Cellphone Awards: These are the Greatest Smartphones of 2024

December 5, 2024

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As 2024 attracts to a detailed, it is time to mirror on the yr’s most spectacular technological developments. From groundbreaking improvements to subtle designs, 2024 has been a exceptional yr for smartphones.

Our workforce at PhoneArena has fastidiously evaluated the highest contenders to find out the most effective of the most effective.

Be part of us as we unveil the gadgets which have captivated us with their efficiency, options, and total consumer expertise.

2024 PhoneArena Awards Classes:

{Hardware} Characteristic

Glare-free display (Galaxy S24 Extremely)

Phone Awards: These are the Best Smartphones of 2024

Our first award goes to the {hardware} characteristic that made us say, “Lastly!”

This yr’s {Hardware} Characteristic Award goes to the glare-free display on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. Created in collaboration with Corning, this new Gorilla Glass Armor display reduces display reflections dramatically. You’ll be able to discover this indoors, however it’s a game-change for outside visibility. No extra squinting in direct daylight!

This characteristic was so spectacular that we have been actually stunned no different firm adopted the identical expertise all yr. Let’s hope that it arrives to extra gadgets in 2025.

Software program Characteristic

Gemini Dwell (as seen first on Pixel 9)

The Software program Characteristic Award acknowledges probably the most revolutionary and helpful new software program tips. And the winner is… Gemini Dwell!

Like all good software program magic, it appeared out of nowhere on most up-to-date Android telephones. This AI-powered voice assistant sounds so actual we’re beginning to query the road between a pc and a human. This type of superior voice assistant was the stuff of sci-fi motion pictures, however now, it’s a actuality.

It is really a marvel of software program engineering and a teaser for the unimaginable way forward for AI tech.

Cell tech innovation

Silicon-Carbon batteries

Our Cell tech innovation award celebrates a breakthrough expertise that is pushing the boundaries of what is potential.

This yr, we acknowledge Silicon-Carbon batteries.

This new expertise permits for slimmer telephones with out compromising on battery measurement.

There have been a number of telephones with this new tech on board, however most of them sadly weren’t accessible within the US. Such gadgets have been the Oppo Discover X8 Professional, arriving in a slim package deal, but nonetheless packing a large, 5,910 mAh battery. With these larger batteries, we will lastly encroach on that dream 2-day smartphone battery life.

It is a large leap ahead for battery expertise, and we solely want mainstream gadgets like Galaxies and iPhones acquired this new tech sooner.

Shock of the yr

CMF Cellphone 1

The Shock of the 12 months Award goes to the cellphone that caught us utterly off guard.

And the winner is… the CMF Cellphone 1!

This sudden gem from Nothing’s sub-brand delivered spectacular specs at a funds worth, shaking up the market and exceeding all expectations. Sometimes telephones with a worth under $250 make some large compromises, however not the CMF Cellphone 1.

This cellphone can also be surprisingly enjoyable! You’ll be able to take it aside, you’ll be able to add modules, it even comes with its personal screw driver within the field!

Design of the yr

Pixel 9 collection

Shifting on to aesthetics, the Design of the 12 months Award acknowledges a cellphone that has improved quite a bit. And this yr’s winner is the Pixel 9 collection!

The Pixel 9 elevates Google’s flagship collection to a brand new peak. The smooth strains, the refined digital camera bar, the strong development and 2X improve in sturdiness are profound modifications. Lastly, we’ve a Pixel cellphone that appears like a real head-turner.

Positive, this new Pixel design just isn’t a lot totally different than what we’ve seen on the previous few iPhone generations, and a few may argue that it’s a spinoff of the Apple design language.

Regardless of the distinctive digital camera bar on the again, we agree with that time, however practicality wins over and contemplating the dearth of main modifications in different manufacturers design, Google’s effort stands out nonetheless.

“High quality Wine” award

Galaxy S23 Extremely

Telephones change so quick that always one supposedly cutting-edge mannequin appears outdated the subsequent yr. However another telephones, handle to outlive the take a look at of time, like positive wine.

So which 2023 cellphone aged greatest in 2024?

Our choose right here is the Galaxy S23 Extremely.

The continued software program assist and updates have saved this flagship feeling contemporary and related, and the digital camera high quality stays admirable with that unimaginable dual-zoom digital camera.

Gaming cellphone

ROG Cellphone 8 Professional

The Gaming Cellphone Award goes to the undisputed champion of efficiency, the ROG Cellphone 8 Professional! With its highly effective processor, cutting-edge cooling system, and gamer-centric options, this cellphone delivers an unparalleled cell gaming expertise.

It’s higher optimized for longer gaming session, it throttles lower than others, and the devoted gaming controls and equipment make it a novel machine available on the market. Additionally, remember that the brand new model of the cellphone is true across the nook and that brings a good sooner chipset.

