Best T-Mobile phones 2024

The fact that many of the best T-Mobile phones also happen to be some of the best Android phones you can find in general, isn't exactly surprising, as excellent device compatibility is one of the biggest advantages the 'Un-carrier' enjoys over its rivals. However, this also means that finding the right smartphone for your needs can often be quite a difficult task, whether you're a new T-Mobile customer or have been one for years. Fret not, as we've done the hard work and rounded up some of the finest options to make things a bit easier for you.

Arguably the most important thing to ensure while picking an Android phone for yourself is to make sure that it offers all the features you need, at a price that fits your budget. If money is no object and you simply want the best, we have no qualms recommending the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, our overall top pick. It's a fully loaded flagship that offers just about everything (and then some) you could possibly think of and will serve you well for years to come.

As an alternative, you can also consider the Google Pixel 9 which has incredible cameras, a laundry list of AI-based tools, and more, at a price that's fairly reasonable for a device of its class. Of course, not everyone can (or wants to) shell out a fortune for a phone, and that's where affordable options such as the OnePlus Nord N30 5G come into the picture. Sure, it's a little old at this point and won't get much in terms of software updates—but you do get goodies like stereo speakers, blazing fast wired charging, and even a 3.5mm audio port—all at an unbeatable price.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

At a glance

Best overall

Packed with more powerhouse features than you're probably ever going to use, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is hands down the best Android phone you can use with T-Mobile's network right now. It sports a gorgeous 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED panel that now comes with an anti-reflective coating for an even better viewing experience. Of course, you also get full support for the integrated S Pen stylus.

The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, complete with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. It also features a versatile quad-lens camera system that offers everything from pro-mode photography to 8K video recording. Other notable additions include an IP68 certification, NFC, and a solid 5,000mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging support. Oh, and did we mention the seven years of OS and security updates?

Best budget

The Google Pixel 8a refines Google's budget formula even further with better features and upgraded hardware. It's a lot lighter than the Pixel 7a, and coupled with the more rounded design, feels more comfortable to hold. The Pixel 8a gets Google's 'Actua' display which is now brighter and supports a 120Hz refresh rate. We also finally get a 256GB storage option for the first time. The big upgrade of course is the Tensor G3 SoC, which is also found in the premium Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. The rear 64MP and 13MP cameras continue to deliver stellar performance, as expected from a Pixel smartphone. 

Since this is a Pixel, you can also look forward to top-tier software support. It won't be an exaggeration to say that Google has gone out of its way to transform the Pixel 8a into a premium mid-range smartphone. There are even a few (relatively) premium features such as an IP67 certification and 7.5W wireless charging included in the mix.

Best compact option

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. S23, you'll find that it's a (relatively) minor upgrade over the last-gen model. That said, the new smartphone has a lot of goodies and is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a top-tier device that can be used with one hand. The Galaxy S24 has a refined design with flat edges that give it a squared-off look. You get a slightly bigger 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED panel, but due to even slimmer bezels, the phone's overall physical footprint has largely stayed unchanged compared to its predecessor.

The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 25GB of onboard storage. You get a triple-lens camera setup at the back that excels at capturing both photos and videos. Available in a range of funky colors, the Galaxy S24 is backed by a 4,000mAh battery having both wired and wireless charging support.

Best value flagship

Although it does cost a $100 more than the previous-gen model, the Google Pixel 9 packs in quite a few improvements that make it an excellent value flagship. Sporting a squared-off design, the new smartphone is powered by Google's Tensor G4 SoC and comes with 12GB of RAM. The software experience continues to be top-of-the-line, filled with a wide range of AI-based enhancements. You get Android 14 out of the box, along with a promise of up to seven years of OS and security updates.

The Google Pixel 9 features a dual-lens primary camera system, comprising a 50MP wide-angle sensor and a 48MP ultrawide module. As noted by Android Central's Derrek Lee in his review, the setup is capable of producing some truly amazing photos, and there are a lot of AI-powered tools (e.g., Magic Editor) to play with. You get all the modern connectivity and I/O options, and the smartphone is backed by a 4,700mAh battery with both wired and wireless charging support.

