Greatest telephones 2024 examined — December prime picks
The perfect telephones provide nice cameras, sufficient efficiency to simply multitask or play intensive video games and the form of battery life to final the entire day. And proper now, Apple’s total iPhone 16 lineup suits the invoice if you need a cellphone that excels at these three issues.
Most individuals will probably flip to the iPhone 16, because it’s probably the most reasonably priced possibility amongst Apple’s new telephones — and it picks up sufficient new options, together with Apple Intelligence capabilities, to justify that alternative. However the very possibility is the iPhone 16 Professional Max, which delivers the perfect expertise of any new iPhone and, actually, any cellphone in any respect.
However Android customers have some wonderful choices of their very own, highlighted by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely. It could have come up brief in opposition to the iPhone 16 Professional Max in our photograph comparisons, however the S24 Extremely advantages from a robust chipset and new Galaxy AI options. Talking of sensible units, do not overlook both the Pixel 9 Professional or Pixel 8a, with the latter Google cellphone delivering loads of worth for a sub-$500 worth.
I’ve labored with the remainder of the telephones staff to give you these finest cellphone picks utilizing the outcomes of Tom’s Information testing in addition to head-to-head comparisons between the handfuls of telephones which have come into our lab this 12 months. I have been reviewing telephones because the first iPhone arrived in 2007, and once you take into consideration the background of the opposite Tom’s Information cellphone staff members, we have got greater than 4 a long time of expertise evaluating telephones from each attainable angle.
In some methods, it is a difficult time to buy a finest cellphone as a number of of our picks — title the Galaxy S24 Extremely, OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R — are set to get replaced by new fashions early in 2025. We’re holding tabs on Galaxy S25 rumors in addition to info on the OnePlus 13, which has already launched in China, so you possibly can resolve if these telephones are value ready for, or if you happen to’d slightly leap on the perfect cellphone offers as the present fashions drop in worth.
If you’re in search of a brand new machine, learn on to seek out the perfect cellphone on your explicit wants.
I am the managing editor for cell at Tom’s Information, the place I have been working since 2015. In whole, I’ve coated expertise for greater than 20 years, and I used to be there when Steve Jobs confirmed off the unique iPhone again in 2007. I have been and testing telephones since that day, and if you happen to go to my Northern California residence, you possibly can marvel on the stacks of telephones I hold useful for head-to-head testing.
The perfect cellphone total
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The iPhone 16 Professional Max holds down the highest spot among the many finest telephones primarily based on the spectacular outcomes it produced when my colleagues and I obtained the possibility to check its show, processing energy and — particularly — its cameras. The brand new cellphone affords a much bigger display screen (with out rising its total dimension an excessive amount of from the iPhone 15 Professional), an upgraded ultrawide digital camera and a quicker processor. Even higher, the primary Apple Intelligence options are actually accessible, with extra to come back in subsequent iOS updates for the subsequent few months.
You will not must ditch your iPhone 15 Professional Max if you happen to upgraded a 12 months in the past, and anybody frightened about lacking out on the primary spherical of Apple Intelligence options ought to calm down. Whereas a very good first step, Apple Intelligence is extra of a nice-to-have than essential at this level. That stated, there are many compelling causes to improve to the iPhone 16 Professional Max, notably if you happen to’ve obtained an iPhone that is at the least a pair years previous.
Worth and worth: Whereas this mannequin instructions the identical $1,199 value as its predecessor, a bigger 6.9-inch display screen and larger battery means you are getting extra on your cash. That notably true in gentle of the $100 worth hike Samsung gave to the Galaxy S24 Extremely, which suggests Apple’s prime machine stays the cheaper possibility. “Inexpensive” is relative, although, because the $.1199 beginning worth is loads for some individuals to pay.
Digital camera efficiency: iPhones dwell and die by their cameras, and the telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Professional Max affords some notable enhancements to each its predominant digital camera and its ultrawide lens. These complement the 5x telephoto lens that returns from the iPhone 15 Professional Max. As a result of the iPhone 16 Professional options the identical digital camera setup for $200 much less, we rank that cellphone as the perfect digital camera cellphone total, however you will not be disillusioned with what the iPhone 16 Professional Max cameras produce. We have even put it by way of a 200 photograph face-off in opposition to the Galaxy S24 Extremely to crown an undisputed champion, and the iPhone 16 Professional Max got here out on prime on the power of its superior dynamic vary and low-light capturing capabilities.
Battery and charging: The battery on the iPhone 16 Professional Max lasts greater than 17.5 hours on our battery take a look at, the place we have now a cellphone surf the online till its battery offers out. The typical cellphone barely makes it previous 10 hours, however the iPhone 16 Professional Max was simply getting warmed up at that time. No different iPhone has ever lasted that lengthy, with the iPhone 16 Plus coming the closest with a median results of round 16.5 hours. If solely the cellphone might cost rapidly, however at the least MagSafe charging is improved to 25W velocity.
Total efficiency: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip dishes up heated competitors, however the A18 Professional chipset powering the iPhone 16 Professional Max seems to be a really quick chip, topping the Snapdragon silicon in velocity testing and duties like video encoding. (Samsung’s Galaxy S24 telephones did flip in higher scores with larger body charges in graphics testing.). We seen the additional oomph when utilizing the iPhone 16 Professional Max to carry out on a regular basis duties and swap between apps. After we used the iPhone 16 Professional Max to transcode a video, the duty took half so long as it did on the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 Professional Max wins prime marks for design, pictures and efficiency. Charging velocity and digital zoom options could possibly be additional refined, and it’s extremely costly relative to a few of the different telephones on this checklist, however you positively get loads of energy and polish on your cash.
