From Galaxy 24 Ultra to iPhone 15 Pro Max, 6 high-end smartphones worth checking out

It keeps what was great about last year’s S23 Ultra too – the huge 6.8” AMOLED screen and big 5,000mAh battery. And upgrades like the titanium frame (supposed to be far more durable than aluminium), Gorilla Armor glass, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip make it even more compelling.

The quad-camera setup got boosted too, especially the 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom for clearer zoomed-in shots. The S24 Ultra takes the Android crown for 2024.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro Max. (Image: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)

Apple’s newest iPhone 15 Pro Max brings that premium experience you expect. The 6.7” AMOLED display is brilliant for videos and work, and the new titanium build means it’s noticeably lighter than before while still feeling solid and durable.

Another big upgrade is the USB-C port – faster transfers, external monitor support, and charging accessories like the Apple Watch straight from your phone. This is simply brilliant for pros who create content on the go. The new 5x zoom camera lets you get way closer to the action, and the A17 Pro chip keeps the graphical performance top-notch.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Google Pixel 8 Pro. (Image: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)

The Pixel 7 Pro was already great, but the Pixel 8 Pro is even better. The upgraded Tensor G3 chip boosts performance and enables genuinely useful software tricks, especially for photography where Google’s processing pulls ahead.

Android 14 on the Pixel has the cleanest, smoothest experience out there, and the support lifespan is an incredible seven years. This combined with a premium build featuring the iconic camera bar design on the rear, and you get a handset that nails the fundamentals in a beautifully minimalist package. The only gripe is the battery life and charging still has room for improvement.

OnePlus 12

OnePlus 12 5G. (Image: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)

OnePlus has always been about value flagships, and the OnePlus 12 delivers top-tier power for tens of thousands less than the competition. Gaming, videos, and multi-tasking are not a problem for this phone. Plus, the brand-new Sony LYT-808 camera sensor is claimed to take in 50% more light compared to the Sony IMX890 sensor on the OnePlus 11 for improved image quality too.

What makes the OnePlus 12 stand out is its blazing-fast 100-watt charging. You can go from 0 to 100% battery in just 25 minutes. If you want potent performance without the premium price tag, the OnePlus 12 is a superb choice.

OnePlus Open

OnePlus Open. (Image: Nandagopal Rajan/The Indian Express)

Foldable phones exploded in 2024, but the OnePlus Open gets our vote for the best-executed model. It nails the size-to-weight ratio – feels featherlight folded up, but unfolds into a huge, thin slate.

OnePlus optimised the software for that big 7.8” display with intuitive multitasking. You can have up to three apps open at once, and tapping into any one neatly tucks the others away temporarily.

While the camera bump is a bit large, the image quality is spectacular, especially for cinematic tones. And you can easily take selfies or group shots hands-free when unfolded. With top-tier specs like 16GB RAM as standard, 65W fast charging, and a virtually crease-free inner display, the OnePlus Open is our foldable pick for 2024.

Vivo X100 Pro

Vivo X100. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)

Vivo’s cameras have always been a strong suit, and the new X100 Pro takes things to another level. The huge 1-inch 50MP main sensor, paired with a 50MP wide angle and 64MP 3x optical zoom, puts out some of the best low-light photography we’ve seen. Night mode on this thing is wild.

Beyond the cameras, the X100 Pro does everything you’d expect well – the screen is brighter than before, performance is faster, and battery life is improved. Vivo’s also moving towards cleaner, more modern software with more customisation options with the all-new FuntouchOS 14 skin – and that’s great.

If you want an alternative to the Snapdragon crowd, the X100 Pro packs MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 which actually benchmarks better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. For photography buffs or anyone wanting a break from the mainstream picks, give the X100 Pro a look.