The Best T-Mobile Phones, Ranked Top to Bottom
Find the Best Phones Available at T-Mobile
T-Mobile makes headlines with its unlimited data plan, assorted promotions and near-constant digs at its rival carriers. But what about the phones it has to offer? If you're shopping for a new smartphone, you have a solid selection at T-Mobile, which offers the latest flagship phones in addition to some lower-priced options (including its own branded devices). Here are the best choices available through the carrier, ranked from the top down. (Image Credit: Tom's Guide)
1. Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
Set aside the visual similarity to the Galaxy S8, and the Galaxy S9 is a totally new beast with state-of-the-art performance underneath its svelte metal-and-glass enclosure. The 5.8-inch S9 and 6.2-inch S9+ are the first smartphones to utilize Qualcomm's cutting-edge Snapdragon 845 system-on-chip, which is a fair bit more powerful and efficient than the 835 it replaces.
Both S9 devices also come with a redesigned camera that can actually adjust its aperture depending on what the scene necessitates, just like a conventional DSLR. And S9+ owners get a special treat: a second rear lens that enables Live Focus mode, which lets you take shallow depth-of-field portraits and change the strength of the effect even after pressing the shutter button. Best of all, T-Mobile offers Samsung's new flagships for less than competing carriers: $720 for the S9, and $840 for the S9+.
MORE: Galaxy S9 Review
2. iPhone X
If you can afford its steep price tag, the iPhone X is one of the most advanced smartphones on the market. Between its TrueDepth camera for enabling industry-first 3D facial recognition, its wicked-fast A11 Bionic chipset that puts all other handsets to shame and its versatile dual cameras that produce stunning shots, there's almost nothing to find fault with in Apple's top-of-the-line flagship. Well, aside from that steep price. Fortunately, T-Mobile frequently runs promotions on popular products like the iPhone X: as of this writing, the carrier is offering a second unit nearly free with two trade-ins of qualifying devices.
MORE: iPhone X Review
3. Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
A year after its release, we think the Galaxy S8 remains a top Android device. Better yet, since T-Mobile offers it, it's also one of the best phones available through the carrier. From its rear camera that captures great pictures to its responsive Snapdragon 835 processor, there's plenty to like about these flagships. And if you're willing to spend a bit more and want a bigger screen than the 5.8-inch S8, T-Mobile also sells the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+.
MORE: Galaxy S8 Review
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 8
It may no longer be the top dog in Samsung's smartphone roster after the S9's debut, but the Galaxy Note 8 remains our phablet of choice, thanks to its extensive feature set and versatile S-Pen. The Note 8's stylus makes everything from capturing GIFs to jotting down notes to sending fun messages easier than ever. Plus, the phone's dual cameras allow it to achieve the kind of shallow depth-of-field portraits that are all the rage right now. Fortunately, T-Mobile has discounted the Note 8 at the time of this writing, from $950 to $870 — making it only a tad more expensive than the Galaxy S9+.
MORE: Galaxy Note 8 Review
5. iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus take some of the features that make the iPhone X so compelling — namely, wireless charging support and that powerful A11 Bionic chip — and put them inside devices with familiar designs that cost less. And although they may look very similar to their iPhone 7 counterparts, these are two handsets that shouldn't be judged by their covers. If you want the fastest smartphone on the market with an unparalleled user experience and some of the best cameras you'll find anywhere, all for a reasonable price, Apple's latest flagships for the masses deliver.
MORE: iPhone 8 Review
6. LG G6
Like many modern Android phones, the LG G6 features an expanded display — 5.7 inches in the case of LG's latest phone — with an aspect ratio that's perfect for watching video. Support for DolbyVision HDR means particularly colorful viewing if you watch movies and TV shows shot in HDR. The dual rear cameras on the G6 are great for taking landscape shots, too. In fact, the Galaxy S8 may have been our favorite phone of last year, but the G6 comes a lot closer to besting Samsung's device than you might think.
MORE: LG G6 Review
7. iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
Whether it’s the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 or 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus, Apple’s older devices remain solid choices for many smartphone shoppers. The big improvements over the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus include water resistance, brighter displays, a faster processor and better cameras. We prefer the iPhone 7 Plus because its dual-lens camera gives you a true optical zoom. But since T-Mobile also offers the iPhone 7, you could also choose that model if you prefer smaller phones.
MORE: iPhone 7 Plus Review
8. iPhone SE
Maybe you long for the days when you could easily slip a phone into a pocket or purse. If so, the iPhone SE might be the right choice for you. The 4-inch phone offers a lot of value, featuring the same processor you’d find on the iPhone 6s. You will give up the nifty 3D touch feature found on the iPhone 6s and newer models, but that’s a trade-off a lot of fans of compact phones will be happy to make.
MORE: iPhone SE Review
9. T-Mobile Revvl Plus
Manufactured by Alcatel, the T-Mobile Revvl Plus is a big-screen budget bruiser for people who don't want to compromise too much on hardware for a low price. For $225, the Revvl Plus features a respectable Snapdragon 625 processor, dual cameras, a 6-inch full-HD display and decent battery life, lasting just over 11 hours in our testing. It's not an earth-shattering product, and we found its rear shooters underwhelming in the majority of photo ops. But the Revvl Plus is a decent value, and it's exclusive to the Uncarrier.MORE: T-Mobile Revvl Plus Review
10. HTC U11 Life
HTC's midrange phone offers a pretty good camera for a device in this price range, and it's even more attractive at T-Mobile, which knocks $50 off the price of the unlocked HTC U11 Life. When we tested the phone, it consistently took better photos than other devices in its price range. We were also impressed by the bright, colorful 5.2-inch LCD screen. You'll make some compromises on battery life, but if you're looking for a phone that won't take a big bite out of your budget, the U11 Life fits the bill.
MORE: HTC U11 Life Review
11. Galaxy J7 Prime
Maybe you want the Samsung experience without paying top dollar. If so, try the Galaxy J7 Prime. You won't get the Infinity Display of recent Samsung models, but there's comfort to be found in the J7 Prime's throwback look that's reminiscent of the Galaxy S6. Similarly priced phones offer a more impressive feature set, but this is a way to get a Samsung-backed device through T-Mobile for a just a little bit more than $200. In exchange, you can count on a pretty colorful display and a dependable camera.