Hand-picked by CNET editors, these are the best phones available from US Cellular.
Our Experts
Written by
Lynn La
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Reviews ethics statement
Lynn LaSenior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
From 5G connectivity to foldable screens, phone companies are evolving and innovating faster than ever. While Samsung's Galaxy line and Apple iPhones are many people's top choice, there are other cell phone makers gunning for their place with fantastic handsets of their own. And all this competition benefits us users, who now have many excellent phones to choose from, and at a number of different prices. Read on to see what the best phones are right now that are available on US carrier US Cellular, and check out our tips on how to buy a new phone and the best places to sell your old one.
iPhone 11 is the an incredible midtier smartphone from Apple. Its cameras get an excellent new Night Mode and an ultrawide-angle camera adds extra detail in photos. Video is fantastic, too." superlative="Apple iPhone 11" imagegroup="{"alt":"29-iphone-11","caption":"","credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageData":{"id":"33ce0211-e27c-4e7e-ba99-03f961331875","title":"29-iphone-11","filename":"29-iphone-11.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/f0HdmPM1GjkoNV49d0oM1OGH8UY=/2019/09/16/33ce0211-e27c-4e7e-ba99-03f961331875/29-iphone-11.jpg","caption":"","size":6886629,"width":5697,"height":3205,"dateCreated":{"date":"2019-09-16 16:59:58","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2019-09-16 17:00:39","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","alt":"29-iphone-11","restricted":true,"startDate":{"date":"2019-09-17 10:00:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"33ce0211-e27c-4e7e-ba99-03f961331875","imageAltText":"29-iphone-11","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"29-iphone-11.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2019/09/16","imageWidth":5697,"imageHeight":3205,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" overridecaption="" overridecredit="Sarah Tew/CNET" offer="{"id":"2d178b34-ff21-4787-a422-be6221e33437","slug":"apple-iphone-11","label":"Apple iPhone 11","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"6ee4a9da-ff0e-4cc5-918b-b9e1dc4b83dc","imgWidth":5760,"imgHeight":3240,"objectType":"content_product_series","typeLabel":"Series","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/6ee4a9da-ff0e-4cc5-918b-b9e1dc4b83dc/resize/75x56","icon":"type-icon ct-cnet-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"2d178b34-ff21-4787-a422-be6221e33437","name":"Apple iPhone 11","slug":"apple-iphone-11","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1633320558346,"displayDate":"Mon Oct 04 2021 09:39:18 GMT+0530 (IST)"}" usepricing="true" data-key="cnetlisticle__54f130ab-171c-4050-8c3f-97967676afcb" index="1" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="Default - Article Page" tagslugs="google,lenovo,motorola,samsung,t-mobile,samsung-galaxy,apple,oneplus" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Sarah Tew/CNET" class="c-bestListProductListing">
Even faster speed, improved battery life. The iPhone 11's cameras get an excellent new Night Mode and an ultrawide-angle camera that can add extra detail in photos. Fantastic video camera.
Cons
Only Pro models get the 2x telephoto. The ultrawide-angle camera doesn’t add Night Mode. No USB-C port. The Pro phones have a faster 18-watt charger but the iPhone 11 doesn't. Still has a good -- but not OLED -- display.
