Best phones under $500
Price hikes pushed the Pixel 10a and iPhone 17e to $599 and $699, so the under-$500 field now belongs to Nothing, Samsung’s A-series and Motorola.
Disclosure: PickedTech is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which products we recommend or how we rank them. How we make money.
How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Price hikes pushed the Pixel 10a and iPhone 17e to $599 and $699, so the under-$500 field now belongs to Nothing, Samsung’s A-series and Motorola. Best overall under $500: Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, $499. Best Samsung: Samsung Galaxy A37 5G, $415. Best battery for the money: Motorola Moto G Power (2026), $299.99. Best under $300: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, $245.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall under $500 | Nothing Phone (4a) Pro | the most phone for $499 | $499 (128GB); 256GB costs more |
| Best Samsung | Samsung Galaxy A37 5G | long support and water resistance | About $415–$450 |
| Best battery for the money | Motorola Moto G Power (2026) | battery life on a budget | $299.99 |
| Best under $300 | Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | spending as little as possible | About $245–$270 |
| Best on sale | Google Pixel 10a | when it’s on sale | $599 list; watch for sales |
Google raised the Pixel 10a to $599 on Oct 2, 2026, and Apple raised the iPhone 17e to $699, so neither is a list-price pick here. For under $300, see best Android phones under $300.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Phone | Price | Highlights | Software support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (4a) Pro | $499 (128GB); 256GB costs more | 144Hz display, 3.5x periscope, metal design | Three Android upgrades (per reviews) | The most phone for $499 |
| Samsung Galaxy A37 5G | About $415–$450 | 6.7-inch AMOLED, IP68, 5,000mAh | Six OS + six years security | Long support and water resistance |
| Moto G Power (2026) | $299.99 | Battery-first design | Shorter than Samsung | Battery life on a budget |
| Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | About $245–$270 | AMOLED, OIS, microSD | Six years | Spending as little as possible |
| Google Pixel 10a | $599 list; under $500 only on sale | IP68, 120Hz, wireless charging | Seven years | When it’s on sale |
The picks in detail
1. Nothing Phone (4a) Pro
Best for: the most phone for $499Nothing’s Phone (4a) Pro is $499 for 128GB. Android Authority[1][5] called it “great value for under $500” and Engadget[2] said it rivals the Pixel 10a, praising the metal design, large 144Hz display, battery life and 3.5x periscope camera. Reviewers flagged inconsistent ultrawide and zoom shots, no wireless charging, IP65 rather than IP68, limited US carrier support and fewer Android upgrades than Samsung or Google. Check your carrier before buying.
Price (Oct 2026): $499 (128GB); 256GB costs more Source
Pros
- 144Hz display
- 3.5x periscope telephoto
- Distinctive metal design
- Fast wired charging
Cons
- No wireless charging
- IP65 only
- Limited US carrier support
- Shorter update promise
2. Samsung Galaxy A37 5G
Best for: long support and water resistanceThe Galaxy A37 5G sits around $414.99 at Best Buy and $440–$450 on Amazon. It has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, IP68, a 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging and six years of OS and security updates. There’s no telephoto.
Price (Oct 2026): About $415–$450 Source
Pros
- Six years of updates
- IP68
- Big battery
Cons
- No telephoto
- Exynos 1480 is mid-range
3. Motorola Moto G Power (2026)
Best for: battery life on a budgetThe Moto G Power (2026) is $299.99 MSRP and built around a large battery and a 120Hz-class display, per Android Authority[1][5]. Motorola’s update window is shorter than Samsung’s.
Price (Oct 2026): $299.99 Source
Pros
- Long battery life
- Low price
Cons
- Shorter software support
- Camera varies in low light
4. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Best for: spending as little as possibleThe Galaxy A17 5G has been about $245–$270. It has an AMOLED screen, OIS on the main camera, microSD and six years of updates. Fine as a starter or backup phone; not for heavy multitasking.
Price (Oct 2026): About $245–$270 Source
Pros
- Six years of updates
- microSD slot
Cons
- 4GB RAM
- IP54 only
5. Google Pixel 10a
Best for: when it’s on saleThe Pixel 10a is now $599 list for 128GB after Google’s Oct 2 increase, so it’s only an under-$500 pick during sales. When discounted, it’s the safest long-term choice: IP68, 120Hz, wireless charging and seven years of updates. Compare it in Galaxy A57 vs Pixel 10a.
Price (Oct 2026): $599 list; watch for sales Source
Pros
- Seven years of updates
- IP68 and wireless charging
Cons
- Over $500 at list price
Also considered
Moto Edge (2026): often $500–$600; shorter support. Galaxy S26 FE: $599.99 on sale. Both are covered in best budget phones.
Why prices changed in 2026
Google raised the Pixel 10a by $100 on Oct 2, 2026 (9to5Google[4]), and Apple raised the iPhone 17e by $100 on Sept 9 (MacRumors). Samsung also raised A-series prices in October. See Pixel 10a vs iPhone 17e.
Software support matters more than specs
A phone with six or seven years of updates will stay secure far longer than one with three. If you keep phones for years, weigh Samsung and Google over a slightly better spec sheet.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best phone under $500 right now?
Is the Pixel 10a still under $500?
Does the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro work on my carrier?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Android Authority: Nothing Phone 4a Pro review (androidauthority.com)
- Engadget: Nothing Phone 4a Pro review (engadget.com)
- Nothing: Phone (4a) Pro (us.nothing.tech)
- 9to5Google: Pixel 10a price hike (9to5google.com)
- Android Authority: Moto G Power 2026 (androidauthority.com)
- Samsung US smartphones (samsung.com)
Related
Best Android Phones of 2026
The Pixel 11 is the best Android phone for most people, and it’s often $150 off at Best Buy. Get the S26 Ultra for the biggest screen and S Pen, or the Pixel 10a to save money.
best ofBest Phones of 2026
The iPhone 17 and Pixel 11 both start at $899 and are the best flagship values. Spend more for zoom, or less with the $599 Pixel 10a.
comparisonGalaxy S26 FE vs Galaxy A57
Buy the Galaxy S26 FE while it is $599.99: it adds a 3x telephoto, 15W wireless charging and a faster Exynos 2500 for the same money as the A57's list price. Buy the A57 only if you find it well below that.
comparisonSamsung Galaxy S26 FE vs Google Pixel 10
Same list price at 256GB, very different phones: a big 6.7-inch screen and 45W charging versus a 5x zoom and Qi2 magnets.
comparisonNothing Phone (4a) Pro vs Google Pixel 10a
A $499 phone with a 3.5x periscope versus Google’s now-$599 A-series with seven years of updates.
best ofThe Best Budget Phones in 2026
Samsung raised A-series prices in October and Google lifted the Pixel 10a by $100 — “budget” now means roughly $250–$600.
best ofThe Best Android Phones Under $300
Under $300 you are choosing battery life and update promises over flagship cameras — Samsung’s A17 and Motorola’s G Power lead.
comparisonSamsung Galaxy A57 vs Google Pixel 10a
The Pixel 10a is cheaper, gets seven years of updates and Google’s camera processing. The Galaxy A57 has a bigger screen, faster 45W charging and a macro lens.
comparisonPixel 10a vs iPhone 17e
Pixel 10a wins on screen, battery and cameras; iPhone 17e wins on speed, storage and MagSafe.