Best low cost telephone 2023: six smartphones for below $500

Inflation has a variety of us wanting extra intently at value tags these days. While your grocery receipt could also be stuffed with unhealthy information, we’ve bought some excellent news, at the very least: you may get an excellent telephone for below $500 today.

Many of our picks run about $400 or $500, however there are nice choices for $300 and below, too. You can discover a shiny, high-definition OLED display screen or a battery that lasts for days. If you may hone in on the one or two options which can be most essential to you and also you’re prepared to compromise elsewhere, you may get a telephone that fits your wants for half the value of a flagship.

What compromises are you able to anticipate from a price range telephone? 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. 

And whereas we often advocate shopping for unlocked telephones to maximise flexibility, you would possibly discover higher offers — and far decrease up-front prices — by subsidizing your buy by your service. Just you should definitely learn the superb print and know what you’re entering into since you’ll typically want to change to a pricier plan or add a brand new line to get that “free phone.” At the very least, you’ll be basically agreeing to stay with the service for the following two or three years, so ensure you’re proud of its service.

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 / Weather-resistance score: IP67

The 128GB iPhone SE is the very best worth on the smartphone market, interval. It’s an excellent deal at $479 when you think about that it’ll proceed receiving iOS updates for upwards of 5, even six or seven years.

But earlier than you decide up an SE anticipating to coast by a lot of the subsequent decade with out shopping for a brand new telephone: ensure you can reside with its very 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 internet pages are designed for larger screens. The SE’s large bezels make the machine look dated, too, however the usability of a small display screen will likely be a much bigger issue over time to return.

That’s the largest knock towards the SE. Otherwise, it’s a implausible midrange machine. Its A15 processor is identical as iPhone 13 Pro Max, so efficiency is superb. There’s IP67 waterproofing and wi-fi charging — each unusual on this value vary — and regardless that it makes use of the identical 12-megapixel digicam that iPhones have used because the daybreak of time, it takes very good pictures and high-quality video clips. The digicam has no night time mode, which is a curious omission — many different midrange telephones supply some type of low-light photograph mode, and the telephone’s processor is definitely as much as the duty. Apple gonna Apple.

This era SE provides 5G connectivity — simply low- and mid-band, which is ok. You received’t get the quick millimeter-wave 5G you would possibly encounter in an NFL stadium, nevertheless it’s nothing to lose sleep over. Battery life can also be improved over the past era, and it’ll typically final a full day except you actually push it with demanding duties like gaming and streaming video.

If you may reside with the small display screen and also you aren’t bothered by the shortage of night time mode, we advocate choosing up the 128GB model. The base mannequin’s 64GB of storage isn’t fairly sufficient, and also you’ll be glad you spent the additional $50 whenever you’re utilizing this telephone for years into the long run.

Read my full evaluate of the Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Screen: 6.4-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Exynos 1380 Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.8 essential with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macro, 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired / Weather-resistance score: IP67

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a simple alternative proper now as the very best Android telephone within the class. It provides a function set that’s unmatched on this class, beginning with a wonderful 6.4-inch, 1080p OLED with a {smooth} 120Hz refresh fee. It can nearly idiot you into considering you’re utilizing a $1,000 flagship telephone. The A54 isn’t the very best decide for digicam high quality — the Pixel 6A continues to be forward there — but when display screen is your precedence, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher one at this value.

The A54 is constructed with sturdy glass panels on the front and back, and it carries an IP67 score for defense towards mud and immersion in shallow water. It’s additionally backed up with a sturdy software program help coverage. Samsung guarantees 4 years of OS model upgrades and 5 years of safety updates, which is without doubt one of the greatest insurance policies for any Android telephone at any value. There’s additionally an enormous 5,000mAh battery that may energy by a full day of heavy use, however you’ll have to buy a charger individually if you wish to reap the benefits of its quick 25W charging speeds.

Camera high quality is okay, nevertheless it’s not a robust go well with. Photos and movies in good lighting look superb, however the A54 struggles to maintain up with any type of movement in low gentle. There’s an evening mode for static topics, however getting a pointy photograph of your child or pet in dim indoor lighting will likely be tough, and the year-old Pixel 6A continues to be manner forward on this division.

The Galaxy A54 provides just a few creature comforts not typically seen within the price range class, together with that glorious show. It’s not the most suitable choice for picture high quality, however as a complete package deal, it’s exhausting to high. Until we see what the Pixel 7A is fabricated from, it’s simply the very best price range alternative on Android.

Read my full evaluate of the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G.

Screen: 6.1-inch 1080p OLED / Processor: Tensor Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.7 with OIS, 8-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,410mAh / Charging: 18W wired / Weather-resistance score: IP67

The Pixel 6A is probably going on the very finish of its lifespan because the 7A is closely rumored to be arriving in early May. So in the event you can maintain off a short time, it’s value seeing what Google will convey to its price range machine this time round. In the meantime, the 6A is outwardly on fireplace sale. You can simply discover one for about $300, which is a heck of a deal. It’s solely scheduled to get two extra OS model upgrades, nevertheless it’ll obtain safety patches till at the very least July 2027. At that time, you’re virtually earning money off your machine.

The telephone’s largest asset is Tensor, the custom-built chipset Google used within the firm’s 2021 flagships, the 6 and 6 Pro. Not solely does it allow excellent total efficiency now, nevertheless it additionally signifies that the 6A will sustain for a few years to return. Google guarantees 5 years of safety updates for the 6A, and with an IP67 water resistance score, it’s all-around wager if you would like a price range telephone that may final.

