The best phones to buy in 2024
If you’re shopping for a new smartphone this holiday season, you’ve got options aplenty — especially if you favor Android over iOS. That’s where ZDNET steps in. We’ve handled the research and testing, so you don’t have to. Over the past year, we’ve tested and reviewed nearly every major smartphone from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and Apple to create this definitive list of the best devices available today.
While the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy may not look dramatically different from previous models, the real evolution is in the software. These systems are designed to keep us connected, boost productivity, and inspire creativity. And the highlight of 2024? On-device AI. Every major brand, including Apple, has made it a focal point of their latest releases, as you’ll learn more about throughout this tier list.
Also: The best 5G phones in 2024: Expert tested
What is the best smartphone right now?
After extensive testing of dozens of devices, our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, thanks to its immersive and vibrant display, reliable battery life, and wealth of special features, some of which are powered by the company’s latest generative AI model. The latest iPhone 16 Pro Max is a close second, with a thinner and larger design, a Camera Control button that’s backed by a more personalizable Photographic Styles feature, and more.
Of course, our pick for the best phone overall may not exactly be the best phone for you. But no matter which option on this list you decide to invest in, expect it to be performant, have a display that gets bright enough to use outdoors, and field a camera system that will fulfill most, if not all, your photographing needs.
Best phones of 2024
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best phone overall
This is the one. The best phone we’ve tested in 2024. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 line was among the first smartphones to go all-in on AI this year, and the S24 Ultra, the most premium of the three, is the best option money can buy. The new Galaxy AI model embedded in the device brings a host of generative capabilities, including real-time phone call translations, the ability to circle an object on screen to perform an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photo editing and transcriptions, and even a Chat Assist feature for figuring out how to phrase a message in different tones.
Like its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra is built with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a reliable 5,000mAh battery. Though the price has gone up to $1,299 ($100 more than the S23 Ultra), the phone’s upgrades make it well worth it: The S24 Ultra is made of a lightweight yet durable titanium frame, compared to last year’s aluminum, and features Corning’s most-durable Gorilla Armor.
Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The difference in display protection means the S24 Ultra is more glare-free than ever, which ZDNET reviewer Jason Hiner suggested: “makes its screen more enjoyable to use than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and other flagship phones.” Reddit users seem to agree with Hiner, including one who said he believes “the anti-reflective glass really makes a difference.”
Under the hood, the S24 Ultra includes an upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for improved graphics and AI features, 12GB RAM (an increase from last year’s 8GB), and 2,600 nits of brightness — a big improvement over last year’s 1,750. As for the new camera system, the big upgrade comes in the form of a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. As Hiner discovered, the results were sharper and less noisy images and an overall camera system that can pull in more light than ever before.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: Up to 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: 5,000mAh
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iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best iPhone overall
The latest iPhone 16 Pro Max offers everything a premium flagship smartphone should, including a brilliant 6.9-inch AMOLED display for all the media consumption — and mobile productivity, of course. This year’s model also looks and feels different than any prior Pro Max devices due to its thinner bezels, larger screen, and addition of the Camera Control button, a physical switch that lets you quickly open the camera and snap photos without ever touching the screen.
ZDNET Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner tried the touch-capacitive feature and suggested that “it’s going to be super handy for people who take a ton of photos with the iPhone.” Another major feature of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the new A18 Pro chip, which Apple claims should yield significantly faster and more efficient AI processing. With the upcoming public release of Apple Intelligence, the brand’s suite of AI tools and features that includes image generation, a more capable Siri, and notification summaries, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the most future-proof device yet.
Review: iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 Pro Max also features two new camera features: the ability to record 4K at 120 frames per second, which allows you to edit and produce slow-motion video without losing much detail, and Audio Mix, which distinguishes and amplifies specific waveforms to make voices sound clearer.
