Smartphones are getting better and better these days! With so many choices, picking one is really tough – especially when it comes to finding the best phone for a $600 budget.
Fortunately, I've done my research and have some recommendations for you for the best phone under 600 dollars.
A budget of 600 dollars is considered pretty good for the best phone that fulfills your needs. This is the upper mid-range budget, but this is the budget choice of most of the people out there reading.
If you have a mid-range budget and are looking to upgrade your phone, then you are in the right place!
In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…
Criteria to Pick the Best Smartphone Under $600
While sorting the list, I used my super six formula to pick the best smartphone for you.
In this selection, first I looked for the 7 best new and used smartphones out there to include in the list.
To remain unbiased in support or opposition to any brand, first I devised my super six formula.
In this formula, I picked 6 features that every smartphone should have. Following are the features that I personally look for in any smartphone:
- Processor (Because it is like the heart of the phone)
- Display (Because it is like the face of any phone and it must be beautiful)
- Battery (Because it's the life of any phone)
- Build Quality (Because it should be strong to prevent repair or early replacement)
- Operating System (Because it defines usability and reliability)
- Cameras (Because everyone loves them)
For the purpose of picking the best phone under 600 dollars, I took into consideration both new and used phones.
Best Phones Under 600 Dollars
I headed over to Amazon to uncover the best phone under 600 dollars. Believe me, there were so many phones to choose from! But then, I jumped over to my formula to look.
Let's dive deep into the detailed specs of these phones to choose the best phone under 600 dollars. One by one, we will check out specs, pros & cons, display quality, build quality and operating system for all of these phones to pick the best phone under 600 dollars.
In picking the best phone under 600 dollars, I took into consideration both new and used phones, but obviously, price is the main concern. Check out the picks below!
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9mm |
Weight – 150g |
Build – Gorilla Glass 5 front and back with aluminum frame |
SIM – Single Nano-SIM or Hybrid Dual SIM |
Display type – Dynamic AMOLED capactive touchscreen with 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2280 pix, 19:9 rating |
Operating system – Android 9.0 Pie but can upgrade to Android 10 |
Chipset – Exynos 9820 and Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 |
Card slot – microSDXC – dual SIM mode only |
Internal memory – 128GB 6GB RAM or 256GB 8GB RAM |
Main camera size – 16MP max resolution or 12MP |
Main camera features – LED flash, auto-HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 10MP |
Selfie camera features – Dual video call, auto-HDR |
Battery type – Li-Ion 3100 mAh non-removable |
Battery charging – 15W Fast charging, Fast Qi/PMA wireless Charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W |
Samsung Galaxy S10e is the best bang for the buck. It was introduced by Samsung with Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ as a response to the Apple iPhone XR, with some cuts to different features of the phone.
Here, I will be talking about different aspects of the phone and offer my thoughts on how they stack up.
Display
The display has always been the highlight of Samsung phones. Put simply, their displays are stunning!
Samsung also produces displays for their phones, which is why they have such beautiful displays. The Samsung Galaxy S10e is no exception.
It has an incredible display quality with a new punch-hole camera on the front.
Samsung Galaxy S10e comes with a 5.8-inch dynamic OLED panel. It has a screen resolution of 2280p-by-1080p and a pixel density of 438ppi.
Because it has such a high-resolution display, it provides an immersive experience.
Samsung Galaxy S10e has an always-on display technology and is also HDR10+ certified. It is also protected by corning Gorilla Glass 5.
I love the display on this phone – it is the best on a phone under 600 dollars. The main drawback? This phone's slightly thick bezels aren't as attractive as they could be.
Processor
Samsung Galaxy S10e comes with the latest processor.
Your processor will depend on the region you are in. In America, it comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, as it is the fastest processor, but in Europe, it comes with Exynos 9820.
Geekbench scores of Samsung Galaxy S10e are below. They are solid because of the Snapdragon 855 chipset. They are also stunning for the Exynos version.
As you can see in the above image, the single-core and multi-core scores of this device are pretty impressive. The RAM and storage options on this device are as follows:
Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy S10e comes with solid build quality. As it was in response to Apple's iPhone XR, that's why Samsung left no stone unturned.
It comes with a glass back and an aluminum frame. But instead of making this phone curved from front and back, Samsung made it flat.
On the right side, there is a power button with a fingerprint in it. The right side of the phone also has volume keys.
Its build quality survives in day to day tasks because of the high durability level. That's why it is among the list of the best phone under 600 dollars.
Operating System
Samsung Galaxy S10e comes with Android 9 out of the box with Samsung's skin on top of it. Samsung had terrible skin but now they made it a lot cleaner.
One UI is better skin for reachability and using big-screen phones.
The built-in dark mode provides a better view because of the OLED display. The blacks are deep and provide a better viewing experience.
Cameras
This phone comes with a dual rear camera but a single front-facing camera as compared to S10+. The camera quality is good because it provides detailed and crisp images.
The selfie camera on this device is equipped with a 10MP sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. Because of its low aperture, it provides better images in the night time.
The front camera on this device can also record 1080p videos at 30fps and 4K videos at 30fps.
The rear sensors on this device include a wide-angle 12MP sensor with a variable aperture of f/1.5-f/2.4. The secondary camera on this device includes an ultra-wide-angle 16MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.2.
Actually, I prefer an ultra-wide camera rather than a telephoto lens because you can capture more in the same frame.
