T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless carrier in the United States. It offers a wide selection of smartphones from various OEMs all with different capabilities and price points. Since there are so many to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out which are 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 (flagship, cheap…) below. We’ll also discuss the possibility of bringing your own phone to the network and briefly go 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 S20 series — flagship

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 devices obviously sit at the top of this list of the best T-Mobile phones. While the Galaxy S series has long defined the very best of Android, that quality now comes at a huge price: the cheapest model in the Galaxy S20 family has an MSRP of $1,000. Still, 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.

The phones are powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset in the US, and all three can connect to T-Mobile’s 5G network. However, only the Plus and Ultra models support the mmWave spectrum. You also get an IP68 rating, wireless charging, and an in-display fingerprint scanner regardless of which of the three phones you go for. But you don’t get a headphone jack, making this the first Galaxy S series to drop it.

Samsung Galaxy S20 specs:

Display: 6.2-inch, QHD+

6.2-inch, QHD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 865

Snapdragon 865 RAM: 12GB

12GB Storage: 128GB

Cameras: 64, 12, and 12MP

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

10MP Battery: 4,000mAh

4,000mAh Software: Android 10

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+

6.7-inch, QHD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 865

Snapdragon 865 RAM: 12GB

12GB Storage: 128/256/512GB

Cameras: 64, 12, and 12MP

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

10MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 10

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra specs:

Display: 6.9-inch, QHD+

6.9-inch, QHD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 865

Snapdragon 865 RAM: 12/16GB

12/16GB Storage: 128/256/512GB

Cameras: 108, 48, and 12MP

108, 48, and 12MP Front camera: 40MP

40MP Battery: 5,000mAh

5,000mAh Software: Android 10

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series — flagship

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. It also feels more premium in the hand thanks to its glass and metal construction. The rear 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, 12MP

64, 12, 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, 12MP

108, 12, 12MP Front camera: 10MP

10MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 10

3. LG V60 ThinQ 5G — flagship

The LG V60 is perhaps the best V series phone to reach the market in years. It offers great battery life, a refreshed design, and a headphone jack. The handset is powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset and supports expandable storage as well as wireless charging. It also comes with an IP68 rating. All these things combined make it one of the best T-Mobile phones you can get.

Related: The best LG phones you can buy

No phone is perfect, and we are not fans of the V60’s camera and software, but it has a great price that is hundreds of dollars lower than the competition. You can get the phone with or without the dual-screen accessory, which provides additional screen real estate for multitasking.

LG V60 ThinQ 5G specs:

Display: 6.8-inch, Full HD+

6.8-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 865

Snapdragon 865 RAM: 8GB

8GB Storage: 128GB

Cameras: 64 and 13MP + ToF

64 and 13MP + ToF Front camera: 10MP

10MP Battery: 5,000mAh

5,000mAh Software: Android 10

4. OnePlus 8 5G — flagship

The OnePlus 8 is not the greatest or the latest phone from the company, but it is a great offering if you want powerful specs and 5G connectivity at a decent price. The device packs the Snapdragon 865 processor under the hood along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a 90Hz refresh rate, dual speakers, and an in-display fingerprint reader. Then there’s also a fantastic software experience thanks to the company OxygenOS skin that sits on top of Android 10.

While those specs look like they should cost a grand, the phone comes in at about $700. This makes it one of the best T-Mobile phones around, especially if you are looking for the best bang per buck.

OnePlus 8 5G specs:

Display: 6.55-inch, Full HD+

6.55-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 865

Snapdragon 865 RAM: 8GB

8GB Storage: 128GB

Cameras: 48, 16, and 2MP

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

16MP Battery: 4,300mAh

4,300mAh Software: Android 10

5. Samsung A71 5G — mid-range

The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G is a great mid-range device that competes well with others in its class. It offers an excellent screen with solid battery life and speedy performance. It also supports 5G.

The phone has a great build quality and comes with a headphone jack, which is missing on both the more expensive Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 765G that offers similar performance as the older Snapdragon 845 chipset, which is more than good enough for most people. There are four cameras at the back that are quite good, although we’d prefer if Samsung skipped the macro lens and went with a telephoto instead.

All these things combined make the Galaxy A71 5G one of the best phones you can get from T-Mobile. But although it’s a lot more affordable than Samsung’s high-end offerings, it still isn’t exactly cheap.

