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Verizon is one of the best cell phone providers here in the US. It has amazing perks, starting with the fastest data speeds of up to 4Gbps on 5G. And for those who know what phones are compatible with a Verizon SIM card on these 5G speeds, the usage usually doesn’t count towards their monthly allotment.
Of course, the Major Carrier supports digital eSIM activations, which actually they have had for a long time. However, the physical SIM card is still the most convenient in several situations, such as swapping between phones or setting up your service.
In this post, I’ve covered everything you should know about phones compatible with Verizon SIM cards. It includes the three different types of phones you can use, plus some crucial points to help you with this search.
What Best Phones Are Compatible with Verizon SIM Cards?
Sadly, Verizon, more like AT&T, is very picky on the devices you can use with its service. The pickiness is not just on the network and carrier technology but also on the type of device you have.
Before we can break down these aspects, below are my six favorite phones compatible with Verizon SIM cards currently.
Best Overall: Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 5G-Enabled A14
Key Features:
- A sleek, IP68-rated design
- Up to 5G mmWave connectivity
- High-performance A14 Bionic processor
- Superior 12MP camera, with 4K recording
- Compatible with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) WLAN
- A built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
- Compatible with Qi & MagSafe wireless chargers
Best of Budget: Factory-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G Android
Key Features:
- A 6.5-inch wide, HD+ display
- Decent Mediatek Dimensity 700 chip
- Built-in MicroSD slot to expand storage
- Compatible with up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Connects with up to 5G (C-band) network
- Built-in NFC sensor for contactless payments
Best of Apple Freebie: Verizon (Locked) Apple iPhone 13 Mini 5GUW
Key Features:
- A 5.4-inch, Full HD+ display
- Robust, IP68-rated construction
- High-performance A15 Bionic chip
- Compatible with WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Supports up to 5G mmwave networks
- Captures videos in slo-mo & 4K quality
Best of Android Freebie: Verizon (Locked) Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Key Features:
- A rugged, IP68 weather-resistant build
- An extra-wide, 6.8-inch 120Hz display
- Compatible with WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Connects with up to 5G mmWave networks
- Superior 108MP camera, with 8K recording
- Supports Qi, PMA, & reverse wireless charging
Best of Upgrade: Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S23 5G Phone
Key Features:
- A rugged, IP68-rated aluminum build
- Super-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip
- Compatible with WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Connects with 5G mmWave networks
- Supports Qi, PMA, & reverse wireless charging
- Superior camera with 8K & super-slow-motion recording
Best of Seniors: Fully Unlocked Nokia (2780) Flip LTE Feature Phone
Key Features:
- A simple but versatile design
- Clear internal & external display
- Connects with up to WiFi 4 (802.11n)
- Compatible with up to M4/ T4 hearing aids
- Supports extended-range & high-capacity LTE
- A high-capacity battery of 15+ days charge
Things To Consider When Looking For Phones Compatible With Verizon SIM Card
Do you want to make the most of your Verizon service? Verizon is the most expensive cell phone service, especially on the postpaid packages. If you want to make the most of your service, the first requirement is to get the right device.
To choose a good Verizon phone to use with a Verizon SIM card, you should know:
Verizon Prioritizes Postpaid Users
What this means is that Verizon customers on the postpaid plans get to enjoy faster speeds than other users during network congestion. So, your LTE or 5G cell phone will still be usable at the time.
Verizon Deprioritizes Prepaid Users
Deprioritization is one of the most crucial things to know about Verizon prepaid service before switching. The term is the opposite of prioritization, which means the carrier picks the (prepaid) subscribers last when the network is busy. So, the data speeds will be much slower than postpaid users at the time.
As a prepaid user, this also means you should consider 5G when shopping for phones compatible with Verizon SIM cards. A phone with high-capacity LTE also delivers decent data speeds, which leaves your service usable even during congestion.
Verizon Doesn’t Charge 5G mmWave
When comparing Visible vs Verizon services, we saw the latter peak at up to 4000+Mbps (4+Gbps) on the 5G Ultra-Wideband. While you’ll do online stuff more efficiently, these browsing speeds tend to drain your data bucket fast as well.