The iPhone 11 is the an incredible midtier smartphone from Apple. Its cameras get an excellent new Night Mode and an ultrawide-angle camera adds extra detail in photos. Video is fantastic, too.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Photo Gallery1/1
Sarah Tew/CNET
Note 10 Plus closes the gap with rival phones. This top-of-the-line phone was made for people who want the best Android. It has a killer 6.8-inch screen, an all-day battery life and excellent camera tools." superlative="Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus" imagegroup="{"alt":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14","caption":"","credits":"Angela Lang/CNET","imageData":{"id":"bc5d5932-cec7-45c0-8840-9e1e8002c09d","title":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14","filename":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/zjgwQ_hhdKuMIEqY1A-iWBcDHY0=/2019/08/15/bc5d5932-cec7-45c0-8840-9e1e8002c09d/samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14.jpg","caption":"","size":6334982,"width":4000,"height":2667,"dateCreated":{"date":"2019-08-15 23:41:31","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2019-08-15 23:43:23","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Angela Lang/CNET","alt":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":"","crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":"","isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"bc5d5932-cec7-45c0-8840-9e1e8002c09d","imageAltText":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Angela Lang/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus-14.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2019/08/15","imageWidth":4000,"imageHeight":2667,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" overridecaption="" overridecredit="Angela Lang/CNET" offer="{"id":"9ce38233-b78d-478d-b058-d5b68f1f2295","slug":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus","label":"Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"1b7d19fc-079a-4d70-a914-901e001ca147","imgWidth":4000,"imgHeight":2667,"objectType":"content_product_series","typeLabel":"Series","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/1b7d19fc-079a-4d70-a914-901e001ca147/resize/75x56","icon":"type-icon ct-cnet-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"9ce38233-b78d-478d-b058-d5b68f1f2295","name":"Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus","slug":"samsung-galaxy-note-10-plus","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1633579803,"displayDate":"Tue Jan 20 1970 03:16:19 GMT+0530 (IST)"}" usepricing="false" data-key="cnetlisticle__5b2ad4b7-c490-4ca7-8479-35d921ab8629" index="2" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="Default - Article Page" tagslugs="google,lenovo,motorola,samsung,t-mobile,samsung-galaxy,apple,oneplus" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Angela Lang/CNET" class="c-bestListProductListing">
The refined, feature-packed Note 10 Plus closes the gap with rival phones. This top-of-the-line phone was made for people who want the best Android. It has a killer 6.8-inch screen, an all-day battery life and excellent camera tools.
Angela Lang/CNET
Photo Gallery1/1
Angela Lang/CNET
Pixel 3A shaves a few features off of last year's Pixel 3: It's not water-resistant, doesn't have wireless charging, and it maxes out at 64GB of storage. But it adds a headphone jack and keeps the same amazing Night Sight camera that can shoot great photos in the dark. (Daytime photos look amazing, too.) It's because of its great value that the phone recently earned a CNET Editors' Choice." superlative="Google Pixel 3A" imagegroup="{"alt":"pixel-3a-xl-31","caption":"
The Pixel 3A is cheaper than the original Pixel 3 but packs the same grade-A camera that shoots great in low light. It can also record time-lapse videos and has a headphone jack.
Cons
The phone isn't water resistant and doesn't have wireless charging. Local storage is capped at 64GB, and Pixel 3A owners have unlimited uploads to Google Photos at a compressed high-quality resolution, not original.
The Pixel 3A shaves a few features off of last year's Pixel 3: It's not water-resistant, doesn't have wireless charging, and it maxes out at 64GB of storage. But it adds a headphone jack and keeps the same amazing Night Sight camera that can shoot great photos in the dark. (Daytime photos look amazing, too.) It's because of its great value that the phone recently earned a CNET Editors' Choice.
Angela Lang/CNET
Photo Gallery1/1
The Pixel 3A.