The main camera comes with OIS and provides steady shots and videos. You can record videos on this device up to 4K at 60fps but it provides EIS only at 4K at 30fps.
Battery
The Samsung Galexy S10e comes with 3100mAh of battery, which makes battery life the phone's low point. Because of low battery capacity, you won't be able to get through your day on one charge.
When the phone is in new condition, it should get through your day easily, but as soon as it starts showing its age, battery life falls apart.
It comes in the following colors:
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm |
Weight – 189 grams |
Build – Gorilla Glass 5 front and back with aluminum frame |
SIM – Single Nano-SIM or Hybrid Dual SIM |
Display type – Super AMOLED capactive touchscreen with 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1440 x 2960 pix or 18.5:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 8.0 Oreo, upgradable to Android 10 |
Chipset – Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 |
Card slot – microSDXC – dual SIM model only |
Internal memory – 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
Main camera size – 12 MP |
Main camera features – LED flash, auto-HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 8MP or 2MP |
Selfie camera features – Dual video call, Auto-HDR |
Battery type – Li-Ion 3500 mAh non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 15W and PMA wireless charging |
The S9 and S9+ phones are the best out of all mentioned in the list and the best all-rounders. These are priced very well and have the best specs sheet out there.
Display
Personally, I consider the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones to be my top choice. They have awesome display quality.
You know very well that Samsung is second to none in displays. They delivered OLED displays for iPhone X, and their phones are well equipped with Super AMOLED displays.
Both devices from Samsung features the same resolution of 1440*2960 pixels. S9 and S9+ both have some common display features:
The screen size of S9 is 5.8 inches with 570ppi density, but S9+ has a screen size of 6.2 inches with 529ppi density. The screen size you get is based on personal preference.
I think of the S9+ as more comfortable in my hands.
Processor
As impressive as the display is, it's worth talking about the processor in these phones. Both of them have the Snapdragon 845 chipset, which is still one of the fastest processors out there.
Geekbench scores of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ are pretty impressive, but not as much as Apple processors.
Build Quality
My most favorite part of these phones is build quality. The build quality of both phones is of flagship-level and will stand out in the crowd. S9 and S9+ both have a glass back and front curved display having edges.
The top and bottom bezels of these phones are also very sleek and the overall phone looks beautiful. Because of the color selection and availability, it is the best phone out there.
Operating System
There's also a downside to any product. What I don't like about S9 and S9+ is their OS. They run on the Android platform, but on top of that, Samsung's skin doesn't look good.
Samsung updates its devices more slowly than Google does its OS. However, they changed to the lighter skin One UI introduced in S10+, and it is cleaner, but the updates issue is still the same.
Cameras
Cameras on these phones are excellent, but not better than those on Pixel devices. Because Samsung has put industry-standard cameras in its devices, they are optimized and perform well according to their price to value ratio.
The selfie camera on these phones features an 8MP shooter with aperture f/1.7. This wide aperture is better for any kind of selfies and also features live emojis.
The rear cameras on this device are beasts because of their price to value ratio. Samsung Galaxy S9 features a single 12MP shooter with f/1.8 and OIS, while Samsung Galaxy S9+ features dual 12MP sensors.
One sensor has a variable aperture of f/1.5-f/2.4 and the second sensor has an aperture of f/2.4. Both have OIS.
Other features of the cameras on both S9 and S9+ include:
Battery
Despite having the best features of the bunch, battery is also the main concern for anyone while choosing the best phone for himself.
S9 features 3000mAh while S9+ packs in 3500mAh of battery. They deliver a pretty decent amount of screen on time.
They are available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options.
I am generally not a big fan of Samsung's S series, but S9 and S9 plus are great options. Strong build quality is their main selling point.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2mm |
Weight – 147 gram |
Build – Asahi Dragontrail glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
SIM – Nano-SIM or eSIM |
Display type – OLED capactive touchscreen, 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2220 pix, 18.5:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 9.0, upgradable to Android 10 |
Chipset – Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 |
Card slot – No |
Internal memory – 64GB 4GB RAM |
Main camera size – 12.2 MP |
Main camera features – Dual-LED flash, HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 8MP |
Selfie camera features – HDR |
Battery type – Li-Po 3000 mAh non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 18W or USB power delivery 2.0 |
Just a few days ago, Google released its first budget segment phones. I immediately thought it was worth including those phones in this article about the best phone under 600 dollars.
Both of these phones pack in some great features! So without wasting any more time, let's look at what makes the Pixel stand out.
Display
The display on Pixel 3A and 3A XL isn't bad, but not as bright as other phones in the industry. The display is 5.6 inches normally or 6 inches for the XL version.
That display is not the best of all that we are comparing today but it is good. The 3A and 3A XL have different resolutions, with 3A featuring a 1080x2220 resolution and the XL version sporting a 1080x2160 resolution.
These phones come with OLED panels, but these OLED panels are not the very best. Specifically, these displays are not as bright as the S9. The main selling point here is the $399 price tag.
Processor
Pixel 3A and 3A XL both pack in a medium-range processor. Both of them are packed with Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 chipset. It is not one of the fastest processors out there but it is good.
Geekbench scores of Google Pixel 3A and 3A XL are pretty impressive, but these are still the lowest among all devices compared. Thankfully, Google ensures these two phones perform very well.
Build Quality
To be honest, this is not a high-end smartphone except for its camera hardware. This extends to build quality, as the phone is built of polycarbonate – also known as plastic.
