Greatest cellphone 2024: the highest smartphones to purchase proper now

The AI telephones are right here, however that doesn’t imply they’ve actually arrived. The yr’s hottest pattern is trickling right down to cellular tech, however the outcomes thus far are a combined bag, to say the least. Samsung and Google have plenty of AI tips on their telephones that don’t actually quantity to a lot but, and Apple is scrambling to catch up. AI actually could possibly be the beginning of useful new methods to work together with our telephones! However we’re undoubtedly not there but. Within the meantime, be ready to listen to much more about AI in your subsequent cellphone — and mood your expectations.

Lots of people within the US get their telephones by means of service offers, and no judgment right here if that’s the route you are taking — it’s how I purchased mine. Simply be certain you recognize what you’re moving into and what number of years you’ll want to remain on that Tremendous 5G Every part Limitless Plus plan to maintain the month-to-month gadget reimbursements coming.

For those who’re trying to spend rather less and nonetheless get the perfect smartphone on a price range, you’ll find one thing actually good for below $500. For these suggestions, try our information to price range smartphones.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh fee / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 essential with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wi-fi MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance ranking: IP68

From a {hardware} perspective, the iPhone 16 (or the 16 Plus) is a simple improve selection. For those who’re switching from an iPhone 13, 12, and even older, these 4 or 5 years of incremental efficiency enhancements add up. However there’s one thing completely new this time round — effectively, two issues: the Motion Button and the Digicam Management button.

The customizable Motion Button, which replaces the mute swap on the left fringe of the cellphone, is a hand-me-down from the 15 Professional collection. You possibly can set it to open a specific app, activate the flashlight, or nearly the rest you may want on the contact of a button. On the opposite facet of the cellphone is the Digicam Management, which you should use to launch the digicam app. With the digicam open, it acts as a shutter button with a full press, and a light-weight press brings up different publicity choices you possibly can modify. Even in the event you solely ever use it to launch the digicam, it’s fairly helpful, and it frees up the Motion Button.

The iPhone 16 and its bigger 16 Plus sibling use Apple’s A18 chipset, which is in the identical household because the 16 Professional’s processor. That bodes effectively for the telephones staying on the identical software program improve cycle. They’re each slated to get an replace with Apple Intelligence within the fall, which is able to embrace AI-powered writing instruments and notification summaries in its earliest iteration. However regardless of the similarities, the common 16 fashions lag behind the Professionals in two essential departments: the display screen and the digicam.

The Professionals include devoted 5x lenses and up to date essential cameras that perform a little higher in low mild. And also you’ll solely get a ProMotion show on the Professional fashions; the common 16 includes a slower 60Hz display screen. Mainly each different high-end cellphone available on the market provides a 120Hz show, in order that’s a disappointment. If these two drawbacks don’t hassle you — and most of the people in all probability received’t thoughts them — then the iPhone 16 makes for an ideal improve.

Learn our overview of the Apple iPhone 16.

Display screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 essential with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wi-fi (with Pixel Stand 2) / Climate resistance: IP68

The Android ecosystem has been on the lookout for a cellphone just like the Pixel 9 for some time now. It’s simple and unfussy, takes reliably good photographs, and comes with the polished {hardware} you’d count on from a high-end cellphone. It doesn’t have a devoted telephoto lens, which the equally priced Galaxy S24 does, however the software program is much less quirky than Samsung’s, making for a greater total expertise.

Outdoors of zoom capabilities, Google’s Pixel digicam is simply as dependable as ever. The cellphone comes with a Tensor G4 chipset that powers AI options aplenty, each inside and out of doors of the digicam app. Some are promising and some are worrying, however there’s nothing right here that appears like a real game-changer. Which is okay.

The essential factor is that the Pixel 9 has the best stuff the place it counts. It’s straightforward to make use of, and among the Pixel collection’ persistent issues like poor thermals and buggy software program appear to be below management on this technology. The 9 Professional is a worthwhile improve if you’d like that telephoto lens and a barely nicer display screen, however in any case, the Pixel 9 appears like a top-notch gadget, in and out.

Learn our full Google Pixel 9 overview.

Display screen: 6.8-inch, 1440p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel essential with OIS; 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP68

Samsung’s maximalist S-series Extremely cellphone type of exists in its personal stratosphere. The place else are you going to discover a cellphone with 4 rear cameras and a built-in stylus? The S24 Extremely stays an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cellphone, and regardless that it’s each bit as feature-packed as final yr’s mannequin, it feels just a bit much less particular than the S23 Extremely did.

The aforementioned Galaxy AI options are right here, after all, however they’re nothing to jot down residence about simply but, and so they’re obtainable on the S23 collection, too. The S24 Extremely’s beginning worth went up, too — now $1,299 quite than $1,199. And the optical 10x zoom lens is gone, changed by a 5x zoom with extra megapixels and in-sensor cropping to get to 10x. It’s principally wonderful, however man, there was one thing cool a few true 10x zoom on a cellphone.

