AT&T is one of the nation’s oldest wireless carriers, and we’ve been covering it for several decades. The company’s 5G network faces stiff competition from T-Mobile and Verizon, but many of today’s top phones work well on its frequencies. The compelling Apple iPhone 17, the artist-friendly Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the AI-enhanced Google Pixel 10 Pro stand out for their modern 5G radios with support for AT&T’s particular C-band spectrum. However, all of the phones we selected are worth a look if you’re an AT&T customer, so make sure to click through to our in-depth reviews of each for all the pros and cons. We also provide some additional details below our picks that you should remember while shopping for your next AT&T phone.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
September 24, 2025: With this update, we added the Apple iPhone 17 as the best iPhone, replacing the iPhone 16. We also swapped in the Pixel 10 Pro in place of the Pixel 9 as the best Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 instead of the Z Fold 6 as the best folding phone, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max instead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max as the iPhone with the best battery life. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability. Since our last update, we reviewed and evaluated 15 new phones for potential inclusion in this roundup.
- Best value among iPhone 17 models
- Fast performance
- Competitive battery life
- Speedy wireless connections
- Pro-level display
- Flexible cameras
With the iPhone 17, Apple has upgraded the base model in meaningful ways that level it up against the rest of the iPhone 17 family—and competing flagship phones. With more than 24 hours of battery life, fast charging, modern radios, and high-quality hardware, it’s a near-total package and the best value proposition among the new iPhone 17 family.
The iPhone 17 is by far the best iPhone for most people. It offers a near-Pro level experience for hundreds of dollars less.
Operating System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19
Dimensions
5.89 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,622 by 1,206 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 48MP; 18MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
24 hours, 31 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone 17 Review
- Class-leading performance
- Powerful AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Sharp, anti-reflective screen
- Better ergonomics than previous Ultras
- Long software support window
- Expensive
- Less S Pen functionality than previous generation
The S25 Ultra is one of the most powerful Android smartphones available. It offers a large, pixel-rich display, outstanding battery life, top-tier performance, and a flexible camera setup for capturing photos near and far. Furthermore, it’s the only phone to ship with Samsung’s S Pen Stylus for jotting notes and drawing pictures. Its fun and useful Galaxy AI features are additional highlights.
If you want the most capable Android phone or need a stylus, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is by far your best option. Samsung’s seven-year support commitment also means you can remain productive for years to come.
Operating System
Android 15
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.41 by 3.06 by 0.32 inches
Screen Size
6.9 inches
Screen Resolution
3,120 by 1,440 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
200MP, 50MP, 50MP, 10MP; 12MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
14 hours, 15 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review
- Powerful performance
- Excellent cameras
- Useful Google AI
- Seven-year software support commitment
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- No reverse wireless charging
Google’s software is the choice of the techno-elite for its speed, elegance, and simplicity. The Pixel 9a brings you that experience—along with seven years of Android updates and many AI features—at an affordable price. Its cameras are excellent, too, and it handles AT&T’s network well.
If you don’t want to pay for a high-priced flagship phone, the Google Pixel 9a provides plenty of power and commendable cameras at a reasonable cost.
Operating System
Android 15
CPU
Google Tensor G4
Dimensions
6.1 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,424 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 13MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
13 hours, 15 minutes
Learn More
Google Pixel 9a Review
- Exceptional hardware
- Excellent displays
- Solid performance
- Powerful software
- Strong radios
- Outlandishly expensive
- Only average battery life
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s best folding phone yet. It’s thinner and lighter than previous iterations, has a more durable design, and comes with genuinely useful Galaxy AI features. Both screens are bright and beautiful, the performance is excellent, and the cameras take superb pictures. The software experience continues to be top-notch as well, particularly for those who like to multitask.
If you value versatility, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is an excellent pick because it can serve as both your phone and a small tablet on AT&T’s 5G network.
Operating System
Android 16
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Dimensions
6.24 by 2.87 by 0.35 inches folded, 6.24 by 5.64 by 0.17 inches open
Screen Size
8 inches
Screen Resolution
2,184 by 1,968 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
200MP, 12MP, 10MP; 10MP, 10MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
13 hours, 10 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review
- Refined and appealing hardware
- Advanced, easy-to-use AI features
- Excellent cameras
- Long-term support
- Battery life should be longer
- No physical SIM card support
Google’s Pixel 10 Pro packs the company’s best hardware and software into a tough, midsize phone. You get premium construction, a bright, detailed screen, strong photography, and AI that runs locally to speed everyday tasks. Features like live call translation and language-based photo edits create standout experiences you rarely find elsewhere.
If you enjoy mobile photography or want a clean Google software experience, the Pixel 10 Pro is the Android phone to get. If you don’t upgrade your phones often, you may appreciate Google’s promised seven years of OS updates.
Operating System
Android 16
CPU
Google Tensor G5
Dimensions
6.02 by 2.83 by 0.34 inches
Screen Size
6.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,856 by 1,280 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 48MP, 48MP; 42MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
12 hours, 40 minutes
Learn More
Google Pixel 10 Pro Review
- Excellent value
- Good performance
- Above-average cameras
- Splashproof
- Six-year support window
Samsung’s Galaxy A16 5G has a pleasingly large display, a decent processor, a serviceable set of cameras, and all the battery life you need to get through the day. Moreover, Samsung plans to support it with security updates for six years, meaning you can hold onto it for a long time.
The Galaxy A16 is the perfect pick if you want a competent, low-cost smartphone. It doesn’t make you feel like you’re giving anything up.
