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Best Phone Under $500 for 2023: New Features at Lower Prices

Our latest pick for the best phone under $500 is so close to its pricier sibling that there's no reason to pay more.

Updated Oct. 10, 2023 1:00 p.m. PT

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Written by  Mike Sorrentino Andrew Lanxon
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
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Mike Sorrentino Senior Editor
Mike Sorrentino is a Senior Editor for Mobile, covering phones, texting apps and smartwatches -- obsessing about how we can make the most of them. Mike also keeps an eye out on the movie and toy industry, and outside of work enjoys biking and pizza making.
Expertise Phones, texting apps, iOS, Android, smartwatches, fitness trackers, mobile accessories, gaming phones, budget phones, toys, Star Wars, Marvel, Power Rangers, DC, mobile accessibility, iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, RCS
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Andrew Lanxon Editor At Large, Lead Photographer, Europe
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Expertise Smartphones, Photography, iOS, Android, gaming, outdoor pursuits Credentials
  • Shortlisted for British Photography Awards 2022, Commended in Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022
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$374 at Best Buy
Google's Pixel 7A phone
Best Android phone for $500
Google Pixel 7A
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$399 at Amazon
The back of Google's Pixel 6A phone
Best value pick
Google Pixel 6A
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$450 at Samsung
Samsung's Galaxy A54 5G in black (left) and purple (right) sitting up on a couch
Best screen
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
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$425 at Amazon
iPhone SE 2022
Best for a smaller phone
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
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$400 at Motorola
A phone lies facedown on granite showing its blue-gray back and stylus lying on top.
Best for stylus
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
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$343 at Amazon
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Good all round, if you can still find it
Apple iPhone 11 (Renewed)
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Affordable phones are getting better each year, and you don't need to spend a ton of money to get feature-packed phones. The best phones under $500 offer a good camera system, decent performance and a big display. Most of these phones include some features that you find on flagship devices that cost over $1,000. They even get several years of software and security updates to last you long.

These phones do make cuts that justify why they're cheaper than phones that cost more than $500, but those cuts are increasingly in areas that might not raise any particular flag when you just want a reliable device. Apple's iPhone SE and Google's Pixel 6A and 7A phones, for instance, have smaller screens but all run on newer processors and software. Samsung's Galaxy A series of phones often look just like the Galaxy S line but instead run on a less powerful processor. And the Moto G Stylus 5G takes nice photos, provides a roomy 256GB of space and throws in a stylus, but Motorola doesn't provide software support for as long as its competitors. You can see the pros and cons of each of these phones below, with more details available in our full reviews.

What is the best phone under $500?

Google's $499 Pixel 7A compares so closely to the $599 Pixel 7 and $699 Pixel 8 that it's now tough to recommend the more expensive option. The Pixel 7A includes the same Tensor G2 processor that powers Google's Pixel-exclusive features, gets wireless charging, a 90Hz refresh rate and a 64-megapixel main camera paired up with a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera. The Pixel 7A does miss out on the Pixel 7's battery-share feature and the camera's Action Pan mode and doesn't have all the AI features that define that Pixel 8.

And if you want to save even more money, last year's Pixel 6A has received a permanent price drop to $349 and still has a lot to offer. It runs on the Tensor chip, includes many of the same Pixel features like Real Tone for photography and Hold for Me for phone calls, and takes crisp and colorful photos for a phone of its price. This is especially true when it gets discounted to $299, which it often is, making it the best phone for under $300 as long as it's on sale.

Best phones under $500

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$374 at Best Buy

Best Android phone for $500

Google Pixel 7A

Google's budget phone took a leap forward in 2023 with the Pixel 7A, which offers many of the same benefits as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 but at a cheaper price. Like the Pixel 7, the Pixel 7A runs on Google's Tensor G2 processor, meaning it has many of the same photo editing and language translation features as its pricier sibling. The Pixel 7A's 64-megapixel camera also takes excellent photos that rival the Pixel 7's in quality. 

The Pixel 7A's lower price makes it a better deal for most people. Opt for the Pixel 7 if you want a slightly larger screen and are willing to pay the extra $100 for it. And jump up to the Pixel 8 if you want new cameras, a newer processor, AI features and seven years of software support.

Pros:

  • Excellent camera
  • Many of the same features as the Pixel 7 at a cheaper price
  • Attractive design
  • Gains wireless charging, face unlock and high refresh rate

Cons:

  • Screen still looks dim outdoors
  • Higher price compared with Pixel 6A at launch
  • Only three generations of Android OS updates compared with Samsung's four
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$399 at Amazon

Best value pick

Google Pixel 6A

The Pixel 6A is still available, and at its permanently discounted price of $349, it still has a lot to offer. CNET's Lisa Eadicicco said in her Pixel 6A review that the phone includes many of the Pixel 6's best features, and that remains the case even as the Pixel 7A hits the market at $499.

