A comprehensive list of the best Android phones under $500 suitable for every budget.
Looking for a new Android phone without breaking the bank? You’re in luck! There are tons of fantastic options available under $500 that offer great performance, features, and value. Whether you’re a casual user or a tech enthusiast, this price range has something for everyone.
But with so many choices, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s where we come in! We’ve scoured the market and rounded up the 5 best Android phones under $500, taking into account factors like performance, camera quality, battery life, and overall value.
From budget-friendly picks that deliver exceptional performance to feature-packed models with impressive displays and cameras, we’ve got you covered. No matter your needs or priorities, you’re sure to find the perfect phone on this list.
So, ditch the expensive flagship models and join us as we explore the best Android phones under $500 that won’t disappoint. Get ready to discover affordable excellence!
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| Google Pixel 6a |  |
N/A | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |  |
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| OnePlus Nord N30 5G |  |
4.3 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motorola Edge 30 |  |
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Google Pixel 6a
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The Google Pixel 6a is a great budget-friendly phone that offers a fantastic camera experience and clean software.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Google Tensor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 12.2MP main, 12MP ultrawide
- Battery: 4410mAh
- Operating System: Android 12
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent camera quality: Google's computational photography is top-notch, delivering stunning photos and videos.
- Clean and fast software: Stock Android offers a smooth and bloatware-free experience.
- Long software support: Google promises three years of major Android updates and five years of security updates.
- Affordable price: The Pixel 6a offers a lot of value for its price.
Reasons to avoid:
- No 5G: The Pixel 6a only supports 4G networks.
- Limited storage: The 128GB storage option might not be enough for some users.
- No wireless charging: The Pixel 6a lacks wireless charging capabilities.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You prioritize camera quality and software experience.
- You are on a budget.
- You want a phone with long software support.
Don't buy it if:
- You need 5G connectivity.
- You need more than 128GB of storage.
- You want a phone with wireless charging.
Bottom Line:
The Google Pixel 6a is a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a phone with a fantastic camera, clean software, and long software support. While it doesn't offer 5G connectivity or wireless charging, it excels in the areas that matter most to many users. If you prioritize photography and a smooth user experience, the Pixel 6a is a great option. However, if you need 5G or more storage, you might want to consider other options.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a well-rounded mid-range phone that offers a good balance of features and performance.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Exynos 1280
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Camera: 64MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth sensor
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Operating System: Android 12 with One UI 4.1
Reasons to buy:
- Vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate: The A53 5G offers a smooth and immersive viewing experience.
- Solid performance: The Exynos 1280 processor handles everyday tasks and gaming well.
- Long battery life: The large 5000mAh battery provides ample power for a full day of use.
- IP67 water and dust resistance: The phone is protected from water splashes and dust.
- 5G connectivity: The A53 5G supports the latest 5G networks.
Reasons to avoid:
- Average camera quality: The A53 5G's camera is decent, but not as impressive as some other phones in this price range.
- No expandable storage: The A53 5G doesn't offer expandable storage via microSD card.
- One UI can feel bloated: Some users may find Samsung's One UI to be heavy and less streamlined than stock Android.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a vibrant display and a high refresh rate.
- You need a phone with good performance and long battery life.
- You want a phone with IP67 water and dust resistance.
- You need 5G connectivity.
Don't buy it if:
- You prioritize camera quality.
- You need expandable storage.
- You prefer a clean and minimalist software experience.
Bottom Line:
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a solid mid-range phone that offers a good balance of features and performance. It boasts a vibrant AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, long battery life, and 5G connectivity. However, the camera quality is average, and it lacks expandable storage. If you're looking for a well-rounded phone that delivers on the essentials without breaking the bank, the A53 5G is a good choice. However, if you prioritize camera quality or need expandable storage, you might want to consider other options.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a budget-friendly phone that focuses on providing good value for money.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.49-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 50MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth sensor
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Operating System: Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.1
Reasons to buy:
- Fast and responsive performance: The Snapdragon 695 5G processor provides smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
- Large battery with fast charging: The 5000mAh battery delivers long battery life, and the 33W fast charging technology allows you to quickly top it up.
- Smooth 90Hz display: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel fluid.
- Affordable price: The Nord N30 5G offers a lot of value for its price.
Reasons to avoid:
- Average camera quality: The camera system is decent, but not as impressive as some other phones in this price range.
- No expandable storage: The Nord N30 5G doesn't offer expandable storage via microSD card.
