Looking for a great smartphone without breaking the bank? You’re in luck! There are plenty of excellent unlocked phones available for under $500 that offer top-notch features and performance. Whether you prioritize a stunning display, powerful camera, or long battery life, there’s a phone out there to meet your needs.
In this article, we’ve curated a list of the 7 best unlocked phones under $500 in 2024, covering a range of brands and specs. We’ve considered factors like processor speed, camera quality, screen size, battery life, and overall user experience to ensure each phone on this list provides great value for your money.
From budget-friendly options to mid-range powerhouses, we’ve got something for everyone. We’ll delve into the pros and cons of each phone, highlighting what makes them stand out and helping you make an informed decision.
So, if you’re ready to upgrade your mobile experience without draining your wallet, keep reading to discover the best unlocked phones under $500 in 2024.
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| Google Pixel 6a |  |
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| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |  |
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| OnePlus Nord N30 5G |  |
4.3 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iPhone SE (3rd generation) |  |
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Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a is a great budget-friendly phone with a great camera and clean software. It's a great option for those looking for a good value phone that doesn't break the bank.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Google Tensor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Cameras: 12.2MP main, 12MP ultrawide; 8MP front-facing
- Battery: 4410mAh
- Operating System: Android 12
Reasons to buy:
- Great camera quality
- Clean and fast software
- Affordable price
Reasons to avoid:
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
- Limited to 60Hz refresh rate
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for a great camera phone at a budget price
- You appreciate a clean and unbloated Android experience
- You're not concerned about features like wireless charging or expandable storage
Don't buy it if:
- You need a high refresh rate display
- You need expandable storage
- You need wireless charging
Bottom Line:
The Google Pixel 6a is a great phone for those who are looking for a good camera and clean software at a budget price. It's not the most powerful phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. The camera is its standout feature, taking fantastic photos and videos. It's a great value option, especially if you're looking for an unlocked phone. If you need features like a high refresh rate display or expandable storage, this phone may not be the best choice for you. But if you're looking for a well-rounded and affordable phone that captures stunning photos and videos, the Google Pixel 6a is a fantastic option.
Find more on 7 Best iPhones Under $500 in 2024
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a great all-around phone with a great display, decent battery life, and a good camera. It's a great option for those looking for a well-rounded phone at a budget price.
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
- Cameras: 64MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth; 32MP front-facing
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Operating System: Android 12
Reasons to buy:
- Great display
- Decent battery life
- Good camera quality
- Water and dust resistant
Reasons to avoid:
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a great display with a high refresh rate
- You're looking for a good camera phone
- You value battery life
- You need a water-resistant phone
Don't buy it if:
- You need wireless charging
- You need expandable storage
Bottom Line:
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a great option for those looking for a well-rounded phone with a great display, decent battery life, and a good camera at an affordable price. The 120Hz refresh rate display is smooth and responsive, the battery life is long-lasting, and the camera takes good photos and videos. It's not the most powerful phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with a great display and a good camera, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a great choice. But if you need features like wireless charging or expandable storage, you might want to consider other options.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a budget-friendly phone with a large display, fast charging, and a good camera. It's a great option for those looking for a good value phone with a long battery life.
Find more on 15 Best Budget Phone Under $500: Affordable Quality
Specifications:
- Display: 6.49-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2412 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Cameras: 108MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth; 16MP front-facing
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Operating System: Android 13
Reasons to buy:
- Large display with a high refresh rate
- Fast charging
- Good camera quality
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
Reasons to avoid:
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
- No IP rating for water resistance
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for a phone with a large display
- You value fast charging
- You're looking for a good camera phone
- You want a phone with a long battery life
- You're on a tight budget
Don't buy it if:
- You need wireless charging
- You need expandable storage
- You need a water-resistant phone
Bottom Line:
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a great value option for those looking for a budget-friendly phone with a large display, fast charging, and a good camera. It's not the most powerful phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. The large display is great for watching videos and playing games, and the fast charging means you can quickly top up the battery. The camera is also good, capturing decent photos and videos. However, if you need features like wireless charging, expandable storage, or water resistance, you might want to consider other options. Overall, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a great choice for budget-conscious users who are looking for a phone with a large display, fast charging, and a good camera.
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is a compact and powerful phone with a great camera and a long-lasting battery. It's a great option for those who are looking for a small phone that packs a punch.
Specifications:
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD, 750 x 1334 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB
- Cameras: 12MP main; 12MP front-facing
- Battery: 2000mAh
- Operating System: iOS 15
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful processor
- Great camera quality
- Long battery life
- Compact size
- Water and dust resistant
Reasons to avoid:
- No high refresh rate display
- No expandable storage
- No USB-C port
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for a compact phone with a powerful processor
- You value a great camera
- You want a phone with a long battery life
- You're looking for a phone that's water and dust resistant
Don't buy it if:
- You need a large display
- You need expandable storage
- You prefer a USB-C port
Bottom Line:
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is a great option for those who are looking for a compact and powerful phone with a great camera. It's not the most feature-packed phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. The powerful processor means you can handle demanding apps and games without any lag. The camera takes fantastic photos and videos, and the battery life is long-lasting. If you're looking for a small phone that packs a punch, the iPhone SE (3rd generation) is a great choice. However, if you need features like a large display, expandable storage, or a USB-C port, you might want to consider other options.
