Written October 2025
Latest Samsung phone with a powerful processor and good value for the price: Samsung Galaxy S25
Key Specs:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite processor & 12 GB RAM
- 6.2″ FHD+ 416 ppi 120Hz Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 2600 nits of peak brightness, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, 162g weight
- 50 MP Wide + 12 MP Ultrawide + 10 MP 3× Telephoto + 12 MP selfie camera
- 4000 mAh battery with 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging (reverse wireless charging supported)
- Android 15 with 7 major Android updates (and extended security updates)
- IP68 dust and water resistance
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a powerhouse with everything you could need in a phone for years to come and is a good deal for $500. It comes with the same Galaxy AI features as the other S25 series phones and actually has more AI features than the previous Galaxy S24, such as the Now Brief & Now Bar. These AI experiences and much more are powered by the S25’s 12GB of RAM and powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which is so powerful it is described by some reviewers as “overkill” and is a considerable jump over the S24’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Although its processor is considered overkill for now, it’s key to maintaining longevity in the future, especially combined with its impressive 7 major Android updates. The S25 is very premium-feeling in general as well, with its Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass protecting its high-quality 6.2″ 120Hz Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display and the back of the phone, with aluminum covering the sides of the phone. The S25’s ultrawide and telephoto lenses are fine and will get the job done, while its main camera, being larger than the other two lenses, are where this phone’s camera shines, producing competent shots and 8K 30FPS video. Overall, for $500, this is a great phone despite its few shortcomings, and I recommend it for just about anyone looking for a new phone at this price range.
| Cons: | -Many believe the camera, while still decent, has not changed much from the S22, S23, or S24, and some complain about heavy image processing. The S25’s telephoto lens is also lacking. -Battery & charging capability are good but not an upgrade over the S24 or S23 |
Best new option: OnePlus 13R
Key Specs:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor & 12 GB RAM
- 6.78″ 2780×1264 1.5K LTPO 120Hz display, ~450 ppi, up to 4500 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i protection, 206 g weight
- 50 MP Wide + 50 MP 2x Telephoto + 8 MP Ultrawide + 16 MP selfie camera
- 6000mAh battery with 55W wired charging
- Android 15 with up to 4 major Android updates
- IP65 dust and water resistance
Just a disclaimer before I start writing about the phone: the OnePlus 13R isn’t available at any of the regular retailers for less than $500, likely due to tariffs, but on eBay these phones are available brand new for $500, possibly due to scalpers buying the phones before tariffs. Although these sellers appear to have high ratings, if you get scammed, make sure to dispute your purchase with eBay, as they tend to often side with the buyer, and make sure to purchase a listing located in your country. Anyways, the OnePlus 13R is a powerful, high-spec phone that is widely considered to be one of the most value-packed phones for the price right now. One of its key features is its incredible performance, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a high-end processor from 2023, which still holds up incredibly well today. Its display is beautiful and vibrant, hitting up to an astounding 4500 nits of peak brightness. Especially with that high pixel density keeping it looking extra sharp, this display is great for a midrange phone. OnePlus has always been great with battery life and charging, with fast 55W wired charging filling up the 13R’s 6000 mAh battery in around 50 minutes, providing amazing battery life that should last you more than a day of continuous use. OnePlus’s OxygenOS, despite having the occasional mistranslation error, is known as one of the best Android operating systems due to being customizable, smooth, and having a good set of features. Overall, this is a premium-feeling phone at a midrange price, with fewer drawbacks of a midrange handset than the competition, so I wholeheartedly recommend this one for $500 or less.
| Cons: | -Cameras are not the best, with inaccurate skin tones/colors and inconsistent shots in different lighting situations -IP65 dust and water resistance |