Mid-range phones that offer flagship features at friendly prices
The mid-range phone is a Goldilocks device for savvy buyers. It hits the price-performance ratio sweet spot, offering good capability at a decent price thanks to trickle-down features from flagship phones. To help you choose your next mid-range device, we've shortlisted some handsets that offer capable hardware at a reasonable price.
The Nothing Phone 3a brings style and substance to the mid-range game. It has a transparent design, bright AMOLED display, and triple-camera setup that includes a 2X optical zoom. Powered by the Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 and backed by a 5,000mAh battery with fast charging, it handles everyday tasks with ease. The Glyph lights on the case add design flair (though not real functionality) that sets it apart from bland designs.
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ (S$569; Usual Price: S$619)
This features a 6.7-inch Amoled display that supports HDR10+, 3,000 nits of peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. Its 200MP main camera captures crisp, detailed shots, while the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip keeps things running smoothly for everyday use. It supports 120W fast charging and Xiaomi says it can go from 0 to 100% in under 20 minutes with supported chargers.
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Honor 400 (S$599)
The Honor 400 features a 6.55 inch Amoled display with 5,000 nits peak brightness. Its 200MP main camera delivers sharp, vibrant shots. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor offers smooth performance and is backed by six years of Android updates. Storage starts at 256GB and its 6,000 mAh battery is capable of lasting all day.
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(S$646)
We tested the Galaxy A56 and liked its display and premium finish. Its 6.7-inch Super Amoled display offers 120Hz refresh and a sleek glass-and-metal design. Its 5,000 mAH battery supports 45W wired charging. Powered by Samsung's Exynos 1480 chip, it's great for everyday use, and offers six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.
Display: 6.77 inch Amoled, HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate
Resolution: 1,080 x 2,340
12GB RAM, 256GB storage
45W wired charging, 5,000mAh battery
IP67
Exynos 1580 processor
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(S$699; Usual Price: S$799):
The OPPO Reno13 5G offers IP66/IP68/IP69 protection in a stylish package. The camera setup includes a 50MP main shooter, 8MP ultrawide and 50MP selfie cam with AN underwater mode for creative shots. With a 5,600mAh battery and 80W fast charging, it's built to keep up with you (and the occasional splash).
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Google Pixel 9a (S$799)
The Pixel 9a brings flagship-level smarts with its powerful Tensor G4 chip. It also offers a a clean Android experience with Google's latest AI features like Magic Editor and Circle to Search. The 48MP main camera and 12MP ultrawide deliver stunning photos, while the 5,100mAh battery keeps you going all day. It's backed by 7 years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates. The previous-gen Google Pixel 8a (S$599) is also crdible option at its reduced price.
Display: 6.3 inch polymer Oled, HDR, 120Hz refresh rate
Resolution: 1,080 x 2,424
8GB RAM, 128GB storage
23W wired/ 7.5W wireless charging
5,100mAh battery
IP68
Google Tensor G4 processor
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Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Where NUS and NTU outshine Oxbridge in global rankings
One in three students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a foreigner. The attraction is clear: NUS ranks fourth globally—behind only the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon—in computer science and information systems in the 2025 QS World University Rankings By Subject. In electrical and electronic engineering, both NUS and NTU share the fourth spot with Harvard, trailing just MIT, Stanford, and the University of California, Berkeley, according to the same source. Either or both of the universities excel in other fields as well, including law, medicine, and architecture. With their strong showing in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, could NUS and NTU be seen as the Oxford and Cambridge of Asia? Sticklers may disagree, and not without reason. For one, NUS and NTU are located far closer together than the dreaming spires of Oxford are to Cambridge. More importantly, they cannot yet rival the rich Oxbridge tradition in the arts and humanities. Still, in many other fields, they are catching up—or have already overtaken—and that progress is clearly reflected in the rankings. NUS and NTU are ranked eighth and 12th respectively, just behind Oxford and Cambridge, which come in at fourth and sixth. The strong performance of Singapore's universities is no longer a novelty. This marks the third consecutive year NUS has held eighth place. NTU, which ranked 15th in 2025, has returned to 12th, a position it surpassed in 2018 and 2020 when it ranked 11th. Splitting the two Singapore institutions in this year's rankings is the University of Hong Kong at 11th. See also Singapore experts weigh in on the Covid-19 situation NUS is the only Asian university in the global top 10. The only other non-Anglo-American presence is ETH Zurich of