What is the best phone right now?
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra gets the best phone thanks to its immersive and vibrant screen, reliable battery life and many special features, some of which are based on the company’s generative AI model. Of course, the best phone may not be the best for you. Check out the list below for other top picks..
The Best Phones of 2024
Samsung Galaxy s24 Ultra
pros
- Best display available in any smartphone
- Reliable quad-camera setup
- Battery life remains among best in class
- AI features deliver new value
cons
- Costs more than some premium laptops
- No Qi2 magnetic charging
- Can be unwieldy for some, especially with a case
More Details
The Samsung S24 Ultra 5G represents the pinnacle of mobile technology and offers an immersive experience packed into a compact device. Featuring a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a stunning 1440 x 3200 resolution, this smartphone offers sharp images and vibrant colors that are perfect for gaming, streaming or productivity tasks. A 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth movement and smooth transitions.
Under the hood, the S24 Ultra 5G is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor coupled with plenty of RAM and storage options, offering excellent performance and plenty of space for applications, photos. and videos. Its 5G functionality ensures high-speed connectivity, allowing users to enjoy high-speed internet on the go.
Photo lovers will appreciate the versatile quad-camera setup with a main 108-megapixel sensor and ultra-wide, telephoto and depth lenses. . , which allows you to take great photos in different situations. The device also has advanced camera features such as 8K video recording and Professional mode for fine-tuning settings.
In addition, the Samsung S24 Ultra 5G prioritizes comfort with features such as an under-display fingerprint sensor, IP68 water and dust. resistance, and a large battery with fast charging support. With its premium design, powerful performance and cutting-edge features, the Samsung S24 Ultra stands out from the crowd at the top of the 5G smartphone market..
Samsung Galaxy s24 Ultra
iphone 15 Pro Max
Best iphone overall
If you’re shopping for a new phone in 2024, where and what do you look to? I’ve tested just about every major release over the past few years, enough to discern the most gimmicky of features from the invaluable, and below I’ve curated a list of the best options available, including for iPhone and Android users.
What is the best phone right now?
The best phone overall goes to Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for its immersive and vibrant display, reliable battery life, and wealth of special features, some of which are powered by the company’s generative AI model. Of course, the best phone overall may not exactly be the best phone for you. For the other top options, see the list below.
The best phones of 2024
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best phone overall
pros & cons
pros
- Best display available in any smartphone
- Reliable quad-camera setup
- Battery life remains among best in class
- AI features deliver new value
cons
- Costs more than some premium laptops
- No Qi2 magnetic charging
- Can be unwieldy for some, especially with a case
more details
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: Up to 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: 5,000mAh
Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 line is the first to go all-in on AI, and the S24 Ultra, the most premium of the three, is the best Android phone today. The new Galaxy AI model embedded in the device brings a host of generative capabilities, including real-time phone call translations, the ability to circle an object on screen to perform an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photo editing and transcriptions, and even a Chat Assist feature for figuring out how to phrase a message in different tones.
Like its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra is built with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a reliable 5,000mAh battery. Though the price has gone up to $1,299 ($100 more than the S23 Ultra), the phone’s upgrades make it well worth it: The S24 Ultra is made of a lightweight yet durable titanium frame, compared to last year’s aluminum, and features Corning’s new Gorilla Armor.
The difference in display protection means the S24 Ultra is more glare-free than ever, which ZDNET reviewer Jason Hiner suggested: “makes its screen more enjoyable to use than the iPhone 15 Pro Max and other flagship phones.” Reddit users seem to agree with Hiner, including one who said he believes “the anti-reflective glass really makes a difference.”
Under the hood, the S24 Ultra includes an upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for improved graphics and AI features, 12GB RAM (an increase from last year’s 8GB), and 2,600 nits of brightness — a big improvement over last year’s 1,750. As for the new camera system, the big upgrade comes in the form of a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The results, as Hiner discovered, were sharper and less noisy images, and an overall camera system that can pull in more light than ever before.
Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best iPhone overall
pros & cons
pros
- Action button brings new customizability
- Lighter, more comfortable form factor
- Brighter screen for better outdoor use
- 5X zoom camera for high-quality shots
cons
- Battery life could be longer
- Apple-branded cases, especially the FineWoven, need to be better
iPhone 15 Pro Max technical data: Processor: A17 Pro | Screen size: 6.7 inches | Storage options: up to 1 TB | Rear cameras: 48MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (2x), 12MP telephoto (5x) | Front camera: 12 megapixels
The new iPhone 15 Pro Max offers everything you need in a state-of-the-art flagship smartphone, including a brilliant 6.7-inch AMOLED display for all your media consumption – and of course, mobile productivity. . This year’s model is also different in look and feel from previous Pro Max units, being made from titanium instead of stainless steel, making it significantly lighter in the hand. This makes using the iPhone 15 Pro Max significantly more convenient, as ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner noted in his review.
