What is the best phone under $500 with a good camera?

The Google Pixel 8a is a great pick. It’s got an awesome camera for the price, making it one of the top budget-friendly options for snapping pics.

Can I get a refurbished iPhone under A$500 in Australia?

Absolutely! There are plenty of refurbished iPhones in Australia for under A$500. It's a smart way to get an Apple phone without spending a ton.

What is the best phone below $500?

For Android lovers, the Google Pixel 8a is hard to beat. If you're an Apple fan, the iPhone 14 is a solid option for budget-friendly iPhones. Both offer great value for your money.

What is a good price for a budget phone?

Anything under A$500 is usually considered a good deal for a budget phone. You’ll get a phone that works great without spending too much.

Are cheaper phones worth it?

For sure! Phones under $500 still get the job done—good cameras, smooth performance, and all the basics you need. If you’re not looking to drop big cash, they’re totally worth it.

Reviews Buying Guides11 Apr 2025Posted byLiam Harris

8 Best Mobile Phones Under $500 AUD in 2025

Shopping for a budget phone can feel a bit tricky. There are so many cheap options out there, often from brands you’ve never heard of. It might even seem like you're taking a bigger risk buying a cheaper phone than spending a little more on a high-end model.

But honestly, there’s never been a better time to snag yourself one of the best budget phones under A$500. Smartphones have come a long way, and the gap between budget and flagship models is getting smaller.

These days, you can get a large-screen, multi-camera phone with smooth performance—no need to skip meals to afford one. Even better, many of these models are available as second-hand phones at amazing prices. In this blog, we’ve rounded up some top budget picks to help you start your search for a new device.

Best Mobile Phones under AUD 500

Motorola Moto G Stylus starts from A$299
Samsung Galaxy S22 starts from A$449
Apple iPhone SE 2022 starts from A$299
Samsung Galaxy A55 starts from A$439
Google Pixel 7 Pro starts from A$499
OnePlus 10T starts from A$489
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G starts from A$349
Xiaomi Poco X6 starts from A$369

Motorola Moto G Stylus

Looking for budget phones under 300$? It doesn’t get any better than the Motorola Moto G Stylus. Priced at around A$250, this phone comes with a built-in stylus, which is uncommon at this price point. You can easily take notes, sign documents, or sketch on its large 6.8-inch screen.

The phone delivers a smooth performance, has a stylish faux leather back, and features an impressive OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals

Key Specs:

Display: 6.8-inch OLED, 120Hz refresh rate
Camera: 50MP (wide), 2MP (macro), 8MP (ultrawide) 16MP (selfie)
Processor: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695
Colors: Steel Blue, Seafoam Green
Memory: 4GB / 6GB / 8GB RAM
Battery: 5,000mAh, all-day battery
Price: Starting from A$299

Samsung Galaxy S22

The Samsung Galaxy S22 might be a couple of years old, but it still packs a punch. You get a solid triple camera setup—50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom. That’s better than what most mid-range phones offer.

It runs smoothly, thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, whether you’re gaming, snapping pics, or just scrolling through socials. You won’t find many brand-new S22s these days, but lucky for you, there are plenty of Refurbished Samsung Phones around.

Key Specs:

Display: 6.1-inch Full HD+ AMOLED, 120Hz
Camera: 50MP (main), 12MP (ultrawide), 10MP (telephoto), 10MP (selfie)
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Memory: 8GB RAM
Battery: 3,700mAh
Colors: Phantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora Purple
Price: Starting from A$449

Apple iPhone SE 2022

Apple rarely drops phones in the budget category, but the iPhone SE 2023 is a sweet exception. If you've been hoping to get your hands on an Apple phone under A$500, this one's a top pick. You can usually grab it refurbished for around A$389, which is a steal for an iPhone.

It offers a compact design, feels easy to use, and slips right into your pocket. The design throws it back to the iPhone 8 days, so yes, the home button is still there. The A15 Bionic chip runs the show, just like it does on the iPhone 13, so the phone handles everyday tasks with ease.

Key Specs:

Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD (1334 x 750)
Camera: 12MP rear (wide-angle), 7MP front
Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Battery: 2018 mAh
Colours: Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED
Price: Starting from A$229

Samsung Galaxy A55

The Galaxy A55 proves why Samsung’s A-series keeps showing up in lists of the best Android phones. It launched in 2024 and is currently going for around A$439. Samsung gave it a fresh metal and glass design that looks and feels premium.

You get a large 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, a snappy octa-core processor, and a triple rear-camera setup that handles everyday photos well. It also packs a big battery, so it keeps up with you all day.

