BEST SMARTPHONE YOU CAN BUY FOR UNDER $500, BEST SMARTPHONE RIGHT NOW
You can get a great smartphone at this price, whether you want an iPhone, a big screen, or a great camera
If you're buying a new phone on a budget, we have good news: There are more great, affordable phones on the market than ever before. Companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung are spreading the wealth of features gained by their flagships into less expensive alternatives. Other brands like OnePlus are finding ways to challenge more established manufacturers with budget devices that make smart sacrifices to keep costs down.
The bad news is that it makes the task of choosing the best budget phone so difficult. Keep in mind that it's impossible to buy a phone that does everything at this price; Instead, prioritize the features that matter most to you. You'll have an easier time making decisions, and you'll have a great phone that you should be able to use for years to come.
Our pick for the cheapest iPhone is the 2020 version of the Apple iPhone SE. Although it's over a year old, we think it's still the best bet for most people. While it does a competent job in everything, its distinguishing feature is that it should last four or more years if treated well.
If you're looking for the best cheap Android phone, the Google Pixel 5A is our top choice right now. You won't find bells and whistles here like a big, show-stopping screen or a fast refresh rate screen. Instead, you get a phone that covers the basics well, plus IP67 waterproofing and timely software updates—all for a lower price than last year's model.
Most people are looking for the same things people want in a more expensive model in a smartphone under $500: long battery life, good screen, good camera, and good performance. It's hard to get a high straight A in every one of those categories, but if you're able to decide where you'll tolerate the occasional B grade, you'll find a phone you'll love.
Best Smartphone Under $500
- $399
- The best smartphone under $500 for 2021.
- $449
- You won't find any bells and whistles like a big, fast-refresh-rate screen, but the Pixel 5A does the basics pretty well, with IP67 water resistance, a great camera, and timely software updates.
BEST SMARTPHONE FOR UNDER $500 IN 2022
1. APPLE IPHONE SE - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
2. GOOGLE PIXEL 5A - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
3. SAMSUNG GALAXY A52 5G - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
4. GOOGLE PIXEL 4A - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
5. ONEPLUS NORD 2 - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
6. ONEPLUS NORD N10 5G - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
7. MOTOROLA MOTO G POWER (2022) - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
8. MOTOROLA MOTO G PLAY (2022) - BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
1. APPLE IPHONE SE - BEST SMARTPHONE
THE BEST SMARTPHONE UNDER $500
The phone that strikes the right balance of the camera, build quality, speed, battery life, software, and longevity for most people is the Apple iPhone SE 2020. Even though it is over a year old now, it should still give you an excellent return. on your investment. We recommend upgrading to the model with 128GB of storage for $449, which is $50 more than the base price, but well worth it in the long run.
The iPhone SE follows a very tried and true formula. It has the same body and 4.7-inch LCD screen that Apple has been using since the iPhone 6. This puts the display on the smaller end of the screen size today and it also means that the phone's bezels are bigger than anything sold in the market. High refresh-rate screens with smooth animations and scrolling have hit the budget class recently, and you definitely won't find one here.
It's a familiar design and not one that screams "modern." But in return, you get a lot of value. The 2020 SE is part of the iPhone 11 generation, so its A13 Bionic processor is a year behind the latest and best. (It will be the A14 chipset in the iPhone 12 lineup.) However, it's still one of the fastest processors you can get on any phone, but especially one in this price bracket. Normally, speed isn't something we prioritize on a phone at this price point, but it's good.
Why that processor really matters, though, is overall longevity. Apple continuously supports its phones with software updates for four or more years. (This is in contrast to Android, where getting software updates on anything other than the Pixel is still a struggle.) So Apple's choice of faster processors means that, in a few years, the iPhone SE will still feel faster and better. Will still be supported with iOS updates.
2. GOOGLE PIXEL 5A - BEST SMARTPHONE
THE BEST BUDGET ANDROID PHONE
The $449 Pixel 5A has a 6.34-inch OLED screen that's on the small side for the budget category, but it's bigger than the last-gen 6.2-inch panel on the Pixel 4A 5G. There's also a bigger battery, a 4,680mAh cell that will last a full day of heavy use and last well into another day if you're a light user. The 5A also offers IP67 water resistance for added peace of mind in the event of an accidental spill or waterfall.
That's more or less the range of 5A's improvements over its predecessor, and that's okay. The 4A 5G was already a well-equipped mid-range device and the 5A carries some strategic updates to its foundation. The dual-standard/ultrawide rear-facing camera, Snapdragon 765G processor, and 6GB of RAM/128GB storage combination served the 4A 5G well and still delivers solid performance in this iteration.
3. SAMSUNG GALAXY A52 5G - BEST SMARTPHONE
THE BEST BUDGET ANDROID PHONE WITH A FAST REFRESH-RATE SCREEN
On the Android side, the Galaxy A52 5G is a great option, albeit at the top of the price range considered in this guide. It includes some features that aren't very common in a budget phone, like its fast-refresh rate screen, an IP67 water resistance rating, and at least, monthly security updates for faster access to bug fixes and improvements.
