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Bird's eye-view of a black smartphone screen on a countertop with a knife and salad plate. Credit: Reviewed.com / Michael Desjardin

The Best Smartphones of 2024

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Bird's eye-view of a black smartphone screen on a countertop with a knife and salad plate. Credit: Reviewed.com / Michael Desjardin

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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Product image of Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Check Price at Best Buy

This model has a clear camera, safety features, fast 5G and strong battery life, Always-On, ProMotion, Dynamic Island, and Super Retina XDR display. Read More

Pros

  • Amazing battery life
  • Highly detailed, super clear camera
  • Loads quickly

Cons

  • None that we could find
Product image of Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Check Price at Best Buy

This model has a clear camera, safety features, fast 5G and strong battery life, Always-On, ProMotion, Dynamic Island, and Super Retina XDR display. Read More

Pros

  • Amazing battery life
  • Highly detailed, super clear camera
  • Loads quickly

Cons

  • None that we could find
Product image of Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Check Price at Amazon

This model has an unmatchable camera and video capabilities, is made with a durable ceramic shield, and performs better than its predecessors. Read More

Pros

  • Fun color options
  • Water resistant
  • Durable ceramic shield

Cons

  • Expensive
Product image of Amazon Renewed Apple iPhone 13 Mini

Amazon Renewed Apple iPhone 13 Mini

Check Price at Amazon

This used, compact-size model performs better than its predecessors and is in excellent condition, yet still has a reasonable price tag. Read More

Pros

  • More affordable
  • Travel-friendly size
  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Phone is used
Product image of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Check Price at Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers more storage space and a battery that’ll last through all of your daily activities. Read More

Pros

  • S Pen included
  • Strong battery
  • Capture clear content in any lighting

Cons

  • None that we could find
  • Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • Apple iPhone 14 Pro
  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Amazon Renewed Apple iPhone 13 Mini
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
  • Google Pixel 6a
  • Google Pixel 7 Pro
  • OnePlus 10 Pro
  • What To Consider Before Buying A Smartphone
  • The Type of Operating System
  • Who Is Your Phone Carrier?
  • How Much GB Storage You Want to Have
  • The Size of the Phone
  • Phone Camera Quality
  • Battery Strength
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

Choosing a new phone can be fraught with anxiety. This is, after all, a gadget that you’ll be interfacing with every day, morning to night, for the next couple years or more. And with so many options on the table these days—operating system, screen size, front and rear camera quality, regular or wirelessly charging—it’s natural to feel overwhelmed.

If you’re wondering what the best phone on the market right now is, then you’re lucky; because we’re here to make some recommendations for you. If you want the best of the best but are on a tight budget, we also have a list of The Best Smartphones Under $500 that you can take a look at.

From battery to processor to screen quality and beyond, these overall best smartphones can safely be considered the cream of the crop. You should know that the best current smartphones usually don’t come cheap. But you know what? The best things in life rarely do.

To help you find the right smartphone, we explored a variety of options available online, as well as used our own knowledge and experience with smartphones. Based on our expertise, we found these to be the best phones you can buy online right now.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Product image of Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.7-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 48MP camera system
  • Weighs 8.47 ounces
  • A16 Bionic Chip

Apple always seems to find ways to keep improving the iPhone with each release, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max is no different. It has the clearest, 48MP camera with the best details any iPhone has had so far. In fact, the resolution is four times greater than previous models. You can also take videos in action mode, which captures smooth and steady movement.

The screen on the max is 6.7 inches and includes the Super Retina XDR display, which provides better color accuracy and a higher level of brightness on the screen. With Apple’s Always-On feature, you can even view the home screen both in low light and when your phone is locked. That way, you can view important information while your phone is asleep.

This phone also has a new feature called Dynamic Island, which creates a pill-shaped cutoff on your phone screen that makes it easy for you to manage and view apps, alerts, and notifications.

While scrolling down your social media feed, web pages, text messages, and more, you’ll notice that the scrolling is smooth; that is because this phone includes ProMotion, which also makes your phone more power efficient; but even just in general, this smartphone has a super long and reliable battery life, as well as fast 5G cellular for better service.

What’s better: this phone detects crashes and includes emergency SOS. Not only will this phone help keep you safe, it will also stay protected itself due to the ceramic shield coating on it and its water resistance.

Pros

  • Amazing battery life

  • Highly detailed, super clear camera

  • Loads quickly

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Best Buy
Product image of Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.1-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 48MP camera system
  • Weighs 7.27 ounces
  • A16 Bionic Chip

The iPhone 14 Pro includes all of the same features as the iPhone 14 Pro Max: a clear, high-tech camera and smooth video, safety features and screen protection, fast 5G and strong battery life, Always-On for viewing information in low light and when your phone is locked, ProMotion for smooth scrolling, Dynamic Island for notification, alerts, and app management, and Super Retina XDR display for better colors and brightness.

