Looking for a phone that can capture stunning photos without breaking the bank? You’re in the right place! In today’s world, smartphones have become our primary cameras, allowing us to document life’s precious moments with ease. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to find the perfect phone for your photography needs, especially on a budget.
This is where our guide comes in! We’ve carefully curated a list of the 7 best phones under $500 for photography in 2024, considering factors like camera quality, features, and overall performance. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or simply want to take better pictures of your everyday adventures, we’ve got you covered.
From budget-friendly options to mid-range powerhouses, each phone on our list offers exceptional value for your money. We’ve analyzed the latest advancements in smartphone photography technology and handpicked the best models that deliver impressive image quality, versatile camera systems, and user-friendly interfaces.
Dive deeper into 18 Best Chinese Phone Under $500 in 2024
Get ready to discover the phones that will unleash your inner photographer and capture those unforgettable moments in stunning detail!
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| Google Pixel 6a |  |
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| OnePlus Nord N20 5G |  |
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Google Pixel 6a
The Google Pixel 6a is a great budget-friendly phone for photography, offering impressive image quality and a clean, simple user experience.
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Specifications:
- Camera: 12.2MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED display
- Processor: Google Tensor
- Battery: 4,410mAh
- Storage: 128GB
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent camera quality: The Pixel 6a captures stunning photos and videos, especially in low light conditions. Google's computational photography prowess shines through.
- Clean and simple software: Google's Android experience is known for its ease of use and lack of bloatware.
- Affordable price: The Pixel 6a offers great value for money, especially considering its camera capabilities.
Reasons to avoid:
- No telephoto lens: Unlike some of its competitors, the Pixel 6a lacks a telephoto lens for close-up shots.
- Limited storage: The 128GB storage option might not be enough for heavy users.
- Plastic back: The Pixel 6a uses a plastic back instead of glass, which might feel less premium.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want the best possible camera for the price
- You prefer a clean and simple Android experience
- You're on a tight budget
Don't buy it if:
- You need a telephoto lens for photography
- You need a lot of storage space
- You want a phone with a premium feel
Bottom Line: The Google Pixel 6a is a fantastic choice for budget-conscious photographers who prioritize image quality and a streamlined Android experience. It captures impressive photos and videos, especially in low light, thanks to Google's advanced computational photography. While it lacks a telephoto lens and features a plastic back, the Pixel 6a provides exceptional value for its price, making it a strong contender in the sub-$500 market. If you're looking for a phone that's easy to use, takes great pictures, and won't break the bank, the Pixel 6a is a solid option.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a stylish and capable phone that offers a solid photography experience at a competitive price.
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Specifications:
- Camera: 64MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 5MP macro camera, 5MP depth sensor
- Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display
- Processor: Exynos 1280
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Storage: 128GB
Reasons to buy:
- Versatile camera system: The Galaxy A53 5G offers a wide range of shooting options with its four rear cameras, including a telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots.
- Stunning AMOLED display: The phone's vibrant Super AMOLED screen enhances your viewing experience for photos, videos, and games.
- Long battery life: The 5,000mAh battery provides plenty of power to last through a full day of use.
Reasons to avoid:
- Average camera performance: While the camera system is versatile, the image quality is not as impressive as some of its competitors in this price range.
- Bloatware: The phone comes with a significant amount of pre-installed software, which can be annoying for some users.
- No expandable storage: The lack of microSD card support limits your storage capacity.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a versatile camera system
- You appreciate a vibrant and sharp AMOLED display
- You value long battery life
Don't buy it if:
- You prioritize top-tier camera performance
- You dislike bloatware
- You need expandable storage
Bottom Line: The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a well-rounded phone that offers a balanced combination of features at a reasonable price. Its versatile camera system, vibrant display, and long battery life make it a compelling option for users looking for a reliable and stylish device. However, its average camera performance and lack of expandable storage might be drawbacks for some users. If you're looking for a mid-range phone with a decent camera, a beautiful display, and long battery life, the Galaxy A53 5G is a solid choice.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is a budget-friendly option that offers a decent photography experience, but it's not the best choice for photography enthusiasts.
