Budget phones get even better as high-end phones get more expensive. We researched and ranked all of the best phones under $500. Whether you want to get connected with 5G or just want to get as much as possible for your money, our buyer's guide will help you find the right phone for you. Here are some of the cheapest phones available.
Last year was great for the budget space, and this trend will continue into the future. Features like multiple cameras, faster processors, and 5G are hitting price points that would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago. There are a lot of quality options for phones under $500 that won't make you feel like you're compromising.
You can't go wrong with the Google Pixel 5a. This phone has excellent image processing on the cameras, and it performs well with the latest version of Android. You will be able to work with any carrier's latest network technology as it continues to expand over the next couple of years, because this phone supports sub 6 5G.
We really like the G50 5G. It has a plastic back and a lower-resolution display than other phones on this list. If you are looking to save as much money as possible on an unlocked phone with good cameras, 5G support, great battery life, and smooth software, we can absolutely recommend this package.
The A52 5G is recommended by us. You will want to make sure you are ready for a phone of this size, because this phone surprised us with its beautiful display and tremendous performance.
Ara Wagoner is from Android Central.
Some may not consider it to be cheap, but the Pixel 5a packs a big punch for its asking price, including a powerful Snapdragon processor, 5G connectivity, stunning cameras, water resistance, and more.
| Great cameras and software | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.34-inch OLED, 2340x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 12.2MP primary, 16MP ultra-wide, 8MP selfie |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Battery | 4,680 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.1 x 8.8mm |
| Weight | 183g |
A lot of the same things as last year's Pixel 4a, but with a few key upgrades.
The processor is the first thing. The more impressive Snapdragon 765G allows for better performance and 5G connections. If you plan to keep your phone for the next few years and take advantage of those faster network speeds as they become more widely available, it is something to consider.
The larger size of the two allows for a bigger display and battery, making it better-equipped for watching movies, playing games, and doing all of that while not having to stress about how much gas is left in the tank. You get the same 12.2MP camera from the regular Pixel 4a, but there is also a 16MP ultra-wide camera that allows for even more shooting possibilities. During our review of the 5a, writer Ara Wagoner could not kill the battery after two days of intense usage. That is huge for a phone that lacks wireless charging. The 5a is the first a-series Pixel to have an official rating for water resistance.
5G speeds are for less.
Do you want 5G on a budget? The Pixel 5a is from Google.
Andrew Martonik is from the Android Central.
The OnePlus 8 isn't the newest phone on this list, but with excellent hardware and a nice software experience with OxygenOS, it's got plenty of performance to keep up with anything in this price range.
| High-end build quality with updates to come | OnePlus 8 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.55-inch AMOLED, 2400x1080, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP wide, 16MP ultra-wide, 2MP Macro, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 30W wired |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 72.9 x 8mm |
| Weight | 180g |
The OnePlus 8 is powered by a powerful Snapdragon The display has a 2400x1080 resolution. The screen has rich colors and smooth navigation, and it has a 90Hz refresh rate. This pairs well with the large battery and camera.
The OxygenOS software on this phone provides a good user experience and has been updated to take it up to Android 11. There is nothing the average user could not do on this phone, and there are plans to upgrade this device further with Android 12. It is nice to see that the phone is kept up-to-date.
The majority of the 5G bands that will be used in the next couple of years will be supported by the OnePlus 8. The best 5G coverage in the country can be found on the T-Mobile network.
The phone was released in 2020, but with the right expectations, it still has a lot to give. There is reason to be hopeful, as this device is the only one on the list that has the Android version, and with the promise of a new version coming in the future, there is reason to be optimistic. This phone will push through any task you throw at it, thanks to the 8GB of RAM and the Snapdragon 865.
There is plenty of life left in this beautiful phone.
The OnePlus 8 is a well-balanced device with a premium look and feel. It has years of service to give.
Joe Maring is from the Android Central.
