T-Mobile is one of the biggest wireless carriers in the U.S., with a variety of smartphones and plans available. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly phone, a high-end flagship, or something in between, T-Mobile has you covered. Almost all smartphones that make it to our collection of the best smartphones are readily available to purchase via T-Mobile in the U.S., making it one of the best carriers in 2023. We've seen some big smartphone releases over the past few months, so it's time to refresh this collection and highlight the best T-Mobile phones you can buy right now. Let's dive in!
Best T-Mobile phones in 2023
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The most powerful flagship on the market
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.
- Smooth, fast performance
- Great battery life
- Superb cameras
- Top-notch display
- New camera features aren't easy to find
- Expensive
- Speakers are hit and miss
- Charging speeds aren't up to par with the price
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best phone in Samsung's latest batch of 2023 flagships, differentiating itself with a powerful set of internals, a 200MP camera, an S Pen stylus, and more. It also packs a massive battery and the biggest display of all three phones for a more immersive user experience.
One of the best things about the Galaxy S23 Ultra is that it comes with a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. This is one of the most powerful chips on the market right now, and it works very well with One UI software to deliver a fluid experience. Also new to Galaxy flagships this year is UFS 4.0 storage, which is better than the UFS 3.1 storage we got in the previous-gen flagship.
Samsung has also packed in a 200MP camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra that uses the new Adapt Pixel sensor to bring many improvements to the photography experience. The device will automatically decide whether to take a full 200MP shot or bin it down into a 50 or 12MP image. As mentioned in our Galaxy S23 Ultra review, leaving it in the automatic mode can fetch you some good results, so I recommend doing that unless you want to fiddle with different settings. The main 200MP camera is also complemented by two 10MP sensors with a 10x and 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultrawide sensor.
There are a ton of other things to like about the Galaxy S23 Ultra, so be sure to check out our review before making a purchase decision. T-Mobile is currently offering an $800 discount when you purchase the phone with a new line on Go5G Plus or when you trade in an eligible device on a qualifying rate plan. They're both great ways to save some money on your purchase, so be sure to check them out.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
For the Apple fans
The iPhone 14 Pro brings a new front design, upgraded cameras, and a new all-powerful Apple silicon for the most premium iPhone yet.
- Premium design and build quality
- Always on display with Dynamic Island
- Powerful A16 Bionic chip
- Excellent software support
- Expensive price tag
- Slow charging speeds
Apple's new iPhone 14 Pro is easily one of the best smartphones to come out of 2022. It may not look a lot different from its predecessor, but there are a bunch of changes that make it better. From an updated SoC to an improved "Pro" camera system, there's a lot to like about the iPhone 14 Pro, and it deserves a spot in this collection as one of the best T-Mobile phones you can buy right now.
One of the biggest changes to the iPhone 14 Pro models is the cutout. The notch on top of the display has been replaced by a pill-shaped cutout. Apple is using some software tricks to turn this particular cutout into an interactive element on the screen. It's called Dynamic Island, and it's exclusive to just the Pro models for now. This particular cutout/interactive software element isn't going to change the way you use the iPhone, but it brings a nice flair of useful glanceable info to the main screen.
Also new to the iPhone 14 Pro is the new "Pro" camera system. The main camera now has a larger sensor and a faster aperture. It's also a higher 48MP sensor that uses pixel binning to produce 12MP shots. My colleague Timi tested the iPhone 14 Pro's updated cameras and added a bunch of samples to his iPhone 14 Pro review, so be sure to check it out. The review also highlights improvements made to the video recording capabilities of the iPhone 14 Pro. In addition to an improved cinematic mode, there's also a new Action mode that helps you capture stabilized footage of moving objects.
