List Of Best Budget Phones Under $300-$500 In 2024
Are you in the market for a new phone in 2024, but have a tight budget? Don’t worry, we have you covered.
If you are looking for a new phone in 2024, but don’t want to spend a fortune, you have plenty of options to choose from. The best budget phones offer great features and performance without breaking the bank. Whether you need a phone with 5G connectivity, a long-lasting battery, a stylus, or a good camera, you can find a phone that suits your needs and budget. In this article, we will review some of the best budget phones under $300-$500 in 2024, based on our research and testing.
Table of Contents
Best Budget Phones Under $300
The first category we will look at is the best phones under $300. These are the most affordable phones on our list, but they still offer some impressive features and capabilities. Here are two of the best phones under $300 that you can buy in 2024:
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is a mid-range smartphone that offers impressive features and performance. It has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits of brightness, making it ideal for viewing content in any lighting condition. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, which supports 5G connectivity and delivers smooth multitasking and gaming. The phone also has a triple rear camera setup, consisting of a 48MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The front-facing camera is a 13MP shooter that can record 4K videos. The Galaxy A34 5G has a 5000 mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging, and runs on Android 13 with One UI 6. The phone is also IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, and has Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front. The Galaxy A34 5G comes in four colors: Lime, Graphite, Violet, and Silver, and has three storage options: 128GB with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and 256GB with 8GB of RAM.
Pros
- Smooth 120Hz display: Enjoy a buttery smooth experience with the A34’s 120Hz refresh rate display.
- Long-lasting battery: The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day on a single charge.
- Excellent cameras: Capture stunning photos and videos with the 48MP main sensor, ultrawide lens, and 5MP macro camera.
- Durable design: The IP67 water and dust resistance ensures your phone can withstand the elements.
- Software updates: Get four major Android updates and five years of security patches for long-term support.
Cons
- No charger included: You’ll need to purchase a charger separately.
- Old Design: A water drop notch design still exists.
Moto G Power 5G
The Moto G power 5G 2023 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers excellent battery life, solid performance, and 5G connectivity. It features a 6.5-inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 930 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. The Moto G power 5G also has a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 16MP selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 13 and has a water-repellent design, stereo speakers, and a fingerprint reader. The Moto G power 5G is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable 5G smartphone.
Pros
- Massive battery: The 5000mAh battery boasts an incredible three days of battery life on a single charge.
- Clean software: Enjoy a bloatware-free Android experience with Moto’s near-stock interface.
- Large & Smooth Display: The 6.5-inch 120Hz display is great for scrolling, watching videos and playing games.
- Affordable price: The Moto G Power 5G is one of the most affordable 5G phones on the market.
Cons
- Average camera: The camera system is decent for everyday use. Camera app UI needs to be improved.
- Plastic build quality: The phone feels less premium than some competitors with glass or metal bodies.
Also Read: OnePlus 12 Buy Or Not
Best Budget Phones Under $400
The next category we will look at is the best phones under $400. These are slightly more expensive than the previous category, but they also offer some more features and improvements. Here are two of the best phones under $400 that you can buy in 2024:
Moto G Stylus 5G
The Moto G Stylus 5G is a mid-range Android smartphone that offers a stylus and 5G connectivity at an affordable price. It features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The phone has a quad-camera setup on the back, with a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera is a 16MP shooter. The phone also comes with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 20W fast charging, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a water-repellent design. The phone runs on Android 13 and is expected to receive one major OS upgrade and two years of security updates.
The Moto G Stylus 5G competes with other mid-range devices such as the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G, and the Google Pixel 7a. The phone has received positive reviews for its performance, display, battery life, and stylus functionality, but has been criticized for its mediocre cameras, slow charger, and limited OS upgrades. The Moto G Stylus 5G is a good option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly phone with a pen-like stylus and 5G support.
Pros
- Built-in stylus: Unleash your creativity with the built-in stylus for taking notes, sketching, and more.
