Best Smartphones of 2024
Best Smartphones of 2024 available (as well as how the iPhone 16 Pro Max stacks up)
You have a ton of alternatives if you are looking to buy a new smartphone this autumn, particularly if you choose Android over iOS. ZDNET has so completed all of the job for you. I have been testing and reviewing smartphones for the past year, including models from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and, most recently, Apple. Together, these are the greatest smartphones on the market right now. The most recent smartphones stand out because they include sophisticated software capabilities that keep us connected, productive, and creative, as well as well-designed hardware and designs that do not look all that different from previous models of the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. This year, on-device AI has been the biggest thing; all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, have made it a priority.
What is the best smartphone right now?
After extensive testing of dozens of devices, our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, thanks to its immersive and vibrant display, reliable battery life, and wealth of special features, some of which are powered by the company's latest generative AI model. The new iPhone 16 Pro Max, which we're continuing to review, is a close second. Of course, our pick for the best phone overall may not exactly be the best phone for you. But no matter which option on this list you decide to invest in, expect it to be performant, have a display that gets bright enough to use outdoors, and field a camera system that will fulfill most, if not all, your photographing needs.
Best Smartphones of 2024
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best phone overall
The most expensive model of the three, the S24 Ultra, is the best Android phone available right now. Samsung is the first to fully embrace AI with its newest Galaxy S24 range. Many generative capabilities are brought to the device by the new Galaxy AI model embedded in it. These include the ability to translate phone calls in real-time, circle an object on the screen to conduct an image-based Google search, assistive AI for photo editing and transcription, and even a Chat Assist feature that can determine the best way to phrase a message in different tones.
Similar to the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra is equipped with a dependable 5,000mAh battery and a sizable 6.8-inch AMOLED display. Despite costing $100 more than the S23 Ultra, the phone's improvements make the $1,299 price increase worthwhile: Unlike last year's aluminum frame, the S24 Ultra is composed of a lightweight yet sturdy titanium frame and is equipped with Corning's latest Gorilla Armor technology.
The ZDNET reviewer Jason Hiner stated that the S24 Ultra's improved display shielding "makes its screen more delightful to use than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and other flagship phones." The S24 Ultra is now more glare-free than before. Hiner seems to be supported by Reddit users, as seen by one user who expressed his belief that "the anti-reflective glass truly makes a difference."
The S24 Ultra's internal components include an enhanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for better AI features and graphics, 12GB RAM (up from 8GB), and 2,600 nits of brightness, which is a significant gain over 1,750 nits last year. The major improvement in the new camera setup is a 50MP telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom. As Hiner found out, the outcomes were
Tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor; 6.8-inch display; storage options: up to 1TB; rear cameras : 200MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), and 10MP telephoto (3x); front camera with 12MP; battery life of 5,000mAh.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Best camera phone
You truly can not go wrong with any of the flagship devices from the big three (Apple, Samsung, and Google) when it comes to photography performance. You might favor one brand over another based on your taste in color temperature and feature set. However, the majority of consumers are generally satisfied with Google's Pixel camera system, and the most recent Pixel 9 Pro (and Pro XL) continues to be a champion for quick capture and post-processing.
The most recent model comes in two sizes and has a dependable triple lens arrangement consisting of a 48MP ultrawide, a 48MP 5x telephoto lens for long-range images, and a 50MP primary lens. Numerous software features support them, including 8K video upscaling, Google's Super Res Zoom (which allows for up to 30x zoom images), and a new Add Me feature that allows you to take two photos and join them so that everyone is in the same picture. In addition, a new 42MP selfie camera has been released, which has a larger field of view and is crisper than the 10.8MP sensor from last year. That ought to work nicely for group selfies and picturesque pictures.