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G specs:

Display: 6.7-inch, Full HD+

6.7-inch, Full HD+ SoC: Snapdragon 765G

Snapdragon 765G RAM: 6GB

6GB Storage: 128GB

Cameras: 64, 5, 5, and 12MP

64, 5, 5, and 12MP Front camera: 32MP

32MP Battery: 4,500mAh

4,500mAh Software: Android 10

6. Apple iPhone SE — mid-range

Budget premium phones are all the hype in 2020, with the Pixel 4a and iPhone SE offering amazing quality at very accessible price points. The Pixel 4a isn’t in the carrier’s lineup yet, 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

7. Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL — mid-range

Although the Pixel 3a phones aren’t as powerful as the Pixel 4 or 4a series, they still pack what counts: the Google camera. The camera is frequently cited as one of the best you can get in any smartphone, and with the Pixel 3a series, you’re getting that camera for very little money. Additionally, you’re going to get frequent Android security patches directly from Google and be one of the first to experience new versions of Android, as they always land on Pixel devices first.

If you don’t know how to pick between the 3a or the 3a XL, it’s pretty simple: the 3a XL is larger and has a slightly bigger battery. Other than that, the devices are essentially the same. Just keep in mind that the Pixel 4a has already launched, but it is not available on T-Mobile yet. You’re stuck with the 3a series for now, although you can get the Pixel 4a unlocked and then bring it to T-Mobile’s network.

Google Pixel 3a specs:

Display: 5.6-inch, Full HD+

5.6-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 670

Snapdragon 670 RAM: 4GB

4GB Storage: 64GB

Camera: 12.2MP

12.2MP Front camera: 8MP

8MP Battery: 3,000mAh

3,000mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie

Google Pixel 3a XL specs:

Display: 6.0-inch, Full HD+

6.0-inch, Full HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 670

Snapdragon 670 RAM: 4GB

4GB Storage: 64GB

Camera: 12.2MP

12.2MP Front camera: 8MP

8MP Battery: 3,700mAh

3,700mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie

8. LG Velvet — mid-range

The LG Velvet isn’t the most powerful phone on the market, but its Snapdragon 765G chipset should be enough to keep most users happy. It also comes with a great display. But what really has everyone going is the phone’s design. The device is flashy and fashion-forward. It’s great for those who don’t need the best performance but would like a great-looking handset.

Also read: LG Velvet review

The LG Velvet supports 5G and is MIL-STD-810G compliant. It also features an IP68 rating, which not a lot of mid-rangers have. Then there’s the microSD card slot, a headphone jack, and wireless charging.

LG Velvet specs:

Display: 6.8-inch, Full HD+

6.8-inch, Full HD+ SoC: Snapdragon 765G

Snapdragon 765G RAM: 6/8GB

6/8GB Storage: 128GB

Cameras: 48, 8, and 5MP

48, 8, and 5MP Front camera: 16MP

16MP Battery: 4,300mAh

4,300mAh Software: Android 10

9. Samsung Galaxy A21 — cheap T-Mobile phone

If you’re on a budget and don’t demand a lot from your phone, the Galaxy A21 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.

The screen of the device is quite large, coming in at 6.5 inches, but it only has HD+ resolution. There are four cameras at the back that 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 4,000mAh battery, and Android 10 with Samsung’s One UI on top.

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

Samsung Galaxy A21 specs:

Display: 6.5-inch, HD+

6.5-inch, HD+ SoC: Mediatek Helio P35

Mediatek Helio P35 RAM: 3GB

3GB Storage: 32GB

Cameras: 16, 8, 2, and 2MP

16, 8, 2, and 2MP Front camera: 13MP

13MP Battery: 4,000mAh

4,000mAh Software: Android 10

10. LG Stylo 6 — cheap T-Mobile phone

If you want a phone with a massive display and a stylus but can’t afford a Galaxy Note device, the Stylo 6 is for you. The handset comes with a 6.8-inch display, Mediatek’s Helio P35 chipset, and a 4,000mAh battery. The stylus isn’t nearly as feature-packed as the one you get with the Note 20, but it gets the job done.

