T-Mobile is one of the biggest wireless carriers in the U.S., with a variety of smartphones and plans available. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly phone, a high-end flagship, or something in between, T-Mobile has you covered. Almost all smartphones that make it to our collection of the best smartphones are readily available to purchase via T-Mobile in the U.S., making it one of the best carriers around. 2023 has been a pretty good year for smartphones and we've seen some big smartphone releases over the past few months, so let's turn the spotlight on some of the phones you can buy from T-Mobile in 2023.

Best T-Mobile phones in 2023

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 most powerful flagship on the market

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.

Pros
  • Smooth, fast performance
  • Great battery life
  • Superb cameras
  • Top-notch display
Cons
  • New camera features aren't easy to find
  • Expensive
  • Speakers are hit and miss
  • Charging speeds aren't up to par with the price

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best phone in Samsung's latest batch of 2023 flagships, differentiating itself with a powerful set of internals, a 200MP camera, an S Pen stylus, and more. It also packs a massive battery and the biggest display of all three phones for a more immersive user experience.

One of the best things about the Galaxy S23 Ultra is that it comes with a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. This is one of the most powerful chips on the market right now, and it works very well with One UI software to deliver a fluid experience. Also new to Galaxy flagships this year is UFS 4.0 storage, which is better than the UFS 3.1 storage we got in the previous-gen flagship.

Samsung has also packed in a 200MP camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra that uses the new Adapt Pixel sensor to bring many improvements to the photography experience. The device will automatically decide whether to take a full 200MP shot or bin it down into a 50 or 12MP image. As mentioned in our Galaxy S23 Ultra review, leaving it in the automatic mode can fetch you some good results, so I recommend doing that unless you want to fiddle with different settings. The main 200MP camera is also complemented by two 10MP sensors with a 10x and 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultrawide sensor.

There are a ton of other things to like about the Galaxy S23 Ultra, so be sure to check out our review before making a purchase decision. T-Mobile is currently offering an $800 discount when you purchase the phone with a new line on Go5G Plus or when you trade in an eligible device on a qualifying rate plan. They're both great ways to save some money on your purchase, so be sure to check them out.

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

The best iPhone money can buy this year

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.

Pros
  • Much improved in-hand feel compared to previous Pro Max iPhones
  • Powerful A17 Pro chip
  • More focal versatility including longer zoom
Cons
  • Slow charging speeds
  • Big footprint

Unlike the last few iPhone Pro Max models, the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max isn't just a larger iPhone 15 Pro this year. Apple has taken active measures to ensure it packs a better hardware overall to make it stand out in the iPhone 15 line up. That's right, the iPhone 15 Pro Max model comes with some exclusive features, making it the best iPhone Apple has to offer in 2023. This, however, also means you need to put up with a massive footprint of the iPhone 15 Pro Max to get the best iPhone features, so keep that in mind.

One of the first differences between the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max is that the bigger iPhone comes with a larger display with support for higher resolution to ensure it doesn't lose the sharpness due to the bigger size. The iPhone 15 Pro model also features a new tetraprism lens with support for up to 5x optical zoom, making it better than the regular iPhone 15 Pro. It also packs a bigger battery overall, meaning it can last longer between the charges.

The rest of the features are all the same, these neat additions make the iPhone 15 Pro Max a better pick this year. I suggest stopping by iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max comparison to find out which one is better for you in 2023. Those buying the iPhone 15 Pro Max from T-Mobile can save up to $830 on their purchase provided they add a new line on a qualifying plan and bring an eligible phone for a trade in.

A render showing the Google Pixel 8 Pro in Porcelain color.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best Android experience

For Android purists

The Pixel 8 Pro is the latest flagship from Google, and it packs the best the company has to offer in 2024. It features the newest Tensor G3 processor, like its regular Pixel 8 sibling, but it comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display, a brighter screen, a larger battery, and more storage options.

