If you’re in the market for a new phone this fall, your options are more exciting than ever. Whether you’re team Android or iOS, ZDNET has done the research and testing to narrow down the absolute best smartphones out there today. After trying out the latest devices from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and, of course, Apple, here’s the ultimate list of phones that deliver on power, display quality, camera capabilities, and the latest AI features.
This year’s smartphones may not look drastically different at a glance, but they’re packed with on-device AI advancements, enhanced photography capabilities, and efficiency-boosting software. Read on to find out which phones rose to the top—and how the iPhone 16 Pro Max measures up.
Best Overall Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra earns the title of best phone this year, thanks to its vibrant, immersive 6.8-inch AMOLED display, powerful battery life, and a suite of innovative features. Equipped with Samsung’s cutting-edge Galaxy AI model, this device brings real-time call translations, photo editing powered by AI, transcriptions, and even Chat Assist for adapting your messages.
Like last year’s model, the S24 Ultra houses a massive 5,000mAh battery, but the build quality has stepped up with a titanium frame for added durability. The display now sports Gorilla Glass Armor for a more glare-free experience, a feature ZDNET reviewers have found noticeably enhances usability in all lighting conditions.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Display: 6.8 inches
- Storage: Up to 1TB
- Cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x zoom), 10MP telephoto (3x zoom)
- Battery: 5,000mAh
Best iPhone: iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple’s latest iPhone 16 Pro Max is a powerhouse in every sense. The nearly 7-inch screen stretches edge-to-edge, giving you an immersive viewing experience perfect for everything from streaming to mobile productivity. The new Camera Control button makes snapping photos quicker and more intuitive, and Apple’s A18 Pro chip promises faster, more efficient AI processing.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max stands out with 4K recording at 120fps, letting you create stunning slow-motion videos. Enhanced battery life now clocks in at 33 hours of video playback, a major improvement over the previous model. With Apple Intelligence, the new AI-powered suite rolling out this year, this phone is Apple’s most future-ready yet.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: A18 Pro
- Display: 6.9 inches
- Storage: Up to 1TB
- Cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (5x zoom)
- Battery: 4,500mAh
Best Camera Phone: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
For photography enthusiasts, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is a dream come true. Known for its color accuracy and vibrant, true-to-life photos, the Pixel’s 50MP main lens, 48MP ultrawide, and 5x telephoto setup capture stunning images. The 42MP selfie camera captures broader, sharper selfies that make group photos a breeze.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s post-processing capabilities set it apart, with features like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Best Take—all powered by the new Tensor G4 chip. This phone delivers a highly customizable photography experience, ideal for both casual and pro-level photography.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: Google Tensor G4
- Display: 6.7 inches
- Storage: Up to 1TB
- Cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto
- Battery: 5,060mAh
Best Foldable Phone: OnePlus Open
For those wanting a tablet-style experience, the OnePlus Open is leading the pack. When unfolded, it expands to 7.8 inches, offering a thin, light design perfect for multitasking. The “Open Canvas” feature lets users open up to three apps simultaneously, making it a productivity powerhouse.
With fast 65W charging, the OnePlus Open is also one of the quickest-charging foldables out there, fully charging in just minutes. The camera system captures rich, cinematic colors, making it a top choice for visual creatives.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display: 6.3 inches (folded), 7.8 inches (unfolded)
- Storage: 512GB
- Cameras: 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto
- Battery: 5,000mAh
Best Budget Phone: Google Pixel 8a
If you’re looking for great value, the Google Pixel 8a packs premium features at a mid-range price. For $499, it offers a 6.1-inch OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a 64MP primary camera. Powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chip, it includes AI features like Magic Editor and Audio Eraser and is backed by seven years of updates.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: Google Tensor G3
- Display: 6.1 inches
- Storage: Up to 256GB
- Cameras: 64MP main, 13MP ultrawide
- Battery: 4,492mAh
Best Flip-Style Foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 has kept the retro vibe alive with its pocketable, foldable design. Featuring a 6.7-inch AMOLED display and a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, this phone combines a premium viewing experience with a durable, lightweight build. New camera capabilities include AI-powered Auto Zoom, which can detect and frame subjects automatically for the perfect shot.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Display: 6.7 inches (main), 3.4 inches (cover)
- Storage: Up to 512GB
- Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie
- Battery: 4,000mAh
Best Fast-Charging Phone: OnePlus 12
OnePlus is back with the OnePlus 12, a flagship phone with exceptional value. Starting at $899, it has a 6.8-inch AMOLED display, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and an astounding 5,400mAh battery. Its highlight feature is 80W wired charging, bringing the phone to 50% in just 10 minutes.