Operating System
Android 14
CPU
Samsung Exynos 1330
Dimensions
6.47 by 3.07 by 0.31 inches
Screen Size
6.7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,340 by 1,080 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 5MP, 2MP; 13MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
13 hours 46 minutes
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Review
- Outstanding cameras
- Top video features
- Category-leading battery life
- Terrific screen
- Fast performance
- High-quality hardware
- Might be too big for some
- Most expensive iPhone
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is packed with everything Apple has to offer. It has a big screen, its battery lasts over 34 hours, the Camera Control button provides more creative flexibility, and upgraded radios mean faster wireless performance on AT&T. It also has advanced video capture tools that are some of the best available on any phone.
Simply put, this is the best iPhone if you want all the latest features, the best video camera, and the longest battery life.
Operating System
iOS 26
CPU
Apple A19 Pro
Dimensions
6.43 by 3.07 by 0.34 inches
Screen Size
6.9 inches
Screen Resolution
2,868 by 1,320 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
48MP, 48MP, 48MP; 18MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
32 hours, 11 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max Review
- Bright displays
- Category-leading battery life
- Powerful performance
- Fun folding form factor
- Middling cameras
- Mediocre AI
The Motorola Razr Ultra for 2025 embraces its dual-screen design in a way many alternatives don’t; you can run virtually any app you want on either the vivid 4.0-inch outer display or the expansive 7.0-inch inner panel. We also like its IP48 waterproof rating, stylish design, competitive performance, and fast 68W wired charging.
If you want a small folding phone that encourages you to unlock it less often, the Razr Ultra is a top pick. Fashion-conscious buyers will also appreciate its unique color options.
Operating System
Android 15
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform
Dimensions
6.75 by 2.91 by 0.28 inches open, 3.47 by 2.91 by 0.62 inches closed
Screen Size
7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,992 by 1,224 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
50MP, 50MP; 50MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
22 hours, 3 minutes
Learn More
Motorola Razr Ultra Review
- Affordable
- Clear earpiece and speakerphone
- Wi-Fi
- Email access
- FM radio
- Mediocre battery life
- Limited third-party apps
- Poor cameras
The TCL Flip 3 is a great voice phone with a removable battery, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. It also features a 2MP camera, which is useful in a pinch. Finally, Wi-Fi connectivity and email access can help keep you in the communications loop.
If you aren’t interested in owning a smartphone, the affordable TCL Flip 3 confidently performs basic phone functions. The speakerphone and earpiece sound quite clear, too.
Operating System
KaiOS
CPU
Qualcomm QM215
Dimensions
4 .22 by 2.34 by 0.78 inches
Screen Size
3.2 inches
Screen Resolution
320 by 240 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)
5MP
Battery Life (As Tested)
Approximately 10.5 hours of talk time
Learn More
TCL Flip 3 Review
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The Best AT&T Phones for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best AT&T Phones for 2025
Is AT&T’s 5G Network Good?
AT&T typically ranks third in national network surveys, but it still has excellent 4G and 5G performance nationwide. Although the carrier once confusingly sold its 4G network as 5G Evolution (or 5G E), it has since dropped that name from ads.
AT&T has been slower in its 5G expansion than T-Mobile and Verizon. It currently runs a “nationwide 5G” network that sometimes is no faster than its 4G network. AT&T uses a mix of low-band, mid-band, and high-band (mmWave) frequencies for its 5G networks. Low-band frequencies can reach faraway phones, but the trade-off is lower speeds. If your phone connects to AT&T’s low-band frequencies for 5G, it will display “5G” on the screen. You could see speeds below 100Mbps on this connection.
Mid-band frequencies range from 2 to 10GHz, and this is where you find C-band. In the US, C-band refers to frequencies between 3.7 and 3.98GHz. These allow for good range and better-than-LTE speeds, so it’s important that your 5G phone supports them. Signals can reach about half a mile from their towers, and connection speeds can exceed 1Gbps.
Meanwhile, mmWave/high-band frequencies are short-range and can provide speeds of over 3Gbps. However, physical objects can block or reflect these frequencies, thus interfering with connections and speeds more so than with low-band or mid-band frequencies. AT&T labels its mid-band and mmWave network as “5G+.”
Apple iPhone 17 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
What Should You Look for in an AT&T Phone?
Many people get their phones with a monthly plan (typically over 36 months with AT&T), so even premium models are viable for many subscribers. It’s not difficult to get the latest and greatest phones, either, if you pay a few extra dollars per month for a fast-upgrade plan such as AT&T Next Up Anytime.
Unlocked phones are also an option, though their high up-front costs might not be feasible for all. Just make sure to check that AT&T officially supports the unlocked phone you want before you buy it. Any new Apple, Google, or Samsung phone is a reasonably safe bet for compatibility, though handsets from Honor, Motorola, OnePlus, and Oppo might not be.
If you want your phone to be a long-term investment, the most important spec to consider is support for C-band. Phones in the current Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 7, Google Pixel 10, and the iPhone 17 lineups all take advantage of AT&T’s C-band. If you look into a phone on AT&T’s site, you can open the Features & Specs section and then go to the Wireless Technology portion. Look for either “C-band” or “n77” to see if it supports the right spectrum.
Recommended by Our Editors
More generally, if you are weighing several different options for your AT&T phone, make sure you check for any deals that may have a better one at a lower cost.
The Best Flip Phone for AT&T
If you’re interested in a flip or voice phone, you should buy one that supports voice over AT&T’s 4G or 5G network, as the carrier turned off its 3G service in 2022.
If you need more help buying a cell phone, check out our story on the best cheap phones. While you’re at it, look at our lists of the best phones for T-Mobile and Verizon.
