You may have already got a good suggestion of which smartphone you need to be your subsequent one. However with extra strong choices accessible now than ever earlier than, the selection is not at all times so cut-and-dry. If you need an iPhone, your decision-making course of is a bit simpler (and you have got model new ones to contemplate now, too). In case you’re an Android particular person, you might have much more choices to select from — together with foldables — and extra inquiries to reply earlier than you spend any cash. At Engadget, we overview telephones often and have examined dozens through the years. Whether or not you’ve had your eye on certainly one of our present high picks, certainly one of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 telephones or one other system, we’re right here that can assist you determine which is the perfect cellphone to purchase this 12 months.
Editor’s notice (September 2024): Apple simply introduced the most recent iPhones and we’ll replace this information as soon as we have given the brand new handsets the complete overview remedy.
Android or iOS?
Whenever you’re trying to find the perfect smartphone, it turns into clear that every OS has its professionals and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it tremendous simple to share information between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off cellphone calls or music from one system to a different. On the similar time, you’re successfully locked in, as companies like Apple Messages aren’t accessible on different platforms.
As for Android, there’s a a lot wider vary of handsets from firms like Google, Samsung, Sony and extra. Nonetheless, Android telephones don’t take pleasure in that very same size of software program help and infrequently have decrease trade-in values. In brief, there’s no mistaken reply. Nonetheless, it would be best to take into account how your cellphone will slot in with the remainder of your units. So until you’re actually fed up with one OS and prepared to be taught one other, it most likely doesn’t make quite a lot of sense to modify from an iPhone to an Android cellphone (or vice versa) – particularly if everybody else in your family is utilizing the identical platform.
Cameras
Since your cellphone usually pulls double responsibility as your major digicam, determining what sort of photograph instruments you need is vital. These days, virtually each cell phone can take an awesome image in brilliant mild. However if you would like a protracted optical zoom, you’ll most likely need to improve to a costlier system.
Mid-range phones usually solely have two rear cameras (a major wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide digicam) and may typically wrestle in low-light conditions. Every cellphone maker additionally has numerous options that may be a greater match to your fashion, with Apple providing 4 totally different colour presets on the most recent iPhones, whereas Google’s Pixel 9 Professional comes with neat instruments like devoted lengthy publicity and Motion Pan modes.
Will you get mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7?
The excellent news is that in 2024, most telephones have a minimum of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and help for some sort of 5G connectivity. Nonetheless, if you would like the quickest wi-fi speeds potential, it’s going to value you a little bit further. For instance, on sure networks, mmWave 5G provides as much as gigabit obtain speeds, much less latency and higher bandwidth. However mmWave 5G additionally requires extra refined (and pricier) modems, which implies help for it’s usually lacking on cheaper units.
On the brilliant aspect, mmWave 5G isn’t as extensively accessible as different variations of 5G, so relying on the place you reside and what community you’re on, you is probably not lacking out on a lot proper now when you purchase a cellphone that doesn’t help it. It’s an identical scenario for Wi-Fi 7, which is out there on some high-end handsets just like the Galaxy S24, however tougher to search out on cheaper units. Wi-Fi 7 additionally requires you to have a compatible router, so until you want it or have a selected use case in thoughts, the dearth of help for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when searching for a brand new cellphone.
Different options to contemplate
As a result of not everybody agrees on what makes the perfect cellphone, you must take into consideration every other specs that may be further vital for you. Cell avid gamers will virtually definitely admire the 120Hz refresh charges you get on telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or the Apple iPhone 15 Professional. Alternatively, if lengthy battery life is vital, you’ll most likely need to go along with a bigger iPhone or an Android cellphone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in measurement. In the meantime, if you end up juggling quite a lot of units, it may be very nice to have a cellphone that helps reverse wi-fi charging, which on Samsung telephones even helps you to recharge the corporate’s Galaxy Watches.
Picture by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 15 Pro Max review
Display screen measurement: 6.7-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: Twin eSim | Battery Life: About two days
The adjustments to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max could seem small when thought-about on their very own, however collectively they add as much as greater than the sum of their components. For the iPhone 15 Professional Max, particularly, the smaller, lighter titanium construct means it may be inside the realm of consideration for a lot of consumers for the primary time. It’s now not sharp and hefty like a weapon, however nonetheless has one of many longest-lasting batteries available on the market.