The Moto G Power does not sacrifice much to hit its $250 retail price. This is the best cheap phone for most people with a fast processor, good cameras, and great battery life.
| Best cheap budget Android phone | Moto G Power (2020) |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch LCD, 2300x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Cameras | 16MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | Water-repellent coating |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.8 x 9.6mm |
| Weight | 199g |
One of the best companies to watch for budget phones is Motorola. If you are in the market for an affordable phone, the Moto G Power is hard to beat. The Moto G Power is a better budget phone than its predecessor.
The Power name is a reference to the phone's best feature. You can get two or three days of use on a single charge with a 5,000 mAh battery inside. Being able to go a few days without worrying about your phone being dead is a dream come true in a world where it is the norm.
Outside of the legendary battery life, the rest of the G Power's hardware is equally good. The 6.4-inch Full HD display is easy to see, the performance is fast, and the graphical performance in mobile games is impressive at this price range. The three solid cameras on the G Power allow for a wide variety of different types of shots you can take with the phone. Considering how cheap the G Power is, the image quality is pretty good.
All of this is done with excellent software from Motorola. The user interface is almost identical to what you would find on a Pixel, meaning it is pure, clean, and free of bloatware. Moto Actions and Moto Display are two software tweaks that are thrown in to enhance your experience. The former is the best always-on display out there, with the latter allowing you to move the phone in a chopping motion to turn on the flashlight or open the camera.
The Moto G Power has one complaint, which is its lack of Near Field Communication. It feels silly to buy a phone in 2022 that doesn't support anywayanydaynywayanyday payment solutions, as they are becoming more and more commonplace with every day that passes. If you plan on keeping the G Power for a long time, you should know that it won't be updated beyond the current version of the OS.
The Moto G Power is a wonderfully complete package that we think many people will be happy with.
This is the 2020 version of the Moto G Power. The Moto G Power is a worse product with a lower-resolution display and a slightly weaker processor. The Moto G Power is going to be recommended over it.
The cheapest phone for most people.
The Moto G Power is a cheap phone. It is built well, has a good display, and has an insane battery life.
Ara Wagoner is from Android Central.
Do you want the experience without the added cost? The A52 is a great value.
| A premium 5G pick under $500 | Samsung Galaxy A52 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch AMOLED, 2400x1080, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G |
| RAM | 6/8GB |
| Storage | 128/256GB |
| Cameras | 64MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth, 32MP selfie |
| Charging | 25W wired |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4mm |
| Weight | 189g |
One of the better options for the year of 2022, is the Galaxy A52 5G.
You can find a lot of specifications to keep you interested, including a gorgeous AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a large 4,500 mAh battery for long endurance, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor. laggy performance is what it results in on the A52.
There are four sensors on the A52. There is a 64MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, 5MP macro camera, and a dedicated 5MP portrait camera. The 64MP primary camera is a fantastic shooter that captures wonderful detail and dynamic range, and this setup allows for virtually endless possibilities with the kinds of photos you can take.
It packs a punch.
Do you want a flagship phone? Make sure to check it out!
Apoorva Bhardwaj is a source.
The best camera quality may not be the best one on the phone. You will definitely get your shot with four cameras. The rest of the phone is also great.
| The cheap Android phone with versatile cameras | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch TFT, 720x1600 |
| Processor | MediaTek MT6853 Dimensity 720 5G |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth, 13MP selfie |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.1 x 9.1mm |
| Weight | 205g |
One of the latest examples of the improvement in the lineup of mid-tier phones is the Galaxy A32 5G. This is at the mid-range of the more affordableGalaxy phones, and should be on your list.
If you care about cameras, this is the cheap phone to get. The 48MP primary camera of the A32 5G is very good, and the photos taken with it look great. There is a lot of detail, good dynamic range, and vibrant colors. The A32 5G has a wide-angle camera, a 5MP macro camera, and a 5MP portrait camera.
The A32 5G is just as impressive outside of the camera department. It has a quality 6.4-inch display at 720p, decent performance in day-to-day tasks, and a 5,000 mAh battery that allows long endurance. You end up with quite the package if you tie all of that together.
An excellent camera package.
The 48MP primary lens and three other ones are included in the price of the A32, so you can play with them.
This is the source of the phone.
