The Best Phones to buy in 2024
Which is the best phone to buy right now, in 2024? Should you get the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max, or is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra a better choice? Should you save some money and get a Google Pixel instead? Or... is there some low-key great smartphone that you might not even know about?
We made this best phones list in an effort to help you find the phone for your specific needs. Some people may want an all-out premium smartphone, whilst others want a more compact device. Some might be picky about camera quality and battery life. Below, you will find the best phones across these different categories and we will explain why we think our nominees stand out.
You should also know that absolutely all phones in this top phones list have been rigorously tested and used by the PhoneArena team. We run various performance tests, including thorough battery and camera testing, and use specialized equipment to measure display quality. We combine this extensive research data with our reviewers' real-world user experience to form a recommendation. And we never recommend a phone that hasn't been through this extensive testing process.
How we test phones
We have included the most important results from our in-house benchmarks next to each phone in this ranking. Here is what you should know about these numbers: first, the PhoneArena Review Rating accounts for a dozen different categories, ranked by importance (so battery life has more weight in the final score than other categories like design). The numbers here are on а 0 to 10 scale, with the best 2024 phones scoring around the 7.5 mark.
As a reader, you might be wondering: "why such a low score for the best phones currently around, and don't they deserve a nine or even ten out of ten?". This is a peculiarity of our review rating system, as it looks further into the future. This way, a phone might score a nine out of ten in a few years, and then you will be able to see the exact evolution and improvements in a much clearer way. Just remember that the best way to interpret the score of a particular phone in this system is in comparison with others in its class, rather than relying on the number alone to guide you.
Second, we have the PhoneArena Battery Score, which aims to give you an approximate number for screen time use. It is calculated based on scores from our web browsing, video streaming and 3D gaming tests. Anything above 7 hours is considered very good here, while a score of around 5 to 6 hours is typical for smaller phones.
Third and last, we have the PhoneArena Camera Score, our comprehensive camera benchmark that looks at each camera separately, assigning scores for both photo and video performance, and averaging them for the final score. The maximum possible score is 200 points, and the best camera phones currently hover around the 150 mark.
With all of this in mind, let's get to the best phones of 2024.
Best phones of 2024 at a glance
- Best Premium iPhone: iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Best Premium Android Phone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best iPhone for Most People: iPhone 15
- Best Android Phone for Most People: Google Pixel 8
- Best Camera Phone: Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best Foldable Phone: OnePlus Open
- Best Flip Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
- Best Android Phone Under $500: Google Pixel 8a
- Best iPhone on a Budget: iPhone 13
- Best Battery Life: Asus Zenfone 10
- Best Compact iPhone: iPhone 15 Pro
- Best Compact Android Phone: Galaxy S24
- Best Phone Under $300: Galaxy A25 5G
- Best Gaming Phone: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Fastest Charging Phone: OnePlus 12
PhoneArena Rating: 7.6/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 7 hours 25 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 152
If you are looking for the most premium iPhone with the biggest screen and best battery life, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the one to get.
The stand-out feature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is its 5X telephoto camera, which allows you to capture beautiful close-up portraits and zoom in on detail far away from you. We would argue that this is also the perfect focal distance to photograph your pets. You can see the iPhone 15 Pro Max 5X zoom vs the iPhone 15 Pro 3X zoom in action and make up your own mind.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is also made of super durable titanium instead of the previously used stainless steel, which means it weighs less than previous models – a big win in our books. We also like the smaller details, like the new customizable Action Button. It also has the usual welcome set of upgrades, such as a faster processor. And of course, it charges via USB-C now, the same cable you use for all your other electronics.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max battery life is an impressive 7 hours and 25 minutes on our PhoneArena Battery Score, above the seven hour mark that we associate with the top performers and nearly two hours more than the smaller 15 Pro model. And then, the iPhone 15 Pro Max camera ranks in the top three on our PhoneArena Camera Score, with an excellent score for photo, but particularly good for video with little and clear detail.
One area that, sadly, has not improved is charging speed. At 25 watt tops, we measured that it takes nearly two hours to charge the phone via a wire.
For alternatives, you could also consider last year's iPhone 14 Pro Max, but while that model has some premium features like Apple's fancy 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate tech, it is also heavier and lacks the zoom prowess. The iPhone 15 Plus is another option, which is cheaper, but lacks the ProMotion tech and the zoom camera.
To dig deeper into the differences between iPhones, read our best iPhones breakdown, and we also have a round-up of the best iPhone deals here.
