The best T-Mobile phones to spend your money on

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless carrier in the United States following its merger with Sprint. It offers a wide selection of smartphones from various OEMs for every type of user. Since there are so many to choose from, it can be challenging to figure out the best T-Mobile phones available.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find our roundup of the best T-Mobile phones you can currently get in different categories below. We’ll also discuss bringing your phone to the network and briefly going over the best plans the carrier has on offer. Let’s get started. The best T-Mobile phones:

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best T-Mobile phones regularly as new devices launch. 1. Samsung Galaxy S21 series — flagship

David Imel / Android Authority

Samsung’s shiny Galaxy S21 devices sit at the top of this list of the best T-Mobile phones. The Galaxy S series has long defined the very best of Android; that quality is now more approachable than it has been in years: the cheapest model in the Galaxy S21 family has an MSRP of just $799. Better yet, you get quite a lot for that price. Every phone has at least three cameras on the back and comes with a vibrant display with minimal bezels surrounding it. See also: Galaxy S21 review | Galaxy S21 Plus review | Galaxy S21 Ultra review

The phones are powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset in the US, and all three can connect to T-Mobile’s 5G network. You also get an IP68 rating, wireless charging, and an in-display fingerprint scanner regardless of the three phones you go for. But you don’t get a headphone jack, as it appears that Samsung has no intention of bringing it back on the flagship range.

Samsung Galaxy S21 specs:

Display: 6.2-inch, Ful HD+

6.2-inch, Ful HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 888

Snapdragon 888 RAM: 8GB

8GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 64, 12, and 12MP

64, 12, and 12MP Front camera: 10MP

10MP Battery: 4,000mAh

4,000mAh Software: Android 11

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+

6.7-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 888

Snapdragon 888 RAM: 8GB

8GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 64, 12, and 12MP

64, 12, and 12MP Front camera: 10MP

10MP Battery: 4,800mAh

4,800mAh Software: Android 11

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra specs:

Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+

6.8-inch, QHD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 888

Snapdragon 888 RAM: 12/16GB

12/16GB Storage: 128/256/512GB Cameras: 108, 10, 10, and 12MP

108, 10, 10, and 12MP Front camera: 40MP

40MP Battery: 5,000mAh

5,000mAh Software: Android 11

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series — flagship

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S lineup may be more popular, but more demanding Samsung fans will prefer the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 smartphones. They come with more powerful specs and an S Pen stylus that turns your device into a productivity machine. Also: These are the best Samsung phones

We have two versions of the Note this year: the Note 20 and the 20 Ultra. The most notable differences between the two phones are the displays, construction, and cameras. The Ultra model has a larger screen with a higher resolution and refresh rate, better rear cameras, and a larger battery. Thanks to its glass and metal construction, it also feels more premium in hand. The back panel of the regular Note 20, on the other hand, is made of what Samsung calls glasstic — a plastic material with a glass-like paint job.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+

6.7-inch, Full HD+ SoC: Snapdragon 865 Plus

Snapdragon 865 Plus RAM: 8GB

8GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 64, 12, and 12MP

64, 12, and 12MP Front camera: 10MP

10MP Battery: 4,300mAh

4,300mAh Software: Android 10

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra specs:

Display: 6.9-inch, WQHD+

6.9-inch, WQHD+ SoC: Snapdragon 865 Plus

Snapdragon 865 Plus RAM: 12GB

12GB Storage: 128/256/512GB Cameras: 108, 12, and 12MP

108, 12, and 12MP Front camera: 10MP

10MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 10

3. Apple iPhone 13 series — flagship

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

You may be on an Android site, but we won’t deny that the new iPhone 13 series is a great bunch. These phones find a sweet spot that nicely balances performance and usability, but all of them come with stunning cameras, incredible performance, and a great ecosystem of apps and accessories. Related: Which is the right iPhone for you?

iOS isn’t to everyone’s taste and requires a few file management and customization compromises. But there is no denying the quality of many of the apps available. Editing video on your mobile device is fiddly but doable thanks to the insanely performant processors and games fair exceptionally well.

