Be on top of your game with phones that graduated top of their class – Mint Mobile
Where to buy cheap textbooks? Why is my laundry still wet? How to live with a morning-person roommate? There are some answers you can’t find in the library – that’s that building with all the books, btw. Thankfully, college students can rely on their phones to help them navigate through campus life and stay on top of classwork. So if you’re searching for the best phones for college students, consider this your cheat sheet.
Features students should look for
Let’s begin with the essential features students should look for in a phone. It’s really not as complex as choosing a major.
- Sharp display: High resolution on a large screen is essential for getting readings done and viewing presentations.
- Storage capacity: Take note, notetakers. You’ll need a lot of space if you’re going to work on assignments from your phone.
- Battery life: As you bounce around from class to work and back to class, it’s easy to forget your charger – or forget to charge at all.
- 5G Capabilities: Strong network connectivity is essential to staying informed and avoiding a “that-was-today?” moment.
What’s the best phone for students?
Unlike your overdue calculus homework, there’s no one right answer. Factors like your schedule, classwork and budget will narrow down your applicant pool to the phone that best meets your needs. To help with that, here’s our list of some of the top phones that best fit these college students’ personalities.
For the Scholars: Samsung Galaxy 24 Ultra
Fast-Facts
- 5G Capability: Yes
- Display: 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display
- Operating System : Android 14
- GB Storage: 256GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery (video lasts up to 30 hours, music up to 95 hours)
Classes and clubs are your priority, and you like to run a tight ship. Together with your color-coded calendar tabs, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is your multitasking sidekick.
A great study tool, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes loaded with new Galaxy A.I. features. Note Assist can transcribe recordings and provide lecture summaries. Circle to Search can instantly Google anything you tap onscreen. Plus, Flex Window provides translations in real-time for bilingual conversations.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra wraps all of this tech in a scratch, water and dust-resistant package. This is a phone built to last – maybe even through grad school.
For the Artists: Google Pixel 8a
Fast-Facts
- 5G Capability: Yes
- Display: 6.1-inch 1080×2400 OLED 120Hz Display
- Operating System: Android 14
- GB Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4,492mAh battery (lasts up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver)
You have a great eye for directing creative projects. For your consideration, make the Pixel 8a your chief editor. Packed with Google A.I. tools, the Pixel 8a makes producing content effortless. The Recorder app takes nearly instant and highly accurate text transcriptions, useful for long group meet ups. With Best Take, you can combine similar photos together. Then, you can use Magic Eraser to remove objects blocking your shot. And for video, you can use Audio Magic Eraser to automatically reduce background noise.
If you ever get writer’s block, Chat with Gemini can always help you brainstorm new ideas. Add the Google Pixel 8a to your portfolio now.
For the Social Butterflies: iPhone 15
Fast-Facts
- 5G Capability: Yes
- Display: 6.1 inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED Super Retina XDR display
- Operating System: iOS 17
- GB Storage: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB
- Battery: 3,349 mAh battery (video lasts up to 20 hours)
You work hard to play hard. Making new friends on and off-campus is a big part of your college experience – and you prefer blue text bubbles. Popular, reliable and supportive of third-party app integration is why iPhone 15 is your best friend. Its durable color-infused glass backing goes well with any style. Plus, an improved 48MP camera means super high-resolution fit pics. iPhone 15 makes for a great study buddy too, as functional apps like Voice Recorder, Text to Speech and Notes come preloaded. And with iCloud, you can save everything from homework to photos you-don’t-remember-taking without overloading your storage.
Integrated with all your other Apple devices, iPhone 15 is a great all-around option.
It’s down for anything.
For the Savers: iPhone SE, Samsung A14 5G & Used or Refurbished Phones
It’s 2024, can we finally ditch the instant ramen? There are better ways to save money in college, starting with your phone. Here are our top picks for budget-conscious students.
Fast-Facts
- 5G Capability: Yes
- Display: 4.7‑inch (diagonal) Retina HD display
- Operating System: iOS 15
- GB Storage: 64GB, 128GB or 256GB
- Battery: 1,624 mAh battery (fast charge from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes)
This entry-level iPhone is worth every dollar. Under the hood, the SE uses the same processor chip, the A15 Bionic, that powers iPhone 13 models. It’s remarkably durable and even features a home button (2010’s nostalgia, anyone?) with secure Touch ID. The single lens 12MP Wide camera and 7MP Front camera deliver crisp pictures. Less bells and whistles mean the battery is incredibly efficient; and of course, the SE still integrates well with your other Apple devices. Functional, simple and inexpensive, iPhone SE (3rd Generation) is the best iPhone in this budget-friendly class.
Fast-Facts
- 5G Capability: Yes
- Display: 6.6″ FHD+ LCD Infinity display
- Operating System: Android 13
- GB Storage: 64GB, Expandable up to 1TB via microSD card
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery (lasts for 2 days)
The Galaxy A14 5G delivers flagship features, minus flagship prices. A 6.6” display makes the Galaxy A14 5G’s screen the 2nd largest on our list. The 5,000mAh battery is a top contender too. That means you can spend more time organizing your homescreen with all of the customizable widgets, shortcuts and tools that Androids are known for. And once everything’s picture-perfect, take the 50MP main camera and 13MP front camera out for a spin to capture some high-resolution lockscreen wallpapers.
The Galaxy A14 5G gets everything right at this price range. When premium performance meets high customizability, you’ll make the most out of your purchase.
Used or Refurbished Phones
Don’t break the bank getting the most advanced tech – especially with tuition as it is. Used phones are cheaper than new phones. Refurbished phones are usually in better condition than used phones, while still being priced lower than their brand-new equivalents. But buying used or refurbished can come with some risk. Do your homework and consider purchasing from a trusted carrier that offers a warranty.
Just know that some lessons are learned the hard, ceramic-tile way. Accidental drops and spills are inevitable, and phone insurance cushions the blow to your wallet when accidents happen. Want to learn more about cellphone insurance? Here’s your study guide.
Loans are for tuition. Not cellphones. That’s why we partnered with *deep voice* Allstate, so that current and new Mint Mobile subscribers can trade in their phone with a purchase of a new phone (and a plan, if you’re a new subscriber). Want some primary sources? Study up on our phone trade-in program.
Homework: Find the best wireless plan
Your next assignment is to secure a wireless plan to go along with your new phone. We’ll give you a hint: The best phone plans for college students are affordable, reliable and fast. And Mint Mobile provides reliable 5G coverage to 98% of Americans and 4G LTE to 99%*. Study up on our limited time phone deals and ace your phone plan. Class dismissed.
Click below to learn how you can get premium wireless for $15/mo with Mint.
*5G and/or 4G LTE access req’s capable device w/in appropriate coverage area. Actual availability, speed & coverage may vary.