There are thick bezels on the front of the display. It also does not have stereo speakers like other Google phones do.
Neither the Google Pixel 3A and 3A XL support wireless charging, and neither one is waterproof. They both have a headphone jack.
Operating System
Google Pixel 3A and 3A XL both come with Android 9 Pie. They both do come with stock Android experience, which is a good thing for all Android phones.
Along with that, Google does provide its users with unlimited photo storage on Google Photos.
Stock Android means Google support for updates for at least 2 years, as well as necessary security patches for this phone.
Cameras
Now, we move towards the best part of the Pixel phone and one of its main selling points: the cameras. It uses the same camera interface and settings of Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
Google used the same algorithm for Pixel 3A and 3A XL's cameras that are used in their bigger brothers.
Their rear camera features a 12.2MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture with OIS. It also supports 4K video at 30fps.
The front camera of both Pixel 3A and 3A XL is 8MP with f/2.0 aperture. The front sensor is capable of recording 1080 videos at 30fps.
Battery
The battery on both phones is slightly different.
Google Pixel 3A features 3000mAh of battery with 18W of fast charging, while Pixel 3A XL features 3700mAh of battery with the same 18W of fast charging.
Both Pixel 3A and 3A XL phones come in 3 different colors:
While these phones don't deliver in terms of performance but these phones are just like mini DSLRs. For real photography lovers, this choice is hands down from me.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm |
Weight – 201 grams |
Build – Gorilla Glass 5 front and back with aluminum frame |
SIM – Single SIM and Hybrid Dual SIM |
Display type – Super AMOLED capactive touchscreen, 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1440 x 2960, 18.5:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 8.1, upgradable to Android 10 |
Chipset – Exynos 9810 EMEA |
Card slot – microSDXC shared SIM slot |
Internal memory – 128GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
Main camera size – 12MP |
Main camera features – LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
Selfie camera size – 8MP, 2MP |
Selfie camera features – Dual video call, Auto HDR |
Battery type – Li-Ion 4000 mAh non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 15W, Qi/PMA wireless charging |
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the best Samsung device out there. You can buy this phone now under 600 dollars. It has the best display, which is something everyone can appreciate!
Display
This phone has Samsung's high quality 6.4 inches Super AMOLED Display. It has the highest resolution with 1440x2960 pixels and a pixel density of 516ppi. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 also has Always-on Display technology.
This phone has the brightest display. Plus, the screen size is big enough to be handled by both hands.
Pen
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is equipped with new pen technology. This new pen has its own battery which is charged by the device in 90 seconds. The pen can be used for 30 mins on a single charge.
Features of the pen include a button on it to take photos and to receive calls. It is also used for other miscellaneous tasks on the phone.
Processor
Galaxy Note 9 features last year's flagship chip, which is good enough for its best performance. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB or 8GB of Ram and up to 512GB of storage.
It is workable for your daily life usage. You can easily play graphics-intensive games on it, even delivering performance without any lag.
Geekbench scores of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 are slightly improved from the S9+, but pretty much the same.
Build Quality
Build quality of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the best because of its glass back. It is the most beautiful device. The back is flat, while on the front, it has a curved display.
The Note 9 has dual stereo speakers and a headphone jack too. It is also equipped with a water-resistant feature with an IP68 rating.
Operating System
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 comes with Android 9.0 with Samsung One UI on top of it. One UI phone now looks cleaner and more beautiful.
Cameras
Cameras of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 are the best of both worlds. They have dual rear cameras. Both are 12MP, but one includes variable aperture and one has a fixed aperture.
Both cameras offer OIS. One camera is wide-angle and one is telephoto for better portraits.
Cameras of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 offer 4K video at 60fps. They can shoot slow-motion videos at 720p with 960fps.
Image quality is great on this device. You can comfortably bring just this device on your vacations and get plenty of memorable photos and video footage out of it.
The front 8MP selfie camera is also good for better selfies. It can record videos at 1440p at 30fps.
Battery
It has 4000mAh of battery. This battery is quite good. Considering the size of the phone, it can last longer. The phone also supports 15W fast charging and wireless charging.
The Note 9 is available in the following colors, depending on your market:
So far, this is the best choice for the best phone under 600 dollars. I would highly recommend this phone to you because of its best all-around performance. This phone delivers incredible value, considering the price of the product.
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8mm |
Weight – 200g |
Build – Gorilla Glass front and back with plastic frame |
SIM – Hybrid Dual SIM |
Display type – IPS LCD capactive touchscreen , 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 9.0, upgradable to Android 10 |
Chipset – Mediatek Helio G90T |
Card slot – microSDXC with shared SIM |
Internal memory – 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
Main camera size – 64MP, 8MP, or 2MP |
Main camera features – LED flash, HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 20MP |
Selfie camera features – HDR and panorama |
Battery type – Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 18W |
Xiaomi isn’t one of the most popular phone brands on the market just yet, but with the high specs and fantastic quality of their phones, this brand is bound to make it to the top ranks in no time!
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is a good example of a smartphone that is highly competitive in terms of price and features.
Here is a quick look at some of the most important specs that this terrific phone has to offer.
Display
The display of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is ideal for gameplay. The phone has an IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display with 16M colors which is rather impressive.
It is also nice and large at 6.53 inches or 104.7 cm2 which is nice and large, yet can be a bit too bulky for some.
