Hey everyone! Remember a while back when we had that discussion about the recent mid-range phones and how I wouldn’t recommend any of them? Turns out, a lot of you agreed! Great minds think alike, right? Anyway, I figured it wouldn’t be fair to just point out the phones I wouldn’t recommend without offering some alternatives. So, here we are! Before we start, just a quick reminder: buying a phone is super personal. Everyone has different needs and priorities. The phones I’m about to mention are just suggestions. Feel free to discuss and share your own thoughts in the comments! Alright, without further ado, I’m going to focus on three specific price ranges: 1K-2K, 2K-3K, and 3K-4K. For each range, I’ll highlight one phone that I think is worth considering, especially if you’re not super picky about things like battery size. Here they are: the Redmi K70E (not the most popular, I know), the OnePlus Ace 3 (flagship-like experience), and the iQOO 12 (a real game-changer). Let’s start with the Redmi K70E. To be honest, this phone didn’t make a huge splash when it launched. It was overshadowed by its siblings, the Redmi K70 and K70 Pro, which have better screens, metal frames, and more powerful processors. However, as the saying goes, ‘You’re only as good as your competition.’ And lately, I’ve noticed a bunch of new mid-range phones coming out that aren’t much better than the K70E, yet they’re priced significantly higher. This makes the K70E, which has already seen a few price drops, look like a pretty good deal. Think about it: the K70E with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is going for around 1500, and even the top-end 16GB+1TB version is just a little over 2000. Compare that to phones like the Redmi Turbo3 and the OnePlus Ace 3v, which cost 1999 for the 12GB+256GB configuration. The OnePlus doesn’t even have a 1TB option, maxing out at 512GB, and the 1TB Turbo3 is almost 700 more expensive than the K70E! Now, if those pricier phones offered significant upgrades, I wouldn’t mind. But here’s the thing… The K70E has a glass back (better than Turbo3’s plastic), a larger 5500mAh battery compared to the Turbo3’s 5000mAh, and they both have a 1.5K screen with 90W fast charging. The main difference lies in the processor: the K70E uses the Dimensity 8300-Ultra, while the Turbo3 has the Snapdragon 8s Gen3. Yes, the Snapdragon scores higher in benchmarks, but in real-world gaming, the difference is barely noticeable. Besides the price-to-performance ratio, there’s another reason why I like the K70E: MediaTek has stepped up its AI game. The Dimensity 8300-Ultra supports large language models, which means it can handle lots of AI features. Think real-time subtitles, meeting summaries, AI photo editing, text-to-image generation—features you’d normally find on flagship Xiaomi phones, but not on many Snapdragon 8 Gen2 phones. Just one thing to keep in mind: since not many phones use the Dimensity 8300 (Ultra), software updates might not be as frequent as for other popular models. It’s something to be aware of. Overall, if I had to describe the Redmi K70E, I’d say it’s one of the last truly budget-friendly phones from Redmi, a 1TB storage champion, and a real contender in the mid-range segment. If you’re on a tight budget, this phone is worth considering. Now, moving on to the OnePlus Ace 3 in the 2K-3K range. This phone is my personal favorite among the sub-flagship options. It’s like a flagship in disguise—everything about it, from the design to the performance, feels premium. It’s got the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen2 processor, LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage—the performance is top-notch. The metal frame and glass back give it a premium feel, and the 1.5K LTPO screen with 1600 nits peak brightness is fantastic. And that’s not all: 5500mAh battery, 100W charging, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, X-axis linear motor, dedicated display chip, infrared blaster, stereo speakers—the Ace 3 has it all. It even has an in-display fingerprint sensor, which is a rarity in this price range. The sensor is positioned perfectly, unlike some other phones with awkwardly placed sensors. If I had to nitpick, the only downsides are the lack of IP68 water resistance (it does have rain touch support) and the curved screen. Some people might not like the camera design, which resembles a toilet seat, but personally, I find it quite stylish. The Sony IMX890 main camera isn’t flagship-level, but it’s pretty good for a sub-flagship. You might be thinking, ‘Okay, this phone sounds good, but is it really that special?’ Well, let’s compare it to other sub-flagships in the same price range. While they may seem competitive, they often have compromises. For example, the Redmi K70, despite having a 2K screen, only has a 5000mAh battery, which isn’t ideal. The iQOO Neo 9, with its excellent camera borrowed from the vivo X100, and the faster 120W charging, falls short in terms of screen quality and build. For me, the well-rounded OnePlus Ace 3 wins hands down. The 12GB+256GB version costs around 2200, and the top-tier 16GB+1TB version is under 3000. If you’re not a heavy camera user, this phone is a great option. Finally, let’s talk about the iQOO 12 in the 3K-4K range. This phone is a true testament to iQOO’s transformation this year. The most noticeable change is the design. Gone are the stepped camera modules of the past, replaced by a sleek new design called the ‘Horizon Window.’ But the real game-changer is the camera. iQOO, known for its gaming-centric phones, is now focusing on photography, even incorporating a periscope telephoto lens. Yes, you read that right! The gaming phone brand is now competing in the camera department. This is huge! In the current market, there are only a handful of mainstream flagships with a periscope lens and a flat screen: the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Huawei Pura 70 series, the Samsung S24 Ultra, and now the iQOO 12. So, if you’re looking for a great camera phone with a flat screen, these are your options. I’m assuming that if you’re willing to spend 3000-4000 on a phone, you care about the camera. Honestly, I was leaning towards the Xiaomi 14, but it lacks a periscope lens, which is a shame. But don’t worry, iQOO hasn’t forgotten its roots. The iQOO 12 boasts impressive gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen3 processor and its dedicated gaming chip. The hardware-based super-resolution and frame interpolation features provide a much smoother gaming experience compared to software-based solutions. The 12GB+256GB version is priced around 3300, and the 16GB+1TB version is a little over 4100. It’s not the cheapest flagship, but it’s in line with other standard flagships. Whether you choose this phone depends on how much you value a flat screen. So, there you have it! My top 3 picks for 2024. Remember, these are just my suggestions based on my own preferences and what I’ve observed in the market. Ultimately, the best phone for you depends on your individual needs and budget. Feel free to share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below! Let’s help each other find the perfect phone!