Once more, shooting images in real time is only half the struggle when it comes to mobile photography; the other half is post-processing and the devices' versatility when it comes to editing and subject manipulation. With AI capabilities like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Best Take that can transform any mediocre photo into a great one, the Pixel 9 Pro—which is powered by a new Tensor G4 chipset—may well have the most adaptable and creative photo toolset available.
All things considered, the Pixel 9 Pro boasts one of the most adaptable camera systems available, producing color-balanced, visually pleasing images.
Once more, shooting images in real time is only half the struggle when it comes to mobile photography; the other half is post-processing and the devices' versatility when it comes to editing and subject manipulation. With AI capabilities like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Best Take that can transform any mediocre photo into a great one, the Pixel 9 Pro—which is powered by a new Tensor G4 chipset—may well have the most adaptable and creative photo toolset available.
All things considered, the Pixel 9 Pro boasts one of the most adaptable camera systems available, producing color-balanced, visually pleasing images.
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL tech specs: Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Display size: 6.3 and 6.7 inches | Storage options: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | Rear cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto | Front camera: 42MP | Battery: 4,700/5,060mAh
Google Pixel 8a
Best budget phone
If bang for your buck is what you're after, consider the Google Pixel 8a. There are really three key reasons why you should buy the latest Pixel over any other mid-range phone: For $499, you get a comfortable 6.1-inch OLED display that ramps up to a 120Hz refresh rate, a reliable 64MP camera system, and Google's catalog of AI features like Magic Editor, Audio Eraser, and Gemini, all backed by seven years of operating system updates.
Software is the name of the game with Google Pixel phones, and the extensive support provided for the 8a series, powered by a new Tensor G3 chip, should keep it feature-relevant for as long as until 2031. For reference, most phones in this price range, including last year's Pixel 7a, typically receive two to four years of software and security updates.
Naturally, a phone in this pricing range would have significant constraints, such the absence of a specialized telephoto lens and a reduced wired charging rate (18W). The Pixel 8a can capture a wide range of subjects and styles, though, and having wireless charging makes up for the phone's somewhat longer charging time than flagship models. This was confirmed during my hands-on experience with the device.
Google Pixel 8a tech specs: Processor: Google Tensor G3 | Display size: 6.1 inches | Storage options: 128GB, 256GB | Rear cameras: 64MP main, 13MP ultrawide | Front camera: 13MP | Battery: 4,492mAh
OnePlus Open
Best folding phone with tablet design
Thanks to the combined efforts of almost every manufacturer, including Google with its Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Motorola with its Razr range, and OnePlus with the OnePlus Open, there are more foldable phones on the market than ever before. Even though Samsung has dominated the best foldable category for years, the OnePlus Open now holds the top rank, in my opinion.
The OnePlus Open achieves the ideal weight-to-size ratio, in contrast to its rivals. The phone unfolds into a tiny slate of visual pleasure, and when folded, it is just as light as an iPhone. With "Open Canvas," among other highly intuitive multitasking capabilities I have experienced, OnePlus makes excellent use of the 7.8-inch display. It allows you to open
The triple camera configuration produces amazing images and films, with a focus on the blue and orange tones that photography enthusiasts and cinematographers are familiar with, even though it is housed in a more conspicuous case than I would have preferred. Because of its foldable design, the Open may also be used to take group and hand-free selfies.
With the Open, OnePlus also nailed the fundamentals: a base configuration of 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, a crease-less inner display, and 65W fast charging capabilities (with a charger in the package) that surpass Samsung's Z Fold 5 and Google's Pixel Fold standards. For me, the $1,699 price tag is the icing on the cake. Even said, one Amazon user claims that the Open was very seamless.
OnePlus Open tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display size: 6.3 inches and 7.8 inches | Storage options: 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto| Front camera: 32MP (outer) and 20MP (inner) | Battery: 5,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Best flip-style foldable phone
The new Galaxy Z Flip 6, which made its debut at Samsung Unpacked in July, is a tiny clamshell that pays homage to vintage flip phones while packing a ton of personality and functionality.
