When it comes to wireless carriers in the United States, you have plenty of options. While mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) will provide you the best prices, the major carriers are typically the ones that are going to be able to offer better support. Verizon is one of the big three wireless providers in the U.S., alongside AT&T and T-Mobile. The company has been around for decades offering cellular service and has pretty good coverage and great speeds.

Although the company has started to branch out to provide a wealth of different services and products, it's still highly regarded when it comes to its quality. In addition, Verizon offers some of the best smartphones currently on the market, which means, if you sign up with the carrier, you'll have access to some of the best devices from Apple, Samsung, and many others. So, whether you're looking to get something affordable, or go all out and get something high-end, you'll have plenty of options from which to choose.

So, whether you're looking to get something that's cheap, affordable, or something high-end, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. Furthermore, you can also take advantage of some excellent deals and trade-in promotions from the wireless carrier, adding extra incentives to sign up for their service. So let's check out some of the best smartphone options available from the wireless carrier and see what's right for you.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best overall

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is currently the most premium smartphone in Samsung's current lineup, and it's quite a flex of technical prowess for the South Korean tech giant. Essentially, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has the most versatile camera system, the most smartphone software features, the most powerful SoC in Android, plus a stylus!

That huge 6.8-inch 120Hz QHD+ AMOLED screen is one of the best screens in the business (can't quite call it the best, as the iPhone 14 Pro panel gets brighter, and Xiaomi and Vivo flagships use displays with lower PWM dimming). It's razor-sharp and pumps out vibrant, gorgeous colors. And with the S23 Ultra, Samsung even made the curvature on the sides less drastic, so the screen is flatter than before, which makes it a great canvas for the S-Pen to shine.

Let's move to the cameras: The Galaxy S23 Ultra has objectively the most versatile camera system right now, with four lenses that can capture sweeping ultrawide shots all the way to 10x optical zoom. You can even digital zoom up to 100x, although photo quality drops off here. But if you stick to 30x or below, you get jaw-droppingly clean zoom shots that no other phone can pull off.

The main camera uses a new 200MP sensor, and all those pixels allow Samsung to pull off many computational photography tricks, including in-sensor crop and 16-in-1 pixel binning. Photo quality is generally awesome, and is easily the most capable sensor of any phone available at Verizon.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is absolutely one of the best smartphone cameras right now. Video recording prowess is also top-notch: You get 8K videos, but at 4K/30fps is where the magic shines; you'll get a crisp and sharp video with some of the best stabilization around.

On the software front, the Galaxy S23 Ultra runs Android 13 with Samsung's OneUI, and it's the most feature-packed software, with the ability to run open apps in floating windows, output a desktop UI to an external monitor, or use the S Pen stylus as a remote control for the phone. These are all things a plain ol' Android phone can't do.

Yes, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a pricey phone, but it's objectively the "most" phone. You get more here for your dollar than any other flagship right now.

iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Great all-rounder

The iPhone 15 Pro delivers an upgraded experience thanks to its new Apple A17 Pro chip, titanium exterior, and USB-C charging port. This is Apple's best iPhone yet, and the 15 Pro model starts at $1,000.

Last year, Apple introduced the world to the "Dynamic Island"; this year, with the iPhone 15 Pro, users are getting a USB-C port, an Action Button, and a titanium exterior that's lighter and more durable. The iPhone 15 Pro also gains a new SoC with the A17 Pro, and on the standard Pro edition, the camera system remains the same as last year's model, sticking with the 48MP main sensor. The iPhone 15 Pro also sticks with the same 12MP ultrawide and 3x zoom as well.

Of course, when it comes to image quality, you're going to be able to shoot some decent stuff. But one of the new enhancements this year is that the iPhone will automatically capture depth information with every shot, making it easier to alter the image after it has been shot, adding and subtracting blur effects when necessary. But where the iPhone really excels is with its video capabilities.

Just like its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro is expected to have excellent video capabilities with great colors and stabilization. While the USB-C port is going to be great for charging, the Pro model will also be able to utilize the port to transfer data at high speeds. That means users who are really into video recording will be able to record ProRes videos direct to an SSD for unlimited shooting times.

The Action Button will take the place of the toggle that has been a iPhone staple since the beginning. The new button will give users the ability to customize the action that takes place when pressed or held. While it can still be set as a toggle for silent mode, users will also have the ability to set the button for quick access to the camera, voice notes, flashlight, custom shortcut, and more.

As far as the exterior goes, titanium is going to be the main focus here, but Apple has also improved the ergonomics of the device with rounded edges. Of course, you're also going to get a great display with 120Hz refresh rate, and the software is going to be as strong as ever with the introduction of iOS 17 and features like StandBy mode, upgrades to FaceTime, and more. With all that said, you're going to still get really great battery life from the phone with up to 23 hours of use on a single charge.

While the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a more capable phone, the iPhone 15 Pro is a great all-rounder, and is easily considered one of the most polished smartphones around.

A render of the pixel 7 pro in snow color.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Best point-and-shoot camera

Pure Google with a top-notch camera

The Google Pixel 7 Pro comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display. It comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, but a screen protector will go a long way in keeping it in pristine condition.

