Looking for the best phones under $500 in 2025? You’re in luck! Today’s mid-range smartphones offer flagship-level features at affordable prices. Whether you need powerful performance, high-quality cameras, or vibrant displays, there’s something here for every user. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy A36, Google Pixel 9a, Motorola Edge+, Xiaomi Poco F6, and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G deliver smooth performance, fast charging, and modern designs without breaking the bank. These devices are ideal for users who want great value and premium experiences at a budget-friendly price. Let’s explore what makes each of these phones stand out.
1. SAMSUNG Galaxy A36 $349
If you’re searching for one of the best phones under $500, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is a smart choice. It features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything look smooth and bright, even outdoors, thanks to its peak brightness of 1900 nits. The screen is also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, so it stays safe from scratches. With the latest Android 15 and up to 6 major upgrades, this phone stays updated and secure for years. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip gives you fast and lag-free performance, while up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage ensure smooth multitasking and plenty of space for apps and photos.
What makes it even better is its triple rear camera setup — a sharp 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro for detailed shots. The front 12MP camera supports 10-bit HDR and 4K video, perfect for selfies and vlogs. You also get stereo speakers for clear sound, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and an under-display fingerprint sensor for easy unlocking. The big 5000mAh battery lasts all day, and with 45W fast charging, you can power up quickly. Extra features like IP67 water resistance, Circle to Search, and an active use score of over 11 hours make it one of the most feature-packed phones in this price range.
Top Features of Samsung Galaxy A36
- 6.7″ Super AMOLED Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Peak Brightness of 1900 nits
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Processor (4nm)
- Up to 12GB RAM & 256GB Storage
- Triple Camera with 50MP Main + 4K Video Support
- 5000mAh Battery with 45W Fast Charging
- Android 15 with 6 Major Updates
- IP67 Water & Dust Resistance
2. Google Pixel 9a $495
The Google Pixel 9a is one of the best phones under $500 for users who want a fast and smooth experience. It comes with a 6.3-inch P-OLED display and a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything look sharp and fluid. With a peak brightness of 2700 nits, the screen stays clear even in sunlight. It runs on Android 15 and supports up to 7 major upgrades, which means your phone stays safe and updated for years. The Google Tensor G4 chip gives excellent performance, and 8GB RAM with up to 256GB storage offers speed and space for all your needs. Plus, it’s protected by Gorilla Glass 3, making it more durable.
The camera setup is perfect for photos and videos. It has a 48MP main camera with OIS and a 13MP ultrawide lens, both capable of 4K video recording at 60fps. The 13MP selfie camera also supports ultrawide shots for group selfies. With stereo speakers, sound is loud and clear. You also get Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, and a USB-C 3.2 port for fast connectivity. It has a 5100mAh battery with 23W fast charging and 7.5W wireless charging. The phone is IP68 water and dust resistant, includes the Circle to Search feature, and has an active use score of over 12 hours, making it a great choice for all-day use.
| You may also like to read: 5 Best Poco phones under $500 |
Top 8 Features of Google Pixel 9a
- 6.3″ P-OLED Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Peak Brightness of 2700 nits
- Google Tensor G4 (4nm) Processor
- Android 15 with 7 Years of Updates
- 48MP + 13MP Camera Setup with 4K Recording
- 5100mAh Battery with Wired & Wireless Charging
- IP68 Water & Dust Resistance
- 8GB RAM & up to 256GB UFS 3.1 Storage
3. Motorola Edge+ $399
The Motorola Edge+ stands out as one of the best phones under $500 for users who want strong performance and great camera quality. It has a big 6.7-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, giving you smooth and colorful visuals. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which keeps it safe from scratches. Powered by the Snapdragon 865 5G chipset and 12GB RAM, the phone runs fast and smoothly, whether you’re gaming or using many apps. With 256GB UFS 3.0 storage, there’s also plenty of space for photos, apps, and videos.
For camera lovers, it features a 108MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x zoom, and a 16MP ultrawide with a TOF depth sensor. You can even shoot in 6K video for ultra-clear footage. The 25MP front camera is great for selfies and video calls. Other features include stereo speakers with Snapdragon Sound, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and a USB-C 3.1 port. The 5000mAh battery supports 18W wired, 15W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging, keeping you powered all day. With water-repellent coating, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and a strong endurance rating of 100 hours, this phone is packed with features for everyday use.
Top 8 Features of Motorola Edge+
- 6.7″ OLED Display with 90Hz Refresh Rate
- Snapdragon 865 5G Chipset
- 108MP Main Camera with 6K Video
- 12GB RAM with 256GB UFS 3.0 Storage
- 5000mAh Battery with Wired, Wireless & Reverse Charging
- Stereo Speakers with Snapdragon Sound
- Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD
- Water-Repellent Coating + Gorilla Glass 5 Protection
Buy Motorola Edge+ for smooth performance & stunning Display.