Angela Lang/CNET
Moto G7, the Moto G7 Play has a Snapdragon 632 processor and a water-repellent coating. But the G7 Play features a smaller 5.7-inch display, a single 13-megapixel camera and costs just $90 on US Cellular. For those who like to take a lot of selfies, on the front of the phone you'll find a selfie camera flash to brighten up all those memorable moments." superlative="Motorola Moto G7 Play" imagegroup="{"alt":"09-moto-g7-play","caption":"","credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageData":{"id":"aa5417de-d432-4953-8427-ceec9da71207","title":"09-moto-g7-play","filename":"09-moto-g7-play.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/5G-gWzz9RIpogvCGrb75zheqq6U=/2019/02/06/aa5417de-d432-4953-8427-ceec9da71207/09-moto-g7-play.jpg","caption":"","size":3422698,"width":3000,"height":1687,"dateCreated":{"date":"2019-02-06 21:36:18","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2019-02-06 21:36:31","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Sarah Tew/CNET","alt":"09-moto-g7-play","restricted":false,"startDate":{"date":"2019-02-07 13:00:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"aa5417de-d432-4953-8427-ceec9da71207","imageAltText":"09-moto-g7-play","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Sarah Tew/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"09-moto-g7-play.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2019/02/06","imageWidth":3000,"imageHeight":1687,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" overridecaption="" overridecredit="Sarah Tew/CNET" offer="{"id":"f93ac801-cf9c-49e6-9ff3-c66dffad8ed9","slug":"motorola-moto-g7-play","label":"Motorola Moto G7 Play","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"d55406c6-9fb7-4e77-8467-ccb6d6a23748","imgWidth":4032,"imgHeight":2268,"objectType":"content_product_series","typeLabel":"Series","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/d55406c6-9fb7-4e77-8467-ccb6d6a23748/resize/75x56","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"f93ac801-cf9c-49e6-9ff3-c66dffad8ed9","name":"Motorola Moto G7 Play","slug":"motorola-moto-g7-play","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1633579803,"displayDate":"Tue Jan 20 1970 03:16:19 GMT+0530 (IST)"}" usepricing="false" data-key="cnetlisticle__fecac2c7-c7da-4dfa-a8d9-33ee71fce58d" index="4" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="Default - Article Page" tagslugs="google,lenovo,motorola,samsung,t-mobile,samsung-galaxy,apple,oneplus" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Sarah Tew/CNET" class="c-bestListProductListing">
Like the pricier Moto G7, the Moto G7 Play has a Snapdragon 632 processor and a water-repellent coating. But the G7 Play features a smaller 5.7-inch display, a single 13-megapixel camera and costs just $90 on US Cellular. For those who like to take a lot of selfies, on the front of the phone you'll find a selfie camera flash to brighten up all those memorable moments.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Photo Gallery1/1
Sarah Tew/CNET
Galaxy S10E has a lot to offer. This Android phone is a smaller phone, which is great for those looking for a small grip, it has a superfast Snapdragon 855 chipset and a lengthy battery life. It can also wirelessly charge other phones and accessories." superlative="Samsung Galaxy S10E" imagegroup="{"alt":"galaxy-s10e-34","caption":"","credits":"Angela Lang/CNET","imageData":{"id":"9b86fd60-3fd5-4fcc-99c7-997426fe5dd1","title":"galaxy-s10e-34","filename":"galaxy-s10e-34.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/-cTwoQyWQwBUp47OJBdJb_QPOLI=/2019/03/07/9b86fd60-3fd5-4fcc-99c7-997426fe5dd1/galaxy-s10e-34.jpg","caption":"","size":11737489,"width":5152,"height":2898,"dateCreated":{"date":"2019-03-07 00:29:24","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2019-03-07 00:29:39","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Angela Lang/CNET","alt":"galaxy-s10e-34","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":["Galaxy-s10e"],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"9b86fd60-3fd5-4fcc-99c7-997426fe5dd1","imageAltText":"galaxy-s10e-34","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Angela Lang/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"galaxy-s10e-34.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2019/03/07","imageWidth":5152,"imageHeight":2898,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" overridecaption="" overridecredit="Angela Lang/CNET" offer="{"id":"83f94213-9c76-495e-8676-2c090650d8a0","slug":"samsung-galaxy-s10e","label":"Samsung Galaxy S10E","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"d03dda6d-b639-430e-a68f-736f8a1cce81","imgWidth":5581,"imgHeight":3139,"objectType":"content_product_series","typeLabel":"Series","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/d03dda6d-b639-430e-a68f-736f8a1cce81/resize/75x56","icon":"type-icon ct-cnet-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"83f94213-9c76-495e-8676-2c090650d8a0","name":"Samsung Galaxy S10E","slug":"samsung-galaxy-s10e","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1633320584012,"displayDate":"Mon Oct 04 2021 09:39:44 GMT+0530 (IST)"}" usepricing="true" data-key="cnetlisticle__12c23575-f379-46dc-9c32-5e3ecba8e305" index="5" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="Default - Article Page" tagslugs="google,lenovo,motorola,samsung,t-mobile,samsung-galaxy,apple,oneplus" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Angela Lang/CNET" class="c-bestListProductListing">
A dream come true for value shoppers who love small phones. The Galaxy S10E shares the S10's core camera and Snapdragon 855 chipset, so photos and speed are excellent. Battery life and wireless power sharing are also spot-on. Its fingerprint reader and flat screen solve minor problems with the pricier S10 and S10 Plus.
