Best Budget Smartphones Under $500 (2026)

What are the best budget smartphones under $500 in 2026?

Summary

Memory prices have pushed this tier up. Google raised the Pixel 10a from $499 to $599 (128GB; the 256GB model is now $699) on 2 October 2026, at the Google Store, Amazon and Best Buy, and Apple raised the iPhone 17e from $599 to $699 on 9 September [src21, src22, src23]. Both now sit above this card's $500 cap. At $499 the Pixel 10a was the reviewers' clear first choice — first in Tom's Guide's, Android Central's and CNN Underscored's budget guides — and the price is what has changed, not the phone [src1, src18, src20]. At $599 it is no longer a phone under $500, so it moves from top pick to the alternatives below, with its verdict intact.

Among phones that still list under $500, the evidence points to the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro. It ranks second only to the Pixel 10a in Tom's Guide's and Gizmochina's guides, CNN Underscored calls it "a strong runner-up for the best budget throne", and Engadget scored it 84 out of 100 [src1, src4, src8, src20]. Its strengths are the 6.83-inch 144Hz display, a 50MP periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom, and battery life: 24 hours in Engadget's rundown test and 24 hours 23 minutes in CNN Underscored's [src4, src20]. Its weaknesses are support and carriers: three Android upgrades and six years of security patches, an IP65 rather than IP68 rating, no wireless charging, and Nothing itself advises against using it on Verizon [src4, src13, src27]. CNN Underscored reported in July that its price had risen to about $600; Nothing's US store still listed the 8+128GB model at $499, on sale for $419, when we checked on 2026-10-06 [src20, src27].

The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G is the value pick. Engadget calls it "a new contender for the best phone under $500" and measured 29 hours 10 minutes in its video rundown, an hour longer than the Pixel 10a; Android Central would "strongly recommend" it to anyone who wants a solid budget phone with long software support [src17, src18]. Samsung promises six Android upgrades and six years of security updates, which no non-Samsung phone under $500 on this card matches, and it is rated IP68 [src14, src24]. Its price has risen since the reviews: they quote $450, and Samsung's US store listed the 128GB model at $489.99, on sale for $439.99, when we checked on 2026-10-06 [src17, src19, src25]. It replaces the Galaxy A36 as this card's value pick: the A37 is the A36's successor, and both Engadget and Android Central note it adds IP68 over the A36's IP67 [src17, src18]. Amazon's listing for the A36 linked on this card showed no featured offer when we checked on 2026-10-06.

Below $350, Tom's Guide's picks are Motorola's. The Moto G (2026) is Tom's Guide's best phone under $200 and lasted 19 hours 10 minutes in its battery test, the longest of any cheap phone it has tested; the Moto G Power (2026) adds IP68/IP69 protection and a bigger screen, but Tom's Guide steers budget shoppers to the cheaper Moto G [src1, src30, src31]. Both get two years of Android updates, with security patches ending in December 2028 and January 2029 respectively [src15, src30, src31]. Nothing's Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro and CMF Phone 2 Pro are good phones sold in the US only through Nothing's Beta Program, and none of them appeared on Nothing's US store when we checked on 2026-10-06 [src13, src35, src36, src37].

14 Models Compared

Prices are the latest checked US offers when this revision was written; the verified-picks table at the top of this page shows the current price, stock and seller for each one. "See retailer" means we hold no current price for that listing. List prices quoted in the text come from the makers' stores or the reviews cited.

Three phones in this table list above the $500 cap: the Pixel 10a ($599 since 2 October 2026), the iPhone 17e ($699 since 9 September 2026) and the Galaxy A57 ($599.99 for 128GB at Samsung's US store when we checked on 2026-10-06). They stay for comparison, not as picks under $500. [src21, src23, src26]