An improved battery life, which Apple rates at 33 hours of video playback versus last year’s 29 hours, rounds out this year’s big upgrades. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also supports 25W wireless charging now via a compatible MagSafe adapter. Given all the upgrades, Apple continues to charge $1,199 for its most premium iPhone model, with 256GB of storage at the base level.
iPhone 16 Pro Max tech specs: Processor: A18 Pro | Display size: 6.9 inches | Storage options: Up to 1TB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x), 12MP telephoto (5x) | Front camera: 12MP
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Best camera phone
When it comes to camera performance, you really can’t go wrong with any of the flagship devices from the big three (Apple, Samsung, and Google). Depending on your preference for color temperature and feature set, you may lean towards one manufacturer over the other. But more often than not, Google’s Pixel camera system satisfies most users, and the latest Pixel 9 Pro (and Pro XL) remains a champion for instant capturing and post-processing.
Both sizes of the latest model feature a reliable triple lens setup, with a 50MP primary lens, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens for far-distance shots. They’re backed by numerous software features like Google’s Super Res Zoom (for up to 30x zoom photos), 8K video upscaling, and a new Add Me feature that lets you snap and merge two photos so everyone can be in the same shot. There’s also a new 42MP selfie camera that’s both sharper and captures a wider FOV than last year’s 10.8MP sensor. That should play well with group selfies and scenic shots.
Review: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Again, real-time capturing is only half the battle with mobile photography; there’s also post-processing and the flexibility of devices with editing and tweaking subjects around. In that regard, the Pixel 9 Pro, powered by a new Tensor G4 chipset, may just have the most flexible and creative photo toolbox on the market, with AI features like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Best Take that can turn any bad photo into a good one.
All in all, the Pixel 9 Pro has one of the most versatile camera systems on the market, with an output that’s balanced in color and generally satisfying to look at.
Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL tech specs: Processor: Google Tensor G4 | Display size: 6.3 and 6.7 inches | Storage options: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB | Rear cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto | Front camera: 42MP | Battery: 4,700/5,060mAh
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Best flip-style foldable phone
The new Galaxy Z Flip 6, unveiled at Samsung Unpacked in July, packs a ton of character and features into a tiny clamshell that pays homage to flip phones of the past.
Shape-shifting displays aside, the Z Flip 6 is very similar to the standard Samsung Galaxy S-series flagship, with a large 6.7-inch AMOLED panel that’s crisp and bright, up to 512GB of storage for those high-resolution pictures and videos, and a healthy 4,000mAh battery powering it all — an upgrade from the Z Flip 5. There’s also now a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and the first vapor cooling chamber ever on a Z Flip device, both of which should make the phone run more efficiently, reducing battery drainage. The phone is thinner and lighter than previous models, too.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
The Z Flip 6’s camera system gets a nice boost, too, with an improved 50MP main sensor and 12MP ultra-wide. You’ll also find a new AI-powered Auto Zoom feature, which automatically detects how many people are in a frame, as well as potential background objects the user may want to be kept in the shot, and repositions digitally.
The Z Flip 6 also includes some fun new features for the Flex Window, or outer display of the flip phone, including interactive wallpapers, suggested replies to text messages, and a new Interpreter Mode for live translations.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Main display: 6.7 inches | Cover display: 3.4 inches | RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB internal options | Cameras: 50MP wide angle, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP selfie | Battery: 4,000mAh
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CMF Phone 1 by Nothing
Best budget phone
The best cheap phone you can buy today is the CMF Phone 1. Starting at $239, the Phone 1 has several features going for it that put it above devices that cost hundreds of dollars more, such as the ability to manually replace the back cover, screw in accessories (including a kickstand, wallet slot, and more), and insert a MicroSD card for expanded storage.
Review: CMF Phone 1
You would think that a $200 phone would settle on essential specs like display quality, battery life, and software, but those exact three aspects score high marks for the Phone 1. The 2,000-nit display gets bright enough to use comfortably outdoors, the 5,000mAh battery will hold up for most users, and Nothing’s interpretation of Android is thoughtful, short on bloatware, and full of unique widgets.
