The nation's number one wireless carrier has the nation's number one wireless network, according to our Fastest Mobile Networks tests. But as much as Verizon Wireless would like to tell you that "it's the network," a network isn't very useful without a device to connect to it.
We're here to help. We put about 100 phones a year through rigorous testing in PC Labs to find out which ones live up to their ad copy, and which ones are just phoning it in. If you're buying a phone on Verizon right now, these are the best you can get.
Pricing and Unlocked Options
Verizon, like the other major carriers, has been moving away from two-year contracts and subsidies in favor of monthly phone payment plans. That has made many phones "zero dollars down," although you'll end up paying full price for them in the end.
See How We Test Cell Phones
Almost all Verizon phones are bought through the carrier, because Verizon isn't compatible with most unlocked devices. To make voice calls on Verizon's network, phones still need CDMA radios that have been approved by Verizon, and relatively few unlocked phones have those. Some very good ones do, though, and we've put them here: namely, the iPhones, the Galaxy S7 Edge, and the Google Pixel lineup.
While it's hard to move non-Verizon phones to Verizon, keeping your phone if you decide to leave Verizon is much easier. All Verizon phones are sold unlocked, and most of the high-end ones nowadays support GSM networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, and foreign carriers. Verizon's network may become more flexible and open later this year if the carrier approves LTE-only phones. We're not quite there yet, though, so for now, if you want a Verizon phone, you must make sure it has CDMA.
The ten phones listed here are the best we've reviewed that are currently sold by Verizon. They include both Android and iOS phones. (Sadly, there isn't much to recommend in terms of Windows Phone at the time of writing, as Microsoft declined to support CDMA in its most recent round of phones.)
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 AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.