With true flagship telephones costing (approach) above $1000, intermediate fashions began to trickle across the $500 worth vary. Even then, there are nonetheless a few smartphones round $600 that also supply a real flagship-level expertise, with out the tradeoffs discovered within the intermediate section.
Editor’s observe:Â the costs highlighted on this article might fluctuate relying on reductions supplied by the producers.
What to anticipate from a sub-$600 telephone
Completely different from different worth classes, sub-$600 telephones do not make particular tradeoffs to achieve the value level. Every model often chooses totally different options to tell apart smartphones on this class from the true flagships.
Their software program replace assist is often on the identical degree because the high-end units however you possibly can anticipate finding sacrifices in digicam versatility—e.g. fewer lenses—, slower or fewer charging choices, barely downgraded show, or older era processors.
The perfect smartphones below $600
Google Pixel 7a: All-in-one package deal telephone
Read the full Google Pixel 7a review
Our decide for the very best smartphone below $600 is the newly launched Google Pixel 7a. Though the A-series has seen a $50 improve in its preliminary worth, it has additionally seen a big enchancment in digicam high quality, with a 72% improve within the measurement of the primary digicam sensor and general enhancements to all lenses. The gadget now helps wi-fi charging (albeit at a sluggish 5W charge) and maintains the top-notch Google Tensor G2 SoC inside.
On the software program facet, the Pixel 7a comes with Android 13 out of the field and contains the characteristic drop over time. This implies it should obtain Google’s latest and generally Pixel-exclusive software program options. The gadget is predicted to be supported as much as Android 16 and will obtain no less than 5 extra years of safety patches.
The Pixel 7a obtained a 5-star score on NextPit as a result of it redefines our understanding of the premium mid-range class. Priced at $499, this budget-friendly smartphone even makes us query the worth of high-end units with top-tier {hardware} specs.
Good
- Compact design
- High-notch efficiency
- Versatile and reliable digicam
- All-day lengthy battery
- Wi-fi charging
Dangerous
- Sluggish charging time
- No energy adapter within the field
Apple iPhone 13: Ecosystem ties
Read the full iPhone 13 review
Changing the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 is the very best (and solely?) Apple possibility on this worth vary. After all, Apple gives the standard iPhone SE for even much less, however whereas nonetheless very highly effective, the SE is just too firmly rooted into the iPhone 6 legacy, with its small display, enormous bezels, and a single digicam.
With a fairly steady iPhone design for the reason that twelfth era, the iPhone 13 nonetheless seems to be just about like every present Apple telephone, except for the show notch. Efficiency-wise, the telephone packs a nonetheless very succesful processor, with sufficient horsepower for all the newest apps and video games.Â
The twin digicam system is comprised of foremost and ultra-wide-angle lenses, with wonderful picture high quality in images, and particularly movies. Media consumption occurs within the shiny and large 6.1-inch OLED show, with sharp colours and wonderful viewing angles.
Good
- OLED display with deep blacks
- Good battery life
- Good high quality foremost digicam
- IP68 certification
- Smarter iOS 15
Dangerous
- 60 Hz refresh charge
- FaceID is unwieldy to make use of whereas carrying a face masks
- 20W charging velocity
Google Pixel 7: The perfect digicam
The Google Pixel household is well-known for its digicam efficiency, and the Pixel 7 isn’t any exception. The Android flagbearer is often on high of digicam comparisons and gives wonderful outcomes from each its foremost 50 MP digicam and the 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
Being the Google reference telephone, the Pixel 7 will get month-to-month safety fixes and is first in line to obtain new Android variations. Efficiency is top-notch, with the identical processor used within the flagship Pixel 7 Professional. And all that with wonderful battery life, with out software program bloat and unique software program options due to the Pixel characteristic drops.
As a tradeoff, the Pixel 7 is restricted to a 90 Hz OLED show—whereas its Android rivals go as much as 120 Hz—and the efficiency of the Tensor G2 chip shouldn’t be on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and eight+ Gen 1.