Learn the total evaluate: iPhone 16 Professional Max
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | That is the most costly iPhone Apple sells. It can save you $200 with the iPhone 16 Professional, if you happen to do not thoughts the smaller display screen and fewer battery life. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cameras | The iPhone 16 Professional Max is without doubt one of the finest digital camera telephones we have examined, although each the Pix9 Galaxy S24 Extremely beat it on zoomed pictures. | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered telephones could have caught as much as Apple’s silicon, however the A18 Professional continues to be a prime performer, notably in terms of total velocity and each day duties. | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | You will not have to cost your cellphone up through the day. The iPhone 15 Professional Max is the second longest-lasting iPhone we have ever examined, ending forward of the iPhone 16 Plus. | ★★★★★ |
Extra on the iPhone 16 Professional Max
Greatest Samsung cellphone
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The Galaxy S24 Extremely affords the height Android expertise, with the form of enhancements you’d demand for such a premium cellphone — a greater processor, a brighter show and digital camera fine-tuning. However this 12 months’s mannequin stands out with the arrival of Galaxy AI options, which faucet into synthetic intelligence to deal with duties like translation, transcription and summaries. This can be Samsung’s first try at placing AI entrance and heart, however instruments like Circle to Search and notes auto-formatting already felt very polished after I put them to the take a look at. And extra importantly, Samsung built-in its AI enhancements into belongings you’re already utilizing your cellphone for, like photograph modifying, looking and writing messages. You do not have to study new abilities to get probably the most out of Galaxy AI.
Worth and Worth: Although its worth went up up by $100 over the earlier era, you continue to get what you pay for with the Galaxy S24 Extremely. particularly if you could find a cheaper price by way of the perfect Galaxy S24 Extremely offers. Seven years of software program and safety updates assist justify the associated fee, although it is value noting that Apple’s premium cellphone stays $100 cheaper. Samsung can be a bit of slower with updates than I would wish to see, because the One UI 7 interface incorporating Android 15 is not but despite the fact that Android 15 has been accessible since September.
Digital camera efficiency: Swapping out a 10MP telephoto lens with a 10x zoom for a 50MP shooter with a 5x zoom felt like a step again to me, despite the fact that the brand new telephoto sensor affords larger decision. (At the very least you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in 10x zooms by cropping down these 50MP pictures. And the 100x Area Zoom function is as spectacular as earlier than.) Although I am not a fan of the change, the Galaxy S24 Extremely stays a prime digital camera cellphone, with a greater deal with on colour than earlier Samsung flagships. My colleague John Velasco in contrast 200 pictures shot by the Galaxy S24 Extremely and Galaxy S23 Extremely to gauge the digital camera enhancements, and although they had been slight 12 months over 12 months, you possibly can see higher colour and extra constant high quality within the S24 Extremely pictures. Solely the iPhone’s superior low-light efficiency retains the S24 Extremely out of the highest spot for digital camera telephones for my part.
Battery and charging: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powering the Galaxy S24 Extremely may be very environment friendly, serving to the S24 Extremely final for 16 hours and 45 minutes on our battery take a look at, That is solely 50 minutes behind the iPhone 16 Professional Max’s spectacular common. Wired charging speeds stay at 45W, which is sweet however slower than the OnePlus 12 and its 80W charging speeds.
Total efficiency: Along with its energy administration options, that Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 silicon contained in the Galaxy S24 Extremely delivers stellar efficiency — sufficient to beat final 12 months’s iPhone 15 Professional fashions in some checks, notably in terms of graphics. And now that the iPhone 16 Professional fashions are out with A18 Professional silicon, Samsung’s cellphone nonetheless tops them in graphics testing, although the iPhone proved to be the quicker velocity demon total.
Not like different S24 fashions, which use completely different chipsets relying on their area, each Galaxy S24 Extremely makes use of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so that you’re assured the perfect Android efficiency regardless of the place you reside on the earth.
Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely offers the iPhone 16 lineup all it may well deal with, lasting longer than most different Android telephones, however comes up brief in opposition to the iPhone 16 Professional Max. Nonetheless, for Android customers, that is the perfect cellphone you will get, particularly with seven years of software program assist and the brand new sensible AI options that Samsung retains including. Your largest determination is whether or not to seize this cellphone now or maintain out for the Galaxy S25 Extremely set to reach in early 2025.
Learn the total evaluate: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | Samsung raised the worth on the Galaxy S24 Extremely by $100 over the S23 Extremely. That is the most costly cellphone that does not fold. | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cameras | The {hardware} that makes up the S24 Extremely’s digital camera array impresses, however Samsung augments that with some nice AI-powered options that make it easier to edit and fine-tune your pictures. | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy | Overlook a few efficiency hole with the iPhone. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 holds its personal in opposition to any cellphone, notably when it comes to graphic pefromance. | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | That is Samsung’s longest-lasting cellphone, beating the most recent many iPhone fashions on our battery take a look at. | ★★★★★ |
Extra on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely
Smartest cellphone
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AI is all the fashion this 12 months, with each Apple and Samsung including AI-powered options to their telephones. Google’s an previous hand at this, although, having switched to the AI-focused Tensor chipset with the Pixel 6. Now, we’re as much as Tensor G4 on the Google Pixel 9 Professional, and having used Apple Intelligence, Galaxy AI and Google’s AI instruments, I feel Google has probably the most succesful AI of all of them.
Google says clients needed a extra compact model of the Professional to go together with the big-screen mannequin. (In case you choose extra display screen actual property, contemplate the Pixel 9 Professional XL, which has the very same options because the common Professional, however a 6.7-inch show and larger battery, as a substitute. It is also more durable to make use of with one hand in my expertise.)
Worth and Worth: The Pixel 9 Professional prices the identical $999 that Google charged for the Pixel 8 Professional. However that older cellphone had a bigger display screen, which makes me really feel like I am being requested to pay extra for much less cellphone. Then once more, with the enhancements to battery life and show brightness — to not point out the most recent AI options — you possibly can’t actually declare that Google is shortchanging you on something aside from dimension.
