An unpopular smartphone could easily get lost in the crowd in a world that takes after a market led by huge-sized brands like Apple and Samsung. Nonetheless, some unnoticed peaks also have inexpensive features and are oriented, which can be explored.

Below, you will find 6 essential smartphones that are not very prominent but, at the same time, have impressive characteristics and will surprise you with their performance.

ASUS Zenfone 9

While the ASUS Zenfone 9 may not have the same marking on the map as its competitors, there is no doubt that the phone can compete with its impressive features. Outstanding are its futuristic features, including a size-friendly design, a 5.9-inch 120Hz OLED display, and the so powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC, and it is an excellent choice if you are a person who wants a humble flagship smartphone. Generating stable photos and videos is an additional advantage, as the device has a 50MP primary camera and micro-gimbal adjustment stabilization.

Nothing Phone 1

Though the first release of Nothing Phone 1 drew attention with its pickup, it has been neglected as far as the smartphone market is concerned; the high-end mid-range model of this brand has sharp looks, Snapdragon 778G Plus microchip, and a 6.55-inch 120Hz OLED panel offer. While it falls short in some areas, like camera performance, its Glyph lighting on the back and affordable price point make it a compelling option for those searching for a quality mid-range smartphone.

Realme GT 2 Pro

RealMe, an industry leader in low-cost handsets, was the most competitively priced in the flagship segment with its GT 2 Pro. The key components are five stars only, consisting of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a 5,000mAh battery, and a 120Hz QHD+ OLED panel that provides good specification for its price. Moreover, its specially textured back cover from eco-friendly bio-polymer made the device stand out, and the 3MP microscope camera made it indispensable.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

Although the Z Flip 4 hasn't got as much focus as the Galaxy S series, it is never a phone to be discarded as it's a hidden gem worth paying attention to. This smartphone stands out for its different user experience via its foldable creative design, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC & impressive photography abilities. The new Galaxy Z Flip 4 is fantastic. It is not only well-designed but also quite functional. Therefore, anyone interested in technology or looking for something new should go for this model.

Sony Xperia 5 IV

Unlike other major flagship phones with more familiar names, Sony Xperia 5 IV delivers an overall premium feel, as evidenced by its 4K OLED screen and an available headphone jack. Photography lovers will value its range of capabilities, which includes Sony's Cinema Pro app for cinematic footage and manual settings. Despite potential issues with its camera system and software update policies, the Xperia 5 IV is still a competitive smartphone.

Vivo X80 Pro

Vivo has achieved a good reputation through its excellent camera phones, and the X80 Pro is at par with them. Using a rear quad camera with a ZEISS non-glare lens and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset with a big battery capacity of 4700mAh, this brand has achieved top movement on the market. While it points to competing brands in some areas, its stunning imaging capabilities have been the ultimate winner in the competition of photography enthusiasts.

Even though smartphone giants capture a significant market share, these smartphones with various underrated attractive features are too good to pass over. Whatever your budget range, whether it's a covert flagship device or a foldable phone with a unique design, you should often prefer to make your selection while considering your next purchase.