Fortunately, Verizon doesn’t charge when using your phone on the Ultra-Wideband (mmWave) spectrum. So, you get to browse, upload/ download, and stream videos/ music/ games as much as you want.
Verizon Has Unlimited Mobile Hotspot
Verizon has truly unlimited service for all postpaid customers and few on the prepaid service. The “unlimited” service includes a mobile hotspot to share data with your laptop and other internet-enabled devices.
So, for the best hotspot data speeds, you might want to look for a Verizon phone with the latest 5Ghz connectivity.
Verizon Has Free Entertainment Subscriptions
Verizon is also one of the few carriers that give free entertainment subscriptions to various entertainment platforms. The various platforms include Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Apple Music/ TV+/ Arcade, Netflix, et cetera.
So, another reason to choose a good phone compatible with a Verizon SIM card will be to take advantage of these features. For instance, a wide-screen phone is great for streaming videos, whereas a high processor is crucial in gaming.
What Phones are Compatible with Verizon SIM Cards?
If keen, you’ll notice I’ve slipped a clue of the kind of phones you should get to make the most of your Verizon service on the tips above.
As for compatibility, only specific phones are compatible with Verizon SIM cards. I like to group the specifics into two main points, including:
Phones Compatible with Verizon SIM Card Network
Verizon still holds the title of the most reliable 4G LTE network here in the US. It has an expansive coverage, which not only covers metropolises but also remote/ rural areas.
As for 5G, Verizon lost the race from its early adoption of the 5G Ultra-wideband. The company has been aggressive the last couple of months, whereby they have now extended the 5G mid-band (C-band) cells to over 1,700 cities. However, they’re still adding 5G mmWave cells in more areas, which will leave them as the fastest cellular service once done.
Long story short, Verizon, like any other carrier, requires phones to have the right network technology to work. “Network technology” in this case means the right frequency bands to tap into its 4G LTE/ 5G network.
The various Verizon frequency bands are:
| Primary LTE Frequencies | Secondary LTE Frequencies | Low-Band 5G Frequencies | High-Band 5G Frequencies | |
| Verizon Network | Band 5* & 13* | Band 2, 4, & 66 | Band N2, N5, & N6 | Band N77 (C-band), N260, & N261 |
A lot of people usually don’t bother checking these network bands when buying their phones. However, your device won’t pass on the Verizon compatibility checker if it doesn’t have the primary network bands, especially band 13.
Band 13 is the most crucial network spectrum on Verizon as it delivers extended-range coverage, where signals travel far and through walls.
On the other hand, secondary bands are for high-capacity spectrum, which has the fastest browsing data on 4G LTE. But the signal doesn’t travel far or penetrate through walls well.
Similarly, the 5G Ultra-wideband on mmWave (bands N260 & N261) has the fastest data speed. However, the network signal has a shorter range than the 5G Nationwide (low-band 5G frequencies).
The Verizon 5G Ultra-wideband on the mid-band/ C-band (band N77) sits between the low-band and mmWave frequencies. Thus, faster than the low-band spectrum but travels far and through walls much better than the mmWave.
Phones Compatible with Verizon SIM Cards Software
Just because a phone has the right network technology doesn’t make it compatible with a Verizon SIM card. The device still needs to be compatible with Verizon software, i.e. carrier-locked or fully unlocked.
Verizon is a Major Carrier with its own network infrastructure. As such, it will be compatible with only three kinds of phones software-wise:
- Verizon (locked) phones – these are the phones that Verizon has preprogrammed for its service. Thus, will be naturally compatible with Verizon SIM cards
- Factory-unlocked phones – these are phones that come from the manufacturer while already fully unlocked. They’re also naturally compatible with Verizon, provided they have the necessary network bands
- Carrier-unlocked phones – these are phones from carriers compatible with Verizon that are now fully unlocked. A perfect example is unlocked phones from Visible, TracFone, or Straight Talk.
Note: Verizon phones can work on their MVNOs before unlocking. The policy, though, isn’t reversible to use phones locked to an MVNO with a Verizon SIM card.
