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It’s possible you’ll suppose you could lay our a fortune to get a wonderful cellphone, however that is merely not the case. One of the best telephones underneath $500 actually do not sacrifice a lot compared to gadgets with a lot larger value tags. The midrange area has a ton of competitors that supply options like high-refresh-rate screens, 5G and images processing software program. You may want to just accept some tradeoffs, although, reminiscent of lower-quality cameras or an older processor.
One of the best telephones underneath $500 could hit many of the options in your guidelines. On the lookout for a giant 6.5-inch display screen? Many of those telephones have that, or there are additionally smaller shows if that is your choice. Want a terrific digicam? You may discover that in most of those picks. Most of those telephones do not skimp on software program updates both, with their makers promising at minimal three years of safety updates.
There are some compromises made to maintain prices low, and every firm takes a distinct method to make these cuts much less noticeable. Apple’s iPhone SE and Google’s Pixel 6A, as an example, have a smaller display screen and older digicam setup, but embrace new processors and software program from these firms. Samsung’s Galaxy A53 has a spacious display screen and spectacular battery life, though it runs on a much less highly effective processor than the Galaxy S22. And the Moto G Stylus 5G takes good photographs, offers a roomy 256GB of area and throws in a stylus, however Motorola would not present software program assist for so long as its rivals.
Images and video specifically are areas the place the telephones on this value bracket take a noticeable hit compared to their costlier counterparts. Nonetheless, photo-processing software program ought to assist decide up a few of the slack. As an example, whereas the iPhone SE has a single 12-megapixel digicam that does not assist night time images, its A15 Bionic chip does enable for Apple’s Deep Fusion processing. It is a related scenario for the Pixel 6A, which makes use of a 12-megapixel essential digicam and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam, but can improve these photographs with processing powered by the cellphone’s Tensor chip.
You possibly can see the professionals and cons of every of those telephones beneath, with extra particulars out there in our full evaluations.
What’s the finest cellphone underneath $500
The Google Pixel 6A’s stable digicam and premium design make it the very best Android cellphone underneath $500 proper now. So long as the Pixel 7 is not on sale. The Pixel 6A typically accomplishes its meant goal of offering quite a bit for much less. The digicam could also be a step down from the Pixel 7, however it takes crisp and colourful photographs for a cellphone of its value. You additionally get the identical eye-catching design and Pixel-specific software program options like Magic Eraser and Reside Translate.
We must always warn you that the Pixel 7A is rumored to be introduced at Google I/O on Might 10. In the event you can wait till then, you would possibly be capable to snag the 7A or get the 6A at a decreased value.
Finest telephones underneath $500
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Pixel 6A replaces the Pixel 5A because the $449 budget-friendly model of its flagship cellphone. CNET’s Lisa Eadicicco referred to as it the “finest Android cellphone underneath $500” in her Pixel 6A overview, calling out the way it retains the identical Tensor chip seen within the $599 Pixel 6 and lots of of its options.
The cellphone is barely smaller than the Pixel 6, that includes a 6.1-inch OLED show and a refresh fee of 60Hz. And it has an identical digicam to the Pixel 5A, together with a 12.2-megapixel essential digicam and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam. However by together with the Tensor chip, photographs can profit from its Actual Tone pores and skin tone function, Face Unblur, Evening Sight for darker images and the Magic Eraser for eradicating undesirable components from a photograph.
Learn our Google Pixel 6A overview.
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The Samsung Galaxy A53 consists of lots of the finest options seen within the Galaxy S22 line, with just a few tradeoffs to hit that lower cost. The cellphone features a 6.5-inch AMOLED display screen with a 2,400×1,080-pixel decision, 5G assist and a long-lasting 5,000-mAh battery. The cellphone additionally comes with a 64-megapixel essential digicam, 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam, 5-megapixel macro digicam and 5-megapixel depth digicam.
However a specific excessive level for this cellphone is Samsung’s pledge to supply 4 years of software program assist, along with delivery with Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.1. Nonetheless, Samsung simply introduced a brand new model of this cellphone, referred to as the Galaxy A54 5G, which we’re wanting ahead to testing quickly.
Learn our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G overview.
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The $429 iPhone SE is a mixture of an older design with the most recent smartphone options, together with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip and 5G assist. It is also one of many few telephones available on the market that features a smaller, 4.7-inch display screen.
It is that throwback design, which continues the overall form that Apple has used since 2014, that might be what you like or dislike most about this cellphone. If you would like a bigger iPhone on this value vary, you can even think about the iPhone 11, and get an even bigger display screen and Face ID. However that cellphone doesn’t embrace 5G connectivity.
The cellphone additionally solely consists of one 12-megapixel essential digicam, which doesn’t assist night time mode. Most different telephones on this roundup embrace a number of cameras and options like night time mode, making the omission noticeable. Nonetheless, photographs make up for this by together with the Deep Fusion photo-processing approach to reinforce medium-to-low gentle photographs, and Good HDR4 processing for bettering colour and distinction. CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland did discover that video shot in 4K decision at 60 frames per second is especially good on the iPhone SE, however it won’t embrace the Cinematic Mode seen on the iPhone 13.