Pros
  • Good design and build quality
  • Impressive cameras with AI smarts
  • Reliable performance for day-to-day usage
Cons
  • Not a significant upgrade over the Pixel 7 Pro
  • Costs more than its predecessor

Google's new Pixel 8 Pro may not seem like a radical improvement over the outgoing mode, it brings a few noteworthy changes to build upon its predecessor. Google has packed this particular handset with its new Tensor G3 chip, which is the first silicon to support company's on-device machine learning algorithms to enable some amazing features. All Pixel 8 Pro models also come with 12GB RAM out of the box as opposed to just 8GB.

The Pixel 8 Pro, as you'd expect, also comes with a better set of cameras. It packs a 50MP main camera along with dual 48MP sensors for telephoto and ultrawide shots. They all work together to deliver some great results. Google's on-device machine learning algorithm also enable some jaw-dropping camera/editing features on the Pixel 8 Pro. I suggest reading our Pixel 8 Pro review to learn more about these features in detail.

The Pixel 8 Pro also packs a slightly bigger battery with support for faster charging, and it also sports a new temperature sensor at the back. Those who are looking to buy this particular handset from T-Mobile can save as much as $800 on their purchase via 24 monthly bill credits by adding a new line on a Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plan. You can also stop by our Pixel 8 Pro vs Pixel 7 Pro to find out which flagship phone is better for you.

Sea Pixel 7a on transparent background
Google Pixel 7a
Best value for money pick

Brings features that are hard to find for $500

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.

Pros
  • Overall performance very close to the Pixel 7
  • The best camera for a mid-ranger
  • Looks and feels like a flagship phone in hand
Cons
  • Really, really slow charging

Google's Pixel 7a is just a no-brainer when it comes to the best budget phones that cost less than $500. This new phone from Google brings impressive hardware along with a solid set of features that are simply hard to find in its price range. It's a bit more expensive than its closest competitor, the Galaxy A54 5G, but things like a flagship chipset, great cameras, and support for wireless charging make it an excellent phone for $500.

The Pixel 7a, in case you're wondering, sports a 6.1-inch display with support for up to 90Hz refresh rate. A low refresh rate panel was one of the biggest complaints we had with the Pixel 6a last year, so we're glad to see that changing with its successor. Oh yeah, it's also getting wireless charging, a first for Google's A-series of phones. The new phone also comes with Google's new Tensor G2 chip, which is the same processor that's running the show inside the flagship Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

Google has fitted the Pixel 7a with a new set of camera sensors. It gets a 64MP main sensor along with a 13MP ultrawide camera, both of which manage to produce some good results. You can check out some camera samples along with a lot more details about this phone in our Pixel 7a review. Alternatively, you can also consider checking out the Galaxy S23 FE that costs slightly more, but brings better internals and a more beautiful AMOLED panel. Our Galaxy S23 FE vs Pixel 7a has more details in case you're wondering which one is better for you, so be sure to check it out.

Samsung A54 5G in black with transparent background, showing front and partial back panel
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Best mid-range phone

A budget phone with a flagship-grade display

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a great mid-range phone that offers a sleek design and a beautiful 120Hz display. It's easily one of the best phones you can pick up from T-Mobile right now.

Pros
  • Beautiful design
  • Reliable day-to-day performance
  • Long-lasting battery
Cons
  • Macro sensor is average at best
  • Slow charging speeds

Samsung's Galaxy A54 5G is currently among the best budget phones you can buy in the U.S., and it's readily available to purchase from T-Mobile as well. It brings a lot of improvements over the outgoing Galaxy A53 model, and you can rely on it to deliver a good day-to-day performance.

One of my favorite features of this particular handset is its 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED panel, which makes it better than pretty much every other phone in its segment. The colors look excellent on OLED, and it features Samsung's enhanced Vision Booster technology to adjust your display in outdoor settings. It's just perfect for all forms of media consumption, be it watching videos or playing games. The 120Hz panel truly makes it a superior option in the budget space.

