Best AT&T phones of 2022: Apple, Samsung and more compared

The race to the top of the mobile phone market has brought fantastic handsets from companies that continue to chase the leaders that are many people's top choices, like Samsung's Galaxy line and Apple's iPhones. From 5G connectivity to foldable screens, phone companies are innovating and evolving faster than ever, unveiling solutions to problems that we didn't even know existed. And all this competition benefits AT&T subscribers, giving you many excellent phones to choose from, at a number of different prices.

That means you need to go into the process of choosing a new phone with a solid strategy, one that ensure that you get a device with all of the apps, tools, data and media specifics that you want from your device. If that seems a little overwhelming, don't worry -- we've simplified it all for you. Read on to learn more about the best AT&T phone for you and your smartphone needs, as well as our tips for how to buy a new phone.

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As Samsung's elite flagship phone for 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a brilliant 6.8-inch AMOLED display with an ultrasmooth 120Hz refresh rate that also supports Samsung's S-Pen stylus, an awesome rear camera with incredible zoom skills and 5G connectivity for super-speedy data. It's powered by the top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon chip for amazing performance. This is the best mobile technology that Samsung has to offer, and it's the Android phone to go for if you're keen to put cutting-edge mobile phone tech in your pocket.

Read our Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review.

Google

The Google Pixel 6 Pro's unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance have already earned the phone an excellent rating in our full review. With performance that's every bit as good as its design, it's the best phone Google has ever made. The main camera is on par with the best iPhones. And at $899 for the base 128GB model, it trounces its premium phone rivals in price.

Read our Google Pixel 6 Pro review.

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The standard iPhone 13 is a reliable choice for most people, sporting a 6.1-inch screen and two excellent rear cameras. For this model, Apple has pledged longer battery life, improved cameras and better durability than the Apple iPhone 12. What do you miss by not going Pro? A third rear camera with 3x optical zoom and a ProMotion screen with refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling. It is not a cheap phone, but definitely a more affordable flagship pick than the Pro siblings.

Read our iPhone 13 review.

With a new low starting price of $449, Google's Pixel 5A is currently the best Pixel deal around. Beyond its affordable price, the Pixel 5A offers a top-notch camera that takes brilliant photos, a large screen size and water-resistance. This Pixel phone is a solid option capable of tackling all of your everyday essentials, and with its 5G speeds, you won't be left waiting for your Netflix shows to buffer when you're waiting for the bus.

Read our Google Pixel 5A review.

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If you're someone who prefers smaller, pocket-friendly devices, this is the phone for you. The 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Mini is easy to use with one hand and even fits into tight jean pockets. Starting at $699, this is the cheapest model in Apple's iPhone 13 lineup. While battery life isn't as long as the iPhone 13, this petite Apple iPhone doesn't sacrifice on camera capabilities or processing power.

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If you're looking for a good budget phone that comes with a basic stylus and support for 5G, then the Moto G Stylus 5 is a great pick. The cell phone features a stylus that you can store inside the phone along with a built-in Notes app to help with productivity. This phone also offers a 48-megapixel main camera, a spacious 6.8-inch screen and a large 5,000 mAh battery.

Read our Moto G Stylus 5G review.

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New and Rumored AT&T Phones in 2022: iPhone SE, Galaxy S22, Pixel 6A and More

New and Rumored AT&T Phones in 2022: iPhone SE, Galaxy S22, Pixel 6A and More

Choosing a new phone upgrade is hardly ever simple. In the world of technology there is always something new around the corner, and with Verizon and AT&T embracing 36-month installment plans, the phone you upgrade to will likely be the one you use for the next several years. So, trying to figure out when is the "best time" to upgrade can be tricky.

Here are some of the phones you'll want to keep an eye out for this year and when we think they might arrive based on past trends and rumors.

Read more: What To Know About Switching Carriers In 2022

A note about why you should buy a 2022 phone if you have AT&T

Before we get into the actual devices, it's worth mentioning quickly why with AT&T in particular you should be looking for a 2022 device: 5G support and those long installment terms.

AT&T is prepping for a big 5G upgrade towards the back half of the year that should significantly enhance its service using what is known as midband spectrum. The carrier plans to cover 200 million people with its midband networks by the end of next year, and download speeds are expected to routinely hit several hundred megabits per second, with peaks of 1 gigabit per second.

There are two flavors of midband spectrum AT&T is focusing on, known as C-band and 3.45GHz. The former is what Verizon and AT&T have already started to deploy and is often used for 5G internationally, making it easy to find and enable in a number of already available phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 and Google's Pixel 6. The carrier already has a list of devices that support C-band.

The 3.45GHz spectrum, however, is not as common in phones today and AT&T has not committed to upgrading earlier devices to support this network. (Making matters a bit more confusing is AT&T is branding both midband flavors, as well as its millimeter-wave network, as "5G Plus.")

Future flagship phones, starting with the Galaxy S22 line (and likely including many of the phones below), are expected to work with all flavors of AT&T's 5G. Since you may be locking yourself into a 36-month commitment when you upgrade, getting a phone that works with all of AT&T's 5G variations should be worth keeping in mind.

