What a year it’s been! With over 600 smartphones hitting the market in 2024, narrowing it down to just five favorites is no small feat. But here we are, looking back at what really stood out.
After nearly a decade at GSMArena, I find it hard to be impressed by midrange phones, so this list is full of flagships. There is an exception to that, but there is a good reason for it.,
Without further ado, here are my top five phones of 2024 – no ranking, because they’re all great in their own right!
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
At first glance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra doesn’t seem like a huge leap – 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 furry companion – what’s not to love?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Sure, it’s a modest upgrade, and I understand why some fans are hesitant to say it’s a must-have. But for me, performance is king, and the S24 Ultra delivers in spades.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google does simple things like no one else. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a joy to use with its clean, bloat-free Android experience that feels… decent.
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 major upgrades, but the selfie camera is top-notch, and the user experience is unbeatable. For me, that’s enough to earn a spot on this list.
Realme GT 7 Pro
While Samsung and Google stubbornly stick to their slow-charging guns, Realme is charging into the future with its 120W SuperVOC. The GT 7 Pro looks like a 2025 phone thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and ultra-slim, powerful battery.
This year, Realme finally gave its GT flagship more than just a good camera. The 3x telephoto lens is a delight, and upgrades like the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and ultra-bright display make this phone really impressive.
None Phone (2a)
Time to switch gears. The phone (2a) is my pick for best budget device of the year. In a market full of midrange options, this one stands out.
It has more power than the best-selling Galaxy A55, faster charging, a better camera than the Redmi Note 13 Pro and leaves 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 quite match my needs. But the reason the Magic V3 makes the list isn’t its slim body or perfectly usable cover screen, but durability.
A few years ago, the idea of a truly rugged foldable was laughable. But the Magic V3 does that – it’s a foldable that you can (almost) toss in frustration and still rely on.
While we’re on the subject of foldables, the Huawei Mate X6 deserves an honorable mention. It’s beautiful and tough, but I can’t justify an eye-watering €2,000 price tag for what is essentially an underpowered foldable.