The screen offers a good view with its 1080 x 2340 pixel display and it also includes Corning Gorilla Class 5 protection with 500 nits max brightness and an HDR view.
This isn’t the most compact phone but it sure is an ideal phone for gaming, streaming or for checking your social media.
Processor
For many gaming enthusiasts, the phone processor is one of the most important features. The Note 8 Pro has a Mediatek Helio G90T (12nm) chipset.
This is a preferable chipset for android and many believe that it is much better than the Snapdragon 730G chipset.
The phone also comes with an Octa-core CPU and Mali-G76 MC4 GPU.
Build Quality
Of course you want a phone that is just as stylish as it is functional. The Note 8 Pro certainly has it in terms of style.
It features a glass front and back (Grilla glass 5) with a plastic frame.
It is also available in various colors like black, red, blue and white and some of these colors do offer a cool metallic sheen.
Ideally, you should however also invest in a screen guard and case to keep your phone in great condition.
Operating System
This phone uses advanced Android 9.0 Pie but you can also upgrade it to Android 10 or MIUI 11.
A standard upgraded version would have been preferable but the Android 9.0 is still a very good operating system.
Android operating systems are also preferable for the Mediatek Helio chipset that is included with this phone.
We also love that this phone comes with a micro SDXC card slot and lots of internal storage such as 64GB 6GB RAM, 128B 6GB RAM, 128 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM and UFS 2.1.
Needless to say, the phone you choose with the most ram will be the most suitable for your gaming.
Cameras
If you are buying a phone so you can take breathtaking photos then you won’t make a mistake with this one.
The Note 8 Pro has a very impressive 64MP main camera. And if you want to take images that won’t take up quite as much storage space on your phone, you can also set it on 8 MP or 2MP level.
In addition to these crystal clear photos, the camera also offers additional features such as LED flash, HDR and panorama.
The selfie camera is also ideal for taking great looking self-portraits. This phone has a 20MP selfie camera that includes various filters you can try for different looks.
The selfie camera also features HDR and panorama settings that allow you to take your selfies to the next level.
Battery
We all hate running out of battery life and it is always a hassle to recharge your phone frequently. Luckily, the Note 8 Pro has a good Li-Pro 4500 mAh battery that is non-removable.
This battery can be fast-charged when you use the 18W charger that is included with the phone.
And if you want to make your battery last even longer, there are several settings on the phone that you can adjust.
Power Saving Mode is always good for extending battery life, but you can also reduce the screen brightness or set the camera on a lower MP range to help your battery last longer.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 157.7 x 74.8 x 8.2mm |
Weight – 182grams |
Build – Gorilla Glass 6 front, Gorilla Glass 5 back, aluminum frame |
SIM – Dual SIM |
Display type – Optic AMOLED capactive touchscreen with 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2340, 19.5:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 9.0, upgradable to Android 10 |
Chipset – Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 |
Card slot – No |
Internal memory – 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12 GB RAM |
Main camera size – 48MP, 5MP |
Main camera features – Dual-LED flash, HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 16MP |
Selfie camera features – Auto-HDR |
Battery type – Li-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 20W |
Not to be confused with the OnePlus 7 Pro, this phone is simply the OnePlus 7. It is slightly upgraded from OnePlus 6T, but is missing a lot of nice-to-haves from the OnePlus 7 Pro.
Still, in its price range, I believe the OnePlus 7 is better than most of the phones listed here.
Display
OnePlus has evolved a lot since its first iteration, and so has its displays. The OnePlus 7 has 6.4 inches of optic Amoled display, and a 2340 by 1080p resolution.
The display has a teardrop notch with only a camera on it. It is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 and is HDR 10 certified.
The display on this device is good bright and crisp. Viewing angles are good and have a nice view. The display has a pixel density of 402ppi.
Processor
This is the main upgrade of the OnePlus 7 from OnePlus 6T. OnePlus 7 uses the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, which makes it a lightning-fast phone in the lower flagship segment.
This phone is super smooth in day to day tasks, working perfectly fine in day to day usage. Its usage is seamless. OnePlus was once the flagship killer – its optimization is truly next level.
Besides the processor, the OnePlus 7 has 6GB of RAM combined with 128GB of storage. It is also available in 8GB and 256GB combination.
Geekbench scores of OnePlus 7 8GB version are undeliverable. It scored 3551 in single-core performance and 11012 in multi-core performance.
These scores are the best of every phone we've reviewed here, even better than Xiaomi Mi 9.
Build Quality
The build quality of OnePlus 7 is excellent. Having a glass back makes it feel more premium in hand.
From the back, you can't tell the difference between OnePlus 6T and OnePlus 7. They are almost the same.
Operating System
OnePlus 7 runs on Android Version 9 Pie. On top of that, it has an Oxygen OS which is almost stock Android and clean.
I like the software running on OnePlus 7 more than any other company's software in the Android field.
Cameras
The cameras on this phone are better. The main sensor is a 48MP wide-angle sensor with f./1.7 and OIS.
The secondary sensor is a 5MP depth sensor with f/2.4. Cameras have dual tone led flashlight. It also has an EIS.
The camera of this phone can record 4K videos at 60fps. The pictures that came out of this camera are good and crisp.
You can shoot some great images from this device. I am a huge fan of Marques Brownlee from MKBHD, he also loved the camera of OnePlus 7.
