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. Xiaomi 14 Ultra – Best cameras

Pros
- Incredible photography
- Stunning vegan leather design
- Gorgeous curved screen
- Flawless performance
- 90W fast charging
Cons
- Expensive, with Photography Kit sold separately
- Mixed HyperOS software
Xiaomi’s flagships have taken excellent photos for a few years now, but the 14 Ultra takes things to the next level.
It’s the first smartphone that can genuinely replace a DSLR for most people, such is the quality and versatility of the system on offer. It includes four 50Mp rear lenses and a 32Mp selfie camera, all of which take superb photos in basically any environment.
And while expensive, the optional Photography Kit accessory makes the experience even closer to a real camera.
With a gorgeous design, stunning display, great performance and solid battery life supported by 90W fast charging, the 14 Ultra is one of the few phones that justifies its sky-high price tag. However, that also makes it unaffordable for many people, while the HyperOS software experience still isn’t great.
Those two factors prevent it from being higher in this list, but if photography is your top priority, this is the phone to buy.
3. Google Pixel 9 Pro XL – A great alternative

Pros
- Impressive cameras
- Superb display
- Some of the best software around
- Seven years of updates
Cons
- Expensive
- Rather generic design
- Battery life could be even better
If neither of the options above appeals you to, a Pixel 9 is probably your best bet. And if you want the absolute best experience, the newly-branded Pixel 9 Pro XL is the one to go for.
While not quite the standout phone we saw with the Pixel 8 Pro, the 9 Pro XL still delivers a compelling experience in almost all key areas.
The cameras are the highlight once again, offering vibrant, high-contrast photos while maintaining key details. That includes in low-light conditions, even if the brightening is by no means true to life. A quality ultrawide lens and 5x optical zoom from the telephoto make it an impressively versatile camera system, while selfies from the upgraded front lens are excellent.
Elsewhere, the excellent 6.8-inch display is a joy to use, while Google’s Tensor G4 chipset delivers solid performance. And the build quality is higher than ever, even if the move to a more generic design will disappoint some people.
Google continues to ace the software experience, even if the 9 Pro XL runs Android 14 out of the box and AI features are hit-and-miss. Google’s commitment to seven years of both OS and security updates is still yet to be beaten on any phone.
Battery life is decent rather than a key strength, while 37W charging feels slow. Ultimately, whether you buy the 9 Pro XL depends on whether you think the even higher price tag is worth it.
4. iPhone 15 Pro – Best iPhone

Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Superb display
- USB-C port
Cons
- Slow charging
- Missing Pro Max 5x optical zoom
Until we review the iPhone 16 Pro, its predecessor remains the iPhone for most people.
The iPhone 15 Pro has a collection of small changes that, when combined, represent a significant upgrade.
A new titanium build is durable but noticeable lighter, and there’s also a new customisable Action Button to replace the mute switch. Apple’s A17 Pro chipset is the most capable on any smartphone, and delivers truly stellar performance, while the introduction of USB-C is undoubtedly a step forward.
The 6.1in display is relatively compact by modern phone standards, but it looks excellent and benefits from the 120Hz refresh rate. Battery life is generally solid, though you’ll still have to put up with slow charging speeds.
But despite the missing 5x optical zoom on the telephoto lens, the all-round camera experience is superb. Many apps now support the genuinely useful Dynamic Island, and iOS 17 is just as slick and intuitive as ever.
For most people, the iPhone 15 Pro is the sweet spot in Apple’s 2023 smartphone range.
5. OnePlus Nord 4 – Best value phone

Pros
- Premium build
- Great display
- Strong main camera
- Solid battery life
- Six years of security updates
Cons
- Polarising design
- Disappointing ultrawide camera
- No telephoto camera
Best Prices Today:£429 at OnePlus
For a few years now, Google’s A-Series handsets have offered the best value for money in the entire smartphone. However, despite plenty of strengths, the Pixel 8a has been usurped in this regard by the OnePlus Nord 4.
That starts with superb build quality, with one piece of sturdy aluminium extending across the back and sides of the phone. At the front is a gorgeous 120Hz OLED screen, supplemented by strong performance and all-day battery life.
Provided you’re a fan of the design, the compromises here are concentrated around the cameras. There’s no telephoto lens, meaning zoom shots are disappointing, while the ultrawide OnePlus has opted for instead flatters to deceive.
However, if you primarily use the main lens anyway, you won’t be disappointed. And with six years of security updates, the Nord 4’s longevity is almost as good as the Pixel 8a’s.
6. Motorola Razr 50 Ultra/Razr+ (2024) – Best foldable phone

