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5 Best Smartphones Under 500 Euros 2022 Update

MOBILINTEC
5 Best Smartphones Under 500 Euros 2022 Update

The Best Smartphones Under 500 Euros - Smartphones under 500 euros have enough to offer a smooth and pleasant experience. In this price bracket, you can have a high-end device over a year old that has come down in price since its release, or a recent mid-range smartphone.

There is a myriad of decent smartphones with a price tag between 400 and 500 euros. You can opt for an excellent recent mid-range like the Google Pixel 6a or even a top-of-the-range like the Xiaomi 11T or the 11T Pro. Anyway, this selection should allow you to find the smartphone that meets both your needs and your budget.


1. GOOGLE PIXEL 6A

Best cell phones under 500 euros

A slimmed-down version of the Google Pixel 6, the Pixel 6a is one of the best smartphones you'll find for under 500 euros. It takes advantage of the build quality of Google smartphones and offers solid performance thanks to its Tensor SoC, the first designed by the Mountain View company. In this respect, it, therefore, has nothing to envy about the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

The chip is supported by 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The Google Pixel 6a has a  6.1-inch OLED Always-on screen in Full HD+ definition. Its 4410 mAh battery can cover a full day with us an autonomy of at least a full day, even two days with moderate use. The smartphone comes with an 18W charger, the maximum power it can support.

Finally, the Pixel 6a offers a good photo part for the detailed day and night shots. The smartphone is based on two cameras: a 12 MP wide-angle module  (f / 1.7; 27 mm) and an ultra wide-angle of 12 MP also (f / 2.2; 17 mm). At the front, there is an 8 MP camera for selfies.

  • Screen : 6.1″; 2400x1080px; 90Hz
  • SoC: Google Tensor 5G; 5nm
  • RAM: 6 GB
  • Storage: 128 GB (no micro SD)
  • Rear photo cameras: 12.2 MP wide-angle + 12 MP ultra-wide angle
  • Front camera: 8 MP
  • Battery: 4410 mAh, 18W fast charge


2. ONEPLUS NORD 2T

Best mobile under 500 euros

The new  OnePlus Nord 2T features a MediaTek Dimensity 1300 processor. This high-end SoC provides very comfortable performance in all circumstances. It is supported by 8 or 12 GB RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB storage. It does not have a microSD port.

For the photo part, the smartphone has a triple camera: a 50 MP main module accompanied by an 8 MP ultra wide-angle and a 2 MP monochrome camera. The OnePlus Nord 2T runs Android 12 with one of the best software overlays on the market, OxygenOS 12.

It also has a 6.44-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen. It supports sRGB and Displays P3 color spaces in addition to offering a 90Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility. It is a 4500 mAh battery which offers good autonomy and is compatible with an ultra-fast charge of 80W.

  • Screen : 6.44″; 2400 x 1080px; 90Hz
  • SoC : Dimension 1200 5G; 6nm
  • RAM: 8/12 GB
  • Storage : 128 GB; 256 GB (no micro SD)
  • Rear photo cameras : 50 MP wide angle + 8 MP ultra wide angle + 2 MP monochrome
  • Front camera: 32 MP
  • Battery: 4500 mAh, 80W fast charge


3. XIAOMI 11 LITE 5G NE

Smartphones Under 500 Euros

An excellent smartphone offered for under €500, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE is a new version of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G launched in February 2021. The most recent arrived on the market at the same time as the Xiaomi Mi 11T range, either in October 2021. Aesthetically the two models share the same design with a screen punched in the upper left corner. The major difference is under the hood and is limited to the SoC.

Indeed, Xiaomi has replaced the Snapdragon 780G of the standard edition with a Snapdragon 778G inside the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 4G NE (with NE for New Edition). The performance of the two platforms is very similar. The SoC is supported by 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. For a smartphone of this price, you benefit from very good fluidity.

For the photo part, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G has a 64 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, an 8 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 5 MP f/2 macro lens. ,4. Its 4250 mAh battery is compatible with 33W fast charging. Its price: €400 for the 8/128 GB version.

  • Screen : 6.55″; 2400x1080px; 90Hz
  • SoC : Snapdragon 778; 6nm
  • RAM: 6/8 GB
  • Storage: 128 GB; 256 GB (expandable via a microSDXC port shared with the second SIM slot)
  • Rear photo cameras : 64 MP wide angle + 8 MP ultra wide angle + 5 MP telephoto
  • Front camera: 20 MP
  • Battery: 4250 mAh, 33W fast charge


4. XIAOMI 11T AND 11T PRO

Best Smartphones Under 500 Euros 2022

The Xiaomi 11T and the Xiaomi 11T Pro are two high-end smartphones with Density 1200 and Snapdragon 888 chips respectively. They are two high-performance smartphones compatible with WiFi 6 (ax) as well as the Bluetooth 5.2 standard. They feature the same design, with a thickness of 8.8 mm and a weight of around 200 grams.

