Best AT&T phones to buy right now

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.

As one of the big three US carriers, AT&T is responsible for providing wireless services to over 100 million people. Its 4G wireless services cover over two thirds of the population, enabling anything from staying connected with friends and family to watching TV on the go. AT&T’s next-generation 5G network is growing steadily and now covers dozens of markets across the US. Naturally, AT&T offers some of the best phones you can buy today: the newest iPhones, the latest Samsung Galaxy phones, and anything in between to fit any need and budget. But with dozens of great options available, picking becomes quite a challenge. So, which is the best AT&T phone to buy in 2021? Allow us to be your guide.

Best AT&T cell phones available right now:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is one of the most advanced phones Samsung has in its current lineup, and is possibly one of the best foldable phones you can get… until its successor comes along. We found the Galaxy Z Fold 2 to be a great living proof for the foldable phone concept, with serious added value when it comes to multitasking. We enjoyed to carry it around, and use the large external display for our day-to-day usage needs, then unfurl it open for longer reads, browsing sessions, working on documents, to game or watch video.

It performs heavy tasks with aplomb, the battery life in everyday activities is good, the new Hideaway Hinge moves in a smooth yet sturdy manner, and the camera samples are up there with the best, especially the selfie shots with the main sensor. All in all, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 can convince you in the viability of bendy phones as the future going forward, if you can swallow that early adopter pricing… and (nudge, wink) a skinny jeans bulge.

You can check out our full review of the Z Fold 2 right here.

iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro Max in white

The new iPhone 12 Pro models are a refinement of last years in almost every way. Besides the new design, they have new chips that are more powerful and energy-efficient, bringing them back to the performance peak. The biggest addition, however, is the 5G support. A bit late to the party, the iPhones can now also tap into AT&T’s 5G network for extra-fast download and upload speeds. The base storage on the Pro models has been finally bumped to 128GB, so you can go for the cheapest Pro variants without regrets.

The camera system on the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max has also been upgraded with new sensors and new features, with the Pro Max having a slightly different 2.5X zoom camera and sensor-shift optical image stabilization on the main sensor.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

If high-end specs and an impressive zoom camera are what you search for, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the best Android phone AT&T has to offer. It has the latest Snapdragon 888 chip and a huge OLED display with a variable refresh rate that can go down to as low as 10Hz and as high as 120Hz. The powerful camera system at the back stands out with its remarkable zooming abilities and 108MP of resolution. On top of that, the phone has a huge, 5000mAh battery for all-day action. The fingerprint reader is new, bigger and faster and the phone now even supports Samsung’s S Pen. Unfortunately, you’ll need to buy it separately and get a dedicated case for convenient carrying, so it’s far from the elegant solution the Note 20 offers. Despite all those upgrades, the Galaxy S21 Ultra costs less than its predecessor, at “just” $1,200. Still, you’re getting plenty of phone for that money.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

In the States, the Note 20 Ultra comes with the new Snapdragon 865+ chip, which puts it ahead of the S20 Ultra and other first-half-of-2020 flagships when it comes to performance but behind the Galaxy S21 family. The camera system is not as extreme as the one on the S21 Ultra, but it still makes some amazing photos, as you can see from our camera comparison.

But what sets the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra apart is, of course, the integrated S Pen. This year it’s improved for an even better drawing and writing experience. In order to fit the S Pen, however, the Note 20 Ultra sacrifices some battery capacity and comes with 500mAh smaller battery than that of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21+

The Galaxy S21 and S21+ are the best AT&T Android phones for the majority of people. They don’t have the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 108MP camera and extreme zooming abilities, but they do offer beautiful displays with 120Hz refresh rate and relatively large batteries. The design is also significantly improved and although there have been some changes to to fit the phones into their new price tags, the value they offer has increased drastically. And if you’re looking for something similar but even cheaper, the Galaxy S20 FE is still a great offer.

iPhone 12

This is the iPhone to buy if the idea of spending $1,000 for a new phone doesn’t sit well with you. For less than $30/month, you get pretty much everything that the Pro models offer, including the OLED display, which finally makes an appearance on a non-Pro iPhone. The main difference is the omission of the Telephoto camera, which isn’t ideal but you have to make some sacrifices if you want to save $200. Speaking of which, you’re also getting only 64GB of storage, which in 2021 is even more egregious than it was last year. Getting 128GB will only set you back about $2 more per month, however, which isn’t that bad.

LG Velvet

LG finally got rid of its cumbersome naming scheme with the release of the elegant LG Velvet. Marking a new direction for the company, the Velvet doesn’t have the best Snapdragon chip available but also spares you the high sticker price that comes with it. Instead, LG bets on striking design and premium build to lure customers.

The phone does have the almost mandatory quad-camera setup and, of course, support for 5G. If you’re staying away from Samsung phones and Pixels are just too basic-looking for you, the LG Velvet will be happy to nest in your palm.

iPhone SE (2020)

Apple isn’t likely to release another SE model for a while, so last year’s iPhone SE remains the best budget option on Apple’s side of the smartphone market. The A13 Bionic is powerful enough to keep the phone relevant for years. The small display and unimpressive battery life are some of the drawback this iPhone has but overall, you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck.

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

The mid-range Galaxy A52 is set out to make splashes on the mid-range market. The device builds upon the strong foundation established by the A-series so far, and it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that the new device is one of the best value for money devices available on Android’s camp. Despite being a plastic device, the Galaxy A52 comes with a large 6.5-inch AMOLED display with fast 90Hz refresh rate, triple camera with optical image stabilization, a microSD card slot along with a 3.5mm audio jack, large 4,500mAh battery with fast charging, and lots of RAM and storage. Overall, excellent value.

[ad_2]

Source link