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

With the largest network and an excellent selection of phones, it is no wonder Verizon is widely considered to be top dog among the major US carriers. For those on Big Red’s network, there are quite a few options to choose from. These include popular devices available on all carriers, as well as exclusive Verizon phones.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best Verizon phones in different categories 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. 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.

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1. Samsung Galaxy S20 series — flagship

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S series consists of three phones: the Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra. The S20 Ultra offers the most of the lineup, sporting a large 6.9-inch display, as much as 16GB of RAM, and a triple-camera setup at the back (108MP+48MP+12MP) along with a ToF sensor. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset and packs a 5,000mAh battery.

The Galaxy S20 Plus, on the other hand, comes with a 6.7-inch display and triple-camera setup at the back featuring 64MP, 12MP, and 12MP shooters and a ToF camera. The phone packs a 4,500mAh battery and 12GB of RAM. It’s powered by the same chipset as the Ultra model.

The regular Galaxy S20 is very similar to the Plus model. The main differences are that it sports a smaller 6.2-inch display, lacks the ToF sensor at the back, and packs a smaller 4,000mAh battery. All three phones sport an in-display fingerprint scanner, an IP6 rating, and wireless charging. And no, none of them have a headphone jack.

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus specs:

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus specs:

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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra specs:

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2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series — flagship

The Samsung Galaxy S series may be more popular, but more demanding Samsung fans will prefer the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 smartphones. These come with more powerful specs and an S-Pen stylus that will turn your device into a productivity machine. 

Read next: The Galaxy Note 20 buyer’s guide

This year, we have two versions of the Note 20: the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The most notable differences between the two phones are the display, construction, and cameras. The Ultra model has a larger display with a higher resolution and refresh rate, better rear cameras, and a larger battery. It also comes with more RAM and a microSD card slot.

It feels more premium in the hand thanks to its glass and metal construction. The rear panel of the regular Note 20, on the other hand, is made of what Samsung calls glasstic — a plastic material with a glass-like paint job.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 specs:

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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra specs:

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3. OnePlus 8 5G UW — flagship

The Verizon-exclusive OnePlus 8 isn’t the same as the unlocked version of the phone. Officially called the OnePlus 8 5G UW, the handset supports the mmWave spectrum, whereas the regular OnePlus 8 that’s available on the company’s website and on Amazon only supports sub-6 5G connectivity.

Also read: OnePlus 8 buyer’s guide

But when it comes to specs, there are no major differences between the two devices. The OnePlus 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset, sports three rear cameras, and has stereo speakers. The battery comes in at 4,300mAh and supports 30-watt charging that gets it to 100% in a little more than an hour.

However, the unlocked model can be had with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, while Verizon only sells the base version with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The phone offers a bit less overall than the OnePlus 8 Pro — which Verizon doesn’t sell — but it does come in cheaper and has a smaller footprint many will appreciate.

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OnePlus 8 specs:

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4. Samsung A71 5G — mid-range

The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G is a great mid-range device that competes well with others in its class. It offers an excellent screen with solid battery life and speedy performance. It also supports 5G.

The phone has a great built quality and comes with a headphone jack, which is missing on both the latest Galaxy S and Note series. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 765G that offers similar performance as the older Snapdragon 845 chipset, which is more than good enough for most people. There are four cameras at the back that are quite good, although we’d prefer to see Samsung skip the macro lens and go with a telephoto instead.

All these things combined make the Galaxy A71 5G one of the best Verizon phones you can get. But although it’s a lot more affordable than Samsung’s high-end offerings, it still isn’t exactly cheap.

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Samsung Galaxy A71 5G specs:

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5. Google Pixel 4a — mid-range

If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone, the Google Pixel 4a should be at the top of your list. The most impressive thing about it is that it is one of the best camera phones you can get, despite only having a single rear lens.

The handset packs the Snapdragon 720G chipset under the hood along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also the old fashioned headphone jack on board. The display is a big improvement over the Pixel 3a, coming in at 5.81 inches and surrounded by thin bezels for a modern look. In addition to offering a bloat-free software experience, the Pixel 4a is also guaranteed to get three years of Android updates.

There are a few omissions, though, which are expected due to the affordable price tag of the device. There’s no wireless charging or an IP rating. The Pixel 4a also doesn’t feel quite as upmarket because of its plastic back. Regardless, the price and value makes it one of the best Verizon phones you can get.

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Google Pixel 4a specs:

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6. Apple iPhone SE — mid-range

Budget premium phones are all the hype in 2020. And although we’re an Android-focused website, we can’t deny that the iPhone SE is a great phone. It offers tremendous value for money, which is not something you usually hear when talking about Apple products.

The iPhone SE includes the familiar glass and metal design we saw on the iPhone 8 and has a very competitive camera. Users will also love that Apple didn’t skimp out on the processor, as the iPhone SE uses the same Apple A13 Bionic processor we see in iPhone 11 handsets. Other benefits include wireless charging and an IP67 rating, two features the Pixel 4a phone lacks.

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.

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Apple iPhone SE specs:

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7. Samsung Galaxy A21 — cheap Verizon phone

If you’re on a budget and don’t demand a lot from your phone, the Galaxy A21 might be up your alley. Its specs won’t blow your socks off, but the handset still has more than enough power for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and checking social media.

