If you are thinking that you can’t get the best of the camera phones for $500, you are not entirely mistaken. Because the best doesn’t come at any less than $574, and it is no other than the Samsung Galaxy S8. Rest assured, the gap between the best and the ones listed here is not that big. For $500 you can buy camera phones that offer better camera features than the digital cameras priced over $300. All of the camera phones listed here are able to capture photos and videos in great clarity, detail, and brightness. Here’s our list of the best five unlocked camera phones under $500. You might also want to read our post on latest camera phones for slo-mo videos.
OnePlus 5 |
FeaturesPrimary: Dual 16 MP, f/1.7, 24mm, EIS (gyro) + 20 MP, f/2.6, 36mm, phase detection autofocus, 1.6x optical zoom, OIS, dual-LED flash |
Oppo R11 |
FeaturesPrimary: Dual 20 MP, f/2.6, AF + 16 MP, f/1.7, phase detection autofocus, LED flash |
LG G6 |
FeaturesPrimary: Dual 13 MP, f/1.8, OIS, phase detection AF + 13 MP (f/2.4, no AF), dual-LED flash |
Huawei Mate 9 |
FeaturesPrimary: Dual 20 MP +12 MP, f/2.2, 27mm, OIS, 2x lossless zoom, Leica optics, phase detection & laser autofocus, dual-LED flash |
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra |
FeaturesPrimary: 23 MP, f/2.0, 24mm, phase detection autofocus, LED flash |
Honorable mention
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge |
FeaturesPrimary: 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash |
Apple iPhone 6s Plus |
FeaturesPrimary: 12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, dual-LED (dual tone) flash |