Best for Each Use Case

Top Pick: Nothing Phone (4a) Pro — Check price

The best-reviewed phone that still lists under $500. Tom's Guide ranks it second only to the Pixel 10a as its best-features pick, CNN Underscored calls it "a strong runner-up for the best budget throne", Gizmochina ranks it second, and Android Central lists it as its best-design pick and "a great alternative" to the Pixel 10a [src1, src8, src18, src20]. Engadget scored it 84 out of 100 and found that "the versatility and quality of the still images from both the main camera and the telephoto lens put it above every other smartphone at this price"; Tom's Guide found its 3.5x and 5x shots more detailed than the far pricier Pixel 10's [src4, src28]. The 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED is rated to 5,000 nits, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 handles demanding games, and battery life is long: 24 hours in Engadget's rundown, 24 hours 23 minutes in CNN Underscored's video test and past 18 hours in Tom's Guide's battery test [src1, src4, src7, src20]. TechRadar gave its aluminum unibody design 5 out of 5 [src7]. The trade-offs: three Android upgrades and six years of security patches, IP65 rather than IP68, no wireless charging, video that Engadget found disappointing, and a processor slower than the Pixel 10a's [src1, src4, src27, src28]. On carriers, it works on T-Mobile and officially supports VoLTE and VoNR on AT&T, but Nothing advises against Verizon [src13]. It is sold through Nothing's US store, Amazon and Best Buy; Nothing's store listed the 8+128GB model at $499, on sale for $419, when we checked on 2026-10-06, and the 12+256GB model is $599, above this card's cap [src7, src13, src27].

Best Value: Samsung Galaxy A37 5G — Check price

The phone to buy if you want long software support and a Verizon-ready phone under $500. Engadget rated it 8 out of 10, calling it "a new contender for the best phone under $500", and Android Central names it its best phone for Galaxy fans and would "strongly recommend" it to anyone who wants a solid budget phone with long software support [src17, src18]. Samsung commits to six Android upgrades and six years of security updates, and the A37 is rated IP68, one step up from the A36's IP67 [src14, src17, src24]. Engadget measured 29 hours 10 minutes of video playback, an hour more than the Pixel 10a, and found it "largely kept pace with the Pixel 10a at night", though Google's processing still has the edge on white balance and texture [src17]. It charges at up to 45W but has no wireless charging, no microSD slot and no headphone jack; its Exynos 1480 is a couple of years old, and Android Authority calls it considerably weaker than the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro's Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 [src17, src18, src19]. Samsung's US store sells it unlocked or for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, and listed the 128GB model at $489.99, on sale for $439.99, when we checked on 2026-10-06 — $40 above the $450 the reviews quote [src17, src19, src25]. Buy the US model (SM-A376U): Amazon also carried international "Version Latina" A37 listings (SM-A376B) when we checked on 2026-10-06 [src25].

Above the Cap Since 2 October: Google Pixel 10a — Check price

The reviewers' best phone under $500 — at $499. Tom's Guide, Android Central and CNN Underscored all ranked it first, Android Authority called it "an outstanding Android phone" and "the best $500 you can spend on a new phone right now", and CNN Underscored found "no better value" in a great Android phone under $500 [src1, src3, src18, src20]. It has IP68, Gorilla Glass 7i, a 5,100mAh battery that lasted 15 hours 16 minutes in Tom's Guide's test (and a demanding 23-hour travel day in Android Authority's hands), 30W wired and 10W wireless charging, and seven years of OS and security updates [src2, src3]. Then, on 2 October 2026, Google raised it to $599 for 128GB and $699 for 256GB, at its own store, Amazon and Best Buy; Android Central calls paying $100 more for the same phone "a pretty hard pill to swallow" [src21, src22]. That puts it $99 above this card's cap. If you can stretch to $599 it remains an excellent phone with the longest support here; if you cannot, the reviewers' advice on its near-identical predecessor applies — Android Authority, Android Central and CNN Underscored all say the Pixel 9a is worth buying if you find it on sale [src3, src18, src20].

Best iPhone, Now Above the Cap: iPhone 17e — Check price

Tom's Guide calls it "what the iPhone 16e should've been from the start": the A19 chip, MagSafe and 256GB of base storage, with a 60Hz display and a single rear camera as the trade-offs [src5]. CNN Underscored, which names it its best budget iPhone, found it "comfortably the fastest phone you can buy for less than $600" [src20]. That was at $599. Apple raised it to $699 on 9 September 2026, and Apple's store listed the 256GB model at $699 when we checked on 2026-10-06 — $199 above this card's cap [src23, src38]. Tom's Guide expects at least five years of iOS updates [src5]. If you need iOS, it is the cheapest new iPhone, but it is no longer a budget phone by this card's measure; see the iPhone card linked below.

Slimmest Samsung, Above the Cap: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G — Check price

Tom's Guide's best cheap Galaxy phone: a premium-feeling design, strong battery life and Galaxy AI features, held back by weak performance and a macro camera it calls disappointing [src1, src29]. EFTM measured it at 6.9mm and 179g with an IP68 rating and the Exynos 1680 [src10]. Over the A37, Android Authority lists a faster chip, 8GB rather than 6GB of RAM, a slightly better ultrawide and an aluminum frame [src19]. Tom's Guide reviewed it at $549 for 128GB; Samsung's US store listed it at $599.99 for 128GB and $679.99 for the 256GB model linked here when we checked on 2026-10-06, with sale prices of $524.99 and $604.99 [src26, src29]. That is above the cap at list, and Android Authority finds the gap to the cheaper A37 "isn't as massive as you might think" [src19].