Of course, you’ll have to settle with something when you’re paying around $200 for a phone. In the case of the Phone 1, that comes in the form of a Dimensity 7300 5G processor that’s just good enough for browsing and social media but less so for extended gaming, a camera system that’s not as capable in low-light environments, and a lack of network band support that makes the phone unusable if you’re on Verizon.
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing tech specs: Display size: 6.67 inches | Display type: AMOLED | Resolution: 2780 x 1264 | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Battery life: 5,500mAh | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 256GB | Rear camera: 50MP Sony IMX890 main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | Front camera: 16MP | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
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OnePlus Open
Best tablet-style foldable phone
The number of foldable phones on the market has never been higher, thanks to the collective effort of just about every manufacturer, including Google with its Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Motorola with its Razr lineup, and OnePlus with the OnePlus Open. While Samsung has held the reins of the best foldable honor for years, I’m still giving the top spot of the year to the OnePlus Open.
Unlike its competitors, the OnePlus Open strikes the best balance of weight-to-size ratio. When folded, the phone is as light as an iPhone, and when unfolded, it expands into a thin slate of visual goodness. Hand feel makes all the difference with foldable phones, and the Open is the closest thing to a normal-feeling device on the U.S. market. OnePlus leverages the 7.8-inch display by offering some of the most intuitive multitasking features I’ve tested, headlined by “Open Canvas.” With it, you can open up to three apps at once, and as you tap into each one, the other one or two will tuck itself to the side, ready to reappear when needed.
Review: OnePlus Open
The triple camera setup, while presented in a casing that sticks out more than I’d prefer, captures spectacular photos and videos, with an emphasis on blue and orangish hues that cinematographers and photography buffs know and love. By nature of the foldable form factor, the Open can also take hands-free selfies and group photos.
OnePlus got the fundamentals down pat with the Open, too, including 65W fast charging capabilities (with a charger in the box) that blow past Samsung’s Z Fold 5 and Google’s Pixel Fold standards, a base configuration of 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and a crease-less inner display. The cherry on top for me is its $1,699 price tag. One Amazon customer even says the Open was a surprisingly smooth entryway into Android, “after going with just iPhones since the iPhone 7.”
OnePlus Open tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display size: 6.3 inches and 7.8 inches | Storage options: 512GB | Rear cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto| Front camera: 32MP (outer) and 20MP (inner) | Battery: 5,000mAh
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OnePlus 12
Best fast-charging phone
OnePlus has had its ups and downs over the past four years, pivoting from value-driven smartphones to ultra-premium and then back to square one with last year’s OnePlus 11. This year, it’s doubling down on its value-driven flagships.
The OnePlus 12 starts at $899, which undercuts its closest competitors, the $999 Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro, and here’s everything you get for the price: a large 6.8-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, a 5,400mAh battery, a triple camera setup with a competent 50MP main lens at the helm, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and more. Again: $899, and that’s before the $100 discount when you trade in any phone in any condition to OnePlus. Take advantage of that.
Review: OnePlus 12
Putting the value aspect aside, the OnePlus 12 shines with its charging speed, something you’ll quickly take for granted once you realize that phones don’t have to be sitting by an outlet for two hours every day. The 80W wired charging on the phone can power it from 0 to 50% within 10 minutes. A full charge takes less than 30 minutes. “80W fast charging is life-changing,” a satisfied Best Buy customer adds.
Just as impressive is the OnePlus 12’s new 50W wireless charging, a feature many users have been asking for and was sorely missed on last year’s model. While the OnePlus 12 is not as “all in” on generative AI features, it offers a well-rounded, high-performing Android experience for a couple of hundred dollars less than other flagship phones.
