Best Camera Phones Under $500 In The UK (2025)
Quick Summary
If you want the best all-around camera at or under £400–£500 in the UK in 2025, Google Pixel 8a is the safest bet for stills and AI photography. Samsung Galaxy A55 is the best Samsung option with a reliable main and ultra-wide combo. Nothing Phone 3a Pro is the value pick if you want a real zoom without breaking the bank. Sony Xperia 10 V and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite round out the list for balanced shooters on a tighter budget. Each pick below includes why it stands out, real camera pros/cons, and who should buy it.
How I Picked These Camera Phones Under $500 In The UK (2025)
Chosen phones meet these criteria for UK buyers in 2025:
- Retail price or realistic street price at or below ~£400–£500 (≈ $500).
- Camera performance in real-world tests (day/night photos, portrait, ultra-wide, video).
- Strong support or software processing (Google/Samsung software matter for photos).
- Good value for long-term ownership (updates, resale).
The list — Best Camera Phones Under $500 In The UK (2025)
1) Google Pixel 8a — Best overall camera value
Why: Pixel image processing and AI really lift photos above raw sensor specs; excellent portraits, night shots and reliable colour science. Often sells around the £499 launch price but frequently drops in deals below £400. Perfect for social shooters and anyone who wants great results with minimal fiddling.
Camera strengths: Class-leading computational photography, strong HDR, solid selfie and 4K video.
Weaknesses: Battery life and charging slower than some rivals; official UK launch price sits near the top of the budget band.
Who should buy: People who want the best photo pipeline and long software support without paying flagship prices.
2) Samsung Galaxy A55 — Best Samsung option with dependable optics
Why: Samsung tuned a very capable 50MP main sensor with good ultra-wide results for the price — a balanced camera package with strong color and Samsung’s image pipeline. Pricing in the UK often comes in comfortably under £400.
Camera strengths: Crisp main shots, useful ultra-wide framing, reliable auto-HDR.
Weaknesses: No proper telephoto on some SKUs (stills rely on cropping), macro is weak.
Who should buy: Users who want Samsung’s ecosystem, good display and a camera that’s solid in everyday situations.
Read Our Complete Detailed Blog
On Samsung Galaxy A55
3) Nothing Phone 3a Pro — Real zoom at mid-range prices
Why: Brings a genuine 3x telephoto-style zoom and a punchy main sensor into the mid-range, which is rare under £500. The phone’s unique design and decent processing make it a strong camera value choice.
Camera strengths: Telephoto zoom, pleasing main camera, strong value-for-features.
Weaknesses: Occasional over-processing and software quirks; not as polished as Pixel in final image tuning.
Who should buy: Photographers who want optical/real-looking zoom without flagship prices.
4) Sony Xperia 10 V — Compact shooter with clean processing
Why: Sony’s compact mid-ranger focuses on a neutral, natural look and reliable main and ultra-wide lenses — good for users who prefer less aggressive processing and stable video. Often found under £350–£400 in the UK.
Camera strengths: Natural colour reproduction, steady video, lightweight body.
Weaknesses: Lacks the computational magic of Pixel; sometimes outclassed by similarly priced rivals in low light.
Who should buy: Users who prefer accurate, cinema-friendly colours and a smaller phone.
5) OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite — Budget-friendly, capable photos for the price
Why: Offers competent main and wide cameras for a much lower price point — a sensible pick if your budget is well under £400 and you still want reasonably good shots.
Camera strengths: Good daylight performance, strong value.
Weaknesses: Low-light and secondary lenses don’t match Pixel/Samsung; software updates and long-term support are weaker.
Who should buy: Buyers on a tighter budget who still want decent social-ready photos.
Practical comparison (short)
- Low-light stills: Pixel 8a > Samsung A55 > Nothing 3a Pro > Sony Xperia 10 V > OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.
- Zoom: Nothing 3a Pro (real zoom) > Samsung (digital/cropped) > Pixel (super-res crop) > others.
- Video: Pixel and Sony are strong for stabilization & colour; Samsung is solid for everyday clips.
