Buying guide for best 5G phones
Wireless carriers might not explain what 5G is when you purchase a new phone, but essentially it refers to the latest (fifth generation) mobile network, the fastest currently available. That means a 5G phone can receive data from and send data to a wireless network faster than a 4G phone. It’s also more reliable than previous generations of mobile networks, meaning you’re less likely to experience latency or bad service. Most new smartphones now support 5G.
Choosing a new 5G phone is a matter of personal preference, so consider your needs and the features that are most important to you, including screen size, processing power, camera quality, storage size, operating system and battery life.
Our top pick, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, is a leading Android smartphone that works well with 5G mobile networks. It has an advanced camera system, plenty of RAM for multitasking and a long-lasting battery.
Expert TIp
As soon as you unbox your new phone, go through setting up all of your security settings, including setting a screen passcode and using the built-in tools to locate your phone if it’s ever lost or stolen.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Our list: The best 5G phones
This Samsung Galaxy phone is one of the best Android phones, and we’ve named it our top pick for a handful of reasons. For starters, we love its sleek design and that it’s made primarily from recycled glass and plastic. It has a massive 200-megapixel primary camera sensor and three other lenses for high-quality shots even from a distance. It records video in 8K, and the stabilization technology means your videos will be silky smooth. The battery offers up to 49 hours of talk time, and the octa-core processor makes it one of the fastest smartphones. And since it has 12 gigabytes of RAM, it’s rare to experience performance issues or lagging with this high-end phone.
If you want a smartphone that takes spectacular photos and videos and is an excellent value, take a look at the Google 6. Although it isn’t the latest Google Pixel smartphone, it offers many of the same features as newer models and is a fantastic bargain. The Pixel 6 has an all-day adaptive battery, which means it prioritizes the apps you’re using so background apps don’t drain the power too much, and it runs smoothly with a Tensor processor. The camera has a 50-megapixel primary sensor and takes exquisite photos with rich colors and clarity. This phone also comes equipped with Google Assistant.
If you’re looking for a change from traditional smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip4 might be right up your alley. Its innovative design allows the screen to bend in half, making it one of the most compact smartphones out there. You can use it in full-screen mode like a regular smartphone or in clamshell mode during video calls and while running other apps that support it. This phone’s 4 nm processor runs smoothly, with a long-lasting battery that supports Super Fast Charging. The impressive camera system takes excellent photos, and the Quick Shot feature lets you take a selfie from the cover screen.
The Galaxy S23 is the entry-level model of Samsung’s flagship smartphone, and it’s a fine choice for anyone who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles offered by the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Its design is more in line with earlier generation Samsung phones, but it has been reconfigured to be sleeker and more durable. The 50-megapixel camera takes stunning photos, and the 12-megapixel front camera takes fantastic selfies and renders smooth video calls. The Nightography mode uses advanced AI to take detailed pictures in low-light conditions. The battery lasts a long time, even when running high-powered apps for prolonged periods.
Expert TIp
Most “unlimited” data plans from wireless providers aren’t actually unlimited. You’ll get fast speeds for your first 30GB of data or so, which is plenty for most mobile users. If you go beyond that, however, you’ll get throttled to slower speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Those dead set on getting the best iPhone need look no further than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. It has a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, making it one of the best phones for streaming HD TV shows, movies and sports, and the advanced camera setup features a 48-megapixel primary sensor. The impressive battery life can last up to 29 hours. Other neat features include an always-on display to view notifications and the time, and an IP68 protection rating that means it resists water and dust. Plus, it’s available in four storage sizes and colors.
A few iPhone 13 models have been discontinued to make way for the iPhone 14, but you can still get your hands on the iPhone 13 Mini. This smartphone’s biggest draw is its small screen, which is perfect for anyone who wants a compact, lightweight phone. However, even with a smaller screen size, this iPhone is no slouch. It boasts a powerful A15 Bionic chip for ultrafast performance and a Super Retina XDR display that looks just as good as it does on the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The Mini is significantly cheaper than the latest iPhones, and it’s available in six colors.
If you’re looking to break away from the heavy-hitter smartphone brands like Samsung and Apple, the OnePLus 11 5G is worth a look. It’s notable for its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the most advanced processor available for Android smartphones. That makes it one of the fastest phones and a terrific choice if you use high-powered applications. You might be thrown off by its exterior, which has a camera system you won’t see on any other phone. It features a 50-megapixel sensor, 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 32-megapixel telephoto sensor that all work together to take detailed photos. Also, the large 6.7-inch 120-hertz AMOLED display is excellent for reading e-books and streaming HD content.
