A few of us take a type of “I eat to dwell” moderately than an “I dwell to eat” method to devices. They’re instruments that enable you to get issues achieved, not one thing you need to make investments numerous time or cash in. If that’s you — and there’s no judgment right here from a certifiable gadget nerd — then you may most likely consider extra worthwhile methods to spend $1,000 than on a cellphone.
Funds telephones to the rescue. These gadgets are roughly $500 or underneath, and so they’re extra succesful than ever earlier than. You gained’t get all of the bells and whistles, however you’ll save a little bit cash to spend on, I don’t know, precise bells and whistles. It’s your world.
What I’m on the lookout for
At the very least a few years of OS upgrades and, ideally, three years of safety updates. There’s no level in shopping for even an inexpensive cellphone if it’s a must to change it after simply a few years as a result of it stopped getting safety patches.
Because you take a look at it roughly two thousand instances a day, your cellphone’s display screen is one place you shouldn’t compromise. An OLED has richer distinction and coloration than an LCD, and the massive screens on at this time’s telephones actually need not less than a 1080p decision. Quicker refresh charges like 90Hz and even 120Hz have gotten extra widespread on price range cellphone screens, however for my cash, a smooth-scrolling LCD doesn’t look as good as an OLED with a regular refresh fee.
If you happen to plan to hold onto your cellphone for some time, you’ll need sufficient space for storing to accommodate all of the system recordsdata, pictures, and movies you’ll accumulate over time. Ideally you’ll get not less than 128GB in-built, however at a minimal I search for 64GB with the choice to broaden area by way of a MicroSD card.
Upgrades like telephoto cameras and optical picture stabilization are uncommon within the under-$500 class, however you may nonetheless count on good, fundamental efficiency in good lighting from any fashionable smartphone. Low mild is trickier. Telephones on this class ought to provide an evening mode to assist with non-moving topics in very dim mild. And there aren’t any bonus factors awarded for including additional macro and depth cameras to pad out the rear digital camera array — these 2- and 5-megapixel sensors are just about ineffective.
Lots of our picks run about $400 or $500, however there are nice choices for $300 and underneath, too. Yow will discover a vibrant, high-definition OLED display screen or a battery that lasts for days. If you happen to can hone in on the one or two options which can be most necessary to you and also you’re prepared to compromise elsewhere, you may get a cellphone that fits your wants for half the value of a flagship.
What compromises are you able to count on from a price range cellphone? Some mixture of the next: slower processors, much less storage, and lousier cameras than flagship telephones, nearly throughout the board. Many have lower-resolution screens, and most lack official water-resistance rankings, wi-fi charging, and NFC chips for contactless fee.
One of the best iPhone underneath $500
$430
The 2022 iPhone SE was as soon as Apple’s entry-level smartphone, however its tiny 4.7-inch display screen feels cramped now and could also be powerful to make use of in an age the place apps and webpages are designed for larger screens.
Display screen: 4.7-inch, 1334p LCD / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.8 with OIS, 7-megapixel selfie / Charging: 20W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate-resistance ranking: IP67
In case your price range has a strict $500 cap and also you’re on the lookout for a brand new iPhone, the selection is simple. The 2022 iPhone SE is the solely new iPhone underneath $500 — that’s, assuming you may even discover it. Apple not too long ago discontinued the third-gen SE and iPhone 14 with the introduction of the iPhone 16E, which begins at $599 with 128GB of storage. Apple’s newest “price range” iPhone is kind of like an iPhone SE successor that takes after the iPhone 14, with USB-C, a Face ID-enabled notch, and a 6.06-inch OLED show; it additionally has a customizable Motion Button and helps Apple Intelligence because of Apple’s newest A18 chip.
All that being stated, the last-gen iPhone SE stays the least costly approach to get into the iOS ecosystem. It’ll do the job, however I’d strongly encourage anybody trying on the SE to contemplate whether or not it’s doable to spend a bit extra on the iPhone 16E, which launches on February twenty eighth (keep tuned for our full evaluation).
