As speech sound become increasingly expensive , it ’s becoming hard to invest this amount in a flagship earphone every year . Thankfully , you do n’t postulate to spend much money to get a unspoiled phone . As YouTuber MKBHD once allege , “ Cheap phones are getting in effect , and salutary phone are getting chinchy . ” At the end of the day , these phones are just tool , and you do n’t need a Snapdragon 8 Elite or A18 Pro to chug through mundane chore . So , here ’s a look at the good sound under $ 500 ( and $ 600 if you could stretch out your budget a picayune ) that has compelling specifications and an overall great experience .
board of Contents
What to Expect From a Phone Under $500-600
What You Probably Won’t Get:
Also Read :
Best Mid-Range Phone Under $500 That Provides Great Value
1. Google Pixel 9a: Best Android Phone Under $500
The Google Pixel 9a is the perfect phone to buy under $ 500 if you want a new smartphone . Not only is it flashy than the iPhone 16e , it also has a much smoother 120Hz refresh rate and thinner bezels with a punch hole cutout . Not only does it have the best software package experience in this toll reach , but you also get 7 years of oculus sinister update . power by the same Tensor G4 chipset as the rest of the Pixel 9 serial , it has all the AI features you want . Unlike Apple Intelligence , they exercise out of the box . Things like Magic Eraser , Add Me , Audio Magic Eraser , and Magic Eraser are some of the most utile I . With a 5,100mAh battery , it has the biggest battery on a Pixel telephone set .
Why should you purchase : If you want the good software program experience with AI features without spending a luck of money
2. OnePlus 12R: Best Flagship Killer Phone
For those who do n’t wish well to settle on a flagship , you could take a looking at at the OnePlus 12R. This flagship killer from last year is now within your reach . It is one of the most powerful phones in this list , power by the still - capable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 . Moreover , the 6.78 - inch curved display make it hone for binge - watching telecasting shows and movies . OnePlus also proffer the fastest level speeds with its 100W SUPERVOOC charging , although it misses out on wireless support . Overall , if you need a balanced mid - range phone and the camera is n’t your top precedence , the OnePlus 12R is the good phone under $ 500 .
Why You Should Buy : Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 , curved screen , and alert slider make it an easy recommendation
3. Nothing Phone (3a)/(3a) Pro: A Great All-Rounder Experience
If you want the upright smartphone under $ 500 , the Nothing Phone ( 3a ) or the ( 3a ) Pro can be a good choice . You get clear software with no ads and bloatware . Unlike other budget sound , Nothing offers 3 year of OS update with AI feature and 6 geezerhood of surety updates . moreover , there ’s an Essential Key that permit you reach the Essential hub . It ’s an AI - power hub where you’re able to store your government note , recording , screenshots , and more . You just demand to press and hold the release to access it . The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor should make it smooth enough for Clarence Shepard Day Jr. - to - day project . Also , they are one of the few phones in this mountain range with a 50 - megapixel telephotograph electron lens with 2x/3x optical zoom . With a 5,000mAh barrage fire and 50W fast charging , you wo n’t be running out of charge anytime shortly .
Why Should You Buy : A clean software experience with fast wired charging and singular Glyph LEDs make it agreat phone for Gen Z purchaser .
4. Motorola Razr 2024: Best Flip Phone
Tired of typical slab bar earphone ? The Motorola Razr 2024 , aka Motorola Razr 50 , is the best telephone under $ 500 for you . It has the same 3.6 - inch covert screen as the flagship Motorola Razr 50 Plus 2024 . What ’s cooler is the fact that you may run any app on the cover screen , so there are no restrictions whatsoever . Moreover , you get a 6.9 - inch inner screen when unfolded with LTPO and a 120Hz refresh pace . The only catch is that the phone habituate a mid - range MediaTek Dimensity 7300x processor and a healthy 4,200mAh shelling .
Why Should You grease one’s palms : It is the only insolent earphone usable for under $ 500 and offers great specifications for the toll .
5. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Best Samsung Phone
If you want a premium software program experience with seven twelvemonth of updates and the sought after Samsung logo , the Galaxy S24 FE is your best stake . power by the Exynos 2400e processor , a slightly tweaked version of the same chipset as the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S24 . There ’s a vibrant 6.7 - column inch Dynamic AMOLED concealment with a 120Hz refresh for consume content . Furthermore , it ’s one of the few sound on this leaning that does not skimp out on the IP68 rating or the telephoto lens of the eye . You also get a 4,700mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless blame support . Just like the flagship Samsung phones , you get Samsung Dex and Circle To Search . All of these features make it the best earpiece under $ 500 .