Switzerland, in seventh. The broader Asia-Pacific region has a growing presence in the top 20: China's Peking University and Tsinghua University are ranked 14th and 17th, while Australia's University of Melbourne and the University of New South Wales are 19th and 20th. NUS, NTU: Areas of excellence The Singapore universities are no longer known solely for their engineering prowess. NUS ranks 10th globally in law—making it the only non-Anglo-American university in the top 10 for legal studies. NTU stands at 82nd. In medicine, NUS ranks 18th—the highest for any Asian university—while NTU is 84th. NTU, however, shines in communication and media studies, coming in fourth behind the University of Amsterdam, Harvard, and the University of Texas at Austin. NUS ranks 14th in this field. While Oxford and Cambridge still reign supreme in the arts and humanities, NUS is gaining ground. It ranks second globally in art history, eighth in linguistics, ninth in architecture, 15th in English language and literature, and 17th in history. See also SATIRE: Pokemon GO releases sad news for its Singapore fans This academic success is underpinned by scale and diversity. With over 33,000 students, NUS has the second-largest student body among the top 10 universities—trailing only University College London, which has over 45,000 students. NTU has more than 25,000 students. International students and staff International students and staff contribute significantly to the success of both institutions. Foreigners make up 36% of the student body at NUS and 33% at NTU. The faculty is even more international, with 65% of staff at both universities coming from overseas. In comparison, Harvard has around 24,300 students, including 6,700 international students, and over 4,400 faculty and staff, only 27% of whom are international. Oxford has over 22,000 students, more than 9,000 of them from abroad, and 6,500 faculty and staff, with 44% from overseas. The international students and staff carry weight in the QS World University Rankings. QS applies the following weightage when ranking universities: Academic reputation: 30% Citations per faculty: 20% Employer reputation: 15% Employment outcomes: 5% Faculty-student ratio: 10% International faculty ratio: 5% International research network: 5% International student ratio: 5% International student diversity: 0% See also SP overcharges bill, claims they 'overestimated' $1500 There's an old story about Benjamin Jowett, the 19th-century Master of Balliol College, Oxford, who once declared, 'I am the Master of this College; what I don't know isn't knowledge.' Today, such a claim would be inconceivable. From NUS to NTU, Oxford to Harvard, the global groves of academe are constantly striving for the next breakthrough, the next frontier of knowledge. Top 20 in QS World University Rankings 2026: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Imperial College London Stanford University University of Oxford Harvard University University of Cambridge ETH Zurich National University of Singapore University College London California Institute of Technology (Caltech) University of Hong Kong Nanyang Technological University University of Chicago Peking University University of Pennsylvania Cornell University Tsinghua University University of California, Berkeley University of Melbourne University of New South Wales
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Why are vending machines popping up all over Singapore?
What do a fresh bouquet of flowers, a serving of durian and a pack of pimple patches have in common? In Singapore, you can get these items at any time of day – in the event of a looming anniversary, an insatiable craving or an acne breakout – courtesy of a vending machine. Once seen as nothing more than an emergency pit stop for a cool beverage on a sunny day, these machines have become a legitimate and increasingly sophisticated way of doing business across a variety of industries. Take the success of locally-founded orange juice brand iJooz for example. While growth was somewhat slow in its initial years, the business has since expanded to around 1,500 machines in Singapore alone. Its chief executive Bruce Zhang told CNA in January this year that his company was not a juice retailer but a technology company, powered by in-house software with data-crunching abilities and hardware that squeezes oranges to a perfect pulp. Likewise, Aikit Pte Ltd – a company that provides cook-to-order meals through more than 90 of its InstaChef vending machines islandwide – sees itself less as a vending machine player and more of an automated kitchen. This is because the technology within its machines allows for various methods of cooking food upon receiving an order. For instance, when making claypot rice, the machine is able to create a charred and crispy rice texture that is similar to what you would get from a traditional kitchen, said Aikit's vice-president for business and operations Sky Goh. This is opposed to the more common machine that uses an internal microwave to heat up pre-prepared dishes. But food and beverage is not the only product group where the use of vending machines is gaining traction. For instance, tastefully assembled roses and tulips have made their way out of the florist and into portable glass displays. Mr Perry Peng, the founder of White Dew Flower, told CNA TODAY that all four of his vending machines in Singapore have built-in refrigerators