For the photo part, there are three cameras for each of the two. The configuration is as follows on both models: a 108 MP Samsung ISOCELL HMX main lens, an 8 MP Sony IMX355 ultra wide-angle lens, and a macro lens for close-ups. The Pro model benefits from the same configuration. At the front, there is a 16 MP selfie camera.

  • Xiaomi 11T Pro spec sheet
  • Screen : 6.67″ AMOLED; 2400 x 1080px; 120Hz
  • SoC : Snapdragon 888 5G; 5nm
  • RAM: 8/12 GB
  • Storage : 128GB/256GB (no micro SD)
  • Rear photo cameras : 50 MP wide-angle + 8 MP ultra-wide angle + 5 MP macro
  • Front camera: 16 MP
  • Battery: 5000 mAh, 120W fast charge


5. REALME GT NEO 2

Best Android Smartphones Under 500 Euros

This is the third Realme smartphone from the GT range to land in France. Launched in November 2021, it comes after the Realme GT and GT Master Edition. The recipe used here remains faithful to the guideline of the brand, namely to offer an attractive smartphone in many respects, for a very competitive price. The GT Neo 2 is based on the Snapdragon 870 5G platform. This high-end SoC launched in mid-2021 is a cheaper but satisfying alternative to the Snapdragon 888.

The Realme GT Neo 2 thus offers high performance and above all optimized for gaming. The basic version offers 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. But the most powerful, launched at a price of between 400 and 500 €, has 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal storage. Its AMOLED type screen has a diagonal of 6.2 inches in Full HD + definition. The refresh rate climbs up to 120 Hz, which allows it to ensure exemplary fluidity.

The other advantage of the Realme GT Neo 2, like most of the brand's smartphones, is its very fast 65W recharge. It can recharge its 5000 mAh battery (0 to 100%) in 37 minutes according to our tests. Finally, for the photo part, the smartphone has three cameras: a 64 MP main module supported by an 8MP ultra-wide angle camera and a 2MP macro.

The characteristics of the GT Neo 2 are more or less the same as those of the Realme GT Standard. Unlike the SoC which here is an S870 against an S888 for the second. The smartphone is priced at €379 in its version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage and €455 in its version with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. To go further, read our full review of the Realme GT Neo 2.

  • Screen : 6.62″; 1400 x 1080px; 120Hz
  • SoC : Snapdragon 870; 7nm
  • RAM: 8/12 GB
  • Storage : 128 GB; 256 GB (no micro SD)
  • Rear photo cameras : 64 MP wide-angle + 8 MP ultra-wide angle + 2 MP macro
  • Front camera: 16 MP
  • Battery : 5000 mAh, 65W fast charge, 0 to 100% in 37 minutes


IMPORTANT INFORMATION PRIOR TO BUYING A SMARTPHONE FOR UNDER 500 EUROS

Before buying a smartphone for less than 500 euros, many questions may cross your mind. We've listed some of them here with answers that we hope will shed some light on you.

 

WHAT CAN A SMARTPHONE UNDER 500 EUR DO?

If you are ready to pay this price, it means that you want to obtain an almost premium smartphone, in any case, which comes as close as possible to a so-called high-end experience. These devices will generally boast a technical sheet close to those sold at double their price. Power, photo performance, and autonomy are generally there to meet all the needs of their users.

 

AT THIS PRICE, WHAT CONCESSIONS SHOULD I MAKE?

Just a few. Smartphones in this price range are considered almost high-end, yet affordable phones. This is not the case with all the references, but it is not uncommon to find the small features reserved for the models at the top of the basket, such as IP certification, an efficient fast charging system, or compatibility with wireless charging. 

They are also good in photos, but you should know that they will not reach the quality of the flagships of the market – even if they come very close. In addition, the design, materials, and finishes may be a notch below what is done above 600 euros. If you want high-end services at 500 euros, our advice is also to turn to refurbished smartphones.

 

WHAT ARE THE TRUSTED BRANDS?

The champions under 500 euros vary more often than on the more premium slices, so you can't always trust a brand. It is therefore advisable to refer to regularly updated buying guides, such as ours. That being said, Xiaomi and Samsung regularly appear in our selections. Overall, they are two reliable brands.

 

WHICH PLAN SHOULD I CHOOSE TO SAVE MONEY AFTER BUYING MY SMARTPHONE?

Buying a smartphone in this price bracket represents an investment. To save money, we recommend that you choose your package, in particular through the non-binding offers of the various French operators. Find the best prices of the moment thanks to our comparator of mobile plans. Depending on your budget, do not hesitate to also consult our guide to high-end smartphones.