The best phones you can buy in 2024

The smartphone audience is so vast that it’s hard to settle on just one of the best phones of 2024. Some of us want huge screens, fast processors, and tons of memory. Others want the best camera ever. Then there are the people who want the best budget phone and/or the best small phone (often the same thing) – just something simple and cheap that fits easily in a pocket.

Like many things, your decision on which smartphone to buy starts with choosing which side: Android or iOS? The Google-backed Android operating system is the most popular in the world, with a market share of more than 70% worldwide, largely because it is cheap and used by many small businesses in developing markets. but, Android market share Apple is trailing Apple in the US and Canada, and iPhones recently registered more than 50% of the total US market for the first time ever.

What phone should I buy?

If you’re not a fan of spending money, check out our top budget picks. Here’s a little secret: most of the best budget phones are practically on par with their flagship brothers. If you don’t care about getting the best photos, you can easily get a high-quality phone for under $500.

Then there’s the big question: iPhone or Android. Android still holds a 70% market share worldwide, but in the US, Apple devices account for nearly 50% of smartphones. The good news is that heterogeneity and interoperability between ecosystems is not as bad as it used to be. Apple recently allowed iPhones to send messages using RCS, so even though the green bubbles remain, you can send high-quality photos to your family and send reaction emojis to your friends.

You can choose the phone ecosystem that suits you best, unless you really want to play fortnite Natively on your phone in the US, currently, Android is the only place where you can sideload third-party app stores without too much hassle, and even that’s not easy. This means that phones are always evolving, but the important point is to be happy with your choice if you’re going to be using the phone for the next three, five, or seven years (or until the security updates run out).

The editorial team independently tests and reviews every product in our buyer’s guide. If you buy something using our affiliate links, Gizmodo may earn a commission. The affiliate link does not influence our editorial content.

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Best Android phone

Our pick: Google Pixel 9 Pro ($1,000)

Google Pixel phones have really stepped up their game in these last few iterations. The newest is easily the greatest. the Google Pixel 9 Pro It offers a form factor reminiscent of the iPhone. If you’re disappointed by the lack of slanted sides, you may want to wrap your hands around it to feel the weight.

It’s a good phone with Pixel’s usual excellent camera array. The only thing that might turn you off is the full integration of Gemini AI into every aspect of your Google device. You will not be able to use it and ignore it completely. It will become more prominent as Google expands Gemini Live. The Pro models also have exclusive camera features, and it’s still the best size for most hands.

See the best buy for the Google Pixel 9 Pro

Best apple phone

Our pick: iPhone 16 Pro ($1,000)

In many ways, iPhone 16 Pro It’s very close to the iPhone 15 Pro, and you won’t be the only one doing it. But if you want the latest and greatest from Apple, this is it. Even if you ignore all the promises made by Apple Intelligence, the new phone’s few extra features make it a better phone. The camera control button doesn’t change the way you use the phone; Cameras are better at capturing brighter details.

The iPhone 16 may be better over time. Apple promises that you’ll be able to use it like a shutter button like a DSLR, but we’ll have to wait for that to arrive. The A18 Pro chip is faster than previous iPhone CPUs. Plus, you don’t have to choose the Pro Max to get the biggest optical zoom this time.

However, unless you’re in desperate need of the extra camera sensors and faster chips, you should seriously consider the basic iPhone 16 to save money. It has the A18 chip, the camera control button, and the action button of the iPhone 15 Pro. Then, you can save several hundred dollars on a new phone.

See the iPhone 16 Pro at Best Buy

Best budget phone

Our pick: Google Pixel 8a ($500)

Google’s budget phones are still some of the most capable devices for their price. 7a was great, and Google Pixel 8a It marries a solid form factor (it still retains the old Google sloping sides and camera bar). It has access to most of the Android 15 and Gemini features you would need from the Google ecosystem. It uses the same Tensor G3 chip as the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. It’s so capable that it’s honestly hard to recommend flagship phones to most people when you essentially get better camera quality for an extra $200.

