Best 5G Phones of 2024
From flagship models to budget picks, these phones have fast 5G speeds and more.
Dec 20, 2023 | Share 
Brand Guides
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Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S22+ Base price: $599.99- Vivid FHD+ display
- Powerful Snapdragon chipset
- No microSD support
-
Best 5G iPhone
iPhone 13 Base price: $829.00- Long battery life
- Compatibility with all 5G bands
- Limited storage for baseline model
-
Best midrange phone
Google Pixel 6a Base price: $349.00- Excellent camera for price
- Flagship Tensor processor
- Limited battery life
-
Best budget phone
OnePlus Nord N20 5GBase price: $227.64- Extra-slim design
- MicroSD slot
- No C-band or mmWave support
-
Best features
OnePlus 10 ProBase price: $684.99- Sophisticated camera
- Top-quality dual speakers
- Large size not ideal for small hands
Data effective 12/20/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Amazon.com prices (as of 12/20/23 17:35 MST). Read full disclaimer.
The “fifth generation” of wireless technology promises faster speeds, lower lag, and buttery-smooth connections over your cellular data plan. But to channel the power of 5G, you need a 5G-compatible phone.
So which one is best for you?
In this guide, we’ll run down the list of top 5G cell phones, highlighting how they work on 5G networks, what kind of extra features they come with, and which ones give you the most value for your money.
Which 5G phone is best?
You can’t do better than the Samsung Galaxy S22+ if you’re in the market for a top-performing 5G phone. This device has a bright and colorful display, excellent camera with a 50 MP lens, beautiful design, and dependable reception. Whether you’re sending texts in a crowded nightclub or calling a tow truck on a county highway, this phone has you covered.
As for Apple users, stick with iPhone 13 for the most solid package. The phone’s slim design and long battery life make it a well-rounded pick among the great 5G Apple iPhones released in the past few years.
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The 5 best 5G phones
- Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S22+
- Best 5G iPhone: iPhone 13
- Best features: OnePlus 10 Pro
- Best midrange phone: Google Pixel 6a
- Best budget option: OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Compare 5G phone features and prices
| Best for | Model | Picture | Starting price* | Display | Processor | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Samsung Galaxy S22+ |  | $599.99 (256 GB) | 6.6" FHD+ Flat Screen; 1080 x 2340 pixels | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | View on Amazon |
| Best 5G iPhone | iPhone 13 | | $829.00 (128 GB) | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED; 2532 x 1170 pixels | A15 Bionic | View on Amazon |
| Best features | OnePlus 10 Pro |  | $850.42 (256 GB) | 6.7" QHD+; 3216 x 1440 pixels | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | View on Amazon |
| Best midrange phone | Google Pixel 6a | | $349.00 | 6.1" FHD+; 1080 x 2400 pixels | Google Tensor | View on Google Store |
| Best budget option | OnePlus Nord N20 5G |  | $227.64 | 6.43" AMOLED FHD+; 1080 x 2400 pixels | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, Adreno 619 | View on Amazon |
*Price at time of writing
*Amazon.com prices (as of 12/20/23 17:35 MST). Read full disclaimer.
The phones here all give you lots of power when it comes to wireless data, promising faster speeds and lower latency over 5G networks. They also hook it up with powerful cameras, sleek designs, and sturdy screens.
Most of the 5G phones out right now are deluxe models, since 5G is in such early stages of development. But price-conscious 5G seekers do have options, including the fabulous Samsung Galaxy A42 5G—the best budget 5G phone you can buy.
Pro tip: Do you need a 5G phone right now?
While you don’t need a 5G phone right now, it’s wise to get one with 5G compatibility if you’re investing in a new phone.
5G access is growing rapidly, and since phones cost a pretty penny, you’re better off getting the most up-to-date phone possible. Plus, besides their 5G capabilities, these powerful phones come with a lot of other excellent features that make them useful for doing work, taking pictures and video, playing games, and posting to social media.
Learn more about where 5G is available and how to get it.
What should you look for in a 5G phone?
The main features to look for in a 5G phone are its compatibility with 5G bands, the quality of its camera, and whether its overall design aligns with how you use your phone. (For example, bigger phones aren’t great for people with small hands, while a bright display helps with gaming and video calls.) You also want to know whether the phone has any other features that meet your needs.
Take a look at our section on 5G phone specs and features for the full scoop on what to look for in a 5G phone.