The bigger handset additionally will get a brand new 5x telephoto digicam that helps it catch as much as flagships on the Android aspect, which have had zoom lenses for years. Although Apple doesn’t outclass the competitors on pictures, it’s definitely closed the hole and also you’ll discover nice cameras on each the Professional and Professional Max. Additionally they have up to date portrait results and modifying instruments, so pictures is improved whether or not you’re taking pictures faraway topics or one thing simply in entrance of you.
Each iPhone 15 Pro fashions have the brand new Motion Button and USB-C charging, the latter of which can be extra significant in a few years when the world presumably ditches Lightning eventually. The Motion Button, in the meantime, takes the usually unused mute slider and offers you the choice of mapping a steadily used shortcut to it, so you may shortly launch the digicam, flashlight, voice recorder or magnifier. Having this some ways to configure the Motion Button means it’s much more helpful to extra folks than a easy toggle for silencing your cellphone.
This 12 months’s A17 Professional chip not solely brings glorious efficiency, however its six-core GPU additionally permits console-level gaming and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for practical lighting results. Later this 12 months, you may dig into titles like Resident Evil Village and, in early 2024, Murderer’s Creed Mirage on the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max. You’ll additionally get a second-generation extremely wideband chip for improved precision object location, and reverse USB charging so you may energy up your equipment in a pinch.
When you think about all these options as a complete, the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max should not only a strong improve from their predecessors, they’re additionally among the many greatest telephones round. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
- Smaller and lighter than earlier Professional Maxes
- Helpful zoom cameras
- USB-C is the way in which of the longer term
- Lengthy-lasting battery
- Reverse charging through USB-C
- Motion button is difficult to succeed in on the bigger handset
- Boring colours
Learn our full Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review
(Pixel 9 Professional) Display screen measurement: 6.3-inch | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: 24+ hours
Lastly, a smaller Pixel Professional. Google’s Pixel collection has lengthy been among the best Android telephones round, with the Professional mannequin being the superior model. Nevertheless it was at all times a little bit too massive and too cumbersome for these of us who’ve smaller palms or need our telephones to slot in our pockets. Cue the Pixel 9 Pro, which is the littler model of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. As a substitute of a comparatively giant 6.8-inch display like that on its greater sibling, the usual Professional has a 6.3-inch show that’s simple to maneuver. No extra worrying about dropping your Pixel Professional simply since you fumbled whereas making an attempt to succeed in the highest of the display!
Higher but, with the Pixel 9 Professional, Google hasn’t sacrificed any key characteristic to get to the smaller measurement, which means you may discover the identical digicam setup and efficiency in each handsets. The one actual variations are the display measurement, battery and charging speeds, because the non-XL mannequin recharges at a barely slower charge. However the Pixel 9 Professional can be a lot longer-lasting than the XL, notching virtually 25 hours on our battery check.
These distinctions apart, the Pixel 9 Professional lineup is our favourite Android cellphone due to its top-notch digicam efficiency, intriguing AI options and a basic grown-up vibe. Whereas earlier Pixel flagships had a colourful, blocky design that felt recent, this 12 months’s units really feel strong and refined. And, dare we are saying it, virtually like iPhones. With out the digicam bars, they’d be fairly laborious to inform aside from Apple’s telephones.
Probably as a result of it is grown up a lot through the years, however the Pixel telephones now value the identical as iPhones. The Pixel 9 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional each begin at $999, and although a few of us have come to think about Google’s handsets because the extra competitively priced choice, this 12 months’s mannequin may be adequate to justify a premium worth. In case you nonetheless need one thing from the Pixel 9 household however do not need to pay $1,000, the bottom Pixel 9 continues to be a strong handset for most individuals. However because it stands, the Pixel 9 Professional is the perfect Android handset cash should purchase. — C.L.
