If you read certain tech sites, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only smartphones worth owning are top-of-the-range flagship models (it’s all they ever talk about.) In reality, very few people need a smartphone that costs $1200 – or even half that price.
For well under $500, it’s possible to snap up a great handset with all the essential features – including fast performance, an excellent camera and decent battery life. Here are five of the best.
Good cheap smartphones are more common than you might think. This is especially true if you’re willing to forgo those “next big thing” features that usually turn out to be gimmicks.
The phones on this list all cost under $500. In addition to leaving more money in your pocket, the lower price also means you can probably afford to buy outright – instead of saddling yourself to a mobile phone contract. Win win!
HTC One X9: $299-$499
The HTC One X9 looks indistinguishable from a top-tier smartphone. It boasts an all-metal body in silver, gold or dark grey and a generous 5.5-inch display with a native resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. It’s powered by an an octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM running Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Other noteworthy specifications include dual stereo speakers, a 13-megapixel camera with RAW image capture, optical image stabilisation, 4K video recording, 32GB of onboard storage, a memory card slot, inbuilt NFC and a 3000 mAh battery.
You can currently buy the HTC One X9 outright from JB Hi-Fi for $499. However, we’ve seen it online for under $300 (plus shipping). You can also purchase it on a $40 plan from Vodafone for $2 per month.
Oppo F1: $250-$300
The Oppo F1 is billed as a dedicated “selfie camera”. Its main claim to fame is an 8-megapixel front-facing camera boasting a wide f/2.0 aperture and 1/4-inch sensor. (There’s also a 13-megapixel camera on the back.) It also boasts a patented “Screen Flash” feature which improves pictures in low-light situations. You can appraise its selfie-taking capabilities for yourself here.
Even if you discount the fancy front camera, this is still a high-quality Android for the asking price. Chief specs include a five-inch screen with a native resolution of 1280×720 pixels, HDR support, a Qualcomm Snapdragon Octa-core 64-bit processor and 3GB of RAM, a Micro SD card slot and a 2500 mAh battery. It’s finished in metal alloy that is softer to the touch than most smartphones.
Originally retailing for $350, the Oppo F1 can now be snapped up for around $250 online. If you prefer to buy in-store, JB Hi-Fi is currently selling it for $318. You can also get the Oppo F1 for free on a pre-paid $35 plan from Woolworths.
Huawei Ascend Mate 7: $280-$499
Like the other smartphones on this list, the Huawei looks every bit the flagship smartphone despite the attractive price tag. It comes with a massive six-inch screen with a native resolution of 1920×1080 pixels.
Despite the screen size, the phone can still fit inside your pocket thanks to its high screen-to-body ratio and near-invisible bezel. Noteworthy specifications include an eight-core Kirin 925 SoC chipset, 3GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor, a 13-megapixel camera, 4K video recording, 32GB of onboard storage and dual microSIM slots. It also has an eye-catching “champagne gold” finish that belies its mid-range price tag.
You can pick one up brand new on eBay for around $280 (plus shipping).
Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime: $340-$400
The Samsung Galaxy range is best known for producing expensive rivals to the Apple iPhone (that, and blowing up.) However, the brand is also active in the lower end of the market where it sells a selection of Galaxy phones for every taste and budget. One of the better offerings is the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime which provides a bunch of shiny shiny features for under $400.
Product highlights include a brushed metal unibody design, a 5.5-inch 1080p display with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass, a 1.6GHz Octa-Core processor, a fingerprint sensor, a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, dual SIM support and a generous 3300mAh battery with a “reserve” function for calls and messages. The J7 was never officially sold in Australia but you can buy it from Dick Smith’s online store for $339.
iPhone 6 (Refurbished): $400-$500
Apple doesn’t care about customers in the mid-range market. It makes exxy phones for sexy people who care more about style than anything else. Nevertheless, if you’re desperate to get your hands on an iOS handset for under $500, an iPhone 6 is a pretty good option.
Apple no longer sells the iPhone 6, but you can purchase refusbished models for around $400, plus shipping. Despite being over three years old, it remains an impressive all-rounder. When it comes to performance, it can still hold its own against the other smartphones on this list courtesy of an A8 chip with 64-bit architecture and M8 motion coprocessor.
It comes with a Retina HD display, a decent 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, Apple Pay functionality and the usual iOS features such as FaceTime, Touch ID and Siri. More importantly, it looks and feels exactly like an iPhone. (If you’re willing to pay a bit extra, you might also want to consider the iPhone SE.)
Comments
10 responses to “The Best Smartphones Under $500”
I was in the market for a good smartphone around $500 and never found anything which was good ánd smaller than 5inch. Seriously, bigger doesn’t mean better. I loved my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact, smart machine with magnetic fast charging, water proof, designated camera button and long battery life.
I have a 5 inch now and it is too big.
Sony do a Z5 Compact which is quite nice.
Not sure of the sizes (screen etc.) but from what I understand it’s comparable to the size the Z3 was.
Something for you to check out at any rate.
“I have a 5 inch now and it is too big.”
That would sound so funny if it was taken out of context.
I guess you’ll be looking forward to the Nokia 3.
“I have a 5 inch now and it is too big.”
Said no one ever.
no Kogan or ZTE phones?
Just bought an oppo F1, now on a sim only plan as the phone is affordable and a fantastic smooth phone. By the way Samsung had 1 phone that had battery problems it was called the note 7, your assumption is all Samsung phones are known for blowing up by your review, typical Sensational journalism. At least it didnt kill anyone unlike another top brand, a quick google will reveal that killer phone.
I picked up a Samsung Galaxy A7 last week and within days the glass back had fractured. I don’t recall dropping it or any impact, just flipped it over and noticed it was broken. What sort of twit decided that a glass back was a good idea?In all other respects it’s fine, but if OnePLus was readily available in Aus I’d have picked up one of those instead.
No Xiaomi or ZTE entries? They blow everything above out of the water.
Even the lack of the Moto G4 is quite the omission…
I wait for my son to break his latest iPhone, then repair it for a pittance.
I never met an Android that ever liked. Bought 2 and it has to b a nit’s view of good design. Happily for the Android market, that is a substantial part of the market. Not me though, twice bitten…
What about Motorola?
Motorola Moto G4 Plus? $389
The Nexus 5x doesn’t get a look in?