Verizon buyer's guide: The best Verizon phones for every budget

A vast network and an extensive menu of phones give Verizon status as one of the best US carriers. If you’re thinking about joining Big Red, you have to know what phones you can choose. These include popular devices available on all carriers and exclusive Verizon phones.

We’ll show you the best Verizon phones in different categories in this guide, including flagship, mid-level, and budget categories. Additionally, we’ll talk about Verizon’s prepaid phones and the best Verizon plans you should know about. Oh, and don’t forget that you can easily unlock a Verizon device if you want to take it to another carrier. Let’s dive in.

Best Verizon phones:

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best Verizon phones regularly as new ones hit the carrier.

1. Samsung Galaxy S23 series — Flagship

Samsung’s brand-new Galaxy S23 series picks up just about where the Galaxy S22 series left off. It still packs three models, capped off by the Galaxy S23 Ultra with its Note-like design. It’s the most powerful member of the lineup, carrying a familiar design with built-in S Pen storage and an upgraded quadruple-camera setup with a massive 200MP main shooter). The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and packs a 5,000mAh battery.

The Galaxy S23 Plus, on the other hand, comes with a 6.6-inch display and the same triple-camera setup we’re used to at the back, featuring 50MP, 12MP, and 10MP shooters. The phone packs a 4,700mAh battery and 8GB of RAM with the same Snapdragon processor.

The regular Galaxy S23 is very similar to the Plus model. The main differences are that it sports a smaller 6.1-inch display, but it’s back to a 3,900mAh battery.

All three phones sport in-display fingerprint scanners, IP68 ratings, and wireless charging. And no, none of them have a headphone jack.

Samsung Galaxy S23 specs:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus specs:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs:

2. Apple iPhone 14 series— Flagship

No matter how much we love Android, we can’t ignore just how good the iPhone 14 series has become. It packs premium components across the entire range and a newly revamped camera setup. Sure, you’ll pay the Apple tax, but at least Verizon is fully loaded with deals and discounts to take the sting out of it.

Apple is sticking with its four-device family for another year, but the Mini has gone the way of the Dodo. In its place, you’ll find the iPhone 14 Plus, which offers an iPhone 14 Pro Max footprint with pared-down internals. You’ll find a familiar A15 Bionic chipset on both the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus and a pair of 12MP shooters.

Apple seems to have mastered the battery life on its two basic models, but the Pros trade longevity for an extra punch. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max each carry the updated A16 Bionic chip, and they’ve ditched the notch for good. Instead, you’ll get a small Dynamic Island — a punch hole that expands and changes shape to fit your notifications and apps. You’ll even find Apple’s crisp 120Hz display at home on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, as well as support for ProRes and Cinematic Mode. 

iPhone 14 specs:

iPhone 14 Plus specs:

iPhone 14 Pro specs:

iPhone 14 Pro Max specs:

3. Google Pixel 7 series — Flagship

Google is sticking with the successes of the Pixel 6 line for another year. Its new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro follow familiar design trends and pack Google’s updated internals at unbeatable prices.

Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come with the Tensor G2 chip onboard, as well as updated versions of last year’s cameras. You can’t miss the camera bar, which is now guarded by aluminum rather than glass. The rest of Google’s stylish design is still Gorilla Glass Victus, which can take a tumble or two.

You’ll find wireless charging, as well as 21W USB PD PPS wired charging on both models, and the IP68 rating is here to stay. The vanilla Pixel 7 packs a 6.3-inch Full HD+ panel, while the Pixel 7 Pro swells to 6.7-inches with a WQHD resolution.

We mentioned that the prices are unbeatable, and this is another carryover from last year. The Pixel 7 still kicks off at just $599 with the Pixel 7 Pro close behind at $899.

Google Pixel 7 specs:

Google Pixel 7 Pro specs:

4. Google Pixel 6a — Mid-range

Google’s latest budget offering just might be its best yet. The Pixel 6a pulls almost all of the best features of its flagship siblings into a smaller, more affordable design, and it just landed on the Verizon shelves.

The phone has an excellent build quality even though it’s made of plastic rather than glass. You’ll also find a 4,410mAh battery under the hood, complete with 18W wired charging. Google even brought its in-house Tensor processor on its mid-range device for the first time, backed by 6GB of RAM.

