You can get a great phone at this price, whether you want an iPhone, a 90Hz screen, or 5G support
If you’re looking for a new phone on a budget this Christmas season, there’s good news: mid-range phones under $500 are more likely to be available than many of the year’s trendiest flagships.
Retailers are having a hard time keeping phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 or iPhone 13 Pro in stock due to a series of unfortunate events, including an ongoing chip shortage, labor shortages, the pandemic, and global shipping delays; Samsung has been hit particularly hard with supply issues all year. Fortunately, there are a slew of good options that are virtually as capable and far less expensive.
Companies such as Apple, Google, and Samsung are bringing the abundance of capabilities seen in their flagship phones to lower-cost models. Other companies, like as OnePlus, are attempting to compete with more known manufacturers by offering cheaper costs and more quality features.
The bad news is that this makes choosing the best cheap phone much more difficult. At this pricing point, it’s hard to find a phone that does everything well. So, whether it’s 5G connectivity with a certain network, a high-resolution screen, a low price, the greatest camera, or software update lifespan, prioritize the aspects that matter most to you.
It’s tough to obtain perfect A’s in all of these categories, but if you can live with the occasional B, you’ll discover a phone you’ll adore. For the greatest price and mobility, we recommend acquiring an unlocked phone, but you might be able to get a better bargain by purchasing through a carrier and signing up for a cellular plan.
The Apple iPhone SE 2020 version is our recommendation for the greatest low-cost iPhone. We believe it is still the best choice for most individuals, despite the fact that it is well over a year old. While it is good in all areas, its notable characteristic is that, if properly cared for, it should last four or more years.
If you’re searching for the greatest Android phone on a budget, we recommend the Google Pixel 5A. You’ll get an all-around good phone with a flagship-level camera, three years of Google software upgrades, and IP67 water resistance for less than last year’s model.
$399 | $449
As the mid-range Pixel phone, the Pixel 5A does the basics very well with IP67 water resistance, a great camera, and timely software updates.
$399 | $500
The Galaxy A52 5G offers a great screen, healthy battery life, and a generous timeline for security updates that should ensure you’ll get many years out of your investment.