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Apple iPhone 14 Pro
All-around best phone
$999 at Apple
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Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google’s best gets better
$749 at Google Store
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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Top-of-the-line Android
$1,200 at Samsung
Price alerts on for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (128GB, Phantom Black)
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Google Pixel 6A
Best affordable Android phone
$356 at Amazon
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
Still great phones to consider
$999 at Apple
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Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
A great affordable Samsung Galaxy phone
$299 at Amazon
Price alerts on for Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
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Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
Best budget phone with a stylus
$200 at Amazon
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The best smartphones you can buy right now in 2023 include Apple’s superb iPhone 14 Pro, the excellent Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Google’s great all-round flagship Pixel 7 Pro. And the great news is that they’re all available on AT&T, so you don’t have to be tied to a particular phone brand if you want to be on the network.
But it’s not just the flashiest, most expensive phones you can get, as AT&T also offers a great lineup of more affordable devices, including the Google Pixel 6A and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G — both of which are 5G-enabled for taking advantage of those super fast data speeds.
Read on to learn more about the best AT&T phone for you and your smartphone needs, as well as our tips for how to buy a new phone.
Watch this:
What to Look for When Buying a Phone
2:09
Stephen Shankland/CNET
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
All-around best phone
Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max introduce sweeping changes like the Dynamic Island, a new 48-megapixel camera system and Apple’s new A16 Bionic processor. All of these upgrades come together to make for an experience that feels fresh and fast compared to older generations.
Read our Apple iPhone 14 Pro review.
$999 at Apple
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google’s best gets better
Google’s Pixel 7 Pro packs great cameras and slick software into a refreshed design that makes it one of the best phones launched in 2022. We liked it so much we awarded it a CNET Editors’ Choice award for its combination of excellent all-round performance and slightly more affordable price.
Read our Pixel 7 Pro review.
$749 at Google Store
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Top-of-the-line Android
2022
The $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the most expensive Android phones out there, but for good reason. It has a giant 6.8-inch display, an S Pen stylus you can store inside the phone (just like the Galaxy Note), and a four-lens camera with a zoom range that’s hard to beat. Samsung also improved the way all of its new Galaxy phones take photos in low light, which is especially important on a photography-oriented phone like the Ultra.
The only downsides? The S22 Ultra’s sky-high price and relatively short battery life. Still, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best phone for people who want the biggest screen and one of the best cameras available in a smartphone. You just have to be willing to pay a higher price for those perks.
Read our Galaxy S22 Ultra review.
$1,200 at Samsung$889 at Amazon$1,200 at Best BuyYou’re receiving price alerts for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (128GB, Phantom Black)
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Google Pixel 6A
Best affordable Android phone
Google’s Pixel 6A punches above its weight when it comes to camera quality, design and screen size. It’s the best under-$500 Android phone you can get, and though it’s not Google’s flagship, the 6A is all most people need in a phone.
$356 at AmazonYou’re receiving price alerts for Google Pixel 6a (128GB, Charcoal)
Stephen Shankland/CNET
Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
Still great phones to consider
Although Apple has now replaced its iPhone 13 Pro line, AT&T is still offering the handsets, with discounts on deals, likely until it runs out of stock. While not the newest iPhone, the 13 Pro and Pro Max still pack amazing camera systems and potent processors to handle everything from gaming to video editing.
Read our iPhone 13 Pro review.
$999 at Apple$999 at AmazonYou’re receiving price alerts for Apple iPhone 13 Pro (Sierra Blue, 256GB)
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
A great affordable Samsung Galaxy phone
New for 2022, the Galaxy A53 gets you an abundance of Samsung features and power at a fraction of the S-series price. It boasts a far larger screen and more versatile camera cluster than the iPhone SE, though Apple’s budget model delivers snappier performance.
Still, Samsung fans will appreciate what they’re getting here considering the affordable price. The Galaxy A53 5G has an ultrawide lens for taking photos with a broader field of view and also supports night-mode photography. Image quality isn’t as good as what you’d get on a more expensive Samsung phone like the Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S22, but it’s certainly clear and colorful enough for basic shots. Other highlights include a long-lasting battery, four guaranteed generations of Android operating system updates and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
Overall, the Galaxy A53 5G is a suitable choice for those who prioritize having a large screen and long battery life for less than $500. Just keep in mind, you might have to deal with some occasional lag, and the camera isn’t as advanced as those found on pricier phones. Read our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review.
$299 at AmazonGet Price AlertsYou’re receiving price alerts for Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Patrick Holland/CNET
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Best compact folding phone
With a candy-bar design that folds down on itself to become a smaller square, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 offers a much more compact footprint than the Z Fold 4. It makes it easier to slide into a tight pocket when not in use, but it still folds out to offer a sizable 6.7-inch display when you need it.
Like the Z Fold 4, the Flip line has seen revisions over the years with improvements to its hinge system and reduction in crease marks in its display. It’s got a new camera system too, along with a larger outer display that shows incoming notifications.
It’s pricey, sure, and its battery life could be better but it’s a fun phone and one we’ve enjoyed using.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
Best budget phone with a stylus
If you’re looking for a good budget phone that comes with a basic stylus and support for 5G, then the Moto G Stylus 5 is a great pick. The cell phone features a stylus that you can store inside the phone along with a built-in Notes app to help with productivity. This phone also offers a triple-rear camera, 128GB of internal storage and a robust 4,000-mAh battery.
Read our Moto G Stylus 5G review.
$200 at AmazonYou’re receiving price alerts for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
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