The best T-Mobile phones to buy in 2024 (Hand-picked guide)

After acquiring Sprint, T-Mobile became a force to be reckoned with, gaining millions of subscribers and those all-important mid-band 5G frequencies. Team Magenta continues to be an important competitor to both Verizon and AT&T, especially when it comes to 5G deployment in the US.

But most users aren't concerned with 5G or the merger. You probably aren't either. If you're here, that means you're looking to get a brand-new phone. You've come to the right place, as we have assembled a lineup that will satisfy any need.

But if you're coming from another carrier, then you also need to select a plan. We can help with that as well, just head over to our Best T-Mobile Plans article!

Choosing a phone can be an overwhelming task, especially if you're not following the industry and have a hard time distinguishing between models and brands. Fear not, with just a few questions you'll narrow it down to maybe a couple of devices.

First off, do you want an Apple iPhone or an Android phone? Most people usually stick to one operating system, but jumps from one to the other are also not uncommon, plus now there are enticing phones on each side. If you've spent money on iOS apps, music, or Apple subscription services, then obviously, iPhones are what you should be looking at. If not, then Android phones offer a wider variety of brands and designs, so there's more to pick from.

Second, of course, is the budget. With monthly payments, all phones seem very affordable, but keep in mind that with a two-year contract, a relatively small difference in the monthly payment can mean hundreds of dollars eventually. These days, even budget phones are very capable and can do most things flagships can, even if it's not at quite the same level.

Third: consider your needs. Are you constantly taking pictures? Or would you rather have a phone that lasts days between charges? We all use our phones in a specific way, so think about what you're doing most with your current phone and what features you might need the most.

With that foundation in place, time to see which of these T-Mobile phones is the perfect match for you.

If you really want the best of the best, then the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the one phone you should strive to get in 2024, setting the benchmark for all the other flagship smartphones. Titanium design, top-notch performance, and pretty much everything you might need from a phone.

Equipped with a remarkable 200MP camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 10MP 3X telephoto lens, and a new 5X periscope camera, Samsung's premium flagship excels in smartphone photography, and did amazing in the camera tests during our Galaxy S24 Ultra review. Despite the omission of the 10X camera found in its predecessor, it still delivers excellent zoom capabilities.

With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip at its core, the S24 Ultra ensures top-tier performance, while the Galaxy AI suite delivers awesome extra functionality powered by generative AI. Additionally, the included S Pen stylus enhances its productivity features. 

You can purchase the Galaxy S24 Ultra for up to $800 off its regular $1,300 starting price with an eligible trade-in and plan.

With the Tensor G4 on deck, the Pixel 9 Pro XL supports Google's Gemini Nano, the best large-language model that ushers in a new era for AI. It also packs some 16GB of RAM for future-proofing AI capabilities, as well as super-bright 3,000 nits of max brightness on the Super Actua display.

Hardware-aside, arguably the more exciting change is the revamped design language that brings the Pixel 9 Pro XL closer to its competitors: the iPhone and the Galaxy. After our Pixel 9 Pro XL review, we were happy with how the phone felt in the hand. The new more boxy shape made it more comfortable, and the refreshed design of the camera module gives the phone a more modern look while keeping the OG Google Pixel spirit.

Camera-wise, the setup is updated in comparison with last year's Pixel 8 Pro. Hopefully, this will translate to a decent camera quality.

The brand-new Galaxy S23 Ultra is easily among the best Android phones you could consider in early 2023. The latest Android powerhouse features Qualcomm's top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, which vastly improves the performance and overall camera capability of the top Galaxy flagship. With a super-versatile quad-camera setup, helmed by a 200MP main camera and boasting an excellent periscope lens, this one is the poster child for Android's hardware and software advancements. At least for the first half of 2023, this one will be the best phone to consider--and buy.

Although some may argue that the differences with the previous generation phone are rather small, these certainly do make a difference in everyday life. The chip performs much better and delivers an excellent battery life, both of which have been lacking on most previous Exynos-powered Galaxy flagships. In the meantime, the display is mostly the same, but now it comes with a super-low minimum brightness of just 0.8 nits, which makes this one extremely comfortable to use in low-light conditions, especially at night.

Our full Galaxy S23 Ultra review will probably paint a much better picture if you're trying to make a buying decision, but overall, this phone should be short-listed. Mind the high full price though, look for trade-in opportunities and other promotions that could shed hundreds off its original price tag.