Picking a new phone in 2024 feels less like browsing specs and more like choosing a side, as the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL each make a strong case with experts at GSMArena and MKBHD already crowning a winner. This guide ranks the best mobile phone 2024 across all price tiers, using real-world battery and camera data so you can match the right device to your daily habits.

Smartphones shipped globally in 2024: 1.2 billion units ·
Top-rated smartphone on GSMArena in 2024: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra ·
MKBHD’s 2024 phone of the year: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra ·
Average upgrade cycle in 2024: 2.8 years ·
Best-selling phone in 2024: iPhone 15 Pro Max

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Which phone has the absolute best battery life across all models
  • Whether foldable phones are durable enough for daily use
  • The exact ranking order among all contenders varies by reviewer
3Timeline signal
  • January 2024: Samsung Galaxy S24 series announced at Unpacked event
  • September 2024: Apple iPhone 16 series announced
  • December 2024: GSMArena and MKBHD publish ‘best phone of 2024’ rankings
4What’s next
  • New flagship launches expected in early 2025
  • Market shift toward AI-optimized chipsets
  • Foldable form factors expected to gain mainstream traction

The expert consensus clearly favors three premium devices across key categories like camera, battery, and build quality.

Model Key Highlights
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Phone of the Year 2024 (MKBHD, GSMArena)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Best iPhone for battery and video
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Best Android phone (Pickr)
Honor Magic V3 Best foldable design 2024
Elon Musk’s phone Confirmed: uses Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (public statements)

Which phone is the best in the world in 2024?

The upshot

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra won every major expert award in 2024, but the real story is how close the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max came in specific categories like photography and battery life.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: The overall champion

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s titanium frame and 200MP main camera set a new baseline for flagship hardware. Marques Brownlee (MKBHD, tech reviewer with 19M+ subscribers) named it his phone of the year, citing the display and camera consistency as deciding factors.

The implication: Samsung reclaimed the crown by focusing on long-term software support and build quality — not just spec sheets.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: Best for the Apple ecosystem

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the go-to choice for anyone deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem. Its video recording quality remains unmatched, and the battery life improvement over the 15 Pro Max means a full day of heavy use is realistic.

The trade-off: You pay a premium for that integration — the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra starts at $1,299.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Best camera Android phone

The Pixel 9 Pro XL, recommended by Pickr Australia (consumer tech review site) as the best Android phone of 2024, excels in AI-driven photography. Its Tensor G4 chip processes images in real time, producing results that rival dedicated cameras.

The implication: If your priority is point-and-shoot photo quality, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the safest bet this year.

The verdict: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins on versatility and software support, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL and iPhone 16 Pro Max dominate specific categories like camera and ecosystem integration.

What is better, Samsung or iPhone?

Three key differences separate the two ecosystems, and each one affects a different type of buyer.

Samsung ecosystem vs Apple ecosystem

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s S Pen and DeX mode make it a productivity machine for professionals who need desktop-like multitasking. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s seamless handoff between devices favors users already owning a Mac or iPad.

The catch: Samsung’s ecosystem is more open but less polished — third-party app integration isn’t as seamless as Apple’s walled garden.

Price and value for money

The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers the best value among flagships, undercutting both Samsung and Apple by $200–$300 while delivering comparable camera and display quality.

The pattern: The Galaxy S24 Ultra commands a premium for its S Pen and display, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL offers 90% of the flagship experience at 77% of the price.

The takeaway: Samsung wins on productivity and update longevity; Apple wins on ecosystem polish and video; Google wins on value and camera AI.

What is the most good quality phone in 2024?

Build quality: Titanium frames and glass backs

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra uses titanium frame for durability (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has Ceramic Shield glass for drop resistance (Apple official)
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (Google Store)

All three flagships employ premium materials, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s titanium frame gives it an edge in structural stiffness. Drop tests from MKBHD, tech reviewer with 19M+ subscribers showed the S24 Ultra surviving waist-high drops onto concrete with only minor scuffs.

The takeaway: If build quality is your top concern, the S24 Ultra’s titanium construction is the safest choice.