OnePlus 12 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: Up to 512GB | Rear cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto | Front camera: 16MP | Battery: 5,000mAh
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Our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It features everything you could want from a smartphone, including a large display, four cameras that can shoot 200MP photos and 8K video, up to 1TB of storage, a built-in S Pen for writing and drawing, and a 5,000mAh battery powering the system. Here’s how the S24 Ultra fares with the rest of our top picks.
|
Best phone model |
Price |
Storage |
Screen size |
Battery size |
Processor |
|
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
$1,299 |
Up to 1TB |
6.8 inches |
5,000mAh |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|
iPhone 16 Pro Max |
$1,199 |
Up to 1TB |
6.9 inches |
4,323mAh (est.) |
A18 Pro Bionic |
|
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
$1,099 |
Up to 1TB |
6.7 inches |
5,060mAh |
Google Tensor G4 |
|
OnePlus Open |
$1,699 |
512GB |
6.3 inches and 7.8 inches |
5,000mAh |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 |
$1,099 |
Up to 512GB |
6.7 inches |
4,000mAh |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|
CMF Phone 1 |
$239 |
Up to 256GB |
6.67 inches |
5,000mAh |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|
OnePlus 12 |
$799 |
Up to 512GB |
6.8 inches |
5,400mAh |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Choosing a phone can be daunting. But having a list of your must-have features can go a long way toward narrowing down your options. If you’re a mobile professional or travel a lot for work, you’ll want to choose a phone that can provide you with at least a full day of use on a full battery and both LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity.
If you’re looking for your teen’s first smartphone, a budget-friendly and less feature-heavy option may be better to prevent overspending and misuse. And if you’re a content creator or other creative professional, you’ll want a phone with an excellent front and rear camera to capture photos and videos for your social media feed.
|
Choose this best phone… |
If you want… |
|
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
A no-compromise smartphone that virtually any type of user can take advantage of. It’s the only 2024 smartphone with a built-in stylus. |
|
iPhone 16 Pro Max |
The best iPhone money can buy. It has a large screen, the longest-lasting battery out of all the models, and a toolbox of a camera system. |
|
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
A flagship camera experience at your fingertips. The Pixel 9 Pro XL differentiates itself with a slew of AI-powered and the best selfie camera on the market. |
|
OnePlus Open |
The best phone-to-tablet foldable that money can buy. And if you’re a power user, the multitasking and charging features especially will serve you well. |
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 |
A flip-style foldable that’s both compact and performant. With a large 3.4-inch external display and improved battery life, this is the foldable to buy for most people. |
|
CMF Phone 1 |
A more budget-friendly smartphone that doesn’t compromise on performance and software experience. The CMF Phone 1 also has a unique removable back cover that opens up a world of 3D-printed customizations. |
|
OnePlus 12 |
A phone that lasts long and charges from 0% to 100% in just 30 minutes. The OnePlus 12 is quietly good value, too, starting at $799. |
Android vs iOS: How to decide
Android:
Google’s operating system has always been about personalization, app freedom, and flexible use cases. For example, dozens of Android manufacturers launch phones annually, while iOS runs only on Apple’s iPhone, which releases two models yearly. Naturally, there are more Android app developers, niche software and services, and form factors that go beyond the glass slab.
Pros:
- Customization: While the latest iPhone software, iOS 18, is the most customizable version yet, Android is still ahead in modifying settings, looks and appearance, and more. You can adjust settings on a per-app basis, install third-party launchers, icon packs, and other services, and even tweak system animations to make the operating system faster.
- App variety: According to AppExperts, there are over 3.5 million Android apps on the Google Play Store and more than 1.8 million apps on the iOS App Store. That’s a big difference in volume that ultimately impacts users who desire more niche and specific apps for work and play. For example, while both platforms will carry services like WhatsApp and Instagram, Android usually has the upper hand with companion apps for consumer products, unreleased APKs, and more. There’s also free access to sideload apps from third-party stores — that process is exclusive to European users as far as iOS is concerned.
- Price and availability: Both Android and iOS are offered across the mid-to-high price tiers, but the former goes a step further with options that cater to budget-oriented shoppers. If you’re shopping for a smartphone for less than $300, unless you’re willing to buy a second-hand iPhone that’s already a few generations old, Android handsets are your best option. Android phones also come in foldable form factors, from clamshell-style devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 to bookstyle ones like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Cons:
- Security and privacy: The abundance of Android phones and app makers means there are more opportunities for hackers and data thieves to access your personal information and/or install malware. How these attacks are prevented and managed also varies across manufacturers, with some OEMs like Google doing a better job than others like Xiaomi.
