The Best AT&T Phones for 2024

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Is AT&T's 5G Network Good?

AT&T typically ranks third in national network surveys, but it still offers excellent LTE 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 Verizon and T-Mobile. 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 mmWave/high-band frequencies for its 5G networks. Low-band frequencies are capable of reaching far-away devices, but the trade-off is lower speeds. If your device connects to AT&T's low-band frequencies for 5G, it will display "5G" on the screen. You could see speeds below 100Mbps in this scenario.

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 away from their towers, and connection speeds can exceed 1Gbps.

Meanwhile, mmWave/high-band frequencies are very short-range and can offer 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+."

What Should You Look for in an AT&T Phone?

Many people get their phones with the help of a monthly plan (typically over 36 months with AT&T), so even premium models are viable choices for many subscribers. It's not difficult to get the latest and greatest devices 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, of course, though their high upfront costs might not be feasible for all. Just make sure to check that AT&T officially supports (link opens a PDF) the unlocked phone you want before you buy it. That linked list might not always be up-to-date, but any new Apple, Google, and Samsung phones are reasonably safe bets for compatibility. Devices 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. Devices in the current Galaxy S24 and Z 6 foldable, Google Pixel 9, and the iPhone 16 lineups all take advantage of AT&T's C-band. If you look into a phone on AT&T's site, you can open up the Features & Specs section and then go to the Wireless Technology portion. Look for either the words "C-band" or n77 to see if the device supports the right spectrum.

More generally, if you are weighing several different options for your AT&T phone, make sure you check for any deals that may get you a better device for 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 finally 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, take a look at our lists of the best phones for T-Mobile and Verizon.

Dave LeClair contributed to this report.