Another important feature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the USB-C connector; especially one that supports faster charging and data transfer and can charge other devices from the iPhone, such as the Apple Watch, transfer photos and videos directly to a portable SSD, and connect to an external 4K display. These benefits are a game changer for professional content creators.
iPhone 15 Pro Max also includes a new 5x zoom camera lens, equivalent to a mirrorless or DSLR camera with a 120mm focal length. The new camera system’s long-range shooting and improved low-light performance were so reliable that the iPhone 15 Pro Max became my go-to videographer at product launches. Finally, the new Action button replaces the mute switch on older iPhones and lets you customize shortcuts and easily open the apps you need, including press and hold to launch the camera.
And the A17 Pro chip completes the updates and offers of the year. . better graphics performance than last year’s iPhone 14 Pro model. Several Best Buy customers acknowledged the iPhone’s superior performance, with one mentioning, “I haven’t had any problems in the several weeks I’ve had the phone.” With all the updates, Apple is charging more for the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max, which now starts at Budget Friendly. On the other hand, the main memory of the device is 256 GB..
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best Camera Phone
pros & cons
pros
- Quality cameras all across the board
- Plenty of useful AI features
- 5,050mAh battery with LTPO display
- Priced to undercut the larger iPhone and Samsung Galaxy
cons
- Stock Android can feel too minimal
- Capped at 30W fast charging
- Costs $100 more than last year’s model
More Details
Google Pixel 8 Pro Specifications: Processor: Google Tensor G3 | Screen size: 6.7 inches | Storage options: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB | Rear cameras: 50MP main camera, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto | Front Camera: 10.8MP
When it comes to camera performance, you can’t go wrong with any of the top three devices (Apple, Samsung and Google). Depending on your preferences for color temperature and features, you can rely on one manufacturer. However, most users are happy with Google’s Pixel camera system, and the latest Pixel 8 Pro is still a master at both high-speed shooting and post-processing.
The latest model has a reliable three-lens setup with a 50-megapixel primary lens, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens that allows for macro and close-up shots that are significantly better than the older Pixel’s 12 7 Because megapixel sensor. and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens. lens for long shots. If you want more limited control over Pixel 8 Pro’s camera quality, there’s now a set of Pro controls that let you adjust shooting settings like exposure and shutter speed.
But live recording is only half the battle on mobile. photography; With item editing and customization comes post-processing and device flexibility. In that regard, the new Pixel 8 Pro powered by the Tensor G3 chipset may have the most flexible and creative set of photography tools on the market, with AI features like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur and Best Take that can turn a bad photo around. for good When I tested the camera system last year, I found its stabilization and HDR capabilities equally impressive.
Overall, the Pixel 8 Pro is one of the most versatile color balanced camera systems on the market. and generally pleasant to look at. One satisfied Reddit user even says, “The camera is a joy and definitely prefers the look of it to the iPhone.
One Plus Open
Best Tablet Style Foldable Smartphone
pros
- Lightest and thinnest foldable design
- Intuitive multitasking and productivity features
- 65W fast charging will spoil you
- 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage is the base level
cons
- $1,699 is still pricey, even if it undercuts the competition
- No IP68 rating and wireless charging support
More Details
OnePlus Open Specifications: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Screen size: 6.3 inches and 7.8 inches | Storage options: 512 GB | Rear cameras: 48 MP main camera, 48 MP ultra-wide, 64 MP tele| Front camera: 32 MP (external) and 20 MP (internal)
The number of foldable phones on the market has never been greater thanks to the joint efforts of almost all manufacturers, including Google with Pixel Fold, Motorola and Razr, and OnePlus with the OnePlus Open. While Samsung has held the reins of the most foldable honor for years, I currently give the top spot to the OnePlus Open.
Unlike its competitors, the OnePlus Open achieves the best balance between weight and size. When folded, the phone is as light as an iPhone, and when unfolded, it expands into a thin slab of visual goodness. OnePlus takes advantage of the 7.8-inch screen by offering some of the most intuitive multitasking features I’ve tried, titled “Open Canvas.” It lets you open up to three apps at once, and touching each one dismisses another or two, ready to reappear when needed.
The triple-camera setup, although presented with a more prominent body than I’d like, captures great. photos and videos, with an emphasis on blue and in the orange hue that photographers and photo enthusiasts know and love. Thanks to its foldable design, the Open can also take free selfies and group shots.
OnePlus has also got the basics right with the Open, including 65W fast charging capabilities (charger included), which beats Samsung’s Z model. Fold 5 and Google’s Pixel Fold standards, the basic configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage and a no-fold internal display. The cherry on top for me is its $1,699 price tag. One Amazon customer even says that Open was a surprisingly smoother entry into Android “than it has been into iPhone since the iPhone 7