The Best Phone Deals This Week*
- Samsung Galaxy S24+ 512GB Unlocked Phone (Onyx Black) — $969.99 (List Price $1,119.99)
- Google Pixel 7a 128GB Unlocked Phone (Charcoal) — $349.00 (List Price $499)
- Motorola Edge 256GB Unlocked Phone (2023 Model) — $349.99 (List Price $599.99)
- OnePlus 12R 256GB Dual-Sim Unlocked Phone (Iron Gray) — $529.99 (List Price $599.99)
- Apple iPhone 14 128GB Unlocked Phone (Renewed Premium) — $548.71 (List Price $755)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
T-Mobile is the top major carrier in the US, according to our readers. If you haven't gotten on the T-Mobile 5G train, now is definitely a good time. You’re better off with a newer 5G phone to take advantage of the network, though, and that's where this list of our favorites can help. Read on for our top picks, along with a few details to consider while you shop.
Table of Contents
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best for Content Creators
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most advanced phone Apple sells. It has the largest screen, longest battery life, most capable cameras, and fastest performance of the lot. Thanks to Pro Res support and Apple's excellent first-party software, it's especially suitable for media capture and creation.
Who It's For
Apple's top-tier smartphone is ideal for those who prioritize videography, photography, and other creative pursuits.
PROS
- Fast, smooth performance
- Excellent cameras
- Long battery life
- Useful Action button
- USB-C connectivity opens up new features
- Lighter than previous Pro Max
CONS
- Expensive
- Big
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 17 |
| CPU | Apple A17 Pro |
| Dimensions | 6.29 by 3.02 by 0.32 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,796 by 1,290 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 48MP, 12MP, 12MP; 12MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 20 hours, 15 minutes |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best for Artists and Note-Takers
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premiere flagship with a gorgeous screen, fast performance, long battery life, and powerful cameras that cover both super-wide and 100x telephoto views. Galaxy AI-enhanced photo editing and assistant tools, along with S Pen stylus support make it a productivity powerhouse. And most importantly, Samsung promises seven years of OS updates for it.
Who It's For
Professionals who need advanced multitasking features and artists who relish the included stylus should find that the S24 Ultra does everything they need.
PROS
- Speedy performance
- Beautiful screen
- Terrific cameras
- Useful AI features
- Comes with S Pen stylus
- Long support commitment
CONS
- Big
- Expensive
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 14 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Dimensions | 6.40 by 3.11 by 0.34 Inches |
| Screen Size | 6.8 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 3,120 by 1,440 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 200MP, 12MP, 10MP, 50MP; 12MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 14 hours, 10 minutes |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Best Folding Phone
Why We Picked It
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 offers among the most screen real estate of any device that still fits in your pocket. It unfolds to reveal a high-resolution, 7.6-inch screen that's excellent for watching movies. On the productivity front, the phone supports multi-window workflows, Samsung's S Pen stylus (not included) for handwriting notes, and a DeX mode that allows the phone to act like a PC when you pair it with a monitor.
Who It's For
The Z Fold 5 is a high-end device for buyers who prioritize functionality over everything else. No other phone we've tested provides as much versatility.
PROS
- Incredibly versatile
- Excellent productivity software
- Beautiful screens
- Slimmer, lighter design than previous generation
CONS
- Pricey
- Odd speaker placement
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Dimensions | 6.10 by 5.11 by 0.24 inches |
| Screen Size | 7.6 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,176 by 1,812 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 50MP, 12MP, 10MP; 10MP; 4MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 11 hours, 20 minutes |
Google Pixel 8
Best Android Phone for Most People
Why We Picked It
Although Google's midrange Pixel 8 costs $300 less than the Pixel 8 Pro, it still offers all the most important features from the latter. You get excellent cameras, advanced AI-assisted photo editing capabilities, and plenty of Google Assistant features to help make your life easier.
Who It's For
If want Google's version of Android, system updates before everyone else, and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 8 is a worthwhile choice. It costs less than most flagship phones, too.
PROS
- Competitively priced
- Advanced AI features
- Terrific cameras
- Compact
- Excellent build quality
CONS
- Unimpressive battery life
- No telephoto camera
- Storage capped at 256GB
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 14 |
| CPU | Google Tensor G3 |
| Dimensions | 5.93 by 2.79 by 0.35 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.2 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,400 by 1,080 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 50MP, 12MP; 10.5MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 10 hours, 20 minutes |
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Best Affordable Android Phone
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is one of the best budget-friendly phones available. For less than $200, it provides a large screen, excellent battery life, capable cameras, and a long-term software commitment from Samsung. We're also fans of its headphone jack and microSD card slot.