4. Xiaomi Poco F6 $346
The Xiaomi Poco F6 is one of the best phones under $500 for users who want high performance and vibrant visuals. It features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, giving you smooth and colourful viewing. With a peak brightness of 2400 nits and Gorilla Glass Victus protection, the screen is both bright and durable. Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, the phone runs fast and handles heavy apps easily. You also get up to 12GB RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, making multitasking smooth and saving files quick.
The camera setup includes a 50MP main lens with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 20MP selfie camera, all supporting 4K video at 60fps. The stereo speakers offer clear sound with Hi-Res audio. It also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, an under-display fingerprint sensor, NFC, and an infrared port for added convenience. With a strong 5000mAh battery, 90W fast charging, and IP64 dust and water resistance, it lasts long and charges fast. Plus, it runs on Android 14 with HyperOS and promises three major updates, making the Xiaomi Poco F6 a smart and future-ready choice.
Top Features of Xiaomi Poco F6
- 6.67″ AMOLED Display with 120Hz & HDR10+
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Processor (4nm)
- Up to 12GB RAM & 512GB UFS 4.0 Storage
- 50MP Main Camera with 4K at 60fps
- 20MP Selfie Camera + 8MP Ultrawide
- 5000mAh Battery with 90W Fast Charging
- IP64 Dust & Water Resistance
- Hi-Res Stereo Speakers + NFC & Infrared Support
| You may also like to read: 7 Best Budget Phones |
5. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G $290
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is one of the best phones under $500 for users who want a powerful phone with a great display and fast performance. It has a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, offering smooth and bright visuals. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, making it tough and scratch-resistant. Powered by the Dimensity 7200 Ultra chip, the phone runs fast and smoothly, even with heavy apps. It comes with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage, giving you plenty of space and speed for multitasking.
For camera lovers, the 200MP main camera with OIS takes sharp and clear photos. The triple rear setup includes ultrawide and macro lenses for more detail. It also supports 4K video at 30fps. The 16MP front camera offers good selfies with HDR and panorama modes. You also get Hi-Res stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and an infrared port. The 5000mAh battery lasts all day and charges fully in just 19 minutes with 120W fast charging. With an under-display fingerprint sensor, IP68 water resistance, and support for 3 major Android upgrades, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is built for everyday convenience and lasting performance.
Top Features of Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
- 6.67″ AMOLED Display with 120Hz & Dolby Vision
- 200MP Main Camera with OIS + 4K Video
- Dimensity 7200 Ultra Chipset (4nm)
- Up to 16GB RAM & 512GB UFS 3.1 Storage
- 5000mAh Battery with 120W Fast Charging
- Stereo Speakers with Hi-Res Audio
- IP68 Dust & Water Resistance
- Android 13 (HyperOS) with 3 Major Updates
Order Redmi Note Pro+ Top Features, Low price
FAQs
What are the best phones under $500?
Some of the best phones under $500 are the Samsung Galaxy A36, the Google Pixel 9a, the Motorola Edge+, the Xiaomi Poco F6, and the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. These phones have good cameras, big batteries, and fast speeds. They are good for school, fun, and calls.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A36 good for daily use?
Samsung Galaxy A36 is great for daily use. It has a bright screen, fast performance, and a long-lasting battery. The camera takes clear photos, and the phone stays updated with new Android versions. It’s easy to use for calling, chatting, watching videos, and everyday tasks.
Is the Google Pixel 9a worth the price?
Google Pixel 9a is worth its price. It takes beautiful photos and 4K videos, runs fast and smooth, and gets 7 Android upgrades, keeping it updated for years. The big battery lasts all day, and it’s great for school, video calls, games, and fun.
Is the Motorola Edge+ still a good phone in 2025?
Yes, it is still a good phone. It has a very clear screen and a big battery. The camera takes sharp pictures. The phone works fast, too. It even has a headphone jack. It’s good for music, games, and YouTube.
Is Poco F6 good for gaming?
Yes, Poco F6 is great for gaming. It has a fast processor and a big RAM. Games run smoothly and fast. The screen is bright and clear. The battery lasts a long time. It also charges fast. It is fun to use for games.
Is the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G waterproof?
Yes, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has IP68 water resistance. It can handle small splashes and rain. But do not put it in deep water. It is strong and safe for most daily use. Always dry it if it gets wet.
Which phone has the best camera under $500?
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a 200MP camera, which is very strong. Pixel 9a also takes great photos. Both are good for pictures and videos. You can take selfies, family photos, and school projects easily. These phones make memories look nice.
Which phone charges the fastest?
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ charges super fast with 120W. It can charge fully in under 20 minutes. Poco F6 is also fast with 90W charging. You don’t need to wait long. Just plug in and go!
Which phone is best for battery life?
Many of these phones have strong batteries. Pixel 9a, Poco F6, and Samsung A36 all last long. You can use them for calling, games, or videos for many hours. They are good for all-day use without charging again and again.
Which phone has the best display?
Poco F6 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ have AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. This means the screen looks bright and smooth. Watching cartoons or playing games is more fun. The colors are very nice and the screen is easy on the eyes.
