AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all want you to believe that they provide the best service. As that debate rages on, T-Mobile has made another point to prove that it's a better option than others, at least when it comes to the latest phones. The carrier says that iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 owners enjoy better speeds on its network.
Download speeds are higher on T-Mobile
T-Mobile says that the latest smartphones perform the best on its network. | Image Credit - PhoneArena
During its third-quarter earnings call, T-Mobile said that its network was incredibly powerful. The carrier says that data from connectivity intelligence firm Ookla showed that the median download speeds on the iPhone 17 are around 90 percent faster than one of its main rivals, and more than 40 percent faster than the other.
And it's not just iPhone 17 users that are benefitting from T-Mobile's technological lead. The company said that the Samsung Galaxy S25 is more than 100 percent faster on its network compared to a rival's.
90% faster on iPhone 17 than one of our competitors. Not to leave our Androids, the Samsung S25 is more than 100% faster than that same competitor
Andre Almeida, Leadership Team Member at T-Mobile, October 2025
T-Mobile is undeniably hinting at AT&T and Verizon, both of whom have been running campaigns countering it with accusations about misleading claims regarding speed and network leadership.
T-Mobile says that network performance is one of the reasons people upgrading to new devices choose it over its rivals. Customers usually buy a new device after they have paid off their old device, and at that point, they are free to choose any carrier. If they end up at T-Mobile, it's a sign that they perceive T-Mobile's network to be superior.
Accolades matter
While an average user may not put much stock in speed tests like these, over time, every little win adds up. T-Mobile says it's also the best when it comes to experience and coverage. AT&T and Verizon have disputed that, but considering that 1 million new mobile phone subscribers joined T-Mobile in Q3, while only 405,000 opted for AT&T, it looks like switchers believe T-Mobile.
You know, we have a network that’s two years ahead of everybody else. We’ve talked about it being still two years ahead, two years from now, and making sure that we’re widening that gap.
Mike Sievert, Outgoing T-Mobile CEO, October 2025
While your network experience will largely be dictated by where you live, T-Mobile is ahead in 5G deployment. The company started its 5G rollout with 5G SA, which AT&T and Verizonhave only recently started to light up. The company says it's two years ahead of its rivals, and the gap is only going to widen over the next two years.
Is T-Mobile the new undisputed leader in telecom?
Evidently.
100%
Far from it.
0%
It will be if it surpasses Verizon in subscriber count.
0%
What about existing customers?
While T-Mobile may be gaining new customers, many of its current customers are not happy with it. That's because it keeps piling on unwelcome decisions, such as the recent one to close an AutoPay loophole. However, it looks like the dissent only exists online, with the carrier having the lowest churn rate of any company. This means that fewer people are leaving T-Mobile than AT&T and Verizon.
With AT&T and Verizon both treating T-Mobile as their principal enemy and the latter gaining more subscribers than the other two, it does seem to be ahead, for now.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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