Digital camera efficiency: Precise digital camera enhancements are modest — a brand new ultrawide sensor provides a Macro mode that carried out very effectively after I tried it out, although I feel the iPhone 16’s macro pictures are a bit of sharper. (They’re completely different telephones, however the iPhone 16 Professional Max vs. Pixel 9 Professional XL photograph face-off John Velasco did illustrates the prevalence of Apple’s macro photos.) As for the Pixel 9 Professional’s entrance digital camera, it will get an upgraded sensor, too, although I feel Google must dial again the digital camera’s tendency to make faces look too clean. Actually, although, the Pixel 9 Professional’s digital camera efficiency lives on the power of its photograph processing, and that continues to be robust, the cameras producing well-composed pictures that confirmed off fantastic particulars after I examined them.
Battery and charging: Battery life hasn’t been a robust go well with for current Google telephones, however the Pixel 9 Professional breaks that shedding streak. With a 4,700 mAh battery and a extra environment friendly Tensor G4 chipset, the Pixel 9 Professional lasted a median of 13 hours and half-hour in our net browsing take a look at — behind the comparably sized iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 fashions, positive, however effectively, forward of that 10-hour common for different smartphones. Different Pixels struggled to achieve even that threshold so I like what I’ve seen from the Pixel 9 Professional’s skill to get by way of the day on a cost.
Total efficiency: The Tensor G4 that powers the Pixel 9 Professional cannot hold tempo with different prime Android telephones in benchmark testing, and it trails the iPhone 16, too. However that is not the main target of Tensor. As an alternative, it powers plenty of useful AI options, together with Pixel Screenshots for simple searches of content material inside screenshots, Add Me for inserting individuals into group pictures and Name Notes for transcriptions and summaries of cellphone calls. Probably, the perfect addition is Gemini Stay, a wiser model of the Google Assistant. Pixel 9 Professional homeowners get a 12 months of Gemini Superior for supporting for advanced options.
A number of the AI instruments want some extra polish, although they’re nonetheless additional alongside than Apple Intelligence options in the intervening time. Proper now Pixel Screenshots has been probably the most helpful addition for me since I take loads of screenshots to recollect necessary particulars. Utilizing Pixel Screenshots, I will seek for these photos by their content material, and the Pixel 9 Professional is sensible sufficient to indicate related outcomes. In case you’re extra into producing photos from nothing, the Pixel Studio generative AI software helps you to create issues with nothing greater than textual content prompts.
Verdict: In case you’re keen to wager that the Pixel 9 Professional’s AI options will enhance over time, the digital camera efficiency, longer battery life and vivid show must be sufficient to present you an important machine proper now.
Learn the total evaluate: Google Pixel 9 Professional
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | On the brilliant facet, the Pixel 9 Professional prices the identical $999 because the Pixel 8 Professional. However you are paying the identical for a smaller display screen. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cameras | You may discover few {hardware} modifications exterior an improved ultrawide sensor and higher-resolution selfie cam, however the Pixel 9 Professional nonetheless takes nice pictures. And the AI options are second to none. | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy | The Tensor G4 allows a bunch of latest AI-powered options that make the Pixel 9 Professional standout. However it badly lags behind Samsung and Apple telephones when it comes to velocity. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Battery life | We have lastly obtained a collection of Pixels that outlasts the common smartphone, with the Pixel 9 Professional beating the common end result on our take a look at by 3 hours. | ★★★★☆ |
Extra on the Google Pixel 9 Professional
Greatest beneath $500
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Just like the Pixel 7a it changed, Google’s Pixel 8a is the perfect cellphone to get once you refuse to spend greater than $500. In change, you may get among the finest digital camera telephones for the worth, together with the AI options discovered on present Pixel flagships. The one purpose to move on the Pixel 8a at this level is you’d choose the extra highly effective Tensor G4 chipset and newer AI capabilities within the Pixel 9 collection. Even so, the Pixel 8a stays an important possibility for cut price hunters who do not need to pay the additional $300 you’d must spend on a Pixel 9.
Worth and worth: Along with saving you cash within the close to time period, the Pixel 8a is usually a cellphone that you just maintain on to for a very long time. Google affords seven years of software program and safety updates, matching the extent of assist the common Pixel 8 telephones get. With the Pixel 8a, Google is displaying different cellphone makers how a midrange machine must be. That stated, Samsung does undercut the Pixel 8a’s worth by $100 with its midrange mannequin, the Galaxy A35, although the Pixel 8a enjoys some benefits in terms of efficiency.
Digital camera efficiency: You may discover the identical cameras on the Pixel 8a as you probably did on 2023’s Pixel 7a, and photograph processing capabilities work the identical, too. Whereas we want there have been extra substantial enhancements, you possibly can’t knock the digital camera efficiency of the Pixel 8a, particularly in comparison with different digital camera telephones on this worth vary. As an example, in our 200-photo face-off between the Pixel 8a and Galaxy A35, Google’s cellphone actually confirmed the way it excels in photograph processing and dealing with low-light photos. Folks with the Pixel 7a will not have to improve, however you probably have an older midrange mannequin, you may positively see an uptick in photograph high quality with the Pixel 8a.
Battery and charging: Just like the Pixel 9 above, the Pixel 8a beats the common smartphone’s efficiency on our battery take a look at, although much less decisively. The Pixel 8a was in a position to surf the online for 11 hours and 21 minutes earlier than working out of fuel. To place that end in context, it is an hour and 16 minutes longer than the Pixel 7a lasted. Wired charging speeds could possibly be quicker, low-price cellphone or no, however Google consists of wi-fi charging on the Pixel 8a after including it with the Pixel 7a.