While the Pixel 6 series took a large leap forward in terms of camera hardware, the Pixel 6a is a blast from the reliable past. It drops back to the tried and tested 12.2MP primary camera, along with a 12MP ultrawide as a backup. You’re also looking at an 8MP selfie lens, which offers solid results even if it’s not the sharpest in the mid-range.

Google Pixel 6a specs:

5. Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) — Mid-range

The most affordable iPhone is back for another trip around the block. And although we’re an Android-focused website, we can’t deny that the iPhone SE has some solid internals. It offers tremendous value for money, not something you usually hear when talking about Apple products.

The iPhone SE includes the same glass and metal design we saw on the iPhone 8 and carries a single 12MP camera. Users will also love that Apple didn’t skimp out on the processor, as the iPhone SE uses the same Apple A15 Bionic processor we see in iPhone 13 handsets. Other benefits include wireless charging and an IP67 rating, two features that have become standard on budget phones.

However, there are a few drawbacks you have to keep in mind. The phone has a small 4.7-inch display with a low resolution. It also has large bezels that make it look dated and lacks Night Mode, so low-light photography isn’t anything to write home about.

Apple iPhone SE specs:

6. Samsung Galaxy A54 — Mid-range Verizon phone

This is one of the cheapest 5G-ready smartphones on this list. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is an excellent mid-ranger, with flexible cameras, a large and fast display, and solid 25W charging. It’s also been redesigned to closely match Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S23 lineup, offering a slimmed-down camera bump and slightly rounded side rails. Samsung even dropped one of the Galaxy A54’s rear cameras to bring it closer in line with the flagship model.

The front is covered by a 6.4-inch FHD+ display with a punch hole on top that gives it a premium look. You’ll find the Exynos 1380 chipset under the hood, which is a decent upgrade over the previous Galaxy A53. Samsung’s mid-ranger also comes with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage that you can expand with a microSD card. The 5,000mAh battery is a great touch — it’s larger than that of the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus — but we do miss the headphone jack.

Samsung Galaxy A53 specs:

7. Motorola Moto G Pure — Cheap Verizon phone

If you’re on a budget and don’t demand a lot from your phone, the Motorola Moto G Pure might be up your alley. Its specs won’t blow your socks off, but the affordable phone packs enough power for everyday tasks on Verizon’s best network.

The device’s screen is quite large, coming in at 6.5 inches, and it packs a comfortable HD resolution. Two cameras at the back get the job done, just don’t expect the world from them — especially in low-light situations. Other specs and features include 32GB of expandable storage, a 4,000mAh battery, and Android 11 right out of the box.

The phone is also equipped with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and a headphone jack.

Motorola Moto G Pure specs:

8. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G — Cheap Verizon phone

Samsung’s most affordable Verizon-compatible device is one of the last to pick up 5G support. Verizon offered the 4G-only version of Samsung’s previous Galaxy A13, so it’s a solid upgrade to bring the highest speeds to the bottom-tier device.

Of course, 5G is unlikely to make or break the experience on its own if you live outside a major city. Instead, you’re more likely to rely on the massive 5,000mAh battery, 50MP primary camera, and 6.6-inch Full HD+ display. Samsung’s budget-friendly phone also holds onto the headphone jack for just one more year, making it the last model to do so from the Korean giant. Like the Galaxy A54, the Galaxy A14 follows pretty closely to the Galaxy S23’s distinct style. It ditches the fourth camera lens but picks up flattened side rails and a slimmed-down bump.

The software experience on the Galaxy A14 gets a thumbs up, as it comes with Android 13 right out of the box with the One UI skin on top.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G specs:

9. Sonim XP5s — Basic Verizon phone

This phone is built to last. It has a MIL-STD-810-G rating, which means it has gone through a series of 29 tests and can withstand everything from shock and vibration to heat and humidity. It’s also IP68 rated, making it resistant to both water and dust.

The Sonim XP5s looks rugged and is small enough to slide into just about any pocket, making it easy to carry around you while on the job. It’s a great phone for those who work in construction or are just generally clumsy. It’s not a smartphone, so don’t expect it to do the same things as an Android phone. But if calls and texts are all you need from a phone, the Sonim XP5s may be for you.