The A52 5G's 6.5-inch screen is an OLED panel that's bright with good contrast that's generally good to watch. But its best feature is a subtle one: a 120Hz refresh rate that makes animations and content look much smoother when swiping and scrolling through menus and social feeds. We'll see if this feature makes its way to more budget phones soon, but for now, the A52 5G is one of the few in its class to offer better than the standard 60Hz screen, and it makes the experience of using the phone better. It. so good.
Overall, the phone performs well for its class with the Snapdragon 750G processor and 6GB of RAM. You may notice occasional hesitation or stuttering with heavy tasks, but otherwise daily scrolling, app switching, and navigating are handled with ease. And even with the power-hungry display, the Galaxy A52 5G's 4,500mAh battery should get you through at least a day of moderate to heavy use before you can charge it on another charge.
4. GOOGLE PIXEL 4A - BEST SMARTPHONE
THE BEST “GET IT WHILE YOU CAN” AFFORDABLE ANDROID PHONE
If you're looking to spend a little less money, or just want the best camera, the Google Pixel 4A is the obvious choice. Its screen is on the smaller side, lacks 4G support, and doesn't have the fastest processor, but it has a clean version of Android and is the first to update Google. The 4A came out in August last year, but it is still guaranteed to receive the software update until at least August 2023. It comes in either black or baby blue with 128GB of storage for $349, but you'll have to act fast if you want one — with the Pixel 4A and Pixel 6 launching this fall, the Google 4A will be getting more. Won't sell for time.
Pixel's main claim 4A to fame is its camera. It's based on generations-old technology at this point, but it's still the best in its class and can go face-to-face with smartphones that cost $1,000 or more. That's because Google does so much of the image processing in the software. (The sensor is actually quite old and not very special.) This means Pixel 4A can take night photos, do astrophotography, and has a passable portrait mode.
5. ONEPLUS NORD 2 - BEST SMARTPHONE
A GREAT MID-RANGE OPTION IF YOU’RE OUTSIDE THE US
The OnePlus Nord 2 isn't sold in the US, and that's our loss as this follow-up to the original Nord checks all the right boxes for its £399 / €399 price. Even more so than last year's model, the Nord 2 feels like a lackluster flagship that covers all the basics well, with (almost) nothing you don't need.
The Nord 2 offers a 6.43-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate - slightly faster than the standard 60Hz, but not quite the buttery smoothness of a 120Hz screen. We were a little apprehensive of the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI chipset that OnePlus has opted for in favor of the proven Snapdragon processor, but in testing, it was more than enough for daily tasks.
The 4,500mAh battery will comfortably get you through a full day of use, and although there's no wireless charging included (no surprise at this price), OnePlus' signature fast wired charging is supported. With the included charger, you can power the phone from zero to full charge in less than an hour.
6. ONEPLUS NORD N10 5G - BEST SMARTPHONE
IF YOU WANT AN INEXPENSIVE 5G PHONE
At $299, the N10 5G is well below the limit for this category. Given its price, you can expect to see some significant sacrifices compared to a $400 or $500 phone, and something OnePlus has made. But they are smart sacrifices that add up to a device that's actually quite good value for the money.
You won't find a great screen here, though its large 6.46-inch LCD does come with a blazing-fast 90Hz refresh rate. One thing to note is that the device has a somewhat "tall" 20:9 aspect ratio, which is a bit unusual at first glance, but makes the phone a bit narrower and easier to use with one hand. Its processor is quite capable, although it sometimes shows its limitations. It also ships with Android 10, which OnePlus says will update to 11 and is additionally only offering two years of security updates.
On the camera side, the N10 packs a 64-megapixel main camera which is surprisingly good in daylight and even in low light. There's also an 8-megapixel ultrawide with macro and monochrome cameras, which isn't really worth talking about. It's not Pixel 4A-level good, but if you don't push it too hard, the N10's main camera takes decent pictures in the right light.
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is also worth considering in this price bracket for two very good reasons: It's a little less expensive and will be supported with security updates for the next four years. However, it lacks some of the N10's nice features like a faster refresh rate screen, the camera isn't as good, and its software feels more cluttered and bloated. The A32 5G is a better pick if you want to hang your phone for as many years as possible, but overall the N10 is a more likable device.
If budget is a major consideration, the N10 5G is about as good as it gets at this price. It offers future-proofing sub-6GHz 5G support, a pretty decent camera, good battery life, a capable processor, and fairly clean implementation of Android. It's not exceptional by any means, but as a total package, it's pretty hard to argue with its capabilities at this price.