Previous-Generation Samsung: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G — Check price

The A57's predecessor, which TechRadar called "an easy recommendation for most people": a metal-and-glass design, IP67, a 6.7-inch 120Hz display at 1,200 nits (1,900 outdoors), 45W charging and six years of software and security support, launched at $499 [src6, src29]. TechRadar's caveat is power: Fortnite was choppy even at low settings [src6]. Buy it only well below the A37's price.

Succeeded by the A37: Samsung Galaxy A36 5G — Check price

This card's previous value pick. It has six Android upgrades and six years of security updates, a 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED and IP67, and lasted 13 hours 22 minutes in Tom's Guide's battery test [src34, src39]. But Tom's Guide found it "a tough sell", and the A37 that replaced it adds IP68 and, in Android Central's words, "better overall specs" [src17, src18, src34]. Amazon's listing linked here showed no featured offer when we checked on 2026-10-06. Buy it new only if you find it well below the A37.

Rugged and Big-Screened: Moto G Power (2026) — Check price

Tom's Guide's best phone under $300: IP68/IP69 water resistance, Gorilla Glass 7i, a 6.8-inch 120Hz LCD and a 5,200mAh battery that lasted 18 hours 22 minutes in its test [src1, src31]. The trade-offs: a dim screen (895 nits measured), the same slow Dimensity 6300 as the cheaper Moto G, wireless charging removed from this year's model, and two years of Android updates with security patches ending in January 2029 [src15, src31]. It launched at $299; Tom's Guide's own advice is to buy the cheaper Moto G (2026) instead unless you want the bigger screen and tougher build [src1, src31].

Longest Battery for the Least: Moto G (2026) — Check price

Tom's Guide's best phone under $200, and the longest-lasting cheap phone it has tested: 19 hours 10 minutes in its battery test [src1, src30]. The cameras are good for the price; the compromises are a dim display (916 nits measured), the Dimensity 6300, 4GB of RAM, IP52 splash resistance only, slow 30W charging, and support that ends with security patches in December 2028 [src15, src30].

Built-In Stylus: Moto G Stylus (2025) — Check price

Android Central's review calls it "a new standard for $400 phones": a built-in stylus, a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, IP68, 68W wired charging (1% to 50% in 20 minutes) and 15W wireless charging [src33]. Note the age: it launched in April 2025 at $399, and Motorola's security patches for it end in March 2028 [src15, src33]. Its successor, the Moto G Stylus (2026), adds an active stylus with pressure and tilt sensitivity and is Android Central's best stylus phone, but Tom's Guide notes a $100 price increase [src18, src19, src32].

Cheapest Periscope Zoom: Nothing Phone (3a) Pro — Check price

Engadget says it "offers a nearly flagship camera experience for $459": a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto alongside the 50MP main and 8MP ultrawide, a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 12GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery [src9, src35]. It is a generation behind the (4a) Pro on chip, zoom and brightness [src4, src35]. The catch is the channel: in the US Nothing sells it only through its Beta Program, with 14 days of after-sale support, it was not on Nothing's US store when we checked on 2026-10-06, and Verizon needs a manual IMEI registration [src13, src35].

Transparent Design: Nothing Phone (3a) — Check price

Tom's Guide found it delivers "impressive features, especially when you look at its colorful screen, consistent camera performance and eye-catching design", and Engadget's review unit looped YouTube for 19 and a half hours [src35, src36]. It has the same 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED and Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 as the (3a) Pro, with a 2x telephoto instead of the periscope, and gets three Android upgrades and six years of security patches [src16, src35, src36]. It carries the same US Beta Program caveat as the (3a) Pro: Tom's Guide warns that limited availability may push bargain hunters to Google and Samsung [src13, src36].

Cheapest AMOLED: Nothing CMF Phone 2 Pro — Check price

Tom's Guide calls it "a strong contender for budget-conscious shoppers": a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED, a 50MP main camera with a 50MP 2x telephoto and an 8MP ultrawide, and the Dimensity 7300 Pro, for $279 in 8GB/256GB [src37]. Nothing claims 3,000 nits; Tom's Guide measured 1,179 [src37]. It gets three Android upgrades and six years of security patches [src16]. In the US it is sold only through Nothing's Beta Program, so T-Mobile is the safe network, AT&T VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling will not work, and Verizon needs a manual IMEI registration [src13]. An enthusiast's buy, not a mainstream one.