Best overall—Samsung Galaxy S22+
$607.20 (128 GB), $599.99 (256 GB)
- Display: 6.6″ FHD+ Flat Screen; 1080 x 2340 pixels:
- Cameras: 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP telephoto, 10 MP front-facing
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
*Amazon.com Price as of 12/20/23 10:11 MST. See full disclaimer.
Landing in the middle of Samsung’s Galaxy S22 line, the Galaxy S22+ ticks all the boxes for performance and reliability. It has excellent reception and a powerful Qualcomm processor that delivers a noticeable boost in GPU speeds. The camera can pick up refined detail with its 50-megapixel lens, while the bright FHD+ display pops with color and definition.
Some may find the body’s design a little too slick, to the point where it feels like it could slip out of your hand at any moment. But overall, it’s a powerful iteration of the most popular Android phone on the market. You can spring for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra if you want the most deluxe phone possible, but it’s not necessary for most users.
Pros:
- Powerful Snapdragon processor
- Best FHD+ display
Cons:
- No microSD card slot
- Slippery phone body
Pro tip:
Curious to know where you can find 5G? Take a look at our T-Mobile 5G page, covering the biggest 5G network nationwide so far.
Best 5G iPhone—iPhone 13
$829.00 (128 GB), $929.00 (256 GB), $1,129.00 (512 GB)
- Display: 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED; 2532 x 1170 pixels
- Cameras: Dual 12 MP wide and ultrawide, 12 MP front-facing
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Processor: A15 Bionic
*Amazon.com Price as of 12/20/23 10:11 MST. See full disclaimer.
You can’t go wrong with most of the 5G Apple iPhones around now—including a solid budget option like the iPhone SE. But we think the iPhone 13 is a can’t-beat pick.
Its square-edged design looks like a throwback to earlier iPhone models, but everything is shiny, new, and innovative. The iPhone 13 has a sturdy build with a water-resistant body and a ceramic display shield that makes it resistant to cracks and other damage. Apple’s A15 Bionic processor ensures peak performance even during maximum multitasking. The battery is also a big improvement from the iPhone 12, giving you much longer life before a recharge.
Pros:
- Compatibility with all 5G bands
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Limited storage on base model
- Higher price than iPhone 12
Best features—OnePlus 10 Pro
$684.99 (128 GB), $850.42 (256 GB)
- Display: 6.7″ QHD+; 3216 x 1440 pixels
- Cameras: 48 MP wide, 8 MP telephoto, 50 MP ultrawide, 32 MP front-facing
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
*Amazon.com Price as of 12/20/23 10:11 MST. See full disclaimer.
Like the OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 8 Pro before it, this beast packs a ton of deluxe goodies into a big body. The formidable Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor ensures efficient CPU and GPU performance, while the revamped triple-camera setup includes a wide range of professional-grade shooting and video modes. This phone also has surprisingly advanced onboard speakers, delivering more volume and definition than you’d expect from a smartphone.
Pros:
- Sophisticated camera
- Top-quality dual speakers
Cons:
- No headphone jack
- Large size not ideal for small hands
Best midrange phone—Google Pixel 6a
$349.00
- Display: 6.1″ FHD+; 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Cameras: 12.2 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, 8 MP front-facing
- Storage: 128 GB
- Processor: Google Tensor
*Amazon.com Price as of 12/20/23 10:11 MST. See full disclaimer.
For a phone that costs under $500, Google’s Pixel 6a gives you incredible value. The phone doesn’t offer as many features as the Google Pixel 6, but the robust camera setup and solid image processing software ensure you get quality photos on par with that of rival phones like the iPhone SE. Its Google Tensor chipset gives you excellent CPU power to handle multitasking over apps and editing TikTok-ready videos. And the phone’s slim, lightweight, aluminum-and-glass build fits nicely in your pocket—which is exactly where you want to keep such a trusty phone.
Pros:
- Fast Tensor processor
- Best camera you can get for the price
Cons:
- Limited battery power
- Slightly limited camera specs compared to flagship Pixel phones
Best budget option—OnePlus Nord N20 5G
$227.64
- Display: 6.43″ AMOLED FHD+; 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Cameras: 64 MP wide, 2 MP macro, 2 MP depth
- Storage: 128 GB
- Processor: Snapdragon 695 5G, Adreno 619
*Amazon.com Price as of 12/20/23 10:11 MST. See full disclaimer.
