Best Android phones under $500 in 2023

Looking for an Android phone that doesn’t break the bank? We’ve some of the best budget phones under $500.

In the mobile phone market for those with a budget under $500, there are some top mobile phone options to choose from in 2023, and if you are confused about the entire market, we hope that today’s article will clear your mobile buyer confusion. That’s what we’re going to see in this article, so let’s get started

Our favorite Android phones under $500 right now:

• Samsung Galaxy A53
• Google Pixel 6a
• OnePlus 10T 5G
• Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)
• OnePlus Nord 2T

Best Overall

Samsung Galaxy A53

Thankfully, the Galaxy A53 5G is still available in the United States and is an excellent smartphone in this price bracket. Go no further than this smartphone now if you want the best one that can do it all and will continue to get software updates for a long time.

The Galaxy A53 5G continues the work that the Galaxy A53 started. It features an upgraded design, a larger battery, and a speedier chipset. If you are using the Galaxy A52, there is generally no need to upgrade since the Galaxy A53 is really a small update. The Galaxy A53’s incredible technology is supported by excellent software, which is what makes it so remarkable. In addition to being unprecedented in this price range, Samsung’s commitment to providing up to four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates surpasses those of the top flagships available, including Google’s own Pixel 6 series.
The Galaxy A53, which was originally priced at $449, is now only $349, making it much more alluring. You receive a stunning 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a brightness of up to 800 nits. It produces vibrant hues and gets quite brilliant. One of the greatest panels available for less than $500 is this one.

The Galaxy A53 has a Samsung Exynos 1280 chipset inside, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The 64MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and two 5MP depth and macro cameras are all present, just as in its predecessor. The phone’s enormous 5,000mAh battery, which supports 25W rapid charging, won’t die in the midst of the day.

Best camera

Google Pixel 6a

The Pixel A series has traditionally provided the top features of Google’s flagship phones at a competitive price. The brand-new Pixel 6a is the same. The greatest inexpensive Google phone to date, it offers a number of appreciable upgrades over earlier models. The Pixel 6a features a strong design that sticks out from the competition, unlike previous Pixel A series phones that had plain looks. The Tensor SoC, which powers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, is also included in the Pixel 6a.

The Pixel 6a was originally priced at $449, but price cuts have already reduced it to $300. The flagship Tensor SoC, which offers quick performance and improves functions like voice dictation and Now Playing utilizing on-device machine learning, is the Pixel 6a’s strongest point. It’s disappointing to see Google not giving the phone the same camera sensors as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, even though the camera performance is outstanding as always. The primary camera is the same 12MP model that was on all prior Pixel A series phones.

One of Pixel 6a’s weaker points is the display. The 6.1-inch OLED panel needs a faster refresh rate even though it provides enough brightness, deep blacks, and acceptable saturation. It is unlikely that you will notice the difference if you are switching from a phone with a 60Hz display, but it is still an interesting omission given that every phone in this price range at least has a 90Hz display.

With a 4,410mAh battery, the phone comfortably lasts an entire day. Nevertheless, the 18W charging speed is nothing to write home about, and Google leaving a charger out of the package doesn’t help either. The Pixel 6a also excels in terms of software. The phone is assured to receive OS updates at least until Android 15, and it runs an almost stock version of Android 12 with the Material You interface.

Best performance

OnePlus 10T 5G

One of the top-performing phones under $500 available right now in the United States is the OnePlus 10T. We have no trouble recommending it for this list because it does a number of things well while keeping the cost affordable. If you’re set on purchasing a phone for less than $500, even though it may not be the newest OnePlus flagship available right now, it’s worth taking into account.

When compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro or the recently released OnePlus 11, the OnePlus 10T is a slight downgrade, but it’s not as horrible as you may expect. The OnePlus 10T only has a full HD display as opposed to the OnePlus 11’s QHD+ panel. Moreover, it has a plastiThe new Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 CPU is another standout feature of this phone. An improved version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, which powers the OnePlus 10 Pro, is used in this particular chipset. It might not be able to compete with the upcoming OnePlus 11, but most customers will find it sufficient. It is quick and dependable for everyday use. body frame rather than a more expensive metallic one. Yet, none of these issues are fatal, especially when you take into account the asking price.

Not to mention, it has a lot of fantastic features, like a new chipset and faster charging rates. The OnePlus 10T’s support for 150W charging rates is one of its best features. Even better, OnePlus includes a 150W charging brick with the phone so you don’t have to. Although the American versions of the phone are only capable of 125W charging, that is still faster than many other phones in this price range now available.

Overall, it’s a reliable phone that will last you for many years. You can’t go wrong with it if you’re looking for the best-performing phone in this price range because it is one of the best-performing phones available.

Best phone with a stylus

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022)

Don’t want to spend $1,500 on the Galaxy S23 Ultra but want an Android phone with a stylus instead? The Motorola G Stylus is here (2022). For just $249, Motorola’s cheap smartphone with a stylus offers a fantastic midrange smartphone experience. The huge 6.8-inch display’s smooth 120Hz refresh rate makes it ideal for sketching and drawing. The Moto G Stylus hardware package has many positive features, even if you don’t care about stylus support.

With 8GB of RAM, the phone has more than enough space to run several apps for a lengthy period. The Snapdragon 695 guarantees that the phone tackles daily chores without breaking a sweat.

On the back of the Moto G Stylus are three cameras: a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP depth camera. Even if the camera performance isn’t as fantastic as something like the Pixel 6a, as long as the lighting is good, you won’t be moaning too much.

In terms of battery life, the Moto G Stylus is the best. The phone’s sizable 5,000mAh battery, as we mentioned in our review, will comfortably power the show for two days. Although the battery life is excellent, it is a shame that the phone charges slowly because of the 10W charger.

The phone comes pre-installed with an almost stock version of Android 12. Motorola’s software promise, though, is not that impressive. The firm promises only one significant Android update and three years of bimonthly security updates. The Galaxy A53, as a point of comparison, guarantees up to four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.

Honorable mention

OnePlus Nord 2T

The hugely successful Nord 2 has been developed into the OnePlus Nord 2T. This mid-range smartphone is excellent. The phone’s exclusivity in Europe and India, like its predecessor, is the only drawback. The phone is now listed among our honorable mentions rather than being one of our top picks. The phone won’t operate on CDMA networks like Verizon, which is a headache, but if you want it in the US, you can get it on Amazon.

The Nord 2T has it all, with a 6.43-inch AMOLED FHD+ 90Hz display and 65W fast charging capabilities. The new model has a much speedier chipset. It is powered by a MediaTek 1300 SoC, a little upgrade from the Nord 2’s MediaTek 1200 SoC. The phone still has the same 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP depth sensor in its camera setup. The Nord 2T’s 4,500mAh battery is the same, but the charging rate has increased from 65W to 80W.

The software on the phone, which now features Color OS components, is also excellent and will be well-liked by a wide audience.

Best Android phones under $500: The bottom line

Our current top recommendation for the best Android phone under $500 in the United States is the Samsung Galaxy A53. It satisfies all the criteria necessary to win and provides solid value for the money. The Galaxy A53 has many advantages over other smartphones in its price category, including a stunning OLED display that supports a 120Hz refresh rate and a powerful battery. Also, it is usually on sale right now, so you might be able to get it for a lot less money.

Google’s Pixel 6a likewise comes very close to matching the Galaxy A53 5G’s overall experience, although it falls short in other areas, such as the display and performance. Be sure to look at all of them before making a buying decision because we’ve included some additional intriguing possibilities in this collection, like the OnePlus 10T, the OnePlus Nord 2T, and others.