Good
- Effectively-calibrated 90Hz Full HD+ OLED show
- Premium design (Gorilla Glass Victus, aluminum body, IP68)
- Environment friendly twin digicam module
- Android 13 with plenty of unique options
- Glorious battery life
- Aggressive worth
Dangerous
- No 120 Hz refresh charge
- 20W wired charging is just too sluggish
- Again design is much less stunning than final 12 months
- No important efficiency achieve between the Tensor G1 and G2
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Lengthy-term assist
After testing the European mannequin, my colleague Casi Drees truly had plenty of good issues to say concerning the telephone, regardless of some questionable selections made by Samsung. The North American model of the Galaxy S23 FE solves the primary challenge we had typically, changing the power-hungry Exynos chip used globally with the extra environment friendly Snapdragon 8 Gen 1Â within the US.
However what makes the Galaxy S23 FE a straightforward alternative on this worth vary, particularly when in comparison with related choices from Xiaomi and Motorola, is the significantly better software program assist offered by Samsung. The S23 FE is promised to obtain 5 years of safety updates, with 4 Android upgrades. And previously years, Samsung has been delivering on its promise to previous fashions, even retroactively extending assist to some.
The result’s that not solely you’re going to get a succesful telephone for 2024 within the S23 FE, however it should additionally keep usable for years to return. Even when your wants outgrow the telephone, it is possible for you to to make use of it as a backup telephone, give it to a good friend or relative, and even resell it.
Good
- Nice workmanship
- Nice AMOLED show
- Versatile digicam
- Android 14 with One UI 6.0
- Stable efficiency
Dangerous
- Too costly and launched too late
- An excessive amount of inside competitors
- Thick bezels
- Solely common battery life
- No charger included
 OnePlus 12R: The best compromises
The OG flagship killer, OnePlus slowly crept into flagship territory over time. To counteract that, the corporate gives its T or R fashions, with some {hardware} compromises to achieve the $500~$700 worth sweetspot. And by all accounts, they nailed it with the OnePlus 12R in 2024.
You can see 2023’s flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, an enormous and crisp OLED show, wonderful battery life, and a succesful foremost digicam. In return, you’ll quit some water safety, and high-resolution secondary cameras.
However the primary promoting level for the OnePlus 12R within the sub-$600 class might be the battery division. Not solely does it include an enormous 5500 mAh battery, nevertheless it additionally features a highly effective and quick 100W charger within the field which reaches full cost in lower than half-hour.
Good
- Smooth Design
- Alert Slider Onboard
- Vivid and Vivid Display
- Reliable Efficiency Stability
- Versatile Images Choices
- Two Days Battery Life
- 100W Quick Wired Charging
Dangerous
- Cumbersome Charger Adapter
- Solely IP64 score
Ideas to improve your telephone and get monetary savings
Contract reductions
Flagship and premium telephones are the fashions with the most important (and greatest) reductions when shopping for with a telephone contract. That is why we added contract choices within the offers hyperlinks above, in case you’re a buyer of one of many talked about carriers, remember to examine them out! Â
Refurbished and used smartphones
If eradicating the protecting movie in your new gadget doesn’t spark pleasure, you possibly can decide up dearer smartphones from the second-hand or refurbished market. It’s significantly advisable to make use of units that carry a refurbished assure.
These are used smartphones which were checked and refurbished by respected corporations to make sure that they’re in tip-top situation. Refurbished units are significantly worthwhile to take a look at once they include an prolonged guarantee. That is the way you shield your self when selecting one up simply in case the handset provides up the ghost only a few weeks down the street.
Do you suppose we forgot a telephone mannequin? What would you modify on this record? Share your opinion within the feedback under!
Our ‘Greatest Smartphones Underneath $600’ record was up to date in April 2024 to incorporate new different options.