Explore further with 5 Best Android Phone Under $500 for Every Budget
Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a is a great budget-friendly phone with a great camera, a clean software experience, and a long-lasting battery. It's a great option for those looking for a well-rounded phone that doesn't break the bank.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Google Tensor G2
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Cameras: 64MP main, 13MP ultrawide; 13MP front-facing
- Battery: 4385mAh
- Operating System: Android 13
Reasons to buy:
- Great camera quality
- Clean and fast software
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
- Water and dust resistant
Reasons to avoid:
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
- No 5G mmWave support
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for a great camera phone at a budget price
- You appreciate a clean and unbloated Android experience
- You want a phone with a long battery life
- You need a water-resistant phone
Don't buy it if:
- You need wireless charging
- You need expandable storage
- You need 5G mmWave support
Bottom Line:
The Google Pixel 7a is a great option for those who are looking for a well-rounded phone with a great camera, a clean software experience, and a long-lasting battery at a budget price. The camera is its standout feature, taking fantastic photos and videos. The software is clean and unbloated, making the phone fast and responsive. The battery life is long-lasting, so you can go all day without worrying about running out of juice. It's not the most powerful phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with a great camera, clean software, and a long battery life, the Google Pixel 7a is a great choice. However, if you need features like wireless charging, expandable storage, or 5G mmWave support, you might want to consider other options.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is a budget-friendly phone with a great display, a good camera, and long battery life. It's a great option for those who are looking for a well-rounded phone at an affordable price.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1080
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Cameras: 48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth; 13MP front-facing
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Operating System: Android 13
Reasons to buy:
- Great display
- Good camera quality
- Long battery life
- Water and dust resistant
- Affordable price
Reasons to avoid:
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
- No 5G mmWave support
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for a phone with a great display
- You want a good camera phone
- You value battery life
- You need a water-resistant phone
- You're on a tight budget
Don't buy it if:
- You need wireless charging
- You need expandable storage
- You need 5G mmWave support
Bottom Line:
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is a great option for those who are looking for a well-rounded phone with a great display, a good camera, and long battery life at an affordable price. The display is vibrant and smooth, the camera takes good photos and videos, and the battery life is long-lasting. It's not the most powerful phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with a great display, a good camera, and long battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is a great choice. However, if you need features like wireless charging, expandable storage, or 5G mmWave support, you might want to consider other options.
You can find more information on 20 Best Mobile Phone Under $500 AED 2024
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is a budget-friendly phone with a large display, a built-in stylus, and a long-lasting battery. It's a great option for those who are looking for a phone with a large display and a stylus at an affordable price.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.8-inch LCD, 1080 x 2460 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 930
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Cameras: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP depth; 16MP front-facing
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Operating System: Android 13
Reasons to buy:
- Large display
- Built-in stylus
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
Reasons to avoid:
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
- No IP rating for water resistance
- No high refresh rate display
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for a phone with a large display
- You need a stylus
- You value battery life
- You're on a tight budget
Don't buy it if:
- You need wireless charging
- You need expandable storage
- You need a water-resistant phone
- You need a high refresh rate display
Bottom Line:
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is a great option for those who are looking for a budget-friendly phone with a large display, a built-in stylus, and a long-lasting battery. It's not the most powerful phone on the market, but it's more than capable for everyday tasks. The large display is great for watching videos and playing games, and the stylus is a great tool for taking notes, drawing, and navigating the phone. The battery life is also long-lasting, so you can go all day without worrying about running out of juice. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone with a large display, a built-in stylus, and a long battery life, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is a great choice. However, if you need features like wireless charging, expandable storage, water resistance, or a high refresh rate display, you might want to consider other options.
Check this blog on 16 Best Phone Under $500 in New Zealand: 2024 Edition
Finding the perfect unlocked phone under $500 can be a challenge, but with so many great options available, you're sure to find a device that fits your needs and budget. Whether you're looking for a sleek and powerful phone for everyday use, a budget-friendly option with solid performance, or a phone with impressive camera capabilities, there's a device on this list for you.
Remember, the best phone for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Consider factors like screen size, battery life, camera quality, and processing power when making your decision.
This list provides a great starting point for your search, and by exploring the features and specs of each phone, you can find the ideal unlocked phone under $500 that meets your requirements and fits comfortably in your hand.
With a little research and consideration, you'll be able to choose a phone that's not only affordable but also provides an excellent user experience and keeps you connected to everything you love.
Amira 
Mohammed