Best Mint Mobile phones 2024

The best Mint Mobile phones are devices that can take maximum advantage of its vast 5G network infrastructure. Luckily, as Mint Mobile is now owned by T-Mobile, compatibility is rarely going to be an issue as long as you have an unlocked phone. I've tested dozens of phones over the years, and the following devices have been hand-picked and approved to work great with Mint Mobile's service.

Mint Mobile is among the more unique Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) out there, primarily because you have to buy your service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months upfront. The longer duration of service you get, the better are your total savings. In addition to that, Mint Mobile's usage of parent T-Mobile's network means it's compatible with a diverse range of smartphones, that too across all price points.

You can either buy a phone through the carrier's website or bring over your existing phone and get it activated. My top vote goes to Google's Pixel 9 Pro as it gives you amazing 5G connectivity, a clean software experience, and an unmatched camera experience. It's easily one of the best Android phones in the market. You can also check out the Google Pixel 8a and the OnePlus Nord N30 5G if you want something a bit more affordable.

At a glance

Best overall

With the Google Pixel 9 Pro, you get just about everything you could possibly want in a top-of-the-line Android smartphone, and so much more. Having the same starting price as its predecessor, the latest flagship brings a premium design with squared-off sides. Up front, you get a 6.3-inch 'Super Actua' LTPO OLED panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. 

The smartphone's driven by Google's newest Tensor G4 SoC and comes with 16GB of RAM, along with up to 1TB of onboard storage. This hardware is not only powerful enough to make quick work of even the most demanding of tasks, but makes all the AI-based features (e.g., Magic Editor, Call Notes) possible for a better everyday user experience. Running Android 14 out of the box, the Pixel 9 Pro will get seven years of OS and security updates.

Having a redesigned primary camera housing, the Google Pixel 9 Pro comes with a triple-lens rear camera system with a 50MP wide-angle module, a 48MP periscope telephoto sensor (with 5x optical zoom), and a 48MP ultrawide module. As expected, this setup is capable of shooting some incredible photos and videos. The smartphone is backed by a 4,700mAh battery with 27W wired and 20W wireless charging support.

Best balance

As the middle child in Samsung's newest flagship family, the Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a bevy of features that make for a balanced yet enjoyable user experience. Even though its design is largely similar to the last-gen model, the S24 Plus sports a flatter frame and matte-finished back panel that make it look quite refined. The front of the smartphone is all about a stunning 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel that's every bit as awesome as you can imagine. 

Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, the smartphone includes 12GB of RAM and 256/512GB of internal storage, and these make it capable of handling just about anything you can throw at it with little to no effort. As one of the best Android phones currently available out there, the Galaxy S24 Plus offers everything from Wi-Fi 6e to USB Type-C (3.2) in terms of connectivity options.

Talking about cameras, Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus sports a triple-lens camera setup at the back, comprising a 50MP wide-angle sensor, a 10MP telephoto unit, as well as a 12MP ultra-wide module. However, it's the software where this thing truly shines, as the Galaxy S24 Plus is one of Samsung's first phones guaranteed to receive up to seven years of OS upgrades. You have some nifty AI-powered tools included in the mix.

Best midrange

The Google Pixel 8a comes with the Google Tensor G3 SoC under the hood giving it strong overall performance, running Android 14 with 8GB of RAM. Compared to the previous generation, the screen has been upgraded to 120Hz and it has a maximum peak brightness of 2000 nits so its readable even on a sunny day. 

The 64MP main camera hasn't been upgraded, but even with last year's sensor, this is still without a doubt the best mid-range camera phones you can get. It's also nice that Google is offering both a 128GB and 256GB version of this phone, so you have plenty of space to store those photos.

Another big upgrade over the last-generation Pixel 7a is extended software support with Google now promising seven years of OS updates. Speaking of support, the Pixel 8a is a great fit for the T-Mobile 5G network used by Mint Mobile with strong mid-band support.

