Best Smartphones Launched in 2024: Flagships for Power Players
By Himani Jha | Updated Aug 6, 2024, 4:55 PM IST
Whether you're an Android aficionado, an iPhone devotee, or somewhere in between, we've compiled a list of top picks that have been making waves this year. From the Samsung Galaxy S24 series to the OnePlus 12, Check out the best launches we have seen so far. From lightening fast processor to Pro grade cameras; they pack everything.
Best smartphones in 2024
B07WGMXVFKB07WGMXVFKWe are in the middle of 2024 and have already seen some of the most exciting smartphone announcements of the year that have been making waves. Though AI (Artificial Intelligence) features have taken centre stage this year, smartphone manufacturers have made sure to impress tech enthusiasts with stunning designs and functionality as well. Be it the no-compromise Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the feature-packed OnePlus 12 at a comparatively lower price, these smartphones offer jaw-dropping innovations and sleek designs that are hard to resist. If you're searching for a shiny new smartphone or just love keeping up with the latest launches, you're in for a treat. We have compiled a list of the best smartphones launched in 2024.
But before you go through the launches of the year 2024, here are certain key factors that must be considered while buying a smartphone.
Important factors to consider while buying a smartphone
Design: You can only do so much with a slab design. However, size, build quality, colour options, and the ability to fold into half give shoppers enough diversity to have a preference.
Performance: For many users, smartphones are the centre of their lives, so they should be able to handle most if not all, tasks.
Camera: Arguably, a smartphone's camera is its most valuable feature, and it can make or break the overall mobile experience. When finalising this list, we considered the camera aspects, too.
Battery and charging: Every option in this guide should last at least a day of moderate usage.
Value: It's important to buy a phone that will give you value for your money. With our recommendations, you can rest assured that you're getting the best bang for your buck.
1. Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
But before you go through the launches of the year 2024, here are certain key factors that must be considered while buying a smartphone.
Important factors to consider while buying a smartphone
Design: You can only do so much with a slab design. However, size, build quality, colour options, and the ability to fold into half give shoppers enough diversity to have a preference.
Performance: For many users, smartphones are the centre of their lives, so they should be able to handle most if not all, tasks.
Camera: Arguably, a smartphone's camera is its most valuable feature, and it can make or break the overall mobile experience. When finalising this list, we considered the camera aspects, too.
Battery and charging: Every option in this guide should last at least a day of moderate usage.
Value: It's important to buy a phone that will give you value for your money. With our recommendations, you can rest assured that you're getting the best bang for your buck.
Best Smartphones launched in 2024
| Product | Processor |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 | Exynos 2400 |
| OnePlus 12 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| OnePlus 12r | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| iQoo 12 5G | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Nothing Phone 2a | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 |
1. Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Display: 6.8-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Storage: Up To 1TB
Time and again, Samsung has defined the game's rules in 2024 as well with the Galaxy Galaxy S24 Ultra. The smartphone covered all the crucial aspects, from a fast-performing chipset to pro-grade cameras and AI features. With the new Galaxy AI model embedded in the device, users will get a host of exciting functionalities, including the ability to circle an object on screen to perform an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photo editing and transcriptions, and real-time phone call translations. There is even a Chat Assist feature for figuring out how to phrase a message in different tones.
Besides that, the smartphone gets an upgrade over its predecessor in terms of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. If you are looking for an all-rounder option, this smartphone is definitely for you!
Users’ review: Customers like the features, material and display of the cellular phone. They mention that the editing features colab with AI, the pictures are more crisp and that it's a truly remarkable device.
Why should you buy this?
- The best display available in any smartphone
- Battery life remains among the best in class
- AI features deliver new value
Pros:
- Solid performance
- Versatile camera
- Reverse wireless charging
Cons:
- The phone lacks Qi2 magnetic charging
2. Best in design: Samsung Galaxy S24
Display: 6.20-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: Exynos 2400 | Storage: Up To 512GB
Are you a fan of compact smartphones and looking for an exciting options? Samsung Galaxy S24 will be your thing with its powerful internals and cameras. It offers a rare combination of performance and compact form. Keeping the tradition alive, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with a 120 Hz refresh rate 6.20-inch touchscreen display (FHD+). The display also gets a Gorilla Glass for protection. Additionally, the handset is powered by an octa-core processor and packs up to 8GB of RAM. The phone runs on Android 14 out-of-the-box. The device is packed by a 4000mAh non-removable battery which ensures to last for a day at least. The Samsung Galaxy S24 also comes with support wireless charging, as well as proprietary fast charging.
Users’ review: Customers loved the appearance, quality and features of the cellular phone. They added that the display is lovely, impressive and the AI capabilities truly shine.
Why should you buy this?
- The compact form make it easy to handle with single-hand and offer a good grip
- The phone also gets a host of exciting AI features
- The display feels smooth and offers great visuals
Pros:
- Impressive camera
- Reverse wireless charging
- Clean UI
- Though Exynos 2400 looks promising on paper, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 could have done a better job
3. Best in camera: OnePlus 12 5G
Display: 6.8-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Storage: Up To 1TB
OnePlus has had its ups and downs over the past four years, pivoting from value-driven smartphones to ultra-premium and then back to square one with last year's OnePlus 11. This year, it's doubling down on its value-driven flagships. The OnePlus 12 sports a large 6.8-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, a 5,400mAh battery, a triple camera setup with a competent 50MP main lens at the helm, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and more.