These are some of the best T-Mobile phones and some of the most popular devices in the industry. Although the iPhone 13 Mini doesn’t seem like a proper flagship, it addresses plenty of the flaws from last year’s models. You’ll also find an A15 Bionic chip at home on all four models, as well as double the initial storage capacity.

Apple iPhone 13 Mini specs:

Display: 5.4-inch, 2,340 x 1,080

5.4-inch, 2,340 x 1,080 SoC: Apple A15 Bionic

Apple A15 Bionic RAM: 4GB

4GB Storage: 128/256/512GB Cameras: 12 and 12MP

12 and 12MP Front camera: 12MP

12MP Battery: 2,438mAh

2,438mAh Software: iOS 15.1

Apple iPhone 13 specs:

Display: 6.1-inch, 2,532 x 1,170

6.1-inch, 2,532 x 1,170 SoC: Apple A14 Bionic

Apple A14 Bionic RAM: 4GB

4GB Storage: 128/256/512GB Cameras: 12 and 12MP

12 and 12MP Front camera: 12MP

12MP Battery: 3,240mAh

3,240mAh Software: iOS 15.1

Apple iPhone 13 Pro specs:

Display: 6.1-inch, 2,532 x 1,170

6.1-inch, 2,532 x 1,170 SoC: Apple A15 Bionic

Apple A15 Bionic RAM: 6GB

6GB Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP + ToF

12, 12, and 12MP + ToF Front camera: 12MP

12MP Battery: 3,095mAh

3,095mAh Software: iOS 15.1

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, 2,778 x 1,284

6.7-inch, 2,778 x 1,284 SoC: Apple A15 Bionic

Apple A15 Bionic RAM: 6GB

6GB Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP + ToF

12, 12, and 12MP + ToF Front camera: 12MP

12MP Battery: 4,352mAh

4,352mAh Software: iOS 15.1

4. OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro — flagship

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are great devices, and T-Mobile is your best bet to use them in the United States. They’ve pretty much ditched the flagship killer mentality, and now the two devices have become true flagships in their own right. See also: OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, and OnePlus 9R buyer’s guide

They pack the speedy Snapdragon 888 chip, 128GB and 256GB of storage on the 9 and 9 Pro, respectively, and brilliant 120Hz displays. Both the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are among the best phones that T-Mobile has to offer, and you can finally get a taste of the powerful Hasselblad camera setups.

OnePlus 9 specs:

Display: 6.55-inch, Full HD+

6.55-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 888

Snapdragon 888 RAM: 8/12GB

8/12GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 48, 50, and 2MP

48, 50, and 2MP Front camera: 16MP

16MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 11

OnePlus 9 specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+

6.7-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 888

Snapdragon 888 RAM: 8/12GB

8/12GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 48, 50, and 2MP

48, 50, and 2MP Front camera: 16MP

16MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 11

5. Google Pixel 6 series — flagship

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Google’s new Pixel 6 series represents a new direction for the line, but it remains among the best T-Mobile phones you can buy. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are the first phones to offer Google’s Tensor chips, and who can look past the colossal camera bar?

Speaking of the camera bar, it houses a complete set of new sensors capped off by a 50MP primary shooter. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro pack 12MP ultrawide lenses, but the premium device also adds a 48MP telephoto lens to the mix. You can also see just a few of your updated color options above — the Pixel 6 comes in Sorta Seafoam and Kinda Coral, while the 6 Pro comes in Sorta Sunny and Cloudy White. The two models share a Stormy Black finish. See also: Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro buyer’s guide

Google also brought Android 12 and Material You to market with the Pixel 6 series. That means you can customize your icons and widgets to match your wallpaper like never before. Did we mention that the Pixel 6 starts at just $599? The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back $899, but these are still among the best T-Mobile phones.

Google Pixel 6 specs:

Display: 6.4-inch, Full HD+

6.4-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Tensor

Tensor RAM: 8GB

8GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 50 and 12MP

50 and 12MP Front camera: 8MP

8MP Battery: 4,614mAh

4,614mAh Software: Android 12

Google Pixel 6 Pro specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+

6.7-inch, QHD+ Chipset: Tensor

Tensor RAM: 12GB

12GB Storage: 128/256/512GB Cameras: 50, 48, and 12MP

50, 48, and 12MP Front camera: 11.1MP

11.1MP Battery: 5,003mAh

5,003mAh Software: Android 12

6. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — mid-range

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a brand-new mid-range device that follows in the footsteps of the Galaxy S21 series at a slightly lower price. It follows a similar design language, though you get a full slate of new color options to choose from.

