“Tech Titans Unleashed: Exploring the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Vivo X Fold 3 Pro!”

Top Smartphones Of 2024: The year 2024 has been a notable period in the realm of smartphones, with numerous devices entering the Indian market. From affordable performers to superior mid-range champions, seamless flagships, and innovative folding devices, 2024 encompassed a multitude of options. Some fell by the wayside, while others stood out remarkably even amidst fiercely competitive pricing categories. 

As we approach the year’s conclusion, we compile a selection of those that emerged victorious in our assessment. Below is a compilation of the finest smartphones that 2024 introduced, regardless of pricing tiers: 

iPhone 16: The Truly Novel iPhone

While it is not shocking to see a fresh iPhone included, some might find it surprising that it is not a Pro model. In 2024, the non-Pro iPhone, specifically the iPhone 16, proved to be the standout among its peers. It introduced several enhancements that narrowed the differences between the Pro and non-Pro iPhones. 

This was largely due to its unique design (especially the camera setup) which was distinctive enough to give it the appearance of a ‘new’ iPhone, setting it apart from the typical iPhone assortment. 

In addition to its appearance, the iPhone 16 featured several specifications enhancements – it adopted the Pro’s Action button, along with the new and highly publicized Camera Control button that the Revamped Pros also boasted. Among its upgrades was an outstanding 48-megapixel primary sensor on the rear, autofocus on the 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and the capability to record 4k videos using the front camera. 

Most significantly, it was driven by the A18 chip, equipped with Apple Intelligence support. Merge enhanced battery longevity, wireless charging capabilities that matched its wired charging speed, alongside the characteristic smooth iPhone performance, all while retaining the same price point, and the iPhone 16 emerged as not only the top non-Pro iPhone we had witnessed in years but also as one of the premier devices of 2024. 

ALSO READ: iPhone 16 Review: Best Non-Pro iPhone In A While, But Jury’s Out On Camera Control

Vivo X Fold 3 Pro: The Immaculate Fold?

The X Fold 3 successfully addressed numerous challenges that had been afflicting foldables for years, which many other manufacturers had struggled to resolve.  The primary advantage of a foldable device should be the combination of a fully functional phone and a tablet in one form, yet most foldables had settled for a compromised cover/secondary display (often awkwardly elongated with inferior quality and resolution), rendering them more like a secondary screen than a functional phone. 

The X Fold 3 Pro, conversely, presented a 6.53-inch display that featured a 120 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision+, 4500 nits peak brightness, and Armor glass on top, delivering all the flagship attributes one could desire.  While many foldable phones tend to be bulky and feel like a pencil case, the X Fold 3 Pro was merely 11.2 mm thick and weighed just 236 grams, despite showcasing one of the largest displays we have seen on a foldable – a stunning 8.03-inch AMOLED screen.

It also folded flawlessly, with no gaps between its two halves when closed. In terms of specifications, it was as flagship as they come, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, ample RAM and storage, and a substantial 5,700 mAh battery, which brought forth another rarity among foldable smartphones: superfast 100W wired and 50W wireless charging support. 

The X Fold 3 dispelled the myth of foldables possessing inferior cameras – it included a commendable 50-megapixel primary sensor, an additional 50-megapixel ultrawide, and a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto lens complete with OIS and 3x optical zoom, all developed in collaboration with the renowned camera brand Zeiss. 

Completing the impressive specifications were two excellent 32-megapixel front-facing cameras, one on the cover display and another on the foldable screen. It was the closest we got to foldable perfection in 2024. 

ALSO READ: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro Review: Higher in Price Than Rivals, But Superior to Other Foldables

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Standing Out On Its Own… Once More

AI was the trending topic of 2024, with smartphone manufacturers branding and promoting devices infused with AI capabilities. 

Among these, the one device that truly excelled in delivering such features was the Google Pixel 9 Pro. This phone was equipped with Google Gemini Live acting as the default assistant, Pixel Studio capable of generating images, and Magic Studio, which allows you add and eliminate elements from a picture and even adjust the moment it was captured, along with various other AI wizardry, including some remarkable transcription and translation. 

Alongside this was the customary Pixel bundle of exceptional cameras paired with Google’s computational photography expertise, Google’s Tensor G4 chip, an unadulterated stock Android experience with seven years of guaranteed updates and a full-day battery endurance with 45W charging capability. All this housed in a 152.8 mm x 72 mm x 8.5 mm casing of high-quality glass and metal weighing only 199 grams, making it one of the most compact flagship devices of 2024. 

It was virtually the AI Phone of the year.

OnePlus Nord 4: Midrange Maestro With Robust Metal Inside

2024 was not solely about flagship devices. It featured a midrange sensation as well – the OnePlus Nord 4. Its elegantly designed metal back was a refreshing change in a landscape filled with plastic and metal, making it the highlight phone of the year in terms of aesthetics, even surpassing its flagship counterpart, the OnePlus 12. 

In addition to its attractive appearance, it boasted a robust specifications sheet for its price, consistent with OnePlus’ original flagship-killing legacy – a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, the leading Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 chipset, along with ample RAM and storage. 

Its primary 50-megapixel Sony Lytia sensor featuring OIS provided flagship vibes, powered by a massive 5,500 mAh battery with support for 100W SuperVOOC charging, complete with a charger included in the box as well.  

All of this with OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14.1 and AI functionalities, which were rare at this price range, backed by a promise of four years of Android updates and six years of security patches. It was arguably the finest combination of design, specifications, and cost that we observed throughout the year – solid metal craftsmanship. 

ALSO READ: OnePlus Nord 4 Review: Nord’s Classical Sound Gets A Heavy Metal Transformation