The top ten cellphones and tips for selecting the best one
The market for smartphones is growing quickly, with hardly any time seeming to pass between releases these days. How on earth are you going to choose the greatest phone for you?
Choosing between an iPhone and an Android phone is your first choice; both are covered here. What is your willingness to invest, then? Perhaps a low-cost or mid-range phone can meet all of your needs.All of the phones listed below are excellent choices, but there are certain models that stand out more than others. There is something here that will appeal to you whether you're searching for a phone that supports AI, has excellent photos, performs well in games, has stylish features like a foldable screen, or is just affordable.
Best smartphone 2024
1. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – Best overall
Pros
- Top-tier performance
- Excellent, versatile cameras
- Very good battery life
- Clever AI features
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Expensive
- Big and bulky
- Charging still only 45W
If money is no object, the S24 Ultra is the best smartphone you can buy right now.
Samsung has put that high price tag to good use, delivering a superb user experience with no real weaknesses. And there are a catalogue of major strengths, from incredible overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance to five distinct camera lenses, each of which more than hold their own.
You still get a gorgeous 6.8-inch AMOLED display and built-in S Pen, yet this is still a two-day phone for many people in terms of battery life.
What’s more, the the software experience is the best it’s ever been, with a slick One UI skin over Android 14 and seven years of both OS and security updates. A selection of genuinely useful AI features are the icing on the cake.
The S24 Ultra’s price and big, bulky design aren’t for everyone. But it’s the most complete smartphone money can buy.
2. Google Pixel 8 Pro – Best for most people
Pros
- Luxurious build quality
- Incredible cameras
- Useful software features
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- So-so battery life
- Slow charging
- Big and heavy
The Pixel 7 Pro was already an excellent smartphone, but the Pixel 8 Pro takes things to the next level.
The Tensor G3 processor improves speed and makes a number of really helpful software features possible. Numerous of these enhance the photographic experience, since Google's sophisticated processing and powerful optics continuously produce stunning images.
The Pixel's Android 14 operating system is the smoothest and most user-friendly available, and Google has announced that it will continue to be supported for an amazing seven years. The Pixel 8 Pro is an excellent smartphone when you consider its opulent, luxury build and affordable price, which still beats out flagship models.
It's not all positive news, either. While the large, bulky design may not be to everyone's taste, the battery life and charging might definitely be improved.
The normal Pixel 8 is a better option if you have concerns about the latter. However, there are a few more distinctions between them.
3. iPhone 15 Pro – Best iPhone
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Superb display
- USB-C port
Cons
- Slow charging
- Missing Pro Max 5x optical zoom
The iPhone 15 Pro has a collection of small changes that, when combined, represent a significant upgrade.
A new customizable Action Button replaces the mute switch, and the build is made of titanium, which is both sturdy and noticeably lighter. The most powerful smartphone chipset available is Apple's A17 Pro, which offers genuinely exceptional performance. Additionally, USB-C's arrival is definitely a positive development.
By today's phone standards, the 6.1-inch display is somewhat small, but it looks great and has a 120Hz refresh rate. Although you still have to put up with poor charging speeds, the battery life is generally good.
However, even with the telephoto lens's lack of a 5x optical zoom, the overall photography experience is excellent. The very helpful Dynamic Island is now supported by a large number of apps, and iOS 17 is still incredibly smooth and easy to use.
The iPhone 15 Pro is, for the majority of users, the ideal smartphone from Apple for 2023.
4. Google Pixel 7a – Best value phone
Pros
- Phenomenal camera for the price
- Excellent Google software
- Strong performance
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Slow charging
- Wireless charging is unreliable
- Not as fast as the Pixel 7
- Only 90Hz display
The Google Pixel 7a takes all the best parts of 2022’s Pixel 6a – great camera, solid performance, several years of software support – and improves it with a better 90Hz screen and more premium design.
Even if it costs $499/£449 rather than $449, this phone is still among the greatest values available, especially when you compare it to the Pixel 7 Pro and realize you don't really lose much. The Pixel 7a, which features the same Tensor G2 processor as the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, is also considerably easier to use and carry about than many of the larger phones on this list thanks to its smaller 6.1-inch display.
The primary 64Mp camera is really remarkable. For still photos, there isn't a better phone camera at this price point, and there aren't many better ones at all. In addition, the phone is available in fun colors like blue and coral, but if you'd rather, you can just have white or black.
