OK, so we’re starting with a phone that stretches the definition of ‘mid-range’, but the iPhone 13 mini is a high-end phone with a smaller size and price tag. For £100 less than the iPhone 13, it packs the same performance, and the same dual-camera system. And like all the iPhone 13 family, it also has six-metre waterproofing, and 5G support.

So what’s the catch? The iPhone 13 mini’s A15 Bionic processor is slightly detuned compared to the flagship iPhone 13 Pro models, but you’ll only notice in the most taxing 3D applications. More significantly, its 5.4” screen is smaller than most phones, and limited to ‘just’ 1,080×2,340 – you can find bigger, higher resolution screens on other cheaper phones.

Like the iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 mini has a more basic camera than the flagship iPhones, but it still rocks a dual-lens 12 megapixel (MP) system with Night Mode, Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode. Its battery life is also a bit down on its bigger siblings, but we still got it to loop movies for more than 13 hours.

The iPhone 13 mini sits at the crossover between mid-range and high end. It’s maybe not for everyone, but if you’re happy to sacrifice screen size and battery life to get your hands on stonking performance and the latest features, it’s worth stretching your budget to buy an iPhone 13 mini.

Life moves pretty fast with mobile phones – and things can quickly get confusing. The OnePlus 8T launched in October 2020, replacing the OnePlus 8 that had launched only six months earlier. At the time of writing you can buy the OnePlus 9, but the 8T – and even the OnePlus 7T – are also still available new. And if this seems like another expensive mid-ranger, be aware you can easily get the OnePlus 8T for £150 or so less than its advertised price – it’s a lot of phone for £500.

The OnePlus 8T kicks off with a Snapdragon 865 processor, working with either 8 or 12GB of RAM – it’s a usefully quick phone. There’s a minimum 128GB of storage, too, but the real excitement comes thanks to its quad-camera setup. The main duties are taken by a 48MP wide camera, backed up by a 16MP ultra-wide that offers a 123° view. If you’re feeling creative, the 5MP macro lens helps you grab ultra-close shots, while there’s even a 2MP camera dedicated to black & white shots.

This phone’s 6.55” OLED screen offers sensational colours and deep contrast, along with a 120Hz refresh rate – you won’t see that on the standard iPhone 13. However, the display’s resolution is a modest 1,080×2,400. This is one of two obvious downgrades compared to newer, more expensive phones. The other is that this phone isn’t officially IP rated against dust or water penetration, although some independent sellers and testers say it’s splash-resistant.

Still, if you want a fast, well-specced phone with a good camera, the OnePlus 8T is a strong contender. With support for 5G, three major Android upgrades (from 11 to 14) and four years of security updates (until October 2024), it should be all you need for years to come.

Another list, another appearance for the redoubtable Pixel 4a. Google’s best mid-range phone is getting on a bit now, but there’s still plenty to recommend it if you’re looking at the cheaper end of the market. For a start, it’s one of the smallest Android phones. It also runs one of the purest versions of the operating system, enhanced by several useful Pixel-only features. And there are updates slated until October 2023.

The Pixel 4a has a 5.8” OLED screen, limited to only 60Hz and 1,080×2,340. At the back there’s a single 12MP camera, but nobody seems to have told it that it’s more basic than many rivals. Google’s image processing smarts help ensure this is still one of the best camera phones at this price – it’ll get great shots in almost any conditions.

Live with the Pixel 4a and you’re likely to notice that its Snapdragon 730G is well behind the times. While it’s up for casual gaming, really taxing 3D work causes it to chug. It can lag if you’re firing off multiple portrait shots, too. There’s no 5G support, and the phone’s plastic body might not be to your taste – although it does keep the weight down to 143 grams.

Despite these limitations, this remains a great phone. Smaller than the herd, and straddling the line between mid-range and budget, it still delivers plenty for the money if you don’t get too caught up on the specs.