Top Rated Phones 2024
The Best Phones Money Can Buy Right Now
2024’s finest smartphones from the biggest and best brands. From ultra-flagships to budget / affordable options, these are the phones we recommend right now.
As of right now, the phones listed here are the best of the best when it comes to performance, camera tech, and overall support and usability.
— Richard Goodwin, Editor
Our Top Picks For 2024
60+ Phones Tested In Last 18 Months
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Detailed, Expert-Driven Testing Criteria
Each phone is run through a battery of tests, looking at everything from its battery performance to its screen brightness and multitasking abilities. We also use the phone as if it were our own.
100% Focussed On Our Readers
We care about what you buy. We know choosing a phone can be tricky. Our guides are designed to put the best, current tech in front of our readers, so they can make a more informed decision.
The Best Flagship Phones
High-end, performance-focussed & bleeding-edge specs and tech. These are the best flagship phones right now…
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iPhone 15 Pro Max
The best camera, the best specs, the best screen, and the best battery life on iPhone. Yeah, it’s expensive compared to the standard, base model. But it packs a gargantuan punch in the performance and camera department.
Add in timely iOS updates until well into the 2030s, exclusive features like its LiDAR sensor, the all-new, super-robust titanium frame, its new 5x telephoto lens, and up to 1TB of storage and it is easy to see why Apple is selling these by the boat-load.
Best For
People that want the best of everything. But it is also an incredibly powerful content creation tool which is why more and more creators have switched to the Pro Max.
Cheaper Alternative
If you like the iPhone or a larger iPhone but you don’t need the Pro Max exclusve features, go with the iPhone 15 Plus. It’s the same size minus the Pro Max’s fancy bits and the battery life is insane.
Performance Improvements
The A17 Pro shows a 12% improvement in single-core performance and a 10% improvement in multi-core performance over the A16 Bionic
Cost of Ownership
The base price for the 256GB model is $1,199, a $100 increase from the previous generation but with double the storage. Pricing options: 256GB for $1,199, 512GB for $1,399, and 1TB for $1,599.
iPhone 15 Pro Max Score Card
Tested: January 2024
I don’t tend to use Pro Max models, so when I tested the iPhone 15 Pro Max out earlier this year I was seriously impressed. It trounced my current daily driver (iPhone 13). The battery life is bonkers-good and the camera is now, I think, the best overall system on the market.
What We Liked The Most About This Phone
The camera capabilities are astounding; for content creators, this phone is now the industry standard.
Dynamic Island is super useful and the titanium frame feels exceptionally robust whilst being very lightweight.
Performance is scandalously good across the board, the Action Button is useful, and USB C is a welcome change too.
What We Didn’t Like About This Phone
It’s $100 / £100 more than last year’s model
You don’t get a charger in the box, so you’ll need to buy a new USB C one.
There’s a fair bit of GPU throttling when performing intensive tasks, the phone gets hot as well
Who Should Buy This Phone?
Photography geeks, content creators, YouTubers, bloggers.
It’s built with content creation (images and video, mostly) in mind, so if you do that this phone is a natural choice.
Or, if you just want the best iPhone on the market. Nothing else can touch this model, including the Pro
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the S24 Ultra features an impressive camera system, a titanium frame for enhanced durability, one of the best displays you’ll ever encounter, S-Pen support, and very impressive performance and battery life.
It’s a very large, commanding phone too with its 6.8in Dynamic LTPO AMOLED and it is also one of the only Samsung phones that gets 100% of Galaxy AI’s capabilities as well.
For Android power users and content creator-types, it’s the go-to option right now.
Best For
Power users and tech enthusiasts who want the most advanced features and capabilities in a smartphone. It offers excellent performance, long battery life, versatile cameras, and cutting-edge AI features
Cheaper Alternative
A cheaper alternative would be the standard Galaxy S24 or S24+, which offer many similar features at a lower price point
Performance Improvements
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, The S24 Ultra offers significant improvements over its predecessor, the S22 Ultra. With AI enhancements built in, it delivers better-sustained performance and improved battery life
Cost of Ownership
The 256GB base model is $1,199 – $100 increase from the previous generation. However, it now comes with double the storage capacity. Other pricing options include 512GB for $1,399 and 1TB for $1,599
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Score Card
Tested: March 2024
In the Android space, there is one true king: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra. It is the best option for camera aficionados, spec-lovers, photo geeks, and power users. It has masses of power, Galaxy AI, an impressive battery and the best screen in its class. Add in 7 years’ worth of Android updates and you’re all set.