Who It's For
If you're shopping on a strict budget, the Galaxy A15 is an excellent value that can keep up with the demands of daily life.
PROS
- Affordable
- Long battery life
- Competent cameras
- Excellent software upgrade policy
CONS
- No IP rating
- Plastic build
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 14 |
| CPU | Mediatek 6835 |
| Dimensions | 6.30 by 3.02 by 0.33 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.5 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,340 by 1,080 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 50MP, 5MP, 2MP; 13MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 14 hours, 3 minutes |
Apple iPhone 15
Best iPhone for Most People
Why We Picked It
Apple's base iPhone 15 doesn't compete with its top-tier siblings on every mark but still provides an enjoyable smartphone experience thanks to its dependable performance, competitive camera system, reasonable battery life, and long-term software support. And with plenty of color choices available, you can find the one that best suits your personality.
Who It's For
The iPhone 15 is an excellent value for people who don't need the absolute latest in smartphone technology and want to save a few hundred dollars over other models in the lineup.
PROS
- Good size and weight
- Solid performance
- Capable cameras
- USB-C port
- Dynamic Island
CONS
- No always-on display
- No telephoto camera
- Shorter battery life than other iPhones
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 17 |
| CPU | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Dimensions | 5.81 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.1 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,556 by 1,179 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 48MP, 12MP; 12MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 16 hours, 15 minutes |
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best AI-Assisted Camera
Why We Picked It
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has one of the best camera systems of any smartphone. It can take quality telephoto pictures and record high-resolution video at fast speeds. The selfie camera is also capable, and Google’s AI-based photo and video editing tools further enhance the experience. Among the phone's other benefits are that it gets new versions of Android first and enjoys long-term support from Google.
Who It’s For
If photography is your primary interest, the Pixel 8 Pro is your best bet thanks to its combination of capable camera hardware and AI-assisted processing.
PROS
- Exclusive Assistant features
- AI-assisted photo and video editing
- Seven years of software support
- Super-bright display
- Excellent build quality
CONS
- Shorter battery life than predecessor
- Inconsistent Wi-Fi
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 14 |
| CPU | Google Tensor G3 |
| Dimensions | 6.40 by 3.01 by 0.35 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,992 by 1,344 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 50MP, 48MP, 48MP; 10.5MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 9 hours, 5 minutes |
Motorola Razr+
Best Flip Phone
Why We Picked It
If you're in the market for a clamshell-style folding phone, Motorola's Razr+ is one of the best available. It has an appealing design, satisfactory battery life, and flexible cameras. More importantly, its external display supports an advanced user interface that lets you deal with alerts and messages without fully opening your phone.
Who It's For
If you want to spend less time looking at your phone, the Moto Razr+ can help thanks to its capable outer display. It folds down to a very portable size, too.
PROS
- Excellent display quality
- Highly functional external screen
- Portable, stylish design
CONS
- Unimpressive IP rating
- Dated processor
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Dimensions | 6.73 by 2.91 by 0.28 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.9 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,640 by 1,080 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 12MP, 13MP; 32MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 14 hours |
The Best 5G Phones for T-Mobile
T-Mobile uses the whole menu of 5G frequencies—low, middle, and high—but mid-band is the sweet spot. The carrier's low-band 5G network has great coverage but not much effect on performance, while its high-band network hasn't expanded much beyond its initial few cities. On the other hand, mid-band is available in most major and midsize cities and performs considerably better than 4G. The company says it covers 300 million Americans with its mid-band 5G.
Focusing on mid-band right now is key. All the 5G phones T-Mobile currently sells have mid-band, so you can just choose a phone you like and not worry too much. To that end, we're only featuring 5G-capable smartphones in this roundup. Just double-check to make sure that your phone supports LTE frequency bands 12 and 71, as well as 5G band n41, to ensure optimal coverage.
For more, see our list of the best 5G phones.
What Is 5G?
Alternatives to T-Mobile
T-Mobile isn't the only option out there, of course. Take a look at our lists of the best phones for AT&T and Verizon Wireless, and check out our favorite cheap phone plans to get the best deal with an MVNO.
Recommended by Our Editors
Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.
