Smartphone up to 500 euros: The best cell phones 2022
Don’t want to spend more than 500 euros on a new smartphone? It doesn’t even have to be. In the following you will find some of the best mobile phones in 2022 in the middle price segment – and they are impressive.
By Sven Wernicke
Smartphones for 1,000 euros and more are no longer a rarity. But even for half this price you get excellent cell phones that offer a surprising number of features. You don’t have to make any compromises with a smartphone up to 500 euros if you decide on a device that really suits you.
Apple iPhone SE (2022, 3rd generation)
iPhone SE 3
Image: © TURN ON 2022
Are you looking for a new iPhone under 500 euros? Unfortunately, Apple cannot offer you this. But for a little more, you get that 2022 iPhone SE, which is very compact with its 4.7-inch screen. The A15 Bionic chip used, which is also in the twice as expensive iPhone 13, is exciting. There’s enormous performance in the smallest of spaces.
The display resolution and the one-camera system may no longer be up-to-date. On the other hand, the iPhone SE looks like it was made from one piece, is well made and supports the fast 5G mobile phone standard.
Per:
+ Latest processor
+ Compact dimensions
+ Usual Apple quality
Cons:
– Comparatively low-resolution display
– Only one camera on the back
Tip: If you absolutely need a large iPhone, the iPhone 11, which is still available in the price range around 500 euros, is an option. While it’s not as powerful as the iPhone SE (2022), it offers a better camera, Face ID and a higher quality screen.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Although the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE). was released in October 2020, this smartphone still has a lot to offer in 2022. That’s because it’s very similar to the more expensive Galaxy S21. Highlights are the cameras, which Samsung also uses almost unchanged in the S21.
And there is something else that is even in the Galaxy S22 in a comparable form: the first-class display with a diagonal of 6.5 inches and 120 Hz refresh rate.
While there may be processors faster than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 in 2022, the chip still offers more than enough performance for everyday use today. And: The Galaxy S20 FE is – typical for Samsung – first-class workmanship.
Per:
+ Strong triple camera
+ Excellent display
+ Convincing workmanship
Cons:
– No longer the latest hardware
Tip: If the price difference between the Galaxy S20 FE and the S21 FE is small, grab the newer model. This offers longer software support and a faster processor.
Motorola G200
Image: © Motorola 2021
Aside from Samsung and Apple, other manufacturers also offer attractive smartphones under 500 euros. That The Motorola G200 is such a device – it convinces with a chic design and harmonious equipment. You don’t push the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ chip to its limits that quickly. It offers sufficient performance, even for demanding games.
While 120 Hz is slowly becoming the standard as a refresh rate, the G200 already offers 144 Hz. And the camera can also score: the main camera has 108 megapixels. There is also a wide-angle sensor (16 MP) and a depth sensor (2 MP).
Per:
+ Powerful processor
+ 108 MP camera system
+ Display with 144 Hz
Cons:
– Plastic body only
– No stereo speakers
honor 50
Since the Honor company no longer belongs to Huawei, the Honor smartphones finally support all Google services and the Google Play Store again. And the honor 50 not only convinces with its inner values: the design also makes a luxurious impression.
The Honor 50 also scores with a 6.57-inch OLED display with 120 Hz and the sufficiently powerful Snapdragon 778G chip from Qualcomm. And then there’s the camera: 108-megapixel for the main camera, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel for the depth of field – same as the Motorola G200.
Per:
+ Beautiful, curved OLED display
+ 108 MP camera system
+ Attractive colors available
Cons:
– Relatively small battery with 4,300 mAh
Realme GT 5G
At the Realme GT 5G you get a lot for little money. 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage are not usual in the price range around 500 euros. The Snapdragon 888 is still a very good chip in 2022 that offers a lot of performance.
The design is unconventional and therefore an eye-catcher: garish colours, strong contrasts, elegant housing edge – that has something. The AMOLED screen is 6.43 inches. You also get a triple camera with this cell phone.
Per:
+ Unusual, individual design
+ A lot of memory for this price range
+ 120Hz OLED display
Cons:
– Not waterproof
OnePlus North 2
With the Nord series, OnePlus has successfully established new smartphones in the middle class. That north 2 is just as comfortable to hold as the larger OnePlus sister models, some of which cost (much) more. And the inner values are also convincing.
OnePlus relies on the MediaTek processor Dimensity 1200. This is not the fastest chip, but it is sufficient for everyday use. Especially since it has 12 GB of RAM available. You can take very good photos with the triple camera, the main lens has a resolution of 50 megapixels.
Per:
+ Usual OnePlus quality
+ Generous memory
+ Coherent triple camera
Cons:
– AMOLED display “only” with 90 Hz
– No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 30 5G
Oops! Is the ZTE Axon 30 5G missing a front camera? no way! It’s under the display. A real novelty, especially for a smartphone under 500 euros.
But the rest sounds great too: The 6.92-inch AMOLED display works at up to 120 Hz. And the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 offers you the power you need. This also applies to the quadruple camera on the back of the attractive smartphone.
Per:
+ Under-display camera
+ Quad camera
Cons:
– Quite big
– Relatively small battery (4,200 mAh)
What you should consider when buying a smartphone up to 500 euros
If you are still undecided which smartphone up to 500 euros is the right one for you, you can use the following key data as a guide:
Display: Whether 90 Hz or 120 Hz – that is actually secondary. A high refresh rate is nice, but the quality of the display is more important. Many smartphones around 500 euros offer (AM)OLED screens with good brightness values (it should be at least 400 nits). Make that a priority.
Processor: The built-in processor should be strong enough. Good candidates are Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G and above, Snapdragon 865 and above, and the MediaTek Dimensity 1200.
Storage: In this price range, the cell phone should offer at least 6 GB, preferably 8 GB of RAM. At least 128 GB of internal memory is recommended, preferably 256 GB.
Camera: The more the better? This does not apply to cameras in smartphones. Don’t be dazzled by high megapixel values and huge zooms. High quality (large) sensors with apertures around f/1.8 (main lens) to f/2.4 (ultra wide angle) are more important.
Battery pack: A battery with at least 4,300 mAh is advisable. If the battery is smaller, the smartphone should have quick charge functions.
Operating system: The operating system should be up to date when you buy the smartphone. This is currently iOS 15 for the iPhone and Android 12 for Android phones. Make sure that the manufacturer also offers medium-term system updates.
Other features: You might also use this:
- Well protected from water and dust: IP certification IP67 or IP68
- Current technical standards such as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- If you want to use several smartphone tariffs, you need a mobile phone with dual SIM
- The internal memory can be expanded using SD memory card slots
Reference-www.turn-on.de