For Reference Only: Nothing Phone (4a) — Check price

Nothing's non-Pro model: a 50MP periscope camera with 3.5x optical zoom, a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED rated to 4,500 nits, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and an IP64 rating, at £379 on Nothing's store when we checked on 2026-10-06 [src11]. Nothing does not sell it in the United States — only the (4a) Pro launched here — and it was not on Nothing's US store when we checked on 2026-10-06 [src12, src18]. US buyers who want this camera should buy the (4a) Pro. The link goes to Nothing's own product page for reference.

Key Market Trends (2026)

• Memory costs are raising prices mid-cycle. Google added $100 to the Pixel 10a on 2 October and Apple $100 to the iPhone 17e on 9 September, amid rising memory costs; Samsung's US store now lists the Galaxy A37 at $489.99 and the A57 at $599.99, against the $450 and $549 their reviews quoted. [src17, src21, src22, src23, src25, src26, src29]
• The $500 line now separates the reviewers' favourite from the field. The Pixel 10a topped Tom's Guide's, Android Central's, CNN Underscored's and Gizmochina's guides at $499; at $599 the best-reviewed phone under $500 is the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, the guides' consistent runner-up. [src1, src8, src18, src20, src21]
• Update commitments are the real spec sheet. Google gives the Pixel 10a seven years, Samsung gives the Galaxy A37 and A57 six Android upgrades plus six years of security, Nothing gives the Phone (4a) Pro three Android upgrades with six years of patches, and Motorola gives the Moto G (2026) and Moto G Power (2026) two years of Android updates with patches ending in December 2028 and January 2029. [src2, src14, src15, src16]
• Periscope zoom has reached $500. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro's 3.5x periscope and the older (3a) Pro's 3x periscope are the only periscope telephotos among the US-sold phones on this card. [src4, src35]
• Wireless charging is disappearing at this price. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, Galaxy A37 and Galaxy A57 lack it, and Motorola removed it from the Moto G Power (2026); the Moto G Stylus (2025) keeps 15W wireless charging. [src4, src17, src29, src31, src33]
• Carrier certification is the hidden gate. No Nothing or CMF phone is certified on Verizon, and only the (4a) Pro officially supports VoLTE and VoNR on AT&T. [src13]
• Battery tests favour the cheap phones. The Moto G (2026) lasted 19 hours 10 minutes in Tom's Guide's test, and the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro and Galaxy A37 reached 24 and 29 hours in Engadget's rundown tests. [src1, src4, src17]

Important Caveats

• Prices in the text are list prices from the makers' stores or the reviews cited; the verified-picks table carries the latest checked offer. Storage tiers are separate prices: the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is $599 in 12+256GB, and Samsung's store listed the 256GB Galaxy A37 at $609.99 when we checked on 2026-10-06 — both above this card's cap. [src7, src25, src27]
• Three phones on this card list above the $500 cap: the Google Pixel 10a ($599), the iPhone 17e ($699) and the Galaxy A57 ($599.99 for 128GB). An agent applying a hard $500 budget should exclude them. [src21, src23, src26]
• The Nothing Phone (4a) is not sold in the United States. Only the (4a) Pro launched here; the (4a) row is kept for reference and priced in pounds. [src12, src18]
• The Nothing Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro and CMF Phone 2 Pro reach US buyers only through Nothing's Beta Program, which Engadget notes comes with 14 days of after-sale support. No Nothing or CMF phone is certified on Verizon. [src13, src35]
• Buy the US Galaxy A37 (model SM-A376U), not the international "Version Latina" listings (SM-A376B) that Amazon also carried when we checked on 2026-10-06. [src25]
• Avoid "Renewed" or refurbished listings when comparing against these new-phone prices.
• Camera quality depends on processing as much as hardware: Engadget found the Pixel 10a's white balance and textures still ahead of the A37's at night, and the 3.5x periscope gives the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro a reach the Pixel's crop zoom cannot match. [src4, src17]
• Support windows differ by years at similar prices — six Android upgrades on the Galaxy A37 against two years of Android updates on the Moto G (2026) — so check the update commitment before the spec sheet. [src14, src15, src30]