The phone is slightly smaller than the Pixel 6, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display and a refresh rate of 60Hz. And while it has a 12.2-megapixel main camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, photos taken look quite good using Google's photo processing software. Pictures can benefit from its Real Tone skin tone feature, Face Unblur, Night Sight for darker photography and the Magic Eraser for removing unwanted elements from a photo.

Pros:

  • Great camera
  • Affordable price
  • Premium design for a midtier phone
  • Among the first to get new Android updates

Cons:

  • Somewhat dim display
  • Not a great value alongside discounted Pixel 6
  • Not as many years of guaranteed Android updates as Samsung
  • Video quality isn't as good as still photos
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$450 at Samsung

Best screen

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

The $450 Samsung Galaxy A54 5G has a lot of the look and feel of the more expensive Galaxy S23 series. It comes in a variety of bright colors and has a vibrant 6.4-inch display, the latter of which is larger than Google's Pixel 7A or 6A.

Samsung's device also includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, which is a nice option for flexibility that's not available on the Pixel.

It's overall a solid option, but photography on both the Pixel 6A and the Pixel 7A edges out the Galaxy A54. In his Galaxy A54 5G review, CNET's Andrew Lanxon found Samsung's photos to look more saturated than those taken by the Pixel phones.

But if you're eyeing the $800 Samsung Galaxy S23 anyway, the Galaxy A54 is certainly worth an initial look, because it might include the essentials you want for less money.

Pros:

  • Big, vibrant screen
  • Expandable storage
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • Processor and camera performance lags behind cheaper Pixel 6A
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$425 at Amazon

Best for a smaller phone

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

The $429 iPhone SE is a mix of an older design with the latest smartphone features, including Apple's A15 Bionic chip and 5G support. It's also one of the few phones on the market that includes a smaller, 4.7-inch screen.

It's that throwback design, which continues the general shape that Apple has used since 2014, that could be what you love or dislike most about this phone. If you want a larger iPhone in this price range, you can also consider the iPhone 11, and get a bigger screen and Face ID. But that phone does not include 5G connectivity.

The phone also only includes one 12-megapixel main camera, which does not support night mode. Most other phones in this roundup include multiple cameras and features like night mode, making the omission noticeable. However, photos make up for this by including the Deep Fusion photo-processing technique to enhance medium-to-low light photos, and Smart HDR4 processing for improving color and contrast. CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland did find that video shot in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second is particularly good on the iPhone SE, but it will not include the Cinematic Mode seen on the iPhone 13.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Home button and Touch ID FTW
  • Good battery life so far
  • Camera takes good photos and videos

Cons:

  • Lacks night mode for photos
  • Screen could be brighter
  • Bezels above and below screen look dated
  • Selfie camera not on par with rear camera.
  • 20-watt USB-C charger not included.
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$400 at Motorola

Best for stylus

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

Motorola revamped the Moto G line for 2023, with redesigns that led to a lower starting price for most of the company's midrange phone line. For the Moto G Stylus 5G, it meant a $400 starting price for the stylus-equipped phone when compared to $500 for the 2022 model.

Despite the price cut, Motorola still includes a 6.6-inch display running at a 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The phone also ships with up to 256GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, which is double the storage we usually see on phones in this price range. You can expand that even further using a microSD card.

In his Moto G Stylus 5G review, CNET's David Lumb notes that aside from the included stylus, the phone's $400 price, given its specs, might be a draw for someone considering this phone against the more expensive Pixel 7A. However, the Pixel 7A still outperforms the Moto G Stylus 5G in terms of performance and photography.

Pros:

  • Bright display
  • Good specs and speakers
  • Long battery life Stylus is a fun addition

Cons:

  • 10W charging is slow
  • Night photos are blurry
  • Not many stylus apps
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$343 at Amazon

Good all round, if you can still find it

Apple iPhone 11 (Renewed)

With the launch of the iPhone 14 series, Apple discontinued the $500 iPhone 11, but it's still widely available. It might be a few generations old, but this phone is still more than capable, handling gaming well and equipped with two superb rear cameras. It is missing 5G support, which is increasingly improving as wireless carriers invest in the network, but the phone will work fine on LTE and Wi-Fi. The iPhone 11 also does not support MagSafe accessories, which were introduced alongside the iPhone 12.