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Specifications:
- Camera: 64MP main camera, 2MP macro camera, 2MP depth sensor
- Display: 6.49-inch AMOLED display
- Processor: Snapdragon 695
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Storage: 128GB
Reasons to buy:
- Affordable price: The Nord N20 5G is one of the most affordable phones on this list, making it a good value for money.
- AMOLED display: The AMOLED screen delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks for an enjoyable viewing experience.
- Fast charging: The phone supports 33W fast charging, which allows you to quickly top up the battery.
Reasons to avoid:
- Basic camera system: The camera system is fairly basic, with only a 64MP main camera and two additional low-resolution sensors.
- No telephoto lens: The lack of a telephoto lens limits the phone's zoom capabilities.
- Average performance: The Snapdragon 695 processor is not the most powerful, which might lead to some lag in demanding apps.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You're looking for an affordable phone with a good display
- You want fast charging capabilities
- You don't need a powerful camera
Don't buy it if:
- You need a phone with a high-quality camera
- You need a powerful processor
- You want a phone with a premium design
Bottom Line: The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is a decent budget phone that offers some features like an AMOLED display and fast charging, but its camera system and performance are lacking compared to its competitors. If you're on a tight budget and prioritize an affordable phone with a good display, the Nord N20 5G might be an option. However, if you need a powerful camera, a robust processor, or a premium design, you'll likely find better choices in this price range.
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is a compact and powerful phone that offers a surprisingly good photography experience for its size.
Specifications:
- Camera: 12MP main camera
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD display
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- Battery: 2,000mAh
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent image processing: The iPhone SE's camera leverages Apple's advanced image processing to produce high-quality photos and videos.
- Powerful performance: The A15 Bionic chip provides a smooth and responsive user experience for demanding apps and games.
- Durable design: The iPhone SE features a durable glass and aluminum build that can withstand everyday wear and tear.
Reasons to avoid:
- Small display: The 4.7-inch display might be too small for some users who prefer larger screens.
- No telephoto lens: Like the Pixel 6a, the iPhone SE lacks a telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots.
- Limited storage options: The base model only comes with 64GB of storage, which might not be enough for some users.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You prefer a compact and durable phone
- You want a powerful phone with a great camera
- You like Apple's iOS ecosystem
Don't buy it if:
- You need a larger display
- You want a phone with a telephoto lens
- You need a lot of storage space
Bottom Line: The iPhone SE (3rd generation) is a surprisingly capable phone that packs a powerful punch in a compact package. Its camera utilizes Apple's advanced image processing to produce excellent photos and videos, while the A15 Bionic chip ensures a smooth and responsive experience. The small display and lack of a telephoto lens might be drawbacks for some users, but overall, the iPhone SE offers a great value for its price, especially for those who appreciate Apple's ecosystem and prefer a smaller phone.
Google Pixel 5a
The Google Pixel 5a is a solid mid-range phone that offers a great photography experience at an affordable price.
Specifications:
- Camera: 12.2MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera
- Display: 6.34-inch OLED display
- Processor: Snapdragon 765G
- Battery: 4,680mAh
- Storage: 128GB
Reasons to buy:
- Excellent camera quality: The Pixel 5a captures stunning photos and videos, especially in low light conditions, thanks to Google's advanced computational photography.
- Durable design: The Pixel 5a features a durable aluminum body that can withstand everyday wear and tear.
- Long battery life: The 4,680mAh battery provides plenty of power for a full day of use.
Reasons to avoid:
- No telephoto lens: The Pixel 5a lacks a telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots.
- No expandable storage: The lack of microSD card support limits your storage capacity.
- No 5G: The Pixel 5a does not support 5G connectivity.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with an excellent camera
- You prefer a durable and stylish phone
- You value long battery life
Don't buy it if:
- You need a telephoto lens for photography
- You want expandable storage
- You need a phone with 5G connectivity
Bottom Line: The Google Pixel 5a is an excellent choice for budget-conscious photographers looking for a phone with a great camera and a durable design. Its image quality is exceptional, especially in low light, thanks to Google's computational photography expertise. While it lacks a telephoto lens, expandable storage, and 5G connectivity, the Pixel 5a offers excellent value for its price and provides a reliable and well-rounded experience. If you're looking for a phone with a great camera, a durable build, and a long-lasting battery, the Pixel 5a is a great option.