With 50W wireless charging also available, the OnePlus 12 delivers the ultimate charging convenience, and its triple-camera setup offers vibrant, clear shots across a variety of lighting conditions.
Tech Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Display: 6.8 inches
- Storage: Up to 512GB
- Cameras: 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP telephoto
- Battery: 5,400mAh
Top smartphones compared
Our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It features everything you could want from a smartphone, including a large display, four cameras that can shoot 200MP photos and 8K video, up to 1TB of storage, a built-in S Pen for writing and drawing, and a 5,000mAh battery powering the system. Here's how the S24 Ultra fares with the rest of our top picks.
Best phone model | Price | Storage | Screen size | Battery size | Processor |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | $1,299 | Up to 1TB | 6.8 inches | 5,000mAh | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
iPhone 16 Pro Max | $1,199 | Up to 1TB | 6.9 inches | 4,323mAh (est.) | A18 Pro Bionic |
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | $1,099 | Up to 1TB | 6.7 inches | 5,060mAh | Google Tensor G4 |
OnePlus Open | $1,699 | 512GB | 6.3 inches and 7.8 inches | 5,000mAh | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 | $1,099 | Up to 512GB | 6.7 inches | 4,000mAh | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Google Pixel 8a | $499 | Up to 256GB | 6.1 inches | 4,492mAh | Google Tensor G3 |
OnePlus 12 | $799 | Up to 512GB | 6.8 inches | 5,400mAh | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Which is the right phone for you?
Choosing a phone can be daunting. But having a list of your must-have features can go a long way toward narrowing down your options. If you're a mobile professional or travel a lot for work, you'll want to choose a phone that can provide you with at least a full day of use on a full battery and both LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity.
If you're looking for your teen's first smartphone, a budget-friendly and less feature-heavy option may be better to prevent overspending and misuse. And if you're a content creator or other creative professional, you'll want a phone with an excellent front and rear camera to capture photos and videos for your social media feed.
Choose this best phone... | If you want... |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | A no-compromise smartphone that virtually any type of user can take advantage of. It's the only 2024 smartphone with a built-in stylus. |
iPhone 16 Pro Max | The best iPhone money can buy. It has a large screen, the longest-lasting battery out of all the models, and a toolbox of a camera system. |
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | A flagship camera experience at your fingertips. The Pixel 9 Pro XL differentiates itself with a slew of AI-powered and the best selfie camera on the market. |
OnePlus Open | The best phone-to-tablet foldable that money can buy. And if you're a power user, the multitasking and charging features especially will serve you well. |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 | A flip-style foldable that's both compact and performant. With a large 3.4-inch external display and improved battery life, this is the foldable to buy for most people. |
Google Pixel 8a | A more budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on performance and camera quality. The Pixel 8a will also receive seven years of OS updates, keeping it feature-relevant until at least 2031. |
OnePlus 12 | A phone that lasts long and charges from 0% to 100% in just 30 minutes. The OnePlus 12 is quietly good value, too, starting at $799. |
Android vs iOS: How to decide
Android:
Google's operating system has always been about personalization, app freedom, and flexible use cases. For example, dozens of Android manufacturers launch phones annually, while iOS runs only on Apple's iPhone, which releases two models yearly. Naturally, there are more Android app developers, niche software and services, and form factors that go beyond the glass slab.
Pros:
- Customization: While the latest iPhone software, iOS 18, is the most customizable version yet, Android is still ahead in modifying settings, looks and appearance, and more. You can adjust settings on a per-app basis, install third-party launchers, icon packs, and other services, and even tweak system animations to make the operating system faster.
- App variety: According to AppExperts, there are over 3.5 million Android apps on the Google Play Store and more than 1.8 million apps on the iOS App Store. That's a big difference in volume that ultimately impacts users who desire more niche and specific apps for work and play. For example, while both platforms will carry services like WhatsApp and Instagram, Android usually has the upper hand with companion apps for consumer products, unreleased APKs, and more. There's also free access to sideload apps from third-party stores -- that process is exclusive to European users as far as iOS is concerned.
- Price and availability: Both Android and iOS are offered across the mid-to-high price tiers, but the former goes a step further with options that cater to budget-oriented shoppers. If you're shopping for a smartphone for less than $300, unless you're willing to buy a second-hand iPhone that's already a few generations old, Android handsets are your best option. Android phones also come in foldable form factors, from clamshell-style devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 to bookstyle ones like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Cons:
- Security and privacy: The abundance of Android phones and app makers means there are more opportunities for hackers and data thieves to access your personal information and/or install malware. How these attacks are prevented and managed also varies across manufacturers, with some OEMs like Google doing a better job than others like Xiaomi.