set at 5°C that keep the flowers fresh for a week — though he replaces them every three days to make sure they are in top condition for sale. The popularity of these vending machines as a new avenue for business is in line with changing consumer behaviour, with a stronger than ever emphasis on convenience. Statistics from data analytics firm Euromonitor International show that vending machine sales in Singapore increased for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2024. In 2019, sales stood at S$100.6 million (US$78.5 million), before the Covid-19 pandemic dipped that figure to S$85.7 million in 2020. Last year saw S$116.8 million in recorded vending machine sales – and that figure is projected to reach S$124.3 million by end-2025. What's behind the increasing ubiquity of these automated machines, and will this trend last? LOWER COSTS, HIGHER GAINS For brands like Kaki Kaki, a local durian seller that operates seven durian vending machines in Singapore, these machines offer a compelling alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar setups because the price of rent is 'significantly' more affordable. 'Singapore is quite a unique place, where even a clinic can pay S$52,000 in rent,' a spokesperson for the company told CNA TODAY. 'I can't sell S$52,000 worth of durians in a month.' He was referring to the price that a healthcare firm bid for a unit in a Tampines Housing and Development Board (HDB) estate earlier in June. In contrast, the monthly cost of renting the far smaller space needed for a vending machine can range anywhere from S$300 to S$800 in shopping centres, and between S$600 to S$1,100 at bus and train stations, according to some operators. 'At the end of the day, it's about how we lower the cost and provide the same kind of quality and convenience,' said the Kaki Kaki spokesperson. 'The more we save, the more we are able to purchase better quality durians and pass on the savings to the consumer.' Businesses that spoke to CNA TODAY declined to share specific figures, but most reported that demand for their vending machine products has been good. Ms Magdalene Lim, country head for acne-care brand Dododots Singapore, said that its vending machines that sell coloured hydrocolloid pimple patches typically turn a profit after anywhere between three and six months. 'It provides our customers a more convenient and instant way to get our products, while being able to save on costs involved like renovation, interior design and manpower,' said Ms Lim. OPENNESS OF CONSUMERS, LANDLORDS At the same time, vending machine operators note that landlords are increasingly open to leasing space to them – a trend perhaps exemplified by Kaki Kaki's durian vending machine obtaining permission to operate at Tampines MRT station. Netizens were initially intrigued, considering commuters are not allowed to bring durians into carriages. But its spokesperson said that its landlord, SMRT, was very supportive of the idea. Mr Justin Cai, an entrepreneur who tried his hand at running a fresh orange-juice vending machine back in 2018, said that setting up a vending machine operation was not that easy just a few years ago. 'As a small company, it was very difficult to get into malls and ask them for space. They felt we would be fighting (for business) against their existing fruit stalls, and end up with a lose-lose situation. 'Even the malls who agreed would offer certain rental rates that are just not viable for a vending machine business,' he added. Mr Vernon Tan, director of full service vending operator Allied Vending, said shopping malls typically have two considerations when it comes to vending machine receptivity: price and optics. 'If people are willing to pay more (for rent), I think they're more open,' he said. 'Space owners right now would also be more ready to think of where they can park machines and place them in aesthetically pleasing areas. Whereas before, it was more of an afterthought.' It also helps that customers like 25-year-old public relations executive Brenda Chan are coming around to the idea of purchasing machine-dispensed products too. 'For orange juice machines, for example, I used to be slightly apprehensive as fruits can go bad quite easily,' said Ms Chan. 'But once I witnessed the staff changing out oranges and maintaining the machines, it made me trust that the products are kept in an ideal condition.' GENERATING INTEREST FOR BRANDS AND CAUSES Sometimes, the appeal of the vending-style model goes beyond just sales or an immediate impact on the bottom line. Homegrown startup Ecoworks, for instance, has installed around 16 automated refill stations around Singapore. Instead of dispensing items in single-use packaging, its machines dispense laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid alone, allowing customers to bring used bottles to the machine to be filled up. Its founder Sean Lam said that its goal is to eliminate single-use plastic through what he termed 'reverse vending' – where each transaction saves a bottle instead of dispensing one. 