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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 global DRAM memory shortage, though no specific timeline or amount has been announced. The $499 price is Google’s current official price as of this writing, but it’s explicitly not guaranteed to hold. If budget flexibility matters to you, buying sooner rather than later removes that uncertainty.
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G is priced at $449.99 unlocked directly from Samsung. It’s the more affordable of Samsung’s two current A-series launches this year, sitting below the pricier A57 5G, with a 120Hz AMOLED display and Samsung’s Awesome Intelligence AI suite, a lighter version of the AI tools found on the Galaxy S26 series.
Nothing Phone (3a) is priced at $379, the only storage configuration (256GB) sold in the US. It stands out on design as much as spec sheet, with Nothing’s distinctive transparent-style build, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and three years of Android OS upgrades plus six years of security updates.
What You’re Trading Off Under $500
Compared to phones in the $600 to $800 range, expect a step down in processor performance and camera zoom capability, even though all three phones here use capable current-generation chips for everyday use. Software support length varies more than you’d expect at this tier: the Pixel 10a’s seven years significantly outpaces the Galaxy A37 5G’s software commitment and the Nothing Phone 3a’s three years of OS upgrades, which matters if you tend to keep a phone for several years rather than upgrading every cycle.
Recommended Unlocked Phones Under $500 (August 2026 Prices)
Prices below are current manufacturer unlocked prices, checked directly against Google and Samsung’s own listings, and against multiple independent trackers for the Nothing Phone 3a. Given the pricing volatility across this category in 2026, treat any third-party list, including this one, as something to verify again before you buy if time has passed.
Google Pixel 10a (128GB): $499
The strongest overall pick, mainly due to the seven-year software support commitment. Worth buying sooner rather than later given Google’s confirmed, if unscheduled, plan to raise Pixel prices.
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G (128GB): $449.99
A more affordable route into Samsung’s current AI feature set than the pricier Galaxy A57 5G, with a strong AMOLED display for the price.
Nothing Phone (3a) (256GB): $379
The cheapest of the three and the most distinctive design-wise, though its software support window is the shortest of the group.
Best Unlocked Phones Under $500: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OnePlus 13R still available under $500?
No, and not because of price. OnePlus officially exited the US market in July 2026, and its remaining US stock sold out completely by early August with no restock planned. It’s no longer purchasable new in the US regardless of budget.
Is there a new iPhone under $500?
No. Apple’s cheapest current iPhone, the iPhone 17e, is priced at $599.
Will the Pixel 10a’s price go up?
Google has confirmed Pixel prices will rise due to a global DRAM memory shortage, but hasn’t announced a specific timeline or new price. The $499 price is accurate as of this writing but isn’t guaranteed to hold.
Which phone under $500 has the longest software support?
The Google Pixel 10a, with seven years of promised OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates, longer than the Samsung and Nothing options in this price range.
Bottom Line
The safest picks under $500 right now are the Google Pixel 10a, Samsung Galaxy A37 5G, and Nothing Phone (3a), all confirmed at current manufacturer pricing.
Two phones that used to anchor this list no longer qualify, though for different reasons: the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G moved above the $500 line, and OnePlus exited the US market entirely and can no longer be bought new.