Best Phone Under $500: 3 Picks After the 2026 Price Hikes

SAMA SAMA
The best phone under $500 in the US right now is the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro at $499. Of the phones that still cost $500 or less after this fall's price increases, it has the most versatile camera and the highest refresh-rate screen. If you'd rather not check carrier band support, or you want a phone that gets updates for six years, the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G at $489.99 is the safer buy. The Moto G Stylus (2026) is the pick if you want a pen, a microSD slot and a headphone jack.
Best Phone Under $500: 3 Picks After the 2026 Price Hikes

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Quick picks

PhoneBest forKey spec for this needPrice (region, date)
Nothing Phone (4a) ProBest overall under $5003.5x periscope telephoto camera$499 (US, Nov 3, 2026)
Samsung Galaxy A37 5GLong software support6 OS upgrades, 6 years security$489.99 (US list, Oct 2026)
Moto G Stylus (2026)Note-taking and extra storageActive stylus, microSD up to 1TB$499.99 (US MSRP, 2026)

How we chose

The $500 bracket changed a lot this autumn. On October 2, 2026, Google raised the Pixel 10a from $499 to $599 for the 128GB model, as 9to5Google reported, which takes the most obvious recommendation out of this budget. Samsung raised its Galaxy A prices in the US around the same time. Notebookcheck reported the Galaxy A57 at $599.99 and the Galaxy A37 at $489.99 after the change.

We only included phones that are sold officially in the US with a regular price at or under $500 for the base model. Temporary sales didn't count, because they end. Then we compared what matters most at this price: how long the phone will get updates, battery life in independent tests, camera quality, and anything that could stop it working well for you, such as carrier band support.

We haven't tested these phones ourselves. Specifications come from the manufacturers where their pages list them, and real-world findings come from the published reviews named in each section. Prices are US list prices as of early November 2026 and can change at any time, especially in the run-up to Black Friday on November 27.

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro: best overall under $500

The Phone (4a) Pro costs $499 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage on Nothing's US store. It's the only phone here with a periscope telephoto lens, a 50MP camera with 3.5x optical zoom, and that makes a real difference for portraits and shots of things you can't walk up to. Engadget said the still photos from the main and telephoto cameras put it above every other phone at this price, though it found video recording disappointing.

Battery life is a strength. The phone lasted 24 hours in Engadget's battery rundown test, five hours longer than last year's model. It also charges at up to 50W with a wired charger, faster than the other two picks here, but it has no wireless charging.

Performance comes from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. Tom's Guide measured 1,315 single-core and 4,160 multi-core in Geekbench, well ahead of the Moto G Stylus, though it called performance weak next to the Pixel 10a.

Check your carrier before you buy. Android Authority found significant band limitations on the US model: T-Mobile users should be fine, but people on other major networks or MVNOs should confirm compatibility first. Android Authority and Engadget both report three years of Android updates and six years of security patches, shorter than Samsung's promise.

{specs}

SpecNothing Phone (4a) Pro
ChipsetSnapdragon 7 Gen 4
RAM / storage8GB / 128GB ($499), 12GB / 256GB
Display6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED, 144Hz
Rear cameras50MP main, 50MP 3.5x periscope, 8MP ultrawide
Battery5,080mAh
Charging50W wired, no wireless
Water and dustIP65 (jets, not immersion)
Updates3 Android versions, 6 years security (reported)

{pros}

  • Periscope telephoto lens is rare at this price
  • 24-hour result in Engadget's battery rundown test
  • Faster than the Moto G Stylus in Tom's Guide's Geekbench runs
  • 50W wired charging

{cons}

  • Limited band support on some US carriers
  • IP65 only, so it isn't rated for submersion
  • No wireless charging
  • Video recording trails its still photos

Samsung Galaxy A37 5G: best for long-term support

The Galaxy A37 is the phone to buy if you plan to keep it for years. Samsung promises six OS upgrades and six years of security updates, twice the Android upgrades of the Nothing phone and three times those of the Moto G Stylus. Samsung sells it unlocked in the US as a US-specific model (SM-A376U), and reviewers didn't raise the band warnings attached to the Nothing.

The $489.99 price buys the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage model, with no microSD slot to add more later. That's the main compromise. Its battery results are the best here. In Engadget's local video rundown test it lasted 29 hours and 10 minutes, an hour longer than the Pixel 10a. Tech Advisor recorded 13 hours and 36 minutes in the PCMark Work 3.0 battery test.