Why Should You Buy:7 years of atomic number 8 updates and entry into the Samsung ecosystem
Honorable Mentions Under $500
1. Poco F6: Most Powerful Phone in the Segment
While Poco earpiece are not officially available in the US , you may still buy them on Amazon . However , this means that you wo n’t get any prescribed warrantee , and you will require to check compatibility with your carrier . Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 , it is one of the most brawny telephone set in its price range . With a unique design and a 5,000mAh battery with 90W wired charging , your phone will saddle faster even before your gaming sessions are terminated .
Why Should You Buy : The most brawny phone in the segment with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
2. HMD Skyline: Most Repairable Phone
Want a highly repairable phone that also supports magnetized charging ? take on the HMD Skyline , which is the best phone under $ 500 . The phone has a 6.55 - inch pOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh charge per unit and a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor , which is smooth enough for routine use . HMD forebode two eld of OS update , and the telephone has a 108 - megapixel triple camera setup on the back . But you will need to deal with a 4,600mAh battery with 33W wired and 15W wireless magnetized charging , just like the in vogue iPhones .
Why Should You corrupt : Easy to repair with magnetic wireless charging support and customizable Custom button
3. Samsung Galaxy A56: Best Samsung Mid-Ranger
In case the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is too expensive , the young Samsung Galaxy A56 can be a viable alternative . With 6 year of OS update and the latest One UI 7 , it has a great software system experience . For content consumption , you get a massive 6.7 - inch Super AMOLED presentation with slender bezels . There ’s also 1900 nits of vertex brightness level and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ . And if you are wondering about AI features , Samsung introduced its Awesome Intelligence undivided to the Galaxy A56 and some other phones . These admit all the perks , including Circle To Search , AI Select , Read Aloud , Object Eraser , and Best Face . Auto Trim and more . For picture taking , there ’s a 50 - megapixel triple camera frame-up in a pill - shaped photographic camera module . With a 5,000mAh bombardment and 45W fast charging , it has the same perks as perquisite has the S25 serial .
Why Should You Buy : unparalleled plan , low-priced price , and useful AI features with the late One UI 7 out of the box
Best Phones to Consider Under $600
If you are uncoerced to extend your budget by another $ 100 , then you may open your windowpane to plenty of new selection . From the latest iPhone 16e to the OnePlus 13R , there are many phones to consider in this price segment . lease ’s take a look at all of them :
1. Apple iPhone 16e: Cheapest iPhone With Apple Intelligence
need an affordable iPhone that does n’t cost an arm or a pegleg ? Take a look at the iPhone 16e . This e for scotch iPhone that offers the same Apple Intelligence features and has the A18 processor as the expensive iPhone 16 . Apple ’s “ budget ” iPhone even has the Action Button and the longest electric battery life that you’re able to expect from an iPhone . The only catch is that this “ essential ” version skips out on the ultrawide - angle sensing element and MagSafe wireless charging support .
Why Should You Buy : The most affordable iPhone with Apple Intelligence financial support
2. OnePlus 13R: Most Powerful Phone Under $600
The OnePlus 13R is worth the extra $ 100 you expend over the OnePlus 12R. It is power by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 from last year , an upgrade over the 8 Gen 2 , and actually comes with UFS 4.0 , this time ( iykyk ) . OnePlus prefer for a flat display , which should make it easier to apply tempered glass . Another acclivity is the 2x telephoto electron lens , which should help oneself in taking sound photos . Despite the slower 80W charging speed compare to 100W on the OnePlus 12 , drug user can expect recollective battery backup thanks to the new 6,000mAh battery . You also get longer o update of upto 4 years , and the OnePlus 13R ships with the latest OxygenOS 15 .
Why Should You bribe : Great battery life , flat display , and 4 years of updates make it the best phone under $ 600 .
FAQs
1 . Is it deserving buying a refurbish flagship , or should I go for a raw telephone set ?
If you may find a right refurbish flagship phone in mint status , then it might make sense to go for a flagship instead of a mid - range machine . verify to look into the stamp battery health , remaining guarantee , and stipulation of the sound before buying it .
2 . Should I import phones under $ 500 from China or other state ?
Importing earphone from other countries can be a hassle since you do n’t get any guarantee support , returns , or substitute . Moreover , you also need to deal with custom , import duty , and other taxes , which could be more than the monetary value of the earpiece itself . However , if you find a with child stack or have a relative living abroad , then import a earphone will make more sense .
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