Purchasing a phone for less than $500 is a goal-setting lesson. Fortunately, you will be able to purchase a respectable phone that will perform the things that actually matter to you the most. It's challenging to find a phone that has everything at this price point.
Since a few years ago, businesses like Apple, Google, and Samsung have been creating smartphones that may meet your demands for a lot less, continuing the trend of improving low-cost phones. OnePlus is also making a comeback to the lower end of the market, while other companies like TCL have started trying to build their own brands by selling directly.
Most consumers want the same features in a sub-$500 gadget that they want in a flagship: extended battery life, a great screen, a good camera, and solid performance. It's difficult to get high straight away. As in each of those areas, but if you can figure out where you'll put the unavoidable B grade, you'll locate a phone you'll need.
GOOGLE PIXLE 4A
The Google Pixel 4A is the obvious choice if you use Android, would want to spend possibly less money, or do want the greatest camera. Although it won't have the biggest screen or the fastest processor, it does offer a clean version of the Android operating system and guarantees at least three years of software updates. There is only one variation available: Black storage with 128GB costs $349.
The Pixel 4A's most notable feature is its camera, which can compete with devices costing $1,500 or more. This is a result of Google's excessive use of software image processing; the sensor itself is actually rather old and not particularly unique. The Pixel 4A can capture nighttime images, perform astrophotography, and has a respectable portrait mode. It can't just hold for video with the iPhone SE but still beats it for pictures.
The remaining Pixel 4A characteristics are passable but not outstanding. There is a headphone port, a 5.8-inch screen, and enough RAM to keep background apps from closing. There is no wireless charging, no fashionable face unlocking, and plastic is used for the body rather than a more ornate material like glass. The Pixel 4A does not have water resistance (but a splash of water is probably fine).
The Pixel 4A, however, may be your best option if you want an Android phone for less than $500. At $350, you get better tech support and a better camera. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
APPLE iPHONE SE
The Apple iPhone SE 2020 is the phone for most people in terms of camera balance, build quality, power, battery life, software, and durability. We recommend upgrading to the 128GB storage model for $449, which is $50 more than the base price but well worth it in the long run.
The iPhone SE follows a tried-and-tested formula. It features the same body and 4.7-inch LCD screen that Apple has used since the iPhone 6. This places the display at the lower end of current screen sizes and also indicates that the phone's bezels are larger than everything else on the market.
However, you get a lot of advantages for that very similar phone body. The iPhone SE's best feature is its processor, Apple's A13 Bionic. That is significant because it is the best processor available on any phone, anywhere. Because it is the same chip that is used in Apple's $999 and up iPhone 11 Pro. Speed isn't something we usually emphasize at this price point on phones, but it's nice to have.
The 2020 iPhone SE is the best phone under $500 for most people as a complete package. On a cost-per-year basis, it is significantly less expensive than competitors because it is likely to last four, five, or even six years if properly cared for. Similarly, it's a good phone in its own right. Access to a large selection of iOS apps, Apple's clean iOS technology, and a massive accessory ecosystem.
SAMSUNG GALAXY A51
The $399 Galaxy A51 Android phone from Samsung could be the best-selling phone of 2020. The Galaxy A50's predecessor outperformed all expectations. For the A51, Samsung prioritized a large screen, a long battery life, and a camera. The screen was correct, and the other two are flawless.
The 6.5-inch OLED display on the A51 is bright and vibrant, and you'd have to be pretty picky to find fault with it. It doesn't have the same high refresh rate as the OnePlus Nord, but Samsung's excellent quality compensates. If there's one oddity about the screen, it's that Samsung places a chrome bezel around the hole punch for the front-facing selfie camera. It's annoying.
The A51 has a good build quality, though the back plastic is noticeable. It has a headphone jack and 128GB of storage, which is the standard for any phone nowadays. The battery life should be excellent thanks to a 4,000mAh battery, but it isn't because it has to power the large screen.
The A51, on the other hand, receives a very large and very beautiful screen. If that's your top priority—and it is for many people—the A51 is a good choice.
ONEPLUS NORD
Because the OnePlus Nord is not yet available in the United States, claiming it is less than $500 is technically incorrect. However, if you live in a region where it is available, the OnePlus Nord appears to be the type of phone that strives for a solid B in each category rather than attempting to ace one or two. A safe bet for £379/€399 on Android.
The OnePlus Nord includes a few features that are usually reserved for far more expensive phones, such as support for 5G sub-6 networks and a 90Hz high-refresh monitor. You will have faster download speeds if you live in a 5G area. But it's the show that will have the most impact on your daily life. It makes it feel smoother and more powerful.
Wireless charging and a Nord headphone port are notable absences, but they are just the only major things missing.The battery life is good, the 6.44-inch screen is large and beautiful, and the app is less distracting than competitors (though not as clean as Google's). The £379/€399 model has 128GB storage and 8GB RAM, which are both excellent for the price.
Phones frequently have some critical compromise that you must accept in order to get the functionality you desire. With the OnePlus Nord, there are no major flaws to work around. Again, it is not available in the United States. It is possible to import it, but it is not recommended because it will not support the correct LTE bands.
TCL 10 PRO
TCL is probably best known for its televisions, but it has long been a smartphone white label manufacturer. It is now attempting to establish itself in the smartphone market with new low-cost alternatives such as the TCL 10L and TCL 10 Pro. The Pro is a $449.90 upgrade select and retail, though it is frequently found for less.
The 10 Pro appears to be serious about business. Instead of iridescent colors and large camera bumps, it's thin, smooth, and gray. It has a 6.47-inch display, but this list appears to be shorter than that of other phones. You also get a headphone jack and a large 4,500mAh battery, which should last you all day.
The 10 Pro's best feature is its 6GB RAM, which is sufficient for multitasking and should not shut down new apps in the background. There's also the mandatory 128GB capacity.
The cameras are unimpressive: a 64-megapixel main sensor, an ultra-wide 16-megapixel sensor, and a 5-megapixel macro. The images you receive will be over-processed, making them appear fake.
The TCL 10 Pro's best feature is that it has plenty of RAM for multitasking and a slim, non-bulky design. If there's a good deal on one, it's worth looking into.
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