The Galaxy S9+ is the best Android phone for most people, with some of the best specs and cameras on the market. Its industrial design is as functional as it is beautiful, with the curved edges making it easier to hold than other phones of its size, and there's just no beating its feature list.

Our Pick

Samsung Galaxy S9+

The cream of the crop.

We've officially arrived at our beautiful, bezel-less future, and the Galaxy S9+ is a near-perfect example of what constitutes as innovative smartphone design. The curved glass looks and feels unlike anything else, and Samsung managed to pull off a nearly edge-to-edge display without resorting to a notch.

Who should buy this phone?

Power users who value a big screen and a long list of features. On top of its great specs and cameras, the Galaxy S9+ can do everything from wireless charging to underwater photography, and the battery is big enough to last you through the day. The S9+ is for the person who runs their entire life from their phone.

Is it a good time to buy this phone?

The Galaxy S9+ is still fairly new, having just been announced in February. While you might prefer to go with the newly announced Galaxy Note 9, you won't have to worry about a new Galaxy S model coming out until early next year.

Reasons to buy

  • Big, beautiful display
  • Excellent cameras
  • Good (but not great) battery life
  • Unlocked model works on all U.S. carriers

Reasons not to buy

  • Slow to receive major Android updates
  • Fragile glass backing

There are other great options at AT&T

There's no doubt that the Galaxy S9+ is one of the best phones in AT&T's roster, but that doesn't mean it's the only you should consider. Not everybody likes Samsung's Android experience, and some people might just have more specialized needs that a phone tailored to work for the majority wouldn't offer.

In any case, it's worth taking a look at some of these other phones, even if you like the S9+ — who knows, you might like one of these better.

Even more power

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

For when even the S9+ isn't enough.

The Galaxy Note 9 is the phone you should reach for if you value productivity over all else. You get a little bit of extra screen and a bump to as much as 8GB of RAM to augment all of the same great specs and features of the Galaxy S phones. Plus, you get the same dual camera system found in the S9+, with a telephoto lens for close-up shots.

On top of the Note 9 being great on its own, you also get the S Pen stylus, which unlocks productivity and artistic angles you simply can't get in any other phone. With the S Pen's new improvements, you can now use it to wirelessly control your phone for things like remote shutter or quickly launching apps. At just a penny shy of $1000, you pay for the privilege, but you also know you're getting Samsung's biggest, best phone yet.

For content creation

LG V35 ThinQ

Manual view controls galore.

The V35 ThinQ is LG's mid-cycle refresh of the V30, with the same thin and classy metal-and-glass build that has a nice balance to it. It's been updated inside with a Snapdragon 845 and 6GB of RAM, and around back is LG's great dual camera setup with a sharper wide-angle shooter that continues to stand out.

Within the camera software, the V35 ThinQ features some of the most robust controls ever featured on a phone. On-the-go videographers will appreciate useful tools such as manual focus, focus peaking, directional audio, LUTs, and LOG video. LG's software can be an acquired taste, but there's simply no better phone for mobile filmmaking than the LG V30.

The indestructible

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active

For the outdoorsmen among us.

The Galaxy S8 Active is still pricey for being almost a year old, but if you're someone who needs to have the extra robustness without losing out on features or power, it may be worth the extra money. It offers the same experience as last year's Galaxy S8 in terms of specs, power, software and camera, but it does so with a heftier outer shell and a shatter-resistant flat display.

The Galaxy S8 Active can take a beating thanks to its rugged enclosure, and its 4000mAh battery (the same capacity as the Note 9) offers far battery endurance than the regular S8 or even S9. It's not quite as up to date in terms of specs or software as Samsung's newer devices, but even in late 2018, the Galaxy S8 Active is a good buy.

Bottom line

AT&T has no shortage of devices to choose from, but these handpicked options are a good place to start. The V35 ThinQ offers the most powerful video and audio capabilities around, while the S8 Active is a rugged phone for the active and sporty type. If money is no object, the Galaxy Note 9 is also a fantastic choice for business users and gamers alike.

But most people don't need manual video controls or advanced stylus support, they just want a reliable phone that can take great pictures and last them all day — and for those demands, it's hard to beat the ultra-versatile Galaxy S9+.

Updated August 2018: This list has been revamped, with the Galaxy Note 9 finding a spot in the lineup.

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