Read next: MediaTek chip guide

Other specs and features of the Stylo 6 include a triple-camera setup at the back, expandable storage, and a headphone jack. The phone runs Android 10 and has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

LG Stylo 6 specs:

Display: 6.8-inch, Full HD+

6.8-inch, Full HD+ SoC: Mediatek Helio P35

Mediatek Helio P35 RAM: 3GB

3GB Storage: 64GB

Cameras: 13, 5, and 5MP

13, 5, and 5MP Front camera: 13MP

13MP Battery: 4,000mAh

4,000mAh Software: Android 10

11. Samsung Galaxy A11 — cheap T-Mobile phone

The last Samsung device on our list of the best T-Mobile phones is the Galaxy A11. It offers less than the A21 listed above, but it does come in cheaper.

You get a 6.4-inch HD+ punch-hole display that’s surrounded by thin bezels for a modern look and feel. The Snapdragon 450 chipset that’s under the hood won’t break any benchmark records, but it’s still more than capable for basic day-to-day tasks. There’s also a microSD card slot on board, a headphone jack, and a fingerprint scanner that’s located at the back.

Sasmung Galaxy A11 specs:

Display: 6.4-inch, HD+

6.4-inch, HD+ SoC: Snapdragon 450

Snapdragon 450 RAM: 2/3GB

2/3GB Storage: 32GB

Cameras: 13, 5, and 2MP

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

8MP Battery: 4,000mAh

4,000mAh Software: Android 10

12. Motorola Moto E (2020) — cheap T-Mobile phone

Credit: Motorola

Motorola is known for making great affordable handsets. Their Moto G and Moto E series have been known to keep casual users happy and bank accounts healthy. Simply named the Motorola Moto E, this 2020 iteration has great specs considering the phone comes in at just $150. This makes it one of the best affordable T-Mobile phones you can get your hands on.

Next: The best Motorola phones you can find

The Moto E has a 6.2-inch 720p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset, 2GB of RAM, and a 3,550mAh battery with 5W wired charging. It sports 32GB of storage that can be expanded by an additional 512GB. Check out the rest of the specs below to see if the sacrifices are worth the savings.

Motorola Moto E specs:

Display: 6.2-inch, HD+

6.2-inch, HD+ Chipset: Snapdragon 632

Snapdragon 632 RAM: 2GB

2GB Storage: 32GB

Cameras: 13 and 2MP

13 and 2MP Front camera: 5MP

5MP Battery: 3,550mAh

3,550mAh Software: Android 10

What about basic/flip T-Mobile phones?

T-Mobile’s selection of basic and flip phones is bad, as the carrier only has one model on offer at the moment. It’s a flip phone from Alcatel called the Go Flip 3, which is cheap at just $100 and good for calling and texting.

It has two displays and large buttons that make the phone a great choice for elderly people. 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 3 but still want a basic or a flip phone, the best thing to do is to buy an unlocked device from a retailer like Amazon and then bring it to T-Mobile’s network. There are plenty of great options available, some of which you can check out in our dedicated post by clicking here.

T-Mobile prepaid phones

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 a few differences, with one of them being that you can’t get the Pixel 3a phones prepaid. But you can get older devices like the Galaxy S10 and iPhone 8, which are not available for postpaid customers.

We have a dedicated post of the best T-Mobile prepaid phones, which includes 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 have to 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 a period of 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. 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 certain 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.

If you buy an unlocked phone, on the other hand, 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 a lot of additional apps (bloatware) you don’t get on unlocked phones. The selection of phones can be limited as well, as not every popular phone is sold by the carrier. For example, T-Mobile sells the Pixel 3a series, but not the Pixel 4a. At least for now. It also sells the OnePlus 8, but it does not offer 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

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 what your wants and needs are, 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 post at the link.

Essentials Magenta Magenta Plus Cost $60 for one line

$45 for two lines

$35 for three lines

$30 for four lines $70 for one line

$60 for two lines

$40 for three lines

$35 for four lines $85 for one line

$70 for two lines

$47 for three lines

$43 for four lines Unlimited Talk & Text Yes Yes Yes Unlimited 4G Data Yes Yes Yes Mobile Hotspot Unlimited 3G 3GB of 4G LTE, then unlimited 3G 20GB of 4G LTE, then unlimited 3G Netflix & Quibi No Netflix Basic, one screen

Quibi Netflix Standard, two screens

Quibi 55 Plus Plan Yes Yes Yes Military Plan No Yes Yes First Responder Plan No Yes Yes

Frequently asked questions

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 have to meet certain 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 for now, although the CDMA network will be phased out over time.