With the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the lineup of top phones for T-Mobile customers is changing this month. We’ve updated this guide to help make sure you can find the right phone for you, so you can get the most out of your T-Mobile plan.

Since there are so many phones available and everyone has different needs, we’ve broken this guide up into a number of categories. Whether you want the best possible phone, the best value or the best budget option, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll include the key details you need to know about each phone, including how much they’ll cost you each month and how much you’ll pay total. So, when you go to buy your new phone, you’ll be sure you’ve picked the right phone.

Go straight there: T-Mobile phones options at T-Mobile.com
See also: The best T-Mobile plans available this month

The best T-Mobile phones: Explained

In order to rank T-Mobile’s best phones, we’ve sifted through all that the carrier offers, comparing price tags and the value offered by each phone. As with all of our reviews, we disregarded any potential personal preferences/biases for specific operating systems like Android, iOS and Windows. 

Also note that these phones can generally be purchased on an installment plan through T-Mobile, allowing you to spread out the cost over 24 months. We’ll include details on what the total amount is as well, so you know what you’re really paying.

The best T-Mobile phones available in each category:

How to choose the best T-Mobile phones for you

T-Mobile has phones ranging from a few dollars a month to over $30 a month, and depending on your credit and how you want to buy a phone, you could spend as much as $1000 at once. With good credit, you can spread the full price of most phones out over 24 months, making the monthly bill more manageable. These installment plans require a T-Mobile plan though, so if you don’t intend to stay with T-Mobile for 24 months, make sure your budget is ready to pay for the full price of the phone you choose. We’ve included phones at all price points to help you find one that will work. Let’s dive in.

The best T-Mobile phones for every budget:

Best of the best: Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Big brother to the Galaxy S8, which is also one of the best phones on the market, the Galaxy Note 8 is a big phone that does big things. It’s powered by the latest Snapdragon 835 chipset, and has a super sharp QHD Plus 6.3-inch screen with Samsung’s signature curved edges. On the rear, it features dual-12MP cameras. It also has the Note line’s special S Pen for some more advanced features. Right now, the Galaxy Note 8 is the phone to beat.

Best Apple Phone: iPhone 7

One might debate that the iPhone 7 Plus is the better phone, and for what it’s packing, it is. But when you factor in price, the iPhone 7 has a lot of the same appeal but comes in at a more affordable price. There are a number of color options, and the iPhone 7 still has a sleek design. The iOS experience is smooth and easy, making this a solid phone choice for just about anyone that can afford it. 

It’s worth noting that the iPhone 8 is expected soon, and will undoubtedly top the pack as best Apple phone while also driving down the price of the iPhone 7.

Best Android phone: Moto Z2 Force edition

While Samsung pretty consistently holds the crown for making the best Android phones, with the Google’s recent pixel edging in a little, there’s still something to be said for Motorola. And the Moto Z2 Force edition is a good example. It’s everything you could expect from a premium flagship phone, with the latest Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM underneath a shatterproof 5.5-inch QHD display. The phone also has dual-12MP cameras on the back. But, the highlight feature of the Moto Z2 Force is the attachable mods, that can add new features like a Pico projector or enhance the phone with boost volume or a vastly extended battery life.

Best value phone: iPhone SE

Apple’s iPhones are usually fairly expensive, but the iPhone SE keeps up Apple’s quality while letting the price stay lower than usual. The iPhone SE may be smaller than Apple’s latest phones, but it’s still a capable performer, with the same internals as the iPhone 6S. It has a 12MP camera on the back capable of 4K video capture. At $399, it’s a great price for an Apple phone, and the upcoming iPhone 8 launch may make it even cheaper.

Best cheap phone: LG Stylo 3 Plus

Skip one latte and a scone every month, and you can afford the LG Stylo 3 Plus. This is basically a budget Note 8. It has a mid-range Snapdragon 435 chipset with an 8-core CPU and 2GB of RAM. It’s screen is 5.7 inches and Full HD, and it supports a stylus that adds special functions. It includes a 13MP camera on the rear and even has a fingerprint reader. All in all it’s not too shabby for a $225 phone.

Get the best T-Mobile plan

Getting the best smartphone is only half the battle. Once you’ve figured out which of T-Mobile’s smartphones is the best choice for you, head on over to our guide to find the best T-Mobile plan.