You might already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next one. But there are more solid options available now than ever before, making the decision not as cut-and-dry as it used to be. While the decision is a bit easier if you know you want an iPhone, there’s even enough variation between those new models that you may have to think about it longer than you anticipated. If you’re an Android person, you have even more options to choose from — including foldables — and more questions to answer before you spend any money.
At Engadget, we review phones regularly and have tested dozens over the years. Whether you’ve had your eye on one of our current top picks, one of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 phones, a cheap phone or another device, we’re here to help you decide which is the best phone to buy this year.
Android or iOS?
When you’re searching for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that each OS has its pros and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it super easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you’re effectively locked in, as services like Apple Messages aren’t available on other platforms.
As for Android, there’s a much wider range of handsets from companies like Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android phones don’t enjoy that same length of software support and often have lower trade-in values. In short, there’s no wrong answer. However, you will want to consider how your phone will fit in with the rest of your devices. So unless you’re really fed up with one OS and willing to learn another, it probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa) – especially if everyone else in your household is using the same platform.
Cameras
Since your cell phone often pulls double duty as your primary camera, figuring out what kind of photo tools you want is key. Nowadays, practically every mobile phone can take a great picture in bright light. But if you want a long optical zoom, you’ll probably have to upgrade to a more expensive device.
Mid-range phones often only have two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide camera) and can sometimes struggle in low-light situations. Each phone maker also has various features that might be a better fit for your style, with Apple offering four different color presets on the latest iPhones, while Google’s Pixel 9 Pro comes with neat tools like dedicated long exposure and Action Pan modes.
Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?
The good news is that in 2024, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and support for some kind of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest wireless speeds possible, it’s going to cost you a little extra. For example, on certain networks, mmWave 5G offers up to gigabit download speeds, less latency and better bandwidth. But mmWave 5G also requires more sophisticated (and pricier) modems, which means support for it is often missing on less expensive devices.
On the bright side, mmWave 5G isn’t as widely available as other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and what network you’re on, you may not be missing out on much right now if you buy a phone that doesn’t support it. It’s a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available on some high-end handsets like the Galaxy S24, but harder to find on cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also requires you to have a compatible router, so unless you know you need it or have a specific use case in mind, the lack of support for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when looking for a new phone.
Other features to consider
Because not everyone agrees on what makes the best phone, you should think about any other specs that might be extra important for you. Mobile gamers will almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh rates you get on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if long battery life is important, you’ll probably want to go with a larger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in size. Meanwhile, if you find yourself juggling a lot of devices, it can be really nice to have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, which on Samsung phones even lets you recharge the company’s Galaxy Watches.
Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Read our full iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max review
Screen size: 6.3-inch | Storage capacity: Up to 1TB | SIM support: Dual eSim | Battery Life: About one day
Just like last year, if you want the best iPhone experience, you should get an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. Not only is there not much of a leap between the two when it comes to camera array or general performance, but these handsets will get all of the benefits of Apple Intelligence — on top of the handy customizations that comes with iOS 18.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have slightly different sizes this time around: 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. Aside from that meaning you’ll have to shell out money for a new case if you upgrade, it won’t make too much of a difference in regular use. The biggest hardware differences that you’ll absolutely notice are the Camera Control button and the Fusion Camera. The former is a new side button that has touch and pressure sensors, making it easier to not only launch the Camera app but control things like exposure when you’re actually taking photos. As we discovered in our testing for the iPhone 16 Pro review, it’ll take a bit of getting used to at first. But overall, the Camera Control button is a net positive that shutterbugs will appreciate.
The new Fusion Camera sports a faster quad-pixel sensor, among other improvements, and allows for 4K video at 120 fps in Dolby Vision and “zero shutter lag.” The latter means you’ll be able to actually capture the moment when you press the button, rather than the moment right after it. The Fusion Camera also supports new features like Photographic Styles, which are fun enhancements that are even more customizable than regular filters.
Elsewhere, the new A18 Pro chipset provides excellent performance for both the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, plus support for Apple Intelligence. Whereas in years past, there would have been a significant difference in the Pro and Pro Max camera arrays, this year that gap isn’t as noticeable. Where you will see major gains with the Pro Max is battery life — it’ll last two days (like its 15 predecessor), while the standard 16 Pro has just full-day battery life. Only you can decide if that’s worth ponying up the extra $200 for the Max, but regardless, both the Pro and Pro Max handsets offer stellar performance, excellent photography chops, enhanced customization with iOS 18 and (soon) the full host of Apple Intelligence features. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
- Fast camera with high quality video capture
- Photographic styles are effective and pretty
- Nice customizations available throughout
- Relatively short battery life
- Camera Control isn’t perfect
Read our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
(Pixel 9 Pro) Screen size: 6.3-inch | Storage capacity: Up to 1TB | SIM support: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours
Finally, a smaller Pixel Pro. Google’s Pixel series has long been one of the best Android phones around, with the Pro model being the superior version. But it was always a little too big and too cumbersome for those of us who have smaller hands or want our phones to fit in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler version of the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Instead of a relatively large 6.8-inch screen like that on its bigger sibling, the standard Pro has a 6.3-inch display that is easy to maneuver. No more worrying about dropping your Pixel Pro just because you fumbled while trying to reach the top of the screen!