- Nice digicam options and improved telephoto digicam
- A 12 months of Gemini Superior without spending a dime
- Unbelievable battery life
- A lovely, brilliant display that’s simple to make use of outside
- Tensor G4 runs cooler than its predecessor
- Slower charging speeds than the XL
- Not the perfect cellphone for gaming
David Imel for Engadget
Learn our full iPhone 13 review
Display screen measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 512GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, Twin eSim | Battery Life: As much as 13 hours
Our earlier decide right here was the $429 iPhone SE, however spend the additional $170 on the iPhone 13 and also you get some vital upgrades. Most notable is a far much less dated design, with flat sides, Face ID and an edge-to-edge show. The 6.1-inch OLED panel is far bigger than the SE’s 4.7-inch LCD display, but the system as a complete is simply 0.33 inches taller and solely marginally thicker. That show is healthier in each method — brighter, sharper, extra vivid and extra sturdy besides.
The iPhone 13 additionally helps MagSafe, in contrast to the SE, plus it begins with twice as a lot storage at 128GB. As a substitute of the SE’s single-camera setup, the 13 has a superior dual-camera system with a devoted ultra-wide lens. Across the entrance, there’s a sharper selfie digicam that helps 4K video. Battery life is longer, too. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter, Shopping for Recommendation
- Fashionable design
- Digital camera efficiency continues to be completely strong for many
- Ditto for processor, show and battery life
- Two generations previous
- Lightning port
- 60Hz refresh charge
- No telephoto lens
Picture by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Learn our full Google Pixel 8a review
Display screen measurement: 6.1-inch | Storage capability: As much as 256GB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery Life: Shut to twenty.5 hours
Google’s A-series Pixels have lengthy been a few of the greatest midrange telephones available on the market. However now with the addition of a Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a helps the identical highly effective and versatile AI capabilities you get on Google’s flagship telephones together with glorious cameras, a beautiful 120Hz OLED show and nice battery life. The system additionally comes with creature comforts like IP67 mud and water resistance and handy (however sluggish) 7.5-watt Qi wi-fi charging. However most significantly, beginning at $499, it may be among the best offers available on the market. — S.R.
- Colourful 120Hz OLED show
- Robust battery life
- Glorious cameras
- Nice worth
- Gradual wi-fi charging
- Thick bezels
Picture by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review
Display screen measurement: 7.6-inch (predominant) 6.3-inch (folded) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours
Whereas we’d have appreciated to see some extra drastic design adjustments, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 stays one of the versatile and well-rounded examples of a giant, premium foldable cellphone. Its new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip delivers sturdy efficiency and improved power effectivity whereas its Enhanced Armor Aluminum chassis is noticeably lighter than earlier than (and a bit extra sturdy too). There’s additionally a brand new ultra-wide angle digicam sensor and a boatload of AI-powered options scattered all through the cellphone. Plus, the Z Fold 6 stays one of many few foldables with native stylus help, although you’ll have to pay further for certainly one of Samsung’s S Pens. Maybe the most important draw back is that Samsung’s newest flagship now prices $100 greater than its predecessor.
In case you do not want issues like stylus help and care extra about “normal” options like digicam high quality, take into account the brand new Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. We take into account it to be the best foldable phone total available on the market proper now, due to its refined design that is simpler to carry and use, its strong efficiency, exceptional battery life and glorious digicam chops. — S.R.
- Tremendous brilliant and colourful show
- Even lighter chassis
- Nice battery life
- Native stylus help
- Much more costly than earlier than
- Similar predominant digicam because the earlier two Z Folds
- S Pen not included
- Charging speeds could possibly be quicker
Picture by Mat Smith / Engadget
Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review
Display screen measurement: 6.7-inch (predominant) 3.4-inch (entrance) | Storage capability: As much as 1TB | SIM help: 1x nano SIM, 1x eSim | Battery life: As much as 23 hours
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 has an upgraded digicam and a bigger battery than its predecessor. These two specs alone make the most recent Galaxy flip-phone a extra tempting choice, within the face of rival flagship telephones. The leap from a 12-megapixel to 50MP digicam means you may select to seize extra element, or crop in for, successfully, a digital zoom. The entrance display has loads of house for framing your selfie pictures, and a brand new Auto-Zoom characteristic means it may even body unsupervised group pictures for you. Images is augmented by Samsung’s improved AI photograph modifying instruments, which is far simpler to make use of.