The selfie camera of OnePlus 7 is a 16MP shooter with f/2.0 and an EIS. It can shoot 1080p videos at 30fps.
You can have amazing group selfies using this camera. The picture quality is great and super clear.
Battery
This phone has 3700mAh of battery with dash charge support. This battery is easily enough for a day, because this battery is not too much, but it is enough because of the screen resolution.
Oneplus 7 is available in the following two colors:
It is a very good choice at this price point, offering a lot of features. The mid-range level price and flagship-level quality are important aspects.
The main consideration is that it is fairly a new device. The phone came out this year.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8mm |
Weight – 209g |
Build – Gorilla Glass 5 front and back, plastic frame |
SIM – Dual SIM, water-repellent coating |
Display type – IPS LCD capactive touchscreen, 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 10 |
Chipset – Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G |
Card slot – microSDXC dedicated |
Internal memory – 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
Main camera size – 48MP, 8MP, 5MP or 2MP |
Main camera features – LED flash, HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 16MP |
Selfie camera features – HDR and panorama |
Battery type – Li-Po 5020 mAh non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 18W |
This Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S is another good product to consider if you need a superior phone at a more affordable price.
This phone has an agreeable price and it is a very stylish companion to have with you every second of the day.
Display
This phone features an IPS LCD capactive touchscreen with 16M colors. The screen is very large at 6.67 inches or 107.4 cm2.
While these bigger screens may feel a bit heavy and bulky, they are ideal for streaming your favorite content or for gaming on your phone.
The display quality is also outstanding at 1080 x 2400 pixels or 20:9 ratio.
The phone also features 450 nits brightness and it is quite sturdy thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass 5 that offers good touch sensitivity yet isn’t quite as fragile as some phone screens.
Processor
The Redmi Note 9S is fitted with a Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G chipset. While this is one of the best chipsets on the market, it isn’t necessarily the best for Android phones. The phone will still work fairly well, though.
The phone also features an Octa-core CPU and an Adreno 618 GPU that ensures good app launching and functional phone operating.
Build Quality
As with many other Xiaomi phones, this one also features Gorilla Glass 5 in the front and back with a plastic frame.
This glass is superb for keeping your phone crack-free in case of a fall. The phone also features a water-repelling coating that will keep your hardware protected in case of splashes.
With these two build combinations, the Note 9S should be fairly durable.
This phone is available in various colors such as Aurora Blue, Glacier White, and Interstellar Black.
The black and white colors might be timeless, but if you want a phone that stands out, then you should consider the Aurora Blue with its charming metallic sheen.
Operating System
The Note 9S features an advanced Android 10, MIUI 11 operating system, which makes it a great pick if you want a device that has all the latest software.
In addition to its advanced Android operating system, you also get lots of storage space with this phone.
The phone has a micro SDXC dedicated slot and offers lots of internal storage, such as 64GB 4GB RAM or 128GB 6 GB RAM, depending on the type of phone you buy.
Cameras
The Note 9S doesn’t feature quite as powerful a camera as the Note 8 Pro, but at a max 48 MP resolution, you will still be able to take fantastic quality photos.
If you want to preserve some storage space on your phone, you can also set your camera on a lower resolution of 8MP, 5MP, or 2MP.
This front camera also offers features such as LED flash, HDR, and panorama – and the camera app also features some interesting filters. The video is also very good, since you can set various levels, such as the following:
The selfie camera is also very good at 16MP resolution. It offers HDR and panorama so you can take artistic self-portraits.
This camera has the capacity to take 1080p videos, which is ideal for video calling your friends.
Battery
With this battery, you don’t have to worry about recharging your phone too often. The Li-Pro 5020 mAh, non-removable battery is fast charging.
This battery is much better than the batteries of some other phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10e with its low-profile battery.
Your battery life will of course depend on the way you use your phone.
Various strategies like power saving mode, reduced display brightness, or a lower camera pixel option can significantly reduce your battery use while you are having fun with your phone.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2mm |
Weight – 162 grams |
Build – Gorilla Glass front and back with aluminum frame |
SIM – Nano-SIM, eSIM |
Display type – P-OLED capactive touchscreen, 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 10 |
Chipset – Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 |
Card slot – No |
Internal memory – 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
Main camera size – 16MP or 12.2MP |
Main camera features – Dual-LED flash, Auto-HDR and panorama |
Selfie camera size – 8MP |
Selfie camera features – Auto-HDR |
Battery type – Li-Po 2800 mAh, non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 18W, USB Power delivery 2.0, QI wireless charging |
Google is one of the most popular brands in the world. We all know and love this company for their superior search engine and for its many handy applications, such as Gmail.
Google is constantly branching out, including its range of phones that are starting to populate the market more and more with each passing day.
If you love the Google brand, then you should consider buying the Pixel 4. Here is a quick look at some of the specs of this smartphone.
Display
The Pixel 4 has a competitive display. It has a P-OLED capactive touchscreen with 16M colors, which offers good quality viewing.
At 5.7 inches or 80.7 cm2, the phone screen is a bit smaller compared to the Xiaomi Redmi phones on this list.
While this screen isn’t elite for gaming, it is a more portable phone that fits comfortably in your pocket.
The viewing quality on this phone is very good considering its size. It features a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels with a 19:9 rating.
Processor
The phone also has a Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 chipset. Many feel that the Mediatek Helio chipset is better equipped for smartphones, but the Snapdragon is still one of the very best on the market.