What We Liked The Most About This Phone
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra truly impressed me with its exceptional display quality. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, making everything from streaming videos to gaming a delightful experience
The quad-camera setup, led by a 200MP main sensor, captures incredibly detailed photos even in low light
The phone’s performance, powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, is top-notch, handling multitasking and demanding apps with ease. The battery life is immense as well.
What We Didn’t Like About This Phone
It’s a bulky device, which might be cumbersome for some users to handle comfortably
High price point, making it less accessible for budget-conscious buyers
Samsung’s One UI is generally smooth, there is still some bloatware pre-installed, which can be frustrating for users who prefer a cleaner interface.
Buy This Phone If You Want…
High-end performance. This phone is about as powerful as it gets right now in the Android space.
Excellent battery life, smart AI features. For content creators, this phone is a must-have; it’s perfect for shooting YouTube video, shorts, and photos for Instagram
You want the best screen on the market; it’s great for gaming, videos, and photo and video editing.
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Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro brings Google’s best to the forefront with a stunning camera system, top-tier specs, and an exceptional display.
The Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with Google’s latest Tensor G3 chip, ensuring lightning-fast performance and AI enhancements that elevate everything from photography to smart features.
The camera setup is industry-leading, boasting a 50MP main sensor, a versatile ultra-wide lens, and an impressive telephoto lens that captures every detail. The 6.7-inch OLED display offers vibrant colors and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making everything look fantastic.
Exclusive features like Magic Eraser and Live Translate, combined with the new Pro Motion feature for incredibly smooth scrolling, make the Pixel 8 Pro stand out. With up to 512GB of storage, there’s ample space for all your photos, videos, and apps.
Best For
Fast, reliable Android updates. You’ll get 7 years’ worth of updates, no waiting around. As soon as the update is out, you’ll get it.
Cheaper Alternative
The Pixel 8 is a great option for those that don’t want or need the Pro’s more advanced camera system
Performance Improvements
The Tensor G3 does offer improvements over the G2, particularly in AI capabilities and some benchmark scores, the overall performance gain is moderate.
Cost of Ownership
The cost of ownership for the Pixel 8 Pro starts at £999 in the UK and $999 in the USA
Pixel 8 Pro Score Card
Tested: March 2024
Google’s had a few swings and misses over the years with its Pixel phones, but the Pixel 8 Pro is a rock-solid handset with tons of useful features, a brilliant camera, and 7 years’ worth of Android updates.
What We Liked The Most About This Phone
Exceptional Camera Quality: The Pixel 8 Pro’s advanced camera system, including a 50MP main sensor and innovative AI features, delivers stunning photos in various lighting conditions.
Smooth Performance: Powered by the Tensor G3 chip, the phone offers fast and efficient multitasking, alongside cutting-edge AI enhancements for a seamless user experience.
Brilliant Display: The 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides vibrant colors and smooth visuals, perfect for media consumption and gaming.
What We Didn’t Like About This Phone
High Price Point: The Pixel 8 Pro’s premium features come at a steep cost, which may be a barrier for some potential buyers.
Limited Storage Options: While offering up to 512GB of storage, there’s no expandable storage option, which might limit users with extensive media libraries.
Battery Life Concerns: Although improved, the battery life may still fall short for heavy users, especially with high-resolution display and intensive tasks.
Buy This Phone If You Want…
If top-tier camera quality and innovative AI features are a priority, the Pixel 8 Pro is an excellent choice.
Ideal for those who want the latest Google technology and a seamless software experience, including timely updates and exclusive features.
While it’s a powerful and feature-rich device, the high price point means it’s best suited for those willing to invest in a premium smartphone experience.
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OnePlus 12
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, it delivers top-tier speed and efficiency, making it perfect for multitasking, gaming, and handling demanding applications with ease.
The device boasts a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This, combined with HDR support, ensures vivid colors and deep contrasts, making it a treat for media consumption.
The triple-camera setup includes a high-resolution main sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a powerful telephoto lens, providing users with the flexibility to capture a wide range of scenes and details.
Best For
Anyone bored of Apple / Samsung. Those that like well-priced flagship models. Fans of clean, useful software OxygenOS is great.
Cheaper Alternative
For the budget conscious, the Pixel 8a is a great option with its high-end features, AI smarts, and brilliant camera.
