Best T-Mobile phones 2023
Pair great wireless service with an equally-great smartphone.
They're one of the largest wireless carriers around, so it's no big surprise that there are a ton of T-Mobile phones to choose from. Whether you're a new customer or you've been with them for years, we've created a list of all of the best smartphones that are compatible with T-Mobile and placed it below for your perusal.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of the best T-Mobile phones are also the overall best Android phones that money can buy. The key is to choose a great phone that has all of the features you need at a price you can afford, and don't forget to pair it with one of T-Mobile's excellent trade-in offers or new line discounts. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tops the list because it combines outstanding power with great camera software and a truly stunning AMOLED display, but there are plenty of other options to consider.
Which T-Mobile phones are best?
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The best overall
As we stated in our Galaxy S23 Ultra review, this might be the most powerful Android phone ever made, complete with a stunning 6.8-inch AMOLED display, a built-in S Pen stylus, and a 200MP camera with software that’s been optimized for nightography. Under the hood, you’ll find the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a massive battery that’ll easily last two days on a single charge. With a starting price of around $1,200, the S23 Ultra definitely isn’t cheap, but T-Mobile generally offers a discount or trade-in opportunity with the phone.
Pure refinement
Instead of dramatically changing the script, the Galaxy S23 expertly refines everything that made the S22 great (and fixed a few areas where the latter phone faltered). I’m talking about improved battery life, a new selfie camera, and the same efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that’s found on the S23 Ultra. With the S23 series, you can also expect to get four years of One UI upgrades and five years of security updates.
The flagship has landed
Speaking of refinement, the Google Pixel 7 shouldn’t be missed if you prioritize elegant and thoughtful design in your devices. In addition to some of the best camera software in the biz, the Google Pixel 7 boasts the ultra-efficient Google Tensor G2 chipset, a flat and bright OLED display, and a reasonable price tag at just $599 for the 128GB version.
Powerful exclusive option
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is a T-Mobile exclusive in the U.S. that must be bought through the carrier. Even at a low price, our Nord N20 review found the 6.3-inch AMOLED display to be beautiful with plenty of power from the Snapdragon 695 CPU. It supports sub-6 5G including T-Mobile's fast mid-band coverage, and with a 4,500mAh battery, it should easily make it to the end of the day on a single charge.
Compact and foldable
The “perfect foldable”, as we called it in our Z Flip 4 review, this unique Galaxy phone pairs a durable 120Hz AMOLED display with a one-of-a-kind user experience and some flagship-level specs, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and a large 3,700mAh battery. You also get IPX8 water resistance, a Gorilla Glass Victus+ construction, and some excellent camera software, and a unique viewfinder on the outer cover screen.
Best premium option
Just a few years ago, the concept of a foldable phone was little more than a gimmick. Thanks to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 (and the aforementioned Z Flip 4), that notion is history. The Z Fold 4 pairs all of the power of a tablet with the convenience of a smartphone, complete with two stunning AMOLED displays, flagship-quality cameras, and the exceptionally efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, a chip that gives you more than enough power to handle gaming and multitasking.
An oldie but a goodie
Although it's effectively been replaced by the new OnePlus 11, the OnePlus 10 Pro still offers some great bang for the buck when you pair it with T-Mobile's service. This phone ships with Android 12 powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU. Battery life is good at 5,000mAh with ultra-fast charging at up to 80W wired. The 48MP main camera is also nice with Hasselblad delivering natural-looking colors.
Mid-range 5G
The Galaxy A53 5G is one of the most complete mid-range phones you can buy, with great support for 5G including mid-band and mmWave, plus solid hardware for the price. The screen is a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED panel powered by the Exynos 1280 CPU, giving it more power than its predecessor. Our A53 review praised Samsung's with Android 12 out of the box and the promise of four more Android OS updates.
Affordable Pixel
If you’re looking for a mid-range smartphone that’s built to last, don’t miss the Pixel 6a. Currently around $449 at T-Mobile (before any deals are added, and there are usually quite a few), the Google Pixel 6a is sleek and compact, complete with a 6.1 AMOLED display, some great camera software, and the same Google Tensor chipset that’s found in the base model Pixel 6.
You have plenty of options at T-Mobile
T-Mobile's network works with the majority of unlocked phones, including those that support 5G. For the best coverage, you'll want a phone that supports 5G bands n71 and n41 at a minimum. It's also worth keeping in mind that most people don't necessarily need top-of-the-line phones. Something like the Galaxy A53 5G is a great option with plenty of power that comes in at less than half of the price of the S22 Ultra. There's also the excellent and affordable OnePlus Nord N20 5G for those looking for something stylish and unique.
Even so, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is proving to be everything Galaxy Note fans were missing with a large screen, solid battery life, and an included S-pen that's stored inside the phone. This phone also supports all of T-Mobile's 5G bands including mmWave. If you're looking for a phone that does just about everything, the S23 Ultra is a great place to start.
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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.
- Patrick FarmerStaff Writer