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The best budget phones won’t give you premium features like the 200MP primary camera on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. But you’ll find enough high-end capabilities to feel like you’re getting a lot for your money by choosing a cheaper phone.
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After testing several phones under $500, we think most buyers will find everything they need in these cheaper devices, whether you’re looking for an affordable iPhone or an Android smartphone. Regardless of the model, there’s no need to spend more than $800 on a flagship device when you can easily find a phone that offers similar features for hundreds of dollars less.
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You’ll have to make some compromises to get a cheap phone — forget the most powerful processors or versatile zoom cameras — but in many cases, you’ll also find cameras and large screens that are good enough to get the job done. with adaptive refresh rate. The best cheap phones have 5G connectivity these days.
We’re about to see our top budget smartphone ranking undergo a revision, with the recent arrival of the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the timely arrival of the Moto G Power (2023). (Look for those reviews soon.) We’re expecting a preview of the Pixel 7a in May and possibly a US release. of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite (albeit with a different name).
Until those phones arrive, however, here are our picks for the best cheap phones under $500. If that’s too much to pay, check out our guide to the best cheap phones under $300.
Why you can trust Tom’s Guide? Our writers and editors spend hours reviewing and evaluating products, services and apps to help you find what’s best for you. Learn more about how we review, evaluate and rate.
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The Google Pixel 7 is likely to arrive in mid-2023, but until then, it’s still the best budget phone to beat the Pixel 6 (although you have to overlook this model’s disappointing battery life). Credit cameras, which always stand out in Google’s budget devices. Like its predecessors, the Pixel 6a relies on computational photography to deliver some of the best photos in this price range; its photos can challenge even those produced by more expensive phones. And unlike the iPhone SE (the closest competitor on the budget camera phone front), the Pixel 6a supports night mode.
You’ll also find a Tensor chipset powering the Pixel 6a. It’s the same silicon inside Google’s flagship Pixel 6, which starts at $150 more than the Pixel 6. As a result, the same AI-powered tricks that Google’s flagship phones can do are also available on the Pixel 6a, including the Magic Eraser photo editing tool and on-device translation.
For $449, you’re getting a great deal on the Pixel 6a. If you prioritize the phone’s camera capabilities and unique features, however, you can pay another $150 for the Pixel 7 and its new Tensor chipset. (Our Pixel 7 vs. Pixel 6 comparison shows what’s different besides price.)
The iPhone SE 2022 takes budget phones to the next level of performance by introducing Apple’s powerful A15 Bionic chip. It’s the same processor found in the iPhone 13, and it blows away all Android phones, whether you’re playing games or editing videos on the go.
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This chip also gives the new iPhone SE 2022 the photographic power that the previous model lacked, including Smart HDR 4, Magic Fusion for better details and Photo Styles. In fact, in some situations, the iPhone SE takes better photos than the Google Pixel 6a, in our Pixel 6a vs. iPhone SE 2022 face to face. Unfortunately, Apple didn’t include a night mode for low-light situations.
The latest iPhone SE has the same design as its predecessor, so that means a small 4.7-inch screen and large bezels, but some may prefer the old-school Touch ID button for quick access to the device. Despite some compromises, the iPhone SE 2022 is a good choice for people who like small phones. With the iPhone SE 4 rumored to likely not ship until 2024, this may be your best option for a cheap iPhone for the foreseeable future.
Forget the disappointing OnePlus Nord N300 – the older OnePlus Nord N20 is the phone to get when you’re broke. That’s even more true now that you’re not limited to buying the phone from T-Mobile (although you’ll need to use the Nord N20 on a T-Mobile MVNO to enjoy 5G speeds). It’s a phone under $300, and it costs a lot more. It has a nice AMOLED display, although it is locked to 60Hz. There’s also an in-display fingerprint sensor, not something you usually see on such a cheap phone.
Sure, the cameras are a little lacking, but for $282, you can’t expect too much. However, you do get 33W fast charging, which beats some of the flagships like the Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max. That says something.
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Of course, there are better phones under $500, but if $300 is your hat, the Nord N20 should be in your consideration. Note that the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and its 108MP primary camera are rumored to be coming to the US. Like the OnePlus Nord N30 later this year.
On its own, the Motorola Edge 2022 would be a great choice for a mid-range phone that offers some premium features without costing more than $500. However, at $498, it’s looking for what the best cheap phones should cost. (Many retailers list the 256GB version of the phone, which costs $599.) More worryingly, it can’t really beat the Pixel 6a or Galaxy A53, let alone those phones’ successors, making it hard to choose between the phones.
And that’s a shame, because the Motorola Edge does a lot of things right. Its 6.6-inch screen is big and bright, and it supports wireless charging, a feature you don’t always find on cheaper phones. While MediaTek’s chipsets didn’t fare well in our tests, the Dimensity 1050 that powers the Edge is a very good performer, especially when it comes to graphics. And Motorola offers more generous software support than other devices.
If the color cameras didn’t struggle, we’d be excited about the Motorola Edge 2022. Honestly, it’s a decent mid-range phone for less than more impressive devices.
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Verizon customers who want a long-lasting 5G phone capable of taking advantage of the carrier’s fastest speeds should consider the TCL 30 V 5G. This is another example of a 5G phone that won’t break the bank, as you can find this particular phone for under $300.
As usual with TCL phones, you get a large and wide screen with accurate colors. The Snapdragon 480 5G silicon that powers the phone doesn’t offer much performance, but it’s a trade-off you’ll make with a cheaper device. You’ll be happy with the phone’s battery life, which lasted 11 hours and 46 minutes in our test.
The TCL 30 V 5G isn’t an option if you prefer other wireless carriers, but if you’re committed to Verizon and don’t mind buying the TCL 30 V 5G directly from the carrier (opens in new tab), it’s solid. buy budget
Once you’ve found a phone that’s priced right for your budget — which is why you’re considering one of the best cheap phones in the first place — consider what features one of these devices offers and what they are. are again sacrificing for lower prices. Battery life, the number and types of cameras, the screen refresh rate and the type of chipset that powers the phone are some of the ways budget phones differentiate themselves.
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In some cases, you’ll be able to compare phones with more expensive options to help clarify the trade-offs you’re making with a more expensive model.
In general, one area where phone makers cut corners for budget models is materials. They will use plastic for the phone case instead of metal and glass. Cheaper phones can also go for LCD panels instead of OLED screens, though that’s more common with some of the best cheap phones running Android.
Another area to consider is software updates and support. We’ve seen cheaper Android phones come with older versions of Android or promise very few upgrades to later versions. Samsung has one of the better upgrade policies with the Galaxy A range, and the iPhone remains a standout as it routinely supports five annual iOS updates.
We review budget-priced phones in the same way as flagships. We conduct real-world tests and synthetic benchmarks over several days to evaluate its performance and value. This includes our own battery test, which includes 150 nits of continuous mobile web browsing