Your $600 budget could get you some of the premium and best mid-range phones in the market. Although your $600 budget is in the mid-range level, you can get a premium phone 2 years old or the smallest variant of the current premium phone if you can add between $50 to $100 to your budget.
Most mid-range phones under $600 have the best displays, processors, cameras, and other premium features. We have compared them based on the phone with the best camera in this category, the best value phone, the best for gaming, the best long-lasting phone, the best display phone, and much more.
Without further ado, here is a list of the best phones under $600 in 2024.
1. Samsung Galaxy S23
Overall Best Phone under $600
Released date: February 2023 | Display: 6.1 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080 x 2340 pixels | CPU: Octa-core, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | GPU: Adreno 740 | RAM: 8GB RAM | Storage: 128GB/256/512GB ROM | Rear camera: Triple 50MP + 10MP + 12MP | Front camera: Single 12Mp | OS: Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Battery: Li-Ion 3900 mAh, 25W fast Charging | Dimension: 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm | Weight: 168g
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is easily the best phone below $600, especially for those seeking a premium device. This premium phone, released in 2023, packs all the features you get in the latest model, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series.
The phone features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with Adreno 740 GPU. The processor and GPU make gaming enjoyable, and you are sure to get a phone with one of the best processors in the market. The display you are getting here is 1080p with a 120Hz refresh rate which is less compared with the 1440p resolution of the Google Pixel 7 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy S23 starts at $599, though the base model now comes with 128GB of built-in storage.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has one of the best cameras on a smartphone. Pictures taken on the device are crisp and clear, with good dynamic range, and the colors are the best you can get from a smartphone. The phone features a three-camera system with a 50-megapixel primary sensor that produces punchy, vibrant 12-megapixel photos. Portrait mode photos taken with the primary sensor or the 3x telephoto camera are stunning, with excellent subject isolation. Outside of portrait mode, the 3x camera is pretty average. It has a shorter focal length than the Pixel 7 Pro’s 5x telephoto, so it’s less useful for distant subjects.
The out-of-the-box software experience on a Samsung phone is our least favorite part. It includes many duplicate apps to replace or supplement Google’s stock apps like Messages, Google Calendar, and Google Assistant. Unless you’re a Bixby fan, you’ll have to spend some time de-Samsunging the S23. The Pixel 7 Pro provides a much more streamlined experience right away.
But there is some good news: the phone can be upgraded to Android 14 and One UI 6 when it comes out and will receive three more OS platform upgrades and five years of security updates. That means you can continue to use the phone safely in the future and make the most of your investment.
2. Google Pixel 7
Best Value Phone under $600
Released date: October, 2022 | Display: 6.3 inches AMOLED display, 90Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels | CPU: Octa-core, Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | GPU: Mali-G710 MP7 | RAM: 8GB RAM | Storage: 128/256GB ROM | Rear camera: Dual 50MP + 12MP | Front camera: Single 10.8Mp | OS: Android 13 | Battery: 4355 mAh, 20W fast wired and wireless charging | Dimension: 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm | Weight: 197g
The Google Pixel 7 is a very nice phone to buy for under $600. The phone features a premium and stylish design that exudes elegance and sophistication. The device features a Gorilla glass Victus at the front and at the back giving it a premium look and feel. The back camera arrangement is amazing and the front is all clean with little bezels and also houses the front camera cut-out.
The front of the device features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The display has a refresh rate of 90Hz and supports HDR10+ technology, which provides a more immersive viewing experience.
The Google Pixel 7 is powered by an octa-core Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) processor, which is a powerful chipset that can handle demanding tasks with ease. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which is more than enough to store all your photos, videos, and other files. This device runs on the latest Android version, Android 13.
The Google Pixel 7 boasts a dual-camera setup on the back, which includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. The primary sensor uses a large 1/1.9-inch sensor and supports 4-axis optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps to capture sharp and clear photos even in low light conditions. The ultra-wide sensor has a 114-degree field of view, which allows you to capture wider landscapes and group shots. On the front, the phone features a single camera, a 10.8-wide camera. The front-facing camera also supports OIS and can record 4K videos.
