These are the most worth buying smartphones in 2024.
AI-powered smartphones are here, but that doesn't mean they're really popular. The hottest tech trend of the year is spreading to mobile technology, but the results so far have been mixed.
Smartphone models launched this year still target many different user criteria and are gradually integrating futuristic technologies. Here are the most worth-buying smartphone models in 2024, as evaluated by The Verge:
The best iPhone for most people
Last year, you might have been advised to buy the iPhone 13 instead of the iPhone 14, as the minor updates to the standard iPhone 14 weren't worth it while the iPhone 13 was cheaper. This year is different. The iPhone 15 brings a number of important upgrades, starting with the new Dynamic Island. That's the free-floating pill-shaped notch at the top of the screen that expands to show important status and other information. It could still do more, but it's a useful addition and something app developers will consider when designing future updates.
There’s also a new port: Lightning is out and USB-C is here. It might be a bit of a pain at first, as you’ll have to replace the old Lightning cable and accessories you used with your previous iPhone, but in the long run, it’ll be a positive change. You’ll be able to use the same cable you use to charge your laptop, iPad, and more, which is super convenient when you’re packing for a trip.
There are some useful camera upgrades too, starting with the 48-megapixel main camera sensor. With more pixels than the previous 12-megapixel chip, it can use the middle part of the sensor to provide a 2x crop without losing detail. That’s especially handy on the standard iPhone 15, which doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto lens.
And this generation of iPhones offers a handy new feature for Portrait Mode fans—the ability to add a portrait effect after you've taken the shot. When the phone detects a face in a photo, it automatically saves the depth information needed to create a soft-focus background effect while you're editing the photo.
Best Android Phones
Where else can you find a phone with four rear cameras and a built-in stylus? The S24 Ultra is still a phone that has it all.
Of course, AI features are built into the device, but that's just the beginning, and they're also available on the S23 series. With the S24 Ultra, the 10x optical zoom lens has been replaced with a 5x zoom lens with more megapixels and cropping the image in the sensor to reach 10x.
That said, the S24 Ultra is still unbeatable if you’re looking for the best Android phone, regardless of price and size. The 6.8-inch display now has an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections and keeps the screen comfortable to use outdoors. The phone handles heavy tasks without any problems, and the camera system is great, especially with 3x portrait mode photos. And there’s the S Pen!
Best high-end iPhone
The iPhone 15 Pro has done something rare in the premium segment: it actually gets a little smaller year-over-year. The device is only a millimeter smaller in width and height, but that makes it a little more comfortable to hold. The new titanium construction also makes a significant difference: the 15 Pro is 19 grams lighter than the 14 Pro. That’s a welcome change, since the 14 Pro was very heavy.
The new Action button on the side of the phone replaces the mute switch, and it’s incredibly useful if you’re patient enough to program a bunch of shortcuts for it. Otherwise, you can assign it to one of a few pre-programmed functions like jumping straight into the camera app in video mode or turning on the flashlight. The action button is also easier to reach on the 15 Pro than the larger Pro Max.
The regular 15 Pro doesn’t have the longer 5x lens on the Pro Max; instead, you get the familiar 3x zoom lens. That’s something to consider if you’re a photographer who likes to shoot longer telephoto shots. But you do get access to two new digital “lenses”: a 28mm and 35mm equivalent. You can access them by tapping the 1x icon in the camera app, and they’re not the result of a simple resolution increase or crop, so the quality will be a little better than if you just cropped the photo after you took it.
The 15 Pro comes with Apple’s latest mobile chipset, the A17 Pro, which can even play high-end games on dedicated systems. It will also support all of the Apple Intelligence features built into iOS 18, although it’s hard to say exactly how valuable they will be. The phone also inherits the always-on display introduced in last year’s Pro models. Just place the phone charging in landscape orientation and you’ll have a handy bedside clock.
Best Unique Design Phones
Nothing Phone 2 isn't for everyone, but for those who are, it's a great alternative to the Galaxy or Google Pixels. It's a stylish device, from its dot matrix-inspired UI to the flashing light strips on its back. Its unique hardware and software features help you create your own personality.
The Phone 2 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is a slightly older but still very powerful processor. The 6.7-inch 1080p display supports a fast 120Hz maximum refresh rate and a 1Hz minimum refresh rate, allowing for an always-on display that shows a variety of information. The camera system is good, although not as consistent as the Pixel 7. There's wireless charging, 45W fast charging, and the battery lasts all day.
One downside is that the Nothing Phone 2 is only rated IP54, meaning it’s not fully dustproof, and it’s only splashproof, not fully submersible. Most other phones at this price point have a full IP68 rating, and some cheaper mid-range phones, like the Pixel 7A, even have a more robust IP67 water resistance.
With the glyph interface - the LED on the back of the phone. This is a cool idea with some interesting applications if you take the time to tweak it. You can flip it to turn off notifications when you need time to focus and manually select some "essential" alerts to light up the glyph.
The Phone 2 isn't the best choice for people who just want a phone to make calls and surf the web all day, but it's certainly different. And if you're looking for something unusual with some visual appeal, it's a worthy contender.