The Best Smartphones for Under $500 in the United States: Top Picks and Features

Finding the Best Smartphones for Under $500 in the United States

In today's fast-paced world, smartphones have become an essential tool for communication, entertainment, and productivity. With the rapid advancements in technology, it's now possible to find high-quality smartphones without breaking the bank. 

If you're in the market for a new smartphone and have a budget of under $500, you're in luck. We've compiled a list of the top contenders in this price range, each offering an impressive array of features. Let's delve into the world of affordable smartphones and discover the best options for you.

Google pixe 5a

Google Pixel 5A: Unmatched Performance and Camera Excellence

When it comes to offering a well-rounded smartphone experience, the Google Pixel 5A takes the lead. With its 6.34-inch OLED display and 90Hz refresh rate, this phone ensures vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling. The 12.2MP dual-camera system captures stunning photos and videos, making it a dream for photography enthusiasts. 

Its 4680mAh battery guarantees extended usage, and the Google Tensor processor, along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, ensures seamless multitasking and ample space for your data.

RELEASE	Date	Aug 2021
BUILD
	OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 12
	Dimensions	154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm (6.10 x 2.90 x 0.30 in)
	Weight	183 g (6.46 oz)
	SIM	Nano-SIM and/or e SIM
	Colors	Mostly Black
FREQUENCY
	2G Band	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Band	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
	4G Band	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
	5G Band	1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
PROCESSOR
	CPU	Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
	Chipset	Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
	GPU	Adreno 620
DISPLAY
	Technology	GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	Size	6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
	Resolution	1080 x 2400
	Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
MEMORY
	Built-in	128GB 6GB RAM
	Card	No
CAMERA
	Main	12.MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
	Features	LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
	Front	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
CONNECTIVITY
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
	Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
	Radio	No
	USB	USB Type-C 3.1
	NFC	yes
FEATURES
	Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	Torch	yes
BATTERY	Capacity	Li-Po 4680 mAh, non-removable
PRICE
	Price In Rs	74,999
	Price In $	$365.98

 OnePlus Nord N20 5G: Power and Elegance Combined

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G impresses with its 6.43-inch AMOLED display and 90Hz refresh rate, providing a visually captivating experience. Equipped with a 64MP triple-camera system, it caters to your photography cravings. The Snapdragon 695 processor, accompanied by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, fuels its performance. This phone is not just about power; its design exudes elegance, making it a stylish choice.

RELEASE	Date	Aug 2022
BUILD
	OS	Android 11, OxygenOS 11
	Dimensions	159.8 x 73.1 x 9 mm (6.29 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
	Weight	169g
	SIM	Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
	Colors	Blue
	Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
FREQUENCY
	2G Band	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 CDMA 800 / 1900
	3G Band	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
	4G Band	LTE
PROCESSOR
	CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
	Chipset	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
	GPU	Adreno 619
DISPLAY
	Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
	Size	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)
	Resolution	1080 x 2400
	Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
MEMORY
	Built-in	128GB 6GB RAM
	Card	microSDXC
CAMERA
	Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama
	Front	8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
CONNECTIVITY
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
	Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE
	GPS	Yes, with dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
	Radio	No
	USB	USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go
	NFC	Yes
FEATURES
	Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Torch	yes
BATTERY	Capacity	4500mAh
PRICE
	Price In Rs	58,500
	Price In $	$320.57

Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G: Creativity Unleashed

For those who crave creativity, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is a perfect match. Its 6.8-inch OLED display and 120Hz refresh rate offer an immersive canvas for your artistic pursuits. The 50MP triple-camera system captures intricate details, while the Snapdragon 778G processor, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, ensures smooth operation. The added stylus elevates your note-taking and drawing experience, making it an ideal tool for creative individuals.

 Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: Performance and Versatility

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display and a 120Hz refresh rate, making every interaction a visual delight. Its 64MP quad-camera system provides versatility, catering to various photography needs. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor and supported by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, this phone strikes a balance between performance and style.

RELEASE	Date	Aug 2021
BUILD
	OS	Android 11 OS
	UI	OneUI 3.1
	Dimensions	159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm
	Weight	189 g
	SIM	Hybrid Dual SIM, Dual Standby, (Nano-SIM)
	Colors	Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
FREQUENCY
	2G Band	SIM1: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900SIM2: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Band	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
	4G Band	LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 38(2600), 40(2300), 41(2500)
	5G Band	5G SA/NSA
PROCESSOR
	CPU	Octa-core (1 x 2.4 GHz Kryo 670 Prime + 3 x 2.2 GHz Kryo 670 Gold + 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo 670 Silver)
	Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
	GPU	Adreno 642L
DISPLAY
	Technology	Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen, Multitouch
	Size	6.5 Inches
	Resolution	1080 x 2400
	Extra Features	120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
MEMORY
	Built-in	128GB Built-in, 8GB RAM
	Card	microSD Card, (supports up to 1TB)
CAMERA
	Main	Quad Camera: 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS + 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) + 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro) + 5 MP, f/2.4, (depth), LED Flash
	Features	Fun mode, single take, Live focus effects (Spin Bokeh, Zoom Bokeh, Blur color point), panorama, HDR, Video (4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS)
	Front	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", HDR, Video (4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps)
CONNECTIVITY
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
	Bluetooth	v5.0 with A2DP, LE
	GPS	Yes + A-GPS support & Glonass, BDS, GALILEO, BDS
	Radio	FM Radio (Unspecified)
	USB	USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go
	NFC	Yes
	Data	GPRS, EDGE, 3G (HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps), 4G LTE-A, 5G capable
FEATURES
	Sensors	Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint (under display, optical), Gyro, Proximity
	Audio	3.5mm Audio Jack, MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+/FLAC player, MP4/WMV/H.265 player, Speaker Phone
	Browser	HTML5
	Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM
	Games	Built-in + Downloadable
	Torch	Yes
	Extra	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins), ANT+ support, Photo/video editor, Document viewer
BATTERY	Capacity	(Li-Po Non removable), 4500 mAh
PRICE
	Price In Rs	71,999
	Price In $	$406.89

