The best 5G phones deliver much faster downloads, lower latency and a lot more
The ranks of the best 5G phones are swelling, as nearly all of the best phones available these days come with 5G compatibility. That includes Apple's cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE (2022), when it hits stores on March 18.
You can understand why phone makers are regularly releasing 5G-ready devices. 5G networks are getting more expansive. T-Mobile leads the way with a nationwide 5G network covering 310 million people, but Verizon and AT&T have launched new C-Band 5G networks that bring super fast speeds to a wider audience.
Our favorite 5G phones offer more than just speedier downloads. The best 5G phones feature outstanding cameras, big displays and super-sized batteries. Best of all, you don't even have to buy the priciest phone out there these days to get 5G, as compatibility is now standard on midrange and even budget handsets.
What are the best 5G phones?
The iPhone 13 Pro Max heads our list of the best 5G phones rankings, thanks to a big battery that helps fuel longer battery life than before. But the super-sized iPhone offers other benefits like even better 5G support than the iPhone 12 lineup provided, along with a fast-refreshing display.
Any of the new iPhones would be a good choice if you're looking for the best 5G phone, as all four models support a lot of different 5G networks. The iPhone 13 is particularly appealing, thanks to its $799 price. If you prefer Android to iOS devices, Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra leads the charge for the electronic giant's latest trio of flagship phones.
If you want one of the best performing cameras on a 5G phone, consider either the Google Pixel 5a or Pixel 6 — the latter has more features, though both are reasonably priced. And if budget is a concern, the Galaxy A32 5G from Samsung proves you don't need to pay up to get 5G connectivity on you phone. Likewise, the iPhone SE (2022) offers Apple fans a lower-cost way to get a 5G phone
iPhone 13 Pro Max
The iPhone 13 Pro Max is the best 5G phone available after replacing our previous pick, the iPhone 12 Pro Max. As good as that phone was, the iPhone 13 Pro Max improves upon it in every significant way, including ones that are important to 5G.
Like its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Pro Max offers extensive 5G support. But a bigger battery means the new Apple phone lasts longer on a charge — more than 12 hours in our testing, which is among the longest lasting phones currently on the market. The iPhone 13 Pro Max lasts that long even though Apple added a dynamically adjusting display, which has proven to be a power drain on other devices. Here, with the help of the efficient A15 Bionic chipset, the iPhone 13 Pro Max thrives.
The new phone weighs a little bit more than Apple’s older model. But with all the improvements and the extended 5G support, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a device 5G enthusiasts will love.
Samsung Galaxy S22
Samsung’s top-of-the-line Galaxy S model is the device to get if you want the very best 5G phone for Android. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a vast 6.8-inch screen with a fast refresh rate that’s been refined from last year’s model. The screen is brighter, too, and very easy to see even in direct sunlight.
The U.S. version of the Galaxy S22 Ultra uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, offering a modest performance boost over the Galaxy S21 Ultra. (In other markets, Samsung uses an Exynos 2200 chipset.) We wish that battery life was better — the S22 Ultra has taken a step back from the S21 Ultra in our testing — but Samsung has improved the phone in other key areas, such as cameras.
With the phone available from every major carrier, you won’t have any trouble connecting to 5G with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It’s a worthy addition to Samsung’s lineup.
3. iPhone 13
Apple’s iPhone Pro models get the fancier features, but the standard iPhone 13 is a way to enjoy a great 5G phone for less. Improvements throughout the iPhone 13 lineup — a bigger battery, a smaller notch, and wider 5G support than before — are on display here, but for a low $799 price.
Unlike past models, you don’t have to sacrifice storage. The iPhoine 13 features 128GB in its base model, double what Apple used to provide. That an a vast improvement in battery life over the iPhone 12 makes this an ideal 5G phone.
4. Google Pixel 5a
5G phones have fallen in price, so you'll find cheaper options than the $449 Pixel 5a. But you won't find many that handle mobile photography as well as Google's latest midrange phone.
Unlike the Pixel 4a and Pixel 3a, the Pixel 5a sports two rear cameras — a 16MP ultrawide lens and a 12.2MP main shooter. That gives the new phone added flexibility, and, when combined with Google's computational photography strengths, you can be assured of getting some excellent photos from this sub-$500 phone.
The U.S. version of the Pixel 5a works with both sub-6GHz and mmWave-based 5G, so you should be able to use the phone on any network. And Google has included a beefy battery so you'll go longer between charges than you did with previous Pixel models.
5. iPhone 13 mini
Most of the best 5G phones tend be on the oversized side, but not so the iPhone 13 mini. Like its predecessor from a year ago, the iPhone 13 mini comes in a handheld size that weighs less than 5 ounces. Yet, it packs enough support for 5G to work with bands on all the major carriers.
Apple increased the battery size from the iPhone 12 mini, so the iPhone 13 mini lasts longer on a charge. Battery life is still below average relative to other phones, but few other phones run on a chip as powerful as Apple’s A15 Bionic chipset — at least until the new iPhone SE with 5G arrives.
OnePlus 9 Pro
The OnePlus 9 Pro has two features that typically hamper a phone’s battery life — 5G connectivity and a display that can offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and more immersive games. Both can consume a lot of battery power, but that wasn’t the case when we tested the OnePlus 9 Pro and its 4,500 mAh battery. The phone lasted more than 10.5 hours, even with its higher screen refresh rate turned on.
That’s because the OnePlus 9 Pro features a dynamically refreshing display that adjusts its speed all the way down to 1Hz for static activities, only hitting 120Hz when you benefit from a faster refreshing screen. And when it’s time to charge, the OnePlus 9 Pro sets the standard for speedy recharging, both wirelessly and with a wired connection.
A Snapdragon 888 chipset and plenty of RAM means the OnePlus 9 Pro can match any Android phone for performance. The phone is coming to T-Mobile, where it will work with the Uncarrier’s 5G network. Verizon also certified the OnePlus 9 Pro for its 5G network, too, with the phone able to use Verizon's nationwide and Ultra Wideband networks; the cheaper OnePlus 9 only works with nationwide 5G and not faster Ultra Wideband connections.
The OnePlus 9 Pro starts at $969, but currently the only version available in the U.S. is the $1,069 edition that packs in more RAM and storage (12GB/256GB) than the 8GB/128GB base model. Note that the OnePlus 10 Pro is coming to the U.S. at the end of March, giving fans of OnePlus devices another 5G phone to choose from.
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
5G is available even below $300. One such device is the Galaxy A32 5G, a chunky phone that you can take to any carrier and get sub-6Ghz support. You can buy the Galaxy A32 through AT&T or T-Mobile, or bring an unlocked model to Verizon. And at $280, you might be tempted to do so.
If we had to lodge one major complaint against the Galaxy A32, we'd knock it for the subpar 720p LCD. At 6.5 inches, that's a low pixel density and you can visibly see it if you look close enough. But the two main cameras work great for something at this price point, much better than the A32's direct competitor, the OnePlus Nord N200 5G.
Grab the Galaxy A32 if you need the best cheap 5G phone around. It won't wow you at all, but it gets the job done.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max. The best 5G phone you can buy. ...
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Best 5G phone for Android users. ...
- iPhone 13. A more affordable 5G iPhone. ...
- Google Pixel 5a. The top budget 5G camera phone. ...
- iPhone 13 mini. Best compact 5G phone. ...
- iPhone 13 Pro. ...
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus. ...
- OnePlus 9 Pro.
