Best Flagship Smartphones October 2024
In 2024, the smartphone landscape is chock full of innovation, cutting-edge design, new materials, and fierce competition, with brands constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Flagship phones aren’t just high-end gadgets; they’re tools designed to excel in specific areas, whether you’re a content creator, mobile gamer, or productivity enthusiast. The flagship smartphone market in India is growing steadily despite the population being largely price-conscious. According to Counterpoint Research, during the first wave of 2024’s festive online sales, 70-80 per cent of premium smartphones priced above ₹30,000 were sold in Tier-II cities and beyond. This is a significant increase compared to the usual 50-60 per cent share during regular periods. Aspirational buying of smartphones like the iPhones and Samsungs of the world is at an all-time high in India. So, if you want to grab a spanking new flagship phone this festive season, this article is perfect for you. Let’s dive into the six best flagship phones of 2024, explore their standout features, and determine the unique use cases where each one shines.
Price: Starting at ₹1,49,999
Use Case: Best for Power Users and Content Creators
Why It’s Good
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is a standout flagship, showcasing Apple’s dedication to high-end hardware and software refinement. Its 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display stands out with excellent, detailed visuals and slim bezels. The new Apple A18 Pro chipset offers knockout performance for both daily tasks and demanding applications like gaming and video editing. The phone’s new ultrawide camera adds versatility, while 4K at 120 FPS video capture set a new standard for mobile videography. Battery life has been boosted with a 4,685 mAh cell, providing a whopping 9-10 hours of screen-on time, complemented by faster charging options. Design-wise, Apple has stayed true to its premium build quality, featuring a titanium frame that offers durability while maintaining a sleek, lightweight feel.
What Could Be Better
The new Camera Control button feels unnecessary, as its awkward placement and stiff press often result in shaky images. Moreover, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by iOS 18, the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features aren’t available out of the box, leaving the software experience feeling slightly unfinished.
Where it Excels
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is best suited for power users who need a top-tier smartphone for gaming, content creation, and multitasking. It’s also perfect for those upgrading from older iPhone models, offering noticeable improvements in display, camera, and battery life.
Price: Starting at ₹1,21,999
Use Case: Best for Professionals and Power Users
Why It’s Good
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra shines as a productivity machine, integrating AI-driven capabilities to enhance performance and user experience. Its AI capabilities like Live Translate and Chat Assist offer great help when performing daily productivity tasks. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers crisp visuals with a 120Hz refresh rate, making content consumption and multitasking seamless. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the device excels in both everyday tasks and heavy-duty applications, from gaming to 4K video editing. Its quad-camera setup, led by a 200MP primary sensor, offers versatile shooting capabilities, including 100x Space Zoom and AI-enhanced photography that ensures sharp and vivid images in any lighting. The 5,000mAh battery with faster charging ensures all-day use, perfect for power users who are always on the go.
What Could Be Better
While the S24 Ultra is a top-tier device, the lack of significant design changes from its predecessor makes it feel like an iterative upgrade. Additionally, Samsung’s decision to continue with a curved display can lead to accidental touches and isn’t everyone’s preference. Also, the large form factor may be cumbersome for users with smaller hands.
Where it Excels
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is ideal for professionals who require a phone that can handle high productivity demands, content creators who need top-notch camera capabilities, and power users who value cutting-edge performance with AI-driven enhancements. It’s especially great for those upgrading from older Galaxy models.
Price: Starting at ₹1,24,999
Use Case: Best for Software Purists and Photography Enthusiasts
Why It’s Good
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is often lauded for its brilliant camera and near-perfect software experience. In 2024, Google takes this to the next level by integrating AI more deeply into the phone’s DNA. The Tensor G4 chip allows the Pixel 9 Pro XL to leverage machine learning capabilities impressively. From real-time translations to photo editing that’s almost magical, the AI-driven functionalities define this phone. The camera setup, while not the most spec-heavy on paper, continues to punch above its weight. Google’s computational photography algorithms enhance every photo, especially in low-light conditions, where its Night Sight mode is still impressive. The design remains minimalist and clean, with a new camera deco that looks premium. And, of course, Pixel phones are known for getting the fastest Android updates, which guarantees longevity in terms of software support.
What Could Be Better
The Pixel 9 Pro XL falls short in some areas, such as its slower charging speeds—taking up to two hours to fully charge—and heating issues during charging. Additionally, the Tensor G4 is not nearly as powerful as its counterparts from Snapdragon and MediaTek. Additionally, the lack of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support is a notable drawback for users seeking superior multimedia experiences.
Where It Excels
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is ideal for AI enthusiasts who appreciate cutting-edge software integration, as well as photography lovers who value a camera system that blends hardware and computational photography for top-tier results. With excellent battery life and smart AI tools, it’s also a great choice for users who rely heavily on their phones for productivity and everyday tasks.