Buyer tips
Watch deals: Many of these phones launch near £400–£499; real savings happen during retailer promotions (Amazon, carrier bundles, Black Friday). If you can catch a Pixel 8a or Nothing 3a Pro on sale, you’re getting flagship-like photo features for much less.
Prioritize what you shoot: If you mostly take portraits and night photos — favour Pixel. Need zoom? Nothing 3a Pro. I want Samsung’s ecosystem and screen — Galaxy A55.
Check software/update policy: Google promises longer update windows which helps camera improvements over time; Samsung also offers years of security updates on mid-range A-series models.
Test in person if possible: In-store samples or review galleries give a quick sense of processing style (natural vs saturated vs punchy). This matters for skin tones and landscapes.
FAQs — Best Camera Phones Under $500 in the UK (2025)
Q1. Are these phones really under $500 in the UK?
Yes. All of these models are priced between £250–£499 at major UK retailers (Amazon, Currys, Argos, John Lewis, carriers). Prices fluctuate, but you’ll consistently find them under $500 (~£400–£499).
Q2. Which phone has the best night photography under £500?
The Google Pixel 8a wins hands down for low-light thanks to Google’s AI-driven Night Sight. The Samsung A55 also does a decent job but leans more towards brighter, saturated tones rather than natural looks.
Q3. Which budget phone is best for video shooting?
The Sony Xperia 10 V is the strongest for stable video and natural colours. If you want cinematic style clips, Sony’s software is a winner. The Pixel 8a also offers excellent stabilization, making it ideal for Instagram Reels or TikTok creators.
Q4. Do any of these phones have optical zoom under $500?
Yes! The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is unique in this price range for offering a proper telephoto zoom lens, which is rare under £500. Others rely on digital zoom or AI-enhanced crops.
Q5. Which phone is best for selfies and social media?
The Pixel 8a delivers consistent selfies and portrait shots that look natural and ready to upload without editing. Samsung A55 is also a great choice if you like more vibrant, social-media-style colours.
Q6. Are these phones 5G-ready in the UK?
Yes, all the phones listed (Pixel 8a, Galaxy A55, Nothing 3a Pro, Xperia 10 V, Nord CE 3 Lite) support 5G connectivity on major UK networks like EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three.
Q7. How many years of updates will these phones get?
Google Pixel 8a: 7 years of OS & security updates (best in class).
Samsung Galaxy A55: 4 OS updates + 5 years security.
Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Around 3 years of OS + 4 years security.
Sony Xperia 10 V: 2–3 years of updates.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: Typically 2 years of OS + 3 years security.
Q8. Which phone has the best battery life under $500?
Samsung Galaxy A55 and Sony Xperia 10 V lead for battery efficiency.
Pixel 8a’s battery is okay but not top-tier; it focuses more on camera AI than endurance.
Q9. Do these phones support expandable storage?
Sony Xperia 10 V supports microSD expansion (rare in 2025 mid-range).
Samsung A55, Pixel 8a, and Nothing 3a Pro do not.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite relies on internal storage only.
Q10. Are these phones water-resistant?
Pixel 8a: IP67 rating (dust + water resistant).
Samsung A55: IP67 as well.
Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Splash-resistant, not fully rated.
Sony Xperia 10 V: IP65/68 dual rating (great for mid-range).
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: No formal IP rating.
Q: Are these phones under $500 in the UK?
Yes—prices change, but all listed phones have been widely available at or under the £350–£499 range depending on deals and storage options; always check current UK retailers for the best price.
Q: Which phone is best for Instagram stories & reels?
Pixel 8a and Sony Xperia 10 V are excellent for stills + stabilized video; Nothing 3a Pro offers more striking visual options with zoom and screen size for creative shots.
Final verdict Best Camera Phones Under $500 in the UK (2025)
For most UK buyers in 2025 looking for the best camera under $500, the Google Pixel 8a hits the sweet spot: best-in-class computational photography, strong software, and frequent deals that bring it well into your budget. If you need optical zoom, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is a rare, affordable zoom option. For a dependable Samsung experience with good hardware and display, the Galaxy A55 remains a top mid-range camera pick.