Joe Maring / Android Authority
The phones we all like to talk about the most are incredibly expensive. The base Galaxy S25 starts at $800, while the Ultra launched at $1,300. The Pixel 9 goes for $800 as well, and you’ll need at least $1,100 for the XL model. That’s a lot of money.
And don’t even get me started on foldables. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold goes for $1,800, while the latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 costs even more at $2,000.
I love technology, especially phones, but I’m not paying that much for my next device. Considering the specs and features I need, I don’t need to spend more than $500, and I think that goes for most other people — here’s why.
How much do you spend when buying a new phone? 92 votes No more than $300 33 % Around $500 32 % As much as $800 16 % Up to a $1,000 10 % Over a $1,000 10 %
More than enough power
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
You don’t need to spend a grand on a phone to get a lag-free experience. Most mid-range phones these days have more than enough power for the majority of users.
The phone at the top of my list right now is the Pixel 9a. It comes in at $500 and packs the Tensor G4 under the hood, which is the same SoC you find in the rest of the Pixel 9 series — including the $1,800 Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Paired with 8GB of RAM, this phone will handle everything I need it to and more.
It’s a similar situation with some of the other phones in this price range. These include the Galaxy S24 FE, OnePlus 13R, Nothing Phone 3a Pro, and even some that currently aren’t available in the US like the Xiaomi 14T and the Galaxy A56. Some of these launched at a little more than my budget but are frequently on sale and can be had for around $500 when shopping around.
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