Big Red may charge an arm and a leg for its service, but the best Android phones on its network don’t all have to be unattainably expensive. Whether you’re after the top-of-the-line Galaxy S21 Ultra or you’d rather save some money and pick up something like the Moto G Power, there are plenty of great options for one of the nation’s top-rated carriers. Here are our top picks when it comes to the best Verizon phones on the market right now.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Staff Pick
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung’s ultimate mobile experience, cramming powerful specs and a 6.8-inch 120Hz display into a modern design. It also has an enormously capable camera system that features a 108MP main sensor and up to 100X zoom, plus 8K video capture. You get a massive 5000mAh battery and 5G support, and the S21 Ultra even supports the S Pen stylus.
From $39.99/mo at Verizon
Best compact phone
Google Pixel 5
If you value clean software and timely updates above all else, there’s no better choice than a Pixel. Of course, the Pixel 5 also takes incredible photos, particularly in low light thanks to Night Sight, and even manages impressive 4K video. The 4080mAh battery inside is shockingly resilient, easily landing all-day battery life with even heavy use, and of course, the Pixel 5 supports Verizon’s 5G network.
$29.16/mo at Verizon
Best value flagship
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW
The S20 FE is one of the best values in the high-end space, offering a flagship-tier Snapdragon 865 processor and a large, 120Hz flat display. You get Samsung’s One UI 3.1 software overlay on top of Android 11, and the S20 FE is available in a wide range of eye-catching colors. It’s already a great value at its usual price, but thanks to current Verizon promotions, the S20 FE is an unbeatable deal.
$10/mo at Verizon
Best foldable
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
With such a high sticker price, the Z Fold 2 isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s an unbelievably powerful device that can extend from a phone to a miniature tablet at a moment’s notice. The 120Hz inner display is a stunning canvas for multitasking and full-screen apps, and the foldable is backed by three great cameras — which you can even use in tandem with the cover screen to take high-quality selfies.
From $66.66/mo at Verizon
5G on a budget
Pixel 4a 5G
There’s no need to invest heavily into 5G while the network is still in its infancy — but if you can get it for cheap, why not give it a shot? The Pixel 4a 5G features roughly the same design as the Pixel 5 in a larger footprint with a larger display, and even packs the same Snapdragon 765G processor inside. Don’t let its low price scare you away; it has great battery life and surprisingly snappy performance.
$5/mo at Verizon
Best battery life
Motorola Moto G Power
The Moto G Power is a fairly average phone by most modern standards, with a 6.4-inch 1080p display and a triple camera system that offers ultra-wide and macro secondary lenses, but its namesake comes from the 5,000mAh battery. With that kind of juice, the Moto G Power can easily make it through two or even three days on a single charge, making it the perfect phone for a weekend getaway.
$5/mo at Verizon
The S21 Ultra isn’t your only option for the best Verizon phone
There are a lot of great phones on Verizon at various price points. If you’re looking for the best combination of fast performance, superb cameras, and all-day battery life, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the phone to beat. It packs all of the best specs you can ask for and includes everything from 5G support to reverse wireless charging, water resistance, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and a 100X telephoto camera. Its 6.8-inch display is surprisingly easy to manage thanks to ultra-tight bezels, and the 108MP main sensor takes stunningly good photos.
Samsung isn’t the only manufacturer making great phones for the masses, though. The Pixel 5 isn’t quite as flashy in terms of design or features, but its camera takes terrific shots in any lighting situation and the software is updated constantly. Most of the Pixel’s photographic prowess comes from machine learning, and it can even handle extremely low light thanks to the wildly popular Night Sight and Astrophotography shooting modes.
If you’re after an ultra-affordable phone that can last a few days on a single charge, the Moto G Power is another option that offers a clean software experience and, more importantly, absolutely incredible endurance. The 5,000mAh battery can make it through an entire weekend without needing it charged, making it possibly the longest-lasting phone on this list.
