
Best $500 phone you can buy

Apple
Smaller, lighter Pro — same A17 + USB-C 3.0, no 5x periscope
Google Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a
48MP main camera (f/1.7, OIS, smaller sensor than Pixel 9 but bigger than Pixel 8a's 64MP) + 13MP ultrawide. Pixel image processing produces 'classic Pixel HDR look' that reviewers consistently rate the best camera in the under-$500 price bracket. Macro mode, Add Me, Night Sight, and Magic Editor all included; video capped at 4K 60fps rear / 4K 30fps front and ultrawide.
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iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro
48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP 3x telephoto + 12MP TrueDepth front. The notable miss vs the Pro Max is no 5x Tetraprism periscope — the Pro is stuck at 3x optical, the first time Apple meaningfully gated zoom by phone size.