The 6A’s least spectacular function is its display screen — a 6.1-inch 1080p OLED with an ordinary 60Hz refresh fee. It’s not unhealthy; it’s simply not the very best display screen you may get for the cash. The fingerprint sensor below the show can also be on the sluggish aspect. Again, it’s not unusable, nevertheless it’s noticeably a beat slower than the very best fingerprint sensors on the market.

And in contrast to earlier Pixel A-series telephones, the 6A doesn’t embody the identical cameras because the flagships, however that’s okay. It makes use of the identical 12-megapixel customary huge digicam because the Pixel 5A, which continues to be an excellent digicam — particularly for the midrange class. The telephone’s 4,410mAh battery is on the small aspect, however total battery efficiency is best than its measurement would recommend. 

All that mentioned, the 6A provides the very best all-around package deal of important options plus a top-tier processor that you could purchase proper now for round $450.

Read my full evaluate of the Google Pixel 6A.

Screen: 6.4-inch 1080p OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 695 5G Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.8, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel monochrome, 16-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,500mAh / Charging: 33W wired / Weather-resistance score: None

The OnePlus N20 5G is a $280 telephone that feels prefer it ought to price much more. It provides a 6.4-inch display screen with good 1080p decision. Better but, it’s an OLED panel in a class the place lower-contrast LCDs are way more widespread. You’ll must make do with an ordinary 60Hz refresh fee, however except you’re coming from a telephone with a sooner 90Hz or 120Hz display screen, you received’t know the distinction. Refresh fee apart, it’s display screen that’s satisfying to make use of. Plus, there’s fingerprint scanner below the show that makes unlocking the telephone a frustration-free expertise.

The N20 5G is offered unlocked, however take observe: it doesn’t work on Verizon. It’s additionally restricted to 4G on AT&T, which isn’t the top of the world given the service’s sluggish enlargement of their mid-band 5G community (that’s the great 5G). The unlocked N20 does work on T-Mobile’s 5G in addition to 4G, and you should purchase a network-locked model of the telephone straight from T-Mobile if you wish to reap the benefits of a free telephone supply or bundle the price together with your month-to-month telephone invoice.

The N20 5G is supplied with Snapdragon 695 processor and beneficiant 6GB of RAM for excellent each day efficiency. It additionally helps 33W wired quick charging — one other function you’d be hard-pressed to search out in any of the N20’s opponents — with the included charger. You can cost the telephone from 0 to 30 % in simply 20 minutes, which is actually useful in the event you’re in a jam and wish a fast battery enhance. NFC can also be included for contactless fee; many cheaper telephones exclude it to chop prices.

Camera high quality is a little bit of a weak level for the N20. The essential rear 64-megapixel digicam is ok; the opposite two cameras (a low-res macro and a monochrome sensor) are greatest ignored. The telephone additionally ships with Android 11, which is a model behind most different new Android telephones at this level. But on the brighter aspect, OnePlus is promising three years of safety updates — a reasonably good coverage in a category the place two years isn’t unusual. 

It’s unlucky that the N20 isn’t an possibility for Verizon subscribers, however in the event you’re on T-Mobile or AT&T, it’s a heck of a deal — with or with out 5G help.

Read my full evaluate of the OnePlus Nord N20 5G.

Screen: 6.5-inch 720p 90Hz LCD / Processor: MediaTek 700 5G Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 essential, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel depth, 5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 15W wired / Weather-resistance score: None

Samsung just lately introduced the A13’s successor — you guessed it, the Galaxy A14 — which we haven’t been in a position to take a look at but. It comes with some promising updates, together with a further 12 months of safety updates, however the Galaxy A13 5G stays deal in the event you can nonetheless discover it on a retailer’s shelf. It’s a no-frills $249 telephone that delivers the fundamentals.

Its display screen is nothing particular, however battery life and efficiency are excellent contemplating the value, and the machine is backed up by a stable help coverage promising three years of safety updates. It’s not as polished because the N20 with its fancier OLED, nevertheless it’s additionally a bit cheaper and works on all main carriers (the N20 doesn’t work on Verizon).

The A13’s 6.5-inch display screen is definitely large, nevertheless it’s a reasonably dim, low-contrast LCD with a decision of simply 720p. Related: battery life is superb because the display screen drains much less energy than brighter shows. Overall efficiency from the MediaTek 700 5G chipset and 4GB of RAM is superb, too. 

On the digicam aspect, the A13 lacks a few options you could find on different price range telephones — particularly, an evening mode and an ultrawide digicam. What you do get is an efficient 50-megapixel essential rear digicam that takes reliably good pictures in daylight and dim indoor gentle. Just don’t anticipate a lot in very low gentle.

If you may reside with a mediocre show and a primary digicam, then the A13 will ship on efficiency and battery life — fairly essential stuff. Just ensure you price range a bit of further for a MicroSD card as a result of the telephone’s 64GB of built-in storage is a bit of skimpy.

Read my full Samsung Galaxy A13 5G evaluate.

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 barely pricier N20 that snags our suggestion above is a era behind however provides higher total efficiency and a nicer display screen.

We’ve additionally checked out two TCL telephones over the previous 12 months: the TCL Stylus 5G and 30 XE 5G. The latter offers pretty good each day efficiency for its very low $200 value, however in the end neither TCL telephone is value recommending over the competitors from Motorola and Samsung.

Finally, the Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) that beforehand appeared on this record continues to be being offered new however is due for substitute. It lacks 5G, however its built-in stylus is useful, and its large 6.7-inch 1080p show is good for the value — which is properly below $200 today.

Update April 14th, 2023, 2PM ET: Added the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G as the very best total Android decide and moved the Google Pixel 6A to an also-consider. Removed suggestion for Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022).