In our tests, we found that the additional wireless charging was unstable and the charging is quite slow. However, here's your chance to get an Android phone with an amazing camera, good all-around performance, and five years of software support.
5. OnePlus 12 – Great all-rounder
Pros
- Elegant, distinctive design
- Superb screen
- Fast wired and wireless charging
- Great main and telephoto cameras
Cons
- Average wide-angle and selfie cameras
- More expensive than OnePlus 11
- Limited water resistance
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The OnePlus 12 is significantly more expensive than the OnePlus 11, meaning it no longer takes the title of best value flagship.
It still costs less than most flagships, though, and has the features that the majority of consumers want in a smartphone.
The top-notch viewing experience is provided by the 120Hz AMOLED screen and the exceptional performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU. Even the primary and telephoto cameras, which were a minor flaw in some of the company's early models, are now among of the best available. The wide angle and selfie cameras, however, still need work.
The combination of rapid 50W wireless charging and 100W fast charging is a welcome addition, and the battery life is impressive.
Although the commitment to four OS updates and five years of security fixes is a step down from the best of Google and Samsung (both seven), OnePlus' OxygenOS shell (currently over Android 14) is still great.
But all in all, the OnePlus 12 is a fantastic smartphone that is highly suggested. The OnePlus Open is a foldable that you might want to look into instead.
6. Xiaomi 14 – Best cameras
Pros
- Incredible photography
- Flawless performance
- Super-fast charging
- Stunning screen
Cons
- HyperOS software annoyances
- Can be fingerprint magnet
The Xiaomi 14 is the best handset the Chinese company has ever made for most people. Its £849 starting price undercuts many rivals, yet it offers a top-tier user experience in many areas.
That includes the cameras, which produce some of the greatest smartphone images we've ever seen. It is also incredibly versatile, featuring high-quality main, ultrawide, 3.2x telephoto, and selfie lenses.
A stunning 120Hz AMOLED screen, a quick 90W charger that comes in the box, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset's outstanding performance are some of its other standout features. Also, battery life is excellent.
Though Xiaomi's software experience now goes by a different moniker, HyperOS is surprisingly comparable to MIUI, its predecessor. It's the sole true reason not to purchase the phone, along with a fingerprint-prone back, but it will be a deal breaker for others.
7. iPhone 15 – Best value iPhone
Pros
- Versatile USB-C
- Useful Dynamic Island
- Great performance
- Good value for money
Cons
- Display only 60Hz
- Slow charging
There are two upgrades that make the regular iPhone 15 instantly better than 2022’s iPhone 14. The introduction of USB-C makes the device more versatile, allowing you to easily connect a range of different accessories.
Then there's the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped cutout that was formerly only available on Pro versions and used to display a range of helpful information.
In other respects, the iPhone 15 is rather comparable, but that's usually a good thing. Small performance and power efficiency gains are made by the A16 Bionic chip, which also contributes to a good battery life.
It's the most affordable iPhone 15 model available, boasting a high-quality construction and sleek iOS software. However, you'll be best off looking elsewhere if a faster charging time or a higher refresh rate display are crucial to you.
8. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra/Razr+ – Best foldable phone
Pros
- Great outer display
- IP52 water resistance rating
- Good battery life
Cons
- Older chipset
- Not the best cameras
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When you think of flip phones released in 2023, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 is probably the first one that comes to mind. But while it is worth considering, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra (known as the Razr+ in some markets) is a better choice for most people.
The primary cause of this is the 3.6-inch, 144Hz outside screen. It is not only much bigger than competitors, but it also supports any app. The inside 6.9-inch, 165Hz display is as amazing, with a hardly perceptible wrinkle.
The Razr 40 Ultra feels remarkably sturdy despite having two screens and a hinge, and it has an IP52 classification for resistance to dust and water. Add a strong battery life and an elegant design, and you have an excellent folding device.
It isn't without compromise, though. The cameras are a step down from the finest Android has to offer, and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU is now two generations behind. However, for most people, neither should be a deal breaker.
9. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G – Best budget phone
Pros
- Sleek design
- Solid main camera
- Excellent battery life
- Smooth 90Hz display
Cons
- Slow performance
- No IP water resistance rating
- Relatively slow charging
Samsung isn’t all about flagship phones and foldables – the company also makes some very good budget handsets. And the £199/$199.99 Galaxy A15 5G is the best evidence of this.
Although it isn't exactly S24-level, the design is undoubtedly influenced by Samsung's flagship smartphones, and it appears nearly as good. Even though the 5000mAh battery has a respectable 90Hz OLED display, it nevertheless has a good battery life.
