The best phones for Ultra Mobile will balance great specs and killer value with support for T-Mobile’s massive 5G network. The carrier, which was recently acquired by T-Mobile, offers a variety of affordable data plans and even sells phones directly through its web store.
Whether you want to pick up a solid device through Ultra or bring an unlocked phone to the carrier, all of the best phones to use with Ultra Mobile’s network can be found below. The Google Pixel 7a is our top pick, namely because it balances flagship-level specs with an excellent price tag and support for T-Mobile’s 5G network.
Best overall
The Google Pixel 7a isn’t just the best phone to use with Ultra Mobile. It’s one of the best phones to use with any carrier, period. Retailing for just $499, the Google Pixel 7a strikes a sophisticated balance between value and premium specs usually found on phones for double the price.
The Google Pixel 7a comes with the same Tensor G2 chipset found in the more-expensive Google Pixel 7 Pro, plus you get some incredible haptics and all of the cutting-edge camera tech that the Pixel line is known for. In fact, as we note in our Pixel 7a review, the 7a matched the quality of the base model Pixel 7 in just about every camera test that we threw at it.
There’s also a vibrant 90Hz AMOLED display and you get software support guaranteed for five years. Ultra Mobile sells the Pixel 7a directly through their website, often with a discount, or you can pick up an unlocked model and save some cash with one of the Google Pixel 7a deals that are out there.
Best flagship
The Galaxy S23 may not be a dramatic departure for Samsung’s flagship line, but it’s a thoughtful refinement of everything that made the S22 a great phone, while fixing the few areas where that device faltered. The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor delivers outstanding efficiency and performance, plus you get a hefty boost in battery life.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 also boasts a vibrant and compact 6.1-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, but you get a boost in display brightness to 1,750 nits. The resolution of the selfie camera has also been increased to 12MP, and as usual for Samsung phones, you get loads of software support (four OS upgrades and five years of security updates).
The Samsung Galaxy S23 typically retails for around $799.99 for the 128GB version and $859.99 for the 256GB. Pick one up directly through Ultra Mobile now, or take advantage of one of the many Samsung Galaxy S23 deals if you prefer to go unlocked.
Best camera
Google had some big shoes to fill with the release of the Pixel 7, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. On the outside, this flagship phone comes complete with a sleek design and gorgeous 90Hz flat panel display, along with IP68 dust and water protection and a Gorilla Glass Victus construction.
Look under the hood and you’ll get the powerful Google Tensor G2 processor and Android 13 built right in. The Google Pixel 7 also boasts a long-lasting 4,355mAh battery and wireless charging support. Additionally, Google is guaranteeing three OS upgrades and five years of security updates, so you could be using this phone for many years to come.
Lastly, we couldn’t mention a Pixel without discussing its camera software. As we describe in our Pixel 7 review, the phone’s camera takes incredibly crisp and natural-looking photos and videos, plus you get to play with Pixel-exclusive features like Magic Eraser and Cinematic Blur. The price of the Pixel 7 typically starts at $599, and it’s available through the Ultra Mobile store and most online retailers.
Best Motorola phone
Motorola phones have been hit or miss over the last few years, but the Moto Edge (2022) is a triumph in nearly every sense of the word. The huge 5,000mAh battery will easily last a full day on a single charge, and the phone doesn’t overheat like some devices, even during a vigorous gaming session.
The 6.6-inch FHD OLED display is vibrant and smooth-as-butter, with a max 144Hz refresh rate, while the MediaTek Dimensity 1050 processor should handle most tasks with ease and efficiency. The cameras on the Moto Edge (2022) are decent, and you’ll also get OS updates to Android 15.
With all of this being said, the Moto Edge (2022) usually retails for around $500, which is about the same price as the Pixel 7a and the Galaxy A54. In our opinion, both of those phones are considerably better than the Edge in just about every way. The only thing that gives the Edge an “edge” (sorry) is that it often gets heavily discounted to $350 or less. In other words, we only recommend choosing this phone if you’re a big Motorola fan or you can find a good deal.
Best budget phone
The first thing to note about the OnePlus Nord N20 is its price. For less than $300, you’re getting an outstanding smartphone complete with specs that could rival some of the most popular flagships out there. And since Ultra Mobile is known as a great cheap wireless carrier, why not pair its service with a great cheap Android phone?
For starters, you get a sizeable 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 4,500mAh battery that should last all day with ease. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor is fast and reliable, while the Nord N20’s cameras are the best in this price range by a long shot. You even get a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity nowadays.
Of course, with the OnePlus Nord N20, you get what you pay for. There’s not much in the way of software support here, the screen is a little on the dim side, and the performance is lacking compared to most of the phones on this list. But again, if you’re looking for an Android phone under $300, nothing comes close to the Nord N20.
Best midrange phone
If you want a reliable Samsung phone for less than $500, the new Galaxy A54 is tough to beat. Sure, it’s not a dramatic transformation from its predecessor, but we agree with the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality.
The latest in Samsung’s best-selling A series of devices, the Galaxy A54 comes complete with a glorious 6.4-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, massive 5,000mAh battery, and all of the software features you’d expect from the brand. The Exynos processor performs quite well when pitted against other phones in its class, plus you get four years of OS updates and five years of security upgrades guaranteed.
The biggest obstacle that the Galaxy A54 faces is that it was released around the same time as the Pixel 7a. By paying another $50, you can get an arguably more powerful phone with a better processor and camera system, making the decision of Google Pixel 7a vs. Samsung Galaxy A54 a tough one.
Which Android phone is best with Ultra Mobile?
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Ultra Mobile keeps its network simple by working with T-Mobile to deliver LTE and 5G connectivity. This means that just about any unlocked phone will work to some degree, which includes the best Android phones. Not only that, but Ultra Mobile’s data-focused plans let it stand toe-to-toe with the best cell phone plans you can get, and for many people, the international features make it an easy choice. Ultra Mobile also sells all of these phones directly if you want to get everything from one place with financing options.
The Pixel 7a stands above the rest thanks to its outstanding performance-to-value ratio. If you have a bit more to spend, you could also go for the Samsung Galaxy S23 to get the flagship experience or even the Pixel 7 if you take lots of pictures. Suffice to say, pair Ultra’s T-Mobile network with any phone on this list and you’re sure to have a great wireless experience.
