Hey, Ivan right here – I am one of many editors right here at GSMArena, however largely, I am the man behind the digicam. Because of this in selecting my fave telephones of the 12 months, I often put extra weight on their digicam efficiency. However I additionally care concerning the really feel within the hand and the way in which they give the impression of being – I do take all their images for the opinions in any case.
I often finish the 12 months with a Galaxy S Extremely in my pocket however 2024 noticed the primary time this is not true. What a streak it was! From the Galaxy S20 Extremely that began all of it, all the way in which to the Galaxy S24 Extremely, which I purchased, used for half of the 12 months, and offered. So let’s begin there.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
I’ve at all times advocated for the Galaxy S Extremely as among the finest cameraphones of the 12 months. Samsung hasn’t made it simple. vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo’s Professionals and Ultras are including higher and higher {hardware}. However Samsung is glad to compete solely with Apple and Google. It is a affordable technique in markets the place Chinese language flagship cameraphones aren’t on sale, however right here at GSMArena HQ, the Galaxy S24 Extremely is dreadfully outgunned on imaging {hardware}.
Nonetheless, the Galaxy S24 Extremely is a superb telephone. It has a much bigger show than most, and it is the one actual alternative if you’d like a stylus. It is crafted to the very best degree, and it is dependable to a fault. It is Samsung’s greatest telephone and its most succesful cameraphone. Certainly, it takes great photos and has a strong 3x and 5x zoom mixture that I liked.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
Honor Magic V3
Samsung’s dropping off is not a Galaxy S Extremely unique affair. The Galaxy Z Fold6 is simply as outclassed by its Chinese language rivals. The Honor Magic V3 really deserves its center identify. The telephone is unbelievably gentle, but it is made to final. It has wonderful screens in each high quality and dimension (and side).
The Magic V3 just isn’t solely the foldable I might take as my primary telephone for images, I might gladly select it no matter its kind issue. I really like a 70mm to 85mm zoom digicam on my telephone – however I am going to give the Magic V3’s 90mm f/3.0 a go. The telephone additionally breaks the preconceived notion {that a} folding telephone must have a small battery with sluggish charging. Excessive marks throughout!
Honor Magic V3
Google Pixel 9 Professional
As a result of I’ve used an enormous telephone for the previous few years, every time I grasp a compact flagship, one thing inside begins to yearn. I nearly purchased a Google Pixel 9 Professional out of the gate, however Google had provide points and the larger Professional XL was the one accessible at launch. What might have been?
The Pixel 9 Professional has a very good set of abilities, a good-size battery, and good cameras. And there is at all times been one thing particular a few Pixel telephone. In the end, although, the 48MP 113mm f/2.8 zoom digicam wasn’t engaging sufficient for me as a result of its size and lack of shut focusing.
Google Pixel 9 Professional
vivo X200 Professional mini
At an analogous dimension to the Pixel, vivo’s X200 Professional mini is a good higher telephone. It has a whopping 5,700mAh battery with ludicrous charging velocity. I might wager that the triple 50MP digicam system with Zeiss brains can be strong.
Sadly, vivo will solely launch the X200 and X200 Professional to Western markets and is conserving the X200 Professional mini China-locked. It is an actual disgrace – this mini makes its rivals look silly.
vivo X100 Extremely
That is the telephone I’ve had in my pocket from the second our evaluate was completed! As a result of I am often the primary one to arrange a telephone within the workplace, I obtained unique dibs with the vivo X100 Extremely. I used to be instantly drawn to its 85mm zoom digicam and shot a couple of take a look at samples for our ‘in for evaluate’ article. I used to be blown away by the standard of the zoom images. I nonetheless am right now. The zoom digicam on the vivo X100 Extremely belongs on a devoted digicam.
Your complete digicam system is impeccable. It is most likely the snappiest shooter I’ve examined. The Zeiss colour tuning is beautiful too. This telephone is the explanation I have not taken my two massive cameras with me on journeys this 12 months.
And the remainder of the X100 Extremely is great. To me, Origin OS is miles prettier than Funtouch and feels smoother as nicely. I’ve sacrificed a bit as a result of China-focused software program, however all the things I care about works after some devoted tinkering – my Galaxy Watch6 Basic (this took a number of tinkering), Google Pockets, and so forth.
So there you’ve gotten it. Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely – gone, vivo X100 Extremely – the disruptor.
I have been a fan of Samsung for the reason that early days (I’ve owned the Galaxy S, two Galaxy S3s, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7, Galaxy Note10+, all the way in which to the Galaxy S24 Extremely) and I believe the corporate must push a bit on innovation as a result of for the time being, it is being outclassed by its Chinese language rivals.
Let’s examine what 2025 brings! Thanks for studying and have a very good one!