Best Verizon phones 2024

Quick Menu

Galaxy S24 Ultra with MicroSD card next to it

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

1. At a glance
2. Best overall
3. Best premium
4. Best foldable
5. Best cameras
6. Best mid-range
7. Best stylus
8. Best budget
9. Best flagship
10. Best durability
11. How to choose

As one of the world's largest wireless carriers, Verizon offers excellent 5G services in the US, and supports nearly all mainstream smartphones with little exception. Unsurprisingly, the best phones for Verizon have a lot in common with the best phones in general.  

Whether you want one of the best Android phones that money can buy or something simple and affordable, the best Verizon-compatible phones can be found below. In most cases, there are also plenty of Verizon deals to pair with these devices, particularly if you have an old or broken phone to trade in. If you prefer buying unlocked phones, Verizon may even hook you up with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) discount. No matter which route you take, there's sure to be a great Verizon phone just waiting to be found. 

At a glance

Best overall

The mint colorway of the Google Pixel 8

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best overall

Specifications

Display: 6.2-inch Actua 120Hz AMOLED (2400x1080)
CPU: Tensor G3
RAM: 8GB
OS: Android 14
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Battery: 4,575mAh
Camera: 10.5MP (front camera) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 50MP (wide)

Reasons to buy

+
AI features are incredible
+
Even better cameras than Pixel 7
+
Brighter OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate
+
Gorgeous design
+
Seven years of Android OS updates

Reasons to avoid

-
Costlier than last year's model
-
Misses out on manual mode and Night Sight video
-
Charging tech lags behind rivals
-
No charger in the box

The Pixel 8 might look similar to the Pixel 7 in design but it’s a leap forward compared to its predecessor. That’s thanks to new updates, like its AI and cameras being powered by the excellent Google Tensor G3 chip. As we said in our review, "the Pixel 8 manages to take truly outstanding shots in any scenario, and it outshines its predecessor."

It also sports great cameras, which is to be expected from any smartphone in the Pixel line. The front 10.5MP camera has the ability to shoot 4K video at 60fps, the 50MP camera doubles as a 2x lens to get optical-quality images, and the Tensor G3 chip coupled with camera algorithms make the cameras truly shine. 

One of the downsides is an extremely limited color options of either a Hazel, Obsidian, or Rose. A poor selection of colors isn’t going to make or break the usefulness of a smartphone, but it’s something to keep in mind for anyone wanting a fun or flashy device. That said, you’re likely going to be zhushing it up with a case regardless. 

The Pixel 8 is ultimately a great choice for anyone wanting a smartphone with solid photo and video capabilities and the comfort of knowing there are years of software updates ahead. And best of all, it supports Verizon 5G with Ultra Wideband Support.

Best premium

Using Air Commands with the S Pen on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best premium

Specifications

Display: 6.8-inch 120Hz AMOLED; 1440 x 3120
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
OS: Android 14
Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Camera: 200MP (wide) + 10MP (telephoto) + 50MP (telephoto) + 12MP (ultrawide) rear; 12MP (front)

Reasons to buy

+
Best display from Samsung yet
+
Up to two-day battery life
+
Very good cameras
+
Great repairability score
+
AI features are useful
+
Seven-year software update promise

Reasons to avoid

-
PWM dimming used at all brightness levels
-
Expensive

When it comes to premium Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has just about everything going for it. It’s one of the best smartphones Samsung has to offer without a doubt. The true star is its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and the suite of Galaxy AI features.

If you’re someone who likes to play everything from Fortnite to Genshin Impact on their phone and doesn’t necessarily want a phone just for gaming, the S24 Ultra is exactly what you’re looking for. It can keep games locked at 60 FPS and running buttery smooth all without making you feel like you’re holding hot coals. And games look absolutely gorgeous thanks to a 6.8-inch AMOLED display at 120hz.

Depending on your usage, the battery can last up to two days on a single charge alone. The main camera sensor is still 200MP like before, but the 10X telephoto camera now only has 5X optical zoom. However, the increased resolution of 50MP makes up for it. The included S Pen is identical to that of the S23 Ultra, but remains a ton of fun to play around with. 