'A lot of green initiatives here revolve around 'recycling', but the 'reuse' component is lacking. We are part of that solution. The bottle you have is still good enough for a second, third life,' he said. Mr Lam said demand and interest in his machines have been strong especially among the Build-to-Order estates, home to many young families. Apparel brand Ultifresh, which specialises in anti-odour and anti-bacterial sustainable clothing, also launched its first vending machine at AMK Hub two weeks ago. Touting itself as a mission-driven company, its founder Frank Yap said the vending machine model was a 'much faster' way than opening a storefront to achieve their objective of consumer education – wearing shirts more than once helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and save water. Over in the fintech world, the finance app and neobank Revolut launched a debit card vending machine in 2024 at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where one could collect and activate the card on the spot. Though it has recently relocated the machine to Galaxis in one-north, its novelty succeeded in drawing eyeballs from the NUS student population and ultimately downloads of their app – which aims to improve financial education in young adults. In these cases, the machine itself served as a touchpoint, not just a transaction. WILL THE TREND LAST? The Singapore government has for several years been encouraging businesses to adopt automation and other productivity-enhancing technologies. And if rent and manpower costs continue to be a major hurdle for businesses setting up shop, industry players said the vending machine boom may well continue. Euromonitor International forecasts predict total vending machine sales in Singapore to be on a consistent upwards trajectory and that they would reach S$140.1 million in 2029. But operators warn against the misconception that starting and operating a vending machine is a bed of roses. Despite the comparative amenability of landlords towards these machines today, Mr Tan of Allied Vending noted that finding a spot for them in the first place can be difficult. 'It's not always easy to secure locations. Singapore land is very scarce … As more people get into the space, location fees may start going up, and that eats into your business case.' Mr Peng of White Dew Flower said this was the main challenge he faced in growing his business – where sales performance differs from location to location. 'There is a lack of available space for flower vending machines in shopping malls. Most malls already have a flower shop, and those without one do not have designated spaces for vending machines,' he said. Ms Rohini Wahi, Asia Pacific senior strategist at consumer trend forecasting firm WGSN said vending machines had key advantages. Ultimately, as affordability remains a priority for shoppers amid socioeconomic instability, these machines will bring time-poor and cost-conscious consumers retail offerings that help them save time and money, she said. In order to counter the oversaturation that comes with the growing number of vending machines offering similar products, brands need to go beyond convenience by embracing playful, creative designs and customising their offerings to each location in order to stay relevant, she added.
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Warplane maker HAL wins bid to make India's small satellite launch rockets
BENGALURU : State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has won a bid to commercially make India's small satellite launch rockets, in the government's biggest move yet to open its fast-growing space industry to private players. Fighter jet maker HAL won with a bid of 5.11 billion rupees ($59 million), space regulator the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre said on Friday. Reuters reported in February that three consortiums - Alpha Design Technologies, a unit of Adani Defence Systems and Technologies, state-backed Bharat Dynamics and HAL - were the finalists to acquire India's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) technology. "One of the big things we have been wanting to do is to make India the global hub for small satellite launches," Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe told reporters. Shares of HAL rose as much as 1.6 per cent to hit a session high of 4,980 rupees after the announcement. Handing SSLV's technology to HAL marks a significant shift for India's space industry, which has already granted satellite communication service licenses to global and domestic firms such as France's Eutelsat and Reliance Jio's satellite venture. The rocket is capable of carrying 500kg payloads to low-Earth orbit. HAL will have the capability to build, own, and commercialize SSLV launches, Goenka added. HAL intends to offer a "very competitive" price on launches both for India and international clients, said Barenya Senapati, Director (Finance) at Hindustan Aeronautics. About 20 companies had initially expressed interest in bidding for the SSLV, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy drive to open up India's space industry. The global low-Earth orbit launch vehicle market was valued at $13.9 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow to about $44 billion by 2032, according to Global Market Insights. India, which accounts for only 2 per cent of the global space economy, is eyeing a fivefold expansion to $44 billion by the end of the decade. Hindustan Aeronautics and Larsen & Toubro, an industrial conglomerate, have a government contract to manufacture and deliver larger rockets to Indian Space Research Organisation. The first of those are due for launch between October and December, said Radhakrishnan Durairaj, chairman and managing director of New Space India Limited, the commercial arm of ISRO.
