Best Smartphones 2024 | Vivo X200 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24, iQOO 13, and More

Best Smartphones 2024 | The race for the title of Smartphone of the Year has never been fiercer. In 2024, we witnessed an unprecedented wave of innovation, with manufacturers pushing boundaries in design, performance, and features. Foldables became sturdier and more practical, AI integration reached new heights, and smartphone cameras edged closer to professional-grade quality.

This was the year when mid-range devices began rivalling flagships, and battery technology took a giant leap forward. But which phone truly reigned supreme in this hyper-competitive landscape? In this story, we'll dive into the best smartphones in 2024 in every category and what earns them their respective title in Gizbot's Smartphone Awards 2024.

Smartphone of the Year: iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro stands out as the best smartphone of 2024 due to its advanced A18 Pro chip, offering a 15% speed boost and 20% better power efficiency, while also supporting console-quality games. Its 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures stunning visuals and smooth performance. The triple camera setup, including a 48MP primary sensor, delivers exceptional photography and videography capabilities.

Enhanced durability with an IP68 rating and Grade 5 titanium frame make it both robust and lightweight. Additionally, the iOS 18 integration brings cutting-edge features and improved privacy protections. With these features, the iPhone 16 Pro (Review) offers unparalleled performance, design, and user experience, making it the top choice for tech enthusiasts. Moreover, Apple also offers excellent after sales services compared to Google, which finally earned the iPhone 16 Pro the title of best smartphone of 2024.

Runners Up: Pixel 9 Pro, Vivo X200 Pro

Best Cameras: Vivo X200 Pro

While the OPPO Find X8 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro made an extremely though case for this award, the Vivo X200 Pro emerged as our choice for best camera smartphone in 2024. The X200 Pro combines top-of-the-line camera hardware with ZEISS collaboration, introducing advanced features that elevate the photography experience with exceptional quality and creativity.

Moreover, it also boasts a myriad of AI camera features and various filters to replicate different effects. The Vivo X200 Pro is also the best phone you can buy in India in 2024 for street photography. Apart from photography, the Vivo X200 Pro also offers excellent battery life, performance, and has a vibrant display. Although its software experience and front camera is what hold it back.

Runners Up: iPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro

Best for Software & AI Features: Pixel 9 Pro

The Pixel 9 Pro/ 9 Pro XL (Review) is the best smartphone of 2024 for software and AI features due to its advanced Tensor G4 chip and Gemini AI suite. The pure Android experience ensures a smooth, clean interface with no bloatware. Key AI features include Add Me, which seamlessly inserts you into group photos, and Super Res Zoom Video, allowing high-quality zoom up to 20x.

The Magic Editor lets you reimagine photos using generative AI, while Pixel Studio enables creating custom illustrations from text prompts. With Gemini Live, you can have free-flowing conversations with the AI assistant. These features make the Pixel 9 Pro a powerhouse for creativity and usability, setting a new standard for AI integration in smartphones. Moreover, the Pixel 9 Pro also offers the best software support of any phone in 2024.

Runners Up: OPPO Find X8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Best Value Flagship: iQOO 13

Value is not the first thing that comes to mind when discussing flagship smartphones with the one exception being iQOO. The iQOO 13 picks up where its predecessor left off, retaining the title of best value flagship or flagship killer in 2024. The iQOO 13 comes in at just Rs 54,999 in India. However, it features a powerhouse Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the world's first Q10 2K 144Hz LTPO OLED display, and a massive 6000 mAh battery with 120W super-fast charging support.

And where most value flagships skimp on camera hardware, that's not the case with the iQOO 13, which packs three 50MP rear cameras. We've decided to skip the title of flagship killer this time because the iQOO 13 is technically a flagship smartphone at a flagship killer's price. If you are working with a budget of less than Rs 55,000, then this phone is highly recommended.

Runner Up: Realme GT 7 Pro

Best Foldable Smartphone: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro

The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro reigns supreme as the top foldable smartphone of 2024. It dazzles with its ultra-sleek, lightweight design, making it the thinnest and lightest foldable on the market. It boasts the largest display and the most powerful battery in its class, ensuring prolonged use and exceptional performance.

