Best phone under 500

Good phones under 500 are extremely diverse. Each phone in this price segment has its own strengths and compromises. In general, models around $500 work quickly and are equipped with good screens, but they can vary significantly in details.

Some are more powerful and optimized for gaming, while others take higher-quality photos. Premium features like wireless charging and water resistance are not available everywhere. Therefore, such smartphones can cost twice as less than flagships: there is no need to pay for everything at once. You can choose only what you really need.

How to make a choice

When choosing the best phone under 500, it's important to understand that compromises will be necessary. You need to determine what the device is primarily needed for and decide what can be sacrificed: camera quality, performance, or premium features like wireless charging and water resistance.

If you don't want to compromise on anything, it's worth considering flagship models from previous generations: they have excellent cameras, and the processors are not outdated yet. Many manufacturers quickly discontinue old models, but Apple, for example, continues to produce the iPhone 13 even after the release of the 15th series.

In addition to the price, we recommend paying attention to several parameters.

Screen. In most mid-range models, screens with a refresh rate of 120 Hz are installed. On such a display, menus and long texts scroll more smoothly, and the phone itself seems to work faster. However, there are exceptions: smartphones from Apple and Google Pixel work quite smoothly even with a refresh rate of 60 Hz - thanks to optimized software.

There are two main screen technologies:

• OLED matrices differ in higher brightness and contrast, as well as maximum viewing angles and deep black color. They are great for watching movies and photography. AMOLED and OLED are approximately the same. Technically, there is a difference between them, but it is not noticeable to the user.
• IPS screens appeared earlier and are now considered a more budget-friendly technology. They are characterized by natural color reproduction but lag behind OLED in brightness and depth of black color. In bright sunlight, information on such screens is less visible, and at night, dark images look grayish, not black.

Processor. The comfort of usage depends on the power of the processor: stability of the phone's operation, speed of launching and switching between applications. Most processors in phones under $500 are fast - they allow you to run any games on medium or high settings.

RAM. It determines how many programs can run simultaneously without interfering with each other. For a mid-range Android smartphone, the minimum comfortable amount of RAM in 2024 is 6 GB. iPhones still manage with 3-4 GB.

If possible, it's better to buy a model with 8 GB of RAM or more. Such a smartphone will switch faster between the browser and several applications.

Built-in memory. Applications and games take up a lot of space in memory, as do high-resolution photos. If you need to store many photos, music, and movies on your phone, it's better to choose models with at least 128 GB.

It's worth noting that in most mid-range smartphones, there is no slot for a memory card. If you plan to actively use the device, download many games, and frequently shoot videos, consider models with 256 GB.

Camera. Currently, the quality of photos is almost independent of the number of megapixels. The final result is influenced by the power of the processor, software processing with algorithms, and a range of other nuances. It is challenging to determine the photo capabilities of a smartphone based on technical specifications alone. You can assess the number of camera modules and their usefulness, but the quality of photos on the best cell phone under 500 dollars is better evaluated through professional reviews.

Battery life. Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours, mAh. The higher the value, the longer the smartphone can operate under equal conditions. For Android smartphones, it's advisable to consider batteries in the range of 4500–5000 mAh. iPhones can last a full day even with 2500 mAh. Additionally, screen brightness and type, processor power, and software optimization quality also influence the duration of operation.

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Externally, it's the same SE 2020, also known as the iPhone 8, with all the resulting pros and cons. Some may find this design frankly outdated, but the model still enjoys great popularity among classic enthusiasts.

The phone features a 4.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1334x750, providing a pixel density of just 326ppi. The screen has a good maximum brightness (610 nits) and excellent anti-reflective properties, making it easy to use the device outdoors, even on a sunny summer day. The screen's merits include effective oleophobic coating and absence of flickering.

The device operates on the A15 Bionic chip, a powerful processor also used in the company's flagship iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. The gadget runs quickly and is comparable to top-tier phones. It comes with 4 GB of RAM, which is normal for Apple devices due to their optimization. Storage options range from 64 to 256 GB, but opting for higher capacity will naturally cost more than $500.

The model is equipped with a single 12 MP rear camera, which performs excellently, capturing good photos in both daylight and low-light conditions. The same applies to the front-facing camera. When it comes to video recording, it performs traditionally well for smartphones of this class, supporting 4K at 60 fps with no visible defects in image quality under good lighting conditions.

In summary, we have an excellent "workhorse" with a solid performance reserve, impressive battery life, and the latest connectivity modules, including 5G and Wi-Fi 6. Undoubtedly, it is the best mobile under 500 among Apple gadgets.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Samsung positioned this device as an affordable flagship. The specs of the screen include a 6.4-inch size, 1080x2400 pixels (20:9), Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 411 ppi. It has all the necessary features: automatic brightness adjustment, AlwaysOn Display, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, a 120 Hz, and brightness up to 1200 nits.

There are several memory options available: 6/128, 8/128, and 8/256 GB. Most users will choose the base variant (the others cost more than $500). The model is built on the Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) chipset and shows no flaws in speed for both the interface and third-party applications. It's a very fast chipset with a reserve of strength.