Last year's Google Pixel 6 Pro was a major overhaul and the biggest upgrade to a Pixel ever. This year's Pixel 7 Pro isn't quite the same big leap, but instead, it brings further refinement and polish to make for a truly excellent device that's Android's best answer to the iPhone.

The Pixel 7 Pro brings back the unique and in our opinion striking design language of the 6 Pro, as well as the awesome 50MP main camera with a large 1/1.31-inch image sensor. But everything else is better: The 6.7-inch OLED display is brighter, the in-display fingerprint scanner is faster, and the ultrawide and zoom cameras improved.

But perhaps the most important upgrade is the brains — the Pixel 7 Pro is powered by the Tensor G2, a second-generation Google-designed SoC that is built to handle Google's machine learning tasks. That helps make the Pixel 7 Pro super smart, like the way it can identify music playing nearby you passively, live transcribe videos you are playing or find proper exposure in any shooting conditions even in point-and-shoot situations.

It is the latter — the cameras — that really set this phone apart. The Pixel 7 Pro's camera system is well rounded and in our opinion the best in the industry for straightforward point-and-shoot. Whether it's shooting in a pitch-black room or against harsh backlight, the Tensor can identify the scene and churn out an image that has accurate colors, great details, low noise, and top dynamic range.

While the Pixel 7 also uses this same main camera sensor, the Pixel 7 Pro is a more complete system, featuring a Periscope zoom lens that's missing in the standard model. At 5x optical zoom, the 7 Pro's Periscope lens can also produce respectable zoom shots up to 30x. In fact, even at 10x, the zoom shots look near-lossless quality thanks to the in-sensor crop.

The 12MP ultrawide camera, meanwhile, sees a wider field of view, as well as the ability to capture macro shots. Video capabilities have also improved, so you're getting a camera system that can do it all. But it's not just about cameras. The battery is also great, and with this phone, you're getting the latest version of Android, designed exactly the way Google intended Android to be experienced.

While this is a great smartphone, we do recommend waiting until Oct. 4 if you can. Google has already announced that the Pixel 8 Pro will be coming, and it will be made available for preorder that day. Of course, if time isn't on your side then by all means pick up the Pixel 7 Pro, it's still a great phone with plenty of speed, excellent cameras, and software.

Sea Pixel 7a on transparent background
Google Pixel 7a
Best value

The best of Google on a budget

Google's latest mid-ranger brings several improvements over last year's model, making it a great option for the budget conscious. The Pixel 7a packs the flagship Tensor G2 chip, flagship-tier cameras, an improved 90Hz display, more RAM, better durability, and wireless-charging support.

Although priced at $50 more than the previous Pixel 6a, the Pixel 7a is still going to provide the best value, coming in at $550 or just $0 a month if you sign up for a 36-month commitment. In a nutshell, this device pretty much goes toe to toe with last year's Pixel 7. The Pixel 7a runs on Google's Tensor G2 SoC, has 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. While the phone is fast and the software is efficient, what really makes this one stand out from its similarly priced peers is its photo capabilities.

The phone comes with a new 64MP main camera sensor, which is 72 percent larger than the previous model, and also allows 44 percent more light. You'll get all the neat software tricks Google has become known for, like "Magic Eraser," allowing you to remove unwanted objects from photos easily. Simply put, Google's computational photography is on another level, and this is going to be one of the best cameras experiences out there on a smartphone.

As far as other differences from the previous model, the Pixel 7a utilizes a 6.1-inch display, but it now tops out with a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz. While not the brightest OLED panel out there at 1000 nits, it's still very good, offering great colors. On top of all of this, you're getting a phenomenal software package with features you can't find anywhere else, like Direct My Call, Call Screen, Live Translate, Voice Message Transcription, and more.

The 4,385mAh isn't the largest size battery we've seen in a smartphone, but you'll still get all-day battery life with light to average use. If you're someone that's always on video calls or shooting photos and videos all day, chances are you're probably going to need to charge up by late afternoon. Luckily, you'll get decent charging speeds when wired at 18W. The Pixel 7a also includes wireless charging, a first for the budget Pixel line, giving users a more convenient way to charge up.

When it comes to the Pixel 7a, you're getting a well-rounded phone that puts itself ahead of the pack with prompt Android updates, unique software features, and a powerful camera that's backed by some of the best computational photo magic in the industry.

Samsung A54 5G in black with transparent background, showing front and partial back panel
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Runner-up

So many good things here

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range phone. It offers a sleek design, a beautiful 120Hz display, plenty of power under the hood, and a triple camera setup on the back.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 is one of the best mid-range smartphones out right now in the United States, even when compared to the Pixel 7a. And what makes this phone even better is that it comes in priced at just $450. It has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, a powerful Samsung Exynos 1380 processor, packs 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. If you think you'll need more storage, you can always add more, thanks to the phone's microSD card slot.

