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PCMag Australia * Best Picks/ * Computer & Electronics * Best Laptops * Best Monitors * Best Wireless Routers * Best Ultrawide Monitors * Best Printers * Best Keyboards * Best Robot Vacuums * Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras * Best Smart Locks * Best TVs * Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones * Best Gaming Headsets * Software * Best VPN Services * Best Antivirus Protection * Best Malware Removal and Protection Software * Best Password Managers * Best Web Hosting Services * Best Mac Antivirus Protection * Best Security Suites * Best Streaming Services Australia * Best Free Password Managers * Business * Best CRM Software * Best Email Marketing Software * Best Marketing Automation Software * Best Dedicated Web Hosting Services * Best Business Cloud Storage and File Sharing Providers * Best Password Managers for Businesses * Best Business Laptops * Best Computer Monitors for Business * Best Printers for Business * Reviews/ * News/ * How-To/ * Security * Business * Software * Deals Looking for a bargain? – Check out today's top tech deals! PCMag Australia Computers & Electronics Mobile Phones THE BEST PHONES FOR 2024 WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR AN ANDROID SMARTPHONE, AN IPHONE, OR A SIMPLE FEATURE PHONE, THESE ARE OUR TOP PICKS FOR A VARIETY OF BUDGETS ACROSS THE MAJOR US WIRELESS CARRIERS. by Iyaz Akhtar Jan 09, 2024 Related: The Best Android Phones for 2024 The Best Phones for Seniors in 2024 The Best Camera Phones for 2024 The Best 5G Phones for 2024 What's the Best iPhone to Buy in 2024? OVERVIEW * APPLE IPHONE 15 Best iPhone for Most People Jump To Details See It * APPLE IPHONE 15 PRO MAX Most Powerful iPhone Jump To Details See It * SAMSUNG GALAXY S23 ULTRA Best High-End Android Phone Jump To Details See It * SAMSUNG GALAXY A14 5G Best Budget Smartphone Jump To Details See It * SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 5 Best Folding Phone Jump To Details See It * GOOGLE PIXEL 8 Best Android Phone for Most People Jump To Details See It * MOTOROLA THINKPHONE Best Android for Professionals Jump To Details See It -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BEST AUSSIE SMARTPHONE DEALS AVAILABLE NOW * Apple iPhone 14 (128 GB) – A$1,199 (was $1,299, 8% off) * Samsung Galaxy S23+ 512GB – A$1,497 (was $1,849, 19% off) * Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 512GB – A$2,500 (was $2,799, 11% off) * Samsung Galaxy A34 5G 128GB – A$504.80 (was $599, 16% off) * Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB – A$933 (was $1,249, 25% off) Check out more Australian Electronics deals here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Editor's note: This article has been syndicated from our US site, and so predominantly focuses on US carriers. For most of us, mobile phones are at the center of our universe. The typical feature set of these palm-sized marvels is astounding. It's your phone, messaging device, web browser, camera, music player, GPS, and more. The phone you choose affects your life in a multitude of ways. That's why we're here to help you pick exactly the right one. We're a smartphone-dominated nation, with 5G now widely available across much of the land from three major, nationwide wireless carriers (Dish is also building out a 5G network). But some of our choices have constricted a bit: The smartphone OS marketplace is basically down to Apple's iOS and Google's Android. It's surprisingly difficult to find a really good simple voice phone nowadays, too. We've reviewed almost every smartphone available for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless, as well as for many of their sub-brands such as Cricket, Metro, and Visible. But rather than simply choosing the phones with the highest ratings here, we aim to deliver a list of devices that covers every budget and use case. We generally focus on the hottest, newest releases, but you can also find great value in slightly older phones, so make sure to shop around. We also include some helpful buying advice below the list that can help you throughout your search. Editor's note: This article has been syndicated from our US site, and so predominantly focuses on US carriers. YOU CAN TRUST OUR REVIEWS Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. Read our editorial mission & see how we test. Table of ContentsBest iPhone for Most PeopleMost Powerful iPhoneBest High-End Android PhoneBest Budget SmartphoneBest Folding PhoneBest Android Phone for Most PeopleBest Android for ProfessionalsWhich Cell Phone Carrier Has the Best Coverage?Do You Need a 5G Phone?Should You Get an Unlocked Phone?What Is the Best Smartphone?What Is the Best Feature Phone?What's the Best Time to Buy a New Phone? DEEPER DIVE: OUR TOP TESTED PICKS * APPLE IPHONE 15 Best iPhone for Most People 4.0 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT The base model iPhone 15 offers everything you want from an iPhone for a lot less money than the Pro version. It has a high-quality build with a waterproof chassis, a brighter screen, faster performance, and better cameras than ever. It also loses the notch of older iPhones in favor of the Dynamic Island and jumps from Apple's old Lightning connector to the more universal USB-C. WHO IT'S FOR If you don't need bleeding-edge hardware or the largest screen, the standard iPhone 15 won't let you down and will save you money at the same time. * PROS * Good size and weight * Solid performance * Capable cameras * USB-C port * Dynamic Island * CONS * No always-on display * No telephoto camera * Shorter battery life than other iPhones Get It Now See It Learn MoreApple iPhone 15 Review * APPLE IPHONE 15 PRO MAX Most Powerful iPhone 4.5 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most iPhone you can get, with the fastest processor, the best screen, the biggest battery, and the most capable cameras. A USB-C Gen 2 port, titanium frame, and versatile Action button are all new for this iteration, as are the powerful A17 Pro processor and 5x optical telephoto camera. If you're serious about photography and videography, this is the iPhone to get. WHO IT'S FOR Simply put, this is the best iPhone money can buy. It's for those who want all the new features and best performance available from an iPhone. * PROS * Fast, smooth performance * Excellent cameras * Long battery life * Useful Action button * USB-C connectivity opens up new features * Lighter than previous Pro Max * CONS * Expensive * Big Get It Now See It Learn MoreApple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review * SAMSUNG GALAXY S23 ULTRA Best High-End Android Phone 4.5 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers superb specs including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, up to 1TB of storage, up to 12GB of RAM, and the best camera stack you can get on an Android phone in the US. The built-in S Pen stylus is another significant point in its favor, particularly for artists and notetakers who like to sketch or jot on the run. WHO IT'S FOR If you want 10x telephoto zoom power, a 200MP primary camera, and stylus support, stop your search here. Just make sure you have the funds to afford this pricey flagship. * PROS * Large, bright display * Speedy performance * Excellent cameras * S Pen integration * Solid battery life * Durable hardware * Strong software update commitment * CONS * Expensive * Big, heavy build Get It Now See It Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review * SAMSUNG GALAXY A14 5G Best Budget Smartphone 4.0 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an excellent value for under $200. Highlights include a large 90Hz screen, a quality camera stack, and a guarantee of four years' worth of security updates. The build quality could be better, but the performance is still commendable for the price. WHO IT'S FOR If you don't want to spend more than $200 on a smartphone, we can confidently recommend this Samsung handset. It doesn't compete with pricier midrange models, but it still gives you far more features than a simple voice phone for less than two Franklins. * PROS * Large, sharp display with 90Hz refresh rate * Good performance for the price * Excellent software update policy * CONS * Not protected against dust or water * Screen is hard to see in sunlight Get It Now See It Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy A14 5G Review * SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 5 Best Folding Phone 4.5 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 works out all the major kinks that hindered the outgoing Z Fold 4. The lighter package and more compact body make it appreciably easier to carry around this incredibly powerful machine. Moreover, it finally loses the wedged shape when folded and closes entirely flat. It costs a lot of money, but Samsung justifies it with lots of features, such as advanced multitasking, S Pen stylus support, the latest 5G and Wi-Fi radios, and speedy performance. WHO IT'S FOR If you are looking for one device to replace your phone, tablet, and maybe even your laptop, the Z Fold 5 is built for you. It's the top folding phone in the market with good reason. * PROS * Incredibly versatile * Excellent productivity software * Beautiful screens * Slimmer, lighter design than previous generation * CONS * Pricey * Odd speaker placement Get It Now See It Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Review * GOOGLE PIXEL 8 Best Android Phone for Most People 4.0 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT The Pixel 8 offers most of the same features as the Pixel 8 Pro for $300 less. It has a great build and features incredibly powerful, AI-enhanced image and video editing tools like Magic Eraser and Best Take. It also stands out for its unique design and Google Assistant-powered search tools. WHO IT'S FOR If you enjoy mobile photography or want a pure Google software experience, the Pixel 8 is the Android phone to get. People who don't upgrade their phones often should appreciate Google's promised seven years of OS updates, too. * PROS * Competitively priced * Advanced AI features * Terrific cameras * Compact * Excellent build quality * CONS * Unimpressive battery life * No telephoto camera * Storage capped at 256GB Get It Now See It Learn MoreGoogle Pixel 8 Review * MOTOROLA THINKPHONE Best Android for Professionals 4.0 Excellent WHY WE PICKED IT Given that it shares branding with Lenovo's enterprise-friendly ThinkPad laptops, it's no surprise that the Motorola ThinkPhone is also for the business crowd. This sub-flagship phone offers a 144Hz screen, above-average battery life, and a rugged design that can resist dust and spills as well as any other flagship phone. The Ready For companion app enables app streaming, cross-device copy and pasting, and drag-and-drop file sharing with Windows PCs, while IT-friendly management apps (such as ThinkShield, Moto Secure, Moto OEMConfig, and Moto Device Manager) help you stay compliant with company policies. WHO IT'S FOR If you need a phone focused on work, the ThinkPhone is more than powerful, secure, and durable enough to handle your