Key iPhone 15 Pro Max specs:
Display: 6.7-inch 120Hz screen
Processor: Apple A17 Pro
RAM: 8GB
Cameras:48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (5x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 4441mAh
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Processor: Apple A17 Pro
RAM: 8GB
Cameras:48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (5x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 4441mAh
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
PhoneArena Rating: 7.5/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 6 hours 46 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 154
The Galaxy S24 Ultra combines an extra large screen, long-lasting battery, an extremely versatile camera and a stand-out S Pen, that altogether make it the best premium Android phone for most people. It is this all-around package that we think earns it the top spot over rivals like the OnePlus 12, which has slightly worse camera performance, and Google's Pixel 8 Pro, which is less powerful and lacks the versatility of One UI and the S Pen.
New to this version of the Galaxy Ultra is the switch to a 5X zoom camera. That might seem like a downgrade, given that those previous models used a 10X zoom camera, but it really isn't. You get better quality at the native 5X zoom, which we find more useful, and the drop in quality at 10X on the S24 Ultra is tiny, as you can see in our Galaxy S24 Ultra vs S23 Ultra comparison.
We were also impressed by one particular feature: a new screen coating that reduces reflections dramatically. This Galaxy S24 Ultra reflection-free screen makes it so much easier to use the phone outdoors on a sunny day, and while other phones boast higher brightness, we think it's this feature that makes the biggest difference for readability.
You also get the usual upgrades, such as a new and faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. There is alos a few cool new AI features sprinkled throughout the Samsung One interface.
In our PhoneArena Battery Score tests, the Galaxy S24 Ultra clocked up a good, but not quite great, 6 hours and 46 minutes – a bit less than, say, the OnePlus 12. On the PhoneArena Camera Score, it achieves a big jump over previous Galaxies and enters the top three ranking, losing only to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. With 45-watt charging speeds, it tops up fully in just over an hour, which is decent, even if not the fastest around. If you want to learn even more, check out our detailed guide to the best Android phones around, and don't forget that we have the best current Galaxy S24 series deals too.
Key Galaxy S24 Ultra specs:
Display: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1440 x 3120 pixels, 120Hz refresh rateProcessor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
Cameras: 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 10MP telephoto (10x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 5000mAh
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Best iPhone for Most People: iPhone 15
PhoneArena Rating: 6.9/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 5 hours 40 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 147
There is no "one size fits all" smartphone, but when asked which is the best iPhone for most people we recommend the $800 iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 has a relatively compact 6.1-inch size and it is also the cheapest one in the iPhone 15 series without making any big sacrifices. If you prefer an extra large screen and longer battery life, though, consider the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, which will set you back a $100 extra, or $900.
As for the iPhone 15, it is a reliable workhorse at a reasonable price that does everything well, even if other phones might trump it in some individual categories.
If we had to look for a weakness, that would have to be the lack of a 120Hz ProMotion display. At 60Hz, scrolling on the iPhone 15 feels a bit choppy compared to the buttery smooth Pro series iPhones. Learn more about the iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro differences here.
In our PhoneArena Battery Score, the iPhone 15 battery life is 5 hours and 40 minutes, which is around average for its size. This will comfortably last one day, but not more. In our PhoneArena Camera Score, it also performed well, with pleasing daylight colors and strong video recording capabilities. It does charge a bit slowly, though. At 20 watts max, it takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to charge it fully.
Key iPhone 15 specs:
Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 1170 x 2532 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate
Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
Battery: 3240mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
Battery: 3240mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Best Android Phone for Most People: Google Pixel 8
PhoneArena Rating: 6.8/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 6 hours 40 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 142
This one is tricky as there are so many options, but ultimately, it is the Google Pixel 8 that we recommend as the best Android phone for most people.
The Pixel 8 has a lot going for it, including its compact size (6.2 inches), a clean and user-friendly experience with no bloatware and high-quality camera. However, what really stands out is how it delivers all of that at an affordable price of $700 (and even cheaper if you spot a discount, so check out our round-up of the best current Pixel 8 deals).
One key improvement is a 120Hz refresh rate, up from 90Hz on the previous model, which makes for smoother scrolling. Also, Google now promises seven years of Android OS updates – super impressive! And, unlike other Android phone makers, you get these updates on day one of their release rather than in a few months' time.
On our PhoneArena Battery Score the Pixel 8 lasted six hours and 40 minutes, more than the average for such a compact phone. This score also means the Pixel 8 beats the iPhone 15 on battery life, but it still won't last more than a day between charges.