Samsung kicked things off with a 6.4-inch Gorilla Glass Victus display and a Full HD+ resolution. You’ll also get a 120Hz refresh rate and a 32MP selfie camera as the lone interruption. Under the hood, the Galaxy S21 FE packs the Snapdragon 888 on board. You’ll find a 4,500mAh battery, too, complete with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

All these things combined make the Galaxy S21 FE one of the best phones you can get from T-Mobile. Although it’s much more affordable than Samsung’s high-end offerings, it still isn’t exactly cheap.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE specs:

Display: 6.4-inch, Full HD+

6.4-inch, Full HD+ SoC: Snapdragon 888

Snapdragon 888 RAM: 6/8GB

6/8GB Storage: 128/256GB Cameras: 12, 8, and 12MP

12, 8, and 12MP Front camera: 32MP

32MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 12

7. Apple iPhone SE — mid-range

David Imel / Android Authority

Budget premium phones are all the hype in 2020, with the Pixel 4a and iPhone SE offering fantastic quality at very accessible price points. The Pixel 4a is no longer in the carrier’s lineup, but the iPhone SE is available for purchase right now, and it’s easily one of the best T-Mobile phones to buy if you are on a budget.

The iPhone SE offers the Apple promise at about $400. It includes the familiar glass and metal design we saw on the iPhone 8 and has a very competitive camera. Users will also love that Apple didn’t skimp out on the processor, as the iPhone SE uses the same Apple A13 Bionic processor we saw in iPhone 11 handsets. Other benefits over the Pixel 4a include wireless charging and an IP67 rating, two features the Google budget phone lacks.

Apple iPhone SE specs:

Display: 4.7-inch, 1,334 x 750

4.7-inch, 1,334 x 750 SoC: Apple A13 Bionic

Apple A13 Bionic RAM: 3GB

3GB Storage: 64/128/256GB Cameras: 12MP

12MP Front camera: 7MP

7MP Battery: 1,821mAh

1,821mAh Software: iOS 13

8. OnePlus Nord N10 — cheap T-Mobile phone

Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

It’s easy to turn to T-Mobile when you have a limited budget and basic needs. The OnePlus Nord N10 is a perfect example of what you can get with a low monthly payment, and the specs can easily keep you moving. It’s not a perfect device, but it provides 5G access for $299. See also: OnePlus Nord N10 review

OnePlus’ Nord N10 isn’t too unwieldy at 6.49 inches, and the 64MP primary shooter highlights the quad-camera system is solid for the price. It’s nice to see a headphone jack and 128GB of storage, and OnePlus even added its speedy 30W charging. You shouldn’t have to stay plugged in for long, and the 4,300mAh battery is a great size.

OnePlus Nord N10 specs:

Display: 6.49-inch, FHD+

6.49-inch, FHD+ SoC: Snapdragon 690

Snapdragon 690 RAM: 6GB

6GB Storage: 128GB Cameras: 64, 8, 2, and 2MP

64, 8, 2, and 2MP Front camera: 16MP

16MP Battery: 4,300mAh

4,300mAh Software: Android 10

9. Samsung Galaxy A32 5G — cheap T-Mobile phone

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

If you’re on a budget and don’t demand a lot from your phone, the Galaxy A32 5G might be up your alley. Its specs won’t blow your socks off, but the handset still has more than enough power for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and checking social media at 5G speeds.

The device’s screen is quite large, coming in at 6.5 inches, but it only has HD+ resolution. Four cameras at the back get the job done, just don’t expect the world from them — especially in low-light situations. Other specs and features include 32GB of storage, a 5,000mAh battery, and Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI on top.

The phone is also equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, supports expandable storage, and has a headphone jack.

