Smartphones at at&t: AT&T Certified Pre-Owned Phones & Deals

Sep 22, 2023 alexxlab

7 Best AT&T Phones of 2023

Written by Lily Hartman

Updated May 30, 2023

AT&T is among America’s biggest wireless carriers. Based on the GSM network standard, AT&T provides a wide array of devices for you to pick from. Since GSM phones let you use any compatible handset, it’s easy to switch from your old cell phone to a new one with the swap of a SIM card.

Your nearby AT&T store will be more than happy to offer you the latest and greatest phones from Apple, Samsung, HTC, Google, and more. AT&T also offers unlimited data plans with a fast 5G network at no extra cost, although some additional charges and restrictions apply.

These are some of the best AT&T phones on the market right now.

Editor’s Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

6.7-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
48MP camera system
Weighs 8.47 ounces
A16 Bionic Chip

Perhaps you’ve already heard of the latest Apple iPhone Pro Max, released in September. With an updated 48-megapixel camera that is clearer and grabs greater detail, a video mode that captures steady movement, and other new and improved features, it’s no wonder why so many people are jumping at the chance to grab one.

This new iPhone has a 6.7-inch screen for greater color and brightness. It also comes with Apple’s Always-On feature, which allows you to view the home screen in lower light and when it is locked, making it easy to view information while your phone is asleep.

With Dynamic Island, you can customize how you view your alerts, apps, and notifications. The ProMotion feature also makes the phone run smoother while going through your feed, web pages, texts, and more. In addition, this smartphone has a long and reliable battery life and fast 5G service.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max can detect car accidents and call for help automatically. It also includes a ceramic shield coating, which Apple claims is more durable than smartphone glass. This coating also makes the phone water resistant.

The iPhone 14 Pro is also available. The only difference between these two models is that the iPhone 14 Pro has a smaller 6.1-inch screen, making it more pocket friendly. Which phone you choose will therefore depend on either price or screen-size preference.

Buy now at Best Buy

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

7.6-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
50MP camera system
Weighs 9.27 ounces

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is the perfect phone for anyone who constantly works while traveling. With this phone, you can complete multiple tasks simultaneously.

The screen can split into a multi-view window that makes it easy to jump onto a video call and read presentation notes at the same time.

This phone also offers Flex Mode, which allows it to stand on its own as you watch films or listen in on video calls. You can even use the S Pen for notetaking purposes. Even better: this phone makes it easy to customize how you view apps on the screen.

If you’re interested in buying a similar phone that is more compact and affordable, yet has very similar features, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an ideal option.

Cons

Expensive

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

6.8-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
40MP camera system
Weighs 12.3 ounces

With the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, you will experience high-quality photo and video features: capture steady video footage, take clear photos during the day and night, and set your camera on night or portrait mode.

This phone also includes an S Pen for note taking and editing. What’s better: this phone is both lightweight and damage resistant, meaning it will last much longer. Reviewers say that the battery life is just okay, but they seem to really be fans of the camera.

Google Pixel 6a

6.13-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
12MP camera system
Weighs 6.28 ounces

The Google Pixel 6a is one of the best smartphones to buy on a budget. Whether you have an AT&T plan for your phone or one with another phone carrier, this phone works with a variety of phone plans and carriers since it comes unlocked.

It also includes Google Tensor security and Titan M2 chip to protect your private information. that keeps your private information protected. The battery can also last an entire day and charges fast.

Even better: the apps load fast, the phone itself runs smooth, and the 12MP camera takes pretty decent photos.

If you communicate with others overseas, you may find the Live Translate feature helpful since it allows you to communicate in 11 different languages.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

6.7-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
48MP camera system
Weighs 7.4 ounces

Being one step up from the Google Pixel 6a and Google Pixel 6 Pro, the Google Pixel 7 Pro has some upgraded features. For starters, the photo and video quality is better. Plus, it has a 6.3-inch pixel AMOLED display that makes the screen clearer and more vibrant.

In addition, this phone loads a lot quicker, includes greater security protection, runs smooth throughout the day, and has a stronger battery. The battery will even last up to three days if you leave it on battery saving mode.

