Top 10 Smartphones Under $500 (£400) in 2025 – Best Budget Phones You Can Buy
Are you looking for the best budget smartphone in 2025? The good news is, you no longer need to spend $1000+ to get flagship-level performance! This year, manufacturers are packing premium features into smartphones under $500 (£400)—think stunning OLED displays, powerful chipsets, pro-grade cameras, and long-lasting batteries.
We’ve done the research and compared specs, real-world performance, and user reviews to bring you the top 10 best budget smartphones in 2025. Whether you’re an Android enthusiast or an iPhone fan, this list has something for everyone!
1. Google Pixel 7a – Best Camera Phone Under $500 (£400)
💰 Price: ~$499 (£399)
⭐ Why Buy? Google’s Pixel 7a delivers the best smartphone camera in this price range. Thanks to Google’s AI-powered photography, Night Sight, and Tensor G2 chip, it rivals flagship models.
✅ Pros:
- Best-in-class camera (Night Sight & HDR+)
- Stock Android with 5 years of updates
- 5G connectivity & OLED display
❌ Cons:
- No expandable storage
- Slower charging speed
2. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G – Best Display & Battery Life
💰 Price: ~$449 (£359)
⭐ Why Buy? A 120Hz Super AMOLED display, massive 5000mAh battery, and Samsung’s One UI make this a well-rounded powerhouse.
Check out for Samsung A54 5G
✅ Pros:
- Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display
- 4 years of software updates
- Excellent battery life
❌ Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Plastic build
3. Apple iPhone SE (2025) – Best Budget iPhone
💰 Price: ~$499 (£399)
⭐ Why Buy? The A16 Bionic chip makes it faster than any other phone on this list. Plus, Apple’s 5+ years of iOS updates means longevity.
Check out for Apple iPhones
✅ Pros:
- Most powerful processor in this price range
- Compact & lightweight
- iOS support for 5+ years
❌ Cons:
- Small 4.7-inch LCD display
- No Night Mode for the camera
4. OnePlus Nord 3 – Best for Performance & Speed
💰 Price: ~$479 (£385)
⭐ Why Buy? The Demsity 9000 chipset delivers flagship-level speed, while 80W fast charging means you’re never out of power.
Check out OnePlus Nord
✅ Pros:
- Super-fast chipset for gaming & multitasking
- 80W fast charging
- Clean OxygenOS software
❌ Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Average ultra-wide camera
5. Motorola Edge 40 – Best Premium Design
💰 Price: ~$499 (£399)
⭐ Why Buy? With a curved 144Hz OLED display and premium build, it looks and feels high-end.
✅ Pros:
- Gorgeous curved-edge design
- Smooth 144Hz OLED display
- 68W fast charging
❌ Cons:
- No guaranteed long-term updates
- Low-light camera performance could be better
6. Samsung Galaxy M14 5G – Best Battery Phone
💰 Price: ~$399 (£319)
⭐ Why Buy? A massive 6000mAh battery makes this the longest-lasting phone on the list.
✅ Pros:
- Best battery life (2+ days of usage!)
- Samsung’s reliable software support
- 50MP camera for decent shots
❌ Cons:
- Bulky design
- No AMOLED display
7. Realme GT Neo 5 Lite – Best Gaming Phone
💰 Price: ~$469 (£375)
⭐ Why Buy? If you’re into gaming, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and 120Hz display offer a smooth gaming experience.
✅ Pros:
- Flagship-level performance for gaming
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- 100W fast charging
❌ Cons:
- No expandable storage
- MIUI software can feel bloated
8. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ – Best Camera Resolution
💰 Price: ~$429 (£345)
⭐ Why Buy? A 200MP camera and 120W fast charging make this a spec monster in the budget category.
✅ Pros:
- Incredible 200MP camera
- 120W fast charging
- Large 6.67-inch OLED display
❌ Cons:
- MIUI software has ads
- No wireless charging
9. Nothing Phone (2a) – Best Unique Design
💰 Price: ~$479 (£385)
⭐ Why Buy? If you want a phone that stands out, the Nothing Phone (2a) has a transparent design and clean Android experience.
✅ Pros:
- Unique, eye-catching design
- Bloatware-free software
- Solid battery life
❌ Cons:
- Average camera performance
- No wireless charging
10. Poco X5 Pro – Best for Budget Power Users
💰 Price: ~$399 (£319)
⭐ Why Buy? Snapdragon 778G chipset, 120Hz AMOLED display, and 67W fast charging make it perfect for power users.
✅ Pros:
- Great performance for the price
- Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
- Good battery life
❌ Cons:
- MIUI software can be cluttered
- Camera isn’t flagship level
Final Verdict – Which Budget Phone is Best for You?
- Best Camera: Google Pixel 7a 📸
- Best Battery Life: Samsung Galaxy M14 5G 🔋
- Best Performance: OnePlus Nord 3 ⚡
- Best Gaming Phone: Realme GT Neo 5 Lite 🎮
- Best iPhone Option: iPhone SE (2025) 🍏
Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments! 👇
🔥 Pro Tip for Buyers:
- If you want long-term software support, go for Pixel 7a, iPhone SE, or Galaxy A54.
- If you’re into gaming, choose Realme GT Neo 5 Lite or Poco X5 Pro.
- For battery lovers, Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is the king!
📌 Bookmark this page so you don’t miss out on the best deals! 🎉
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