We’ve put together a long list of things you should think about when picking a smartphone, along with a list of at least good devices that will work in the future. Smartphones come in a lot of different styles, colours, and price ranges. With so much to choose from, it’s hard not to get lost. Even more so if the words “smartphone” make you think of Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. We will show you the Top 10 Smartphone to Choose in 2024 and tell you how to choose one based on its features.
How to choose a good smartphone
Remember that a good gadget doesn’t necessarily contain plenty of high-resolution photographs, a fast CPU, RAM, or storage.This device can handle anything. The rest are pleasant features you sometimes don’t need but pay more for. When choosing a smartphone, consider your needs and goals. The following elements usually determine selection.
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1. Iron
High-end devices feature 8–10 core CPUs with 3.2 GHz cores. CPUs with 6 to 8 cores and 2.4 GHz cores are mid-range. More than four cores and 2.2 GHz are found in “budget” devices, whereas two to four cores and 2.0 GHz are found in “ultra-budget” devices.
It’s not easy. CPU architecture, including core count and type, affects performance. More and better high-performance cores are better. These cores conduct daily work, hence mid-range and low-end ones matter.
The process’s size affects its efficiency and energy usage. The most sophisticated electronics of 2023 and 2024 use 3- or 4-nanometer CPUs. However, devices with 5-7 nanometer CPUs are useful. Though they produce less, they’re cheaper.
The graphics processor’s many cores and high frequency are excellent. However, the photographs don’t need to be discussed individually. Smartphone GPUs usually match the rest of the hardware. A PC strategy that goes with “whatever it takes,” like a strong CPU and an outdated video card, is rare.
2. How much RAM do you have and what kind it is?
It is better to have more memory. For instance, top phones have 8 to 16 GB of RAM. Things aren’t that easy, though. The regularity, number of channels, and transactions per second (TPS) also affect how well the device works, not just the amount. Phone memory TPS can only be found in certain places, so start with the frequency and number of channels.
An LPDDR5X memory with four channels and a frequency of 4200 MHz will work faster than a memory with two channels and a frequency of 2133 MHz. In other words, you can only compare amounts if everything else is the same.
3. Built-in memory capacity.
ROM comes in different types, just like RAM. The latest smartphones have drives with UFS 3.0/3.1/4.0 (Android) or NVMe (iPhone), so there’s no reason to go into them. The speeds of sequential and random reading and writing are fast enough. Android is faster sometimes, and iPhone faster other times. But most of the time, kindness wins.
So, when picking ROM, it’s best to start with the amount. But here’s a tip: every year, apps and user files like photos, movies, and music get bigger. In the long run, 128 GB of memory might not be enough.
Cameras
The camera, optics, aperture, pixel size, and amount and efficacy of software processing techniques are some of the hardest things to consider when buying a smartphone. Learn more about smartphone cameras in another article.
Example: The iPhone 15’s 12 MP front camera is as excellent as mid-range smartphones’ 50 MP front cameras. Main cameras with lower quality work similarly. This indicates a decent camera doesn’t have many modules or MP. Instead, it has decent hardware and processing.
Display
A good modern screen is:
- OLED matrix;
- pixel density – about 400 ppi or more;
- refresh rate – from 90 Hz;
- maximum brightness – from 1200 nits;
- color gamut – DCI-P3.
Most devices have a screen diagonal of 6.1–6.8 inches. And the size is a strictly individual characteristic.
Battery
The most common characteristics of battery capacity for smartphones are 4000–5000 mAh. The larger it is, the longer the smartphone will work on a single charge. But much depends on the modes of use and the energy efficiency of the hardware.
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Smartphones to Look Out For in 2024
In conclusion, we present a selection of smartphones that more or less correspond to the characteristics discussed in the article. Therefore, start from your personal preferences and, of course, your budget.
1. Apple iPhone 15
At the end of 2023, Apple debuted its simplest smartphone. Basic does not imply weak. The device has a 6-core CPU, powerful graphics accelerator, 4-channel RAM, and an optimized OS.The iPhone 15 has a terrific camera and long-lasting performance.
Flaws:
- High price.
- Low screen refresh rate – only 60 Hz.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.1”, 460 ppi, 60 Hz, up to 2000 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 6-core, 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 48+12 / 12 |
| Battery, mAh | 3349 |
2. Samsung Galaxy S24
The smartphone was released in early 2024. Although the S24 is the basic version of the Korean flagship, it is still a flagship. An excellent display, powerful hardware and some of the best cameras in its segment make this device truly versatile. There is a separate review of it .
Minuses:
- High price.
