15 Best Smartphones Under $500 In 2022

Just a century ago, if we needed to convey messages, we would’ve had to use expensive and bulky radio sets that could only convey a voice message with distortions. When we had to capture a picture, we would need a rare camera box that could only shoot in black and white. For knowing our current location, we would require a map. And to calculate a mathematical problem, we would need to solve it manually. Other things such as being able to communicate with people worldwide, having access to information about almost everything that exists at the push of a single button, and playing digital games wouldn’t have even been an option.


But with the invention of modern smartphones, hundreds of tasks that would’ve otherwise taken us multiple machines and devices and a tedious amount of effort can now be solved within seconds. That too, on a single hand-held gadget. As a result, the smartphone has become an integral part of today’s society.

List Of 15 Best Smartphones for most people

But besides being a crucial part of our lives, smartphones are also very complex. We have hundreds of different mobile phone manufacturers in today’s era, all providing new features and specifications ever. To the modern person, who has little knowledge about smartphones and modern devices, these technicalities seem like non-sensical jargon. So, they often get confused when deciding which smartphone to purchase.

This is why we have compiled this list, to make sure the next time you go for phone purchasing, you can get a detailed guide by going through our blog. As with most products, smartphones come in various price ranges, with some reaching the 1000$ mark while others being more pocket friendly while still providing proper functionality.

In our list, we have a little something for everybody, so if you’re lucky, you might even find the perfect find for you.

1. SAMSUNG Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Starting off our list, we have a banger straight from arguably the best Android smartphone manufacturer in the world. Samsung Galaxy S21 ultra 5G, the best smartphone of this year, will cost you a hefty 1000$, but with its endless features, we think it’s definitely worth your buck.

It comes with the latest Snapdragon 888 5G chipset with 12GB or 16GB RAM and the fastest UFS 3.1 256GB or 512GB of storage. This phone has a massive 6.8’’ Dynamic AMOLED HDR10+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. In addition to a 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging.

Its quad-camera setup has the world’s best 108MP primary, a 10MP telephoto and periscope telephoto, and a 12MP Ultra-wide camera, which can capture up to 8k at 24fps. The selfie camera is also 40MP with 4k at 60 fps recording capacity. The build is also quite sturdy, with a front and back gorilla glass casing with an aluminum frame and IP68 water resistance.

2. SAMSUNG Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Second, we have an older version of the S21 Ultra 5g. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is an all-rounder with excellent features while having a mid-range price. In addition, this mobile has IP68 water and dust resistance. In terms of Display, it offers a good 6.5’’ Super AMOLED HDR10+ display with a 120Hz of refresh rate, just like the last phone. But this one comes with a Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, which is also very powerful. And it also features Samsung’s signature triple camera with a 12MP primary, 8MP telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide that are overall available to capture 4K at 60fps.

In contrast, the Selfie camera is 32MP. It also has a 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging. Included is an in-display fingerprint sensor. In conclusion, we believe that this is a fantastic deal for you since, with only a few compromised specs from the S21 Ultra 5G, the S20 FE 5G offers everything with an almost half price of 550$.

 

3. OnePlus 8

OnePlus is another brand known for its loyal customers due to its excellent software skins and UI management. It provides a superb experience similar to that offered on devices costing twice as much.

OnePlus 8 is an ideal example of this, as it comes up with a powerful snapdragon 865 5G chipset and a massive screen size of 6.55 inches with corning gorilla glass 5. It has an enormous storage area of 256GB and 12 GB of RAM.

Accompanied by a 48 MP rear camera, 16 MP ultrawide, and 2 MP macro, that can record up to 4k at 60fps. OnePlus 8 also has a sharp, wide 16 MP selfie camera. It has an extensive 4300mAh battery with the notable feature of USB-C fast charging that will charge 50% of the battery in just 22 min. All of these exciting features and specs with three decent colors are available for just $387.46.

 

4. TCL 10 SE

The newest flagship TCL smartphone strikes a decent price-performance combination, making it a decent Android smartphone for those who want the latest technologies but don’t want to spend too much money.

The TCL 10 SE comes with an LCD display of 6.52 inches with a resolution of 720×1600 pixels. The phone has android 10 with a chipset of MediaTek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) and 128GB storage and 4 GB RAM. It has a triple camera of 48 MP wide, 5 MP ultrawide, 2 MP (depth) with panorama. Following this, it has a selfie camera with a 13MP wide lens.

The video quality can go up to 1080p at 30 fps. The fingerprint is rear-mounted, and it has a 4000mAh battery followed by USB-C 15W fast charging. It comes up with a price point of $400. The phone is available in icy silver and polar night color variants.

 

5. Samsung Note 20 Ultra

The Samsung Note 20 Ultra is the latest Note series smartphone released as there was no Note 20 release this year. There are many things to like about the Note 20, such as the 6.9” 120Hz display, the largest display available in the entire market. It also has an integrated stylus that recharges when placed inside the smartphone.