See Google Pixel 8a at Amazon

Best big phone

Our pick: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra ($1,300)

the Galaxy S24 Ultra Better than its predecessor. It has a 200-megapixel primary camera with the same 100x digital zoom as the Galaxy S23 Ultra for photographing planes, trains (from afar), and birds. Telephoto lenses are the best this generation. There’s a higher-resolution 50-megapixel sensor on the S24 Ultra with 5x optical zoom, compared to the 10-megapixel telephoto lens on the S23 Ultra with 3x optical zoom. Photos taken from a distance are much sharper than what you get with the S23 Ultra.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also more comfortable to hold thanks to its squared edges. It’s better for long-term use — especially if you’ll be using the sneaky S Pen, which you can use to write, draw, crop photos from the screen, or as a remote to take selfies. While this isn’t a phone for everyone, it’s a smartphone that offers everything you’ll ever need, which makes its $1,300 starting price more palatable at the end of the day.

Watch Galaxy S24 Ultra at Samsung

Also consider: iPhone 16 Pro Max ($1,200)

The Max is everything we loved about the Pro but with a bigger, thinner body. Although you won’t get much more than a larger body for meatier gloves with the Max, the iPhone 16 Pro is still a great phone for Apple fans.

See the iPhone 16 Pro Max at Best Buy

Best little phone

Our pick: Samsung Galaxy S23 ($800)

For Android users, give the smaller one Samsung Galaxy S23 attempt. This 6.1-inch device is just what the doctor ordered if you’re above giant screens that take up your precious pocket space. The Galaxy S23 has improved night photography over its predecessors, enough to compete directly with Google’s algorithms.

Although the screen is smaller than usual, it’s Samsung’s signature Super AMOLED with a massive 120Hz refresh rate, so using it will feel smoother than what you might experience with the Google Pixel 7 at 90Hz. The only caveat is that the Galaxy mini doesn’t support the S23 UWB, which is why you might want to get the most out of what you pay your carrier each month.

See Galaxy S23 at Samsung

Also consider: Apple iPhone 15 ($800)

If you’re still looking for a small, pocketable phone and committed to the Apple lifestyle, the 6.1-inch phone is the one for you iPhone 15 Also worth a look. Apple bundled this device with iPhone 14 ProA16 Bionic processor with a little extra oomph. It also had a dynamic island last year. Like the Pro model, it now uses USB-C.

See the iPhone 15 at Best Buy

Best foldable phone

Our pick: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold ($1,800)

For many years, Samsung has dominated foldable devices, but the competition has finally caught up. the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold It’s a huge improvement over the 2023 Pixel Fold. It’s thinner and more snappy, which equates to a premium feel OnePlus unlocked From 2023. It has powerful cameras (although not as technically capable as the flagship Pixel 9 Pro), and its software has also gotten a big boost thanks to the handy split-screen.

It’s still missing many of the app windows that Samsung has Galaxy Z Fold 6And performance isn’t quite on par with flagship chips from Qualcomm and Apple, despite its $1,800 cost. If all of that frustrates you, just remember that half the reason you use the Fold is for the hinge. The Google phone looks great, which is why it’s our pick.

See the Google Pixel 9 Pro at Best Buy

Best foldable clamshell

Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 ($1,100)

I have my issues with the Samsung foldable, mostly because it’s very restrictive in terms of the apps and widgets you can use on the external display. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Foldable build quality More than six iterations gives it the advantage. It’s fast and has solid cameras with a 50MP photo option. For those concerned about the foldable’s durability, this is the only shell of its kind rated for IPX dust resistance. It’s also a gorgeous phone, our personal favorite being the yellow back with gold trim. If you’re looking for a phone that looks good as an accessory, this could be your best bet.

See Galaxy Z Flip 6 at Samsung

Also consider: Motorola Razr 2024 ($700)

The price of the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is $1,100. Sure, you’ll find it on sale for less or get money back through a trade-in, but regardless, it’s still an expensive device considering how limited it is. Then there $700 2024 Motorola Razr. It uses a less capable CPU, and its camera doesn’t quite match the competition, but then again, it’s $700.

Because of this, you get a phone that’s very open to the apps you can use on its 4-inch external display. The screen is so large that it wraps around the camera bumps. It’s a strange and sometimes awkward phone. The vegan leather and vegan suede back are largely unnecessary. Still, it’s a bold phone that’s fun to hold in hand. Simply put, it’s the cheapest convertible you can find today.

See Motorola Razr 2024 at Amazon

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This list is updated regularly with new recommendations and product forecasts.

Want more Gizmodo picks for consumer electronics? Check out our guides to Best laptops, The best TVsand Best headphones. If you want to learn about the next big thing, check out our guide Everything we know about the iPhone 16.