- Relatively low pixel density.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.2”, 425 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 2600 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 10-core, 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 50+12+10 / 12 |
| Battery, mAh | 4000 |
3. Samsung Galaxy S23
The previous generation of the basic device of the flagship line. Despite the fact that the smartphone was released in early 2023, it is capable of giving a head start to many new devices. You can read more in this article .
Traditionally, Samsung has one of its strongest points – the cameras. As for the rest of the hardware, everything is fine with it – it copes with demanding games at least on medium graphics settings.
There is only one downside: the device will become obsolete a year earlier than the current S24.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.1”, 425 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 2600 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 50+12+10 / 12 |
| Battery, mAh | 3900 |
4. Huawei Nova 11 Pro
Another versatile smartphone that will be enough for most tasks. Of course, it is not as productive as the flagships of Samsung and Apple but still shows itself well in multitasking, gaming and shooting with the main camera.
Minuses:
- Relatively slow RAM.
- Low maximum screen brightness.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.78”, 429 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 950 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 50+8 / 60 |
| Battery, mAh | 4500 |
5. Infinix ZERO 30
An affordable but very powerful device. One of its features is the screen refresh rate, which is higher than that of flagships (144 versus 120 Hz). Coupled with a large display, watching videos with dynamic scenes is a pleasure. Regarding gaming: in demanding games, you will have to settle for medium or even low graphics settings, but in general, the smartphone feels confident in all everyday tasks.
Minuses:
- Relatively low pixel density.
- Low maximum screen brightness.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.78”, 388 ppi, 144 Hz, up to 950 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8 or 12 GB LPDDR4X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 108+13+8 / 50 |
| Battery, mAh | 5000 |
6. Huawei P60 Pro
This device can be called a camera phone – the main camera shoots well in almost any conditions. Also on board is a good 8-core processor and 8 GB of fast RAM, thanks to which the device can be used not only for basic tasks, but also for mobile gaming.
Minus: low maximum brightness of the screen. Otherwise, there are no complaints about this smartphone. At least within its price segment.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.67”, 444 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 1200 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 48+48+13 / 13 |
| Battery, mAh | 4815 |
7. Poco X6 Pro
Relatively inexpensive, but quite powerful and “long-lasting”. Yes, it may be inferior to some top devices of leading brands, but it shows itself well in everyday use. The combination of a fairly fast and technological processor with a decent amount of 4-channel RAM allows you to run top games on medium or even high graphics settings.
If we consider it in the context of the price segment, this device has no obvious disadvantages – the characteristics are balanced, but at the same time high.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.67”, 446 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 1800 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8 or 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 64+8+2 / 16 |
| Battery, mAh | 5000 |
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9. Xiaomi 13 Pro
Smartphones from this manufacturer are not called “top for their money” for nothing. These are truly popular devices: they cost adequately, but at the same time they almost freely compete with devices from more “pedigree” brands.
Specifically, the 13 Pro is good in literally everything: a huge and fast screen with a high pixel density, a flagship processor, an excellent camera. By the way, about the camera: it’s a German Leica. Photos and videos are almost perfect (in the context of mobile shooting) — no exaggeration.
There is only one downside: the maximum brightness without HDR enabled is only 500 nits. Not enough even in not the sunniest weather. However, HDR is supported – with it, the brightness can reach 1900 nits.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.63”, 522 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 1900 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8 or 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 50+50+50 / 32 |
| Battery, mAh | 5000 |
9. Honor 90
This smartphone can hardly be called outstanding. But it can easily be called a solid “mid-range” smartphone. It will be enough for both a schoolchild and an adult – the device copes with all tasks without difficulty. Especially if it is a version with 16 GB of RAM.
It may seem that this smartphone has a significant drawback – relatively slow hardware. But, again, if we return to the price segment, it no longer seems so.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | OLED, 6.7”, 435 ppi, 120 Hz, up to 1600 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8, 12 or 16 GB LPDDR4X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 200+12+2 / 50 |
| Battery, mAh | 5000 |
10. TECNO POVA 5 Pro
This smartphone does not come with super-powerful components or flagship cameras. But its superpower is its affordable price. At the same time, the 5 Pro is not a “brick” that is incapable of anything. This is a decent device with average performance, a decent screen and quite decent cameras for its price.
Minuses:
- Not the fastest CPU and RAM.
- Low screen brightness.
| Screen: technology, diagonal, dot density, refresh rate, brightness | IPS, 6.78″, 396 ppi, 120 Gc, up to 580 nits |
| Hardware: processor, RAM | 8-core, 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Cameras, MP: main / front | 50 / 16 |
| Battery, mAh | 5000 |
Thanks for the comprehensive guide.
This is very well explained.
Thank you for this well-written and informative article. The practical tips you’ve shared are going to be very useful for my work.