Best Verizon phones 2025

If you're in the market for one of the best Verizon phones, you're going to have a whole lot of options on offer. Among the largest wireless carriers in the world, Verizon offers excellent cellular service across the United States, all thanks to its robust and constantly improving 5G infrastructure.

As such, the finest Verizon-compatible phones are also some of the best Android phones in general. Whether you want a top-tier flagship such as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, or a relatively affordable option like the Google Pixel 8a, there are a number of choices available in the market. What's even better is that if you have an old phone eligible for a trade-in, you can can take advantage of the regular Verizon deals to get a new phone at a a very reasonable price. Not only that, there are also BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) discounts to consider if you prefer getting your smartphones unlocked.

At a glance

Best overall

Powerful and stylish in equal measure, the Google Pixel 9 is arguably the best Android phone available out in the market right now. Compared to its predecessor, it sports a refined, squared-off design with flat sides. You get a vibrant 6.3-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 1080x2424 pixels up front, along with a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is also protected with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Under the hood, the Pixel 9 has Google's brand-new Tensor G4 SoC, along with 12GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of internal storage. And this hardware's not only capable of handling everyday tasks with ease, but also allows the smartphone's integrated AI-powered features (e.g., Magic Editor) to work their magic. Running Android 14 out of the box, the Pixel 9 is guaranteed to get up to seven years of OS and security updates.

Talking about cameras, there's a dual-lens primary camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 48MP ultrawide module, and it's capable of shooting awesome photos and videos. All major connectivity and I/O options—including everything from Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 to NFC and USB-C 3.2—are accounted for. Google Pixel 9 is backed by a 4,700mAh battery with support for (up to) 27W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Best premium

When it comes to super-premium Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has just about everything thrown into the mix. It’s one of the best smartphones Samsung has to offer, despite its successor now being here. The true star here is its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and the suite of Galaxy AI goodies.

If you’re someone who likes to play resource-heavy titles such as Fortnite and Genshin Impact on their phone and doesn’t necessarily want a phone just for gaming, the S24 Ultra is exactly what you should be looking for. It can keep games locked in at 60 FPS and running buttery smooth all without making you feel like you’re holding hot coals. And games look absolutely gorgeous, thanks to that 6.8-inch AMOLED display which has a 120Hz refresh rate.

Depending on individual usage, the battery can last up to two days on a single charge alone. The main camera sensor is still 200MP like before, but the 10X telephoto sensor ow only has 5X optical zoom. That said, the increased resolution of 50MP makes up for it. The included S Pen is identical to that of the S23 Ultra, and still remains a ton of fun to play around with.

To put it simply, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a powerhouse of a smartphone, and one of the best Android phones you can buy, even if it doesn't come cheap.

Best foldable

The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to get their first foldable phone. It's a better option than any of the Galaxy Fold series and it's also way more pocketable and easier to use with one hand. We had a lot to gush about when we reviewed this thing.

The display is excellent, and the hinge has been improved a lot from the previous Razr Plus. One of our main praises is its useful cover screen. It's larger and more functional, with some smart software choices that allow you to perform many tasks without fully flipping the phone open. You can view notifications, reply to messages, and there are customizable widgets for the usual standards such as weather and alarms. Motorola's even added a new pinching gesture that lets you see all your panels at once, which is something that's been borrowed from Samsung.

Aesthetics will undoubtedly play some role in choosing a clamshell foldable, and the Motorola Razr Plus 2024 comes in Midnight Blue, Spring Green, Peach Fuzz and Hot Pink. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is undoubtedly this foldable phone's biggest rival but between the two, we'd advise picking up the Razr for its improved hardware and more substantial leap forward, compared to a only a minor improvement offered by the Flip 6 over its predecessor.

Best cameras

Google's smartphones are (and have always been) known for having some really class-leading photography chops, and the Pixel 9 Pro takes things to the next level. Having a premium, all-glass construction with a flat aluminum frame, it comes with an IP68 rating for solid ingress protection. The smartphone's 6.3-inch LTPO OLED screen is a visual delight, featuring a resolution of 1280x2856 pixels and a 120Hz variable refresh rate.

Driven by Google's all-new Tensor G4 SoC, the Pixel 9 Pro comes packs 16GB of RAM and up to a 1TB of onboard storage. Unsurprisingly, the smartphone can make quick work of even the most demanding of workflows, with little to no effort. The device has Android 14 out of the box, along with a promise of up to seven years of major OS and security updates.

It should come as no surprise that the Pixel 9 Pro's biggest highlight are its cameras. Housed in the redesigned camera island, the triple-lens rear camera setup comprises a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP ultrawide module, as well as a 48MP telephoto unit with 5x optical zoom. Google Pixel 9 Pro also gets a plethora of AI-based features (e.g., Gemini, Circle to Search), satellite connectivity, and much more. The whole package is backed by a 4,700mAh battery with both wired and wireless charging support.

Best mid-range

What if you don’t want all the bells and whistles of a premium smartphone but also need something with more features than a more basic one? Mid-range phones exist exactly for that reason. And as we noted in our review, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is the best mid-range phones that the company has made in the last few years, even if it's a bit old at this point.

