Best Budget Friendly Smartphones of 2023: Our Top 5 Picks

Budget-friendly smartphones are getting more powerful as the years go by. In fact, today's mid-range phones are more than capable of delivering almost everything one would want from their smartphone. 

So, in this post, let’s check out some best smartphones under $500 that gives you the ultimate smartphone experience without breaking the bank. 

Table of Contents 

1. Google Pixel 6a: best overall smartphone under $500
2. Motorola Edge 30: runner-up
3. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: best budget-friendly Samsung smartphone 
4. iPhone SE 2022: most powerful iPhone under $500
5. iPhone 11: best cheap iPhone
6. Tips for buying a budget-friendly smartphone

Top 5 Budget-Friendly Smartphones: Overview 

• Google Pixel 6

The Google Pixel 6a is at the top of our list as it provides the best overall performance. It features Google’s custom-developed 5nm Tensor SoC that has two ARM Cortex-X1 cores running at 2.8GHz. Besides, the tensor also packs Mali-G78 graphics and a built-in Titan M2 chip for security. 

The Pixel 6a also happens to have the best camera system in this price range. It features many AI-based features and Google's AI scene enhancement that can modify images based on the setting to make them look more appealing.

• Motorola Edge 30 

Motorola Edge 30 is another great budget-friendly smartphone that costs under $500. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. Besides, the phone packs a powerful Snapdragon 778+ midrange processor, making mobile gaming on the Edge 30 a blast.

Likewise, the Motorola Edge 30 also has a great camera performance. It features a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 50MP ultrawide with 114-degree FoV, and a 2MP depth sensor. 

• Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is another option if you are looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. It features a  6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolutions, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Moreover, the phone draws its power from an Exynos 1280 processor that has two Arm Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex-A55 power-efficient cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. 

One of the best things about the Galaxy A53 5G is that it will receive four Android OS updates and up to five years of security patches. 

• Apple iPhone SE 2022

Next on our list of the best budget-friendly smartphones of 2023 is the Apple iPhone SE 2022. The major upgrade on the iPhone SE 2022 is the six-core A15 Bionic processor with a 16-core Neural Engine capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Moreover, the A15 Bionic is the same chipset that powers the iPhone 13 series and brings 5G connectivity to this affordable iPhone. 

When it comes to design, the new iPhone SE retains the same outdated design as the iPhone SE 2020. In fact, it’s the same design that debuted with the iPhone 6 back in 2014. 

• Apple iPhone 11

Last but not least, the final spot of our best budget-friendly smartphones of 2023 goes to the iPhone 11. Although the iPhone 11 is an old device from 2019, it still is one of the best value-for-money iPhones you can get. For instance, you get a powerful enough A13 Bionic processor, smooth iOS, incredible battery life, and premium build quality. 

Reasons to buy iPhone 11 in 2023

• Much more affordable than other iPhones 
• It still delivers excellent performance with the A13 Bionic chip compared to other Android budget smartphones.
• The camera system also holds up quite well in 2023 (better than most Android mid-range phones)
• Software updates till 2025 (good for three more years)
• Great battery life

Tips for Buying Budget-Friendly Smartphones

For budget-friendly smartphones, companies tend to focus only on some key aspects of the phone to cut production costs. Thus, allowing them to offer a smartphone with some eye-catching specs at a lower price. So, it’s crucial to have a clear idea of your priorities before buying one. 

If you want a phone for gaming, go for the one with powerful processors and a good amount of RAM. Likewise, if you want a good camera phone, make sure the phone features good camera sensors and AI processing. 

To get a clear understanding of which phone suits your needs the better, do extensive research and go through trusted reviews before buying one. 

Top 5 Budget-Friendly Smartphones: Summary

Conclusion 

The best thing about today’s smartphone market is the variety of options it provides to consumers. For instance, from $1,000 flagships to a $100 entry-level phone, there’s one for everyone. So, if you want a decent phone without spending much, consider buying budget-friendly smartphones that cost under $500. 

In this segment, Pixel 6a, iPhone 11, and Galaxy A53 5G are some of the best options for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best smartphone value for money?

Currently, the Google Pixel 6A is the best value-for-money smartphone. 

Which smartphone is best in low budget?

Google Pixel 6A and Samsung Galaxy A53 are among the best smartphones on a low budget. 

Which is the No 1 phone in the world?

For me, Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max is the No.1 phone in the world, while Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra comes a close second. 

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