Top 5 Best Smartphones for Under $500 – February 2022


Best Smartphones

While flagship phones are getting more powerful every year, their price is also rising along. Now, if your budget is limited to $500, you can still get some pretty amazing handsets and that is why we have made a list we the best smartphones currently on sale for less than $500; keep reading!

Best Smartphones for Under $500

1. Motorola Moto G200 5G

Let’s start with the Motorola Moto G200 5G, which is basically the Global version of the Moto Edge S30. The smartphone is the past gen flagship SoC, the Snapdragon 888 chipset; along with a minimum of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

This powerful hardware fuels a massive 6.8-inch display sporting Full HD+ resolution and a whopping 144Hz refresh rate. While for photography, we find a 108MP main shooter paired with a 13MP ultra wide lens and a 2MP macro lens on the back and a single 16MP snapper at the front.

Finally, the handset encases a large 5000mAh capacity battery with support for 33W fast charging. There’s NFC and a 3.5mm audio jack.

2. Xiaomi Mi 10S

Xiaomi Mi 10S

Next, we have the older Xiaomi Mi 10S which can now be found for around $400, making it a very interesting option in this price range. The smartphone packs the powerful Snapdragon 870; paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The handset then features a large 6.67-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling rate.

In the camera department, the Xiaomi Mi 10S features four cameras including a whopping 108MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra wide angle lens, a 2MP macro sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. While at the front there’s a single 20MP camera.

Xiaomi’s phone equips a 4780mAh capacity battery with support for 33W fast charging, 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.

3. Vivo iQOO Neo5 SE

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Also coming with the good Snapdragon 870 chipset we find the iQOO Neo5 SE. The great performing SoC is then coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

The smartphone features a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a variable fresh rate of 1Hz to save energy.

As for photography, the Neo5 SE brings a 48MP main sensor; along with an 8MP ultra wide lens and a 2MP macro camera. For selfies we find a 16MP snapper.

The iQOO phone boasts a 4500mAh with support for 55W fast charging and it has a 3.5mm audio jack.

Best Smartphones for Under $500

4. Realme GT Neo 2

Next, we have the Realme GT Neo 2 once again powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870; along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The Realme GT Neo 2 then features a 6.62-inch Samsung AMOLED E4 display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a super high 600Hz touch sampling rate.

In the camera department, the handset packs a 64MP resolution main camera; paired with an 8MP ultra wide-angle lens and 2MP macro lens. While at the front there’s a 16MP selfie snapper.

Finally, the Realme phone is fueled by a large 5000mAh battery, along with 65W fast charging and it features NFC.

Best Smartphones for Under $500

5. Meizu 18X

Best Smartphones Meizu 18X

Last but not least, we have the Meizu 18X and yes, it’s also powered by the Snapdragon 870 chipset which apparently dominates the under $500 price range.

Other specs on the Meizu 18X include a large 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED E4 panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a touch sampling rate of 360Hz and a 13MP snapper in the punch-hole at the top.

On the back, the smartphone packs a three cameras including a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra wide lens and a 2MP macro camera.

Finally, the Meizu 18X comes with a 4300mAh capacity battery with support for 30W fast charging and it features NFC.

Check out our sub $300 list if you’re on a tighter budget!

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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