Top cell phones from Samsung & Co.

More and more manufacturers rely on well-equipped mobile phones for an affordable price. There are many future-proof models for smartphones up to 500 euros. You can find out which ones are really worthwhile in our GIGA overview.

Granted: 500 euros is a steep price for a smartphone. Nevertheless, some models in this price range have features that are otherwise found in even more expensive models – be it 5G mobile communications, a color-intensive display, a fast processor or a strong battery. Although you have to be prepared for weaknesses such as the lack of wireless charging or expandable storage, it is worth taking a look at this price range – manufacturers such as Samsung and Xiaomi are represented. If you would like to bet on a future-proof mobile phone, we will show you the best smartphones up to 500 euros in our GIGA selection.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Not just for Samsung fans

Advantages:

• Very good performance
• Strong battery
• Optical image stabilizer available
• IP certification

Disadvantages:

• No wireless charging
• No memory expansion

We start with Samsung. As the name suggests, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fan Edition (view on Ebay) was developed for true Samsung fans. With a display diagonal of 6.4 inches, we get a handier smartphone than the lower Samsung A53. The Full HD Plus display looks great thanks to AMOLED technology. The refresh rate adapts to your use – it goes down with little interaction and, for example, when gaming, up to a maximum of 120 Hertz. Together with the Snapdragon 888 system-on-a-chip (SoC) (which most of the smartphones in our selection have), you can enjoy strong performance.

The Galaxy S21 FE comes from the factory already with the current operating system Android 12 delivered. With a 4,500 mAh battery, the smartphone also has a little more capacity than the normal Galaxy S21 (for the GIGA test). However, you have to do without wireless charging. According to our GIGA test, you can get by with it for just under a day and a half, even with intensive use. So it doesn’t matter whether you’re a true Samsung fan or not: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a lot to offer for less than 500 euros.

Are you still unsure when buying a smartphone? Then our GIGA guide will help you further:

Realme GT: A lot of performance at a low price

Advantages:

• Strong battery
• Fast battery charging
• jack socket

Disadvantages:

• No IP certification
• No wireless charging

Our next model in our overview of smartphones up to 500 euros is the Realme GT (view it at Amazon). The subsidiary brand of the Chinese manufacturer BBK (including OPPO, OnePlus) competes with Xiaomi and also combines a future-proof inner workings at an affordable price in its GT series. The Realme GTwhich was released in summer 2021, except for the display size a similar equipment to the Xiaomi in our selection. However, buyers benefit from a jack socket here.

Our editor Peter tested the Realme GT and especially praised the performance: Although the Snapdragon 888 is no longer the latest processor on the market, it still ensures smooth performance together with the 120 Hertz display – the GT mode is also a decent booster.

You only have to make some compromises with the camera, but it is good enough in most cases. That being said, you get with the Realme GT a strong batterywhich is fully charged in under 40 minutes.

Xiaomi 11T Pro: Fast charging

Advantages:

• High-contrast AMOLED display
• High performance
• 5G cellular
• High loading speed

Disadvantages:

• No IP certification
• No expandable storage
• No wireless charging

xiaomi is making a name for itself in Germany for everyday products good value for money – Of course, this also applies to smartphones such as the Xiaomi 11T Pro, which has been available since autumn 2021 (view at Cyberport).

Although Qualcomm’s top chip Snapdragon 888 from 2021 is no longer brand new (the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 currently holds this position), it takes care of it together with the big one At least 8 GB of RAM and a refresh rate of 120 Hz for good performance. You can’t complain about the camera with 108 MP resolution either – good results for photos and videos are basically convincing, only the lack of optical image stabilization makes a steady hand necessary.

What is also convincing is the battery: With a capacity of 5,000 mAh, it not only lasts for a long time, but is also compatible with the included 120 W power supply unit Charged from 0 to 100% in less than half an hour – Faster than any other smartphone, only the successor Xiaomi 12 Pro loads just as quickly. With all these top features, however, you have to make compromises: The Xiaomi 11T Pro, as a smartphone up to 500 euros, does not have a micro SD slot and jack connection, nor does it have a certified waterproof housing.

You can get an impression of the Xiaomi 11T Pro in our GIGA hands-on video:

Moto Edge 30: The usual Motorola performance

Advantages:

• Colorful AMOLED display
• Very good performance

Disadvantages:

• No jack connection
• No expandable storage

Our last model in our overview is the Moto Edge 30 (see Saturn). As with almost all smartphones under 500 euros in our selection, you get a here colorful and sharp AMOLED display. Together with the high refresh rate of 144 Hertz, the smartphone delivers super performance, as you are used to from Motorola. The Moto Edge 30 is only more of a fair-weather camera when it comes to photo quality.

With its 6.5-inch display, the smartphone still has a handy size. The housing is IP52 certified, which means it dust and water repellent is. However, you have to do without expandable memory – the Moto Edge 30 is limited to just 128 GB of internal memory.

Are you looking for smartphones in lower price ranges? Then we have the right GIGA overviews for you here:

Smartphones up to 500 euros: This is how the selection was made

Many mobile phone models compete with each other in this price category. Certain characteristics were an exclusion criterion for us, such as being too old. We based our tests partly on our own tests, but also on the results of other test sites. User ratings also influenced the selection. The latter were helpful because they didn’t judge based on benchmark numbers and other laboratory values ​​that didn’t say much, but instead emphasized individual impressions.

With our research we want to recommend you suitable products and avoid bad purchases. Your trust is important to us – that’s why you can rely on us. In a separate article you will learn how GIGA handles product recommendations and tests.

I myself have been dealing with mobile phones and smartphones for years. All generations have fascinated me, from the Nokia classics to the first clamshell and slide cell phones to smartphones. Personally, not only technical innovations are important to me, but also sustainability.

Finally, a note on the prices: Strong price fluctuations are always to be expected for smartphones. As soon as a new generation appears, the previous series can quickly suffer a price drop, which means that models that were previously too expensive suddenly fit into your personal budget. Deal events such as Black Friday or Cyber ​​Monday also have a strong impact on prices. We keep you up to date on current offers in our deal overview, it’s worth checking out the daily offers regularly!

Are you still looking for the right mobile phone? Then our mobile phone advisor will help you:

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