The very best smartphones to purchase in 2024

You may need an concept of which smartphone you wish to purchase subsequent. However there are extra choices than ever earlier than which can be stable — loads of corporations are making stellar handsets these days, at comparable costs, all with comparable function units. That stated, the selection isn’t all the time cut-and-dry. If you already know you need an iPhone, your decision-making course of is a bit simpler. If you happen to’re an Android particular person, you could have much more choices to select from and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash. At Engadget, we overview telephones often and have examined dozens over time; thus far for 2024, our prime picks are at present Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro and Google’s Pixel 9 Pro. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on them, one in every of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 telephones or one other system, we’re right here that can assist you resolve which is one of the best telephone to purchase this yr.

Android or iOS?

Whenever you’re trying to find one of the best smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its professionals and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous straightforward to share knowledge between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off telephone calls or music from one system to a different. On the identical time, you’re successfully locked in, as providers like Apple Messages aren’t obtainable on different platforms.

As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from corporations like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nonetheless, Android telephones don’t take pleasure in that very same size of software program help and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no fallacious reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to take into account how your telephone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to be taught one other, it most likely doesn’t make plenty of sense to modify from an iPhone to an Android telephone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.

Cameras

Since your cellphone typically pulls double responsibility as your main digital camera, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is vital. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an amazing image in shiny mild. However if you would like an extended optical zoom, you’ll most likely must improve to a dearer system.

Close up of the Pixel 6 Pro's camera bump. — Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Mid-range phones typically solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and might generally battle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has varied options that may be a greater match on your model, with Apple providing 4 completely different coloration presets on the most recent iPhones, whereas Google’s Pixel 9 Professional comes with neat instruments like devoted lengthy publicity and Motion Pan modes.

Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?

The excellent news is that in 2024, most telephones have a minimum of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some form of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, if you would like the quickest wi-fi speeds potential, it’s going to price you somewhat further. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G gives as much as gigabit obtain speeds, much less latency and higher bandwidth. However mmWave 5G additionally requires extra subtle (and pricier) modems, which implies help for it’s typically lacking on cheaper gadgets.

On the intense facet, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively obtainable as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you is probably not lacking out on a lot proper now for those who purchase a telephone that doesn’t help it. It’s an analogous scenario for Wi-Fi 7, which is offered on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S24, however more durable to seek out on cheaper gadgets. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so until you already know you want it or have a selected use case in thoughts, the shortage of help for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when in search of a brand new telephone.

Different options to contemplate

As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes one of the best telephone, it is best to take into consideration every other specs that may be further vital for you. Cell avid gamers will nearly actually admire the 120Hz refresh charges you get on telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or the Apple iPhone 15 Professional. Alternatively, if lengthy battery life is vital, you’ll most likely wish to go along with a bigger iPhone or an Android telephone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in dimension. In the meantime, if you end up juggling plenty of gadgets, it may be very nice to have a telephone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even permits you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.

Photograph by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 15 Pro Max review

Display dimension: 6.7-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: About two days

The modifications to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max could appear small when thought-about on their very own, however collectively they add as much as greater than the sum of their components. For the iPhone 15 Professional Max, specifically, the smaller, lighter titanium construct means it may be inside the realm of consideration for a lot of buyers for the primary time. It’s now not sharp and hefty like a weapon, however nonetheless has one of many longest-lasting batteries available on the market.

The bigger handset additionally will get a brand new 5x telephoto digital camera that helps it catch as much as flagships on the Android facet, which have had zoom lenses for years. Although Apple doesn’t outclass the competitors on pictures, it’s actually closed the hole and also you’ll discover nice cameras on each the Professional and Professional Max. In addition they have up to date portrait results and enhancing instruments, so pictures is improved whether or not you’re taking pictures faraway topics or one thing simply in entrance of you.

Each iPhone 15 Pro fashions have the brand new Motion Button and USB-C charging, the latter of which will likely be extra significant in a few years when the world presumably ditches Lightning finally. The Motion Button, in the meantime, takes the usually unused mute slider and offers you the choice of mapping a regularly used shortcut to it, so you may rapidly launch the digital camera, flashlight, voice recorder or magnifier. Having this some ways to configure the Motion Button means it’s much more helpful to extra folks than a easy toggle for silencing your telephone.

This yr’s A17 Professional chip not solely brings glorious efficiency, however its six-core GPU additionally allows console-level gaming and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for sensible lighting results. Later this yr, you may dig into titles like Resident Evil Village and, in early 2024, Murderer’s Creed Mirage on the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. You’ll additionally get a second-generation extremely wideband chip for improved precision object location, and reverse USB charging so you may energy up your equipment in a pinch.

