Best smartphone flagships – December 2024

What are the best devices money can buy? There is always a fierce fight between Samsung’s and Iphone’s flagship. Galaxy S24 Ultra and 16 Pro Max are on the top this year. Competition is also strong with Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Xiaomi Mi 14 Ultra and OnePlus 12.

Flagships are these days honestly not providing some ground breaking changes compared to last years models, but they do keep getting even more expensive. If you want tho a phone which provides top of the line technology and user experience, these phones will most certainly provide that.

This is list of the 5 most popular flagships we’ll be covering in this article:

• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Iphone 16 Pro Max
• Xiaomi Mi 14 Ultra
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
• OnePlus 12

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung’s premium flagship, boasting advanced features that solidify its position as a top contender in the high-end smartphone market. It looks almost identical to the previous generation’s S23 Ultra. S24 Ultra delivers exceptional performance and an unmatched user experience.

The S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels) and an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz. It supports a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, ensuring vivid visuals and excellent outdoor usability.

Samsung’s use of a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides exceptional durability. The phone is also IP68-rated, offering water and dust resistance for reliable performance in varied environments.

Equipped with the top of the line silicon, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will literally handle anything you’ll throw at it with ease. It offers up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, catering to power users and professionals alike.

Camera consists of 4 sensors:

• 200MP main sensor delivers very detailed, premium-quality shots
• 12MP ultrawide lens
• 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom
• 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom

AI enhancements improve image quality, and features like Space Zoom allow for up to 100x magnification.

The device packs a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging support. While not the fastest, it prioritizes long-term battery health, providing reliable endurance for heavy usage.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra excels in display, build quality, and performance. Continues to be a main competition to Iphone’s offerings. However, it faces stiff competition with its premium price and slower charging compared to rivals.

Pros

• Stunning display with exceptional brightness.
• Top of the line camera system with AI features.
• Durable and premium build.
• Class leading performance.

Cons

• High price.
• Charging speeds are slower than competitors.

Iphone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is Apple’s flagship, delivering cutting-edge performance, superior cameras, and a refined design. It incorporates Apple’s newest advancements in AI and imaging.

The device sports a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2868 x 1320 pixels. Its OLED panel supports ProMotion with a 1-120Hz refresh rate and 2,400 nits peak brightness, ensuring smooth and vibrant visuals.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield glass, improving durability while reducing weight. It retains its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Powered by the Apple A18 Pro chip, it offers exceptional speed and efficiency. Combined with 8GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, it handles multitasking and demanding applications seamlessly.

Camera system consists of 3 sensors:

• 48MP main sensor with improved light capture and image processing.
• 48MP ultrawide lens offering stunning macro capabilities.
• 12MP telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom, enhanced by a tetraprism mechanism for stabilization.

4K video recording at 120fps and advanced audio capture elevate its videography capabilities.

A 4,685mAh battery ensures a full day of heavy usage. Charging is supported via USB-C, with 30W wired charging and MagSafe wireless charging options.

Verdict

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a refined powerhouse, combining sleek design, advanced cameras, and excellent performance. While very expensive, it remains an only choice for Apple enthusiasts and professionals which want the best technology in their pocket money can buy.

Pros

• Exceptional display and build quality.
• Superior camera system.
• Apple A18 Pro delivers leading performance.
• USB-C for better compatibility.

Cons (quite similiar as S24 Ultra)

• High price
• Slow charging speed as battery health is a priority

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is Xiaomi’s answer to likes S24 Ultra, it’s intended as a phone for photography enthusiasts, equipped with Leica-enhanced imaging, premium build quality, and cutting-edge performance. It aims to compete with top-tier smartphones by delivering a no-compromise experience.

The 14 Ultra boasts a 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels). Its peak brightness of 2,600 nits ensures excellent visibility in any lighting condition.

This phone is crafted with a titanium frame and Xiaomi Shield Glass, offering durability and a premium feel. It is also IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, ensuring reliability in challenging environments.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, same chipset that is in S24 Ultra, the 14 Ultra provides seamless performance for multitasking, gaming, and productivity. It offers up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, making it suitable for power users.

The camera system is the phone’s highlight:

• 50MP primary sensor with variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0).
• 50MP ultrawide lens with stunning detail and minimal distortion.
• 50MP telephoto lens for optical zoom up to 5x.

Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic modes add versatility, while a Pro mode offers deep customization for enthusiasts. Low-light performance and dynamic range are among the best in class, though HDR processing can lag slightly behind competitors like Vivo.

