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The Top Five Phones Currently Available and Tips for Selecting the Right One |
Best Phone of 2024
1. Samsung
Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best Overall
If budget isn’t
an issue, the S24 Ultra is the best smartphone on the market
today.
Samsung has
effectively utilized its high price tag, providing an exceptional user
experience with virtually no drawbacks. There are numerous significant
advantages, including impressive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance and five unique
camera lenses, all of which excel in their own right.
You also receive
a stunning 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a built-in S Pen, while many users will
find it lasts up to two days on a single charge.
The software has never been better, thanks to a smooth One UI skin over Android
14 and seven years of OS and security updates. A variety of genuinely useful AI
features add to its appeal.
The S24 Ultra’s
cost and its large, hefty design may not suit everyone. Nevertheless, it
remains the most comprehensive smartphone available for purchase.
2. Xiaomi 14
Ultra – Best Cameras
For several
years, Xiaomi’s flagship models have produced excellent photos, but the 14
Ultra elevates that performance significantly.
It's the first
smartphone that can truly substitute for a DSLR for the average
user, thanks to the high quality and versatility of its camera system. It
features four 50Mp rear cameras and a 32Mp front camera, all capable of
capturing outstanding photos in nearly any setting.
Moreover, the
optional Photography Kit accessory enhances the experience, bringing it even
closer to that of a real camera.
With its
beautiful design, vibrant display, impressive performance, and solid battery
life complemented by 90W fast charging, the 14 Ultra justifies its high price.
However, this also makes it out of reach for many, and the HyperOS software
experience still leaves something to be desired.
These two
factors keep it from ranking higher on this list, but if your primary focus is
photography, this is the ideal phone for you.
If you prefer a
more budget-friendly option, the standard Xiaomi 14 offers nearly comparable
photographic capabilities.
3. Google Pixel
9 Pro XL – A solid alternative
If the previous
options don’t appeal to you, the Pixel 9 is likely your best choice. For the
optimal experience, you should opt for the newly branded Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Although it
doesn’t quite match the impressive performance of the Pixel 8 Pro, the 9 Pro XL
still offers an engaging experience across nearly all major areas.
The cameras
remain the standout feature, producing vivid, high-contrast images while
preserving essential details, even in low-light situations, though the
brightness may not be entirely realistic. Its camera system is impressively
versatile, thanks to a quality ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom from the
telephoto lens, and the upgraded front camera delivers excellent selfies.
In addition, the
fantastic 6.8-inch display provides an enjoyable user experience, and Google’s
Tensor G4 chipset offers reliable performance. The build quality is the best it
has ever been, despite some users potentially being disappointed by the shift
to a more generic design.
Google continues
to excel in the software experience, even if the 9 Pro XL comes with Android 14
initially, and the AI features can be inconsistent. Google’s promise of seven
years of both OS and security updates remains unbeaten by any other smartphone.
The battery life
is satisfactory rather than exceptional, and the 37W charging feels
comparatively slow. Ultimately, whether you decide to purchase the 9 Pro XL
depends on if you believe the significantly higher price is justified.
If not, you
might want to look at the Pixel 9 Pro or the standard Pixel 9 instead, although
there are some downgrades to consider.
4. Apple iPhone
16 Plus – Best iPhone
Among the 2024
lineup, the iPhone 16 Plus represents the ideal balance with its combination of
size, cost, and features.
Of course, like
all models in the 16 series, it doesn’t have Apple Intelligence when released,
so you may want to wait to see if that becomes important to your decision.
Otherwise, you
are getting a well-rounded device that will soon receive AI features, and it is
closer to the Pro Max than ever as the Action Button has now made its way down
to this model, along with the new Camera Control button, which is no longer
exclusive to the Pro models.
The screen is
not as large or impressive as the Pro Max, and it is equipped with a standard
A18 chipset, but these specifications will suffice for most users. You also
won’t have access to a telephoto lens or 1TB of storage, though many may not
mind these concessions for a more affordable option.
5. OnePlus Nord
4 – Best value phone
For several
years, Google’s A-Series smartphones have provided the best bang for your buck
in the smartphone market. However, despite its many strengths, the Pixel 8a has
been surpassed in this area by the OnePlus Nord 4.
It begins with
outstanding build quality, featuring a single piece of robust aluminum spanning
the back and sides of the device. At the forefront, there’s a stunning 120Hz
OLED display, complemented by strong performance and all-day battery
longevity.
If you
appreciate the design, the trade-offs here mainly involve the camera features.
There is no telephoto lens, resulting in less-than-satisfactory zoom photos,
and the ultrawide lens that OnePlus chose tends to underperform.
However, if you
primarily utilize the main lens, you’ll find it quite satisfying. Moreover,
with six years of security updates, the Nord 4's longevity is nearly on par
with that of the Pixel 8a.
Overall, it
stands out as the top choice if you’re seeking a mid-range smartphone.
