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The same price volatility that hit budget phones under $300 this year has also reshuffled the $500 bracket. A couple of phones that used to be the default recommendation here have moved out of range, and one of the most talked-about upcoming shifts, a possible price increase on Google’s own Pixel A-series, hasn’t happened yet but has already been confirmed as coming. Here’s what’s actually verified to be under $500, unlocked, right now.
What’s Fallen Out of This Price Bracket
OnePlus, long a go-to pick in this category, exited the US market entirely in 2026. The company officially stopped selling phones in the US and Europe in July, and its remaining US stock, including the OnePlus 13R, sold out completely by early August with no restock planned. If you see a “best under $500” list recommending a OnePlus phone, it’s likely referencing a device you can no longer buy new in the US.
Samsung’s Galaxy A57 5G, the newer version of a phone that used to anchor this bracket, launched at $549.99, also over budget. And if you’re wondering about a new iPhone under $500, there still isn’t one. The cheapest current iPhone, the iPhone 17e, is $599.
What’s Actually Under $500 Right Now
Google Pixel 10a is priced at $499 unlocked directly from the Google Store for the 128GB model, with the 256GB model at $599. It’s currently the most well-rounded pick in this bracket, with a 120Hz OLED display, IP68 water and dust resistance, wireless charging, and seven years of promised OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates, the longest software commitment of any phone on this list.
One thing worth knowing before you buy: a Google VP has publicly confirmed that Pixel prices will rise due to a structural…
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