You don't need to spend flagship prices to get an excellent camera phone. These are the best phones under £500 for photography, portraits, low-light shots and social media.
The Pixel 8a delivers class-leading camera performance well under £500. Google's AI photo processing produces stunning portraits, excellent night shots and vibrant colours.
The Galaxy S24 FE brings Samsung's flagship camera experience to a more affordable price. Excellent zoom, vibrant colours and a strong video mode.
The Pixel 7a remains one of the most impressive camera phones for its price. Google's photo processing punches well above its weight class.
| Phone | Camera Strength | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8a | AI photography ✅ | ~£499 | Best camera overall |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Zoom & colour ✅ | ~£450 | Samsung camera |
| Google Pixel 7a | Value photography ✅ | ~£300 | Budget camera |
The Google Pixel 8a is widely considered the best camera phone under £500 in 2026, thanks to Google's exceptional AI photo processing.
The Pixel tends to produce more natural, realistic photos, while Samsung often produces more vibrant, punchy images. Both are excellent.
Yes. The Pixel 8a and Samsung S24 FE both offer strong video recording at 4K resolution.