The Galaxy A54 5G is also packed with an upgraded Exynos 1380 chipset, offering a boost in performance compared to other competing chips in its class. It also comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, so your apps will run smoothly. There's even expandable storage of up to 1TB via a microSD card. Some other highlights of the phone include 5G support, an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a triple camera setup at the back that takes good pictures (unless you want to use the macro lens), great battery life that'll last a full day, and more.

T-Mobile will let you have a Galaxy A54 5G unit for as little as $99, provided you activate a new line and sign up for 24-monthly bills.

moto g stylus 5g 2023
Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
For stylus lovers

Get it for FREE with a new line

This stylus-equipped Moto G has a long battery life, 5G connectivity, and a Snapdragon 600 series CPU.

Pros
  • Great battery life
  • Solid Android software with Motorola's slight touch
  • A great screen with stylus support
Cons
  • Camera suffers in low-light conditions
  • The display could've been brighter

The Moto G Stylus 5G remains a solid option for those who are looking to buy a budget phone with a stylus. The 2023 model is packed with some powerful internals, and it's easily among the best Motorola phones you can buy right now. The highlight of the Moto G Stylus 5G, as you'd expect, is the stylus itself. You can use it for taking notes, doodling, or simply navigating through the phone's UI. Motorola could've done a better job of optimizing the software to take better advantage of the stylus, but you do get all the basics.

The 6.6-inch display with an FHD+ 2400x1080 resolution is also quite nice to use with the stylus, although it could've been brighter. It is, however, a smooth and responsive panel with support for 120Hz refresh rate, though, so no complaints there. The phone also offers reliable performance for day-to-day usage, and you'll also be able to capture some good photos using its cameras, provided there's enough light in the scene.

Motorola is also selling a cheaper version of this phone for $200, which is also called the Moto G Stylus (without the 5G), but it skips a lot of essentials, including 5G, a high-resolution display, NFC, and more. Alternatively, you can also consider buying the TCL Stylus 5G from T-Mobile. It's not as capable as the new Moto G Stylus 5G, but it still offers a good experience with a reliable passive stylus.

OnePlus-Nord-N30-5G
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Best under $300

Best for those who only have $300 to spare

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G brings the expected fast and smooth experience of a OnePlus phone along with an impressive 108MP camera at a great price. You can also get one for free from T-Mobile when you add a new line.

Pros
  • Beautiful design
  • Fast UI and capable processor
  • Affordable price tag
Cons
  • The build quality could've been better
  • Underwhelming camera performance

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G isn't a significant upgrade over the outgoing Nord N20 model, but it's still worth considering in 2023. One thing I really like about this particular phone is its design. The Nord N30 5G is easily among the best-looking phones in its segment. It is, however, made out of plastic, so it may not feel as premium as it looks in hand. That's not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially if you plan on using a case to protect it.

Another highlight of this phone is its 5,000mAh battery with support for up to 55W wired charging. The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is the only phone in its price range to support "true" fast charging. OnePlus also bundles the phone with a compatible fast charger, meaning you don't have to spend any more money on the phone to get the best experience.

Some other noteworthy features of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G include a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.5m headphone jack, a microSD card slot for storage expansion, and more. I suggest you read our OnePlus Nord N30 5G review to learn more about this before picking it up. T-Mobile will let you have this phone for free, provided you add a new line and sign up to pay 24 monthly bills. It's also a bit cheaper at T-Mobile compared to other retailers, even if you choose to pay in full, so it's definitely worth considering.\

Motorola Razr+
Motorola Razr+ (2023)
Best clamshell foldable

Finally a good competition to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 4

The Moto Razr+ is a slightly more premium version of the regular Moto Razr, with a relatively bigger external display, a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, and more. T-Mobile will let you have this clamshell for free if you get a new line on Go5G Next or Go5G Plus.