From the extra-slim, matte-plastic design to the high-contrast, battery-saving AMOLED display, this little doozie ticks many boxes. Sure, the Snapdragon 695 chipset can’t handle much more than everyday video watching and light gaming, and we’re bummed this phone doesn’t include OnePlus’ famous alert slider to switch between mute, vibrate, and ring modes. But it does have an in-display fingerprint sensor and a lot of other cool features, so you actually get a lot for your money.
Pros:
- Slim and sleek design
- MicroSD card support for up to 512 GB
Cons:
- No support for mmWave or C-band 5G
- No alert slider
What to look for in a 5G phone
Since these 5G phones are so expensive (for now, at least), ensure you’re getting exactly what you want in your next device. Here are the main factors to watch out for.
Pro tip:
If you have more questions about 5G, head on over to our 5G guide for a more detailed look at what it’s all about.
5G compatibility
The main reason you’re getting a 5G phone is so you can get on a 5G network, right? So obviously you want to make sure you’re getting all the 5G there is to get.
Unfortunately, buying a 5G phone doesn’t automatically guarantee you’ll get access to all the 5G bands that are available.
5G is currently split between these types: C-band, mmWave bands, and sub–6GHz bands.
C-band
C-band is a popular type of 5G that delivers extremely fast speeds over a relatively wide area. It’s capable of vastly improving the data speeds of 5G phones, but unlike mmWave (which we discuss below), it also works over long ranges.
MmWave bands
On mmWave (millimeter-wave) 5G, you can get ridiculously fast download speeds of 1,000 Mbps or faster and extremely low latency. However, mmWave bands have a short range, so this technology works only in urban areas and indoor sites like sports stadiums. And since these networks are still quite small and unavailable in most areas, many of the cheaper 5G phones aren’t outfitted to give you access to mmWave 5G.
Sub–6GHz bands
These frequencies often fall below C-spectrum, making them similar to what you get from 4G LTE—only slightly faster (usually 50–100 Mbps). Most 5G phones support a range of sub-6GHz radio bands, and it’s basically an entry-level version of 5G that’s available on a wide scale, especially in rural areas.
Camera
Phone manufacturers are racing to put more and more cameras on their phones these days. The iPhone 13 has two cameras on the back, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and OnePlus 8 Pro have four camera lenses. But photo quality isn’t measured strictly by the number of cameras a phone has. Here are some key things you want in a good phone camera:
- Wide aperture: This lets you capture images with greater depth of field.
- Lots of megapixels: A higher number of megapixels collects more detail in an image, creating a higher resolution.
- Quality lenses: A good wide-angle “prime” lens gives you a richer image and is more durable in the long run.
Design and features
There’s a good chance you’ll pay top dollar for your new 5G phone—even budget and mid-range options can run into the hundreds. And as with any phone, make sure your 5G model strikes a nice balance between form and function.
The iPhone 13 has a slim, elegant design, whereas the OnePlus 10 Pro is bulkier and may not be the best for a small-handed person. Also, watch out for any phones with curved screens (like the OnePlus 8) since the curve can lead to accidental bumps and distorted colors on the edge of the screen.
Our verdict
We love Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ for its vivid FHD+ display, massive processing power, and unbeatable reception. This device is a truly top-notch Android phone that sets a high standard for photo quality and useability.
As for Apple users, the iPhone 13 remains our top pick. Its battery is more powerful than the iPhone 12’s, and its ceramic display shield makes it nice and strong while still having a classic iPhone look and feel.
FAQ about 5G phones
What phones are 5G compatible?
There are numerous 5G-compatible phones on the market right now. Some of the best 5G phones include the Samsung Galaxy S22+, iPhone 13, Google Pixel 6, and OnePlus 10 Pro. Major brands like Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola all sell a range of other 5G phones, which will also work on 5G networks in the United States.
Will 5G work on 4G phones?
No, 5G will not work on a 4G phone. In order for a phone to tap into a 5G network, it has to be configured to work on 5G radio bands.
Will 4G work on 5G phones?
Yes, 4G will work on 5G phones because all 5G phones are backward compatible with 4G technology. When you’re not on a 5G network, a 5G phone will automatically switch over to your cell carrier’s 4G LTE network. No fuss, no muss.
Disclaimer
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Author - Peter Holslin
Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
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