Nobody needs to buy a flagship smartphone. The mid-range is so competitive at this point, with great software, design, cameras, and support, that the average person doesn’t need to dish out top dollar to get a great phone. If you want something small with incredible cameras, buy the Pixel 8a; or if you want something more premium and larger, buy a Nothing Phone (2). Each of these is for under $500; and if you pump up to $650 or so, you can buy the last-generation Google Pixel 8 Pro, which was — until today with the launch of the new Pixel 9 Pro — probably the best smartphone on the market. My review was a rave, as its few flaws were made up for by its excellent quality and now steeply reduced price.