Overview
- Jump To Details
![Apple iPhone 16]()
Apple iPhone 16
Best iPhone for Most People - Jump To Details
![Google Pixel 8a]()
Google Pixel 8a
Best Midrange Android Phone - Jump To Details
![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra]()
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best for Artists and Note-Takers - Jump To Details
![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6]()
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Best Folding Phone - Jump To Details
![Google Pixel 9]()
Google Pixel 9
Best Android Phone for Most People - Jump To Details
![Samsung Galaxy A15 5G]()
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Best Affordable Android Phone - Jump To Details
![Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max]()
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best iPhone for Power Users - Jump To Details
![Google Pixel 9 Pro]()
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Best for Photographers - Jump To Details
![Samsung Galaxy S24]()
Samsung Galaxy S24
Best Small Android Flagship - Jump To Details
![OnePlus 12]()
OnePlus 12
Best Alternative to Google and Samsung
The three national carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—all offer multiple varieties of 5G service around the US, and you need a 5G-capable phone to take advantage. Sorting out which phone is compatible with which 5G network can be a headache, but PCMag is here to make things easy. We've been covering and reviewing mobile phones for 30 years and know everything there is to know about 5G. Generally, most phones over $200 pack at least some form of 5G. Our top phone recommendations run from affordable handsets like the Editors' Choice-winning Samsung Galaxy A15 5G to the flagship-level Google Pixel 9 and Apple iPhone 16. Be sure to read the reviews of all our top picks and familiarize yourself with our 5G buying guide below so you can be a 5G expert, too.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
![Apple iPhone 16]()
Apple iPhone 16
Best iPhone for Most PeopleWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
This is the iPhone for everyone. It balances capabilities, usability, connectivity, and price well.
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone 16 model
- High-quality hardware
- Swift performance
- Sharp camera quality
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
Cons
- 60Hz display
Learn MoreApple iPhone 16![Google Pixel 8a]()
Google Pixel 8a
Best Midrange Android PhoneWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Powerful performance
- Useful AI features
- Long battery life
- Seven-year software support
Cons
- Older protective glass on the front
- Relatively slow charging
Learn MoreGoogle Pixel 8a Review![Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra]()
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best for Artists and Note-TakersWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Speedy performance
- Beautiful screen
- Terrific cameras
- Useful AI features
- Comes with S Pen stylus
- Long support commitment
Cons
- Big
- Expensive
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review![Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6]()
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Best Folding PhoneWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Improved, more durable design
- Wider cover screen
- Excellent cameras
- Blazing performance
- Bright displays
- Long software support window
Cons
- Very expensive
- Lagging charging speeds
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Review![Google Pixel 9]()
Google Pixel 9
Best Android Phone for Most PeopleWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Useful and fun AI features
- Good performance
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Limited storage
- Doesn't include Gemini Live subscription
Learn MoreGoogle Pixel 9 Review![Samsung Galaxy A15 5G]()
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Best Affordable Android PhoneWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
The A15 5G is for people who want the latest in connectivity but need to stick to a budget.
Pros
- Affordable
- Long battery life
- Competent cameras
- Excellent software upgrade policy
Cons
- No IP rating
- Plastic build
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy A15 5G Review![Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max]()
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best iPhone for Power UsersWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For?
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.
Pros
- Leading video features
- Outstanding battery life
- Large, bright screen
- Strong connectivity
Cons
- Exceedingly large
- Pricey
Learn MoreApple iPhone 16 Pro Max Review![Google Pixel 9 Pro]()
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Best for PhotographersWhy We Picked It
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,
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Innovative AI features
- Top-tier cameras
- Long battery life
- Good performance
- Strong wireless connections
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Low starting storage
- Some Gemini tools lack polish
Learn MoreGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Review![Samsung Galaxy S24]()
Samsung Galaxy S24
Best Small Android FlagshipWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Compact, premium build
- Flagship performance
- Useful AI features
- Seven-year software support commitment
Cons
- Limited RAM and storage offerings
- Can get warm while gaming
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy S24 Review![OnePlus 12]()
OnePlus 12
Best Alternative to Google and SamsungWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Bright, crisp display
- Excellent battery life
- Rapid wired and wireless charging
- Powerful processor
Cons
- Lacks mmWave 5G
- Not as waterproof as competing phones
- No special AI features
Learn MoreOnePlus 12 Review
Buying Guide: The Best 5G Phones for 2024
Do You Need a 5G Phone in 2024?
For 5G to be appreciably faster than 4G, it needs to run on wider channels. Think of those channels as broader lanes on the information superhighway. Even without those channels, 5G still helps carriers by increasing their capacity to serve more users with bigger service plans. But if you want performance, you need those wider channels.
Right now, of the heavily promoted forms of US 5G, T-Mobile's mid-band "UC" network, Verizon's "UW" mid- and high-band networks, and AT&T's "5G+" network offer those wider channels. The other forms of 5G in the US reuse 4G channels, which gives them 4G-like performance but under the banner of 5G.
In general, if you see just "5G" on your phone in the US, it's going to feel like 4G. If you see "5G UC," "5G UW," or "5G+," you should experience better speeds.
At this point, the three carriers have done a solid job of deploying both types of 5G. For example, AT&T and Verizon cover much of the country with 3.45GHz and C-band, respectively. Of course, your phone also needs to support C-band for you to see a benefit, a spec we cover in all of our in-depth reviews.
All the phones Verizon sells support its high-band mmWave network, but not all unlocked 5G phones do. If you're looking for an unlocked 5G phone that supports all the bands, consider the Google Pixel line, the latest Apple iPhone, or the Samsung Galaxy S and Z families.
If you're with T-Mobile, almost any current phone supports its quicker 5G service.
Between T-Mobile's 5G expansion and the rollout of C-band coverage on AT&T and Verizon, the situation is always changing. Make sure to check back often for all the details on the phones that can take advantage of these advancements.
Sascha Segan and Dave LeClair contributed to this story.
