Best AT&T phones in 2023
If you are completely new to AT&T or looking to upgrade your current device, there are plenty of quality options to fit almost any budget. Even though buying an unlocked device is always the best option, smartphone price tags can be staggering. Because of this, AT&T offers carrier financing options that allow you to spread the cost out over time — instead of paying all at once, you pay monthly over 36 months. While this is a nice option, please keep in mind that it keeps you locked to AT&T until all the payments for that phone are made.
Our picks for the best AT&T phones in 2023
Source:
Google
Google Pixel
7 Pro
Editor’s choice
Punches above its weight for the price
$762
$899
Save
$137
Google’s Pixel 7 Pro refines the Pixel experience after the 6 Pro’s initial stumbles last year, improving stability and taking the camera prowess to new levels with image fusing and 4K60fps video on all cameras. 30W fast charging and Pixel’s addictive features like automatic Call screening and Pixel recorder help make the Pixel 7 Pro an alluring phone even as an iterative update.
Pros
- 120Hz OLED display
- Good raw performance
- 12GB of RAM on base model
Cons
- Can overheat at times
- Screen brightness
With its snappy performance, high-quality 120Hz OLED display, and premium build, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is our top pick for phones on the AT&T network. You’ll enjoy high-speed 5G and excellent coverage, in addition to the excellent camera capabilities that Google Pixel devices are known for. It’s very tough to beat the value of the Pixel 7 Pro when you consider other flagship prices in 2023.
Samsung
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Premium pick
All the features money can buy
$1200
$1380
Save
$180
If you’re looking for the best of the best out of Android in 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is it. It’s the only one in the S23 lineup to
feature
the company’s flagship 200MP ISOCELL HP2 camera sensor, the only one with a 5,000mAh battery, and the only one to push the storage envelope up to 1TB.
Pros
- Brilliant display
- Silky smooth performance
- S-pen versatility
Cons
- Pricey
- Base config only has 8GB of RAM
If you find it important to have a device that does everything, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is worth a look. It has a fantastic 6.8-inch OLED display, up to 12GB of RAM, S-Pen functionality, and a top-notch camera array. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy should run fast and easily, and everything on that 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2x display (the only one in the series with adaptive refresh rates between 1 and 120Hz) should look smooth and beautiful. And who can forget about all the note-taking features and the added convenience the S Pen brings?
This is Samsung’s all-out effort for the Galaxy S nameplate. However, all of this comes at a cost. Even on sale, the S23 Ultra typically is over $1,000, but you get what you pay for. Add in all the benefits of OneUI support for years to come, and it’s hard to beat the S23 Ultra at the flagship level.
Source: Google
Google Pixel 6a
Best value
Best phone you can buy sub-$350
$299
$349
Save
$50
The Pixel 6a is not just the best smartphone you can get for $350; it is probably the best-valued Android phone with a great camera, good performance, and fantastic software features.
Pros
- Strong performance
- Great camera
- Pixel software
Cons
- Weak modem
- No wireless charging
- Screen brightness could be better
Despite being almost a year old, the Google Pixel 6a is still our pick for best value. Thanks to the first-gen Tensor chip, it features fantastic raw performance. When you add in Google support, a 6.1-inch OLED, and a best-in-class camera system, it’s hard to beat the Pixel 6a at under $350.
Source: Google
Google Pixel 7
Great performance at a reasonable price
$499
$600
Save
$101
Google did not reinvent the wheel with the Pixel 7, but there was no need to. With improved cameras, the next-gen Tensor G2 chipset, and Google’s wonderfully feature-filled software, the Pixel 7 earns its price tag again this year.
Pros
- Great raw performance
- Excellent price
- 90Hz display
Cons
- Weak modem signal
- Screen brightness
- No telephoto zoom
If you are willing to forego the telephoto zoom and 120Hz display of the Pixel 7 Pro, the Google Pixel 7 becomes a fantastic value. You get all the performance of the Tensor G2 at a significant discount. For around $599 (less with frequent sales), the Pixel 7 is hard to beat regarding picture quality, performance, and build.
Source:
OnePlus
OnePlus 11
OnePlus strikes back with a quality phone
$550
$700
Save
$150
Although the design won’t be for everyone, the OnePlus 11 is the company’s best phone in years. It combines excellent specs, incredible battery life, and a competent camera system, all for just $700. While some enthusiasts might miss out on the fast wireless charging from last year’s OnePlus 10 Pro — and OxygenOS 13 remains a shell of its former self — this is a big step in the right direction for the company.
Pros
- Gorgeous 120Hz LPTO OLED display
- Snappy performance
- SuperVOOC fast charging
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Spotty OxygenOS updates
The OnePlus 11 is the company’s best offering in years, featuring a gorgeous 120Hz LPTO display, excellent battery life, and fantastic performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The OnePlus 11 has all this at a price that would make the Galaxy S23 Ultra blush. If you’re looking for a phone that gives you all you could ever want under the hood without spending a fortune, the OnePlus 11 is hard to ignore.
Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
If you just need more space
$1400
$1800
Save
$400
One of the best smartphones available, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 offers a premium smartphone experience while doubling as a tablet. If the sticker shock doesn’t give you pause, this phone is definitely worth it.
Pros
- Wider external display for easier typing
- Fantastic internal 120Hz panel
- Improved battery life
Cons
- Doesn’t close completely flat
- Heavy
- Expensive
If you’re tired of the same old smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 might be the change you’re looking for. In addition to the 6.2-inch external display, it opens up to a 7.6-inch internal display which is perfect for everything from browsing the web to watching Netflix movies. Samsung has added an extra 2mm to the outer display for the Fold 4, which makes typing a little easier no matter which displays you are using. It sports fantastic performance, solid battery life, and a premium build.
Source: ASUS
Asus Zenfone 9
When you are tired of big smartphones
$600
$700
Save
$100
The Asus Zenfone 9 will likely stand as the only compact Android flagship device of 2022. It’s a pretty good option with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip, an enduring battery, and a myriad of gesture shortcuts to make one-handed use a breeze. We do have concerns about cellular connectivity and the camera, though.
Pros
- Compact form factor
- Great performance
- IP68 rating
Cons
- Lack of software support
- No wireless charging
- Mediocre cameras
For a compact flagship, the Asus Zenfone 9 is an ideal alternative for those who don’t want to carry a TV around in their pocket. It features a quality build, fantastic performance, and a 3.5mm headphone jack — all for a reasonable price. While you give up some features of more expensive flagships, the trade-off is worth it if you’re looking for a great value choice.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Premium build at a mid-range price
Samsung’s Galaxy A54 serves as the successor to one of our favorite mid-range phones from 2022. With a 120Hz AMOLED display, a 50MP camera that promises to be capable even in low-light situations, and a faster processor, the A54 looks to be one of the more impressive phones of 2023 under $500. It has stiff competition from Google, but with an excellent update policy, this device should last buyers for half a decade before it needs an upgrade.
Pros
- Fantastic 120Hz OLED display
- Premium build
- MicroSD card expandability
Cons
- No headphone jack
- No wireless charge
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is a worthwhile option if you’re looking for all the benefits of OneUI without the flagship price. Its 6.4-inch display is stunning, and Samsung has promised major Android updates for four years. When you add the near-flagship level build of the A54, it becomes a real value at sub-$450. While no one will confuse the Exynos 1380 for a flagship, the A54 is capable of smooth performance for all daily tasks.
Source: Motorola
Motorola ThinkPhone
For the more security-minded buyer
Motorola and parent company Lenovo teamed up to build a business-friendly smartphone capable of fitting into your office lifestyle. The ThinkPhone is a flagship-level performer that syncs directly with any modern ThinkPad for advanced productivity.
Pros
- Great aramid fiber build
- 68W fast charging
- Outstanding battery life
Cons
- Display limited to 1080p
- Mediocre camera
- Spotty Motorola update history
The Motorola ThinkPhone is a throwback to when you could get flagship power in a form factor that didn’t weigh much. Its aramid fiber construction is durable, so minor bumps and dents are not the worries they would be with glass phones. Battery life is absolutely outstanding on the ThinkPhone, and it has flagship performance to match. When you run out of battery, the included 68W charging will have you topped off quickly. When you consider you get all this for $699, the ThinkPhone is quite a valuable choice.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Samsung software at a budget price
Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G is the latest budget phone from the company, keeping the same adequate performance from its previous generation but with a better display and a cheaper price.
Pros
- Budget price
- Expandable storage
- OneUI software
Cons
- Poor camera
- Budget build quality
- Washed out LCD
If you want a reliable 5G phone that won’t break the bank, the Samsung Galaxy A14 might be what you’re looking for. It offers fantastic Samsung support with OneUI and gets excellent battery life thanks to the 5,000mAh battery. Even though it’s an LCD, it still refreshes at 90Hz, which is not something you see in this price range. When you add in a 3.5mm headphone jack and MicroSD storage, the Galaxy A14 becomes a solid entry-level option.
Which phone should you buy?
While plenty of great options exist, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is hard to beat when everything is added up. It features a fantastic Google camera, superior software support, and a premium build. It also works perfectly on the AT&T network, so you will be able to enjoy 5G speeds in a package that won’t break the bank.
Source: Google
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Editor’s choice
Fantastic performance and build quality for the price
$762
$899
Save
$137
Google’s Pixel 7 Pro refines the Pixel experience after the 6 Pro’s initial stumbles last year, improving stability and taking the camera prowess to new levels with image fusing and 4K60fps video on all cameras. 30W fast charging and Pixel’s addictive features like automatic Call screening and Pixel recorder help make the Pixel 7 Pro an alluring phone even as an iterative update.
