Hello everyone, Ivan here! As one of the editors at GSMArena, my focus primarily revolves around smartphone photography, so when it comes to choosing my top phones of the year, camera performance takes center stage. However, aesthetics and ergonomics are also crucial, as I'm responsible for taking all the review photos!
This year marks a significant shift for me—I usually end the year with a Galaxy S Ultra in hand, but 2024 changed that trend. After using various iterations starting from the Galaxy S20 Ultra to the recently released Galaxy S24 Ultra, I finally parted ways with the Samsung flagship. Let's dive into my top picks for 2024.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Traditionally, I've championed the Galaxy S Ultra as the ultimate cameraphone. However, competition is fierce with brands like vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo elevating their hardware game. Samsung, however, seems content to compete primarily with Apple and Google. While this strategy may work in select markets, it's a different story here at GSMArena HQ.
Nonetheless, the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains an outstanding device. Its expansive display and the exclusive stylus functionality sets it apart, along with unparalleled craftsmanship. It delivers exceptional photography capabilities, complete with a reliable 3x and 5x zoom combination that exceeded my expectations.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
| 256GB 12GB RAM | $ 775.00 |  |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | $ 897.21 |  |
Honor Magic V3
But it's not just the Galaxy S Ultra facing tough competition; the Galaxy Z Fold6 is also falling short against its Chinese counterparts. The
Magic V3 stands out as my top choice for photography among foldables—I'd choose it over other form factors without hesitation. It defies the stereotype that folding phones have to compromise on battery capacity and charging speed. A solid win!
Honor Magic V3
| 256GB 12GB RAM | $ 65.62 |  |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | $ 1,799.00 | € 1,382.00 |
Google Pixel 9 Pro
As someone accustomed to larger phones, the allure of compact flagships has grown on me. I was considering a Pixel 9 Pro, which offers a great balance of features, battery life, and camera prowess. There's always been a certain charm to Pixel devices, but I found the 48MP 113mm f/2.8 zoom camera less appealing due to its limitations.
Google Pixel 9 Pro
| 128GB 16GB RAM | $ 669.94 | € 875.27 |
| 256GB 16GB RAM | $ 869.99 | € 1,077.00 |
vivo X200 Pro mini
In a close competition with the Pixel 9 Pro, vivo's compact offering shines. Unfortunately, the X200 Pro mini remains exclusive to the Chinese market, meaning many fans outside of China will miss out on this extraordinary device.
vivo X100 Ultra
This is the phone that has made its way into my pocket since I completed my review! As the first to set up a new device in the office, I've enjoyed an exclusive experience with the X100 Ultra. The camera system is outstanding, and it's possibly the quickest shooter I've encountered. The beautiful Zeiss color tuning further enhances my photography, making this phone my go-to for travels, effectively replacing my bulky cameras.
Beyond just being a camera powerhouse, the overall experience with the X100 Ultra has been marvelous. I find Origin OS far more visually appealing and fluid than Funtouch OS. Although I've tweaked a few settings for app compatibility—like making my Galaxy Watch6 Classic and Google Wallet work—it's worth it for the seamless experience.
And there you have it! The Galaxy S24 Ultra may have exited my life, but the vivo X100 Ultra has taken the crown as this year's standout device. My long-standing fondness for Samsung remains, however, as I hope they'll innovate further to keep up with the fierce competition from Chinese brands.
Looking forward to see what innovations 2025 has in store! Thanks for reading!