The difference between these two phones is the size of the screens. While the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s screen is a wide 6.7 inches, this one is only 6.1 inches.

Therefore, the smartphone you choose comes down to preference. Do you care more about fitting your phone in your pocket or do you want to watch videos and play games on a large screen? The decision is yours to make.

Pros

  • Amazing battery life

  • Highly detailed, super clear camera

  • Loads quickly

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Best Buy
Product image of Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.7-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 12MP camera system
  • Weighs 8.46 ounces
  • A15 Bionic Chip

For those who are always looking to upgrade to newer iPhone models, this is your chance to grab the iPhone 13 Pro Max. This model is known for its sophisticated camera and video capture, which includes a cinematic mode for shallow depth of field and automatic focus shifting.

Plus, this iPhone is made with a ceramic shield, which Apple claims is more durable than smartphone glass. It’s designed with a proprietary A15 Bionic chip for superior performance and has improved battery life.

Pros

  • Fun color options

  • Water resistant

  • Durable ceramic shield

Cons

  • Expensive

$1,077.13 from Amazon
Product image of Amazon Renewed Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Amazon Renewed Apple iPhone 13 Mini

Features in this smartphone:

  • 5.4-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 12MP camera system
  • Weighs 7.7 ounces
  • A15 Bionic Chip

This like-new iPhone 13 Mini gives you the quality of a brand-new smartphone at an out-of-box price. Amazon ensures this phone is in excellent condition before shipping it out. Based on reviews, many customers say it feels like-new.

This iPhone model has an upgraded camera, more color options, improved battery life and storage capacity, and overall better performance due to the A15 Bionic chip. You can even expect a SIM removal feature, charger, and Lightning-to-USB cable to be in the box.

Pros

  • More affordable

  • Travel-friendly size

  • Water resistant

Cons

  • Phone is used

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
  • 6.7-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 200MP camera system
  • Weighs 8.25 ounces

If you're looking for the best smartphone camera, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a solid choice. It has a 200 megapixel camera system, as well as a lot of storage space and a super strong battery life. You can capture smooth recordings with the Video Stabilization feature and clear content even when it’s dark, in night mode. With the Adaptive Vision Booster, this phone will automatically adjust the brightness to your setting. This model includes an S Pen for easy drawing and note taking, as well as a fast processor that allows you to move through apps quickly and easily.

Pros

  • S Pen included

  • Strong battery

  • Capture clear content in any lighting

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of  Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
  • 6.7-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 48MP camera system
  • Weighs 7.4 ounces

If your phone is always in your bag or pocket, the compact Samsung Galaxy Z Flip with a foldable display is a great phone to consider. Set it in Flex Mode for no-hold selfies, Night Mode for shooting in the dark, and utilize the cover screen that allows you to see what you need on your screen while keeping the rest of it private. This phone also is resistant to scratches, drops, and water stains, and syncs to the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds.

Pros

  • Compact size

  • Hands-free feature

  • Durable

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Features in this smartphone:

  • 7.6-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 50MP camera system
  • Weighs 9.27 ounces

If you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable work phone or one that allows you to complete multiple tasks simultaneously, look no further than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. This phone allows you to operate in Flex Mode, which means it can stand up by itself for you to easily attend meetings or watch YouTube videos.

It also includes a multi-view window, which splits the screen in two. Use one side to take notes with the pen stylus while in a meeting or text and watch television shows at the same time. What’s better: you can even customize how you view your Apps on the screen.

Pros

  • Versatile

  • Multitasking feature

  • Hands-free option

Cons

  • Expensive

$1,911.78 from Amazon
Product image of Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.8-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 40MP camera system
  • Weighs 12.3 ounces

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has top-notch video and photo features and a clear OLED display. It allows you to capture smooth and steady videos, clear and high color contrast photos both during the day and at night, and high-resolution images in both night mode and portrait mode. You can even use the upgraded pen stylus to edit your photos.

What’s better: the phone itself is made to feel light and resist damage overtime. According to customers, the battery life is okay, but they seem to love the camera.

Pros

  • Amazing camera

  • 8k steady video feature

  • Lightweight and durable

Cons

  • Average battery life

$1,260.21 from Amazon
Product image of Google Pixel 6a
Google Pixel 6a

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.13-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 12MP camera system
  • Weighs 6.28 ounces

The Google Pixel 6a is an affordable smartphone option that lives up to its standards. Plus, it can be used by any type of phone carrier. What’s great about this phone is its premium security features: Google Tensor security and Titan M2 chip that keep your private information protected. In addition, this smartphone has a battery that can last an entire day and even charges fast.