All that mentioned, the S24 Extremely can’t be beat in the event you’re on the lookout for the easiest Android cellphone — value and dimension be damned. The 6.8-inch show now comes with anti-glare remedy that does a improbable job of chopping reflections and conserving the display screen comfy to make use of outside. The cellphone handles heavy processing duties with no downside, and the digicam system is often good and sometimes sensible, particularly with 3x portrait mode photographs. And there’s an S Pen! Have you ever ever seen a fancier technique to make a to-do record?

Extremely devotees probably received’t have an issue stomaching the value hike this yr thanks in no small half to Samsung’s beneficiant trade-in offers. For everybody else, it’s greatest to think about the S24 Extremely like some other expensive gadget — a wonderful, splurge-worthy gadget if nothing however the very best will make you cheerful.

Learn my full Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely overview.

Display screen: 6.1-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G3 Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.89 with OIS; 13-megapixel ultrawide; 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,492mAh / Charging: 18W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate-resistance ranking: IP67

It’s exhausting to beat the Pixel 8A on sheer ROI. For $500, you get an excellent price range cellphone that comes with seven years of OS and safety updates; most telephones at this worth will solely see a handful of OS upgrades, if that. The 8A additionally comes with an excellent digicam that covers the fundamentals. It’s not as fancy because the Pixel 9 or 9 Professional, however it received’t stop you from capturing that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

The Pixel 8A offers plenty of different stuff you wouldn’t essentially count on from a $500 cellphone, like wi-fi charging and an IP67 ranking for resistance in opposition to full water immersion. In fact, you possibly can’t have all the pieces. The 8A’s again panel is matte plastic quite than glass, sadly, and its 6.1-inch 1080p display screen isn’t the perfect in its class (see the OnePlus 12R).

There are different telephones obtainable for below $500 price contemplating, lots of that are coated in our information to the perfect cheap telephones. However in the event you’re on the lookout for absolutely the most worth you may get from a $500 cellphone, then look no additional than the 8A.

Learn my full overview of the Google Pixel 8A.

Display screen: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh fee / Processor: A18 Professional Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not marketed / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wi-fi, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Climate-resistance ranking: IP68

Like all 4 iPhone 16 fashions, the 16 Professional gained the brand new Digicam Management, however it acquired one other essential replace, too: a 5x telephoto lens. Within the 15 collection, that longer telephoto lens was reserved for the larger Professional Max mannequin. This time round, it’s on the smaller Professional, too, making it an ideal choice for somebody who desires to improve with out upsizing their cellphone.

Just like the Professional Max, the iPhone 16 Professional makes use of an A18 Professional chipset designed to help Apple Intelligence, which is able to begin rolling out within the fall of 2024. The primary replace will embrace issues like notification summaries and the brand new glowing-border Siri UI, which Apple centered its launch occasion on. However don’t count on something radical — at the least at first.

Outdoors of AI, the 16 Professional is a reasonably iterative replace. The brand new Digicam Management makes it simpler to launch the digicam and get proper to taking photographs, and it additionally frees up the Motion Button in the event you had been utilizing it as a digicam shortcut. The display screen is just a little greater at 6.3 inches in comparison with 6.1 inches, regardless that the cellphone is mainly the identical dimension. You possibly can file 4K video at 120fps now. And the brand new Photographic Kinds, which can be found on all iPhone 16 fashions, allow you to take extra management over your photographs than ever.

There’s nothing right here that somebody with an iPhone 15 Professional ought to improve for, however it’s an all-around strong gadget that may please Apple devotees, particularly those that desire a cellphone that isn’t too large.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Professional overview.

Display screen: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED interior display screen; 3.4-inch, 720p, OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 essential with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (interior display screen) / Battery: 4,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP48

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t essentially the most enjoyable flip cellphone you should purchase proper now; that might be the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus. However enjoyable solely goes thus far, and the Z Flip 6 is the extra dependable gadget of the 2. In terms of the gadget you utilize day in and day trip, reliability counts for lots.

Motorola’s tackle the fashionable flip cellphone embraces nostalgia with cute animations and a mode that sends the entire gadget again to the early 2000s. The Z Flip 6 lacks this type of allure, however you do get an up to date cowl display screen UI that’s extra customizable than the Z Flip 5’s. The Flip 6 additionally comes with seven years of software program updates, which matches the perfect software program insurance policies available on the market. The {hardware} will in all probability give out lengthy earlier than the software program, truthfully.

That’s the opposite facet of the flip cellphone coin: long-term sturdiness is iffy. Certain, the Flip 6 is constructed to face up to full water immersion, however it nonetheless doesn’t have any formal mud resistance. For that purpose, it isn’t a cellphone I might advocate to only anybody.