- No wireless charging: The phone lacks wireless charging capabilities.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You prioritize performance and battery life.
- You want a phone with a smooth display and fast charging.
- You are on a tight budget.
Don't buy it if:
- You prioritize camera quality.
- You need expandable storage.
- You want a phone with wireless charging.
Bottom Line:
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a solid budget-friendly option that delivers on performance, battery life, and display quality. It offers a lot of value for its price, but its camera isn't as impressive as some other phones in this category. If you are looking for a phone that can handle everyday tasks and deliver long battery life without breaking the bank, the Nord N30 5G is a good choice. However, if you prioritize camera quality or need expandable storage, you might want to consider other options.
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Motorola Edge 30
The Motorola Edge 30 is a mid-range phone that offers a premium design and a high refresh rate display.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.7-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Camera: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 2MP depth sensor
- Battery: 4020mAh
- Operating System: Android 12 with My UX
Reasons to buy:
- Premium design: The Edge 30 boasts a sleek and stylish design with a metal frame and a glass back.
- Fast and responsive performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ 5G processor delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
- Smooth 144Hz display: The high refresh rate display makes scrolling and animations feel incredibly smooth.
- Excellent camera quality: The Edge 30's camera system captures high-quality photos and videos.
Reasons to avoid:
- Battery life could be better: The 4020mAh battery provides decent battery life, but it's not as long-lasting as some other phones in this price range.
- No expandable storage: The Edge 30 doesn't offer expandable storage via microSD card.
- No wireless charging: The phone lacks wireless charging capabilities.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You prioritize design and display quality.
- You need a phone with good performance and a great camera.
- You want a phone with a high refresh rate display.
Don't buy it if:
- You need a phone with a long battery life.
- You need expandable storage.
- You want a phone with wireless charging.
Bottom Line:
The Motorola Edge 30 is a stylish mid-range phone that offers a premium design, a smooth 144Hz display, and excellent camera quality. It provides a solid performance and a pleasant user experience. While the battery life could be better, and it lacks expandable storage and wireless charging, the Edge 30 is a great choice for users who prioritize design and display quality. However, if you need a phone with a longer battery life or expandable storage, you might want to consider other options.
TCL 20 Pro 5G
The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers a large display, a decent camera, and 5G connectivity.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Camera: 48MP main, 16MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 2MP depth sensor
- Battery: 4500mAh
- Operating System: Android 11 with TCL UI
Reasons to buy:
- Large and vibrant AMOLED display: The 20 Pro 5G boasts a spacious 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and immersive viewing experience.
- Solid performance: The Snapdragon 870 5G processor delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
- Decent camera quality: The 20 Pro 5G's camera system captures decent photos and videos, especially in good lighting conditions.
- Affordable price: The 20 Pro 5G offers a lot of value for its price, particularly considering its large display and 5G connectivity.
Reasons to avoid:
- Software can be buggy: TCL's UI can sometimes be buggy and less polished than stock Android or other custom skins.
- No expandable storage: The 20 Pro 5G doesn't offer expandable storage via microSD card.
- No wireless charging: The phone lacks wireless charging capabilities.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a large and vibrant display.
- You need a phone with good performance and 5G connectivity.
- You are on a budget.
Don't buy it if:
- You prefer a clean and polished software experience.
- You need expandable storage.
- You want a phone with wireless charging.
Bottom Line:
The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers a great value for its price. It boasts a large and vibrant AMOLED display, solid performance, and 5G connectivity. However, its software can be buggy, and it lacks expandable storage and wireless charging. If you're looking for a phone with a large screen and 5G connectivity on a budget, the 20 Pro 5G is worth considering. But, if you prioritize a clean software experience or need expandable storage, you might want to explore other options.
Choosing the right Android phone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. But don't worry, we've got you covered. This list of the 5 best Android phones under $500 has something for everyone, whether you're looking for the best value, the best camera, or the best performance. With our recommendations, you're sure to find the perfect phone that fits your needs and budget.
Remember, the best phone for you depends on your individual needs and priorities. Consider what features are most important to you, such as battery life, camera quality, performance, and display size. Don't be afraid to do your research and compare different models before making a decision.
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Finally, don't forget to factor in additional costs, such as cases, screen protectors, and accessories. These can add up quickly, so it's a good idea to budget for them in advance.
With a little research and planning, you can find the perfect Android phone under $500 to fit your lifestyle and budget. Happy shopping!
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