CompareForgeSamsungavailable
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Samsung's most affordable 5G phone with AMOLED display and 6 years of security updates.
- Display
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Chipset
- MediaTek Dimensity 6300
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $199Jan 2026
View Details →Budget Phones Comparisons
Best value smartphones under $500 with verified specifications.
What to Consider When Choosing a Budget Phone
Budget phones have improved significantly. Focus on software update commitment, camera quality, battery life, and display quality. You don't need to spend flagship prices for a great everyday phone.
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Phones in This Category
View all →Googleavailable
Google Pixel 10a
Google's best budget phone with Tensor G4, excellent cameras, and 7 years of updates.
- Display
- 6.3" OLED
- Chipset
- Google Tensor G4
- Battery
- 5,100 mAh
- Camera
- 48 MP
From $499Mar 2026
View Details →Motorolaavailable
Motorola Moto G Power 2026
Budget phone with massive 6000mAh battery, wireless charging, and 5G at under $300.
- Display
- 6.7" IPS LCD
- Chipset
- MediaTek Dimensity 6300
- Battery
- 6,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $299Feb 2026
View Details →Applediscontinued
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Apple's compact home-button iPhone with 5G, A15 Bionic, and a $429 entry price.
- Display
- 4.7" LCD
- Chipset
- A15 Bionic
- Battery
- 2,018 mAh
- Camera
- 12 MP
From $429Mar 2022
View Details →Samsungdiscontinued
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Samsung's cheapest US 5G phone with a 6.7-inch 90Hz AMOLED display, 5000mAh battery, 25W charging, and six years of updates.
- Display
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Chipset
- Exynos 1330
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $199Jan 2025
View Details →Samsungdiscontinued
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Samsung's 2024 budget 5G phone with a 6.5-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, an OIS camera, and 25W charging for under $300.
- Display
- 6.5" Super AMOLED
- Chipset
- Exynos 1280
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $299Jan 2024
View Details →Samsungdiscontinued
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Samsung's 2025 mid-ranger with a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 45W charging, and 6 years of software updates.
- Display
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Chipset
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $399Mar 2025
View Details →Samsungdiscontinued
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
Samsung's 2025 mid-ranger with Exynos 1580, 120Hz AMOLED, 45W charging, and 6 years of updates.
- Display
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Chipset
- Exynos 1580
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $499Jul 2025
View Details →Googlediscontinued
Google Pixel 8a
Google's affordable Pixel with a 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display, Tensor G3, 4492mAh battery, and seven years of updates.
- Display
- 6.1" OLED
- Chipset
- Google Tensor G3
- Battery
- 4,492 mAh
- Camera
- 64 MP
From $499May 2024
View Details →Googlediscontinued
Google Pixel 9a
Google's mid-range Pixel with a 6.3-inch OLED display, 5100mAh battery, Tensor G4, and seven years of software support.
- Display
- 6.3" pOLED
- Chipset
- Google Tensor G4
- Battery
- 5,100 mAh
- Camera
- 48 MP
From $499Apr 2025
View Details →Nothingavailable
Nothing Phone (2a)
Nothing's first budget phone — a Dimensity 7200 Pro handset with dual 50MP cameras and Glyph lights.
- Display
- 6.7" Flexible AMOLED
- Chipset
- MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $349Mar 2024
View Details →Nothingavailable
Nothing Phone (3a)
Nothing's 2025 mid-ranger adds a 2x telephoto, 3,000-nit display and 50W charging with Glyph lights.
- Display
- 6.77" AMOLED
- Chipset
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
- Battery
- 5,000 mAh
- Camera
- 50 MP
From $379Mar 2025
View Details →Comparisons
Budget PhonesRoundup
Best Phones Under $500 in 2026
Compare the best smartphones under $500 in 2026. Pixel 10a, iPhone 17e, Galaxy A17, and Moto G Power with verified specs and analysis.
Updated 2026-09-23View Comparison →
Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a
Nothing Phone (3a) vs Pixel 9a — $379 vs $499, 12GB vs 8GB RAM, 50W vs 23W charging and 3 years vs 7 years of updates compared.
Updated 2026-09-25View Comparison →
Galaxy A56 vs Pixel 9a
Galaxy A56 vs Pixel 9a — both start at $499. Compare 45W vs 23W charging, IP67 vs IP68, 4K30 vs 4K60 video and 6 vs 7 years of updates.
Updated 2026-09-25View Comparison →
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