Most people use smartphones, and 4G LTE networks are faster than most residential internet connections. Pricing is kept low and competition high with virtual carriers like Google Fi, US Mobile, and Visible. Most smartphones run on Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android, and a good plain audio phone is hard to come by these days.

This includes AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and sub-brands such as Boost, Cricket, Metro, and Visible.

Pleasingly, we strive to present a selection of phones that range in price from low to high.

If you want something fresh, this list is for you. But if you want something old, look around.

What to look for in a phone Keep in mind these crucial points.

Which cellular provider should you pick?

You must choose your wireless service provider regardless of the latest hardware and mobile software improvements. Unless you have great wireless coverage, any device you buy will operate as a buffer.

With your current phone, you can probably call friends and family for free. For example, you’re thrilled about an unlocked smartphone for your overseas vacation.

A good carrier with good coverage in your location is a must. We should prioritize the carrier’s decision.

This week’s best phone discounts

Price: $799.99 (list price: $849.99). Unlocked Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S22 5G 256GB

The price is $699.99 (list price is $799.99).Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 128GB 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 128GB 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 128GB 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 1

(Suggested retail price: $249.99)Unlocked Motorola Moto G7 Plus 64GB

$499.99 (list price: $699.99)Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G 128GB 128GB Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G 128GB 128GB Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G 128GB 128GB Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G 1

Google Pixel 6 5G 128GB Unlocked-$599.00

As of 2021, T-Mobile will be the only US carrier offering 5G.

performance of T-“ultra-capacitive” Mobile’s mid-range 5G network, which now reaches 185 million Americans. And where accessible, it’s shoulders above AT&T and Verizon. The new 5G network is only available in big cities and requires a 5G phone.

In our tests, AT&T had the greatest rural coverage among the three carriers. Five-gigabit-per-second Verizon 5G millimeter wave is excellent when you can get it. Beginning Jan. 19, AT&T and Verizon will begin rolling out new C-band channels for their 5G networks, which may result in significant network upgrades in central cities. In May, we’ll find out.

US Cellular is only available in half the country.

In recent surveys, readers have complained about its pricing and LTE quality, which they claim are inferior to certain competitors.

The top three networks are also used by many virtual operators, offering lower monthly prices, cheaper international calls, and other perks. Most of them don’t have family plans and are light users.

Cricket and T-Mobile are AT & T companies. T-Mobile Metro, Verizon Visible, and Google Fi are all owned by Google. Verizon made an offer to buy Tracfone and its subsidiaries in September, but the deal is still pending. In our review of the top affordable phone plans, we featured some of our favorites.

Do you require 5G?

Five-gigabit per second (5G) technology will become widely available in 2019. While 5G may revolutionize the world in the future, it won’t happen overnight. T-Mobile customers living in cities should consider 5G phones. If not, there will be no 4G until 2024.

Notably, T-urban Mobile’s mid-range 5G network demonstrated tremendous gains in our tests for 2021. Then get a 5G phone if you’re a T-Mobile user (or contemplating it).

While AT&T’s “5G” network is faster than 4G, coverage is typically limited. But it won’t be ready as fast as Verizon wants. There is currently no need for a newer phone to enjoy AT&T.

A great network is a hallmark of Verizon Wireless. 5G millimeter wave coverage is still sparse and expanding gradually. It’s quicker than LTE while the carrier works out the problems. The deployment of C-band in 46 cities this month is expected to improve 5G performance. A 5G phone with C-band can take advantage of the new technology once it is brought out in your area if you require a new phone. More 5G phone choices can be found in our best 5G phones list.

Your current AT & T phone may display a “5G E” icon. This is a marketing gimmick, not 5G. (It still has 4G.)

Unlocked phones

Unlocked phones have appreciated in value as carriers’ service and pricing strategies have become more complex.

