Top-Rated Smart Phones under 500: Find the Best Affordable Options for You

Top-Rated Smart Phones under 500
Smartphones appear to be the fourth necessity in our life. It is no longer considered a luxury item. However, purchasing a new phone remains a daunting task. With several alternatives on the market and each firm competing to deliver the best, high-end phones cost up to $1000.

In this post, we will highlight the top-rated smartphones under 500 that provide good features and performance without having to sell a kidney (pheww!). Whether you’re searching for a new phone or an update, these smartphones are a terrific place to start. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top-rated smartphones under 500 on the market right now.

Let us start with low to high-priced smartphones while staying under the budget of 500.

 

List of Top-Rated Smart Phones under 500

ProductPrice on Amazon
Nokia G400 5G

Moto G 5G

SAMSUNG Galaxy A53 5G

Google Pixel 6A 5G

Apple iPhone SE 5G

Nokia G400 5G

If you want to stay under budget and still get a pretty decent smartphone with some of the latest apps, then Nokia G400 must be the answer. The reason for enlisting in top-rated smartphones under 500 is that it is counted in mid-range phones.

 Let us dive into its featured details so that you make up your mind easily.

Features

The wireless networks that are already enabled are GSM and CDMA. You can also find a good pairing of these networks with a three-day battery that can help you go away with your friends for the weekend. Do not worry about the charger left behind at home though.

Nokia G400 comes in a meteor grey color and has a screen size of 6.58 inches. The screen is protected with Gorilla Glass 3 against scratches. It has the operating system of Android 12.0. The cellular technology embedded inside is 5g. The memory storage is 4GB/64 GB. The external memory could be extended up to 512 GB.

Nokia G400 has a Qualcomm processor with Snapdragon 480 and 5G of course. It has superb AI enhancers for dual sim support.

Its camera is the talk of the town since it has a triple rear camera which is 48 megapixels. It is 5MP with an ultra-wide view for recording sharp videos and taking real-life photos. The depth of the camera is 2MP with a front-facing camera having 16MP. The front camera works excellent for taking photos in the dark- worthy of uploading on social media accounts for sharing and boasting with friends.

The box comes with a USB cable, power adapter, and sim tray ejector, which is mandatory for inserting your sim. The USB cable has a Type C design with fast charging so that it could be easily charged as normal smartphones do these days.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are obligatory in any smartphone; Nokia G400 has them too. It is considered a great phone for students too who want to have online classes, therefore having multiple uses for all. It is undoubtedly one of the top-rated smartphones under 500 and a pocket-friendly option.

Nokia G400 5G

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile | Android 12 | Unlocked Smartphone | 3-Day Battery | US Version | 4/64GB | 6.58-Inch Screen | 48MP Triple Camera | Meteor Grey

8
Rating

Pros

  • 20W enables fast charging with 5000mAh
  • Data transfer is done instantly
  • Brilliant multi-tasking with 4GB RAM and even playing games
  • It has a fingerprint sensor for tight security and fast access for the user

Cons

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Infrared connection is not present in the smartphone
  • Absence of water and dust resistance
  • Lacks reverse charging

 


 

Moto G 5G

People loving the stylus addition to phones would love Moto G 5G. With or without a stylus though, it is certainly among the top-rated smartphones under 500 that offer great features while still being cheap. It runs effectively for three of the most popular networks in the US.

Features

Motorola G 5G is enabled with Android 11.0. It has 2G cellular technology with memory storage of 64GB. Huge RAM lets the phone work smoothly while you are gaming as fast responsiveness makes it run fast while streaming or chatting with friends.

It comes with variations of external storage, such as 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB depending on the usage requirements of the buyer.

It has variations in colors too: moonlit grey, polar silver, blue, dark grove, grey, and ice blue. The screen size is exactly 6 inches.

The stylus is G-power as well as G-power plus LITE case. The weight of phones is 7.2 ounces, which is lightweight and easy to hold in hands to carry for a long time.

The phone is powered with 5G internet speed which is excellent for video and movie streaming. The speed is also a great benefit for the gamer who wants no disconnection while they are playing. Video chats could be conducted without any lag.

The camera is outstanding since it has 50MP with dual capture. Taking bright photos anywhere, even in dark, is the most in-demand feature in any top-rated smartphone under 500. Taking close-ups and selfies as well as recording videos with front and back cameras is a stunning experience for their users.

Moto G 5G 2022

2-Day Battery | Unlocked | Made for US by Motorola | 6/256GB | 50 MP Camera | Moonlight Gray

8.2
Rating

Pros

  • A smooth-running phone
  • Battery life is a special love for the users
  • Upgrades are available till Android 13
  • Heavy external storage options with micro SD card
  • Fast connectivity with 5G

Cons

  • Only one speaker that must be a turnoff for music lovers and gamers
  • Lacks 720p display
  • The sidebars or bezels are extremely thick, giving it a bulky look on the outside

 

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

A slightly higher-priced smartphone than the previous two is Samsung Galaxy A53 with surely better features though. With a bigger screen and OLED display, the phone has a high rating among smartphones within a budget. Running daily tasks conveniently does not undervalue the phone’s performance, thus, a sure-shot top-rated smartphone under 500.

Features

Samsung Galaxy A53 has a screen size of 6.5 inches, much greater than the previous two phones. The phone comes in Black color only but with a slim and stylish design.

The memory storage is 128 GB which could be expanded up to 1TB. It has a micro SD card to keep your smiles saved in photos, no matter how many they are in quantity. It is one of the biggest storage in Samsung A series phones, certainly worth the price.

The Bluetooth connectivity with 5G and GSM support makes it a great option for heavy usage. Video streaming and downloading shows are not a hassle anymore with 5G speed. The smooth streaming of online content and absence of distraction in video calls make it an attractive smartphone for under 500.