In addition to these features, the phone also includes the following platforms:
Build Quality
Google’s phones do not have the flashiest design in the world and the colors of the Pixel 4 does remind somewhat of a retro theme. You can get this phone in white, black, sky blue, yellow, and a limited edition orange.
The phone is more durable compared to some of the other phones on this list, thanks to a Gorilla Glass 5 front and back and IP68 dust/water resistance.
You can submerge this phone up to 1.5 meters under water for up to 30 minutes and it should still be perfectly fine.
It also includes the following build features:
Operating System
This smartphone has an Android 10 operating system. The operating system isn’t the latest on the market, but it is still a very modern version and should enable smooth app running for quite a few years to come.
The Pixel 4 doesn’t come with a card slot, but it does include quite a lot of storage space and RAM that ensures good app launching and smooth app running.
Here is a quick look at the internal storage options available for this phone:
Cameras
This isn’t the best phone to get if you love taking high-resolution photos. The front camera isn’t particularly huge at a max resolution of 16MP.
You can also set your camera on 12.2 MP to reduce the space your photos might take on your phone. While these are not the highest camera specs in the world, they are still good for taking some great quality shots.
The camera also includes features like Dual-LED flash, Auto-HDR, and panorama so you can take creative shots.
You can also use the camera to take videos. Here is a quick look at the available video settings:
The selfie camera also isn’t the strongest at 8MP max resolution. This camera is still great for taking good quality photos and will ensure that your pictures don’t take up too much space on your phone.
The selfie camera includes a TOF 3D depth/biometrics sensor that enhances the look of your selfies, and a 1080p@30fps video is great for video calling your friends or colleagues.
Battery
The Pixel 4 has a non-removable 2080 mAh Li-Pro battery. This battery does offer fast charging features and a USB power delivery of 2.0.
It is also QI wireless charging compatible, which is absolutely glorious for those who hate to struggle with getting the cable into the phone.
The only downside is that this isn’t the most powerful battery in the world. It will offer decent screen time but won’t last you too long, especially if you are not using your phone on a power-saving mode or if you are enjoying lots of phone games at high brightness level.
Using your camera can also drain your battery life quite a lot.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9mm |
Weight – 192 grams |
Build – Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic back, plastic frame |
SIM – Single SIM or Dual SIM |
Display type – Super AMOLED capactive touchscreen, 16M colors |
Display resolution – 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio |
Operating system – Android 10 |
Chipset – Exynos 9611 |
Card slot – Single SIM, Dual SIM |
Internal memory – 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
Main camera size – 48MP, 12MP or 5MP |
Main camera features – LED flash, panorama and HDR |
Selfie camera size – 32MP |
Selfie camera features – HDR |
Battery type – Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
Battery charging – Fast charging 15W |
Samsung is one of the most-loved phone brands in the world. Its fame and fortune derive from the fact that, aside from Apple, it was one of the first brands to launch smartphone concepts.
Samsung is also loved because its phones are available at very good prices, considering the specs that most of these phones include.
The Samsung Galaxy A51 is a great phone to consider if you are shopping for something affordable that offers you advanced features and a good quality camera.
Here is a quick look at the main specs of this terrific phone:
Display
This is a great phone for gaming or streaming, because it has a large 6.5 inch or 102 cm2 display. It might feel a bit bulky in your hands, but it sure is great to work with.
The phone features a Super AMOLED capactive touchscreen with 16M colors. The large screen resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels or 20:9 ratios is also terrific for high quality viewing so you can enjoy those large apps and games without struggling to see the finer details.
Processor
The Samsung Galaxy A51 has a Xynos 9611 chipset. Many do feel that the Mediatek Helio is better equipped for smartphones but this one is still very popular and functional.
The Galaxy 51 is available in a variety of memory or RAM sizes. The most popular version is the one with 128GB memory and 6GB RAM which is a huge plus since 6GB RAM is all you will ever need for running those large apps and 128GB RAM is also plentiful.
Additionally, you can get it in 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, and 128GB 8GB RAM. And if you do want to store even more information on your phone then you can also include a microSDXC card since the phone allows you to add a memory card to the shared SIM slot.
Build Quality
As with most of Samsung’s phones, the style of this little phone is very elegant and modern. You can get the Galaxy A51 in Prism Crush white, Prism Crush Black and Prism Crush Blue.
This is slightly different to your average colors because the Prism Crush effect does deflect the light in a unique way giving this phone a very different look.
The Galaxy A51 isn’t the most durable or toughest phone on the market. It has a front Gorilla Glass 3 layer, a plastic back and aluminum frame.
This phone isn’t waterproof or splash-proof so you better keep this phone away from your swimming pool.
Operating System
Despite the fact that this phone is brand new on the market, it doesn’t have the latest Android operating system. It comes with the Android 10 with One UI 2. But this can be a good thing, since Android 10 is a tried and true operating system that offers smooth phone app functionality.
In addition to this platform, the phone also includes other platforms such as the following;
Cameras
The Galaxy A51 is a great phone to get if you love to take quality photos. The main camera offers a max resolution of 48MP. This is ideal for taking breathtaking photos but large photos can also take up a lot of memory on your phone.
To reserve some battery life and keep memory space free on your phone, it might be better to keep your phone set on 12MP resolution most of the time, though you can also set it to a very low 5MP resolution. Just note that the 5MP setting is not ideal for taking good quality photos.