Total efficiency: As all the time, the story with Pixel telephones is the AI options supported by the Tensor core on Google’s silicon. With a Tensor G3 working the present, the Pixel 8a matches the function set discovered on Pixel 8 flagships, with Magic Editor and Greatest Take photo-editing options stealing the present. (The latter is especially spectacular, providing you with the power to edit group pictures so that everybody is placing their finest face ahead.) However do not sleep on the cellphone’s name administration options, both, as I feel they’re a few of the finest AI options on the Pixel and distinctive to Google’s telephones. Overlook about blazing speeds, although, as that is not within the Tensor chips’ locker. That stated, the Pixel 8a does handily out-perform the Galaxy A35, which makes use of older Exynos silicon.
Verdict: The Pixel 8a is a worthy addition to the A collection, with wonderful cameras for a funds cellphone. With higher battery life than earlier than and prolonged software program assist, Google’s midrange cellphone is a even higher cut price than its predecessor.
Learn the total evaluate: Google Pixel 8a
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | Google saved its midrange cellphone beneath $500, making the Pixel 8a one of many higher values you could find if you happen to do not need to pay flagship costs. | ★★★★☆ |
| Cameras | The Pixel 9 cameras carry out higher than the Pixel 8a’s, however not a lot that you just’re sacrificing an important digital camera cellphone by paying much less. That is the perfect low-cost digital camera cellphone you should purchase. | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy | The Pixel 8a makes use of final 12 months’s Tensor G3, so that you miss out on newer options (for now), however it’s nonetheless a reasonably sensible chip with distinctive AI options. | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | You may get higher than common battery life with the Pixel 8a, although it would not final so long as Google’s Tensor G4-powered telephones. | ★★★★☆ |
Extra on the Google Pixel 8a
Greatest iPhone worth
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The iPhone 16 has changed the iPhone 15 as the most recent entry-level flagship in Apple’s lineup, and affords unimaginable worth in opposition to the pricier iPhone 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max — particularly when it has loads in frequent with them. In actual fact, my colleague John Velasco argues that it is a Professional mannequin in disguise, reversing the current pattern of Apple giving all its consideration to the Professional telephones. Definitely, nobody would declare the iPhone 16 is an afterthought, given all the brand new additions.
Worth and worth: The $799 beginning worth of the iPhone 16 stays loads to pay for most individuals. However it’s cheaper than the $899 iPhone 16 Plus, to not point out these iPhone 16 Professional fashions., which begin at $999 and solely climb upward from there. Whether or not it is the Galaxy S24 or Pixel 9, you are going to pay $799 for an entry-level smartphone, so at the least Apple’s not charging you extra.
Digital camera efficiency: The 48MP predominant digital camera unlocks loads of pictures potential within the iPhone 16, however its ultrawide digital camera will get a fair higher improve with a wider f/2.2 aperture that enables it to assemble in additional gentle than earlier iPhones. That additionally allows a brand new macro mode on the iPhone 16, which produces extra putting close-ups than I’ve seen from different telephones.
The iPhone 16 continues to supply lossless 2x zoom with out the necessity of a telephoto digital camera too, which helps bridge the hole between itself and the Professional fashions. I’ve examined that function in opposition to telephones just like the Galaxy S24 which have a devoted zoom lens, and the iPhone holds its personal when evaluating 2x zooms. Zooming in additional, although, will make the variations extra obvious.
Battery and charging: Apple’s bigger iPhones have extra room for larger batteries however the iPhone 16 nonetheless lasts almost 13 hours on a single cost — that is effectively forward of the common smartphone, however not the Galaxy S24. I stay annoyed by Apple’s 20W wired charging speeds, even after the corporate switched to USB connectivity with the iPhone 15. USB was imagined to be quicker than Apple’s Lightning commonplace, so the place’s the innovation? At the very least Apple improves wi-fi MagSafe charging to 25W.
Total efficiency: The A18 chipset throughout the iPhone 16 is potent, proving simply as succesful because the A18 Professional. (Apple’s Professional chipset has a bit of extra muscle in terms of graphics, due to an additional core in its GPU.) Much more spectacular is the way it places up higher scores in GeekBench than most Android telephones working the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. This boosted chipset permits the iPhone 16 to assist AI-powered Apple Intelligence options similar to Apple’s Professional fashions, although as we have famous it’s extremely early days for Apple Intelligence.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 is a greater worth than the iPhone 15 that got here earlier than it, thanks partly to its considerably longer battery life, stronger A18 efficiency, and the way it now carries related options discovered on the 16 Professional fashions — like Digital camera Management, Motion Button, and assist for spatial pictures and movies. In case you choose a much bigger display screen and a longer-lasting battery, it might be value an additional $100 for the iPhone 16 Plus, however Apple’s commonplace iPhone stays a compelling possibility in its personal proper.
Learn the total evaluate: iPhone 16
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | Sporting the identical $799 as earlier than, the iPhone 16 is a greater worth than ever primarily due to the way it has extra in frequent with the Professional fashions than ever earlier than. | ★★★★☆ |
| Cameras | The 48MP predominant digital camera does loads, however it nonetheless cannot beat a Professional iPhone because of the lack of a devoted telephoto lens. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Energy | Apple makes use of a variant of its newest chipset, however the A18 manages to ship excellent outcomes that narrows the hole in opposition to the A18 Professional. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Battery life | As a compact cellphone, the iPhone 16 affords all-day battery. | ★★★★☆ |
Extra on the iPhone 16
Most reasonably priced AI cellphone
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Simply as iPhone customers can flip to the iPhone 16 for a less expensive method to take pleasure in Apple’s finest options, the Galaxy S24 FE affords a extra reasonably priced entry level to the world of Galaxy AI — and at a reduction when in comparison with the $799 Galaxy S24. The FE model is probably not as compact as that mannequin, however it’s only a strong constructed, providing you with a style of that flagship cellphone expertise with out the identical sticker shot.
