You might need an thought of which smartphone you wish to purchase subsequent. However there are extra choices than ever earlier than which might be stable — loads of corporations are making stellar handsets these days, at comparable costs, all with comparable function units. That mentioned, the selection isn’t at all times cut-and-dry. If you realize you need an iPhone, your decision-making course of is a bit simpler. If you happen to’re an Android individual, you’ve got much more choices to select from and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash. At Engadget, we evaluation telephones recurrently and have examined dozens through the years; to date for 2024, our prime picks are presently 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 gadget, we’re right here that can assist you resolve which is the most effective cellphone to purchase this 12 months.
Android or iOS?
Whenever you’re trying to find the most effective smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its professionals and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous simple to share knowledge between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off cellphone calls or music from one gadget to a different. On the identical time, you’re successfully locked in, as companies like Apple Messages aren’t accessible on different platforms.
As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from corporations like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nevertheless, Android telephones don’t get pleasure from that very same size of software program assist and sometimes have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no incorrect reply. Nevertheless, you’ll want to think about how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your units. So except you’re actually fed up with one OS and keen to be taught one other, it most likely doesn’t make quite a lot of sense to modify from an iPhone to an Android cellphone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.
Cameras
Since your cellphone usually pulls double obligation as your main digital camera, determining what sort of picture instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an important image in vivid gentle. However if you need a protracted optical zoom, you’ll most likely should improve to a costlier gadget.
Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digital camera) and might typically battle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has varied options that is likely to be a greater match to your model, with Apple providing 4 completely different shade presets on the newest 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 at the least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and assist for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nevertheless, if you need the quickest wi-fi speeds doable, it’s going to value you just a little additional. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G affords as much as gigabit obtain speeds, much less latency and higher bandwidth. However mmWave 5G additionally requires extra refined (and pricier) modems, which implies assist for it’s usually lacking on inexpensive units.
On the brilliant aspect, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively accessible 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 in the event you purchase a cellphone that doesn’t assist it. It’s an analogous state of affairs for Wi-Fi 7, which is accessible on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S24, however tougher to seek out on cheaper units. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so except you realize you want it or have a particular use case in thoughts, the dearth of assist for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when searching for a brand new cellphone.
Different options to think about
As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the most effective cellphone, it is best to take into consideration every other specs that is likely to be additional necessary for you. Cell players will virtually definitely respect 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 necessary, you’ll most likely wish to go together with a bigger iPhone or an Android cellphone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling quite a lot of units, it may be very nice to have a cellphone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even helps you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.
Photograph by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 15 Pro Max review
Display screen measurement: 6.7-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM assist: Twin eSim | Battery Life: About two days
The modifications to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max could appear small when thought of on their very own, however collectively they add as much as greater than the sum of their elements. For the iPhone 15 Professional Max, specifically, the smaller, lighter titanium construct means it is likely to be throughout the realm of consideration for a lot of customers 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 aspect, which have had zoom lenses for years. Although Apple doesn’t outclass the competitors on pictures, it’s definitely 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 modifying 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 shall be extra significant in a few years when the world presumably ditches Lightning finally. The Motion Button, in the meantime, takes the customarily unused mute slider and offers you the choice of mapping a ceaselessly used shortcut to it, so you may shortly 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 cellphone.
This 12 months’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 reasonable lighting results. Later this 12 months, 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 an entire, the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max usually are not only a stable improve from their predecessors, they’re additionally among the many greatest telephones round. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
- 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 by way of USB-C
- Motion button is tough to succeed in on the bigger handset
- Boring colours
Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
(Pixel 9 Professional) Display screen measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM assist: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours
Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel collection has lengthy been among the finest Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. But it surely was at all times just a little too huge 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 a substitute of a comparatively giant 6.8-inch display screen like that on its greater sibling, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch show that’s simple to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you fumbled whereas attempting to succeed in the highest of the display screen!
Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key function to get to the smaller measurement, that means you will discover the identical digital camera setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display screen measurement, battery and charging speeds, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower fee. However the Pixel 9 Professional can also be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching virtually 25 hours on our battery check.
These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android cellphone due to its top-notch digital camera efficiency, intriguing AI options and a basic grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt contemporary, this 12 months’s units really feel stable and refined. And, dare we are saying it, virtually like iPhones. With out the digital camera bars, they might be fairly laborious to inform aside from Apple’s telephones.
Presumably as a result of it is grown up a lot through the years, however the Pixel telephones now value 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 choice, this 12 months’s mannequin is likely to be ok to justify a premium worth. 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 the most effective Android handset cash should buy. — C.L.
- Nice digital camera options and improved telephoto digital camera
- A 12 months of Gemini Superior at no cost
- Unbelievable battery life
- A wonderful, vivid display screen that’s simple to make use of outside
- Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speeds than the XL
- Not the most effective cellphone for gaming
David Imel for Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 13 review
Display screen measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM assist: 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 far bigger than the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD display screen, but the gadget as an entire is simply 0.33 inches taller and solely marginally thicker. That show is best in each approach — brighter, sharper, extra vivid and extra sturdy in addition.
