10 smartphones between $300 and $500 – amazing options

It’s one of the most competitive price points in smartphones today – within a $200 range there are ten smartphones all worthy of your consideration.

There are loads of stores selling smartphones, and while the big three telcos are focussed on signing you up to a plan, it’s the major retailers who are looking to sell you a phone “outright” – without the need for any contract.

Three of the biggest retailers of outright phones are Harvey Norman, Officeworks and JB HiFi.  For this roundup, I’ve used the JB HiFI website to narrow down the search for smartphones between $300 and $500 – here’s ten of the latest models on the market well worth a look

Oppo AX7 – $349

A stylish design, reliable brand – the Oppo AX7 is a great first smartphone, but also like all these phones will do everything you need it to do!

Camera specs are low comparatively, so worth deciding what your primary needs are.

• Dual SIM – Yep!
• Screen Size – 6.2 inch
• Storage – 64GB
• Battery – 4230mAh
• Rear Cameras – DUAL – 13/2MP
• Front Camera – 16MP

Web: JB HiFi

Nokia 7.1 – $359.20 ($499 RRP)

More of a run-out now, so not quite a 2019 fresh one, but still – Nokia are making very clean “vanilla” Android devices with a slick design.

• Dual SIM – No
• Screen Size – 5.84inch
• Storage – 32GB
• Battery – 3060mAh
• Rear Cameras – DUAL – 12/5MP
• Front Camera – 8MP

Web: JB HiFi

vivo Y17 – $369

A Triple Lens camera for under $400? Ridiculous – but legit. Really nice look, fingerprint unlock and a mega battery at 5000mAh – you haven’t heard of vivo but they’re more than worthy of your consideration.

• Dual SIM – No
• Screen Size – 6.35inch
• Storage – 128GB
• Battery – 5000mAh
• Rear Cameras – TRIPLE – 13/8/2MP
• Front Camera – 20MP

Web: JB HiFi & MobiCiti

Samsung Galaxy A30 – $379

It’s a Samsung right? And that is good reason to consider it. The screen will impress you and while the specs are great, it’s low on storage but if the screen is enough to win you over this is a real cracker.

• Dual SIM – No
• Screen Size – 6.4inch
• Storage – 32GB
• Battery – 4000mAh
• Rear Cameras – DUAL – 16/5MP
• Front Camera – 16MP

Web: JB HiFi

Huawei P30 Lite – $399 ($499 RRP)

We’re not sure if its Huawei’s recent woes that have forced this into a sale price – but it’s a bloody good price. Triple Lens camera is a star while the overall look is spot on.

• Dual SIM – Yep!
• Screen Size – 6.15inch
• Storage – 128GB
• Battery – 3340mAh
• Rear Cameras – TRIPLE – 24/8/2MP
• Front Camera – 32MP

Web: JB HiFi

vivo S1 – $449

This vivo takes the more affordable Y17 to the extreme. Triple Lens camera and a speedy in-screen fingerprint reader.

Plus they’ve knocked it out of the park with the design.

• Dual SIM – Yep!
• Screen Size – 6.38inch
• Storage – 128GB
• Battery – 4500mAh
• Rear Cameras – TRIPLE – 16/8/2MP
• Front Camera – 32MP

Web: JB HiFi & MobiCiti

Xiaomi A3 – $499

Where did Xiaomi come from? No news, no announcement – just on sale in Australia without any fanfare.

We can’t say we’ve tested them, or used them. They are hugely popular in China, and widely desired around the world – looks like good value.

• Dual SIM – Yep!
• Screen Size – 6.088inch
• Storage – 128GB
• Battery – 4030mAh
• Rear Cameras – TRIPLE – 48/2/8MP
• Front Camera – 32MP

Web: JB HiFi

Samsung Galaxy A50 – $499

More storage, a Triple Lens camera and a bigger battery.. The A50 is another step up and the sweet spot for the Samsung Galaxy A series phones.

• Dual SIM – No
• Screen Size – 6.4inch
• Storage – 64GB
• Battery – 4000mAh
• Rear Cameras – TRIPLE – 25/5/8MP
• Front Camera – 25MP

Web: JB HiFi

Oppo Reno Z – $499

Not quote the Reno with the pop up front-facing camera, but still a bloody slick looking unit. The camera is the star of this show.

• Dual SIM – Yep!
• Screen Size – 6.4inch
• Storage – 128GB
• Battery – 4035mAh
• Rear Cameras – DUAL – 48/5MP
• Front Camera – 32MP

Web: JB HiFi

Motorola One Vision – $499

Night Vision – that’s what Motorola are pushing on this one. Low light photograph at its best from a brand we all know, but who have fallen to the mid range in sales – this is a cracker too.

• Dual SIM – No
• Screen Size – 6.3inch
• Storage – 128GB
• Battery – 3500mAh
• Rear Cameras – DUAL – 48/5MP
• Front Camera – 25MP

Web: JB HiFi

Supported Editorial: We put this guide together with the support of vivo.