Display quality: 120Hz LTPO AMOLED standards

  • Galaxy S24 Ultra: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440 (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320 (Apple official)
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL: 6.7-inch LTPO OLED, 2992×1344 (Google Store)

All three displays are outstanding, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s higher pixel density and 2,600 nits peak brightness give it a measurable advantage in outdoor visibility. TechRepublic describes it as “incredible zoom” quality that benefits from the sharp display (TechRepublic, IT decision resource).

Camera quality: 200MP sensors on Samsung vs 48MP on iPhone

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 200MP main, 50MP periscope telephoto, 12MP ultrawide (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x telephoto (Apple official)
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5x telephoto (Google Store)

The S24 Ultra’s 200MP sensor delivers exceptional detail in good light, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s computational photography produces better low-light results. The DXOMARK camera rating database ranks the Pixel 9 Pro XL as the top overall camera phone of 2024.

The trade-off: Samsung wins on raw resolution and zoom, Google wins on computational consistency, Apple wins on video stabilization.

The bottom line: The S24 Ultra leads in build and display, the Pixel 9 Pro XL leads in camera consistency, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max leads in video.

What are the top 10 best phones in the world 2024?

Flagship smartphones: Samsung, Apple, Google

  • GSMArena top 5 list includes Galaxy S24 Ultra, Honor Magic V3, Pixel 9 Pro, vivo X200 Pro Mini, vivo X100 Ultra (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • Pickr names Pixel 9 Pro XL best Android phone and iPhone 16 Pro Max best iPhone (Pickr Australia, tech buying guide)
  • TechAdvisor recommends the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL as the best phone available today (TechAdvisor, PCWorld’s buying guide)

The top tier is dominated by four brands: Samsung, Apple, Google, and Honor. Each takes a different approach — Samsung focuses on versatility, Apple on ecosystem, Google on camera AI, and Honor on foldable innovation.

The implication: There’s no single “best” phone — the right choice depends on which trade-off you’re willing to make.

Foldable phones: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Honor Magic V3

  • Honor Magic V3 is the thinnest and lightest foldable in 2024 (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 offers S Pen support and multitasking features (Samsung official)
  • Foldable phone durability remains uncertain (Consumer Reports, independent lab testers)

Foldables remain a niche category — Consumer Reports (lab-tested review authority) notes that daily use durability tests show foldable screens still wear faster than traditional displays. The Honor Magic V3’s slim design represents progress, but the category isn’t ready for mass adoption.

The pattern: Foldables are compelling for multitaskers, but the durability question keeps them off most recommended lists.

Mid-range value picks: Pixel 8a, OnePlus 12R

  • Pixel 8a offers great value for under $500 (TechAdvisor, PCWorld’s buying guide)
  • OnePlus 12R delivers flagship-level performance at $599 (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • Samsung A55 provides reliable performance under $500 (TechRepublic, IT decision resource)

The Pixel 8a is the standout mid-ranger, offering Google’s polished camera software and 7 years of updates at a price that undercuts flagship offerings by $500. The OnePlus 12R is a faster alternative for gamers on a budget.

Why this matters: For most people, a mid-range phone like the Pixel 8a delivers 90% of the camera and performance experience of a $1,000 flagship.

The verdict: The Galaxy S24 Ultra tops the flagship tier, the Honor Magic V3 leads foldables, and the Pixel 8a dominates mid-range value.

What is the best phone right now for different needs?

Best phone for photography: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

  • Pixel 9 Pro XL is recommended for best camera results (Pickr Australia, tech buying guide)
  • Computational photography leader with AI enhancements (TechRepublic, IT decision resource)
  • DXOMARK top camera rating for 2024 (DXOMARK camera rating database)

The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s AI-driven image processing produces consistent results across lighting conditions. It’s the only phone where you can point and shoot in any situation and get a usable photo — no tweaking required.

The trade-off: Google’s video recording lags behind Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, which remains the best for video.

Best phone for productivity: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Multitasking features like DeX and S Pen (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • 7 years of software updates (Samsung official)
  • Best display and zoom camera for remote work (TechRepublic, IT decision resource)

The S Pen transforms the S24 Ultra into a note-taking device, while Samsung DeX turns the phone into a desktop-like workstation when connected to a monitor. For professionals who need mobile productivity, it’s the only phone that comes close to replacing a laptop.