As advertised by Google, you can charge this phone up to 50% in 30 minutes thanks to the 20W fast charger that comes with the phone. Although this is not that fast when compared to some other phones in its range and this is a decent feature. The Google Pixel 7 is equipped with a 4355mAh battery, which is more than enough to last a full day of heavy usage. It also supports wireless charging up to 20W as well.
The Google Pixel 7 is a high-end smartphone that offers impressive features and excellent value for money. The phone boasts a stylish design, a powerful processor, multiple cameras, and a long-lasting battery. If you are looking for a premium smartphone under $600 that can handle demanding tasks with ease then this should be your priority.
3. iPhone 13
Released date: September 2021 | Display: 6.1 inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1170 x 2532 pixels | CPU: Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | GPU: Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | RAM: 4GB RAM | Storage: 128/256/512GB ROM | Rear camera: Dual 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: Single 12Mp | OS: iOS 15 upgradeable to iOS 17 | Battery: Li-Ion 3240 mAh, PD2.0 fast charging, 15W wireless Charging | Dimension: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm | Weight: 174 g
The iPhone 13 features a new design with a larger 6.1-inch display that covers the entire front of the device, with only a small notch at the top for the front-facing camera and sensors. The phone has a glass back and aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The device is also water and dust-resistant, making it more durable than previous models.
The iPhone 13 display is a Super Retina OLED screen with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The screen also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, providing a better viewing experience for compatible content.
Powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which offers fast and smooth performance, you can be assured that the iPhone 13 can play many graphics-demanding games. The phone also features 4GB of RAM and is available with either 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage. The device runs on Apple’s operating system, iOS 15, and can be upgraded to the latest iOS 17 and later versions, which provides a smooth and user-friendly experience.
At the back of the iPhone 13, you’ve got a dual-camera system on the back, with a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. The camera offers optical image stabilization and 2x optical zoom, allowing for better zoomed-in shots. The device also features a 12-megapixel front-facing camera with advanced facial recognition technology, which enables features like Face ID and Animoji.
This device is powered by a 3240mAh battery, which provides a decent amount of battery life. The device also supports fast charging, which can charge the battery up to 50% in just 30 minutes.
4. Samsung Galaxy A73
Phone with the best Screens
Released date: March 2022 | Display: 6.7 inches Super AMOLED Plus display, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080 x 2400 pixels | CPU: Octa-core, Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | GPU: Adreno 642L | RAM: 6GB/8GB RAM | Storage: 128/256GB ROM | Rear camera: Quad 108MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP | Front camera: Single 32Mp | OS: Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Battery: 5000 mAh, 25W fast charging | Dimension: 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm | Weight: 181g
The Samsung Galaxy A73 was released last year, and the phone comes with one of the best cameras and phone displays. This device is our favorite in the A73 line up and it comes at a price that you will like.
The phone packs a 6.7 inches Super AMOLED Plus display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an FHD display. You can watch YouTube videos up to 1440p and the displays get as bright as 800nits.
This is a one fit smartphone whether you are a gamer, photographer, videographer or just a regular user, you will love this phone.
Powering the Smasung Galaxy A73 is the Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and an option of either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The 778G is a good CPU that is built on the TSMC 6nm node and is suitable for mid-tier 5G phones. It is a little step down from the Snapdragon 780G, which is built on 5nm technology.
The only downside of the phone, though, is that phones virtually half the price of the A73 5G use the same technology. Phones with comparable pricing have the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Snapdragon 888 SoCs, which provide a significant performance boost and justify the price.