T-Mobile is currently one of the best places to buy the iPhone 14 Pro, as it's carrying all four colors of the phone with different storage configurations. You can also save up to $830 when you trade in an eligible phone on a qualifying plan or get a free Apple Watch SE with your iPhone purchase on a qualifying plan.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
For Android purists
The Pixel 7 Pro is Google's best phone ever, with a refined, premium design and Google's second-generation silicon — plus awesome cameras, as usual.
- Great value for money
- Unique design and premium build
- Clean UI with exclusive features
- Good software support
- Slow charging speeds
Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are undoubtedly the most refined Pixel phones yet, and they're easily among my favorite Android phones from last year. While the regular Pixel 7 offers the most bang for your buck, the Pro model is the one I recommend for most users who are looking to get the absolute best Android experience. One of the main differences between the two phones is the physical size and a couple of other key specs, including a bigger battery and a higher refresh rate display. The overall experience of using both phones is going to remain largely the same, but the Pixel 7 Pro is just a tad premium as it represents Google's best smartphone hardware to date.
The Pixel 7 Pro sports a 6.7-inch panel with support for up to 120Hz refresh rate. Just like the last year's model, the display on the Pixel 7 Pro also has curved edges on the sides. The curved edges aren't necessarily a deal breaker because they're more subtle this time around compared to what we saw in the outgoing model. Internally, the Pixel 7 Pro is powered by the new Tensor G2 chip, which the company is using to power smart software features such as audio message transcriptions, Photo Unblur, and more. It's these smart features that make the Pixel 7 Pro better than popular flagships out there.
Cameras, as you probably already know, are a big part of the Pixels, and this year's Pro model has a pretty versatile setup. In addition to the main wide and the secondary ultrawide cameras found on the regular Pixel 7, the Pro model also brings a telephoto camera with 5X optical zoom. It also takes advantage of the Super Res Zoom image-processing algorithms to get you sharper images even while you're shooting with 30X zoom. Google has also added some other neat camera features to offer a well-rounded experience overall.
Google Pixel 7a
Brings features that are hard to find for $500
Google's latest mid-ranger brings several improvements over last year's model, making it a great option for the budget conscious. The Pixel 7a packs the flagship Tensor G2 chip, flagship-tier cameras, an improved 90Hz display, more RAM, better durability, and wireless charging support.
- Overall performance very close to the flagship Pixel 7
- The best camera for a mid-ranger
- Really, really slow charging
Google's Pixel 7a is just a no-brainer when it comes to the best budget phones that cost less than $500. This new phone from Google brings impressive hardware along with a solid set of features that are simply hard to find in its price range. It's a bit more expensive than its closest competitor from, Samsung, but things like a flagship chipset, great cameras, and support for wireless charging make it an excellent phone for $500.
The Pixel 7a, in case you're wondering, sports a 6.1-inch display with support for up to 90Hz refresh rate. A low refresh rate panel was one of the biggest complaints we had with the Pixel 6a last year, so we're glad to see that changing with its successor. Oh yeah, it's also getting wireless charging, a first for Google's A-series of phones. The new phone also comes with Google's new Tensor G2 chip, which is the same processor that's running the show inside the flagship Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
Google has fitted the Pixel 7a with a new set of camera sensors. It gets a 64MP main sensor along with a 13MP ultrawide camera, both of which manage to produce some good results. You can check out some camera samples along with a lot more details about this phone in our Pixel 7a review.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
A budget phone with a flagship-grade display
The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range phone that offers a sleek design and a beautiful 120Hz display. It's easily one of the best phones you can pick up from T-Mobile right now.
- Long-lasting battery
- Reliable day-to-day performance
- Macro sensor is average at best
- Slow charging speeds
Samsung's Galaxy A54 5G is currently among the best budget phones you can buy in the U.S., and it's readily available to purchase from T-Mobile as well. It brings a lot of improvements over the outgoing Galaxy A53 model, and you can rely on it to deliver a good day-to-day performance.
