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Finding an affordable smartphone no longer means settling for slow performance or poor cameras. In 2025, the best phones under £500 deliver flagship-level features from 120Hz displays, advanced AI tools, excellent cameras to all-day battery life - all at a fraction of the price of premium models.
Whether you want the best Android under £500, a budget iPhone, or the best mid-range phone for photography or gaming, this guide compares the top models to help you pick the perfect device.
In this guide, we’ll cover the following budget phones.
Refurbished Google Pixel 9a (From £299)
Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro (From £464)
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (From £250)
OnePlus Nord CE (From £179)
Fairphone 6 (From £449)
5100 mAh battery with 23 W wired fast charging + 7.5 W Qi wireless charging.
Google Tensor G4 chipset for strong performance and AI capabilities.
8 GB RAM with up to 256 GB of storage.
Dual rear camera: 48 MP (OIS) + 13 MP ultrawide; 13 MP front camera.
Android 15 (upgradable) and long-term software support
The Pixel 9a represents a compelling mid-range option for buyers looking for phones under £500, especially when bought refurbished. With the Tensor G4 processor, it delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks, media consumption, and moderate gaming, while also supporting advanced AI features - although, because it only has 8 GB of RAM, it runs a scaled-down version of Google’s Gemini Nano AI, which means some of the more demanding on-device AI features (e.g. Call Notes, Pixel Screenshots) may not be available.
Its 6.3 inch OLED screen offers a variable refresh rate (60-120Hz) that balances fluid visuals with good battery efficiency. Paired with a large 5100 mAh battery and 23 W wired charging, it’s well suited for users who want reliable all-day performance.
On the camera front, the 48MP main sensor with OIS and 13MP ultrawide provide solid image quality for its price, especially in good lighting. The front-facing 13MP camera is also strong for selfies and video calls.
Overall, Google’s Pixel 9a is a decent budget pick. You get a large, smooth screen, excellent cameras, dependable battery life, and Google’s clean Android experience - all for considerably less than a brand-new flagship.
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
Image Credits: Apple Insider
The iPhone 15 Pro delivers flagship-class performance without the full new-device premium. 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 next 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 - all while giving you strong value for your money.
Large 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 1,200 nits brightness (Vision Booster).
Slim, durable build: Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back, and IP67 water + dust resistance.
5,000 mAh battery with 45 W wired fast charging.
Powerful Exynos 1580 chipset for smooth daily performance + multitasking.
Triple rear camera: 50 MP (OIS) main + 12 MP ultrawide + 5 MP macro; 12 MP front camera.
The Galaxy A56 5G is a compelling choice when you’re looking for a well-rounded 5G phone under £500. It strikes a strong balance between performance, build quality, and longevity. The 120 Hz AMOLED display makes everyday interactions feel smooth and responsive, whether you’re scrolling through social media or playing games.
Its 5,000 mAh battery, though not huge, is optimised well, and with 45 W fast charging, you can top up quickly when needed without being stuck waiting for hours. This is a real plus if you're using your phone heavily throughout the day.
On the camera front, the 50 MP main sensor with OIS gives sharp, stable shots, while the 12 MP ultrawide lets you capture more of a scene. The 5MP macro adds a bit of flexibility, and the 12 MP selfie camera is solid for selfies and video calls.
One of the standout facts about the A56 is its long software support: up to six major Android upgrades and six years of security updates. That’s unusually generous for a mid-range Samsung device, making it a smart investment for users who want a phone that lasts.
The design is another plus - with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and IP67 water/dust resistance, it feels more premium and durable than many budget phones.
6.77″ FHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.
MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chipset with up to 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM for smooth performance and gaming.
Large 7,100 mAh battery (in some regions) with 80 W SuperVOOC fast charging.
OnePlus AI suite: AI Writer, AI Perfect Shot, AI Unblur, and Google Gemini integration.
50 MP main camera with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 16 MP selfie, 4K video at 60fps.
Large, bright display (1,430 nits peak) and “Aqua Touch” for use even when the screen is wet.
Image Credits: Beebom Gadgets
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is one of the most balanced mid-range phones on the market right now, making it a great pick for shoppers looking for high performance at a lower price point. The combination of the Dimensity 8350 Apex processor and a super-smooth 120Hz AMOLED display gives this phone a snappy, premium feel during everyday use, gaming, or multitasking.
Its 5,200mAh battery, while not the largest in the segment, is well-optimised and paired with 80W fast charging, meaning you can get hours of power from a short top-up. This is ideal for users who are constantly on the go and don’t want to worry about battery life slowing them down.
Camera performance is also a highlight. The 50MP Sony-sensor main camera with OIS delivers bright, sharp, and stable shots whether you’re indoors or outdoors. The 8MP ultrawide and 16MP selfie camera round things out for versatile everyday photography.
Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a quality phone you can get for under £500 right now. It balances performance, fast charging, software longevity, and a high-refresh display - making it a smart, future-proof option.
6.31″ Full-HD LTPO P-OLED display, 10–120 Hz refresh rate.
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset + 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM.
4,415 mAh user-replaceable battery with 30W fast charging.
Dual rear cameras: 50 MP (OIS) + 13 MP ultrawide.
32 MP front (selfie) camera.
Modular, repairable design: 12 replaceable parts, scored 10/10 for repairability by iFixit.
Sustainable build: made with recycled/fair-mined materials, e-waste neutral.
The Fairphone 6 really stands out for buyers who care not just about specifications, but also longevity, repairability, and sustainability. Unlike most phones, the battery is designed to be user-replaceable with just a T5 Torx screwdriver — so you can breathe new life into the device after a few years, which is rare in modern smartphones.
Performance-wise, it’s solid: the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip combined with 8 GB RAM gives you enough power for everyday tasks, media, and moderate multitasking. The 120 Hz LTPO OLED screen is bright and smooth, making UI interactions and reading more pleasant.
On the camera front, the 50 MP main sensor with OIS offers stable, high-quality shots, while the 13 MP ultrawide brings in flexibility for landscapes and group photos. The 32 MP front camera is a generous spec in this price / mission-driven category.
One of the biggest appeals for value-driven customers: long-term software support. Fairphone promises updates until 2033, which means you can use this phone for years without it feeling obsolete. With all that it has to offer at this price point, Fairphone 6 is one of the best sustainable phones on the market.
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 in this list that meets 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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