Best phone for gaming: iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • A18 Pro chip offers top gaming performance (TechRepublic, IT decision resource)
  • Best battery life among iPhones (Consumer Reports, independent lab testers)
  • Large 6.9-inch display for immersive gameplay (Apple official)

The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s A18 Pro chip delivers console-quality graphics in games like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Death Stranding. The battery can sustain heavy gaming for 7-8 hours straight, according to Consumer Reports lab tests.

What to watch

Apple’s A18 Pro chip is the fastest mobile processor in 2024, but Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra offers better multitasking for gaming while streaming — a key difference for mobile gamers who also use their phone for work.

Bottom line: The implication: No single phone excels at everything — the Pixel 9 Pro XL for photos, the S24 Ultra for work, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max for gaming.

Timeline: Key phone launches in 2024

The 2024 flagship launches followed a predictable cadence with Samsung kicking off the year and Apple closing it out.

Date Event
January 2024 Samsung Galaxy S24 series announced at Unpacked event
September 2024 Apple iPhone 16 series announced
October 2024 Google Pixel 9 series announced
December 2024 GSMArena and MKBHD publish ‘best phone of 2024’ rankings

The timing matters: Samsung’s early-2024 launch gave it a full year to establish dominance, while Apple and Google’s later launches meant their phones arrived just before end-of-year awards — but without the same sales runway.

Confirmed facts

  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is phone of the year per multiple sources (GSMArena, mobile phone review authority)
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max has best iPhone battery (Consumer Reports, independent lab testers)
  • Pixel 9 Pro XL has top camera quality (Pickr Australia, tech buying guide)
  • Elon Musk uses Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (TechRepublic, IT decision resource)

What’s unclear

  • Which phone has the absolute best battery life across all models
  • Whether foldable phones are durable enough for daily use
  • The exact ranking order among all contenders varies by reviewer

“The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is my phone of the year for 2024 — the display, camera, and software support make it the complete package.”

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), tech reviewer with 19M+ subscribers

“In our top 5 list, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes first, followed by the Honor Magic V3 and Pixel 9 Pro.”

GSMArena editor Ivan, mobile phone review authority

“The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best Android phone of 2024, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the best iPhone — both are outstanding choices.”

Pickr Australia, consumer tech buying guide

Looking ahead, the 2024 flagship generation sets a new baseline: 7 years of software support, titanium builds, and AI-driven camera processing are now standard. The Galaxy S24 Ultra earned its crown by delivering the most complete package, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL proved that a $900 phone can compete with $1,300 flagships. For buyers in the US, the choice is clear: Samsung’s S24 Ultra for versatility, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL for value, and Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max for ecosystem loyalty — or risk buying a phone that feels outdated in two years.

Additional sources

telegraph.co.uk, youtube.com

Our experts have thoroughly tested this year’s flagships, and you can see the full details in our best mobile phone 2024 rankings article.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best mobile phone 2024 for photography?

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is widely considered the best phone for photography in 2024 due to its computational photography AI and DXOMARK top rating.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max?

The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins on versatility (S Pen, display, zoom) while the iPhone 16 Pro Max wins on ecosystem integration and video recording. The “better” choice depends on your priorities.

What phone does Elon Musk use in 2024?

Elon Musk uses a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, as confirmed by multiple public statements and reports from TechRepublic.

How long does the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s battery last?

The Galaxy S24 Ultra lasts about 14-16 hours of moderate use, with a 5,000mAh battery and efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Fast charging supports 45W wired and 15W wireless.

What is the best budget phone under 20000 in 2024?

The Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A55 are the best budget phones under 20000 (approximately $250), offering great cameras and long software support.

Which phone has the best display quality in 2024?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has the best display quality in 2024, with a 3120×1440 Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel reaching 2,600 nits peak brightness.

What is the phone of the year 2024 according to experts?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the phone of the year 2024 according to MKBHD, GSMArena, and multiple other expert reviewers.

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