Pros
- Incredible outer display
- Notable camera improvements
- Unique software features
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Rivals offer longer software support
- Can get noticeably warm
- Poor internal camera
When you think of flip phones released in 2024, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 is probably the first one that comes to mind. But while it is worth considering, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (known as the Razr+ (2024) in some markets) is a better choice for most people.
The 4-inch, 165Hz outer screen is the main reason for this. Not only is it significantly larger than rivals, you can run any app you like on it without any complicated workarounds. The 6.9-inch, 165Hz internal display is just as impressive, with a crease that’s barely noticeable.
While not quite as good as the best camera phones, the Razr 50 Ultra’s rear cameras can take great shots in a range of environments. However, Motorola has gone for 2x telephoto rather than ultrawide lens, while the internal selfie camera isn’t very good.
But with slick software (despite some cover screen bugs), solid battery life and decent charging speeds, Motorola is onto a winner. The Z Flip 6 is better in some areas, including long software support, but the Razr is a better all-round pick for most people.
7. 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
The OnePlus 12 is significantly more expensive than the OnePlus 11, meaning it no longer takes the title of best value flagship.
However, it still undercuts most flagships on price, yet delivers everything most people are looking for in a smartphone.
Performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is superb, while the 120Hz AMOLED screen delivers a top-tier viewing experience. Even the main and telephoto cameras, a slight weakness of some earlier OnePlus phones, are now among the best around. However, the wide angle and selfie cameras could still be improved.
Battery life is strong, and it’s nice to see the 100W fast charging is now combined with fast 50W wireless charging.
OnePlus’ OxygenOS skin (now over Android 14) is still excellent, though the commitment to four OS updates and five years of security patches is a step down from the best of Google and Samsung (both seven).
8. iPhone 15 – Best value iPhone

Pros
- Versatile USB-C
- Useful Dynamic Island
- Great performance
- Good value for money
Cons
- Display only 60Hz
- Slow charging
Until we review the iPhone 16, its predecessor remains the best-value iPhone right now. Perhaps the obvious choice is the iPhone SE (2022), but it’s compromised to the extent that we wouldn’t recommend buying it.
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.
And then there’s the Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped cut-out used to display a variety of useful information – it was previously exclusive to Pro models.
The iPhone 15 is very similar in other areas, but that’s usually not a bad thing. The A16 Bionic chip delivers small boosts to performance and power efficiency, with the latter helping deliver solid batter life.
With slick iOS software and a premium build, it’s the best value iPhone 15 model you can buy. But if a higher refresh rate display or fast charging are important to you, you’ll be better off elsewhere.
9. CMF Phone 1 – Best budget phone

Pros
- Unique, stylish design
- Bloat-free operating system
- Solid performance
- Fun accessories
Cons
- No NFC
- Limited water and dust resistance
- Simple cameras
Price When Reviewed: ₹15,999
CMF, Nothing’s sub-brand, has previously focused on wearables and audio products.
But its first attempt at a smartphone is an undoubted success, combining a fun look with solid core features and an impressively low price tag – just £209/$199.
Its design is the clear highlight, with a back panel that can easily be swapped out and attachment for a lanyard, kickstand, or card wallet, all of which CMF sells as optional extras. However, even if you don’t care about any of that stuff, the Phone 1 has strong performance and an attractive display, both of which are must-haves on a modern smartphone.
Battery life is decent, while Nothing’s unique take on Android combines a unique look with no bloatware.

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.
They Exynos 2400-powered model we tested still offers very good performance, especially when combined with that high-quality 6.7-inch display and premium design. The cameras are good and battery life is excellent.
Other key features from the S24 Ultra do make it here, including the useful AI features, and superb seven years of software updates.
Besides slow charging and a still-premium price tag, there’s very little to dislike here.
Your buying guide for the best phones in 2024
When choosing a phone you should consider these things: build quality and design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, software and value for money.
Buying a phone outright will usually give you the best value, but we appreciate finances in the real world don’t always accommodate such big one-off purchases.