The very best phones offer great cameras, enough performance to easily multitask or play intensive games, and the kind of battery life to last the whole day. Here are the Top Smartphones of 2024.
iPhone 16 Pro Max: Best Overall
The iPhone 16 Pro Max holds down the top spot among the best phones based on the impressive results it produced when my colleagues and I got the chance to test its display, processing power, and cameras. The new phone offers a bigger screen (without increasing its overall size too much from the iPhone 15 Pro), an upgraded ultrawide camera, and a faster processor. Even better, the first Apple Intelligence features are now available, with more to come in subsequent iOS updates for the next few months.
iPhone 16: Best iPhone Value
The iPhone 16 has replaced the iPhone 15 as the latest entry-level flagship in Apple’s lineup. It offers incredible value against the pricier iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max—especially when it has a lot in common with them. My colleague John Velasco argues that it’s a Pro model in disguise, reversing the recent trend of Apple giving all its attention to the Pro phones.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Best Samsung Phone
The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the peak Android experience, with the kind of improvements you’d demand for such a premium phone — a better processor, a brighter display, and camera fine-tuning. But this year’s model stands out with the arrival of Galaxy AI features, which tap into artificial intelligence to handle tasks like translation, transcription, and summaries.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
If foldable tempers your interest, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers a reliable design with a customizable cover screen UI. It claims seven years of software updates, which ensures long-term support. With a 50MP main camera and improved battery life, the Z Flip 6 is not just stylish but also practical. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it runs smoothly and effectively. For those who appreciate the foldable design but need a phone that serves as an everyday workhorse, the Z Flip 6 delivers on both fronts.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro: Smartest Phone
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro has the most capable AI of them all, with features like Pixel Screenshots and Add Me for inserting people into group shots. The Tensor G4 that powers the Pixel 9 Pro can’t keep pace with other top Android phones in benchmark testing, and it trails the iPhone 16, too. But that’s not the focus of Tensor. Instead, it powers several helpful AI features.
Google Pixel 8a: Best Under $500
Like the Pixel 7a it replaced, Google’s Pixel 8a is the best phone when you refuse to spend more than $500. In exchange, you’ll get one of the best camera phones for the price, along with the AI features found on current Pixel flagships. The only reason to pass on the Pixel 8a is that you’d prefer the more powerful Tensor G4 chipset and newer AI capabilities in the Pixel 9 series.
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OnePlus 12
For anyone who needs speed, performance, and an incredibly bright screen, the OnePlus 12 should be your choice. It supports 80W fast charging, allowing you to go from empty to full in less than 30 minutes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor ensures flawless performance, and the 4,500-nit peak brightness makes it perfect for outdoor use, even in direct sunlight. If fast charging and an ultra-bright screen are top priorities, the OnePlus 12 excels at delivering these features.
