Now that you've chosen AT&T as your carrier, it's time to pick a phone. Choices are broader than ever, as AT&T has largely gotten rid of phone subsidies. Most people still buy their phones from their carrier, with the help of monthly payment plans or fast-upgrade plans like AT&T Next. But there's no overall cost penalty to buying an unlocked phone anymore, and AT&T supports more unlocked devices than any other US carrier. That puts a lot of choices at your fingertips, so we're here to help narrow them down.
Network and Exclusives
In terms of network performance, AT&T tends to run in the middle of the pack in independent tests, including our own Fastest Mobile Networks survey. The carrier has solid nationwide coverage and decent speeds, but it has recently been outmatched on coverage by Verizon and on speed by T-Mobile.
See How We Test Cell Phones
AT&T's strength has always been its globally compatible GSM network. That has let the carrier nab many exclusive phones over the years, from the first iPhone to various Windows phones. You can pretty much always assume that the latest hot, buzzy device will be available on AT&T, though more and more, you may not be buying it from AT&T.
The ten phones listed here are the best ones we've reviewed that currently run on AT&T, with one exception: we don't count the Lumia 950 as one of the best phones available in the US today, but we wanted to offer a Windows Phone option on the list. The list is a mix of devices sold by AT&T, like the iPhones, LG, and Samsung models, and devices that you buy unlocked and attach to AT&T's network, like the Google Pixels, the Axon 7, and the inexpensive Blu phone. And remember, our list of The Best Unlocked Phones all work on AT&T.
If you need more help buying a cell phone, check out our cell phone product guide for the most recent reviews. And if you're looking for a new carrier, see How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Plan. While you're at it, take a look at our lists for the best phones on Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.