The excellent Nokia G50 5G is a great example of a great value phone. Expect decent performance, clean software, and a nice design.
| A great option for clean software under $300 | Nokia G50 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch LCD, 1560x750, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 5MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth, 8MP wide selfie camera |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 173.8 x 77.7 x 8.9mm |
| Weight | 6.7oz |
The tradition of high-quality hardware and clean software is what makes the G50 5G a solid phone. The phone has a tall and thin 19.5:9 aspect ratio that makes it easy to grasp and use in one hand. The platform updates and security patches will be given to the G50 5G by the end of the year.
The G50 5G is a very powerful device. The 5000 mAh battery provides two days of use per charge, and you get a total of four cameras, including an excellent 48MP primary sensor and an 8MP wide one. You end up with a really complete package if you add in smaller features.
The goods are delivered byNokia.
The G50 5G is an excellent low-cost phone. There are three rear cameras and a clean software.
The source is Derrek Lee.
If you are looking for features galore, from video-enhance modes to excellent camera and battery optimizations, the TCL 20S is a fantastic option.
| A big phone with lots of features | TCL 20S |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD, 2400x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Cameras | 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.9 x 9.1mm |
| Weight | 199g |
The company has been at the helm of phones under other brands, but with the TCL 20S, the company is finally entering the Android space with a device under its own name. It is one of the most feature-rich cheap phones you can buy right now.
The 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD panel with its NXTVISION screen technology is the starting point for the TCL 20S. If you want to use the display to showcase games, the processor with more than enough power to keep everything running smoothly is available.
There are four rear cameras, including a 64MP primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and 2MP depth camera. The image quality is not the best we have ever seen, but the fact that you have so many sensors allows for lots of shooting possibilities. The device comes in two gorgeous colors, North Star Blue and Miky Way black, and has a huge 5,000 mAh battery. You can use your 20S to charge another device thanks to its reverse charging capability.
A phone with so many features.
Whether you want a vibrant display, lots of cameras, or support for Pay on a budget? The TCL 20S does it all.
The source is Daniel Bader.
The Moto G Stylus will be your perfect phone if you want a Moto G Power with an included stylus.
| A decent performer with a trick up its sleeve | Moto G Stylus (2021) |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch LCD, 2400x1080, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 678 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth |
| Charging | 10W wired |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | Water-repellent coating |
| Dimensions | 169.8 x 77.9 x 9mm |
| Weight | 213g |
It can be difficult to keep track of all the phones in the lineup, but the Moto G Stylus is one that stands out. It is one of the few phones that comes with a built-in stylus, and it is also a perfect combination of features and value.
Thanks to a Full HD+ resolution, everything looks great, and you're getting a large 6.8-inch display for housing all of your media. There is ample performance thanks to the Snapdragon 678 processor, along with 128GB of built-in storage and a large 4,000 mAh battery. The low price of the G Stylus makes them powerful.
The main draw to the Moto G Stylus is its built-in stylus experience. It is not the most premium stylus we have ever used, but it works well enough for drawing, note-taking, and other things.
Just like the Moto G Power, you need to put up with disappointing software updates and you are still missing NFC on the Moto G Stylus. If those are not deal-breakers for you, there is a lot to like here.
Draw and draw.
The Moto G Stylus is not as good a deal as the G Power, but it has some fun and unique features.
This is the source of OnePlus.
The affordable push into the U.S. market is anchored by the N10 5G. It is one of the best value flagship devices you can buy.
| Excellent performance for the price | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.49-inch FHD, 2400x1080, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP monochrome, 16MP selfie |
| Charging | 30W wired |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh |
| Water Resistance | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 163 x 74.7 x 8.95mm |
| Weight | 190g |
One of the most noteworthy phones of the past year was the OnePlus Nord 2. In just about every regard, the Nord series is a home run. Unfortunately, that affordable flagship never made it to North America. The Nord N10 5G is our favorite phone in the lineup and now it can be found in the U.S.
Even though it is a budget phone, the N10 5G packs a punch. Rich colors and smooth animations can be seen on the 90Hz AMOLED display. Fast 5G performance, reliable battery life, and one of the best wired charging on the market are all provided by the Snapdragon 690. The phone has a generous amount of storage and features like a quad-camera setup and dual stereo speakers. The new Midnight Ice color is beautiful.
