The best AT&T phones to buy - updated March 2022

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.

Best AT&T cell phones available right now:

• Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G - probably the best foldable phone available right now

• iPhone 13 Pro Max – the best large iPhone

• Google Pixel 6 Pro - the best stock Android phone at a reasonable price

• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – one of the best AT&T Android phones, with powerful camera zoom, big battery, 5G, and an S Pen

• Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus – the best Android phones for most people, with 5G and the latest Qualcomm processor

• iPhone 13 – the latest iPhone experience at a reasonable price

• iPhone SE – the best budget iPhone

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE - the affordable Samsung flagship alternative

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is here and it brings a few upgrades to the formula that made the Z Fold 2 quite cool. It has a very similar design and hinge, but we now have water resistance, slightly better screens, a new processor, S Pen support, and a new software experience that really makes use of the foldable form factor.

Overall, the new Z Fold 3 still checks all the boxes for a great foldable phone and is definitely the best one you can get right now. Check out our Galaxy Z Fold 3 review for the full scoop.

iPhone 13 Pro Max

The iPhone 13 Pro Max is, for all intents and purposes, the ultimate iPhone to date. With the largest battery on an iPhone to date and paired up with the large 6.7-inch display, the behemoth iPhone is powered by the super-fast Apple A15 Bionic chipset and is available in 128, 256, 512GB and, for the first time ever on an iPhone, a staggering 1TB version to keep store of all your photos and videos. The cameras are also greatly improved, with faster apertures and improved HDR, as well as brand-new features like Photographic Styles, macro shots, and Night mode portraits.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

With excellent performance, good battery life, superb P-OLED display, and a great camera package, the Pixel 6 Pro brings back the "wow" factor that was somewhat lost in the most recent Pixel phones. The Pixel 6 Pro is certainly a device that isn’t late to the game, but instead up there with the competition, while simultaneously keeping the pricing surprisingly adequate and attaining an insane bang for the buck. Starting at $899, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is the best premium Android smartphone money can buy in late 2021, and certainly the best phone Google has made so far, more than a viable alternative to the iPhones and Galaxies out there.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

This phone truly has it all: a 4-camera system with a long-range periscope zoom lens, a built-in S Pen that doesn't come at the expense of battery size, the latest and most powerful Android processor, the newest generation Samsung AMOLED display... basically, everything it takes for a blockbuster flagship. Oh, and then add a few bonus features on top like a record-breaking screen brightness, more granular refresh rate and a few fancy colors. Of course, all of that comes at a premium $1,200 price, but not much higher than last year's model, despite the many new features.

Samsung Galaxy S22

The big flagship star of 2022 has got to be the Galaxy S22 Ultra with its fresh new look, S Pen, and all the bells and whistles, but if you love compact phones, there is another device to be excited about: the regular Galaxy S22 model! With a more compact size than last year's model, the new S22 goes straight for the heart of one-hand phone lovers. The screen size has gone down to just 6.1" and that might not seem like much, but a look at the dimensions shows this phone is actually about as big as the Galaxy S10e, a super compact device that you may remember from a few years ago.

iPhone 13

Don't feel the need to flex with the most expensive iPhone available? The iPhone 13 will give you 95% of the 13 Pro experience for a much lower price. You still get the ultra-wide-angle camera alongside the much-needed camera improvements and the A15 Bionic chip that will ensure your phone will run smooth for years to come. What you sacrifice is mostly the telephoto camera and some storage, even the displays are identical this year.

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 S21 FE

The fresh new Galaxy S21 FE is available on AT&T starting January 11, 2022. The 128GB will be selling up for $699.99 and the 256 GB one will cost $769. 99. And for a limited time only, you can get the device at $15/mo. for the 128GB or $20/mo. for the 256GB on a qualifying installment plan with no trade-in required.

Despite the delays, the Galaxy S21 FE has shaped up to be an intriguing phone whose existence has only been marred by its close competitors, namely coming from Samsung itself. Powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset and featuring a rare 3X optical camera telephoto, the Galaxy S21 FE is a good choice for those not phased by the upcoming Galaxy S22 series.