Samsung’s A series phones are considered the brand’s budget-friendly phones, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the A54. It’s a top 5G smartphone, and its low price makes it an even more attractive option. We like the large, crisp 6.4-inch display, long-lasting battery life and triple-lens camera system. Photos and videos look impressively detailed and clear, and the Single Take function lets you shoot a series of pictures and videos for up to 10 seconds. The IP67 protection rating means it resists water and dust.
The Pixel 7 Pro is the best smartphone in Google’s current lineup, but the Pixel 7a isn’t far behind. It’s a budget-friendly version, but it boasts most of the same features and offers similar performance. Along with the Pixel 6, the 7a is the least expensive smartphone that takes the best photos. The advanced Google Tensor G2 chipset means it performs at a high level and takes stunning photos and videos with impressive clarity and rich color. The phone features biometric security measures, such as fingerprint and face scan, and the battery can last as long as 72 hours in battery-saver mode.
Expert Tip
If you’re concerned about 5G connectivity going through your wireless plan’s available data quickly, go into your phone’s settings and limit which apps have access to cellular connectivity. You can limit any app you want to only work on Wi-Fi, which will prevent your phone from any unnecessary downloads accidentally using too much mobile data.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
What to know before you buy a 5G phone
Android vs. iOS
Android phones run the Android operating system and are available from several manufacturers, including Samsung and Google. Apple phones run the iOS operating system, which Apple owns and develops. Apple does not license its iOS to other manufacturers, so only Apple offers iOS phones.
5G modem
5G is the latest wireless standard — the fifth generation mobile network. On the surface, a 5G smartphone looks no different from a 4G smartphone, but inside, 5G smartphones have a modem and chipsets that support 5G. A 5G modem allows a 5G phone to access the spectrums of the cellular network set aside for 5G transmission.
Size
5G smartphones come in a wide range of screen sizes, but larger screens are more common on 5G phones than on older 4G phones. Manufacturers expect consumers to watch a lot of video on their smartphones due to the fast data transmission speeds, so they anticipate consumers will want larger screens. Many phones have screen sizes as large as 6.7 inches, but a phone with a larger screen is bulkier and can be more difficult to grip with one hand.
Screen resolution
Since people watch a lot of video on their phones, the screen resolution is sharp on most 5G phones. Resolution is typically at least full HD quality, with a few models offering 4K resolution. Most 5G phones have a resolution somewhere between full HD and 4K.
Camera
Some 5G phones have advanced rear camera systems often consisting of a primary lens, wide-angle lens and telephoto lens. The average resolution for rear-facing cameras is 12 megapixels, but some models have as much as 200 megapixels.
Storage
When purchasing a 5G phone, you can nearly always select from a few different storage capacities. You can save money by choosing less storage, such as 64 or 128 gigabytes, but some 5G phones have 256 gigabytes or 1 terabyte of storage.
Battery life
A new 5G phone should have excellent battery life, typically from 10 to 12 consecutive hours of regular use. As with the battery in any smartphone, as the 5G phone battery ages, it will slowly lose its ability to hold a full charge, so the battery life will diminish over time.
Expert Tips
Reboot your phone about once a week. Modern phones are made to go ages without requiring a restart — but restarting your phone can go a long way toward resolving errors and keeping it running smoothly.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Tips
- Protect your phone. Bumps and drops are almost inevitable, so purchase a case and screen protector to keep your 5G phone looking new and in prime working condition.
- Set up cloud backup. Maintain a cloud storage backup with your 5G phone so you can always access your data if something happens to the phone.
- Watch out for dangerous apps. Some phone apps cause security breaches. No matter how fun a particular app seems, always read user reviews to make sure it’s safe before downloading it.
Expert Tip
If you’re hanging out with others who don’t have 5G phones and they're having trouble getting a signal, you can use your phone to create a WiFi hotspot and provide them with fast connection speeds. Just remember that messaging and data rates apply when you share your signal, so the data used through your phone's WiFi hotspot will apply to your mobile account.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
FAQ
Q. How much does a 5G phone cost?
A. You can get a solid 5G phone for $300 to $600. However, if you want a phone with premium features like an advanced camera system, powerful processor and high-resolution display, expect to spend up to $1,300.
Q. Do I have to purchase a new phone to use 5G networks?
A. Unless you have a 5G-enabled phone, you will have to buy a new 5G-enabled phone to use the 5G network.
Q. Do I need a new plan to use my 5G phone?
A. Not necessarily, but it depends on your cellular carrier and current plan. Some carriers grant 5G access with your new 5G phone on your current plan, while others require you to upgrade to a different one. Ask about this before purchasing your new phone to know what extra costs you may encounter.