5. Nothing Phone 1
Released date: July 2022 | Display: 6.55 inches, OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080 x 2400 pixels | CPU: Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | GPU: Adreno 642L | RAM: 8GB RAM | Storage: 128/256GB ROM | Rear camera: Dual 50MP + 50MP | Front camera: Single 16Mp | OS: Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Nothing OS 1.5.3 | Battery: Li-Ion 4500 mAh, 33W fast charging, 15W wireless Charging | Dimension: 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm | Weight: 193.5 g
Nothing Phone 1 is the first phone of it’s kind manufactured by a new start-up company, Nothing. The phone comes in just two colors, black and white version and both have flat alluminium sides all the way around the back. It’s comes in a simple design, but is just nuanced and complex enough to appreciate it.
The Nothin Phone 1 is powered by the Snapdragon 778G+ which is better than the Galaxy A73 778G processor. The 778G+ processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and an option of either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Nothing Phone 1 does not feel slow by any means, and it performs well, and the Nothing OS 1.5.3 is fantastic.
The cameras of the phone looks identical to the iPhone camera set-up, and the phone marketting wants you to believe the phone is an iPhone alternative. Well, they kind of do very well in this aspect. The phone comes with dual back camera with 50MP main sensor and a 50MP Ujltrawide lens. But when testing the we kind of find that the main cameras comes with better pictures than the ultrawide lens even though they are of the same pixels.
The Nothing Phone 1 is a dope piece of tech that comes with amazing designs, better camera and processor at a less price.
6. OnePlus 11
Released date: January 2023 | Display: 6.7 LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1440 x 3216 pixels | CPU: Octa-core, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | GPU: Adreno 740 | RAM: 12GB/16GB RAM | Storage: 128/256/512GB ROM | Rear camera: Triple 50MP + 32MP + 48MP | Front camera: Single 16Mp | OS: Android 13, OxygenOS 13 (International), ColorOS 13 (China) | Battery: Li-Po 5000 mAh, 80W fast Charging | Dimension: 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm | Weight: 205g
The OnePlus 11 is a little bit expensive, but this phone is a very good one. The phone is powered by the latest and best processor in the market right now, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 coupled with a 12GB of RAM. You’ve also got an option of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of internal storage.
At the rear of the device, you find the 50MP main camera, 32MP telephoto lens and 48MP ultrawide camera. Impressive features, design, cameras, battery and great performance for a phone of this price.
7. Xiaomi 12T
Released date: October 2022 | Display: 6.67 AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1220 x 2712 pixels | CPU: Octa-core, Mediatek Dimensity 8100-Ultra | GPU: Mali-G610 MC6 | RAM: 8GB RAM | Storage: 128/256GB ROM | Rear camera: Triple 108MP + 8MP + 2MP | Front camera: Single 20Mp | OS: Android 12, MIUI 13 | Battery: Li-Po 5000 mAh, 120W fast Charging | Dimension: 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | Weight: 202g
Although the Xiaomi smartphone brand is not that popular in the US, but most of the phones from the company are impressive. The Xiaomi 12T si one of the Xiaomi Mi 12 Line but comes with a less price. The phone features impressive designs and the cameras are amazing. You’ve got a 108MP wide camera lens here, though, the main camera is the only useable camera here. The other two cameras are not that good.
You’ve got 120W fast charging technology that charges the phone fom 0-100% in less than 30 mins. The phone is great for gaming and you can play most of the graphics demanding games at the highest settings. This is a phone you want to buy if you are searching for the best phones under $600.
8. Galaxy S21 FE
Released date: January 2022 | Display: 6.4 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080 x 2340 pixels | CPU: Qual-core, Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | GPU: Mali-G78 MP14 | RAM: 6/8GB RAM | Storage: 128/256GB ROM | Rear camera: Triple 12MP + 8MP + 12MP | Front camera: Single 32Mp | OS: Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Battery: Li-Ion 4500 mAh, 25W fast Charging | Dimension: 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | Weight: 117g
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, is the last in the Samsung Galaxy S21 series. The phone is a fan edition and it comes in a cheaper price than the other variant. You already know this is a premium phone and you are getting it for a price below $600. This is a phone you need to add to your list of the best phones under $600.