The screen of the device is quite large, coming in at 6.5 inches, but it only has HD+ resolution. There are four cameras at the back that get the job done, just don’t expect the world from them — especially in low-light situations. Other specs and features include 32GB of storage, a 4,000mAh battery, and Android 10 with Samsung’s One UI on top.

The phone is also equipped with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, supports expandable storage, and has a headphone jack.

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Samsung Galaxy A21 specs:

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8. Moto G Power — cheap Verizon phone

The USP of the Moto G Power is its battery life, as you can probably tell by its name. It packs a 5,000mAh cell that can last up to three days, according to Motorola. The battery should be good for 150 hours of music playback or 27 hours of video binging. Not bad!

The G Power is a mid-range smartphone packing the Snapdragon 665 chipset under the hood along with 4GB of RAM. It has a modern design with a punch-hole display and comes with three rear cameras. It also sports a headphone jack and supports expandable storage. All these things combined make the Moto G Power one of the best Verizon phones you can currently get.

The software experience on the Moto G Power gets a thumbs-up as well, since it comes with a super light skin that doesn’t change the look and feel of Android by much.

Check pricing

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Moto G Power specs:

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9. Nokia 3 V — cheap Verizon phone

This is the cheapest smartphone on this list. The Nokia 3 V is exclusive to Verizon, although it’s more or less a re-branded version of the Nokia 3.2. It’s not powerful by any means, but it does offer great value for money.

The front is covered by a 6.26-inch HD+ display with a small notch on top that gives it a somewhat modern look. You’ll find the Snapdragon 429 chipset under the hood along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage that can be expanded with a microSD card. The battery comes in at 4,000mAh, and there’s also a headphone jack on board.

Sadly, the phone doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner. This is a weird move by Nokia and Verizon considering that the Nokia 3.2 has a fingerprint scanner, as does the Moto E6 that’s even more affordable. 

Check pricing

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Nokia 3 V specs:

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10. Sonim XP5s — basic/flip 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 it 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 text 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 handsets rugged design and the included three-year warranty.

Check pricing

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Sonim XP5s specs:

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11. Alcatel Go Flip V — basic/flip 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, which is a features most high-end Android phones lack these days.

Check pricing

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Alcatel Go Flip V specs:

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12. Kazuna eTalk — basic/flip 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 the same chipset. The resolution of the camera is also the same at 2MP.

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

As 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. 

Check pricing

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Kazuna eTalk specs:

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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.

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 price and popularity of the phone. With unlocked phones, you usually have to pay for them in full at the time of purchase.

Verizon’s deals can save you a lot of money.

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 especially popular, 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, simply visit your local carrier shop and the staff will gladly help you with it. If your phone has some sort of 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 as well, as not every popular phone can be found 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 a lot of 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, but 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.

	Start Unlimited	Play More Unlimited	Do More Unlimited	Get More Unlimited
Cost	$70 for one line $60 for two lines $45 for three lines $35 for four lines	$80 for one line $70 for two lines $55 for three lines $45 for four lines	$80 for one line $70 for two lines $55 for three lines $45 for four lines	$90 for one line $80 for two lines $65 for three lines $55 for four lines
Talk & Text	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Data	Unlimited 4G LTE	25GB Premium 4G LTE Unlimited standard 4G 5G access with compatible phone	50GB Premium 4G LTE Unlimited standard 4G 5G access with compatible phone	75GB Premium 4G LTE Unlimited standard 4G 5G access with compatible phone
Hotspot	Not included	15GB 4G LTE Unlimited 3G	15GB 4G LTE Unlimited 3G	30GB 4G LTE Unlimited 3G
International Service	Talk & Text in Mexico and Canada Texting in over 200 countries	Talk & Text in Mexico and Canada Texting in over 200 countries	Talk & Text in Mexico and Canada Texting in over 200 countries	Talk & Text in Mexico and Canada Texting in over 200 countries
Extra Perks	480p streaming Apple Music for 6 months Disney Plus for one year	720p streaming Apple Music included Disney Plus for one year	480p streaming Apple Music for 6 months Disney Plus for one year 500GB cloud storage	480p streaming Apple Music included Disney Plus for one year 500GB cloud storage

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is my Verizon phone unlocked?
A: No it’s not. The phone you bought from Verizon is locked to the carrier’s network.

Q: How to unlock a Verizon phone?
A: All Verizon phones are locked for 60 days after purchase/activation. After 60 days, the phone will be unlocked automatically, so you don’t have to do anything.

Q: How to activate a new Verizon phone?
A: Setting up and activating a new Verizon phone is a breeze. All you have to do is charge it, turn it on, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Once the setup is complete, your phone will be activated and ready for use.

Q: How to switch phones on Verizon?
A: If you want to switch devices with someone else on your account, all you have to do is visit the Swap Devices page in My Verizon and follow on-screen instruction. The process only takes a few minutes to complete.

Q: Can I use a Sprint phone on Verizon?
A: Generally yes, since both carriers use CDMA technology. So if you have an unlocked Sprint phone, you should be able to use it on Verizon. However, you should check with Verizon before you sign up for a plan just to make sure, since some specific devices may not be compatible.