If you are in the market for a new Android device but are confused by the hundreds of options available, choosing a Google pixel is perhaps your best bet.
Google developed the Android OS back in 2008, and they offer the purest Android experience of any smartphone on their Pixel devices. This also means that Google pixel phones are the first to receive major Android updates and typically get Android and security updates for up to 5 years.
Not to mention the fact that their image processing is among the best in the industry, especially if you are someone who likes natural-tone pictures. The software benefits of Google Pixel phones on their own are enough to make your choice simple, but what about hardware?
Let’s discuss some of the best budget Google Pixel phones for every budget under $500 to help you pick the right one for yourself.
But before we start, if you ever need a Google Pixel repair in or around Bridgewater, NJ, we highly recommend Street Talk for the best Google Pixel repair services.
That being said, let’s dive in.
Best Budget Google Pixel Phones
Here are the best budget Google Pixel options in the market today. We have one that suits every budget under $500, so you have an easier time making your choice.
Google Pixel 4a – Under $350
Released in August 2020, the Pixel 4a is still one of the best budget Android devices you can get under $350. There is no 5G support, but you get a smartphone that has a very pocket-friendly size with its sharp, 5.81-inch OLED display.
It comes out of the box with Android 10, but you can upgrade it to the latest Android 12 and will likely get another 2 to 3 major OS updates, which is still great value at this price point. The phone runs on a respectable Snapdragon 730G (8nm) chipset and offers 6GB of RAM with 128GB of UFS 2.1 Storage.
What’s most impressive is the excellent image processing that offers you consistent, flagship-level pictures from the 12 MP primary shooter with OIS. You also get stereo speakers and a headphone jack, which is rare these days.
The drawbacks are that there is no IP rating or high refresh rate, and you get a plastic unibody design with a small 3,140 mAh battery. However, the efficient, stock Android experience doesn’t feel anything like a typical, slow 60 Hz experience, and the software makes good use of the small battery.
Google Pixel 5a 5G – Under $480
For around $100 dollars more, you can opt for the Google Pixel 5a 5G, which gives you upgrades in all the right places that are well worth every penny. Released in August 2021, this Google Pixel phone is slightly larger with its 6.34-inch OLED display, but it’s still a fairly pocket-friendly smartphone.
The uni-body design is upgraded to aluminum from plastic, and you get an IP67 rating as well. Powering the Google Pixel 5a 5G is a relatively faster Snapdragon 764G 5G (7 nm) chipset with 5G support, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
You get the same flagship-level pictures from the same primary shooter as the Pixel 4a, but there is also an additional 16 MP ultrawide lens for wider shots. The stereo speaker experience gets better than the 4a, and you retain the rare headphone jack as well.
The battery gets a good boost to 4,680 mAh, and you can expect a good 3 to 4 years of major OS updates. The only drawback is the lack of a high refresh rate, which requires a big jump in price for the older Pixel 5, which doesn’t offer much for the money and takes away the headphone jack and large battery.
Conclusion
Google Pixel phones are the best Android smartphones you can get for a pure, smooth Android experience complemented by excellent, flagship-level camera smarts. There is no other device that can beat the natural images that these devices can produce.
What’s more is that, unlike most Android devices, you get major OS updates for many years to come, and you can expect to be the first to get them because these are Google’s own devices.
We highly recommend picking one of the mentioned best budget Google Pixel phones if you are in the market for an Android device under $500.
If you want to learn more about Google pixel phones, or if you need a Google Pixel Bridgewater, please visit Street Talk Phone Repair today!