Best on a budget

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a well-rounded device that continues to be among the best cheap Android phones available in the market right now, even when you buy it unlocked. As the name implies, you get 5G support including mid-band 5G on Mint Mobile. The design has a premium look and feel, with two large camera rings on the back. Our OnePlus Nord N30 5G review noted that the phone offers great battery life with impressively fast charging speeds too, especially in its price range.

On the software side, things aren't as good, with the Nord N30 5G having Android 13 out of the box, and plans for only one OS update. The good news is that it has begun recieving Android 14 this year, so it should be relevant for a bit longer. The 6.72-inch display is good, but it's not AMOLED, which means you won't get vivid colors and increased contrast levels when watching your favorite movies and TV shows. 

The smartphone is built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon 695 5G SoC, which works well for everyday tasks but can't handle more demanding workflows. But despite all that, OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers plenty of perks such as a 3.5mm audio port, a big battery, and even stereo speakers.

Best small phone

While its 6.2-inch display isn't all that compact, the tiny bezels around the screen still make the Samsung Galaxy S24 one of the best small phones you can get. The AMOLED panel looks beautiful with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 2600 nits of peak brightness that makes it easy to see even in the daylight. It runs the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC as the two bigger S24 phones with 8GB of RAM, so you're not giving up any speed for one-handed use. It comes with a 4,000mAh battery with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, which means you may need to top up before the end of the day.

The cameras system is generally excellent with the main 50MP sensor, a 10MP 3x telephoto unit, and 12MP ultrawide module. While we find that Samsung's cameras can struggle with motion, they're still some of the best you can get. With excellent support for all of T-Mobile's 5G bands, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a power-packed small phone to use on Mint Mobile.

Best for gaming

Although OnePlus has had its problems in the past, the company has hit a home run with its newest flagship. The OnePlus 12 is a top-tier device that packs in just about everything you could want in a modern-day smartphone, at a price that's too good to resist. The design is largely the same as the last-gen model, but changes are there. 

OnePlus 12 features a gorgeous 6.82-inch AMOLED screen that's not only the brightest of any smartphone out there but can also be used when wet. Talking about hardware, you have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with 12/16GB of RAM and 256/512GB of onboard storage. Whether you like multi-tasking or playing some of the best Android games all day, this smartphone can make quick work of it all.

At the back, OnePlus 12 has a triple-lens camera system with a 50MP wide-angle unit, a 64MP periscope telephoto sensor, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. It comes with OxygenOS 14 (based on Android 14) and will get four years of major OS upgrades. The whole package is backed by a 5,400mAh battery with 80W fast-charging support. You even get super-fast 50W wireless charging for added convenience.

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Honorable mentions

All of the phones above are excellent and Android Central-approved, full stop. But they aren't the only devices that will work great with Mint Mobile's service. The following honorable mentions may not be the best of the best, but they're well suited for the MVNO carrier and might even come with an epic discount.

How to choose

Get a phone with plenty of performance for all your needs

If you're using Mint Mobile, you're likely focused on getting great service for less money — and you want a phone that follows the same approach. Mint Mobile lets you bring any unlocked phone to its network, so your options are wide open. For the best results on T-Mobile's network, the carrier that owns Mint Mobile, you're going to want a 5G-enabled phone that supports bands n71 and n41. That gives you the best of both worlds for coverage and speeds and luckily, most of the best Android phones you can buy support these bands.

Google Pixel 9 Pro meets all of these requirements, including having support for 5G on T-Mobile's fastest bands. Not only that, if it turns out you don't love Mint Mobile's service, the Pixel 9 Pro supports other major carriers too, including C-band 5G. You get Android 14 out of the box and years of software updates, so you're set for years to come. 

Alternatively, you can take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, which matches Google's software update policy and brings a refined design over its predecessor, all while also having a bunch of AI-based goodies included in the mix. We also quite like Google Pixel 8a, as it offers all the essentials in an exceptionally well-priced package.

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