Best phones for Visible 2023

Visible has been making waves amongst prepaid carriers with just two unlimited plans that shine with a capable phone. While Visible's prices draw you in, the strong coverage and performance on the Verizon network make it worthwhile. The only problem is that Visible doesn't support as many phones as other carriers but it still works with a handful of great Android phones, including those with 5G. 

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best Visible phones, thanks to powerful hardware with 5G and a pure Android experience with plenty of updates on the way.

At a glance

Best overall

While the cameras aren't the only thing that Google got right with the Pixel 7 Pro, they're definitely the headlining feature. Our Pixel 7 Pro review found the main 50MP camera delivers great photos with a lot of contrast and sharpness that doesn't go overboard. The main camera story with this phone however is the 5x telephoto lens buried behind the metal camera ridge on the back of the phone. This 48MP shooter lets you get closer to your subject and Google's AI is able to keep the images from losing detail. That's before you remember some of Google's software tricks like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur.

Under the hood, you get the latest generation chip from Google, the Tensor G2 which doesn't offer any major improvements in raw performance but is essential to the phone's AI tricks and keeping Google Assistant at the ready at all times. The power is more than adequate for anything you need today but may begin to fall short of some other flagships in intense loads in the next couple of years. Luckily, 5G support is strong with sub-6 and mmWave including C-band which makes up most of Verizon's fast 5G coverage.

The Pixel 7 Pro's launched with Android 13 and can easily make it to the end of the day on a charge. This is good as the phone only supports 30-watt charging speeds, which is common on smaller phones but a bit disappointing on a Pro model device. It's also worth noting that Google has decided not to put a charger in the box so you'll need to find your own.

Best flagship value

Although the Pixel 7 Pro steals the show when it comes to high-end features, the Google Pixel 7 ranks among the most balanced Android phones on the market today. Typically retailing for 600 bucks or less, the Pixel 7 boasts many of the same great characteristics found on the more-expensive Pro, such as the Tensor G2 chipset, a stunning design aesthetic, plus you get Android 13 with three platform updates right out of the box.

As we note in our Google Pixel 7 review, the phone features a ton of incredible camera tech as well, including a 50MP primary lens alongside a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 10.8MP selfie cam. You also get some of the great camera features that Pixel is known for, such as Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. 

With its 6.3-inch AMOLED display, the Pixel 7 is a good bit smaller than its Pro counterpart, but the 90Hz screen is still vibrant and nice to look at. Visible sells the Pixel 7 directly from its website, but if you want to save a little money on an unlocked device, check out our guide to the best Google Pixel 7 deals of the month. 

Best small phone

The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the smallest member of the S23 family with a 6.1-inch display, but it still packs quite a punch. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor under the hood has more than enough power to keep Android 13 effortlessly humming and makes this one of the best Android phones for gaming, even if it does get a bit warm. It's supported by 8GB of RAM with the option for 128GB or 256GB of storage.

The 3,900mAh battery isn't as big as some other flagships but luckily it supports 25W charging so it can be topped up in a hurry. This phone also has great 5G support with both sub-6 and mmWave support including C-band. The cameras are excellent with a 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 10MP telephoto options so you have the lens you need to take the best photo possible.

The S23 is available with Android 13 right away and Samsung has announced intentions to upgrade the phone with four Android versions and five years of security updates, so this phone won't be out of date any time soon. 

Best midrange option

Samsung has decided to take aim at affordable mid-range phones with the Galaxy A series and the new Galaxy A54 5G is the best the line has to offer. Although it’s not going to break any records for performance, the octa-core Exynos 1380 processor runs better than nearly any other phone in this price range, and there’s more than enough power to keep Samsung’s version of Android 13 humming along nicely. Speaking of software, Samsung has also committed to a plan of four Android OS updates and five years of security updates, so the A54 won’t need replacing any time soon. 

The camera system is another strong point with good results in a wide range of lighting conditions, and the phone comes with many of the same AI-powered camera features found in the more-expensive S23 series. Thanks to the 5,000mAh battery, the A54 should easily last a full day on a single charge, and the 6.4-inch AMOLED 120Hz display looks as good as anything on the market. The Galaxy A54 was just added to Visible’s online store, which is an easy way to get a new phone and a new wireless experience in one fell swoop. Otherwise, if you want to save more cash on the affordable phone, you’ll want to take a look at the best Samsung Galaxy A54 deals.  

Best on a budget

If you want the performance and features that come with Google Pixel phones but don't want to save some money, the Google Pixel 6a is the perfect choice. It still comes with the speedy Google Tensor CPU so you get all of the camera enhancements and AI features at a lower starting cost. Compared to the full Pixel 6, you give up a little RAM, have a slower 60Hz display, and lose wireless charging, but for many people, that will be worth it.

The camera system is perhaps the biggest surprise as our Pixel 6a review notes that the cameras are "every bit as good as the Pixel 6’s camera" with the sample shots to back it up. The results speak for themselves and for the photographer on a budget, this is one of the best cameras you can get.

The phone shipped with Android 12 and has since been updated to Android 13 so you can be on the latest OS version right away. Google has also promised five years of security updates so you can keep using this phone for years without worry.

Best premium option

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an impressively powerful and massive phone that follows in the footsteps of its super-powered predecessor, the S22 Ultra. The massive edge-to-edge 6.8-inch AMOLED display is the perfect fit for the included S Pen, allowing for precision input and handwriting. Under the hood, it gets the same impressive hardware as the smaller S23 phones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. Naturally, its 5G support should work great with Visible's Verizon-based network including 5G.

The 5,000mAh battery is large enough to make it to the end of the day with ease but if you're a heavy user, you can charge it back up in a hurry thanks to 45W charging. It ships with Android 13 and will be upgraded with four major Android updates to Android 17, alongside five years of security upgrades, so this phone can last you for years and should also be able to hold its value better for resale. You also get an improved camera with a whopping 200MP primary lens. 

If you're looking to make the most of Android, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones you can get. As we found in our S23 Ultra review, its massive power, fast CPU, great network support, S Pen, and of course, a big beautiful display makes it a good pick for those that aren't immediately put off by its high price. 

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Which Android phone works best with Visible?

One of Visible's most significant weaknesses is its Android support, especially for more niche models. Still, Visible has been improving Android support, and it now supports many of the best Android phones you can get. Still, a growing number of phones support the full network with new options available all the time. Luckily Visible supports 5G on both of its plans with Visible+ offering faster C-band and mmWave support.

Unsurprisingly, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best phones you can get for any carrier and it works perfectly on Visible's network. Google's phones, even the most expensive model, are also priced competitively and are cheap enough that many people can buy them unlocked so they're not tied to a carrier. If you're looking for a phone with a phenomenal camera system, up-to-date software, and strong 5G support, the Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best phones you can get. 

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