Meanwhile, in our tests the Pixel 8 camera ranked a bit below its main rival, the Galaxy S24, so if camera and especially zoom is your priority you should definitely take a closer look at the rest of the Pixel 8 vs Galaxy S24 differences.
Key Pixel 8 specs:
Display: 6.2-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor: Google Tensor G3
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
Battery: 4575mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB
Processor: Google Tensor G3
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
Battery: 4575mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB
Best Camera Phone: Galaxy S24 Ultra
PhoneArena Rating: 7.5/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 6 hours 46 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 154
Our rigorous camera testing shows that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best camera phone you can buy, largely thanks to having four cameras on its back, including two excellent telephoto cameras. In contrast, most competitors only have a single zoom camera.
We should note that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra actually edged out the Galaxy in our testing, but since you cannot buy the Xiaomi in the United States, it only gets an honorable mention here. Check out our full ranking of the best camera phones.
So what are the key advantages of the Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera? Well, there's 3X and 5X zoom cameras, which make for great quality shots for people and pets. Combined with industry leading subject separation, the Galaxy captures incredible portrait mode photos too.
Previous camera issues are now largely resolved. For example, in our Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra comparison, the older model captured shots with excessive sharpening, which could look really bad when viewed on a larger screen. Some issues also existed with corner sharpness when using the ultra-wide camera.
All of these refinements have pushed the Galaxy to the highest rankings. Still, it's not a perfect camera. We do find some problems with color fidelity and noise in darker scenes, but those are relatively minor issues.
Key Galaxy S24 Ultra Camera specs:
- 200MP main camera, 23mm lens, f/1.7 aperture
- 12MP, 13mm, f/2.2 ultra-wide
- 10MP 3X zoom, f/2.4
- 50MP 5X zoom, f/3.4
- 12MP front camera
Best Foldable Phone: OnePlus Open
PhoneArena Rating: 6.5/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 5 hours 34 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 144
The OnePlus Open has snatched the title of best foldable phone from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, which they dominated for years.
We love the large screen that opens with almost no crease, a notable improvement over one of the biggest shortcomings of the Galaxy Fold series. We also just love the speed and refinement of OnePlus software, and that Open Canvas multitasking is a really cool feature on a foldable phone!
The Open also makes no compromise with camera quality and comes equipped with top-notch hardware. You probably can tell by that giant camera bump, right? Learn more about all of that in our OnePlus Open review.
Of course, you also get the fast charging that OnePlus is known for too and that alert slider, all nice details that act as the cherry on top.
However, if you prefer a more established company in the foldable phone space, the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is an excellent alternative to the Open. It is arguably the biggest leap for the Fold series since its inception with a refined design, slightly wider and more useful cover screen, the best hinge in the foldable phone market and a thicker screen coating for peace of mind. And it works with the S Pen.
Key OnePlus Open specs:
Displays:
7.8-inch main screen, 2268 x 2440 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
6.3-inch front screen, 1116 x 2484 pixels
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 16GB
Cameras: 48MP main cam, 48MP ultra-wide, 64MP 3X zoom telephoto
Battery: 4800mAh
Storage: 512GB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 16GB
Cameras: 48MP main cam, 48MP ultra-wide, 64MP 3X zoom telephoto
Battery: 4800mAh
Storage: 512GB
Best Flip Phone: Galaxy Z Flip 6
PhoneArena Rating: 6.9/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 6 hours and 46 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 137
Samsung used to be the only company making fold and flip phones, but last year it was challenged in a big way and it had to respond.
This year, it has the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is the flip phone we recommend for most people.
Samsung seems to have the best build quality in the industry and most importantly, the essential hinge element feels a bit more refined on the Flip 6 than on the competition.
Samsung has also addressed users concerns about battery life with a bigger sized battery, it adds a welcome new 50MP main camera, but for all else the Flip 6 design feels very similar to the previous generation.
If you want a slightly larger flip phone, then you should conisder the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, a phone that has a true edge-to-edge front screen, longer battery life and a cheaper price. Learn everything about the Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs Motorola Razr Plus (2024) differences here. And we also have a separate breakdown of all the rest best flip phones on the market.
Key Galaxy Z Flip 6 specs:
Display: 6.7-inch OLED main screen, 3.4-inch front screen, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP front
Battery: 4000mAh
Storage: 256GB or 512GB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP front
Battery: 4000mAh
Storage: 256GB or 512GB
Best Android Phone Under $500: Google Pixel 8a
PhoneArena Rating: 6.2/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 5 hours 50 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 133
The Pixel A series has been our go-to recommendation for a budget Android phone under $500, and we are happy to see the Pixel 8a continue that tradition.