Worth and worth: It is arduous to argue with a cellphone that delivers each a telephoto lens and Galaxy AI options for $649. On the similar time, you additionally take pleasure in the identical seven years of software program and safety updates Samsung extends to the remainder of the Galaxy S24 lineup. There are causes to pay up for these telephones — you desire a extra highly effective telephoto lens than what the FE affords, for instance — however it’s actually arduous to beat this mannequin on worth. You are getting a tool with the identical display screen dimension because the 6.7-inch Galaxy S24 Plus, however at a $350 low cost.
Digital camera efficiency: My colleague John Velasco examined the cameras within the Galaxy S24 FE, sayings its pictures rivaled these of the OnePlus 12 in some situations. He was additionally impressed by how effectively the Galaxy S24 FE digital camera performs beneath low gentle, by delivering a good quantity of brightness to the shot to higher expose the small print which can be hiding within the shadows. There are higher digital camera telephones on this checklist, however you are not sacrificing an excessive amount of when it comes to digital camera high quality with the Galaxy S24 FE.
Battery and charging: With a median time of 11 hours and 38 minutes on our battery take a look at, the Galaxy S24 FE bests the common smartphone by a bit of greater than 1.5 hours. Nonetheless, you are not getting as a lot battery life as you’ll with the Galaxy S24, which lasted almost 2 hours longer. You need to be capable of get by way of the day on that form of battery life, however you may actually have to recharge the Galaxy S24 FE by the tip of the day. The cellphone’s 25W charging velocity matches the s24 and will get the cellphone as much as 50% capability after half-hour.
Total efficiency: Not like its flagship kin and their extra highly effective Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 silicon, the Galaxy S24 FE is powered by an Exynos 2400e chip that does decently for what it’s. This silicon positively is not flagship caliber, however it does handle to ship excellent ends in numerous artificial benchmark checks we ran on it. In actual fact, Geekbench 6 scores are very near the Galaxy S24 Plus, whereas its GPU efficiency and assist for ray-tracing can deal with most of right this moment’s demanding titles.
Verdict: The Galaxy S24 FE is probably not Samsung’s most feature-packed flagship, however it affords a telephoto lens, Galaxy AI capabilities, and the identical seven years of software program assist — solely at a lot decrease value than these different S24 fashions. As a lower-cost mannequin, the Galaxy S24 FE is not actually affected by the upcoming Galaxy S25 launch, so it is a cellphone you should purchase with confidence proper now.
Learn the total evaluate: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | You get loads of cellphone on your $649, particularly once you discover most of the similar options on the Galaxy S24 Plus. | ★★★★☆ |
| Cameras | Not many sub-$650 telephones have a telephoto lens, so the Galaxy S24 FE stands out in that regard. It additionally advantages from having helpful AI-editing options. | ★★★★½ |
| Energy | It would not get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 like its S24 siblings, however the Exynos 2400e nonetheless places out a very good efficiency. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Battery life | It’ does final so long as all the opposite S24 telephones, however the S24 FE’s battery life continues to be higher than the common cellphone. | ★★★☆☆ |
Extra on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Greatest Android various
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The OnePlus 12’s time as the highest flagship from OnePlus is coming to an finish. Already, the OnePlus 13 is obtainable in China forward of its world launch in January. And whereas that new cellphone figures to convey higher efficiency, the OnePlus 12 proved to be a compelling Android possibility in its personal proper. It gives a clear Android expertise, highly effective Snapdragon silicon and cameras which have improved dramatically over time. I keep in mind when OnePlus obtained its begin a decade in the past, as a self-stylized flagship killer — now it is simply as succesful as some other Android flagship on this checklist.
Worth and worth: A $100 worth hike over the OnePlus 11 is a little bit of a bummer, however at the least a really liberal trade-in program wipes out that added value, so that you should not spend greater than $699 on the OnePlus 12. That is within the ballpark of the Galaxy S24 FE’s $649 worth.
Digital camera efficiency: The telephoto lens can now provide a 3x zoom — it was 2x on earlier OnePlus fashions — because the OnePlus 12 options the fourth era Hasselblad digital camera system. Hasselblad has been a very good companion for OnePlus, enhancing colour high quality in previous fashions. This time round, our low-light pictures shot by the OnePlus 12 seemed under-exposed; in different circumstances, we got here away with sharp, well-composed pictures.
Battery and charging: Exterior of gaming telephones and the iPhone 16 Professional Max, it is arduous to seek out longer-lasting machine than the OnePlus 12. Its 17-plus hour end result trails solely the iPhone amongst flagship units. And with 80W wired charging and the return of wi-fi charging, you may all the time be capable of hold the battery juiced.
Total efficiency: A Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset means the OnePlus 12 can go toe-to-toe with prime performers just like the Galaxy S24 Extremely and never miss a step. On graphics testing, the OnePlus 12 even tops the most recent iPhones. The OnePlus 12 has no drawback enjoying demanding video games or leaping rapidly between apps.
Verdict: The OnePlus 12 has been probably the most full OnePlus providing up to now, that includes Qualcomm’s finest chipset, a triple digital camera system designed with Hasselblad, speedy wired charging, and the return of wi-fi charging. However the truth that the OnePlus 13 might be among the many first Android telephones to function the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ought to make it a successor value ready for at this level.
Learn the total evaluate: OnePlus 12
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | The $799 beginning worth marks a worth improve, however OnePlus has a trade-in promotion that brings your value again all the way down to OnePlus 11 ranges. | ★★★★☆ |
| Cameras | OnePlus continues to enhance on its cameras, however we want the OnePlus 12 carried out higher in low-light conditions. | ★★★★½ |
| Energy | The identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in Samsung telephones powers OnePlus’ flagship, so anticipate comparable efficiency that measures up effectively in opposition to iPhone 16 fashions. | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | An extended-lasting battery could be charged up in a short time, due to OnePlus’ dedication to quick charging speeds. | ★★★★☆ |
Extra on the OnePlus 12
Greatest Android worth
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The OnePlus 12R is the primary R collection cellphone from OnePlus to ship exterior of China and India, and if this mannequin is a sign, I hope it isn’t the final. The 12R is a strong midrange machine that retains some high-end flagship options at a cheaper price. It is considered one of my favourite telephones beneath $500, and it’s extremely a lot a viable various to the Pixel 8a if you happen to’re in search of a cheaper Android machine.