- Inconsistency with quality: Like security and privacy, you must always consider which Android maker you’re buying a phone from and what it offers across different price ranges. Larger legacy brands like Samsung have a greater reputation for quality assurance and value. In contrast, smaller, newer brands like Nothing and OnePlus must prove themselves, sometimes taking risks that backfire in the process.
iOS:
The iPhone’s operating system remains one of the most robust and closed-in on the market, with unique features that only amplify the Apple hardware experience. Whether you’re using an older or newer iPhone, iOS offers superior feature parity across generations than Android, with extended software support being one of its biggest benefits.
Pros:
- Exclusive, ecosystem-based services: Strength in numbers is the name of the game for iOS, with the operating system notorious for its exclusive apps and services, such as iMessage and FaceTime, which make switching away from the iPhone more difficult than it should be. It helps that Apple has surrounded the iPhone with hardware and software that work harmoniously with iOS, including AirDropping files into a MacBook, pulling health data from an Apple Watch, and, just recently, supporting hearing aid tests via AirPods Pro 2.
- Quality of apps: Beyond the first-party apps, U.S. developers often spend more time creating and optimizing iOS apps than Android apps due to the percentage of users. Naturally, services like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok function more fluidly on iOS than on Android.
- Longevity: When you buy a new iPhone, expect upwards of seven years of software support. While Android makers like Google and Samsung have begun to match Apple’s software update policy, the Cupertino tech giant remains the most consistent and reliable, regardless of the model. (For reference, Samsung has a better track record updating its flagship phones than its mid-range phones.)
Cons:
- Restrictive experience: Apple has loosened its grip on customizability over the years, with the latest iOS 18 update finally allowing users to freely place apps and widgets anywhere on the home screen grid. However, compared to Android, the iPhone software still has a ways to go. For example, you still can’t customize notification types at a per-app level, set navigation gestures beyond swiping from the left side to go back, or download third-party app icons.
- Poor file management: If you’ve ever downloaded an image from the web on an iPhone, you’ll know just how cumbersome it can be to locate that file later on. Sometimes, downloaded photos and videos will be directed into the file manager app first, requiring further action to fully migrate them into the Photos app.
The process of making our phone selections includes real-world testing and researching about the phones for weeks, consulting with colleagues, industry experts, and analysts who also have hands-on experience with the smartphones, and then selecting the best from all of the available choices.
Ultimately, we weigh in the following aspects when curating this list:
- Design: There’s only so much you can do with a slab design, but size differences, material choices, color options, and even the ability to bend a screen in half give shoppers enough diversity to have a preference. That’s why we have a recommendation for every form factor.
- Performance: For many, smartphones are the center of our lives, which means the best ones are performant and can handle most, if not all, tasks you throw at them.
- Camera: Arguably the most valuable feature of a smartphone; the consistency and reliability of a camera system can make or break the overall mobile experience. We test every device in broad daylight and in the darkest of nights when finalizing this list.
- Battery: Every option in this guide should last you at least a day of moderate use. We also consider what devices support fast charging and/or wireless charging.
- Value: Price points are noted, but the most important thing with buying a phone is getting your money’s worth. With these picks, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
ZDNET’s review team spends upwards of a year testing the ins and outs of every major phone release, evaluating the day-to-day performance, camera quality, battery life and endurance, and special features. Here’s a breakdown of every factor we consider before we make recommendations:
- Design and ergonomics: How good a phone looks and feels plays a big role in many users’ buying journeys, so we consider these aspects heavily when testing.
- Performance: Several factors affect a phone’s performance, including LTE/5G signal, battery life, and background tasks. Therefore, we typically begin our evaluations with a fully charged handset, with all background tasks closed, and with as stable of a mobile connection as possible.
