Best Budget Smartphones Under $500

Over the last few years, the budget smartphone market has exploded. Manufacturers now target their devices in the mass market to those who do not wish to spend in excess of $500 for a smartphone by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) or Samsung Electronics Co. (OTCMKTS:SSNLF). Budget smartphones may not flaunt the metal design and best displays that are found on flagship devices; however, they still offer decent hardware and good performance that makes them serious contenders for your hard-earned money. Bidness Etc looks at the top-seven smartphones that can be bought for under $500.

7. Microsoft Lumia 735

The Lumia 735 was introduced as the Microsoft Corp.'s (NASDAQ:MSFT) "selfie-phone" when it was announced back in 2014. The device offers a wide-angle 8MP front camera that takes exceptional pictures. It has a beautiful OLED screen that truly makes the device stand out from its budget competitors. The device even offers good battery life with the option of a removable battery. The rear camera of the device is a 12MP shooter with a PureView Lens, coupled with OIS which makes for good pictures in shaky conditions. The phone lacks in performance when compared to high-end phones, but is still a good buy for anyone who wants a Windows phone at a relatively low price.

6. Microsoft Lumia 640XL

Another device from Microsoft that was released in the first half of 2015 has made it to this list. The Lumia 640 XL excels in the battery life department, where most smartphones suffer these days. The phone offers unbeatable battery life as it promises three days on a single charge. There is also the option to replace the battery when you run out of charge. The device, however, does not offer the best hardware specs and this can be seen by the slow performance of the device when it comes to connectivity and multitasking. It has a large display, but it suffers from low resolution, which results in below-par graphics. The Lumia 640 XL also has made its name for being almost unbreakable. The solid build of the device makes it less breakable when it is dropped. Anyone who wants to buy a phablet but does not want to spend a lot of money should go for the Lumia 640 XL.

5. AsusZenfone 5 LTE

The Zenfone 5 is the Asus's attempt to try and bridge the gap between budget smartphones and top-level flagship devices. The phone features an excellent 5-inch screen and even though it uses plastic for most of the device, its design gives it a premium feel. The phone struggles with battery life and the screen might not be as bright as compared to other phones, but it offers the fastest connectivity band in the market: LTE. The design of the device is what makes it sell, as it does not feel cheap and offers a good performance. If you want a budget smartphone that offers fast connectivity and a premium feel, you should buy the Asus Zenfone 5 LTE.

4. Moto G (Second Generation)

The new Motorola G replaces the hugely popular Moto G 2014. The new device looks the same as the older model but it now has 4G connectivity, which has increased the price by a mere $15. The new smartphone has an updated camera and a larger display that has made the device a little heavier as compared to last year's Moto G. The device offers decent hardware specs and the skimmed version of Android on Motorola's devices make sure that the device is fast and fluid in performance. 4G connectivity now available the Moto G offers everything one would expect from a top-level smartphone. At $179 the device is a steal for anyone who wants to invest in a good smartphone that offers above-par performance.

3. One Plus One

The One Plus One is considered by many as the pioneer of budget smartphones. The device was released last year and offers a vibrant 5.5-inch display and specs that trump most high-level smartphones. The device also offers great battery life with a solid build and excellent performance. It falls in to the phablet category because of its massive screen size, though there is no support for expandable storage, and 4G connectivity works only on certain carriers. The device also steps away from the traditional Android OS and has a modified version of Android called Cyanogen Mod that has a very user-friendly interface. Anyone who wants a budget smartphone that offers the closest performance to high-end devices should definitely buy the One Plus One.

2. Sony Xperia M4 Aqua

The Xperia M4 was released by Sony at the Mobile World Congress as the company's first budget handset that offered a beautiful design and water-proof capability. The new Xperia M4 shares the same design elements as Sony's flagship Xperia Z3 and Z3+, and offers good battery life and solid performance. The camera leaves a lot to be desired and there is no option for external storage. The smartphone is still capable to handle day to day tasks without a dip in performance. For someone who wants a budget smartphone that is all about style and also be completely water-proof should opt for the Xperia M4 Aqua.

1. Google Nexus 5X

Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has taken the lead again in this category with the introduction of the company's latest handset, the Nexus 5X. Made in collaboration with LG, the new device is quite capable to compete with flagship devices from Apple and Samsung, as it offers similar hardware specs for half the price. The device features a new 12MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, which the company says is the best it has made so far. The security features offer fingerprint scanning, which is used to unlock the phone and assist with Android Pay transactions. The device is made from a matte plastic material that gives the device a premium look and feel. Nexus devices also offer the stock Android experience as the smartphones do not come with manufacturer installed "bloatware," which results in a far better user experience. Anyone who wants the best Android smartphone available at the moment should definitely go for the Nexus 5X.

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