Equipped with versatile cameras featuring ZEISS T* coating, it captures stunning, professional-quality photos. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers unparalleled performance and efficiency, supported by blazing-fast 100W charging. The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro combines cutting-edge innovation and robust construction, setting a new benchmark for foldable smartphones this year.

The ROG Phone 9 Pro also comes with several AI-powered gaming features, in-built air triggers, and theatre-quality sound with Dirac Virtuo. The E6 AMOLED display pushes out excellent visuals with a super-smooth 185Hz refresh rate and an ultra-responsive 720Hz touch sampling rate. The ROG Phone 9 Pro is an absolute behemoth and undoubtedly offers the best mobile gaming experience. However, we must give the iPhone 16 Pro its props as well as it is the only smartphone that can natively run console games.

Runners Up: iPhone 16 Pro, iQOO 13

Best Battery & Charging: OPPO Find X8 Pro

The OPPO Find X8 Pro truly excels in battery life and charging support, making it the best in 2024. The OPPO Find X8 Pro's 5,910 mAh battery with Silicon Carbon technology ensures long-lasting performance, easily lasting through a full day of heavy use. The 80W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging capabilities are incredibly fast, powering up your phone in record time.

This combination of a high-capacity battery and rapid charging support means you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time enjoying your device. Moreover, silicon carbon technology also ensures your phone is operatable at extreme temperatures. It also maintains excellent battery health despite the extremely fast charging, which often tends to ramp up the heat and degrade the battery over time. Whether you're a power user or just need a reliable phone, the OPPO Find X8 Pro delivers superb battery performance.

Runners Up: Vivo X200 Pro

Best Mid-Range Smartphone: Redmi Note 14 Pro+

Our top pick for the best mid-range smartphone in 2024 is the Redmi Note 14 Pro+, offering incredible value for money. The phone features a stylish design with tough glass on both the front and back, plus a high level of water and dust resistance. Its vibrant OLED display, with rich colors and smooth scrolling, is perfect for watching videos or playing games. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.

One standout feature is its powerful camera setup, including an impressive main camera, a detailed telephoto lens, and an average ultrawide camera. The phone also comes with user-friendly software and long-term updates, ensuring a reliable experience. Additionally, the Note 14 Pro+ shines with outstanding battery life, easily lasting through a full day of heavy use. With its blend of style, performance, and features, it's a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a mid-range phone.

Runners Up: Nothing Phone 2a Plus, Motorola Edge 50 Pro

Best Affordable Smartphone: Nothing CMF Phone 1

The CMF Phone 1 is the best affordable smartphone of 2024, delivering unmatched value at its price. With its sleek design and durable build, it feels premium despite its budget-friendly cost. The 6.5-inch AMOLED display offers vibrant colours and smooth scrolling, making it perfect for streaming and social media. Powered by a capable MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, the phone handles everyday tasks and light gaming effortlessly.

Its 50MP primary camera delivers sharp, detailed photos, while the long-lasting battery ensures you can go all day without worrying about charging. The clean, bloat-free software provides a smooth user experience, and with guaranteed updates, it's a future-proof choice. Moreover, it also for anyone seeking quality on a budget, the CMF Phone 1 is the clear winner. Moreover, it also features a unique interchangeable back design, which makes it stand out from the crowd in a market that

Runners Up: Poco M7 Pro 5G

Best Compact Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S24

The Galaxy S24 is a standout in the compact smartphone market for 2024 because it achieves the perfect balance between size and performance. It's refreshing to see a phone that doesn't compromise on power despite its smaller form factor. The user experience is incredibly fluid, and it's a joy to handle-especially for those who find larger phones cumbersome. The design feels premium, and the intuitive interface makes everyday tasks a breeze.

The camera capabilities are impressive, turning spontaneous moments into beautiful memories without any hassle. The battery life is reliable, which is crucial for on-the-go users. Moreover, size aside, the Galaxy S24 is also considerably lighter than its competitors, not to mention its premium aluminium and glass construction. Overall, the Galaxy S24 combines style, substance, and convenience, making it the best choice for a compact smartphone this year.

Runners Up: iPhone 16, Google Pixel 8a