Putting the value aspect aside, the OnePlus 12 shines with its charging speed, something you'll quickly take for granted once you realize that phones don't have to be sitting by an outlet for two hours every day. The 80W wired charging on the phone can power it from 0 to 50% within 10 minutes. A full charge takes less than 30 minutes.
Users’ review: Customers like the appearance, quality and features of the cellular phone. For example, they mention the display is lovely, impressive and the AI capabilities truly shine.
What we like about this product?
- OnePlus 11 5G offers a stand-out design
- It's premium features and a robust processor that can manage even the most demanding tasks at ease
- It supports 80W wired fast charging
Pros:
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates
- 50W wireless charging
Cons:
- Though there are no major cons, but the UI could have been more polished
4. Value for money: OnePlus 12r
Display: 6.8-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Storage: Up To 1TB
If you don't want to splurge money on a smartphone but still want a reliable option then the OnePlus 12R should be on list. Launched alongside OnePlus 12 earlier this year, the smartphone is touted as flagship killer. The phone comes with a 6.78-inch touchscreen display offering a resolution of 2780x1264 pixels and 120 Hz refresh rate. Powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the phone ensures to offer impressive performance and handle almost all tasks at ease. To remind you, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was the best processor in 2023.
Coming back to OnePlus 12R, the handset runs on Android 14 and is powered by a 5500mAh battery with Super VOOC fast charging. As far as the cameras are concerned, the phone ships with a triple camera setup featuring a 50-megapixel (f/1.8) primary camera; an 8-megapixel (f/2.2, ultra wide-angle) camera, and a 2-megapixel (f/2.4, macro) camera. On the front it houses a 16-megapixel sensor with an f/2.4 aperture.
Users’ review: Customers loved the camera quality, quality, value, and charging speed of the cellular phone. They mention that it has amazing features. It is also said to offer good value for money.
Why should you buy this?
- The phone features a 1.5K LTPO ProXDR display with Dolby Vision
- The 100W SUPERVOOC Charging support ensures to juice up the phone within minutes
- The phone offer impressive performance
Pros:
- 5,500mAh battery
- Sub-par cameras
- Great battery life
Cons:
- Some users may find the screen size a little large in size
5. Best for gaming: iQoo 12
Display: 6.8-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Storage: Up To 1TB
Though the iQoo has launched the iQoo 12 last year in December but it has still been making waves for its power-packed performance and a dedicated gaming mode. The flagship phone from the Chinese OEM packs dual-SIM and runs on Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14 out-of-the-box. Sporting a 6.78-inch quad-HD LTPO AMOLED display, it offers a 144Hz refresh rate and 1,200Hz instant touch sampling rate. The display is said to support up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness and 2,160Hz PWM for low light dimming.
Powering the phone is a Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and iQoo’s Q1 chip for enhanced gaming. The comes with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. It also gets a 6,010 sq. mm vapour chamber with four cooling zones.
On the optics front, the iQoo 12 features a triple rear camera setup including a 50MP primary camera with a 1/1.3-inch OmniVision OV50H sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field-of-view, and a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and 100x hybrid zoom. For selfies and video calls a 16MP selfie camera with a wide-angle lens and f/2.5 aperture.
Users’ review: Customers loved the camera quality, quality, value, and charging speed of the cellular phone. They shared that it has amazing features and gets fully charged within 26 minutes.
Why should you buy this?
- The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform offers impeccable performance
- Large X-axis linear motor enhances the overall gaming experience.
- IP64 rating provides protection against dust/water under normal use
Pros:
- Great performance
- Value for money
- Dedicated gaming features
Cons:
- The Funtouch OS is full of bloatwares
6. Best in budget: Nothing Phone 2a
Display: 6.8-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 | Storage: Up To 1TB
Nothing Phone 2a, the company's first A series phone made the headlines with its unique teaser drop. Featuring a 6.7-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,412 pixels) AMOLED display with an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 30Hz to 120Hz and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Under the hood, the handset has an octa-core 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC paired with 12GB of RAM. For photos and videos, the Nothing Phone 2a Special Edition has a dual rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel sensor with 1/1.56-inch size and a 50-megapixel ultra wide-angle sensor. On the front, it houses a 32-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. You would also get 256GB of inbuilt storage and an IP54-rated dust and water-resistant build.
Users’ review: Customers have appreciated the ease of handling, quality, appearance, value and comfort of the cellular phone. They added that it's user friendly, practical and looks beautiful. They also praised the build quality, and software.
Why should you buy this?
- The cleanest UI in its price category
- Glyph Interface serves as a volume indicator, a timer, as well as a countdown
- Mediatek Dimensity 7200 offers decent performance for normal usage
Pros:
- Glyph light
- 32MP camera
- 5,000mAh battery
Cons:
- The back of the phone is prone to smudge and scratch
Disclaimer: Times Shopping Guide is committed to bringing you the latest products from the best brands. Our selection is based on market research and positive consumer feedback. Times Shopping Guide is also a part of an affiliate partnership. In line with this, we may receive a portion of the revenue from your purchases. Please note that the product prices are subject to change based on the retailer's deals.
