What a year it’s been! With over 600 smartphones hitting the market in 2024, narrowing it down to just five favorites was no small feat. But here we are, looking back at the ones that really stood out.
After nearly a decade at GSMArena, I find it hard to be impressed by midrange phones, so this list is packed with flagships. There’s one exception, but there’s a good reason for that.,
Without further ado, here are my top five phones of 2024 – no rankings, as they are all the best in their own way!
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
At first glance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t seem like a huge leap forward – it’s very much in line with the Galaxy Ultras of 2023 and 2022. So why is it on my list? Because it’s a no-nonsense Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powerhouse that just works.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and Galaxy S23 Ultra (right)
The updated 5x periscope camera is a welcome change from the previous 10x zoom, which felt more like a gimmick. Now, I can capture crystal-clear shots of my sleeping cat without disturbing my fluffy companion – what’s not to love?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Sure, it’s a modest upgrade, and I get why some fans might hesitate to call it a must-have. But for me, performance is king, and the S24 Ultra delivers in spades.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google does the simple things like no one else. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a joy to use, with its clean, bloat-free Android experience that just feels… right.
Admittedly, this isn’t a huge leap from the Pixel 8 Pro. A slightly more powerful Tensor G4 chip and a bump in wired charging speed are the main upgrades, but the selfie camera is top-notch, and the user experience is unbeatable. For me, that’s enough to earn it a spot on this list.
Realme GT 7 Pro
While Samsung and Google stubbornly stick to their slow-charging guns, Realme is charging (pun intended) into the future with its 120W SuperVOOC. The GT 7 Pro feels like a 2025 phone, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and an incredibly thin, powerful battery.
This year, Realme finally gave its GT flagship more than just one good camera. The 3x telephoto lens is a delight, and upgrades like the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and ultra-bright display make this phone truly impressive.
Nothing Phone (2a)
It’s time to switch gears. The Phone (2a) is my pick for the best budget device of the year. In a market flooded with midrange options, this one stands out.
It’s got more power than the best-selling Galaxy A55, faster charging, better cameras than the Redmi Note 13 Pro, and looks that leave the Realme 13 Pro+ in the dust. It’s also cheaper than its slightly newer sibling (2a) Plus, making it a no-brainer for value hunters.
Honor Magic V3
I’ll admit it – I have a soft spot for foldables, even if they don’t perfectly match my needs. But the reason the Magic V3 makes the list isn’t its slim body or perfectly usable cover screen, but rather durability.
A few years ago, the idea of a truly rugged foldable was laughable. But the Magic V3 changes that – it’s a foldable you can (almost) toss around in frustration and still rely on afterward.
While we are on the topic of foldables, the Huawei Mate X6 deserves an honorary mention. It’s beautiful and tough, but I can’t justify the eye-watering €2,000 price for what’s essentially an underpowered foldable.
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