The operating system is Android. As mentioned, it has a slim design but it is not the design only that prompts the user to buy it. Its water resistance and endurance are mandatory attributes for convincing the possible buyer to make up his mind.

The battery is excellent as you can watch a full Netflix season without having to charge it on repeat. If you are a busy business person and you want your phone to remain on for incoming calls and video conference calls, Samsung Galaxy A53 is the answer with a strong battery. Plus, it has a fast-charging feature.

Samsung Galaxy A53 has an intelligent camera with an easy-shoot feature. It means with a single take, you can capture videos and take photos once you have created certain settings with one tap. With image stabilization, crystal-clear images are captured and vivid videos are recorded.  

Pros

SAMSUNG Galaxy A53 5G A Series Cell Phone

Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone, 128GB, 6.5” FHD Super AMOLED Screen, Long Battery Life, US Version, Black

8.6
Rating

Pros

  • Camera versatility
  • Long battery life with 5000mAh
  • Extended storage of up to 1TB
  • High screen quality
  • Operating systems have a guarantee that could gain a security update for five years

Cons

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • No support for 4K 60fps video recording
  • Camera colors appear saturated and every user might not like

 

Google Pixel 6A 5G

Google Pixel 6A is one of those phones that is here for many years to come. Its overall expedient performance has earned it a rank amongst top-rated smartphones under 500. Google offers five years of security updates for this model so that you don’t have to worry about its protection and warranty. Let us have a look further into its specs to help you decide whether you should buy it or not.

Features

Google Pixel 6A comes in attractive charcoal color, although there are other color variations as well, such as Sage and Chalk. The smartphone’s screen size is 6.1 inches. It has an OLED display with a Glass front of Gorilla Glass 3. The phone frame is made of aluminium while the rest of the phone’s build is that of hard plastic.

The phone is lightweight, which is 178 grams. Hence, carrying it in your hands all time is not a problem.

It has an operating system Android 12.0. It has memory storage of 128GB with a wireless network GSM. The phone is equipped with RAM of 6GB, which is great for its power-packed performance.

It has a non-removable battery of 4410 mAh. It has fast charging of 18W. The charging cable is USB type-C 3.1.

Google Pixel 6A has Google’s own processor called Google Tensor. The compatible Sims that can work easily in the phone are nano-SIM or even eSim.

The phone has a dual camera of 12.1MP (wide) and 12MP (ultra-wide). The flash is enhanced with dual LED. Moreover, the front camera is 8MP for great selfies and even video recording at night.

It is dust and water-resistant which adds to its attractiveness. Other special sensor features include an optical under-display fingerprint for maximum phone security, proximity, compass, barometer, gyro, and accelerometer.

Google Pixel 6A 5G 

28GB 6GB RAM Factory Unlocked (GSM Only | No CDMA – not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint) Global Version – Charcoal

8
Rating

Pros

  • It supports 4K video at 30/60 fps
  • Its camera has a dual-LED flash
  • A strong battery that lasts long
  • Guarantee updates for years

Cons

  • It has no memory card slot
  • The fingerprint sensor seems slow
  • No wireless charging
  • No headphone jack
  • No FM radio

 

Apple iPhone SE 5G

Apple iPhone SE is one of the best-value smartphones in the market at the moment. The reason for saying so is not only its performance but the iOS updates that the user would get for a number of coming years. It is surely a top-rated smartphone under 500 and this is why we are here with its detailed specs.

Features

Apple iPhone SE is a third-generation smartphone available in black color.

It has 4GB RAM and built-in memory of 64GB. Video recording and photo shooting could be done for as many hours as possible since 4K with 60 fps video-making is the fun that everyone needs in a camera, for vlogging especially.

Its screen size is 4.7 inches, which is smaller than the previous phones that we have stated here. The HD screen quality is terrific enough to assist in watching 15 hours of video playback. The screen is made of a Retina HD display with the strongest screen glass ever.

All types of connectivity are available in the phone, like Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB. The phone built is strong and sturdy with water and dust resistance.

The operating system is iOS 15. A lightning-fast A15 bionic chip energizes the system to operate productively so that battery boosting and system performance are not disturbed.

Its camera is exceptional with a 12-megapixel front and wide camera. 1.8 aperture for the front camera gives incredible photography results. The smart HDR 4 generates different photographic styles with deep fusion, even in portrait mode. The front 7MP camera is suitable for face time with a front screen recording of 1080p.

Phone usage is super easy with a single Home button that gains access with Touch ID. It is not only easy but private enough to keep your phone secure. Logging and authorizing for downloading Apple apps has never been easier with App store purchases. Pay transactions are permitted for app purchases conveniently.

The box comes with accessories like an activation guide and USB type-C cable for charging whereas the adapter is not added. It is bought separately.

Simple Mobile Apple iPhone SE 5G (3rd Generation)

64GB, Black – Prepaid Smartphone

5.6
Rating

Pros

  • Touch ID works great and is practical
  • 5G compatibility supports phone usage anywhere without having fear of slow page loadings
  • The speedy bionic chip works effectively regarding the overall performance

Cons

  • The screen size is small and seems outdated as compared to the other smartphones with lower price
  • Adapter not included
  • Slightly higher priced in comparison with its other generation phones

Conclusion

 A variety of options are available in the market for top-rated smartphones under 500. However, it depends on the usage and requirements of the buyers to choose the best one. With updated technology and user preferences that are gauged closely by companies with market surveys, smartphones are constantly performing better.

Depending on how budget-friendly your options for a smartphone are, the buyers need to have clarity with features, benefits, and pitfalls to help them decide intelligently. We hope this post has helped you in this regard.

Leave a comment below if it does!

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