The Z Flip 6 now has a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so it’s simply as highly effective because the S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6. Unfold the principle display and also you’ll discover one which’s brighter than ever (as much as 2,600 nits). Samsung says that is its brightest foldable show but, making it simpler to make use of and skim outside.
The design hasn’t modified a lot and a concentrate on new AI software program and tips comes at the price of restricted cowl display utility, nevertheless it’s nonetheless as pocketable as ever and continues to be essentially the most mainstream foldable but. — Mat Smith, Editor, UK Bureau Chief, E-newsletter
- Higher cameras
- Longer battery life
- Enjoyable generative AI tips
- Dearer than its predecessor
- Design is nearly an identical to final 12 months
- Restricted front-screen utility
- Sluggish charging
Different smartphones we have examined
Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
For its newest super-premium cellphone, Samsung gave the S24 Ultra a extra sturdy titanium body, quicker efficiency due to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and a for much longer battery life. The corporate additionally tweaked its longest telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom so it is extra usable in a wider vary of conditions. However the greatest improve is a brand new full suite of AI instruments, which incorporates the flexibility to proofread texts, edit photos and transcribe recordings. And while you tack on the perfect show accessible on a cellphone at this time and a built-in stylus, you might have a really compelling flagship handset. Sadly, beginning at $1,300, the S24 Extremely is a bit too costly to advocate to anybody with out deep pockets.
OnePlus 12
Whereas the OnePlus 12 wasn’t capable of unseat the most recent Pixel, it’s value mentioning as a result of it provides highly effective specs for the cash. It incorporates a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, a giant and brilliant 6.8-inch, 120Hz OLED display and the perfect battery life we’ve seen on any cellphone so far. OnePlus additionally introduced again help for wi-fi charging for the primary time in a number of generations, together with (however not nice) IP65 score for mud and water resistance. And although its large digicam module appears a bit ungainly, its photographs are surprisingly sharp. However the perfect factor is that, with a beginning worth of $800, the OnePlus 12 prices $200 lower than its greatest rivals.
FAQs
How do I do know which smartphone is the perfect for me?
Whereas selecting the perfect smartphone might be difficult, it principally comes all the way down to how you propose on utilizing the system. The entire greatest telephones accessible now get the fundamentals proper — you’ll have the ability to make calls, textual content and entry the web with out many hiccups. In case your smartphone is your most used gadget, chances are you’ll need to take into account paying for a tool on the upper finish of the value spectrum. That can get you higher total efficiency, higher-quality cameras and a cellphone that can final for a few years. In case you don’t use your cellphone for the whole lot, you might be able to compromise on efficiency and further perks and spend much less on a still-capable handset.
How a lot is a smartphone?
Smartphones vary in worth from $300 to over $1,500. The very best finances telephones accessible now will often compromise on total efficiency, design, digicam prowess and further options to maintain prices down. On the flip aspect, the most costly telephones could have highly effective processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most individuals will discover a cellphone that matches their wants someplace in the course of that large worth vary — we’ve discovered that a lot of the greatest smartphones accessible proper now value between $500 and $1,000.
What are you able to do on a smartphone?
Smartphones are basically small, moveable computer systems that allow you to do issues like verify e mail, browse social media, observe map instructions, make contactless funds and extra. That is all on high of the fundamentals like making cellphone calls and texting, which we’ve come to anticipate in all trendy cell telephones. Smartphones have additionally principally changed compact cameras due to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the truth that most smartphones at this time as simply as moveable, if no more so, as compact cameras.
How lengthy do smartphones final?
Smartphones can final years and persons are holding on to their phones longer now than ever earlier than. Software program updates and battery life are two of the most important elements that may have an effect on cellphone longevity. Apple guarantees 5 years value of software program updates for its newest iPhones, and Google guarantees the identical for its Pixel telephones. Samsung telephones will get 4 years value of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your cellphone can deteriorate over time as you utilize and recharge your cellphone regularly.
Latest updates
September 2024: Up to date to incorporate an editor’s notice in regards to the newest iPhones and to say the Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold within the “greatest foldable cellphone for multitasking” part.
August 2024: Up to date to incorporate the Google Pixel 9 Professional.
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