Google has not improved all that much on the Pixel 8a compared to the Pixel 7a or previous generations, but it has not broken anything either.
The Pixel 8a gets a new Tensor G3 chipset, which is still among the fastest in this price range (not the fastest, though – that would be the OnePlus 12R). It also has the familiar Google camera experience, with excellent quality photos from the main camera and very decent video recording.
Other strengths include the clean, cool Android interface and an impressive seven years of software updates.
Of course, we have to mention some of the downsides too: that huge bezel simply doesn't belong on a 2024 smartphone and in a perfect world we would love to see a telephoto camera, too.
Key Pixel 8a specs:
Display: 6.1-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate
Processor: Google Tensor G3
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 64MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 13MP front-facing
Battery: 4492mAh
Storage: 128GB
Processor: Google Tensor G3
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 64MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 13MP front-facing
Battery: 4492mAh
Storage: 128GB
Best iPhone on a Budget: iPhone 13
PhoneArena Rating: 6.2/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 5 hours 44 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 129
Shopping for a budget iPhone is no easy task because Apple simply refuses to update its budget lineup regularly.
For example, the cheapest iPhone available now, the iPhone SE 3rd Gen, was released back in 2022. Amongst its many limitations is a too-small-for-comfort 4.7-inch display that uses old LCD technology. Heck, it even has Touch ID and a big bezel! So we simply cannot recommend the iPhone SE to most people.
The cheapest iPhone we do recommend is the $600 iPhone 13. It has a much more useful 6.1-inch screen, and OLED technology for more vibrant colors. It also sports a dual camera system, Face ID and all the modern iPhone bells and whistles.
And for those of you hoping for a new iPhone SE, rumors say that model will be called iPhone SE 4, with a release date set for 2025.
Key iPhone 13 specs:
Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 1170 x 2532 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate
Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
Battery: 3240mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
RAM: 4GB
Cameras: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP front-facing
Battery: 3240mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Best Phone for Battery Life: Asus Zenfone 10
PhoneArena Rating: 6.9/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 10 hours 23 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 131
What a surprise this one was! When looking through our battery rankings, we expected bigger phones to come out on top. And they generally do, save for this one beautiful exception.
The Asus Zenfone 10, with its 4,300mAh cell, has amazing battery life.
Asus crushed it on all three of our PhoneArena Battery Tests.
It absolutely demolished the competition on our web browsing battery test, scoring nearly 27 hours and a half, compared to around 20 hours for the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra. It also scored highly on our YouTube video streaming test, with an impressive 14 and a half hours of non-stop video playback. For gaming too, it scored a respectable 10+ hours.
Sometimes life gives you unexpected surprises, and we absolutely loved this one.
Key Asus Zenfone 10 specs:
Display: 5.9-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 144Hz refresh rate
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 32MP front-facing
Battery: 4300mAh
Storage: 256GB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 32MP front-facing
Battery: 4300mAh
Storage: 256GB
Best Compact iPhone: iPhone 15 Pro
PhoneArena Rating: 7.4/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 5 hours 43 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 149
The definition of a compact phone seems to change almost every year as phones get bigger and bigger.
Currently, we classify compact phones as those with a screen size of 6.2 inches or less. It helps if you also have slim bezels around the screen.
Of course, some people will protest and say that a truly compact phone is something like the iPhone 13 mini (with its 5.4-inch display), but we have to face the reality... that phone is not sold new anymore!
So in our current world of sub 6.2-inch compact phones, we pick the iPhone 15 Pro as the best of the smaller iPhones.
It's a 6.1-inch design with bezels that are just a bit slimmer compared to the iPhone 15. It's a subtle difference in size, but you can feel it while using the phone.
The iPhone 15 Pro is also a powerful beast, with the Apple A17 Pro chipset, a triple camera system, and all the other iPhone bells and whistles, such as ProMotion, long software updates and the iOS ecosystem.
Key iPhone 15 Pro specs:
Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, 1179 x 2556 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor: Apple A17 Pro
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 3274mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Processor: Apple A17 Pro
RAM: 8GB
Cameras: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (2x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 3274mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Best Compact Android Phone: Galaxy S24
PhoneArena Rating: 7/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 5 hours 59 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 149
In the world of compact Android phones, the Galaxy S24 is the one to get based on our extensive testing.