With the exception of shape-shifting screens, the Z Flip 6 is very similar to the standard Samsung Galaxy S-series flagship. It has a large, bright, crisp 6.7-inch AMOLED panel, up to 512GB of RAM for high-resolution photos and videos, and a robust 4,000mAh battery that powers the whole device—an improvement over the Z Flip 5. Additionally, the Z Flip phone now sports the first-ever vapor cooling chamber and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU, which should improve performance and lessen battery drain. The phone is more slender and
With an upgraded 50MP primary sensor and 12MP ultra-wide, the Z Flip 6's camera system also receives a good upgrade. A new AI-powered Auto Zoom tool is also available; it recognizes the number of people in a frame and any background items that the user might want to keep in the picture, then digitally repositions them.
Along with some entertaining new capabilities for the Flex Window—the flip phone's outside display—the Z Flip 6 also comes with a new Interpreter Mode that allows for real-time translations, interactive wallpapers, and recommended text message responses.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Main display: 6.7 inches | Cover display: 3.4 inches | RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB internal options | Cameras: 50MP wide angle, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie | Battery: 4,000mAh
OnePlus 12
Best fast-charging phone
Over the previous four years, OnePlus has seen ups and downs. With the OnePlus 11, released last year, the company went back to its starting point after shifting from affordable to ultra-premium handsets. It is putting even more effort into its value-driven flagships this year.
Here's what you get for the price of the OnePlus 12, which starts at $899 and undercuts its closest rivals, the $999 Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro: a 5.400mAh battery, a 6.8-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, a triple camera system led by a capable 50MP primary lens, the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 engine, and more. Once more: $899, and it does not include the $100 off when you trade in any phone to OnePlus, regardless of condition. Profit from that.
Disregarding the price, the OnePlus 12 excels in terms of charging speed—a feature you will soon come to take for granted when you learn that phones do not need to be left next to an outlet for two hours every day. The phone can be charged from 0% to 50% in 10 minutes with the 80W wired charger. It takes less than 30 minutes to fully charge. "80W quick charging truly transforms lives," a contented Best Buy client continues.
The OnePlus 12's new 50W wireless charging is equally amazing; this is a feature that many people have been requesting and was sadly lacking in the model from the previous year. Although the OnePlus 12 is not as "all in" when it comes to generative AI features, it still provides a robust, fast Android experience for a few hundred dollars.
OnePlus 12 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: Up to 512GB | Rear cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto | Front camera: 16MP | Battery: 5,000mAh
Our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It features everything you could want from a smartphone, including a large display, four cameras that can shoot 200MP photos and 8K video, up to 1TB of storage, a built-in S Pen for writing and drawing, and a 5,000mAh battery powering the system. Here's how the S24 Ultra fares with the rest of our top picks.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the phone we believe to be the greatest overall. With a huge display, four cameras that can capture 200MP images and 8K video, up to 1TB of storage, an integrated S Pen for writing and drawing, and a 5,000mAh battery that powers the device, it has every feature you could desire in a smartphone. See how the S24 Ultra compares to the other products in our top selection.
Top smartphones compared
Our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It features everything you could want from a smartphone, including a large display, four cameras that can shoot 200MP photos and 8K video, up to 1TB of storage, a built-in S Pen for writing and drawing, and a 5,000mAh battery powering the system. Here’s how the S24 Ultra fares with the rest of our top picks.
Selecting a phone might be difficult. However, making a list of the things you absolutely must have will help you reduce the number of possibilities you have. You should buy a phone that can give you both LTE and Wi-Fi access and at least a full day of use on a full battery if you are a mobile professional or travel frequently for work. To avoid overspending and misuse, if this is your teen's first smartphone, a less feature-rich and more affordable model could be preferable. Additionally, to take pictures and videos for your social media feed, if you work as a content producer or in another creative capacity, you should have a phone with a high-quality front and rear camera.