- Camera quality: ZDNET tests phone cameras by capturing hundreds of photos and videos of various subjects and in various lighting conditions. We also compare the output to that of older models.
- Battery life and charging: It’s also important for us to evaluate how long phones last under light, moderate, and heavy usage, how long they take to recharge, and how they do it (wired, wireless, or both).
- Special features: These features distinguish tested devices from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully bring added value to users, not the opposite.
- Pricing and availability: Beyond budget considerations, we also note if a phone is available in the US or only internationally.
For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive phone testing methodology page.
Kerry Wan’s smartphone advice
I’ve used dozens of smartphones in the past year alone, learning the ins and outs — the tips and tricks — to make the most out of my handset. Here are my three biggest pointers on taking care of your smartphone in 2024:
Speeding up your smartphone
Something I always do when setting up a new Android phone is dialing up animation and transition speeds. You can do this by turning on Developer Options, a backend catalog of system settings meant for developers to access, but rules were meant to be broken, right?
To turn on Developer Options, go into your About Phone page in the settings and look for the Build Number. Tap on that seven times and you should see a pop-up indicating that Developer Options has been turned on. Now, the activated tab will appear in the main settings list. From within, scroll down until you find Windows, Transition, and Animator duration scale. Tap into each and switch from 1x (default) to .5x to double the speed of your phone’s animations.
Optimizing your battery health
To preserve your phone’s battery life, it’s best to charge it between 20% and 80% and never let it drop to 0% or charge fully to 100%. This is because the heat generated from overcharging the phone can burn (or degrade) the battery, reducing its number of charge cycles. This phenomenon is the reason why you shouldn’t charge your phone overnight or leave it plugged in for an extended period of time.
When in doubt, after a year or two of usage, consider getting your phone’s battery swapped to refresh its charge cycles. You’ll be amazed at how well it functions again.
How to keep your phone clean
Unless you’re invested in a repairs and warranty plan like Apple Care, consider suiting your phone with a protective case and/or tempered glass screen protector. Beyond drop protection, the two accessories will prevent the phone from getting scratches, scuffs, and other blemishes and can greatly reduce the chance of water damage. For what it’s worth, if a manufacturer claims its phone is rated IP68, that means the device can withstand dust ingress and be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at 1 meter deep.
Occasionally, take an alcohol pad and give your phone a wipe-down. If you think about it, your phone is just as likely to accumulate germs as your hands, so don’t forget to clean it, too.
FAQ on smartphones in 2024
Besides the ones listed above, the OnePlus 12R is another great pick for the money. At $499, the device features a large 6.7-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP main camera system, a 5,500mAh battery that beats that of higher-cost devices, and 80W wired charging. The real kicker is OnePlus’ aggressive trade-in offer, with the company discounting $100 when you turn in any phone in any condition, effectively bringing the 12R’s price down to $399.
Whether the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are the best is debatable. For long-distance shots, Samsung’s 200MP rear camera with 100x Space Zoom can capture subjects as far out as the moon. Google’s Pixel phones have always been at the top for point-and-shoot pictures and a rather simplified (but effective) camera experience. If you’re a videographer at heart, then the iPhone 16 Pro Max, with the ability to record 4K videos at 120 frames per second and a new Camera Control button, is an excellent tool to get the shots you need.
The average phone battery gives you about 22 hours of use on a full charge, which is great for staying connected on your commutes, work flights, and at home in the evenings. But that’s just the average, actual use time varies by phone model and by what you’re using your phone for.
For example, the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts a 32-hour battery life. But you’ll most certainly get less than that if you habitually scroll through social media or stream video and music.
Most smartphones have a base storage capacity of 128GB, which is plenty of space for average users to download apps and music, take photos, and shoot videos. However, if you’re a mobile or creative professional, you’ll need more space. Many smartphones have expanded storage options up to 512GB or even 1TB, and you can always sync your phone to your preferred cloud storage service to free up local storage space.
Other phones we tested
Whether you’re looking to upgrade or get your first smartphone, Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus have great choices that ZDNET’s tested and recommends.