Finest 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 development is trickling right down to cellular tech, however the outcomes thus far are a blended bag, to say the least. Samsung and Google have plenty of AI methods on their telephones that don’t actually quantity to a lot but, and Apple is catching up. AI actually could possibly be the beginning of useful new methods to work together with our telephones! However we’re positively 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 via service offers, and no judgment right here if that’s the route you’re taking — it’s how I purchased mine. Simply make certain you already know what you’re stepping into and what number of years you’ll want to remain on that Tremendous 5G All the pieces Limitless Plus plan to maintain the month-to-month system reimbursements coming.

In the event you’re seeking to spend rather less and nonetheless get one of the best smartphone on a price range, you could find one thing actually good for beneath $500. For these suggestions, take a look at 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 important 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. In the event you’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 fully new this time round — properly, two issues: the Motion Button and the Digital camera 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 sequence. You may 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 aspect of the cellphone is the Digital camera Management, which you need to use to launch the digicam app. With the digicam open, it acts as a shutter button with a full press, and a lightweight press brings up different publicity choices you possibly can regulate. Even should 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 properly for the telephones staying on the identical software program improve cycle. They each obtained Apple Intelligence within the fall, which included AI-powered writing instruments and notification summaries in its earliest iteration and ultimately grew to assist ChatGPT and a brand new Visible Intelligence characteristic. However regardless of the similarities, the common 16 fashions lag behind the Execs in two essential departments: the display screen and the digicam.

The Execs include devoted 5x lenses and up to date important cameras that perform a little higher in low gentle. 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 in the marketplace presents a 120Hz show, in order that’s a disappointment. If these two drawbacks don’t trouble you — and most of the people most likely gained’t thoughts them — then the iPhone 16 makes for a terrific improve.

Learn our evaluation of the Apple iPhone 16.

Display screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 important 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 in search of a cellphone just like the Pixel 9 for some time now. It’s simple and unfussy, takes reliably good images, and comes with the polished {hardware} you’d anticipate 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 general expertise.

Exterior 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 outdoors of the digicam app. Some are promising and some are worrying, however there’s nothing right here that looks like a real game-changer. Which is ok.

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 sequence’ persistent issues like poor thermals and buggy software program appear to be beneath management on this technology. The 9 Professional is a worthwhile improve if you need that telephoto lens and a barely nicer display screen, however in any case, the Pixel 9 looks like a top-notch system, in and out.

Learn our full Google Pixel 9 evaluation.

Display screen: 6.8-inch, 1440p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel important 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 form 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 despite the fact 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, in fact, however they’re nothing to jot down dwelling about simply but, they usually’re obtainable on the S23 sequence, too. The S24 Extremely’s beginning worth went up, too — now $1,299 somewhat 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 nice, however man, there was one thing cool a few true 10x zoom on a cellphone.

All that stated, the S24 Extremely can’t be beat should you’re in search of the perfect Android cellphone — price and measurement be damned. The 6.8-inch show now comes with anti-glare therapy that does a incredible job of slicing reflections and conserving the display screen comfy to make use of open air. The cellphone handles heavy processing duties and not using a drawback, and the digicam system is normally good and infrequently sensible, particularly with 3x portrait mode images. And there’s an S Pen! Have you ever ever seen a fancier solution to make a to-do record?

Extremely devotees probably gained’t have an issue stomaching the worth 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 every other dear gadget — a phenomenal, splurge-worthy system if nothing however the best possible will make you content.

Learn my full Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely evaluation.

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 digicam that covers the fundamentals. It’s not as fancy because the Pixel 9 or 9 Professional, but it surely gained’t forestall you from capturing that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

The Pixel 8A supplies plenty of different stuff you wouldn’t essentially anticipate from a $500 cellphone, like wi-fi charging and an IP67 ranking for resistance towards full water immersion. After all, you possibly can’t have the whole lot. The 8A’s again panel is matte plastic somewhat than glass, sadly, and its 6.1-inch 1080p display screen isn’t one of the best in its class (see the OnePlus 12R).

There are different telephones obtainable for beneath $500 value contemplating, lots of that are coated in our information to one of the best cheap telephones. However should you’re in search of absolutely the most worth you will get from a $500 cellphone, then look no additional than the 8A.