The necessary factor to know concerning the SE is that it comes with a really small, very dated 4.7-inch display screen. It’s the identical measurement because the one on the iPhone 6, and it’s beginning to really feel cramped in an age when apps and net pages are designed for larger screens. The SE’s massive bezels make the system look dated, too, however the usability of a small display screen will probably be an even bigger issue over time to return.
That’s one of many largest knocks towards the SE — and it’s an necessary one. However when you’re not anxious a few cramped display screen, then the SE has numerous upsides and may nonetheless be discovered at third-party retailers. Its A15 processor is identical because the one within the iPhone 13 Professional Max, so efficiency continues to be zippy sufficient for many duties.
There’s IP67 waterproofing and wi-fi charging — each unusual on this worth vary — and though it makes use of an older 12-megapixel digital camera, it takes very good pictures and high-quality video clips. The digital camera has no evening mode, which is a curious omission — principally each different midrange cellphone presents some kind of low-light picture mode, and the cellphone’s processor is actually as much as the duty. Apple gonna Apple.
Learn my full iPhone SE (2022) evaluation.
One of the best Android cellphone underneath $500
$399
Google’s newest midranger touts a whopping seven years of software program help and a variety of small upgrades, together with Google’s speedy Tensor G3 processor, a 120Hz show, and loads of new AI options.
Display screen: 6.1-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G3 Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.89 with OIS, 13-megapixel ultrawide, 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,492mAh / Charging: 18W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate-resistance ranking: IP67
Google presents some superb high-end telephones within the Pixel 9, 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL, nevertheless it’s the corporate’s price range cellphone that makes probably the most sense. For $500, the Pixel 8A presents an entire lot of what makes its pricier siblings good, however at roughly half the fee.
It’s a modest replace over the Pixel 7A, which you’ll nonetheless purchase, however the 8A comes with one massive improve over the earlier technology: seven years of OS and safety updates. If you happen to’re the type of one who likes to hold onto their system for a very long time, that’s enormous — particularly within the price range class the place different telephones would possibly solely include one or two platform upgrades.
The 8A can also be Google’s first price range cellphone to return with a 120Hz show, so scrolling and animations look tremendous {smooth}. You additionally get wi-fi charging and an IP67 ranking for defense towards water immersion. The digital camera system is dependable, nevertheless it’s the obvious place the place Google needed to make some compromises to maintain the value low. It’s a positive all-around digital camera, however stepping as much as one of many newest Pixel fashions will get you improved low mild efficiency, an up to date ultrawide digital camera, and an entire lot of AI-powered options.
If you happen to can maintain out for a bit, it’s additionally value flagging the closely rumored Google Pixel 9A, which is able to reportedly arrive on March twenty sixth. Android Headlines says the cellphone will begin at $499 with 128GB of storage and ditch the digital camera bar fully, permitting it to lie flat on a desk. Earlier rumors additionally level towards a 5,100mAh battery, a 6.3-inch display screen with a 120Hz refresh fee, a Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM.
Learn my full Google Pixel 8A evaluation.
One of the best price range cellphone that performs like a flagship
$500
The OnePlus 12R comes with a superb display screen and a top-notch processor, making it really feel rather more costly than its $500 price ticket.
Display screen: 6.78-inch, 1264 x 2780 120Hz OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 with OIS, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 2-megapixel macro, 16-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,500mAh / Charging: 80W wired / Climate-resistance ranking: IP64
The last-gen OnePlus 12R is $500, nevertheless it may simply trick you into pondering it prices twice as a lot. It comes with a really massive, very good display screen, with refresh charges that go as much as 120Hz and all the way in which all the way down to 1Hz, making for a {smooth} scrolling expertise if you want it and financial savings on battery life if you don’t. It’s a function not often seen on a cellphone underneath $800.
