Looking for a new smartphone without breaking the bank? You’re in luck! The market is packed with incredible phones that deliver a fantastic user experience without requiring a hefty price tag. In this article, we’ll dive into the best phones under $500 for everyday use in 2024, covering everything from smooth performance and stunning displays to impressive cameras and long-lasting battery life.
Gone are the days when budget-friendly phones meant sacrificing quality. Today’s sub-$500 phones are equipped with powerful processors, vibrant displays, and capable cameras that rival their more expensive counterparts. Whether you’re a social media enthusiast, a mobile gamer, or simply looking for a reliable device for everyday tasks, there’s a phone on this list that’s perfect for you.
We’ve carefully curated this list based on a combination of factors, including performance, camera quality, battery life, design, and overall value. We’ve considered phones from leading brands like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, ensuring that each recommendation offers exceptional features and a smooth user experience. So, whether you’re looking for the best bang for your buck or simply want a phone that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, read on to discover the 7 best phones under $500 for everyday use in 2024.
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| Item | Image | Where to buy | Rating | Read More | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google Pixel 6a |  |
N/A | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G |  |
N/A | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OnePlus Nord N20 5G |  |
3.9 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iPhone SE (2022) |  |
4.3 out of 5 stars | Jump to Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Google Pixel 6a
A budget-friendly phone with a great camera and a clean Android experience.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: Google Tensor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 12.2MP main, 12MP ultrawide
- Battery: 4,305 mAh
- Operating System: Android 12
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent camera quality
- Clean and fast software experience
- Competitive price
Reasons to avoid:
- No expandable storage
- Battery life could be better
- Limited availability in some regions
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a great camera and a clean Android experience.
- You're looking for a phone under $500.
Don't buy it if:
- You need expandable storage.
- You want a phone with a long battery life.
Bottom Line:
The Google Pixel 6a is a solid phone for the price. It offers a great camera, clean software, and a competitive price. However, it does have some drawbacks, including a lack of expandable storage and average battery life. If you're looking for a phone with a great camera and a clean Android experience, the Pixel 6a is a great option. But if you need expandable storage or a longer battery life, you might want to look elsewhere.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
A stylish and powerful phone with a great camera and long battery life.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: Exynos 1280
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Camera: 64MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth
- Battery: 5,000 mAh
- Operating System: Android 12
Reasons to buy:
- Beautiful design
- Great camera quality
- Long battery life
- 5G connectivity
Reasons to avoid:
- Processor is not as powerful as some competitors
- Software can be bloated with Samsung's features
- Price is higher than some other options
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a great camera and a long battery life.
- You want a stylish phone.
- You need 5G connectivity.
Don't buy it if:
- You need the most powerful processor.
- You want a clean Android experience.
Bottom Line:
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a great all-around phone that offers a lot of value for the money. It has a great camera, long battery life, and a stylish design. However, it's not the most powerful phone in its price range, and the software can be a bit bloated. If you're looking for a stylish phone with a great camera and long battery life, the Galaxy A53 5G is a great choice. But if you need the most powerful processor or a clean Android experience, you might want to look elsewhere.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
A budget-friendly phone with a large display and 5G connectivity.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.49-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 64MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP monochrome
- Battery: 4,500 mAh
- Operating System: Android 11
Reasons to buy:
- Large display
- 5G connectivity
- Affordable price
- Fast charging
Reasons to avoid:
- Camera quality is not as good as some competitors
- Software is not as clean as some competitors
- No expandable storage
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a large display and 5G connectivity.
- You're looking for an affordable phone.
Don't buy it if:
- You need a great camera.
- You want a clean Android experience.
- You need expandable storage.
Bottom Line:
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is a solid budget-friendly phone that offers a lot of value for the money. It has a large display, 5G connectivity, and fast charging. However, it does have some drawbacks, including average camera quality and a less-than-clean software experience. If you're looking for a phone with a large display, 5G connectivity, and a low price, the Nord N20 5G is a great option. But if you need a great camera or a clean Android experience, you might want to look elsewhere.
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iPhone SE (2022)
A compact and powerful phone with a great camera and long battery life.
Specifications:
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD, 750 x 1334 pixels
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB
- Camera: 12MP wide
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Operating System: iOS 15
Reasons to buy:
- Powerful processor
- Excellent camera quality
- Long battery life
- Compact design
Reasons to avoid:
- Small display
- No expandable storage
- Expensive
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a powerful and compact phone with a great camera.
- You prefer Apple's iOS ecosystem.
Don't buy it if:
- You want a large display.