Better yet, with the Pixel 9 Pro, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key feature to get to the smaller size, meaning you’ll find the same camera setup and performance in both handsets. The only real differences are the screen size, battery and charging speeds, as the non-XL model recharges at a slightly slower rate. But the Pixel 9 Pro is also much longer-lasting than the XL, notching almost 25 hours on our battery test.
Those distinctions aside, the Pixel 9 Pro lineup is our favorite Android phone because of its top-notch camera performance, intriguing AI features and a general grown-up vibe. While previous Pixel flagships had a colorful, blocky design that felt fresh, this year’s devices feel solid and refined. And, dare we say it, almost like iPhones. Without the camera bars, they would be pretty hard to tell apart from Apple’s phones.
Possibly because it’s grown up so much over the years, but the Pixel phones now cost the same as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro both start at $999, and though some of us have come to think of Google’s handsets as the more competitively priced option, this year’s model might be good enough to justify a premium price. If you still want something from the Pixel 9 family but don’t want to pay $1,000, the base Pixel 9 is still a solid handset for most people. But as it stands, the Pixel 9 Pro is the best Android handset money can buy. — Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
- Great camera features and improved telephoto camera
- A year of Gemini Advanced for free
- Incredible battery life
- A beautiful, bright screen that’s easy to use outdoors
- Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speeds than the XL
- Not the best phone for gaming
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
Read our full iPhone 15 review
Screen size: 6.1-inch | Storage capacity: Up to 512GB | SIM support: Dual eSim | Battery Life: Up to one day
Our previous pick here was the iPhone 13, but that model is no longer being sold at Apple. Now, if you’re looking to save a little (just a little) cash and still get an iPhone, your best bet is the iPhone 15. Yes, the iPhone 14 is still hanging on in the lineup, but it relies on a Lightning port for wired charging. It’s 2024, and we recommend your next phone — regardless of how much you spend — have a USB-C port.
We called the iPhone 15 the “most substantial update to the regular iPhone in years” in our iPhone 15 review. While the overall design and display were familiar, the biggest upgrades came in the camera array and the adoption of the Dynamic Island. You’ll get a 48-megapixel main shooter with a quad-pixel sensor that’s capable of taking better shots in dim lighting. You can also apply portrait mode settings after taking photos with this system, instead of having to choose it before taking a shot. We saw noticeable improvements in photos taken on the iPhone 15 when compared to those taken on the iPhone 14, particularly in low-lighting conditions, so you’re getting a better camera system overall. As for the Dynamic Island, it’s a carry-over feature from Pro-level iPhones that’s genuinely useful here.
The iPhone 15 runs on Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset, and performance is as we expected — solid, with very few instances of running warm during daily use. The smartphone has Apple’s signature “all day” battery life, and we’ve seen it last a little longer than that in our testing. While we understand that $700 isn’t exactly a “midrange” price, we believe the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE, which come in at $600 and $429, respectively, present too many compromises to be worth the cost. If you’re dead-set on getting an iPhone but want to spend as little as possible, future you will be grateful that you spent the extra money on the iPhone 15. — V.P.
- Upgraded camera
- Solid performance
- Dynamic Island is handy
- USB-C charging
- Overall design is getting stale
- No high-refresh rate display
- USB-C is limited
- Colors are underwhelming
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Read our full Google Pixel 8a review
Screen size: 6.1-inch | Storage capacity: Up to 256GB | SIM support: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: Close to 20.5 hours
Google’s A-series Pixels have long been some of the best midrange phones on the market. But now with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a supports the same powerful and versatile AI functions you get on Google’s flagship phones along with excellent cameras, a gorgeous 120Hz OLED display and great battery life. The device also comes with creature comforts like IP67 dust and water resistance and convenient (but slow) 7.5-watt Qi wireless charging. But most importantly, starting at $499, it might be one of the best deals on the market. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
- Colorful 120Hz OLED display
- Strong battery life
- Excellent cameras
- Great value
- Slow wireless charging
- Thick bezels
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review
Screen size: 7.6-inch (main) 6.3-inch (folded) | Storage capacity: Up to 1TB | SIM support: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: Up to 23 hours
While we would have liked to see some more drastic design changes, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 remains one of the most versatile and well-rounded examples of a big, premium foldable phone. Its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers strong performance and improved energy efficiency while its Enhanced Armor Aluminum chassis is noticeably lighter than before (and a bit more durable too). There’s also a new ultra-wide angle camera sensor and a boatload of AI-powered features scattered throughout the phone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 remains one of the few foldables with native stylus support, though you’ll need to pay extra for one of Samsung’s S Pens. Perhaps the biggest downside is that Samsung’s latest flagship now costs $100 more than its predecessor.
