The Best Smartphones of 2024

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro stands out in the 'Best Overall' category, thanks to its comprehensive range of advanced features and stellar performance. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, coupled with ProMotion technology, offers smooth visuals, perfect for both gaming and multimedia consumption. The Always-On display ensures that important notifications are always visible without significantly draining battery life.

The titanium frame combined with a textured matte glass back not only provides durability but also a premium tactile feel. The A17 Pro chip, equipped with a 6-core GPU, promises lightning-fast performance and seamless multitasking, catering to both everyday users and tech enthusiasts. The Pro camera system, featuring a 48MP main sensor along with ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, captures super-high-resolution photos and next-generation portraits with remarkable detail and depth control.

Safety is another strong suit of the iPhone 15 Pro, offering Emergency SOS and Crash Detection features, alongside Roadside Assistance via satellite. While the average battery life of up to 29 hours of video playback might not lead the industry, it is more than adequate for most users. Lastly, the switch to USB-C with USB 3 support for faster transfers is a welcome update, enhancing overall user experience and device versatility.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra truly excels in the 'Best Camera' category, thanks to a plethora of innovative features designed to enhance every aspect of mobile photography. The standout element is the impressive 200MP camera, which ensures crystal-clear content capture, whether you're snapping bustling cityscapes or serene landscapes. Nightography significantly boosts low-light photography, allowing you to bring out rich details even in the darkest settings. The zoom capabilities are also noteworthy, providing clear close-ups without compromising on quality.

Additionally, the Generative Edit feature transforms every photo into a masterpiece by enabling you to move or remove objects and fill empty spaces effortlessly. Despite these high-end capabilities, some aspects of the camera, such as basic photo editing tools, are relatively average compared to the competition. Nevertheless, these advanced features collectively make the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra a top contender for those seeking a stellar camera experience on a smartphone.

The Google Pixel 7a stands out as an exceptional value-for-money option due to its array of impressive features that offer premium performance at a competitive price point. One of its key highlights is the robust battery life. With fast charging capabilities and the Extreme Battery Saver mode, users can enjoy up to 72 hours of battery life, ensuring the device will last through long days and extended use.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the advanced camera setup, which includes a 64MP rear camera that excels in low-light conditions, paired with a 6.1-inch OLED display that provides vibrant visuals and 1080p video capture. The Google Tensor G2 processor ensures that the phone runs smoothly, handling everything from routine tasks to advanced AI functionalities with ease.

Security and convenience are also strong points for the Pixel 7a. The biometric fingerprint sensor allows quick and secure access, while features like NFC, Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth offer versatile connectivity options. Additionally, the dual SIM card slots make it ideal for users who need to manage two numbers.

The water-resistant design further adds a layer of durability, making it suitable for various environments, while the integrated Google Assistant provides seamless, hands-free control. Although it comes with a standard one-year manufacturer warranty, the overall package of the Pixel 7a justifies its ranking in the best value-for-money category, delivering a comprehensive smartphone experience without a hefty price tag.

For those seeking the best gaming experience on a mobile device, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 5G stands out as a top contender. Its performance is driven by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a remarkable 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This combo ensures smooth and lag-free gameplay, even for the most demanding titles. The 6.78" Samsung AMOLED display with its 2448 x 1080 resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and vibrant colors delivers an immersive visual experience that gamers will appreciate.

Another notable aspect is the substantial 512GB of storage, providing ample space for game files, apps, and other media. Plus, the phone’s 6000 mAh battery ensures you can enjoy extended gaming sessions without frequent recharges. Although the device’s camera capabilities are noteworthy, with a 50 MP lens and 8K video recording, they play a secondary role compared to its gaming prowess.

The dual-SIM support and extensive network compatibility further add versatility, though users should confirm compatibility with their carriers. While some might find the lack of CDMA support a drawback, overall, the ASUS ROG Phone 7 5G excels phenomenally where it matters most: gaming.

The OnePlus 12 stands out in the 'Best Flagship Killer' category thanks to its impressive specifications and performance enhancements. At its core, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, combined with up to 16GB of RAM, ensures that users experience blazing-fast performance and efficient multitasking. The Dual Cryo-velocity VC cooling chamber maintains peak performance by effectively managing heat dissipation.

The display is another highlight, featuring a stunning 2k 120Hz Super Fluid Display with advanced LTPO technology. This ensures a bright, smooth, and vibrant viewing experience, with peak brightness levels reaching up to 4500 nits, which makes it perfect for use even in direct sunlight.

The camera system on the OnePlus 12 is equally impressive. The 4th Gen Hasselblad Camera System offers a 50MP primary sensor, a 64MP 3x Periscope Lens, and a 48MP Ultra-Wide Camera, all enhanced by Hasselblad's industry-leading color science. Lastly, the Trinity Engine optimizes performance through an array of software enhancements like RAM-Vita and HyperBoost, making sure the device runs smoothly in various scenarios.

While the additional perks such as 6 months of Google One and 3 months of YouTube Premium for new accounts are nice touches, they are relatively standard additions for premium smartphones today. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 12's potent mix of high-end specifications, innovative cooling, and outstanding camera capabilities make it a formidable contender in its category.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 stands out prominently in the 'Best Foldable' category, thanks to its impressive blend of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly features. One of the key highlights is its large 7.6-inch display, which ensures an immersive viewing experience, whether you're watching videos, playing games, or multitasking with dual apps. This expansive screen, combined with the sleek design, makes it a joy to use in everyday scenarios.

Performance-wise, the device runs on Android 13.0, offering a smooth and efficient operating system that keeps up with your demanding tasks and applications. With a substantial 512GB of memory storage, users can store large amounts of data, high-resolution photos, and videos without worrying about running out of space.

The camera performance does not disappoint either, with a powerful rear camera that captures high-quality images and videos. Additionally, the battery capacity, although unspecified in terms of units, supports a fast charge time of 79 minutes, keeping the device ready for use with minimal downtime.

While the exact dimensions and battery capacity might leave room for further details, the included NFC connectivity adds to the convenience, streamlining tasks like wireless payments and data transfer. Altogether, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 combines style, power, and innovation, making it a top contender among foldable smartphones.

The Moto G Power 5G stands out in the best budget-friendly category primarily due to its powerful performance and impressive features. Starting with its stunning 6.7-inch Full HD+ display, the phone offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing users with a sharp and fluid visual experience that's rare in its price range. Complementing this is the Dolby Atmos stereo sound, which ensures an immersive multimedia experience for all your favorite movies and games.

For photography enthusiasts, the 50MP camera system with Optical Image Stabilization sets the Moto G Power 5G apart by delivering clearer and more stable low-light shots. Additionally, the phone's MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor, coupled with superfast 5G connectivity, ensures that users can enjoy fast and seamless performance, whether they're gaming, browsing, or streaming.

The 5000mAh battery life is another notable highlight, allowing users to go through their day without worrying about frequent recharges. When it's time to power up, the 30W TurboPower charging ensures you’re back to full strength in no time. While the Moto G Power 5G offers ample storage options and a sleek design with a fingerprint-resistant back, it’s worth noting that the device's actual refresh rate may vary based on usage, and the standard charger may not support the maximum 30W charging speed. Nonetheless, the combination of these features makes the Moto G Power 5G an exceptional choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking premium benefits.