The iPhone 13 additionally helps MagSafe, in contrast to the SE, plus it begins with twice as a lot storage at 128GB. As a substitute 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
- Trendy design
- Digicam efficiency remains to be completely stable for many
- Ditto for processor, show and battery life
- Two generations previous
- Lightning port
- 60Hz refresh fee
- No telephoto lens
Photograph by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Learn our full Google Pixel 8a review
Display screen measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM assist: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: Shut to twenty.5 hours
Google’s A-series Pixels have lengthy been a number of the greatest 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 capabilities you get on Google’s flagship telephones together with glorious cameras, a stunning 120Hz OLED show and nice battery life. The gadget additionally comes with creature comforts like IP67 mud and water resistance and handy (however gradual) 7.5-watt Qi wi-fi charging. However most significantly, beginning at $499, it is likely to be among the finest offers available on the market. — S.R.
- Colourful 120Hz OLED show
- Sturdy battery life
- Wonderful cameras
- Nice worth
- Gradual wi-fi charging
- Thick bezels
Photograph by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review
Display screen measurement: 7.6-inch (important) 6.3-inch (folded) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM assist: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours
Whereas we might have appreciated to see some extra drastic design modifications, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays some of the versatile and well-rounded examples of a giant, premium foldable cellphone. Its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers sturdy efficiency and improved vitality 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 cellphone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 stays one of many few foldables with native stylus assist, although you’ll must pay additional 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.
- Tremendous vivid and colourful show
- Even lighter chassis
- Nice battery life
- Native stylus assist
- Much more costly than earlier than
- Identical important digital camera because the earlier two Z Folds
- S Pen not included
- Charging speeds could possibly be sooner
Photograph by Mat Smith / Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review
Display screen measurement: 6.7-inch (important) 3.4-inch (entrance) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM assist: 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 newest Galaxy flip-phone a extra tempting choice, 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 screen has loads of area for framing your selfie pictures, and a brand new Auto-Zoom function means it will possibly even body unsupervised group pictures for you. Pictures is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI picture modifying instruments, which is far 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 primary display screen 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 browse outside.
The design hasn’t modified a lot and a deal with new AI software program and tips comes at the price of restricted cowl display screen 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, E-newsletter
- Higher cameras
- Longer battery life
- Enjoyable generative AI tips
- Dearer than its predecessor
- Design is nearly an identical to final 12 months
- Restricted front-screen utility
- Sluggish charging
Different smartphones we have examined
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
For its newest super-premium cellphone, Samsung gave the S24 Ultra a extra sturdy titanium body, sooner 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 while you tack on the most effective show accessible on a cellphone right this moment and a built-in stylus, you’ve got 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 newest Pixel, it’s price mentioning as a result of it affords highly effective specs for the cash. It encompasses a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a giant and vivid 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display screen and the most effective battery life we’ve seen on any cellphone so far. OnePlus additionally introduced again assist for wi-fi charging for the primary time in a number of generations, together with a superb (however not nice) IP65 score for mud and water resistance. And although its large digital camera module appears to be like a bit ungainly, its pictures are surprisingly sharp. However the most effective factor is that, with a beginning worth of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its largest rivals.
FAQs
How do I do know which smartphone is the most effective for me?
Whereas selecting the most effective smartphone will be difficult, it largely comes all the way down to how you intend on utilizing the gadget. The entire greatest telephones accessible now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll be capable of make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, you might wish to think about paying for a tool on the upper finish of the worth spectrum. That may get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a cellphone that can final for a few years. If you happen to don’t use your cellphone for every thing, you could possibly compromise on efficiency and further perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.
How a lot is a smartphone?
Smartphones vary in worth from $300 to over $1,500. One of the best funds telephones accessible now will often compromise on general efficiency, design, digital camera prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip aspect, the costliest telephones can have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a cellphone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that broad worth vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the greatest smartphones accessible proper now value between $500 and $1,000.
What are you able to do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are primarily small, moveable computer systems that allow you to do issues like test e mail, browse social media, comply with map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making cellphone calls and texting, which we’ve come to anticipate in all fashionable cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally largely changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones right this moment as simply as moveable, 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 components that may have an effect on cellphone 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 cellphone can deteriorate over time as you utilize and recharge your cellphone regularly.
Current updates
August 2024: Up to date to incorporate the Google Pixel 9 Professional.
Trending Merchandise
SAMSUNG FT45 Sequence 24-Inch FHD 1080p Laptop Monitor, 75Hz, IPS Panel, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Hub, Peak Adjustable Stand, 3 Yr WRNTY (LF24T454FQNXGO),Black
ASUS RT-AX88U PRO AX6000 Twin Band WiFi 6 Router, WPA3, Parental Management, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding, WAN aggregation, lifetime web safety and AiMesh assist, Twin 2.5G Port
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, MARVO 2.4G Ergonomic Wireless Computer Keyboard with Phone Tablet Holder, Silent Mouse with 6 Button, Compatible with MacBook, Windows (Black)
Acer KB272 EBI 27″ IPS Full HD (1920 x 1080) Zero-Frame Gaming Office Monitor | AMD FreeSync Technology | Up to 100Hz Refresh | 1ms (VRB) | Low Blue Light | Tilt | HDMI & VGA Ports,Black
