The Google Pixel 10a is the clearest starting point for a U.S. unlocked phone under $500: Tom’s Guide lists it at $499 and names it its best cheap phone overall in its 2026 guide. If you want to spend less, Samsung’s Galaxy A37 5G has an announced unlocked starting price of $449.99. Check the exact unlocked model’s current price, stock and carrier compatibility before ordering; prices and availability can change.
Best overall: Google Pixel 10a
Tom’s Guide names the Pixel 10a its best cheap phone overall in its 2026 buying guide, listing it at $499. That is an attributed editorial recommendation, not a hands-on assessment by this publication. Tom’s Guide also reports a 15-hour, 16-minute battery-test result; that figure describes its test, not a guaranteed runtime for every owner. Tom’s Guide’s 2026 cheap-phone guide and its 2026 best-phone guide provide the underlying rankings and specifications.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The listed configuration options include 128GB or 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Tom’s Guide describes a 6.3-inch display, 48MP main and 13MP ultrawide rear cameras, a 13MP front camera, and the Tensor G4 chip. Its best-phone guide reports seven years of software and security updates and an IP68 rating. The guide also notes that the camera hardware did not receive a major upgrade over its predecessor.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThose specifications can help narrow the choice, but compare the exact unlocked U.S. listing before checkout. A guide’s retailer listing does not guarantee that a particular seller currently has the unlocked configuration in stock for $499.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How the under-$500 options compare
| Phone | Price and availability evidence | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 10a | $499 listed by Tom’s Guide in 2026; confirm current unlocked stock and price. | Tom’s Guide reports a 15:16 battery-test result, 6.3-inch display, 128GB/256GB storage, 8GB RAM, and seven years of updates. |
| Samsung Galaxy A37 5G | $449.99 announced U.S. starting price for an unlocked version; availability begins April 9, 2026, according to Samsung. | Samsung’s announcement establishes price and availability timing, but not a current retailer’s inventory or final checkout price. |
| Nothing Phone (4a) Pro | Nothing’s U.S. collection page shows a $419 sale listing with $499 crossed out and also a $599 listing. | The page does not settle which configuration each listing represents or establish a permanent price; verify unlocked status and carrier support. |
| Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, 128GB | $499.99 unlocked MSRP on Samsung’s March 2026 price sheet; marked EOL. | Consider only if a current remaining-stock listing is confirmed. The 256GB model is listed at $549.99 and also marked EOL. |
Samsung’s official announcement says the Galaxy A37 5G and A57 5G begin U.S. availability on April 9, 2026. The A37 starts at $449.99, while the unlocked A57 starts at $549.99, above this budget. See Samsung’s U.S. announcement. For the A56’s model status and MSRP, consult Samsung’s March 2026 MSRP list.
When the alternatives make sense
Choose the Galaxy A37 5G if you want to spend less than $500
Its announced $449.99 unlocked starting price leaves room in the budget compared with the Pixel 10a’s listed $499. Samsung’s announcement supports the U.S. price and availability date, but it does not establish that every retailer has stock at that price. Check the final price and exact unlocked SKU.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Consider the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro only after verifying the listing
Nothing’s U.S. collection page displays both a $419 sale listing and a $599 listing for the Phone (4a) Pro. The $419 figure is a live sale price, not an established regular price. The page does not fully resolve configuration or carrier details, so confirm the exact product, unlocked status, final price, and compatibility before treating it as an under-$500 option. Check Nothing’s U.S. phone collection for the current listing.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Buy a Galaxy A56 5G only if current stock is real
Samsung’s March 2026 MSRP sheet lists the unlocked 128GB A56 at $499.99 but marks it EOL. That status means the sheet does not establish normal ongoing availability. A current seller listing and stock confirmation matter more than the old MSRP.
Rank #3
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio**.
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- 64GB**** built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps—and add up to 1TB more with a microSD card*****.
- Unbelievable battery life. Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery.*****
How to choose and verify an unlocked phone
- Set a firm checkout ceiling. Compare the total for the exact unlocked U.S. configuration, including any required fees, with your $500 limit. A starting price or sale-page headline is not proof of the final price.
- Confirm the model and storage. Check the product name, storage capacity, and whether the listing explicitly says unlocked. The A56 price sheet, for example, puts its 128GB and 256GB models on opposite sides of the budget.
- Check carrier compatibility before purchase. Unlocked does not mean compatible with every U.S. carrier or plan. Confirm the exact model number with your carrier, including support for its network and any activation requirements.
- Compare the features you will use. Weigh display size, camera setup, storage, water and dust resistance, and the stated software-update commitment. Keep the model and source attached to each claim: specifications for one Pixel generation do not automatically apply to another.
- Recheck stock and terms at checkout. For sale-priced or end-of-life models, verify that the listed device is new or in the condition you want, that it is the unlocked version, and that the price remains within budget before placing the order.
Keep battery and update claims in context
Battery figures are not interchangeable. Tom’s Guide reports a 15-hour, 16-minute test result for the Pixel 10a in 2026; that is an editorial test result. Google’s March 19, 2025 announcement says the Pixel 9a has battery life of over 30 hours, a manufacturer claim about a different model. Google’s Pixel 9a announcement also specifies a 6.3-inch 120Hz Actua display, 48MP main and 13MP ultrawide cameras, IP68 resistance, and seven years of OS updates, security updates, and Pixel Drops—but none of those Pixel 9a details should be silently transferred to the Pixel 10a. See Google’s Pixel 9a announcement.
For the Pixel 10a, the seven-year software and security update figure and IP68 rating are reported by Tom’s Guide’s 2026 best-phone guide. For the Galaxy A37 and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, the sources cited here do not establish a comparable, verified side-by-side set of battery-test results or update commitments. Compare those details in the exact model’s current manufacturer documentation rather than assuming they match another phone in the family.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Rank #4
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