Samsung S22 and S22 Ultra — The Galaxy S22 Ultra, left, S22 Plus and S22.
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Samsung Galaxy S22

Samsung's latest Galaxy S phones are usually the first major phones of the year, and for the US this trend continues to hold true. The latest Galaxy phones boast the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, improved cameras and, at least on the S22 Ultra, a slot for Samsung's S Pen stylus. All three phones will also work with all of AT&T's 5G networks.

When are they coming out? The new Galaxy phones hit stores on Feb. 25. Prices start at $800 for the regular Galaxy S22, $1,000 for the S22 Plus and $1,200 for the S22 Ultra.

apple-iphone-se-1418 — The new iPhone SE is expected to keep a similar design to the current iPhone SE, above.
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Apple iPhone SE 3

Apple's budget iPhone has received a fresh 2022 upgrade. Well, kind of fresh. The new model features a nearly identical design to the second-generation iPhone SE (which itself is similar to the iPhone 8) -- which means yes to a home button and big bezels, but no to Face ID or a larger screen -- but now packs in support for low-band and midband 5G networks. The new SE also runs on Apple's A15 processor, the same chip found in the iPhone 13, and has better battery life.

AT&T confirmed that the new iPhone SE will not work with its forthcoming 3.45GHz midband 5G network. It also lacks support for AT&T's millimeter-wave 5G network. You can read more about the different names and flavors of 5G here.

When is it coming out? Apple's newest iPhone SE is available for preorder on March 11 and will go on sale on March 18. Prices start at $429 for a 64GB model.

pixel-6a-onleaks-91mobiles — The rumored Pixel 6A.
OnLeaks/91Mobiles

Google Pixel 6A

Like Apple, Google also is rumored to be working on a new, more affordable version of its Pixel line. A successor to last year's Pixel 5A, according to 9to5Google, the Pixel 6A will include Google's Tensor chip and two rear cameras: a 12.2-megapixel main shooter and 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. An 8-megapixel camera will be found on the front.

A report from OnLeaks and 91Mobiles revealed that design-wise the phone will feature a similar look to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, including the camera bar along the top of the back of the phone. The screen will be 6.2 inches across, with a fingerprint reader inside the display.

When is it coming out? Google generally does its Pixel A-series updates in the summer, with the Pixel 5A announced in August last year and the Pixel 4A line announced the same time the previous year. That said, it is possible the phone might show up at the company's annual Google I/O developer event, which is where the Pixel 3A made its debut back in 2019.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 water resistance — Samsung's Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4

Samsung has been consistent in updating its foldable phones every summer. While rumors are pretty thin on what to expect for 2022, if you are a fan of foldable devices these are two to keep an eye on. Korean news site The Elec reports that the Z Fold 4 will follow the S22 Ultra's lead and include a slot for an S Pen stylus.

When are they coming out? Samsung has used its end-of-summer launch to roll out updates to its Z line of phones in the past, so if that trend holds true these could arrive in August or September. Last year's Z series was announced in August.

iphone14-bonus-20-5x — An early iPhone 14 render from Jon Prosser, designed by Ian Zelbo.
Jon Prosser

Apple iPhone 14

Whereas the iPhone SE 3 is seemingly imminent, the next major iPhone update isn't slated to hit until the fall. Among the many rumored changes and improvements for this year's flagship line of iPhones include the regular upgrades to the processor and camera, with the Pro and Pro Max possibly getting 48-megapixel rear shooters, up from the 12 megapixels that have been found on previous iPhones.

Potentially the biggest change in the iPhone 14, however, could be in the front camera placement for the 14 Pro and Pro Max. Rumors suggest Apple might finally ditch the notch and go with a hole or pill-shaped cutout instead.

When are they coming out? Apple generally announces its major iPhone upgrades in September.

Oppo Find N open — Google's rumored Pixel foldable is rumored to be similar in design to Oppo's Find N, above.
Eli Blumenthal/CNET

Google Pixel 7, 7 Pro and Pixel Notepad

Google is rumored to be working on a few big Pixel upgrades this year, including successors to the Pixel 6 line and a new foldable Pixel. According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 7 line will sport a second-generation version of Google's custom Tensor processor as well as an updated Samsung modem for connecting to cellular networks. A recent leak from OnLeaks and SmartPrix appears to show the design of the 7 Pro, which is similar to last year's Pixel 6 Pro styling.

pixel-7-pro-5k2-scaled — The rumored Pixel 7 Pro.
OnLeaks/Smartprix

The outlet has also reported that the company is working on a foldable Pixel that it says may be called the Pixel Notepad. Not much is known about this device, though it is expected to run on Google's Tensor chip. 9to5Google also says the price could be more affordable than the $1,800 Samsung charges for the Z Fold 3, and that its design could be more like Oppo's Find N.

When are they coming out? Google has traditionally done its big Pixel updates in October. Analyst Ross Young has tweeted that the foldable phone, in particular, may arrive in October.

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Best At Amp T Phones Of 20

Best AT&T Phones Of 2022: Apple, Samsung And More Compared

Best AT&T phones of 2022: Apple, Samsung and more compared

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