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Explore the best budget smartphones £500 can buy that offer great value for money.
Written by Yasmin Maagbe, Content and PR Executive | Environment and Consumer Electronics
Last updated on 1 June 2026
Finding an affordable smartphone no longer means settling for slow performance or poor cameras. The smartphone market in 2026 is packed with devices that have flagship-level features from 120Hz displays, advanced AI tools, excellent cameras to all-day battery life. And the best thing about it is that they're all under £500.
Whether you're looking for an Android or an iPhone, or the best mid-range phone for photography or gaming, our guide will help you pick the perfect device for your needs.
In this guide, we’ll cover the following budget phones.
4000 mAh battery with 25W wired fast charging + 15W wireless charging.
Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
12GB RAM with up to 512GB of storage.
Triple rear camera: 50MP + 10MP ultrawide; 12MP macro, 12MP front camera.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a strong smartphone and will definitely give you a premium experience without the hefty price tag if you buy one refurbished. With its compact 6.2-inch AMOLED display and smooth 120Hz refresh rate, the S25 delivers sharp visuals, vibrant colours and fluid performance in a size that’s comfortable to use everyday.
For us, performance is where the Galaxy S25 stands out. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and paired with 12GB of RAM, this phone is built to handle everything from heavy multitasking to gaming and demanding apps with ease. With storage options going up to 512GB, there’s plenty of room for photos, videos and apps without constantly worrying about space.
The phone packs in practical features that make it feel complete. The 4000mAh battery comfortably supports daily use, while 25W wire charging and 15W wireless charging add flexibility for topping up throughout the day.
The camera system adds even more value to this phone. The 50MP main camera combined with the 12MP selfie camera means that the Galaxy S25 delivers a reliable all-around camera experience that feels polished and easy to use. Overall we think it’s a smartphone that brings flagship power, premium design and everyday practicality for under £500.
6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED display with 120 Hz ProMotion and Always-On functionality.
A17 Pro chip with 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine for high-performance tasks.
Triple rear cameras: 48 MP wide with OIS, 12 MP ultrawide, 12 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom.
Up to 23 hours of video playback, strong battery life + fast charging capabilities.
Water and dust resistance (IP68) and a compact, premium design
Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro delivers flagship-class performance without paying the full price. Powered by Apple’s A17 Pro chip, this phone is a powerhouse for gaming, creative work, and multitasking - all in a compact, 6.1″ form factor. The 120 Hz OLED screen ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making it feel fast and responsive.
Its triple-camera system is one of the biggest draws: a 48 MP main lens with OIS offers excellent detail, while the 12 MP telephoto lens provides a useful 3× optical zoom. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits or close-ups, this phone handles it well.
Buying refurbished means you can make additional savings on your purchase. One thing to bear in mind is that the battery, although powerful, may not be as strong as the ‘Plus’ or ‘Max’ models for heavy users. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a high-performance iPhone that still feels premium but want to spend well under the cost of a brand-new Pro, a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro is a compelling pick. It offers pro-grade camera versatility, long software support, excellent performance, and a refined titanium build (worth noting that the latest iPhone 17 series have an aluminium body) - all while giving you strong value for your money.
Large 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate and up to 800nits brightness.
Slim, durable build: Gorilla Glass Victus+ and IP54 water + dust resistance.
5,000mAh battery with 25W wired fast charging.
Powerful Exynos 1330 chipset for smooth daily performance + multitasking.
Triple rear camera: 50MP main + 5MP ultrawide + 2MP macro; 13MP front camera.
The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G proves you don’t need to spend flagship money to get a genuinely great smartphone experience. With its large 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, everything from streaming videos to scrolling social media looks vibrant and smooth thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate. The added brightness of up to 800 nits also means the screen stays clear and easy to see even outdoors.
Samsung has also packed in features that make the A17 feel more premium than its price tag suggests. The slim design is protected by durable Gorilla Glass Victus+. While IP54 water and dust resistance adds a little extra peace of mind for everyday use despite not being anything to shout about.
Performance is another strong point as it’s powered by the Exynos 1330 chipset meaning this device can handle daily apps and streaming without any slowdowns. Combined with a respectable 5000mAh battery and 25W fast charging, it’s a phone designed to easily keep up with your daily tasks.Not to mention the camera setup also delivers impressive versatility for an affordable device; 50MP main camera with ultrawide and macro lenses, 13MP selfie camera perfect for video call or even social content. Overall, this cheap Samsung is a good balance between price, performance and practicality.
6.3″ P-OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.
Google Tensor G4 chipset.
5100mAh battery with 25W wired charging.
Include Google Gemini as its default AI integration.
48MP main camera, 13MP ultrawide + 13MP selfie, 4K video at 60fps.
Large, bright display (2700 nits peak)
The Google Pixel 9a is a great example of how affordable smartphones have become faster, smarter and more capable than ever. It actually delivers many of the premium features people care about without the flagship price tag. This phone represents a compelling mid-range option for buyers looking for phones under £500, especially when bought refurbished. From its smooth 120Hz display to the Google Gemini experience, the Pixel 9a feels like a phone built for everyday users who want value without compromise.
The 6.3-inch P-OLED display is one of this phone's best features. The 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and streaming feel fluid and not to mention the impressive 2700 nits peak brightness makes the screen easy to use even in bright sunlight.
The Google Tensor G4 chipset keeps everything running smoothly, from multitasking to AI-powered features. Google Gemini is built directly into the phone, giving users smart assistance for search, writing, productivity and everyday tasks. It’s an example of how AI is becoming genuinely useful on smartphones rather than just a marketing gimmick.
Battery life is another major strength with the 5100mAh battery easily handling a full day of use, while the 25W wire charging helps you power back up quickly when needed. On the camera side, the Pixel 9a provides a sharp 48MP main camera, ultrawide lens and 4K video recording at 60fps. Combined with the 13MP selfie camera, it’s a reliable setup for everything from casual photos to content creation.
6.8″ LCD display, 120Hz refresh rate.
Mediatek Dimensity 6300.
5000mAh user-replaceable battery with 30W TurboPower™ fast charging.
Dual rear cameras: 50MP wide + 8MP ultrawide.
16MP front (selfie) camera.
Under-screen fingerprint sensor.
The Motorola Moto G Power 2025 really stands out for buyers who not only care about affordability but also quality. This phone is perfect for those who want a great battery life as it has a large 5000mAh battery that can last a whopping 12 hours on a single charge. It’s also great for those on the go, with the device having rapid wired and wireless charging capabilities.
Performance-wise, it’s solid: the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chip combined with 8GB RAM gives you enough power for everyday tasks, media, and moderate multitasking. The 6.8-inch LCD display, 120Hz refresh rate and the Dolby Atmos support in the speakers, is bright and smooth, making it perfect for those who love streaming or listening to music.
On the camera front, the 50MP main sensor offers high-quality shots, while the 8MP ultrawide brings in flexibility for landscapes and group photos. Although the 16MP front camera is not so generous, for this price range it’s pretty fitting.
Choosing a budget phone has never been easier or more exciting. With mainstream and newer brands continuing to push mid-range performance, you no longer need to spend flagship-level money to get a brilliant screen, long battery life, powerful cameras and smart AI features.
Whether you prioritise photography, gaming, sustainability, or all-round everyday performance, there’s a budget phone on this list that will meet your needs without stretching your wallet.
If you're upgrading, don’t forget to sell your old phone to offset the cost of your next device and make your new purchase even more affordable.
Editor's Note: All prices are correct when writing but are subject to change.
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