The smartphone market is constantly evolving, and choosing the right phone can be a daunting task, especially when on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are numerous unlocked budget phones available in the United States that provide excellent value for money. These phones offer features that were previously exclusive to high-end models, such as high-quality cameras, long battery life, and fast processors, at a fraction of the cost.
Unlocked phones are becoming increasingly popular because they offer more flexibility and freedom than carrier-locked phones. They allow users to switch carriers without having to buy a new phone, and they can be used internationally with local SIM cards. In addition, unlocked phones receive software updates faster than carrier-locked phones, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security patches.
With so many unlocked budget phones available, it can be challenging to choose the right one. However, by considering factors such as performance, camera quality, battery life, and display, users can narrow down their options and find the phone that best suits their needs and budget. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best unlocked budget phones available in the United States, based on expert reviews and user feedback.
Criteria for Selection
When selecting the best unlocked budget phones in the United States, several factors were considered to ensure that the phones met certain criteria. These factors include:
- Price: Phones that cost $500 or less were considered for this list.
- Performance: The phones had to have a powerful mid-range processor and generous RAM to ensure smooth performance for everyday tasks and even slightly heavy tasks.
- Camera Quality: The phones had to have solid cameras that outperform the competition in the same price bracket.
- Advanced features: 5G connectivity, NFC, fast charge, etc
Based on these criteria, the phones listed below were selected as the best unlocked budget phones in the United States.
Top 5 Best Unlocked Budget Phones under $500 in the United States
When it comes to budget phones, there are a lot of options available in the United States. However, finding the right one can be a daunting task. To help you out, here are the top 5 best unlocked budget phones in the United States:
| Phone | Price | Screen Size | Battery Life | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A54 5G | $295-$369.99 | 6.4 inches | Up to 2 days | 128GB/256GB |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | From $399.00 | 4.7 inches | Up to 13 hours | 64GB/128GB/256GB |
| Google Pixel 7a | $428.00 | 6.1 inches | Up to 24 hours | 128GB |
| OnePlus Nord N30 5G | $299.99 | 6.72 inches | Up to 2 days | 128GB |
| Moto G Power (2022) | $199.99 | 6.6 inches | Up to 3 days | 32GB/64GB |
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is one of the best budget phones under $500. It offers a large 6.4-inch AMOLED screen, a long battery life of up to 2 days, 25W fast charge, a decent 50-megapixel camera, Exynos 1380 chipset, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. It also has 5G connectivity, making it future-proof. All for no more than $370.
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is a great budget option for iPhone fans. It has a 4.7-inch screen, a decent battery life of up to 13 hours, and comes in 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB storage options. It also has the latest A15 Bionic chip, ensuring smooth performance.
The Google Pixel 7a offers a compact 6.1-inch screen, a long battery life of up to 24 hours, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also has an excellent camera, making it a great option for photography enthusiasts.
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers a large 6.72-inch screen, a long battery life of up to 2 days, 50W wired charging, Snapdragon 695 chipset, 8GB RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also has 5G connectivity, ensuring fast download and upload speeds.
Honorable Mentions
While the phones listed above are some of the best budget unlocked phones currently available in the US, there are a few other phones that are worth mentioning:
- Samsung Galaxy A33 5G: This phone offers 5G connectivity at an affordable price. It has a 6.4-inch display, a triple camera setup, and a long-lasting battery. However, it lacks some features found in more expensive phones, such as wireless charging and water resistance.
- Google Pixel 6a: This phone has a great camera and a long-lasting battery. It also has a 6.1-inch OLED display and 5G connectivity.
While these phones didn’t quite make the cut for the top budget unlocked phones, they are still great options for those on a tight budget. It’s important to consider what features are most important to you before making a decision on which phone to purchase.
Conclusion: Which Is The Best?
When it comes to budget unlocked phones, there are plenty of options available in the market. The best budget smartphones provide great value for money without compromising on the features that matter the most.
The Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy A54 5G are two of the best budget phones under $500 in 2023. For those who prefer Apple devices, the iPhone SE (2022) is a great option. It offers a powerful A15 Bionic chip, a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, and a single 12MP camera. It also comes in a compact design, making it easy to carry around.