The Exynos 1480 is the weak spot. Tech Advisor noticed lag when switching between apps and said performance isn't the best for the price, while Engadget found it snappy for scrolling, casual games and light AI apps. GSMArena called it predictable and a bit boring, which is fair: you're paying for durability and support, with no standout feature. Expect 45W wired charging, no charger in the box, no wireless charging and no headphone jack.

If you're tempted to stretch to the Galaxy A57 or Pixel 10a, our Galaxy A57 vs Pixel 10a camera comparison covers what the extra money gets you.

{specs}

SpecSamsung Galaxy A37 5G
ChipsetExynos 1480
RAM / storage6GB / 128GB ($489.99), 8GB / 256GB
Display6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz
Rear cameras50MP main with OIS, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro
Battery5,000mAh (typical)
Charging45W wired, no wireless
Water and dustIP68
Updates6 OS upgrades, 6 years security

{pros}

  • Six years of OS and security updates from Samsung
  • Longest result here in Engadget's video rundown test
  • IP68 water and dust resistance
  • US-specific model sold unlocked by Samsung

{cons}

  • Only 6GB of RAM on the $489.99 model
  • No microSD slot or headphone jack
  • App switching can lag, per Tech Advisor
  • No charger in the box

Moto G Stylus (2026): best for note-taking and storage

The Moto G Stylus is the most practical choice for people who write, sketch or mark up documents. This year Motorola moved to an active stylus with pressure and tilt detection, and Tom's Guide said it now feels much like the S Pen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It has 15W wireless charging (neither of the other picks has wireless charging), a microSD slot that takes cards up to 1TB, and IP68 and IP69 ratings, all listed on Motorola's product page. Android Authority confirms it keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The trade-offs are software and speed. Android Authority reports only two major Android updates (up to Android 18) and three years of security patches ending in spring 2029, and Android Central lists the same policy. Motorola's page doesn't state an update commitment. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is the same chip as last year's model, and Tom's Guide noted choppier gaming and weak low-light photos.

Battery life is fine without being exceptional. Tom's Guide recorded 12 hours and 36 minutes in its battery test in the default refresh mode, behind the Pixel 10a's 15 hours and 16 minutes. Its 68W wired charging made up for some of that, reaching 76% in 30 minutes in the same review.

{specs}

SpecMoto G Stylus (2026)
ChipsetSnapdragon 6 Gen 3
RAM / storage8GB / 128GB or 256GB
Display6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz
Battery5,200mAh (typical)
Charging68W wired, 15W wireless
Water and dustIP68 and IP69
Expansion and audiomicroSD up to 1TB, 3.5mm jack
Updates2 Android versions, 3 years security (reported)

{pros}

  • Active stylus with pressure and tilt detection
  • Wireless charging, microSD and a headphone jack
  • IP68 and IP69 ratings
  • Very fast 68W wired charging

{cons}

  • Shortest software support of the three
  • Same chip as the 2025 model
  • Weaker low-light camera performance
  • Shorter battery result than the Pixel 10a in Tom's Guide's test

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro if you're on T-Mobile (or have confirmed your carrier supports it) and want the telephoto camera and 144Hz screen for $499.

Buy the Galaxy A37 5G if you'd rather skip the carrier compatibility check, want the longest update promise, or are buying a gift for someone who'll keep the phone for four years or more.

Buy the Moto G Stylus (2026) if you take handwritten notes, need cheap extra storage through microSD, or still use wired headphones.

If $500 is more than you want to spend, our guide to the best phone for a teenager under $300 covers cheaper options.

FAQ

Is the Pixel 10a still under $500?

No. Google raised the Pixel 10a's US price to $599 for 128GB and $699 for 256GB on October 2, 2026, according to 9to5Google. Its regular price is now above this budget.

Which of these phones has a headphone jack?

The Moto G Stylus (2026) has a 3.5mm jack, according to Android Authority. GSMArena confirms the Galaxy A37 doesn't have one.

Will the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro work on Verizon?

Not necessarily. Android Authority says T-Mobile users should be fine but flags limited band support on other networks, so check Nothing's compatibility information and ask your carrier before you buy.

Should I wait for Black Friday?

Retailers often cut phone prices around Black Friday on November 27, but no discount is guaranteed. We picked these phones on their regular prices, so each one is still a reasonable buy at full price. A sale just makes it a better deal.

Sources

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