To put it simply, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerhouse of a smartphone, and one of the best Android phones you can buy — so long as you can afford its hefty price tag.

Best foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen widget view

Best foldable

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch 120Hz HDR+ AMOLED 2X; 2640x1080 / 3.4-inch 60Hz Super AMOLED; 720x748 (cover)
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB
OS: One UI 4.1.1, Android 12
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery: 3,700mAh
Camera: 12MP (wide) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 10MP (front)
Display: 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED; 2640 x 1080 / 3.4-inch 60Hz AMOLED; 720 x 748 (cover)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB
OS: Android 13 (upgradable)
Storage: 256GB / 512GB
Battery: 3,700mAh
Camera: 12MP (wide) + 12MP (ultrawide) rear; 10MP front

Reasons to buy

+
Useful cover screen
+
Decent set of cameras
+
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performs very well 
+
Relatively fast wireless charging
+
One UI comes with nice foldable tricks
+
256GB is now base storage
+
IPX8 water resistance

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life still not great
-
Cover screen takes some setting up
-
No dust resistance
-
Only 25W wired charging

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a great choice for anyone looking to get their first foldable. It's not as intimidating of expensive as the Galaxy Z Fold, and it's way more pocketable and easy to use with one hand. We had a lot to gush about when we reviewed this phone. One of our main praises was its 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, which offered good levels of brightness and gorgeous color vibrancy.

Part of the phone’s novelty also lies in its cover screen. It's larger and more funtional now. You can view notifications without having to open your phone, reply to messages, and there are customizable widgets for the usual standards such as weather and alarms. But a new feature for the Galaxy Z Flip 5 allows you to hold the phone like a camcorder while it's in Flip Mode to increase your grip.

Aesthetics will undoubtedly play some role in choosing a clamshell foldable, and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes in flashy Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender, with others available based on carriers and regions. The Motorola Razr Plus is perhaps this phone's biggest rival, but between the two, we'd advice picking the Galaxy for its more robust software and update history, and better performance. 

Best cameras

Google Pixel 8 Pro porcelain colorway

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best cameras

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED; 2992 x 1344
CPU: Google Tensor G3
RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X
OS: Android 14
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery: 5,050mAh
Camera: 50MP (wide) + 48MP (telephoto, 5x optical) + 48MP (ultrawide, 125.5-degree) rear; 10.5MP front

Reasons to buy

+
Superb cameras
+
AI features are class-leading
+
Excellent design and build quality
+
Display is bright 
+
Top-notch haptics
+
Seven years of software support

Reasons to avoid

-
Tensor still isn't great for gaming
-
No USB-C display-out support

As with all phones in the Pixel line, the cameras are the stars of the show on the Pixel 8 Pro. However, even more noteworthy than the quality of the cameras themselves are the new AI features. Best Take, for example, automatically captures multiple photos in a row and then the phone will identify and clip out each face so you can replace it with the one with the best (or funniest) expression. Magic Editor, on the other hand, lets you fully erase objects *and* both move and resize objects.

Both the rear and front cameras record in 4K at 24 FPS, 30 FPS, 60 FPS. They also offer 10-bit HDR, cinematic blur, and 4K timelapse. Its closest competition is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, but ultimately, we prefer the cameras offered by the Pixel 8 Pro.

Google has evolved the design too, making the 8 Pro feel more premium and comfortable to hold thanks to softer edges and more rounded corners. The matte glass back feels increbile to hold and it does a hell of a job at resisting fingerprints. The display is also brighter and more eye-friendly this time around. While Tensor G3 is powerful and works well, it's still a bit behing Qualcomm's chips when it comes to gaming. If you don't already have the Pixel 7 Pro and want to have a unqiue Android experience and some of the best cameras, the Pixel 8 Pro ranks high on our list. 

