Best Premium Smartphones Under $600 to Buy in 2024
With smartphone prices trending upwards, and many flagship models way beyond a thousand dollars, sub-$600 phones still offer a good balance between features and performance. Whether you are looking to play games, take great pictures, or simply have a reliable phone that will last you many years, keep reading to find out the best phones on the market for less than 600 dollars.
- Looking for the best of the best? Check NextPit's list of the best phones to buy today
With true flagship phones costing (way) above $1000, intermediate models started to trickle around the $500 price range. Even then, there are still a couple of smartphones around $600 that still offer a true flagship-level experience, without the tradeoffs found in the intermediate segment.
Editor's note: the prices highlighted in this article may vary depending on discounts offered by the manufacturers.
What to expect from a sub-$600 phone
Different from other price categories, sub-$600 phones don't make specific tradeoffs to reach the price point. Each brand usually chooses different features to distinguish smartphones in this category from the true flagships.
Their software update support is usually on the same level as the high-end devices but you can expect to find sacrifices in camera versatility—e.g. fewer lenses—, slower or fewer charging options, slightly downgraded display, or older generation processors.
- Camera quality? Check the results of our Sub-$500 phone camera blind test
The best smartphones under $600
Google Pixel 8a: All-in-one package phone
Read the full Google Pixel 8a review
Replacing the Google Pixel 7a is its successor for 2024. The Pixel 8a is a steady evolution of the previous model, with significant upgrades to the display, which is not only brighter but also refreshes at a higher rate, processor, and especially a longer update support policy of seven years.
Besides the pure Android experience, the Pixel's software department is enhanced by a few useful AI features (and others not so much), that enhance not only daily tasks but also photo editing.
Speaking of photos, the Pixel 8a keeps the same award-winning combination of sensors and lenses from its predecessor, delivering excellent image quality in day and night photos.
Better yet, Google avoided increasing the price of the Pixel 8a (at least in North America), delivering even better value for the money.
Good
- Seven years of security and feature updates
- Excellent Pixel camera
- Good everyday performance
- Good enough battery life
- Bright and fast 120 Hz display
- Some AI features that are actually useful
Bad
- Slow charging times and no charger included
Apple iPhone 13: Ecosystem ties
Read the full iPhone 13 review
Replacing the iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 is the best (and only?) Apple option in this price range. Of course, Apple offers the humble iPhone SE for even less, but while still very powerful, the SE is too firmly rooted into the iPhone 6 legacy, with its small screen, huge bezels, and a single camera.
- Also read: The best iPhone deals with a phone contract
With a pretty stable iPhone design since the 12th generation, the iPhone 13 still looks pretty much like any current Apple phone, with the exception of the display notch. Performance-wise, the phone packs a still very capable processor, with enough horsepower for all the latest apps and games.
The dual camera system is comprised of main and ultra-wide-angle lenses, with excellent image quality in photos, and especially videos. Media consumption happens in the bright and big 6.1-inch OLED display, with sharp colors and excellent viewing angles.
Good
- OLED screen with deep blacks
- Good battery life
- Good quality main camera
- IP68 certification
- Smarter iOS 15
Bad
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- FaceID is unwieldy to use while wearing a face mask
- 20W charging speed
Google Pixel 7: The best camera
The Google Pixel family is well-known for its camera performance, and the Pixel 7 is no exception. The Android flagbearer is usually on top of camera comparisons and offers excellent results from both its main 50 MP camera and the 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
Being the Google reference phone, the Pixel 7 gets monthly security fixes and is first in line to receive new Android versions. Performance is top-notch, with the same processor used in the flagship Pixel 7 Pro. And all that with excellent battery life, without software bloat and exclusive software features thanks to the Pixel feature drops.
As a tradeoff, the Pixel 7 is limited to a 90 Hz OLED display—while its Android rivals go up to 120 Hz—and the performance of the Tensor G2 chip is not on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 8+ Gen 1.
Good
- Well-calibrated 90Hz Full HD+ OLED display
- Premium design (Gorilla Glass Victus, aluminum frame, IP68)
- Efficient dual camera module
- Android 13 with lots of exclusive features
- Excellent battery life
- Competitive price
Bad
- No 120 Hz refresh rate
- 20W wired charging is too slow
- Back design is less beautiful than last year
- No significant performance gain between the Tensor G1 and G2
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Long-term support
After testing the European model, my colleague Casi Drees actually had a lot of good things to say about the phone, despite some questionable choices made by Samsung. The North American version of the Galaxy S23 FE solves the main issue we had in general, replacing the power-hungry Exynos chip used globally with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the US.
But what makes the Galaxy S23 FE an easy choice in this price range, especially when compared to similar options from Xiaomi and Motorola, is the much better software support provided by Samsung. The S23 FE is promised to receive five years of security updates, with four Android upgrades. And in the past years, Samsung has been delivering on its promise to past models, even retroactively extending support to some.
The result is that not only you will get a capable phone for 2024 in the S23 FE, but it will also stay usable for years to come. Even if your needs outgrow the phone, you will be able to use it as a backup phone, give it to a friend or relative, or even resell it.
Good
- Great workmanship
- Great AMOLED display
- Versatile camera
- Android 14 with One UI 6.0
- Solid performance
Bad
- Too expensive and released too late
- Too much internal competition
- Thick bezels
- Only average battery life
- No charger included
OnePlus 12R: The right compromises
The OG flagship killer, OnePlus slowly crept into flagship territory over the years. To counteract that, the company offers its T or R models, with some hardware compromises to reach the $500~$700 price sweetspot. And by all accounts, they nailed it with the OnePlus 12R in 2024.
You will find 2023's flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a big and crisp OLED display, excellent battery life, and a capable main camera. In return, you will give up some water protection, and high-resolution secondary cameras.
But the main selling point for the OnePlus 12R in the sub-$600 category is probably the battery department. Not only does it come with a big 5500 mAh battery, but it also includes a powerful and fast 100W charger in the box which reaches full charge in less than 30 minutes.
Good
- Sleek Design
- Alert Slider Onboard
- Bright and Vivid Screen
- Dependable Performance Stability
- Flexible Photography Options
- Two Days Battery Life
- 100W Fast Wired Charging
Bad
- Bulky Charger Adapter
- Only IP64 rating
Tips to upgrade your phone and save money
Contract discounts
Flagship and premium phones are the models with the biggest (and best) discounts when buying with a phone contract. That's why we added contract options in the deals links above, in case you are a customer of one of the mentioned carriers, be sure to check them out!
Refurbished and used smartphones
If removing the protective film on your new device does not spark joy, you can pick up more expensive smartphones from the second-hand or refurbished market. It is particularly advisable to use devices that carry a refurbished guarantee.
- Buy a refurbished cell phone: Here's what you need to look out for when shopping
These are used smartphones that have been checked and refurbished by reputable companies to ensure that they are in tip-top condition. Refurbished devices are particularly worthwhile to check out when they come with an extended warranty. This is how you protect yourself when picking one up just in case the handset gives up the ghost just a few weeks down the road.
Do you think we forgot a phone model? What would you change on this list? Share your opinion in the comments below!
Our 'Best Smartphones Under $600' list was updated in May 2024 to include a new top suggestion.