When you think about all these options as a complete, the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max aren’t only a stable improve from their predecessors, they’re additionally among the many finest telephones round. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor

Execs

Smaller and lighter than earlier Professional Maxes
Helpful zoom cameras
USB-C is the best way of the longer term
Lengthy-lasting battery
Reverse charging through USB-C

Cons

Motion button is difficult to achieve on the bigger handset
Boring colours

$26 at Walmart

Google

Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review

(Pixel 9 Professional) Display dimension: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours

Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel sequence has lengthy been top-of-the-line Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. But it surely was all the time somewhat too massive and too cumbersome for these of us who’ve smaller palms or need our telephones to slot in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler model of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. As an alternative of a comparatively giant 6.8-inch display like that on its larger sibling, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch show that’s straightforward to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you fumbled whereas attempting to achieve the highest of the display!

Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key function to get to the smaller dimension, which means you will discover the identical digital camera setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display dimension, battery and charging speeds, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower price. However the Pixel 9 Professional can be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching nearly 25 hours on our battery take a look at.

These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android telephone due to its top-notch digital camera efficiency, intriguing AI options and a common grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt recent, this yr’s gadgets really feel stable and refined. And, dare we are saying it, nearly like iPhones. With out the digital camera bars, they might be fairly onerous to inform other than Apple’s telephones.

Presumably as a result of it is grown up a lot over time, however the Pixel telephones now price the identical as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional each begin at $999, and although a few of us have come to think about Google’s handsets because the extra competitively priced possibility, this yr’s mannequin may be adequate to justify a premium value. If you happen to nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not wish to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 remains to be a stable handset for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is one of the best Android handset cash should purchase. — C.L.

Execs

Nice digital camera options and improved telephoto digital camera
A yr of Gemini Superior free of charge
Unimaginable battery life
A wonderful, shiny display that’s straightforward to make use of open air
Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor

Cons

Slower charging speeds than the XL
Not one of the best telephone for gaming

$999 at Google

David Imel for Engadget

Learn our full iPhone 13 review

Display dimension: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, Twin eSim | Battery Life: As much as 13 hours

Our earlier choose right here was the $429 iPhone SE, however spend the additional $170 on the iPhone 13 and also you get some vital upgrades. Most notable is a far much less dated design, with flat sides, Face ID and an edge-to-edge show. The 6.1-inch OLED panel is way bigger than the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD display, but the system as a complete is simply 0.33 inches taller and solely marginally thicker. That show is healthier in each approach — brighter, sharper, extra vivid and extra sturdy as well.

The iPhone 13 additionally helps MagSafe, not like the SE, plus it begins with twice as a lot storage at 128GB. As an alternative of the SE’s single-camera setup, the 13 has a superior dual-camera system with a devoted ultra-wide lens. Across the entrance, there’s a sharper selfie digital camera that helps 4K video. Battery life is longer, too. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter, Shopping for Recommendation

Execs

Fashionable design
Digital camera efficiency remains to be completely stable for many
Ditto for processor, show and battery life

Cons

Two generations outdated
Lightning port
60Hz refresh price
No telephoto lens

$599 at Apple

Photograph by Sam Rutherford / Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel 8a review

Display dimension: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: Shut to twenty.5 hours

Google’s A-series Pixels have lengthy been among the finest midrange telephones available on the market. However now with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a helps the identical highly effective and versatile AI features you get on Google’s flagship telephones together with glorious cameras, a stunning 120Hz OLED show and nice battery life. The system additionally comes with creature comforts like IP67 mud and water resistance and handy (however sluggish) 7.5-watt Qi wi-fi charging. However most significantly, beginning at $499, it may be top-of-the-line offers available on the market. — S.R.

Execs

Colourful 120Hz OLED show
Sturdy battery life
Wonderful cameras
Nice worth

Cons

Gradual wi-fi charging
Thick bezels

$499 at Amazon

Photograph by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review

Display dimension: 7.6-inch (primary) 6.3-inch (folded) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours

Whereas we’d have preferred to see some extra drastic design modifications, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays one of the vital versatile and well-rounded examples of an enormous, premium foldable telephone. Its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers sturdy efficiency and improved power effectivity whereas its Enhanced Armor Aluminum chassis is noticeably lighter than earlier than (and a bit extra sturdy too). There’s additionally a brand new ultra-wide angle digital camera sensor and a boatload of AI-powered options scattered all through the telephone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 stays one of many few foldables with native stylus help, although you’ll have to pay further for one in every of Samsung’s S Pens. Maybe the largest draw back is that Samsung’s newest flagship now prices $100 greater than its predecessor. — S.R.