OxygenOS is only recently upgraded to Android 11/ OxygenOS 11 and will not be upgraded to version 12. OxygenOS is one of the best interfaces on the market. It was before merging with ColorOS and being reabsorbed by OPPO. It isn't a terrible problem to not get the phone. We cannot get enough of the extra features and clean user interface of the Nord 10.
A region for North America.
A quad-camera system, 90Hz display, and 5G compatibility are some of the features of the Nord phone.
Ara Wagoner is from Android Central.
The A42 5G embraces its budget design with a four-tone back and edge-to-edge display. It has fast hardware and will get the update.
| 5G support and a massive battery | Galaxy A42 5G |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.6-inch Super AMOLED, 1600x720, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Cameras | 48MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 13MP selfie |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Water Resistance | ❌ |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 8.6mm |
| Weight | 193g |
The A42 5G has the same processor as the more expensive A52 but with a better design and a more appealing price tag. The phone has a Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1600x720. For video streaming and day-to-day usage, the density should be more than adequate.
This phone is going to get a new operating system in May 2022. The A42 should be able to keep up with any app you throw at it apart from high-end 3D games. If you like to keep your phone longer than others, you will keep compatibility with newer apps for longer with the latest software version.
You will be able to take advantage of the carriers latest network expansions if you use the A42 5G. This is a great benefit for a budget-oriented phone because most carriers aren't spending much time on expansion anymore and most of the speed and coverage improvements will come with nationwide 5G, especially in rural areas.
The mid-range galaxy has 5G.
The A42 has a huge 5,000mAh battery, 5G support, and an update in the works.
It can be hard to decide which of the great budget phones to buy. While the availability of fantastic phones under $500 has exploded over the past few years, you are still unable to get everything you would get in a more expensive device.
For most people, the question is whether you want a device thatimics the flagship experience but with cheaper, lower-quality components, or if you want something that has fewer specs but ones that hold up well.
It could be a good example of something like the Pixel 5a. It isn't the best display out there, but it is very good for $450. It doesn't have a high refresh rate like the N10 5G.
The single rear camera is outstanding and will output the best photos of any of the other devices on this list. There isn't an option to frame photos that are ultrawide or telephoto, so you're limited in the kinds of photos you can take.
It is made of high-quality plastic, unlike some of the other devices on this list with a more premium fit and finish.
The Pixel 5a has something else going for it: three years of platform and security patches. This phone is still in line for the next wave of features and user experience improvements even after those found in the latest update. Not many of the phones on this list will get the next update.
The OnePlus N10 5G is a $300 phone that is cheaper than the Pixel 5a but has a worse experience. There are four rear cameras, but none of them can compete with the primary camera of the Pixel 5a. It is also 5G-enabled, but the battery life is not as good as it could be. It has a lower quality screen than the Pixel 5a. It is still waiting for its only update to arrive.
These are just two examples. You have to take the entire market into account before you decide which phone to get.
There is no shortage of the best phones for less than $300, or even $100. The best of a set limitation is not wanting to overspend on a product that, inevitably, will need to be replaced in a couple of years.
That is the beauty of a device that costs a third of the price. It can be replaced more easily than those phones. While you may not get as much advanced features like wireless charging and waterproof, you can still feel confident in buying a budget device because these phones represent a new breed of budget devices. The best value of the bunch is the Google Pixel 5a.
When you are looking at cost-cutting phones in the first place, it is not always the ideal solution to plump for the best overall phone that throws in everything and the kitchen sink. You should figure out what you value the most. The Moto G Power is one of the best prices around, and it has a reliable experience. The best camera in the world is easily found in the SAMSUNG GALAXY A52 5G, and if you are looking for luxurious hardware, it is difficult to beat the H50 5G. Every manufacturer has something to offer.
Jeramy Johnson is proud to help keep Austin Weird and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand. He is defending his relationship with his smart voice assistants when he is not writing about smart home gadgets. You can follow him on social media.
Samuel spends most of his time researching computer components and trying to understand what goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It is the Pentium 3.
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