Pros
  • Large outside screen lets you do a lot without unfolding
  • Bright, vivid main folding display
  • Sleek and compact form factor
Cons
  • The battery life could've been better

Motorola's Razr+ (2023) is a modern take on its classic Razr phone that comes with a folding screen. The 2023 model is significantly better than the last couple of iterations we saw from the company in the foldable space. What makes the new Moto Razr+ better than the other clamshell phone is its massive outer display that now lets you do a lot without unfolding the phone. Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip 5 is equally good as it also sports a larger cover screen now, but there are a few things which the Razr+ does slightly better in comparison. For instance, there's no noticeable crease on the internal display of the Razr+, and it also lets you run pretty much any application on its cover screen without need for any workarounds.

You are looking at a 3.6-inch 144Hz OLED panel on the outside which is about as big as it can physically get. It even wraps around the dual-camera system, meaning it occupies the entire front half of the device. Motorola doesn't limit what you can do on the outer screen, so you can use to open and use any app you want. This eliminates the need to unfold the phone and access the main folding screen more often throughout the day.

The main display on the inside is also a solid 6.9-inch OLED panel with support for up to 165Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and it also comes with a 3,800mAh battery with support for up to 30W wired and 5W wireless charging. T-Mobile is carrying the phone in both "Infinite Black" and "Viva Magenta" colors, and it'll let you have one for free, provided you add a new line on Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX or bring an eligible phone for a trade-in.

Galaxy Z Fold 5 render
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Best big-sized foldable phone

Best foldable in the U.S. for power users

Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a further refinement to the Z Fold lineup. The smartphone looks similar to past Z Fold iterations, featuring a 7.6-inch main screen and a tall cover screen. T-Mobile is currently offering a $1000 discount on this phone for those who get a new line on Go5G Next or Go5G Plus.

Pros
  • New hinge that now folds flat
  • Relatively light at 253g
  • Still the best hinge in the business
Cons
  • Other foldables are thinner with bigger batteries
  • No camera improvements compared to last year
  • Design starting to look very dated

Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 5 isn't a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it packs a lot of improvements to deliver a more refined user experience that will make it one of the best foldable phones of the year. The new foldable comes with a redesigned hinge made of fewer parts and folds the screen at a softer waterdrop angle. It allows the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to fold completely flat with no gaps in the middle, but the display still has a visible crease. The newer model is also slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has the same displays as its predecessor, meaning you get a 6.2-inch AMOLED cover screen and a 7.6-inch AMOLED main screen, both of which have support for up to 120Hz refresh rate. Both panels also have support for S Pen, but you'll have to buy it separately as it's still not included with the device.

Samsung has, however, changed the internals on the updated model. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, which is the same as the Galaxy S23 models. It's among the best mobile chips out there right now, and it's paired with 12GB of RAM for the best performance. Samsung hasn't improved the cameras this year, so you get the same setup as the last year's model. I suggest you stop by my colleague Ben's Galaxy Z Fold 5 review to check out the camera samples and learn more about the device.

Best T-Mobile phones: The bottom line

Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra is the one I recommend if you're looking to pick up a solid phone from T-Mobile right now. It packs powerful internals and comes with a good set of features to deliver a great experience overall. It's powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, making it one of the most powerful phones you can buy right now. Pair that with 12GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, and you have a device that'll serve you well for many years to come. The new 200MP camera also plays a huge role in delivering some solid photos, and the built-in S Pen just makes it a versatile device to use on a daily basis.

Those who are looking to buy an iPhone can consider looking at the iPhone 15 Pro Max model, as it represents the best of what Apple has to offer in 2023. The iPhone 15 Pro and the regular iPhone 15 are also great options to consider in case you don't want to use a massive phone or are looking to buy something cheaper. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Moto Razr+ are also good options to consider if you're looking to get into foldable phones this year. Lastly, I've also highlighted some affordable phones for those who are working with a relatively tight budget, so be sure to explore all the options before making a purchase decision.

There's no shortage of phones that work with T-Mobile in the U.S., but these are the only ones that are worth considering in 2023. This is an ever-evolving list that I'll update frequently to add more relevant options, so be sure to check back for newer and potentially better phones. There's a lot more in store for us in terms of smartphone launches in 2023, and I expect the list to expand very soon with relatively newer phones.

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.