The A15 5G's 50Mp primary rear lens is surprisingly good for such a low-cost phone, although it is by no means a world-class camera system.
A major selling point of the Galaxy A15 5G above competitors that are not Samsung is its One UI, which is sleek and simple to use. For most users, three years' worth of Android OS upgrades is sufficient.
Although the performance isn't particularly great, the declared dust and water resistance isn't present, and the charging capacity is only 25W, these are trade-offs worth considering when you're getting so much for so little money.
The Galaxy A15 4G, which costs £169 and isn't available in the US, is another option if you don't require 5G.
10. Samsung Galaxy S24+ – Superb all-rounder
Pros
- Excellent display
- Strong performance
- Useful AI features
- Incredible battery life
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- No S Pen support
- No Micro-SD support
- Still quite expensive
For many people, the S24+ is the sweet spot in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 range. While you miss out on the S Pen support and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in the UK; US models still get it), it’s still a fantastic phone in its own right.
The Exynos 2400-powered device that we tested continues to provide excellent performance, particularly when paired with the premium design and excellent 6.7-inch display. The cameras perform well, and the batteries last a long time.
The helpful AI functions and fantastic seven years of software updates are among the other important features from the S24 Ultra that are included here.
There's not much to be unhappy about with this device, except from slow charging and a still high price tag.
Your 2024 phone buying guide: the top models
The following factors should be taken into account when selecting a phone: build quality and design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software, and affordability.
In general, a flagship phone in 2024 will cost approximately £700–$700, but in certain circumstances, it may cost more than $1,000–£1,000. In the UK, a contract typically costs between £30 and £50-per-month, but if you want an expensive phone and a lot of mobile data, you can spend much more.
Better than in the UK and Europe, you can frequently find really good phone contract deals in the US.
It's important to note that although flagships are highly featured in this list, it does not specifically include them as the finest smartphones on the market right now. Some items are included in both our mid-range and budget phone round-ups, however they are chosen for this list based on the features and value they provide relative to the price they cost.
Although purchasing a phone entirely will typically result in the best deal, we understand that real-world budgets don't always allow for such large, one-time expenditures. Of course, you'll also need a SIM card and plan in addition to the phone, if you can. See our top offers on SIM-only phones if you don't currently have any.
FAQ
1. Should I get an Android or iPhone phone?
Although there are several mobile operating systems, only two Android and iOS are really worth discussing.
Android is the operating system that runs on the great majority of phones in use today; the most recent version is Android 14. Despite having a smaller market share, developers nearly typically release their apps for Apple's iOS platform which is presently running iOS 17 first. This strategy has led to it having one of the greatest app shops available.
It's not too difficult to move your contacts and other specific data from one Android or iPhone to another if you have one and wish to switch to an other phone running that other OS. If you're thinking about switching platforms, bear in mind that you cannot transfer paid apps or unique app data (such as backups of WhatsApp). You should also look into any particular worries you may have about the procedure.
2. Do I need to purchase an unlocked phone?
A phone that is not locked to a certain mobile network provider is called an unlocked phone. Purchasing a phone "unlocked" typically entails doing so without a SIM card or contract.
The most significant takeaway is that, if you can afford it, purchasing an unlocked phone is nearly always a better price than purchasing a phone on contract.
The only true exception to this is Apple's iPhones, which are so popular that carriers frequently cover the cost of purchase in order to tie you into an advantageous long-term contract.
Generally speaking, purchasing an unlocked phone will save you money throughout the phone's lifetime assuming you can afford the initial cost of the device.
What's more, you are not bound by a long-term contract. You are free to purchase a new phone whenever you desire one, without having to commit to another two years or upsell yourself out of the deal.
Just be cautious to ensure that the phone you receive isn't network locked.
3. Which cellphone plan or SIM card should I purchase?
The dimensions and form of the SIM that your phone needs is another item to think about. If your phone calls for a nano-SIM, make sure you obtain one.
Just so you know, every phone on this list accepts a nano-SIM, with the exception of a few US-only iPhone models that employ eSIM.
But for now, it's advisable to continue using a physical SIM card for the majority of individuals. You may easily remove the SIM card that you require, as most networks provide you with three different sizes.
It is likely that you already have a SIM card that you would like to use if you are searching for an unlocked or SIM-free phone.
For most users, 4G connectivity is still good. However, if you desire 5G, confirm that the phone and SIM card are compatible.
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