After being in the industry for so many years, it’s becoming harder to get excited about new releases. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t phones that stand out. But my perspective has changed. I chose five phones that, to me, are solid all-rounders that leave little room for complaints, rather than the most impressive hardware or flashy, cutting-edge technology.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
I’m starting the list with Xiaomi’s flagship for another year. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra doesn’t offer any groundbreaking features, nor is it a huge leap over the Xiaomi 13 Ultra (which has been my daily driver for nearly two years), but it’s definitely among the best phones to buy in 2024 There is one.
I grew fond of HyperOS, and aside from its unimpressive battery life, this proprietary Android overlay works in almost every aspect. It’s packed with features and remains fluid and reliable even after years of use.
Additionally, the 14 Ultra adds a much-needed upgrade in the camera department compared to the 13 Ultra. The two telephoto cameras (3.2x and 5x) now both support close-distance focusing. This makes the camera setup more versatile and ties the whole thing together. Macro shots are very good.
The design of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, although polarizing, is extremely comfortable. The 13 Ultra and 14 Ultra are the first phones I use without a case, and I don’t have to worry about any of them falling apart. The vegan leather back is strong, comfortable and will stand the test of time. Like I said before, very little to no complaints.
oneplus 12
I’ve had my fair share of OnePlus phones in the past, but the OnePlus 12 is probably the first one I’ve really liked in recent years.
Sure, it won’t impress you with its camera capability, but that doesn’t mean it can’t take good pictures and videos. ColorOS, ahem… OxygenOS is constantly evolving, bringing excellent features, and we’ve found it to be one of the best systems when it comes to battery life. That’s why the OnePlus 12 has such a great battery capacity.
The device also features top-of-the-line hardware, like a flagship SoC, an excellent display, and a battery that supports fast charging. And even though OnePlus is no longer associated with affordability, it still manages to undercut the competition, making you think twice before defaulting to a Samsung Galaxy S phone, for example. That’s why I often recommend the OnePlus 12 to people who are looking for a solid all-around flagship phone, as long as they don’t have too high expectations for the camera system. It’s not that it takes bad photos, but it’s not an exceptional cameraphone either.
Xiaomi 14T/14T Pro
This year’s Xiaomi 14T series has received a serious upgrade, especially in the camera department. The duo is probably one of the best in its class when it comes to camera performance, especially video.
Apart from their capable camera systems, both the handsets are equipped with powerful hardware, bright displays and fast charging. Easily one of the best upper-midrangers on the market.
IQOO 13
I was pleasantly surprised by the iQOO 13. iQOO phones usually fly under my radar, but the iQOO 13 is definitely a hit. For the price asked, the handset offers a good set of features – an excellent camera system with a dedicated zoom camera, great display, great-sounding speakers, fast charging, and one of the highest battery life scores in our database.
The iQOO 13 is also one of the few phones in the market to offer the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite. and that’s not all. Turns out, the iQOO 13 can handle the 8 Elite without any trouble. The device maintained almost maximum CPU performance during the one-hour stress test, which is extremely rare in a phone with such a powerful chipset. iQOO definitely outdid itself this time.
I’m sure I missed many great smartphones in 2024, but these are the ones that stuck with me throughout the year. What are your best picks?
