In today’s fast-paced world, having a reliable smartphone has become an essential part of our daily lives. With the ever-increasing demand for smartphones, there are numerous options available in the market, making it difficult to choose the right one. However, it is possible to find a great smartphone that fits your budget, and we’re here to help with that. In this review page, we’ll be looking at the best five smartphones that are priced under $500. While there are many older smartphones that are still popular, we’ll be focusing on newer phones that offer the latest features and technologies. So, whether you’re a student or a working professional, let’s dive into the top-rated smartphones that won’t break the bank.
Samsung Galaxy A54

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a mid-range smartphone from Samsung that was released in April 2021. It’s a feature-packed device that offers a good balance between performance and affordability.
Our take:
- Affordable Price: One of the biggest advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A54 is its affordable price tag. It is significantly cheaper than Samsung’s flagship models, making it a great option for those on a budget.
- Great Battery Life: The Galaxy A54 has a large 5000mAh battery that provides excellent battery life. With moderate use, it can easily last a full day or more.
- High Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A54 has a 90Hz refresh rate display that makes scrolling and navigation feel smoother and more responsive.
- Good Camera: The Galaxy A54’s 48-megapixel main camera takes high-quality photos and videos. It also has features like Night mode and Super Slow-mo that enhance the quality of your images and videos.
- 5G Connectivity: The Galaxy A54 supports 5G connectivity, which means that you can take advantage of faster download and upload speeds on supported networks.
- Expandable Storage: The Galaxy A54 has a microSD card slot that allows you to expand its storage capacity. This is especially useful for those who need more space for photos, videos, and apps.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A54 is a great option for those who want a mid-range smartphone with good features and performance. While it may not have all the premium features of more expensive smartphones, it offers excellent value for its price and is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and capable device.
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Google Pixel 5a

The Google Pixel 5a is a mid-range smartphone from Google that was released in August 2021. It’s a successor to the Pixel 4a and offers several upgrades over its predecessor.
Our take:
- Affordable Price: One of the biggest advantages of the Pixel 5a is its affordable price tag. It offers excellent value for its price and is a great option for those on a budget.
- Long Battery Life: The Pixel 5a has a large 4680mAh battery that provides excellent battery life. With moderate use, it can easily last a full day or more.
- Good Camera: The Pixel 5a’s 12.2-megapixel main camera takes high-quality photos and videos. It also has features like Night Sight and Portrait mode that enhance the quality of your images and videos.
- 5G Connectivity: The Pixel 5a supports 5G connectivity, which means that you can take advantage of faster download and upload speeds on supported networks.
- Large Display: The Pixel 5a has a 6.34-inch OLED display that provides a clear and vibrant viewing experience.
- Water and Dust Resistant: The Pixel 5a is IP67 water and dust resistant, which means that it can withstand exposure to water and dust without damage.
Overall, the Google Pixel 5a is a great option for those who want a mid-range smartphone with good features and performance. While it may not have all the premium features of more expensive smartphones, it offers excellent value for its price and is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and capable device.
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Motorola Edge + |2022|

The Motorola Edge+ is a premium smartphone with a large, high-quality display, powerful performance, and impressive camera system. It supports 5G connectivity, has a large 5000mAh battery, and features a sleek, water-repellent design.
Our take:
- Large, high-quality display: Motorola The Edge+ features a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, providing a sharp and vibrant viewing experience.
- Excellent performance: The Edge+ is powered by a Snapdragon 865 chipset and 12GB of RAM, providing smooth and speedy performance.
- Impressive camera system: The Edge+ features a 108-megapixel primary camera, along with a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera. The camera system offers a variety of features, including optical image stabilization, 3x optical zoom, and 6K video recording.
- 5G connectivity: The Edge+ supports 5G connectivity, providing faster download and upload speeds on supported networks.
- Large battery: The Edge+ has a large 5000mAh battery that provides excellent battery life, with up to 15 hours of non-stop usage on a single charge.
- Premium design: The Edge+ has a sleek and stylish design, with a curved display and glass back. It also features a water-repellent coating to protect against water damage.
Overall, the Motorola Edge+ (2020) is a premium flagship smartphone with top-of-the-line features and performance. While it may be expensive and may not be widely available, it offers an excellent user experience for those who are willing to invest in a high-end device.
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OnePlus 8T

The OnePlus 8T is a high-end smartphone released in 2020. Here’s our take on it.
Our take:
- Large, high-quality display: The OnePlus 8T features a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing a sharp and vibrant viewing experience.
- Fast performance: The device is powered by a Snapdragon 865 chipset and 8GB/12GB of RAM, providing smooth and speedy performance.
- Impressive charging speed: The OnePlus 8T features Warp Charge 65 technology, which can charge the phone’s battery from 0 to 100% in just 39 minutes.
- Great camera system: The device has a quad-camera setup with a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The camera system offers a variety of features and capabilities, including 4K video recording.
- 5G connectivity: The OnePlus 8T supports 5G connectivity, providing faster download and upload speeds on supported networks.
- Reasonable price: The OnePlus 8T’s price starts at $749, making it a more affordable option compared to other high-end smartphones on the market.
Overall, the OnePlus 8T is a high-end smartphone that offers top-of-the-line features and performance at a reasonable price. While it may not have an official IP rating or wireless charging, its impressive charging speed and camera system make it a great choice for users who prioritize these features.
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TCL 20 Pro 5G

The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a mid-range smartphone released in 2021. Here are a few pros and cons:
Our take:
- High-quality display: The TCL 20 Pro 5G features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing sharp and vibrant visuals.
- 5G connectivity: The TCL 20 Pro 5G supports 5G connectivity, providing faster download and upload speeds on supported networks.
- Impressive camera system: The TCL 20 Pro 5G features a quad-camera system, including a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The camera system offers a variety of features, including optical image stabilization and 4K video recording.
- Large battery: The TCL 20 Pro 5G has a 4500mAh battery that provides excellent battery life, with up to 17 hours of non-stop usage on a single charge.
- Premium design: The TCL 20 Pro 5G has a sleek and stylish design, with a glass back and metal frame.
- Value for money: The TCL 20 Pro 5G is reasonably priced for a mid-range device, offering a good balance of features and performance for its price.
Overall, the TCL 20 Pro 5G is a mid-range smartphone with impressive features and performance, particularly in its camera system and design. While it may lack a headphone jack and may not be widely available, its 5G connectivity and value for money make it a good option for those looking for a mid-range device.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, finding a great smartphone that fits your budget is no longer a difficult task. With the increasing competition in the market, smartphone manufacturers are now offering feature-rich devices at reasonable prices. In this review page, we have highlighted the best five smartphones that are priced under $500. Whether you’re looking for a smartphone with a great camera, a long battery life, or powerful performance, we’ve got you covered. We hope our reviews have helped you make an informed decision about which smartphone to purchase. Remember to always weigh the pros and cons of each device before making a final decision. So, go ahead and pick the smartphone that best suits your needs and budget, and enjoy the seamless experience it offers!
Note: These cell phones are subject to change depending on availability and pricing in your region.