 2023, smartphones like the iQOO Neo 7, Vivo V27, Motorola Edge 40, and POCO F5 are among the top contenders in the mid-range market.

These phones have attracted consumers with their impressive specifications, such as AMOLED displays, high refresh rates, and substantial battery life.

What are the key features consumers look for in mid-range smartphones?

Consumers in the mid-range smartphone market typically seek features that were once exclusive to high-end models.

This includes AMOLED displays with high refresh rates, large battery capacities with fast charging, high-resolution multi-camera setups, and powerful processors for smooth performance.

How has the mid-range smartphone market evolved in 2023?

The mid-range smartphone market in 2023 has seen significant advancements, with manufacturers focusing on delivering premium features at more accessible price points.

This includes better screen technology, enhanced camera capabilities, and more efficient processors, catering to the growing demand for high-quality yet affordable smartphones.

What are the benchmark scores of Vivo V27 Pro?

The AnTuTu test score of V27 Pro stands at 8,39,769 points. On the other hand, the smartphone scores 1,213 and 3,681 points in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core tests respectively.

Does Vivo V27 Pro have a fingerprint scanner?

The Vivo V27 Pro comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner.

Which version of Android does the iQOO Neo 7 Pro run on?

The iQOO Neo 7 Pro runs on Android v13, offering a smooth and efficient user experience with its enhanced performance, improved memory management, and security features.

Does the iQOO Neo 7 Pro support 5G connectivity?

Yes, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro supports 5G connectivity, enabling faster data speeds and smoother streaming, browsing, and gaming experiences.

How does the Motorola Edge 40 Neo handle battery life and charging?

The device comes with a substantial 5000mAh battery that offers all-day usage. Additionally, it includes a 68W TurboPower™ fast charger in the box, capable of charging the battery to 50% in just 15 minutes.

What chipset powers the Motorola Edge 40 Neo, and what makes it unique?

The Edge 40 Neo is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 Processor, a 6nm chipset. It offers support for an extensive range of 5G bands, Wi-Fi 6e, MediaTek HyperEngineTM Game Technology for gaming, and cloud gaming capabilities, making it a standout in terms of performance and connectivity.

Does the Poco F5 have expandable storage?

Unfortunately, the Poco F5 does not have expandable storage. However, it offers ample internal storage of 256 GB, allowing for plenty of space for your files, apps, and media.

What are the processor capabilities of POCO F5 5G?

POCO F5 5G debuts the Snapdragon® 7+ Gen 2 in India, which is the most powerful processor in the Snapdragon 7-series to date and has a similar architecture to the Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1.

How is the design of Samsung galaxy A34 5G?

Samsung’s new Galaxy A34 5G has a flat back panel and display, a slightly curved frame, and three rear-facing cameras, each with its own cutout rather than residing atop a prominent camera hump.

In these regards, the Galaxy A34 5G resembles not only the Galaxy A54 but also higher-end models like the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23+.

However, unlike the Galaxy A54 and higher-end Samsung phones, the Galaxy A34 has a plastic back rather than Gorilla Glass protection.

Regardless, it weighs 199 grams and measures 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2mm. The flat back panel and frame come in one of four colors: Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lime, Awesome Silver, and Awesome Violet. The display bezel seems thinner than they were on the previous model — or at least the lower “chin” does.

But the display retains the Infinity-U notch design where the selfie camera is embedded.

How is the Display of Galaxy A34 5G?

The Galaxy A34 5G carries a Super AMOLED 6.6-inch Full HD+ display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz.

Not only was the refresh rate improved from 90Hz to 120Hz, but brightness levels can now go as high as 1,000nits thanks to Samsung’s Vision Booster technology, which also maintains a higher level of color accuracy across the brightness curve.

Underneath the 6.6-inch display, which is now SGS-certified for eyecare thanks to a reduction of blue light emissions from 12.5% to 6.5%, the Galaxy A34 5G sports an optical fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. The panel is protected by a sheet of Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

How is the camera performance on the Infinix GT 10 Pro?

The Infinix GT 10 Pro’s 108MP primary camera performs well under good lighting, offering vibrant and detailed shots. However, the device’s low-light photography and wide-angle shots could use improvement.

What can we expect from the battery life of the Infinix GT 10 Pro?

The device features a robust 5,000mAh battery, offering around six hours of screen-on time for regular tasks and around four hours for gaming, providing reliable all-day performance.

IQOO NEO 7 KEY SPECIFICATIONS