That mentioned, the Z Flip 6’s outer display screen does come in useful. You are able to do quite a bit with the prebaked widget choices obtainable to make use of, and in the event you’re just a bit adventurous, you possibly can run any app you need on the little display screen. Beginning a Strava exercise or sending a fast textual content is a cinch, which is an enormous a part of the enchantment of a flip cellphone. Simply, you recognize, hold this cellphone away from the seashore.

Learn my full overview of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Display screen: 8.0-inch, 2076p, 120Hz OLED interior display screen; 6.3-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED cowl display screen / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 essential with OIS; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (cowl display screen); 10-megapixel interior selfie digicam / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IPX8

It’s exhausting to convey simply how good the Pixel 9 Professional Fold is to make use of. It’s the primary book-style folding cellphone that absolutely delivers on the promise of a foldable: it’s a pill whenever you want it and an everyday cellphone whenever you don’t.

Samsung’s Z Fold collection feels just a little too slim and cramped in its closed configuration, and the unique Pixel Fold was too cumbersome and heavy to make use of comfortably. The 9 Professional Fold is lighter, and utilizing its 6.3-inch outer display screen feels mainly like utilizing a traditional cellphone, which is an enormous win.

That’s actually the theme of the Pixel 9 Professional Fold: it simply feels regular. However there are a few decidedly not-normal issues to contemplate: worth and sturdiness. The 9 Professional Fold prices $1,799 — mainly the going fee for a book-style foldable however nonetheless some huge cash for a cellphone.

And long-term sturdiness is unclear, particularly on condition that that is solely Google’s second folding cellphone. It’s rated to face up to full water immersion, however as with all foldable, mud is a priority, so that you’ll wish to take just a little additional care with this gadget. All that mentioned, somebody with the abdomen (and pockets) for the 9 Professional Fold will discover it a really rewarding gadget.

Learn my full Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold overview.

Display screen: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 essential with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wi-fi / Climate resistance: IP54

The Nothing Cellphone 2 isn’t for everybody, however for the correct of particular person, it’s an excellent different to the Galaxies and Pixels of the world. It’s a style-driven gadget, from the dot-matrix-inspired UI to the flashing mild strips on the again panel. Will its distinctive {hardware} and software program options enable you take again your consideration span as Nothing claims? Eh, in all probability not. Largely, it’s only a cool-looking gadget and a thoughtfully designed gadget.

The Cellphone 2 is supplied with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is a barely older however nonetheless very succesful processor. Its 6.7-inch, 1080p display screen helps a quick 120Hz high refresh fee, and its lowest 1Hz refresh fee permits it to supply an information-rich always-on show. The digicam system is sweet, although not fairly as constant because the Pixel 7’s. There’s wi-fi charging, quick 45W wired charging, and an all-day battery.

That’s the entire excellent news. The unhealthy information is that it’s solely rated IP54, which means it’s not absolutely dustproof, and it’s solely proof against splashes quite than full immersion in water. Most different telephones at this worth provide a full IP68 ranking, and a few cheaper midrange telephones, just like the Pixel 8A, nonetheless embrace IP67 water resistance. The Cellphone 2 additionally lacks official help for Verizon’s community, which guidelines it out for lots of people within the US.

There’s the Glyph Interface, too — these lights on the again of the cellphone. It’s a neat thought with some attention-grabbing purposes in the event you make investments just a little time in tweaking it. You possibly can flip it over to silence notifications whenever you want a while to focus and handpick sure “important” alerts to mild up the Glyph. Personally, I discover it much less useful than a conventional focus mode and even the Cellphone 2’s always-on show. However others would possibly discover it helpful, and if nothing else, it seems to be neat.

The Cellphone 2 isn’t the only option for sheer worth — the Pixel 8A is a significantly better deal. It’s not the only option for somebody who simply desires a cellphone to get them by means of their day with minimal trouble. But it surely’s undeniably completely different, and in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing outdoors of the extraordinary with a sure visible enchantment, then it’s a worthy candidate.

Learn my full Nothing Cellphone 2 overview.

• The Samsung Galaxy S24 is just a little fussier to make use of than our total choose for the perfect Android cellphone, however it’s nonetheless a strong performer and features a telephoto lens, which only a few of the “fundamental” flagships do. At this level, it’s additionally the smallest high-end cellphone you should purchase within the US, if that’s your factor. (It’s my factor.)
• The 2024 Motorola Razr Plus is a pleasant flip cellphone with tons of nostalgic vibes, with an enormous cowl display screen that’s helpful for accessing fast duties with out opening the cellphone. However Motorola’s monitor file for well timed software program updates isn’t nice, making it exhausting to completely advocate the Razr Plus.

Replace, November seventh: Adjusted pricing.