7. MOTOROLA MOTO G POWER (2022) - BEST SMARTPHONE
THE BUDGET PHONE WITH MAXIMUM BATTERY LIFE
The Moto G Power does exactly what it says: delivers day in and day of power on a single charge, thanks to its above-average 5,000mAh battery. It's a slightly different version of last year's phone of the same name, and it starts at a lower $200 price tag.
The low price tag comes with trade-offs. It only includes 32GB of built-in storage, so adding a microSD card is necessary for some extra space. There's also a slightly slower processor on board, and while it's capable enough for all your daily needs, it's a little slow jumping between opening apps and the camera.
To the camera: It's fine. Motorola has ditched the ultrawide in this year's model, so you'll only be working with the 48-megapixel standard wide and 2-megapixel macro cameras in addition to the 8-megapixel selfie cam. Photos in bright outdoor light look good with lots of detail, though colors can be a bit washed out. The camera struggles with high-contrast scenes and low light, but all things considered, it's fine for a $200 phone.
If excellent battery performance is an extremely important feature of your smartphone, then the Moto G Power should be on your shortlist. It's capable, and you'll actually get several days of battery life on a charge. But if you're okay with an average battery, we think you'll be happier with a more well-rounded device.
8. MOTOROLA MOTO G PLAY (2022) - BEST SMARTPHONE
THE BEST PHONE UNDER $200
There are plenty of options for low-budget shoppers, but the Motorola Moto G Play is the one that stands out for us. It covers the basics well with a massive 5,000mAh battery and Snapdragon 460 processor that does enough to handle daily tasks.
The G Play has a sizable 6.5-inch screen. It's a lower-resolution panel at 720p and it's hard to see outside indirect light, but it's more or less okay. Camera specs are also basic: There's only one rear-facing 13-megapixel camera that performs well in bright light but isn't suitable for low-light photography.
You'll also want to strongly consider buying a microSD card with this phone. It only includes 32GB of built-in storage, a lot of which is already occupied by system files. Motorola has only promised security updates for two years, but in reality, the G Play isn't built to last longer than that.
It has its drawbacks—the G Play's performance doesn't keep up with that of many phones, which are only $50-100 more expensive, for example—but it's hard to argue with what it offers for its price: Nice, basic performance without any major drawbacks. If there's a little more to spend in your budget, you'll get some worthwhile upgrades, like a better camera or a longer-lasting device. But for its price, the G Play does what it needs.
Related Keywords
best smartphone 2022
best smartphone camera
best smartphone for seniors
best smartphone camera 2022
best smartphone for the money
best smartphone deals
best smartphone for seniors Verizon
best smartphone backup camera
best smartphone android
best smartphone available
best smartphone antenna
best smartphone apps
best smartphone accessories
best smartphone august 2022
best smartphone antivirus
best smartphone alternatives
the best smartphone 2022
the best smartphone 2022
the best smartphone camera
the best smartphone 2019
the best smartphone in India
the best smartphone under 15000
the best smartphone under 20000
the best smartphone under 10000
best smartphone battery life
best smartphone brands
best smartphone baby monitor
best smartphone blood glucose meter
best smartphone bike mount
best smartphone brand in the world
best smartphone budget
best smartphone camera 2022
best smartphone camera 2022
best smartphone cases
best smartphone car mount
best smartphone company
best smartphone cases 2022
best smartphone display
best smartphone display in sunlight 2022
best smartphone deals 2022
best smartphone deals right now
best smartphone DAC
best smartphone deals unlocked
best smartphone door lock
best smartphone ever
best smartphone elderly
best smartphone ever made
best smartphone external microphone
best smartphone earbuds
best smartphone easy to use
best smartphone exchange offer
best smartphone emulator
best e ink smartphone
beste smartphones
best e ink phones
best e ink android
best e ink devices
best smartphone for kids
best smartphone for business professionals 2021
best smartphone for hearing impaired 2021
best smartphone for privacy
best smartphone for gaming
best smartphone gimbal
best smartphone games
best smartphone gps accuracy 2021
best smartphone games 2021
best smartphone gimbal stabilizer
best smartphone gimbal for android
best smartphone garage door opener
best smartphone gimbals 2021
best smartphone holder for car
best smartphone holder
best smartphone holder for bike
best smartphone holder for mountain bike
best smartphone hand holder
best smartphone heart rate monitor
best smartphone headphone jack
best smartphone holder for tripod
best smartphone in india
best smartphone in the world
best smartphone in india under 15000
best smartphone in 2021
best smartphone insurance
best smartphone in India under 10000
best smartphone in india under 20000
best smartphone in the world 2021
best smartphone june 2021
best smartphone june 2021 philippines
best smartphone july
best smartphone june 2021 under 20000
best smartphone japan
best smartphone joystick
best smartphone July 2022 under 20000
best smartphone July 2022 Malaysia
best smartphone keyboard
best smartphone keyboard for fat fingers
best smartphone konsa hai
best smartphone keypad
best smartphone Kenya
best smartphone kaun sa hai
best smartphone killer