Title: Top Picks for 2024: Foldable, Gaming, and Affordable Smartphones
In an informal and conversational style, let's delve into my favorite phones of 2024, spanning various categories with my honest thoughts. As a tech enthusiast, industry analyst, and long-time device reviewer, I've had the pleasure of testing out this year's best offerings, sharing my experiences and comparing them to their competitors. Although this list is primarily US-centric, I'd love to explore international phones, such as those from Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei, in future articles.
Favorite Overall Phone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Every year, I anxiously wait for a new contender to topple Samsung's throne. However, Samsung keeps delivering powerhouse devices, and 2024 was no exception. With improvements in design, chipsets, and performance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offered a well-balanced package. Although it maintained a familiar feel compared to its predecessor, S23 Ultra, there were some noteworthy changes.
One such change was Samsung's decision to scale back the optical zoom from 10x to 5x, while increasing the resolution on the sensor to compensate. While I barely noticed the switch in the 10x to 30x range, the difference became more apparent at 100x. Apple still can't compete with Samsung on zoom, but the new sensor did wonders for low-light performance. The 5G and Wi-Fi performance remained unmatched, and the biggest enhancement was improved battery life, which felt much better than the S23 Ultra.
However, I'd love to see faster wired charging than 45 watts, and I was disappointed that Samsung didn't adopt the Qi2 wireless standard. Overall, using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold demonstrated how much I missed the S24 Ultra's outstanding connectivity, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, battery life, and impressive camera.
Favorite Camera: Apple iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro's AI offering, Apple Intelligence, was the talk of the town, but in reality, it didn't significantly influence the device's value. Apple's new Circle to Search capability was a highlight among competitors' AI features, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 series. Although Apple lacked this specific feature, the iPhone 16 Pro's camera was still outstanding.
Equipped with a smaller device size and similar camera specifications to the standard model, the iPhone 16 Pro didn't compromise on quality, offering impressive performance. Apple also introduced color undertones, enabling users to shoot photos with preset color profiles that matched their preferences. Thanks to iOS's market dominance, the iPhone 16 Pro had arguably the best video capabilities in any smartphone.
Favorite Foldable (Fold): Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
I've been testing the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a few months, and I was truly impressed by its updates. The improved design, software adaptation, and impressive battery life made it a worthwhile successor to the initial Pixel Fold. Although OnePlus may boast a stronger foldable interface, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold made a strong argument as a competitive offering, even if it didn't quite displace the S24 Ultra as my go-to Android phone.
Favorite Foldable (Flip): Motorola Razr+ 2024
The Motorola Razr+ 2024 captured my attention due to its subtle design updates and improved camera and display specifications. I also appreciated its competitively priced offering, making it a popular choice for converting iPhone users to Android. Although I pointed out some room for improvement in the software—especially for the outer screen—the device still remains my top pick for the flip-foldable category.
Favorite Value Phone: OnePlus 12
With refined design and camera capabilities, the OnePlus 12 was a delightful phone that delivered impressive performance at a reasonable price point. OnePlus managed to fix Wi-Fi performance issues I had previously encountered, and the camera was finally on par with the top smartphones on the market. It may not be the least expensive smartphone you can find, but it's still an excellent value for its specs.
Favorite Gaming Phone: Redmagic 10 Pro
Redmagic 10 Pro excels at gaming, taking the lead with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, making it one of the most powerful gaming phones available. Although the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro has a similar setup, Redmagic has a significant advantage with its larger battery and faster charging capabilities.
Favorite Budget Phone: Google Pixel 8A
The Google Pixel 8A offered impressive performance for a budget-friendly phone, with a strong camera and overpowered processor that easily handles basic tasks for years to come. With its budget-friendly price point and reliable performance, the Pixel 8A is my go-to recommendation for budget-conscious smartphone users.
Favorite Earbuds: OnePlus Buds 3 Pro
I've been using the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro with various smartphones, and I must admit, I've grown quite fond of them. Offering excellent active noise cancellation, sound quality, and affordability, there's no shortage of reasons to love them, especially as they are currently being offered at an unbelievable $120 price point.
Smartphone Landscape in 2025
As we move closer to 2025, we can expect smartphones to embrace AI, 5G, and foldable technology even more. AI will become a more integral part of smartphones, offering deeper integration and improved functionality for users. 5G will unlock new possibilities for AR/VR, gaming, and more, while foldable smartphones will become increasingly viable and affordable for the mainstream market. In my upcoming articles, we'll delve into these trends and emerging smartphone features in more detail, so stay tuned!
Despite the strong performance of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, other notable smartphones like the OnePlus 12 and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold also gained recognition. In the smartphone review realm, the OnePlus 12 was praised for its balanced performance and affordable price, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold was praised for its improvements in design, software, and battery life.
Meanwhile, in the budge-friendly category, the Google Pixel 8A stood out with its impressive camera and processor, providing a solid option for budget-conscious smartphone users. In the future, we can expect more integration of AI, 5G, and foldable technology in smartphones, opening up new possibilities for AR/VR, gaming, and more.