Learn my full evaluation 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 Digital camera Management, but it surely obtained one other essential replace, too: a 5x telephoto lens. Within the 15 sequence, that longer telephoto lens was reserved for the larger Professional Max mannequin. This time round, it’s on the smaller Professional, too, making it a terrific possibility 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 assist Apple Intelligence, which began rolling out within the fall of 2024. The primary replace included issues like notification summaries and the brand new glowing-border Siri UI, which Apple centered its launch occasion on. Subsequent updates introduced ChatGPT integration and Visible Intelligence. However don’t anticipate something radical — a minimum of at first.

Exterior of AI, the 16 Professional is a reasonably iterative replace. The brand new Digital camera Management makes it simpler to launch the digicam and get proper to taking images, and it additionally frees up the Motion Button should you had been utilizing it as a digicam shortcut. The display screen is somewhat larger at 6.3 inches in comparison with 6.1 inches, despite the fact that the cellphone is mainly the identical measurement. You may document 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 images than ever.

There’s nothing right here that somebody with an iPhone 15 Professional ought to improve for, but it surely’s an all-around stable system that can please Apple devotees, particularly those that favor a cellphone that isn’t too massive.

Learn our full Apple iPhone 16 Professional evaluation.

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 important 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 buy proper now; that may be the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus. However enjoyable solely goes thus far, and the Z Flip 6 is the extra dependable system of the 2. On the subject of the system 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 system again to the early 2000s. The Z Flip 6 lacks this sort 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 one of the best software program insurance policies in the marketplace. The {hardware} will most likely give out lengthy earlier than the software program, truthfully.

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

That stated, the Z Flip 6’s outer display screen does come in useful. You are able to do lots with the prebaked widget choices obtainable to make use of, and should 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 attraction of a flip cellphone. Simply, you already know, preserve this cellphone away from the seashore.

Learn my full evaluation 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 important 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 totally delivers on the promise of a foldable: it’s a pill once you want it and a daily cellphone once you don’t.

Samsung’s Z Fold sequence feels somewhat too slender 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 think about: 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 provided that that is solely Google’s second folding cellphone. It’s rated to resist full water immersion, however as with all foldable, mud is a priority, so that you’ll need to take somewhat further care with this system. All that stated, somebody with the abdomen (and pockets) for the 9 Professional Fold will discover it a really rewarding system.

Learn my full Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold evaluation.

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

The Nothing Telephone 2 isn’t for everybody, however for the proper of individual, it’s an excellent different to the Galaxies and Pixels of the world. It’s a style-driven system, from the dot-matrix-inspired UI to the flashing gentle strips on the again panel. Will its distinctive {hardware} and software program options aid you take again your consideration span as Nothing claims? Eh, most likely not. Principally, it’s only a cool-looking gadget and a thoughtfully designed system.

The Telephone 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, that means it’s not totally dustproof, and it’s solely proof against splashes somewhat than full immersion in water. Most different telephones at this worth supply a full IP68 ranking, and a few cheaper midrange telephones, just like the Pixel 8A, nonetheless embrace IP67 water resistance. The Telephone 2 additionally lacks official assist 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 concept with some fascinating purposes should you make investments somewhat time in tweaking it. You may flip it over to silence notifications once you want a while to focus and handpick sure “important” alerts to gentle up the Glyph. Personally, I discover it much less useful than a conventional focus mode and even the Telephone 2’s always-on show. However others would possibly discover it helpful, and if nothing else, it seems to be neat.

The Telephone 2 isn’t your best option for sheer worth — the Pixel 8A is a a lot better deal. It’s not your best option for somebody who simply desires a cellphone to get them via their day with minimal problem. But it surely’s undeniably totally different, and should you’re in search of one thing exterior of the unusual with a sure visible attraction, then it’s a worthy candidate.

Learn my full Nothing Telephone 2 evaluation.

• The Samsung Galaxy S24 is somewhat fussier to make use of than our general choose for one of the best Android cellphone, but it surely’s nonetheless a stable 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 buy 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 document for well timed software program updates isn’t nice, making it exhausting to totally advocate the Razr Plus.

Replace, December nineteenth: Adjusted pricing and up to date iPhone 16 commentary to replicate Apple Intelligence’s arrival.