TCL 20 Pro 5G: Excellence in Entertainment


If entertainment is your priority, the TCL 20 Pro 5G is an excellent choice. Its 6.67-inch AMOLED display and 90Hz refresh rate ensure immersive viewing experiences. The 50MP triple-camera system captures high-quality photos, and the Snapdragon 778G processor, combined with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, ensures smooth app performance. This phone's focus on entertainment makes it a great companion for streaming and gaming enthusiasts.

RELEASE	Date	2021, April 14
BUILD
	OS	Android 11, TCL UI
	UI	OneUI 3.1
	Dimensions	159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm
	Weight	189 g
	SIM	Hybrid Dual SIM, Dual Standby, (Nano-SIM)
	Colors	Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
FREQUENCY
	2G Band	SIM1: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900SIM2: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Band	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
	4G Band	LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 38(2600), 40(2300), 41(2500)
	5G Band	5G SA/NSA
PROCESSOR
	CPU	Octa-core (1 x 2.4 GHz Kryo 670 Prime + 3 x 2.2 GHz Kryo 670 Gold + 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo 670 Silver)
	Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
	GPU	Adreno 642L
DISPLAY
	Technology	Super AMOLED Capacitive Touchscreen, Multitouch
	Size	6.7 Inches
	Resolution	1080 x 2400
	Extra Features	120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
MEMORY
	Built-in	128GB Built-in, 8GB RAM
	Card	microSD Card, (supports up to 1TB)
CAMERA
	Main	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0, 0.8u00b5m, PDAF, OIS16 MP, f/2.4, 16mm, 123u02da (ultrawide), 1.12u00b5m5 MP, f/2.2, (macro)2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
	Features	Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama
	Front	32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 0.8u00b5m  ,HDR ,4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
CONNECTIVITY
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
	Bluetooth	v5.0 with A2DP, LE
	GPS	Yes + A-GPS support & Glonass, BDS, GALILEO, BDS
	Radio	FM Radio (Unspecified)
	USB	USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go
	NFC	Yes
	Data	GPRS, EDGE, 3G (HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps), 4G LTE-A, 5G capable
FEATURES
	Sensors	Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint (under display, optical), Gyro, Proximity
	Audio	3.5mm Audio Jack, MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+/FLAC player, MP4/WMV/H.265 player, Speaker Phone
	Browser	HTML5
	Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM
	Games	Built-in + Downloadable
	Torch	Yes
	Extra	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins), ANT+ support, Photo/video editor, Document viewer
BATTERY	Capacity	(Li-Po Non removable), 4500 mAh
PRICE
	Price In Rs	71,999
	Price In $	$406.89

 How to Choose the Perfect Smartphone Under $500

Selecting the ideal smartphone requires careful consideration of your needs and preferences. Here are some key factors to help you make an informed decision:

 1. Display Matters

The display size and quality greatly impact your smartphone experience. Opt for a screen size that suits your multimedia consumption, and ensure a good resolution for crisp visuals.

2. Camera Capabilities

Photography enthusiasts should prioritize camera quality. Look for a smartphone with a high-resolution main camera and advanced features like optical zoom for impressive shots.

 3. Processing Power

The processor determines how smoothly your smartphone operates. A capable processor, like the Snapdragon series, ensures efficient multitasking and smooth app performance.

4. Battery Life

Long-lasting battery life is essential for a hassle-free smartphone experience. Choose a phone with a sizable battery capacity to keep up with your daily tasks.

5. Storage and RAM

Sufficient storage and RAM are crucial for storing your apps, photos, videos, and files. Aim for at least 6GB of RAM and ample storage space for your needs.

Conclusion

Finding a top-notch smartphone under $500 is not a compromise; it's a smart decision. The Google Pixel 5A, OnePlus Nord N20 5G, Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G, Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, and TCL 20 Pro 5G all offer exceptional features and performance at an affordable price point. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific preferences, whether it's camera prowess, entertainment, creativity, or a balanced overall experience.

 FAQs

1. Can these smartphones handle gaming?

Absolutely! These smartphones are equipped with capable processors and sufficient RAM, making them suitable for gaming.

2. Do any of these phones support 5G connectivity?

Yes, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G, Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G, Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, and TCL 20 Pro 5G all support 5G connectivity.

 3. Are these phones unlocked?

Yes, most of these smartphones come unlocked, allowing you to choose your preferred carrier.

4. Can I expand the storage on these phones?

Unfortunately, none of the mentioned phones offer expandable storage options. However, they come with ample built-in storage for your needs.

 5. Which phone has the best camera?

Each of these phones has its strengths, but if camera quality is your priority, the Google Pixel 5A and Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G excel in this department.