As always with these types of smartphones, you will receive it unlocked so it can work with a variety of phone carriers, such as AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

In comparison to its predecessors, this model is a bit more in the mid range with price, but its new and improved features make it worth it.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

6.7-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
200MP camera system
Weighs 8.25 ounces
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a long-lasting battery life, offers an ample amount of storage space, and is known for its high-quality camera. With 200 megapixels, you can capture super clear photos both during the day and at night . In addition, its Video Stabilization feature can capture smooth footage.

With the Adaptive Vision Booster, this phone will automatically adjust the brightness to your setting. This model includes an S Pen for easy drawing and note taking, as well as a fast processor that allows you to move through apps quickly and easily.

Samsung Galaxy A54

6.4-inch display
Fast 5G cellular
50MP camera system
Weighs 7.2 ounces

As a fairly affordable phone with some noteworthy tech features, checking out the Samsung Galaxy A54 is a must. Its 50-megapixel camera system includes a Nightography feature for capturing clear photos and videos when it’s dim. Its 6.4-inch screen allows for crisp entertainment while watching your favorite videos, scrolling social media, or playing games.Its also got a strong 5,000mAh battery, Samsung Knox Security to protect your personal data, and a triple lens design.

Meet the tester

Lily Hartman

Staff Writer, Search

Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.

See all of Lily Hartman’s reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.

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The best AT&T phones to buy in 2023: Prepaid and with contract

As a member of the US carrier trifecta, 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.

Naturally, AT&T offers some of the best phones you can buy today: the newest iPhones, the latest Samsung Galaxy phones, and anything in between to fit any need and budget. But with dozens of great options available, picking becomes quite a challenge. So, which are the best AT&T phones to get in 2023?

Best AT&T cell phones available right now:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — The best Android phone in 2023.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max — The best iPhones so far
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus — A sensible Android flagship phone
Galaxy Z Fold 4 — The best foldable phone in the US right now.
Google Pixel 7 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, a big battery, and an S Pen.
AT&T prepaid phone options — Check out the best prepaid phones on AT&T.

But how to choose the best phone?

First up, you have to consider your budget. While going with a more affordable phone is often a sensible and logical conclusion, in reality, a premium flagship would often be a better value as it would not only receive software updates for longer but will also be a better value overall.

Next up, make sure to consider your ecosystem preferences. If you’ve been using iPhones for years and have no reason to get out of the ecosystem, purchasing a Samsung phone would make zero sense. The same applies to the same scenario but viewed from the other camp—getting an iPhone probably wouldn’t be the best fit for someone who has surrounded themselves with Android-centric software and hardware. It’s a whole different story if you are dissatisfied with your usual ecosystem of choice. If that’s the case, then the world’s your oyster.

Next up, you have to consider your plan options. On AT&T, you can get both prepaid and postpaid plans with regular contracts. AT&T has a pretty limited selection of mostly entry-level and mid-range at best devices, which don’t inspire confidence, so our recommendations would be to go against the grain and bring your device if you’re interested in AT&T’s prepaid service options.

Finally, you have to consider the size. While a rule of thumb is that the largest phones are the most advanced ones, you can still get a compact capable phone, like the iPhone 14 Pro, or a foldable device, like the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Still, the iPhone 14 Pro Max and the Galaxy S22 Ultra are definitely among the best of the best.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

9.2

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Good

Battery life is great, big improvement from predecessor
New Snapdragon chip is the best one in years
Design is improved, feels more ergonomic
Screen is less curved and gets very dim (perfect for night time use)
Camera improvements are there, but not quite huge
Loudspeakers sound much better now
You get double the storage (256GB) at base model

The Bad

Base model still only has 8GB RAM
Charging speeds have not improved
Haptics are still not as good as rivals
Camera system hasn’t improved as much as hoped for
Expensive if you buy at full price

The hot-new Galaxy S23 Ultra is arguably the best thing to happen to Samsung in a long time. With exceptional performance improvements over its predecessor, as well as quite the intriguing new 200MP main camera, the new Galaxy S23 Ultra perfects the flagship recipe. With a super-potent quad-camera setup, it’s a pretty capable and versatile camera phone that does it all, rather well at that.