An unlocked phone is one that is not tied to a particular carrier. It works with AT & T and T-Mobile. However, some popular unlocked phones function on all three carriers. Look for a Motorola or Apple iPhone for the most versatility. Please note that certain low-cost MVNOs do not support phones set to work on their networks, and that some do.

Unlocked phones used to function on all major carriers, but not 5G. Some companies’ 5G phones function on all US carriers, but others have limited bandwidth capabilities or are carrier-specific. Before buying an unlocked 5G phone, AT & T customers should check the carrier’s certification process.

Which smartphone is the best?

Smartphones have become nearly indispensable as consumers have become accustomed to instant email, browsing, audio, and messaging access at all times, wherever. Variety abounds, as do devotees of particular operating systems. There are occasions when only the platform’s user interface or app choices will do. Let’s break it down for those who aren’t completely permitted, at the risk of incurring ire.

Mobile phone platforms and designs are less varied than in years past. These are the two biggest smartphone platforms in the US, both in sales and in third-party app availability. The iPhone has the best media features and app store. Its tightly controlled ecosystem may be confining for others, and iOS is difficult to customize. With Android’s open source nature, usage modifiers can create their own custom devices. In addition, there’s a lack of third-party app compatibility, problems, and carrier-installed bloatware that you can’t remove.

Phones come in a variety of sizes and forms to suit various hand sizes. Smaller than most other phones, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Apple iPhone 13 small are easy to hold in one hand. A big window into the online world and/or a big viewfinder are the benefits of the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Is Android your only concern?

Visit our best Android phones page.

Are you perplexed by the iPhone’s Which iPhone should I buy?

We’ve also collected the top camera phones for those who wish to capture the world on their phone. The finest flip phones.

Surprisingly, there are many contemporary options available, even for those who use older phones. A simple, low-cost item is nevertheless worth getting. Simpler to use, and with no data included, they cost less each month. Many virtual carriers, like TracFone and Consumer Cellular, offer great voice-only offers.

The Sunbeam F1, a simple phone with three feature-limited variants, is now our favorite audio phone. We favor the AT & T Sonim XP3, the Verizon Kyocera DuraXV Extreme, and the T-Mobile Sonim XP3plus. In terms of price, the Nokia 225 4G at $49.99 is the best deal.

Unlike cellphones, you get what you see. They don’t get software updates or run extra apps. Boost your phone’s audio quality by reading this article. While wireless network coverage is always important, phone reception, earpiece quality, microphone quality, and side tone can vary (your echo helps prevent you from shouting at the other person). The best possible signal would be achieved by a phone with outstanding reception, but a phone with poor reception would be impossible. Also, keep in mind that certain phones have louder speakers.

See our top recommendations for senior phones. We’ve also rounded up the greatest kids’ phones.

When should you get a new phone?

When you need a new phone, it is the perfect time to buy. Take whatever you need to survive in the pool or on the pier. Budget-conscious or trend-setters can avoid buying a phone that’s about to be discounted or replaced by something newer and cooler with a little research and forethought ahead of time.

In the absence of worldwide chipsets, the epidemic has disrupted normal phone release cycles, which may continue. Our projections for major flagships in 2022 are based on 2020 and 2021. But these are only guesses.

Apple: iPhones in September 2022, iPhone SE in Spring 2022

Google’s Pixel in 2022

The OnePlus 10 Pro will be available in the United States in March or April 2022.

The Galaxy S22 will be available in February, and a foldable version will be available in August.

Want to cut costs?

But a nice smartphone for under $300 is available.

Our current cheap fave is the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G. The Moto G Power 2022 sells for about $200.

Apple will offer a $399 iPhone SE in 2020. If you want the SE, wait for its spring release.

However, we don’t recommend getting anything less than the iPhone XR because earlier phones may lose software support faster in the coming years than the iPhone XR.

Check out our list of the top inexpensive phones to learn more about saving money on phones!

The list changes frequently because we add new phones that deserve to be on it. Keep checking back for updates.