Buying a smartphone under $500 in 2026 feels a bit like shopping in the middle aisle of a supermarket. You don’t walk in expecting luxury items, but suddenly there are plenty of surprisingly good things.

Whether you're looking for an Android phone, an iPhone, or a simple handset for voice calls, these are the top phones we've tested for various budgets across the major US wireless carriers. I’m one of PCMag’s mobile writers. That means I check out ...

Amazon Spring Sale is coming soon, but multiple carriers are offering deals on flagship phones, including the iPhone 17 Pro for free.

Discover the best budget smartphones 2026 and today's most affordable smartphones offering flagship-level performance, great cameras, smooth displays, and long-term value for everyday users.

Some of the most capable smartphones today cost far less than you might expect. See which models under $600 are actually worth buying.