You should consider this one if you’re always on the hunt for the best and most advanced device. With an S Pen on board, as well as the special Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, this phone is a power user’s best friend, a tool intended to pair exceptional performance with superb software functionality and utility.

In our Galaxy S23 Ultra review, we mentioned that the Galaxy S23 Ultra is definitely on the expensive side if you buy it at full price, and the camera hasn’t improved as much as we hoped, but design, performance, and battery life, not to mention the audio experience and the display improvements all make the Galaxy S23 Ultra the best Samsung phone available right now, and certainly the best Android handset on the market right now.

iPhone 14 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Pro

The best iPhones… so far

9.0

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

The Good

Exceptional, industry-leading performance
Dynamic Island is a fun and useful twist on the punch hole
Very good battery life
Superb video-recording quality
Very bright and beautiful display with Always-On functionality
Premium, posh design

The Bad

Relatively slow charging speed
Small evolutionary improvements
Lack of physical SIM feels like an inconvenience

Apple’s big boy, the iPhone 14 Pro Max, is a phone that hardly needs an introduction. It’s Cupertino’s top weapon of choice for late 2022 and 2023, with multiple important changes that will certainly be built upon with upcoming iPhone generations. It’s easily the best way to experience the Apple ecosystem, even though it commands a hefty price tag.

The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with a Dynamic Island pill cutout with various functionalities baked into the interface, improved performance thanks to the new Apple A16 Bionic chip, an Always-On Liquid Retina XDR display with 1-120Hz refresh rate, a 48MP camera with improved low-light sensitivity, snappier 5G connectivity thanks to a new Qualcomm modem, Cinematic mode at 4K24/30fps, improved FaceTime camera, Emergency satellite connectivity, and a new Deep Purple color joining the roster.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 14 Pro is the same phone save for the smaller size, and logical—battery and display. Pick the one that best suits your size preferences.

On AT&T, you can usually get the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max much cheaper than usual if you trade in an eligible device. AT&T also allows you to get a massive write-off if you opt-in for a new eligible unlimited cellular plan.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

A sensible Android flagship phone

9.0

Samsung Galaxy S23+

The Good

Superb performance
Excellent battery life
Super-bright and vivid display
Improved camera image quality
Excellent selfie camera
Friendly and ergonomic design
Superb video stabilization

The Bad

Display isn’t as accurate as previous Galaxy flagships
Lots of storage reserved by the system
Boring color options

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus certainly falls in the shadow of the much more exciting Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it shouldn’t be underestimated at all. Boasting similar flagship-grade performance thanks to the bespoke Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, but not over-encumbered by an overly large display or an S Pen, the Galaxy S23 Plus is a phone with excellent value.

With a triple camera setup on deck, consisting of a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto shooter that offers a 3X optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide snapper, the Galaxy S23 Plus propels Samsung’s photography effort forward, and definitely leaves us hopeful for its bright future. So, when it comes to a capable cameraphone, the Galaxy S23 Plus should be considered.

On AT&T, the Galaxy S23 Plus goes for $999 or $27.78 a month for three years, but you may pay much less if you trade in an eligible device and opt for any of the select AT&T Unlimited plans. Potentially, you can save up to $800 if certain conditions are met.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Probably the best foldable phone right now

9.0

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Good

Solid build
Empowering multitasking features
Beautiful displays
Stylus support
Smooth performance
Good battery life

The Bad

Expensive
Still has a crease
Thick and heavy, harder to carry around than a slab phone

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is currently the pinnacle of Samsung’s foldable phone design. The phone perfects the foldable formula and introduces important software features that improve functionality and make much better use of the screen real estate. For example, you get a handy dock, similar to the one you can get on Samsung’s tablet lineup, making the Galaxy Z Fold 4 a much more capable multi-tasking machine overall.