Price: Starting at ₹66,999
Use Case: Best for Users Wanting a Premium Experience at a Lower Price
Why It’s Good
The OnePlus 12 stands out in 2024 as a well-rounded flagship smartphone, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. It competes fiercely with other high-end devices like the iQOO 12 but offers a more premium feel with features such as wireless charging and an IP rating. The design incorporates a refined aesthetic with a marble-like finish on the back panel, giving it a luxurious touch. Its display is particularly impressive, boasting a peak brightness of 4,500 nits for HDR content and maintaining vibrant colours and excellent responsiveness, making it one of the best screens on a OnePlus device to date. In terms of performance, the OnePlus 12 delivers a smooth user experience, maintaining high frame rates in gaming without significant heating, thanks to its advanced cooling system. The return of wireless charging is a welcome addition, enhancing the convenience of daily usage. Moreover, the introduction of the periscope telephoto lens marks a significant upgrade, allowing for versatile photography options.
What Could Be Better
Despite its strengths, the OnePlus 12 has some shortcomings. The camera’s software tuning leaves room for improvement, particularly in point-and-shoot scenarios where images may not always reflect true-to-life colours. While the introduction of Master Mode allows for more user control, the out-of-the-box performance could be better optimised. Additionally, while performance is robust, the OnePlus 12 does throttle under sustained heavy use, which could affect long gaming sessions.
Where It Excels
The OnePlus 12 is perfect for users seeking a premium smartphone experience at a more affordable price. You get a balanced mix of design, performance, and features. It excels in providing a top-tier display for media consumption and gaming, as well as strong overall performance for everyday tasks. The addition of wireless charging and a versatile camera system makes it a fantastic all-rounder for enthusiasts who want a flagship device that meets their high standards across the board.
Price: Starting at ₹50,999
Use Case: Best for Gamers and Heavy Users
Why It’s Good
The iQOO 12 stands out as a powerhouse for gamers and heavy users, showcasing impressive specifications that cater to performance enthusiasts on a budget. In fact, it is the cheapest flagship smartphone you can get your hands on in India while being one of the fastest! With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, it delivers blazing-fast speeds and seamless multitasking. The device features a stunning 144 Hz AMOLED display, ensuring smooth visuals whether you’re gaming or scrolling through content. The camera setup has improved compared to its predecessor, with a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens, allowing users to capture stunning photos in various scenarios. The iQOO 12 also comes with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging, meaning you can get back to gaming in no time after a quick charge.
What Could Be Better
While the iQOO 12 excels in performance, it has a few downsides. The design, although sleek, may not feel as premium as competitors in its price range. Additionally, the software experience could benefit from a more refined user interface, as some users may find it cluttered or less intuitive compared to stock Android experiences. Lastly, the lack of an IP rating could be a drawback for those concerned about water and dust resistance.
Where It Excels
The iQOO 12 is tailor-made for gamers and power users who demand top-tier performance from their devices. With its high-refresh-rate display, robust processing power, and improved camera capabilities, it excels in delivering a comprehensive user experience for gaming, photography, and multitasking. Its rapid charging feature is particularly beneficial for those who are constantly on the move and need quick power boosts throughout the day.
Price: Starting at ₹89,999
Use Case: Best for Photography Lovers
Why It’s Good
The Vivo X100 Pro stands out as a premier smartphone for photography enthusiasts, boasting an exceptional camera system paired with powerful performance. It features a sophisticated camera array that includes a 50MP primary sensor with advanced optical image stabilization (OIS), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. This versatile setup allows users to capture stunning photos in various conditions, from vibrant landscapes to detailed close-ups, ensuring every shot is a masterpiece. The device is equipped with the advanced MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, providing fast and efficient performance for both everyday tasks and demanding applications. his combination of powerful hardware and excellent camera capabilities makes the Vivo X100 Pro an outstanding choice for photography enthusiasts and creative users who want a device that can keep up with their artistic pursuits.
What Could Be Better
While the Vivo X100 Pro excels in many areas, its design may leave some users wanting more. The large camera module, although distinctive, detracts from a premium aesthetic, and the slippery grip can pose challenges for users. Additionally, while the performance is top-notch, the device’s weight may make it less comfortable for prolonged use.
Where It Excels
The Vivo X100 Pro is tailor-made for photography and creative users who demand high-quality imaging from their smartphones. Its impressive camera setup, including advanced night photography capabilities and enhanced computational photography features, excels in capturing stunning images in various scenarios. The robust processing power ensures smooth multitasking and a lag-free experience, making it perfect for creative professionals and photography enthusiasts alike.
Choosing the right flagship phone in 2024 depends largely on what you prioritise in a smartphone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the go-to for content creators who need a versatile and powerful device. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra caters to AI enthusiasts, offering excellent generative AI capabilities. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL stands out for AI lovers and mobile photography enthusiasts, while the OnePlus 12 is a great value-for-money all-rounder. The iQOO 12 offers flagship performance and an excellent camera setup at a very compelling price. Finally, the Vivo X100 Pro is simply the best camera-centric flagship you can buy in 2024. With these options, 2024 has a flagship phone for everyone, ensuring that no matter what you need your phone for, there’s a perfect device waiting for you.