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
How Our Top Picks Compare
| Feature | iPhone 16 Pro Max | Galaxy S24 Ultra | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | 📸 48MP, 5x Zoom | 📸 200MP, 50MP Zoom | 📸 50MP, AI Boost |
| Display | 💎 6.9″ Liquid Retina XDR | 🌟 6.8″ QHD+ AMOLED | 🌈 6.8″ OLED, 3,000 nits |
| Battery | 🔋 33 hrs video | 🔋 2+ days heavy use | 🔋 1.5+ days heavy use |
| Updates | ⌛ iOS 2030s | ⌛ Android 7 years | ⌛ Android 7 years |
| Build Quality | 💪 Titanium, LiDAR | 💪 Titanium, Gorilla Glass Armor | 💪 Flat polished metal, IP68 |
| VIEW DEALS | VIEW DEALS | VIEW DEALS |
The ultimate smartphone right now
iPhone 16 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.
Exceptional Battery Life
The iPhone 16 Pro Max comes with a massive upgrade in battery life, clocking in up to 33 hours of video playback and 29 hours of streaming. That’s a huge leap from the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 20-hour performance.
Advanced Camera Features
With a dedicated camera button and a 48MP sensor capable of 4K at 120 fps, the 16 Pro Max takes mobile photography to the next level, running rings around the competition. It’s good enough for professional video and photo shoots.
Larger and Superior Display
The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a massive 6.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. The enhanced brightness levels improve visibility in direct sunlight, while the high refresh rate ensures smoother scrolling and responsiveness.
Why The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Worth It…
Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max is expensive. But for the right type of user, it is damn-near the perfect phone. The battery life is off the charts, the display is bigger and brighter, and the performance leaves everything else in the dirt…
Best Alternative? If you don’t need ALL the bells and whistles of the Pro Max model, the iPhone 16 Plus is an awesome option and it costs quite a bit less. View Latest Deals
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.
Performance Improvements
The iPhone 16 Pro Max chip delivers a 15% boost in single-core performance and a 12% improvement in multi-core performance compared to the A17 Pro.
Cost of Ownership
The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 for the 256GB model, which is a $100 increase over the previous generation but now offers double the base storage. The 512GB option is priced at $1,399, and the 1TB model comes in at $1,599
the best android phone money can buy
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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.
Exceptional Display Quality
The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a peak brightness of 2600 nits. Perfect for use in any lighting condition. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass Armor also adds durability and minimizes glare.
Outstanding Camera System
With a 200MP main camera and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens, the S24 Ultra excels in photography. It offers impressive optical zoom, AI-enhanced image processing, and versatility for wide-angle to close-up shots.
Battery Life and Performance
The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s battery life easily lasts more than a day, even with heavy usage. The performance is bonkers too. And it’ll get 7 years’ worth of Android updates (which is better than what iPhones get)
Why The Galaxy S24 Ultra is Worth It…
The battery life is exceptional, easily lasting all day, while the massive 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers unmatched brightness and color accuracy. Performance-wise, it’s lightning-fast. If you want the best in display quality, camera capabilities, and overall longevity, the S24 Ultra leaves the competition in the dust.
Best Alternative? If you don’t need ALL the bells and whistles of the Ultra model, the Galaxy S24+ is an awesome option and it costs quite a bit less. View Latest Deals
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
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
The ultimate smartphone right now
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is Google’s ultimate powerhouse, packed with everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. It features a stunning AI-driven camera setup, top-tier performance, and a vibrant display that’s ready to impress.
The camera system? Absolutely top-notch. With a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, you’ll capture every shot in jaw-dropping detail. The 42MP front camera is a game-changer, perfect for those selfie moments that demand clarity.
Exceptional Camera Performance
The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, and 48MP telephoto lenses deliver stunning photos with superb color accuracy, even in low light. AI-driven features like Magic Editor and Video Boost make editing easy and enhance video quality.
Premium Build Quality and Design
With flat polished metal sides, a matte back, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection, the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels as good as it looks. The IP68 rating ensures it’s tough against water and dust, making it one of the most stylish and durable Pixels yet.
Impressive Display, Audio Features
The 6.8-inch AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and peaks at 3,000 nits brightness, making it perfect for outdoor use. Combined with spatial audio, the Pixel 9 Pro XL provides an immersive experience for all your media needs.
Why The Pixel 9 Pro XL is Worth It…
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is a powerhouse. For the right user, it’s an absolute beast. The battery life is seriously impressive, going the distance even on heavy use. The 6.8-inch OLED display is bigger, brighter, and razor-sharp, making everything look stunning. And its AI features are unparalleled right now.
Best Alternative? If you don’t need ALL the bells and whistles of the Pro XL model, the Pixel 9 Pro is an awesome option and it costs quite a bit less. View Latest Deals
Best For…
Fast, reliable Android updates. With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, you’re covered for 7 years of software updates, and they’ll hit your phone the moment they’re released. No delays, no waiting—just instant access to the latest features and security patches.
Performance Improvements
The Tensor G4 offers noticeable gains over the G3, especially in AI capabilities and multitasking. It’s faster, smoother, and significantly more efficient, but the real magic happens with the AI-driven features that make the Pixel 9 Pro XL feel ultra-responsive.
Cost of Ownership
The Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at £1,099 in the UK and $1,099 in the USA, making it Google’s most premium phone to date. With its impressive specs and long-term software support, you’re getting excellent value for the investment.
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 focuses 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 9 Pro XL or the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Samsung matches Google’s update policy (7 years of major updates), but Google gets the updates out faster.
If you don’t like waiting around, Google’s Pixel phones are the best for updates in the Android market right now.
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.
LEARN MORE
→
Latest Motorola Phones
Motorola is the USA’s #1 budget phone brand. If you want something cheap and cheerful, say hello to Moto…
LEARN MORE
→
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.
LEARN MORE
→
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?
🤔 Need Help Choosing Your Next Phone?
Join our thriving community and get direct access to the team