Best Android Phones Under $500 You Can Buy Right Now

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Many of us are struggling to meet the economic demands of modern life as inflation spins out of control, the world plunges into recession, and global events rock our financial security — but it's not all bad news! Even in these times of austerity, you can find a high-quality smartphone for under $500. The Android options in this list represent the best in a competitive market that caters to all, with some even giving higher-priced phones a run for their money.

As far as basic features go, there is little difference between a budget Android phone and its flagship equivalent, although you will have to compromise on build quality and performance. However, for day-to-day usage, the best phones for under $500 are more than suitable for most applications, and you won't suffer a mild panic attack when it gets misplaced or swallowed by a couch cushion. Android fans who don't wish to spend a fortune on a phone but still want fast processing, a quality camera, or an acceptable amount of RAM and storage should certainly consider the following models.

In our search for the best Android phone under $500, we have considered certain qualifying factors that everyone should demand from a recent model. These include a battery life that lasts at least a day on a single charge, a decent screen with a minimum 1080p display with a fast refresh rate, a good primary camera that has a relatively high resolution, and enough storage space to meet the demands of apps, media, and files –- or expandable storage at a pinch. Here are the best Android phones you can find for under $500 right now.

The OnePlus 10T 5G can be found hovering near the top of the OnePlus product line, just below its flagship OnePlus 11, and this sheriff's deputy is keen to perform as well as its superior — albeit for the lesser price of just $499.99 for the 8 GB version. However, in doing so, the 10T 5G seems to have compromised on many of the features that made the OnePlus 10 Pro such an outstanding phone, having ditched its Hasselblad optics and sharper display.

In their place is a range of optimized features that cannot be dismissed, as they significantly improve the OnePlus 10T 5G's speed and performance, and yet we cannot help but feel that OnePlus has sold its soul a little in its quest for greatness. While it does offer users ultra-quick charging and exceptional battery life, many of us would prefer wireless charging and a fully-adaptive screen refresh rate, as is standard on most premium phones.

Those who use their phone for gaming will appreciate the improved Qualcomm Adreno GPU and the HyperBoost Gaming Engine that facilitates responsive and smooth play. Its GPU Load Control feature optimizes the phone for reduced power consumption when rendering graphics, letting you play for longer. This also makes it a suitable work phone, as it'll go the distance when performing demanding tasks.

All things considered, the OnePlus 10T 5G has plenty going for it, especially for a phone at this price point. This is a worthy phone that will satisfy most applications, albeit with a couple of trade-offs as far as flagship features are concerned, offering users a premium feel without having to pay premium prices.

This midfielder in Samsungs' budget range represents some of the best value for money to be found in a smartphone. As 5G connectivity becomes more prevalent, cheaper phones are starting to support it and the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G provides faster networking speeds for around $300 – albeit with a few shortcomings.

Let's start with the positives. Those looking for a phone to last can buy an A32 knowing they're entitled to four years of security patches and three years of platform updates. Its 48-megapixel camera is good for this price point and suitable for casual use, while its 13-megapixel front-facing camera works for video conferencing and the odd selfie. The A32 ships with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, which, while unimpressive by flagship standards, is good enough to satisfy most people's requirements, plus its MicroSD slot enables expansion of up to 1 TB, giving you plenty of room for your ever-expanding collection of media and files.

Of course, budget phones always have compromises, and the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G falls a little short in the display department. It features a TFT LCD, which, while adequate, is not equal to AMOLED options or even IPS LCD screens, as featured on the comparable OnePlus Nord N200 5G. Benchmark tests show the phone faring well compared to its similarly-priced competitors, although you may find it starting to struggle when asked to perform demanding tasks under its Mediatek Dimensity 720 chip. 

That said, if you can overlook the cheap feeling exterior, you are left with a phone that provides a good battery life, 5G connectivity, and years of updates — which is more than enough for most folks' needs.

The Google Pixel range has become increasingly competitive with each of its flagship phones since the excellent Pixel 5. Its budget Pixel A series offers many of the features of its premium phones but uses different manufacturing materials and specifications to keep the price low. With a Google phone, much like Apple's iPhone, the same company creates the hardware, native Tensor chip, and operating system, resulting in an optimized, streamlined phone that focuses on performance. This principle extends to the Pixel 6A, which packs a lot into its $449 asking price.

Converts from Apple will find the 6A a worthy competitor to the iPhone SE, although it outclasses Palo Alto's cheapest offering in many respects. Those looking for a flagship-quality camera in an affordable package should consider the Pixel 6A, whose relatively low-resolution 12.2-megapixel wide-angle shooter, plus an additional 12-megapixel ultra-wide option, delivers excellent results. Meanwhile, its 8-megapixel front-facing camera has impressive clarity, even in low-light conditions. An equally impressive array of software, including multiple editing modes, ensures you get the most out of your photos.

The OLED display on the Pixel 6A is a joy to behold, and Google offers Android updates up to July 2025, plus security updates until 2027. Of course, there are compromises, and buyers should prioritize according to their needs. Battery life is adequate but not exceptional, with a charge lasting around one day. Storage isn't expandable, so you are stuck with the 128 GB of allotted space, and Google no longer offers unlimited free storage. Premium features like face recognition accessibility and wireless charging aren't available on a phone of this price, making it seem basic compared to its flagship peers. However, it remains one of the best phones under $500 for anyone who puts build quality and performance first.