Worth and worth: The OnePlus 12R packs in loads for a $499 cellphone. I solely want the software program and safety assist ran a bit of bit longer — simply three years of software program assist with an added 12 months of safety updates. That is not out of line for a midrange cellphone, however Google gives seven years of Pixel 8a assist.
In Europe, the cheaper 8GB/128GB mannequin is not accessible, considerably negating the OnePlus 12R’s enchantment as a Pixel 8a-like funds various.
Digital camera efficiency: Cameras are maybe the largest shortcoming of the OnePlus 12R, because it lacks the Hasselblad partnership that is bolstered the cameras on the principle OnePlus 12. After I examined the OnePlus 12R, the digital camera carried out effectively in supreme circumstances, however beneath difficult lighting, I discovered the OnePlus 12R tried to compensate by over-saturating colours. Speciality modes like portrait and evening pictures are additionally missing on the OnePlus 12, particularly when in comparison with what Google’s midrange digital camera telephones can do.
Battery and charging: The OnePlus 12R delivers excellent battery life, outlasting all however one cellphone that we have examined within the final 18 months. With 18 hours of battery life in our take a look at, I think about you might most likely get multiday battery from a totally charged OnePlus 12R, with regular utilization. With 80W wired charging, you possibly can prime off the battery rapidly, however there is no wi-fi charging on this mannequin like there may be on the OnePlus 12 flagship.
Total efficiency: One of many methods OnePlus retains the associated fee down on the OnePlus 12R is by utilizing an older chipset — on this case, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It is probably not the quickest Android silicon anymore, however contemplating this was the go-to chipset for 2023’s Android flagships, it isn’t that massive a step down. Definitely, I discovered the OnePlus 12R to be quicker than loads of telephones in its worth vary, and only some steps slower than far more costly flagships.
Backside line: The OnePlus 12R has excellent battery life and strong efficiency. Add a low beginning worth within the U.S. and you have an unbeatable worth for a midrange cellphone. The OnePlus 13R is ready within the wings, although, and will show to be a more sensible choice if you happen to can maintain off on a purchase order for one more month or two.
Learn the total evaluate: OnePlus 12R
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | Whereas the Pixel 8a is the higher total worth due to its AI options, it is arduous to disregard the sub-$500 beginning worth of the OnePlus 12R (at the least within the U.S.). | ★★★★★ |
| Cameras | If there’s one space the place the OnePlus 12R falls brief, it is the digital camera efficiency, even in comparison with the OnePlus 12 flagship. | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Energy | Most funds telephones flip to a lot much less succesful processors. However the OnePlus 12R makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 which powered 2023’s finest Android telephones. | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery life | Exterior of gaming telephones and some flagships, you will not discover a cellphone that lasts so long as the OnePlus 12R, notably at this worth. | ★★★★★ |
Extra on the OnePlus 12R
Greatest foldable cellphone
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Each the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel 9 Professional Fold could have come out extra just lately, however the OnePlus Open nonetheless tops them each, particularly now that it is cheaper than Samsung’s prime foldable. Not solely is the OnePlus Open effectively made, however it affords up a extra sensible multitasking expertise for customers — simply the largest argument we are able to make for selecting this cellphone over different foldables with the same design.
The OnePlus Open has all the things energy customers crave, and the arrival of a variant known as the OnePlus Open Apex Version delivers storage enhancements and AI photo-editing instruments. There’s discuss of a OnePlus Open 2 follow-up displaying up sooner or later in 2025, so modify your shopping for plans accordingly, particularly given the excessive worth that foldables demand.
Worth and worth: OnePlus has a gorgeous proposition for potential patrons. It already undercuts different pocket book styled foldables with its $1,699 beginning value, however the additional $200 trade-in credit score provide successfully makes it $1,499, which is a a lot better deal than the $1,899 value for the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Digital camera efficiency: Armed with a Hasselblad digital camera system, the OnePlus Open handles most conditions with ease, excelling largely with its predominant digital camera when lightning circumstances are supreme. Its 3x telephoto zoom digital camera is simply nearly as good because the Pixel Fold’s 5x zoom digital camera. That stated, when John Velasco examined the OnePlus Open for Tom’s Information, he discovered that the foldable’s cameras battle in excessive low gentle circumstances.
Battery and charging: Foldable telephones do not all the time final a very long time on a cost, given the super-sized screens they must hold powered. But, the OnePlus Open goes the gap lasting over 11 hours on our battery take a look at — simply beating out the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The Pixel 9 Professional Fold completed only a few minutes behind the OnePlus Open, so that is the foldable to get if you need a tool that may keep powered up by way of the day. Like different OnePlus telephones, the Open expenses rapidly, as we obtained the cellphone as much as 85% capability after half-hour.
Total efficiency: Because the OnePlus Open is greater than a 12 months previous, you are getting a cellphone with an older chip. However as I famous with the OnePlus 12R, it isn’t just like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 from 2023 is displaying its age. Simply bear in mind that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 can deal with duties quicker, and even the Tensor G4-powered Pixel 9 Professional Fold has a bit extra pep.
However even when the OnePlus Open cannot out-muscle newer foldable telephones, it nonetheless boasts the Open Canvas multitasking function that John Velasco calls the perfect implementation of multitasking that he is seen on all of the foldable telephones he is reviewed for us.
