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Major Brands Promise Further Improvements to Mid-Range Phones in 2026: Here Are the Models to Watch
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2025 has been a particularly interesting year for the mid-range mobile phone market, and I’ve had the opportunity to test a wide variety of devices in this segment. The Motorola Edge 60 immediately comes to mind, a smartphone that positively surprised me with its excellent balance of features for a starting price of just 429 euros.
I’ve also evaluated models from brands like Xiaomi, HONOR, and realme, giving me a close look at the state of the mid-range market as we approach the end of the year. As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to look ahead and consider what 2026 will bring. The continued innovation in this segment is crucial as manufacturers strive to deliver premium experiences at more accessible price points.
Based on current market trends and rumors surrounding upcoming phones, I anticipate improvements in photography that will bring users closer to a high-end experience. Larger batteries, 7,000 mAh or even more, are also becoming increasingly common, as are displays with exceptionally high peak brightness. Of course, we can also expect more powerful processors than previous generations, as that extra performance is always welcome.
There are many expectations for mid-range phones in 2026, but which models are particularly worth keeping an eye on? Personally, there are three future smartphones that I find especially interesting, and I’ll explain why you should be paying attention to them as well.
Google Pixel 10a: Again, a Contender for the Title
This is one of the first leaked images of the Google Pixel 10a | Photograph by OnLeaks x Android Headlines
The Google Pixel 9a was chosen as the best mid-range phone at the La Razón Technology and Consumer Awards. It’s a phone that comes close to earning top marks, offering a balanced experience and approaching high-end performance in several areas. A quality design, a great screen, the best cameras in its segment, and surprising battery life are some of its standout features.
It set a very high bar, but I believe the Google Pixel 10a can match it, even surpass it. This is definitely one of the mid-range smartphones to watch in 2026. I expect it will continue to be a very comfortable phone to use, with a standout camera system and the purest Android experience on the market. Plus, with the same 5,100 mAh battery expected to be retained, we can anticipate that same impressive battery life.
Features of the Google Pixel 10a have already been leaked, so we know the screen will see a significant quality improvement. The peak brightness increases from 1,800 to 2,000 nits, making it an even better screen for outdoor use. The updates will also affect its design, which will be more minimalist and reduce screen bezels, something we’ve been requesting from the company.
While the Google Pixel 10a won’t have the spectacular specs of Chinese phones, it doesn’t need to. It will be prepared to offer the balance that I find so important. It will also come with 7 years of updates, a broad support policy that makes it a perfect option for those looking to make a long-term investment.
Samsung Galaxy A57: Balance and the Changes We’re Expecting
The Samsung Galaxy A57 is one of the most anticipated mid-range phones of 2026 | Photograph by Daniel García
The arrival of a new year also means the arrival of a new model in the Galaxy A50 family. In 2026, it’s the turn of the Samsung Galaxy A57, which, while still under wraps, I know I’ll recommend frequently. Its full feature list hasn’t been leaked yet, but from what I’ve seen, I believe Samsung will refine the necessary areas to offer a better experience than the Samsung Galaxy A56.
According to early leaks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy A57, the phone will replace the Samsung Exynos 1580 with the Samsung Exynos 1680. Therefore, we can expect an improvement in terms of power and, consequently, a slightly smoother experience. It will once again come with the latest versions of One UI and Android and maintain 7 years of updates, making it an ideal choice for the future.
To date, I’ve tested several mid-range phones from Samsung, and my opinion is clear: they are a great option for those looking for a safe purchase that will maintain its value for many years. This Samsung Galaxy A57 will be no different and, I have no doubt, will be among the best mid-range phones next year.
For now, we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out all the surprises it holds. Personally, I’d like to see the introduction of a telephoto sensor, a commitment to a larger battery, and, my biggest wish, a fast charge that exceeds those 45 watts, which are already starting to feel insufficient. Will any of my requests be fulfilled?
OnePlus Nord 6: A Chance to Regain Lost Ground
For me, the OnePlus Nord 5 was one of the biggest disappointments of 2025. This model from the company has always been among the mid-range phones to watch, but this year it lowered the bar. Its design disappointed, losing personality by removing elements as iconic as the Alert Slider. Its cameras didn’t make the leap in quality we expected, and its battery remained at 5,200 mAh in the European market, while in Asia its capacity was 6,800 mAh.
We were also not convinced by its operating system, as when we analyzed the OnePlus Nord 5, we saw that many of the artificial intelligence functions were not available in Spanish. It’s true that the phone has some very good points, such as the screen and performance, but also that we expected more given the excellent quality of previous models.
However, 2026 is a good year to give OnePlus another chance, which has the opportunity to redeem itself with the future OnePlus Nord 6. There isn’t much talk about this phone yet, so I don’t know what features it will have. Personally, I hope it regains its personality with the return of the iconic Alert Slider, continues to commit to a powerful processor, dares to innovate in the photographic section to compete with its rivals, and finally doesn’t deprive us of those great batteries that it offers in the Asian market.
We know that the battle for the mid-range throne is becoming increasingly fierce, but also that OnePlus can compete head-to-head with brands like Samsung or Google, as it has done before. In addition, companies like Xiaomi or realme are also putting pressure on, while Motorola seems very interesting in the more affordable mid-range.
