In the U.S., the top carriers don’t offer the same network performance. One carrier has significantly outperformed the others over the past six months, according to data collected in network and connectivity expert Ookla’s latest “Speedtest Connectivity Report.” The report, which covers data collected between July and December 2024, found that T-Mobile, the third-largest carrier in the U.S., has emerged as the clear leader in overall performance. The differences are striking.
Ookla reports that T-Mobile provides media download speeds 120% faster than its closest competitor, AT&T. Verizon, the largest carrier by subscriber count, ranked third. These speeds are enough for Ookla to conclude that T-Mobile offers the best mobile gaming experience.
T-Mobile didn’t just excel in speed; the company also offers the most reliable network. In Speedtest samples, T-Mobile met or exceeded the thresholds of 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload 85.4% of the time. Verizon ranked second in this category, while AT&T fell to third. Ookla also noted that regarding 5G network availability, T-Mobile and AT&T received high scores, with both networks being operational nearly twice as often as Verizon.
Before feeling sympathy for Verizon, it’s important to highlight that AT&T received the lowest ratings in consumer sentiment. Additionally, AT&T ranked last in almost every performance metric, with the exception of 5G consistency and download speeds. In summary, T-Mobile is the fastest mobile network and provides the quickest 5G service, along with the most reliable network overall. It slightly outperforms AT&T in 5G availability and surpasses Verizon in terms of video and gaming experiences. Additionally, T-Mobile ranks number one in consumer sentiment.
As you know, most cell phones are expensive, but their monthly costs are even higher. In 2024, JD Morgan told CNBC that the average cell phone bill in the U.S. has risen to $144. That’s certainly a lot of money to pay for inferior service. Consider our list of favorites if you’re looking for a new phone plan, especially if you’re considering purchasing a new Samsung Galaxy S25. The list includes plans from the big three carriers, plus many others, including Mint Mobile, Google Fi, and more.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.
Apple's first foldable phone is now on shelves, in short supply, but with an unreal amount of buzz around it. After all, it's the first foldable iPhone, and there's plenty that this phone gets right. But there's also a lot that is either broken or underwhelming. What's peculiar is the dialogue around this phone, and how it has completely overshadowed every other attempt at making a phone with a similar form factor.
I've spent some time with the iPhone Duo, and I've used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for almost three months now. In my opinion, Samsung deserves more credit. When the Galaxy Z Fold 8 arrived earlier this year, it was celebrated in some circles and ridiculed in others for supposedly copying what Apple would eventually deliver with the iPhone Duo. The dialogue was pretty odd, for multiple reasons. Samsung has been making foldable phones for years, so claiming that it copied a product Apple hadn't even launched was simply absurd.
For years, Samsung’s Galaxy A phones have been some of the easiest recommendations for anyone who wants to go the Android route without paying flagship prices. But that part of the lineup could soon become harder to find at a good price.
According to South Korea’s Electronic Times, Samsung is cutting Galaxy A production by about 20% in the fourth quarter compared to its original plans. Component orders have reportedly dropped by a similar amount, which could mean roughly 10 million fewer phones over the year. Samsung is also said to be considering another production cut of more than 10% next year.