Samsung Galaxy A32 5G specs:

Display: 6.5-inch, HD+

6.5-inch, HD+ SoC: Mediatek Dimensity 720

Mediatek Dimensity 720 RAM: 4/6GB

4/6GB Storage: 64/128GB Cameras: 48, 8, 5, and 2MP

48, 8, 5, and 2MP Front camera: 13MP

13MP Battery: 5,000mAh

5,000mAh Software: Android 11

10. Motorola Moto G Play — cheap T-Mobile phone

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

If you want a phone with a big display and a clean, simple Android skin, the Moto G Play might be your perfect match. The handset comes with a 6.5-inch display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 460 chipset, and a 5,000mAh battery. The cameras aren’t the main draw here, but the 13MP primary shooter should keep you covered in a pinch. Read next: The best Motorola phones you can get

The Moto G Play’s other specs and features include a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, expandable storage, and a water-repellent coating. It may not be the same as an official IP rating, but it’s good to see Motorola take care of its affordable devices.

Motorola Moto G Play specs:

Display: 6.5-inch, HD+

6.5-inch, HD+ SoC: Snapdragon 460

Snapdragon 460 RAM: 3GB

3GB Storage: 32GB Cameras: 13 and 2MP

13 and 2MP Front camera: 5MP

5MP Battery: 5,000mAh

5,000mAh Software: Android 10

11. Samsung Galaxy A12 — cheap T-Mobile phone

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The last Samsung device on our list of the best T-Mobile phones is the Galaxy A12. It offers less than the A32 listed above but won’t leave as much of a mark on your wallet, either.

You get a 6.5-inch HD+ Infinity-V display that’s surrounded by thin bezels for a modern look and feel. Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset won’t break any benchmark records, but it’s still more than capable of basic day-to-day tasks. There’s also a microSD card slot on board, a headphone jack, and a fingerprint scanner on the side.

Sasmung Galaxy A12 specs:

Display: 6.5-inch, HD+

6.5-inch, HD+ SoC: MediaTek Helio P35

MediaTek Helio P35 RAM: 2/3/4/6GB

2/3/4/6GB Storage: 32/64/128GB Cameras: 48, 5, 2, and 2MP

48, 5, 2, and 2MP Front camera: 8MP

8MP Battery: 5,000mAh

5,000mAh Software: Android 11

What about basic or flip T-Mobile phones?

T-Mobile’s selection of basic and flip phones is weak, as the carrier only has a handful of models at the moment. The best among them is a flip phone from Alcatel called the Go Flip 4, which is cheap at just $96 and suitable for calling and texting.

It has two displays and large buttons that make the phone an excellent choice for older adults. It also has a basic camera onboard and, believe it or not, Google Assistant. You can learn more about the phone and purchase it via the button below.

If you don’t like the Alcatel Go Flip 4 but still want a basic or a flip phone, you can also look at the Sonim XP3 Plus or the Cat S22 Flip. There are plenty of great unlocked options available, some of which you can check out in our dedicated post by clicking here. T-Mobile prepaid phones

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Prepaid phones are usually bought off-contract, which means you can’t get them on an installment plan and have to pay for them up-front.

Unlike with some other carriers, like Verizon, T-Mobile’s selection of prepaid phones is more or less the same as their selection of phones available with postpaid plans. There are some exceptions, but you should be able to get any of the phones listed above.

We have a dedicated post of the best T-Mobile prepaid phones, including a few phones you won’t find on this list. T-Mobile phones vs. unlocked phones

T-Mobile lets you bring your own device to its network, so you don’t have to buy a phone from the carrier. When deciding which of the two options to choose, you must keep the pros and cons in mind.

Getting a phone from T-Mobile means you don’t have to pay for it up-front, which is a big plus. You only pay a portion of the cost right away and then pay off the rest over some time. When it comes to unlocked phones, things are usually different, as you have to pay for the device in full at the time of purchase. Read next: The best unlocked phones to get

You also have to take deals into account. T-Mobile often offers great deals that will save you quite a bit of money. Carriers are known for their BOGO deals, which get you two phones for the price of one. You usually won’t find a deal like this for an unlocked phone.

Then there’s support, which is another advantage of T-Mobile phones. If you need help with your device, you can just go down to your local carrier shop to get help in person. There is no need to call tech support and wait for 30 minutes to talk to someone, as is usually the case.