- Smooth display: The 6.6-inch 120Hz display offers a smooth experience for everyday use.
- Clean software: Enjoy a bloatware-free Android experience with Moto’s near-stock interface.
- Long-lasting battery: The 5000mAh battery provides all-day battery life.
Cons
Average Camera: Moto Camera UI still needs to be improved.
Google Pixel 6
The Google Pixel 6 is one of the most anticipated Android smartphones of 2021. It is the first phone to feature Google’s own custom-made processor, the Tensor, which promises to deliver faster and more secure performance, especially for AI-powered tasks. The Pixel 6 also boasts a striking two-tone design, a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The phone runs on Android 12, the latest version of Google’s operating system, which introduces a new Material You design language, improved privacy features, and more customization options. The Pixel 6 also offers a 4,614mAh battery that supports wired and wireless charging, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a water-resistant body. The Pixel 6 is a great choice for anyone looking for a premium Android phone with a distinctive style and a powerful processor.
Pros
- Flagship-grade cameras: Capture amazing photos and videos with the Pixel 6’s powerful camera system.
- Clean software: Enjoy the latest Android updates and features with Google’s Pixel-exclusive software experience.
- Unique design: The Pixel 6 stands out with its bold and colorful design.
- Tensor chip: Google’s custom Tensor chip offers fast and efficient performance
Cons
- No expandable storage: The lack of a microSD card slot limits your storage options.
- Average battery life: The battery life is decent but not as impressive as some other options on this list.
- Price: The Pixel 6 is slightly more expensive than some other mid-range phones.
Also Read: Best Cheap 5G Phones (Unlocked)
Best Budget Phones Under $500
The last category we will look at is the best phones under $500. These are the most expensive phones on our list, but they also offer the most features and the best performance. Here are two of the best phones under $500 that you can buy in 2024:
OnePlus Nord 3 5G
The OnePlus Nord 3 2023 is a mid-range smartphone that offers flagship-level features at an affordable price. The phone features a 6.74-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a resolution of 1240 x 2772 pixels. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, which is a 4nm octa-core processor with a peak frequency of 3.05GHz. The phone comes with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, but does not have a microSD card slot. The OnePlus Nord 3 has a triple rear camera setup, consisting of a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The front-facing camera is a 16MP shooter with HDR and EIS. The phone also supports 48dB active noise cancellation, IP54 dust and splash resistance, NFC, infrared port, and dual-SIM functionality. The battery capacity is 5000mAh, and it supports 80W fast charging that can fully charge the phone in 32 minutes. The phone runs on Android 13 with OxygenOS 13.1 UI. The OnePlus Nord 3 is a great option for anyone looking for a budget phone from OnePlus.
Pros
- Fast charging: The 80W fast charging technology allows you to quickly charge your phone to full power.
- Smooth performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset provides smooth and responsive performance.
- OxygenOS: Enjoy a clean and customizable Android experience with OnePlus’ OxygenOS.
Cons
- Camera: Lacks telephoto lens and low-light prowess compared to Pixel 7a or Galaxy A34.
- Build Quality: Plastic build feels less premium than glass/metal bodies on competitors.
- Heating Issues: Some users report overheating issues under heavy load.
Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a is a mid-range smartphone that offers many of the features and performance of the flagship Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, but at a more affordable price. The Pixel 7a has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Tensor G2 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also supports wireless charging and has a 4,385 mAh battery that can last up to 10 hours on a single charge. The Pixel 7a has a 64MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide camera on the back, and a 13MP selfie camera on the front. The cameras are powered by Google’s AI and computational photography features, such as Night Sight, Portrait Mode, and Cinematic Pan. The Pixel 7a also comes with three months of YouTube Premium and Google One, giving users access to ad-free videos, cloud storage, and other benefits.
Pros
- Flagship-grade cameras: Capture amazing photos and videos with the Pixel 6’s powerful camera system.
- Clean software: Enjoy the latest Android updates and features with Google’s Pixel-exclusive software experience.