One of my favorite features of this particular handset is its 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED panel, which makes it better than pretty much every other phone in its segment. The colors look excellent on OLED, and it features Samsung's enhanced Vision Booster technology to adjust your display in outdoor settings. It's just perfect for all forms of media consumption, be it watching videos or playing games. The 120Hz panel truly makes it a superior option in the budget space.
The Galaxy A54 5G is also packed with an upgraded Exynos 1380 chipset, offering a boost in performance compared to other competing chips in its class. It also comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, so your apps will run smoothly. There's even expandable storage of up to 1TB via a microSD card. Some other highlights of the phone include 5G support, an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a triple camera setup at the back that takes good pictures (unless you want to use the macro lens), great battery life that'll last a full day, and more.
T-Mobile will let you have a Galaxy A54 5G unit for as little as $99, provided you activate a new line and sign up for 24-monthly bills.
Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Experience the power of stylus on a budget
This stylus-equipped Moto G has long battery life, 5G connectivity, and a Snapdragon 600 series CPU.
- Great battery life
- Solid Android software with Motorola's slight touch
- A great screen with stylus support
- Camera suffers in low-light conditions
- The display could've been brighter
The Moto G Stylus 5G remains a solid option for those who are looking to buy a budget phone with a stylus. The 2023 model is packed with some powerful internals, and it's easily among the best Motorola phones you can buy right now. The highlight of the Moto G Stylus 5G, as you'd expect, is the stylus itself. You can use it for taking notes, doodling, or simply navigating through the phone's UI. Motorola could've done a better job of optimizing the software to take better advantage of the stylus, but you do get all the basics.
The 6.6-inch display with an FHD+ 2400x1080 resolution is also quite nice to use with the stylus, although it could've been brighter. It is, however, a smooth and responsive panel with support for 120Hz refresh rate, though, so no complaints there. The phone also offers reliable performance for day-to-day usage, and you'll also be able to capture some good photos using its cameras, provided there's enough light in the scene.
Motorola is also selling a cheaper version of this phone for $200, which is also called the Moto G Stylus (without the 5G), but it skips a lot of essentials, including 5G, a high-resolution display, NFC, and more. Alternatively, you can also consider buying the TCL Stylus 5G from T-Mobile. It's not as capable as the new Moto G Stylus 5G, but it still offers a good experience with a reliable passive stylus.
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Best for those who only have $300 to spare
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G brings the expected fast and smooth experience of a OnePlus phone along with an impressive 108MP camera at a great price.
- Beautiful design
- Fast UI and capable processor
- Affordable price tag
- The build quality could've been better
- Underwhelming camera performance
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G isn't a significant upgrade over the outgoing Nord N20 model, but it's still worth considering in 2023. One thing I really like about this particular phone is its design. The Nord N30 5G is easily among the best-looking phones in its segment. It is, however, made out of plastic, so it may not feel as premium as it looks in hand. That's not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially if you plan on using a case to protect it.
Another highlight of this phone is its 5,000mAh battery with support for up to 55W wired charging. The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is the only phone in its price range to support "true" fast charging. OnePlus also bundles the phone with a compatible fast charger, meaning you don't have to spend any more money on the phone to get the best experience.
Some other noteworthy features of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G include a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.5m headphone jack, a microSD card slot for storage expansion, and more. I suggest you read our OnePlus Nord N30 5G review to learn more about this before picking it up. T-Mobile will let you have this phone for free, provided you add a new line and sign up to pay 24 monthly bills. It's also a bit cheaper at T-Mobile compared to other retailers, even if you choose to pay in full, so it's definitely worth considering.
Moto Razr+ (2023)
Finally a good competition to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4
The Moto Razr+ is a slightly more premium version of the regular Moto Razr, with a relatively bigger external display, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, and more.
