T-Mobile is consistently among our readers’ favorite major carriers, and PCMag has been reviewing phones that are compatible with the wireless provider for two decades. The company’s 5G network is fast and reliable, though you should generally be looking at the latest handsets to get the absolute best performance. To help you pick the best T-Mobile-compatible phone for your needs, we’ve collected our favorites below. Among our Editors’ Choice winners are the creator-friendly Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, the artist-ready Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the AI-assisted Google Pixel 9. All of our selections are worth considering, however, so make sure to check out the linked reviews of each for the full details. We also include some helpful advice to keep in mind while you shop for your next T-Mobile phone.
The Best Phone Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best for Content Creators
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pros & Cons
-
Excellent cameras
-
Long battery life
-
Useful Action button
-
USB-C connectivity opens up new features
-
Lighter than previous Pro Max
Fast, smooth performance
Why We Picked It
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most advanced phone Apple sells. It has the largest screen, longest battery life, most capable cameras, and fastest performance of the lot. Thanks to Pro Res support and Apple’s excellent first-party software, it’s especially suitable for media capture and creation.
Who It’s For
Apple’s top-tier smartphone is ideal for those who prioritize videography, photography, and other creative pursuits.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
iOS 17
CPU
Apple A17 Pro
Dimensions
6.29 by 3.02 by 0.32 inches
Screen Size
6.7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,796 by 1,290 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 12MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
20 hours, 15 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review
Best for Artists and Note-Takers
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Pros & Cons
-
Beautiful screen
-
Terrific cameras
-
Useful AI features
-
Comes with S Pen stylus
-
Long support commitment
Speedy performance
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premiere flagship with a gorgeous screen, fast performance, long battery life, and powerful cameras that cover both super-wide and 100x telephoto views. Galaxy AI-enhanced photo editing and assistant tools, along with S Pen stylus support make it a productivity powerhouse. And most importantly, Samsung promises seven years of OS updates for it.
Who It’s For
Professionals who need advanced multitasking features and artists who relish the included stylus should find that the S24 Ultra does everything they need.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.40 by 3.11 by 0.34 Inches
Screen Size
6.8 inches
Screen Resolution
3,120 by 1,440 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
200MP, 12MP, 10MP, 50MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours, 10 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review
Best Folding Phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Pros & Cons
-
Wider cover screen
-
Excellent cameras
-
Blazing performance
-
Bright displays
-
Long software support window
Improved, more durable design
-
Lagging charging speeds
Very expensive
Why We Picked It
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers among the most screen real estate of any device that still fits in your pocket. It unfolds to reveal a high-resolution, 7.6-inch display that’s excellent for watching video. On the productivity front, the phone supports multi-window workflows, comes with Galaxy AI enhancements, supports Samsung’s S Pen stylus (not included) for handwriting notes, and offers the DeX mode, which allows the phone to act like a PC when you pair it with a monitor.
Who It’s For
The Z Fold 6 is a high-end device for buyers who prioritize productivity over everything else. No other phone we’ve tested provides as much versatility.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.04 by 5.22 by 0.22 inches
Screen Size
7.6 inches
Screen Resolution
2,160 by 1,856 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 10MP, 12MP; 10MP, 4MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
11 hours, 30 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review
Best Android Phone for Most People
Google Pixel 9
Pros & Cons
-
Useful and fun AI features
-
Good performance
-
Competitively priced
Excellent cameras
-
Doesn’t include Gemini Live subscription
Limited storage
Why We Picked It
Google’s sub-flagship Pixel 9 costs hundreds less than the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 XL and still offers all the most important features from the Pro-grade devices. You get excellent cameras, advanced AI-assisted photo editing capabilities, and plenty of Google Gemini features to help make your life easier. An IP68 rating and seven years of software support are also highlights, as are the bright screen and solid battery life.
Who It’s For
If you want Google’s version of Android, system updates before everyone else, and long-term software support, all wrapped up in an appealing design, the Google Pixel 9 is a worthwhile choice at an reasonable price.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Google Tensor G4
Dimensions
6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,424 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 48MP; 10.5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
11 hours, 45 minutes
Learn More
Google Pixel 9 Review
Best Affordable Android Phone
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Pros & Cons
-
Long battery life
-
Competent cameras
-
Excellent software upgrade policy
Affordable
-
Plastic build
No IP rating
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is one of the best budget-friendly phones available. For less than $200, it provides a large screen, excellent battery life, capable cameras, and a long-term software commitment from Samsung. We’re also fans of its headphone jack and microSD card slot.