When it comes to use, you can expect all-day battery life from the phone thanks to its large 5,000mAh battery. You also get a triple-camera set on the rear that features a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro sensor. The camera does pretty well in most conditions, but it does get a bit more challenging to get great photos once you get into low-light scenarios. The ultrawide camera's perfect for capturing more of the scenery, and while you can get ultra close with the 5MP macro camera, the quality could be better.

As far as software goes, you're going to be getting the latest with Samsung's One UI 5.1 based on Android 13. Overall, the Galaxy A54 is a solid mid-range option if you want to save some money. Verizon is currently running a promotion that will discount the phone when opening a new line or upgrading an existing one.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 render
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Best foldable

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 features a 7.6-inch main screen and a 6.2-inch cover screen. On the inside, it's powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a 4,400mAh battery.

It's been one of the best foldable phones on the market for quite some time, and we can see why Samsung hasn't brought massive changes to its Z fold line. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 was recently introduced and although it doesn't offer a lot of changes from the previous. model, there is one major change — and that's its new hinge. The hinge allows the smartphone to close flat, making it look a bit more sleek. In addition, this new hinge also reduces the crease on the foldable inner display.

The Fold 5 brings features a beautiful and vibrant 7.6-inch large folding display and a much smaller 6.2-inch screen on its outer cover. Now despite being a foldable handset, Samsung does offer an IPX8 for its Z Fold 5, meaning that it does have resistance to water but not to dust or small particles. While the device feels sturdy in hand, you're going to feel a little more heft in your hands when handling this phone, with a weight coming in at 253g and a thickness of 13.4mm.

When it comes to power, the Z Fold 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 12GB RAM, and comes with three different storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. On the rear of the phone, you get three cameras, a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto zoom lens. If you're into shooting selfies, the device has two cameras, a 10MP camera on the outer display and 4MP on the inner screen.

Aside from the specifications, where the Fold 5 really shines is with its software and its ability to allow users to truly multitask when using the phone and its apps. Furthermore, you get a large 4,400mAh battery that can keep it powered throughout the day, and quick charging can have you topped up in no time. While it is a pricey device, if you're looking for an unrivaled experience when it comes to smartphones, this is going to be one of the best options available.

An iPhone 15 Pro Max in Natural Titanium colorway
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best battery

The iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces an all-new, customizable Action button, a titanium chassis with round edges, and a USB Type-C port. It exclusively offers up to 5x optical zoom, too, so it's slightly better than the regular iPhone 15 Pro model.

If you don't want to suffer from battery anxiety even on Saturdays when you're out all day and night, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is probably the best bet, offering up to 29 hours of use on a single charge. The larger variant of the iPhone 15 Pro functions identically to its smaller sibling, but does have some key differences like a larger 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED display. The phone also offers slightly different functions when it comes to its camera, delivering 5x optical zoom versus the iPhone 15 Pro's 3x zoom.

Of course, the phone is still powered by Apple's latest A17 Pro SoC, and you'll be able to take advantage of all the new features in iOS 17. Also, since this is a larger phone, you're going to benefit a lot from the new redesign, offering a better feeling in the hand thanks to its rounded edges. It's unclear just how durable the new titanium exterior will be over time, but having a lighter phone is going to be a welcome experience for most.

Samsung_Galaxy_A14_5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Best budget phone

More phone, for less money

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an affordable smartphone with a beautiful display, plenty of power, and a compact design. 

If you're looking to keep your spending low, the Galaxy A14 5G is going to be a great option that you can get at Verizon for just $5 a month for 36 months or purchase it outright for $200. Despite its low price, you're still going to get a 6.6-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of 90Hz, a MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor, 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, and a large 5,000 mAh battery that will keep this phone going all day.

You're also getting 64GB of internal storage with room to expand up to 1TB using a microSD card. If you're into cameras, this has a triple-camera setup on the rear that features a 50MP main camera, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. Selfie shooters should be content with the 13MP front-facing camera. But for the most part, you're going to get good-quality shots from the camera during the day, but don't expect the best quality when taking photos at night or in low-light scenarios.

If you're truly on a budget, this smartphone is going to pack quite a bit, offering plenty of power, good cameras, excellent battery life, and the latest when it comes to software with Android 13. It's a wonderful successor to last year's Galaxy A13 and features many improvements over the previous model without seeing a price increase.

Best Verizon phones in 2023: The bottom line

As you might expect from a major wireless carrier, Verizon has some of the best smartphone options. No matter what you're looking for, the carrier has it, and there's something for every budget. If you're trying to go with one of the best smartphones on the market right now, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy S23 Ultra or the iPhone 15 Pro.

If you want a great smartphone that's not going to break the bank but still provides plenty of features, there's no matching the Google Pixel 7a. If you need a battery beast that's going to last, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is going to be the right one for you. And, of course, if you want something unique, the Z Fold 5 is going to be an amazing choice.

With that said, with so many options, it's really going to depend on what you want to prioritize. Of course, if you have an older smartphone, you may be able to trade it in for a credit towards your new purchase. What do you think about our picks? Let us know down below in the comments section.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in green with transparent background showing front and back of the phone with S Pen stylus
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best overall

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones on the market, packing an all-new 200MP sensor, a refined design, a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, and One UI 5.1.