Worth-for-money cellphone

Galaxy S24 FE

You do not at all times want to interrupt the financial institution for an incredible cellphone. The Worth-for-Cash Cellphone Award acknowledges the machine that gives the most effective bang on your buck.

We’ve picked Pixel telephones for this award prior to now couple of years, however Pixel’s A collection have develop into costlier, all whereas Samsung has stepped up its sport.

The Galaxy S24 FE has a flagship-grade chip and a triple digital camera at an inexpensive, $600 worth, making it a extra highly effective cellphone and a greater deal than the Pixel 8a for most individuals. It additionally has a much bigger, extra immersive show and longer battery life. All of that makes it a unbelievable alternative for budget-conscious customers.

Compact cellphone

iPhone 16 Professional

For individuals who favor a cellphone that matches comfortably of their hand, the Compact Cellphone Award goes to the iPhone 16 Professional!

This was a tricky one because the Pixel 9 Professional is one other very sturdy competitor, and each telephones come at an analogous, not-too-big 6.3-inch measurement.

The iPhone, nonetheless, is simply extra refined and it has the sooner chipset. The dimensions continues to be nice for one-handed use with out sacrificing efficiency or model.

Sadly, there are just a few compact telephones available on the market aside from these two, and we hope for extra choices on this measurement subsequent yr.

Flip cellphone

Motorola Razr Plus (2024)

The foldable cellphone revolution may be slower than many anticipated, however enhancements on this house continued in 2024.

The Flip Cellphone of the 12 months Award goes to the fashionable and revolutionary Razr Plus 2024.

Motorola has refined its clamshell foldable with a bigger cowl display, highly effective efficiency, and a beautiful design that turns heads.

This was one other powerful battle with the very succesful Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 being a more in-depth runner-up on this class. Nonetheless, the Galaxy simply doesn’t make use of the duvet display as effectively, and the Razr has a sleeker design and some bonus options like sooner charging, so it emerges because the winner this yr.

Fold cellphone

Pixel 9 Professional Fold

And for the most effective larger foldable cellphone, the Fold Cellphone of the 12 months Award goes to the… Pixel 9 Professional Fold!

Google’s second foldable cellphone is a large step up from the primary technology. The design is totally reworked, the cellphone now feels premium in a approach it did not earlier than, the software program is clear and clean, and the machine is way slimmer than rival Galaxy Z Fold 6.

An vital factor that Google acquired proper is the broader outer display of the Pixel. Most individuals use that outer display more often than not, even on foldable telephones, and the Pixel has the extra purposeful outer show measurement than the rival Galaxy.

One other folding cellphone price mentioning right here is the loopy slim Honor Magic V3. This cellphone set a brand new normal for foldable cellphone design! At 9.2 mm it’s shockingly skinny and unimaginable to differentiate from an everyday, non-folding cellphone. Sadly, this cellphone just isn’t accessible within the US.

Greatest cellphone total

iPhone 16 Professional Max

And now, the second you have all been ready for! The Greatest Total Cellphone of the 12 months Award goes to… the iPhone 16 Professional Max!

Let’s get one factor out of the way in which first: the iPhone 16 Professional Max is not revolutionary. That a lot is clearl. Nonetheless, it builds on an extremely strong basis.

It provides slight however welcome enhancements in battery life, it will get the trade’s quickest processor, a barely bigger show, and a cool new Digital camera Management button.

None of those is a game-changer by itself, however they add up. The iPhone stays the world’s hottest cellphone additionally due to iOS and the entire Apple ecosystem that really elevates it to the subsequent degree.

After all, it is a heated battle for the highest spot, and the closest competitor right here is clearly the Galaxy S24 Extremely. Samsung’s flagship has its attraction with Android, One UI, the S Pen, and the spectacular dual-zoom digital camera. Those that favor all of that may argue that it’s the higher cellphone, and people could be sound arguments. What ideas the scales for us, nonetheless, is the width of the Apple ecosystem and that additional degree of polish of iOS.

Bust of the yr

Sony Xperia 1 VI

It would not be an awards present with out acknowledging some disappointments. The Bust of the 12 months Award goes to… Sony and its Xperia 1 VI.

By switching to a brand new wider kind issue, Sony made a tacit admission that it was incorrect about its design selections prior to now few years, releasing telephones with a weirdly slender design.

It additionally labored on enhancing its area of interest digital camera apps that have been ill-received by common customers and proved too advanced.

However all of these have been small steps and worst of all, Sony didn’t even launch the Xperia 1 VI in the USA. We do not need to see Sony disappear from the smartphone market, however we need to see larger modifications. A Sony cellphone with extra take care of the typical consumer and one that doesn’t value an arm and a leg could be superb. Let’s hope that the corporate nonetheless has steam left and will not utterly disappear from the cell house sooner or later.