Best mid-ranger

Picking up right where its predecessor left off, the Samsung Galaxy A54 delivers rock-solid everyday performance and a number of thoughtful features, all at a very reasonable price. The mid-range smartphone features a big 5,000mAh battery, a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, and will get four years of major OS updates as well as five years of security updates. This makes it a future-proof smartphone, even when you consider the fact that it's a bit dated at this point. 

On top of that, the Samsung Galaxy A54 doesn't miss out on support for the Galaxy ecosystem either. You get an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, an in-display fingerprint sensor, 25W wired charging, NFC, stereo speakers, and much more.

Best under $300

Although the OnePlus Nord N30 5G can be purchased unlocked, you can save even more money by buying the T-Mobile version through the carrier. Sporting a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display, it's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC and works quite well for everyday tasks like web browsing and even some gaming. It supports sub-6 5G coverage including T-Mobile's fast mid-band, so it's a good option for T-Mobile users who want to enjoy super-fast connectivity with a phone that doesn't cost a lot.

There's a lot to love about the sub-$300 Android phone from OnePlus. You get a generous 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging support, stereo speakers, and even a 3.5mm audio port.

Best flip-style

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 includes a bunch of enhancements that make it more than just an incremental upgrade over its predecessor. The smartphone's flat frame gives it a more refined look, and it's now backed by an IP48 rating for better ingress protection. Driven by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM, the flip-style phone can handle just about anything you throw at it with little to no effort, and there's also 256GB or 512GB of onboard storage for all your files, photos, and videos.

The dual-lens rear camera setup of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 includes a 50MP wide-angle unit and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. As expected, both photos and videos are great, and everything from 4K video recording to AI-based editing tools is thrown into the mix. The overall software experience is quite feature-laden, although the cover display functionality continues to be somewhat limited. Other features include a 4,000mAh battery, seven years of OS and security updates, and more.

Best foldable

Easily one of the best foldable phones available out there, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an ultra-premium smartphone that can do it all. It sports a 7.6-inch folding Dynamic AMOLED display that makes split-screen multitasking a sheer delight. It's complemented by an outer 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel that's just as great. The smartphone is backed by an IP48 rating for better ingress protection and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and 12GB of RAM, so everything works as it should.

Being a full-featured flagship, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes with a triple-lens primary camera system. It's comprised of a 50MP wide-angle unit, a 10MP telephoto module (with 3x optical zoom), and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. It runs Samsung's One UI 6.1.1 (based on Android 14) out of the box and just like all of the company's other high-end phones, will receive up to seven years of major OS and security updates. It is backed by a 4,400mAh battery with both wired and wireless charging support.

Best performance

With the OnePlus 12, the company seems to have gotten its mojo back. Sure, it's not without its flaws, but there's a lot to like here. The phone's 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display is, quite literally, one of its biggest highlights, as it can hit an astounding peak brightness of 4,500 nits. Not just that, 'Aqua Touch' technology allows the screen to register touch input even when it's wet.

Powered by Qualcomm's top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen SoC and up to 16GB of RAM, the OnePlus 12 excels at handling demanding tasks like heavy gaming. It also has an improved cooling system for better thermal efficiency. The phone comes with up to 512GB of internal storage and has an excellent triple-lens rear camera system. You get amazing battery life too, and the 5,400mAh battery can be charged at super-fast speeds.

• Back to the top ^

How to choose

You have plenty of options when it comes to T-Mobile

There's no doubting that T-Mobile's network infrastructure is one of the best you can get in the United States, featuring nationwide high-speed 5G coverage. However, you need one of the best T-Mobile phones to take advantage of the network and all of its perks. For the best performance, we suggest getting a phone that (at least) supports 5G bands n71 and n41.

It's also worth noting that most users don't necessarily need top-tier devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Google Pixel 9, even though they offer a truly unmatched user experience. If that includes you, and you want to save some money, we suggest checking out the Samsung Galaxy A54, the Google Pixel 8a, or even the OnePlus Nord N30 5G, all of which are some of the best cheap Android phones you can get in the market right now.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T