It also features the Samsung 108 camera sensor of the S21 series and a 4500mAh which is for sure lesser than the S21, but making space for the stylus would have been impossible otherwise. Furthermore, the phone comes with AKG tuned speakers for the best listening experience, although it lacks a headphone jack.

The price of 1200$ might be a bit high for most people, but it is perfectly justified with its unique features. The mobile also comes with IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

 

6. TCL 20 SE

We know it’s not in everybody’s taste to purchase flagship phones costing a 1000$, which is why we have included what we think is one of the best low-budget smartphones with maximum functionality.

TCL 20SE is a low-tier smartphone that costs about $180. It has an Octa-Core Snapdragon 460, which is enough for normal daily usage, though, it might perform slightly worse with heavy games. It offers 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage with a massive 6.82” 720p LCD display for decent viewing. TCL 20SE offers one 48MP, an ultrawide, and a macro and depth camera that records videos at 1080p.

While the front 13MP camera is also suitable for 1080p recording. The 5000mAh battery combined with the 60Hz 720p display means that the phone will easily last you two days on a single charge. As of now, the phone is available in Aurora Green and Nuit Black color variants.

 

7. Nord N10 5G

The Nord series by OnePlus is budget to mid-range devices released by the company each year to make sales in the vast mid-range to budget market in the world of Android smartphones. For $300, the Nord N10 5G delivers a solid punch in the market.

It consists of Snapdragon 690 5G with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. A 6.49” 90Hz 1080p LCD Display with a rear-mounted fingerprint reader is also appreciated. A Primary 64MP camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP for Depth and Macro with the Selfie camera being 16MP and capable of recording at 1080p makes up for a decent camera setup that can record in 4k at 30 fps. It has a 4300mAh battery with 30 Watts fast charging. In addition to a proper body of front gorilla glass with plastic back and frame. As of writing this blog, they only come in a Midnight Ice color option.

 

8. Samsung Galaxy A71

The Samsung Galaxy A71 comes at the higher end of the mid-range smartphones. Its 6GB and 8GB variant costs about 420$ and 450$ respectively. It offers one 128GB storage option and has an Infinity 6.7” 1080p Super AMOLED Display for amazing screen performance. On the other hand, the Snapdragon 730 offers solid performance for casual gamers with its high-end octa-core processor. The Camera Setup at the back is a 64MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, and 5MP Depth and macro, along with a 32MP front camera for those detailed selfies.

The phone can record 4K on both the front and back, combined with a 4500mAh that supports 25watts of fast charging. It is coated in Black Plastic which doesn’t look the best but is alright for the price. It even comes with a 3.5mm audio jack.

 

9. OnePlus 8T

OnePlus smartphones have proved themselves in recent times and have provided the demanding smartphones in the mid-range market. OnePlus 8T does it all while managing to keep a low price tag. This means, for a price of just 550$, you get a clean UI with some excellent touches and power-house specifications. Such as a 5G capable Snapdragon 865, 256GBs of Storage, and 12GBs of RAM. Combine that with a 6.55” 120Hz HDR10+ AMOLED display, and you’ve got yourself a perfect smartphone for gamers.

It has a 48MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization, a 16MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and a 2MP monochrome camera for B&W pictures. OnePlus 8T can also record in 4k. It has a battery of 4500mAh with a whopping 65watts of fast charging, which according to OnePlus, can fully charge your phone in mere 39 minutes. It’s available in Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver, coated in Gorilla Glass for a scratchproof exterior.

 

10. OnePlus 9 Pro

OnePlus 9 Pro is no different from other OnePlus smartphones in the manner that they always provide a sturdy build quality. OnePlus 9 Pro is an excellent example of this. For $950, which is less than some other flagship of this era. It offers the latest Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, 12GBs of RAM, and 256GBs of storage. The primary camera consists of a 48MP lens with Optical Image Stabilization to smooth out every last bit of motion blur, an 8MP telephoto lens, a 50MP Sony Ultra-Wide, and 2MP monochrome.

In addition, it has a 16MP selfie camera and is capable of recording at 8k 30fps. OnePlus 9 pro also offers a 4500mAh battery with 65W fast charging, which can fully charge your phone in an even better 29 minutes. The 6.7” 1440p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 5 covering IP68 water and dust resistance also helps provide a pleasant experience.

11. Samsung Galaxy S10

The Samsung Galaxy S10 is the last flagship smartphone in Samsung’s tenth series. But even then, picking up a two-year-old Samsung flagship phone might be your best choice. Powered by Snapdragon 855 chipset and Samsung’s flagship Triple-Cameras: 16MP ultrawide, wide-angle 12mp, and a 12mp Telephoto lens for distant shots make it one of the best cameras setups which are also capable of capturing a video at 4k 60fps.

The best part is that this flagship comes with a beautiful 6.1” 1440p Super AMOLED Display with HDR10+ for incredible brightness and color saturation. This phone comes in either 6GBs or 8GBs of RAM and 128GBs or 256GBs of storage. Galaxy S10 has a 3400mAh battery with 15watts of USB-C charging with Wireless charging also available. Reverse charging is another feature, which can be used to charge other devices such as your earbuds. Style is an area where it doesn’t compromise because of its classic black exterior made from glass and IP68 water and dust resistance rating.