This is the most expensive basic phone Verizon sells, although the price may be worth it for some due to the handset’s rugged design and the included three-year warranty.

Sonim XP5s specs:

10. Alcatel Go Flip V — Basic Verizon phone

If you’re in the market for a cheap Verizon flip phone, the Alcatel Go Flip V should be the first one on your shortlist. It has two displays and large keys, making this an ideal device for older people.

It’s as simple to use as they get, but it still packs a camera at the back that takes acceptable images. The battery capacity doesn’t sound like much at just 1,350mAh, but the battery life should be excellent since this is a basic phone that isn’t power-hungry.

The device also comes with a headphone jack, a feature most high-end Android phones lack these days.

Alcatel Go Flip V specs:

11. Kazuna eTalk — Basic Verizon phone

If you’re looking for a flip phone on Verizon for as little money as possible, the Kazuna eTalk is for you. It’s very similar to the Alcatel Go Flip V mentioned above, sporting the same display sizes and chipset. The resolution of the camera is also the same at 2MP.

However, the phone comes with less RAM and storage, which is why it’s more affordable. But on the other hand, it does pack a slightly larger battery at 1,500mAh.

Like most flip phones, the Kazuna eTalk has large physical keys that make using it a breeze. Because of the phone’s design, the chance of butt-dialing someone is also more or less eliminated. 

Kazuna eTalk specs:

Verizon prepaid phones

Prepaid phones are usually bought off-contract, which means you can’t get them on an installment plan and have to pay for them up-front. Verizon has plenty of them available, although their selection doesn’t include the latest and greatest flagships like the Note 20 Ultra and OnePlus 8 Pro.

If you want to opt for a prepaid Verizon phone, check out the five best ones we think you should consider below.

• Samsung Galaxy S22
• Moto One 5G
• Apple iPhone 13
• Google Pixel 6

There are plenty of others to choose from, some of which you can check out in our dedicated best Verizon prepaid phones post at the link.

Verizon phones vs. unlocked phones

When deciding whether to go for a Verizon or an unlocked phone, you have to keep a few things in mind.

A phone bought directly from Verizon has its advantages, with the biggest one being that you don’t have to pay for it up-front. You only pay a portion of the cost right away and then pay off the rest over a period of time. This up-front cost could be anywhere from zero dollars to hundreds of dollars, depending on the phone’s price and popularity. With unlocked phones, you usually have to pay for them in full at the time of purchase.

Verizon also offers great deals on select devices, so you can save a lot of money compared to getting them unlocked from Amazon or any other retailer. BOGO deals are top-rated, which get you two handsets for the price of one. Deals like these usually aren’t available for unlocked phones.

Support is another advantage of getting a phone from Verizon. Whenever you need help with anything, visit your local carrier shop, and the staff will gladly help you with it. If your phone has some physical defect, Verizon can help you get it fixed.

Another thing worth mentioning is that if you buy a carrier device, you can be sure that that device is specifically configured to work well on the carrier’s network. In other words, if you buy a Verizon phone, you can be sure that it will work well on Verizon’s network and that you’ll be able to take advantage of all the features you would expect.

Read next: The best Android phones | The best cheap phones

When it comes to disadvantages, the biggest one is that a phone bought from Verizon is locked to the carrier’s network for a certain amount of time. That means you can’t use it on a different carrier before the phone gets unlocked, which is 60 days in Verizon’s case.

If you buy an unlocked phone, you can usually take it to just about any carrier and switch between them as you please. You have much more freedom this way.

Verizon phones may also come with a lot of bloatware you don’t get on unlocked phones. The selection is limited, and you won’t find every popular model in the carrier’s lineup. For example, while Verizon sells the OnePlus 8, it does not offer the Pro model. So if you want a specific phone that’s not available at Verizon, you’ll have to get it unlocked.

Don’t forget to pick a plan

After you select the phone you want to get, it’s time to choose a Verizon plan. There are many options available, so regardless of what you’re looking for, Verizon likely has you covered. You can check out and compare the carrier’s post-paid plans in the table below. Still, if you want to learn more about the other plans Verizon has to offer and how they compare with the competition, check out our dedicated best Verizon plans and best Verizon prepaid plans posts at the links.

Frequently asked questions