The apps on this phone load fast, the phone runs smooth, and the camera provides 12 megapixels. What’s better: it even has Live Translate, which allows your captions and messages to translate in any of 11 languages.

Pros

  • Water and dust resistant

  • Strong security

  • Easy to unlock

Cons

  • Phone gets hot easily

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.7-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 48MP camera system
  • Weighs 7.4 ounces

Although we still love and highly recommend the Google Pixel 6a, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is for anyone who wants the latest and greatest model. With the Google Tensor G2 and Titan M2 security chip, this model has even stronger security and is also a lot faster. Plus, the photo and video build quality are a lot better too.

Its 6.3-inch pixel display provides sharp, clear colors on the screen. Plus, this smartphone is much smoother whenever you’re scrolling or switching apps. What’s better: the battery lasts over 24 hours and can even last up to 72 hours if you put it in battery saving mode.

One of the biggest benefits to this phone is that it comes unlocked, meaning you can switch phone carriers and use your own data plan.

Pros

  • Improved security and speed

  • High-quality video and photo features

  • Unlocked

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Best Buy

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of OnePlus 10 Pro
OnePlus 10 Pro

Features in this smartphone:

  • 6.7-inch display
  • Fast 5G cellular
  • 50MP camera system
  • Weighs 7.07 ounces

The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G Android smartphone is great for gamers who love to play games on their mobile devices, but also anyone looking for a smartphone with a high-quality camera, fast 5G cellular, and strong battery life. The Hyperboost Gaming Engine improves gaming performance and even the graphics on the phone screen.

In addition to some awesome gaming features, you’ll also get a 48MP camera with a Sony IMX sensor that can capture up to 8k video content and realistic colors due to the phone’s OnePlus Billion Color Solution feature. Additionally, this smartphone charges quickly, is compatible with Alexa, has Smart 120Hz Display for more up-to-date feed refreshes, and includes LTPO to preserve your battery.

Overall, this smartphone has some pretty cool features, but many reviewers do believe it is a bit overpriced for what you get so if you’re looking for a budget phone, this isn’t it. If you can afford a phone like this, it may be worth comparing it to some similar models to see if you can get a better bang for your buck.

Pros

  • Strong battery life

  • Clear camera

  • Great for mobile gamers

Cons

  • May not be worth the price

Buy now at Amazon

What To Consider Before Buying A Smartphone

The Type of Operating System

The two major operating systems for smartphones are Android (used by several manufacturers) and iOS (found in Apple products, such as iPhones, iPods, and iPads). There are several major differences between these two operating systems, but mainly you’ll find that Android is very customizable, while iOS is a closed source.

Who Is Your Phone Carrier?

Many smartphones are compatible with most major phone carriers, such as Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, but it is still important to consider the type of phone plans your phone carrier offers for the smartphone you want and if it is within your budget. If you're unsure, ask about whether a given device is locked or intended for a specific network before you buy.

How Much GB Storage You Want to Have

The amount of gigabytes (GB) you choose for your smartphone will depend on how much content and information you will store on it. The lowest you can go is 8 GB (not a common pick) and the highest you can go is 512GB. Most people choose 128GB to start, but you can easily buy more storage if you run out of space (it happens to the best of us, especially if you decide to take endless photos on a vacation).

The Size of the Phone

If you want to fit your phone in your pocket, then any of the iPhone's pro max models may not be ideal. In this case, it would be good to choose a smaller size phone, such as the Apple iPhone 14 Pro or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Some people prefer a bigger screen though, especially since it’s easier and more enjoyable to view content on it that way; but since we take our phones everywhere with us, you may want one with smaller dimensions. That is, of course, personal preference.

Phone Camera Quality

Newer smartphone models tend to have the best camera quality, since that is one of the most common upgrades of getting the latest and greatest smartphones on the market.

Camera quality is measured by the number of megapixels there are. The more megapixels there are in the camera, the clearer and more sharp your photos will be. For example, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has a 48MP camera system, which is the best camera iPhone has released so far.

Battery Strength

The most common battery seen in smartphones is the lithium-ion battery. If your battery is new, your smartphone will have a strong battery, meaning it could last well over 24 hours without dying, as well as have fast-charging capabilities.

On average, depending on how much you use your phone, a smartphone battery will last two to five years (300 to 500 charging cycles). Although, the more you charge your battery, the quicker it will weaken (that is why it is good to let your phone die or wait until it is almost dead to recharge it).

You should therefore look for a smartphone with a lithium-ion battery and ideally buy a phone that is new, not used.

Meet the tester

Lily Hartman

Lily Hartman

Staff Writer, Search

Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.

See all of Lily Hartman's reviews

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