The main camera also include features like LED flash, panorama and HDR so you can get creative with your landscaping shots.
The video is also quite good on the main camera with the following spec settings:
The selfie camera is also pretty impressive with its 32MP resolution and HDR features. You will be able to take fantastic selfie shots, which means no more struggling to get good quality images by flipping the phone around to use the main camera.
You can also use this phone for video calling since the selfie camera’s 1080p@30fps is good for taking quality videos.
Battery
The battery used for the Galaxy A51 outclasses many of the phones included in this list. It comes with a non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery with 15W fast-charging capability.
With this battery, you can enjoy gaming and high resolution streaming for a lot longer without having to worry about the battery running out.
And if you want to make your battery last even longer, you can switch it to a power-saving mode or reduce the screen brightness intensity while enjoying games. You can also set the camera on a lower resolution to help save some battery life if you are taking lots of videos or photos.
Pros
Cons
Item Specifications |
|---|
Dimensions – 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm |
Weight – 194 grams |
Build – Gorilla Glass front and back with aluminum frame |
SIM – Single SIM or Dual SIM |
Display type – Liquid Retina IPS LCD capactive touchscreen, 16M colors |
Display resolution – 828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 |
Operating system – iOS 12, upgradable to iOS 13.6.1 |
Chipset – Apple A12 BIonic |
Card slot – No |
Internal memory – 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
Main camera size – 12MP |
Main camera features – Quad-LED, dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
Selfie camera size – 7MP |
Selfie camera features – HDR |
Battery type –Li-Ion 2942 mAh |
Battery charging – Fast charging 15W, Qi wireless charging |
This is the cheapest model from Apple in last year's phone lineup, yet the most expensive on the list. The upgraded design from Apple's last-generation models makes it more premium.
Display
The display is the most controversial yet beautiful part of this phone, because of the Apple technology included in it. The iPhone XR has an IPS LCD display of 6.1 inches.
The resolution on the phone is 1792 by 828p. Basically, it is a 720p screen. The pixel density is 326ppi.
The display of the iPhone XR was first criticized by most of the leading enthusiasts. Lew from Unbox Therapy was most critical.
But in my observation, in most cases, it is okay.
Processor
The processor on this phone is the best in the whole list of the best phone under 600 dollars. It is an Apple A12 bionic chip, the latest chipset in all Apple devices.
Apple iPhone XR works seamlessly in day to day tasks. Animations are smooth and give a better-enhanced experience overall. It doesn't lag on heavy games.
It packs 3GB of ram with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB of storage options.
In single-core performance, the score is 4793 but in the multi-core performance, the score is 11081.
Single-core performance scores are better than every phone in this comparison of the best phone under 600 dollars.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Apple iPhone XR is pretty solid. It is made in an aluminum body with glass front and back.
The display has a regular notch. Apple says it is more shock resistance than previous phones. The interesting fact is that this is completely made up of recycled materials.
Operating System
Apple iPhone XR comes with iOS 12 out of the box. iOS 12 is very fast and secure with Face ID. iOS provides a smooth and seamless experience.
The main plus of iOS is that Apple releases regular updates for so long, up to 5 years.
Cameras
Though iPhone XR has the only single rear camera, it is really good. This main camera is 12MP wide-angle lens with f/1.8. It can record videos of 4K resolution at 60fps. It also has quad-led flash.
The rear camera result is awesome. Especially in videos. No other company can produce such a camera quality in videos like Apple.
The picture quality is also good. It shows the real skin tone of a person. Apple achieved a bokeh effect on this phone through software, which is quite promising.
The selfie camera of the iPhone XR is a 7MP selfie shooter at f/2.2 aperture. It can shoot 1080p videos at 60fps. The main camera can also record slow-motion videos.
The pictures taken from the selfie camera are nice and sharp. Video quality is also good.
Battery
The main concern about iPhone XR is its battery. It has 2942mAh of battery. This is a fairly small battery, but Apple has improved battery life through software optimizations.
On average, I was getting hardly a day of battery juice.
Apple iPhone XR comes in 6 different colors:
In my opinion, you should buy it if you really love the Apple brand. The XR provides real performance and a quality experience.
Though the price is a little bit high, you have some other options too. This the most secure phone out of the list of the best phone under 600 dollars.
Pros
Cons
Which is the Best Phone Under 600 Dollars?
Out of all my testing of these phones, I would strongly recommend the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. It is definitely the best all-around phone of the bunch.
The Note's cameras are awesome and overall user experience feels good. It also is averaging 4.4-star reviews on Amazon. Best of all, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is on a big sale, so you can get it for an even better price!
This was our comprehensive guide for the best selling phones under 600 dollars and how to decide which phone is right for you!
With that said, it's time to wrap this up. If you think anything is missing that should be added in the above list, please leave a comment down below!
A Few More Options...
Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship device from Xiaomi. It was released a couple of months ago. It might have been a well-rounded phone, but due to some compromises, it is not quite there.
Let get an in-depth review of these phones that might serve well in making the decision, because that's what we're here for!
Display
The display of Xiaomi Mi 9 is pretty good. It is bright, but not as bright as Samsung's phones – those are the best ones out there to go for if you value the display.
Xiaomi Mi 9 features 6.4 inches of display with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 because it protects it well. You will get a super AMOLED display with 1080x2340 of resolution and 403ppi pixel density.
