Best phone under 500

Two Samsung phones in a white room, the one on the right black, the one on the left being white.
Credit: Samsung

Two Samsung phones in a white room, the one on the right black, the one on the left being white.
Credit: Samsung

Going for the best phone under 500 pounds or dollars may seem like you're going to miss out, but the truth is most phones in this price bracket still come with a lot of amazing features if you know how to shop for one.

There will be a few sacrifices, usually when it comes to things like raw processing power and the quality of the camera, but that doesn't mean you'll be getting a bad phone just because you're on a budget.

You'll still be able to get one of the best phones with good battery life, solid durability, and loads of other smart features like voice assistants. Some even make for very good gaming phones, although it's worth treating yourself to a quality phone controller if that's your plan.

So, whether you're looking for an excellent affordable option from Samsung like the Galaxy A52, or a solid phone from Google such as the Pixel 4a 5G, we've got you covered.

Best phones under 500

  1. OnePlus Nord 2 5G
  2. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
  3. Samsung Galaxy A52
  4. Google Pixel 4a 5G
  5. Motorola One 5G Ace
  6. Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite
OnePlus Nord 2 product image of a thin black phone with a purple and orange pattern on the display.
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Credit: OnePlus

1. OnePlus Nord 2 5G

Best OnePlus phone under 500

Operating System: Android - Screen Size: 6.4 inches - Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels - CPU: MediaTek MT6893 Dimensity 1200 5G - RAM: 8GB / 12GB | Storage: 128GB / 256GB - Battery: 4,500 mAh

When sticking to a budget of 500 pounds or dollars, the OnePlus Nord 2 is the standout choice for us.

In terms of display, you're getting a sizeable 6.4-inch screen with a 90Hz refresh rate which is up there amongst some of the best phones for gaming in terms of speed.

When it comes to the camera, this phone features 50MP main, 8MP Ultra-wide, and 2MP mono lenses, which should mean this phone produces high-quality images.

The OnePlus Nord 2 also features up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage combined with the MediaTek processor gives you a lot of power for your money.

Read More: Best phones for under 300

iPhone SE product image of a white and black phone shot from the front and back.
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Credit: Apple
Image Credit: Apple

2. iPhone SE (2022)

Best Apple phone under 500

Operating System: IOS 15 - Screen Size: 4.7 inches - Resolution: 750 x 1334 pixels - CPU: A15 Bionic chip - RAM: 4GB - Storage: 64GB / 128GB / 256GB - Battery: 2,018mAh

If you're after one of the best iPhones but don't want to spend more than 500 pounds or dollars, the iPhone SE could be the choice for you.

This model was designed specifically to be an affordable option, however, although this phone is smaller and cheaper than the flagship model, it still packs a serious punch.

The A13 Bionic chip is the same as you'll find in the iPhone 13, which is fantastic for the price and especially alongside 5G capabilities. This handset also comes with an impressive 12MP rear camera that produces high-quality images, alongside various modes thanks to the powerful chipset.

Overall, the iPhone SE is a standout choice for iPhone lovers looking for an affordable option.

Read More: Best camera phones

Samsung Galaxy A52 product image of a thin black phone with orange, cream, green, and purple dots on the display.
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Credit: Samsung

3. Samsung Galaxy A52

Best Samsung phone under 500

Operating System: Android 11 - Screen Size: 6.5 inches - Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels - CPU: Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G - RAM: 6GB / 8GB | Storage: 128GB / 256GB - Battery: 4,500mAh

Samsung is well-known for pioneering some of the best phones to date and amongst them are some great affordable options, like the Galaxy A52.

This handset hits the mark as one of the best phones for battery life, featuring a sizeable 4,500mAh battery, which should easily last you all day, perfect if you're often on the go and don't want to worry about charging.

It also boasts an impressive AMOLED FHD display that can provide up to 800 nits of brightness, which means you should be able to see your screen even in well-lit environments.

Given the price, the A52 is a real winner in our book.

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Google Pixel 4a product image of a black phone with 4a in Google colours on the display.
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Credit: Google

4. Google Pixel 4a 5G

Best Google phone under 500

Operating System: Android 11 - Screen Size: 6.2 inches - Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels - CPU: Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G - RAM: 6GB - Storage: 128GB - Battery: 3,885mAh

Another good mid-range choice is the Google Pixel 4a, as it could be ideal for those who want a phone with 5G capabilities that don't break the bank.

The Pixel 4a is great for the price and combined with 6GB of RAM this phone should operate Android 11 smoothly. Another standout feature is the camera, with up to 16MP from the rear lenses and an 8MP front-facing camera, you'll be able to take some decent shots.

The Pixel 4a also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is useful if you have wired headphones or want to be able to connect an AUX cord.

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Motorola One 5G Ace product image of a silver and black phone shot from the front and back.
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Credit: Motorola

5. Motorola One 5G Ace

Best Motorola phone under 500

Operating System: Android 10 - Screen Size: 6.7 inches - Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels - CPU: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G - RAM: 4GB / 6GB - Storage: 64GB / 128GB - Battery: 5,000mAh

If you're looking for a large display for your money, the Motorola One 5G Ace could be what you're after.

A huge 6.7-inch HD screen competes with some of the most expensive phones on the market and gives you a nice amount of space when consuming entertainment or scrolling through social media.

128GB is a good amount of storage for the price, however, if you're looking for more, this phone features a MicroSD slot to allow for storage expansion.

The Motorola One 5G Ace also features a huge 5,000mAh battery and 5G capabilities, both exceptional for the price.

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Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite product image of a dark grey phone shot from the front and back, with a pink, orange, and blue pattern on the display.
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Credit: Xiaomi

6. Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite

Best Xiaomi phone under 500

Operating System: Android 10 - Screen Size: 6.47 inches - Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels - CPU: Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G - RAM: 6GB / 8GB - Storage: 64GB / 128GB - Battery: 5,260mAh

Xiaomi produces great all-rounders when it comes to phones of all budgets and the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite is a fitting example of such.

On par with some of the best phones for battery life, the power bank in this device is a whopping 5,260mAh, combined with 30W fast charging, you shouldn't need to worry about your phone dying.

The display is also up to scratch with a large 6.47-inch screen and 1080 x 2340 pixels, combined with the great battery life you'll be able to watch movies on the go. You'll also be able to snap high-quality images with the quad rear cameras up to 64MP and the front-facing 32MP camera.

The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite provides a lot of awesome features with a reasonable price tag.

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