It's more compact than Google's Pixel phones, with a narrower body that is very easy to grasp even in small hands.
It is also a true flagship, with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 120Hz screen and great camera quality.
And while other compact Android phones only have two cameras, the Galaxy has a third – 3X zoom telephoto camera – that gives you much better results for those zoomed shots.
In our PhoneArena Battery Score, the Galaxy S24 battery life ranking is close to the average for such a compact phone at nearly six hours, and this results in one day of real use. The S24 scores particularly good for lighter use such as web browsing, where the battery can last longer.
Key Galaxy S24 specs:
Display: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 8GB, 12GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 10MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 4000mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 8GB, 12GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 10MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto (3x optical zoom), 12MP front-facing
Battery: 4000mAh
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Best Phone Under $300: Galaxy A25 5G
PhoneArena Rating: 5.4/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 6 hours 43 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 128
What if you want something really cheap, something under $300?
You have a few options, but the Galaxy A25 5G from early 2024 might be the best. It has the reliability that the Samsung brand is known for and a camera quality that surpasses that of rivals such as the Moto G Power 5G (2024).
Of course, there are quite a few compromises you make at this price. We are certainly not in love with the plastic build quality and chunky bezels, but on the plus-side it's not the slowest phone around. For example, we also reviewed the cheaper, $200 Galaxy A15 5G which we found was just too slow, and that is not the case with the A25 5G.
And compared to others like the Moto G Power, the Galaxy also has a top-notch AMOLED screen with a sharp 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate – not common in this space.
So if you are looking for a good balance of features around the $300 mark, keep the Galaxy A25 5G on your radar.
Key Galaxy A25 5G specs:
Display: 6.5-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor: Exynos 1280
RAM: 6GB, 8GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 13MP front-facing
Battery: 5000mAh
Storage: 128GB
Processor: Exynos 1280
RAM: 6GB, 8GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 13MP front-facing
Battery: 5000mAh
Storage: 128GB
Best Gaming Phone: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
PhoneArena Rating: 7.1/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 8 hours 34 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 128
Gaming phones are a special category. You need some additional controls, flawless performance and great cooling, excellent sound, and a bigger screen. Oh, and you also want this to be a great phone to daily drive too with a good camera, right?
Well, as hard as this is to pull off, one phone does it best: the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. You could also go with a Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max that have similar power, but they lack the added buttons, specialized features and cooling that Asus has.
This year, Asus has gone for a more mainstream design, which adds a fashionista twist to your inner nerd. But it's still pretty much the same great gaming phone as before with those additional buttons and exceptional cooling that helps it maintain top-notch performance for longer than an iPhone or a Galaxy.
The software is also well tuned to gamers and there are a ton of customization options to make it fit your gaming personality. Even little details like gaming wallpapers look right on the ROG Phone.
Key Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro specs:
Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 165Hz refresh rate
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 16GB, 24GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 24MP front-facing
Battery: 5500mAh
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 16GB, 24GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 24MP front-facing
Battery: 5500mAh
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Fastest Charging Phone: OnePlus 12
PhoneArena Rating: 7.5/10
PhoneArena Battery Score: 8 hours 23 minutes
PhoneArena Camera Score: 142
Hey, what if you want a great phone that helps you get rid of your charge anxiety?
While there are a few models that excel here, only the OnePlus 12 is sold widely in the United States and the Western world.
In the US, the OnePlus 12 supports 80W fast charging (100W for models in Europe and the rest of the world). In real life, this means a full 1% to 100% top up takes just 37 minutes. Say bye-bye to overnight charging!
And all of this happens without destroying your battery, as OnePlus has proven protections in place. For example, most of the heat while charging stays in the charger rather than the phone. The OnePlus 12 battery is also rated for more charging cycles than rivals. Specifically, OnePlus claims at least 80% battery capacity will be maintained after 1,600 cycles, while Apple iPhones are expected to reach similar capacity much quicker, in just around 1,000 cycles.
This year, the OnePlus 12 also supports super-fast wireless charging at speeds of up to 50 watts, which makes it one of the fastest wireless charging phones. That is twice the speed of wired charging on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Key OnePlus 12 specs:
Display: 6.82-inch AMOLED, 1440 x 3168 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB, 16GB, 24GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 32MP front-facing
Battery: 5400mAh (equivalent)
Storage: 256GB, 512GB
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB, 16GB, 24GB
Cameras: 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 32MP front-facing
Battery: 5400mAh (equivalent)
Storage: 256GB, 512GB
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