The rear camera includes ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto sensors. The main camera uses familiar 12-megapixel modules, but an 8-megapixel telephoto module has been added. The wide-angle matrix lacks autofocus, but it is unnecessary for such shots. The photo quality is excellent, overall reaching the confident level of flagships. The front camera has a resolution of 32MP, and the photos turn out good as well.

The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 4500 mAh. In any scenario, a full working day on this smartphone is easily achievable even for "heavy" users constantly using their smartphone screens. There is fast charging, taking 75 minutes to reach 100%. Wireless charging supports a power of up to 15W, allowing the hone to charge in 90-95 minutes, which is also very fast and extremely convenient. Reverse wireless charging allows you to charge accessories or another gadget, with a maximum power of 4.5W. Overall, it is an excellent mobile phone under 500.

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G

This model is part of the top great phones under 500, and it is the only one in this range of devices that has stylus support. It's worth noting right away that the new model copies many characteristics of the previous version but differs from it with 5G support, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, and a larger battery.

The smartphone has a black plastic body. It is lightweight with thin borders and a chin. The screen refresh rate is 120 Hz, and the display resolution is 1080x2400 pixels. As we have already mentioned, the phone has a built-in stylus, allowing you to control applications, take notes, sketch ideas, and even edit photos with maximum precision.

The smartphone is equipped with a main camera consisting of four sensors. The main sensor (48 MP) operates on Quad Pixel technology. Thanks to this, the camera quickly and accurately focuses on objects and can take decent photos even in low light. There is also an ultra-wide module, a macro sensor, and a depth sensor for background blur. Interesting features include simultaneous dual shooting with the front and main cameras, night shooting, automatic smile capture in photos, automatic photo optimization, and photo animation. Like the previous model, the smartphone features a quite decent 16-megapixel front camera.

This model incorporates an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, up to 6 GB of RAM, and up to 256 GB of internal storage. The 5000 mAh battery will easily hold a charge for a day or even more. Among its advantages, it is also worth noting support for memory cards.

Xiaomi 13T

This phone below 500 is designed for people who want flagship performance and a high-quality display but are not willing to pay a six-figure sum for modern flagships. At the same time, some features that are not essential to everyone are omitted here to lower the price.

The display can be called almost flagship-level. It's an AMOLED with a 6.67-inch diagonal and an impressive refresh rate of 144 Hz. If you're switching to the Xiaomi 13T from an old smartphone with a 60 Hz screen, the menu animations will delight you with their smoothness and speed. The screen also has a very high brightness reserve. The manufacturer claims a maximum of 2600 nits, which is more than the base iPhone 15. However, this brightness only works under direct sunlight or when viewing HDR content. In everyday situations, it does not exceed 1200 nits — still a lot, ensuring that the screen is well-visible in any conditions. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the screen.

On the back panel, there are three lenses — the main, ultra-wide-angle, and zoom. The latter is a rarity in mid-range smartphones. Usually, a macro camera or an unclear "dummy" that does not affect the shooting quality is placed here. The main camera takes excellent photos in most cases. The shots are sharp, with moderately saturated colors, and the results are always worthy both indoors and outdoors. In low light, the Xiaomi 13T takes decent photos, especially when using the night mode. The camera quickly takes multiple shots and stitches them into one frame — sharp, bright, and high-quality. The phone needs to be held still for about a second, sometimes a bit longer.

It is equipped with the productive MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra processor. Applications launch instantly, photos and videos are saved in memory without delays, and you can play any mobile games. Cooling is not an issue either. Even with active testing, the smartphone's body becomes warm, not hot, and the performance does not decrease. It has IP68 water resistance, similar to flagships. The smartphone also supports eSIM, providing convenience by eliminating the need to change physical SIM cards, and preventing scammers from using your number on another device. NFC is also available.

Downsides include the absence of wireless charging and memory card support. Additionally, there is a USB 2.0 port, which is an outdated and slow standard, making file transfers from the smartphone to the computer a lengthy process.

Honor 90 5G

The latest gadget in our selection of 500 below mobiles is the Honor 90 5G. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1200x2664, covered by protective glass with heavily curved edges and a factory-applied protective film. The 120Hz refresh rate is well implemented, providing excellent list scrolling and pleasant animations.

Thanks to the display, the perception of the device is at a very high level. The screen outperforms competitors in many aspects, with the main highlight being the sharpness of the image combined with a high brightness reserve. The automatic brightness adjustment does not have the drawbacks of Huawei smartphones, which often significantly reduce screen brightness to save energy.

The model is built on the Snapdragon 7 Gen.1 (accelerated version), which, however, does not provide maximum performance, making it a mid-range solution. There are model variants with 8/256 GB and 12/512 GB, but there is no memory card slot. Overall, the device operates swiftly, handling typical tasks with ease, and the interface is responsive and agile. Considering that it is not a gaming gadget, it fully justifies its purpose. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC (Google Pay), all working excellently.

As for the camera, it features a triple main module (200MP+12MP+2MP) and a 50MP selfie camera. The shots are decent, but not more than that – achieving a good result in less-than-ideal conditions will require some effort.

The battery is substantial, with a capacity of 5000 mAh. The battery life depends directly on the brightness of your screen and what you do on the device. However, with active usage, the phone easily lasts a day, similar to other comparable gadgets.

Good Android phones under 500: comparison table