Best Smartphones Under $500 in 2023

    By
    Sudarshan Ravichandran
    -
    15

    Flagship smartphones are getting more expensive as the years go by. At the same time, mid-rangers are getting better at their asking price.

    As a result, mid-range phones are currently more than enough for most people. They deliver almost everything that’s required on a handset.

    But unfortunately, most of these good mid-rangers are sold exclusively in Asia. Thankfully, there are some models that are sold in the western markets along with the rest of the world.

    It’s a known fact that most flagship smartphones now start at $999. But as we mentioned earlier, most people don’t need to spend that much.

    One can get a good smartphone for just under $500. We have compiled a list of such 4 devices in this article. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

    Best Smartphones Under $500

    Google Pixel 6a

    The Pixel a series by Google is well-known for offering great value for money. These phones also happen to come with one of the best cameras on a smartphone.

    The Google Pixel6a

    The Pixel 6a is the first Pixel a series handset to be powered by a Tensor chipset (Tensor G1). Its IP67-rated dust and water-resistant body is built around a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display

    It comes with a 12.1MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and an 8MP front-facing camera. A 4,410mAh battery runs the device and it charges at a rate of 18W.

    The Google Pixel 6a carries an official price tag of $449. However, it can be purchased at a lower price during sales.

    Motorola Edge 30

    The Motorola Edge 30 is the thinnest 5G smartphone, It measures only 6.8mm in thickness and weighs around 155g.

    Motorola Edge 30

    The phone boasts a 6.5-inch 10-bit FHD+ OLED display with up to a 144Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G Plus chipset and draws energy from a 4,020mAh battery with support for 33W fast wired charging.

    The device arrives with a 50MP main camera and a 50MP ultra-wide camera which also acts as a macro snapper through autofocus functionality. For selfies and video calls, it uses a 32MP shooter.

    The Edge 30 officially retails at €450 (~490) but it can be availed at a cheaper price during sales.

    Samsung Galaxy A53

    Just like its predecessors, the Galaxy A53 offers almost all the basic features of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series. The IP67-rated handset is eligible for 4 Android updates (already received one) and 5 years of security updates.

    Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

    It comes powered by an Exynos 1280 SoC and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W fast wired charging. On the front, it has a 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

    The back of the device houses a 64MP quad-camera system featuring a 12MP ultra-wide unit and a 5MP macro snapper. It is the only phone on the list with a MicroSD card slot.

    The Galaxy A53 is officially priced at $449.99. Anyway, its price varies across markets and can be purchased at a cheaper price most of the time.

    Apple iPhone SE 2022

    For those looking for a new iPhone on a budget, the Apple iPhone SE 2022 is the only option out there. It starts at $429 in the US and costs around the same in most western countries.

    The 2022 iPhone SE features the same design as the 2020 model with an iP67 certification for dust and water resistance. But it arrives with an upgraded chipset and a slightly larger battery.

    The latest iPhone SE is powered by a 5nm Apple A15 Bionic chipset. It gets its juice from a 2,018mAh battery and supports 20W wired charging as well as 7.5W Qi wireless charging.

    Last but not least, it is the only iPhone with a home button right now.

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