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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Ookla’s U.S. Q1 2023 report gave T-Mobile the strongest overall showing among the major carriers, including leading results for overall download speed, 5G speed, 5G availability and consistency. The report was released April 17, 2023, so it is historical—not a ranking of carriers in 2026. Its results can inform a carrier comparison, but they cannot tell you which network works best at your home or on your commute.
What T-Mobile won in Ookla’s Q1 2023 report
“Dubs” means wins: the report’s results favored T-Mobile across several nationwide measures. Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index Market Analysis covered U.S. mobile-network performance in Q1 2023. T-Mobile’s announcement of the report listed wins for speed, consistency, video performance, latency, 5G speed and 5G availability. That is a set of category results, not proof that T-Mobile was best for every user or every location.
The underlying report is available through Ookla’s U.S. Speedtest Global Index. T-Mobile’s April 17, 2023 announcement describes its interpretation of the results, including the state and city rankings, and should be read as a carrier’s account of its own performance: T-Mobile’s announcement.
The headline numbers—and what they measure
The reported 165 Mbps figure is T-Mobile’s median overall download speed, not its 5G-only speed. The separate 5G-specific figure reported by T-Mobile was more than 191 Mbps. Those numbers describe different measurements, so they are not contradictory.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.82Inches HD+ Display | 1640 x 720 pixels
- Storage Capacity -64GB | Ram -4GB | Maximum Expandable Memory -2 TB (NOT INCLUDED)
- Connectivity -Wi-Fi 802.11a, b, g, n, ac, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, VoLTE,5G, USB
- Processor -MediaTek Dimensity 700 Processor | Operating System -Android
| Measure | T-Mobile | Verizon | AT&T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median overall download speed | 165 Mbps | 75 Mbps | 68 Mbps |
| 5G availability | 71.1% | 37.6% | Not reported in the cited summary (Droid Life) |
The overall speed and availability figures above were reported in Droid Life’s April 17, 2023 summary. T-Mobile separately reported median 5G download speed above 191 Mbps in its 5G performance announcement. A median is the midpoint of measured results, not a promise of the speed every subscriber will get.
Speed, availability and consistency are different things
- Download speed affects how quickly a connection can retrieve data, such as a large file or video. A higher median is evidence of stronger measured performance across the sample, not a guaranteed rate for an individual customer.
- 5G availability is the share of time users with 5G-capable devices spent connected to 5G under the report’s methodology, including on-network and roaming conditions. It does not mean that 5G covered that share of U.S. land area.
- Consistency concerns how often results meet a useful performance threshold, rather than how high the fastest test result goes. That can matter for routine browsing and streaming.
- Latency is the delay before data travels between a device and a server. Lower latency can make video calls, interactive apps and gaming feel more responsive, but the report’s category result does not guarantee low latency on every connection.
- Video performance is a separate measure from raw download speed. A carrier can score well on one metric without leading every other measure in every place.
How broad were the reported wins?
T-Mobile said it was fastest in 46 states plus Washington, D.C., and in 88 of the 100 most populous U.S. cities in the Q1 2023 results. These are company-reported summaries of that period, not current state-by-state or city-by-city rankings. T-Mobile also reported that its 5G network covered 326 million people and its Ultra Capacity 5G covered 275 million people at the time; those April 2023 company figures should not be treated as current coverage totals. See the company’s Q1 2023 earnings release.
Rank #2
- Connectivity technology: Wireless
- Display size: 6.82 inches
- Memory storage capacity: 128.0 GB
- Operating system: Android
- Wireless provider: t_mobile
Broad reach and a high national median make a strong case that T-Mobile performed well across the measured sample. They do not resolve whether the network is strong inside a particular building, on a rural road, or during a congested commute.
What the results could mean for your phone use
- Downloads and streaming: Faster measured downloads can help with large downloads, video streaming and cloud backups where the signal and capacity are good.
- Hotspot use: A fast mobile connection may help tethered devices, but your plan’s hotspot allowance and network-priority rules also affect the experience.