Learn our Apple iPhone SE overview.
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The $500 Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is without doubt one of the finest stylus-equipped telephones you will get proper now, particularly for the worth. You get Android 12, 5G connectivity, a big 6.8-inch display screen and a spacious 256GB of storage. Sadly, the cellphone is just promised one software program replace and three years of safety updates, which is a a lot shorter timeline than the 4 years promised by Samsung for the Galaxy A53.
But if you need a stylus-equipped cellphone, the subsequent step-up choice is the considerably costlier Galaxy S22 Extremely at $1,200.
Learn our Moto G Stylus 5G overview.
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With the launch of the iPhone 14 sequence, Apple discontinued the $500 iPhone 11, however it’s nonetheless extensively out there. It may be just a few generations outdated, however this cellphone continues to be greater than succesful, dealing with gaming effectively and outfitted with two very good rear cameras. It’s lacking 5G assist, which is more and more bettering as wi-fi carriers put money into the community, however the cellphone will work advantageous on LTE and Wi-Fi. The iPhone 11 additionally doesn’t assist MagSafe equipment, which have been launched alongside the iPhone 12.
Simply be aware that some locations could also be promoting refurbished variations of the cellphone since Apple itself is not promoting new iPhone 11 fashions. Finest Purchase doesn’t carry any unlocked fashions, so you will have to enroll in a service plan by both AT&T, Verizon, T-Cell or Dash.
Learn our Apple iPhone 11 overview.
You are receiving value alerts for Apple iPhone 11
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The Nothing Cellphone 1 is technically out there within the US for $299, however solely by a beta program that’s promoting a world mannequin with restricted US provider compatibility. Whereas the corporate does plan to formally launch a future cellphone for the North American market, this cellphone continues to be value a glance in nations the place it is out there. It provides a putting design and respectable specs for the cash, even at its larger £399 UK value (which converts to roughly AU$700).
The Nothing Cellphone 1 is adorned with LED strips on the again, every of which known as a “glyph,” that gentle up for alerts and notifications. That design is accompanied by two 50-megapixel cameras: a large angle and an ultrawide. Across the entrance is a 6.55-inch 120Hz show with a 2,400-by-1,080-pixel decision and a 16-megapixel selfie digicam. The cellphone runs on a Snapdragon 778G Plus chip, with fashions that begin with 8GB of reminiscence and 128GB of storage.
All that quantities to a cellphone that compares effectively throughout the value vary, particularly given its digicam high quality and appears.
How we take a look at telephones
Each cellphone on this checklist has been totally examined by CNET’s professional evaluations crew. We truly use the cellphone, take a look at the options, play video games and take photographs. We assess any advertising and marketing guarantees that an organization makes about its telephones. And if we discover one thing we do not like, be it battery life or construct high quality, we let you know all about it.
We study each side of a cellphone throughout testing:
DisplayDesign and feelProcessor performanceBattery lifeCamera qualityFeatures
We take a look at all of a cellphone’s cameras (each back and front) in a wide range of circumstances: from outside underneath daylight to dimmer indoor locales and night time time scenes (for any out there night time modes). We additionally examine our findings in opposition to equally priced fashions. Now we have a sequence of actual world battery exams to see how lengthy a cellphone lasts underneath on a regular basis use.
We keep in mind extra cellphone options like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, quick charging, foldable shows and different helpful extras. And we, in fact, weigh all of our experiences and testing in opposition to the worth so you realize whether or not a cellphone represents good worth or not.
Learn extra: How we take a look at telephones
Telephones underneath $500 comparability
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G vs. Google Pixel 6A vs. Apple iPhone SE (2022) vs. Nothing Cellphone 1 vs. Apple iPhone 11
Samsung Galaxy A53 5GMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)Google Pixel 6AApple iPhone SE (2022)Nothing Cellphone 1iPhone 11 Show dimension, decision 6.5-inch AMOLED (2,400×1,080 pixels); 120 Hz6.8-inch LTPS LCD FHD+; 2,460 x1,080 pixels; 120 Hz6.1-inch OLED; (1080 x 2400); 60Hz4.7-inch LCD; (1,334×750 pixels); 60 Hz6.55-inch OLED show, 2,400 x1080 pixels; 6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina; 1,792×828 pixels Pixel density 405ppiTBD429 ppi326ppi402ppi326ppiDimensions (inches) 6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in.6.65 x 2.98 x 0.37 in.6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 in.5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in.
