You may have already got a good suggestion of which smartphone you need to be your subsequent one. However with extra strong choices out there now than ever earlier than, the selection is not at all times so cut-and-dry. If you realize you need an iPhone, your decision-making course of is a bit simpler (and you have model new ones to contemplate now, too). For those who’re an Android individual, you could have much more choices to select from — together with foldables — and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash. At Engadget, we evaluate telephones usually and have examined dozens through the years. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on one in every of our present prime picks, one in every of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 telephones or one other system, we’re right here that can assist you resolve which is the most effective telephone to purchase this yr.
Editor’s observe (September 2024): Apple simply introduced the newest iPhones and we’ll replace this information as soon as we have given the brand new handsets the total evaluate therapy.
Android or iOS?
If 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 information between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off telephone calls or music from one system to a different. On the similar time, you’re successfully locked in, as companies like Apple Messages aren’t out there on different platforms.
As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from firms like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nonetheless, Android telephones don’t take pleasure in that very same size of software program help and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. Briefly, there’s no incorrect reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to take into account how your telephone will slot in with the remainder of your gadgets. So except you’re actually fed up with one OS and prepared to study one other, it most likely doesn’t make plenty of sense to modify from an iPhone to an Android telephone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.
Cameras
Since your mobile phone usually pulls double responsibility as your main digicam, determining what sort of photograph instruments you need is essential. These days, virtually each cell phone can take a fantastic image in brilliant gentle. However in order for you a protracted optical zoom, you’ll most likely must improve to a costlier system.
Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a main wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digicam) and might generally wrestle in low-light conditions. Every telephone maker additionally has varied options that may be a greater match to your fashion, with Apple providing 4 totally different colour 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 a minimum of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some form of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, in order for you the quickest wi-fi speeds doable, it’s going to price you slightly further. 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 help for it’s usually lacking on cheaper gadgets.
On the intense facet, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively out there as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you might not be lacking out on a lot proper now for those who purchase a telephone that doesn’t help it. It’s an identical scenario for Wi-Fi 7, which is on the market on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S24, however more durable to seek out on cheaper gadgets. 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 help for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when searching for a brand new telephone.
Different options to contemplate
As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the most effective telephone, it’s best to take into consideration every other specs that may be further vital for you. Cellular avid gamers will nearly actually 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 vital, you’ll most likely need to go together with a bigger iPhone or an Android telephone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling plenty of gadgets, it may be very nice to have a telephone 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 measurement: 6.7-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: About two days
The adjustments 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 components. For the iPhone 15 Professional Max, particularly, the smaller, lighter titanium construct means it may be inside the realm of consideration for a lot of consumers for the primary time. It’s not sharp and hefty like a weapon, however nonetheless has one of many longest-lasting batteries in the marketplace.
The bigger handset additionally will get a brand new 5x telephoto digicam that helps it catch as much as flagships on the Android facet, which have had zoom lenses for years. Although Apple doesn’t outclass the competitors on images, it’s actually 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 enhancing instruments, so images is improved whether or not you’re capturing 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 can be extra significant in a few years when the world presumably ditches Lightning ultimately. The Motion Button, in the meantime, takes the usually unused mute slider and provides you the choice of mapping a regularly used shortcut to it, so you may shortly launch the digicam, flashlight, voice recorder or magnifier. Having this some ways to configure the Motion Button means it’s way more helpful to extra folks than a easy toggle for silencing your telephone.
This yr’s A17 Professional chip not solely brings glorious efficiency, however its six-core GPU additionally permits console-level gaming and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for sensible lighting results. Later this yr, 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 a complete, the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max aren’t only a strong 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 way in which of the long run
- Lengthy-lasting battery
- Reverse charging through USB-C
- Motion button is tough to achieve on the bigger handset
- Boring colours
Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
(Pixel 9 Professional) Display measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours
Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel sequence has lengthy been among the best Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. But it surely was at all times slightly too huge and too cumbersome for these of us who’ve smaller fingers 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 larger 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 making an attempt to achieve the highest of the display screen!
Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key characteristic to get to the smaller measurement, which means you will discover the identical digicam 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 be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching nearly 25 hours on our battery take a look at.
These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android telephone due to its top-notch digicam efficiency, intriguing AI options and a normal grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt contemporary, this yr’s gadgets really feel strong and refined. And, dare we are saying it, nearly like iPhones. With out the digicam bars, they might be fairly arduous to inform aside from Apple’s telephones.
Probably as a result of it is grown up a lot through the years, however the Pixel telephones now price 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 possibility, this yr’s mannequin may be ok to justify a premium value. For those who nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not need to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 remains to be a strong handset for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is the most effective Android handset cash can purchase. — C.L.
- Nice digicam options and improved telephoto digicam
- A yr of Gemini Superior free of charge
- Unbelievable battery life
- A good looking, brilliant 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 telephone for gaming
David Imel for Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 13 review
Display measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: 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 important 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 way bigger than the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD display screen, but the system as a complete is simply 0.33 inches taller and solely marginally thicker. That show is best in each method — brighter, sharper, extra vivid and extra sturdy in addition.
