Best Smartphones Under $500 – January 2025

Marco Lancaster

January 31, 2025

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone but don’t want to break the bank, but still have some funds to pay, you’re in luck! With so many great options available, it’s easy to find a device that offers premium features without exceeding your budget. Whether you’re looking for powerful performance, stunning displays, excellent cameras, or long-lasting battery life, there are plenty of smartphones under $500 that deliver incredible value.

To make your decision easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best smartphones under $500. These devices provide top-tier specifications and functionality, so you can enjoy a premium smartphone experience without the hefty price tag. Keep reading to discover the best budget-friendly smartphones that don’t compromise on quality!

Best Smartphones Under $500

POCO X7 Pro

The POCO X7 Pro arrived as one of the greatest offerings for the premium mid-range market. It has a powerful Dimensity 8400-Ultra chipset that can rival the level of performance seen on many flagships. The device also has a powerful battery can capable cameras to make it one of the best options under $500 you can grab.

The POCO X7 Pro features a 6.67-inch 1.5K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3200 nits peak brightness. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra chip, it offers up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The phone also packs a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP front camera. Its 6550mAh battery supports 90W fast charging, fully charging in 45 minutes. With 5G, Wi-Fi 6, IP66/IP68/IP69 waterproofing, and Xiaomi HyperOS 2, it’s a powerful, durable device.

Realme 14 Pro+ 5G

Next on our list of best smartphones under $500, we have Realme’s best offering in its numbered series. The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G arrived this month as one of the best smartphones under $500 you can get right now.

The Realme X7 Pro comes with a 6.83-inch 1.5K curved AMOLED display, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and 3840Hz PWM dimming for smooth visuals. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP periscope telephoto with 120x zoom, while the front features a 32MP camera. The 6000mAh battery supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. With 5G, IP66/IP68/IP69 water resistance, and Realme UI 6.0, it’s a solid performer for daily use.

OnePlus 12R

With the OnePlus 13R out, looking at its predecessor might not be the best option out there. However, for some users, this might be the best opportunity to pick the smartphone as its price is expected to go lower and lower in the coming months as it will probably leave the shelves. The OnePlus 12R still has great specifications for an intermediary smartphone and OnePlus will keep it updated for a long time.

The OnePlus 12R features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 4500 nits peak brightness and a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and offers up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor, while the 16MP front camera handles selfies. The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Dolby Atmos stereo speakers. The 5500mAh battery is capable of 100W SuperVOOC fast charging, and it runs Android 14 with OxygenOS 14.

Realme Neo7

The next device on our list is the excellent Realme Neo7. The new handset arrives as a new chapter for the Neo series that leaves the “GT” behind. It’s a great offering with flagship-like performance and some features that hardware enthusiasts will love.

The Realme Neo 7 is a powerful mid-range phone designed with high-end features. It offers a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.

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The rear camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens, capturing sharp and wide-angle shots. The 16MP front camera is great for selfies and video calls.

It features a 7000mAh battery with 80W wired charging, ensuring you can charge the device rapidly. The phone is also IP68/IP69 rated, offering water and dust resistance. Other notable features include stereo speakers, 5G support, and NFC. It runs on Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0, making it an efficient and user-friendly device.

Honor 300

The next device to be among the best smartphones under $500 is the Honor 300. We don’t know exactly when Honor will bring this smartphone to global markets. However, the MWC 2025 could be a good opportunity. It’s packed with good cameras and great hardware and for less than $400 (in China) it’s a great option.

The Honor 300, launched in December 2024, is a premium smartphone that combines high-end performance with a sleek design. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. Under the hood, it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, supported by 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of RAM, and offers storage options of 256GB or 512GB. The device is equipped with a 5,300mAh battery, supporting 100W wired fast charging and 5W reverse wired charging, providing ample power for extended use. For photography, it boasts a 50MP main rear camera and a 50MP front-facing camera, delivering high-quality images. The Honor 300 runs on Android 15 with MagicOS 9, offering a user-friendly interface. Its IP65 rating ensures dust and water resistance, adding durability to its design.

Conclusion

And these are the best smartphones under $500 you can grab in January 2025. If you’re looking for alternatives, check the best smartphones under $300 and $150 list we’ve compiled for the different money quotas.

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