Looking for a new phone but hesitant to spend a lot of money on something you can lose or break? There are several cheaper alternatives in the $400 to $500 bracket, and while you may be concerned that cheap phones may not perform as well, there are some amazing models with a lot to offer for the price. For hundreds less than some of the most popular and expensive phones on the market, you can have the newest Apple and Google CPUs, years of software upgrades, great iPhone cameras, and much more.
Even the greatest phones under $500 will make some concessions when compared to more expensive phones, but nothing that hinders you from doing all you want, from gaming to hosting video chats and multitasking. Instead, consider what the phone excels at and whether it compensates for any shortcomings.
Some of these gadgets include 120Hz refresh rate panels with smooth animations, however they may be powered by a somewhat slower processor. Others do the reverse, packing a brand-new, lightning-fast chipset into a phone body with a smaller screen and a refresh rate of 60Hz.
The best phones under $500 are listed here. Check back frequently since we routinely update it with cheaper phone alternatives, and read techjazzup’s in-depth evaluations of each model to help you get precisely what you need (and what to look out for).
We’ve included links to unlocked versions of each phone on our budget phone list so you can choose the finest phone under $500 that meets your specific needs. Because needs vary, you’ll want the one with the most adaptability and particular metrics. Except for the few exceptions listed below, unlocked phones are compatible with most of the major four US wireless carriers.
1. The Pixel 6A
The Pixel 6A is Google’s latest Android 12 phone, succeeding the Pixel 5A as the company’s $449 budget-friendly flagship phone. In her Pixel 6A review, TECHJAZZUP’s Lisa Eadicicco named it the “10 Best Android Phones to Buy for 2022,” citing how it retains the same Tensor processor and many of the same capabilities as the $599 Pixel 6.
The Pixel 6 is somewhat smaller, with a 6.1-inch OLED display and a refresh rate of 60Hz. It also sports a camera that is comparable to the Pixel 5A, with a 12.2-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. However, by integrating the Tensor chip, photographs may benefit from features such as Real Tone skin tone, Face Unblur, Night Sight for darker shooting, and the Magic Eraser for erasing undesired components from a shot.
2. New Samsung Galaxy A53
Many of the greatest features found in the Galaxy S22 range are included in the $450 Samsung Galaxy A53, with a few concessions to achieve that lower price. The phone has a 6.5-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2,400×1,080-pixels, 5G connectivity, and a 5,000-mAh battery. A 64-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 5-megapixel depth camera are all included in the phone. Read more 8 new android features.
However, Samsung’s vow to provide four years of software support, in addition to coming with Android 12 and Samsung’s One UI 4.1, is a special highlight for this phone.
3. The iPhone SE 2022
The iPhone SE combines an older look with the most recent smartphone technology, including as Apple’s A15 Bionic CPU and 5G compatibility. It’s also one of the few phones on the market with a 4.7-inch screen.
This phone’s retro design, which maintains the overall form that Apple has utilised since 2014, may be what you like or loathe the most. If you need a larger iPhone in this price range, try the iPhone 11, which has a larger screen and Face ID. However, that phone lacks 5G connection.
4. New Moto G Stylus 5G
The Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) for $500 is one of the greatest stylus-equipped phones available right now, particularly given the price. Android 12, 5G connection, a big 6.8-inch screen, and 256GB of storage are all included. Unfortunately, the phone will only receive one software update and three years of security patches, which is much less than the four years promised by Samsung for the Galaxy A53.
However, if you want a phone with a stylus, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which costs $1,200, is the next step up.
5. iPhone 11
Apple discontinued the iPhone 11 series with the release of the iPhone 14 series, however, it is still widely accessible. This phone is a few generations old, but it is still more than adequate, handling games well and sporting two excellent back cameras.
Just keep in mind that Best Buy does not sell unlocked phones, so you’ll have to sign up for a service plan through AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint.
