Best Budget Smartphones for Gaming Under $500
The right smartphone may greatly improve your gaming experience in the world of gaming. We have you covered, whether you’re a young gamer or a parent trying to pick something out for the teenager in your life who loves to play games. We’ll examine the top 5 cheap mobile devices for gaming under $500 in this post. These phones are not only reasonably priced, but they are also strong enough to play the newest games without difficulty.
There are several low-cost gaming cell phones on the market nowadays that deliver excellent performance. Let’s dig into more detail about the best 5 low-cost gaming cellphones.
1) Xiaomi Black Shark 4: A Gaming Beast
A gaming smartphone created to provide the finest possible gaming experience is the Xiaomi Black Shark 4. A 144Hz AMOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 870 CPU, and magnetic pop-up triggers for snappy controls are all included in one device. Additionally, the phone features a big 4500mAh battery and 120W rapid charging, so you can play games for a long time without worrying about running out of juice.
Here are some of the key features of the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 that make it a great choice for gamers:
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 processor: This processor is capable of handling even the most demanding games with ease.
- 144Hz AMOLED display: This display provides smooth and fluid gameplay, with no screen tearing or lag.
- Magnetic pop-up triggers: These triggers provide tactile feedback and make it easy to control your games.
- Large 4500mAh battery with 120W fast charging: This battery will keep you gaming for hours on end, and the fast charging will quickly top it up when you need it.
If you are looking for a smartphone that will give you the best possible gaming experience, then the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 is a great option. It is powerful, responsive, and has a long-lasting battery.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021, March 23 |
| Available. Released 2021, March 30 | |
| Display | Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Size: 6.67 inches | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels | |
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| Memory | Internal: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | Triple: |
| – 48 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS | |
| – 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ ultrawide | |
| – 5 MP, f/2.4, macro | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: |
| 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 0.8µm | |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: 120W wired | |
| Platform | OS: Android 11, JoyUI 12.5 |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core | |
| GPU: Adreno 730 |
Pros:
- Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset for smooth gaming.
- High refresh rate display for fluid gameplay.
- Impressive battery with fast charging.
- Competitive pricing.
- Budget Smartphones for Gaming
Cons:
- Slightly bulkier design.
2)POCO F4 GT: Affordable Gaming Excellence
The POCO F4 GT is a gaming smartphone that is packed with features to give you the best possible gaming experience. It features a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and magnetic pop-up triggers for responsive controls. The phone also has a large 4700mAh battery with 120W fast charging, so you can game for hours on end without having to worry about running out of power.
Here are some of the key features of the POCO F4 GT that make it a great choice for gamers:
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor: This processor is capable of handling even the most demanding games with ease.
- 120Hz AMOLED display: This display provides smooth and fluid gameplay, with no screen tearing or lag.
- Magnetic pop-up triggers: These triggers provide tactile feedback and make it easy to control your games.
- Large 4700mAh battery with 120W fast charging: This battery will keep you gaming for hours on end, and the fast charging will quickly top it up when you need it.
- Shoulder buttons: These buttons are located on the side of the phone and can be used to control your games.
- Game Turbo 3.0: This feature optimizes your phone’s performance for gaming, giving you a smoother and more responsive experience.
If you are looking for a smartphone that will give you the best possible gaming experience, then the POCO F4 GT is a great option. It is powerful, responsive, and has a long-lasting battery. If you are interested in buying the POCO F4 GT, you can find it on the official POCO website or at authorized retailers.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | Announced: 2022, Date |
| Released: 2022, Date | |
| Display | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Size: 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio | |
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | |
| Memory | Internal: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS Version: UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | 64 MP, + 8MP+ 2MP |
| Selfie Camera | Single/Dual: 20 MP |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable, 120W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 17 min |
| Platform | OS: Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (1×3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | |
| GPU: Adreno 730 |
Pros:
- Impressive gaming performance.
- High-quality display for immersive gaming.
- Long-lasting battery.
- Competitive pricing.
- Budget Smartphones for Gaming
Cons:
- Limited availability in some regions.
3)Motorola Edge 30 Fusion: Gaming on a Budget
The Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is a premium mid-range smartphone that ove introduction for the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion:ffers a great balance of features and performance. It features a powerful Snapdragon 888+ processor, a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, and a triple-lens rear camera system. The phone also has a large 4400mAh battery with 68W fast charging, so you can stay powered up all day long.
Here are some of the key features of the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion that make it a great choice for a mid-range smartphone:
- Powerful Snapdragon 888+ processor: This processor is capable of handling even the most demanding tasks with ease.
- 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate: This display provides smooth and fluid visuals, making it great for gaming and watching videos.
- Triple-lens rear camera system: This camera system takes great photos in a variety of conditions.
- Large 4400mAh battery with 68W fast charging: This battery will keep you going all day long, and the fast charging will quickly top it up when you need it.
If you are looking for a premium mid-range smartphone that offers a great balance of features and performance, then the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion is a great option. It is powerful, stylish, and has a long-lasting battery.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | Announced: 2022, Date |
| Released: 2022, Date | |
| Display | Type: P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak) |
| Size: 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | |
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| Memory | Internal:128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS Version: 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | Triple/Quad: 50MP+13MP+2MP |
| Selfie Camera | Single/Dual: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm, AF |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 4400 mAh, non-removable 68W wired, 50% in 10 min |
| Platform | OS: Android 12, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (1×2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | |
| GPU: Adreno 660 |
Pros:
- Good gaming performance.