Verdict: The OnePlus Open improves upon what present pocket book styled foldables have achieved already, however it consists of all the required enhancements to make it the perfect foldable cellphone. On the similar time, it affords the longest battery life and quickest recharge speeds in a foldable, paired with a decrease value and premium design.
Learn the total evaluate: OnePlus Open
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | With different foldable telephones going up in worth, the OnePlus Open is the least costly mannequin you could find with a design that opens up like a e book. | ★★★★☆ |
| Design | The Google Pixel 9 Professional Fold is thinner, however the OnePlus Open is lighter and simpler to tote round. | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy | Whereas the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was a robust chip in its day, the OnePlus Open is beginning to fall behind rival foldables with newer silicon. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 beats it handily, and the Pixel 9 Professional Fold can hold tempo with it. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Battery life | The OnePlus Open would not final so long as smaller foldable flip telephones, however amongst foldables with this design, it is the battery life champ. | ★★★★☆ |
Extra on the OnePlus Open
Longest-lasting cellphone
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Every year a brand new ROG Telephone comes alongside and units a brand new commonplace in battery life, and whereas it would not shock us, we actually are impressed by how Asus frequently manages to make already long-lasting telephones maintain out for even longer. However one other factor catches our eye in regards to the ROG Telephone 9 Professional — it is the primary cellphone we have examined that options Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite silicon. Many extra Android units will comply with, however this provides us a glimpse of what the most recent Snapdragon can do. The outcomes of our testing are very promising certainly.
Worth and worth: The excellent news is that Asus hasn’t raised costs from the ROG Telephone 8 Professional. The unhealthy information is that $1,199 stays loads to pay for any cellphone, even a top-of-the-line gaming cellphone with a fast-refreshing, ultra-bright display screen that additionally has a top-of-the-line system-on-chip working the present. The difficulty is compounded even additional by the ROG Telephone 9 Professional’s restricted availability as now — although we have been in a position to take a look at the cellphone, Asus probably will not launch it within the U.S. till 2025.
Digital camera efficiency: Nobody buys a gaming cellphone for the digital camera, however it could make the ROG Telephone 9’s excessive worth go down a bit of simpler if the cellphone produced higher high quality pictures. When my colleague Richard Priday put the ROG Telephone up in opposition to the equally priced Galaxy S24 Extremely, the pictures from the Asus machine featured muted colours that made the pictures look flat. In consequence, the pictures lack depth and fail to catch the attention. You may get a reliable digital camera efficiency with the ROG Telephone 9 Professional, however nothing extra.
Battery and charing: This is the place the ROG Telephone 9 Professional actually begins to justify its expense. You begin with an enormous battery at 5,800 mAh and throw within the improved energy administration options of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. The top result’s a cellphone that lasted greater than 20.5 hours on hour battery take a look at — almost 2 hours higher than the ROG Telephone 8 Professional this mannequin replaces and greater than 10 hours longer than the common smartphone fares on our take a look at. In much less demanding circumstances than our battery torture take a look at, you are going to go days between charging your ROG Telephone 9 Professional.
Whenever you do cost the cellphone, you possibly can rely on 65W wired charging speeds. That obtained the drained ROG Telephone 8 Professional again to 71% of capability once we examined the charging options. Wi-fi charging is supported at 15W speeds, which is typical for a cellphone on this worth vary.
Total efficiency: The Snapdragon 8 Elite guarantees to problem any cellphone in terms of velocity, and that actually proved to be the case once we took the ROG Telephone 9 Professional out for a take a look at drive. The cellphone was extra in a position to deal with graphically-demanding video games, and it might swap between apps with ease.
Benchmarks replicate our expertise with the ROG Telephone 9 Professional, posting numbers on graphics checks that not solely bested 2024’s top-performing Android telephones but additionally the iPhone 16 Professional Max. To get probably the most out of the ROG Telephone’s chipset, we enabled the cellphone’s X Mode — a performance-boosting function that kicks in once you’re utilizing notably demanding apps. In X Mode, the ROG Telephone 9 Professional’s Geekbench multicore rating topped what the iPhone 16 Professional Max can do, making this one of many quickest telephones you may use — at the least till extra Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered Android handsets come alongside.
Verdict: The ROG Telephone 9 Professional actually deserves consideration as the perfect gaming cellphone you should purchase, and its extra reserved design means you possibly can tote round this handset with out individuals immediately deducing that it is a gaming machine. The efficiency and battery life impress, and you may recognize how vivid the 6.78-inch display screen can get. In the end, the so-so digital camera efficiency retains us from being extra smitten by this machine as something aside from a gaming cellphone.
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | The ROG Telephone 9 Professional’s worth rivals what you’d pay for an iPhone 16 Professional Max. At the very least you get some stellar specs like a vivid show and plenty of RAM in return. | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cameras | The cameras on the ROG Telephone 9 Professional are most likely its most disappointing function with boring colours that may’t match what equally priced telephones produce. | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Energy | The Snapdragon 8 Elite lives as much as its superior billing with stellar velocity and nice graphics options that avid gamers will love. The fast-refreshing show additionally provides to the sport enjoying expertise on this cellphone. | ★★★★★ |
| Battery life | It is one other document time on our battery take a look at for an Asus cellphone, with the ROG Telephone 9 Professional blowing bast the 20-hour mark on a take a look at the place most telephones surrender after 10 hours. | ★★★★★ |
Extra on the Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional
Greatest telephones: Key specs in contrast
This is a better have a look at how our greatest telephones decide evaluate in terms of show brightness and battery life take a look at outcomes.
| Telephone | Display screen dimension | Brightness take a look at outcomes (nits) | Battery life take a look at outcomes (Hrs: Minutes) |
| iPhone 16 Professional Max | 6.9 inches | 1,553 | 17:35 |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely | 6.8 inches | 1,363 | 17:01 |
| Google Pixel 9 Professional | 6.3 inches | 1,880 | 13:30 |
| Google Pixel 8a | 6.1 inches | 1,329 | 11:21 |
| iPhone 16 | 6.1 inches | 1,348 | 12:43 |
| Galaxy S24 FE | 6.7 inches | 1,516 | 11:38 |
| OnePlus 12 | 6.82 inches | 1,115 | 17:05 |
| OnePlus 12R | 6.78 inches | 1,131 | 18:08 |
| OnePlus Open | 7.2 inches (inside show); 6.3 inches (exterior) | 586 | 11:31 |
| Asus ROG Telephone 9 Professional | 6.78 inches | 1,468 | 20:34 |
FAQ: Discovering the perfect telephones
Ought to I get an Android machine or iPhone?