5.94×2.98×0.33 in.Dimensions (millimeters) 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm168.9 x 75.8 x 9.3 mm152.2 x 7.18 x 8.9 mm138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm150.9×75.7×8.3 mmWeight (ounces, grams) 6.67 oz.; 189g7.58 oz.; 215 g6.3 oz.; 178g5.09 oz.; 144g193.5g6.84 oz.; 194gMobile software program Android 12Android 12Android 12iOS 15Android 13iOS 13Camera 64-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 5-megapixel (macro), 5-megapixel (depth)50-megapixel (extensive), 8-megapixel (ultrawide/macro), 2-megapixel (depth)12.2-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel extremely extensive)12-megapixel (extensive)50-megapixel (essential), 50-megapixel (ultra-wide)12-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide)Entrance-facing digicam 32-megapixel16-megapixel8-megapixel7-megapixel16-megapixel 12-megapixel with Face IDVideo seize 4K1,080p4K4K4K at 60fps4KProcessor Exynos 1280Snapdragon 695 5GGoogle TensorApple A15 BionicSnapdragon 778G+Apple A13 BionicRAM/Storage 6GB/128GB8GB/256GB6GB RAM/128GB storage64GB, 128GB, 256GB8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256 GB, 12GB RAM + 256GB 64GB, 128GB, 256GBExpandable storage As much as 1TBUp to 1TBNoneNANoneNoneBattery/Charger 5,000 mAh (charger not included, doesn’t assist wi-fi charging)5,000 mAh (10W wired charger included)4,410 mAh capability; 18-watt quick charging (adapter offered individually)Battery NA (20W wired charging — charger not included), 7.5W wi-fi charging)4,500 mAh (33W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging, 5W reverse charging) Not disclosed, however Apple claims it would final 1 hour longer than iPhone XRFingerprint sensor In-displaySideUnder displayHome buttonIn-displayNone (Face ID)Connector USB-CUSB-CUSB CLightningUSB-CLightningHeadphone jack NoneYesNoneNoneNoneNoSpecial options 5G-enabled; IP67 score; helps 25W wired quick charging, Samsung Pay5G-enabled; OIS for essential digicam; NFC for Google Pay; 5G-enabled, 18W quick charging, Wi-Fi 6E, safety updates for five years, Android OS updates for 3 years, twin SIM, IP67 water resistance5G-enabled; helps 25W wired quick charging; Water-resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging5G, IP53, Three years of Android updates, Twin Sim, 120Hz adaptive refresh rateWater resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi chargingPrice off-contract (USD) $450$500$449$399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB)N/A$499Price (GBP) £399NA however converts to £405£399£419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB)£399£489Price (AUD) AU$699NA however converts to AU$715A$749AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB)N/AAU$849
Telephones underneath $500 FAQs
Are cheaper telephones value it?
For many individuals, a cellphone that prices lower than $500 will seemingly have the whole lot you want for communication, images and leisure. In some circumstances, the telephones even present a few of the newest options seen on higher-end telephones like clean 120Hz refresh charges and a number of cameras.
Nonetheless, you need to be conscious of — and OK with — the restrictions a cellphone could have in comparison with its costlier counterparts. As an example, if you need an iPhone with an even bigger display screen than the iPhone SE and iPhone 11’s screens, your subsequent most suitable choice is the $899 iPhone 14 Plus. That is far outdoors the $500 value vary, however you additionally get extra advantages like an improved digicam.
However, if you need a cellphone with an even bigger display screen and if working Android is ok, you will have loads of choices which can be underneath $500.
Are you able to get a superb digicam on a less expensive cellphone?
Sure, you will discover a number of cheaper telephones that take nice photographs, whether or not it is by the digicam out there on the machine, picture processing software program on the cellphone or — is most frequently the case — a mix of each.
Apple’s iPhone SE consists of the A15 Bionic chip, which helps Good HDR4 processing and Apple’s Deep Fusion processing. Good HDR4 helps with bettering colour and distinction, whereas the Deep Fusion processing helps with medium- to low-light environments. CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland put collectively a sampling of photographs and movies taken on the cellphone throughout his overview, which could be watched on the CNET Highlights YouTube channel. Nonetheless, the iPhone SE additionally has just one 12-megapixel digicam, and that digicam doesn’t assist night time images.
Over on the Android facet, the Google Pixel 6A consists of the corporate’s Tensor chip, which brings images options like Actual Tone for capturing extra correct pores and skin tones, Face Unblur for fixing an individual’s face and Magic Eraser for eradicating undesirable objects. However it has a 12-megapixel essential digicam paired up with a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam, which takes good photographs however is a transparent step down from the 50-megapixel essential digicam seen on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7.
Samsung’s Galaxy A53 is an attention-grabbing case: Iit has a essential 64-megapixel digicam alongside a 12-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macro digicam and 5-megapixel depth digicam. Whereas that is extra megapixels than the 50-megapixel essential digicam on the Galaxy S22, the picture element is a step down with the S22 in a position to produce photographs with higher distinction and sharpness.
What makes these telephones cheaper?
Every firm takes a distinct method towards cheaper telephones.
The iPhone SE, for instance, has a current Apple processor packed inside an in any other case dated cellphone design. Google’s Pixel 6A likewise consists of the brand new Tensor processor, however makes use of an older 12.2-megapixel essential digicam as an alternative of the 50-megapixel essential digicam discovered on the $599 Pixel 6.
Samsung’s Galaxy A53 takes the alternative method. It features a processor that is slower than the Galaxy S22’s however consists of different fashionable options like a display screen with a excessive refresh fee.