- Vibrant display for enjoyable gaming.
- Excellent battery life.
- Affordable price point.
- Budget Smartphones for Gaming
Cons:
- Average camera performance.
4)Realme GT Neo 3: Speed and Affordability
The Realme GT Neo 3 is a powerful and stylish smartphone that is perfect for anyone looking for a great all-round device. It features a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8100 5G processor, a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a triple-lens rear camera system. The phone also has a 5000mAh battery with 80W fast charging, so you can stay powered up all day long.
Here are some of the key features of the Realme GT Neo 3 that make it a great choice:
- Powerful performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 5G processor is one of the most powerful processors available on the market, and it provides the GT Neo 3 with excellent performance. You can easily play games, watch videos, and multitask on this phone without any lag.
- Smooth and fluid display: The 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth and fluid visuals, making it great for gaming and watching videos.
- Great camera system: The triple-lens rear camera system takes great photos in a variety of conditions. You can take stunning photos of your friends and family, or capture amazing landscapes.
- Long-lasting battery with fast charging: The 5000mAh battery will keep you going all day long, and the 80W fast charging will quickly top it up when you need it.
If you are looking for a powerful and stylish smartphone that offers great value for money, then the Realme GT Neo 3 is a great option to consider. Budget Smartphones for Gaming
| Specification | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Announced: 2022, Date | |
| Released: 2022, Date | ||
| Display | Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | |
| Size: 6.7 INCH | ||
| Resolution: 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | ||
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | ||
| Memory | Internal:128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | |
| UFS Version: 3.1 | ||
| Main Camera | Triple/Quad: 50+8+2Mp | |
| Selfie Camera | Single/Dual: 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09″, 1.0µm | |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
|
|
| Platform | OS: Android 12 | |
| Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) | ||
| CPU: Octa-core (4×2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | ||
| GPU: Mali-G610 MC6 |
Pros:
- Strong gaming performance.
- High-refresh-rate display.
- Impressive battery life..
- Budget Smartphones for Gaming
Cons:
- Availability may vary by region.
5)OnePlus 10T: Premium Gaming on a Budget
The OnePlus 10T is a powerful and stylish smartphone that is perfect for anyone looking for a great all-round device. It features a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a triple-lens rear camera system. The phone also has a 4800mAh battery with 150W fast charging, so you can stay powered up all day long.
Here are some of the key features of the OnePlus 10T that make it a great choice:
- Powerful performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor is one of the most powerful processors available on the market, and it provides the 10T with excellent performance. You can easily play games, watch videos, and multitask on this phone without any lag.
- Smooth and fluid display: The 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth and fluid visuals, making it great for gaming and watching videos.
- Great camera system: The triple-lens rear camera system takes great photos in a variety of conditions. You can take stunning photos of your friends and family, or capture amazing landscapes.
- Fast charging: The 150W fast charging is one of the fastest charging speeds available on the market. You can charge the 10T from 0 to 100% in just 17 minutes.Budget Smartphones for Gaming
If you are looking for a powerful and stylish smartphone with fast charging, then the OnePlus 10T is a great option to consider.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | Announced: 2022, Date |
| Released: 2022, Date | |
| Display | Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Size: 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | |
| Memory | Internal: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS Version: 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | Triple/Quad: 50+8+2 Mp |
| Selfie Camera | Single/Dual: 16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3″, 1.0µm |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable 150W wired (125W for 110V sockets) |
| Platform | OS: Android 12, OxygenOS 13 |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (1×3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | |
| GPU: Adreno 730 |
Pros:
- Premium gaming performance.
- High-quality display.
- Fast charging capabilities.
- Budget Smartphones for Gaming
Cons:
- Availability may be limited in some markets.
Comparison Table
Here’s a handy comparison table to help you choose the best budget gaming smartphone for your needs:
| Smartphone Model | Processor | Display Size (inches) | Refresh Rate | Battery Capacity (mAh) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Black Shark 4 | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | 6.7 | 144Hz | 4800Mh | $398 |
| POCO F4 GT | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | 6.67 inches | 120HZ | 4700Mh | $499 |
| Motorola Edge 30 Fusion | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | 6.55 inches | 144Hz | 4400Mh | $480 |
| Realme GT Neo 3 | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) | 6.7 inches | 120Hz | 5000Mh | $436 |
| OnePlus 10T | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | 6.7 inches | 120Hz | 4800Mh | $499 |
Pros and Cons of Budget Gaming Smartphones
Budget gaming smartphones offer great value, but they also come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a quick overview:
Pros:
- Affordable pricing.
- Good gaming performance.
- Decent battery life.
- Suitable for young gamers.
- Budget Smartphones for Gaming
Cons:
- May have limited availability.
- Camera quality may not be on par with flagship devices.
Conclusion
Choosing the right budget gaming smartphone under $500 can be a game-changer for your gaming adventures. Whether you opt for the Xiaomi Black Shark 4’s gaming prowess, the POCO F4 GT’s affordability, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion’s budget-friendly gaming, the Realme GT Neo 3’s speed, or the OnePlus 10T’s premium gaming experience, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy your favorite games without breaking the bank. Make your selection wisely, and level up your gaming experience today! Budget Smartphones for Gaming
