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best smartphones launched in 2024 flagships for power players

Best Smartphones Launched in 2024: Flagships for Power Players

By Himani Jha | Updated Jul 2, 2024, 10:24 AM 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 Launched in 2024 Flagships for Power Players

Best smartphones in 2024

We 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.

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	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 1TB

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

Cons:

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 for Galaxy | 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 starts at $899, which undercuts its closest competitors, the $999 Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Google Pixel 8 Pro, and here's everything you get for the price: 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. Again: $899, and that's before the $100 discount when you trade in any phone in any condition to OnePlus. Take advantage of that.

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 3 for Galaxy | 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?