In terms of specs, we are looking at a 7.6-inch inner display that folds inwards, aided by a 6.2-inch cover display, which is surprisingly useful despite its much narrower size. The phone is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, has 12GB of memory that should be enough for even the heaviest of multitaskers, and starts at 256GB of storage (but maxes out at 1TB).

The camera setup is the same as the one you’d find on the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, so it’s very good, but not as head-turning as the loadout you’d get on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Additionally, you can also grab an S Pen stylus to use with the foldable phone, greatly improving the potential utility of the device.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

The best stock Android phone at a reasonable price.

8.8

Google Pixel 7 Pro

The Good

Great deal at $900
Speedy performance, clean software
Powerful zoom camera
Guaranteed day 1 software updates

The Bad

Portrait Mode is bad
Tensor G2 is not as powerful as rivals
Slow-ish charging

Stock Android? Check. Better performance? Technically, yes. A potent camera? For the most part. Smarter? You got it!

The Pixel 7 Pro is a phone that brings all of this and a lot more in a package that has a pretty appealing price tag attached. The Google Pixel 7 Pro is a phone that puts the focus on the overall user experience and doesn’t go into a senseless brawl for raw power. Instead, it relies on a user experience fueled by machine learning and artificial intelligence that’s ensured by the custom Tensor G2 processor on deck. Developed in collaboration with Samsung, this one improves on the original by employing newer mid-range cores, making it more adequate.

The camera is another area in which the Tensor G2 aids the Pixel 7 Pro to shine. The hardware of the main camera is mostly unchanged, but we have a new 5X telephoto camera that builds on the 4X one found in the Pixel 6 Pro, and Google has also neatly introduced a dedicated 2X camera mode that crops from the 50MP main sensor to output 2X images.

And on AT&T, you can enjoy some really big savings on the Pixel 7 Pro by trading in an eligible phone.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

8.8

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Good

S Pen in a flagship, great for creatives
Industry-leading screen quality
Faster charging than before
10X zoom camera is improved significantly
Video recording gets smoother stabilization
4 years of major software updates!

The Bad

Battery life has gone down from the S21 Ultra
You get less RAM than last year
No microSD card slot, no headphone jack
Loudspeaker quality could be better
Jittery swiping, microstutter with gesture nav in One UI

Samsung’s heavy-hitter for 2022, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, is a phone that seemingly has it all: a superb design with a built-in stylus, top-notch hardware, and probably the most capable camera system available right now. Powered by either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or the Exynos 2200, depending on the region, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage in the base version (but going up to 1024GB in the most premium version), and with a 10X periscope lens that brings everything close to you, so to speak, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a phone that has it all.

Powering all up is a 5,000mAh battery, which is okay for the needs of the phone but definitely could have given us even better battery life with a more efficient processor included. Rumors say the Galaxy S23 Ultra could be powered by such a more efficient chip, namely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, so we have very high hopes that the Galaxy S23 Ultra would bring big improvements to the mix.

On AT&T, the Galaxy S22 Ultra can be yours for way less than usual with an eligible trade-in, and the carrier usually hosts some pretty lucrative Galaxy S22 Ultra deals.

AT&T Prepaid phones

As we mentioned, AT&T doesn’t exactly have a diverse selection of prepaid phones, as Verizon does. There are just a handful of devices available as prepaid options on the carrier. The most notable ones include:

Galaxy A23 5G – With a 6.6-inch display, and quad-camera setup, this Samsung phone is one of the best prepaid offers on AT&T. Usually goes for $300 outright.
Galaxy A03s – This AT&T prepaid phone comes with a 5,000mAh battery, microSD card slot, triple camera, and a 6.5-inch HD+ display. Usually goes for $140, but regularly dips to $70.
Moto G Pure – With a 6.5-inch Max Vision HD+ display, very long battery life, and dual-camera system, the Moto G Pure is an affordable device that focuses on the essentials. You can get it for $120.
Moto G 5G – This one comes along with a 6.5-inch 90Hz display, two-day battery life, and 64GB of storage on board. You can regularly have it for $220, but it’s currently going for half that, $110.

Also see: Best Verizon phones to buy: with contract and prepaid

Can I get a free phone from AT&T?