- Unique design: The Pixel 6 stands out with its bold and colorful design.
- Tensor chip: Google’s custom Tensor chip offers fast and efficient performance.
Cons
- No expandable storage: The lack of a microSD card slot limits your storage options.
- Average battery life: The battery life is decent but not as impressive as some other options on this list.
- Price: The Pixel 6 is slightly more expensive than some other mid-range phones.
Also Read: Nothing Phone 2 Vs Google Pixel 7A Vs OnePlus 11R: Winner?
Best Budget Phones: Specifications Comparison
Features | Samsung Galaxy A34 5G | Moto G Power 5G | Moto G Stylus 5G | Google Pixel 6 | OnePlus Nord 3 5G | Google Pixel 7a |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | 6.6″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2340 pixels | 6.5″ IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels | 6.6″ IPS LCD, 1080 x 2400 pixels | 6.4″ AMOLED, 90Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels | 6.74″ Amoled, 120Hz, 1080 x 2992 pixels | 6.1″ OLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels |
Processor | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 | Mediatek Dimensity 930 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Google Tensor | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 | Google Tensor G2 |
Camera | 48 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP rear, 13 MP front | 50 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP rear, 16 MP front | 50 MP + 8 MP, 16 MP front | 50 MP + 12 MP rear, 8 MP front | 50 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP rear, 10.5 MP front | 64 MP rear, 8 MP front |
RAM | 6/8 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB | 8/16 GB | 8 GB |
Storage | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | 256 GB | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | 128 GB |
Battery And Charging | 5000 mAh, 25W | 5000 mAh, 15W | 5000 mAh, 20W | 4614 mAh, 30W wired, 21W wireless | 5000 mAh, 80W wired | 4385 mAh, 18W wired, 12W wireless |
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many great budget phones under $300-$500 that you can buy in 2024. Depending on your preferences and needs, you can choose a phone that offers 5G connectivity, a large and smooth screen, a long-lasting battery, a good camera, a fast performance, or a combination of these features. No matter which phone you choose, you will get a lot of value for your money. We hope this article helped you find the best budget phone for you.
What are the best budget phones under $300 in 2024?
The best budget phones under $300 in 2024 are the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G and the Moto G Power 5G. Both phones offer 5G connectivity, large batteries, and decent performance for their price range.
What are the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G over the Moto G Power 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G has a larger and sharper display, a feature rich camera system, and a faster charging speed than the Moto G Power 5G. However, the Moto G Power 5G has a longer battery life and a lower price tag.
What are the best budget phones under $400 in 2024?
Some of the best budget phones under $400 in 2024 are the Moto G Stylus 5G and the Google Pixel 6. The Moto G Stylus 5G features a stylus pen, a 256GB storage, and a 48MP main camera. The Google Pixel 6 offers a smooth 90Hz display, a powerful Tensor processor, and a 64MP main camera.
What are the differences between the Google Pixel 6 and the Google Pixel 7a?
The Google Pixel 7a is a slightly upgraded version of the Google Pixel 6, with a larger battery, a wireless charging feature, and a 13MP ultrawide camera. However, the Google Pixel 6 is cheaper and has a slightly smaller and lighter design.
What are the best budget phones under $500 in 2024?
The best budget phones under $500 in 2024 are the OnePlus Nord 3 and the Google Pixel 7a. The OnePlus Nord 3 boasts a 120Hz display, a 50MP main camera, and a 80W fast charging. The Google Pixel 7a has a Tensor G2 processor, a 90Hz display, and a wireless charging feature.
Which phone has the best camera among the budget phones under $500 in 2024?
The best camera among the budget phones under $500 in 2024 is a matter of personal preference, as different phones have different strengths and weaknesses in their camera performance. However, some reviewers have praised the Google Pixel 7a for its excellent low-light photography, the OnePlus Nord 3 for its high-resolution and detailed shots, and the Moto G Stylus 5G for its stylus-enhanced editing and creativity.