You’ll have to make some compromises with a mid-range phone like this. The Galaxy A54 5G lacks a telephoto lens, and while it can certainly run games like Fortnite and Genshin Impact fine, you won’t be getting the same level of quality as more premium phones. Plus, the overall design lacks a sense of panache.

If you don’t mind those missing features, there’s still a lot to like about this phone. Its cameras offer 4K recording, it has a nice and bright OLED display, and Samsung has promised four OS upgrades and five years of security updates for it. The device comes in some striking colors, and it also has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. We think the phone hits a nice middle ground by offering just enough features that more than justify the price.

Best stylus

Another mid-ranger, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is a great pick for anyone wanting a stylus-compatible phone without breaking the bank. You certainly won’t be doodling over animated GIFs like with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the included stylus does the job when it comes to taking notes comfortably.

The phone itself is very nice for general use, too. It has a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC that helps it run smoothly. In our review, we noted that graphically demanding games like Honkai: Star Rail can be played easily, even on the highest quality settings.

The cameras are also surprisingly decent on the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). Its daylight images look bright and colorful, with plenty of detail, thanks to the 50MP main sensor. Night shots are also fairly usable if you utilize the Night Mode. The ultrawide camera is equally competent as it doubles as a macro and depth camera too. We found macro photos to be much better than most other phones with dedicated macro cameras.

Overall, we can say that the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is somewhere along the lines of the Galaxy A54 5G, but with an added bonus of having an integrated stylus.

Best budget

The Google Pixel 8a offers some noticeable improvements over the previous-gen Pixel 7a, starting with the display. You get a 6.1-inch OLED panel having a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2000 nits of peak brightness. Naturally, the phone has also been updated with the same Tensor G3 SoC with 8GB of RAM that's found in the mainstream Pixel 8 phones. You've also got the choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage, which is important because there's no microSD expansion slot here.

The battery has received a small upgrade to 4492mAh, and wireless charging speeds have also been improved to 7.5W, but the slow 18W wired charging still leaves a lot to be desired.The camera hardware hasn't seen any updates, with a main 64MP shooter and 13MP ultrawide camera. Still, with Google's camera software, this is still one of the best camera systems available, especially at this price range.

You can get this phone unlocked, but for the best performance on Verizon 5G, you are going to want the Verizon version with support for mmWave 5G bands. No matter the version you get, Google will offer seven years of Android OS updates, so you can keep using it for years to come.

Best flagship

The Plus models in Samsung's S series have long been the neglected, often having no differentiating features apart from a larger display and battery when compared to the base version. Thankfully, Samsung has changed this with the Galaxy S24 Plus. It has a higher QHD+ resolution that makes the content and all the UI elements look sharper and clearer, which is something what a display of this size deserves.

Performance is fantastic, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC from Qualcomm and the 12GB of RAM, which is now standard even on the base variant. In our review, we noticed zero lag when jumping between games, apps, and using the new AI features that are baked in. We also found that it kept more apps running in the background, making it quicker to switch to them when needed. The brighter LTPO panel's quite easier on the eyes, thanks to its ability to drop to 1Hz when needed.

The cameras are still awesome. The main sensor still struggles a bit to capture frozen motion of moving subject, but it has improved from before. The 3X telephoto camera and ultrawide perform really well too, in daylight and at night. Overally, the S24 Plus is something we highly recommend over the standard Galaxy S24. Even though we now have the Galaxy S25 series, this is a phone that'll stay relevant for a long time.

Best durability

Performance is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when we are selecting a phone. And sometimes, where that performance matters the most is in terms of practicality. While the Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW isn't the fastest phone in technical performance, it’s arguably one of the most durable devices you can get.

The DuraSport 5G UW has an IP68 rating, meaning it’s not only highly resistant to dust but can also be submerged at 6.5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. It also sports an MIL-STD-810H drop rating and can withstand up to a 5-foot fall on concrete.

While the focus might be on its durability, the phone still has enough power for daily tasks thanks to its Snapdragon 480 SoC. And it does, of course, have 5G support on Verizon’s network. The in-built storage is not a lot at 64GB, but you do get support for some of the best microSD cards via the integrated expansion slot.

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How to choose

What is the best Verizon phone?

Verizon supports the majority of the best Android phones if you want to buy unlocked. If you want to purchase your phone from Verizon, you can either pay the full price to get it from the carrier, or opt for monthly payments on your bill. The latter is required for some discounts, so it can be worth it. However, with the 36-month payment plans being the only option, you might find yourself paying the device off early if you like to upgrade frequently.

The Google Pixel 9 is priced like a mid-range phone, but stands toe-to-toe with some of the best phones on the market. The Tensor G4 chipset offers plenty of performance, and the camera hardware works well with the software to provide top-quality photos with realistic colors.

The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 is one of the best compact foldable devices you can buy. Unlike folding phones that open up like a tablet, this phone folds vertically to easily fit in a pocket or bag. Since it has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, you don't give up any performance in pursuit of style either. Or, if you're someone who prefers a classic phone design, you can also get the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want the absolute best or even the Galaxy S24 Plus for a standout flagship, both through Verizon.

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