Best T-Mobile phones 2024

Unsurprisingly, a lot of the best T-Mobile phones double as some of the best phones period, but that doesn't mean it's always easy to choose. Whether you're a new customer or you've been with them for years, we've created a list of all of the best smartphones that are compatible with T-Mobile and placed it below for your perusal.

The key is to choose a great Android phone that has all of the features you need at a price you can afford. And don't forget to pair it with one of T-Mobile's excellent trade-in offers or new line discounts. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tops the list because it combines outstanding power with great camera software and a truly stunning AMOLED display, but there are plenty of other options to consider.

At a glance

Best overall

The green Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with its S Pen on the back

The best overall

Reasons to buy

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Blazing fast processor that keeps cool
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Nearly two days of battery life
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Amazing cameras with unbelievable zoom and detail
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Improved design over the S22 Ultra
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Five years of security and four major OS updates
+
S Pen built-in

Reasons to avoid

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Camera results can be inconsistent at times
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Expensive

As we stated in our Galaxy S23 Ultra review, this might be the most powerful Android phone ever made, complete with a stunning 6.8-inch AMOLED display, a built-in S Pen stylus, and a 200MP camera with software that’s been optimized for nightography.

Under the hood, you’ll find the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a massive battery that’ll easily last two days on a single charge. With a starting price of around $1,200, the S23 Ultra definitely isn’t cheap, but T-Mobile generally offers a discount or trade-in opportunity with the phone.

With the S Pen, IP68 waterproofing, state-of-the-art cameras, a lovely display, and a huge battery, this is the best T-Mobile phone.

Best budget

Google Pixel 7a

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best on a budget

Reasons to buy

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Nearly flagship level photography
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Premium haptics
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90Hz AMOLED display
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Superb Tensor G2 performance
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Pixel features and updates
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Great price

Reasons to avoid

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5W wireless charging isn't worth much

The Google Pixel 7a blew us away when it first hit store shelves, namely because it masterfully strikes the balance between desirable specs and an accessible price point. For around $499, you're getting a phone that comes complete with the ultra-efficient Tensor G2 processor (the same chip found in the last-gen Pixel 7 Pro), a flagship-level camera, and some of the best haptics in this price range.

Since it's a Pixel, you can also look forward to loads of software support. Google went out of its way to transform this A series Pixel into a nearly premium device. You get upper-tier niceties such as wireless charging and IP67 water and dust resistance.

Best small

The Galaxy S23 in hand

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Pure refinement

Reasons to buy

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Bestly performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
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Battery life isn't too bad for a small phone
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Bright and crispy AMOLED display
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Excellent software with long-term support
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Suitable for one-handed use

Reasons to avoid

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Same old charging speeds
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Design is starting to get old
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Very menial upgrades over last gen

Instead of dramatically changing the script, the Galaxy S23 expertly refines everything that made the S22 great (and fixed a few areas where the latter phone faltered). I’m talking about improved battery life, a new selfie camera, and the same efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that’s found on the S23 Ultra. With the S23 series, you can also expect to get four years of One UI upgrades and five years of security updates.

The Galaxy S23 doesn't have the largest battery life when compared to other S23 series devices, but its small size is a rare find. Despite this, you still get a day's battery from the S23. Factor in all the other Samsung flagship goodies and you've got yourself the best small phone around. You can get it straight from T-Mobile with trade-in offers and seasonal discounts.

Best value flagship

Google Pixel 8 review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
The flagship has landed

Reasons to buy

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Unrivaled AI features
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Big and bright 120Hz OLED screen
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Impressively, seven years of OS upgrades
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Fantastic cameras
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Bold design
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Pixel-exclusive feature drops

Reasons to avoid

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Charging specs aren't up to the mark
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Costs more this year
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No manual mode or Night Sight video

Speaking of refinement, the Google Pixel 8 shouldn’t be missed if you prioritize elegant and thoughtful design in your devices. In addition to some of the best camera software in the biz, the Google Pixel 8 boasts the ultra-efficient Google Tensor G3 chipset, a flat and bright 120Hz OLED display, and a reasonable price tag of just $699 for the 128GB version.

Although the Pixel 8 costs $100 more than last year's Pixel flagship, it's still the best value flagship for anyone. The Tensor G3 chipset is wonderful at what it's designed for, which is harnessing the capabilities of AI. You get spectacular features such as. Magic Editor and Audio Magic Eraser. The cameras are top-notch and you get a whopping seven years of Android upgrades!

Best mid-range

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G's display outdoors

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Midrange masterpiece

Reasons to buy

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Very nice and bright OLED panel
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Decent photography with 4K videography
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Full-fledged support for Galaxy ecosystem
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Great software and years of guaranteed updates
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Unmatched mid-range value

Reasons to avoid

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Gaming isn't the best
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Plastic build feels cheap
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Portrait mode is lacking

The Samsung Galaxy A54 picks up right where its predecessor, the A53, left off: delivering reliable performance and a stylish design at a reasonable price point. The Galaxy A54 boasts a massive 5,000mAh battery, some solid camera tech, and a stunning AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. You also get loads of software support, as Samsung has guaranteed four OS upgrades and five years of software updates.