- Inconsistency with quality: Like security and privacy, you must always consider which Android maker you're buying a phone from and what it offers across different price ranges. Larger legacy brands like Samsung have a greater reputation for quality assurance and value. In contrast, smaller, newer brands like Nothing and OnePlus must prove themselves, sometimes taking risks that backfire in the process.
iOS:
The iPhone's operating system remains one of the most robust and closed-in on the market, with unique features that only amplify the Apple hardware experience. Whether you're using an older or newer iPhone, iOS offers superior feature parity across generations than Android, with extended software support being one of its biggest benefits.
Pros:
- Exclusive, ecosystem-based services: Strength in numbers is the name of the game for iOS, with the operating system notorious for its exclusive apps and services, such as iMessage and FaceTime, which make switching away from the iPhone more difficult than it should be. It helps that Apple has surrounded the iPhone with hardware and software that work harmoniously with iOS, including AirDropping files into a MacBook, pulling health data from an Apple Watch, and, just recently, supporting hearing aid tests via AirPods Pro 2.
- Quality of apps: Beyond the first-party apps, U.S. developers often spend more time creating and optimizing iOS apps than Android apps due to the percentage of users. Naturally, services like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok function more fluidly on iOS than on Android.
- Longevity: When you buy a new iPhone, expect upwards of seven years of software support. While Android makers like Google and Samsung have begun to match Apple's software update policy, the Cupertino tech giant remains the most consistent and reliable, regardless of the model. (For reference, Samsung has a better track record updating its flagship phones than its mid-range phones.)
Cons:
- Restrictive experience: Apple has loosened its grip on customizability over the years, with the latest iOS 18 update finally allowing users to freely place apps and widgets anywhere on the home screen grid. However, compared to Android, the iPhone software still has a ways to go. For example, you still can't customize notification types at a per-app level, set navigation gestures beyond swiping from the left side to go back, or download third-party app icons.
- Poor file management: If you've ever downloaded an image from the web on an iPhone, you'll know just how cumbersome it can be to locate that file later on. Sometimes, downloaded photos and videos will be directed into the file manager app first, requiring further action to fully migrate them into the Photos app.
Factors to consider when choosing a phone
The process of making our phone selections includes real-world testing and researching about the phones for weeks, consulting with colleagues, industry experts, and analysts who also have hands-on experience with the smartphones, and then selecting the best from all of the available choices.
Ultimately, we weigh in the following aspects when curating this list:
- Design: There's only so much you can do with a slab design, but size differences, material choices, color options, and even the ability to bend a screen in half give shoppers enough diversity to have a preference. That's why we have a recommendation for every form factor.
- Performance: For many, smartphones are the center of our lives, which means the best ones are performant and can handle most, if not all, tasks you throw at them.
- Camera: Arguably the most valuable feature of a smartphone; the consistency and reliability of a camera system can make or break the overall mobile experience. We test every device in broad daylight and in the darkest of nights when finalizing this list.
- Battery: Every option in this guide should last you at least a day of moderate use. We also consider what devices support fast charging and/or wireless charging.
- Value: Price points are noted, but the most important thing with buying a phone is getting your money's worth. With these picks, you can rest assured that you're getting the best bang for your buck.
How we test phones
ZDNET's review team spends upwards of a year testing the ins and outs of every major phone release, evaluating the day-to-day performance, camera quality, battery life and endurance, and special features. Here's a breakdown of every factor we consider before we make recommendations:
- Design and ergonomics: How good a phone looks and feels plays a big role in many users' buying journeys, so we consider these aspects heavily when testing.
- Performance: Several factors affect a phone's performance, including LTE/5G signal, battery life, and background tasks. Therefore, we typically begin our evaluations with a fully charged handset, with all background tasks closed, and with as stable of a mobile connection as possible.
- Camera quality: ZDNET tests phone cameras by capturing hundreds of photos and videos of various subjects and in various lighting conditions. We also compare the output to that of older models.
- Battery life and charging: It's also important for us to evaluate how long phones last under light, moderate, and heavy usage, how long they take to recharge, and how they do it (wired, wireless, or both).
- Special features: These features distinguish tested devices from a bustling smartphone market and hopefully bring added value to users, not the opposite.
- Pricing and availability: Beyond budget considerations, we also note if a phone is available in the US or only internationally.
