Whether you’re looking for an Android smartphone, an iPhone, or a simple feature phone, these are our top picks for a variety of budgets across the major US wireless carriers.
For most of us, mobile phones are at the center of our universe. The typical feature set of these palm-sized marvels is astounding. It’s your phone, messaging device, web browser, camera, music player, GPS, and more. The phone you choose affects your life in a multitude of ways. That’s why we’re here to help you pick exactly the right one.
We’re a smartphone-dominated nation, with 5G now widely available across much of the land from three major, nationwide wireless carriers. But some of our choices have constricted a bit: The smartphone OS marketplace is basically down to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. It’s surprisingly difficult to find a really good simple voice phone nowadays.
We’ve reviewed almost every popular smartphone available for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as well as for many of their sub-brands, such as Cricket, Metro, and Visible. But rather than simply choosing the phones with the highest ratings here, we aim to deliver a list of devices that covers every budget and use case. We generally focus on the hottest, newest releases, but you can also find great value in slightly older phones (such as last year’s iPhones and Galaxy devices), so make sure to shop around. We also include some helpful buying advice below the list that can help you throughout your search.Why We Picked It
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most iPhone you can get, with the fastest processor, the best screen, the biggest battery, and the most capable cameras. A USB-C Gen 2 port, titanium frame, and versatile Action button are all new for this iteration, as are the powerful A17 Pro processor and 5x optical telephoto camera. If you’re serious about photography and videography, this is the iPhone to get.Who It’s For
Simply put, this is the best iPhone money can buy. It’s for those who want all the new features and best performance available from an iPhone.Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra offers superb specs including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, up to 1TB of storage and 12GB of RAM, and the best camera stack you can get on an Android phone in the US. The built-in S Pen stylus is another significant point in its favor, particularly for artists and note-takers who like to sketch or jot on the run. Let’s not forget Samsung’s powerful productivity software, which lets you multitask with ease. Who It’s For
If you want 5x telephoto zoom power, a 200MP main camera, good battery life, top performance, and a built-in stylus, the S24 Ultra is the phone for you.Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 works out all the major kinks that hindered the outgoing Z Fold 4. The lighter package and more compact body make it appreciably easier to carry around this incredibly powerful machine. Moreover, it finally loses the wedged shape when folded and closes entirely flat. It costs a lot of money, but Samsung justifies it with lots of features, such as advanced multitasking, S Pen stylus support, the latest 5G and Wi-Fi radios, and speedy performance. Who It’s For
If you are looking for one device to replace your phone, tablet, and maybe even your laptop, the Z Fold 5 is built for you. It’s the top folding phone in the market with good reason.Why We Picked It
The Pixel 8 offers most of the same features as the Pixel 8 Pro for $300 less. It has a great build and features incredibly powerful, AI-enhanced image and video editing tools like Magic Eraser and Best Take. It also stands out for its unique design and Google Assistant-powered search tools.Who It’s For
If you enjoy mobile photography or want a pure Google software experience, the Pixel 8 is the Android phone to get. People who don’t upgrade their phones often should appreciate Google’s promised seven years of OS updates, too.Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is an excellent value for under $200. Highlights include a large 90Hz screen, a good camera system, and a guarantee of four years’ worth of security updates. It’s not as tough as pricier phones, nor does it perform as well, but you can’t ask for more given the low price.Who It’s For
If your budget is limited, the Galaxy A15 5G is an excellent choice thanks to its good everyday usability, above-average cameras, and long battery life. Midrange models outgun it, but it’s easily the best Androoid phone under $200.Why We Picked It
The TCL Flip 2 is a great voice phone with approximately 14 hours of talk time, a removable battery, a 3.
