The Best Smartphones Under $500 in 2024: Top Picks for Budget-Friendly Performance
In 2024, the smartphone market is filled with options for every budget. While flagship phones from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google can easily cost over $1,000, there is still an impressive range of affordable smartphones under $500 that offer great value for money. These budget-friendly devices combine solid performance, quality cameras, and all the essential features that make them perfect for everyday use.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, we’ve rounded up the best smartphones under $500 that deliver excellent value for your hard-earned money. From excellent battery life to powerful processors and high-quality displays, these phones offer everything you need at a reasonable price.
1. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Price: Starting at $449
Best for: Overall performance and display quality
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G is one of the best budget smartphones of 2024. It combines premium features with a mid-range price tag, making it a great choice for anyone looking for solid performance without paying for flagship prices.
- Key Features:
- Display: 6.4-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Exynos 1380 chipset
- RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB (expandable via microSD card)
- Camera: 50MP (main) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 5MP (macro)
- Battery: 5000mAh with 25W fast charging
- Software: One UI 6 based on Android 14
The Galaxy A54 5G offers an excellent display with vivid colors and smooth scrolling, making it perfect for media consumption and casual gaming. The camera system delivers sharp, detailed photos, and the 5,000mAh battery ensures you can go all day without needing a recharge. With 5G support, this phone is future-proof, and the One UI software adds a user-friendly experience.
2. Google Pixel 7a
Price: Starting at $499
Best for: Camera quality and software experience
If you’re a fan of pure Android and want one of the best camera experiences in this price range, the Google Pixel 7a is an excellent choice. Google’s Pixel line has always been known for its outstanding camera performance, and the 7a is no exception, offering flagship-level photography in an affordable package.
- Key Features:
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, 90Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Google Tensor G2 chip
- RAM/Storage: 8GB/128GB
- Camera: 64MP (main) + 13MP (ultrawide)
- Battery: 4385mAh with 18W fast charging
- Software: Android 14 with 3 years of updates
The Pixel 7a shines with its camera capabilities, thanks to Google’s advanced image processing software, which delivers stunning photos in any lighting condition. From night shots to portraits, the camera excels in both everyday and creative photography. Plus, it’s equipped with the Google Tensor G2 chip, which offers smooth performance, AI features, and on-device processing for tasks like speech recognition and translation.
With Android 14, you’ll get a clean, bloat-free experience, and Pixel devices are known for receiving updates faster than any other Android phone. The 90Hz OLED display provides excellent color accuracy, while the 4385mAh battery ensures decent longevity throughout the day.
3. OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Price: Starting at $299
Best for: Affordable performance and 5G connectivity
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is an ultra-affordable smartphone that doesn’t sacrifice performance for price. While it’s a budget option, it packs a lot of features you’d typically find in more expensive devices, including 5G support and fast charging.
- Key Features:
- Display: 6.72-inch LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- RAM/Storage: 8GB/128GB
- Camera: 50MP (main) + 2MP (depth) + 2MP (macro)
- Battery: 5000mAh with 67W fast charging
- Software: OxygenOS based on Android 13
The OnePlus Nord N30 offers smooth performance with its Snapdragon 695 chipset, perfect for browsing, social media, and light gaming. The 120Hz LCD display is responsive and offers a smooth visual experience for day-to-day use. The 50MP primary camera performs well in bright conditions, capturing detailed shots, and the 67W fast charging ensures you’re up and running in no time, thanks to a full charge in under an hour.
With a solid design, 5G connectivity, and OxygenOS, OnePlus continues to offer great value in the mid-range segment.
4. Motorola Edge 2024
Price: Starting at $499
Best for: Display and gaming performance
The Motorola Edge 2024 offers a flagship-level OLED display and performance that makes it a great choice for those who want a stunning display for watching content and gaming, without paying premium prices.
- Key Features:
- Display: 6.6-inch OLED, 144Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+
- RAM/Storage: 8GB/256GB
- Camera: 50MP (main) + 50MP (ultrawide)
- Battery: 5000mAh with 30W fast charging
- Software: My UX based on Android 14
With its 144Hz OLED display, the Motorola Edge 2024 stands out for those who enjoy smooth visuals, whether for gaming, browsing, or streaming video. The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset ensures snappy performance, handling multitasking and gaming with ease. The camera setup is also quite versatile, offering sharp and vibrant images, while the 5000mAh battery offers long-lasting power.
If you’re looking for an immersive display experience and strong gaming performance at a reasonable price, the Motorola Edge 2024 is a great option.
5. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Price: Starting at $399
Best for: Value for money, battery life, and performance
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 12 Pro delivers exceptional value for those on a tight budget, combining a high-quality display, solid performance, and long-lasting battery life at an affordable price.
- Key Features:
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 1080
- RAM/Storage: 6GB/128GB
- Camera: 50MP (main) + 8MP (ultrawide) + 2MP (macro)
- Battery: 5000mAh with 33W fast charging
- Software: MIUI based on Android 13
The Redmi Note 12 Pro features a vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, which is perfect for media consumption and gaming. The Dimensity 1080 chipset provides a balance of power and efficiency, delivering smooth performance for most everyday tasks. The 50MP main camera is capable of capturing crisp photos, and the 5000mAh battery ensures that the phone lasts through a full day of use.
Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is a solid choice for anyone who wants a high-quality device without breaking the bank.
6. Apple iPhone SE (2024)
Price: Starting at $399
Best for: Apple fans and compact design
For Apple enthusiasts who want the iPhone experience without spending over $500, the iPhone SE (2024) is a great option. It offers a powerful chipset, compact design, and access to Apple’s ecosystem at a lower price point.
- Key Features:
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD
- Processor: A15 Bionic chip (same as iPhone 13)
- RAM/Storage: 4GB/64GB, 128GB, or 256GB
- Camera: 12MP (single lens)
- Battery: 2018mAh with 18W fast charging
- Software: iOS 17
The iPhone SE packs the A15 Bionic chip, which offers flagship-level performance, including efficient processing for gaming, video editing, and app usage. The 4.7-inch display is compact, making it ideal for those who prefer smaller phones. While the camera setup is basic with a single 12MP