The iPhone 13 additionally helps MagSafe, not like 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 digicam that helps 4K video. Battery life is longer, too. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter, Shopping for Recommendation
- Fashionable design
- Digital camera efficiency remains to be completely strong 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 measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: Shut to twenty.5 hours
Google’s A-series Pixels have lengthy been a few of the greatest midrange telephones in the marketplace. 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 beautiful 120Hz OLED show and nice battery life. The system additionally comes with creature comforts like IP67 mud and water resistance and handy (however sluggish) 7.5-watt Qi wi-fi charging. However most significantly, beginning at $499, it may be among the best offers in the marketplace. — S.R.
- Colourful 120Hz OLED show
- Robust battery life
- Glorious cameras
- Nice worth
- Gradual wi-fi charging
- Thick bezels
Photograph by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review
Display measurement: 7.6-inch (essential) 6.3-inch (folded) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours
Whereas we might have appreciated to see some extra drastic design adjustments, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays one of the vital versatile and well-rounded examples of an enormous, premium foldable telephone. Its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers sturdy efficiency and improved power 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 digicam sensor and a boatload of AI-powered options scattered all through the telephone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 stays one of many few foldables with native stylus help, although you’ll must pay further 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.
For those who do not want issues like stylus help and care extra about “commonplace” options like digicam high quality, take into account the brand new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. We take into account it to be the best foldable phone general in the marketplace proper now, due to its refined design that is simpler to carry and use, its strong efficiency, outstanding battery life and glorious digicam chops. — S.R.
- Tremendous brilliant and colourful show
- Even lighter chassis
- Nice battery life
- Native stylus help
- Much more costly than earlier than
- Similar essential digicam because the earlier two Z Folds
- S Pen not included
- Charging speeds could possibly be quicker
Photograph by Mat Smith / Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review
Display measurement: 6.7-inch (essential) 3.4-inch (entrance) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 has an upgraded digicam and a bigger battery than its predecessor. These two specs alone make the newest Galaxy flip-phone a extra tempting possibility, within the face of rival flagship telephones. The leap from a 12-megapixel to 50MP digicam means you may select to seize extra element, or crop in for, successfully, a digital zoom. The entrance display screen has loads of house for framing your selfie pictures, and a brand new Auto-Zoom characteristic means it may well even body unsupervised group pictures for you. Images is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI photograph enhancing instruments, which is way simpler to make use of.
The Z Flip 6 now has a strong 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 methods comes at the price of restricted cowl display screen utility, but it surely’s nonetheless as pocketable as ever and remains to be probably the most mainstream foldable but. — Mat Smith, Editor, UK Bureau Chief, Publication
- Higher cameras
- Longer battery life
- Enjoyable generative AI methods
- Dearer than its predecessor
- Design is nearly an identical to final yr
- Restricted front-screen utility
- Sluggish charging
Different smartphones we have examined
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
For its newest super-premium telephone, Samsung gave the S24 Ultra a extra sturdy titanium body, quicker 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 greatest improve is a brand new full suite of AI instruments, which incorporates the flexibility to proofread texts, edit pictures and transcribe recordings. And once you tack on the most effective show out there on a telephone in the present day and a built-in stylus, you could have a really compelling flagship handset. Sadly, beginning at $1,300, the S24 Extremely is a bit too costly to suggest to anybody with out deep pockets.
OnePlus 12
Whereas the OnePlus 12 wasn’t capable of unseat the newest Pixel, it’s value mentioning as a result of it affords highly effective specs for the cash. It encompasses a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, an enormous and brilliant 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display screen and the most effective battery life we’ve seen on any telephone thus far. OnePlus additionally introduced again help 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 despite the fact that its big digicam module seems to be a bit ungainly, its images are surprisingly sharp. However the most effective factor is that, with a beginning value of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its greatest 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 principally comes right down to how you intend on utilizing the system. All the greatest telephones out there 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 need to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the value spectrum. That can get you higher general efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a telephone that may final for a few years. For those who don’t use your telephone for every little 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 value from $300 to over $1,500. The most effective funds telephones out there now will often compromise on general efficiency, design, digicam prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip facet, the most costly telephones can have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a telephone that matches their wants someplace in the midst of that extensive value vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the greatest smartphones out there proper now price between $500 and $1,000.
What are you able to do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are basically small, transportable computer systems that allow you to do issues like examine e-mail, browse social media, comply with map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on prime of the fundamentals like making telephone calls and texting, which we’ve come to count on in all trendy cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally principally changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones in the present day as simply as transportable, 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 elements that may have an effect on telephone longevity. Apple guarantees 5 years value of software program updates for its newest iPhones, and Google guarantees the identical for its Pixel telephones. Samsung telephones will get 4 years value of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your telephone can deteriorate over time as you utilize and recharge your telephone frequently.
Current updates
September 2024: Up to date to incorporate an editor’s observe in regards to the newest iPhones and to say the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold within the “greatest foldable telephone for multitasking” part.
August 2024: Up to date to incorporate the Google Pixel 9 Professional.
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