On top of that, the Galaxy A54 doesn't miss out on support for the Galaxy ecosystem either. Users enjoy IP67 water and dust-proofing and an in-screen fingerprint sensor that works like a charm. Sure, the 25W wired charging isn't cutting edge, but the overall package packs a punch.

Best under $300

The shiny back of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G next to its box

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Powerful budget option

Reasons to buy

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Looks and feels a lot more premium
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Insanely fast charging speed that rivals flagships
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3.5mm jack and microSD card slot
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5G connectivity and NFC
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Long-term software support and tons of built-in features

Reasons to avoid

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Not suitable for gaming
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Only one major Android update

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G can be picked up unlocked as well as locked from various retailers. The T-Mobile version costs the cheapest in the U.S. when bought through the carrier. Even at a low price, our Nord N30 review found the 6.72-inch 120Hz LCD display to be beautiful with plenty of power from the Snapdragon 695 CPU. It supports sub-6 5G including T-Mobile's fast mid-band coverage, so it's a great buy for T-Mobile users.

There's a lot to love about the sub-$300 Android phone from OnePlus. You get a generous 5,000mAh battery and 50W SUPERVOOC charging, which means the phone easily makes it to the end of the day on a single charge.

Best flip phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 apps available via labs

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Compact and foldable

Reasons to buy

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Larger new cover display with lots of potential
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers outstanding performance
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Better design with flatter hinge
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Samsung's software game is top-notch
+
Water-resistant foldable

Reasons to avoid

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Cover screen needs time to set up
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Not the best battery life
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Stuck on two rear cameras and 25W wired charging like last year
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Vulnerable to dust

This unique Samsung Galaxy phone pairs a durable 120Hz AMOLED display with a one-of-a-kind user experience and some flagship-level specs, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a large 3,700mAh battery. You also get IPX8 water resistance, a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 construction, some excellent camera software, and a new-and-improved 3.4-inch cover display.

Samsung finally made a big change in its flip phones, giving the Galaxy Z Flip 5 some much-needed love. The bigger cover screen — also called the Flex Window — has boundless potential and is a lot of fun to play around with. It just needs some time to be set up and tweaked. If you're pining for a flip phone and use T-Mobile, this is the best flipping device for you.

Best foldable

The large inner display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best premium option

Reasons to buy

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Multitasking champion
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S Pen support
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Samsung's epic software and long-term support
+
Water resistance
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Excellent performance and battery life

Reasons to avoid

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Exorbitant price tag
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Crease still visible
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Lacks dust resistance
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Doesn't beat S23 Ultra's cameras
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Some display flicker issues

Just a few years ago, the concept of a foldable phone was little more than a gimmick. Thanks to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 (and the aforementioned Z Flip 5), that notion is history. The Z Fold 5 pairs all of the power of a tablet with the convenience of a smartphone, complete with two stunning AMOLED displays, flagship-quality cameras, and the exceptionally efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a chip that gives you more than enough power to handle gaming and multitasking.

Pair that with water resistance, S Pen support, and Samsung's excellent software, and you've got yourself the best foldable that money can buy in North America. T-Mobile offers plenty of exchange offers and discounts to lessen the burden of purchasing the expensive Z Fold 5 to some degree.

Best old flagship

OnePlus 10 Pro

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
An oldie but a goodie

Reasons to buy

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Gorgeous design with fluid 120Hz AMOLED display
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Outstanding performance and great haptics
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All-day battery life
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80W wired and 50W wireless charging
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Lightweight, bloat-free software
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Affordable now that it's older
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Three years of platform and four years of security updates

Reasons to avoid

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Comes with Android 12 out of the box, so it's only supported until Android 15
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North American variant gets 65W charger
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Cameras don't beat rival flagships

Although it's effectively been replaced by the new OnePlus 11, the OnePlus 10 Pro still offers some great bang for the buck when you pair it with T-Mobile's service. This phone ships with Android 12 powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU. Battery life is good at 5,000mAh with ultra-fast charging at up to 80W wired. The 48MP main camera is also nice with Hasselblad delivering natural-looking colors.

The OnePlus 10 Pro has a stunning 120Hz display that's an absolute joy to behold. You get waterproofing too, but unfortunately, unlocked models miss out on the official IP68 rating. This is one of the great things about getting a carrier-locked variant of the phone from T-Mobile since you're guaranteed an IP certification. The 10 Pro might be a little old, but that's done some good for the price. Even by today's standards, this old flagship beats most upper mid-range phones that probably cost nearly the same, or maybe even more in some cases.

You have plenty of options at T-Mobile

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

T-Mobile's network works with the majority of unlocked phones, including those that support 5G. For the best coverage, you'll want a phone that supports 5G bands n71 and n41 at a minimum. It's also worth keeping in mind that most people don't necessarily need top-of-the-line phones. Something like the Galaxy A54 is a great option with plenty of power that comes in at less than half of the price of the S23 Ultra. There's also the excellent and affordable OnePlus Nord N30 5G for those looking for something stylish and unique.

Even so, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is proving to be everything Galaxy Note fans were missing with a large screen, solid battery life, and an included S-pen that's stored inside the phone. This phone also supports all of T-Mobile's 5G bands including mmWave. If you're looking for a phone that does just about everything, the S23 Ultra is a great place to start.

Samuel Contreras

When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Android Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.

With contributions from