- Responsiveness: Latency matters for calls, games and other interactive services; a national category win is not a substitute for testing those uses where you need them.
- 5G connection time: Higher measured availability means compatible users in the sample spent more time connected to 5G. It does not say how fast that connection was at every moment.
Network performance also depends on signal strength, congestion, device capability and plan treatment. A 5G icon alone does not establish that a connection is fast or reliable; a weak signal or a busy cell can still limit usable performance.
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Rank #3
- Professionally inspected and fully functional renewed unit — each phone has been thoroughly tested, cleaned, and certified to ensure full network compatibility, display clarity, and battery performance like new.
- Brilliant 6.5” Super AMOLED Display: Enjoy vibrant colors and smooth visuals with a 90Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling and viewing.
- Powerful 5G performance: Stay connected with fast data speeds and reliable coverage on T-Mobile’s 5G network (carrier-locked; not compatible with other carriers).
- 64GB internal storage + expandable memory: Easily store photos, videos, and apps with microSD support up to 1TB (card sold separately).
- Triple rear camera system: 50MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide, and 2MP depth sensor for capturing sharp photos and HD videos in any light.
What the device ranking does—and does not—say
Droid Life’s summary of the report said the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra had the highest median download and upload speeds among the devices compared, followed by the Galaxy Z Fold4, Pixel 7 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. This is a device comparison reported for the 2023 data, not a universal claim that the S23 Ultra will be faster on every carrier or in every setting.
Phone performance varies with modem design, supported spectrum bands, software and network conditions, as well as the test sample. These 2023 results are not a sound basis for choosing a phone in 2026. For a current purchase, check compatibility with the carrier and the bands it uses, along with the device’s software support and total cost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why another network report might name a different winner
Testing firms can reach different conclusions without one result necessarily being false. Ookla’s Speedtest measurements and other firms’ testing may differ in where and when they collect data, how they sample users, how much weight they give urban or rural areas, and whether they prioritize speed, reliability or another measure. The source article contrasts Ookla with RootMetrics, which uses its own geographic testing approach, including rural areas.
So a speed leader in one nationwide quarter need not lead a test designed around geographic reliability, rural coverage or a different time period. Compare like with like: the same region, period, network generation and performance measure. A single Ookla quarter should not be used to dismiss contrary results from another methodology.
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Best Value
- 6.82" HD+ Display | 1640 x 720 pixels
- Storage Capacity: 64GB | Ram: 4GB | Maximum Expandable Memory: 2 TB (NOT INCLUDED)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, VoLTE,5G, USB
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 700 Processor | Operating System: Android
- Locked for T-Mobile Carrier
How to use the report when comparing carriers
T-Mobile’s Q1 2023 results are relevant evidence if you care about measured nationwide speed and 5G availability. To decide whether switching makes financial and practical sense, check the conditions that affect your own service and bill:
- Check the places you use your phone. Look up your home, workplace, school and regular travel routes on the T-Mobile coverage map, Verizon coverage map and AT&T coverage map. Maps are estimates, so consider indoor signal and local congestion too.
- Verify your phone. Confirm that your model supports the carrier’s network bands and will work as expected after a switch. An older or carrier-limited handset may not access the same service as a current compatible 5G phone.
- Match the plan to your use. Compare premium-data or network-priority rules, hotspot limits and any other restrictions that matter to you. Different plans on the same carrier may not receive identical treatment when a cell is congested.
- Compare the full bill. Check current plan terms, taxes, fees, promotions and eligibility directly with each carrier. The Q1 2023 report does not establish current prices or plan benefits. Start with official plan pages for T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T.
- Test before making a hard-to-reverse change. If possible, try service in the places you rely on before porting your number or cancelling existing service. A local test can answer questions that a nationwide median cannot.
If you are considering T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, do not use mobile-network awards as a proxy for fixed-wireless broadband at your address. Availability, tower capacity, indoor signal, placement and congestion determine whether that service works well locally. Check its service details and address eligibility separately.
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