Best mid-range

The back of the black Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best mid-range

Specifications

Display: 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED; 2340x1080
CPU: Samsung Exynos 1380
RAM: 6GB/8GB
OS: Android 13 with One UI 5.1
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Camera: 50MP (main) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 5MP (macro) + 32MP (front)

Reasons to buy

+
Bright OLED display
+
Good cameras with 4K recording
+
Tons of software features
+
Years of promised updates
+
Full Galaxy ecosystem support

Reasons to avoid

-
Gaming performance is lacking
-
All-plastic build
-
Portrait mode could be better

What if you don’t want all the bells and whistles of a premium smartphone but also want something with more features than a more basic one? Mid-range phones exist exactly for that reason. And as we said in our review, the Galaxy A54 5G is the best mid-range phone that Samsung has made to date. 

You’ll have to make some compromises with a mid-range phone, of course. The Galaxy A54 5G lacks a telephoto lens, and while it can certainly run games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact fine, you won’t be getting the same level of quality as more premium phones. Plus, the overall design lacks a sense of panache. 

If you don’t mind those missing features, there’s still a lot to like about this phone. Its cameras offer 4K recording, it has a nice and bright OLED display, and Samsung has promised four OS upgrades and five years of security updates. It comes in some striking colors, and it also has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. We think the phone hits a nice middle ground by offering just enough features, to more than justify the price. 

Best stylus

Hands on with the Moto G Stylus (2023)

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best stylus

Specifications

Display: 6.6” FHD+ LCD 120Hz (2400 x 1080)
CPU: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM: 4GB (carriers), 6GB
OS: Android 13 (My UX)
Storage: 128GB (carriers), 256GB, expandable
Battery: 5,000mAh
Camera: 50MP (wide) + 8MP (ultrawide) + 16MP (selfie)

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely design
+
Great primary camera
+
120Hz display looks and feels great
+
Performance feels almost flagship-level
+
All-day battery life
+
20W charging is a step up
+
Very loud stereo speakers
+
The built-in stylus is nice to have

Reasons to avoid

-
The ultrawide camera is not great
-
Selfie camera leaves a lot to be desired
-
Stylus is pretty basic
-
Below-average software support 
-
No IP rating

Another mid-ranger, the Moto G Stylus 5G is a great pick for anyone wanting a stylus phone without breaking the bank. You won’t be doodling over animated GIFs like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the included stylus does the job when it comes to taking notes comfortably. 

The phone itself is very nice for general use, too. It has a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip that helps it run smoothly. In our review, we noted that graphically intense games like Honkai: Star Rail could be bumped up to high settings at 60fps with stable performance. It slightly faltered on the highest settings, but it's not exactly a phone intended for gaming.

The cameras are also suprisngly decent on the G Stylus 5G. Daylight images look bright and colorful, with plenty of detail thanks to the 50MP main sensor. Night shots are also usable if you use Night Mode. The ultrawide camera is eually competent as it doubles as a macro and depth camera too. We found macro photos to be much better than most other phones with dedicated macro cameras. 

Overall, the Moto G Stylus 5G is somewhere along the lines of the Galaxy A54 5G, but with an added bonus of having a built-in stylus.

Best budget

The Charcoal Google Pixel 7a next to a marble and metal chess board

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

Specifications

Display: 6.1-inch 90Hz AMOLED; 2400 x 1080
CPU: Google Tensor G2
RAM: 8GB
OS: Android 13
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,385mAh
Camera: 64MP + 13MP rear; 13MP front

Reasons to buy

+
Top-tier camera
+
Best build and haptics in its class
+
90Hz AMOLED display
+
Good performance
+
Pixel features and updates
+
Great price

Reasons to avoid

-
Some battery life issues
-
Only 5W wireless charging

In terms of quality, the Pixel 7a is just about perfect. We raved about it in our review, specifically for its excellent performance and cameras for a mid-range phone. The Pixel 7a sports the same Tensor G2 Chip as the rest of the Pixel 7 lineup. Its performance is the best you can get if you don’t want a phone over $500.

The 12MP sensor of the previous generation has been replaced with a 64MP sensor, which allows for photos that look absolutely crisp and beautiful. You’re also able to record videos in 4K resolution. Even better, you can expect up to five years of Pixel updates.