- Large outside screen lets you do a lot without unfolding
- Bright, vivid main folding display
- Sleek and compact form factor
- The battery life could've been better
Motorola's Razr+ (2023) is a modern take on its classic Razr phone that comes with a folding screen. The 2023 model is significantly better than the last couple of iterations we saw from the company in the foldable space. In fact, the new Razr+ is even better than the Galaxy Z Flip 4, making it the best clamshell foldable phone you can buy right now. What makes the new Moto Razr+ better than the other clamshell phone is its massive outer display that now lets you do a lot without unfolding the phone.
You are looking at a 3.6-inch 144Hz OLED panel on the outside which is about as big as it can physically get. It even wraps around the dual-camera system, meaning it occupies the entire front half of the device. Motorola doesn't limit what you can do on the outer screen, so you can use to open and use any app you want. This eliminates the need to unfold the phone and access the main folding screen more often throughout the day.
The main display on the inside is also a solid 6.9-inch OLED panel with support for up to 165Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and it also comes with a 3,800mAh battery with support for up to 30W wired and 5W wireless charging. T-Mobile is carrying the phone in both "Infinite Black" and "Viva Magenta" colors, and it'll let you have one for free, provided you add a new line on Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX or bring an eligible phone for a trade-in.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Best foldable in the U.S. for power users
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is at once a smartphone and a mini tablet, and Samsung's polished the hardware and software enough that transition is seamless. If you want to flex with your personal device -- this is the phone to get.
- More durable than its predecessor
- Impressive performance
- Beautiful displays
- S Pen not included
- The crease is still visible
- Expensive price tag
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is one of the best folding phones that's readily available in the U.S., which is why it gets my recommendation for the big-sized foldable phone. However, the new Google Pixel Fold is a big challenger for that crown. It also works well with all the major carriers in the U.S., including T-Mobile, so it's a solid addition to this collection of the best T-Mobile phones. T-Mobile is also offering up to $1,000 off with a new line on the Go5G Plus plan or with an eligible trade-in, so it's among the best places to buy this otherwise expensive phone for a cheaper price.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is largely similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and that's mainly because the overall chassis remains more or less the same. Even while holding both phones side-by-side, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the two unless you look at the minute details. Even the small changes, however, make the Galaxy Z Fold 4 significantly better to hold and use in real life. The new and upgraded hinge also makes the device feels more premium. It's still not going to be as durable as a traditional phone, but Samsung's foldables have come a long way.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 also comes with upgraded internals for better performance overall. You get the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor that's backed by 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. Samsung has also put more effort into improving the overall software experience of the phone. There's now a persistent taskbar at the bottom of the screen to help you multitask better. The new OneUI software on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is packed with some great features like Flex mode to improve your productivity. You can also use an S Pen with the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it's worth mentioning that there's no place to store the stylus within the device. You'll have to carry it separately or buy one of those fancy cases to secure it in place.
Best T-Mobile phones: The bottom line
Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra is the one I recommend if you're looking to pick up a solid phone from T-Mobile right now. It packs powerful internals and comes with a good set of features to deliver a great experience overall. It's powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, making it one of the most powerful phones you can buy right now. Pair that with 12GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, and you have a device that'll serve you well for many years to come. The new 200MP camera also plays a huge role in delivering some solid photos, and the built-in S Pen just makes it a versatile device to use on a daily basis.
Those who are looking to buy an iPhone can consider looking at the iPhone 14 Pro model, as it represents the best of what Apple has to offer in 2023. Apple's new Dynamic Island makes it a unique offering compared to other iPhones, and it's also one of the most powerful devices you can buy right now. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 is also a good phone to consider if you're looking to get into foldable phones this year. Lastly, I've also highlighted some affordable phones for those who are working with a relatively tight budget, so be sure to explore all the options before making a purchase decision.
There's no shortage of phones that work with T-Mobile in the U.S., but these are the only ones that are worth considering in 2023. This is an ever-evolving list that I'll update frequently to add more relevant options, so be sure to check back for newer and potentially better phones. There's a lot more in store for us in terms of smartphone launches in 2023, and I expect the list to expand very soon with relatively newer phones.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.