Best Boost Mobile Phones 2023

Boost Mobile is one of the more popular MVNO carriers around, offering subscribers flexible and super affordable data plans, T-Mobile coverage, and loads of bang for the buck. They've also got tons of compatible smartphones, so we've gathered a few of our favorites below.

If you're not totally sold on Boost Mobile just yet, you can also take a look at our Boost buyer's guide or compare it to the competition with our list of the best MVNO carriers. No matter what you decide, if you're curious about Boost-compatible devices, you'll find the best of the bunch below. 

At a glance

Best overall

Holding the Galaxy S23

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

Reasons to buy

+
Vibrant AMOLED 120Hz display
+
The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
+
Compact and easy to hold
+
Bigger battery
+
Excellent cameras

Reasons to avoid

-
Not a huge upgrade over the S22
-
Wired charging limited to 25W
-
Dull color options

Samsung's newest flagship series consists of three devices — the Galaxy S23, the S23 Plus, and the S23 Ultra. Suffice to say, all three of these phones deserve a spot on any list of the best Android phones, and they're also all compatible with Boost Mobile. 

The standard Samsung Galaxy S23 is small but mighty, boasting a gorgeous 6.1-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, great camera software, and the introduction of the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor. The S23 will also get the same four Android OS updates as its siblings, plus five years of security updates and a boost in battery life to 3,900mAh. 

The Galaxy S23 is also a great choice if you're switching to Boost since the MVNO carrier often includes the flagship device in its best deals. With a retail price of around $799.99, it's not unusual to find an S23 deal that drops the price to budget phone territory.

Best midrange

The back of the black Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

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

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display
+
Great price
+
Solid internal hardware
+
Four guaranteed Android OS updates

Reasons to avoid

-
No 3.5mm jack
-
No wireless charging
-
Relatively large bezels

Another excellent addition to Samsung’s affordable A series, the Galaxy A54 topped out our list of the best cheap Android phones that money can buy, and it isn’t hard to see why. With a retail price of around $450, the phone boasts a stunning 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with the octa-core Exynos 1380 processor and a large 5,000mAh battery that’ll easily clear a full day on a single charge.

You’ll also get many of the same AI-powered camera features found in Samsung’s newest flagship lineup, plus four guaranteed software upgrades and five years of security updates. That’s enough to make the A54 your go-to device for many years to come.  

The Galaxy A54 has only been out for a few weeks, so we haven’t seen a ton of A54 deals just yet, but if Boost Mobile treats the phone anything like it treated the A53, great offers should be just around the corner. In the meantime, the Galaxy A54 is compatible with the MVNO carrier, and you shouldn’t have any difficulty finding an unlocked A54 at Amazon or Best Buy.  

Best foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen widget view

Best foldable

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional performance
+
Durable and pocketable design
+
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
+
Two AMOLED displays

Reasons to avoid

-
Visible crease in fold
-
Screen isn't polarized

Just like the Z Flip 4 before it, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of our favorite foldable phones of all time, offering a one-of-a-kind user experience in a practical and efficient package. It also improves upon its predecessor by adding a new display along with a new-and-improved cover display on the outside of the phone. 

The Z Flip 5 boasts an ultra-powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for outstanding performance, plus you're getting the two AMOLED displays, flagship-quality cameras, and a large 3,700mAh battery that'll easily last over a day on a single charge. It also has the same relatively affordable $999.99 price tag that was attached to the Z Flip 4, so you can easily pair the phone with one of the best Galaxy Z Flip 5 deals to unleash some seriously huge savings.  

Best on a budget

Moto G 5G (2023) outdoors, in hand

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Best on a budget

Reasons to buy

+
Battery is great
+
Reliable performance 
+
Extremely affordable
+
3.5mm headphone jack

Reasons to avoid

-
No NFC
-
Slow charging
-
Limited camera software

If you're shopping for a smartphone on a budget and don't mind something simple, the Moto G 5G (2023) is a solid choice. Sure, it lacks the premium specs found in other devices on this list, but the 5G's Snapdragon chip can handle most daily tasks with ease.

It also has a reliable 5,000mAh battery that should last up to two days on a single charge depending on usage. Perhaps best of all, the Moto G 5G (2023) has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which might be worth the price tag alone these days.

At a retail price of around $249.99, the Moto G 5G (2023) is nearly as cheap as it gets, but it's not unusual for Boost Mobile to slap on a deal that drops the phone even lower if you're a new customer. 

Best with a stylus

Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) on rocks

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Best with a built-in stylus

Reasons to buy

+
Great Price
+
Solid hardware
+
120Hz display
+
Built-in stylus

Reasons to avoid

-
No IP rating
-
Not enough software support
-
Cameras could be better

Motorola phones are often very hit-or-miss for us, but the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) came as a pleasant surprise. The phone hit the scene with some pretty great-for-the-price Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware, plus NFC, a large 5,000mAh battery, and yes, a built-in stylus. 

That last feature is usually only found on pricier Android phones, so stylus enthusiasts on a budget will find a lot to love about this phone. That being said, if you're passionate about taking selfies, you might want to look elsewhere. The cameras here aren't great, although the lovely 120Hz display  makes up for some of that.

Regardless, with the Moto G Stylus, Motorola has produced a device that most folks would enjoy using at a reasonable price that we can all appreciate.

Best premium option

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

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

Reasons to buy

+
Huge, beautiful display
+
Built-in stylus
+
Amazing camera setup
+
Great software support

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Large size isn't for everyone

If you want a truly premium Galaxy experience, the S23 Ultra is the way to go. Just like its predecessor, the S22 Ultra, the device packs a ton of premium specs into a massive 6.8-inch frame with a gorgeous Super AMOLED 120Hz screen. You still get the S Pen stylus that slides right into the body of the phone, and the durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 display is constructed from 22% pre-consumer recycled glass. 

As we note in our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review, the phone also pairs the massive 5,000mAh battery with the incredible efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset. This means that even the most graphically-demanding games run smoothly while staying cool to the touch. You’ll also get some pretty impressive AI-powered camera features and a 200MP primary lens. 

Typically retailing for around $1,200, the S23 Ultra is far from cheap. But if you can afford it and you want a feature-packed and long-lasting device to pair with your Boost Mobile service, the Ultra is the phone to beat.  

Choose the right Boost Mobile phone for you

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Despite all of these recommendations, at the end of the day, you need to pick the Boost Mobile phone that works for you. We chose the Samsung Galaxy S23 because of its balanced design and the popularity of S23 deals, but any phone in that flagship series would be an excellent choice.

If you prioritize cutting-edge design in your devices, you really can't go wrong with the Galaxy Z Flip 4, while the Galaxy A54 and Moto G Stylus are two great options for any shopper on a budget. 

No matter which phone you choose, Boost Mobile simplifies your wireless service by offering great coverage at a lower price. Yes, not every phone is compatible with the carrier, but the money you save on your data plan will make it easier to afford the phone you really want. And of course, since Boost is a prepaid carrier, you can cancel your service at any time if it's not working out. Just be sure to transfer your number before your existing contract runs out, or else you risk losing it. 

Patrick Farmer
Staff Writer

After years of working as a freelancer, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a deals and commerce writer before being brought into the fold as a staff writer in early 2023. When he's not sharing his thoughts on smartphones, wireless carriers, and streaming services, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child.