The beauty of this phone is that despite the low cost, it offers nearly all the features of the Pixel 7. It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, it looks slim and stylish, and it sports a punchy 6.1-inch AMOLED display with support for HDR playback. A few things to keep in mind though, is that the 7a isn't as grippy as the 6a, due to the duller finish of the metal side rails. This makes it one of the slipperiest phones around, so it's best paired with a quality case

Best flagship

The Galaxy S24 Plus on a corner

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Best flagship

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED; 1440 x 3120
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
OS: Android 14
Storage: 256GB/512GB
Battery: 4,900mAh
Camera: 50MP (wide) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 10MP (telephoto) rear; 12MP front

Reasons to buy

+
Slick design with slim bezels 
+
Finally gets a QHD+ display
+
Galaxy AI is super useful
+
Long software support
+
Great performance 
+
More RAM from the base varaint 

Reasons to avoid

-
Sharp corners aren't the most comfortable
-
Same camera hardware as before
-
No Wi-Fi 7 
-
Charging speed is still behind the competition

The Plus model in Samsung's S series has long been the neglected and often forgotten child. This is mainly because apart from having a physically larger display and battery, there was little else to differentiate it from the base, non-Plus model. This year, thankfully, Samsung finally upgraded the display to a QHD+ resolution on the Galaxy S24 Plus, which makes content and system menus look sharper and clearer, which is what a display of this size deserves. 

Performance is fantastic thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC from Qualcomm and the 12GB of RAM, which is now standard even on the base variant. In our review, we noticed zero lag when jumping between games, apps, and the new AI features that are baked in. We also found that it kept more apps running in the background, making it quiker to switch to them when needed. The brighter LTPO display is also easier on the eyes thanks to its ability to drop to 1Hz when needed. 

The cameras are still fantastic. The main one still struggles a bit to capture freeze motion of moving subject, but this has improved from before. The 3X telephoto camera and ultrawide perform really well too, in daylight and at night. Overally, the S24 Plus is something we highly recommed over the standard S24, and the monthly fee is only a bit more via Verizon, making it a great flagship pick. 

Best durability

Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW being used to scan a barcode

(Image credit: Kyocera)

9. Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW

Best durability

Specifications

Display: 6.1-inch 60hz FHD+ LCD; 2400 x 1080
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G NR
RAM: 4GB
OS: Android 11
Storage: 64GB, expandable up to 1TB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Camera: 48MP (wide) + 16MP (ultrawide) + 8MP (front)

Reasons to buy

+
Highly resistant to dust
+
Resistant to submersion up to 6.5 feet for 30 minutes
+
Withstand up to 5 foot fall on concrete

Reasons to avoid

-
Basic performance
-
More for outdoor lifestyles than everyday use

Performance is the most important factor to take into consideration when choosing a phone. Sometimes where that performance matters the most is in practicality. While the Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW won’t be the fastest phone in technical performance, it’s one of the most durable you can get.

The DuraSport 5G UW has an IP68 rating, meaning it’s not only highly resistant to dust but can also be submerged at 6.5 feet of water for 30 minutes. It also has an MIL-STD-810H drop rating and can withstand up to a 5 foot fall on concrete. 

While the focus might be on its durability, the phone still has enough power for daily tasks thanks to its Snapdragon 480 SoC. And it does, of course, have 5G support on Verizon’s network. The in-built storage is not a lot at 64GB, but there is a microSD card slot which can be used to expand storage by up to 1TB. 

How to choose

What is the best Verizon phone?

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.

Verizon supports the majority of the best Android phones if you want to buy unlocked. If you want to buy your phone from Verizon, you can pay full price to get the phone from the carrier, or can opt for monthly payments on your bill. The latter is required for some discounts, so it can be worth it. However, with 36-month payment plans being the only option, you may find yourself paying the device off early if you like to upgrade frequently.

The Google Pixel 8 is priced like a mid-range phone, but it stands toe-to-toe with the best phones on the market. Google's Tensor G3 CPU delivers plenty of performance, and the camera hardware works with the software to provide rich photos and realistic colors.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the best of Samsung's compact foldable design. Unlike folding phones that open up like a tablet, this phone folds vertically to easily fit in a pocket or bag. Since it has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU, you don't give up any performance in pursuit of style either. Or, if you're a Samsung fan who prefers a classic phone design, you can also get the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want the absolute best or even the Galaxy S24 Plus for standout flagship, through Verizon.

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