Best AT&T Cell Phones

Looking for a new cell phone on AT&T? We got you covered with our picks for the best smartphones on AT&T.

We spell out your best options if you’re looking to upgrade your phone on AT&T. The iPhone may garner all the attention, but AT&T offers some worthy alternatives including models from Rim, Samsung and some recently added Android models. We sorted through AT&T’s congested lineup to help you make the best decision when trying to wade through the seemingly endless options today’s cell phone market has to offer.

*All listed prices require a two year contract with AT&T.

Apple iPhone 4

$199.99, Digital Trends Rating: 8.5

Apple’s iPhone 4 delivers a super-sharp screen and clever videoconferencing abilities, but existing iPhone owners shouldn’t be in a hurry to upgrade. Apple iOS 4 is a major plus, but it brought improvements to the 3G S as well, mitigating functional differences and perhaps lowering the reasons to upgrade to the iPhone 4.

HTC Aria

$129.99, Digital Trends Rating: 7.5

Aria is too small, too cute and missing too many new normal attributes (camera flash, HD video recorder, high-resolution screen) for the usual male geek consumer. But Aria is perfect for distaff cellphone buyers looking for basic cell functionality in a clutch purse perfect size.

Samsung Captivate

$199.99, Digital Trends Rating: 7.5

Samsung’s iPhone-challenging Galaxy S Captivate offers a larger screen and blissful freedom from antenna issues, but has its own headaches, too, but the margins between the iPhone and Captivate are narrow enough not to make Captivate an uncomfortable non-Apple choice.

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700

$199.99, Digital Trends Rating: 8

Say what you will about RIM’s glacial advancements and bland OS: Although the Bold 9700 lacks the frills of an iPhone or Android, for utilitarian business users, it’s one of the most polished smartphones on the market today. In fact with its smaller size and refined design we think the Bold one of BlackBerry’s best-ever smartphones.

Apple iPhone 3GS

$99.99, Digital Trends Rating: 9

While the iPhone 4 makes a number of key improvements over the 3GS if you’re on a strict budget than it might be wise to step back a generation. The 3GS is still a great phone and fully supports iOS 4 which unlocks multi-tasking and numerous other features. It also features the beveled design which many of us around the office prefer to the hard edges of the iPhone 4.

Samsung Impression

$129.99, Digital Trends Rating: 7.5

Next to the iPhone the Impression is a tough sell, even as an otherwise well-rounded device. Why even consider it beside that goliath? If you don’t need all the flexibility provided by Apple’s well-groomed app store, the Impression is smaller, has a killer keyboard, and Media Net plans cost $15 a month instead of $30 for a real data plan.

BlackBerry Torch 9800

$199.99, Digital Trends Rating: 7

The Torch is the most advanced BlackBerry yet. It’s just not necessarily a better BlackBerry, or a competitor to phones running more sophisticated touch operating systems. The incremental upgrades to the Torch won’t win over many Android or iPhone 4 users, but they should prevent BlackBerry loyalists from jumping ship.