Hey, have you heard? Sprint is back. We spent a few years not recommending it much, because the company's network was rocky at best. But over the past year, Sprint has really started to turn things around. Its first move was an initiative called Spark, and now LTE Plus and 3x carrier aggregation have boosted speeds to the point where Sprint has started winning multiple cities in our Fastest Mobile Networks tests for the first time in a long while.
In an era where the other three carriers' phone selections are coming closer together, Sprint still stands alone because of its unusual network requirements. It uses bands and technologies no one else in the US does (specifically, LTE band 41 and CDMA 1X Advanced), so it ends up missing out on some phones that are popular elsewhere and instead getting slightly oddball exclusives like the LG X Power. The only unlocked phones that work on Sprint are the unlocked iPhones, Galaxy S7, and Google Pixels, featured above.
LTE Plus noticeably boosts Sprint network speeds. Not every Sprint phone supports LTE Plus, but if you're buying one, you need to get a device that does. Most new phones support it; Sprint says that every one of our ten picks here do. Just picking recent devices isn't a guarantee of support, though: the popular iPhone SE, for instance, does not support LTE Plus.
3x carrier aggregation takes LTE Plus to the next level, ensuring the fastest speeds available on Sprint. Seven phones currently support 3xCA: The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus; the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge; the LG G5 and V20; and the HTC Bolt. If you're interested in the best possible Sprint performance, you should grab one of those devices.
See How We Test Cell Phones
Having been relegated to fourth place by T-Mobile's aggressive "uncarrier" moves and Sprint's own network failures, Sprint is fighting hard to regain the customers it has lost over the past few years. That means some killer service plan discounts, like a deal to cut other providers subscribers' bills in half, and an ongoing commitment to unlimited data plans.
While there's always something new around the corner, you really can't go wrong with any of the PCMag-approved phones listed here. 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 guides for the best phones on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.
Featured in This Roundup
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
$769.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% Absence of headphone jack aside, the 7 Plus is the best iPhone you can buy, with more memory than its smaller counterpart and dual cameras that peer toward Apple's future. Read the full review ››-
Google Pixel
$649.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% If you lust after the latest Android software and cool new features in the Google Pixel XL, but are turned off by large phones, the 5-inch Pixel is a superb alternative. Read the full review ›› -
Google Pixel XL
$769.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Pixel XL has top-notch hardware, the latest Android software, and guaranteed support from Google, making it one of the best big-screen Android phones you can buy. Read the full review ›› -
HTC 10
$699.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% The HTC 10 is the best Android phone for audiophiles and it offers plenty for everyone else too. This could be HTC's big comeback. Read the full review ›› -
LG V20
$672.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% The attractive LG V20 phablet is overflowing with features that will appeal to audiophiles, photographers, and average Android users alike. Read the full review ›› -
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
$792.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge combines state-of-the-art components with a smart, gorgeous design and a big battery, making it a killer Android smartphone. Read the full review ›› -
Samsung Galaxy S7
$672.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% There's nothing radically new about it, but the Samsung Galaxy S7 delivers the best Android smartphone performance in a relatively small package. Read the full review ›› -
Apple iPhone 7
$649.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% Apple's iPhone 7 is better than last year's model in almost every way, but it isn't quite as good as its bigger sibling, the iPhone 7 Plus. Read the full review ›› -
LG Stylo 2
$179.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The LG Stylo 2 is an affordable phablet for Boost Mobile with a slim, lightweight build, the latest Android software, and an embedded stylus. Read the full review ›› -
LG X Power
$129.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The LG X Power phablet brings Boost Mobile users long battery life and solid Android performance at an affordable price. Read the full review ››