Cons
Lefties and people with small hands may find the fingerprint reader placement a tad inconvenient. The indented shape makes taking screenshots feel odd.
As the most wallet-friendly Galaxy S10 phone, the Galaxy S10E has a lot to offer. This Android phone is a smaller phone, which is great for those looking for a small grip, it has a superfast Snapdragon 855 chipset and a lengthy battery life. It can also wirelessly charge other phones and accessories.
Angela Lang/CNET
Photo Gallery1/1
Angela Lang/CNET
iPhone XR delivers many desirable iPhone features, including an excellent big screen in a comfortable body, fast performance, Face ID and wireless charging, as well as a great camera." superlative="Apple iPhone XR" imagegroup="{"alt":"apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007","caption":"","credits":"Josh Miller/CNET","imageData":{"id":"b4a099b5-db71-4807-a697-63b967db167e","title":"apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007","filename":"apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/Pty4Bf4h3fjsRx49S4gFrUfeer0=/2018/10/22/b4a099b5-db71-4807-a697-63b967db167e/apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007.jpg","caption":"","size":1119595,"width":1800,"height":1200,"dateCreated":{"date":"2018-10-22 19:27:11","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2018-10-22 19:28:12","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Josh Miller/CNET","alt":"apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007","restricted":true,"startDate":{"date":"2018-10-03 10:00:00","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":["apple","apple iphone xr","iphone xr","xr"],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"b4a099b5-db71-4807-a697-63b967db167e","imageAltText":"apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Josh Miller/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"apple-iphone-xr-red-9753-007.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2018/10/22","imageWidth":1800,"imageHeight":1200,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" overridecaption="" overridecredit="Josh Miller/CNET" offer="{"id":"d50fa914-1bce-4f06-99d2-3f11f54d51e7","slug":"apple-iphone-xr","label":"Apple iPhone XR","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"cddfc062-bedc-4b3d-8479-8159c0448f1b","imgWidth":3000,"imgHeight":2000,"objectType":"content_product_series","typeLabel":"Series","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/cddfc062-bedc-4b3d-8479-8159c0448f1b/resize/75x56","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"d50fa914-1bce-4f06-99d2-3f11f54d51e7","name":"Apple iPhone XR","slug":"apple-iphone-xr","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1633579803,"displayDate":"Tue Jan 20 1970 03:16:19 GMT+0530 (IST)"}" usepricing="false" data-key="cnetlisticle__56fe3348-7135-455c-8837-4c306016b243" index="6" contenttype="Best List - Precap" pagelayout="Default - Article Page" tagslugs="google,lenovo,motorola,samsung,t-mobile,samsung-galaxy,apple,oneplus" isbestlistredesign="true" imagecredit="Josh Miller/CNET" class="c-bestListProductListing">
The less expensive iPhone XR delivers most iPhone X and XS features, including an excellent big screen in a comfortable body, fast performance, Face ID and wireless charging, and a camera that's mostly as good as the iPhone XS.
Cons
The iPhone XR's single rear camera lacks optical zoom and has a limited portrait mode. Its LCD screen, while large, bright and vivid, is still a step below the iPhone XS' OLED in contrast. The aluminum XR is slightly less durable than the steel XS.
Though it came out last year, the iPhone XR delivers many desirable iPhone features, including an excellent big screen in a comfortable body, fast performance, Face ID and wireless charging, as well as a great camera.