- You need expandable storage.
- You're on a tight budget.
Bottom Line:
The iPhone SE (2022) is a great option for those who want a powerful and compact phone with a great camera. It's also a good choice for people who prefer Apple's iOS ecosystem. However, it's a bit expensive, and the small display might not be ideal for everyone. If you're looking for a powerful and compact phone with a great camera and you're willing to pay a premium price, the iPhone SE (2022) is a great choice. But if you want a larger display, expandable storage, or a lower price, you might want to look elsewhere.
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Motorola Edge (2022)
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A phone with a large display, fast refresh rate, and a good camera.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.67-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 2MP depth
- Battery: 4,500 mAh
- Operating System: Android 12
Reasons to buy:
- Large display with a high refresh rate
- Powerful processor
- Good camera quality
- 5G connectivity
Reasons to avoid:
- No expandable storage
- Battery life could be better
- Price is on the higher end
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a large display and a high refresh rate.
- You need a powerful processor.
- You want 5G connectivity.
Don't buy it if:
- You need expandable storage.
- You want a phone with a long battery life.
- You're on a tight budget.
Bottom Line:
The Motorola Edge (2022) is a solid phone with a large display, fast refresh rate, and a good camera. It's also powered by a powerful processor and offers 5G connectivity. However, it does have some drawbacks, including a lack of expandable storage and average battery life. If you're looking for a phone with a large display, fast refresh rate, and a good camera, the Motorola Edge (2022) is a great option. But if you need expandable storage or a longer battery life, you might want to look elsewhere.
TCL 20 Pro 5G
A phone with a large display, good camera, and affordable price.
Specifications:
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Camera: 48MP main, 16MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 2MP depth
- Battery: 4,500 mAh
- Operating System: Android 11
Reasons to buy:
- Large display
- Good camera quality
- Affordable price
- 5G connectivity
Reasons to avoid:
- Software can be a bit clunky
- No expandable storage
- Battery life could be better
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a large display and a good camera.
- You're looking for an affordable phone with 5G connectivity.
Don't buy it if:
- You need a clean Android experience.
- You need expandable storage.
- You want a phone with a long battery life.
Bottom Line:
The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a great value for the money. It offers a large display, good camera quality, and 5G connectivity at a very affordable price. However, it does have some drawbacks, including a clunky software experience, a lack of expandable storage, and average battery life. If you're looking for a phone with a large display, good camera quality, and an affordable price, the TCL 20 Pro 5G is a great choice. But if you need a clean Android experience, expandable storage, or a longer battery life, you might want to look elsewhere.
Google Pixel 5a 5G
A budget-friendly phone with a great camera and a clean Android experience.
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Specifications:
- Display: 6.34-inch OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 12.2MP main, 16MP ultrawide
- Battery: 4,680 mAh
- Operating System: Android 11
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent camera quality
- Clean and fast software experience
- Competitive price
- Long battery life
Reasons to avoid:
- No expandable storage
- Limited availability in some regions
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a great camera and a clean Android experience.
- You're looking for a phone under $500.
- You want a phone with a long battery life.
Don't buy it if:
- You need expandable storage.
Bottom Line:
The Google Pixel 5a 5G is a great budget-friendly phone that offers a lot of value for the money. It has a great camera, clean software, and a long battery life. It's also a very affordable phone, making it a great option for budget-conscious consumers. However, it does have some drawbacks, including a lack of expandable storage and limited availability in some regions. If you're looking for a phone with a great camera, clean software, and a long battery life, the Pixel 5a 5G is a great option. But if you need expandable storage, you might want to look elsewhere.
Finding the perfect phone under $500 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But as you've seen, there are plenty of excellent options available! From reliable performance to stunning displays and long-lasting batteries, these seven phones offer a fantastic balance of features and affordability. Whether you're a casual user or a tech enthusiast on a budget, there's a phone on this list that's perfect for your everyday needs.
So, don't get overwhelmed by the endless choices out there! Consider your priorities, such as camera quality, battery life, or display size, and choose the phone that best aligns with your needs and budget. With so many great options available, you can confidently find the perfect phone to enhance your daily life without breaking the bank.
Remember, the best phone for you is the one that meets your specific needs and preferences. Explore the features, specifications, and user reviews of each model to make an informed decision. Don't settle for less! There's a fantastic phone out there waiting to be discovered, and it might just be one of the seven featured in this article.
We hope this guide has been helpful in your search for the perfect phone! Happy browsing, and may your new phone bring you hours of enjoyment and connectivity.