The 12R is provided with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which is a technology behind 2024’s processor du jour, the 8 Gen 3 (the latter might be discovered on the $599.99 OnePlus 13R). However the 8 Gen 2 nonetheless whips — it’s onerous to throw something at this cellphone that it will possibly’t deal with. Much less good: the 12R’s IP64 ranking, which implies it’s splash resistant however not absolutely water immersible, just like the Pixel 8A.
Quick charging is type of OnePlus’ trademark, and the 12R stays true to the model with as much as 80W quick wired charging within the US (it’s as much as 100W in different areas). It’s good if you wish to cost your cellphone on a extra compressed schedule, like throughout your morning routine moderately than at evening.
Personally, I’d moderately have slower wired charging if it meant I may have a function that’s not current on the 12R: wi-fi charging. That’s, as soon as once more, one thing the Pixel 8A presents. However that’s the fantastic thing about the 12R — it is aware of what it’s and what it isn’t. And if a low-cost cellphone with an enormous, high-quality display screen and wonderful efficiency is what you’re after, then the 12R is it.
Learn my full OnePlus 12R evaluation.
$400
The Galaxy A35 5G comes with 6.6-inch OLED panel, a sturdy IP67 mud and water resistance ranking, and a powerful software program replace coverage for its class.
Display screen: 6.6-inch, 1080p decision, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Exynos 1380 Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 with OIS, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macro, 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired / Climate-resistance ranking: IP67
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G comes with surprisingly robust specs for its $399 worth. They’re the type of options you gained’t actually spot from the skin, however they’re necessary, notably its IP67 ranking for mud and water resistance. Not like just about each different cellphone at this worth, the A35 5G is constructed to resist water immersion, so that you don’t have to sweat it in case your cellphone lands in a bathroom bowl or puddle.
Right here’s one other unexciting spec: 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates. That’s not the perfect within the price range class — the Pixel 8A takes that honor with seven years of updates — nevertheless it’s significantly better than the 2 or three years we usually see in telephones effectively underneath $500.
The digital camera is lackluster; it’s positive in vibrant mild however struggles in dim and blended indoor lighting. It doesn’t have the strongest processing efficiency you will discover underneath $500, both, and the Samsung-made Exynos processor often stutters when rapidly bouncing between duties. I used to be horrified — horrified! — once I unintentionally texted my husband one of many robotically generated replies as a result of it popped up on the final second as I used to be making an attempt to faucet on one thing else. These items don’t occur when all the pieces hundreds rapidly.
However total, it’s a compelling package deal — particularly with an enormous, crowd-pleasing OLED show and powerful battery efficiency. If you happen to’re a lightweight person and never fussy about digital camera high quality, the A35 5G presents some upgrades that make an actual distinction in the long run.
Different price range telephones we examined
The 2024 Motorola Moto G Power has all of the makings of price range cellphone, together with a beautiful vegan leather-based exterior and wi-fi charging. However it’s loaded with bloatware of the worst type, and that alone disqualifies it from our suggestions. Learn our impressions.
We additionally examined the OnePlus Nord N300, which doesn’t make an look amongst our suggestions. The N300 may be very reasonably priced at $228 however cuts too many corners to incorporate quick charging. The pricier 12R that snags our advice above presents significantly better total efficiency. Learn our evaluation.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is one other completely succesful cellphone that doesn’t fairly earn a advice right here. It’s a little bit outdoors the scope of this information at $649 anyway, however you do get a telephoto lens and a pleasant, massive display screen for that worth. Nonetheless, you’re higher off saving a bunch and choosing up the Pixel 8A or making an attempt to attain a trade-in promo for the brand new Galaxy S25. Learn our evaluation.
Lastly, when you’re on the lookout for one thing fairly completely different, the Nothing Telephone 2 is an possibility with its glossy look and flashy interface (actually, it flashes) — simply know that it’s not absolutely suitable with Verizon’s community.
Replace, February twenty second: Adjusted pricing and added a point out of the rumored Google Pixel 9A and Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 16E, which launches on the finish of February.