Best AT&T phones to buy in 2020

With over 165 million subscribers in the US, AT&T is the nation’s second largest US wireless carrier. 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 is the best AT&T phone to buy in 2020? Allow us to be your guide.

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Best AT&T cell phones, a summarized list:

• iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max – the most powerful iPhones money can buy today, with top-notch cameras, Face ID, and industry-leading processing power
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra – updated Snapdragon 865+ chip, S Pen and design that oozes class, a power user’s dream 
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra – one of the best AT&T Android phones, with powerful camera zoom, big battery, and 5G
• Google Pixel 4 XL – fast Android experience without the clutter. Takes beautiful photos.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 and S20+ – the best Android phones for most people, with 5G and the latest Qualcomm processor
• iPhone 11 – the latest iPhone experience at a budget price
• LG Velvet – LG’s latest flagship comes with sleek design and 5G support at a very affordable price 

iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the most powerful iPhone yet. It has a beautiful display, a big battery that lasts a long time, and the Face ID biometric identification system that works remarkably well. The triple cameras at the back are easy to work with and take wonderful pictures in most situations. Overall, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is among the best AT&T phones to buy if cost is not an issue and if you’re already an Apple product user. And if you’re looking for something more compact, the iPhone 11 Pro is the phone to consider.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

In the Staets, the Note 20 Ultra comes with the new Snapdragon 865+ chip, which gives it a slight edge over the S20 Ultra and other first-half-of-2020 flagships when it comes to performance. The camera system is not as extreme as the one on the S20 Ultra, but it still makes some amazing photos, as you can see from our recent camera comparison.

But what sets the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra apart is, of course, its S Pen. This year it’s improved for an even better drawing and writing experience. In order to fit the S Pen, however, the Note 20 Ultra sacrifices some battery capacity and comes with 500mAh smaller battery than that of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. 

The Note 20 Ultra packs 5G and a slew of other features. You can learn about them from our Galaxy Note 20 Ultra review.

 

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G

If high-end specs and an impressive zoom camera are what you search for, the Galaxy S20 Ultra is the best Android phone AT&T has to offer. It has the latest Snapdragon 865 chip and a huge OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for super-smooth animations. The powerful camera system at the back stands out with its remarkable zooming abilities and 108MP of resolution. On top of that, the phone offers 5G connectivity and a huge, 5000mAh battery for all-day action. What we don’t like is the 1400$ starting price and the in-display fingerprint reader which is not as reliable or convenient as Apple’s Face ID.

Google Pixel 4 XL

The Pixel 4 XL is of the best Android phones you’re likely to overlook at an AT&T store. It offers a clean and fast Android experience without the clutter, and the beautiful OLED display supports a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother animations. Instead of a fingerprint reader, the Pixel 4 XL has fast and convenient facial recognition. The cameras won’t impress you with specs, but they take great pictures in most situations thanks to Google’s HDR algorithms. One downside is that the battery life of the Pixel 4 XL isn’t excellent, but we think it is good enough for most people.

Buy Google Pixel 4 XL at AT&T

The Galaxy S20 and S20+ are the best AT&T Android phones for the majority of people. They don’t have the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 108MP camera and extreme zooming abilities, but they do offer beautiful displays with 120Hz refresh rate and relatively large batteries. They’re also among the best AT&T 5G phones today, if that’s a feature you demand. 

iPhone 11

This is the iPhone to buy if you’re on a tight budget. For $700 you get the latest Apple A13 chip, Face ID, very good battery life and the latest experiences iOS has to offer. The dual camera at the back is comprised of a main camera for every-day use and a super-wide camera that fits even more in the frame. The LCD screen isn’t as good as that on the iPhone 11 Pro, and the battery charger in the box is quite slow by today’s standards.

Buy iPhone 11 at AT&T

LG finally got rid of its cumbersome naming scheme with the release of the elegant LG Velvet. Marking a new direction for the company, the Velvet doesn’t have the best Snapdragon chip available but also spares you the high sticker price that comes with it. Instead, LG bets on striking design and premium build to lure customers. 

The phone does have the almost mandatory for 2020 quad-camera setup and, of course, support for 5G. If you’re staying away from Samsung phones and Pixels are just too basic-looking for you, the LG Velvet will be happy to nest in your palm.