If your are shopping for a new smartphone this holiday season, you’ve got options aplenty –especially if you favor Android over iOS. That’s where ZDNET steps in. We’ve handled the research and testing, so you don’t have to. Over the past year, we’ve tested and reviewed nearly to. Over the past year, we’ve tested and reviewed nearly every major smartphone from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and Apple to create this definitive list of the best devices available today.

While the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy may not look dramatically different from previous models, the real evolution is in the software.
These systems are designed to keep us connected, boost productivity, and inspire creativity. And the highlight of 2024? On-device AI. Every major latest releases, as you’ll learn more about throughout this tier list.

What is the best smartphone right now?

After extensive testing of dozens of devices, our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, thanks to its immersive and vibrant display, reliable battery life, and wealth of special features, some of which are powered by the company’s latest generative AI model. The latest iPhone 16 Pro Max is a close second, with a thinner and larger design, a Camera Control button that’s backed by a more personalizable  Photographic Style feature,and more.

Of course, our pick for the best phone overall may not exactly be the best phone for you. But no matter which option on this list you decide to invest in, expect it to be high- performing, have display that gets bright enough to use outdoors, and field a camera system that will fulfill most, if not all, your photography needs.

                              Best phone of 2024

Samsung galaxy S24 Ultra

Best phone overall

This is the one. The best phone we’ve tested in 2024. Samsung Galaxy S24 line was among the first smartphones to go all-in on AI this year, and the S24 Ultra, the most premium of the three, is the best option money can buy. The new Galaxy AI model embedded in the device brings a host of generative capabilities, including real-time phone call translations the abilities, including to circle an object on screen to perform an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photo editing and transcriptions, and even a Chat Assist feature for figuring out how to phrase a message indifferent tones.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The difference in display protection means the S24 Ultra is more glare-free than ever, which — ZDNET reviewer Jason Hiner noted–“makes its screen more enjoyable to use than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and other flagship phones. Reddit users seem to agree with Hiner, including one who said he believes the anti-reflective glass really makes a difference.

Under the hood, the S24 Ultra includes an upgraded Snapdragong 8 Gen chipset for improved graphics and AI features, 12GB RAM (an increase from last year’s 8GB), and 2600 nits of brightness– a big improvement over last year’s 1750. As for the new camera system, the big upgrade comes in the form of a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. As Hiner discovered, the results were sharper and less noisy images and an overall camera system that can pull in more light than ever before.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra tech specs: Processor: 

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Display size: 6.8 inches

Storage options: Up to 1TB

Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x)

Front camera: 12MP

Battery: 5000 mAh

Google Pixel Pro XL

Best camera phone

When it comes to camera performance, you really can’t  go wrong with any of the flagship devices from the big three (Apple, Samsung, and Google). Depending on your preference for color temperature and feature set, you may lean towards one manufacturer over the other. But more often than not, Google’s Pixel camera system satisfies most users, and the latest Pixel 9 Pro (and Pro XL) remains a champion for instant capturing and post-processing.

Both sizes of the latest model feature a reliable triple lens setup, with a 50MP primary lens, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens for far- distance shots. They’s backed by numerous software features like Google’s Super Res Zoom (for up to 30x zoom photos) 8K video upscalling, and a new add me feature that lets you snap and merge two photos so everyone can be in the same shot. There’s also a new 42MP selfie camera that’s both sharper and captures a wider FOV than last year’s 10.8MP sensor. That should play well with group selfies and scenic shots.

Review: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Again, real-time capturing is only half the battle with mobile photography; there’s also post-processing and the flexibility of devices with editing and tweaking subjects around. In that regard, the Pixel 9 Pro, powered by a new Tensor G4 chipset, may just have the most flexible and creative photo toolbox on the market, with AI features like Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Best Take that can turn any bad photo intoa good one.

All in all, the Pixel 9 Pro has one of the most versatile camera systems on the market, with an output that’s balanced in color and generally satisfying to look at.

Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL tech specs:

Processor: Google Tensor G4

Display size: 6.3 and 6.7 inches

Storage option: 128 GB/256GB/512GB/1TB

Rear cameras: 50PM maion, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto

Front camera: 42MP

Bettery: 4,700/5,060mAh.

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Best iPhone overall

The latest iPhone 16 Pro Max offers everything a premium flagship smartphone should, including a brilliant 6.9 inch AMOLED display for all the media consumption — and mobile productivity, of course. This year’s model also looks and feels different than any prior Pro Max devices due to its thinner bezels, large screen, and addition of the Camera Control button, a physical switch that lets you quickly open the camera and snap photos without ever touching the screen.

ZDNET Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner tried the touch capacitive feature and suggested that, it’s going to be super handy for people who take a ton of photos with the iPhone. Another major feature of the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the  new A18 Pro chip, which Apple claims should yield significantly faster and more efficient AI processing. With the upcoming public release of Apple intelligence, the brand’s suite of AI tools and features that includes image generation, a more capable Siri, and notification summaries, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the most future- proof device yet.

Review: iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max also features two new camera features: the ability to record 4K at 120 frames per second, which allows you to edit and produce slow- motion video without losing much detail, and Audio Mix, which distinguishes and amplifies specific waveforms to make voices sound clearer.

An improved battery life, which Apple rates at 33 hours of video playback versus last year’s 29 hours, rounds out this year’s big upgrades. The iPhone 16 Pro Max also supports 25W wireless charging now via a compatible MagSafe adapter. Given all the upgrades, Apple continues to charge $1199 for its most premium iPhone model, with 256GB of storage at the base level.

iPhone 16 Pro Max tech specs:

Processor: A18 Pro

Display size: 6.9 inches

Storage options: Up to 1TB

Rear cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x), 12 MP telephoto (5x)

Front camera: 12MP