Android telephones offer you extra alternative when it comes to worth, dimension and modern designs. Nonetheless, iPhones provide speedier software program updates, higher video games and apps and higher safety and privateness. See our iPhone vs Android face-off for extra on the strengths and weaknesses of the 2 cell platforms.
When do new telephones come out?
It helps to have some thought as to when new telephones are their method if for no different purpose than you do not unwittingly purchase a tool that is about to be made out of date. (There’s an argument to be made for purchasing a cellphone as its successor is getting introduced when the older mannequin has dropped in worth.) Telephone makers are likely to hold launch dates near the vest, however additionally they have a behavior of releasing new fashions on the similar time of the 12 months. This is out finest guess as to what’s coming subsequent:
- Galaxy S25: Early 2025
- OnePlus 13/OnePlus 13R: January 2025 (confirmed)
- iPhone SE 4: Spring 2025
- Pixel 9a: Spring 2025
- Galaxy Z Fold 7/Galaxy Z Flip 7: Summer time 2025
- Pixel 10: Fall 2025
- iPhone 17: Fall 2025
Is it higher to purchase an unlocked cellphone?
Most buyers within the U.S. purchase new telephones by way of their wi-fi provider. However an unlocked cellphone offers you the liberty to purchase the machine with none kind of contract after which convey it to the supplier you need to use. And lately, it is fairly straightforward to convey an unlocked cellphone to any cellphone provider.
That stated, some telephones value extra once you purchase them unlocked. For instance, Apple tacks $30 on to the worth of the iPhone 16 for an unlocked mannequin. Greatest Purchase usually takes cash off the worth of a cellphone once you activate it with a particular provider at time of buy.
How massive of a cellphone ought to I get?
Followers of the perfect small telephones can have a tough time discovering units with screens smaller than 6 inches right this moment, although a number of nonetheless exist. Because of shrinking bezels, most telephones with screens round 6.1 inches are pretty compact. In case you choose an enormous cellphone, you may need one thing with a display screen that is 6.5 to six.8 inches. Something larger, and you may probably need to flip to a foldable cellphone, the place the machine opens as much as reveal a bigger show.
What ought to I contemplate when digital camera options?
Most telephones will include at the least two rear cameras — a predominant lens and an ultrawide shooter, normally. Telephoto lenses providing an optical zoom are sometimes reserved for costlier flagship telephones. Do not take note of the megapixel rely. As an alternative, have a look at digital camera face-offs between telephones to see the photograph high quality and search for particular options like Night time Mode to get higher high quality in low gentle. Additionally see our greatest digital camera cellphone roundup for extra on the units that actually excel when taking pictures.
What do I have to learn about smartphone battery life?
Usually, telephones with bigger batteries (measured in mAh) provide the longest battery life, however that is not all the time the case. That is why we run our personal battery take a look at, during which we make telephones surf the online till they run out of energy. The typical cellphone runs out of juice in 10 hours in our take a look at, whereas the perfect cellphone battery life we have examined tends to move the 14-hour mark with some telephones lasting longer than 18 hours.
What about AI options?
Synthetic intelligence is the discuss of the tech world lately, and cellphones need to capitalize on the thrill by including AI-powered options that both simplify frequent duties or make it easier to create new photos and paperwork on the go. Google’s telephones — whether or not it is the flagship Pixel 9 fashions or the funds Pixel 8a — have probably the most superior AI, however Samsung has gotten very aggressive with including Galaxy AI capabilities, whether or not it is introducing AI options in new telephones or extending these options to older flagships. Apple trails each its rivals, although it hopes the just-launched Apple Intelligence options tha run on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Professional fashions will shut the hole considerably.
How we take a look at smartphones
To ensure that a smartphone to make our greatest cellphone checklist, it must excel on a number of checks that we run on each handset. We carry out a few of these checks in our labs and a few in the true world.
Relating to efficiency, we depend on such artificial benchmarks as Geekbench 5 and 3DMark’s Wild Life Limitless to measure graphics efficiency. These checks enable us to match efficiency throughout iPhones and Android units. We additionally run a real-world video transcoding take a look at on every cellphone utilizing the Adobe Premiere Rush app and time the end result.
To measure the standard of a cellphone’s show, we carry out lab checks to find out the brightness of the panel (in nits), in addition to how colourful every display screen is (DCI-P3 colour gamut). In these instances, larger numbers are higher. We additionally measure colour accuracy of every panel with a Delta-E score, the place decrease numbers are higher and rating of 0 is ideal.
One of the crucial necessary checks we run is the Tom’s Information battery take a look at. We run an internet browsing take a look at over 5G or 4G at 150 nits of display screen brightness till the battery offers out. As famous above, a cellphone that lasts greater than 10 hour has good battery life, whereas telephones that final round 12 hours or longer are among the many longest-lasting telephones we have examined.
Final however not least, we take the perfect telephones out within the discipline to take pictures open air, indoors and at evening in low gentle to see how they carry out versus their closest opponents. We take pictures of landscapes, meals, portraits and extra, and in addition help you be the choose with side-by-side comparisons in our evaluations.
For extra info, try our how we take a look at web page for Tom’s Information.