Just note that some places may be selling refurbished versions of the phone since Apple itself is no longer selling new iPhone 11 models. Best Buy does not carry any unlocked models, so you'll have to sign up for a service plan through either AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile or Sprint.

Pros:

  • Good battery life
  • Nice cameras, especially Night Mode
  • Solid video camera

Cons:

  • Lacks a 2x telephoto camera
  • Ultrawide camera doesn't have night mode
  • No USB-C port.
  • Has an LCD instead of OLED
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Other phones we tested

The $300 OnePlus Nord N30 5G includes a lot of features for the money, but its 50W charging speed is the standout feature. The phone can charge from 0% to 100% in 45 minutes. Its large 6.72-inch 1,080p display runs at a 120Hz refresh rate making apps, games, websites and streaming video animate smoothly. However it's worth calling out that the 108-megapixel main camera -- despite having an astounding megapixel count -- takes photos that are only marginally better than other $300 phones.

The $300 Motorola Moto G Power 5G is currently the cheapest phone with 256GB of storage. It's perfect for someone that downloads a lot of movies and music to enjoy when you don't have a consistent internet connection. The phone's 6.5-inch 1,080p display runs at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate too, making movies, applications, websites and games look especially nice. Whereas Motorola makes the Power 5G a media machine for its price, it does cut back in terms of its cameras. Like many $300 phones, it's good for outdoor photography but is quite bad at getting details in low-light environments.

How we test phones

We test every phone in real-world scenarios, focusing on its features, design, performance, cameras, battery life and overall value. We document our findings in an initial review that is periodically updated when there are new software updates, or to compare it against new phones from competitors such as Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus.

The author holding the Z Flip 5 up to take a photo.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 largely has the same camera hardware as the Z Flip 4. But the new chip brings some image processing improvements.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Photography

Photography is a major focus for most phones these days, so we take pictures and videos of various subjects in a variety of settings and lighting scenarios. We try out any new camera modes, such as Action mode that debuted with the iPhone 14 line, or the Unblur photo tool that launched with the Google Pixel 7 series.

Battery life

Battery testing is conducted in a variety of ways. We assess how long a phone lasts during a typical day of use and note how it performs during more focused sessions of video calls, media streaming and gaming. We also conduct a video playback test, as a simple, replicable measure of pure battery life, which isn't always included in the initial review but sometimes added later in an update.

Performance measuring

We use benchmarking apps to measure each phone's performance, alongside our own anecdotal experiences using the phone for our review. Of note are how graphics and animations look. Are they smooth? Or do they lag or stutter? We also look at how quickly the phone switches between horizontal and vertical orientations, and how fast the camera app opens and is ready to take a photo.

iPhone SE 2022
Patrick Holland/CNET

We perform processor-heavy tasks like editing photos, exporting videos and playing games. We evaluate whether a newer version of a particular phone includes enough features to make it worth upgrading from older models.

Read more: How we test phones

How to buy a cheap phone

End of year sales: Affordable phones usually get cheaper with holiday discounts and deals. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day can help you save quite a bit.

Buy a case and screen protector: Protect your phone and peace of mind with a case.

Go to a store: The best way to know if a phone is for you is to actually hold it and use it.

Prioritize what you care about most: Trying to find a phone on a budget is tough but you'll have more success if you focus on what features matter the most. If you're looking for a cheap phone with great cameras, grab the $499 Pixel 7A, for example.

Team Android or iOS: If your family and friends are on Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime, stick with an iPhone. Otherwise, it's simple enough to switch platforms.

Last year's phones: They can often be a great deal, too. Wait for this year's launch to get last year's phone for less, when stores and carriers may be trying to offload their existing stock.

pixel7a-00-01-14-23-still002
Watch this: Pixel 7A Review: A Step Forward for Google's Budget Phone

Phones under $500 comparison

Google Pixel 7A vs. Google Pixel 6A vs. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) vs. Apple iPhone SE

