Top 5 BEST Smartphones of 2024

Summary of the Top-5 Smartphone Picks of 2024

1) iPhone 16 Pro Max (Daily Driver)

Key features praised

• Large display (main reason it’s used daily)
• Consistent camera system; best “overall camera package” in the reviewer’s view
• Video performance: 4K up to 120fps and best slow-motion control
• Battery life: described as amazing
• Performance: A18 Pro, “handles anything,” also console-level gaming
• Apple Intelligence roll-out (not launched at launch; arriving over time):
  • Notification summaries for group chats
  • Recording audio → generating transcripts/summaries (useful for meetings)
• Camera hardware note: has a camera control button, but the reviewer almost never uses it (similar feedback from others)

Main cons

• Camera control button feels impractical/unnecessary, especially for both portrait and landscape placement
• Apple Intelligence features were not fully available at launch; full features arrive “next year” (per subtitles)

Verdict

• “One of the best of 2024” and a top overall recommendation for camera/video + consistency

Honorable mention

• iPhone 16 Pro (smaller; similar experience but less battery and no larger display; includes 5x zoom)

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2) Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Key features praised

• All-rounder: “takes all of the boxes”
• Flat display with Gorilla Glass Armor to reduce reflections (better day-to-day viewing)
• 5x zoom camera: strong for portraits and extended zoom
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy: performance praised
• S Pen: not daily-use, but highly valued when needed
• Software updates: 7 generations of Android OS updates
• AI features used frequently:
  • Summarizing web pages daily to avoid reading long articles
  • Sketch to image for fun/meme-making (surprisingly effective)

Main cons

• Battery life: “good,” but not as good as some other phones
• Some AI features are too specific and not used much (e.g., live translate)

Comparisons / honorable mentions

• Mentions S24 and S24 Plus as cheaper options that still deliver much of the Ultra experience

Foldables note (not in top 5)

• Galaxy Z Fold6 excluded as “incremental” and less compelling than competing foldables (though Fold6 Special Edition might have helped if more widely available)

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3) Honor Magic V3 (Best Widely Available Foldable)

Key features praised

• Called the best widely available foldable overall
• Thin hardware:
  • 4.35 mm unfolded
  • 9.2 mm folded
  • 226 g
• Cover screen: 6.43-inch
• Main screen: 7.92-inch, 120Hz
• Battery & charging:
  • 5,150 mAh
  • 66W supercharging
  • 50W wireless charging
  • IPX8 rating
• Cameras (hardware specs):
  • 50MP primary
  • 40MP ultra-wide
  • 50MP ultra-slim periscope telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom
• Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Software updates: 4 years OS updates + 5 years security patches (less than Google/Samsung, but “respectable”)
• AI feature example: face-to-face translation
• Labeled as one of the reviewer’s favorite foldables of all time

Main cons

• Fewer generative AI features than competitors (more useful AI than “generative”)
• Update horizon not as long as Samsung/Google

Honorable mentions (other foldables)

• Samsung Fold6 Special Edition (could have changed the list if more available)
• Vivo X3 Pro and Huawei Mate XT (praised; Huawei noted as not accessible in Western markets; ~$5,000 mentioned)
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: praised as a hardware step up, but Pixel otherwise made the main list via other reasons

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4) Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Key features praised

• Design: the visor-style evolution is liked; described as unlikely to rock on a table
• 6.8-inch LTPO display
• Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that “works really well”
• Cameras/video:
  • Strong photo/video output with Video Boost
  • In comparison vs iPhone 16 Pro Max, Pixel found better video quality in many instances
• AI feature used a lot: “Add Me”
• Software updates: 7 years OS + security updates

Main cons

• Portrait mode is a miss (needs improvement)
• Video Boost workflow drawback: requires cloud upload, processing, and re-download after a few hours—bad for immediate posting
• Performance is “fine,” but doesn’t meet iPhone expectations (mentions Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Tensor “Tens G4”)

Verdict

• Great for users who prioritize video quality + update longevity + useful AI
• Less ideal for users who need fast portrait results or immediate social/video posting

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5) ROG Phone 9 Pro / Pro Edition (Gaming Focus)

Key features praised

• Gaming-first hardware:
  • Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Up to 24GB RAM and 1TB storage
  • AeroActive cooler for sustained cooling during long sessions
• Display: 6.78-inch, 185Hz
• Durability: IP68 water & dust resistance
• Speakers: described as loudest and best
• Battery: 5,800 mAh, “all day long”
• Unique back display: Anime Vision mini-LED, 648 dots
  • Custom animations/info (battery/time)
  • Can display retro games on the back (called a gimmick, but fun)

Main cons

• Software updates limited: only 2 major OS updates + 5 years security
• Back-display gaming likely isn’t used often (but the back screen is still the standout feature)

Verdict

• Best choice if you want the top gaming smartphone, despite weaker update guarantees

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Unique Points Mentioned Across the Picks (Consolidated)

• iPhone 16 Pro Max: best overall camera package + video slow-motion control, strong battery, Apple Intelligence help (notification summaries/transcripts); camera control button rarely used and viewed as impractical.
• Samsung S24 Ultra: great all-rounder with low-reflection display, strong 5x portraits/zoom, S Pen value, Snapdragon performance, major update promise (7 generations), AI summarization/sketch-to-image praised; battery good but not top-tier.
• Honor Magic V3: standout thinness/weight, large 120Hz inner screen + usable cover screen, strong battery/charging, flagship camera array with 3.5x optical zoom, strong performance, shorter update window than Google/Samsung; generative AI less emphasized.
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: strong video and Video Boost, Pixel beating iPhone in many video comparisons; “Add Me” AI heavily used; ultrasonic fingerprint praised; excellent 7-year updates; portrait mode needs improvement; Video Boost requires cloud processing and delays posting.
• ROG Phone 9 Pro: top gaming specs/cooling, high refresh display, excellent speakers, big battery, unique mini-LED back display; main weakness is limited OS update commitments.

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Speaker / Voice Differences

• The subtitles appear to come from one main speaker (no clearly distinct multiple reviewers).
• Other opinions are referenced as “everybody I’ve asked,” but it’s not a separate speaker.

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Overall Recommendation (Concise Verdict)

• Best overall (camera/video + polish): iPhone 16 Pro Max
• Best all-round Android with long updates: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Best mainstream foldable hardware/value (availability + specs): Honor Magic V3
• Best for video quality with useful AI (but with cloud-processing delays): Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Best gaming phone: ROG Phone 9 Pro / Pro Edition (despite shorter update guarantee)