2022
Last year was overwhelming for budget Android phones. It has features like multiple cameras, faster processors, and 5G hit price points. Because of that, there are plenty of quality options for a budget Android phone that won’t make you feel compromised. As high-end phones get more costly, budget Android phones will improve. We have researched and ranked the best budget Android phones under $500. Here are some of the top picks for the cheapest Android phones of 2022. This complete guide article will help you find the best budget Android phone for 2022.
For top picks, you cannot go wrong with the Google Pixel 5a. It makes the most of its hardware with excellent picture processing on the cameras and fast performance with the new edition of the budget Android phone. It also supports Sub-6 5G, so you can work with the latest network technology from any carrier as it expands over the next few years.
Other than that, most people like the Nokia G50 5G phone. It has a lower-resolution display, plastic back, and less RAM storage than some other budget Android phones on this list. Regardless, it is still a package we can recommend, especially if you want to save as much money as possible on an unlocked budget Android phone with good cameras, great battery life, 5G support, and smooth software.
We will also recommend the Samsung Galaxy A53. It has an extensive and beautiful display, great support for 5G connectivity, and a premium feel. If you want a mid-range budget Android phone that can make the most of 5G connectivity on any carrier, the Samsung Galaxy A53 is a great option.
1. Google Pixel 5A with 5G
The Google Pixel 5a is like its predecessor, the Pixel 4a, but with major upgrades. The first thing is the processor. It takes up the Snapdragon 765G, which will allow for better performance and 5G connectivity.
Compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 5a, the larger size of the two will allow for a larger display and battery, making it better equipped for watching movies, playing games, and not being stressed out. You will get the same top-notch 12.2MP camera from the regular Pixel 4a, but a 16MP ultra-wide camera will also allow more shooting possibilities. The Pixel 5a is also the 1st A-series Pixel to receive an official IP67 rating for water resistance.
2. Nokia G50 5G
Nokia makes solid budget Android phones that don’t price a lot, and the Nokia G50 5G continues the tradition of high-quality hardware with clean Android One-based software. The mobile’s design is also attractive, with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, making the metal-looking body easy to hold and use in one hand. And since the Nokia G50 5G runs on Android One, it will receive platform updates by the end of 2023 and security patches by 2024.
The Nokia G50 5G packs have serious power on the hardware front. The 5G-enabled Snapdragon 480 processor and 4/6GB RAM storage will allow reliable performance. The 5,000 mAh battery provides 2 days per charge and 4 cameras to give you endless picture-taking possibilities, including a great 48MP main sensor and 8MP wide front camera.
3. OnePlus Nord N200 5G
The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is a strong 5G budget Android phone with many features. There is no getting around as its entry-level Snapdragon 480 CPU will not top any benchmarks, but it should not be a problem for most apps. Still, the Adreno 619 GPU is no slouch; There’s no problem running the 6.49-zone 90Hz IPS display, and navigating Android 11 feels easy on this phone.
You can easily use your 5G connection throughout the day with the 5,000 mAh battery of this phone. It has 64GB of storage which is not a lot, but it can be expanded via microSD. Its support for 5G connectivity is limited to sub-6 with bands mostly suitable for T-Mobile, with support for the band n41 mid-band.
While it started with Android 11, the Nord N200 is confirmed to receive Android 12 in an update at some stage, so the software still has some life. OnePlus has also come with a Blue Quantum color for this phone, giving it a more premium look than its price tag.
4. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The Galaxy A series is one of Samsung’s biggest achievements, with strong specs and good design on mid-range and low-end budget Android phones. Samsung follows the trend with the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, a refreshed Galaxy A52 with improved performance thanks to the Exynos 1280 octa-core CPU, with 2 cores running at 2.4GHz and s6 at 2.0GHz. It is paired with a strong 6GB of RAM and powered by a 5,000mAh battery.
Wi-Fi is not good, with only Wi-Fi 5 supported, but it should be okay for most people. It supports sub-6 and mmWave 5G, including mid-band and C-band. It is a great choice if you want a budget Android phone with 5G connectivity support.
On the front side of this phone, you will get a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display at 120Hz, giving you great colors and contrast with smooth animations. It comes with 128GB of storage, but it can be expanded if you want to drop the memory card.
How to decide which is the best budget Android phone to buy?
It can be challenging to decide the best budget Android phone you should buy today. While the availability of great phones under $500 has exploded over the years, you are still unable to get what you want in a more costly device—it is the compromise that gets you to decide which device to buy.
For most people, you want a device that “mimics” the flagship experience but with cheap, low-quality components. These have few specs but individually hold up well. The Pixel 5a is the best value for under $500.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G has great camera quality, and if you’re looking for great hardware, the Nokia G50 5G is hard to beat. Every budget Android phone has something of value to offer. The OnePlus Nord N200 is also the best budget Android phone with 5G connectivity. Its display runs to the edge with a hole-punch camera, giving it a modern look. The backside also looks good with a blue finish. The screen is not good if you have become accustomed to the flagship’s high DPI screen, but it has vibrant colors and is smooth at 90Hz.