Key Specs:

Display: 6.6" Super AMOLED, 120Hz
Camera: 50MP (main), 12MP (ultrawide), 5MP (macro), 32MP front
Processor: Octa-core Exynos 1480
Memory: 6GB / 8GB RAM
Battery: 5,000mAh with 25W fast charging
Colours: Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
Price: Starting from A$439

Google Pixel 7 Pro

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is all about small but meaningful upgrades. Google kept the best features of the Pixel 6 Pro and fine-tuned them. You’ll notice better cameras, a more polished design, and smoother performance thanks to the Tensor G2 chip. It’s the perfect choice if you’re after a Refurbished Google Pixel with decent AI features like Real Tone and Magic Eraser.

Key Specs:

Display: 6.7-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz
Camera: 50MP main + 48MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide, 10.8MP front
Processor: Google Tensor G2
Memory: 8GB / 12GB RAM
Battery: 5,000 mAh with fast and wireless charging
Colours: Obsidian, Snow, Hazel
Price: Starting from A$439

OnePlus 10T

The OnePlus 10 Pro made a big splash when it launched in 2022. It stacked up nicely against the Galaxy S22 Ultra and other flagship phones but came in at a much lower price. One of the big upgrades was its cameras, a feature where OnePlus had been playing catch-up.

With these improvements, the OnePlus 10 Pro delivers sharp, clear photos and videos, putting it right up there with the top models. Plus, it’s built to last, handling day-to-day tasks with ease and keeping up with heavy use. It’s one of the top cheap phones for anyone looking for flagship-level performance on a budget.

Key Specs:

Display: 6.7" Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz
Camera: 50MP (main), 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro), 16MP (selfie)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Memory: 8GB / 12GB RAM, 128GB / 256GB storage
Battery: 4,800mAh
Colours: Moonstone Black, Jade Green
Price: Starting from A$499

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is another solid pick for those looking for Samsung phones under $500. With its all-glass design, it feels way more premium than the price suggests. The 6.6-inch AMOLED display is sharp, vibrant, and smooth, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate.

You’ll also get treated to a solid triple-camera setup, 5G support, and a big-capacity battery that easily lasts the day. This phone is designed for people who want the best cheap mobile phone from South Korea’s favorite phone company

Key Specs:

Display: 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz
Cameras: 50MP (main) + 8MP (ultrawide) + 5MP (macro) + 13MP (selfie)
Processor: Exynos 1380
Memory: 6GB or 8GB
Battery: 5,000mAh with 25W fast charging
Colors: Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
Price: Starting from A$349

Xiaomi Poco X6

If you’re into mobile gaming but don’t want to blow your budget, the Poco X6 Pro is a solid pick. It’s one of the best gaming phones under A$500, packing serious power for the price. You get smooth performance, a super-crisp 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, plus the added bonus of Dolby Vision for vibrant colors.

Key Specs:

Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED
Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
RAM: 8GB or 12GB
Cameras: 64MP (main) + 8MP (ultrawide) + 2MP (macro) + 16MP (selfie)
Battery: 5,100 mAh
Colours: Black, White, Blue
Price: Starting from A$369

Buying guide for phones under AUD 500 in Australia

If you're after a good, cheap mobile in Australia, here’s what to keep in mind:

Speed matters: Look for at least 6GB of RAM and a decent processor like Snapdragon or MediaTek to keep things running smoothly.
Camera count: For solid photos, check for features like night mode, wide angle, or OIS (optical image stabilisation).
All-day battery: Go for a battery with at least 4500mAh so it lasts all day.
Nice screen: AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates make games and scrolling feel smooth.
Software Updates: Make sure the phone still gets regular software and security updates.

Verdict

At Phonebot, our budget phone range covers a solid mix of models—from refurbished iPhones to Samsung and Google Pixels. Sure, these phones might not have every single feature of the top-end models, but they still pack a punch for a lot less. Plus, you’ll save some cash to spend on other things! So, if you’re looking to snag one of the best bargain phones, look no further than Phonebot.

Posted by Liam Harris

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Liam Harris

I’m Liam Harris, a tech writer at Phonebot with a passion for technology. I provide trusted insights on refurbished phones, tablets, and accessories, focusing on quality, sustainability, and affordability. With a solid understanding of the refurbished market, I offer practical tips, product comparisons, and the latest tech updates to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to connect you with high-quality devices that fit your budget and lifestyle. Stay tuned for more on the best in refurbished tech here at Phonebot.

8 Best Mobile Phones Under $500 AUD in 2025