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is a budget-friendly option that offers a decent photography experience, but its camera performance is not as impressive as some of its competitors.
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Specifications:
- Camera: 48MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide camera, 5MP macro camera, 5MP depth sensor
- Display: 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display
- Processor: Exynos 1280
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Storage: 128GB
Reasons to buy:
- Vibrant display: The Galaxy A33 5G features a vibrant Super AMOLED display that enhances your viewing experience for photos, videos, and games.
- Long battery life: The 5,000mAh battery provides plenty of power to last through a full day of use.
- Water resistance: The phone is IP67 rated, making it resistant to dust and water.
Reasons to avoid:
- Average camera performance: While the camera system is versatile, the image quality is not as impressive as some of its competitors in this price range.
- Limited storage: The 128GB storage option might not be enough for heavy users.
- No expandable storage: The lack of microSD card support limits your storage capacity.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a vibrant display
- You appreciate long battery life
- You need a phone that's water-resistant
Don't buy it if:
- You prioritize top-tier camera performance
- You need expandable storage
- You want a phone with a powerful processor
Bottom Line: The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers a decent set of features, including a vibrant display and long battery life. However, its camera performance is not as impressive as some of its competitors, and the lack of expandable storage might be a drawback for some users. If you're looking for a phone with a beautiful display, a long-lasting battery, and water resistance at an affordable price, the Galaxy A33 5G is a decent option.
TCL 20 Pro 5G
The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a budget-friendly option that offers a decent photography experience, but its camera system is not as versatile as some of its competitors.
Specifications:
- Camera: 48MP main camera, 16MP ultrawide camera, 5MP macro camera, 2MP depth sensor
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED display
- Processor: Snapdragon 870
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Storage: 256GB
Reasons to buy:
- AMOLED display: The phone features a vibrant and sharp AMOLED display that enhances your viewing experience.
- Powerful processor: The Snapdragon 870 processor provides a smooth and responsive user experience for demanding apps and games.
- Large storage capacity: The phone comes with 256GB of storage, providing ample space for photos, videos, and apps.
Reasons to avoid:
- Average camera performance: The camera system is not as advanced as some of its competitors in this price range.
- No telephoto lens: The lack of a telephoto lens limits the phone's zoom capabilities.
- No expandable storage: The lack of microSD card support limits your storage capacity.
What you need to know:
Buy it if:
- You want a phone with a vibrant AMOLED display
- You need a phone with a powerful processor
- You want a phone with a large storage capacity
Don't buy it if:
- You need a high-quality camera
- You want a phone with a versatile camera system
- You need expandable storage
Bottom Line: The TCL 20 Pro 5G is a budget-friendly phone that offers a decent camera experience, but its performance is not as impressive as some of its competitors. While it features a vibrant AMOLED display, a powerful processor, and plenty of storage, its camera system is lacking in versatility and overall image quality. If you're on a tight budget and looking for a phone with a good display and a powerful processor, the TCL 20 Pro 5G might be an option. However, if you need a phone with a high-quality camera, a versatile camera system, or expandable storage, you'll likely find better choices in this price range.
So there you have it, the seven best phones under $500 for photography in 2024. Whether you're a seasoned photographer looking for a reliable backup camera or a casual user wanting to capture stunning memories, these phones offer impressive image quality and versatility without breaking the bank. It's important to remember that the best phone for you ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your priorities, such as battery life, camera features, or overall performance, before making your decision.
No matter which phone you choose, remember that great photography isn't solely dependent on expensive equipment. With a little practice and creativity, even the most budget-friendly phones can produce amazing results. Take advantage of natural light, experiment with different angles and perspectives, and don't be afraid to edit your photos to enhance their impact.
The world of mobile photography is constantly evolving, and new models with even better capabilities are released regularly. Keep an eye out for future updates and reviews to stay ahead of the curve and find the perfect phone to fuel your passion for capturing the world around you.
Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you. So grab your phone, head out, and start exploring the possibilities of mobile photography. You might be surprised by the quality and creativity you can achieve with a device you carry with you every day.
Omar 
Yasmin 
Hassan