Execs

Tremendous shiny and colourful show
Even lighter chassis
Nice battery life
Native stylus help

Cons

Much more costly than earlier than
Identical primary digital camera because the earlier two Z Folds
S Pen not included
Charging speeds might be quicker

$1,900 at Samsung

Photograph by Mat Smith / Engadget

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review

Display dimension: 6.7-inch (primary) 3.4-inch (entrance) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 has an upgraded digital camera and a bigger battery than its predecessor. These two specs alone make the most recent Galaxy flip-phone a extra tempting possibility, within the face of rival flagship telephones. The leap from a 12-megapixel to 50MP digital camera means you may select to seize extra element, or crop in for, successfully, a digital zoom. The entrance display has loads of area for framing your selfie photographs, and a brand new Auto-Zoom function means it might even body unsupervised group photographs for you. Images is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI picture enhancing instruments, which is way simpler to make use of.

The Z Flip 6 now has a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so it’s simply as highly effective because the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6. Unfold the principle display and also you’ll discover one which’s brighter than ever (as much as 2,600 nits). Samsung says that is its brightest foldable show but, making it simpler to make use of and skim open air.

The design hasn’t modified a lot and a give attention to new AI software program and methods comes at the price of restricted cowl display utility, however it’s nonetheless as pocketable as ever and remains to be probably the most mainstream foldable but. — Mat Smith, Editor, UK Bureau Chief, Publication

Execs

Higher cameras
Longer battery life
Enjoyable generative AI methods

Cons

Costlier than its predecessor
Design is sort of an identical to final yr
Restricted front-screen utility
Sluggish charging

$46 at Samsung Electronics

Different smartphones we have examined

Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely

For its newest super-premium telephone, Samsung gave the S24 Ultra a extra sturdy titanium body, quicker efficiency due to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a for much longer battery life. The corporate additionally tweaked its longest telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom so it is extra usable in a wider vary of conditions. However the largest improve is a brand new full suite of AI instruments, which incorporates the power to proofread texts, edit pictures and transcribe recordings. And once you tack on one of the best show obtainable on a telephone at this time and a built-in stylus, you could have a really compelling flagship handset. Sadly, beginning at $1,300, the S24 Extremely is a bit too costly to advocate to anybody with out deep pockets.

OnePlus 12

Whereas the OnePlus 12 wasn’t in a position to unseat the most recent Pixel, it’s price mentioning as a result of it gives highly effective specs for the cash. It contains a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, an enormous and shiny 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display and one of the best battery life we’ve seen on any telephone to this point. OnePlus additionally introduced again help for wi-fi charging for the primary time in a number of generations, together with a great (however not nice) IP65 ranking for mud and water resistance. And regardless that its big digital camera module seems a bit ungainly, its pictures are surprisingly sharp. However one of the best factor is that, with a beginning value of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its largest rivals.

FAQs

How do I do know which smartphone is one of the best for me?

Whereas selecting one of the best smartphone may be difficult, it principally comes all the way down to how you propose on utilizing the system. All the finest telephones obtainable now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll be capable to make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, chances are you’ll wish to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the worth spectrum. That can get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a telephone that can final for a few years. If you happen to don’t use your telephone for every little thing, you could possibly compromise on efficiency and additional perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.

How a lot is a smartphone?

Smartphones vary in value from $300 to over $1,500. The very best finances telephones obtainable now will often compromise on general efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and additional options to maintain prices down. On the flip facet, the most costly telephones can have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a telephone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that huge value vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the finest smartphones obtainable proper now price between $500 and $1,000.

What are you able to do on a smartphone?

Smartphones are basically small, transportable computer systems that allow you to do issues like examine e-mail, browse social media, observe map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making telephone calls and texting, which we’ve come to anticipate in all fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally principally changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones at this time as simply as transportable, if no more so, as compact cameras.

How lengthy do smartphones final?

Smartphones can final years and persons are holding on to their phones longer now than ever earlier than. Software program updates and battery life are two of the largest elements that may have an effect on telephone longevity. Apple guarantees 5 years price of software program updates for its newest iPhones, and Google guarantees the identical for its Pixel telephones. Samsung telephones will get 4 years price of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your telephone can deteriorate over time as you employ and recharge your telephone frequently.