Depending on the details of a particular deal or a promotion that’s currently going on at AT&T, you could technically get a new phone for a $0. 00 down payment. Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds, as the carrier will most often require an eligible trade-in and/or an eligible new cellular line to be opened before you could reap the rewards and score your “free” phone.

Are phones from AT&T sold locked?

Yes, unless otherwise stated, you should presume that all new AT&T phones are sold locked to the carrier’s cellular network. They are eligible for unlocking, though.

The eligibility will vary per device and customer, but in the most common case, you will be eligible to get your phone unlocked if you’ve fully paid off your phone, either via your regular monthly bills or paid off early, don’t have a past due account balance, and haven’t reported your phone as lost, stolen, or involved with any kind of fraud.

If you have an AT&T Prepaid phone, you need to have six months of service on the AT&T network. To submit an unlock request, you can either use your device’s Unlock app (if it has one) or submit your IMEI directly to AT&T’s device unlock page right here. To find your IMEI, dial in *#06# in your phone app.

What are the benefits of prepaid phones at AT&T?

As usual with prepaid services, you can bring your phone to AT&T’s network and enjoy the awesome affordable plans on one of the most reliable networks in the US. AT&T’s prepaid plans also require no credit check, no annual contract of any kind, very easy activation, as well as a pretty good roster of prepaid plans to pick from.

Best AT&T phone plans

However, as we established earlier, AT&T doesn’t have a particularly good selection of prepaid phones, mostly entry-level and mid-range devices that are a far cry from the more appealing flagships other carriers sell as prepaid. However, you can easily bring your device to the carrier and jump on any of its prepaid plans very quickly, so AT&T should be considered as an option for all potential cord-cutters.

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AT&T mobile operator added a new feature to smartphones

AT&T mobile operator added a new feature to smartphones
Have you forgotten your password?

Password recovery

Recover your password

Your email address

All of us do not like when we are distracted, we are bothered and interfere. This is especially annoying in those moments when we are trying to relax, rest, or when we are busy with some business. And in the modern world, a huge number of new factors have appeared that can adversely affect our nerves. One of these factors can rightly be considered various spam zones. All those who have encountered this at least once in their lives are well aware that these spam calls are divided into two types: those that are made directly by people, and those that carry out “work”, programmed programs.

And the most annoying thing is that we cannot be sure in advance who exactly is trying to reach us. To start the fight against robotic spam calls, a large American cellular operator and Internet provider in one person – AT & T decided. The fact is that literally on this Wednesday, the above company publicly announced that it has introduced a new “visual display” into some certain Android smartphones, which checks to see if the call you receive is “ fake robocall call”? Thus, now there is a really effective measure to combat spam. However, again, it’s worth clarifying once again that the new verification screen only works on certain Android smartphones that are connected to the AT&T operator network.

And to be more specific, it is worth listing those smartphones that AT&T has provided with new functionality. Such phones are a product from Samsung, namely the Galaxy S10 along with the Galaxy S10+, as well as the latest and very good LG V40 ThinQ. Naturally, it’s rather unpleasant and strange why such a useful and necessary function for many has reached only three, albeit very good and technologically advanced smartphones. Be that as it may, the new feature provided by AT&T works flawlessly, which is very good. But how does this call check work? The essence of the work is as follows: when your smartphone is just about to receive a call, your above operator already has all the necessary information about the subscriber who is calling you.

Further, by using the SHAKEN/STIR standards, the company’s servers determine whether a person or a robot is calling you.

7 Best AT&T Phones of 2023

Cons

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Meet the tester

Checking our work.

The best AT&T phones to buy in 2023: Prepaid and with contract

Best AT&T cell phones available right now:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Good

The Bad

iPhone 14 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Pro

The Good

The Bad

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

The Good

The Bad

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Good

The Bad

The Good

The Bad

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Good

The Bad

AT&T Prepaid phones

Can I get a free phone from AT&T?

Are phones from AT&T sold locked?

What are the benefits of prepaid phones at AT&T?

Vzglyad

AT&T mobile operator added a new feature to smartphones