 

12. Samsung A32

The Samsung A32 is A midrange phone from Samsung that aims to hit the $250 price point. It has Samsung’s widely renowned OneUI theme based on Android 11. It’s powered by the MediaTek G80, a solid mid-range processor with a 5000mAh battery charging at 15watts. The 6.4” display with a resolution of 1080p and 90Hz Refresh Rate provides a genuine user experience.

The phone consists of a quad-camera setup with a 64MP camera recording at 1080, an 8mp ultrawide, and two 5MP cameras for depth and macro. In addition, it has a 20MP wide-angle for a Selfie Camera. The phone gives either 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage. Samsung A32 is made from Plastic as with any phone at this price point, but it also avoids fingerprints with its Awesome Black color.

 

13. Xiaomi Mi 10T

Mi10, Xiaomi’s flagship smartphone, is an excellent device that one-ups almost every flagship device it competes with, even Samsung. It has a Snapdragon 865 5G paired with a 4780mAH battery and USB-C 30W fast charging plus 30W wireless charging. Three different RAM sizes of 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB with UFS 3.0 128GB or 256GB of storage are available. It has an overwhelming 108MP camera with 8K Recording, a 13MP ultrawide, and 2MP Macro and Depth Sensors. The 20MP selfie camera can also record at 1080p.

The Mi10 has a stunning 1080P Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1120nits with a 90Hz Refresh rate and HDR 10+ support. Overall, this phone delivers spectacular performance with some unique features like the mindblowing 120x Zoom. And with a price tag of 500$, it delivers a severe blow to other phones in the flagship range, making it a well-suited option for fans of performance and efficiency. It’s available in a glossy Anodized Aluminium frame available in coral grey or twilight green.

 

 

14. Motorola Edge

The edge is Motorola’s flagship device with its much-preferred UI. The back is made from Aluminium available in Solar Black, which has a silky smooth feel. Motorola edge doesn’t lack in the hardware section as well. The Snapdragon 765 5G is a powerhouse for simple daily users combined with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The curved OLED display supports a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10, with a 6.7” display with 1080p resolution.

It comes with 3 cameras and one Time-of-flight sensor, which can be used to measure distance and volume and assist in Live Focus. The other 3 cameras are a 64MP primary, 8MP telephoto, and 16MP ultrawide for those scenery and group shots. The front camera has 25MP, which can record in 1080p, with the back camera capable of recording in 4k. The battery is 4500mAh with 18watts fast charging. All of this

is available at a 500$ price point.


15. TCL 10 Pro

TCL 10 Pro is TCL’s attempt at making a big name in the smartphone industry, and we have to say, it’s a noticeable $350 smartphone. It uses a new interface, TCL UI, based on Android 10 with a planned upgrade to Android 11. Both its front and back use curved glass for a premium feel, with only Ember grey available as its color. It offers an octa-core Snapdragon 675 chipset paired with 6GB’s of RAM and 128 or 256GB’s of UFS2.1 storage.

It also has a Quad Camera setup with a 64MP wide camera that can record 4k at 30fps, 16mp ultrawide, 5MP macro, and a 2mp depth camera. The selfie camera is quite capable with 24MP that can record videos at 1080p. The screen is a 6.47” 1080p HDR10 AMOLED display for better viewing angles and sharper contrast. Paired with a 4500mAH battery that supports QuickCharge 3.0 at 18watts will make sure you are always charged up and ready to go.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About smartphones

1. What factors should decide your next smartphone?

Your next smartphone should be dependent on your lifestyle. If you need a smartphone to call, text, and occasionally browse the internet, then a budget smartphone like the TCL 10SE and 20SE might suit your needs.

If you want to use your phone primarily for gaming, investigate phones with powerful chipsets and good battery life to get you the optimal experience. For your elders, you may want to consider phones with simple, clean UI that are easy to operate. If you want an all-around decent phone that can do most tasks you throw at it, consider a Mid-Range phone like the A71.

Lastly, if you want an elite phone with top-of-the-line components, investigate Flagship phones for the best camera, chipset, and style.

2. What is Optical Image Stabilization?

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a mechanism added to high-end phones, which helps enable the camera to counteract the user’s movement. So the camera can keep itself steady for better shots.

It is most useful for pictures where it takes longer to capture the view. In conclusion, OIS holds the camera sensor steady for better and cleaner shots.

3. What additional factors do I need to check for when buying a smartphone?

● Ensure that the brand you are buying from is trustworthy, reliable, and known for making solid phones.
● Investigate whether the brand has good customer support and if something were to go wrong with your phone, what course of action will they take.
● Go to online platforms and check the reviews. And with that information, try to choose a brand that delivers a clean and bug-free user experience.

4. What are Flagship phones?

Every smartphone manufacturer has a specific phone or a series that represent the entire reputation of the brand. These first-in-line smartphones, which are given the most attention to are called Flagships.

Thus, it is no surprise that most Flagship smartphones offer the latest technology while being more expensive than other ordinary phones.