If you don’t need things like stylus support and care more about “standard” features like camera quality, consider the new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. We consider it to be the best foldable phone overall on the market right now, thanks to its refined design that’s easier to hold and use, its solid performance, remarkable battery life and excellent camera chops. — S.R.
- Super bright and colorful display
- Even lighter chassis
- Great battery life
- Native stylus support
- Even more expensive than before
- Same main camera as the previous two Z Folds
- S Pen not included
- Charging speeds could be faster
Photo by Mat Smith / Engadget
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review
Screen size: 6.7-inch (main) 3.4-inch (front) | Storage capacity: Up to 1TB | SIM support: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: Up to 23 hours
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 has an upgraded camera and a larger battery than its predecessor. Those two specs alone make the latest Galaxy flip-phone a more tempting option, in the face of rival flagship phones. The leap from a 12-megapixel to 50MP camera means you can choose to capture more detail, or crop in for, effectively, a digital zoom. The front screen has plenty of space for framing your selfie shots, and a new Auto-Zoom feature means it can even frame unsupervised group shots for you. Photography is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI photo editing tools, which is much easier to use.
The Z Flip 6 now has a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so it’s just as powerful as the S24 Ultra and Z Fold 6. Unfold the main screen and you’ll find one that’s brighter than ever (up to 2,600 nits). Samsung says this is its brightest foldable display yet, making it easier to use and read outdoors.
The design hasn’t changed much and a focus on new AI software and tricks comes at the cost of limited cover screen utility, but it’s still as pocketable as ever and is still the most mainstream foldable yet. — Mat Smith, Editor, UK Bureau Chief, Newsletter
- Better cameras
- Longer battery life
- Fun generative AI tricks
- More expensive than its predecessor
- Design is almost identical to last year
- Limited front-screen utility
- Sluggish charging
Other smartphones we’ve tested
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
For its latest super-premium phone, Samsung gave the S24 Ultra a more durable titanium frame, faster performance thanks to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a much longer battery life. The company also tweaked its longest telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom so it’s more usable in a wider range of situations. But the biggest upgrade is a new full suite of AI tools, which includes the ability to proofread texts, edit images and transcribe recordings. And when you tack on the best display available on a phone today and a built-in stylus, you have a very compelling flagship handset. Unfortunately, starting at $1,300, the S24 Ultra is a bit too expensive to recommend to anyone without deep pockets.
OnePlus 12
While the OnePlus 12 wasn’t able to unseat the latest Pixel, it’s worth mentioning because it offers powerful specs for the money. It features a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a big and bright 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED screen and the best battery life we’ve seen on any phone to date. OnePlus also brought back support for wireless charging for the first time in several generations, along with a good (but not great) IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. And even though its huge camera module looks a bit ungainly, its photos are surprisingly sharp. But the best thing is that, with a starting price of $800, the OnePlus 12 costs $200 less than its biggest competitors.
FAQs
How do I know which smartphone is the best for me?
While choosing the best smartphone can be challenging, it mostly comes down to how you plan on using the device. All of the best phones available now get the basics right — you’ll be able to make calls, text and access the internet without many hiccups. If your smartphone is your most used gadget, you may want to consider paying for a device on the higher end of the price spectrum. That will get you better overall performance, higher-quality cameras and a phone that will last for many years. If you don’t use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise on performance and extra perks and spend less on a still-capable handset.
How much is a smartphone?
Smartphones range in price from $300 to over $1,500. The best budget phones available now will usually compromise on overall performance, design, camera prowess and extra features to keep costs down. On the flip side, the most expensive phones will have powerful processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most people will find a phone that fits their needs somewhere in the middle of that wide price range — we’ve found that most of the best smartphones available right now cost between $500 and $1,000.
What can you do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are essentially small, portable computers that let you do things like check email, browse social media, follow map directions, make contactless payments and more. This is all on top of the basics like making phone calls and texting, which we’ve come to expect in all modern cell phones. Smartphones have also mostly replaced compact cameras thanks to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the fact that most smartphones today as just as portable, if not more so, as compact cameras.
How long do smartphones last?
Smartphones can last years and people are holding on to their phones longer now than ever before. Software updates and battery life are two of the biggest factors that can affect phone longevity. Apple promises five years worth of software updates for its latest iPhones, and Google promises the same for its Pixel phones. Samsung phones will get four years worth of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your phone can deteriorate over time as you use and recharge your phone on a regular basis.
Recent updates
September 2024: Updated to include the latest iPhone 16 models and a new midrange iPhone top pick.
September 2024: Updated to include an editor’s note about the latest iPhones and to mention the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in the “best foldable phone for multitasking” section.