Also, if you get a carrier device, you can be confident that it is specifically configured to work well on the carrier’s network. So if you buy a T-Mobile phone, you can be sure that it will work well on T-Mobile’s network and that you’ll be able to take advantage of all the features you would expect.

T-Mobile phones are locked to the carrier's network.

When it comes to drawbacks, the biggest one is that a phone bought from T-Mobile will be locked for a certain period, meaning you won’t be able to use it on a different carrier. A device on a postpaid account has to be used for at least 40 days on your line of service before you can request an unlock. It also has to be paid off in full. If you have a prepaid device, you may have to wait for up to a year before you’ll be able to unlock it.

On the other hand, if you buy an unlocked phone, you can usually take it to just about any carrier and switch between them as you please. You have much more freedom.

T-Mobile phones may also come with additional apps (bloatware) you don’t get on unlocked phones. The selection of phones can be limited, as the carrier cannot offer every single popular device. For example, T-Mobile sells the OnePlus 8 and 8T, but not the Pro model. So if you want a specific handset that T-Mobile doesn’t sell, getting it unlocked is the only way to go. Don’t forget to pick a plan

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Your job isn’t finished when you select your T-Mobile phone. The next step is to opt for one of the many plans the carrier offers. Regardless of your wants and needs, T-Mobile likely has you covered.

You can check out a few of the carrier’s postpaid plans in the table below. But if you want to learn more, you should check out our post listing all the T-Mobile plans available in detail, along with how they compare with the competition. Alternatively, you can also read our dedicated best T-Mobile prepaid plans.

Essentials Magenta Magenta Max Cost

Essentials Prices per line:

$60 for one line

$45 for two lines

$35 for three lines

$30 for four lines

$27 for five lines

Magenta Prices per line:

$70 for one line

$60 for two lines

$40 for three lines

$35 for four lines

$32 for five lines

Magenta Max Prices per line:

$85 for one line

$70 for two lines

$47 for three lines

$43 for four lines

$40 for five lines

Unlimited Talk & Text

Essentials Yes

Magenta Yes

Magenta Max Yes

Unlimited 4G Data

Essentials Yes, but might slow down during congestion after 50GB per month

Magenta Yes, but might slow down during congestion after 100GB per month

Magenta Max Yes, with no speed slowdowns based on usage

5G data included

Essentials Yes

Magenta Yes

Magenta Max Yes

Mobile Hotspot

Essentials Unlimited 3G

Magenta 5GB of 4G LTE, then unlimited 3G

Magenta Max 40GB of 4G, then unlimited 3G

Netflix perk?

Essentials No

Magenta Netflix Basic, one SD screen for two or more accounts

Magenta Max Netflix Basic, one SD screen for one accounts.

Netflix Standard, two HD screens for two or more acccounts

Unlimited video streaming

Essentials SD streaming

Magenta SD streaming

Magenta Max Up to 4K UHD streaming

55 Plus Plan

Essentials Yes

Magenta Yes

Magenta Max Yes

Military Plan

Essentials No

Magenta Yes

Magenta Max Yes

First Responder Plan

Essentials No

Magenta Yes

Magenta Max Yes

Frequently asked questions

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Q: Is my T-Mobile phone unlocked?

A: No, it’s not. The phone you bought from T-Mobile is locked to the carrier’s network.

Q: How to unlock a T-Mobile phone?

A: To unlock a T-Mobile phone for use with another network, you must meet specific requirements. These include having an account in good standing and a device that has been active on the network for at least 40 days for postpaid accounts. Additionally, the device has to be paid off in full. For more specific instructions, head over to T-Mobile’s website.

Q: Does T-Mobile have a 5G network?

A: Yes, of course, it does. The carrier claims to have better 5G coverage than AT&T and Verizon combined. You can learn more about T-Mobile’s 5G tech at the link.

Q: Does T-Mobile own Sprint?

A: Yes, T-Mobile and Sprint have merged, and the Sprint brand has been killed off.

Q: Is T-Mobile a GSM or CDMA carrier?

A: T-Mobile has always been a GSM carrier, while Sprint used CDMA. Since the two companies merged, T-Mobile supports both standards, although the CDMA network will be phased out over time.

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