Other Phones Compatible with Verizon SIM Card
In a nutshell, there are many, many models of phones compatible with a Verizon SIM card. Some of the best options include:
| Cellular Network | ROM vs RAM | |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone 12 5G-Enabled A14 Bionic | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Factory-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A13 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Factory Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S23 5G Ultra-Wideband | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 8GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A10e 5.8-inch Android | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Factory-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A71 5G | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Verizon (Locked) Apple iPhone 13 Mini 5GUW Smartphone | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 4GB |
| Verizon (Locked) Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G-Capable | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 12GB |
| Fully Unlocked Nokia (2780) Flip LTE Cell Phone for Seniors | 4G LTE | 4GB, 0.5GB |
| Verizon (Locked) Kyocera DuraXV Extreme | 4G LTE | 16GB, 2GB |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen (2022 Edition) | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Google Pixel 4a 5G-Enabled Smartphone | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Fully Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G/ LTE Android | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
| Unlocked Motorola Moto G Play (2021 Release) Cell Phone | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Fully-Unlocked Apple iPhone 11 4G LTE Waterproof Phone | 4G LTE | 64GB, 4GB |
| Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone XR A12 Bionic | 4G LTE | 128GB, 3GB |
| Fully Unlocked Motorola Moto G Pure (2021 Edition) | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G/ 4G | 5G & 4G LTE | 256GB, 12GB |
| Fully-Unlocked LG Reflect 4G LTE Touch Screen Phone | 4G LTE | 32GB, 3GB |
| Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 6 5G-Capable | 5G & 4G LTE | 128GB, 8GB |
| Fully Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9+ 4G LTE | 4G LTE | 128GB, 6GB |
Factory-Unlocked Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Full HD+
Key Features:
- An extra-wide 6.7-inch Full HD+ display
- Decent Exynos 980 (8nm) processor
- Compatible with up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- Connects with up to 5GUW on C-band
- Built-in MicroSD slot to expand storage
- Captures crisp video in 4K & super-slow-mo mode
Fully Unlocked Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen (2022 Edition)
Key Features:
- A sturdy, IP67-rated build
- Super-fast A15 Bionic processor
- Connects with up to 5GUW on C-band
- Compatible with up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Supports 7.5W Qi wireless charging
- Captures crisp videos in 4K & slo-mo mode
Fully-Unlocked Google Pixel 4a 5G-Enabled Smartphone
Key Features:
- A wide 6.2-inch, Full HD+ display
- Fast Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chip
- Connects with up to 5GUW (on C-Band)
- Compatible with up to WiFi 5 (802.11ax)
- Captures videos in 4K & slo-mo quality
- A built-in NFC chip for contactless payments
Fully Unlocked Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G/ LTE Android
Key Features:
- An extra-wide 6.8-inch, 120Hz display
- Decent Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) processor
- Connects with up to 5G (C-band) networks
- Compatible with up to WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
- An Integrated MicroSD slot to expand storage
- A built-in NFC sensor for contactless payments
Fully Unlocked Google Pixel 6 5G-Capable Android Phone
Key Features:
- A wide 6.4-inch, 90Hz display
- Super-fast Google Tensor (5 nm) chip
- Compatible with up to WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
- Connects with up to 5G mmWave network
- Superior camera with 4K & slo-mo recording
- An integrated NFC sensor for contactless payments
Remember to Choose the US Version of the Phones
Whether it’s about joining, upgrading, or replacing, that’s everything relevant you should know on phones compatible with Verizon SIM cards. The carrier has some of the strictest compatibility requirements compared with its closest rival, T-Mobile.
One of the strict requirements is that your device must have a primary network frequency, in particular band 13, to activate. Without the primary network band, your phone won’t even pass the compatibility checker.
Also, you should know Verizon usually whitelists only phones for the US market. So, the phone models for the international market (and those of specific countries) won’t pass the online compatibility check.
To use international devices with Verizon SIM cards, I’d recommend you first activate your account with a compatible device. Then, you swap your activated SIM card into the international device.
