Most phone buyers would be rocking the latest and greatest model, were it not for budget constraints, lack of convincing new The features, or the fact that their daily drivers are moving around well enough to not warrant a replacement. Plus, new Android and iOS flagships get more expensive every year, with slight improvements in performance, at least on the surface. Factor in rapidly rising global inflation, and all the more reason to look to older models that can still offer a solid mix of features and performance without hurting your wallet.
You won’t find the latest SoC, camera technology, and a few other bells and whistles with our best value options, however, these phones are capable of handling almost everything you can throw at them. From social media apps to content consumption and connectivity, photography/videography and gaming, these phones lag behind in terms of battery life and charging speed, as phone makers are still focusing on these areas by installing more efficient chips. able to improve. And coaxing bigger batteries into newer devices.
You will also need to manage expectations when it comes to software support. While these phones won’t be obsolete for at least a few years, they will eventually be out of software and security updates due to being older hardware. Still, it’s a concern down the road with our great value selection, which offers enough performance and features for just under $500.
Best Glasses Dollar for Dollar
The Redmi Note 10 Pro was already a great value when it came out in 2021, and now it looks like an even sweeter deal for $238. In several key areas, this phone matches or beats other midrange and flagship devices that are priced significantly higher.
Redmi Note 10 Pro will impress you with its huge, vibrant and silky smooth 6.67″ 120Hz AMOLED display, 8-core Snapdragon 732G SoC with 6GB/128GB microSD expandable storage and 108MP quad-camera setup, which includes a capable macro lens. There is no 5G connectivity, but that may be a consideration for many.
Xiaomi has also put a chunky 5,020-mAh battery inside the dust and splash resistant body, and includes niceties like a 3.5mm jack and IR blaster, so you can use this Redmi as a universal remote.
Xiaomi’s slightly bloated MIUI 12 Android skin doesn’t shine like the hardware it runs on, but its iOS-inspired look is sprinkled with unique features like Super Wallpapers, an advanced battery saving mode, and intuitive gestures. As a mid-tier Android phone that still offers great value, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is worth a look.
Affordable 5G, OnePlus fans rejoice
The OnePlus Nord lineup has garnered more interest from the company’s core audience than its latest flagship offerings, simply because the mid-range series offers more value for money. Although the $385 Nord 2 5G can’t compete with the aforementioned Xiaomi in terms of sheer specs and price, it does sport 5G and packs a solid list of features inside an elegantly designed body that looks great. More appropriately sized.
The Nord 2’s 6.43-inch AMOLED display refreshes at 90Hz, which hits the sweet spot of performance and efficiency. Its 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC is a capable platform paired with 6GB/128GB of non-expandable storage. The triple-camera system on the back uses the same 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor in the primary lens as found on the OnePlus 9 Pro flagship, and a 32MP selfie camera in the punch-hole display for your social needs.
You also get a fancier, optical under-display fingerprint sensor, unlike the side-mounted units that are more common in this segment, including Xiaomi. Another side piece of the Nord 2 is its long-lasting 4,500-mAh battery with 65W charging support for fast, tasty refills.
Nord’s minor weaknesses include the lack of a headphone jack, and OxygenOS which is slowly becoming less common like Samsung and Oppo and OnePlus. However, this fading originality only bothers hardcore OnePlus fans, and won’t be a concern for most casual users, who will find Nord’s software more than enough. The phone will officially support up to Android 13 and is expected to receive security updates by mid-2024.
Solid, but the Pixel 6a is near
Google’s phone ambitions took a big, bold leap with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, leaving the Pixel 5a as the company’s last Pixel to sport a classy, understated Nexus. Although the aesthetics lack enthusiasm, the Pixel 5a 5G is attractive in almost every other area for $379.
You might want to keep that money to yourself, considering this phone’s successor, the Pixel 6a, will be available very soon, and for the same price. However, as is the current situation, the Pixel 5a 5G is the only affordable Google phone that comes with stock Android, 5G connectivity (sub-6GHz only), great camera performance, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
There’s also the matter of what minor (or major) annoyances can potentially come with the Pixel 6a. Given that the Pixel 6/6 Pro has suffered a number of issues since its release, mostly Google is credited with switching from Qualcomm’s SoC to its in-house Tensor chip, the Pixel 5a with its Snapdragon 765G. With 5G and 6GB/128GB of memory and storage, there’s a relatively small one. Safe buy that has received universally favorable reviews for strong battery life, fast performance, great value, and stellar cameras.
The Pixel 5a’s 6.45-inch OLED display is punchy and bright, though it refreshes at a slower 60Hz (like the upcoming 6a). However, it also packs a bigger battery than its successor, and is constructed entirely of metal unlike the 6a’s plastic rear for a more premium feel.
With at least 3 years of software and security support, the Pixel 5a 5G is guaranteed an official update until August 2024. Although not an industry leader, getting two more years of coverage for an affordable Pixel isn’t a bad deal, especially when the rest of the phone leaves little room for complaint.
Probably Samsung’s top mid-ranger
Samsung introduced the Fan Edition of its S-series flagships as a way to regain some of the loyalty and interest it’s lost from even the most fanatical audience of flagships. With the departure of the S model after that year’s iPhone, the more affordable FE version quickly became a better value phone. Case in point: the 2020 Galaxy S20 FE 5G is currently going on Amazon for $499 (or $424 for the non-5G version).
Samsung’s new Galaxy S21 FE or the mid-tier A53 5G may seem like the better buy at first, though they’re more expensive and make slightly unwanted changes to the S20 FE’s successful formula. The S21 FE, for example, omits microSD expansion, while the A53 has an Exynos 1280 chip known for its sluggish performance.
The Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE remains a powerful SoC, and the rest of the phone is sprinkled with flagship-grade components, including 120Hz FHD AMOLED, 6GB/128GB microSD expandable storage, a capable triple-camera system, IP68 dust/capable storage, and more. Water resistance, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and a chunky 4,500-mAh battery.
There’s also wireless and reverse wireless charging, a feature you’re unlikely to find on a phone in this price range. Combine this with Samsung’s feature-rich Android experience and decent software support, including 3 years of OS updates (up to Android 13 for the S20 FE), as well as 4 years of security patches, and you’ll end up with an attractive Android phone. which is safe until at least 2024.
Best Affordable iPhone
The iPhone 11 just isn’t a sensible upgrade for those still holding onto their aging (and now older) iPhone 6s and 7 series. It’s a relatively affordable point of entry for those who want to try out iOS on a larger display without 5G connectivity.
Despite running the older A13 Bionic chip, the $499 iPhone 11 is still better overall, and therefore more expensive than the $430 iPhone SE – 2022, which sacrificed a lot in terms of the older, low-res display and form. demands. -factors for its otherwise powerful interior.
Although the 6.1-inch LCD on the iPhone 11 can’t compete with the high-refresh rate OLED Android rivals, it’s still a good experience for an iPhone, where users generally care more about Apple’s ecosystem. , and less about the sheer pixel count and specs. , While you’re unlikely to get a performance hiccup with just 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage on the $499 base model will feel stingy once photos and videos are stored from the phone’s capable 12MP dual-camera.
Thankfully, Apple was a bit more generous in terms of battery capacity and packed a larger unit (even bigger than the iPhone 12) on this model, meaning you’ll charge it less often, either via 18W wired or Wireless charging via slow Qi. It is the only phone on this list that has the highest value in terms of software and security coverage. Apple’s typical six years of support means you can expect OS updates until 2025, making it the best-value iPhone under $500.