Who It’s For
If you’re shopping on a strict budget, the Galaxy A15 is an excellent value that can keep up with the demands of daily life.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Mediatek 6835
Dimensions
6.30 by 3.02 by 0.33 inches
Screen Size
6.5 inches
Screen Resolution
2,340 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 5MP, 2MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours, 3 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Review
Best iPhone for Most People
Apple iPhone 15
Pros & Cons
-
Solid performance
-
Capable cameras
-
USB-C port
-
Dynamic Island
Good size and weight
-
No telephoto camera
-
Shorter battery life than other iPhones
No always-on display
Why We Picked It
Apple’s base iPhone 15 doesn’t compete with its top-tier siblings on every mark but still provides an enjoyable smartphone experience thanks to its dependable performance, competitive camera system, reasonable battery life, and long-term software support. And with plenty of color choices available, you can find the one that best suits your personality.
Who It’s For
The iPhone 15 is an excellent value for people who don’t need the absolute latest in smartphone technology and want to save a few hundred dollars over other models in the lineup.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
iOS 17
CPU
Apple A16 Bionic
Dimensions
5.81 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches
Screen Size
6.1 inches
Screen Resolution
2,556 by 1,179 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 12MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
16 hours, 15 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone 15 Review
Best AI-Assisted Camera
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pros & Cons
-
Powerful AI tools
-
Terrific build quality
Ultra-bright screen
-
Large
-
Limited base storage
Expensive
Why We Picked It
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has one of the best camera systems of any smartphone. It can take quality telephoto pictures and record high-resolution video at fast speeds. The selfie camera is also excellent, and Google’s AI-based photo and video editing tools further enhance the experience. Among the phone’s other benefits are that it gets new versions of Android first and enjoys long-term support from Google. It also has an incredibly bright screen and improved battery life.
Who It’s For
If photography is your primary interest, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is a top choice thanks to its combination of capable camera hardware and AI-assisted processing. Its 6.8-inch screen also makes it an excellent choice for those who want a large screen for consuming content.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Google Tensor G4
Dimensions
6.4 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches
Screen Size
6.8 inches
Screen Resolution
2,992 by 1,344 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 48MP, 48MP; 42MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
12 hours, 25 minutes
Learn More
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Review
Best Flip Phone
Motorola Razr+
Pros & Cons
-
Helpful outer screen
-
Waterproof
-
Stylish and easy to use
Top-notch display
-
Limited AI features at launch
Cameras are only average
Why We Picked It
If you’re in the market for a clamshell-style folding phone, Motorola’s Razr+ is one of the best available. It has an appealing design, satisfactory battery life, and flexible cameras. More importantly, its external display supports an advanced user interface that lets you deal with alerts and messages without fully opening your phone. An IPX8 rating also means that it is fully waterproof.
Who It’s For
If you want to spend less time looking at your phone, the Moto Razr+ can help thanks to its capable outer display. It folds down to a very portable size, too.
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Dimensions
6.50 by 2.91 by 0.28 inches
Screen Size
6.9 inches
Screen Resolution
2,640 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 50MP; 32MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours, 37 minutes
Learn More
Motorola Razr+ Review
Buying Guide: The Best T-Mobile Phones for 2024
The Best 5G Phones for T-Mobile
T-Mobile uses the whole menu of 5G frequencies—low, middle, and high—but mid-band is the sweet spot. The carrier’s low-band 5G network has great coverage but not much effect on performance, while its high-band network hasn’t expanded much beyond its initial few cities. On the other hand, mid-band is available in most major and midsize cities and performs considerably better than 4G.
Focusing on mid-band right now is key. All the 5G phones T-Mobile currently sells have mid-band, so you can just choose a phone you like and not worry too much. To that end, we’re only featuring 5G-capable smartphones in this roundup. Just double-check to make sure that your phone supports LTE frequency bands 12 and 71, as well as 5G band n41, to ensure optimal coverage.
For more, see our list of the best 5G phones.
What Is 5G?
Alternatives to T-Mobile
T-Mobile isn’t the only option out there, of course. Take a look at our lists of the best phones for AT&T and Verizon Wireless, and check out our favorite cheap phone plans to get the best deal with an MVNO.
Recommended by Our Editors
Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.
