Best Budget Phones of 2023

The best smartphone you can buy for under $500

Due to inflation, many of us have become more price-conscious lately, particularly when it comes to grocery shopping. However, there is some positive news to be had: nowadays, you can purchase a fantastic phone for less than $500.

While some of our top picks may cost around $400 or $500, there are also excellent choices available for $300 or less. These options boast features such as a vibrant, high-definition OLED screen or a long-lasting battery. By prioritizing the one or two features that matter most to you and being open to compromise in other areas, you can acquire a phone that fulfills your requirements for half the price of a high-end model.

iPhone SE (2022) – $429

Screen: 4.7-inch 1334p LCD / Processor: A15 Bionic Cameras: 12-megapixel f/1.8 with OIS, 7-megapixel selfie / Charging: 20W wired, 7.5W wireless / Weather-resistance rating: IP67

Apple has a great track record of offering iOS updates to older devices, so the 2022 iPhone SE is likely to last for over five years if properly maintained. However, its 4.7-inch screen may be challenging to use in the coming years as apps and web pages continue to be designed for larger screens.

At $479, the 128GB iPhone SE is the best value on the smartphone market. It will continue to receive iOS updates for at least five, if not six or seven years. However, it is important to note that the phone’s small, outdated screen may be a deal-breaker for some. The SE’s screen size has remained the same as that of the iPhone 6, and it is starting to feel cramped in an age when apps and web pages are designed for larger screens. Furthermore, the device’s large bezels make it look outdated, but the real issue will be its usability in the years to come.

Aside from the screen size, the SE is an excellent midrange device. Its A15 processor is the same as that of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, ensuring excellent performance. The device also has IP67 waterproofing and wireless charging, which are uncommon features in this price range. While the camera lacks a night mode, it takes high-quality photos and videos. The SE also offers 5G connectivity, although only low- and mid-band, and its battery life is improved over the previous generation.

If you can tolerate the small screen size and lack of night mode, we recommend purchasing the 128GB version of the iPhone SE. The base model’s 64GB of storage is insufficient, and spending the extra $50 for additional storage will be worthwhile in the years to come.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G – $449

Screen: 6.4-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Exynos 1380 Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.8 main with OIS, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 5-megapixel macro, 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired / Weather-resistance rating: IP67

With design cues taken from the Samsung S23 series, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G boasts features typically found on flagship devices. Its 6.4-inch 1080p OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate is a standout feature in its class, rivaling those on $1,000 premium devices. While its camera quality may not be the best, the A54 makes up for it with durable glass panels on both sides, an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and an impressive software support policy. Samsung guarantees four years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. The device also includes a large 5,000mAh battery capable of lasting a full day under heavy usage, but a separate charger is required for its fast 25W charging speeds. The A54 is a great pick for those who prioritize display quality, although it may struggle to capture sharp photos of moving subjects in low light. Overall, with its impressive feature set, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is the best Android phone in its category and one of the best budget options on the market until the release of the Pixel 7A.

OnePlus Nord N20 5G – $291

Screen: 6.4-inch 1080p OLED / Processor: Snapdragon 695 5G Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.8, 2-megapixel macro, 2-megapixel monochrome, 16-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,500mAh / Charging: 33W wired / Weather-resistance rating: None

The OnePlus N20 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers a good value for its price. It features a 6.4-inch OLED display with 1080p resolution and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The display is also equipped with a fast fingerprint scanner that provides a seamless unlocking experience.

The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 695 processor and 6GB of RAM, providing smooth daily performance. It also supports 33W wired fast charging with the included charger, which is a rare feature in phones in this price range. NFC for contactless payment is also included.

However, the N20 5G is not compatible with Verizon and is limited to 4G on AT&T. It does work on T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G networks, though. The camera quality is not outstanding, with the main rear 64-megapixel camera being the best of the three. The phone ships with Android 11, which is a version behind most other new Android phones, but OnePlus promises three years of security updates.

Overall, the OnePlus N20 5G offers good value for its price, especially for T-Mobile customers looking for a budget-friendly phone with 5G support.