Finding a powerful smartphone without breaking the bank is no small feat. For savvy shoppers in Australia, the market offers a range of impressive budget smartphones under $500. These devices are not only packed with sharp features, sleek designs and robust performance, but you also don’t need to compromise on quality or functionality. Are you ready to discover the top contenders that deliver exceptional value for every dollar spent?
Here’s an easy guide to the best budget smartphones on the market today in Australia for under $500 to get you a quality handset without breaking the bank.
We’ll also take a look at some current market statistics for 2024, here we go.
Samsung Galaxy A54
Best Overall
You won’t go wrong by grabbing the first entry on our list, the Samsung Galaxy A54, a solid, high-performing cheap Android phone with a bright screen, reliable battery life and great camera, great value for your bucks.
Motorola Moto G54
Best Under $500
Unlocked phones under $500 don’t get any better than this: The Moto G54 is for you if you want a smartphone that punches a bit above its price tag.
Google Pixel 7a
Best Cheap Android
Be immersed in the Google ecosystem with optimised performance and software on the Google Pixel 7a, which is the top-performing budget Android at an affordable price.
OPPO A77 5G
Best Overall Mobile Phone Under $500
This phone is the best overall because it offers a good balance between features and performance and is priced under $500: A77 5G.
Motorola Edge 20 Fusion 5G
Best Smartphone Camera Under $500
Cameras always rule in the smartphone world, and Motorola Edge 20 Fusion 5G has the best camera in this price range.
Samsung A23
The Best Samsung Mobile Phone Under $500
If you are a Samsung fan and you are searching for the cheapest and still-quality Samsung phone, then the Samsung A23 is simply a great choice for you.
Moto g62 5G
Best 5G Android Phone Under $500
This phone is known for its 5G feature, which allows for speedy internet with ready-to-download and video-watching at low prices. It is a Moto g62 5G.
Overview
Such smartphones are a perfect blend of feature and price because they are extremely comfortable not only for front-end or display-centric uses – like gaming and video watching – but also picture and camera use.
They also provide a pleasant and smooth experience for casual or daily uses, and are perfect for those who want to have a flagship-level smartphone but still prefer to keep their spending to a minimum.
If you’re more interested in a picture-taking, picture-building or selfie lifestyle, or just an everyday smartphone for day-to-day use, these must-have budget smartphones in Australia are certainly for you.
Take note as well that all of these unlocked models will enable users to switch carriers or network providers anytime.
Are People Looking More for Second-Hand Phones in 2024: Is the Market Slowing?
Statistically, the worldwide market for smartphones is seeing signs of recovery in the year 2024. The following are some data from the recent releases.
- Global Shipments: Market analysts forecast smartphone shipments to grow 3% from 1.1 billion to 1.2 billion units from 2019 to 2024.
- Budget-Economy Segment: The budget-economy segment ($150-$249) will lead the recovery owing to a rebound of the market by 2023.
- Premium Segment Growth: The premium segment, which costs between $600 and $799, is the fastest-growing segment of the market, and it will grow by 17% year-over-year with the aid of Apple, Huawei, and others.
The trends indicate that, while there may be new fractures in which types of smartphones consumers are purchasing – perhaps more AI features and more sustainably made technology – the market isn’t necessarily contracting in terms of new smartphone purchases as a whole, just changing to fit consumer needs and trends in technology.
Statistically, who manufactures the phones with the greatest longevity before they die or their software is no longer supported?
- Apple: Has long courted a reputation for providing long-term software support. You can typically expect at least five years of iOS updates and security patches to reach iPhones, and that’s just one example.
- Google: One of the longest software support policies in the industry, up to 7 years for some devices.
- Samsung: The company recently extended how often customers can expect software updates with the brand, exceeding four years to be one of the longer-lasting Android smartphone brands.
- Fairphone: It also offers seven years of software support, emphasising sustainability and longevity.
On the hardware side, several brands, such as Asus, OnePlus and Motorola, have received high marks in terms of reliability and extended battery life (some models lasted as long as 13.5 hours in some test conditions).
There is evidence to suggest that in the case of some phone makers, this reflects not only a focus on software longevity but phone longevity as well.
This fact is also used as a rather telling way of benchmarking how long, on average, each smartphone brand tends to last. Note that the lifetime of a smartphone depends a lot on how it is used (and how it is maintained), but as a whole, these are the guiding statistics illustrating which manufacturers are positioned to offer phones that will last longer.
SUMMARY
The smartphone market is very strong, and the competition is fierce all over – from the high-end (new iPhone, Samsung) to an entry-level budget smartphone. The very good news, of course, as it’s the case always with all technology, is that it will get cheaper and cheaper and cheaper. And that’s exactly what we see coming in 2024 and further. So if you are looking for advice on a new phone for yourself or for a present to give to somebody for the holiday season – don’t worry! There are plenty of options and good deals available. Good luck!
