If you’re looking for the best Mid-Range gaming phones, you’ve come to the right page. As much as we love saving money, we love playing the best mobile games, so you better believe we’re ready to bring these things together in one comprehensive guide. These are the fastest, most functional all-rounders for under $400
1. Poco X5 Pro 5G
If you want to take your first steps in the arena, the Poco X5 Pro 5G is a great choice. The device hovers around the $250 dollar range, but for that, you’re getting a solid device with a decent amount of money under the hood and a nice screen. Thanks to a 120hz refresh rate and a cap of 900 nits, the gorgeous AMOLED display is very bright and delivers a crisp and clear picture.
Fortunately, if you want to do some gaming, the Poco X5 Pro 5G is quite capable. It's not the best chipset on the market as the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G can't keep up with the RedMagic 7 or 8, but the Poco undercuts them significantly in price, so you win one and you lose the other . It's also a big improvement over the previous Poco X5 Pro device, and is more than capable of running games like Genshin Impact at higher graphics settings and maintaining a stable frame rate.
The large 5000 mAh battery is even better for long gaming sessions, especially with 67W rapid charging. You can charge the phone from zero to full in just under an hour, and after a day of regular use it won’t do much to push that percentage down. With gaming features, you can expect a healthy four or five hours before complaining, but the Poco X4 Pro 5G is ready to get you through the day.
The slick and 'gaming' feel of the shell is one disadvantage of this device. It appears to have been designed by a teenager, and the glossy surface may be too much for some. There's also a noticeable protrusion for the cameras, and the overall effect is disturbing. It's OK to carry around in games, but as a real phone, it's a little bulky.
Well if you’re looking for a phone at the lower end of the price range that’s good for gaming, this is a fantastic choice. Don't expect to be taking great photos with it, and the actual device isn't the prettiest (although we do like the red shell a lot), but the Poco is a great choice for anyone who wants to play games while traveling without it breaking the bank.
2. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
Well, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G isn't going to win any awards, but the device is a great starting point for younger gamers, and it's sturdy enough that you won't mind if this knocked around a bit. Obviously, it’s not comparable with more expensive devices like the Samsung S23, but that 6-8GB of RAM and a 120hz screen is more than enough to get you started with most mobile games.
If you have some younger gamers who just want to catch up on titles like Doodle Jump, Angry Birds, or other simplified games, this device sings. It's more than capable of handling simple Android games, and with its stunning screen and lightweight design, it's an excellent choice.. Plus, Samsung is one of the few phone winners offering long-term OS support for their devices so the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is likely to get years of support going on.
Where this device really shines is its price. This really is gaming on a budget, even if you make compromises for this. The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G doesn’t offer the fast charging of other devices, and the camera isn’t about to win any awards. Also, the device is encased in plastic, so it doesn’t feel too premium. The screen, however, remains brilliant and colourful, and the sound is good for such a small phone. It may not run Genshin Impact at 60 FPS, but if you can’t save a lot of money, this is a great place to start.
3. Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Simply put, the Edge 40 Neo is the best phone you can buy for under $400. It's a shame it's not sold in the US, although it could probably be imported.
This isn't something to consider for most phones, but the Edge 40 Neo is unlike most phones at this price.
The stunning 6.55-inch 144Hz OLED display is the best example of this, delivering a superb viewing experience. As long as it is not twisted, and this does more harm than good. The MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset may seem like something special, but it delivers consistently great performance.
The cameras are good as long as you use the 50MP primary rear sensor for the majority of your shots. Although the 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera is handy in some scenarios, its quality is not as good. The battery life is average, but the integrated power bank allows for 68W fast charging.
However, while Motorola's approach to Android is impressive, the company is committed to only releasing OS updates for two years and security updates for three years. It doesn't mean anything other than Android 15 and 2026, but the Edge 40 Neo is still easy to recommend.
If you're looking for something a little more premium, consider the regular Motorola Edge 40.