Performance Improvements
The OnePlus 12 offers a performance uplift of approximately 15-20% over the OnePlus 11, driven by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, which enhances CPU, GPU, and AI capabilities, making it notably faster in tasks like gaming and video editing
Cost of Ownership
The OnePlus 12 offers excellent value for its high-end features, with a starting price of £799 in the UK and $849 in the USA, making it a more affordable flagship option compared to other premium devices.
OnePlus 12 Score Card
Tested: May 2024
The OnePlus 12 is one of 2024’s most slept-on phones. It looks great, it has reams of performance, and its camera is brilliant. Add in rock-solid battery life and silky-smooth, bloatware-free software and you’re looking at one hell of an Android phone.
What We Liked The Most About This Phone
The OnePlus 12 is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, ensuring smooth multitasking, gaming, and overall fast responsiveness.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides stunning visuals and smooth scrolling, enhancing everything from video playback to daily interactions.
The triple-camera setup, including a high-resolution main sensor, ultra-wide lens, and a powerful telephoto lens, offers impressive photo and video quality across various conditions.
What We Didn’t Like About This Phone
Lack of Expandable Storage: Despite offering ample internal storage options, the OnePlus 12 does not support expandable memory, which may limit users needing extra space.
Unlike many flagship competitors, the OnePlus 12 lacks wireless charging capabilities, which could be a drawback for users accustomed to the convenience
While the OxygenOS is clean and fast, it lacks some of the deeper customization options found in other Android skins, potentially limiting personalization for power users.
Buy This Phone If You Want…
The OnePlus 12 is ideal for users looking for top-tier performance, offering a smooth and fast experience suitable for gaming and intensive applications.
If a vibrant, high-refresh-rate display is a priority, the OnePlus 12 delivers one of the best screens available in the market.
With its premium features and competitive pricing compared to other flagship devices, the OnePlus 12 offers excellent value, making it a strong choice for those seeking high-end specs without the highest price tag.
Why These Phones?
Picking the “best” phone is always tricky; in most cases, it is entirely subjective. For some, Apple’s iPhone is the best – and nothing else matters. For others, it has to be Samsung.
We’ve kept this list deliberately focussed for a good reason. There are plenty of excellent phone options available now. But the ones listed above are what we believe are the truly exceptional options right now.
These are flagship models, so they aren’t cheap. They’re the best of the best when it comes to performance, technology, and camera tech. They are the phones people buy when they want the best of everything.
And we’ve included a selection of the best possible flagship models right now based on our detailed testing criteria which focusses on long-term usage, assessment of things like battery life and reliability, and, of course, camera and screen performance.
Whichever you go for, you’re getting what is currently the best on the market. Although if things like updates are important to you, I would recommend either the Pixel 8 Pro or the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Samsung matches Google’s update policy (7 years of major updates), but Google gets the updates out faster. With OnePlus, you’ll get five years’ worth of updates but, again, you’ll have to wait much longer than Pixel users to get it.
Frequently Asked
Learn More About The Most Popular Phone Brands 📱
Learn more about the top smartphone brands on the market right now so you can make a better decision with your next phone…
Learn All About Apple’s iPhone
Apple is the most popular brand in the world and its iPhone is the reason why. Learn all about the latest models, technological advances, new features and the different models.
Get Acquainted With Google’s Pixel Phones 🤖
From powerful AI capabilities to regular software updates, find all the essential information and insights on the Google’s latest Pixel phone lineup – from its budget A series to its mainline Pixels and foldables.
Learn All About Samsung’s Latest Phones 🤳
Discover all the latest Samsung phone models, explore new features, and stay updated on technological advancements. From flagship releases to mid-range and budget options, find detailed information and comparisons on the diverse Samsung lineup.
Is A OnePlus Phone A Good Option For You? ⚡
Explore the latest OnePlus phone models, uncover new features, and stay informed about technological innovations. Whether you’re looking for a flagship killer or a budget-friendly option
Latest Xiaomi Phones
Cheap, affordable, high-end specs. Xiaomi phones are popular with budget-conscious Android fans. And there’s flagship models too.
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Latest Motorola Phones
Motorola is the USA’s #1 budget phone brand. If you want something cheap and cheerful, say hello to Moto…
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Latest OPPO Phones
Criminally underrated, OPPO is a hugely innovative brand. From its foldable phones to its camera tech, it is one of best in the biz.
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Which Phones Are Best For Android Updates?
Android updates vary by brand, and some are much better than others. Updates are important, so make sure you know which brands are best for Android updates.
How Long Does Apple Support iPhone?
iPhones are known for their timely iOS updates (unlike their Android-powered counterparts). But how many do you get and how long does each model last for?
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