The display of Xiaomi Mi 9 has a waterdrop style notch because of the front camera. The display is crisp, good enough to look impressie on the screen of the phone.
It has decent visibility in outdoor conditions, but not as good as Samsung's.
Processor
This beast is equipped with the latest chipset from Qualcommm, the Snapdragon 855 processor.
This processor is crafted on the latest 7nm technology. Because of its fast and new industry-standard technology, it can handle heavy tasks quite well.
You can play new graphics-intensive games on this phone because of the processor. It is more than enough for daily normal tasks. App loading is good for this beast.
Geekbench scores of Xiaomi Mi 9 are pretty impressive because this is the only second device after Apple iPhone XS having these good scores.
Build Quality
It is very sleek and beautiful because of the glass back, which is curved and shiny. It is a little bit difficult to hold, which is one reason why you should use a case with the Xiaomi Mi 9.
The front display is flat but on the back, you get a triple camera setup.
This phone does not offer any water resistance because of the price point. Xiaomi Mi 9 does not come with the headphone jack.
Xiaomi Mi 9 has a single bottom speaker which is loud but not of excellent quality.
Operating System
Xiaomi Mi 9 comes with Android 9 Pie but it has Xiaomi's own Android skin which is MIUI 10.
Most of the phones on our list come with the Android operating system, but different companies have customized it with their own skin.
It is believed that soon it will have an Android Q update.
Cameras
Xiaomi Mi 9 is feature-packed with some of the best industry-standard cameras and features.
On the main, it has a triple rear camera setup which includes a normal, telephoto, and ultra-wide sensor.
The normal camera on Xiaomi Mi 9 is 48MP with f/1.8 aperture with OIS, while the telephoto lens is equipped with the 12MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture. The ultra-wide sensor is 16MP with f/2.2 aperture.
Mi 9's camera can record 4K videos at 60fps, but it can also record slow-motion videos at 960fps with 1080p resolution.
The front camera of Mi 9 is a 20MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It can record 1080p videos at 30fps.
Battery
Xiaomi Mi 9 features 3300mAh of battery. It supports quick charge 4.0 with 27W of fast charging. It also supports wireless charging at 20W.
This phone supports the fastest charging technologies on the list by far.
This battery is good enough for your normal daily routine. An average person can easily use this phone the whole day.
This phone comes in following 3 colors:
This is a good choice considering features of the phone, including price point. If you are focused on performance and value aesthetics, this is a great choice for you.
This is the best smartphone out right now. Because of its price point, it was once also considered a flagship killer.
Without wasting any time, let's jump into its specs and pros and cons!
Display
Xiaomi Pocophone F1 has an average display because Xiaomi cut its price on other materials to keep it in a competitive price range. It has 6.2 inches 2246 by 1080p display.
It also has a notch on the top. Viewing angles are also good.
One sad thing about Pocophone F1 is that it cannot play Netflix videos, even at HD. Otherwise, its display is good having a pixel density of 403ppi. It also has a face recognition system for face unlock.
Not a bad dea!.
Processor
Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is packed with a last-gen flagship processor. Speed is one of the main selling points of this phone. It is packed with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset.
In my daily usage, it performed seamlessly.
Besides the processor, it has 6GB of ram combined with 128GB of storage. it is also available in 8GB and 256GB combination, but that doesn't justify the price.
Geekbench scores of Xiaomi Pocophone F1 are good – in fact, they're better than Samsung devices with the same chipset.
This isn't because of the hardware, though. Samsung has a little bit of a heavier skin on top of Android, while MIUI is lighter.
Build Quality
Build quality on this phone is okay, as it is made up of polycarbonate. It is good enough, but it doesn't feel too premium.
Honestly, this phone is for daily users focused on performance, not beauty. It feels sturdy enough.
Operating System
Xiaomi Pocophone is running Android Pie out of the box. But it can be upgraded to Android Q or 10. On top of that, it has MIUI.
Cameras
Xiaomi Pocophone F1 has dual main cameras. The main sensor is 12MP wide-angle while the secondary sensor is 5MP depth sensor.
It shoots good photos at this range but the camera is not as good as a proper flagship device.
This camera can shoot 4K videos at 30 or 60fps. It can also record slow-motion videos at 960fps in 720p quality. The main camera also has EIS. This helps in shooting good stabilized videos.
The front camera of Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is a 20MP shooter with f/2.0. It also has HDR mode and can record 1080p videos at 30fps. Selfie results are good but not as crisp as they should be.
Battery
It has a non-removable 4000mAh of battery. It is good enough for a normal person for whole day usage. Stereo speakers are also present in this flagship killer, though the sound quality is pretty average.
Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is available in the following colors:
The F1 is a really good choice because you are getting a flagship processor at a mid-range price. If you are a student and really want a high-performance processor, this is a great purchase!
Conclusion
In the end, these are all fantastic phones to upgrade to if it is time for something new.
The most important things to keep in mind when choosing your phone are the features you are looking for.
For example; for gamers, the screen size and RAM are key features. For photographers or families, a high quality camera is more important.
It is also important to keep durability in mind when you buy. Some phones are more waterproof or have a sturdier design than others.
If you are working in rough environments, then it is always better to opt for something stronger, or to get the right protective casing for your phone.
We do hope that this guide helped you find a good smartphone companion, so you can plan your day, enjoy the best entertainment, keep in touch with friends, and take great photos as often as you need to!
