The Best 5G Phones for 2024

The Apple iPhone 16 includes a great blend of features that should make most people happy. It's got a refined design, a bright display, a quicker A18 processor and Apple Intelligence, improved cameras, and solid battery life all wrapped up in a piece of hardware that's easy to hold and use. And, critically, Apple didn't skimp on the 5G. It's just as 5G-capable as the more expensive Pro line, including mmWave support.

This is the iPhone for everyone. It balances capabilities, usability, connectivity, and price well.

Google's software is the choice of the techno-elite for its speed, elegance, and simplicity. The Pixel 8a brings you that software, along with years of Android updates before anyone else gets them, and an excellent camera stack all at an affordable price with solid 5G performance along for the ride.

Google's Pixel phones aren't the best-selling Android models, but many still prefer them because of their clean software and capable cameras. The Pixel 8a is the best phone you can get for the price and it works on nearly every 5G network available.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers incredible 5G performance across all the major carriers' most important bands. Other standout features include Galaxy AI tools, a 5x optical zoom camera, a built-in S Pen stylus, excellent battery life, and class-leading performance.

If you need a powerful zoom camera and/or like the idea of a stylus for drawing or taking notes, the S24 Ultra is the phone to get from Samsung's current lineup. Its excellent 5G performance means you can get a signal wherever you travel, while its large screen makes watching movies enjoyable.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is pricey, but it's one of the most capable smartphones on the market. Its book-style folding design gives you a large 7.8-inch interior screen for multitasking with up to three apps at a time. It also supports the S Pen stylus (not included) and Samsung's DeX software for desktop-like productivity. Moreover, it's a great 5G smartphone.

The Z Fold 6 is for power users who need a device that can work as hard as they do and connect to the world's fastest networks.

The $799 Google Pixel 9 is an exciting and relatively affordable option thanks to its Gemini AI-driven feature set, excellent battery life, highly capable cameras, and long-term support commitment from Google. The phone covers all the major 5G bands for US buyers and is available unlocked as well as from carriers. It's a strong all-around contender.

The Pixel 9 isn't quite as capable as its Pro siblings, the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, but it offers all the features that matter and excellent performance at a lower price.

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is one of the cheapest ways to access 5G networks. It supports the right 5G bands for the US and turns in solid performance as an affordable, everyday device. We particularly like the large screen, long battery life, and capable cameras.

The A15 5G is for people who want the latest in connectivity but need to stick to a budget.

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is one of the most capable phones in the market from a wireless perspective. It includes C-band, sub-6GHz, and mmWave 5G spectrum, and it works well on all the major and minor US carriers, as well as wireless networks abroad. Moreover, it offers top LTE 4G coverage for areas where 5G isn't available. It also has a fantastic screen, outstanding battery life, the best cameras on an iPhone, and slick software. Let's not forget the new A18 Pro processor and Apple Intelligence.

If you need the most capable 5G phone in the market—and an overall good phone—the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the device for you.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is a lot like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro. It has a full range of support for 5G and 4G networks, advanced Wi-Fi and GPS, and excellent NFC. It also provides fantastic software, decent battery life, delightful AI-assisted extras—the best mobile cameras,

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is for people who want the best possible Android camera phone with 5G on board at a fair price. It's an especially good option for photographers who like to edit after the fact.

You don't have many choices for small, premium Android phones. The Galaxy S24 isn't actually a small phone, but it's as small as you can get and still enjoy class-leading performance. Its excellent 5G reception is similar to its larger stablemates and it has all the same Galaxy AI features as well.

If you want a smaller Android phone but don't want to compromise on speed or the quality of your 5G reception, get the Galaxy S24.

OnePlus' Android phones take a different tack than those from Google, Motorola, and Samsung. The company has a distinct design language and genuinely helpful software that differentiates itself from run-of-the-mill Android. Its latest flagship, the OnePlus 12, has killer specs, including a top screen, a leading processor, long battery life, and capable cameras.

If phones from Google and Samsung aren't your thing, the OnePlus 12 is a worthwhile alternative and covers all the 5G bands you need for reliable service.