professional needs. Plus, it's just cool that the phone matches Lenovo's carbon fiber laptops. * PROS * Excellent performance * Speedy 144Hz display * Above-average battery life * Resistant to drops and water * CONS * Just-OK cameras Get It Now See It Learn MoreMotorola ThinkPhone Review BUYING GUIDE: THE BEST PHONES FOR 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHICH CELL PHONE CARRIER HAS THE BEST COVERAGE? Despite all the recent hardware and mobile software innovations, choosing a wireless service provider remains the most important decision. No matter what device you buy, it's a paperweight unless you have reliable wireless coverage. You should choose a carrier that offers fair prices and provides the best coverage in your area. If you're interested in performance and you live in a metro area, pay the most attention to where carriers have "mid-band" 5G and use phones that support that technology. UScellular is available only in about half the country. It has a reputation for good customer service, but we haven't been able to test it because its service is not available near where our staffers live. The newest national carrier is Dish. We tested its network early on, but the carrier now says coverage is available for roughly 70% of the US population. Google Pixel 8(Credit: Eric Zeman) There are also plenty of virtual operators that use the big three networks for service but offer lower monthly rates, cheaper international calls, or other benefits. They're typically better for less intensive users, and most don't have family plans. Mint Mobile (on T-Mobile's network), Consumer Cellular (on AT&T's), and Spectrum Mobile (on Verizon's) all got higher ratings in our Readers’ Choice survey than the companies that host their service. AT&T owns Cricket, T-Mobile owns Metro by T-Mobile, Verizon owns Visible, and Google owns Google Fi. Verizon now also owns Net10, Page Plus, Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Total Wireless, and Tracfone, although it might sell off some of those brands. We spotlight some of our favorite virtual operators in our roundup of the best cheap phone plans. We also have a story on the best cheap phones. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DO YOU NEED A 5G PHONE? 5G arrived in 2019, and most new smartphones now support some form of it. Though 5G has yet to change everything, it is still well on its way. If you're on T-Mobile, you should use a mid-band 5G-compatible phone. That's an easy choice—all T-Mobile 5G phones are mid-band-compatible now. AT&T has a strong 4G network and has made big strides in 2023 in deploying its C-band network. It has been studiously installing a new form of mid-band called 3.45GHz, but you need at least an iPhone 14, a Samsung Galaxy S23, a fifth-generation Samsung Galaxy foldable, or a Pixel 7 to take advantage of it. If you're in one of Verizon's C-band areas, upgrading to a C-band-compatible 5G phone is a good move. Otherwise, Verizon's "nationwide" 5G is only slightly faster than LTE, and you don't need to concern yourself with it too much. You can find more 5G recommendations on our list of the best 5G phones. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHOULD YOU GET AN UNLOCKED PHONE? Carriers have moved to increasingly more confusing service and pricing plans, so the value of unlocked phones has risen accordingly. Unlocked phones are those you buy from a third-party store or directly from the manufacturer; they aren't tied to a specific carrier. Usually, you can use them with AT&T or T-Mobile. But some popular unlocked phones work on all three major carriers, including Verizon. For the most flexibility, look for a recent Apple iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S or Z flagship, or Motorola phone. If you use a low-cost MVNO service, make sure your unlocked phone works on its network; we've received several emails stating that some MVNOs don't support phones that should work on their networks. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max(Credit: Eric Zeman) In the past, unlocked 4G phones typically worked on all the major carriers, but 5G phones are different. Apple, Google, and Samsung's 5G phones work on every major US carrier, but many other brands either have limited band support or are only certified for specific carriers. AT&T customers should take extra caution before buying an unlocked 5G phone because the carrier has not yet certified many of the phones its network theoretically supports. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS THE BEST SMARTPHONE? As more people become accustomed to instant email, web, music, and messaging access at all times of the day, regardless of where they are, smartphones have become almost indispensable. But that doesn't mean everyone wants the same mobile experience. Sometimes, a platform's user interface or app selection speaks to you, and that's all there is to it. With that in mind, and at the risk of attracting flames, let's break it down as well as we can for those who aren't so fully vested. There's actually less diversity in smartphone platforms and designs than ever. Android and iOS are the two remaining major smartphone platforms, both in US sales and in the availability of third-party apps. The iPhone has the best app store and the best media features. But Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem can feel stifling to some, and iOS isn't easy to customize or modify. There's far more variety among Android handsets, and Android's open-source nature makes it a tweaker's dream. But it also means fragmented third-party app compatibility, occasional bugs, carrier bloatware you can't remove, and less consistent OS updates. Strictly interested in Android? Head over to our roundup of the best Android phones. Baffled by the variety of iPhones? Here's how to decide which iPhone to buy. And if you want to document the world around you with your phone, we've rounded up the best camera phones, too. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS THE BEST FEATURE PHONE? Some people still use simpler phones, even though the number of choices is steadily dwindling. The top reasons to consider these models are their lower price, ease of use, and often cheaper associated service plans (because mobile data often isn't a factor). There are some great deals for voice-only plans on virtual carriers such as TracFone and Consumer Cellular. Unlike smartphones, feature phones are a matter of "what you see is what you get." They don't receive software upgrades or run thousands of additional apps. For voice quality, read our feature on how to make your cell phone calls sound better. Wireless network coverage is always the biggest factor, but individual phones can vary in reception, earpiece quality, transmission quality through the microphone, and sidetone (the echo of your voice that helps prevent you from yelling at the other person on the line). A phone with middling to poor reception quality can be almost impossible to use in a marginal coverage area. In contrast, one with excellent reception can make the best of the little signal that's available. Another point to consider: Some phones have much louder speakerphones than others. For more, see our picks for the best phones for seniors. We also have a roundup of the best phones for kids. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT'S THE BEST TIME TO BUY A NEW PHONE? The best time to buy a new phone is when you need one. If your phone took a header into the pool or met its demise on the pavement, get whatever is available that best meets your needs. But if you're watching your budget or riding the cutting edge, a little knowledge and planning can keep you from buying a phone that's about to be discounted or replaced with something newer and cooler. The pandemic and the global chipset shortage upended the usual phone release cycles for some time, but things are back to normal. For instance, Apple released the iPhone 15 models in September, as it has done in the past. Google's new Pixels came out in October. And Samsung stuck with its usual schedule of Galaxy S devices in February and Galaxy Z folding phones in the summer. Note that we update this story every time we review a new phone worth a spot on the list, so it changes often. Be sure to check back soon for our latest recommendations. Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story. Compare SpecsThe Best Phones for 2024 Our Pick Apple iPhone 15 See It Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max See It Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra See It Samsung Galaxy A14 5G See It Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 See It Google Pixel 8 See It Motorola ThinkPhone See It Editor's Rating 4.0 Excellent Review Editors' Choice 4.5 Excellent Review Editors' Choice 4.5 Excellent Review Editors' Choice 4.0 Excellent Review Editors' Choice 4.5 Excellent Review Editors' Choice 4.0 Excellent Review 4.0 Excellent Review Operating System iOS 17iOS 17Android 13Android 13Android 13Android 14Android 13 CPU Apple A16 BionicApple A17 ProQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxyMediaTek Dimensity 700Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxyGoogle Tensor G3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Dimensions 5.81 by 2.81 by 0.31 inches6.29 by 3.02 by 0.32 inches6.43 by 3.07 by 0.35 inches6.60 by 3.07 by 0.36 inches6.10 by 5.11 by 0.24 inches5.9 by 2.8 by 0.4 inches6.25 by 2.93 by 0.33 inches Screen Size 6.16.76.86.67.66.26.6 Screen Resolution 2556 by 1179 pixels2796 by 1280 pixels3,088 by 1,440 pixels2,400 by 1,080 pixels2,176 by 1,812 pixels2400 by 1080 pixels2400-by-1080 pixels Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) 48MP / 12MP / 12MP48MP/12MP/12MP;12MP200MP, 12MP, 10MP, 10MP; 12MP50MP, 2MP, 2MP; 13MP50MP, 12MP, 10MP; 10MP; 4MP50MP / 12MP / 10.5MP50MP, 13MP, 2MP; 32MP Battery Life (As Tested) 16 hours 15 minutes20 hours 15 minutes13 hours9 hours, 40 minutes11 hours, 20 minutes10 hours 20 minutes12 hours 05 minutes MORE INSIDE PCMAG.COM * The Best Android Phones for 2024 * The Best Phones for Seniors in 2024 * The Best Camera Phones for 2024 * The Best 5G Phones for 2024 * What's the Best iPhone to Buy in 2024? ABOUT IYAZ AKHTAR I’m one of PCMag’s mobile analysts. That means I check out phones, hotspots, and mobile networks. Technology has been my passion and hobby since I was a child. I’ve covered tech professionally for over 15 years at outlets including The Apple Blog, This Week in Tech, and CNET. MORE FROM IYAZ AKHTAR * Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Google Pixel 8: Which Android Phone Reigns Supreme? * Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Apple iPhone 15: Which Flagship Phone Is Best? * Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. S24+ vs. S24 Ultra: What's the Difference? * Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition * From AI to Wild Displays: The 4 Biggest Trends From CES 2024 COMMENTS Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. PC Magazine Digital Edition Read Great Stories Offline on Your Favorite Device! 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