With a 5,000mAh battery, the 14 Ultra supports 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. It delivers excellent endurance for a full day of heavy use and can charge rapidly when needed.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra stands out for its industry-leading camera system, vibrant display, and top-tier performance. It’s an ideal choice for photography lovers but comes at a premium price.

Pros

• Outstanding camera performance with Leica tuning.
• Bright, high-resolution display.
• Top-tier build quality and materials.
• Rapid wired and wireless charging.

Cons

• Expensive.
• Slightly behind competitors in HDR processing.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, the most advanced in the Pixel 9 lineup, builds on Google’s AI-driven smartphone expertise with a focus on photography, performance, and display technology. While it retains Google’s signature minimalist design, it brings meaningful upgrades to camera hardware, processing power, and battery life.

This display is 2992×1334 pixels resolution, has adaptive refresh rate scaling from 1-120Hz. Brightness peaks at 3000 nits, which is more then enough you need for outdoor use. Screen has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and crack protection. It also supports 240Hz PWM dimming, but that can cause flicker issues in low light use.

Frame is built from polished aluminium and weighs around 220g. IP68 rating confirms that phone is built very solid.

Chipset inside is Google Tensor G4, a solid performer in day-to-day tasks and AI use, but doesn’t have as much processing power compared to something like A18 or Snapdragon 8 gen 3. Vapor chamber is built in to stop the chipset from throttling.

Camera system has a 50MP main sensor, 64MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom and a 48MP ultra-wide camera. Front facing camera is 13MP with great low light capabilities. Google continues to set benchmarks in computational photography. The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s cameras excel in dynamic range and color accuracy, rivaling or surpassing its competitors in most conditions.

Battery capacity is 5,060mAh which will easily keep the phone running throughout the entire day without charging. Charging speeds are 37W for wired and 21W for wireless, quite a bit far behind the competition.

Verdict

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers top-tier camera performance, a bright and vibrant display, and impressive AI features. While the Tensor G4 isn’t the fastest processor on the market, it suffices for most users. Its drawbacks include flicker-related display issues for sensitive users and relatively slower charging speeds.

Pros

• Outstanding camera performance
• Bright, high-quality display
• Excellent battery life
• Strong AI and software integration

Cons

• Expensive
• PWM flicker at low light conditions
• Tensor G4 not as powerful as other flagship chipsets
• Slow charging speed

OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 is a flagship smartphone aiming to balance premium features and affordability. With enhancements in display, battery, and cameras, it competes with giants like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max but at a lot lower price point. It’s priced starting at $799, making it a value-focused contender in the flagship segment.

The OnePlus 12 boasts a 6.82-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The display supports dynamic refresh rates for better power efficiency and offers sharp visuals and excellent outdoor visibility. However, the curved screen edges may not appeal to everyone

The design embraces curves and features premium materials, available in “Flowy Emerald” and “Silky Black” finishes. While stylish, it offers only IP65 water resistance, lagging behind competitors with IP68 ratings. The phone includes a convenient alert slider, a signature OnePlus feature

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the OnePlus 12 delivers excellent performance, rivaling top-tier devices. It comes in two configurations: 12GB or 16GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage. OxygenOS 14, based on Android 14, provides a smooth and efficient user experience. The Trinity Engine optimizes multitasking and gaming performance

The triple-camera setup includes:

• 50MP primary sensor with Hasselblad tuning.
• 48MP ultrawide with a 114-degree field of view.
• 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom.

Photos are detailed, though HDR and motion capture need refinement. The front-facing 32MP camera produces sharp selfies, and the enhanced Hasselblad Portrait Mode delivers striking results​.

The 5,400mAh battery easily lasts two days with moderate use. Thanks to 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, you can fully recharge in under 30 minutes. This is complemented by dual-cell technology for efficient heat management during fast charging.

Verdict

The OnePlus 12 is an excellent flagship alternative with standout performance, display, and battery life. While it lacks top-tier water resistance and camera finesse compared to the competition, its pricing and feature set make it a compelling choice.

Pros

• Exceptional AMOLED display.
• Long-lasting battery with fast charging.
• Premium design with bold color options.
• Powerful performance.

Cons

• IP65 water resistance is below flagship standards.
• HDR and motion capture in the camera could improve.
• Limited accessory ecosystem compared to mainstream brands

All of these devices are incredibly powerful and they will be able to handle anything you throw at them. Performance therefore shouldn’t be a factor in choosing between these options. It is up to your which design you like the most and which software will make your life easier while using your smartphone.