Google Pixel 7AGoogle Pixel 6ASamsung Galaxy A54 5GMoto G Stylus 5G (2023)Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Display size, resolution 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400x1,080 pixels; 60/90Hz 6.1-inch OLED; (1080 x 2400); 60Hz6.4-inch Super AMOLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate6.6-inch LCD display; 2,400x1,080 pixels; 120Hz refresh rate4.7-inch LCD; (1,334x750 pixels); 60 Hz
Pixel density 361 ppi429 ppi403 ppi399 ppi326ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.35 in6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in6.41 x 2.9 x 0.37 in5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in
Dimensions (millimeters) 73 x 152 x 9.0 mm152.2 x 7.18 x 8.9 mm158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm162.8 x 73.8 x 9.3 mm138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 193g (6.81 oz)6.3 oz; 178g202 g (7.13 oz) 202 g (7.13 oz)5.09 oz; 144g
Mobile software Android 13Android 12Android 13Android 13iOS 15
Camera 64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)12.2-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel ultra wide)50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 5-megapixel (macro)50-megapixel (main), 8-megapixel (ultrawide)12-megapixel (wide)
Front-facing camera 13-megapixel, 4K @ 30fps8-megapixel32-megapixel 16-megapixel7-megapixel
Video capture 4K at 30/60fps4K4K4K at 30 fps4K
Processor Tensor G2Google TensorExynos 1380Snapdragon 6 Gen 1Apple A15 Bionic
RAM/Storage 8GB / 128GB6GB RAM/128GB storage6GB + 128GB; 8GB + 256GB 4GB RAM + 128GB; 6GB RAM + 128GB; 6GB RAM + 256GB64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Expandable storage NoneNoneMicro SDXCYesNA
Battery/Charger 4,385 mAh (18W fast charging 7.5W wireless charging) 4,410 mAh capacity; 18-watt fast charging (adapter sold separately)5,000 mAh (25W wired charging)5,000mAh (20W wired charging, 10W adapter included) Battery NA (20W wired charging -- charger not included), 7.5W wireless charging)
Fingerprint sensor SideUnder displayIn-displaySideHome button
Connector USB-CUSB CUSB-CUSB-CLightning
Headphone jack NoneNoneNoneYesNone
Special features 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave), IP67 rating, 18W fast charging, 7.5W wireless charging 5G-enabled, 18W fast charging, WiFi 6E, security updates for 5 years, Android OS updates for 3 years, dual SIM, IP67 water resistance5G (mmw/Sub6), IP67 ratingStylus, Moto Gestures, stereo speakers5G-enabled; supports 25W wired fast charging; Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging
Price off-contract (USD) $499, $549 (mmW)$349 ($299 when on sale)$449 (6GB/128GB)$400$399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB)
Price (GBP) £449£349£449 (6GB/128GB)Converts to £317£419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB)
Price (AUD) AU$749AU$599AU$649 (6GB/128GB)Converts to AU$590AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB)

Phones under $500 FAQs

Are cheaper phones worth it?

For many people, a phone that costs less than $500 will likely have everything you need for communication, photography and entertainment. In some cases, the phones even provide some of the latest features seen on higher-end phones like smooth 120Hz refresh rates and multiple cameras.

However, you should be aware of -- and OK with -- the limitations a phone may have compared to its more expensive counterparts. For instance, if you want an iPhone with a bigger screen than the iPhone SE and iPhone 11's screens, your next best option is the $899 iPhone 14 Plus. That's far outside the $500 price range, but you also get additional benefits like an improved camera. 

On the other hand, if you want a phone with a bigger screen and if running Android is fine, you'll have plenty of options that are under $500.

Can you get a good camera on a cheaper phone?

Yes, you can find several cheaper phones that take great photos, whether it's through the camera available on the device, photo processing software on the phone or -- is most often the case -- a combination of both. 

Apple's iPhone SE includes the A15 Bionic chip, which supports Smart HDR4 processing and Apple's Deep Fusion processing. Smart HDR4 helps with improving color and contrast, while the Deep Fusion processing helps with medium- to low-light environments. CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland put together a sampling of photos and videos taken on the phone during his review, which can be watched on the CNET Highlights YouTube channel. However, the iPhone SE also has only one 12-megapixel camera, and that camera does not support night photography.

Over on the Android side, the Google Pixel 6A includes the company's Tensor chip, which brings photography features like Real Tone for capturing more accurate skin tones, Face Unblur for fixing a person's face and Magic Eraser for removing unwanted objects. But it has a 12-megapixel main camera paired up with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, which takes good photos but is a clear step down from the 50-megapixel main camera seen on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7.

Samsung's Galaxy A53 is an interesting case: Iit has a main 64-megapixel camera alongside a 12-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macro camera and 5-megapixel depth camera. While that's more megapixels than the 50-megapixel main camera on the Galaxy S22, the image detail is a step down with the S22 able to produce photos with better contrast and sharpness.

What makes these phones cheaper?

Each company takes a different approach toward cheaper phones.

The iPhone SE, for example, has a recent Apple processor packed inside an otherwise dated phone design. Google's Pixel 6A likewise includes the new Tensor processor, but uses an older 12.2-megapixel main camera instead of the 50-megapixel main camera found on the $599 Pixel 6.

Samsung's Galaxy A53 takes the opposite approach. It includes a processor that's slower than the Galaxy S22's but includes other modern features like a screen with a high refresh rate.